The Washington times., 1902-02-09
ADMIRAL WALKER
IS CONTUMACIOUS
Declines to Answer Questions
of Canal Committee.
TO BE REPORTED TO SENATE
Mr.. Morgan Declares That He Hns
No other OptiOn-WOrk Done on
Panama Route Not Equal to Pur-
chase Price Asked.

Admiral Walker. of the Canal Commits
sion, yesterday continued his testimony
before the Senate Committee on Inter
oceanic Canals.
He was questioned further by Senator
Morgan and others of the committee along
the line of his testimony of Friday, COM
pairing the Panama and Nicaragua routes.
Refused to Answer.
Admiral Walker refused to discuss the
position of the Colombian Government with
regard to the Panama route and the cession
of rights to the United States.
Senator Morgan asked him as to any
knowledge that he might have on these
points, with especial reference to the abil-
ity of Colombia to cede territory to this
Government.
Il must decline to answer that question -
statement with reference to the matter 1t
is diplomatic matter. belonging to the
diplomatic part of the Government
But you do not belong to the diplomatic
service and are not a part of the diplomatic
branch of the Government in any way. are
you? You are simply a private citizen?'
Yes. but l must decline to make any
statement
Bitter Feeling EnEendcred.
A rather bitter feeling was exhibited on
both sides in the colloquy.
Senator Morgan maintained that the
witness was a private citizen, not con-
nected with the Government in a diplo-
matte capacity, and therefore not exempt
from replying. There was a sharp ex-
change between the two chairmen, but
Admiral Walker persisted in his refusal
to talk on the subject, declining absolute
ly to answer any questions relating to
the negotiations with Colombia.
The committee adjourned until Monday,
when Prof. Haupt, of the University of
Pennsylvania, member of the Canal
| Commission. will be heard.
Senator Morgan said after the adjourn
| ment that Admiral Walkers refusal to
answer left him no course but TO report
| him to the Senate on Monday as a con-
| tumacious witness. The Senate, he added
| could take what action in the matter II
saw fit. 1t had authorized the committee
| to send for papers and persons and ex-
anime witnesses under oath. If the wit
ness refused to answer he could do moth
! if'S i'oS tii1h itPOib tiic iiie-tlSi " ti!t
| Senate.
| Conducting Negotiations.
| Admiral Walker is understood to be
| conducting negotiations with Senior Silva
the Colombian Minister, at this time for
| Secretary Hay. There has been no for
| NAL appointment announced. and some
question as to the authority of Secretary
| Hay to make such an appointment is
| raised but it is stated on excellent au-
| thority. nevertheless, that the head o
the Canal Commission undoubtedly is act
| ing in this capacity.
1t is understood that this fact was the
reason for Admiral Walkers refusal tt
talk on the subject for the Senate Com
| mittee.
Senator Morgan questioned Admira
| Walker at some length with regard to the
| value Of the improvements and work OF
| the Panama route, and the relation this
sum bears to the 10000 600 which the
| Panama people state as their price. He
| stated his belief again that the Panama
| route is the best that the United State:
| can obtain, and that its price, $4,000, 600
| Is very cheap.
Senator Morgan, after the hearing, STATED
| that in his opinion Admiral Walker hat
| not shown how the actual work done OF
the canal is worth more than s2l,OOO,OOO
| exclusive of the railway, which is esti
mated to be worth $6,Ooo,o0O.