OCR Text |
Show SKONTS TO BECOfiE Efi.:v RAPID TRHNSIT PJAGPWR ' i 1 . "WASHINGTON, J a. 24. Tisodor P. Sooata, who resigned yterday m ck airman of the canal commission, will become president of the Interborough- ' Metropolitan company, which controls the rapid transit and many turf ace line in New York-No York-No annonnoment was made as to who will succeed Mr. Shoata aa ekaur-man ekaur-man of the commix ion, but it waa leaned authoriUUTelr that afsduar ten wiU be removed from. Washington to the isthmus and that- a high-ealaried chairman, to aerre in that capacity alene, will not be named. Thia being admitted, it follows that John F. Ste ens, the engineer in eharge of the con s traction of the canal, would not l-made l-made subordinate to aaother official on the isthmus. It is regarded as a cer tainty that Mr. Steven will be name I as chairman of the commission in con section with his poet as chief engineer Mr. Boosts 's retirement does not com wholly as a sure rise. It has been r: mored persistently as soon as action ha l been taken on the proposition to bui ! by contract, Mr. Saonts would resume a calling more congenial to his taste, s. . retary Taft today confirmed that rumor bj saying that Mr. Shonta'a resignation resigna-tion waa voluntary, which fact is born out by the President's letter in accepting accept-ing it. My Dear Mr. Shoats: I accept your reslft-nailoa as chairman of the Isthmia-Canal Isthmia-Canal commission, to take effect Mar h 4 with extreme reluctance. I do so merely because I do not feel justified In prsven--lng your acceptance of the poeltlon ; have been asked to take In New York a position, of such great consequence n.-r merely to the people with whom you r.l be associated in the raanasement of enterprise, but to all citlsena of Nw York. You have shown throughout your association with the Isthmian Canal cot -mission such energy, administrative paclty. fertility of resource and Judgr.wr.t in handling men. together with such entire en-tire devotion to your work, that I haM'y know whether most to regret th fa. t that the National Government U to ! you or moit to congratulate thoe hn are to profit by your services In your new position. With all good wishes for your f itur. and with the heartiest thanks on behalf of the Government for what you he done In the last eighteen months in th vitally responsible position you have ru'ld. believe me, ever slncerelv votirs. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Secretary Taft tonight called attention atten-tion to the fact that the work f organizing or-ganizing the commission had beti om-pleted, om-pleted, and that as Mr. Shonts ha. I been Drought here to aseumo the exe.-utivs duties necessarv to stu.-h organisation. I his continued presence 1s not abnoi;:te! v ! essential. The Kvan Belmont syn li cate. which his u,.w secured Mr. jShonts's services, nought them some i time ago. Before doing so. however. I Paul Morton, formerly Secretary of the Navv. called on President Roosevelt ar. I acquainted him with the intentions of the Interhorough Metropolitan. It :s ! said the President then expressed r, ,-, gret at the thought of losing Mr. e j Shont 's services, but agrre-l n-t rif stand in the wav if he shor.l.l b- .!, ted 1' ; president of the company. T"at he h;j i full information concerning Mr Shonts's future is sh.wn h the tact ! that he refers to :t in his letter ac eu'-: eu'-: ing the resignation, though Mr. Short ! does not in his ler-r to the Presiient. |