New-York tribune., 1906-11-17
PRESIDENT SEES WORK
GOES ON STEAM SHOVEL.
Examination of Big Culebra Cut IN
Pouring Ram.

Panama, Nov. 16-President Roosevelt who
stopped at the Tivol Hotel last night. started at
o'clock this morning with Mrs Roosevelt and
the other members of his party. to make an ex-
animation of the Culebra cut. The weather was
overcast, threatening rain. At s. go the Presi-
Dental train arrived at Pedro Miguel where
some steam shovels We're at work The Presi-
dent had his train stopped for the purpose Of
making personal examination. At this point
In the cut the peculiar soil conditions have re-
suited in moro less frequent Iandslides. and
this fact was brought TO the Presidents at
tention
President Roosevelt DESCENDED from his train
and climbed up on one of the steam shovels
taking a seat alongside the engineer. whom hs
subjected TO a searching fire OF questions re-
garding the work In the conversation the en-
gineer took the opportunity. on behalf of him
self and the other engineers. to declare that un-
Ike the railroad engineers. they not paid
for overtime. The President promised TO look
into this matter. He stayed on the steam shovel
about twenty minutes. BY this time il was
raining hard.
President Roosevelt told Chief Engineer Ste
vens that he wanted to see all the works in
connection with excavation even TO the tenn
porary laying OF tracks With this in view. he
boarded a worktrain near Pedro Miguel and
went on TO the next point, where steam shoveis
were at work Here there was no danger ot
landslides- The Presidential train continued on
the regular line toward Panama The work OF
the second steam shovels was observed. and ths
President made detour to examine the site
of the Pedro Miguel lock He shook hands with
all the Americans he met while walking over
the ground. At about 9:25 the President entered
the deep portion OF Culebra cut. his train going
slowly in order that he might observe the work.
ings OF the drill machines and shovels Ona
shovel was decorated with sign reading, We
will do our best to help you build It."
The President spent some time in the deepest
portion of the cut. where last Sunday twenty
two tons of explosives were used to throw down
$4,000 cubic yards OF material
The rain was now coming down In torrents,
and the water poured in rivulets down the
| funnel shaped sides Of the famous cut Several
| charges of dynamite exploded in order
that the President might sea the effect. after
which he went back to his own train.
AT Rio Grande. with the rain stiu falling
heavily. Mr. Stevens pointed out to the Presi-
dent the laborers quarters under construction
there. The President decided to leave his train
again and inspect personally the sleeping quar-
ters Of the Jamaicans. He inquired how the men
were fed. and patiently listened TO their com
plants. He went through the commisary. where
his visit unexpected, and also penetrated
| into the living quarters of the families of sew
eral jamaican iaborers. This inspection lasted
| for three quarters Of an hour. at the end OF
which the President returned to Culebra. wet
| through and spattered with mud At CuIebra
| the President went through the local offices Of
| the canal constructors.
| The Presidents party had luncheon with Mr.
/ Stevens at 1 o'clock. and after this meal the
| women Of the party returned TO Panama The
| President went as far Gorgona While pass
| ing Bas Obispo a salute of twenty-one charges
| of dynamite was fired. At Matachin President
Roosevelt went through the machine shops. the
foundries, the planning mill, ETC. Before leaving
Matachin crowd of Americans assembled and
| cheered the President He replied to this greet
| ing with a short speech.
The President arrived at Tivon station al
| o'clock this afternoon
| Beginning at o'clock tomorrow he viii visit
| the rest of the canal Upon leaving the train
this afternoon President Roosevelt said he felt
] in great shape"