Mexico Missouri message., 1912-09-12

which caused their failure at Panama.
They did not realize the enormous
task before them, their machinery was
too light, and they lost thousands or
laborers from yellow fever
There has possibly been more to
contend with in building this COM
paratlvely short line of 200 miles than
in the construction OF many trnnscon-
tinental roads OF the United States.
1t has meant constant, and at times
well nigh insurmountable difficulties.
One of the greatest OF these was yell
low fever, the death rate from this
alone averaging over 30 per cent.
ITO one who has never penetrated
tropical Jungle the conditions are
difficult to realize. A dense growth OF
trees. large and small, is linked to-
gether everywhere by a heavy mass
OF vines, creepers and climbers Of ev-
cry. description. 1t actually makes
one dizzy to witness all forms Of vege-
tation fighting for existence. The
trees are from 80 to 100 feet high,
and are OF mahogany. Brazilwood
resembling ebony, wild rubber trees,
palms and wild pineapples.
when one looks up to the sky only
tiny spots Of light are visible here and
there as II seen through holes In the
roof The Brazilian and Indian la
borers cut down with machete,
straight blade three feet long and
about two inches wide. They prefer
that knife TO the best American made
| broadax.
The entire length OF the Madeira
Mamore road WAS cut through solid
wall OF vegetation; II was built
through more than 100 miles OF the
worst swamp land conceivable, and
| floods, slides and cave-ins OF the I'M
stable dobe mud were the rule rather
than the exception.
The laborers included Portuguese.
Spaniards. Greeks. West Indian no
groes, Brazllians and Indian natives.
or all there employed we consider the
Spanlard the best laboring man. He
is the best natured and the most in.
telligent During the construction OF
this road thousands OF men died
from fever or were killed by acci-
DENTS they were lost In the jungle,
killed by snakes or fell into the
swamps and were devoured by alliga.
tors.
High Temperature.
AS stated before, the death rate
from fever alone was over 80 per cent
The Madeira river. so close to the
equator, ia perhaps the deadliest riv
er in the world. Along its course are
bred more fevers than anywhere else
in Central or South America. This II
due to the custom OF Indians, who FOL
centuries have thrown the bodies o
fever victims into its waters.
Despite the high temperature, Their
, Is little suffering. The men Away
wear felt hats. as these afford bette
? protection from the sun. The night
D are generally cool and one invariabl
) sleeps under blanket.
} Under the existing state Of affair
q the railroad contractors did all posi-
/. BILE to make living conditions bearabl
;. for their men. The road maintalne
I an excellent hospital system, whic
) was free TO all employees. Nearl
t every camp had a physician, who &C
mlnistered such treatment as was pos
sible in cases of accident or sickness
1 Those too Ill or too badly injured T.
, remain In camp were transferred dali
TO the hospital at Candelario.
? Throughout the line Of construction
. the company operated a chain Of CON
mIssary stores, where almost every
thing needed could be secured. Ever,
effort was made to give every depart
ment and class Of labor clean, whole
J some and appetizing food. The SUP
I ply, with the exception OF potatoes
onions and beef, consisted almost en-
. tirely OF canned goods--vegetable
fruits and butter-and only the hes
- brands and grades were received. o
course fresh milk, eggs and butte
/ were practically unobtainable. Tn
e company maintained its own ice plant
r but 1t was sometimes impossible Il
. carry Ice TO all points along the line.