The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-24
FORMER CITIZEN IS
BACK FROM PANAMA
WOodSon Cooke Talks of Canal
Prospects
SAYS OLIVER HAS LOST OUT
Believes Administration Is DeIvlng Into
Past History to Find Excuse for
Rejecting His Bid On
the Work
SAYS OLIVER HAS LOST OUT

dals, he has had foot upon many soils
and has figured in the recent history of
Cuba, Jamaica and South America. He
comes to Birmingham direct from Pana-
ma, where he was a foreman of a steam
shovel gang working some twenty-five
men.
Concerning his many experiences. Mr..
Cooke speaks entertainingly. He was an
figure some years ago. when
in refusing to submit to arrest by a ne
gro policeman in Jamaica he shot the
blue coat, and was given an hour by the
British government to leave the county.
MIR. Cooke stated last night, in referring
to this incident, that he told the British
government they had allowed him forty
minutes too much. He left in twenty.
Mr.. Cooke spoke yesterday of meeting
his sister Unexpectedly after an absence
that she has grown from a little girl to
a young lady in that time. the two in
stantly recognized each other while pass
ing on Twentieth street.
oliver Turns Down Figures.
Mr.. Cooke stated that he left Panama.
in company with eighty others, on ac-
count of the fact that the bid of w. j.
Oliver on the construction of the Panama
canal would probably be turned down
by the government.
I'VE had 1t straight said Mr.. Cooke,
that Oliver would give work to south
erners, that southern white men would
be the foremen, and southern negroes the
laborers. When we learned that the con-
tract would hardly be awarded to Oliver
and because We believed that the govern
ment would work any and all classes
We southerners picked up as a body and
came home''
When Mr.. Cooke was reminded that the
bid of Mr. Oliver had not as yet been re-
jected, he stated that in spite of the fact
that this was true, II would be- Don't
you see that they have begun digging
into his past history? Don't you see that
they have employees in Atlanta at pres
ent locking up the date of an old con-
troVersy in which Oliver figured? The
government will turn down the bid and
desires that there be some excuse. The
government is not considering the man
today, what he is and can do, but is
thinking of the man then, and what he
has done.
AT any rate, because we felt that Oil
yer would not get the contract we turned
our faces homeward.
The Governments Promise.
When l started for Panama, | was of
fered free transportation. but did not ac-
cept 1t For my transportation / paid
something more than $12.
TT was the agreement that if we re-
NAMED in Panama for six months in the
employment of the government we would
be returned home free of charge. This
promise was not carried out by the gov
eminent, and for the passage home ON u
government ship ! paid $40. This Is true,
in spite of the fact that / worked in
Panama for the government for six
months and ten days.
we were paid well, all right" con-
tlnued Mr.. Cooke. / made as much as
81 30 per day. EVERYBODY spends money
in Panama, and the prices are exorbltant
Few men save their money"
Mr.. Cooke then described the manner OF
living, the class of labor, and spoke en-
tertainingly of contemporaneous events
He was of the opinion that the canal
would be dug, but not by Oliver. lie
thought that Oliver should be awarded
the contract because his bid was lowest.
and because the contractor has fulfilled
every obligation imposed.
Solving Race Problem.
Il am inclined to believe That the
digging of the canal will partially solve
the race problem. or rather, that it Of
fers u solution whether II is accepted OF
not.
There is one spot where the negro
can find lucrative employment. where the
climate makes his labor peculiarly
adaptable and attractive. and where he
can be worked under the supervision of
men. The man of the south
alone can get the best efforts out of the
colored race.
II do not intend to convey the meaning
that the negro will be deported to Pan
anna. The environment is such. however.
that he will see 1t to his best interest to
make the passage. He Is as
sured of continuous employment He Is
made certain of good wages. The labor
is suitable to his nature. He is the best
laborer for the performance of the work
TO be done. IT is almost certain too, In
spite of the fact that I hardly believe
that Oliver will be awarded the contract,
that he will be worked under the direc-
ton of the southern man, who is the
negro's best friend. and who is most toll
Grant, when concerned with the race.
predict that many hundred southern ne
groes will voluntarily emigrate to PAN
ANA"
Some Thrilling Experiences.
Mr.. Cooke will remain in Birmingham
for several more days. Since his de-
parture from this city he has had enough
experiences to fill II book. After the ia
maica incident he returned to America
and while assisting w. j. Oliver in
building the Tennessee Southern railroad
he resisted an attempt made by three
negroes to rob him of $500. with which
he was prepared to meet the payroll of
that week He received five pistol wounds
In the right leg and right arm, but saved
the money and killed two of the would-be
hlghwaymen.
He Is well known In Birmingham. He
was a charter member of the Southern
club and spoke of his then companions
among whom he mentioned Hugh Nor
row and Henry y. Gray. He also gave
news OF John steele and Jim Trimble
Two old Birmingham boys. who, he stated
are doing we'll, the one in California.
and the other in Mexico.
A.. Al