Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1907 — WAGES ON THE CANAL. [ARTICLE]

WAGES ON THE CANAL.

Secretary Taft Affirms Rates of P ay and Hours of Labor. The decision of Secretary Taft affirming rates of pay, hours of labor, etc., for men employed on the Panama canal work applies especially to steam shovel men, construction train engineers and conductors. The shovel men wanted higher wages, as follows: Engineers, from $210 to $300 a month; cranesmen, from $l85 to $250; firemen, from $83.33 to $110. The Secretary rules that the present rates are high enough “after comparing the advantages which the isthmian shovel men have over their brothers in the States, with the disadvantages which they have to bear in living on the isthmus.” He explains that the present basis is from 25 to 35 per cent higher than the average in this country, while the canal men get steady work twelve months in the year, six weeks’ leave with pay, twenty days’ sick leave, lodging free, and the married men water, fuel and light at the public expense, free medical attendance and an eight-hour day. He says further that yellow fever has been stamped out and the sick rate greatly reduced. Although denying that the contracts with the men contain any promise of a gradual increase of pay, he has recommended a yearly increase of 3 per cent to skilled men. The wages of the construction train engineers are advanced to $210, as requested. As to dismissals, the Secretary has approved a plan whereby final and summary action will rest with a committee consisting of one representative of the craft concerned, one of the foremen and one of the commission.