New Britain herald., 1914-05-14
Nellen Testities Despite
 Attorney Generals Pr0test
Former Presidenf Of New Hzpen Road Called to Stand by Counsel Folk
 in Billiard Inqui1y.

MT. Grim, the personal attorney o1 MT. Mellen, gave out lengthy type written statement giving MT. Mellen's version of affairs. It reviewed al length the negotiations beginning in 1906 between the New Haven and the Grand Trunk, and the successive stages.
 Policy of Directors.
 Taking up again the examination MT. Folk asked:
 When you became president of the New Haven what was the policy of the securities of trolley roads and steamship companies?"
 They were getting control of such holdings"
 Did this policy continue and was it your idea?'
 II was in accord with it."
 Acquisition of Roads.
 MT. Mellen then was asked re- gardine the acquisition of roads soon after he became head of the New Haven.
 The first, he said was the Central New England railroad and the Wor- cester and Connecticut Eastern Trol- ley company.
 The next proposition of this kind, to the best of MT. Mellen's recollec- .tion he said was the acquisition of the trolley companies in the city of New Haven. This latter deal, he said, was largely arranged by him person. ally with the president and attorney of the trolley concern. It was affected by an interchange of the trolley stock and New York. New Haven and Hart ford 1-2 per cent. debentures.
 After Westchester Deal.
 MT. Folk then took up the trans actions leading to the acquisition of the New York, Westchester and Bos- ton Railroad company by the New Haven and MT. Mellen was asked to tell what he knew about it. He said:
 "As I recall the details" he said, eight thousand shares of the New Haven were put in my hands in es- crow to be exchanged for twenty-four thousand shares of the Westchester stock The Westchester people want ed tt. make the exchange at once, but our people were not willing to go ahead with the transaction until the matters in connection with the fran- chise of the Westchester road were settled and there were thirteen diff ferent things in regard to getting the charter that we wanted settled.'
 Mr. Folk then asked if the value at that time of the 5000 shares of the New Haven was not $1,000,000.
 'I think it was,' replied MT. Mellen.
 With whom did you deal in regard to the exchanges of stock to be made?"
 Former Police Inspector Thomas F. ByrnAz'
 Due Bill Memorandum.
 MT. Mellen was then shown a mem orandum of due bills against him and was asked to tell what they were. He said when in New York various come to him to get the New Haven stock or redemption value in exchange. He did not always have cash, or New Haven stock with him and could not always write a check. IT. cases when these people were not to wait, he gave due bills
 Witness then was handed the and asked to read off the due bills which had not been re- deemed. There were five of these, one of them representing ninety-three shares of New Haven and the others each 100.
 Where are these due bills, who has them?''
 God Only Knows.'' now five years and my Ivy ;c hot ,,,iIJ pay them all.'
 When people presented these for redemption did you know who they were or did you ask their names?''
 No, I did not know who they were. I recall paying ohe for $1O, 45O.''
 Did you know who he was D.
 t''No, but judging from the shape of his nose I should say he came from the East Side''
 What was your idea in regard to MT. Byrnes arranging all this?'
 Well, I had suspicion that the shares were scattered around in the hands of some people of influence
 "Politicians?"
 1T do not know as to that
 MT. Mellen was asked who had the power to grant the franchise of the road.
 Wanted Charter Amended,
 He said he thought this was in the hands of the board of estimate and of New York city and had hunch' that he was in touch with and could reach people of inv 1uence in regard to having the changes made in the proposed char ter. II wanted to reach the people hat it was necessary to reach,'' said Mir. Mellen. 1T wanted to reach the devil or anybody else who could amend the charter"
 Asked as to the date of the begin- hing of negotiations, MT. Mellen said 1