New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-02
MELLEN ON VALUATION
SEES THE PRESIDENT.
Railroad affairs Discussed in Con-
ference at White House.
GFrcra The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington. May Charles s. Mollen. presi-
dent of the New York, New Haven 6 Hartford
Railroad, accompanied by Timothy E Byrnes,
his assistant Isl managing the affairs Of that
road called at the White House to-day by ap-
pointment and had a short conference with the
President. Mir. Mesn told the President that
he had not only come to regard the proposition
that the just valuation of a railroad must con-
stitute the true basis on which to calculate
Just and reasonable rate correct but he had
determined 10 ascertain the correct valuation
Of the New York. New Haven & Hartford, and
20 that END had employed John F. Stevens for
merly chief engineer of the Panama Canal to
conduct the examination and prepare the esti-
mate of actual value. Mr.. Stevens has already
begun this work and Mr. NIellen believes that
in the not distant future he will be in possess
sion Of comprehensive and reasonably accurate
inventory o. his entire road.
The Presidents policies in general were dis
cUssed. and Mr.. Roosevelt told Mr. Meilen
in confidence OF some of the features of the
speech which he is to deliver at indianapolis
the last Of this month, and which VIII be note
worthy economic Utterance. When MIR. Mellen
left the Presidents Office he disposed to
fence with the newspaper men, and gave them
little satisfaction. while the genial commune
cativeuess which characterized Tim Byrnes
national committeeman for Minnesota" was
lost under the austere aspect of Timothy
Byrnes. railway magnate"
I always call the President when I come to
Washington" said Mr.. MeIIen. Il have known
him good many years, you know You might
say that I made a social call on the President
to-day, and that We had a very friendly talk.
Mr. Mellen said in the next breath. however,
that he had come TO Washington on this occa-
sion on purpose to see the President, and eX-
pected to go back East in the evening. When
he was asked if he favored the idea of govern
rnent appraisement Of railroad values, he re-
piled: 81 do not favor anything in particular
I happen to he in charge Of little piece Of
property there in the East that occupies small
corner Of the earth. and would like TO be al
lowed 10 run it in peace and quiet and pros
perity"
as the New York, New Haven & Hartford In
& very prosperous condition just now?" Mr.. Mel
len was asked. He laughed before replying.
I'VE are doing fairly well" he said, but 1 do
not think had better say too much about that
They sometimes change tax assessments. you
know"
will the New York New Haven & Hartford
buy cut the Boston & Maine?" was asked.
ST think wen wait a while and whether
we are compelled to do so by the newspapers"
was Mr.. Meen's answer.
In reply 10 a question about Mr.. Stevenss
connection with his road, Mr.. Mellen said that
the former chief engineer had been employed 10
do some special work. and that he doing 1t
well so far as he knew. He added that he be-
neved too much prominence had been given 10
the fact that he had gone TO work for the New
York, New Haven & Hartford. and that there
was really nothing strange startling in the
fact that he was the payroll.
After their call at the White House Messrs.
MeIIen and Byrnes visited the officers Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. Later in the
day Mr.. Melleu went TO New York and Mr..
Byrnes to Boston.
Chairman Knapp. OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission, was in conference with the Presi-
dent this afternoon.