The Washington times., 1909-01-18
Developments Thick and Fas
in Case Against the New
York World.
c. P. TAFT COMES
WITH ROBINSON
Grand Jury Begins Examination of
Newspaper Fairbanks
May Own News.

Sensational developments marked the
real beginning today of the Presidents
action for libel against the Press Pub
fishing Company. or the New York
World, on account of its Panama Canal
scandal articles, when the following
facts manifested themselves IN rapid
fire order:
Charles P. Taft, brother of the Pres
ident-elect, involved in the Worlds
charges. reached Washington on a SUM
mons to appear before the District
grand jury tomorrow morning. Dir.
Taft came ON teIegraphio request Of the
District Attorney sent TO Augusta, Ca.
Robinson Here.
Douglas Robinson. brother-in-law OF
President Roosevelt. arrived ca similar
summons, and together with 8Ir, TAFT
went into conference with the President
Alr. Robinson is also "a party to the
World accusations.
President Roosevelt may have to post
pone ms African hunting trip ia view
Of his bringing the unprecedented aG-
Hon
r. l. Harnham. law partner Of WI
liam Nelson Cromwell, the latter fiscal
engineer OF the Panama transfer deal.
IS also in washington on an unknown
mission
Senator Rayuer. on the floor of the
Senate. bitterly attacked the right OK
President Roosevelt to institute pro-
ceedings on behalf OF the Government
stnsE EewsDap pers Scr criminal libel
Justice ward of the United States
Circuit Court in New York. began the
hearing Of arguments for the quashing
Of the subpoenas, the action having been
brought BY the Press Publishing Conn
pany when members OF It's stan were
summoned TO appear before the grand
jury in Washington. Argument viii be
resumed at o'clock.
New York Case Goes Over.
Sporting Editor Mclaughlin and SEQ
retary Shaw, OF the Press Publishing
Company. who were summoned TO ap-
pear this morning before the District
i'm New York to await the decision of
Justice ward this afternoon.
IT is believed that the summOuing Of
members of the Indianapolis News stan
and a Washington newspaper CORES
pondent IS for the purpose OF showing
that Vice President Fairbanks is a large
stOckhOlder in the News Corporation
and If So ne. under the Presidents re-
cent intimauOns in his special Panama
message 10 Congress, might become In
yolved IN the sensational case
Grand jury at Work.
The District grand jury began its in-
vestigations at the City Han at 1880
O'clock. jeremiah Matthews. a member
of the New York sun Washington staff
being the first witness. Mr.. Matthews is
a former private secretary TO Vice Pres
fdent Fairbanks He is not known to
have had any connection with the publi-
cation Of the Worlds series of Panama
articles, which were republished IN the
Indianapolis News
Charles w Thompson, foEuer chief
OF the Washington bureau of The World
viii be put On the grill by the grand
Jury during the afternoon.
District Attorney Baker and hls asso-
ciates maintain an air OF trlgld reserve
when pfoached AIQuL @ lI,t ooJsSS ~ t.ls
grand jury investigations and decline
even TO admit that the Panama Canal
matter Is under probe.
Why Taft Came.
The arrival of Charles p. Taft from
Augusta this morning indicated that the
fight was on in earnest Mr. TAFT
when seen at. the New Willard, said
that he had received a telegram from
District Attorney Baker yesterday ask
ing that lie should appear before the
grand jury ia washington on Tuesday
The telegram ike the subpoenas here
tofore issued TO others, Gid not indicate
what Mr. TAFT was expected TO testify
'I merely received a telegram 2akiu-
me to report here and I came, saiG
Mr.. Taft 'It Is not indicated Tor what
purpose have been called, lAlthough !
assume it is IN connection with the
Panama canal matter j shall 60 be-
Lore the grand jury tomorrow aud re-
turn to Augusta tomorrow after loOn-
What Re Nay Say.
Mr.. Taft expressed ignorance as 10
what information of value he could im-
part 10 the grand jury IN connection
with the suit for libel to be instituted
against the papers publishing the ar
ticIes which so aroused the President
Dir. Tafrs testimony, If Is presumed
can only follow out the statements
made ia the Presidents message that
there was nothing whatever irregular
in the transfer nor acquisition Of the
Panama canal property and that he.
like Messrs Cromwell, Robinsouy and
others. knows nothing Of any Illegal acts
in the premises.
District Attorney Daniel W Baker,
assisted by stuart MCNAMARA, has taken
active charge OF the grand jury investi-
cations,
"I viii not say q word q bout the graud
Jury proceedings. said Ar Baker. +aI.d
there VIII be nothing said IN the f11d Ore
I Woulu like 10 tell the public about the
matter, but the grand jury proceedInFs
are absolutely secret
Although at the White House the Ten a
tatiVe belief is tlat the affair may -
Interfere with the President S two Sc
in the African lungles, it is rega
as entirely possible that should ins
ments follow Tie Investigations 4