Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-26
Express Themselves as Favorins
Amendment to Law Permitting Pres
idsnt to Assume Charge of the
Work-Friction Between shonts and
Stevens Hastened Retirement.

IA short time ago the president prac-
tlcally created an executive committee
Of three men. to whom all the real
work OF the commission was assigned.
Later he made Secretary Taft virtually
the sole responsible head Of the work.
Now he is ready and willing to per-
! sonally accept the responsibility and
congress is disposed to turn it over to
him
There has been considerable friction
between Chairman ShOnts and Chief
Engineer Stevens. They are men OF de-
cidedly positive characters. Each Is a
man thoroughly versed in railroad con-
struction and accustomed to command.
Stevens remained on the scene at all
times in personal charge Of the work,
and did not take kindly to being over
ruled by Shonts in distant Washing
ton: When he raised the issue sharply
once or twice, he was overruled. and
yet the differences between the men
were increased.
IS Leading senators notified the pres
adent some time ago that 1t would be
impossible to confirm Shonts as d
member Of the commission. They did
not conceal the fact that leading fnan-
cial interests in the country whom he
had antagonized in his railroad con-
necticns were behind this open oppo-
sition. Shonts was given an oppor-
tunity to withdraw absolutely from the
Clover Leaf Railroad, but refused to do
80, saying that he had put in 1t ST.
100000 OF his own money and that
other big industries were interested and
looked to him for the success Of their
investment. He said that he could dis
pose of his own interests and get out
OF the railroad interests to great adj
vantage, but that to do so he would
have to sacrifice the interests of others
associated with him, and that he could
not do this. with honor.
Mr.. Shonts declared. to administra-
ton senators who were trying to force
his confirmation that the $4,000 a year
salary as head Of the commission was
so much smaller than his income from
his railroad operations that he could
not, in justice to his family, consider
Q proposition to give up his railroad
connections.
Mr.. Shonts also took the position
that 1t was not necessary for him to
live in the canal zohe, and in spite of
the law requiring him to live. in Pan
anna, he has never lived there or made
any pretense Of doing so. Attic he has
contended repeatedly and with full
warrant that the health conditions in
the Isthmus were satisfactory, he has
said also that he would not permit his
family to live there. His family have
been in Washington, and altho reach
ing certain degree of social promin-
ence here, they had been obliged to fit
into comparatively minor position in
the official circles because in,
the social analysis Mr.. Shonts as an
official has been but the head Of bu-
reau, and as such has not even taken
rank over the members OF the interstate
commerce commission.
Secretary Taft was at the capitol to-
day and is understood to have told
leader 4 the two houses that the adj
minis ton was ready to accept full
responsibility In the matter Of build
ing the canal, and that IT would not
object to the passage of a measure
which would vest all responsibility in
the president. The secretary of war de.
clared that there was no parallel be-
tween the resignation Of Mr.. Shonts
and Mr.. Wallace, altho both left to en-
ter lucrative private employment, and
Wallace was severely and publicly ar
raigned by Mr.. Taft for his action. The
secretary said weeks before they saw
Mr.. Shonts the men who wished to en-
ploy him had approached the president
to see IL he had objections to them
making Mr.. shonts an offer"
Arthur F. Slater, who succeeds
Charles II. Keep as assistant secretary
OF the treasury, was sworn in this
week. Mr.. Statter's appointment Is fur
Their proof that President Roosevelt Is
living up to the fact that he believes
In .the young mans administration"
for the new assistant secretary is only
a little more than thirty years of age.
Mr.. Slater Is native Of Carlisle,
Eng, coming to the United States in
the early SOS. He lived for some time
on ranch near Sioux City, Iowa, at
tended the public schools and the high
school of that city, and later attended
Cornell college at Mt. Vernon, Ia. For
six years he was in newspaper work,
being connected with the Sioux City
journal, and later as city editor of a
daily paper In Walla Walla. Wash. He
has been private secretary to Secretary
OF the Treasury Shaw, and has made an
enviable record in that position.
Chairman Fsurton, Of the house COM
mittee ON rivers and harbors, this week
lifted the food gate, and tumbling onto
the floor came the greatest appropria-
ton bill ever presented in the Ameri
can congress for the development Of
the nations waterways. There is GER
tain to be much acrimonious debate
over the passage of the bill. for the
reason that vast number of meritori-
Gus enterprises believe they should be
recognized more generously. This will
lead to rapid cross-fire of debate.
hat 4 u morally certain that it will not