The Washington herald., 1914-03-18
SKIES brighter
FOR new HAVEN
President, Conferring with
McReynolds, Thinks Early
Agreement Probable.
SUIT NOW IS UNLIKELY
Attorney General May Assent to Ex-
tension of Time Limit for Sale
of Boston and Maine.

information presented to President WI.
| son by Attorney General McReynolds as
| to the actual status of the negotiations
between the New Haven Railroad and the
Department OF Justice indicates that the
situation Is by no means as dark as II
has been represented to be. The Presi-
dent expects that the governmnt and
i the road will find 1t possible to agree upon
a plan of reorganization which will make
unnecessary a suit under the Sherman
law.
The President discussed In detail the
New Haven situation at q conference at
the White House with the Attorney Cen
eral Monday night. Yesterday in a con-
versation with a member Of Congress
who has favored an early settlement Of
the negotiations. the President expressed
the belief that an agreement would be
reached In a comparatively short time.
The President indicated that he has
been SO far reassured by the interview
with the Attorney General that he does
not believe that there will be any need
for suggestions from him in order that
the New Haven may accept the govern
ment's terms. as was urged by Senator
Weeks, of Massachusetts,
May Extend Time Limit.
The most encouraging aspect of the
situation yesterday was that the Attor-
ney- General has not demanded at any
time that the sale of the Boston and
Maine by the board of directors be COM
pleted within a definite period. This
statement in a large measure removes the
most important obstacle standing in the
way of an agreement
1t is possible that the Attorney General
will assent to the Incorporation in the
agreement of a provision that the time
f1r h. Il. L.. L..
be extended beyond two and a half or
three years by a court order, II the
trustees are unable to sell the property
within the set period.
The disclosure of the status of the
as far as the Attorney Cen
eral is concerned caused surprise here
among a wide circle of persons, who had
sought to follow the negotiations care
fully throughout n is believed that the
~ the Attorney Gen
erals state of mind was due to the fact |
that the positive views expressed by his |
assistants. Special Counsel T. w. Gregory |
and Assistant Attorney General Jesse Ad- |
<ins, have been represented as those of |
the Attorney General
McReynoIds' Way Open.
1t is true. however, that the Attorney |
has left for the most part the
VI tllt NdSt III lht VI
assistants. and that the case with the
entative agreement regarding II has
never been brought before him by his as
'istants for a final statement of his posi-
ion.
Thus Mr.. McReynolds will feel perfectly |
rec to grant the request Of the New
1aven with regl ard to time Limitation for
he Boston and Maine trusteeship when
he case comes before him, II he deems 1t
wise to do So On the other hand, the
Attorney General will be equally free to
eny the request of the road If the evi-
ence in the final presentation of the
ase seems TO justify this course.
The conduct of the case by the Attorney
ieneral has not been interfered with by
he President. Senator Weeks urged the
resident Monday 70 take the negotia-
ions into his own hands, and by insisting
n the amelioration of the governments
emands with regard to the Boston and
iaine trusteeship bring about an imme-
late agreement. Yesterday report was
ct afloat that the President had said.
Jllowed Mr.. Weeks interview, that he /
ad not realized before the seriousness OF {
ne situation, and that in addition the
resident had yesterday sent word TO s
hartman Elliott that he would adopt the {
purse urged upon him by Senator Weeks. {
his may be denied upon the highest 5
uthority.