New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-08
New Haven Head Won't Answer
Coroner'S Questions in Stam-
ford Case Because OF
& WeStpOrt Indictment.
DOESN'T KNOW WOODWARD
General Superintendent Might
Pass Without Recognition, He
Says-Bardo Charges the
Engineers with Playing
Politics for Easy Jobs.

fFrom a staM Correspondent OF The Tribune i
Bridgeport Conn, July Coroner
Phelan put Charles S. Mellen, president
Of the New Haven Railroad, through
an hours examination day at his in
oulry into the Stamford wreck Of June
IL. He found Mr.. Mellen either unable
or unwilling to give him the informa-
ton he sought as TO the powers of him
self and other officials Of the road. Mr.
Mellen said he thought" Clayton l..
Woodward was general superintendent
Of the road, but that he would not know
him II he saw him.
Mr. Mellen, under advice of Benjamin
T. Spock a lawyer for the company.
took refuge in his statutory right to
refuse to answer questions which might
tend TO incriminate him. He laid par
ticular stress en- the fact that he was
under Indictment on a criminal charge
as a result Of the Westport wreck of
last year.
The Coroner asked him if the duties
and powers of officials were defined by
vote Of the board Of directors.
u am Of the impression that my
own are" Mr.. Mellen replied, but said
rules defining such powers. There IS
an executive committee of the board
OF directors, he volunteered, which eX-
erclses certain powers of the board.
NJ ntI,
powers. he said which can be over
ruled. modified or curtailed by the COM
mittee.
Runs Road by Common Sense"
How do you know what things are
beyond your powers?" Mr.. Mellen was
asked.
BY experience, common sense anu
advise Of counsel" he replied.
AS TO the vice presidents cf the com
pany he said he thought there were
six, possibly FIVE or seven Custom
and the practice OF railroa :, he said,
were the orly things to determine what
they could or could not do.
President A. r. Whaley, he
said, had charge Of operation. con-
struction and maintenance, subject,
however, TO the control of the execu-
tive committee. Mr. Mellen would not
essay to name these men.
Define the duties Of the construction
department in fun said the Coroner.
Now, Mr.. Coroner" said Mr.. Spock,
coming to the aid Of his chief for the
FIRST time, that seems to me to be get
ting pretty close to a designation OF
duties 1 object"
AS I before stated" the Coroner
said. "the objection is based on a per-
sonal right ] am not asking about
Mr.. Mellen's OWE duties, but about
third persons duties. / can't conceive
how he can be incriminated by answer
ing the question as TO third persons
duties"
The oroner then asked whether Mr..
Whaley's department included track
age. but Mr.. Spock was on his feet
again.
Objects Because Of Indictment.
4 want TO make a serious obJec-
tion" he said. and went on to say
trackage did not enter into the Stam-
ford wreck in any way. but that it was
getting close 10 the point at issue in
the Westport wreck, for which Mr..
helen WIS under indictment. He said
ne advised Mr.. Mcllen not to answer.
Il am a layman." said Mr.. Mellen'
and don't understand all these finely
drawn points. For my part / don't see
why l should not answer, but l am
Continued on hfth page, sixth column.