Show I TAFT DEFAMERS ACCUSED I Washington Feb Fob l 12 Sharp Sharp challenge challenge chal chal- lenge lengo was as Issued to Representative Henry T. T Rainey In tho the House Houle today by friends of or William Nelson Cromwell and Charles P. P Taft to present his proof of or frauds in connection with the purchase purchase purchase pur pur- chase of the Panama canal property and subsequent negotiations for Cor its Ita timber and railroad franchises in the Panama republic so that there might bo io congressional Investigation It was plainly suggested to Mr Hainey that If It he could not do this he should do clo tho Oio honorable and manly act I b by apologizing apologising to Meura Cromwell Taft and President of Panama admit that his accusations wore were baseless base baso- less In fact tact and that t hit his informers lied had misled him hire and ask for the tho return of J his resolution calling for tor an Investigation gation gallon I Mr Rainey Raine accepted tho the challenge and reiterated a 11 previous statement that h he was in possession of ot proofs of all facts charged b by him In his bitter bitter bitter bit bit- ter attack In the tho House a t few weeks ago Ho He Intimated that he would woud later reply to the tho committee on rules which holds his resolution calling for a thorough thorough thor thor- ou ough h In investigation of the tho Panama Canal ca canal canal ca- ca nal purchase Covering Lovering of or Massachusetts led Jed the attack with a defense of ot Cromwell Mr Levering Lo said Is It fair Call to ro- ro peat vague rumors which appear to have no foundation I Is It fair to make discreditable reference to men who can make no reply Evidence has been gathered sufficient to convict tho blackmailers who have tried to work ft a L game ame on Individuals and both political parties partie These men they men they are arc ex con tried viets-tried tried to sell their dirty stories starlet to tho the Democratic leaders To their credit these leaders refused to us use the story because It was not substantiated Mr nIl These rhose same men had pursued Cromwell and had tried to blackmail him to the extent of o-C from to tc They Thel to suppress 8 these stories were met b by him with Indignant ro- ro failed It was after they had with him that they took their stories to the Democratic mann managers ers What Whal done Ho Ito has not has Mr 11 Hainey pushed his resolution has pro presented ente no proof of oC his charges Whether hAthor Mr Ir Rainey got ot his fact facts th the from thc theo o blackmailers or from Now tow York World I 1 do not know 4 |