Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-12
First Consideration in 18TH
milan Operations.
GREAT ADVANCE MADE
NEW WATER SUPPLY GIVEN TO
PANAMA
Arrangements Instituted to Furnish
Quarters and Provisions for
the Canal Workmen.

Sanitary conditions on the Isthmus Of
Panama are growing better all the time
Positive instructions from Washington and
the disposition of the authorities on the
canal zone to make health conditions
the first consideration. Digging dirt is at
present secondary to the task of producing
ideal sanitary conditions.
Health conditions. shown by the rec
ords. are not alarming. but unofficial and
untrue statements have created a feeling
of uneasiness, and that has been empha-
sized by the tradition that the isthmus Is
unhe althy. During the entire year 1905
the death rate. In spite of reports to the
contrary, has been kept remarkably
low percentage. The authorities have the
great problem of sanitation we'll In hand
and it is claimed to be just as certain that
they will make the canal zone healthy as
1t Is that American pluck and energy will
build the canal.
Compared With French Situation.
comparison between the conditions
which obtained during the first year of
canal work under French administration
and pres.nt conditions shows that the
United States is solving the question Of
sanitation. In 1881 the French reported an
average force OF MS men on the isthmus
with death rate of GS per thousand,
while In the Ancon Hospital alone the
deaths from yellow fever reached the pro-
portion of 2tI per thousand. In reassuring
contrast to that record the death rate on
the canal zone among both the 10000 en-
ployes and the uncounted non employees dur
ing the past three months was but 20 per
thousand counting the fatalities among
both classes and emitting from the
equation number of non-employes. This
would make an annual mortality of lNs
than 10 per thousand. In other words. there
were but - deaths from fever during the
months of May. June and July. and of this
number but 10 were employees, an annual
rate of but per thousand.
The number of cases of fever most of
which recovered. decreased from - In June
to p in July. due TO the scientific efforts of
the sanitary officers In screening. cleaning
draining and taking all the other precau
tons that our Cuban victory over the fever
has taught US to employ. Since lie Lesseps
time science has nearly solved the problem
States, therefore. is about to overcome
what seemed to the French an unsur-
mouHtable obstacle.
New Water Supply for Panama.
The marked decrease in the number of
cases in what may be considered one of the
worst months of the year is said to be due,
in part, 10 the water supply for the
city of Panama, that was first turned into
the mains on July 4. With half pressure on
a six-inch main, twelve streams of water
were thrown higher than the administra-
ton building. and that pure water is now
turned on i'll several mains through the
center of the city. Faucets have been at
tached 10 the hydrants and the people are
now provided with free water. The adVan-
tages of that improvement can be appreci-
ated only by those who are acquainted with
the conditions that formerly obtained, and
can scarcely be overestmated. There a
celebration on the Fourth, and. of course. a
game of base ball, but much to the surprise
of the fans, the Panamans wiped up the
ground with the American nine.
Another important change that will add to
the health of the isthmus IS well under way,
and that is the establishment OF comfort
able quarters along the entire line of the
canal, and by the end of the present month
every non-immune employe can be com
fortaby lodged outside of Panama and
Colon, which appear to be the only two foci
of the diminishing fever on the isthmus.
Provisions for Employees.
Plans are also under consideration look
ing to the establishment of refrigerating
system, that meat. vegetables, eggs, but
ter. poultry and other foodstufrs be
sent from cold storage In the United States,
transported in cold storage by vessels to
the isthmus and then distributed by refrig-
Grating ears 10 the ice boxes of the hotels
and boarding houses along the line of the
canal. With the installation of this service
the personnel of the canal Will be properly
housed will have pure water will be well
fed, and the question of proper sanitation
will be solved.
The most efficient scientists and engineers
thoroughly convinced that eventually
the isthmus will be a pleasant and agreeable
place of abode. They affirm that the fever
is not indigenous to the isthmus. The nights
are cool. and with the exception of short
period in the middle of the day. the heat is
not oppressive. 1t is claimed that Panama
and Colon can be rendered as agreeable