The Topeka state journal., 1909-01-18
C. P. TAFT TO BE HEARD
VIII Go Before Grand Jury in Canal
Scandal Case.

Washington, Jan. 1s.-C. P. Taft, of
Cincinnati. brother of w. H. Taft, will
appear before the grand jury in this
city tomorrow in connection with the
Panama canal libel proceedings. Mr.
Taft reached Washington today from
Augusta, where he has been visiting his
brother and at once called on President
Roosevelt for a short conference. He
said that he did not discuss the details
Of the matter with the president and
did not know the inside of the case. Mr..
Taft said he had received a request
from the district attorney to appear
here tomorrow afternoon and that he
had not been formally subpoenaed. He
did not know, he said. whether Douglas
Robinson, the presidents brother-in-
law also had been requested to appear
before the jury.
Attorney General Bonaparte returned
to Washington, from Baltimore today.
He had nothing to say regarding the
subpoenas. He has already stated that
the subject within few days and
pending that statement, he declined to
discuss the case. The same reticence
was observed at the office of United
States District Attorney Baker.
The suit which President Roosevelt is
believed to have ordered brought
against the Press Publishing
company of New York. on account of
charges in the New York World that
certain we'll known persons, including
Douglas Robinson. brother-in-law of the
president and c. P. Taft. brother of the
president-elect were interested in the
purchase of the Panama canal proper
ty, inspired the resolution of inquiry
offered by Senator Rayner today.
Addressing the senate In support OF
the resolution Mr.. Rayner said there
was no law which warrants suit 1or
libel of the government.
IF any suit is being prosecuted SAID
Mr.. Rayner. Eve want to know under
what statute it is being brought because
we ought to have an opportunity 10 re
peal that statute on the ground that IL
is in violation of the constitution, be
cause it abridges the freedom or the
press.
If the attorney general is not pro
eeeding under some statute then ne Is
violating the laws of the country"
Mr. Lodge suggested that it was i'm
portant to know whether TINS was u
bel of the government or was oeing
brought by the attorney general on De-
half of individuals.
Mr.. Rayner retorted that he proposed
to show that the circuit courts have no
jurisdiction in either case.
Senator Knox, interrupting, said that,
assuming that the position of the sena-
tor was sound, he still thought there
were matters for the defense to con-
slider.
No iniunctfon was obtained were
called before the grand jury to give
| evidence today. The first to be ex-
amfned was H. H BjornSon, VINO IS
| said to be connected with the Wash
ington office of Sullivan & Cromwell.
| the lawyers Mr.. Cromwell had a
/ prominent part in the acquisition OF
| the Panama canal Mr.. Bjornson said
| that he was questioned as to whether
| the firm of Sullivan & Cromwell had
| offered to pay for the suppression of
! stories about the canal He said that
he replied that he knew nothing about
| it as he was otherwise engaged at the
time of the canal negotiations Other
| witnesses who were waiting to go be-
| fore the grand jury were D. NJ Engle-
| man of an international news service.
who said he went abroad to investi-
| cate the canal purchase and on his
| return submitted a report to the ma
| tionaI Democratic committee which
| afterward got into the posse ssion of
| the World.
| world. but now in the office of Sui
/ Tfvan & Cromwell; A c. Rowsey of
| the Boston-America and John I. Weir
/ of the New York American. were also
waiting their turn to testify.