l^'I'l ' Gift ofthe Panama Canal MuMeut*^^^ -\)

' CANAL

Vol. 3, No. 9 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, APRIL 3, 1953 5 cents

Strange Rock - Strange Location New Reservation

System Adopted

For Panama Line

A new system of passenger reservations has been adopted which is designed to guarantee the fullest possible use of the three Panama Line ships with- out detriment to employees planning vacations. However, Canal employees planning to go on vacation in the United States and traveling by Panama Line ships are being urged to get their reservations in early. Late last month, just before his de- parture for Washington to attend Senate subcommittee hearings, Gov. J. S. Seybold told The Panama Canal Review that while the steamship line is operated pri- marily for employees, the fullest use must be made of its facilities in order to reduce as possible. LOCK OVERHAULS frequently uncover strange Hesch while he was inspecting the fills on which operating costs as much things. A current Canal mystery is how this 10-ton caissons were to be set. He pointed out that space not utilized boulder, and two others like it, got to the southern He placed slings around the rocks; they were lifted for Canal employees and their families approach to Miraflores Locks east chamber. out by crane. Several old slabs of concrete were could well be sold to commercial pas- The rocks were found by Diver Raymond F. found at the same time. sengers who want assurance of return pas- sage, with resultant increase of revenue, Industrial Bureau Continues Essential but that priority will be given to em- ployees—at all seasons of the year—pro- vided they give adequate notice of their Services; Outside Work Will Be Limited travel plans. A new system of space reservations, None of the essential services provided respect to marine repair work is expected within the Line organization, has just by the Industrial Bureau will be elimi- to go a long way towards eliminating been established, he said, in order to ob- nated by the force reduction of approx- costly and unsatisfactory expedients tain the fullest use of the three ships. imately 20 percent this month but the adopted in the past such as force reduc- Cabin Allotments reduction will, in a measure, fix a ceiling tions and hasty build-ups or long furlough on the ability of the Bureau to accept periods for the personnel to meet high An allotment of cabins on each ship is extensive repair work. and low peak work loads. reserved for assignment by the Canal The immediate cause of the present The Industrial Bureau (formerly Me- Zone office to employees. The remaining reduction is a precipitate drop in the cur- chanical Division) is one of the oldest cabins are divided among the Panama rent and anticipated work load, but the units of the Canal organization. During Line's representative in Panama City, the action will have the long-range effect of the Canal construction period its principal agent in Haiti, and the passenger agent in providing a solution to a problem of many function was the maintenance and repair New York. As nearly as possible, mini- years standing. Succinctly, the problem of machinery and equipment used in the mum fare, i.e., $40 per-person rooms, are is the "feast-or-famine" existence which Canal work. held for employees in order to cut their has characterized the Industrial Bureau The existing marine repair shops and travel costs. since the Canal was opened nearly 40 facilities were installed at the two terminal Under the new system, Fred Wells, years ago. ports before the Canal was opened to steamship ticket agent in the Canal Zone, The new force level has been set with a traffic with the expectation that extensive will release to the New York office each view to providing certain minimum work of this nature would {See page 15) Friday all space on the ship sailing north- standards of service while maintaining a bound 3 weeks later for which he does sufficient force to meet a work load not have employee reservations. This re- known to be constant. These minimum SPECIAL NOTICE leased space will then be available for standards are: Repair and maintenance commercial passengers. of Canal equipment and non-seagoing The new system means, the Governor A complete directory of the Com- floating equipment of the Armed Forces explained, that employees must arrange pany-Government will be issued as the Canal Zone, and emergency or for transportation more than 3 weeks in a 4-page supplement with the May minor repairs to commercial shipping. ahead of their proposed sailing date in issue of The Canal Review. The The maintenance of these service order to be assured of space. directory supplement, last issued in standards will not preclude the acceptance Although each ship can accommodate August 1951, will contain names, of other work but such work will be ac- 202 persons at a maximum, frequently all titles, and telephone numbers of all cepted only when within the ability of cabins are occupied with only about 150 principal officials. Extra copies will organization. people aboard. A family of three, for the future be available on order. The adoption of the new policy with instance, may occupy a (See page to) -

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW April 3,1953 Going On Vacation? Automobile Club Is Ready To Aid In Arranging For Long Or Short Trips

So yoifre^gomg on vacation and taking The Automobile Club can, and has, minute changes in itinerary be necessary, your car? obtained tickets for its members for cir- an amended Triptik is waiting for the Have you tried the Automobile Club cuses, baseball games, and theaters. A member when his ship docks in New York. for help? Isthmian-wide, it has its head- Zonian, expecting to be in Detroit, say, The most elaborate automobile trip quarters in the Canal Zone. on the Fourth of July, can be sure before arranged for any local member, as far as If you're a Nervous Nellie or a Timid he leaves the Canal Zone of a ticket to Mr. Barnes recalls, was one from New Thomas, or maybe just an ordinary the Tigers' game, provided the team plays York to Alaska, down the U. S. west cautious Canal Zone driver, possibly you at home that day. coast, into Mexico as far as Mexico City, mav want assistance in getting out of New Through its associate clubs all over the and back to New York via Texas and the York City. The Automobile Club will United States, Canada, or Mexico, the eastern states. The Club, however, is arrange it. Automobile Club can put its members in just as willing to plan a much simpler Through the New York Club the Auto- touch with emergency road service in case trip—a tour through New England, mobile Club will provide a driver who is of accidents. The bill for such services is f jr instance. thoroughly experienced in the chaotic paid by the local club without charge to Service For Europe is traffic and the within reasonable limits. Its confusion that New York member, The extension of its service to Europe for fee, will and also who, a small drive you associate clubs can provide Canal is something comparatively new but, Mr. car to the outskirts of the city and Zone members with aid in getting doctors, your Barnes says, the Club is now arranging start you on your way. help them get checks cashed, tell them for three or four such trips a year. The services the This is just one of the many where sick animals can be treated, assist Club obtains carnets, which simplify in- Automobile Club is prepared to offer. The in getting hotel reservations. ternational travel, and equips the local Club will get a "Triptik," one of those driver with an international driver's Any Service, Anywhere handy, specially prepared booklets which license. This last costs $7.50. just bit of information In fact, according to the local give about every Secretary Helping its members plan their vacation trips and providing them, without cost, with maps of the national parks, of high- speed highways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, or detailed maps of cities or states, is the most time-consuming of the Automobile Club's work here, according to Mr. Barnes. But the Club has other, if not so well- known, services. It arranges to get auto- mobile licenses for people who may be off the Isthmus at license change time. It can advise its members on shipping cars and what insurance they should carry for maximum protection although the Club itself writes no insurance as many of the larger clubs in the United States do. However, the Automobile Club here will secure insurance for its members from local representatives of U. S. companies. Camp At El Valle On the Isthmus the Automobile Club maintains a camp at El Valle, a pleasant retreat some 70 miles from the Canal Zone. There no telephones ring to jangle town-tired nerves and the nights are cool enough so that blankets are comfortable. Members and their families can stay at the camp for $1 a night or $5 a week; there is a reduced rate for small children.

A TRIPTIK, bound in golden ' yellow paper be- Triptik which was prepared for them is the last they Guests of members are charged $3 a night. cause this year is the AAA's Golden Jubilee year, is will get in the Canal Zone. Mr. Japs, Superintendent is presented by J. 0. Barnes, left, to Mr. and Mrs. of Storehouses, is retiring April 30; he and his wife The caretaker of the camp accommo- E. R. Japs. Mr. Barnes is Secretary -Treasurer of the will leave the following day by Panama Line. The dating Saturnino Cherigo who has lived Panama Automobile Club, headquarters for which long automobile trip for which the Triptik was pre- on the premises for several years. are in his Ancon quarters. The Japs have been pared will take them to Wisconsin, Minnesota, For local travel the Automobile Club Automobile Club members for many years. The Kentucky, and Florida. supplies road maps of the Republic with and routing a cross-country driver could Treasurer, J. 0. Barnes, the Automobile detailed maps of the terminal cities of want. Triptiks are made up, to order, for Club, through the Triple A, is prepared Panama and Colon. Because the smaller any section of the United States, Mexico, to offer just about any service which a Interior hotels frequently change pro- or Canada; or trips can be worked out traveller needs. One of the few requests prietors, whose standards may vary, it is for Europe. which has not yet been made through the difficult to check these for Triple A recom- mendation, but the Automobile Club does "Pensions" In Nova Scotia local club but which Mr. Barnes is sure the AAA could handle is the whereabouts recommend two Interior hotels, the Na- The Club can furnish its members with of a diaper service. cional in David and the Pan-Americano a directory of all hotels, motels, restau- in El Valle. rants, etc., in the United States with their Members need not be travelling by One little known facet of the Auto- rates and whether or not they are recom- automobile to get AAA help. Canal mobile Club's activities is its work with mended by the American Automobile Zonians have arranged through the Auto- school traffic patrols, whose members arc Association. It even knows of pensions in mobile Club for train or plane reserva- given Club certificates for satisfactory Nova Scotia where board, room, and tions in the United States before they completion of their duties. laundry cost $30 a month a person. leave the Isthmus. Since its formation in 1916 the Auto- It can tell when national parks open, During last vacation season, from May mobile Club has always worked closely what lodging is available in the parks, can to September, the local Automobile Club with the local police. In mid-March it provide a seasonal directory of New York obtained some 100 Triptiks, and this was arranging for the shipment to the entertainment attractions, or give the year Mr. Barnes anticipates that he will Canal Zone of a series of new traffic films dates of such events as the Natchez handle close to 300. The Club pays $1.75 to be shown to police officers. Garden Pilgrimage, the Interlochen or for each one. They are requested through Berkshire Music Festivals, or a rodeo in the local club and prepared by AAA head- 8-Mile Speed Limit Montana. quarters in Washington. Should any last The local club faced a (See page IS) April 3, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Conferees Discuss Expert Rifleman

Housing, Hospitals

At March Meeting

Housing, a subject as frequently dis- cussed as any by Canal employees, occupied much of the time of the March

( lOvernor-Employee Conference. Lt. Gov. Harry 0. Paxson, presiding over the conference in the absence of the Governor, told the conferees that the U. S.-rate housing problem was "shaping up pretty well," and that the housing situation would not be as acute as had once appeared. "We are trying to build new houses before we tear the old ones down," he said. "For instance, we hope to have the houses at Corozal built before we start to tear down the Flats quarters." He added that several of the Diablo 12- families, some of which have been vacant for some time, will come down before

Corozal is completed.

A housing question which was dis- cussed lengthily was the change in manner in which housing applications are to be made. After much talk around the conference table Colonel Paxson said ANNIE OAKLEY had better look to her laurels. Expert Rifleman in August 1951. that he was deferring the date on which While still not in the Oakley class, 16-year-old Donna Donna has been shooting for the past 2 years, ever the change would be effective. Elizabeth Geyer, Cristobal High School Junior, is since, her mother says, "she finally wore her family well on her way up in shooting circles. She has just down and got our Conferees who represent labor and permission." She has done well won the Expert Rifleman Medal, second highest from the beginning and Mr. Gibson calls her "not civic organizations raised such a number award in junior shooting, from the National Rifle only a crack shot but a swell kid." of questions on the applications change Association. To win the award she had to score 40 Both Donna and Norine are now qualifying for the which, in order to speed up assignments out of 50 on each of 10 targets, shooting from a highest junior award, that of Distinguished Rifleman standing position. which calls for stupendous shooting from and cut down on vacancies, would limit prone, Donna, shown above with her coach, Noel E. sitting, kneeling, and stand positions. quarters applications to a choice of three Gibson, is not the only girl Expert Rifleman in the Donna is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donovan houses by number, three specific loca- Canal Zone but is the only one on the Atlantic side. I. Geyer of Colon Beach. Her father works in tions, or three types—that Colonel Pax- Isthmus-wide, she shares honors with Norine Dill- the Commissary Division's Refrigeration Plant at man, 17, of Balboa High School, who was made Mount Hope. son said he would take additional time to study this. A matter of expediting traffic at the Ancon reasons, at the lack of an eye specialist Up-Date Applications Laundry crossing, raised late in the at Colon Hospital. meeting, Although he deferred the effective date will be studied. This matter, as well as others about for the change, the Lieutenant Governor Questions Answered Colon Hospital such as a report that asked the conferees to suggest to the dental appointments must be In answer to other questions raised at made people they represent that all long-stand- months in advance, previous meetings, the Lieutenant Gov- was to be referred ing housing applications be brought up to the ernor reported: Health Director. to date. Many applications are out- In the course of the discussion That the Gamboa Clubhouse building on dated because of changes in types and hospital services for Atlantic side resi- is to locations of quarters. be scrapped as soon as clearance is dents, Colonel Paxson commented on the received from the Board of Directors, but In answer to a question from W. E. possibility of consolidating that the abandoned building would be Coco Solo Percy, a Central Labor Union representa- and Colon Hospitals, telling the con- boarded up should the clearance not be tive, as to who determines housing con- forthcoming soon; ferees that the decision will not be made struction policy, Colonel Paxson answered locally and that he had no way of know- That refrigerator repair parts are now that in the long run it is Congress, which ing whether the Navy or the Canal Zone obtainable from the storehouses; either denies or makes funds available. Government would administer the hps- That limited table service will be At the present time it is expected that pital should such a consolidation be made. available at the Ancon Clubhouse after the amount which can be spent in the Neither a hospital nor a high school is the changeover to the cafeteria system coming fiscal year will be limited and the planned for Margarita for the near future, but that table service will be at slightly housing replacement program must be he said. slowed down. higher prices; Other questions raised during the And that badly dented cans of food Regarding complaints on the noon siren conference were: The timing of craft are no longer being placed on Commissary as it disturbs sleeping shift-workers, wage adjustments based on Navy ship- shelves and the last of the unlabelled Colonel Paxson said that a change of time yards in the United States; pay differ- canned goods has been taken off retail sale. had been discussed but not yet agreed on entials between Canal craftsmen and Colonel Paxson suggested that many with the armed forces. This discussion those working for the armed services; Commissary matters could be handled will continue. Meantime, the length of why DDT spraying had been stopped with the store managers, the Division the siren blast—which must occur daily although both mosquitoes and sandflies Manager, or the Supply and Service to check the operational condition of the were prevalent; and Panama's require- Director instead of in the Conference, siren—has been cut from 30 to 10 seconds. ment for licensing of bicycles and their and reported an increasing receptivity A policeman has been stationed near operators, inasmuch as it applies to to customer suggestions and complaints. the Balboa railroad station to watch out children living in New Cristobal. for children crossing the tracks to the Colon Hospital Present at the conference were the athletic field in the late afternoon, the Another subject, discussed at some Lieutenant Governor and Edward A. Lieutenant Governor reported. Traffic length, as it has been before, concerned Doolan, Personnel Directed and the congestion at the Eleventh and Front medical facilities at Colon Hospital. following employee representatives: Street crossing in Cristobal is being dis- Henry Chenevert, of the Machinists, said F. H. Hodges, Locomotive Engineers; cussed with the police and traffic experts. that his lodge was alarmed, for safety Robert C. Daniel, (jSupagelS) —

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW April 3,1953 Malaria And Mosquitoes, They're Still With Us

Mosquitoes in the Canal Zone? Of which bite humans—there are a number course not, newcomers exclaim. Every- of biting insect pests, including the one knows that General Gorgas wiped so-called sandfly. them out years ago. It is obvious that all of these insects Consequently they, as well as people cannot be controlled or eradicated and who've been here much longer, are sur- there is no health or economic reason to prised and irritated (mentally as well as attempt such a Herculean task. physically) when a mosquito bites them. Fight Disease Carriers In most cases, the mosquito bite is Because it cannot achieve the im- nothing worse than an irritation for of the possible the Health Bureau concentrates 200-odd species of mosquitoes which on the possible: Combatting the com- thrive in this humid climate only a few are paratively few flying insects which can of the disease-carrying type. carry disease. Urban yellow fever No reliable source has ever claimed, "Yellow Jack"— is no longer a menace Health Bureau experts point out, that here, but jungle yellow fever appeared in mosquitoes were ever completely exter- the Republic of Panama only a few years minated in the Canal Zone. What ago. Its virus was found in monkeys; SIDNEY MILLER of Gatun inspects, for the General Gorgas and his men did was to mosquitoes which bite them can—and presence of anopheline larvae, a sample of water control mosquitoes so that yellow fever do—transmit the disease to man. Because dipped from cattle tracks in the Mindi Dairy pasture. and malaria, which killed 2,394 of the these mosquitoes breed in treeholes and French Canal force in 8 years, were no live in treetops they are beyond control. longer the deadly scourges they had been. Fortunately humans can be immunized No cases of urban yellow fever have to jungle yellow fever by vaccination, originated in the Canal Zone since May available without charge at the Board of 1906. From September 30, 1905, to Health Laboratory at Gorgas Hospital September 30, 1906, there were 398 ma- from 8 a. m. to noon each Wednesday and laria deaths in the Canal Zone. Two 1 to 3:30 p. m. each Wednesday at the years later malaria had ceased to be a Colon Health Office. leading cause of death although the ma- Yellow fever can also be transmitted laria rate was 282 per 1,000 employees. by another mosquito, the formerly 223 Malaria Cases common Aedes aegypti which bred and lived in cities and towns. The experts During the past calendar year only 59 believe that this pest has been eradicated employees of the Canal organization con- through the recent expensive and labor- tracted malaria; these cases were included ious campaign conducted jointly by all in the 223 reported from residents of the health organizations in the Canal Zone Canal Zone and the terminal cities of and Republic of Panama. Colon and Panama. Most of these ma- laria cases originated outside the sanitated Beware Of "Ann" areas. The remaining insect of the greatest Despite the drop in the malaria rate medical importance is the malaria- malaria still can be contracted here and carrying anopheles. During the last war RICHARD A. WILLIAMS, Sanitation Inspector malaria still can be fatal. At the request the armed services here, in an anti- from Ancon, uses a microscope to identify a sample of The Panama Canal Review, experts malaria campaign, pictured her as a of mosquito larvae brought in from the field. from the Health Bureau have summarized seductive siren with a penetrating pro- only one, Anopheles atbimanus, is con- some of the current facts about the boscis and cautioned their people to sidered significant as a carrier, or vector, sanitation of the Canal Zone. "Avoid Ann." Local malaria-control of malaria. Its topography and climate, they point people still consider this excellent advice. This particular "Ann" breeds in fan- out, are ideal for the prolific propagation of There are some 18 species of this mos- tastic numbers in mat-type vegetation insects. In addition to the approximately quito in the Canal Zone, with greatly growing in the lakes and rivers; it also 200 species of mosquitoes—not all of varying breeding and flight habits, but shows a marked preference for such col- lections of sunlit water as those exposed by felling of trees, grading, blocked drains, water-filled cattle tracks, or tire ruts.

Its flight range is a matter of con- jecture. At certain times of the year, it apparently will fly many miles. So even

could it be eradicated— which would be a prohibitively costly job it would infil- trate from unsanitated areas and re- establish itself in the Canal Zone. Prevention Measures With eradication impractical, the Health Bureau concentrates on other measures. Canal specialists attempt to prevent the mosquito from breeding by eliminating collections of water where Anopheles could reproduce. Other Government units cooperate and in one area where ground control is difficult the Army makes a plane available for spraying. Larvi- ciding, the killing of immature mosquitoes by chemicals, is done only when actual inspection shows it is necessary. Residua] DDT spraying and area spraying and fogging are partially effec- tive against adult mosquitoes. This, however, not long be true. Evidence DDT IS DUSTED on the waters of the Chagres River above Gamboa to control breeding of the may Anopheles mosquito. Felix Rodriguez holds the nozzle of the duster while Victorian" Murillo rows the boat. is beginning to accum- (See paged) —

April 3, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GUIDANCE IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION t w II U£

COMING EVENTS AND THEIR SHADOWS vs. CRYSTAL BAILS

How many times have you wished you odds that it will tell you more than any the green at the same time, and the first could gaze into a crystal ball and foresee crystal ball ever did. a major division worked an entire month what's ahead? If you ever have, then Ten years ago certain coming events with no disabling injuries." there is no question that you're really were casting their shadows before, and Also, to top the whole thing off, every human. we made certain predictions. But no, we major unit had a better record for the year Some people have a different name for were dreaming, failing to face realities— 1942 than for the previous year. Who needs Safety Engineers, but underneath it all "After all there was a war on and we had a crystal ball for Safety? we're human too. The big trouble, how- a job to do. We had to take chances. We Now we look at 1952, 10 years later, ever, is that our crystal ball isn't any couldn't waste time trying to practice and compare it with 1942. In 1942 there better than yours, so we have to do a bit safety. Maybe later, but right now we're were 29 killed, 24 permanently disabled, of guessing along with everyone else. It is too busy." We heard all the old alibis, and 4,150 (that's right, four thousand one believed, we all agree, that we are much believe it or not, even some new ones. hundred and fifty) temporarily disabled, better off not knowing too much about Now, in spite of what appeared on the with a total time charge of 248,596 days. the future. There are many heartaches surface to be resentful opposition, what Now considering there were twice the ahead for all members of the human race, really did happen? We quote from the number of employees in 1942 as there and a large percentage are not strong January 1942 Safety Zone: were in 1952, to maintain a comparable enough to stand up to knowing in ad- "Accident experience in the States has record the figures should be cut just by vance what lies ahead. The old saying, usually shown that the accident rate not one half. Instead, our toll for 1952 was "Ignorance is bliss," has its place but its only increases with an increasing force five killed (we have done better) seven place is not in Safety. but actually rises faster. In spite of a permanently disabled, and 427 tempo- Since we would rather meet the future, tremendous increase in our working rarily disabled, with a total time charge little by little, as it comes along, rather forces (35,705) with naturally a large of 45,442 days. than all in one big jolt, take a look at the number of inexperienced help, the acci- Without having looked into the crystal past. There's a key there to the future. dent rate has been reduced considerably. ball, what does the record reveal? Again, You may or may not believe that the past For that reduction, the foreman who put not a few, not a majority but all bureaus plays a very important part in pointing safety into their production schedules are experienced improvements, ranging from out what lies ahead, but we will give you the most responsible. Further reductions 17 to 54 percent over their own past 2- will fall on the shoulders of these same year record. Likewise all but two divi- HONOR ROLL men." This was in the beginning of 1942. sions showed similar improvements. (The Now we quote from the January 1943 reason these two didn't make it was be- Bureau Award For Safety Zone: cause they got there ahead of the rest BEST RECORD "The year 1942 went out with almost with very low 2-year averages). February the entire Panama Canal hanging on to We are mighty pleased to be able to the end of an accident curve which they publicize this record of your accomplish- ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION really brought down. More and more ments in the campaign to reduce heart- BUREAU divisions are getting on the bandwagon, ache, pain, suffering, and financial loss as foremen find out that in spite of all that is experienced by the victims and HEALTH BUREAU doubters accidents can be prevented. their families, when they become involved December INDUSTRIAL BUREAU (1942) was the first time in in accidents. history that every major division got into Each year during the (See page 6) AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR Civil Affairs 1 Disabling Injuries per 1,000,000 Man-Hours Worked Engineering and Construction 1 FEBRUARY 1953 (Frequency Rale) Health 1 Industrial 1 Services Community Engineering and Construction Bureau Marine Railroad and Terminals Supply and Service Health Bureau

Division Award For Industrial Bureau

NO DISABLING INJURIES Supply and Service Bureau February Civil Affairs Bureau MAINTENANCE DIVISION

DREDGING DIVISION C. Z. Govt.—Panama Canal Co. (.Best Year)

ELECTRICAL DIVISION Community Services Bureau MOTOR TRANSPORTATION DIVISION C. Z. Govt. Panama Canal Co. (This month) GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DIVISION Railroad and Terminals Bureau AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR Marine Bureau Dredging 2 Maintenance 2 Motor Transportation 2 Clubhouses Electrical Number of Disabling Injuries 53 Man-Hours Worked ...2,579,172 Grounds Maintenance Hospitalization and Clinics LEGEND Storehouses Commissary Locks I Amount Better Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Canal Company Best Year Navigation Railroad ] Amount Worse Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Canal Company Best Year Sanitation Terminals Accumulative Frequency Rate This Year —

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW Apii! 3,1953

Payrolls Of Contractors For Canal Maintenance Paraiso Housing Contract Running Ahead Of Schedule And Construction Work Are $250,000 Monthly All of the 244 apartments which are being built at Paraiso will be completed Local labor forces are receiving about Company. by mid-June, according to an estimate of $250,000 on monthly payrolls for con- Some of the major construction proj- the Contract and Inspection Division. struction and maintenance work being ects now in progress are those being done The contractor, Tucker McClure, was performed on contracts for the Panama on contract by Macco-Panpacific. These about 6 weeks ahead of schedule at the Canal Company-Canal Zone Government include the Margarita townsite extension, end of last month, as far as the housing organization. where work started in March 1952 and was concerned. Grading and drainage The number employed on contract work is scheduled for completion in June 1953; is in progress and is expected to be finished for the Canal is estimated at about 2,500 housing at Corozal, where work started the following month. exclusive of supervisory and technical in January and is scheduled for comple- By the end of March, 31 houses con- personnel. tion in May 1954; and housing construc- taining 62 apartments had been completed Employment on projects for which tion on Empire Street in Balboa, for and accepted by the Canal organization. contracts are now in force reached its which the contract extends to October The Paraiso housing is on-the-ground peak in March and will remain at high 1953. masonry construction similar to that at levels through April and May and up to Other major housing construction is Rainbow City. Paraiso apartments range June, when a slight drop is expected be- in progress at Paraiso where the con- in size from one to four bedrooms. cause of the termination of several com- tractor, Tucker McClure, is scheduled to paratively short-term contracts for dry complete the work in July 1953. season maintenance work. A new school building at Paraiso, New Rental Schedules Several of the present contracts are which was started in February by Gen- On Licensed Property scheduled for completion before the close eral Contractors Company, is to be of the present fiscal year, after which any completed in July. Go Into Effect July 1 new projects that are authorized will be Construction of a new school building financed from funds made available for at Margarita, on which the contractor, New rental-rate schedules on licensed the 1954 fiscal year, starting in July. E. O. Hauke Construction Company, properties of the Panama Canal Company will be- Maintenance work being done on started work in March, is scheduled for and the Canal Zone Government contracts which will be terminated before completion in September 1953. come effective July 1. The new schedule, the close of the present fiscal year includes A contract with Industrias Unidas for which covers more than 300 properties, is the exterior painting of Canal buildings the construction of a sewage pump station based on a comprehensive survey and by W. T. Coffey and Tropical Paint at Margarita extends from March to appraisal made last October by Arthur A. Company; tile roofing of buildings in August 1953. May, Chief of the Appraisal Staff in the Balboa, being done by Industrias Unidas; Constructora Martinz, contractor for Public Buildings Service of the General and work on roof hoods on Balboa houses, the construction of the Goethals Mem- Services Administration. being done by Green, Calvino & Roquer orial in Balboa, is scheduled to complete The new rates and adjustments have a Cia. Ltda. that project in August. wide variation because of the great di- Other comparatively short-term con- Other contract work for the Canal, versity in the types of rental properties tracts are those with Bildon, Inc., for for which contracts will be awarded in and in the nature of the business proper- the rehabilitation of the baffle piers at the near future, will include the con- ties licensed. The properties include land, Gatun Spillway Dam, scheduled for com- struction of a school building at Rainbow office space, tank storage, warehousing, kinds of pletion in June; and the rehabilitation of City, scheduled for completion in Decem- and open storage areas. The refrigerator and dry storage facilities at ber 1953; metal roof work in Balboa and businesses licensed vary from banking to Gorgas Hospital, to be completed in July the reroofing of the Balboa Police Station, cobbling. by the contractor, the National Flooring scheduled for completion in June. The property appraisal done by Mr. May was the most comprehensive ever next Malaria And Mosquitos properly belongs to the genus culicoides, undertaken and the rate revision but that makes his bite no more pleasant. July is the first of any general nature to (Continued from page i) mulate to indicate These little gnats breed in the brackish be made since 1946. An independent that mosquitoes, like houseflys, are be- water of tidal swamps, in tree holes and appraisal of Panama Railroad Company ginning to build up a resistance to DDT. even in fresh water. They are so tiny rental properties in Panama City and "Ann" Is A Nighthawk that they go through screens without Colon was made in 1938 but none had The Health Bureau also tries to prevent difficulty. Although the gnats are much ever been made of licensed properties in people and mosquitoes from getting to- more resistant to DDT than mosquitoes, the Canal Zone. gether by seeing that screening is sound screens painted with DDT in kerosene The appraisal last October was made and by cautioning residents against un- solution will keep them from biting for at the request of Frank Pace, Jr., formerly necessary exposure at night Anopheles is — about a month and insect repellant rubbed Secretary of the Army, to obtain an un- a nighthawk on a minute scale particu- — on the skin will also help. biased analysis of fair rental values for larly in unsanitated areas. While the Health Bureau regularly re- such properties. It had originally been Other anti-malaria precautions are the news its warnings that people should be planned, after the incorporation of blood surveys which are taken among the more malaria-conscious, they offer one Panama Canal operations in July 1951, to Canal Zone's fringe population to deter- 1011 per- ray of hope. It may not be too long in increase all commercial rents by mine who may be infected although not the future before malaria may be eradi- cent but the increase was never made yet ill, the prompt treatment of such cated by preventive drugs instead of effective. carriers and of all active malaria cases. through the eradication of the carrier. Mr. May submitted a lengthy report on Suppressive drugs, such as atabrin or fully his Mosquito bites will still itch, though. his survey in which he outlined primaquin which kill the malaria parasite, methods of appraisal and the various are distributed when they are needed. Coming Events And Their Shadows factors on which the new rates were While they are not dangerous, in that recommended. His report and recom- they carry neither yellow fever nor ma- {Continued from page 5) past, not all at mendations were considered and approved laria, there are three other biting pests the same time, but enough of you at by the Board of Directors at the meeting two of them mosquitoes—frequent ly various times, have come through with held early in March. found in the Canal Zone. the necessary effort to help us maintain a Generally, most of the rental rates will Mosquitoes And Gnats consistent improvement, or downward be higher with the greatest increases to be These are: The Masonsia mosquitoes, trend, in the frequency rate. made in cases of intensified land uses in the larvae of which attach themselves to If we all continue to do our best at the favorable locations by large commercial the air-filled roots of aquatic plants and same time, as we did in 1952, we can't firms. Some decreases will be made for grow to maturity under water and for lose. When you "name the beneficiary" concessionaire licenses where the volume which no effective control has yet been of a successful accident prevention pro- of business or the business potential is found; the far-flying Aedes taeniorhynchus, gram, it is not your boss or vour companv. low. Rates for office and other space (which comes in droves at the beginning It is VOU and YOUR FAMILY. rented to employee and other non- of the rainy season); and the small gnat, It doesn't take a crystal ball to foresee profit organizations will remain generally commonly but wrongly called sandfly. 1 [e that. Just look in the mirror. unchanged. April 3,1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW OF CURRENT INTEREST

Official Panama Canal Company Publication Published Monthly at BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE

PrMtd i

John S. Seybold, Governor-President

H. 0. Paxson, Lieutenant Governor

E. C. Lombard, Executive Secretary

J. Rufus Hardy, Editor

Eleanor H. McIlhenny Oleva Hastings Editorial Assistants LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters containing inquiries, suggestions, criticisms, or opinio.is of a general nature will be welcomed. Those of sufficient interest will be published but signatures will not be used unless desired.

SUBSCRIPTIONS—$1.00 a year

SINGLE COPIES— 5 cents each On sale at all Panama Canal Clubhouses, Commissaries, and Hotels for 10 days after publication date.

cents SINGLE COPIES BY MAIL-10 each JUNIOR ROTG cadets from Cristobal and Balboa opportunity to ride in tanks. high schools—150 strong—concluded their annual Here, at a barbed wire barricade which was part BACK COPIES— 10 cents each spring training camp yesterday. The camp, which of an obstacle course, four of the cadet officers go began March 29, was held at the Army's Empire over the tactical problem with ROTC instructor On sale when available, from the Vault it Captain Earl Wilson, right. Left to right they are: Clerk, Third Floor, Administration Building, Firing Range, as was last year. J. William Balboa Heights. During the 5-day camp, the cadets witnessed Cadet Maj. William Dawson, Cadet Lt. Col. three demonstrations by the Army—one on artillery, Derr, both of Balboa High School, Cadet Lt. Col. Postal money orders should be made pay- one on infantry weapons, and one on communica- Leo Constantine, Camp Commander, Cadet Maj. able to the Treasurer, Panama Canal Com- tions. They staged a tactical problem which took Paul Pinto, both of Cristobal High School, and pany, and mailed to Editor, The Panama them all over the countryside and they had an Captain Wilson. Canal Review, Balboa Heights, C. Z. A listing of Canal employees with altitude explosion of an atom bomb." talents along accounting lines has been A number of Civil Defense officials, made as the result of a battery of tests including National Civil Defense Ad- Drivers' License Renewal given several weeks ago to 64 employees ministrator Val Peterson, witnessed who were not at the time working in the explosion. Moving Along On Schedule strictly accounting positions. Lieutenant Dolan was scheduled to Three employees are being trans- return to the Canal Zone late last ferred from their former positions to month after a 2-month absence. In Approximately 1,500 operators' and jobs in the Accounting Division, and addition to being present at the A- less than one- drivers' licenses, or a little others who attained high grades in the bomb explosion — for which his stay in sixth of the 10,000 Canal Zone licenses tests will be considered for vacancies, the United States was extended—he as they occur, in accounting work. outstanding, were renewed during the had attended the Civil Defense Staff The tests were given to uncover Olney, according to L. R. College in Md. first 2 weeks of March, "hidden talent'' among employees who Evans, Chief of the License Section. were not doing accounting work. The Effective this week, the Local Rate tests given were those drawn up by the Canal Zone licenses issued during the Records Branch of the Personnel Bureau Institute of Accountants and were previous renewal period in 1950 for became responsible for replacing lost or administered to the 64 employees by damaged identification-purchase cards for drivers and operators of motor vehicles the Personnel Bureau. local rate employees. are expiring this year between March 1 Those taking the tests came from The Local Rate Employment Branch and June 30 and must be renewed for a such far-flung groups as the Fire, Railroad, Electrical, Maintenance, will issue the original local-rale identification period. To make it easier for the 3-year Housing, Dredging, Storehouses, and privilege cards. The cards are now being licensees to remember the next renewal Motor Transportation Divisions. reissued quarterly instead of monthly as date licenses being issued now will expire in the past and the Payroll Branch will Over one-quarter of the Canal families handle the reissuing. on the licensee's birthday in 1956. The who are having to vacate their quarters at Requests for the replacement of lost or present expiration date is in the upper France Air Force Base have been assigned damaged cards must be made by submit- left-hand corner of each current license. houses elsewhere on the Atlantic side. By ting application forms to the Local Rate To handle the triennial job of renewing late March, 8 of the 29 families had moved Records Branch, Box 3008, Balboa. from France Field to their new homes. All the operators' and chauffeurs' licenses, 29 must be out of France Field by June 30. part-time employee A program was started in the Canal one full-time and one The Canal families are being assigned Zone elementary schools last month to been added to the License Section, straight seniority basis. have quarters on a teach bicycle-riding students the prop- Some have accepted quarters in Margarita; Mr. Evans said. Applications for re- er methods of operating and caring for others have been assigned elsewhere. newal are available at the License Section their bicycles, and the traffic laws they The France Field quarters were first Affairs Building in Ancon and must observe. Through cooperation in the Civil occupied Canal personnel in August by between the Schools and Police Divi- at the License Examiner's office in 1950. In January of this year, the Govern- sions, Sgt. Jack F. Morris of the Balboa ment-Company was notified that the Cristobal. Police Station is scheduled to give a Armed Services would again require the The renewals may be done by mail— lecture at each elementary school be- houses and that they were to be vacated by in which case the applicant forwards to fore the end of the present term. June 30. Students will be required to prepare the proper office his old license, two pic- Lt. William G. Dolan, Civil Defense papers on the subject, after his talk. tures, the rilled out application and $1 in Chief for the Canal organization, holds Sergeant Morris, in his lectures, is although it is money order or check— the distinction of being the only Canal calling the attention of all students to preferable that the renewal be done in employee to have been an official ob- the fact that Panama now requires person, since in some cases reexamination server of the atom bomb tests near Las licensing not only of bicycles but of Vegas last month. their operators. Students and their may be required and arrangements for He was at the Atom Bomb Site on parents are being urged to take care of be the* reexamination may made when March 17 for what news reports at the this before the children use their the license application is turned in. time described as a "spectacular low- bicycles in the Republic. —

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW April 3,1953 Medical Detectives Follow Many Clues At Canal Zone Board Of Health Laboratory

their actions in different environments and circumstances is the primary plot that runs through the story of the progress of modern medicine. A 42-year-old housewife of New Cris- tobal goes to Gorgas Hospital. The doctor she sees suspects cancer and sched- ules an operation. He asks Dr. John H. Draheim or one of the other anatomical pathologists to be present at the operation. Cancer Detection

An incision is made and a bit of the suspect tissue is removed and given to the anatomical pathologist. The surgeon, anesthetist, and operating room nurses wait while it is rushed to the laboratory. There, in the histopathology section, the province of Robert G. Grocott, histopathology technician, the tissue is placed on the freezing microtome and frozen solid with a stream of carbon dioxide gas. It is then sliced into "sec- tions" about 5/1000ths of an inch thick. The sections are then immersed in dyes where each type of cells absorbs a stain of a different color.

ONE OF THE SHEEP at the laboratory is bled by used for serological tests for syphilis and monomu- Some of the better sections are put on cleosis, fever. attendants Kurt F. Menzel, right, Chief Bacteriological Techni- or glandular The who have glass slides, covered with cover slips and cian, and Joaquin Benavides, Chief Medical Tech- the sheep in hand are Talbert Weeks, left, and then examined under the microscope. nician in Parasitology. This process, similar to a LeRoy Marks. People at the laboratory, incidentally human blood transfusion, provides blood which is decry the practice of calling their fine sheep "goats." There are blue lacy strands and dots on a pink background—the picture of normal cells gone berserk. A seaman was stabbed to death as he field of pathology as the detective force The anatomical pathologist telephones slept on a ship in Cristobal Harbor. A of medicine. the surgeon that the tumor is cancerous. shipmate was charged with the killing. Characters Are Minute Ten minutes after the tissue was taken, A bloodstained shirt worn by the de- the operation is resumed and the malig- fendant when first seen after the murder The characters in the laboratory nant growth removed. was used by the State as evidence. So dramas are minute and multitudinous were the stained sheet and pillowcases human cells, microbes, parasites, and For Slower Study other microscopic or sub-microscopic that were found in his room. The regular paraffin procedure, as it entities in the human body or its invaders. The defendant said the stains were his is usually done, takes about 48 hours in own blood from a thumb that had been Many are old acquaintances to the which a great deal of the work of the caught in a door. people trained to see them, known by preparation of tissue is done automatic- Dr. Joel Shrager, Clinical Pathologist their looks and habits, even in untoward ally in a large machine called an "auto- at the Board of Health Laboratory, testi- circumstances that lead them to assume technicon." fied the blood on the shirt and bedclothes unusual guises. Others are known only This standard paraffin procedure per- belonged to Group A, International by the tracks they leave or by the com- mits more leisurely and more accurate System, the same as that of the victim. pany they keep. study, and is often a part of a cooperative He said the defendant's blood, tested in The process of making the acquaintance effort in which "clues" from various the laboratory, was found to be Group 0. of those that are unknown and cataloging sections of the laboratory are combined The defendant was convicted in 1947 and is serving a life sentence at the Canal Zone Penitentiary for the famous "port- hole murder." Pathologists Give Answers

As a clinical pathologist, Col. Norman W. Elton, Chief of the Board of Health Laboratory, might be called on to supply for the court the laboratory answer to the question: Was someone putting arsenic in rich Uncle Ezra's chowder? Or John R. McLavy, Chief Chemist, might be and frequently is asked to ex- plain to a judge or jury, first, the results of a sobriety test performed in the labor- atory, then, how drunk is "0.15?" It is only in such court appearances the public generally knows the pathologist or the work of the Board of Health Laboratory which compiles the evidence that makes or breaks hundreds of "cases" daily, only an infinitesimal number of which are matters for police or court action. The part played by the laboratory in the solution of many "thrillers" in the field of medicine, in which yesterday's thrill of discovery is the routine of today, has led to a description of the all-inclusive W. C. DUNSCOMBE, one of two chemists at the laboratory, prepares a specimen fur chemical analysis. April 3,1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

in a summary of findings. These find- ings, as presented in a report on the examination of a surgical specimen or an autopsy report, are termed by the medical profession "protocols." The protocols, or original reports on the findings of studies concerning the nature of disease, are compiled and writ- ten by one of the four residents-in-train- ing in pathology at the hospital Drs. Draheim, Milton J. Smith, Ferruccio Bertoli, and Michael J. Takos. A 4-year residency training program in pathology at Gorgas Hospital was approved in 1952. There had been a regular 3-year training program there since 1940.

Available For Study

The reports are then filed and cross- indexed by Mrs. Bernadine Lally, Mrs. Ana L. Alvarez and Mrs. Ethel M. Pitman in accordance with an interna- tional system and are available to any scientist of any nation seeking informa- tion on a specific medical problem. The Board of Health Laboratory does about 600 biopsies a month. Inc'uded in these are samples of all tissues removed in autopsies and operations—a require- ment for all hospitals approved by the American Medical Association. Autopsies are performed on about 76 percent of the deaths at Gorgas Hospital (the minimum requirement for hospitals approved by the American College of

Surgeons is 15 percent) and on 85 percent of the bodies received at the laboratory COL. NORMAN W. ELTON, right, Chief of the in charge of clinical pathology at the. Laboratory, undertaking establishment. Board of Health Laboratory since May 1948, leaves also leaves this month to return to the United States. this month for a new assignment at the Army Chem- 12 of service The autopsy provides the most positive He has about years Canal and has been ical Center, Etlgewood, Md. Dr. Joel Shrager, left, at the Laboratory since 1942. proof possible of the nature of the indi- vidual illness, which may be very im- portant to the immediate descendants, is Chief Chemist, assisted by Wilbur C. Finley and Thomas C. Lear, Funeral and also adds its valuable bit to the vast Dunscombe. Directors. It is one of a few such services sum of knowledge necessary to every Two other medical technicians of long in this general area, probably because advance in medicine. service work where they are most needed. burial ordinarily takes place on the same Francis W. Feeney, a Chief General day as the death in this part of Latin Two Large Departments Technician, is also responsible for the America. To provide a very rough roadmap for maintenance of laboratory equipment. "Detective" Operations the uninitiated, Dr. Shrager explained Harry A. Dunn, General Supervisory some elemental facts about the organiza- Medical Technician, assists Colonel Elton One of the many "detective" functions tion of the laboratory. Its work is in the administrative work of the labor- of the laboratory works something like divided into two large departments, atory. this. A 10-year-old school girl in Ancon clinical and anatomical pathology. There are a total of 13 technicians, all develops a sore throat and is taken by Anatomic pathology, he explains, deals registered by the American Society of her mother to the Out-Patient Service at with anatomic diagnoses of tissues, both Clinical Pathologists. There are also Gorgas Hospital. The doctor there ex- gross and microscopic, the latter known three students who are enrolled in the amines her throat and notes severe in medical terminology as histo (for laboratory's training school for techni- inflammation.

"tissue") pathology. cians, from which 1 1 have been graduated He swabs the tonsilar area, then draws Clinical pathology, Dr. Shrager ex- in its 5 years of existence. the swab over a brown solid that half plained about the department he heads, The mortuary service and crematorium fills a test tube. He seals that test tube, is the branch of medical science which for the Canal Zone is also at the Labora- then places the swab in another, which applies laboratory techniques utilizing all tory, under the direction of Max W. contains in the bottom a grayish milky the basic or pure sciences to the diag- looking substance, which is Loeffler's blood nosis, prognosis, and observation of the agar. The girl goes to the hospital and progress of human illnesses. the test tubes go to the laboratory. Clinical pathology embraces functions There the test tubes are placed in a which are grouped in six divisions: Bac- warm dark room, the incubator for cul- teriology, including mycology (fungi) and tures, where hundreds of other test tubes virology (viruses) ; serology, from "serum" are hatching out proof of the presence or which Webster defines as the watery part absence of specific ailments. of animal fluid remaining after coagula- Twenty-four hours later, the test tubes tion; chemistry; clinical microscopy, are checked. The one in which the which includes routine microscopic exam- swab was placed has produced nothing inations; parasitology, from "parasite" significant. That medium could have of course; and haematology, from the hatched the fungi which causes thrush, Greek prefix denoting "blood." the streptococci which cause various Technicians and Chemists severe sore throats or organisms of various other illnesses. Kurt F. Menzel is Chief Bacteriological Technician. Joaquin Benavides serves It's Diphtheria as Chief Medical Technician in Parasit- The milky looking medium in the other ology. Edgar H. Freeman serves as tube, which provided the proper nourish- Chief Serological Technician. Mr. Mc- ment and environment for the diphtheria MRS. DORA V. GRAFF, left, and Mrs. Esther V. Lavy, a veteran of 29 years who retires Swift, registered medical technologists, are shown bacillus, has grown a bumper crop. 1 The from Canal service in about 14 months, pipetting a blood filtrate in the chemistry laboratory word goes to the little (See page 12) 10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW April 3,1953 Two Paraiso Women Hold Unique ucts was an embroidered linen and lace tablecloth, as fine as most seen in any Jail Central Avenue shop. Jobs As Matrons At Pedro Miguel Once in a while they will have an un- usually obstreperous prisoner, but gener- ally the two matrons find two major problems in their work: Bickering among the women, and the dislike of any kind of work by many of the prisoners. "We just have to keep pushing them, pushing them, to get things done," Mrs. Samuels said for both matrons.

Ten Years Ago In March

Right-hand driving was to become

effective in Panama in April 1943, it was announced by Panamanian officials, and American authorities reported that the Canal Zone would also make the change-over. A section incorporated in the Canal Zone traffic regulations 10 years before made right-hand driving mandatory in the Canal Zone coincident with any such change in the Republic. In the Canal Zone, traffic signs were li changed, special instructions were given !i!!r,!!!!!: and stickers reminding drivers of the new issued SILVER BADGES, marked "jail guards," shine on the spic-and-span uniforms of the Zone's only jail matrons. system were in preparation for

Mrs. Doris Samuels, left, wears badge No. 33; Mrs. Rose Osborne, her senior in police service, wears No. 21. the switch. Some observers anticipated a 25 per- If the word unique—which means one by the Police Division in December, 1951. cent drop in traffic volume effective with of a kind— can properly be applied to two, She was chosen from some 30 women and, the new system, occasioned by cautious it fits Mrs. Rose Osborne and Mrs. Doris she says, was "elated" at her selection. drivers who, it was believed, might not Samuels of Paraiso. Each of the two works five days a week. choose to drive until most of their neigh- Their jobs are unique; as matrons at Three days both women are on duty; two bors had become accustomed to the the Pedro Miguel jail, they are the only days each is on duty alone, and the change. two women so employed in the entire remaining two days are their days off.

Canal organization. The spotless jail On the days they work alone, they re- An Army radio station, officially desig- where they work is also unique; it is the port to the jail at 6:30 a. m., working nated as the Armed Forces Radio Station, only one in the Canal Zone which houses until noon. They have an hour and a started operation on the first of March. It women prisoners. It also sometimes half break and then return to work until was announced that broadcasts, solely for houses juvenile boys, especially those 4 p. m. On Thursdays, Fridays, and the entertainment of armed forces on the felony prisoners whom the Court may Saturdays when both work, one reports Isthmus, would be made from 10:30 a. m. consider too young to be sent to Gamboa at 6:30 a. m. and works through until to 2:30 p. m. Penitentiary. 2:30 p. m.; the other reports at 2 p. m. Mrs. Mrs. Samuels. and stays until 10 m. Hence Osborne and p. Vice President Henry A. Wallace much in common: The pattern of their days is about the The two women have visited on the Isthmus for 4 days. Both were born in Panama City. Both same. They supervise the preparation of are daughters of men who helped to build a hearty breakfast—tea or coffee, a hot Kaltenborn, the Panama Canal. Both are married to cereal, bread and some sort of fruit—and H. V. NBC radio commen- tator, pronounced Panama Canal defenses men who work at the Miraflores Diesel then see to it that the kitchen is cleaned up. "without parallel" and called this area "the Plant. Cleaning And Chores have had about the same number best defended in the world," at the con- Both prison- After breakfast the men or boy a whirlwind 2-day of years of education and, in addition to clusion of inspection ers go outside to work and the women the Isthmus. their more formal schooling, both learned trip on begin their cleaning and other chores. embroidery and fine needlework at the The women—prisoners convicted of Santa Familia School in Panama City. either felonies or misdemeanors are im- Axis U-boats had been scoring zero in Both speak Spanish and English with prisoned at Pedro Miguel -are responsible the Caribbean for a long time, Rear equal ease. Clifford E. Van for all janitor work, cleaning of their own Admiral Hook, Com- Both had worked previously with other of the Panama Sea and the men's cells, the twice-weekly mander Frontier, units of the Canal organization. Mrs. washing of the canvas bunks, pick-up announced. "You couldn't ask for the Osborne taught fifth grade at the Red work on the prison lawn and the light care situation to be better," he said. Tank School for a time during the early of the shrubs and grass. 1940's. Mrs. Samuels had worked for the After a substantial noon dinner which Construction of a building to house 12 Commissary Division, the Subsistence is brought, as is supper, already cooked bowling alleys was started in Balboa Section at La Boca, and the Hotel Tivoli. from the penitentiary, sewing starts. The behveen the stadium and the gymnasium. Senior In Service women prisoners make shirts for men Senior of the two, by about 3 years, convicts at the penitentiary and mend The first group of WASPs, the Canal both in age and seniority of her matron's all jail clothing. Zone's first uniformed women's civilian service, is Mrs. Osborne. Unlike Mrs. Three afternoons a week the matrons unit, signed up and started training. Samuels, Mrs. Osborne also has children. take their women charges into the jail There were 45 in the group. Her 12-year-old daughter and her two yard for outside recreation and in the sons, 8 and 7, fully occupy her non- evening supervise, before lights out at working time. nine o'clock, crochet work, embroidering, An anniversary reception at the Hotel She went to work at the Pedro Miguel sewing or other handiwork. Under the Washington honored some 800 women

jail on September 1, 1948, having been skilled tutelage of the two matrons, some members of the United Service Organization selected from a large number of applicants of the prisoners have turned out some on the completion of their first year of work for the job. Mrs. Samuels was employed unusually fine work. One of their prod- on behalf of the armedforces on the Isthmus. —

April 3,1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 1 . Junior High School Teachers OUR OUT-OF-DOORS To Be Ford Foundation Fellows The unusually long rainy season this year has upset the flowering schedule of many of our local plants. Only a few SchizoloMums flowered during their regu- lar blossoming period of January or late December, and since the trees have al- ready leafed out without flowering it is improbable that they will bloom at all this season. But there are some trees which dis- regard the weather and blossom in all of their usual blaze of beauty. The Bronze Showers, Cassia moschata, with their pendant clusters of flowers, resembling bunches of bronze-colored grapes, are in their prime just now. They prefer a dry region to grow in and are thus all the more conspicuous when they flower against a scrubby, parched back- ground. Several trees may be seen in TWO CANAL ZONE TEACHERS, Miss Leafy take the college portion of her year's work at New flower on Miraflores Hill and also on the De Sousa, left, and Miss Lois Morgan will be Ford York University which she attended for a semester. Foundation fellowship holders this year. Miss Morgan, who is teaching mathematics this hills behind Fort Clavton. Miss DeSousa, who teaches Spanish, English, year at Balboa Junior High School but who is well- history, and art at La Boca Junior United States known for her art work, hopes to take special courses High School, is especially interested in student guid- in biology and the classification of plants at one of ance. She hopes to visit some guidance clinics, to the Southern or Western Universities. She would see some of the places like Washington, historical like to combine this with botanical drawing and paint- Boston, and the United Nations center about which she teaches her history classes, and possibly to work ing so that she will be fitted to do some of this work with ceramics and graphio art. If possible she will with Isthmian flora.

SMITHFIELD HAMS from Virginia, with with a lot of other clothes for Statesic'e the distinctive hickory smoke cure, have been vacations. The women's coats, in tan or ordered for sale in the Commissaries. They brown, cost $33.50 or $63.95. The men's are being stocked on a trial basis and are overcoats are $79.50 or $83.50. expected in the stores about the first of April. Spring suits in the stores (in misses' sizes, 10 If you want to prove how hot and humidified c to 20, and junior miss sizes, 9 to 15)

suffer in •. are available in orlon acetate BRILLIANT YELLOW clusters of blossoms, a you are and how you c and tropics, Commissaries can combinations, gabardine, few green leaves, against a tropic blue sky make Heat the the worsted will in flannel, flannel, sharkskin. the Golden Shower tree one of the most beautiful of and help you. Soon there be rayon and ther- the dry season. Humidity the Housewares Sections mometer-hygrometer com- SPRING COATS and toppers for girls of all The Cassia fistula, or Golden Shower, binations that tell you the temperature, of ages are of tweed, wool boucle, wool basket course, and the degree of humidity very weaves, and wool suede. For the wee ones as they are commonly called, are just — important things to know with change of there are wool coat and bonnet sets in pretty coming into bloom. The trees are natives season in the offing. The instruments are in candy colors. of Asia and are very showy when in flower. good-looking cases that would look good Several of these trees have been planted on a desk or wall. They will cost about Aquariums and accessories will soon be in $2.50 to $4.50. the Housewares Sections. on the Prado in Balboa and many more There are stainless steel aquariums of 5 are scattered throughout the Canal Zone. CORN FLAKES now come with a sugar to 15 gallon capacity for $6.75 to The long pendant pods contain a bitter coating that helps to keep them crunchy, and For $17.75 and aquariums in marble pulp which has laxative properties. improves the taste. The new Kellogg's sugar- Finny finish of 2'A to 20 gallon capacity coated Corn Flakes will be in the stores in Friends for $2.95 to One of the commonly seen trees in $15. Accessories April. include pagoda ornaments, re- flower on dry hillsides at this season flectors, cement, aqua ferns, water is the Laurel, or Cordia alliadora.- The Summer lines of women's and girls' clothes testing kits, aquaditioner air pumps, small, fragrant white flowers are borne start coming into the stores in activated animal bone charcoal, April. a note that that is filters. in great profusion and later turn brown, Warm Make and aqua glass wool Weather one of the best times to go shop- giving the tree a dirty appearance. The Clothes ping for year-round tropical ward- TWO NEW Heinz baby foods will arrive in nodes of the young branches are nearly robes. Spring lines, which are April. One is a 4-ounce tin of orange juice, always enlarged by hollow swellings which also the source of other good "summer'' specially strained for babies, and the other is clothing buys, have arriving since custard are inhabited by small but ferocious ants been a banana pudding, ready to warm March and are still coming in. and serve. which bite fiercely.

The strong, tough, coarse, yellow-to- is breathing if EASTER down our necks but For gifts or souvenirs from the Isthmus or to you're late-starting holiday-shopper, you brown wood is rather light and soft but a wear just because they're pretty, can still buy bunnies and a lot of other is highly esteemed in Central America Pictures the Commissaries have pure silk Easter toys in the Commissaries. The stores for construction of furniture. Too square scarfs showing Panama and also plenty of Easter other have candy and Canal Zone scenes. They will cost Madre de gifts for the Cacao Showy occasion. less than $1. The pink flowers, which are borne in Nice, gooey chocolate marshmallow cookies, great profusion in axiliary racemes along A LOW CALORIE salad dressing in half- seldom seen in these tropical parts, pint jars has been added to the Commissary the branches when the trees are leafless, Oooh! soon will be on sale in the Corn- stock of dietetic foods. make the Madre de Cacao, Glirieidia Cookies missaries in packages that promise to fair fight against the sepium, one of the most showy trees of put up a weather and keep the cookies in good Several new kinds of pickles and pickled the season. The general aspect of the shape. They are Dutch Maid Chocolate onions will be in the grocery sec- tree suggests the common locust (Robi- Mallow Cookies and they will cost about Bouquet tions soon. One of them is a cents box. nia pseudocacia) , of the United States, to 32 a of Giardiniera mixed pickle in the Pickles Italian style, has,, well which it is closely allied. It is frequently which as as ENGLISH CAMEL HAIR coats, for men the usual cucumbers, a bit of most planted as hedges and often as shade for and women, in the year-in-year-out classic everything else from the garden cacao (hence its name, Madre de Cacao). style, are in the Commissaries now, together cauliflower, carrots, peppers, etc. 12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW April 3, 1953

MEDICAL DETECTIVES FOLLOW MANY CLUES Laboratory—as many as the number done, for instance, at the Central New York State Public Health Laboratory in Albany. These procedures range from an autopsy, at least a 3 man-day oper- ation, to a simple urinalysis which takes only about 15 minutes. A partial explanation of the volume of work lies in the fact that the Board of Health Laboratory plays a triple—or quadruple—role, serving as the labora- tory center for Gorgas and armed forces hospitals on the Isthmus, the Canal Zone police and armed forces civil intelligence, and public health work on the Isthmus. Its important functions in the field of public health fulfill one of the pur- poses for which the Board of Health Laboratory was established They include the recognition by precise laboratory examinations of the presence, prevalence, and location of tropical and epidemic diseases which might threaten the Canal Zone.

Colonel Elton is a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine and Public Health as well as the American Board of Pathology. Established in 1904

A STUDY in balance and proportion is the front entrance to the The laboratory was established in May Board of Health Laboratory building in Ancon. 1904 by Gen. William C. Gorgas as the first public health unit in the Canal Zone. {Continued from page 9) girl's doctor that to acquaint armed forces groups with the The old French Hopital Central, which his patient has diphtheria. snake population of the area. became the "Canal Hospital" after United Then still another phase of the "detec- 300,000;Procedures A Year States occupation, then "Ancon," and tive work" of the laboratory begins— About 300,000 procedures are per- now "Gorgas Hospital," was already in the girl's contacts and the checking known formed annually by Board of Health existence. keeping an eye on them. Public health work now accounts for The cultures at the laboratory run into Overhaul about one-third of the procedures at the the thousands. Lock To Be Board of Health Laboratory. These Special prize is a culture of histoplasma include the regular checks on milk and capsulatum which causes histoplasmosis, Finished By Mid-May dairy products, water supply, examina- an illness which doctors describe as fatal tions of food handlers, etc. if it strikes with sufficient severity to Both sides of all sets of Canal locks will The development of the hospital produce recognizable symptoms in the be back in full operation by mid-May laboratory as it is generally known today victim. unless something unexpected occurs to probably was not envisioned by the The disease was originally discovered upset the lock overhaul schedule. Laboratory's founder. It was not until by Dr. Samuel T. Darling at the Board of Roy Stockham, Superintendent of the 1917 that the American College of Sur- Health Laboratory in 1905 but the Locks Division, said late last month that geons, organized 4 years earlier, drew up a organism itself was isolated there for the the $1,700,000 lock overhaul was pro- Minimum Standard for Hospitals which first time during the past year from a case ceeding on schedule and that all actual provided for chemical, bacteriological, discovered by Dr. James J. Humes at overhaul work should be finished by May serological, and pathological services Coco Solo Naval Hospital. 15. An additional 6 weeks will be neces- under "competent medical supervision." Laboratory Has "Zoo" sary for cleanup and the transfer and The American Society of Clinical equipment. Pathologists (of which Colonel Elton and Some organisms the laboratory cultures storage of Locks overhaul forces are at work this Dr. Shrager are members) was not are fussy about their accommodations, month at Miraflores locks where the over- organized until 1922. which accounts in part for the considerable haul will include work on all 36 rising- About 50 percent of the work of the "zoo" at the Board of Health Laboratory. stem valves, the 6 guard valves and the Laboratory is now done for Gorgas The tubercle baccillus, grown in special 40 cylindrical valves. All under-water Hospital. media, is tested in rabbits or guinea pigs parts will be cleaned and repainted and Tropical Studies to determine the virulence of the disease sills and seals on the miter gates will be Although General Gorgas envisaged the and differentiate between the types of repaired. All cathodic protection anodes, laboratory as primarily a public health tuberculosis. the devices which guard against corro- institution, he expressed the hope in 1905 Tuberculosis, Colonel Elton says, is sion, are to be replaced. that it would expand into a more general the primary health problem on the Unlike Pedro Miguel locks where four field of tropical investigation, engaging Isthmus. east chamber gates and two from the in work that would be of general interest are also used for tests of eye Rabbits west chamber were taken off and rehung, to the medical profession at large. treatments numerous experimental and no gates at Miraflores will be removed Developments along this line in recent at the Board of Health procedures. Those from their pintles. years have included the studies made by their Laboratory, incidentally, live up to This year's overhaul work began with Colonel Elton on sylvan yellow fever and in the field of mathematics. reputation the Pedro Miguel east chamber, moved those of Dr. Carl Johnson, Dr. William Easter doesn't come often enough to to the west chamber, and is now going on F. Enos, and others on Chagas disease. take care of the multiplication problem. in the Miraflores west chambers. Over- Colonel Elton has considered medical Periodic dispersal of the bunny popula- haul in the east chambers at Miraflores investigation and research one of the more tion goes on all year round, aided by will be started about April 13, Mr. important functions of the laboratory rumors planted among neighborhood Stockham said. and has encouraged work in this field. children that rabbits are "for sale, free" Several months before the overhaul The "Board of Health" from which at the laboratory. started there was some apprehension that the laboratory takes its name now exists Frogs are used for pregnancy tests. the necessary steel, ordered long before, in name only. Its last recorded execu- Rats detect poisons in food, serve as a might be delayed by the summer's steel tive session was held in 1924. But the culture medium for fungi, and as food for strikes. It all arrived in sufficient time, Board of Health Laboratory is one of the two boa constrictors. Colonel Elton uses Mr. Stockham said, and Industrial Bu- oldest names in the Directory of the the snakes for demonstrations which are reau forces cooperated with a fast job of American Medical Association, having part of the lectures he gives frequently machining it. been listed there continuously since 1904. April 3, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13

Doctors Coming, Doctors Going, Going On Vacation? Aulo Club Is Ready (Continued from page 2) major problem At Canal Zone' s Health Bureau when it was formed 37 years ago. The Canal Zone speed limit was 8 miles an hour. Drivers thought 10 miles in town and 25 miles on the open road more suitable and, according to old files, the Automobile Club was organized and im- mediately affiliated with the American Automobile Association "to obtain its cooperation in an effort to secure an amendment to the speed limit on the Canal Zone." Among those present at the first meeting was the Club's present President, Leopoldo Arosemena. The original membership was about 143; today 1,432 Isthmians, about 92 percent of whom live in the Canal Zone, belong to the Automobile Club. The Club's first president was Dr. W. B. Pierce, Superintendent of Santo Tomas Hospital. Later presidents included Wilson H. Kromer, formerly Comptroller for The

TWO DOCTORS are shifting jobs this month. of the U. S. Army hospital at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Panama Canal; Theodore A. Drake, one- Col. Clifford G. Blitch, left, who has been Superin- Col. Howard W. Doan, Commander at Atterbury time Chief Examiner for the Accounting of Gorgas Hospital since June 1949, is leaving Hospital, is due here about April 9 to become Super- tendent Department; and W. P. Quinn, who re- the Canal Zone about April 20 to take over command intendent of Gorgas Hospital. tired recently. three children, two daughters, 7 and 3, President Since 1929 and a son, 5. Mr. Arosemena, who has occupied Colonel Doan's right>hand man, as many high positions in the Panama Assistant to the Superintendent, will be Government service, has managed to find Dr. Lawrence M. Drennan, Jr., who was time to be the Automobile Club's president born in Gorgas (then Ancon) Hospital and since 1929. spent his first 6 years here. His father Although the Club was organized in was chief of the hospital's obstetrical 1916, its constitution and bylaws were not service until 1918. adopted until 1928. The bylaws set the For the past 26 months he has been Secretary's residence as the Club's office. with the United Fruit Company's Tropi- Consequently Mr. Barnes' quarters, at cal Division hospitals and left the Super- the corner of Bohio Place and Mindi intendency of the Medical Department of Street in Ancon, practically bulge at the the Chiriqui Land Company at Puerto joints with Automobile Club files, maps, Armuelles to join the Canal organization. correspondence, and material. He succeeds Dr. Arthur Springall who Dues are nominal. The initiation fee is resigned in March. $5; after that membership is $3 a year. Two Newcomers Here Members' wives and children over 18 can Two newcomers to the Health Bureau become associate members for $1.50 a have already arrived on the Isthmus. Col. year. The only salaried employees are Francis W. Council, who succeeds Col. BORN in Gorgas Hospital and a former intern Mr. Barnes and the El Valle caretaker, there, Dr. Lawrence M. Drennan, Jr., has returned Norman W. Elton as Chief of the Board who are paid $50 each monthly. For each to the hospital as Assistant to the Superintendent. of Health Laboratory, and Col. Henry S. member the local club pays two-and-a- He is well-known on both sides of the Canal Zone; Murphey, who replaces Col. Francis Reg- he interned at Gorgas in 1934 and 1935 and was on half cents a year to AAA; this is a special nier as Chief of the Eye, Ear, Nose, and the Eye, Ear Nose, and Throat staff at Colon Hos- concession over the customary U. S. 25- Throat Service, arrived about mid-March. pital for 9 months in 1941. cents a member and applies when a Colonel Council's last post was at the member is outside the continental United Second Army Area Medical Laboratory A turnover of some of the top medical States. at Fort George G. Meade, Md. Colonel men in the Canal's Health Bureau began The local club's affiliations give it hemi- Murphey came to the Isthmus from Brooke last month and will continue through sphere-wide connection. In addition to General Hospital in San Antonio, Tex. June. its AAA affiliation the Panama Club is a Colonel Elton leaves about mid-April One of the major changes is the transfer member of FIAAC, the comparatively for his new assignment at the Army of superintendency of Gorgas Hospital new Federation of Inter-American Auto- Chemical Center at Edgewood, Md. and the shift of jobs between Col. Clifford mobile Clubs with headquarters in Colonel Regnier left in January. G. Blitch and Col. Howard W. Doan. Buenos Aires. Another new arrival is Dr. Henry W. Colonel Doan arrives about April 9 from So far the local club has not been called Harper III, a veterinarian who arrived the U. S. Army Hospital at Camp on to assist in planning a trip from the March 16 and who has been assigned to Atterbury, Ind.; Colonel Blitch leaves Arctic Circle to the Argentine but Mr. duty at the Corozal quarantine kennels. about April 20 to take over command of Barnes expects that some day such a He succeeds Dr. Robert Gale who resigned the Atterbury Hospital. He has been request will be made. He thinks the Club several months ago. Superintendent of Gorgas Hospital since will be ready to help. Departures scheduled for the next two June 1949. months include those of Col. E. C. Lowry, Largest Load Of Oil Colonel Doan, a native of Illinois, took Chief of the Gorgas Surgical Service since Transits Panama Canal his undergraduate work at Drake Uni- July 17, 1950, and Col. L. S. Leland, versity and received his medical degree Dermatologist here since August 29, What is believed to be the largest from the University of Iowa. He also 1949. shipment of oil to transit the Canal last holds a degree in Public Health and Also leaving soon are Dr. Joel Shrager, was southbound month. The tons of crude oil, Hospital Administration from the Uni- shipment, 25,154 Clinical Pathologist at the Board of was aboard the Texas Company tanker versity of California. Health Laboratory and Capt. Charles H. "Kentucky." The tanker was enroute His present assignment to the Canal Lashley of the Gorgas Hospital surgical from Sidon, Lebanon, to Los Angeles. The previous high recent shipment Zone is his first. He has been in the Medi- staff. Dr. Shrager ends his Canal service was one on November 9, 1951, when the cal Corps since 1933. During World War April 16; he will return to the United tanker "Dalfonn" carried 22,302 tons II he served overseas as Executive Officer States, probably as chief of clinical labo- of oil from San Pedro to Bergen. The to the Chief Surgeon, European Theater. ratories in a Veterans Administration "Dalfonn," operating under charter to the Norwegian government, is larger He has been in charge of the Army Hos- Hospital. Captain Lashley has been than the "Kentucky." The former is pital at Camp Atterbury since it was assigned to Camp Carson, Col., and is 624 feet overall, the latter measures activated in 1950. He is married and has leaving about April 30. 597 feet overall. 71

14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW April 3,1953

APRIL SAILINGS THIS MONTH'S CALENDAR ANNIVERSARIES From Cristoba APRIL Employees who observed important anni- 3 —American Legion Post No. 6, Gamboa Legion Pa >ia ma April 3 Home. 7:30 p. m. versaries during the month of March are Cristoba! \pril 10 4—Track Foreman No. 2741, Balboa B & B Shops. listed alphabetically below. The number 5—Easter Sunday. A neon April 1 of years 'includes all Government service. Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. Continuous service with the Canal is Margarita Elks Club. 7 p. m. Panama April 24 VFW Post No. 3857, Cristobal Veterans Club. indicated with (*). 9 a. m. From New York 35 YEARS —American Legion Post No. 3, Gatun Legion 6 Medical Techni- Hall. 7:30 p. m. Ancon ---- April 7 Francis W. Feeney, Postal Employees No. 23160, Balboa Lodge Laboratory. April 14 cian, Board of Health Hall, 7:30 Panama p. m. 30 YEARS Pedro Miguel Civic Council, Girl Scout House, Cristobal April 2 7 p.m. William Diez, Lockmaster, Pedro M iguel. Cristobal-Margarita Civic Council, Marga- Ancotl- — April 28 Francis Y. Edwards, Helper, Locks rita Clubhouse, 7:30 p. m. Overhaul. VFW Post No. 727, Fort Clayton, 7:30 p. m. (Northbound, the ships are in Haiti from VFW Post No. 3822, Curundu Road, 7:30 p. m. Henry E. Falk, Pilot, Balboa. 7 a. m. to noon Sunday; southbound, the 7 —Gamboa Civic Council, Community Center. Charles S. Hollander, Administrative 7:30 p. m. Haiti stop is Saturday, from 7 a. m. to Clubhouse, 7:30 Assistant, Maintenance Division. Gatun Civic Council, Gatun 4 p. m.) p. m. Joseph T. Oliver, Marine Dispatcher, Machinists No. 811, Balboa Lodge Hall. 7:30 Balboa. p. m. 15—AFGE No. 14, Balboa Clubhouse. 7:30 p. to. In- School. 3:30 Charles C. Shumate, Machinist, Teachers No. 228, Cristobal High American Legion Auxiliary 3, Gatun Legion p. m. Hall. 7:30 p. m. dustrial Bureau. Hall. 7:30 8—Carpenters No. 913, Balboa Lodge 16—American Legion Auxiliary 6, Gamboa Legion 25 YEARS p. m. Home. 7:30 p. m. Build- John J. Kennedy, Foreman, Mainte- Pacific Civic Council, Administration 19 CIA', Balboa Lodge Hall, 8:30 a. m. ing, 7:30 p. m. 20—Electrical Workers No. 677, Gatun Masonic nance Division. Cristobal American Legion Post No. 2, Legion Temple, 7:30 p. m. *CharIes L. Latham, Jr., Manager, Home, 7:30 p. m. Truckdrivers. Balboa Lodge Hall. 7:30 p. m. Tivoli Commissary. 10—Blacksmiths No. 400, with Boilermakers 21 —Operating Engineers No. 595, Margarita William Reid, Pilot, Balboa. No. 463 and 471, Margarita K. of C. Hall, K. of C. Hall, 7:30 p. m. W. 7:30 p. m. Machinists No. 811, Balboa Lodge Hall, 7:30 20 YEARS 12—Sheetmetal Workers No. 157, Balboa Club- p. m. Brown, Scale Inspector, house. 9:30 a. m. 22 —Governor-Employee Conference, Adminis- Walter Guy Plumbers No. 606, Balboa Lodge Hall, 9:30 tration Building. 2:30 p. m. Industrial Bureau. American Legion Auxiliary 2, Cristoba! Legion Noel E. Gibson, Teacher, Cristobal 13—Machinists No. 699, Margarita K. of C. Hall. Home. 7:30 p. m. High School. 7:30 p. m. 27— Machinists No. 699, Margarita K. of C. Hall. American Legion Post No. 1, Balboa Legion 7:30 p. m. Warren D. Marquard, Manager, La Hall. 7:30 p. m. VFW Auxiliary, Post No. 3822 Home, 7:30 Boca Commissary. — p. m. 14 American Legion Auxiliary 1, Balboa Legion Earl C. Orr, Chemist, Industrial Labor- Home. 7:30 p. m. 28—Operating Engineers No. 595, Balboa Lodge Pipefitters, Margarita Clubhouse. 7:30 p. m. Hall. 7:30 p. m. atory. Electrical Workers No. 397, VVirz Memorial, 28—Operating Engineers No. 595, Balboa Lodge Alvin A. Rankin, Machinist Leading- Hall, 7:30 m. 7:30 p. m. p. man, Industrial Bureau. VFW Post No. 100, Old Boy Scout Building. VFW No. 100, O'd Boy Scout Building. Cristobal. Clerk, Cristobal. 7:30 p. m. 7:30 p. m. Robert L. Shirer, Accounting Clayton. American Legion Post No. 7, Fort Clayton. American Legion Post No. 7, Fort Dredging Division. 7:30 p. m. 7:30 p. m. 15 YEARS 'Richard T. Baltozer, Lock Operator, Pedro Miguel. Ramona E. Barnes, Clerk-Stenographer PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS Storehouses. Joseph W. Coffin, Jr., Fireman, Gatun. William M. Hamma, Diesel Engineer, February 15 Through March 15 Electrical Division. Russell T. Harris, Electrical Machinist, Electrical Division. The following list contains the names of Charles F. Bertoncini, from Carto- Daniel P. Kiley, Lock Operator, Mira- those U. S.-rate employees who were trans- graphic Compilation Aid to Surveying and flores. ferred from one division to another (unless Cartographic Aid, Dredging Division. Henry T. McKenzie, Plant Engineer, the change is administrative) or from one Winters A. Hope, from Surveying and Commissary Division. type of work to another. It does not con- Cartographic Aid to Hydrographic Engin- Floyd F. Rogers, Lock Operator, Pedro lain within-grade promotions, or regradings. eer, Dredging Division. Miguel. Lee Kariger, Administrative Assistant, C. Sergeant, Pilot, Balboa. CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU Richard from Atlantic Locks to Office of Chief, Henry C. Simpson, Chief Towboat Fisk, from Machinist, Locks Stuart M. Locks Division. Engineer, Dredging Division. Policeman. Division Overhaul, to Wilbert L. Ney, from Clerk to Admin- Arthur W. Smith, Clerk, Gorgas Hos- Mrs. Ethel P. McDermitt, from Sub- istrative Assistant, Atlantic Locks. pital. stitute Teacher to Teacher. Glenn M. Cramer, from Towboat COMMUNITY SERVICES BUREAU Master, Ferry Service, to First Mate, William R. Graham, from Policeman, Taboga. RETIREMENTS IN MARCH to Supply Clerk, Housing Division. Francis Y. Edwards, from Special Heavy Truck Driver, Motor Transporta- OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER Employees who retired at the end of tion Division, to Helper, Locks Overhaul. length of Florence M. Peterson, from Clerk- March, their birthplaces, titles, George W. Smith, from Property and retirement, and their future Typist, Treasury Branch, to Accounting service at Supply Clerk, Pacific Locks, to Clerk, addresses are: Clerk, Payroll Branch. Atlantic Locks. Dr. Francis L. Alexaitis, Pennsylvania; William H. DeVore, from Teller, Treas- John E. Sholund, Jr., from Machinist, Quarantine Officer, Cristobal; 31 years, 6 ury Branch, to Accountant, General Ac- Industrial Bureau, to Lock Operator months, and 1 day; Tampa, Fla. counts Branch. Machinist, Atlantic Locks. T. Jordan, Alabama; Machin- Stephen A. Bissell, from Teller, Treas- Thomas John L. Harris, William S. Hall, ist, Industrial Bureau; 13 years, 3 months, ury Branch, to Accounting Clerk, Agents James A. Russell, from Machinist, In- Ala. Account Branch. and 29 days; Mobile, dustrial Bureau, to Lock Operator Machin- Charles Lester, New York; Chief, U. S.- ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION ist, Pacific Locks. Rate Records Branch; 35 years, 8 months, BUREAU Walter D. Johnston, from Boatbuilder, and 4 days; Florida, probably. Manuel Quintero R. from Civil En- Industrial Bureau, to Lock Operator Car- Lewis B. Moore, Illinois; Supply and ; gineer, Engineering Division, to Construc- penter, Atlantic Locks. Service Director; 32 years, 6 months, and tion Inspector, Contract and Inspection Gust E. Rosene, George E. Mitchell, 3 days; address uncertain. Division. Benjamin F. Slaughter, from Machinist, SUPPLY AND SERVICE BUREAU HEALTH BUREAU lnilii-lrial Bureau, to Lock Operator Ma- chinist, Atlantic Locks. Louis A. Mallia, from General Store- Dr. Samuel D. Aycock, from Medical Edward G. Anderson, from Wireman, keeper to Ganger, Division of Storehouses. Officer to District Physician, Cristobal. Industrial Bureau, to Lock Operator Wire- Mrs. Virginia E. Williams, Mrs. Gardner Hayes, from Sanitation Inspec- man, Atlantic Locks. Frances M. Griggel, Mrs. Esther F. tor Supervisor to Supervisors Sanitation Loring C. Cooper, from Foreman to Currier, from Commissary Assistant to Inspector. Mate, Pipeline Suction Dredge. Teller. BUREAU Mrs. Hilda E. Wickens, Mrs. Virginia INDUSTRIAL Mirt Bender, from Boilermaker to Fore- Sigfrid, Mrs. Carmen Casey, Mrs. Herbert O. Engelke, from Painter to man, Pipeline Suction Dredge. E. Accounting Special. M. Frances Barr, from Cash Painter Leadingman Robert J. Diaz, from Helper to I ock Teller, Commissars' Division. Overhaul Foreman, Locks Overhaul. Clerk to MARINE BUREAU Mrs. Mattison G. MacAulay, from George W. Mullins, Jr., from Lock Benigno Seise, from Lineman to Float- Accounting Clerk to Teller, Commissary Overhaul Foreman to Locomotive Steam Equipment Oiler, Dredging Division. Division. ing Crane Engineer. William G. Monroe, from Guard to Mrs. Rose G. Jones, from Checker to Guard Supervisor, Pacific Locks. RAILROAD AND TERMINALS BUREAU Commissary Assistant. Lloyd G. Moore, from Machinist, In- Joseph A. Corrigan, Jr., from Store- Mrs. Gertrude J. Connard, from dustrial Bureau, to Lock Operator Machin- keeper (Checker) to Traffic Clerk, Termi- Cash Accounting Clerk to Commissary ist, Atlantic Locks. nals Division. Assistant. April 3, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

Industrial Bureau Continues Essential Service Canal has attempted to induce commer- New Margarita Quarters cial shipping interests to utilize Industrial To Be Assigned April 24 Bureau facilities more extensively. How- {Continued from page 1) 09 required by commercial shipping. Although the ever, such attempts have been generally The second group of new masonry owners, for eco- quarters to be completed in Margarita amount of such work was at a compara- unsuccessful since ship by contract will be available for occu- until after close nomical reasons, avoid long layover tively high level well the pancy about May 1. The houses are periods for their ships outside of home of the first World War the volume has located along the north side of Espave fluctuated widely since the shops were ports except in cases of emergency. Avenue and on the short streets run- ning north from Espave. opened. Furthermore, conditions under which the Included in the group are nine two- ship repair facilities here must be operated During the early I920's and again bedroom apartments, four of which during the world-wide depression of the preclude work being done at competitive are in two duplex houses, and six prices shipyards in the States. I930's the work of the Industrial Bureau with three-bedroom single houses. Two of the three-bedroom houses will be avail- dropped to such a low ebb that extensive A similar condition has generally pre- able for assignment to large families reductions and long furloughs became vailed in Navy repair work, since most of only. necessary. The World War II period was the Navy ships touching Canal ports are Continuing the policy begun last one of plenty and for several years the on scheduled missions and the cost of September, the apartments will be assigned as of 4:15 p. m. April 24, prior shops were busy on a 24-hour operation sending others here for repairs would be to their completion. Notices to that while the large fleet of tankers operating at a prohibitive figure. effect and with full details as to house in the Pacific was based in Balboa. "Voyage Repair" and type numbers and descriptions have been posted on public bulletin War's Drop At End Approximately 35 percent of the total boards. This type of work abruptly ceased at work load in the Industrial Bureau is the close of the war and the force was "voyage repair" or unscheduled work, as Conferees Discuss Housing, Hospitals drastically reduced and the shops returned compared with only about 5 percent in

to an 8-hour day operation. Economic Navy shipyards in the States. This (Continued from page 3) Railway Conductors; conditions after the close of the war condition prohibits long-range work sched- Walter Wagner, Henry Chenevert, W. E. coupled with a general curtailment of ules on major repair or overhaul jobs Percy, Carl Maedl, Ralph Curies, and Canal and other Government activities which is required for a large force. This E. J. Husted, Central Labor Union; in the Canal Zone finally resulted, 3 years condition, coupled with the high costs of S. J. Garriel, Plumbers; Rufus Lovelady, ago, in the closing of the Balboa Shops. recruitment and repatriation of skilled AFGE; Henry Simpson, Marine Engin- The present force reduction is the first labor, practically bars the employment of eers; and from the Civic Councils, one of major proportions to be required a force sufficient to meet peak work loads Sherman Brooks, M. J. Goodin, and since that of 1950 although the work from without serious loss during slack business Carl Nix. outside sources has fluctuated widely. periods. The recent drop in the work load of the As a result of all these factors, the Industrial Bureau has been brought about Canal administration has decided to adopt Ex-Employee Adds Her Bit principally by a completion of most of the a policy of keeping with the old adage of work on Army and Navy craft planned cutting the cloth to fit the pattern rather To Story Of Magic Island for this fiscal year with no backlog of than buying a pattern in hopes that the Amplification of a recent "Panama Canal or commercial work to take up the available cloth will be sufficient. Canal Review" article on Haiti was slack for the next few months. The Force To Be Balanced provided last month by a former Per- amount of work required on Canal equip- sonnel Bureau employee who added her The present reduction will leave a bal- ment has gradually been reduced during personal touch to the reference to anced force in which all types of work can Marine Faustin Wirkus. recent years by the retirement of much be done. However, it will be sufficient The former employee is Mrs. Leonard Dredging Division equipment from ser- only to meet the work load which can be Wirkus, of Miami, formerly Miss Rose- vice and a general reduction of work in mary Hubbell. Her husband is the reasonably expected with some leeway to the other Canal units. youngest brother of the Marine who take occasional major ship repair jobs on was known as "The White King of La Like the closing of the Balboa Shops 3 which the time factor is not imperative. Gonave," a small island near Port-au- years ago, the present force reduction is The force reduction this month will Prince. Their baby daughter, born dictated by hard economic facts and last May, has been named Kathryn affect about 55 U. S.-rate and 75 local- factors over which the Canal administra- Faustine for her uncle. rate employees. A few of the U. S.-rate Mr. Wirkus was stationed at Albrook tion has no control. men are being transferred to other Canal Field from 1939 to 1941, although he did Repair Work Varies units but the majority have made plans not meet his wife until 1946 when she returned to the United States after It has been demonstrated over the to return to the States. 2 years as an employee of the Research years that the amount of commercial ship The decision to accept a force reduction and Service unit of the Personnel repair work fluctuates too widely to rather than the furlough system, exten- Bureau. permit a high-level force. In addition, sively used in the past during slack work Mrs. Wirkus enclosed a short clip- ping from the Miami Herald, which the amount of repair work for U. S. Navy periods, was made by the men in the summarized her late brother-in-law's ships done in the local shops is insufficient, shops. When notified by the management career. As a member of the Marine except in emergency periods, to warrant that the impending drop in business Corps, he was stationed on La Gonave a force more than enough to meet a would require reductions or furloughs the for 4 years. "The natives were so pleased with recognized minimum work load. personnel voted by a large majority in his general administration (even if they On several occasions in the past the favor of force reductions. did despise the occasional baths to which he subjected them) that at the end of 18 months they crowned the northbound sailings between 22 and New Reservation System Adopted May 29-year-old Marine King Faustin II

June 19, preference will be given as much . . . natives came to him for legal, as possible (taking into those financial, moral, and domestic advice. {Continued from page 1) cabin which has account Jungle matrons even came for advice accommodations for four. Ex- leaving because of force reductions) to maximum in the care and rearing of infants. teachers, employees, and families cept in emergencies when there is need for with That didn't stump the leatherneck. all possible space, families are not "split children of school age. The northbound He sent for some books on the subject," according to the Herald article. up" as they were frequently some SS Panama on June 5 will be the "Teach- Faustin Wirkus left the Marine Corps ers' Special," with priority on that ship years ago. in 1931, but returned to active duty in going to school teachers. 1939. He died in 1945 while stationed Priorities Among Employees Except for one sailing southbound in at Chapel Hill, N. C. The Governor also pointed out that June when many of the passengers will be there is a system of priorities within the Canal Zone boys and girls returning from school children. organization. Employees who have been school or college in the United States, the Requests for reservations may be made given reduction in force, employees re- southbound passenger traffic will not be as early as 90 days before the contem- tiring for disability, and employees trav- heavy until late summer. plated sailing date as has been the practice eling on official business are given prefer- The SS Cristobal, out of New York on in the past. Return reservations may be ence over those traveling on vacations. August 25, will be the southbound requested after- northbound passage is retired for retired Employees age or those "Teachers' Special," and on the other received by the employee. This is done r at their ow n option do not have priority. southbound ships between August 11 and by filling out a blank space on the leave

The annual schedule of vacation ships September 8, preference will be given to and/or transportation form and forward- has already been announced. On the teachers, employees and families with ing it to the Panama Line in New York. 16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW April 3,1953 Zone Women Look To Mrs. Miller four as commissary assistant before tak- ing over her present job. Mrs. Miller plans to leave in May to For Latest In Feminine Frills go back to Sioux Falls where she looks If clothes make the woman—aDd only forward to a reunion with two sisters and ^1 N = a man would be so foolhardy as to deny their families. She isn't sure that she will stay winters give her it—feminine fates in the Canal Zone can there. The be credited largely to Mrs. Anna M. pause even though her co-workers have Miller, who retires this month after 33 promised to send her many outdated wi years in the Commissary Division. clothing trade journals to warm her with For the last 8 years local women, thoughts of the tropics when the South ^ii girls, and babies have been wearing the Dakota winds howl. hose, dresses, hats, and slips she had a hand in buying. Heart Association Founder As Supply Assistant to the Manager Is Visitor To Canal Zone of the Wholesale Drygoods Section of the Commissary Division at Mount Hope A former president of the American Mrs. Miller makes the original recom- Heart Association, the father of the mendations concerning purchases of all Panama Line's freight manager in New lines of women's, girls', and infants' wear York, was a visitor to the Canal Zone bought by the Commissary Division. last month. He is Dr. Robert H. Halsey That means she must follow—or better of New York. His son, Robert Halsey, still, predict— the fickle ways of Dame Jr., has been with the Panama Line for Fashion, a source of alternate delight and several years and was made its freight despair to feminine fancies and finances manager in January. people like Mrs. Miller in fashion and DRESSES for little girls are only a small part of Dr. Halsey is a graduate of Columbia merchandizing. To keep up with devel- Mrs. Anna Miller's business. She has been with the University and of the College of Physi- Commissary Division for opments in the fashion field she follows 33 years. cians and Surgeons. During World War large about 14 trade journals and a I he served as a colonel in the Army's visits to the retail stores. She also has assortment of advertising from various Medical Corps. A professor of medicine, 25 years of first-hand experience of her sources. he is the author of many articles pertain- Revolutions Of Style own in the Cristobal Commissary. ing to the heart. In addition to being a In the period in which she has served South Dakota To Panama founding member and past president of as fashion "soothsayer" for the Commis- She started to work there as a sales- the American Heart Association he also sary Division, the now dated "new look" lady in February 1920, only about a was a founding member of the New York caused a style revolution and consequent year after coming to the Canal Zone from Heart Association. flattening of purses. Hemlines fell and her home in South Dakota. She had then they rose and petticoats came back. worked in department stores in her home of the numbers are planned for choir New miracle fabrics appeared on the town and in Des Moines, before her em- singing, although in one set of numbers scene and cinch belts came from Paris. ployment in the Commissary. She was the girls sing alone and another set is And who knows what fashion may be head saleslady for 10 of the years at the planned for the boys' voices alone. dreaming up to be merchandised to- Cristobal Commissary and spent another Miss Butcher has planned the Spring morrow? Sing without orchestral accompaniment. Miss and Mrs. Canal Zone are Mrs. The only instrumental music will be that Miller's main problems. Babies gener- FIRST SPRING SING of two pianos. Pianists will be the regular ally put up with whatever is put on accompanists for the Glee Clubs: Miss them, wearing pink, blue, and white year TO BE HELD APRIL 12 Mola Alphonse, who usually plays for the in and year out even though fashion Junior High School; Miss Mabel McFar- decrees beige for spring. This might help A new musical event is scheduled for quhar, who accompanied the Senior High account for Mrs. Miller's special fondness the Canal Zone this month with the pres- singers; and Miss Wilma Butcher and for pretty little things for babies and entation on April 12 of the La Boca Edward Lambert, who accompany the children although she shares the general "Spring Sing." Junior College and Alumni Glee Clubs. feminine weakness for good looking Two hundred boys and girls, between clothes of all kinds. the ages of 12 and 26 and all students or RETIRES Dame Fashion is only one of the femi- alumni of La Boca schools, will take part nine influences in Mrs. Miller's work. in the program which will be given at The approximately 12,000 women in the 5 p. m. on the grounds of the La Boca Canal Zone for whom Commissary schools. clothes are purchased show by what they The Spring Sing has been planned and buy or don't buy their definite tastes in is being directed by Miss Emily Butcher, the matter—tastes which may or may Music Supervisor in the Colored Schools. not coincide with every whim of fashion. The recently organized Pacific Evergreen To keep up with her customers, Mrs. Garden Club is working with Miss Miller keeps company every day and Butcher on floral decorations for the fes- through many fine tropical evenings with tival. Art work for the Sing is a school 17 big black stock control books in her project under the direction of Miss Sadie office-warehouse-shipping center head- Springer, Art Supervisor. quarters in the warehouse at Mount Hope. From the processional, Rubenstein's These list the dresses, suits, coats, hats, "Welcome Sweet Springtime," to the and other items which change from closing number, "The Blue Danube season to season. Her records of "regu- Waltz," the theme of the music festival, lar stocks," like inexpensive nightgowns, Miss Butcher said, is keyed to Spring: for instance, which change comparatively Song, happiness, soft colors, gaiety. little, are less demanding by comparison. Taking part in the Spring Sing will be The stock books show which dresses four La Boca glee clubs; one from the were sent to each Canal Commissary, how Junior High School, one from the High many were sold, and, consequently, how School, one from the Junior College, and LEWIS B. MOORE, Supply and Service Director many more should be ordered. another made up of alumni of the Junior since October 1950, retired from active service the end of March. He was the first graduate of a Canal Other information concerning the state College. Zone high school to become a Bureau director in of stocks and customers' reactions to The girl singers, wearing pastel colored the Canal organization. specific items come from Mrs. Miller's frocks, and the boys in white suits, will Born in Chicago he came to the Isthmus as a small daily telephone conversations with people make a formal entrance. Some will form boy. His father, the late Krank E. Moore, was for many years an employee in the Finance Bureau. in the stores, meetings she holds regu- a procession under arches of spring His grandfather. Henry Schuber, came to the Isth- larly with groups who meet the customers flowers. mus during Gold Rush days and was a prominent first hand and from her own periodic They will be seated by choirs and most businessman in Panama.