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

m answer to the charges mad,
against him by Secretary of War TAT
that he resigned his position as chic
engineer of the mann Canal Com
mission because OF sekish motives
John F. Wallace has Issued a long
statement, setting forth his position
In leaving the employ OF the Gov
ernment. 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
washin gton the building of the 18th.
milan Canal 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 I 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
nat I should d~isconnect myself with
the work at the earliest possible date
bat It could be o without embar-
BASEMENT tc the Administration or in
Jury to the work.
"It Is unnecessary to state the rea-
soIs for this decision. except that in
fairness l should say that they involve
No criticism of any act OF the President
or the Secretary Of War.
"Tf the Secretary understood me to
saw that 1 had accepted q position in
New York he labored under a misap-
p~rehension. ] did state to him that !
desired to accept one, but under such
circumstances and conditions and at
such time as would cause the least en-
barrassment to the Administration and
the least injury to the work. and hat
I was even willing to so to the extent
the commission should he desire my
counsel and advice in arranging for the
change, assisting in preparing plans for
submission to the Advisory Board of
Engineers in September. or in the fur
thor consideration Of the question by
the Administration or Congress during
its next session.
Much to my surprise he Indignantly
gIhi iTi ~ 'ASSNT'A'' ''' ''NN 'AlN
T ws q he '9 called T'mayy c c0ntPsct' to "oq re-
main in charge of the Isthmian Canal.
regardless of circumstances or condi-
tons, until the completion Of tho work,
n spoke in such n manner as to out
rage my feelings to such an extent hat
= further discussion Of the reasons for
1.-The only debatable questions wire
the details as to putting my decision
into effect. and while ! stated to the
him that I was perfectly willing to CON
form TO his wishes as far as possible !.
20 the time and name of my with
drawal
AS to That Decker.
'It was this suggestion to which he
chose to refer as a decker To that
statement, l naturally took exception.
NOT care for any reports that I might
make summarizing and Analysing the
results of a years hard work on the
Isthmus: also that he did not value my
service he desired was that Of a con-
structing engineer on the Isthmus.
Red Tape the Obstacle.
"I nave made no criticism of personnel
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 he
ted n the American people are
TO see the Panama Canal constructed in
n reasonable time and a. a moderate
cost.
MY only desire in this statement has
been to protest against what I con.
retary and fully TO inform my person n
friepds and professional brethren. VIII
the essential facts r~el.tins TO this mat.
ter, ] ~emphaucailv .disclnim all respon,
eibility for the various ststem.n's re.
made by so-call-d friends.
JOHN J.. WALLACE"
statemcnt Mr.. Wallace 1cft iowa /. Wa
said that he was going 10 Chicago, AM
ihnt he intended 20 return 70 Washing
some OF the officials directing rhe cana
work, He snid he would take a lone