The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-13
Folk Will Call Ex-President
Unless Commission
Stops Him. ~
FLAREUP BY LEDYARD
New York Lawyer Says Late
]. p. Morgan Wasn't i'm
B. Il NJ. Deal.
CONTRADICTS A WITNESS
Latter Charges Morgan Planned
Big Railroad and Express
Company Merger.

WASHINGTON. May 1.-THE row over
tire proposal to have Charles s. MeIIen.
ex-president OF the New Haven rail-
road. testify before the Interstate Com
merce Commission, thus insuring him of
immunity from any further proceedings
By the Department Of Justice, Is grow
ing bigger.
Members Of the Senate have now
made known their intention to insist
upon the calling of Mellen in spite of
the opposition by the Department of
Justice.
Solicitor Joseph w. Folk has sum.
moned Me'len as a witness and the lat
ter is anxious to testify. 1t is reported
that he is ready to give full details OF
his management OF the New Haven,
producing letters and documents to de-
fend himself.
Mr.. Mellen is now in the city and was
70 have testified to-day. but representa-
tons made by the Department OF JUS
tee TO the commission seemed to have
Kept Mr.. Mellen Off the stand.
Attorney-General McReynolds has
taken the stand that If Mellen testifies
Il will give him immunity, not only in
the case of an indictment pending, but
In any future proceedings.
Senator George w. Norris of Ne
braska, who introduced the resolution
under which the commission Is now
making the investigation, will take up
the matter tomorrow with the Attor-
ney-General and the commission, and II
IL minated that the Democratic Sena-
tors will lend their aid to get Nc
Reynolds to withdraw his objection.
Senator Norris says that he only in
uoduced the r. solution after the De-
partment of Justice had failed to
institute proceedings TO determine who
got the New Haven money and to fix
responsibility.
Mr.. Folks Declaration.
Solicitor Folk declared tonight that
he would call Mellen to the stand, order
him TO be sworn and then interrogate
him at length. Mr.. Mellen has given
assurances to Mr.. Folk that he will
tell all he knows Of the inner workings
Of the New Haven.
The commission has not yet taken
action on Attorney-General McReyn-
ods's suggestion that Mellen be kept
off the stand at the present time. 1t Is
understood that the commission will dc
80 tomorrow.
II Is intimated that unless MelleN
takes the stand and testifies Senator
Norris and his associates will air the
matter on the floor Of the Senate and
sccuse the Administration OF smother
ing the Investigation.
When Commissioner Prouty made
ne original investigation Of the imam
cal affairs of the New Haven during
ne hearings he announced his willing
ness ~ allow NJ. Mellen TO appear anc
make a voluntary statement. At the re-
quest Of the Department OF Justice
Commissioner Prouty declined to allow
Mr. Mellen to testify under oath. This
Il is recalled, was under the Taft Ad
m.nistration, so that McReynolds Is nov
following in the footsteps OF hi
predecessor.
William b. Lawrence. a member or
New England family. which was the larges
minority holder OF stock In the Boston an
Maine Railroad, testified before the Inter
,ate Commerce Commission to-day ina
the Boston and Maine was acquired ny IN
New Haven road as one step In genera
Plan 10 reduce the control OF the couh'i'
70 nv great systems.
Alleged Morgan Plan.
~ Lawrence said that this was IN
plan II the late J. +. Morgan. He adde'
that .le had received information To thl
'-ec. from Lewis Cass Ledyard. who wa
private counsel for Mr.. Morgan and wht
NJ Lawrence contended, represented MI
Morgan in the NEGOTIATIONS for the pur
'aase OF the Boston and Maine stock b
me New Haven. Mr.. Lawrence adde
hat 4 was also Mr.. Morgan's plan to re
duce the express holdings OF the countr
u three great companies
NJ, Ledyard heard this testimony ar
Il, H. conclusion arose and emphat'call
Denied tina, he had ever said any sue
Wing or that ne had represented the lat
T. Morgan In the sale of tho Bosto
ana Maine stock TO the New Haven. u
de7'5l that he had ever said that NJ
MORAN hal reached the conclusion thi
'.'fe should be- merger OF railroads an
express companies In this country.
A'er the adjournment OF the hearln
Nor Wa a stormy scene between NJ
lf' trl and Mr.. Lawrence, when NJ
I~NH.d ,Gargcd that Mr.. Lawrence wa
formerly secretary to the board OF dire