The Washington times., 1907-01-24
Quickly Named to Fill
Place Vacated by
ShOntS.
Former Chairman Goes
TO Ryan Belmont
interests.

1t was officially announced today
that Chief Engineer Stevens viii be
appointed chairman of the Isthmian
Canal Commission. vice Theodore p.
Shonts resigned.
The four vacancies now existing
in the commission viii be filed, tenn
porarily, at least. by the appoint-
ment of four of the bureau chiefs
who are nov at work on the
isthmus.
Mr.. Shonts is still president Of
the Panama Railway Company, but
at its annual meeting, which will
take place in April, his successor
viii be chosen.
Kind Treatment OF Shonts.
Theodore P. Shonts has resigned a.
chairman Of the Panama Canal Gem
mission. and been most cordially treated
by the Administration, whereas John
Finley Wallace, Eesigning as chief en-
gineer. was vigorously scored. Why the
cinerenee2
story in circulation t0day-the Admins
tratlon was quite willing 10 be relieved
Of the services Of Chairman shonts.
There had for a long time been fric-
tion between Air. Shorts and Chief En-
gineer Stevers. This has been well
known, but the situation is said now 10
nave been even graver than was COM
monty supposed outside the inner cir
eles Of the Administration
MT. shonts did not fancy the canal
job He didn't want 10 live on the zone.
Mr.. stevens didn't want 10 be bossed
By a Washington bureau. Re had a
feeling that the canal would be better
dug with shovels than with typeWriters.
and he was for getting busy al short
range with the digging apparatus.
Was the Choice Of Morton.
II viii be recalled that when M
Shonts was selected for head OF the
Canal Commission. il was well UNDER
stood that Paul Morton's was the in
fuence which chiefly brought about the
choice The two had been intimately
associated IN business. Mr. Morton left
the Cabinet expecting TO become head
OF the BelmOnt-Ryan traction interests
IN New York. but a sudden shift Of af-
fairs made the presidency OF the Equi-
table Life available and more desirable,
and he took II. The big traction inter
ests never chose a man for the post
that had been intended for Mr.. Morton
II mas been unoCcupied. and the intend
ed reorganization has been postponed
ull now.
Meanwhile the 6isagreemeats in the
canal management went on apace. AR
denCe Of President Roosevelt that the
latter decided 10 make a trip 20 the
isthmus largely for the purpose OF sat
isfying himself which OF his two dis
agreeing ieutenants was right. He went
last November and saw conditions with
his own eyes.
Presidents Faith in Stevens.
That Investigation. it is now said. con-
WINGED him that the division of author
ity ana responsibility was wrong. Mr..
Stevens wanted to boss the canal build
ing. and the President got the idea that
a boss vino was handy 10 the job would
be most desirable Further. he became
convinced that Stevens was the right
man.
After the President came back TO
Washington. it is Tecounted. Mr.. Nor
ton came 10 Washington and was a
goes that at this visit the President
explained his embarTassmeHts. and in
dicated that he would like Mr. ShOnts
on his hands. Mr.. Morton went back 10
New York, and presently the tender
was made TO Chairman Shonts OF the
traction position that had once been at
the disposal OF the former Secretary OF
the Navy.
Chairman Shonts has meyer been ao-
ceptable to the Senators who have most
interested themselves in canal matters,
and his nomination was never con
firmed He was deeply interested in the
Clever Leaf railroad, and refused TO
withdraw from H. despite much Sena-
toriel and other criticism He said lis
private fortune was invested there, and
he could not AFFORD 10 give up all rela-
uons 60 the property. The expectation
that the road would be sold before long
was held out and this somewhat molli-
fied Senatorial opposition.
Joins Belmont Forces.
Mr. shonts will 80 10 New York.
where he has been elected president OF
the Interborough- Metropolitan Company.
owned by the Ryan-BelmOnt interests.
which control the subway and many OF
the surface traction lines Of the me-
tropolis.
As chairman Of the Canal Commission,
Mr. Shonts received the munihcent sal
AIRY of $4,000. As president of the New
York company he VIII receive a still
larger amount, but the exact sum is not
named
The following letters respecting the
resignation are given out at the White
House.
New York. January p, 1907
My Dear Mr.. President: / hereby
tender my resignation as chairman Of
the lsthmian Canal Commission. effect
i've a your pleasure. but not later than
March /, 1907.
1T is unnecessary for me 10 assure
you OF my great appreciation Of the
confidence you have repOsed In me. and
Of the splendid support you have al