The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-05-14
Solicitor practically Told
to Leave Office of the
Acknowledgement
MELLEN WILL
NOW BE CALLED
Commissions Counsel Says
Former Head of Road
Will "Tell All"

Washington, May l4-Charles S. Mel
len, former president of the New Hayer
railroad; Edward ID. Robbins, former
general counsel OF the road, and Georg,
MCCULLOUGH Miller, Charles II. Brooker
Edwin Miner. Lewis Cass Ledyard anC
George +. Baker, directors of the New
Haven, win be put on the stand in the
| investigation which the interstate com
merce commission is conducting into the
financial affairs OF the New Haven.
| Attorney General McReynold's obiec-
ton that this would give Mellen and the
directors immunity from criminal prose
cution has been ignored.
This announcement was made at the
interstate commerce commission yester-
day following conference of Attorney
General McReynolds with Commissioner
McChord and Solicitor Joseph w. Folk.
This conference ended up in a row be-
tween the Acknowledgement and Solicit
or Folk. The latter was practically re-
quested to withdraw from the attorney
generals Office and did so with Commits
sioner McChord. WHO'D was also consider
ably heated.
"We are going ahead said Solicitor
Folk; eve are going to bring out the
truth, the whole truth, no matter who it
hurts or hits"
Attorney General McReynolds first
conferred with Senator Norris, the au-
thor of the resolution directing the in
yestigation, and Senator Kern, the DEM
ocratic leader. Solicitor Folk and Com
missioner McChord joined the three
named in the Attorney Generals office
and they stayed but few minutes.
When they emerged they were red in
the face, and declined to make a state
ment. Later, at the offices of the COM
mission, Solicitor Folk announced for
the commissioner that the inquiry would
90 ahead. Senator Norris, after leaving
the Encouragement, went to the Offices
of the commission and conferred with
Folk and McChord. Senator Norris was
present when Folk made a brief state
ment concerning the attitude of the at
torney general.
Il was at the conference" said SEN
ator Norris, "and Attorney General Me-
Reynolds gave no good reason why the
commission should not 90 ahead and
prosecute this matter to the bottom and
put Mellen and all the other fellows who
know anything about the matter on the
torney generals letter to the commits
sion or for his interference.
"This inquiry should 90 on as mat
ter of justice to the people and public.
Every fact in connection with the rotten
operations that have been going on for
years should be developed. In my
opinion not solitary good reason has
been given why the inquiry should be
Solicitor Folk was asked why he and
Commissioner MeChord had quit the CON
ference so huuiedly He said he did not
care to answer, and Senator Norris said
that if Folk had no objections he would
answer for him.
Mr.. Folk seemed to have none. and
smiled in a pleased manner when SEN
ator Norris said.
He went out because the attorney
practically requested him to do
So"
Solicitor Folk added,
His conduct was such that he did not |
'are to remain and have anything to
say to him"
Commissioner McCord was consider |
IDLY stirred up and abruptly declined to
discuss the conference.
This incident has created very UNI
adorable impression here and the Will
ION administration viii be attacked in
he Senate.
Folk told MeReynolds it was reported,
hat the departments objection had been
weighed and that he proposed
o go ahead with the investigation UNI
ess stopped by direction of the presi-
lent himself.
Throughout the controversy Mellen
md his counsel, Judge Grim, secluded in