The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-13

Folk Says He Does Not Care
Who Is Hit.


Washington. May 13.-''It is my
present intention to put Charles s.
Mellen on the witness stand and ex-
anime him." said Joseph w. Folk,
cnief counsel of the 1. C. c., who is
conducting the inquiry into the finan-
cial operations of the New Haven and
the Billiard company.
Ihis statement was made early to-
oay by Mr.. Folk in face Of the objec-
tons raised by Attorney General Nc
reynolds. that the testimony Of Mr..
Mellen and directors of the New Ha-
ven might render them immune from
prosecution, in the event such pro-
ceed1ngs were considered necessary.
Mr. Folk dictated the following state
ment:
1T is not a question of immunity,
but Of whether the truth shall be sup
Dressed. Mellen. as witness. telling
the truth. would be thousand times
more valuable to the public than Mel
len gould possibly be as a defendant.
The situation is now as it has been
from the beginning. 1t is insisted that
all witnesses having knowledge Of the
matters under investigation be placed
on the stand and they will be question
ed without limitation, as to the ques-
Will be brought out IL it is possible to
do so, no matter whom it hits
The great question before the
American people today is to secure
honesty in the management Of the
railway systems Of the country. The
revelations already brought to light in
this investigation and the further dis
closures that Mr.. Mellen and other
witnesses can make, should be of i'm
mense value and result in legislation
that will cause it to be just as grave
a crime to plunder the public, through
q corporation, as it is now personally
to rob an individual"
Chief Counsel Folk and Attorney
General McReynolds had a conference
today. Mr.. Folk pointed out that the
commission, in the pending proceed
ings. was operating under a resolution
OF the senate, directing it to develop
all possible facts concerning the finan-
cial operations of the New Haven and
not be carried out unless witnesses
were examined, who were cognizant
of the facts. A final determination Of
the matter probably will be reached
rapidly" said Mr.. Folk. I'VE cannot
say at this moment just what may
happen in a few hours or day
hence"
When Examiner Carl Gartner open
ed the proceedings today he an
nounced that all witnesses, except Mr.
Mellen, would be excused until next
Monday. Those excused included the
directors Of the New Haven, Lewis
Cass Ledyard, William Rockefeller,
George F. Baker and George zMacCul-
1och Miller and Samuel c. Morehouse,
attorney for the Billiard company. Mr..
Morehouse is i'll at his home in New
Haven.
Mr.. Ledyard, who was present to-
day, was given permission to appear
next Tuesday instead of Monday. Word
was received from Mr.. Baker that he
was prepared to appear whenever he
was wanted. Adjournment of the
hearing was taken until tomorrow.
Following adjournment of the
hearing early in the day until next
Monday. Mr.. Folk and Interstate Com
merce Commissioner McChord went to
the attorney generals Office, where
Senators Kern of Indiana and Norris
of Nebraska had preceded them.
Within a few minutes Mr.. McChord
and Mr.. Folk left the conference,
showing evidence of excitement
Asked why he had left, Counsel Folk
replied:
1.-The conduct of Mr.. McReynolds
was such that we did not care to re-
main."