The National tribune., 1908-02-20
STOP GRUAIBLiNG.
The Work On the Isthmus Is Going On
in the Most Satisfactory Way.

Editor National Tribune: 1t seems
strange to me that some people in the
United States are continually wanting
| to change things here on the Isthmus
The work is progressing favorably and
| much faster than ever was anticipated
when we took the canal, and the time
shortened three or four years, which
| means millions of dollars to the people.
| Sill some are not satisfied The cry
was at first that We could not do it;
| next, 1T would take 10 years: now. the
| cost is too much per year. Our heav-
lest bills have been made and. 1 be
lieve, paid. For instance, labor quar-
ters, which have cost millions; SANTA
ton, which is in first-class shape and
nearly completed and will cost but lit
tie in comparison to what it has. Next
comes the water supply, which is in
excellent shape; then the double track
ing of the Panama Railroad from Girls
tobal to Panama with heavy steel
Also there is the resurrecting of the
French machinery, rebuilding dredges,
filling the storehouses with extra sup
plies, which is being rapidly done. and
in some instances supplies which will
last probably several years; for in
stance, tools commissary supplies, rail-
road rails, ties. piling and many other
things. So stop grumbling and sit down
and think that you are q part of the
United States Government, which has
done the very best work that has ever
been done by any Government. And
then ask yourself if you have any cause
to grumble either at the men in charge
or the work accomplished Sober,
thinking men are wondering how such
an immense amount of work has been
done in such a short space of time.
We have few Anarchists here in the
Zone that have caused us no little trou-
BILE. Many of them are foreigners, and
never earned more than $50 per month
in their lives before they came here. 1
have told several of them that the best
thing that they could do for us and
society was to return to the land of
their nativity. OF course, we all can
see many places where care and econ
omy might be practiced and expenses
reduced greatly, but just stop a mo-
ment, grumbler. and think if you can
go out into the worlds labor market
or any of the business channels and
employ thousands of men of all races
(and, by the way, there is, / believe. AZ
different races or nationalities repre-
scnted here on the ISthmuS), and have
them all honest. I am only one of the
small fry, but I see a few things. L
have been here six months, and have
had a better chance to judge than a
person who lies back in an easy chair
and reads the paper or the men who
take flying trips across the Isthmus in
a train and then judge. Ny advice is,
let good enough alone. The Commits
sion know their business, and when
called upon I will give my services, but
not until asked, for there is too much
superfiuous advice now by far. I came
here, not to bleed my country's Treas
ury. but to endeavor to fulfil my con-
tract to the letter. As / have taken
the oath of allegiance four times, L
count my word good. I offered my
life once for my country. and love her
too well to try and defraud her. 1 say,
let the Commission alone.-Marshal L.
Graves, Gorgona, Canal Zone.