The Washington times., 1905-07-01
WALLACE THINKS
TAFT TOO SEVERE
Ex-Canal Engineer Declares
Statement Uncalled For.
NOT BOUND BY CONTRACT
Gives His Side of the Story and Init
mates he Has Been Badly
Treated.

the one made public yesterday by Secre-
tsry Taft in which the Secretary Of War
scored the engineer FOR leaving the Gov
eminent service for mere financial gain
After the statement was given out last
night Mr.. Wallace left New York and
said he was going to take a long rest
Of his future plans he would not
spea,..
Mr.. Waliace's statement follows:
THE primary causes which led me to
tender nes resignation as chief engineer
OF the Isthrnian Canal Commission were
underlying md fundamental. and must
emphafically resent the charge that my
motive in leaving the work was fnan-
cial one
"A careful consideration OF the entire
subject had brought me to the decision
that ! should disconnect myself with the
work at the earliest possible date that
Il could be done Without embarrassment
to the Administration or injury TO the
work II is unnecessary to state the
reasons for this decision, except that in
fairness ] should say that they involve
no criticism of an act of the President
or the Secretary OF War.
His Final Decision.
My final decision was arrived at as
the result of the six DAYS uninterrupted
thought which I was able to give the
subject in all its bearings during my
voyage from New York to Colon in May.
Furthermore. / had pledged myself to
my family to give the matter of my
resignation as chief engineer. or Of any
position which would require my con-
finoous residence on the isthmus, Sc
riaus considerations
TT was at this psychological moment
that I received cablegram from New
York offering me a business opportun-
its which l was bound to consider l.
therefore, Immediately cabied the Sec
rotary of War requesting conference,
and arrived in New York for that pur-
pose on Thursday, June q.
In the meantime / had addessed a
letter tie the Secretary. in which l con-
firEled the interview. and also request
ed my~annual leave of absence, which
was part Of my original understanding
with the 1sthmian Canal Commission,
and which l had requested from Admir-
al Walker in March. to take effect at
our mutual convenience some time lat
er in the season which request, how
ed, owing probably 10 the sudden change
made in the commission on the 1st of
April
ron my arrival in New York / was
met by William Nelson Cromwell. who
stated that he was delegated by the Sec
rctary to arrange for a personal inter
View with me. and asked if would
meet him at the Manhattan Hotel at 10
q. m. Sunday, June 25.
While Mr.. Cromwell treated me with
the suavfty and courtesy for which he
IS noted, he endeavored to draw from
me my reasons for desiring to see the
Secretary / told him frankly that I
did not consider ii would be proper for
me to discuss the matter in advance of
my Interview. and / also requested him
to arrange for me with the Secretary
that the interview should be absolutely
private. and that no one but the Secre-
tary and myself should be present
At the Manhatton.
ION arriving at the Manhattan on
Sunday | was met by Mr. Cromwell,
who ushered me into the Secretary s
private apartment, accompanied by my
son. Assuming that arrangements had
been made for strictly private inter-
view, my son withdrew. expecting Mr..
+ Cromwell 70 do the same. However, the
Secretary. in a rather peremptory man
ner. directed Mr. Cromwell to remain
This action, of course, caused irrita-
ton and apprehension on my part that
the interview would be unpleasant and
unsatisfactory. and the irritation under
which the Secretary was evidently labor
ing had tendency to prevent that calm
and dignified considera ton of the cues
ticn in all its bearings which should
have been given it.
If the Secretary understood me to saw
that l had accepted a position in New
York, he labored ufeder a rnisappreben.
sion. ] did state to him that | desired to
accept one. but under such circum-
stances and conditions and - such time
as would cause the least embarrassment
to the Administration and the least in.
jury 10 the work. and that I was ever
willing to 90 to the extent Of remafnins
for an indefinite time on the commission
should he desire my counsel and advice
in arranging for the change. assisting ir
preparing plans Tor submission to tht
advisory board of engineers In - tenn
Der, Or in the further consideration o,
the question by the administration O,
Congress during its next session
MUCH TO my surprise. he indignantly
spurned my suggestion. and took the DO
Eition that l was compelled. under VIVA,
he called my contract. to remain II
charge of the istbmian canal regardless.
OF circumstances or conditions unit
the completion OF the work. and snok.
IN such manner as to outrage nv feel
Tags 10 such an extent that further dis
cussion of the reasons for my actior
was out of the question
Accepted With Reluctance.
Il did not seek the position of CHIEF
engineer of the Isthmfan Canal Com.
mission. and considering by salary a,
general manager Of the Illinois Contra
Railroad Company and my other sources
of earnings, nay financial condition was
not improved by my acceptance of the
position. and it was with the Creates
reluctance that i did so.
While II was my own expectation
that l should continue my connection
with the work. II did not occur to ms
that j was not free to withdraw IF ms
tice TO myself and my family, and "a
my reputation as an engineer required
me to do SO. IL was not only my right
but my duty, to give the matter IN.
most careful consideration in all IFS
bearings, considering not only the gen,
eral situation, as IL affected the work
but my family, personal and business
relations. and all the various factor,
entering into the problem; and ! could
not concede the right TO the Secretary
OF War on 20 any one to dictate my de-
cision The only debatabIe questions
were the details as to putting INV de.
cfsfon into effect. and while ] stated IL
the Secretary what my desires were
told him that ] was perfectly willing to
conform TO mis- wishes as far as possibI.
as 10 she time and manner OF my with
drswal
4.jt was this suggestion to which he
chose to refer as a decker To that