The Washington herald., 1912-04-28
''Prepare for Canal Trade
Advises John Barrett
Declares Work that New Orleans and Boston Are
Doing Is Notable

on the occasion Of his recent visit TO
Panama, John Barrett. director Of the
Pan-American Bureau, was lnfervlewed
upon the future OF the big ditch" as
an element In tightening trade relations
between Latin America and the United
States.
Among Impressions TO which he gave
expression are the following;
II am especially pleased at seeing the
remarkable Developments in the city Of
Panama. The number of very creditable
permanent business buildings and resi-
dences constructed and under way is as
tonishing, and the tone Of the place is
one OF health and prosperity.
II was gratifed, too" he continued
"to see how far advanced is the canal
work But that sensation must be COM
mon to all visitors. Indeed. It would be
well II they would pay less attention to
the canal and the Canal Zone admins
tration, splendid as they are, and think
more Of what II is for.
american business men come to this
place and arc delighted, as II II were
Elysium-Instead OF Just the gateway.
Now right here at the TivolL. have
met in the short time haze been here,
half a dozen European business men who
are on trips to the west coast country OF
South and Central America.
They are looking over the held, with
an eve TO extending their trade. The
Americans seem to think the trade Is
going to spring up with the opening OF
the canal New Orleans, Galveston.
Mobile. Charleston. Baltimore. New York
and Boston are all rejoicing over the
~ The nnapfnR IN IL were
bound to bring them tremendous advaH-
tages regardless. They seem TO regard
the canal as a gift OF fortune instead
OF an opportunity. New Orleans and
Boston are taking the most noteworthy
steps I'm preparation and / wish most
heartiIy to congratulate the men who
have the foresight to prepare.
IT mean they must go ahead before
the canal opens, and establish commu-
nication and readiness for trade They
must learn the field and the people.
The Germans, the English and French.
Italians. and even the Spanish are do
ing that sort OF thing. and II the Ameri-
cans keep tagging they will find them
selves far behind.
Another thing: We should try TO
understand that the canal is also TO
benefit the west coast countries. We
must look at trade possibilities as q
reciprocal relation.
one OF the ways We could be pre-
pairing is in insisting that Congress fix
the tolls as soon as possible. In any
case the use of the canal in the tirst
years may be disappointing. The Suez
route attracted rather little tonnage at
first: after several years II increased
considerably and now II is thirty million
a year SueZ Is as important as the
Mediterranean itself.
Every bit OF delay in fixing the tolls
puts back the development Of the Pan
anna passage. II is imperative that ship
pers and shipping companies know what
the route will cost them, so they may
plan accordingly. II they have TO hold
back the loss may amount up to millions
OF dollars. They should know. too, II
there is to be a government dry dock
and coal supply. Commercial organiza-
tions should insist on prompt action by
Congress.
II believe in low tolls There should
be no idea OF making money or even
the interest on the investment, any more
than there should be an idea of paying
interest on the Federal pOst-office build
ings throughout the country. That would
make letters cost US 10 cents apiece.
The more shipping this canal attracts
even as against SueZ, the better facilities
will there be for the adjoining country,
and hence the greater development.
The canal will mean a great deal. We
could make It mean a great deal more by
prompt and intelligent conduct
school Consolidation.
There are about 800 white children in
school this year. but with a smaller num-