The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-13
CLASH
BETWEEN
COUNSEL
McReynolds Fears Mellen
May Escape Criminal
Prosecution
BY GAINING IMMUNITY
Folk Believes Truth Is More
Valuable Than
Prosecution

Washington, May 13.-Msiien
will testify tomorrow before tho
commerce commission, notwith-
standing earlier indications that
the inquiry might be ended lest
immunity be given the witnessed
This was the announcement by
Folk after a stirring conference
with MoReynoIds. Folk and
Commissioner McChore Went TO
the attorney generals office where
ater Norris of Nebraska had pre-
ceded them. Within q few min
utes Folk and MeChord left the
conference showing excitement.
Asked why he left, Folk eaid:
q "The conduct of Mr.. MeReynoids
was such that we did not care to
remain"
Norris, author Of the reso ution
which instituted the New Haven
Inquiry, went to Folks office. At
the conclusion of talk with Nor
ris. Folk said:
NWe are going ahead with this
investiaatjotf and Mr.. MeEien and
! the directors of the New Haven
will be put on the stand. We are
aoina to bring out the truth-the
whole truth--no matter whom It
hits or hurts" -.
After Norris had explained ne
aarasd with Folk that nothing had
e9esalopeS that sh0tsld change the
commissions program, FOLK was
asked why he left McReynoldss of
flee 40 precipitately. Folk hesi-
tatsd 70 reply, then Norris said3
fNSJII IIiI +nU votl He fand
Commissioner McChord, left be:
cause they were practically asked
to do so BY tho attorney general"
Norris said further:
ain my judgment nothing has
developed that should change the
commissions program. see no
reason why you should not push
the case to the finish and put Mr..
MelIen and others on the stand. IL
is n matter of Justice to the peo-
pIe that every fact in connection
with the rotten operations that
went on for years should be.
brought out"
washington, D. c.. May 13.-'Tt
NV present intention to put Chas.
Mellon on the witness stand and e>
anime him." said Jos. w. Folk, chi'
counsel of the Interstate commerc
who is conducting the II
curry into the financial operations
the New Haven railway and the Bi
lard Co. ... s. -
This statement was made by Fo
In the face of objections raised by A
torney General McReynolds that II
testimony of former President Melle
and the directors Of the New Have
might render them immune fro
pros secution in the event Of crimin
Folk dictated the following stat'
ment:
1T is not a question of immunit
but of whether the truth shall be SUI
pressed. Mellen as witness telllr
the truth, would be a thousand TIM
more valuable to the public than Me
len could possibly be as a defendar
'The situation is now as 1t III
been from the beginning. It is Il
sisted that all witnesses havir
of the matter under inve
tigat ton be placed on the stand, al
they will be questioned without linn
tation as to the questions to be aske
The whole truth will be brought o.
if it is possible to do so, no matt
whom 1t hits!
'The great question before Il
American people today is to secu
honesty in management of the railw;
systems Of the country. The revel'
tions already brought to light in th
investigation and the further disclo
tres that Mr.. Mellen and other wi
nesses can make, should be Of in
mense value and result in legislati'
that will cause 1t to be as grave
crime to plunder the public through
corporation, as it is now, personally
rob an individual
Folk and McReynolds were in co
ference for some time. A final d
termination of the matter may
reached late this afternoon. ss
Events are moving rapidly" sa
Folk. WE cannot say at this nome
just what may happen few hou
or a. day hence.
All the witnesses, except Melie
were excused until next Monday, al
an adjournment Of the hearing TAX
until tomorrow.