The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-11-09
REACHES ERA
. OF Mr.. MELLEN
Testimony in New Haven
Case Is Brought to
That Period
MELLEN AGAIN
TAKES THE STAND
Two or Three Days for Di-
rect Evidence and Then
Cross-EXamination

New York, Nov. 9.--The trial Of di-
rectors of the New York, New Haven a.
Hartford railroad for attempting to mo-
nopolize railroad traffic in New Eng
land, reached the period when Charles
S. Mellen became president of the COM
pany. 1t was during Mr.. Mellen's pres
idency that the New Haven attained
its greatest development.
Although Percy K. Todd, president Of
the Bangor a Aroostook Railroad COM
pany has been attending the trial for
several days, it is understood that he
viii not be called as witness by the
government, but by the defense.
The government devoted the early
part of the morning session to reading
into the record further documentary
testimony, which was designed to tie
up the flag ends of the governments
case up to 1908.
r. v. Lindabury, of counsel for the
defense, complained that the government
was reading only those sections Of the
minutes that suited its case.
Judge Hunt ruled that the excerpts
offered by the government might be
read, adding that the rest of the min
.utes might be put in by the defense If
it so desired.
The government then called Chester
w. Chaplin, who controlled the Central
New England railroad to tell what he
knew of the alleged efforts Of the New
Haven to harrass that road and of it's
subsequent acquisition by the New Ha-
ven in 1904.
Chaplin said that when he bought the
road in 1890 an extension to Springfield
was not completed, the reason being
that 80 rods of the right of way could
not be acquired. This was over what
was known as the Montague farm, near
Springfield.
I'VE couldn't get the right of way
and had to build around it, said the
witness.
After we had built around the farm,
Judge Hall gave us the right of way
across it." Chaplin volunteered
"And who was Judge Hall!"
president of the New Haven" re-
piled the witness.
Chaplin further testified that while
the Central of New England was able
to get an entrance into Springfield
through traffic agreement with the
Boston & Albany, the road was unable
to get any traits arrangements at all
with the New Haven. He sold the road
TO the New Haven, he said, through j. +.
Morgan, William Rockefeller and other
New Haven directors.
1t was Mr. Morgan that first spoke to
me about the road" he said.
Mr.. Mellen was asked if during the
period between 1897 and 1908 when he
was president of the Northern Pacific,
he had ever been consulted about New
Haven affairs.
Eyes, | was asked by Judge Hall to
write him letter giving my views as
to why it was desirable for the New.
Haven to acquire the Central New Eng
land"
Over the protests of the defense, that
there was nothing to show that the de-
PENDANTS had anything 20 do with the
letter, it was read in evidence. Under
date OF Nov 81. ls9s, Mr.. Mellen wrote:
MY idea of the Central New England
has been never 70 handle il as a through
line, as il is run to-day. Ny idea Is
10 operate IL as local road. merely
giving service sufficient TO take care of
ocal traffic. 1t is an acqus
Ition necessary to the New Haven a
second step to the acquisition Of the
New England, ~ otherwise Il would de
gelop into a formidable competitor"