The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-03
Cromwell Says Effort Is Be-
ing Made to Blackmail Him,
So Goes to Jerome.
NAME is INVOLVED
IN CANAL LAND SALE
Beats Enemies TO Expose by Plac-
ing Complaint Alleging Crooked
ness With District Attorney.
By ]. c. WELLIVER.

NEW YORK, oct. 3.-Today's con-
tribution to the campaign of muck-rak-
ing came through a complaint filed by
representative of William Nelson CrUm-
well with District Attorney Jerome,
charging an attempt to blackmai Mr..
Cromwell.
In substance. the charge by Mr.. Crom-
wells representative is that certain per-
sons have been alleging possession Of
information concerning the Panama
canal sale to the Federal Government,
which, II published, might be Injurious
10 Mr. Cromwell. For a long time there
las been rumor that such a story might
be sprung and made another Of the
scardals OF the campaign. Mr.. Crom-
wei beat his enemies to IL by calling
on the district attorney to investigate
and determine whether the purpose was
blackmail
1t has been known for some time that
the Democratic national committee was
looking into the story and trying to de-
termine whether there was any proof
Of its authenticity. Chairman Mack
this morning, following publication Of
the account Of Mr.. CromweUs appeal
TO District Attorney Jerome, was asked:
Has the Democratic committee given
consideration to charges that Henry w
Taft mot Charles P. Taft and Douglas
Robinson were in a Panama stock
speculation which induced the United
States Government 10 take the canal
from the French company"
Democrats Knew of II.
Yes" dictated the chairman, the
matter has been given and is now un-
der consideration. But have always
felt. and the others Of the com
mittee have agreed with me. that It was
matter that belonged to the newspa-
pers, and the committee felt. at least
1 did in particular. that II the news
papers cot the evidence they would
print the facts as presented to US with
out any intimation or suggestion on
the part of this committee"
Has the committee had any relations
with Col Alexander S Bacon?' was
next asked.
Colonel bacon is a Brooklyn man, a
lawyer and former army officer, who for
long time has been trying 70 develop
this story; animated, it is said, By hos
tility TO Cromwell.
Not directly" replied Mr.. Neck.
Did he make visit to Paris on this
matter, with the cOgnizance OF the Ma
He did not"
Did you have indirect relations with
him?"
Knew of Paris Trip.
1--WE had been told and knew that he
visited Paris in the effort to ferret out
and get information about this matter.
He has submitted nothing directly to
the committee, though he has talked
TO some members Of the committee
about it,
What IS the status Of the commit
tee information about the matter at
pres
1T is now under advisement, but it IS
a matter that We feel should come
through the newspapers. They have
had the same opportunity to know that
we have had"
Have the Investigations thus far war
ranted more inquiry
The evidence as given to the commit
tee In many instances is conclusive that
there was an American syndicate That
was proved before the Senate Canal
Committee during the investigation. I
don't know whether the names Of people
alleged to have been members of that
American syndicate were brought out
but the names nave been laid before US
I do not care to give out the names, but
those Of Cromwell Robinson, and H
w. Taft were among them.
Matter Is Public Now.
"The whole matter is now public prop
erty. and is up to the newspapers and
the public. The committee has taken
no action and is not taking any. ex-
cept so far as my making this state
ment goes"
William Nelson Cromwell made a
most complete denial of the whole
story. and at Republican headquarters
It was laughed at as a roOr-back Of the
worst kind.
We have known for a long time"
said an official there, that there was
an effort 20 get such q yarn printed.
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