The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-01
WALLACE TELLS WHY He QUIT
DIDN'T LEAVE PANAMA JOB FOR
MONEY, HE EXPLAINS.
nut He Didn't Feel That He Was Under
Any obligations TO the Government to
, Stick 1t Out-Adinits That He'd Had
Oner Here--DOesn't Say what II Was.

Oner Here-DOcsn't Say What IL was.
John F. Wallace, whose resignation as
chief engineer of the Panama Canal has
Just been accepted, gave out last night
his reply to some of the charges made by
Secretary Taft as to his motives for leaving
his post. Mr.. Wallace has been at the Hotel
Marie Antoinette since his arrival here from
Panama. He left town last night after
giving out his statement.
Mr.. Wallace denies that he was influenced
by money but while declaring that as
long ago az last May he determined to quit
ut the earliest possible moment he does
not give any Of his reasons for so doing,
except to say that they involve no criticism
u 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
mits he received while on the lsthmus.
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 IL to be finished in a
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 were
underlying and fundamental and ] most
emphaticallv resent the charge that my
motive in leaving the work was financial
one.
"A careful consideration Of the entire
subject had brought mo to the decision
that I should disconnect myself with the
work at the earliest possible date that it
could be- done without embarrassment to
the Administration or injury to the work.
1t is unnecessary to state the reasons for
this decision except that in fairness l should
say that they involve no criticism of any
sort of the President or the Secretary Of
War.
MY final decision was arrived at as the
result of six of days uninterrupted thought,
which I was able to give the subject in all
its bearings during my voyage to Colon
in May. Furthermore. had pledged my
pelf to my family to give the matter Of my
resignation as chief engineer. or OF any posi-
ton which would require my continuous
residence on the Isthmus, serious con-
alteration.
1T was at this psychological moment
that / received cablegram from New
York offering me business opportunity
which ! was bound to consider. there
fore Immediately cabled the Secretary Of
War requesting conference and arrived
at New York for that purpose on Thurs
day, June %.
~In the meantime had addressed II letter
10 the Secretary, in which had confirmed
the request for an interview and ai'o re-
olIeeted my annual leave of absence which
was part of my original understanding with
the Isthmian Canal Commission and which
/ had requested from Admira| Walker in
s.Ir~ .aF1 Mt ytNit ll1 nm
venience some time later in the season.
which request was not complied wirh OF
answered, owing probably to the sudden
change in the commission on the l't of
April. ,, t., ~or vou,. r.,- ma,
nv Mr.. William Nelson Cromwell, who
stated that he was delegated by the Secre-
tary to arrange for a personal interview
with me and asked if would meet him at
the Manhattan Hotel at 10 A. NJ. on Sun
day, June rs
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 see the Secretary
told him frankly that | did not consider
That it would be proper for me TO discuss
the matter in advance of my interview,
and | also requested that tho interview
should be absolutely private and that no
one but the Secretary and myself should
be present 81, ., +bs Manhattan on Sunday
/ was met by Mr.. Cromwell who nshered
me into the Secretary's private apartment
accompanied by my son. Assuming that
arrangements had been made for q strictly
private interview, my son wfhdre~l ex-
6ecting Mr. Cromwell 10 do tho same. How
ever, the Secretary in a rather p"remplory
manner directed Mr.. Cromwell to remain,
@This action OF course caused irritation
and apprehension :. on ny Fart Part t .i the
81 ,tn and the irritation under which
fhe Secretary was evidently In og'nG had
4 tendency to prevent that calm and dlgnl-
fed consideration Of the question IN all
Its bearings which should have cen gwen IT,
~If the Secretary understood me to say
, that had accepted position N New York
he labored under a n,sapprehension. |
did state to him that desired to accept
one, but under such CIRCUMSTANCES and
conditions and at such time az woNld cause
The least embarrassment to the Admin
istration and the least injury 10 the work.
and that / was even wiling to 60 to the
extent of remaining for an inCe!nlte time
on the commission should he GeSlre my
counsel and advice in arranging for the
change. assisting in repairing plans for
submission to the advisory hoard OF en-
cinecrs in September or in the further
6onsiieration of the question ~ the Ad-
ADMINISTRATION or Congre's during It's next
sMuch to my surprise he Indignantly
spnrned nv sugge stion and took the posi-
ton that [ was compelled under what he
, called my contract to remain IN charge
ri the Isthmian Canal regardless Of cir
Cumstances or conditions until the com
pletion of the work, and spoke in such
manner as to outrage my feelings to such
m extent that further discussion of the
reasons for ny action was out Of the cues
ton.
Il did not seek the position Of chief on
Cineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission,
and considering my salary as general mana
GER of the Illinois Central Railroad Company
and my other sources Of earnings my finan-
cdal condition was not improved by my
acceptance Of the position, and il was with
the greatest reluctance that did so,
sWhile 1t was my own expectation that
should continue my connection with the
work, il did not occur 10 me that was not
free to withdraw il justice to myself and my
family and to my reputation as an engineer
required me to do So 1t was not only my
right but my duty to g i've the matter the
most careful consideration in all it's bear
Sings, considering not only the general sit
uation as it affected the work, but nv fam
iiy, personal and business relations, and all
the various factors entering into the PROB