Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-04
Government Introduces
Evidence Purporting
to Show New Haven
Acquired Steams hip
Co. and Used 1t to
Drive Rival Out of
Business Testimony
on Wednesday

New York, Nov. 3.-The alleged efforts
Of the New York. New Haven & Hart
ford Railroad to crush out the competi-
ton Of the Joy Steamship Co. began
new chapter today in the testimony be-
ing presented by the government to prove
that William Rockefeller and 10 other d.
rectors of the road are guilty of having
conspired to monopolize the transporta-
ton traffic of New England.
The government alleges that this line
was eventually acquired by the New Ha-
ven and secretly operated as an indepen-
dent to drive another independent line
out Of business. The testimony today.
which consisted chiefly of the reading Of
letters written by the late John NJ. Hall,
president of the New Haven. was in
tended to show how the competition of
the Joy Line between New York and
Providence, r. l., became in 1900 thorn
In the side of the New Haven.
"Will Have to Be Treated"
On July 3. 1906. Hall wrote to ]. w.
Miller. the New Haven marine superin-
tendent in New York, that this (the Joy
Line) competition Is getting serious and
will have to be treated In some way, al
though it is difficult in view of the state
of public feeling in Providence
On July 10 Hall wrote to Edward G.
auckland. an attorney representing the
New Haven in Providence, in reference
to criticism of the New Haven by the
Providence Journal, and stated that the
New Haven would reduce its steamboat
fare from that city to New York to one
dollar. t..
~, ~l v,fft
say" wrote the New Haven president,
that this is done to crush out the bust
ness Of the Joy Line. but you and / know
that we have only yielded to the urgent
demand Of the people of Providence for
cheaper service. If questioned thereon.
avoid any allusion to the Joy Steamship
Co. or any statement that we are putting
on this service to interfere with them.
Say that we are simply trying an expert
ment to see If the people appreciate a
cheap excursion service.
On the same day Hall wrote to ]. N.
Williams, general freight agent OF Bos-
ton, that the New Haven was putting on
the steamship Massachusetts, to run from
Providence at the dollar rate In competi-
ton with the Joy Line steamer Marti-
nioue and on a schedule that would
bring it to its destination little ahead
of the Martinique.
"Of course you do not know any
thing about the Joy Line in this mat
ter the letter added.
1T imagine that there are given away
a few passes" Hall wrote to Williams
on Aug. 3, in reference to the business
Of the Joy Line, but we shall not in
dulge in that luxury except a very
few carefully distributed for Sunday
excursions to Martha's Vineyard"
A few months late- proposition to
sell the Joy Line to the New Haven
came I'D but was not acted upon at
that time, according to correspondence
that passed between Hall and Charles
F.. Booker of Ansonia, Ct, one OF the
defendant directors.
Booker on Nov. q wrote to Hall: DO
you want to say anything about the
Joy Line? Am told outside parties are
negotiating with Dumbaugh president
of the Joy I4ine). If you want to look
into it let me know
Didn't Want to Buy
I'VE certainly do not want to buy
the Joy Line" Hall replied in let
ter two days later, giving as reason
that it had nothing to sell but lone di-
lapitated steamer and the lease Of half
dock"
But we will make it exceedingly
warm" he added, "for anybody who
does buy it, as long as this opposition
continues"
The introduction Of the letters, which
were read by James w. Osborne, one
of the attorneys for the government.
was preceded by heated wrangle
among counsel as to the right Of the
defense to cross-examine a witness on
the contents Of documents relating to
Joy Line transactions which he has!
been asked by the government merely
to identify. Judge Hunt ruled against
cross-examination this time.
Can we count upon you being at
the wheel during all these joy rides.
Mr.. Osborne?'' was the final shot Of
Delarcey Nicoll Of counsel for the de-
Tense.
TN be on deck when I'm vented"