The Elbert County tribune., 1913-09-26

Colon. c. Z.-Frequently the on |
cials Of the Republic of Panama
the minor ones-have been ridi-
culed for the combination of stu
pidity and pomposity that governs
their conduct, Sometimes the rid
acule is not deserved, but often 1t is.
Some monthe ago an American resi-
dent of the city of Panama imported a
pair of riding boots from the states,
and In his manifest submitted to the
native customs authorities he so listed
them, with the price, $3.50. The paper
was returned to him with curt instruc-
tons to correct it. Not knowing how
he had erred. he consulted the customs
man and was told the boots must be
listed as two separate articles. thus
"One riding boot, value s4.75; one rid
ing boot. value s4.75." Mr. American
complied silently, and received his
s boots
The Isthmus of Panama does not
belong to the English, never did, and
sthere are not many real Englishmen
( there. Yet the presence of a large
i number of British subjects-the ia.
maican negroes-has forced on the in
habitants an English custom, that of
vehicles taking the left side of the
road. Probably this is due to the fact
that most of the cab drivers are ia
maicans. All the people of that island
are intensely proud of being subjects
of King George, and they are tenacious
of such British customs as they know.
Every cabby in Panama and Colon
and their number is legion-carries
either bicycle gong or an automobile
horn with. which to warn other ve-
hicles and pedestrians Of his approach,
and on busy day the noise is more
unpleasant than that of the blasting
in the Culebra cut.
Speaking of the blasting reminds me
that one of the very high up engineers
on the canal job is exceedingly afraid
of dynamite. He is also strict dis
ciplinarian and does not allow the
workmen to loaf. Whenever one of
she frequent "doby shots" or small
blasts is to be fired. the nearest steam
shovel emits series of short, quick
toots and the men scurry to cover. As
soon as Mr.. Engineer appears in the
y, cut to see that the 1aborers are losing
no time. the warning whistles are
, heard from steam shovels all along the
way and he speedily returns to his of-
fee on the hill, leaving the unprodded
eorkmen to resume their leisurely
gait.
Tourists flocked to the canal zone
In such increasing numbers that the
Panama Railway company-which
means the United States government
decided to erect a new Washington
hotel in Colon to supplant the old hos
telry of that name. The architect de-
signed a handsome four-story struc-
ture Of concrete and. to take full ad-
vantage OF the cool breezes from the
Atlantic. provided in his plans for
large roof garden and two dumb wait
ers running up to it. The builders made
the roof all right, and put in the dumb
walters, but when the hotel was near
ing completion some one discovered
there was no opening in the roof for
the aforesaid dumb walters. The nee
essary changes would cost several hun
dredskollars. and the government Of
fetal who passed upon the expendi-
lures decided against making them as
the hotel already had cost more than
had been expected. Consequently
those two dumb walters run up to the
ceiling of the fourth story and there
stop. while the roof garden, ,.having no
service, remains unopened
Charlie Ying, moon-faced celestial,
had prospered on the isthmus and &C.
cided not long ago to open an "Ameri-
can bar" He knew some English for
: he used to work on the docks at Can
Vn. but when it came to the impor-
tant matter of wording his sign he
thought best to consult another China
man. who formerly lived in Chicago.
This was the result of their Joint ef-
fot:
AMERICAN BAR
WE SERVE WHISKY COOKIES
AND GIN RICKTAILS.