— 'f'1'l-J97-{p Gift ofthe Panama Canal Museum

Vol. 4, No. 7 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, FEBRUARY 5, 1954 5 cents

GOETHALS MEMORIAL WILL BE DEDICATED APRIL 1 AS HIGHLIGHT OF CANAL'S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY But, Think Of The Budget! Board Authorizes Special Ship Fares

For C.Z. Oldtimers

April 1, forty-seventh anni- versary of the date on which Maj. Gen. George W. Goethals took charge of the building of the Panama Canal, has been selected as the date for the dedication of the 56-foot marble shaft erected to his memory at the foot of the Administration Building steps in Balboa. Selection of this date by the Goethals Memorial Commission has been an- nounced by Gov. John S. Seybold, mem- ber of the Commission, who has been requested by Ralph Budd, Chairman, to develop plans for the dedication.

The date, April 1, has additional significance in the history of the Canal and the life of General Goethals. It is the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the permanent organization for the THE TYPICAL ZOXIAN, by his own testimony, is not only skating close to the financial edge operation of the waterway and Colonel he's already over it. According to the answers compiled in the Booz, .\llen and Hamilton survey, he has office first 3.8 members in his family —the dog doesn't count—spends $1,331 for food and $707 for taxes a yeai-. Goethals taking as the Canal governor. Plans for the dedication are still in the How Do Zonians Work And Play ? formative stage, but Governor Seybold has announced that a program will be This Is What They Have To Say arranged in keeping with the international role the Panama Canal plays in world affairs. Details of the dedicatory An interesting and illuminating picture Both the report and recoimnendations services will be announced later. of what Panama Canal employees look of the Board were made public by Special Round-Trip like when dissected and reassembled col- Governor Seybold soon after they were Rates lectively has been presented in the now transmitted to Congress. No document Of special interest to the "oldtimers" locally-famous Booz, Allen, and Hamilton within the memory of Canal employees of the Canal organization is the invitation report. has produced such widespread interest in being extended to those of the "Goethals Undoubtedly, to the average employee the Canal Zone. Era" to visit the Canal Zone and partici- and to many others, the composite picture One of the most significant facts devel- pate in the ceremonies. A special round- of how he works, lives, eats, plays, as well oped by the consultants, through ques- trip rate of $120 for minimum accommo- as what he spends and what he spends it tionnaires and personal interviews, was dations from New York to the Zone on for, was surprising in many respects. the understandably patriotic desire of the the Panama Line has been authorized by The Canal employee, collectively speak- average Zonian to go "back home" to the the Panama Canal Company's Board of ing, likes the work he is doing but three- United States. Directors. This special rate will be prefer to live in the offered on a space available basis in order fourths of him would "When he moves to the Zone," the re- States and two-thirds of him of the receipt of formal valid applications United port stated, "an employee cuts oflf himself, less gross at the New York office of the Panama would be willing to work for his wife, and his children from day-to-day getting. Line on or after February 15, 1954. This pay in the States than he is now contact with close relatives, from friends, other illuminating rate will apply only to annuitants with These and many from community life as he knew it in the Allen, service with the L C. C. or Canal between facts were revealed in the Booz, States, and from job opportunities. and Hamilton report on its recent "Sur- April 1, 1907, and January 10, 1917, "The Zone employee is, in fact, an vey of Extra Compensation." The survey inclusive, and to their wives or husbands exile, and the typical Zone employee the management consultant firm was when accompanying the annuitants. The of definitely feels like one." made at the direction of Congress at its special rate will be good on two sailings How He Feels first session in considering Canal appro- southbound and two northbound to give priations for this fiscal year. The report Some of the facts about himself which those attending the ceremonies additional was presented to the Panama Canal Com- emerged in the report, now familiarly time to visit old friends and scenes of pany Board of Directors in December known to most Zonians as "Boo-Zallen," their labors of 40 years ago. and was then transmitted, with recom- were undoubtedly a surprise to him Sailing dates of the Panama Line mendations of the Board, to the appro- although he may have suspected that he vessels southbound on which the special priate Congressional Committees. felt—and that his friends {See page U) rate will be effective are (See page S) :

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 5, 1954

Councilmen Discuss Apprentice-Learner Committee

Local-Rate Housing,

Civic Improvements

The status of local-rate housing, its assignment, and its niaint'jnance, were outlined by Gov. John S. S?ybold in the second regular meeting with representa- tives of the newly-form?d bcal-rate civic councils. Also highlighting the January canfer- ence was the discussion of a wide range of community-improvement measures being accomplished as a result of subjects presented at the previaus meeting. In answer to questions submitted on future developments in some of the local- rate towns, Governor Seybold informed MEMBERS of the .\pprentice-Learnef Committee, who recommend policy to the administration the conferees that at the present time no for this group, met last month at Balboa Heights. In the usual order, seated, are: F. H. Lerchen, Maintenance Engineer; E. k. Doolan, Personnel further local-rate housing is contemplated. Director; Capt. Robert H. Emerick, USNR, Chief, Industrial Division, and Chairman of the Committee; As for assignments to quarters, the Sigurd E. Esser, .Schools Superintendent; and ]. Bartley Smith, P^lectrical Engineer. Governor continued, the Panama Canal Standing are: Philip T. Green, Industrial Training Coordinator who is adviser to the Committee, Company has constructed quarters at a and L. B. Biirnham, acting Training Officer and the Committee's secretary. considerable expenditure and is expected to utilize such quarters to the benefit of Sole School Cafeteria Provides the employees and the Company. It must be recognized, he explained, that all For 450 Students Daily other Canal Zone functions are secondary Lunch to tho.se of moving ships from one side of 'Teen-agers, Miss Sophie McLimans transportation—and not going home at the Isthmus to the other. Assignment says, are hungrier than anybody. She noon —is again crowding the cafeteria. of permanent quarters, therefore, must be should know. As Supervisor of the On rainy days the cafeteria is almost based first, upon the primary type of Cristobal High School Cafeteria, the only entirely filled during the junior high work in which the employee is engaged, cafeteria in the Canal Zone School system, school period and frequently during the and, secondly, if there is a shortage of she provides lunch five days a week to an 12 o'clock period senior high school housing, seniority within those groups average of 4.50 students whose capacity students have to wait for a table. doing primary type of work, the Governor never fails to amaze her. And frequently The cafeteria is a nonprofit organization said. Employees whose jobs are directly students take advantage of the 7 a. m. which sells food as near cost as possible. concerned with the operation of the Canal opening to have breakfast. It is not subsidized by the schools. During itself, then those engaged in primary type Although the entire 450 are served the past school year the total volume of of work such as utilities —water, elec- luncheon in 40 minutes, the speed with business was $15,912. tricity -and other key positions neces- which they consume the food does not There has been no cafeteria in the sarily have preference for housing assign- mean that they do not have good meals. school at Balboa for some time. Some ment over those who may work elsewhere. Each day's menu is studied with an eye years ago a lunchroom was operated in Housing By Job to calories and vitamins and is properly the building which is now the Balboa When the employing unit is transferred balanced. Junior High School. Pacific side stu- from one location to another its employees There is always one hot meat dish- dents are now served luncheon at the will be given prior consideration for em- chili and rice, for an instance—soup, a Balboa Clubhouse, but this is not satis- ployment in the new location and prior choice of vegetables, hot or cold sand- factory during the rainy season and plans consideration for housing, if the job is of wiches, salad and fruit, pie or cake. are being considered for a cafeteria in one primary importance. Such an employee, Candy, ice cream, and sodas may also be of the school buildings. however, cannot be guaranteed immediate purchased. For 25 cents a student can assignment to quarters in the new loca- have a hamburger sandwich, a glass of tion. The individual's right to a job is milk, and a piece of cake. For 45 cents Clubhouses To Be Renamed not affected, but the right to housing he can have a very substantial luncheon must be determined, if there is a shortage, A cup of soup, chili and rice, milk, and Service Centers April First in accordance with the primary type of ice cream. work of the employee. The meals are all planned and the In order to identify more appropriately As far as maintenance of quarters is supplies ordered under the supervision of the Canal's Clubhouses, these units will concerned, the Governor said, the newer Miss McLimans who has a degree in be renamed Employee Service Centers. quarters will be maintained. There are home economics from the University of At the same time the Clubhouse Division no funds for continued maintenance on Wyoming and studied dietetics at Oregon of the Community Services Bureau will the older quarters which are near the end State College. She has been cafeteria become the Employee Service Division. of their economical life and these quarters supervisor for the past 13 years. The change will be made April 1. can be utilized only so long as the struc- Miss McLimans has a paid staff of five tures are safe for the individual occupants. who prepare the meals and a class of The change has been under considera- This led to a question from Marcus students in cafeteria management who tion for some time and a suggestion for a Grannum of the La Boca Civic Council help with the planning and serving, and name more properly descriptive of the about quarters for those families being are given credit toward graduation for so services offered by the clubhouse units evacuated from unsafe old houses. Wilson doing. was presented at the "Shirtsleeve Con- H. Crook, Acting Community Services Hours Staggered ference" last October. Director, said they would be offered The Cristobal High School cafeteria The name Employee Service Centers is quarters in Santa Cruz. seats 235 lunchers at a time. Since 1949 also expected to eliminate confusion which Much of the conference was devoted to the lunch hours have been staggered and frequently arises between Canal "club- answers to questions submitted at the now junior high school students lunch at houses" and Armed Forces service units previous conference or before the January 11 o'clock and senior high school pupils such as Officers Clubs and to be helpful in meeting. Highlights of these, by com- an hour later. Students from the ele- preventing misunderstanding among visi- munities, were: mentary school who do not go home for tors and at Congressional hearings when

Paraiso : In answer to a Civic Council lunch ai'e served at 11:30 o'clock. questions often have arisen concerning request, a 20-mile speed limit will be set This year, according to school officials, the provision of "clubhouses" for Canal for several streets and {See page v,) the large number of students using bus employees. February 5, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Three Main Points New Ambassador Arrives

Under Discussion

At U.S. Conference

The future of Pedro Miguel, ambulance service in the Canal Zone, and financing of recreation in the Zone were the three major topics discussed at length during the January "Shirtsleeve Conference" for U. S.-Rate Civic Councils. The meeting with the Civic Council representatives was conducted by Acting Governor H. 0. Paxson in the absence of Governor Seybold who was in Washington. Pedro Miguel, Colonel Paxson told the conference, will continue as a Canal Zone community until about March 31, 1955, as present plans stand. By that date adequate housing for the Pacific side will be available through completion of con- struction in New Corozal, Diablo Heights, and Balboa Flats. After March 31 of next year, the housing in Pedro Miguel is to be demol- ished and will not be replaced, although a few of the permanent buildings, such as the police and fire stations, may con- tinue in use for a while at least. The decision on Pedro Miguel was attributed to two factors: The high maintenance costs on the old housing in the town and the ever-present possibility of action to increase the capacity of the Canal. Should such plans call for a "Terminal Lake" above Miraflores Locks, the site of Pedro Miguel would be inundated. V. S. ,\MBASyAlJUH Seldcn C'hapin and Governor Seybold meet on shipboard as the Ambassador arrives to take over his new duties here as representative of the United States Government to the Meanwhile, Colonel Paxson said, resi- Repubhc of Panama. dents of Pedro Miguel will be permitted one apartment to another to move from corpsman accompany the ambulance; Goethals Memorial Will Be Dedicated April 1 in the same building, instead of being simplification of procedure in calls from "frozen" as they are at present. He told the Atlantic side for an ambulance, and (Cimtinu'd from page I) March 16 and 23. seniority would govern the conferees that assignment of a Gorgas doctor to quarters Return bookings may be made for ships any moves within the town of Pedro in Pedro Miguel. sailing from Cristobal to New York on all moves would be at Miguel and Recreation Facilities April 2 or 9. employees' expense. The question of recreation was pre- The dedication of the Goethals Mem- Ambulance Service sented as a byproduct of a series of orial will be one of the principal functions Charles F. Hammond, of the Pedro questions on clubhouse financing pre- which will take place in 1954 which marks Miguel Council, introduced the matter of sented by Mr. Chase. These questions, the 50th anniversary of the beginning of ambulance service when he reported in Colonel Paxson said, were still being the Panama Canal work as a United some detail on several cases when an studied and would be answered later States Government enterprise . The 50th ambulance had reported to emergency after a personal conference with Mr. anniversary date is next May 4. It was calls without a doctor although medical Chase. on that date in 1904 when the historic attention had been requested in each case The Acting Governor commented that transfer of the French Canal Company's or when, so he said, a doctor refused to recreational activities are now conducted rights and properties occured in Panama. answer the call. under the sponsorship of the Schools 50th Anniversary Of Canal Colonel Paxson asked what the con- Division and are financed through funds In connection with the observance of ferees wanted done but warned them appropriated by Congress for the Canal the Republic of Panama's 50th anniver- that because of the shortage of doctors it Zone Government and subsequently paid sary of independence and the 50th would be impossible to have a doctor on back by the Panama Canal Company. anniversary of the beginning of the Canal all ambulance calls. \\Tien C. W. Chase, He asked the council representatives to work, it is planned to place on display of the Pacific Council, pointed out that give further thought to the possibility of locally the "Fifty Years of Friendship" such calls interns make in the States, having all community recreation activi- exhibit recently shown at the Library of E. A. Doolan, Personnel Director, said ties transferred to the clubhouse division Congress. The exhibit will be placed on that there were not enough interns here and become part of the overall Company display next month and will be open to service. is for such Gorgas Hospital program. This is related to Mr. Chase's the public until after the date of the limited by a nationally-set quota in the proposal. Goethals Memorial dedication. number it can employ. Some legislative steps would probably The "Fifty Years of Friendship" Jack Rice, of the Cristobal-Margarita have to be taken before such a transfer exhibit, prepared by the United States Council, asked if anything could be done could be efltected, he said. about Atlantic siders having to call the Information Service, consists of a large Action Medical Center at Gorgas Hospital for Taken group of photographs illustrating the close friendship an ambulance; in such cases the call is During the meeting. Colonel Paxson ties of and cooperation which relayed to the Atlantic side and an ambu- reported on actions taken by the admin- have existed between the United States and lance dispatched from Colon Hospital. istration on previously submitted matters. Panama during the 50 years of the latter's After considerable round table discus- Asphalt tile floors will be laid in all type existence as an independent nation. sion. Colonel Paxson told the conference 336 and 339 (two-family, two-story con- The exhibition, consisting of more than that he would immediately look into the crete) quarters except in closets, storage, 130 photographs mounted on aluminum following matters: That of having the and maids' rooms. The change will be panels, has been on display during the civilian equivalent of a hospital medical made by Company {See page 15) past month in the Library of Congress. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 5, 1954

FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GUIDANCE PREVENTION I w LJ. WORKING DAZE CANAL ZONE GOVERNMENT-PANAMA CANAL COMPANY SAFETY BOARD

The Canal Zone Government-Panama Canal Company Safety Board is now composed of the following members:

G. 0. Kellar, Chairman, Safety Branch

H. L. Anderson, Recorder, representing Executive Secretary

"•^1 E. L. Farlovv, representing Civil Affairs Director E. Zemer, representing Community Services Director

R. H. Greene, representing Comptroller

M. F. Millard, representing Engineering and Construction Director

J. P. Smith, representing Health* Director ^'..^ L. W. Chambers, representing Marine Director "Well, the boss said to drop everything!" L. B. Burnham, representing Personnel Director National Safefy Council E. E. Trout, representing Supply and Service Director

W. F. Russon, representing Transportation and Terminals Director Safety Shoes PROTECT THE FOOT FROM IN- This problem of getting all workers in JURY. field and shop to wear safety shoes should The problem to get the man in the field The usual objections heard against the now be easier with the price nearer to to wear safety shoes has always been a wearing of safety shoes by the U. S.-rate every employee's pocketbook and with difficult one for both management and employees have been the price and style. styles to appeal to his ego, whichever he the safety engineer. The problem is not Among the local-rate employees price has feels is the most important. one entirely among our local-rate em- been the main consideration, because In those jobs where injury to the feet ployees, but it has been just as difficult to many need the money for food more than is a possible hazard, the importance of persuade the U. S.-rate employees to for clothing. wearing safety shoes cannot be too realize that a toe is worth more than the Well—let us say that most of these strongly emphasized and every means price of a pair of safety shoes. objections are being eliminated. A new should be taken to persuade the employees Any shoe, in this climate to be com- safety shoe, soon to be on sale at the to buy and wear these safety shoes. fortable, must be light and cool. An old commissaries, is lighter in weight, neater oxford dress shoe, which has stretched to looking, and will be more comparable in the shape of the foot, is all of this. Fur- THE PAYROLL DEDUCTION PLAN price to the ordinary work shoe. It is thermore, it appears to be more economi- hoped that the lower price will appeal to cal to get a few more months wear out of the local-rate employees. Then for those The Payroll Deduction Plan for purchase it around the job, DOES NOT but-IT employees whose fancy requires a sportier of eyeglasses, recently approved by the Office of the Comptroller, has been shoe, these are also available in styles and amended to include repairs to eyeglasses, prices that compare favorably to any HONOR ROLL where the amount is in excess of four good dress or sport oxford. dollars. Bureau Award For BEST RECORD DECEMBER Disabling Injuries per 1,000,000 Man-Hours Worked DECEMBER 1953 ( Frequency Rale) CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU

1 1 AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR _..j Affairs Bureau 1 Civil Affairs 5 Civil W Health 4 Community Services 2 Supply and Service Bureau Engineering and Construction 2 w-^ Marine Health Bureau h\ Transportation and Terminals Supply and Service C. Z. Govt.—Panama Canal Co ( Best Year) n HH^H

Division Award For Marine Bureau 17 HHHL:-, NO DISABLING INJURIES j. . ._. .'.*.".".'. "Xm

DECEMBER Community Services Bureau 1? fffflffM -. ELECTRICAL DIVISION Z. Govt.—Panama Canal Co. ( This Month) SANITATION C. 14 DIVISION OF '''y.'Sy.^ AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR Engineering and Construction Bureau Is tl Sanitation 11 Electrical 8 Transportation and Terminals Bureau 3 Industrial 7 fcr;^ Grounds Maintenance 5 _ Worked 2,490,822 Hospitalization and Clinics 5 Number of DisaWing Injuries 34 Man-Hours Railroad 5 LEGEND Clubhouse 4 I .Amount Better Than Canal Zone Government Panama Canal Company Best Year M aintenance 4 I — Storehouses 3 Navigation 1 I I Amount Worse Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Canal Company Best Year Locks *• Commissary ['.'/.'.•y^}^ Accumiiliitive Fref|ni'nry Tiate This Year Terminals " February 5, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Gatun Sea Gates To Be Replaced By Swing-Span Bridge

Fast work and clock-like schedules will be required for the accomplishment of a series of unusual operations involved in the replacement of the lower guard, or sea gates, at Gatun Locks by a swing-span bridge. The existing sea gates which have been used as a vehicular crossing at Gatun for many years will be removed and replaced by four structural steel spans to swing on the existing gate pintles. The spans will be moved by the machinery now used for swinging the gate leaves. The work is to be done by Maintenance Division forces in coordination with the Locks and Dredging Divisions. Work on the project, other than design and engin- eering, has been in progress for the past few weeks and the assembly of the struc- tural steel framework and the steel grid decking for the four spans has been completed. These are at the site and are ready to be lifted into place as soon as the sea gates are removed and the necessary work is completed for hinging the new span.

THESE GATE LEAVES of the guard gates at Gatun Locks are to be lifted off then pintl, i, lur lli., Installed for Dams first and last time early next week. They are to be replaced by a permanent vehicular crossmg. The The replacement of the guard gates by four bridge spans will be swung with existing machinery which moves the gates. This picture was taken during the last overhaul of Gatun Locks and shows men scaling the gates preparatory to repainting. a permanent type vehicular crossing has been under consideration for several years. will be accomplished in a manner never When the spans are in place they will Like a cannon never fired in wartime, the before attempted. When the Canal be operated by the existing gate ma- guard gates have never been used for the Lock gates are removed during overhaul chinery and will fold back into the gate purpose for which they were built. They periods, the gate leaves, weighing as much recesses when the crossing is not in use. are mitered toward the sea and were as 730 tons, are lifted by big hydraulic The bridge spans will be operated from installed primarily for use as dams when jacks. The guard gates, weighing nearly the lock control tower. the lock chambers are unwatered for over- 400 tons, have never been removed. The work to be done by the Main- haul. However, suitable pumping equip- They will be partially floated off their tenance Division will also include some ment for emptying the locks was not pintles. After their removal the gate improvement in the alignment to the obtained until after 1940 and floating leaves will be towed into the lock cham- existing approaches to the guard gate caissons have always been used as dams bers, tipped over on their flat sides, and crossing. "Traffic signal lights will be during overhaul periods. towed to an anchorage in Gatun Lake. used for vehicular traffic control. Actual work of the installation will No final decision has been reached on The new vehicular crossing will not be begin next Sunday when the craneboat their ultimate disposition. mitered, but will cross the lock chambers Atlas is moved to Gatun Locks to transfer Leaves Tipped at right angles. The bridge will have a three towing locomotives from the center The floating of the gate leaves will be nine-foot roadway, sufliciently wide only to the sidewall. This is being done to for done by first lowering the water in the one-way traffic. A pedestrian walk- expedite shipping while one side of the lock chambers and sealing the port holes way on the sea side of the bridge will also locks is closed to traffic. The schedule which are used for automatic ballasting be provided similar to the one now in use. calls for the stoppage of traffic in one lane of all lock gates. After this is done the for two 6-day periods during which time water in the chambers will be gradually the lock chambers will be partially Ten Years Ago raised to float the gate leaves. After unwatered. being removed from the pintles the inner Traffic through the west chamber will In January compartments can be filled or emptied of stopped next Sunday and it is planned be water to tip the leaves over on their sides. to have this set of locks back in service Because of the decreasing civilian popu- The plan, in some respects, is similar the following Saturday. The lock cham- lation, plans were being made to close the to that used several years ago in tipping bers on the east side will be closed the Canal Zone commissaries during the the big floating docks on their sides for next day and norm.al ship traffic will be middle of the day. The practice of closing transit of the Canal. This was done by six days later. the commissaries during the noon hour resumed means of flooding one side of a floating had been in effect for many years, but Ferry Service dry dock until the bottom was vertical. was discontinued three years before due traffic the This unusual operation was necessary Vehicular over guard gates to public demand. will be interrupted beginning Sunday for since the docks were too wide to go a period of five weeks. The schedule through the Locks right side up. The road from Tivoli Crossing in Ancon provides for the new vehicular crossing After the gate leaves have been to Corozo Street Crossing in JSalhoa was to be ready for use by about March 17. removed, the existing pintles will be over- completed and designated Roosevelt Avenue. During this time a limited ferry service hauled. The girder spans will be hinged Work was also started by the Pxihlic Roads will be provided by two LCM's shuttling by cups which will fit over manganese Administration on the Madden Dam between the public dock near Gatun pintles at the bottom and by the steel By-Pass. Railroad Station and a point on the west yokes at the top which now hold the The Air Terminal building, which is Gatun Dam near the abandoned Army guard gates in place. now the Civil Affairs Building, was being pier. This service will be provided Four-Span Crossing completed at Albrook Field where most seven days a week on an hourly basis from The new vehicular crossing will consist of the commercial airlines were then 7 o'clock in the morning until 4:30 o'clock of four spans. Each of these will be a based. The new terminal was one of the in the afternoon. steel grid deck supported by a triangular- first air conditioned buildings on the This ferry service is being provided shaped, open, structural steel frame in- Isthmus. primarily for residents and others con- stead of the usual pier which would ducting business west of the Canal. Only support a steel girder bridge. The frame The Canal Zone started a campaign to cars licensed in the Republic of Panama and deck of each span will weigh only 30 raise $2,000,000 locally as part of the will be permitted to use the service with- tons, but the big floating crane will be Fourth War Bond Loan. Dances and car- out special authorization. required to lift them because of the nivals were held and there icere noon-time The removal of the sea gates at Gatun clearances required. shows held in the Balboa Shops. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 5, 1954 Canal's Builder Was Partner In Shipping Firm Which Later Became Boyd Brothers

When Gen. George W. Goethals was building the Panama Canal he probably had little idea that someday he would be connected with a firm engaged in the business of representing ships using that Canal. His name did appear several years later, however, as one of the members of the board of the Isthmian Service Corpo- ration which later became Goethals, Wilford and Boyd, Inc., the parent company of Boyd Brothers, Inc., well known local shipping agents. Boyd Brothers, which now does a thriving business handling ships which transit the Canal as well as promoting a growing tourist office, an insurance busi- ness, and the representation in Panama of a number of United States business firms, is at present headed by Robert J. Boyd, the surviving brother of the original partnership. In addition to General Goethals, who by 1919 had retired from the Army and was living in New York, members of the BIC'iGEST commercial ship ev?r to transit the Panama Canal was the North German Lloyd liner company were Hugh R. Wilford, onetime Bremer, shomi above in Pecb'o Miguel locks. She was handled here by Boyd Brothers. General Agent for the United Fruit Company in Cristobal, and William Y. a special mission for the Panama govern- Kaisha Line, one of the largest of the Boyd, a New York businessman engaged ment in connection with the question of growing Japanese shipping firms, as well in import trade in Puerto Rico. free ports and bonded warehouses. as a number of other shipping companies Boyd Brothers Robert Boyd, who has been president whose vessels transited regularly. of the company since the death of his During this time the large German The General had little to do with the brother in 1932, also is a veteran of merchant fleet was one of the Canal's best business after 1922 and by 1925 the two World War I. He served as a First customers and Boyd Brothers remained Boyd Brothers, who had been in business Lieutenant in the U. S. Army and was agents in Balboa and Panama for the together before the war, formed another one of the survivors of the S. S. Carolina Hamburg-Amerika Line even after that partnership with headquarters on the sub- reorganized and its Isthmus. which was torpedoed by a German company opened own marine in June 1918. A graduate of offices in Cristobal. William, the elder brother, was well Syracuse University he has lived in In addition to a number of freighters known on the Isthmus and was considered Panama for the past 32 years. running from Hamburg to the west coast an authority on free ports. During World of the United States, Chile, and Guate- War I, he served with distinction as a Offices Opened mala, several famous German trans- Lieutenant Commander in the United The new agency opened offices in Atlantic luxury liners made cruises to the States Navy and was made a Chevalier of Panama City, Balboa, and Cristobal and Isthmus. Best known of these was the the Legion of Honor by France. He also was soon handling approximately 50 ships North German Lloyd Vmer Bremeti which received two decorations from Italy and per month. Boyd Brothers were agents made the Canal transit south in 1939 was at one time Naval Attache at the for the Hamburg-Amerika Line, the en route from New York on a round- United States Embassy in Rio de Janeiro. United American Lines, the Quaker Line, South America cruise. The Bremen had a After World War I he went to Europe on the Dollar Line, and the Osaka Shosen gross tonnage of 52,896 tons and was the

largest commercial vessel trj transit the Canal. This record still stands. Murder and Mayhem Most shipping agents at the Canal have had their share of murder and may- hem on the high seas but Boyd Brothers feel they hold a record of some sort with a double murder and attempt?d suicide which took place one evening in 1937 aboard the S. S. President Lincoln when she was a few hours out of Balboa en route to the Orient.

Boyd Brothers got District Court ofli- cials out of bed when the ship returned to Balboa in the wee hours of the morning; a hearing was held, the bodies removed and the murderer taken to the hospital wh?re he later recovered and was sent to Gamboa Penitentiary. The ship siiled from Balboa the second time only 12 hours behind schedule. Boyd Brothers represented the Dollar Lin? from 1932 to 1940 when it became American President Line, and during that time handled an average of six of their pass?nger ships each month. The biggest job during those years, Mr. Boyd recalls, was the booking of 300 or more Chinese passengers on each of the Dollar liners en route to ROBERT J. BOYD, President of Boyd Brothers, confers with two other officers of the company, the Orient. The Chinese, who William Y. Boyd II, General Manager, and Mrs. Berta Luthy de Nunez Chavez, Secretary and Treasurer. arrived on the Isthmus from iSie page U) February 5, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

CANAL _UgU jSud^i^ OF CURRENT INTEREST

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

Printed by the Printing Plant Mount Hope, Canal Zone

John S. Seybold, Governor-President H. 0. Paxson, Lieutenant Governor William G. Arey, Jr. Director of Public Relations

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

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

On sale at all Panama Canal Clubhouses. Commissaries, and Hotels for 10 days after publication date.

SINGLE COPIES BY MAIL— 10 cents each

BACK COPIES~10 cents each an informal APPRO.^CH to art is demonstrated by a group of third grade studeuts who study the design being drawn by their art teacher, Mrs. .Jean Anderson Karch, while they sit in the patio On sale when available, from the Vault of the Balboa elementary school. Four visiting teachers from Santiago de \'eraguas watch the proceed- Floor, .Administration Building, Clerk, Third ings with interest. Balboa Heights. Flooded streets, damp garages, and on the basis of recommendations made stalled cars in the Balboa Flats area by the Committee which is composed Postal money orders should be made pay- may become a thing of the past after of the Marine Director as Chairman, able to the Treasurer, Panama Canal Com- the installation this year of the 6 by 4 the Engineering and Construction pany, and mailed to Editor, The Pan.wia foot culvert at the foot of Ancon Hill. Director, Executive Secretary, and Su- take flood Canal Review, Balboa Heights, C. Z. The culvert, designed to perintendent of Schools. The Director waters out of the Flats, will run from a of Secondary Education serves ex point near the Goethals Memorial officio as Secretary of the Committee. around the foot of the hill below the Building and under the Administrative Branch Chief Administration !K snack bar where employees working in Panama Railroad tracks to join the the Cristobal pier area can buy coffee, cold huge 11 by 20 foot Curundu culvert drinks, sandwiches, and a few other similar Retires After Long Service which runs under one end of Albrook food items, has been opened in a small Field runway. The new culvert will building opposite Pier 8 in Cristobal. intercept Balboa Heights drainage The snack bar, operated by the Clubhouse which now runs down Barnebey and Division, is open seven days a week. Food Carr -Streets and floods the lower end sold at the snack bar comes from the of Balboa Flats during heavy rains and Cristobal Clubhouse. high tides. The new installation provides a place BiJs for the construction of the cul- where dock workers, especially those who vert, which will be 1,600 feet, or one report early for "check-in" and who do not quarter of a mile long, are now being leave the pier area until their work is advertised and will be opened March 3. finished, can purchase small food items. The job will take about five or six The installation of the snack bar was months to complete. requested by representatives of Local 900, CIO. as a coiivenience to the large number Ihree Police substations were closed, one of employees working in or near the Cristobal was redesignated the Canal Zone Prison for piers. Women and Juveniles, and one was changed first Security poster series into a hike patrol post on February 1. The of a The substations closed were at Madden entitled "Security Guards Freedom's Dam, Gamboa, and Margarita. The Pedro Door," are being displayed throughout Miguel Police substation officially became the Canal Zone. of a prison for women and juveniles, and the The series is a part the current security educa- Gatun substation is now a lake patrol post. Company-Government The substation at Madden Dam was tion program sponsored by the Internal of the Canal Zone closed entirely, but desk space is being Security Branch series will retained in the building at Margarita for use Government. The be com- of radio and motorcycle patrols working out pleted in July, terminating with a of the Cristobal Central Police Station. special Independence Day display. Police activities in Gamboa now have During this period, the Canal Zone entire series headquarters in the Gamboa Clubhouse in Libraries will display the and PETER F. SHRAPNEL space formerly occupied by the Mutual of posters together with books Benefit .Association. various documents promoting the anti- Communist compaign. Peter F. Shrapnel, who retired January The nomination of a principal and .31 as Chief of the Administrative Branch, three alternate candidates from the If present plans for conducting a chest States Naval X-ray survey are carried out, Canal Zone is the Man Who Came to Dinner. Canal Zone to the United Academy at Annapolis will be made Health Bureau officials expect that it will He came to the Canal Zone in 1915 to sometime this month bv Governor be a continuous operation— like a revolving parents, Mrs. visit his wife's Mr. and John S. Seybold. belt. Gerald Bliss, At the time he was manager Preliminary physical examinations The survey, during which all Panama and Canal Zone Govern- of a feed mill in the little New York town have already been given to nine appli- Canal Company cants and written examinations will be ment employees and their dependents will of Sherman, and hfe had every intention held soon. receive regular free chest X-ray examina- is still of going back there. _ He here. The candidates include four students tions, started last month and will continue His first Canal Zone job was as a clerk from Balboa high school and four from indefinitely. with the then Recei\;ing and Forwarding Cristobal high school. One applica- Because of the thousands of persons tion has been received from a Canal included in this public health program, and Agency.- In 1916 he ti'ansferred to the Zone resident presently in school in the because the examinations are to be made and has stayed with it, Record Bureau United States. regularly, it is expected that bv' the time the through all its changes, first to the Cor- The eligible candidates who passed last person has been examined, it will be respondence and Record Division and the qualifying mental and physical time to start all over again. examinations will be interviewed by .At present employees and their depend- more recently the Administrative Branch. the (Committee on Admissions to the ents are being divided into groups of SO Mr. and Mrs. Shrapnel expect to make Military and Naval Academies. The each, the number which can be X-rayed their future home in California. Governor's nominations will be made each day. ' YOURTHE PANAMA CANALTOWNREVIEW February 5, 1954 Pedro Miguel: "Here is an engine house where as many as 80 locomotives tie up for the night. One of the most interesting sights on the Canal is watching these locomotives leave the engine house for their work in the morning. The first one leaves about 6:30 a. m. and the last is clear of the yards 10 minutes later." Pedro Miguel was even then becoming modern. It had had electricity since 1907. In 1908 there were 491 pupils in the Pedro Miguel school; the lone high school student had to travel to Empire for his classes. A commissary, which served all employees, was approximately where a large storehouse now stands on the road to the Boat Club. A volunteer fire company protected the town and a Com- mission truck garden supplied fresh vege- tables. In 1909 there was some excite- ment when a slide in the locks excavation swallowed up a chicken house and trees belonging to one of the cottages. The house, left only four feet from the slide, was moved hurriedly. Firsthand Report

For a description of Pedro Miguel life

l'i:i)l;(l .Mir,['KL lies between a band of hills and the Locks, which appear in this ai'iial phot,,- in the late construction days. The Review In the cleared space in the center, where the ball dianmnd is nuw t;raph near the top of the picture. turned to Mrs. Eula J. Ewing, who lived located, Chinese merchants had their shops during construction days. in Pedro Miguel from 1911 until her retirement in 1952. For many years she Peter Magill it has been for many and others were used as quarters. Mr. wrote a column of Pedro Miguel events years and Peter Magill it will probably Bouche says that one of these old quarters for the Star & Herald. From her present continue to be as long as there is a Pedro is still standing on Miraflores Street near home in Romney, W. Va., she wrote: Miguel and Americans here to mispro- the Boy Scout Shack. He identifies it "There was no legitimate Clubhouse in nounce its name. It is even spelled from its brick underpinnings. Pedro Miguel before the one from "Peter Magill" in some official records. Early in 1905 Chief Engineer John F. Gorgona was brought there in 1914, but The origin of Pedro Miguel's name is a Wallace wrote Governor George W. Davis: we did have a social hall which was over matter of argument among its residents. "Pedro Miguel is the point, you know, the old messhall. Adrien Bouche, who has lived there for where the principal line from the east side This stood on the old road near what is the junction of many years, grew up on the story that of the south end of Culebra Cut joins the now Gaillard Highway Pedro Miguel was the name of a railroad main line of the Panama Railroad and I and Rio Grande Street. s?ction foreman. There wasn't m-uch of a desire to establish here the headquarters "There our Sunday School was held, town in early railroad days so the stop of the men employed in the transportation also church services whenever we could was known as Pedro Miguel's cabin. and excavating work in this general secure a minister which was once every Others believe that the town's name is vicinity." (The present road to the three or four months. Once or twice a properly San Pedro Miguel—St. Peter Cucaracha signal station is a part of the year, a Lyceum Company which was Michael—which was the Spanish name old railroad bed.) brought down from the States by the old for the river. Certainly an 1867 history Kitchens, a messhall, a "hotel," a post of the raih-oad refers to the San Pedro office, and bachelor barracks began to Miguel River, "a narrow tidewater tribu- rise, all west of the present railroad line. tary of the Rio Grande," which the rail- The work was considered so urgent that road crossed on an iron bridge. later that year Governor Davis asked Pedro Miguel was off the beaten path that "work on Corozal quarters be sus- ' of trans-Isthmian travellers of the Spanish pended and Pedro M iguel pushed forward. colonial days. There was probably a fair Railroad Center sized settlement in the general area; Although the ICC selected Pedro during canal construction days ruins of a Miguel as the site of one set of locks, after large old Spanish church were found not a lock-type canal was decided on in 1906, far from Pedro Miguel. Indian artifacts Pedro Miguel remained primarily a rail- discovered in Pedro Miguel's hills prove road center. A nine-track railroad yard, even earlier habitation. a coaling plant and a repair shop were French There In 1888 built that year, and at Pedro Miguel French canal forces started work at President Theodore Roosevelt made his Pedro Miguel on January 15, 1888. In first stop when he toured the construction May of that year the site, where one lock line in November 1906. It is pretty was to be built, was one-third excavated. certain that all of Pedro Miguel's 754 resi- Later the New French Canal Company dents, 79 of them Americans, turned out modified the plans and decided that two to welcome him. locks would be built at the Pedro Miguel Most of the construction force lived at location. Corozal, if they were Americans, Mr. There could not have been much of a Bouche recalls, or at "40-mile Camp" sattloment at Pedro Miguel, however, for which was practically part of Pedro when the Isthmian Canal Commission Miguel or at one or another of the nearby began to take stock in 1904-5 of property "silver" construction camps if they were taken over from the French Company it non-Americans. In 1908, however, the found at Pedro Miguel nine usable Pedro Miguel mess for European laborers !)uildings and three in such bad condition was enlarged to accommodate 450 men; it they were destroyed. was the largest in the Canal Zone at the One of the old French buildings became time. a police station, another a commissary, In 1912 John 0. Collins described SUT. tIEUUGl:; L. C.'U.X, I'olice Commander February 5, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW F^EDRO MIGUBI

up to their village where it was killed and roasted over an open fire and a great fiesta was held. "The present Boat Club grew out of the old El Kego Club, which met in a thatched roof shed which stood near the present location of the Boat Club. The men selected this spot, isolated as it was, so that their noise would not annoy resi- dents of the town. Here they enjoyed their keg of beer and passed the hat to dsfray the cost. Its fame spread until the Boat Club was organized to take care of the crowd. "Al Meigs was one of the organizers and perhaps did more for the club than any other man. He was ably assisted by Jack Reinig, J. C. Ewing, S. B. Bubb, Adam Mallett, Adam Dorn, Harry Gros- chup, and many others. PAUL KARST, Postmaster MISS DORA ANTILL, School Principal "The old police station, which was brought from Gorgona, stood on the left ICC gave a program here, and here we of Front Street, as you walked from the also held our dances. railroad station to the clubhouse. In the "The first Christmas program in Pedro early days, a stable for the horses stood Miguel was presented here in 1911. Miss in the rear of the building. The concrete Mildred Greene, sister of J. Wendell base and the steps leading to the station Greene (who retired as Treasurer of the are all that remain today. Panama Canal Company in 1952), and I "In the early days we made our own trained the children. trimmed small We a entertainment. We used to put on plays, tree with strings orange popcorn and give programs, hold dances. There was paper chains, lighted it with old-fashioned the Ladies' Aid Society and the Woman's wax candles and called it Christmas our Club. We often attended dances at tree. Gorgona and Empire in a labor car "Incinerator Point— it called that was hitched to an engine. Some engineer because the incinerator for the disposal of would volunteer to run the engine there garbage was located on the point of land but wouldn't guarantee to bring it back. which jutted out into the water—was Perhaps another one who had celebrated down where the SIP quarters on Frog less would make the return trip with us." Alley now stand, facing the lake. After Construction Days LT. CHARLES F. STEVENS, Fire Station "Old Man Campbell, as we used to call Commander Pedro Miguel Locks were the second him— I believe his name was John—had a to be started. Concreting there began in chicken farm there and beyond it a nar- pouring had row swinging bridge crossed the Pedro September 1909, a week after little over three Miguel River to the native huts which started at Gatun. A years later, Pedro Miguel Lock gates were grouped on the other side. There closed and opened for the first time. dances were held in the evenings to the were reports that gates in music of tom-toms. The Canal Record "The area where the Lodge Hall now the east chamber were first operated November 16, 1912; they were set in stands and the land immediately below it the little son unnamed of was once a native village, with thatched motion by — — Congressman John J. Fitzgerald, an roof huts; I remember it was a pleasant Isthmian visitor. The first lockage, how- sight in the evening to see the light of ever, was not made until October 24, 1913. their fires and to hear their voices raised construction plans were made in plaintive songs. As ended, for the future of Pedro Miguel. In June Christmas On Stilts 1912, a committee appointed to choose "On Christmas morning, dressed in sites for permanent townsites recom- grotesque costumes, they would stalk mended that the operating force of the through the town on stilts. of the Some Pacific Locks should be housed in one stilts so tall the people were on them could settlement, and chose a location on the look into upstairs apartments. Later in east side of Pedro Miguel Locks. As it E. B. \'ERNER, Conamissary Manager the day, they drove or led a giant tapir was then planned, the town was to house 62 American and 162 alien workers and their families. Eventually, but only after considerable heated correspondence between the land- scape architect and townsite engineers, a new Pedro Miguel began to take form. The commissary, police station, and club- house were transferred from Gorgona; the csnter of population shifted from the west side of the railroad to the east. An old barracks building was converted to quar- ters for "lady bachelors," because, the Pedro Miguel quartermaster said, "it appears that there will always be at least seven or eight lady bachelors in Pedro Miguel." The big house formerly occupied by W. G. Comber, Superintendent of Dredg- MKS. JANET BIEN'Z, Restaurant Manager ing at Paraiso, was moved to a site uphill DK. DAVID SENZER, District Physician —

10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 5, 1954

from the clubhouse. Its most recent occupant was Truman Hoenke, Pacific Leave For Washington Locks Superintendent. Previous occu- pants were the Roy Stockhams, J. C. Myricks, and John G. Claybourns. New quarters were built along the newly-mado streets; nine houses .were moved to Pedro Miguel from Las Cas- cadas. A restaurant was opened in the building which now houses the postoffice, clubhouse luncheonette, and barber shop. Some years later a dozen cottages and four two-family houses were brought from Gaillard and Empire and rebuilt in the swampy area near the lake; it is known to all old Pedro Miguelites as Frog Alley. The present fire station was not built until 1932, and the police station, now officially the Canal Zone Prison for Women and Juveniles, in 1934. Plans For New Town TWO COMPANY-GOVERNMENT employees left last week for Washington where they will

attend the V . S. Civil Service Commission's five-month Career Development Program for Administrative In 1938 the Pedro Miguel Civic Council, Officers. The present course is the third to be given. .; an active group which is just now plan- They are Robert A. Stevens, Salary and Wage Analyst in the Personnel Bureau, left, and Norman ning the third annual town fair and is, Davison. Supervisory Accountant in the Commissary Division at Mo\mt Hope. Chosen from 10 Canal employees selected to compete for the course, they are the only persons from incidentally, the only council with junior outside the continental United States in the current program. A majority of the persons tailing the relocation of the members, asked for a course are from Washington, D. C. entire town. For two years they argued their case and finally, in April 1941, the Governor approved a plan to develop an area on the west bank of the Pedro Miguel river. This would involve replace- ment of 127 pre-1915 quarters. A few quarters were built to house people working on Special Improvement Projects for the locks, but Pearl Harbor VALENTINE'S DAY is just a hop and a tainer; or in nylon, four connected spools of canceled out all plans for a new town. skip around the corner. Gentlemen who want 50 yards each. Green Primo cuttyhunk is Pedro Miguel took on the look of an to stay in favor with their ladies and girls 90 cents for a 30-pound test, 100-yard spool, armed camp. Barrage ballons flew above who'd like to delight their boys, come a week up to $19.75 for a 500-yard spool of 150- the locks. An anti-dive bomber net from Sunday, will find just what they ore look- pound test. Linen cuttyhunk ranges in price ing for at the Canal Commissaries. from 85 cents to $1 .60 a spool, depending stretched across the canal between the Panama on the test weight. Nylon line sells from hills. Its effectiveness was tragically girls what giil isn't Old-fashioned — and $1 .1 5 to $1 .40 a spool, again depending on proved when a low-flying U. S. plane old-fashioned when it comes to Valentine's the test weight. Day'i' delighted if her beau ^ should be tangled in the dangling cables and crashed — and we do mean beau — presents her with an Rods, for use from fishing boats, are $8 to to the canal bank. Baffles of corrugated This last is the ""Kingfish" old-time valentine, all padded satin or lace, $12.25 each. metal enclosed the locks. Smokepots hearts, and flowers and even sachet. Big as model, a casting rod for heavy spoon baits. Packed in a handy canvas bog, it has double burned from time to time along the main a page from an ordinary-sized book, they cork grips, stainless steel guides, a stainless come in pretty, plain white boxes,- $1 each. streets, too often, housewives complained, There ore some "For My Sweetheart, " and steel guarded tip, and a chrome-plated reel on laundry days. seat. budding Isaak Walton might get r others — for the girls who are married to their A " quite a boot or even a fish with a plain, Air-raid shelters were built in the hills boys — which say "To My Darling Wife — — ordinary bamboo pole, |ust the thing for a behind the town, one of them near a LESS EXPENSIVE valentines are also avail- string with a hooked worm on the end; 18 to cemetery which, Mrs. neglected old able; they cost five cents and up. There are 35 cents each. Ewing says "did a flourishing business for Mother, Sister, Brother, and some Father, CLEVER WOMEN who make their own the family, as well as the during construction days." Its graves other members of clothes will like Signature Fabrics, a new line more traditional day's greetings to a best- and their markers are again overgrown of washable sanforized cotton prints, each girl have loved or boy. For those who MUST design the creation of on American artist. with grass. A USO unit was set up in so-called them, there are even the humorous "Hook and Ladder" for instance shows a the basement of the Union Church; the and slam valentines. This mention does not gallant helmeted fireman, a woman perched women of Pedro Miguel took pride in constitute this column's approval for such. atop o burning building, and a hook-and- learning service friends' birthdays. ladder, of course. Other prints have such their Valentine donors who want something a intriguing names and equally intriguing There was always a birthday cake for bit more substantial than hearts and flowers designs as "Bird in a Box," "Staff of Life," to it and a sentimental verse might look at each one and the women saw that and "On the Hook." They ore 99 cents a taffetized-cotton tiered petticoats for wear he was there to enjoy it, even if it meant yard, and a yard wide. under bouffant dresses. In black or while, going to his colonel to get him a pass. with o perky ribbon bow, they come in small, Also new in the clothes line, but reody- Today Pedro Miguel's future is limited. medium and large; around $4.95 each. mades this time, is Socony's latest line. For Present plans call for its discontinuance well-tailored v/omen who have worn golf umbrellas are an- MULTI-COLORED Beach suits, Sacony is as a Canal Zone community by the end of Socony's Palm now for Valentine gift. They are other idea a turning out what it calls ""Pin money poplin March of next year. The old quarters made of cotton, hove eight ribs, a polished separates, " brilliant-colored, wear- there will be torn down and only a few of wood handle and a metal tip. Gay and able shorts, pedal pushers, halters, and giddy, they'd do just as well to shade a lady the permanent buildings such as the police skirts. They come in standard regulation the beach as well as on a golf course. on sizes, which the Commissary people say is and fire stations will remain. Eventually They sell for $5.15. important to know, and run from $3.25 for people may say: "There Pedro Miguel the short shorts to $4.95 for the skirts. A Fishing tackle would make a grand Valen- used to hi." new lot of well-designed and colorful straw tine gift for a favorite male, whether he's a Pedro Miguel diehards still like their or woven gross handbags, some'bvg enough novice or an expert. The Commissaries have to hold beach gear, about 50 cents to $1.60 town, rundown at the heels as it is; of an assortment of rods, reels, and lines in an each. course, -'they would like more modern assortment of prices. Penn "Senator" reels, tunc, tarpon, sailfish, and marlin, sell for BLONDES AND REDHEADS, who swear housing. A little over a year ago 110 lor $14 to $23.50. All models have harness by Noxzema cream it takes the burn out of families out. of 184 employees—peti- — lugs and rod clomps; the manufacturer says sunburn will be interested in Noxiemo's new tioned that Pedro Miguel be retained and the drags, mode from automobile broke greaseless suntan oil, 25 cents a bottle, or rebuilt in its present location. lining, can t burn up. Louis Schmidt of Bal- lotion at 49 cents. Noxzema also has used a Penn "Senator" reel when he two new products for men; A brushless Possibly, Mrs. Ewing expresses what boa boated a 1,000-pound marlin in Panama cream shaving lather, 33 cents a jar or 45 many of them feel: Bay, Penn brags. cents a tube, and an instant-shaving lather "I have always loved the town and in a pressurized can. It comes out like FISHING LINES, to go on the reels, come in animated whipped cream but is much better have gone over its streets, its homes, and green Primo cuttyhunk, 100 to 500 yards to than whipped cream for removing five o-clock all they contained again and again in my a tube; in natural color linen cuttyhunk, six shadow; 63 cents for a tin which holds 6'^ memories since I left there." 50-yard spools, connected, in a plastic con- ounces. February 5, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11

Canal's Builder Was Partner In Shipping Long-Time Employee Considers Firm Which Later Became Boyd Brothers Passage Money Was Well-Spent {Continued from pag; 6) West Indian should return to his native island. and South American ports, were taking Reminiscing, he told The Panama advantage of the inexpensive Dollar Line Canal Review he would like to say steerage fares to visit their homes in China. goodbye and thanks. Japanese Comeback "I'm thankful for my days here," he bosses I Up to 1940 Boyd Brothers acted as said. "I'm thankful for the I'm general agents for the Osaka Shosen worked with. I'm thankful that Kaisha or OSK Line. They became repre- going home without scratches." his sentatives for this fu-m again in 1951. He was working in Grenada with Since the war OSK has built approximate- father, a pipefitter, when he learned of ly 40 fast freight ships now running from the Panama Canal construction. Work- the Far East to New York, Europe, and men were not being recruited in Grenada that the the east coast of South America. at that time, but he thought Most of these ships are built to carry a opportunities in the Canal Zone might be few passengers but those operating worth the $15 he would have to pay for betwean Japan and Brazil have been passage. And $15 was a lot more money designed to accommodate as many as 500 in 1907 that it is today. persons steerage class. This space is being At Gatun Dam used for the transportation of Japanese \ En route to the Canal Zone, the Solent JOSEPH farmers and artisans to Brazil. EDWIN picked up 300 contract workers from Like most other steamship agents Boyd Joseph Edwin thinks that the $15 he Barbados and 700 from Martinique. The Brothers were kept on the hop during the spent almost 47 years ago was to good day after they arrived here, he had a job war years. In addition to handling most purpose. That $15 was the cost of his on the Gatun spillway, where he was to of their regular ships as agents for the passage aboard the SS Solent from work for the next five years. He remem- War Shipping Administration the firm Grenada to the Canal Zone; for it he got bers Col. W. L. Sibert, who was in charge took charge of a fleet of Bernuth Lembcke a place to sleep on the Solent's deck and of the Gatun work, and Maj. George M. tankers which were based in Balboa and meals for seven days. Hoffman, his more immediate boss, but which operated out of here to the South Now Joseph Edwin is going back to Col. George Goethals was someone whom Pacific with fuel for the U. S. Navy. Grenada. After working for almost 47 he saw only occasionally, "running from Purchase of stores and the hiring of crews years in the Canal Zone he will leave with one end to the other." were problems but the real headache was his wife about February 15 to return to From the spillway he went to work repairs to damaged vessels. Grenada, a picturesque and mountainous laying electrical lines along the railroad They now represent such well known little island which lies 90 miles north of and then he was transferred to the Cattle United States steamship companies as the Trinidad and is the southernmost of the Industry, where he built fences and States Steamship Company, the Pacific- Windward Islands. The Edwins this time cleared pastures near Mandinga and Las Far East Line, the Coastwise Line, the are not paying their own way; they are Cascadas. He remembers one time when Pacific Transport Line, Bernuth Lembcke being repatriated as he has requested. cattle were being brought through the Line, Quaker Lme, and the Pacific- He does not know how he will find Canal on barges. Two of them jumped Atlantic Steamship Company. things in the island or whether he will overboard and swam for shore. For all In addition to the OSK Line, their like living there. But he believes that he he knows, their descendents may still be foreign companies include the Mamenic living there. Line, a Nicaraguan shippmg company In 1918 he left the Panama Canal which runs a freighter fleet through the Former Officer Recalls Long service to work for the Army on a rock Canal from west coast Central American crusher near Empire. His boss on that Years In Canal Organization ports to New York, Gulf Ports, and job was Nelson Magner, now Chief of the Europe, and the Willy Bruns Steamship Maintenance Division's Northern Dis- The knowledge which he gained in 43 Company, a new German line running trict. Seven years later he returned to years of experience with the Canal organ- ships to Ecuador from Hamburg. the Canal oi-ganization; he has worked ization will always be available to the with the Maintenance Division, or its StaflE Members Panama Canal Company, W. R. Pfizer predecessor, the Municipal Engineering recently. Mr. William Boyd II, elder son of the wrote Governor J. S. Seybold Y. Division, ever since. president of the company, became asso- Pfizer retired the end of December; at the Logs And Alligators ciated with his father in business in 1950 time of his retirement, he was a Company was being built, and now takes charge of boarding opera- vice president and one of its directors. When Madden Dam in foreman for a gang clearing the tions and other legwork connected with Mr. Pfizer wrote the Governor he was a letter of appreciation for his area as far as San Juan Viejo, and the shipping. He is a veteran of World War answer to a said: saddles near the dam itself. One of the ri having served IS months in Europe as services. He working at the dam was "that a combat infantryman with the Rainbow "Your gracious letter of December 9, Americans to at the testi- same man Lerchen" who now heads the Division. He is a graduate of Yale 1953, was presented me Division. University. monial luncheon given to me by the Maintenance employees of the York Office on One incident there, Joseph Edwin He is assisted by two other young men New the eve of remembers well. He had to blast a good- who are well known locally. They are board the SS "Cristobal" on out of the Chilibre River. Ross Newland, son of Kenneth Newland, my retirement. I thank you most sin- sized log dynamite under it, former Executive Assistant to the General cerely for your thoughtful expression of Wading in, he tied I do look retreated to the shore and set off the Manager of the Railroad and Terminals appreciation of my services. pride and I blast. the log blew up, so did an Division, and Hector Gonzalez, son of back on that record with When which must have been Governor Jose Maria Gonzalez of Colon. carry forward many pleasant recollections outsize alligator associations formed in the course lurking near the log all the time. Mr. Newland is connected with the of happy I shall Most of his work for the past 27 years, Cristobal office while Mr. Gonzalez is of my long service. Although contact, I am however, had been at Sosa Hill Quarry. head of the Boyd Brothers office in Balboa. keenly miss the personal consoled by the knowledge that I have The shape of the hill had changed a great > Robert J. Boyd, Jr., the younger of the enduring friendships. deal since he went to work there. Blasting two Boyd sons, is now in service with the acquired many interest in has so eaten it away that even he finds it Air Force at Albrook Field and was "I shall always retain my believe that 27 years ago the side formerly a University of Pennsylvania the 'Canal' and its affairs and if the hard to experience of the hill was very close to the main student. He will join the organization knowledge gained over my long in quarry buildings. upon completion of his enlistment. would make my counsel of any value is proud that he is leaving something Secretary and Treasurer of the firm, the future you have only to call on me. He himself behind at the quarry. The which now requires the services of nearly "Mrs. Pfizer and I appreciate your of cordially stone and concrete ramp, at the foot of 50 employees to run its varied activities, good wishes which are most to you, Mrs. Seybold, and the Sosa Hill rise, is his work. People will is Mrs. Berta Luthy de Nunez Chaves. reciprocated remember it, he like to think, as "Joe's She has been with the company for the the Panama Canal Company-Canal Zone wall." And they probably will. past 20 years. Government Organization." 15 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 5, 1954

ANNIVERSARIES PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS

Employees who observed important amii- December 15 through January 15 versarie= during the month of January are number of listed alphabetically below. The Employees who were promoted or trans- Stenographer to Law Clerk (Stenographer). all Government service, with years includes ferred between December 15 and Januar\ OFFICE OF GOVERNOR-PRESIDENT agencies. Those with the Canal or other 15 are listed below. Regradings and within- with the Canal are Bernardine C. Lally, from Super- continuous service grade promotions are not listed. Mrs. indicated with (*). visory Clerk-Stenographer, Board of Health CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU 42 YEARS Laboratory, to Clerk-Stenographer, Execu- Gregor Gramlich, Master, Dipper Mrs. Norma C. Belland, Mrs. Mar- tive Planning Staff. E. N. Gersten, from .Auditor, Dredge, Dredging Division. garet W. Collins, Mrs. Harriet William Staff, to Organization and 35 YEARS Whitaker, from Substitute Teacher to Internal Audit Elementary School Teacher. Methods Examiner, Executive Planning Dr. Wayne Gilder, Supcrintende^it, Galeon M. Jarvis, from Elementary to Staff. Colon Hospital. 30 YEARS High School Teacher. MARINE BUREAU Mrs. Gladys S. Lee, from Substitute Samuel L. Brown, .\ssistant Port Robert W. McAllister, from Pilot-in- Teacher to Junior High School Teacher. Captain, Cristobal. Irainiiig to Probationary Pilot. George L. Cooper, Henry C. DeRaps, George D. Suddaby, Master, Pipe Line Henry E. Lewis, from Painter to Painter Freddie S. Southerland, Patrick F. Suction Dredge, Dredging Division. Leadingman, Industrial Divisio.i. McDonnell, Fred E. Perra, from Police- 25 YEARS E. Guy Huldtquist, from Pipeline man to Policeman and Detecti\e. .Accounting Clerk, Suction Dredge Engineer, Dredging Divi- Charles W. Balser, Walter H. Alves, from Police Sergeant Office. sion, to Chief Towboat Engineer, Naviga- Comptroller's to Police Sergeant and Motorcycle Sergeant. Lawrence Barca, Machi;iist, Commis- tion Division. OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER sarv Division. TRANSPORTATION AND TERMINALS Henry R. Chenevart, Fleet Machi.iist, Howard M. Fuller, from Budget Spe- BUREAU Navigation Division. cialist to Budget .Analyst. Mrs. Margaret L. Canavaggio, from *Efrain Escalona, Pharmacist, Gorgas Robert Lessiack, from Business .Analyst Traffic Clerk to Clerk, Terminals Division. Hospital. to Budget .Analyst. Randolph M. Wikingstad, from Steve- Beverly C. Halliday, Supervisory Pro- Frances L. Journey, from Time, Mrs. dore Foreman to Head Stevedore Foreman, curement Officer, Commissary Division. and Pa\Toll Clerk, Payroll Branch, Leave, Terminals Division. Marshall, Chief. Postal, Cus- .Accounts James to .Accounting Clerk, .Agents Lynn T. Hormady, from Clerk-Typist, toms and Immigratio)! Division. Branch. License Section, to Property and Supply Jack C. Randall, Housing Manager, Frank A. Baldwin, from Construction Clerk, Terminals Division. Cristobal. Cost .Analyst to Superxisory .Accountant, Emil A. Weltz, Molder, Industrial Plant Inventory and .Appraisal Staff. Division. ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION 20 YEARS BUREAU JANUARY RETIREMENTS Henry J. Chase, Supply .Assistant, Clubhouse Division. Mirt Bender, from Foreman, Pipeline Burton E. Davis, Chief Design Engi- Suction Dredge, Dredging Division, to Retirement certificates were presented neer, Industrial Di\ision. Special Combination Welder, Maintenance the end of January to the following employ- Edward A. Eckhoff, Planner and Esti- Division. ees who are listed alphabetically, together mator, Industrial Di\ision. Claude W. Parris, from Mattressmaker with their birth places, titles, length of Dalvin S. Heilman, Motorcycle Officer, Foreman to Supervisory Upholsterer, Main- tenance Division. service and future addresses. Police Di\ision. Carl O. Baldwin, Colorado; Deputy Ralph J. Neville, Fireman, Fire Division. Mrs. Florence W. LaCIair, from Cash Warden, Gamboa Penitentiary; 31 years, John E. Schmidt, Control House Oper- .Accounting Clerk to .Accounting Clerk, 1 month, 19 da\s: Panama, for present. ator, Pacific Locks. Maintenance Division. to Dr. Wayne Gilder, .Alabama; Superin- 15 YEARS Kenneth W. Anderson, from Clerk .Accounting Clerk, Maintenance Division. tendent, Colon Hospital; ii years, 5 months, Louis A. Austin, Timekeeper, Motor Mrs. Theresa G. Wright, from Clerk- 22 days; New Orleans, La. Transportation Di\ision. Massachusetts: Stenographer, Executive Planning Staff, to Joseph C. Hannigan, 'Robert J. Byrne, Commissary Man- Locks; 34 years, 6 Secretary, Office of Engineering and Con- Lockmaster, Gatun ager, Commissary Division. plans struction Director. months, 6 da\s; uncertain. Fred E. Campbell, Car Inspector, Rail- Mrs. Betsy R. Hoenke, from Clerk- Peter F. Shrapnel, New York; Chief, road Division. Stenographer, Electrical Division, to Clerk, .\dministralive Branch; 38 years, 1 month, Emile R. Carufel, Lock Operator, Maintenance Division. 17 da\s; probably California. Atlantic Locks. Emil Weltz, Pennsylvania; Molder, OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL *John J. Connard, Pilot, Navigation Industrial Division; 23 years, 7 months, I )i\ ision. Mrs. Clara E. Neville, from Clerk- 21 davs; California. Ralph L. Edwards, Fireman, Fire Di\ ision. Clifford M. Glenn, Public Works Fore- man, Maintenance Division. Music Thafs Different Clifford B. Jones, General Foreman, Maintenance Division. John F. Larue, Painter Foreman, Main- tenance Division. Edmund R. MacVittie, Assistant Super- intendent, Storehouse Division. Wilfred Morris, Construction Inspector, MaiiUenaTice Division. Thomas H. Murphy, Pipefitter, Dredg- ing Division. Maurice A. Nichols, Policeman, Police Di\"isit)n. John E. Ridge, Jr., Foreman, Main- tenance Division. Louis E. Rocher, Towboat Master, Navigation Division.

FEBRUARY SAILINGS

From Cristobal

Ancon February .5 Panama February 12 Cristobal February 19 Ancon February 26 From New York Panama February 2 Cristobal February 9 THIS LITTLE GEKMAN B.\ND is a recent addition to lift- at Balboa High School. .\ brainchild of \'ictor Herr, BUS Music Supervisor, it was organized several months ai;o to play for school athletic Ancon February 16 events. The musicians play the traditional "umpha-umpha," concert music, or Dixieland jazz. High 'February 25 Panama School students favor the jazz, especially when played by a quintet clad in Lederhosen. •Leaves New York Thursday because of February Lrfl to right are: Steve Park, whose band name is Fritz Schnitzlebaum; Mr. Herr (Aloysius Ham- 22nd holiday. (Northbound the ships are in Haiti merschlagj; Charles Garden (Anton Schroeder); .Jim Reece (Heinrich Schnirklefritz); and David Otten from 7 a. m. to noon Sunday; southbound, the Haiti Stop is Saturday, from 7 a. m. to 4 p. m.) (Josef liuntsiger). February 5, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13 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.

DECREASED NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT VESSELS CAUSES

DROP IN CANAL TRAFFIC FOR 1954 SECOND QUARTER

Panama Canal traffic for the second MONTHLY COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC AND TOLLS quarter of this fiscal year showed an over- Vessels of 300 tons net or over all decline from that of the preceding By fiscal years quarter, with a slight gain in ocean-going commercial traffic, and a major drop in Tolls Transits (In thousands of dollars) of S. Government vessels. the number U. Month A total of 1,979 ocean-going commercial 1954 1953 1938 1954 1953 1938 vessels used the Canal during October, July 638 529 457 $2,817 $2,343 $2,0,S0 November, and December, as compared with 1,890 in the preceding quarter. The Augu^^i -_ 640 533 505 2,778 2.288 2,195 comparative figures on ocean-going Gov- 615 444 2,591 2,636 1,936 ernment ships were: 208 for the second 612 quarter and 359 for the first quarter, 654 673 461 2,755 2,910 1,981 making a net drop of 62 transits. 636 620 435 2,668 2,611 1,893 The traffic of ocean-going shipping for the past quarter was approximately the 689 626 439 2,961 2,679 1,845 same as the comparable period in the fiscal year 1953, with commercial ship- 632 444 2,690 1,838 ping being heavier and the number of 616 436 2,597 1,787 Government vessels being 50 less.

Tolls for the past quarter on commercial March - - - 678 506 2,884 2,016 shipping amounted to $8,364,000, nearly April - - 628 487 2,733 1,961 $160,000 more than the total for the second quarter of the previous fiscal year. Mav - 650 465 2,861 1,887 Major increases were shown last quar- 610 445 2,686 1,801 ter over the comparable period of the previous fiscal year on trade routes Totals for first 6 months through the Canal between the east coast of fiscal vear 3.869 3,596 2.741 $16,570 $15,467 $11,880 of the United States and South America; OVER MAIN TRADE ROUTES east coast of the United States and the TRAFFIC MOVEMENT Far East; and Europe and South America. The following table shows the number of transits of large, commercial vessels (300 net tons or over) segregated into eight main trade routes: Decreases were shown on three of the main trade routes. There were 36 fewer Second Q uarter. Fiscal Year ocean-going commercial transits on the 1954 1953 1938 United States intercoastal trade route, 146 182 311 16 less on the route between the east coast of the United States and Central 495 443 124 America, and 34 less on the trade route 121 137 3 between Europe and the west coast of the United States and Canada. 354 287 139 Significant changes in the statistics on 55 57 42 commodity movements last quarter from the comparable period in the previous 152 186 252 fiscal year was an increase of nearly 131 103 142 600,000 tons in ores shipped from the

Pacific to the Atlantic, and decreases of Europe and \ii'^trala'^ia - -- 75 74 38 over 375,000 tons of wheat and over All other routes _ _ __ 450 450 284 80,000 tons of nitrate. Decreased ton- also shown in shipments of nage was Total Traffic - — 1,979 1,919 1,335 canned food products, lumber, bananas, S. metals, and mineral oils. Increases were CANAL TRANSITS—COMMERCIAL AND U, GOVERNMENT shown in shipments of sugar, refrigerated Second Q larter, Fiscal Years food products, and coffee in the Pacific 1954 1953 1938 to Atlantic trade. Atlantic Pacific Mmeral oil shipments from the Atlantic to to Total Total Total Pacific in past quarter were to the the Pacific Atlantic 128,000 tons under those in the compar- Commercial Vessels: fiscal able three months of the previous Orean-croine' - 1.017 962 1,979 1,919 1.335 year. Major losses were also shown in *Small 168 162 330 270 236 the shipments of barley, sugar, and rice. The tonnage of several commodities Total commercial 1,185 1,124 2,309 2.190 1,571 moving from the Atlantic to the Pacific December **U. S. Government X'essels: during October, November, and 111 97 208 ,258 was considerably over that of the second 99 95 quarter of the previous fiscal year. Those Small 28 71 showing major gains were manufactures of Total commercial and U. S. Government. 139 168 307 2,543 iron and steel, soy beans, phosphates, Vessels under 300 net tons or 500 displacement tons. coal, sulphur, cement, corn, wheat, and **YesseIs on which tolls are credited. Prior to July 1, 1951, Govcriiment-operated coke. ships transited free. .

14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 5, 1954

COUNCILMEN DISCUSS Canal commercial traffic by nationality of vessels LOCAL-RATE HOUSING Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 1954 1953 1938 (Continued from page S) others will be Nationality Num- made one-way thoroughfares. A large box Num- Num- ber of Tons of ber of Tons of ber of Tons of school area is scheduled culvert near the transits cargo transits cargo transits cargo for about two years hence; in the mean- time other corrective drainage measures 2 4,270 British., 324 2.093.489 342 1,985,014 297 1,447,720 will be taken. Louvres were omitted Chilean. 17 95.712 13 80,322 1 6.127 in the new houses from some windows 5 33.675 8 57,113 because of cost; hea\^' wire mesh could be 59 71.668 34,871 installed as burglar proofing if necessary. 14 94.911 4 20,162 Danish 69 237,046 46 192,353 56 220,973 A 125-foot guard rail is being installed 28 22,335 38 26,174 Street near the Canal. off Palo Alto French 37 136,514 38 153,249 28 163,965 Chiriqui Street, now a dead-end, will not German 85 171 ,856 50 55,900 83 384,808 be extended to join Gaillard Highway Greek 31 249,679 26 238.848 19 82,437 127,834 99 1U.777 • 869 because such an intersection would be Honduran 81 Irish 1 7,972 12 8,2,«) Paraiso residents will be pro- dangerous. Italian 63 317.262 37 178,416 13 46,192 vided with medical attention should the Japanese 102 593.888 81 496,489 72 418,523 Pedro Miguel medical clinic be closed. 4 11.657 50 351,623 33 198,441 La Boca : Two new bus stops will be 2 2,577 5 15,643 built near house 921 on La Boca Road. 2 10.837 Principals of the two schools are working Netherland 35 172,269 30 144.044 74 205,439 on a plan for school safety patrols at Nicaraguan 7 6,103 5 2.338 199 658,653 229 825.438 151 795.486 street crossings near the schools. A street Norwegian I'ananianian 166 935,645 112 583,123 39 94.155 light will be placed in a dark spot on Peruvian 4 6.482 7 14,668 1 1.148 Trinidad Street and nearby trees cut Philippine 8 47.835 5 24.263 down or trimmed. The clubhouse will 2 4,990 Spanish ._. 15 75.866 11 33,471 indicate the suitability for various age Swedish 49 211,340 49 170,340 27 180,032 groups of films shown at all movies. The 4 35,600 3 25,687 clubhouses are now advertising a daily I'nited States 520 3.036.724 584 3.422.199 464 2,583,090 program as has been done for some time 16 20.074 4 21,052 with U. S.-rate theaters. foot Santa Cruz: More frequent Total 1,979 9,806,215 1,920 9,183,754 1,335 6,670,241 patrols will be made by police in areas where public gambling is going on. Space for youth activities is available in an unused billard room in the clubhouse; Principal commodities shipped through the Canal this space is available on a three-day a (All figures in thousands of long tons) week basis rent free, by arrangement with the manager. Public transportation buses ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC running to Santa Cruz are being over- hauled; safety handles and latches will Second Quarter Fiscal be replaced or installed. The administra- — Year Commoditv tion will investigate the possibility of 1954 1953 1938 teaching handicraft to juvenile prisoners Coal and Coke 997,326 6 79.,596 37,108 at Pedro Miguel. Mineral oils. 987 , 650 .155.677 287,537 Rainbow City: Sidewalks in certain Manufacturers of iron and steeL 501,170 405.089 479,661 locations are being raised for better drain- Soy beans 233,274 143,026 307 200,012 100,529 age. A bus stop on Bolivar Highway Phosphates. _ — 71,763 103,366 193,830 Barley . — 447 near Camp Bierd Commissary is not Whea't -- 102,,U6 46,845 1,,576 feasible since electric ducts and cables Sulphur - - - - 99,008 72,283 101,,.S99 would have to be removed; persons Paper and paper products 91,730 88,629 94,572 wishing to reach such a stop would have Machinery 86 , 594 81.764 40,773 Sugar 84,443 177.715 971 to skirt a fence and cross railroad tracks. 79.428 Rice 112.055 5 , 358 An alternate plan was presented whereby CenicnU- - — 72.103 46 . 596 37,256

buses would be routed around the com- Corn 68 , 898 976 922

missary. A covered passageway to pro- .•Xutomobiles and parts 58,523 64 . 879 81,751 All others 1,1 11. .592 961.852 1.044,799 tect bus passengers in the school area Total. -.-. 4,877,463 4,331.141 2.286,400 has been budgeted. Consideration is being given to a plan to convert three family quarters to bachelor rooms; no decision has been reached and both the PACIFIC TO ATLANTIC Civic Council and the residents of the quarters will be notified well in advance Second Quarter Fiscal Year if this becomes final. — Commodity Closing the conference, the Governor 1954 1953 1938 and E. A. Doolan, Personnel Director, Ores, various ^ ,472 ,137 883.220 524.191 complimented the council representatives Lumber 831 ,403 864.238 671,973 on the condition on which grounds Wheat 416 ,372 792.428 217,658 around the newer quarters are being Canned food products 302 ,667 340.142 303,166 maintained. Sugar — 280 .287 179.513 .502.617 Nitrate 248 ,131 ,530,603 306.890 Those attending the conference were: Bananas 183 ,711 220,649 4,911 The Governor, Mr. Doolan, Mr. Crook, Metals, various 180 ,8.S0 195,835 179.591 and Norman Johnson, Employee and Refrigerated food products (except fresh fruit) 134 ,2)8 126,844 64,079 64 ,170 35,107 Labor Relations Officer, for the Adminis- CofTee 33,884 Mineral oils 62 .387 86,715 665,884 tration. Copra . 54 .441 63,065 33,454 For the Councils; Harold W. Williams, Wood pulp 53 .000 28,344 60,885 Rainbow City General Committee; Ernest Cotton 41 .332 48,714 34.063 ' Williams, Paraiso General Committee; Dried fruit 40 .321 49,481 120.664 All others 563 ,305 587.715 859,931 Arthur W. Crooks, La Boca General Com- Total 4,928,752 4,852,613 4,383,841 mittee; Zachariah Williams, Chagres General Committee; Mrs. Hilda Butcher, Santa Cruz General Committee; Mrs. Marcus Grannum, Cleveland Roberts, Paraiso; and Jefferson Joseph, Rainbow Louis Walker, Richard Burns, Santa Cruz; La Boca; Ellis L. Fawcett, Cyril Atherly, City. February 5, 1954 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

How Do Zonians Work And Play? Three Main Points Discussed At Conference and work on filling up this pool has been halted. {Continu'.d from page 1) felt—jUSt the (Continued from page 3) forces in quarters Zone medical authorities consider night way the consultants found that he—and already constructed and in quarters pres- use of the Pedro Miguel swimming pool a they—did. ently under construction the asphalt tiling health hazard because of malaria endemic Two out of three of him felt that Zone will be placed by the contractor. to the surrounding areas. The proposal housing lacks privacy and convenience, is Plastic window handles for type 337 of night use is not favorably cansidered. in bad condition and hard to maintain, houses will not be reordered; defective or The grating over the pool drain has compared with housing in the States. broken handles of this type will be been replaced. Two out of three of him said that replaced, without cost to the occupant, Sunday afternoon movies have already recreational facilities in the Canal Zone until the present stock is exhausted. been started at Pedro Miguel and a do not measure up to States standards. Increased police patrols, to cut down request for a better supply of staples at (The real contrast, the survey said, is petty thievery in Gamboa, have been the commissary will be favorably acted in quality rather than availability of ordered. The number of such cases has upon. recreation. It stems from the Zone's at the already dropped —from 1 1 in December to Hours main Canal Zone library isolation, they add, commenting that 80 one, to date, in January. on Gaillard Highway are to be changed, percent of the employees are conscious of Funds for a swimming pool at Marga- effective February 15. The new hours "their real lack of topflight entertainment, rita will be requested in the budget for will be 9:30 a. m. to 12:30 p. m., and spectator sports, and cultural events.") fiscal year 19.56. The matter of the 2:30 to 8 p. m., weekdays, and 9:30 a. m. Five out of eight thought medical and Corozal swimming pool is still under study to 12:30 p. m. Saturdays. hospital services in the are not as Zone Construction of a high school in as those in the States; costs good United Margarita will depend on the future of of medical and surgical care, at the time a year. This could be accounted for by New Cristobal. A site in Margarita has the survey was made last September, the $1.30 per month he would pay for been reserved but the present building were as satisfactory as those in the States, rental on the three-burner electric range will be used as long as New Cristobal is but about two out of three felt that the furnished Type 215 houses, plus approxi- occupied. A withdrawal of the Panama quality of these left much to be desired. mately $10.95 per month for electric Canal Company from the area is not Schools, on the other hand, got a pat current. imminent. of nine on the back. About eight out Plans are being worked out for a coffee Furnishings And Car thought that Canal Zone education com- shop at the Tivoli Guest House where pares favorably with that in the United He spent $174 for household furnishing, Tivoli-pre pared food will be served at States. The matter of the cost of higher roughly half the cost of a 9-cubic foot clubhouse prices. Sandwiches and such education, of necessity in the United refrigerator; or possibly he bought a table short-order items will be available. A States, was something else. Five out of model radio, plus a rug and material for date for the opening of the coffee shop six held that such costs were more satis- new curtains. was not announced but it will be in factory in the States. He has a car; during the year he spent operation by the time the Ancon Club- How He Lives $392 for its operation, maintenance, and house is closed on March 1. The cofl^ee

As far as his personal life was concerned, for insurance on it. Into this $392, he shop will not be run on a cafeteria basis. the survey again revealed a lot of what figured depreciation. By his own account Attending the January conference were: the employee might suspect, but might he carries other insurance, probably The Acting Governor; Mr. Doolan, not be certain of. personal, and during the year this cost Personnel Dii-ector; and Norman Johnson, An average of 100 family budgets made him $173. Employee and Labor Relations Officer, by the consultants showed a lower family For entertainment and recreation- for the administration; and, for the income, $5,403, than appeared elsewhere magazines, books, movies, an occasional Councils: Sam Roe, Jr., and Elmer in the survey where the average income dinner out —he spent $231 or about $8.80 Powell, General Committee of Civic was reported at $6,869, before taxes. a pay period, and he spent $483 for vaca- Councils; Mr. Chase and Car! Hoff'meyer, The average employee, the budgets tion. Two round-trip full fares and two Pacific; Mr. Hammond and Fred W. show, is in debt. He says that in the half fares— he must have paid something Whitney, Pedro Miguel; James D. year which ended last June 30, he spent for that 0.8 person in his family— on the MacLean and P. B. Hutchings, Gamboa; $303 more than he earned and paid $26 Panama Line would cost him $240 aside Mrs. Thomas Gibson, Carl Nix and G. G. interest on his indebtedness. from tips and other travel expenses. To Thomas from Gatun; Mr. Rice and Mrs. His biggest expenditure was for food. have taken a vacation for this sum, he Andrew Bleakley of Cristobal-Margarita. Every two weeks he and his family spent must have visited relatives fairly near about $51.20, or $1,331 a year, to stay New York City or have taken local leave. alive. On this sum he did not starve; Possibly this .$483 represented one year's Forty Years Ago neither did he eat many three-inch steaks savings toward a later vacation. or Baked Alaskas. Next to food the big- He belonged to a club or a union and In January gest chunk of his income, $707, went paid $42 a year in dues; another $97 of for taxes. his money went to charity which could The permanent organization of The He paid $492 during the year for rent, include such things as Community Chest, Panama Canal was beginning to take or $15 and a few cents each pay period. Red Cross, Cancer, and Polio Fund shape. At the going rate this means that he drives. Church contributions were not On January 27, 1914, President Wood- must be living in a one-bedroom, four- individually listed and these may have row Wilson signed an Executive Act family Type 215 house—or that a good been included in the charity or miscel- putting into effect the Panama Canal Act many single persons living in 12-family laneous expenses. of August 24, 1912. Effective April 1, apartments were included in the 100 Despite being in debt, he saved or 1914, it abolished the Isthmian Canal whose budgets were averaged. The aver- invested $161 during the year; this could Commission and provided that the "Presi- age rent, the report showed, is $735 a have been eight .$25 government bonds, dent thereafter was authorized to com- year and ranges from $420 to $1,638. or $25 deposited every other month in plete, govern, and operate the Panama He spent $275 a year for clothing for the Credit Union. He also had $315 Canal, and govern the Canal Zone, or himself and his family, or $10..50 a pay deducted from his pay during the year cause them to be completed, governed, period. This is about the cost of a good for the retirement fund. Miscellaneous and operated through a Governor of the pair of shoes for himself, or a pair of slacks expenditures accounted for the remaining Panama Canal." for a man or boy plus material for a dress $130 he spent during the year. for the distaff side of the family. Summing up the employee's situation, Three weeks earlier President Wilson During the year he and his family paid the report said: had proclaimed rules for the measurement domestic help $225. As prices are today "In answer to questionnaires, 73 of vessels for the Panama Canal. The rides that would mean a woman-by-the-day percent of Zone employees stated that, stated what should be included in the gross twice weekly, or a one-day laundress plus apart from consideration of job and tonnage of ships; what should be considered an occasional baby-sitter, at 25 to 35 compensation, they would rather live in permanently closed and covered space; cents an hour b. m., before midnight. the States than in the Zone. In inter- what spaces, such as bridge houses, should Another $192 went for medical, dental, views, employees universally made it clear be exempted from measurement and gross and hospital care, and he paid, or set that their sights were set on one goal—to tonnage; and other matters concerned with aside, $120 for his children's education. get 'back home' to the States when their the basis on which tolls uxmld be charged " Utilities for his quarters cost him $147 time in the Zone had been served once the Canal opened to traffic. 16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 5, 1954 Balboa Flats Be^in To Take On New Look

The face-lifting of Balboa Flats has Framorco, Inc., of Panama, being awarded first floor of each apartment devoted to been started. In another two or three the contract on a lump sum bid of living space. years the few flat acres of land there will $1,361,000. The contract will also provide Other types listed for the Flats include be transformed into one of the Zone's for extensive street work, grading and 15 type 333's which are masonry cottages most attractive residential areas. isntallation of facilities. with three bedrooms; nine 43rs, a com- The map above gives a general idea of The Balboa Flats work is the largest posite single house with three bedrooms the new street layout and location of the single building project to be let under and basement; four hillside masonry new houses to be built in the first part of contract this fiscal year. Other quarters cottages with three bedrooms, type 431-C; the Flats to be rebuilt. It also shows the projects are the construction of 33 two- and six composite duple.xes with three location of three play areas being pro- story masanry duple.xes at Diablo Heights, bedrooms, type 433. vided, one of which will be located awarded last October to Isthmian Con- The map shows the location of these adjacent to the Balboa elementary school. structors, Inc., and the construction of various types of houses. It also shows Most of the old four-familv frame 17 type 337 houses in the Ridge Road the future street alignment in the first houses in the area to be rebuilt first have area, for which bids are now being section of the Flats to be rebuilt. The already been demolished. Maintenance advertised. heavily-shaded parts indicate the streets Division forces also moved into the area Several different types of houses are tD which are to be repaved or relocated. last month to begin grading and street be built in Balboa Flats this year. Two of the principal changes will be the work preparatory to work by the con- Seventeen type 336's and 12 type 339's realignment of Las Cruces Street which tractor for the quarters construction. are to be built. These are the two-story will be the principal thoroughfare of the Five bids were received for the con- masonry duplexes of the same floor plans residential area which will join Barnebey struction of the 63 houses to be built as those built in Corozal. The 336's have Street and ultimately Balboa Road; and under this fiscal year's program. Bids three bedrooms and the 339's have four the realignment of Morgan Avenue at were opened at the end of January with bedrooms, and both types have the entire the north end.