Gift ofthe Panama Canal Museum

Vol. 7, No. 8 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, MARCH 1, 1957 5 cents

9 Renamed N. Y. Office Carnival s Coming Now Has Three Major

Operating Divisions

A reorganization of the Panama Canal Company's New York Office, dividing its functions among three major units, be- comes effective today. The reorganized office will be known henceforth as the New York Operations. It will comprise three units: The Pro- curement Division, which was formerly part of th"? Supply and Employee Service Bureau; the Steamship Division, which is concerned wr ith the operation of the Panama Line; and the New York Ac- counting Division, which will handle the fiscal aspects of the New York Office. Lester A. Ferguson, until recently Chief Procurement Officer, has been appointed General Manager of the New York Oper- is personified this from Balboa High School. sang ations. He is succeeded as Chief of the CARNIVAL SPIRIT by murga They and played at the Carnival flag-raising in Balboa last week and will take part in other carnival festivities. In the usual Procurement Division by John J. Barton. order, they are: Orlando Xufiez, Edgar Ameglio, Chipi Azcarraga, Victor Herr, B. H. S. Director of Music, Chief of the Steam- E. H. Harms remains Rolando Chanis, Don Randel, Antonio Revilla, Sonia Caiias, and Joline Clare. (For a story on the w-hy's ship Division, and Peter DeStefano heads and wherefores of Carnival, see page 8.) the newly-independent Accounting Divi- sion, with the title of Assistant Comp- troller-New York. Health Bureau Wins Annual Independent Action The change has been made to coordi- Safety Cup For Third Time nate the operations more closely and to In a ceremony scheduled for today as well as safety representatives from the strengthen management controls. The the Health Bureau will be presented with various Canal units have been invited. new organization will permit the inde- the Safety Trophy offered annually by Employees in the immediate vicinity who pendence of action so necessary to distant the Governor-President to the Company- can leave their work for the brief program operations, and should reduce the difficul- Government Bureau achieving the highest also are invited to attend. ties of administering accounting and pro- percentage improvement in accident curement operations from the Isthmus. In the competition for the Governor's frequency rate over its own previous Mr. Ferguson has been with the Pan- Safety Trophy for the calendar year 1956, three-year average. out ama Canal Company since May 1953. the Health Bureau barely nosed the This will be the third time since the Employee Service Bureau Following his graduation from Western Supply and big silver cup was offered in 1953 that it with 93 improvement over its Reserve University in Cleveland, he spent a percent has been won by the Health Bureau. previous three-year record, as compared 16 years in merchandising, all in the The trophy was won in the calendar year Washington area. Among his positions with 88 percent achieved by the Supply 1954 by the Community Services Bureau. Service were those of Assistant General Manager and Employee Bureau. The cup will be presented personally of the E. A. Filene Department Store in The past year's figures on safety im- by Governor Potter to Col. Charles 0. Arlington, Va., Sales Manager of the provement were high for all bureaus. Bruce, Health Director, during today's Hecht Company in Washington, and The improvement percentage records for ceremony. Manager of the P. J. Nee Furniture Com- other units were: Transportation and All bureau heads and staff members, pany in Washington. Terminals, 74 percent; Marine, 69 per- During World War II, he was a Lieu- cent; Civil Affairs, 68 percent; and Engi- Pope & Talbot Steamship Lines. tenant in the U. S. Coast Guard, and neering and Construction, 32 percent. Mr. Barton, like Mr. Ferguson, has from 1951, until he joined the Pan- With such high improvement percentages May behind him a long history of merchandis- ama Canal Company, he was Director of by the various bureaus, the Company- ing. He attended Girard College in Phil- the Consumers Goods Program for the Government showing on an overall basis adelphia and then joined Shrafft's Stores Office of Price Stabilization. was 70 percent improvement over the pre- in New York where he served as chief vious three-year average in its accident- Division Chiefs food buyer from 1928 until he entered frequency rate, dropping from a 10.74 Mr. Harms is well known to the Pan- the military' service in 1942 as a Major average to 3.22 last year. ama Canal organization and also to the in charge of the Army Quartermaster entire shipping industry. As head of the Market Center in New York. Panama Line, he will continue to handle After the end of the war, he served for the operation of the two ships and the three years as president of the Westland ARMED FORCES DAY Line's pier operations. Foods Products Company in New York He has been with the Panama Canal and California. He has been with the OPEN HOUSE— March 16 Company since December 1951. Before Canal organization since 1949 as chief of joining the Company, he was operating the Food Branch of the Procurement Fort Gulick Albrook AFB manager on the Pacific Coast for the Division. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW March 1, 1957 Willing Hands Of Volunteers Balboa Heights Office Built New Little League Park Moves Will Begin Soon,

Take About Two Years

A round of moves and changes in office assignments which sooner or later will affect most of the units with offices in the Administration Building at Balboa Heights will be started within the rext few weeks and continue for two years. The revision of space assignments in the Administration Building will be re- quired partly by the move of the units of the Personnel Bureau to the old A neon

Commissary Building which is to be reno- vated and remodeled. All units of this bureau, with the exception of the office of the Personnel Director, will be consoli- dated in the Ancon building.

Work is to be started soon on the re- arrangement of the Balboa Heights Pest Office lobby and the preparation of office space for members of the Comptroller's Staff. After Personnel Bureau units in the Administration Building are moved, the FATHERS AND FRIENDS helped build the Little League Turk at Pedr space they are using on the first floor will be assigned to Staff units of the Comp- long-standing true last board headed A. of A dream came by Claude Smith troller's Office and units of the Executive for in Paraiso. Arnold Dorville is vice presi- month between 450 and 500 boys Planning Staff. the Canal Zone's Latin American towns, dent, Dudley Farrell, treasurer, and Ham- Work is to be started at an early date their ilton Lavalas, secretary. and for the grownups who sponsor Rudolph Prince on the renovations necessary to the base- activities. in the is chairman and vice Little League Late Joseph French, ment on the west wing for use as a Civil the youngsters and their adult chairman of a committee on sponsors and month Defense Control Center, described in the helped to dedicate their own Isth- screening. Gilbert Burton of Santa friends Cruz December issue of The Review. park, entirely has been helping the in its mian Little League built league pub- Most of the other space assignment volunteer efforts of from La licity. by the men changes scheduled in the Administration Paraiso, Santa Cruz. Boca, and Building will not be made for about a miniature ball park is located The new year and will follow the completion of air next to the Pedro Miguel fire station, on Few Knew Canal Better conditioning for which funds have been site where and boys of the vanish- the men included in the budget for the coming ing of Pedro Miguel once played town fiscal year. is specifi- Than Gen. ball. It built to Little League Hans Kramer The transfer of the Printing Plant from dimensions will eventu- cations and and Mount Hope to the Pacific side, originally ally almost identical in appearance be scheduled for early this year, will be de- with the Little park on Gaillard League layed until sometime in 1958. Highway. The idea for a ball park for the Latin

American youngsters was conceived 1: st fall by a group of men interested in base- interest in its problems and future as ball. They approached the Paraiso Civic Brigadier General Hans Kramer who died Council on their plan, obtained Gover- late last month in San Mateo, Calif. nor Potter's permission for use of the His background knowledge of problems Pedro Miguel site -for which they now relating to the capacity of the Canal was. hold a license raised funds for building an invaluable asset during the Isthmian matsrhls by three bazaars at which they Canal Studies of 1947. He came to the used equipment loaned by Charles Wil- Isthmus in January 1945 with Brig. Gen. liams, and lined up sponsors for their six James H. Stratton when they were em- teams. ployed as consultants on advance plans On -January 2 they received a franchiss for the 1947 Studies. Later, General from Little League Baseball, Inc., in Stratton returned to head the Special Williamsport, Pa., and within a few clays Engineering Division which conducted were at work readying the site and be- the studies, and General Kramer was ginning construction of the four-fool c >n- appointed a member of the Hoard of crete block wall which surrounds it. As Consultants. this issue of THE REVIEW went to press, General Kramer was a Captain in the they were hoping to find some surplus H. S. Army Corps of Engineers when he portable bleachers for spectators. was first assigned to the Canal organiza- The six team sponsors are L R. Som- tion in November 1938 as Assistant Sup- mer, Tivoli Motors, Mutual of Omaha, ervising Engineer on the Third Locks Tropelco, Nehi, and Norge Refrigerators. GEN. HANS KRAMER is shows above or Septem- project. He was in charge of much oi ber 26, 1941, the opening day of the excavation at Each of the teams has 15 members and the field work and planning for that proj- the Third Lurks at Pedro Miguel, Left to right are to each team arc attached two "farm ect and in March 1942 he was made Sup- Col. Thomas Larkin, Gov. J, ('. Mehaffey, and clubs" of 15 boys each. The farm clubs Thomas M. Price of Panama Constructors, Inc. ervising Engineer to succeed Gen. Thoma prepare potentially good but younger B. Larkin. material for later spots on the teams Of the many thousands of men and General Kramer remained in charge 1 of Ives. women who have been connected with the project until the following September

The Isthmian Little League Ba i ball the Panama ("anal operation in the past when he was transferred to active Army Association is under the direction of a two decades, few have taken the intense duty in the Mid-Pacific theater. C\°\-\-[\$~\ March 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW Success Of Board's "Workingest Session" Credited To All Who Helped Arrange It

In the "workingest" session ever held in the Canal Zone the Canal Company's Board of Directors took a positive step in the determination of the Canal ca- pacity problem at its January meeting. The success of the annual meeting here was ascribed in no small part to Canal employees of all ranks who participated in arrangements and in the presentation of data for consideration. This feeling was expressed in a letter to Governor Potter last month from Ogden R. Reid, one of the Board's newest members, who said in part: "Wherever we went in the Canal Zone, we were met by courtesy and considera- tion . The dedication of your staff was self-evident. I know the members of the Board were deeply impressed by the hard work, int?resting approach and scope of the presentations." The Governor added his word of praise in a memorandum to Bureau Directors and Staff members. "HERE'S HOW IT should be done," Governor Potter seems to be telling Di-eetors Ogden R. Reid, "I wish to thank you all for the very wearing cap, and Robert P. Burroughs, at his right during a tugboat trip through Gaillard Cut. The trip permitted Board members to look at fine presentations that were made to the get a first-hand the tricky navigation problems in that section of the Canal. Others in the picture are: Paul M.Runnestrand, Executive Secretary, far left; and Steven V. X. Board of Directors," he stated. "I have Powelson, Assistant Comptroller, John B. Blaffer, Board member, and J. A. Fras»r, Dredging Supervisor. received a great number of compliments from all of the Board members on. the presentations, their completeness and clarity. "Arrangements made for the capacity problem pleased everyone and I believe gave them all a very clear picture of our current situation and the potential prob- lems that we must face. "Their general comments were that the meeting was 'the best ever'." Plan For Study Announcement of the Board's determ- ination to adopt at an early date a posi- tive course to follow for increasing the Canal's capacity to meet the future re- quirements of snipping came at the close of the January meeting. In an interview' with local press correspondents, Secretary of the Army George H. Roderick, Chair- man of the Board, announced the ap- pointment of an ad hoc committee to study this problem on an overall basis and recommend what action should be OVERLOOKING GAILLARD CUT and Contractors Hill at the right, the site of Culebra, Canal con- taken. struction-era capital, proved an ideal spot for an old-fashioned picnic luncheon for members of the Board. Later last month the Secretary an- Various sites in the former town were marked for the information of visitors. nounced the appointment of Maj. Gen. Julian L. Schley and Ralph A. Tudor, of Working Committee on Canal Capacity Military Assistant to the Goverror. San Francisco, to serve as members of from the Canal organization to develop The Directors made a trip through the committee with Governor Potter as plans and to recommend necessary im- Gaillard Cut, one of the serious bottle- Chairman. improvements. This committee is headed necks in the flow of traffic, and devoted The question of increasing the Canal's by Lt. Gov. H. W. Schull, Jr., with Capt. an evening session to a presentation of capacity has been under continuing study W. S. Rodimon, Col. Hugh M. Arnold, the plans developed by the Isthmian by the Board since the inception of the John D. Hollen, and Maj. David Smith Canal Studies of 1947. During the course Canal Company five years ago. The as members. of their trip through the Cut, the mem- action taken at its last meeting came after Captain Rodimon, as Marine Director, bers were given an unscheduled visw of an intensive study of the traffic situation will develop improvements desired and hazards of navigation in the rock-bound as it exists today and various plans which analyze alternate methods of operation channel when a large vessel suddenly have been proposed in the past. with operating costs involved. Colonel veered just north of Gold Hill and stopped While no time limit has been set for a Arnold, Engineering and Construction without damage, crosswise of the channel report by the ad hoc committee, Mr. Director, will have charge of preparing immediately in front of the tug on which Roderick, in his announcement, stressed estimates and construction schedules, they were traveling. that the time factor is of prime import- and evaluating plans. Mr. Hollen, Chief The Board members spent much of ance in view of the increasing amount of of the Executive Planning Staff, has been their first day on an Atlantic side inspec- Canal traffic and the serious problems assigned to collect data on traffic, vessel tion trip to visit the areas in Colon which posed by "clear-Cut" ships a subject costs, funding plans, and to make studies are to be transferred to Panama; to in- which was discussed in the February of supporting services, such as housing, spect Commissary installations; and for issue of The Review. schools, hospitals, and commissaries re- a briefing on the proposed development In this connection, the study has al- quired by proposed improvements. The of the Margarita townsite. ready been initiated and Governor Potter coordination of planning and correspond- An important aspect of the formal has announced the appointment of a ence will be handled by Major Smith. meetings was the study (See paye IS) THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW March 1, 1957

Here's The Man School class of teenage boys and heads Boy Scout activities. Colonel Arnold was born in Georgia Who's Engineer And Builder as anyone can plainly hear. It will take him a good many years to live down a request by a member of a Con- gressional committee before which he was testifying here that he speak "a little slower and with a little less Southern accent." He attended Georgia Tech for two years and is a graduate in Civil Engineer- ing from Alabama Polytechnical Insti- tute. He worked for the Georgia High- way Department for several years and then joined up with the Corps of Engi- neers. There he worked with two men who were later to have important Pan- ama Canal jobs: Col. Hans Kramer, at Conchas Dam in New Mexico, and Col. James Stratton at Caddoa Dam in Col- orado. Colonel Kramer later headed the Canal's Special Engineering Division and Colonel Stratton the Canal Studies of 1947.

Colonel Arnold, then still a civilian, was in charge of a $2 million base con- struction project in Trinidad when he was called to active duty with the Army in 1941. All of his war service was in the Pacific; he was Engineer for the Western Pacific Base Command when the war ended. Then came several tours in the United States, one of them as Executive Officer to the Assistant of AS DIRECTOR of the Engineering and Construction Bureau, Col. Hugh M. Arnold must keep his Chief Engineers on finger—or his pointer—on a number of things. Civil Works, where one of his bosses named Potter also later held a high position with the Canal organization. In Any dredging to be done today? Want direction —he arrived just as it was be- June 1954, Colonel Arnold was trans- to lop off the side of a hill, lay out a ginning-was the cutback of Contractors ferred to the Canal organization from the townsite, design or build a house? How Hill to keep part of it from toppling off Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. about converting a power system from into the Canal. This particular job in- 25 to 60 cycles, and meanwhile, keep volved an old local problem, which has He lives with his Georgia-born wife power flowing all over the Canal Zone. also cropped up, and out, on Paraiso Hill Mary you'd know where she comes Is there enough water in Gatun and and Morgan Avenue: Stabilizing the un- from, too -and their two sons, on a Madden lakes to generate that power? stable and treacherous Cucaracha forma- berm of Ancon Hill overlooking Al- brook Field and Panama Bay. The All of these things—anything, in fact, tion. interesting of his local boys are Hugh, 10, who is known as that has to do with engineering and con- But the most feels, neither of Mike, and John Charles, 9, who is struction for the Company-Government jobs, Colonel Arnold was called Johnny. organization—come under the direction these. It was preparing specifications for for the Locks of the Engineering and Construction Bu- new towing devices and evaluating the bids received for them. reau, a 1 ,075-man-and-woman outfit Engineering Tempo Of Power Conversion headed by Col. Hugh Montgomery Ar- In addition to his job as accur- nold. and Construction Director more ately, as part of that job—he serves on Project Is Now Accelerated As Director of that Bureau, he directly a number of official committees. The supervises the operations of five divisions: newest of these, which he heads, is one The tempo of the Power Conversion Contract and Inspection, Dredging, Elec- to analyze the recreation facilities in the Project has been speeded up appreci- trical, Engineering, and Maintenance; one Canal Zone and develop a guide plan for ably within the past few weeks, Col. Project, Power Conversion; and the "good, adequate recreation." He is also E. B. Jennings, Project Engineer, said Meteorological and Hydrographic Branch. chairman of the Canal Zone Board of late last month. divides his time about evenly be- He Registration for Architects and Profes- In the Atlantic area, 137 units at office and field. Although his tween sional Engineers, the Plumbing Code Rainbow City had been converted as of largely concerned with "paper job is Committee, and the Permanent Joint February 20 and the contractor, Sachse, work," it has taken him from the top Sewage Disposal Committee. He is a expects to begin the domestic conver- of Gold Hill to the ridges in Margarita member of the Working Committee on sion in Gatun in March. All quarters willing, the townsite where, Congress Canal Capacity, the Incentive Awards in Margarita have been using (>0-cycle from a barge in will expand, and Gatun Committee, and the Appraisal Board, for equipment for several weeks. Lake to the lowest recesses of the hy- other than floating equipment. He is a Since last month's report, Sachse has droelectric plant which turns water director of the Panama Section, American completed conversion of the Margarita into power. In the 30 months he has Society of Civil Engineers, having served Service Center, the Tarpon Club, the been here there are few parts of the as president of the Section for the year Toro Point Lighthouse, Mind] Dairy, Canal Zone he has not visited many 1956; he is also a director of the local and the quarters in the Dairy area. times. \ post of the Society of American Military Work is continuing in the Industrial Like every job in the top echelon of Engineers. Division area which is also being the Canal organization, his is challenging. In what spare time he has, he serves changed from 220 to 440 volts, and at Financially, the biggest job currently is mi several "extra-curricular" committees. (loco Solo Hospital. Preliminary work the Power Conversion Project which, He is chairman (if the Steering Committee is underway in the Commissary Divi- when it is completed a few years from on Engineers Week, of the Personnel sub- sion at Mount Hope. now, will have cost about $13 million for committee (if the Board Of Management Three generators have been "put on "area" conversions, plus another $4 mil- of the Balboa VMCA-USO, and of the the line" at the Gatun hydroelectric lion f.ir the Locks. Building Committee of the Cathedral of station and installation of the fourth Another big job which came under his St. Luke, where he also teaches a Sunday started. Mount Hope (See payc li) March 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW Orchids, Over 300 Of Them, To Be Shown By Atlantic Side Growers This Weekend When Queen Elizabeth of England visited the Isthmus in November 1953, she was presented with a number of gifts. Of them all, probably the most beautiful was a bouquet of orchids grown in the Canal Zone. The donors, who in- eluded Walter J. Wilkinson, of Gatun, had planned to give the Queen a corsage but found out that flowers are always carried, never worn, by Royalty. These home-grown orchids, all Cat- tleyas in rare colors, made a striking bouquet and later in the day the Queen saw more from the same orchid fanciers;

si imc of Mr. Wilkinson's orchids were part of the table decorations at the luncheon given for Her Majesty by Gov- ernor and Mrs. Seybold. Mr. Wilkinson is a past president of a group of enthusiastic orchid growers who are members of the lively Gold Coast Orchid Society which will hold its fifth annual orchid show this week- end at the Elks' Home in Margarita. While members of the society are con- centrating right now on grooming their exhibits for the annual show, this is only part of a program which keeps them During the occupied the year around. MR. AND MRS. THOMAS FELS, of Gatun, have more than 1 500 orchid plants in their collection, fine varieties. dry season they take advantage of the from the common Bamboosa to imported Mrs. Fe ; is also skillful at making corsages. good weather to take field trips to local- Their collections include many of the var- and Volcan region orchids which fold up ities where orchids flourish, wild or under ieties native to Panama as well as some when they leave the highlands. cultivation, and for these trips they try imported from such far-away tropical Police Sergeant George Martin, Vice to have experienced field men as guides countries as Hawaii, India, and Burma. President of the Gold Coast Orchid So- and instructors. Many of the plants are imported as ciety, has had some luck orchid hunting Throughout the year they hold frequent young sprouts which, given the right con- in the Gatun Lake region and on occa- meetings at which they present programs ditions, will become full-grown, bloom- sion has found some fine specimens of the of interest to beginners as well as the more producing plants in a few years. nco-moorea-irrota , which produces hand- experienced growers. The programs are Orchid lovers are quick to defend some brownish blooms. planned to cover all phases of orchid cul- their precious plants against the charge Society members' collections also in- ture as well as to appeal to those who simply that they are parasites. Orchids, they clude such famous local orchids as the enjoy the bloom of an unusual species. say, grow well with lots of air, water, "Holy Ghost" orchid, national flower of Sometimes they go far afield to get and plant food but never take suste- Panama; the "Semana Santa" orchid, their material for such programs. They nance from another plant. which blooms during Holy Week; and have had material from the United States They also point out that contrary to the "Swan" orchid, the inside of which and from countries where orchid culture general belief, Panama's climate is not resembles a swan. is well advanced; they have shown color ideal for orchid growing. The rainy sea- are charter demonstrate various methods Mr. and Mrs. Fels, who slides which dry, son is too wet, the dry season too members of the Gold Coast Society, of culture as well as show the beauty of an and the temperature does not drop to the started growing orchids some time ago exotic bloom. Occasionally they have had ideal 50 degrees during the night. Never- when they had "terrible luck" with roses. what members consider a "real treat," theless, most orchids can be coaxed to have everything accredited Judge of Awards In their collection they a visit from an that luxuriant health in a greenhouse— from the common bamboosa, which they or an advisory consultant or an estab- is, with the exception of a few Colombian say anyone can grow, to a number of rare lished grower from some such remote blooms imported from the Far East. spot as Hawaii. she never But, back to the orchid exhibit this Mrs. Fels says that has corsage since she weekend. About 300 of the rarest and worn an orchid as a but she will, most beautiful blooms produced on the started cultivating them produce a corsage or a Gold Coast will be included in the ex- on occasion, friend. Several years ago hibition. Any visitor who thinks that, bouquet for a course in flower arrangement like Topsy, they just grew, is dead she took a wrong. and corsage making when she was in States vacation. The society's members spend long the on hours grooming, potting, and feeding One of the best things about their of the Orchid So- their plants and more hours exchanging hobby, the members it carried ideas and general orchid-growing infor- ciety believe, is that can be mation —as well as plants—with other over into retirement or after one leaves orchid hobbyists. the Isthmus. Several members have Long Greek and Latin names slip with started by collecting or raising a few- ease into their conversation and it's a plants here and have built up some poor orchid fancier who doesn't know worthwhile collections after they returned the difference between the various types of to the United States. Among them are "growing media" and the kinds of fertilizer Clyde Wood, who is well known for his most likely to make a Vanda suavis or a collection of what orchid collectors call neo-moorea-irrota grow fat and healthy. "botanicals," Colonel and Mrs. Don Two of the large collections belong to Aurenman who, friends say, are accom- Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson and Mr. and plishing fine things in the field of Cym- Fels, incident- bidiums, and Percy Hooper, who has a Mrs. Thomas Fels. Mr. WALTER J. WILKINSON collection. ally, is president of the society this year. He grew orchids for a Queeu varied . .

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW March 1, 1957

FOR YOUR INTERESTED GUIDANCE IN^CCIDENT PREVENTION

NEW ALL-TIME LOW IN INJURY EXPERIENCE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 1956

for cases still pending Due to the fact that the Canal Zone available. Comparisons are as follows: ated future cost all Government-Panama Canal Company Frequency Severity at the end of the year. had only 89 employees who were disabled Rate Rate These costs for the year 1956 amounted because to $73,446.32 or $S25."24 per disabled em- during the 1956 calendar year, C.Z. Govt.-P.C. Co. 3.22 304 the job, we ex- ployee. At this rate, the improvement in of injuries sustained on All Industry 6.96 815 frequency 1956 in our frequency rate over the prior perienced a disabling injury AllFederaL 7.80 552 indicates a savings this rate per 1,000,000 man-hours worked of 5-year average costs per of in direct costs for the 3.22. Also, for the first time in history, Likewise, our total direct year $242,600 we went through an entire calendar year employee per year of $5.35 are less than disabling injuries that never occurred. without having a fatality. These facts half the average of $10.98 per employee The table below shows the injury ex- contributed to an equally all-time low in for all other Federal agencies. Our costs perience of all bureaus in the order of improvement in frequency severity rate, which is the number of days now include all direct expenditures, or percentage last 3-year charged for disabling injuries per 1,000,- charges, for compensation leave, medical, rate over each bureau's own 000 man-hours worked. and hospitalization, plus also the evalu- average. These new rates compare favorably of all industry with the injury experience owi and all other Federal agencies for the g average Rate calendar year 1955, which is the latest over OS "3 year for which comparable figures are a; 3-year BUREAU Employee-hours Exposure 5 s * of -2 Change 1 3 Frequency HONOR ROLL °* e "So S Bureau Award For % last C?2 BEST RECORD JANUARY Health 7.00 2,188,252 1 .46 34 16 93 SUPPLY AND EMPLOYEE SERVICE Supply and Employ- BUREAU ee Service _ _ _ - 7.28 6,647,211 6 .90 148 22 88 CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU Transportation and HEALTH BUREAU Terminals 21.53 4,739,743 27 5.70 5,41(1 1,141 74 AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR C.Z. Govt.-P.C. Co. Total ... 10.74 27,665,940 89 3.22 8,422 304 70 Civil Affairs 1 Health 1 Marine... 13.16 6,846,663 28 4.09 444 65 69 Supply and Employee Service 1 Engineering and Construction Civil Affairs 7.86 1,992,163 5 2.51 1,825 916 68 Marine Transportation and Terminals Engineering and Con-

struction . 7.07 3,734,084 18 4.82 455 122 32 Division Award For NO DISABLING INJURIES Staff and Adminis- —58 JANUARY tration. _ 1.88 1,011,173 3 2.97 45 45 Panama Line (ex- COMMISSARY AND SERVICE CENTER cluding unlicensed DIVISION personnel N.A. 506,651 1 1.97 61 120 N.A. LOCKS DIVISION HOSPITALS AND CLINICS FREQUENCY RATE Disabling injuries per 1.000,000 employee- hours worked. MAINTENANCE DIVISION JANUARY 1957 HOUSING AND GROUNDS DIVISION INDUSTRIAL DIVISION BUREAU ELECTRICAL DIVISION Supply and Employee Service MOTOR TRANSPORTATION DIVISION RAILROAD DIVISION Civil Affairs POLICE DIVISION FIRE DIVISION Health STOREHOUSE DIVISION AIDS NAVIGATION TO C. 1. Govl. Panama Canal Co.< Thij Month) SANITATION DIV ISION s^ ~1 AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR Marine Aids to Navigation 1 Commissary and Service Center Electrical Engineering and Construction Fire Housing and Grounds Hospitals and Clinics Transportation and Terminals

Industrial. _ , ,-.,,.. Locks 5 10 15 Maintenance _ Motor Transportation Number of Disabling Injuries. 4 Employee-hours worked 2,240,255 Police _ LEGEND Railroad Sanitation | Frequency Rale this month Storehouses .

Dredging .'.'.'.'.'.J Accumulative Frequency Rate this Calendar Year Navigation Terminals 13 1954-1955-1956 Calendar Year Average March 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW OF CURRENT AND FUTURE INTEREST

The Karst family made local news last month. Paul F. Karst, Sr., formerly Finance Superintendent of the Coco Solo Branch Fost Office, was honored at a retirement party given by friends and fellow employees February 15 at the Albrook NCO Club. He and his wife will live in St. Petersburg, Fla. Meanwhile, Paul Karst, Jr., who teaches physical education at Balboa High School, was granted a year's leave of absence. He leaves in June to take graduate work at the University of Texas in Austin.

Not all Canal Zone visitors leave tangible proof that they have been here, but one did recently. The visitor was Alice Curtis Des- mond, author of a number of travel and juvenile books. She was accompanied by her husband, a State Senator from Xew York. Mr-,. Desmond took time to stop at the Canal Zone Library and autograph the cop- ies of her books which were not out on cir- ulation. In each she wrote: "To the Canal Zone Library and its readers, with every good wish from the author," and then signed her name. Desmond books owned by the Library are: South American Adventures, t>lamorous Dolly Madison, For Cross and King, and Jorge's Journey.

CIVIL DEFENSE

ROTC CADETS on both sides of the Canal Zone are putting the final polish on their military perform- NEWS ance preparatory to the annual Field Day on March 15 at the Balboa Stadium. Above, Cadet First Captain William Dolan checks rifle. Left to right, © Sergeant Norman Wiley takes notes while Cadet a are: Wiley, Dolan, Cadet Private First Class Larry Eastman, Cadet Private Rolando Chanis, Cadet IN THE CIVIL DEFENSE NURSES Cadet Private George Altman. Corporal Michael Hazera, and AIDE TRAINING PROGRAM The interest shown in the Civil Defense The periodic chest survey, made of all Professor of Accounting at the University Nurses Aid Training Program by Canal employees in the Company-Government, of Georgia. He will give a series of 10 lec- Zone high school girls on both sides of the is again in full swing. Last month the Chest tures on the general subject of "Communi- Isthmus was demonstrated last month X-ray unit at Gorgas Hospital completed cations," between March 13 and March 23. when girls signed up for this year's its work with the men and women of the The course is the second of a series planned 95 course; last year, the first that the training Engineering Division, began and completed for employees working on the financial end was given, 48 girls were graduated. Sev- all Pacific side personnel of the Police Div- of the Canal operations. eral ol the girls registering this year are ision and, as the month ended, began taking Mr. Heckman has been with the LT niver- graduates of the previous course and are chest X rays of students in the seventh sity of Georgia as Professor of Accounting re-taking it as a refresher. through twelfth grades of the U. S. -citizen since 1921; since 1946, he has also been The American Legion Auxiliary, which schools and their teachers. Students in Professor of Law. He is a Certified Public sponsors the program, has appointed the these grades in the Latin American schools Accountant and has been engaged in this following representatives: Atlantic side: will have their chests X-rayed when classes business since 1928. Mrs. Bertha Brown, Mrs. Louise Griffon, resume in May after the long vacation. Mrs. Frances Gulley; Pacific side: Mrs. On the Atlantic side, the chest X-rays Pat George, Mrs. Dorothy Knox, Mrs. are given at Coco Solo Hospital. In Feb- Betty Malone, and Mrs. Eleanor Becker. ruary, this unit was making chest X-rays New Arrival The girls' committee in charge of enroll- of all employees in the Railroad and Term- ment was made up of: Virginia Reynolds, inals Bureau, with other units and the Girls State Governor; Sandra Motta, Lieu- schools to follow. tenant Governor; Maria Girard, President During the months of December and of the Nurses Club; Judy Griffon, Kath- January, a total of r,oo2 chest X-rays were leen Cox, and Pat Maedl, all of Cristobal made at the two units. These disclosed High School. only 87 suspicious X-rays. Of these, 30 were cases and the others are being known Jack C. Randall, Chief of the Housing further. studied Division, attended the Civil Defense Welfare Training Course given during February at and 50 employees of the Between 40 Battle Creek, Mich., at the Federal Civil Office of the Comptroller will have an op- Defense Administration Staff College. portunity this month to learn more about This course is designed to train civil de- the complicated business of report writing. fense welfare officers to plan and organize Their instructor will be Harold Heckman, welfare services at community level, stress- ing feeding, clothing, lodging, registration and information, and rehabilitation and assistance. £mi-~ The Civil Defense Unit will participate in the Armed Forces Day celebration to be Official Panama Canal Company Publication held this year on March 16 at Albrook Field Published Monthly At Balboa Heights, C. Z. and Fort Gulick.

Printed by the Printing Plant, Mount Hope, Canal Zone Three fire-fighting vehicles have been turned over to the Civil Defense Unit by \V. E. Potter, Governor-President ALLEX ALEXANDER, new Information Specialist the Fire Division. These brush trucks will H. W. Schull, Jr., Lieutenant Governor in the Panama Canal Information Office, arrived on be equipped with tanks and rebuilt into equipment. VV. G. Arey, Jr., Public Information Officer the Isthmus by plane last week alter the East Coast decontamination Ultimately waterfront strike disrupted plans for his initiation there will be two units on each side of the Isthmus. J. Rufus Hardy, Editor with a Panama Line trip. He was accompanied by Eleanor H. McIlhenny, Assistant Editor Mrs. Alexander. T MARCH VOLUNTEER CORPS MEETINGS A native of Flushing, X . Y., Mr. Alexander is a Town Place ' - Hou On gale at all Panama Canal Service Centers, graduate of the University of Florida and has done Service Commissaries, and Hotels for 10 days after publica- special study at Columbia University and Xorth Margarita Center a. m tion date at 5 cents each. Subscriptions, $1 a year; Balboa USO-JWB 9 a. to. Carolina State College. During his senior year in Rainbow City School 6:30 mail and back copies, 10 cents each. p. Florida, he lived in the University's Inter-American Gam boa Civic Center 8:30 a. Institute. Santa Cruz Service Center 8 p.m. Postal money orders made payable to the Pan- Paraiso School 7:30 p. to the Raleigh, X. ama Canal Company should be mailed to Editor, He comes Isthmus from C, Gatun Service Center 8:30 a. The Panama Canal Review, Balboa Heights. C. Z, where he has been working for the Associated Press. Diablo Service Center 9 a. m. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW March 1, 1957

I Viva El Carnaval!

From Sixaola in Bocas del Toro Prov- air dance halls in the cities, the bohios in the streets; bands of musicians will ince to Puerto Obaldia near the Colom- the little Interior towns- will go on until wander along between the floats, some- bian border, pollera petticoats are Hap- dawn. times dancing back and forth from ping today from clotheslines, or are On Sunday everyone who can will don curb to curb; gaudily-dressed marchers bleaching on the grass. Panama's national dress; the women will will add color to the throng. In the cities, last-minute shoppers are wear beautifully embroidered or appliqued Until dawn on Wednesday. Just as combing the stores and markets for flat polleras or the plainer tumba-hombres, and the sun comes up that morning, fat fish, little slippers of bright-colored velvet, for the men, the gay, embroidered short- in miniature coffins, will be tossed into lengths of brilliant ribbon, and for glitter- trousered, shirt-tail-out montunos. Traf- the sea or buried under a handy tree. ing, shimmering tembleques to pin into fic will snarl in the larger towns as car- Some of the merrymakers will stop at their hair. The floors of the toldos are loads of boys and girls cruise up and down, church on their way home, others will being waxed, drummers are tightening pslting each other with confetti and ser- have one last dance before they go to bed. the parchment heads on their cedar or pentine. Then, and not until then, will carnival palmwood tambores, and last-minute Monday, Panamanian men say (their be over and life begin to resume some sort of normalcy. touches are being put onto costumes wives are silent on the subject), is their will What's it all it start? which, tomorrow, transform young- night to howl. It is the night when, by about? How did sters into devils and clowns and pirates tradition, married men can roam as they Carnival, of course, is the last fling, and cowboys. please, without having to account to the last chance to have fun before the Bands of diablicos will roam the streets, their wives for their whereabouts. 40 days of Lent begin. Panama's Carna- holding unwary passerbys hostage until In the larger towns, Tuesday is par- val is the same as New Orleans' famed they ransom themselves with a few pen- ade day. Floats and decorated cars Mardi Gras, and, like the Mardi Gras, a nies or a nickel. For the next four nights, will carry costumed queens and prin- modern version of the old Roman Luper- the music from the toldos— the great open- cesses and their attentive escorts along calia. It is celebrated in all Latin coun- tries.

Panama, historians say, paid little IX 1926, THE Canal Zone's Queen was Rena de Young, now Mrs. L. B. Sartain. She and her court formal rode on this float in the Panama Carnival parade. The princesses are, left to right: Constance Graff attention to a carnival until 1910. (now Mrs. R. A. Engelke), Mary Pease, Frances Brown Whitlock, and "Pipa" Briggs. The float was At first, carnival was a round of parties built under the direction of George Haldeman. and dances for men and women in cos- tumes and masks. Later the masks were abandoned and now are seldom seen. Gradually the idea of having a Queen of Carnival began to develop and by 1913 had become traditional. By then, Panamanian women had re- discovered the beauty of the traditional pollera, the full-skirted, becoming dress their ancestors had brought from Spain. Some historians believe the pollera is de- rived from the dress of the Andalucian gypsies; certainly there is a marked re- semblance between the Panamanian pollera and the dress worn by a group of Andalucian beauties who danced at the Balboa stadium a decade ago, when Spain sent a shipload of dancers and singers to acquaint the new world with their folklore.

The gypsies, tradition has it, believed bracelets were symbols of servitude and this carried over to the pollera. Early QUEEN LOIS wore the Canal Zone crown in 1941. Her coronation took place at the Balboa Stadium descriptions of the elaborate 1 jewelry in the presence of the Panama Queen-elect and members of her court, who appear at the right. which accompanies a pollera the pearl At the left of the picture is Polly Perkins, a Zone princess, with Gordon Graham, Robert Peterson, cadenas ckatas, the and John Sawyer, at Queen Lois' left. The crown bearer was David Mcllhonny. Queen Lois was then mosquetas, the seapu-

Lois de la Mater; she is now Mrs. Jame? 0. Crutchfield, of Novato, Calif. Her husband is a lieutenant colonel at Hamilton Air Force Base. THE5 SOMEWHAT modernistic float wastheCsi It was the first vear the Panama parade had been by the March 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW It Begins Tomorrow

electric val expenses. The first queen elected in laries, the cabrcstillox, which are chains Adm. H. H. Rousseau ordered for this fashion was Viola Bissell, daughter set with gold coins in filigree frames- lights installed in the Colon park Railroad conductor. She inner mention bracelets. the carnival celebrations of 1912. of a Panama following year the president of the was succeeded the following year by The pollera begins with a petticoat, or The Carnival junta asked for "a first- Anita Sergeant, sister of Canal pilot petticoats, of row after row of linely- Colon dreaduaught type" Richard Sergeant and of William Sergeant tucked muslin, put together with fine, class battleship of the Carnival Queen could make of the Contract and Inspection Division. hand-made insertion. Over this goes a on which the formal entry into the city. He settled Canal Zone Queen for 1924 -the carnival full, ankle-length skirt of wide bands, her years, one was still Legion-sponsored- was Belle separated by lace insertion whose pattern for a decorated tug. In later of the Panama Railroad's little motor- Jones, whose brothers, Egbert and George, is the same as that embroidered or ap- bring the still live in the Canal Zone. All of these pliqued on the white lawn or linen of cars was used frequently to carnival queen to her realm, although one queens rode down Central Avenue in which tin- pollera is made. The skirt queen rode in a pailor car, be- special floats which consistently won ends with a ruffle, which can be spread year the locomotive and prizes. As consistently until the Canal out to be admired. The ruffle and the hind an "oil-burning withdrew from competition in 1936 bands which make up the skirt are pains- baggage car." Zone had be- the prize money was donated to charity, takingly ornamented with a design of By the early 1920's, Zonians carnival-conscious that they usually the Red Cross. fruit or flowers. Traditionalists frown come so In There was no Canal Zone queen in upon any but hand-made polleras; several decided to have their own queen. Legion sponsored a 1925 but in 1926 Gov. M. L. Walker se- years ago the pollera which won the car- 1922, the American hotly-contested poll in which votes were lected a queen to represent the Canal nival's first prize had taken five women the proceeds used to pay carni- Zone in Panama's (See page 12) six months to make. sold and

The blouse has a deep, embroidered or IN 1937 THE Canal float was a wide departure from previous years; the Queen, Miss Ruth Bauman, appliqued band, edged in lace and gath- represented Panama, and her nine maids represented Panamp's nine provinces. The girls, selected by the Bureau of Clubs and Playgrounds, were: Janet Callender, Margaret Haw, Ruth Wright, Diana ered onto a neckband, through which is Edgerton, Regina Quinn, Mary Ann Conklin, Lilia Booth, and Eleanor Hobson. The men on the float yarn ending, front and back, in woven were Jack Siler, Edward Sullivan, and Tom Malone and the pages, Guy and Ross N'ewland. great pompoms. The color of the yarn must be the same as the color of the ribbons which are fastened to the front and back of the skirt, and of the flat velvet slippers which are always worn with the pollera. Into the wearer's hair go gold-edged combs and anywhere from a dozen to four dozen pairs of tembleques. The hair- ornaments are made of beads or tinsel fastened into hairpins or wire. Their name comes from the fact that they tremble when their wearer dances. The tumba hombres, or country polleras, differ from their grand city cousins in that they have no embroidery or applique and that the shirts are made from bright- figured calico or some other cotton goods. Native straw hats are always worn with the tumba hombres. As carnival grew in importance in Panama, so did it in the Canal Zone. Toward the end of the construction

period, Zonians were beginning to take QUEEN BETTY was the Canal Zone's queen in the Carnival of Victory in 1946. Then Betty Presley, part in the four-day festivity and offer- she is now Mrs. John Olsen of Balboa. With her here on the Zone Queen's float are members of her court. right: Millie Vintson, Donna Patterson, Elizabeth Lundy; second row: Beatrice Wohl- ing their help to their friends across Lower row, left to farth, Rosemarie Nickisher, Barbara Bartholomew, and Lorraine Terry; third row: Marilyn Flynn, the line. The earliest entry in the Shirley Bailey, Connie Bailey, Marguerite Flynn, and, beside Queen Betty, Jackie Hutchings. Canal Zone's carnival file reports that

ione's entry in the Carnaval de Concordia in 1949. ited through the Canal Zone; Zonians turned out

; dreds. 10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW March 1, 1957 Centuries Spent On Surveys And Plans For Canals On Main Isthmian Routes

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second of a series of five articles on the Isth- mian Canal problem.

Given the time, manpower, equipment, and money, a canal to join the Atlantic and Pacific oceans could be constructed anywhere from the frigid northern border of Canada to Tierra del Fuego. In all this vast distance, however, there are only a few hundred miles between the North and South American continents where it would be economically feasible to construct or operate a ship canal of any kind. In the 1,800 miles from Mex-

ico* to Colombia there are only eight loca- tions on the American isthmus which lend themselves to sarious consideration of a canal. These are Tehauntepec in Mexico; Nicaragua; Chiriqui; Panama (the exist-

ing canal route) ; San Bias; and Caledonia in Panama; Darien or Tuyra River, cross- ing Colombia and Panama territory; and the Atrato River, wholly within Colombia. THIRTY POSSIBLE CANAL routes were studied in 1947. The diagram above lists them by numbers. of these locations have several Some Under their popular names they are: 1—Tehauntepec; 2-9—Nicaragua; 10—Chiriqui; 10-15—Panama; routes which have been investigated. 16—San Bias; 17-19—Caledonia; 20-24—Tuyra or Darien; and 25-30—Atrato. During the course of the Isthmian Canal Studies of 1947, 30 different made on some, notably Panama, Nicar- conditions which was usable in the routes were studied. Eight of these agua, and Tehauntepec. later and more refined surveys which were Atrato River alignments. The Various investigations of these and finally led to the building of the Pan- Pacific terminals of the Atrato routes other routes were made during the latter ama Canal and to the 1947 recommen- ranged from San Miguel Bay to the half of the Sixteenth and throughout the dation for its conversion to a sea-level mouth of the San Juan River some 300 Seventeenth Centuries, mostly at the in- waterway. miles farther south. stance of the Spanish Crown or by Gov- With respect to previous surveys and Each of the possible canal routes has ernors of the Spanish provinces in the available data, the 1947 report said: some distinct advantages: Tehauntepec, New World. Interest in an Isthmian "The 30 routes were selected for stud}- its location with respect to the major canal was dormant through most of the as a result of a review of all earlier sur- shipping lanes; Nicaragua, its large lakes; 1700's but was revived near the turn of veys, investigations, and studies, and Panama and San Bias, the narrowness of that century by the travel and writings from an inspection of current maps, sup- land; Caledonia and Darien, their deeply of Baron Alexander von Humboldt. plemented in some cases by aerial and indented coastlines; and the Atrato, its The most notable and reliable sur- ground reconnaissanres. long, deep rivers. veys of the various routes were made "With few exceptions, the studies of Most also have some serious disad- from about 1840 until 1900, and during the interoceanic canal routes were based vantages, such as length of the canal this period every known route of today- on engineering data and other informa- route or elevation of the continental di- was given special attention, not all of tion previously obtained by others. The vide. These disadvantages become glar- which was of a comparative nature. available data were sufficient for com- ingly apparent when comparisons are Nevertheless, these studies provided a parative evaluations of the several routes. made with the Panama route. It was fund of valuable information on top- In all cases, sufficient information exists largely these disadvantages which inevit- ography, hydrography, and climatic to indicate beyond any reasonable doubt ably have led competent engineers since the relative feasibility and cost of the early Spanish colonial days to select the routes." Panama route in preference to others. Public Law 280, of the 79th Congress, Aside from its natural advantages of included in its directive that the Gover- terrain, the Panama route would now nor of The Panama Canal also investigate be favored in any present comparison any new means of transporting ships because of the cost of harbor develop- across the isthmus. ments, sanitation, housing, and defense the 1947 Studies included installations which would be required Accordingly, an investigation of a ship railway across for a canal elsewhere. The cost of har- land, the only new means the report bor developments in Nicaragua was es- the said was found worthy of even casual timated in 1947 at $230,0000,00 and costs consideration. of townsites, municipal improvements, of ship railway, or what health, and sanitation were estimated The idea a hi' called today a "piggy back" in excess of $500,000,000. The total of might canal, was not a new one. It was first these two sums is about three times the in ISM) by 15. Eads, original construction costs of the Pana- suggested James engineer, who advo- ma Canal. prominent American across Tehaun- The history of the search for the most cated a 134-mile railway tepec for the transfer of ships up to S,0()() suitable canal route spans more than tons. This plan continued to have active four centuries and is filled with glowing intermittent support until the Isth- tales, intrigue, arguments, and failures. but Canal Studies effectively pointed None of the eight main routes was mian out some of its disadvantages, such as lately discovered or investigated. In fact, costs of foundation work, the within 60 years after Columbus discov- AN ARTISTS conception of a ship railway across the high Tehauntepec Isthmus appeared in a Mexican news- engineering problems of crossing streams, ered America five of the most favored paper shortly before the 1947 Studies were begun. actual and its vulnerability to sabotage or attack. routes had been recommended and Ship railway's and tunnels through mountains were feature of ship canals across the surveys, however inadequate, had been included in the Isthmian Canal Studies of 1947. A March 1,1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11

Lock Canal Routes Sea-Level Canal Routes

Excavation Approximate Excavation Approximate Route Length (In thousand Cost* (In thousand Cost* atTn^Tuivute cu. yds.) (In thousands) cu. yds.) (In thousands)

Tehauntepec 165 812 3,360,000 $13,280,000 6,130,000 Not estimated Nicaragua 173 153 1,000,000 3,566,000 5,200,000 Not estimated Chiriqui 55 5,000 Other details not developed 68,800,000 Not estimated Panama 51 1 340 191,000 $2,308,000 1,069,000 $2,483,000 San Bias 40 1,100 1,480,000 5,960,000 2,080,000 6,272,000

Caledonia. _. 63 1,100 1,110,000 4,751,000 1,880,000 5,132,000 Tuyra River 135 470 1,120,000 Not estimated 2,140,000 Not estimated Atrato River..""" 95 932 1,450,000 $4,147,000* 1,810,000 $5,261,000$

* 1947 estimates. fThe proposed sea-level Panama Canal would be 46 miles long. tEstimates based on joint I'S-Colombia survey.

American Isthmus long advocated for obtained some maps from Montezuma of the divide to lift or lower ships to several routes was given special attention indicating the narrow neck of land in the sea level. in the 1947 Studies. This was for a tun- southern end of Montezuma's domain, The Chiriqui route, near the Costa nel through the continental divide. Few and he ordered some of his lieutenants to Rican border, has little to offer in the investigations and recommendations for map the land and prepare data on the way of advantage for a canal except the the San Bias route have failed to take feasibility of a canal. deep coastline indentations of the Chiri- note of the favorable possibility of driving The first reliable survey of the route qui lagoon on the Atlantic and the a ship tunnel through the high mountains was made in 1850 by the Tehauntepec Chiriqui Gulf on the Pacific which cut and thus saving a tremendous amount of Railroad Company, of New Orleans. the land width to 40 miles. The ridge excavation required by an open cut. This was supplemented by other topo- forming the Continental Divide there is Careful considerations were given in graphical and engineering data at inter- 5,000 feet and higher. No field study for 1947 to the comparative costs of a tun- vals until the railroad was completed in a canal on this route had ever been made nel and an open cut and it was con- 1894. An extensive survey of the area and none was made in the 1947 Studies. cluded that, aside from its many dis- was also made in 1870 by Capt. R. W. However, sufficient mapping of the area advantages in operation, an open cut Shufeldt of the U. S. Navy. for proposed highways and railroads was could be effected as cheaply or less than The alignment selected as the best, in available to determine the approximate a tunnel. The cut-and-tunnel compar- 1947 was a modification of that recom- cost of a canal. ison was made for each route studied, mended by Shufeldt. This begins on the The conclusion was that the route was both sea-level and lock canals, and at Gulf of Campeche off the mouth of the impracticable for a lock canal because of no location was it found that a tunnel Coatzacoalcos River and generally follows the numerous lifts required and the lack could be favored. that river valley to the continental divide. of large rivers to provide lockage water. It was estimated that a tunnel, without The route crosses the divide at 812 feet Its consideration for a sea level waterway lighting, ventilation, and other such es- elevation and follows an almost direct was precluded by the fact that the sentials, would cost over $200,000,000 line down the western slope to the Pacific amount of excavation would be ten times a mile. Ocean. The length of this route is 165 greater than on any other route investi- Since later issues will discuss in some miles. gated. detail the Nicaragua, Panama, and Atrato It is interesting to note that the Except for the height of the continen- routes, the following briefly summarizes Interoceanic Canal Commission, ap- tal divide, the San Bias route offers the history and main features of the five pointed by President U. S. Grant, rec- more advantages for a sea-level or lock main routes proposed elsewhere. ommended a system of about 140 locks canal than any other, including the Not long after Hernando Cortez con- to get ships over the Tehauntepec sum- present canal route. It is ten miles quered Mexico, he urged Charles V, of mit. This number was drastically re- shorter than the Panama Canal; there Spain, to dig a canal across the Isthmus duced by the Isthmian Canal Studies is a sheltered natural harbor on the of Tehauntepec. In his conquest, Cortez of 1947 to ten lock steps on each side Gulf of San Blas;*the Atlantic and Pa- cific slopes are deeply dissected by rivers; and there is ample water supply for a lock canal. However, the lowest gap through which a canal of suitable alignment could be built is 1,060 feet above sea level and almost one and a half billion cubic yards of excavation would be required for a lock canal, nearly eight times as much as required for the Panama Canal. Because of its favorable location and many natural advantages, the San Bias has been the object of numerous surveys over the centuries. The Caledonia routes—three were in- cluded in the 1947 Studies—get their name from the bay in which they orig- inate on the Atlantic coast. All three have the same Pacific terminal in the large natural harbor of San Miguel Bay. The Caledonia route differs from all others in that the Continental Divide at this point swings to within seven miles of the Atlantic coast instead of being near the center of the Isthmus or near the Pacific as on other routes. The difference in alignment of the three routes studied in 1947 was wholly on the Atlantic slope, CUTTING A SHIP canal through this dense jungle and mountainous terrain would be a prodigous with the most northerly, the Sasardi- aerial view shows section of Darien route at the confluence of the Chucunaque and feat. This the the Morti, being selected as the most fav- Morti rivers. A field survey of this route was made in the course of the 1947 Studies; the base camp orable. may be identified on the sandbar of the river. The field survey and aerial reconnaisance were made during the 1947 dry season. The Caledonia route (See page is) 12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW March 1, 1957

iVIVA EL CARNAVAL! PAGES FROM THE

(Continued from page 9) carnival. She was Rena de Young, now Mrs. L. B. Sar- C&K&VS HIST tain; the previous fall, as Miss Balboa, she had carried the Canal Zone's colors THIS MONTH to the Atlantic City Beauty Pageant. She was the last of the official Canal Zone queens until 1941, although the 50 Years Ago Steamship Owners Association appeared before a House sub-committee to oppose Canal Zone entered a float every year March 1907, marked the biggest turn- a bill standardizing measurement vessels an official carnival was held in Panama over of top Canal personnel which would of period girls using the Panama Canal. City. During this the who take place for many years. It was the selected a rode on the float were by month that Lt. Col. George Goethals The west side of Thatcher Ferry was special committee or by the now defunct arrived to become Chairman and Chief completed and workmen began driving Bureau of Clubs and Playgrounds. Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commis- piles for the east landing. Thatcher High- organ- Occasionally, other Canal Zone sion. It was the month that President way paving was complete from Arraijan izations entered floats in the Panama City Theodore Roosevelt appointed a new to the Farfan road junction. Plans were there were seven Canal parade. In 1937, Commission, all of whom for the first announced for the Canal's largest bach- to the official one. Zone floats, in addition time were to live on the Canal Zone. elor apartment, building, 28 apartments, Cross, the These were entered by the Red The Canal Zone had reacted with somc- at Fort de Lesseps, and two clubhouses Blue Troupe, the Red Red, White, and what less than enthusiasm to the news that were begun in the construction town at Scouts, Girl Cross Life Savers, the Boy John F. Stevens had resigned from the Madden Dam. the Anconites, and the Quinn Scouts, Zone's top job; many of the force signed Westinghouse Electric icon a $50,000 School of Dancing. petitions telling him that if he would stay contract for equipment which would make 1941 Panama and the Canal Zone In they would prove their loyalty and appre- remote control operation of the Cristobal, all out for carnival. The again went ciation "by renewed efforts." "Has Stev- Balboa, and Summit sub-stations possible. elect a queen Canal Zone was asked to the "Star Herald" ens acted rightly!" & President Hoover signed a bill, limit- to rule with ten others—a national queen folloiced a asked in an editorial, and up ing for the first time the size and weight and one from each of the Provinces- day or so later with a headline "Culebra's of vehicles using Canal Zone highways. over the Mardi Gras celebration. Friends Caesar has fallen, the victim of tortuous The House of Representatives authorized and relatives scurried to nominate their government methods." a Public Defender for the Canal Zone favorites; a committee of judges selected About mid-March the SS Panama and, in another bill, repealed a long in- the five finalists and from their names docked at Colon with 47 Congressmen, effective Executive Order of 1909 which Gov. Glen E. Edgerton drew that of the Maj. David DuB. Gaillard, and the then made it a misdemeanor for anyone to queen, Lois de la Mater. She was Lt. Col. Goethals aboard. Goethal's first "entice laborers from the Isthmian Canal crowned at Balboa Stadium on February public statement somewhat allayed the Commission or Panama Railroad." 15, and later ruled over a grand corona- Zone's general apprehension: "No change Carl Strom and Henderson C. Smith at the Hotel Tivoli. tion ball splendid whatever will be made in the were given a contract to operate the Canal For the next four years, war put an organization built up on the Isthmus by Zone's restaurants for a three- year period. end to official carnivals. In 1946, how- will be Mr. John F. Stevens. The work The "Empress of Britain"—at 63,750 dis- ever, Panama announced its Carnaval de will not continued as it stands today and placement tons, the largest vessel to have Victoria; the American Legion and the be interfered with in any way." entered Cristobal harbor—brought tour- Civic Council sponsored a contest and a IfiO This broke the ice, and there was further ists on a round-the-world cruise. Canal Zone queen was again elected. thawing the following Saturday when, at a She was Miss Betty Presley, now Mrs. smoker at Corozal, he said: "I do not expect 10 Years Ago John Olsen of Balboa. She was the only salute any man on the job . . . I Canal Zone queen to be crowned in a from A report by Governor Mehaffey to the any suggestions, 1 shall listen, Panama. The coronation, simultaneous will welcome Secretary of War, covering fiscal year to any complaints or grievances . . . There with that of Queen Marcela of Panama 1946, showed that the Panama Canal will be no more militarism here in the fu- and Queen Marina of Central America, was out of the red for the first time in ture than there has been in the past ..." took place in the Olympic Stadium. three years. The next Canal Zone queen was Nan- Late in March, Stevens presided over Local labor unions reacted suddenly, and ette Lynch, in a contest again sponsored a full meeting of the Commission, ten- violently, to word that Panamanians were by the American Legion. This regal race dered his resignation as Chief Engineer eligible for Civil Service jobs. The provision was distinguished by the entry of two and completed his plans for transferring appeared in a presidential Exeeutivt Order pretty WACS, the first time members of his duties to Goethals on April 1. By then establishing new Civil Service regulations. Commission had assembled on the Isth- the armed forces had ever competed. the Harvey Slocum and Leon Zach, two mus. They were: Goethals, Gaillard, Col. They did not win, but their presence prominent engineers, arrived as consult- Gorgas, Rear Adm. H. H. Rousseau, made the contest unusually exciting. W. C. ants on the Isthmian Canal Studies. The .lacks m Smith, Maj. William L. Sibert, J. Miss Lynch was the last of the Canal former was an expert on cost, the latter Blackburn. Zone's queens. There was no official car- C. S. on townsite planning. President Truman Carnaval nival in 1948, but in the 1949 As March ended, Secretary of War Wil- asked that the Canal report lie submitted de Concordia, there was again a contest. liam Howard Taft arrived aboard the "triple- by the end of 1947, and the Special En- ," This time, however, the four top vote- screw cruiser 'Columbia' accompanied by gineering Division swung into a 54-hour as polling Zone candidates served Prin- four eminent engineers, to investigate re- work week six 8-hour days and two 3- cesses in the court of the Panama Queen. ports that the foundation of the proposed uour evenings to be ready for the Board This year the Canal Zone is again Gaiun Dam would nut support the weight of Consultants' meeting in May. taking part in an official Panama Car- the earth to be built there. of great fill In Washington, Rep. Willis Bradley, a nival, El Carnaval del Progreso. The Also during March: A slide at Culebra retired Navy captain, came nut as an ad- first act of the Republic's 1957 Carnival carried away a few houses, a shop, and vocate of a Terminal Lake Plan for the Queen, Rosalia Barraza, was to raise the did Washington House; the first death Panama Canal, ami Hep. Albert ./. F.ngel the blue-and-white pennant which sentence pronounced by American officials declared that reports of Communist sun-ess means the Carnival's on —in a special was passed cm Adulphus Coulson, a West in organizing Zone workers were unfounded, ceremony last Saturday at Balboa. Indian convicted of poisoning his wife. Capt. Philip G. Nichols was appointed A hundred-member C. Z. group will 25 Years Marine Superintendent, to succeed Rear participate in Queen Rosalia's corona- Ago Adm. II. II. MacLean. tion tomorrow night at the National Zonians grieved with the Lindbergh Stadium; a Canal Zone Community family over the kidnapping of their baby Year Ago entire One float, prepared by the Balboa Lion's son in Xew Jersey; for almosl the succeeded Club, will be entered in Tuesday after- month local matters were shoved off the Paul M. Runnestrand Eugene noon's parade; and a special Carnival front pages by news of the kidnapping C. Lombard as Executive Secretary of the Zone 1'anama Canal exhibit is on display this week at the and its subsequent events. Canal Government Canal Zone Library Museum. In Washington, representatives if the Company. March 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13 Prize Winner

Commissary problems, from stock rangements are bring made for car-hop shortages to fish filets, were discussed delivery service of groceries at Balboa pro and con last month at two forums Commissary on a trial basis; and the held at the Administration Building at matter of charge accounts for all U. S.- Balboa Heights and attended by repre- Rate employees, together with a provision sentatives of the Commissary Division for installment purchases of large items, and the Commissary's customers. is under study. The first forum was held the night of The possibility of bringing Florida February 18, the second a week later. fruits and vegetables to the Canal Zone Because of the deadline for this issue of on fruit ships which come south in The Review, the following account con- ballast, has been discussed with several cerns only the February IS meeting; the shipping companies; although at pres- second will be reported in the next issue. ent none of them are in a position to "It is the Commissary's responsibility render this service, two lines have indi- to take care of its customers," Wilson H. cated an interest and will give the mat- Crook, Director of the Supply and Em- ter further study. HIGH SCORE in the final examination in the Ac- ployee Service Bureau, told the men and counting Systems course given by the Junior College Much of the general discussion at the

Extension Division earned -a prize for Theodore women at the first meeting. February 18 forum concerned out-of- Melanson, left above. Mr. Melanson, of the Plant "We are now getting used to the re- stock items, especially in meat and cold Evaluation and Transfer Staff, receives his prize from duced volume of trade and finding out storage, and women's clothing. Mr. Philip L. Steers, Jr., Comptroller, while instructor what our demand is. Then it will be Shephard Clark looks on. The prize: A book on up Crook assured the forum that the short- accounting systems. to us to fill that demand." ages are temporary and that the Com- Later he pointed out that the Com- missary's goal is to build up a selection missary surcharge has not been in- of stock desired by the employees. This Centuries Of Surveys And Plans Made creased and that Commissary prices will apply not only to food but also to For Canals On Main Isthmian Routes have remained stable, except when ris- the drygoods and hardware lines. ing prices in the States mean a higher The recent dress sale came in for some price for the Commissary to for its criticism, especially in connection with {Continued from page it) has many natural pay congestion at Balboa. Several women advantages over most of the others but merchandise. Every effort, he said, is suggested that this congestion could be the excavation costs would be excessive being made to keep down overhead. reduced if dresses of certain sizes could because of the elevation of the Conti- Incompetent employees or those who be put on sale on certain days, while nental Divide which is 1,100 feet. The have difficulty dealing with customers others would be put out on other days. ridge along the Continental Divide is ex- will be removed, and closer connections This suggestion will tried with the tremely narrow, by comparison with between selling-units and warehouses will be other routes, which led to consideration do much to eliminate complaints that next large shipment. to as to the outcome of a ship tunnel. The terrain and water fast-selling items are frequently out of In answer a query of supply are also favorable for a high level stock. the recent survey on what commissary hours the public prefers lake-and-lock canal. All improvements to the Commissary buying and on the possibility of having the stores remain While the first transisthmian cross- can be greatly accelerated, he said, if open through the noon hour, Mr. Crook ing was made on this general route in those attending the forums express their said this was still being studied. A check 1513 when Balboa discovered the Pacific opinions and desires, not only as to serv- is now being made in all commissaries and it was used by explorers and ad- ice but as to stock. Mr. Crook repeatedly and gasoline stations of the hourly buying venturers during the sixteenth century, urged the customers to bring or send to the Darien isthmus was practically a- the commissaries pictures or descriptions load. Other matters and suggestions pre- bandoned for settlement or transporta- of items they would like carried in stock. sented during the forum included: A tion for 250 years. Information as to prices and sources will request that the commissary carry Several surveys were made in the help Commissary buyers in obtaining dress patterns; a criticism of the fre- 1850's and these were supplemented by such items, he said. quent change of brands in food items; more complete investigations in 1870 by * In this connection, Mrs. J. W. Casey the use of charge-a-plates for charge- Comdr. T. 0. Selfridge, USN, the Inter- of the Balboa Womans' Club, at Mr. account customers; a system for dating oceanic Canal Commission, 1870-75; the Crook's request, showed dresses and bread; a request for "wash-and-wear" first Isthmian Canal Commission, 1899- shoes which she had purchased recently trousers for boys; shortages in school 1901; and the 1947 Studies. in the United States and which she con- supplies and a criticism of the poor The lower Darien Isthmus, site of the sidered as suitable for sale in the com- quality of writing paper and writing Darien or Tuyra River routes, was first missaries, while several others presented pads now in stock. suggested as a canal location in the 1500's pictures or descriptions of other merch- Those attending the February 18 forum but interest in such a possibility lapsed andise. were: Mrs. Pat LeBrun, Pacific Civic until 1846 when a Panama Railroad em- During the early part of the meeting, ployee published a report of a purported Council; Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Carpenter, as is customary, Mr. Crook reported valley. Cristobal-Margarita Civic Council; Mrs. reconnaissance of the Tuyra River changes made as the result of suggestions discredited it Frances Gilley and Mrs. Joan O'Connell, This was later but aroused from previous forums: The vegetable sec- much interest within the next 30 American Legion Auxiliary; Mr. and Mrs. and tion at Balboa Commissary has been re- years several surveys of a serious nature E. W. Hatchett and Mrs. Margaret Coate arranged; the stock of girls' shoes has were conducted Of the five routes inves- Central Labor Union; Mrs. Frances Long- been expanded, both in sizes and styles; tigated in 1947, the one selected as the more, Mrs. Virgilia Pearce, and Mrs. one large shipment of women's dresses has most favorable 135 miles long, util- Carol Rigby, USCA; Mrs. C. V. Schei- was been placed on sale and more are coming; izing a section of the lower Atrato River degg, Gatun Civic Council; Mrs. G. O. the variety of nurses' uniforms and shoes on the Pacific slope and most of the long Parker and Mrs. J. W. Casey, Balboa has been increased; the "Made for the Tuyra River valley to the San Miguel Woman's Club; Mrs. T. J. Dee, Emblem Panama Canal Commissary" labels will Bay in the Atlantic, also the terminus of Club; R. C. Daniel, Railroad Conductors; no longer appear in clothing items; ar- the three Caledonia routes. Mrs. Elsa Bailey, Robert Medinger, and While the summit elevation on this the following Commissary Representa- route is only 410 feet, somewhat lower tigators to the conclusion that it would tives: R. L. Sullivan, T. G. Relihan, V. J. than the Panama route, the length of the be unsuited for a sea-level canal and not Huber, C. P. Shay, J. F. Manning. W. C. proposed canal and the difficulties antic- favorably comparable in several respects Bain, J. M. Brown, L. W. Mcllvaine, and ipated in flood control led the 1947 inves- with other locations for a lock canal. Mrs. Gladys Conley. ;

14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW March 1, 1957

brated his fiftieth anniversary on the job, he was honored by a public ceremony at- PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS tended by the Governor, the Alcalde of Colon, and a number of other dsitinguished local figures. 35 YEARS January 75 through February 75 In comparison with Mr. Jump's service, Francis J. Krause and Richard Thompson Employees who were promoted or trans- cer (Tuberculosis) to Chief, Chest Service, are brash newcomers to the Canal organiza- ferred between January 15 and February Gorgas Hospital. tion. But in comparison with the service of 15 are listed below. Within-grade promo- Mrs. Elizabeth J. Brown, from Cash most other employees, their 35 years apiece tions are not reported. Accounting Clerk to Supervisory Account- are quite impressive. ing Clerk, Gorgas Hospital. ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH Mr. Krause, an Electrical Supervisor, Mrs. Ara S. Norris, from Staff Nurse to more formally Electrical Jerry W. Detamore, from Methods Ex- known as a General Nurse Supervisor, Gorgas Hospital. Foreman, at born aminer to Management Analyst, Records the Miraflores Locks, was in Section. MARINE BUREAU Germany; he was a Christmas Eve pres- CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU Karl W. Shirley, from Junior High School ent for his parents. He went to the l T nited States a S. Richard C. Hogan, Dick R. Brandon, Teacher, Division of Schools, to Marine In- as boy and is a naturalized U. from Window Clerk to Mail Delivery Postal spection Assistant, Navigation Division. citizen. He served with the Pennsylvania National Border, Clerk, Postal Division. Alexander Rienks, from Elevators and Guard on the Mexican was an infantry corporal during World War Nolan A. Bissell, from Finance Branch Cranes Inspector II to Inspector I, Indus- I, and was living in Pa., he Superintendent to Relief Finance Branch trial Division. Darby, when decided in 1923. Superintendent. Postal Division. Walter E. Marek, from Plumber, Main- to come to the Canal Zone Mrs. Mary M. Queen, from Substitute tenance Division, to Pipefitter, Industrial Although his service here has been broken, it has all been with the Locks Division. Teacher to Junior High School Teacher. Division. He has been a towing locomotive operator, Division of Schools. Charles V. Scheidegg, from Foreman Substitute Wireman to Control House Operator, Atlan- a tunnel operator, a control house operator, Horace J. Mirabella, from a lockmaster, and now electrical supervisor. Window Clerk, Postal Division, to Police- tic Locks. Mr. Thompson, a signalman in the Nav- man, Police Division. Andrew Metzgar, from Wireman to Wire- igation Division in Cristobal, came to the Lealand A. Larrison, from Clerk-in-charge man Foreman, Atlantic Locks. Canal Zone from Jamaica when he was just Window Service, Cristobal Post Office, to Frederic J. Berest, Edward J. Michaelis, entering his teens. worked on Gatun Finance Branch Superintendent, Postal from Guard to Tour Leader (Interpreter), He Locks before they uere ready to raise ships Division. Locks Division. up and down; his later jobs included work William M. Jensen, from Window Clerk James B. Crane, Herbert A. Greene, Jr., at the Gatun "hotel," on Gatun Dam, on to Finance Branch Superintendent, Postal from Marine Inspection Assistant to Ad- the Frijoles-Mount Hope transmission line, Division. measurer, Navigation Division. and with the Electrical Division. He was Charles R. Soukup, from Supervisory SUPPLY AND EMPLOYEE SERVICE BUREAU with the Lighthouse Division in Cristobal Steward. Service Center Division, to Cus- Arthur C. Payne, from Accounting Clerk when he was transferred to his present job toms Guard, Customs Division. and to Housing Management Aid, Housing in 1949. A qualified code operator, he re- Thomas A. Frensley, from Policeman to Grounds Division. ceives the blinkered signals from ships en- Policeman and Detective, Police Division. James M. Kelley, from Clerk to Account- tering Cristobal harbor and reports the OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER Division. ing Clerk, Housing and Grounds movements of all vessels in Limon Bay. Smith, from Bookkeep- Mrs. Frances P. TRANSPORTATION AND TERMINALS 30 YEARS Accounting Clerk, ing Machine Operator to BUREAU February was 30-year month for three Accounting Division. Norbert W. Hammond, from Stockman men in widely diversified jobs. They are: Hugh W. Cassibry, from Systems Ac- Foreman, Commissary Division, to Guard, William D. Hardie, Supervisory Manage- countant. Accounting Policies and Proce- Terminals Division. ment Analyst for the Administrative Branch dures, to Rates Analyst; Budget and Rates Alton E. Jones, Chief Senior Towboat En- Division. gineer for the Navigation Division; and John C. Wallace, Supervisory Commissary Supply Officer. Dredge Bernice A. Herring, from Dipper Mr. Hardie, who was born in Grafton, Dredg- ANNIVERSARIES Operator to Dipper Dredge Master, W. Va., has spent his entire Canal career ing Division. with the Administrative Branch. Several Elec- John L. Mason, from Wireman to There are few employees of the Company- years ago, he worked for several months in tronics Mechanic, Electrical Division. Government organization who do not know the Company's Washington and New York Automotive Edgar F. Daggett, from William Jump, either in person or by rep- offices, deciding on the disposition of old Trans- Equipment Operator, Special, Motor utation. files and records. portation Division, to Pumping Plant Op- His 52 years of service, 48 of them on the Mr. Jones, who comes from South Creek, Laboratories Branch. erator II, Water and United States rolls, make him the Canal's N. C, began his Canal career as a steam Assistant Edmund R. MacVittie, from senior employee. His job as Timekeeper in engineer on the Dredging Division's big Division of Storehouses, Superintendent, the Industrial Division —the same unit floating cranes. In 1948 lie transferred to Division. to Architect (General), Engineering what is now the Navigation Division, and from Boatbuilder, Anthony H. Hopiak, is now chief engineer on the tug Cardenas Industrial Division, to Shipwright, Dredg- in Cristobal. ing Division. Mr. Wallace was born in Roxbury, Mass., OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR-PRESIDENT but came here as a youngster; his father Mrs. Carol L. McAmis, from Clerk-Sten- was captain of the tug Porto Bello. He ographer, Administration Branch, to Cleri- worked for a while with the Terminals Div- cal Assistant (Stenography), Office of the ision and until it was closed in December Administrative Assistant to the Governor. was manager of the Camp Bicrd commis- Floyd R. Johnson, from Advisor, Store- sary. He is now at the Balboa Cold Storage house Staff, to Plans Officer, Executive unit. Planning Si, hi 25 YEARS OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, February marked the entrance into the WASHINGTON OFFICE Quarter-of-a-Century Club for two employ- ees: Mrs. Dorothy W. Montayne and James Mrs. Laura J. Reese, from Secretary to Administrative Assistant. J. Morris. HEALTH All but a brief pari of Mrs. Mont. i\ lies Dr. Rodolfo V. Young, from Medical Offi- MARCH SAILINGS RETIREMENTS From Cristobal Retirement certificates were presented WILLIAM .JIMP Cristobal March (< the end of February to the Following em- Am on March 13 ployees who .in- listed alphabetically, toge- with which he has spent his entire career- 23 h the birthplai c po il lengl I keeps him busy but he Ins still managed Cristobal March service, addresses. find time to serve on the Community ol Canal and future to Ancon - March 30 Paul F. Karst, Ohio; Branch Supeiinten- Chest Board, run the Intcrnation.il Boy

I I help dent, < latun Posl < >ffice; 7 years, h, Scouis, manage various charitable From New York ( "\\ ie 17 days; St. Petersburg, I la dtivcs, and serve on the Councils. An, on March 5 Raymond Osmond, Pennsylvania; Mete- He «as I mm in Gorgona, while the

' March 15 orologii .il Aid, Cristobal I yeai -.<> months, French were still making a token effort to Cristobal build the (anal, lie went to work 8 days; California. Panama I in on March 22

I with Division, .it the Gor- John L. Reese, Jr., Pennsylvania; on the Mechanical Southbound Bhipi uin. h leave New York Fridays troi House Operator, Pedro Miguel Locks; gona shop-,, when Ik- was IS years old, and an in Haiti the following Tuesday. Those which sail ii'.ni \.u Ynrk Tuesday sixMid Saturday in Haiti. that Division it trans- 1 month, 27 days; El Volcan, K. P. moved with when Northbound, il"- --liit>- stop in Haiti two days John S. Skinner, Jr., Alabama; Power ferred its "iii'' I.. Empire, Balboa, and aftei clearing Cristobal: Monday i"i those which -1 I I I Cristobal. I >i\ finally to Dispatch ision ; 3 years, sailed H"i" i ristobal Saturday, and Friday foi those

months, lx days; Miami, Fla. Two years ago last month, when he cele- which ' leafed Cristobal Wednesday. —

March 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

Success Of Board's "Workingest Session" Tempo Of Power Conversion Project Is Now Accelerated

All Helped Arrange It Credited To Who (Continuedfrom pays i) substation is in the New York docks when shipping full operation and Agua Clara better stopped. As soon as enough of these (Continued from page 3) and approval of than half completed. reach the Canal Zone, the domestic based plans for the Panama Railroad on In the Central Area, which comprises conversion will start. recommendations recently approved by Gamboa, Summit, and Paraiso, work Specifications are being completed the House Merchant Marine and Fish- has begun on the Summit substation. for the Pacific area conversion. This eries Committee. As this issue of "The Review" went to project, which will be one of the largest the Board members attending meeting press, the area contractor, L. R. Som- in the conversion program, will prob- and in addition to Secretary Roderick mer, expected to begin conversion of ably be ready to advertise for bids some Maj. Glen E. the Governor, were Gen. some of the motors in the Dredging time this month. Edgerton, John H. Blaffer, Robert P. Division and Penitentiary this month. The Pacific area covers that section Burroughs, Ralph H. Cake, Charles S. The east coast shipping strike has of the Canal Zone south of Pedro Mi- Reed, Ogder R. Reid, and John W. delayed the arrival of some of the re- guel and includes I.os Rios and the Martvn. The sessions were also attended frigeration units needed for the domes- townsites at the Pacific end of the Vice Pres- by Lt. Gov. H. W. Schull, Jr., tic conversion. Some of these were on Canal. ident; Philip L. Steers, Jr., Comptroller; and W. M. Whitman, Secretary, all gen- eral officers of the Company. Cargo Carrier

seivice has been with the Industrial Divi- sion, where she is a clerk-stenographer. She

comes from Patterson, X. J. .Mr. Morris, who was born in Lowell, Mass., is a Contract Specialist with t^e Contract and Inspection Division. His other Canal jobs have been with the Con- structing Quartermaster, Building Division, Dredging Division, Pacific Locks, and Con- tractors Hill. 20 YEARS

It was 20-year men only, in February; there were no women on the list of those completing 20 years of Government service last month. Although the 20 years includes all gov- ernment service, here or elsewhere, two of February's 20-year men have spent the entire two decades with the Canal organi- zation. They are: Capt. Conrad G. Did- rickson, one of the senior Atlantic side pilots, and Walter Wagner, Power Dis- patcher for the Electrical Division. Mr. Wagner is also former president of the Central Labor Union-Metal Trades Council. Others having continuous Canal service are: Wendell G. Cotton, Housing Manager at Cristobal —a native Zonian, he was once president of the Cristobal High School Stu- dent Association; and Harold W. Griffin, File Supervisor at Gorgas Hospital. Mr. Griffin comes from Section, Ala. Others who completed 20 years of gov- THIS YANLOAD OF merchandise for the Commissary Division was the first piggy-back freight to be efficiency. ernment service in February are: Henry J. carried by the Panama Railroad under a recently-developed plan to improve the railroad's Clancy, Wireman with the Electrical Div- ision; Russel E. Hellmund, Transfer Clerk, Tocumen Airport L'nit, Postal Division; Panama Line Award George R. Howard, a Canal Zone police officer working out of the Balboa station like Mr. Cotton, he is a native Zonian; Thomas B. Idol, Guard Supervisor, Dredg- ing Division; Floyd R. Johnson, another Canal Zonian —he was born in Ancon — Plans Officer, Executive Planning Staff; John S. Pettingill, Assistant Director of Physical Education, Schools Division; and Paul D. Richmond, a detective working in the Cristobal Police District. 15 YEARS Eight of the 14 employees who completed 15 years of government service in February have unbroken Canal service. They are: James P. Boukalis, Machinist, Industrial Division —his service is all with that Div- ision; Nelson R. Clark, Marine Traffic Con-

troller, Navigation Division ; Roy G. Lattin, Chief Towboat Engineer, Ferry Service; William B. Mallory, Chief, Motion Picture Branch, Service Center Division; Ralph L. Sell, Lead Foreman for Quarters Mainte- nance, Maintenance Division; Roger J. Sigl, Auto Repair Machinist, Motor Trans- portation Division —he has unbroken serv- ice with this Division; John R. Townsend, Master of the tug, Catun; and Fred M. Weade, Pilot, Navigation Division. Other 15-year employees are: Julius Cheney, Electrician Foreman, Aids to Navigation; Benjamin S. Chisholm, Manager, Balboa Service Center; Herbert AN* OVERALL inspection rating of 97 won for Panama Line vessels the Public Health .Service's Certifi- C. Hawvichorst, Wireman, Electrical Div- cate of Sanitation for the past calendar year. The rating was described in a letter from the Service as a ision; Louis E. Palmer, Sheetmetal Worker. "most worthy achievement." The award covers the Ancon, Panama, and Cristobal, since all three were Industrial Division; Thomas H. Scott, Chief in service last year. It was presented during a special ceremony in the New York Office of the Panama Accounting Policies and Procedures Staff, Canal Company. Above, Sylven Martin, Chief, Sanitation Engineers, second from left, presents thi- Office of the Comptroller; and Carl W. certificate to Eugene S. P. Martin, Executive Assistant of the Panama Line. Others shown, left to right, Warner, Lead Yard Foreman, Railroad are A. B. Marks, Sanitation Engineer; L. A. Ferguson, Chief, Procurement Division; and Peter De- Division. Stefano, Assistant Comptroller, New York Office. 16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW March 1, 1957 5

AND SHIPPING

OVER 1,000,000 man-hours of work without a disabling injury were repre- industry. The presentation was made at Pedro Miguel Locks by Charles S. sented by a National Safety Council Award of Merit presented last month Reed, a member of the Company's Board of Directors, to Capt. Warner 8. to the Marine Bureau. The award is not only the first for the Canal Com- Rodimon, Director of the Marine Bureau. Shown above are some of the pany's Marine Bureau, but also only the second in the whole field of marine Marine Bureau's employees who attended the ceremony.

TRANSITS BY OCEAN-GOING have been set aside in August and Sep- flavoring and animal feed from New Or- VESSELS IN JANUARY tember as those on which similar prefer- leans to Puerto Armuelles; cocoa cake 1956 1957 ence will be given for southbound trawl- from Great Britain to New Zealand; and Commercial 701 664 ers. Such sailings are familiarly known three Santa Gertrudis bulls from the U. S. Government 30 19 as "school boats." United States gulf coast to Ecuador. The northbound sailings are those FAMILY PLAN Total 731 683 scheduled for May 22, June 1, June 8, Two members of the sea-going Roscoe * June and June 26. The southbound TOLLS 19, family visited the Canal Zone during school boats will be those sailing from Commercial $3,167,577 $2,847,465 February when the Maine Maritime New York on August 9, August 20, Aug- IT. S. Government. 129,413 98,842 Academy training ship State of Maine ust 27, September 6, and September 13. called at Cristobal. They were Midship- Total $3,296,990 $2,946,307 STRANGE SHIPMENTS man Kenneth A. Roscoe and Capt. * Includes tolls on all vessels, ocean-going and small. All sorts of odd and unusual cargo George L. Roscoe, son and cousin, re- goes through the Canal every month. spectively, of Capt. Kenneth S. Roscoe, RECORD BREAKER February was no exception. Last month's Panama Canal pilot stationed in Cristo- somewhat out of the ordinary shipments bal. Capt. George Roscoe was command- The largest shipment of iron ore ever included: 26 tons of banknote paper from ing officer of the State Maine and Mid- to transit the Panama Canal was carried of Great Britain to Valparaiso, Chile; resin shipman Roscoe was one of the cadets from the Pacific to Atlantic last month and methanol from York to Japan; making the training cruise. aboard the SS Ore Monarch. The ship- New ment, 37,684 tons, was 1,230 tons more than the same ship had carried on her only previous trip through the Canal. The Ore Monarch made her record- breaking transit February 10. She was en route from San Juan, Peru, to Phil- adelphia, Pa. She is owned by Universe Tankships, Inc., for whom Payne & Wardlaw are local agents. ALL AUTOMOBILES About once a month a ship transits the Canal carrying nothing but automo- biles. This trend, statisticians say, has been going on for some time now. Feb- ruary's auto ship was the [nteroceau Line's MoManger, southbound with auto- mobiles, 175 of them, as her s ile cargo. They were consigned from London to the r. S. west coast. Of the cars, 246 were to be discharged at Portland and 229 at Seattle. SCHOOL SHIPS Five Panama Line sailings in May and June have been designated as those on which preference will be given to teachers and to employees who have school-age

children traveling with them en route to 1' 'i RISTS, HUNDREDS 01 them! And look what happens to the parking lot at the Balboa railroad the United States, and five more sailings station! The visitors the day this picture was taken were part of the 684 who arrived