The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-12-22

home. but they were much superior -
the huts 10 be seen In the junkles q
Panama itself, beside the raiiroso
tracks, In which the lower class or
native Panamans live. as well as the
negro workmen when they leave the
employ OF the canal and 90 into the
jungles. The negroes generally 90
their own cooking. the bachelors cook
ing in sheds provided by the govern
ment and using their own pots. In
the different camps there was wide
variation In the character OF these
cooking sheds. In some, where the
camps were completed. the kitchen or
cooking sheds, as well as the bath
rooms and water-closets, were all In
excellent trim, while there were board
sidewalks leading from building TO
building. In other camps the kitchens
or cook sheds had not been noored
and the sidewalks had not been put
down, while in one camp the bath
houses were not yet up. In each case.
however, every effort was being made
TO hurry on the construction, and |
do not believe that the delays had
been greater than were inevitable I'm
such work.
I had an interview with Mr. Mallet,
the British consul. to find out n there
was any just cause for complaint as TO
the treatment OF the West India ne
groes. lie informed me most emphat-
ically that there was not, and author
ICED me TO give his statement pub
ucity. He said that not only was the
condition OF the laborers far better
than had been the case under the old
French company. but that year by
year the condition was improving UNI
der our own regime. He stated that
complaints were continually brought
TO linn, and that he always investigat-
ed them; and that for the last six
months he had failed 20 find single
complaint OF a serious nature that con-
tanned any Justification whatever
Reereation and Amusement
One OF the greatest needs at present
Is TO provide amusements both for
the white men and the black. The
Young Mems Christian association is
trying 10 do good work and should be
in every way encouraged. But the
government should do the main work.
have specifically called the attention
OF the commission 10 this matter, and
something has been accomplished al
ready. Anything done for the welfare
OF the men adds to their efficiency and
money devoted to that purpose Is
therefore properly TO be considered as
spent in building the canal. II is i'm
peratively necessary TO provide ample
recreation and amusement II the men
are TO be kept well and healthy.
call the special attention OF congress
to this need
This gathering. distributing and car
ing for the great force OF laborers is
one OF the giant features OF the work.
That friction will from time 10 time
occur in connection herewith is In
evitable. The astonishing thing is
that the work has been performed so
we'll aud that the machinery runs 30
smoothly. From my own experience
4
been exercised In housing. feeding and
generally paying heed 10 the needs
OF the skilled mechanics and ordinary
laborers I'm the work on this canal
than Is the case I'm the construction
OF new railroads or In any other sim
liar private or public work in the
United States proper; and IL is the
testimony OF all people competent TO
speak that on no other similar work
anywhere IN the tropics--indeed as
far as know. anywhere else-has
there been such forethought and such
success achieved In providing for the
needs " the men who do the work
Work OF Construction.
The work Is now going on with
vigor and efficiency pleasant to Wit
ness. The three BIZ problems OF the
canal are the l.anoca dams the Gatun
dam and the Culebra cut The Guile
bra cut must be made. anyhow; but
OF course changes as to the dams, or
at least as TO the locks adjacent TO
the dams. may still occur. The la
BOca DAMS OHcf no particular prom
lem. The Gamn dam offers the most
serious problem which we have 10
solve: and yet the ablest men on the
Isthmus believe that this problem is
certain OF solution along the lines pro
posed In April next Secretary Taft,
with three OF the ablest engineers OF
the country--Messrs Noble. Stearns
and Ripiey--will visit the isthmus. and
the three engineers will make the final
and conclusive examinations as TO the
exact site for each lock Meanwhile
the work IL going ahead without n
break
The Cuiebra cut does not OFFER such
great risks; that Is. the damage liable
to occur from occasional land slips
will not represent what may be called
major disasters. The work will mere
~ call for intelligence, perseverance
and executive capacity. II Is. how
ever. the work upon which most labor
will have 20 be spent The dams will
Ia cop, noaed ~ tina earth fakon o,tf ~