Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-02
CROMWELL GETS
EXCEEDINGLY SASSY
Terms Senator Morgan's Ques-
tons About Panama Matters
Unusual and Indecent
TALIAFERR0 TAKES A HAND.
Not First Time Has Noticed Inclina-
lion on Witness Part TO Insult
Interrogators.

Washington, March THE letter
from William Nelson Cromwell to the
late Secy OF State Hay, under date
of Dec. 5, 1898, was taken up by
Senator Morgan today in the examna-
ton of Mr.. Cromwell before the com
mttee on interoceanic canals. The
period covered by the letter was when
the Panama Canal company was seek
ing prolongation Of its concessions
on the isthmus. The letter referred
TO an inclosure and Mr.. Cromwell re-
peatedly declined to state the nature OF
the Enclosure or TO discuss the cores
pondence in any manner EXtraordi-
nary political conditions in Bogota
were referred to in the letter and Mr..
Morgan asked concerning this refer
ence and when the witness declined
TO discuss 1t, the senator asked wheth-
er the witness felt that he was obliged
to conceal any actions that would be
against the interests OF the United
States.
Il refuse to answer such hypothet-
ical and impertinent questions" said
Mr. Cromwell
Il am compelled by the attitude of
this committee TO accept your UNI
usual and indecent replies" said Mr..
Morgan.
"They are no more unusual or in
decent than your questions asserted
the witness
Senator Taliaferro interrupted and
demanded 10 know wherein the ques-
ton was indecent and witness said the
indecency was In the assumption that
he had been employed to do any
thing against the interests OF the
United States. Mr. Talaiferro then
demanded that the witness be instruct
ed not TO make insulting replies to in
quiries.
Chairman Willard said he thought
the character Of the reply by witness
was uncalled for and Senator Klttredge
suggested that The questions be couch
cd In different language
This Is not the first time l have
noticed an inclination on the part
OF the witness 10 insult his interroga-
tors" said Mr.. Taliaferro.
The cOloquy between the members or
the committee was brought to a close
by Mr. Morgan, who said he entertained
no resentment to insults from the Wit
ness, that he had too much respect for
that. He counseled HIS colleagues not
TO concern themselves in his behalf.
In resumiug the examination Mr..
Morgan had read the testimony Of the
secretary of the Panama Canal COM
pany before the canal committee four
years ago. discussing the desire of the
company TO surrender the canal proJec-
to the United States, Mr., Cromwell
refused 10 testify on this subject, taxi
ing shelter behind his professional re-
latlons to the company,
As Mr.. Morgan construed the testi-
mony of the secretary, Mr. Lampre, he
said the company planned TO take the
canal project out of the republic OF
Colombia and Americanize H. Mr..
Cromwell refused TO answer any ques-
ton on the subject, but Mr.. Morgan
pursued the inquiry, asking the witness
II he had not himself drawn the plan.
Again the senator asked Mr. Cromwell
II he had not shown this plan 10 a num-
Der of persons. Mr.. Cromwell said he
had outlined a different plan to the
rivers and harbor committee OF the
house, but he refused to state the differ
ence between the Lampre scheme and
that submitted to the house committee.
Mr.. Tallaferro appealed to the chair
man to know whether the witness could
refer TO the plan offered to the house
committee and then refuse 70 explain
It's provisions on the ground that pro-
fessional secrets were involved. Mr..
Cromwell said the document would
sneak for itself, Mr. Tallaferro said
that the witness should not dictate the
manner In which the committee gets ifs
information. After considerable discus
sion the witness outlined the house
committee plan briefly II was deter
mined that the question Of compelling
the witness TO answer should he con-
sidered by the committee at an exeeu-
tive session,
Thro1ghout the examination Of Mr..
Cromwell. Mr. Morgan kept close TO
the civil war In Colombia which was
the forerunner OF the organization OF
the Panama republic, He appeared TO
be irving 70 connect Mr. Cromwell
with the internal disturbances OF this
South American republic, Mr.. Krit-
edges objections disturbed this eX-
animation At IL o'clock n recess was
taken until . p. M to hear J. 4.
ntarkel OF Omahn.