Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-30
Scored for His Unexpected
Resignation.
CANAL LEFT IN LURCH
SECRETARY TAFT EXPRESSES HIS
INDIGNATION.
Declares That the Chief Engineer
Abandoned Every Principle of Honor
and Duty for Mere Lucre.

Charging HIM with changing his position
overnight FOR mere lucre," and with being
Influenced solely by personal advantage. .
Secretary Taft. in his conference in New
York last Sunday with John F. Wallace.
chief engineer of the Panama canal after
administering a severe rebuke to him re-
quested his resignation on the ground that
public interest requires that you tender
your resignation at this moment and turn
over the records Of your office TO the chair
man of the commission
That fact IS disclosed in an official state
ment just issued from the office of the
Secretary of War, which reviews the rela-
tons OF Mr. Wallace with the War Depart
ment and the commission since the latter
bCdy's reorganization last spring, quoting
the several expressions of the chief en-
giueer OF his satisfaction with the entire
arrangement, and then gives practically a
verbatim account of the conference be-
tween Secretary Taft and Mr.. Wallace in
New York. which ended with the submits
sion TO Secretary Taft OF Mr. Wallace'S
resignation. The statement issued closes
with the Presidents letter to Mr.. Wallace,
dated Cambridge, Mass, June IS, which
reads:
your resignation as member and chief engineer
~ the Isthmian canal commission, rendered In ac-
cnrdauce with the request OF Secretary Taft which
request nnuet the circumstances. has my entire
approval Is hereby accepted. TO take effect i'm
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Secretary Tafts statement shows that
Mr.. Wallace made no complaint against
any of his associates 1t was issued by di-
recton of the President. its main features
having been agreed upon when Secretary
Taft saw the President at Harvard Univer
sity earlier in the week.
Mr.. Wallace's Assurances.
Secretary Taft begins with the statement
Of Mr. Wallace to Chairman Shonts imme-
dlately after the organization of the COM
mission. that he would be ready to accept
the position of chief engineer at 81. 900 per
year and a residence on the isthmus, and
would enter his duties June l. When
the reorganization of the commission was
under consideration in December Mr.. Wal
lace wrote Secretary Taft suggesting that
If the President and yourself should de-
eide a any time to reduce the commission
TO three members resident on the isthmus
the governor Of the zone and the chief en-
gtneer should be members of this commits
sion ex offciO" adding that IAN organiza-
ton Of this kind. with the chairman of the
commission resident in Washington, to look
after general and departmental matters
would no doubt work satisfactorily and be
much less cumbersome than the present
one In March Mr.. Wallace asked for a
personal interview before any radical
change in the governmental organization OF
the commission, disclaiming that he wished
additional emoluments, but simply that
no condition of affairs be created which Will
necessarily interfere with my efficiency
here"
Secretary Taft accordingly submitted to
Wallace by cable the detailed plan of re-
organization of the commission and receiv-
ed this reply by cable:
Plan excellent Satisfactory. Cracia5
Cthanksl."
The statement says Mr.. Wallace expressed
his unequivocal approval of the distribution
OF duties and powers as defined in the ex-
ecutive order. especially those relating to
the office Of chief engineer" and during his
subsequent stay of six weeks In the United
States daily participated with his associates
In carrying out the same. To the President
and Secretary Of War and members of the
commission and its counsel he frequently
expressed his unqualified approval and ac-
CeptanCe OF the distribution of duties and
powers as in the order embodied, and par
ucularly those relating to himself which re-
luired the performance by him of the duties
o. constructive engineer upon the iSthmuS.
Twelve days after his arrival on the 18TH
mus Mr.. Wallace sent the following cable
gram TO Secretary Taft:
Important complicated business matters
which cannot be arranged by correspond
enCe and which may affect my relations as
chief engineer Of commission necessitate
immediate return to the United States to
confer Win you anu OlNeTS. All OEQeT from
you to return for official consultation will
prevent apprehension ON the part of en-
ployes. Suggest Shonts remain until my ar
rival! Please answer"
Secretary Taft replied:
Secretary of War and Shonts. in accord
snCe with your request and without knowl-
edge of circumstances that Justify, approve
your return for consultation with them at
Washington.
Just before sailing Mr.. Wallace wrote a
letter 10 the Secretary. In which he referred
TO his intended visit 10 the United States
hut gave no explanation OF his personal
plans
when they met in New York by appoint
mcnt, the statement says. MI Wallace said
part Of the interview would be personal to
himself and part would concern the general
canal work on the isthmus. to which Secre-
tury TAFT agreed.
The statement continues:
Offer to Mr.. Wallace.
MIR Wallace then said that few days