The Washington times., 1906-03-25
PROUTy IS BIASED,
MELLEN DECLARES,
IN BITTER ATTACK
Railroads Object to
Trusting Property to
Such Men.
HANDSUP BEFORE PEOPLE
New Haven President Fore
sees Sweeping Revolu-
ton in Control.
HANDSUP BEFORE PEOPLE

BOSTON. March A.-The feature OF
the session OF the Art Club here to-
night. was the address of Charles 5.
Mcllen. president OF the New York. New
Haven and Hartford railroad He
directly charged that the Interstate
Commerce Commission was unfair in
its methods and preiudiced against the
railway systems of the United States
as whole. and especially against the
New Haven management.
After referring 10 the recent speech
Of Commissioner Prouty. in which the
official charged that the New Haven
road had Disseminated against oil ship
pers in favor OF the Standard Oil Com
pany. Mr.. Mellen asserted that the case
I'm point was instigated by a member OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
and he declared that despite this fact
the commissioner responsible sat IN
Judgment on the complaint and handed
down a decision claiming discrimination
existed. but admitting that the de
cision was ineffectuaI because the com
mission had no jurisdiction"
Trying 20 Arouse Prejudice
Continuing. Ny. MeIlen said:
He knew he had no jurisdiction in
the beginning and his only object in
hearing the case was to bring an argli-
ment to bear whv he should be given
more authority. and thought by linking
our compan- with the popular prejudice
that has lately been excited against the
Standard Oil Company he could bring
additional weight TO bear 10 accomplish
his purpose.
With his customary fairness. he ne
elected TO mention I'm his decision. what
was fairly shown at the hearing. that
upon the New Haven lines there was
competition through others not in the
control OF the Standard OIL Company.
who were favored with equally liberal
rates for the distribution OF their prod
ucts; that the territory Of the New Ha-
ven Company was not controlled in the
interest Of the Standard Oil Company.
but was competed for by others in the
same line of trade
Before the case was heard. and
while it was pending. before any de-
cision was made, the commissioner
who presided at the hearing of the
ease had substantially announced his
decision on two public occasions
Why Roads Object.
From this, gentlemen. you may per
haps understand some of the hesita-
tion on the part of the railroad Off
cIals why they do not want any more
power put in the hands Of one so
prejudiced: why railroad officials do
not care that the position of detective.
advocate, public prosecutor. Judge.
jury, and executioner should be in the
same hands.
L say right now. gentlemen. that
there is no discrimination on our lines
in favor of the Standard Oil Company
and there has been none: for there are
others operating upon our lines in COM
petition with the Standard Oil Com
psny under the same circumstances
and conditions.
Still. in Difference to the public
prejudice. this misrepresentation has
caused. although entirely within OuI
rights in the course We have thus far
pursued. and believing the way we
have been handling this business is the
best for all interests-the railroad and
the public; admitting no discrimina-
tion. averring there is and has beer
none-we nevertheless yield to the ad
verse public opinion excited by this
Misrepresentation, and have ordered
pro-rating arrangements upon petrol
cum and oil products by all our line:
ferry or float transfer.
Useless to Resist People.
We are on the eve of a great chang,
in the handling of our railroads. W.
have learned that they are not privat,
property. We know that the public ha,
rights they are disposed to as rert. anC
there must be a larger measure Of con
troll than ever before conceded. II /,
useless to deny there have been abuses
il is impossible 20 allay the distrus
and suspicion they have excited
IT is TOO late for promises; the enc
is in sight. The man who feels he hai
done his whole duty, the man who Il
conceded TO have done it-they are boil
swept aside by a public which feels out
ragged. and is striking out blindly in it
Iage and likely to cause more damag
in seeking a remedy than has beel
caused by the disease.
NO rate rule or regulation should b'
established by any tribunal" he ex
claimed. without suspension pending a,
appeal to the courts. and If the judge
are likely to be overburdened and ther
be delay. they should be helped out b,
increasing their numbers.
He also declared that carriers shoul
be compelled 10 give adequate bond L
cover loss. cost. and expense. and de
Tended the system OF joint rates an
his hearers to use their influence I
prevent .-demagogic" legislation and I
compel members Of the commission I
attend TO their business"
Now for Florida, Aiken, Augusta