Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-05-30

ono OF our craftsmen was an III
structor at the University Ct Guata.
mala, Guatemala CITY, by the way,
being city of 100000 prior to the
earthquake last Christmas, and while
he was there, during ain inspection
OF the cadets, in firing a salute some
one tried TO shoot the president, only
| succeeding in wounding him. The
next day the entire cadet company
was lined up and every fifth one was
shot. The remaining four-fifths, in
Guiding instructors. were given 80
lsshes with the cat-of-nine-tails,-
our craftsman was one of the four
fifths. This happened some years
ago and his back still is one mass
of scars. You will come to the con-
clusion, l suppose, that it is a VIC
lent country, well in some ways it
is--yet you can raise 80 to 80
bushels Of corn per acre, with every
crop and get two crops year, so in
spite of the many drawbacks there
are some settlers going in.
1t is not advisable to go to South
or Central America without a good
job beforehand, q position would be
preferable If possible go with some
large conpcny as these are in a po-
sition to take good care of their en-
ployes. The United Fruit company,
for instance, has in every division
a modern, up-to-date hospital, with
good physician and surgeon in
charge, rs we'll as three to five Amer
lean nurses. This has lowered the
loss of life of the employees, ETC., due
to fevers, and the loss of time
to the company to a great extent
1t is also a mental relief to know
that when one has malaria, and get
il you will, once or twice a year I'M
til you get acclimated, that you are
going to be well token care of by en-
American doctor and nurse.
After about two years in Central
America | was transferred to Jamai-'
ca, British West Indies. This is
land Just south of Cuba is, without
doubt, one of the prettiest places in
the world. The engineering diff
culties there are similar to those of
Central America, the Jamaica negro
being, If possible, even more igno-
rant than the native of the mainland.
However, the rainy season there is
not as pronounced. 1t is a quite
healthy country and usually very
comfortable, due to the blowing sea
breeze. There one finds also many
English families; socially it is very
much like home. These conditions
will be found on most of the islands
1t would seem from the foregoing
that the tropics is most unfayor-
able place to work and to live, but
there are a great many redeeming
features. An engineer is an engi-
neer, not a laborer. A surveyor has
man to carry his instruments and
another to carry his umbrella the
salary is usually very good, and the
hours are short. | also cannot re-
call an instance when | ffered with
tie cold.
In coming to New York, because
of the tonnage shortage, | had TO
take steamer from Kingston, ia
maiea, going south to Columbia,
South America, and returning to New
York by way of the Central Ameri-
can.
On my homeward trip | noticed
while stopping in the different sea-
ports that American goods had re-
placed the English merchandise
which two years before was being
handled almost exclusively by the
leading stores. THIS fact must be
ascribed to the class of statesmen
which is being sent out by the Ameri-
can wholesale houses.
In conclusion, l would like to say
to those who plan to go to South
America for whatever purpose, know
not only how to speak Spanish but be
sure that you cen think it" also.
A. r. KENNEDY.
oNIRICON NJ INSTALLED AS