Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-07-29

ell the opinion DIAL fw5 ysgFs would
be required fur preparations
u required stout hearts not to quail
before the iSthmus 90 ioo4. Net only
the traditional unheaithfulness. but the
wretched condition ef the railroad att
er Atty yearS OF noncompetItion. the
long distance from the base 90 sup
plies. the miserable living acrommo,la-
lions In Colon and Panama. where
there were no sewers. no water and
unpaved streets, into which were
thrown all refuse and garbage. and the
vexatiauS red tape that surrounded all
government enterprises. made situa-
ton that weakiings no sooner touched
than they returned Precipltately to the
United States
To take care Of the increasing num-
Der OF workers that every ship was
bringing TO the canal zone was the
most pressing problem. The Interest
Of the whole world had been stimu-
lated By the rejuyenation of the canal
project by the Americans. with the ne
suit that restless spirits everywhere
BEGIN bending their steps toward Pan.
anna, Men ot excellent character I'm
the United states also came, attracted
by the pay and the romantic nature OF
the undertaking
The houses left By the French were
inhabited by natives or buried In the
jungle growth. They necessarily were
run down. but could be made habitnble
once the carpenters and humber 10 do
the work were az hand, These. how
ever. like everything else. were 1000
miles away with spider web Of red
tape over them that paralyzel speedy
movement In his year Of service Mr.
Wallace repaired 35T OF these houses
and built forty eight new ones. still
leaving the problem Of housing en-
ployees unsorved During that time
more than 1000 workers came 10 the
canal zone, but the mtgration back to
the United States or adjacent islands
and counties was heavy
Colonel Gorgas had urged the prompt
sanitation OF Colon and Panama. and
early In the American occupation the
construction Of sewers. waterworks
and paved streets was begun The
Americans advanced the money for
these improvements on plan of taxes
that Mt the end OF fifty years from
their completion will repay the United
States and turn them over 10 the re-
spectiye cities.
One Of the dredges left by the
French was found TO be. after twenty
years. In excellent condition and was
put to work In Colon harbor The
twenty miles Of track In the Cplehra
cut accustomed derailments and wrecks
with exasperating frequency until re-
laid with heavier rails. and this mile
age was Increased by an addition of
fifteen miles during he first year. Ma
chine shops existed at Colon. Mata-
chin and Gorgona. where. when the
jungle had been cut away. facilities
were found for repairing machinery
and rolling stock
Mr Wallace made his headquarters
ia Panama In building that formerly
had been occupied by the French d.
rector general The disbursing officer.
sanitary officer. engineering parties
and clerical forces were conferred In
Panama. but site for an American
administrative town was selected at
flie foot Of Ancpn hill. just outside OF
Panama.
French towns at Culebfa. Empire and
Gorgona were rehabilitated and sys-
TENS OF sewers and waterwOrks begHH.
There were settlements at Matachin.
Bias 0bispo and Colon Aecommoda-
lions were OF the crudest description.
Powder boxes served for morris chairs,
furniture was scanty and of ancient
design. tropical insects made life mis-
cry. servants were worse than indlf-
ferent. there were no baths. 10 running
wnter IN the houses. and that which
was used sometimes was caught from
roofs on which the buzzards roasted.
the native foods had TO be eaten. and
ice was a luxury that only occasional
IL could he obtained from the railroad
lee factory at Colon.
Each ship that brought workers to
the canal zone invariably carried the
same or others back Yet percentage
stuck and accepted the undesirable
conditions gracefully A few bad vi
sion enough TO see that our great gov
eminent would rectify everything II
only given time. Others realized that
the canal never would be built II the
workers expected soft conditions right
at the start. and they accepted their
sacrifices Of comfort as national ne
cessity.
Ito be Contfnued)