The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-02-08
WHY he. RESIGNED
Former Engineer Wallace of
Canal Commission Talks.
CROMWELL A HANDICAP
Chief "AGvisor' Proved Heavy Burden
on Wallace's Shoulders and Job
Was Thrown UP to Shake
Him Off.

John F. Wallace, former chief en-
gineer of the is.hmian canal commits
sion, testified before the senate COM
nittce at Washington Monday on in
teroceanic canals : He, said he made
asrrotest particularly against red: tape
methods and a multiplicity of masters,
and then read a statement referring 70
Secretary Taft's, attack on him, say
ing: r..
The only basis pretended for this
attack upon me was difference OF
opinion between Secretary Taft and
Mr.. Cromwell, on the one side, and
myself on the other as to my right
to decide for myself when1 thought
the welfare of the enterprise and my
own welfare justified me in 'resigning
my position.
"My appointment named no length
Of time 1 was to hold it, and / was
liable to be dismissed at any moment
by the government. Such being the
case, believed then, and believe now,
it was my personal right-and l be-
lieve every. reputable engineer must
be 5of the same opinion TO resign it
whenever r thought it necessary to
do; provided, of course, that L took
abundant care that the work In my
charge would suffer no harm by my
resignation"
Mr.. Wallace said he had taken ev-
cry precaution to that end and came
home to have private talk with Sec
retary Taft: This was denied him.
In regard to the type of canal, he
asked to be excused from examina'
ton until he had an opportunity to
examine the majority and minority
reports of the board Of consulting en-
gineers.
j One of the reasons for its with
drawal, he said, had been that he had
made many mistakes in his attitude
toward the canal, and that Secretary
Taft. and Mr.. Cromwell had made
mistake in sizing up his adaptability.
He thought that be had,s been placed
in a secondary position, so far as
exercising executive judgment was
concerned, after Mr.. Shonts had been
appointed as head of the commission.
He realized, he said, that his; position
was such that friction was bound to
occur between himself and MIR.
shonts and also between himself and
Mr.. Cromwell
The inquiry was pursued by Sena'
tor Morgan to determine what Mr..
Cromwell had to do with 1t
Mr.. Wallace then read from a pub.
lie letter issued by Secretary Taft,
saying that Mr.. Cromwell, through
designation of the president, had been
acting in an advisory capacity on all
matters relating to canal affairs. Mr..
Wallace said he felt that Cromwell
had a great deal of influence with
the secretary. He wanted to discuss
with Mr.. Taft "Cromwell's connection
with affairs. He has done several
things with the railroad property
which I questioned and seemed to be
the controlling force in the manage
ment of the property. considered
he was doing business along, danger
Gus lines" 50
sIf 1 catch your meaning, part
of your business with the secretary
was to shake Cromwell off your shou!'
-derse" suggested Senator Morgan.
"You have caught my meaning" was
the reply. SIf
"How did YOU regard smm-as an
advisor. or spy y,, 2, asked Senator Nor
gan, and Nj. w aHaee replied that he
simply felt that M: Cromwell had a
great deal OF influence with the Sec
letary.