Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26
CHAMBERLAIN AND
MELLEN IN COURT
Pleas of Not Guilty-Given until
January 6 to Change-Fur-
nish SIC, 900 Bail.

New York, Dec. 2i.-E. j. Chamberlain,
president of the Grand Trunk railway of
Canada, and Charles S. Mellen. president
of the New York, New Haven & Hart
ford Railroad indicted yester-
day charged with n criminal violation
of the sherman Jaw. entered pleas of
not guilty to-day and were released In
$4,000 bail each. They were given until
January 6 to change their pleas if they
should SO desire.
Judge Houch was loath to demand bail
in either case and at first announced
that he would release the defendants OF
their own cognizancc. Counsel for the
government. however, objected to this,
and called the court'a attention to the
fact hat neither resided within the iur-
isdiction Of the court. Bail was furnish
ed by a surety company.
Mr.. Mellon reached the court room n
full quarter of an hour ahead of Mr..
Chamberlain. When the latter entered he
joined Mr.. Mcllen and his lawyers in
conversation. Mr.. Chambcrlain's reply Of
mot guilty as they faced the bar, rang
clear and loud through the court room.
Mr.. Mellen's answer was hardly audible
TO the reporters sitting n few feet away.
Frank /" Crawford of Mr.. Chamber
lain's counsel asked for 90 days time
in which to change the plea. if a
change should be decided on, hut Judge
1IouEh thought this too long and set
January 6. When the question of bali
arose. Judge Hough said:
ONLY REASON FOR BAIL
81 will hold the defendants under
10000 bail each. but if they were res
idents of this district, / would release
them both on their own responsibility"
Before leaving the court room. Mr..
Crawford said: no jury will ever
convict my client. The only reason
why the work on the Grand Trunk
extension was abandoned was because
of high money rates. We are sure
Of acquittal"
Mr.. Mcllcn declined - make a state
mcnt.
Counsel for the government said that no
word had been received from any rep
rescntati,c of the Grand Trunk as to
whether Alfred W. Smithcrs. chairman OF
tho Grand TRUNK board OF directors. in
!ictcd with Messrs. Mellon and Chamber
lain, would appear to plead. They added
tnat tNrN would ADDRESS q letter 10 MT.
Smithcrs in Lonon notifying him Of tho
Indictment. ana requesting him appear
forthwith TO plead.
Assistant District Attorney Cutler
declared that thore was no way Of COM
polling Mr.. Smithers to come to New
York to plead to the Indictment against
him. The crime charged. Mr.. Cutler added.
is not one for which Mr.. Smithers's eX-
tradition could be requested.
QUESTION FOR CONGRESS.
I washington. Dec. 2i-The question of
the attitude Of the House regarding a
congressional inquiry into affairs Of the
New York. New Haven K Hartford and
Grand Trunk officers, and its practicable
ity now that the matter has reached an
indictment stage. will be discussed at a
meeting of the committee OF rules the
first week of January. Representatives
Henry of Texas, chairman of the COM
mittce. studied to-day the testimony
given before the committee, and he will
cal a meeting Immediately after Con-
gross rcassombles to determine upon its
course with respect to the OShaunessy
resolution to inquire into the transaction
between the two railroad systems