The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-09
SHONTS REPORTS.
Tells About Conditions on
Panama Canal.
---
Condition of American Labor Is
Satisfactory.
TOO MUCH HASTE.
Mistake Made in Dirt Must
Fly Policy.
Imperative Kind of Canal Should
BE Settled.
90 MUCH HASTE.


Washington, May 9-Chairman 7. P.
Shonte, of the Isthiman canal commits
sion, has fled his report. Among other
things he says:
Under the direction of Governor
Magoon health conditions on the 18th
mus are most satisfactory. Notwith-
standing the fact that there are more
employees and their dependents on the
Isthmus than ever before (the monthly
pay rolls showing from $4,000 to $4,000
employees with a daily effective force
of about $4,000 or Il, O0O) there were few
er patients in hospital than for many
months past. DR.. Gorgas reported 450
beds vacant in hospitals. There has
been no authentic case of yellow fever
since last November. Mosquitoes are SO
scarce that many persons sleep in IN
screened houses, and discard mosquito
netting without mourning personal dis
comfort. DR.. Gorgas is sanguine that
he has the health situation SO well in
hand that no epidemic can arise within
the canal zone. The danger can come
only from the outside. The question of
quarantine is, therefore, of paramount
Importance, and is receiving the earn
est attention of the health department
Following a case of yellow fever re-
Gently occurring at Eccas del Toro, on
the Caribbean coast, 159 miles distant
from Colon. an officer of the sanitary
department was sent to that port to
take charge of its sanitation. at an ex-
pense to the commission of not to ex-
coed $500 per month. This action was
not taken, however until after a con-
| ference with the officials of the Republic
of Panama, who are willingly eooperat-
ing in the matter. It is considered wise,
as an additional quarantine precautiOn.
AS an evidence of the general health
conditions DR.. Gorgas stated the rate
of sickness was only 20 per thousand.
American Labor.
with respect to the American en-
pIoyes, progress continues to be made
1 in providing them with wholesome
food of a character to which they. are
accustomed. Refrigerator cars of the
most improved type are now in opera
ton the line of the Panama rail-
road; a temporary cold storage plant
is in successful operation at Colon, and
plans for q permanent plant on much
larger scale are well under way Re
frigerating plants have been installed
on two of the steamers Of the COM
pany operating between New York
and Colon. and plant will be installed
on a third within the immediate fu-
ture. line of refrigeration has,
therefore. been established between all
points in the United States and the
various districts within the canal zone,
thus placing within the reach of all
classes of employees perishable and
other food supplies of the character to
be found in the United States. The
first consignments of American meats
have been successfully distributed
along this line Of refrigeration The
first consignments of vegetables, and
similar food stuffs, did not meet with
equal success. possibly due to the state
of the vegetable market at home when
such consignment was made
Nine large mess houses Cor hOtels)
are maintained at as many different
points along the line, where nourishing
meals are served in clean surroundings,
at cost to employees of 80 cents each
In the inauguration of the policy of
furnishing meals to the American en-
plOyes at this price, a loss was sustain
ed by the commission, it being well
known fact that all work in its fOrma-
tive period with inexperienced help in
many instances must be carried on at
greater cost than prevails after an or
ganization has become more efficient
Figures for the latest month available,
however show that these meals are
now being furnished to the American
employees at 80 cents each, without adj
ditional charge against the funds of the
commission
Preliminary Work Done.
1.-The results already obtained JUS
tify the policy decided upon during
Nv outlined In my report to the presi-
dent under date of August IL, 1905.
In that report I called attention to
the fact that the serious mistake
which had been made up to that time
was in attempting to make the dirt
fly in advance of thorough prepare
ton, and informed the president that
Instructions had been issued to close
down the work of excavation. except
in so far as was necessary to put the
cuts in proper shape for the installa-
ton of the maximum number of steam
shovels for economical service
1.-The work of canal construction
divides itself properly into two parts,
one of which must precede the other.
First thorough preparation. This
includes the creation of an effective
organization; the sanitation of the
isthmus; providing suitable quarters
and food for employees; constructing
proper terminal, yard. and railway
track facilities and intermediate yards
for the handling of the vast quantities
of supplies and materials; the installa-
ton of a system of tracks through the
cuts; the working out of all engi-
neering problems. and the formula
ton of a comprehensive plan for
carrying forward the work in each
department.
Second the actual construction of