New-York tribune., 1906-05-10
DEFIES SENATOR MORGAN
Mr.. CrOmzCeU Refuses to AmszCer
Hypothetical Questions.

Washington. May 9-'T viii not reply TO hypo.
thetical questions. II you VIII be good enough to
ask question that is pertinent win answer it'
Thus William Nelson Cromwell, counsel for the
Panama Railroad, and in that capacity an official
Of the United States. deled Senator Morgan in his
quest for information as TO the meaning Of letter
written by MI Cromwell to Secretary Hay concern
ing the original concession to the Panama Canal
Company After replying that the letter spoke for
itself and that questions relating that trans
action were not germane to the present inquiry OF
the Senate Committee on Interoceanic Canals, Mr.
Cromwell met a rapid fire OF questions with prompt
refusals to answer.
/ The inquiry promised to be resumption Of the
/ sparring match between Senator Morgan and Mr.
Cromwell the reports Of which attracted attention
1 several weeks ago. The session to-day was at
tended by Senators AIillard the chairman; Dryden
! Knox, Morgan and Taliaferro.
Mr.. Morgan found It impracticable to pursue an
examination which concerned the relations Of Mr..
Cromwell to the old Panama Canal Company, and
he turned to inquiries regarding the services Of
Mr.. Cromwell TO the Panama Railroad Company
The witness said he first invited to become a
director Of the road by Mr. Bayard formerly com
mercial agent Of the old canal company in the
United States TO represent him. but that in order
to become a bona hde director he had purchased
fourteen shares of stock The examination for
some time then continued the subject of bond
issues and sales, Mr.. Cromwell answering these
questions freely but his recollection the subject
was limited He said that all these transactions
7
mittee which Mr.. Morgan had before him.
Mr Cromwell testified that there were no laws by
which the board Of directors Of the railroad could
be removed by the President, Secretary Taft the
Canal Commission or Congress- but that If his
services were not desired he would be glad 10 re-
sign. The executive committee Of the hoard is
elected by the board and cannot be terminated by
any other body. said Mr.. Cromwell. He had before
testified that Mr. Farnham, clerk in his Office,
also a director of the railroad
Then" said Mr.. Morgan, 'if the board of direc-
tors was evenly divided the subject, a clerk in
your office could maintain your position on the ex
ecutive committee"
Let not mingle business with frivOlties" OBJ
/ fected Mr.. Cromwell
! Senator Morgan angered by this remark. retorted
+ sharply that he would show the witness that he
Z meant business. The question was repeated.
1 Such contingency is impossible among gentle
! men, replied Mr.. Cromwell
MAYBE we are not all of that CLOTH said Senator
/ Morgan. ''I some Of the people connected
with the affairs OF the canal railroad not
Il think you can enlarge that description a ittle'
responded Mr. Cromwell
well let up drop that term. gentlemen and
get down to plain men," said Mr.. Morgan. DO you
! decline 10 answer my question:
'Oh no sir; do not. II you think it important"
! said Mr.. Cromwell
! He repeated that the boards Of directors Of all
corporations are elected annually by the stock
holders. and the elections hold until the
/ cole control over their committees.
! Mr.. Cromwell made explanation, however, that
disqualify the directors by withdrawing the ono
share Of stock held by each director This would
necessitate the return Of $50 paid by each director
/ for The share held
! government would have 70 pay you SSo! =
! Yes. sir and hope the government Is able to
! At this point the committe adjourned until 1870
6. n tomorrow.