New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-25
MELLEN HITS ATPROUTY
President of Ne1U-HaUen Road
Says His Charges We're Unjust.

Boston, March "a (speciaD.-Presdent Mellen
made his second address of the week on the rail-
road situation before the Boston Art Club tonight
Last Monday night. before the Get Together Club,
of Hartford Mellen severely criticised the Hep
burn Rate bill, now before Congress. Since then
the Hartford speech has been severely handled
both in Congress and by newspapers in many sec
tons Of the country and the close Of Mr.. Mellen's
address here tonight devoted to a defence OF
his speech.
Mr.. Mellen spent a large part OF his time to-
night IN discussing the attack on the New Haven
road made by Commissioner Prouty in his Boston
speech recently discussing at length the Georgia
peach rates and laying especial emphasis on the
allegations Of Commissioner Prouty that the New
Haven road had Disseminated in favor Of the
Standard Oil Company.
Mr. Mellen tonight made the first official answer
TO the Standard OIL discrimination charges, saying
that the Commissioner used the Standard OH as
sertion because he thought by linking our COM
pany the popular prejudice that has lately ex-
listed against the Standard OIL Company he could
help his attempt to get more authority
MI Mellen said that others than the Standard
Oil were favored and that there was competition
the New Haven through these other companies.
He says that the commissioner who presided at
the hearing Of the had announced his position
while the pending. and that this Is an
example of the hesitancy of railroad men to have
more power put 'In the hands OF one so preJu-
diced" Mr Mellen tonight also announced num-
Der Of new plans for the Massachusetts end of the
system. His address. in part follows;
So far as our patronage viii warrant, it is the he
6ere for D5ssenger and freight transportation,
and regarding the rates upon passenger ualc yOI
short time in the establishment of maximum rates
of two cents per mile upon our %n1te y intention
to advance any Of the existing rates that are now
The prejudice against corporations is strong
enough if based upon facts, and many GnaIss, Il
which If explained from the standpoint Of the other
VIII I'M tbat is vSortjv Of Consideration and
however much YOU may disagree with its concIu-
Chance for an aonest differences of opinion.
You were also advised of certain dlSCrlmlIIAIon
conlnaGy in favor of the Standard Oil Company,
rog5r5j,55e, which olr company through myself,
makes this statement in answer
The case before the commission was brought at
Je o IN every way the bringing Of the
same, even TO assisting in dr2%ipg tRe
which churaCterZes all his work, ne heard me case
and then rendered a decision, claiming there was
discrimination, but admitting the declSlon was IN
He knew he had no jurisdiction IN the beginning.
and his only object in hearing the case was TO
bring an argument to bear why he should be given
been excited against the Standard OIL Company ne
could bring additional weight to bear to accomplish
with his customary fairness he neglected to men
ton in his decision what was fairly shown at the
hearing that upon the New Haven lines there was
stanGarq Ol CoLpalfE r NE dsfribIton of their
company was not controlled in the interest Of the
Standard Oil Company, but was competed for by
others in the same line Of trade.
SAYS DECISION IN ADVANCE.
Before the case was heard, and while It was
peuding before any decision rendered, the COM
s WR2 nnoun S 9 his decision on two
public occasions: on March 9, 1902 before the
1856, before the United States Senate Committee on
oommission was announced on February a. 1906.
From this gentlemen, you may perhaps under
road ouclals' 10 one 20 nTai5iasd. vyhv
railroad officials do not care that the place Of de-
9 executfoner Should be in the same hands
fboue-f Of course there are amenorating circum-
stances when the disposition is to announce a de-
cison in pending case so LaT IN aCV9ilcg OF iIs
for the blow when 1t f2il5-and take TINS oc-
casion to express the obligation OF our company
for the consideration shown US IN this particular
A great deal has been said about the discrmina-
Cthe result Of this decisionl pracused by our
There IS no such discrimination, and there has
9een none co IT5 With The Standard oil Com
pany under the same circumstances and conditions.
started by capable, Wen equipped men, who are
trying to make a success OF II. They are doing
doing the same as they would were positions
versed. 1t is a case Of waiting. we must be pa
don't know who it viii be- and have no feeling
I am glad however. to know how the gentleman
feels upon the subject. for following his usual
course, he gave general outline Of what his de-
csion would be when the case came before him,
and enabled to protest his sitting IN judgment
but do not suppose that will prevent his horse
shedding the fury, and influencing the decision,
far he has power, when that decision is rem
dered.
not contain something that uttered with con-
siderable emphasis. and Of which l have notes
which was that If the commission were given power
/ TO fix rates. he would assure the business men of
New England that the rates New England rail-
/ roads would be reduced
This is not the first case we have heard Of Of
promises made II would bow down and wor-
ship, and it reminds me of a saying l have fire.
quently heard. that 1t mean man who would
not promise-it gives the other fellow so much sat
isfaction and little especially if you can
. make some one else pay the bill