New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-11
Attorney General and Commerce
Commission in Sweeping In
quiry, and Congress Is
Asked to Aid.
HOUSE HEARS PROTESTS
"Diabolical Monopoly" System
Is Called in Plea of Men
of Two States That a
Court Probe Alone
Will Not Do.

Ccntrdtcq llre OF TN ee agencies OF lnc
government directed against the New
York. Ne Haven & Hartford Railroad
Company, not only in regard to its re-
Iations with the Grand Trunk Railway
of Canada, but also against its opera
ton. financing and management, the
affairs of that railroad are likely to Oe
thoroughly analyzed and exposed 10
public view. Interesting, il not sensa-
tional, developments will probably re-
suit from the triple investigation.
Congress Is i'm the midst Of an in
quiry that promises to bring out inn
portant information and perhaps lay
the foundation for remedial legislation
The Attorney General is conducting
an investigation which will spare none
of the responsible financiers in the sus-
pectcd deal" and perhaps result in the
criminal prosecution Of the higher
ups" and the dissolution OF any monop-
oily which may exist.
nc 1OIliilitlNC 1OilihilS-
sion is directing its energies toward a
thorough investigation OF the rates and
charges OF the New Haven system, and
an inquiry into the cause Of its re-
peated loss Of life, which will include
every phase of its management, opera
ton, maintenance and financing
Called DabolicaI Monopoly.
The Rules Committee of the House
heard indignant protests to-day from
Representatives of the New England
States, who allege that the traffic
agreement between the Grand Trunk
and the New York, New Haven <
Hartford was in violation Of the Sher-
man law and an injustice to the peo-
pie of their section.
The dabolical hand OF a monop-
oily" was the language used by Rep
resentative O'Shaunessy In describing
the alleged broken promises OF the
Grand Trunk, which road, Mr.. O'Shau-
messy said. the people of his state ex-
pected to bring relief from the domi-
nation OF the New York, New Haven
& Hartford line.
Questions asked by members Of the
Rules Committee indicated indecision
concerning the necessity for reporting
the O'Shaunessy resolution providing
for a special committee OF five MEM
bers TO investigate the traffic agree
ment and the suspension of work on
the Southern New England Railroad.
Isn't the Department of Justice in
vestigating this AFFAIR."" asked Repre-
sentative Hardwick, Of Georgia.
Mr.. O'Shaunessy admitted that the
department was making an investiga-
ton, but said that the people OF New
England wanted the light turned on
the monopoly" at once. and that this
could be best accomplished by an in
quiry by the House.
You cannot ask us TO order an in
vestigation just for the sake Of public
ity, can you?" asked Mr.. Hardwick.
Mr.. O'Shaunessy said House in
quiry might show the need Of remedial
legislation.
People Want Light
William c. Bliss, chairman OF the
Public Utilities Commission of Rhode
Island, was also asked IL the Depart
ment of Justice and the Interstate
Commerce Commission were not con-
ducting an inquiry. He replied in the
affirmative, but added:
But as | understand the report Of the
Attorney General. he is not sure about
the criminal section OF the Sherman law.
want Congress to look into this to see
IL additional legislation is needed. The
details OF the agreement which we be-
lleve TO be responsible for the suspen-
sion Of work on the Southern New Eng
land may be known to the Attorney Cen
eral or the grand jury. but the people
have no knowledge Of the details of this
agreement. and we want light on the
reasons behind this peculiar transaction.
] believe the excuse given for the stop
ping OF work on the new line is not a
valid one.
Referring TO the statement once
made by the late President Hayes Of
the Grand Trunk that neither he nor
that railroad would break promises,
OShaunessy dramat-
ically exclaimed:
President Hayes of the Grand Trunk
went TO his death on the Titanic and ii
appears that honor died with him so far
as sacred pledges and promises are con-
cerned. A generous people whose state
has been torn wide open have been out
ra geously betrayed. The diabolical hand
OF monopoly which brooks no interfer-
ence Is revealed In an abandoned project
In which $1,500.000 has been spent and
ON which total expenditure OF $4,000
900 had been contracted by way of dam
ages condemnation suits for involved
property and repairs.
"A striking coincidence of the
attitude OF the Grand Trunk
officials is the recent visit to London
Of ]. Pierpont Morgan. who, no doubt.
conferred with the executives of the
Grand Trunk Railway In that city,"
said Mr.. O'Shaunessy. He declared
that $500 men who were engaged ir
The construction work OF the Southern
New England Railway were laid off on |
-wentyfour hours notice, continuing:
The absurdity OF financial stringency
excuse is apparent when one realizes that |
ConiinutJ on second page. second column