The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-22
Former New Haven Head Says Government Regula- ti0n and Control of All
 Railways Needed
CONTINUES STORY OF
 RAILWAYS FINANCIAL
 SYSTEM BEFORE I. c. c.
Transactions With Charles W. Morse Brought to Light-Reiterates Statements Regarding Cam
 paign Contribution by
 New Haven Officials

washington, May 21.--An absolute monopoly of transportation. under gov ernment regulation and control. was suggested by Charles s. Meilen. former to the interstate commerce commission today as n solution of the American problem. ssTo get efficiency and econ omy,- declared MT. Mellen, "there must be n monopoly, and that monopoly Is certain to he the United states gov- ernment.-
 cry time railroad official comes to
 Washington he has to take off his hat to
 some government official.''
 Mir. Mellen appeared to have recovered
 entirely from his fatigue of yesterday when he appeared before the commission today to resume his testimony, He re sponded to interrogatories fired at him by Chief Counsel Joseph W. Folk, promptly, never hesitating a second for a word. He told at length the story of his steam- ship transactions with Charles W. Morse. Received $2O, ,O00, ,OO0 Offer Concerning these, MT. Mellen explained he felt it desirable to confer with Colonel Roosevelt, the President of tine United States He told the President he had received an offer of sao0oo,o00 from Morse for the New Haven steamship holdings and felt inclined to accept it, because, thus the New Haven would be able to turn the property into cash. Mr. Roose- welt, he said, apparently was anxious that Morse should be checked in lis amoi- ton to acquire monopoly of steam ship lines, and urged Mr. Mellen not to sell.
 Mr. Mellen said at that time he was \ Bpprehensive of the enactment of law k by Congress to prevent railroads from owing or controlling water lines but he H was assured by MT. Roosevelt that, so long as the law remained as it then was, the New Haven need have no fear about E it's water line holdings. In the acquisition of New England E trolley lines, Mr. Mellen said he had proceeded on the theory that transpor- tation might better be handled on cleo
  | been convinced that the diversion of much
 traffic of steam roads to electric lines would be economical, rates lower, and I, service generally more satisfactory to the public.
 Late in the day the witness attention again was directed to campaign contribu- tions made by the New Haven to the re- publican national committee of 1900 and 1914 He reiterated statements he previ- ously had made.
 N Practically Fired E When asked why he relinquished the presidency Of the New Haven MT. Weller said he practically was fired IA Mr. Melleus examination probably VII be concluded tomorrow. \ Questioned by NsS Folk as to his presen !, E,business relations, Mir. Mellen said: <I T have not a dollars interest today il <lthe New Haven. I disposed of all m,
 stock I retain little interest yet 1T
 st the Boston and Maine, and in the Ontario
 and Western.
 E ..Why did you personally favor the con
 Isolidation of the trolleys with the New 1 |lI5aven?"
 Because consolidation would result .ir /sbetter service lower rates and greater
 sa ii isfaction to the public. I believe thu
 public is better served by monopoly o
 Transportation than in any other way.
 ,think, however. that the monopoly should
 be controlled and regulated by the gov
 )ernment.
 M What do you think railroads general,
 Iare doing about the matter?' N ''I know, of nothing a railroad can d.
 |!now except take off its hat to some gov
 I,ornment official"
 eff MT. Morgan had not died, how
 +is>
 (Contfnued an Page Eight)