The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-04-17
MIR. FOLK GIVES CHECK TO
 BILLIARD COMPANY INFLUENCE
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ST@HE INFLUENCE of the Billiard witnesses
 is exceeded by their surprise, which scarcely seems possible, So monumental was tn e fornler A great railway corporation, in the heart Of the most densely settled portion of the United States, controlling transportation by rail, trolley and water is unable to pay divi- dends on it's stock,er to carry out normal in- provements
 Upon inquiry by state and federal authority It appears that millions of dollars of the funds of this monopoly have disappeared.
 The United States Senate, as duty to the nation orders interstate comInerce commission. to find out what has become of these millions, and to ascertain if. an ybody can be punished be cause the millions are mis ssing.
 As part of the proceedings by which the missing millions were absorbed, the railroad. monopoly establishe sa great number of subsis. diary companies. Among these. companies was one chartered under the Connecticut law, called The Billiard Company l Somesof the managers of this company without rIsking any funds of their own seem to lhave taken profit of some $2. 100000 or more, which could only have come from the funds of the New Haven Company.
 It is into the relations of this Billiard Com pany with the New Haven that the Interstate Comm cree Commission seeks to inquire l The first inquiry is met with a defiance. The Connecticut witnesses and the Connecticut lawyers appeal to state rights and refuse to tes- tify.
 l The reply comes through Joseph w. Folk, Ichief counsel for the commission, a gentleman lwho has had some experience in dealing with the inpudences and insoIences of swollen wealth.
 His answer is: Testify, or I will seek the l indictment of these witnesses before a grand jury for criminal failures to answer to the au- l 3thority of the United States, vested in the h. fterstate Commerce Commission
 The reply made by Harry V Whipple ] through his lawyer, would be amusing were il
 not so pregnant with hint of political conditions l in Connecticut.
 T win testify says Mr. Mhipple, because I do not wish to stand the indig1dty Of an indct menf- He thinks the government has takeI : ivery unfair means to make him testify. :. These gentlemen of the Billiard Gompan, Iapparenty 1abored under the delusion that tn government is playing some sort Of a good na l tlred game of blind mans buff, in which an. t tevasion bluff, or subterfuge would avail ] They have learned that the governmen 3 means businesss Before they finish they ma : learn that there is power in the nation to dea I with those missing millions, even though Con tnecticut is complaisant, obedient and incompe f tent to protect her citizens from wholesale loot 5 ing by financial pirates.
 It Seven of the recent suicides in Milwaukee chevye a gum. but othe a a 3gum ehewers
 1t Many towns getting loafe and "rnashers' who think that anything in skirts
 sehippie' Wno comes dogn t town = to admire them
 They burning the midnight oil assiduousiy@ a7.l ing all night with the girls
 Although there impatienoe at the. delay over Il is railroad rate has suggested putting
 more lawyers the board to hurry decision The of agriculture is starting out to mai farm houses better though Of course barns always