The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-14
PRESIDENT MAY STOP NEW HAVEN INQUIRY
TO PREVENT IMMUNITY FOR CHARLES s. MELLENI
McReynolds's Objections to
Calling Old Directors
Brings About Ugly
Situation.

WASHINGTON. May I3.--An ugly sttua-
ton has developed over the Interstate
Commerce Commissions investigation
into the affairs Of the New Haven rail-
road.
The commission to-day iisregarded
Attorney General McReynoldss objec-
ton to the examination Of Charles s.
Meilen. former president. and George
+. Baker. William Rockefeller. Lewis
Cass Ledyard and other directors Of
the road. Mr.. McReynolds had pro-
tested that this would give the witnesses
immunity from any criminal prosecu-
tons that the Department OF Justice
might bring. but the commission ordered
the inquiry to proceed forthwith.
This action was taken after a stormy
conference at the Department OF JUS
tlce which resulted. It is charged in the
Attorney-G neral inviting Solicitor Folk
and Commissioner McChord to leave his
office.
on top Of this extraordinary situa-
ton came the news tonight that Presf-
dent Wilson himself may take a hand
learned. Is considering the advisability
OF exertIn- the influence Of the Admin
istration to bring about the recall by
the Senate of the Norris resolution un-
der which the Interstate Commerce
Commission is proceeding.
Ties McReyno,dSs stands.
The President is considering this ac-
-, A
torney General McReynolds that the
calling Of President Mellen and the
members Of the old board OF directors
at this time will not only upset any
plans the Department may have for
bringing criminal action. hut also will
jeopardize the contamination of the
agreement for the dissolution of the
New Haven system without the neccs-
sity of an antitrust suit.
A successful appeal by the President
to the Senate would effectively block
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
but il would subject the Administration
to bomhardment OF charges that II
was attempting to smother the real
facts of the New Ravens financing.
In the meantime Solicitor Folk is
going ahead with his intention to call
Mr.. Mellen and through him bare the
inside history Of the New Ravens finan-
cial operations Mr.. Folk expects to
put Mr.. Mellon on the stand tomorrow.
The issue as summarized by the At
torney Generals stand IL whether the
possession by the Senate and the pub
lie Of full information regarding the
Billiard and other transactions IL valu-
able enough TO be bought at the price
which the Department OF Justice de-
clares will have to he paid.
"Pass Buck" to senate.
Solicitor Folk and those UNFOLDING his
stand against the ACCOMPLISHMENTS
arguments are unwilling to accept the
fun responsibility for granting immu-
nifty to the witnesses. They declare that
the passage Of the Senate resolution
left the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion no discretionary powers. but car
ried the simple mandate that informa-
ton be procured and communicated to
the Senate.
In answer to this. the supporters Of
the Attorney General point out that the
Norris resolution was passed by the
Senate without knowledge Of tho fact
that thu authorized investigation would
confer immunity on the New Haven
officials and that the real issue now
presented was not discussed in tho SEN
ate debates which preceded the pas
sage Of tho resolution.
Their contention is that unless Solicit |
tor Folk and tho commission are will
ing personally to accept the RESPONSE |
bilty for the Immunity bath" a re-
port should he made to the Senate ac-
uuainting that body with the inevitable
results Of the pursuance Of the investi- |
CATION at this time and asking further
instructions.
1t is this latter aspect OF the case that
has been brought tn the attention of the
President and other administration Of
ficials with the view of having the SUBJ !
ject discussed in the Senate by other
means II the commission refuses to
adopt the course indicated
II apparently is the idea Of the At !
torney-General that the possibility Of
criminal proceedings has had good |
deal 10 do with the yielding by New |
Haven directors to Tn" demands Of the !
Federal Government In the dissolution
programme.