The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1905-12-08
The Panama Canal.

He refers to the Panama canal. but aside
from asking for an Immediate appropria-
ton does not give any recommendations "a
to other Legislation mt this time but prom
isee a later communication which shall con-
tain the report of tho board Of engineers
and his own conclusions "a TO the type OF
canal. on this subject he says;
The American people IL pledged to the
speedieBt possible construction Of a canal
adequate to meet the demands which the
commerce OF the world will make upon 1t.
and | appeal most earnestly to the con-
gross TO aid In the fulfllment of the pledge
Gratifying progress has been made during
the past year and especially during the past
four months The greater part o. the nee
essary preliminary work has been done.
Actual work of excavation could be begun
only on n limited scale till the Canal Zono
was made d henlthful place to live In and
to work In. Tho isthmus had to be sanitat-
ed first. This task has been 30 thoroughly
accomplished that yellow fever has been
virtually cxtirpated from tho iathmus and
general health conditions vastly improved
The same methods which converted the
Island OF Cuba from pest hole which
menaced the health OF the world into a
hoalthful place Of abode have been applied
on the isthmus with satisfactory results
There IN no reason to doubt that when the
plans for water supply. paving and sewer
age OF Panama and Colon and the large
labor camps have been fully carried out.
the isthmus will be. for tho tropics. an un-
usually healthy place OF abode. The work
Ii 10 far advanced now that the health OF
all those employed In canal work Ia as well
guarded as It is on similar work In this
country and elsewhere.
In addition to sanitating the isthmus,
satisfactory quarters are being provided
for employees and an adequate system OF
supplying them with wholesome food NJ
reasonable prices has been created. Hos-
pitfalls have been established and equipped
that are without snperiors OF their kind
anywhere. The country has thus boon
made ut to work in, and provision has been
made for the welfare and comfort OF those
who are to do the work. During tho past
year a large portion of the plant with
which the work Is to be done has been or
dered. Il is confidently believed that BY
the middle OF the approaching year a suiii-
Client proportion OF this plant will have
been installed to enable us to resume the
work OF excavation on n larga scale.
What Is needed now and without delay IL
an appropriation by tho congress to meet
the current and accruing expenses Of the
commission The first appropriation OF
$40. 10000. out OF the ti35. ooo.a50 authorized
by the Spooner act. WIS made three years
ago. II Ia nearly exhausted. There 10
barely enough OF II remaining to carry tho
commission TO the end Of the year. Unless
the congress shall appropriate before that
time all work must cease. To arrest prog
ress for any length OF time now. when mat
tsrs are advancing so satisfactorily. would
be deplorablc. There will be no money with
which to meet payroll obligations and
none with which TO meet bills coming due
for materials and supplies: and there will
be decentralization of the forces. here and on
the isthmus. now working so harmoniousiy
and effectively, II there 10 delay In grant
Ing an emergency appropriation.
The message closes with recommenda-
lion for more adequate provision for the
work OF the state department. and read
justment OF the salary list Of our diplomatic
ofiiceSa