The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-05

tirpated from the Isthmus and general
health conditions vastly improved The
same methods which converted the island
of Cuba from a pest hole, which menaced
the health of the world, into beautitui
place of abode, have been applied on the
Isthmus with satisfactory results. There
is no reason to doubt that when the plans
for water supply, paving and sewerage OF
Panama and Colon and the large labor
camps have been fully carried out, the
Isthmus viii be, for the tropics, an un-
usually healthy place of abode. The work
IS SO far advanced now mat the healti
Of all those employed in the canal work
is as we'll guarded as it is on similar
work in this country and elsewhere
In addition to sanitating the 1sthmus,
satisfactory quarters are being provided
for employees and an adequate system OF
supplying them with wholesome food at
reasonable prices has been created Hos
pitfalls have been established and equipped
that are without Superiors of their kind
any where Inc country mas thus heen
made fit to work in, and provision has
been made for the welfare and comfort OF
those who are to do the work. During
the past year a large portion of the plant
with which the work is to be done has
been ordered. 1t is confidently believed
that by the middle OF the approaching
year a sufficient proportion of this plant
will have been installed to enable US to
resume the work of excavation on a
large scale.
What is needed now and without delay
is an appropriation by congress to meet
the current and accruing expenses of the
Sl0,000-000, out of the S135 000, 900 authorized
by the Spooner act, was made three years
~ II Is neafly eAhauslea- mere IS
barely enough of 1t remaining to carry
the commission to the end of the year.
Unless the congress shall appropriate be-
lore tnat time all must cease. 10
arrest progress for any length of
time now, when matters are adVanc-
ing so satisfactorily, would be de-
which to meet pay roll obligations and
none with which to meet bills coming
~ ~ 5lleteIlais anu supples anu ttleIS
VIII be generalization of the forces, here
and on the Isthmus, now working so har-
moniously and effectively, if there is de-
/ lay IN granting an emergency approprla-
ton. Estimates Of the amount necessary
will be found in the accompanying re-
ports of the secretary of war and the
commission.
The Department of State.
recommend more adequate provision
than has been made heretofore for the
work OF the department of state. Within
/ increase IN the amount and Importance
of the work to be done by that depart
ment, both in Washington and abroad.
rms has been caused by the great in
crease of our foreign trade, the increase
OF wealth among our people. which en-
/ ables them to travel more generally than
heretofore, the increase of American cap
1 ital which is seeking investment in for
elgn countries. and the growth of our
power and weight in the councils of the
clVlllzed world. There has been no cor
responding increase of facilities for doing
the work afforded to the department hay
Ing charge of our foreign relations.
Neither at home nor abroad is there a
sufficient working force to do the bust
/ ness properly. In many respects the sys-
TEN which was adequate to the work of
., or even TO- years ago. is inadequate
now, and should be changed. Our consul
lar force should be classified and appoint
ments should be made to the several
classes with authority to the executive to
assign the members of each class to duty
at such posts as the interests of the ser
vice require, instead of the appointments
belng made as at present to specified
posts. There should be an adequate in
spection service, so that the department
may be able to inform itself how the bus
mess Of each consulate is being done. in
stead of depending upon casual private
| Information OF rumor. The fee system
should be entirely abolished, and a due
equivalent made in salary to the officers
who now exc out their subsistence by
means of fees. Sufficient provision
should be made for a clerical force in ev-
Americans. instead of insufficient provis-
ion now made, which compels the en-
ployment of great numbers of citizens of
foreign countries whose services can be
of our consulates the office quarters and
the clerical force are inadequate to the
p eIl9f5 ma OF tne onerous duties i'm
posed by the recent provisions of our inn
migration laws as well as by our increas-
ing trade. In many parts Of the world the
lack Of suitable quarters for our ernbas-
from the respect in which our officers
ought to be held and seriously impairs
their weight and influence.
Suitab BILE provision should 10 made for
the expense OF keeping our diploma
ficers more fully informed of what is be-
ing done from Gay 10 day in the progress
tries. The lack Of such information
caused by insufficient appropriations
available for cable tolls and for clerical
ana messenger service frequently puts