The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-01-26
SENSATIONAL EXPOSE
MADE ON FLOOR
OF CONGRESS
Illinois Congressman Makes Startling Charges
Against William NJ Cromwell and Impi-
Gates Roosevelt and Taft in the
Scheme
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. "a

WASHINGTON, d. O., Jan. %.
-Branding william Nelson Crorn-
well as "buccaneer" and despcr-
ado, Congressman Rainey of ii.
linois gave the house today sem
satiOnal resume of the Panama
canal situation. He charged Crom-
well and certain associates with
trying to "steaI and appropriate
to their own use the revenues Of
the Panama republic"
Big Graft Combine Alleged.
He professed to prove the ex-
istence of the most stupendous
graft combine in the history OF
the civilized world.
He charged Cromwell with be-
ing party to an attempt to cor
lect from the United States frau-
dulent claims to the amount OF
$2,0O0,000," and with being chief
manipulation in the Vaccinations
resulting in the revolution ON
November 81, 1908.
"Treasury Robbed"
Rainey also declared that
Cromwell was a member of a COM
bine whose intent was mot only
to rob the republic of Panama.
but they indirectly robbed the
treasury of the United States
He explained that he had not
charged Taft with being party
to "the Infamous scheme" but that
he had only submitted evidence.
Grills President.
In the course OF his remarks he
said:
"It will not be long, II the
scheme goes through before the
campaign contributions OF some
gentlemen interested In the en-
terprise will be returned a hum
dred fold. 1t is not part OF
sound statesmanship, or true pa
triotism, to employ the tremend-
GUS agencies of the government IN
attempting to crush newspapers
for having the courage to call at
tention to the questionable trans
actions in connection with the Ca
nal. Public opinion even of Ger
many would not permit the em-
peror to do what the president OF
the United States is trying to do"
He charged that President
Roosevelt made a direct misstate-
ment of fact relative to the canal
in a message sent to congress on
December II, 1906.
Representative Rainey referred
to the governments investigation
of Senator Tillman's alleged ac-
ton in depriving the government
of two cents in revenue by the use
of frank. He added sarcasticai-
ly that this matter has been con-
sidered important enough by
President Roosevelt to be embod-
led in a special message to con-
gress.
Corruption Charged.
The Illinois legislator declared
that SO far he had not heard of any
secret service agents disturbing
Senator Lodge. "yet he was di-
rectly, individually, solely respon-
sible for the taking out of the
treasury of over 100000" He
charged that Obaldia, the Panama
statesman, represents all that ~
corrupt In Spanish and American
politics.
Rainey declared that Cromwell
has been keeping the minutes of
meetings of a board of directors
of a certain railroad, writing them
to "suit himself" He intimated
that a combination controlled or
dominated by Cromwell Is admin
istering the affairs of the Panama
Railroad company as 1t sees At,
although every share is ostensibIy
owned by the government.
Involves Taft.
The speaker then brought In the
name of Psesident-elect Taft by
saying that he is on the way to
Panama to further the plans of
Cromwell. isasvs.
Rainey declared -roduco
absolute proof est> -snfng the
fact that Taft, representing tho
United States, Cromwell and their
friends entered into a combination
to force the election of Obaldfa,
the new president of Panama.
Defends Taft
Representative Stevens Of MIN
|nesota, in reply to Representatives
Rainey's remarks, declared that
Taft's trip to Panama did not IN
volve the mission attributed -
him by Rainey. In making eonno
of his statements he asserted that
Rainey did not know what he was
talking about.
=. = W.