His efforts, in particular the attempted takeover of the Boston and Maine Railroad, brought him into public contention with antitrust lawyer Louis Brandeis in Massachusetts. In May 1908 Morgan's partner George Walbridge Perkins wrote to Morgan: "I still feel, as I have for couple of years, that Mr. Mellen is getting the New Haven into considerable of a muddle by his financial methods and this, I think, is becoming more or less the general opinion." The failed Morganization of the New Haven was among the great embarrassments to the Morgan interests.
His actions, particularly his attempt to acquire the Boston and Maine Railroad, sparked controversy with antitrust lawyer Louis Brandeis in Massachusetts. In May 1908, Morgan's partner George Walbridge Perkins wrote to Morgan: "I still feel, as I have for couple of years, that Mr. Mellen is getting the New Haven into considerable trouble by his financial methods and this, I think, is becoming more or less the general opinion." The failed Morganization of the New Haven was one of the great setbacks to the Morgan interests.