The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-24
1sthnian Commissioner to
Be President Of Street
Road Concern in New York
ROOSEVELT REGRETS
LOSS OF SERVICES
John r. Stevens. the Chief
Engineer. VIII Probably
Be Named as Successor

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2ss-The resiE-
raffc= ef Theodore r. shonts as chair
of the FsthuiaB CansI Commits
rF~- --a~ an-ounced nj the white
u0-se rofa~. II VIII take effect not
ls>cr fsp- 7-arch 4. re was elected
--@s.Ee7- today of the InterborouEh
srefropoIftaa COMPANY. which con-
t-oIs f.e rapid transit and many sur
face lines in New York.
10 am ouncenent was made as to
who viii succeed shonts as chairman
% the commission. but Il was learned
a-tho-it lively that headquarters viii
he removed from Washington TO the
isthnus and that a high -salaried
chairman to serve in that capacity
alone v-iII not be named This being
e1r-itted II follows that John r.
ete-e1z. the engineer in charge Of the
oo----.-o-'0r - the camel would not
h. ~a9o Innate to another on
CO. ~ -,e 'e-r-1us. II is regarded as
e csr.s'rty that Stevens will be named
re chairman OF the commission in con-
rec-io7 with his post as chief en-
ri-ee-.
e'-~-+-' -o+frement does not come
~r- e~rnrise. II has been
r--o etently- ssEce-action-
ticker ~ +ae proposition 70 build by
contract shat he would resume a call
tnz more congenial to his taste. Sec
retary Taft confirmed the rumor to-
cay by saying that shonts' resignation
vas voluntary. which fact Is borne
out by the Presidents letter in ac-
ccDting II.
The correspondence follows:
NV Dear President: hereby ten
Ger nv resignation as chairman Of
+he -sthmian Canal Commission. ef-
fective at your pleasure. but not later
fhau March a. 1907
ct IS unnecessary FOR me to assure
vou of MY great appreciation OF the
confidence that you have reposed in
ne. and Of the splendid support that
you have always accorded me since
my first appointment by you. Very
sincerely yours. T p sHONTs."
The Presidents reply follows:
Ny Dear Mr.. shouts: ] accept your
resignation as chairman Of the 18TH
mian Canal Commission. TO take effect
March (. with extreme reluctance. ] do
SO merely because do not feel justified
in preventing your acceptance OF the
position that you have been asked TO
take in New York-a position Of such
great consequence, not merely TO the
people with whom you viii be asso-
ciated in the management Of the en-
terprise but to all citizens Of New
York You have shown throughout
your association With the Isthmian
Canal Commission much energy. admin
tsstrative capacity. fertility OF resource
and judgment IN handling men, to-
gether with entire devotion TO your
work.
with all good wishes for your fu-
ture. and with the heartiest thanks on
behalf Of the Government for what
YOU have done IN the last eighteen
months IN the vitality responsible posi-
tion that you have held. believe me.
ever sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The Ryan Belmont syndicate. which
has now secured shonts' services.
sought them some time ago. Before
doing so. however Paul Morton. for
r1erly Secretary OF the Navy, called on
President Roosevelt and acquainted
him with the intentions OF, the Inter
borough Metropolitan.
shonts became chairman OF the COM
mission April 3. 1905 coming from the
presidency OF the Glover Leaf route.
This connection. together with the fact
that he spent little time on the 18TH
mus. caused considerable dissatisfac-
fion in the Senate and prevented the
confirmation OF his nomination.