Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-20
MR.. SHONTS' REPORT
WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF CANAL
COMMISSION SAYS.

In his annual heport. Mr.. Shonts, presi-
dent OF the Panama canal commission.
SAYS that since the decision by Congress, In
June last, decreeing the construction Of a
lock canal at an elevation Of eight-fve feet.
the commission has fixed definitely the To-
cation, on the Atlantic side. of three sets
Of locks and q great dam at Gatun, and
on the Pacific side of one set OF locks at
Pedro Miguel and two sets at La Boca and
two dams in the vicinity of La Boca, q
large one between Sosa High and Corozal
and q smaller one between Sosa High and
San Juan Hill.
First Stage Passed.
During the past year the first stage of
canal work, that Of preparation, has viz
tually been past and the commission finds
itself in position to enter upon the second
STAGE that of actual construction Of lock
canal.
Mr.. Shonts says the isthmus Is now COM
pletely free Of yellow fever. an achieve
ment which demonstrates the high eff
cheney Of the health department. In COM
batting other diseases the department has
been scarcely less successful
Great progress has been made during the
past year in providing for the welfare and
comfort of the employees. The commits
sion now mas SUFFICIENT pulluiHSS " PRIV
vide quarters for all its employees.
Mr.. Shonts says further that the efforts
of the commission during the year to pro-
vide some method by which employees might
obtain meals al a reasonable rate have been
entirely successful. There are about 5000
men employed on the various works.
Best Paved and Watered City.
1t is believed. says Mr.. Shonts, that the
city of Panama is today the best paved.
nd he hoe
city-in Central America. or in the northern
half of South America
Great progress has been made during the
year in charging and improving the facili
ties of the Panama railroad as to en-
able 1t to perform adequately its double
functions of handling general commercial
business and at the same time serving as
the essential instrument in the construc-
ton of the canal.
The reconstruction of old tracks and the
laying of new ones. and the double tracking
of the Panama railroad for nearly it's en-
tire length which is of vital Importance to
the removal Of spoil from the cut, has been
pressed forward with all possible energy.
Chief Engineer Stevens.
In an accompanying report giving full
details Of construction work. Chief Engi-
neer Stevens says that the health condi-
tons have been so very materially i'm
proved during the year that the feeling of
fear and panic which prevailed at its be-
ginning has been entirely done away with
and the fact has been proved beyond
doubt that with rigid quarantine and with
a never-ceasing vigilance in carrying for
ward sanitary measures that the health
of the average white person depends almost
entirely upon the care he takes of himself.
and that with the continuance of the lib
eral policy of the commission In regard to
vacations it is believed that the physical
stamina of average employees can be kept
I'D to standard equal to that which would
obtain in the greater part of the United
States.
The Canal Zone.
Judge c. E. Magoon. late governor of the
canal zone, in an accompanying report of