The Saint Paul globe., 1904-06-11
HUTCHINSON DOOMED
FOR PANAMA BERTH
ST. Paul Physician May Be APP
pointed Member of Canals
Sanitary Board

Pressure is being brought to bear
upon President Roosevelt to secure the
appointment of DR.. Henry Hutchinson,
of ST. Paul, as a member of the sani-
tary and drainage board for the Pan
anna canal Such a board will be Gre
ated within a few weeks, and it is quite
generally believed that DR.. Hutchinson
will be named by the president as a
member of it.
DR.. Hutchinson has not only the sup
port of scores of influential friends,
but has also the backing of Senator's
Nelson and Clapp and Congressman
Stevens and Bede, who are looking
after the doctors interests at Wash
ingtOn. The matter has already been
presented to President Roosevelt by
the Minnesota representatives in con-
gress and by DR.. Hutchinson himself,
who recently visited Washington and
made his application in person to the
president. Gov. Van SAINT has also
written a letter to President Roosevelt,
strongly indorsing the candidacy of
DR.. Hutchinson.
President Has Not Acted
No appointments have as yet been
made, but it is expected that the board
Will be created during the summer in
time for it to begin its duties at the
close of the wet season in Panama,
when the construction of the canal
will begin in earnest.
The work of the sanitary and drain
age commission will be to select camps
for the wOrkmen, see that they are
properly drained and surrounded by
proper sanitation: there will also be
numerous other matters for the board
TO look after The life of the
commission proper will be during the
construction of the canal-eight or ten
years-after which it is expected
measures will be taken to secure a
permanent commission. Should DIR.
hutchinson receive the appointment he
would take up his permanent residence
in the south.
DR.. Hutchinson only recently return
ed to st. Paul after an absence of sew
eral months in the East and when
seen yesterday admitted that he is a
candidate for appointment to the Sani-
tary commission, but inaSmuch as his
application has not yet been acted
upon, the doctor declined to discuss the
matter at length.
Wage War on the Mosquito
Regarding the duties of the commits
sion Dr. Hutchinson said one of the
most difficult problems would be the
determination of the mosquitoes, which
are found in great numbers along the
route of the canal. He says the mos
quito is the means of spreading the
dread malaria, and that it was prob
able that elaborate measures would be
taken to get rid Of the pests at the
very beginning
The greatest sanitary measures will
have to be taken,'' said Dr. Hutchinson,
since the country along the proposed
route Of the canal is anything but
healthful. A large percentage of the
people who go there will not be able to
remain a year. While the temperature
seldom goes above 80 degrees, the hu-
midity is very great, and the climate
IS dangerous to most persons"
DR.. Hutchinson, however, spent some
time farther south some five years ago,
when he went to the island of Trini-
dad, where he is interested in mining
project, and believes the climate will
agree with him. While in Washington
recently he talked of the conditions in
the canal country with Admiral John
G. Walker, who is chairman of the Pan
anna commission, and also had an in
terview with Col. Gorgus, who is to
have charge of the sanitary board.
1t isn't post many people would
care for" said DR.. Hutchinson, ''but ]
like the country and would be willing
to go there. The canal route is through
rough and sparsely settled country
and it will mean years away from CIV
ilization."