He Panama ?P °/i Canal Museum
Vol. 8, No. 10 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, MAY 2, 1958 5 cents
ij|l< i irate' The Panama Canal Honor Roll
CONSTRUCTION DAY VETERANS ARE NOW REDUCED TO THREE
A Canal Zone era is coming to an end. Less than 20 years ago there were hun- dreds of construction day veterans on the job in the Canal service. Today, the ranks of those who were at work here when the great waterway was still a deep- ening ditch are reduced to only three.
Every May, since it began publication in 1950, "The Panama Canal Review" has carried an Honor Roll the names of the men and women whose service began during the decade of 1904-1914 which is ordinarily known to Zonians as the "construction period." The Honor Roll is published in the anniver- sary month of the beginning of the Canal construction by the United States Government on May 4, 1904. See what has happened since: In May 1951, the list had decreased to 69. By May 1952, there were only 53 con- struction day veterans on the Canal rolls. In May 1953, the number had declined These three men are the only Americans on the Canal rolls who saw service in the to 33 men and women. construction period. From lefi: W. V. Brugge, David Ellis, and Adrien Bouche. A year later, in May 1954, the Honor Roll was down to 22. Balboa, and Mr. Ellis is a Floating Crane father, William, was a Master Baker; he In May 1955, there were only 13 con- Operator for the Dredging Division. held the title of General Foreman when struction day veterans still on the job. All three are the sons of construction he left the Commissary service in 1917. The next year, May 1956, there were day veterans. Mr. Bouche's father, Mr. Ellis' father, Freeman, occupied a 12 names on the Honor Roll and, for the A. M. Butcher, began his Canal service typical construction day post he worked first time, no woman's name appeared. in 1907 and was a Lockmaster at Gatun for the Sanitary Department as a "dis- Last year, in May 1957, the list had when he retired in 1934. Mr. Brugge's penser of quinine," until his death in 1907. dropped to nine, and As of this month the Honor Roll is Diagrams Update Building Employees down to three: Adrien M. Bouche, who started to On Air-Conditioning Work Schedule in 1909; William V. Brugge, who work A piece of art by one of the old masters lower ceilings will be done outside of office and started his Canal career in 1913; would have created no more attention hours. David W. Ellis, who went to work for among employees at the Administration The air conditioning system will be the Isthmian Canal Commission in Building than some color crayon drawings composed of 28 zones or sections and 1913. just placed in the rotunda. the contractors will make the installa- Canal's Honor Roll When the Panama The four pieces of art work are the tions according to this division, com- in The Review, 47 of the first appeared floor plans of the Administration Build- pleting one section at a time. The first Roosevelt Medal for 106 listed held the ing with colored sections indicating the areas to be fitted for air conditioning of construction day at least two years proposed work schedule of Huffman, will be in the basement. Since the work 27 had unbroken service with service and Wolfe Southern Corporation, contract- will be done in sections Mr. Goodwin organization. the Canal ing firm for the installation of air con- says that the force will not greatly ex- trio, only Mr. Bouche holds Of today's ditioning and other modernization ceed a maximum of about 50 at any one the Roosevelt Medal and none have un- work. These charts are to be kept up time. broken service. to date during the course of the work Mr. Goodwin foresees no difficulty in If all three of the construction day vet- and employees can tell at a glance when maintaining or bettering the schedule erans choose to continue on the Canal work is to be done in their offices. which has been prepared. Orders have rolls until the compulsory retirement age First actual work in connection with already been placed for the manufacture of 62, the Honor Roll will be unchanged the air conditioning was begun this week of some 7,000 feet of metal duct which for another two years. Mr. Bouche and by the construction of a tunnel from the will be done in Panama, as well as the Mr. Brugge will not have to retire until east wing of the basement to connect with steel framework to support the suspended 1960 and Mr. Ellis, who was a schoolboy the big condensers outside the building. acoustical ceilings. when he went to work in 1913, will not be Delivery of the principal machinery retired for age until 1964. has been promised sometime next month, It is presently intended to begin the Since all three of today's Honor Roll according to Heyward W. Goodwin, Proj- operation of the air conditioning system men were mere youngsters during the ect Manager for the contractor. It will in sections as work in them is completed, construction period, the jobs they held require a month to six weeks to install primarily for testing purposes so that any then were hardly of the policy-making this in the basement. Meanwhile, the adjustment may be made prior to com- variety. Mr. Bouche first worked as a installation of the fluorescent lighting and pletion of the contract. While no firm messenger in Maj. William L. Sibert's metal ducts for distribution of the chilled date has been set, Mr. Goodwin fully office at Gatun. Mr. Brugge was a air will be in progress. expects the first water-chilled air to be fed in wrapper and checker the Cristobal The work is to be scheduled to cause a through to one or more zones by next Commissary, and Mr. Ellis was a "boy" minimum of interference with office work. September, unless there are delays in the in the Mechanical Division. Such work as the installation of the sheet power conversion work at the Adminis- Today, Mr. Bouche is a Control House metal ducts and steel framework for the tration Building now planned for July. Operator at Pedro Miguel Locks, Mr. Brugge is Assistant Housing Manager at THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958 Canal Zone Civil Defense To Be Tested Budget Committee Of Board To Meet Here This Month Next Tuesday In Nation-wide Exercise Members of the Budget and Fi- nance Committee of the Board of The Canal Zone, together with com- Emergency Broadcast will go into effect Directors will visit the Zone for three munities throughout the United States immediately after the first warning by or four days this month for a prelim- and Canada, will test its Civil Defense the Air Defense Command of an immi- inary review of budget estimates for strength and ability to react to disaster nent attack. the fiscal year 1%0. The Committee sometime next Tuesday in "Operation Arrangements have been made for will return in June for a final and Alert 1958." CFN to follow its Emergency Broad- more formal review. Plans for the local participation by casting schedule during Operation The three Directors on the the Canal Zone's Civil Defense organi- Alert next Tuesday and the general pub- Com- mittee, who will arrive May 11, are zation were developed last month under lic has been urged to keep their radios Ralph H. Cake, Maj. Gen. Glen E. the chairmanship of l.t. Gov. Hugh M. tuned to the station, or to one of several Edgerton, and Robert P. Burroughs. Arnold with Bureau Directors and the in Panama which is cooperating in this Chief of Civil Defense. Operation Alert feature of the Civil Defense exercise this The purpose of the preliminary 1958 plans were also discussed at a meet- year, to receive instructions and an- review is to confer with Governor of the Joint Civil Defense Committee, nouncements. Potter and his staff on the assump-
composed of representatives from the Every effort is being made to make the tions on which the new budget esti- Company-Government, the Armed exercise a realistic one, according to P. L. mates are to be prepared. The Board Services, the U. S. Embassy, and the Dade, Civil Defense Chief. Plans have members will spend much of their Government of Panama. been developed to provide the Civil De- time on field trips, inspecting some As in previous alert exercises, the "Take fense organization, including the hun- of the major facilities scheduled for Cover" will be signalled by the public dreds of volunteers, a full test of the rehabilitation or replacement and warning system and the end of the attack ability to react to an atomic attack such visiting sites where major capital period will be made known by the "Alert" as to be simulated Tuesday. improvements are planned. signal. During this period, all except The exercise in the United States, in emergency traffic will be halted. Follow- which Canada will coordinate her exer- the use of forces and resources; d. con- ing the alert signal all members of the cises, will be three phase: Attack, Federal sideration of the follo\ ing resource areas: Company-Government disaster relief or- Action, and Evaluation, in May, July, food, communications, transportation, ganization will report to their designated and September respectively. The Canal manpower, health and medical supplies assembly areas where they will be checked Zone will participate in the attack phase and equipment, light, power and fuel, and briefed on the exercise. The Armed only. During the Attack Phase, empha- clothing, construction supplies and equip- Forces disaster control teams will do the sis will be given to: a. Participation on the ment, emergency housing and lodging; same. There will be no move out to the basis of target area and support area e. operational limitations due to radio- disaster area by the rescue forces from organization to the maximum extent pos- active fallout; and, /. public participa- the assembly areas. sible; b. the maximum use and testing of tion drills. Special emphasis is being placed this the local disaster relief plans at all levels; During the past several weeks, the year on the use of the Armed Forces radio c. maximum play of the operational intel- Personnel Bureau has been identifying network as the principal public informa- ligence function to insure collection, eval- employees of the Company-Govern- tion media before, during, and after an uation, and dissemination of correct in- ment for assignment to the Civil De- attack in the Canal Zone. The CFN formation for operational decisions as to fense Rescue Force. Personnel Starts Move To Ancon
Consolidation of practically all units of Administration Building, and the plan, the front building is housing the the Personnel Bureau in their attractive Training Center on Corozo Street. Wage and Classification and Employment new headquarters in the former Ancon Although the Personnel Bureau is the and Utilization Divisions, and the current Commissary building began this week. smallest, numerically, of the Canal's Bu- personnel files. reaus, it has been scattered more widely First to be moved were most of those The rear building will be used for the than most of the other major administra- working in the Administration Build- time being for activities of the Central tive units. The present consolidation ing—the Wage and Classification Divi- Labor Office. It is designed for future will place all of its personnel files, sion and those in charge of U. S.-rate po- for use as the home of the new Central Em- instance, in one location for the first time sition records and personnel files. They ployment Office to be established by the in the Bureau's history. were followed later in the week by all several U. S. Government agencies when While the exterior of the two former personnel of the Employment and Utili- the 1955 Treaty legislation is approved. zation Division, from Building 69 on Ancon Commissary buildings has been A waiting room at the rear of this build- Roosevelt Avenue, with the exception of little changed, some alterations have been ing is connected to a new outside waiting made. new front entrance the Office A has been Central Labor Branch. room which is equipped with drinking installed, a covered passageway built to The Central Labor Office Branch will fountains and toilet facilities. connect the two buildings and an outside remain at Building 69 until sometime waiting room built near the back of the The new Personnel Bureau office was after the middle of this month when second building. The interior, however, designed by the Architectural Branch of the second, or rear, building of the An- has been extensively altered and modern- the Engineering Division, under the per- unit is completed. con ized to make it the brightest and most sonal supervision of G. A. Doyle, Jr. and The Office of the Personnel Director modern office building in the Canal Zone. Mrs. Ellen Kurzman was responsible for and its small staff is remaining in the As indicated on the accompanying floor much of the color used in the decoration.
EMPLOYMENT AND UTILI Z A TION DI VI SI QN (
WAGE-^-CLAS/FICATIONDIVISION.I Personal Services THE FALK FOREWORD
IN January 1957, Dr. Isidore Falk, internationally-known hospital consultant and medical economist, was employed to make a broad study of the Canal Zone's health services and recommend a program, both as to facilities and services, which could be used as a basis for long-range planning. His was the first really overall look at this vital program, by a quali- fied but disinterested expert in the field, since the Canal construction period. The major recommendations and highlights of Dr. Falk's recently-completed report are presented below. The Canal Zone Health Bureau officials, working independently, had already arrived at many of the conclusions reached by Dr. Falk. Some of the changes suggested in the report have already been made. Others, requiring Congressional action, are planned for the coming fiscal year. The 264-page report is now being studied by Col. Charles O. Bruce, Health Director, and his staff. When they have completed their analysis, their findings will be submitted to Governor Potter. Much additional staff work will be required on many phases of Dr. Falk's recommendations before Congress is asked for necessary funds or authority to GORGAS: Internationally known; approved institute the changes. for teaching. Good staff; but obsolete plant; Because of the great interest in both personal and public health, the publication of this excess capacity. summary is considered by the Health Bureau officials to be of vital importance to Canal Recommends: Gorgas as primary base hos- Zone people, regardless of whether Dr. Falk's recommendations are found feasible or are pital with increased out-patient, reduced approved by higher governmental authority. Copies of the full report are available in the Canal Zone Library. in-patient space ; improved or replaced plant.
proportion of the medical staffs are dip- THE SITUATION lomates in their specialties or qualified for certification. Owing to an inadequate Canal Zone Health authorities are di- budget, however, there is a "substantial rectly responsible for the health of a shortage of qualified personnel and ex- frequently shifting population of about tensive general understafting." This sit- 82,000. This includes civilian and mili- uation is aggravated at Gorgas Hospital tary residents of the Canal Zone, Zone because of operation in inefficient facili- employees living in Panama, and tran- ties. sients such as merchant seamen. In general, he finds, the in-patient fa- The Canal Zone must, essentially, be cilities at the hospitals are much greater self-dependent for health services; its than required and the out-patient facili- geographical location binds health in the ties inadequate for the increasing trend Canal Zone to health in Panama. toward out-patient, or clinic, treatment. COCO SOLO: Excellent building; excess The Canal Zone is unique in the citi- in-patient, inadequate out-patient space. zenship and racial complexity of its GORGAS HOSPITAL Staff good but small, almost ready for ac- population, the differences between the creditation. Gorgas Hospital, Dr. Falk says, is civilian and military components, and Recommends: Coco Solo as secondary known throughout the world for its the atypical age and sex distributions, health center; some layout improvement, contributions to the construction of the additional out-patient space, larger staff. i. e., the preponderance of young and Canal and to the conquest of tropical middle-aged residents and the larger diseases, and is greatly respected for number of men than women. the quality and comprehensiveness of The Health Bureau must provide its medical care. But its physical facil- community health services which are ities are now ill-adapted to its needs. furnished by public health agencies in It serves 57,000 persons on the Pacific the United States and the personal side of the Isthmus in all its services, and health services done by private practi- the whole population in some of its spe- tioners and private and public hospitals cialized services. The use of some of its in the States. excess capacity for the care of selected
The main causes of death- heart di- tuberculosis cases from Panama is a sease, cancer, etc. — are substantially the sound and desirable practice. same here as in the United States; causes The clinical medical staff is too small; peculiar to the tropics have largely been there is a deficiency of graduate nurses for eliminated, although there is a higher intramural service; and its administrative incidence of pneumonia, the dysenteries staffing needs modernization. There have and some venereal diseases than in the COROZAL: Custodial institution with good been no major capital investments in United States. The relatively low but small staff; obsolete plant. High costs, Gorgas Hospital in recent years. The "crude" death rate reflects the youth of inadequate budget. hospital plant is obsolete and unduly ex- Recommends: Corozal to become part of the population; the birth rate is about the pensive to operate. It needs comprehen- with lim- Gorgas neuropsychiatric service same as in the United States. The water ited, urgent plant improvement as tem- sive improvement or replacement. supply, in general, is good. porary measure. He recommends that Gorgas Hos- pital should be continued as the main n PERSONAL HEALTH medical center of the Canal Zone, im- proved by larger and more flexible re- SERVICES sources, a larger professional and tech- nical and subordinate staff, and a more Dr. Falk's highest praise, strongest efficient plant. He suggests, if archi- #**' criticism and major recommendations ap- tectural study shows this to be practi- pear in the section of the report dealing cal, that the present OB-GYN building with the four hospitals, the aid stations become the nucleus for new construc- and dispensaries. tion. The in-patient capacity should be reduced and the out-patient facili- Despite the difficulties of recruiting and ties enlarged. keeping highly qualified professional per- sonnel in the Canal Zone within the avail- able salary ranges, he finds that the staff- COCO SOLO HOSPITAL ing of these services is "on the whole, While Dr. Falk finds that the Coco Solo largely adequate quantitatively and highly Hospital building is in excellent condition, CLINICS: Provide preventive services, minor and first-aid care in C. Z. towns. commendable qualitatively." A large its layout needs further adaptation bo per- Recommends: Strengthening out-patient care in general and special clinics, develop- ing visiting nurse services. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958 REPORT Community Services
mit effective and economical operation. Some capital improvements are needed to COMMUNITY SERVICES change it from a hospital with ancillary While the bulk of the Falk report is de- out-patient services to a balanced health voted to the personal health services of and hospital center. the Canal Zone, the consultant also makes Its in-patient facilities are "much more a careful analysis of the various com- than needed," its but budget has been munity health services and presents some insufficient for adequate staffing. The recommendations on each of these. equipment, on the whole, is good. He recommends that Coco Solo Hos- SANITATION pital become the Canal Zone's second- Effective maintenance of sanitation ary health and hospital center, and on a very high level is vital to the effi- that it function as such for the north- cient operation of the Canal, Dr. Falk SANITATION: Vitalh. important; environ- ern district. It should be staffed and says. By and large, he adds, the en- mental functions well done; malaria con- equipped for general medical and den- vironmental sanitation functions are trolled but still present. Finances, staff tal services insufficient. and for a minimum range extremely well done; weaknesses reflect Recommends: Strengthening activities, of special services. It should, however, deficiencies of legal support, larger or- larger budget, consolidation of malaria con- refer as possible as much to Gorgas Hos- ganization and more funds. Malaria trol in C. Z., inclusive sanitary code. pital for highly specialized services. has been controlled in the Canal Zone Like Gorgas, it should strengthen its since the early construction days but it out-patient services and enlarge its has not been eradicated; the civilian staff. Some minor physical changes and military authorities cannot afford should be made. to relax preventive measures. COROZAL HOSPITAL Dr. Falk believes that further improve- ments can be made in the sanitation pro- This hospital, Dr. Falk says is a cus- gram with an adequate budget. He sug- todial institution operating in out-moded gests establishment of a joint civilian- facilities. While substantial improve- military committee to "reexamine the ments have been effected in the past two possibility" of consolidating within the years, a comprehensive reorganization Health Bureau all Canal Zone malaria and modernization are still urgently control activities other than the military needed. Its staff of well-trained physi- domestic and agriculture insect control cians and nurses is too small. work. He recommends that Corozal Hos- PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND QUAR- pital should become part of the neuro- PREVENTIVE MEDICINE ANTINE: Small staff for diverse responsi- psychiatric service of Gorgas; Gorgas bilities including school program and com- should concentrate on consultant serv- AND QUARANTINE munity health. Quarantine services are inadequate. ices; and Corozal Hospital should be This Division, Dr. Falk comments has Recommends: Expansion of staff, program. used for non-acute, long-term dis- a "very small staff" for its broad and di- Transfer of quarantine operations to Health turbed patients not requiring or not verse responsibilities, but it accomplishes Bureau. suitable for care at Gorgas. a surprisingly large amount of good and effective work. Quarantine measures, Funds should be provided at once to however, are inadequate. remedy such deficiencies in layout and equipment as lack of elevators, inade- He suggests expansion of its staff for quate dining space, etc., whether the general preventive services, the school buildings are to be used for a few years or health program and community health for a longer period. He also suggests an education. He also suggests strength- independent survey of the mental health ening the international quarantine program in the Canal Zone. services, now assigned to Marine Bu- reau boarding parties. Dr. Falk recom- PALO SECO mends that these functions be reas- Dr Falk finds that the Palo Seco Lep- signed to the Health Bureau. If this is rosarium provides a necessary service for not feasible, the Health Bureau should the Canal Zone and a much-appreciated be provided with funds for an adequate service to Panama, and that its facilities, staff and a special effort should be made modest in construction, are well main- by the Health and Marine Bureaus to VETERINARY MEDICINE: Important, insure effective coordination the tained. He recommends no major of complex functions. Too small budget and changes, other than the addition of a sec- Quarantine and other boarding ac- staff. Recommends: Additional personnel, ond physician, but suggests that plans for tivities. con- solidation of food inspections in Panama for the Leprosarium be reviewed in the next Canal Zone; lengthened rabies quarantine. few years. VETERINARY MEDICINE Dr Falk points out that the prevention CLINICS and control of animal diseases transmis- Emphasis, in the Canal Zone's health sable to man and the protection of the program, Dr. Falk says, should be on Canal Zone's food supply are unusually the prevention of physical and mental important to public health and unusually disease and in early care for diseases complex here. The Division, he says, which are not prevented. Toward this carries out both functions effectively with end, he recommends that the services, a small budget and staff and operates a i. e., the various clinics, "should be veterinary hospital which compares fa- strengthened to reduce the in-patient vorably with modern animal hospitals in admissions and the average length of the United States. to substitute in-patient stay" and out- To eliminate duplication of effort by patient care. Canal Zone and military veterinarians he He suggests that a comprehensive visits recommends that all veterinary inspec- ing nurse service, graduate and practical, tion and related activities with respect to VITAL STATISTICS: Provides birth, death should be developed, and physicians' Panama establishments which supply food information but no statistical services which home visits should be expanded. to the Canal Zone, and the maintenance are important to health program. Recommends: Small new Division, to ana- lyze data, coordinate information with Pan- May 2,1958 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW ama, prepare reports. of lists of approved establishments, be consolidated in this Division of the Health Bureau. Rabies quarantine should be extended from the present four to six months.
VITAL STATISTICS In connection with Vital Statistics, Dr. present operation, Falk suggests that the FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GUIDANCE IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION now done by one person, be developed into a small division. This should be staffed to build up the vital statistics, NEW APPROVED METHOD OF ARTIFICIAL analyze hospital and other operating data, RESPIRATION FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN develop exchange of statistical informa- tion with the Republic of Panama, pre- pare periodic reports for the United States and international statistical agen- cies, engage in special studies and provide statistical aids for the administration.
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCING
Since the Canal Zone must be virtually self-dependent for its health services, the administration of the Health Bureau must be appropriate to that of an agency operating substantially complete public medical services. With the approach of summer vaca- right hand is placed in the child's mouth At the present time, nine administra- tion some of us may have the oppor- to depress the tongue and provide an tive units, including the various divisions tunity to demonstrate our first aid know- unobstructed air passage. and the four hospitals, report to the ledge and save a life. However, in the Figure 1 shows the child on the arm; Health Director. This tends toward an case of very young children a life may be place your left hand on its back with your uneven administration, especially because saved to be lost again when an adult does fingers on each side of the neck over the the hospitals— with nearly 90 percent of not realize that his weight and strength shoulders to hold it from sliding off your Bureau's budget—constantly press the can seriously damage the child's chest. arm. Figure 2 shows the 45 degrees from urgent needs. For children of 3 or over the modified the horizontal up and down motion. Dr. Falk suggests a reorganization of method of applying pressure only with Figure 3 illustrates how the middle finger the administration, to provide for at the thumbs is sufficient but for babies is placed in the mouth. Figures 4 and 5 least one or, better, two Assistant Di- even the hands are too strong to use in show how the organs move back and forth rectors. One would be responsible for this method and the method shown above to create artificial breathing. In order to the community preventive and related is recommended. lessen fatigue keep the right elbow tight services, and the other for the hospitals The Rickard prone tilting-visceral against the body for support. If you pre- and clinics and first aid stations. He shift, as it is called now, was developed fer you may work in a seated position also suggests that, for continuity, the by Capt. H. J. Rickard, a U. S. Navy with the elbow resting on the right knee. position of Health Director be a career medical officer. The method was first Begin artificial respiration immediately appointment on a permanent basis. published in The Journal of the American without bothering to remove or loosen the If his recommendations are adopted, Medical Association and modern medi- clothing. Repeat slowly to yourself for Dr. Falk says, Canal Zone authorities cine publications in 1956. It is by far correct breathing cadence "Out goes the should expect gross operating costs for the most efficient, safe and simple method bad air, in comes the good air." Con- the community and personal health serv- of artificial respiration yet devised for tinue the operation until the child resumes ice to rise from about $6 million in fiscal children under about 2 years of age. normal breathing. Be prepared to start year 1957 to, at current prices and wage The Rickard method's simplicity is per- all over again if breathing stops. Never levels, about $7.7 million for fiscal year haps its most attractive feature. Once give up because others have lost hope and 1960 before levelling off. The program you understand it you can use the method make sure a doctor is called quickly to would require capital outlays of about without assistance, material, or equipment decide whether the child is living or dead. $6.75 million, mainly for improvement of and without a great expenditure of effort. It is usually better to call the nearest fire facilities at Gorgas Hospital, which would In brief, the procedure involves placing station first for they can get there quicker counterbalanced by lowered operation be the stricken child astradle your right arm, with a mechanical resuscitator and take and maintenance costs. its face in your upturned palm. Then by over until a doctor arrives. But never in The present budget procedure should simply raising and lowering your arm in any case delay a second in getting started. be replaced by a pattern under which normal breathing cadence resuscitation is Keep working until somebody shows up revenue all sources would accrue from accomplished. The middle finger of your whom you can send for a doctor. currently to the hospitals. If this were done, it would not be necessary to request any appropriation from Congress for the hospitals, except for capital outlays re- coverable through depreciation costs. As far as individuals are concerned, Dr. Falk suggests establishment of a system of group payments through rou- tine payroll deductions. This would abolish individual charges at the time medical services are received and would make a corrective insurance plan un- '58 '57 '58 '57 1 necessary. Supply & Community Service ' H. Roll) 45 27 1 Average deductions of one percent of Health (Honor Roll)... 20 16 payroll or slightly less would apparently Civil AffairsfHonor Roll) 4 11 5 Transportation & Terminals 51 57 1 3 cover all categories of cost, out-patient as Engineering & Construction 33 34 1 well as in-patient, would be lower than New York Operations 6 1 the amount now being paid for limited Marine 353(304) 63 4(4) 6 42(42) 93 12(7) 8 insurance for in-patient care and would C. Z. Govt. Panama Canal Company 517 208 8 133 220 22 20 abolish the need for fee schedules, indi- ( ) Locks Overhaul Injuries included in total. vidual billings, collections and deductions from pay checks. THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958 CIVIL DEFENSE NEWS Worth Knowing . . . © April 17 was Exam Day in the Canal Zone. That morning a total of 389 young men and women who would like to be sales clerks or hold similar positions in the General plans for Operation Alert 1958, retail stores or servire centers assembled at the I'.ir.ii-o .md Rainbow Cit\ high the national Civil Defense exercise to be held this month in the United States and on the Canal Zone, were outlined last month at a three-day conference in Wash- ington of the National State and Terri- torial Civil Defense Directors.
Eighteen girls from Cristobal High School are now learning first aid in the third session of the High School Nurses Aid Civil Defense training program. The instructor for the group is Mrs. Charlotte Kennedy, while the program as a whole
is under the director of Miss Florence Ed- brooke, Director of the Nursing Service at Coco Solo Hospital. Earlier in the year the girls had started on the first part of the program—a series of lectures. This is almost completed. The third phase, actual training in the hospitals, is held during the school vaca- tion period in the summer.
The first three places in the first aid competition on Safety Field Day, held at Santa Cruz April 12, were won by three teams from the Canal Zone Civil Defense schools for a one-and-a-half hour examination. Of the total, 235 took the exami- Volunteer Corps. The winning teams nations on the Pacific side and 154 at the Rainbow City school. The tests, ad- were: Paraiso, first; Rainbow City, sec- ministered by personnel from the Personnel Bureau assisted by several from the ond; and Santa Cruz, third. Six civil Sales and Service Branch, included a short written composition, tests in compre- defense teams participated in the Safety hension, association and ability to follow instructions. A register will be established Field Day events. when results of the tests are compiled and from this register men or women will
be selected to fill sales and allied vacancies as they occur. New Zone Warden for the Margarita- Coco Solo Volunteer Corps is Mrs. Max- News gets around. And so does The Panama Canal Review. A report on tanker ine Carpenter, of Margarita. She was traffic, carried in the February issue of The Review was quoted in the March 12 elected at a recent meeting conducted by issue of The Shipping World and World Shipbuilding, a British publication which Fire Marshal W. G. Dolan, who served as describes itself as "the oldest weekly journal devoted to Shipping, Shipbuilding, Civil Defense Training Officer in the ab- Marine Engineering, Ship Repairing, Aviation and Finance." The Review story sence in Washington of Philip L. Dade. had reported that low tanker rates were reflected in heavy oil shipments through Other officers of the Corps are: Mrs. Vir- the Canal during the first six months of the fiscal year. The bulk of the shipments ginia Kleefkens, Assistant Zone Warden; were from Venezuela to California and from Lebanon to the United States Mrs. Astrea Brooks, First Aid Warden; West Coast. and Mrs. Frances Whitlock, Secretary.
The old La Boca Commissary is leading a new life. Since February the commis- MAY VOLUNTEER CORPS MEETINGS sary building, which went out of business as a retail store at the end of December » Town Place Hour 1956, has been used as a warehouse for wholesale housewares for the Supply Margarita-Coco Serv. Center 9:00 a. m. Division. Use of the La Boca building frees additional space on the second floor Solo Margarita of the Housewares Annex of the Balboa store for furniture and household goods Santa Cruz Serv. Center 8:00 p. m. I sales and display. Little change was necessary- for the La Boca building's new Rainbow City School 6:30 p.m. functions; last month, however, the Federal Roofing and Painting Company School 7:30 p- m. i Paraiso began a contract to remove and replace all of the former built-up roofing with another type of roofing, covered with gravel.
Blood is ready for emergency use at the Pacific Side Blood Bank. A report for
the period between March 1 and April 4 showed that as of the closing date for that period, the Company-Government had on hand a surplus of 44 pints of Official Panama Canal Company Publication blood. Although the surplus is considered a healthy one, it is somewhat below Monthly At Balboa Heights, C.Z. Published the surplus of 68 pints on hand at the close of the previous period. The decrease Printing Plant, Mount Hope, Canal Zone Printed by the was due to the fact that during the five- week period covered by the report, 80 pints of blood were furnished to employees or their families while only 61 pints W. E. Potter, Governor-President were donated. The remainder was taken from reserve on hand. The largest Hugh M. Arnold, Lieutenant-Governor number of donors and donees was reported for the Engineering and Construction William G. Arey, Jr. Bureau. Panama Canal Information Officer
Children do like to read. Or, possibly, they like to be read to. Members of the J. Rufus Hardy. Editor Canal Zone Library staff report outstanding success this year in the Story Hours Eleanor McIlhenny, Assistant Editor conducted at the Paraiso and Rainbow City for youngsters enjoying their long Eunice Richard, Editorial Assistant dry season vacation from school. At Paraiso, where Story Hours were something On sale at all Panama Canal Service Centers. new this year, the average attendance each Saturday was over 60 boys and girls Stores, and The Tivoli Guest House for 10 Retail between 6 and 10 years old. The Paraiso study hours, which grew so rapidly that days after publication date at 5 cents each. Sub- they had to be moved to the High School building, were conducted by Mrs. scriptions, Jl a year; mail and back copies, 10 cents each. Consuelo Baker, branch librarian, and her assistant, Mrs. Hilda Butcher. At Rainbow City, where the average attendance was 20 or over, the story hours Postal money orders made payable to the Pan- were conducted under the direction of Kenneth Griffith, branch librarian. In ama Canal Company should be mailed to Editor, addition to listening to stories, the youngsters enjoyed films supplied by the U. S. The Panama Canal Review, Balboa Heights. C Z. Information Service, and, at Paraiso, enjoyed some of the musical records avail- able there. May 2,1958 Copper ore starts its trip north through the Panama Canal from this Cerro de Pasco smelter on the treeless altiplano of Peru. Nation On The Double March
Business and lending agencies back their judgment that Peru is headed
for economic growth of monumental proportions
(This is the last of two articles on Peru in "The Review" series on trade areas served by the Panama Canal)
Peru of today has the appearance of a ment capital is flowing into Peru in an Last year Peruvian shipments aggre- nation on the verge of an economic growth unprecedented volume. Since the first gated 4,851,000 tons, 15.9 percent of the of monumental proportions. of this year three major American total commodity movement in this direc- The signs are clearly visible to the financial institutions announced the tion. casual visitor. Last month a large group joining of forces to make $60 million Goods shipped in the other direction, of Panama Canal employees returned available for the stabilization of Peru's to Peru through the Canal, last year from a ten-day vacation trip to the Em- credits abroad; the International Bank totaled over 1,000,000 tons, approxi- pire of the Sun. They were impressed as for Reconstruction and Development mately two and a half times the 1951 much by the bustle of business activity (World Bank) approved a §15 million volume. and evidence of economic growth as by loan for the rehabilitation of the rail- While Peru's economic boom has been the beauty of Lima, the Incan ruins at way system; and the Export-Import recently blunted by inflation and other Cusco, or the grandeur of the Andes. Bank announced a S10 million credit to economic ills, it is evident that industrial the Marcona Mining for ad- and financial leaders consider this setback Business leaders of international re- Company ditional expansion of its iron mining to be of a temporary nature. As far- known see the potentialities of this great South American Republic with an activities. Within recent months expansion or de- area twice the size of Texas. Develop- velopment programs have been announced by such United States firms as W. K. Grace & Co., Cerro de Pasco Corp., and some of the major oil companies. The most concrete evidence of the na- tion's industrial and economic growth comes from statistics of shipping through the Panama Canal through which flows most of Peru's external trade.
( Inly seven years ago, in the fiscal year 1951, cargo through the Canal from Peru represented only 2.S percent of the total commodity movement from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
Peru is a mixture of the old and new. At left, a worker in the Goodyear tire plant in Lima,- right, an Indian woman and bundled-up baby from Huancayo.
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958 Sugar is one of Peru's leading exports. This refinery, left, is at Pomalco in Lambayeque near the Pacific coast.
viding an economical route for their de- livery, this favorable trade balance con- tinued. These products were caught in the cyclical downturn of prices during the world wide depression of the 1930's and in most years since then the nation has imported more than it has sold abroad. Peru, like most other Latin American republics, since the close of World War II has adopted a course of advancement by strengthening and expanding her internal economy and thus lessening its depend- ency on external sources for many prod- ucts, including some basic foods.
This program, of necessity, is a slow process. Gradually, results are beginning to show. In 1956 the country's imports totaled $365 million in value, while ex- ports sighted businessmen, they are investing the Incas after Pizarro's conquest. were valued at $311.4 million. A published in Peru's future. This was wholly adequate so long as report early this year showed that 1957 imports exceeded exports by More than most nations, Peru's shipments consisted of gold and silver $71 million. However, a large amount of topography has been a deterrent to its but sailing ships and pack mules could imports included capital goods such as economic development. Desert, soar- not compete in handling such bulk machinery for foreign firms and did not ing mountains, and jungle have com- cargoes as ores, lumber, and agricul- mean a loss in foreign exchange. bined to forestall economic change and tural products. States, social progress for all but a small pro- As a result of this factor and Peru's The United United Kingdom, portion of its inhabitants. A concerted geographic isolation from world markets, and Germany are Peru's chief trading effort is being made to overcome these her economy dwindled during the indus- partners. Although trade with the States is obstacles which have hampered trans- trial revolution which galvanized the United by far the most im- portant, that between portation and communications, prime United States and Europe in the 19th Europe and Lat- necessities of business everywhere. Century. Ships were required to make a in America is increasing. An indica- 10,000-mile tion of this growth is the fact that the Internal communications still present trip around the Horn to reach European markets net vessel tonnage of ships moving serious problems in Peru's development and Peru could not compete in world trade with such handi- through the Panama Canal on the trade of an integrated economy which will serve a route cap even though it alleviated between Europe and South Amer- as a basis for any substantial growth in was to some extent by the advent of the steamship. ica has doubled since 1951. its external trade. The rugged terrain makes the cost of building railroads pro- Thus, when the Panama Canal was Fifty percent of Peru's imports, value- hibitive in many sections. Consequently, opened to traffic in August 1914, it re- wise, come from the United States, mostly an intensified program of highway build- opened for Peru trade potentials dormant being moved through the Canal from the ing was initiated a few years ago to link for many decades. east coast and southern ports. European the principal areas, and open up vast Peru's export trade increased nearly and other imports for Peru passing areas in the highlands and coastal region. 15 percent the year after the Canal was through the Canal amount to another 30 opened, with exports exceeding imports percent, making a total of 80 percent of Peru is divided longitudinally into a comfortable margin. the nation's imports passing through the three distinct zones: The coastal region by During the first World War Peru's principal export waterway. along the Pacific; the sierra, or highlands; products cotton, The following figures and the montana, or subtropical eastern — sugar, minerals, and show the value, petroleum were sorely needed the the principal countries of origin, and slopes of the Andes which merge with the — by per- Allies and with the Panama Canal pro- centage of the total of Peruvian exports Amazon River basin. The latter is a vast region "on the other side of the moun- tains," recognized as one of great poten- tial wealth from agriculture, minerals, and petroleum. While the Panama Canal provides a water link between the eastern slope of the Andes and Peru's Pacific coast, the trade route is so long the amount of cargo moved is negligible. When this area west of the Andes is developed, as it will be someday, the Canal's role in linking it with world markets will depend upon the success of piercing the Andes with a high- way system adequate to provide econom- ical land transportation.
Historically, Peru has been closely linked with the Isthmus of Panama for over four centuries. The narrow neck of land was the principal trade route over which moved the untold wealth of
The Grace Line Santa Mercedes had cleared from Callao in Peru just a few days before she was honored as the Canal's 200,000th commercial transit.
May 2, 1958 9 Selection last month of a three-span a single span arch rib bridge, and a cantilever truss type, and $1,800,000 arch truss type of bridge for the per- three-span cantilever truss bridge. less than the single span arch rib bridge.
manent Canal crossing at Balboa set- The designing engineer firm recom- The recommendation was approved tled one of the principal preliminaries mended selection of the three-span by the Consulting Board for the bridge
to its construction. arch truss bridge on the basis that it design and construction which held its
An architectural rendering of how would be "the most feasible from the first meeting at Balboa Heights last the bridge will look when completed standpoint of design, cost, and ease month to receive the preliminary re- about four and a half years from now of construction." Sverdrup & Parcel port, and later by the Board of Direc-
is shown above. This was one of expressed the opinion that the bridge tors of the Panama Canal Company
three principal drawings submitted is aesthetically well-proportioned and at its quarterly meeting in Washing- last month by the Sverdrup & Parcel particularly suited to the requirements ton.
Engineering Co., of St. Louis, in its and location. Additionally, the engi- The exact alignment of the bridge
preliminary engineering report. neering firm estimated the construction and its approaches is still under study.
Other bridge types submitted were costs would be $1 million less than the While the minor variations in align-
for 1956, almost all of which were shipped Fish 15.6 4.8 riod has been at a spectacular rate. Under through the Canal: Coffee 9.9 2.8 the country's favorable investment policy Value (in Per- Wool 8.3 2.6 adopted by the regime of President Man- millions) centage Hides and skins 1.3 0.4 uel A. Odria and continued in the present United States $181.7 49.6 Others 4.4 1.4 administration of President Manuel Pra- Germany 32.8 9.7 do, the country is attracting investors, United Kingdom 32.6 8.9 Total 163.2 50.7 small and large, from the United States, France 15.4 4.2 EuroPe *«* nada The ult ls a more PETROLEUM AND MISCELLANEOUS p? /. , rapid industrialization, a fbroadening of, Other European coun- Val (n Per the nation's economic base, and better tries and Canada _ _ 44.1 12.1 million) centage markets for Peru s raw products. Peru's exports tell a similar story with Petroleum-. $28.5 8.9 the principal customers for her minerals, While the development of the iron ore Miscellaneous . . 8.5 2.6
agricultural products, and other exports . properties in southern Peru by Marcona being nations of the North Atlantic. Total. $37.0 11.5 Mining Company is one of the most im- The following tables show estimated ._ portant of recent projects, there are many proceeds in 1956 of Peru's exports with others involving tens of millions of dollars Grand Total . $321.8 100.0
_ . . ... in capital investment. of United percentages of the principal products: ,,, , ,. , A group One of the major retarding factors of the states mini companies headed bv the past in the expansion of Peru s interna MINERAL PRODUCTS Ameri(. an Smelting and Refining Corn- Value (in Per- economy has been the low agricultural ig d in th( , dm , lopment of millions) centage productivity of more than half of its pop- d its in southmi peru ;,.. Copper ... $34.3 10.6 ulat.on, almost wholly Indian, living in jng a $200 million investment. An invest- Lead 30.7 9.5 the Sierra The Government recognizes ment of $50 milHon of Swiss and oth(, r
Silver . 18.0 5.6 the importance of the integration of this ita] wag recent , y announced for a - Zinc 15.7 4.9 big segment into the money economy of . majo| hvdroelectric and i rrigation pro- Iron..- 14.8 4.6 the country as evidenced by its five-year Cerro de Pasco Corporation re- Gold 8.4 1.1 $.5 million highway program which will centl rompk, ted the multi-million-dollar Others 4.8 1.5 open up large areas and by an extensive hydroelectric pro j ect at PaUcartambo. irrigation program, financed by govern- The Qr
In addition to these, many millions of whose steady progress in volume of years have brought many changes in the dollars are being expended by some of the world trade would not have been pos- general welfare of the people and in in- biggest oil companies in the exploration sible without the convenience, speed, dustrial development. There is a large for oil on both sides of the Andes. and efficiency offered by the Panama governmental construction program It is significant to note that two of the Canal." for hospitals, government buildings, largest and oldest American firms estab- The vital role of the Canal to Peru's large-scale modern housing and schools. lished in Peru, Cerro de Pasco and Grace economy, so aptly described by Mr. There is also private commercial build- Company, are showing their confidence Koenig, applies also in the field of travel ing and an increasing number of small in the nation's future by materially in- and culture. The Canal has provided an industrial plants. Most of these con- creasing their capital investment. easy path for thousands of visitors an- struction projects are in the Lima area, The importance of the Panama Canal nually for the past 43 years to see the but this has been where the population in this vast program of development was ruins of the great Inca civilization, to growth has taken place and it is the well expressed recently by Robert P. visit Lima and other Peruvian cities, and seat of government, industry, and fi- Koenig, Cerro de Pasco's president. He to delight in some of the most magnificent nance. There is genuine expectation said, in part: scenery of the entire world. that the next surge will encompass "The Panama Canal has been of the While temporary economic set-backs other urban centers on the coast and utmost importance to the Cerro de are to be expected, Peru's future seems in the Sierra.
Pasco Corporation ever since the Canal assured as one of the leading nations of "Certainly, Peru is on the double- was first opened to traffic, in the deliv- the New World where one of the world's march in pursuit of economic develop- ery to the markets of the world of Cerro oldest civilization rubs shoulders with ment. de Pasco's production of nonferrous modern enterprise. This prediction was "Even though there are signs of gov- metals, which include copper, lead, worded as follows in a report of the Na- ernmental fiscal difficulties, it is fairly zinc, silver, gold, bismuth, and other tional Planning Association, composed of certain that any slowing down in the companion metals. some of the leading economists and busi- industrialization efforts will be tem- "The avoidance of transshipment of nessmen in the United States, which some- porary and in the nature of a short metals produced (necessary before the time ago made a long and exhaustive case breather before the next forward steps." Canal opened) as well as transshipment study of the Grace Company in a series It is evident from the millions of dollars of materials and supplies destined for of such studies by the Association on by leading Peru has been a real and tangible con- "United States Business Performance being poured into the country firms tribution to the development of the Abroad." Excerpt from that report: industrial, mining, and banking Cerro de Pasco enterprise in the past "Very real progress is being made in from several parts of the world, and by four decades. The same is true of all Peru, although it is still laboring under lending agencies of the United States other mining activities in that nation, very pressing problems. The past 20 Government, that they share the opinion expressed by the National Planning
May 2, 1958 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11 Association. SCHOOLS are opening and closing A year ends A year begins
Another eventful school year ends next Approximately 3,950 boys and girls in Mass. Mrs. Ellis and Miss Dawkins will month for approximately 7,250 boys and the Canal Zone's Latin American com- teach English and social studies at Paraiso girls who attend the United States schools munities, kindergartners through high Junior High School and Miss Avila will in the Canal Zone. Schools will close school seniors, will start a new school year teach Spanish and social studies at Rain- June 3 for the summer vacation which next Monday when the schools reopen for bow City Junior High School. will come to an end exactly three months their new year. Although they have not been on leave later on September 3 when classes resume As they have done for the past several of absence, 78 other teachers in the Latin for another year. years, the Latin American schools will American schools have been doing uni- During the school year which ends follow the school year in the Republic versity work this year. They have all next month, a number of major changes of Panama. This year the Panama been taking courses at the summer session have been started or accomplished. school calendar has been changed to of the University of Panama. provide for a mid-term vacation in early A special education program for the Five new secondary school teachers September and a final closing date just Canal Zone's handicapped children was have been added to the staffs of the Latin before Christmas. According to pres- begun on a limited scale. Seven of the American schools. They are Miss Berta ent plans the Latin American school teachers in the school system were sent Arango, who holds a BA degree from the year will end December 23, with the to the United States for training in spe- University of Panama and an MA degree 1959 school term scheduled to begin cial work, while a director arrived on from the University of Chicago, who will March 30. the Isthmus for the program. Working teach social studies at Rainbow City with him are a schools psychologist, the Although the expected enrollment this High School; Miss Dorothy Piper, a grad- first to be employed here, a speech year reflects no significant change from uate of the University of Panama, who therapist and a remedial reading tea- the enrollment of 3,974 at the time the will teach mathematics at Rainbow City cher, and a special teacher for children schools closed for the long dry season va- Junior High School; Miss Bertha Hylton, who are physically handicapped. cation in February, it represents an ap- also a University of Panama graduate, preciable decrease when compared with who will teach Spanish at Rainbow City Free school bus and train service was the 4,138 students attending the Latin Junior High School; Miss Yolanda Ba- provided for children living in towns with- American schools in May 1957. The tista, another University of Panama grad- out school facilities, and, for the first decrease is due largely to the abandon- uate, who will teach commercial subjects time, young Zonians were able to enjoy ment of La Boca as a Latin American at Paraiso High School; and Miss Wilma swimming without charge. Working in community. Butcher, a graduate of the Boston Con- cooperation with the schools officials, the servatory of Music, who will teach music Health Bureau made a dental survey of When the schools open there will be and art at Paraiso Junior High School. 1,900 students in the second, fourth, and five classrooms in operation at the La eighth grades, and gave 971 anti-polio Boca School to accommodate first to sixth Special education facilities in the injections. graders living in Pedro Miguel. Early in Latin American schools will be ex- the school year, however, the La Boca panded in September when six teachers, On the physical side, additional play- school will be closed and its students who are now studying at universities in ground equipment, such as slides, merry- transferred to the Pedro Miguel school, the States, return to the Isthmus. go-rounds, swings, horizontal bars and which will then become part of the Latin concrete benches, was installed in a num- Mrs. Adda Velarde, who is doing work American school system. ber of the Canal Zone towns. At the Bal- at George Washington University in boa gymnasium a large concrete slab pro- Because of the increased enrollment Washington, D. C, and Mrs. Verona vided additional play space, additional at the Paraiso Elementary-Junior High Campbell, who is studying at Wayne dressing room space was built to take School double shifts will be conducted University in Detroit, Mich., will serve care of the increased enrollments, and a in some grades. These double sessions, as speech correctionists. Special work six-foot aluminum hood around the lower which mean that two groups of children with mentally retarded children will be gymnasium walls kept blowing rain from will use the same classrooms at different handled by Miss Clara Wattley and Miss sweeping across the gym floor. times, will be necessary to maintain Maizee Headley, both of whom are taking a satisfactory pupil-teacher ratio. courses at San Francisco State College in A covered passageway was built to con- California, Miss Alva Piper, who is at nect the Ancon elementary school and a Three teachers who have just received Syracuse University in New York State, new gymnasium. Plumbing facilities in degrees at United States universities will and Miss Mabel McFarquhar, who is various schools and gymnasiums were return to the school staff this year. They studying at Wayne University in Detroit. replaced. Mount Hope and Balboa stadi- are: Mrs. Ena Ellis and Miss Carmen ums were equipped with new safety rails. Dawkins, who received their BA degrees Classes for mentally retarded children from the University of Nebraska, and will be held in special rooms at the Para- A number of additions and altera- Miss Nidia Avila, a graduate of the Uni- iso, Santa Cruz and Rainbow City ele- tions to the school buildings are sched- versity of Panama who earned her MA mentary schools. Speech correctionists uled for the coming fiscal year. The degree at Clark Universitv in Worcester, will travel to all schools in the system. Balboa Junior High School will be equipped with a ventilating system. At the Balboa elementary school, two COMMENCEMENT SCHEDULE additional classrooms will be con- structed on the third floor and four May 28 first-floor rooms will be altered and equipped for the use of the physically Closing day exercises for eighth graders. handicapped children who have met Balboa: 1:30 p. m., Balboa Theater, 365 students completing junior high school. this year in an unused ward at Gorgas Cristobal: 5:00 p. m., High School auditorium, 115 students completing junior Hospital. high school. One major addition which will be well JUNE 1 —Baccalaureate Sunday under way before school reconvenes in Balboa High School: 2:30 p. m., Diablo Heights Theater. the fall will be a new activities building at Canal Zone Junior College: 4:30 p. m., Diablo Heights Theater. Balboa High School. Work may also be Cristobal High School: 5:00 p. m., High School Auditorium. started during the summer on a building for the ROTC at Balboa High School. JUNE 2 -Commencement Day As this issue of the Review goes to press, Balboa High School: 8:00 p. m., Balboa Theater, 191 graduates. the original plans for the building had Canal Zone Junior College: 10:30 a. m., Diablo Heights Theater, 45 graduates. been revised and bids were to be opened Cristobal High School: 8:00 p. m., High School Auditorium, 57 graduates. May 9. The ROTC building is to contain two classrooms, an audio-visual room which will be air-conditioned, an office, an armory, and a supply room. 12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958 PAGES FROM THE Pacific Area Domestic HIST Conversion Begins May 5
THIS MONTH Conversion of frequency-sensitive do- mestic electrical equipment—refrigera- tors, washing machines, etc. is now 50 Years Ago elevation was the lowest until then in scheduled to start in the Pacific Area Canal history except for May 1926, when A most distinguished visitor spent six May 5. The domestic conversion has it dropped to 81.39 feet. Two units of days in the Canal Zone 50 years ago this been delayed for almost two months by the Miraflores diesel power station were month. He was Secretary of War, later the non-arrival of conversion materials. started, to relieve the load on the Gatun President, William Howard Taft. Ac- While there will be some minor hydroelectric plant. cording to the official report of his visit, changes in the domestic conversion The Canal Zone Metal Trades Council he was here "to confer with the Isthmian schedule, the overall plan will generally presented a report to theGovernor that "prices Canal Commission on various matters follow the schedule described in the charged in the Canal Zone Commissaries connected with the administration and January issue of "The Review." All insofar as they relate to States products" with the Government of Panama on sev- dates, however, will be two months were too high. The Council recommended eral questions of international character." later than those announced at that time. that the Commissaries be operated on a He travelled aboard the USS Prairie, Meanwhile, the Consolidated Inter- break-even basis, with no except for and made his headquarters at Culebra. profit national Electric Company, contractor sales to steamships. Plans were approved for a breakwater for the Pacific Area conversion, has just Although Canal traffic for the first 11 from East La Boca to Naos Island at the installed a 10,000 KVA. transformer at months of the fiscal year was almost 25 Paeifie entrance to the Canal. The break- the Balboa substation. This will enable percent under that of two years earlier, it water, now known as a causeway, was de- the Electrical Division to supply 60-cycle was taking a slight turn upward. During signed to furnish an economical dump for power to the Albrook-PAD area, if re- May 1933, Canal transits totalled 372 material from Culebra Cut and ensure a quired. Consolidated has also been commercial vessels, two more than the quiet harbor at the Pacific end of the Canal. working on the installation of capstan previous month and 15 more than for It would also divert crosscurrents which motors in the Balboa dock area and May 1932. sockets in the otherwise would fill up the dredged channel meter concrete houses in One of the month's transits was the of the Canal prism. the Balboa Flats area, both necessary world's largest tanker, the "SS C. 0. Still- An old slide, believed to date back to prior to conversion. man," owned by the International Petro- French days, began to move on the east Other news on the conversion front: leum Co. She was en route in ballast from bank of Canal excavation near Paraiso. The Electrical Division has just ener- Newport News to Talara, Peru. By mod- A messhouse was swept away by the slide; gized the first 60-cycle transformer unit ern standards, she was comparatively small. other buildings were moved hastily to at the Miraflores substation, to serve She measured 565 and grossed 16,780 safer ground. feet 60-cycle power to the Paraiso townsite tons. Today's "Crinis," largest tanker to One of the Canal Zone's most famous old and the Water Branch pump station at use the Canal, is 40,000 deadweight or societies, the Incas, was organized 50 years Paraiso. A 60-cycle tie-line has also gross tons and is feet overall. ago this month. The society came into 24,304 694 been energized between the Cocoli being at a dinner at the Tivolifor men who 10 Years Ago Diesel station and the Miraflores sub- arrived in the Zone in May, June, and Reincorporation for the Panama Rail- station. At Madden Dam, one of the July of 1904. Col. W. C. Gorgas headed road Company, a first step toward the big generators has been rewound and the organizing committee. later formation of the present Panama reassembled. A three-man commission appointed by Canal Company, was recommended by President T. R. Roosevelt arrived on the the Senate Armed Services Committee in Isthmus to investigate labor conditions. May 1948. The new company would be OLDTIMER RETIRES Meanwhile the New York Herald-Tribune incorporated at $25 million. During reported that an attempt to reduce the hearings on the reincorporation Senators wages of laborers working in the Canal discussed the possibility of removing all Zone was "frustrated" in the House of PRR employees from Civil Service status. Representatives May 7, 1908. One Con- Several important changes took place gressman said, according to the Herald- among top Canal personnel 10 years ago Tribune: the The people of United States this month. Brig. Gen Francis K. New- want to see the Canal built and are not comer succeeded Maj. Gen. J. C. Mehaffey inclined to quibble about the wages paid as Governor of the Panama Canal. Col. to the diggers. James H. Stratton, Chief of the Special survey by dis- A "The Canal Record" Engineering Division was recalled to the closed that the working of 6,100 Americans States to head the Neio England Division in the Canal Zone, 205 were women, almost for the Corps of Engineers. E. C. Lombard all them the wives or daughters on of of men ivas named Assistant Executive Secretary, the construction force. The highest salary succeeding C. M. Lupfer, and John G. Clay- paid a woman was $175 per month, to the bourne, longtime Superintendent of the sole clerk" in the group; the lowest "chief Dredging Division, announced plans to re- salaries, a month, went to matrons. $25 two tire July 2. 25 Years Ago Isthmians were caught flatfooted when they learned that a general tax revision Gatun Lake level was dangerously low bill in preparation by the House Ways 25 years ago this month. Its 81.54-foot and Means Committee proposed the ex- tension of full income taxes to all civilian OUR COVER and military personnel stationed in poses- People who travel by Panama Line lost a This is Lima, "City of the Kings," and sions of the United States. The bill good friend last month when Cecil A. Cole- capital of Peru. One of the oldest of the would apply to the Canal Zone as well as man, Baggage Clerk for the Terminal Divi- after than great American cities Lima was found- to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and sion, retired more 46 years of unbroken service. For many years he has ed in 1535 it is now one of the fastest- the Pacific islands. been responsible for a small mountain of growing. This rooftop scene the of city One Year Ago baggage every time a Panama Liner docked shows some of the construction work or sailed. Labor leaders and officers of the Civic constantly going on. The structure un- Not long before his retirement he took Councils had a surprise for Governor der construction in the background is an part in a Safety Award presentation on the Potter in May 1957. At luncheons and Cristobal docks. During the ceremony he addition to the Hotel Crillon. Much of in calls at his office they celebrated com- was given a certificate and a gold key for the goods produced in Lima or the goods more than 30 years of service without a pletion of the Governor's first year in consumed there are shipped to and from disabling injury. office. As far as oldtimers could remem- that great city via the Panama Canal. He is shown above receiving the award "first." ber, it was a from Lt. Gov. H. M. Arnold, in the presence of W. F. Russon, Safety Representative for May 2, 1958 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW the Transportation and Terminals Director. PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS ANNIVERSARIES
March 75 through April 15 42 YEARS Adrien M. Bouche, whose picture appears Employees who were promoted or trans- motive Operator, Atlantic Locks, to Com- on another page of this issue with the two ferred between March 15 and April IS are missary Supervisor, Supply Division. other construction day veterans, acquired a listed below. Within-grade promotions are TRANSPORTATION AND TERMINALS new distinction last month. With the re- not reported. BUREAU tirement of Charles P. Walsh, Mr. Bouche CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU L. Leroy Barfield, from Steam Locomotive became the Panama Canal's senior employee from point of service. The start of his Ca- John F. Martin, Patrolman, Locks Secur- Crane Engineer, Atlantic Locks, to Yard nal career also predates that of any other of ity Branch, to Window Clerk, Postal and Road Locomotive Engineer, Railroad the U. S. employees. Division. Division. He came to the Canal Zone as a small boy. Beverly L. Creel, from Air Hoist Opera- Carl H. Schmidt, from Air Hoist Operator, He was only 1 1 when he got a summer vaca- tor, Locks Overhaul, to Policeman, Police Locks Overhaul, to Guard, Terminals. tion job running errands in the office Division. Motor Transportation Division Gatun of Maj. William L. Sibert, Chief of the At- Mrs. Gladys S. Lee, from Substitute Tea- William T. Hampton, Maurice L. Mc- lantic Division. He holds the Roosevelt cher to Junior High School Teacher. Cullough, from Auto Repair Machinist to Medal for two years of service during the Paul D. Richmond, from Detective to Automotive Machinist Foreman. construction period. Detective and Photographer, Police Divi- Wilson H. Waldrow, from Body and Fen- All of his service has had to do directly sion. der Shop Foreman I to Body and Fender with the waterway itself, a trend which runs OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER Automotive Machinist Foreman. in his family. His father, A. M. Butcher, Elsie Smith, from Voucher Ex- Fay M. Brown, from Body and Fender Mrs. N. was a Lockmaster at Gatun; his son, Adrien, aminer to Accounting Assistant, Accounting Machinist II to Body and Fender Automo- is a Marine Traffic Controller at Balboa; tive Mechanic Foreman. Division. and his daughter, Mrs. R. E. Budreau, Robert F. Roche, from Time, Leave and Dwight M. Van Evera, from Motor Ve- works in the office of the Panama Canal's Payroll Supervisor, Payroll Branch, to Su- hicle Repair Shop Lead Foreman to Auto- Economist where all statistical data on pervisory Accountant, Agents Accounts motive Machinist General Foreman. shipping is assembled. Branch. Leo J. Krziza, from Supervisory Admin- Air. Bouche is a Control House Operator E. from Supervisory istrative Assistant to Supervisory Adminis- Harry Musselman, at Pedro Miguel Locks, senior in service to Time, trative Service Assistant. Accounting Assistant to Leave and any of the men who man the control towers. Payroll Supervisor, Payroll Branch. OTHER PROMOTIONS 30 YEARS ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION Mrs. Dorothy H. Benny, Clerical Assist- BUREAU ant, Engineering Division. The one woman and one of the two men Rudolph Burda, Robert Hassler, Archie who completed 30 years of Government Helen E. Barr, from Typist to Veritypist, B. Carroll, Jr., Optical Technician, Supply service last month have unbroken service Engineering Division. Division. with the Panama Canal organization on the Norton B. Stephenson, from Supervisory Ronald L. Seeley, Personnel Assistant, Isthmus. The other, whose service was Administrative Assistant to Contract Spe- Office of Personnel Director. interrupted by the war, has spent most of cialist, Engineering Division. Joseph L. H. Demers, Supervisory Stor- his time aboard Panama Line ships en route Dredging Division age Specialist, Supply Division. to or from the Isthmus. B. Friedland, from Supervisory Harry Mrs. Gladys B. Baldwin, Secretary (Ste- Taking the lady first: Accounting Clerk. Clerical Assistant to Cost nography), Gorgas Hospital. Mrs. Thelma Rand, a Head Nurse at Elmer E. Stern, from Carpenter Fore- Simon Shea, Orthopedic Technician, Gorgas Hospital, was Miss Thelma M. Foreman. J. man II to Lead Carpenter Gorgas Hospital. Stone when she joined the staff of what was Tate, from General Naviga- Jesse DeW. Martin S. Sawyer, Marine Traffic Con- then Ancon Hospital 30 years ago last III to General Elec- tional Aids Foreman troller, Navigation Division. month. Born in Detroit, Mich., she trained trician Foreman. at Lakewood Hospital on Cleveland's West Herman H. Keepers, from Electrical Side, and nursed there for almost three years Navigation Aids Maintenance Lead Fore- before she came to the Canal Zone. She is Electrician Foreman. man to Lead MAY SAILINGS now a Head Nurse for the Hospital's Sec- Catanzaro, from Motor Boat Anthony J. tions A and B. In 1954, she was appointed Maintenance Mechanic to Marine Machin- FROM CRISTOBAL to the Panel of the Board of U. S. Civil ist Foreman. Service Examiners here and still serves in Parmentier, from Boiler- Cristobal May 3 Bernard M. that capacity. She makes her home in An- Foreman. Ancon May 10 maker to Boilermaker con with her husband, Jacob, of the Rodman Vincent Biava, from Lead Foreman Ma- Cristobal May 21 Post Office staff. chinist to General Marine Machinist Fore- Ancon May 28 The second Zonian on the 30-year anni- man. FROM NEW YORK list is C. Roland Supervisory- HEALTH BUREAU Ancon May 2 versary Jones, Engineer in the Branch. Gorgas Hospital Cristobal May 13 General Survey A down-easter from Gardiner, Maine, he came Mrs. Ruthelma T. Zemer, from Clerk- A neon May 20 to the Canal Zone in the early summer of Stenographer to Clerical Assistant. Cristobal* May 29 ^Cristobal sails one day early because of holiday. 1928, just in time to get right into the middle Mrs. Katherine T. Purdy, Mrs. Agnes E. ships which leave New York Friday of the survey work on what was known then Hannigan, from Clerk-Stenographer to Southbound are in Haiti the following Tuesday. Those which sail as Alhajuela Dam, now Madden Dam. Medical Assistant (Stenography). from New York Tuesday spend Saturday in Haiti. Since then there hasn't been much of the Grace Belden, from Clerk (Typing) to Northbound, the ships stop in Haiti two days after clearing Cristobal: Monday for those which sail from Isthmus he hasn't seen, including a survey Medical Assistant (Typing). Cristobal Saturday, and Friday for those which clear of the Atrato-Truando Canal route near the Mrs. Edith McAllister, from Clerk-Typist Cristobal Wednesday. Colombian border. During the last war he to Clerk. MARINE BUREAU worked on area maps for the military serv- ices here and later, during the period of the Edward L. Brady, from Air Hoist Opera- RETIREMENTS Isthmian Canal Studies was active in the to to Scaling and Painting Lead Foreman, field engineering for that work. He and Locks Overhaul. Mrs. Jones live on Empire Street in Balboa. Lavender, from Heavy Lamar M. Labor Retirement certificates were presented The off-Isthmian 30-year man is Martin Lead Foreman to Scaling and Painting Lead the end of April to the following employees Bugalski, Second Assistant Engineer on the Foreman, Locks Overhaul. who are listed alphabetically, together with SS Cristobal. He joined the Panama Line Bernard J. Linden, from Rigger, Locks their birthplaces, positions, length of Canal as an Oiler and Deck Engineer in 1924. His Overhaul, to Towboat Master, Ferry. service and future addresses. service was interrupted by the war but he from Karl T. Nehring, Towboat Master, William D. Goodwin, Iowa; Yardmaster, returned to the Panama Line in June 1946. Ferry Service, to Pilot-in-Training, Navi- Railroad Division; 15 years, 5 months, 4 He has served aboard the Ancon, Cristobal gation Division. days; < rowrie, Iowa. and the former Panama Liner, Panama. Fields, from Doorman, W Frank Jr., Julia Guenzi, Colorado; Second Grade He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and Motion Picture Unit, to Signalman, Navi- Teacher. Balboa Elementary School; 29 now makes his home in New Milford, N. J. gation Division. years, 11 months, 1 day; Canal Zone for 25 YEARS Lester H. Barrows, from Heavy Labor present. Lead Foreman to Scaling anil Painting Lead John L. Haas, Alabama; Marine Ma- April was Silver Anniversary month for Foreman, Locks Overhaul. chinist, Industrial Division; 18 years, 11 three men in the Canal organization. None Ralph L. Hysong, Ernest C. Divine, Jr., months, 23 days; St. Petersburg, Fla. of the three, however, has continuous Canal service. Alphabetically they are: Thatcher from Air Hoist Operator to Heavy I iboi J. Arthur Jones, Minnesota; VVireman, Lead Foreman, Locks Overhaul. l.lci trical Division; 31 years, 6 months, 25 A. Clisbee, Capital Program Coordinator on Leslie R. Loga, from Towboat Master to d.i\ s; Tin son, Ariz. the Executive Planning Staff — that means Senior Towboat Master, Navigation. Spenser C. Lincoln, New York; Wireman that he knows pretty well what's going to be built here, and when. Born in Gorgona, Mrs. Julia J. Holmes, from Supervisory I oreman I. Pacific Locks; 31 years, 1 he started his Canal career as a "boy," work- Clerk (Typist ) . Pacific Locks, to Time and month, 5 days; California. Leave Supervisor, Locks Overhaul. Christian Simonsen, Georgia; General ing summer vacations in the old Record Victor H. May, Jr., from Patrolman, Maintenance Mechanic, Maintenance Divi- Bureau. He has been in the plans and plan- Locks Security Branch, to Marine Traffic sion; 29 years, 8 months, 11 days; Southern ning end of things since 1938. Controller, Navigation Division. California. Harry D. Raymond, better known by his Thomas W. Cove, from Tmvlm.it Master Edward P. Walsh, New Jersey; Filtration middle name, David, Supervisory General to Pilot-in-Training, Navigation Division. Plan! Operator III, Maintenance Division; Claims Examiner in the General Audit
I I eai -, 5 hs; Sebring, Fla. Division. Born in Norfolk, Va., he came SUPPLY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE 5 mom BUREAU Emment T. Harper, from Towing Loco- 14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958 CPA Legislation For Zone Zonian Makes Unusual Job Shift Now Before Budget Bureau
Legislation which, if approved, will en- able Canal Zonians to take examinations locally to become Certified Public Ac- countants is now before the Bureau of the Budget. From the Bureau it will go to Congress in the form of a proposed amend- ment to the Canal Zone Code. The legislation was prepared by officers of the local chapter of the Federal Gov- ernment Accountants Association, and was put into draft form by J. Patrick
Conley, who is Assistant to the Comp- troller. The bill would enable the Governor to appoint a Board of Accountancy which would give the regular American Institute of Certified Public Account- ants examinations in the Canal Zone. The Board would also be empowered to issue CPA certificates to the successful candidates. Similar legislation was enacted about two years ago regarding engineers and ar- chitects and was followed by the appoint- ment of a professional Registration Board, Leslie Spencer, left, formerly of Cusloms talks with his new bosses, L. L. Jenrich, but the current proposal is the first to be Internal Audit Chief, and F. H. Baldwin, head of the General Audit Division. made here concerning public accountants. At the present time aspirants for CPA It isn't often that a Canal employee diploma was presented by the Governor. certification must establish residence in with 18 years of service in one outfit de- Since then he has started work to- the United States and take their exami- cides to switch jobs in mid-career but that ward a degree as Master of Business Ad- nations in the State where they are living. is exactly what Leslie M. Spencer, second ministration, taking this course at the A. M. Jenkins, of the Comptroller Of- in command of the Cristobal Customs Graduate School of Business Adminis- fice, is presently in Tennessee, preparing Office did last month. tration of Boston University, during to take the CPA examination there, and late April he entered a field vacation periods. another accountant is to go to the United As of different Mr. Spencer began his Canal career as States in the fall for examination. which was completely from anything in his previous experience a clerk in the former Municipal Engi- when he joined the staff of the General neering Division, but transferred in less here as a youngster. His first job was on Audit Division as an accountant in the than four months to Customs where he the Pacific Locks keeping time for a car- remained until his unusual move last penter gang during overhaul. He has spent Internal Audit Branch. the past 20 years in accounting work. month. The job transfer is the direct result of Salvatore Rinaldo, a Customs Guard in the after-hours and vacation time study Balboa. He began here as a watchman with the old Health Department but has been which Mr. Spencer has been doing almost with Customs since 1942. continuously since he joined the Canal Employees To Get Insurance 20 YEARS organization in December 1939. His All but one of the seven men who rounded Data During Current Drive first after-hours study was in Spanish, and out 20 years of Government service last Efforts are being made to furnish every month have an unbroken record of service he followed this up by several courses at with the Canal organization. In some cases, Panama University. employee in the Canal organization with however, these anniversary celebrants had full information on the Group Hospital Three years ago he received a degree prior Government service to add to their Insurance plan during the current mem- years with the Panama Canal. They are: from the Canal Zone Junior College; dur- bership drive which continues until May Spencer M. Anderson, a native of Moline, ing his Junior College work he was one of 15. During this period employees, not 111., Electrician on the Dredging Division's three students to make a perfect score in pipeline suction dredge Mindi; Charles H. already members, may join on a non- a cost accounting examination. In Jan- Crawford, who comes from Chester, S. C, selective basis. received Bachelor's Supervisory Personnel Assistant in the Cen- uary 1957, he a degree The Employee Group Health Insur- tral Labor Branch of the Personnel Bureau; in General Studies from Louisiana State ance Board has recently negotiated a Kenneth C. Heliums, who was born in St. University, the first Panama Canal em- Joseph, Mo., Project Engineer with the number of favorable changes in the ployee to complete a LSU course. His Contract and Inspection Division; Bernice plan with the underwriting firm. Mu- A. Herring, once of Clinton, N. C, Dipper tual Insurance of Omaha. These Dredge Master with the Dredging Division; Hospital; Mrs. Beatrice J. O'Toole, Time- George A. Martin, a native of Calypso, keeper, Electrical Division; Robert W. changes will be of benefit to both old N. C, Sergeant in the Police Division in Parker, Cribtender Foreman, Terminals and new members. The new benefits charge of the Canal Zone Prison at Gatun; Division ; Hubert A. Rotenberry, Lead Fore- will be automatically accorded to those and Eldon L. Phelan, of Burns, Oreg., Po- man Painter, Dredging Division; Robert C. already participating in the plan with- liceman on duty with the Balboa Police Stanley, Powerhouse Operator- Dispatcher, out the requirement of any action on District. Electrical Division ; James W. Watson, Tow- Gregory Cartotto, once of Paterson, N. J., boat Master, Navigation Division; and their part. has unbroken Government service but his Carl A. Yarbro, Lead Foreman, Scaling and The changes, as well as the principal Canal service was interrupted by military Painting, Locks Overhaul. features of the group health insurance, service during World War II. He is a Gen- Other 15-year employees are: David L. eral Claims Examiner in the Claims Branch. Bishop, Policeman, Balboa Police District; are described in brochures which were 15 YEARS Robert P. Carey, Distribution Clerk, Postal delivered with paychecks to all employees Thirteen of the 23 men and women who Division; Ralph Dugan, Jr., Policeman and this week. If employees desire additional completed 15 years of Government service Motorcycle Officer, at Gatun; Leon S. Fish- information, members of the Insurance last month have unbroken service with the bough, Jr., Machinist II, Atlantic Locks; Canal organization. They are: Theodore W. A. Krzys, Machinist, Induslrial Board will be glad to assist them, or they Richard W. Abell, Lockmaster, Pacific Division; Mrs. Ruth F. Morris, Third Grade may direct their inquiries to I. J. Mc- Locks; Rex Beck, Constable, Balboa Magis- Teacher, South Margarita School (she is Carthy, Mutual of Omaha representative trate's Court; Ferdinand Berwanger, Ma- presently taking special training at Colum- on the Isthmus. chinist Foreman, Pacific Locks; Mrs. Joyce bia University) ; Harold R. Rodell, Locomo- B. Bevington, Supervisory Clerical Assistant, tive Crane Steam Engineer, Pacific Locks; Mr. McCarty has made arrangements Commissary Branch; Mrs. Evelyn R. Con- Gust E. Rosene, Marine Machinist, Indus- to be on the Atlantic side one day every don, Accounting Clerk, Terminals Division; trial Division; Milton E. Stone, Supervisory week in the future to assist employees Hamner C. Cook, Accounting Clerk, Supply Cargo Clerk, Terminals Division; William on that side with problems or to answer Division ; David C. Mcllhenny, Supervisory W. Spencer, Lead Foreman, Quarters Main- Hospital Administrative Officer, Coco Solo tenance, Maintenance Division. questions. He will be on duty every Wednesday in Room 212 of the Admin- May 2, 1958 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15 istration Building in Cristobal. professional, social and economic in- Professional Engineers terests of the professional engineer and the engineer-in-training; to promote high standards of engineering educa- Observe First Birthday tion; to consider legislation affecting the engineering profession; to establish and maintain high ethical standards and practices.
The local Society is represented in the National Society by a National Director who attends meetings of the National Board three times each year. Frank H. Lerchen, Maintenance Engineer for the Panama Canal Company, holds this office.
Since administration of the Canal Zone Society lies in its Board of Directors, which meets frequently, general meetings are held only about three times a year. Despite its comparative youth, the Canal Zone Society has managed to acquaint the public with its program at two major ac- tivities so far this year.
The first of these was in January when Dr. Clark A. Dunn, president-elect of the National Society, made a special trip to the Isthmus to present the charter to the local group at a dinner meeting at the Tivoli Guest House. The second came during the following month when the Canal Zone Society sponsored the activi- ties of Engineering Week. center, Presentation of the charter by Dr. Clark Dunn, was a highlight of the engi- The group has been active in other neers' year. Seated: L. B. Sartain, then CZSPE president, Col. H. M. Arnold. fields, also. Through its efforts the Pan- ama Canal Company now requires that One of the newest and fastest growing Room at Balboa Heights and organized all plans, specifications and engineering groups in the Canal Zone is the Canal the Canal Zone Society. While most of reports bear the seal of a professional Zone Society of Professional Engineers them held engineering jobs in the Canal engineer registered in the Canal Zone. which, right now, is smack in the middle organization, the Society was Canal Talks are now going on regarding further of a series of first anniversaries. Zone-wide and several of the original recognition of the registered professional The Society was organized a year ago members were engineers with the armed engineer. last month. It elected its first officers a forces here. For prospective members who are year ago this month. And it was accepted As more and more men qualified for qualifying for registration as profes- into the National Society of Professional registration, the Society's membership sional engineers and for members who Engineers a year ago next month. began to swell. Last June, when L. B. wish their qualification to be by exam- The National Society of Professional Sartain, the Society's first president, went ination rather than by the "grand- Engineers, in which the Canal Zone to Dallas to present the Canal Zone father clause" which blanketed some Society has the same status as, say, the group's credentials to the National So- of them in, the Society is now sponsor- Oklahoma State or Florida State Socie- ciety, the membership stood at 39. To- ing a series of refresher courses in vari- ties, is to professional engineers what day it totals 85, which represents more ous engineering fields. Approximately the American Medical Association is to than 80 percent of the qualified potential 30 engineers are taking these courses. doctors or the American Bar Associa- membership in the Canal Zone. Several The Society has just installed its second tion to lawyers. Only licensed profes- Panamanian engineers, registered in the set of officers. L. B. Sartain, the first sional engineers and certified engineers- Canal Zone, are members of the Society. president, has been succeeded by A. A. in-training are eligible for membership. As a "member State Society" of the Mittag, who was president-elect last year. To the nonengineer, there is some con- National Society of Professional Engi- This year's president-elect is E. W. Zel- fusion between the Canal Zone Society neers, whose national membership ex- nick, who served last year as National and the Canal Zone Board of Registration ceeds 44,000, the Canal Zone Society's Director. Truman H. Hoenke has suc- for Architects and Engineers. The objectives are generally and specifically ceeded Capt. J. K. Batchellor, USN, as Board, which consists of two architects those of the National Society: vice president, and Richard R. Potter, Jr., and three engineers, appointed by the To protect the public from unquali- is again secretary-treasurer. National Governor to examine the qualifications of fied, pseudo-engineers; to advance the Director this year is Mr. Lerchen. applicants for registration as architects or professional engineers, was established several months before the Society. The Soeisty, a group of registered professional engineers bound together by their profes- sional interests and working to advance engineering as a profession, sprang, more or less, into being through establishment of the Board. When the Canal Zone Code was amended to regulate the practice of engi- neering and architecture in the Canal Zone, the Governor appointed a Board of Registration. R. J. Rhinehart, President of the National Society of Professional Engineers, came here to help the Canal Zone board get started. During his stay on the Isthmus, he discussed the possi- bility of starting a Canal Zone Society, having as a nucleus half a dozen registered Something funny must have been going on at this meeting of the CZSPE officials. engineers who had belonged to the Na- 'Fiom left: L. B. Sartain, Jr.. past president; E. W. Zelnick, president-elect; A. A. Mittag, secretary-treasurer; T. N. Hoenke, vice president; and F. H. tional Society in the States. president; R. R. Potter, Jr., Lerchen, National Director. On April 27, last year, 27 registered professional engineers met in the Board 16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958 _ SHIPPING
CANAL HEADS TO ANOTHER RECORD YEAR IN TRAFFIC, TOLLS, D1SPITE RECENT DECREASE IN CARGO TONNAGE
Despite a sharp recent drop in the amount of cargo carried through the Pan- ama Canal, the waterway is headed this fiscal year for another record in both the number of transits and the amount of tolls. For the first nine months of the present fiscal year, ocean-going commercial tran- sits alone totalled 6,991 ships, 737 more than for the first nine months of fiscal year 1957. Ocean-going transits are averaging 25.53 per day, compared with last year's daily average of 22.80 ships. Tolls so far also stand at an all-time high and statisticians see no reason why they too will fail to set another record. Since tolls are computed on a ship's cargo capacity, rather than on the amount of cargo actually carried, the decline in cargo does not affect tolls. During the first nine months of the present fiscal year, tolls on ocean-going commercial transits alone have totalled over S31, 602,000, compared with $27,- 979,000 for the comparable period in the previous fiscal year. Both transits and tolls are now on a Capt. James A. Flenniken, left, will take over this month as Balboa Porl Captain "plateau," toward which they have been with the departure of Capt. A. R. Roessler, right, for his new post in California. rising since about last November. There may be some decline in both for the re- maining three months of the fiscal year CANAL TRANSITS— COMMERCIAL AND U. S. GOVERNMENT which are not covered by the statistics in Third Quarter, Fiscal Years this section. But even the expected drop 1958 1957 1938 should not prevent the setting of new records in both transits and tolls this Atlantic Pacific fiscal year. to to Total Total Total Pacific Atlantic Cargo, however, has already passed its plateau and has turned down sharply Commercial vessels: since last November and December. The 1,133 1,121 2,254 2,182 1,386 decrease in cargo shipments began the 86 64 150 234 219 latter part of November and in early De- Total commercial 1,219 1,185 2,404 2,416 1,605 cember and is evident in both directions through the Canal, although the decline U. S. Government vessels:** on the Atlantic-Pacific trade is the more Ocean-going _ .. 33 26 59 85 36 54 90 120 pronounced. Hugh A. Norris, the Panama Canal Total commercial and U. S. Govt. 1,288 1,265 2,553 2,621 ______Company's Economist, attributes the de- 'Vessels under 300 net tons or 500 displacement tons. crease in cargo to several factors. The ships **Yessels on which tolls are credited. Prior to July 1, 1951, Government-operated current recession in the United States is transited free. one of these. This is evident principally MONTHLY COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC AND TOLLS in the fact that the average cargo per Vessels of 300 tons net or over vessel is dropping; while the number of ships has remained practically constant (Fiscal years) since the cargo drop began, most ships are Tolls carrying less than a capacity load of cargo Transits (In thousands of dollars) the Panama Canal. Month through Other factors also enter the cargo 1958 1957 1938 picture, Mr. Norris believes. One of the most marked decreases in cargo July 788 669 457 $3,668 $3,054 $2,030 August 812 653 505 3,599 2,888 2,195 shipments via the Panama Canal is September. 771 646 444 3,504 2.861 1,936 that in scrap iron. During the first October 813 699 461 3,680 3,083 1,981 nine months of fiscal year 1957, a total November. 779 654 435 3,522 2,876 1,893 of 1,199,105 tons of scrap iron moved December- 774 751 439 3,521 5.420 1,845 January 744 701 444 3,376 3.161 1,838 through the Canal from U. S. Gulf February. 700 673 436 3.104 3.033 1.787 ports to Japan. During the first nine March 810 808 506 3,628 3,603 2,016 months of this fiscal year, scrap iron April 767 487 3,430 1,961 shipments dropped to 500,727 tons. May 783 465 5,551 1,887 June 775 445 5,484 1,801 While this is a little more than a 50 per- cent decrease, the comparison is even Totals for first 9 months more marked when taken by months. of fiscal year 6.254 531,602 S27.9 79 $17,521 In March, 1957, when scrap shipments were at a peak, the scrap shipped Totals for fiscal year. 8,579 ! 5.524 ;.444 $23,170 through the Canal totalled 201,719 tons. May 2, 1958 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 17 In March 1958, only 121 tons of scrap COMMENDED
These men helped save the life of Gabriel Daboin, center. Front: Dr. Bruno Venezuelan diver Gabriel Daboin Eisen, in the decompression chamber with Capt. H. S. Knerr, Lt. K. T. Shelley, Dr. R. L. Koenig. Standing: R. C. Crump,
William Badders end Dr. R. L. Koenig. R. A. Morales, H. L. Clarke, Jr., William Badders, C. H. Starke, J. J. O'Donnell.
The "sincere personal thanks and com- by whom the stricken diver was employed. cials and personnel involved were only mendation" of Governor Potter was sent "It is no exaggeration to say that Da- performing their duty, but what was done last month to each individual who played boin owes his life to the almost super- for Daboin cannot be measured by any a part in saving the life of Gabriel Daboin, human, and I use this word advisedly, yardstick of duty. It was an outstanding Venezuelan diver who is now back in efforts of those involved," Mr. Francey case of devotion to their service and call- Venezuela after an almost miraculous wrote. ing on the part of the men concerned," recovery from a severe attack of caisson "It might be said that the Canal offi- he added. disease, or the "bends." "This case," the Governor wrote, "re- flects great credit not only on the indi- Principal commodities shipped through the Canal viduals but also on the organization (All figures in long tons) where different units cooperate and work PACIFIC TO ATLANTIC together on a difficult mission." The Governor's commendation was Third Quarter, Fiscal Years placed on each man's file, together with a Commodity 1958 1957 1938 letter from Perry Francey, written on behalf of the Shell Company of Venezuela, Ores, various -_ 1,850,407 1,688,801 542,936 Lumber 820,002 696,316 632,901 Wheat 522,986 908,144 267,904 Sugar 290,212 414.299 299,404 were shipped through the Canal. Bananas 290,08-1 246,484 20,076 Much of the scrap metal was used for Canned food products 287,712 325,614 220,124 Nitrate of soda 271,131 222,499 530,861 steel plate for Japanese shipbuilding. Refrigerated food products (except fresh fruit) 214,954 240,838 106,820 Within the past few months there has Metals, various 199,247 226,993 165,473 been a curtailment in ship construction. Barley 171,731 177,756 62,089 Another sharp and recent downward Petroleum and products (excludes asphalt) 103,590 257,237 498,282 Fresh and dried fruits 94,760 73,427 173,041 trend is that of petroleum and petroleum Coffee 87,212 90,729 53,179 products. The February issue of The Wool 72,075 116,131 37,915 Review reported that low tanker rates Cotton, raw 69,948 85,847 37,801 were reflected in large shipments of oil All others 965,370 991,046 664,317 via the Canal, particularly from the South Total 6,31 1,421 6,762,161 4,313,123 American east coast to California. Dur- ing the third quarter of this fiscal year, ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC oil shipments have dropped so sharply that during March, 1958, not one single Third Q uarter, Fiscal Years ton of oil was shipped on this route, com- Commodity 1958 1938 pared with the 62,500 tons shipped in 1957 March 1957. 1,079,104 l, loo.ooi 236,644 The decrease in oil shipments is attrib- 760,806 877,516 27,867 uted to excess reserve stocks on the Iron and steel manufactures 416,888 775,584 362,008 305,742 377,858 west coast, coupled with the extension of 67,518 146,507 167,259 493 voluntary control on oil imports to the 131,3119 117,389 32,587 west coast last December. 116,633 100.705 7,809 While current figures do not yet re- 108,427 65,265 19,405 82.616 25,179 flect these, Mr. Norris foresees sharp 106,110 91,310 104,337 56,323 declines in iron ore during the remain- 86,211 00, (ISO 90,274 der of this fiscal year. 86,064 86,174 10,409 The drop in ore shipments is expected 83,866 79,005 76,102 8,510 because U. S. steel companies which had 82,276 20,057 81,823 507,573 134,275 been buying on contract to supplement 1,216,271 1,472,263 864,251 the output of their own mines no longer need these supplemental shipments while Total 1,899,347 6,200,621 2,049,654 they are operating at only 50 percent of capacity. 18 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958 Fishing — Panama Canal Lock Style
been served up on Zone dinner tables but a good part of this year's castaways are destined for more scientific pur- poses. Over 175 specimens collected at Miraflores Locks are already on their way to the Scripps Institution of Ocean- ography, a graduate school of the Uni- versity of California at La Jolla, and more will follow as soon as they are sorted and packed.
The man behind the collection is Paul
W. Johnson of San Diego _ who once
worked at the Scripps Institution and is now on duty with the Army Signal Corps here. When scientists at Scripps learned that a wealth of marine specimens would be available when the locks were emptied this year, Mr. Johnson was asked to ar- range for the collection. He was provided with introductions to representatives of the Inter American Tropical Tuna Com- mission, which has an office in Panama City and which supplied him with pres- Chester Alder and Semars Clarke net- servatives and collecting equipment He . . . while John Simpson, on the wall,
ted the fish in the lock . . . was also introduced to Canal officials. chamber slit them and put them into preservative. This led to arrangements under which (All pictures by Paul W. Johnson) The Panama Canal, every now and Roy C. Stockham, Chief of the Locks then, provides just about the most mag- Division, assigned two men from the them open and put them into preserva- nificent fisherman's-dream-come-true that Locks force to work with the collectors. tive. The first day's specimen repre- anyone could imagine. That is, if a fish- The morning the west chambers at sented about 30 species. erman wants to do his Isaak Waltoning Miraflores Locks were drained, Mr. John- with a scoop or a net. son and John Simpson, of the Tuna Com- The day the east chambers are Mira- This fine state of affairs comes about mission, stationed themselves on the top flores were emptied, the collection was whenever the Canal's lock chambers are of the lock wall. Chester Alden and more spectacular numerically and, pos- emptied—dewatered is the professional Semars Clarke, of the Locks force, took sibly, scientifically, although the haul term—for overhaul. Fish, large and up their posts on the lock floor. would appear somewhat monotonous small, are trapped in the locks as the to an amateur. That day Mr. Johnson Between 9 a. m. and 5 p. m. that day and Mr. Simpson were waters recede. They flop helplessly about they netted 175 specimens, ranging from concentrating on anchovies, the bait fish on the lock floor, ripe for the picking. one and a half inches to two and a half for tuna. They were eager to get as This year is overhaul year and, con- feet in length. The fish were hauled up many species as possible, and that meant sequently, a fine year for easy fishing. the sides of the locks by bucketfulls to collecting as many specimens as they could. A good many snapper and snook have Mr. Johnson and Mr Simpson who split Al- together 500 anchovies were netted. Since only one had turned up in the Canal Commercial Traffic by Nationality of Vessels west chamber haul, the collectors be- Third Quarter, Fiscal Years lieve that the second day coincided with the anchovy breeding season. 1958 1957 1938 Nationality While his estimates have to be con- Num- Num- Num- Tons Tons Tons firmed by ichthyologists in the United ber of ber of ber of of cargo of cargo of cargo States, Mr. Johnson believes that transits transits transits the ap- proximately 675 specimen collected will 1 566 represent 45 to 50 various species of fish.
1 7,085 He does not have facilities here for classi- 1 66 fying the collection but thinks on first British.. _ 302 1,830,804 356 2,343,966 348 1,626,625 25 149,011 17 104,067 3 10,012 examination that the yield includes five 17 118,733 13 100,771 or six species of anchovies and about the Colombian 60 76,729 50 68,238 same number of species of grouper. He 12 85,465 may well be off in his guess. In 1939 2 Dr. 88 249,303 84 360,014 56 161,735 Samuel F. Hildebrand, senior ichthyolo- Ecuadorean 10 13,283 14 29,414 gist of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, col- 10 38,234 8 30,990 1 4,021 lected 94 species during a Locks overhaul. 17 87,682 20 105,395 26 138,303 209 584,898 172 618,070 86 312,330 The specimens collected this year by 27 229,133 35 323,289 19 96,467 Mr. Johnson and his assistants will be Honduran 77 72,488 108 111,772 10 3,839 distributed by the Scripps Institution 1 8,558 46 277,937 39 165.926 12 31,762 among a large number of scientists, each 173 1.213,793 152 1,115,768 77 495,130 of whom is a specialist in a particular fish.
Latvian ______1 Liberian. 196 1,711,158 168 1,545,708 And what will the scientists learn Mexican _ 2 1,650 from this year's fish collection? Some Netherlands 55 255,497 50 244,042 77 179,917 of the specimens may show evidence of Nicaraguan _ _ 20 40,194 11 29,892 passage through the Canal, a possi- Norwegian . 234 1,012,442 229 1,603,271 174 848,325 Panamanian 104 338,070 110 495,424 44 56,087 bility which Dr. Hildebrand considered 13 56,147 10 50,148 3 4,008 in his first book to be remote although Philippine 7 36,272 4 24,032 2 he modified his opinion somewhat in South Korean _ 1 his 1939 publication. The specimens Soviet _ 1 7,700 3 10,103 2 4,375 Spanish 14 56,736 14 63,564 may also show indications that fish 63 202,130 36 196,239 28 187,191 from the Atlantic and Pacific are hy- Swiss. 1 10.030 1 1,180 bridizing and producing new species. United States. 483 2,533,806 460 3.117,665 413 2,195,344 1 8,642 2 7,300 There are all kinds of things to be learned from fishing on a lock floor, but Total.. 2,254 11,210,768 ' 2.182 12,962.422 1,386 6,362,777 it may be a long time before any one May 2, 1958 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 19 knows exactly what has been discovered. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA A BIG TANKER IS PAINTED AGAINST A TROPICAL NIGHT
IN GAILLARD BY EXPERIMENTAL LIGHTING SYSTEM CUT 3 1262 08544 4809 w-
TRANSITS BY OCEAN-GOING aboard the SS Edward Luckenbach when is retiring from service and will make his VESSELS IN MARCH the ship transited the Panama Canal in home in the northern part of France. carrying the billionth ton 1957 1958 December 1956, A veteran employee of the French Line, of cargo to pass through the waterway. Mr. Gringoire came to Cristobal in 1926 Commercial 808 810 Mr. Pearson was also one of the guests and spent several years here as a boarding Government 32 20 aboard the Panama Liner Ancon when it officer with the French Line. He re- made its first trip through the Canal on turned to the Isthmus in 1947 as the Total 840 830 August 15, 1914, the first commercial French Line's General Agent. TOLLS* transit. At that time he accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Gringoire left Cristobal Commercial $3,608,748 $3,631,137 his father, Herbert Pearson, who was em- April 19 for New York and will take a Government 110,103 90,862 ployed by the Audit Division. short vacation before sailing for France on the Liberte. Total $3,718,851 $3,721,999 Next Year's Tourists
'Includes tolls on all vessels, ocean-going and small. The tourist business, it seems, is a Japanese Emigrants CARGO (Long tons) never-ending affair. The last dry-season Several hundred Japanese emigrants cruise ship barely clears Isthmian ports trip through the Canal Commercial 4,815,226 4,056,853 take a Panama before advertisements appear in travel month the Osaka Shosen Government 84,283 109,991 each aboard magazines announcing cruises for the Kaisha's immigrant ships en route from coming season. Brazil. last group, of about Total 4,899,509 4,166,844 Japan to The One of the first of next dry season's 500, arrived here April 25 aboard the SS cruise ships will be the MS Kungsholm, Santos Maru from Japan. They spent which made two visits here this year. several hours in Cristobal where the ship Holiday Changes She is to sail from New York November docked for several hours before sailing Holidays will cause three changes in the 15 on a 16-day cruise which takes her to for Brazil Curacao, Cristobal, regular sailing schedules for the Panama Trinidad, La Guaira, Other OSK Line ships passing through Line vessels during the coming vacation and Havana. The Kungsholm is also the Canal regular with Japanese who are months. scheduled for transit early next year on a emigrating to South America are the East cruise which The first change from the routine sail- South Sea Isle-Far Brazil Maru, America Maru, and the York January 20. ings will occur in May when the SS Cris- leaves New Africa Maru. The Brazil Maru, which Gripsholm, of the Swedish tobal will sail southbound from New York The another has space from 900 or more passengers of ships, includes on Thursday, May 29, one day early, in- American Line's big cruise this type, will soon be joined by the Argen- a port of call on cruises leav- stead of on Friday, May 30, which is Cristobal as tine Maru, a new OSK liner now being 20 7. Decoration Day and a legal holiday. The ing New York December and January completed for the same service. ship will arrive in Cristobal June 4 and The other vessels carry between 500 Oldtimer Leaves will sail for New York the following Sat- and 600 passengers on each trip. Most urday, the Line's regular sailing day. Steamship row in Cristobal lost one of of them are farmers en route to Brazil
The second change will occur July 3 its most prominent members last month where they will make their new homes. and will also involve a change for the SS with the departure of M. V. Gringoire, Boyd Brothers are agents for the OSK Cristobal. The ship will sail from New General Agent for the French Line, who Line ships here. York a day early to avoid the Fourth of July holiday. She will arrive in Cristobal July 9 and will sail northbound July 12, on schedule. TRAFFIC MOVEMENT OVER MAIN TRADE ROUTES In September, the Ancon will sail from following table shows the "I transits <>l large, commercial vessels (300 net New York September 3, one day behind The number into eight trade routes: her usual schedule. This change is due tons or over) segregated main to the Labor Day holiday. The Ancon Third Quarter, Fiscal Years will arrive in Cristobal Tuesday, Septem- ber 9, and will sail the following day on 1058 1057 1938 her return trip northbound. United States [ntercoastal 130 121 264
1 Shipping Souvenir East ( !oas1 ol . S. and South America 574 498 145 East Coast of U. S. and Central America 141 127 30 337 373 The house flag of the Luckenbach Line, East Coast of (J. S. and Far East 142
l < , S. C tnada East 'oast and Australasia 42 42 39 whose ships have been regular customers Europe and West Coast of U. S. Canada 241 236 271 of the Panama Canal since its early davs, ! I"- and South Amerii a 240 215 134 is now part of the shipping exhibit in the Europe and Australasia 108 147 65 Canal Zone Library-Museum. All other routes 432 423 296
I .ii il traffii _ .... 2,254 2,182 1.386 The flag was given to the library re- cently by Jack Pearson, a Gatun Lock operator, who was one of the guests 20 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 2, 1958