The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-08
Natives Complain Because
They Cannot MonopOlize
the Business.
CANNOT COMPETE
WITH ZONE PRICES
Think United States Should Let
Them OverCharge Americans,
and Get Rich Quick
BY JAMES HAY, Jr.

CBy Panama Railway Mail Boat)
PANAMA Feb 1.-The republic Of
Panama has $4,000 in its treasury and
a tale OF woe in its mouth.
1t does not believe il is being fairly
treated by the United States, and it
considers such q situation grossly uu-
just, because the ideals and aims of the
republic are lofty and ambitious. The
patriotic PaHamanian points with pride
to his couEtrys motto O.. set forth on
its coat of arms and seal II reads
PRO Mundi Benedcio," which means,
For che good of the world"
But in discussing his grievances, the
patriot reminds one that Panama re-
belled from Colombia for the good of
the United States, so that in the full
ness OF time and the workings o. proyi-
denCe the canal might be built
lie says, IN effect;
we rebeHed Tor the good OF the
United States. and now We are getting
the raw deal, the big hoO5oO."
The particular complaint IS that the
United States manages its affairs with
such efficiency and economy that Pana-
ma, which yearus 10 Increase its treas
ury balance OF $1,000. does not get q
great share Of American gold.
Uncle Sam a Competitor.
1t is claimed. in bitterness and disap-
polntment that the merchants Of the
republic Of Panama can not coTnuete
with Uncle Sam. IL IS set forth, i'm
anger and in cigarette smoke, that the
Commlssary department which the 18TH
nIian Canal Commission conducts.
supplies all articles so cheaply 80 the
canal employees and officials that there
Is no business done with the native
merchants.
This complaint is loudest in this city.
for, although the city Of Panama IS in
the canal zone. the Republic Of Panama
exercises Jurisdiction over IT, AS mat
ter of fact the Panamanian merchants
who are mostly Chinese, are making
more money today than they have ever
patton or the French. But the Anne -i-
can is regarded all over the world as
person who spends his money freely
ana the manner IN which the United
States Government is keeping il all "at
home brings forth large walls from the
natives
President-eiect Taft was told of tho
desire on the part of Pauamaniaus ia.
the cOmmIssary department be sum
marily wiped out and O. few other things
De changed 20 suit the desire for the
yellow metal
Taft Not Impressed.
But 1T did not impress him. Before he
came here the merchants had printed
an elaborate pamphlet setting forth
startling facts-0r at least startling
facts when viewed through cigarette
smoke. This pamphlet created the i'm
preston that the United States was a
greedy corporation which made john -
Rockefcller's ventures look like a bust
ness plklHg along on ten dollars 2 day.
They threw mp their hands. did these
p0verty-stricken business 20 In, and said
they were not getting what they should
get
SO far, the outcry has not made anv
difference lu the conduct OF affairs on
the zone The COmmissaEy department
under Major DuVal. is running along.
auu It's stores are SO well stocked that
the employees and officials of the canal
can get there anything they want, from
a suOestriug to e. wedding ring Each
man is given book OF coupons If Ia
mas me price, and at times he can get
lne DOCK as am advance on bis salary.
These coupons call for $50 muen
money worth Of goods. ana in this
way the purchases arc made. The prices
are low. practically cost prices plus the
transportation To the zone. The result
Is that the Hauamauiaus. whose prices
are higher, do not get the Americans
money.
Shows Business Ability.
It is fine scheme, economical for
the employees. and they like It, IT is
the greatest example here Of real Unit
ed States business ability
But the Americans are not satisfied
with their operations on the zone. N
dividuals have established stores IN the
city Of Panama. When tie newspaper
men, with Ar Taft. called ON praef-
dent ObaId.a iu bis residence DaIace
conversation was extremely dIfGcuu
because monograph store Just acruss
the street had big machine !D full
blast, enrlcaIuP the tropical ambient
with a few choice .ae-Ilme melodies
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