The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-02
SENATOR MORGAN
CHIDES WITNESS
CromweIFS Memory Has Sud-
denly ForSaken Him
ADMITS WRITING LETTERS
But He cannot Remember the State
ments Made in Them, Although
They Allude to Outbreak
of War.

WASHINGTON March 1.--Wnnarn Nelson
Cromwell again was on the stand today
at investigation of canal affairs before
the Senate committee on interoceanic
canals. He read a detailed statement
of the operation of the monetary agree
ment between the isthman canal COM
mission and certain bankers on the 18TH
mus. In the meantime. Senator Nor
gan was reading the record in prepare.
ton for the cross-examination of the
witness
Mr.. Morgan began his examination by
inquiring concerning the financial diff
culties of the old Panama Canal company
and the extension granted by Colombia
to the receiver and later to the new Pan
anna Canal company.
The question particularly had reference
to the 100000 francs in stock set aside
for Colombia in the new company in
consideration of the formation of the
new company. Mr.. Cromwell said he had
no part in getting that concession and
after replying to several questions that
he had no knowledge on the subject, said
finally:
= can claim no credit for that
IF there was any diseredit, pre-
sumo you do not wish to claim it, said
Mr.. Morgan.
II cannot see that there was any dis
credit in the company getting an extern
sion and paying its money for it," re-
Joined Mr.. Cromwell.
you dont?" asked Mr.. Morgan, THAT
VERY extension cost one hundred thousand
lives and six millions in debts"
Il have seen no trace of the horrors
you mention," said Mr.. Cromwell.
Takes Witness to Task.
Returning to the history of the Panama
Canal companies, Mr. Morgan read let
ter written by a former president of the
board of trustees of the old Panama Ca
nal company. and Mr. Morgan took the
witness to task for his alleged failure to
remember it
u have memory for what l can re-
member and what [ have not you cannot
make me remember said Mr.. Crolh-
well.
Mr. Morgan referred to letters and
kilograms sent by Mr.. Cromwell to the
former secretary of state, Mr.. Hay prior
to the last extension by Colombia. The
senator held these in his hands but did
not read them
Admits Writing Letters.
Mr.. Cromwell admitted writing the let
ters but declined to say whether the
communications We're true and would not
say he remembered their contents The
correspondence contained the statements
that war was about to break out In
Colombia and gave evidence that Mi.
Cromwell was cognizant of the conditions
IN that republic. After the witness had
declined to discuss the letters. Mr.. Nor
gan asked if the declination was because
of duties to his clients.
you know that to be the case, SEN
ator," said Mr.. Cromwell.
81 don't know it, and I don't believe
It" said Mr. Morgan testify.
""Then your faculties have not their
full power" replied the witness.
u should be sorry if they had If they
had caused me to gloss over the truth
in that manner said Mr.. Morgan.
Mr. Morgan was taking up the history
of Colombia at the time when the re
public engaged in, a controversy with
the Panama Canal company and later
rejected the Hay-Herrar treaty when the
committee at noon took a recess until ,
p. m.
on account of the desire OF members Of
the committee to hear Senator Delivers
speech on the rate bill, the committee
at =. m. decided to adjourn until to-
morrow.