The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-01
STEVENS SUCCEEDS WALLACE.
western Railroad Man TO he Chief En-.
Elneer N the Panama Canal.

WASHINGTON. June 3O.-John F. Stevens
Of Chicago. formerly vioe-p-esident and
general mana ger Of the Rock Island Railroad
system. to-day accepted the Office Of Chief
Engineer Of the Panama Canal. to succeed
John F. Wallace, the story of whose retire
ment under somewhat sensational circum-
stances was told in an official statement
issued by Secretary Of War Taft last night.
Mr.. Stevens was recently selected as the
government expert to supervise the con-
struction of the thousand miles Of railway
to be built in the Philippines, He was to
have gone to the Philippines with Secretary
Taft, but according to the information
which he sent to Mr.. Taft to-day he will
sail for Panama within two weeks. He
will be accompanied to the Isthmus by
Theodore p. Shonts, chairman Of the Canal
Commission.
Before leaving Washington for the Philip
pines this evening, Mr.. Taft received word
from Mr.. Wallace, through a member Of
the Canal Commission, that it might he
we'll for them to have another conference.
as Mr.. Wallace has some things to tell which
the Government ought to know. The mes
sage from Mr.. Wallace was being con-
etr.,nd by officials AZ declaration Of
intention on his part to divulge something
Sensational about conditions on the lsthmus
unless Mr.. Taft will give him a further
hearing As far as known, no response
was sent to Mr.. Wallace. The only answer
would have been a refusal on the part OF
Mr.. Taft to meet Mr.. Wallace, who is
decidedly in the bad graces OF the Adj
ministration.
MIR. Wallace's offer to continue in the
service of the Canal Commission was
coupled with the proviso that whatever
duties were given him must not interfere
with the new private work he had under
taken. or take him out Of New York. Con-
siderable mitigation is expressed here over
this proposal, and it is understood that
il had much to do with the severity of the
language which Secretary Taft employed
in responding to Mr. Wallace.
The Administration. it was explained to.
day hesitated over making statement
OF what Secretary Taft said to Mr.. Wallace
at the Hotel Manhattan. From an officer
of the highest standing 1t was learned that
the decision to furnish such a statement
to the country was based on the belief
nected with the construction of the canal
understand that the Administration ex-
pected on the part of all canal employees
a devotion to duty which should overrule
ali private onsiderations.
MIR. Wallace. the Administration claims.
eminent, and his return from the Isthmus
after only twelve days residence there, to
accept more lucrative position in the
United States, is characterized as pro-
oeetling contrary to the principles which
should govern a man of his standing and
reputation.
NChief Engineer Stevens will receive a
salary of $40, 900 II year or $1,000 more than
Mr.. Wallace was receiving in the same
Office. This was arranged between the
President and Secretary Taft. He will
be here in few days to discuss his new
duties with Chairman Shonts and other
members Of the Canal Commission. Mr..
Wallace was a member Of the commission
but Mr. Stevens will not be. at least for
several months. The appointment Of a
commissioner to fill the vacancy caused
hy Mr.. Wallacss> resignation will not
he made until the return Of Secretary
Taft from the Philippines in October.
In anp ouncing the appointment Of Mr.
Stevens the War Department gave out
the follci "g statement:
Mr. J evens has been appointed
chief the lsthmian Canal. with