The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-04
PANAMA DISCUSSED
BY COL. COCKTAILS
Head of Canal Commission
Talks of Conditions
There.
RETURNS TO WORK
AFTER SHORT REST
Says American Spic:t Is Prevalent
in Panama-Mock Election
TO Be Held.

Glad to be back to civilization?
why, sir. we think that we are just
about as civilized on the Canal Zone
as you are here in Washington" and
then Colonel Goethals. the head of the
Panama Canal Commission, laughed
heartiIy over the mere suggestion that
Washington presented any particular
variety to his daily routine Of life at
Culebra.
"why, don't you know he continued,
that we have thousands OF white peo-
pie. Americans, down there with us;
and as for negroes. IL would seem 20
you as II there were as many as you
have right here in washington"
And when Colonel Goethals began 70
give some figures on this sire. his
statement was not, after all. so very
Inconsistent with the facts The bulk
OF the labor on the canal work is COM
posed of negroes from the Barbados,
Jamaica, and other west Indian islands,
and they number about 22.0oO. Then
come the Americans. Who I'll the po>
sitIons Of skilled mechanics, clerks. and
similar positions. to the number Of
about 5000. while the ranks OF the
Iaborers are further recruited by about
5000 Spaniards-
Americans Views.
with such a nucleus OF white people
there is no wonder that the American
spirit and American ways have attain
ed full growth among the white pOpu-
Iation of the Canal Zone. Here is
little illustration of that fact which IS
most apropos in view OF the present
trend Of thought in the real United
States
We'll Colonel, how DO the Americans
pass their time down there? DO they
take much interest in politics.
POI Politics. exclaimed the head OF the
commission, much after the style OF
the principal Of a young ladies' semin-
AIRY. referring 70 the institution known
as man: mo. indeed, sir, no. indeed, we
are too busy down there to talk poll
tics" and here the colonel became Of
fciaIly severe. But IL was only involun-
tary with him, for Colonel GJe.hals is
one Of the most courteous gentlemen
conceivable and he IS perfectly willing
TO discuss affairs in his little kingdom,
for he is the real boss down there. but
politics" is not the word 10 conjure
with when dealing with military Of
1cials.
But don't they take some interest
iu the outcome of the election persist
ed The Times representative
Well admitted the colonel, they
have asked me for permission to hold
a mock election on November 3, and I
have granted it, with the understanding
that they must preserve peace and order
and this they have agreed to do
WHO asked it? Those Iaborers sure
" don't care now the election goes"
Certainly not" exclaimed Colonel
Goethals. TT was the Kangaroo Club
that will hold the election It is COM
posed entirely OF Americans on the
Zone"
All Of which goes to show that where
ever he may be an American IS always
an American and he would moreover
be a very strange one II he did not take
enough interest IN politics in a Presi-
dental year to vote. even though lt were
AT a mock election
Americans Plentiful.
There are enough white people Twins
IN the zone" said the colonel. Ito have
a society of their own. To prove how
thoroughly UP 10 date we are bridge
whist has invaded the zorc and IS one
Of the favorite games played there. We
nave a woman's club and for amuse-
ments the residents have dances coca
sionally, dinner parties, and private
theatricals- They were quite success
full in their theatrical performances and
] presume VIII renew them during the
coming season"
We have an ice plant and a refriscr-
ating plant. where we preserve our
fresh meats as they are landed from
the steamers; We have n laundry, a
bakery. a pie factory"
AL OF these adjuncts are run I'm
connection with the Panama rail-
road and steamship line, which is
in turn owned and operated by
the United States Government. So
government ownership Of railroads is
being given a practical test In the Canal
Zone Colonel Goethals says it Is a sue
cess, too The charge or operating the
railroad system is about 10 per cent. for
there are various expenses and debts
that the Government agreed 20 meet
When fl took over the line. In addition
20 the railroad. the Government il also
operating an independent steamship line.
How Commission Is Run.
The commissary does a business or
fully $4,000 a month Under the Gov
eminent system OF operation everything
IS s)ld at nominal cost to the Gov
eminent employees. for colonel Goethals
SAYS that the Panama storekcepcrs. re-
Eard the American employee as Iegiti-
mate prey Every employee OF the cana
commission pays for his provisions, ex-
Cept the lowest grade OF laborer. who
Is provided with his regulation ration.
This plays very important part in
the work on the canal, too.
While the commission has sought 70
make living as cheap and as com
Portable and healthy as possible for the
people Of the zone. it must be admitted
that the climate does not entirely agree
with white people who go there. The
American women feel it's enervating ef-
fects more than 90 the men, and the
former generally seem to need TO leave
every year or two, ana seek colder
climate for while. Still, the general
health conditions have been vastly inn
proved"
Will Finish on Time