Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-03-03
Between Canal Witness
Cromwell and Mr.. Morgan.
One Alleges Hypothetical and
InpertInent Questions.



of Dec. s. 1898, was taken up by Sena-
tor Morgan today In the examination
OF Mr.. Cromwell before the Senate
committee on inter-oceanic canals. Tne
period covered by the letter was when
the Panama Canal Co. was seeking
prolongation Of it's concessions on the
isthnnus. The letter referred to an in
closure and Mr.. Cromwell repeatedly
declined to state the nature OF the IN
closure or to discuss the correspon-
dence. Extraordinary political condi-
lions in Bogota were referred to in the
letter and Mr.. Morgan asked concern
ing this reference and when the wit
ness declined to DISCUSS 1t, the senator
asked whether the witness felt that he
was Obliged to conceal any action that
were against the interests Of the Unit
ed States. ~.
II refuse to answer such hypotheti-
cal and impertinent questions" said
Mr.. Cromwell.
IL am compelled by the attitude OF
this committee to accept your unusual
and indecent replies" said Mr.. Morgan
"They are no more unusual or inde-
cent than your questions" asserted
the witness.
Senator Taliaferro asked wherein the
question was indecent and the witness
said the indecency was In the assump-
ton that he had been employed to do
anything against the interests of the
United States.
Chairman Millard said he thought
the character Of the reply by the wit
ness was uncalled for and Senator Kit
tredge suggested that the questions
should be couched in different Ian
guage.
This Is not the first time I have no.
ticed an inclination on the part of the
witness to insult his interrogators,
said Mr.. Taliaferro.
The colloquy was brought to a close
by Mr.. Morgan. who said he enter
tained no resentment of insults from
the witness; that he had too much
self-respect for that.
Mr.. Morgan then had read the tes-
timOny Of the secretary of the Pana-
ma Canal Co. before the canal com
mittee, four years ago. discussing the
desire OF the company to surrender the
canal project to the United States. AS
Mr.. Morgan construes the testimony OF
this secretary, Mr.. Lampre, he said
the company planned to take the canal
project out of the reach of Colombia
and Amerfcanize it. Mr.. Cromwell re-
fused to answer any questions on the
subject but Mr.. Morgan asked the wit
ness II he had not himself drawn the
plan and II he had not shown it to a
number Of persons. Mr.. Cromwell said
he had outlined a different plan to the
rivers and harborS committee of the
House, but he refused to state the diff
ference between the Lampre scheme
and that submitted to the House COM
mittee.
MIR. Taliaferro asked the chairman il
the witness could refer to the plan Of
fered to the House committee and then
refuse to explain its provisions on the
ground that professional secrets were
involved. Mr.. Cromwell said the doc
unlent spoke for itself. but Mr.. Talia-
ferro insisted that the witness should
not dictate the manner in which the
committee gets it's information. After
considerable discussion between men,
bers OF the committee. the witness out
lined the House committee plan brief
ly. 1t was determined that the question
OF compelling the witness to answer
should be considered by the committee
at an executive session.
Mr.. Morgan then had read the man.
ifesto OF the Liberal party in Colom-
bia, dated April 20, 1900 precipitating
the civil war between two factions in
that republic. Mr.. Morgan said:
The date OF the manifesto is April
20. 1900. Was that the date or about the
date when the money was paid by the
Panama Canal Co. for the concessions
from 1904 to 1902"
Senator kittridge objected to that
and similar questions on the ground
that they were not within the terms Of
the Senate resolution authorizing the
present inquiry 1t was finally agreed
that the pertinency OF the questions
should be determined at an executive
session Of the committee tomorrow.
During the controversy Mr.. Norpa n
said: This man has been thrust in
here for some purpose that I do not nm
derstand and propose to get to the
bottom OF IT,"
Mr.. Cromwell said he had coma ~
the invitation Of the committee.
Not BY my invitation" said Mr.
Morgan
Chairman Millard asked Mr. Nory,r
II he did not recall that he (the chair
mani had asked Mr.. Morgan IL he did
not think Mr.. Cromwell should be sub-
poenaed and he (Morgan) had said in
reply: 4
Il do not want him subpoenaed. bu,
tnink he should be written to and ask.
ed to appear
Mr.. Morgan said his answer had beer
that he did not object to anyone writ.
Ing Mr.. Cromwell to come.
throughout the examination OF Mr.
cromwell. Mr.. Morgan kept close te
the civil war in Colombia. which was
!orerunner Of the organization Of the
Panama republic. He appeared to he
uyins to connect Mr.. Cromwell with
the internal disturbances Of this South
american republic. Mr.. Kittridge's oh.
1ections disturbed this examination.
AT the afternoon session ]. +. Mar.
kei OF Omaha. Neb.. was examined
concerning the cancelled contract he
mad with the canal commission to &c.
taoiish a commissary on the isthmus