Stevens, John F. (John Frank), 1853-1943

Secretary of War Taft sends a fuller dispatch from John F. Stevens to President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-01-30

Creator(s)

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

Secretary of War Taft explains why it would not be beneficial to send John F. Steven’s letter to Theodore P. Shonts. He will send the letter if President Roosevelt wishes it.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-09

Creator(s)

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

Major General Hains responds to allegations made by Lindon W. Bates in The Crisis at Panama, claiming the criticisms are exaggerated and unfounded. For example, despite the reference to a lock canal in the original resolution passed on June 29, 1906, the Consulting Board of Engineers provided alternate solutions that have been selected for construction. The resolution passed by Congress focused more on flexibility rather than locking engineers into one type of canal construction, as evidenced by the flurry of changes that were made at the turn of the twentieth-century to the canal. The Isthmian Canal Commission also worked to eradicate the poor sanitary and housing conditions that plagued the workers there. Hains argues that Bates does not understand that before any work is to be done, a large amount of money must be spent on the plant itself. He also writes that Bates’ characterization of everything from the lengths of the locks to the location of construction does not consider best practices.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-12-11

Creator(s)

Hains, Peter C. (Peter Conover), 1840-1921

President Roosevelt reaches for his “big stick” as he holds a paper in his left hand that reads, “Panama Canal–By contract or government work? Change of plans?” Secretary of War William H. Taft depicted in a dress holds up his hands while John F. Stevens, crossing his arms, looks in the doorway. On the wall is a paper with the names of “John F. Wallace” and “Theodore P. Shonts” crossed off. A subtitle reads, “Who will ‘make the dirt fly’ now?”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-01

A “Republican steam shovel” with the face of President Roosevelt takes out several rocks: “Democratic opposition,” “political criticism,” and “rail-road obstructionists.” Several men watch, including Panama Governor Charles E. Magoon, John F. Stevens, Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission Theodore P. Shonts, Joseph Bucklin Bishop, and Uncle Sam.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09

Creator(s)

Zimmerman, Eugene, 1862-1935

Theodore Roosevelt, dressed as a Rough Rider, leads a group of laborers, armed with shovels, to work on the Panama Canal. One man in the background wears a hat labeled “Jake,” perhaps referring to John F. Stevens, who took over the chief engineer position for the canal construction in 1905.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1906-11-14

President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Bucklin Bishop regarding the Panama canal project and discusses Colonel George W. Goethals replacement of John Frank Stevens as chief engineer on the canal project. Roosevelt also mentions his reaction to Herbert Parsons regarding the Republican Club and asks Bishop to inform him of what he would like Roosevelt to say about the canal in his annual message.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1907-09-11

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Transcript from the Panama Canal Appropriation discussion. Secretary of War William H. Taft, as well as Senators Shonts, Hall, Perkins, Wetmore, and Warren discuss various issues regarding the salaries of the Chief Engineer John Frank Stevens, as well as the use of auditors.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-21

Creator(s)

Unknown

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

President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit and says it was nice of Kermit to send flowers to the Higginson funeral. Roosevelt notes he received a pin from some Oklahoma ranchmen. Roosevelt favors a lock canal in Panama, but orders Kermit not to let anyone get a hold of the letter from chief engineer John Stevens to Isthmian Canal Commissioner Theodore Shonts on the subject. Roosevelt closes by saying wedding presents are arriving for Alice Roosevelt.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1906-01-13

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt thanks John R. Freeman for his nice letter and for the Halliday cartoon that he enclosed. Roosevelt concurs with Freeman’s statements about the Canal and regrets what happened with Stevens. He is also interested in what Freeman has told him about Dr. Benson and bull boats.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-18

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt thanks W. Leon Pepperman for sending him his book, in which he is interested. He invites Pepperman to his office in New York, where he will explain to him why he did not mention Theodore P. Shonts or John F. Stevens in his autobiography.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-23

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt tells Henry S. Pritchett that it was a pleasure to commission his son as an officer. He comments on the loss of John F. Stevens from the Panama Canal project.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-06-09

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Theodore Roosevelt appreciates R. R. Bowker’s investigation of the Panama Canal commission and hopes that he continues to publish stories of his travels to Central America. Roosevelt is concerned about John F. Stevens’s insomnia and the dispute between Stevens and Dr. William Crawford Gorgas.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-22

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt sends Secretary of War Taft a copy of John F. Stevens’ letter and asks that he forward it to Theodore P. Shonts, Chairmen of the Isthmian Canal Commission. Stevens’ chief complaints are directed at Shonts taking credit for his work, which Roosevelt sees as the one legitimate accusation Stevens as made so far.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-07

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

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. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-26

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt writes to Henry S. Pritchett about the construction on the Panama Canal. Roosevelt says that the construction is going well but laments the resignation of Chief Engineer John F. Stevens.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-01

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt is convinced that John F. Stevens must leave the Panama Canal project, and wants to consult Secretary of War Taft about it before he visits Panama. Should Stevens change his mind about leaving, Roosevelt will insist.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-12

Creator(s)

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt returns John F. Stevens’ letter to Secretary of War Taft, adding that he believes Chinese laborers should be introduced to support the construction of the Panama Canal. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-02-01

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