The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-10-20

practically impervious 70 seepage. A.
the material AZ hand i stiff clay.
But there j. possibility Of seepaee
through the loose soil under the dam,
which might undermine it. failing
that waste sufficient water 30 make a
shortage for locking purposes during
the dry season. II is probable that one
or more rows Of interlocking sheet steel
piling will be driven across the valley
20 prevent all possibility of srepage-
The problem. AS a whole is 10 big a.
20 be almost beyond comprehension,
one must change his idea of quantity
and size in order 10 cope with II all
Details that elsewhere would be- large
in number. become Insignificant when
compared with the whole,
There were dozen steam shovels at
work IN Culebra Cut few months ago,
great big powerful machines. and IL
looked about as hopeless as attacking
stockpile with a tea spoon. There
will be hunderd or more At work IN
time.
Wnen Il il considered that this vast
and complicated piece OF work 10 be
carried on in tropical country. where
labor il scarce and inefficient. and the
climate debilitating. that 1t is far from
the base Of supplies and surrounded by
numerous difficulties, large and small,
one IL impressed with the amount al
ready accomplished rather than appal-
led by the amount which yet remains
10 be done.
In word. we nave gotten ready 10
build the canal bnt IL still remains to
be built
It il unfortunate that there has been
40 much adverse comment about the
canal. Much has been written con-
cerning the terrors Of tropical
climate. the unsanitary conditions in
which the employees had 10 live, the
high price Of living, the inefiiciency Of
the officers, the high salaries paid the
discomfort of the men in general and "A
lot Of other subjects.
There has been lack Of fairness IN
the criticism. a desire 20 find fanlt, 10
show one side of the question only
with NO consideration Of the obstacles
already snrmounted
Most adverse comment comes from
men who have spent bnt few days on
the Isthmus. or from men who have
obtained employment from the govern
ment in positions that they were not
qualified 10 fill. and then ssnt back 20
the states carried with them only the
tale Of woe to u man who has failed.
Before finally deciding upon the
Panama route Il was necessary to ac-
quire certain jurisdiction ia the
country. This could only lie brought
about by revolution. The revolution
occurred, Panama became an indepen-
dent government and for considera-
tion granted the United States absolute
control practically ownership. of "A
strip Of land known as the Canal Zone,
reaching across the lsthmus and ex-
tending for FIVE miles on each side Of
the canal also inclnding additional
lands at both terminal narbors.
Ia is-nnfprtnnate that "A revolution
was necessary but IL seems prophetic
of future success that even revolution
WAS no bar TO the accomplishment Of
our object.
The Canal Zone is now governed by
the United States, has its own courts,
police force. postal system, commits
sary stores, and affords the same pro
lection 20 United States citizen that
he enjoys in his own country. On
taking hold Of the actual work on the
canal. the Immediate need Of improve
ment and sanitation and the providing
Of quarters was very evident. and work
along these lines was pushed 10 the ut
most
The diseases most prevalent ON the
Isfhmus are yellow fever and malaria.
our work In Cuba and elsewhere has
led 10 the belief that both these dis
eases are transmitted by the mosquito.
Every effort has been made. and with
much success. 10 eradicate this fever
breeding insect A sanitary depart
ment was created and went 20 work
vigorously 10 drain swamps cut away
the nndergrowth near buildings and ~
otherwise destroy the breeding places
of the mosquito. Hospitals were pro
vided and a competent medical staff
procured Also a sanatarium was ~
tabished ON the Island Of raboga dis
tance ten miles from Panama This
is used by conyalescents and none
could ask for more beautiful climate
than IS afforded by this little island.
Many Of the old French homes have
i,een repaired. and others built also in
the moro important stations along the
line hotels are provided The building.
are all frame structures the smaller
dwellings are one story cottages. not