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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



A BASQUE FROM SPAIN, WORKING ON TH£ CANAI, 



In the month of March, 1909, there were actually at work 31,071 men, 24,911 for the 

 Commission, and 6,160 for the Panama Railroad Company. Of the 24,911 men working for 

 the Commission, 4,278 were on the gold roll, which comprises those paid in United States 

 currency, and 20,633 men on the silver roll, which comprises those paid on the basis of 

 Panaman currency on its equivalent. Those on the gold roll include mechanics, skilled 

 artisans of all classes, clerks, and higher officials, most of whom are Americans ; those on the 

 silver roll include principally the common laborers, who are practically all foreigners. Of the 

 6,160 Panama Railroad employees, 838 were on the gold roll. 



