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Secretary of War Taft discusses plans for a new department of sanitation within the Philippine government. He informs President Roosevelt that they should install a weaker governor because they do not want him to interfere with the plans of Theodore P. Shonts or John F. Stevens.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-19
F. P. Stearns compares the design of the Panama Canal locks to a concrete dam in San Francisco, California, as a method to evaluate the canal’s integrity in the event of an earthquake.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-21
Theodore P. Shonts discusses what effect an earthquake would have on the Panama Canal and its dams in light of the recent California earthquake. Shonts defines the characteristics and limitations of a “Sea-level Canal” and provides the commission’s recommendation for a permanent canal.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-24
Cecil Andrew Lyon tells President Roosevelt the people of the United States will not be happy if he follows through with the Standard Oil plan and the rebates in Kentucky. Lyon praises Roosevelt’s actions in a number of other incidents and events (such as settling the anthracite coal strike, the Panama canal, the Rough Riders, and the Square Deal). Lyon states something must be done to “curb the growing power of money” if the United States wants to avoid incidents like the French Revolution. He believes that Roosevelt is the man to apply such checks on that growing power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-04
The list contains the names of companies that are willing to provide Chinese laborers to work on the construction of the Panama Canal. A disclaimer is included at the end of the list that provides the official response to the companies as well as the statement that some of the companies responded to an advertisement that was placed by the “old Commission.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-04
John F. Stevens complains to Theodore P. Shonts about the lack of labor for the construction of the Panama Canal. Stevens states he would like to hire Chinese and Spanish laborers instead of West Indian laborers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-04
Chairman Shonts of the Isthmian Canal Commission sends Secretary of War Taft proposals for securing alternative sources of labor for the construction of the Panama Canal. He recommends Spanish or Chinese laborers, and outlines the costs for either group. He asks Taft for his input on the proposals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-05-16
Congressman Parker asks Secretary of War Taft to look at the enclosed. Parker showed the Panama report to Mack Parker, his cousin and an engineer with experience with building bridges and the tropics, and asked him for his views. Mack Parker’s views are expressed very strongly and Parker believes they are a valuable contribution to the matter.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-01
William Emlen Roosevelt states he would like to visit President Roosevelt to talk about the Smith Farm and other matters, and he asks Roosevelt to telegraph him if any of the mentioned days would work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-10
Van Leer Polk advocates for the use of Chinese laborers in building the Panama Canal. Polk believes Chinese workers are the most efficient labor force and that workers from areas in China with a similar climate to Panama would be the most suitable choice. Polk describes the nature of recruitment and employment of Chinese laborers by the French government and makes suggestions for how to secure satisfactory results from Chinese laborers. He encloses several documents, including a copy of a Chinese Labor Contract.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-03-09
Lawrence F. Abbott sends an editorial about the Panama Canal to William Loeb, requesting that he forward it to President Roosevelt. Roosevelt had requested the article from Abbott’s father, Lyman Abbott.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-02-09
Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt regarding a telephone conference with Senator Kittredge concerning the examination of Poultney Bigelow. Taft offers to speak to Senator Knox as well.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-15
Thomas W. McNeil writes to President Roosevelt regarding Senate opposition to rate legislation and to the Panama Canal. While public opinion was formerly with Roosevelt and against the Senate, McNeil believes that the Mrs. Morris incident and how Mrs. Morris was treated by William Loeb and Benjamin F. Barnes have turned this around, endangering the chance for the legislation to pass. McNeil urges Roosevelt to let Loeb and Barnes go, in the interest of these reforms.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-09
Secretary of War Taft sends President Roosevelt the transcript of an interview conducted as part of an investigation into a shipment of women having been sent to Panama at the expense of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Taft affirms that each of the women was a wife or sister of the canal laborers, and that none were “imported for purposes of prostitution or other immorality.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-10
Grenville M. Dodge writes to President Roosevelt regarding the Panama Canal construction and comparing it to the Union Pacific Railway construction. Dodge also discusses contracting labor.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-12
Theodore P. Shonts, chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, writes to William Loeb regarding social conditions of the Isthmian laborers and the steps taken to accommodate them. President Roosevelt is very concerned that the workers are provided with recreation and diversion. Shonts describes the organization of clubs, masonic groups, reading rooms, and even attempts at baseball teams. The married workers receive cottages for their families and the Commission offers reduced transportation for their family members to travel to the Isthmus.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-12
Senator Hale tells President Roosevelt that he does not think the Senate will challenge the “large salaries,” but that it might be well for Roosevelt to see Senators Alfred B. Kittredge and Albert J. Hopkins, who will be on the Interoceanic Committee which will control compensation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-04
Charles Edward Magoon, Military Governor of the Panama Canal Zone, writes to Secretary of War Taft regarding budget and salary cuts for medical officers. Because of the present conditions in the isthmus, Magoon believes it to be unwise to reduce salaries.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-05
Representative Wiley writes to Secretary of State Root regarding the Panama Canal Commission and construction. Wiley suggests using members of the American Society of Civil Engineers as well as competitive bidders.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-24
Philippe Bunau-Varilla, French engineer and diplomat, writes to President Roosevelt regarding the Panama Canal and public opinion. Bunau-Varilla strongly emphasizes the importance of canal construction and public perception as it related to Roosevelt’s decision making. Bunau-Varilla also discusses where Roosevelt’s enemies will try to attack his reputation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-12-25