New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-28

while, either in the courts or III '"e
Legislature. /. Nj;
"A large number of people In Merl-
den especially and n considerable nun
Der in Waterbury are ciamorihg nm
something should be done by someoouy
20 operate that road. am cohHuen'
that il something is not done WIN .nIS
road we shall find in the next Legisia-
ture trouble on account OF TINS mater
and steps will be taken 10 force some
body TO operate II, or n dlsagreeaoie
question raised about taxation ana us
evasion last year and this, and ! pc
Iieve il is best for US TO avoid all these
questions If possible by doing some
thing with the railroad.
1T is expensive to keep it as 1t 49,
and il seems too valuable a proposition
10 abandon entirely, even IL we nave
right to abandon il. 1t seems also to
have q value for electrical purposes,
"a Won will notice by the letters at
taobed) TO Judge Robertson, coming
from people who are really in earnest
in desiring to purchase 1t.
at does not seem as II the New
Haven railroad could afford TO give mp
this property to electric competition.
| am confident that if we abandon us
liberalization the old roadbed will be
quickly gobbled I'D by other parties
who will equip il with electricity.
Could Give "infrequent Service
at seems to me that we could oper-
ate il with a very light, infrequent ser
vice without costing US great deal
and still retain ownership and posses
sion of the property and await future
DEVELOPMENTS. Now, | should ike very
much TO know what you would recon-
mend. and come 10 you first, intendlhg
then to ask advice of Mr.. Bishop ana
few other Connecticut directors whose
opinion ought to control matter iAe
this" Li.,,
After .he reading Of this letter. which
Charles s Mellen had identified by the
signature. Frank NJ Swacker, govern
ment counsel, asked him: as II true
that YOU started your duties with me
New Haven by the institution OF SUIT
AGAINST the Meriden. Waterbury Con-
necticut?'
at is" Mellen replied;
There was also read into the record
the minutes of the directors OF the
New Haven showing the campaign for
Gaining control Of the Old Colony rail
Toad and steamboat companies. That
The purchase of the Rhode Island g
Wassachusetts. which the minutes Of
tho directors Of the New Haven showed
tbev approved. was handled through
William Rockefeller, New Haven d.
rector. was indicated in letter 70 HIM
from Charles p. Clark, New Haven
president. dated April 9, 1892, which
IL want to present to you the facts
in regard TO matter invoivlng an Al,
vestment of between S3OO,OOO ana
$3.50. 600 on a basis which will pay D
per cent, thinking, perhaps, you would
like the investment and being sure that
II Won should choose TO make it this
company would be put IN stronger
position in Rhode Island
Didn't Want Rights Exercised.
Then followed a description Of the
Rhode Island. stating among many
other advantages in its purchase that
i was in position TO compete with
he New Haven's leased line, the Prov
dence & Worcester, which could not
he done if the owners of the Rhode
Island & Massachusetts, decide not to
exercise their rights under the exist
inc Rhode Island charter, and 1t seems
10 me il is rather important that they
should not do so, although the, New
England is anxious to have them,
wrote Mr.. Clark.
II was stated that Rockefeller and J.
Pierpont Morgan took the railroad,
buving two-thirds interest. For TINS
action Mr.. Rockefeller and Mr.. Nor
gan, there was shown in evidence. got
letters Of thanks in behalf of the New
Haven. from Mr.. Clark, its president,
for shutting off competition, by making
a safe per cent investment for them
selves.
Then documents were introduced in
evidence showing the acquisition by
the New Haven Of the New England,
once its chief rival, gone into insol-
vency and bought up at foreclosure
sale. II was bought through the tinan-
cial help of Rockefeller and Morgan.
Mr. Clark was made president Of the
New England, also continuing as head
of the New Haven.
The length to which the government
evidence was running caused the attor-
news for the defence to make many OBJ
jections on the ground that the record
was being overburdened. They said
they feared the trial would run for six
months at the present rate of progress.
The situation led John W. II. Grim,
of counsel for James S. Hemingway, to
say of Thomas d. Thatcher and John e.
Milburn, counsel for other defendants:
Thatcher and Milburn have decided
the case is going to run so long they
have brought in their sons to inherit It
after they die