Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-02-28
STEVENS RESIGNS
Chief Engineer Follows Example Of
Predecessors and Throws Up
His Canal Job.
TO APPOINT ARMY OFFICERS
All Blds For the Contract for Finish
Ing the Work Rejected construe-
ticn etlil Being Pushed Il
10 Stated.

Washington, Feb. 27--By an order
addressed to Chairman Shonts of the
Isthmian canal commission, Tuesday
President Roosevelt, as far as lay In
his power, under existing law, trans
ferred to the engineer branch of the
army the responsibility for the fur
Their construction of the Panama canal
He also formally recorded the aban-
donment for the present at least, OF
the project Of having the work done by
contract on the per centage system.
Another feature was the announce
ment of the resignation of John y.
Stevens as engineer in chief of the
canal construction. Mr.. Shonts is in
New York, where he will Wednesday
preside at a meeting of the directors
Of the Panama railroad company, Of
which he is president, and will, 1t Is
expected formally resign that office.
The President intends that there
shall be an entire reorganization OF
the commission with three army off,
GERS Of the engineer corps, its leading
members who are to have charge Of
the engineering features Of the canal
work. The chairman and engineer In
chief of the commission will be Major
G. w. Cocktails. His associates will
be Major Du B. Gaillard, and Major
William L. Sibert, to rank in the or
der named. These officers are all
comparatively young, ambitious and
energetic.
Senator Joseph G. s. Blackburn of
Kentucky, who retires from the Unit
ed States Senate March 4th, is to
be made member of the reorganized
commission. The nominations of the
present commissions now pending
before the senate include Messrs
Shonts, Stevens, Haines, Endicott,
Herrod, Gorgas, and Jackson Smith.
Their confirmation Is desired in or
der to remove all doubt as to the le-
gality Of certain acts they have per-
formed In connection with the max
ing Of contracts. The retirement of
Messrs. shonts and Stevens will leave |
but two vacancies, so that there will |
be two more retirements necessary to
make way for the three army officers,
and Senator Blackburn. The presl-
dent is determined that the work on
the canal shall proceed continuously,
and the temporary "dislocations"
caused by the designations of higher
will not be allowed to inter
fere with progress.
The president is unaware Of the spe-
cific reasons which have been influen-
tial In prompting Mr.. Stevens resig-
nation. It surprised him very much,
or as late as tho middle Of Decem-
,er Mr.. Stevens made no mention OF
lis wish to retire. 1t has been known,
however, that Mr.. Stevens has been
tung very much by criticism aimed
It him in connection with canal work.
ome Of which came out during hear
ngs before committees of congress.
1t is understood Mr.. Stevens is leav-
ng to accept a position in connection
Nth a great engineering enterprise in
his country at an annual salary more
han double that he now receives
rom the government.
The presidents reasons for making
he sweeping changes and In refusing
Ii bids so far offered for building the
anal, are noted In his letter to Chair
IAN ahonts.
KANSAS IFGTST .ATUPE