The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-07-01

reasons for my action was out Of the
question.
IL did not seek the position OF chief en-
gineer OF the isthmian canal commission,
and considering my salary as general
manager OF the Illinois Central Railroad
company and my other sources of earn
ings. my financial condition was not Inn
proved by my acceptance OF the position.
and IL was with the greatest reluctance
that | did So
while II was my own expectation that
| should continue my connection with the
work. It did not occur TO me that l was
not free to withdraw IL justice to myself
and my family and to my reputation as
an engineer required me 10 do so.
1T was not only my right. but my
duty. to give the matter the most care
ful consideration in all Its bearings. con-
sidering not only the general situation
as II affected the work. but my family.
personal and business relations, and all
the various factors entering into the prob
lens: and | could not concede the right
to the secretary OF war or anyone TO
dictate my decision
The only debatable questions were the
details "a 10 putting my decision into
effect, and while | stated TO the secre-
tary wat my desires were I told him
that I was perfectly willing 10 conform
to his wishes as far as possible as to the
time and manner OF my Withdrawal
TAFT'S COURSE UNCALLED FOR.
ut was this suggestion TO which he
eifo-e- -tc-refer- rs dtCker To thHt
statement | naturally took exception,
particularly as he stated that he dld not
care for any reports that | might make
summarizing and analyzing the results
or years hard work on the isthmus,
also that he did not value my counsel
and advice. and that the only service he
desired was that OF a constructing en-
gineer on the isthmus.
mo intimation OF friction between the
secretary OF war and myself would ever
have become public II Il had not acci-
dentally or otherwise. been given out by
the persons I'm attendance at the confer
ence on Sunday other than myself and l
desire 10 state emphatically, and the rep
resentatives Of the press will bear me out
that | have refused absolutely. either di-
rectly or Sndirectly, 10 he interviewed. /.
and have remained silent under the in~
nuendos which have been daily published
since the conference. and would not have
made even this statement at this time ~
N had not been for the severe structures
contained I'm the published statement Of
the secretary, which I consider unjust
and uncalled for. and which could serve
no useful purpose
In regard 10 the Slludllpn di idIhtlid
at no time during the progress OF the
work could my relations have been sew
cred more opportunely than now and with
less damage TO the work.
"A complete organization Of department
and bureaus has been effected. Mr. w. +.
Dauchy. a gentleman OF high engineering
attainments. who has been chief engineer
Of the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific
Railroad company. and who had occupied
the position OF division engineer IN charge
of the Culobra division, was upon my
leaving the isthmus placed In charge Of
the work as acting chief engineer, he
having occupied similar position during
my absence from the isthmus az the call
~ the secretary during the month Of
April and having satisfactorily conduct
ed tho work through the Generalization
attendant upon the change In orgaRisa-
ton.
THE PANAMA SITUATION.
"The only work that can be performed
until after congress AZ its next session
shall take some decided action IL the
gradual increase in the organization and