The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-22
SCENTS VIOLATION
Of SHERMAN LAW
BY q RAILROADS
Department Of Justice Sends
Special Agent to Get
Correspondence
AFTER NEW HAVEN
AND GRAND Trunk
Trust Busters Say Pre- b EN-
Faces Woodrow " ilson as
Soon as He Takes
Presidents Chair

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-Speciar
Agent Benham, Of the department. of
justice, was sent to New York to-
day to inspect tho correspondence be-
tween President Mellen. of the New
ork, New Haven and Hartford. and
President Chamberlain, of the Grand
Trunk line, relative TO the agreement
between the two roads. which is al
legged to be a violation OF the Sher-
man law.
II the special government lnvesti-
gator finds evidence 10 warrant 1t, an
injunction suit TO restrain the roads
from carrying int0 edect the agree
ment will be started at once, either
in New York or Boston, it was an
nounced at the department. District
Attorney Wise has been summoned to
Washington to confer with Attorney
General Wickersham.
He will come here probably tomor-
row.
special Assistant Attorney General
Jesse G, Adkins. in charge of the in
vestigation, today explained the sus-
pension yesterday of the grand jury
investigation started by District AL
: torney " Use IN New J ork. He said !.
/ Would Then Be Immune.
IT We had all Of the principals tes-
tify before the grand jury, we could
get all of the facts. no DOUBT, but they
would then be immune from prosecu-
ition. We would have the facts, but
would have nobody to prosecute, as
their testimony would give them i'm
munity from personal action.
We are making the investigation
with all haste and thoroughness, pro-
posing To get the information without
giving immunity to any OF those in
vowed in the negotiations"
Adkins refused to outline the pre-
else course " prosecution with which
the government will proceed, whether
CRIMINAL or civil.
We Will have access to all cor.
respondence in the railroad offices re
garuing the transaction. this ha.
been offered by Presidents Mellen ant
/ Chamberlain. and accepted by the
| department" said Mr.. Adkins.
! Subrocnas Were Ready.
Vigorous denial was made by this
department officials that orders tc
stop, the grand jury proceedings IL
phone entreat.es from j. Pierpon
Morgan. William Rockefeller, OF
other Wall Street heads. subpoenaet
as witnesses. Mr.. Adkins admitted
however. that subpoanas for man,
money barons and railroad chieftain,
in New York had been prepared wher
the grand jury work was halted.
Attorney General Wickersham be
lieved special investigation by oul
own agents would give better result,
and quicker the slow, tediou,
process before the grand jury, with
its possible chance of giving immunit,
to those against whom proceeding
might be Brought" said Adkins
Conferences He'd.
tween Attorney Adkins and railroad
commissioners OF Rhode Island ant
New Hampshire. sent here by Cover
nor Pothier. Of Rhode Island. 1t wa.
stated that the New England officials
upon being apprised OF the depart
snent's plans, made no objections. ant
expressed satisfaction with the pro
/, cedure. They refused to discuss TIL,
| case.
| 1t was reported here today tha'
| President Elect Woodrow Wilson, a.
soon as he comes into Office. Marcf
4th, will be urged to take up ths
matter. and turn on the light Ii the
rase be not disposed OF by that time
1t IL not at all unlikely that the
| first great antitrust struggle OF the
Wilson administration will be against
the New Haven railroad.