New-York tribune., 1906-04-23
PROGRESS ON ISTHMUS.
NO YELLOW FEVER YET.
Mr.. Shonts Tells of York and
Preparations for York.

Theodore p. Shonts. chairman OF the Isthmian
Canal Commission. resting at the Waldorf yes
tercay. having suffered considerably from seasick-
ness on his latest trip TO the sthnus. He said to
Tribune reporter that he would go TO Washington
to-day and make report of his trip. He
asked whether he would reply Poultney Big
CLOVIS latest charges.
All that Is behind US he replied. Secretary
Taft blew BgeIow out of the water at the time the
charges were made That a full and sufi-
cient answer
Commissioner Cooley and Chief Examiner Kig-
gins OF the Civil Service Board. also to the
isthmus. decided 10 create Civil Service examin-
ing hoard there to test fitness OF employees for pro
motion. Mr.. Shonts said He had conferences with
r. p. Schwerin, vlce-president and general mana
ger of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. with
the result that there agreement TO work IN
harmony in the interest of the entire canal route
The water supply at Colon had engaged his at
tenton. Mr.. Shonts said, because the supply had
been reduced by long dry season. and a water
train had been equipped to cary 2Soooo gallons OF
water @ day TO Colon. The water is being fur
nished free to the people of Colon.
The only who has been charged for water
IN Colon said Mr.. Shonts. Us a hotelkeeper. Hs
desired particular water to be found On the line
of tho Panama Railroad. A reasonable rate for
the transportation Of his car was charged. 7 men
ton this because told some exaggerated
stories have been circulated in the United States
relative TO this incident"
Health conditions the isthrus continued good.
Mr. shonts said. authentic case of yellow fever
having been reported by Colonel Gorgas since De-
cernber. Regarding the progress OF canal work he
said:
Dock No, II. in Cristobsl in the canal zone, has
been completed; except the overhead shed, and is
i in crisiObaI IS also @ completed Only about two
s od sRa hg danhe 3 G6 aSS4 ese IS we
de new dock a La Boc has been finished shed and md
three additional ships ss''' o''A' p''' '''''
The % new terminal Yards at the Atlantic terminals
transfer pits and coaling station The main receiy-
Atlantic side. and the Pedro ist Miguel on the Faciac
are well under way. These yards are TO receive
various levels of the Cuiebra cut and for switching
Raroad for fna dispositom s several niles Of the
double tracking of the Pacific main line are laid
Much Of the aers for the % ouble tracks is
the ground. available for use as soon as the grading
The building department. in charge of the con-
advanced with it's work that the manager OF labor
and quarters reported he had accommodations for
mus. There is also adequate number of quarters
Under chief Engineer Stevens the work Of put
ting Culebra cut in shape for the approaching wet
number of steam shovels a systematic plan, has
been s,S steadily carried forward TRACKS have been
the way through the bottom of the cut well bal
clal effort, moved 10000 cubic yards OF material
yoEsns rspoFts xPr IS sisa nan
cate still greater efficiency. BY July August 10
is believed he will be able Install forty shovels
and be in position TO move approximately 1,c00o1I
| cubic yards month The actual cost figuring in
| contractors expenses for the work done IN March,
| Is 5S12 cents cubic yard.
Some time back the commission storehouses were
| thrown open to all classes of employees. TO whom
| coupon books were issued in value up to 40 per
cent OF earned salary, these coupon books were
| utilized In making purchases of foodstuffs and
other neceSsarleS from the railroad cOmmiSsary As
| a concession to the Panama merchants, these cou-
9ed r e ID M 6y ta ssTss
| however. led to many abuses. IL has, therefore.
| been ordered that commtssaries limit sales TO
actual bona fide employees. and after Nav Is these
| coupons will not be redeemed when presented by
| local merchants but their will be limited to
| the original intent.
Chief Engineer Stevens has moved his headquar-
| ters from the City of Panama to Culebra. Law
| and order continue 10 be maintained in high
degree, even though the vast army OF employees Is
made up Of recruits from all parts of the world.
This may be I'm part due to the natural inclination
of the population, but, nevertheless, the policing
of the canal zone IS well organized and effective.