Simple solution of the Panama labor problem
Subject(s): Aldrich, Nelson W. (Nelson Wilmarth), 1841-1915, Baer, George F. (George Frederick), 1842-1914, Canals--Design and construction, Capitalists and financiers, Cox, Nicholas Nichols, 1837-, Depew, Chauncey M. (Chauncey Mitchell), 1834-1928, Durham, Israel W., 1856-1909, Fairbanks, Charles W. (Charles Warren), 1852-1918, Hearst, William Randolph, 1863-1951, Hendricks, Francis J., 1834-1920, McCarren, Patrick Henry, 1849-1909, Mitchell, John, 1870-1919, Morgan, J. Pierpont (John Pierpont), 1837-1913, Murphy, Charles Francis, 1858-1924, Odell, Benjamin B. (Benjamin Barker), 1854-1926, Panama, Panama--Panama Canal, Politicians, Rockefeller, John D. (John Davison), 1839-1937, Shaw, Leslie M. (Leslie Mortier), 1848-1932, Shonts, Theodore P. (Theodore Perry), 1856-1919, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Taggart, Thomas, 1856-1929
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A frenzy of activity is underway as many politicians and capitalists join the labor forces to construct the Panama Canal. Theodore P. Shonts, chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, is standing on the right, holding a whip, and directing the laborers. In the background, large groups of men labeled “Order of Walking Delegates, The Idle Rich, Amalgamated Aldermen, [and] Insurance Presidents Union No. 6” are waiting, with tools, to be called into action. Caption: Let our superfluous citizens do the work.
Comments and Context
S. D. Ehrhart’s expansive cartoon in Puck seized upon the news of labor challenges in the Culebra Cut portion of the Panama Canal construction, and built an elaborate cartoon-fantasy about people in politics, the social world, and finance being put to work at manual labor.
There are no political statements in the cartoon beyond the humorous juxtapositions: people doing work exactly opposite to their usual pursuits, condemned to perform duties contrary to their professions, join their enemies in everyday life back in the United States.
For instance, wealthy old Chauncey Depew and the frivolous playboy James Hazen Hyde sweat while wielding mallet and chisel; William Randolph Hearst, who agitated against Asian immigration, offers water to “coolies”; George Baer and John Mitchell (leaders of the owners and miners, respectively, in the Anthracite Strike) work side-by-side.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1905-10-18
Creator(s)
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Simple solution of the Panama labor problem. [October 18, 1905]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278084. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937. Simple solution of the Panama labor problem. [18 Oct. 1905]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. June 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278084.
APA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937., [1905, October 18]. Simple solution of the Panama labor problem.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o278084.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. June 12, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
