The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-15
SHONTS BACK AND HOPEFUL.
WELFARE OF PANAMA WORKERS
THE FIRST CONFEDERATION.

Chairman d the Cemmissio0 Says That
They Can't Mako the Dirt Fly Until
They've Mads Things Csmf ortsblo Tor
the Men-Explains High Food Prices.
The steAmAhip Mexico. recently purchased
by the Isthmisn commission to run In CON-
nection with the Panama Railroad, arrived
yesterday from Colon in the record time Of
s days and II hours, which 10 moro than .
day better than the schedule OF the ordi-
nary ships OF the Panama Railroad line.
Chairman T. P. Shonts and Cen. Ernst
OF the Panama Canal Commission were
passengers by the Mexico. Mr.. .Shonts
said tina. the welfare Of the workmen who
are digging the canal wa, Of more Inn
portanoe than the digging, and that the
object Of his visit to the Canal Zone with
Chief Engineer Stevens was to see what
had been done and what should be done
to make the life Of the worker on the 18th
mus worth living. Mr.. Shonts said:
when our Government first took hold
Of the canal every effort was directed TO-
ward making the dirt ny. think this
was q mistake. They should have been
given time to prepare for the task by ma
king arrangements to care for the employees.
found this ono Of tho conditions romain-
ing to be settled.
1T Is true also that tho laborers were not
promptly paid and that matters were be-
coming congested on the railway and steam
ships. The people OF the Isthmus are not
given to providing for the future, and with
the large addition to the population caused
by the influx Of the canal laborers sup
plies were exhausted.
aThis caused the prices to rise, and soon
the laboring class found that they could
not earn enough to support themselves.
To offset this eub-commissary stations
were established to feed the laborers: !
made an arrangement with the President
Of that until price, become ,ba normal Normal
OF supplying the laborers. believe there
is some treaty clause which prohibits enter
ing into competition with the merchants.
SIN order to keep up the supply system
train runs out Of Colon every morning
taking supplies to the laborers' camps;
station. This steamer. the Mexico. Is al
ready supplied with a refrigerating plant
and one Is being installed on the Havana.
Supplies will be embarked at New York
Be be- the first 70 be discharged at Colon.
"A refrigerattng plant Is now being estab-
lished at Colon, from which all supplies
will be issued promptly, 80 that shortly
all American employees will be able TO
obtain the same fare as they would at
home.
There will, of course; have to be some
decidedly active reforms before the big
work down there can be done safely. !
went down there fully expecting to find
lot Of undesirable conditions confronting
us. It's not necessary to say that I was
not disappointed. But the work is going
on. 1t can't help going on with Americana
behind it. My report to the President will
be a simple statement, devoid OF any sensa-
tional developments. ! can assure You.
The fever is not giving any one much
anxiety. The day sailed there were only
thirty oases throughout the entire district.
They are having their trouble right here
at home in that respect. guess. aren't
they?
a am feeling very optimistic over the
outlook
Tho Mexico was held at Quarantine sew
eral hours while the tempera allure Of her
eighty nine passengers was taken; Three
Of the crew were removed TO Hoffman
Island for observation.