Omaha daily bee., 1914-05-23
WILLIAM RoCKEFELLER rs ILL
Oil Kings Brother Probably Will
Not Be Able TO Testify.
DIsIIKEs POLITICAL BOSSES
Former Head Of New Haven Says
They Are Always on Hand.
HE CONCLUDES HIS TESTIMONY
Purchase Of Tarrytovvn Railroad and
waterbury Gas Company Are
Conc Into--Held Up ny 4
Company In New York.

WASHINGTON, May as-Charles y,
Mellen. former president of the New
York. New Haven & Hartford railroad,
concluded his testimony before the In
terststs Commerce commission at 1870
o'clock today. after four days ana half
OF Interrogation concerning the New
Haven's financial affairs.
In the last five minutes OF his testi-
mony Mr.. Mellen was led TO discuss hss
negotiations with the Grand Trunk rail-
way as a result OF which he was indicted
by a federal grand Jury for alleged corr
spirRcy.
"Did Mr.. Morgan have anything TO do
with Grand Trunk negotiations for this
eSehange9' asked Mr. Folk
''He took a very active part. did not
know Mr.. Morgan knew anything about
the matter until he came 10 my office
while MIR. smithers and Mr. Chamberlain
we're there. lie told them what they
could do to bring about peace between
the New Haven and Grand Trunk in.
terests,
He left the office and told slnithers
and Chamberlain that ] felt the worst
punishment they could get would he 10
extend the Grand Trunk into New Eng
land. | then told them that n they
thought the amount OF business Justified
We could discuss the matter OF reaching
an agreement regarding the exchange OF
business along the Connecticut river. I
was asked 10 put my views in writing,
and within week after the federal grand
jury began proceedings against me-
What about the letter you wrote TO
the district attorney AZ New York? -
asked Mr., Folk
shielded Morgan from. Igdicttaena.
Il wrote that letter to shield Mr.. Nor
gan. II was gone over BY Ledyard and
Robbins. ] nearly killed everybody in the
office to keep Morgan's name out OF it,
Mr.. Mellen concluded his testimony by
telling OF an interview shortly afterward
with J. Pierpont Morgan. jr.
Young Morgan" continued Mr. Mellen,
was deeply affected and turned his
back on me and looked out OF the window
for a few moments in order TO get time
to overcome his emotions. He said his
father was in bad health and could never
have stood an indictment at that time"
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Mellen's tes.
tlmony. Mr., Folk asked for an adjourn
ment until next Tuesday. He said hs
desired TO retain Mr.. Meilen within call.
II was his purpose, he said, to have other
witnesses ready to proceed with testimony
when the hearing was resumed.
says Rockefeller IL III.
rs Mr.. Rockefeller able TO appear on
tho stand?" asked Commissioner Me-
Chord.
Mr.. Mellen, who had not left the stand,
said Mr. Rockefeller, as l understand
II. is unable to speak above a whisper.
II would be impossible for him to 20
through such an experience a. / havs
had during the last four days"
Did he not attend a meeting Of the
New Haven board yesterday" inquired
Commissioner McChord.
Il understand from the newspapers
that he was present at the meeting
said Mr.. Mellen.
We'll" said Commissioners McChord,
III he were here could he not whisper
his response to the stenographer."
Il am convinced he will be unable ply
sically TO undergo any examination Of
this kind" said Mr.. Mellen.
Gould he not write his answers
asked Mr.. Folk
He is afflicted with palsy" replied
Mr.. Mellen. and ! don't think ii would
be physically possible for him to write
answers"
Mr.. Folk said he had received from
physicians certificates that not only Mr.
Rockefeller, but also Mr.. Miller and Air
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