The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-22
TACKLED SUBWAY
AND PANAMA TASKS
IN Each Case Shonts SoIUed
; Difficult Problems.
yron "a. late Edition of Sundays sux.

proc, tAe late Edition Of Sundays suN.
The two greatest achievements in the
nareer Of Theodore Perry Shonts, presi-
bsnt Of the marlborough Rapid Transit
company and affiliated transportation
lines, have been his organization Of
work upon the Panama Canal during
President Roosevelt's Administration,
which paved the way for the successful
completion Of the project, and his de-
Selopment of the New York subway
systems under plan by which the
municipality becomes a partner in the
building and operation of its railways.
Herculean Tasks Completed.
Both Of these jobs constituted her
rulean tasks, but in each case Mr..
shonts tackled his problems boldly and
successfully Both at Panama and in
New York Mr.. Shonts brought order out
Of chaos and left his work in such
shape that his successors would be able
10 carry 1t on.
Mr.. shonts was selected to head the
second Isthmian Canal Commission in
1905 after the first commission mad failed
10 show satisfactory results. President
Roosevelt was convinced that a good
railroad man was needed for the work.
and Paul Morton, then Secretary of the
Navy, suggested Mr.. Shonts At the
Presidents request William Howard
Taft, then Secretary of War, wrote sew
tral prominent business men stating that
Mr.. shonts was being considered for the
responsible post and asking their opinion
upon his qualifications. All of the re-
piles assured Mr.. Taft that Mr.. Shonts
was 'iust the mail for the job"
Accordingly President Roosevelt wired
Mr. Shonts offering him the position and
lis communication was delivered in
March, 1905. when Mr.. Shonts was cruis-
ing the West Indies as guest of Mr..
Norton on the Dolphin, the official
yacht of the Secretary of the Navy.
Mr.. Shonts was surprised. He said
1t the time that he knew very little
Ibout Panama; but he recognized the
threwdness of the President in selecting
railroad man to head the commission,
for he considered the big problem to be
tansportation-the moving of exca-
waited material from the cut to the spill
banks-the moving of sand. rock. ce-
ment and iron to the points for the To-
cation Of the locks along the route.
He knew that the condition at the
time was chaotic; that Mr.. Taft had
said Of the first commission, that II had
not so developed itself into an execu-
tive body as to give hope that 1t might
be used successfully as an instrument
for carrying on the immense executive
burden involved in the construction of
the canal"
The acceptance of the Presidents Of
Ter meant material sacrifice, but he con-
sdered 1t his patriotic duty to accept
provided he might receive full author
ity, for he felt that by no other means
could success be attained.
few days later Mr.. Shonts gave his
answer TO the President personally In
the White House.
Mr.. President" he said. 81 have an
hea that when you learn the conditions
under which / am willing to become
Chairman OF the Isthmian Canal Com
mission you may withdraw your offer.
with body composed of so many diff
ferent members with diversified duties
That are likely to conflict on occasion
there is bound to be friction so long
Is responsibility is divided. I should
nor care to accept the chalrmanship
OF this commission, therefore, unless II
u understood that / am to have abso-
lutte authority as to both men and
measures In the work of the construction
o. the canal-subject to your approval,
OF course"
President Roosevelt's response was to
open the doors OF the chamber in which
they were conversing. invite several
newspaper men who were waiting tc
see him to enter, and to say. Gentle
men. allow me to introduce to you the
chairman Of the Isthmian Commission
VINO Is to have absolute control of the
construction of the Panama Canal"
With his wide acquaintance among
railroad men Mr.. Shonts was able &c
PICK to aid him in his task a wealth
OF talent and genius. Because of the
uen that ne picked the second cana
commission became known as the
railroad Mems Commission"
one OF the greatest results of ths
ehonts rule at Panama was the elini'
nation OF yellow fever and the cutting
OF the death rate, in which he was aided
py Col William G. Gorgas, later Sur.
seon-General of the United States Army
Although throughout the length and
breadth Of the United States the cry was
gong up TO "set the dirt flying" Mr.
shonts firmly believed that bslore set
ing the dirt flying he should make tht
Islhmus habitable to the persons WHIT
were to work there.
No hero of Greek mythology evei
nced more perplexing task. Their
were no systems of waterworks, o.
sewerage or of drainage on the entir'
Isthmus at the time. The people de
pended for their water largely upoI
unprotected cisterns filled during tn,
fanny season and on barrels supplied
rom nearby streams. all of which wer'
oeeainS places for mosquitoes In de
ss9lping conditions as he found then
Snonts wrote: "The filth OF age
sao accumulated around the dwelling
end In the streets, undisturbed excep
Hhen washed away by torrentiai storms
soon OF stagnant water had existed TO
soars In proximity to dwellings, and In
sect breeding swamps lay undrained ad
; o TO the cities and many OF tn
Health Considered First.
MT; shonts declared that ito max,