Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-11-26
Report of Progress on Canal.

Col. Geo. w. Goethels, Chief Engi-
neer on the Panama Canal, in his an
nual report gives much information re-
gardins the big ditch. In the first place
his estimates now place the Pan
ANA Canal cost at 1875, POI 900 as
opposed to the original estimate
Of $50, 100000. This is a very sub
stantial increase, but when we take in
to consideration the fact that the scale
of wages on the Isthmus has ad-
vanced from 80 to 60 per cent; that the
eight hour law is being observed, and
that higher prices are being paid for
materials, this increase is not such a
remarkable one.
The report shows that there is now a
most effective working organization in
charge Of the project, and that rapid
progress is being made Slides in the
Culebra section have been the cause of
some annoyance and expense. About
5000 yards Of earth have been removed
or this account and Col Goethels es-
Inmates that million yards are now in
motion. He discounts the Importance
of the slip at the Gatun dam last No.
vember, and points out that a repeti-
ton of this disaster is unlikely.
Concerning the labor situation on the
isthmus the report says:
Skilled labor is recruited through
the Washington office in coniunc-
ton with an agent stationed in New
York city and on the isthmus. Dur
ing the year 1,O93 new emp1oyments
and SS4 re-emplOyments were made
on tic isthmus. and of those APP
pointed in the United States 754 ar
rived on the isthmus These fig
ures compared with those of the
previous year, show a decrease of
over 30 per cent. in the number Of
men employed in the United states
ana ~ per cent. IN the number of
men employed and re-employed on
the isthmus, indicating a more sta
bic population, though there has
been an actual decrease in the per-
sonnet of the gold force
"A steady increase of the I'M
skilled labor force continued until
it reached it's maximum on April
%, when the reports show a total Of
1859 men actually working for the
commission and the Panama rail-
road. the largest force on record.
The number of Europeans and
West Indians brought to the 18TH
mus during the year shows a de-
crease over the preceding year:
they numbered TAI Europeans and
1892 West Indians. The force of
European laborers decreased. as
the Spanish government prohibited
emigration to Panama. so that no
new men are now procurable from
that source by recruitment"
An interesting feature of life in thu
| canal zone is the amount of money TIL,
employees of the government sent
back to this country. The sale of pos
tage stamps alone last year amounted
to nearly $4,000 and registered letter.
to the number of about $4,000 are han
| died. Money orders to the value O
over 100000 are issued, an increase o.
$4,000 over previous years Out O
the s5,o00,000 in money orders approx
mately s3,sOO.OOO were payable outside
the canal zone
| The zone is now policed by 2i5 Off
GERS who made 6.275 arrests, resultins
in 5,O0S convictions of which 1881 wer,
for misdemeanors and 1S2 for felony
Schools are maintained or the children
and the school system includes tw,
high schools. one at Culebra and one a
Cristobal
Perhaps the most gratifying part o
the report is that which refers to tn
health of the employees and which dem
onstrates conclusively that with prope
sanitary precaution even so unhealth,