Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-06-16
PANAMA AS A CROSSROADS
OF COMMERCE; OPPORTUNITY
THERE FOR AMERICAN FIRMS
Continued from First Pase)

railroad and the Panama canal
There are no hotels worthy the
name, except the Washington Hotel,
run by the government. The prices
average from Sc to $40 a day. 1t is
beautiful building, with a sea
bathing pool attached. Most travel
ers particularly the experienced
ones, go Immediately to Panama,
which is about an hour away by
the railroad.
The better plan is to make the
trip from Christobal through the
canal on one of the Panama Steam
ship Company boats or on the Chill
can line, for which a charge of 50
is made This trip takes about the
entire day and terminates at Bal
boa, from which point Panama is
reached by trolley car or coach.
The New City.
Balboa is the new city the United
States government is constructing in
the canal zone, rightly termed Bal
boa Heights. Here the administra-
ton building, a beautiful structure,
surrounded with beautiful concrete
residences, all erected by the gov
ernment employees. These concrete
residences average in price anywhere
from $4,000 to $4,000 and are
equipped with every modern con-
venience. Owing to the climate they
have no cellars, being constructed on
concrete piers, so that the air can
circulate beneath, making them cool
and comfortable. Only employees of
the government may reside within
the canal zone and occupy residences
belonging to the government. No
person is permitted to own property,
and all persons who have had prop
erty before or since the beginning
of the canal construction have been
requested to remove themselves from
the confines of the zone, In some
instances they are paid something
for their rights and in some cases
simply elected. 1t is expected that
the zone will revert to its one-time
Jungle aspect, with the foliage so
thick as to be almost impenetrable.
The real reason for this is the de-
sire of George Washington Goethals,
colonel in the United States army
and benevolent autocrat of the canal
zone, to turn the canal zone INTO
military reservation.
II might be said that this benevo-
lent autocracy is founded upon the
principles of socialism or com
munism, for no individual is per-
mitted to own property other than
personal. All land, machinery,
houses, and in many cases the FUR
niture and household utensils, are
the property of the government
There are hotels, factories, farms,
cattle. stores, amusements etc, all
owned and operated by the govern
ment The individual loses his per-
sonality and becomes part of great
machine. which provides for his eat
ing, his drinking, his sleeping. his
employment and his very amuse-
ments-the individual moves in
groove that is laid out and arranged
for him by the machine of the zone,
at the head of which is Coionel
Goethals.
Not a Despot.
But Colonel Goethals is not a des-
pot in any sense of the word, he is
human, he is likable. and is, If any
thing, more apt to make mistake
from the generosity of his good ma
ture than for pure cussedness. lie
is impulsive, and even If he has to
Teprimand man he Is sorry for the
mamie is a human machine.
The writer called upon Colonel
Goethals and discussed the canal
problems for over an hour. He was
not hard to approach. and a simple
request for an interview brought
forth a favorable response.
owing to the act of Congress IN the
deficiency emergency bill, provision
was made whereby all employees OF
the canal zone should pay rent when
the construction period was at an
end as under the contracts under
which the construction force was
working, 1t was agreed to furnish
free living quarters to the men or
their families. 1t was the undeslra-
BILE duty of Colonel Goethals to
enforce this part of the law and see
nl,n "a
each employe in the canal zone, eX-
cept in certain instances.
Colonel Goethals was the tar
get for the criticism that arose, and
the employees blamed him for the rent
charges. Up to this time, and the
new system went into effect MARCH,
/ all rent. light, telephone and janitor
services we're free. After March l
they would have to be paid for. Upon
being asked his version, colonei
C;oethals expressed himself freely.
This charging for rent is none OF
nv doing" Colonel Goethals said.
''When the congressional committee
came to the zone to look over aifairs
and studied the report of an auditing
committee they wanted to know II
the employees paid rent, and l told
them no Some of them seemed to
think that In view of the higher
wages received in the zone, much
higher than they could get in the
States for similar work, that the
government shouldn't be expected "a
furnish these employees with free
rent. free water. free electric light
free telephone and in many cases free
1anitor service. When the bill went
through II was provided that rent
should be charged all employees. ]
have made 1t as low as 1t possibly
can be made. The operation OF the
canal is not going to be brilliant from
the standpoint of money maker, but
the expenses ought to be kept down
as much as possible. Some of the
employees may complain, but even
paying rent and electric light they
are getting service much cheaper
than they could get the same ac-
commodations for in the States.
But, colonel" he was asked. THE
civilians claim they are being dis
criminated against in favor of the
military officials"
No DISCRIMINATION.
mo such thing" burst out the col
onel "Why, some OF these army Off
Gers and naval officers are doing mucf
work of the civilians, OF formerly
done by civilians, at less pay, and
have taken a stand against permit
ting any promotions IN the service
for work or time spent in the cana
zone. II anything. it's the officer
who lose thus by not being able L
secure promotions which they woult
be entitled to IL engaged in regula
army or navy service.
"This isn't the first time lot o
civilians have complained" he con
tinued. "rhey act like children some
times. Do you know, we formerl,
kept the electric current on in tn