The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-17

and the other English possessions. one OF
the governors OF the lands I'm question has
shown an unfriendly disposition To our
work, and has thrown obstacles in the
way OF our getting the labor needed and
IL is highly undesirable TO give any out
siders the impression, however Ill founded.
that they are indispensable and can die
tate terms 10 US.
| had an interview with Mr.. Msllet. the
British consul. TO find out II there was
any just cause for complaint az TO the
treatment OF the West India negroes. He
informed me most emphatically that there
was not and authorized me TO give his
statement publicly. He said that not only
was the condition OF the laborers far bet
ter than had been the case under the old
French company. but that year by year
the condition was improving under our
own regime.
Recreation 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 TO do good
work and should be in every way encour-
aged But the government should do the
main work ] have specifically called the
attention OF the comission TO this matter
and something has been accomplished al
ready. Anything done for the welfare OF
the men adds 10 their efficiency and
money devoted to that purpose is there
fore properly TO he considered as spent I'm
building the canal. II is imperatively nee
essary TO provide ample recreation and
amusement IL the men are to be kept we'll
and healthy. call the special attention OF
congress TO this need
This gathering, distributing, and caring
! for the great force OF laborers is one OF
the giant features of the work. That fric-
ton will from time 10 time occur In con-
nection herewith Is inevitable The as
tonishing thing Is that the work has been
performed so well and that the machin-
cry runs so smoothly. From my own ex-
perience | am able TO say that more care
had been exercised in housing, feeding
and generally paying heed TO the needs
Of the skilled mechanics and ordinary la
| borers In the work on this canal than Is
the case In the construction OF new rail-
roads or In any other similar private or
public work in the United States proper:
and 1t is the testimony OF all people COM
petent To speak that on no other similar
work anywhere in the tropics-indeed. as
Tar as l know, anywhere else-has there
been such forethought and such success
achieved in providing for the needs OF
the men who do the work
Work OF Construction
The work is now going on with a vigor
and efficiency pleasant TO witness. The
three big problems OF the canal are the
La ISOGt udils, the tSatOn dafn, ana the
Culebra cut. The Culebra cut must be
made, anyhow: but OF course changes as
10 the dams, or at least as TO the locks
adjacent to the dams, may still occur.
Inc La Boea dams offer no particular
problem, the bottom material being 80
good that there is practical certainty
not merely as TO what can he achieved
but as TO the time OF achievement. The
Gatun dam offers the most serious prob
lem which we have TO solve; and vet the
ablest men on the isthmus believe that
this problem Is certain of solution along
the ines proposed; altho. OF course. IL ne
cessltates great toll energy. and intelli-
gence, and altho equally, OF course there
VIII be some little risk In connection with
the work.
! The risk arises from the fact that some
! Of the material near the bottom is not sc
good as could be desired II the huge
earth dam now cOntem plated is thrown
across from one foothill to the other we
Will have what is practically a low
! broad, mountain ridge behind which will
rise the inland lake. This artificial noun
tain Will probably show less seepage, that
ls' VIII have greater restraining capacity
| than the avera &c Natural mountain range
| The exact locality OF the locks at this
/ dam-as at the other dams-is now being
determined. In April next Secretary Taft
country-Messrs. Noble. Stearns. and
! Ripley-will visit the isthmus, and the
| three engineers will make the final and
conclusive examinations as to the exact
| is going ahead without a break
The Culebra cut does not offer such
| great risks; that is, the damage liable tc
| occur from occasional land slips will not
represent what may be called major dis
| asters. The work will merely call for in
| telligence, perseverance and executive
| capacity. IL is. however, the work upor
which most labor will have to be spent
| The dams will be composed of the earth
| taken out OF the cut and very possibly
! the building of the locks and dams will
| take even longer that the cutting in Gu.
| Zebra itself.
| In Culebra Cut
| The main work is now being done i'm the
| Culebra cut. IL was striking and impres
/ sive TO see the huge steam shovels I'm full
| play, the dumping trains carrying awaS
! the rock and earth they dislodged. The
! implements of French excavating ma.
! chinery. which often stand a little way
! from the line of work tho OF excellent
! construction. look like the veriest toys
/ when compared with these new steam
| shovels, just as the French dumping car:
/ seem like toy cars when compared with
! the long trains of huge cars, dumped by
/ steam plows, which are now in use. This
| represents the enormous advance that has
l hpan made N machinery during tho no @