The Washington times., 1905-05-16
The Little Stick.

consistency IS jewel when 1t
points to the path OF least resistance
for us; it is the bugbear of small
minds when called into play against
our interests.
The decision of the Isthmian Canal
Commission to buy materials and
ships in the markets Of the world will
raise a very pretty sAowi from our
home producers; it will occasion some
foreign mirth at our expense; it will
place our colossus, Uncle Sam, in the
attitude OF straddling political econ
omy, with one foot firmly planted in
protection and the other lightly rest
ing on free trade
The canal must be built; there are
the very Weightiest considerations of
policy and economics demanding its
completion at the very earliest date,
the subject has been under careful
consideration for many decades, the
highest wisdom of the country has
passed upon the necessity of its con-
struction and its feasibility, and-last
but not least-having put our hands
TO the dredger we must not look back
It is conceded that the actEal labor
employed must be foreign. No con-
siderable number of American labor
ers desire to work in the climate and
under conditions existing in Panama
Only our urforganized negro labor
could be OF any practical utility there,
and the supply of that will certainly
not be equal to the demand The re-
suit will be the employment OF coolies,
or OF any other labor approximately
as effective and as cheap. But TO this
there viii be no objection.
The employment Of cheap foreign
labor viii be approved by all OF US,
because it suits our convenience, il is
the path OF least resistance: the pur-
chase Of foreign materials and ships
will be opposed by the united legions
of our protected lab0r and capital, be-
cause they are not satisfied with the
inch OF protection afforded them in
the home markets, but would grab
the ell of our extraterritorial en-
deavors-it is inconsistent, to fore
cast their watchword.
The world over a government job
is a private. grab When the digging
Of the Panama Canal was decided
upon the mouths Of many Of rs began
TO water for the tidbits and the
pickings to be had. Ships and ma
chInery would be needed; the Gov
we thought; we will put the price
TO our Uncle Samuel as high as he
will stand; and. in view OF our cleo
tive franchise and the power, of labor
and capital to control the destinies
OF politicians, the canal authorities
will lot dare to buy elsewhere
Common sense demands that the
canal be built at the lowest possible
cost: private interest viii clamor for
the rights, save the mark, of our
home producers. It must be borne
IN mind. however, that our home
labor and home manufactures are not
menaced by the employment of
foreign labor or foreign ships and
materials in this enterprise because
it is an extraordinary development
and not one upon the indefinite con-
tinuance OF which they are entitled
to rely.
The building Of the canal is for the
benefit OF the Nation, 1t is not for the
purpose of providing present outlet
for surplus labor or unemployed cap
ital. It's object is to insure future Sc
curity TO our national and industrial
existence. No one, no body of men.
is SO ignorant as not to know these
facts; it is too much to expect, how
ever, that common sense patriotism
with its wee, small voice. will be
heard amid the din OF interested
cIamor the commissions decision will
arouse.
Perhaps, another view OF this de-
cision may be correct. Perhaps, it is
merely a little stick TO drive our home
producers into line with economic
conditions and TO cast.gate their in
ordinate desire to bleed Uncle Sam
Perhaps, the decision is only to be
understood in a Micawberian sense
and the reservation by the commits
sion OF the right to buy in the markets
Of the world may oblige American
producers to give the commission the
benefit of their foreign prices.
L. ILL