The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-31
Tho Sanitation OF the Panama Canal
Zone.
hat the Boss says goes.

DR.. CHARLES A. L. REED, chairman Of
the Legislative Committee Of the Ameri-
can Medical Association, and lately pres
ident OF this the representative organi-
zation Of the medical profession through
out the United States, a man capable in
every way Of forming just conclusions
and with the courage and capacity Wig
orously TO express his convictions, has,
at the request Of the Secretary Of War,
submitted a report Of the sanitary, or
unsanitary, conditions in the Panama
Canal Zone,and in the towns Of Panama
and Colon placed by treaty under the
management Of the United States COM
mission.
II the report Of this gentleman Is cor
rect, and II must be accepted as such until
II Is proved that he has made misstate-
ments, the sanitary department Of the
Panama commission has been in great
measure parAlyzed by circumlocution
and red tape and the misguided inter-
! ference Of those who have been placed
" IN authority over the medical CORPS. In
certain quarters DR.. REEDS report has
been classified as 'frenziedT literature;
! but II one-tenth Of the criticisms which
he has made were justified sanitary
affairs on the Isthmus are in such de-
, plorable shape'th the President should
J compel an immediate change in q dis
graceful and dangerous situation.
There IL but one commonsense solution
Of this problem, and sooner or later il
win be applied; but the Chief Magistrate
should not wait 70 take this matter in
hand until the graveyards Of Panama
Sare filed with the victims Of red tape
As an illustration Of the absurd methods
employed, DR.. REID says in substance
that II thesurgeon In charge ofthe Ancon
Hospital makes requisition for supplies
It must 60 to the Chief Sanitary Of1cer
for approval, then TO the Governor Of the
Zone, then to the Chief Disbursing On
Ger and thence 10 the commission at
Washington. II must there wait for ad-
vertised bids, and when the award Is
made the nequisition is filed under the
supervision Of purchasing agent, often
not properly qualified TO select medical
supplies. The material is then shipped
TO the Isthmus, the disbursing officer is
notified, he notifies Col. GoRGAs, and he
in turn must notify the surgeon in charge
Of the hospital who then applies TO the
Quartermaster for transportation; and,
finally, 90 much OF the material as In the
Judgment Of the Governor and Chief
Disbursing Oficer and the commission
ought to be allowed to the superintendent
arrives at the hospital.
There are cited numerous other in
stances Of this ridiculous routine which
in the light Of recent experience are
a reflection upon the intelligence and
conscience of the American people.
We refer 10 Cuba, where Major REID
and Col. GoBoAs practically had carte
blanche TO do what In their Judgment
was best for the sanitation Of Havana
and Cuba.
The present situation can be remedied
satisfactorily in but one way. Col. w.
G. GoRoAs ia known 20 be one Of the
most expert sanitarians now living.
He Is a man whose courage is Of that
exalted character which scorns personal
danger, a man OF integrity, Of executive
ability and worthy Of the fullest conf
doncs OF tho Government Why not