New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-01
STILL AT MIR. CROMWELL
Mr.. MORGAN B4FFLED.
Says Witness Has "a Remarkable
Case of Lockiazc."

| time reading the record. When he resumed the
| inquiry In relation the plan for the
Americanization Of the Panama Canal Mr.
| Cromwell said his reply would be the same as
| he had made yesterday-that professional Sc
| crets were involved. He said he entered the
service of the New Panama Canal Company In
| 1896. and the employment still exists.
Question after question was asked by Mr..
Morgan. and the witness replied to each one:
| Il make the same reply" Another line was
| taken up concerning the scheme. and to all
these inquiries Mr.. Cromwell replied: What
ever knowledge I acquired gained in my
professional capacity"
Your case of lockjaw seems to be getting
worse" Mr.. Morgan said. 1T is the most re-
markable case I ever encountered"
Again declining to answer any questions on
the subject, the witness told by Mr. Nor
gan that he was not shutting out any informa-
ton.
Then. why are you asking these questions?"
asked Senator Kittredge.
Il want TO If the witness can tell the
truth on any point" said Mr.. Morgan. Fur
thermore, if any Senator cares 20 interrupt he
should address the chair. 1 do not choose to
be interrupted in this way
Continuing his inquiry, Mr.. Morgan asked:
Did you assist Senators Hanna and Kittredge
in making the minority report from this COM
mittee?" (The report referred TO was against
the Nicaragua route and in favor of the Panama
route)
Il decline to answer" said the witness.
Senator Taliaferro took up the examination
and the witness said whatever information he
might have furnished given counsel for
the Panama Canal Company. The succeeding
questions based the assumption that
the witness had admitted that he had assisted
he but Mr. Ia
clared that he had made such admissions.
81 ask you again. did you give them informa-
tom" asked Mr.. Morgan.
Il make the same reply" said the witness.
What is that reply?" asked Mr.. Morgan.
THAT my actions were in the course Of my
professional duties and Of a confidential char
acter." replied the witness.
Mr.. Taliaferro asked the witness concerning
the monetary agreement entered into between
the Secretary of War and the Republic Of Pan
anna, particularly the part he played in the
transaction.
"Is this not covered by your professional reti-
cence?" asked Mr. Morgan.
No, sir" said the witness "and I hope may
say this finally"
mo. we shall return to it again. If see fit"
said Mt. Morgan.
Very we'll. you seem to enjoy 1t. and it is the
first vacation have had in long time" replied
the witness
Mr.. Cromwell then explained IN detail the
coinage system the isthmus, and for the first
time since he went on the stand permitted
to proceed without Interruptions.
Mr.. Cromwell said his activity in this none
tary agreement was by reason OF an invitation
from the Secretary Of War. who knew Of his IA
miiarity with an agreement the Panama Canal
Company had made with the Republic OF Colon-
bia. He referred to the Panama Railroad Com
pany, and. questions being asked by Mr.. Morgan.
the witness declined TO answer any "hypotheti-
cal questions" concerning his relations with the
railroad company IN a period prior 10 the trans
fer Of the road TO the United States In May.
1904. Mr.. Morgan demanded that the witness
be compelled TO say whether he intended to take
shelter IN the fact that professional secrets
were involved. and Mr. Cromwell said he would
be willing to consider specific questions when
asked, but insisted that he would not answer
ANY hypothetical questions"
Mr.. Morgan insisted on a ruling as to whsther
the witness should be compelled to answer
Mr.. Kittredge demanded the rollcau and Sem
ators voting as their names were called Thos.
who voted against the witness being compelled
to answer any question not specifically stated
were Senators Kittredge, Dryden Ankeny and
Willard. Those who supported Mr. Morgans po-
sition were Senators Morgan and TaIiaferro.
vote was had. Mr.. Morgan told the witness to
resume. and treated the subject as If he had ex-
pected to be overruled. Mr.. Cromwell continued
the discussion OF the monetary matter and great
interest was manifested In the subject after he
had said he had drawn the monetary agreement
The monetary agreement. said Mr.. Cromwell.
e for the benefit OF the Panama Rail-
.oa ID the Isthmian Canal Commission and
thu crest OF the Republic OF Panama was only
noiIiI al.
Ger Simmons asked Mr.. Cromwell If he
had received salary from the Republic of
Panama what had induced him to serve as it's
fiscal agent
Because of my broad instinct of good nature,
which has prompted me to do so much for this
cause. and for the further that 1 have
more money than 1 know what do with. un-
fortunately" said Mr.. Cromwell.
Taking up the scheme for the "Americaniza-
ton of the Panama Canal" Mr.. Morgan asked
II il the same broad instinct OF good nat
ure" that had caused him to engage in that
Are you still harping daughter7'
asked Mr. Cromwell.
"She seems TO be harp Of many strings, and
I should like to know her better" said Mr. Nor
gan Then he asked several questions concern
ing the scheme and the witness said:
Senator I have declined TO answer those
questions often that think had better get
photograph"
''Please remember that you are on the stand
and have been sworn" said Mr.. Morgan.
sharply
Il viii remember" said the witness, land de-
cline TO give the information asked for on the
ground that it involves privileged communica-
ton"
How privreged?" asked Mr.. Morgan. who be-
gan a line OF questions which invariably were
answered by Mr.. Cromwell with the statement:
Il make the ply"
Al u O'Clock - Morgan asked for an ad-
tournment until :. m, but he overruled.
He then went to the Senate Chamber and other
members of the committee resumed the inquiry