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Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt from Cuba. He assures Roosevelt that the recent report from the New York Herald was overblown and no cause for alarm. He also reports on the labor meeting he held with unhappy steam shovel engineers working on the Canal while in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-07
Secretary of War Taft reports to President Roosevelt on the progress of the Panama Canal. He has heard from the men working on the canal, those in charge of steam shovels, locomotive engineers, and construction conductors, but does not want to make a decision until he hears back from the President. Taft tells Roosevelt he should receive a letter with Taft’s in-depth analysis and a copy has also been sent to George W. Goethals. Taft is in Cuba for the next week and then travels to Puerto Rico.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-07
Minutes of a conference held in Colón, Panama, between Secretary of War William H. Taft and three steam shovel operators working on the Panama Canal over the rate of pay and medical care for the operators.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-03
Secretary of War Taft forwards President Roosevelt a telegram that he received from John F. Stevens regarding Stevens’s resignation as Chairman of the Commission, and has appointed George W. Goethals to replace him.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-22
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
On behalf of President Roosevelt, Secretary of War Taft instructs John F. Stevens to pause any delegation until his arrival, then they can consult with Major George W. Goethals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-07
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
Secretary of War Taft relays a telegram to John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal construction project, that his telegram was received. Taft informs Stevens that he will be made Chairmen of the Isthmian Commission on March 5th and “will exercise supreme control” until his departure.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-28
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
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
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-23
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to discuss appointing Bishop and Colonel George W. Goethals as consultants to Congress regarding the Panama Canal project.
1907-11-27
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to say he is pleased that Colonel George W. Goethals and Bishop get along well. Roosevelt discusses Goethals’ power and strategy as a part of the Isthmian Canal Commission. He also mentions that he had telegrams between Goethals and himself published in recognition of the work being done in Panama.
1907-09-06
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop regarding the Panama canal project and discusses Colonel George W. Goethals replacement of John Frank Stevens as chief engineer on the canal project. Roosevelt also mentions his reaction to Herbert Parsons regarding the Republican Club and asks Bishop to inform him of what he would like Roosevelt to say about the canal in his annual message.
1907-09-11
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop asking him to tell Colonel Goethals to proceed with the selection of Senator Joseph C. S. Blackburn for Governor in the Panama Canal Zone.
1907-09-16
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop to thank him for his letter and expresses his happiness over Bishop’s reports of conditions in Panama. Roosevelt mentions workers’ complaints in Panama over a lack of outside news and suggests that Bishop include world events in his newspaper there. Roosevelt also sends his regards to Colonel George W. Goethals.
1907-08-22
President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop and asks that Colonel George W. Goethals send him a telegram, to which he will respond with one of congratulations, both to be published to promote the work being done in Panama. Roosevelt also provides his opinion on the Isthmian Canal Commission and how it should be structured.
1907-08-29
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary is unaware of quotations from Henry Labouchère regarding Roosevelt. He will be unable to provide the other opinions on Roosevelt requested by Elizabeth Towne, as they do not keep clippings which reference Roosevelt. The secretary suggests numerous people whom Towne could contact for these opinions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-10-03
Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary suggests Rose Griffith Watkins contact the editor of National Geographic Magazine for a copy of George W. Goethals’s article about the Panama Canal. Goethals is the head of the Panama Canal Commission, and his article is the most authoritative and exhaustive account of the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-03