The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-20
Panama Canal Commission
 Answers Dr Reed SALARIES ARE EXPLAINED
Internes Are Not Paid for the First Year's Hospital Services In the United states-Steps to
 Stamp Out Fever.


 canal commission has prepared and filed with the Secretary of War reply to the criticisms made on It's conduct of the affairs the isthmus of Panama by Dr. c. A. L. Reed in letter to the Sec retary dated March ?. last. The charges are answered in detail
 Taking up Dr. Reeds criticism of the Health Department, the commission says that Dr. Reeds assertion that much of the report on a plan of organization was formulated over the respectful protest of medical mem is without any foundation whatever. Notifications of the sugges- tions submitted by the medical staff were made from day to day until plaE acceptable to both the commission and to the medical staff was worked out which must stand on it's merits. They say that the organization of this de- pertinent was perfectly satisfactory to the sanitary officer and his assistants.
 The commissioner tiatly contradict pr. Reeds statement that authority to pur- chase an x-ray outfit in Washington was denied.
 This statement they say, "evidences either woeful ignorance or d wilful mis- statement of fact" and adds:
 .The statement of Dr. Reed that his request to have an expert select Crooks tubes was denied; that the X-ray was purchased; that worthless apparatus was submitted for that specified and that the commission foisted remedies upon the medical service, other than those specified, are all false
 Salaries Are Quoted.
 ''The salaries of medical officers on the isthmus are qouted to refute the charge that the commission wanted cheap doc tors there. In this connection they qoute Dr. Reeds statement that only $50 per month is paid for internes, and say the fact Is that graduates from medical col leEes. without experience, are as useful as internes in f1ieS ff0spfta1 organizhtfon on the isthmus as they are in hospital organization in the United States
 Tn the United States they serve a year without pay It is though proper to al- low 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 ex- pense to the United States at the end of the year, or in case of disability due to sickness Should it be found that an interne desired to remain in the isthmian service, the assignment to further duty carries with 1t the pay of at least $125 per month."
 Exception is taken to Dr. Reeds stric- lures on the salaries paid to clerks. The commissioners say that their system con- templates 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 the chief sanitary officer Is given no discre- tion in the matter of the personnel of higher officers, they say that he Is sub feet only to the civil service regula- tions.
 oorgas' Letter Quoted
 In refutation of the charge made by Dr. Reed that the commission is respon- sible for the presence of yellow fever on the isthmus, a letter from the commission of February to Chief Sanitary Officer Gorgas is quoted. In that letter the opin- ion 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 disinfecting material. Mention is made of the efforts of the commission to introduce whole some water supply. the only effective way of killing off mosquitoes and prevent ing fever in Panama. Much attention IS given to other efforts of the commission to stamp out fever in that city, and 1t is claimed in this work "the commission has acted up to the entire limits of It's au- thority.'
 The commission also says every reas- enable step is being and will be taken to reduce malaria" To this end an ef- ficient sanitary corps of the canal zone has been organized, and a vast amount os good work has been accomplished. Any one who knew the isthmus before May f. 1904, and who visits it now can testify to the changed conditions.
 On the point of admission to the gov al he zef the law bearing on the government of the canal and says:
 'sThe medical staff should have power to order into the hospitals all persons suspected of being i'll with infectious dis eases, and this has been given"
 Restrictions Necessary.
 The commission foresaw that restric- tions would be necessary to prevent com petition by the hospitals with physicians in private practice. The admission of patients as pay or charity patients is only permitted where the hospital author itics determine such admission to be desirable. It was not intended that sick person not employe of the com mission should be admitted upon mere application.
 Explaining the system of purchasing supplies the commission says:
 Ut has been the plan of the comms- sion to have the needs of it's several de- partments foreseen for half year or full year periods, in order that purchases would be in sufficient quantities to avoid as far as possible emergency calls, and to afford the purchasing officer time to call for proposals with reasonable time al- lowance to permit intending bidders in all parts of the country to prepare their pro posals and to permit of delivery or man. ufacture and delivery, as the case nigh. be. of the articles required"
 On Sanitation.
 On the general question of sanitation the commission says:
 ''The commission understands the im- mense importance of the sanitation of the isthmus as a factor in the building of the canal. It Is certain that the chiefs of the sanitary department are aware of the grave responsibility resting upon them. If the statements of pr. Reed were true, either in detail or in the general im- pression they are intended to convey of eauifarv conditions on the fsthmus. they