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Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary informs Anne D. Megary Stanley that Roosevet has received her letter. To obtain the information Stanley seeks, he recommends writing to either George W. Goethals or Joseph Bucklin, both of whom are in Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
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
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
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
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
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, 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
John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal, does not think that W. J. Oliver is the right person for the contract, and advises Secretary of War Taft to call for new bids.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-29
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 requests no action until he has thoroughly discussed the matter with President Roosevelt. This is in regard to Theodore P. Shonts resigning from the Panama Canal Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-24
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
President Roosevelt describes his trip to Panama to his son Kermit Roosevelt. They have been extremely busy during their stay. He describes the feeling of coming to Panama and his thoughts about several rebellions that have happened in the area when he first became president. He explains the begins of the canal by the French and how now that the Americans have taken over, the process will be longer than planned. He describes the progress of the canal’s construction as well as the environment of Panama. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt did not tramp through the mud like Roosevelt did, but she enjoyed herself and the beautiful area.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-20
President-elect Taft encloses a letter from Sir Harry Johnston about the dreadful conditions at the Hotel Imperial in Colón, and his own reply. He found Johnston’s decision to complain at length about his personal discomfort to another country’s head of state perplexing. Taft’s wife, Helen Herron Taft, did not share his “intense amusement” at Johnston’s “extremely English” tone. Taft also encloses the self-explanatory letter he wrote to President Jose Domingo de Obaldia of Panama after a call from Obaldia’s competitor, Ricardo Arias. Taft is disgusted by Representative Henry Thomas Rainey’s “diatribes” in the House of Representatives.
The Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, Joseph Bucklin Bishop, informs President Roosevelt that the missing memorandum has arrived. Bishop informs Roosevelt that Chief Engineer Stevens will have the arrangements for feeding laborers at Culebra complete by January 1, and that he will concrete the floors in all of the labor camp kitchens. Bishop also sends Roosevelt rainfall statistics.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-05
Sanitary Inspector A. B. Tucker informs his superior, Chief Sanitary Inspector J. A. LePrince, that there has been no overfilling of the pail closets. In two instances he found that access to the pail closets was inconvenient, but this has been remedied.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-22
Chief Engineer John F. Stevens prefers Chief Counsel Richard Reid Rogers’s plan for financing the Panama Canal to that proposed by the engineer John Francis O’Rourke. Stevens cautions Panama Canal Commission Chairman Shonts that the Culebra Cut is “such a mix-up” that there will no doubt be complications in the construction project, and so they should avoid financing based on progress estimates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-02
Rainfall amounts for Cristobal, Culebra, and Ancon in Panama over three successive days.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-31