The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1906-12-26
CANAL PROGRESS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COM
MISSION.
PREPARATIONS COMPLETED
Ready to Begin Real Work OF Con-
Observation-Disclosures Free From Vel
low Fever-Spanfards Best La

low Fever-Spanfards Best la
borers.
Washington.-The Isthmian canal
commission in its annual report says;
During the year the first stage OF
canal work, that of preparation, mas
virtually been passed, and the commits
sion finds itself in position to enter
upon the second stage, that Of actual
construction of a lock canal at an ele-
walton of eighty-five feet, authorized by
Congress in June last.
"Of these two stages the first was
at once the more difficult and the more
important. If not done thoroughly and
intelligently in every part the actual
work of construction would be handi-
capped from the start. 1t was neces-
sary, as in the launching of any great
enterprise, to create an organization
with which to work. 1t was necessary
also to make the isthmus. by thorough
to work; to provide suitable quarters
and food for employees; to construct
proper terminal yards and railway
tracks AMI intermediate yards for the
handling of the vast quantities OF ma
terials and supplies; to install sys'
TEN of railway tracks through the
cuts; to PUT the various Levels IN the
cut in proper condition for the install
lation and operation of the maximum
number of steam shovels; to purchase
and assemble the plant for construct
ing the canal: to work out all engi-
neering problems; to perfect govern
ment and C, cate system of accounts
and to formulate a preliminary plan
for carrying forward the work in each
department.
THE isthmus is now completely free
of yellow fever, an achievement which
demonstrates the high efficiency OF the
health department. In combating other
diseases the departm ent has peer
scarcely less successful. The average
daily sick rate among employees OF the
commission during the ten months
from January l, 1906, to October 81
1906, was twenty-eight per thousand
which Is no higher than might be eX
pected in an equal body of laborers Ell
tagged in construction work in any par
of the world. During the same period
the death rate among the whites was
about 17h per thousand. and anon
the blacks nearly fifty-three pei
thousand.
another years experience with ne
gro laborers from nearby tropica
islands and countries has convinced
the comlni Jsion of the impossibility o
loing satisfactory work with tbein
Not only do they seem to be disqlial
ned by lack of actual vitality, but the
disposition to labor seems TO be a.
frail as their bodily strength.
1.-The experiment with laborers iron
northern Spain has proved very salts
factory. Their efficiency Is not onl,
more than double that of the negroes
but they stand the climate much bet
ter.
"In November. 1905. the commit
sion's employees numbered approx
mately 1900 and in November. 1906
the number was practically the same
OF these 1852 were under the de
partment of construction and engineer
ing; 1,129 under the division of ma
terial and supplies; 2.291 under the de
partment of government and santa
iion, and 1877 in the auditing and dis
bursting Offices.
The commission has made som'
progress. in its efforts to provide
means of amusement and recreation
for its employees, but not so much al
would have been the case had ii mo-
been for the continued stress Of worl
Of more vital Importance"