Gift ofthe Panama Canal Museum THE ^/T^a^aJS^ fctVlEV Vol. 4, No. 4 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, NOVEMBER 6, 1953 5 cents Change Directors Of Hospital Insurance Plans For Employees Are Being Pushed

Negotiations are still in pro- gress on plans for health and hospitalization insurance for Panama Canal employees to be paid by payroll deductions. No difficulties are presently foreseen in providing some form of coverage for em- ployees by the two groups now conducting negotiations. The Canal Zone Credit Union has had the matter of hospitaliza- tion insurance for U. S.-rate employees under study now for several weeks. A special committee composed of leading local-rate employees has been formed to establish an organization for handling insurance for local-rate employees. It is expected that plans for both groups of employees will have been formulated

well in advance of next January 1 when charges for hospital and medical services

1 HENRY T . DO.N'O' A\, right, discusses business with Wilson who became Acting Community Crook wil be made for employees. Services Director last week when Mr. Donovan, who had headed the bureau since its organization, was It appointed Civil Affairs Director. has been announced that enYployee Mr. Donovan, who succeeded Col. Richardson Selee on the latter's resignation, has been with the rates for medical and hospital services will Canal organization for 2-1 years. Mr. Crook has 25 years service with the Canal. be at approximately the level now in effect for dependents of Canal employees. The medical tariff is being revised and is First Quarters In New Corozal Area expected to be ready for publication by the December issue of The Review. Will Be Occupied During Coming Week Required by Law The discontinuance of free hospital and medical services for employees after De- A new Canal Zone town, still to be all work in that zone being finished about cember 31, 1953, is required under Section officially christened, is coming to life. the first of December. 106 of the Civil Functions Appropriations The first 100 or so residents of the new Zone 2 consists of 24 buildings, 36 Act of 1954. community at Corozal are expected to apartments, which are scheduled for com- Officials of the Credit Union have occupy the recently completed houses pletion by February 18. The remainder, announced that the organization is pre- during the coming week. 27 houses with 34 apartments, are in pared to assist in making available hospi- Zone 3 which is slated for completion by Simultaneous with this event is the talization insurance to U. S.-rate em- April 19. of the Canal's 1954 fiscal opening year ployees by the payroll deduction plan. quarters construction program. Town To Be Named By Vote A con- In this connection the officials have been The new town is to be named by a tract was awarded late last month to negotiating with various insurance com- Isthmian Constructors, Inc., bidder popular vote of Pacific side residents. low panies offering this type of coverage. Up for the construction of 33 duplex masonry The Pacific Civic Council has been invited to now none of the companies has offered to conduct a poll of all U. S.-rate residents buildings at Diablo Heights. These are a group insurance plan and only individual all 336 houses which are two-story in Pacific side communities exclusive of Type policies are presently available. One com- Gamboa. The popular vote is to be buildings with each apartment containing pany submitted a proposal on group three bedrooms on the second floor. conducted during this month and the insurance but later withdrew it. Governor expects to give the new com- The completion of the first of the 128 The Credit Union has announced that munity a name by December 1 to avoid new buildings at Corozal marked the clos- it will offer its service to both members confusing it with the Army Post of ing phase of the 1953 building program, and other U. S.-rate employees as a civic Corozal. all other houses in other areas having project. The service will be offered on a Sam Roe, Jr., President of the Pacific been completed and occupied. nonprofit basis, with only the added Civic Council, announced following re- The Corozal program is divided into expense in handling the accounts to be ceipt of the invitation that the poll will three zones Zone 1 consists of 77 houses, recovered. be taken next week simultaneously with 98 apartments, of which 33 buildings were Steering Committee the annual election of members to the for hospitalization insurance for to be transferred this week to the Housing Plans Council. being developed Division. These buildings, 37 apart- local-rate employees are In many respects the (See page to) Employees ments, were rushed to completion by the by the Non-U. S. Citizen Association. A. E. contractor, Macco-Panpacific Company, Hospital Insurance THIS MONTH'S FEATURES of an 11-man steer- because of an accelerated demolition Osborne is Chairman organizing the association. in Balboa Flats. These 37 apart- ing committee program • Canal To Greet First Monarch page 3 — several meetings and ments were assigned early last month. This group has had • Medical Association, Part I —page 5 conferred with insurance com- remaining 44 buildings in Zone 1 are has also The • Building 69, Where Everyone Goes—page 8 for completion at the rate of panies concerning rates. scheduled • Gatun, History of a Town—page 10 for (See page w) 10 to 15 a week during this month with Permanent officers THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953 Talented Quintet "Service Centers"

Suggested As Name

For C. Z. Clubhouses

A proposal that the Panama Canal Clubhouses be known as Service Centers was presented to Civic Council represent- atives at their October meeting with

( rovernor J. S. Seybold. The proposal was relayed to the con- ference from the Community Services office with the comment that the proposed designation would more fittingly describe the services offered by the clubhouse units. Moreover, the recommendation said, questions are frequently asked during Congressional hearings as to why "club- houses" are furnished for employees and the Canal "clubhouses" are often confused in such circumstances with military service units like Officers Clubs. As usual, the matters brought up before the conference covered a wide range of AUTHORS ALL The five Canal Zone subjects. women above and to the right are the authors and illustrator of two chil- Health Problems dren's books published recently. Above, the three authors of "The Brigadier General Don Longfellow Pelican Tree and Other Panama Adven- Health Director, told the representatives tures" Jean Bailey, Elizabeth Lamb, that it has been found possible to keep and Patricia Markun, watch illustrator the Pedro Miguel -dispensary open for the Jeanne Beaudry at work. The name present, at least. He warned that further of their book, which was published by budgetary cuts would call for a reexam- the North River Press, comes from a ination and reconsideration of this. tree near the Balboa Yacht Club where Both he and Governor Seybold said pelicans frequently roost. Original that attempts to recruit doctors for the drawings for the book and its dust Canal Zone health service has been inten- jacket are now on display at the Library sified, but without much success to date. Museum. As an added inducement, the Governor Marguerite Nix of Gatun, right, said, doctors coming to the Canal organ- wrote "What The Little Fairy Saw" ization will be given arbitrary assignments from stories she told her children when to quarters. they were small. It has been published It is a matter of "prime importance to by Pageant Press and is illustrated by provide medical care for our people" the cartoonist Al Kilgore. Governor told the conference. In answer to a question as to a dispen- sary for Margarita, the conference was remark from the Governor that he wants mercial activities beyond the scope of its told that this, as well as the situation of contraband stopped. He promised to own facilities. Hospital, will the plant at Colon depend act at once on verified cases of this or any Connections for automatic washing the outcome of talks on hospital on other sort of contraband. machines in the new quarters: Quarters consolidation. While study is progressing on conver- built after fiscal year 1952 have these sion to 60-cycle current, he told the connections. Commissaries, Clubhouses conferees, it will be possibly six years Matters which will be studied included: before the conversion is completed, assum- complaint that the Motor Transporta- All of the civic councils have now A ing the continuity of the program. He tion Division is equipped to handle approved the suggestion that the Mar- not said that reports that Gatun would be minor repairs over weekends; lack of free garita and Diablo Heights commissaries on 60-cycle current next year were not parking space for employees of the corrals open Monday from 1-8 p. m. and close true. What will be done about converting on both sides of the Zone; transfer of Wednesdays and it is expected that this employees' household appliances will be most of the men's wearing apparel stock will be done in the near future, the up to the Board of Directors; some deci- from Ancon to Balboa Commissary; conferees were told. sion will be made soon on this question, resumption of the X-ray examina- The Governor reported that the price chest he added. tion program for employees' families; the of half-pint bottles of milk at the Balboa comparative cost of schooling in the Clubhouse school luncheonette will be Range Of Subjects Canal Zone, Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, and reduced 5 cents in price, but only when Puerto Rico, and a question as to how they are purchased in connection with the Other questions raised during the this is special school luncheon. Regarding an- supported. conference included: other school matter, he said that repairs Attending the conference were: The Guarantees on tires bought at the are being made to the walls of the Governor, General Longfellow; E. A. Transportation Division and Store- Cristobal school cafeteria. Motor Doolan, Personnel Director; Vernal is considered impracticable The question of a marquee for the houses: This Brown, of the Washington office, as an but adjustments will be made on defective Cristobal commissary is still under study, observer, and Norman Johnson, Em- tires after individual inspection; he said; other representatives then asked ployee and Labor Relations Counselor; about marquees for the Gamboa, Pedro A request that the Panama Line sell Elmer Powell, General Committee of Miguel, and Balboa schools, and these railroad tickets for use of vacationing em- Civic Councils; Marion Goodin, Gamboa; questions will be looked into. ployees: Impossible because the Line is Hugh Thomas, Gatun; Sam Roe, Ancon- An unverified report that unauthorized operating for the transport of employees Balboa-Diablo; Charles Hammond, Pedro persons were attending the movies at between the Canal Zone and the United Miguel and John F. Rice, Cristobal- Cristobal Clubhouse brought an emphatic States and can engage in no outside com- Margarita. November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW First Reigning Monarch Will Visit Canal Zone

When Britain's young Queen, Eliza- employee; the writer conceded that she beth II, arrives here November 29 she was pretty and a good dancer. will probably be the first reigning mon- The Prince and his party were travel- arch ever to set foot in an official capacity ing aboard the cruiser Renown. Its on the Canal Zone. transit was delayed an hour while the Although Panama Canal files and old Dredging Division dynamited a 50-ton records bulge with accounts of actual or boulder which had rolled onto the floor of projected visits of princes and dukes, the cut. The Renown passed safely former and future kings, presidents and over the debris, but gashed its propeller presidents-elect, there are no accounts of badly. any time when a ruling king or queen On his next visit, 11 years later, the ever visited the Panama Canal. Prince made Isthmian history, when he The only possible exception could be flew from France Field to Paitilla airport the recent canal transit of Salote Tupou, in a PAA plane, the first royalty to fly towering and personable Queen of Tonga, across the Isthmus. This visit was unoffi- a British protectorate in the southwest cial, because of a death in the royal QUEEN ELIZABETH II will arrive November Pacific. She transited the Canal last family; the Prince traveled as the Earl 29 aboard the S. S. Gothic from the West Indies. May, as a passenger aboard the S. S. of Chester, one of his lesser titles, aboard Rangitoto en route to London to attend the S. S. Oropesa. drove around the Pacific side, both in the coronation of Elizabeth II. How's The Baby? Panama and the Canal Zone, lunched at At the time Canal oldtimers could not Then Duke and Duchess of York, the the British Legation and reviewed at recall any previous occasion when the present Queen's parents, were here Janu- least two military guards of honor, one personal standard of a reigning monarch ary 25 and 26, 1927. This time no huge of them at Pedro Miguel locks where she was flown from the mast of a transiting rock impeded passage of the Renown reboarded her ship. ship. which was piloted as it had been seven Danish Royalty Father, Uncle Were Here years earlier by Capt. Ralph Osborn. Other royalty who have visited the Elizabeth IPs two immediate prede- From a crowrd at Pedro Miguel locks, a Canal were the present King and Queen cessors on the British tin-one have visited homesick Briton called to the Duchess: of Denmark, then Crown Prince and the Canal, but neither after he became "How's the baby?" and she leaned over Princess, who were passengers aboard the king. The present Queen's uncle, Ed- the cruiser's rail to answer: "Baby's MS Canada on March 27, 1939. Although ward VIII, now Duke of Windsor, and fine." The baby, of course, was the pres- they were traveling unofficially, they the Queen's father, the late George VI, ent Queen, then only nine months old who were welcomed with a 21-gun salute and at separate times inspected lock control had been left at home in her palace were greeted by local dignitaries. Four towers and saw the workings of the Canal. nursery. months later the Crown Prince's 19-year- As Prince of Wales, the Duke of There was a luncheon for them at old brother, Prince Georg transited the Windsor visited the Isthmus twice; his Panama's Presidencia and a dinner at the Canal, also on the Canada. His visit was first visit was from March 30 to April 1, British Legation was followed by a considered informal and no official func- 1920, and his second February 5 and 6, reception for 800 guests; the Star & tions were held. 1931. The first visit was official; he was Herald devoted nearly four columns to Other royal visitors whose names quite literally royally entertained. listing their names. appear in Canal files include Archduke A contemporary newspaper even pub- On March 3, 1947, three other members Otto of Austria-Hungary and his brother, lished the menu of a banquet given at the of the British Royal family were visitors who were here in April 1950; Prince Hotel Tivoli by the British Minister, here. They were the Duchess of Glouces- Ferdinand of Lichtenstein and his Prin- Percy Bennett—it ' included corbina, ter, the present Queen's aunt, with her cess, visitors to the Canal Zone in April chicken, avocado—and on its front page two small sons, then aged 2 and 5. The 1951; former King Leopold of Belgium commented especially that the Prince Duchess was traveling to England from and his wife, who were here on a yacht had danced repeatedly with Carolyn Australia on the S. S. Rangitiki. about 18 months ago; and Prince Wil- Cranberry, daughter of a Panama Canal In her stay of only a few hours, she helm, brother of the King of Sweden, on an unofficial trip last March. Presidential Visits Three Chief Executives of the United States, two presidents-elect, two vice presidents, and innumberable cabinet members, senators, and representatives have visited the Canal Zone, officially and unofficially. Of these the late President William Howard Taft heads the list with the largest number of visits. As Secretary of War he made the first official visit to the Canal Zone in November 1904, only six months after American forces began work. Mrs. Taft was with him on his first trip. They were house guests of the American Minister in Panama and were entertained by officials of the then very young Republic of Panama. For his second visit in November 1905, the train which brought him across the Isthmus, public buildings in the Canal Zone, railroad stations along the line, and some buildings in Panama were gaily decorated. Mr. Taft made two other visits as Secretary of War, in March 1907, and May 1908. In January and later VI Queen Elizabeth, parents THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK, King George and February of 1909 he was here as Presi- of'Queen Elizabeth II, visited the Canal Zone in January 1927. Gov. M. L. Walker was with them when dent-elect with a party of civil engineers, they transited the Canal on the cruiser Renown; among other things he showed them was the control tower at Gatun locks. and as President he made {See page m THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953

FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GUIDANCE IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION £3H£ it ]£

5. Installing safety guards on ma- Safety Equipment And Devices chinery which has not been properly GET THE EMPLOYEE guarded. (HOW TO TO USE THEM) 6. Acknowledging the sincerity and good intentions of the worker who In the good old days of 1940, the Panama ment of safety representatives and makes complaints and suggestions Canal had disabling injuries resulting in inspectors. Selling safety will still be for improving working conditions. a high average frequency rate of around a job with these people. 7. Getting the worker to realize that his safety is as much a part of 90. It was easier then to reduce it from During the past years most of the more his job as knowing how to do it. 90 to 15 in than it will be to reduce evident 1952, unsafe conditions and practices 8. Giving each worker the best in it proportionately in the future. One have been removed or improved. How- personal supervision, with instruc- tions reason for this is the "old math" problem ever, if the average frequency rate is to to both new and old employees in safety and job efficiency. of arithmetical progression. If you were be lowered, everybody will have to do 9. Holding frequent staff confer- to walk one half the distance to Gamboa his part, especially the employee at the ences in which backing is given to the first day, then one half the remaining bottom. their safety engineer or inspector. distance the second day, and so on, What is the most important thing a Safety Personnel can participate by: theoretically you would never arrive, for worker can do to help lower the frequency 1. Promoting group education, posting safety posters, showing films there would always be one half the rate? The answer is simple. All he has and other visual aids, giving credit remaining distance left. to do is look out for his own safety. where merited, sponsoring workers' This analogy somewhat fits the situation This means the observing of such things safety meetings conducted by the in which the Canal Zone Government- as safety rules and regulations, using workers themselves. 2. Creating enthusiasm and inter- Panama Canal Company now finds itself. machine guards, grounding electrical est in safety through working direct- It is difficult now to see any great prog- tools, and wearing protective clothing. ly with the workers and listening to ress in the reduction of the average Of all these, the wearing of protective their complaints and suggestions. frequency rate. In 1940 the mere estab- clothing appears to be the most difficult 3. Building the safety program for and to fit the worker rather than for lishing of a full-time safety program, for him. Usually, the common laborer will the safety personnel. where there was none before, produced wear some sort of shoes, shirt, hat, and 4. Using a more interesting ap- notable results. Now greater effort will grab a piece of paper to protect himself proach other than the usual fright be necessary to accomplish only one-tenth from the rain. The difficulty is to per- picture of injuries a worker could receive. the results. suade him to wear the safety kind, a metal 5. Showing him how to prevent Another reason for substantial the hat to protect his head, goggles to protect accidents with greater awareness and reduction in the number of accidents then his eyes, gloves to protect his hands, safety consciousness. was the establishment, from time to safety shoes to protect his feet. Below 6. Getting the worker to use safety devices and protective clothing time, of better management responsibil- are some ideas on the solution of the for his own sake rather than trying to ity and participation in safety, and problem to get the workers' support. enforce obedience enforcement of safety rules and regula- Management can set an example by: 7. Working directly with all super- tions. Now supervisory interest in safety 1. Observing all safety rules, regu- visors and foremen; helping them to lations, signs of the area in teach safe and efficient procedure is good in all bureaus and divisions. and which to they happen to be working. their workers. Of course, there are some supervisors 2. Wearing the safety equipment 8. Making sure you have the best who think they have been relieved of all and apparel required of the worker possible solution for their immediate safety responsibility with the appoint- while in his work area. problem. 3. Correcting an unsafe procedure 9. Realizing that the paramount or inefficient process rather than need is for safety and supervisory HONOR ROLL ordering the worker to wear protec- personnel to understand the worker Bureau Award For tive equipment against a hazard and be able to work with him. which could be eliminated by proper 10. Setting a good example in BEST RECORD engineering. safety; being patient; taking time to SEPTEMBER 4. Promptly removing an unsafe prevail upon, induce and persuade COMMUNITY SERVICES BUREAU piece of equipment, where repair or everyone to work safely and prevent replacement is indicated. accidents. INDUSTRIAL BUREAU Disabling Injuries per 1,000,000 Man-Hours Worked

AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR SEPTEMBER 1953 (Frequency Rate) Industrial 6 l 1 10 EO Civil Affairs 30 40 a 3 1 Health 3 Services Community Bureau 1 Community Services 2 tssffla Engineering and Construction 2 Industrial Bureau Marine i Railroad and Terminals mm Supply and Service Engineering and Construction Bureau 4 m

Division Award For Civil Affairs Bureau 6 §PfP 1 NO DISABLING INJURIES SEPTEMBER C. Z. Govt.—Panama Canal Co. (This Month) 8 CLUBHOUSE DIVISION i"fi*' A-'r.V'vIv^ Marine Bureau 8 ELECTRICAL DIVISION ™^ I 11;; !;:vl GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DIVISION Supply and Service Bureau 9 DIVISION OF SANITATION Health Bureau 11 AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR Sani ta tion 8 C. Z. Govt.—Panama Canal Co. (Best Year) 13 Electrical 6 Motor Transportation 6 Railroad and Terminals Bureau IS Dredging 5 %$&m%$ Grounds Maintenance 5 » ' ' Hospitalization and Clinics 4 20 30 40 50 Railroad 4 Number of Disabling Injuries 19 Man-Hours Worked Clubhouses 3 2.469,911 Maintenance 3 LEGEND Storehouses 3 Amount Better Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Canal Company Best Year Navigation 1 Commissary Amount Worse Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Canal Company Locks Best Year Terminals Accumulative Frequency Rate This Year November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW Many Significant Finds First Presented At Meetings Of Zone Medical Association

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first discontinued as a Canal economy meas- part of a two-part story on the Medical ure, but papers presented at monthly Association of the Isthmian Canal Zone, whose membership has included meetings continued to be collected up some of the most distinguished medical to 1935. men of the Western Hemisphere. Medical Milestones Organized in 1906, when the Canal Zone was a much more isolated spot Several medical milestones in the study than it is today and when tropical of trypanosomiasis, for instance, can be medicine was in its infancy, it served found in the Proceedings and minutes of as a clearing house where its members could discuss their mutual medical Isthmian Medical Association meetings. problems and give one another a some- Trypanosomiasis is caused by organ- times much-needed boost along paths isms called trypanosomes which inhabit which were just being explored. the blood and tissues of man and animals. One member of the trypanosome family Dr. D. F. Reeder, charter member of causes the sleeping sickness of the oldest Canal Zone professional organ- Africa. Another causes Chagas' disease of Central ization, chuckles over the part he played and South America, an illness that is in one of the many significant finds first often fatai and one on which Isthmian presented to the medical world at doctors have done notable research. meetings of the Medical Association of Trypanosomiasis of domestic the Isthmian Canal Zone. stock, caused by another trypanosome, was Recognition of his bit role in the local first recognized on the Isthmus in 1909 discovery came at one of the regular by Dr. Darling, who described the disease as meetings held soon after the Association it occurred in a large lot of mules sent was formed sometime in 1906. from New Orleans for Canal work. Histoplasmosis Discovery CHARTER MEMBER of the oldest professional Dr. Darling, described by Dr. Clark as Dr. Samuel T. Darling, first official society in the Canal Zone, Dr. D. F. Reeder is the outstanding scientific man of the old Chief of the Board of Health Laboratory shown here perusing an early volume of the Pro- days at Ancon Laboratory, was a path- ceedings of the Medical Association of the Isthmian at Ancon—now Gorgas— Hospital, was ologist for the Canal and served from Canal Zone in the Library of Gorgas Memorial the speaker for the evening. His subject Laboratory in Panama City. 1909 to 1915 as Chief of the Board of histoplasmosis, to was unknown the Papers published in the Proceedings, after pre- Health Laboratory. medical world until he discovered it. sentation to Association members at regular meetings, During that period, he reported in the contain many valuable additions to the advancement His first description of the frequently Proceedings of the local association and of medical knowledge, particularly in the field of fatal disease, caused by a fungus that public health and the study of tropica! medicine. other medical journals on 28 different attacks the heart, lungs, and other The one other charter member of the Association subjects. The Wasserman test for syphilis, internal organs, was given to local on the Isthmus is Dr. Harrv Eno of Colon. at that time very recently developed, was at that colleagues meeting. first given wide application by his labora- After reading the paper that has served outrun the supply. The one complete set toi iti 19 iz and his work on malaria and that first since time as the source of infor- on the Isthmus is the personal property of equine trypanosomiasis were of great prac- mation on the subject, Dr. Darling Dr. Herbert C. Clark, Director of Gorgas tical importance, according to Dr. Clark. thanked Dr. Reeder for sending him the Memorial Laboratory in Panama City, Dr. Darling was President of the Isth- first undiagnosed case. who keeps them in the library there. mian Medical Association in 1908 and Dr. Reeder, at that time barely past The Proceedings were published from held the same post in the American his at hospital, internship the says his 1908 to 1920, when the publication was Society of Tropical Med- (See page IS) failure to provide a diagnosis was not looked upon with similar favor by supervisory physicians. But his parents taught him to be an honest boy, he says, and since he didn't know it, he wouldn't call it. Charter Members Dr. Reeder resigned as Chief of Ancon Hospital's Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic in 1916 to join with other physi- cians in the formation of Panama Hos- pital where he is still in active practice. He was President of the Medical Associa- tion in 1914. Dr. Harry Eno, the one other remaining local charter member, began his intern- ship at Ancon Hospital in October 1905 and remained in the Canal organization as a phvsician until 1915. Since that time he has been in private practice in Colon, and for several years headed the Samaritan Hospital there. Both of the local charter members are living archives of medical history on the Isthmus, site of many significant medical achievements, particularly in the field of public health and the study of tropical medicine. Many pioneering medical works first REGULAR PLEASURE-AFTER-BUSINESS features of otherwise serious monthly meetings devoted to professional members of the Medical were made known at meetings of the matters are food and drink, being sampled here by three Association of the Isthmian Canal Zone. local association and published in its pro- They are, left to right, Capt. Shirley E. Gage, M. C, surgeon at Fort Clayton Hospital, one of the ceedings, later to be used in other pro- three feminine members of the Association; Dr. Carl M. Johnson, Health Officer for the Canal in the fessional journals and explained to Panama City Health Office, President of the Association; and Dr. I. J. Strumpf, Chief of the Obstetrics scientific gatherings elsewhere. and Gynecology Service at Gorgas Hospital, Vice President. The other two women in the Association are Dr. Grace M. Stuart, Chief of the Anaesthesiology Requests for papers in the Proceedings, Section at Gorgas Hospital; and Dr. Lidia Sogandares, Obstetrician and Gynecologist in Panama City which still are being received, have often attached to the staff of Santo Tomas Hospital. /

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953

Notable among this group were men and Canal Says Regretful Farewell women from Jamaica. Legal restrictions in some of the To Oldest Local Rate Workers British West Indies required the contract recruitment program to be centered mostly in Barbados and the French islands. There are no statistics available now on the number still in service who were brought to the Isthmus under contract. It is notable that the first and last group of contract laborers brought to the Isthmus during the construction period were from Barbados. A total of 404 were employed in 1904 during the first year of construction, and 528 were em- ployed in 1913, the year before the Canal was completed. Four From Building Typical of the employees over 65 years of age who are now being retired are the four whose pictures are published on this page. All four are from Barbados and came to the Isthmus during the early construction period. These are, inci- dentally, the only four who began work in the Administration Building when it was opened in 1914 and have been con- tinuously employed there since. Two of these oldtimers, Chesterfield Mayers and Prince H. Walcott, both Janitor Foremen, were retired at the end of September. The other two, Aubrey E. Todd, Office Helper in the Adminis- trative Branch, and Robert J. Atherley, Station Messenger on the third floor, retired at the end of October.

l'i il'R of the oldtimers who are being retired from the Canal service meet on the front steps of the Another oldtimer at the Administration Administration Building where they haw all worked since 1914. Left to right they are: Prince Wolcott, Building who retired at the end of last Robert Atherley, Chesterfield Mayers, and Aubrey Todd. month was Josiah Douglas, Messenger on the "Governor's Station" for the past The Canal is saying a regretful farewell and the Canal administration is asking 35 years. He is from Jamaica and came to a of its oldest and most fail hful the enactment of retirement legislation group to the Isthmus in 1909. workers. for its non-U. S. citizen workers. This Most of those over 65 who are now measure provides for compulsory retire- They are the remnants of the small being retired have 40 or more years of ment at the age of 62 years and if this is army of over 45,000 men who were service with the Canal organization. A passed, the group of 500 employees above recruited and brought to the Isthmus few boast of 45 or even 50 years of service, 62 years would be automatically retired under contract to help build the Panama since some were employed by the Panama upon its passage. Canal. Within the next few months all Railroad or with the French Canal Com- but a few will be mustered out of service. All of those being retired during the pany when the United States began the will benefit under any Most of the offices and field units will current program Canal work on May 4, 1904. be affected by the program of retirement legislation raising the cash relief pay- The loss of these oldtimers will be for all local-rate employees over the age ments. sorely felt in the units where they have of 65. This program was begun in August Majority From Barbados spent such a great part of their lives. and is scheduled to be completed by next Most of those being retired now over They go with a fond but regretful March. The first group was retired in 65 years of age are from Barbados since "adios" from their associates in the Canal September and 87 more left the service the great majority of workers who were enterprise. at the end of October. brought to the Isthmus during the con- When the program was begun there struction period under contract and were approximately 475 in service above retained in service were from there. Third Annual Firemen's Ball 65 years of age. Of these about 100 had The Canal Record in August 1914, passed the 70-year mark and there were published statistics on the number of Will Take Place November 7 a few who were SO years old or older. contract laborers brought to the Isthmus Gradual Program during the Canal construction period. It Final arrangements are being com- total of this is completed it is showed that a 45, 107 were brought When program pleted for the Canal Zone Firemen's planned to gradual retire- under contract to help on the Canal begin a more Third Annual Ball, to be given tomorrow ment program for the men and women in project. evening. Like the past balls, it will take this 19,900 were the age group of 62 to 65. There are now Of number employed place at El Panama. about 500 of this age group in service. in Barbados. Other large groups were: This year's ball is dedicated to the of these will "permis- Spain, 8,298; Martinique, 5,542; Guade- The retirement be 50th Anniversary of the Republic of sive" and those in health who have loupe, 2,053; Italy, 1,941; Colombia, good Panama. Officials from Panama and the ability retained 1,493; Trinidad, Greece, special may be in service 1,427; 1,101; Canal Zone have been invited. the option of their supervisors. St. Kitts-Nevis, 942; and Cuba, 500. at Tickets will be available at the door for The retirement of the employees in the Most of the European laborers were those who have not already purchased older age group was not instituted until repatriated or left the service for con- them. A taxi service, at 25 cents a per- after the recess of Congress because of struction projects elsewhere in Latin son, will operate between the Civil Affairs favorable indications that the legislation America at the close of the Canal con- Building parking lot and the hotel. to increase disability relief payments struction period. Many thousands of The drawing for door prizes, at 10

would be passed. The legislation is a those from the West Indies also were p. m., will be followed half an hour later Canal administration measure and Gov- repatriated. by a floor show. ernor Seybold has announced that he will In addition to the 45,000 who were Sgt. Edward E. Albin is Chairman of vigorously urge its speedy passage when brought under contract for work on the this year's Ball Committee. Other mem- Congress reconvenes in January. Canal, thousands of others came to the bers are: Firemen Kenneth R. Coleman, It is regarded as a temporary measure Isthmus at their own expense to get jobs. Fred A. Mohl, and John R. Olsen. November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

.jg.-i.MfcJ. OF CURRENT INTEREST

Official Panama Canal Company Publication They Sponsor The ROTC 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 E. C. Lombard, Executive Secretary

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS—$1.00 a year

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

SINGLE COPIES BY MAIL-lOcentseach

BACK COPIES— 10 cents each On sale when available, from the Vault Clerk, Third Floor, Administration Building, Balboa Heights.

Postal money orders should be made pay- able to the Treasurer, Panama Canal Com- WEARING uniforms in their school colors, the sponsors of the two high school ROTC units line up pany, and mailed to Editor, The Panama for The Review camera. In the blue and gold of Cristobal are, upper row, left to right: Mercedes Peter- Canal Review, Balboa Heights, C. Z. son, Mary Louise Allen, Barbara Hickey, and Kathryn Dignam. Balboa's red and white is worn by,

lower row, left to right: Alice Paxson, Ann Mulligan, Josie DiBella, ,.i d Constance Glassburn. Miss Allen and Miss Mulligan are battalion sponsors; the others sponsor companies.

Zone Days Were Happiest, The period between late December and old Cristobal coaling plant which was early April is expected to be the biggest demolished some time ago. Writes Retired Employee tourist season for the Canal Zone and Pan- another 2,400 ton.-, »a» put aboard the ama since 19.?°, according to figures S. S. Hwasun. This was scrap assembled compiled by the Railroad Division. by the Storehouse Division from various I long official envelope "When receive a Late last month, 33 reservations had been Canal units. from the Governor's Office, I am always made for special trains to handle trans- hoping that it is a summons to come back Isthmian tourist trips between l>ecember Friday night is a better night to shop, 24 and April 3. The train trips will be according to residents of Cocoli. This to work, but I guess it is too late to hope broken, either north or southbound, to fact was discovered recently through for that any more," a retired Canal permit the tourists to transit a portion of a poll taken among the housewives of employee wrote recently. the Canal through the Cut. The itinerary the West Bank community. The writer was Edwin A. Hovey, now for passengers from each ship is laid out The majority of the voters favored by its tour agent. Friday rather than Thursday as the of North Anson, Me. Mr. Hovey retired On four dates there will be tourist trains most convenient shopping night. from the Dredging Division in 1938 after run for two ships. These will be December As a result the Commissary Division almost 21 years service with the Dredging 29 when the Patricia and the Flandre will has announced a change in the business and Marine Divisions. both be in port; February 8, for the Maure- hours of its retail store there. Effec- tania and the Italia (formerly the Kungs- tive tonight the Cocoli commissary will He said he had answered the question- holm); February 16, for the Nieuw Amster- be open Friday from 1 to 8 p. m., of retired naire sent to a number employ- dam and the lie de France; and February 29, instead of on Thursday evening. ees by Booz, Allen and Hamilton, con- for the Empress of Scotland and the Ocean sultants engaged in a compensation study, Monarch. Colon Hospital has a new doctor. He The Patricia will make five trips to the is Dr. Leo M. Rettinger, formerly District and added: Isthmus; and the Slella Polaris, Nieuw Director of Public Health in Saipan, "I am very glad to do this as I fully Amsterdam, Mauretania, and Empress of Mariana Islands, who arrived here during realize that action that Congress takes on Scot/and are scheduled for three each. October and is now on the medical staff this report will not only affect you folks of the Colon Hospital. that are now employed on the Zone, but us The annual visiting day for parents Saipan gave Dr. Rettinger a good idea retired personnel as well. of students in the Canal Zone schools of the climate of Panama and also a great "As you know we were granted a tempor- will be a feature of American Education deal of experience in dealing with tropical ary raise in annuity about a year ago and Week, to be observed this year between diseases. He was stationed there from this report to Congress will decide whether November 8-14, in both colored and July 1951 to 1953 and during that time was or not the raise will be made permanent or white schools. head of the medical activities of the Saipan perhaps take it away from us. In which Parents of secondary school students district and in charge of the Saipan Hospital event we of the retired list are going to find will visit their children's schools on administering to both the Civil Service it very difficult to maintain the standard of Thursday, November 12; visiting day personnel and the native population. living that we have been used to, as our in the elementary schools will be Born in New York City, Dr. Rettinger annuity dollar will only buy 52 cents worth Friday, November 13. was graduated from City College of New

• >f living today. There will be no visiting day at the York and took his medical degree from the "I did not by any means state so in my Paraiso schools, as parents in that Chicago Medical School. He was an intern in il 'Stionnaire, but the happiest and best town had an opportunity to see their in the Methodist Hospital Gary, Ind.

l.i .of my wife and myself were spent on children in class sessions at the time and later entered private practice in the Canal Zone and we have never been the school was dedicated. A date for Houston, Tex. During the war he served really satisfied and contented since we left visiting day in the new South Marga- with the Army Medical Corps and was there as it always seemed like our home. rita school is uncertain, at this writing, stationed in England, France, Belgium, "When I receive a long official envelope and may be deferred until the formal and Germany. from the Governor's Office, I am always dedication of the building. hoping that it is a summons to come back Capt. John Andrews, Jr., new Port to work, but I guess it is too late to hope for The largest shipments of scrap to leave Captain for Cristobal, arrived last week that any more. Canal Zone ports in well over a year were from New Orleans to assume his duties "Should there be any of my old associates loaded aboard ships at Canal docks during here. He replaced Capt. William S. left on the Canal Zone, I would like to last month. In two shipments a total ol Parsons, who has been assigned to

• xpress my best wishes to them. 5,600 tons were loaded here for Japan. Captain Andrews' former post as The larger of the two loads was 3,200 Director of Naval Reserves and Director "Very respectfully, tons, put aboard the S. S. Alcyone Hope. of Training on the Staff of the Com- Edwin A. Hovey." The bulk of this shipment came from the mandant of the 8th Naval District. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953 Most Canal Zone Workers Have Business Sooner Or Later At Balboa's Building 69

Municipal Engineering Division and went to work at 24 cents an hour. A couple of years later he had trouble with his wife and came to the Central Labor Office with his problems. He was given some commonsense advice which helped patch things up for a while. Then his wife had trouble with Juan. She complained to the CLO that he was not giving her enough commissary books to provide for her and the children, who, by then, numbered nine. Juan was called in and talked to and a schedule set up which required him to give a certain percentage of his wages to his family. Eventually his domestic difficulties ad- justed themselves. He continued as a laborer, was given a succession of salary increases until he eventually was earning 55 cents an hour. His Service Ends

Recently he became ill and a physical disclosed GREAT TREES cast their shade over Building GO which almost everyone calls the check a heart condition. His Central Labor Office. The Local-Rate Records Branch is also housed there. case went before the Disability Relief Board which recommended—and the Sooner or later -and it's usually jobs, Juan del Pueblo decided to go back Governor approved— that he be put on sooner—everyone who works in the Canal to work in the Canal Zone. disability relief. Zone has some business at Building 69 He applied to the Central Labor Office Meantime the Local-Rate Records on banyan-bordered Roosevelt Avenue which had been established that month Branch had been searching out his former in Balboa. "to centralize the induction and control service in their 7,000 volumes of old pay- Built in 1939 to house the Designing of labor employed and seeking employ- roll records, some of them written in Engineer's force (Third Lock studies and ment with The Panama Canal and other copper-plate and yellowed with age. The special defense projects), it is now head- government agencies on the Isthmus of check verified his claim that he had six quarters of the Personnel Bureau's Local- Panama," as an official report of that day years of previous service. That, with his Rate Employment and Records Branches; phrases it. At that time the CLO was 14 years of continuous service, established it is generally known as the Cen .a! in the old police station, opposite the the disability pension he would draw. Labor Office. Training conferences are Balboa elementary school. Searching out old service is usually not held in rooms on its second floor. as easy as it was in the case of del He presented his cedula showing that Juan Early in his employment processing Pueblo. Until 1929 there were no central he was a Panamanian citizen and was every new employee of the Canal organ- complete personnel records kept given a physical examination. A check for local- ization and potential local-rate employees rate workers. CLO people estimate that showed a clear police record. A bi-lin- of any Government agency in the Canal a thorough check for an old gual interviewer talked with him and employee Zone visit the vine-covered two-story would take one CLO employee about 10 classified him as a laborer. He was given frame building where the music of working days; as it is, the search an eligibility card to seek work, with a is practising school bands mingles with the divided among a number of people. number which later became his I. C. roar of airplanes and the shuttling of number. Conducted Tour railroad engines. A walk through the first floor of Meantime a file was set up on him, one All new U. S.-rate employees of the Building 69 gives a fair idea of what goes of the 750,000 or so in the local-rate Canal are photographed and finger- on there; the second floor is filing space records files. printed This contained information at Building 69. In most cases and the conference rooms. on his birth date, marital status, the U. S.-rate employees of other agencies are Charles E. Barter, who has been with number of his dependents, his previous fingerprinted at their own personnel the Personnel Bureau since 1938, is at the employment record, and a letter of recom- offices but photographed at Building 69 Roosevelt Avenue door. He serves as mendation he happened to a where records of their employment are have from receptionist, takes all incoming telephone former boss. He was then 45 years old. filed. There are now some 100,000 of calls and routes visitors and callers to these "control Juan deljPueblo found a job with the cards" for past and present the proper desks. employees on file. The west front corner of the building The process is somewhat different for is occupied by the Disability Relief Sec- the local-rate employee. He does not tion where its head, C. A. Schecker, and apply for work at any government agency his assistants, Mrs. Barbara H. Matthews until he has an eligibility card from the and Goldbourne M. Jackman, are handy CLO—a card given him after he satisfies to the old people whose service is ending. qualifications as to age, physical condi- At present they are in the middle of a tion, citizenship status, and police record. program begun in mid-August which will Only then is he free to seek work, where- retire 477 local-rate employees— over the ever it may be, in the Canal Zone. age of 65— within a five-month period. For the Canal Zone local-rate employee, The east front of the building is occu- Building 69 serves as an employment and pied by A. L. Wright, Local-Rate Records termination office, a place where his Chief, and his staff. Mr. Wright, a records are kept, a complaints bureau, bachelor, has "green fingers" and is and a court of domestic relations. responsible for Building 69's verdant One Man's Record appearance. He started the vines which Take an imaginary local-rate employee, now cover it from two sprigs from the old Juan del Pueblo. This is what his ex- Baptist parsonage and begged, borrowed, perience might have been: and even stole from friends and acquaint-

He had once worked for the Canal but ances the plants which fill the pots had resigned and taken up farming in the hanging from the building's eaves. KENNETH F. BROWN, 76, is Building Oil's Interior. In there Georgian, he December 1939, when oldest employee. Hecamefrom Jamaica in I906and A worked in Guatemala were more jobs than people to fill the has been with Personnel since 1917. and Costa Rica for United Fruit and in —

November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW PANAMA LINE SKIPPERS

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Capt, CHARLES L. FOLEY, S. S. Panama Capt. WILLIAM J. STEFFENS, S. S. Ancon Capt, F. DeF. GORMAN, S. S. Cristobal

THE APPOINTMENT of Capt, Charles L. Foley, left, as skipper of the 15 months, ever since the retirement of Capt. David Swinson. A graduate of Panama Line's S. S. Panama last month completed a turnover of Panama Line the New York State Nautical School, he has been in the employ of the Panama masters which began in July a year ago. Line since 1926. Captain Foley has been with the Panama Line since 1947 and has served Captain Gorman became skipper of the Cristobal last March when the ship's aboard both the Ancon and Cristobal, in addition to his present command. He former master, Capt, Erik J. Eriksen, was appointed Panama Line agent in succeeds Capt. J. W. Kirchner, who has retired. Haiti. Captain Gorman, like Captain Steffens, is a graduate of the New Y'ork Captain Steffens, center, has been in command of the Ancon for the past State Nautical School; he has been with the Panama Line since 1936.

Cristobal for Pan American Airways V. Moore. and where violent domino games rage before he joined the Personnel Bureau The base, or back, of the L-shaped during the noon hour, is in the end of in 1931. building is headquarters of the Local- this wing. W. A. Gaskin is in charge of Home-Made Lift rate Employment Branch of which the photographic section which, last He is especially proud of a home-made Charles H. Crawford is head. Born in year, took photographs of 13,969 people. "dumbwaiter," which links Building 69's South Carolina he still has traces of a Cristobal Office two floors. Built at a cost of $11 it has Southern accent, although he lived in building 69's Atlantic side counterpart saved thousands of hours of labor time. Chile for 13 years. is Building 1029—the Cristobal Labor He joined the Personnel Bureau in 1939 This dumbwaiter, a contraption made Office. There Clarence H. Browne, whose and from 1941 to 1945 spent a great part of a correspondence basket and a rope or Canal service dates back to 1937, and of his time ranging from Salvador to two, hauls files to the second floor file his one U. S.-rate and two local-rate which is in charge of Mrs. Perpetua Colombia, recruiting contract workers room employees perform all the duties done by during the war-boom years. B. Hackett; her assistants are Mrs. the Central Labor Office in Balboa and, Because he is nearest Building 69's Marjorie L. Neckar and Mrs. Hua W. in addition, handle U. S.-rate employees back door and because it's his job, Mr. Rigby. of the Canal organization. Crawford draws some rather peculiar Behind Mr. Wright's desk is the mail At the end of last June, 28,238 men visitors from time to time. More than center, in direct charge of George V. and women were working in the Canal once he has discovered that a caller has Daniels, where hundreds of pieces of Zone for the Canal, Army, Navy, Air wandered away from an institution for correspondence are handled each week; Force, contractors and other government the insane and not infrequently his visit- the correspondence desk, where Mrs. Lois agencies, 800 more than at the end of the ors, with good-sized chips on their shoul- Johnson works; the organization desk in previous fiscal year. Record cards on all ders, have smelled strongly of marihuana. charge of Mrs. Marguerite Maphis of them were on file in Building 69. Across the back of the building are the assisted by Mrs. Jean J. Jacobson, where Heavy as this load is, Building 69 has desks of interviewers like T. L. Edghill position records are checked and service seen busier days. When the Central and L. 0. Clarke, who talk to some 1,500 dates for quarters established; and the Labor Office and the Local-Rate Per- people every month. The file section, bank of control card files. sonnel Records branches joined forces in which is the province of J. A. Eastmond Across the room is the identification Building 69 on New Year's Day, 1941, section headed by Mrs. Leila J. Gibbs employment in the Canal Zone was assisted by Mrs. Helen P. Hunsicker, almost triple last year's figure. where Adrian B. Howell, who has been Far Flung Recruiting for 11 years, laminates with Personnel Workers had to be recruited and CLO photo identification cards and badges. teams worked in Costa Rica, Salvador, He seals them into their plastic covering Colombia, and Jamaica, finding bellhops, in an ingenious machine which puts them blacksmiths, brakemen, carpenters, chauf- under 15,000 pounds of pressure and feurs, cooks, dock workers, gardeners, bakes them for five minutes. They are mechanical helpers, bakers, butchers, later cut into the various shapes used jackhammer operators, seamen, waiters

here and an eyelet, for handy pinning-on, in short, men who could fill just about inserted. any semi-skilled position. In these war Old Payroll Section years over 22,000 contract workers were The next section, where the volumes of brought to the Canal Zone and all but old payrolls are kept, is the particular four or five of them have long since been bailiwick of Kenneth F. Brown who came repatriated. to the Canal Zone from Jamaica in 1906 With their varied activities, the people as a waiter and has been with Personnel who work at Building 69 have their hands since 1917. Now 76 years old, he is due full right now. To be sure, there are far to be retired next March. Also working fewer of them than there 10 years MRS. BARBARA MATTHEWS has been with were in this section are John Henry, Fitz H. Personnel since 1936. She works in the Disability ago, but they have no desire to go back Howell, Harold F. Gibbs, and Worden Relief Section at Building 69. to the hectic days of 1941-45. 10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953 Your Town = Gat tin

l lATUN'S TRIPLE FLIGHT of locks. ( xtending one and one-sixth miles, raises or lowers transiting ships 85 feet. Islands which were once hillti ps dot the surface of the lake beyond the upper end of the locks.

Anyone revisiting the Canal Zone The gold rush of 1849 and the begin- But about 1880 the French Canal today, after an absence of 40 years, would ning of construction of the railroad a Company forces reached Panama. Almost have considerable trouble orienting him- year later woke Gatun with a jolt. overnight, thousands of prefabricated self in the town of Gatun. Its topography Travellers, on their way upriver from buildings were unloaded from ship after has been more changed and the town Chagres, paid 25 cents each for eggs and ship. Warehouses, quarters, and ma- itself has undergone more metamorphoses $2 a night for a hammock, exorbitant chine shops went up in Gatun and along than almost any other section of the prices for those days. the railroad line. By 18S1 Gatun, Canal Zone. When work began on the railroad, ships rechristened Cite de Lesseps, had become

The name El Gatun, for village and carried machinery, provisions, and part the largest town in what is now the river, appears on maps of Panama's of the railroad force up the Chagres to Canal Zone. colonial days. It may be derived from Gatun. From Gatun they worked their After the French virtually abandoned "gato," for cat, referring to the feline, way back through the swamp toward the work on the canal, Gatun lapsed into the smooth-running river; or it may come railroad's Atlantic terminus on Man- quiet of its pre-boom days. American from "gatunero" or sailer of smuggled zanillo Island, now Cristobal-Colon. forces began work in 1904 but Congress meat, since Gatun was known as a plac • A month after the railroad ran its first did not authorize a lock-tvpe canal where stolen cattle were brought for sale work train, on October 1, 1851, as far as until 1906. to travellers. Gatun, a "norther" forced two passenger- French engineers and the first U. S. Sir Henry Morgan and his men jammed ships into Limon Bay. The Isthmian Canal Commission had planned bivouacked close to Gatun, near what is thousand California-bound gold hunters, to dam the Chagres at Bohio, about 17 now known as Navy Island, after sacking unable to land at Chagres and start their miles from Colon. It was John" F. the old city of Panama nearly 300 years journey up river from there, demanded Stevens, the Canal's second Chief Engin- ago. passage on the railroad. They paid 50 eer, who advocated harnessing the Chag- During colonial times and until the cents a mile and $3 per 100 pounds of res at Gatun. beginning of this century, Gatun was baggage for the 7-mile train ride. "Why not make the Chagres the located on the west bank of the Chagres, As the railroad tracks stretched further servant instead of the master of the about where the office and machine toward the Pacific, Gatun became just a situation?" he asked. buildings of Gatun Dam now stand. In railroad station and a river produce land- Engineers quarrelled with his selection the mid-1800's it was described as a ing. Beside the tracks which ran on the of Gatun as the dam and lock site and sleepy village of 40 or 50 cane huts, on east bank of the Chagres were a large, declared that the rock foundation was the edge of a broad savannah. On a hill two-story house, a cluster of smaller not suitable. Stevens held firm, and overlooking the river were ruins of an buildings, and "suitable outbuildings" declared: "If Nature had intended triple old Spanish fort. around a flourishing garden. locks there she could not have arranged matters better." But it was not until the then Secretary of War, William H. Taft, brought a group of engineers to the Canal Zone —they pronounced the loca- tion satisfactory—that the furor died down and work could be started. Tent City While the family and bachelor quarters and labor barracks to house the lock and dam forces were being built, the workers and some of' their families were sheltered in about 150 tents of varied shapes and sizes which stood in more or less orderly rows alongside the railroad tracks. The Labor and Quarters Department objected roundly. Jackson Smith, its head, predicted: "On account of its being a tent city, the men will not remain there after their first pay day;" and his assistant, Lt. R. E. Wood, now Chairman of the Board of Sears, Roebuck, added: "Gatun is going to be what Mount Hope and Comacho

L.LARGEN TS are a Gatun man-and-wife team. Sergeant Largent is in charge of have proven to be—a sinkhole for men."

i police station; Mrs. Largent is the nurse in charge of the Gatun first aid station. The town was built under difficulties. —

November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11

"New Town," which was located just about where the third locks excavation

was dug over 30 years later. As it was rebuilt, New Town had over 110 building's including a church and its parsonage, and about 25 stores. Gatun was beginning to assume the look of a town. The railroad was moved from what is now the west side of the locks to its present location; the present station was begun in 1909. The same year work was started on a new two-story commissary at track level, north of the railroad station with the entrance at the bridge level. In 1909 a $25,000 club- house was built on a knoll next to the present dispensary. There were schools, a two-story hotel its front lawn bore the letters "Q. M. D." (for Quartermaster Department) in foliage MISS RUTH CROZIER, Gatun School Principal E. L. ROADES, Gatun Commissary Manager plants—a post office and telephone exchange near the present intersection of Before any houses could go up, a 16-foot Club met regularly, and occasionally a Bolivar Highway and San Lorenzo Street. plank road had to be laid from the rail- touring company like the Edith Harris- There was a two-story lodge hall, which road tracks to the foot of a steep hill and Scott Company gave performances at also served as a church, opposite the all material had to be carted over the the clubhouse. present dispensary, and bachelor quar- road and up the hill. Despite the diffi- Men with outdoor bents, like Charles ters, one of which was located where culties, 97 buildings had been erected by E. Thomas, played baseball on a diamond Sibert Lodge now stands. The dispen- June 1907 and work had started on a between the end of the lock wall and the sary was on the location of the present commissary in a hollow opposite the present station, in an area long since Gatun school. present police station. under water. Or they could hunt tigers A row of big quarters—which housed and red mountain lions across the Chag- Sibert's Hill the families of such people as Maj. res as Charles H. Bath, now of Margarita, A year later Lt. Col. William L. Sibert Chester Harding, who was in charge of did frequently. On hot Sundays it was established the headquarters of the Atlan- locks construction and was later the possible to borrow an engine and railroad tic Division at Gatun. The building was Canal's second governor, William Gerig, car to ride to the beach at Chagres. on high land just north of the present who headed the dam forces, and other By March 1913, the population of railroad station and close to the bridge officials- stood opposite the location of Gatun was 8,887. Nine months later it over which Bolivar Highway now crosses the present clubhouse. had dropped to 5,943. The dam and the tracks. A metal hitching post to Stilson's Pond spillway were finished, the locks were which Colonel Sibert tied his horse is still Downhill, behind the present clubhouse operating, and only clean-up work in place there, a metal plaque in its base. was Stilson's Pond, at one time the reser- remained. An official estimate of that From the porch of the wind-swept office voir for Gatun. It was named for time gave the future population of Gatun building, oldtimers recall, there was a Joseph H. Stilson, a "down Easter" from as 160 American employees and their splendid view of Limon Bay and the Maine; his father, Charles, had come to families. harbors of Cristobal and Colon, the Panama in 1863 to work for the Panama Housing Replaced dredges at work in the approach channel, Railroad. for the introduction of the locks under construction in the valley Except Army During the dry seasons, he and his below, and beyond them the dam which troops into Gatun during World War I family lived in a big house, built by the was beginning to take shape. and some talk a few years later of aban- French Canal Company near the old vil- For his residence, Colonel Sibert chose doning the whole town, nothing much lage, about where the center chambers to until a hilltop east of the village on the road happened Gatun 1928, when new of the locks are now. Miss Louise quarters were built for 164 local-rate then being built from Gatun to Cristobal. Stilson of Colon, of her brothers, and two families. In plans to Subsequent revampings of the town have 1932, replace most William and Joseph H. Stilson, Jr., until of Gatun 's old housing were approved leveled it off. recently ticket agent for the Panama and grading for the $1,250,000 project In the meantime rapid progress on the Line, were born in Gatun. Mr. Stilson, began January 31, 1934. Buildings came locks and dam meant that the railroad, Sr., was in the hardware and lumber down right and left. Even the old police which ran close beside the Chagres, had business in Colon. station was demolished. Its officers set to be relocated on spoil taken out years When work began on the dam, the up temporary headquarters in a small before by the French. The river had Stilsons moved to another large house, already been diverted. frame cottage but transferred their later destroyed by fire, on a high point of prisoners to the sturdier jail at Cristobal. Moved To New Town land near the present railroad. Stilson's Hardly had the new town been finished In April 190S, the old native village Pond, on old pasture land, came into when Gatun went through another of its and its 600 inhabitants were being when Gatun Lake was formed. moved to recurrent upheavals. The Third Locks When the Third Locks excavation was going on about 1940, the pond was filled with its spoil.

A few of old-time Gatun 's street names have survived all of the town's changes. There are still Lighthouse and School- house Roads, for instance. Telephone Road, also known as Skunk Hollow, is now San Lorenzo Street; Front Street is Bolivar Highway; Santa Rita Place was once known as Hogan's Alley or Incu- bator Row. Fun and Games Life was simple in early Gatun, but people had fun. There was a woman's club, with Mrs. Chester Harding as its 1908 president. The men could belong to such organizations as the Inca Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men which zM ^ gave a ball and banquet on Thanksgiving Eve, 1907, with children in Indian cos- MISS PEARLINE CARTER, Chagres School LT. DAVID B. MARSHALL, Fire Station Principal tume attending. The Gatun Dancing Commander 12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953

ologists abound. Several well-known project which had been under consider- local artists have lived there or still do. ation to ince about 1930 One Gatun is the author of a book ' woman finally becami On August 11, of children's fairy tales. 9, Congress authorized the immediate Fishermen come from near and far to construction of the third locks. its Tarpon Club, beside the Gatun spill- [gland Between Locks way where there is some of the best fish- latun this meant the building of a ing in the world. Its town barbecues are ilk tiamber L,200 feet new triple famous. They are good, old-fashioned ide. They were to lie affairs where the men dig a deep pit, and lee;.' Hi half a mile east of the work all night turning a beef or a pig flight, (latun was to become an original over red-hot coals to the proper degree locks and i n the two sets of of rich, brown crispness. was for some of the greatest. boom days m There are often community picnics or up-and-down history. An official of its dinners at the Block House, another of the force to be required set (latun institution, and its active Civic a (leak of over 9,000 workers by 1943. Council always arranges festivities for In 1941, the contracting firm January Christmas, Hallowe'en, and Fourth of of Wunderlich & Okes signed a contract July. The Christmas decorations which for the ( latun excavation. Construction are an annual feature on the locks have men in ived in. In the bottom of the MRS. EVA REED, Gatun Clubhouse Manager inspired the townspeople to similar, if third locks cut, now a great, gaping hole, less elaborate, efforts and a drive through giant shovels dumped their loads into Gatun during the holiday season is well dozens of trucks which raced about on the worthwhile. right-hand side of the imaginary high- Carl Nix, who works at the Gatun ways below, and then, when they reached Hydroelectric plant, is president of the the tup, switched over to the left-hand Gatun Civic Council. Although he is a drive and sedate speed limits of those transplanted Pacific sider, he now con- days. From an observation platform, siders Gatun the best place in the Canal which still stands at the end of High Zone. Street, anyone could watch the ordered "It's the friendliest town on the turmoil below. Isthmus," he says. "It doesn't make A few months after Pearl Harbor, any difference whether you've been there Samuel Rosoff of New York, won the ten days or ten years. You're part of contract to build the new $45,705,000 Gatun." Gatun Locks. Wunderlich & Okes com- pleted their contract in May 1943, but the Rosoff contract was canceled. Ship- ping had been diverted to the war areas, Ten Years Ago cement and steel were all but unobtain- able and there was military difference of In October opinion on the strategic value of the

( GREEN, Chagres Commissary Manager third locks. JLIFFORD 5 Selective Service was about to reach its War Days long arm to the Canal Zone for the first With the war, the physical appearance time in World War II. of Gatun changed. Solid 26-foot fences Late in October came the official of corrugated metal surrounded the lock announcement that all U. S. male citizens area. Barrage balloons were anchored abroad, including the Canal Zone, would overhead. Buildings or part of buildings be required to register for the draft, pro- which might be fire hazards and, burning, vided thev were between the ages of 44." light the vital locks target, were torn 18 and down. Air raid shelters were built and Prior to this time Zonians registered air raid drills held. Like all other Canal when they went to the United States on towns, lights were out by 11 p. m., there leave; no local machinery had been set up were no street lights, and cars drove with to handle local registrations. blacked-out headlights. As the war receded into the Pacific and Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox danger to the Isthmus abated, Gatun - visited the Canal Zone briefly for the third of the Canal Zone went and the rest — time since he had been appointed to the its normal of life. back to way Cabinet post. He ivas on his amy back to 35 years after On March 31, 1944, just » I III ! 111 Washington after a quick inspection of its first clubhouse was built, Gatun's U. S. Naval Forces in Europe and the present clubhouse was inaugurated form- 1 Mediterranean area. ally. It was called the "newest and most MARTIN S. SAWYER, Postmaster complete of any in the clubhouse system." after a long legal battle, About 40 Zonians who had lived in In Washington, Claims awarded to Louis Gatun in 1910 were invited to the dedica- the Court of master of the dredge tion. Some of them—Lawrence Adler, Townsley, retired $5,000 in back overtime Roy Dwelle, Reed E. Hopkins, Sr., and Las Cruces, over covered the period from Charles E. Thomas—are still on the pay. The award Isthmus. March 1914 to August 1939. Gatun Today Seventy-one similar suits were pending for men whose employment had been Today Gatun is a town of about 2,160 similar to Mr. Townsley's. people. Its U. S.-rate commissary and From Balboa Heights came word that clubhouse and post office are under one the application of the Court's decision roof. The local-rate commissary and was under study. clubhouse are also combined, physically. There are two churches in Gatun proper, weeks after the National several in the local-rate section of towm Less than four opened in the Canal Zone, which is generally known as Chagres. War Fund drive over-subscribed. The Gatun has an active Little Theater group its $80,000 goal was 17 agencies, one and its residents think that it has more drive provided funds for Organizations. hobbyists than any area of like size. The of them the United Services Sunday was observed; grind of the power saw is a familiar sound. National War Fund Girl Scouts helped the drive through Camera enthusiasts, shell, coin, and OSMOND N. DUVERNEY, Chagres Clubhouse stamp collectors, dog fanciers, and icthy- Manager calendar sales. —

November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13

Many Significant Finds First Presented

At Meetings Of Zone Medical Association

(Continued fram pageo) icine in the year 1924-1925. He was killed in an auto- mobile accident in 1925. Animal Reservoirs Several years after Dr. Darling's dis- TURKEYS for Thanksgiving are as traditional and all the year round, are also available in as the last covery of trypanosomiasis in horses and Thursday in November. Today's the hardware sections. Three pieces, they tender turkeys, though, are a far cry — or range in price up to mules, Dr. Clark and Dr. L. H. Dunn $22.95. The top price would it be a gobble? from the rangy birds is for an especially handsome set with silver demonstrated that cattle, hogs, sheep, which our Pilgrim forefathers shot out of the handles. Hardwood nut or snack bowls, 6, and goats also trees are infected with the same near Plymouth. 9, and 1 3 inches in diameter sell for 60 cents trypanosome although they act only as a To meet the Canal Zone demand for the to $2.75. Filled with fruit and nuts, the big Thanksgiving table, the Commissary Division bowl reservoir for the parasite. would make a handsome centerpiece. will be receiving next week 21 ,000 pounds of Although considerable experimental tender toms and young hen turkeys. They Due soon in the hardware sections are work was done on the Isthmus and else- will range from seven to 26 pounds and will Westinghouse roaster ovens. Helps Finished where the methods of transmission of try- be either the dressed birds or the eviscerated with two coats of variety which require almost no work lo For baked-on enamel they have a panosomiasis of horses and mules re- ready them for the oven. More torkeys will Housewives glass look-in" panel on top mained a mystery until 1932 when Dr. be along before Christmas time. and are fine for a Thanksgiving Clark and other scientists at Gorgas turkey, a big roast or a whole meal, $41.50. Stuffing goes with turkey just as applesauce Memorial Laboratory discovered that the A Sunbeam automatic cooker and deep goes with pork. Again this year fryer, at $28.50, eases preparation of any vampire bat is the carrier. Prepared the commissaries will have the meal,- and people who have used them for The sole diet of vampire bats is blood Stuffing famous Pepperidge Farms stuffing, everything from cocktails to cakes are and, although they have been known to at about 33 cents for an 8-ounce lyrical over Waring Blendors. They sell for bag, enough to stuff a 10-12 pound bird. $34.75. bite human beings on very rare occasions, they ordinarily live on the blood of CRANBERRIES, from Atlantic coast cran- CANDLES enhance the beauty of any animals. berry bogs, will be coming along, either dinner table. The commissaries have 10-inch fresh or in canned sauce, to go with the main candles, in the shape of ears of corn, at 20 They pick up the trypanosomes of dis- dish. Other fresh produce which the commis- cents each; or a tree trunk candle, also 10 eased cattle in the process of feeding, saries will provide includes lettuce and celery, inches tall, for 79 cents. Short, fat candles, which they do by clipping the hair from big Idaho baking potatoes or juicy golden shaped and colored like a turkey gobbler, are 10 cents a small area, biting the clipped, bared sweet potatoes,- rosy apples, California or each. Then there are sets of six Florida oranges and clusters of grapes. wax candle holders, two turkeys, two pump- skin, and lapping up the oozing blood kins, and two pilgrim hats, each with its much as a cat drinks milk. For a Thanksgiving menu, the commissary orange colored candle, at 72 cents a box. In about half such cases the bat dies people venture to suggest Suggestions something like this, every item The ladies of the family, from the sub-teens from the trypanosome infection within For available in the retail stores: to grandmother, can find new a month but before he dies, may spread Thanksgiving Oyster or shrimp cocktail, To Wear dresses for Thanksgiving and the disease to other animals on which he made from the fresh oysters or To Dinner the holiday season coming into feeds. In the remaining cases the bat frozen shrimp tails,- onion soup, from the the stores now. Many of them Lipton's Soup Mix which is new in the gro- are one of a kind. The collection features lives but may become a chronic carrier. cery sections,- roast turkey with Pepperidge several with the new princesse lines. Many Mouse-Like Bats Farm stuffing; sweet or while potatoes, are sequin-trimmed. Local vampire bats, Dr. Clark says, are creamed onions,- a salad of your choosing,- and, for dessert, pumpkin pie, either pur- OUR PILGRIM FATHERS would probably not the huge creatures they are painted chased from the Bakery counter or made from have frowned on square dancing, but it's in horror stories. Both in size and color the ready-prepared pumpkin pie mix,- or pretty sure that there will be square dances in they look very much like a mouse. The Mrs. Mason's Rum and Brandy Fruit Cake, the Canal Zone during the Thanksgiving weekend. The commissary shoe sections now maximum wing spread is about 12 inches. about 65 cents for a one-pound box or $1.35 for a two-pound tin, in the grocery sections, have square-dance boots for girls —they say In the rare cases known to him in or individual ice-cream molds, available on true square dancers "wouldn't be caught which bats have bitten people in this order in the shape of a roast turkey, at 14 dead without them" in medium widths, area the bites were not serious and there cents each. sizes 3j to 9, in rust, oxblood, and burgundy. An adjustment strap crosses the waffle- were no ill effects. The trypanosomiasis TEENAGERS are never filled up, so embossed quarter. of horses and mules cannot be transmitted mothers might do well to stock up for be- to man. tween meals nibbling, on some of the English Speaking of shoes, the commissaries have a biscuit sweet cookies to us Americans new safety shoe as handsome The contribution of Dr. Clark to the as which are again in the grocery sections. To Wear any dress shoe, for the head of study of is trypanosomiasis only one of Both Huntley & Palmer and Peak Frean Any Time the family. A blucher oxford, many achievements which have won for assortments are available at prices from about it has a new type plastic counter him world wide recognition and many 70 to 95 cents, depending on size. The gaily in the heel, a woven vamp, and shoe people decorated tins in which they are packed are say, though it can't be seen, a steel safety top medical honors in the field of tropical handy for a number of uses, once the biscuits toe. Selling for $8.65 it is available in C, medicine. are gone. D, and E widths, sizes 6 to 11, in Cristobal He has been in charge of Gorgas and Balboa Commissaries. For turkey roasting, the commissaries are Men's baseball shoes, in sizes 6 to 12, at Memorial Laboratory since it was estab- stocked with six covered aluminum $6.50 a pair, are also on hand in Cristobal lished in 1929. He first came to the Roasters roasters, oblong, oval or round, and Balboa commissaries. They are made by And ranging from $2.15 to $7.50 in Isthmus in 1909 as a pathologist on the the Hyde Athletic Shoe Company. Skewers price. The biggest will accom- And first permanent staff of the Board of Dad or his older sons should be interested modate a 16-22-pound bird. A in another new number: a two-eyelet Health Laboratory and remained there round, three-quart pyrex roaster, at about Chukka, featured by many smart slores. until 1922 except for two years in France $1.30 and a medium sized enamel roasler, Made of full-grain calf, it is smooth inside at about $2.45, are also on hand. during World War I. He was in the with the suede appearing skin on the out- A card of skewers, one long and three medical department of United Fruit side and features a cellular crepe sole. In short, "for the well-dressed turkey" it says, a good-looking golden shade, it comes in Company from 1922 to 1929. and to fasten up the places where the stuffing sizes 5 to 12, in D width only, and is priced He was President of the Medical Asso- went in, is available in hardware sections at al $7.50. It is available at Balboa, Cristobal, ciation 12 cents a card. of the Isthmian Canal Zone in Tivoli, La Boca, Camp Bierd, and Rainbow 1917 and was President of the American CARVING SETS, to use at Thanksgiving City commissaries. Society of Tropical Medicine for the year 1936-1937. causing severe fever and pain and some Central and South America. A new pathogenic form of trypanoso- mental confusion. Dr. Johnson con- Dr. Kelser was the veterinary member miasis was reported in Panama in 1940 by tracted a near-fatal case of the disease of the Army Medical Research Board Dr. Carl M. Johnson, at that time Assist- when he was studying it in 1950. that was transferred from the Philippine ant Director and Protozoologist at Notable early work on Chagas' disease Islands to the Canal Zone about 1935 Gorgas Memorial Laboratory. was done locally by Dr. Dunn, former and functioned on the Isthmus for about He is now Health Officer in Panama entomologist at the Board of Health six years. City for the Canal Health Bureau, and Laboratory. Following his retirement from the Army President of the Medical Association. Dr. Raymond Kelser, former associate as a Brigadier General, Dr. Kelser was Significant chapters also have been member of the Association, devised, while Dean of the School of Veterinary Medi- written by members of the Association in he was on the Isthmus, a serological test cine at the University of Pennsylvania. the history of the study of Chagas' dis- for detecting the presence of the trypan- He was widely known for his work in ease, caused by another trypanosome osome that causes Chagas' disease, a pro- veterinary bacteriology and author of a that commonly invades the heart muscles cedure that is used widely throughout well known text book on the subject. -

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14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953

PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS NOVEMBER SAILINGS

From Cristobal September 15 through October 15 Cristobal November 6 Ancon] November 14 ted or trans- ing I )iv ision. Employe! Panama^ November 21 li ferred nbei I 5 and < James F. Ahearn, from Construction b Cristobal November 27 ,uu\ Inspection Divi- ire 1 i below . Regradings within- Inspector, Contract and Division. grade pi omi il ions are not listed. sion, to Plumber, Maintenance From New York A. Doyle, Jr., from Construction * ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH Gerald .4 neon November 5 Inspector, Contract and Inspection Divi- I'amima-. . .November 10 Mrs. Martha E. Richard, from Clerk sion, to Architect. Engineering Division. Cristobal November 17 typist, Personnel Records Division, to Anion November 24 \cu> Writer, Press Suction. HEALTH BUREAU tLeaves Cristobal Saturday. Arrives New York CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU Ralph A. Sylvestre, from Hospital Friday. Assistant to Hospital Ad- Mrs. Minnie E. Brennan, from Kinder- Administrative Leaves New York Thursday because of holiday. ministrat i\ e I Hticer. garten Assistant to Elementary School (Northbound the ships are in Haiti from 7 a. m. to Mrs. Helen S. Rovics, from General noon Sunday; southbound the Haiti stop is Saturday, teacher, Schools I liv ision. from 7 a. m. to 4 p. m.) Mrs. Margaret M. Ward, from Substi- Storekeeper to Property and Supply Clerk,

( iorgas I lospital. tute Teachei to High School Teacher, Louis L. Seldon, Electrician, from Aids Schools I Kvision. Hospital. Mrs. Iris E. Wilson, from Substitute lo Navigation Section to Gorgas OCTOBER RETIREMENTS from Clerk, Teacher to Elementarj School Teacher, Mrs. Martha L. Lerchen, Industrial Division, to Clerk-Typist, Gorgas > 1 i \ ision. Schools Retirement certificates were presented Henry B. DeVoll, from Guard, Locks I lospital. the end of October to the following employ- Division, to Postal Clerk, Posfal, Customs, MARINE BUREAU ees who are listed alphabetically, together and Immigration Division. Charles 0- Peters, Jr., from Ferry with their birth places, titles, length of serv- James L. Collins, Jr., from Guard, Ramp Operator, Ferry Service, to Assistant ice, and future addresses. Locks Division, to Policeman, Police Foreman, Atlantic Locks. to Julius Barnes, West Virginia; Chief, I >i\ ision. Ollen P. Strickland, from Shipjoiner O. - Harriet K. Serger, from Elementary Planing Mill Hand, Industrial Division. Payroll Branch; 28 years, 4 months, 15 days; School leacher to Substitute Teacher, Everett White, from Ferry Ramp Ridgeley, W. Va.

Schools I >i\ ision. Operator, Ferry Service, to Guard, Locks Albert W. Harber, New York; Ferry Operator, Balboa; 15 years and 10 COMMUNITY SERVICES BUREAU I livision. Ramp Gilbert F. Lee, from Guard Supervisor, davs; address uncertain. John W. Hare, from Realt\ Assistant to Industrial Division, to Guard, Locks Robert Harvey, Virginia; Wood and Land Inspei tor, Office of Director. I Steel Carman, Railroad and Terminals Sidney Temple, from Clerk-Typist livision. J. Ernest Tigert, from Guard to Guard Bureau; 16 years, 7 months, 7 days; to Housing Management Aid, Housing Supervisor, Industrial Division. Tigard, Oreg. I )i\ ision. Herbert K. Peterson, from Planner and Earl W. Hoverter, Pennsylvania; Ship- Paul T. Roth, from General Supply Estimator to Chief, Planning Section, ping Foreman and Storekeeper, Commissary Clerk to Housing Management Aid, Housing Industrial Division. Division; ,?0 years, 1 day; Gardners, Pa. I Hvision. Hubert D. Clayton, Jr.; George E. Merrill Patten, Maine, Administrative OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER White; Robin L. Erixon, from Probation- Assistant, Engineering Division; 17 years, Ralph K. Skinner, from Accountant, ary Pilot to Qualified Pilot. Navigation 9 months, 29 days; Canal Zone. Branch, to Voucher General Accounts I )|\ ision. Examining Supervisor, Claims Branch. James E. Lovelady, from Policeman, Mrs. Grace E. MacVittie, from Clerk, Police Division, to Guard, Locks Division. Industrial Division, to Clerk-Stenographer, John M. Stuart, Christian J. Gunder- ANNIVERSARIES Claim Brani h. sen, from Pilot-in-Training to Probationary Mrs. Ruth K. Peterson, Clerk-Stenog- Pilot, Navigation Division. rapher, from Claims Branch to Comp- Lawrence W. Jenkins, from Guard to Employees who observed important anni- troller's Office. Guard Supervisor, Locks Division. versaries during the month of October are Engi- Jack A. Muller, from Electrical Linvvood R. Moist, Sr., from Guard listed alphabetically below. The number of Valuation neer, Electrical Division, to Supervisor to Assistant Chief, Locks years includes all Government service, with Engineer, Plant Inventory o\»\ Appraisal Security Branch. the Canal or other agencies. Those with Staff. Paul D. Barnard, from Lock Operator continuous service with the Canal are Daniel J. Slater, from Construction Leader Wireman to Lockmaster, Pacific indicated with (*). Plant Cost Analysl to Engineer (Estimates) Locks. 45 YEARS Inventory and Appraisal Staff. Cope, from Lock Operator Joseph T. Lancen L. Phillips, Chauffeur, Motor Mrs. Alice H. Roche, from Accounting to Lock Operator Wireman Wireman Transportation (Governor's car). Clerk, Agents Accounts Branch, to Voucher Leader, Pacific Locks. 30 YEARS Examiner, Claims Branch. Mrs. Gertrude M. Roberts, Clerk William F. Bartholomew, Senior ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION Typist, from Division ol Storehouses to Chief Engineer, Craneboat Alias, Dredging BUREAU Locks I livision. Archie W. French, from Combination I livision. Thomas S. McKibbon, from Super- Robert H. Hicks, Voucher Examiner, Welder, Maintenance Division, to Lock v isorj ("oust ruction Inspector, Contract and Claims Division. Operator Welder, Pacific Locks. Inspection Division, to Electrical Engineer, Hoverter, Foreman, Shipping John W. Forrest, from Machinist to *Earl W. Engineering 1 livision. and Storekeeper, Commissary Division. Machinist Leader. Industrial Division. Hubert A. Rotenberry, from Painter. Leroy B. Magnuson, Budget Analyst, Leader. Edwin C. Mcllvaine, from Freight Industrial Division, to Painter Management Staff. Traffic Clerk, Terminals Division, to Fiscal Maintenance I Hvision. E. May, Superintendent, Store- Accounting Clerk, Industrial Division. Henry Chester R. Boltz, from Wireman to houses Division. Distribution Foreman, Electrical Division. PERSONNEL BUREAU Bernard W. Mclntyre, Locomotive Walter R. Malone, from General Fore- Nancy C. Fuller, Clerk-Typist, from Engineer, Railroad Division. man, Excavators and Tractors, to Chiel Gorgas Hospital to Personnel Records *Carl R. Newhard, General Foreman, Operator, Floating Crane, Dredging Divi- Telephones (Northern District), Commu- I livision. sion. nications Branch. Charles S. Joyner, from Ferrj Ramp RAILROAD AND TERMINALS BUREAU R. Andres Rios, Dispensary Aide, Operator, Ferry Service, to (in. ml Super- Mrs. Ethel J. Roof, from Mail and File Gorgas Hospital. I >redging I >i\ ision. Clerk, Terminals Division, to Clerk-Typist, 25 YEARS George K. Reichel, from Steam Engi- Railroad I >iv ision. 'Edmund T. Bleakley, Foreman, Pipe neer, Floating Crane, to Engineer, Pipeline from Supervisory James W. Grey, Line Suction Dredge, Dredging Division. Suction Dredge, Dredging Division. Clerk, Storekeeper to Supervisory Traffic Lewis R. Cox, Guard Supervisor, Dredg- R. Jr., from Mechan- John Hammond, Terminals I >iv ision. ing I liv ision. ical Engineer to Supervisory Mechanical Joseph A. Corrigan, from Supervisory *Ruth C. Crozier, Principal, Gat tin Engineer, Engineering Division. Traffic Clerk to Supervisory Freight Traffic Chief, Diesel School. Lee R. Beil, from Genera- ( 1 liv Ifficei . I erminals ision. *Walter H. Hebert, Admeasurer, tion Station, to Chief, Hydro Generation Apfel, from Utility Operator, Henry G. Balboa, Navigation Division. hi. i rical I >iv ision. Statii Elei I >iv ision, to danger and Crib- Maintenance *Dorothy C. Kern, Teacher, Cristobal Ralph H. Graham, from Power Dis- Division. lender Foreman, Terminals Elementary School. patcher to Chief, Diesel < lenerating Sen SUPPLY AND SERVICE BUREAU Rufus M. Lovelady, Position Classifier, Electrical 1 livision. Personnel Bureau. Mrs. Mildred II. Morrill, from Clerk- Herbert F. Taake, from Electrician to Victor L. Sanger, Tractor-Bulldozer Typist, Locks Division, to Clerk-Stenog- Plant Electrician, Commissary Division. from Storekeeper Operator, Maintenance Division. i I S. Doig, 1 ision. 1 ii >iv Desmond aphei , Elei al *Edith H. Stoll, Clerk-Stenographer, Ralph L. Sell, from Planing Mill Hand, (Shipping) io Storekeeper (Receiving), Commissary Division. Division, Carpenter Leader, Commissar) I >iv ision. Industrial to Operator. Richardson, from Store- *Adrian W. Webb, Lock ntenance 1 >iv ision. Robert G. Leader, Pacific Locks. Kenneth K. Marcy, from Planing Mill keeper (Shipping) to Foreman (Shipping), 20 YEARS Industrial Division, to Quarters Commissai j I livisii m. Preston G. Gau, Supervisor, Tabulating Maintenance Leader, Maintenance I >i\ ision. James J. Reccia, from Storekeeper Operations, Comptroller's Office. Starford 1.. Churchill, Jr., from (Receiving) to Storekeeper (Shipping), Machine. Teacher, Cristobal Apprentice Machinist to Machinist, Dredg- Commissary I livision. Thelma R. Godwin, November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

FIRST COROZAL QUARTERS TO BE OCCUPIED NEXT WEEK

LAYOUT (if the Corozal housing area is shown in this aerial photograph. The houses at tr upper left will be occupied next week

(Continued from page t) new town at Corozal embodies a new concept in town planning for civilian communities. The accompanying aerial photograph taken late last month shows the unusual arrangement in street layout. The area is encircled by a broad street, one side of which parallels Gaillard High- way. The principal residential areas are served by circular or dead-end streets to eliminate dangerous intersections.

Variety Of House Types

The new town is also unique in the types of buildings. It has the greatest variety in types of houses of any of the large quarters construction projects ini- tiated under the long-range quarters THIRTV-THKKE of th two-family, three bedroom houses like this one replacement program. They include both at Corozal wil be built at Diablo Heights this year masonry and composite houses. Forty of the buildings are duplex quarters and of floor being devoted to living space with recently completed building of this type these, 14 are one-story houses. carports for each apartment at the front is shown above. Floor plans of the Of special interest to employees are the of the building. four-bedroom apartments, Type 339, new two-story masonry duplex buildings. The first of these buildings, the four- were published in the January 1953 issue These are new types containing three and bedroom apartments, were completed on of The Canal Review. four bedrooms to an apartment on the Empire Street in Balboa this year. The In addition to the 33 buildings of this second floor. Both types are of the same first of the three-bedroom apartment type at Diablo Heights which are to be general floor plan with the bedrooms buildings were assigned in the first group built this fiscal year, a large number of located on the second floor and the ground at Corozal. There are 19 of the three- Type 336 and Type 339 houses will be bedroom duplexes being built there and built in Balboa ' Flats. A total of 98 seven of the four-bedroom duplexes. family units are planned for construction Elementary School. Many Two-Story Duplexes there this fiscal year. Joseph P. Hawthorne, Lock Operator, Atlantic Locks. Because of the large number of the Invitations for bids for the quarters Frank H. Lerchen, Maintenance Engi- Type 336 buildings (three-bedroom apart- construction in Balboa and for the nine neer, Maintenance Division. ments) being built at Corozal and to be houses to be built at Gatun are to be Roy W. Perkins, Assistant Foreman, month. Marine Bunkering, Terminals Division. built in the 1954 program, a picture of a advertised next Frank J. Stewart, Heavy Truck Driver, Special, Motor Transportation Division. Semon Theriot, Lock Operator, Atlan- Beauty Doth Varnish Age tic Locks. La Boca, Camp Bierd Start

15 YEARS The venerable Hotel Washington is Emily E. Butcher, Music Supervisor, Saturday Morning Matinees having its face lilted — In fact it is hoped Colored Schools. that the painters can put a little sparkle in *John R. Campbell, Chief Towboat the old girl. Not that she isn't a handsome Saturday morning matinee perform- Engineer, Dredging Division. old lady, but for some time she has lacked Edward J. Friedrich, Planner and ances were inaugurated last week by the that "come-hither-look" which is standard Estimator, Industrial Division. Clubhouse Division at the La Boca among all the younger and more modern S. McK.ee, Lock Operator, inns. *William theater. Similar matinees will begin Pacific Locks. Painters, under the direction of J. S. at the Bierd theater. Fred R. Middleton, Control Investiga- tomorrow Camp Christopher of the Maintenance Division, tor, Control Branch. Show time is 10 a. m. went to work in the hotel during October Ruby Easter Radel, Nurse, Gorgas The matinees were requested by the and the work of repainting all the public Hospital. rooms and corridors has been progressing Rainbow City Civic Council which felt G. C. Rodriguez, Guard, Atlantic Locks. rapidly. The private rooms and suites are Ervin A. Rolli, Guard, Atlantic Locks. that there should be daytime entertain- being painted as they become empty. Harmon Smith, Wireman, Electrical ment for children since some of them are The floor of the ballroom is being refinished Division. not permitted to go out at night without and the beautiful ceilings of the hotel are Elmer E. Stern, Senior Carpenter, Aids being touched up. Work should be com- adult escort. to Navigation Section. pjeted early in November. Robert J. Straus, Lock Operator, The Saturday morning programs will Pacific Locks. be designed to appeal especially to the Fred R. Trout, Electric Welder, Indus- juvenile audiences. The feature pictures "Roaring Frontier," and "Terror Trail." trial Division. for the first three Saturdays, in order of In addition, there will be chapters from Bennett J. Williams, Time, Leave, and the exciting serial, "Captain Video." Payroll Clerk, Payroll Branch. showing, are: "Hawk of Wild River," — .

16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953

OUR OUT-OF-DOORS

A bowl of oranges and apples, bananas and grapes, with shelled nuts spilling over the side is traditional in many homes as a cmterpiece for a Thanksgiving dinner table. This year why not try an arrangement made from native fruits and vegetables? One of the bateas native wooden trays makes an ideal container. The fruit can be arranged on a base of multi-colored Tropical Almond (Ternii- nalia catapa) leaves which seem to take on autumn hues especially for the occasion. Almost any fruit stand can supply an assortment of fruits such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, papayas, tomatoes, etc. With a little more effort one can secure malay apples, mangosteens, tropi- cal almonds, bigmae, Governor's plums, and many others. Palm nuts, which grow in great clusters, are usually avail- able and add color for several days. Additional color can come with the addition of deep purple eggplant and red or bright green peppers. The unopened later Edward and now Duke THE CANAL ZONE twice welcomed the then Prince of Wales, VIII pear-shaped flowers of a bunch of bananas, photograph was taken at the Balboa Heights Administration Building in 1931. In the of Windsor. This while not so easily come by, add interest Wales; Capt. Clark Woodward, then Marine foreground, left to right are: Prince George; the Prince of ('apt. Maurenus Peterson, who was then in charge of the Balboa Police district. Superintendent; and Have you noticed the blossoming Mayo (Vochysia fenaginea) trees on the wooded Tuscaloosa put out to sea, but returned First Reigning Monarch Will Visit Canal Zone hillsides all over the Canal Zone? nine days later. This time the President Their panicles -- pyramidal, loosely drove around the Pacific side, and took branched clusters of flusters— in showy, [Continued from page S) two official Panama's President back aboard the rusty yellow are conspicuous against the visits, November 1910 and December in cruiser for the Canal transit. At Gatun background of green leaves and brown 1912. a single file of soldiers lined the west and trunks. Old Porch Is Best center walls of the entire length of the The trees on which the flowers are Just before he arrived in 1912, Col. three steps of the locks, as a guard of borne are large and in North America are Goethals sent the President a George honor. known only in Panama. stay at the , asking him to messagt On his three previous visits, July 11, The unusual thing about them this Goethals house in Culebra. "Culebra is 1934, October 16, 1935, and August 5, year is that they are flowering in October offers better protection, greater cooler, 1938, President Roosevelt had traveled instead of May, as their local name- more quiet, is more centrally privacy, aboard the cruiser Houston. Mayo— implies. located, and the old porch is still the best people have inad- place on the Isthmus," he wrote. CAUTION: Many President Theodore Roosevelt made vertently used the Commissary insecticide Many Oldtimers Expected containing chlordane on their plants with only one visit to the Canal Zone, in results. November 1906, but he was the first drastic and dire To Come For Dedication insecticide is prepared president to leave the United States The Commissary light oil base and is highly effective while in office. The Hotel Tivoli was with a Of Goethals Monument which it was prepared: rushed to completion for his visit and for the use for such household pests as elaborate plans were made for his enter- the control of silverfish, moths, spid- tainment, but these were cut down by the Indications that a large number of cockroaches, ants, President who said he wanted to see the retired employees plan to visit the Canal ers, etc. however; makes it unsuit- work on the Canal and confer with the Zone early next year for the dedication of Its oil base, able for garden use. men in charge. the Goethals Memorial have already been want to use chlordane solution The Canal Zone was so little prepared seen at Balboa Heights. If you plants, to fend off leaf-cutting at that time for an official visit that the Details of the program and the date on around your plant pests, be sure to 21-gun salute on his arrival was given which the dedication will take place ants and other water-soluble variety. This is with guns and ammunition borrowed should be completed soon; they will be have the available from the Grounds Maintenance from Panama. He spent most of his announced in the next issue of The Division. visit touring the length of the canal, in Panama Canal Review. the pouring rain, and left much-encour- A special reduced round-trip minimum aged workers behind when he returned rate on the Panama Line of $120, plus Hospiial Insurance Plans Are Being Pushed to the United States. 15 percent U. S. tax—with an additional -will be local-rate F. D. R. Was Last charge for deluxe accomodations- (Continued from page l) the granted to retired employees and their will be sjlected after plans have The last U. S. Presidential visit to the group wives who worked on the construction of been more fully developed. The organi- l Zone was that of President Frank- the Panama Canal betw?en 1907 and zation of the hospital insurance association lin D. Roosevelt in February 1940. It 1917. The reduced rate will be applicable done in cooperation with the was his fourth as President. The war in is being on one southbound sailing only. Return Councils now being formed in the Europe had begun and this presidential Civic passage must be taken not later than two various local-rate communities although visit, unlike the three which had pre- sailings after arrival in the Canal Zone. the two groups will be independent. ceded it, was a whirlwind one, devoted to Oldtimers interested in making the authorization of payroll deductions an inspection of the Canal's defenses. The trip should write the Panama Line, 24 the payment of hospital and medical President Roosevelt arrived aboard for State Street, New York City, or the insurance for employees and their families miser Tuscaloosa, left the ship at Administrative Branch, Balboa Heights, announced several weeks ago by the Gatun Locks, and made a swift drive was Canal Zone. administration. However, it was through the Atlantic side military posts Canal at that time that this could be before he boarded a special train for stated responsible employee Clayton where he lunched at the The greatest depth of excavation by done only if some organization would act as intermediary Officers' Club before he rejoined the the French on the Canal axis at Culebra handling the accounts. Tuscaloosa at Miraflores Locks. The was 161 feet. in — ))

November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 17 STATISTICS ON CANAL TRAFFIC

For the purpose of comparison between pre-war and post-war traffic through the Panama Canal, statistics for the fiscal year 1938 are used in this section, as being more nearly normal for peace time than those for 1939.

TRAFFIC AND TOLLS FOR FIRST QUARTER HIGHER THAN FOR SIMILAR PERIOD OF LAST FISCAL YEAR

Traffic and tolls for commercial shipping TRAFFIC MOVEMENT OVER MAIN TRADE ROUTES both for the first quarter of the were up The following table shows the number of transits of large commercial vessels (300 present fiscal year as compared to the net tons or over) segregated into eight main trade routes: similar period last year. Commercial First Quarter, Fiscal Year transits for the quarter totaled 1,890, against 1,677 for the similar period last 1954 1953 1938 year; tolls for this year's first quarter were $8,186,000 compared to $7,267,000 156 137 349 the first quarter of the last fiscal year. for 342 399 97 Several of the main trade routes U. S. Intercoastal, U. S. East Coast to 115 94 19 Central America, U. S. East Coast to the 307 237 217 Far East, and Europe to the South American West Coast—showed increases 41 50 49 compared to the similar period last year. Four major trade routes—U. S. East 156 185 194 Coast to South America, U. S. East 124 89 137 Coast to Australasia, Europe and the U. S. West Coast, and Europe to Austral- 77 88 44 asia—showed drops in number. 572 398 300 North, South Total Same The number of U. S. government ves- 1,890 1,677 1,406 sels, both large and small, was higher during the first quarter of the present Principal commodities shipped through the Canal fiscal year than last year, and while there figures in thousands of long tons) were more large commercial ships bound (All from the Atlantic to the Pacific than in Figures in parentheses in 1938 and 1953 columns indicate the opposite direction, the total number relative positions in those years of ships was exactly the same in each ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC direction. For the first quarter this year 1,347 ships were southbound and 1,347 First Quarter, Fiscal Years northbound through the Canal—a coinci- Commodity 1954 1953 1938 dence seldom seen in shipping statistics. hold the Mineral oils continued to Mineral oils 1,262.844 1,163,425 (1) 178,635 (3) number one spot in the list of commodi- Coal and coke 922,164 516,854 (2) 47,077 (14) steel 425,326 274,890 (3) 646,493 ties shipped from Atlantic to Pacific, as Manufactures of iron and (1) Phosphates-- 175.104 55,353 (9) 111.416 (6) they had done a year ago. Second place Paper and paper products 102.950 49,057 (14) 132,018 (5) this quarter was occupied by iron (i4, past Sugar 99,247 1 562 (4) 3,207 (31) and steel manufactures; a year ago this Sulphur 93,189 96,727 (5) 83.729 (7) 82,204 50,611 900 (—) place was held by coal and coke shipments. Soybeans and products (12) Cement 75,543 50,127 (13) 50,559 (11) Third place in southbound commodities Machinery 66,211 73,746 (6) 46,081 (10) this past quarter was held by phosphates, Raw cotton 62 .212 53,342 (11) 23,877 (13) which, last year, had been No. 9. Automobiles 60,868 54.918 (10) 62.666 (9) Fertilizers, unclassified 26,896 47.014 (15) 8,641 (41) Ores, Lumber Change Wheat 3.488 72,968 (7) 343 (— In the first two spots on northbound Barley 687 69,427 (8) 153 (— commodities, ores and lumber switched All others 1,079,568 907,609 1,593,214 4,538.501 3,700,720 2,989,009 places. This year ores occupied the first Total place; last year they had been in the number 2 spot. Lumber which had PACIFIC TO ATLANTIC headed the list last year dropped to sscond place this year. First Quarter, Fiscal Years Commodity Banana shipments northbound dropped 1954 1953 1938 this quarter, compared to last year, but shipments of other fresh fruit were more 1,186,261 664.636 (2) 541.685 (3) 771 ,330 729.116 (1) 877,574 (2) this year than last. Wheat -- 723,665 469,586 (3) 40,873 (7) national registry, U. S.-flag vessels By 438.4')') 352.484 (5) 439.129 (4) were again highest this year, with 536 336,936 354.023 (4) 306.650 (6) U. S. ships transiting compared to 491 Nitrate _ ---- 160,547 245.783 (6) 222,756 (5) 154,824 200.373 (7) 173,726 (8) during the first quarter of last year. 148,730 178,182 (8) 8,670(29) German, Japanese Increase Refrigerated food products (ex- 115,142 172,682 45,205 (10) British shipping, although still in the cept fresh fruit) - (9) 70,009 58,554 (13) 37,173 (In) number two spot, was down slightly from Fresh fruit (except bananas) 66,805 54,840 (15) 26,622 (9) last year—311 for the first quarter of the 45,781 93,237 (10) 978,129 (1) present year compared to 320 for the 63,435 66,006 (11) 35,092 (IS) manufacturers 27.504 56,310 (14) 5.966 (— past year. Norwegian vessels, third Iron and steel 27,262 58,675 (12) 52.039 (12) again this year, were also off slightly, All others - 559,552 592,520 861.813 dropping from 220 last year to 214 for the Total _ _ 4,896,282 4,347,013 4,653,102 quarter just concluded. Nationalities which showed increases in to 24 last year, the number of transiting ships included: Dutch, and Swedish. quarter compared and the past quarter com- Chilean, Colombian, Danish, Ecuador- Two of the greatest increases were Japanese, 95 for to a year ago. ian, French, Greek, Italian, Liberian, shown in German shipping, 84 this past pared 58 f 18 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953

Bulk Of Scandinavian Shipping Through Panama Canal

Is Represented By Veteran Canal Zone Shipping Agency

some years, he came to the Canal Zone to generous people are still here. If they attend to the vessels of the New Zealand should happen to read this, I should like Shipping Company and those ships them to know that New Zealand has never owned by the P. & 0. Company. World forgotten their overwhelming kindness." War I had been raging for two years; he Early Transits inherited the important task of hus- A number of the lines which Fenton & banding many of the transports carrying Company now represent are closely Zealand troops and more particu- New linked with the early days of the Panama larly, the hospital ships carrying sick and Canal. Four months after the Canal was wounded home from the Western Front. opened, the Chilean Line began a regular Zonians Helped service from Valparaiso to Cristobal. A "It was more or less a labor of love,' Chilean Line ship, the Limari, made the Captain Fenton told The Review, "but first night lockage of the Canal on that I the it must never be forgotten had December 16, 1914. selfless generous support of the entire and Another long-time user of the Canal is population of the Canal Zone. the Blue Funnel Line— it is known more not entered "The United States had formally as Alfred Holt & Co.— which there the war up to that time, but was began regular service through the Canal with the grand nothing to compare in 1915 between Great Britain and the Canal Zone people manner in which the Pacific Northwest coast. let themselves go in the way of entertain- The Wilhelmsen Line ships were using and care given to those New ment the Canal as early as July 1915. One of Zealanders. its vessels, the Torsdal, was on a regular coast of South CAPT. CHARLES B. FENTON service from the west America to Archangel in Russia. The run Scandinavian shipping The bulk of took it from about 20 degrees south of the is repre- which uses the Panama Canal equator to well above the Arctic circle. Company, one sented by C. B. Fenton & Today, the ships represented by Fenton Zone shipping of the veteran Canal & Company operate through the Canal Established here in 1916, the agencies. on runs all over the globe; in one month and 50 ships agency handles between 40 there may be such varied nationalities as a month and claims several distinctions. Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Chilean, It represents the largest Danish ship- Dutch, Mexican, Panamanian, German, Copenhagen; the owner, A. P. Moller of British, and Canadian vessels carrying Messrs. largest Swedish shipping firm, such diverse cargoes as gasoline, Diesel of Gothenburg; and the Axel Brostom oil, automobiles, milk, coal, grain, paper, largest Norwegian company, Messrs. chemicals, bananas, and sugar. Wilh. Wilhelmsen of Oslo. In addition, Casualties Of War Fenton & Company represents three of the ships are comparatively state-owned lines, the Argentine State Many their predecessors in the Canal Line, the Chilean Line, and Petroleos new; were sunk during the last war. Mexicanos, which is owned by the service Mexican Government. A Fenton ship, the Blue Funnel Line's the first ship to be sunk in The agency was the first on the Isthmus HEADING the Fenton staff are: D. C. Langman, Cyclops, was service; Gilbert Morland, in World II. Her to introduce Panama ports of call to its left, in charge of passenger American waters War the agency's General Manager; and Colin Lawson, Cristobal. She principals. Together with Hilmer Lund- last port of call had been in charge of boarding operations. Halifax in January 1941, beck of the Swedish American Line, it went down off about 90 lives. arranged for the first Kungsholm, now the "The roads to the Locks in those days with a loss of experiences during Italia, to make a call at the San Bias were quite indifferent and automobiles Fenton & Company's of Islands about 16 years ago. were scarce, but crowds collected at the the war years were varied and some This call at the home of the colorful Locks with much enthusiasm and passed them still cannot be told. of the tell- little people of Panama's Caribbean on board all kinds of goods and produce. One of the most dramatic ship which had a coast proved to be a great tourist attrac- I wonder how many of those kind and able tales concerns a tion; subsequently Mr. Lundbeck was decorated by the Panama Government as appreciation for the innovation. Last year the Stella Polaris, small but luxurious cruise ship of the Clipper Line of Malmo, put into the historic port of Portobelo, the only cruise ship ever to call there. Seafearing Head Fenton & Company was organized by

ia still headed by Capt. Charles

r Fenton, who was born in New Zealand and whose seafaring career d when he was only 11 years old.

.: 21, he had been seven around the world under sail; in his seafaring life he has been almost to the North Pole and well below the Antarctic circle. As a boy he had sailed, as a guest, aboard the missionary ship Southern Cross out of New Zealand' to the South Seas, and well remembers breakfasting with Cristobal, near PvObert Louis Stevenson at Guadalcanal. HEADQUARTERS tor C. B. Fenton & Co. is its building on Roosevelt Avenue in In 1916, by then a ship master for the entrance to the piers November 6, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 19

Cristobal team which broke all Isthmian records by winning the pennant for six successive years. He is also a keen golfer and is presently serving his second term as President of the Brazos Brook Country Club. Staff Of Twelve Fenton's Cristobal office has a staff of 12, seven of whom are Panamanians. Colin Lawson, who holds a Chief Officer's ticket— making Fenton & Company the only agency having both a licensed Master and Chief Officer on its staff—is in

charge of boarding operations. He is well known on both sides of the Isthmus. D. C. Langman, who came to the Isthmus from England five years ago, heads the agency's passenger service.

Arne Hauge, a citizen of Norway, is Manager of Fenton & Company's office at Balboa. He has been here since 1947 and was recently appointed Norwegian Consul in Balboa. At present the staff of Fenton & KUNGSHOLM is a name well-known on the Canal Zone waterfront. This is an artist's conception Company is making big plans for the of the new Kungsholm which is due here early in February on her first visit to the Canal Zone. The largest Swedish luxury liner and the largest ship ever built in Holland, she will make her maiden trans- reception of their newest and biggest Atlantic voyage to New York late this month. ship, the Swedish American Line's new in name is now the Italia of the Home Lines—grosses 20,000 The new Kungsholm—her predecessor Kungsholm. Still to make her maiden tons, is 600 feet overall, has nine decks, a passenger capacity of about S00, a movie theater and swimming voyage, the 20,000-ton ship with pas- pools, and is air conditioned. Master of the new Kungsholm will be Capt. John Norlander, now skipper of the MS Stockholm. senger space for about 800, is due to sail for the Canal Zone from New York next Chinese crew. The crewmen had not interest was so great that he became February 6 on a 55-day cruise around been happy before they reached the Canal President and General Manager of the South America. Zone and the final blow came when they were not permitted to go ashore here. MONTHLY COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC AND TOLLS They openly threatened not only to Vessels of 300 tons net or over mutiny but also to kill all of their officers. By fiscal years Forty men from a Canadian-Scottish regiment were flown to the Isthmus. Tolls Transits When the well-armed soldiers boarded the Month (In thousands of lollars) ship in Cristobal, trouble subsided and 1954 1953 1938 1954 1953 1938 the ship was able to go peacefully on July 638 529 457 $2,817 $2,343 *.i,030 its way. Representatives of the agency have 640 533 505 2,778 2,288 2,195 been called upon to furnish a favorite poem to be read at a funeral, or to patch 612 615 444 2,591 2,636 1,936 up a feud between women passengers, 673 461 2,910 1,981 or to provide live sheep and goats for a crew's food, and to do a hundred and one 620 435 2,611 1,893 out-of-the-ordinary things. 626 439 2,679 1,845' As representatives of the insurance

firms they represent, they have been in- 632 444 2,690 1,838 volved in everything from accidents to murders. 616 436 2,597 1,787 Bought Building In 1950 March 678 . 506 2,884 2,016 Fenton & Company's first offices were ApriL. _ - . 628 487 2,733 1,961 in the Cristobal Masonic Temple. In

1950 the firm bought its present office, a May ______650 465 2,861 1,887 large building with Greek-pillared portico. It had once been occupied by the German 610 445 2,686 1,801 firm of Hapag-Lloyd. Totals for first 3 months of Part of the first floor space is leased to 1,890 1,677 1,406 s$8,186 $7,267 $6,161 the National City Bank. The large apart- ment on the second floor is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Morland, their two CANAL TRANSITS--COMMERCIAL AND U . S. GOVERNMENT sons and four daughters. Mrs. Morland First Quarter, Fiscal Years is the daughter of the late Capt. W. W. Woodhull, a Canal pilot. 1954 1953 1938 Mr. Morland who is general manager Atlantic Pacific of the company, came to the Isthmus 25 to to Total Total Total Pacific Atlantic years ago from England where, like a number of other local shipping men, he Commercial Vessels: _ 934 956 1.677 1,406 had worked for the White Star Line. Ocean-going _ _ 1,890 Commercial shipping interests the at Small 152 159 311 324 211 Panama Canal are on call 24 hours a day. He recalls the time when a member of 1,086 1,115 2,201 2,011 1,617 his boarding staff phoned him one Tues- **U. S. Government vessels day said, night and "If you are concerned Ocean-going.. 181 178 359 206 about the 40-hour week, I have just completed mine." Small 80 54 134 106

Mr. Morland is an ardent baseball fan, Total commercial and U. S. Government - 1,347 1,347 2,694 2,313 although some 24 years ago at Balboa he walked out of the first baseball game he *\'essels under 300 net tons or 500 displacement tons. ever saw because he did not understand **Vessels on which tolls are credited. Prior to July 1, 1951, Government-operated what was going on. Eventually his ships transited free. — — UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

2( THE 3 1262 08545 6506 PANAMA CANAL REVIEW November 6, 1953

Like Father, Like Son New Assignment Policy

For Panama Line Ships

Effective Next Month

A new assignment policy for employees traveling on Panama Line ships will go into effect early next month. Instead of the three-week notification now being made, employees will be told that they are assigned space on sailings six weeks before the departure date. This should give more time for them to obtain aii', rail, and hotel reservations in the United States, order new cars, rent quar- ters or arrange for their children to leave school, when school is in session. Initial deposits to cover transportation costs will be made four weeks in advance of the sailing date, under the new policy. i This payment will confirm the assign- start Canal Zone High School COL. RICHARDSON SI. I, I E, far right, who helped to the ROTC ments to space on the ships; assignments program, talked over ROTC affairs just before his departure last month with two past and two present not confirmed by payment of the deposit cadrts. would be considered as canceled. J. B. Smith, Electrical Engineer, left, and Roy Reece, Assistant Electrical Engineer, served in the ROTC at Rose Polytechnic Institute where Colonel Selee was ROTC instructor 25 years ago. Their sons, Paul Smith, second from left, and .lames Reece, are now ROTC cadets at Balboa High School where Paul is Battalion Commander. Forty Years Ago Canal's "Miscellaneous" Cargo In October

Is Varied And Often Surprising Newspapers on the Isthmus and all over the United States hailed the mingling of the waters of two oceans as Gamboa It will probably be a long time before thi'ough the Canal from New York to dike was dynamited. Actually, the dike any cargo going through the Panama Buenaventura? had held back the waters of the Chagres Canal has the public appeal of three Who in California was going to use the River from the excavation in Culebra, Australian platypuses and their platy- 14,526 tons of "natural gas" carried by a Gaillard, Cut. pusary which transited several years ago. ship from Houston? now All dry excavation in the Cut had been Possibly the fact that 10,000 five earth- Other unusual cargoes carried through completed the previous month. The worms were flown to the Canal Zone to the Canal this same month included 600,000 cubic yards of material in the supplement the food supply of the amaz- many other thought-provoking items. Cut still to be removed would be taken ing little animals—the whole process Milk And Marble out by dredges. being attended by a flurry of publicity There was "milk," from Jacksonville to Los Angeles, "canned milk" from had something to do with the interest The dynamite charges buried in the dike Rotterdam to Valparaiso, and "powdered the animals caused. were fired by President Woodrow Wilson milk" from Auckland to London. Three But each month there are hundreds of who, from the White House, pressed a different ships, all from various European items, lumped under the heading of lever ichich transmitted electrical impulses statistics, any- ports headed for Chile, carried locomo- "Miscellaneous" in cold by land telegraph and submarine cable to tives, and one had a pullman car aboard. one of which stirs the imagination and the Canal Zone. Two ships carried yachts as deck cargo makes one long for more details. Since The factual Canal Record reported that is passageway and another had on her deck a "five-ton the Panama Canal only a the blast opened a 125-foot section of the boat." for these items, many of the questions dike, "through which water from Gatun unanswered. There were 23 tons of marble from New will be forever Lake flowed in sufficient volume to complete many pigs, for instance, made up York to Los Angeles, and 18 tons of poles How the filling of Culebra Cut from the dike to of live were from Mobile to Honolulu. A ship from the "two tons pigs" which Cucaracha slide. The shot ivas not a large the information Ipswich carried China clay to Vancouver. listed as deck cargo on one, as compared with some of the previous from Quebracho, for medicines or dyeing, was sheet of a vessel enroute New blasts in connection with Canal work, but Orleans to the West Coast of South the cargo on a vessel going between it did perfect execution." America? Montevideo and Japan. Hundreds of spectators were brought to the eight-ton anchor But one of the most interesting cargoes What ship needed the scene by special train from Panama ship out of all was that listed for a ship running carried as deck load on another and by extra coaches on the regular south- British to Vancouver? between Buenaventura and New York. of a port bound train. It carried coffee—which is not unusual What About Honey? The remainder of the dike was dynamited and ox blood! a week later. Did the listing "Bees-honey" for the 117 tons of cargo on a ship going from Local Rate Meal Allowance The formation of Miraflores Lake Guatemala to Bremen mean there were Is Increased To 75 Cents began October 1, when a timber bulkhead both bees and honey or that the cargo was placed across the drainage culvert in was bees' honey only? If the first, how Seamen deckhands and other local-rate the Miraflores spillway dam. This was Division did the crew get along with the bees and employees in the Terminals the final diversion of the Rio Grande and allowance increased if the second, what other sort of honey have had their meal its tributaries, the Pedro Miguel, Caimi- cents; this rate is now being is there? from 50 to 75 tillo, Cameron, Cocoli, and Dominica And does the fact that in one month paid to all local-rate employees on local Rivers. there were three shipments of honey travel assignments. Officials estimated that with normal given going through the Canal from the west Normally the deckhands are rainfall the lake would be raised to its coast of Central America mean that meals on board ship, but if the ship does normal operating level of 55 feet above are issued Nicaraguan and Guatemalan bees are not serve meals the deckhands sea level by December 4. busier at that time of the year than a "Receipt for Meals" which provides Canal Zone was really up to date. any other? for a box lunch. The Canal Record reported on October 1 What were the three tons of "personal The request for the increase in meal The that "Edison's invention, the kinetophone effects'* carried as sole cargo on a ship allowance for the deckhands, to equalize nr talking moving picture machine, will be from Honduras to Venezuela? the treatment of those on local travel Corozal ' Clubhouse Friday night What was destined to go into the assignments, was made by representatives at the week." empty bottles, a shipload of which went of CIO Local 900. this

_ 1 . rt s i / .. t . . 1