Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-24
ISTHMIAN CANAL REPORT
GIVEN OUT BY PRESIDENT

has in fact created comfortable homes
and well organized social communities
| for its working forces
OF the progress of the work the re-
port says:
"This year over two and one-third
million cubic yards were excavated IN
each of the winetr months-the dry
season in Panama. million yards be-
ing approximately equal to square
mile one foot deep.
ITO prepare this immense mass for
removal 405 tons of dynamite were
used per month, and to make the dirt
fly to this extent thirty-nine ninety
five ton steam shovels, thirty-seven
seventy ton, ten forty-fve ton and
twenty-four others were in constapt
use. A total of 4141 cars and 321 loco
motives moved this mass to the dumps.
A fleet of eighteen barges, fifteen
dredges and other vessels were at
work in the dredging service"
After giving a detailed description OF
the method OF work on The canal and
the amount of machinery and labor in
volved, the report Continues:
when we recall the Iact that this
enormous plant Is operated at dis
tance of 1875 miles from its main base
with more justice and accuracy the
magnitude and complications of the
undertaking.
Great Force at Work
ION April 80 last 26.11S men were
actually at work for the isth11ian canal
commission, and 7057 at work for the
Panama railroad, a total of S3s193
men,"
In speaking of the morale of the
service, the report says:
ttEfr0ra the outset were strongly
impressed by the spirit of good will
and loyalty of the employees, inspired
through the accessibility of the chief
engineer, Col. George w. Goethals, to
all complaints, and his prompt investi-
cation in person or by deputy of all
complaints. This spirit u loyalty ard
interest in the work was eviaenced on
as an asset of the highest value to the
government in the accomplishment OF
its colossal work"
A revision of the wage schedule will
be worked to advantage, the commits
sion finds. The report deals as follows
with this subject:
1.-THE wage scale should be simplified
the grades reduced in number and tht
same pay and hours required for similal
service for the Isthmian canal commits
| sion and the Panama railroad. Mucl
cause for existing complaints would b.
eliminated by the above mentioned
changes"
Hard to Keep Skilled Men
! The commission dwells at length Oh
the difficulty Of holding skilled work
ingmen at the Isthmus, and in thii
respect says that the wage rates pait
on the Isthmus are 10 per cent highel
than those paid on building construc
tion work in the city of New York. L
recommends that no reductions b
made.
| Regarding the number of hours tn,
employees should be asked to work, th'
| report says:
ut is proper to record that we founs
| the eight-hour law faithfully enforced
| in the entire service of the Isthmiai
canal commission"
AS to investigating and disposing o
complaints with the workmen, etc, th
commission reports:
| "a labor secretary to the commission
| should be appointed, whose duty 1
shall be to investigate all complaints II
relation to conditions of employment
subsistence and accommodations and t
report thereupon to the chairman o
the commission"
Pensions for Injured
Adequate compensation for those in
iured while at work on the canal i
recommended. AS at present provided
4 by law, injured workmen are entities
to one years pay, unless sooner abb
to resume work." and in case of dealt
the widow, children and dependent per
sons receive the workman's wages TO
the remainder of the year.
The commission finds this law made.
| Quate regarding cases of permanent
| disability and recommends more liberia
| allowances.
In conclusion, the commission states
! il desires to emphasize three striking
excellencies of the canal administra'
tion. These are. first, the recognition
by the government that the housing
feeding and health of it's employees
bear a vital relation to their economics
and efficiency. and as consequence
the government has been able to take
up and successfully carry on worl
that had been abandoned by another
! government with high average Of
health and working power OF its en-
ployes.
Second, the improved Relationship
between the government and the en-
ployes which makes it now possible
for the workingInen to have com
plants Investigated and, If proved
rectified.
! Third, the liberal provision that 4
now made for relief In cases OF tenn
porary disability.