Bangs, Anson M. (Anson Myron), 1860-1919

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.

 

 

 

 

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. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-23

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Theodore P. Shonts informs the United States Isthmian Canal Commission that the bid of W. J. Oliver for construction of the Panama Canal will be accepted if he can come up with new satisfactory associates in ten days.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-28

Creator(s)

Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919

Theodore P. Shonts informs John F. Stevens that the government has agreed on a price after a conference including Secretary of State Elihu Root, Secretary of War William H. Taft, and President Roosevelt. Shonts is investigating the financial responsibility, integrity, and past performance of the Oliver & Bangs construction company.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-18

Creator(s)

Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919

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. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919