New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-26

colossal enterprise Of building the
Panama Canal. Mr. Fraser states M
his informing hook that at first
glance At the scene there is nothing
there which eXcites the ordinary man.
And the extraordinary Mr.. Franck
himself says Of the great Culeora
cut that all long heralded sights are
at first glimpse Disappointing. AS
book of travel and adventure there IS
nothing disappointing. however. about
the story. rocking with the odor OF hu-
manity. of Zone Policeman s. Al
ter reading the "Vagabond Journey
Around the World" and -Four Months
Moot in Spain" the question popped
into our head, What will Mr.. Franck
do next" Well. here is the answer
OF it's sort. absolutely nothing it seems
to US. can he better than Zone Po-
liceman IS" 1t is difficult for the
conscientious reviewer 10 avoid in this
unusual case the language Of the
publishers enthusiastic advertisement
writer.
II was an inspiration that sent Mr..
Franck TO the Canal Zone very proba-
hIv the most cosmopolitan district at
present in the world, and the scene OF
the biggest STORY" Of the time. And
that this racy man should become
census taker and plainclOthes police
man there. with authority 70 enter
every dwelling and TO put questions
TO people of seventytwo nationalites.
was more than accident. Everybody
who has ever come TO be anything has
always wanted TO be policeman. any
way. But how stupid II suddenly ap-
pears TO be a policeman in, say New
York or London, There are really
two methods" says the author, of
seeing the Canal Zone; as an employe
or as a guest at the Tivoli. both Of
them at about 81 a day-but at oppo-
site ends of the thermometer"
Not quite true; there is third way.
superior. in our opinion, TO either OF
these ways; and that is to be in spirit
Zone Policeman IS. That policeman
himself had what we have been taught
TO describe as bully time" And his
book he dedicates Ito a host of good
fellows, the Zone police" our worthy
Uncle Of the chin whiskers" he tells
us. "surely makes life comfortable for
his children wherever he takes hold.
White American citizens are paid in
gold on the Zone, darker employees and
all common laborers in silver. Caste
lines are sharply drawn. "On the Ca
nal Zone. as in British colonies. one IS
frequently struck by the youthfulness
Of men in positions Of importance. y
The Young Mems Christian Assocla-
ton is the chief social centre on the
Isthmus. and might more properly
there be called "Everybody's Associd-
ton"
This busy enumerator found the
courtesy of the British West Indian
remarkable: he had considerable con-
tact with the type of gentleman APPLY
described as rough neck; experienced
some ulIlcuiiN III ilif tbAi 80 VI h''
work with careless persons who stated
that. "Ah gone los NAH age PAPER
and regards the average American dig
ging employe as the greatest thing On
the Zone. Domestic relations in the
colored society Of the district appear
to be somewhat irregular Mr.. Franck
found the Canal Zone to be the best
governed district Of the United States.
He brightly characterizes the kind
OF wisdom TO be found in his pages IN
this paragraph.
Then we arose and swarmed upstairs 10
an empty courtroom. where Judge c.,
throwing away his cigarette and TemoN-
ing his Iowa feet from the bar OF justice;
caused ms each to raise = right hand ana
swear an oath a. solemn as ever fresi-
dent on March Ian oath. ! repeat not
merely 10 uphold and defend the Consti-
tuition against all enemies armed or arm
less. bot furthermore mot 10 snare with