Wallace, John Findley, 1852-1921

Secretary of War Taft writes to President Roosevelt concerning the recommendation by John Findley Wallace that John Lundie be appointed to the Consulting Board of Experts on the Isthmian Canal Commission. Taft believes that Lundie’s reputation alone does not justify this, and is suspicious of the lengths to which Wallace is going in order to get Lundie apointed, as Wallace has been contacting everyone connected with the commission. Taft surmises that there is some ulterior motive in getting Lundie appointed and cannot recommend him to the president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-05-31

Secretary of War Taft forwards a telegraph to President Roosevelt that he received from Charles Edward Magoon and John Findley Wallace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-06-01

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-04-05

Creator(s)

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

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

President Roosevelt issues an executive order outlining the reorganization of the Isthmian Canal Commission in Panama. The order details the way in which the commission will now function, how contracts will be issued, and how reports will be made. It also appoints new members to the commission.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-04-01

Secretary of War Taft updates President Roosevelt on the progress of the construction of the Panama Canal. Taft returns Ambassador John Barrett’s letter to Roosevelt and reports that Barrett has been the recipient of complaints from canal employees due to General George E. Davis’s managing style. Taft also remarks that Barrett does not want to impeach the Isthmian Canal Commission but is justified in criticizing its members. The construction of the canal’s water works may be delayed but is understandable, considering what they have to construct.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-02-13

Thomas R. Goethals describes the appointment of his grandfather, George W. Goethals, as chairman and chief engineer of the Panama Canal Commission in 1907. He recounts President Theodore Roosevelt’s repeated reorganization of the commission and his desire to place the project under the authority of the Corps of Engineers of the United States Army. Goethals notes the rapport quickly established between Roosevelt and Goethals, and he details Goethals’s concern over having to replace the very popular John F. Stevens as chief engineer of the project. Goethals notes that his grandfather was most worried about managing the people who would actually build the canal, and he highlights Goethals first speech in Panama in which he tried to reassure them that he would not militarize the project. Goethals also stresses the important role played by Secretary of War William Howard Taft in staffing and overseeing the construction of the canal.

The article includes nine photographs, including five of George W. Goethals, four illustrations, and one map of the canal zone. An advertisement for the Chocolate Lady candy store of Oyster Bay, New York, appears at the conclusion of the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal