The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-06-26
PRESIDENT UNEASY.
ABOUT THE CANAL
Fears Engineer Wallace
Will Resign.
WOULD MAKE SERIOUS BREAK
Much Secrecy Prevails in Administra-
ton CiTcle-Effort to Induce Him
to Remain.
WOULD MAKE SERIOUS BREAK

Despite all efforts to maintain se-
crecy as to the Developments in 18TH
milan canal matters since the announce
ment of Chief Engineer WaIlace.s re-
turn to this country. it is known that
the most uneasy and uncomfortable
feeling prevails in inner administration
circles, and that the retirement of the
chief engineer is considered much more
probable than his retention
Following. the long conference hold
in New York by the Secretary of War.
Chairman Shonts, and Mr.. Wallace. the
utmost care was used in suppressing
any definite information as to what
would be the next move in canal af-
fairs. Secretary Taft declined to talk
about the reports that Engineer Wall
lace would resign, and this, taken with
the fact that it is now known in
washington that the President and his
advisers are deeply worried over the
situation, has led to the belief that Mr.
Wallace desires to leave the commits
sion. and that the Secretary of War
has been anxious to induce him to
change his mind
Desire Him to Remain.
There is the very highest authority
for the statement that the adnninistra-
ton would consider the retirement of
the chief engineer at this time extremely
unfortunate. 1t would be a publication
to the world of admission that affairs
concerning the canal are in unsatisfac-
tory condition. and it would greatly in
crease the difficulty of securing the SER
vices of competent men to conduct the
great enterprise.
None Of the great engineers euuipned
with the necessary technical and prac-
lcal knowledge required IL conducting
such task. would want to succeed Mr.
Wallace till he knew exactly the circum
stances which had led to the latters
retirement
There are reports of differences of
engineer and the chairman of the com
tsthmus by the same boat which
inrougat Engineer Wallace, declare that
II MT. wallace retires from the COM
mission. eeryice- it--- will be- accepted
there as pfesaging condition OF utter
cnaos which will probably force one
force.
Wallace Made Good.
Mr. Wallace has distinctly "made
good with the people In the canal zone
they have entire confidence, according
10 letters received in the city, that IL
ne Is given the chance and let alone he
VIII build the canal, and do it without
unnecessary delay or criticism IL is
Wen known that he believes it should
DC made a sea-level ditch.
People the isthmus are constantly,
begging for information about what is
doing at the Capital. They are in fear
or the results of political or other in
fuences interfering In the canal bust
ness 70 their advantage That Engi-
neer Wallace IS to leave the service is
Del1eved at Panama and Colon accord
ing TO the latest letters from there.
tits further believed that he has been
uhapie 10 get into agreement with the
commission as to important matters and
mat there may be some sensational de-
Feiopments before the situa ton is nm
tangled. "
chairman Shonts is expected to return |
from New York tomorrow or Wednes-
Gay. Al the Offices of the commissionl
II was said today that nothing was
known as 10 whether Engineer Wallace
would also return at the game time. ,
some inquiry has been made as to the |
possibility of locating the $4,000 posi- |
ton which is alleged to have been Of |
fered TO Mr.. Wallace. A railroad man |
of wide acquaintance with such affairs |
said he could think of three possible
positions In the country. either of which
might pay a $4,000 salary TO the right
man. and any one of which Mr. Wallace
is we'll fitted to quality.
First of these he named the position
with the Metropolitan railroad. of New
York. which Paul Morton had expected /
TO take when call 10 the Equita bic
changed hts plans
Second, was the position Of engineer
N charge OF the great Improvements
which the Union Pacific is planning on
the. old Central Pacific line west of
ogden. As third, 1t was suggested
mat the Pennsylvania might need an
otner high-class engineer and executive
IN connection with its graf works i'm
I'D