The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-20
CRITICISMS
 REPLIED TO Canal Commission AnSWcrS Reeds Charges. STATEMENTS ARE DENIED Conduct of Affairs on the
 ISthmus. The Doctors Assertions, Say Members of Body, Due to Either woeful Ignorance or wilfuI
 Misstatement.
STATEMENTS ARE DENIED

Washington, March 19.-The Panama Canal Commission has prepared and filed with the Secretary of War the reply to the criticisms made on its con- duct of the affairs on the Isthmus of Panama by Dr. c. A. L. Reed, in a letter to the secretary dated March 9, last The charges are answered in detail.
 Taking up Dr. Reeds criticisms of the health department, the commits sion says. That pr. Reeds assertion, that much of the report on a plan of organization was formulated over the respectful protest of medical men," is without any foundation whatever. Notifications of the suggestions sub mitted by tho medical staff were made from day to day until a plan acceptable to both the commission and to the medical stan was worked out, which must stand on its merits. They say that the organization of this depart ment was perfectly satisfactory to the sanitary officer and his assistants.
 The commissioners fatly contradict Dr. Reeds statement that authority to purchase an x-Ray outfit in Washing ton was denied This statement" they say, evidences either woeful ignorance or a wilful mfsStatement Of facts," and adds:
 '"The statements of Dr. Reed that request to have an expert select Crooke's tubes was denied; that the x-Ray outfit was purchased; that worthless apparatus was substituted for that specified; that the commission foisted remedies upon the medical ser vice other than those specified" are all false.
 Salaries of Doctors.
 The salaries of medical officers on the let n rafnta Ia charge that the Commission wanted cheap doctors there. In this connection they quote Dr. Reeds statement that only $50 per month Is paid for internes, and say that the fact is that grad mates from medical colleges without experience are useful as internes in the hospital organization on the isthmus. as they are in hospital organization in the United States
 'In the United States they serve year without pay. It Is thought proper to allow them transportation to the isthmus from United States ports, and to allow them $50 per month during their year of service and to return them free of expense to the United States at the end of the year. or in case of dis ability, due to sickness. Should 1t be found that an interne desired to remaiA in the isthmian service, the assignment to further duty carries with it the pay of at least S125 per month"
 Exception Is taken to Dr. Reeds strictures on the salaries paid to clerks. The commissioners say that their sys- tenn contemplates an advance of about 25 per cent on salaries paid in the United States and that the plan has been carefully worked out.
 With reference to the charge that tho chief sanitary officer is given no dis- erection in the matter of the personnel of his office, they say that he Is sub- ject only to the civil serivce regula- tions.
 As to Yellow Fever.
 In refutation of the charge made by Dr. Reed that the Commission is re- sponsible for the presence of yellow fe. yer on the Isthmus. letter from the Commission of February 1st to Chief Sanitary Officer Gorgas is quoted. In that letter the opinion is expressed that the appearance of the fever Is not traceable to delay in the importation of medical supplies. It Is asserted that the Commission at all times has met every request. for disinfection material
 Reference Is made to the efforts of the Commission to introduce a whole some water supply as the only effect i've way of killing mosquitoes and pre- venting fever in Panama Much at-
 
 Commission to stamp out fever in that city and 1t Is claimed in this work the Commission has acted up to the entire limit of it's authority"
 The Commission also says "every reasonable step is being and will be taken to reduce malaria. To this end an efficient sanitary corps of the Canal Zone has been organized and a vast amount of good work has been accomp- Ilat,A l. At.. before May 4, 1904, and who visits 1t now, can testify to the changed con- ditions."
 On the point of admission to the Gov ernment hospitals the Commission quotes the law bearing on the govern ment of the canal. and says:
 "The medical stan should have power to order into the hospitals all persons suspected of being III with infectious diseases. and this has been given.
 To Prevent Competition.
 "The Commission foresaw that re- strictions would be necessary to pre- vent competition by the hospitals with physicians in private practice. The admission of patients as pay or char ity patients is only permitted where the hospital authorities determine such admission to be desirable. It was not intended that any sick person not an emplOye or the commission should be admitted upon mere application"
 Explaining the system of purchasing supplies, the Commission says:
 Tt has been the plan of the Com mission to have the needs of it's sev- eIal departments foreseen for half a year or full year periods in order that purchases would be in sufficient quan- titles to avoid as far as possible emer- gency calls and to afford the purchas- ing officer ample time to prepare papers to call for proposals, with a reason able time allowance to permit intend ing bidders in all parts of the country to prepare their proposals and to per init of delivery or manufacture or de- lay. as the case might be. of the ar ticles required"
 On the general question of sanita- tion the commission says:
 'The commission understands the immense importance of the sanitation of the isthmus as a factor in the build ing of the canal. It Is certain that the | chiefs of the sanitary department are aware of the grave responsibility rest