New-York tribune., 1907-11-14
MELLEN ON INQUIRY.
'POLITICS THE MOTTVE."
Says Nczc HaUen Probe Is Not
Backed by Sinceritg.
LBy Telegraph to The Tribunal

bitterly attacking what he termed ~chean mill
teal motives on the part Of Massachusetts poll
ticians" in obtaining the runlored investigation
OF the New Haven Road. He said Of the Wall
street troubles that they were started through
tnsincere desires for reform and that all the nso
pIe must pay the bill
The position of the company with which I
connected furnishes an instance u-bera,n
business enterprise of large importance is being
made :he football of politicians and we are
caused large loss and embarrassment" he said
As result or pressure by politicians. promoted
- believe by people whose interest is other
than a desire for the enforcement Of the law. an
investigation has been ordered of our company,
concerning the things it has DONE has left IN
done and has thought of doing
But for politics the Investigation could have
heen completed long before this. but election
was coming on apace, and the interests involved
mot ours) required notice in the press. Some
thing in the way OF consideration commensurate
with the dignity of the ticklers and prodders OF
the octopus was necessary. The several ten
tacles required assistants to hold them, even
though they had promised to stand still and
make trouble. An admiring public must
have time in which to become familiar with It's
trusted servants, assurances had to be given that
the interests of the public in safe hands
and no guilty man should escape, the goddess
never questioned; we were pretty near Canada.
though we had disposition 10 fly. Man had
achieved distinction with less opportunity, and
lightning might strike again. The chances were
great. Even il nothing came OF il only the
poration would be embarrassed and it was al
together too common for that to occur to
warrant consideration. That's really what cor
porations for nowadays and if 1t is not
stated in their charters it ought to be. Every
1I- -, sl,<
complaints they could think of; no bouquets or
compliments were desired. The agitation was
started through mendacious reports that our
company going TO finance political
paign IN e neighboring state for large amount.
Apparently nothing is too ridiculous to be
believed when votes are in the balance, and
quick action secured by local legislation.
holding everything up until after election and
another session Of the Legislature.
Business could go to the dogs When votes
are 10 be gained. who thinks of business? That
is something to be taxed Political necessity
knows no obligation but TO succeed. The people
pay the bills. Brains employed in the realms
Of higher politics cannot be harassed by the
commonplace cares Of business earning a live
iihood, even understanding the process. Per
ish the thought!
Able attorneys can always be secured 10
draw complaints that Will attract attention and
Nestigatng them. They can be investigated
quietly and all possible harm be avoided or they
can be Investigated with q brass band and the
greatest possible damage result. The mere
filing Of q complaint often will accomplish
what is wanted. It IS not always done so much
TO set the law as the corporation in motion.
THE finger Of suspicion can be pointed and
credit impaired. More charges can be made in
an hour than can be disproved in a month
The minority holders OF stock can. by proinot-
ing such investigation through their shrewd
attorneys create nuisance value for their
holdings and walk off with the price, for it is
cheaper TO pay than to contend in many cases.
and 1t may yet be cheaper for us in this
Justice is indeed blind when she can be led
10 hold up the largest business enterprise in
New England that blackmaiI may be extorted
Don't misunderstood me. don't think or
charge that any government official Is know
ingiy a party to any backmailing scheme in this
investigation, but I believe it has been insti- |
gated largely by parties not interested so much
IN the administration Of justice as in securing a
beneficial result to themselves through exactinc
price for their stock. and that it is less expen-
Five TO do their work and pay the bills in this
way than it would be otherwise have been
urged by numbers OF people to ignore the law as
70 Interstate traffic, have been advised by coun-
sci had right SO to do, but have many things
10 ask Of you, and am not going to fly con-
trary TO your so plainly expressed wishes until
some competent authority lays down policy
nave no option but TO follow. Besides. I be-
IeVe IN educational process, and I hope some
time you are going TO modify the law in your
own interest, and it will be doubIy acceptable 10
have II come in that way.
Don't deceive yourselves that Wall Street
suffers alone nor that patriotism is only to be
learned from those who hold office: that bravery
is only found among those who risk their lives:
fnat knowledge is only to be acquired from the
study Of books: that honesty is to be found
only where preached the most vigorously; that
homely virtue only exists where most adver-
tised
Wall Street distributes it's burdens quickly
End you cannot escape your share. AS much
'lnselfsh patriotism shown during the recent
panic in New York was ever shown by any
n those in other walks Of life who have most
severely criticised the men and methods of that
financial centre. Men risked their fortunes, !
who were absolutely safe had they been selfish
that others might save theirs. Do not permit
yourselves TO be deceived and believe you can
70 on and prosper while the rest are in trouble.
II may seem a far cry from the farm to the
octupus with which I am identified, but we
stand or fall together in very large measure,
and It is difficult for US to prosper and you not
70 enjoy your full share"
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