The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-12
Department of Justice Tries to
Prevent Ex-Prcsident Be
ing Examined.
1T Is AGAINST IMMUNITY
Ex-Vicc-President Byrncs Tells
About New Ravens Pub
licity Expenses.

WASHINGTON. May 1.-THE Depart
rnent OF Justice has taken a hand In the
Interstate Commerce Commission INJURY
Into the financial affairs of the New
Haven railroad under the old manage
'nent. and Acknowledgement McReynolds's
representatives have suggested that the
commission refrain from putting cx-Presi-
dent Charles y. Mellen and the old d.
rectors on the witness stand at this time
Their appearance on the stand under oath,
II has been contended. would give them
immunity from any subsequent proceed
ings by the Department of Justice,
Besides Mr. Melen. Solicitor Joseph
w. Folk has summoned William Rookie
/ Teller. Lewis Cas- Ledyard. George f.
Baker and others as witnesses. /, is
understood that the Department OF Jus
tice objects chiefly to having Mr.. Mellen
examined at this time
! Attorney-General McReynods is absent
from the city. but his assistant. George
e. Todd. intimated to-day that II Mr..
| Mellen and the members of the board of
directors testified II would seriously In
terfere with plans OF the Department OF
Justice with reference to the New Haven.
The Interstate Commerce Commission is
+ inclined to conduct the Investigation along
It's own lines. II considers that the De
psrtment of Justice has had nearly two
years in which to act II 1t intended to do
anything.
The Department officials fear that Mr.
Mellen's testimony might grant him i'm
munity In the case already pending
against him for alleged conspiracy under
the Sherman antitrust law. The Depart
ment fears also that the testimony of Mr.
Mellcn ana the directors may in some
way inJuriously affect the prospect OF
getting measures through the Massachu
sets Legislature for the carrying out OF
the dissolution plans of the New Haven.
MIR. Folks Intention.
solicitor Folk intends going ahead n
says, and the present status of the mat
ter is that Charles =. Mcllen Will h,
called to the stand tomorrow afternoon
Solicitor Folk and Examiner Gartner o.
the commission held conference to-nigh
with Mr.. Mellen and his attorney. y. IL
u. Grimm. and II IL undei stood they
were going over papers that will be pre-
sen,ed IL Mr.. Mellen testifieS.
Attorney General McReynolds will re
turn to Washington tomorrow morning
1t Is understood that he and Mr.. Foll
will hold conference and decide the mat
ter definitely.
Timothy L. Byrnes was the chief wit
ness in the investigation to-day.
Mr.. Byrnes said he was vice-presidsnt o
the New Haven railroad with offices IN
Boston until January last. and in "A genera
way had charge of publicity and lega
matters. He identified vouchers showing
payments from s25 to 1900 to newspaper
men and others for the preparation o
matter favorable to the New Haven.
There was an aggregate of about $1,000
in payments to George +. Conroy. Mr.
Byrnes said that Mr. Conroy prepare,
much matter for him for publication. bu
IL was written in such a vigorous styl'
that It was never used 1t appeared tina
none OF Mr.. Conroys productions ever WA
used and Solicitor Folk wanted TO know
why Mr.. Conroy wrote the articles.
Letting on St~nm.
"Oh. think" replied Mr.. Byrnes. Il
was safety valve"
! 1t developed that the New Haven. Will
Mr. Byrnes was vice-president spent abou
$40. 000 in publicity work.
. Mr.. Folk produced vouchers signed h,
Mr.. Ryrnes showing payments 20 the Bos
ton Republic Tor advertising.
These vouchers show that YOU paid tn
, Repubuo something like $4,000 "A year,
. said Mr.. Folk. rs this Mayor Fitzgerald
paper
Yes" replied the witness
/ well, !s that the reason you pal
them
well. I would not put it that way"
Mr. Byrnes said that the Republic pre-
, scented bills for advertising which n
would not pay.
, AS long as Mr. Fitzgerald was Mayo
:, you did not dispute these bills querlc
Mr.. Folk.