tX-t^til-Co*) Canal Museum Gift ofthe Panama THE

Vol. 4, No. 11 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, JUNE 4, 1954 5 cents

CONTRACTORS HILL JOB SCHEDULED TO START NEXT MONTH; PROJECT LARGELY MACHINE WORK

ON CONTRACTORS HILL Comparatively Small Number Of Workmen

Will Be Required

Actual work of blasting and removing some 2,000,000 cubic yards of rock from Contractors Hill will be started next month, under the plan of operation sub- mitted by the Tecon Corpora- tion, of Dallas, Tex. The company, one of the large engi- neering and construction firms in the southwest United States, was awarded a negotiated contract for $3,391,000 late in May to do the work. Six other large companies entered proposals for the job on a unit basis plus an added sum for the mobilization of men, equipment, and material. Because the work will be done on a unit basis -so much for each cubic yard of material removed—the final cost of the project is subject to revision as the work progresses. This will depend on the amount of material which must be re- moved for a stable slope of the Canal CONSULTANTS AND Canal officials watch Thomas F. Thompson, geologist, center, during a visit embankment in that area. to the crack on Contractor's Hill. Left to right are : Lt. Gov. H. 0. Paxson, back to camera; Dr. C. W. The bids were based on the blasting Livingston, mining engineer of Kdgemont, S. D.; E. C. Little, a civilian employee of the Corps of En- and removal of 2,000,000 cubic yards of gineers at Fort Belvoir, Va.; Francis B. Slichter, Chief of the Engineering Division of the Civil Works Division, Corps of Engineers; Edward Burwell, Chief Geologist of the Corps of Engineers, and Richard hard rock and 350,000 cubic yards of Stewart, a geologist who is on loan to the Engineering and Construction Bureau from the Meteorology soft rock of the Cucaracha formation. Branch. With his face hidden by Dr. Livingston is Lt. Ccl. Edward B. Jennings. Project Is Machine Job The project will be primarily a machine operation and a comparatively small number of employees will be required Conversion To 60-Cycle Current Moves because of the nature of the work and the limited area of operation. A minimum number will be brought from the U. S. Soon Into Planning And Action Phase Required chiefly for the project will be such highly skilled technical workers as

drill- operators, heavy equipment Conversion of the Canal Zone power procedures have been tentatively deter- rig op- expert blasters. system to 60-cycle current will move from mined, much detailed engineering and erators, and required for the planning into the planning-and-action planning remains to be done. This will The number of employees the and types of phase during the coming fiscal year. continue to a certain degree until the the job and amount are subject to Although general use of 60-cycle elec- conversion has been completed. equipment to be used, changes as the work progresses, but the ical equipment in the Zone is still three Equipment Survey Started Corporation is not planning to or four years in the offing, some of the Tecon extensive amount of equipment. major steps in the conversion project will The survey of all electrical appliances bring an be taken during the coming 12 months. and equipment for both domestic and in- The company plans to use 12 large for hauling, each with a capacity These include the award of contracts for dustrial use affected by the change is a trucks four cubic more than $2,000,000 worth of equipment; major phase of the detailed engineering of 12 cubic yards and 2\ yard the spoil material. expenditure of approximately $400,000 on planning required. This survey has al- shovels for moving includes drill construction of a new substation at ready been started on the Atlantic side Other equipment to be used and light trucks. Mount Hope and replacement of certain and is more than half completed. Up to rigs, bulldozers, scrapers, plans to operate on two facilities at Gatun power station; and a the present only industrial and commer- The company later be Zone-wide survey of frequency-sensitive cial equipment has been surveyed and 10-hour shifts a day. This may equipment which must be converted or listed. changed to a three-shift basis. replaced. Of special interest to Canal Zone resi- Contract One Of Largest Although the main features of the proj- dents will be the survey of domestic The contract for the work at Contrac- ect as well as the principal policies and equipment. It is presently (See page 15) tors Hill is the largest ever (.See page isi THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW June 4, 1954

out a revised curriculum in keeping with Latin American Teachers modern scholastic standards. Orders have already been placed for nearly $20,000 worth of textbooks in Training For Changeover Spanish and these are being bought to the extent available in Panama. One hundred and thirty-four teachers changed as rapidly as possible to coincide Both in planning the curriculum of the schools in the Latin American schools and selecting who will make up the teaching staff of the more nearly with that of the textbooks, Canal Zone school officials Latin American schools of the Canal Zone Republic of Panama. It is also planned school year to have had the close cooperation of the in the coming school year currently are eventually to changethe Ministry of Education of the Panama busily engaged in preparations for the coincide with Panama schools. Government. The Ministry as well as forthcoming transition to Spanish as the When these changes are fully imple- student various school officials of the Republic basic language and to a curriculum accen- mented, it will be possible for a given excellent assistance in the tuating an educational orientation to the to transfer from the Canal Zone to the have higher ed- selection of textbooks and other prob- Republic of Panama. Panama schools or to continue from lems, according to Mr. Esser. The teachers, many of them already ucation in Panama after graduation serious difficulty. Liberal Courses qualified for the change in the Latin the Zone schools without Arts on the American schools, are working a six-hour To assure proper adjustment Some details involved in the change are teachers and students, S. E. day, five days a week. The Summer part of both still being perfected. For the La Boca his Institute program conducted by the Divi- Esser, Superintendent of Schools, and Junior College plans are being completed out a sion of Schools opened May 3 and will assistants have already mapped to offer courses in liberal arts and com- required continue until the end of July, 10 days detailed program of the changes merce. Until now the emphasis at the before the opening of schools on Augus 1 9. and methods of procedure. Junior College has been in teacher train- To assure maximum benefits from the Plans Made Early ing although liberal arts courses have been training, the teachers are divided into Even before the close of these schools offered. The college curriculums for the small groups of five or six. The groups early in April, plans and action were ini- next school year will be in tune with the are led by teachers found by tests con- tiated. Principal among these were to Spanish language school system and will ducted before the close of the last school determine those teachers qualified to be designed to meet the needs of those year to be well qualified. teach in Spanish; obtain Spanish language qualified graduates of the vocational high Only Spanish is spoken in the classes textbooks; plan the Summer Institute schools as well as to meet qualifications and several different methods of teaching training program to adapt teachers to for higher education in the Republic of are being employed. Some of the methods the change; conduct a survey to determine Panama. used in classroom work include the read- generally the percentage of pupils ready With the redesignation of the schools ing of daily Spanish newspapers and the for Spanish classroom work; and work and adoption of Spanish (See page 13) use of tape recording machines and radios. Announced In March The intensive teacher-training program is only one of several phases of consider- able importance required in the change first publicly announced last March by Governor Seybold in an address to the Panama Rotary Club. In addition to the change from a predominantly English to a predominantly Spanish curriculum, the Governor also announced that the curri- culum in the United States schools will be changed to provide for a Spanish course in every elementary grade. Presently the teaching of Spanish begins in the fourth grade of all schools. In his addrsss to the Rotarians, and in subsequent public announcements con- cerning the change in the Latin American schools of the Canal Zone, the Governor has emphasized the importance of train- ing and orienting the children of the non- United States citizen group in the Canal Zone to the language, customs, and tra- dition of their native land. "We must orient this student to his future culturally and socially—and it must be realized that his future is con- joined with his citizenship," the Gover- nor stated. "The product of our present sehool system (Latin American schools)

is ill-fitted to find employment equal to his norm of possible attainments, nor is he well fitted to become one in this social body. These persons are unaware of the pattern of political thought or general as- pirations and problems of the Republic of Panama. They enter their adult cit- izenship with a severe handicap." Coincide With Panama The Spanish language will be adopted for all classroom work through the first six grades during the coming school year. In grades 7 through 12 there will be a TAPE-RECORDING machines and Spanish lan- Miss Daphne Watkis. partial changeover next year with com- guage newspaper reading are two of the methods Below, shown using a tape-recording machine, left plete changeover as promptly as possible. being used in the Summer Institute to teach teachers to right, are: John Evans, Miss Mabel McFaquhar, to use Spanish with facility. Each small group is Mrs. Evalina Pringle, instructor, Miss Pearline Car- It is expected that the complete change led by an instructor well versed in the language. ter, Mrs. Sylvia Doig, Miss Ruby Thompson, and in all grades will be achieved within the Above, reading newspapers, left to right, are: Mrs. Verona Campbell. next two years. Meanwhile, the curricu- Clarence Skeete, Miss Gloria Holness, Basilio Crag- All teachers in these two groups are assigned to lum of the Latin American schools will be wi.11, the class instructor, Mrs. Carmen Butcher, and Pacific side schools. —

June 4, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Employees Offered To The Employees . . .

Fifty years work in the Various Buying Plans of Canal Zone and your civic councils for consideration of has been devoted to one guiding purpose— community problems. Two-way give-and- the construction of an interoceanic ivater- take communication is needed to increase For Savings Bonds way and its efficient operation for world understanding and goodwill. commerce. Because of the success which has attended Within this half century of the Canal's these conferences, I perceive that a broader A concerted effort is now being made history many splendid records of achieve- medium the exchange throughout the Canal organization to for of ideas for indi- ment have been written. It can be said vidual employees is stimulate the purchase of United States desirable. The Pan- without thought of successful contradiction ama Canal Review, Savings Bonds by employees through the which is published that year in and year out the Canal organ- primarily payroll deduction plan. for your information and enjoy- ization has successfully performed its prin- ment, is admirably fitted for this purpose purchase of Savings The Bonds by cipal mission. and you are cordially invited to so use it. Canal employees during the past few Back of this accomplishment, however, is Because of the limited opportunities I has sunk to years an all-time low and the story of the great majority of employees have to talk with many of you personally, presently is far below the national aver- doing just a little more than is actually I want to use this means to talk with you age of more than 50 percent participation required on their jobs. It is that little directly. Letters containing suggestions or among Federal employees. This showing something extra which you have put into inquiries may be addressed to me or to the is a striking contrast to the record made your daily tasks that has spelled the differ- Editor of The Panama Canal Review. by the organization during World War ence between a good record and an out- These will receive careful attention and II when the Canal-Railroad organization standing record of achievement. reply. headed the list of all U. S. Government In a message to employees through this Those letters containing suggestions or agencies for much of the war period. medium soon after my arrival, I stressed asking questions of interest to any consid- The present campaign has been initi- the need for a unity of purpose, among all erable number of employees will be pub- ated under the leadership of Norman F. employees in doing their jobs. Now, two lished together with replies. The names of Employee and Labor Relations Johnson, years later, I am just as fully impressed authors of letters which are published will Officer, who was recently appointed Sav- by this need. not be used if the writer specifically requests ings Officer by Governor Seybold. Bond I believe that this unity of purpose may omission of his signature in The Review. be Both President Eisenhower and Gover- aided in no small degree by a more di- While within its means The Review nor Seybold have recently stressed the versified and direct expression of opinions has been an outstanding, success as an em-

importance of broad participation in the by employees in all categories. For this ployee publication, it should be -used more Savings Bond program by Federal em- purpose, I have in mind that The Pan- freely as a two-way means of communica- ployees for their personal security and ama Canal Review can be better used as tion. The invitation to write letters to the support of the national interests. a medium for the interchange of ideas be- publication expressing your frank opinion tween the Canal administration To assist in the present campaign, Mr. and the or asking questions about any problem employees well Johnson has arranged for the appoint- as as among the employee has been extended before. It is being groups. ment of an employee in each of the renewed now in all sincerity. I believe I want to hear the major units of the Company-Government opinions and sugges- you will find it helpful. I am equally sure tions on important questions by it to serve as chairman. These in turn will employees that will prove helpful to me. as a group. That is the purpose the select committee members for each of the of scheduled operating units of their bureaus. meetings with your representa- tives. These include labor groups on mat- Bureau Chairmen ters concerning wages, hours, working con- The Bureau Chairmen are: Miss Kath- ditions, or other conditions of employment; leen McGuigan, Office of the Comptroller; Otto Helmerichs, Personnel Bureau; H. S. OFF TO EUROPE Makibben, Administrative Branch and C.Z. Library To Open Branch the Governor's Staff; Douglas Johnston, Community Services Bureau; M. R. Hart, At Margarita Service Center Supply Bureau; N. E. Demers, Transpor- tation and Terminals Bureau; Mrs. Ter- A deposit library will be opened by the esa G. Wright, Engineering and Con- Canal Zone Library on the second floor struction Bureau; Charles T. Jacksan, of the Margarita Service Center about Marine Bureau; G. C. Lockridge, Civil August 1. The definite date for the Affairs Bureau; and R. L. Thompson, opening will be announced later. Health Bureau. staffed It is planned to canvass employees in- The Margarita branch will be dividually throughout the organization. and supplied from the Cristobal branch The various bureau chairmen have been library. requested to select sufficient committee Present plans are to have the library members to do this important and essen- open on Monday, Wednesday, and Fri- tial job. day of each week, from 2 p. m. to 6 p. m. The present campaign follows closely These dates and hours will also be veri- on the recsnt liberalization of payroll de- fied later. duction which permits a variety of plans for the purchase of Savings Bonds by de- ductions in smaller amounts and over or more bonds of any established denom- longer periods. ination each pay period or once a month on the second pay period. Also continued Deduction Choices MITZI SIEGEL, Canal Zone Girl Scout, leaves are the choices of five bi-weekly deduc- July 1 for New York enroute to Switzerland where To suit the individual needs of employ- tions of $3.75 for a $25 bond, three bi- she will attend The Chalet, International Juliet Low ees, four additional choices in amounts weekly deductions of $6.25 for a $25 Camp in Adelboden. She will represent not only to be deducted each bi-weekly pay period bond, and three bi-weekly deductions of the Canal Zone but all other areas—New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are now available. These are five bi- $12.50 for a $50 bond. which compose Girl Scout Region 2, and will be the weekly deductions of $7.50 for a $59 Another advantage is that an average first Canal Zone girl to attend The Chalet. She will fly to York sail bond, five bi-weekly deductions of $15 dating procedure will now be applied to New and July 9 for Europe on the S. S. United Stales with others headed for for a $100 bond, three bi-weekly deduc- all bonds of $50 or more whose purchase The Chalet. Before returning to the United States tions of $25 for a $100 bond, and five is spread over five bi-weekly periods. to enter college at Grove City, Pa., she will visit bi-weekly deductions of $30 for a $200 Thus instead of the bond being dated London and Paris. She plans to return to the Canal Zone during Christmas vacation to bond. after the full purchase price has been tell local Girl Scouts of her summer experiences. Continuing in effect are the choices of accumulated, it will be dated from the The niece of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Steiner of Balboa. deducting the full purchase price of one middle deduction. she graduated this week from Balboa High School. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW June 4, 1954 SCHOOL administration; program of studies; pupil TEACHERS WORK ON activity program; library services; and guidance services. SELF-EVALUATION PROGRAM in turn, These are, subdivided into many different categories. For example,

the program of study classification is divided into five main subjects and one of these which covers classroom studies is divided into 16 parts. The Evaluative Criteria book prescribes the bases for evaluation of each of the subjects, some of which are based on a possible 90 different evaluations. There are from 35 to 40 evaluations listed for such subjects as mathematics, music, English, foreign languages, and other individual classroom subjects.

Reproduction Plant Moved

From Diablo Heights Office

Establishment of a duplicating unit in the basement of the Administration Building at Balboa Heights and the re- moval of the printing equipment from Diablo Heights Reproduction Plant to the Mount Hope Printing Plant will soon be effected by the Supply Bureau. Work on the premises to occupied is THIS GROUP of Balboa High School teachers is Zierten, Assistant Principal, Miss Hallie Beavers, be now typical of those which have spent many extra hours Lester D. Hummel, Miss Margaret V. Whitman, underway. Brigham. Stand- during the past school year on the evaluation pro- Walter M. 0. Fisher, Miss Mary S. The move, which will involve the util- gram. Seated clockwise around the table are: Mrs. ing is Joseph M. Soha. ization of most of the space in the north Mary B. Eugene, Miss Alice E. Candee, Harold J. wing of the basement of the Administra- Unknowingly, perhaps, some graduate past 25 years. This is the second time tion Building, will be completed by the of Balboa or Cristobal High School in the that they have been visited by representa- end of the fiscal year. class of 1960 will have reason to be grate- tives of the Middle States Association. Equipment to be moved from Diablo ful for many hours of work done this The schools were first visited by this Heights to Balboa Heights will include school year by the faculties of those Association in 1945 when two committees the photostat equipment and the direct schools. were sent to the Zone to make the study. offset duplicating equipment. Print- The graduate will have cause for thanks They issued independent reports on the making equipment now operated by the because of receiving admission to one of two high schools which have since been Engineering Division will be included in the major United States universities used in guidance for changes and improve- the new unit. A number of smaller repro- "without reservations." That will mean ments in school facilities and curricula. duction machines such as the mimeograph the high schools are accredited by the The self-evaluation program done this and ditto machines, now located in other Middle States Association, one of several year by the faculties of the high schools units, also will be moved to the basement regional associations of colleges and and Junior College is a detailed and wing as part of the consolidation move. secondary schools. complicated task. For the job, individual Two U. S.-rate employees and one "Accreditation," in turn, means that committees were formed during the first local-rate employee of the Reproduction both high schools meet high standards in part of this school year to study and Plant will be transferred to the Atlantic the field of education. It means, also, evaluate specific phases of school work. side and two employees in the units con- that graduates of such schools for a 10- Faculty Committes cerned will be released. The committees were appointed from year period may be accepted for admis- The Reproduction Plant was first or- the faculties by the two high school prin- sion to most colleges without the require- ganized as a unit of the Special Engineer- cipals and the dean of the Junior College. ment of entrance examinations or other ing Division about 13 years ago and since Each of the committees met frequently qualifying rules. that time it has been located in the lower after school throughout the school year to Both high schools and the Canal Zone floor of the Special Engineering Building study and discuss their particular sub- Junior College are to be examined for at Diablo Heights. Since 1949 it has been jects. An individual teacher might be accreditation next year by the Middle a unit of the Panama Canal Printing Plant. States Association. appointed to several different committees. Preparatory to the survey by the When the individual committees com- Middle States Association committee in pleted their work, their findings on a par- the coming school year, both high schools ticular subject or phase of school work and the Junior College underwent this were presented to the full school faculty *** year was a self-evaluation program. This for evaluation. o 3 The reports were consolidated after is being done by the faculties of the three schools in addition to their normal approval by the full faculty committees teaching duties. and forwarded at the end of the school Survey Next Year year to the Middle States Association. The Middle States Association, which They will then be used for study by has jurisdiction of schools outside the the committee appointed by the Associa- continental United States, will send an tion to make the first-hand evaluation independent committee to the Canal Zone next February. The visiting committee next February to review the self-evalua- will be assisted in work by a local com- tion made by the school faculties and to mittee appointed prior to its arrival here. make a critical first-hand survey of the The Canal Zone schools were furnished schools. If the schools meet the criteria with copies of the 300-page Evaluative established by the General Committee in Criteria prepared by the General Com- Charge of Cooperative Study of Second- mittee for guidance and instruction in ary Schools they will then be given making secondary school evaluations. formal accreditation. This covers the entire scope of education This General Committee, formed in in secondary schools. new- 1933, is divided into six regional associa- Some of the broad subjects covered in NEWCOMERS ALL. these three knew other comers and helped to organize the Atlantic siders' tions of which the Middle States Associa- evaluating schools for accreditation are: Newcomers Club. Left to right, Mrs. Galeon Jarvis, equipment; qualification tion is one. The two Canal Zone high School plant and Mrs. Duke Wilson, and Mrs. John L. Sugar. Mrs. schools have been fully accredited for the and training of faculty members; school Wilson is the group's president. {Story on page. 16) June 4, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW Surgical Trays Come Ready-Packed From Hospital9 s Sterile Supply Unit

The other day a young Pacific sider climbed a mango tree. Mango trees and boys being what they are, he toppled out and cut his forehead. A little later, he was at a doctor's office in the Medical Out-Patient Clinic at Gorgas Hospital for repairs. The doc- tor decided that a couple of stitches would have to be taken to close the gash in the youngster's head, and asked his nurse to get what was necessary to do the job. Until a few weeks ago the nurse would have assembled the instruments and gauze and bandages the doctor needed, from the clinic's cabinets and sterilizers. That was before the days of the hospital's new Central Sterile Supply Unit. Instead she sent a messenger to the new unit with a note requesting a minor suture set. Ready Packed A few minutes later the doctor had in his hands an oblong package, wrapped in two thicknesses of cloth and tied with string. A typed list showed him what the package contained: sutures, instruments, gauze, a hypodermic needle, etc. Every- thing in the package was sterile and ready for use; a date on the list showed him when it had been prepared. When the boy's head had been fixed up, the doctor bundled the instruments and other equipment back into the tray and it its contents to the head- returned and ASSISTANTS at Gorgas Hospital's new Central Sterile Supply Unit wrap packages of gauze and quarters of the Central Sterile Supply sharpen hypodermic needles while their supervisor, Mrs. Ethel Hearn, works at a table in the back- Unit on the second floor of the Gorgas ground. Left to right are: Ernest A. Welch, Rosa de Reyes, Rosan Trowers, and Doris M. Tubar. Their service with the hospital totals 58 years. Hospital Administration Building. There the instruments were washed, were first considered, a central location it dried, sterilized, the gauze replaced, the had contained, except the bandages, of had to be selected. space tray repacked and the whole thing re- The on the course, had been returned. east end of the hospital's Administration sterilized, ready for use again when an- The instruments were taken apart and Building, on the second floor where the other little boy cut his head or some other washed, in soap and hot water, in the two minor repair job had to be done. Medical Clinic had formerly been located, stainless steel sinks which stand at the was practically what the doctors ordered. Supplies Clinics, Wards right side of the room. Partitions were removed and steam lines Central Sterile Supply, established in Trays Prepared and heavy duty electric cables were in- and now operating at almost The tray itself was washed and dried February stalled. Stainless steel equipment, such strength, supplies not only the Med- and a fresh layer of gauze laid in its bot- full as sinks, instrument cabinets, storage ical Out-Patient Clinics but all of the tom as a pad for the instruments. The shelves, dressing carriages and sterilizers hospital's other clinics and wards. It also cleaned instruments were laid out on the which had been in use in dispersed units, supplies for Corozal Hospital gauze in the order in which they would sterilizes was centralized at the hospital. out-lying clinics at Gamboa be used. and for the The only new equipment necessary was Pedro Miguel. Its establishment is and a needle-cleaning outfit and a Rube Gold- In the meantime, at tables in the cen-

fulfillment of a long-felt need. ' the berg sort of a machine which washes, ter of the room, her assistants were fold- plans for the Sterile Supply Unit When dries, and powders rubber gloves in a ing pieces of gauze and wrapping them matter of minutes. The same job, done in heavy brown paper. The gauze pads by hand, takes hours. come in two sizes, 4 by 8 inches and 2 by 2 inches. The heavy paper, about the Staff Of Four weight one uses to wrap packages for Krziza Hearn, nursing ex- Ethel whose mailing, makes an inexpensive, neat, and perience includes 14 years in operating efficient wrapper for the surgical gauze, technique and sterilizing methods, room Mrs. Hearn says. The packets are sealed is charge of the Central Sterile Supply in with a special tape which resists heat and She has four local-rate assistants. Unit. which can do double duty as a label. As the service expands, a clerk and a mes- To the tray, after the instruments had senger will be needed to speed up delivery been laid in order, Mrs. Hearn added as and return of the prepared trays and to many packages of gauze as it requires. keep daily inventory records of material This tray and others are made up accord- and equipment. ing to specifications prepared by the doc- The flow of work in the unit is arranged tors and nurses of Gorgas Hospital. for maximum efficiency and there is as Pressure little waste of physical labor as long plan- Cooker ning could contrive. With the addition of the surgical For instance, follow the minor suture gauze, the tray was almost ready for tray when it was returned from the Out- the sterilizer. Mrs. Hearn made a last Patient Clinic after the youngster's cut check against her list. The tray was then *£** | g forehead had been attended to. wrapped in two thicknesses of cloth, tied Mrs. Hearn received the tray from the with heavy twine and placed in the NEEDLES for hypodermic syringes are sharpened clinic messenger. She checked its con- "autoclave," an oversized pressure cooker by Rosan Trowers" before they are packed into a that everything which which looks something (&e page it) surgical tray. tents to be sure — 1' 1

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW June 4, 1954

FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GUIDANCE IN^CCIDENT PREVENTION f •£ \ Mf — "HOW TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT"

Anybod) can have an accident. Ii takes crushed his ankle between the two say "There it is, good luck." bumpers. safety no skill, no talent, no imagination. Suppose 2. Never let your men wear life. safety devices i tayed in bed for the rest of your e. A helper stepped oa a nail in a equipment or use the

are you would have ,\

APRIL '"*'* ''' ' *» [ ' ELECTRICAL DIVISION C. Z. Govl.-Pan. Can. Co ( Last 3-Year Aver.) 13 __ SERVICE CENTER DIVISION Marine Bureau is Hp SANITATION DIVISION Engineering and Construction Bureau PM AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR

3 C. Z. Govl.-Pan. Can . Co. This Month) Aids to Navigation ( L6 P—H_ Sani tation 3 3 Service Center Transportation and Terminals Bureau mm______; ; Electrical 2 w^n Motor Transportation 2 , ' Grounds Maintenance 1 10 20 30 40 50 Hospitalization and Clinics 1 Man-Hours Worked- - .2,373,034 Railroad 1 Number of Disabling Injuries- .. . . .38 Storehouses 1 LEGEND Commissary Company Last 3-Year Average Dredging I Amount Better Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Canal | Industrial Locks Canal Company Last 3-Year Average I l Amount Worse Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Maintenance Navigation : : :':':j Accumulative Frequency Rate This Year Terminals F>X : —

June 4, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

'' i "—I OF CURRENT INTEREST

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

Printed by the Printing Plant Mount Hope, Canal Zone

John S. Seybold, Governor-President H. 0. PAXSON, Lieutenant Governor

William G. Arey, Jr. Public Information Officer

J. Rufus Hardy, Editor Eleanor H. McIlhenny Editorial Assistant

SUBSCRIPTION—$1.00 a year SINGLE COPIES—5 cents each

On sale at all Panama Canal Service Cen- ters, Commissaries, and Hotels for 10 days after publication date.

SINGLE COPI ES BY MAIL— 10 cents each

BACK COPIES— 10 cents each

On sale when available, from the Vault COL. CRAIG SMYSER, Director of the Engineering and Construction Bureau since July 1952, Clerk, Third Floor, Administration Building, left, was photographed recently on top of Contractors Hill with Edwin A. Abbott, a civilian engineer consultant group here last month. Balboa Heights. with the Corps of Engineers who was one of the Colonel Smyser will leave within the next few weeks for his new assignment at the Armed Forces Industrial College in Washington, D. C. He will be succeeded as E & C Director by Col. Hugh M. Arnold who is attending the Army War College. Postal money orders should be made pay- A native of Georgia, Colonel Arnold is a graduate of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn. commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Engineer Reserve in 1930. able to the Treasurer, Panama Canal Com- He was pany, and mailed to Editor, The Panama Canal Review, Balboa Heights, C. Z. The administration has approved the pur- High School took place the following after- chase of safety shoes through payroll deduc- noon. tion. The payments may be made in one June 1 was Commencement Day for the or two installments. This applies only to Canal Zone Junior College, from which 33 those shoes having a metal toe built into were graduated, and for Balboa and Cristo- Assistant To the shoe for the protection of the feet. bal High Schools. Sixty-two students were These shoes are now on sale in all the graduated from Cristobal High School, ex- main commissary stores where shoes are actly the same number as last year, and 151 Comptroller usually sold. Styles in safety shoes vary received their diplomas from Balboa High from an ordinary work shoe to a dress sport School, a drop of 31 from the previous year. oxford, with the price range accordingly. However, now being offered, in a special sale, is a good low-priced work shoe which The first of the new houses now under con- meets the requirements of a good safety struction at Diablo Heights are expected to shoe for the local-rate employees. be completed about the middle of July. If possible the Housing Division will assign the Awards were to be made today to the quarters before completion. second group of employees in the Commissaiy In all, 33 two-family, two-story, masonry Division who, as the result of the recently in- houses, each apartment having three bed- augurated incentive award system, have been rooms, are being built at Diablo Heights. judged to have given service over and above The first to be completed will be those in the the requirements of their jobs. immediate vicinity of Walker Avenue, near The program was started during April on the Commissaiy. All 01 the quartets aie to a trial basis in five of the retail stores as part be finished by the middle of September. of overall Commissaiy training program the Meanwhile, work is progressing on the q8 the Division. The now being carried on by apartments being built in the Balboa Flats were made early in May to 41 first awards area. This contract is to be completed Jan- employees. uary 3, 1955. Site preparation has been almost being given to selling and The awards are completed in the Ridge Road area where 17 are in two classes: non-selling personnel and "mother-in-law" houses are to be built, and giving exemplary monetaiy awards for those four houses on Quany Road are under con- recognition awards and superior service, and struction. for meritorious service.

group of navigational aids which have Diplomas or certificates of promotion A been under the United States Coast Guard, in thf case of Junior High School Students although some of them were serviced by the were given this week to 573 graduates of Panama Canal Company, are being trans- E. A. SUNSTROM arrived early last month to the Canal Zone schools. ferred tci the Company. They will be main- assume his new post as Assistant to the Comptroller Although the total number was slightly tained by the Aids to Navigation Section, of the Panama Canal Company. He succeeds Ira L. lower than that of last year when 581 were whose headquarters are being moved from Wright who retired from the Canal service the end graduated, the number completing Balboa Gatun to Gamboa after the beginning of of January. Junior High School—238—was the highest graders the next fiscal year. Formerly Comptroller of the Tennessee Valley on record. And with 279 seventh in fall, the They are the lights on Cristobal Mole, Authority, Mr. Sunstrom comes to the Canal organ- entering the eighth grade the even higher. Roncador, Quito Sueno, and Serrana Banks ization from the Foreign Operations Administration BJHS total next year will be School closing in the Caribbean; and the Cape Mala light with which he served in Paris and The Hague. He The Balboa Junior High approximately 95 milr> Balboa I hea- and radio beacon— had been Comptroller of the FOA for about a year il.i\ exercises were held at the exercises for from Balboa—the Jicarita and Morro Puer- prior to his appointment to the Panama Canal ter on May 27. Closing-day in the Pacific, Company. the 89 eighth graders at Cristobal Junior cos lights, YOURTHE PANAMA CANALTOWNREVIEW June 4, 1954

If a section of Panama Railroad track had not sunk six feet one morning in 1907 the Canal Zone town of La Boca 'The Mouth" might not be where it is today. The La Boca area might look like the environs of th p locks at Mira- fiores instead of what it is— one of the oldest local-rate towns. The canal plan had called for two sets of Lot at Pedro Miguel and the have othei iosa Hill. Tl ,. were to been s iparated by a large terminal lake. be known as Sosa Lake. Not all the

( - ' ;d s t op m M John F. Stevens, among them approved the idea but had begun work on the dams for the lake.

A 1 1 -it he s sction of track near La Boca sank suddenly and a trestle toppled, Chief Kngineer George W. Goethals appointed a board to study lock sites. Eventually the present locations were determined and La Boca returned to its former status of Pacific terminal for the Panama Rail- LA BOCA, first Canal town seen from ships entering the Pacific end of the canal, is at almost the and the only Pacific port between road southernmost tip of the Canal Zone. A small bit of the ocean is visible in the upper right. The school Callao in Peru and Salina Cruz in Mex- buildings, where over 1.000 pupils attended classes last year, are at the top of the photograph. ico where deep-draught vessels could un- load at a wharf. It seems strange today better description of this phase of La in April 1909, when, by executive order, to read that the transfer provided not Boca can be found than the following, the town was renamed Balboa. The only more stable foundations but also from the 1905 report of the Isthmian Peruvian Minister to Panama had sug- better protection from bombardment Canal Commission: gested the change, saying "As the Atlan- from the sea! American Days tic entrance to the Canal is named 'Cris- French Days tobal Colon' for the great navigator and "The town is divided into two parts Boca discoverer of our continent, so should the As far as its history goes, La by the railroad tracks and yards. On Boca Pacific entrance be named after the in- went through three phases. At La one side all of the buildings are owned trepid Balboa, its discoverer." There- the old trail from Panama City to the by the United States and on the other to be in after, although there continued to be a towns which are now considered nearly all of the buildings were erected thriving Pacific side town it was known the "Interior" crossed the Rio Grande. by private parties on land leased from the as Balboa or East Balboa, and the name The French Canal Company, as the old French Company. All of the build- valley of La Boca disappeared from official records, Americans did later, used the ings in this town owned by the United of temporarily. the Rio Grande as the southern end States are being overhauled and repaired; Again La Boca their canal line. In 1881 they began to several of the more dilapidated were de- their exactly before build shops at La Boca where stroyed and in their places have been In August 1913, one year dredges could be assembled. erected two large and commodious bar- the S. S. Ancon made the first official One historian reports that the French racks, one for the unmarried and one for transit of the Canal, Colonel Goethals Company loaned enough money to the the married employees working at this authorized "the construction of a labor of a Panama Railroad for construction point. camp at La Boca to provide accommoda- and 960-foot steel deep-water harbor a "Repairs on the old ones have reached tions for West Indian laborers." At this pier. This pier, which eliminated the old such a point that it is proper to say that time the name for the town had not been lighter system, is still standing although this portion of the town has been rebuilt chosen. it has been much changed in appearance. and instead of being a dangerous plague- Several names were suggested: La Just as the Americans did later, the spot, the town has now become a model Boca, Lesseps or deLesseps; Espinosa, lock near French planned for a double repair, freshly camp with houses in good after the founder of Old Panama; Morgan Boca. La painted, supplied with electric lights, a Town, for the buccaneer; and Lincoln, in sold its When the French Company water system and good drainage. A good of the Civil President. Some interests to the United States in 1904 the honor War road of Telford pavement constructed by the buildings and wharves in La Boca were objection was found to all except the Commission connects La Boca with part of the properties transferred. No first of these and on August 18, 1913, the the outskirts of Panama." This was written after two cases of bubonic plague had broken out at La Boca. The resultant quarantine disrup- ted the transportation system and called for stringent measures by sanitary auth- orities. At this time La Boca was primarily a settlement for American employees. Its commissary, opened in September 1907, supplied Ancon and Balboa by wagon each morning; current from its electric light plant was furnished to Ancon and Balboa and, later, to Corozal. There was an elementary school, lo- cated about where the present Service, Center stands. In September 1908, how- ever, The Canal Record reported: "Owing to the small number of children attending school at La Boca last year, that school has been abolished and the children at La Boca will be transported to and from the school at Ancon in a K. D. MELANSON wagonette." MRS. BEDLAH M. SHOEMAKKU Commissary Manager This phase of La Boca history ended Nurse-in-Charge, First Aid Station — —— June 4, 1954 THE PANAMABOCACANAL REVIEW town was officially named La Boca. Rica, and the West Indies were housed La Boca, substantially as it is today, in giant new barracks and fed from cen- was laid out in a rectangular plan on part tral messhalls. of a large fill, southeast of Sosa Hill. As nearly as possible they were sepa- Both streets and avenues, which now rated by nationalities -Jamaicans in one bear such names as Martinique and Gren- building, Colombians in another, etc. ada Streets and Jamaica Prado, wer^ but despite this there were international originally numbered. The town was di- difficulties which flared into frequent dis- vided lengthwise by a park; family quar- turbances until the men learned to work ters were all on the south side and together and keep their frazzled tempers bachelor quarters on the north. A com- under control. Sports helped to make

missary, near the present entrance to them friends —although international ri- Dock 6, supplied "canned vegetables and valry was keen— and the various groups cold storage goods." formed football teams which drew crowds An elementary 'school was opened early of two to three thousand at their matches. in 1914 and in September of that year its Facilities Added enrollment was 129. Last year over 1,000 During the hectic World War II period students attended the three La Boca the town's facilities were strained. A schools. Street car tracks ran parallel to theater was built as an addition to the La Boca Road and provided transporta- Clubhouse; the restaurant was enlarged. FRANCIS A. CASTLES tion to Panama City. The street car A library was established in the high Principal, La Boca High School service was maintained until 1941. school which had been built in 1937, and Houses — Old And New when played in La Boca, was an under- a dispensary and emergency fire station the-house pasttime. Some of the houses were new but many were built. Town spirit made itself felt were brought from towns which were Goats, kept for their milk, wandered in an active Civil Defense group. After being abolished. There were the old hos- through the town and bees from the the end of the war the contract numerous apiaries— families as laborers went back pital, dispensary, and commissary from some had home and the town as hives returned to normal, Portobelo, converted into living quarters; many 30 behind their quarters except for such flur- stung ries of excitement a laborer's barracks from Gorgona; a bar- unwary passersby. Fishermen, in as the Commissary fire those in February racks from Paraiso; two houses from "good old days," sold their catches, 1950. An emergency com- not by the pound but the string and missary was established in the old res- Gatun; and several from Diablo. Not all by taurant but it of them had plumbing or kitchens. Wash was months before the badly-damaged houses, outhouses, and cook sheds stood Commissary building was repaired and in behind each small group of quarters. back operation. Wood to fuel the stoves was dumped 1953 Population About 3,000 A year ago La Boca daily into boxes at the entrance to each was a community of about 3,000 and its population is still set of quarters by a wagon from a sawmill dwindling as its people located where the Balboa police station are moving into newer and more modern now stands. quarters in Par- aiso. But there are still Maintenance of La Boca was something six churches in the town. of a problem. In late 1914, the adminis- It still has its big Commissary and one tration offered prizes of $5, or a percent- of the largest Service Centers—La Bocans age reduction in rent, for the best-kept, still call it a clubhouse— in the Canal neatest, and cleanest quarters of various Zone. Headquarters for the Balboa Fed- types. The prize system was followed for eral Credit Union are in the Service about two years. Cen- ter building and its auditorium, once While La Boca was primarily a town the movie hall, is used for public meetings. for local-rate workers, there were a few The building also houses a barber American families living there. Most of shop, beauty shop, and shoe shop the Americans were people waiting com- and a small, private typing school is operated in its pletion of quarters in Balboa and Balboa EDWARD A. GASKIX basement. Heights. Old La Bocans still call the Principal, La Boca Elementary School The Lat-teen Club, a junior organiza- street where they lived "Gold Street." tion, is back in the old restaurant In 1915 the Acting Governor, Chester for as little as 10 to 15 cents a string. build- ing from which it was Harding, turned down a Metal Trades Movies cost 5 cents for youngsters in the hastily evicted when its space was needed for Council request that the La Boca quar- silent film days. the emer- gency Commissary. This club provides a ters be assigned to Americans and said: The war boom almost doubled La Bo- recreation spot for the senior juniors of "The administration hopes to provide ca's population. From 3,228 in 1930, the the town. quarters sufficient to house every Gold town swelled to 6,076 in 1942. Contract Dominant features of La Boca are the employee on the permanent force. Quar- laborers from Colombia, Salvador, Costa two school buildings. During recess per- ters are being constructed as fast as the iods, between classes and just before and money is available. I think the present after school, that end of town is a hub- unsatisfactory state-will not continue for bub of activity. more than a year." Old La Bocans are proud of the fact Sports Town that their town has not lost its reputation Present day Zonians know La Boca as as a "great town for sports." Cricket is a great sports town and it was in its back again and one fan holds that this hey-day in the 29's and 30's. The East year's league is the best yet. There is cricket team, later the End La Boca still football—of the soccer variety Cricket Club, drew big crowds to their baseball and Softball. Outstanding ath- Sunday games and mid-week games wer? letes, like Carlota Gooding who recently scheduled whenever a British ship came won the 100-meter race in the Central into port. American Olympics, and Frank Prince, Both men and women played "round- who won the 800 and 1,500 meter events ers," a sort of ballgame, between their at the same Olympics, are products of quarters, and the youngsters diverted La Boca training. themselves sliding down Sosa Hill—no- No story of La Boca, the townspeople where near the same shape now as it was say, would be complete without mention then—on palm fronds, or swimming in of them and the man who trained them the sea behind the old Clubhouse. Dom- CECIL C. GITTENS and otheryoungsters—Ashton Parchment, inoes, which can be quite an athletic sport Service Center Manager La Boca physical education director. 10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW June 4, 1954

Supervisors' Groups Learn Sanitary Division Asks About Security, Civil Defense Residents Of Canal Zone: Help Prevent Mosquitoes n :-> r> The precautions which Canal Zone res- 9 9 idents can take to prevent or eliminate mosquito breeding have been outlined by the Sanitary Division of the Health Bureau.

Mosquitoes will breed in many common and usually preventable collections of water. Householders should watch flower pots and vases to see that they do not contain stagnant water. Tin cans and other metal containers, in which water can accumu- late, should either be disposed of or so placed that they cannot hold water. Automobile drivers should be careful not to put ruts in lawns, since mosquito MAINTENANCE, COMMISSARY. Electr'cal, and Fire Divisions are represented in this super- larvae can breed in even such shallow seated: B. Gilder, W. H. Casswell, P. J. Barker, Leo D. Goulet, John vising group. Left to right are, J. depressions. Ebdon, A. Taber, E. W. Zelnick, G. A. Sollaa. Standing: J. W. Huson, H. F. Butz, M. J. Sterling. Fred William L. Brooks, Kenneth T. Daly, Ernest E. Fe ris, Frank Wilder, Security Officer, Internal Security Company-Government units concerned Acting Training Office, lecturer; W. G. Dolan, Chief, Civil Defense, lecturer; and Brodie Burnham, with highway construction and mainte- Officer, Personnel Bureau. nance are being asked to check ruts on road shoulders, or improperly graded shoulders, clogged roadside drainage ditches and culverts. In storage areas mosquitoes can breed in puddles of standing water under piled or stored materials or in water held in the concave surfaces of materials. These will also be watched. The Health Bureau will maintain such drainage as may be feasible in unassigned areas and will inspect and take temporary control measures, in all areas. The best protection against the mos- quito, however—and consequently against malaria— is to see that it has no breeding places.

Service Ended THIS GROUP, from the Electrical, Commissary, and Fire Divisions and the Comptroller's Office, met at Balboa. Left to right, seated: A. C. Nagy, W. W. Spencer, P. A. Downs, E. G. Haydel, John A. Morales, and W. E. Jones. Standing: Mr. Burnham, Mr. Dolan, Mr. Wilder, J. W. Casey, J. F. Sherer, L. C. Paulson, F. N. Dahl, Orlando Flye, J. E. Corco, Murray Klipper, A. B. Hendricks, C. J. O'Sullivan, John H. Foster, and T. A. Brennan.

Three units of the Panama Canal Com- Playground Facilities pany-Canal Zone Government recently joined forces to bring several groups Extensively Improved of supervisors a joint program designed to combine responsibility as supervisors the school year opens next Sep- with responsibility as leaders in an ade- When tember, children attending school in Bal- quate security and civil defense program. Ancon will find that the play- The three units were the Personnel boa and facilities each of the elementary Bureau, the Internal Security Branch, ground at schools in those districts have been ex- and the Civil Defense Branch. The improved. supervisory groups included personnel tensively from the Commissary, Electrical, Indus- The major work of the year will be trial, Fire, and Maintenance Divisions and accomplished at the Balboa elementary the Comptroller's Office. school where a new playground area of approximately two and one-half acres The supervisors' training program, adjacent to the school sponsored by the Personnel Bureau under will be built the direction of Brodie Burnham, Acting building. Training Officer, included talks by Frank The project will entail the demolition in that area and the Wilder of the Internal Security Branch, of six buildings BENJAMIN ALLEN, who went up and down and W. G. Dolan, Chief of Civi'l Defense. relocation of a part of Morgan Avenue. some 400 times a day as operator of the elevator at is that it will provide more the Balboa Heights Administration Building, made Mr. Wilder supplemented his lecture on It expected his last trip in May. He went onto retirement status adequate play facilities for the 1,000 or "The Supervisors' Role in Security" with May 28 after 34 years of service, the past 20 of more children now enrolled in the Bal : a number of visual aids, such as maps, which were as daytime operator of the 12-passenger school. charts, Communist propaganda, and boa elevator. An ardent "Yankee" fan, Ben Allen could and did photographs. In addition, he distributed Improvements in the Ancon School discuss baseball at the drop of a bat, and during completed during the several prepared leaflets and bulletins, playground were World Series times always mysteriously knew exactly including "Spotlight on Security" and past two weeks and consisted mainly in who was doing what to whom at any given moment, "Questions and Answers on Communism the removal of several large trees which although the elevator equipment has never included a radio. in This Country." These were all pre- had become dangerous because of internal His old friends in the Building got together last Security office as the concreting of the patio area pared in the Internal decay and Friday to say goodbye to Ben and to present him part of the Security Education Program for an all-weather playground behind the with one of the handsomest purses ever given to any Canal organization. which is under his direction. school. retiree in the June 4, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11

Surgical Trays Come Ready-Packed From Hospital's Sterile Supply Unit

[Continued from page a) like an iron lung. (Webster defines an autoclave as an airtight vessel or chamber which can be filled with superheated steam under pres- sure, attaining moist temperatures above 212 degrees, used for sterilization, cooking and heating liquids.) There are other kinds of sterilizers which work with dry air or boiling water, but the autoclave is the one which best fits the unit's need. Twenty minutes in the live steam of the autoclave will kill any germ known to man. The tray remained in the stari- lizer for that time and then was allowed another 10 minutes to dry before it was removed to an adjacjnt closed room and put in its place on a stainless steel rack.

Eventually 200 Trays

After this particular tray had been stowed away, Mrs. Hearn and her assist- ants resumed packaging other trays for other purposes. Eventually she hopes to have 200 trays of many and varied types packed, packaged, and sterilized. Even without this backlog any unit of the hos- pital can have a prepared tray in as INSTRUMENTS, GAUZE, and other equipment for many surgical uses are packed in trays like as it takes for a this at Central Sterile Supply. Looking over a typical tray is Mrs. Hearn, head of the new unit, and many minutes messenger Col. Howard Doan, Gorgas Hospital Superintendent. to deliver it. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Supplies are also prepared for the hos- pital wards and delivered daily by a sup- ply cart. Wards no longer have to stockpile the items they need. Hospital planning authorities, the peo- ple at Gorgas say, have long recognized a Central Sterile Supply Department as one of the most important departments FATHER'S DAY is June 20. It's high time of the new quarters have plug-in outlets in a modern hospital. to be thinking what to give the gentleman in the bathroom light fixtures. The Along with other improvements and who spends most of the year giving things Close shavers operate, of course, on 25- to the rest of his family. The Canal com- Shaves cycle current. The commissaries have changes made recently at the hospital, it missaries, of course, have a number of items Remington Rands at $19. 8 5, or Shave- is part of Gorgas Hospital's new look. to please him. masters at $23.65. Or how about a table radio to go beside his bed? Several models

If he smokes, he probably knows that the are stocked, all with five tubes and bands, commissaries stock several of the filter-tip to operate on 25 cycles; from about $19.95 Ten Years Ago cigarettes; Kents, Viceroys in king- to $36.95. Tips on and regular size, and the new In May Tobacco L&M (Liggett & Myers, to you) CONSERVATIVE DONORS may like to filter-type. The commissaries also stick to the old standbys. For such, there are plan to carry, at least on a trial basis, leather belts, neckties, from 85 cents up; World War II had still over a year to others of this type. which begin at $1.75; a wide assortment of go but it had moved farther away from And if he smokes cigars he will be inter- cufflinks and tie bars, from about $1.20 to ested in vacuum packed cigars. Due any $5; sport shirts of rayon, cotton or nylon, in the Canal Zone. The number of govern- time now, they will come 25 in a can which fancy prints or plain, about $3.25 to $6.50. ment ships using the Canal continued to should guarantee freshness and the proper There are cufflinks, for french-cuff shirts (the increase and more and more the Canal humidi- dryness even in this climate where commissaries have the shirts, too), from $1 .20 organization was being called on to pro- ties of 90 or over are not unusual. Also up. There are also leather billfolds, from expected are cartons of a new—to the $2.75 to about $9.50, although one cynical vide all types of services to transiting commissaries — brand of small cigars which papa says they do to hold currency only ships. Canal operations, and people's are packed 10 to a carton and will sell for until mama takes it over. daily lives, were tied to the war. about 55 to 65 cents a package. Watch the retail stores for these. If Mother is planning to take Father out to dinner on HIS day, she'll need a new On May 17 Brig. Gen. Joseph C. Mehaf- CIGARETTES AND CIGARS call for light- bag. She should look in the bigger oath as the ninth Gov- ers. Zippos, which work in the strongest fey took the of office Dinner stores for the new shipment of Pearl- breeze and operate on one filling of fluid — ernor The Panama Canal, succeeding Date imesh "hand-in-hand with fashion of for an amazingly long time, are available Gov. Glen. E. Edgerton. The oath was ad- is their slogan — bags. Made of in the commissaries. Decorated with the small beads on an aluminum base, the bags ministered, in the Governor's office, by A. Canal seal, they make a handsome gift; are creamy-white. They range in size from about $2.75. T. Schmidt, Chief Clerk of the then Supply clutch bags which are small to fairly large Department and a notary public. purses with snap-tops and handles which Another item which should please father, look like clear amber, but aren't, and in Succeeding Governor Mehaffey as Engi- especially if he is a camera fan, is what is price from about $6.45 to $16.95. neer Maintenance, No. 2 man in the known as a "gadget or photographic of In the bag." The bags are made of Tolex, Canal organization, teas Col. Francis K. 1-3 Bag a plastic with a leather-like finish, VERY, VERY YOUNG ladies, in the Newcomer. Another top appointment was have a round-the-top zipper opening, bra:ket, always look good to their fathers, that of Col. James G. Steese as Assistaiit an outside pocket with a separate fastener, but they will be even sweeter in a dainty to the Governor. He had served as Execu- and a handy and adjustable shoulder strap. new dress. There are, in the commissaries, They are about $4.50. (Don't tell Father, organdy pinafores with ruffled shoulders and tive Assistant to the Engineer of Mainte- but women travelers say they are wonder- embroidered trim, white or pastels, $1.85; nance since February 1941. cottons, dotted Swiss or ful for train or plane cases, to hold make-up full, skirted polished and a fresh blouse.) a sheer stripe, $2.50. One to fours can have their choice of polished cottons with Forty-four new blue stars had been would be one of the grosgrain ribbon belts and minute bunches A SUPER PRESENT added to the service flag at Balboa High Nylon golf bags, for men, which the com- of artificial posies— so grownup — or plisses, School. Each star represented a former missaries have on order. Only a few are which need no ironing, $2.50. There are expected, though. They hold 10 clubs, have socks to go with the new frocks, too; 19 student or teacher who was serving in a "selector ball pocket" on the side: $22. cents for combed cotton anklets in solid col- the armed forces. In Mav 1944, the ors with a variegated color turn-over cuff, or B. H. S. flag had 207 blue stars—and Another really special gift would be an nylons in solid color pastels, 34 to 50 cents, three gold ones. electric shaver, especially now that so many depending on the size. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW June 4, 1954

Uanal Zone Couple Thwart Nature's 60-Cycle X-Ray Department

uberance With Miniature Trees At Gorgas Nearly Finished

Completion of a 60-cycle X-ray depart-

ment at Gorgas Hospital is scheduled within the next six months. The overall cost, including a powerline which taps an Armv cable, will be-approximately $120,- 000." Questions have been raised recently, in the Governor-Employee Conferences, for instance, as to the relative merits of 25- and 60-cycle current for generating

X-rays. X-radiation, experts explain, is

the same whether it is produced by 25- cycle or 60-cycle current. However, in recent years many tech- nological advances and mechanical im- provements have been made in X-ray equipment. Because of the scarcity of 25-cycle machines, the improvements and developments are confined or adapted only to the 60-cycle equipment. New Clinic Planned This was one of the reasons why the Health Bureau started planning a 60- cycle X-ray clinic at Gorgas Hospital soon after the end of the last war. It was to have been part of the Out-Patient clinics building which was started but never completed. Consequently it was decided to convert the existing X-ray department to 60 make improvements in that MRS. EARL DAILEY displays one of her miniature Royal Poinciana trees; although it is more cycles and than two years eld it is only about 10 inches tall. On the shelf above is a Star Apple tree. In the department. Planning began in 1951 and renter is another Royal Poinciana. All of the trees are about the same age and in excellent health. last year the first piece of 60-cycle equip- ment, a therapy machine, was received have trees in their homes. In the Canal Zone, where nature bursts now Ming and installed at a cost of about $26,000. The secret of cultivation of the little with exuberance and the jungle can cover Considered the best attainable, it can give trees consists mainly of cutting the tap the works of man in a short space of six deep, intermediate, and superficial therapy. of the roots of the seedling and trimming off the months, Earl O. Dailey, Supervisor It was followed by two combination top to make sure that the plant never Southern District of the Panama Canal 60-cycle radiographic - fluroscopic ma- his wife Charlotte grows any higher than 24 inches. After Electrical Division, and chines which have all the latest devices or three years of this treatment, the are cultivating trees in miniature. two for efficient and economical service. In The hobby is perhaps the natural out- addition, a 60-cycle, 35-mm. radio-graphic come of living in the lush tropics where, chest unit has been obtained and is in- for a change, it is rewarding to see a tree stalled in the lobby of the hospital for grow to maturity perfect in every way chest examinations and surveys. except that if is only 24 inches tall instead Improvements Authorized of,the usual 25 to 50 feet. Other improvements to be made, all of Mrs. Dailey became interested in the which have been authorized, are: Devel- cultivation of dwarfed or Ming trees, as opment of two toilets and barium units they are known professionally, about a to facilitate fluoroscopic and other diag- year or so ago when she saw an advertise- nostic procedures; installation of air con- ment in a States paper. For some time ditioning in the diagnostic rooms and her husband had been an ardent amateur darkroom; installation of a new dryer in gardener and she decided to take part in the darkroom; provision for a small office his hobby. and space for a receptionist at the en- that the instructions They soon found trance to the department. In addition, from the States in pamphlets and books improvements are to be made in the temperate might have worked fine in the therapy room and additional appliances but, for the Canal Zone, the climates and accessories are to be obtained for experiment and Daileys would have to improvement of the service. devise their own methods. THE WATERING can is as big as the miniature tree which Earl O. Dailey is holding. Seedlings from the States did not grow and indulge in Ming-tree gossip. to maturity in the tropics but sometimes trees are planted in a shallow pot or tray The cultivation of unusual plants is here from seed brought from a tree grown and kept on a near starvation diet. nothing new for Mr. Dailey who has the States would adjust itself to the hot They grow to maturity in about five experimented with such things as minia- flourish. It also took on all climate and years and assume the habits of their ture tomatoes and tropical pansies and the habits of the tropical plants and normal brothers and sisters. The flower- violets. He has a collection of plants in a tropical bum of the vegetable became ing trees produce flowers and the fruit the garden of his home on Empire Street kingdom, so to speak. trees produce fruit. Some types of trees, in Balboa and takes a ribbing from his Most of their best results have been such as the evergreen, adapt themselves cronies when he is seen watering his plants with local trees, however. These include well to pruning and shaping into unusual each evening with a tiny watering can. royal poinciana, star apple, African tulip, spreads and windblown effects. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dailey are second and several varieties of evergreens brought Since starting their hobby, Mr. and generation Canal Zone residents and both to the Canal Zone from the Volcan region. Mrs. Dailey have found several other are graduates of Balboa High School. As explained by Mrs. Dailey, the dwarf tree enthusiasts on the Isthmus After graduation from Tulane University, method of producing dwarf or Ming trees and sometimes they meet and exchange Mr. Dailey went to work with the Electri- was an old Japanese secret brought to the ideas. Nearly all have found that they cal Division in 1936. In addition to States recently by an industrious must use new methods of cultivation for gardening, he also has taken an active GI. The fad caught on in the States the tropics and hope to form a club soon interest in astronomy and is a member and many amateur horticulturists there so that the members can meet regularly of the Canal Zone Astronomical Society. 13 June 4, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

east bank of the Canal, and the work of FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Forty Years Ago laying the track on the bridge aprons SUPPLEMENTS AVAILABLE and on the trestle on the barge was under- In May way. A limited number of THE PAN- traffic the suspen- AMA CANAL REVIEW'S Fiftieth In the meantime, on Anniversary Supplement issued in Ten years old, as far as its American sion bridge over Culebra Cut at Empire May are now available for sale. forces were concerned, in May 1914 the was suspended. The bridge, which had The Supplement may be bought Canal organization was looking both for- been used since July 31, 1909, had been from the Vault Clerk on the third said, "to furnish floor of the Administration Building ward and backward. designed, The Record at Balboa Heights. Mail orders will What The Canal Record called "the a means of communication between the also be accepted while the supply beginning of regular commercial service east and west sides of the Canal and also lasts. through the Canal" started that month to carry compressed air and water mains The price of the Fiftieth Anniver- to shuttle over the Cut." It had a seven-foot road- sary Supplement is 10 cents a copy. when tugs and barges began The sale of the May issue exceeded through the Canal carrying 12,100 tons way. expectations and no copies of the of sugar and 200 tons of canned pineapple Suspended on towers, the bridge's regular issue of THE REVIEW for which had been unloaded in Balboa from height above the water of the Cut was May are available. the American-Hawaiian Line's S. S. only 108.5 feet, which did not give suffi- Alaskan. cient clearance for the masts of larger Latin American Teachers The Alaskan was diverted to the Isth- vessels. mus because of interrupted traffic on the Training For Changeover Offices of the Captains of the Ports of Twelve Canal Tehauntepec railroad. Ancon and Cristobal were formerly estab- (Continued from page 2) as the basic barges were placed in the shuttle service lished May 4, 1914. Commander Douglas was transferred to language in the Latin American schools, and the tug Mariner E. Dismukes, Cristobal Port Captain, had the Division of Operation. A schedule non-U. S. citizens eligible for free his headquarters, temporarily, in rooms of the was set up under which one-third Freight station. schooling in the Canal Zone will be above the Panama Railroad loaded at Balboa, while one- barges were Lt. Comdr. H. V. Butler, Port Captain at assigned to these schools. Simultane- third were in transit, and the remaining Ancon, set up his office in the Railroad ously, all children whose parents are at Cristobal. third were being unloaded building at the Balboa wharves. United States citizens will be assigned to Looking backward, The Record said: Enough applications for positions as the United States schools. "The decade has seen the virtual completion Canal pilots had been received that The Teacher Assignments difficulty of the Canal and the beginnings of its com- Record said: "There will be no There will be a comparatively large mercial and naval use." During the pre- in increasing the complement of pilots as number of reassignments of teachers dur- vious year the sea-level channel had been the trade of the Canal warrants." Appli- locks; cants had to be American citizens, under ing the coming year, since only those opened to Gatun and Miraflores Gatun and Miraflores lakes had been filled 45 years of ago, holding master's licenses adequately trained for teaching in Span- to their normal height; Culebra Cut had for unlimited tonnage on the Great Lakes ish will be used next year in the elemen- been flooded; all of the locks had been op- or oceangoing vessels. tary grades. They, however, will return erated repeatedly; and a number of vessels The pilots were to be uniformed in "ice- to their normal teaching duties after fur- in the Canal service, as well as several cream colored palm beach cloth, plain, have passed without stripes or figures." The coats ther training, when the complete change rafts of piles tinder tow, from ocean to ocean. would have stiff, standing collars, two has been made throughout the school sys- high pockets, and brass buttons marked tem in the following school year. One bridge across the Canal was being "CP." It is presently expected that all teach- operation and another was be- placed in A three-man committee, composed of ers employed during the coming school ing removed. Capt. R. E. Wood, Capt. L. P. Williamson, Paraiso the pontoon bridge over term will be sufficiently trained to meet At and S. M. Hitt, was appointed to recom- which trains were to cross the waterway requirements for all-Spanish teaching in mend a site in Cristobal for a 50-bed to the abutment on the was connected hospital. It would be used for the treatment the 1956-57 school year. of emergency cases. In the faculty tests conducted prior to the opening of the Summer Institute, it Retires Extensive Post Office Changes was found that nearly one-half of the teachers already are sufficiently qualified. Announced To Civic Councilmen The program of training will be continued All "banking-type" operations of Paci- through the coming school year on an fic side post offices south of Pedro Miguel intensified basis and the Summer Institute will be consolidated July 1 at the Civil training will be resumed the following Affairs Building on Gaillard Highway. summer. Those teachers who fail to Simultaneously these operations will be terminated in the post offices at Balboa, achieve the necessary qualifications will Balboa Heights, Diablo Heights, Albrook be replaced. Air Force Base, and Fort Amador. With the adoption of Spanish as the On the same date, Ancon and Curundu basic language in the schools, only that post offices and Fort Davis will go on a language will be spoken in the classrooms mail delivery only basis. Mail will be put into boxes at these post offices and and children will be encouraged to speak mail will be collected from them, but only Spanish during play periods. Eng- there will be no window service of any lish will taught in all grades of the be sort. Latin American schools just as Spanish Cocoli post office on the Pacific side

will be taught in all grades of the United and Fort Gulick on the Atlantic side will States schools. be closed. Other changes to be affected July 1 Although the full results of the changes will be the institution of four-hour serv- to inaugurated in the Canal Zone be ice at the post offices at Balboa Heights, FLORENCE WILLIAMS, who went to work for school system will not be evident for Pedro Miguel, and Gam- the Isthmian Canal Commission before any Ameri- Diablo Heights, some years to come, Canal officials are can employee still on the Canal rolls, retired the boa. The hours for these post offices and end of May. at the Civil completely confident that the change will for the "banking-type" office She worked from 1907 until 1909 at Empire as a Affairs Building will be announced later. have a marked effect in better fitting all telephone operator, thereby qualifying for the necessary Roosevelt Medal. After that she returned to the The changes have been made student graduates from schools in the United States to attend school and did not re-enter because of budget limitations. They Canal Zone as useful citizens whether the Canal service until 1922. were announced May 26 at the Gover- Miss Williams has lived in Ancon since 1912 and members of Spanish-speaking or English- nor's conference with U. S.-rate Civic plans to continue there; she expects to live at the Council representatives. speaking communities. Tivoli Guest House, for the time being, at least. 14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW June 4, 1954

PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS ANNIVERSARIES

April 15 through May 15 Employees who observed important anni- versaries are listed alphabetically below. Employees who were promoted or trans- Personnel Records Division, to Division of The number of years includes all Govern- ferred between Vpril 15 and May 15 are Storehouses. ment service with the Canal or other agen- cies. listed below. Regradings and within-grade Mrs. Ruth J. Bain, from Accounting Those with continuous service with promotions are not listed. Clerk to Commissary Assistant, Commis- the Canal are indicated with (*). CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU sary Division. (Anniversaries did not appear in the May Mrs. Jane N. Clinton, Mrs. Harriet issue and are included below). K.. Serger, Mrs. Betty J. Jones, from IN MAY Substitute Teacher to Elementary School Teacher. JUNE SAILINGS 42 YEARS Coleman from Fireman to Kennth R. *George Herman, Chief, Police Division. Fire Sergeant. 35 YEARS James V. Bartlett, from Fire Sergeant From Cristobal Edward T. Kirchmier, Lockmaster, Pa- to Fire Lieutenant. Ancon June 4 cific Locks. Thomas J. Egger, from Pumping Plant Cristobal "June 12 'Jessie S. Pugh, Clerk-Stenographer, Operator and Tractor Bulldozer Operator, Puna ma June 18 Personnel Records Division. Maintenance Division, to Customs Guard, Ancon June 25 Postal, Customs and Immigration Division. From New York 30 YEARS Bialkowski, from Substi- Mrs. Ethel V. Cristobal **June 3 *George D. Cockle, General Supply As- School Teacher. tute Teacher to Junior High Panama June 8 sistant, Commissary Division. Fears, from Detective to Pol- Charles C. Ancon June 15 *Fred H. Olsen, Plant Maintenance Sup- Division. ice Sergeant, Police Cristobal June 22 ervisor, Industrial Division. from Policeman, Gerald J. Johnson, Panama June 29 "Fred W. O'Rourke, Marine Bunkering Police Division, to Fireman, Fire Division. "Leaves Cristobal Saturday; arrives New Foreman, Terminals Division. Mrs. Jean A. Violette, from Typist to York Friday. "Leaves New York Thurs- "Frederick C. Rose, Chief Towboat En- Clerk Stenographer, Division of Schools. day because of holiday, New York. (North- gineer, Navigation Division. Mrs. Jessie O. Lindsay, from Clerk to bound the ships are in Haiti from 7 a. m. 25 YEARS Procurement Clerk, Division of Schools. to noon Sunday; southbound the Haiti stop Eldridge N. COMMUNITY SERVICES BUREAU Burton, Assistant Post- is Saturday from 7 a. m. to -1 p. m.) master, Balboa. from Steward to Res- Claude W. Wade, "William E. Lundy, Assistant Treasurer, taurant Manager, Cristobal Service Center. Treasury Branch. ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION BUREAU "Raymond O. Simon, Assistant Man- ager, Tivoli Commissary. Robert K. Hanna, from Cash Account- RETIREMENTS 20 ing Assistant, Treasury Branch, to Con- YEARS tract Assistant, Contract and Inspection Kenneth M. Edwards, Lock Operator Retirement certificates were presented Division. Wireman Leader, Pacific Locks. to the following employees who are listed John F. Kalafsky, from Painter Leader, David W. Ellis, Floating Crane Opera- alphabetically, together with their birth Maintenance Division, to Construction In- tor, Dredging Division. places, titles, length of service and future spector (General), Contract and Inspection "Ernest E. Faris, Accounting Clerk, addresses. Electrical Division. I >i\ ision. Ralph H. Otten, from Architect (Gen- (Retirements did not appear in the May "Henry E. Lewis, Painter Leadingman, eral) to Electrical Engineer, Engineering issue and are included below). Industrial Division. "William J. Rose, Diesel Locomotive I >i\ ision. IN MAY Mrs. Patricia E. LeBrun, fromAccount- Machinist, Railroad Division. John G. Johnson, England; Storekeeper ing Clerk (Typist), Claims Branch, to Ac- "Walter V. Underwood, Lock Operator Division of Storehouses; 28 years, 2 months, counting Clerk, Electrical Division. Machinist, Leader, Pacific Locks. 23 days; Panama. John H. Childress, from Service Mech- 15 David L. Norton, Pennsylvania; Car YEARS anic (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) Inspector, Railroad Division; 25 years, 1 "Roy A. Fort, Pilot, Navigation Divi- to Pumping Plant Operator and Service month, 15 days; Los Angeles, Calif. sion. Mechanic, Maintenance Division. John G. McCoy, Pennsylvania; Salary Winfield S. Ireland, Postal Clerk, Air Leslie O. Anderson, from Construction and Wage Analyst, Personnel Bureau; 33 Mail Field, Balboa. Inspector to Supervisory Construction In- years, 2 months, 22 days; Jacksonville, Fla. John E. Jennison, Water System Fore- spector, Contract and Inspection Division. Floyd F. Rogers, Mississippi; Lock Op- man, Maintenance Division. Vernon C. Douglas, from Public Works erator Machinist; Pacific Locks; 1-1 years, James S. Morel, Lock Operator Wire- Foreman to Filtration Plant Operator, 4 months, 8 days; Hurley, Miss. man, Pacific Locks. Maintenance Division. Leonora Smith, Kansas; Principal, Cris- Chester W. Pearson, Policeman, Balboa. Edwin J. Compton, from Assistant tobal Elementary School; 31 years, 8 "Harry J. Quinlan, Boiler Inspector, Public Works Foreman to Special Combi- months; Seattle, Wash. Industrial Division. nation Welder, Maintenance Division. Lucile A. Waters, New Jersey; Account- Norbert M. Schommer, Accountant, William J. Turner, from Wireman to ing Clerk, Payroll Branch; 36 years 1 month, Commissary Division. Operator-Foreman Electrician, Electrical 14 days; Canal Zone for present. "Leslie H. Slavin, Public Works Fore- I Hvision. Florence E. Williams, New York; Ac- man, Maintenance Division. Zane Z. Zizz, from Powerhouse Opera- counting Clerk, Cost Accounts Branch; 33 tor-Dispatcher to Power Dispatcher, Elec- IN APRIL years, 8 months, 8 days; Canal Zone for trical Division. present. 35 YEARS Carl M. Nix, from Operator- Foreman IN APRIL "Charles F. Hinz, Postmaster, Electrician to Powerhouse Operator- Dis- Balboa Sylvester N. Belanger, Washington; Heights. patcher, Electrical Division. Master of Transportation, Railroad Divi- 30 YEARS OFFICE OF GOVERNOR-PRESIDENT sion; 22 years, 7 months, 14 days; Los "Rodger W. Griffith, Assistant Chief, Mrs. Isabelle C. Wolford, Clerk Stenog- Angeles, Calif. Police Division. Agents rapher, from Accounts Branch to Joseph A. Farr, Washington; Senior "Sallie F. McKeown, Fiscal Accounting Executive Planning Stall. Chief Towboat Engineer, Navigation Divi- Clerk, Industrial Division. INTERNAL SECURITY OFFICE sion; 29 years, 7 months, 8 days; Santa "Albert Terwilliger, Pilot, Navigation Edward J. Kirkus, from Police Sergeant Clara, R. de P. Division. 25 Police Division, to Investigator, Internal William Gaudette, Massachusetts; YEARS Security Office. Policeman, Police Division; 23 years, 7 Wilson H. Crook, Acting Director, Com- MARINE BUREAU months, 28 days; Lowell, Mass. munity Services Bureau. Arthur R. Grier, Iowa; General Fore- Albert A. Doyle, Vincent D. Ridge, from Shipwright Foreman Proofreader, man, Dredging Division; 36 years, 7 months, Printing Plant. Leader to Special Shipwright Leadingman 27 days; Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Edwin C. Jones, Records Analyst, and Assistant Dockmaster, Industrial Di- Ad- Percy L. Hooper, Alabama; Fireman, ministrative Branch. vision. Fire Division; 31 years, 10 months, 24 days; "Henry T. Leisy, Recreation Supervisor, Martin G. Klontz, from Boatbuilder to Mcintosh, Fla. Division of Schools. Shipwright Leader, Industrial Division. William L. Howard, Maryland; Post- Thomas Lutro, Lockmaster, Atlantic Scott J. McKay, from Chief Towboat master, Cristobal; 38 years, 3 days; St. Locks. Engineer to Senior Chief Towboat Engineer, Petersbtirg, Fla. 20 YEARS

I >i\ isii in. Charles L. Leeser, Maryland; Press "Henry T. Carpenter, Albert L. Wilder, from Probationary Construction and Foreman, Mount Hope Printing Plant; 25 Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Div- Pilot to Qualified Pilot. years, 2 months, 12 days; Houston, Texas'; ision. William A. Hadarits, from Gauger, Div- Samuel R. Meyer, Oklahoma; Senior John W. B. Hall, Chief Stevedore Fore- ision of Storehouses, to Towing Locomotive Gas Plant Operator, Industrial Division; man, Terminals Division. Operator, Atlantic Locks. PERSONNEL BUREAU 33 years, 1 month, 16 days; Tampa, Fla. Morton L. LeVee, Sergeant, Police Div- Ernie L. Payne, Missouri; Chief, Per- ision. Mrs. Madeline M. DeRapps, from sonnel Records Division; 33 years, 7 months, "Jack F. Morris, Sergeant, Police Divi- Ticket Seller, Service Center Division, to 16 days; Portland, Oreg. sion. Clerk-Typist, Local Rate Records Branch. Carroll S. Sanders, Kentucky; Pump- "Thomas J. Polite, Sergeant, Police SUPPLY BUREAU ing Plant Operator, Maintenance Division; Division. Dorothy B. King, Clerk-Typist, from 14 years, 3 months, 10 days; Fontana, Calif. E. M. Reinhold, Automatic Telephone June 4, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

Contractors Hill Job Scheduled To Start core drilling was done by Dredging Divi- the company unless it can be shown that sion rigs although additional drillers were such equipment is a reasonable reserve Next Month; Project Largely Machine Work secured on a loan basis from the Corps supply of Engineers for the job. Following the visit of the survey teams [Continued from page 1) awarded by to the homes to inspect and inventory the Panama Canal Company and is one Lt. Col. Edward B. Jennings has been equipment, it will be the responsibility of the four or five largest ever let by the assigned to the Canal by the Corps of of the individual owners to report Canal organization. It was far exceeded Engineers and will be Project Officer. any change in the inventory prior to actual by three of the Third Locks project con- He has been on duty at the Corps of conversion from 25-cycle to 60-cycle tracts—excavation for the new Gatun and Engineers Office in Nashville, Tenn. He cur- rent. Equipment and appliances bought new Pacific Locks, and construction of visited the Isthmus for several days dur- subsequent to the inspection and the new Gatun Locks. The smallest of ing the past month during which time prior to conversion will also be converted these was $8,500,000 for excavation work he worked closely with the Canal's engi- free of charge if the owner has reported in writ- at Gatun, and the largest was $45,700,000 neering force on plans for the job. ing the purchase or change to the Engi- for the construction of the new Gatun neering and Construction Bureau. Locks. The latter, however, was can- Conversion To 60-Cycle Current Moves Detailed rules concerning the conver- celled only a short time after being sion of equipment, both domestic and in- awarded due to the beginning of the war. Soon Into Planning And Action Phase dustrial, will be announced at a later date. Although the Contractors Hill project Continued from page l) planned to These will cover such questions as re- is not large, as compared with many con- placement in lieu of conversion and ad- struction projects, the work involved will begin this survey in Atlantic side homes justment of equipment to be replaced. be a delicate operation. It requires blast- about October and complete it next Jan- Although these rules will generally cover ing alongside the Canal channel in an uary. The survey teams will then move it is to most situations, it is anticipated that area where there is a possibility of rock- to the Pacific side and hoped this completed of many decisions on conversion or replace- fall of major proportions. have work by July ment must be made on an individual Every precaution will be taken for the next year. basis. safety of shipping during the work and Occupants of Canal quarters will be Converters Unnecessary the contractor will be required to follow notified in advance of the date the survey According to conversion plans already strict safety regulations. Because of will be made. Each piece of frequency- formulated, the use of converters will not technical skill required in blasting, the sensitive equipment in each home will be be required except in some isolated in- Tecon Corporation has announced that inspected and listed. This will include stances. The avoidance of the use of it plans to employ special consultants for such domestic appliances as electric re- converters will represent a sizeable sav- this work. frigerators, washing machines, ironers, ings in the project. It is possible to avoid Members of the four-man Board of sewing machines, record players, fans, use of converters because all feeder lines Consultants selected by Governor Seybold clocks, vacuum cleaners, electric trains, supplying high voltage power are in to advise the Canal Administration on and hobby equipment. Cooperation of pairs. The power generating equipment the Contractors Hill problem visited the all employees in making the survey of will be converted on a gradual basis so Isthmus late last month for conferences their equipment is essential to avoid that an ample supply of both 25-cycle and field investigations. Three members, costly errors and interruption of electric and 60-cycle current will be available Dr. C. W. Livingstone, Edwin E. Abbott, service during conversion. until the program is fully completed. and Hibbert Hill, were here during the Conversion Free The actual conversion of domestic of 17-21, and Dr. Arthur Casa- week May for Under the overall policies adopted equipment will be done simultaneously grande visited the Canal Zone for two all regularly used the conversion project, in a small group of houses supplied by days at the end of the month. frequency-sensitive equipment which is one transformer. In this manner service the close of the two-day conference At converted, free privately owned will be interruption will be kept to a minimum of the three consultants, they issued a of Generally, the cost of convert- charge. in the individual households and it is not statement in which they expressed joint will ing spare equipment not be borne by expected that service interruptions will the opinion that Canal authorities have be more than one hour for such essential pursued a judicious course in the Con- WINS HONOR AWARD services as refrigeration. tractors Hill project. They agreed in the The amount of work to be done on the main with the steps which have been conversion of power generating equip- taken and the proposed plan of operation. ment during the coming fiscal year will Drill Holes Finished not be extensive because of the length of The sinking of drill holes through Con- time for the manufacture and delivery of tractors Hill to determine subsurface the heavy equipment after contracts have conditions, both as to the class of material been awarded. which will be encountered and the extent Contracts for $600,000 of the rock fracture, was being completed Contracts for approximately $600,000 this week. Five holes have been sunk to worth of equipment and material will be a depth of several hundred feet. This awarded during the coming fiscal year for the new Mount Hope substation. The Switchman, Electrical Division. *David C. Ryan, Foreman, Telephone major items include switchgear, trans- Repair Shop, Electrical Division. formers, circuit breakers, and a bus and *Harold I. Tinnin, Supervisory Store- bus structure. In addition, the 1955 bud- keeper, General, Division of Storehouses. get provides for the obligation of $30,000 15 YEARS to replace the transformer at the Agua Elsa L. Bailey, Personnel Clerk (Typist), Clara Diesel station with a 60-cycle Personnel Bureau. Donald R. Brayton, Senior Yardmaster, HECTOR MIRANDA, President of the Phi Theta transformer. Railroad Division. Kappa Society of the Canal Zone Junior College, The major expenditure for the year will *Samuel T. Bruce, Maintenance Man, was given the College's Honor Award this week at be $190,000 for the construction of duct Maintenance Division. the College graduation ceremonies. lines and the installation and re-routing Erma C. Forbes, Public Health Nurse, He is the twentieth Junior College student and of Division of Quarantine. the fourth man to win the award which was estab- power cables to connect the new *Hector M. Grant, Pilot, Navigation lished in 1935. His name will be inscribed on the Mount Hope substation with existing in- Division. which presented the first graduating plaque was by stallations. Of this, $100,000 is earmarked *Richard M. Hirons, Assistant Motor class. The plaque is located at the entrance of the for a new duct line and three 2,500-volt Inspector, Police Division. college building in Balboa. cables to feed Margarita *Charles O- Peters, Jr., Towing Loco- It honors the student who, each year, "contributed townsite. motive Operator, Pacific Locks. most to the spiritual, intellectual, and extra-curric- Other expenditures for the year planned *Gabriel A. Reimers, Chief Towboat ular life of the college." on the Atlantic side include $102,000 for Engineer, Navigation Division. A graduate of Balboa High School, he has been the construction of a building, fence, con- Matthew Shannon, Foreman Painter, active in a wide range of college affairs. He was Maintenance Division. assistant advertising manager of the school year- crete slab and a steel structure for the new Charles T. Smith, Road and Yard book, Conquistador, a member of the Pep Club, and Mount Hope substation, and $30,000 for Conductor, Railroad Division. treasurer of the Spanish Club. He has taken a lead- a new 11, 500-volt underground cable and *Raoul O. Theriault, Supervisory Ac- ing part in staging and producing Junior College overhead line on the transmission towers countant, Commissary Division. dramatic productions. from William Wirtz, Jr., Shipwright. Indus- He plans to teach and will continue his studies in the Agua Clara plant to provide trial Division. the United States. 60-cycle service to Fort Davis. 16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW June 4, 1954 Newcomers Club Helps Atlantic Siders

To Get Acquainted With I sthmian Living o> = ro- Q '-> ^ restricting their meetings to a once-a- a>^= < month schedule. In between, they plan

m'< field trips and are already trying to Ol i-n arrange for a group transit of the Canal. In April some of them "did" Panama 6423 Hill ORIDA City, from Old Panama to French Plaza, and they expect soon to spend at least one day on the Canal Zone's Pacific side.

It is not at all unlikely that in the very near future they will make field trips to the Commissary Division's bakery and ice cream plant, the locks, the Colon Chamber of Commerce, and the courts. Early in June they and their husbands were to get together at the Elks Club for a steak and some movies—an old one of the Canal construction and a newer film of Panama Canal operations. Guest Speakers

They try to have as guest speakers people who can tell them something of ATLANTIC SIDE newcomers get together for formal meetings once a month, In between, they what their new community has to offer. take field trips. In May the main speaker was Mrs. Britta Marcey, program director for the Cristo- growing group of women, all ate such groups with less A young a more or bal YMCA, who described the swimming recently arrived here, has organized on parliamentary structure, they offi- have and badminton classes the "Y" provides the Atlantic side to work out one of the cers, dues —25 cents meeting a a — few for Atlantic side women, told them of the most difficult problems which any family standing committee chairmen and con- French and Spanish classes which they ever faces: Integrating themsslves into duct their meetings according to the can attend at the "Y" and invited them the of which they are now a usual Roberts Rales Order. community of to be hostesses at the YMCA's dances. part. Mrs. Duke Wilson, whose home state Mrs. Ozzie Gonzalez, who comes from They don't put their aim in any such is Florida and whose husband teaches at New York and whose husband is with sociological terms. They say, quite sim- Cristobal High School, is president. Mrs. the Free Zone, is the group's program ply: We're here. No one made us come Galeon Jarvis, who comes from Illinois chairman. She speaks Spanish and here. Now that we're here, let's learn to and whose husband is also a teacher, is served as interpreter on the April trip to like it. Meantime, no griping! vice president. She and her husband, Panama City. This group, which numbered 18 in however, are returning to the States, and The of the Newcomers Club mid-May and which has probably in- she will be succeeded by Mrs. Steve women make no pretensions of being a "study creased since then, is the "Newcomers Crowell who came here from Iowa and club," or anything so formal. How to Club." None of them has been on the whose husband is a civilian employee of Isthmus more than two years and most the Army. deal with prickly heat ("Menticol" from the Commissary helps) what to of them for only a few months. The only Mrs. Henry Tryner, who calls Penn- and pay domestic help (it depends on where you rigid rule for membership is that residence sylvania her home, and whose husband is live, but is average) are be less than two years. a pilot-in-training, serves as secretary, $2 a day more apt to for discussion than the The local organization was sparked by and Mrs. William Maynard, wife of a come up difference between the Canal Mrs. John L. Sugar of Margarita who physical education teacher and former Panama Company and the Canal Zone Govern- came here from Westfield, N. J., last resident of New York, is treasurer. ment. August. Her husband is with the Cris- They found that the basement of the tobal Commissary. She became choir di- Cristobal Union Church was available as The Newcomers are simply trying to rector of the Cristobal Union Church a meeting place. What to do with the find out what sort of place this is and how soon after her arrival and there found small children, while their mothers were to live here. If they keep on the way other newcomers. All of them knew still meeting, was a problem which was solved they are going, they will probably have other young women who were trying, by hiring a baby-sitter to keep the chil- been more places and seen more things with varying degrees of success, to adjust dren entertained. than other women who have lived here to their different new life. They decided The Newcomers have no intention of for many years.

to do something about it.

Clubs In U. S.

Mrs. Sugar recalled that she had joined a Newcomers Club when she moved to Westfield—she later became its president —and suggested that something of the sort be organized in the Canal Zone. There are similar clubs, she says, in many parts of the United States. Early in March a group of a dozen or so women met at her home in Margarita. The result of the meeting was reported in the following note in a local newspaper: "A group of ladies recently organized a 'Newcomers Club' and any woman who has been on the Isthmus less than two years is eligible to join. The Club was formed to help acquaint new arrivals with their respective surroundings such as in- teresting things to see and places to visit and also to exchange ideas for their own entertainment. It will meet once a month." WHILE THEIR mothers meet, the younger Newcomers are in the care of Mrs. Alice Wynter who Because it's easier and simpler to oper- acts as baby-sitter. Mrs. Georgeanna Griswold, standing, is the club's Child Care Chairman.