Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1909 — TALKS OF WORK FOR THOUSANDS [ARTICLE]

TALKS OF WORK FOR THOUSANDS

flarrimaa Looks to Congress to Permit Agreement HE WON’T DISCUSS RATES Report That Conference of Railroad Men Has Been Called on Account of Belief That Interstate Commerce Commission Is to Be Permitted to Authorize an Arrangement by Which Various Lines Could “Get Together’* on Capital-Saving Plan. Pasadena, Cal., March 16.—1 t la reported that E. H. Harriman is working on a scheme to bring about a mutual understanding In regard to traffic arrangements between all the railroads of the country. Some of the railroad men who ara to take, part in a conference which Harriman has arranged have not arrived. C. O. Butterworth of the New York Central road is expected today. Harriman was asked: “How soon do you expect the railroads to resume work on the Improvements that were contemplated before the panic?" “You may say,” he answered, “that as soon as an amendment is passed giving the interstate commerce commission power to allow the railroads to enter Into a mutual agreement— that is, permitting the strong roads of the country to extend their credit and protection over the weaker roads. “At the present time there is a clause in the law which prohibits ono road having any control over a parallel or competing line. This is what wo want changed. If the change is made it will mean the employment of thouands of men.” Asked whether this would mean a reduction in rates, Harriman said be preferred not to talk of rate reductions.