New-York tribune., 1907-01-30
STEVENS JOINS OLIVER.
HIS FINANCIAL BACKER.
VII Take Charge of Work in This
Country for the Canal.

Washington, Jan. 20-William ]. Oliver. OF
Knoxville, Tenn. whose bid to construct the
Panama Canal has been accepted. contingent
upon his assocating himself with other respon-
sble contractors entirely satisfactory the gov
ernnent. said tonight that the syndicate he is
forming will certainly meet with the approval
of President Roosevelt and Secretary Taft
Mr.. Oliver authorizes The Associated Press TO
say that he has already entered into partnership
/ with Frederick c. Stevens, president OF the Com
mercal National Bank of this city who was re-
Gently appointed Superintendent of Public
Works OF the State of New York. Messrs. Oliver
and Stevens have established permanent head
! quarters in the Commercial National Bank
Building in this city. and signature of the
I contract with the government Mr.. Oliver will
/ assume charge Of the work on the isthmus, while
Mr. Stevens will direct the work from this end.
+ J. c. and A. NJ. Stewart, OF New York City,
members of the contracting firm of James Stew
, art & Co. are in Washington and have been In
conference with Mir. Oliver to-day Mr. oliver
says that Stewart & Co, have submitted a prop
osition to him. but that 1t has not yet been ac-
cepted 1t is the opinion in official circles, how
ever, that their offer will he taken.
That the fight on Mr. Oliver has not ended Is
made clear from kilograms he has received from
friends in New York and Knoxville. He is in
formed that petitions are being circulated in
New York protesting against the government
awarding the contract for digging the canal
while in Knoxville, he says. effort is being
made to connect him with peonage cases.
My record as a contractor and my financial
responsibility and standing In the business
world" he said tonight. have been investi-
gated by the canal officials and the fact that
the contract has been practically awarded me IS
sufficient evidence that the government is sat
ished with the result Of the investigation. The
President has been fully advised 10 the status
of the Tennessee peonage cases. The fact that
my brother was indicted in the federal court in
the last campaign while he was a candidate for
the Legislature and that he not convicted
when those cases were brought TO trial. and the
further fact that my name in way
nected with the case are sufficient cause for the
government TO ignore these charges entirely"
IBy Telegraph TO The Tribunal
Albany. Jan. 2s.-Superintendent Stevens OF
the Department OF Public Works said tonight
that he had agreed to finance the operations OF
W. ]. Oliver. whose bid for digging the Panama
Canal WAS the lowest
81 am the financial backer Of Mr.. Oliver" said
Superintendent Stevens. That's about all there
is 10 1t. I have agreed to finance him. and am
perfectly confident that he Will carry out all his
obligations 10 the government"
J c. Stewart and A NJ. Stewart are the only
surviving members OF the Canadian Arm OF James
Stewart & Co.. which was organized by their
father IN 1855 The firm has constructed many
large buildings In Canada and IN London. England,
and several large business plants. but never has
engaged in canal work. representative Of the
Arm said yesterday that the Stewards opened
New York Office only few years ago and still had
Offices in Canada and IN London AS TO enga ging
in Panama Canal work on the terms OF MI divers
bid the representative said. the Stewarts were un-
decided when they left the city Monday evening.
They would make no decision, he said. until they
had full Information regarding the amount Of
money 10 be used by the contractors IN the prose
cution OF the work and tho risks 20 be taken.