Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-05
Rockefeller Influence

They were contained in more than
score of letters written by New
Haven executive officials which were
read into the record by the government
attorneys to show what steps the New
Haven took to crush it's competitor be-
fore it finally absorbed it. The letters
told how the New Haven made use
Of the influence of Mr.. Rockefeller,
with the late Henry Flagler. his fell.
low director in the Standard Oil Co.,
to prevent the Joy Line chartering
boats from the Florida East Coast
Railway Co; of it's own influence with
the Long Island Railroad Co., to pre-
vent the line from chartering a boat
from that road; how it rewarded a
steamboat captain with an annual rail-
road pass for refusing to charter his
boat to the Joy Line; how it paid an
other steamboat captain $40 a day to
discontinue Tightening service of the
line between Fall River, Mass, and
Providence, r. L.; of concession in
rates made to the American Sugar Re-
filming Co., if it would divert it's ship
ments from the Joy Line to the New
Haven lines: how the two companies
tering into a secret agreement to fix
rates and how the Joy Line suffered a
decrease in its traffic as a result.
The government had just begun
through F. NJ. Dunbaugh, former pres
ident Of the Joy Line, to disclose the
alleged circumstances under which the
line was acquired by the New Haven
when the trial adjourned for the day.
Dunbaugh said that he had begun
business in 1899 with one boat and
that when he sold out to the New Hav-
en- in November, 1905, the line was OPP
Grating six boats. The secret traffic
arrangement then had been in effect
since October. 1902, he said. The New
Haven during this time, it was brought
out. had kept tabs on the traffic Of the
line through agents stationed on its
piers and report was made to Charles
S. Mellen, president Of the New Haven,
that the lines passenger traffic had
decreased IS per cent. in 1904, because
under their original agreement with
us. they advanced rates."
How long did this espionage contin-
ue?" asked James w. Soborne attorney
for the government.
1T went on all the time was insthe
business: l was keeping tabs on them,
too" replied Dunbaugh.
Attorneys for the defense protested
heatedly against the introduction Of the
letters, by Judge Hunt admitted them
on the ground that they constituted
part Of the efforts Of the government
to establish prima facie case, and that
II they were excluded the defense might
have right at this time to say that it
had failed to do so. John Nj. Hall, pres
ident of the New Haven during most
Of the Joy Line transactions, and other
authors Of letters introduced today did
not mince words in their characteriza-
tons of the Joy Line interests. "Pi-
rates at the best Hall described them
in letter to Percy r. Todd. then vice
president Of the New Haven. I'VE must
with cut throats.''
Their hides will be taken of and laid
out on the Long Island shore to dry"
wrote r. T. Haskins, general traffic
manager Of the Metropolitan Steamship
Line, which at that time was working
In cooperation with the New Haven.
I'VE will take their sugar for nothing
rather than let the other fellow have it"
Haskins wrote in reference to American
Sugar Refining Co. shipments" We
ought to keep the whole matter a secret
from the public II possible wrote Hail
to Todd in reference to the agreement
which the New Haven entered into with
the Joy Line to fix rates and which also
restricted the lines service between
New York and Providence
The contract was. however, made in
the name Of the railroad Co. according
to copy Of 1t put in evidence