New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-24
MELLEN TO ROOSEVELT
Railroad President ReSents Re-
marks in New Hampshire.
WILL KEEP HIS PROMISE
Says That It Was Not Made
Contingent on Robert P.
Bass Election.
rRv Telegraph - The Tribuna !


Boston. Oct 93.-Theodore Roosevelt's
remarks in New Hampshire Yesterday
about railroad influence in that state have
called forth reply from Charles s. MelIen.
president Of the BOSTON & Maine Railroad
Company.
Mr. Roosevelt spoke Of the recent state
nent of MIR MeIlen that thereafter the
railroads Of which he is the head would
take no part in politics in New Hampshire.
and told the people that while he was glad
that Mr. Melleu had said what he did. they
ought to sec 70 it that the railroads kept
out of politics in tho future not because
they wished to hut because they had to.
What ! said at Concord last Thursday
night I said without eGuvocation.r said
Mr. MeTlen 70 Tho Tribune correspondent
tonight at his home in Stockbridge Mr.
Nellen did not seem angered. but he made
this statement in answer TO the remarks
made by tho former President on his Bass
campaigning tour of New Hampshire on
Saturday.
MY promise 70 keep the Boston & Maine
out Of New Hampshire politics not
contingent upon the election Of Mr. Bass.
as Roosevelt implied When 7 say that the
Boston & Maine will ne kept out Of politics
7 mean il. and II will he kept out of poll
tics in the campaign as well as in the fut-
ure 7 don't care as far a the railroad IS
concerned who is elected Governor of New
Hampshire.
From what I understand Mr.. Roosevelt,
whether Intentionally or not. in his speeches
Yesterday left the impression with his
hearers that my promise TO the people Of
New Hampshire depends upon the election
Of Mr.. Bass for its fulhlment. In other
words if Bass is elected I will be honest.
and If Carr is elected 7 will be liar.
7 can't see as It makes much difference
to the railroad, for my understanding is
that BASES platform and Cars platform
treat the railroad question in its relation
to New Hampshire in much the same way.
The Boston & Maine Railroad will keep out
Of New Hampshire politics, no matter what
happens. 7 have said it, and I mean it.
have made many promises during my long
business career. and there is no one who
can say I ever broke faith with him Can
every one say as much for Mr.. Roosevelt?
4 am well known in New Hampshire,
for twenty-five years ago I was inter
ested in business affairs in that state. I
think the people UP there know me well
enough and I think I can get along with
out the Endorsement of even so great per-
sOnage as the ex-President.'
In all Of the scheduled speeches in the
Bass campaign through New Hampshire on
Saturday Roosevelt referred TO Mellen's re-
cent promise TO keep the railroad out Of
New Hampshire politics hereafter, each
time getting a laugh from his hearers by
adding that this promise was an admission
that heretofore the railroad has been in
politics in the Granite State.
At the same time he Endorsed Mr.. Mellen
for taking this stand, and stated that he be-
iieved the railroad president would keep
faith with the people This statement he
qualified. however. by saying that the
people should take no chances. but should
indorse Mr.. Bass, who was responsible, he
said. for the stand taken by the railroad.
10 make sure that later Mr.. Mellen would
have no reason TO change his mind