Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09

otsdul SiioSSlS.
Flat cars 1900
RAPID unloaderS. Observation-Disclosures. -
Unloading plows. -
Earth spreaders. Observation-Disclosures, IL
Dump aTs...........,..,... aot
| locomotives ..,...................... l21
Hosting engines. acknowledgements. 10
Steel rails, tons. ..-............ 5000
les 125. coo
Air COMPRISING machines .... IA
ROCK crushing plants. 9
ROCK oE1ils ....................... l:l2
cranes .......-..-...-.......... z
Lumber approximately. feet.....- $4,000 coo
Steam dredges. ................ .
Ocean steamships. .............. .
Blasting powder, pounds. ..... $4,000
dynamite, pounds. ...-......... 61T500
Building brick .......,....... Q soo o(.o
FaVths pTlch. ...-......-........-... 1000 ,030
Roofing tile, square feet........ 500 900
Cement approximately. bbis... $4,000
water tanks and Towers. 3
Pipe, pipe, fittings, etc, for
water-works and sewer sys-
TENS, of the value {approxi-
mately) -.....-.. ..-........-.... $500 0GO
The approximate cost OF all purchases
is about S9.0c0, eco.
When the orders for these materials
were placed the various industries cor
cerned We're already crowded. with orders
and consequently were then unable to make
even reasonably prompt delivery. With the
placing Of the canal orders the situation
was made even worse from the standpoint
of congestion But, In spite of this and the
additional difficulty of the various firms 10
secure vessels during the yellow fever out
break to deliver materials on the isthmus
great many of the contracts have been
filled wholly or in part.
1t should also be borne in mind that all
the locomotives cars, steam shoyels
| cranes, dump cars and other equipment
purchased in this country have to be erect
ed here, then Knocked down and boxed in
order to have them carried by vessel to
the isthmus, where they have to La un-
boxed and regretted before they are avail
able for use. Then, too, the railroad tracks
on the tsthmus being Of fve-foot gauge
(the standard gauge Is four feet eight and
one-haif fnchesl, makes it necessary for all
Of the new rolling stock to be made espe-
cially for tracks OF that gauge.
The engineers on the isthnus are not
situated as are engineers in this country
who can step to a telephone or telegraph
office and order material for the next day
or week. Colon is . coo miles from New
York city. and acquisitions must come from
the isthmuS by mail. The law requires ad-
vertisement TO be made inviting bids for
furnishing material to be used in govern
ment work. This causes delay of from
ten days to one month.
Finally. it takes time to get together the
proper organization to carry on work
of this magnitude and to formulate rules
for It's guidance and plans for intelligent
handling of the work.
The Task Of Organization.
The task OF organization has been COM
pieted in large measure In all three major
departments various bureaus and divisions
having been established as the occasion de-
manded For example, on July 10. 1904, an
architectural bureau was created to have
charge of new buildings and repairing old
ones. to lay out grounds and to build high
ways. Only few miles of road have been
built around Panama city.
On August 18 of the same year q quar-
teruaaster's department was established.
Since then the quartermaster general has
busted himself selecting and assigning en-
ployes to quarters supervising payrells and
acquisitions for materials, and looking after
the personnel of the employees and the cor
respondence concerning applications for
employment. Since March 10 of this year
the department has met all new employees
on arrival. supplied them with needed in
formation and transportation to proper sta
lions along the line of the canal and as
signed laborers to their proper bureaus and
divisions. Since June / all matters of
transports ton, whether by wagon and
team railroad or steamship, have been un-
der the jurisdiction of the auartermaster
general this duty having been transferred
from the bureau of supplies
Besides many other bureaus that could
be enumerated each having been busy with
it's own special duties since its creator
there is the bureau of communication. 1t
supervises the telegraph and telephone
service, and has been at work for some
time ON q telephone line that will connect
the various headquarters along the line of
the canal
Law and Order Established.
Last but not least, law and order have
been firmly established In tho canal zone
under Gov. Magoen's administration
Though thousands of more or less ignorant
negro laborers have lately been imported
from Jamaica and Martinique and hun
dreds of persons of the adyeRturer type
have naturally been attracted to the zone
It can be stated on the authority OF impair
tial observers that in the zone COMPARE
tive peace and quiet reiEns. and there il