The Washington herald., 1913-03-09
CANAL ZONE CIVIC PROBLEMS
AS SOCIAL WORKERS SEE THEM


the latter, however, there may have been
some men who had been injured in the
service Of the commission or the rail-
way and were capable Of performing only
light work.
It would be refreshing to review the
work Of the District Circuit and Su-
preme Courts, to discover to what ex-
tent they have been able to create new
precedents and to escape from the useless
formula and traditions which impede the
development Of the law In more stable
communities, but more thorough going
observations would be required for this
purpose.
There is no juvenile court in the Canal
Zone, no probation system. and virtually
no resources for dealing adequately with
the by no means infrequent cases Of gen.
uine juvenile delinquency which occur.
Dismissal with Intellectual reprimand or
commitment to the penitentiary are the
unwelcome horns of the dilemma which
the district Judge faces. Thanks to the
women's clubs, a separate part Of the
district jail Is set apart for women Of
tenders. but the segregation In practice
Is apparently not always effective. as in
the Colon jail, the only woman. young
West Indian, awaiting deportation as a
disorderly person, was holding animated
converse with a convicted felon across
the corridor. Probably. however, the at
tention Of the efficient chief Of police.
who is responsible for the jails and PEN
itentiary, has already long since been
renee prevented.
Capital punishment by hanging is prac-
ticed on occasion. although juries are
slow to convict Of the degree of murder
which has that result TfRre are some
80 convicts in the penitentiary on an
average, and they are employed largely
in road building and other outdoor work.
They wear the striped clothing OF the
States prison tradition. Also. alas, for
the first three months, while at work.
they wear the ball and chain. which
saves guards. and as the chief of police
thinks. some lives, for II the convicts
were not chained the guards would have
to shoot more freely when escape is at
tempted. The ball and chain and the
striped clothes are a rough means of
but II seems a little hard
on a man sentenced for three months
that the most exemplary conduct secures
graduation from the lowest grade only
on the expiration Of his term
Commends Executive staR.
To appreciate the services of Col.
Goethals and his assistants. Col Hodges
and Mr.. Rousseau. and those Of Quarter
master C A. Devol and Col Go-gas the
rhief sanitary officer. would require
more space than is here available. So
also to tell the story OF the achieve
nents Of Col Sibert at the Atlantic end:
,f Col. Gaillard. in the central division:
II Mr.. Williamson, on the Pacific: of
Mr. Goldn'ark's lock gates. Of Col. Will
sons hotels and conlnIissary stores, of
he excellent railway service. of the
nrlr x.bi Nfs- ppaftfP
md their associates have done in the
clubs. or even of Mir. Dickson's
T. N. - A. club houses. the ceuters OF
he social life of the isthmus. OF these
ast have naturally the most vivid and
lppreciative recollection, for 1t was In
hem mainly-at Cristobol, Gatun, Cor
roma. Empire and Culebra-Ihat / had
opportunity to meet the builders from
Members Of the commission down 10
Messenger boys, and 4 superb lot Of
men and boys they are. All honor to |
hem: for this that they are doing. un-
ike sonre of the misty ard mythical
narvels of antiquity. is real wonder of !
he world. Every one who has a part !
II II is to be envied. Every one who |
las a chance even to see 1t is to be !
congratulated.
The social and sanitary problems of |
he Canal Zone are expected to disap- |
'ear with the completion of the canal. !
FOR the WORD is that except for the |
rmy and the few necessary canal en-
loycs. the zone is to be depopulated. |
his is now said TO oe the easiest
neans OF defense against both armies
nd aeroplanes. Whether that is so or
ot, It is no doubt the easiest means
( preventing yellow fever. malaria,
ongestion. illiteraCy and immortality. If
here 10 no life on the zoTe then the
roblems of life will be utterly simple.