New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-27
PLEA TO MORGAN
BY MELLEN SAVED
HIS JOB ON N. H.
Somebody Using Me for
Mat" Said Financier,
Dropping Complaint.
ATTEMPT TO GUST
EX-RAILROAD CHIEF
Corsair Compact on Rates and
Evidence That Law Was 'g-
nOred Appear at Trial.

Once upon time J. Pierpont Nor
gan made up his mind that Charles ,.
Mellen ought 70 he dismissed from MS
fob as second vice-president Of the
New Haven Railroad. Mr.. Mellen told
e dramatic story Of that time yester-
dav al the New Haven trial Of the
scene he had in Mr. Morgan's Office
about It and how his job was savc1
when Mr. Morgan became convinced
that somebody had been using him
Mr.. Morgan as doormat. Mel!c1
quoted that rs Morgan's phrase.
Mr.. Mellen obviously re!ished tell
ing about it. and emphasized the ell
max with a great wag Of his head.
what was the occasion Of your m
torview with Mr.. Morgan" was the
question bv which Frank VI. Swacker,
government attorney. picking up
casual mention Of the Morgan inter
view. brought about the unexpected BIZ
Of history.
~ was advised by Mr.. Clark Ipresi'
dent Of the New Haven that Mr.. mor-
gan was much exercised at tho rela-
tionship growing up between the New
Haven and the New York Central
lines" Mellen said. "He was a diree-
tor In both. And that he thought l
fomented it and that was creating m
excessive nuisance value Of myself and
he thought | ought 70 be retired
you mean hostile relationship be
tween the New Haven and New YORK
Central?" Mr.. Swacker asked. yes
replied the witness.
"Mr Clark told you that Mr.. Nor
gan thought you ought 10 be retired
interposed Richard Y. Lindabury. #
counsel FOR the defence.
con account Of my nuisance value
reiterated Mellen. 81 was quite exsr-
cjsed in those days Gin 1890 that
man of Mr. Morgan's prominence IN
the world should have any such feei-
inQs regarding me as that indicated oy
tho interview, and | did what / gen
orally do. marched down TO Nj
Morgan's Office.
Mellen Explained to Morgan.
ole said: What can l do for your
told him what Mr.. Clark had told
me and he said: That is correct
said: 4 thought you were fair enough
minded man so you would be willihS
TO hear both sides Of the question, ami
came down 10 see If you would near
my side ,,,a
81 told him the whole story from my
standpoint. He said: 4 never under
stood il. Mr.. Mellen. have beef used
for a doormat Good day"
'He had been used for q doormat"
Mr. Swacker queried.
THAT is just tho expression he
used" said Mellen, with another
earnest wag Of his head.
The matter under discuss ion lust
then was a printed letter that had been
sent out over Mellen's signature. hay-
ing reference to the Western traffic
of the New Haven with the New YORK
Central lines. With the letter went
this note from President Clark OF the
New Haven:
please regard it as confidential
document and bring the copy with you
TO the next meeting Of the board. TINS
copy is furnished you in order that
YOU may be thoroughly apprifed OF
Mr.. Mellen's views as to the interests
Of this company
The letter gave a detailed analysis
of the New Ravens business and con
nections, speaking Of the long friendly
relations with the New York Central,
and then going on TO tell OF the frIc-
tion arising.
1--WE have no disposition 70 disrupt
relations by way OF reprisal." Mellen
wrote, but we cannot forget the &C
ton Of the Central lines when this
company was engaged in close and
bitter competition with the Housatonic
system, or when II was forced 10 buy
the New Haven & Northampton Pail
road in protection, or coming
down to the present moment, when the
Central lines FASTENED 10 open "ompe-
tition with US Worcester TO Provi-
dence via the New York & New Eng
land when the Boston & Albany cut
its own rates from Pittsheld 70 Boston
for the purpose Of taking local bust
ness from the line Of our road and OF
deriving US of long haul; when the
West Shore and New York & Putnam
are made 20 compete with US actively
in connection with the New Iork q
New England. even cutting our rates
between Springfield and New York
there is abundant precedent for our re-
forming our relations that have grown
up under a condition of affairs that
no longer exists"
CorsaIr Agreement Read.
Among the reforms that he wanted
we're exclusive arrangements with The
Central lines, and other details that
Morgan did not seem 10 like.
Among other documents read BY MI.
Swacker was the real Corsair agree
ment and communications on their un-