The Washington times., 1909-12-02
CANAL employees
ARE WELL TREATED
Chronic Directors Have
Small Reason to Com
plain of Conditions.

This Is the third In the series of
articles on tho PanaIna Canal prepared
by Walter FaIry, of The Washington
Tines star. DIR. Fahy has Just re-
turned from the isthmus nfter accom-
panyins the House Appropriations
Committee IN SITS tour Of inspection.
II the American citizens who are at
work digging the Panama canal were
compelled 10 pay for the privileges ac-
corded them by Uncle Sam cheir income
would be reduced by about $50 a month.
The Government has spared no ex-
pense In setting American workmen up
in quarters which leave practically
nothing to be desired. and II places at
their disposal a commissary department
where food and clothing may be pur-
chased at rates which in many Instances
are below wholesale prices in the United
States.
Here and there one viii come across
workman who complains about he
prices charged him for the necessities
Of life. but investigation usually dis
closes that the complainant is chronic
kicker who is dissatisfied with his house.
with his Government. with his job: and
relinquish, the biggest wage he ever re-
ceived.
Inducements Are Great.
The commission has endeavored 10
provide every workman on the isthmus
with comfortable living quarters 4
number Of family quarters were inher-
tied from the French. When our Cow
eminent took hold Of the canal II be
came necessary to offer great induce
ments 90 labor. one of the induce
ments was a home for which no charge
would be made. Construction OF these
buildings has long since ceased, prln-
clpaHy because fl has been found that
Americans will 90 TO the canal zone for
the high wage scale without regard to
living quarters. There is more than
enough room TO take care of the men
who are either unmarried CT have left
their families behind them. There are
nearly 100 applicants on file, however,
from workmen who desire to take their
families to the isthmus.
The quarters furnished by the Gov
ernment for American citizens are the
equal Of, If not superior TO. the average
cottage at an American summer resort.
1t has been estimated that the cost
averages from $50 to 500 per man, and
for families from $1,000 upward. The
quarters furnished for bachelors are
pleasant and roomy.
Well Furnished.
The roCus are well furnished: there
are enough shower baths 20 accommo-
date everyone, and at ma ny of the
bachelor halls tennis courts have been
laid out ANY American citizen who
goes to the Isthmus 10 work for the
Government can avoid saving money
only by indulging himself in extrava-
CANT habits.
Take the case Of the bachelor, for in
stance. His room costs him nothing. II
IS provided by Uncle Sam. His meals.
also are furnished by the Government.
are purchased for 90 cents a dav-30
cents FOR each meal These meals are
served in big establishments known as
Il G. G. hotels on more than one
occasion IL happened that the House
Appropriations Committee, while out on
the line investigating the work OF the
canal, went TO an !. {. c. hotel for
luncheon. They were served no more
and no less than the canal workman
who paid % cents for his meal. and not
one Of the visitors was heard To COM
plain Of the food furnished.
The married American, regardless Of
his wage can live more economically
on the Canal Zone than iu any part OF
the United states. a majority OF the
married men get their quarters free OF
charge. Some Of the men have single
cottages: others live in tWO-family
houses, while still others live in four
family buildings. In every instance
they are housed in manner which re
fleets credit on a generous Government.
Many Things Free.
Providing "a house free of rent is only
the beginning Of Uncle SanI's generosity
toward the men who left their own
country 10 dig the Big Ditch" Ameri-
can employees are furnished free OF
Continued on Page sixteen.)
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