New Britain herald., 1914-05-13
.MELLEN WILL TESTIFY
 AT BILLIARD INQUIRY
Folk Says He Will Examine Former New Haven Road Head Tomorrow.
CONFERENCE WITH McREYN0LDS

Chief Counsel For Interstate Com-
 mcrcc Commission Declares That
 Whole Truth Will Be Brought Out,
 Unearthed No Matter Whom it Hits.
 Washington, May 13.-Charles 5. Mellen, former president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford rail- road, will testify tom orrow before the interstate commerce commission in its inquiry into the New Haven's af- fairs, notwithstanding earlier indica- tions that the inquiry might be ended lest immunity be given witnesses. This was announced by Joseph w. Folk, chief counsel for the commis- sion, after stirring conference with Attorney General McReynolds.
 Following adjournment of the hear ing early in the day Mr. Folk and In- terstate Commerce Commissioner Me- Chord went to the attorney generals office, where Senators Kern of In- diana and Norris of Nebraska had preceded them. Within few min utes McChord and Folk left the con- ference showing evidences of excite ment. Asked why he left Counsel Folk replied:
 The conduct of MT. McReynolds was such that we did not care to re- main."
 Within Commissions Control.
 
 which was called to consider the ad- visibility of continuing the inquiry, the attorney general declared that the whole matter was within control of the commission. Reference was made to suggestions that had been made that the examination of Mellen and directors of the New Haven might give them immunity from prosecu- ton as the result of an investigation being carried on by the department of justice.
 MT. McReynolds then read a letter sent to the interstate commerce com mission yesterday in which he sug- gested that the commission consider carefully the effect of the examination of MT. Mellen and others on any criminal prosecution which the gov ernment might desire hereafter to institute. He then said his letter ex- pressed fully and clearly the position in the matter he always had main- tained; that the question was within the control of the commission and that he was content that it should deter mine and pursue whatever course it thought would best subserve the pub lie interest.
 Letter to Commission. The letter referred to was as fol- lows:
 May 12, 1914. Interstate Commerce Commission, Washington, D. c. you as follows:
 "T am advised that you have is- sued subjoenas for Messrs. Charles | others at some time connected with l the New York, New Haven and Hart l ford Railroad company. "T assume that you have in mind l the possibility of examining them con- | corning the affairs of that railroad "Tn view of these facts it seems not inappropriate to suggest that you consider very carefully the effect of I such an examination upon any crim- l inal prosecution which the govern ment may desire hereafter to insti- l tute
 Noted Subpoenas Issued. 1.-TWO or three days ago I noticed ] in the public press that you sum- moned Messrs. Charles S. Mellen, Wm. Rockefeller, George MacCulloch Mill l Ter, Charles F. Brooker, Edwin Mill 1 ner, Lewis Cass Ledyard, George F. l Baker and Edward D. Robbins to tes- | tify before you concerning matters re- lating to the affairs of the New York 1 New Haven and Hartford Railroad l company.
 "Being temporarily out of the city, l asked my assistants to call your attention to the possible unfortunate effects of an examination of these witnesses at this time. Returning to my office this morning, am informed | by them that they acted upon my in- structions, and advised with you fully 1 upon the subject.
 No Desire to Interfere. "Of course, I have no desire to in- terfere with, or to urge any objection l to- the course you may deliberately decide upon; but 1t seems my duty | to the government again to suggest l that you carefully consider along With l other factors the effects which an 1 examination at this time of the per- sons named above may have. "Faithfully yours, 1 "J C. McREYNOLDS, | Attorney General"
 After the conference, Senator Nor ris author of the resolution which instituted the New Haven inquiry, went to MT. Folks office. At the con- l clusion of this meeting MT. Folk said:
 we are going right ahead With | the investigation, and MT. Meilen and directors of the New Haven will be