The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-20

THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED


ton to reductions In the wage scale of
skilled labor on the canal has arisen
since the new wage scale was pro-
mulgated in conformity with an ex-
ecutive order issued by President Will
son on February 2. to become opera
tive on April 1, whom the permanent
government Of the Panama canal
went into effect.
The skilled workers have been in
communication with the parent un-
ions in the United States with the re-
suit that the Metal Trades department
of the American Federation Of Labor
has instructed the unions on the 18TH
mus to Immediately begin the forma-
ton Of a Metal Trades Council in
Panama. Several meetings already
have been held at which strong oppo-
sition to any wage reduction was
voiced.
Under the terms Of the Adamson
act establishing the permanent gov
eminent of the Panama canal 1t is
provided that no one on the canal
force shall be paid more than Is per
cent in excess Of the average wage
for similar work paid in the United
States. In conformity with this pro-
vision Col. George w. Goethals, gov
ernor Of the Panama canal, issued a
circular establishing q new wage
scale. This provided for considerable
reductions all along the line.
1t Is understood here that Col.
Goethals personally favors the con-
tinuation of the present wage scale
until the period OF construction shall
have been ended. If this Is done the
reductions will become effective grad
ually and not until after the construc-
ton of the canal has been fully COM
pleted.
The various labor unions represent
ed on the Isthmus. it is understood,
have communicated or will communi-
cate with their parent organizations
with the view of obtaining strike
sanction. 1t is not the immediate in
tention, according to labor leaders
here, to make use of the strike weapon
to force the continuation of the pres
ent scale. but only in an emergency of
such a character as to make its use
q necessity.
It is not anticipated that any oppo-
sition to the new wage scale will come
from the numerous clerks and other
unOrganized employees on the canal
force. AS yet no active opposition has
appeared among them. although 1t Is
said that many of them contemplate
resigning and returning to the states
and seeking other employment. This
class of employee in any event will
suffer considerable shrinkage thro'
necessary by the completion of con-
struction work.
A serious problem also confronts
the authorities of the canal zone and
the Republic of Panama because OF
the increasing number of unemployed
men.
Within the last year many thou
sands of unskilled canal workers
have been thrown upon their own re-
sources 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
increasing amount of lawlessness,
running particularly into the line of
petty burglaries.
For unskilled labor there is now alb
solutely no demand either on the 18TH
mus. the outlying provinces of the re-
public or the neighboring republics Of
Central and South America The pro-
posed government railway in the
province of Chirique is expected to
afford some relief. but the hope of
its early start is not at all bright here.
There is little or no other cOnstruc-
ton work in progress. Public work.
with the exception of the national ex-
position, practically is at standstill.
On the zone the roads are being con-
structed by the prisoners in the peni-
Tertiary. This also Is the case in the
Panama republic.
Both Panama Citv and Colon. the