The Washington herald., 1914-05-15

NUN fAob osE.
Mellen recalled the circumstances these
changes had to be made by the board
of estimate and apportionment Of New
York City. The transactions took place
In 1905.
The changes were effected through
former Police Inspector Thomas Byrnes,
who represented parties unknown to Mr..
Mellen- The railroad man acknowledged
that he had been careful to avoid seek
ing details In regard to this deal He
suspected. however, that Byrnes repre-
sented certain men OF influence. possibly
politicians.
"worth 10 Cents . Pound.o
1t cost the New Haven Railroad g. .eoo,-
900 to acquire the stock held by the group
Of individuals represented mysteriously
by Brynes and to effect the changes in
the westchester's franchise. Mr.. Mellen
acknowledged that the stock was worth
intrinsicly at that time ABOUT 10 cents
pound"
In carrying out this transaction Mr..
Mellen issued personal due bills which
were distributed by Byrnes Some of
these due bills are still being presented
for collection. and Mr.. Mellen continues
to honor them without knowing who the
bcoiCiS VI "ithout dshiHB dIy QAco-
tions. The amount OF these remarkable
obligations still outstanding Is $4,000. and
Mr.. Mellen has hopes that the six years
statute Of limitations will run within q
few months in time to prevent the collec-
tion Of any more Of them.
Mr. Mellen dealt with Byrnes because
he felt that he would be able to reach"
men of influence.
The devil or anybody else was en-
tirely satisfactory to me IL got what
needed" said Mr.. Mellen. referring to
this transaction.
No Names ON Cheeks.
The men who received Mr.. Mellen's
money were apparently adopts. When
payment was made by check the paper
came back without a signature or even
4 bank stamp on it-''as clean q piece Of |
paper as you ever saw"
Many Of those who presented the due |
bills insisted however, on payment In |
cash and preferably in small bills. Be
tween fifteen and twenty men have these |
due bills.
Mr.. Mellen himself destroyed the due |
bills and checks as soon as they had |
to his hands. tearing them up |
and throwing them into the sewer. He !
lid this with all papers of that charac- |
ter. because he did not think they would |
then leave any trace"
Mr.. Mellen showed every disposition to |
.ake the lid completely of New Haven
Affairs and give the commission all the |
iacts. His testimony today was only the
beginning.
1t was asserted among other things he
would present documents which would |
put a new light on letter written by
lim In which he had assumed full re-
possibility for the agreement with the
Grand Trunk on account of which he
,as ben indicted.
Mr.. Mellen gave no facts until after
le had been sworn. then his lawyer made
! statement clearly indicating that In bis
,pinion Mr.. Mellen had obtained Inn
nunity from any criminal prosecution
md was ready to give any and all the
acts.
An Aid to I. C. c.
what is your occupationr asked
olicitor Folk in beginning the examina-
lon.
Helping the Interstate Commerce
replied Mr.. Mellen with q
mile. He added then that recently he
'as president of the New Haven Rail-
Dad.
please tell the commission the cir 4
and persons that induced you
oCSoihe piSsAucut VI tne XNeW 1OrR, l
lew Haven and Hartford Railroad Com
any," said Solicitor Folk, addressing the
itness. IA
why, the person whom I have always
egarded as almost entirely responsible [
,r my connection with the New Haven
aiiroad-that is, the person who took I
ne Greatest personal interest In making
le president. was the late Mr.. Morgan" I
.. State what was said by him In |
with your becoming presi-
ant OF the New York. New Haven ana /
Lartford Railroad Company? ID
A did not have anything to say
him. He did IL himself. II
Q. In what way did he do It? Il
A. Secured my election by the d. I
sctors I had no negotiations. did !
Of know what my salary was to be. 4
2. Morgan toid me he was going =
'exs NE prsaident Of The New York. {