The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-28

No official explanation has been vouch-
safed yet Of the unexpected resignation
Of John F. Stevens. chief engineer OF
the Panama Canal. which was announced
from the White House yesterday after
noon. There is a certain reticence that
leads to the conclusion that the admins
tratfon is very much vexed with Mr..
Stevens for quitting his job, although
officials. from the President down. are not
unwilling to express their appreciation
OF the admirable work done by Mr..
Stevens in Panama. The President feels.
and says, that Mr.. Stevens has accom-
plished probably more than any other
man could have accomplished in the
eighteen months he has been on the
isthmus.
But Mr.. Stevens quit. TO the embarrass-
ment Of the government. His case is
officially distinguished from that OF John
F. Wallace the former chief engineer
who was peremptorily dismissed with
severe criticism, by the fact that in his
letter to the President asking to be re-
lleved. Mr. Stevens said that he would
stay in Panama until his successor ar
rived and as much longer as necessary.
The truth of the matter appears to be
that the President upon hearing from
Mr. stevens that he desired TO leave the
service of the government, simply ac-
cepted the preferred resignation without
comment. feeling that II Mr.. Stevens
thought it best TO leave the work which
had been intrusted to him. the govern
ment could very well get along without
him.
Not Asked to Cult.
The inclination Of Mr.. Stevens 70 leave
it seems, led 10 the acceptance of his
resignation without the slightest indica-
ton on the part az the President of
desire that Mr. Stevens should remain. II
may be said upon the best OF authority
that Mr.. Stevens was not called upon 10
resign
Mr.. Stevens had been in Panama about
a year. when he began TO get disheaTt-
eaed. He was never particularly anxious
10 go 20 Panama, anyway, and the place
o. chief engineer was really forced on
him This was when Mr.. Wallace so pre-
cipitately left the government service AT
that time Mr.. Stevens was about to leave
the country for the Philippines, where
he was going to superintend the building
OF the $4,000. 90 worth Of railways for the
islands government. Secretary Taft was
about 10 go TO the Philippines himself
when the Panama crisis arose.
Suddenly the canal had no chief engi-
Eee7. \ man. and a good one, was needed
% step into Mr. Wallace's place immedi-
utely. Casting about. the President
alighted on Mr.. Stevens, and to Panama
MI Stevens went. He would probably
Lave preferred the Philippines. but Pan
anna showed $4,000 "a year and lots OF
honor. 50 when Mr.. Stevens sailed from
Kew York he had his teeth set and was
determined to build the great waterway.
Was Not Enthusiastic.
Although Mr.. Stevens was not particu-
larry enthusiastic about accepting the
Panama place. when he got It he deter
mined 10 see the whole thing through
This determination lasted for a year.
Then. according to his best friends here,
M Stevens began 10 wish for his friends
back in the States. He had large num-
Der of whom he was fond. Among other
things. he is great reader and loves
books
He found IL impossible 10 keep volumes
OF any sort in Panama because Of the
green mold that settles on everything IN
a night. Ia his early days in the West
Mt Stevens did not have much recreation,
but, being young and getting ahead ne
did not mind. Within the last few years
be has taken up golf. and has become an
enthusiast 81 the links. Golf was impOs-
slble in Panama, and Mr. stevens SUI
fered from the loss Of his only recreation.
and his greatest means OF exercise. All
these things did much 10 make Nr.
Stevens dissatisfied with Panama. and
last summer he began 20 wish to come
home. II may sound foolish that Iitera-
ture and golf had anything to do with
the resignation. but his closest friend here
says It's a fact
Mr. Stevens was also sensitive about his
work, and hated criticism, especially when
IL came from those who knew nothing OF
the nature OF the work nor the difficulties
in Panama. He heard some Of this crit
cism, and he was much hurt by H. He
vas very conscientious. and last year
when there vas talk Of his being called
10 washington for a hearing before the
committees OF Congress. he cabled up that
81 he was called away from his wor.,
again La would resign.
Hoped 10 BE Relieved.
Nj. Stevens hoped to be relieved Of part
Of his labors by the invasion Of The
Isthmus of the contractors. He was
heartily in favor Of building the canal by
private contract until William J. oliver
put IN the lowest bid. Then Mr.. Stevens
cabled to the President not 20 accept the
oliver bid. II became impossible shortly
20 accept the McArthur-Gillespi offer.
which was not much less than twice as
large as divers. so Mr. Stevens chances
OF assistance and relief from worry from
gyfi~ arfn
was within the last few weeks. and the
chief engineer was pretty much Disguised
He is ffty-four years old now. and con-
siders that If he stays by the work until
the canal is completed, II IN even seven
or eight years he would be broken in
health And. according 10 his friends,
not caring much about what future gen
eratiOus or this one. is a matter OF fact.
might think. Mr. Stevens came to the
conclusion that this would be good
tine TO get out When the President
found Sfr. Stevens wanted TO leave he
thought 50, too, and accepted the resig-
nation.
That is the story as Mr.. Stevens friends
tell IT, Whether there is another and so
far secTeted side resting somewhere ip
the White House has not been divulged.
officials profess great admiration for Mr..
stevens work. praise what he has done.
and say they are sorry he is going to
leave
VIII Sail on March g.
Maj Cocktails the new head CT the
Isthmian Canal Commission. who is 10 be
chief engineer in place of Mr.. Stevens.
VIII sail from New York on one OF the
Panama Railway Company's steamers on
March 6. He will take charge on the
isthmus Immediately. Mr.. Stevens viii
probably remain in Panama as long as
Mai GoethaIs thinks he Is needed there.