The Panama Canal Review
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95f-[-;i/*C*} .HE Gift ofthe Panama Canal Museum /L*&g*j[I^ Vol. 6, No. 10 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE MAY 4, 1956 5 cents CANAL EMPLOYEES ARE EXTREMELY COMPETENT AND COOPERATIVE GROUP SAYS GOVERNOR SEYBOLD Superior Award Winners Chief Executive And (See story on new Incentive awards on Page 4) Wife To Say Farewell To Canal Zone May 19 "I am sincerely proud to have been associated with the employees of the Pan- ama Canal organization." This quotation succinctly phrases the sentiments expressed by Governor John States Seybold in a special farewell mes- sage to Canal employees on the eve of the completion of his four-year term as the administrative head of the Panama Canal Company and Canal Zone Gov- ernment. The Governor's term of office has covered a critical four-year period in the 52-year-old enterprise of the United States Government. A brief review of this eventful period and his administra- tion is carried on pages 10 and 11 of this issue of The Panama Canal Review. Expressing his admiration for the com- petence and cooperativeness of employees in the organization, Governor Seybold issued the following message to them: "I should like to note briefly but sin- cerely my high regard for the employees of the Panama Canal Company and the Canal Zone Government. The transition reorganization a SEVEN COMPANY-GOVERNMENT employees were the first to receive Superior Award citations period since the has been under the new extension of the Incentive Awards program approved last month and announced in trying one for them. Such actions as the this issue of The Review. Six of the employees so honored for excellent work are shown above. Left extension of the income tax and the increase to right, they are: Richard B. Potter, Electrical Division; Ellis F. Fawcett, Schools Division; Mrs. in housing rents and other changes in poli- Faye C. Minton, Engineering and Construction Bureau; Leon M. Warren, Engineering Division; Lee Kariger, Locks Division; and T. C. Tavares, Schools Division. The seventh, William G. Mum- cies have, in varying degrees, affected their maw, of the Maintenance Division, was away from the Isthmus when this picture was taken. pocketbooks and their morale. "Nevertheless, they have as a group given the Canal enterprise their conscien- Governor Believes Sea-Level Waterway Plan tious help and loyal support at all times. They have retained a well-deserved pride in Is Inevitable In Solution Of Canal Problem being an essential part of an enterprise which is in the nature of a public utility Four years of supervising the opera- he appeared for the last time as President serving world commerce and which has a tions of the Panama Canal and observing of the Company. world-wide reputation not only for efficiency its operational problems have convinced He will speak on this subject next to users the Canal. but J or hospitality all of Gov. John S. Seybold that conversion of Monday night at a meeting of the Pan- "In my opinion, the personnel of the the Canal to a sea-level waterway is ama Section of the American Society of Canal agencies represent a selected group the Tivoli "both feasible and desirable and, in fact, Civil Engineers to be held at of extremely competent and cooperative em- inevitable." Guest House. He expects at that time ployees. It is they who in large part make He believes that the project should be to reiterate his views on the subject and the Canal enterprise so successful and the urged from the standpoint of future re- discuss in some detail the problems in- Canal Zone a congenial place to live and quirements of commercial traffic and volved and the major features of the 1947 work. national defense. Governor Seybold has proposal. "I am sincerely proud to have been asso- reviewed the report and recommendations Studies Of Canal Improvements ciated with them." developed by the Isthmian Canal Studies Although he considers a sea-level water- Governor and Mrs. Seybold plan to of 1947 and believes that the proposal is way the inevitable solution to the Isth- sail for the States Saturday, May 19, still sound and rational. mian canal problem, the Governor told aboard the Panama liner Ancon. Their The Governor expressed his opinion on the Board of Directors that the Canal plans for the immediate future call for the desirability of a sea-level canal at the Company should continue to press stud- an extensive tour of Europe. «*•» April meeting of the Board of Directors ies of possible improvements in the water- High t~'' to both has been paid ' ' *-* ' «;*-- • (Set of the Panama Canal Comp?~" ' Mncre? (s?e mgr several rivate y 2 1 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4, 1956 Latin American Schools Will Reopen Next Week; Plan Pacific High Move School days will begin again next Monday for over 3,700 boys and girls in the Canal Zone local-rate communities. The opening date of this year's school session, May 7, is the earliest during the calendar year for many years. It has been advanced gradually for the past two years until the Latin American schools are now operating on approximately the same schedule as those of the Republic of Panama. Schools will close February 6, 1957. School officials, who have had an un- canny ability in past years to anticipate enrollment, estimate that 3,759 students will be enrolled in kindergarten through Grade 12. The figure is about 140 less than the enrollment when the Latin American schools closed for the dry season vacation in March. Opening day enroll- TWO MONTHS BEFORE the Canal was opened to commercial traffic Gaillard Cut looked like this with dredges digging away at Cucaracha Slide in the distance. Contractors Hill, now a stairway, is ment last year was 4,042. The enrollment framed by the steam shovel working in the foreground. Those on the Honor Roll well remember loss of figure dropped to 3,895—a 148 such scenes as this during the days when they were first employed. students by the end of the school year. Several changes will be made as the Today marks the 52d anniversary of time, it is doubtful if half of the popula- school year progresses in the locations the formal beginning of the Panama tion of the United States would have where the students will attend classes. Canal enterprise under the United States expressed confidence of its completion. The principal change will be the transfer Government. During that 10-year period, tens of of the Pacific side high school from La Formal transfer of the French Canal thousands of Americans left their homes Boca to Paraiso toward the end of May Company rights and properties took place and came to the tropics to help in the when the new high school building at May 4, 1904, in the building on Cathedral job. While many were out-and-out ad- Paraiso is scheduled for completion. Plaza which now houses the Panama venturers seeking new fields, thousands New Paraiso High School Post Office. For an event of such strik- came to stay and see the job done. Of When the high school pupils move to ing historical significance it was prac- the latter group, several thousands the new building at Paraiso, the La tically devoid of pomp and ceremony. remained in service to operate the Canal. Acting in behalf of the United States Boca elementary and junior high school Construction Ranks Dwindle building will be vacated and students Government was a young officer of the Of those who had a part in building from that building will move a few U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. the the Canal and today can boast that they hundred feet into the more modern La Mark Brooke; he was designated for were employed during the construction Boca high school building. task in the absence of his commanding period, only 12 are still in service. The Next Monday, however, Pacific side officer. What ceremony there was con- sisted chiefly of Lieutenant Brooke's ranks have dwindled fast in recent years. Latin American high school students will signing and delivering to the French Ten years ago there were about 400 in begin their classes in the La Boca build- Canal Company official a $40,000,000 service. There were 106 names on the ing where they attended school last year. receipt, followed by the raising of the honor roll when the list was first pub- By communities, the following facilities United States flag over the building which lished in The Panama Canal Review in will be offered for Latin American stud- the Company's headquarters. May 1950. The last woman's name on ents: was then The simple ceremony started a 10-year the list was stricken from the roll last La Boca: Kindergarten through ninth period of feverish activity in digging a December when Mrs. Lea K. Dugan grade students will attend school in the ship canal to join the Atlantic and Pacific retired from service. elementary school building, and high Oceans. The task was a formidable one As it has for the past six years, on the school students will begin their school even for a nation the size of the United anniversary of the beginning of the work year in the high school building. States. a vote at that in May, The Review pays honor to all Paraiso: Kindergarten through ninth Had been taken those who participated in building the grade students will attend school in the grades will continue to be in Spanish. Panama Canal. And, as it has since it same buildings used last year.