The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-17
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ditions than did those who called to
make complaint.
Nearly 5000 OF the white employees
had come from the United States. No
man can see these young, vigorous men
theoretically doing their duty without
a thrill of pride in them as Americans.
They represent on the average a high
class. Doubtless to congress the
wages paid them will seem high, but
as a matter of fact the only general
complaint which found had any real
basis among the complaints made to
me upon the isthmus was that, owing
to the peculiar surroundings, the cost
of living. and the distance from home,
the wages were really not as high as
they should be. In fact, almost every
man 1 spoke to felt that he ought to
be receiving more money! view.
however. which the average man who
stays at home in the United States
probably likewise holds as regards
himself l append figures of the
wages paid. SO that the congress can
judge the matter for itself. Later 1
shall confer on the subject with GER
tain representative labor men here in
the United states, as well as going over
with Mr. stevens, the comparative
and may then communicate my hnd-
ings to the canal committees of the two
houses.
Quarters Good and Satisfactory.
The white Americans are employed,
some of them in Office work. but the
majority in handling the great steam
Shovels, as engineers and conductors on
the dirt trains as machinists in the
great repair shops, as carpenters and
keepers, superintendent. and fore
men of divisions and of gangs. and so
on and so on. Many of them have
brought down their wives and families;
and the children when not in school are
running about and behaving precisely
as the American small boy and small
girl BEHAVE at nome; me bacneiors
among the employees live, sometimes in
small separate houses, sometimes In
large houses; quarters being furnished
free to all the men, married and unmar-
in room, as they would do in this
country I found a few cases where
three We're In q room; and WAS told
of, although did not see, large rooms
in which four were sleeping; for It ig
not possible in what is really a vast
system Of construction camps always
to provide in advance as ample house
room as the commission intend later to
give. In one case, where the house
was an old French house with a leak in
the roof. I did not think the accommo-
case among the scores Of houses I en-
tered at random. the Accommodate
were good; every room was neat and
cream, usually having books, magazines.
and small ornaments; and in short lust
such room as a seIf-respectink crafts
man would be glad to live in at home
The quarters for the married people.
were even better. Doubtless there must
be here and there a married col1Dla
who, with or without reason are NOT
rontented with their house on the ia
thmus; but never happened to strike
such couple. The wives OF the steam
shovel men, engineers. machinists. and
into whose houses I went. ali
With one accord express their pleasure.
n their home life and SURROUNDINGS
indeed ! do not think they coufd baSa
lone otherwise. The houses fheroseIS,es
Here excellent-bai broom. sitting roon,
piazza, and bedrooms being All fbat
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