New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-28
LETTERS SHOW
SECRET METHODS
OF NEW HAVEN
Publicity, Wrote President
Hall. Would Do Vast
Damage.
FEARED, TOO, CLAMOR
BEFORE LEGISLATURE
Purchase of Meridez Road by
Judge Robertson a Cause
of Worry.

Tho story of how one after another
the lambs of New England rsilroadlne
went down the throat Of the Ne"
Haven lion was told yesterday at the
trial of the eleven past and present
directors before Judge Hunt IN the
Federal Court. First went the New
England. the New Haven's chief rival;
tbsn the Rhode Island e. Massachu
setts. and finally the tenderest lamb
of them all. the little Meriden, Water
bury & Connecticut This last one
however. caused slight attack Of IN
digestion.
In the correspondence put In evil
dence showing these transactions, mos'
Of which was signed by John NJ. Hall
vice-president of the New Haven, nc
great respect was shown for the Mer'
iden. Waterbury & Connecticut, which
he described as so run down that the
hest disposition that could be made
of " was to wipe it out, although, he
said. IL could be run electrically AZ a
proft. il il could be got cheaply
enough.
With this. as with other transac-
,;ons. II was testified, the purchase
was carried on secretly, payment being
made by check that would not reveal
the New Haven as being the real pur-
chaser. One letter put in evidence
dated May 26. 1896. was from Mr.. Hall
70 A. Heaton Robertson, one Of the de-
PENDANTS, the nominal buyer Of the
Ner;den. Waterbury E. Connecticut
NJ Hall. vice-president Of the New
Haven. is seen offering 10 give Robert
con characterization on Robertson's own
road. lie wrote:
"Mv Dear Judge: I have received
rotice from the New England Railroad
Germany that they propose 10 deliver
IN .he purchaser Of the Neriden. wa
terbprv e Connecticut Railroad i've
locomotives and quite a large amount
~ FREIGHT CONTINENT and desire 10 40
% on Nav 80. which will be next Sat
urday
To Ride Free Over Own Road.
of Won are not intending TO deliver
, Memorial Day address somewhere
suggest that you and myself, and
ra-ticulsrIv the chief engineer. make
.he exn.difiou which we propose 70
sate next Saturday over the lines OF
vcur recent ACQUISITION OF course
we should do so simply in an advisory
copac;tv. but We shall gladly furnish
,,oer transportation.
"Pleose rav nothing about this, rs
we DO not wish 20 advertise our trip
INV more than necessary. II you 60
with ne we can net as witnesses 70 the
delivery Of :. 70 property and you VIII
have an opportunity 70 get an idea OF
she value and possibilities OF the prop-
ertv which YOU would hardly ascertain
srv other way"
This documentary Evidence br.ough'
in for the first time IN the testimony
4he name Of Judge Robertson, showing
his part fin what the government 81
leres was great conspiracy 20 build
I'D New England railroading into a
MONOPOLY in violation Of the Sherman
antitrust law.
Two years later came another letter
from Mr.. Hall. this time TO another de-
PENDANT. Henry c. Robinson, Of Hart
ford. director, showing Mr.. Halls
concern over the distress the secret
swallowing Of the Meriden, Waterbury
& Connecticut was causing.
81 hesitate TO break into the quiet Of
your vacation with business matters,
he wrote, "but the question involves
one Of policy, as il seems to me, i'm
DO ant To- US 70 settle before II drifts
into politics and gets into a position
to do US considerable damage in the
next Legislature by alternating people
who are naturally our friends, when,
think, by a little foresight we might
avoid ali unpleasant questions involved
IN the matter.
Public Soon TO Know.