Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-21
AELL[N FAV)RS
government CONTROL
SAYS PUBLIC IS BETTER SERVED
aY MONOPOLY CONTROL OF
Y RAILROADS.
CONSOLIDATION MEANS
IMPROVED CONDITIONS
Better Service, Lower Rates and
Greater Satisfaction to Travelling
Public May 30 Attained, in Opinion
Of Former President Of New Haven
ROOSEVELT Again Mentioned.

Washington, May 21.-Charles s.
Mellen, former presid ent Of the New
Haven railroad, told the interstate
commerce commission today he favored
railroad monopoly controlled and regu-
lated by the government. and that such
monopoly would be beneficial to the
public
Questioned by Mr.. Folk as to his
present business relations, Mr.. Mellen
said:
81 have no. dollars interest today
in the New Haven disposed of all
my stock"
why did you sonally favor the
consolidation of trolley lines with the
New Haven?"
Because consolidation would result
in better service, lower rates and great
er satisfaction to the public. I believe
the public is better served by a monop-
oiy of transportation than in any other
way I think, however, the monopoly
should be controlled by the govern
ment."
Favors Government Control.
what do you think railroads gen.
orally are doing about the matter?
81 know of nothing a railroad can do
now except take off it's hat to some
government official"
"If Mr. Morgan had not died how far
would you have gone in this dream of
consolidation
ITO heaven. I suppose"
didn't Morgan have more power
than any state government under which
You operated
s'He never tried to exercise any such
power. He was in control of the New
England si.natidn-"
t.what would the meeting of the
esew Haven have been life without MI
Morgan ?"
About q. tame as lot Of cows
without bull.''
Roosevelt Again Referred To.
Mr.. Mellen, after testifying regard
ing an offer Of s20.000.00o made by
Charles W. Morse for the purchase OF
steamships owned by the New Haven
said he came to Washington and con-
suited Presiden, Roosevent.
"Mr. Morse" he said, had acquired
control of nearly all the steam lines
Of the Atlantic coast. He wanted our
holdings and I finally got definite
offer of s20,000,000 from him. wanted
to sell but I was a great admTer OF
President Roosevelt and 1 thought a
matter OF that kind ought to be laid
before the president Of the United
States. saw him and he was anxious.
apparently, that Morse should be
checked in his acquisition of control
of steamer lines He urged me not to
sell.
Roosevelt Keeps Faith.
~ told Colonel Roosevelt that as 1t
was expected the bill being prepared by
Herbert Knox Smith, commissioner OF
corporations, would contain a clause
preventing railroads from owning
steamships it would be to our advant-
age to accent the Morse offer.
Herbert Knox Smith, Commissioners
Prouty and Knapp were present. nav
ing been called in by Mr.. Roosevelt
"Mr. Roosevelt told me: I can only
promise you. Mr.. Mellen. for myself
that Il you do not sell your line I will
promise you so far as am concerned
while the law remains as 1t IS, you
shall experience no trouble from me
in your ownership Of what you no"
fave''
when was the bill put in by Attor-
ney General Bonaparte?' p
81 think in 1907"
railroads owning steamers left out?
'1 imagine It was because Mr. Roose-
Welt kept faith with US"
To Plead Justification.
justification will be the reply Of Will
liam Rockefeller and the high powers
in New Haven to the amazing story
of Charles s., Mellen, dealing with the
West Chester amalsamation. put thru
at cost to the stockholders OF $780,
100000, 1t was said yesterday. Mel
lens criticism Will be repudated and
his Judgment attacked If the other d.
rectors OF the system are called to
testify at the interstate commerce
commission inquiry now IN progress.
Altho only twenty six miles Of rail-
way were secured for the millions, 1t
will be set forth that this road Is a
six-t track, high power line. extending
from the Harlem river to the Connec-
ticut state line and certain eventually
to be worth many times the initial
cost.
To Examine Rockefeller.
Rockefeller and most Of the mem
( bers Of the board Of directors who
authorized the deal are alive. II the
inquiry proves the deal was fraudu-
lent or illegal. they are individually
liable. Rockefeller lS TO De examined
as soon as Mellen's story IS complete.
The commission expects to develop
from Francis Lime Stetson, who was
the chief counsel in the early days
of the West Chester deal, how far he
was Influenced in his advice by sug-
gestions from Morgan or Rockefeller
TAKE a PEEK At NEW COMET.
. d ~ &.
Errstie, sky Wandersr Appears in
Northeastern Sky.
Chicago, May 21-A new and err