The daily sentinel., 1914-02-14
Col. GOetha|s Points Out Necess.
ity For Conserving Funds,
Which Are Now Short.
Associated Press.

asSOtidltu f-TeSS.
Panama, Feb. 1.-THE coming of
Fl. E. Anthony and George Shiras as
representatives of the American Mu-
scum of Natural History in New
York TO hunt game in the Panama
jungle with camera and gun brings
to notice Col. Cocktails ambition to
make the canal zone a large and safe
haven for beast and fowl as well as
a gateway for commerce. While the
bars will be let down for the pres
ent party and probably for all who.
like Colonel Roosevelt. may come as
will carry out strictly as the zones
first civil governor what he has in
sisted upon during his engineering
work-that the canal zone shall be
game preserve.
So strict have his orders been fol-
lowed during the past few years that
seldom has a gun been heard on the
isthmus except in certain brief open
seasons and despite the noise and
powder smoke of the canal blasting,
wild fowl and isthmian game of all
kinds have greatly increased. know
ing well that they are practically
safe from molestation. 1t is prob
able that the museum men will find
as good If not better specimens than
would have been possible before the
canal diggers began work here.
Gatun lake. which covers an area
now of more than 100 square miles.
is the paradise for feathered game of
all kinds. They are coming to the
lake in great numbers and each sea-
son sees the feathered tribes increase
Most of these birds are attracted by
the fish with which the lake is filled.
The shores and floating islands on
the lake abound in blue and white
heron, the latter being the bird from
which is obtained the beautiful al
grette now barred from the United
States by the new tariff act. Then
there are blue and white cranes, cor
morants. pelicans and several species
of the rail family. An odd feature
is the recent arrivals of a number of
wild duck They are beginning. to
come in ever increasing numbers.
Out of the jungle there are many
deer and the number is on the in
crease in spite of the fact that they
still are being hunted. They are
not yet on the taboo list. Tapir, or
forest cattle as the natives call them,
also are numerous and are becoming
quite tame. 1t has been noted with
in the last few weeks that the wild
cat is also on the increase. Then
there are reported to be many ALI
gators in Gatun lake and the Chagre
and other smaller rivers.
With the depopulation of the zone
which is well under way. there will
be even less hunting and fishing than
there is now. Wild fowl and game
will be undisturbed and probably
will make of the isthmus a perma-
nent home and haven.
Making both ends meet" is Col.
Cocktails present problem, somewhat
as it was when he came to dig the
canal, but it now concerns itself
with income and outgo instead of
bringing the two oceans together.
There are only s47.000,000 left of
the funds appropriated for construc-
ton of the canal, and while this may
appear liberal sum for the finish
ing touches, Col. Goethals believes
that only an era of far reaching
economy will assure keeping within
his allowance. He is determined that
the SAT, 100000 shall last until the
canal is finally opened for CONNER
cial use. Notwithstanding that many
economics have already been put into
practice. including great reduction
of both the executive and laboring
| forces. expenditures generally must
be still further cut down to make
the appropriation last.
Nearly every ship that leaves the
isthmus for the United States is car
rying big men and great who have
laid down their shovels. Their work
on the canal is finished, and they
must seek other employment. In
some instances they hope to return
as employees OF the permanent oper-
ating force, but that organization is
in such an embryonic state that none
can know with what success he will
meet. 1t is probable that many viii
seek later to transfer the scene of
unganr1l aMF0llN