The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-17
PANAMA CANAL SERVICE.
Civil Service Examinations Will Be Held Here Next Month.


 The United States civil service com mission announces that an examination will be held on March 15 for steam shovel engineer. steam shovel crane man. steam shovel fireman, steam shovel head pitman. for the Panama canal service. The age limit for steam shovel engineer is 25 to 50 years, and the salary is s190 per month, with an additional bonus for ex- tra quantity of work performed
 In view of the many inquiries which are being made upon the civil service commission with reference to applicants for positions In the Panama service, statement has been issued by the com- mission which explains conditions fully. It follows in part:
 Length of Service.--The construction of the Panama canal may extend through out time period of eight or more years, according to the details of the project yet to be adopted. (This time estimate Is from the report of the last isthmian canal commission)
 Opportunities.-The civil service of the isthmian canal commission offers excel- lent opportunities to qualified persons
 
 ton. Under the operation of the civil service law it is contemplated that pro- motions will be made upon the basis of merit from the lower to the higher posi- tions.
 Climate and Hea1th.-The climate on the isthmus is like that of other tropical countries. While there is continuous warm weather the temperature is never excessively high, and the nights are nearly always pleasantly cool Thus far there has been comparatively little sick ness among the Americans who have been upon the isthmus during the past few months, and it is believed that the l thorough sanitary measures now being | taken will do much to improve the healthfuness of the canal zone. | Medical Attendance.-Medical attend | ance, medicines and care at hospitals when sick are furnished to the emplolyes | of the isthmian canal commission with out cost We'll equipped hospitals will | be maintained at Ancon, adjaccnt to Panama, and at Colon.
 | In meritorious cases sick leave on pay may be allowed, in addition % the regu- lar leave of absence not to exceed thirty days for employees who are from the United States or fifteen days for em- 1 ployes who are residents or the sthnus. | | isthmian canal commission furnishes | quarters to It's American employees or at | its option in lieu thereof communication. which has tentatively been fixed at 8 1 per cent of the salary. The commission proposes to maintain civil commits l sary department on the isthmus, which l is soon to be established. and the ad- vantages of which are to be made avail able to salaried employees of the com- mission.
 | Transportation to the 1sthmus.-The | isthmian canal commission furnishes it's | employees free transportation to the | isthmus from either New York, New Or | leans or San Francisco. and also free ! return transportation upon completion Of | satisfactory service
 | Leave of Absence.-The employees of the isthmian canal commission are al- | lowed six weeks leave of absence an- nually on full pay. This leave of absence | is not granted until after eight months of satisfactory service. In visiting the | United States on leave, employees and members of their immediate families are granted special rates to the above-named ports CThe prevailing special rates are $25 between New York or New Orleans and Colon. and $70 between San Francis co and Panama) The special rates also apply when members of the family of an employe accompany him to the isthmus. Salaries or Wages.-A1l salaries or wages paid by the isthmian canal com mission to employees from the United States are in gold or its equivalent in United States currency.