New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-06

mas been stamped out that the rate OF death and
that life on the isthInus is becoming more and
more like that in the United States, and this i'm
10 visit the United States each year If improved
urged that service on the isthmas SO nndeTmined
the health Of the steam slovenian that he is ut
tery untitled for work in the United States when he
returns ! cannot agree with this view The
Americans the sthmus refute the claim.
1t Is also said with truth that service under the
eonM injury, due to the negligence of superior on
tho law from the commission. while such INJURIES
as are due to the ,negligence Of contractors In the
TO compensation.
CONSIDERS RATE SUFFICIENT
1t is, of course. difficult weigh the money
measure which should be allowed for the dsad
T rir t' @ nave 20 pear 6ut one must be ar
considerations stated l am strongly Of opinion
that the rate of wages on 'he isthmus. taken with
men on the isthmus under their terms OF employ
of Wager are in sg he Of the usual rates
me greater strain and risk upon the employees
isthman fat rate Of wages of from Is to IS per
Tfnt; wmle the certainty Of twelve months en-
with pay; together with free quarters. free fuel
the advantage the sthan rates of Wages saf ex
shors ard Mr. gteEgens saSE 70 % per cent Mr.
There not more than seventy steam shovel
engineers and not more tlan seventy cranesmen
on the isthmus. and the additional expenditure to
their wages might be- pe ' mn ncre 4 ing
ruth Is that the rate OF wages paid to the steam
shovel engineers is regarded the sthmus and
properly regarded the basis for fixing the rates
or all the other American construction employees
who are paid class rate. quite realize the en-
6arrassnent and Interference with the progress OF
that this injury would he greater TO- mn ana
sion than 70 employee whose source of labor
supply Is nearer at hand; but It seems 10 me- that
request of the steam shovel men that their wages
be increased over the present liberal standard is
Yielded to for fear of their wthdraw wal from the
end would Work much more De nf Wish TIC b in t the
man me embarrassment that might arise now from
secretary TAFT takes issue with the steam shovel
men IN their contentious that they were told that
they might count on gradual increase in their
wages, and that the one Increase they had re-
ceiVed was equivalent to bonus and therefore
was no increase at all. lie says that the Increase
granted was greater than any possible bonus and
tlat, moreover there was nothing in the contract
or printed announcement which assured tbese en,
ployes gradual increase OF pay. He adds how
ever. that the government may well afford in its
own interest as well as in the interest the en-
ployes, 10 pay i premium for length of service
such as obtains I'm the army. His recommendation
on this subject has been approved and the COM
mission VIII be directed by the President 10 put
the plan INTO effect at once. 1t provides a yearly
increase of per cent of the class or basic rate
and mechanics who are from the United States 1t
would be necessary, however, to have served che
year in a certain class. This will add 3 per cent
to the salaries OF some Of the steam shovel men
and other employees now, and will inure TO the
benefit OF the other employees If and when their
length of service in the class reaches the required
period.
1T will furnish a motive for their continuance
in the service" says Secretary Taft; will give
stability to the organization. will moderate
the tendency to frequently recurring demands for
increases in the class rates which the peculiar con-
ditions OF work and life on the tsthmus develop"
INCREASE FOR SOME TRAINMEN.
The petition of the construction locomotive en-
gneers next IS taken up, and after referring the
fact that these men started at $50. the Secretary
says that inasmuch it seems TO be conceded that
they, as well steam shovel engineers in the
United States, receive about the same rates of pay
the salaries should be fixed at $40 a month. the
amount asked.
A. Secretary Taft says the subject of overtime was
the only one on which agreement could not be
reac hed between the locomotive engineers, Mr.. Ste
,ens and Colonel Cocktails The basis of OPP
Grating dav on the isthmus he says is eight hours
The operation of the steam shovel fixes this. and
steam shovel men are required to work more
than this time. But, he says the construction To-
connective engineer who works in connection with the
steam shovel men must necessarily do all en-
sneers report for duty one-half hour before start
ing from the yard and be engaged one hour in
shifting his train the place of work In the