The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-21
THEO. P. SHONTS,
LONG I'LL, DIES.
End Comes to Head of Inter-
borough Rapid Transit
Early This Morning.
YEARS IN RAILWAY LIFE
Mastered Task Of Saving the
Transportation System Of
City From Chaos.

Theodore p. Shonts, president of
the Interborough Rapid Transit Com
pany and onef of the best known
street railway executives in the world,
died at 1889 o'clock this morning in
his home at $50 Park avenue. He
had been Ill since last June, when he
was stricken In the Interborough Of
fees. Since then he had been close
to death many times, but rallied re-
peatedly, giving hope that eventually
he would emerge the victor in the
long battle he had waged for life.
Mr.. Shonts suffered another relapse a
few days ago, and yesterday his
physician again reported that he was
a very sick man. In the afternoon
they reported his condition was criti-
cal and toward night announced that
his case was virtually hopeless. From
them on to the end his condition con-
tinued to grow worse and every eff
fort to restore him to consciousness
failed.
When he was taken Ill originally Mr..
Shonts appeared to be suffering from a
general breakdown. Congestion of the
| lungs developed from this illness An
operation afforded some relief. and then
the patient was called upon to undergo
two more operations. Each time he
rallied, his remarkable vitality assert
ing itself in his favor on each occasion.
At least six or seven times during tire
summer Mr.. Shonts's relative<va vand the
physicians attending him virtually gave
up hope for his recovery, but each time
there came a change which renewed their
belief that eventually his extraordinary
fighting power would win.
The two greatest achievements in the
career of Theodore Perry Shonts, presi-
dent of the Interborough 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-
velopment of the New York subway
| systems under a plan by which the
| municipality becomes a partner in the
building and operation of Its railways.
HercuIean Tasks Completed.
Both of these jobs constituted her
| culean 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
to carry it on.
| Mr.. Shonts was selected to head the
second Isthmian Canal Commission In
1905 after the first commission had failed
| to 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
eral 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 'sjust the man for the Job"
Accordingly President Roosevelt wired
| Mr. Shonts offering him the position and
his communication was delivered in
March, 1905, when Mr.. Shonts was cruis-
ing the West Indies as guest of Mr.
Morton on the latter's yacht, the Dol
phin.
Mr. SnOnIS was surprised. lie balu
at the time that he knew very little
about Panama; but he recognized the
shrewdness OF the President In selectins
a railroad man to head the commission
for he considered the big problem TO bt
transportation-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 10
cation OF the locks along the route.
He knew that the condition at tn,
time was chaotioI that Mr.. Taft hat
said Of the first commission that It hat
not $50 developed itself into an execu
tive body as to give hope that 1t nigh
be uSed successfully as an instrument
for carrying on the immense executiv,
burden involved in the construction o.
the canal"
The acceptance OF the Presidents of
fer meant material sacrifice, but he con
sldered II his patriotic duty to accep
provided he might receive full author
ity, for he felt that by no other mean
could success be attained.
A few days later Mr.. Shonts gave hi
answer to the President personally II
the White House.
Z Mr.. President" he said. 81 have al