New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-18
SWEEPING NEW HAVEN
PROBE TO Be ORDERED
Rules Committee VeerS and
Plan Is to Investigate Whole
New England Situation.

WASHINGTON. Dec IA sweeping iuVes-
ucatiou Of the traffic agreement between
the Grand Trunk and the New York, New
Haven & Hartford Railroad, as well as
The alleged political activities in Ne"
England Of the New Haven road, is no"
the plan Of the House Committee on
Rules
After waverlng for several days over
the O'Shaunessy resolution demanding an
inquiry the Rules Committee has praeu-
caUy decided that the demand is justl-
feed and that a special committee should
be named To conduct the probe. The pres
emf plan is to broaden rather than curtaA
the O'Shaunessy resolution.
The Rules Committee viii not take for
NAL action on the New Haven matter IN
an after the Christmas recess, but it IS
learned from an authoritative source to-
night that sentiment I'm the committee
has vcercd and that the urgent sollcltd-
lions Of the New England delegation have
had their effect. The Rules Committee
is now disposed 10 act, and since an in
vestication is wanted the committee mem
bers think it should be thorough.
The political phase of the question was
lintcriected into the New Haven conuo-
versy to-day I'm addition to the accuse
ton that the New Haven dominates the
railroad situation IN New England, in
formal charges have come that the road
has been active iu other ways, and that
II las sought TO exercise political dicta-
| torship.
II is denied that The inquiry proposed
Is 10 be partisan but IT became evident
to-day that the investigation, first m
tended TO be confined TO traffic agree
ments and the suspension Of work on the
Southern New England Hnc may branch
out and take in all the activities of the
| New York, New Haven & Hartford par
ticularly in Massachusetts, New Hamp-
shire. Connecticut and Rhode Island.
The old charge that the Boston d Maine
Railroad. since passed under the control
of the New Haven road. used It's power
ful influence 10 bring about the defeat of
Senator William +. Chandler. of New
Hampshire. and 20 dictate the films of
other Offices in that state has been
brought to- the attention of some Of the
Democratic leaders along with other no
litlcal matters.
So confident are some Of the House
Headers that probe will he ordered Of
thc New England railroad situation that
there is already talk of the personnel Of
the investigating committee. Representa-
tive Shcrley, one Of the best lawyers I'm
the House. was mentioned to-day as the
probable chairman Of the special inquiry
board
When the hearings on the O'Shaunessy
resolution closed before. the Rules Com
mittee prospects for a Congress inquiry
were not bright Some members Of the
Rules Committee took the view that the
Department of Justice and the Interstate
Commerce Commission are already con-
Quoting a probe of tie traffic agreement
in question, and that "a probe by the
House might cmbarrass the executive
branches.
While no announcement has come from
the committee the New England mem
bers Of the House believe the inquiry is
now assured.
More trouble for the New York. New
Haven & Hartford developed to-day.
when a petition was filed with the Inter
state Commerce Commission asking fo-
the reopening Of the commutation case
involving the rates between New York