New-York tribune., 1905-07-01
WALLACE ANSWERS TAFT.
Continued from FIRST page.

Continued from FIRST page.
OF remaining for an Indefinite time on the COM
mission, should ne desire my counsel and ad-
wee IN arranging for the change, assisting in
preparing plans for submission TO the Advisory
Board of Engineers in September or in the
further consideration of the question by the Ad-
hlnlstration or Congress during it's next session.
Much to my surprise, he Indignantly spurned
my suggestion and took the position that was
compelled under what he called my contract to
remain in charge of the isthrnian canal. regard
coIhpletion OF the work. and spoke in such
manner as to outrage my feelings to such an
extent that further discussion of the reasons
LOT my action was out of the question.
DENIES SEEKING THE OFFICE.
did not seek the position of chief engineer
OF the Isthmian Canal Commission, and, con-
Sldering my salary general manager Of the
illinois Central Railroad Company and my other
sources of earnings, my financial condition
not improved by my acceptance of the position.
did SO.
While it was my expectation that should
continue my connection with the work, 1t did
not occur to me that not free to withdraw
II justice to myself and my family and to my
reputation engineer required do
II was not only my right, but my duty, to give
the matter most careful consideration in all its
bearings, considering not only the general stua-
ton as it affected the work. but my family, per-
sonal and business relations. and all the various
not concede the right to the Secretary of War
any one to dictate my decision The only de-
oatable questions were the details as to putting
my uecislon into effect, and, while stated to
the Secret3ry what my desires WERE told him
that was perfectly willing to conform to his
wishes as far possible as to the time and
manner of my withdrawal.
RESENTS CHARGE OF "DICKERING"
1t this suggestion to which he chose to
refer as a 'dicker." To that statement I natu-
rally took exception, particularly he stated
that he did not care for any reports that might
make, summarizing and analyzing the results of
a years hard work the isthmus; also that he
did not value my counsel and advice, and that
the only service he desired that Of a con-
structing engineer the isthmus.
No intimation of friction between the Secre-
tary of War and myself would ever have he
come public if it had not. accidentally other
WISE been given out by the persons in attend
ance at the conference on Sunday other than
myself: and | desire to state emphatically and
the representatives of the press will bear me
out, that 1 have refused absolutely. either di-
rectIy or indirectly to be interviewed ana nave
remained silent under the inuendoeS which
| have been daily published since the conference.
and would not have made even this statement
at this time If 1t had not been for the severe
structures contained in the published statement
of the Secretary, which I consider unjust and
uncalled for and which could serve no useful
| purpose.
THE SITUATION AT PANAMA.
| In regard to the situation at Panama. at no
| time during the progress Of the work could my
| relations have been severed more opportunely
| than and with less damage to the work. A
| complete organization of departments and bu-
reaus has been effected. w. E. Dauchy, gen.
! tlenan of high engineering attainments, who
| has been chief engineer of the Chicago, Rock
| Island and Pacific Railroad Company and who
| had occupied the position of division engineer
| in charge of the Culebra division, was, upon my
| leaving the isthmus, placed in charge of the
! work as acting chief engineer he having occu-
| pied a similar position during my absence from
| the isthmus at the call Of the Secretary during
! the month of April and having satisfactorily
| conducted the work through the Generalization
| attendant upon the change in organization.
The only work which can be performed until
af of :fS nay-t cboII oIra
| some decided action is the gradual increase in
| the organization and the addition of units of
machinery along a well defined plan, which Mr..
| Dauchy thoroughly understood. The simple
work Of excavating at Culebra and preparing
| for further excavation are the only things which
could be done, pending final decision from
! Congress. The only possible benefit that my
! personal service as chief engineer could have
| been the work was such might be due to
| the purely personal element, which would
| have been largely supplied by my continuance
with the work in an advisory capacity. AS tar
| as the actual engineering and construction work
! was concerned, Mr.. Dauchy was fully as capable
| as I.
Despite all of the discoura cement and OBJ
stacles which have surrounded this work. as the
| Secretary knows and has practically stated in
his letter I endeavored faithfully and vigorously
| to perform the duties OF my office, ana nave
! never complained or criticised my superiors or
| auy one connected with the work; and, as sta ted
| in +he Secretary's communication, I have never
| requested additional emoluments or asked any
! favors of a personal nature, and any suggestions
! which may have made, as his statement VIII
|
| cred them necessary for the increased efficiency
! of the work.
! The reorganization of the work in April was
| not considered IDEAL but as it was such de-
! cided Improvement over the existing condition
| Of affairs and seemed to be all that could be
done under existing laws. 1 gave it my hearty
approval
EXISTING METHODS CRITICISED
| I have made no criticism of personnel or indi-
viduals but do believe that the obstacles due 10
| the governmental methods required by existing
! laws are so serious that they will have to be
eliminated If the American people are to see the
! Panama Canal constructed in reasonable time
| and at a moderate cost.
NV only desire in this statement has been TO
nrotest against what l consider the unjust de-
! nunciations Of the Secretary, and fully to IN,
! form my personal friends and professional
| brethren who have been familiar with my
career of the essential facts relating to this mat
/ fer I emphatically disclaim all responsibility
/ for the various statements recently published
alleged to have been made by so-called friends
| JOHN F. WALLACE.
| TUNTTT nNJ'Vr " r. W4IL4CE