Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-12
futile SEES NO BAD RESULTS
Thinks the Massachusetts Laws Strict
Enough to fe=guardPubl Interests
Believes In Consolidation.

Use that no further effort would be
made by these interests to obtain ad-
ditional Boston 6, Maine stock until the
New Haven road had asked the Legis-
lature to permit the merger. Mr.. Mellen
did not see how he could control the ac-
ton Of individuals, even though they
might be favorable to his road, all
though he admitted that those interests
would not have acted in connection
with the Boston & Maine if he. (Mellen)
had not requested it, and he believed
that those interests at the annual meet
ing of the Boston & Maine road would
vote for the directors whom he might
Indicate. He disagreed with Mr.. Valley
in that there was any law in Massacnu-
sets which would prevent individuals
from gaining control of the Boston &
Maine in the interests of the New Hav-
en- road. Il think there is such a law"
said Senator Valley. land If I We're the
attorney general I would invoke it,"
Perhaps that is why you are not the
attorney general" quickly replied Mr.
Mellen.
AS the laughter which followed Presi-
, dent Mellens retort to the senator sub
sided. Mr.. Erandes jumped to his feet
and began to ask the New Haven presi-
| dent questions. Mr.. Mellen interrupted
him abruptly and with considerable
warmth said that he would not supply the
other side with ammunition. Then, bow
| ing to the committee, he turned on the
Boston lawyer and. pushing hic way
| through tie crowd, left the room and the
state house.
President futile then followed. prefac-
ing his remarks with the statement that
he was Indifferent to the outcome and
actuatcd by no personal motives in dis
cussing, as a Massachusetts citizen. the
subject before the committee. AS has
| been said, he laid great stress on the pos
| siblitv Of Massachusetts laws and
| thought they We're sufficiently strong to
protect the interests of the state in any
merger. Il am in favor of consolidation
and it is the duty of every citizen to sink
personal identity for the progress Of the
whole" he said.
President futile told the committee that
| the indirect cause of the passing of the
| control of tie Boston & Maine road to
| the New Haven road YVES the hostility of
| Massachusetts laws to invested interests.
| President futile saw no dire results
arising out of the consolidation and said
| that the future of Boston depended more
upon the hustle of her citizens than in
| the policy of the railroads. President
| futile went farther and said that the
| prosperity of the country depends upon
its TRANSFORMATION facilities At the close
Of his remarks only ore question was
asked him. and that was whether he
would say definitely If he approved Of the
| merger. which he said he did.
Even Mr.. Brandeis showed no desire to
| place MIR. futile on the rack which the
lawyer had evidently prepared for Mr..
Mel!en. Mr.. BraEdeis then spoke for an
hour, during which he claimed that Pres
ident Mellen had broken his promise given
| to the LEGISLATURE a year ago regarding
| the acquisition Of trolley lines, and also
| criticized some of Mr.. Tuttle's statements.
At the close of the hearing Mr. Brandeis
handed the comrlittee his general bill TO
prevent railroad consolidation without
sanction of the Legislature. The commit
tee will sit again tomorrow.