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Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-24
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919
English
President Roosevelt accepts Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission Theodore P. Shonts’s resignation with reluctance because the government will be losing a valuable and devoted employee, and praises Shonts for his work as Chairman. He thanks Shonts for all he has done and wishes him well in his new position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-22
President Roosevelt tells Theodore P. Shonts that figures show the steam shovel operators in the United States and in Panama are paid comparable wages. Thomas J. Dolan will provide figures to back up this claim.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-14
President Roosevelt asks Isthmian Canal Commission Chairman Shonts if he has looked into the issue regarding the Central and South America Telegraph Company raised in James Alexander Scrymser’s recent letter. Roosevelt thinks that Scrymser may be just, but he is not familiar enough with the situation to be certain.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-22
President Roosevelt asks Chairman Shonts to review the enclosed pamphlets regarding the frequency of rioting in the West Indies. He encourages Shonts to “go mighty slow” in terms of reducing the police force in the Isthmian Canal Zone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-11
President Roosevelt forwards Chairman Shonts a letter from W. H. Needham containing statements from machinists at the Canal Zone regarding complaints about their treatment. Roosevelt tells Shonts and Chief Engineer John F. Stevens that they must get past their natural “impatience with complaints” and judge the issue evenly as government employees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-10
President Roosevelt tells Isthmian Canal Chairman Shonts that it has been suggested to him that “truck farming on the Isthmus, especially by Chinamen” could be beneficial. Roosevelt also has been told that there should be steam laundries and churches in the area, and asks Shonts to elaborate on each topic.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-06
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-27
Gorgas, William Crawford, 1854-1920
Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919
English
Foley reports to Theodore P. Shonts, chair of the Isthmian Canal Commission, regarding a visit of the Commercial Clubs of Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis to the canal. The guests asked extensive questions and were impressed with the progress of the project. Many of the staff expressed concern over the resignation of John F. Stevens as chief engineer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-02
Fred W. Carpenter, private secretary under the direction of Secretary of War William H. Taft, instructs Theodore P. Shonts, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, to relay a telegram to Chief Engineer John F. Stevens that his telegram was received. Carpenter informs Stevens that he will be made Chairmen of the Isthmian Commission on March 5th and “will exercise the supreme control” that the position entitles to him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
After serious review, Secretary of War Taft asks Chairman 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” due to the bidders’ desire to split profits with investors. Taft informs Shonts of the resignation of John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the project, and solicits to have him replaced with Major George W. Goethals, who agrees with Taft and Stevens that a new contract must be drafted. In the meantime, Taft requests that the Commission reject the two bids aforementioned.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-23
Railroad executive William C. Brown tells Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission Theodore P. Shonts that he is happy Shonts will be coming to New York. He reminisces about a train trip taken with then vice-presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt, and discusses the paths their careers have taken. Brown expresses his support for federal and state railroad regulations, but is concerned that poor public confidence surrounding abuses and corruption by railroad executives in the past, is impacting the financing of railroad improvements. Brown hopes President Roosevelt will “call attention to the fact that the railroads are an important and inseparable part of the wealth of this Nation.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-28
Theodore Roosevelt thanks Theodore P. Shonts for the letter and photograph. Roosevelt reminisces about his and Shonts’ involvement with the Panama Canal, a memory Roosevelt finds satisfactory.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-07-31
President Roosevelt congratulates Theodore P. Shonts and his daughter, Mary Theodora Shonts, Duchess de Chaulnes, on the recent birth of her son. Roosevelt is interested about what Shonts says about Georges Clemenceau, and hopes to see him when he is in Paris.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-12
President Roosevelt tells Theodore P. Shonts that he does not interfere with the War Department regarding officers threatened with court-martial. Roosevelt has heard of Lieutenant Mitchell several times, but never favorably.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-07-02
After serious review, President Roosevelt asks Chairman Shonts whether to accept a bid for the construction of the Panama Canal under the present contract or to reject all bids entirely. Roosevelt 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” due to the bidders’ desire to split profits with investors. Roosevelt also informs Shonts of the resignation of John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the project, and solicits to have him replaced with Major George W. Goethals, who agrees with Roosevelt and Stevens that a new contract must be drafted. In the meantime, he requests that the Commission reject the two bids aforementioned.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-26
President Roosevelt reminds Isthmian Canal Commission Chairman Shonts to investigate whether mechanics and other workers on the canal project are required to travel second class instead of first class on the boats to Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-27
President Roosevelt has several suggestions for Chairman Shonts. While he only saw one or two unhygienic houses, “they were one or two too many,” and he wishes to avoid scandal. He proposes they should obtain some Chinese laborers. The black West Indian workers need a change in their conditions, particularly in their food and personal cleanliness.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-27
President Roosevelt tells Theodore Perry Shonts, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, that there is no need to tell the public that Roosevelt is “hostile only to the evil-doer,” as that should be self-evident. Roosevelt believes that if there is a financial depression it will happen because of the people who speculate on Wall Street and overdo things during times of prosperity, and that these sorts of people will never recognize their own responsibility in the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-29
President Roosevelt has been disturbed by Theodore P. Shonts’s reports of misconduct by subordinates of Charles E. Magoon, and asks him to report on the subject to Secretary of War William H. Taft so that they can be dismissed or otherwise punished after a necessary investigation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-26