New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-02
Interstate Commerce Com
mission Unable to Serve
Summons.
HEMINGWAY ON STAND
TELLS OF BILLIARD CO..
Recalcitrant Witness DiscloseS
Little About S2,O0O,000
Concern.

added 20 the investigation by the Inter
state Commerce Commission into the
financial relations of the New Haven
Railroad and the Billiard company by the
unsuccessful efforts of the commission
to summon John Hall Mckay. who has
been mentioned as private counsel for
ex-President Mellen, and who. in the
opinion OF Chief Counsel Folk. is an i'm
portant. If not an essential. witness 1t
was learned by the commission that Mr.
Mckay was at his Office In New York
yesterday, and that some time during
tho day he sailed for Europe. Mr.. FOLK
is now trying to find out whether his de-
parture was before or after his name was
brought into the proceeding by the pro-
duction of confidential letters from Ste
venson Taylor
Samuel Hemingway. president OF the
Second National Bank of New Haven, one
OF the recalcitrant witnesses OF April 70
testified at length to-day, but disclosed
little. Mr. Hemingway, who was one
time treasurer OF the much-discussed Bill
lard company. said he understood the
concern was a holding company. first cap
italized at $4,000. Subsequently the capi-
tai was increased TO 100000 lie said
he did not know where the capital came
from; that he knew nothing of the COM
panys operations.
Political contributions paid in IVA Dy
President Mellen 10 the Republican Ma
tional Committee and TO various state
committees amounting 10 Sl02,OcO inquired
in the days testimony as an enhVehihe
incident These payments, II was SHOWN
did not appear on the New Haven
books having been authorized by inc
New Haven directors out Of unexpected
profits" from Mr. Mellen's sale Of treas
ury stock of the company
Julian VI. Tomrnson. auditor OF the
New Haven. was called TO the stand by
Joseph W. Folk, chief counsel for the
commission. who delayed the appearance
of Samuel Hemingway, secretary Of the
Billiard company, whose TRANSACTIONS
with the New Haven have been under IN
vestigaton.
Mr. Tomlinson said that his examina-
ton of the books Of the New Haven
showed no expenditures for campaign
contributions.
Did Mr.. Mellen say anything to you
as TO political contributions asked
Counsel Folk.
HE told me at one time said Mr..
Tomllnson. that $4,000 was given to the
Republican National Committee and $500
to the Rhode Island Republican state
Committee"
Didn't Handle Contributions.
Mr.. Ton,linson further said these con-
tributions did not 90 through his hands,
but said he had heard Mr.. Mellen explain
that he had made a profit Of $4,000 in
dealings in stock, and that the political
contributions were made out Of this
profit.
Mr.. Mellen had given the COMPANY
note when ne purchased the stock Mr..
Tomlinson asserted, but he ala not Kho"
how the note was paid of.
"Mr. Mellen never gave me any vouch-
crs showing the payment Of campaign
contributions" said the witness.
do YOU think your books would snow
faithfully the political contributions OF
the road?" asked Carl Gartner, eXam-
ner I'm charge Of the investigation.
There were no such entries that ! can
recall" said Mr. TOmlinson.
He recalled. however, seeing voucher
Of the Consolidated Railroad Company
a New Haven subsidiary. showing the
payment of 10000 to Edward F. Rob
bins then general counsel for the New
Haven. which he believed was for Doliti-
cal purposes.
wasn't that charged to the account OF
construction and way?' asked Mr.. Cart
nor.
II couldn't say" the witness answered.
Mr. TomIinson said he thought the
hooks would show a payment of $4,000
TO John Hall Mckay from the New Eng
land Navigation Company, another sub
sldiary. and said he would supply any
vouchers he could find bearing on that
payment
Further questioning brought out that
Billiard had given n note TO the Naviga-
ton company for s2.419,993 II. The New
Haven held the Navigation company's note
for 81 1000. Billiards. note, held by
the Navigation company, was turned over
to the New Haven to apply on TINS.
Tells of Billiard Transaction.
Mr.. Folk questioned Mr.. Tomlinson also
as 10 the transaction by which John L.
Billiard is alleged to have made S2,1OO'Ooo
bv the sale Of New Haven stock. Mr.
Folk stated that Billiard disposed OF 1O9,-
GAS shares Of the New Haven TO the
Boston Railroad Holding Company at
1854 a share. and that on the same day
other New Haven stock was sold TO the
New England Navigation Company for
$40 a share and turned over to the Bos-
ton Railroad Holding Company.
Mr.. Tomlinson said the books OF the
Now Haven did not reflect any such
transaction.
"Do the books OF the New England
Navigation Company show that Se,O0O,OO
was paid in cash for gold notes Of the
billiard company" Mr.. Folk asked. He
suggested that tho entry referred TO a
cash payment. but added: Il think there
ls some doubt that cash was paid"
II would not know II cash were paid"
said Mr. Tomlinson.
do the records OF the navigation COM
many show all the transactions?'
.'They contain entries, but no explana-
tons"
Mr.. Folk then asked Mr.. Tomlnson II
ne was acquainted with j. b. Mckay.
Mr.. Tomlinson said that he met Mr..
Mckay several years ago.
do you know what his connection with
the New Haven is?'
NO"