Evening journal., 1905-07-01
WALLACE MAKES
ANSWER TO TAFT
Former Canal Engineer Re
plies to the Charges Of
Secretary
SAYS He DID NOT SEEK POSITION

New York, july John Il. Wallace
who resigned as member and chief en-
gineer Of the Panama canal commits
sion, and whom Secretary Taft charg-
ed with leaving the canal work at a
critical moment, gave out statement
replying to Secretary Taft MT Wal
lace says
THE primary causes which led me
to terder my resignation as chief engi-
neer of the lsthmian canal commission
were underlying and fundamental, and
] mast emphatieally resent the charge
tina. my motive in leaving the work
WAS a financial one.
"A careful consideration Of the en-
tlre subject having brought me TO the
| decision that I should disconnect my
sAf with the work at the earliest pos
sible date that It could be done with
cut embarrassment TO the admlnistra-
ilon or injury to the work. II is un-
necessary TO state the reasons for this
\ decision. except that In fairness
Nehould say that they involve no criti-
cism Of any act of the president OF
the secretary of war
If the secretary understood me to
say that | had accepted a position in
New York, he labored under misap-
prehension. ] did state to him that
desired TO accept one, but under such
! circumstances and conditions and al
4 euch time as would cause the least
= embarrassment to the administrator
p and the least injury to the work, an,
" that was even willing to go TO tn
e extent of remaining for an indehnlt
n time on the commission should he d'
sire my counsel and advice in arranl
ing for the change
"Much to my surprise he indi
Z nantly spurned my suggestion and toe
y the position that ] was compelled u
y der what he called my contract TO !
"A main in charge of the Isthmian cans
regardless of circumstances or conc
tions. until the completion of the wor
and spoke In such a manner as 10 on
/, rage my feelings to such an extent th
y further discussion of the reasons Il
4. my action was out of the question.
l. II did not seek the position of chi
rs engineer of the Isthmian canal cor
sr mission, and considering my salary a
general manager of the Illinois Centri
Railroad company and my othe
ne sources Of earnings, my financial col
a dition was not improved by my a
le ceptance OF the position. and it WI
= with the greatest reluctance that
~ did so.
- 'In regard to the situation at Pa
NJ anna, at no time during the progrel
m of the work could my relations hay
ipl been severed more opportunely ths
he now and with less damage to q
I'd work. A complete organization of d
70 partments and bureaus has been g
fected. w. e. Dauchy, a gentlem1
OF high engineering attainments. va
I'd upon my leaving the Isthmus place
yn in charge of the work as acting chi
is engineer.
at THE only work which can be pe
of formed until after congress- at its ne
session shall take some decided acti'
is the gradual increase in the orgai
b. zation and the addition of units
be machinery along a well defined pl
ng which M Dauchy thoroughly und'
on STOOD The simple work OF excavati
at Culebra and preparing for furth
excavations are the only things viii
M could be done pending a final decisi
M from congress. AS far as the actual {
lor gineering and construction work W
~ concerned, Mr.. Dauchy was fully
~, capable as !.
Of Il have made no criticism Of p
he sonnel or individuals. but do belle
ort that the obstacles due to the govel
err mental methods required by exist
ner laws are so serious that they VI
have TO be eliminated II the Americ
people are to see the Panama car
ill constructed in a reasonable time a
nes at a moderate cost"
Irs.