The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-01-20
B|GE[OW DEF|ES
THE COMMITTEE
Refuses to Disclose Names of
lnfOrmantS on Canal
Affairs.
MATTER OF PUNISHMENT
SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED
Witness Would Suffer Banish-
ment to Colon If Nee
eSSary.

WASHINGTON Jan 19-Poutney
Blgelow, the magazine writer whose ar
ragnment of the administration and
management of the Isthmlan canal af-
fairs in an article published In the Inde-
pendent was denounced by Secretary OF
War Taft, proved TO be a contumacious
witness before the Senate Committee on
Interoccanic Canals today, and involved
the committee in n controversy which
caused two executive sessions and must
be considered again tomorrow before ac-
ton can be taken.
Wouldn't Give Names.
The recalcitrancy of the witness was
shown the result of a statement by
him that many eminent engineers had de-
clined TO accept the employment or the
Government because OF physical condi-
tionS on the Isthmus. Tho committee de-
manded the names OF such engineers and
Mr.. Rigclow declined to give them. on
the ground that TO do so would be to
violate confidence and subject these per-
sons to embarrassmcnts. He intimatcd
that the dspleasure OF the administra-
ton would be exhibited In such manner
that their regulations would be worth
nothing after the official replies had
Warned Of Punishment.
Two opportunities were given To Mr..
Blgclow TO answer. but he persisted in
Quoted the last examination warned the
witness In such manner seemed 10
commit the committee TO punishment If
he continued to bring himself Into con-
tempt but the advice was of no avail
and the doors were ordered closed for
second time.
Committee Can't Agree.
In executive session 1t developed that
the committee was agreed that the Of
Tense OF Mr.. Bigelow was of such ma
tf,r hot thnro hp M 6f q
committees power to have him dealt with
summariy. Senators Knox Hopkins and
Morgan favored certification OF his re-
calcitancy to the Fice-PreSident FOR
submission OF the case to United States
Attorney Baker for the District OF Col
umbia This course met opposition from
Senators German and Simmons. on the
ground that it would prevent further eN-
animation OF the witness on other sub
jects mentioned in the magazine article
which makes charges against the canal
mana cement
Make Serious Insinuation.
Several members of the committee said
that Mr. Bigelow's usefulness as a wilt
ness was ct an end, and urged so vehem-
entity against any delay In proceedings
against Mr., Biselow that Senators Cor
man and Simmons declared that their pur-
pose seemed to be to interfere with the
thorough investigation of canal affairs
which was ordered by the Senate
May Appear Today.
When it was apparent there could be
no action today a motion to adjourn un-
til tomorrow at IL o'clock was carried
This was with the understanding that
the records OF today's hearing should be
printed and in the hands OF the committee
at tomorrow's meeting. Mr. Bigelow was
commanded TO hold himself ready to APP
pear tomorrow If wanted.
Mr., Rigelow was the first witness at
gan, the oath was presented to the wit
ness. but Mr., BIgelow said he was a
Quaker and therefore he was permitted
to affirm rather than swear"
He was then asked to tell his story in
his own way.
Would Set Himself Right,
II am embarrassed to appear in any
capacity before a respectable body after
having been described as sensation
monger from an official source" said
put himself right and proceeded TO tell
Of his public works. where he had lee
tGred and the respectable bodies that
have done him honor. He said he was
not attempting TO get advertising or to
sell his books by such testimony but be-
lieved that in the face OF the attack made
terms OF great familiarity he referred to
men of letters and publicists OF high
standing in an effort TO set himself right
Better Part of Two Days.
"As to what 1 saw personally on the
isthmus.' said Mr. Blgclow, Il will say
that l had the better part OF two DAYS.
arriving at Colon at in the morning"
Going TO the map of the lsthmus he
pointed out that laborcrS were landed In
an oozy snamp of pcstilcntial char
acter, He said that to use names would
subject the persons who helped him I'm
getting his information to embarrassment
and make their names worth nothing by
the time official replies were concluded /"
In reference to his articles In the Inde-
pendent, he said that II had been de-
clined by IIarper's and Golfers weeklics
before 1T was accepted by the Inde-
pendent.
Feared the Swamps.
Replying TO an inquiry by Mr. German
the witness said ne had not represented |
any American interests on the Isthmus
Returning TO n discussion OF his Visit 10 |
the Isthmus, Mr. Rigelow said he spent !
most of the time Investigating sanitary |
conditions He thought he had been in |
grave danger there because OF the fnct |
that Secretary Taft and Gov Macoon |
had not been through these swamps ana |
that there must have beer some good |
reason for their avoidance of these |
places
Testimony Is General
Describing conditions he declared that
Y1,,T. 1rn ap,If1 1r-s M