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George W. Goethals responds to recent criticisms of the food supply on the Isthmus of Panama and details the provisions made available by the government and those that are available privately.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-18
John F. Stevens informs Secretary of War Taft that Colonel Goethals will become the chief engineer in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-21
Seth H. McGee would like President Roosevelt to have the signature of former Governor of Georgia Rufus B. Bullock (whom he mistakenly believes to have been Roosevelt’s grandfather), and so sends Roosevelt an old commission signed by Bullock. McGee opines that he would like to see Benjamin M. Hall sent to Panama to finish the canal, rather than Hall being out West or in Atlanta.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-07
Chief Engineer of the Panama Canal, John F. Stevens, asks Secretary of War Taft if he should give permission for a group of steam shovel operators looking for increased wages to visit Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-06
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
John F. Stevens informs Secretary of War Taft that he will stay on in Panama to help Colonel George W. Goethals train as his replacement. Stevens recently resigned as head engineer of the Panama Canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
John F. Stevens informs Secretary of War Taft that he will stay on to thoroughly advise Colonel Goethals until Stevens leaves Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
John F. Stevens responds to what he considers a new bid for construction of the Panama Canal, which he still believes to be inadequate. He is sending a letter to President Roosevelt with more details.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-09
John F. Stevens cables Secretary of War Taft that he is unfamiliar with those parties, but he judges their bids to be less than perfect.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-08
Chief Engineer Stevens knows nothing of George Pierce and Company or the Milan Dredging Company, and considers these companies to make no significant contribution to W. J. Oliver’s proposal for building the Panama Canal. Stevens also expresses concern about the involvement of William Barclay Parsons, August Belmont, and John B. MacDonald. Stevens finds Oliver’s quotation “unfortunate” and does not want a one-man proposal like Oliver’s to be the winning bid.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-06
John F. Stevens writes to Secretary of War Taft that news has reached Panama that steam shovels and men are coming to “make dirt fly.” Stevens warns that careful organization is needed, especially if they use the labor of southern African American prisoners.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-31
John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal, objects to the construction bid made by W. J. Oliver, and updates Secretary of War Taft on the Panama Canal’s construction progress.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-30
Chief Engineer Stevens was surprised to learn of Chairman Shonts’s resignation and President Roosevelt’s acceptance. He had understood that Roosevelt was not going to take action without consulting Stevens. Stevens does not desire to be the only one in charge of the Panama Canal construction; he had wanted the post in the Philippines instead and only accepted the position in Panama reluctantly. Stevens wanted to be in charge of construction and not a political actor. He complains that his salary is too low and the “honor” of the position is not enough. Stevens worries that the upcoming election might change the plan for construction, and he expresses particular concern for the future of the Republican party. He argues on behalf of the Isthmian Commission. He is not anxious to continue in the service, and wishes to return to railroad work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-30
John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal, cables Secretary of War Taft that he believes it is a mistake to award the contract to build the Panama Canal to W. J. Oliver.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-29
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-28
John F. Stevens writes the Isthmian Canal Commission that the lowest bid is still too high, but they should examine the record and capacity of the bidders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-16
John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal project, informs President Roosevelt that a stevedoring contractor named J. W. Foulke has been visiting the canal, and has intimated that he has financial backing from a group which includes Chairman of the Isthmian Commission Theodore P. Shonts. Stevens suggests that if these connections came to light it may “prove embarrassing.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-05
This memorandum discusses developments on the Panama Canal and surrounding areas between July 1, 1904 and January 1, 1905, including dam plans, the Culebra Cut, and the building and mechanical departments. It is suggested that if the progress continues in the next six months as it has in the past six months, the canal can be completed in ten years by January 1, 1915.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-01
In one vignette, “Congress” shaped like Speaker of the House Joseph Gurney Cannon looks at President Roosevelt. Caption: That he has three more days of grace. In another, Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, Secretary of War William H. Taft, and Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw hold a paper that reads, “President’s anti-third term declaration.” Caption: That it is irrevocable. In a third vignette, a man with a pickaxe sweats and smiles. Caption: That the president has gone. In the fourth vignette, “Dorsey” looks at a sign that reads, “Dismissal of colored troops—25th Infantry.” Caption: That he wasn’t in it. In the fifth vignette, William Jennings Bryan sits in a chair. Caption: That the N.Y. democracy did so splendidly.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-29
President Roosevelt holds a “canal facts” barrel as a teddy bear holds an “inside facts” box with stickers for “Porto Rico,” “Canal zone,” and “Panama.” Canal critics run into the forest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-26