Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-11

and made an extended examination OF the
proposed situs and it's appurtenances, quite
sufficient and minute enough, he asserts, lot
them to pass upon the proper type OF the
canal.
FINALLY, I some to the charges specifcal-
ly made against the Secretary OF war
They consist in a refusal to accept the sulo-
ance of Mr.. Tracy Robinson In visiting the
purleus of Colon, and a refusal to have an
interview with Mr.. John Lundie, chief engi-
neer of the electric and refrigerating plant
at Panama. To the first charge L plead
guilty"
He says an impression was sought to be
given that Mr.. Lundie's application for an
interview was made in the interest OF the
negro laborers on the isthmus. and declares
that the correspondence shows now UNI
founded this is and that in fact Mr.. Lundie
did not ask for an interview at ALL
Bigelow's Stay on the Isthmus.
Secretary Taft states that the writer of
the article containing the charges arrived
in Panama November 30 and left December
/, and that sit Is not unfair TO say that his
opportunities for observing were limited to
twenty-eight hours including daytime and
nighttime. In view of this statement, the
Secretary says the Writer should not take
exception to the seven or eight days which
twelve of the most distinguished engineers
In the world in canal construction devoted
to the same task. But, remarks the Secre-
tary, the writer will answer that he did not
depend upon his own obserya tons, but con-
suited witnesses.
1.-Two witnesses we are able to Identify
Tracy Robinson and John Lundie, he
adds. THE others are unnamed and most
of them negroes from the West Indies.
Secretary Taft says Mr.. Robinson is the
owner of property in Colon His animus
against the government says Mr. Taft, us
because it devoted its first attention to the
expenditure Of money in Panama and thus
raised the value of property In that city.
the health regulations by the sanitary de-
partment in Colon he found it necessary to
complain that his vested rights were being
interfered with" Thirdly, the Secretary
says, Mr.. Robinson applied to the former
chairman of the commission for a position
at 5000, declining the position of mayor of
Cristobal at 81 500, and that he applied to
Gov. Magoon for a position, but was told
there were no vacancies.
Mr. Lundie, the secretary says is an cleo
tr1caf engineer who was employed to visit
the isthmus to superintend the construction
or a plant Tor the generation of electricity
and for the manufacture OF ice by private
company. Mr.. Lundie, he says, made APP
plication to become member of the advis-
ory board. and urged his appointment with
great yigor, but his application was re-
5ected. Mr.. Wallace appointed him as con-
sutting engineer to make a report on oils
and fuels on the isthmus, but Mr.. Shonts
diSapproved the appointment and it was
not made.
Secretary Taft charges that Mr.. Iundie
objects seriously TO the governments fur
nishing its own light and ice. and insists it
is Its duty to patroniZe his company" that
he protested to Secretary Taft while the
latter was on the isthmls and later wrote
the President letter. The Secretary says:
1T IS quite certain that a copy of Lundie's
letter to you was shown the writer of the
articie in view Of similar language used"
and sharply arraigns on this score the good
faith of the writer of the article
Mr.. Taft declares that no engineer in the
country Is better fitted for the work than
Mr. Stevens.
Mr. ;ats CJ,o,ooz