The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-27
DAVIS DISCUSSES HEALTH OF PANAMA Picture is Painted Too Bright
 in Washington MEN EXPECTED TOO MUCH Panama shopkeepers of Course Think Wages Are Too Low-YeIIow
 Fever Is We'll Under
 control.
MEN EXPECTED TOO MUCH

Washington. February 26.-Writing on contentmeent of employees on the isth- mus" General Davis, governor of the Panama canal zone, has addressed long communication to the Papama canal commission. His observances are con fined to employees of the commission on the isthmus who were hired in the United States. There are he says, several causes which are either reasons or excuses for the discontent to which reference has been so frequently made in the press of late. These he enumerates as follows:
 The panicky feeling over the existence of yellow fever; asserted unfulflled prom ises as to accommodations, and allow ances made by members of the commits sion, by it's officers, or by it's agents in the United States; the non-existence on the isthmus of amusements, diversions and entertainments, always at hand at home; the existing high prices of com modities and of the necessaries of life and home-sickness."
 Discussing the yellow fever situation. General Davis says:
 Discusses Yellow Fever.
 "Thirty-three cases of recognized yellow fever have been found on the isthmus of Panama since last May, and of this number nine terminated fatally. There Is one man in the hospital today serious ly III from yellow fever, six have recov- cred, three new cases have been reported since Febraury l. The whole city of Pana- ma-and it Is only in Panama that the infection exists-is being thoroughly dis infected and every house in the city is being fumigated. In the last two weeks one-sixth of all the houses in the city have been fumigated It will take six weeks to complete this fumigation and disinfection. Of canal employees and their families coming here from the United States, only four out of some 400 or 800 have been sick from yellow fever, and of this number one terminated fatally
 Discussing the lack of accommodation the governor observes
 'The number of employees who have arrived on the isthmus under appoint ments made in the United States, who assert that they were told by members of the commission or by its employees in Washington that they all would have quarters or residences and excellent ac- commodations, is so large and the asser- tons are so positive, that l cannot but believe there Is some basis for the state ments made and, if such assurances were given, 1t was a great mistake think. The picture ought to have been painted worse than 1t Is otherwise, so that those arriving here could not pos- slbly find the real condition to be worse than they expected to find it.'
 After reviewing the housing conditions at length, he concludes:
 "As soon as land can be secured in the way provided by treaty and by statute 1t will be taken, and no delay in erecting the necessary houses for all the employees in the city of Panama" Question of Wages.
 | On the question of wages. General Davis says the fact Is there is no rate | of wages coneet tJe tha. would be too | high, according to the notion of the Pan- | ana shopkeepers and barroom owners. | hotelkeoprs and others who are looking | for sudden wealth to follow the under | ta <ing of this canal work by the United | States. But the wages paid to the em- | p.cyes 5ytc come here from home and | to cthers e the same class hired on the | isthnur are i- many cases 20 per cent. | higher than they were during the bus | lest period "e the French canal work, and in no cases are they less. Until quarters are available, he says, it is not advis- able for married men to take their l families to Panama. Misery for all con | cerned has resulted in cases where this | has been done.