Isthmus labor mix shown by years of canal work
The narrative outlines labor strategies for the canal project with emphasis on cost and efficiency. It notes reliance on West Indian, Chinese, and other immigrant workers, the limited availability of Italians and Spaniards, and the authority’s stance on fair treatment and wages. The British consul Mr. Mallet endorses improved conditions versus the French era.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
West Indies
Jamaica
Barbados
Work in the Culebra Cut Shifts to Massive Steam Shovels
The article highlights the Culebra Cut work dominated by giant steam shovels and long dumping trains, comparing French equipment as toy by contrast. It notes immense efficiency, ongoing experiments, occasional delays, and a strong, honest, politics-free operation with few credible accusations against the commission.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Culebra
Thomases
Colon
Conditions of Jamaica laborers under contract in Panama
The report compares West India laborers in Panama, noting a split between skilled foremen and ordinary workers. Many complaints arise from interactions with West Indian men of color, while housing appears adequate for married workers and the barracks for unmarried men are clean and well kept. Government houses are superior to native jungle huts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West India
Colon
Jamaica
Panama
Negros at Camps Complain About High Yam Prices
A Civil War era report notes black workers cooking in government camps with varied kitchen sheds and amenities. Complaints focus on high yam prices and limited co mmissary supplies, while married couples and some bachelors praise treatment but struggle to obtain yams locally.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Commissary
Amusements and welfare in canal labor discussed
The speaker urges government to fund generous recreational and hygienic provisions for white and black workers on the canal project. Praise is given to Stevens for chief engineer duties and to the effort in housing feeding and caring for laborers. Existing French material is evaluated for reuse or sale with limited potential value.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Young Men‘s Christian Association
Congress
United States
Tropics
Stevens
Construction progress eyed on canal dams and Culebra cut
The article notes vigorous progress on the canal project with focus on the La Boca and Gatun dams and the Culebra cut. It discusses risks from bottom-material quality near Gatun, the expected benefits of an earth dam forming an inland lake, and pending site determinations for locks aided by Secretary Taft’s April inspection with engineers Noble Stearns and Ripler.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
la Boca
Gatun
Culebra
Taft
Messrs Noble, Stearns and Ripler
Project plan discusses land slips and dam construction
The author argues risks from land slips are not major disasters and the work requires intelligence perseverance and executive capacity. Dams would use earth from the cut and building locks and dam may take longer than the excavation in Culebra.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Culebra
New Records for Excavation in Canal Work Progress
The report notes August to October output highs with 242000, 291000, and 325000 cubic yards respectively as rainy season ends. It highlights record shovel and locomotive tonnage, dynamic blasting, and growing crew rivalries while describing dramatic progress at the Culebra cut and canal bed deepening toward completion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Culebra
Improvements of Railways in the Canal Zone
The Panama zone adopts advanced railway methods improving management and tonnage handling. Under General Manager Rierd the time and cost savings are noted. Chairman Shonts reorganizes canal governance for flexibility and efficiency while adapting departments as needs change with construction progress.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Panama
Rierd
Shonts
Canal Commission
Great Lakes
Critics and the Doubters on the Isthmus Project
The text argues that a vast isthmus work will face unavoidable hostility and errors. It notes 25,000 workers, soon doubling, with inevitable mistakes and occasional disease outbreaks among a diverse labor force in unhealthy conditions. The piece highlights human folly among a portion of workers and the challenges of safeguarding them.
Plan to Build by Contract for Canal Work
The plan favors major contract work to speed the canal project with a reward for timely, economical construction and penalties for delays. Officials review the approach, including Stevens Shoats Rogers Taft Shonts Root, and acknowledge possible changes or direct government completion if no agreement with contractors is reached. The Isthmus work continues steadily in the meantime.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Secretary of War
Stevens
Hill
Great Northern Railroad
Shoats
Rogers
Taft
New York
Shonts
Root
Isthmuss
Slander in Criticism Targets Isthmian Work Leaders
The text denounces hostile criticism as reckless slander aimed at public servants directing a major isthmus project. It emphasizes merit-based appointments and condemns efforts to hinder the work, asserting no director has gained their post through favoritism or personal gain.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
One Commissioner Best for Canal Project Proposal
A proposal argues for a single commissioner with department heads as needed and access to top engineers as consultants. The paper calls for a plan showing canal completion, predicting two freshwater lakes at each end connected by a channel, spanning the Western Hemisphere backbone, with completion estimated around eight years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pacific
Atlantic
Does Luck Ever Go By Law in Superstition Debate
A university faculty member argues that luck myths arise from coincidence and not occult forces. He cites a New York racing example where a 13 by chance coincided with later wins, and notes habits with horseshoes and four leaf clovers are cultural follies rather than proven influences.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Cost of Living Across Cities Measured for Six Person Families
Miss Caroline Goodyear cites the $850 annual minimum for a six person New York family and reports Philadelphia at $600 and New Orleans at $1,000 as bare necessities costs. Studies exclude luxuries and alcohol while noting rising rents and crowded housing drive higher expenses. Philadelphia reports two family houses with low rents and higher privacy, while Chicago estimates about $900 yearly for decently living six.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Caroline Goodyear
New York
United States
Philadelphia
New Orleans
Miss Goodyear
East Side
Civic Club
New Century Club
GED & Bro
Vdawatan
Chicago
Charles Eugene Banks
Merchant Marine Advocates Push for Domestic Fleet
A Merchants Marine League circular argues foreign lines control nine tenths of U S ocean trade and receive about 200 million annually. Europe’s ships deter American commerce, with exporters facing higher freight and irregular service unless the U S builds its own marine delivery, ending European dependence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Merchant Marine League
Congress
League
United States
Europe
Great Britain
France
Germany
Italy
South America
Africa
Orient
Asia
Business leaders from four cities plan canal visit
Representatives from the Boston Chicago Cincinnati and St Louis commercial clubs will tour the Isthmus to inspect canal construction. The visit aims to show facilities and project progress, benefit workers and provide impartial observations for the nation’s understanding.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tropics
Boston
Chicago
Cincinnati
St. Louis
Confidence in Isthmian project fuels national pride
President Roosevelt lauds the canal effort at the White House on December 17, 1966, praising Shonts Stevens and Gorgas, urging support and solidarity. He likens participants to a victorious army and calls for active aid to ensure a triumphant, world shaping achievement for America.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Mr Shonts
Mr Stevens
Doctor Gorgas
Army
Navy
Theodore Roosevelt
White House
Word From Bre'r Williams on the Devil to Pay
Brother Williams questions why so many folks talk about the devil to pay and what the devil would want with money. He suggests that if the common tale is true, it could lead to many millionaires burning money that could bless the land.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brother Williams
Atlanta Constitution
Pittsburg Man Debates Diana in Curio Notes
A whimsical Pittsburg chatter mocks urban myths and questions about Diana and a wealthy resident's habits. The fragment references Diana’s hunt motif and frequent visits to New York, weaving sarcasm around public figures and fashionable towers.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mallet
Washington Star
Wees Port
Bre'r Williams
Pittsburg
Dianna
Diana
Madison Square
Puck
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