The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-01
WALLACE TELLS WHY He QUIT
DIDN'T LEAVE PANAMA ION FOR
MONEY, HE EXPLAINS.
But He Didn't Feel That lie Was Under
Any obligations to the Government to
Stick II out Admits That He'd Had
81 Oner Here Doesn't say What II was.

Stick IL Oit-tdmlts 1nat He'O Hau
Oner Here Doesn't say What 1t was.
John r. Wallace. whose resignation IA
chief engineer Of the Panama Canal has
lust been accepted gave ont last night
hia reply to some Of the charges made by
Secretary Taft a. TO hiI motives for leaving
his post. Mr.. Wallace has been ct the Hotel
Marie Antoinette since his arrival here from
Panama. He left town last night after
giving out his statement
MIR. Wallace denies that he was influenced
by money, but while declaring that as
long ago as last May he determined to quit
at the earliest possible moment he does
not give any of his reasons for so doing
except to say that they involve no criticism
of the President or Mr.. Taft
Mr.. Wallace. furthermore, does not dis
close what he is going to do, nor assert
that he has accepted the offer which he adj
nits he received while on the Isthmus.
All that he had TO say in way Of criticism
was to the effect that obstacles in existing
laws are serious and will have to be cor
rected IL the canal is to be finished in
reasonable time and at reasonable cost.
Here is his statement:
"The primary causes which led me to
tender my resignation as chief engineer
of the Isthmian Canal Commission we're
underlying and fundamental, and | most
emphaticallv resent tho charge that my
motive in leaving the work was financial
one.
a careful consideration Of the entire
subject had brought me to the decision
that | should disconnect myself with the
work mt the earliest possible date that 1t
could re done without embarrassment to
the Administration or injury to the work.
1t is unnecessary TO state the reasons Tor
this decision except that in fairness should
say that they involve no criticism of any
sort of the President or the Secretary of
War.
INV final decision was arrived at as the
result of six of days uninterrupted thought,
which I was able to- give the subject in oil
It's bearings during my voyage to Colon
In MAY. Furthermore. ! had pledged my
self to my family to give the matter OF my
resi- gnation as chief engineer, or of any posi-
ton which would require my continuous
residence on the Isthmus, serious con-
sideration.
at was at this psychological moment
that I received Il cablegram from New
York offering me business opportunity
which ] was bound to consider. l there
fore Immediately cabled the Secretary of
War requesting a conference, and arrived
at New York for that purpose on Thurs
day. June %.
an the meantime had addressed a letter
TO the Secretary, in which | had confirmed
the request for an interview and also re-
ouested my annual leave of absence, which
1S ri utr al upflar stnp6iDC with
the fsthmian Canal Commission and which
I had requested from Admiral Walker in
March, to take effect at our mutual con-
venience some time later in the season,
which request was not complied with or
answered, owing probably to the sudden
change In the commission on the ISL OF
April.
nv Mr.. William Nelson Cromwell who
stated that he was delegated by the Secre-
tary to arrange for q personal interview
with me and asked II l would meet him at
the Manhattan Hotel at 10 A. VI. on Sun
while Mr.. Cromwell treated me with
the suavity and courtesy for which he is
noted he endeavored to draw from me
my reasons for desiring to sec the Secretary
/ told him frankly that | did not consider
that it would he proper for me to discuss
the matter in advance of my interview,
and | also requested that the interview
should be absolutely private and that no
one but the Secretary and myself should
be present uanh,,.,, an 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 interview, my son Withdrew, ea-
pecting Mr.. Cromwell to do the same. How
ever the Secretary in rather peremptory
manner directed Mr. Cromwell to remain.
This action of course caused irritation
and apprehension on my part that the
interview would he unpleasant and un-
satisfactory and the irritation under which
the Secretary was evidently laboring had
a tendency to prevent that calm and digni-
fed consideration Of the question III all
its bearings which should have been given it
IF the Secretary understood me To say
that had accepted position in New York
he labored under u misrepresentation. |
did state to him that | desired to accept
one, but under such circumstances ana
conditions and at such time a woiiid cause
the least embarrassment TO the Admin
istration and the least injury TO the work
and that l was even willing to go to the
extent of remaining for an indefinite time
on the commission should he desire my
counsel and advice in arranging for the
,nange, assisting in repairing plans Tor
submission to the ADVISORY poaru on en-
eineers in September or in the further
consideration of the question ly the Adj
ministration or Congress during its next
session
sMuch to my surprise he indignantly
spurned my suggestion and took the posi-
ton that I was compelled under what he
called nv contract to remain in charge
of the Isthmian Canal, regardless OF cir
cumstances or conditions, until the COM
pletion of the work. and spoke in such a
manner az to outrage my feelings to such
an extent that further discussion of the
reasons for my action was oul Of the q'es-
ton.
II did not seek the position OF chief en-
pineer of the lsthmian Canal Comnission
and considering nv salary AZ general mana
ger Of the Illinois Central Railroad Company
and nv other sources of earnings, my finan-
cial condition was not improved by my
acceptance of the position, and II was with
the greatest reluctance that did SO,
while it was my own expectation that |
should continue my connection with the
work it did not occur to me that | was not
free TO withdraw IL Justice to myself and nv
family and to my reputation a. an engineer
required me to do 50. 1t was not only my
right but my duty to give the matter the
most careful consideration in all its bear
ings, considering not only the general sit
uation as it affected the work, but my fam
lily, personal and business relations, and all