The Panama Canal Review Caccomplidhment
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UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA LIBRARIES Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/panamacanalrefeb1967pana .KY 1967 V7 H. R. Parfitt, Acting Governor Robert D. Kerr, Press Officer Publications Editors Frank A. Baldwin Morgan E. Goodwin and Tomas A. Cupas Panama Canal Information Officer Editorial Assistants Official Panama Canal Publication Eunice Richard, Tobi Bittel, Fannie P. Published quarterly at Balboa Heights, C.Z Hernandez, and Jose T. Tunon Printed at the Printing Plant, La Boca, C.Z. Review articles may be reprinted in full or part without further clearar ce. Credit to the Review will be appreciated. Distributed free of charge to all . Panama Canal Employees Subscriptions, $1 a year; airmail $2 a year; mail and back copies (regular mail), 25 cents each cAoout Our Ctover 3ndex THE FACE OF the man on the cover is familiar to Governor Fleming's Legacy 3 thousands of residents of the Isthmus. Bullfighting 5 Canal Zone Gov. Robert Fleming, has just closed J. Jr., Panama Canal Pilots q out his career as chief executive for the Panama Canal Canal History q organization after a 5-year stay, longer than that of any Battle of the Bugs iq predecessor. Before departing Panama to take a highly Ports of the World 12 responsible position in Florida, Governor Fleming also Skindiving rang 24 down the curtain on his outstanding military career. Shipping Statistics i§ Governor and Mrs. Fleming, both of whom were deco- Shipping Trends ig rated with Panama's Order of Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Anniversaries of) will be missed by their friends and acquaintances. Shipping Notes £3 Douglas Bomford of Panama City. February 1967 It was early in Governor Fleming's term when he made this inspection trip of the Canal, which was changing in appearance at the Pacific terminal with the construction of the $20 million Thatcher Ferry Bridge, seen near its completion in the background. Governor Leaves Job Well Done To Take Up New Challenge FIVE YEARS of action and accom- kept people hopping to get things done, he left, his knowledge of the country plishment—that describes in a phrase to clean up, improve, innovate, plan, matched that of scholars who had the administration of Canal Zone explain, and change. studied it for years. And he could carry Governor Robert Fleming, who Governor Fleming was supposed to on a conversation in Spanish. J. Jr., on January 19 left behind him an out- retire from the U.S. Army as a Major The esteem in which he was held bv standing record as Governor of the General on the 28th of February, 1966. Panama was demonstrated when he Canal Zone. With the lowest serial number in the was decorated with Grand Cross of the The Governor goes on to another line of active Army at that time, he had Order of Vasco Nunez de Balboa. Pres- challenge, this one in Miami, Fla., given a lifetime of service to his coun- ident Marco A. Robles made the award where he will take a $30,000 a try. But when President Lyndon B. at the Presidential Palace. At the same year post with Interama, the Inter- Johnson requested him to continue as ceremony the First Lady, Mrs. Petita American Cultural and Commercial Governor, he stayed an additional year. Saa de Robles, decorated Mrs. Fleming Center being built in Miami. He was He was awarded the Distinguished with the Order of Vasco Nunez de appointed bv Florida Governor Claude Service Medal, the nation's highest mil- Balboa in the Grade of Grand Officer. Kirk on January 12 and will direct itary award for meritorious service, dur- He wanted better understanding, and construction, operations, and mainte- ing a joint honor and retirement ceremo- this theme was carried out in his un- nance of the enterprise. ny at AJbrook AFB. Maj. Gen. Fleming counted trips into Panama City and The 14th man to hold the governor- was presented the award by Gen. Rob- towns in the Interior. He went to fairs, ship of the Canal Zone was a man who ert W. Porter, Jr., Commander-in-Chief, special events, conferences, and carni- promised first to learn—thoroughly, United States Southern Command. val functions. He spoke to numerous quickly, and firsthand—what was going "When you serve your country groups and unless duty interfered, he on in the organization. He kept that abroad, you should know the people was always available to the press. promise and soon things were in high and the language of the country in Panama Canal employees, a major gear. His office was the only one in the which you work," Governor Fleming responsibilitv of the Governor, were tropics where "snow-flakes" could be had said. His interest in Panama and always close to his thoughts. He was seen—these were the many memos that Panamanians was intense, and when (See p. 4) The Panama Canal Review cAccomplidhment 3d J^eyacy of (governor Fleming, (Continued from p. 3) insistent that they should not suffer because of political relations between the two nations—matters over which they have no direction. To insure continued Canal operation, the Governor said, "requires the loyal work of dedicated people who now operate the Canal. These people will be needed for many years to come." He particularly emphasized this to all officials involved in negotiations with the Republic of Panama, and as a result guarantees were issued in a joint state- ment by the President of the United States and the President of Panama on September 24, 1965. Governor Fleming spelled out his theme early. There would be changes, he said. A wide viewpoint and an open mind, he counseled, are important. He discussed the duty of every American to raise his sights and mind to meet the future, and laid the emphasis on human values. "They are the important ones," he said. Within 2 years of taking office, he was faced with a major crisis in the January 1964 events. He maintained Canal operations, and when calm was restored he spared no effort in stim- ulating cooperation in official life, social events, and community events where progress could be made. He thanked both Panamanian and U.S. employees for their restraint and forbearance. Governor Fleming helped direct A will organization of the sea-level canal good embrace. Panama's President Marco A. Robles congratulates Governor Fleming after decorating him with the Order studies. He also brought to a conclu- of Vasco Nunez de Balboa during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace. At the right is Panama's First Lady, sion several programs already Sra. Petita Saa de Robles, who in prog- decorated Mrs. Fleming. ress, including the $20 million That- cher Ferry Bridge over the Canal at emergency dams, and other technical trainee program operates for high Balboa, construction of Gorgas Hospital improvements. school and business school students Annex, and placing into operation new Deep draft experiments continued, in Panama. Students from the Univer- towing locomotives and a new traffic and recently the San Juan Merchant sity of Panama are gaining work expe- control system. One of his last official broke a record when it moved through rience in their professions in acts another was the awarding of the contract the locks at 40 feet, the deepest draft program which allows them to con- for widening from 300 to 500 feet the on record in the Canal. Fiscal year tinue at the University. The Panama- last 3 miles of Gaillard Cut. 1962 saw 12,106 ships use the Canal; nian Student Assistant program was He initiated many projects and nearly by 1966 that had risen to 13,304, launched, and has been expanded. every area of Canal operation was with the increased traffic handled by Civic Councils were supported by affected. By 1966 the average ship was fewer employees. Governor Fleming, who met with them spending 13.8 hours in Canal waters, The Personnel Bureau was reorga- regularly. He also appointed a Com- compared to 15.5 in 1962. This saves nized. Employment and promotion op- munity Relations Assistant shipping from the interests money, and they portunities for qualified Panamanians Latin American communities to serve saved much more when draft was were increased. The Learnership and on his staff. increased by 2 feet by removal of bat- expanded Apprentice programs are A social worker program was launch- ters from locks, removal of unused proving very successful, and an office (See p. 17) February 1967 JSullring, LxaltA cArty Valor, Qlory, SOME CALL bullfighting a sport, others compare it with the ballet and many consider it a compelling spectacle which, at its best, combines stirring music, almost hyp- notic grace, brilliant costumes and undeniable courage and daring. It is not simply an armed man, with superior intelli- gence, pitted against a hapless beast, aficionados (fans) contend; rather it is the torero (bullfighter) matched against himself, testing just how close he will work to the bull's horns to please the crowd. In all probability, bullfighting is not the exclusive claim of Spain but in the Spanish speaking countries it has received those embellishments and support that make it the attraction it is today. The history of bullfighting can be traced as far back as prehistoric Crete, and imperial Rome, where Julius Caesar imported men from the Iberian peninsula. Today the bullfight, or corrida, is found not only in Madrid, and With the sword in his right hand, torero uses muleta to lead the other major cities of Spain but also the capitals of Spanish charging bull inches past his body during the execution of a "natural." America.