Canals--Design and construction

The French chargé d’affaires to Panama, Henri Arthur Marie Barre Ponsignon, sends an excerpt of a report to Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphen Jean Marie Pichon about President Roosevelt’s recent visit to Panama. Roosevelt and heads of department left Ancón at seven in the morning to visit the Panama Canal work site in the rain and mud. Roosevelt, who spoke to many workers and asked questions, was able to fully appreciate the technical difficulties to be overcome. He made it clear to the new republic that he did not want any revolutions to hinder the work of the Canal, where over 7,000 Americans are currently employed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-11-19

Secretary of State Root spent two days touring the work on the Panama Canal. Root saw the work that had been done for the residence of officers and workmen, as well as for repair and construction shops. Root was particularly impressed by the amount of excavation being done near the Culebra Cut. Root concludes by suggesting that the biggest danger facing the Canal at present is the possibility of losing good and able men to profitable employment elsewhere.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-10-12

John F. Stevens discusses contracts and contractors for the building of the Panama Canal with Chairman of the Panama Canal Commission Theodore P. Shonts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-18

John F. Stevens thinks that construction will benefit if they seek out the best workers and contractors for every type of work needed, rather than relying solely on one company to provide them. That way, each “class of construction” will be overseen and carried out by experts who are the best at what they do.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-08-04

Ricardo Arias worries that the United States is focused solely on the construction of the Panama Canal at the cost of other matters in Panama not directly related to the canal. Arias reminds Secretary of State Elihu Root of Panama’s history and the history of the relationship between the United States and Panama, especially regarding the treaty that allows the building of the canal. Arias stresses Panama’s desire for a harmonious relationship and requests Root to set up a meeting so that representatives can discuss details relating to the canal’s construction.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-30

John F. Stevens, Chief Engineer of the Panama Canal Commission, offers Theodore P. Shonts his views on how the canal should best be constructed. Stevens advocates the commission keeping as much control and oversight over the process as possible, while using the best contractors from different parts of the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-27

The list contains the names of companies that are willing to provide Chinese laborers to work on the construction of the Panama Canal. A disclaimer is included at the end of the list that provides the official response to the companies as well as the statement that some of the companies responded to an advertisement that was placed by the “old Commission.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-04

Congressman Parker asks Secretary of War Taft to look at the enclosed. Parker showed the Panama report to Mack Parker, his cousin and an engineer with experience with building bridges and the tropics, and asked him for his views. Mack Parker’s views are expressed very strongly and Parker believes they are a valuable contribution to the matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-04-01

Andrew McC. Parker discusses the challenges associated with building a canal across the Isthmus.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-03-26

Photograph shows President Roosevelt at the Panama Canal construction site.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1906-11-26

President Roosevelt carries two logs—labeled “financial legislation”—towards Washington, D.C., and a special session of Congress. Pinned on the logs is the note, “hewn at Oyster Bay.” Already stacked near the Capitol building are other logs that read, “Cuban Reciprocity” and “Canal.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-28

“Panama” and “Cuba” take a bow on stage as President Roosevelt, who is serving as an “usher,” brings two bouquets for them: “reciprocity (for Cuba)” and “canal treaty for Panama.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-09

“Wild Ted” jumps up in the air as he rides on a Republican elephant hobbyhorse, which says, “O gee, but I feel proud!” President Roosevelt says, “Your canal or your life,” as he holds a revolver and a lasso labeled “party clothes line.” He has a “Dawes” feather in his hair, and his gloves are “compliments of your bosom friend Littauer.” A tag is attached to his pants: “Panama—right or wrong any old way—hands up!” Meanwhile, a frightened “Colombia” holds a “Panama Canal” scroll and says, “I think I prefer Morgan.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09

President-elect William H. Taft jumps on the “Gatun Dam” near the “Panama Canal” as “inspecting engineers” look on. Joseph Pulitzer flies off. Caption: If there’s anything weak about the Panama Canal construction Mr. Taft ought to be able to find it.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Jay N. “Ding” Darling’s cartoon about the incoming President William H. Taft and his affirmation that all was well regarding the Panama Canal and its progress might seem to be a portrayal of the new administration’s promises of diligence.

President Roosevelt and Uncle Sam, holding a big stick and a “Law of 1825” rifle respectively, run toward the “legal jungle” stepping on Indianapolis News and World newspapers about the Panama Canal.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The title of Nelson Harding’s cartoon was a pun because the pursuit of President Theodore Roosevelt and Uncle Sam (representing, in this case, the Attorney General’s office) was after literal newspapers.

President-elect William H. Taft, who is on horseback, salutes President Roosevelt with “canal gossip” smoke coming from “Panama.” Caption: Roosevelt–“That’s a powerful lot of smoke. Just see if there is any fire.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

In the final weeks of the 1908 presidential campaign, Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World (followed in scandal-mongering zeal if not journalistic enterprise, the Indianapolis News and the New York Sun) released an expose that threatened to tar the reputations of President Roosevelt and then-candidate, soon president-elect, William H. Taft. Allegations were published about alleged illicit profiteering and “missing funds” when, four years earlier, Panama seceded from Columbia, rights were purchased for the United States to construct a canal, and vintage claims of French bondholders were repaid. Roosevelt’s brother-in-law and Taft’s brother were specifically implicated.

President Roosevelt holds up a stuffed bear labeled “canal ‘scandal.'” Caption: Another nature fake exposed.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle advertised itself as an independent paper, and it usually was. Many such journals proved their independence by attacking all sides of partisan debates, but the Eagle, more than most publications, praised both sides when they though politicians or parties deserved approval.

John Bigelow, a former ambassador to France from the United States, has recently published a pamphlet on the Panama Canal. Bigelow criticizes the inflated costs of the project, as well as the slow pace of the work. The initial French plan consisted of an initial, preliminary canal which after its completion would be widened into the final form, but the United States rejected this plan in favor of completing the canal in one go.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908

Henry Riesenberg reports on the progress of the construction of the Panama Canal, which was taken up by the United States after the French failed to complete the project. While much criticism has been aimed at the project, work is steady and should be completed between 1915 and 1917. Riesenberg details the progress of construction, which far exceeds the previous French efforts, including information about waste removal, disease, sanitation, and lack of adequate housing in the Canal Zone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-11-03

This newsletter, available free of charge to employees of the Isthmian Canal Commission and the Panama Railroad Company, reports on various happenings in the Canal Zone, including updates on progress, revenue, mosquitoes, sports, and excavation. It also includes a directory of names at the end.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-11