The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-20
Pretty Well Settled That His Re
fusal to Answer Questions
Will Be Overlooked.
WOULD BE BAD POLICY
Senator Simmons Leads Success
full Fight TO Prevent Certify
ing Matter to the Court.

ny Assoclated.i preas.l

WARRINGTON, January 19.-Pouitney
Bigeow's defiance OF the Senate Conn.,
mittee on Inter-ocenaic Canals. In re-
fusing to divulge the sources OF certain
Information alleging that many eminent
engineers had declined to go TO tho
Isthmus of Panama to engage in the
construction of the canal because of
physical conditions will probably go un-
punished. This was made apparent to-
day by the postponement of considera-
ton OF his recalcilrancyl until after he
has gone on with his Testimony next
week. While no definite action was
taken. it i Is generally understood that
proceedings against the witness Will not
be begun.
The committee held an executive ses-
sion of two hours to-day. Senator Hop
kins offered q resolution certifying Mr..
Rigelow's contumacy to the Vice-Presi-
dent for action in the courts. and asked
that 1t be adopted Several Democratic
senators opposed this course, and Sena-
tor Simmons addressed the committee at
length.
He declared that 1t was an extraordi-
nary penalty that WAS proposed, and con-
trary to common law. He suggested that
the courts might refuse to act on the cer-
tihcatlon, which no asserted would provo
most embarrassing.
Would Be Intimidation.
The course of the committee. If 1t should
proceed against Mr.. ~Bigeow. said the.
senator. would be to intimidate Witnesses
and would be bad policy so early in tho
canal investigation. He said that much
OF the news printed by newspaper men
employed at the capital is obtained from
confidential sources, and II the commit
tee is to declare that these condolences are
to be violated, 1t would at once array
the press OF the country against the COM
mittee, He closed with the statement that
he would never sign a resolution TO GER
stify the case to the courts. and he was
Joined in this by Senators German and
Taliaferro. Several other senator's ex-
pressing a doubt as to whether Mr.. Bige-
lows testimony was of sufficient value
to Justify the committee in making q
.martyr'' of him, Senator Hopkins with
drew his resolution.
At the afternoon session, Major Hugi,
Gallagher, as the general purchasing
agent of the Panama Canal Commission
was heard
Iron Bought in South.
1nqurien by Senator Morgan brought
OUT the statement that coal was pur-
chased by the commission from the Pan
anna Railroad. and that iron was pur-
chased in Southern markets because IT
wns the cheapest and best, That is
where the coal would be purchased also
If the mines had an opportunity to bid
said the senator.
Reading from the annual report OF the
Isthmlan Canal Commission, Senator Nor
gan pointed out that 1t was provided
by law that not more than six months
supplies should be carried He asked
Major Gallagher II he knew that there
were supplies of lumber on hand suffi-
Client to last one or two years. which IL
rotting on the ground. The Witness ssaid
he knew the purchases had been extern
sive, but he supposed the acquisitions
We're for material for immediate use,
Senator Morgan then made the statement
that such supplies were now rotting. al
there was no Immediate use for the large
amount on hand.