Show WAGES AGES fV ON THE ISTHMUS f j r 3 ti In the debate upon the appropriation bill last week eek it was estimated that the wages paid on the isthmus of Panama Panama- are about 75 per c cent nt moro more than tho the wages paid to workers in the United States The rhe death rate on the isthmus is now as as low as iu in any American city citro This is due more probably to the lal la- la l hors ors of Dr Gorgas than to any other cause The men r down the there e have bave free flee homes fuel light sterilized water ice at 1 cent a pound recreation facilities an and thirty da days days' s v vacation ca tion These facts were used to support support sup- sup 1 port a proposed limitation of wages to not over 25 f. f J 1 per cent more than is customary in the United States We Ye do 10 not think it was a good proposition for th the reasons that first men will not go to the isthmus fo forthe for forthe the same wages the they can obtain in the United States second while whilo the sanitary measures adopted there ther have been splendid no one can tell when an epidemic epidemic epi- epi demic ma may r sweep the isthmus an and third because th the work is going on splendidly and there should b be nothing done which might possibly possibly- cause that work worl to slacken because the canal should be finished a athe atthe at atthe the earliest possible moment both for the sake of national national national na na- safety and find for the commerce of the countr country The fleet in a II few weeks will leave San Sail Francisco Francisco- to return to New York We Wc think that is a mistake Wo We think at least half of it should be bo retained on 01 this coast Indeed we have more exposed places on this side than they have ha in the cast A completion o othe of the canal will take all that thought away The fhe ships ship will go where the they are arc wanted and it will be but a afew afew afew few days' days sail from our coast on the east to our coas coast coaston on the west Then too men who work on the isthmus isthmus mus nm should have more wages than those who work in our own country It is away from home Men ren working working working work work- ing there have that feeling of isolation which preys prey upon the tho minds of men and which is something so great that France for instance is iR the poorest founder of colonies in the world her people being unwilling unwilling unwilling un un- willing to get out from under the flag or off the soil soi of their beloved country countr- Ask any anyone one who went across the isthmus in the theold theold theold old days dayo the question There are no more fevers on the isthmus The vicious mosquito has been Now i if you yon wanted to work and had an opportunity opportunity opportunity op op- to go there and another opportunity to work at home would you fou make an any difference in the wages 1 and the reply will be At least two for one that that is twice as much to go to Panama as to remain at home |