The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-07-26
Says He's "a Sort of Quasi-Pub.
lie Servant" and Will Act
Accordingly.
FRANKLY OUTLINES POLICY
President Of Northern Pacific
to Rule Reorganized New
Haven System.


8. Meiien ten years ago as president Of
the Northern Pacific Railroad. was
selected yesterday by the directors Of the
New York. New Haven and Hartford Rail-
road to succeed Mr. Mellen when the lat
ter's resignation as president becomes ef-
fective on September I.
The very FIRST thing Mr.. Elliott did
a delegation OF Newspaper men and to tell
them frankly what his policy Is 10 be. He
made II clear that ne recognizes that a
great corporation that sells service to the
public must take the public into Its conf
dence, seek to know Its desires and to
meet all reasonable requests for efYicient
service.
THE laws. rules and regulations laid
down by proper Government authority"
ne said. will he obeyed. II they are such
as to cripple the effectiveness and 10
hamper the development Of the railroad
In It's effort to help the public a state
ment to that effect will he made and a
request that the people In their own inter-
est. as we'll as IN the interest OF the rail-
road. will permit reasonable changes.
= 1T has been my good fortune to have
close and friendly relations with the COM
munities served by the railroads with
which have worked. and with the officers
and employees of these roads. SO far as
have the strength-mora,. mental and
physical--I shall work to have the same
kind Of relations among the New England
Lines and the governing bodies, the public,
the press the employees and the owners.
II believe most thoroughly In the
fundamental strength OF the New Eng
land properties. in their ultimate ability
TO furnish the transportation needed by
New England. and in the final good sense
and fair judgment "t the public And
believe that the problems now presented
to the MANAGEMENT and to the public can.
must and will be solved"
Mellen Approves Choice.
Mr.. Elliott's assumption Of the duties
Of president Of the New Haven line win
bs temporary. however. Acting upon the
recommendation OF a committee represent
ing the shareholders Of the railroad the
board Of directors decided yesterday that
the entire system ought to be reorganised
and that this should be done as soon as
possible. Mr.. Elliott. under the proposed
scheme will be chairman OF the board Of
the New Haven and of the board Of
each OF its subsidiaries. He will not be
president Of any one Of the various roads
Each road will have its own president.
Mr.. Mellen. on receipt OF request for
an interview, issued a statement deciar-
ing his intention to pursue his course Of
not granting interviews and expressing
his approval OF Mr.. Elliott.
Tho ~
subcommittee OF the directors composed
Of J. p. Morgan. Theodore n. Vail. WIN.
lam Skinner. Samuel Rea. Edward Milli-
gan and Robert W, Taft This committee
received letter from the shareholders
committee, headed by George Won l..
Meyer. which said In part
THE proposed withdrawal, OF the
present head Of the system invites con-
sideration OF the scheme Of organization.
since an opportunity Ia afforded of making
such changes as will tend to obtain
greater efficiency in the management Of
the various properties now comprised In
the New Haven system than could be
expected under an organization originally
planned for much simpler condition.
suEEestiOns Of stock hoIders.
with this object In view, and after
having considered only conditions as they
actually exist. without attempting either
to discuss the past events which have pro-
duced them or to determine the future
policies which will best enable the COM
pany to fulfil its public functions. our
committee at present limits its suggestions
to the following. relating especially to or.
ganizatiOn:
I'VE recommend that the two principal
railroad organizations uhe New York.
New Haven 4 Hartford Company and the
Boston and Maine Railroad). the steamship
and the trolley lines shall be actually on
Grated by presidents. one for each system.
who shall he men OF practical experience.
who shall have full responsibility for the
operation OF their respective properties.
and with whom the public may deal d.
rectly. and that local officers and proper
local operating STATS shall be provided.
I'VE recommend that as chairman OF
the board Of directors of the New Haven
company there shall be selected a person
other than the above mentioned presidents.
who has had broad executive experience
and who will inspire the public and the
shareholders with confidence that the fu.
ture policies will be founded and carried
out on conservative and constructive lines
and also that In order to establish and
maintain proper coordination ins the Oh.
Grafton of the respective properties the
said chairman shall also he chairman Of
the boards Of the several corporations and
the chief executive officer Of the entire
system.
I'VE recommend that the boards of
directors OF the New Haven Company and
the Boston and Maine Railroad shall In
clude a sufficient number of influential
residents OF the several States In which
the properties are situated adequately
to represent the interests Of the communi-
ties served.
Wast UnifOrmity In Lava.
I'VE recommend that the legal organixa-
ton Of the system be simplIned. and that
efforts be made In conjunction with the
Governors Conference to secure Uniformity
In the railroad laws throughout the New
England States. especially In those affect
Ing the issues Of shares and securities"
The subcommittee began its session at
. o'clock. and an hour later was ready
for the meeting OF the full board. The
CesttsssS On Second Pags.