The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-05-22
THE EDITORIAL COLUMN.
AMERICAN LABOR ON CANAL

The steam shovel workers on the Panama canal
whose application for increased wage was refus
ed have shown the of their convictions by Quit
ting work. 1t is perhaps incorrect to allude to the
development strike. for apparently the men are
expecting to return to work. but preparing to
back to this country Chief Engineer Goethas
is endeavoring to to take up the steam
shovel work If Secretary Taft statement of the case
correct there should be little difficulty in filling
vacancies. Meanwhile there may be slight Interrupt
tion of the work of canal excavation.
The dissatisfaction of the steam shovel men, who
all skilled workers from the United States was
expressed to Secretary Taft during his recent visit to
the isthmus The secretary of war investigated the
situation and announced his decision after returning
this country. In regard to some complaints of pro-
posed restriction of leave of absence the secretary de-
cided in favor of the men. holding that conditions
should continue about as they when the con-
tracted to work the ishmus. He also agreed that
the wage scale might be increased in such way as to
provide premium for continuous service The appl-
cations for direct increases of wages were refused
Engineers who are getting $21O month ask for
$500. Cranemen now paid S185 month. want $3.50.
Fremen applied for a raise from $S3. SO to SllO a
month. In refusing these demands Secretary Taft
pointed that the shovel workers were now receiving
from Is to IS cent higher wages than paid
similar workers in this country. They asked to
work only eight hours day. In addition their en-
ployment is continuous for twelve months in the
nually under full pay. Also there is sick leave and
sick benefit in of injury. Married couples are
provided with furnished cottages rent free. Bachelors
are given free furnished apartments Families are
supplied with at cost and bachelors
vlded with board at small cost. All things con-
sdered Secretary Taft concluded that the shovel men
in the government employ in the sthmus were better
off to working conditions than in the same line
in this country He held that the situation was one
Which did not warrant an increase in wages.
The decision of the shovel men to quit work shows
of that the dissatisfaction was real and that
the appeal for higher wages not made merely in
the hope of getting money. If the men were
satisfied with wages and conditions generally they
would hold on to their jobs. Probably the truth is
that nostalgia rather than working conditions or wages
at the bottom of the trouble Life in the tropics
as steady diet does not appeal to the average Amer-
can. Hard work in the tropics is even more dstaste-
ful. The opportunities tor amusement are naturally
restricted and social life is at minimum. The mar
ried engineer who is earning S2O month in Panama
is asked to work only eight hours day and is provided
with modern house. rent free. and an opportunity to
buy provisions at COST certainly is in better position
save money than workmen in the same line of employ
ment in this country But this enough to satisfy
the average American. The monotony gets on his
nerves. Evidently the shovel men figured that thew
ought to be better paid for their sacrifices or they
could get enjoyment out of life by returning to
Gods country and working for lower wages 1t is
to smypathize with this point of view
Probably there will be little difficulty in getting
new skilled labor to fill the places of the dissatisfied
shovel workers. How long the new employees will re-
sist the influences which affected their prede
cessors will remain to be The indication is that
1T will not be an easy matter to keep Americans con
tinuousy at work the isthmus. The American
aborer does not belong" there.-sioux City Journal