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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
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
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.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-26
President Roosevelt introduces Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte to James R. Sheffield, who wants to speak with Bonaparte on a matter connected with some contracts for hardened steel armor for ships.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-12
Chairman Shonts informs the Isthmian Canal Commission that the request for proposals for construction of the Panama Canal was issued, and that they will open bids on December 12. He asks the Commission to send him any additional plans or specifications which might help the bidders create accurate bids.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-10
The writer sends Chief Engineer Stevens the invitation for proposals for construction on the Panama Canal; the writer struggled with the section on compensation for the contractors. They are also consulting with Speaker Cannon and Senator Spooner on the language of the letter of transmission. Due to the reorganization enacted by President Roosevelt and Secretary of War Taft, the onus will be on the writer and Stevens. The writer thinks Stevens should be present for the formal awarding of the contract. They inquire after Stevens’ family and write that they have been “knocked out” for the past several days.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-27
Chairman Theodore P. Shonts informs Chief Engineer John F. Stevens that President Roosevelt approved of their plan for contracting the work on the Panama Canal, and Shonts will be going to La Malbaie, Québec, Canada, to confer with Secretary of War William H. Taft about it. Shonts and Richard Reid Rogers, the Canal Commission’s general counsel, are working on the request for proposals, and Shonts will send it to Stevens when it is ready for his input. Shonts also writes that they submitted the proposals for Chinese laborers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-08-22
James Alexander Scrymser discusses the problems with the United States Army’s decision to install telegraph cables themselves.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-21
Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw makes recommendations to President Roosevelt regarding the administration of the Panama Canal. The government had bought steamships to use the canal, but Shaw recommends selling them to private companies and taking sealed bids for contracts to operate the canal routes. He also suggests that the government should use private contractors on building and operating the isthmian railroad the government owns as well, as this will prevent red tape and potential scandals. He does recommend hiring many civil and sanitary engineers to oversee the work, however. Shaw uses examples of government projects using private contractors in Albany and New York City, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to strengthen his argument.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-17
William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy, insists that John Roach, a contractor, accompany him on a test cruise before the Navy can sign off on the contract and accept delivery of the ship “Dolphin.” Roach, holding a piece of paper that states “Bill for Constructing the Dispatch Boat ‘Dolphin’ –J. Roach,” steps back in fear and does not accept Whitney’s offer. Caption: Secretary Whitney – “I can’t accept your ship until we have tried her again. Step on board, sir. ” / J. R. – “Step on board! No, sir, never! My life is entirely too valuable to the nation. Cut down the bill, and call it square!”
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
1885-04-01
Charles Sumner Hamlin is working on behalf of the Commercial Pacific Cable Company who would like the Nero soundings in relation to the proposed cable between Honolulu and Manila. The company is willing to accept half rates for government business. Hamlin wishes to get approval for the work at reduced rates from President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-08
Henry Clay Evans sends a copy of a telegram he sent to Colonel Wilder Stevens Metcalf in regard to printing services for the Department of the Interior. Evans believed that a proposed change in printing from the Topeka Agency of William Allen White would be a mistake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-01
Henry Clay Evans tells Wilder Stevens Metcalf not to suspend printing services from William Allen White.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-05-01