The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-27
MORGAN in Tits
WITH CROMWELL
Alabama Senator Questions Law.
yer on His Profits from
Canal Deals.
Yesterdays proceedings on page o.

2I--Ihe
nation Of William Nelson Cromwell,
the attorney who has figured largely
in Panama canal affairs, was resumed
today Before the senate committee on
inter0ceanic canals. #
Mr.. Morgan took charge Of the
examination and demanded to- know.
of Mr.. Cromwell what payments
had been made to him from the new
Panama Canal company. Mr.. Cromwell
asserted that the information demanded
was Of confidential character and in,
client. Senator Morgan insisted and
Mr.. ,CromM s p said that, ' While he dia
not think it any business Of the sena-
tors making the inquiry, he would state
that the total payments made to him
would not; exceed $4,000. That was
all he had received out of the $4,000
added that he had not rendered his &C
count for service. He said he had plenty
of money of his own and had not had
time to 90 to Paris to see the company.
He declared that this (meaning the
hearing) was the first vacation he had
had in ten months. He declared that
there had been no understanding as to
the amount he was to receive. ~
Morgan Wants Light.
Mr.. Cromwell said he did not think
the country could be interested in his
private relations as counsel to the new
Panama Canal company. =. =
~ think it is, said Mr.. Morgan. e.
"YOu may monopolize the opinion Of
the country, but don It think you do, -
replied Mr.. Cromwell, and then, upon
having repeated the question concern
ing funds he had received from the
French canal company, he declined en-
phatically on the ground that he would
not divulge professional secrets. ii
Thereupon Mr.. Morgan called for the
revised statutes and read the provision
in relation to protection of witnesses
called before congressional committees.
He asked the witness if he persisted
in his refusal. Mr.. Cromwell replied: =.
'tIt is beyond the purview of the
committee to max this inquiry, and I
decline to answer !
Mr.. Morgan said he reserved the
| right to determine the materiality Of
the question, and proceeded with the
examination. u S
Reading questions which had been
| submitted to him to be propounded,
Mr.. Morgan called upon the witness to
state what had been the gross sums re-
ceived from the old or new Panama
canal company since the payment to
| q. L. morgan q TO-, NEW YOfk bankers,
of the money involved in the transfer
oof tthe property to theh United States
from syndicates from the United States,
the republic of Panama or from any
source whatsoever. z. III 5ss...,. ;,
Not a Cent, Says Cromwell. e.
| Mr.. Cromwell said he had not re:
ceived one dollar Of the forty millions
paid to the new Panama Canal com
pany, but would render his final bill in
due course and that cit will be sub
stantial and will be paid" He said
The had not received from the republic
| of Panama a single cent and had re-
ceived no, benefit directly Or Indirectly
from the sale Of the property; that he
had not been interested in the securi:
tbs Of either tn old or new companies
and that his whole relation to the new
canal company was that of counsel
and that his sole compensation had been
as such. He stated that the answer
was meant to include the relations of
Rober l.. Farnum, a clerk in his office
After this reply had been made, Mr.
Morgan asked the witness why he oh.
jescted to, making a similar statement
Of his relations to the canal company
prior to the transfer of the property
The witness said he did not think il
pertinent.
HSuppose the committee decides tina,
it is pertinent9''' asked Mr.. Morgan.
II adhere to the answer I have
| made'' renlie6 Mr. Cromwa11