Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 2, 1913

File No. 822.124/302.

The Secretary of State to the American Minister.

[Telegram—Paraphrase.]

Department of State,
Washington , August 14, 1913 .

Your action, reported in your despatch No. 15, of July 19, in bringing Illingworth’s letter to the attention of President Plaza, is approved.

The Department understands from the Minister of Ecuador that the matter of awarding the contract has been taken out of the hands of the Guayaquil committee and the Congress called on to decide whether the President or a new and smaller committee shall have that authority. The Minister’s opinion is that an award will not be made for three months. Telegraph whether the Minister’s statements are accurate and do all in your power to procure consideration for proposal of MacArthur’s or of any other Americans who may bid.

Did companies mentioned by Illingworth bid before MacArthur, and has the committee or the Congress yet issued any comprehensive plan or specifications for the work? If not, can not this be arranged so Americans may have an opportunity, by making a bid on a competitive basis, to prove their ability to execute the work economically and scientifically?

Bryan.