The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-19
J. /. C. Clarke in the New York Sun.
"HE rush of tourists to the isthmus

"NHE rush or tourists to the 1Sthmus
is in full blast. No doubt the rec
l ord will so higher than last year.
or any year, but there are no signs that
it will total the figures given in the fore
casts of the steamship managers work
ing their special brand of enthusiasm.
Panama was to see 10000 Americans
doing the canal;' the tourists probably
will exceed 10000, but that number puts
a strain on the accommodations there.
These are the visitors who for the mo-
ment swamp the hotels, overcrowd the
trains and carry an atmosphere of
hurry, eagerness and that combination
of hilarity and crouch which is distinct
lively American Such inextinguishable
Joy and destructive criticism as they
combine. When it is remembered that
some of these large crowds after their
journey of week or 10 days from the
north, are limited to II hours on the
isthmus you will understand.
And who are the tourists? Naturally
they are mostly well to do citizens out
for holiday taking in the canal
They are not the fashionable people in
its New York sense of the word. The
latter have barely, it would seem, heard
of it. They can only move in little
certified fiocks A man with a valet or
even a woman with a maid is very
scarce article. There are occasional
senators and random representatives and
their wives and daughters, rarely their
sons There is a decided sprinkling OF
scientists, young and old
The great bulk, however, Is made up
OF successful business men and their
wives and families, for whom nothing
is too good, keen of-interest in all about
them and generally managing to keep
ahead of the game, lavish of tip, free
spenders great eaters, spare drinkers.
constant smokers and always on the
watch for the comedy of life. Their
wives and daughters are the great shop
pers.
A surprising number too, are farmers
who have been fattening on prosperous
seasons in fat lands.
On our steamer, the Prlnz Sigismund,
we had men and women from Illinois
PEORIA if you please-Nrichigan, Indiana,
Ohio, Iowa, Rhode Island, Massachu-
sets, New York, New Jersey. Colorado,
Virginia, Pennsylvania. One Rhode Is
lander was in his 91st year.
Everybody has made preparation for
tropical temperature-crasn, alpaca and
immaculate linen suits among the men
and every wonderful and expensive dress
and waist conceivable in lace and linen
and light fabrics, with reserves of silks
and satins and jewels for gala night.
All OF which may be preface to a few
words on the marvel of the woman tour
lists. Probably their greatest labor IL
writing postal cards.
When not writing postal cards they a e
taking snapshots. Let anyone say look
at that" and a hundred of the pestilen-
tial machines are pointed in the direction
indicated. After the shot the invariable
question is, what was it?''
The girls of all ages are, however,
pleasantly nuttery and positive about
this modern industry.
IT don't bother a bit what 1t is" said
one. 'T just snap it. Stand a moment,
please" and another art sin is added to
her beadroll. OF course their paradise
is the sightseeing train And what is a
sightseeing train?
You must know the passage from CO.
Ion to Panama across the isthmus brings
you within measurable view of the
whole canal-just enough to irritate you.
Hence excursions three in rumber are
provided to widen and deepen your
knowledge These trains start ON alter
nate days from Colon and Panama. The
first takes you to the great triple locks
-one behind the other-at G6tun or
the Atlantic side and to the great Gatun
dam and spillway; the second takes you
to the Pedro Miguel single lock and the
Miraflores double locks at the Pacific
end; the third takes you down through
the nine miles of Culepra cut. The train
consists of three show cars with the
cross seats ranged in rising tiers. On
the lowest level stands a guide, who
talks gently through a. megaphone, de-
failing the wonders which the audience
is witnessing three cars, three mega
phones, three lectures.
The trains by using the working
tracks are enabled to 80 close to the