Gift ofthe Pmama g. CanalMiuseum

Vol. 7, No. 7 BALBOA HEIGHTS, ZONE, FEBRUARY 1, 1957 5 cents

Research Laboratory . IMPROVEMENT, EFFICIENCY PROGRAM May Be Established IS STARTED FOR RAILROAD In Canal Zone Area

A positive and vigorous program to cut expenses and increase revenue of the A laboratory for research into tropical Panama Railroad has already been initiated in conformity with the report and rec- diseases, particularly the virus diseases ommendations on Railroad operations approved last month by the House Merchant transmitted by such insects as the mos- Marine and fisheries Committee. quito, will soon be established in the The House Committee's report was based on a survey made last year by John T. Canal Zone if present plans of the United Ridgely, formerly Vice President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, who was employed States Public Health Service are carried by the Congressional Committee as a consultant on the Railroad operations. Mr. out. Ridgely spent several weeks on the Isthmus making the study which included finances, The Canal Zone Government, Army, personnel, operating schedules, rolling stock, and potential business. Navy, Air Force, and Public Health Serv- The House Committee report, which Governor Potter has announced he considers ice would cooperate in the work of the as a directive, proposed the following principal points: laboratory. The National Institutes of Health, a unit of the Public Health Serv- Continued operation of the Railroad (the proposal to abandon the Railroad led to the Congressional study). ice, would supervise the research to be operate the laboratory. done here and Diversion of military and Company freight and passenger business from the highway to The location of the research center and the Railroad. other matters pertaining to its establish- A sturdy of "piggy-back" operation and other means increasing freight volume. ment are now being studied by a group of of scientists from Washington; they ar- Provision of rejrigeraied car service. rived here last Wednesday and will re- \J11iCQf- J. O"" tlQ Revision of some rates and schedules. main in the Canal Zone until Feb. 4. Survey Group Here Travel By Rail

The group is headed by Dr. James A. Shortly after the report was issued, the Shannon, Director of the National Insti- Governor issued instructions to curtail to tutes of Health. Well-known in the field the minimum the transportation of Com- of medical research, he served as a con- pany-Government employees across the sultant in tropical diseases to the Secre- Isthmus by automobile. Bureau Direc- tary of War from 1943-46, was associate tors and the heads of independent units director of the National Heart Institute were also instructed to consider any in charge of research for several years, means within their individual units to and director of the Squibb Institute for augment business for the Panama Rail- Medical Research between 1946-49. road, cooperating with the Comptroller Dr. Shannon is accompanied by Dr. and Transportation and Terminals Di- Joseph E. Smadel, Associate Director of rector in an investigation on accounting the National Institutes of Health; Col. and operating procedures. Robert L. Hullinghorst, Chief of Research One recommendation contained in the and Development in the Office of the Consultant's report has already been in- Army's Surgeon General; Col. Richard stituted. This was for the replacement P. Mason, Commandant of the Walter of hand labor by a mechanical means for Reed Institute of Research; Dr. Wilbur the control of weeds along the right-of- Downs, Director of the Trinidad Regional way. A chemical sprayer has already Virus Laboratory, and by a Navy repre- been placed in service and a force reduc- sentative who had not been designated tion of 17 men has been made in +he track when this issue of The Review went to and roadway maintenance gang. press. Refrigerated Cars Yellow Fever Study Six refrigerator cars are to be equipped The laboratory in the Canal Zone with mechanical refrigeration units to would be related closely to the Gorgas haul frozen products. When these are in Memorial Laboratory in Panama which service the Commissary Division will has been doing research in tropical medi- switch back to railroad transportation for cine since 1928. According to present LEWIS WOOD, Balboa High School Senior, will supplying quick-frozen foods to Pacific swap his ROTC khaki for the gray uniform of the plans, key personnel would be appointed side units. U. S. Military Academy. He was chosen last month the staffs of both or- At present all refrigerator cars in serv- simultaneously to as the Canal Zone's candidate for West Point. A ganizations. native Isthmian, he is the son of Mrs. Lillian M. ice are chilled with ice but temperatures Among other projects in which the Wood of the Gorgas Hospital staff. Alternates for on these are not low enough for hauling the West Point appointment are: Robert B. Ham- research workers would be interested is products at near-zero temperatures. Only ilton, James L. Duran, and Gerald A. Durfee. the progressive march of jungle yellow six of the refrigerator cars now in service fever through the Central American re- are fit for conversion to mechanical re- publics, and the newly-recognized viral of the laboratory indicate that at least frigeration. agents transmitted to man by mosquitoes, three years would be needed to determine The Governor this week submitted a some of which are related immunologi- whether or not the scientific work of the long-range capital program for the Pan- cally to yellow fever and dengue viruses, group were objective, while five years ama Railroad to the Board of Directors. and others to encephalitis viruses. should show major accomplishments of This includes the purchase of an addi- Preliminary plans for the establishment the initial objectives. tional six refrigerator cars (See page 18) THE REVIEW February 1, 1957

Merger Of Divisions Leads Weil-Known Educator Now Visiting Canal Zone To Transfer Of Some Units To Develop School For Handicapped Children Progress was reported at the end of the month on several changes to be made as A detailed study of plans for special with hearing difficulties; sight-saving a result of the merger of the Commissary educational facilities for Canal Zone classes for children whose eyesight is and Service Center Divisions at the first handicapped children was being made below par; muscle training for children of January. The general outline of these this week by Ray Graham, Director of who are spastics or who have had polio; changes was announced in the December Education of Exceptional Children for remedial work with children having issue of The Review. the State of Illinois, working with officials speech defects; and special crafts classes The transfer of the wholesale house- of the Canal Zone schools. for mentally retarded children. The wares section to Balboa is now scheduled Dr. Graham, an expert in the field of Health Bureau is cooperating with the to take place about the end of this month. special education for exceptional children, Division of Schools in working out the The wholesale unit will be combined with was employed in the capacity of a special program. the retail store in Balboa and will occupy consultant to the Schools Division. He Mrs. Gladys Light made a survey of the masonry building on Balboa Road has spent the past week here, discussing the U. S.-Citizen schools and A. E. Os- opposite the Commissary Annex. plans for the program for handicapped borne made a similar study of the Latin If additional space is needed, the build- children, diagnosing the Canal Zone's American schools to determine the num- ing adjacent to the new wholesale and needs in this respect, and helping to de- ber of children now in school who need retail shoe store will be used for storage termine what facilities will have to be special attention. Working with them space. provided here. Meanwhile, plans are being made for An appropriation to establish special the necessary alterations to Building 28 educational facilities for the approxi- in the Industrial Division area in Balboa mately 220 handicapped children in the which is to be occupied by the new Com- Canal Zone is included in the budget missary and Service Center Division for the coming fiscal year. The budget headquarters. This move is not sched- request includes funds to employ spe- uled until about the end of June. cialized teachers and medical techni- The consolidation of the wholesale cians who will be needed to staff the housewares section with the retail outlet in school. Balboa will involve the transfer of only one The special facilities to be offered prob- U. S.-citizen employee from the Atlantic ably will include lip reading for children side. About 30 local-rate employees will be involved in the transfer. Lew W. Canal Zone Government veterinarians. Mcllvaine, now Assistant Housewares With the closing of the abattoir and Manager, will be transferred and will be in the general reduction in cold storage charge of the unit after its move to Balboa. products handled, the expensive refrig- The abattoir and sausage plant at erated warehousing space is no longer Mount Hope have now been closed, the needed and would require expensive al- last cattle being slaughtered there on terations and rehabilitation. Because of January 24. In the future native-dressed these factors and the prospective cost of beef and sausage will be bought through conversion of equipment to 60-cycle oper- Dr. RAY GRAHAM in Panama. Arrangements ation, studies have been initiated to de- the abattoir were Dr. Howard Pritham, School Doc- have been made for selective buying of termine the future of cold storage oper- tor, and the two school nurses, Mrs. cuts desired upon inspection by ations. the beef Erma Forbes and Miss E. Jane Holcomb. In addition, parents of handicapped children between the ages of 3 and 21 Management Interns who are not attending the Canal Zone schools were invited to report to the

Superintendent of Schools, if they were interested in the special facilities. A check made by school officials re- cently disclosed only a few persons in the Canal Zone who have had training in work with handicapped children. Be- cause of the shortage of such teachers, the Schools Division may have to estab- lish its own training program for this specialized field. Dr. Graham also discussed with school officials the possible location of the classes for handicapped children and looked over the sites which are available. As in the case of the program itself, no decision has yet been reached on the physical plant. Dr. Graham has a background of 35 years of educational work, much of it with exceptional children. He was rec- ommended to the Schools Divsion by the Office of Education. He has served frequently as a special Lecturer in this highly-specialized field, and is a member of many committees

CANAL EMPLOYEES WHO have participated in previous years in the Management Intern program national, state, and in his home town given in Washington, D. ('., by the C. S. Civil Service Commission, are shown above with Harry C. on educational problems of this nature. Egolf, Supervisory Housing Manager in Balhoa, shortly before he left for the Tinted States to take part He has written a number of articles on in this year's training program. Mr. Egolf, seated at the left, was appointed by Governor Potter as the the Illinois Plan for Special Education of Canal representative and Elmer J. Nordstrom, also seated, was selected as alternate candidate from the Canal organization, Standing from left to right are Albert Hendricks, Rates Analyst, Office of the Exceptional Children, and is co-author Comptroller; LawTence Barca, Jr., Engineer, Pacific Locks; .1. Douglas Lord, Storekeeper, Pacific Locks; of a chapter on Administration of Special Joseph M. Watson, Administrative Assistant, Maintenance Division; Frank Wilder, Security Assistant, Education of Exceptional Children in the Internal S [rity; Otto \Y. Helmerichs, Employment Branch. Personnel Division; William S. Wigg, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Branch; W. A. Dryja, Assistant to the Marine Director; Maon- 1950 Year Book of the National Society ner Huff, A' mntant, Accounting Division; and H. W. Osborne. General Engineer, Maintenance Division, for the Study of Education. 99-/-//7-C3 February 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Almost 500 Applications Already In Current Magazines Feature As Insurance Plan Gets Under Way Articles Of Interest Here Articles either concerning the Panama Canal or of interest to have been appearing frequently of late in a number of I'nited States magazines. One of the first of these was Time Magazine's account, in mid-December, of the transit of the billionth ton of cargo through the Canal. The January issue of The National (leographic Magazine carried an article entitled "An Engineer's View of the Suez" written by a former Canal Zone Governor, Maj. Gen. Glen E. Edgerton. General Edgerton is the only American on the board of 18 experts appointed by the Company to advise on canal maintenance and improvement. He has served on this board since 1952. He was Governor of The Panama Canal from 1040 to 1944 and is now a member of the Canal Company's Board of Directors. Another article of interest to Zonians appeared in the January 19 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. The story is Part Two of Frank Schreider's account of a MEMBERS OF THE Canal Zone Insurance Board are shown above at a recent meeting in the Board Room of the Administration Building. Left to right are Harold W. Rerrie, Robert Van Wagner, Harold trip from Alaska to the tip of South Williams, Charles McG. Brandl, Leroy Cockburn, Rufus Lovelady, Robert H. Miller, Reginald Callen- America in an amphibious jeep. The Thomas Sellers, Jefferson Henry T. Carpenter, der, William R. Dixon, William Jump, L. Joseph, and January 19 installment carried four pic- Alfonso Alexis. Two members, Ellis L. Fawcett. on the left, and James Elliott, on the right, were out tures of the partial transit of the jeep, of camera range which was named "La Tortuga," through The group health insurance plan for porting the plan, although it is to be ad- the Panama Canal. Zonians appearing Canal employees got off to a brisk start ministered completely as an employee in the photographs are W. H. Hebert, late last month. project. Governor Potter last week met Chief Admeasurer in Balboa, and Capt. Almost 500 applications had been re- Robert G. Rennie, Panama Canal pilot. with officers of the new Group Health ceived by the end of last week even before Most comprehensive of the various ar- Insurance Board at which time the entire distribution of the brochures giving de- ticles is a story on the Panama Canal program was discussed in detail. The tails of the group health insurance. The and its operations scheduled to appear in distribution of the brochures, prepared Governor assured the Board officers of the February issue of Fortune. The ar- by the Group Health Insurance Board his full support in making the plan ticle, which was written by a staff writer, of and printed by Mutual Omaha, was effective. covers a wide range of topics pertaining delayed by a late delivery of the material. to the Canal and its operation. A num- While a two-month period is planned The distribution throughout all units ber of color photographs were furnished for the receipt of applications, Board and to every individual employee was by Mrs. Faye Minton and Charles McG. members are hopeful that the plan will begun during the past week. An ample Brandl to illustrate the article. supply of application forms has also been be fully publicized and a sufficient num- The Fortune article is also scheduled to received and these are being delivered ber of applications will be received to be reproduced in the Spanish edition of individually through the representatives initiate it well before this time limit. Life International in an early issue. appointed in each Canal unit. While the number of applications al- Distinguished Visitor ready received is substantial, members of the Insurance Board have urged that em- ployees who plan to join the group health plan do so early since it will become effective on a non-selective basis when at least half of the employees have filed application. Every effort is being made to acquaint employees with details of the group health insurance plan, which will provide cover- age for both normal and major medical service. This is being done through meet- ings of small employee groups, through supervisory personnel, and other methods. A traveling information table has been used in most communities during the past two weeks, manned by Andrew M. Wright, Agent of Mutual of Omaha. The information table was located in several different places on the Pacific side during the first week, and in Atlantic side towns during the past week. The group health insurance plan has been in the making now for about three years. The proposal of Mutual of Omaha was accepted after bids were received from four large insurance firms and upon the determination of the ad hoc committee National President of the American Legion Auxiliary, center, paid a call on that it provides the best coverage at the MRS. CARL ZELLER, Governor Potter, a fellow Ohioan, during her official visit to the Panama Canal Zone Department last lowest cost for employees on an organi- month. Above she is shown in the Governor's office at Balboa Heights accompanied by local American zation-wide basis. Legion Auxiliary officials. From left to right are Mrs. Louise Griffon, Mrs. Frances Gilley, Mrs. Zeller, The Canal administration is firmly sup- Mrs. Jeanette Toney, secretary to Mrs. Zeller; Mrs. Vera Bolek, and Governor Potter. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957

Here's The Man tribute to the work he has already done at Army schools at Fort Benning and Fort Belvoir and at the California In- Who's Aide To The Governor stitute of Technology where he received his Masters' degree in Civil Engineering His job and his family of two small daughters, Suzanne, 7, and Alice Ann, 3, don't leave him much time for hobbies but when he can he plays golf at . He sometimes plays with his boss, whose scores are decreasing much too rapidly to suit Dave, but usually he is part of a foursome made up of himself, Paul Runnestrand, the Canal's Executive Secretary, Arthur O'Leary, Assistant Comptroller, and Maj. Robert Hughes, of Gorgas Hospital.

He also likes woodworking, and a table, some chests of drawers, and a few other pieces of furniture in his quarters are his handiwork. "He could do real well on woodworking if he had time," Mrs. Smith says.

He is much pleased with his new assign- ment, but he knows he is going to miss a number of things. One of them will be the interesting people he meets and greets here, day after day.

MAJ. DAVID H. SMITH'S job as Military Assistant to the Governor doesn't leave him much time to sit at his desk. New Director The job of Military Assistant to the has met the President and Vice President Governor is full of superlatives or qual- of the United States, a number of Latin ified superlatives. American Chiefs of State, and scores of The Military Assistant greets more others who are tops in their particular important visitors than anyone else in fields. A number of visitors he has wel- the Company-Government organization. comed and escorted have gone to the He visits Locks more fre- trouble of writing him a note to say how quently and makes more trips through much they appreciated his help. Gaillard than anyone except the men Cut Although he does not bear the title, th? Locks run tugs or who operate or Major Smith performs practically all the Cut. launches through He meets of the duties of aide to a general officer. ships as the almost as many Panama Line In this capacity, he assists the Gover- of the Line's local office. personnel Panama nor and Mrs. Potter in their official serves as aide to the Governor, is He social life. He is officially Chief of Pro- the the major liaison between Panama tocol, with Emily Post and the Diplo- the military forces Canal organization and matic Guide as his required reading. stationed here and is also personnel officer He must have at his fingertips all the for the service personnel who are assigned fine points of meeting and seating and to duty with the Canal organization. other like matters which, if improperly present of this highly The incumbent done, can lead to all kinds of interna- varied job is a likeable young man—he tional misunderstandings. will be 32 on March 28 —named David Unlike other aides, however, he does Halstead Smith. He holds the rank of not accompany his general wherever the Newest member of the Panama Canal Major in the Army Corps of Engineers. latter goes. He cherishes the hope that Company's Board of Directors is Ralph His close friends call him the obvious possibly, just possibly, Governor Potter A. Tudor, of San Francisco, whose pic- Dave, or Smitty. He is known by sight might want to take a trip to South Amer- ture appears above. He had planned to to a good many Zonians. Those who ica—and take him along! attend the Board meeting here this week haven't had personal contact with him Another part of his job involves liaison but had to cancel his plans because of can recognize him because of his fre- the Canal's civilian admin- illness. quent appearance in photographs of work between istration all military organizations graduate in Civil Engineering from dignitaries at the Locks—even though and A here. If anyone in the Canal organization Cornell University, as well as a graduate he tries to duck into the back row when Military ever possible. encounters a problem having to do with of the U. S. Academy at West the military, he contacts Major Smith Point, Mr. Tudor has been engaged in Of all the many parts of his job, he who then gets in touch with the proper a number of important projects, among prefers the Grover Whelan role welcom- military office. This may be anything them the San Francisco-Oakland Bridge, ing Congressional visitors or other import- from locating a transmission line tower for which he was Senior Designing Engi- ant men and women to the Canal Zone. in a military area near the locks to top- neer. He now heads the Tudor Engineer- But his welcoming role doesn't end with level problems. ing Company of San Francisco. saying "how do you do" at ship- or plane- side. Visitors must be lodged and trans- He was born in Philadelphia, too late In 1953, he took leave of his company ported and shown around the Canal Zone. to see active service in World War II for a year to serve as Under Secretary of Since he becim" the Governor's Mili- he was in the Military Academy during the Department of the Interior, develop- tary Assistant, in July 1954, he has made the war -but in plenty of time to get into ing a national water and power policy "more than 100" visits to Miraflores the Korean action. and a policy relative to the development Locks and "close to 50" trips through A great deal more studious than of the St. Lawrence Seaway. the Cut aboard the launch Diana. He his out-going, exuberant personality He served in the Army during World has arranged for baby-sitters for Con- would indicate, he admits, under pres- War II and was awarded the Legion of gressmen's children ami escorted d >zens sure, to having been eleventh in his Merit for his service on the Bonneville of visitors on shopping trips. (He drafts West Point Class. His new assignment, Advisory Board. After the war, and his vivacious, Georgia-born wife, Gloria, to the Army's Command and General until he formed his own company, he was when women visitors want to shop.) Staff College at Fort Leavenworth Vice President of the Mollis Knutsen

In the past 30 months, Major Smith which he will enter in September, is a I nternational Company. ;

February 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Most of Monday was spent on a field trip which included a THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT visit to the Pacific Locks and a trip through Gaillard Cut. The meeting this week was the first on the Isthmus for The past, present, and future were all topics for consideration Ogden R. Reid, President of New York Herald Tribune, Inc. by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting in the Canal Most of the members attending the meeting this week Zone this week. arrived by plane last weekend. Arriving with this group was All three time-periods were wrapped up in the Board's \V. M. Whitman, Secretary of the Company. All of this group study of the future capacity of the Panama Canal and the went to the Atlantic side Monday to meet other members various plans for meeting the requirements of shipping in arriving on the SS Cristobal and the remainder of the morning coming years. was spent on inspection trips to various installations on the A generous serving of the past was provided for the Directors Atlantic side. last Tuesday along with roast wild pig at a picnic luncheon The first formal meeting of the Board was held Monday on the site of the Zone's construction period capital of Culebra. night at Diablo Heights. The panel below gives the pictures, One Board member attending the meeting this week, Maj. Gen. names, year of appointment, addresses, and very brief bio- Glen E. Edgerton, could give other Directors some first-hand graphical data about the directors and general officers with the stories about Culebra; he served in the Canal Zone during the exception of Ralph A. Tudor. The announcement of his ap- construction period as an engineer on the relocation of the pointment was made too late to obtain a picture for inclusion Panama Railroad which originally ran through the town. with the group below.

George H. Roderick

H. I U.i II. . John Washington, D.C.; 1954 Chairman, Board of Di- 11 ston. Te „ 1955 John W. Martyn rectors, Panama Canal Independent oilill pro- Washington, II. C. 1940 Co.; Assistant Secretary ducer; Director, Texas Administrative Assist- of the (Civil- National Bank, Reed Army ant to the Secretary of Military' Affairs); mem- Roller Bit Co., Texas the Army. ber. U. S. Air Coordi- Fund, Commonwealth nating Committee; Vice OilGo. President, American Seating Co. (on leave of "absence).

Wllber M. Brucker Julian L. Schley Howard C. Petersen Secretary of Army Washington, D.C., 1928 Washington. D.C..1955 Radnor. Pa.. 1953 Governor. The Panama Stockholder, Panama Attorney; President. Canal, 1932-36; former al Cc Att Fidelity - Philadelphia Chief, Corps of Engin- Governor of Michigan, Trust Co.; Ex-Assistant eers, U. S. A.; Major 193 1 -32 ; General Coun- Secretary of War. General, U. S. A., re sel, Defense Depart- tired. ment. 1954-55.

Robert P. Burroughs William E. Potter H. W. Schull, Jr. Balboa Heights. hester. N.H.. 1955 Balboa Heights. C. Z., C. Z.; 1956 Vice President, lent and Treasur- Panama President, Panam aCan- Canal former Dis- R. P. Burroughs Co. Co.; al Co.; Governor of the trict Engineer, Jackson- istee. Manchester CanalZone; Majt rGen- ville. Fla.. Colonel, U. S. ings Bank. eral. U. S. A. A., Corps of Engineers.

Charles S. Reed Philip L. Steers, Jr. Omaha. Neb.. 1954 Attorney; President. Portland. Oreg., 1953 Balboa Heights, C. Z.; Bank of Bellevue; for- Attorney; President. Comptroller, Panama mer Assistant Attorney Equitable Savings and Cana! Co.; former Comp- General of Nebraska Loan Association. troller, Mutual Secur- former Member. Neb- ity Agency in Austria. raska Legislature.

Glen E. Edgerton

Washington. D.C.. 1940 Ogden R. Reld Governor. The Panama William M.Whitman Canal. 1940-44; Ex- Purchase, N. V.; 1956 President, Export- Im- President, N w Vork Washington. IXC; Sec- port Bank; Member. Herald Tribu ne. Inc.; retary, Panama Canal Suez Canal Company Author; Edito r of New Co.; former Assistant Board on Maintenance York Herald Tribune General Counsel, The and Improvement; Ma- since 1955. Panama Canal. jor General, U.S.A., re- tired. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957

HONOR ROLL SLOW DOWN - AND LIVE Bureau Award For BEST RECORD Tomorrow being Groundhog Day in a doesn't mean that automobiles never have DECEMBER good many parts of the United States, let mechanical failures or that other drivers us consider this little creature who might on the road are as good as he. SERVICE SUPPLY AND EMPLOYEE be thought of as Nature's first Safety For these reasons, the National Safety BUREAU Engineer. Council has adopted a "Code of the Within limits, that is. In some ways, Road." Groundhogs can't follow this ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION especially where modern machines and Code, but humans can, and they won't BUREAU high speeds are involved, he is just as be road hogs if they do: silly a soul as a good many human beings. 1. Share the road by driving in CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU When he pokes his nose above ground the proper lane. to see whether or not he has a shadow 2. Allow ample clearance when HEALTH BUREAU and we have never been quite certain just passing. what that proves everything in sight has 3. Yield the right-of-way to other

to be exactly right. If it isn't, he and his drivers and pedestrians. AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR family go back to bed for a couple more 4. Give proper signals for turns months. and stops. Health 11 When he lays out his house, he always 5. Dim headlights when meeting Civil Affairs 8 adds a few safety devices. He has at least or following vehicles. Supply and Employee Service 5 one back door, by which he can escape 6. Respect traffic laws, signs, sig- if the front door is blocked, and he usually nals, and road markings. Engineering and Construction 3 selects a location among rocks or under 7. Adjust driving to road, traffic, Marine 2 the roots of a tree from which an enemy and weather conditions. Transportation and Terminals 1 cannot easily dig him out. 8. Never be in a hurry. Take it

But when it comes to machines and such modern inventions he hasn't any more natural sense of self-preservation Division Award For and safety than a good many of us. NO DISABLING INJURIES He simply cannot understand that a DECEMBER man on a hill a quarter of a mile away is just as dangerous as a man close by, COMMISSARY DIVISION provided that the far-away man has a high-velocity rifle with a telescopic sight. SERVICE CENTER DIVISION Similarly, we human beings cannot un- HOSPITALS AND CLINICS derstand that an automobile traveling at HOUSING AND GROUNDS DIVISION 80 miles an hour is a lethal instrument. Like the groundhog, we feel secure, for- MAINTENANCE DIVISION getting that speed has narrowed the limits DREDGING DIVISION of safety to almost nothing. The fast driver never believes that he ELECTRICAL DIVISION SLOW D0Wif~ is driving too fast. He feels perfectly

MOTOR TRANSPORTATION DIVISION safe, because he is behind the wheel. STOREHOUSE DIVISION Sure, maybe he is a good driver and may- and LIVE! be he has never had an accident. That POLICE DIVISION FIRE DIVISION FREQUENCY RATE- Disabling injuries per 1,000,000 employee- AIDS TO NAVIGATION DECEMBER 1956 hours worked.

SANITATION DIVISION 20 II II ) 5 10 15 BUREAU . i i i O.00 ^ > 1 AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR Supply and Employee Service 0.00 12 Aids to Navigation ' "" 1 Engineering and Construction Sanitation 12 0.00 Storehouses 12 ^ .7"T Civil Affairs Hospitals and Clinics 11 1 Motor Transportation 11 ^ipsa Health 11 5.1b Service Center 11 Commissary 10 %^M^MMP< C. Z. Govt. Panama Canal Cc. This Month) ,:' 11.6b Industrial 10 .....'"j Dredging 9 Marine 5 13.26 Electrical 9 '\,„ ',„,.' ;...,,, , Transportation and Terminals , Housing and Grounds ( 10 raos.).. .. 8 5 10 15 20 Railroad 7

Maintenance 6 Number o( Disabling Injuries ...... 11 Employee-hours worked 2,137,262 Navigation 5 LEGEND

Police (6 mos.) 5 Frequency Rale this month ,

Fire ( 6 mos.) 4 ;;;:] Accumulative Frequency Rale this Calendar Year Locks 4 1953-1954-1955 Calendar Year Average Terminals 1 Z3 February 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW OF CURRENT AND FUTURE INTEREST

Approximately 6o Company-Government employees in supervisory positions on both sides of the Isthmus will begin supervisory training courses next Tuesday and Wed- nesday. The course will last until April 4. The classes for the two Pacific side groups will be held in the new training center on Corozo Street. The two Atlantic side groups will meet every Wednesday at the training center of the Commissary Div- ision at Mount Hope. * The Pacific side groups meet each Tues- day and Thursday morning, one group re- porting at 7:15 a. m. and the second at 10 a. m. The course, similar to those given pre- viously, will include such subjects as lead- ership, the supervisor's job, mutual respon- sibility, cooperation, work planning, safety, security, and discipline.

Star gazers and others who are interested in the wonders of the heavens are getting together every Monday and Friday night between 7 and 9 o'clock, at the Canal Zone Observatory near Miraflores Locks. The

Observatory opened January 1 1 and will re- main open to the public during the dry season when weather conditions are favor- able. Either OPERATION' OF THE locks, as shown on the control pane!, always facinates visitors. Movie star James J. W. Seaquist, science teacher at Balboa Stewart and his wife were no exception. Donald P. Hutchison of Miraflores shows them how things work. High School, or B. J. Brown, of the Engineering Division, is on hand on open nights to give short lectures. Local gardners got another break last Comptroller-New York Office. Winthrop month. The old Corozal compost pits were H. Havenor has been designated Assistant reactivated by the Housing and Grounds Chief, New York Accounting Office, in addi- Division and, as any gardner knows, noth- tion to his previous title of Chief, Reports ing makes hibiscus grow bigger blossoms and Budget Branch. and croton produce brighter leaves than a CIVIL good shot in the ground of a well-ripened DEFENSE Teachers in the Canal Zone's Latin compost. American schools are turning in an out- NEWS Delivery of drum lots can be arranged. standing record in their work toward de- The prices are: $3 for a 55-gallon drum, or grees. 50 cents per bag. Purchases may be made Daring the past year, 23 teachers earned at the Mount Hope Nursery Sales Store, the Associate of Arts degree locally and Civil Defense activities are much more in building 5124 at Mount Hope; the Balboa two won Bachelor ot Arts degrees from varied than the average Zonian realizes. Nursery Sales Store, which is located tem- universities in the United States. One of the most interesting of these is the porarily next to the Shoe Repair Shop; or Five oi the Latin American teachers radio communication between the Canal the Summit Garden Sales Store at Summit have been granted leave of absence which Zone and the United States which is Experiment Garden. they will spend in the United States this manned by an amateur radio operator. Hours at the Mount Hope outlet are: coming year attending various universities. This communication system has been set i :I up and is maintained by Mrs. George 7:15 to 11:45 a - m - an( I2:45 t° 4 5 P- m -. Dunlap of Balboa. She operates "ham" Mondays through Fridays; the Balboa store Preparations are being made for the radio station KZ5DG. is open from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. Tuesdays Sixth Annual Firemen's Ball which will be She has arranged a weekly schedule through Saturdays; and the store at Sum- held in the north patio and Balboa Room be- tween the Civil Defense Unit mit is open Mondays through Saturdays of El Panama Hotel on Washington's Birth- in the Canal Zone and Region III of the Federal Civil from 7 a. m. to noon and 12 .30 to 3 :30 p. m. day, February 22. The party will get under- Defense Administration, in Thomasville, way at 8 p. m. to music provided by Luis Ga., to which the local unit Azcarraga and his orchestra. reports. The name of the Finance Department of Along with other "hams", Mrs. Dunlap Fred A. Mohl is chairman of the commit- the Panama Canal Company's New York was of great assistance during tee on arrangements. Other members are: the Jackpot Office was changed the first of last month V and Operation Alert Osmond N. Austin, Joseph F. Dolan, John exercises in 1956. to the New York Accounting Office. F. Rice, Kenneth T. Daly, and Richard B. It is under the direction of Peter De- Simpson. Tickets may be obtained at any Stefano, who has been designated Assistant Canal Zone or military reservation fire Strong emphasis is being placed at pres- station. ent on first-aid training of members of the Canal Zone's Civil Defense Yolunteer Corps. Zonians whose work-day ends at 4:15 James Barrett of the Terminals Division, p. m. don't know when to quit any more. who is a trained first-aid instructor, has The daily sounding of the air-raid sirens volunteered his services in this program. which used to indicate that it was time to With the permission of the Transportation pick up and go home was changed January and Terminals Director, he is conducting Official Panama Canal Company Publication 14 from 4:15 p. m. to 12 o'clock noon. first-aid classes and giving other instruction The new middle-of-the-day testing hour Published Monthly At Balboa Heights, C. Z. for the Civil Defense units on both sides allows more time during the day for repairs, of the Printed by the Printing Plant, Mount Hope, Canal Zone Isthmus. if any of the sirens need them. The change in the hour for sounding the sirens was discussed by the various Civic Councils. W. E. Potter, Governor-President FEBRUARY CIVIL DEFENSE VOLUNTEER Those expressing a choice voted for mid- H. VV. Schull, Jr., Lieutenant Governor CORPS MEETINGS day, as being the hour when the fewest W. G. Arey, Jr., Public Information Officer would be asleep. Townsite Place Hour Feb. largarita Service Center 9:00 a. m J. Rufus Hardy, Editor The duties and responsibilities of the Eleanor H. McIlhenny, Assistant Editor Chief of the Balboa Fire District are cur- 7 Balboa USO-JWT4, Balboa Rd 9:00 a. m rently being shared by two captains in the 13 Rainbow City School 6:30 p. m Fire Division. Capt. Perc F. Graham has On sale at all Panama Canal Service Centers. the responsibility for the prevention and 14 Gamboa Civic Center 8:30 a. m Commissaries, and Hotels for 10 days after publica- control of fires and Capt. William G. Dolan tion date at 5 cents each. Subscriptions, $1 a year; 14 Santa Cruz _ .Service Center 8 :oo p. m mall and back copies, 10 cents each. is handling the administrative work. They are assigned to these duties during 18 Paraiso School 7:30 p. m the absence on leave of Balboa Fire Chief Postal money orders made payable to the Pan- 19 Gatun Service Center 8:30 a. m ama Canal Company should be mailed to Editor, W. E. Jones who is spending two months The Panama Canal Review, Balboa Heights, C. Z, at his home in the Yolcan. 20 Diablo Service Center 9:00 a. m :

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957

1958 Company Budget Calls For Expenditure Of $82,342,200

Budgeted expenditures of the Panama The following estimates give the high- the same basis with other Government agencies in the Canal Zone. Canal Company for the coming fiscal year lights of the Canal Company operations The following table gives comparative will amount to $82,342,200, according to for the present and coming fiscal years: figures on estimated costs of the Canal the annual budget submitted to Congress 1957 19.58 Zone Government for the current and last month by President Eisenhower. Commercial transits: (over 300 net tons) 8,340 8,570 coming fiscal .years: This figure includes a repayment to the Tolls . $36,580,000 $37,330,000 to cover CIVIL FUNCTIONS Treasury estimated at $ 10,828,800 Tolls credits..., 1,250,000 1,250,000 the net cost of Canal Zone Government. Operating income from supporting 1957 1958 The budgets presented last month for operations 1.115.900 8S6.SO0 Customs and immigration $426,900 J431.900 Net of Z. Govt 9,917,800 10.S2S.800 Postal service 1,104,800 1,156,900 Company and Government operations in cost C. Interest payable to U. S. Treasury. . 8,550,700 8,602,300 Police protection 1,548,400 1,572,800 the President do the fiscal year 1958 bv General corporate charges 6,710,300 7,015,600 Fire protection _ 1.007.S00 1,063,400 not include a request for $1,000,000 for Capital expenditures 12,075,488 9,166,300 Judicial system _ 68,600 69,600 design and preliminary work for the con- N'etincome 982,800 202,300 Education 3,133.700 3,538,300 Public areas and facilities 1,282,900 1,442,800 struction of the $20,000,000 bridge over Some of the items of general interest Library 104,200 104,100 the Canal. This is being requested in a in the Company-Government program of Internal security 106,500 107,700 supplemental appropriation for expendi- expenditures for the coming fiscal year are Other civil affairs 112,700 164,300 this and next. Money for hous- ture year 1. The current high level of Canal traffic HEALTH AND SANITATION

ing and other improvements at Margarita is expected to continue through the coming Hospitals and clinics $5,452,200 $5,755,200 required by the transfer of lands in Colon fiscal year, with a slight increase in com- Other public health services 591,100 660.200 mercial traffic and no change in U. S. Gov- will also be sought by supplemental ap- GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENSES ernment vessels. after legislative action on the propriation 2. The heavy capital outlay for the re- Office of the Governor $54,400 $54,400 transfer. placement of plant and equipment, as well Other general government 1,383,500 1,400,000 The 1958 budget represents a decrease as improvements to the Canal channel and harbors, can be met from the Company's Totals $16,377,700 $17,521,600 of $6,754,000 from the estimated cost of resources through the 1958 fiscal year. The increase in funds for hospitals and activities in the Company-Government refundment to the S. 3. No capital U. clinics will cover expenses budgeted for present fiscal year, and a direct reflection Treasury is budgeted in the fiscal vear 1957 the coming fiscal year to modernize the of the curtailments by the 1955 Treaty nor 1958. The Company has paid'$15,000,- 000 into the Treasury for capital refund- psychiatric services at Corozal Hospital in Commissary and Service Center oper- ments since it was incorporated in 1951. and an increase in personnel at the two ations and a reduced capital program. 4. Provision is made in the coming fiscal general hospitals and at Palo Seco to im- The budget document indicated a drop year for continuation of the power conver- prove general services. in the volume of sales in the commissaries sion program, including the locks, with a of $4,500,000 being budgeted. The decrease in school enrollment is from $25,900,000 in the fiscal year 1956 total 5. Budgeted for next year are funds to expected to total only about 200, but ended last June to $20,400,000 this fiscal Building modernize the Administration additional funds will be required for the year, and to $13,760,000 next fiscal year. with air conditioning and a new automatic establishment of school facilities for hand- Separate budgets are presented to Con- elevator as the principal items. children, 6. The Canal Zone Government budget icapped and additional services. gress for the Canal Zone Government and indicates a slight drop in school enrollment The principal projects of the Zone Gov- The two the Panama Canal Company. first time during the coming year for the ernment for which expenditures will be are different and distinctive in that the in over 10 years. made during the coming year will be Government operates solely on appropri- 7. Funds are being requested next year $441,000 for the sewage collection and ated funds with all income being returned to build a new ROTC and general utility in Balboa and to provide for oper- disposal system on the Pacific side; the to the United States Government. A building ating a school for handicapped children. ROTC building; improvements and addi- business-type budget is presented for the 8. Rehabilitation of Thatcher Highway tion to the physical education and recre- operations since it is authorized Company fiscal year. is scheduled during the coming ation facilities; and $100,000 for road re- to use current income to meet expenses. operating expenses are ex- 9. Company placement work. Each fiscal year the Company reimburses pected to decrease by about $5,150,000 next Activities-ROTC fiscal year from this year's figures, despite The Armory Build- the U. S. Treasury for the net cost of the an increase of about $900,000 for the net ing planned for Balboa High School and Canal Zone Government and this item is cost of Canal Zone Government. the Canal Zone Junior College will pro- included in the Company's budget expen- 10. Funds are requested for the coming vide for an assembly hall, dramatic arts ditures. vear to furnish free school bus service on theater, a music center, and the ROTC Armory. Meet Street and road work scheduled for the Labor Union Officers include coming year will the replacement of a section of Terminal Street in Cristo- bal; replacement and widening of Third Street in Cristobal; and replacement of a section of Espave Avenue in Margarita.

In addition to this work, $70,000 is being asked for various additions and replace- ments to the municipal systems, includ- ing street lighting, sewers and drains, and sidewalks and driveways. The table below shows the estimated gross income and direct operating ex- penses of the various operating programs of the Company for the coming fiscal year: Inromt Ezpcrnr Set Canal operations $42,153,000 51S.374.500 $33,778,400 Other maritime opera- tions 6,251,300 5,119.800 1,131,500 Employee services 16,978,400 16.19S.300 780,100 Transportation and

utilities services 9.233,700 'MJVHIO - 195,200 Other supporting scrv- OFFICERS OF THE Canal Zone Central Labor Union-Metal Trades Council posed for this picture oes . 2,561,300 2.249.400 301,900 soon after their recent election. Seated, left to right, are: Louis S. Damiani, Legislative Representative; Net cost of C. Z. Govt.. KI.S2S.MKI HI.S2S.MKI James Trimble, First Vice President; Edward W. Hatchett, President; James II. I'fau, Second Vice Interest charges 8,602,300 -8,602.300 President; James H. Elliott, Secretary, Standing, in the same order: Walter Fischer, Treasurer; Tom Older general corporate Womble, Wage and Complaints Board Labor Representative; Burman S. Spangler, Trustee; Robert r\|lrlisc 6,163,400 -6,163,400 (juinn, Sergeant-at-Arms; Eugene Breakfield, Trustee; Robert deddes, Trustee; Jack Purvis, Alternate Legislative Representative and Chairman of the Legislative Committee; and Samuel Garriel, Alternate Total ... $78,019,000 $77,817,600 $202,300 Labor Representative on the Wage and Complaints Board. Absent at the time the photograph was is taken was W. E. Thrift, who is Second Alternate Wage and Complaint Board Labor Representative. A $12,000,000 capital program out- February 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

lined in the budget for the Canal Com- pany One-Time White House during the coming fiscal year, of Steward which over $9,000,000 will be in actual expenditures with the remainder to be Is Now Seaman On Taboga Launch carried over into fiscal year 1959. dent made short trips on These are divided into seven main the yacht or went fishing. groups which are listed below with the His duties this presidential estimate for each together with a brief on assign- ment were varied, he says. summary of some of the principal proj- He was a Chief ects or acquisitions: Steward, but his work involved serving, and, Canal projects $8,658,900 some cooking sometimes, general kitchen chores. One of the first Of this amount, $6,250,000 is budgeted things he had to learn on that job was for the replacement of the towing loco- discretion. One saw, one heard, but one motives. A total of $3,750,000 is budg- kept quiet, he says. eted this fiscal year for the conversion of Mr. de la Pena spent two weeks in th.> Kicks to 60-cyele current but most of Hyde Park with President Roosevelt this will lie spent during the coming vear. just before the President went to Hot Only $137,000 is in the budget for this Springs, Ga., where he died a few days item next year. later. The Navy men with whom the One of the principal items in Canal then Chief Steward worked were on their improvement work is a $1,S00,000 three- way to Washington from Hyde Park year project to improve the channel just when they learned at a railroad station north of Pedro Miguel Locks for which along the way, that the President had died. $1,072,000 is budgeted for the coming "He wasn't well when we went to year. The work in the Cut bet.veen Gold Hyde Park," Mr. de la Pena says, "but Hill and Pedro Miguel will involve the he seemed much stronger when he left removal of 650,000 cubic yards of earth for Washington and Georgia." and rock to cut away a section of bank AMADO DE LA PENA looks over souvenirs of the days when he was a steward at the White Despite the fact that news of the Pres- jutting into the Canal, and widen the House. ident's death was blazoned in every news- channel. paper they saw during the train trip, the Other items include $6S0,000 for deep- When Amado de la Pena, a seaman Navy men couldn't believe it. It was not ening of Cristobal anchorage; re-engine with the Navigation Division, refers to until they reached Washington, he recalls, the U.S. Toro; raise locomotive tracks in President and Mrs. Franklin Delano and saw a flight of "hundreds of planes" emergency-dam depressions; replacing Roosevelt as "Papa" and "Mama," he over the capital that they realized the equipment in Locks Division caisson; is not being disrespectful. He is merely reports were true. When the President's and $50,500 to replace harbor launches using a term of affection which became body was brought to Washington, Mr. and engines. second nature to him during the 11 de la Pena was among the crowds of Vessel repair projects $32,500 months he spent in and around the White mourners who lined the streets. He and House, serving the Roosevelts and later The principal work to be done in this the other Navy men went at once to the is to lighting the Trumans. category improvement the White House but could not make their That he has no pet names for President system in the Cristobal Shops of the In- way through the crowds surrounding the and Mrs. Truman does not mean that he dustrial Division. mansion. did not like them. On the contrary. Harbor terminal projects $110,300 Three months after President Roose- They were "fine people," he says. He This includes provision for continuing velt's death, the Chief Steward asked for was in Washington, however, only during replacement of electrical distribution sys- a reassignment to the Canal Zone to re- the first three months of the Truman tem of Cristobal piers, alterations to the join his family who had remained here administration and never got to know freight house in Cristobal, and the pur- when he was sent to Washington. the Trumans as well as he did the Roos- chase of cargo handling equipment. Mr. de la Pena was born in Capiz Capiz evelts. Employee service projects $541,500 in the Philippine Islands, a "good long Mr. de la Pena's White House service This will provide for the construction boat trip from Manila." He grew up on was a completely unexpected highspot of a modern 12-pump gasoline service Corregidor and at 14 he went to work in a Navy career which lasted almost station in Balboa to replace the existing for the Army in Manila as a kitchen 28 years. He had been reassigned from station, at an estimated cost of helper. In the next few years he learned $134,000. the Canal Zone, where he had been With this addition, service station facili- to cook, but spent his spare time fighting stationed for several years, to an area ties will be expanded to include the sale as a bantamweight in prizefights around where Navy troops were being assem- of automobile accessory and replacement Manila. He saw little future in either, bled for service in Guadalcanal. Sud- parts, and both tire and battery service. however, and one day a big poster along denly his orders were changed and he Two other items of general interest are a beach where he was working out spurred found himself assigned to the Presi- the replacement of the Balboa bowling him to join the Navy. He still doesn't dential yacht"Potomac"in Washington. alleys, and $100,000 for the construction understand how he happened to pass a Throughout his service with the two of a modern theater at Rainbow City to physical examination that particular day; Presidents, he lived aboard the Potomac, replace the old movie theater at Camp his eyes had been thoroughly blackened except when he accompanied President Bierd. in a fight the night before. Roosevelt to Hyde Park, to the mountain An authorization is requested for the In addition to his Navy service here camp in Maryland which the President completion of the project to replace the and in Washington, he served aboard sev- called "Shangri-la," or when the Presi- residence of the Governor, with $170,000 eral of the largest U. S. warships of their requested for the coming year. If the day. Among these were the battleships Governor's residence is not replaced by Administration Building is included in Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania, a new structure, the existing house will this amount. In addition to air condition- and the cruiser Memphis. On one of his be extensively renovated and modernized. ing and the replacement of the elevator, tours on the Pennsylvania he was assigned Transportation and utility the lighting system will be replaced and as personal steward to Secretary of War services $1 ,755,700 the wiring system will be completely re- Dwight F. Davis when the Secretary and Projects listed include power conver- habilitated. his two daughters traveled to Hawaii sion work; $219,000 for the purchase of Other projects requested are for the aboard the big battleship. One of Mr. motor equipment, including a replace- replacement of mowing, garbage, print- de la Pena's most treasured possessions ment of the nine-year-old car used by the ing and duplicating, office, and Mainte- is a letter of commendation from Secre- Company President which has been nance Division equipment. tary Davis. driven almost 100,000 miles; replacement General corporate projects $175,000 He joined the Panama Canal service of Miraflores substation switchgear; and This item is mainly to cover minor in 1949 as a launch seaman and is now funds to continue the air conditioning of capital additions and improvements, and on duty aboard the Taboga launches, the telephone exchanges. to cover the costs of retirement and re- making one trip back and forth to Other service projects $1,031,300 moval of capital items from Company Taboga every weekday and two trips The sum of $750,000 to modernize the plant. on Saturday. 10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957 More, Bigger Ships Pose New Problems In Deciding Future Capacity Of Canal

When some marine engineer a few years Special Engineering Division on the Isth- ago began to dream of a tanker big enough mian Canal Studies of 1947 which one to carry a veritable oil field in its hold, leading engineering authority- -who had he started something which today has no connection with the studies— called snowballed into one big headache for the the finest and most complete ever sub- operating personnel of the Panama Canal. mitted on a subject of that nature. A problem which didn't exist just ten The recommendation based on the 1947 years ago and one which competent engi- Studies—for the conversion of the Pan- neers didn't then foresee in this century ama Canal to a sea-level waterway—is has come to take a leading place among well known. What is not so well known the many relating to increasing the ca- nor remembered is that the Canal admin- pacity of the Panama Canal. It is the istration was enjoined by the legislation problem of "clear-Cut" transits. This is a authorizing the Studies to answer two handy name given to those ships requiring main questions: How best to meet the daylight transit which are so big, or un- requirements of future interoeeanic com- wieldy, or loaded with such hazardous merce AND national defense? This en- cargo that they are not permitted to joinder virtually eliminated a recommen- meet or pass oncoming ships in the eight- dation for a temporary solution. mile stretch of Gaillard Cut. This series of articles will in no way This is by no means the only knotty be concerned with the correctness of the question that arises in considering the recommendation for a sea-level canal, big problem of providing a waterway with nor with arguments pro and con on the ample capabilities to transit all ships of feasibility and desirability of a complete all sizes that could or would use a water- modernization of the existing Canal or a way between the Atlantic and Pacific canal elsewhere. oceans during the next few decades. The subject of increasing the capacity The problem of the future capacity of the Panama Canal is no new one. of the Panama Canal is one of great Indeed, it was considered while the Canal national and international importance. THE ONLY SECTION of Gaillard Cut now 500 was under construction. It has been the The subject was one of the leading feet wide for any great length is Culebra Reach. subject of intensive studies from time to This project was completed last year. North of this topics on the agenda of the Board of time since, notably during the late 1920's section to Gamboa is mostly 300 feet wide. Directors at the annual meeting on the when traffic was increasing at a tremen- Isthmus this week. 1. Traffic and transit problems of the dous pace, again after the close of World Because of the heightening interest existing Canal. War II, and during the past few years. in the subject and the fact that a big 2. Plans and routes for an Isthmian The Board has had it under continuing percentage of Canal employees entered canal. study for the past five years since the service since the Isthmian Canal Studies 3. Nicaragua and Atraio routes. Canal operations were incorporated. of 1947 were completed, The Review will 4. Modifications, including an ultra- Today, transit charts trace a rapidly present in this and the next few issues modern Panama lock canal. climbing line while bigger and bigger a series of articles outlining some of the 5. A sea-level waterway. ships are being built. principal phases of the "Isthmian Canal Many books to which the student or Too much emphasis on these two Problem" which dates back to the early engineer may turn for detailed informa- factors leads to an unwarranted con- sixteenth century when it was discovered tion have been written on each of these clusion that the Panama Canal is out- that a narrow strip of land divides the subjects. This series will touch only on moded and obsolete. Actually, its de- two oceans. some of the broader issues. pendable capacity is greater today than In general these will be divided into In the main, the series will be a con- ever before and the amount of traffic the following five main categories: densation of the reports made by the still leaves a comfortable margin under its capacity even without further im- provements. In the month of December, a new monthly record of 751 transits of ocean- going commercial ships was established, a daily average of 24.2. Under the pres- ent schedule of 16 hours a day, this amount of traffic was handled with some overtime. The capacity under present operating schedules, with no clear-Cut ships, would average about 30 a day, a figure unlikely to lie reached for several years, except during clays with peak traffic. If a 24-hour operating schedule were adopted, the Canal could accommodate as many as 10 ships a day under optimum conditions. With additional crews and relay lockages, 50 ships could transit in 24 hours except during overhaul periods. No competent analyst has predicted such a high level of traffic fur many decades. The 1917 report predicted an average of Hi ships a day in the year 2000, with daily peaks up to 09. These figures are all subject to drastic modification when the factor of clear-Cut

ships is brought into the picture. While the delays incident to clear-Cut transits FUTURE PROJECTS [•'( IB improving the Gaillard Cut section of the Canal are illustrated above. Tho rocky vary widely, the Canal's capacity may he tip on the east bank, left, above, is scheduled to be taken off during the coming fiscal year. The widening of 25 transits with five this section. Paraiso Reach, to 500 feet bottom depth, is on the long-range program. The sec- cut to 18 to a day tion to be removed in this work is indicated on the west bank in the picture above. clear-Cut ships. With 24-hour operation, Febiuaty 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11

The amazing growth in the size of tankers using the longer illustration below shows the relative size of the

Panama Canal during the past 30 years is graphically biggest tanker, t^e SS Esso , to use the Canal illustrated below. The illustrations on the top row indicate to the annual overages. Panama Canal net tonnage the comparative average size in the three years. The figures are shown.

SS Esso Colombia— 1 7,782 Tons this number of clear-Cut ships would di- handling, more and more commercial and maximum under all conditions) is further minish capacity to about 30 transits a naval vessels are being built which are limited by the overhaul periods which day, without giving consideration to fog, too large to go through the Canal. Five occur twice every five years. overhaul periods, or other limiting factors. years ago there were only two commercial The Canal's capacity during overhaul These figures clearly indicate the import- vessels too big for transit. Today there periods is being raised about 25 percent ance of clear-Cut ships in traffic capacity. are about 150 tankers afloat or being by modifications already accomplished at There are many limiting factors on built which cannot be accommodated. Gatun Locks and being made now at the the traffic capacities of the Canal—the These are in addition to the U. S. Navy Pacific Locks in time for the overhaul size of the locks, depth and width of aircraft carriers (including those with the next year. These modifications constitute the channel, fog, available water sup- new, canted flightdecks), some ore ships, the first part of a two-phase plan, ap- ply, and others but that of clear-Cut and a few dry-cargo carriers fitted for proved four years ago by the Board. ships is an entirely new one which has tanker use. Phase II of the plan includes further become important in the past two or It is to be remembered, however, that modifications to the Locks to increase the three years. a relatively small percentage of the super capacity during overhaul periods and to The problem was succinctly stated in tankers being built are for use on routes reduce the overhaul periods; provision of the 1956 Report of the Board of Direc- through the Panama Canal. Most com- passing stations in Gaillard Cut to reduce tors to the Stockholder as follows: mercial vessels too large to transit the the time required in handling clear-Cut "With the increasing trend in the size Canal, including the big tankers, are ships; and installation of all-weather nav- of ships, the number of clear-Cut transits built for specialized service since there igation equipment to permit uninterrup- has been increasing at an alarming rate. are few harbors in the world deep enough ted operation during times of low visibil- Clear-Cut transits were a minor annoy- to accommodate them. Their use in time ity in Gaillard Cut. ance a few years ago but they now have of emergency cannot, of course, be pre- In addition to these aids in stepping up a real bearing on the transit capacity of dicted. the traffic capacity, a program of chan- the Canal." While much depends on the individual nel improvement has been charted which The problem was so minor that it was ship's construction and its "handling" will gradually increase the number of considered inconsequential ten years ago qualities in determining its ability to possible transits. If the Canal Company's when the Isthmian Canal Studies were transit the Canal, a vessel of 45,000 dead- budget for the coming fiscal year is ap- in progress. In a four-month period in weight tons is considered, by rule of proved, work will be started next year on 1946 there were only 58 clear-Cut trans- thumb, to be the maximum size. Up improving the Paraiso Reach of Gaillard its, or two percent of the total ocean- until now, the largest cargo vessel to Cut just north of Pedro Miguel Locks. going traffic. transit was the SS Ore Prince (one of 3), This will improve navigation at that This figure was adopted for estimating of 45,000 d.w.t., and the largest tanker point by eliminating a rocky ledge which future traffic. "This percentage," the re- the SS Esso Colombia, of 35,000 d.w.t. juts into the Canal on the east side of port stated, "is accepted as typical and The super tankers are generally barred the channel. is the basis for assuming the transit of from transit by draft or beam, or both, Other projects on the long-range pro- two clear-Cut ships on peak days of the while carriers are stopped at the Locks gram include the widening of the entire future, one transit in each direction." by the canted flightdecks. Therefore, Paraiso Reach to 500 feet; improving the Using the two percent yardstick, even if Gaillard Cut could be widened channel alignment at Orchid Island just there would have been only 165 clear- and deepened enough to eliminate the south of Gatun Locks; and widening and Cut transits in the past fiscal year. clear-Cut problem, the size of the Locks improving the channel alignment of other Compare this estimate with the actual would still be a limiting factor for com- sections of Gaillard Cut—particularly figure of 706 clear-Cut transits. In the mercial as well as naval vessels. Empire Reach—just north of Culebra last six months of the calendar year Thus it is with many of the problems Reach. The latter is a one-and-a-half-mile 1956, there were 455 clear-Cut transits, relating to dependable capacity of the section—and the only one of considerable more than the number estimated for Canal—solve one and two others arise length—which now has a 500-foot bottom the year 2000. to haunt you. Another example of this width. The widening of Culebra Reach Both the increasing tanker traffic interrelation of problems is the fact was a long-range project begun over 20 through the Canal and the increasing that the number of lockages a day is years ago which was completed just last size of tankers have brought the clear- the limiting factor in traffic capacity year in connection with the Contractors Cut problem to the forefront since the under present operating schedules, but Hill project. close of the war. Of the 706 clear-Cut the limiting factor shifts to Gaillard While the widening of the entire Gail- transits in the past fiscal year, 180 were Cut when there are five or more clear- lard Cut section to 500 feet would prac- tankers larger than the famous T-2 tank- Cut ships to be handled in one day. tically eliminate the present and most ers of World War II period, which were While the size of the Locks, lockage immediate problem of clear-Cut ships, then judged to be near the maximum for capacity, and the width and depth of the marine officials of the Canal and mariners economical construction and operation. channel are limiting factors in normal who use the waterway constantly agree Aside from ships requiring clear-Cut operations, the dependable capacity (or that the whole problem (See page is) 12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957

April 15' s Drawing Near Again Zone Adults Now Seeking

But Early Birds Have Paid Taxes Anti-Polio Inoculations

Canal Zone adults are showing an in- creasing interest in having themselves vaccinated against polio, according to re- ports reaching the Division of Preventive Medicine and Quarantine. The adult vaccination program, which was started just before the Christmas holidays, got off to a slow start. Soon after the New Year, however, grownups began to appear in larger numbers at the out-patient clinics at Gorgas and hosp itals and at the various first-aid stations to request polio inoculations. In one week, late in January, 114 adults reported at the Gorgas Hospital out-patient clinic for the first of their three Salk vaccine inoculations.

The program for adults is separate from the free immunization program for expectant mothers and boys and girls under 20 years of age. The latter pro- gram was started in the Canal Zone about 18 months ago. Adults who take the Salk vaccine are charged a minimum fee for each of the CORDON R JACKSON, left, has, for several years, been the first Zonian to pay his income tax. He is shown with Wendell L. Lindsey, Internal Revenue Service Representative in the Canal Zone. three inoculations in the series.

Some Zonians may be dilatory about Internal Revenue Service in Washington, filing their income tax returns, but not instead of with the District office in employee how much he earned during the Gordon R. Jackson. This year, as he has Jacksonville, Fla. past calendar year and how much was been for the past few years, he was first Tax returns, together with checks, withheld from his pay for income tax, in line when the Internal Revenue Office bank drafts, or postal money orders are were distributed the middle of January. at Balboa opened for business January 2. to be mailed direct to the International New line-by-line instruction booklets Mr. Jackson doesn't stop at simply Operations Division in Washington. They will accompany all Federal income tax filing his tax returns on the first business are not to be filed with the local office. forms 1040's through the mail. Addi- of the year. He also pays his day Special arrangements have been made tional instruction booklets and forms entire tax and winds the business up for so that personal checks drawn on the are available at the local offices, for another year. First National City Bank and Chase those who do not receive them by mail. Mr. Jackson, who lives at the Tivoli Manhattan Bank branches in the Canal Offices of the Internal Revenue Service Guest House, is a former Canal employee. Zone may be used to pay taxes. Such in the Canal Zone are located at the as a railroad telegraph oper- He retired checks, however, must be sent only to Balboa Service Center and the Cristobal ator about 1 1 and a half years ago. the International Operations Division Post Office. At Balboa, office hours are During the first 15 days of last month and not to any other United States Rev- 8:30 to 5 p. m., Monday through Friday. business was slower at the local tax enue Office. The Cristobal office is open 9 a. m. to offices than it ordinarily is during filing The W-2 forms, which tell each Canal 4 p. m. each Monday. period. In the first two weeks of Jan- uary, only 300 taxpayers had come to the offices for information or to file their final returns. Zone Hospitals Soon To Begin And, during the same period, Wendell L. Lindsay, Canal Zone Representative On-The-Job Training Program of the Internal Revenue Service, and his The first group of hospital attendants Miss Beatrice Simonis, Director of Nur- temporary assistant, Morris Goldfarb, at the Zone's two hospitals this ses at Gorgas Hospital; Miss Florence answered about 250 telephone inquiries Canal month will begin a training program Edbrooke, Director of Nurses at Coco from tax payers. to enable them to improve the quality Solo Hospital; and William Brown, As- The filing period began this year on and quantity of hospital patient care. sistant to the Health Director. January 2 and will continue through The first group will consist of about 12 The trainees will spend about 40 hours, Monday, April 15. For Zonians, there is of the men and women whose duties at at the rate of four hours a week, in formal a major change over past procedure. the hospitals bring them into daily con- class work. During the remainder of the They now file their returns with the In- tact with the patients. Other groups, of calendar year they will be given on-the- ternational Operations Division of the about the same size, will follow the first ward training. until all qualified personnel to be sel- Throughout the training period they More, Bigger Ships Pose New Problems ected through a screening test have will be taught the "whys" as well as the spent several months learning, and in the "hows" of such duties as bed-making, (Continued from pag; It) of providing case of oldtimers, improving their know- care of wards, pre- and post-operative

ample and safe transit capacity could ledge of, the principles of patient care. care, the care of seriously ill patients, only be met by a channel 600 feet wide The classes will be conducted by Mrs. and relations with patients and patients' at the bottom, with the rocky bottom Ara S. Norris, of Balboa, a member of families. 50 feet under water instead of the present the Gorgas Hospital Staff. Mrs. Norris The training will not be specialized. 42 feet. is a graduate of Bradley University and One of its objectives is to have a corps Even with all these improvements took her nurse's training at Baptist Mem- of trained personnel who can be shifted completed, however, the Panama Canal orial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She from one ward to another when the need Locks will remain 110 feet wide, 12 feet served in the Army Nurse Corps during arises. While the hospital attendants will deep, and 1,000 feet long. World War II and has had considerable be taught to relieve registered nurses of Those dimensions will continue to con- experience in both supervisory and teach- non-technical duties, they will not be stitute a limiting factor until new locks ing work. qualified as either practical or registered are built or all locks are eliminated. She will follow a program planned by nurses. One of the major points to be And, either of these alternatives will cost a committee composed of Maj. Robert stressed is the limitations of a non-tech- a big hunk of money. Hughes, Gorgas Hospital Training Officer; nical assistant. February 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13

Students In Zone's Latin American Schools Zone-Owned Motor Vehicles Now Undergoing Inspection Begin Long Dry-Season Vacation February 6

( rver one-third of the motor vehicles School books are being stowed away shop will be built at the Santa Cruz School owned by Company-Government person- and gloves and roller skates are -making shop facilities available for the nel had undergone their annual examina- coming out of the closets this week. Ap- first time at this school. Protective sprink- tion at Motor Transportation Division proximately 4,000 boys and girls who ler systems are being added at Santa Cruz, garages during the first three weeks of attend the Canal Zone's Latin American and at the Rainbow City elementary and last month. close of schools are getting ready for their long high school buildings. The playing field At the business IS, vacation which starts next Wednesday area at Paraiso is being enlarged. January about 1,500 of the approxi- and lasts until May 6. For the first time in many years, the mately 4,000 vehicles subject to inspec- At the two Latin American high schools Division of Schools will not conduct a tion had been checked. six students are putting final touches on Summer Institute for its Latin American Vehicles in which defects were dis- the commencement addresses they will teachers during the long vacation period. covered, such as improperly operating give Wednesday night. The baccalaur- Instead, the teachers have been urged to brakes, non-functioning horns or lights, eate services on Sunday and the gradua- attend the summer term at the University or defective steering gear, were refused tion exercises on Wednesday will be the of Panama. the inspection certificate until these de- final events of the year for trie high school While the teachers are in classes at the fects had been repaired. This year the students. University, the students will have an percentage of cars rejected on the first Paraiso High School seniors, 1 12 strong, opportunity to take part in an extensive inspection lower last will attend baccalaureate services at 3 vacation athletic program. The program was than year. p. m. Sunday at the Paraiso Theater. starts February 11 and continues through Canal Zone traffic regulations require will be The Rev. John Kennedy, CM., May 1 at the four major Latin American that all motor vehicles owned in the City bacca- the speaker. The Rainbow towns. It will include Softball, , Canal Zone must be inspected each year. laureate service will be held in the school swimming, archery, table tennis, volley- Cars entitled to Post passes are inspected gymnasium, beginning at 5 p. m. The ball, and weight lifting, all supervised by by the Armed Forces. Rev. Samuel Walden of the Ebenezer the Physical Education and Athletics Methodist Church will be the Atlantic Branch of the Schools Division. Swim- Inspection hours, at the Motor Trans- side speaker. ming classes for elementary school child- portation Division garages at Ancon and 184 To Graduate ren will be given at the Rainbow Citv Cristobal, are: 9 to 11 a. m., and noon This year, 184 students will be grad- Pool. to 6 p. m., Mondays through Fridays. uated from the two high schools, 22 more than the total of last year's graduating classes. Paraiso High School seniors will receive their diplomas at the Paraiso Theater during exercises which will start at 8 p. m. This group started their school year at La Boca, but transferred to th 1 new Paraiso High School in June. Commencement exercises for the 72 Rainbow City High School seniors will begin at 8 p. m. Wednesday and will be held in the school gymnasium. Three seniors will deliver the commencement speeches at each high school. Wednesday marks the conclusion of the second year of all-Spanish teaching in the Latin American schools. A major event of the year was the exhaustive evaluation of the Latin American schools, conducted by three prominent Panaman- ian educators. While there were no major changes in curriculum or teaching methods during the school year, there were a number of physical improvements, with more being planned for the coming year. School Improvements Half-Buried Relics During the past year, Rainbow City High School was completely repainted, inside and out. The exterior of the high LONG FORGOTTEN" RELICS of the French con- school shop was repainted and a special struction days were discovered in the jungle near unit for junior high school classes added Gamboa recently by J. D. Tate, Assistant Chief of to the building. The old wooden annex the Aids to Navigation Section, who is shown at the which was used by the Rainbow City right examining two wheels from an old French Junior High School was demolished. dump car. The wheels, which evidently came off a Porte-cocheres were built at the Rainbow dump car similar to the four seen above, had been City elementary school, the gymnasium discarded and forgotten so long ago that trees have at Rainbow City and the Santa Cruz grown partially around them. The cars and the School. wheels were found by Mr. Tate north of the former A former storage building at Paraiso construction town of Bas Obispo, in a location which was converted into an attractive school is now between the Gamboa highway and the Canal building, at a cost of $125,000. The Par- but which was at one time a spoil area for the Bas aiso Junior High School was repainted Obispo excavation work. Apparently the cars had

and an annex, containing dressing room been shoved down a spur track, which still exists,

and showers, was constructed at the Para- and forgotten. The track rails are intact although

iso gymnasium. The La Boca elemen- the wooden ties have long since rotted away. Frcm tary school was moved into the former markings on the wheels, the cars were manufactured

high school building. in 1884 and 1887. With the exception of one side,

During the coming year, a new music which probably was constructed of wood and has

room is to be added to the Paraiso High disappeared, the cars are in a remarkably good state

School and two classrooms and a wood- of preservation. 14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957

FEBRUARY SAILINGS

December 75 through January 75 From Cristobal Cristobal Employees who were promoted or trans- counting Clerk, Commissary Division, to February 6 ferred between December 15 and January Accounting Clerk, Industrial Division. Ancon February 16 15 are listed below. Within-grade promo- Kyle C. Andress, from Shipwright. Indus- Cristobal __ February 23 tions are not reported. trial Division, to Towing Locomotive Op- ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH erator, Pacific Locks. From New York Burris Rice, from Window Clerk. John B. Coffey, from Head. Composing J. Postal Division, to Supervisory Storekeeper Ancon February Section, to Group Chief, Printing Press, 8 (General), Atlantic Locks. Printing Plant. Cristobal. _. February 15 Roscoe C. Crump, Howard L. Clarke, Jr., Gloria A. Shelton, from Interpreter (Sten- from Rigger and Diver to Locomotive Crane Ancon .. February 26 ography), Internal Security Office, to Rigger Operator and Diver, Industrial Div- Translator (File Clerk). Records Section. Southbound ships which leave New York Fridays ision. are in Haiti the following Tuesday. Those wlu'eh CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU Edward B. Frampton, Roy L. Rinehart, leave New York Tuesdays are in Haiti on Saturday. Thomas Egger, from Customs Guard from Rigger to Locomotive Crane-Rigger Northbound the ships are in Haiti two days after J. clearing Cristobal; Monday lor those which sailed to Customs Inspector. Customs Division. Operator, Industrial Division. Saturday, and Friday for those which cleared Cris- Donald D. Austin, Alfred J. Benton, PERSONNEL BUREAU tobal Wednesday. Ralph Dugan, D. Robert La Porta, Jr., Mrs. Manuelita 0. O'Sullivan, from from Policeman to Policeman and Motor- Clerk-Stenographer to Disability Relief cycle Officer. Officer, Employment and Utilization Div- Mrs. Sylvia S. Kietzman, from Substitute ision. Teacher to Elementary School Teacher, ANNIVERSARIES Jo Ann A. Fischer, from Clerk-Stenog- Division of Schools. rapher to Secretary (Stenography). Office Joaquin E. Cruz, from Translator (Typ- of the Director. To the "Old Sarge," as Homer Vincent ing), Administrative Branch, to Window Mrs. Carolyn Henry, from Clerk-Typ- Crooks is known in police circles on both Clerk. Postal Division. J. ist to Clerk (Typing), Office of the Director. sides of the Isthmus, went the honor of OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY being January's senior employee. He is Mrs. Hilda E. Wickens, from Cash Ac- senior in service by one day to H. Francis F. Sulley, from Attorney, Office John counting Clerk, Commissary Division, to Ward of Gatun Locks and by 23 days to of the General Counsel, to Assistant Sec- Accounting Clerk, Agents Accounts Branch. Walter E. Benny, of the Electrical Division, retary and Attorney, Office of the Secretary, January's other two ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION Panama Canal Company. 35-year men. BUREAU Born in Island City in the western SUPPLY AND EMPLOYEE SERVICE BUREAU part Mrs. Lucille M. Fulop, from Clerk-Sten- of Oregon, Sergeant Crooks grew up in the Mary N. Orr, from Secretary (Steno- ographer to Clerk (Stenography), Office of farming section of Nebraska —which may graphy) to Clerical Assistant (Stenography). Director. account for the green finger with which he Office of the Director. Mrs. Kathryn S. Gregory, from Clerk- raises some really fancy roses at his Gavilan Cuthbert C. Rowe, from Manager, Camp Typist to Dictating Machine Transcriber, Road headquarters in Balboa. Bierd Service Center, Service Center Div- Engineering Division. He is one of the few Zonians who have ision, to District Commissary Assistant, Allen K. Miller, from Electrical Engineer both Army and Navy sen ice. Durinp World Commissary Division. to Electrical Engineer ( Distribution Sys- War I, he was a corporal in the 2d Coast Sylvester D. Callender, from Manager, tem). Engineering Division. Artillery- in the Philippines. During the Pacific Service Center, Service Center Div- Robert E. L. Brown, from Supervisory early 1920's he was in the Navy; he served ision, to District Commissary Assistant, Electrical Engineer to Supervisory Electri- aboard the USS Milwaukee as a steam engi- Commissary Division. cal Engineer (Generation and Transmission) neer. During the latter part of 1927 he Gaspar G. de Paredes, Stockman Fore- Engineering Division. came to the Canal Zone where two brothers man, from Commissary Division to Division I. Franklin Mcllhenny, Macon W. Fos- — Michael and George —had preceded him, of Storehouses. cue, from Supervisory Electrical Engineer and got a temporary job as a helper in the Joseph L. H. Demers, from Supply Cat- to Supervisory Electrical Engineer (Gen- Mechanical Division. aloging Supervisor (General) to Supen isory eral), Engineering Division. Storage Office, Division of Storehouses. In January, 28 years ago last month, he Mrs. Evella C. Wright, from Clerk-Typist Edwin F. Rigby, from Supervisory Stor- transferred to the Police and Fite Division to Clerk (Typing), Surveys Branch. age Officer to Supervisory Storage Officer and has been a member of the Zone's Finest Charles W. Brown, from Supervisory (General), Division of Storehouses. ever since. During his police career he has Storekeeper (General), Atlantic Locks, to James O. DesLondes, from Supervisory served at Ancon, Cocoli, Cristobal, Gam- Administrative Assistant (Typing), Power Supply Officer (General), to Supply Cata- boa, the Gamboa Penitentiary, and now at Conversion Project. loging Supervisor, Division of Storehouses. Balboa where he is a desk officer with occa- Frederick B. Hill, Jr., from "Telephone sional duty as a roundsman. Installer-Maintainer to Automatic Tele- TRANSPORTATION AND TERMINALS phone Communication Equipment Main- BUREAU His friends say that he is well-known for one other quality besides his ability to grow tained Electrical Division. John H. Allen, Cliff Sanders, Roscoe S. fancy roses. He is completely poker-faced George V. Kirkland, from Pumping Plant Burgess, Ross E. Pase, Daulton C. Cypert, when cracking outrageous jokes or making Operator, Maintenance Division, to Con- George H. Egger, from Inspector I to In- horrible puns. They consider him one of struction Inspector (General), Contract and spector Carman Wood antl Steel, Railroad the funniest men they know. Inspection Division. Division. Donald A. Hause, from Docks Mechanic OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR-PRESIDENT All of John H. Ward's service has been II to Docks Mechanic III, Terminals Div- Mrs. Virginia D. Cunningham, from Clerk with the Locks Division. Born in South- ision. (Typing), Administrative Branch, to Sta- port. Conn., he came to the Canal Zone in Norman E. Demers, from Administra- tistical Clerk, Exe utive Planning Staff. J. March 1923, as a towing locomotive oper- tive Officer to Assistant to Transport, it ion ator. He has served as control house op- HEALTH BUREAU and Terminals Director, Office of Director. erator, supervisor, and lockmaster, and Mrs. Kathrine T. Purdy, Clerk Stenog- has been electrical supervisor, now known as rapher, from Wage and Classification Div- General Electrical Foreman, since Septem- ision [o ( torgas I [ospital. ber 1953. He is stationed at Gatun, Wilma Hidalgo, from Stenographer, Ad- ministrative Branch, to Clerk-Stenographer, RETIREMENTS Walter E. Benny, who was born in Brook- as helper in the Gorga I [ospital. lyn, worked a Mechanical Division during summer vacations when he \1 VRINE BUREAU Retirement certificates were presented was a boy. After he completed his appren- Merrel E. Sinclair, from Guard, Locks the end of January to the following em- ticeship as a machinist, he worked with the Securitj Branch, to Towing Locomotive ployees who are listed alphabetically, toge- Mechanical Division until 1936 when he i Operator, Pacific Locks. 1 1 in with their birthplai es, positions, length transferred for about two years to the Locks Robert Webb, from Sto kman I oreman, ol Canal service, and future homes. Division, lie lias been with the Electrical Commissai Divi ion, to I iuard, Locks Se- Division since 1938 and is now Mechanical curity Branch. Mrs. Lillian F. Farr, New Jetsey; Com- Supervisor in the Power Branch. John H. Caldwell, from Marine Mainte- missary Supervisor, Commissary Division; .to YEARS nam e Foi eman, I M V to Signalman, Nav- it) years, 6 months, 25 days; College Sta- first, igat ion Division. tion, Tex. Alva H. Cooke, alphabetically, ol Franklin W. Allie, Edgar S. Carlson, from January's 30-yeat employees, has been in Manuel Lopez, New York ; I i m It Driver, Master, to s.ilcu «ork lor the last 12 years. He is now Towboat Pilot-in-Training, Motor Transportation Division; 20 years, lor the Office of the \a\ igation I >r ision. SafetJ [nspei in Engi- 10 months. 7 days; Panama Christopher C. Bennett, from In pei toi neering and Construction Director. Born Paul T. Roth, New York; Housing Man- II in Inspector I, Elevators and ('rants. in Hampton, Va., he came to the Canal agement Aid, Housing and (.rounds Divi- join stall of the former Bureau Industrial I >i vision. Zone to the sion; 9 years, I month, 12 days; Tampa, Walter G. Brown, from Inspector II to of Clubs and Playgrounds and at tine time Fla. of ind < hi Meters. Indus- was manager Gamboa Clubhouse, Shipwright, trial Divi Edward Scott, South Wales; Both ol the other 30-year men are for- Ernest A. Angermuller, from Tank Tester Dredging Division; 15 years, II months, 11 mer Panama Canal apprentices. A native days; Florida II : to! ank n< pector I. Industrial I >i\ ision. New Yorker, Walter G. Laurie, General John R. Bruland, from lank Tester II to Harold D. Sutherland, Michigan; type Foreman in the Marine Bunkering end of Boilermaker, Industrial Division. writet Repairman, Industrial Division; 25 the Terminals Division, worked as a boj

Mrs. Melba M. Heintz, from ( a h V months, 10 days; Chappaqua, N.Y. with the Commissary Division during sum- February 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

mer vacations, lie has been in oil-handling work since 1934. The School Children Remembered Anthony C. Maggiori, who also passed his 30-year anniversary in January, was born in Panama. He serveil an apprenticeship M as a shiplitter and u.is with the Mechanical Division until 1950. He is now an Iron- worker-Welder .it Gatun Locks.

25 YEARS

Silver anniversaries were celebrated last month l>y one woman and four men in the (anal organization. Two ol them, James A. Brooks and Elmer F. Forbes, Jr., have unbroken Canal service. Mr. Brooks, who is Supervisory Cargo Officer in the Terminals Division, was born in Syracuse, N. V. Mr. Forbes, who comes from Coatesville, Pa., is a Motion Picture

Projectionist ; his sole local employer has been the Service Center Division. The other three 25-year employees are, alphabetically: John C. DeYoung, former Canal Zone policeman and now Gas Plant Foreman for the Industrial Division; Carleton F. Hallett, who has split his career between the Motion Picture Service and the Fire Division and is now a F'ire Lieutenant in charge of Gatun station; and Florence M. Peterson, Time. Leave, and Payroll Clerk with the Payroll Branch —while her service is not continuous, it has all been with some phase of the finan- cial part of the Canal job.

20 YEARS CANAL ZONE school children contributed their pennies to build this monument to a truck driver Four of the seven employees who com- who gave his life 37 years ago to save the lives of three small children and a woman bound for Sunday pleted 20 years of government service in School. The accident occurred February 8, 1920. January are not only native Zonians, but The brakes on an ice truck which Richard T. Perrott was driving that day gave way on the steep were all born in what is now Gorgas Hosp- hill of San Pablo Street in Balboa and the truck plunged downhill, headed' directly for the woman ital. and children. The driver chose to head into a curb rather than run them down. In this categorv come: Howard L. Clarke, The monument stands at the corner of Balboa Road and San Pablo Street where the accident occurred. It is decorated each Memorial Day. Jr., Locomotive Crane Rigger Operator and Diver, Industrial Division — his Canal ser- vice is unbroken; Rose A. McGuigan, Clerk in the Accounting Policies and Procedures Brighter Outlook Is Planned Staff—all of her service has been in account- ing work; Edward H. Neville, Jr., a one-time apprentice, now Hydraulic Engineer for the For Gorgas Hospital Patients Meteorological and Hydrographic Branch; and David C. Rose, Superintendent of the Finance Branch of the Postal Division. A plan to brighten the outlook of side. Each will be painted in a different January's other 20-year employees are: patients is being initiated this week at color combination proposed for adoption. Hospital the of lighter William M. Martin, Control House Oper- Gorgas by use and These will be on display some time this ator at Miraflores Locks —his service with more pleasing wall paints. Coco Solo month; Health Bureau officials, particu- is unbroken; Paul Morgan, the Canal W. Hospital wards and rooms are already General Supervisory Medical X-Ray tech- larly those at Gorgas Hospital, will wel- painted in pastel tones. nician who in 1954 won the first Outstand- come constructive criticism and sugges- rating ever given to a Canal employee; ing Four rooms, two each in the men's and tions. Stevens, Chief and Elmer B. of the Struc- women's wards, at Gorgas are being tural Branch of the Engineering Division. As a further step in improving the painted in soft, easy-to-look-at colors to mental attitude of patients, select, on a practical basis, a color scheme the walls of the various Nine of the 22 employees who had their for all wards and rooms. wards are to be decorated 15th anniversaries in January have un- with large colorful prints Different color combinations are being and drawings. broken service in the Canal organization. They are: used in each of the rooms with light tans, The redecoration of the hospital has greens, and blues, as the test colors. The been given Russell H. Brubaker, Supervisory Baker considerable attention by Specialist, Commissary Division; Elwood G. same color, but in different shades, will health officials and Governor Potter has

Assistant SupplyOfficer ( Bissett, Drygoods), be used in each room. evinced great interest in plans to improve Commissary Di\ision; Mrs. Margaret L. The dark shades will be used on the its appearance. Canavaggio, Cargo Control Clerk, Termi- nals Division; George C. Graffman, Pass- ceiling and on the walls behind the beds. enger Traffic Clerk, Administrative Branch; The other three walls will be painted in George S. McCullough, Building and Equip- light shades. ment Foreman, Service Center Division; Alien Cash Relief Check Harry T. Lacy, Towboat Master, Naviga- Furniture Refinished P. tion Division; Leroy Marsh, Marine As a further step, all ward and room Bunkering Steam Engineer, Terminals Div- Distribution Is Changed furniture is to be refinished in French ision; and Tomas A. Molleda, Engineering Draftsman. Engineering Division. gray. This will blend with any of the Residents of the Atlantic side who re- Other 15-vear employees are: shades of wall paint being used, and fur- ceive Alien Cash Relief checks may now Lester S. Beetle, Diesel Operator-Ma- niture of uniform color can be moved chinist, Electrical Division; Mrs. Thelma from room to room without disturbing obtain them on paydays from the former H. Bull, Statistical Clerk, Executive Plan- the color harmony. Treasurer's Office in the Cristobal Admin- ning Staff; Samuel Dubin, Storekeeper, istration Building. This office will be Division of Storehouses; John Fettler, Pol- Aside from presenting a more pleasing ice Sergeant, Cristobal District; John M. appearance for patients, the new paint open on paydays only; its hours will be Machinist, A. Graves, Gatun Locks; B. colors have been selected from a medical 8 to 11:30 a. m., and 1 to 4 p. m. Hendricks, Rates Analyst, Budget and viewpoint. None of the colors selected Rates Division; Simon B. Jones, Wireman, Those who do not collect their checks will influence the natural color of the Electrical Division; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Jor- on paydays may obtain them from the gensen, Clerk-Typist, Gorgas Hospital; patients, since some shades of paint can Cristobal Labor Office during regular Frank Koenig, Distribution Clerk, Balboa make a well person look ghastly. Post Office; Edward J. Lucas, Auditor, office hours. General Audit Division; Preston E. Minton, An extensive repainting program is also the Pacific the Alien Relief Auto Repair Machinist, Motor Transporta- planned for the hospital wards and, for On side, tion Division; Robert J. Roy, Machinist. this, an endeavor will be made to get the checks will be issued through the post Miraflores Locks; Mrs. Adelaide M. Seldon, popular reaction to various color schemes. offices. Those who formerly received Accounting Clerk, Fiscal Division; and their checks through the Ancon Post James R. Shirley, Housing Management Four models are being built for display Aid, Housing and Grounds Division. at various public buildings on the Pacific Office will now call for them at Balboa. 16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957

Domestic Equipment PAGES FROM THE Conversion At Gamboa KVS HIST Will Begin This Month THIS MONTH

Work on the conversion of domestic equipment in the town of Gamboa will 50 Years Ago War Pat Hurley. probably get underway about the middle Canal officials announced that the The Canal Zone was in a complete state of this month, according to present plans Mechanical Division would build a crane- of turmoil in February 1907. As the holds the contract boat to replace the historic old La Valley. of L. R. Sommer, who month began, the Isthmus was seething for the Central Area Conversion. This would keep about 150 men busy for with reports of the resignation of Theo- a full year and relieve the threat of a With the initiation of the work in dore P. Shonts as Chairman of the Isth- force reduction in that Division. Gamboa, the conversion of all domestic mian Canal Commission. As the month Engineers did some figuring and came up and industrial frequency-s?nsitive equip- ended, Zonians were further shaken by with this information: The lake which ment in the Canal Zone from 25- to 60- these headlines in the Star & Herald: would back up behind , then cycle current moves one more step "President Rejects All Canal Bids; under construction, would cover approxi- toward completion. No New Tenders Wanted. Stevens Ten- mately 17 square miles, have an 189-mile Meanwhile on the Atlantic side, where ders His Resignation. Report Neither perimeter, and contain about 22 million the first actual work in the conversion Denied or Confirmed. May be Suceeded cubic feet of water. project took place, conversion of domes- by Army Engineer." The Panama Railroad announced a tic equipment in Rainbow City and of The brief cable story under this bank of special round-trip rate of $30 a $10 re- headlines reported that Chief Engineer John duction —for transportation of automo- F. Stevens icould be succeeded by a "Major Employees who are transferred biles by rail across the Isthmus. The Geothals" of the Engineer Corps of the from areas where the conversion of new rates applied both to employees and United States Army. (Goethals was so privately-owned frequency-sensitive non-employees. little known that the "Star & Herald" con- equipment has been completed, to Paving of the Thatcher Highway was well sistently misspelled his name for the next areas where 25-cycle current is still ahead of schedule. In mid-February over two weeks.) The newspaper went to the in use, are requested to discuss with half of the highway paving was completed. Chief Engineer for confirmation but got no the Housing Manager in either Bal- A new code of laws for the Canal Zone word except a suggestion that the reporter Cristobal the availability of was occupying the attention of Congress. boa or ask Washington. 25-cycle equipment, which will be It would replace the existing code which While news of Stevens' resignation was loaned temporarily, pending conver- Governor Harry Burgess described as a disquieting, and incomprehensible in view sion of the area in which their new "hodge-podge." of his appointment that month as Chair- quarters are located. Employees Four efficiency experts from the Bureau man of the Commission, the report that transferred from a 60-cycle area to of Efficiency in Washington arrived Febru- the Canal would not be built by contract a 25-cycle area at their own request ary 24 to make a six-month general survey came as a considerable relief to the Canal are required to make their own ar- of Canal departments and divisions. Their forces. Earlier in the month the Star & rangements for the 25-cycle equip- chief, Herbert D. Brown, was due in Herald had reported that a meeting be- March for a shorter stay. ment. tween Mr. Shonts and the joint low bid- ders, Oliver and Bangs, "apparently 10 Years Ago frequency-sensitive equipment at Coco broke up in a row." The Board of Consultants for the report break- Solo Hospital was started last month. This was followed by a of a Isthmian Canal Studies, composed of up in the partnership and that, in turn, eminent engineers in several different All domestic equipment in Margarita by another that Oliver was incorporating Diablo Heights, has now been converted to 60 cycles ex- fields, met for a week at with a number of engineers and contractors over the progress to date. cept for what engineers call "odds and going work under the name of the Panama Canal Com- the reports they heard was one ends," for which the contractor does not Among pany. Its president was John B. McDonald party 19 had spent 17 days yet have parts. Conversion of equipment from a of who who had built a New York subway; Oliver in the Darien jungle, making surveys along in the Commissary-Service Center unit was vice president. proposed Caledonia route. Soon had not been started when this issue of the after While all of this was going on in Wash- the two Zonians, James E. Reeves The Review went to press. meeting Isthmus was not ington, work on the of the Special Engineering Division, and In the industrial conversion, the con- standing still. On February 2, there were Capt David M. McLaren, Pacific side pilot, tractor, Sachse International Corp., is 100 trains at work in Culebra Cut, 72 of were appointed to go and see how the Suez still at work in the Industrial Division. them hauling dirt. Grading was started Canal worked. Mindi Dairy equipment, which includes for a track to the dump which would be The SS Cristobal, again under the Pan- milking machines, has been converted "the first practical work" on the Sosa ama Line flag, made her first trip to the and this entire area, including Agua Dam. The big mess tent in Gatun dis- Isthmus after the war. She had been in Clara, Fort Davis, and Gatun Radio, is appeared and "Tent Street" went out of the Army Transport Service. now operating on 60 cycles. being as its residents moved into bache- A small outbreak of murine typhus in Other developments in the Power Con- lor or married quarters. , believed to have been intro- version project included the award last duced in a shipment of oats from South to W. A. Rogers for a contract to 25 Years Ago month America, led to a ruling that all grain and install and switch- furnish and new pumps The Canal Zone began to feel the cold cereal ships must be fumigated before they rewiring in the Mount Hope gear and hand of the great depression, 25 years could be unloaded at Balboa or Cristobal. this contract pump plant. The bid on ago this month. Canal traffic was still Liberalized sick and leave regulations work will be started upon was $247,250; decreasing. In February, transits totaled for "Silver" employees became effective receipt of materials, probably next sum- only 358 ocean-going vessels, lowest of February 1. mer. the fiscal year. By net tonnage, tanker Tourist trips were resumed through Gail- Last week, bids were opened for a traffic was down 32 percent from the pre- lard Cut for the first time since the war. tonnage, percent. 12,000-volt tie-line between the Cocoli vious month; cargo 19.3 The first party was a group of Standard Oil Diesel station and the Miraflores sub- Employees of tin- Storehouse Division Company executives. station. When this line is completed the learned that they would have to take <\ l'>- Year full capacity of the Cocoli Diesel station day furlough without pay between February One Ago will become available to the power sys- ami tin- end of the fiscal year as a money- A unified payroll for the Canal organ- tem. Upon completion of the conversion saving measure, and a id percent salary- ization became a reality when the first of the power system to 60 cycles, this cut agreed to by railroad workers in the paychecks under the new system were station will become the main standby United States u-ax applied to operating fur- delivered. Previously, employees on the station for the Zone, and the Miraflores sonnet of the Panama Railroad. Local U. S. rolls were paid one week, local-rate

Diesel st ii: ;n >\ill be retired from se,'- i.-.-. railroaders began an appeal to Secretary of employees the next. Febiuary 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 17 STATISTICS ON CANAL TRAFFIC For the purpose of comparison between pre-war and post-war traffic through the Panama Canal, statistics for the fiscal year 1938 are used in this section, as being more nearly normal for peace time than those for 1939.

RECENT UPSWING FAILS TO BRING CANAL TRAFFIC TO MARK SET DURING FIRST SIX MONTHS LAST YEAR

MONTHLY COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC AND TOLLS More Paid In Tolls Vessels of 300 tons net or over By fiscal years

Than In Fiscal 1956 Tolls Transits Month (In thousands of dollars) Despite Fewer Ships 1957 1956 1938 1957 1956 1938

July 669 727 Despite the fact that all previous rec- 457 SU154 S3, 247 $2,030, ords for the numb?r of large ocean-going 653 676 505 2,888 2,980 2,195 commercial vessels were broken during the month of December, the total number September 646 686 444 2,861 3,053 1,936 of transits for the first six months of the 699 70') 461 3,083 5,065 1,981 current fiscal year was slightly lower than the comparable period in fiscal year 1956. November 054 627 435 2,876 2,706 1,893 The difference of 11 in the total for

December . _ _ the six-month period can be attributed 751 658 439 3,420 1. 'Ml 1 ,845 to the low traffic of the first quarter of January 664 444 2,844 1,838 the fiscal year. Traffic began an upward swing in October, when 53 more ships 681 436 3,008 1,787 transited the Canal than during the pre- March.. 712 506 3,068 2,016 vious month; dropped again in Novem- sharply ber, and then rose in December April.. 692 487 3,021 1,961 when 751 commercial vessels of 300 tons or over went from ocean to ocean via the May 1 703 465 3,210 1,887 Panama Canal. As a result of this sharp 674 445 3,008 1,801 increase, the transits for the second quar- ter of 1957 were 10 more than for the Totals for first 6 months second quarter of the preceding fiscal year. of fiscal vear. 4.072 4,083 2.741 $18,182 $17,995 $11,880 Tolls Higher Than 1956 8,209 5,524 $36,154 $23,170 Although the number of ocean-going commercial transits was less during the first six months of 1957 than during the CANAL TRANSITS — COMMERCIAL AND U. S. GOVERNMENT first six months of 1956, tolls collected Second Onarter, Fiscal Years in the first two quarters of the current 1957 1956 1>J3S year exceeded those for the first six Atlantic Pacific months of fiscal 1956 by almost $200,000. to to Total Total Total Round figures for the two six-month per- Pacific Atlantic iods were: Julv through December, fiscal 1957: $18,182,000; July through Decem- Commercial Vessels: Ocean-going . 1,080 1,024 2,104 1.994 1,335 ber, fiscal 1956, $17,995,000. The increase in tolls was attributed to 123 102 225 188 236 the increase in size of the ships using the Panama Canal, particularly tankers. Total commercial 1,203 1,126 2,329 2,182 1,571 In the Atlantic to Pacific trade, mineral **U. S. Government vessels, ocean- oils retained the top spot in the tonnage 34 17 51 63 of commodities. Coal and coke shipments were again in second place; shipments of *Small ...... 43 74 117 87 this commodity, however, totaled over Total commercial and l". £. 300,000 tons more for the second quarter 1,280 1,217 2,497 2,332 of this fiscal year than for the second *Vessels under 300 net tons or 500 displacement tons. of fiscal 1956. This was due to quarter "Vessels on which tolls are credited. Prior to July 1, 1951, Government-operated increased shipments of coal and coke ships transited free. from the U. S. east coast to the Far East, particularly Japan. mineral oils shipped from Pacific to At- the number two position on the list of Scrap Metal lantic; decreases were also shown in the ships by nationalities, totaled 322 for the The most marked change in commodity amount of lumber, canned food products, second quarter this fiscal year, 28 more shipments was seen in comparative figures bananas, and coffee moving in this di- than for the comparable quarter in 1956. for scrap metal. During the second quar- rection. The most marked increase by registry ter of the present fiscal year a total of In addition to the sharp increase in was in Liberian flag vessels; 172 for the 404,163 long tons of scrap went through wheat shipments, other commodities second quarter this fiscal year against 93 the Canal from Atlantic to Pacific, com- showing an increased flow included sugar, for the similar period in fiscal 1956. pared with only 74,302 tons during the nitrates, refrigerated food products, met- Other nationalities showing an increase comparative period of fiscal 1956. als, pulpwood, and copra. included: Chile, China, Costa Rica, Fin- In the Pacific to Atlantic trade, ores The United States flag continued to land, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Italy, again occupied top position on the list of fly over more vessels using the Panama Japan, and the Netherlands. Fewer Co- 15 leading commodities. Wheat ship- Canal than any other national emblem, lombian, Danish, Ecuadorean, French, ments, however, moved into second place, although the number of U. S. -registered Nicaraguan, Norwegian, and Panama- for the second quarter this year, from ships was down to 452 during the second nian flags were seen this past quarter than fifth place during the second quarter of quarter of the present fiscal year from 528 during the second quarter of 1956, al- the last fiscal year. during the second quarter of fiscal 1956. though in no case was the decrease a There was a drop in the amount of British ships, which customarily occupy large one. 18 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957

New President Liner, Zone's Arbor Day

Ex-"Panama," Saluted

During Canal Transit

With the insignia of the American Pres- ident Lines beginning to take shape on her newly blue-painted stack, but still bearing her old name on her bow, the former SS Panama went through the Canal last month as her former colleagues in the Panama Canal service whistled salutes.

The transit of the former Panama Liner on her commercial trip through the Canal was marked by a constant series of whistled greetings from all of the Canal's floating equipment. The noise as she came into Balboa harbor, where she tied up briefly for minor re- pairs, was almost deafening for a short time. The Panama was sold recently to the American President Lines and will run under the name of the President Hoover. will the other APL ships She supplement OVER 4,000 TREES and shrubs have been set out throughout the Canal Zone as part cf an overall re- on the trans-Pacific run out of San Fran- beautifieation program. Above, John W. Purvis of the Housing and Grounds Division, directs a planting. cisco.

As the Panama, the ship ran from 1939 March 1942, went through the Canal to and made several runs in this service. In to 1941 for the Panama Railroad. Australia and New Zealand ports. After She was returned to the Panama Railroad 1941 she was transferred to the Army 1946. one round-trip in this service she returned in May Transport Service, under the name of to Charleston where she was assigned to Panama until she was reconverted for use the south Atlantic run. Some of her war- as a transport and renamed the James Improvement, Efficiency Program time trips took her as far as South Africa. Parker in honor of Brig. Gen. James Is Started For Panama Railroad Parker, a graduate of West Point with Later she tan between the United States the Class of 1876. and the Atlantic theater. (Continued from page 1) next year, a During the first part of World War II In the early part of 1946 she was con- completion of the track coding system she called frequently at Cristobal and in verted for carrying military dependents, begun several years ago, replacement of motor-car engines, and the purchase of Canal Commercial Traffic by Nationality of Vessels 60 box cars in the future years. The track coding of the Panama Rail- road is being done under a system de- veloped several years ago by Robert S. Wood, Signal Supervisor. In "track coding," the rails are used in operation of the signal system, rather than the more expensive cable system. The extent to which economies can be effected by personnel reductions, train schedule changes, and other suggestions is now being determined by studies being conducted jointly by the Transportation and Terminals Director, the Office of the Comptroller, and the Executive Planning Staff. This study will also include means of increasing railroad volume, rate changes, and related subjects. The general revitalization program for the Panama Railroad, which has been showing steadily climbing losses for the past three years, will be complicated by changes which are required under the 1955 Treaty. Commitments under the Treaty provide for the withdrawal of rail- road service from the terminal cities of Panama and Colon and the transfer of those properties to the Republic of Pan- ama.. When this is done, new passenger and freight-handling facilities will be re- quired in the Canal Zone. These terminal facilities will include passenger sheds near the boundary line in Ancon and in Cristobal, and a freight

house in Ancon. It is tentatively planned to convert the Tivoli Commissary, closed last month, for use as a freight depot. February 1, 1957 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 19 TRAFFIC MOVEMENT OVER MAIN TRADE ROUTES Locks At Miraflores The following table shows the number of transits of large, commercial vessels (300 net tons or over) segregated into eight main trade routes:

Now Being Altered Second Quarter, Fiscal Years

1957 1956 1938 To Increase Capacity United States Intercoastal 138 165 311

Kast Coast ol I . S. and South \merica. 521 525 Maintenance Division forces are near- 124 East Coast of ('. S. and Central America 80 136 3 ing completion of a project to increase East Coast of U. S. and Far East 369 301 139 the capacity of Miraflores Locks during I'. S.-Canada East Coast and Australasia 47 38 42 overhaul periods similar to the work done Europe and West Coast of U. S.-Canada. 217 186 252 Europe and South America 213 177 two years ago at Gatun Locks. 142 Europe and Australasia 119 100 38 After they finish at Miraflores, the All other routes - 400 366 284 construction forces will be moved to Pedro Miguel Locks to complete the Total Traffic work there in time for the five-year over- haul of the Pacific Locks, scheduled for Principal commodities shipped through the Canal in 1958. date has been the dry season No (All figures in long tons) scheduled for beginning the job at Pedro Miguel, although it probably will be ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC scheduled some time in April. The work consists of alterations to the Second Quarter, Fiscal Years locks which will permit the center wall Commodity culverts to be emptied and overhauled 1957 1956 1938 with both chambers in service, and the Mineral oils 1,144,271 1,029,210 287,537 use of double culverts when one set of Coal and coke 981,576 670,042 37,108 is overhaul. In the lock chambers under Manufactures of iron and steel 625,501 548,070 479,661 past, the center wall culverts were emp- Scrap metal 404,163 74,302 126,267 tied throughout the overhaul when either Phosphates 322,068 343,172 71,763 Soy Beans 236,887 265,073 307 set of chambers was unwatered. Metals, various 161,535 30,078 118,833 Part Of Plan Rice 147,698 97,739 1,759 Paper and paper products 114,648 115,671 94,572 The plan is known as Phase 1 of a plan Cotton 90,189 44,528 18,155 capacity of to increase the dependable Sulphur 84,908 132,137 101,599 the Canal. It was given a thorough test Machinery 81,511 76,151 40,773 last year when the Gatun Locks were Ores, various 81,401 11,241 23,125 Sugar 80,197 196,424 971 overhauled; it was estimated that the Bauxite 75,860 66,853 capacity there increased by lockage was All others 1,333,872 1,453,840 883,970 more than 25 percent during the overhaul period. Total 5,966,285 5,154,531 2,286,400 The work at Miraflores consists of re- moving the chain fender machinery at the two intermediate gates on the upper PACIFIC TO ATLANTIC chamber; sinking three elevator shafts and two pump shafts through the con- Second Quarter, Fiscal Years crete center wall; and installing three ele- Commodity 1957 1956 1938 vators and pumps required to empty the 18-foot culvert. big Ores, various 1,562,168 1,353,674 524,191 The shafts at Miraflores are 68 feet Wheat 791,600 284,240 217,658 deep; about 20 feet at the bottom is Lumber 706,532 779,287 671,973 Sugar 346,545 237,237 through reinforced concrete. 302,617 Canned food products 339,139 353,191 303,166 About two weeks ago it became neces- Nitrate 286,947 274,284 306,890 sary to unwater the center wall culvert Metals, various 260,621 199,605 179,591 prior to the break-through of the shafts M ineral oils 218,234 468,503 665,884 Bananas 197,992 227,245 into the culvert. Since that time, Mira- 4,911 Refrigerated food products (except fresh fruit) 193,671 168,019 64,079 single flores Locks has been on culvert Barley 122,042 193,528 57,310 operation and that will continue for Copra 88,901 74,329 33,454 about three or four more weeks until this Cotton 71,997 70,689 32,369 Pulp 69,158 57,692 108,884 phase of the work is completed. Coffee 67,868 76,457 33,884 Bottom Openings Sealed All others 939,303 823,530 877,980 Meanwhile, work has been in progress Total 6,262,718 5,641,510 4,384,841 on sealing the openings at the bottom of each of the lock chambers at Miraflores. These openings were formerly used to re- isions have been necessary to expedite night when ships are not in transit and move the cylindrical valve parts during the work and avoid interference with when vehicular traffic on the bridge is at overhaul. They will no longer be needed normal transit operations. a minimum. as all valves and parts will be removed The Dredging Division has furnished Three similar shafts are to be sunk at through the new shafts sunk from the top the 250-ton floating crane Hercules for Pedro Miguel Locks, two of which will of the lock walls. the heavy lifts, and much of the Locks be used for culvert pumps and the third The Locks Division placed bulkheads Division equipment is being used, in addi- for an elevator. One of these will be the over the bottom openings and they are tion to the bulkheading being done by chain well fender at the intermediate now being sealed off by concrete. the Locks personnel. Most of the work gates. These fenders were rarely used After these two phases of the work has been scheduled during the late shifts and the chain fenders were removed sev- have been completed, Miraflores Locks to eliminate interference with shipping. eral years ago. will resume regular operations and the The Maintenance Division has been When the work at Pedro Miguel Locks Maintenance Division will finish the other using the Miraflores Bridge for handling is completed, everything will be in read- work, such as placing the grillwork in the equipment and materials. This is ex- iness for the use of the Phase 1 plan dur- shafts. The entire job is scheduled for pected to result in considerable savings. ing the 1958 overhaul. The metal plugs completion about the end of March. Concrete for the caissons being sunk in used to seal off the center wall lateral Coordinated Work the shafts and broken concrete, earth, culverts at Gatun last year will be moved In accomplishing the work at Mira- and other debris are being handled from to the Pacific side during the coming flores, the coordinated efforts of the the center wall to the bridge. This work overhaul, since they are interchangeable Maintenance, Dredging, and Locks Div- is being done during the late hours at for all three sets of locks. J

20 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW February 1, 1957

Zonians To Find Old Friends SHIPS and SHIPPING On Panama Line's Two Ships

Well before they leave on their vaca- tions in the United States, most employ- ees begin to inquire as to the principal officers on the Panama Line ship on which they are to travel. Some go so far as to change their vaca- tion plans slightly to travel on a partic- ular ship because of past friendships with crew members developed on the six-day sea voyages.

Employees planning a trip soon will be pleased to know that they will encounter old friends and veteran officers of the SS Ancon and SS Cristobal. Relatively few changes in top personnel have been made as a result of the sale of the SS Panama.

The principal officers of the Cristobal now are: Captain William J. Steffens, Master; N. A. Nielsen, Chief Officer; William Schwamm, Chief Steward; and William Westfall, Chief Purser.

A NEW CUSTOMER for the Panama Canal last month was the Italian Line's Allesandro Yalta, above. Master of the Ancon is Captain F. S. She is the first of three fast new ships to go on the service between the Mediterranean and U. S. West Gorman, and serving with him are Coast ports. Charles L. Foley, First Officer and for- TRANSITS BY OCEAN-GOING AGENCY OFFICERS merly Master of the Panama; Malcolm VESSELS IN DECEMBER Gatheral, Chief Engineer; George Mc- A reshuffle of the management person- Knight, Chief Steward; and Stanley 1956 1955 ne i f the Panama Agencies Company Bain, Chief Purser. Commercial. . 751 658 was completed during January affecting Russell T. Downs, Purser on Panama U. S. Government.. 10 8 the offices on both sides of the Isthmus. Line ships for many years, made his last R. L. Rinder, who has been Manager of voyage to the Isthmus late last month Total.. 761 666 the Panama Agencies in Cristobal for the aboard the Ancon. He was to leave the TOLLS* past few years, was appointed Assistant service upon the ship's return to New Commercial $3,424,592 $2,947,237 Vice President of the Grace Line in New York, with Mr. Bain succeeding him. U. S. Government. 46,718 26,997 York. He was succeeded by F. X. Zei- metz, formerly Assistant Manager in Total... $3,471,310 $2,974,234 Panama. P. J. Secaras, formerly Assist- endam, the fourth to carry the famous * Includes tolls on all vessels, ocean-going and small. ant Manager of Panama Agencies in Cris- name since 1898, will arrive in Cristobal = tobal, was appointed Assistant Manager March 3 on her maiden cruise. Built re- The MS Allesandro Volta, first of the of the Grace Line office in Santiago, Chile. cently in Holland, the Stalendam is of Italian Line's three new fast ships being Roger R. Dougherty, formerly with the approximately 23,000 gross tons and has placed on the direct Pacific Coast-Med- Grace Line Office in New York, arrived a cruising speed of 19 knots. She is air iterranean service, arrived in Cristobal in on the Isthmus to take up his new duties conditioned throughout. January on her maiden voyage and was as Assistant Manager of the Panama greeted by shipping men and Canal em- Agencies in Cristobal succeeding Mr. Se- Tentative plans have been made for the ployees who were invited on board for caras, and John Reynolds, another em- vessel to make a three-month world cruise from to Brazil, an inspection trip. The ship docked in ployee from the New York office, arrived next year New York South Cristobal to unload cargo and made the during the month to take over the ac- and East Africa, Ceylon, Malaya, Saigon, Canal transit shortly after en route to counting duties in the Panama City Indonesia and the Philippires, Hong San Francisco. office. Derek Langman, formerly with Kong, Japan, Hawaii, and San Francisco, The Allesandro Volta will be followed C. B. Fenton and Company in Cristobal, returning to New York via the Panama by the MS Antonio Paeinotti due in Cris- has transferred to the Cristobal office of Canal. Local agents are the Pacific Steam tobal the end of February, and the MS Panama Agencies. Navigation Company. Galileo Ferraris, due here early in April, prominent VISITORS NEW NYK SHIPS The three vessels formerly under French prominent visitors to the Isthmus this The Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line which registry were built in 19o3-54 and were kend wi)1 be Ear , and Countess now maintains a weekly service through fitbd out recently m Genoa shipyards for J(witt who are arrjvi ag a rs the Panama Canal from Japan, Pacific their new service. Each has a gross ton- aboard ^ Pacific ^ tfavi jj on Coast, and New York, will shortly add f nS a SP Company's Reina del Mar from Liver- two new fast flag cargo liners to this run. ^f/,°knots 'innn°50,000 cub.cV fTifeet of space /for 16K ships (/ fhe ^ ^ dock [n ^^ The two are the Suruga Maru, due refrigerated cargo, and 68,00(1 cubic feet §&tarte morning, make the Canal tran- here in March, and the Settsu Main, due of tank space for liquid bulk cargoes ^ ^^ [n g^ R wi]] ^ Sun _ shortly after. Named after medieval Accommodations are available for 12 d for Wpst Coagt of South Ami, rican Japanese provinces, the vessels arc 9,400 passengers. I he itinerary of the vessels «to noP gross tons, have accommodations for 12 ' will include regular calls at 23 ports in ...... , T T , passengers, of ^ord Jow.tt is a prominent barn iter and a top speed approxi- the Mediterranean, Central America, and and has held a number of important posts mately 20 knots. They are handled here the Pacific Coast of the United States British Government. He was by Norton Lilly. and Canada successively Solitor General, Paymaster The Italian Line introduced the first GOING PLACES enera1 *I lnls t * lth '' U t 1 ' ,rtfo1 "' direct service from Pacific Coast to Med- ,- ^^ . The Makora, a 19-ton British yawl, ? T , 1 l f )st dur n rld ar 1 U ht ' d thl ' iterranean ports via Panama Canal l g ^" :. l" the Canal transit last week en route ths ^ J J made ° f J**a ( National 1106 in 1925. Prior to World War II, the Line *«* *" * from Falmouth, to Auckland, New Zea- B ^f fr ° m 1°44 1M5 and was Lord Chan- had five fast combination passenger-cargo *? land. Manned by a crew of two men and rom lfl4 to mi d dy vessels built especially for this trade, ?. - *? ^ two women, the little vessel made the trip £ ' Jow,ttf^ are makin a s th Ammc an After the loss of three 'vessels during the across the Atlantic in 45 days, visiting the J | .°V f crulsc aboard the Reina del Mar - war, the Italian Line has maintained the Canary Islands, the West Indies, and Cu- service since 1948 with Liberty ships NEW STATENDAM racao. She was locked through Miraflores purchased from the U. S. Government. The Holland America Line's new Stat- together with the cruise ship Lcilani.