Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-08
Has Catered to
 Public Demand
NEW HAVEN POLICY LIBERAL
 AND PROGRESSIVE.
ATTACK ON BRANDEIS
President Mellen's Personal Counsel Declares He Has Superb Destruc-
 tive TaIents"-Road Misunderstood

Washington, May 7.-Charges of maladministration, reckless extrava- gance and undue expansion, induced by spirit of monopolization and az grandizement, were made today before the interstate commerce commission by Louis D. Brandeis of Boston against the officials of the New York, New Haven and Hartford and the Boston and Maine railroads.
 The charges were made in the course of oral arguments submitted to the commission upon the testimony ad- duced at the commissions investigation of the operations of the New England railroads recently taken in Boston.
 Improvements to Meet Public Demand
 The criticism of MT. Brandeis was met by statements of Charles F. Choate, Jr., personal counsel of Presi- dent Charles S.. Mellen of the New Haven, who. while admitting that large prices had been paid for some of the properties constituting the New Haven system, declared the action of the directors already had been justi- fed fully in some instances and, he was certain, would be justified in all by time.
 Expensive improvements. he said, had been made by the roads to meet the demands of the public.
 Has Superb Destructive Talents"
 Referring to Mr Brandeis as "a mi nority of one" Mir. Choate said that criticism of the New Haven was rap idly waning in New England, as it's op- erations had become better understood and he drew smiles from the commis- sioners and from Mr. Brandeis as well by saying of him:
 He has superb destructive talents, but not a single constructive idea has ever emanated from him to the benefit of our New England public"
 MT. Choate said as to the merger of the Boston and Maine and the New Haven that it was certain they would come together eventually, because they were natural complenents of each other" Adding that complaints of the merger came largely from the state of Massachusetts, he said this was not the first time that the super abundant energies of the people Of Massachusetts have been devoted to criticism of this sort.
 Progressive and Liberal Management.
 MT. Choate declared that the period between 1903 and 1912, which had been referred to by MT. Brandeis as the darkest period of New England trans portation," had shown immense i'm provement both in the equipment and character of the service of the New Haven properties.
 Tn the constant harping." he said, upon the extraVagance of new out lays the demands of the public that will not be denied are lost sight of. The management of the New Haven for the last ten years has been pro gressive and liberal in its expendi- lures for the convenience of the pub lie. The extension and connections, the splendid five hour service between Boston and New York, with all steel equipment, and similar Improvements throughout the system are accepted without comment, yet the public in- sists on having them and is ever i'm sisting upon more. When the demands of the public are under consi iteration tof,Ce the cost to t9e company receives small
 Criticism Due to Misunderstanding.
 Within the New Haven system there are sixteen operating companies which work independently towards a common end. Much of the comment and criticism that has been excited as to the management of these properties Is due unquestionably to misunder- standing. Despite what MT. Brandeis has said here, 1t is a fact that a sur plus of income over dividend require ments has been shown by the New Haven system in every year by the firm of qualified accountants which prepares the general balance sheet of the system"