THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1956

^-/-aa5-(ca) Gift ofthe Panama Canal Museum^

Vol. 7, No. 5 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, DECEMBER 7, 1956 5 cents

BOTH SIDES OF ISTHMUS WILL CELEBRATE PASSAGE OF BILLIONTH TON OF CARGO THROUGH PANAMA CANAL

Happy Holidays Gatun Locks, ships in transit, and Panama Canal floating equipment will all take on a holiday appearance one day soon, probably next week, in celebration of the shipment of the billionth ton of cargo through the Panama Canal. Arrangements for the day's program, which will end with a reception at the 1 Tivoli Guest House that night, have all been completed except for the necessary ingredients of the exact day and the specific ship which will carry the billionth ton. . X While the special ceremony to honor M the ship carrying the ton of cargo—which will highlight the benefits to world commerce provided by the Panama Canal 1 ^ < * -"SU will be held at Gatun Locks on the morn- K ' ing of its arrival, the vessel itself will be . . ft MADDV MFU t A i -»-»•—»- VEAR|J^ ll <_ B—t-i^tr at the its 12 * / H bedecked beginning of trip and the masters of all vessels in transit that *r J^ will to ip'>»'i.^fl] day be requested dress ship for JL their trip. In addition, a noisy salute will be paid by every piece of floating equipment of the Canal as the honored ship passes. Presentation Of Scroll The program at Gatun Locks will con- sist of the presentation of a special scroll Commissary And Service Center Divisions by Gov. W. E. Potter to the master of the vessel. Replicas of this scroll will be presented to all ships which move through To Be Merged Into One Unit On January 1 the Canal that day. Music for the ceremony at Gatun Locks will be provided by the Cristobal High School Band. Present The Commissary and Service Center yet been announced but the plan provides plans are to arrange the transit of the ship Divisions will be merged into one unit for the appointment of a single adminis- for the formal ceremony to take place at on January 1 as the first step in a long- trative supervisor for all commissary and the Locks at 10 o'clock in the morning. range program to realign the functions of service center functions in each town. A special stand in which the presenta- these divisions to meet conditions under For example, a single manager or super- tion will be made has been erected on the the drastic reduction in their activities visor will be appointed for the Balboa east wall of Gatun Locks. In event of a as a result of the 1955 Treaty. Commissary and Balboa Service Center heavy rain, the presentation ceremony The first step will be primarily admin- although the physical plant of the two will be transferred to the Gatun Theater istrative. It is planned by next July, units will continue as they now are. The and the "billionth-ton ship" will tie up however, to have the headquarters of the same arrangement is planned for all other at the Locks until it is completed. new division—to be designated as the communities, except that in some of the A cordial invitation has been extended Commissary and Service Center Division smaller towns some consolidation of plant to the general public of the Isthmus to —established on the Pacific side. This and facilities may be possible. attend and witness the historic event. will follow a consolidation of field super- It is presently planned to establish the Printed programs will be distributed at visory personnel and their work, which headquarters of the Commissary and the Lock gates and a special detail of will be made by the first of March. Service Center Division in Building 28, Canal Zone Police will be on hand to R. L. Sullivan, now General Manager the three-story masonry building in the assist in handling traffic. of the Commissary Division, will be Industrial Division area in Balboa which Specially-printed invitations have been named to act as General Manager of the is now headquarters of the Storehouse mailed out to several hundred firms and new organization, and Philip S. Thornton Division. individuals having a direct interest in the will be appointed Supervisor-in-Charge of It is also planned to move the ware- operation of the Panama Canal; these will several functions of the present Service housing activity for the Housewares unit become valuable souvenirs for their hold- Center Division of which he is now Gen- of the Commissary Division from Mount ers. These invitations are also good for eral Manager. These will include the res- Hope to Balboa. The transfer will be the reception to be given by Governor taurants, theaters, bowling alleys, and similar to that of the wholesale shoe unit, and Mrs. Potter that night at the Tivoli. motion picture service, and the Hotel accomplished last month. It is expected Special invitations have been sent to the Washington and Tivoli Guest House. that the present Balboa Housewares An- President of Panama and Mrs. Ernesto No other personnel assignments have nex can accommodate the (See pag: 12) de la Guardia, Jr., and (&e page is) THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1956

Changes Galore Are Scheduled For The End Of December

Before the next issue of The Panama Governor, Bureau Chiefs Scan Canal Review is published, more employees will have been affected by more Budget Standings Each Month changes than have ever been made before, at one time, in the history of the organization. The most far-reaching of these will be the withdrawal of general Canal Zone purchase and importation privileges from non-U. S.-citizen employees residing outside the Canal Zone. Another, of lesser effect, will be the restriction of general postal service to Canal Zone residents, U. S. Government agencies, and their U. S.-citizen employees, Armed Forces personnel on active duty, and organizations or business concerns in the Zone. The Treaty commitment requested by the Republic of Panama restricting purchase and importation privileges will have far-reaching effects both on the Canal organization and its activities. It will cut deeply into the Canal force with some 900 losing their jobs at the end of this year or soon afterward. Seven Commis- sary and Service Center units will be closed, and the number of customers in others will be greatly curtailed, resulting in a general realignment of the functions of these two units. The number and amount of gasoline sales will be drasti- POINTER IN HAND, Philip L. Steers, Jr., Comptroller, shows by charts just how the Company- there will be two or cally reduced and Government is doing, in workload and expenditures, compared to budget estimates. The photograph three thousand fewer of the familiar "Z" was taken during one of the "Keeping Tab on the Pennies" meetings attended by the Governor and Bureau Directors each month. plates on cars. The Canal Zone Government has been your money holding out? Have Room of the Administration Building, informed by the Panama Government "How's overspent for the quarter so that you usually begin with a few remarks by the that the employees residing in Panama you might run short toward the end of the Governor. Then Philip L. Steers, Jr., who are entitled to gasoline purchase Have you underspent, and why? the Panama Canal Company's Comptrol- privileges in the Canal Zone after Jan- year? their Have you spread your workload out so ler, steps to the end of the long table and, uary 1 will be issued "Z" plates for that you aren't going to have to rush pointer in hand like a school master, cars as in the past. These are used as later to get your year's job done?" works quickly down a row of charts one of the means of identification when a score more similar ques- which give an over-all picture of the en- gasoline sales are made. The purchaser These and tions are gone into each month, at what tire organization's finances. must also in every case present his valid as Management Charts are important in these meet- identification-privilege card. have come to be known Review Meetings, by members of the ings. Operating results are always dia- New I. P. Cards Governor's staff and directors of the Bu- grammed for all principal units, for the many changes to be made Among reaus which make up the Company-Gov- workload and financial results, in com- first the year, one which will be at the of ernment organization. parison with the budgeted figures. but which will affect most less noticeable Always apt with a phrase, the Gov- As he moves along his charts, Mr. employees, will be made in the identifi- ernor calls them the "Keeping Tab on Steers may indicate that one Bureau or card system now used. cation-privilege the Pennies" meetings although the another has fallen behind the budget es- conditions imposed by the 1955 Under funds he and the others talk about are timates in its expenditures and obliga- Treaty, the identification-privilege cards a lot apter to be in thousands of dol- tions. Then Governor Potter may inter- issued primarily on the basis of will be lars than in pennies. rupt to ask that particular director: residence since citizenship and place of These monthly get-togethers are tied "What about that?" these are the two controlling factors in in to the Company-Government's opera- After Mr. Steers has completed his re- eligibility of employees for determining ting budget and serve a two-fold purpose, port, John D. Hollen, Chief of the Execu- importation privileges. purchase and Governor Potter explained last month to tive Planning Staff, moves up to tell the cards issued to U. S.-citizen em- While L. K. Gerhardt and W. B. Hunter of the others in the room whether the Canal's employees who live in ployees and other General Accounting Office, who sat in on operations are shaping up as he and his will remain essentially the Canal Zone the meeting. staff have predicted they will. An im- completely new cards will be the same, "They are aimed," he said, "at seeing portant part of his work is with tolls and the large group of non-U. S.- required for how close we are sticking to our budget shipping, since they provide the bulk of citizen employees residing outside the and, since all of the Bureau Chiefs are the Company's income. for U. S. citizens will con- Zone. Cards here, are a fine way to keep all of them When he finishes, one Bureau director issued on an annual basis and tinue to be cognizant of all Company-Government after another takes over, to give his col- citizens residing in the those for non-U. S. operations. All should know what all are leagues and the Governor— a picture of purchase priv- Canal Zone and eligible for doing." the operations of his particular unit. monthly for limited ileges will be issued The meetings supplement the work of Some of the Bureau heads pace back present. amounts, as at the Company-Government Management and forth, hands behind their back, as Two Types Of Cards Committee in keeping the Governor, as they talk, and others stand quietly, indi- Two new types of cards will be issued operating head of the Company, and the cating only with motions of the pointer to non-U. S.-citizen employees living out- Bureau heads, as operators, up-to-date on the charts how their units stand. side the Canal Zone. One of these will be on operations as a whole, and by units. Some are in shirtsleeves, some wear coats. for the personal use of the employee indi- The meetings are informal and friendly. John Hollen's pencil is as apt as not to be cating he or she is entitled only to hosp- As the Governor explained to the GAO behind his ear, and his glasses pushed ital and related health service privileges visitors, "our chiefs don't sit and defend back onto his forehead. and to make limited purchases of certain and mull over their budgets. They stand The "Keeping Track of the Pennies" small items in Service Centers near the and report." meetings usually last an hour, although site of the employee's job. Such limited And that's exactly what they do. The those at the end of a quarter may run privileges are specifically (See page is) meetings, which are held in the Board somewhat longer-. December 7, 1956 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Many Canal Offices Labor Leaders Meet Here

To Be Transferred

Before End Of June

Moving day is in the immediate offing for a large number of Canal units and offices, and by next June a complete new map and office directory will be needed on the Pacific side. The moves, which are to start early in January, will result partly from the closing of four large units in A neon at the end of December. To be closed are the Ancon Commissary and post office, the Pacific Service Center, and Tivoli Commissary. Two of these buildings—the Ancon Commissary and Post Office—will continue in use and be reassigned to other Canal units. The Tivoli Commissary building will be retained and may later be converted for use as a freight house by the Panama Railroad after the railroad's terminal facilities are transferred to the Republic of Panama under terms of the 1955 Treaty. LEADERS OF Canal Zone labor unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO met last month with visiting The Pacific Service Center building, officials of the organization when AFL-CIO President George Meany and members of his staff were erected just before the beginning of here for two days. One of the events was a dinner held at the Tivoli Guest House. Mr. Meany is seated World War II as a USO building, prob- beside the microphone, facing the camera, flanked by E. W. Hatchett, President of the Central Labor ably will be demolished after it is va- Union, and by Mrs. Hatchett. Serafino Romauldi. Latin American Representative of the AFL-CIO, cated. is at the far left, hand extended, and David Dubinsky, napkin in his hand, is at the right rear. Mr. Dubin-

The Ancon Post Office building has sky is President of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and Vice President of the AFL-CIO. been assigned for use by the Treasury Branch. Modifications to the building already are in progress and it is expected that this move can be made soon after We May Have Rain, No Snow Or Ice, the postal service there is discontinued. The Treasury Branch is now occupying But Christmas Here Is Really Nice space in the former Special Engineering

Division Branch in Diablo Heights. Minus snow and ice of the natural var- ready for delivery on Monday. While it The Ancon Commissary, including the iety, the Canal Zone will soon begin to will still be necessary for these employees annex, will be assigned for use by the bedeck itself with trappings of the Christ- to work during the weekend to meet the Personnel Bureau. All Pacific side units mas season. Wednesday, December 26, deadline for of this bureau, with the exception of the Long since, the spirit of the Yuletide the delivery of paychecks, it would not be Director and his immediate staff, will has become apparent among the younger possible to move the date up to the pre- move there when the extensive alterations Zonians, what with visiting the Commis- ceding Friday. to the two buildings are completed. sary Toylands, practicing carols for the Even with overtime, there would not be Personnel Bureau Move annual school programs, or just dreaming time to process the time-cards and checks of Santa's visit to the tropics. On the in time for delivery on Friday, the last All units of the Wage and Classifica- adult side, there have been gentle remind- normal working-day before Christmas. tion Division and the Employment and ers at gift counters, in readjusted family The pay period involved ends December Utilization Division, including the Cen- budgets, and by plans for the purchase 15 and the time-cards will not be received tral Labor Office Branch, will be moved of food and decorations suitable for the by the Payroll Branch until December 17 to the new quarters. The Employment annual event. and 18. and Utilization Division is now assigned More and more during the past few With this change in plans, household office space on the first floor of the Ad- years, Zonians have devoted special atten- expenditures will have to be rearranged ministration Building and in the Central tion to home and outdoor decorations to get all the Christmas shopping done Labor Office building on Roosevelt Ave- suitable for the Christmas season. This with only one other pay check before the nue. This change will permit a consolida- trend is expected to be accentuated this holidays begin. tion of all files with easier access by bu- year with inviting sight-seeing drives in This may give a weak assist to the reau personnel and will provide for better most communities being available to in- do - your - Christmas - shopping - early coordination of all personnel activities spect home and garden decorations. program, but even this will not prod and actions with the unified office. Christmas Day this year falls on all shoppers to complete their shopping Another change affecting the Personnel Tuesday, and President Eisenhower until the last minute. Accordingly, Bureau will be the reassignment of the has issued a memorandum directing the Commissary Division has an- former field office of the Maintenance that Government agencies maintain nounced that the retail stores will be Division on Corozo Street to the bureau only skeleton forces on Monday, Christ- opened on Christmas Eve morning as a Training Center. The Training Offi- mas Eve, virtually making a four-day only. This will not only be an aid to cer will have office space in this building holiday for Government workers. The late shoppers but will be a help to and in the Director's office. President's memorandum also stated housewives who otherwise would have Several other major changes are that a liberal leave policy should be to stock up food for a three-day closing planned, but some of these will not take adopted for the entire holiday season. period at a time when eating is one of place for several months. Arrangements which had already been the main aspects of daily living. Printing Plant Move made to pay most of the employees in Announcements will be made later this One of the most important of the latter the Canal organization on Monday, Dec- month on holiday schedules, particularly will be the transfer of the Printing Plant ember 24, instead of Tuesday and Wed- where unusual changes are to be made. from Mount Hope to the Pacific side. nesday have been necessarily disrupted Of the many public programs arranged Studies are now in progress for a suitable by making the day a holiday for all prac- for the Christmas season in the Canal building for use by the Printing Plant tical purposes. It would have been nec- Zone, the musical programs arranged by and the move is scheduled to be made essary for employees of both the Payroll the various schools attract most attention before next July. When this is done, the and Treasury Branches to work over the This year these programs will begin Reproduction Unit now (See page is) preceding weekend to get the paychecks Thursday, December 13, (Se$ page is) THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1 956

hands. When he Here's The Man use of his finely-shaped is talking with someone, he is apt to put his fingertips together, tent-fashion, or Who Heads The Legal Staff rest his chin in his hands. He is conserv- ative about his clothes, as becomes a senior partner, and generally sticks to blue or brown or gray. The only jewelry he wears consistently is an unusual tur- quoise ring, a gift from his mother-in-law, and a plain tie clasp. Much interested in the Interior of Panama, he has developed a reading- interest in archaeology, probably because of his friends Mathew and Mar- ion Stirling of the Smithsonian Insti- tution Staff. Other off-the-job inter- ests are his church—he was president of the Unitarian Society for some time —and the Red Cross. He headed the local Chapter's drive for funds several years ago.

The Ben tzes- vivacious Betty Bentz is as well known in local art circles as her husband is in the legal field- live in a big house on the side of Ancon Hill, over- looking Panama City. Their two children, Alan and Joan, and their two grandsons, Brooks, 6, and has been familiar with Canal Zone Law since 1928. PAUL A. BENTZ Drew, 4, live in the States. Before Alan, who lives in Bound Brook, N. J., began work- It would be a brash individual, indeed, pany's position" in one of several pend- spending most of his waking hours he who tried to challenge Paul Andrew ing law-suits. In addition to the pilots' ing toward a doctorate in chemistry, Bentz on the whereabouts of any article pay suit, probably the best-known case and his father used to carry on chess in the Canal Zone Code. He certainly now under way, the Company is defend- matches by mail. should know; he put every title and every ant in half a dozen ship-damage actions, Joan, born in Washington while her article in its place. results of accidents in the Canal. father was indexing the laws he had codi- Today, as General Counsel of the Pan- After that conference he might call fied, is now a New Yorker, up to hei ears, ama Canal Company, Mr. Bentz is senior another in connection with the drafting or eyes, perhaps, in the contact-lens busi- partner in the Company's built-in law of some legislation pertaining to the Canal ness. firm. His familiarity with the Canal Zone Zone. Any new law, or amendment to Code, however, antedates his senior part- existing Canal Zone law, must be passed dozen years. nership by a by Congress but if it originates in the Employees On Leave In 1928, five years out of the University Canal enterprise, it is generally written Nebraska's Law School and with four of by the legal staff. The bill signed by Are Now Considered years as an editor in a Saint Paul law- President Eisenhower last July authoriz- book publishing house behind him, he ing the Company "to construct, main- Returning Residents was appointed codifier of the Canal Zone's tain, and operate" a bridge across the laws—a much-needed job never before Canal, was originally drafted in the Gen- done. eral Counsel's Office. Executive Orders Canal employees returning to the States The four-inch thick volume which re- pertaining to the Canal Zone and Regu- on leave are now being classified as "re- sulted from his four years' work has since lations issued by the Governor are also turning residents" rather than non-resi- been supplemented by two smaller com- drafted there. dents and are entitled to the more liberal pilations of later laws and a third is in provisions with respect As General Counsel, he is chairman to free entry. the offing. of the Canal Zone Pardon Board and Heretofore, employees returning on Fairly soon there will have to be a of the Law Library Committee, and is leave were classified as non-residents, limited revision of the Code and a new a member of the Standing Transporta- which excluded exemption of duty on edition, including the supplements. tion Committee and, in his official pos- anything except personal and household When that time comes, Mr. Bentz will ition, he is called on to attend the Gov- goods, and gifts with a value of more than probably serve as an advisor rather ernor's Staff Conferences. $10. They were also allowed free entry than as a codifier. He has much too One of Mr. Bentz's most important on one quart of alcoholic beverages, and do. much else to 300 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or three jobs is also one of the most delicate: He pounds staff advisor to the Governor- He is of tobacco. is one of the Company-Government's President, with all the work a job as principal interpreters of the U. S.-Panama Generally, under the new classification, counsellor entails. His office represents treaties. For many months, here and in they will be granted duty exemption on the Panama Canal Company in legal the United States, he worked on treaty $500 worth of purchases made outside the actions; it handles the legal work of the provisions which affect the Company- United States, including up to one gallon Company; it drafts legislation which per- Government and then participated to of alcoholic beverages and 100 cigars. If tains to the Company. Each of the eight some extent in the final drafting of the a family declaration is made, the com- young men who comprise his "firm" is ot Treaty and Memorandum of Understand- bined exemptions may be applied. The some extent a specialist in one phase or ings. Now he assists in interpreting them. $500 exemption is permissible only when another of law, but, as senior partner, he good-looking man, whose wavy dark no exemptions have been claimed six is responsible for their activities. A months prior to reentry hair is beginning to gray, Paul Bentz into the States. It is that variety of legal work, and born in the little town of Salem, Neb. Collectors of Customs in all "the sense of being part of an organiza- was United 57 years ago. In his salad days he was States ports have been informed of the tion like this one," that Paul Bentz likes something of an athlete. His tennis was new ruling and pursers on Panama Line best about his job. local tournament calibre, his bowling ships now have the new customs Take a typical day's activities: of declara- score nothing to be ashamed of, and his tion forms available. As "staff advisor" he may be asked for swimming stroke good enough to carry an opinion as to the legality of some step Although Canal employees returning to him easily to the net at Amador Beach. the Administration would like to take - the States are classifiable as returning Now his athletics are more of the arm- such as, for instance, contracting for the residents, each individual should investi- chair variety and his deep-sea fishing has provision of additional school-bus service. gate thoroughly customs regulations ap- off the Amador Then he may hold a conference with given way to a rod plicable in his own case, because of the the members of his staff who are doing Causeway. complexities and limitations which are the actual work of "defending the Com- One of his most distinctive traits is the applicable on exemptions from duty. —

December 7, 1956 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW Canal Zone's Now Keeping An Eye On World-Wide Earth-Shaking Events

Next time there's an earthquake in Siam, or Siberia, the Panama Canal will know it.

Not that the Canal Zone will tremble and shake any more than it has in the past. The difference is that sensitive instruments in the basement of the Balboa Heights Administration Building will now record these distant quakes. Up until a month or so ago, the equipment in the seismograph room at Balboa Heights was the sort which recorded only earthquakes which were fairly close at hand. New equipment, which has just been installed, records distant quakes and completes what every well-fitted seis- mological observatory needs. Possibly one might wonder what the Canal's meteorologists need to know about earthquakes in Siberia. It's quite simple: The Meteorological and Hydrographic Branch of the Engin- eering and Construction Bureau which has charge of the seismographs has other functions outside of those on the home base, so to speak. The Canal Zone station is only one in an interna- ALL OF THESE instruments which surround W. H. Esslinger have something to do with recording tional network of observation stations earthquakes and all come under the general heading of seismographs. whose reports give scientists in central locations an overall picture of what is possibly, its direction from the Isthmus veloped in a process similar to that used going on in the world—earth-shaking and its depth in the earth's crust. for any film, the record shows up as events, that is. W. H. Esslinger, Chief Hydrographer, black lines on white paper. The actual John Milne, the father of modern seis- and T. C. Henter, his chief assistant, will movement of the earth is magnified ap- mology, once defined seismology as "the derive a certain amount of personal as proximately 3,000 times. eye through which one may view the well as professional satisfaction from this. Local history records heavy local trem- innards of the earth." It is a compound- They've gotten a little tired of the look ors in 1621 and 1882, and the worst local eye, made up of many facets irregularly of disbelief which comes over a question- quake is thought to have been that which placed over the surface of the earth er's face and when they answer, quite hon- occurred on September 7, 1882. From each looking inward. estly, that they cannot tell the direction newspaper and eyewitness accounts, seis- Occasional glimpses of energy flashes of an earthquake or whether it occurred mologists have classified it as intensity or earthquakes—are viewed by the indi- in Puerto Armuelles or Darien. VIII on the Mercali scale. That means vidual facets—of which the Canal Zone These two, assisted by Ken Jorgensen that chimneys, monuments, columns, and is one-^-and the information obtained and Elmer Kanz, have installed, adjusted, walls fell, heavy furniture was overturned. therefrom' is coordinated by a "central and tested the new instruments which re- Poorly-built structures were greatly dam- intelligence" to form a composite picture place equipment which was installed in aged, ordinary substantial buildings col- of what is inside the earth, or of the loca- 1908 and has not been in working condi- lapsed partially and only specially-de- tion of the centers from which the energy tion for many years. Galitzin-type instru- signed buildings—of which there were few flashes originate. ments, they have a coil of wire fixed to a in those days—escaped with little damage. The United States Coast and Geodetic pendulum so that an electric current is Every year the seismographs at Bal- Survey at Washington, to which the generated when an earthquake causes the boa Heights record about 300 earth- pendulum coil Canal Zone station reports, is one of and to oscillate between quakes, but only a few of these tremors the poles these coordinating centers. Each year of a strong magnet. are felt. In August of this year, for the information it receives leads to the The current passes through a sensitive instance, 21 quakes were recorded but accurate location of more than a thous- galvanometer and its variations set a people were conscious of only four of and earthquakes. small mirror swinging from side to side. them. Fifteen of the 21 originated Beside its connections with the Wash- This, in turn, reflects a pinpoint of light within a 150-mile radius from Balboa. ington, D. C, center, the local seismo- which records the "wiggles" on a sheet of The most recent generally-felt earth- graphic station will have an important photographic paper. The paper is wrapped quake was that which occurred the eve- job during the coming calendar year, around a cylinder which revolves at ning of November 19. a rate of only 30 millimeters a minute. which has been established as Inter- Even the average nonscientific indivi- national Geophysical Year. During the When the photographic paper is de- dual of today realizes that seismographs entire year a of reports steady stream record but do not predict earthquakes. will flow from here, to be coordinated SEISMOGRAPH In December 1906, however, a rumor cir- with others from all over the world. culated widely in Panama that the city The new instruments which have been would be razed by an earthquake. The installed in the tomb-like seismograph EPICENTER. Star & Herald for December 21 that year room are what scientists call "horizontal commented that the rumor "has not been and vertical components." There are two substantiated by events. The earthquake of the former and one of the latter, con- is now some days overdue." nected to a precision clock. The rumor turned out to have origi- All of these are 'long period" instru- nated with a talkative gentleman, meet- ments (see accompanying diagram). The Prelimmory Secondary Long ing with his cronies over a glass of beer, instruments which they supplement are "short period" instruments. Together, and led to an ICC ruling that virtually -^r—^*^^f^4t^~_ -W-f «- they will provide more information than no information was to be given out except Ear thquake waves recorded on has been available here before as to the seismograph by authorization of the Commission's DIFFERENCE IN TIMES location of an earthquake's epicenter and, OF ARRIVAL OF P AND S WAVES chairman. GIVES DISTANCE FROM EARTHOUAKE TO SEISMOGRAPH '

THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1956

FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GUIDANCE IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION ,.„£ TflK /_/

Twenty schools in the Canal Zone system were enrolled last month, for the first time, on the National School Safety Honor Roll. Enrollment certificates were presented to student representatives of the 20 schools by Lt. Gov. H. W. Shull, Jr. In order to qualify for the safety award each of the schools had to meet certain minimum specifications set up by the National Safety Council; they will remain on the honor roll for three years under these standards. At the end of the three- year period, however, the schools must intensify their safety training to continue on the honor roll and the requirements will become increasingly tight. One of the requirements of the Na- tional Safety Council was that each school be inspected by a special committee. These committees checked a list prepared by the Safety Council to see that certain safety requirements were being complied CERTIFICATES THAT THEIR schools have won Honor Awards from the National Safety Council instruction was be- with and that safety are displayed proudly by the boys and girls above. On hand for the presentation ceremony last month ing given. In addition to the principals were a number of parents and school officials. Left to right, front row, are: Jerry Mann, Eugene Linfors, of the schools the committee members in- Edith Murray, Olga Winter, Robert Boatwright, Samuel Bettsak, Jerry Cooper, Jackie Holcomb, Sheryl Oliphant, Carolyn Smith, Margaret Morris, and Lt. Gov. H. W. Schull, Jr. cluded at least one parent, a civic leader, Second row: S. E. Esser, Russell T. Wise, Ricardo Cameron, Pauline Smith, Osmond Brown, Jr., and a student. Raymond Oakley, George Clarke, William Dolan, Brian Cox, and Robert Bohannon. The following'were the committees for Owen B. Shirley, Byron D. McDougall, Roger Michel, Mrs. Marie H. Neal, Charles A. Dubbs, the 20 schools: Mrs. Niles Linfors, Miss Frances Moomaw, Mrs. Leonard Mann, R. W. Collinge, and G. C. Lockridge. Ancon: Roger D. Michel, Mrs. R. G Rennie, Mrs. John E. Deming, and Sally Dorothy Leach, James Pfau, and three HONOR ROLL Randal; committees totaling 40 students; Balboa Junior-Senior High School: T. F. Diablo: Michel, Mrs. Mortimer Bureau Award For Roger D. Hotz, Charles Brandl, C. F. Magee, Ken- Hill, E. G. Evans, and John Zelnick; BEST RECORD neth B. Tucker, and the following students: Gamboa: Miss E. Frances Fanning, Mrs. OCTOBER Jack Perantie, Pat Tubbs, Janet Tribe, Ruth Banton, Mrs. Josephine Hidalgo, and Carlos Kiamco, Robert Hatting, and Marie Gerald Cooper; HEALTH BUREAU Dells; Gatun: George Gercich, Mrs. George Balboa Elementary: Mrs. Marie H. Neal, Mitchell, Mrs. Albert Goguen, and Joseph AWARDS THIS CALENDER YEAR Lt. E. L. Cotton, Sgt. Jack F. Morris, Mrs. Coffin; Health 9 Vivian Mikulich, and Perry Raymond. Kobbe: Miss Ruth Creasy, Louis DeAr- Civil Affairs 7 Chagres: Mrs. Elouise G. Small, the Rev. mas, R. Williams, and Eugene Linfors; Supply and Employee Service 3 G. R. Grandison, Joseph Henlon, and Ruby La Boca: Miss Pearline Carter, John Engineering and Construction 1 Simon; Blake, R. R. Livingston, and Alfred Bowen; Marine 1 Cocoli: Miss Ruth Creasy, Leonard Mann North Margarita: Miss Frances Moomaw, 1 Transportation and Terminals G. J. Denny, Mrs. Esther Hodges, and Mi- Mrs. Henrietta Cheek, Mrs. Dorothy Leach, chael McClung; Thomas Sellers, and Dennis Roy Reid; Division Award For Cristobal Elementary: Miss Helen Rush- South Margarita: Miss Moomaw, Mrs. NO DISABLING INJURIES ing, Miss Thelma Godwin, and Earle Orr, Jr.; Nannie Hawthorne, Mrs. Leach, Mr. Sel- OCTOBER Cristobal Junior-Senior High School: lers, and Tommy Wilson; Paul L. Beck, Mrs. Stella Riefkohl, Mrs. tParaiso: Ellis L. Fawcett, {Seepage IS) NAVIGATION DIVISION HOSPITALS AND CLINICS FREQUENCY RATE—Disabling injuries per 1,000,000 employee- SERVICE CENTER DIVISION OCTOBER 1956 hours worked. HOUSING AND GROUNDS DIVISION BUREAU DREDGING DIVISION js 5 10 15 20 I INDUSTRIAL DIVISION 0.00 ELECTRICAL DIVISION Health DIVISION ||P^a MOTOR TRANSPORTATION 1 1.74 STOREHOUSE DIVISION' Supply and Employee Service ||pS§8^ FIRE DIVISION! 1 1.82 SANITATION DIVISION Marine lliss^s^^i AIDS TO NAVIGATION 1 3.19 Engineering and Construction AWARDS THIS CALENDER YEAR 9 3.79 Aids to Navigation 10 Canal Zone Govt. -Panama Canal Co. Sanitation. --- 10 Storehouses 10 3 7.35 Hospitals and Clinics 9 Transportation and Terminals Industrial 9 Motor Transportation 9 3 15.19 Service Center 9 Civil Affairs Commissary 8 ^s^sp^ —1— Dredging... 7 5 10 15 20 Electrical 7 (Employee-hours worked 2,377,618) Railroad 7 (Number of Disabling Injuries 9) LEGEND Housing and Grounds (8 mos.) 6 Maintenance 4

Navigation 4 | Frequency Rate this month Fire (4 mos.) — 3 Locks 3 f:!--:-.:::^] Accumulative Frequency Rale this Calendar Year Police (4 mos.) -- 3 1953-1954-1955 Calendar Year Average Terminals 1 1 December 7, 1956 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW OF CURRENT AND FUTURE INTEREST

Plans have been made for enlargement of the Rainbow City luncheonette to provide restaurant facilities for employees working on the dredge "Mindi" and other equipment and installations on the Atlantic side. At the present time, Latin American workers on such jobs have their meals at the Camp Bierd Service Center, which will be one of the units closed January i. The present storeroom at the luncheonette will be converted to a kitchen and a cafeteria installed in a new L at one end of the service counter. The porch, which is to be screened, will provide additional space for tables.

William Brown, Assistant to the Health Director, returned November 15 from Washington where he attended the 13th Inter-Agency Institute of Federal Hospital Administrators. The Institute was held at Walter Reid Hospital between October 22 and Novem- ber 9.

In a special "memorandum to all con- cerned," Lt. Gov. H. W. Schull, Jr., last month expressed high praise for the personnel of the Canal Zone's Civil Defense unit and of the more than 500 individuals who took part in the recent "Jackpot Ex- ercises." In his memorandum the Lieutenant Gov- ernor said: "The exercise indicated certain needs and deficiencies in our Civil Defense estab- TV STARS IN their own right are these four from Cristobal High School. They appeared last month lishment and plan of operations which has on one of a series of TV programs arranged in connection with National Education Week. In the scene proved to be basically sound. Action will above, Kathleen Cox, and Jon McGraw at the far right, impersonate new students. Paul L. Beck, be taken at once to overcome these defi- CHS Principal, and Brian Cox, left, President of the Student Association, explain the school to them. ciencies and planning and training will be continued to the end that our mutual- men of the Balboa Fire District have signed ball-park or in the theater, depending on assistance capabilities in time of disaster up as donors. the weather; and at the Jewish Welfare will be as high as we can reasonably make Although the Atlantic side is not as yet Board in Balboa on Monday, December 17, them. included in the Replenishment Program, at 8:15 p. m. There will also be a program "The ability, enthusiasm, and coopera- some of the men of the Cristobal Police of music at the YMCA, but the date has tion shown by all personnel, both U. S.- and Fire Districts have also volunteered as not yet been announced. and Local-Rate, were most evident and the prospective contributors. success achieved is a credit to yourselves Christmas mail going by ship to the and the Panama Canal. I am very pleased Although they declare they can't think United States should be posted in the to be able to say to you all that it was a why they should want to be a part of what Canal Zone by noon, Friday, December 14, job well done." is sometimes called "the mad rush," two to be reasonably sure of delivery by Christ- temporary clerks, Catherine W. Filo and mas Day. Airmail should be sent by Wed- A ninth-grade student at Rainbow City Helen F. Leves, are back again this year nesday, December 19. Earl F. Unruh, Di- Junior High School was $25 richer last working on annual license plate renewals in rector of Posts, says any date later than month after she won first prize in an essay the License Section. Actually they say they that is thought to be risky. contest sponsored by the Canal Zone Nurses' enjoy the challenge of a mountain of work. Ship mail for Europe or the British Isles Association. This is the fourth year on plate renewal should have been in the post office by The prize winner was Yvonne Hewitt, work for Mrs. Filo, who at one time was a noon, November 30, but airmail for over- whose prixe-winning essay, WhyI WouldLike full-time worker in the License Section. Mrs. seas may be posted up to about December to be a Nurse, appeared in a local newspapers. Leves reported back this November for the 14- The essay contest was part of the Zone- second year. The other temporary worker, celebration of Canal Zone Nurse Week, wide added to the License Section staff for the Capt. Arthur J. Troup, who retired as 12-17. November period of the renewals, for the first time, is Canal Zone Fire Chief in March, 1955, and Mrs. Mildred A. Mallahan, of Balboa, wife his wife, Marion, who was formerly em- Those stalwart guardians of public safety of the American Bureau of Shipping Sur- ployed in the Payroll Branch, returned re- and welfare, the Police and Firemen, have veyor. cently to visit friends on the Isthmus. again demonstrated their unselfishness by Since leaving the Zone, the Troups have responding with alacrity to a call to give made their home in LeGrange, 111. blood to the Gorgas Blood Bank. In the The shops at the Canal Zone Penitentiary In November, when they went to Miami new Blood Replenishment Program recently are once again beginning to resemble to attend a convention, they decided they inaugurated, percent of the members of Santa's workshop and from the number of 99 were too close to their old home not to pay the Balboa District signified their willing- toys being built it is apparent that there a visit to the Canal Zone. During their percent of the will be many little children who receive a ness to contribute, and 97 stay on happy surprise on Christmas Day. Those the Isthmus, they were guests of Mr. and convicts whose good behavior records per- Mrs. A. P. Heyd of Brazos Heights and of Mr. and . Walter mit them the privilege of working in the Mr F, Allen of Ancon. shops are busy turning out a sturdy lot of brightly-colored toys and games, under the Among November's visitors was a Con- ja^-bafai supervision of Policeman Karl D. Glass. gressman, Rep. Paul B. Dague, Republican The toys will be distributed at Christmas of Pennsylvania, who has visited here time to needy children in Panama and the on Off icial Panama Canal Company Publication several previous occasions. Canal Zone, and to the children of the con- He and his Monthly wife made the round trip from Published At Balboa Heights, C. Z. victs. New York aboard the Panama Line's "Ancon." Printed by the Printing Plant, Mount Hope, Canal Zone This "Operation Christmas" is part of A member of Congress since is the rehabilitation program of the peniten- 1946, he a member of the House Agricultural Com- W. E. Potter, Governor-President tiary. Materials for the toys are obtained mittee. through contributions made by Panama H. W. Schull, Jr., Lieutenant Governor and Canal Zone residents. Capt. W. H. W. G. Arey, Public Information Officer A total of 1,745 applications for vehicle Jr., Warden of the Peniten- Munyon, Deputy license plates had been received by the tiary, says that practically all of the lumber Canal Zone License Section last month in Rufus Hardy, Editor J. used this year was donated through the time for the annual drawing for low num- Eleanor H. McIlhenny, Assistant Editor kindness of the Panama Plywood Corp- bers. This was about 300 more than th oration. number from which low license plates were On sale at all Panama Canal Service Centers, drawn last year. Commissaries, and Hotels for 10 days after publica- Traditional Christmas music will be sung Entitled to sport number 21 on his car, tion date at 5 cents each. Subscriptions, $1 a year; Boca Alumni Association, undet as mall and back copies, 10 cents each. by the La a result of the drawing, is Frank Koenig, the direction of Miss Emily Butcher, this of the Ancon Post Office. The next two year as in years past. Carols will be sung numbers in order, Postal money orders made payable to the Pan- went, to Maj. Alvin E.' ama Canat Company should be mailed to Editor, by the Alumni Chorus at Paraiso, on Sun- Weber, of Fort Clayton, and John B. Bom- The Panama Canal Review, Balboa Heights, C. Z. day, December 16 at 4 p. m., either at the bek, of the Motor Transportation Division. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1956 Everybody Came To The Tivoli's Party

An Oldtimer recalled former days It was a real nice party, and the Tivoli would be the first to say so, if it only could. After all, fiftieth birthdays are something special, even if the celebrant is a hotel.

On hand to help with the celebration was one of the oldest oldtimers of them all— Maurice H. Thatcher of Washington, D. C, the only member of the Isthmian Canal Commission still living. He and Mrs. Thatcher, who were given the Roos- evelt Suite for their stay here, enchanted young and old with their spryness and interest in the Isthmus.

Also on hand was the Canal Zone's top- ranking Good Neighbor, President Er- nesto de la Guardia, Jr., of Panama, who came accompanied by his wife and some of his official family and who seemed to enjoy thoroughly every minute of the birthday party.

On this page are a few pictures taken the night of November 15 in the ball- room which was packed to the doorsills.

In the big picture across the top of the page "Governor" Thatcher is making the youngtimers sang and acted main address at the celebration. He stressed international cooperation when, speaking directly to President de la Guardia, he said: "I am sure, Mr. Presi- dent, that you will find in Governor Pot- ter, and he in you, that desire to cooper- ate and work in mutual regard toward the relationship which destiny has brought to our two countries."

In the center, left, is the Balboa High School Chorus, directed by Victor H. Herr, which provided a musical back- ground for the seven-scene pageant Their two featured numbers were "Out On The Big Front Porch," composed for the celebration by Mr. Herr and Don Musselman, and a musical version of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty.

The stage— a miniature of the front porch and some of the players appear at the left below. At the far right is Fred Berest, who played the "Oldtimer" throughout the pageant. Appearing with him are Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Ely, Lynne Little, and two members of the TWoli Staff, Kenneth 0. Sealey and Al- fred Cox. December 7, 1956 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW Wasn't November A Busy Month!

MRS. EZRA HURWITZ was not forgotten Novem- ber 13 when her husband was awarded the Depart- OVER 1,000 ATLANTIC Side children had a real treat November 3 and 4. The activities included ment of the Army's Meritorious Civilian Service trolley-car rides, free movie=. Above, Mrs. B. I. Everson cuts a ribbon to open the celebration. Award. The award was presented when Dr. Hur- witz was formally retired—and immediately rehired —as Superintendent of the Palo Seco Leprosarium.

Few recent months have been as crammed with events as November. Starting off with Panama's Independence Days, the month moved on through Election Day, with its unprecedented turnout for Civil Council elections, to Veterans' Day celebrations on both sides of the Isthmus. Then came a Safety Award for the Panama Canal Company, a personal award for Dr. Ezra Hurwitz of Palo Seco, and the Tivoli's fiftieth birthday celebration. Meanwhile the Community Chest Drive was underway; when final figures were in, more employees had given more money for the Chest than ever before. November also brought National Ed- ucation Week, Isthmian Nurses' Week, and Thanksgiving, with its long weekend for school children. A shipping strike canceled one Panama Line sailing but ended in time so that Christmas mail would not be disrupted. As November ended, AFL-CIO officials were visiting the Isthmus; as was Robert J. Rhinehart, President of the National ZONIANS TURNED OUT by thousands November 6 to vote for Civic Councilmen. Here Virginia Society of Professional Engineers. Welch and Mrs. John G. Higgins cast their ballots under the eye of Ginny Di Bella, student judge. 4 ^^U ^m^fff

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10 THE PANAMA'CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1 956 Promoted PAGES FROM THE KVS HIST THIS MONTH

50 Years Ago Efficiency, would come to the Canal Zone to make a general survey. The most disastrous flood since 1879 sent the Chagres River up almost 36 feet More than 900 men, including contrac- at Gamboa early in December 1906, tors' and Canal forces, were at work on the swept away the bridge at Matachin and Madden Dam site. The commissary and disrupted railroad service across the Isth- post office for the fast-growing settlement mus. Over 15 miles of the Panama Rail- were opened that month. road's main line was under water and As usual, the Canal Zone had distin- there was a washout between Mamei and guished visitors. Among them: Dr. Frank Gorgona. About 100 inhabitants of Fri- Chapman, Ornithologist from the Amer- joles were evacuated, first to the roof of ican Musuem of Natural History, here to the railroad station and then to Bohio. visit Barro Colorado Island, and Dr. i Albert Einstein, to The end of the month brought more bad en route San Francisco from Antwerp. And hundreds of other FRANCIS F. SULLEY, a member of the staff of the weather, but of a different kind. A norther General Counsel's Office, has been appointed Assist- foreed a dozen steamers into the shelter of visitors arrived on such cruise ships as of the Panama Canal Company. Ac- ant Secretary Portobelo for four days before wind and the Mauretania, Empress of Australia, companied by Mrs. Sulley and their son, Scott, he seas abated enough to allow them to put into Statendam, Kungsholm, Columbus, Fran- will leave late this month for his new post in Wash- conia, and La Fayette. ington. He has been a Zonian for the past three Limon Bay. Zonians saw this as another years. His previous experience includes work in the indication that an artificial breakwater was 1 of Price Stabilization and a term as Assistant Years Ago Office urgently needed to protect shipping. Attorney General for the Territory of Guam. The annual announcement of Panama The opening of bids for construction of Canal operations ten years ago this month the Panama Canal by contract was de- disclosed that during the fiscal year which School Children To Get ferred until January 12 because of changes ended June 30 a total of 1,939 tolls-paying in the invitation and form of contract re- ships had transited the Canal, carrying quired. The changes, which were made Dental Examinations 8,603,607 long tons of cargo and paying 3 at the instigation of a number of con- tolls totaling $7,243,601. These were the tractors, included the reduction of the Every child in the Canal Zone schools lowest annual figures in Canal history. builder's bond from $3 to $2 million. will be given three dental inspections be- The Central Labor Union retained Attor- For Zonians who measured a day's suc- tween the time he enters first grade and ney John O. Collins to see what could be cess by the amount of dirt they took from the time he becomes a high school stud- done to prevent the coming rent raise; at the the Canal excavation, Christmas Eve was a ent, according to a new program which end of the month he filed suit in the Dis- day to be remembered. That day they ex- becomes effective immediately. trict Court at Ancon, stating that the Gover- cavated 15,005 cubic yards of earth, nearly The examinations of Zone school child- nor had no legal authority to establish rent 1,000 yards more than any previous day's ren will serve two purposes. They will rates. digging. give school and health officials, as well as The United States Maritime Commis- The new YMCA building at Culebra the childrens' parents, a thorough picture sion which had "controlled all phases of was nearing completion and the new of the dental health of the young Zonians, shipping in Canal waters since May 1942" schoolhouse, known as "Culebra College," and they will also give an indication as announced the closing of its Cristobal was opened the end of December. to the efficiency of the fluoride which has office. been used in Canal Zone water since early The Union Oil Company of California Three members of Congress, Senator Rob- in 1952. pumped water through its ^Yi-mile long ert A. Taft and two Representatives, Albert The system worked out by Dr. Lewis trans-Isthmian pipeline from the Pacific J. Engel, of Michigan, and Francis Case, E. Fontaine and Dr. Willard French, Ocean to the Atlantic for the first time in of South Dakota, were Isthmian visitors. Chiefs of the Health Bureau's dental serv- December 1906. It was the first union of Senator Taft had little to say, but the two ices on the Pacific and Atlantic sides, ocean waters across the Isthmus. Representatives expressed their opinions on respectively, calls for an examination to 25 Years Ago Zone housing. Representative Case (now a be made each year of first-, fourth- and Senator) described the Canal Zone housing seventh-grade pupils. These dental ex- Isthmians, 25 years ago, were con- policy as "wretched and pennywise," while aminations will, of course, supplement cerned about some means of getting from Representative Engel came out in favor of those given the children by their private one side of the Isthmus to the other by home ownership here. dentists. either highway or ferry. While the Cris- The icebreaker North Wind with sev- While no definite schedule has yet been tobal-Colon Rotary Club endorsed a plan eral other ships, forerunner of a U. S. worked out, the examinations will be to build a trans-Isthmian highway with Antarctic Expedition, were southbound given during the school year by dental funds furnished by a group of Milwaukee through the Canal 10 years ago this officers of the Health Bureau, in cooper- investors, a number of other Isthmians month. ation with the school nurses. were backing a ferry plan. Supporters of During this calendar year, the first the latter included Max Bilgray, Nelson Zonians in the news: Harry H. Corn, over-all dental survey was made of stud- Rounsevell, and Capt. C. B. Fenton who now Postmaster at Balboa Heights, turned ents in the Canal Zone schools. suggested that ferry boats be brought up safe in Acapulco, Mexico, 78 days after Between January 9, when the survey from Denmark. he left Balboa, when the yacht on which he began in the United States schools, and Meanumile some ferry service was avail- was traveling finally made port; it had been becalmed weeks. Henry L. Donovan, the latter part of June, when it was con- able. The Star & Herald for December 2, for became Presi- cluded in the Latin American schools, 1931, described a "recently-inaugurated" now Civil Affairs Director, dentists probed into the mouths of 7,164 combination bus-and-ferry trip -Gatun to dent of the Canal Zone Baseball League. kindergartens through boys and girls in Gamboa by ferry and the trips at either end One Year Ago seventh grade. by bus. The entire crossing took three hours. the 4,955 U. S. school children ex- Seven members of the Panama sub- Of Before he left for Washington to appear dental defects. committee of the House Merchant Mar- amined, 38 percent had no before Congress, Gov. Harry Burgess an- that the youngsters did not ine and Fisheries Committee, headed by This meant nounced that soon after his return Her- dental health problems or that Representative Edward A. Garmatz, have any bert D. Brown, Chief of the Bureau of they had and were receiving regular den- spent 10 days on the Isthmus, collecting tal treatment. The average number of of 2,209 children was examined. Of these, first-hand information on Canal opera- decayed, missing, or filled teeth per child 26 percent had no dental defects and the tions and holding public hearings. The was .65. average number of decayed, missing, or hearings were the first of the sort to be In the Latin American schools, a total filled teeth per child was .29. held here by this group. :

December 7, 1 956 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11

Bids To Be Opened Group Health Insurance Plan Is Ready;

This Month For Two Employees To Elect Committee Members

Conversion Projects A group health insurance plan proposed Daniel J. Paolucci, Coordinator of the by Mutual of Omaha will be submitted Personnel Programs Staff, has been ap- this month to Panama Canal employees pointed Company-Government liaison With the opening of bids this month and their families. representative. on two more important projects in the The plan was adopted by a committee The group health insurance plan will Power Conversion Program, the Canal appointed by the Governor to investigate be administered solely by the employee- Zone moves a little nearer to the day the possibilities of group health insurance. committee being formed and it will handle when all electrical current in the Canal The committee invited proposals from all matters pertaining to the operation of Zone will be 60 cycles. various insurance firms with local repre- the plan with the insurance firm. How- This morning bids were to be opened sentation. Four proposals were received. ever, the Canal administration has ap- for the construction of the new substation proved the payment of premiums by pay- A permanent Group Health Insurance at Summit. This bid will include con- roll deductions and other assistance will Committee is now in process of being of an entirely building and be furnished to the committee through struction new formed> with empi oyee representation yard, which will be approximately two- the services of Mr. Paolucci. from the varioug labor 01^anizations and thirds the size of the Mount Hope sub- Contracts for the insurance will be Civic Councils of the Canal Zone. Four station, together with the furnishing and made individually by employees and members of this permanent group were dis- installation of all its equipment. Most these are expected to be ready for appoin ted and six committee positions of this will have to be made specially; tribution at an early date. Under the wi]) be fi , led b employee elections, proposal submitted by Mutual of Omaha, will calen- .. . the contractor be allowed 420 _,, , ,.,„/-, , The elections, in which all Canal em- dar days for the work. at least 50 percent of each of the two , _. ,, „ ...... ployees will be invited to participate, are main groups of Company-Government The other December bid opening is sVeduled for next week, with ballots to employees based on salary classification scheduled for December 12. The contract be distributed witb the pavchecks . Nom- must subscribe before the plan can be- for which bids are to be opened that day mations for thege gix ifions were to be come effective on a non-selective basis. is for furnishing and installing new pumps made th jg weeL The nominations were Additional information on the insurance and switchgear in the Mount Hope sub- ^ be made b the four ex offido memheta plan will be distributed with the member- station converting other pumps re-wir- alread apointed although write. in - ship applications. ing the building and converting all other . votes {or ^ , will be per Under the plan adopted, major medical frequency-sensitive equipment Slated mjsgible Qn ^ ba]lotg ; benefits will be provided in addition to for opening on January 4 are bids on a four ex officio members and the the normal coverage for medical and contract for construction of a 12,000-volt The organizations they represent are: Thomas hospital costs. Monthly premiums are tie-line between Miraflores substation and Sellers President of the Cristobal- based directly on the medical tariff of the Cocoli Diesel Station, and furnishing two L - Ellis Faw- Canal Zone Health Bureau which is es- 10,000-KVA power transformers. Margarita Civic Council; L ^.r i_._j.ii.uTi n cett, President of the Congress of Latin tablished on a sliding scale based on Other contracts for the Power Conver- ^^ ^ Councils; Edward W. annual salaries. s.on program, for which no definite dates „ presents charts fa p^d f ^ fc ^ Labo The Review below two . ' , -- have yet been set, will be advertised dur- TT , , „, B „• -«,„;___„ ', -- . VV. Chairman which show the costs and maximum ben- ,_ , , ln( rr.„ „ { Union; and Harold Rerne, first of ' mg the early part of 195/. Ihe , T , AT?T nnA nTA efits of the group health insurance plan u 11 v. r j.l c n j of Local 900, Al'L-CIO. these will be for the conversion of all domestic and industrial equipment in the ^r^^^XS^- EMPLOYEES GROUP HOSPITAL SURGICAL AND tisements for the conversion of the Balboa MAJOR MEDICAL INSURANCE BENEFITS* and Miraflores substations and for the installation of a remote control and relay Max. system, others for the and Daily Maximum and Gamboa Major Hospital Maximum Maximum Paraiso stations. Maximum Benefits Medical pump Miscellaneous Surgical Maternity Annual On Benefits Cana! Zone Government Hospital Based On Meanwhile, the following summary was Wage Isthmus Benefits In Excess Medical Tariff Groups Fees; C. Z. G. Tariff On or Same As On Of Basic provided by the Power Conversion office, Isthmus Isthmus Salary Tariff, Isthmus With 20% on progress to date: Max. Co-insur- 70 Days ance Three units have been completed at the

Gatun hydro-electric plant and are under- l $1,290 $1.50 $7.50 $50.00 $27.00 $1,000 going final adjustments. 2 3,050 2.25 12.25 100.00 45.00 2,000 The work of converting equipment in 3 5,400 3.50 17.50 150.00 65.00 3,000 the town of Margarita is three-quarters 4 6,600 4.75 23.75 175.00 80.00 4,000 done, and conversion in the Industrial 5 . 9,300 6.75 33.75 200.00 85.00 5,000 Division area is progressing as equipment (Over) arrives. 6 9,300 8.00 40.00 250.00 105.00 6,000

Domestic and industrial conversion in Gatun W1H De started next spring, fol- -Employees in categories 3 through 6 will also have coverage for $12 daily benefits elsewhere; $75 miscel- lowed by Rainbow City and Cristobal. laneous hospital fees elsewhere; $250 maximum surgical charges elsewhere; and $75 maximum maternity The contractor (Sachse) is already re- benefits elsewhere. ceiving equipment for those areas. With the conversion of the sewage- MONTHLY PREMIUMS pump station at Fort Davis —done by Canal forces—the conversion of the entire Man Man And Wife Post is now completed. Individual Individual Man And Wife And Two Wage Salary Individual And One And Two Wife And One Or More A contract for the conversion of equip- Group Child Or More And Children Child Children ment at the Madden Dam hydro-electric station was let last month to Sachse, In- l $0.53 $0.88 $1.41 $1.12 $1.47 $2.00 ternational. This is separate from the 2 0.83 1.38 2.20 1.74 2.28 3.00 conversion of the generators, for which a 3 1.62 2.62 4.13 3.30 4.30 5.81 contract was let some months ago to 4 2.05 3.28 5.13 4.22 5.39 7.24 General Electric. 5 2.61 4.09 6.32 5.28 6.76 9.03 Conversion of the Central Area —Gam- 6-- 3.08 4.71 7.54 6.24 8.92 10.69 boa, Summit, and Paraiso— is still wait- ing arrival of material. The contract for this area is held by L. R. Sommer. Optional "Dread-Disease Rider" monthly premiums, individual $0.34; family, $0.67. 12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1956 And What Did They Talk About? Clothes!

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CLOTHES WERE THE subject of the moment during a luncheon given W. E. Potter, Wilson H. Crook, Mrs. H. W. Schull, Jr., and Miss Ruth of Zone women last month by the Supply and Employee Service Bureau for women who Gerson, also of AMC. They are backed up by a group Canal buy them, wholesale and retail. Seated, left to right, are: Miss Helen Ross, and a few men—T. G. Relihan, C. P. Shay, and V. J. Huber—who came of the New York office of the Associated Merchandising Corporation, Mrs. along because commissaries are their business.

Women who buy commissary clothes- on the West Coast, and J. L. Hudson's small as the Canal Zone, Miss Ross said wholesale and retail—got together last in Detroit from one end of the United during the discussion, is to limit the num- month over a luncheon table in the Tiv- States to the other. ber of dresses in each style, so that Zone oli's Fern Room and talked shop. "And you don't buy the same sort of women "don't meet themselves coming The wholesale buyers were Miss Helen clothes for Miami that you do for Detroit, down the street." In the more expensive Ross and Miss Ruth Gerson of the Asso- or for the Canal Zone that you do for price range, only one dress of a style is ciated Merchandising Corporation's New Los Angeles," Miss Ross explained. purchased; the number bought increases York office, and the retail buyers were a In the two years during which she has as the price decreases. couple of dozen Canal Zone women, many been handling the purchase of budget- Just before the meeting adjourned, of them representatives at the Commis- dresses for the Panama Canal Company, Jack Halivosky, a New York manufac- sary Division's regular forums. she added, she has become "enthralled" turer of budget-type dresses who was also The two wholesale buyers who were on by the Canal Zone's peculiar requirements a cruise passenger on the Ancon, told the a vacation cruise on the Panama Line's and has come to feel almost as if she were women some of the problems of his busi- Ancon, were invited to the luncheon by buying for an individual. ness and described the manufacturing the Supply and Employee Service Bureau One major problem of local supply, she process for dresses of this type. to tell local women some of the problems explained, is the need to provide warm- although encountered in the clothing business and, weather clothes the year around, Commissary And Service Center Divisions at the same time, ask Canal Zone women clothing manufacturers offer these only at To Be Merged Into One Unit On January 1 what they want in the dress line. certain times of the year. Miss Ross is the AMC's buyer for From now through January, she said, misses' budget-dresses and Miss Gerson only the so-called "cruise-clothes" are (Continued from page 1) wholesale stock buys budget- and better-suits. Their available in the wholesale market. From with any overflow stored in the building Association, they explained, buys not January through Easter, manufacturers now being used for the toy sale. only for the Commissary Division but will concentrate on the dressier type of The consolidation of the various activ- for 26 major department stores—in- street clothes, like ensemble outfits; it ities of the Supply and Employee Service cluding Burdine's in Miami, Bullock's will not be until after Easter that sum- Bureau is one of the many avenues now mer wear becomes generally available. being explored to reduce overhead and Miss Gerson spoke briefly on her spe- operating expenses of these units and Closing Of Abattoir cialty—suits which, she said, are not hold the price line for both consumer much in demand here except wools for goods and services. traveling and some washable cottons. The various changes which will be made At Mt. Hope Planned She outlined the trend in the suit-field, will be in the nature of consolidations and this year however— "softer suits; gray is will not affect services or sales in the units Plans for the purchase of dressed beef good and blue strong"—so that Isthmian to continue in operation. from the abattoir in Panama for retail women could know what their sisters in With the restriction under terms of sale in the commissaries were announced the States are wearing. the Treaty of Commissary and Service late last month. When their turn came, the Canal Zone Center sales to U. S.-citizen employees With this charge, which will be made women pointed out that they need, pri- and to non-U. S.-citizen employees who sometime early next year, the Commis- marily, tubbable cottons or linens which reside in the Canal Zone, the number of sary Division's abattoir at Mount Hope will stand repeated laundering. They also customers in the retail stores will be cut will be closed and the purchase of native asked for a better type of well-made, by well over 50 percent, and sales volume cattle for slaughter will be discontinued. smart dress to wear for work and indi- is expected to be reduced by half. Ap- The new arrangement provides more cated that they preferred such dresses proximately 6,000 of 13,500 Canal em- flexibility in the handling of Panama beef, with sleeves. ployees will lose their commissary privi- since the trade after the first of the year Miss Ross answered that they should leges at the end of this year, and to this will demand a higher percentage of the find clothes of this sort in several of the number must be added practically all of better cuts. Flanks, forequarters, and lines she buys, and said that there should the non-U. S.-citizen employees of the other of the lower-grade cuts of meat are soon be available in the commissaries Armed Services and other Government now used in making sausage and other many Irish-linen dresses and a consider- agencies, plus some 4,000 retired employ- ground meats sold. Most of this trade able variety of the "wash-and-wear" ees who now have limited privileges. will be lost after the first of the year by clothes. The biggest cut in sales volume will be the withdrawal of commissary privileges The commissary customers also asked in the Canal Zone Wage Scale retail from non-U. S. citizens residing outside for more "sun dresses," for street or office stores. The Tivoli Commissary, largest the Canal Zone. wear with jackets and for home wear of these units, and the Camp Bierd In announcing the closing of the abat- without, and for a larger selection of Commissary on the Atlantic side, will toir at the Civic Council meeting last dresses, in the under $10 bracket, for both be closed at the end of the year. A month, Governor Potter said that a care- teenagers to wear to school. The older appreciable drop is also expected in the ful selection of beef would be made and women at the luncheon expressed a pref- stores serving United States communities that it will be inspected by Canal Zone erence for plain colors or small prints. and in some units this may be as high as Health Bureau veterinarians. One of the problems in a community as 20 percent of sales. December 7, 1956 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13 Changes Galore Scheduled End of December Canal Again Wins Safety Award (Continued from page 2) authorized by the 1955 Treaty. A list of items that may be purchased in specifically limited quan- tities is being prepared. It will include such items as a package of cigarettes, a candy bar, a bottle of aspirin, a box lunch or food and beverages consumed on the premises. The second card will be for the use of the employee's dependents for health services and hospital privileges only. These cards, which will be of a different color from the other issued to employees in this group, will require the listing and relationship of dependents granted health service privileges. The health service privilege cards for dependents must be signed by the employee. The dependents listed will be checked against personnel records. Al- though temporary cards will be issued at first, cards good for one year will be issued later and these will be laminated by the Personnel Bureau. Both of these types of identification- privilege cards will state on the face of the cards that they do not authorize entry •JUST .ABOUT THE spryest 85-year-old ever seen here was Maurice into or purchase at any commissary, H. Thatcher, back to the camera in the center front row, above. Mr. Thatcher, the only surviving member of the Isthmian Canal Com- storehouse, or gasoline service station. mission, has just presented Governor Potter with the National Safety Council's Award of Merit and They will also carry a warning against the Governor has just asked the group of employees "How many of us could read this without glasses?" trespassing in the commissaries. All ex- This was the second time that the Canal organization has won the Award of Merit, second highest safety recognition and only given for a noteworthy improvement in accident isting contraband control measures will frequency and severity rates. be continued in full force. Residents of the Canal Zone who violate purchase- manner for those with full purchase priv- Many Canal Offices To Be regulations will run the risk of the heavy ileges. The Payroll Branch will make Transferred Before End Of June penalty of loss in the Canal Zone of both distribution of the health-service privilege purchase housing cards and those entitling employees to and privileges. (Continued from page s) in the basement make small purchases in service centers No change will be made in the identi- will be moved to the building to be occu- near their job sites. fication-privilege cards issued for U. S.- pied by the Printing Plant. citizen employees with limited privileges The west wing of the Administration since the Treaty not Safety Zone commitment does Building is slated for a full-scale revamp- affect this group. Employees in this ing and air (Continued from page 6) John Beckles, conditioning for use as offices. group are principally married women Cyril Atherley, and Edward Ford; One of the principal changes will be the whose husbands are not entitled to com- Paraiso High School: Mr. Favvcett, Glen- construction of a Control Room for the ville A. Davis, Ernest A. VVattley, and missary privileges. Civil Defense organization. The room Fenton Gill; Although retired employees residing in Pedro Miguel: Miss Helen Starr, Mrs. will be completely fitted with radio and Panama are now accorded limited pur- Millord Seymour, and Connie Seymour. telephone communications system, a chase privileges, these cards are issued Rainbow City Elementary: William Wil- chart room, maps, and other equipment kie, Jefferson Joseph, Mrs. Miriam Cham- only on a special authorization issued by needed for use as a command post. bers, Philip Henry, and Roberto Miller; the Republic of Panama in each case, Rainbow City High School: O. B. Shirley, The long series of moves and office re- and it is understood that the special au- Spencer S. Josephs, DuBois Andrews, Oscar assignments, being given momentum by thorizations for this group will not be Murrell, Harold Scott, Maurice McLean, the changes required by the 1955 Treaty, Milton Richards, Edwin Josephs, Frank extended by Panama beyond the end of will be one of the most extensive ever Saums, Carlos Jones, Clarence Stuart, and this year. Eugene Lowe; made since the Canal opened and the The issue of the new identification- Santa Cruz: A. L. Morgan, Mrs. Hilda Canal headquarters were moved from privilege cards will be made in the usual Butcher, A. R. Phillips, and Juanita Greene. Culebra to Balboa Heights.

Bids For Panama Liner

Will Be Opened Dec. 19

Bids for the sale or charter of the SS Panama are to be opened in Washington, D. C, on December 19. The transaction,

including the advertisement for bids, is being handled for the Company by the United States Maritime Commission.

It is expected that the Board of Di- rectors will give consideration to the proposals received at an early date after the opening of bids. The Panama was the first of the three Panama Line vessels placed in service. It was requisitioned for use as an Army transport during World War II and was the first to be returned to civilian service after the close of the war.

If the Panama is sold or chartered, the Panama Line schedules will have to be adjusted but the exact sailing dates will not NOT A SINGLE empty chair was evident "Out on the Old Front Porch" when Isthmians turned out to be announced until after a decision

say "Happy Birthday" to the Tivoli. Above is part of the crowd. For more pictures of the party, see page S. is made on disposition of the ship. . .

14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1956

PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS DECEMBER SAILINGS

October 75 through November 75 From Cristobal Cristobal December 8 December 15 Employees who were promoted or trans- Shipfitter to Shipfitter, Industrial Division. Panama* November Wilfred R. Waldrip, from Commissary A neon* December 21 I between October 15 and IS are listed below. W'ithin-grade promo- Supervisor, Commissary Division, to Guard, Cristobal December 28 tions are not reported. Locks Security Branch. Alvin A. Rankin, from Lead Foreman From New York ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH Machinist, Industrial Division, to Floating Section Records Equipment Inspector, Office of Marine Di- Pa na ma December 6 William D. Hardie, from Supervisory rector. Ancon December 13 Records Analyst to Supervisory Manage- Edward J. Friedrich, from Planner and Cristobal] December 19 Estimator to Lead Foreman Machinist, In- ment Analysl Puna mat December 28 Charles K. Cross, from Supervisory Rec- dustrial Division. Because of holiday, the schedule of the Ancon ords to Management Analyst. Kenneth W. Wilcox, from Meteorological Analyst and the Panama moved forward one day; the ships Aid, Hydrographic George H. Logan, from Records Analyst Meteorological and will sail from Cristobal on Friday and arrive in New to Management Analyst (Files Analysis and Branch, to Marine Inspection Assistant, York the following Thursday. Design) Navigation Division. ^Cristobal leaves New York on Wednesday, instead of Thursday, arriving in Cristobal Christmas Day. David F. Mead, from File Clerk to Sup- Mrs. Betti- Jeanne C. Micek, from Usher XPnnama leaves New York Friday, omits Haiti stop ervisory Management Analyst (Records and Doorman, Cristobal Theater, to Clerical southbound and arrives Cristobal January 2. The (CLE), Navigation Division. Scheduling and Disposition). northbound sailing is on schedule. Charles W. Brown, from Supervisory CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU Clerk (Typist), Pacific Locks, to Supervis- Division of Schools ory Storekeeper, Atlantic Locks. Mrs. Hope H. Hirons, from Life Guard Gardner Hayes, from Supervisory Sani- to Recreation Assistant. tation Inspector, Division of Sanitation, to ANNIVERSARIES Locomotive Operator, Atlantic- Mrs. Nancy J. Hatchett, from Senior Towing Locks. I [igh School Teacher to Substitute Teacher. Mrs. Gladys S. Lee, from Junior High Alfred C. Mullennax, Henry R. Chene- To a second-generation Canal Zone fire- s< hool Teacher to Substitute Teacher. vert, from Fleet Layerout Machinist to man, Sgt. Blabon D. Humphrey of the Coco Launch Repair Shop Foreman, Navigation Solito Fire Station, goes the honor of being OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER Division. senior 30-year man among those who had Ralph K. Skinner, from Publications Ed" Beverly G. Allen, from Guard to Towing anniversaries in November. Sergeant Hum- itor (Accounting) to Systems Accountant, Locomotive Operator, Pacific Locks. phrey is the son of L. L. Humphrey, who Accounting Policies and Procedures Staff. Anthony J. Zablocki, from Towboat Mas- was a fireman with the Isthmian Canal Mrs. Claire V. Hughes, Clerk-Typist, ter to Senior Towboat Master, Navigation Commission from 1910 to 1914. from Accounting Division to Budget and Division. Sergeant Humphrey had almost 10 years of Navy service behind him and was an Rates Division. AND EMPLOYEE SERVICE BUREAU SUPPLY Aviation Machinist Mate First Class at To Accounting Division Charles P. Shay, from Assistant to Chief- Coco Solo when he joined the Police and Coy, from Auditor, General Richard W. Retail Stores Branch, to Manager, Balboa Fire Division of The Panama Canal in July to Systems Accountant. Audit Division, Commissary and Supervisor Retail Stores, 1936. He returned to the Navy during K. Hanna, Accountant, from Robert Pacific Branch, Commissary Division. World War II, again for service at the Division. General Audit Dennis S. Cassidy, from Doorman, Serv- Naval Air Station. Susan H. Boles, from Clerk- Dic- Mrs. ice Center Division, to Commissary Super- Except for some time at Gamboa, when Machine Transcriber, Gorgas Hos- tating visor, Commissary Division. he was in charge of the Jadwin Avenue sub- pital, to Clerk-Typist. station before the war, and again at Gam- Torbert, from Accountant, TRANSPORTATION AND TERMINALS Woodrow G. boa briefly after the war, all of Sergeant Supervisory Ac- BUREAU Maintenance Division, to Humphrey's service has been on the Atlan- countant. Cliff Sanders, George H. Egger, Roscoe tic side of the Canal Zone. ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION S. Burgess, John H. Allen, Ross E. Pase, In January 1951, he was one of several BUREAU from Railroad Car Inspector to Inspector Canal employees selected to attend the Carman, Wood and Steel, Railroad Division. Army's Panama Area Damage Control from Engineering Charles S. Malsbury, Mrs. Florence Demers, Cash Accounting School at Fort Amador. Meteorological Aid to Meteorological Aid, Clerk (Teller), from Commissary Division Twelve days behind Sergeant Humphrey Branch. and Hydrographic to Motor Transportation Division. in point of service is November's other 30- John L. Fischer, from Commissary Sup- Super- John J. Ryan, from Commissary year employee, Vicente Alfaro. Mr. Alfaro Division, to Engineer- ervisor, Commissary visor, Commissary Division, to Guard, is Supervisory Freight Traffic Specialist for Hydrographic ing Aid, Meteorological and Terminals Division. the Panama Local Agency, more familiarly Branch. known as the Panama Freight House. Mach- Howard H. Harrison, from Fleet Mr. Alfaro, who was born in Cartagena, Foreman, Hyacinth Control, inist to Lead Colombia, is a Panamanian citizen. All of Division. Dredging his service has been with the Panama Rail- Carl L. Simons, from Heavy Labor Lead RETIREMENTS road which he joined on November 24, Heavy Labor Lead Foreman to Paving and 1926. He began as a clerk and has been Foreman, Maintenance Division. promoted through the ranks to his present from Paving and Retirement certificates were presented the Vernon C. Douglas, post. to Road Con- end of November to the following employ- Heavy Labor Lead Foreman Although his service is unbroken, he spent Div- ees w-ho are listed alphabetically, together struction Lead Foreman, Maintenance several months of his leave during the 1930's with their birthplaces, titles, length of ision. in Washington with the LInited States- Bonzoumet, William Stev- Canal service, and future addresses: Gabriel J. J. Panama Claims Commission. enson, Chris A. Devine, Robert R. Micek, George D. Cockle, Nebraska; Supervisory 25 YEARS Lawrence J. Ryan, from Frequency Changer Commissary Supply Officer; 32 years, 9 Operator to Power Plant Electrician, Elec- months, 14 days; McAllen, Tex. Two Ohioans, a man from Massachusetts, trical Division. one from Pennsylvania, and an outlander John Crawford, New York; Plumber, J. from the Virgin Islands make up the quintet OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR-PRESIDENT Maintenance Division; 21 years, 5 months, of Company employees who rounded out a 29 days; Isthmus, for present. Thatcher A. Clisbee, from Organization quarter of a century of government service Clarence L. Foiles, Illinois; Supervisory and Methods Examiner to Capital Program last month. Division of Storehouses; 21 Coordinator, Executive Planning Staff. Storage Officer, Two of the five —Lawrence W. Jenkins 1 27 days; Isthmus, for pres- years, month, Malcolm A. Johnston, Jr. — have un- HEALTH BUREAU and ent. broken Canal service. Mr. Jenkins, who Richard A. Williams, from Staff Xurse, Dr. Ezra Hurwitz, Missouri; Superinten- comes from Punxsutawney, Pa., started his Gorgas Hospital, to Sanitation Inspector, dent, Palo Seco Leprosarium; 29 years, 1 Canal career as a clerk with the Receiving Division of Sanitation. month, 17 days; Palo Seco. and Forwarding Agency. He is now a Sanitation Inspector Paul J. Brooks, from Capt. Henry P. Kilcorse, Michigan; Tow- Guard Supervisor at Miraflores Locks. Mr. to Supervisory Sanitation Inspector, Divi- boat Master, Ferry Service; 18 years, 5 Johnston, a native of Quincy, Mass., started sion of Sanitation. months, 29 days; Buffalo, X. Y. at the Locks. He is now an accountant with C. Yerkes, from Procure- Payroll Branch. Mrs. Margaret Robert L. Miller, California; Control the General Supply Assistant three 25-year men are, alpha- ment Clerk to House Operator, Miraflores Locks; 32 years, The other Gorgas Hospital. Merwin A. French, William F. (Medical), 6 months, 4 days; Ramona, Calif. betically: Helen C. Milloy, from Supervisory Prop- Robinson, and Ralph H. Walker. Mr. Capt. Howarth V. Rowe, Virginia; Pilot, erty and Supply Office to Supervisory Gen- French and Mr. Walker are the Ohioans; Navigation Division; 29 years, 1 month, 27 eral Supply Officer (Medical), Gorgas Hos- Mr. French's birthplace was Toledo and days; Madison, Conn. pital. Mr. Walker's Urbana, about 100 miles due MARINE BUREAU Raymond A. Taylor, Illinois; Distribution south of Toledo. and Window Clerk, Diablo Post Office; 5 Mr. French's first Canal job was that of John R. Bruland, Jr., from Boilermaker years, 8 months, 25 days; Washington. in Accounting Department. As to Tank Tester, Industrial Division. clerk the Harold R. Rodell, from Stockman Fore- Mrs. Anna D. Thomas, Pennsylvania; Dispatcher and now as Supervisory Marine has been man, Commissary Division, to Towing Lo- Telephone Operator, Communications Br.; Traffic Controller in Cristobal, he Canal since 1940. comotive Operator, Pacific Locks. 17 years, 6 months, 6 days; Panama, for the putting ships through the clerk-typist in the Railroad William R. Dunning, Jr., from Apprentice present. Mr. Walker, December 7, 1956 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

Time To Get Your Car Ready Both Sides Of Isthmus Will Celebrate Passage Of Billionth Ton Of Cargo

For Its Annual Inspection (Continue! from paq>. 1) other high officials of Panama and the Canal Zone. Owners of vehicles licensed in the Canal Plans for the observance of this signi- Zone have the rest of this month to get ficant milestone in the Panama Canal's their automobiles and motorcycles and 42 years of operating history have been scooters in condition to pass the annual arranged by a committee appointed by examination which is now required by the Governor and headed by Capt. War- the Canal Zone traffic regulations. ner S. Rodimon, Marine Director. Serv- Beginning January 2 and lasting through ing with him are Wilson H. Crook, Supply February, inspectors will be on duty at and Employee Service Director; B. I. Ancon and Cristobal garages of the the Everson, Transportation and Terminals Transportation Division to check Motor Director; Capt. Anthoiy C. Roessler, vehicles licensid in the Canal Zone except Balboa Port Captain; Capt. Charles S. those entitled to military-post stickers. Hutchings, Cristobal Port Captain; Wil- Inspection hours will be announced later liam G. Arey, Jr., Information Officer; THIS will in the daily papers. CACHET, designed by Paul Colby, be A. Siclen, Jr., William Van Superinten- used on all first-class mail the day the billionth ton A charge of 50 cents is made for the dent of the Atlantic Locks; Capt. Harold of cargo goes through the Canal. inspection, which takes about ten minutes T. Longmore, President of the Pilots' Canal's Architectural Branch, and well- for each vehicle according to the per- a — Association; Neil H. Wilson, Director of known local artist. It is expected, formance last year. be- A. Norris, Admeasurement; and Hugh cause of the inspector will concentrate on see- advance publicity which the The Economist. billionth ton has received, that the special ing that each vehicle is in safe mechanical Participating in the billionth-ton cere- cachet will highly condition. The inspection will include be popular among will representatives money at Gatun be stamp collectors and dealers. brakes, steering gear, wheel alignment, from every unit Company-Government The prediction of the specific date on horns, tires, rear-view mirror, windshield and activity having direct responsibilities which the billionth ton of cargo will be wipers, safety glass, mufflers, and turn- in connection with the actual transit of a shipped through the Canal is fully in indicators. The latter are required on al[ Atlantic Pacific ship between the and keeping with the ups and downs of Canal vehicles assembled since January 1, 1956 oceans, in addition to officials of all the traffic over its 42 years of operation. Ship Division, began his Canal career in the old shipping firms on the Isthmus. movements through the Canal have been Correspondence Bureau. groups to be repre- Among the Canal vitally affected by major political and Mr. Robinson, who was born in St. sented by an employee designated by the Thomas in the Virgin Islands, has never economic upheavals throughout the world unit will the Canal pilots, worked for any other Company-Government head be Panama and few periods of the past half century lockmasters, towing- unit but the Commissary Division. He is boarding officers, have been more uncertain for world ship- now Manager of the Ancon Commissary. locomotive operators, signalmen, Aids to ping than the past month. 20 YEARS Navigation employees, Dredging Divi- The Locks Division corners the 20-year However, Panama Canal personnel who sion, Transportation and Terminals Bu- anniversary section this month. Five of the deal daily with ship and cargo movements Rail- ten employees who completed 20 years of reau, Industrial Division, Panama both in actuality and statistically, fully government service in November are Locks road, the Customs Division, and several believed, the last day of November, that men, and all five of them have unbroken other units. the billionth ton would arrive for transit service with that Division. They will be introduced at the Gatun Alphabetically they are: Arthur F. Cru- no later than next Friday. Up through Captain sey, Control House Operator, Gatun Locks; Locks ceremony by Rodimon, last Friday, November 30, there had been Jones, Lead Carpenter Foreman, act as of ceremonies. In James H. who will master shipped through the Canal since it was Miraflores Locks; Charles H. Kissling, making the introductions, the Marine traffic on Steam Engineer-Lock Operator, Pedro Mi- opened to commercial ship Aug- Director will tell briefly what the duties of guel Locks; George A. Smith, Machinist- ust 15, 1914, a total of 998,841,585 tons transiting Foreman, Pedro Miguel Locks; and H. A. each unit are in respect to ships. of cargo. Lockmaster, Miraflores Sneckenberger, Wide Publicity It was fully expected at the time when Locks. Since the special ceremonies for the this edition of The Review was closed, Two other 20-year employees have unbroken service with the Canal organization; billionth ton of cargo shipment through that an upsurge of ships through the both are with the Postal Division. They the Canal are designed to publicize to the Canal would occur within about ten days Harrell, Postal Clerk at Bal- are: James E. world the tremendous import of the Pan- of the settlement of the maritime strike boa, and Donald R. Jones, Distribution and ama Canal to world commerce and its which has paralyzed shipping along the Window Clerk at Balboa Post Office. The remaining 20-year employees are: importance to the free world in time of East and Gulf coasts of the United States. Robert C. Daniel, a native Minnesotan, war, the event is being widely publicized. The prediction on the date of arrival of is Yard and Road Conductor with who a Special press releases have been issued the billionth ton is based on past experi- the Railroad Division; Frederick A. Ebdon, in advance to all the major news services, ences in the revival of shipping movement who born born in Colon Hospital and is now an Electrical Equipment Inspector for leading newspapers throughout the United following the settlement of maritime the Power Conversion Division; and Robert States and Latin America, and shipping strikes which have tied up a large segment Administrative Assistant L. Thompson, at publications in various parts of the world. of shipping in United States ports. Gorgas Hospital. Invitations have been extended to press, 15 YEARS We May Have Rain, No Snow Or Ice All but four of November's 15-year em- radio, television, and newsreel agencies to ployees have unbroken service with the send representatives to the ceremonies. But Christmas He re Is Really Nice Canal organization. They are: The ship bearing the ton of cargo which (Continued from pages) when the Bal- Millard C. Coleman, Engineer, dredge is to attract such wide attention will be Cascadas, Dredging Division; Mrs. Gladys boa Junior High School presents its an- A. Conley, Supply Assistant, Commissary clearly identifiable as it passes through nual program beginning at 7:30 o'clock R. Ellis, Meteorologist, Division; George the 50-mile interoceanic waterway. A that night in the Balboa Gymnasium. Meteorological and Hydrographic Branch; gigantic banner has been painted and Dates, places, and times for the other John W. Forrest, Machinist and Inspector, will be placed on the port side of the ship Industrial Division; Howard E. Fuller, secondary school programs are: Commissary Supervisor, Commissary Divi- soon after it steams through the break- Balboa High School: 8 p. m., December ' sion; Darwin E. Grier, Distribution and water in Cristobal. 18, Balboa Theater. Window Clerk, Coco Solo Post Office; Mrs. Postal Cachet School: 7:30 m., Dec- Frances Horter, Clerk, Payroll Branch; Paraiso High p. Sophia D. McLimans, Household Arts The movement of the billionth ton cember 19, High School Campus. teacher, Cristobal High School; George J. through the Canal will be given special Cristobal High School: 7:30 p. m., Dec- Marceau, Manager, Margarita Service Cen- recognition by the Canal Zone Postal ember 20, Cristobal High School Audi- ter; Leo A. Ronan, Cablesplicer, Electrical Service with cachet to be placed on all Division; Earl M. Stone, Customs Guard, a torium. Customs Division; Edwin C. Tompkins, outgoing first-class and airmail that day. Rainbow City High School: 7:30 p. m., Engineer, dredge Mindi, Dredging Division; This has also been widely publicized December 21, High School Gymnasium. and Edward C. Yocum, Electronics Mech- among newspapers in the United States Sometime during Christmas week, anic, Electrical Division. devote interest to philately. The there will be a special presentation of Other 15-year employees are: Mrs. Eliz- which abeth I. Brown Clerk (Typist), Engineering cachet will not be used as a cancellation The Messiah in the patio of the Balboa

Division ; Mrs. Nadine W. Cain, Head Nurse but as an imprint on outgoing mail. Elementary School, given by members of Corozal Hospital; Anthony J. Catanzaro, The design of the cachet, carried in the Canal Zone Junior College Commun- Motor Boat Maintenance Mechanic, Dredg- this issue of Review, was made ity Chorus. The date will be announced ing Division; and Bernadine C. Lally, Sten- The by ographer, Executive Planning Staff. Paul W. Colby, Chief of the Panama later. 16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1956

Industrial Division Starts == t ND SHIPPING SHIPS Repair Of Colombian Dredge

g c One of the biggest marine repair jobs ^==^ ever to be tackled by the Canal's Indus- u. * trial Division in Cristobal was started ° jj this week when work was begun on the ^^= c complete replacement of the hull and the ^= S jfj c overhaul of the main and auxiliary engine > , of the 183-foot Colombian government- §^^c owned suction dredge Colombia. ^^= The project, it was estimated, will cost = approximately $160,000 and will require five months to complete. The estimate was made in October after an extensive survey and assessment of the extent of the repairs needed was made by Industrial Division forces. The Colombia was pulled up onto the Marine Railway No. 2 Monday when work was actually started. One of the most valuable pieces of harbor equipment in Buenaventura, Colom- bia, the dredge was brought to the Canal Zone in August under tow of the tug replacement program INDUSTRIAL DIVISION forces are now at work on an extensive repair and Englishman. It was towed through the for the 183-foot dredge, Colombia, above. This will be one of the largest jobs ever done at Mount Hope. Canal to Cristobal by a Panama Canal tug and, except for a short time when it TRANSITS BY OCEAN-GOING France, March Olympia, March 5; 6; was on the marine railway for inspection, VESSELS IN OCTOBER Mauretania, Homeric and March 9; the dredge has been tied up at the Indus- Flandre, March 10; Olympia, March 21; 1956 1955 trial Division pier. He de France and Empress of Scotland, Commercial 699 709 The Colombia was built originally in March 22; and Silver Star, April 1. U.S. Government.. 22 29 1907 and was rebuilt, in Holland, 20 years Ex-"Man'posa" Due later. Since 1927, it has been in contin- the Buenaventura Total.. 721 738 One of the most interesting of the cruise- uous service in busy harbor where it was used to pump out TOLLS* ships is the 26,000-ton Homeric. Flagship silt sand deposits brought into of the Home Lines, she will make four heavy and Commercial.. _$3,089,444 $3,070,459 small rivers. cruises here this season: December 28, the bay by several Government. 99,468 101,433 U.S. is under the command of January 12, February 18, and March 10. The dredge Capt. Miguel Insignares, a veteran Col- The January cruise is reserved for the Total $3,188,912 $3,171,892 expert has been en- American College of Surgeons. The Feb- ombian dredge who tolls on all vessels, ocean-going and small. operations in the "Includes ruary cruise will differ from the others gaged in dredging the past 18 will put Buenaventura harbor for Transiting Tourists in that on that trip the Homeric in to the San Bias Islands. years. Twenty-eight large parties of tourists, Once the Mariposa of the Matson Line, ranging from groups of 100 up to almost the Homeric was "re-engined" in Cali- en route to Huntington Beach, Calif. 700, are scheduled to make a partial fornia in 1954. She then went through super-tanker was built recently for transit of the Canal before the first of The the Panama Canal May 16, 1954, in bal- the Esso Company in Dunkirk, France. April when the tourist season more or less last, en route to Italy. This 9,265-mile She is 690 feet in 'length, has a 90.2-foot officially comes to an end. The figure trial run is considered by shipping men and has a gross tonnage of 31,602 does not include the group from the beam, the longest of its sort in maritime history. tons. She flies the Panamanian flag and Bergensfjord which was here last week on From April to early November, the will make regular runs between California her maiden cruise. Homeric is on the Quebec-Le Havre- and Venezuela. In some cases, two large ships will be Southampton route, carrying over 1,100 in port the same day and their passengers Piles Of Piles passengers on each of her trans-Atlantic for hips through the Cut. have arranged If the piling discharged from the Grace voyages. Local agents for the vessel are When this happens one group will make Santa Leonor at Balboa last month Fenton & Co. Line's trip from to the southbound Gamboa were laid tip to tip in a single line, it Pedro Miguel aboard the ferryboat Pr?si- Banana Comfoit would stretch from the railroad station mid-morning and the dente Porras in The last wrinkle in comfort for bananas in Panama City almost to the railroad- start from Pedro Miguel toward other will has been installed on one of the newest stop at Corozai which is a lot of piling in the late afternoon. Gamboa United Fruit Company freighters. in anyone's book. first December cruise ship was the The Stabilizing equipment, which keeps In all, 310 pieces of piling were un- Ryndam, several hundred of whose pass- passengers happy and non-seasick on the loaded from the Grace Line freighter. engers made the trip through the Cut. rolling main, is used on the MV Calamares The piling, in pieces from 50 to 75 feet was in port Wednesday. The Ryndam to keep Chiquita Banana in a pristine in length, is creosoted fir from the west large cruise ships which will have Other and unbruised condition. coast. It is to be used by the Canal or- shore parties making the Cut trip this Her skipper told local agents that the ganization at the locks, the ferry landings, month and next are: equipment worked "just fine" and would and the Cristobal terminals, among other ± Homeric, December Flandre and 28; keep both passengers and bananas happy. places. Carinthia, December 31; Silver Star, Jan- The new United Fruit ship was built Scrap Shipment uary 9; Homeric, January 12; Empr ess of in England and arrived here recently on One of the largest shipments of scrap tid, ; Oslofjord, January 29. Scotia January 23 its maiden voyage to Golfito. Ten cruise ships are due in February to leave here in some time was loaded and the same number in March. Those New Super-Tanker aboard the German-flag Esperanza at due in February are: Nieuw Amsterdam, One of the largest ships to pass through Balboa in November. of February 8; Empress of Scotland, Febru- the Panama Canal during November was A total of 2,787 short tons scrap loaded aboard ary 11; lie de France and Andes, February the Esso Colombia, super-tanker owned by all from Panama were freighter. scrap is con- 12; Olympia, February 14; Flandre, Feb- the Esso Shipping Company. The vessel the 4,956-ton The ruary 17; Mauretania, February 18; Ho- arrived in Cristobal from Amoy Bay, signed to Antwerp. meric, February 19; and Silver Star, Feb- Venezuela, with a full load of 31,602 tons The Panama scrap joined Peruvian Esperanza. load- ruary 20. of crude oil. scrap aboard the Before For March and April: Stella Polaris She made her first transit with three ing in Balboa, the ship had picked up a of scrap in Pimental, Peru. and Empress of Scotland, March 4; He de Panama Canal pilots on board and sailed smaller load