The evening world., 1914-04-10
commerce BOARD
DEF|ED At INQUIRY
[ ONNEW HAVENRR.
Court Action to Follow Refusal
Z of Witness to Tell Billiard
Company's Connections.

0tl14T0 SOmpanys tn6 nOiuluS Coui-
paay" for the New York. New Haven
and Hartford Railroad. TO testify a.
- financial transactions. the Inter-
Oeato Commerce Commission to-day
slammed TO demand a writ Of man.
oAmus from the courts to force their
0ompliance and produce all books and
paperu showing their connection with
~ New Haven road. Two officers Of
- Billiard Co. refused. on advice Of
oounsel. TO answer questions pro-
sounded At the opening hearing to-day
6 the investigation into the New
Ravens financing. ordered by the
senate They were Harry v. Whip
~. formerly treasurer Of the com.
pany, and Samuel Hemingway. form
egay treasurer.
Chief Counsel Folk announced that
- would bring the proceedings prob
ably ct New Haven. His decision
eAme at the end Of . morning of ex-
animation of witnesses who refused
- answer questions intended TO de-
VUlop evidence Of dealings involving
millions Of dollars. Upon tho advice
- thar attorneys they denied tho
g1ght Of the Interstate Commerce
Cemmission to inquire into the hnan-
e1ai Affairs between the company and
- railroad.
When the hearing adjourned there
was . probability that the testimony
- Charles 9. Mellen. former Presi-
cent OF the New Haven system. might
- delayed to await the outcome Of
- mandamus proceedings.
Further inquiry into the financial
a6airs Of tho New Haven Railroad
~ begun BY the Interstate Com.
00ros Commission after several
Weelt Investigation Of the books Of
~ company. Inquiry. under the d.
y6otion OF Commissioner McChord. u
oelnS made IN compliance with .
Senate resolution directing the
ooaBm1s4on 70 develop all facts re-
DFdlng the New Ravens banking con.
oeooloaA the purchase Of tn subsidiary
Osoosrt1sA the money paid for them
- he smoluments for commissions
~ 6ee nsOotia&ing the various trans.
ose3saa
Oommissionsr McChord announced
eoae he principal matter to be con.
01orod at present was the relations
g ~ Billiard Company to the imam
al operations Of the New Haven.
walker ID. Hines, counsel for the
Og0Dent management Of the New Hav-
- saA at the opening that II was
- policy Of Chairman Elliott and
- pesssnt management TO cooper
- b every way With the commission
- furnish al information.
HAIRY v. Whippls. President Of the
Nasehants' National Bank Of Now
Maven. the arst witness. refused to
toseify ~ to his business relations
VttA the Billiard Company. He said
- Vas not now q stakeholder In that
osopaay. but had been w to last fall.
10 whom did you sell your stock
- tAe BLIZZARD Company" no was
aGksA.
= must decline TO answer that
OnoOtion because I regard It as an In.
vaslon Of my personal rights" replied
WAippls.
Sudse stoddard. counsel for the
New Haven. explained Mr.. Whipple'i
lsolination TO reply.
We challenge the right and tn
Jurisdiction Of the commission" sai,
- "to inquire into any act Of tn,
Djtlard Company. Our conclusion 4
Mt such an inquiry would be beyon'
~ scope OF the commissions author
~. Acting upon that conclusion. W
have decided to decline to answe
Quo8tionS relating to such matters"
Were there any relations betwee
~ Billiard Company and the Ne'
I Haven during your incumbency a
troASurer OF the Billiard Company
0y. Whipple was asked.
: TIE witness again declined to an
OWer BY advice Of counsel.
yolk Of the commission. shat II ca
- shown that the Billiard Compan
SVo0 the New Haven Railroad man
0lllions OF dollars. do you think tha
g would be desirable to conceal tn
6hot In view of the desire Of III
oDaets for the information2"
Il think" interrupted Judge Stot
dard. shat the Senate resolution hs
0one far beyond the powers either
4Ais commission or of Congress
Eolther the commission nor Congrei
hAs any power TO investigate the r,
lo4ions, II any. OF the Billiard Con
pAay and the New Haven Railroad.
a series OF questions was put
Whipple, intended to develop ev
Aonce OF financial relations betwes
xAs Billiard Company and the Ne
Haven. or the Billiard Company ar
II New England Navigation Con
Dany. He declined. in every instanc
= answer. He refused to say wheth
eAere had been transaction betwet
u Billiard Company and the Ne
UnGland Nsvigation Company invol'
iaG 81. 100000. or not; whether Il
NV Haven. through it's subsidiar
~ New England Navigation Con
pAny, did not advance to John
0ollard 100000 on his four promi
eosy notes. or whether Billiard ",
inhabited to the New England Navtg'
- Company for 100000.
The counsel for the Commissit
I'D NJ. Whipple had been direct,
~ subpoena 70 bring boolcA. doc,
4nots. and contracts OF the Billal
Oo0pauy.