Evening star., 1914-05-22
MEL[EN SHIELDED
MORGAN, HE SAYS
Discusses Own Indictment at
C. C. Probe of New
Haven Railroad.
CONCLUDES TESTIMONY
AFTER LONG GRUELING
Former Official Declares He Has
Been Accused of Many Things
Never Thought Of.

Charles S. Mellen, former president OF
the New York, New Haven and Hartford
railroad, concluded his testimony before
the Interstate commerce commission at
l2:4O o'clock today, after four days and
half OF grueling Interrogation concern
ing the New Haven's financial affairs.
In the last five minutes of his testimony
Mr.. Mellen was led by Chief Counsel
FOLK fnterrogatories to discuss his ne
gotiations with the Grand Trunk railway
of Canada. as result of which Mr.. Mel
len was indicted by a federal grand jury
in New York for alleged conspiracy
1t developed from Mr.. Mellen's testi-
mony that the late J. Pierpont Morgan
was an important factor in the Grand
Trunks transactions. which involved an
Western for the entrance into New Eng
land Of the Grand Trunk.
did you have an opportunity to sell
the Ontario and Western stock" asked
Mr.. Folk
Yes, to the Grand Trunk and to the
Delaware and Hudson
Regarding negotiations to the Grand
Trunk Mr.. Mellen said
Il had been accused of many things l
never dreamed of and as a result now
am under indictment for some of them
Tried to Shield Morgan.
What about the letter you wrote to
the district attorney at New York;" ask
ed Mr.. Folk.
II wrote that letter to the district at
torney, and l did it to shield Mr.. Nor
gan"
Mr.. Mellen said the letter was writ
ten at the instance of Lewis Cass Led
yard and e. D. Robbins.
who dictated it,"
II did. 1t was gone over by Ledyard
and Robbins. / signed 1t and sent 1t
and 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 ]. Pierpont Morgan. jr.. in which
he told him of what he had done.
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 that
never have stood an Indictment at that
time"
Asks for Adjournment.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Mellen's testi-
mony Mr.. Folk asked for an adjourn
ment until Tuesday. He said he desired
to retain Mr.. Mellen within call. but at
present had concluded with him. It was
nesses, perhaps members Of the board
Of directors of the New Haven. ready
to proceed with testimony when the
hearing was resumed,
It was 1920 o'clock when the former
president OF the New Haven system re-
sumed his testimony today. Mr.. Mellen
was asked to tell what he knew about
the purchase Of the Rutland road by the
New Haven.
"That was a Vermont corporation op-
Grating in New York and Vermont" re-
piled Mr.. Mellen. land is natural ex-
tension north and west of the New Haven
lines. We purchased from the New York
Central one-half OF its interest in the
Rutland. which gave US the control"
High Prices for Properties.
Mr.. Folk then asked Mr.. Mellen In re-
gard to the acquisition Of several other
properties both steam and electric roads.
as well as the Waterbury Gas Company
stock which has figured in the investiga-
ton. Mr. Mellen was interrogated as to
the prices paid for these properties and
shares of stock. his replies bringing out
the fact that the New Haven. in most in
stances. paid a price considerably higher
than the market valuations for the hold
ings it acquired.
Mr.. Folks line of questioning created
the inference that in his opinion the
New Haven had been held up" in many
of its transactions paying much higher
prices for stock or property than they
Ar.f- s,,It ed xria
Mr.. Mellen acquiesced on several points.
Mr. Folks interrogations led to the ac-
uuisition Of Worcester street railroad
stock in Massachusetts,.
"I did not care" said Mr.. Mellen, Ito
have publicity given to our negotiations
the papers in the transaction appears to
be sufficient evidence that l didn't care
particularly about IT.
Had Strong Opposition.
In efforts to get control of the wor-
cester street railroad 1t was necessary
for the New Haven to have a bill passed
by the Massachusetts, legislature. Mr..
MelIen explained that Sherman Whipple.
"a strong. resourceful and notably able
antagonist" was opposed to the New
Haven in the matter.
I'VE felt that he must be gotten out
of the way" said Mr. Mellen. Mr.
WhippIe was a prominent democrat and
was influential with the powers political
in Massachusetts,.
Finally we got our bill passed through
the legislature by the uprising Of the
body polite in our favor
Did the Prayers from the Hills of
the Hilltown Association have anything
to do with the enactment Of that legis-
lation?"
.Yes. think so. All prayers of that
kind toward the right are eficacious.'
II want to say" continued Mr.. Mellen.
that while a political tinge has been
given this matter. 1t in no sense was
political matter or party measure. Mr.
Whipple was a democrat and Gov. Foss
Of Massachusetts also was a democrat.
TT made no difference to you what
party was in power?'
Sought Best Umbrella.
well, We always tried to get under the