The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-03-01

FREDERICKSBURG, MARCH l. 1905
CROMWELL EXPLAINS
Tells Senate Committee His Connec-
tlon With Panama Canal.
FREQUENT TILTs WITH MORGAN

The Senator ard Mr.. Cromwell Ended
Session With Much Heat and
Anger Concerning Resignation Of
MIR. Wallace.
Washington. Feb. 27-The examina-
ton OF William Nelson Cromwell, who
has figured largely in connection with
the sale Of the Panama canal property
10 the United States, was begun BY
the senate committee on interoceanic
canals. Many OF the quest .Jns asked
Mr.. Cromwell related to the interview
at the Manhattan hotel. in New York,
regarding the resignation OF Mr. Wal
lace. when Secretary Tait, Mr.. Wal
lace and Mr. Cromwell were present
There we're frequent tits between the
witness and Senator Morgan because
the former was not more specific In
his answers to questions by the sena-
tor. II eliminated dramatically at the
close of the day, when Mr.. Cromwell
refused to answer various questions
asked by the senator. and the latter
declared he would deal with the wit
ness in the senate when the facts re-
gardlng the resignation OF Mr.. Wal
lace came out Mr.. Cromwell replied
with some warmth that was the only
safe place to do IT,"
Mr. Cromwell In his statement de-
clared that every penny of the money
paid by the United States government
for the purchase OF Panama railway
stock and for the French canal prop
erty had been accounted for. He stated
that he had declined to accept the po-
sition OF counsel for the canal com
mission. and that his activity had been
largely upon the invitation OF the pres
ident and the secretary OF war. He
said that his only financial interest on
the Isthmus or in the Republic OF
Panama was a personal investment In
the capital stock OF the Panama
American Corporation, Of which be
owned s51 800 ont Of a total capital OF
1929 900 This company, Mr.. Cromwell
said. was engaged in supplying the
city of Panama with electric light, Ice
and telephone service.
Another statement which Mr. Crom-
well made that attracted much inter
est was that in all his relations with
the government of the United States
and Panama and even in the acquiring
of the outstanding minority shares OF
the Panama railway for the United
States. which was brought about
through Mr.. Cromwell's activity and
labor. not a cent was received by him
for his services. He stated that his
final account. with the vouchers OF
payment. audited by the government
department. was in the government
files. and every share OF stock was
now in the treasury of the United
States.
A feature of Mr. Cromwell's state
ment and upon which he was closely
questioned. was with reference 10 the
retirement OF Chief Engineer wallace
and the testimony which Mr.. Wallace
had given before the committee. He
said that the explanation which Mr..
Wallace gave the committee was radi-
calIy different from that which he gave
at the time he retired.
Then came a dramatic moment. Mr..
Morgan had been plying question after
question to the witness, asking him to
detail conversations between Secre-
tara Taft and himself growing out of
the resignation of Mr. Wallace, which
the witness refused to answer
"I will deal with you in the senate
when the facts regarding the resigna-
ton of Mr.. Wallace come out, said
Senator Morgan.
"And that is the only safe place to
do IT," replied Mr.. Cromwell. with
burning face. The two men. scarcely
five feet apart. looked at each other
In anger. but the strained situation
was removed by Chairman Millard.
who interjected that the witness had
possibly answered the questions pro-
ronndpd