Las Vegas optic., 1914-05-19
.TAMMANY HALLS INFLUENCE
HE GOES INTO THE PART PLAY
ED BY LATE INSPECTOR
THOMAS BYRNEs
WAS AFRAID OF Mr.. MORGAN
FiNANcIER HELD HIM IN AWE,
THE WITNESS TELLS CON-
MERGE COMMISSION a.

Washington, May 19.-Charles S.
Mellen today resumed the remarkable
story he is unfolding before the in
terstate commerce commission con-
cerning the vast and complicated fl
nancial operations of the New Haven
railroad and dts various subsidiaries.
Chief Counsel Folk for the commits
sion, developed the dominant part
taken in the transactions by promi-
nent figures on the board of directors
of the New Haven road and more par
ticularly the late ] Pierpont Morgan
and William Rockefeller
Mr.. Mellen told in detail of his re
lations and his differences with Mr..
Morgan. He also went fully into the
acquisition Of the New York West
chester & Boston road by the New
Haven. This brought out further ref
erences to the part taken by the late
Police Inspector Thomas Byrnes of
New York, who, Mellen testified, OPP
Grated through the people on Four
teenth street where Tammany Hall
is located"
Mr.. Mellen. when questioned about
differences with Mr. Morgan regard
ing the Westches Ar deal detailed a
conversation with the late fifancier
which he said had greatly "humiliat-
ed him.
Were you afraid of Mr.. Morgan?"
Mr. Folk asked
"Yom might call it cowardice," Mr..
Mellen answered. Il held Mr. Nor
gan in more awe than any other man
ever knew"
Mr.. Mellen answered the rapid fire
of questions with readiness and seem
ing composure and frequently evoked
laughter by some sally. He was still
under cross examination when the
noon recess was taken.
| While the hearing was in progress
President Wilson and the cabinet
were in conference in the regular
semi-weelly session. It was reported
from several sources that Attorney
General McReynolds had brought up
beore the cabinet the subject Of the
New Haven inquiry and the decision
of the interstate commerce commits
sion stating that testimony taken now
might grant immunity in any future
action by the government.
Asked by Mr.. Folk concerning the
connection of Mr.. Rockefeller with the
purchase OF the Westchester property
Mr.. Mellen said:
"Mr. Rockefeller was in favor OF
the investment in the Westchester,
but was rather staggered at the
amount of the cost. 1t was more
than anybody thought it would be"
~'What did the New Haven pay for
the Westchester in the aggregate?"
Around thirty-five million dollars,
replied Mr. Mellen. "The road is
about 26 miles long, with four tracks
and is admirably constructed through
| a very populous territory"
Mellen explained that Inspector
Byrnes, with whom he dealt in ac
quiring the minority Of the West
chester stock, told him that much o
the stock was held by people in Four
ts enth street New York. where, yo'
! Iknow, Tammany Hall IS located"
"How did this stock reach Tam
many Hall?"
4 do not lnow." replied Mr.. Me
n len.
vi Mn, Mellen was asked about CON
g munications he had hail by letter wit
g Oakleigh Thorne concerning the par
y which he played in the purchase Q
a the Westchester for the New Haver
r Mr., Mellen said most of his dealing
with Tohrne were by mail. Thorn
S and perry we're paid $275.0oo whe
/ their contract was cancelled. 0rigi1
!. allv thev we're to get 721l per eer
of the amount involved.