Memorandum from William H. Taft to Theodore P. Shonts
Subject(s): Bangs, Anson M. (Anson Myron), 1860-1919, Construction contracts--Management, Consulting engineers, Gaillard, David Du Bose, 1859-1913, Goethals, George W. (George Washington), 1858-1928, Gorgas, William Crawford, 1854-1920, Isthmian Canal Commission (U.S.), Letting of contracts, Military engineers, Oliver, W. J. (William Jesse), 1867-1925, Panama--Panama Canal, Resignation from office, Sibert, William L. (William Luther), 1860-1935, Smith, Jackson, 1862-1910, United States. Army. Corps of Engineers
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Secretary of War Taft requests Commissioner Shonts forward the following dispatch from President Roosevelt to Chief Engineer John F. Stevens. After serious review, Taft asks Shonts whether to accept a bid for the construction of the Panama Canal under the present contract or to reject all bids entirely. Taft cites that the two most desirable bids, McArthur Syndicate then William J. Oliver and Anson M. Bangs fit all the requirements with exception to “the least expense of the Government.” Taft informs Shonts of the resignation of Stevens, Chief Engineer of the project, and solicits to have him replaced with Major George W. Goethals. In the meantime, Taft requests that the Commission reject the two bids aforementioned. In a typed postscript, Taft informs Stevens that Goethals will replace him as Chief Engineer and Chairman of the Commission. Roosevelt expects him to use every attempt to assists Goethals with “as little friction and as little loss of efficiency” as possible.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-02-26
Creator(s)
Recipient
Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919; Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
6
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Memorandum from William H. Taft to Theodore P. Shonts. [February 26, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55574. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930; Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919; Carpenter, Fred W., 1873 or 1874–1957. Memorandum from William H. Taft to Theodore P. Shonts. [26 Feb. 1907]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. May 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55574.
APA:
Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930; Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919; Carpenter, Fred W., 1873 or 1874–1957., [1907, February 26]. Memorandum from William H. Taft to Theodore P. Shonts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55574.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. May 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
