The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-12

j W aSnlnSIOIl, May 1S-lluI- cations today were that the in- quiry being conducted by the interstate commerce commis- sion into the financial opera tions of the New Haven rail road and the Billiard company soon would run it's course.
 This is a case for the crim- inal courts" suggested one of ficial of the commission, "not for a civil proceeding. It ap- pears doubtful whether, in 3 proceeding of this kind the facts can<be developed.' 7
 If is known that the depart sment of justice is inclined not to approve of putting on the witness stand Former Presi-. dent Charles s. Mellen and the: subpoenaed directors of the New Haven Lewis Cass Led- yard, William Rockefeller, George F. Baker and George eCmlIoch Miller and some of the maembers of the conmis sion. M is said, doubt the feasi- |biIity of examining them at |fIis time.
 It is not unlikely, however, that MT. Mellen may; be called as 8 witness, possibly today. although no time for his ap- pearance yet has been fixed. He is in the city under sub poena.
 William B. Lawrence, of Bos- ton, one of the largest individ- ual shareholders in the Boston & Maine railroad whose hold ings are said to have depreci- ated nearly 8 million dollars through the transactions of the last several years, also is likely to tell his story to the commis- sion.
 The New York, New Haven aHart- ford railroad was connected with lob bying against the provision of the Panama Canal act prohibiting rail- road owned ships from passing through the canal. according to testi- mony at the hearing today into the New Haven's affairs by the interstate commerce commission
 Timothy E. Byrnes, former vice president of the New Haven. testified that s1, GOO paid to Clarence w. De- Knight, a Washington lawyer, by for mer Rear Admiral F. T. Bowless pres fdent of the Fore River Shipbuilding cornpany, for services in connection with the Panama legislation in reality came from the New Haven treasury. The Senate lobby Investigating com uaittee recently had Deknight and BowIes4 before it with relation to the transaction, but the New TIaven's campaign was not then brought out.
 MT Byrnes, who resumed the stand today, was shown a voucher for the transaction and was questioned by He said he approved the voucher at the personal direction of President Mellen and that he learned later that MT. Bowles had asked MT. Mellen for the money to retain counsel in the Panama. Canal legislation,% the New Haven being interested on account of it's Long Island Sound lines. Mir Byrnes was on the stand two hours and again was questioned as to pay ments made through his office to Var7- ous persons for service to the New Haven and particularly as to the work Of Assistant Attorney Russell, of the Boston office.
 MT. Byrnes resented what he called ssinsinuations' in the queries as to legislative work. He also said many slurs had been cast in other quarters
 The task of collecting and sending to Washington the mass of. vouchers calded for by the commission, it was stated today, called for the services of 300 clerks in the New Haven's main office and the papers were brought to Washington from New Haven in sev- en trunks on a special car.
 Upon resumption of the hearing to- day Timothy E. Byrnes, a former vice president of the New Haven. was re- called to the stand.
 t.Did MT. Mellen ever turn over to you money to be disbursed without vouchers?' 2 Inquired Chief Counsel Folk. Mo- replied the witness, "at no time.s'
 MT. Folk submitted a voucher for $3s1.90 in favor of Sylvester Baxter, flor 15,0 GOO prayers. ''
 Prayers unused MT. Folk. What did the New Haven want with 15.00o prayers?' ?''
 ..It probably needed more than that smiled MT. Byrnes. This pur- ports to be prayers from the hills. suggested Mir. Folk. Why were the ap- peals of the people being paid for by the New Haven-'