Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-28
TAKE CARE OF HE LABORERS

Laborers returning from Colon report
rather bad condition In the canal
region. They claim that yellow fever
smallpox and other malignant diseases
prevail there; also that laboreB arc
not paid IN proportion 10 the cost OF
living, and the work required OF them
Thoy say that there are not accom-
modntons for one-third Of the Ameri-
cans stationed IN Panama alonei that
Illness followed detail to an outlying
station; that malaria Is as prevalent
MS mosquitoes, that table board costs
from $50 TO $50 q month; that tho hos
pital Is constantly crowded; that gam
bling games are wide open seven nights
O week IN spite OF Gov. Davis procla-
nation; that suspected cases OF yell
low fever are taken TO the hospital
daily; that among tho native Spanlards
and negroes there have been numerous
fatal cases that there would be
revolution today ~ It was not for the
presence OF American washipa, and 20
on.
Some Of those reports, no doubt, are
exaggerated. Workmen, It Is explained,
have been going down there faster than
they could be employed and taken pro-
porly care Of. and 1t Is but natural
that they should view everything In
the worst light possible, and frame
their reports IN heavy black lines,
But after allowance has been made
for this, It remains 70 be said that the
condition Of the workingmen In the
canal zone should be made as safe and
comfortable, under the care OF the
United states government, as con-
sclentious application Of all tho means
at the command OF advanced science
can make It. While the French were
IN charge, Il In claimed, almost no pro-
vision was made for the comfort Of the
laborers. Tho consequence was that
thousands took sick and died. Through
sickness the work was constantly de-
loyed, although the wages were drawn,
by somebody, and millions Of dollars
were lost, not to shy stolen, in this
way. In the hands OF our government
the canal zone should be made as
healthy as any other spot. What was
done FOR cuba can be done for Panama.
Those who have studied this question
feel confident that It Is an error to
speak Of the country unhealthy" The
diseases that appear there, they claim,
are brought there and they continue
because infection is communicated, ow-
ing to lack OF sanitary regulations
They urge, first that a sanitary COM
clean up tho Isthmus,' after |
tho methods 80 successfully pursued |
at Manila aud Havana. Filth must |
be removed, a clean water supply pro-
yded In abundance and drainage Sc
cured. Then, The site Of Colon should
be raised from three to four feet, SUM-
Client to mako drains operative. The
worst Of the present structures there
should be burned or otherwise removed.
Other towns aud Villages along the line
Of the Panama railway are to be looked
after in a similar manner including the
city OF Panama.
Another preventive measure is sug.
gested. Il is said that camp OF de-
tention and observation should be es-
tablished for incoming loborers at some
point most available, The location
does not matter greatly in this way
disease can De prevented from ginning
access TO the labor camps along the line
of the canal This measure, It Is
thought, would accelerate the enter
prise ana prove economic even It
pay were granted the uborer during
The period Of detention
10 these precautions should be added
sanitary houses for the laborers and
close supervision OF the food. The
United states. I'm brief should give the
world an Illustration of the results OF
aMug corc of rs employees, as the Jap
nese have done In the matter Of hygI-
,nlc regulations for the soldiers