The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-05-13


Washington, May IL. - Admiral
walker. president Of the Panama
canal commission, received q tele-
Wallace, Of Chicago, general manager
cepting the appointment Of chief en-
sineer In charge Of construction Of
the canal Mr.. Wallace will receive
q salary Of $25. 900 q year.
Mr.. Wallace VIII take up his work
with the commission on June /. He
win arrive In Washington on or be-
fore that date and for the present will
have his once at the headquarters Of
the commission In this city. II has
not been determined when he will
visit the isthmus-
Chicago, May 11.-During the re-
cent trip of the Panama canal COM
missioners to the isthmus, one Of the
subjects Of discussion was the ap-
pointment of the chief engineer. II
was agreed by every one that the man
selected must possess exceptional
qualifications; must be not only an
engineer, but an administrator and
executive; must have mature Judg-
ment and yet energy Of accomplish
ment; must be well and favorably
known, as a very great measure Of
the success Of the commission would
depend on the chief engineer. While
the commission was at sea on the way
to the isthmus, q letter was written
to Mr.. Wallace. asking him to meet
the members In New York on their
return.
Subsequently there was CORES
pondence with Stuyvesant Fish. presi-
dent of the Illinois Central. who thus
spoke of Mr.. Wallace: There is no
professional engineer in my acquaint-
ance who, think, has in a higher de-
gree than Mr. Wallace the especial
commercial and diplomatic tact which
viii be required He not only has
commercial sense. knows the value OF
money, but also has very rare ca
pacity in dealing with men. whether
they be above him, his peers. or under
him. 1t goes without saying that he is
upright and downright"
President Fish was very unwilling
to have Mr. Wallace leave the service
of the company, but, the appointment
having been rendered. left the de-
cision entirely with Mr.. Wallace. In
reaching the conclusion to accept, Mr..
Wallace gave up his prospects of
promotion and a much higher salary
than SIS, 900 a year, but by taking the
| position of chief engineer of the Pana-
| ma canal his name will be attached
| to the greatest piece of construction
| ever undertaken
II Is estimated that about two years
| will be required to complete the sur
| veys, make the estimates of cost and
| decide on the final plans. In round
/ figures the canal will cost 5000. .000. .00C
| and will require ten years to com
/ plete. Aside from the engineers, ma
chinists and other skilled labor the
constructive work win give employ.
ment to 50.OOn men,
Possibly the most important quail.
fcation possessed by Mr.. Wallace II
his ability and tact in the manage
ment of men, For several years al
questions involving the matter of Ia
Dor and the control of labor organiza
tions in the entire system of the Tlli
nois Central railroad have devolvet
upon Mr.. Wallace for settlement Ths
% different labor organizations found
among the employees Of the Illinois
Central have always had the most i'm
Il pllclL COuuucuCc III HIS ucNioAOno- a.
| evidence of this, 1t can be stated tina
they have never in a single instanc'
appealed from his decisions to highe
authorities since he has been genera
manager Of the road
Mr. Wallace was born at Fall River
Mass, and educated as civil enginee
. at Monmouth university, Monmouth
Ill, of which his father was founde
N ha N
: tered the service of the Carthage 4
!, Quincy railroad as rodman. In 1877
he was assistant engineer on survey
for the Quincy. Alton & St Loui
| railroad From 1871 to 1876 he wa
: assistant engineer of the Unite
! States engineering corps at Rock Isl
and, Ill. During this time he exca
waited a channel through the St. Loui
chain of rocks by machinery Of hi
own design
January 1, 1891, Mr.. Wallace wa
employed by the Illinois Central I
| assist in handling the worlds fai
!. transportation problem and subml
| plans for taking care of this bushes
| and the general improvement OF tn
terminal property Of the Illinois Ger
| trail These plans were adopted b
the railroad company and Mr.. Wallac
was appointed chief engineer of th
Illinois Central. During the seve
. years he occupied this position th
n Illinois Central property was pra'
tically rebuilt.
nI January 1, 1898. Mr.. Wallace wa
2 appointed assistant second vice pres
= dent While still retaining supe
n vision over the engineering depar
ment, he was called upon to assist tn
u second vice president in the gener'
2 supervision of matters connecte
with the operation of the railroad.
nj On January 1, 1901, Mr.. Wallace
title was changed to assistant gener
q manager and he was placed at Il
n head of the operating department
having in charge the engineerin
roadway. transportation, machinel
and other departments classed und'
the head of operation. In Septembe
1902, he was appointed general MAJ
- agsr.