The Sentinel=record., 1914-07-15
NEW HAVEN CASE
 HOLDS ATTENTION
MATTER OF GUILT OF THE Dl. RECToRS IS BEING DISCUSSED
 BY LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
Believed That Strongest Antitrust Case of All Has Been Built Up Around This Combination.

Washington, D. C., July 14.--Final decision as 10 whether criminal in- dictments shall be sought by the de- lpartment of justice against directors of the New Haven railroad probably wi not be reached until the conclu- sion of negotiations for peaceful dissolution of that system. The fate of these negotiations is said to de. pend largely on the action of the New Haven board at meeting in New York Thursday.
 The department cannot reach the New Haven directors for any fman- cial transactions which brought down on their heads the condemnation ot the Interstate Commerce Commission It can act only through the antitrust act, which has section maLdne 1t a criminal offense to enter into d con spiracy in restraint of trade Past experience has not , encouraged the government to ask indictments for directors or other officials of aileged combinations which it sought to dis solve. Juries have been loath to ren. der verdicts of guilty and judges have not been disposed to impose prison sentences. However, the widespread publicity given to the New Haven case and the unqualified assertion of the Interstate Commerce Commission that the directors knew they were acquiring and combining competing properties may put different aspect on this case
 The commissions statements are not evidence, but it's conclusions may raise the question of how this ilfor- nation vii! appeal to a grand jury.
 It has been known for months that the department of justice has a vast amount of information obtained by the commission but some of which is said to contradict testimony given by prominent Witnesses before the com missions New Haven investigation This contradictory evidence offered to the commission was not accepted but if indictments are sought it might be laid before a grand jury for ques- tionins whether immunity has been given witnesses who helped the com mission. If a contradiction is shown some officials believe immunity may not be granted
 It was recalled here tonight that at the time the commission proposed to subpoena Charles s. Mellen and other directors of the New Haven Attorney General McReynolds made public a letter to the commission il which he discussed the effect of their appear ance upon any criminal prosecution the government may desire hereafter to institute.
 Mir. McReynolds said he had noticed that the commission intended to summon Charles S. Mellen, Will liam Rockefeller George McCulloch Miller, Charles F. Brooker, Edwin Milner, Lewis Cass Ledyard, George r, Baker and Edward D. Robbins
 Before this letter was made public. the attorney general refused to say whether he contemplated crimina' prosecutions of these men or other New Haven directors. It was under. stood he did not care to take any chance of having his plans made public.
 1t has been wei understood in ad. ministration circles that the depart. ment is anxious to get the civil disso- lution of the New Haven out of the way before it takes up any ether phase of the case. In negotiations with New Haven officials and law yers for a peaceful dissolution it has been thoroughly understood that the question of criminal indictments was not involved and the way is open for the department to proceed and it is believed there is evidence to obtain convictions.