The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-07
WILLING TO QUIT
THE CLOVER LEAF
Chairman shonts, OF Istl,nian
Canal Commission, Gives In
ference to Committee.
LOOKING OUT FOR FAMILY
OUT FOR FAMILY
Says Under No Circumstances
Will He Ostracize His Chit
dren on Canal.
(By Associated press.)


WASHINGTON, March s.-Chairman
Canal Commission, under examination all
day ny the Senate Canal Committee, an
swered questions, technical and personal,
concerning the plans for the construction
of the great waterway and his relations
to the organization. Incidentally he left
the inference that he would gladly sever
his connection with the Clover Leaf
route If this was demanded Of him, but
that he would not take his family 20
the 1sthmus. He gave former Chief En-
gineer Wallace n good record and saif
that he was entitled to consideration
In the matter of taking his family to the
Isthmus. Mr. Shonts touched upon near
ly every subject on which other wit
nesses were examined and closed ~
urging Congress to take action mme-
diately on the type of canal to be con-
structed. He said that economical pro-
cedurc on the part of the canal commits
sion demanded such action.
Mr.. Taliaferro asked Mr. Shonts for
names of employees and their former
railroad connections. The witness men
toned himself as connected with the
Glover Leaf route. Purchasing Agent
Ross. the Illinois Central. Auditor Ben
son, the Southern Pacific, and Chief En-,
gineer stevens the Chicago, Rock Is
land and Pacific. 1900
.'Do you intend TO continue your con-
nection as president of the Clover Leaf?r
asked Mr.. Taliaferro.
That depends" replied the witness,
On WHAT
Eye for Business
Well" said the witness. the pres-
dent spoke to me about that and i tod
him that on account of my large holdings
did not want to give up the presidency
! talked with President Roosevelt more
frankly than | am talking with you.
did not want to ernbarrass him He
said he thought there would he no OBJ
lection to my holding the place sifnI
served without salary; that is. II was
merely the nominal president -
Then you do not know what your
intentions are?" asked Mr. Talaferro.
The President will tell me what he
wants me to do, 1 suppose replied Mr..
Shonts
In response 10 number of questions.
| Mr.. Shonts said that he was now nego-
tiating to get rid of his interests in the
Glover Leaf, but that lie did not know
how IT would terminate.
Mr.. Tallaferro attempted to show that
all OF the officials named had had inti-
mate relations with transcontinental lines
Mr.. Shonts said that the Clover Leaf was
not in any way associated with trans
continental lines, but that the other
roads mentioned might be regarded as re-
lated to transcontinentals, although they
would not be so called in railroad par
lance"
Senator Morgan took up the subject OF
Mr.. Shonts's conversation with President
Roosevelt concerning his services with
the Clover Leaf route.
IF the President asked you TO resign
the presidency OF the Glover Leaf and
sell your holdings. would you feel free
to resign your commissionershp? asked
Mr. Morgan.
II never had it presented that way"
said the witness. AS long as the Presi-
de::t wants me to stay, and his agree
nents with me are carried out. think
should remain in the employ of the
| government"
He explained that by agreements he
meant that the President had promised
! him free hand in carrying out his
policies and his sympathy and support
in administrative matters connected with
| canal matters.
Mr.. Morgan asked the witness what he
should do If the President told him he
| must move to the Isthmus and live there
and to take the members of his family
there and compel them to 1.-Two there
IT don't know replied Mr.. Shonts
"a man must be just to his family
Ought not Mr.. Wallace to have the
same considerations asked Mr.. Morgan.
Mr.. Shonts said he thought Mr. Wallace
had the same right to consideration and
called attcntionlto the fact that he never
| had criticised Wallace's action.
| Mr.. Morgan demanded of Mr.. Shonts
a statement as to what his course would
be if the President insisted that he
should take his family to the Isthmus,
and the witness said he could not afford
to do SO. for the reason that the future
prospects Of his children would be i'm
paired