Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-10-06

secretary OF tne Wcllilc lJcpuItnlch'
OF the National Civic Federation, was
made public to my.
Nearly every feature of life on the
1sthmns Is touched upon In the re-
port Many things are highly conr
mendod. Others arc condemned and
recommendations are made for the
bcttermont OF conditions. The in
spection covered camps. barracks
hospitals. mess halls. schools, club
houses. commissaros, jalls. churches,
work places and transportation facili
ties. Conditions OF employment werc
also investigated. Information was
gathered from officials. superlnten-
dents foremen, mechanics, clerks,
nurses, doctors, secretaries OF the
Young Mems Christian Association.
railroad engineers and conductors.
their wives and children, and In fact
every type OF resident on the Isthmus.
the negroes included But in no case
was testimony sought or received
from discharged employees.
II Is clearly recognized that never
before have there been IA good con-
ditlons IN American construction WORK
but in view OF the climatic condi-
lions. length of time to he consumed
in the building OF the Canal and the
fact that the Government should be
n model employer; II Is urged that
the surroundings OF The lomployes
should he made as comfortable as
possible. Naturally. more can ltc ex-
pocted from tho Government than
from private employer with limited
capital and restricted by competitive
conditions.
Some OF the recommendations have
already been adopted. Secretary Taty
Immediately requested the Agrlcul-
tural Department to start Govern
mcnt farm aud made arrangements
with Secretary Wilson to have all
food stnfrs inspected before shipment
from tho United States; he; also au-
thorlzed tho purchase OF blankets for
the negroes and refrigeration plants
for moss halls. tentative draft OF
tho report was presented to Lleuton-
and-Colonel Cocktails before Miss
Beeks left the Tsthmus He nj once
had plans drawn for tho drying
rooms, authorized the erection OF rain
sheds. and has since supplied beds for
all Americans In permanent quarters
and ordered TINT metal cots he COW
cred with canvas. He has indicated
hiS isi'NhAiph vi putting iutO tiitN'
such suggestions rs available funds
Will permit and OF calling the more
Important recommendation to the ut.
tontion of the Congressional Com
mittec on Appropriations, which will
visit tho Isthmus In October. with the
view OF securing funds for their adop
ton. Tho Commission also has start
cd tho publication of the Canal Zone
newspaper and has accepted the ser
vices OF n representative OF tho Wei
faro Department of the National Civic
Fedcrnton-Mis Helen Varick Dos
wcll-to organize womcns clubs and
SHE is now on the Isthmus Canal
Commission for comments. which
will he published later. President
Roosevelt has requested Miss Beeks
TO return to the Panama within eight
months and report upon progress
made.
Many of tho complaints or employees
with reference to housing food, con
dltions of employment and Ind boat
service between the United Ctates
and Panama undoubtedly have been
warranted, but the Chairman of the
Commission and Chief Engineer Lieu
tcnantColonel Cocktails, by making
l'NioNuNl ihNtotltttiOiN lOi
the first timeN an opportunity for
grievances to he heard and by max.
ing certain improvements. has in
splred confidence.
The investigation covered n period
of five weeks. from the time of leav-
ing Now York June Z, until the rer-
turn. July H. thwenty.three days hav-
Ing been spent on the Isthmus.
hA t,x f111
Climate.
The casual visitor to the Isthmus
expecting to find only marshes is
pleasantly surprised upon seeing also
beautiful mountain scenery. The eli.
mate is more endurablc than In many
parts of the United States In Sum
mer.
During the rainy season. which OK.
tends over eight months. ending about
the first OF January. there are peri.
DDS when 1t is clear, but there Is a
continual moisture which nccessitatcs
constant airing of bed clothing and
wooden garments to prevent them from
becoming mnsty Tho dry season.
which extends over four months, Is
described as most delightful.
The cool nights necessltate sleeping
hi'uVi biuiiNttS' i nt tTOUlCal lENt ne
gets nervousness and energy Is sap.
ped. making annual vacations impera-
tive for Americans. While an extern
siyc residence of ordinary health pre-.
cautions render Temporary stay up.
on the Canal Zone quite safe.
Conditions Of Employment.
There are two sets of employees,
those of the Isthmian Canal Com.
mission and those of the Panama
Railroad Company. The term "labor-
err is applied to the common laborer
the American mechanics. clerks ana
others being designated as employ
esf There are altogether forty thous.
and In the force on the Isthmus-six
thousands American employees and
thirtyfour thousand laborcrs who are