Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-05-22
MELLEN WINDS
Up LOOSE ENDS
OF REVELATIONS
Commissioners Believe Chain of
Evidence Complete Without
Other Witnesses.
Especial to the Evening star.I

WASHINGTON, May 22.-whether
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's probe of the New Haven is to
be continued until all of the RESPONSE
bic directors have given their reasons
for the manipulation of that system
was still undecided upon when the
investigation was resumed today
Former President Charles S. MelIen
was almost through with his amazing
story.
Some of the commissioners believe
that his recital has met the demands
of the Senate for information. They
say that other witnesses can simply
embellish his tale with inconsequen-
tial details They favor reporting the
case on the evidence now completed,
both to the Senate and to Attorney
General McReynolds without further
action.
Other commissioners say every bit
of possible light had been thrown on
Mellen's story.
Walt Until MeIlen Finishes.
1t was finally decided TO defer
definite decision until Mellen can wind
up the loose ends Of his story, prob
ably today. The commission through
Mellen has demonstrated that they be-
lieve the absolute necessity for the
proposed law giving the Interstate
Commerce Commission control of all
of the finances of the railroads. Had
it had that power it is claimed the
Westchester deal, which cost the New
Haven 5000, 900; the Grand Central
terminal improvements and numerous
other deals which were practically
rammed into the floating debt that
finally wrecked one of the richest
railroad properties in the country
could not have been undertaken. 1t
is expected the commission will
recommend to the Senate that 1t
should be empowered to take a more
intimate interest in railroad eXten-
sions and that this authority will be
given.
Mellen's Endorsement Of government
control of railroads and his declara-
tion that the interests of trolley and
steam railroads are now, so welded
that divorce is impossible. have i'm
pressed the commission. It was the
OPINION Ol one VI IuE EIEdACSA GA~
perts in the country, and as such
win carry weight when the commits
sion sums up its conclusions.
Questioned about the Rutland Rail-
road connection, Mellen said the
Grand Central development TO the
west was Canada, and that one
fourth Of its stock was owned by
the New Haven when he left the
presidency. The New Haven paid
500 share to the New York Gen.
trail for the Rutland stock, which
is now quoted at S25
Folk expressed surprise when told
that Rockefeller was not at a New
Haven directors meeting in New
York yesterday, but would not say
whether Rockefeller would be COM
PEELED to come here for examination.
Mellen denied that the New Haven
backed the proposed Buffalo, Roches-
ter and Eastern Railroad, designed
to traverse New York State parallel
to the New York Central in an ef-
fort to force the Central to sell the
Boston and Albany to the New
Haven. Mellen said there was no
excuse for the construction of the
road, which was disapproved by the
New York Public Service Commits
sion and that the New Haven was
never mixed up in the plan.
Favored Buying Roads.
Mellen said he favored buying ex-
isting railroads instead of construct
ing new ones, even though forced to
pay apparently exorbitant prices.
1T was always cheaper in the end,
said Mellen, ito buy a road already
chartered. To get new charters meant
dealing with politicians. That was
always very costly"
Mellen said the New Haven was
forced to buy gas and electric COM
panies at various points in New Eng
land because they were affiliated with
the trolley companies that were pur-
chased but he declared such sub
salaries were sold as soon as pos
sible.
Tomorrow $40 suits Sc. Rich's Market
and Mulberry streets.-Adv.