The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-12-21

using tnelF own pOtS- III tHc ulAcicAt
camps there was a wide variation in
the character OF these cooking sheds
In some, where the camps were COM
pleted. the kitchen Or cooking sheds,
as well as the bath rooms n water
closets. were all in excellent trim,
while there were bo1-I sidewalks lead
ing from building - building In
other camps the Kitchens or COOK sheds
had not been floor. and the side
walks had not been put down, while IN
one camp the bath houses were not
vet up. In ZACH case. however. every
effort was being made 10 hurry on the
construction. and | 10 not believe that
the delays had pee greater than were
inevitable in such work The laboTerS
are accustomed to do their W COOK
ing: but there was much complaint,
especially among the bachelors. as TO
the quantity. and some az to the quail
i-y. Of the o they got from the COM
missary department. especially as re-
CARDS vans. On the other hand. the
married men and their wives. and the
mere advanced among the bachelors,
almost invariably express; themselves
as entirely satisfied with their treat
ment at the commisSary stores; except
that they stated that they generally
could not get vans there, and had TO
( purchase them outside. The chief
complaint was that the prices were too
high. It is unavoidable hat the prices
! should be higher than in their own
homes; and after careful Investigation
| came to the conclusion tha- the chief
trouble lay in the fact that the vans,
plantaine. and the ike are rathe"
perishaDle food. and are very bulky
comna~ed to the HuGI1' Of n0urlSn-
~~c1t thev contain. so that it is costly
! TO import them in large Quantities and
! difficult to keen them Nevertheless. /
| felt that an offO"t ~rOuld be made 10
| secrre then1 a more annie supply Of
; their favorite food. and : directed;
and I believe that ultimately the gov
eminent must itself feed them. | an
ha"ing this matter lCotk into
The superintendent having iraledi-
ate charge Of one gang Ct men at the
Colon reservoir stated that he endeav-
ored to get them I substitute beans and
! other nOuriShing food for the stringy.
watery vans, because the men keen
their strength and health better on the
more nOurishing food, Inasmuch, how
ever, as they are accustomed 20 vans it
is difficult to get them to eat the more
STRENGTHENING food. and some time
elapses before they grow accustomed
TO j.. At this reservoir there has been
a curious experience. 1t is off in the
Jungle by itself at the end of a couple
miles of a little toy railroad. In rider
to get the laborers there, they We're
given free food (and Of course free
lodgings); and vet il proved difficult
to keep them. because they wisht to be
where they could reach the dramsnop
and places of amusement.
was struck by the superior COM
fort and responsibility Of the lives of
the married men 1t would, in my
opinion. be a most admirable thing if
a much larger number Of the men naG
their wives, for with their advent all
complaints about the food and cooking
are almost sure to cease.
l had an interview with Mr.. Mallet,
the British consul, to find out il there
was any just cause for complaint as
to the treatment of the West India ne
groes. He informed me most emphat-
ica1ly that there was not, and authOri-
zed me to give his statement publicity,
He said that not only was the cOndi-
ton Of the labOreTs far better than
had been the case under the Id French
Company, but hat year by year the
condition was improving under our
own regime. He stated that con-
plants were continually brought &c
him, and that he always investigate
them; and that for The last * 1u' htns
he had failed %. find d single complaint
of a serious nature than contain
ed any justification whatever
RECREATION AND AMUSEMENT.
One of the s.ea'ast needs s.: present
is to provide aInuSenlentG both for tEt
white men and the black. The EonLc
Mems Christian Association is trying
to do good w,rA and should De IT
every way ~encurl;2d. But the SGN-
eminent should do the main wO.&.
have specifically called the attention o
the commission to this matte, ant
something has been accomplished al
ready. Anything done for the welfar,
of the men adds TO their efficiency ant
money devoted to that purpose . there
fore properly to be considered a. spen
in building the canal It is imperative
~ necessary t provide ample Fecrea
ton and amusement if the men are Il
be kept we'll and healthy. / call III
special attention of congress 20 thi:
need.
This gathering distributing, an(
caring for the great force Of !aborer
is one of the giant features OF TIL
work. That friction will from time tt
; time occur in connection the ewith i
inevitable. The astonishing hing j
; that the work has been peri med s
{ we'll and hat the m%achiner! .11s 81
smoothly. From my own ex 4e1.ce
!. exercised in housing, feeding, ii zen
. am able to say that care -ta beer
orally paying heed to the ne. q tn
skilled mechanics and Ordin labor
I ers in the work on this can . -aan ]
: the cas- In the consuucti'a ii ne'
. railroads or in any other s --aT PR
= vate OF public work in III mite
States proper; and it is the stinlon,
1, - Ill ~oO~Yo a~~,~o4o-r 70 .e-a1~ rh9