The Washington herald., 1907-01-29
WILL MEET OLIVER
Stewart Brothers May Share
Panama Contract.
FIRM MEMBERS DISCUSS PLANS
Not Yet Ready to- Join I'm work, but
viii Go Over Details Carefully
with President, Secretaries Taft
and Root, and Successful Bidder.
Other Concerns Interested.

New York. Jan. 81 c. Stewart and
A. NJ Stewart, who compose the large
/ contracting firm Of James c Stewart d
Co. 155 Broadway. left for Washington
/ tonight 20 mold a conference with VIII
liam J. Oliver, TO whom the contract 10
build the Panama Canal will be awarded
] conditionany
! J. c. Stewart said before he left that
his visit was for the purpose Of talking
the matter over with Mr.. Oliver and the
/ authorities al Washington, and the ad-
Visibility Of the Stewart firm joining
with Mr.. Oliver in undertaking to build
/ the canal
The. Stewart firm Is a responsible con-
Germ, with a high reputation among con-
tractors generally and with a large ex-
/ perience in general contracting, especially
dredging and other excavation work
/ kilograms Of cOngratulation and offers
[ Of partnership poured in upon William J.
! Oliver yesterday by the dozen. and the
contractor from Tennessee. who has been
7 awarded the Panama Canal job on the
condition that he secure within ten days
two associates who will be satisfactory to
the government, has apparently only to
pick and choose from among the biggest
contractors in the United States
Mr.. Oliver said yesterday that he had
not yet chosen either of his two asso-
ciates, ard that he would not make a
hurried choice, as the ten days given him
viii permit him 10 give careful considera-
ton to the matter.
/ can only say that my associates will
be chosen from the biggest firms in the
business, and that when / report my
choice TO the commission there viii be no
question as to their standing and capa-
bilitv"
There is nothing FOR me to add 10 the
official announcement, unless IL might be-
that 1 Will at once, conform with all the
requirements Of the commission. both with
regard 80 the financial ARRANGEMENT and
organization. and the selection OF asso-
ciates. ] have been approached by repre-
sentatlves OF number of leading CON
tracing firms, whose specially is along
the lines desired. and al the proper time
the names Of nay associates VIII be- pre-
scented 10 the commission Any further
tt'tti'tlLtf Ntifltr VIII Ibll4t Alttl kEaL UGlt-
There is one thing. however which
feel / should say in Tie light OF certain
publications that have appeared Mr.
Bangs was not sent to me by Mr. Shonts.
The statement 20 this effect. which has
appeared in some papers. is erroneous"
Mr.. Oliver response 10 the official com
munication Of the commission notifying
him Of the conditional acceptance Of his
bid was Characteristic Of the man. He
sent his reply yesterday morning Ii con
sisted Of the following
Richard K. Rogers. General Counsel Isthmiau Canal
Commission
Dear Sir: Replying 20 yours q this date. I will
within the time prescribed comply with an The re-
quirmruts OF The rfesdeuJ sad the commission
Your very truly. WILLIAM j.. OLIt ER.
Unsuccessful Bidders Talk.
The following statement was made by
A r. Macarthur In behalf Of the Mac
Arthur-Gillespie Company.
The four contracting firms who or
ganized the MacArthuT-GiIlespie Company
have declined all suggestions looking to-
ward a combination with any other bid
der They are unwilling 10 entertain any
plan for undertaking the work al a per
centage so low that adequate personal at
tention To- tine work would Dee impossible.
and ultimate failure, ln their opinion.
most probable"