The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-09-06
WARNED Off PANAMA
American Envoy Tells Yankees
to Keep Away From IsthmuS.
NO OPPORTUNITIES THERE

More Men Going to Colon and Panama
Than There Are Positions to Be Fill
ed-cost Of Living Hish-climatei
However, Is Not Healthful
Washington, Sept. 5.-John Barrett
the American minister to Panama, has
made a special report to the state de-
partment relative to the present and
future conditions on the isthmus as af-
fected by the building of the Panama
canal which is intended to prevent
sore disappointment on the part of adj
yenturous Americans attracted toward
Panama by resumption OF the vast en-
terprise. 1t is understood that the
Panama commission is especially desir-
GUS to secure the widest publicity fol-
the warning sent out by Mr.. Barrett.
The report in substance is as follows:
First mo man seeking a position as
clerk, stenographer. typewriter, engineer,
foreman or any similar class Of labor
which the average American is willing to
perform should come TO the isthmus in
expectation OF securing position unless
he has made some previous Arrangement
for employment or has sufficient funds to
pay his expenses In Panama and OF re-
turn to the United States If he finds nc
/ opening More men OF this kind are now
coming to Panama and Colon than there
are positions TO be filled. The cost of liv-
ing is very high. prices having increased
nearly 300 per cent In the last six months,
and there Is q great shortage OF cheap
and wholesome lodging and board accom-
mediation
Second. While Panama and Colon. as
well as towns In the zone and In the in
terror Of Panama, are sure TO experience
a considerable measure Of material and
Industrial progress through the excava-
ton OF the canal there are not at present
many opportunities for the establish
ment OF new mercantile, business and
professional firms, and there should not
be an thrush OF merchants business and
professional men In the expectation OF
finding considerable and ready openings
Tor establishing themselves.
Not Many Needed on Canal.
Third.--It is the consensus Of opinion
among members Of the commission and
others who have studied the situation
that both Americans in the United state.
and Panamans here have greatly exag-
gerated the increase OF population which
win result from the construction Of thS
canal and OF the number OF men who viii
| be employed by the commission for th'
carrying on Of the undertaking. Includ
| ing those who will be employed on thu
| canal and others who viii come the in
! crease will be only about Is 1000 people
| This number. moreover, will not be com
| ing here all at once. but gradual.
through a period Of years and az the,
/ may be required
Fourth.--There Is not yet any real boon
| In Panama In Colon or In the zone blu
rents for houses. stores and offices hay
| doubled and tripled during the last fey
months and are now almost exorbitanti,
high In fact, the Panama landlords are
some OK them, SO unreasonable in thei
charges that there IL danger OF their driy
ing business from Panama proper into
neighboring zone.
Fifth-The diaagreeable and unhealth
| features Of the Panama climate have bee
/ ridioulousiy overstated by those VIII
have studied the situation SUPERFICIAL
while passing across the isthmus in tran
| sit or who desire to create sensation
/ AS a matter of fact there has not bee
| during the months Of July and August
single uncomfortable night for sleeping
| while the average days have not bee
/ hotter than those of New York an
| Washington, There has been hardly
single instance Of serious Illness anon
the considerable number of young me
| who are here in the employment of IN
commission, while the percentage OF sick
ness among the larger group Of iaborer
employed at Culebra is not greater thai
| that upon similar excavation work In IN
United States. There has not been sin
gle case Of yellow fever for over
month, and there is less malaria than
often found In sections Of the Unite
states where there Is considerable turn
ing of the soil MY corrections OF over
drawn criticisms of the Panama climat
must not however. be interpreted
meaning that there are not unfavorabl
features here They exist as they do /
ali tropical lands. and Of course the con
ditions OF maintaining health and enjoy
ing life are not by any means as favof
able as those IN the average temporal
clirnes When the present able sanitar
corps which has charge OF improvin
health conditions IA the iathmus has cal
ried out it's plans for the improve
ment Of ths canal strip and OF ths citts
OF Panama and Colon there Is no reaso
why this isthmus should not be one {
the heaithiest places in the world.
-----.-------4-------~-