The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-09
OLD RUMOR OF
MELLEN TO LEAVE
REVIVED AGAIN

New Haven, Sept. 9-Is Charles s.
Mellen soon to retire from the presi-
dency of the New Haven road? Is the
question heard in quarters from
whence first reports Of a change in
the head of this system might be ex-
ment from the railroad says this talk
is atoo ridiculous to mention" or
words. to that effect, but in the clubs
about town where gather some of the
higher officers of the New Haven sys-
tenn, in the financial district herea-
bouts and in certain offices OF the yell
low building, the gossips have it that
Mr. Mellen is not long to continue
as the active head of the New Haven
system. f
There are numerous stories going the
rounds in the financial district con-
corning the retirement Of Mr.. Mellen.
There is agreements on in the rumor
that he is to retire, but the stories
heard differ as to successor. One
story has Daniel Willard, president Of
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad coming
to take his place, another has an un-
named official of the New York Cen
trial coming here to be the acting head
sof the road, but with a title other than
that of president.
These stories have been in the air
for many days now and have been set
down as credible among men who are
keenly interested, financially, in the
affairs OF the New Haven company.
One reason mentioned for the report
ed SretiremeTt bfN the sroad's head is
that he has completed the task set
before him by his chief employers, the
large stockholders situated qn New
York city. of perfectfng an amalga-
nation of the New England Trans
portation companies, stead road, troll
ley and water. 1t is about eight
| +ool
idency of the company, succeeding the
late John M. Hall, and 1p that time
the New Haven system has grown
from a line in control Of something
like 1000 miles of road to a property
that operates practically all of the
trolley lines in this state, some in
assachusetts and Rhode Island, DOM
mates the passenger and freight car
rying business on the sound steam
boat lines and some others plying be-
tween New York and Maine ports,
controls the Boston & Maine and all or
its numerous allied lines in northern
New England, has control of the On
tario & Western with its rails lead
ing into the coal fields and touching
ports on the great lakes has arrang-
ed a traffic agreement with the Boston
& Albany, giving the New Haven y
very pronounced voice In that COM
pany, so far as operation goes and
mas taken COIl1rOl VI Tic NEW IOIh,
Westchester and Boston, an important
suburban line now after its own en-,
trance to New York City.
There are other Incidental changes,
giving the New Haven about as COM
plete control of the transportation
business of New England as could be
imagined. Another reason mention
ed is that Mr.. Mellen having done all
this, as he set out to do, wishes, to re-
tire from active business. Mr.. Nell
len was 60 years old on August 16
last, and 1t is said that he has re-
marked on more than one occasion
that he would like to retire on reach
ing that age although still strong,
mentally and physically, to spend his
remaining years away. from the tur-
MOL of railroad life in an executives
chair.
Gossip that is heard in many places
and is given credence in by MANY fin
ancial authorities and a few railroads
of his standing agrees as ito Ms retire
ment, but as stated the official state
ment from the railroad company OIL
few days ago said the report was too
ridiculous to be considered. That
statement ought to kill the rumors
but they survive and are heard daily
in those parts where such things are
discussed.
The annual meeting Of the stock
holders Of the New Haven road will be
held next month.-New Haven Regis
ter.