Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-27
RAINEY CHARGES CANAL DEAL
Cromwell, Farnham and c. r. Taft
Accuacd of Graft.

Cromwell, Farnham and c. p. Taft
Accused of Graft.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Exchanging that
William Nelson Cromwell. Roger l.. Farm
ham, Charles p. Taft and others are par
ties to the ''most infamous railroad propo-
sition ever subr-itted to any government"
and that the rare being permitted not
only to rob The republic of Panama, but
indirectly the treasury of the United
States, , Representative Rainey Of Illinois
today directed the searchlight Of publicity
upon affairs in the canal zone in a start
ling speech In support of his resolution
providing for an investigation by congress
of the Panama canal purchase.
''Tn their efforts In this direction" he
continued, they have had so far the COM
plete cooperation and active assistance of
the present administration and of the
president"
Mr.. Rainey traced the history of the
proposed canal 400 years back and warned
that I'VE have already started In the
direction of the rocks upon which the
first cruisers were wrecked"
Referring to the governments libel suits
against the New York World and the
grand jury Investigations now in progress
In this city and in New York. Mr.. Rainey
said:
"If we are to carry this project through
to a successful finish, we must avoid graft
It is not the part of wise statesmanship
to dispose of resolutions asking for an in
vestlgation of any phase of the canal
question with the sweeping and unsup-
ported official declaration that there Is
nothing to investigate. II is not the part
Of sound craftsmanship and true patriot
ism to attempt to revive the obsolete COM
mon law customs of 200 years ago and to
employ all the agencies of the government
I'm attempting to crush newspapers which
have had the courage to call attention to
a questionable transaction in connection
with the canal"
From the very outset OF his remarks
Mr.. Raney claimed the absolute atten-
ton of the house and he was frequently
applauded.
Incensed at the remarks of the Illinois
member. Mr.. Stevens CMinn) declared II
to he extremely regrettable that any MEM
| Der Of this house feels called upon to
rise in his place and slsnder the ruler OF a
/ friendly republic and defame the admin
/ istration Of his own government. He had
! proceeded that far when he was called to
order by Mr.. shackelford (Mo0. who OBJ
! jected to the use OF the word 'slandcr.' 81
| The &,ah admonished MIR. Stevens to keep
within the rules. He urged Il at it was nc
| busir ess Of the American government what
any other government did with its persons
or It's property. provided It does not at.
| feet our interests"
at Is our business" he said, ito look
after our own citizens and our own ad.
ministration." He declared there was nc
! foundation in fact for the statements thai
/ there was any interference by Secretary
Taft or any officials OF the United States
with the Panama elections any more thar
was involved in the keeping OF order there
He also attempted to refute the statements
Of Mr.. Rainey regarding President Obal
dla, and declared that he was not without
a political party.
Mr.. Stevens secuted the talk about graf
and declared that those having the under
taking In charge were proceeding without
any self-interest, and in spite 5f the de-
trG ctions at home in newspapers by pub
lie men, and by others who have othol
ends to serve.
Mr.. Kusterman CWis.l expressed dsap
proval of what he called the sighting re
marks against the president. made by Mr.
Rainey. He paid a tribute TO the presiden
and said that while the chief executiv,
had his faults. he would be recorded al
one of the greatest presidents the eoun
try ever had