Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1905-12-29
Isthrnian Commlis-
sion I ellis Of Work
Finished.
PROGRESS ALREADY MADE
Little Digging Done But
Everything Prepared for
Great Undertaking.

The report Of the Isthmian Canal
Commission up to December 1st has
Just been made public. The present
commission assumed Office on April
3D. of this year.
The report shows that tremendous
amount Of work has been done on the
lsthmus although the amount of actual
digging has been nominal. Among the
points Of interest In the report is a
detailed statement of the laws made
for the governing OF the work and
those In the zone. A great number OF
surveys have been made as to the best
routes, the harbors, the water supplies
and other necessary matter. The rail-
road has been put In much better con-
dition and the work of double track
ing and rebuilding is being pushed
rapidly as well as terminal facilities
The stock Of this road is owned by
the United States but many Of the
bonds are in the hands of private par
ties.
Arrangements.
Gable messages now cost only 25
cents a word. Previously they cost
C5 cents word. AS a special and
comprehensive code is used a large
item of expense has been reduced.
All arrangements with the Republic
Of Panama have been of the most
satisfactory nature Panama money
is used largely in the zone and an
agreement has been made with Pana-
ma to issue 100000 pesos on the
ratio of two pesos to one American
dollar. The pay roll Of the work is
now 100000 month.
The work of the health department
has been immense. All of the cities
have had sewer systems installed.
Good water supplies have been fur
nIshed, the streets have been paved
SO that filth will wash away, hospitals
are being erected at all points, recrea-
tion grounds are offered for all, 'irl-
derbrush around all settlements has
been cleared away, stagnant water has
been drained off and whenever any
sickness appears fumigation is done
at once. So vigilant has been the
work that yellow fever has about dis
appeared.
Work Done.
10 prevent as we'll as cure malaria
a war Is being waged on the mosquito
similar to the one on the yellow fever
insect. In addition to this quinine Is
issued in large quantities and even
placed on all dining tables. AS soon
as a new man arrives on the Isthlnus
printed circular is given him as
to how to keep healthy
The length Of the railway Is 4I65
miles. Along this line there are ~
towns and population Of $4,000.
Good quarters for everyone are be-
Ing built rapidly and a number Of no
tells and boarding houses are up. II is
4 difficult matter to give q good food
supply but arrangements are being
made to have a daily train to furnish
things to everyone. The average cost
sof board Is about $25 dollars month
and the government charges at its
camps ninety cents a day for the best
\ hoard and thirty cents a day for the
laborers. These charges are In Amer
ican money. Questions OF boundary
ana taxation have come up with Pa
mama but in every case two engineers
one for the canal commission and one
for Panama have quickly come TO 81
agreement. The police Of the zone
ana of Panama work In connection ant
harmony with each other and are 81
lowed to make arrests in the Opposite
territory. AS consequence gooo q
der IL maintained. Foreign consuls Z
{ panama are recognized in the zone.
Commissaries have been established
lto assure workmen Of getting VIVA
trey wish and at a reasonable rate
ME checks issued by the commissar'
are ", used III regular trade with mel
chants also and are redeemed ~ cas'
nv the commission. ,.,
insane, leper, and regular hospitai
I aFe being established and the suDlect
of Panama are being cared Tor az 4
flxed charge In return for certain 81
cessions made. !,