The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-01
REBUFF TO SENATOR MORGAN.
COMMITTEE TELLS CROMWELL
NOT TO iNSWER QUESTIONS.
They Related to His Services as Counsel for
The New Panama Canal Company
-NIOrE gan Turned Down by the senate
Committee by q vote oT -Four TO Two.

Morgan Turned Down by the senate
Committee by n vote OT Four TO Two.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2s.-William Nelson
Cromwell Of New York resumed the wit
ness stand at II o'clock this morning in the
Senate Committee on Interoceanic Canals.
Senator Morgan went at the witness
again with hammer and tongs. His first
question was in relation to the services Of
Mr.. Cromwell as counsel Of the New Panama
Canal Company.
Il repeat, Senator" said Mr.. Cromwell,
that I refuse to answer all questions touch
ing my professional service
did you assist in writing the minority
report Of this committee. signed by Messrs.
Hanna and Kittredge, in opposition to the
Nicaragua route2"
Il decline to answer that question: re-
piled the witness, 'Yor the same reasons I
have heretofore given
DO you deny that you assisted in the
preparation Of that minority report?"
Ido."
Mr.. Taliaferro-Did you negotiate the
understanding between this Government
and the Bank Of Panama and the Republic
Of Panama.
i WAL 10 la " uLbVO NthAtp op ~ NOOD
not relate to a professional confidence. The
sluioe gates are OPEN
In the course Of his statement Mr.. Crom-
we'll was detailing some features Of his re-
lation to the Panama Railroad Company,
when Mr.. Morgan interrupted:
'You do not object to testifying con-
corning your relation to the Panama Rail.
road Company, although you were its Mt
torney2"
Il will answer any question relating to
what happened after the transfer of the
canal property to the United States" re-
piled the witness.
You refuse to answer any question re-
lating to your service as attorney before
the transfer"
"Idecline to answerthat. Ideoline to say
/ will answer any question of hypothetical
character until the question is submitted
direct"
At this point Mr.. Morgan appealed to the
committee to require the witness to answer.
A vote was taken and four members OF the
oommittee-Chairman Willard and Messrs.
Kittredge, Ankeny and Dryden. voted
against Mr.. Morgan's motion, and two MEM
bers. Messrs. Morgan and Taliaferro. for it.
The witness was directed not to answer.
Mr.. Cromwell resumed his explanation
Of the financial arrangement, while MIR.
Morgan accepted his rundown with calm
resignation and became interested in an
explanation of a collection of Panama coins
which Mr.. Cromwell had exhibited before
the committee.
Mr.. Cromwell explained that under the
financial arrangement. with Panama no
silver furnished on New York drafts drawn
by the Canal Commission or the Canal
Zone Government. Exchange was charged
only on drafts purchased to be sent to the
United States. Mr.. Cromwell admitted that
he drew the financial agreement.
Replying to questions ~propounded by Mr..
Morgan, he said he acted at the same time
as attorney for the Panama Republic and
also as attorney for the Panama Railroad
Company. He felt that the interest Of the
Panama Republic was only nominal.
Mr.. Simmons-What was the inducement
that made you give your time to the work
as fiscal agent for the Government of
Panama.
aThe broad instinct Of good nature, which
has prompted me to do SO much for this
l need" replied Mr.. Cromwell.
Was it the same broad instinct of good
nature which prompted you to take part
in the organization of the corporation in
New Jersey" inquired MIR. Morgan, re-
ferring TO the agreement Mr.. Morgan pro-
duced yesterday.
"Oh! Senator Morgan, you are still ha o
ing on my daughter exclaimed Mr.. Crom-
well.
Never mind about the daughter: she
will bear harping on retolted MIR. Morgan.
1T seems to me she is an old maid by
this time and ought to get married. said
Mr.. Cromwell.
"She is a harp of many strings, said Mr..
Morgan.
Mr.. Cromwell turned suddenly from Jest
to earnest and declared he would not answer /,
the question because it related to his en-
ployment as counsel for the New Panama
Canal Company.
Mr.. Morgan left the committee at this
point to go upon the Senate floor. The
other members of the committee continued
the hearing and Mr.. Cromwell entered
into a minute explanation of the financial |
with Panama.