The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-20
WORK ON PANAMA CANAL
MISTAkE TO THINK THAT MEN WILL
BE NEEDED THERE SOON.
After Deal with Colombia Is Ended
Actual Work Will Not Begin for
Eighteen Months.
Washington Post.

For some reason most men would rather
"go somewhere to work than be satisfied
with a job at home. Suppose the following
notice should appear i'm the papers: Want
ed-3O,o00 men to build the Panama canal.
Apply to Uncle Sam, Washington, d. c."
Within twenty-four hours. it is safe to say.
there would be a scramble for jobs the like
of which has never been known.
In this particular case the opinion seems
to prevail that there is no time TO be lost;
that as soon as the Colombian government
agrees to the transfer of the concession
from the French company TO the American
authorities the dirt will begin to fly before
the ink gets dry on the treaty. AS matter
of fact, the real work on the canal will not
begin for from one and half to two years
after the final negotiations between the
United States government and the Colon
bian Congress are completed Two years is
a rather long wait for the average working
man. 1t is estimated that about 20 per cent
of the total expenditure (nearly $25.o00.00O
will be used in getting ready. The most
thorough and comprehensive arrangements
will be made in engineering, policing. sani-
tation and general contingencies. Without
this preliminary work three out of every
five men who go there would never come
back.
Panama is dirty and foul beyond descrip-
ton. The French lay their failure to
swindling. but the one great obstacle has
always been the dreadful fevers which at
tack the workmen and cause them to die
like flies. Pestilence must be overcome or
the big ditch will never be put through.
The American sanitary officers are the
most skilled disease fighters i'm the world.
Wherever they have tried their hand they
have brought the death rate tumbling down
In manner that was little short of mar
velous. They will surely win in Panama
for they are planning the greatest cam
palgn that science has ever inaugurated.
They will pave the way for our army of
laborers and skilled artisans and make it
possible for them to complete the task
that will stand as one of the greatest ac-
complishments of man. But until our san
itary experts say come, the average Amer
lean had better hold down his job at home
$4,000 MEN NEEDED.
When the work of construction finally
gets under way, the least number of men
whose services will be required is estimated
at 10000 These will consist of unskilled
laborers by the thousands, as well as skilled
laborers of almost every kind. There will
be places for electricians, engineers, stone
masons, stone cutters, plumbers brick
layers, wire workers. timers. pattern max
ers, carpenters, painters. blacksmiths, steel
workers, iron workers, expert accountants,
doctors. nurses, druggists, clerks, overseers,
railroad men, cooks, walters, telegraph
operators, photographers, stenographers.
laundrymen, etc. 1t has not been deter
mined whether the government will do all
the work of whether large amount of il
will be done by contract. In the former
and furnish all supplies. providing trans
portation for the people and sending all
provisions on transports. In this event the
arrangements will also include living quar-
tiers. There are hundreds of houses that
will be included in the transfer of the prop
erty, and an important part of the pre-
liminary work will consist of putting these
in order. Additional accommod a tons will
be provided as they are needed.
In case contractors undertake the whole
or part of the work, Ii Is not known what
arrangements will be made for food and
quarters for the men. 1t is very possible,
however, that in securing employees these
things will enter into the contract, for
very obvious reasons. Rates Of compensa-
computed. The commissioners state that
they will endeavor to secure the best
skilled labor in all lines. and pay accord
ingly; the same rule holds good in regard
to the CLERICAL force. There is considerable
doubt and controversy over the selection. of
the common labor. Experience has shown
some kind of labor that will be
needed on the isthmus, and, next to him,
come the negroes from Barbados. Some
reference has been made to contracting for
labor from Japan and China, and IL is pos
sible that the force may be supplemented
by representatives OF these races. Coolie
labor is very cheap, but the rate of NOR
tality among this class is very great and
everything must be taken into consideration
which will tend to preserve the health and
the life of the community.
The Southern negro has been slightly
considered-that is. the one from the far
South-but the one objection TO his being
employed is the fact that the scale OF prices
in vogue with him is higher than is likely
TO rule in the line OF work that he is in
tended for.
CHANCES FOR WORK.
Aside from the thousands of men who
will enter the employ of the government.
there will be many chances for work on
the outside. BARRIERS, tailors, doctors.
dentists. shoemakers and others without
number will find ready market for their
services. The chances for independent en-
deayor. however, will depend in a large
measure on whether the government does
the work or lets it out by contract. II the
whole work is done by the government. it
will greatly reduce the chances for indi-
yidual effort along many lines. With 10000
men drawing regular wages the gamblers
and amusement caterers Will do big busl-
ness The exclusive gambling privilege for
the city of Panama has been sold TO private
parties but this concession will probably
be annulled by the transfer. II Is likely
that rigid restrictions will be placed on all
games of chance within the canal zone
While no forecast has been made on the
probable action Of the commission In grant,
Ing saloon licenses. IL IL thought these will
~ denied. as drinking In the tropics is dan
he, rSf M MAJ fx<>.-