The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-10-17


mates. in that case the exterior
lehannel viii be suI8eiehtly advanced
to pass the shipping that would use
the canal.
\ Though these estimates were
made . year ago the the commission
states that there IS no occasion TO
make any considerable changes.
Though the concrete laying n the
Gautun locks VIII be moved back 2
few months to January \ 1918 this
win not delay the erection Of the
gates or the completion OF the work
as whole
Time can be saved BY making
public announcement Of the rates to
be charged and the formulation OF
rules by which the tonnage Of ships
lis TO be determined. The commits
sion is already preparing much I'M
lformatiou on these points for the
guidance of Congress in legislating
next session.
The commission expressed the
belief that It can secure the best
operating force Tor the canal among
the workers now employed on the
canal. High wages were paid lat
the outset when 1T was difficult to
obtain men on account Of the bad
reputation of the country and the
Temporary character of the employ
ment. But the commission con-
tended that as the death rate on the
zone is much lower than for most
parts of the United States, and as
the operating work will be perma-
lnent, a much lower wage scale can
he adopted. The commission re-
garded it as essential that the cost
OF operation shall be reduced to a
minimum consistent with efficiency
if reasonable tolls are to be estab-
lished.
The total outlay for maintaining
the canal will be for wages of the
Operative force, engineering work,
sanitation and civil administration
The commission was insistent that
the revenue Of the canal should go
to pay not only the operating ex-
penses, but to repay the capital in
vested. Every legitimate means
for raising revenue should be
adopted, said the report which rec
commended that the government
should not only supply coal and oil
for its own vessels but should sell
them to merchant shipping. The
existing commissary, manufacturing
plant ond laundry, it was urged,
should be continued for the benefit
of government forces and govern
Iment ownership of public utilities
was proposed in recommendation
that the commissary furnish all
these things to shipping passing
Through the canal for considera-
ton. 1t was suggested that the
government should sell tools and
appliances needed by ships and, still
another forward movement, should
actually undertake to dock and re-
pair ships in the neighborhood of
the canal. For that purpose the con-
tstruction of a dry dock and ma
chine shop was recommended; and
lit was pointed out that these would
he available for the use OF our navy.
A wireless station for naval and
commercial use was another adj
junct required.
The commission has given much
thought to the disposition of land
lin the canal zone, important because
of its bearing upon the future admin
istratIon of the zone and the opera
ton of the canal. OF the 1876
square miles of land in the zone the
government owns 1858. of which SO
miles are occupied by the canal A
large part of the government land
will be required for military. naval
and other official purposes. 1t was
deemed essential that the Spanish
law shall continue to prevail to pre-
vent friction with neighboring Pan
amanians in the cities OF Panama
and Colon.
Most of the land is unsuitable for
extensive farming enterprises and
the inducements are not such as
would attract American farmers
owing to the difficulties obtaining
ric1e and the peculiarIties Of the
tsDanish system of taxation, which
must be continued. other occupants
than Americans are not desirable.
The commission wants to get rid OF
the great body s0f oreign sfRborers.
who were imported to dig the canal.
as soon as the work Is completed.
TI,ay. now. poDulate the established