Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-29
AT VILLAGES LEAVING

Chairman Shonts and Secretary Taft
Preparing It at the Lat
ter's Residence.
OYSTER BAY. N. Y. June 29-The res
ignation of Chief Engineer Wallace OF the
isthmian canal commission has been ac-
cepted. The resgation was rendered at
conference IN New York between Mr.. Wal
lace and Secretary Taft. Mr.. Wallace re-
ceived. while in Panama, an offer of a posi-
ton with a great corporation. the name of
which is withheld, at salary of 10000 per
| annum. His salary with the Panama canal
commission and chief engineer OF the
canal was $4,000 a year. When he told
Secretary Taft that he desired to accept the
offer which had been rendered to him the
Secretary expressed to Mr.. Wallace his feel
Ing in the matter, but he accepted his
ignation after conference with the Presi-
dent at Boston, to take effect Immediately.
Engineer Wallace suggested to Secretary
Taft that he would remain with the COM
| mission two months longer, but, after con-
| sidering the matter. President Roosevelt in
| structed Secretary Taft to accept the resig-
| nation at once.
Did Not Act Fairly.
| There is no concealment by the adminis-
tration of its feeling regarding Mr.. Wal
| laces tender at this time of his resignation.
| 1t is felt that he has not acted fairly to the
| government In accepting. comparatively re-
| Gently, the responsibility OF directing the
| canal construction and now Offering his res
| ienation at time which is regarded as
crucial in the work of the canal. 1t is said
| accented he
| chief engineer. but sought it, and expressed
| his entire satisfaction with the salary given
| to him by the government.
1t has not been definitely decided who Mr..
| Wallaces successor will be- although an
announcement of his appointment may be
! expected within a day or two. The Presi-
dent and Secretary Taft have made tender
of the place to a distinguished constructing
| engineer, but his name for the present is
withheld.
Chaotic Condition Of Affairs.
The affairs of the isthmian canal were
| today in chaotic condition, so far as plans
| and administrative work are concerned
The resignation of Chief Engineer Wallace,
| accompanied by variety Of reports as to
| its cause, has resulted in much speculation
| as to the real reasons that have led to this
| condition of affairs. At the War Depart
| ment and at the headquarters of the canal
commission 1t was said that none of the
| lace to leave the position of chief engineer
| are the correct ones, and that some time
| during the day a statement will be given
| out by Secretary Taft, making clear the
whole situation.
Secretary Taft returned here from Bos-
| ton this morning. The return of Mr.. Wal
lace and the events connected with Mr..
Wallace's retirement from the commission
made 1t necessary that some statement
| concerning the affairs of the canal and Mr..
Wallace's connection with It should be
made as soon as possible. Consequently
| the Secretary called a conference of Chair
man Shonts, Col. Edwards, chief of the bu-
| reau of insular affairs, and Mr.. William
Nelson Cromwell at his residence and dur
| ing a large portion of the day they were
| locked up there discussing the new situa-
| ton that has been presented to them. They
determined as soon as they could agree
| upon the course that should be taken in the
matter to make statement that would set
at rest all rumor to the causes of Mr..
Wallace's resignation and the condition
of affairs on the isthmus.
Cause of Mr.. Wallace's Resignation.
The fact is affairs the sthmus have
been in disastrous condition according to
the statements that have been made by
many people who have been informed
to what has been done there recently. Two
years have passed since digging the ca
nal was commenced and yet there seems to
be no more definite plan for its construc-
the work 1t was then said that whatever
kind of a canal was to be constructed the
work of excavation might go on for two or
three years. Now practically the
statement is reiterated.
1t is pointed out by those who are dis
posed to look upon the canal as a white
elephant that will give the western hemis-
phere the reputation of growing the big
gest white elephants ever known TO natural
history, that the propositions for abandon
ing the plans for a lock canal as authorlz-
ed by Congress were solely on account of
the difficulties to be met in securing suita-
BILE foundations for the construction of
heavy masonry involved in the locks and
other works.
1t was declared at the time this admission
was made of the nature of the soil on
which the canal was to be built that this
discovery, made after extensive borlngS,
was merely in line with discoveries that
had been made in connection with the work
| of the French engineers and practlcally sup
pressed by being discredited at thS time the
| choice of a canal route was before the Sen
ate The conditions which made 1t prac,
tically impossible to construct lock canal
within reasonable cost 1t is said, were fully
outlined by Senator Morgan in the Senate,
but these reasons We're discredited by being
put down as arguments of an obstructonist.
Now the statement is made by men who
have been opposed to the attempt to build
a canal at Panama that Mr.. Wallace ana
other engineers as well, after Two years or
careful study of conditions on the canal
route, are practically convinced of the
soundness of the statements that were
made by Senator Morgan. AT any rate, the
commission has not determined upon any
plan Oh which the canal is to be built, and
such work as is being done at Panama is
confined to the excavation that will have
to be done in the event of the adoption Of
any of the several plans that have been
under consideration.
Mr.. Wallace's Silence.
Mr. Wallace has not stated the reasons
underlying his resignation from the COM
mission but has maintained strict silence
| on that subject when questioned The