Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-10
Chief Engineer Wallace Be-
fore the Canal Commission.
REVIEWS SITUATION
DESCRIBES TO HIS COLLEAGUES
ISTHMIAN CONDITIONS.
Anxiety Regarding the Possible Effect
of the Eight-Hour Law-Awaiting
Attorney Generals Opinion.

Chief Engineer Wallace of the isthmian
canal commission had an important inter-
view with Secretary of War Taft this
morning in regard to labor conditions at
fecting work IN the Panama canal. Mr.
Wallace arrived in Washington last night
and was an early caller at the War De-
partment this morning. For the Secre-
tary's benefit he briefly reviewed the STUD
ton in the canal zone as regards labor,
constructions. ETC., and gave his views on
variety of questions which have been under
discussion of late in connection with the
construction of the great interoceanic wa
terway.
Effect of the Eight-Hour Law.
After leaving the War Department Mr..
Wallace went directly to the offices of the
commission In The Evening Star building
where he met the other members of the
commission, with the exception of Chair
man Shonts, who is not In Washington.
The commissioners told the chief engineer
that they were awaiting with great anxiety
the decision of Attorney General Moody on
the question as to the right OF the COM
mission to employ laborers on the canal for
more than eight hours a day. The opinion
Is expected soon, and the belief was ex-
pressed that the Attorney General will hold
that the eight hour law does not apply to
work on the canal.
Chief Engineer Wallace said today that
1t would seriously impede the work of con-
structing the waterway to have the eight
hour law enforced In the canal strip. he
explained that 1t would be impossible to
make uniform hours for labor. because some
labor must be employed twelve hours,
whereas ten hours Is now the rule for most
of the workmen. The train crews that haul
the men to and from the work in particular
must work an extra hour, morning and
night, before the other men have begun
their labor and after they have finished.
If 1t Is decided that eight hours constitute
necessary to provide special arrangements
for the transportation of the laborers 10
and from their work. This is only one OF
many examples that go to show the great
hour law would be to the speedy and bust
ness-like construction Of the canal, and
consequently the members of the commits
sion are awaiting Mr.. Attorney General
Moody's decision on the matter with no
little interest and anxiety.
Five Thousand at Work on Canal.
Mr.. Wallace told the members of the
commission in detail the conditions existing
on the isthmus. Five thousand men were
now working the canal, he said, the
medical department had about 1000 men,
and about 500 were engaged in other work
a gigantic house-cleaning was in progress
and the results were already apparent. The
health of the men was excellent, and what
was mere. Mr.. Wallace said, every man
Jack of them was entirely contented.
The commission was in session nearly
four hours. and Mr. Wallace was kept
busy explaining matters and answering The
many questions asked by his intereste ted
colleague No actual business was trans
acted at todays meeting. however. as the
members had previously decided to make
the best of the first opportunity presented
to them of learning in detail the truth as to
the actual conditions on the isthmus.
Chairman Shonts Is expected to be in at
tendance tomorrow and the meeting will
then be the first formal gathering of the
full membership of the new commission. 1t
is expected that decision in some minor
matters will be made at that time.