The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-16
MELLEM
IS A MILD AND
FRANK WITNESS

Boston, May l6-President Charles s.
Hartford railroad was subjected TO an
inquisition for more than two hours yes
terday by Attorney General Malone, when
the railroad man appeared as a witness in
the test case which was brought by the
state OF Massachusetts to restrain the
corporation from acquiring or control
ling street railway lines within the bound
aries OF the commonwealth.
The attorney general drew out the fact
that among the companies OF which Mr..
Mellen Is president are the Berkshire
street Railway company Western Massa-
chusetts Street Railway company. Spring
neld street Railway company, Worcester
and Southbridge Street Railway company.
worcester and Blackstone Street Railway
company and the New England Invest
ment and Security company the last
named being the company under which
the trolley lines were acquired.
While President Mellen was on the
stand Attorney General Malone asked
him: Don't you dominate the board OF
directors OF the different corporations OF
which you are president? You have said
that what you say goes on those boards {"
Il do not did not say So" replied Mr..
Mellen. with much emphasis.
Col. j. II. Benton, counsel for the New
Haven road, interrupted the proceedings
TO add with considerable show OF feeling:
Il do not agree that Mr. Mellen said
that ne dominated those boards OF direct
ors. Ii Is not probable that Mr. Mellen
would dominate a board OF directors up
on which are Mr.. Morgan and Mr.. Rookie
feller."
MELLEN IS UNRUFFLED.
Mr.. Mellen answered all qnestions in a
striking mild and unruffled manner with a
voice that never rose above carefully
modulated pitch. Only once or twice did
he permit himself TO show outward appre-
clation OF the humor involved In some OF
the questions and answers; but on the
whole he answered very frankly and with
apparent directness even Offering In ex.
plain at times things which the attorney
generals questions only partially deyel-
oped.
Today's hearing was before Winefild g
Siocum. who is sitting as master in the
case. ana was one OF the many sessions
at which the attorney-general has striven
10 ind out whether or not the railroad
company acquired interests in the rail-
ways or this state in an illegal manner.
With President Mellen was Vice-Presi-
dent Byrne and John @. Parker, secre-
tary of the New Haven company. The
examination OF Mr.. Mellen, the only one
OF the trio to be heard was Of a very
thorough and searching character the
bulk OF the questions and answers beiny
OF so thoroughly technical character
as TO completely puzzle anyone not an
expert railroad man or a competent law
yer. Some OF the questions put 70 Prssi-
dent Mellen were so long and involved
that scarcely anyone could follow them,
outside the counsel and the railroad Off
GERS. who were all familiar with the facts
at issue. No matter how long or intri-
cate the question might be which tho
attorney-general propounded. President
Mellen never for a single moment seemed
to lose the thread OF II, and he was al
ways ready with his answer, or his ex
PLANTATION as 10 why he could not answer.
The attorney-general had President
Mellen explain his position and connec-
ton with the various railroad, railway
and other companies, and enterprises in
which he is interested, and the list is not
a short one by any means. Finally the
attorney general asked him how he dis-
tinguished between the interests of these
various concerns when sitting in the
board OF directors meetings OF any one
of them.
Just as l would IL were sitting on
the board OF -" and here President
Mellen named a half dozen other corpora
tions of which he Is an officer, the names
OF which had not at that time appeared
In the testimony. II try to conflne my
self TO the matter under considera tion at
that time. and to consider II from the
standpoint OF the interests Of that cor
poration or company"