Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-09
A LIVELY C0LL0QUY
Tilt Between Senator Morgan
and Consul Cromwell.
temper LOST BY BOTH
Latter Intimates That Questions Are
Not Pertinent.
STYLES THEM HYPOTHETICAL
Hearing Before the Senate Committee
on Interoceanic Canals Regarding
Panama Railroads.
STYLES THEM HYPOTHETICAL

IT will not reply to Hypothetical questions.
II YOU will be good enough to ask ques-
tion that is pertinent l will answer II.
Thus William Nelson Cromwell, counsel for
the Panama railroad, and In that capacity
an official of the United States, this morn
ing defed Senator Morgan in his quest 1or
information as to the meaning of letter
written by Cromwell to the late Secretary
Hay concerning the original concession TO
the Panama Canal Company. After re-
plying that the letter spoke for Itself ana
that ques ions relating TO that transaction
We're not germane to the present inquiry
of the Senate committee on interoceansc
canals Mr. Cromwell met a rapid fire or
questions with prompt refusals to answer.
The inquiry promised to be a resumption
of the sparring match between Senator
Morgan and Mr.. Cromwell. the reports or
which attracted national attention several
weeks ago. The session today was at
tended by Senators Millard. chairman; Dry
den, Knox. Morgan and Tahaferro.
Cromwells Services
Mr. Morgan found it mpracticable to pur-
sue an examination which concerned the
relations of Mr.. Cromwell to the old Pan
ANA Canal Company, and he turned to in
quries regarding the services of Cromwell
to the Panama Railroad Company. The wit
ness said he was first invited to become
a director of the road by Mr. Bayard, for
merly commercial agent of the old canal
company in the United States to repre-
sent him, but that in order to become a
bona fide director he had purchased four
teen shares of stock. The examination
70. some time then continued on the sub
Ject OF bond issues and sales, Mr. Cr0m-
well answering these questions freely, but
his recollection on the subject was lin
tod @y,a%
executive committee, which Mr.. Morgan
had before him. were recorded all of these
transactions. x .... .a-s AZ.
Mr.. Cromwell testified that there were no
laws by which the board of directors of the
railroad could be removed by the President.
Secretary Taft. the canal commission or
Congress, but that If his services were not
desired he would be glad to resign. The
executive committee of the board is elected
by the board and can not be terminated by
any other body, said Mr. Cromwell He
had before testified that Mr.. Farnham q
clerk in his Office, was also director of
the railroad
Then" said Senator Morgan 'if the
board of directors was evenly divided on
the subject a clerk in your office could
maintain your position the executive
committee"
Let us not mingle business with frivol-
! tiles" objected Mr.. Cromwell.
Senator Morgan Angered.
Senator Morgan, angered by this remark,
retorted sharply that he would show the
| witness that he meant business. The Ques-
ton was repeated.
such a contingency is impossible among
gentlemen" replied Mr.. Cromwell.
Maybe we are not all of that cloth" said
Senator Morgan. Il am sure some of the
people connected with the affairs of the
canal or railroad are not"
Il think you enlarge that descrip-
ton a little" responded Mr.. Cromwell.
Well let US drop that term gentlemen
and get down TO plain men," said Mr.. Nor
gan. DO you decline to answer my ques-
tion?"
.Oh, no. 1 do not, IL you think 1t i'm
portant." said Mr.. Cromwell.
He repeated that the boards of directors
of all corporations are elected annually by
the stockholders and the elections hold un-
til the next annual election The boards,
ne declared again, have sole control over
their committees.
Mr.. Cromwell made explanation, however
| that the government in the case of the rail-
road could disqualify the directors by with
drawing the one share OF stock held by each
director. This would necessitate the re-
turn OF $50 paid by each director for the
share held
Then" said Mr. Morgan. ito remove you
$9o?''
Yes. sir and l hope the government is
able to pay it." replied the witness tartly.
AT this point the committee took an ad-
| tournment until 1890 o'clock tomorrow