Omaha daily bee., 1914-04-19
WILL CUT WAGES ON CANAL
Skilled Workers Preparing TO Re-
sist Proposed Reduction,
TRADES ORGANIZING
Parent ORGANIZATIONS iU URltsd
states WIN ne asked TO same
tion Strikes--MaHy Un-
skilled Mon Idle.


FANAMA, April ls--Much opposition 90
reductions in the wage scale Of skilled
labor on the canal has arisen since the
new wage scale was promulgated, In
conformity with an executive order is
sued by President Wilson on February 3
10 become operative ON April I, when the
permanent goverpment Of the Panana
canal went into effect.
The skilled workers have been IN com.
munication with the parent unions in the
United states, with the result that the
metal trades department. of the American
Federation OF Labor has instructed the
unions on the lsthmus 20 immemlately
begin the formation OF metal trades
council in Panama. Several meetings al
ready have been held at which strong
opposition 20 any wage reduction was
voiced.
Under the terms OF the Adamson act,
establishing the parent government Of
tho Panama canal, Il is provided that no
one on the canal force shall be paid
more than rs per cant In excess OF the
average wage for similar work paid IN
the United states, In conformity with this
provision Colonel George w. Goethals.
governor OF the Panama Canal. issued a,
circular establishing q new wage scale
This provided for considerable reductions
all along the line.
It is understood here that Couunel
ocethals personally fayors the continue
ton OF the present wage scna uhtii the
period OF construction shall have been
ended. II this 10 done the reductions will
become effective gradually ana not until
- Il
been fully completed.
AK Strike sanction,
The various labor unions represented
on the IsthmuS II is understood. hays
communicated or will communicate with
their parent organizations with the view
OF obtaining strike sanction. II is not tire
immediate intention, according to labor
leaders here. TO make use OF the strike
weapon TO force the continuation Of the
preesnt scale. but only IN an emergency
OF such a character as to make its use
a necessity.
II 10 not anticipated that any oppoAl-
tion to the new scale will come from the
numerous clerks and other unorganissd
employees on the canal force As yel
no active opposition hal appeared among
them, although It is said that many Of.
them contemplate reslsnlng and return-
ing 10 the states and seeking other en-
ployment. This class OF employees In any
event will suffer considerable shtinkaEe
through the gradual reduction IN 'torcs
made necessary by the completion OF
construction. work
UnaIxiiIed workers Idle.
! A. serious problem also confronts the.
authorities OF the canal zone and the Re-
public OF Panama because OF the increass
ing number OF unemployed mon, *,
Within the last year thousands of unrl
| skilled canal workers have ben thsown
Upon their own RESOURCES because there,
was no more work for them, In almost
every case they have saved no money for
a rainy day, The result has been an in-
croaAing amount OF lawiessnsAs. running
particularly into the Inns of petty bur
giRries.
For unskilled labor there ID new ST.
aolutely no demand, either on the isth-
mus, the outlying provinces OF the re-
public or tho neiEhboring republics Of
Central and south America, The pre-
poHed government railway IN tae frovines
OF Chirlque Il expected 70 afford Hesne re-
lief but the hope OF itS early start is not
at all bright here ..t.-
There is little or no ether construction
work. IN progress. Public wosk. with the
exception OF The National exposition,
practically is ata standstlli,. ON she nens
the roads nre being constru1tsd by lie
prisoners in the panitentiary, This also
IL the case In the Panama repubiic
Both Panama City ana Colon, this tive
most important cities In the Panama re-
public, are filled with Idle negroes who
are looked upon as mere or less Of Il
menace by the two polies feress, This
FAnArnAniAn authorities say that this
problem IL ons for solution by the canal
government
Negroes want 60 stay.
Tho question OF the unemployed ia
naican nrEio is simple when hs left his
native shore TO come 10 Panama 10 woFt
on the canal he was conpeiled to deposit
" for his return pansaEe when hia lob
here was dene.
Many OF them. hswsveg, 20 not wish Ia
return for tho reason that they are nov
accustomed 20 larger WAGES than they
have sver bean Abls 10 earn In jamaica,
Besides, they say. tho Island already 10
overpopulated
The question or higher wages and over
population also u true OF the other West
Indian iaiAnda. Then. too, there 10 At
preport little or no demand for this class
OF labor IN amy OF the West indies, with
the possible exception OF cuba and Porto
Rico, according to information hero,
II 10 anticipated that tho entire question
probably viii have 10 be submitted 20 tho
governments OF the various countries
from which thase lAboraru came