The Washington times., 1914-05-14

NOOItlHlSu Iifhin L IISN oSS.'
l.sed to have resulted in shameful
steals"
Helping Commission
Mellen is sixty-tkree years old. He
is gray and bald and his skin is like
parchment. closely cropped gray
mustache emphasizes very firm, near
ly hard mouth Today he wore a dark
business suit, set off By a wing collar
and dark red tie. "a 80
After he had given his name, resi-
dence and age, Folk asked him:
What is your occupation?'
AT present l am helping the Inter
state Commerce Commission
This brought genera smile in which
Commissioner McChord joined.
Mellen said he had brought all the
New Haven papers he could find with
him. but said he had others at New
Haven and Stamford which he would
gladly turn over to the commission.
The witness said he was born in
Lowell, Mass. educated at Concord,
y. H., and began railroadine in 1853.
He recited the various positions he had
held since he started as railroad clerk
at S25 month up until he retired from
the presidency OF the New Haven.
Mellen seemed eager to testify. He
leaned far forward. both arms on the
table and. in a shrill, penetrating voice.
narrated the salient points of his career.
When he reached the time when he be
came president of the road mis- chief
counsel, Attorney Grim, broke in:
MFR Mellen courts opportunity to give
~. sas s9mRsss S. ssPlaHaten haven of
He wants to testify tfully and make
M mental reservations, and ! want TO
ask this commission TO give him that
opportunity. But in regard to his state
rn-nt that he was assisting the commis-
SION think il should be realized that
this was meant as joke
Aellen concurred in this statement.
He said he had only intended his re-
mark as a joke.
The Company's Policy.
MeIien said he was made president Of
the New Haven by the late J. Pierpont
Morgan.
How did Mr. Morgan do this" asked
Felix
Why, he haG, the directors elect me.
DID Morgan make you any promises
al this time
He did not ! was then a director
o: the Northern Pacific and l supposed
1nat the election 10 the New Haven
presidency was a promotIoG.'
Mellen said when he assumed office
~ found il was the COMPANY policy
10 buy I'd stock in the leased lines with
a, view TO ultimate ownership. He said
he concurred in this policy and It was
carried on under mis- management. His
+1rst deal was the acquisition OF d bare
majority Of the stock Of the Central
New England railroad for S5.00o.0o0. The
money was secured through an issue OF
tep-year 4 per cent bonds.
The next deal was 10 secure complete
control of the Worcester and Connecu-
cur Eastern Trolley Company. The New
Haven owned a half share more than
one half of the stock. The balance was
oEEe6 by Sanderson & Porter, contras-
tore They wanted the interest on the
iced. He agreed to do so II they would
s.ll their stock for q nominal sum-a
dollar a share, he thought, They did so,
giving the New Haven the entire stock.
The next big deal given by Mellen
rity trolley system In all transsc-
lions, Mcllen said. he acted for the
rompany, but with the advice Of the
directors. James 6. and Samuel Hem
lnIway, he said, were the prime NOV
.rs IN the New Haven trolley trans
action. They were officials OF the
trolley line.
Tns; Mellen wanted 10 90 into details
vas shCwEz here.
Commissioner McChord asked him TO
slWays give names Of directors Of al
Companles acquired.
How to Get Records.
y can't do that" said Melien. D.
cause that is all matter Of record in
ne possession Of the New Haven COM
pany. and l can tell YOU just how to
set this If you want me to-"
Folk then took up the financing Of
the New York WestChes - .iDi Bos-
ton railway, an electric line. Mcllcn
sad that 5000 shares o. lew haH"n
stock were turned over to rim TO set
pf'sseas'Cn OF the minority holdings =
tie Company. The value % the ste h
vas S.cJJ0 0co, and he was TO tLf1I 4
O ~ fer Zi01t Westminster shares, when
certain conditions were made.
We were willing 10 put up ne 5000
shares and the other parties had 1900
shares Of the Westchester company"
he explained. They planned TO ex-
change with Us. But VIC refused until
certain franchise defects were cor
number Of changes made in the West
chester road"
Who held this stock and who was to
see that these franchise defects were
CorrectedT' Folk asked.
The man IL dead. IL was former
Police Superintendent Thomas Byrnes,
OF New York city Mellen replied
Mellen said he had given due bills for
some Westchester stock turned over to
him, and that some were still outstand-
ing. II amounted to over $40 coo. but
10 whom he paid the money.
81 Got Results"
Did YOU pay il TO a total stranger"
ne vas asked.
Il certainly did MelIen said
Was il fact that this money wss