The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-02-08
Chief Engineer OF the isthmian
Canal Commission Resents
Taft's Treatment.
ne GOES INTO DETAILS
Says Taft Seemed Determined TO Dis.
credit Him, Which 10 One Reason
Iar His Rssisnatien-tas Ia
ken No Other Place.

eating the Panama canal AFFAIRS.
He related the details OF hlG selec-
ton as chief engineer. and said he had
made n protest particularly against
what he called red tape methods and
a multiplicity OF masters, and then
read n long statement.
He FIRST spoke OF the violent attack
upon mo which Secretary Taft and MI.
Cromwell gave TO the newspapers last
June" and asked that judgment on the
Justice OF that attack be suspended un-
al II have an opportunity To explain
and unjustifiable."
He declared that the only basis for
this attack was difference OF opinion
between them ''as TO my right To de-
eide for myself when l thought tho
welfare OF the enterprise and my own
welfare Justified me In resisnins my
position"
my appointment" he added. named
no length OF time Was To hold IL. and
I was liable TO be dismissed At any
moment by telegraph. Such being the
casc. I believed then and now that IL
was my undoubted personal right to
resign 10 whenever 1 thought IL neces-
sary to do 80. provided took abundant
care that the work In my charge would
suffer no harm by my resignation"
Wanted to Talk TO Taft.
Mr.. Wallace continued that he came
north TO have a private talk with Sec
rotary Taft TO explain the reai rea-
sons for hls resignation, Ito put my
self az his disposal to assist I'm securing,
II he desired, my successor"
when I found myself confronted by
both Secretary Taft and Mr.. Cromwell,
he continued, II contented myself with
living ns a reason for leaving the
larger compensation I hoped 20 secure
In another employment. did 80 be.
cause I assumed that the reason would
b. accepted nv sufficient for the time
being and avoid the discussion OF 9TH
er reasons In the presence of MIR. crom-
well But I soon found they had both
come TO the interview determined To
discredit me and IL possible To destroy
my reputation. simply because / In
sisted on resigning when had become
convinced soiac other man In my place
could render better service to the enter
prise under the conditions, which my
concurrence had created"
Wiilina 20 Aid Committee.
Mr.. Wallace expressed Ills desire 20
give the committee all the Information
IN his possession resulting from n years
experience OH the iUthmus and In this
connection said he would be grateful
for the opportunity tn reply to- such
criticisms as may have been publicly
made In any way affecting my honor
az n gentleman. my loyalty as a citizen
or my reputation AN an engineer
In regard to the type OF canal he
asked TO be- excused from examination
until he had had IN opportunity To-
examine the majority and the minority
reports OF the board OF consulting en-
Eineers.
Concerning his understanding Of his
tenure OF Office. he read from a letter
written by the president at the time the
new canal commission was appointed.
relating that he would substitute any
other person whom he believed better
equipped to perform the duties OF com
missioner.
Mr. Wallace said he though; that he
had been placed In secondary posi-
ton so far as exercising executive judy
ment was concerned. after Mr.. ShOnts
has been appointed a. a head OF the
commission. He realized, he said. that
his position was such that friction WAS
bound TO occur between himself and Mr..
shonts and himself aud MIR. Cromwell.
The inquiry was pursued by Senator
Morgan TO determine what Mr.. Crom-
well had to do with IT,
Mr.. Wallace then read from pub
lie letter issued BY Secretary Taft, say
Ing that Mr.. Cromwell. through desig-
nation OF the president. had been act
ing IN an advisory capacity on all mat
ters relating To canal affairs.
Referring to visit made by Secre-
tar, Taft 10 the isthmus, Mr.. Wallace
said that Mr. Cromwell WAS a member
81 the party and appeared To be acting
a. n go between" In matters pending
between the Panama government and
secretary Taft.
Letters were read showing that Mr..
Cromwell had brought about the APP
polntment OF Mr.. Wallace IN president
% the Panama railroad.
The frst Official notice OF his APP
continent to the canal commission
came from Mr.. Cromwell and Ca the
latter's ONCE he was sworn In, said
Mr.. Wallace.
Mr.. Morgan examined the witness
regarding his interview with Secre-
tAry Taft in New York, at which I
Mr.. Cromwell was present. and he I
said Mr.. Cromwell sent a man Ia meet !
him at the wharf and that Cromwell I
called at his hotel. delegated by Sec |
rotary Taft To arrange an interview" /
Mr.. Wallace said he told Secretary !
Taft there were two reasons for his 4
trip. one personal and the other gen |
Taft Seemed Very Angry.
When asked BY Senator Morgan II l
tie had protested when Mr. Cromwell
lad been asked To remain at the
Interview by Secretary Taft, Mr.. Wal
Ndcc said: mo. | thought had =,
made my wishes plain and I was I'M
pressed with the fact that the secrc-
tary seemed TO be very angry and was
trying To suppress his feelings. I felt
until my resignation was accepted that
l was the secretnrys subordinate. I
did not want To precipltEic any III feel
ings. but the situation soon changed
my entire attitude"
How did you regard Mr.. Cromwell.
a. an adviser or spy" asked Senator :
Morgan. ard Mr.. Wallace replied that
he simply felt that Mr.. Cromwell had
great deal OF influence with the Sec
rotary.
Senator Morgan asked what reply nc j
had made To the question as To why
he had come To New York.
Il said / desired 90 resign as chief
engineer" said Mr.. Wallace. The sec
rotary made no reply and I outlined
the method I'm which thought my sew 4
GRANGE could be made without injury
ia the work. The secretary said he dis
agreed with me and he and Mr.. Crom-
We'll seemed To be making an attempt !
70 irritate mo and cause me To lose my
temper. i was examined as q witness
10 court and affirmation ard nas.eI,t.