New-York tribune., 1915-09-28
NEW KAyEN|BUCK'
IS PASSED AGAIN
Another Reel Screened in
Federal Court Making
Robbins "the Goat"
SIX DIRECTORS ASK
SEPARATE TRIALS
Object to Going Before Jury, in
Sherman Act Case. with the
Former Railroad Counsel.

Another reel OF the great railroad
drama. Passing the Buck, or Making
Ed Robbins the Goat was screened
yesterday afternoon, when counsel for
Lewis Cass Ledyard. Charles VI. Pratt,
Charles F. Brooker, Henry X. McHarg,
Frederick G. Brewster and Alexander
S. Cochrane appeared before Judge
Hunt in the United States Court and
asked that they be not tried with Rob-
bins for violating the Sherman law IN
the good old Mellen days on the New
Haven.
Somewhere in the slowly dimmins
past these and others were indicted
along with Robbins. Some day they
may 90 20 trial; that is, if their law
yers run out Of motions, demurrers
and other devices made and provided
by due process OF law but when they
do they do not want to be associated
with Robbins. There is so much that
can be shown against Robbins. they de-
clare. that they just fear to have his
name mentioned n connection with
theirs before a jury. So II rs dull
week in Judge Hunts court that the
purity OF some of the New Haven di-
rectors. as compared with that Of Rob
bins. is not explained as a reason why
the sheep should be separated from
the goats. This week will not be dull,
for yesterday the matter came up
again.
Innocent Vendors. Lawyer Says.
as is unfair" said De Lancey W. Nj
coll, appearing for Messrs. Ledyard
end Pratt. "to try ny clients with
Counsel Robbins. The only transaction
they were involved in vas the pur-
chase Of the Boston & Maine Rail
road. which had been generally ap-
proved Mr.. Lcdyard and Mr.. Pratt
were nothing more than innocent ven
doris. who succeeded in making an ad-
vantageous sale of personal stock to d
purchaser who had money
How can a defendant come here
and say. 4 was a director and re-
sponsibe. and vet | ought not TO be
tried'?" Judge Hunt interposed.
T am explaining the facts so as to
convince YOU that my clients belong 10
the serle class as Baker and four other
New raver directors you have granted
separate trial" replied Mr.. Nicoll.
"The arguments advanced by Mr..
Nicol are that Robbins and his crowd
are so much gultier than his clients y
said Mr. Bats. for the government.
The reason Baker and four others
have been granted separate trials is
because there is a question as to their
knowledge of things occurring before
they entered the directorate.
Says They Used Robbins.
There is no such question in the
case of Ledyard, Pratt and other de-
PENDANTS seeking severance, because
they were directors when many OF the
acts complained of occurred. During
the term Of Ledyard and Pratt $500
miles of track were added TO the sys-
tenn.
"The defendants have used Robbins
10 their hearts content for twenty
years, and are now ready TO lay all the
blame on him when the trouble starts.
Judge Hunt announced he would de
eide the motion within forty-eight
hours. and set the trial of the directors
for October 49,
James Corrigan. dean Of all Federal
reporters. expressed doubt yesterday as
to the trial beginning on that date.
at has been held" said he, that IT
ia an invasion of mans constitutional
rights to make him go TO trial on the
18th unless he happens TO be seventh
son of a seventh son. The government
has not proved that on any OF these
yet"