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On behalf of her husband, John F. Stevens, Harriet T. O’Brien Stevens asks Theodore Roosevelt if John Stevens might change his appointment to meet with Roosevelt as he has been detained in Chicago. Harriet Stevens hopes Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt is well once again and wishes them all the best in the new year.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-12-21
President Roosevelt thanks Joseph Bucklin Bishop for his letter and believes Colonel George W. Goethals is glad that Bishop has come to the Isthmus. Roosevelt concurs with Bishop’s letter and states he will “back up the Colonel on all points.” The president also informs Bishop of some political business in New York State and asks Bishop to send “a not too long rough draft” about the Panama Canal that Roosevelt could include in his annual message.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-11
President Roosevelt opposes the idea of chief engineer John F. Stevens traveling to Washington, D.C. from the Isthmus for administrative duties because Theodore P. Shonts has been kept in his position to deal such matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-24
President Roosevelt forwards Chairman Shonts a letter from W. H. Needham containing statements from machinists at the Canal Zone regarding complaints about their treatment. Roosevelt tells Shonts and Chief Engineer John F. Stevens that they must get past their natural “impatience with complaints” and judge the issue evenly as government employees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-10
Harriet T. O’Brien Stevens was shocked to read of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s accident in the paper and hopes there are no serious consequences. Harriet describes the family’s travel experiences in Europe. John F. Stevens will start working in New York and Harriet will find a house or apartment to live in. Harriet hopes to host Edith and Theodore Roosevelt eventually.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-03
Isthmian Canal Commission Secretary Bishop updates President Roosevelt on his family. Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission Colonel George W. Goethals requested Bishop’s presence on the Isthmus to have a channel of communication to Roosevelt, and Roosevelt’s recent letter pleased him. Bishop says the only major issue is the arrogant behavior of Jackson Smith, the Head of the Department of Labor, Quarters, and Subsistence on the Panama Canal Commission. Additionally, the engineer Joseph Ripley created incorrect blueprints and has been proven to be no expert on locks, but Major William L. Sibert is excellent. Bishop thinks the Republican Club of New York’s motives for disparaging Roosevelt’s canal policy are political. In response to Roosevelt’s suggestion to include local events in the new paper, Bishop explains that it may be hard to keep current, but he will try his best.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commission, reports to President Roosevelt that matters on the Isthmus are in good condition thanks to Chief Engineer and Commission Chairman George W. Goethals’s systematic military organization. Goethals is an effective leader and greatly appreciates Bishop’s help, especially in handling complaints. Bishop compliments Roosevelt’s Provincetown speech and gives an update on his family.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-29
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
President Roosevelt’s message to R. R. Bowker confirms to Bowker what he has heard from many in Washington about John F. Stevens’ resignation as Chief Engineer on the Panama Canal. Bowker believes Stevens’, “a man of railroad training and association”, resignation may have been influenced in part by Roosevelt’s policies on railroad regulation. Bowker will send a memorandum or report to Roosevelt in person on the situation to improve the transport of supplies to the canal workers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-28
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
Secretary of War Taft returns a letter from Henry S. Pritchett, which describes the mental state of John F. Stevens, chief engineer of the Panama Canal. Taft concludes that a man “who goes off his head this way,” referring to Stevens’s behavior, is not the man to continue overseeing “such an important enterprise.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-09
Secretary of War Taft forwards a telegram he received, sent by John F. Stevens to Joseph Bucklin Bishop, that shows Stevens is still with them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-07
Secretary of War Taft believes that the steam shovel men need to put what they say in writing and that permission to visit President Roosevelt would interfere largely with discipline on the Isthmus.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-06
Henry S. Pritchett suspects John F. Stevens, Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission, is under considerable mental and emotional strain and is inadequate in “government methods of business.” While he praises Stevens’ work ethic, Pritchett believes he lacks the moral fortitude and patience necessary it succeed in this position.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-05
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
Foley reports to Theodore P. Shonts, chair of the Isthmian Canal Commission, regarding a visit of the Commercial Clubs of Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, and St. Louis to the canal. The guests asked extensive questions and were impressed with the progress of the project. Many of the staff expressed concern over the resignation of John F. Stevens as chief engineer.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-02
Fred W. Carpenter sends William Loeb two enclosed cables as directed by Secretary of War Taft to show to President Theodore Roosevelt.
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
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