New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-10

rms development in the so-called
New Haven deal" has an important
nearing on the request of Charles :.
Mellen, president of the New Haven
road to be permitted to appear before
the grand jury as a witness willing 10
waive all immunity from criminal
prosecution. IL is significant that Mr.
Mellen assumes all responsibility for
the negotiations between the two roads
and declares that he alone knows the
details.
Under the circumstances surround
ing the unusual request of Mr. Mellen
and its possible influence on future de-
velopments Mr.. Wickersham has given
the United States Attorney. Henry a.
Wise, of New York, full power to use
his own discretion about permitting
the railroad president TO testify before
the grand jury. Mr. Mellens letter to
Mr.. Wise was referred TO Mr., Wicker
sham and an understanding has been
reached under which the Department
of Justice will be free to prosecute
higher ups" If the investigation war
rants such action.
Left to Mr.. Wise.
Jesse c. Adkins, Assistant Attorney
General. who is taking an active part
in the investigation as the personal
representative Of the Attorney General.
has returned 10 New York City after a
short visit 20 Washington. 1t is under
/ stood he carried back to L. 5. At
/ torney Wise the views OF Mr.. Wicker
sham about permitting Mr.. Melen 10
testify before the grand jury and the
result of such action on possible crimi-
nal prosecution. and that there now eX-
lists a full understanding between the
prosecutors and the Attorney General
that the persons responsible for any
/ violation of the antitrust law will be
/ prosecuted.
The impression prevails here that SIr.
Mellen will be permitted 10 go before
| the grand jury and tell what he knows
about the deal" That Is all the more
1 likely IT, in the opinion of Mr.. Wise,
| Mr.. Mellen is not, as he purports TO be,
the man higher up in the transaction.
With prospects that the House Rules
Committee will recommend a Congress
I sionaF investigation. members OF the
/ New England delegation met to-day
/ and perfected plans for appearing be-
/ fore the committee tomorrow in sup
] Ia. ion
asking an inquiry into the traffic agree
ment between the Grand Trunk and
/ New Haven Roads.
II is expected the hearings OF the
( Rules Committee will extend over two
/ days II the Rhode Island member and
| his colleagues make out their case. It
! is practically certain an inquiry indie
! pendent Of that now being conducted
/ by the Department Of Justice will be
/ ordered Mr.. O'Shaunessy says he is
/ confident the Attorney General is doing
everything possible In the premises
/ but that another remedy may not be
amiss
6randes To Be Counsel
Following the meeting of the New
ENGLAND members. il was suggested
that Louis d. Brandeis, Of Boston.
might be engaged as counsel by the
special investigating committee, IL one
is authorized. 1t is probable that Mr..
O'Shauuessy will head the special com
nittec. and that the hearings, for the
sake Of convenience. will be held b.
New York.
The tentative witness list includes
W. G. Bliss. chairman Of the Rhode
Island Public Utilities Commission;
Robert L. Denton, Of the New
Hampshire Railway Commission; Linn
II. Wilson, representing the Governor
Of Connecticut; Norman II. White, rep
resenting the State of New Hamp-
shire; II. W. Davidson, Of Worcester;
the Mayors OF Providence, Woonsocket
and Pawtucket and representatives Of
the Public Utilities Commission of
Massachusetts, and the Corporation
Counsel Of Boston.
r. G. auckland, vice president Of the
New York, New Haven e. Hartford,
who arrived mere tonight. made the
following statement
So far a. our company IS concerned. we
are entirely willing that Congress ana
the public should know all the facts re-
gardiug our relations with the Grand
Trunk Railway and the Southern NeN
England Railway. its Rhode Island sub
sidiarv Any investigation to that END
ordered by Congress will receive all the
help that lies in our power.
Inquiries Already Under Way.
The relations between the New York,
New Haven & Hartford and New Eng
land steamship lines are now the subject
of a special Inquiry by the Committc- on
Merchant Marine and Fisheries under
resolution of the House of Representa-
tives passed at its last session. The New
York. New Haven e. Hartford and all OF
the steamship lines owned, operated or
controlled by IL, have made full returns
az required by this committee, besides
which we expect 10 make further etate-
ment TO the committee when the com
mittee IS ready TO hear us.
The financial condition OF the New
York. New Haven e. Hartford Railroad
Company IS now under investigation by
the Interstate Commerce Commission
with "A view to determining everything
pertaining TO the investments Of our
company in the stocks and securities OF
The and