Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-01-19

Pou|tney Bige|oW Finds
Himself in Trouble.
Refuses to Give Names Of En-
gIneers, Who, He Says,


Washington, Jan. 18.-POultnty
Bigelow, the magazine writer, whose |
arraignment Of the administration and
management Of isthmian canal affairs
in an article published in the Indepen- |
dent was denounced by Secretary of
War Taft, proved to be a contuma- |
cious witness before the Senate COM
mittee on inter-oceanic canals today
and involved the committee in con-
troversy which continued through two
executive sessions and must be con-
tinued again tomorrow before action
can be taken.
The recalcitrancy of the witness was
shown as the result Of a statement
made by him that many eminent en-
gineers had declined to accept employ
ment of the government because of
physical conditions on the isthmus.
The committee demanded the names
of such engineers and Mr.. Bigelow de-
clined to give them on the ground that
to do so would be to violate confidence
and subject these persons to embar-
rassment. He intimated that the dis
pleasure of the administration would
be exhibited in such manner that their
regulations would be worth nothing
after the official replies had been con-
cluded."
Two opportunities to answer We're |
given to Mr.. Bigelow. but he persisted
In his refusals Senator Morgan, who
,onducted n last "Na.cination, wHrn-
4 thu H:tu. IS IL such manner as
seemed 10 comnni, the committee to
punishment IL he continued to bring
himself into contempt, but the advice
was of no avail and the doors were
ordered closed for second time.
In executive session 1t developed that
the committee was agreed that the Of
Tense of Mr.. Bigelow was of such ma
lure that there could be no doubt of
the committees power to have him
dealt with summarily. Senators Knox.
Hopkins and Morgan favored a certif1-
cation Of his recalcitrancy to the Vice
President for submission of the case to
United States Attorney Baker for the
District Of Columbia This course met
with opposition from Senators German
and Simmons on the ground that it
would prevent further examination of
the witness on other subjects contained
In the ma gaZine article making charges
against the canal management.
Several members of the committee
said that Mr.. Bigelow's usefulness as
witness was at an end and argued so
vehemently against any delay in pro-
ceeding against Mr.. Bigelow that Sena-
tors German and Simmons declared
that their purpose seemed to be to in
.terfere with the thorough investigation
of canal affairs, which was ordered by
the Senate.
When 1t was apparent that there
could be no action today a motion to
adjourn until tomorrow at II o'clock
was carried.
This was with the understanding that
the records of today's hearings should
be printed and in the hands of the COM
mittee at tomorrow's meeting.
Mr.. BiEelow was commanded to hold
himself ready to appear tomorrow if
wanted.
Mr.. Bigelow, who was the first witness
Mt the public hearing before the Senate
committee oi irter-ocr anic mails bara-
by saying: II am embarrassed 20 aryc.5,
in any capacity before any respectable
body after having been described as Il
sensation monger from an official source"
He added that he was not attempting to
get advertising or to sell his books by his
testimony
LAS to what I saw personally on the
isthmus.' said Mr. Bigelow, II will say
that had the better part of two days.
arriving at Colon at 10 o'clock in the
morning" He then proceeded to explain
the sanitation. which he said was of
worse character. He said to use the
helped him in getting his information to
embarrassment. "and make their names
worth nothing by the time official replies
were concluded" His testimony regard
ing sanitary conditions was general and
on motion of Mr.. Knox the witness was
instructed to conflne II to stating the
facts on which he has based his article
on the mismanagement of canal affairs.
lie told of personal visits to 100 different
shaeks and was interrupted again and
told that impressions were valucless and
asked to give facts.
"Well here is a fact" said the wit
ness. MANY engineers of note declined
to accept government employment in
clearing up these sanitary conditions
Upon insistence being made that he
give their names. Mr.. Bigelow gave the
name Of John r. Freeman of Boston, and
said there were others but he declined to
give the names. Several members of the
ccmnittee urged that Mr.. Bigelow be
compelled to answer.
''AIr. Roosevelt can tell you.' said Mr.
Bfeelow.
'Mr. Roosevelt is not on the stand"
"a id Mr.. Knox severely. After n contro-
versy in which Mr.. Bigelow asked to be
relieved from giving authority for his
statements several tunes asking that the
President or Secretary Of War Taft be
called to corroborate his charges. Mr.
Knox formally moved that the witness
be compelled to give names of all per-
sons who furnished his information con-
cerning affairs on the .sthmus. The mo-
tion was carried and Mr.. Knox said:
II insist. Mr.. Bigelow. that you adapt
yourself to the ruling of the committee
and give the information as demanded -
You may put me on bread and water
or even condemn me to Colon, but you
cannot make me disclose that which has