The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-10-10
new HAVEN SUIT
MAY BE DROPPED
Attorney General and Presi-
dent Howard Elliott Hold
Conference.
NO AGREEMENT REACHED
Both Parties Express Desire to Avoid
Legal Proceedings if
Possible.
NO AGREEMENT REACHED

As a result of the conference yesterday
between President Howard Elliott, OF the
New Haven Railroad, with Gen. Nc
REYNOLDS, it now is believed that the
way has been Oponed for the adjustment
of the governments grievances against
the road without a suit under the Sher-
man antitrust act.
Although no statement of any definite
character was authorized by the De
partment of Justice, II is believed that
Mr.. McReynolds will withhold the bill
Of indictment under the Sherman act
until the new administration Of the New
Haven Road can present definite plan
Of reorganization. Neither the Attorney
General nor President Elliott committed
themselves in any way on any definite
propositions, but it is known that the
interchanges have inspired optimism on
both sides.
Long Labor Involved.
The Attorney General would welcome
As much as anybody an adjustment oil
the dif1cuIties outside of court. The in
vestiration of the New Haven's affairs
which was made under his direction IN
the summer has convinced Mr.. Nc
REYNOLDS that the prosecution OF an
antitrust suit against the New maven
Would involve long and enormous laDors
and the expenditure of much money ny
the government. He said YESTERDAY Ihat
il would he a matter Of much Sratlhca-
ton to him if this complicated ltsAuoh
would be precluded through an agree
1Dsnt 10 be reached in a less formal
fashion.
or course. the success OF these informal
conferences between the Attorney Ten
eral and representatives OF the ROAD de-
rand for their value and importance upon
the confidence which each party has IN
the sincerity and integrity OF the other'
Mr. McReynolds clearly Indicated N'steT-
dav that he had strong convictions as 10
the high character Of the men with whom
he had to deal He made it clear also
however. that however strong might De
his haIief in the sincerity OF the repre-
sants+ions which the New Haven dlrec-
Tors had conveyed to him. these repre-
sensations were today Of such general
nature that it was impossible at TINS
time TO authorize any definite indication
as to what the outcome OF the confer
ences would be.
In the conference President Elliott was
ACCOMPANIED by President Hadley' OF
Yale. and T. De Witt Cuyler, who, with
him were appointed on a committee TO
inform the Attorney General OF the New
Haven's new policy by meeting oil inc
board of directors last Friday.
Mr. T W. Gregory, the special coGnSeI
for the Department Of Justice, VINO mace
an investigation of the New Haven. from
which the governments contemplated sun
dAveIoped. sat with the Attorney Gen
eral. The conference lasted two hours.
statement of Elliott.
Al the conclusion OF the conference
President Wilson issued this statement,
with the approval OF the Attorney Gen
eral:
Discussed the whole New England
railroad situa ton with the Attorney Cen
eraI and with Mr.. Gregory.
Took IN on broad lines and considered
the suggestions and recommendations OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission as
made by Mr.. Prouty-
..ExpIained the plan Of the New Eng
land hoard TO investigate with great care
the steamship ownership, trolley owner
shin. Boston and Albany lease, and Bos-
ton and Maine holdings.
The discussion was very full and frank
on both sides. and the New Haven dlrec-
tors will hurry their reports and recon-
rnendstions as fast as they can, and con-
'er with the Department Of Justice and
Interstate Commerce Commission from
ime to time.
No definite conclusions were reached
and no commitments made by either side,
out It is thought the conference Is helpful
TO the government and to the railroad in
,rvinc TO bring about a solution of difh-
.ult Situation with the least possible dis
!rbance to New England and to the
wners Of the property