Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-13
DEMANDS THE PROOF
Lowering Denounces Canal
Charges as Blackmail.
MAKES ATTACK ON RAINEY
Stormy Scene in the House During
Course of Debate.
PROMISE IS GIVEN TO REPLY
Illinois Member Offers to Meet the
Challenge at First Opportunity.
Olcott Defends Cromwell.
PROMISE IS GIVEN TO REPL!

Olcott Defends Cromwell.
Charging that the recent speech of Rep
resentative Rainey Of Illinois. in which he
made charges of graft in connection with
the purchase of the Panama canal prop
erty, was a prostitution of the privilege
of free speech on the floor Of the House
Representative Lowering of Massachusetts
yesterday severely arraigned the Illinois
representative for the statements he
made. Mr. Rainey was absent from the
House when Mr.. Lowering started his
speech Upon complaint on the part of
Mr.. Rainey's friends Mr.. Lowering stop
ped speaking. Later. when he thought he
had waited long enough for Mr.. Rainey' S
appearance. he began again. He was
then informed that MIR. Rainey, who was
to speak in Baltimore yesterday, had
been caught at the Union station and
would soon be on the floor. Mr.. Lowering
again suspended his remarks.
Finally Mr. Rainey appeared and Mr..
Lowering resumed speaking. Mr.. Rainey
having stated that. while his enga cement
in Baltimore would prevent his remain
ing until the close of Mr. Lowering $
speech, he would reply to it at later
day.
Mr. Lowering had declared that the ma
terial for the articles appearing in the New
York World with regard to the alleged
Panama scandal was procured. partially :.
from crooks and ex-convicts. He said
that Mr. Rainey had secured from the
New York World the material for his
speech.
Upon the appearance on the floor of
Mr. Rainey, Mr.. Lowering. continuing, de-
clared that the evidence was complete
f;x,iny 10 a IL
erS who have tried to work their game
not only on the gentlemen l have named,
but on both political parties Last fall
he said an effort was made to sell the
stories to the democratic campaign com
mittee and certain leaders of that party
took the matter under consideration, but
they were not used because they could
not be substantiated- He charged that
for nearly two years before that time
these same men had been pursuing
Cromwell with the expectation that he
would pay them large sum of money,
varying from 5000 to S2J,HD. They
thought he would pay to have these
stories suppressed
Indignantly Refused by Cromwell.
Mr.. Lowering declared that those per-
sons were always met by Mr.. Cromwell
with an indignant refusal, land the re-
ply that they might do what they
pleased with their stories. for they were
nothing but lies" Those same people.
he said, finding that Mr. Cromwell was
deeply interested in Mr.. Taft's cam
paign. thought he would submit to pay
something rather than have any pub
licity at that moment. They said to
him, Mr.. Lowering asserted. Even
though there be no truth in this story,
buy and bury it." 1t was at this time
he said, when they had failed in all
their demands upon Mr.. Cromwell. that
r.
Mack, chairman of the democratic ma
tiona1 committee, and offered them for
sale for campaign purposes" While
they were not accepted, he said. mem
bers of the democratic party entered
into an agreement with Mr.. Rafney, ito
exploit the subject on the floor Of the
House. This he has attempted to do by
introducing resolution Of inquiry" He
charged. however. that Mr.. Rainey.
'singularly enough" had taken no
Has he fallen DOWN." he inquired
Has he failed to secure his proofs?
Have his informants forsaken him. He
said that after these professional
blackmailers-it is known that many of
them were professionalism failed to
extract money from any of these
sources they did in their desperation
cause them to be published. and they
appeared in the New York World
Mr.: Lowering could not say whether the
that whether the gentleman from Hi
nois got his information from the New
York World or directly from these black
mailers does not matter"
Denied by MI. Rainey.
Rising in his place, Mr.. Rainey de-
clared that he had received no Informal
ton from either source. 'I know moth
ing of any blackmailers," he asserted.
Neither have l received any informa-
ton from the New York World
Mr.. Lowering coolly replied that Mr..
Rainey would have full opportunity to
answer him.
Observing that Mr.. Lowering was read
ing his speech, Mr.. Rainey inquired: did
the gentleman prepare the manuscript
or did William Nelson Cromwell do 500"
Every word / prepared myself, nor has
he ever seen a word Of it," Mr.. Lowering
replied with emphasis.
Did he furnish the gentleman with the
facts?" Mr.. Rainey persisted, but he again
was met with the statement that he could
answer in his own time.
In the whole Panama transaction, Mr.
Lowering said. there were. no secrets, EEK
cept such suspicious minds have con-
jured up or were inspired TO magine. -
He had, he said. never known Mr.. Crom-
we'll 10 do single improper act in con-
whatever. either in the United States or
France or on the isthmus. Everything
that Mr.. Cromwell did he said was
honorable straightforward and without
any self-seeking interest beyond what
should properly come to him as a legitf-
mate fee for his services to the French
company.
'If there were no secrets" asked Mr..
Hitchcock of Nebraska. does the gen
tlcnan Justify the refusal of William
Nelson Cromwell to answer questions put
to him by Senate committee
Answered All Questions.
Mr.. Lowering declared that Mr. Crom-
well answered every question that he was
at liberty to answer and be faithful to
his clients but that since that time he
had kept nothing back. Mr.. Cromwell,
he said, did not profit, directly or Indirect
Is. through any part he took in the mat
ter beyond his moderate fee 'He was
absolutely patriotic lie said. land never
for a moment lost sight OF the fact that
he was first of all an American citizen. =
Any statements TO the contrary. he declar-
ed, were utterly unfounded and unwar
ranted both to Mr. Cromwell and the
others about whom Mr.. Rainey had
spoken.
Looking squarely al Mr. Rainey. Mr.
Lowering called on him here and now
to produce his proofs
Mr.. Rainey promised that at the first
opportunity he would make reply which
would meet the challenge.
In closing Mr. I,pypTuC said that If Mr.