The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-27
Steel Corporation Said to Be
Flirting With Retired
Panama Engineer.
NEW YORK HAS RUMOR
Nothing More Natural Shont's Sue
cessor Should Follow in Shonts'
Foot Steps.
Especial to Lake County Times).

New York, Feb. 27.-Although HIM
self and his friends deny that John F.
Stevens had a more lucrative and con-
genial private office in view when he
resigned as chief engineer OF the Pan
ANA canal there are rumors in flnan-
cial circles that princely proposal
has been laid at his feet by the United
states steel corporation whose works
are now building at Gary Ind. The
rumor could not be traced to any defin-
ite source, but it was persistent, never
theless, and is backed up by the con
yiction that Mr.. Stevens is too good
man TO be roaming at large and re-
main long uncaught by the captains Of
industry in these days of 800, 900
salaries
The demand for men OF Mr.. Stevens
energy and ability to handle huge un-
dertakings is just as great now as It
was when John f. Wallace and later,
Theodore P. Shonts. were taken off the
Job to be landed in positions where
the money was greater If the glory was
less.
Plausible Enough.
1t is easy to conceive how the bill
lion dollar steel trust should be in the
market for such a man, although 1t is
already we'll equipped in the way OF
engineers and handlers of men and ma
terial. And it is just as easy to con-
ceive how Mr. Stevens would find 1t in
his Judgment to accept such a berth
as the one spoken of. He could do
so gracefully, too, and without leav-
ing cause for criticism to which he is
sensitive.
There is no tInge of selfshness in
Mr.. Stevens retirement from the canal
commission after eighteen months of
constant. enthusiastic and brilliant
work both as an engineer and an ex-
ecutive, unless o desire for peace, rest
and the companionship of his family
can be called selfish.
AS soon as no is relieved at Panama
by Major Goethals Of the United States
army, who will take charge of the
work, Mr.. stevens will leave with his
wife for a trip to Europe 1t is not
likely that his vacation will be Of lone
duration as he is too active and en-
thusiastic to remain long In idleness
Interested in Big Things.
Having won name for himself II
the field of gigantic endeavor, it IS only
natural to suppose that only a glgan-
tic enterprise Will interest him. As
such gigantic enterprises are now so
ing forward and great builders are
thinking in billions, 1t is likely tnat
on his return he viii identify himself
with the building and maintenance o,
some great emi-public work.
Then why not the United States Stee
corporation?
member of that corporation wheI
questioned this morning said he knew
nothing about it. but his tone left tn,
impression that he was not wholly un
familiar with the subject nor with tn,
work and personality Of Mr.. Stevens.
Il don't suppose" he added. dryly
''we would have any trouble finding
place for him. Mr.. stevens IS a valu
able man"
Only One Unattached.
This brilliant engineer Is only on,
left of a long list OF government OF
f1cials who, In many instances after
comparatively brief service, have beer
snapped up by corporations It woul,
be useless to attempt to enumerat,
them but the resignation Of this abl
man, coming as it does simultaneous,
with the announcement that Leslie NJ
Shaw Will give up his cabinet position
10 associate himself with the Carnegi
Trust company of New York as Il
head, calls attention to the fact tha
the government service still acts as
high class employment agency towar,
which rich corporations turn when de
string to MI positions OF responsible
ity, trust and lucrative salaries
Messrs. Shaw and Stevens are simpl-
two more of Uncle Sans capable ser
wants who have Travelled the road q
Lyman J. Gage. Paul Morton. T. F
Shonts and John F. Wallace and an
number OF others who might be name
in this connection.
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