The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-06
HOME FROM PANAMA.
Kansas Young Man Says Conditions
Are Good.

Joseph A. segreaves. serveant of
the Topeka company in the Twentieth
Kansas regiment. was in Topeka yes
terday on his way from the Isthmus
of Panama to Washington where he
will sail on December % to resume his
post as senior first sergeant of the
Zone police at Panama.
Segreaves was sent from Panama to
Fort Leavenworth with a federal prfs-
oner. He took the opportunity to make
flying trip TO Perry, where his par
ents live, and stopped off in Topeka. to
visit his old colonel, Wilder S. Met
Segreaves has had a varied experience
since leaving the Twentieth Kansas
He first served for time in the regu-
lar army in the Philippines. When
he came back to this country he Sc
cured a position as one of the Jeffer-
son guards at the st. Louis exposition
From there he went to Panama as a
member of the United States force
which patrols the canal zone. This
force is known as the zone police and
Segreaves is now the senior first ser
geant of this organization. He is likely
to achieve a high official position in
the service.
Speaking of conditions in Panama,
Mr.. Segreaves says:
Conditions in Panama are not near
" as bad as has been represented by
some. And I may say with confidence
that they are improving SO rapidly that
within few years Panama viii be
just as good place to live as can be
found in any tropical country.
For the present work on the canal
itself is entirely suspended. The gov
eminent is devoting all its energy and
money to making the place sanitary
for the wOrkmen and others who have
to do the work of building the canal.
Arrangements for supplying the work
men with pure water, good food and
other sanitary arrangements are pro-
ceeding rapidly Sanitary towns are
being built at various places along the
line of the canal; hospitals are being
erected. Every married man who will
90 there with his family and settle
down is given a furnished cottage, rent
free He is also allowed to buy his
groceries and supplies at the govern
ment commissary at actual wholesale
cost This enables him to buy his stuff
at less than what he has to pay in this
country.
Unmarried men can save more
money down there than they can here.
My salary is 500 per month and I
have saved $50 every month I have
been there. My board costs me $27
per month, and there isn't much of
any chance to spend money, A fellow
pretty nearly has to save what he gets.
consider that the Panama canal
work is going to afford great op
portunity for many young men in this
country. If the work is handled in
the clean and business-l1ke fashion it
should be handled, there is no reason
why a young man should not go down
there and learn lot of interesting
things, make a good stake and per-
haps eventually get into some line Of
business in the canal country Whlch
viii paw him well. The country down
there is bound to boom as the work
progresses and the canal will make a
great difference in the condition of
Mr.. segreaves will stop over in st.
Louis on his way to washington to
pick Up a bunch of trained blood
hounds. The zone police have found
that they need some bIoodhounds in
their business and # is part of Mr..
seereaves' business to hnd some suit