New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-30
ASKED HIN TO RESIGN.
Chief Engineers Conduct Severely
Criticised by Secretary Of Var.
Ernoa rHE ralnuNE RuREAu.l

Commission TO take effect Immediately. The
Secretary made public as nearly as possible the
la,eslage of his interview with M. Wallace last
sunday morning. and his statement includes
severe criticism of the course of the ex-chief
engineer Mr. Wallace announced TO the Secre-
,arv on that occasion his intention of resign
ing his office as chief engineer IN charge of the
work as he had accepted an offer, more advan-
iageous from financial point of view, which
would make ii necessary for him to remain con-
tinsousiy in New-Yoris. IIe said. however, that
he would he glad 10 remain. at least for a time,
member of the commission.
At tie conclusion of Mr. Wallace's general
statement The Secretary of War said in sub
Nfr Wallace, am inexpressibiy disappointed,
not only because you have taken this step, but
because you seem so utterly insensible of the
Significance of yonr conduct You come with
lie bald announcement that you quit your task
at a critical momerf. on the eve of important
work and in tie midst OF reorganization plans
under which you accepted your position. with
your department unprotected in organization.
and when Eou know, too that my public duties
call me To the Philippines for several months.
| must he allowed 10 remind you that when
you were employed by the commission. little
over year age. you were receiving only Sl3ooo
per anllurl under yorr former position, and
manded hy yourself. $4,000. That was for
constant service on the istIuus where the con-
struction yyori. w;ls la be performed and your
services rendered. You knew the risks TO
Yourself and 10 your family, if they went with
you in tne work you assumed an obligation TO
de- II you had not desired the position you
need not have sought accepted it, but
understand that quite the contrary WAS the
case
In
within my own knowledge. When the Presi-
dent found il necessary To make reorSaniza-
ton of the former commission you were con-
suited in the frankest manner about every feat
IRE of the reorganization and were encouraged
freely TO express Your opinions. Indeed, your
voluntary suggestions frcm the isthmus en-
hraced the proposal that you yourself be made
4 member of the commission and chief engi-
beer on the isthnus. The substance of the
plan Of reorganization, as afterward embodied
IN the Presidents executive order of April l.
wes cabled to you by me, and you cabled me
YOUR fullest approval of it, and your thanks, for
it Included the appointment of yourself as
commissioner, you had solicited, and mem
Der Of the executive committee.
The new plan of organization was warmly
accepted and indorsed by you when you ar
rived in Washington, and you expressed your
hearty approval of it in the most unequivocal
manner not only 10 the President and myself,
but 10 members of the commission and Its
counsel and Just before sailing for the lsthmus
you called upon us and voluntarily thanked me
in the warmest terms for what had been done
in the reorganization of the canal work and In
the positions which had been given you You
co-operated for all these weeks in the work of
REORGANIZATION and accepted the position as
signed you under the Presidents order of April
/ The President and myself relied upon this
fact in making up the plans, and the other
members were selected with that in view.
Now within twelve days after your arrival
upnn the isthmus you send me cable which,
read In the light of what you say to-day, signi-
fies YOUR practical acceptance of an offer of
another position inconsistent with the perform
snce of your duties on the isthmus. am aston
isbed thai YOU should be so disregardful of
the splendid opportunities of the position which
would have made you famous the world over
by the honorable performance of your duties of
chef engineer.
For mere iucre you change your position
overnight without thought of the embarrassing
position in which you place your government
l,y this action when the engineering forces on
the isthmus are left without real head and
your department is not perfected in organiza-
ton when the advisory board of engineers is
10 assemble under call of the President WITHIN
two months, and when ] am departing for the
Philippines on public duty All this you knew
as well as | know it, but it has not had the
:east influence .luon your action-you have
thought of yourself and yourself alone / con-
slder that by every principle of honor and duty
YOU were bound TO treat the subject differently.
You have permitted the President and all of US
10 proceed in fIilI confidence that you would
perform the functions of chief engineer. and
now in an hour you drop your great duties and
throw them back upon us as If 1t were matter
Of no consequence and all this for your per-
sonal advantage solely
Mr. Wallace I do not agree with your idea
Of your rights nor with your idea as TO your
duties / do not agree that the Presidents
original order. giving him the right to discharge
an unfaithfui commission, gave you the right
10 afaU:.3n yonr duties at a critical moment;
but independent Of tat original order, You ac-
eepted the duties Of chief engineer the 18th
mus under the recent order of April i. which
was made :n co-operaiion with you and TO suit
your views More than this: Your duty in the
premises is not measured by your mere legal
eoHtracttIai rights 1T should be measured by
the high obligation of Il public officer with a
sacred allegiance 10 the government it should
be his honor and his pleasure TO serve. You
were therefore in honor bound by all that has
preceded TO continue 10 perform your duties
upon the isthmus until such time-a year at
least as would have afforded us reasonable op-
portunity 10 select competent successor and
prepare him for the great duties of that office
You make not the least complaint against
Your associates superior or inferior Q know
Oh no possible ground for itl. You are inf1u-
eiceh solely by your personal advantage.
Great fame attached 10 your office, but also |
equal responsibility, and now you desert them /
IN an nour Then, from standpoint of policy, |
you are making profound mistake If you |
cen'd withdraw from your new arrangements, |