The evening world., 1905-07-01
WALLACE SAYS
TAFT TREATED
HIM UNKINDLY
Statement Of Ex-Chief En-
gineer Of Canal Stirs Up
Administration.

In answer to the charges made
against him by Secretary of War Tai
that he resigned his position as CHIEF
engineer OF the Panama Canal Com
mission because OF selfish motives,
John F. wallace has issued a long
statement. setting forth his position
in leaving the employ OF the Gov
MIR. Wallace denies that lie
resigned from selfish motives. and com
plains that he did not receive courteous
treatment from Secretary Taft. He
asserts that under the conditions at
Washington the building of the 18TH
milan Can. is being seriously min
dered.
Wallace to TAFT.
Mr.. wallace's reply to Secretary
Taft's statement of the row between
them is as follows:
"The primary causes which led me
to tender my resignation as Chief En-
gineer of the Isthmian Canal Commits
sion were underlying and fundamental,
and / must emphatically resent the
charge that my motive in leaving the
work was a financial one.
"A careful consideration OF the entire
subject had brought me to the decision
that I should disconneot myself with
the work at the earliest possible date
that 1t could be lone without emoar-
rassment &c the Administration or in
sury to the work.
'It is unnecessary to state the rea-
soLs for t.rs decision, except that in
fairness l should say that they involve
NJ criticism of any act OF the Presl ier.
or the Secretary OF War.
'If the Secretary understood me to
saw that 1 had accepted a position in
New York he labored unde a misap-
~prehension. l did state to him that |
desired to accept one, but under such
circumstances and conditions and at
such ime as would cause the least en-
barrassrent to the Administration and
the least. injury to the work, and that
] was even willing TO ro to the extent
OF remaining FOR an Indefinite time on
the commission should he desire my
counsel and advice IN arranging for the
snSmIssto a5sis to thd n PP TTSfiarIpE B Blaps fer Of
Engineers In September. or IN the FUR
thcr consideration OF the question by
the Administration or Congress during
its next session.
"Nuch to my surprise he Indignantly
srrrned NY suggestion md took the
position that. I was compelled under
what he called nv contract TO re-
main IN charge Of the Isthmian Canal.
ieTardlcss Of circumstances or condi.
lions. until the completion of the work.
n-i smoke H. such \ manner MS 70 out
rnre my feelings to such an extent tina
my action was out Of. the question.
"Thc only debatable questions W, re
the dr,cils as to putting my decision
into effect, and while I stated tn the
z,ls 49, .-laA b.
hlln shat ! was perfectly willing IN cor
form to his wishes ne far ae possible 3
- :he time and manner OF my with
drawei
AS to That DECKER.
at was this suggestion to which he
chose TO refer as a '1icker.' To thai
statement, l naturally took exception.
particularly as 'Ee stated that he lid
no. rare for any reports that l might
make snmmariz ng and analyzlng the
results of a years hard work on the
Tatnmus; also that he did not value my
service he desired was that OF a con-
%structing engineer on the Isthmus.
Red Tape the Obstacle.
II have made no criticism of personnel
or individuals, but do believe that the
obstacles due - the governmenral
methods required by existing avs are
50 serious that they VIII have tn he
10 see tho Panama Canal constructed in
&; reasonable time and Al a moderate
cost,
MY only desire in this statement has
been TO protest against what l CON
s!der the unjust foundations OF the Sec
retary and tu'lv 10 inform my pcrsonll
friends and professional brethren. who
have been familiar with my career, Of
ter, / emphnticaliy .dlsclaim ali respon-
sibility for, the various, statements re-
Gently published alleged, to have been
JOHN r. WALLACE"
Immediately sfler giyinE out this
said that he was going to Chicago, and
that he Intended 10 return t. Washing
tSn IN q fey 6 d4Aigfi for di f e9?|RferffRPs s c wi,hl
work. He said he would take a long