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

that received a cablegram from New
York offering me a business opportunity
which was bound to consider. there
fore Immediately cabled the secretary Of
war requesting a conference. and arrived
in New York for that purpose on Thurs
day. June %.
REQUESTED PRIVATE INTERVIEW.
I'm the meantime | had addressed a let
ter To the secretary In which | confirmed
the request for an interview and also re-
quested my annual leave Of absence. which
was part OF my original understanding
with the isthmian canal commission. and
which l had requested from Admiral
Walker in March TO take effect at our
mutual convenience. some time later I'm
the season. which request. however. was
not complied with or answered, owing.
probably 10 the sudden change made In
the commission on the 1st Of April.
"On my arrival in New York | was met
by MIR William Nelson Cromwell, who
stated that he was delegated by the sec
retary TO arrange for a personal inter
view with me and asked II would meet
him at the Manhattan hotel at 10 a. m.
Sunday, June -.
while Mr. Cromwell treated me with
the suavity and courtesy for which he is
noted. he endeavored 10 draw from me
my reasons for desiring 10 see the sec
retary.
Il told him frankly that / did not CON
slider IL would he proper for me to dis
cuss the matter I'm advance OF my inter
vtrw and I also requested him 70 arrange
for me with the secretary that the inter
view should be absolutely private and
that no one hut the secretary and myself
should be present,
DID NOT SAY so.
"on arriving at the Manhattan on Sun
day | was met by Mr.. Cromwell, who
ushered me into tho secretary's private
apartments. accompanied by my son. AS
suming that arrangements had been made
for a strictly private interview. my son
withdrew, expecting Mr.. Cromwell TO DO
the same. However. the secretary. in
n rather peremptory manner, directed Mr..
Cromwell to remain.
This action, OF course caused irrita-
ton and apprehension on my part that
the Interview would he unpleasant and
unsatisfactory and the irritation under
which the secretary was evidently labor
ing had a tendency 20 prevent that calm
and dignihed consideration OF the ques-
tion in all It's bearings when should have
been given e.
IF the secretary understood mo 10 say
that I had accepted a position In New
York. he labored under a misapprehen-
sion. / did state TO him that | desired
90 accept one. but under such circum-
stances and conditions and at such time
as would cause tho least embarrassment
TO the administration and the least injury
20 the work and that | was even willing
20 20 20 the extent OF remaining for an
indefinite time on the commission should
he desire my counsel and advice I'm ar
ranging for the change. assisting In pre-
pairing plans for submission 10 the ad-
vsory board OF engineers I'm September
or I'm the further consideration of the
question by the administration Of congress
during the next session
OUTRAGED HIS FEELINGS.
Much 20 my surprise he Indignantly
spurned my suggestion and took tho posi-
tion that 7 was compelled under what
he called my contract 20 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 as 20 outrage my feelings 70 such
an extent that further discussion of the