Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-06
Markell REITERATES DENIAL
Omaha Man Says He Had No Political Aid
in Securing Panama Contract.
Mr.. TALlAFERRo SUBMITS A STATEMENT
IL Says that Hutchins a Dumas Bid
Was S801,O 900 Below Markell
Hid for Entire Five
Years.

WASHINGTON. March 3. - Jacob l..
Markell of Omaha, whose commissary con-
tract with the Isthmian Canal commission
was cancelled. was again before the SEN
ate committee on interoceanic canals today.
He repeated denials previously made that
he had the benefit Of sample menus pre-
pared by Hudgins and Dumas Of New
York in making his bid for the commits
saIy concession.
Mr. Markell admitted that he had seen
Chairman Shonts of the Canal commission
and William Nelson Cromwell. counsel 70.
the Panama Railroad company, and had
discussed his testimony with these gentle
men, but only In a general way.
Mr.. Taliaferro put into the record state
nent prepared by his clerk showing that
under the Hudgins and Dumas contract the
receipts for the first year would have been
1896 less than under the Markell contract
and in five years 1851 200 less. 1t was shown
further by Mr. Taliaferro that il all the
canal employees came under the commissary
contracts the receipts under Hudgins s.
Dumas bid would be s552OOo less than un-
der the Markell bid for the first year The
figures for the Markell statement had been
based on the prospect of feeding 800 men
on the gold roll and 1000 on the silver roll.
Mr.. Taliaferro asked Mr.. Markell to state
how 1t was that he had received the CON
tract in the face of the showing made. The
witness said he had no knowledge of Hud-
gins e. Dumas and Mr.. Tallaferro read the
names of several persons given by the
firm as references. Among these was the
president of the United States.
DO you not think this indicates the firm
to be a reputable one?" asked Mr.. Talia-
ferro.
1T indicates that it was after political
influence anyway" retorted the witness
Mr. Taliaferro asked Mr., Markell If he
meant to imply that because Il firm gave
as reference the president of the United
States he was seeking political influence. "
81 was asked what political influence had
aided me and ! replied absolutely none
said the witness.
Mr. Taliaferro did not pursue the inquiry
on that line.
do you not desire to change your testi-
mony where you say the men on the
isthmus were fed like hogs the only diff
ference being that the food was passed
out on tin plates?' asked Mr. Taliaferro
The witness said he was willing to let
his statement stand as made on Friday.
The witness was then excused.
Senator Morgan had put on file for future
disposition a resolution declaring that the
contract with Markell was without legal
authority and the payment of s1o75 to
him did not constitute a proper charge
against the government of the United
States
Ma. Morgan, moved tn amend the pro-
ceedings of the committee on Saturday tc
permit the recall of William Nelson Crom-
well at the instance of any member of the
committee after the type of canal and
other Legislative matters have been dis
posed Of The committee accepted the sug
gestion and the proceedings were amended
accordingly. The committee adjourned un-
til tomorrow, when Chairman Shonts will
be heard.