The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-01-15
WAsFIINGT0N LETTER
SCHOOL MATE OF EMPEROR WILLIAM, OF GERMANY SUMMON
cd TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON IN
TER-ocEANrc CANALS.
Mr. LoNewoRTH WANTS 100000 TO SECURE PROPER SITES
AND BUILDINGS FOR THE USE OF AMERICAN EN-
RAssApoRs AND MINISTER'S.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 10
POuItney Bigelow whose article on the
Encouragement and graft on the
1sthmus Of Panama was the sensa-
don Of the week will be still further
dIscredited If the plans Of Secretary
Tau and the President do not mis-
carry. He has been summoned to ap-
pear before the Committee on Inter
oceanic canals next Thursday or Fri
dry and he will be enabled to repeat,
e he will, the statements he made in
! Journal last week and which result.
4 "a IN q special message to Congress
nom the President denouncing all
these who criticize the management
II the Canal and also caused secre'
tary Taft to write a yoluminous re-
fatation Of all the statements made.
mis- article and the letter Of secre-
tary Taft were the sensation Of the
week here. Mr.. Bigelow is man Of
wealth, of education, and Of literary
reputation. He was school mate Of
Emperor William, Of Germany and
has been close friend Of the Kaiser
ayer since. He spends much time at
me, imperial palaces in Germany and
las written life Of the Kaiser, and
6ther books and articles which have
Eean widely read. When his article
"a he Encouragement Of affairs con.
neCtad with the Panama Canal ap'
paaued the standing of the author
was taken into account and his state
msnts we're widely believed. He
aiarged the men in official positions
on the Isthmus with many crimes Of
commission and omission and spoke
IN an authoritative way Of the Imper'
feet plans and their still more imper.
feet execution for digging the canal.
A day or two after the letter appeared
tha Presidents message to Congress
1enouncing those who criticize the
E.laal management was given out
audl sarretGry Taft's letter making
f,llI denial Of the charges made by
ssEow was published, It appears
from the secretary's investigation that
nc, 8igelow was on the Isthmus just
tReptYeIght hours though he crit.
died Secretary Taft for having spent
fuf i've or six days there. Mr.. Blge'
IoEs Investigations of conditions
there, the Secretary claims, were con-
fned: to conversations held with two
men during the twelve or fourteen
hours he spent out Of bed there. Both
ii these men, it appears, had been dis
Z appointed in getting contracts from
die government, so that they might
reasonably be regarded as preju'
diced. Mr.. Taft makes full and un-
eamvocal denial Of all the charges
brought by Mr. BIgelow and the gen.
sral Impression is that Mr., Bigelow
Has been badly worsted. He will be
drought before the Committee that
WIN make public investigation Of
the Canal management and there will
no doubt be an interesting session.
It is probable that the truth of the
situation lies somewhere between the
statements Of Mr.. Blgelow and secre'
arg Taft. Neither one, probably Is
aware OF colorlng the facts to suit
his prejudice but the opinion in Con-
Eress Is that some graft is mixed up
With a great deal Of good intention in
Canal AFFAIRS. AS huge an undertake.
frg eauld scarcely be put under way
Rit6uGs. some few seeking in it a
siinnca to profit at government ex'
uertse and while the twenty.eight
hour investigation as made by Poult-
ney BIgelow can scarcely be taken as
tie sum Of the situation, the white
and spotless situation given 1t by Sec!
4stary Taft may also be taken cum
! ( grauo sails as the opinion he wants 70
nave Il q work in which both he and
lie President and the country have
"A m intense interest MI v
Few Congresses in recent years
aye fAai more business on hand With
ospect q complaints 30 little.
no Wnits Houss and the capitol are
IpsgeFAeads ssmSssa wAo Aey'