The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-07-18
Directors, Meeting Here, Re-
fuse to Affirm Its
Acceptance.
TO CONFER AGAIN TO-DAY
Successor Not Appointed
Elliott Of Northern Pa
cific Mentioned.

Charles Sanger Mellen eliminated
himself from New England railroading
yesterday by resigning the presidency
OF the New York. New Haven and
Hartford and its subsidiaries.
The date OF his retirement IL left
to the directors. but Mr.. Mellen says 1t
must not be later than October 1.
The resignation was received yester- .
day afternoon ny the directors at q
in the New Haven board room
of the Grand Central Terminal. at
tended by all except one or two Of the
board. The directors are expected to
accept the resignation when they meet
again to-day.
On high authority II was said last
night that Mr.. Mellen's successor has
not been selected. The only name pub
licly mentioned has been that Of Howard
Elliott, president OF the Northern Pa
cific. Many persons in the financial
district believe that he will be chosen.
Many stockholders are anxious to get
a man who is thoroughly familiar with
the New England situation. Mr.. Elliott
was brought up in Cambridge, Mass.
but has been in the West for many
years.
Mr.. Mellen resigned the presidency
Of the Boston and Maine and Maine
Central railroads on July 3. the day
before the Interstate Commerce Conn
mission made public its report harshly
condemning the Mellen administr. ...ion
for wasteful management.
No Intimation of Action.
II was announced at the time that
Mr.. Mellen would devote himself eNclu-
sively to the affairs Of the New Haven.
There was no intimation from the rail-
road or from himself that he contem-
plated casting aside the entire burden.
Therefore yesterdays action seemed
somewhat abrupt. although II had been
freely said by outsiders that his days as
president were numbered and that he
would retire this fall II not before.
The New Haven directors were in ses-
sion yesterday from 1 o'clock until 30.
Mr. Mcllen presided. The directors as
they emerged were rcticent.
George F.. Baker said that any in.
formation must come from the New
Haven offices. William Rockefeller
seemed in fair health and good spirits.
but would answer no questions. All the
directors seemed to be in a hurry to get
away.
Newspaper men who gathered in the
office Of Edward @. Riggs. Mr.. Mellen's
executive assistant and publicity chief.
expected that tho news of the meeting
would be the New Haven roads reply
to the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's criticism.
1t was said at the railroad offices a
week ago that yesterdays conference of
the directors probably would be for that
purpose. as the executive committee had
referred the matter to the full direc.
torate.
Surprise In Announcement.
Consequently tho inquirers were
somewhat shaken when Mr.. Riggs. COM
the end Of the meeting, read to them
this statement:
"Mr Meiien. at a meeting Of his board
OF directors to-day. rendered his resigna-
tion Of the presidency Of the New Haven
road and all Its subsidiary companies, to
take effect at the pleasure Of tho board,
but in any event not later than October I.
1918"
The visitors waited expectantly for q
possible statement from Mr.. Mellen Of
his reasons for resigning or from the
directors as to what they might do
about the resignation.
But Mr.. Rigganbad been told by Mr..
Melleu that he hkd said all no intended
to at this time. and the directors had
made up their minds on complete silence
g. ~ do ot laoo NJ NIB 10
spending tho summer at his 6tockbridgo
home. had dinner with friends and spent
the night In the city.
At to-day's meeting OF the directors Il
was explained that they regularly have
their meetings on Thursday and con.
tinue them on Friday when there 10
unfinished business.
No one connected with the road would
intimate when the acceptance of Mr.
Melien's resignation might be expected.
but elsewhere It was said that this would
be part Of to-day's proceedings.
Best for tho Road.
1t Ia understood that even those di.
rectors who have stood by Mr.. Mellen
through thick and thin and who hold
that his responsibility for the wrecks
and financial troubles of the road has
been greatly exaggerated now believe II
would be for the best interest OF the
company to clean the slate as soon a.
possible.
They are still loyal to the man whose
ton wears Of protective work has re.
.ulted In the building up OF tho great
system known as the New England
Lines. hut they realize that their imme.
diate Job 10 to lift from the road Its en-.
numbering weight Of criticism from pub.
lie and stockholders, and that the first
st,p IA to accept Mr.. Mellen's reslgna.
ton and get q new man u ~ soon -