Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-12-04
PANAMA CANAL
COSTS S84,572.998
COMMISSION SPENT THIS AMOUNT
ALREADY ON ISTHMIAN
WATERWAY.
LARGE SHORTAGE NEXT YEAR.
Parcels Post Is Asked for to Make UP
Revenue and Savings Banks Are
Also Recommended.
GOOD ROADS ARE NECESSARY.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 30.-It
has thus far cost the United States $751;
572, 99S for the construction of the Pana-
ma canal, according to the annual report
of the itshmian canal commission, in
which the various phases Of the con-
struction work are taken up in detail.
The federal government has made total
appropriations of $120, 1864, 46S for the
canal, and there is thus a balance of
more than $36,000,000 still available out
of the old appropriations.
The report shows that work has been
pushed in a vigorous manner at all
points during the year. A reorganlza-
ton of the work in the canal zone is in
progress, under which authority will be
concentrated better, responsibility in any
specific instance fixed more accurately
and the cost of administration reduced.
The canal zone has been divided into
three parts, each of which is to constr
tute a division under the department. OF
engineers reporting directly to the chief
engineer.
Labor Question Solved.
The report states that the labor ques-
ton may be taken as solved on the 18TH
mus. inasmuch as the total excess of
immigration over emigration last year
was nearly $4,000. In regard to labor
the report also says:
"a net decrease in the skilled force
was made during the year, yet there
were almost as many new employees as
in the preceding year, the number Of
men employed being 5000 and $500 re-
spectively for the two years, indicating
the shifting character of the force and
showing that it is practically renewed
every year. A radical change, however,
has taken place in the source of supply.
mo n tho
United States, as against 3O3S the year
before, while the number employed on
the isthmus has increased from 27SO to
1882"
A large amount of sanitary work has
been done and the death rate greatly de-
creased. In the cities of Panama and
Colon streets have been cleaned and
paved, garbage removed, drains built
and waterworks constructed.
Death Rate Decreases.
In regard to the death rate the report
says:
IF, with the shifting character of the
population, the death rate and sick rate
can be taken as a criterion for general
health conditions, they have been consid-
erably improved, for with an average Of
43 057 names on the payrolls, the death
rate per thousand was 1882, less than
half that Of the previous year. For the
white force, taken at an average Of 12,-
O5S, given by the payrolls, the rate was
1884 per thousand. and with a force Of
blacks averaged at 3O,999 the death rate
was 1913 per thousand, less than half
that of the previous year. The large de-
crease in the death rate among the
blacks is attributed to better sanitation,
but, primarily, according. to the state
meqts Of the doctors, to the better food.
enabling them to offer greater resistance
to disease" =
Further municipal improvements In
ecesa a It ii s5tmStsa e eosf Of 70 s Pc
100000 Thus far the improvements
have cost little over that sum. y
Since the Last report the projected d.
menstons e of the 7od lo sds have been ~
liz feet. This was done in ecc coda co
with a request from the general board
of the navy, in which it was stated that
100 feet was insufficient for the probable
ships Of the future.
Panama Aids Commission. !
the republic of Panama are satisfactory
and that the Officials of the republic
have manifested at all times desire 10
aid the work Of the commission"
Of the entire amount of more than
$S4,OOO,O0O which has thus far been
disbursed for the work in the canal zone,
the construction and engineering features
have cost $68,OOO,00O, the civil govern
ment has cost $3,7OO,OOO, while santa
ton and hospitals have cost $8,OO0OOO.
The remainder Is represented by miscel-
laneous expenditures.
The report of the commission is signed
by Lieut-Col. George w. Goethals, u.
S. A., chairman and chief engineer.
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