The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-29
NEW HAVEN MEN WIN 4
POINT AS DEFENCE OPENS
Judge Hunt Excludes Hall Letter Relative to Trolley
Legislation-Ledyard, on Stand in Own Behalf
Explains Many Deals.

tive matters for the New Haven AT the
time, mad made certain suggestions VI
the presence OF GOV. Draper and thar
these suggestions Mr.. Byrnes later sent
to Mr.. Malone In writing.
Mr.. Malone asserted that the holding
company bill was drafted after the
Northern Securities decision and the de-
cision In the Louisville and NASHVILLE
case, In which Il was held that a state
could do AZ II saw ut with "a domestic
railroad proposition.
Just before Mr.. Ledysrd took the
stand r. ". Lindabury. OF counsel for
the defence. called Arthur Il. Russell.
secretary OF the New Haven, one OF the
Government witnesses. 10 identify GER
tain records and correspondence which.
Mr.. Lindabury explained to the court,
would show in contravention OF Mr.. Mel
lens testimony on that point that In
stead OF the New Haven going after the
New York and New England Railroad.
which II later acquired. the New YORK
and New England persistently tried to
effect a consolidation Of the Two lines
o. a lease Of the New Haven road In
1886.
Iedyard's interest small.
Concerning the Boston and Maine sale
Mr.. Ledyard said he was "A director or
the road. representing 100000 shares
held by the American Express Company.
but had only n small interest personally
800 shares-and had M interest what
soever IN the New Haven. The sale or
the Boston and Maine WAS first
preached to him in a letter OF January
20. 1907. from Richard Olney. Secretary
Of State under President Cleveland. he
said, who wrote him that he considered
II worth while and suggested that Gard
ncr NJ. Lane OF Lee. Higsinson 4 co.
discuss the proposition with Mr.. Led
yard. Mr.. Iedyard then met Mr.. Lane
In New York.
Mr.. Ledyard. in reply To questions by
Mr.. Nicoll. who took up In chronological
order each meeting of the New Haven
board at which the witness was present.
denied certain testimony of william IS.
Lawrence for the Government. former
secretary of the Boston and Maine. Mr..
Ledyard denied that there was any as
cussion Of the legality OF the Boston
and Maine sale at the board meeting IN
May, 1907. He denied also that he ever
mentioned that the late J. +. Morgan
was anxious to acquire the Boston and
Maine TO help liquidate the New Ravens
floating Indebtedness OF 100000 and
denied that the NeW Haven had such In
debtedness at that time.
Charles :. Mellen was in the court
| room WnlIe MT. LtuNtTu u'ldll'h Ut StiI-
eral how the business of a great rail-
road is conducted and heard the witness
pay him a high compliment as an eNecu-
tive. He said the whole board-mostly
business and professional men with other
interes,s-gave great weight to Mr.. Mel
lens suggestions. Mr.. Ledyard said he
was in Europe while the Billiard deal
was being contaminated. and that when
ne asked Mr.. Mellen for the facts the
latter told him Billiard was a friendly
person" He also was In Europe. he
said. during most OF the negotiations Of
1909. but knew in a general way about
the Grand Trunk transaction. In 1905.
said Mr.. Ledyard. he WAS one of tho
committee which decided Il would he
unwise to acquire the Metropolitan
steamship Company then.
Mr.. Lindabury called to the stand at
the beginning OF the afternoon session
Or. Walter +. Chappell. family physi-
clan Of william Rockefeller, ono OF the
New Haven defendants. Mr.. Rookie
Teller was not in court to-day, for tn,
first time, Or. ChappeN aid he was Ill
suffering an attack Of grip which was Sc
serious that II would endanger his health
to be a witness at this time. 1t is un.
likely. however, that Mr.. Rockefeller
will take the stand even If he RECEIVERS
sufficiently to come to court.
tn trial will be resumed TODAY.