The Washington times., 1905-07-01

isthmus, also that he did not value nv
counsel and advice, and that the only
service he desired was that of a CON
StruCtIng engineer On the 1SthmuS
No intimation Of friction between
the Secretary of War and myself would
ever have become public If 1T had not
accidentally or otherwise been given
out by the persons in attendance at the
conference on Sunday other than my
self. and / desire to state empha tea Nv
and the representatives of the press will
bear me out that 1 have refused abso-
lutely, either directly or indirectly to
be interviewed and have remained silent
under the innuendoes which ave been
daily published since the conference, and
would not have made even this statement
at this tfne II 1T had not been for the
severe structures contained In the pub
hshed statement of the Secretary which
consider unjust and uncalled for, and
which could serve no useful purpose.
An opportune Moment.
I'm regard to the situation at Panama,
at no time during the progress of the
work could my relations have been
severed more opportunity than now and
with less damage to the work A COM
plete organization Of departments and
bureaus has been effected. w E.
Dauchy, gentleman of high engineer
ing attachments, who has been chief
engineer of the Chicago, Rock Island
and Pacific Railroad Company, and who
had occupied the position of division en-
gineer in charge of the Culebra division,
was, upon my leaving the isthmus
placed in charge of the work as acting
chief engineer, he having occupied a
similar position during my absence from
the isthmus at the call of the Secretary
during the month of April. and having
satisfactorily conducted the work
through the Decentralization attendant
upon the change In organization.
THE only work which can be perform
ed until after Congress at It's next ses-
sion shall take some decided action is
the gradual increase in the organiza-
ton and the addition of units of ma
chinery along a wen-defined plan which
Mr. Dauchy thoroughly understood.
THE simple work of excavating at
Culebra and preparing for further exca-
walton are the only things which could
be done pending final decision from
Congress. The only possible benefit that
my personal service as chief engineer
could have been to the work was such
as might be due to the purely personal
element. which would have been largely
supplied by my continuance with the
work in an advisory capacity. AS far
as the actual engineering and construc-
! ton work was concerned, Mr.. Dauchy
was fully as capable as L
Despite all of the discouragement and
obstacles which have surrounded this
work as the Secretary knows and has
practically stated in his letter. ] en-
deavored to faithfully and vigorously
perform the duties OF my Office. and
| have never complained or criticised my
Superiors or any one connected with the
work and, as stated in the Secretary s
communication. I have never requested
additional emoluments or asked any
| fayors of a personal nature and any
suggestions which I may have made, as
| his statement will bear me out, have
| been made because I considered them
necessary for the increased efficiency of
the work
Gave It Approval.
1.-The reorganization OF the work in
April was net considered ideal. but as
1t was such decided improvement over
the existing condition of affairs and
seemed to be ali that could be done un-
der existing laws. gave it my hearty
iapproval.
II have made no criticism of person
mel or individuals, but do believe that
the obstacles due to the governmental
methods required by existing laws are
so serious that they will have to be elm
iinated If the American people are TO see
the Panama canal constructed in a req
tsonable time and at a moderate cost
MY only desire in this statement has
| been to protest against what | consid-
er the unjust denunciation of the Sec
rotary. and to fully inform my person
al friends and professional brethren who
| have been familiar with my career OF
the essential facts relating I'd this mai.
ter. / emphaticaIly discldim all respon-
sibiffty for the various statements re-
Gently published alleged to have been