The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-06

erance could be made without injury to the work. The Secretary said he dis- agreed with me and he and Mir. Crom- we'll seemed to be making an attempt to lrritate me and cause me to lose my temper. I was examined as4 witness in q court and affirmative and negative answers were demanded to questions without giving chance for qualifying phrases, When this examination was over. the Secretary got off denuncia- tion of me. which was almost word Tor word as 1t appeared later In the secre- tary's published statement concernins my action.
 q asked the Secretary if he took the positive stand that I could not re- sign when I w;-s in 8 position from which I could be discharged by cable gram, without a moments notice. He took that view of 1t, and l told him that would not permit him nor Mir. Crom- we'll to dictate my rights as I knew them myself. Then the Secretary said that should have given years mo- tiee. and replied that is a matter for discussion. and I think We should talk 1t over,' which, wnereupon, the Secre- tary said. Well, l won't stop to dicker with 1t. That would be dickering.'
 T told Secretary Taft I had an offer should like to accept that would give me compensation practically double that I received from the Government. told him all about the negotiations as wanted to disabuse his mind that was coming to him to get an increase of salary. I had not accepted the higher salary, nor have since. I told the company offering me the place that I would not accept it unless satisfactory arrangements could be made for me to leave my work with the Government"
 Criticises Chairman shents.
 In reply to questions. Mir. Wallace said he felt he was better fitted than Mir shonts for the actual direction Of the canal work. He criticised Chair" man Shonts's course in giving orders which Mir. Wallace said had not been acted upon by the commission.
 That was ono of the questions I desired to discuss with Secretary Taft" said Mir. Wallace. Another thing was Mir. Cromweil's connection with affairs. He had done several things with the railroad property which I questioned and seemed to be the controlling force in the management of the property. I considered he was doing business along dangerous lines"
 eff | catch your meaning. part of your business with the Secretary was to shake Cromwell off your shoulders?" suggested Senator Morgan.
 You have caught my meaning" was the reply. Mir Wallace went on to explain that he thought Mir. Cromwell to be mixed up in so many local enterprises on the lsthmus that his views might be per verted and if adopted by the commits sion scandal might be the result . One of the acts of which Mir. Wallace complained was that in which he as- serted that the Panama Railroad the year before 1t was taken over by this government had declared dividends of S1OO, ,00O more than 1t had earned and had then issued bonds for the rebuild ing and improvement of the property. This. declared Mir. Wallace, meant that that amount of money had been taken out of the pocket of Uncle Fam. He explained Mr. Cromwell had been coun- sci for the railroad and said the action jbordered upon high finance.
 Adjournment was then taken until tomorrow.