The National tribune., 1906-08-30
ON THE ISTHNIUS.
A Plain American Citizens Views OF the
Conditions There.

Charles Platt, who served in the
Spanish War as member Of the 18th
Pa, and is a subscriber to The National
Tribune. has been for the last eigh,
months employed as carpenter a,
Culebra, on the Isthmian Canal. He is
one of those sober, earnest, quiet men
who go into anything with the intention
of doing their full duty, and his expert
ence5 on the canal are of the deepest
interest. since they represent the views
of the plain American citizen who ex-
poets to work faithfully and earnestly in
the fulfillment of whatever duty he un-
dertakeS. Comrade Platt is now on a
brief leave of absence to the United
States, whittier he has brought his FAM
lily. and will return to Culebra in few
days, his family following later. Com
rade Platt says:
"Of course, there are many Disagree
able things on the Isthmus, but these
are inseparable from any great piece
of work. and must be expected wher-
ever a large number of men are sud-
denly brought together. The Isthmian
Commission is trying to do right, and in
everything that has come under my no.
tice the Commissions plans and regula-
tions have been for the best. The main
source of complaint is that which is
always found in any great body of men,
especially when newly organized. 1t is
not the fault of the higher officers or
authorities, who make the best laws and
regulations they can. but the trouble is
almost always with foremen or other
subordinates who take a dislike to a
man and make 1t hot for him. This
probably cannot be prevented, at least.
in the earlier stages of any enterprise.
Personally, 1 was given a very comfort
able house of the type furnished other
married employees, and in 1t my family
lived very contentedly and healthfully.
The houses are all built of Washington
fr. Those for the married employees
have eight or 10 good rooms. with the
house surrounded by porch which is
carefully screened, SO that We have less
trouble from mosquitoes and flies than
have experienced since l have been in
the Unieed States. The houses have to
be built In peculiar way Of single
wall Of plank. painted inside and out to
prevent destruction by the ants. All
the woodwork put up on the Isthmus
has to be painted at once for this rea-
son. Even a large planning mill. which
we have just erected, had to have all
the siding. beams and joists painted to
preserve them. This planning mill Is
up-to-date. and has every
tool and appliance for work that can be
found In the very best equipped in any
country. The quarters everywhere are
clean. healthful and comfortable. and
my family were well satisfied. We had
very little sickness, not half dozen
days for all of my children, and they
seemed to enjoy life there as well as
While the weather Is sup
posed to be very hot, it is cooler than
I have had since I have been in Wash
ington, and there is always a good
breeze blowing. There is no trouble
about sleeping at night. We have a
good school near. which is attended by
about 20 American Children
do your children have any trouble
with the snakes and insects?" he was
asked.
Not at all. They play In the brush
and grass as freely as they do here. ri
have seen but very few snakes around
the works, and they did not seem to be
venomous. Nobody seems afraid of
them down there. The men go out