The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-02-09
WALLACE TESTIFIED
IN OWN DEFENSE
Chief Engineer of the Isthmian
Canal Commission Rescnts
Taft's Treatment.
HE GOES INTO DETAILS
Gays Taft Seemed Determined to Dis.
credit Him, Which Is One Reason
for His 7esignation-Has Ia
ken No Other Place.

go
Findley Wallace, former chief engineer
of the isthmian canal commission, tes-
titled before the senate committee or
interoceanic annals which is inveSti-
eating the Panama canal affairs.
He related the details of his selec-
ton as chief engineer, and said he had
made q protest particularly against
what he called red tape methods and
q multiplicity of masters, and then
read a long statement.
He first spoke OF the violent attack
upon me which Secretary Taft and Mr..
Cromwell gave to the newspapers last
June" and asked that judgment on the
justice of that attack be suspended I'M
til Il have an opportunity to explain
to you why L think it was uncalled for
and unjustifiable."
He declared that the only oasis for
this attack was u difference of opinion
between them las TO my right to de-
eide for myself when l thought the
welfare of the enterprise and my own
welfare justified me in r%esigning my
position
My appointment" he added, named
no length of time l was TO hold it, and
/ was liable to be dismissed at amy
me by telegraph. Such being the
case, / believed then and now that it
was my u~ndoubted personal right to
resign it whenever l thought it neces-
sary to do so, provided l 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
sons for his resignation. Ito put my
self at his disposal to assist in securing,
II he desired, my successor"
When l found myself confronted by
both Secretary Taft and Mr.. CROMWELL
he continued. IL contented myself with
giving as a reason for leaving the
larger compensation l hoped to secure
in another employment. 1 did SO be-
cause l assumed that the reason would
be accepted as sufficient for the time
being and avoid the discussion of 9TH
er reasons in the presence of Mr.. Crom-
we'll. But l soon found they had both
ON to the interview determined to
discredit me and If possible TO destroy
my reputation, simply because l in
sisted on resigning when L had become
convinced some other mar in my place
could render better service to the enter
prise under the conditions, Which my
concurrence had created"
Willing to Aid Committee.
Mr.. Wallace expressed his desire to
give the committee all the information
in his possession resulting from a years
experience ON the isthnus and in this
connection said he would be grateful
for the opportunity to reply TO such
criticisms as ma have been publicly
made lin any way affecting my honor
as a gentleman, my loyalty as a citizen
or my reputation as an engineer"
In regard to the type of canal ne
asked to be excused from examination
until he had had an opportunity TO
examine the majority and the ininorit.-
reports of the board of consulting en-
gfneers.
Concerning his understanding of his
tenure of office, he read from Il letter
written by the president at the time the
new canal commission was appointed.
relating that he would substitute amy
other person whom he believed better.
equipped to perform the duties of COM
missioner.
Mr.. Wallace said he thought that he
had been placed in a secondary posi-
ton SO far as exercising executive judg-
ment was concerned, after Mr.. Shonts
has been appointed as Il 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 and Mr.. Cromwell.
The inquiry was pursued by Senator
Morgan to determine what Mr.. Crom-
we'll had to do with it,"
Mr.. Wallace then rea from a pub
lie letter issued by Secretary Taft, say
ing that Mr.. Cromwell, through desig-
nation of the president, a been act
ing in an advisory capacity on all mat
ters relating to canal affairs.
Referring to a visit made by Secre-
tary Taft to the isthrnus, Mr.. Wallace
said nat MIR. Cromwell was a membe
of the party and appeared to be acting
as a go between" in matters pending
between the Panama government and
Secretary Taft.
Letters were read showing hat Mr..
Cromwell had brought about the APP
pointlnent of Mr.. Wallace as president
of the Panama railroad.
The first official notice of his APP
pointment to the canal commission
came from Mr.. Cromwell and in the
latter's office he a sworn in, said
Mr.. Wallace.
Mr.. Morgan examined the witness
regarding his interview with Score
tary Taft in New York. at which
Mr.. Cromwell was present, and he
said Mr.. Cromwell sent a man to meet
him at the wharf and hat Cromwell
called al his hotel, delegated by Sec
rotary Taft to arrange an interview"
Taft there were two reasons for his
trip, personal and the other gen
Taft Seemed Very Angry.
When asked By Senator Morgan IL
he had protested when Mr.. Cromwell
had been asked to remain at the
interview by Secretary Taft, Mr.. Wal
lace said: mo, I thought 1 had
made my wishes plain and I was inn
pressed with the fact that the secre-
tary seemed to be very angry and was
trying to suppress his feelings. l felt
until my resignation was accepted that
/ was the secretary's subordinate. i
did not want to precipttate any i'll feel
ings. but the situation soon changed
my entire attitude"
How did you regard Mr.. Cromwell.
as an adviser or spy" asked Senator.
Morgan, and Mr.. Wallace replied that
he simply felt hat Mr.. Cromwell had
a great deal of influence with the sec
rotary.
Senator Morgan asked what reply he
had made to the question as to whv
he had come to New York.
II said l desired to resign as chief
engineer" said Mr.. Wallace. THE sec
rotary made no reply n l outlined
the method in which l thought my sew
GRANGE could be made without injury
to the work. The secretary said he 1is-
agreed with ne and he and Mr.. Crom-
we'll seemed to be making an attempt