Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-06
PROGRESS AT PANAMA.
IV-OPERATING THE CANAL.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.

Canal Zone might have in the case of
hosu tiles between the United States and
England. The vast majority Of the West
Indian element of the construction force
is made up Of British subjects. It Is es-
umated that the lands privately owned
within the Canal Zone will maintain q
population Of about six thousand or
course, the work of maintaining sani-
tary conditions and order among these
people will fall upon the United States.
1t appears that there will be consider
able objection in Congress to the aboli-
ton OF the civil government on the 18TH
mus. There are those who claim that IL
is unconstitutional to maintain a military
form OF government there. They insist
that the people of the Canal Zone have
right to enjoy the blessings OF civil
government. Some go so far as to assert
that the United States will not have the
right even to condemn the lands now
being held by people known to be "squa4-
tiers" They assert that when a man has
had undisturbed possession of land for
twenty years he acquires property rights
to it. 1t is hardly probable that this view
vii. OBTAIN; The maintenance OF civil
authority on the Canal Zone, and those
who oppose it feel that conditions might
arise when such division OF authority
would hinder greatly the successful
operation of the big waterway
The second problem, with reference to
the details of operation. relates to the
Panama railroad At
The Panama present this railroad
Railway. " wnlen M has :, Just been
ton, is operated as distinct entity. Of
course. the canal interests always will
dominate in its operation, and its man.
agement is headed by Col. Goethal him
self. but it is not operated as a part of
the canal work. 1t is the opinion of the
canal authorities that this relation should
cease. and that the Panama railroad
should become as much Il part Of the
canal as the locks and the dams They
would have it electrified and operated
with current generated by the canal
hydrO-electric system. They advocate
the sale of all the steamships owned by
the Panama railroad, with the exception
or the Ancon and Cristobal, now engaged
IN carrying cement for the canal. II has
been planned that these two vessels shall
be transformed into naval Golfers, but il
Congress authorizes the handling of coal
in connection with the operation of the
canal. they will be used as canal GOLFERS.
One of the things which will have a
wide influence upon the successful opera
ton of the canal is the knowledge in the
shipping world that whenever "A vessel
comes to the big waterway ii can get
any sort of accommodations it needs.
from coal to clean linen. There would
the coal business might be formed and
that large volumes Of franc might be
lost because Of the feeling in the ship
ping world that ships needing these
things might be imposed upon at Pan
anna. 1t is not the purpose of the canal
authorities to forbid outsiders to render
like services, but simply to be prepared
to render these services, SO as perpet-
ually to guarantee the government
2 sainst the danger OF monopolies at
certain OF securing supplies in sufficient
quantity and at proper rates.
Every legitimate means of making the
canal route attractive to shipping will
be provided IL the
Right Treatment views Of the canal
-, authorities are
0SSuicu. adopted by Con-
gress. 1t is proposed that the existing
and manufacturing plant
and the existing laundry shall be con-
tinued. Under these conditions the ship
ping world would always know exactly
what to expect at Panama and be as
sured of right treatment there. 1t is
also proposed to maintain dry dock for
as well as for naval vessels.
and that 4he canal authorities shall be
authorized to sell all tools and appliances
needed by ships, and also to make such
repairs as may be required. 1t is also
proposed that the government shall take
charge Of every ship entering the canal
and shall be responsible to the owners
for a safe passage through the locks.
Electric towing locomotives will be main
tanned for drawing vessels into the locks
and out again. As practically every &C
cidenf in lock aueration In the mast