The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-15

"autocracy." Here is what the Canal
Zone Government operates:
The Panama Railroad.
PRnam steam ship Company.
Dock terminals at Cristobal and Bal.
All Iightersge and stevedorins work
at terminals.
Constructs and rents dwellings to EN-.
pioyees Of Canal Zone.
Buys and sells meat. vegetables.
groceries. coal firewood. water. soda
water. ship chandlery. ropes. cordase.
Operates a farm and n dairy.
Operates nm electric light plant and
water works.
Operates hotels and boarding houses.
operates schools and the post ofrice.
Publishes a daily newspaper.
Operates u laundry.
Panama.
Runs n cold storage plant and an Ice
factory.
Not only do they sell to the en-
ployees Of the Canal Zone but sell
to all ships that pass through the
Canal, selling in the year 1885,,
ending June 80, 1914, over s7,0OO.000
worth. The opposition and criticism of
lIt ltlldliltHS IL 10 bt tNIttNtu,
but the criticism within the ranks OF
canal employees is somewhat aston
fishing and must lay deeper than the
mere desire to kick because a kindly
and pater,.al Government docs every
thing but think for its constituents.
The army or navy officer says nothing
it is the civilian who complains.
The civilians contend that army and
navy officers are displacing their class
and at higher salaries, are Clannish
and gradually are forcing them out,
while the older officers complain that
youngsters are getting salaries greater
than their position warrants. These
later complaints come from officers
who have been on the isthmus for
years.
There was a time when his social
istic community received free electric
lights. free water, free janitor service.
free telephone, free fuel. &c. but those
happy days passed March !, 1915.
when the rule went into effect that all
would have to pay rent and lose sons
of their free privileges.
Therefore the civilians protest TO
Washington. Therefore they abuse
the "%autocrat," George Washington
Goethals. The army and navy officer
says nothing, for he doesn't dare. Bat
he is better provided for than if he were
in actual service. The Lieutenant worth
81 800 a year is getting $500 or more.
the Captain is getting the salary Of a
Major or Colonel. while the Colonel is
getting the salary Of a General, so why
shouldn't they he happy in their little
benevolent autocracy,"
They receive better quarters than
the civilian class, they have free use
of furniture. they are not ticl down
by stern military duties, they fare
better than in harrack or camp. There
is a pension to look forward to and
even promotion. So what matters IL
to them whether they are In camp.
barracks or living a life of luxury on
the isthmus?
but the effect on the commercial
interests of the United States is much
different than If the isthmus was gov
erncd by civilians will a broad COM
mercial experience. Prejudice is cro-
ated in Panama against Americans
by the stern, uncompromislng attitude
of the military authorities. They see
the Americans as a dictatorial. unre-
lenting military machine, and the i'm
preston Is spread throughout South
and Central America that the Yankee
eagle loon or later will gobble up
the Panaman bird of liberty, fcath-
ers and all.
Ecuador expects the Galapagos TO
go first; Nicaragua expects to he
served as Colombia was, and Colom-
LII l-. ...,-., 49, l-.-
Justice, while Panama feels like n
weak child always tied to the apron
strings OF Its mother; Peru thinks
fearfully of some Of its harbors.
Chimbote. for instance. and knows
that when the United States wants It
Peru must acqu!esce,