Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-05-26

one or the great problems which face
the Panama Canal commissioners is
more difficult than that of labor. San
itation was rightly regarded as of pri-
mary Importance, and the measures to
that end are rigidly enforced. This
complexities the letting of contracts to
hrms or individuals who will perform
pnrt of the work. The question Of ma
tiohality is also important. American
labor expects and receives high wages.
So far, at least, 1t has shown slight In
clination to seek the canal zone In any
such quantity as is desirable Nor Is
there much likelihood that negroes
from the Southern States will apply In
considerable numbers. The Chinese ex-
|tluslcn act precludes the employment of
eoolie labor. Heretofore Jamaica and
Martinique have furnished the largest
portion OF the men who actually WELD
the pick and shovel, but late expert
meDt Is the trial of laborers from
Northern Spain-the men who did much
OF the work on the Cuban railroads.
still another important question is that
which relates to hours. The national
law makes eight hours the legal work
ing-day for American citizens engaged
on government work, but to extend this
provision to colored labor in the tropics
would not only greatly increase the ex-
pense Of building the canal, but might
prove unsatisfactory to the laborers
themselves. 1t was this consideration
that led Congress to amend the urgen-
y deficiency bill by exemptlng alien la
borers In the canal zone from the pro-
visions Of the eight-hour law.
-
In reviewing the operations of tina
United States Service, the Secretary of
the Interior states that the amount
available FOR the work, constituting tho
proceeds from the disposal OF public
lands In the thirteen States and three
Territories since 1901 Is S2S 900 600
The projects authorized and approved.
but not yet completed, are fifteen in
number with an estimated cost of $685.
100000 representing an approximate
reciaimable area OF something over l.
100000 acres, so that the cost of artifi-
cial irrigation for these lands is approx
lmately $2S per acre. Nearly 100000
Lave already been expended on the
work. The operations of the reclama-
lion act has stimulated development In
the West by arousing interest in private
enterprises of similar character. The
government has no difficulty whatever
IL. disposins of the lrrigable lands,
since these are all filled up as soon as
surveys are completed. Many of the
hfl In n e..
alative purposes and In some localities
elinquishments Of homesteads filing in
hese irrigated districts are selling al
eldy for from $500 to $500 each.
-
Plans for a large naval station on
lske Michigan have been prepared for
ne consideration Of the Secretary of
ths Navy. They provide for the ex-
pssnditure Of two and a half million
dollars for the erection of a large group
Of buildings for the accommodation OF
at least thousand young men under
training for service In the navy. The
establishment OF such station on the
Great Lakes is the natural outcome Of
the liking of the young men of the West
for service in the navy. The modern
war-Bhip Is manned not by sailors so
lduch as by men with a mechanical
taste, for the ships are monstrous ma
chine-shops. The Western youth with
a taste for machinery and a desire to
see the world is finding the naval ser
vice a pleasant way for gratifying both
desire and taste.
-
The President has referred to Con-
gress the dispute over the type Of canal
to be built at Panama. or the thir-
teen members Of the Consulting Board
OF Engineers, eight favor a sea-level
canal, and one Of the members of the
Canal Commission, Admiral Endicott
takes the same view. But five members
OF the Engineers Board, four of the
Canal Commissioners, and the Chief
Engineer Of the canal are In favor of
lock canal. The Secretary of War IA
vors a lock canal; and the President
recommends that type, on the ground
that 1t could be built at about half the
cost and In half the time required for
a canal at the sea-level, and that It
would afford quicker transit for large
ships.
-
The Secretary Of the Interior has re-
vlsed the regulations for the enforce
ment Of the law restricting Chinese i'm
migration. The most important changes
are those granting to a Chinese a rea-
sonable length OF time to produce his
certificate of Identification. and provid-
Ing for more courteous treatment Of
Chinese travellers pending the establish
ment of their right to enter the country
under the law. Hitherto travellers have
been forced to remain in custody for
several days, and Chinese who did not
have their certificate Of identification
with them have been summarily ar
rested.
-
Secretary Taft received cablegram
from Governor General Ide OF the Phil
ippines. saying that the stories Of wom-
en- and children being slaughtered at
the recent battle OF Mount Dajo were
sensational newspaper reports, not
borne out by the facts. A few women