Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-22

ing secrecy concerning the acquisition of
the Maine Steamship Coz" asked Mr.
Folk
II suppose" responded Mr.. Mellen, lit
was due to a desire to keep the matter
quiet
The witness himself smiled broadly
with the auditors.
Maine Steamship Co.
How long did you keep the Maine
Steamship Coz"
II do not recall the dates. but we kept
1t until we sold 1t to the Eastern steam
ship Corporation
Mr.. Mellen said Mr.. Morse wanted the
Boston freight line steamers.
~ let him have them and got $350000
in cash 1 am the only man living who
ever got the cash from C. w. Morse In
a business transaction
Did you have an account with the
Bank of North American
Yes. / opened an account at Mr.
Morse's bank on this transaction. It
was an account of $4,000 and will say.
said Mr.. Mellen with some JUNCTION, that
didn't lose any money by it
That $4,000 Profit /
Mr.. Mellen repeated testimony given
by him before Commissioner Prouty in
Boston about a year ago regarding
$102, 600 profit which he made on the
sale of New Haven stock that was
turned over to him to be put on the
market, so that 1t could be Used on
the New York Stock Exchange.
And that was the famous 100000
that l gave to Republican campaign
funds" added Mr.. Mellen.
The witness said $4,000 of this sum
was given by him to the Republican
National committed; $4,000 for Mas
sachusetts: $4,000 for Connecticut and
$4,000 for either New York or Rhode
Island.
These sums" said Mr.. Mellen,
were sent to Cornelius n. Bliss"
Was "Fired" from New Haven
Under what circumstances did you
leave the New Haven?"
Il was practically fired" replied Mr..
Melen. He said it was intimated by a
man close to the directors that
change was considered desirable. AS l.
wanted a change myself continued
Mr.. Mellen, Il welcomed the sugges-
tion.''
Mr.. Mellen testified that a contract
was offered him under the terms of
which the New Haven was to retain
his services in an unofficial capacity to
give advice, etc, for five years at an
annual salary Of $4,000.
Made "Present" of $4,000
Later" he said. two members of
| the committe that had arranged for
my retirement sailed on me and said
the matter of compensation was caus-
| ing embarrassment and asked me if
would relieve them of this. l then
practically made them a present of
the $4,000
Salary as President
| Questioned more in detail as to his
| salary as president of the New Hav-
en-, Mr.. Melien said that at the time
of his retirement it was $4,000 year.
II started at $4,000 and later this
was raised to $4,000. When the sal
aries of all employees were cut 10 per
cent, l cut my salary to $4,000.
He added that he received at the
| time of his retirement a lump sum-
of 100000 from the Boston & Maine.
| for acting as president of that road
for three years and was given in like
manner $4,000 by the Maine Central.
What was the reason of the I'M
| popularity of the New Haven?"
THE New Haven was a monopoly
from its inception. For years 1t had
! been the general impression that II
controlled the situation in Connecticut
and the sentiment coming down from
| the old times could not be removed.
l believe that the things done by the
New Haven, if they had been done
by a more popular concern would
have been approved"
Did you have any relations with
| public officials?"
Il always tried hard to keep away
from them. And l want to say there
is not so much effort on the part of
the railroads to have relations with
elected officials as there is on the
part of those officials to have rela-
tions with the railroads. 1 think If an
absolutely INSCRIPTIONS persons were
at the head of a large railroad and
had the knowledge, ability and where
withal he could accomplish almost
anything. To get efficiency and econ
omy there must be a monopoly and
! that monopoly is certain to be the
United States government"
do you think your salary of $780,
| 600 was too much? ?"
Yes, l do. I think $4,000 is enough
| for any railroad president"
Why didn't you start that reform
YOURSELF"
We'll, / thought l was entitled to
what others were getting when I was
| given the $50, 900. l never asked for the
raise to 100000 and even protested
against it
Legislative Agents
In the legislative work did you not
have agents in different states?"
Yes. we had some
Mr.. Mellen said that General Bray
| ton was the legislative agent in Rhode
Island and that to the best of his rec
objection he was paid $4,000 or $1,000
year He said that the money used in
Rhode Island generally was to help in
electing candidates for office"
What did Gen. Brayton do for you
| in return for this $4,000 or $1,000 year,"
The money was not so much for
what ne did as to prevent him from