Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-06
AGAIN ON THE RACK
Mr.. G. P. Huntington Closely Ques-
toned by Senator Morgan.
his UNSATISFACTORY ANSWERS
Not Much information Gained From
the Railroad Magnate.
SOME SHARP COLLOQUIES

cific railroads to submit to the interroga-
tions of Senator Morgan, who is trying to
throw light upon the somewhat murky
mystery of the construction and early man
asement of the Central and Southern Pa
cific railroads. The examination of Mr..
Huntington was to have been continued u
week ago. but he sent word over from New
York that he had n sore throat and he
begged to be excused. So the examination
was postponed until today, when Senator
Morgan resumed his persistent questioning.
1t would be too nIuch to say that MIR.
Huntington furnished any valuable in
formation to the committee today. He
was just as evasive, just forgetful as
ever. He parried the queries Of the astute
Alabamian with all of his old-time Clever
ness, summoning to his aid the stock
phrases that have made him famous as one
OF the most slippery witnesses ever put
upon the stand. Mr.. Huntington protested
throughout his examination that his sole
desire was to enable Mr.. Morgan to know
all that he knew. So deep-seated was this
desire, this worthy ambition, that he
peated this phrase at least two dozen
times in the course of two hours. Notwitn-
standing his anxiety to place Mr. Morgan
on a par with himself in the matter of In
telligence the Senator showed a DISPOSE
tion TO fret under the constant repetition
Of such phrases as Il do not remember,
THAT has passed out of my recollection"
Il cannot state" Il might have done so,
but am not sure Possibly L did, Il do
not remember about things happening
thirty-five years ago., etc
But MIR. Morgan was persistent. His QueS-
tions flowed as readily as did Mr.. Hunting
tons disclaimers and protests OF foTgetfui-
less Both question er and witness kept
their tempers eXcellently well and there was
an atmosphere of high polteness about the
entire examination, which was listened to
with keen attention by fully twenty-five
thirty people, including Senators Gear, VOL
cott, Frye, Stewart, Brice and Cullom.
BOOK Returned.
When the examination concluded for the
day two weeks ago Senator Morgan gave
him one volume of a report of the Pacific
railroads commission of 1887, containing the
conclusions of that body, which We're not
altogether favorable to the railroad compa-
MES. Notwithstanding the fact that a large
edition of that report was printed at the
time, it has gradually and mysteriously dis
appeared, until there are today, it is stated,
only two complete sets in existence Mr.
Huntington took this book with him to New
York for the purpose of examining it, at
the request of Senator Morgan, to be able
to state to the committee whether or not he
agreed with the findings of the commission.
There was little anxiety lest Mr.. Hunting
ton might forget to return the book and so
contribute to the growing deficiency in such
literature. But when he came into the COM
cohorts of followers and lobbyists. it was
roted with qualification by those who SYM
pathize with Senator Morgans efforts that
the precious volume was in evidence. There
was a delay of about half an hour before
Senator Morgan arrived, and when he came
Mr.. Huntington made the particular point
of returning the book into his hands
A weIl-Preserved Man.
Coils P. Huntington is remarkably
well-preserved man. When the great ex-
periences through which he has passed and
the notable vicissitudes of his life are
considered, it is remarkable that he bears
ris years SO easily, almost so freshly. He
is a man above the medium height, of solid
build, almost massive about the chest and
shoulders. He weighs probably upwards
of two hundred pounds, and stoops but lit
tie His head is bald, but seldom exposed
to view, as when he removes his hat he
Immediately dons a clcse-iitting black silk
skull-cap, which prevents a public exhi-
bition of the two prominent bumps that
have made his skull dear to the cartoon
lists. A full gray beard covers the lower
part of his face, and he has peculiar
nervous habit. after speaking, of thrusting
the lips forward, so as to curl the mus
tache up around his nose His hair is not
altogether white, and straggles down from
beneath the skull-cap in rather unkempt
fashion for a multi-millonaire. One of the
most remarkable features about his remark
able mSN is his eye. 1t is a clear, blue eye,
kindly, yet penetrating; benevolent, yet
sharp. 1t is one of Mr.. Huntington's chief
characteristics, often made a part of his
testimony today, that he has implicit faith
in the men around him. He told Senator
Morgan today, in speaking of the late Mark
HOPKINS that he had implicit confidence in
him. He would not say blind faith, for no
nan would use that word in speaking of
Mark Hopkins, but he would trust him with
all he had Mr. Huntington's eyes bear
cut this assertion. They are trusting, con-
fdent eyes, but it is trifle difficult to ac-
cept them with the same implicit faith that
MIR. Huntington claims to have placed in
all Of his associates in the construction of
the Pacific railroads.
When talking Mr.. Huntington is ami
mated. his gentle voice is moduIated WELL
giving full play to it's rich tones and it's
intelligent accents His diction is occa-
sicnally marred with that misuse of the
word done" that is said to form one of
the chief characteristics of the American
language.
In fact Mr. Huntington used so many
"dones' this afternoon that Ambrose
Bierce of the San Francisco Examiner
remarked to Star reporter that Mr.. Hunt
ington was more of a Missourian than a
grammarian. There is also occasional
trick noticeable about the railroad mag
nate of struggling his shoulders In depre-
catory fashion with the palms of the hands
turned outward in the somewhat Gallo
style. This habit coupled with the con-
slant plea that his is poor memory for
details. might lead the casual auditor to
In his unfortunate situation. but their SYM
pathy would be wasted. Throughout the
examination today the main drawback to
his complete happiness seemed to be his
inability to acquaint Mr.. Morgan with all
of the facts at issue, and never once did
he give birth TO the suspicion that he would
prefer being in his comfortable horne in
New York rather than sitting within five
feet of one of the keenest lawyers in the
United States. Consress who was probing
into the very marrow of his heart. =
The Examination Begun.
When the examination opened ut about
quarter past IL, Senator Morgan wasted no
time in prelminaries, but started Off brisk
ly with questions in,regaFtEto. the report of
the commission of 1887. Mr.. Huntington
told him that he objected to the report as
whole. and had prepared a statement set
ting forth his objections, which he offered
to read. Mr.. Morgan relieved him Of that
necessity. however, and saved some time
by putting the statement aside without
reading 1t. He tried to pin Mr.. Huntington
down TO an oral statement as to just where
the commission was wrong in It's conclu-
Dions, but he was unable to do so. Mr.
Continued on Fifth Page.)