New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-27


ihe senator told Mr.. Cromwell that no ques-
Oli' Noieeinihg Mr.. Wallace had been asked.
anu wanted to know the witnesses purpose in
aIuding TO Mr. Wallace lis il YOUR purpose 10
contradict or to impeach his testin,onv9,, askad
the Senator.
1t Is my purpose to state fact" was the reply
repeat is 1t your purpose to contradict
or impeach Mr.. Walace?" asked the Senator.
sternly.
again ene witness made the same answer. but
when senator Morgan in a menacing tone be-
gan 10 ask the question for third time Mr.
CronweA said; If the facts contradict him. he
is contradicted: If the facts inopeacb him he is
impeached."
senator Morgan asked the witness many per-
sonar questions concerning the Manhattan Hotel
I'eINiew' MI Cromwell admitted that Mr..
Naiiace wanted to have a personal talk with
secretary Tart, but insisted that he did not
know that Wallace had objected to his presence
IN the room He said he wanted to leave the
room, but the Secretary insisted that he sbouId
remain.
WY oio You offer to leave II Mr. Wallace did
not ask for a private interview" asked Senator
Morgan.
l thought the interview might be unpleasant,
and wished very much to escape it," replied
Mr.. Cromwell.
In explanation. he said that the Secretary of
to believe that Mr.. Wallace intended to resign
his place.
Senator Morgan demanded to know the name
Of Secretary Taft's informant, but the witness
refused 10 answer, until Senator Knox called
attention to the fact that there was no need for
the witness to be embarrassed as Governor
Magoon already had testified that he had in
formed Secretary Taft Of Mr.. Wallaces inten-
ton.
Senator Morgan pressed Mr.. Cromwell to tell
I ny tn yhl afar ut Tfa
Manhattan Hotel.
Mr.. Cromwell said that he had gone to the
secretary OF War for a discussion regarding the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company's contract.
when the Secretary told him of Mr.. .waIaces
Senator Morgan asked the witness whether
any one was present on the day Secretary Taft
had told him of Wallace's intention.
Mr.. Cromwell replied that no one was present,
nor could he give the exact words which passed
between Secretary Taft and himself that
occasion. He said he might be able 10 give the
essence Of the conversation. but not the exact
words; that he was not photograph.
You treat some subjects lightly said Sem
Some subjects are worth treating lightly"
replied Mr.. Cromwell. Continuing, Mr.. Crom-
tween Secretary Taft and Mr.. Wallace he had
called on Mr. Wallace, and the usual courtesies
were exchanged; that he had told Mr.. Wallace
Of Mr.. Tafts busy movements, preparing, as he
was then. for his Philippine trip and that the
York, which, he added. wholly to Mr.. Wal
lace's liking. Mr.. Cromwell said he then told
resentful, was exceedingly panied over the
course he had taken, and that for himself II
impossible TO believe that Wallace contem-
plated retiring from the commission.
THE MANHATTAN HOTEL INTERVIEW.
The interview which resulted between Secretary
Taft, Wallace and Cromwell was described by
the witness as painful in the extreme. He said
that after Mr.. Wallace had told the Secretary
that he going TO leave the service of the
government, and enter the employment OF pri-
rTnra n he m
tears, And ! confess that mine were TOO" said
the witness Here called upon 10
do a transcendent work leaving US when we
needed him most" said Mr.. Cromwell continu-
ing his testimony, land IL looked as If all the
work we had done was about to meet with de-
feat"
I'VE don't want any sermons about It We
want facts" said Senator Morgan; and the wit
ness replied:
Those are the facts.
Mr. Cromwell said In reply to Mr.. Morgan that
Secretary Tafts attitude was one Of great dig
nifty and calmness as he heard Mr.. wallace's
statement that day. He said that. in substance.
Mr. Wallace had said that. arriving on the
isthmus he had received an offer from large
holding corporation IN New-York of $4,000;
that he had refrained from answering the cable
offer was made of $4,000 additional in the way
of stock in the enterprise making his salary
$4,000 year in all. This. he said. he could not
lightly put aside as he had never anticipated
so great salary. and that he owed a duty to
his family as well to himself, and he had de-
cided 10 accept the place.
What occurred at the end of that state
ment?" asked Mr.. Morgan.
There a painful silence" replied MI
Cromwell.
why painful" asked Mr. Morgan.
Because Mr.. Wallace had gone down 10 the
isthmus absolutely IN accord with every plan
made for the work the canal. He knew the
wishes OF the commission. He knew the i'm
portance Of consistent effort and he went Will
ingly. The fever period was approaching, ana
just at the moment when he was expected TO do
his best for the President and the country he
quit and left the work in the hands of subordi-
mates That sufficiently painful IN ITSELF
The witness further said that Mr.. wallace
had been his guest at dinner at his home IN
New-York the evening before sailing for the
isthmus. and he had expressed himself so en-
Enthusiastically and hopefully over the work TO
be done that he could not believe 1t possible that
a man inside Of two weeks could work such a
wondrous change in his fortunes. by great
good luck if not Divine Providence. the Prest-
dent was enabled to find a successor to Mr.. Wal
lace in the person of John F. Stevens" said Mr.
Cromwell.
Suppose we leave Providence or the Almighty
( outside the equation and come down 10 mundane
things things this committee would like 10
know regarding these transactions" said Sen
ator Morgan. while a laugh went around the
room.
ANGRY MEN FACE TO FACE
Then came the dramatic moment. Mr.. Nor
gan had been firing question after question at
the witness, asking him to detail conversations
/ between Secretary Taft and himself growing out
I Of the resignation of Mr.. Wallace. which the
witness refused to answer.
II VIII deal with you in the Senate. when the
facts regarding the resignation of Mr.. Wallace