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Vol. 3, No. 6 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, JANUARY 2, 1953 5 cents
PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR PREMIUM GRADE GASOLINE TO BE SOLD AT ZONE RETAIL SERVICE STATIONS EVENTFUL 1952 Various Alterations Needed For Handling
Sale Of Two Grades
The sale of high-test gasoHne will be started at the Canal's retail gas stations as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made and a supply of premium gasoline can be obtained. An interval of about three months may elapse before the first premium gi-ade gas is available since about 60 days are required for deliveries after orders are placed and minor alterations are required at the tank farms and at the service stations. The high-test gas will be on sale at all retail stations except at Gatun and Pedro \See page A HIGHLIGHT ot the past year was the arrival of Governor Seybold to begin his tenn of office Miguel where additional m
There have been few years in the Canal's tion in Ancon, Balboa, Diablo Heights, Paraiso, Cardenas, Silver City, and Marga- history to match 1952 for the constant stream New Policy Is Announced rita. In addition the Maintenance Division of news of more than passing interest to was assigned quarters construction work Applications employees and their families. There was totaling over SI, 000, 000 and bids were On Quarters scarcely a ireek of the past 52 which was not awarded for $325,000 worth of native lum- ber for the building program. The bids for Applications for assignments to U. S.- productive of one or more major news the Summit townsite development were will limited to three stories. Personnel rate quarters be changes, Canal traffic, rejected. choices of units by house number, type, rents, and the quarters construction program Other news of the month: Announcement limited areas, after March 1, and all all made big news during the year. There was made that the Locks Security Force or would be organized to replace military applications on file not conforming with were many other items of lesser general guards at all Locks; Thatcher Ferry hauled limitations will be canceled on interest. A brief summary the month- these of its 50,000,000th passenger; the old Ancon that date. by-month Canal riews is given beloic as a Theater building was sold; and the fluorida- Employees who have applications not reminder of eventful 1952. tion of water was begun. in conformity with the new rule will be JANUARY MARCH notified by the various Housing Division Transfer of the of in- town Cocoli to the The month started with rate offices about February 15 to replace their U. S. Navy, merger of the Municipal and creases on stevedoring, marine bunk- applications by March L Building Divisions to form the Main- ering, and cargo handling, and a two- tenance Division, and adoption of cash cent increase in the retail prices of The change in the rule about assign- sales in all U. S.-rate Commissaries took cigarettes and gasoline. ment applications is being made to ex- place at the opening of the New Year. Visitor of the month was Secretary of pedite work in the Housing Offices in filling Most important news of the month the Army Frank Pace who got his first vacancies and to avoid long delays and fre- was the meeting of the Board of Di- view of the Canal during a three-day rectors of the Panama Canal Company visit. quent inconvenience to employees desiring in the Board Room of the Administra- The townsite work at Summit, being specific assignments because of "blanket" tion Building. It was the first to be done by the Maintenance Division, was requests which must be circularized when held on the Isthmus and eight members suspended and a committee appointed house of a particular type or group attended. Karl D. Bendetsen, Chairman by Secretary Pace, consisting of Peter any of the Board, and then Assistant Secre- Beasley, Col. Jess A. Radnor, and Col. becomes vacant. tary of the Army, spent the first two E. F. Cardwell, arrived to arrange for Examples of acceptable wording of weeks of January in the Canal Zone to the transfer of a tract of land at Corozal applications for quarters under the new make a first-hand study of Canal oper- for the Canal's quarters construction system are: Houses 108, 562, or 834; any ations and prepare for the Board program. Considerable anxiety was meeting. created by a Zone-wide air raid alert cottage on Davis Street, Endicott Street, Personnel news: W. H. Dunlop was which was sounded on the last Sundaj' or Sibert Street, Diablo Heights; and any elected Finance Director. Marc P. in the month. duplex on First, Fourth, or Sixth Streets, Ouinn was appointed Chief of the W. H. Esslinger was appointed Chief Margarita. Management Division, and Stanton Hydrographer upon the retirement of Brown resigned as Chief of the Civil George E. Matthew. New Panama "Blanket" applications such as the fol- Intelligence Branch. Canal traffic records were set in March. lowing will not be acceptable: Any cot- FEBRUARY APRIL tage in Gamboa, any duplex in Margarita, or any three-bedroom house in the Balboa Contracts for §8,500,000 were awarded President Truman nominated Brig. Gen. for quarters construction and site prepara- John S. Seybold to be (.See page T) school district. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW January 2, 1953
Twin Pilots Could Cause Variety Of Subjects Confusion In Panama Canal Under Discussion At
December Conference
Extended round-table discussions of a variety of subjects featured the Governor- Employee Conference in December. Lt. Gov. H. 0. Paxson presided at the "shirtsleeve" meeting between Canal oflS- cials and employee representatives in the absence of Governor Seybold who was unable to attend. The conference was one of the longest of recent months and was highlighted by the range of topics of community and employee interest. The Rev. P. H. Havener, of the Cristo- bal-Margarita Civic Council, expressed the thanks of his group for an opportunity to discuss plans and possible location of the future school at Margarita. He said the invitation to the Civic Council to participate in a decision on the school's location had been well received, and he expressed the hope that this practice would be continued. YOU FIGURE them out. One is Panama Canal Pilot Arthur T. Wilder; the other is bis identical twin, Albert The Lieutenant Governor said he was L. Wilder, Pilot^in-Training. Both are based on the Atlantic side and live close together in Cristobal. very pleased to have the report and said Panama Canal Pilot Arthur T. Wilder Mexico, Texas, and Massachusetts), their it was the view of the Canal administra- isn't snubbing his friends these days. If choice of vocation and sea-going careers tion that such exchanges were helpful in he's accused of looking the other way, have paralleled each other. arriving at proper decisions. He said an he blames it on his brother. They attended the Massachusetts Nau- effort will be made to get the view of The brother is an identical twin, tical School in Nantucket, then served as those utilizing facilities or S3rvices prior Albert L. Wilder, Pilot-in-Training, who able seamen on the same ship. Their to their installation. let the Canal in for a bit of confusion sul).se(|uent promotions ran close together Identification System when he was employed October 15. but pi'evcntcd them from serving together. The mixups have been few so far—such Both worked for the Fai'rell Lines for A subject which was discussed at length as Arthur's friends finding Albert un- eight years on runs between New York was the possibility of improving the sys- friendly—but there might be more since and South Africa. Both served six tem of identification used in the Com- both are pilots with similar haunts and years as captain. missaries. H. J. Chenevert, of the habits who live within two blocks of each The team broke up when Arthur came Central Labor Union, started the discus- other near the Inter-American Woman's to the Canal Zone in February 1951, and sion by askmg why it would not be Club in Cristobal. Albert went into the Navy. Arthur's possible to have employees identified on The appearance of Albert on the Pan- interest in the Canal was aroused by a entering the retail commissary stores ama Canal scene is just the last of a series Farrell Line passenger who showed the rather than being required to show iden- of events and coincidences that have kept twin the application he was sending for tification at all sales' counters. the Wilders, man and boy, together most employment. Then and there the pilot Lieutenant Governor Paxson said the of the time. borrowed from the passenger the applica- suggestion has many merits and will be On one occasion durmg the war they tion form which led to his eventual fully investigated. He promised a report were on different ships in the same con- employment in the Canal Zone. at a later meeting on the result of the voy. Arthur's ship was torpedoed on study. Lived In Mexico July 4; Albert's went down the next day. The subject of housing at Pedro Miguel One was picked up by a rescue ship; the Both of the twins had been through the was again brought before the monthly other by a tanker. Both wound up in a Canal before they were employed as pilots conference and the Lieutenant Govei-nor something of Latin Amer- Russian camp in the timber town of and both knew told representatives from Pedro Miguel of the six years they lived Archangel. ica as a result that the long-range plans presently pro- as children. Captain Arthur Their trusty guitar and mandolin, with in Mexico vide for rebuilding at the Locks town at Wilder's Spanish recently prompted a which they had entertained themselves the end of the program. He said the Peruvian captain, whose ship he was and other people since their high school extent of the building program there is piloting through the Canal, to ask if the days (their repertory then also included still in a somewhat uncertain state and pilot Panamanian. Other Spanish- acrobatic acts), went down with the ships were he was unable to say how many houses speaking ship captains have remarked and were replaced while they were in will be built there. The number will pilot's excellent accent but have Russia. about the depend, he continued, on the force level politely questioned (and rightly so, the Music Makers and the housing units available in other pilot says) his degree of understanding. Some of the ditties they sang for fun Pacific side communities at the time the while they were in Archangel were re- The confusions ordinarily caused by existing houses in Pedro Miguel are corded and later were rebroadcast over identical twins were more common when abandoned. the Wilders younger. One wife says stations in Moscow. Others they did were The Lieutenant Governor acc'cpted an to mixed and say while they were in Scotland also were she used get them up invitation of C. W. Hammond and other recorded. The twins heard records they the wrong thing to the wrong brother. Pedro Miguel representatives to make a made in Scotland rebroadcast over the Other twins supposedly change places personal inspection of various houses in British Broadcasting Corporation when in class, particularly at examination the town. they were back home in Massachusetts. time. The Wilders tried it only once Standard Labels To Be Used One of the Wilder wives recalls that while they were in Nautical School. after several wartime months, with no The one who was in class answered to Labor and employee representatives at word from the twins, they appeared at the wrong name and they never tried it the December meeting were informed the door, mandolin and guitar in hand, again. that the standard labeling program of the and spent most of the day making music Attempts to misappropriate girl friends Commissary Division will be in full effect together. caused the Wilders no trouble, either. within another 2 weeks. This was indi- Besides being born (in Dorchester, Their tastes in that department were cated during a review of questions arismg Mass.), and growing up together (in never enough alike. at previous meetmgs. The {See page is) January 2, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW Announcement Expected Soon On Rents
Current Building Program Will Provide Much Detail Work Many Quarters For Large-Sized Families Required To Compute
New Rent Schedule
An announcement of the new schedule of rents for quarters of U. S.-rate em- ployees in accordance with adjustments authorized at the December meeting of
the Board of Directors is expected to be made within the next few days.
• A complete recomputation of rents has been required and the effective date for the new schedule had not been set when this edition of The Canal Review went to press. Because of the detailed work involved in computing rents on the new basis, little, if any advance notice will be possible before the new rates become effective. The announcement of the rents will be made at the earliest possible date, how- ever, and employees will be notified indi- vidually of the rents they will pay as was done when the raises were announced in October. New Rent Basis
The new rent schedule is being based on the three recommendations of the Rent Panel which were accepted by the Board FIRST FLOOR PLAN of Directors. These are: (1) The defer- ment of interest until July 1, 1953; (2) reduction of the proposed rent increases on the least desirable housing; and (3) A NEW TYPE of two-family masonry quarters distribution of the vacancy factor evenly. will make its appearance in the 1953 fiscal year con- The Board did not accept the Rent struction program. The same general floor plan as Panel's fourth recommendation which shown here will be used for both four-bedroom and was to give consideration to the exclusion three-bedroom apartments. The floor plan of the of all or part of the special charges in- upstairs area of one of the four-bedroom apart- cluded in the rental base imposed princi- ments is shown at the right. Nine of the duple.\ pally because of geographical Ideation. buildings— 18 apartments—will be built, two on Em- In an announcement following the Di- pire Street and 7 at Corozal. The 1953 building rector's meeting, it was stated that the program also provides for the construction of IS Board carefully reviewed and considered duplexes—36 units—with three bedrooms, all to be the Panel's findings and recommendations built at Corozal. and other important aspects of the rent SECOND FLOOR PLAN problem, such as the depreciation periods The current shortage of quarters for for various types of structures and the U. S.-rate employees with families of Canal regulations provide that special possibility of further writeoffs for obsolete more than average size will be greatly "large-family" assignments can be made buildings. alleviated upon the completion of the to employees with four or more depend- The extent of the rental decreases from ents, or to with family of quarters construction programs for the an employee a the schedule announced in October is fiscal years 1952 and 1953. four persons, consisting of himself, his expected to vary widely since the Board opposite sex of Nearly 200 sets of quarters with three wife, and two children of of Directors authorized a direct cut in the Applications for these or four bedrooms each are included in the 12 years of age. rates for the least desirable houses. The assignments building schedule for these 2 years. While are grouped separately and houses in this group will be those slated basis within the the completion of these will by no means are made on a seniority for demolition during the long-range eliminate the need for large family quar- group. quarters construction program. ters it will be a long step forward in the A limited number of family quarters The biggest increases over the old rates reserved special assignments overall program designed to provide are for these are expected to be in rents for those all of these adequate housing for employees in all in all towns, but practically houses built prior to about 194S which units. The need categories. now are three-bedroom are to be retained in the permanent The long range quarters construction for quarters suitable for large-family quarters program. program provides for about 10 percent of assignments is presently more acute on the units to be four-bedroom apartments. the Pacific side than on the Atlantic side. E.xcept for a few scattered units thsre are At present practically all of the three- verted about 3 years ago into a three-unit no four-bedroom apartments available bedroom apartments in the masonry four-bedroom buildmg. The quarters for special large-family assignments. quarters in Balboa are reserved for these construction program of 1952, now near- The 1953 fiscal year building program assignments. ing completion, includes 10 "breezeway" includes, for the first time, a group of There are only a few scattered four- units of 4 bedrooms. All of these, with four-bedroom apartments specially de- bedroom units presently avaUable for the exception of two or three to be re- signed for employees of moderate income. large-family assignments in the Canal served for official assignment, will be A total of 18 apartments of this type and Zone. Two duplex masonry buildings placed on the special large-family list. size are to be built, 4 on Empire Street with four-bedroom apartments were built Except for these few units, the Canal and 14 at Corozal. The floor plan of this on a experimental basis in Diablo Heights has never built four-bedroom units for new type of building, a two-story duple.x and Margarita during the Special Engin- regular assignment. Most of the houses masonry structure, is shown above. All eering Division's Canal studies. In addi- now in use with more than three bedrooms of these are to be reserved for special tion, one of the twelve-family apartment are old frame structures built during the large-family assignments. buildings at Diablo Heights was con- Canal construction (See next page) THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW January 2, 1953
Pearline Carter, 26, Is Youngest New House Assignments Principal In Canal Zone Schools to be Made January 16 Assignments to eight new houses under construction in Margarita and those in Ancon which have not already been as- signed will be made January 16 on the basis of applications recei\^ed by the closing hour of 4:15 on that date. The assignments will be made some time before many of the houses are completed to permit the assignees to move into the new quarters as soon as they are ready for occupancy. » After January 16, there wDl be no further special assignments on the basis of applications received before that date. There are 36 apartments in the group to be assigned in Ancon, including 22 cot^ tages and 7 duplex houses. They will be ready for occupancy as they are com- pleted starting about the first of January. Eight new houses in the Ancon develop- ment have been occupied and eight others have been assigned. There are foiu' cottages and four du- plexes in the group to be assigned in Margarita, all of which are located on
First Street. It is expected that they will be ready for occupancy starting about the first of February.
YOUNGEST PRINCIP.^L in any of the Canal two young students, Cai'los Archibald and Donna Zone schools and one of two women prmcipals in the Gibbs. Miss Carter heads the faculty of the Chagi-es Current Building Program Provides Quarters colored schools is Pearlme Carter, 26, shown here with School at Gatuu.
{Continued from page 3) period and are re- served for official assignments. Although she is only 26 years old, One Wednesday evening recently, Miss The present shortage of family tjuarters Pearlme Carter holds a double distinction. Carter and some of her teachers met with suitable for families of above aveiage size She is not only the youngest principal in a group of parents to work out plans for has been induced to a great extent by the the Canal Zone schools but she is also one the Christmas pageant. This was similar construction a large number of small of only two women principals in the to the highly successful "Christmas in units during the expansion program at the colored schools. The other woman prin- Other Lands" which she du'ected the beginning of the war. During that time cipal is Juliette Carrington of the Paraiso year before in La Boca. the need for housuig of a large number of school. About 100 of the school's 260 kinder- employees was so acute the emphasis of Tradition was upset at the begmning garten through eighth grade students par- the construction program was on numbers of the school year when the two women ticipated in the pageant, half as actors and rather size. Consequently, the num- were than appointed to positions which had half in a choral group. They presented ber of twelve-family and four-family always been held by men, except for a typical Christmas scenes from England, apartment buildings with one or two brief period some years ago. France, Germany, the Scandmavian coun- bedrooms to an apartment is completely Miss Carter, in addition to handling a tries, Italy, Holland, and America, with out of proportion to the requirements. job new to her sex, is also having to Christmas music from each coimtry. This condition will be gradually ad- adjust to an entirely new community. A narrator explained each country's justed as the long-range quarters con- Born in Panama City, she had spent her traditions and provided a running account struction program progresses. While the entire— if not very long—life on the while the actors moved from one scene to number of apartments available for spe- Pacific side. another. For several weeks m advance of cial large-family assignments will not be Normal School Graduate the presentation the Chagres students did adequate until near the end of the pro- the necessary research and background She went through school in La Boca gram, it is anticipated that the present and was graduated from the La Boca for this program. shortage of quarters a\'ailable for fami- Normal Training School in 1947. Until lies of above average size wi'l be alleviated the recent retirement of her father, Costumes Cost 40 Cents within about a year. In addition to the new type of duplex,, Clifford Carter, who worked for the Mu- Gatun parents played an important nicipal Division four-bedroom buildings, the 1053 fiscal- for 40 years, her parents part in providing costumes for the pag- had in year program also calls for the construc- lived La Boca. She started teach- eant. The cost of the costumes was kept ing there tion of 19 builduigs, or 38 apartments, of and was a third grade teacher to a minimum by the use of such ma- at Boca until her promotion to this type with 3 bedrooms to be built at La a terials as dyed cheesecloth, crepe paper, teachmg principalship this Corozal. The floor plans of the three- year. which makes fine fur collars when prop- she bedroom apartments will follow the gen- Now workmg in Gatun where heads erly handled, and old garments, which the faculty of nine at the Chagres school, eral plans for the four-bedroom apart- showed up fine under the artificial light she finds the different. ments. The amount of floor space in two towns very outdoors at night. By such economies, the smaller apartments will be 1,510 La Bocans are diversified in their interests she managed to hold costume costs to and heads of families for many dif- square feet, as compared with 1,891 work between 24 and 40 cents a child. ferent Canal divisions. Gatun is a one- in the four-bedroom apartments. Other projects at Chagres this year will division town; the fathers of almost all Only one four-bedroom "breezeway" be a Music Week celebration in May and her students are Locks employees. hou.se is on this year's building schedule an arts and handicraft exhibition. Last Her new school and geographical posi- and this will be built at Corozal. year at La Boca, Miss Carter's students tions keep her daytimes and evenings \\'hile it will be several months yet presented a Music Week program of busy. Miss Carter teaches English, before the unit costs of the new duplex dances interpreting music, a project mathematics and social studies in the four-bedroom apartments can be deter- known technically as "creative, rhythmic seventh and eighth grades and spends the mined, it is estimated that the cost will activity." remaining two hours of the school day in be substantially lower than the four- administrative work. Evenings are de- So far, Miss Carter has found neither bedroom breezeway houses which will voted to Parent-Teacher meetings or to her youth nor femminity drawbacks in bring the rental figures low enough for calls on the families of the Chagres her new job. On the contrary she has met the apartments to be available for special School pupils, to find out what and how friendliness and helping hands and, espe- large-family assignments to employees of Gatun thinks. cially, interest from the older girl students. moderate salaries. )
January 2, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW
FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GUIDANCE IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION #.. .^W^ M.-.M —%^^^ - - _ , THE SAFETY ENGINEER AND SAFETY
The National Safety Council has that you, as a boss, are engaged in now. not consider it their job to "put the pointed out in a series of articles that the It cannot be .said of them, as is said ofti'n finger" on some boss, or worker, for key man in the pre\'ention of accidents is of newly graduated engineers, that their lap.ses in safety precautions or negligence the boss. In the case of the Panama knowledge has all come from books. Let in accident prevention. It is for manage- Canal Company that person is usually a us rather say that their safety work is the ment to decide the merits of the case U. S.-rat<» foreman, an assistant manager, practical application of the book knowl- and the disciplinary action to be taken. a leadingman, or a local-rate sub-foreman. edge in safety that they have been able The good safety engineer and inspector Though the key men are these bosses, to acquire. strive at all times to gain the good will of they must have help from others in order However, the different slant in accident the boss and his workers in order that to put over a successful safet>' program. prevention that the Panama Canal Com- they will cooperate with him in the con- The importance that management plays pany's safety personnel are able to give stant job of finding safer and more effi- in this help has already been pointed out the boss and the worker is sure to help cient waj'S to do the work. in a previous article. The necessity for them to work more safely and efficiently, If the boss has rightfully assumed the being a good boss and knowing how to no matter how little their formal educa- responsibility for the safety of all em- handle the worker has also been discussed. tion in safety may have been. ployees and property under his super- Next most important person is the The National Safety Council points out vision, if he has properly trained and in- safety engineer and inspector. that too often management appoints a structed his workers and sees that they The profession of safety engineering is safety engineer, inspector, or assistant and work safely at all times, then neither he comparatively new to industry, and only then forgets about safety'. They can no nor the safety inspector has to be at the lately has it been possible to obtain formal more do this and expect to lower their scene of a probable accident to carry on education leading to a college degree in accident rat-e, than they can give a me- effective work in accident prevention. the field. Thus, at present, most safety chanic a picture with no steel and hope In order for this work to be done well, personnel are se'f-made men, having that he will build machines. it is agreed that all safety personnel and started in some other profession or trade. Responsibility for safety cannot be dele- bosses must have the full support and Then through humanitarian interest, per- gated in this way any more than the interest of management from the top on sonal experience and application have responsibility for production would be. down. It is an established axiom in safety acquired the knowledge and know-how to Safety engineers and inspectors are em- work that the attitude of the boss toward do safety engineering. ployed to advise and make recommenda- safety determines the attitude of the Often, they have themselves been tions for the safety of the employees and employees under him toward accident workers, then the bosses in the very field property of the Panama Canal Company. prevention. This also may involve procedures in oper- The prime effort of all safety personnel,
ations and production if the methods which includes the Safety Branch, all HONOR ROLL being used are not as safe as they should be. safety engineers, inspectors, and assist- Bureau Award For Accident prevention is the work done ants, is to make their safety activities the BEST RECORD before the accident occurs. Prevention is foundation for the building of a great deal the process of knowing the probable cause of good wiU, by approaching safety al- November of accidents, recognizing their possibility ways with the idea that it is for the wel- INDUSTRIAL BUREAU and actually doing something to eliminate fare of the employee. the hazard. It is felt that this spirit will be appre- AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR The work done after an accident has ciated and the employee will return the occurred is not prevention and is not the effort in their behalf by becoming more Community Services 5 main purpose of safety work. It is only an safety-conscious and promoting safety on Industrial 4 Civil Affairs 3 attempt to derive some good from the loss the job for themselves. Engineering and Construction 3 that has occurred by definitely establishing Therefore, give your safety engineers, Health 1 the cause of the accident. Then, with the inspectors, and assistants a hand. They Marine cooperation of and his workers, are here to work with for in Railroad and Terminals the boss you and you Supply and Service the unsafe conditions and procedures can any way which will prevent future acci- be eliminated m order that no accident dents, with the consequent loss to the Division Awards For will occur in similar future work. boss of your services, and to you and your NO DISABLING INJURIES The safety engineer and inspector do family of your future earnings. November Disabling Injuries per 1,000,000 Man-Hours Worked
COMMISSARY DIVISION NOVEMBER 1952 iFrequency Rale) HOSPITALIZATION AND CLINICS ELECTRICAL DIVISION Industrial Bureau RAILROAD DIVISION Supply and Service Bureau Engineering and Conslruclion Bureau MOTOR TRANSPORTATION DIVISION Community Services Bureau GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DIVISION Health Bureau
C. Z. Govt.— Panama Canal Co. iThis month i AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR Civil Affairs Bureau Grounds Maintenance 8
Motor Transportation 7 C. Z. Govt.—Panama Canal Co. i To Date < Clubhouses. 6 C. Z. Govt.—Panama Canal Co. ( Best Year Electrical 6 Dredging 4 Marine Bureau Hospitalization Clinics and 4 Railroad and Terminals Bureau Maintenance 3 Railroad 3 Sanitation 3 Number of Disabling Injuries Storehouses 3 28 Mac-Hours Worked .2,504,534 Commissary 1 LEGEND Navigation 1 Locks .\mount Better Than Panama Canal Company—Canal Zone Government Best Year Terminals .Amount Worse Than Panama Canal Company—Canal Zone Government Best Tear THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW January 2, 1953 Panama Railroad Employees Organized in Six Unions With Membership of 75
T. M. GOODING, General Chairman, Division .JESSEE CRAWFORD, President, Lodge 2741, S. J. DEAVOLIRS, Chief Engineer, Diablo Division 107, Order of Railroad Telegraphers Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees 49, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
The 100 U. S.-Rate employees of the 50-mile transcontinental Panama Rail- road are organized into six railroad unions, with a total membership of about 75. By far the oldest unit of the present Canal organization, the Panama Railroad also has two of the oldest local labor organizations. Tropical Lodge 158 of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America and Divi- sion 107 of the Order of Railroad Tele- graphers both were organized in the Canal Zone in 1913, a year before the Panama Canal was opened to world commerce. One of the railroad unions is the smallest in the Canal Zone, Local 133 of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen of America, which has two members. F. A. McGUINNESS, Chief Conductor, Division DOUGLAS SHELTON, President, Local 158, The largest of the local railroad unions No. 690, Order of Railway Conductors Brotherhood of Railway Carmen is Diablo Division 49 of the Brotherhood certain dispatchers the others are of Locomotive Engineers, in which there carmen are often specialists in also as and are 25 members. phases of work but on the Panama Rail- retired. Agent Operator Second and third largest are Division road, which has comparatively few em- Thomas M. Gooding, Train Dispatcher at the Panama City No. 690 of the Order of Railway Conduc- ployees, a carman and his helper must be and is General Chairman of tors of America, with a membership of able, if necessary, to build a car from the passenger station, rails the Local. was employed in July 1941 about 15, and Lodge 2741 of the Brother- up. He as a telegraph operator for the Railroad. hood of Maintenance of Way Employees The Lodge is now headed by Douglas present position since which has 14 members. Shelton, President, and Robert Ward, He has held his All the unions except the Locomotive Secretary-Treasurer, both of whom are August 1949. General Secretary and Engineers and the Railway Conductors car inspectors in the Panama yard. Ollie B. Welch, Treaurer of Division 107, also holds the are affiliated in the Canal Zone with the Mr. Shelton was employed in the Mu- title Agent Operator and Train Dis- Central Labor Union and Metal Trades nicipal Division in 1939 and later served patcher, working alternate weeks at Council. for 9 years as carman in the Mechanical Colon and Panama City and as relief TROPICAL LODGE No. 158, BROTHER- Division before becoming a car inspector dispatcher when needed. He was also HOOD OF RAILWAY CARMEN in December 1948. employed as telegraph operator in 1941 There are 17 U. S.-Rate employees in Mr. Ward was eniploy(>d in 1937 as a and has held his present position since the car department of the Panama Rail- carman in the Mechanical Division. He August 1947. road who are responsible for the building was transferred to the Panama Railroad DIABLO DIVISION No. 49, BROTHER- and repairing of wood and steel passenger shops in February 1950 and has been a HOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS and freight equipment as well as the car inspector since December 1951. cleaning and servicing of the passenger Diablo Division 49 received its charter DIVISION No. 107, ORDER OF coaches. Six of the carmen are inspectors, RAILROAD TELEGRAPHERS in SeptemluT 194(1 from the Crand Office three in Panama and three in Cristobal. of the Brotherhood in Cleveland, Ohio, Division 107 received its charter from The rolling stock for which they are and since that time has held regular the national organization July 21, 1913. responsible are the Railroad's 679 freight meetings once or twice a month. Two of those who were charter members and 45 passenger cars, which include S During the war years the member.ship still live on the Isthmus, George M. Nolte, baggage cars, 1 paycar, 22 first-class, and climbed to as high as about (iO but now, who retired in 1943 as Yardmaster and 14 second-class passenger coaches. because of transfers, retiremcmts, and now lives in Panama City, and T. V. Tropical Lodge was first organized in curtailments of service, the local has Farrell of Balboa who retired as Agent- 1913 when the car shop was located in 25 members, 8 of whom are inactive. Operator in September 1949. Gorgona. Its first meeting was held in There are 18 engineers on the Panama the former Canal town of Empire. The Peak membership was about 25 in 1941 Railroad. to eight which is union is afliliated with the American but has now dropped Railroad conditions in the Canal Zone Federation of Labor. the smallest number the Division has as well as those in the United States are Carmen must have had at least 4 years had since the charter was issued. discussed at the regular meetings, the experience as journeymen. Elsewhere, Four are station operators, two serve local Chairman of Adjustment (SeepiKjeiS) January 2, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW
EVENTFUL 1952 was the first to take office while outside he announced the principal actions of the Canal Zone. the Board, the most important for The appointment of Lindsley II. No- employees being approval of an in- page Governor of ilio (Continirdfrom I) ble as Comptroller of the Panama Canal crease in rents. The concerted fight by The General Coniniiltee ol Canal Zone. Company was annoimceil. Robert C. employees for lower rents began in the Canal Civic Councils voted to establish Walker arrived to begin his new duties earnest at the end of the month when Chest as an aiitonomoiis Zone Community as Chief of the Civil Inlelligence Branch individual notices of their new rents organization. Formal transfer of the Coro- succeeding Earl J. Williamson who re- were mailed to employees. ami the Maintenance zal area was effected signed to accept a position with another A. C. Medinger, Deputy .Marine Di- begin Division moved into the area to Government agency. The appointment rector, was appointed Railroad and Herbert 1). clearing and grading. Col. of Dr. Walter C. Nelson to succeed Dr. Terminals Director, and Edward N. \ogel, Lieiilenanl Governor, received notice W. F. Ossenfort as Chief Quarantine Stokes was named Chief of the Rail- Engineer of of his assignment as Division Officer was announced. James C. road Division. Engineer Division. Edward the Soiithwesl Hughes resigned as Secretary of the appointed Stiperititendent of R. Japs was Panama Canal Company to accept a OCTOBER Prager Storchotises to succeed Jerome F. position with the Atomic Energy Com- .April. H. Halsall .\ mass meeting lo protest the rent in- who retired in Edward mission and his place was taken by Chief of the new Locks creases was held in Balboa Stadium and a was appointed W. M. Whitman, Assistant Chief of the popular election spon- committee composed of Civic Council and Security Force. In a Canal's Washington Office. The ap- P.\n.\i\i.\ 1
Dry Season Days
Time To Explore
Now is • the time for outing-minded Isthmians to take to their own outdoors. The weathermen's theoretical tropical front has followed the sun south of Pan- ama taking along the tropical rains that fall in its vicinity and leaving the Isthmus swept by the trade winds that blow in search of the front. All of which INTERSECTION OF LAS CRUCES TRAIL with Madden Highway only goes to show it's dry season on the Isthmus—time for picnics, time for trips, and time to explore the outdoors. LAS CRUCES TRAIL
A large part of the Isthmus is centuries deep in the most dramatic kind of history, some of the most e.xciting of which re- volved around Las Cruces Trail. Present-day Isthmians who like jungle junkets frequently follow traces of the trail's cobblestones, sometimes finding relics along the route left by the Conqui- stadores or Forty-niners. For others, who prefer vicarious his- torical adventures in smaller and more comfortable portions, there is a small picnic area, with an oven and table, at The lily pond at the CA^AL ZONE EXPERIMENT GARDENS AT SUMMIT the juncture of the trail with Madden Highway. The spot is marked by the cannon and the sign shown in the picture above, left. Colonists, conquerors, exploiters, trad- ers, and various shades of brigands trav- eled the trai' from the early 1,500's until the advent of the Panama Railroad in 1855. The lines of demarcation that classified the travelers as to their missions and motives were so finely drawn historians have been hard put to label many of them as belonging definitely to one group or the other.
Panama A Transit Point The city of Panama, which served as a transit point for goods lietween Spain and her New World colonies, was founded by Spanish colonists from the Atlantic side of the Isthmus 5 years after the GKoiKii': w. (;i!i:i:.\ mi^mokiai. I'ark Pacific was first sighted by Balboa in 1513. Further Spanish exploration, aimed originally at finding a new route for the profitable trade with the South Seas Spice Islands, turned up rich treasures in Mexico, Peru, and Panama but failed to find an easy water route between the Pacific and Atlantic. As the hope of discovery of the "doubt- ful strait" became increasingly doubtful, attention was directed to land routes across the Isthmus for the transport of supplies to the Spanish colonists and con- (juerors and the movement of New World riches back to Spain. El Camino Real (royal road) was an overland route establi-shcd in 1540 after the founding of Nombre de Dios and Panama to connect these two Isthmian ports. The main Atlantic terminus was later transferred to Poitohelo liecause of the better harbor there. The development of another route making use of the Chagres River had first been discussed soon after the founding of Panama and became a fact in 1530. A trading post was established at Venta de Cruces and a road was built by Indian FORT SAN L0R1':XZ0 slave labor from there to Panama. January 2, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW
Are Outdoor Days-
Isthmian Sights
Las Crufi's Trail was the overland por- tion of the route that led from the Atlantic coast up the Chagres River to the settle- ment of Cruces (on the Chagres River about I5 miles above the present town of Gamboa) or to Gorgona (almost 2 miles northwest of Gamboa on the present line of the Canal), and IS miles overland to Panama. AT SANTA CLARA, in the "interior" of Panama. Rainy Season Route Las Cruces Trail was the rainy season route, longer than El Camino Real but cheaper and more generally used for the transport of heavier commodities. The enormous quantities of gold and silver that were transshiped at Panama following Pizarro's conquests in Peru starting in 1524 usually were transported on the Royal Road because of the timing of the shipments. Depradations on treasure-laden Span- ish galleons by English corsairs and "sea rovers" of other nationalities resulted in the establishment in 1537 of a convoy system for vessels sent from Spain to pick up precious cargoes from the Isthmus and Mexico. The regular trips (usually semi-annual) BEACH SCENE AT LA \'EXTA near Santa Clara on the National Highway of the well guarded treasure fleets up to 1748 were timed to arrive during dry season on the Isthmus to take advantage of favorable trade winds. In the wake of the Spanish and the gold came a succession of marauders, many of whom used Las Cruces Trail in the course of their depradation.5. First there were the corsairs of the 16th century, most notable of whom was Sir Francis Drake w^ho followed the trail from Cruces for a bold but unsuccessful strike at a treasure-laden pack train from Panama. In the 17th Century there were the buccaneers, most famous of whom was Henry Morgan, who also chose the Las Cruces route for the trans-Isthmian trek that ended in the destruction of Panama City. 18th Century Pirates THE ISLAND OF TABOGA In the ISth Century there were pirates, another brand of sea rover, who claimed allegiance only to themselves—like the robbers and bands of "untamed" escaped slaves who infested Las Cruces Trail throughout most of its e.xistence. In the 19th Century more gold seekers followed Las Cruces trail to get across the Isthmus, this time Americans bent on the wealth to be found in the gold rush to California. CANAL ZONE EXPERIMENT GARDENS The Canal Zone Experiment Gardens at Summit serve the Isthmus as a show- place for plants, including many exotic tropical imports unknown to other parts of the Isthmus. The flowers and trees are at their best during the dry season months. There are the oddities, the cannonball trees, that line part of the drive through the Gardens. There are the brilliant browneas; cassias and lagerstroemias; the spectacular Honduran flame tree, whose brilliant blooms are reflected in the lily pool shown in the picture; many teakwood and rubber trees; (See page W) RUINS OF THE CITY OF OLD PANAMA 10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW January 2, 1953 Tourist Visitors Like Canal Zone; Guides Like To Tell Them About It
TOURIST SIGHTSEERS off the Sr Jamaica learn about the Panama Canal from Max R. Hart (shomi with megaphone) lecturer for tourist parties. The visitors are preparing to debark at Pedro Miguel after a trip through Gaillard Gut on the tug Culebra.
Tourists, they're wonderful, according The lecturers sum it all up this way: drivers of the cars that are used for shore to Max R. Hart and Edward M. Barlow "There are so many nice people among excursions for the tourist parties. Accord- who have lectured to thousands of them. tourists." ing to some of them, there are three kinds The long-time tour guides say the visitors This mutual admiration society flour- of blossoms to be seen on the Isthmus— think the Isthmus is pretty wonderful too. ishes best during the dry season when the Summer Flower, the Panama Rose, They believe one ocean is higher than there are the most tourists—sometimes and the Shower Tree. the other—otherwise why are there locks? up to as many as 500 off a single big Women also want to know where to They find it hard to understand that cruise ship. shop but since the lecturers can show no water runs downhill—at least insofar as Mr. Barlow—everyone calls him "Bar- preferences, Mr. Hart, for instance, tells that explains the operations of the Canal. ney"—Control House Supervisor at Mira- them: So there are a practical joking few who flores Locks, has been lecturing in off-duty "In my family we have an agreement. get the idea themselves and find for the hours to tourists and Isthmians for about I make the money and my wife spends it, others a mythical pumphouse and keep 35 years. so I know nothing about shopping." everyone satisfied. His talks are part of the package shore The English are the most serious in Some visitors expect to find lots of excursions handled by Boyd Brothers and their quest of solid facts and also seem alligators swimming around in the Canal, Panama Tours. most appreciative of the Canal as an until they conclude from the price of He also talks to the passengers on the engineering feat. hides that other tourists made off with big New Zealand Line ships that transit "We consider the Canal the eighth them, in the form of wallets, bags, and the Canal, circulating among the crowd, wonder of the world and think the other shoes from Central Avenue and Front being sociable and answering questions. seven don't count," a British traveler on Street. Lectures To Armed Forces one of the New Zealand ships once told They expect border barriers between For many years he has given his time one of the lecturers. the Canal Zone and Panama and dismiss freely as a lecturer for many Isthmian The age of the travelers determines as ignorance or subtle intrigue the fact groups, including large numbers of armed partly their interests in local sights, the that even long-time residents don't know forces personnel stationed in the Canal older groups generally displaying more exactly where one jurisdiction stops and Zone as well as those that transit the interest in historical features of the the other begins. Canal on big battleships and carriers. Isthmus. Some expect the Panama Canal to be Mr. Hart, Safety Supervisor in the Average Age 58 all lined with concrete; others think they Motor Transportation Division, has lec- Most tourists are middle aged or older. will find it fringed with overhanging trees tured to tourist parties handled locally As a traveler off the Nieuw Ainsterdam filled with snakes and monkeys. by the Persons Travel Ser\'icc for the last put it: Then sometimes they stand on the lock S years. Some time Ijeforc that he hand- "You have to be old to have enough wall, and ask to see "the lock." led tourist parties and fishing expeditions money to take this kind of a trip." The "Quaint" Railroad Lights to the Darien country and San Bias age of the passengers on his cruise "How quaint!" they remark about the Islands. averaged 58. kerosene lamps in Panama Railroad Women visitors ask the most intelli- The general character of the crowd coaches, and "How beautiful!" they say gent questions, Mr. Hart and Mr. Barlow determines the lecture they receive. The when they learn that the coaches are made agree. Why that should be so they do lecturers usually circulate among the of solid mahogany. not—or dare not—even venture to guess. tourists on the train coming to the Pacific But they love the Isthmus and want to Members of garden clubs and flower side and decide on the basis of the people propor- absorb as much as they can about it and arrangement classes and a large they meet there, the type of talk they the more interest the visitors display the tion of all women visitors ask questions will give. more the lecturers like to talk to them. about the flowers and trees that probably Mr. Barlow explains the difference in Lecturers and tourists often find mu- could be answered properly only by a lectures as being either preponderantly tual friends and other points of common Ph. D. in botany. incidents or primarily facts. interest and the lecturers frequently re- Drivers Know Tlie Answers One of the incidents he relates, if he ceive cards and letters of appreciation A lot of questions of that nature are has that kind of crowd, concerns the sign when the visitors return to their homes. disposed of simply and neatty by the over Colonel Goethal's desk (Ses neit page) January 2, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11
(I'lmliiiiifdfrom imiie im in construc- tienerally, the lecturers start their tion days. According to the story, the talks with the most important facts first, Houses Termite Proofed sign originally read, "Life is just one attempting to anticipate' the majority of damned thing after another." ciuestions that would b(> asked by the New houses in Canal communities are After one of the disastrous slides that tourists. being termite-proofed by treating the plagued the work in Gaillard Cut, the Auditors want to know about tolls, soil under building slabs and adjacent to word "thing" was changed to "slide" which interest everyone. Engineers, of the structures with anti-termite solutions. without the Colonel's knowledge. The course, want to know engineering details The termite proofing is office messenger who perpetrated the of the Canal and the Locks. being done for deed—and the Colonel was not known for The lecturers learn the facts they spiel the first time this year in Canal houses constructed contractors. le\'ity received, instead of a reprimand, from many different sources. Mr. Barlow by The Grounds Maintenance Division is also giving a two-cent an hour raise in pay. says if you live in the Canal Zone, as he the Another of the incidents sometimes has, for more than 37 years, you just anti-termite treatment to some other houses built within related as the tourists pass the slide area wouldn't be very bright if you didn't the past two or three years. of Gaillard Cut deals with the little island absorb a lot of lore. Mr. Hart has been that appeared in the Canal after one of around for awhile too; he came to the The termite proofing done before the pressure-type slides that pushed Isthmus in 1920. houses are built consists of using a sodium arsenite and earth up from below the Canal. A prank- "Understudy" System water solution under the ster planted the British flag on the little slabs to be enclosed by walls, and a DDT The lecturers also have an "under- island, causing a bit of a hullabaloo if no and oil solution around adjacent slabs, study" system by which the most experi- real international complications. for carports, porches, and other covered enced lecturer talks from the front of the areas, In Hill as well as on a strip of topsoil three Gold Gold ferry and the "understudies" with less feet wide around the perimeter of the Gold Hill, the lecturers sometimes tell experience are stationed on other corners building. the tourists, was so named because of the so that all the tourists in large groups can For houses that are already built, a supposed vein of gold there that was hear one of them talking. DDT and oil solution is layered in an mentioned in a prospectus put out by Present lecturers acknowledge their area about a foot wide and a foot deep . French financiers to enlist financial back- debt to many lecturers who went before immediately adjacent to the building. ing for the French attempt to build the them. Starting in Canal construction Canal. days the waterway attracted so many Termite proofing of this type has To illustrate the value of the Canal, tourists that the Canal had its own official been done for several years in other areas visitors are told about the construction- guide who handled special "rubberneck" and in some places on the Isthmus and day trip of the tug Reliance which was trains and gave regular lectures to the has proved effective in keeping termites sent 10,500 miles around South America visitors concerning the Canal and its out of buildings for a period of at least five to get it from the Atlantic to the Pacific surroundings. years. side of the Isthmus before the opening of Since that tune there have been a num- the Canal. ber of people who have lectured about the Highlights concerning some of the Canal, most of whom were Canal em- Ten Years Ago interesting ships that have transited the ployees who handled tourist parties in Canal are standard fare for most of the their off-duty hours. In December lectures given by Mr. Hart and Mr. Among the well-known lecturers of Barlow. recent years who learned about the Canal The luck of the Irish was with Pri\'ate For instance, the 53,000-ton Bremen while it was being built were R. T. Toone, James Alexander Finnel Hoey of Camp was the biggest ship to transit and was, 0. T. Marstrand, George A. Dryden, Paraiso, originally from Belford on the incidentally, one of the many on which L. L. Gilkey, and William E. Tragsdorf, Emerald Isle, when he became the first Mr. Barlow has lectured. The British some of whom continued to handle tour- of more than 200 foreign-born soldiers in battleship H. M. S. Hood paid the most ist parties in the Canal Zone after their the U. S. Army on the Isthmus to acquire in tolls and Richard Halliburton paid 36 retirement from Canal service. citizenship here under provisions of the cents when he swam through the Canal. Although the lecturers try very hard to Second War Powers Act. Note takers whip out pens and pencils explain the Isthmus to visitors they never The naturalization proceedings were about halfway through most lectures and know just how much of what they say handled by Deputy Commissioner Thomas busily compile throughout the trip the soaks in. If they fail to make tourists B. Shoemaker, who visited the Isthmus in basis for what are assumed to be future understand some of the many details, it December 1942, granting citizenship to Garden Club and Chamber of Commerce is not surprising in view of the many eligible servicemen outside the jurisdic- lectures. About 10 percent of most tour- facts with which they can confuse their tion of United States naturalization courts. ist crowds take notes on what they see. hearers.
Australian pine branches fastened on a bamboo framework, ingenious products of the Canal Zon? Experiment Gardens, proved popular with Canal Zonians in lieu of more natural and conventional Christmas trees. The "manufactured" variety was one of the most sought-after items placed on sale when the Experiment Gardens opened a small sales store adjacent to the Balboa Com- missary 10 years ago in December.
Panama City civic organizations, schools, firemen, police, and plain citizens took part in a large parade and ceremony to demonstrate hemispheric solidarity on the first anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Delegates from the United States and five Central American governments signed an agreement in San Salvador authorizing the transit of war convoys over the Pan American Highway. Officials said, how- EDWARD M. "BARXEY" BARLOW explains Shown here with Mr. Barlow, pointing, are left ever, that the final completion of the highway Representa- the workings of Miraflores Locks, where he serves to right, Alan Gross, Mrs. H. R. Gross, across Central America for pleasure and as Control House Supervisor, to Congressional tive Gross of Iowa, Mrs. \V. B. Widnall, wife of the tourist purposes would be a matter of ike visitors. For 35 years he has lectured about the United States Representative from New- Jersey, distant Canal to thousands of tourists and Isthmians. and Bill Widnall. "some time future." — —
12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW January 2, 1953
players, and are expressly manufactured for tropical play. They come in pressure- packed, factory-fresh cans of four balls which cost 60 cents each.
New men's trousers, of many kinds, will start arrix'ing in the stores this month and will continue to come into the Commissaries The first really new development in men's kinds of lawn equipment available in the through February' and on into the spring. shoes in 20 years, according to long-time commissaries. There will be Hollywood models, for the shoe buyers, is a new patented You can feed your lawns as you water gay blade set, and many more conser\-ative New process used in the manufacture them—and your plants and flowers too styles. All of them will be popularly priced. Shoes of Bates Floaters, a new light- with a really amazing little gadget, a Rieger Materials for those now on order include For Men weight casual that has cause i Hose-Line Feeder to be attached to a hose combinations of dacron, rayon, and mohair; quite a stir in the shoe business. or sprinkler. You put \'italizer tablets rayon and orlon; and rayon and nylon. The Commissary Division is one of the first (concentrated fertilizer) in the tubelike There will also be trousers of all wool sheen retail outlets to put the new shoe on sale. device, attach it to your hose or sprinkler, gabardine; Palm Beach cloth; acetate shark- The new patented construction by Bate- and let the water do your fertilizing. skin; all wool flannel; rayon tropical and brought crowds to their display rooms, the A kit consisting of the Hose-Line Feeder rayon shantung; and even faded blue denim. likes of which are seldom or never occasioned and 500 tablets, enough to treat 10,000 by any kind of men's shoes, which ordinarily square feet about five times, costs $3.40. are purchased in a perfunctory manner be- For bachelor girl cooks and busy house- A new automatic sprinkler is also avail- fitting such a stable product that is usually wives, there is a new frozen chicken pot pie able which has a control with which >'Ou set the same from year to year. in the Commissaries. A package of 8 ounces the area, from 5 to 50 feet, Although the new Bates shoes are com- costs 49 cents and involves no more work For Lawns which you want to spray. paratively inexpensive —about S8.95 in the than heating. And Gardens This Sunbeam Rain King Commissaries—they will turn up in the most costs $7.15. Other sprink- exclusive stores which ordinarily handle only lers range in price from 58 cents to $5.65. the best and at properly exclusive prices. "Panama" is the name given by Red Cross to a spring line of women's shoes Main difference in the new shoes is their The Commissaries also have garden hose: new in a color (beige or sand, amazing lightness which results from the of rubber in 25-foot length, $4.50, and 50- new Color in non-copywriter language) elimination of considerable stitching and foot length, $8.50; and plastic, which, New extra pieces involved in fastening the uppers incidentally, shouldn't be used with hot For Spring that will be "the thing" in all kinds of women's clothes to the thick foam rubber soles. water, in 50-foot length for $7.60. Hose starting in the spring. The Bates Floaters in the Commissaries accessories available in the stores include are in white buckskin or in smoke, amber- connectors, coupling clamps, and washers. Three of the new casual shoes in the new tone, or yellow chamois. There is also a new kind of hose nozzle in kind of beige, to be featured in spring afl- A new style is also being added to the the stores with which you dial the kind of vertising by Red Cross, will be available in Commissary line of Stetson shoes for men spray you want. the Commissaries, probably in January or which are as fine in cjuality as almost any February, possibly even before they are Children will want to get in the swim of men's style, shown in national ads. shoes sold anyplace. The new things with new rubber swim masks and called "Grenadier," is a medallion-tipped fins which are new in the Commissaries. Other new shoes in the new color, by oxford in har\'est tan calf skin. It will be in The masks, for underwater inspections, will Penaljo, will be in the Commissaries when the stores starting in January and will cost in cost about $2.00. The fins, which are ducky they appear national advertising. about $16.95. Like the seven other st\les of appendages, will be about $5.95. Stetson shoes for men sold by the Commis- saries, they will cost considerably less than Slazenger tennis balls, which have been "Injun Sneaks ' new for misses and teen- in United States retail stores. used for the championships at Wimbledon agers, also will be in the stores starting this since 1902, are now available month. They're a new kind of moccasin The Manager of the Wholesale Shoe Sec- Slazenger in the Commissaries. They made b>' Trimfoot and promoted b\' the tion at Mount Hope, who has just returned Tennis Balls were ordered from England, manufacturer with a lot of "Injun" from a buying trip to the annual Shoe Fair at the request of local tennis advertising. in Chicago and to New York and Boston, sa>s heavy purchases of shoes were being made by buyers in anticipation of expected price increases in the spring, expected to stem from increased labor costs and a steady SOMETHING NEW IN LISTENING ENTERTAINMENT rise in leather prices. The supply of shoes purchased for the Columbia records and RCA Victor Not a very interesting name for the Commissaries—at the current prices—was slightly larger than ordinary in anticipation records have a neiv 45 r. p. m. method aggregation but, as for the band itself, of the increases. of recording called "extended play." the New York Times says of it: "An Duncan Hines, far-famed guide to good What it amounts to is that, instead of exciting big band, especially created by eating, helped develop and has given hi--' one popular or classical recording on a major label, has been formed by the name to a new cake mix each side of the regular 7-inch 1)5 arrangers, Eddie Sauter and Bill Duncan Hines which will be sold in the r. m. record, there are now two on Finnegan, ivith startling departures in Cake Mix Commissaries starting in p. Januar>'. It was stocked as each side, total playing time from 6 to rhythnvc and harmonic concepts." We a result of the rave ratings it was given by 8 minutes per side. This means that expect to have their first recordings Canal people who got acquainted with the 10 extended-play 45 r. p. m. records on available soon. Watch for them at your new product while they were on vacation in your record player icill now give you favorite Clubhouse Record Section. the United States. The Commissaries will have yellow, white, an hour or more of uninterrupted music. For those who are economy minded and devil's food in the new Duncan Hines The new extended play records are (and who isn't, these days?), Columbia cake mi.x which will cost about 40 cents. designed to fit every musical tast--, are has just made available a new 13-inch Lamb lovers will be glad to know that claimed to he superior in desii/u to any- 3S r. p. m. record in the RIj-SOOO group another 30,000 pounds of Australian lamb thing available, and a very important that will retail at $3.95, as against the has been ordered for the Commissaries. item— one extended play record with usual $5.45 to $5.85 cost for such Budgeters can also take comfort in the fact different tunes on it costs less records. presently have on order: that the prices will be about 20 to 25 percent four We lower than lamb from the United States. than two regular records with the same RL 3002. "Nutcracker Suite;" RL- number of tunes. The Cjlumhia ex- 3007, "Symphony .\'o. 4 in D Minor;" Spinning fishing tackle, a brand new idea, tended play will retail in Clubhouse RL 3008, "Si/mphony in C Major;" is exciting the angling world. It does away with the snags and snarls and backlash of Record Sections at $1.50 each, ichile and RL 3019, "Water Music Suite." conventional tackle because there is no the RCA Victor will retail at $1.76. Decca has made available a low-priced running spool involved when the line goes Extended play records just received 10-inch S3 r. p. m. classical record out. The trouble-making spool is used only include Columbia r. m. album (DL-4000 series) which retails at to bring the line back in. 45 p. The new spinning reels — they're in the B-310, "For your dancing party," by $3.50 in Clubhouses. We have already Commissaries, of course — will cost about Sammy Kaye; while we have on order stocked {and sold) some of these excel- $18. Rods for use with the new spinning Columbia extended play featuring lent classical recordings, but we have reels will cost about $13.50. The Commis- Hits" played by A. on order early delivery: saries also have lines and bait for use with "Cole Porter for DL 4039, ;" the new type tackle. Kostelanetz, also Tchaikovsky's "Waltz "Carmen, Suite 1 DL-4030, Wagner, of the Flowers." "Ride of the Valkyries;" DL-4035, Mushroom sauce will be no work and no For those who enjoy dance music, "Overtures" by Mozart; and others. budget breaker if you buy it in cans as it will be sold in the Corn- there w a brand-new dance orchestra This is an excellent opportunity to Canned missaries starting some- recording for Victor these days under build up your long-play classical Mushroom Sauce time in January. A can the name Sauter-Finnegan Orchestra. library at a very moderate cost. of the sauce, ready lo put on steaks, will cost only about 12 cents. PANAMA CANAL CLUBHOUSES The grass will be greener on your side of "YOLK ESTERTAIXME.XT CEXTERS" the fence during the coming dr>' season if I'ou take advantage of some of the new January 2, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13
Plans Announced For Premium Grade Panama Railroad Emphyees Organized 1945, the 40-hour working week. Jessee Crawford, President of Lodge Gasaline To Be Sold in Zone Stations In Six Unions With Membership Of 75 2741, has been a Track Foreman since he was employed by the Railroad in (Continued from page Cl keeping (Continued from page I) stoi'.lgO tailks February 1940.' would be required. All other stations members informed on local issues. Cor- Office Paul Bidstrup, who is Vice President, have duplicate storafje faeilities. respondence with the Grand Lodge and a monthly journal provide the mem- has been a Stevedore Foreman since last Needed New Pumps bers information on happenings in the November but before that served for 5 Three new pumps will be installed at union in general. There are more than years as Carpenter Foreman and 2 years as Assistant the Balboa stiition and two in Cristobal. 80,000 members in the national union. Carpenter Foreman for the In addition to the instidlation of the new Oflicers are S. J. Deavours, Chief Panama Railroad. He was a Track Fore- pumps, some alterations in the pumping Engineer; T. V. Kelly, First Engineer; man from the time of his employment in until of facilities will be required at all stations. F. H. Hodges, Chairman of the Local November 1941 July the following year. A recommendation for the capital ex- Committee of Adjustment; and J. F. Otis penditure required for the sale of high-test Frensley, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer. M. Ramey, Secretary and Treas- urer, has been a Yard Foreman since gas was submitted to the Board of Mr. Deavours, Road and Yard Loco- March 1950. He served as Track Fore- Directors by Governor Seybold at the motive Engineer, has worked for the man from the time of his employment in December meeting. Panama Railroad since September 1936 March 1934 until he became Yard Numerous requests have been received when he was employed as an inside Foreman. from Canal Zone motorists for the sale of engineer. He was formerly employed in matter was high-test gasoline and the 1912 in the Mechanical Division. He be- DIVISION No. 690, ORDER OF Gover- the subject of discussion at recent came a road engineer in September 1940. RAILWAY CONDUCTORS nor-Employee conferences held monthly. Mr. Kelly has been employed by the Division No. 690 was organized in the GoN-ernor Seybold announced at the Sep- Railroad since April 1937 and has served Canal Zone on May 29, 1938, after nego- tember conference that he was willing to throughout that period as a locomotive tiations had been in progress for several submit the matter to the Board of engineer. Mr. Frensley has been a loco- years to obtain a charter. Before that Directors. motive engineer since January 1943 and some of the Panama Railroad conductors Shortly after that meeting a restudy of before that, worked in the railroad offices remitted their dues directly to the the question was made which resulted in and as a train collector. Mr. Hodges has national organization. the recommendation to authorize the been an engineer for the Railroad since There are 18 conductors on the Panama necessary capital outlay. 1937. He has been employed in the Canal Railroad and about 15 members of It is expected that the retail price of organization since 1923. Division 690. the premium gasoline will be three or four The conductors liken their duties on a cents higher than motor grade gas. The LODGE No. 2741, BROTHERHOOD OF train to those of a captain on a ship and price will depend on the wholesale MAINTENANCE OF WAY retail note that the Bureau of the Census has price and the ocean freight charges. EMPLOYEES accorded to conductors the designation The Commissary and Storehouse Divi- There were 20 charter members of as officials of the company for which they sions have already initiated steps for Lodge 2741 when it was organized in work. the sale of high-test gas and will submit December 1919. A. N. Stewart served as The national order is the second oldest reports on the alterations to equipment the first president of the local. railroad labor organization in the United which will be required as well as specifica- There are now 14 members, 5 of whom States, having been organized in 1836 tions and estimates on the premium have retired from Railroad service but under the name Conductors Brotherhood. gasoline. maintain their membership m the Lodge. Conductors on the Panama Railroad The membership includes all 7 of the have been qualified as conductors before Raib-oad's track foremen. their employment in the Canal Zone or Variety Of Subjects Discussed The local lodge is credited with winning serve 4 years apprenticeship before assum- At Conference Last Month for its members great improvements in ing the position of conductor. working conditions, particularly in the After passing the examination, the same Governor (Continued from page 2) early days when a trackman's working as those given in the United States as issued instructions after the October day sometimes stretched to 15 hours, required by the Interstate Commerce meeting for standard labels with pertinent workmg in all weather, night or day, with Commission, to qualify as conductors, weight, size, and contents information on regularly monthly pay. they must have been in charge of a train all products produced to be used on by Working conditions were improved and for 6 months to qualify for membership the Commissary Division. in 1930 the trackmen began to receive in the union. Roe, Jr., who was attending his Sam o\'ertime pay. Soon after that, they went Present oflicers are F. A. McGuinness, first conference as a representative of the on a Sl-day week and in September Chief Conductor; R. L. Davis, Secretary Pacific Civic Councils, asked if it would and Treasurer; and R. C. Daniel, Local be possible to combine the commissary, Chairman. clubhouse, and post office at Diablo Forty Years Ago Mr. McGuinness has been a Conductor Heights in one building. The Lieutenant In December for the Panama Railroad since January Governor replied that such a plan has 1940. been under study but indicated that it is So many tourists were expected in the Mr. Davis has been a Conductor since still in an indefinite stage because of the 1913 dry season that the official guide for 1940. He was first employed as Probation- fluctuation of the town's population sightseeing trips was training an assistant; ary Inside Conductor in December 1939. during the building program. and a second observation car was being fitted Mr. Daniel been a Yard and Road Among the many topics discussed at out in Ancon northwest of the Tivoli Hotel Conductor since 1940. the December conference were: Pricing near the railroad tracks. LOCAL No. 133, BROTHERHOOD OF policy and fluctuation in prices of Com- "The sightseeing business," The Record missary items; cashing of salary checks, RAILWAY SIGNALMEN explained with some resignation, "is a locaUy and in the United States; rates of Local 133 (which was featured in the necessity of the situation" which had there- pay; saving the trees on Empire Street; August issue of The Panama Canal fore been systematized and made a "regular the Canal's overall labor policies; the new Review) has only two members because part of the work." rental schedules; motorcycle noises and there are only two signalmen on the The special "rubberneck" train made a their operation in towns at night; and Railroad who are eligible for membership. trip over the Pacific Division in the morning several other subjects of a similar nature. They are Spencer B. Smith, who is Chaii'- on 3 days of the week and through Culebra Those attending the December con- man and Tracy P. White, Secretary- Cut in the afternoon, going to "the work at ference were: Lieutenant Governor Pax- Treasurer. Gatun" on three other mornings. son, E. A. Doolan, Personnel Director, There were five members when it was and F. G. Dunsmoor, Administrative organized in 1927 but because of retire- Assistant to the Governor, for the Canal Daniel P. Kiley, Locks Employees Asso- ments, transfers, and promotions (super- administration; Walter Wagner, John J. ciation; Rufus M. Lovelady, A. F. G. E.; visors are not eligible for membership) Tobin, and Mr. Chenevert, Central Labor S. J. Garriel, Plumbers' Local No. 606; membership has dropped to two, making Union; Bronson B. Powell, Carl N. Nix, William S. McKee, International Associa- it the smallest union in the Canal Zone M. J. Goodin, the Rev. Havener, Mr. tion of Machinists; and F. H. Hodges, and in the Brotherhood of Railway Hammond, and Mr. Roe, Civic Councils; Brotherhood of Locomotive I^gineers. Signalmen. 14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW January 2, 1953
THIS MONTH'S CALENDAR ANNIVERSARIES
JANUARY 21st—AFGE No. 14, Balboa Clubhouse, 7:30 m. 3rd—Track Foremen No. 2741, B & B p. Emplo\ecs who obseryed important anni- American Legion Auxiliary Unit 3, Shops, Balboa. versaries during the month of December are Legion Hall, Gatun, 7:30 p. m. 4th—VFW Post 3857, Cristobal X'eteraris listed alphabetically below. The number of 26th—Machinists No. 697, K. of C. Hall, Club, 9 a. m. years includes all Goyernment seryice with Margarita, 7:30 m. 5th—Postal Employees No. 23160, Balboa p. the Canal or other agencies. Those with VFW Auxiliary, Post 3822 Home, 7:30 Lodge Hall, 7:30 m. continuous seryice with the Canal are p. m. Pedro Miguel Civic Council, Union p. indicated with (*). 27th—Operating Engineers No. 595, Church, 7 p. ni. 42 YEARS Balboa Lodge Hall, 7 m. Cristobal-Margarita Civic Council, p. VFW Post 100, Old Boy Scout Building, J. E. Schriftgiesser, Administratiye .As- Margarita Clubhouse, 7:30 p. m. Cristobal, 7:30 p. m. sistant, Motor Transportation Diyision. VFW Post 727, Fort Clayton, 7:30 p. m. American Legion Post 7, Fort Clavton, 40 \t;ars VFW Post 3822, Curundu Road, 7:30 7:.50 p. m. p. m. *Arthur Morgan, Dipper Dredge Oper- 28th—AFGE No. 88, Margarita Club- American Legion Post 3, Gatun Legion ator, Dredging Diyision. house, 7:30 p. m. Hall, 7:30 p. m. 35 YEARS Governor - Employee Conference, 6th—Teachers No. 228, Auditorium, Cris- Board Room, Administration Building, Paul Coles, Machinist, Commissary tobal High School, 3:30 p. m. 2 m. r)iyision. Gamboa Civic Council, Community p. FEBRUARY Gilbert H. Furey, .Assistant Printer, Center, 7:30 p. m. Printing Plant. Meatcutters and Butchers No. 121, 1st—VFW Post 3857, Cristobal Veterans 30 Officer's YEARS Home, 7:30 p. m. Club, 9 a. m. Donald R. Boyer, Postmaster, Cocoli. Gatun Civic Council, Gatun Club- 2d—Postal Employees No. 23160, Balboa house, 7:30 Noe E. Dillman, General Operator, p. m. Lodge Hall, 7:30 p. m. Maintenance Diyision. Machinists No. 811, Balboa Lodge Hall, Pedro Miguel Civic Council, Union 7:30 m. William G. Frederick, Signalman, p. Church, 7 p. m. Nayigation Diyision. 7th—VFW Post 40, Wirz Memorial, 7:30 Cristobal-Margarita Civic Council, p. m. Margarita Clubhouse,' 7:30 p. m. 25 YEARS 8th—Marine Engineers, Elks Club, Mar- VFW Post 727, Fort Clayton, 7:30 p. m. Robert W. Erickson, Shop Superin- garita, 7 p. m. VFW Post 3822, Curundu Road, 7:30 tendent, Motor Transportation Diyision. 9th—Blacksmiths No. 400, Boilermakers p. m. Dave J. Madison, Machinist, Industrial Nos. 463 471, K. of C. Hall, and American Legion Post 3, Gatun Legion Bureau. Margarita, 7:30 m. p. Hall, 7:30 p. m. William G. Monroe, Locks Guard, 11th Sheetmetal Workers No. 157, 3d —Meatcutters and Butchers No. 121, Pacific Locks. Balboa Clubhouse, 9:30 a. m. Officers Home, 7:30 p. m. Irl R. Sanders, Control House Operator, Plumbers 606, of C. Hall, No. K. Teachers No. 228, .Auditorium, Cristobal -Atlantic Locks. Margarita, 9:30 a. m. High School, 3:30 p. m. 20 YEARS 12th—Machinists No. 699, K. of C. Hall, Gatun Civic Council, Gatun Club- Margarita, 7:30 p. m. Earl O. Dailey, Supervisor, Construction house, 7:30 p. m. and Maintenance Branch, Southern District, American Legion Post 1, Legion Home, Machinists No. 811, Balboa Lodge Hall, 7:30 m. PLlectrical Diyision. p. 7:30 p. m. Pipefitters, Margarita Clubhouse, Nathan Fleckner, .Accounting Clerk, 13th— 4th—VFW Post 40, Wirz Memorial, 7:30 Maintenance Diyision. 7:30 p. m. m. p. Preston G. Gau, Tabulating Machine Electrical Workers No. 397, Wirz 5th—Carpenters and Joiners No. 667^ Memorial, 7:30 p. m. Operation Superyisor, Finance Bureau. Margarita Clubhouse, 7:30 p. m. American Legion Post 7, Fort Clayton, Samuel A. Genduse, Moving Picture 6th —American Legion Post 6, Gamlioa 7:30 p. m. Projectionist, Clubhouse Diyision. Legion Home, 7:30 p. m. VFW Post 100, Old Boy Scout Building, George V. Kirkland, General Construc- Cristobal, 7.30 p. m. tion Inspector, Contracts and Inspection American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1, Diyision. Balboa Legion Home, 7:30 p. m. Howard L. Sampsell, Lock Operator 14th —Carpenters and Joiners No. 913, January Sailings (Wirenian) Leader, Pacific Locks. Morris Weich, Guard Superyisor, .At- Balboa Lodge Hall, 7:30 p. m. From Cristobal Pacific Civic Council, Board Room, lantic Locks. .Administration Building, 7:30 p. m. Panama January 9 James L. Williams, Ganger and Fore- man Cribtender, Terminals Divisio:). American Legion Post 2, Legion Home, Cristobal January 16 Old Cristobal, 7:30 m. p. Ancon January 23 15 YEARS 15th—American Legion Auxiliary Unit AUgaier, Foreman Shop Panama January 30 George P. 6, Gamboa Legion Hall, 7:30 p. m. Mechanic, Commissary Diyision. 18th—CLU-MTC, Margarita Clubhouse, Cristobal February 6 Richard G. Dinkgreve, Clerk, Electrical 8:30 a. m. From New York Diyision. 19th—Electrical Workers No. 677, Ma- Thomas W. Fels, Diesel Engineer- sonic Temple, Gatun, 7:30 p. m. Cristobal January 7 Machinist, Electrical Division. Truckdrivers, Balboa Lodge Hall, 7:30 Ancon January 14 Charles Hair, Heayy Truck Driver, m. p. Panama January 21 Motor Transportation Division. 20th—Operating Engineers No. 595, Louis F. Harris, Locks Guard .Super- Cristobal January 28 K. of C. Hall, Margarita, 7 p. m. visor, Pacific Locks. Machinists No. 811, Balboa Lodge Hall. Ancon February 4 Bernice A. Herring, Dipper Dredge 7:30 p. m. Operator, Dredging Division. Hubert W. Jarman, Head Stevedore Foreman, Terminals Division. Chester L. Lindgren, .Admeasurer, PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS Navigation Division. Ralph E. Masters, Policeman, Police l)ivi>i(»i. November 15 through December 15 *Winnifred E. Seeley, Nurse, Gorgas Hospital. Police The following list contains the names of Mrs. Patricia H. Hussey from Substi- Braxton W. Treadwell, Sergeant, those U. S.-rate employees who were trans- tute Teacher to Junior High School Teach- Police Division. ferred from one diyision to another (unless er, Schools Diyision. Howard E. Walling, Materials Engineer, the change is administratiye) or from one Mrs. Harriet K. Serger from Substi- I)i\ ision of Storehouses. type of work to another. It does not con- tute Teacher to Elementary School Teach- John L. Whigam, W'ireman, Electrical tain within-grade promotions or regradings. er, Schools Diyision. Diyision. Wilder, Fireman, Fire ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH Mrs. Margaret M. Ward from Substi- Mathew J. tute Teacher and Teacher Extension Classes Division. Ellen E. Bailey from Clerk- Mrs. to High School Teacher and Teacher, Diyision to Property and Typist, Housing Extension Classes, Schools Diyision. Adminis- eering Division, to Valuation Engineer, Supply Clerk, Record Section, William G. Dolan from Fire Lieutenant, Office of Comptroller. tratiye Branch. Fire Diyision, to .Administrative Assistant CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU ENGI.NEERING AND CONSTRUCTION (Chief of Ciyil Defense), Civil Affairs BUREAU Victor A. Herr from High School Bureau. Corrigan from Plumber to Teacher to High School Teacher and COMMUNITY SERVICES BUREAU Peter T. Teacher, Extension Classes, Schools Diyi- Plumber and Plumber Leader, Mainte- James R. .Shirley from Housing Man- sion. nance Division. .Aid Housing Manager, Housing Mrs. Clara Jorstad from Elementary agement to Maxwell M. Melbye from Pumping Diyision. School Teacher to Elementary School Plant Operator to Filtration Plant Oper- Teacher and Teacher, Extension Classes, OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER ator, Water and Laboratories Branch, Schools Division. David A. Yerkes from General .Architect, Maintenance Division. Frederick B. Hill, Jr., from Property Engineering Diyision, to \'aluation Engin- Ralph H. Graham from Operator- and Supply Clerk, Commissary Division, eer, Office of the Comptroller. Foreman, Electrician, to Power Dispatcher, to Postal Clerk, Postal, Customs, and Clarence H. True and Harold S. Electrical Division. Immigration Division. Kusner fram Structural Engineer, Engin- Ira M. Payne from Principal Foreman January 2, 1953 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15
(C
LAST SALE OF COAL MADE IN CRISTOBAL 'Continued from page S) ^^^ FORT SAN LORENZO "S^
Fort has been looking out ^= San Lorenzo £ t to sea from its high cliff at the mouth of o^^:
the Chagres River since about 1601, when o» ( it was set there at the direction of Philip 5i^=-
II to guard the back door to Panama. n, \ Unscalable precipices in three direc- ©^^i tions, moat and drawbridge on the other, *" and artillery protection for all approaches ^^ made the fort seem almost impregnable. -~~ It fell for the first time in 1671 to a force of about 400 of Henry Morgan's buccaneers led by a Col. Joseph Bradley, sent to dispose of the sentinel of the Chagres before Morgan's full force advanced to Panama City. The story of the capture of the fort is one of the first told to most Isthmian visitors— relating how a wounded buccan- eer tore an arrow from his flesh, wrapped
it in cotton, and fired it from his musket, starting the fire that ended in the fall of the mighty fortress of San Lorenzo. OLD PANAMA
The capture and sack of the old city of Panama, leaving the ruins shown in the
THE END OF AN ];i: . ..I early last The Coaling Plant bus smn- l..vii cln*,! aii.l will picture on Page 9, is the second and month by the last sale i^f cnai t" rie made at the be sold to the highest bidder. The Cristobal Coaling clunactic part of what is probably the Crist«bal Coaling Plant to the Spanish cargo vessel Plant was a busy place during the Canal's early best known story on the Isthmus. Arraiz. The scene above shows the coal-burner taking history when coal-burning ships were the mainstay of on 500 tons of coal. the Canal's business. Morgan waited on the island of Santa Catarina until he heard of the fall of Fort San Lorenzo, then advanced with a force amoimt of traflSc during recent weeks has of 1,200 freebooters up the Chagres River, been at a level of the operating capacity 725 Extras Are Hired although it was January and most boats with one lane of traffic out of service. had to be deserted because of the shallow Because of the fluctuation in the flow of For Overhaul Project water. traffic it is probable that some delays of In seven weary days, almost without more than 24 hours may occur during food, Morgan's forces reached the settle- Beginning This Month peak periods. ment of Cruces, abandoned and partly The work at Pedro Miguel Locks this burned and stripped of all provisions. year includes the removal and o\Trhaul Approximately 725 extra employees Two days later, they reached the savanna of sLx of the lock gates. Four of the gate have been engaged for the overhaul of the in front of the city of Panama, where they leaves at Pedi-o Miguel to be overhaided Pacific Locks which is scheduled to begin were met the follo'n'ing day by 500 horse- are the lightest of any in the Canal Locks tomorrow when the east chamber of men and 2,400 Spanish foot soldiers. but the job of lifting them off their pintles Pedro Miguel Locks is emptied. Of The city was almost completely des- local-rate by hydraulic jacks will be a ticklish oper- these, about 600 will be workers troyed by fire but no one knows who set ation. It is not planned to unhinge any hired locally. it—retreating Spaniards, Morgan's men, of the gates at Miraflores Locks this year, The overhaul of the Panama Canal or possibly disaffected slaves. Locks is the biggest and most spectacular although all gates will be cleaned and job done in the operation of the water- repamted. TABOGA way. The last overhaul job was done on Preparations for the overhaul of a set the Gatun Locks during the 1951 dry of the Panama Canal Locks are begun Peaceful, pretty Taboga, so-called season and the Pacific Locks were over- several months in ad\'ance, since a vast "Island of Flowers," has a bustling, hauled the year before. amount of structural and other st«el used boisterous, and blood-soaked past that The work this year is expected to be for replacement is specially manufactured belies its present quiet charm. completed by the middle of May. The and machined. Much of the machine Pizarro set sail from its fine deepwater schedule, subject to variations depending work is done at the Industrial Bureau anchorage on the trips that resulted in on conditions encountered, provides for weeks in advance of the work. the discovery and conquest of Peru, as the work to be finished on the east Pedro did hundreds of other later adventurers Recruiting Begun Early Miguel chamber by February 15, and the who exploited the wealth of the Incas. Pedro Miguel west chamber on March 26. The main recruiting of the force neces- The California gold rush gave the The work at Miraflores wDl begin im- sary for the work at the Pacific Locks was island a new economic importance when mediately after the west chamber at begun last September. The number of the Pacific Navigation Company estab- Pedro Miguel is placed in service. The extra men engaged for the Pacific Locks lished shops, drydocks and offices on work to be done on the Miraflores east overhaul is much less than that required Morro Island, ruins of which can be seen chambers is scheduled for completion by at Gatun during overhaul since work is in today. April 22, and that on the west chambers progress in all three chambers at Gatun on May 15. Another 6 weeks will be simultaneously. required for post-overhaul cleanup work There will be nearly 125 U. S.-rate helpers, locomotive crane firemen, and and the transfer or storage of equipment. employees hii-ed on a temporary basis for laborers. the overhaul this year. These will be in Because of the type of work involved 24-Hour Schedule addition to members of the regular Locks during the overhaul of the Locks, every The overhaul project this year has Division forces who will be assigned dur- precaution is taken for the safety of the added importance because of the heavy ing the work. Most of these are skilled men engaged as well as other personnel in flow of traffic through the Canal. The craftsmen, such as machinists, welders, the area. For this reason, the general Pacific Locks will be operated 24 hours a riggers, boilermakers, crane operators, public will not be permitted within the day and all shipping services on the Paci- and foremen, also some will be employed Locks enclosures whOe the work is in fic side will also be provided on a 24-hour on the U. S.-rate rolls for clerical and progress. Visiting schedules for tourist basis. helper duties. parties will be arranged so that such Every effort wiU be made to expedite The 600 extra local-rate employees will parties will visit the Pacific Locks not shipping during the overhaul period but be engaged in a variety of jobs. They under overhaul until the work is com- it is expected that delays will occur. The include mainly painters, carpenters, pleted.