The Washington times., 1908-02-02
NEW HAVEN DEAL
IN BOSTON ROAD
NAY BE ATTACKED
President and Attorney
General Investigating
Purchase of New
England Road,

It was learned from an authoFlta-
tive source last night that the Bresl-
dent and the Department or Justice
are about ready 10 take definite ac-
ton against the purchase of the Bos-
ton ana Maine railroad by the~ NeW
York. New Haven, and Hartford raj
road. While the details OF the FRO
posed action are withheld at this time,
il is believed that they are sufficiently
broad in their scope 10 make unneces-
sarv the drastic legislation which Ger
tain Of the disconnected Boston and
Maine stockholders hope to have pass
ed by the Massachusetts Legislature
The Department OF Justice has been
engaged for three months in invesugdt-
ing the purchase OF the Boston and
Maine and attaches of the department
have held frequent conferences with
United States District Attorney Asa
p. French at Boston.
President Studies Matter.
President Roosevelt has been giving
the matter his personal attention II 2
has spent many hours studying the de-
tails Of The purchase with a view 10
learning whether it constituted vio-
Iation of the interstate commerce or
Sherman antitrust laws. The case IS
admittedly a complex one, inasmuch. as
the officials OF the New Haven road
maintain that the interstate commercs
roads do not parallel each other-aupa
laws are not violated because ere
reads do not parallel each other should
that contention prevail. there stih re-
mains the Sherman law. which may be
brought into use TO prevent the New
Haven from assuming active charge OF
the Boston and Maine.
President Charles S Meilen and Vice
President Timothy Byrnes. Of the New
York, New Haven and Hartford Rail
road were in Washington during the
week on a secret mission. They visited
President Roosevelt twice during their
stay, TO present their side Of the case.
The remainder of their time was spent
in consultation with Attorney auckland,
Of tho railroads law department
Denied Coming on Business.
Mr. auckland has been in Washington
for several months, being specially de-
tailed here because Of the probability
OF some aggressive move on the part or
the Government. Mr.. MeIlen and AIR
Byrnes strenuousIy denied that they
were in this city on business and stated
that their calls at the White House
were o. @ social nature.
Whatever the nature NJ their call may
have been che arrival at the White
House today Of Louis B-andeis. OF Bos-
ton. is of more than usual significance,
following so closely on the heels OF the
railroad officials. Mr.. Braudeis IS the
Of iT -
chusetts. and he is the bitterest enemy
Of the contemplated merger. After he
left the White House he went directly
to the Hotel willard, where he met Sen
ator W. Murray Crane. Of MassachU-
sets. The two talked earnestly for
some time and then Mr.. Braadeis went
to the Department Of Justice, where he
was closeted with Attorney General
Bonsparte.
Mr.. Brardeis talked freely regarding
his Investigations into the merger qucs-
ton. although he declined to admit that
that question was the subject OF CONVEX
satiCn between himself and the Presi-
dent He did say, however, that he
would not. be surprised If, within the
next few days, there were developments
of very great Importance in connection
with the u F5ton and Maine deal
Actions Soon to Come.
u Rave no doubt regarding the Ulti-
mate outcome of the present Govern
ment investigation, said Mr.. Brardeis.
Facts and figures are at hand which
should prove Of great benefit in cOnnec-
ton with any action that may be in
stituted. and I anticipate developments
of an important nature within a short
time
NY. personal Investigations have dis
closed some startling facts in connec-