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Chairman Shonts sends Secretary of War Taft the details of the contract for the building of the Panama Canal. Walston H. Brown and Chief Engineer Stevens conferred to come up with a percentage-base plan for the contractors.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-03
This memorandum outlines the differences in proposed contracts of the construction of the Pamana Canal between Walston H. Brown, railroad builder, and John F. Stevens.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-03
President Roosevelt has recently spoken with a number of people regarding the Panama Canal Zone, and while he feels that Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission Theodore P. Shonts and Chief Engineer John F. Stevens are too hard on Governor Charles E. Magoon, it may still be best for Magoon to be reassigned elsewhere. He tells Secretary of War Taft that he is inclined for Shonts to take the role of administrator himself, as long as Taft deems such a thing wise. That being said, he also would like William Franklin Sands to be appointed minister in spite of opposition from Shonts and Stevens, as he would better be able to work with foreign governments. In a postscript, Roosevelt also refers Taft to some letters he received from Francis B. Loomis he would like him to look into, as well as an editorial he would like Stevens to comment on.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-14
President Roosevelt authorizes Secretary of War Taft to use funds to stable the cavalry at Boise, Idaho as General Fred C. Ainsworth mentioned. Roosevelt additionally comments on several appointments, saying he believes that Walston H. Brown should be allowed to carry out his proposal, that he has decided to appoint James Shanklin Harlan to the Interstate Commerce Commission, and that he is inclined to appoint Horace H. Lurton, which will necessitate appointing a new Circuit Court Judge. Roosevelt also writes at length about some recent articles by Poultney Bigelow which contain some “slanderous falsehood,” but about which he believes some response should be made.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-17
Francis B. Loomis informs William Loeb that Walton H. Brown will be sending the President his memorandum on contractors for the Panama Canal shortly. It has been difficult to gather the best contractors in the country, because they are all busy with numerous projects. Many contractors would be willing to work on the canal, but, as they have “contracts aggregating millions of dollars” that they will have to accept or reject, they would like to know “in a general way” how their proposals are being regarded. Loomis would not like Loeb to publish the clipping that he sent, as it was just for Roosevelt’s reference.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-16
Secretary of War Taft agrees with President Roosevelt that it is wise to send Charles Edward Magoon to the Philippines, but also that the last thing the Roosevelt administration can afford to do is to let Theodore P. Shonts and John F. Stevens, both involved with the engineering and construction of the Panama Canal, to control relations with the Panamanians. They need a Minister who can prevent trouble in that area, especially in regard to labor organization. Taft informs Roosevelt that he has written to Shonts and asked for a statement concerning the character and history of Walston Brown.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-18
Francis B. Loomis forgot to mention in his letter to William Loeb that if President Roosevelt wishes, the investors will increase the capital of the Union Construction Co. Walston H. Brown is sending a memorandum which will help the President dispose of “the canal problem.” Loomis hopes to see Loeb and his wife before long.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-16
Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt in his capacity as the head of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Taft feels that they should not create contracts for work on the canal without advertising. He has approved Theodore P. Shonts’s leave to travel home with his family from Europe, but not Shonts’s plan to see canals in Manchester or Europe in an official capacity because he is not an engineer and that would bring criticism on him. A rivalry has arisen between John F. Stevens and Charles E. Magoon, and now may be the time to reorganize the Canal commission and civil government and the relationship between the two. Taft looks forward to discussing this with Roosevelt on his return next month.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-17
Chief Engineer Stevens is familiar with Walston H. Brown, and knows him “to be able.” He recommends that, if it is amenable to President Theodore Roosevelt and Secretary of War William H. Taft, the government enter into a contract with Brown and his associates as soon as possible to ensure a quick start to construction in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-07-27