New-York tribune., 1912-12-24
RAILROAD BOOKS GIVE
NO EVIDENCE OF DEAL
Wickersham Says Grand Jury
Acted on Oral Testimony in
Grand Trunk Case.
HOUSE TO HALT INQUIRY
Rules Committee Fears That
Separate Investigation Would
Hamper Work of De-
partment of Justice.
LFrom The Trlbune Bureau.

Washington, Dec. 23-Attorney General
Wickersham said to-day that the indict-
ments against the officials OF the Grand
Trunk and the New Haven represented
the unrestricted judgment of the grand
jury. They were due largely 10 oral teS-
timony given before that body, he said,
as the books OF the companies. literally
thrown open TO inspection by the govern
ment. did not give any eyidence'as TO Vio-
latlon Of the Sherman law.
What further steps the Department OF
Justice would take in the matter MI
Wickersham would not say until he had
had an opportunity to confer with MI
Adkins. who conducted the inquiry, and
TO study the evidence brought out before
the grand jury.
When the government began its inves-
tigation early in December Mr. Melien
declared nothing Illegal had been done
by his road, and offered 70 submit TO the
government all books and documents or
his company. The Grand Trunk made a
similar offer, which was also accepted.
Will Halt House Inquiry.
The indictments will probably halt the
Investigation planned by the House OF the
traffic agreement between these lines.
Members OF the Rules Committee, III
charge Of he OShaunessy resolution dc
manding "A drastic investigation by Con-
gress. said tonight that the bringing or
indictments against some Of the officials
involved put different phase on the
entire matter. If an inquiry by the House
mill no rnufgrinllv
narrowed. and the prospects are that the
New England transportation controversy
will be left to the Department of Justice,
the Interstate Commerce Commission and
the courts.
Prior to the return of indictments in
New York to-day the Rules Committee
members had practically reached de-
cision 10 recommend a sweeping investi-
cation. exceeding in scope that provided
for In the resolution introduced by Repre-
sentative OShaunessy Of Rhode Island.
IL was reported that the members OF that
committee not only favored an inquiry
I'm the commercial activities Of the New
Haven. but also into the alleged domina-
ton Of that railroad over political affairs
in certain New England states. So broad
was tho probe planned that the Demo-
cratic leaders had decided 10 call party
caucus to determine the exact nature Of
the Investigation and the personnel OF
the special investigating committee.
When word reached Washington to-day
that the New York grand jury had acted
members Of the Rules Committee who are
in the capital began 10 debate the ad-
visibility Of instituting Congress ir-
0uiry which might embarrass the De-
partment OF Justice.
Although the Rules Committee can
take no official action until after the holi-
DAYS" said member Of that body to-
day. "the indictments give a new angle
To the New Haven controversy. A Con-
gress committee would necessarily be
handicapped In an investigation concern
ing the actions Of men under indictment.
and there is much testimony which could
not be obtained for fear Of giving I'm
munity to those involved. In addition,
two Investigations by different branches
of the government probably would criss-
cross each other. and it is probable that
the House will not be inclined 10 inter
ferc with the work which has already OBJ
tained headway under the Department OF
Justice"
Representative O'Shaunessy who in
troduced the resolution Of inquiry, is not
in Washington. but several weeks ago he
made the statement that his resolution
was not TO interfere with the Department
of Justice. if It was proved that that
branch OF the government could cope
with the situation.