The Sentinel=record., 1914-05-20

the change, might result in infinite
 harm to all your interests
 Mir Folk then offered in evidence the reply to that letter made the fol lowing day, in which Mr. Melen wrote:
 Tt has been thought advisable by all concerned that just as little off cial information should get out to the newspapers regarding the Boston and Maine matter as is absolute y neces- sary. This was agreed upon by Mir. Ledyard, Mr. Futile and myself and we are acting on this theory at the present time. The Washington situ, ation I nave think, completely cared for One never knows for a certainty regarding matters there but the ground has been carefully plowed and every chance for trouble consid- cred. and | think, successfully elimi- mated"
 MT Melen told of his relations with John L. Billiard and of the tran sections between the New Haven and the Billiard company. He intimated with smile that Mr Bilard was shrayd trader saying that, when he was conducting with him any busi- ness he never looked anywhere eX- cept straight into his eyes,
 MT Mellen told of the transactions eading to the acquisition of the Bos- ton and Maine by the New Haven. He said ne learned that the American Express Company wanted to sell it's holdings in the Boston and Maine and that some of the other large stock holders would do the same.
 Mir Mellen explained that Mir. Led yard was general counsel of the American Express Company and a di. rector of the Boston and Maine at the time
 'I wrote him a letter said Mir. Mellen, suggesting that he make a contract with the Boston and Maine for the American Express Company before I got hold of the road. He did this and the contract was extended to twenty years
 Are not the express contracts with both the Boston and Maine and the New Haven too low?' asked MT Folk.
 T believe they are The only way the 35 per cent contract with the Bos- ton and Maine could have been made was that it be made before got the road
 Mir Folk read a letter from II. M Whitney, written to Mr. Mellen in May 1907, in which the Little Fath- CT at Washington" was referred to
 Who was the Little Father at Washington?' he asked.
 Lets see; 1907 l think probably that was President Roosevelt
 Did you have a conference with President Roosevelt concerning the Boston and Maine purchase?" asked Mr Folk
 T had replied Mir. MeIen some time in the spring of 1907"
 Why did you confer with Presi- dent Rooseyelt?'
 Tn those days | frequently con ferred with Mir. Roosevelt admired Theodore Roosevelt very much and didn't want to do anything contrary to his wishes'
 "What did Mir Roosevelt say?'
 "NIr Roosevelt told me, as near as l can recall. ." said Mr Melen, that he was not lawyer; that he did not know whether the law would permit anything of that kind and he could not assure me if it was in violation of the law, and that I would be treat ed the same as anybody else; but the reasons gave him why it seemed reasonable for me to buy the Boston and Maine shares, he said appea ed to him and if there were no legal questions involved and if he were in my place he would he disposed to do what he plainly saw was disposed to do, that is, acquire the shares
 What reason did you give him for desiring to acquire the shares of the Boston and Maine?" asked Mir. Folk
 'The shares were going to be sold, in my judgment, and they were like ly to go to ines possibly out of the country, notably the Canadian Pacific or the Grand Trunk. He sent me to discuss the matter with MT. Lane, who then was interstate commerce commissioner and l went and talked with MT Lane and then went back and saw the president and l got this statement from the president thal he could not help me il any way shape or manner if anything 1 did was found to be in violation of the law; but Nom my standpoint, assuming that l told him the story as it was, it seemed to him that if he were in my place he would be inclined to make the purchase That is al l know l got from him on the subject
 Then what did you do after that interyiew?'
 Bought"
 ITO whom did you report the re