Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-12-07

tam the repcrt OF tnepoarrr OF engineers
and his own conclusions as to the type OF
canal. On this subject he says:
The American people is pledged to the
speediest possible construction of canal
adequate to meet the demands which the
commerce of the world will make upon 1t,
and | appeal most earnestly to the con-
gress to aid in the fulfllment Of the pledge.
Gratifying progress has been made during
the past year and especially during the past
four months. The greater part OF the nee
essary preliminary work has been done.
Actual work of excavation could be begun
only on a limited scale till the Canal Zone
was made a healthful place to live In and
to work In. The isthmus had to be sanitat-
ed first. This task has been so thoroughly
accomplished that yellow fever has been
virtually extirpated from the isthmus and
general health conditions vastly improved.
The same methods which converted the
Island of Cuba from pest hole, which
menaced the health Of the world, into
heaithful 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 sewer
age OF Panama and Colon and the large
labor camps have been fully carried out,
the isthmus will be, for the tropics, an I'M
usually healthy place of abode. The work
is SO far advanced now that the health of
all those employed In canal work is as well
guarded as 1t is on similar work in this
country and elsewhere.
In addition to sanitating the isthmus,
satisfactory quarters are being provided
for employees and an adequate system OF
supplying them with wholesome food at
reasonable prices has been created. Hos
pitals have been established and equipped
that are without superiors Of their kind
anywhere The country has thus been
made At 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 or
dered. 1t Is confidently believed that by
the middle Of the approaching year suffi-
cient 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 the congress to meet
the current and accruing expenses Of the
commission. The first appropriation OF
So 0O0, 900, out of the S1S5, 900 authorized
by the Spooner act was made three years
ago 1t is nearly exhausted. There 10
barely enough of 1t remaining to carry the
commission to the end Of the year, Unless
the congress shall appropriate before that
Tina al. work must cease. To arrest prog
ress ror any 1engtn OF rlIne now, wnen1nar-
tiers are advancing SO satisfactorily, would |
be deplorable. There will be no money with |
which to meet payroll obligations and |
none with which to meet bills coming due
for materials and supplies; and there will |
be decentralization of the forces, here and on |
the isthmus now working so harmoniously |
md effectively. II there is delay In grant
ng an emergency appropriation.
The message closes with recommends
ion for more adequate provision for the
work Of the state department, and a read
ustment Of the salary list Of our diplomatic
6icerS.