The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-10-21


close range and trusted to no second
hand information with which to in
sure his success. There has been about
ninety million dollars expended on the
work to date and Mr.. Taft has had to
approve every dollar Of this expendi-
ture. He has not been satisfied with
a single visit to the isthmus, but has
made the long journey every year SO
that he might direct the work more
economically. The result is that he has
changed the situation there from an m
hOspitable region to a locality where
Americans can live In healthful Sc
curity without the fear Of plaques or
dread Of contagious diseases. The rate
Of mortality on the isthmus Is about
the same as 1t Is in our American cities
Stages Of the Work.
Work on the canal has passed
through two stages. those Of planning
and preparation. 1t is now in the third
and flnal stage. that of construction
Both Of the earlier stages required the
presence Of a large working force.
necessarily CHARTERED in temporary and
make shift accommodations. Because
Of these conditions. inevitable at the
outset, early critics of the enterprise
mistook the initial and temporary out
ft for permanent equipment.
Throughtfal About Labor.
Mr.. Taft's chief concern has been the
proper care of the laboring man on the
isthmus. Under his patient and ap-
proved methods the terrible scourge
Of yellow fever. against which the
French struggled in vain, the filthy and
pest breeding state Of the principal
Panamanian towns. the rough labor
camps, and other pioneer hardships Of
the two first eras. have been eliminated
He has accomplished these things
through the activity Of the Department
Of Sanitation. the Department Of Mu-
nicipal Engineering and the Building
Department. To-day we find yellow
fever driven from the isthmus. the
deadly stegOmyia mosquito thus ren-
dered innOcuous, malaria and pneu-
monia greatly reduced and a high
average Of health prevailing.
Mammoth Construction Project.
President Roosevelt appointed a spe-
cial commission to examine the 18th
milan situation last spring. and 1t re-
ported Aug. G, 1905 According to this
special report there were at work at
the Isthmus April so. 1903. %. 11S men
for the Isthmian Canal Commission and
7,O75 at work for the Panama railroad.
q total of 33. 1913 men all told. Housing
this industrial army in quick time.
with due attention to sanitation and
hygiene, was a problem which would
have been beyond most men. But Mr..
Taft did it successfully.
To keep the machinery and tools In
condition, three large machine and re-
pair shops. two shipyards and numer-
Gus warehouses are maintained. When
we recall that this enormous plant Is
operated at a distance of 1882 miles
from its nearest base of supply. New
Orleans, and 1878 miles from its main
base Of supply, New York. We can es-
innate with more justice and accuracy
the magnitude and complications Of the
undertaking Mr.. Taft has conducted so
well.
workinEMea Appreciate Taft.
He has succeeded In impressing labor
on the lsthmus with his kindly inter-
est in its behalf. On this point the spe-
cial commissions report says: From
the outset We were strongly impressed
by the spirit Of good will aud loyalty
of the employees The general
sentiment Of the workers was expressed
in the words Of a mechanic. in one of
the conferences which we held with
representatives Of different trades Said
he: We want 1t understood that We
are American citisens and tsat we are
proud to have a share In this great
work We believe the government is
treating us right, and we are as much
interested to see this thing q success
as anyone This spirit Of loyalty and
interest in the work was evidenced on
many occasions and should be account
ed as an asset Of the highest value to
the government in the accomplishment
of its colossal task"
Taft Raises Wages.
On May 1. 1907. As Secretary Of War,
Mr. Taft Issued longevity order max
ing liberal and appreciate Increase b
the wages Of various classes Of work
men. as follows:
"All employees not native to the trop-
les who occupy the positions herein
designated shall be granted the follow
ing increases in pay for length Of con-
tinueus service on the Isthmus: Five
per cent Of the basic or class rate for
the second year. with accumulative ad-
ditiOn Of three per cent Of the basic
rate for each subsequent year; pro
vided, however, that such cumulative
increase shall not exceed q total Of 25c
of the basic rate" -.
IN Other words, NJ. TAFT mad =