Evening star., 1914-06-05
TALKED TO MORGAN
UNAFRA|D, HE SAYS
Lewis Cass Ledyard Declares
He Often Took Issue With
Financier.
NOT RUBBER STAMP MAN
IN NEW HAVEN'S AFFAIRS
Meetings. of Directors Well Attend
ed, He Asserts. and Discussions
Were General.

Were General.
Lewis Cass Ledyard. continuing his
testimony on New Haven railroad fnan-
clal affairs before the interstate COM
merce commission today. denied that the
New Haven directors were dummies
or that the late ]. p Morgan or former
President Mellen dominated the board.
He said he often had opposed Mr. Nor
gan. that the board meetings were we'll
attended and that generally all the di-
rectors took part in the proceedings.
The profit of John L. Billiard in the
Boston and Maine transaction. Mr.. Led
yard said. he had considered outrage
ous'' and that he had so told Mr.. Mellen.
Under questioning by Chief Counsel Folk.
for the commission. Mr.. Ledyard refused
to testify that one of the entries in the
New Haven minutes relating to a Billiard
Company transaction was false, but said
it did not represent what had occurred
at the meeting.
Mr.. Ledyards testimony was enlivened
by clash with Mr.. Folk, in which the
witness insisted on answering questions
in his own way. and appealed to Com
missioner Daniels to sustain him.
Mellen Letter in Record.
At the outset J. w H. Grim. attorney
for former President Mellen. read into
the record Mr.. Mellen's much-discussed
letter to former United States Attorney
Wise at New York. assuming RESPONSE
bility for the Grand Trunk deal under
which Mellen was indicted. Mellen had
testified he took the responsibility to
shield the late J. Pierpont Morgan. Mr..
Ledyard yesterday vigorously contra
dicted that contention. Mr.. Grim merely
read the letter and asked Mr.. Ledyard II
1t accorded with his recollection, and Mr..
Ledyard replied that it did.
Mr. Ledyard told OF MIR. Mellen telling
him that he had heard of some confer
enees Mr.. Morgan had with officials of
the Grand Trunk and asked him to in
quire of Mr.. Morgan if he was worried
about Grand Trunk matters.
II asked Mr.. Morgan If he was wor-
ried over Grand Trunk affairs and he
said. Not bit.
Ibid Mr.. Melien send the letter the
same day he wrote it,
My impression is he called in the
stenographer. dictated the letter and that
the stenographer brought it back and Mr..
Mellen made a few corrections l be-
feve he said he was sending 1t right
along by messenger.
DO YOU know of any conferences as
10 the propriety of sending the letter."
None, except what l have mentioned
Talked Plainly to Morgan.
Mr. Ledyard said he had never gone
through the records and correspond
ence of the New Haven in regard to
the Grand Trunk matter.
DO you understand anything you
say may be used against you?" asked
Mr. Folk.
"Oh. yes
Your relations with Morgan were
quite intimate. You made yachting
trips with him, and you drew his will
and were made one of his executors!
That is correct"
Mr.. Ledyard said he often opposed
Mr.. Morgan and had done SO in the
New Haven board.
Did you oppose him enough to make
him mad?'
Il never hesitated to tell him plainly
what I thought
You represented the American Com
pany on the New Haven board. Did they
pay you?
mo. 1 was paid as counsel for the
express company, but received no pay
for services as director except the SO.
What was your compensation from the
Commissioner Daniels ruled this ques-
ton as immaterial, and Mr.. Ledyard did
not answer.
Thinks Board Too Large.
In response to inquiries from Mr.. Folk
Mr.. Ledyard said the New Haven board
was too large Instead of twenty-seven
directors. Mr.. Ledyard said twelve or
fifteen directors made a more desirable
board, one which was less unwieidy.
Under questions by Mr.. Folk. Mr.. Led
yard repeated part of his testimony Of
yesterday as to relations between ex'
low
When Mr.. Melien wanted to turn on
the Adams Express Company and make
contract with the American Express
Company, of which you were attorney.
YOU refused on the ground that it would
be said that the contract would be given
through your influence as a director of
the New Haven" asked Mr.. Folk.
Il did not care so much what people
1T was matter of your own con-
science, then?
Yes. II was"
Mr. Folk and Mr. Ledyard had sharp
with the Boston and Maine. made in 1904
for ten years. The witness insisted on
answering questions in his own way. He
appealed to Commissioner Daniels to pro-
tect him against Interruptions.
'I Will not stand it." he declared
Proceeding, Mr.. Ledyard said he had
nothing to do with the Boston and Maine
contract. which President Tuttle Of that
line was responsible for. The rate paid
ihe Boston and Maine under this con-
tract is 81 per cent
In reply to questions from Mr. Folk
Mr. Ledyard said the secretary ALWAYS
"ttended the meetings of the New Haven
.rectors and wrote up the minutes
afterward
VIII you say the second record in
''t- report of the minutes of the meet
.IG of the directors of October g. 1909
-o2arding the Billiard transaction was
flse?' Mr. Folk asked.
II can say that the second entry did
'."t represent any transactions which
o'k place at meetings / attended 1
ont say they are false Mr.. Ledyard
-plied.
Mr.. Ledyard said Mr.. Billiards pur-
hase of Boston and Maine stock was
outright. When asked by Mr.. Folk If
he did not regard Billiards profit on the
stock as excessive. Mr.. Ledyard re-
nlied: Yes, told Mr.. Mellen it was
.,8n outrageous profit for man to make
who had bought the stock as friend
of the road
=. Mr.. Ledyard was still on the stand a,
the time Of recess for lunch.
Mellen Statement Disputed.
Flat denial Of the statement made re-
Gently on the witness stand In the New
Haven inquiry by Charles s. Mellen tha
as president of the New Haven he haf
allowed himself to be indicted in tn,
Grand Trunk case to shield ]. Pierpon
Morgan was made by Lewis Cass Ledya RI
of New York. who was a director of tn,
New Haven at the time