Speaking of labor and the conditions on the Isthmus. he used this language: Experiment with the Italian laborers. while not made on a large scale. has not been satisfactory. for the reason that they did not seem possessed of great vitality. and succumb quickly to tropical fevers. Today in every part of the United States Italian laborers are doing the common laboring work of the country. They do possess great vitality. Perhaps they have not the same strength that men of other nationalities have. but from the Italian immigrants today the common laborers of the country are being obtained. And yet. according to Mr. Shouts himself. tropical fevers must be so prevalent there that these men can not successfully work on the Isthmus.
Identified stereotypes
Italian laborers are said to lack vitality and succumb to tropical fevers, but are also described as doing the common laboring work of the country.