The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-02-07
WALLACE b[AMES
SECRETARY TAFT
Former Canal Engineer Tells
Senate That His Resigna-
tiOn Was Forced.
ST .0S7, 900 FOR FORTS
OF ISLAND POSSESSIONS
Senator Teller Denies Irriga
ton Funds Are Bounty
to the West.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-John Findlcy
Wallace, former chief engineer OF the
Isthminn Canal commission today tcSti-
Ecd before the Senate Committee on In
;crocsanic Canals, which is invcstiEa ting
the Panama canal affairs. lie related the
details OF his selection as chief engineer.
and said he made n protest particularly
against which he called rcd tape" meth
ods and n multiplicity of masters. and
then read a long statement He FIRST
spoke OF the violent attacks upon m"
which Secretary Taft and Mr.. Cromwell
gave TO the newspapers last Juno, and
asked that judgment upon the Justice OF
that attack he suspended until he hal
an opportunity to explain why ] think it
was absolutely unClllcd for and un1Us-
liable.
Gives Basis for Attack.
lie declared that the only basis for this
attack was a difference of opinion be
tween them las to my right to decide
for myself when | thought the welfare
of the enterprise and my own welfare
justified Inc in resigninG my position"
My appointment. he added. named
no length o! time / was to hold it, and
liable TO be dismissed at any mo-
ment by telegraph Such being the case,
/ believed then md believe oW IL was
my undoUbtcd personal right to resign
whenever ] thought II necessary TO do 80.
provided took Abundant care that the
work In my charge would suffer no harm
10y my resignation.
Tells Why He Resigned
Mr. Wallace said he came north to
have a private talk with Secretary Taft
10 explain the real reasons for his resg-
nation Ito put myself aJ his disposal. to
nssisr him, II he desired. in securing my
successor. etc.
"Wheu 7 found myself confronted with
both Secretary Taft and Mr. Cromwell"
he SAYS. Il Contented myself with giving
as a reason FOR rcsigninG the larger com
pcnsation ! hoped 10 secure in another
employment, | did so because ! assumed
that reason would be accepted as suf-
iicient for the time being and avoid the
discussion OF other reasons In the pres
cncc of Ar. Cromwell.
Determined to DiscTed;t Him.
But / soon found that they had both
come TO the interview determined to dis
credit me and ii possible To destroy my
reputation simply because insisted
upon resIgninG when | had become con-
"inced some other man In my place could
render better service to the enterprise
under the conditions which. with my con-
currence. had been created"
Mr Wallace expressed his desire TO give
10 the committee all the information in
his possession resulting from years ex-
perience on the Isthmus and In this con-
nection said he would be grateful for the
opportunity TO reply 10 such criticisms as
may have been publicly made In any way
affecting my honor as n gentleman, my
loyalty as a citizen or my reputation as
an engineer
Type of Canal.
In regard To the type OF canal he asked
10 be excused from examination until he
had had an opportunity To examine the
majority and minority reports OF the
board of consulting engineers
Concerning his understanding OF his
tenure of office. he read from letter
written by the President at the time the
new canal commission was appointed
reading that he would substitute any
other person whom he believed better
equipped TO perform the duties of COM
missioners.
Mr.. Wallace said he thought that he