Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-07-14
MELLEN BRANDS SCATHiNG RE-
PORT AS TRIBUNAL FOR
POLITICAL PURPOSES
PART TOFANTI-TRUSTP PROGRAM
CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR
BREACH OF FEDERAL LAWS
UNDER CONSIDERATION

NEW 1OTk, July l4.-W nlle j. =.
Morgan and Company, consistently re-
fused to discuss the report of the in
terstate commerce commission severe
ly censuring the directors under the
administration of Charles S. Mellen
for reckless and profligate' financial
operations, estimated to have cost the
stockholders from $65, 5,000,00 to $780,
100000, ]. p Morgan himself denies
the charge that the commissions ex-
aminers we're not accorded full access
10 the firms books bearing on the
New Haven. Correspondence made
public at washington told of Commits
sioner McChord's directing the chief
examiner to cease the work as it
"was useless"
Morean's Statement
Late last night, Mr. Morgan issued
this statement in reply:
"The information with regard to the
withdrawal of the interstate commerce
commissions examiners from the ex-
animation of the books of our firm is
the first intimation that have had
that they have been recalled
The New Haven situation is now out
Of the hands of the interstate COM
merce commission and what action,
Iif any is taken on the recommends
tions that the directors be prosecuted,
lies with the department of justice
and the district attorneys in the states
in which the system has lines.
Prosecuting attorneys at New York,
Boston. Hartford, New Haven, New
London and other points had received
no copies Of the evidence today 1t
is understood, however, that copies are
on the way District Attorney Whit
man, who has been in Newport was
expected here today.
Directors and former directors OF
the road generally have refused to dis
cuss the commissions report. Mr..
Mellen however, under whose admin
istration the alleged acts complained
Of were committe, branded it as a re-
pert Of a political tribunal made for
political purposes.
The full report Of the present New
Haven directors is to meet in New
York on Thursday. At that time some
statement bearing on the charges may
Issued.
With its unmeasured denunciation OF
the 'maladministratron," Of New Ha-
ven financial affairs and criminal
negligence" of directors. the inter
state commerce commissions sensa-
tional report on its investigation ot
the New England railroad lines was
today before the senate committee
working to frame legislation for con
ltrol of railroad financing, interlockins
directorates and other subjects con
cerned in the investigation.
Administration supporters declared
that many of the recommendations o
1.-THE commission agreed perfectly will
portions Of president Wilson's trus
Legislation program.
Department of Justice to Act
The next step in New Haven affair'
t however. was expected from the de
J partment of justice Apart from allee
ed violation of laws Of states and u
, ability Of the New Haven's directors
| over which Attorney General McRey
nolds has said the federal statute
5 have no control. the department. wa
j. concerned chiefly in the commission
[ findings that all the acts characterl'
+ ed as corrupt and unlawful" were 10
/ the purpose Of setting up monopoi
/ in violation Of the federal statutes
The department Of Justice has take
n that view in its dissolution suit againF
/ the New Haven system which probabs
; viii be filed within the next fe'
days, unless the railroad officials r