Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-13
Former President of New
Haven Goes on Stand Tomor-
row. It Is Announced.
VISIT TO McREYN0LDS
DlSPLEASES Mr.. FOLK
Attorney General Urges l. c. c. Take
Into Consideration Effect of Tes-
timony on Prosecutions.

charles s Mellen. former president of
tn New York. New Haven and Hart
ford railroad. will testify tomorrow be-
fore the interstate commerce commits
SION in its inquiry into the New Haven
affairs. Notwithstanding earlier indiea-
lions that the inquiry might be ended
lest immunity he given witnesses
This was announced by Joseph W.
Folk, chief counsel for the commission,
after stirring conference with Attorney
General McReynoids
Mr.. Mellen brought with him to Wash
ington a trunk full Of papers relating TO
transactions concerning which he VIII De
questioned. Mr.. Folk went over many
Of these matters with him last night at
his hotel the two comforting until .
o'clock this morning.
Following adjournment of the airing
carly in the day until Monday. Mr. FOLK
and Interstate Commerce Commissioner
McChord went TO the Attorney General
office. where Senator Kern OF Indiana
and Senator Norris OF Nebraska had pre-
ceded them. Within a few minutes MI
McChord and Mr.. Folk left the confer
ence showing evidences of excitement
asked why he had left. Counsel Folk re-
piled: THE conduct of Mr.. McReynolds
was such that We did not care TO re-
main.
Within Control of Commission.
At the outset Of the conference, which
was called TO consider the ACCESSIBILITY OF
continuing the inquiry. the Attorney Cen
eral declared that the whole matter was
within control of the commission. Ref
erence was made to suggestions that had
been made that the examination OF Mr..
Mellen and directors Of the New Haven
might give them Immunity from prose-
tution as the result of an investigation
being carried on by the Department OF
Justice.
Mr. McReynoids then read a letter sent
TO the interstate commerce commission
Yesterday. in which he suggested that
the commission consider carefully the eff
feet of the examination of Mr.. Mellen
and others on any criminal prosecution
which the government might desire here
after to institute. He then said his let
ter expressed fully and clearly the posi-
ton in the matter he always had main
tanned. that the question was within the
control of the commission, and that he
was content that 1t should determine
best would subserve the public interest.
Must Consider Prosecutions.
The letter referred TO was as fol-
lows.
May IL. 1914.
Interstate Commerce Commission,
Washington. D. c.
81 am advised that you have issued
subpoenas for Messrs. Charles S. Mel
len. E. D. Robbins and. perhaps, others
at some time connected with the New
York New Haven and Hartford Rail-
road Company.
II assume that you have in mind tho
possibility of examining them concern
ing the affairs of that railroad
I'm view of these facts is seem not
inappropriate TO suggest that you con-
slider very carefully the effect of such
an examination upon any criminal pros
eclrtion which the government may de-
sire hereafter to institute
Those Called to Testify.
Two or three days ago noticed in
the public press that you summoned
Teller, George MacCulloch Miller.
Charles +. BROKER. Edwin Miner.
Lewis Cass Ledyard, George f. Baker
and Edward D. Robbins to testify before
YOU concerning matters relating 10 the
affairs of the New York, New Haven
and Hartford Railroad Company.
Being Temporarily out of the city.
asked my assistants to call your atten-
ton to the possible unfortunate effects
OF an examination of these witnesses at
this time. Returning to my office this
morning, I am informed by them that
they acted upon my instructions, and ad-
vised with you fully upon the usbject.
"Of course. 1 have no desire to inter-
fere with or to urge any objection to
the course you may deliberately decide
upon; but it seems my duty to the gov
eminent again to suggest that you
carefully consider. along with other
factors, the effects which an examina-
ton at this time of the persons named
above may have.
Faithfully yours,
u G. McREYNOLDS.
Attorney General