The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-01
STEVENS SUCCEEDS WALLACE.
Western Railroad Man to BE Chief En-
eInper OF the Panama Canal.

WASHINGTON, June 3O.-John +. Stevens
Of Chicago. formerly vice-president and
general manager of the Rock Island Railroad
system, to-day accepted the office of Chief
Engineer of the Panama Canal. to succeed
John F. Wallace the story Of whose retire
ment under somewhat sensational circum-
stances was told in an official staten ent
issued by Secretary Of War Taft last night
Mr.. Stevens was recently selected as the
government expert to supervise the con-
struction of the thousand miles of railway
to be built in the Philippines. He was to
have gone to the Philippines with Secretary
Taft but according TO the information
which he sent to Mr.. Taft to-day he will
sail for Panama within two weeks. He
will be accompanied to the lsthmus by
Theodore p. Shonts. chairman Of the Canal
Commission.
Before lea wing Washington for the Philip
pines this evening Mr. Taft received word
from Mr.. Wallace. through a member of
the Canal Commission that it might lie
we'll for them to have another conference.
a., Mr. Wallace has some things to tell which
the Government ought to know, The mes
sage from MIR. Wallace was being con-
strued by officials a. declaration Of
intention on his part 10 a.,ulse soine tiIils
sensational about conditions on the Isthmus
unless Mr.. Taft will give him a further
hearing As far as known, no response
was sent to Mr.. Wallace. The only answer
would have beeu - refusal on the part of
Mr.. Taft TO meet Mr., Wallace, who is
decidedly in the bad graces of the Ad-
ministration.
service of the Canal Commission was
coupled with the proviso that whatever
duties We're given him must not interfere
with the new private work he had under
taken or take him out Of New York. Con-
siderable mitigation Is expressed here over
this proposal, and 1t Is understood that
It had much to do with the severity of the
language which Secretary Taft employed
in responding to MIR. Wallace.
The Administration, it was explained to-
day, hesitated over making a statement
Of what Secretary Taft said to Mr. Wallaoe
at the Hotel Manhattan. From an officer
of the highest standing it was learned that
the decision to furnish such statement
to the country was based on the belief
that it would be well to let everybody CON
nected with the construction OF the canal
understand that the Administration nx-
pected on the part Of all canal employees
a devotion to duty which should override
all private oonsi derations.
Mr.. Wallace, the Administration claims.
bound himself in honor to stick by the Gov
eminent, and his return from the Isthmus
after only twelve days residence there, to
accept more lucrative position In the
United States. IL characterized as q pro-
ceeding contrary to the principles which
should govern q man Of his standing and
reputation.
chief Engineer Stevens will receive a
salary of $50, 600 year. or s., 900 more than
Mr.. Wallace was receiving in the Same
office. This was arranged between the
President and Secretary Taft. He will
be here in few days to discuss his new
duties with Chairman Shonts and other
members of the Canal Commission. MIR.
Wallace was member OF the commission.
but Mr.. Stevens will not be, at least for
several months. The appointment OF q
commissioner to fill the vacancy caused
by Mr.. Wallace's resignation will not
lie made until the return OF Secretary
Taft from the Philippines in October.
In announcing the appointment OF Mr..
Stevens. the War Department gave out
the following statement:
Mr. John +. Stevens has been appointed
chief engineer of the lsthmian Canal. with