Omaha daily bee., 1906-03-01
CROMWELL AND MORGAN SPAR
Witness Before senate Committee
Fails Back on Rights ~
Counsel.


WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Nor
gan resumed his investigation of W. y.
Cromwell today The inquiry was in rels-
ton to the plan of the Americanizatlon of
the Panama canal
Question after question were asked by
Mr.. Morgan and the witness refused IL
answer.
THE case of lockjaw seems to be get
ting worse" Mr. Morgan said. 1T is the
most remarkable case ever encountered"
Again declining to answer any questions
ON the subject the witness was told by Mr..
Morgan that he was not shutting out any
information.
Then why are you asking these ques
tions?' asked Senator Kittrege
Il want to see IL the witness can tell
the truth on any point" said Mr. Morgan.
| Furthermore, if any senator cares to in
terrupt he should address the chair | do
not choose to be interrupted in this way"
Continuing his inquiry, Mr.. Morgan asked:
Did you assist Senators Hanna and Kit
trege III making the minority report from
this committee?' CThe 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 examina-
Nichf alN Tue NllneSS Sdlu what lnlOfDlu-
ton he might have furnished was given as
counsel for the Panama Canal company
The succeeding questions were based ON
the assumption that the witness had ad-
United that he had assisted the committee,
but Mr.. Cromwell promptly interposed that
he had made no such admission.
Again Declines to Answer.
IL ask you again. did you give them in
fOrmatiOu2' asked Mr. Morgan
II make the same reply" said the wit
ness.
What was that reply?' asked Mr.. Nor
gan.
That my actions were in the course of
my professional duties and of a confden-
tial character" replied the witness.
MIR. Talaferro asked the witness con-
corning the monetary agreement entered
into between the secretary of war and the
republic of Panama, particularly the part
he played In the transactions.
rs this not covered by your profess
sional reticence?" asked Mr.. Morgan.
NO, sir" said the witness land 1 hope
may say this finally"
mo. we will return to 1t again il | see
mt said Mr.. Morgan
Very well. you seem to enjoy it, and it
is the first vacation / have had in long
time" replied the witness with ill-con-
cealed sarcasm.
Mr.. Cromwell then explained in detail
the coinage system on the isthmus, and
for the first time since he went the
stand was permitted to proceed without
interruption. In the meantime Mr.. Morgan
was studying the records
As to Monetary Agreement.
Mr.. Cromwell said his activity in this
monetary agreement was by reason of an
invitation from the secretary of war who
knew of his familiarity with an agree
ment the Panama Canal company had had
with the republic of Colombia.
| The witness declined to answer any hy-
pothetical questions concerning his rela-
lions with the railroad company prior to
the transfer of the road to the United
| States.
! Mr.. Morgan insisted upon ruling as to
whether the witness should be compelled
to answer. .t.
\ Mt. Kittredge demanded a roll call, the
seiiato votihgi as their names were called.
| Those who voted against the witness being
| compelled to answer any questions not
| specially stated, were: Kittredge, Dry
den. Ankeney and Willard. The vote to
| support Mr.. Morgan's position were: Nor
gan and Taliaferro. Mr.. Morgan told the
witness to resume and treated the subject
as " he had expected TO be ovcrruled. Mr..
Cromwell continued the discussion of the
monetary matter and great interest was
manifested I'm the subject after he said he
| had drawn the monetary agreement.
Adjouras Until Tomorrow.
The monetary agreement. said Mr. Crom-
we'll was made for the benefit of the
Panama railroad and the Isthmian Canal
commission and the interest OF the Re-
| public of Panama was only nominal.
Senator Simmons asked Mr.. Cromwell If
! II be true that he had received no salary
| from the Republic of Panama, what had
/ induced him. to serve the republic as 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
reason that ] have more money than /
| know what 10 do with, unfortunat ey." said
| Mr.. Cromwell.
! At II o'clock Mr. Morgan asked for an
| adjournment until . p. M, but he was
| oyerruIed. He then went to the senate
chamber and other members of the COM
mtttee resumed the inquiry concerning the
monetary arrangement.
| At 1880 o'clock the committee adjourned
until 1880 o'clock tomorrow morning when
Mr.. Morgan will again examine Mr.. Crom-