New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-08
CANAL ZONE PLEASURES.
Baseball and Excursions for En-
pLoaes-GroundIess Complaints.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau

every report coming from the lSIliiii&ii O'
sune Is entirely responsible for the more or less
fantastic reports regarding pubic sports rece
st.on. etc, to be supplied by the Canal Commits
sscr for the benefit of its employees on the
s-fhynus Clubs theatres side shows, profess
saonal baseball mines and, in fact. every attn
Aute of a county fair have appeared in the pup
nshed reports of the governments plans LOT the
zone so much so that of late proprletorS OIL
Asde shows merry-gO-rounds and typical Cohey
bland amusements have been applying IN IoFce
10 the Canal Commission for employment on the
none, while wholesale criticism Of the "beheVo-
lent paternalisn'' of the government has fouro
space in certain of the public prints.
OF course the facts warrant neither the appli-
cations nor the criticism Governor Magoon is
the father of the idea of amusements for the
canal employees, fact which carries with II the
assurance that nothing fantastic or unreason-
able is contemplated Along the line of the canal
sre many thousand Americans removed from
the sources of amusement to which they are &C
eustomed, from the society they were wont TO
enjoy at home and surrounded by conditions
making for homesickness. With a view to sup
pay1ng in a rational and practical manner some
sources of amusement and to promoting con-
tentment among the men who are destined to
.suain for, perhaps, years strangers in
strange land" the Governor has suggested the
dwelling and setting apart of certain plots of
ground to be used as ball grounds, tennis courts
str. precisely as is done in the public parks
et thousands of American cities. In Washing
ton. for instance, the large circle back of the
White House, there are maintained several base
ban diamonds which the employees of the
government conduct a series of games through
cut the season, the mines being known and
classified the Navy Department" the DE
partment Of Agriculture" etc. In other words,
this is departmental league, whose matches at
tract thousands Of spectators. who can witness
DIS games without paying admission.
Baseball seems destined to become the ma
s1os1al game of Panama. Governor Magoon,
writing of the national celebration which oc-
euTed the isthmus the last Fourth of
1ufy. describes game between the canal en-
paoyes, Americans and PanamaR boys. To his
regret, the Governor is compelled to relate that
The Panaman boys-most of whom had been edu-
Gated at American co1leges-whipped the Amer
&can employees badly that he is ashamed to
give the score.
Another source of amusement which has al
ready been provided for the employees consists
u free Sunday excursions to some of the beau
nfuI islands which lie out at sea, off Panama
The tugs, lighters and other vessels which belong
- the commission and which during the week
IRE engaged in more serious business are de-
voted on Sundays to carrying parties to these
hiands and In the estimation of the medical
staT these little trips and the days spent
sn the islets In the Pacific have proved of in
czlculable assistance in maintaining the health
~ the employees and counteracting the more or
hses enervatfng character of the climate.
Nothing has been done in the way of promot-
ing amusements however, at the expense of
3he more practical work of the commission.
What has been thus far accomplished has been
done a side issue, to speak, and incl
aentally to the serious work of the employees.
As opportunity permits bathing beaches will
b established that all the employees may
enjoy opportunities for bathing The public
bathing beach at Washington probably sug
Eested this idea to the up to date Governor. who
b seeking SO zealously to promote comfort and
eontentment among the Americans residing
the isthmus. Just at present comparatively
little is being done along these lines. because
ehe more important work Of providing suitable
quarters, satisfactory dining rooms, refrigerat-
ing facilities. both land and on the steamers
employed in bringing in provisions. is occupying
sn the attention of the employees and of those
IA authority. Nevertheless, when opportunity
presents itself to further the amusement end Of
the work it will not be overlooked
Ultimately when satisfactory living quarters
have been supplied in abundance some of the
sess suitable buildings now occupied for such
purposes viii doubtless be converted into club