The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-08-24
REPORT ON THE
PANAMA CANAL
ls MADE sv A COMMISSION SENT
TO THE IsTHMus eY THE
PRESIDENT.
THE PROGRESS OF TIE WORK.
Report Praises the Men Who Are En-
gagged in the Great Task and Says
the Wage Schedule Should
be Simplified.

oyster Bay, N. Y. Aug 24,-Presl
dent Roosevelt on Sunday made pub
lie report made to him on August
by a special commission consist
ing of James Bronson Reynolds
Samuel y. Donnelly and Henry Need
ham, regarding conditions in Panama
The commission was appointed Apri
% last ito investigate conditions. es
pecially as regards labor and accom-
modations, on the isthmus of Pan
anna
Tat the president is pleased with
the report is shown in letter which
he has sent to each member of tho
commission. He expresses particular
pleasure over the fact that the com
mission upholds the administration
of Col Goethals. chairman of the
canal commission, and the president
has had copy Of the report mailed
to Goethals, requesting that the rec
concentrations made by the commits
sion be put into effect.
or the progress OF the work the re
port says:
This year over two and a thirt
million cubic yards were excavatec
in each of the winter months--tht
dry season in Panama. q million yard.
being approximately equa, to a square
mile one foot deep. To prepare this
immense mass for removal iO5 tons
Of dynamite were used per montl
and TO make the dirt fly TO this ex
tent 32 ninety.fivc.ton steam shovels
81 sevcnty-ton. and ~ others, were
in constant use. A total OF l.l46 cars
and 302 locomotives moved this mass
TO the dumps. A fleet of rs barges
10 dredges and 81 other vessels were
at work in the dredging service"
After giving n detailed description
CT the method of work on the cana
and the amount of machinery anC
labor involved. the report continues:
"When we recall that this enormous
plant is operated at distance o
! .975 miles from its main base OF sup
plies--Ncw Ycrk-we can estimate
With more accuracy the magnitud,
and complications of the undertaking
On April 30 last, 26. t2 men were act
ually at work for theIisthmian cana
commission, and 7O7h at work fo
tho Panama railroad--a total of SO,
49,"
A revision OF the wage schedul,
would work to advantage, the commits
sion finds. The report deals with thi
subject as follows;
THE wage schedule should be sim
pliiled. the grades reduced in number
and the same pay and hours require,
for similar service for the isthmial
canal commission and the Panam;
Railroad Co. Much cause for exist
ing complaints would be eliminate,
by the above mentioned changes"
The commission dwells at length OF
the difficulty of holding skilled work
/ lngmen on the isthmus and says tina
the wage rates paid on the isthmu
are but 10 per cent higher than tn
rates paid on building construction
work in the city of New York. I
recommends that no reductions b.
| made.
Adequate compensation for those In
Jured whi'e at work on the canal 1
| recommended. AS at present provide
| by law. injured workmen are entitle,
| to one years pay on the rolls ii no
| sooner able TO resume work. In cas-
of death the widow, children and dc
pendent parents receive the work
mans wages for the balance of tn
! year, The commission finds this la,
inadequate regarding cases of permG
nent disablement and recommend
more liberal allowances.