Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-22
m'REYNoLpg LETTR
 TO PRESIDENT WILSON
On His View of the New Haven Road
 Investigation.

MT. McReynolds' letter to the presi- dent:
 Dear Mir. President:
 Some days since I reported to you that the board of directors of the New Haven railroad had advised me that they would not carry into effect the approved proposals made by them last winter for bringing the affairs of that company into harmony with the federal statutes
 Following your direction I wrote to the president of the company on July g, expressing your views and my own in opposition to the position as- stunned by the board.
 Saturday last. I received a request to confer with a committee composed of members of the board on yesterday Monday. They came here, ana we discussed the situation. I emphasized the position of the government. as out lined in my letter of July g. and ener- getically called attention to the re- suits which would necessarily follow adherence to the position taken by them. They refused, however, to ad- init any obligation to conform to the Massachusetts enactment and firmly declined to carry into effect their own proposals for an adjustment
 During the past year you have been constantly in touch with my actions in respect of the New Haven road: and you have been good enough to ex- press satisfaction herewith. It seems, however. not inappropriate to again remind you of some aspects of the. gen eral situation
 Prior to 1908, the attention of the department of justice was called to the unlawful combinations and mono polies in which the New Haven rail- road was the principal party; and in May of that year a proceeding under the Sherman law was instituted, wherein the government sought to cor rect certain of the existing evils. This suit was dismissed June 26. 1909. Thereafter, the monopoly proceeded to strengthen its hold upon the carriers of New England.
 By the time your administration began the New Haven and the Bos- ton and Maine railroad had been re- duced to the unfortunate conditions now unhappfly too well known, their securities widely distributed among small investors had shrunken enor- mously in value and the commerce and industries of all New England were under severe strain
 Directly after assuming this of- l fee, being convinced that the situation i demanded thorough investigation by capable counsel. I retained MT. T. W. Gregory, well known to you, and whose ability. industry and integrity are un- | impeachable. In due time he reported | the result of his researches, and I i'm 1 structed him to prepare for filing at the earliest possible moment a pro- ceeding in equity to prevent further
 violations of the law. Before this 1 could be accomplished the railroad | company selected O new chief officer | and he earnestly asked to enter upon
 negotiations with me looking towards an adjustment without the necessity
 of suit. You have been familiar with
 the outcome and. as the terms ,of the
 plan agreed on were published. they l became generally known.
 Because of the important conse- l quences involved directly to New Eng land and immediately to the rest of the Union. it seemed most important | first, to accomplish, If possible. a res 1 toration of lawful conditions in the | transportation facilities of that sec | ton with the least possible further
 distress to impoverished investors and unsettled industries; and I have acted | accordingly.
 | ''The criminal aspects of the casf | have been kept constantly in mind much data bearing thereon was col l lected months ago, and care has beer | exercised to permit nothing which l might interfere with proper prosecu- have not held out the slightest hope
 that parties guilty of criminal viola tions of the law would escape.
 "In April and May last there being indication that the Interstate Com merce Commission. by examining them might immunize central figures in the
 unlawful arrangement. it was asked carefully to consider the effect of suct action.
 Nevertheless. Mellen and others l fiagrantly cuipable were put upon the
 stand and any criminal prosecution | hereafter instituted probably will bs
 embarrassed by a claim of immunity interposed in their behalf
 With the utmost patience and ar
 intense desire to enforce the law 1T
 such way as to bring no unnecessary | hardships upon New England or the unfortunate holders of the railroad se- | curities. we have sought to compel 2