The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-11-04
WOMAN'S VIEW or
THE CANAL ZONE.
Miss Beeks Describes Conditions
on Isthmus OF Panama.
NEED or A COMFY ISLAND.

Civic Worker Sent to Study Life In
Zone Declares Workers Suffer For
Lack of Amusemont-Says Food 10
Poor-Main Hospitals Highly Praised.
Much to Commend.
The report of Miss Gertrude Beeks
to Secretary Of War Taft on labor con-
dItions at Panama was made public
the other day. Miss Beeks, who is sec
rotary Of the welfare department Of
the National Civic federation, spent
five weeks in an investigation OF af-
fairs on the isthTnus, and, while she
found many things to commend, she
also found numerous chances for con-
domination and has made as many rec
concentrations for changes.
Miss Beeks reports that, while condi-
lions have changed almost miracu-
lousy" in the last two years, there
are improvements yet to be made for
health and comfort Quarters for canal
employees are inadequate, she finds,
and there Is also shortage Of family
houses.
In the barracks Of the European la
borers the air space is not always
equal to the requirement of modern
tenement laws, and there Is no furni-
ture whatever In the common laborers'
dormitories on which to sit when
changing clothes on rainy days. Many
of the three tier cots are OF metal, and
the laborers have no blankets, being
unwilling to buy them. Miss Beeks
recommends that they be furnished by
the government as a means of check
ing pneumonia, the principal disease
of the common laborers.
The report recommends the sale Of
movable bathtubs at c0mmIssarles for
women and children. Special bath
houses with hot water should be sup
piled for the American bachelors.
Miss Beeks reports a poor system of
inspection Of materials, for types or
dered are not received Glued furni-
ture and wire screens which will not
stand the climate are constantly fur
nished by contractors, while one great
drug company is accused Of sending
adulterated medicines for the sick.
Drying rooms, Miss Beeks says,
should be arranged for all employees.
while scientific consideration should
be given to the question Of removing
the pests Of bedbugs, cockroaches, fieas
and flies, which are seriously trouble
some.
Water, the report declares, Is often
;sive for drinking unless boiled or dis
titled, and it Is recommended that dis
.kfIllnar v,1a he YNIa In all ma
land pure water supplied.
Miss Beeks found almost everywhere
lin the canal zone earnest complaints Of
the food, and in nearly every case the
complaints were warranted. Break
fasts, she says, at the mess halls are
monstonously cold and always consist
of a cereal, eggs, bacon, coffee and
cakes. The eggs are frequently musty,
the bacon poor and the coffee vile"
Many OF the bachelors say they have
eaten SO many eggs that they shudder
when they hear a hen cackle. The
food at Ancon hospital was fierce" A
nurse said, Tell the president don't
want a square deal so much as a
square meal" Complaints are made
that to get even these breakfasts serv-
ed on time the employees must con-
stantly tip the walters. Miss Beeks
adds:
There should be a very rigid exami-
nation of food supplies before being
shipped from the United States 1t is
inconcelvable that any one should be
asked to drink coffee or to eat such
eggs and meat as are new supplied.
One of the most urgent recommenda-
lions Is that the agricultural depart
msnt be called upon to promote farm
ing on the isthmus In order to meet the
great need Of fresh vegetables. milk.
Vahickens, eggs and fruit"
Many of the articles on sale In the
scommIssaries were found by Miss
Beeks to be of poor quality, especially
shirts, overalls, underwear and the
like, while there were no goods or gar
tments whatever for women and chill
sdRen, OF whom there are 100 Ameri.
cans on the isthmus. The report rec
.ommends that ample stocks OF SUCH
goods should be kept at the govern
.menf eDmmlssaries.
The principal complaint against the
Scommissary department, according tt
Miss Beeks, Is that meats are not al
ways received In good condition.
Miss Beeks highly praises the mair
hospitals at each end Of the isthmus
but she points cut that. while malaria
f6ever Is more fatal 20 blacks than Il
whites, mosquito netting Is not FUR
uashed to the negroes, although giveH
free to the whites.
In speaking Of amusements on tn
isthmus Miss Beeks says:
Comparatively few are provides
with recreation Sunday. the one da!
free for relaxation There should b
started a large amusement park,
Coney Island scheme. There could b
q hall for dancing. racing track for 20
nles. with archery. golf and croqus
inside. a circus ring. bowling alleys