File No. 823.124/32.
The Acting Secretary of State to Samuel E. Bayless .
Washington , October 4, 1912 .
Sir: The Department understanding that you would be glad to obtain a position as engineer under one of the South American Governments, sent in your name to the Government of Peru, which had requested the Department to recommend a sanitary engineer to design and carry out sewerage and water-supply works for the town of Iquitos, cooperating with Doctor George M. Converse, of the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, who has gone to Iquitos to take Chargé of sanitating that place.
[Page 1285]The Legation at Lima on September 24 telegraphed to the Department saying that the President of Peru had signed a letter directed to you employing you as engineer for that work, and specifying that your salary would begin upon your departure from this country direct for Iquitos.
The Department therefore telephoned to your office in the Maltby Building, and upon being informed that you were at the Hotel Bexar, San Antonio, Texas, sent you a telegram as follows:
September 25, 1912.
Samuel E. Bayless,
Hotel Bexar, San Antonio, Texas.
Upon Department’s recommendation President of Peru has signed letter to you employing you as engineer to conduct sewerage and water-supply works at once in city of Iquitos, Peru. Salary £100 sterling per month to begin on departure direct for Iquitos. Department understands you would, accept this position, and, if so, hopes you will be able to start at once. Further details here or by mail to whatever address you direct.
Huntington Wilson,
Acting Secretary of State.
According to the telegraph company there was some difficulty in delivering this telegram to you, but the Department was notified on September 28 that it had been delivered.
The department has received no reply from you and accordingly has telegraphed to you at the Hotel Bexar, San Antonio, to-day the following:
Please reply to Department’s telegram of September 25, which telegraph company states was delivered.
There has already been considerable delay in this matter and it is incumbent upon the Department to arrange definitely for an engineer to go to Iquitos at once to assist Dr. Converse. Unless a reply is received from you within a reasonable time the Department will be forced to advice the Government of Peru accordingly and to recommend some other engineer in your stead.
As the Department would greatly regret such a step the favor of a reply is urgently requested.
I am [etc.]