Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-07-30
DIGGING THE DITCH
At PANAMA
A. c. Gibbons Tells
Many Interesting
Facts

~ many o'ol lc0 nave DeeH lOlu re-
garding life at the Panama Canal, and
these same stories are of such a con.
Trajectory nature, that to get at the
true fact, told by one who has been
right in the midst Of it is surely ap.
preciative.
A. c, Gibbons, a skilled mechanic,
who has been in Honolulu for a few
weeks, and sailed for the Colonies on
the Moana. stated to a Bulletin report
er fe wfacts regarding life at the
big ditch at Panama that may be of
| interest.
Mr.. Gibbons was employed as a
skilled mechanic for eight months on
the work now going on at Panama.
The grim specter ifeyer) that is ever
present there at last caused him to re.
sign and seek health in a northern
climate There are two hospitals in
the district, the Panama, and Ameri-
can hospital. Both of these 'mstitu-
tons, says Mr.. Gibbens, are full to the
doors with fever patients. Deaths
from fever have become so frequent
that little or no attention is paid to
them now. Fever and malaria are the
curse of that country. The mosquitoes
are ever present in large numbers,
and are directly responsible for the
spread of fever, although the author
tiles throw every safeguard about the
quarters of the workmen, and make
continual warfare against the insect.
The malaria, says Mr. Gibbons, is
another source of trouble. He says
that its deadly vapors rise right from
the ground similar to a fog, and that |
the deeper one goes into the canal |
digging work the thicker becomes the
maleria. He thinks that laborers or
mechanics, with good, healthy consti-
buttons will stand a chance down
there, but he advises all men addicted |
to liquor to keep away from the Pana-
ma Canal, for to stop drinking liquor
is sure death, as the constitution will
rot tolerate the change and remain
healthy; and to continue indulgence
will end the same way.
The principal workers, those who
do the actual digging, are natives from
the West Indies, and Calagoes from
the mountains of Spain. They are
paid so cents Mexican per day, that is
4C cents of United States money and
they are furnished quarters to live in.
Food they must purchase themselves,
which costs them about IS cents
day. The Government is ready to ac-
cept any laborers who may apply for
work, but they are generally gathered
in large numbers and brought to the
Isthmus.
Skilled mechanics, such as machin-
lists, carpenter foremen and the like
command wages ranging from $3.50 to
$3.50 per month. This includes quar-
ters to live in. Quarters are furnished
everybody. The government will not
allow private quarters to be erected.
is the all-absorbing ques-
ton at the big canal The most dill
gent supervision is kept over the lab
orers' quarters. Every apartment is
supposed to be mosquito proof. Jap
anese or Chinese laborers are not per-
mitted to land at the Isthmus under
any consideration.
Work on the canal is going ahead
with as much push as possible. The
principal point at present being
He thinks that laborers, or
through that hill called Culebra cut
The strictest supervision is exer
cised by those in charge of the health [
department. The laborers are com
PEELED to take 10 grains of quinine .
each day and the inspectors see to it {
hat they do so. The better class of /
mechanics are served with quinine.
which, through their knowledge of the
irug and its benefits, they take reg. t
llarly.
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