The Cairo bulletin., 1907-03-02
SAYS ROOSEVELT
STOPPED PROGRESS
ENGINEER STEVENS TAKES PRES.
iDENT TO TASK FOR CANAL
INTERFERENCE.
ATTITUDE IS CRITICISED
Also in Relations to Rairoads--Ste
ems Piqued BY the Constant
Changes in Isthman
Plans.

Washington. March l.--Inpatience
and lack of faith in the success OF
the pacama canal along the lines
laid down by the admin stration, it Is
said, formed the basis of remark
able letter sent by Chief Engineer
stevens to the president and led TO
the resignation of Stevens.
In his letter Mr., stevens took the
president to task for interfe ence in
canal plans in insisting upon changes
in specifications contracts, and other
details OF the work, but uther than
this. assailed the administrations at
titude of continuing investigation and
attack upon the railroads of the
United States. Mr. Stevens view, Il
is understood, was that the adm MS
traitors attitude had aroused the
enmify of the railroads against the
whole project Of the interoceanic
canal and that every obstruction that
could be devised was beng utilized
by these interests.
What more the letter contained is
coniectural bu it has been learned
from an authoritative source that
there were high jinks in the White
House when the president finished its
readi 9. He called Secretary Root
and Secretary Taft in conference and
Immediately asserted that he would
give the Stevens letter 10 the public,
with his acceptance Of Stevens les g.
nation. The presidents advisers
have been kept busy ever since dis
suadine the president from adding to
the controversy now so accentuated
over canal affairs by giving out the
Stevens letter
There is question whether Stew
ems resigned in this letter or whether
his resignation was demanded by the
president after he had received il.
Favors Cody Labor
Months ago the labor problem in
connection with the canal construc-
ton was considered thoroughly by
the president and other administra
tion officials. Stevens, who had been
previously to his government con-
pection, in charge Of construction on
Hill roads in the nor Invest, had EN-
ployed Cinnamon as laborers. On
representations made by agents Of
the Chinese government Stevens
recommended to the administration
that Chinese coolies be employed on
.1.1 hf z1fp
understood at the time was accep;-
able to the president, when suddenly
there was a change in the plan a1d
Stevens felt p.qued at the outcome.
He had gone 50 far as to prepare
the labor contract in which Chinese
labGTers were mentioned, and had
also ap ced. tentatively to the terms
as presented in behalf of the Chinese.
After this proposition was rejected
by the president, Stevens was called
upon to prepare specifications for let
ting the canal construction by con
tract. This he did, and his form was
submit ed to the president by whom.
it is believed it was revised and
amended. Stevens felt piqued again,
and when recently he was called upon
for an official opinion by the admins
tratlon as to whether the contract
should be let TO the lowest bidder,
the OHyer-McDonald combina ion, he
peremptor.tly. it IS said. recommend
ed the rejection Of all bids.
Oliver to Bring Suit.
w. ! Oliver whose bid has been
rejected is in consultation here with
his associates preparing to act
against the government fer what he
'erms unfair and unjust treatment
Mr. divers present intention is to
bring suit in some form against the
anal commission for damages and
for outlay" in complying with the
reanirements as stipulated.
In accordance with the presidents
instructions. as set ou' in his letter
to the isthmian canal commission dis
posing of the bids received for the
construction Of the Panama canal.
Nr. Rogers. the law officer Of the
commission. today sent a notice to
Mr.. Oliver Of the decision to rejec-
all bids. including his own. The ee--
tilted check whi-h accompanied Mr..
divers bid was also sent to hiwl
bat was returned by him to the keep
ing of the commission until tomor