Panama--Gatun Dam

Secretary of War Taft would like to correct the total yardage needed to complete the Culebra Cut. He mentioned an incorrect number in a previous letter to President Roosevelt. Engineers have also been assessing the test pits and have made considerable progress compared to the last time Roosevelt was there. Taft adds in a handwritten note that he had a satisfactory talk with the Panamanians yesterday, which he will report on in his next letter. He also plans to hear the complaints of the citizens in Colon and take up the matter with the workers there.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-04-01

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to tell him about his trip to Panama with Edith. He includes the history of the area, the Panama Canal work site, and the scenery.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-11-20

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Author gives breakdown of Panama Canal construction stating that several hundred engineers and over a thousand laborers are working on the project. Additional information is given about the use of old French machinery being used in conjunction with newer machinery.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-12

Creator(s)

Unknown

President Roosevelt calls Secretary of War Wright’s attention to the report of the Board of Engineers that accompanied President-elect William H. Taft to Panama. Roosevelt directs that the plans be changed in reference to the proportions of the Gatun Dam in accordance with the report.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-16

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt informs George W. Goethals that he plans to send William H. Taft to visit the Panama Canal zone early in 1909, along with several engineers, to investigate the matter of the Gatun dam. Many rumors currently exist in opposition to the construction of the Gatun dam, but Roosevelt tells Goethals that he is not beholden to anything but completing the canal in the safest and best manner. Roosevelt additionally tells Goethals that he would like to send a man named William Stickney to Panama to work on the canal, and asks if there is a position where Stickney might be able to show his merits.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells Senator Elkins he believes the construction of the Panama Canal should be overseen by “the biggest man we can get.” Roosevelt is satisfied that until the construction of the Gutan Dam, John F. Stevens can continue in his role as chief engineer.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-02

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Harry Johnston thanks President Roosevelt for facilitating a warm reception when he visited the Panama Canal construction site, where he met president-elect William H. Taft. Johnston then wrote a letter to Taft on his return to Colòn about the city’s appalling hotel and infrastructure. He now worries that this was inappropriate. If Taft is angry, he asks Roosevelt to “placate his wrath.” Johnston also wonders why Roosevelt is going hunting in Africa instead of somewhere in South America, Central America, or the Antilles. He shares his address in England, and hopes that United States Minister to Haiti H. W. Furniss will retain his position in the new administration.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-03

Creator(s)

Johnston, Harry, 1858-1927

Harry Johnston enjoyed meeting President-elect Taft and his wife, Helen Herron Taft, during their Panama Canal inspection. Johnson is optimistic about Taft’s plan for a dam at Gatun, but advises that the city of Colón poses another significant threat to the Canal. He offers suggestions for improving Colón’s dated and unsafe infrastructure.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-02-02

Creator(s)

Johnston, Harry, 1858-1927

President-Elect Taft catches up with President Roosevelt on a variety of topics. Taft notes that he has never worried about a dam being constructed as part of the Panama Canal, and believes that canal engineer Lindon W. Bates is an “accomplished liar.” He is also happy to hear that Roosevelt is in contact with German Emperor William II, and plans to meet with Senator Philander C. Knox soon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-07

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

President-Elect Taft acknowledges receipt of a letter from William Loeb enclosing a report by John F. Stevens concerning the Gatun Dam.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-31

Creator(s)

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission Bishop thanks President Roosevelt for his constant support, and says that if Roosevelt is satisfied with his work, then he does not mind criticism from other parties. Work on the Panama Canal is proceeding smoothly and at a faster pace than was initially thought possible, for which he gives credit to Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission George W. Goethals. Bishop blames irresponsible reporting for reopening an argument about whether a canal with locks or a sea level canal is better, but believes the upcoming visit by President-Elect William H. Taft should help settle the debate. Bishop approves of Roosevelt’s denunciations of journalists William MacKay Laffand and Joseph Pulitzer, and says that it is important to fight against “lying and debased journalism.” Bishop’s wife, Harriet Hartwell Bishop, appreciates being remembered by Roosevelt, and he praises her strength in remaining sanguine during their long residency away from the United States. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-26

Creator(s)

Bishop, Joseph Bucklin, 1847-1928

Cassius E. Gillette believes that the construction of the Gatun dam is the appropriate way of proceeding with the construction of the Panama canal, and comments on the construction of the canal in general. Gillette suggests the names of several engineers to President Roosevelt as candidates to accompany President-Elect William H. Taft to visit the canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-17

Creator(s)

Gillette, Cassius E. (Cassius Erie), 1859-1917

F. P. Stearns compares the Gatun Dam in Panama to several dams in California in regard to structural integrity during an earthquake.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-05-18

Creator(s)

Stearns, F. P. (Frederic Pike), 1851-1919

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

Creator(s)

Parker, Andrew McC.

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

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-01-26

Men are depicted in various places around the Gatun Dam. A reporter writes on a paper: “I regret to report that the hill is about to fall into the. . .” Two men look at a small split in the canyon. One says, “A ship couldn’t get through there, could it?” The other replies, “Funny we didn’t see that before! We will have to widen it.” Another two men watch as portions of rock fall. One says, “It’s falling into the underground lake.” The other replies, “Gee! Somebody will be angry.” Another man runs away from the breaking dam as yet another points to the “Gatun Dam” sign and says, “It ought to be spelled with an ‘n.'” Two men try to jump over a crevice, and they say, “A crevasse! All the water will run out!” and “It’ll cost mebbe nine million dollars to fill it up!” In the bottom right corner, one man says to another man, “Another cave-in? This will delay us 14 years.” The man replies, “Yep.” Finally, in the left center, a man watches other person dumping pieces of rock into a crevice and says, “Hey, you! Whatcha mean by dumping that down there?” Caption: Conditions on the Panama Canal as depicted in several recent dispatches.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12

President Roosevelt, in his annual message to Congress, praised the work that has been done and continues to be done on the Panama Canal. Many newspapers have published sensational articles alleging problems with the Gatun Dam in Panama, but these articles are contradicted by the facts, as the dam has not been constructed yet, and the work which has been done on it has been going smoothly.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-23

Creator(s)

Isthmian Canal Commission