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Vol.2, No. BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, DECEMBER 7, 1951 5 cents 5

MODERNIZATION AND CONSOLIDATION PROGRAM

AT GORGAS HOSPITAL NEARING COMPLETION

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"IT CAME upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old

Christmas—anywhere—means music

and lights and families together, and gifts and Christmas dinners. It means just the same things in the Canal Zone. Last year Christmas activities were re- stricted because of the outbreak of polio. This year plans are under way all over

the Isthmus for a rousing, holiday

celebration. This Christmas, for the first time in many years, a community chorus will make its appearance. This group of 80 men and women was organized under the

direction of Neil Branstetter, Music Supervisor of the Canal Zone schools, late in October and has been holding regular

practice sessions since the last week of October. Known as the Canal Zone Junior Community Chorus, 80 percent of the singers are under 26 years of age and many of them are former students in the Canal Zone schools. On December 12 they will present the Christmas music from Handel's Messiah

at the Balboa High School Library.

Traditional Programs

Meantime, the Canal Zone schools are

all working up their traditional Christmas

music programs. Although plans are not yet definite, it

is possible that some tableaux will be added to the music program which will be

given by the white-robed students of Balboa High School on the High School

steps, and the Balboa Junior High School

will also have an evening program. The Cristobal Junior and Senior High

Schools are planning a joint Christmas program of instrumental and choral music. This will be held just before the

schools recess for the Christmas vacation and will take place on the school campus

if weather permits. The Cristobal singers are also white-robed, with stars and tinsel as additional decorations.

All of the Canal Zone's U. S. rate ele- mentary schools will have some sort of Christmas music program just before the Christmas holidays. In the colored schools, La Boca is planning an elaborate carol program, with

pageants of Biblical scenes, and the Silver City schools will also have a fine program

of Christmas music.

Official Tree The Canal Zone's official Christmas

tree is not a fir or spruce but the pyramidal pandanus tree near the Balboa rail- road station. This will be decorated by

the Electrical Division with the customary some 350 lights. The Hotel Tivoli's big Christmas tree will also be lighted

again and decorations are planned for the facade of the Civil Affairs Building.

The locks are already working on their Christmas decoration plans, but the

greeting card to be given to ships transiting during the holidays is still a deep

secret. For a number of years the Electrical Division rented strings of outdoor lights to Canal Zone residents but as these

strings wore out they were not replaced

and the practice has been discontinued. There are still a number of non-official areas, however, which are beautifully decorated at Christmas time.

Practically every church on the Canal Zone always has some sort of Christmas

decoration and some sort of Christmas

program. For many years the Scottish Rite Temple on Balboa Road had a string of flood- lighted reindeer around its top, but this hear the reindeer will {Seepage 2)

Modernization and consolidation of health facilities for most of the Pacific Side of the Isthmus are nearing completion at Gorgas Hospital. Included in the changes, most of which

will be finished early in the coming cal- endar year, are:

1. Consolidation of dispensary services from Ancon, Balboa, and Pedro Miguel

in Section A. This will be opened early in January. The section will include ex- amining rooms, a dispensary pharmacy

and laboratory service. The dispensary

services will be handled, to start, by

seven doctors, two to four nurses, four

clerks, and an adequate number of attend- ants and technicians.

2. Enlargement of parking facilities to handle about 60 cars near the dispensary

section. The lawn in front of the Hospital

Administration Building will be cut back

and this space paved. Employee parking

will be moved to the lower level and the present employee parking lot used for patients' cars. Bus service will be provided.

3. Installation of an additional elevator

in the Administration Building to service

all floors and a new elevator added in the

hospital kitchen section.

4. Completion of a 13-room recovery ward on the third floor, where all surgical

patients can remain until they are in condition to be returned to their wards.

5. Renovation of the Pediatrics Section, at a cost of about $80,000, on the

third floor of Section D, to be finished and

ready for occupancy about December 15.

6. Provision of a section for communicable diseases, separate from the building

where tuberculosis patients are now

treated; this also to be ready about

December 15.

7. Painting and renovation of the Laboratory Building, with the replacement

of all obsolete and outworn equipment.

8. Installation of a central sterilization room in the hospital basement to handle

the sterilization of materials for all parts

of the hospital.

9. Modernization of the kitchens, to include the installation of new cold

storage facilities for vegetables, meats, and perishable foods. To replace the dispensaries, when they

are transferred to Gorgas Hospital, first aid stations, with nurses in attendance,

will be provided at Balboa and Pedro

Miguel. Treatment and medication at

these will be free. FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE

# The Locks, and the men who run them

latest In the series of Canal Operations; see, page 8. # The Diablo Heights Camera Club; see page 16. 9 Remember Pearl Harbor? See page 2.
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1951

Remember

Pearl Harbor?

Ten years ago today the Japanese

bombed Pearl Harbor and set off World

War II. Here, it was a hot Sunday afternoon. Most people were resting, or at the beach,

or spending a quiet afternoon some other way.The news came through not long after two o'clock. Within a short time, Lt. Gen. Frank Andrews (later killed in an

airplane crash in Iceland) was at his headquarters at Quarry Heights.

Airplanes took to the air. Orders went

out for channelized flying. In Panama

City and Colon, authorities began a roundup of Japanese. By 11 p. m. 130 of the estimated 300 Japanese in Panama

City were being held, while work was

rushed on a temporary internment camp

in the Balboa Quarantine Area.

Service personnel in the Republic were rounded up and sent back to their posts

and stations. Censorship of radios and

cables was imposed. Military police lined the border between the Canal Zone and Panama. People entering the Canal Zone

were checked carefully.

At 6:45 p. m. the Canal Zone was

blacked out from centrally controlled

switches. There was no current for cooking or to operate refrigerators. Clubhouse restaurants closed; movies were

cancelled. (The nightly blackouts which lasted

until April 15, 1943, did not start until two nights later and these were not

centrally controlled). Executive Secretary E. C. Lombard recalls that he and the then Executive

Secretary, Frank H. Wang, had received the news from military sources during the

afternoon. They were told that the black- out switches would be pulled at 7 p. m., and were in their Administration Building

office conferring on the emergency when

the lights went out at 6:45 p. m.—15 minutes before they expected it. Mr. Lombard remembers well the great

difficulty they experienced in getting out

of the office and down to the first floor in complete darkness. Men from the Panama Canal's Electrical Division were called out, some of them to set up floodlights in the Quarantine area where the Municipal Division

forces were putting up a high fence and

others to provide emergency power for those places which could not be without

lights. Other Municipal Division men,

under the direct supervision of the Municipal Engineer, George W. Green, set to work building emergency revetments at Albrook Field.

/

JUST LIKE a CVi?tmas card are the decorations at Gatun Locks. The bit; Christmas tree, a Santa Claus and snowmen have been features of the Locks' holiday trimmings for the past several

years. Ships transiting during the holiday season are given a Christmas card, greetings of the lock force.

This is what a handful of Zonians re- member of December 7, 1941: A. H. Donaldson of the Municipal Division, standing by for call from his outfit, was also a warden for the Williamson

Place-Empire Street area. He reported in at headquarters at the old American

Legion building. Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Lee—Mrs. Lee is with the Administrative Branch, Mr. Lee

with the Electrical Division—had spent

the afternoon at home with their children. They had not heard the radio announce- ment nor had they seen a newspaper

extra. The first they knew of what had

happened was when Mr. Lee walked

down to the clubhouse to find out why

the lights were off. H. D. Raymond, of the Finance Bureau,

had taken his wife to Panama Hospital

for the birth of their second son. Mrs. Dorothy Hall, of the Dredging

Division in Gamboa, was on her way to the clubhouse for supper when she learned that there was to be a blackout. She

received the news from her son, Lindley,

who enlisted in the Navy a few weeks later. James Campbell, of Cristobal Customs,

had heard the announcement over the

radio in his bachelor quarters. He was

one of the few who was not caught un- awares when the blackout began.

And Russel Gallaher, now of the Municipal Division office in Cristobal, was

working in Pedro Miguel at the time. He

had been in Panama City where he saw a newspaper extra. He recalls that the blackout was well started when he reached home that night.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

(Conlirued from page 1) move to the lawn

on the Balboa side of the building.

Santa Claus Lane

The most elaborate community decoration is that provided annually by the 14

families living on "Santa Claus Lane,"

Balboa's Oleander Place. The reindeer which make their annual appearance there

are being given a fresh coat of paint and some new docorations have been ordered

to supplement the Santa Clauses, snow man and woman and the fireplace which

are features of the Oleander Place

decoration. Working on the Oleander Place project

are the families of D. M. Eggleston, W. F. Cunningham, Wesley Townsend, Earl Unruh, Mack Bailey," Robert H. McCoy,

T. J. Wilber, Craig Neville, H. J. Zierten,

Theodore Henter, Vendrize Foster, Richard Potter, Walter Hobby, and William

Price. And of course the Christmas celebration doesn't end with Christmas Day.

There are always the neighborhood

Christmas tree burnings which are held sometime after Twelfth Night. Their

origin is obscure—old-timers here, like A. C. Medinger, say there was nothing of the sort when they were growing up

but the burnings have been features of Isthmian life for at least 15 years.

The highest temperature ever recorded on the Canal Zone was 98 degrees on

April 13, 1920, at Madden Dam.

AX ISTHMIAN" BEAUTY spot for many years has been the road leading to the Filtration Plant at Miraflores. Visitors never fail to be impressed

by the cool stateliness i highway.

of palms which line either side of the
December 7, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Monthly Conference

Discusses Extension

Of Charge Accounts

A proposal that all U. S.-rate employees

of the Panama Canal Company and Canal Zone Government be given the privilege

of Commissary charge accounts, for a small carrying charge, was outlined November 29 at the latest Governor-Employee Conference at Balboa Heights.

The conferences, which were inaugurated in July 1950, between representatives of organized labor, civic councils,

and the administration, are held monthly

in the Board Room of the Administration

Building. Because of the informality with

which they are conducted, they have come to be known as "shirtsleeve conferences." The question of Commissary charge ac- counts was raised by Rufus Lovelady,

President of Lodge 14 of the American

Federation of Government Employees.

He expressed the belief of his group

that the requirement that those having

charge accounts have a salary of $5,401) or more prevents charge accounts from

being available to those who most need

the telephone advantages of such ac- counts, especially young housewives who

find shopping difficult. Mr. Lovelady

suggested that charge accounts be avail- able to all permanent employees on the U. S. rolls, regardless of salary, provided

these employees have one year or more

service. Lieutenant Governor H. D. Vogel then

presented a counter proposal, to the effect that all U. S.-rate employees be allowed charge accounts, provided that each pay

a fixed percent carrying charge.

During the subsequent discussion, a majority of the employee representatives

who felt that they could speak without

consulting their organizations indicated

their approval of this idea. There was

only one dissenting vote; a number of others present did not indicate their opinions, preferring to wait for consultation with the groups they represent. The question of housing also came up

for considerable discussion. J. J. Tobin

of the Central Labor Union asked why no

bachelor quarters were provided in the

To The Employees . . .

It is a good thing, in every community, to have its members feel that they have a part

in the activities of that community. This is especially true here in the Canal Zone, where we do not have the right to vote on

local issues or even on

national matters, unless we happen to have maintained a residence in a

State which permits absentee balloting. When the Civic Councils became a part of Canal Zone life in 1987

during the administration

of Governor Clarence Ridley, Governor Ridley ex- pressed the hope that the Councils could provide a medium for the develop- ment of a real community

spirit in the best American tradition. Many of our activities, especially those concerned until conditions of employment or

rates of pay, are determined by Government

procedures and are not properly within the province of the activities of the Civic Councils. There are, however, many other matters in which the Civic Councils have been and can continue to be of great value, not only to the communities they represent but to the administration itself. The new housing program is an example

of this. The desires and needs of the Canal Zone communities in regard to housing were

ascertained by the Civic Councils and many

of their recommendations have been incor- porated, as far as financial limitations permit, in the types of the new houses which

have been and will be built in the Canal Zone. In matters concerning the commissaries,

clubhouses, and schools, the Civic Councils

are in a position to determine public senti- ment and to recommend to the administration changes or improvements which would

benefit the Canal Zone community as a

whole. There is also another field in which the

Civic Councils have an opportunity for real community service. I am

referring to a revival of the community spirit which was so outstanding during

the construction period on the Canal Zone.

There are Community

Chest campaigns to be sponsored and assisted to successful completion.

There are national holi- days to be observed with

fitting ceremonies. There

are town beautification programs which might be conducted. There is also

the duty of welcoming

and assimilating the newcomers icho come

to take the places of retiring employees.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Civic Councils have a definite part in Canal Zone life, first in an advisory capacity to

the administration and, second, to sponsor community and welfare projects. The regular conference each month at which representatives of the Civic Councils and other employee groups have met with some of us from the administration have been helpful

to us all.

I have no hesitation in repeating that, in my belief, the Civic Councils have a defi- nite part to play here. They have the administration's fullest support in their

efforts.

~ht(./^

Governor

new housing program. He was told that the program does include bachelor quarters. The figure given later to The Pan- ama Canal Review was 620 new bachelor rooms and apartments in the overall program.

In answer to a question from Chester Luhr of the Pacific side Lock Employees, Governor Newcomer said that the town

of Cocoli will definitely be taken over by

the Navy and that the administration, as

of November 30, was waiting official word

on this matter. The Navy will provide

its own police and fire protection. The

main highway will not be blocked by a

military gate. The question of Cocoli was one of those

discussed recently in Washington during

the conference on housing attended by

Colonel Vogel and (See page 15

REPRESENTATIVES of employee and civic groups and the administration meet monthly in the Board Room of the Administration Buiding to discuss common problems. Shown above are those who were present at the October

conference. Seated, left to right, are: Walter Wagner, J. J. Tobin, both of the Central Labor Union; James H. Jones, Pedro Miguel Civic Council; Robert C. Daniels, Order of Railway Conductors; Rufus Lovelady, Lodge 14, American Federation of Government Employees; M. J. Goodin, Gamboa Civic Council; Carl W. Hoffmeyer, W. R. Howe, both from the Central Labor Union;

Lieutenant Governor Herbert D. Vogel; Governor Francis K. Newcomer.

Standing: Beverly Friedman, Secretary to Personnel Director and conference recorder; Raymond F. Ralph, Gatun Civic Council; E. W. Hatchett,

Central Labor Union; Eleanor Mcllhenny, The Panama Canal Review;

Timothy Ladd, Cristobal-Margarita Civic Council; Charles A. Garcia, Pacific Civic Council; Edward A. Doolan, Personnel Director; Guy R. Lord, Marine

Engineers Beneficial Association; James Boukalis, International Association of Machinists; Chester A. Luhr, Lock Employees Association (Pacific Side) ; and

Forrest G. Dunsmoor, Executive Assistant to the Governor.
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1951

Canal Zone's Junior ROTC

Now Training 275 Cadets

Cadets of the Canal Zone's two Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps units will move "into the field" as soon as the dry

season gets under way. "The field" for training purposes is the

little ravine behind the Administration

Building on the Pacific Side and the beach

near Cristobal High School for the Atlantic Side contingent.

The field work will be a further intensification of the combat training which has been stepped up this year for cadets in both battalions of the ROTC, according

to Maj. Wayne Bart who, as Professor of Military Science and Tactics in the Canal Zone High Schools, is in charge of ROTC

activities. Last year, Major Bart said, the ROTC

cadets put special emphasis on close order

drill. This year the close order drill time

has been cut by a third and ROTC instructors are teaching combat formations of squad and platoon size, in place of the drill. The cadets are also learning basic gun

drill with mortars, machine guns, bazookas, and recoilless rifles.

Another new development in the ROTC

training this year is the use of the older cadets as instructors. At Balboa High

School, where the ROTC was started in 194S, there are a number of boys who are taking the fourth-year course. (There

will be no more fourth-year students; ROTC which originally began in the freshman year now does not start until the second year of high school.) Cadet Instructors These M-4 (fourth-year) students give

much of the instruction to the other

classes, under the supervision of the regular military instructors. The student commissioned and non-commissioned offi- cers run the companies and battalions under supervision, and the cadet officers actually handle the administration of whatever discipline is necessary. Each

cadet in the corps has the opportunity

from time to time to command a group. One of the most successful of last year's

experiments will be repeated again this year. This was the training camp at Fort Kobbe, where 200 cadets from both the

USE OF the Visual Cast (a machine which enlarges and illuminates charts for training purposes)

is explained to Cadet Lt. Col. Sam Maphis, Battalion Commander of the Balboa ROTC unit, by Lt. Ray M. Golden, Assistant Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the Balboa High School.

, '..

Maj. WAYNE L. BART

BEST COMPANY streamer is attached to the Guidon of Company "E" of the Cristobal ROTC

unit by Col. Henry F. Taylor, Commanding Officer of the Atlantic Sector, after a recent review. Left

to right: Colonel Taylor; Maj. Wayne L. Bart, Professor of Military Science and Tactics of the Canal Zone High Schools; First Lt. John M. Nolan, in charge of the Cristobal unit; Cadet Capt. Leo A.

Constantine, commanding Company "E"; Miss Jeanine Nix, Company "E" sponsor; and Cadet

Sgt. Richard Sasso, Guidon bearer.

Balboa and Cristobal units spent four days in intensive field training. They

were quartered in Army barracks, ate in Army messes, were subject to Army regulations and entitled to Army privileges. Present plans for this year's camp, to be held during the spring vacation week

which, this year, will be from April 5-13,

call for a longer period than the four days

spent at Kobbe last spring. If it can be

arranged, Major Bart said, he would like the cadets to start the training period on

Saturday, have chapel services in the field the following day, and then hold field maneuvers for the next four days.

275 Cadets Enrolled

A total of 275 cadets are enrolled in the two units of the Canal Zone ROTC. Of

these 165 are in the battalion at Balboa

and 110 in the Cristobal unit. Cadets are both United States and Panamanian

citizens. The Balboa ROTC was started in the

fall of 1948 and the Cristobal unit is now

in its second year. Graduates of both

units may receive credit for one year of college ROTC and, if otherwise qualified,

may enlist in the Reserves in the grade of Private First Class. Classroom subjects such as First Aid,

Military Courtesy, Map Reading, Mili- tary Organization, and Personal Hygiene

and lessons in learning how the Army's

principal weapons function are combined

with the field exercises. The cadets can

take down and reassemble rifles, carbines,

machine guns, and mortars and are taught

how to put them back into operation if they cease to operate in the field. All cadets are required to learn to fire the Army's .22 calibre Springfield rifle on

the small-bore ranges in the two high

schools. They fire from all positions used by regular combat units and receive

qualification medals as Expert Rifle- men, Sharpshooters, or Marksmen.

Several reviews have been held this year. Among those reviewing the ROTC

unite were Dr. Lawrence Johnson, Superintendent of the Canal Zone schools, Col. Richardson Selee, Civil Affairs Director, Alcalde Jose D. Bazan of Colon, and Col. Henry F. Taylor, commanding the USARCARIB's Atlantic Sector. Biggest events of the school year for the ROTC cadets are the Annual' Field Day,

held last year at Balboa by the combined

units and scheduled for Mount Hope

Stadium next March 28, and the Military

Awards Ball for each school. At the Field Day winners of competitive drills for individuals, squads, pla- toons and companies receive awards from

various community organizations. Highlight of the Awards Ball is the presentation

of medals and cups to outstanding cadets.
December 7, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GUIDANCE

LML £Jt

INJ ACCIDENT PREVENTION

Here's an excerpt from an old Japanese

digest of traffic laws and ordinances that ought to be titled— "Hennessy, Tennessee, Tootle the Flute—

"At the rise of the hand of policeman,

stop rapidly. Do not pass him by or otherwise disrespect him.

"When a passenger of the foot hove in sight, tootle the horn trumDet to him

melodiously at first. If he still obstacles your pa-'sage, tootle him with more vigor

and express by word of mouth the warning, 'Hi, Hi!'

'

"Beware of the wandering horse that he

shall not take fright as you pass him. Do

not explode the exhaust box at him. Go

soothingly by, or stop at the roadside till he pass away. Give big space to the

festive dog that make sport in the road- way. Avoid tanglement of the dog with your wheel spokes. Go soothingly on th? grease-mud, as there lurk the skid-demon.

Press the brake of the foot as you roll around the corner to save the collapse and

the tie-up."

A close scrutiny of this Nipponese rule book makes it quite clear that biggest

emphasis is on "tootling" the flute. HONOR ROLL

Bureau Award For BEST RECORD

October

COMMUNITY SERVICES

AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR

Civil Affairs 4 Industrial - 3 Engineering and Construction 2 Community Services 2 Health 1 Supply and Service Marine

Railroad and Terminals

Division Awards For NO DISABLING INJURIES

October

LOCKS DIVISION

RAILROAD DIVISION

BUILDING DIVISION

CLUBHOUSE DIVISION

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DIVISION

AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR

Motor Transportation 5 Grounds Maintenance 5 Municipal 4

Electric al 4 Railroad 4 Locks 3 Dredging 3 Building 3 Clubhouses 3 Storehouses 3 Sanitation 3 Commissary 1 Hospitalization and Clinics 1 Terminals

Navigation

The Panama Canal Company-Canal

Zone Government continues its slight but

steady improvement in reducing the dis- abling injury frequency among its employees. A frequency rate of 12 for the month of October and one of 15 for the year to date speaks well for the or- ganization as a whole.

The following units will receive Division Honor Roll Awards for no disabling

injuries for the month of October: Grounds Maintenance, Railroad, Locks,

Clubhouses, and Building. The Grounds

Maintenance Division is now tied with

the Motor Transportation Division in number of awards this calendar year.

The Community Services Bureau will receive the Honor Roll Award for Best Record for the month of October.

By

M. F. MILLARD

We are approaching that time of the year when everyone starts to think about

pui'chasing the Christmas tree and to make plans for interior and exterior decorations for the holiday season.

I suppose that in this age any warning

of the dangers connected with the use of wax candles for Christmas tree and other holiday decorations is unnecessary. The

use of electricity for holiday lighting, with the many pleasing effects obtainable through the use of colored lights, has made it the accepted medium for this purpose. Perhaps we have lost sight of the fact that it has also made our holiday

season a much safer time of the year. There are, however, a few common

sense precautions which should be ob- served in the care and use of the strings

of lights used for decoration. This is an

excellent time to take them out of their storage places and look them over for

defects. Check the wiring for cracks or worn spots in the insulation. Check the sockets and plugs to see if they have been

M. F. MILLAKD, Safety Engineer, Electrical Division, Engineering Division and Mereorological and Hydrographic Branch.

cracked or broken. If you find defects you will still have time to have repairs

made or to obtain new sets. When decorating the tree, keep the bulbs from

coming in direct contact with the foliage of the tree or flammable decorations. If

it is necessary to use extension cords, don't run them under rugs or in areas where they may be exposed to damage.

When you leave the house, and when re- tiring for the night, disconnect the lights.

If you are planning outdoor lighting, be

sure that the equipment you use is de- signed for outdoor use. The strings of

lights sold for indoor use are not weatherproof, and may become shock- or fire- hazards if they get wet.

According to statistics released by the National Safety Council the one-millionth

traffic fatality is expected in December

it could be you or one of your family

let's not let this happen—drive carefully

and courteously.

OCTOBER 1951

Community Services Bureau

Civil Affairs Bureau

Engineering and Construction Bureau

lVlarine Bureau

Industrial Bureau

C. Z. Gov't Panama Canal Co. I This month)

C. Z. Gov't Panama Canal Co. (1951 to Dale)

C. Z. Gov't Panama Canal Co. (Best Year)

Supply and Service Bureau

Health Bureau

Railroad and Terminals Bureau

Disabling Injuries per 1,000,000 Man-Hours Worked

(Frequency Rate)

10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Number of Disabling Injuries 38 Man-Hours Worked _ . .3,103,578

LEGEND

I I Amount Better Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Canal Company Best Year

^===9 Amount Worse Than Canal Zone Government—Panama Canal Company Best Year
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1951

Bid Opening Initiates Local Rate

Housing Program For Fiscal Year

pmwi -^TliT

"

XEARINU COMPLETION at Silver City are 91 new houses of the masonry on-the-ground

type. Bids were opened November 27 for 9G more apartments of the same type, also to be built at

Silver City. During the coming year and under the second part of the project, Trinidad Street will be extended to connect with Randolph Road. A total of five bids were received and

opened November 27 for housing in the

Silver City townsite extension, the first of three large local rate housing projects on

which bids will be submitted this fiscal year. The 96 apartments in 48 houses—all of the new Silver City housing is duplex-type —will be identical with those in 91 houses which are now under construction at Sil- ver City by the Panama firm of Framorco

and which are due for completion during

the early part of the coming calendar year.

Fifty of the new Silver City apartments

will have two bedrooms apiece; 38 will have three bedrooms, and 8 will have

four bedrooms apiece. There are no single

bedroom apartments in the present group

although some of these are in the contract which was awarded to Framorco during

the last fiscal year. Largest of the local rate housing projects will be that at the new town of Cardenas where eventually there will be approximately 1,000 apartments. This new town will be located behind Corozal.

It will contain a commissary, clubhouse,

schools, police and fire stations and other community construction. Row-Type Houses

Plans for Cardenas are still in a fluid

state, according to Col. George K.

Withers, Director of the Engineering and

Construction Bureau. Houses to be built

in Cardenas will probably be of masonry,

on-the-ground construction, although the rugged terrain may call for the construction of row-type nouses in groups of six to ten per building. These will be so spaced, however, that there will be no

increase in population density per acre. Bids for the clearing, rough grading,

access road and access utilities such as water, electricity and sewers plus site preparation for the 300-acre townsite will be advertised January 4. The bids are due for opening February 18. Next largest of the local rate housing

projects this year is that at Paraiso where

work is already underway on grading the

extension in the northern area between

the present town and Gaillard Highway.

The 115 buildings on which construction will be started this fiscal year will all be two family houses, of the masonry, on- the-ground type similar to those built at

Silver City. Part of them will be located

in the northern area where the grading is being done by the Municipal Division; the remainder will be located in a southern

extension of the town near the ball dia- mond. No grading of any large amount

will be needed in this latter area.

Paraiso—230 Apartments

The 230 apartments in the 115 duplexes

at Paraiso will be divided as follows: ten one-bedroom apartments; 122 two-bed- room apartments; 80 with three bedrooms

apiece and 18 having four bedrooms. As has already been announced Paraiso's Conga Street will be developed into a 24-foot wide horseshoe-shaped street; two new dead-end streets will be constructed in the north area and Paraiso Road will be repaved in concrete and

widened to 28 feet. A playground will be

located in the northern area of the town. Ten-foot wide utility streets, which are narrow roadways but will not be used for

traffic except for fire equipment, moving

vans and garbage collections, will connect

the houses to the main roads. They will serve as wide walkways and each house

will be connected to these walkways with

a narrower, more usual type of walk. Bids for the Paraiso project will be advertised December 14 for opening Jan- uary 28. The construction at Silver City in- cluded in the bids opened late last month

also calls for the extension of Trinidad

Street in front of the Silver City Occupational High School to connect with Randolph Road. The 10-foot wide utility

strips will be used at Silver City, and

small paved park areas will be provided

at various places along these utility strips. In both Silver City and Paraiso the houses will be painted different colors and

will be set at angles, to provide a more

attractive overall appearance and to take advantage of the prevailing breezes.

Commissary Milk Price

Raised To 25 Cents

The price of milk in the Canal commissaries was restored to 25 cents a quart effective December 1. The pres- ent price change was made to meet

increased costs for feed brought from

the United States for the Mindi Dairy

and to cover increases in ocean freight rates and other expenses. Milk was reduced from 25 to 22 cents

a quart in June 1950.

OUR OUT-OF-DOORS

(Editor's Note: the material for thi.s column has been prepared by Walter R. Lindsay, Chief of the Grounds Maintenance

Division who is also in charge of the Canal Zone Experimental Gardens.)

DRY SEASON FLOWER GARDEN

The approach of the dry season brings

many inquiries about gardening. So let's get busy and prepare our soil and then

we'll talk about what not to plant! We

needn't talk about what to plant since all enthusiastic gardeners have already made

an extensive list of seeds to purchase.

Pick yourself a small spot for flowers and

then reach for a spading fork. Notice I said "small"—you see, I'm thinking of the spading and weeding to be done.

Spade the ground to a depth of at least

six inches, pulverizing the soil as much as possible and tossing out any rocks, grass or weed roots. If available, a good layer

of compost is next in order. If compost is not available tankage or dried blood will serve just as well. Spread this liberally over the spaded area and fork it under.

It is not too early to plant for the dry

season. Now about what not to plant. In general, forget about plants that require cold weather or long day lengths in order to

flower, such as Sweet Peas, Larkspur,

Foxglove, Carnations, Asters, Pansies,

Nasturtiums, Stock, Snapdragon, Canter- bury Bells, Cornflowers, Cosmos, Poppies,

Verbenas, Chrysanthemums and Hollyhock. Some of these plants will grow

"under protest" but generally speaking it

is a discouraging process. Most of us want some reward for our labor in as short a time as possible, so stay with the

old stand-bys that rarely fail if given half

a chance. Always the first to come to mind are the Zinnias, Marigolds, and Periwinkles. There's no end to the great number

of varieties of sizes and colors to be had

in Zinnias, but one is prone to think

of Marigolds in terms of that small,

ill-smelling orange flower. But don't be

fooled—there is a luscious huge canary- yellow variety available that would do a Chrysanthemum grower proud. Some of the other flowers that can be depended

upon fairly well in the dry season are

Gaillardias, Cornflowers, Bachelor Huttons, Cockscomb, Single Petunias, Strawflowers, Globe Amaranth, Scarlet Sage,

Mexican Sunflowers, and Cleomes.

So much for the bedding flowers. A

few bulb plants are easily grown and add

to our variety of available cut flowers. Gladiolas can be had in almost any color desired and are particularly welcome be- cause they will be available the following year if the bulbs are properly stored after they become dormant. (More about the

storing of bulbs at another time).

A few of the Chinese gardeners offer a

limited selection of flower seeds but as seeds lose their viability very rapidly in the tropics unless they are properly

stored, it is advisable to get fresh seeds from a reliable seed firm in the States such

as W. Atlee Burpee Co., Philadelphia 32, Pa.; Henry A. Dreer, Inc., 1306 Spring

Garden St., Philadelphia 23, Pa.; Steckler Seed Co., 512-516 Gravier St., New

Orleans 3, La.; Aggeler and Musser Seed

Co., Los Angeles 21, Calif.
December 7, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Official Panama Canal Company Publication

Published Monthly at BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE

Printed by the Panama Canal Press Mount Hope, Canal Zone

F. K. NEWCOMER

Governor HERBERT D. VOGEL

Lieutenant Governor

E. C. LOMBARD

Executive Secretary

J. RUFUS HARDY

Editor LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters containing inquiries, suggestions, criticisms or opinions of a general nature will be accepted. In all cases

possible, letters to The Review will be

answered individually. Those of suffi- cient general interest will be published

in this paper. Letters must be authentic and be signed although signatures

will not be published unless requested

and names of authors will be kept confidential. Return address should be

given but The Review will not undertake to return correspondence of any

nature. SUBSCRIPTIONS

Yearly subscriptions to The

Panama Canal Review to any

address in the Postal Union

$1.00

Postal money orders should be

made payable to the Treasurer, Panama Canal Company, and mailed

to the Editor, The Panama Canal

Review, Balboa Heights, C. Z.

SINGLE COPIES

The Panama Canal Review is on

sale at all Panama Canal Company

Clubhouses, Commissaries, and

Hotels for ten days after publication

date for: 5 Cents a Copy

Single copies after the close of general sales and individual copies

by mail

10 Cents Each

Back copies of The Review, when

available, may be bought from the

Vault Clerk, Third Floor, Administration Building, Balboa Heights,

Canal Zone. No copies of the first issue are available for sale.

Cfjrtetmasf Coming?

What about gift subscriptions to The

PANAMA CANAL REVIEW as presents

for friends and family in the States? Make out your lists and send them,

together with $1 Money Order (payable

to the Treasurer, Panama Canal Corn- panv) for each subscription to the

Editor, The Panama Canal Review,

Balboa Heights.

An attractive gift card bearing your name will be sent to each of those per- sons to whom your subscriptions are

to go.

OF CURRENT INTEREST

PROBABLY the biggest tanker ever to transit the Panama Canal was the Norwegian-registered Dalfonn which was northbound November 9. Owned by Sigval Bergesen and with Stavanger as her home port, she was running on this trip under charter to the Norwegian Government. The 16,349-gross ton tanker is 624 feet overall and has a beam of 78| feet. She was carrying 155,000 barrels of fuel oil from San Pedro to Bergen. The tanker carries a crew of 58 and her master

is Captain Erling Forberg. She had made the trip from Norway to the Canal Zone via Iran, Japan, and

California. Three Panama Canal admeasurers worked about four hours each to measure the big ship

for her first Canal transit. Of special interest to waterfronters was the report that the well-fitted Dalfonn had a piano aboard, an unusual piece of furniture for a tanker. New Cruise Ships To Bring

1952 Dry Season Tourists

Several new cruise ships will be seen here

this coming dry season for the first time. The new visitors will be the 15,015-ton Ryndaw of the Holland-America Line, Furness Line's brand new Ocean Monarch

which was built in England exclusively for cruise runs and which entered the service

last May, and the Norwegian-American

Line's motorship Oslofjord. Shore excursions, which will include a

trip across the Isthmus by Panama Railroad and a trip through the Gaillard Cut, are to be handled by the Persons Travel Bureau and by Panama Tours. The tour schedule, at the present time,

shapes up for the coming dry season as

follows: January 11, Ryndant; January 20,

Stella Polaris, on the first of two trips; January 26, Ryndant; January 28, Oslofjord; Februarv 9, Mauritania on the first of two

cruises; February 12, the 26, 300- ton Empress

of Scotland, flagship of the Canadian Pacific

fleet on the first of three cruises; February

24, Holland-America Line's 36,667-ton flag- ship Nieuw Amsterdam; February 29, Empress of Scotland ; March 2, Maurctania; March 4, Ocean Monarch; and March 19, Empress of Scotland. Although Canal traffic during October was the highest since March 1939,

tolls through October were more than

$1,000,000 lower this year than for the

first 10 months of the last calendar year. During October there were 544 commercial vessels of 300 net tons or over

transiting the Canal, as compared to 516 in September. Total tolls for the mon'h of October amounted to

$2,484,149.12, including a credit of $247,378.68 for transits by Government

vessels. Although transits for the first ten months of the 1951 calendar year have

totalled 4,816, as compared to 4,754 for the same period in the previous year,

tolls for the first ten months of this calendar year totalled $20,161,929.16, as against $21,393,928.92 for the first ten months of 1950.

One United States Senator and 17 Representatives are visiting the Canal Zone during

the current recess of Congress.

Arriving November 26 on the SS Ancon

were the following Representatives: Daniel

A. Reed of New York; Charles J. Kersten of Wisconsin; Ivor D. Fenton and Benjamin F. James of Pennsylvania, all Republicans. Senator Henry C. Dworshak, Republican from Idaho, is due in Cristobal late this month for a four-day visit on the Isthmus. Other Congressmen who are due here, most

of whom will be accompanied by their wives,

are: Representative Frank T. Bow, Republi- can of Ohio; Representative Fred G. Aandahl, Republican of North Dakota;

Representative Walter M. Mumma, Republican of Pennsylvania; Representative Harold A. Patten, Democrat of Arizona; Representative Carroll D. Kearns, Republi- can of Pennsylvania ; Representative James

I. Dolliver, Republican of Iowa; Representative M. G. Burnside, Democrat of West

Virginia; Representative E. P. Scrivner,

Republican of Kansas; Representative Foster Furcolo, Democrat from Massachusetts,

Representative James F. Lind, Democrat

of Pennsylvania; Representative Russell Y. Mark, Republican from Washington; Representative H. B. Scudder, Republican of California, and Representative Leroy Johnson,

also a Republican of California. A draft quota of nine men has been

set for the Canal Zone for induction

during January 1952. Induction day

will be January 7. The draft quota fixed for January is the first call from National Headquarters for induction of Canal Zone registrants. A. C. Medinger, State Director of

Selective Service, said that the first quota call is expected to be filled entirely by volunteers. Twenty-nine

young men, from the two Canal Zone

draft boards, were called during November for pre-induction physical and

mental examinations. Twenty-three of the 29 passed the examinations.

With the longshoreman's strike which tied up New York and other East Coast ports for almost four weeks now at an end, the three

vessels of the Panama Line are back on

schedule. The SS Cristobal sailed from New York

November 14, arriving in Cristobal November 21. She was followed by the Ancon and

the Panama in their regular order and on

the original published schedule.
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1951

Staircase Over Mountains" Raises,

Lowers Ships During Canal Transits

Overweight should not be an occupational ailment of the men who work on

the Panama Canal locks. They walk too much. Even the control house operators

whose movements are circumscribed by

the size of their working space make

enough trips up and down the length of their control boards, plus occasional observation sorties onto the balconies and

hikes up and down several steep nights of

stairs, to keep their waistlines within bounds. The operations of the locks, which A. A.

Albright, a Junior Operator in the Gatun

Control House, calls a "staircase over the mountains," fall naturally into three

parts. There are. the operations above

ground level—the control houses. There

are the operations on the ground—the

lock walls. And there are the operations

under the ground—in the network of tunnels thousands of feet long which few

people ever see. Take Gatun Locks, where three steps

raise or lower ships to or from the 85-foot

level of Gatun Lake. Its men above

ground level are the nine control house

operators. On duty the other day were

the Senior Control House Operator, W. C. Smith, who has 28 years of service with

the Panama Canal, all of it on the locks. He has been the senior operator since last October 14. And there were two of the Junior Operators, Mr. Albright and

Arthur F. Crusey. Mr. Albright started with the locks in 1934 as a towing locomotive operator—

as most new locks people do and later worked in the tunnels. He went to the

control house six years ago. Mr. Crusey,

whose Canal service dates back to 1936,

also was a towing locomotive operator and

a tunnel operator before he moved up to the airy heights of the control house in March 1950.Above The Ground

Control house people are sort of fabulous characters, like Paul Bunyan. It can't be said that they don't know their own strength, for they do; but with a

twist of a wrist they start or check the

flow of the 26,000,000 gallons of water which fill a lock chamber. Another flip of the wrist and they move gates which

weigh some 700 tons apiece. By the turn

of a handle they raise or lower chains which are made of three-inch iron, whose

links weigh 1 10 pounds each. Take the other day, for instance. Mr.

Crusey was locking the tanker Cristobal up the west side of the Gatun Locks when

the freighter Pioneer Tide came along for the east side, which Mr. Albright was

handling. Her pilot signalled Lockmaster

Fred Newhard (more of him, later) that the ship was in position to enter the lower chamber. The lockmaster tele- phoned this information to Mr. Albright.

He quickly turned the handles which set in motion the machinery that opens the lower pair of gates and then lowered the chain fender into its groove in the lock

floor. This first call the control house operators consider the most important of a

routine lockage. The incoming ship is

still moving and its speed is such that

unless the gates are opened quickly and

ABOVE GROUND: Jacob F. Krause, a junior Control House Operator; first employer] with the Canal organisation in 1918, he has worked in the

control house since 1945.

ON THE GROUND: Floyd R. McDermitt, a Lockmaster; he has been with the Locks Division

since 1929 and a lockmaster since March, 1950.

UNDER THE GROUND: William H. Rinke, a machinist and a tunnel operator; he has been with

the Locks Division since 1938 and has worked in the

tunnels since last April.

the chain lowered at once, an accident might occur. The chains, which are worked by a hydraulically operated sys- tem of cylinders, are there to protect the

gates from being rammed by ships which

might get out of control. The chain, if struck by a ship, pays out by an auto- matic release and a 10,000-ton ship,

travelling at four knots, can be stopped

in a little over 72 feet. Three Big Bathtubs

When the Pioneer Tide was well inside the lower chamber, Mr. Newhard tele- phoned from the wall to the control house

that she had cleared the chain and lock

gates. Mr. Albright started the machinery which raised the chain and closed the gates; when the gates were mitered

(that means closed so that their meeting

faces were tightly sealed against water

pressure) he began to flow water into the chamber to raise the ship to the level of the next lock. Visitors are sometimes

told that the locks are like big bathtubs,

connected and set on different levels. Pull the plug out of the top one and the water

flows into the next. Water for use in all of the Canal's locks, at the rate of some 40 billions of gallons a

year, comes from Gatun Lake. It is fed

into the main culverts which average 18

feet in diameter and which run through

the lock walls. The flow of water in these culverts is controlled by rising stem

gate valves. From these main culverts, the water is fed into smaller lateral cul- verts which run at right angles from the

walls at intervals under the lock floors. Cylindrical valves which control the center wall lateral culverts can be opened

or closed in ten seconds; it takes one minute to open or close the rising stem

valves on the main culverts. From the

lateral culverts the water boils into each

lock chamber from a series of holes in the

floor at such a rate that a chamber can be

filled in eight minutes. See While Doing

The control table is a miniature replica

and diagram of the locks, by which the operators can see exactly what is going on

below, as it happens. Slender towers of glass and metal indicated to Mr. Albright

the level of the water in each chamber,

while gate, chain and valve indicators showed the positions of their respective

machines. When the water levels in the middle and lower chambers were equalized, he opened the gates between the two

chambers. The ship then moved into the middle level. Moving along the control board, on

each side of which five telephones are located for his incoming calls from the lockmaster, Mr. Albright repeated these operations until the Pioneer Tide had been

lifted to the level of Gatun Lake. To lock her up, he had operated three sets of chain

fenders, seven pairs of miter gates, had

opened and closed eight pairs of rising stem gate valves for the main supply

culverts, had opened and closed 60 cylindrical valves for the lateral culverts, had set no less than 98 motors in action twice and had given a cormorant an unexpected dunking.

The cormorant had perched itself on
December 7, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Canal oldtimers recall that Believe

it or Not Ripley found an item at Gatun Locks. The story goes that in the early 1930's a Canal pilot named

Tracy walloped a ball from the No. 1 tee of the golf course which lay

alongside the locks before the out- break of the last war. The ball landed aboard a ship bound for New

Zealand. On the ship's return trip

her master tossed the ball, which

was marked with the owner's name,

back onto the golf course. Ripley

claimed that the drive was the

longest in golfing history to New

Zealand and back.

one of the fender chains. When the chain began to slide down into the water the

bird tried to scramble upward but could not move fast enough to stay above the water level. When it was last seen it was swimming away into the lock chamber

just as if that was what it had intended to do all the time. On The Ground

The men on the ground level, in this lockage, were the lockmaster, Mr. Newhard, the towing locomotive operators and

the life-jacketed seamen who had put the

lines aboard the Pioneer Tide. The first contact a lock crew has with a ship is through thesj boatmen.

When a vessel is close to the locks, a

small rowboat puts out to meet her. In the boat are manila running lines from the

lock walls. These lines are fastened to others tossed from the ship's deck. Pulled aboard, the lines drag behind them the

cables from the towing locomotives. Accidents sometimes happen to the boatmen, but not as often as might seem

possible. And they have peculiar occupational hazards. Not long ago one of the Gatun boatmen was knocked sprawling

into the water when he was struck in the back by a tarpon whose leap did not

quite clear boat and boatmen.

The Pioneer Tide was a six-locomotive

lockage, which meant that she had three

of the powerful towing machines on each

side. Breaking in as a locomotive operator

takes two to three weeks and an operator's

first solo assignments are usually in the middle locomotives. The front pair of a six-car lockage are the actual towers; the second pair equalize by pulling or braking

and the third pair act as brakes. The locomotive operators, like Texasborn J. H. Bornefeld, who has worked on

the locks since 1925, must know what a

pilot's signal means. They must re- member that hands raised over a pilot's head and brought down in front to shoulder level mean to start towing; that arms crossed on the chest and thrown

open at shoulder level mean to stop

towing. (At night these signals are given

by flashlights). The "mule" operators must acknowledge the pilots' signals—by

a double ringing of their locomotive bells. No "Hot Rods"

The locomotives normally operate at two miles an hour when they are towing.

They do not exceed this speed even when

descending the steep inclines which give the effect, in the bumpily riding loco- motives, of a roller coaster in slow motion. (Between the lower and middle locks at Gatun, there is a difference in elevation of 29 feet and 7 inches, at a grade of about

32 degrees). Horizontal thrust wheels under the locomotives gripping a center rack track keep them from overturning by the pull on the cables which stretch from locomotive to ship through the revolving

turret on the top of each locomotive. The

operative power comes from a "third

rail," which is in a slot beside the track and which is reached by a pair of "shoes"

attached to the locomotives. As the Pioneer Tide made fast the

cables and began to move into the lock chamber, Mr. Newhard walked alongside

her. In his hand he carried the portable

telephone which is his badge of office and

which he plugs into jacks on the light

poles along the lock wall. He follows the lockage on foot for the entire length of the

locks but it is perfectly proper for him to

ride back in a locomotive which is headed

for its next job.

The Lockage Boss

Like the other lockmasters in the Canal

service, Mr. Newhard is in charge of everyone immediately concerned with the

lockage. A native of Pennsylvania, he is an electrician by trade and in the 23 years he has worked on the locks, he has been a locomotive operator, a tunnel operator

and, since 1944, a lockmaster. In be- tween lockages he supervises other crafts- men on the never ending round of locks maintenance and during a lock overhaul may be called on to act in a supervisory

position.

He had just disappeared into the dis- tance alongside the Pioneer Tide when

his colleague, Floyd R. McDermitt, appeared, hitching a ride on a locomotive to the end of the locks to start another ship

through. He is also a lockmaster, but he

is a machinist by trade. His duties are the same as those of Mr. Newhard (substituting mechanical for electrical work)

and like Mr. Newhard he directs the personnel engaged in locking the ships

whose transit he is overseeing.

His incoming ship was the S.S. Belleville, whose pilot did not want to approach

while the lower chamber was spilling to

sea. He signalled with four blasts of the

ship's whistle to Mr. McDermitt, who

telephoned the control house, asking that the flow be shut off. That began the

S. S. Belleville's transit, the third of the day for Mr. McDermitt. Before that

particular day was over (with 14 south- bound transits) he was due to make six

trips afoot along the 1-1/5 mile-long lock

wall. He has worked for the Locks Division since 1929, first as a towing loco- motive operator, then as a tunnel operator, and has been a lockmaster since 1950. Under The Ground

The underground at Gatun Locks is a world of its own. When G. G. Thomas, a

tunnel operator, comes to work in the morning his first job is to walk the length

of his tunnel on the first lockage, checking

to see that all the machines are operating

properly. Just before he checks out for the day he repeats this long hike. In be- tween he sees to whatever maintenance

work is necessary. Since the tunnels run almost the complete length of the lock walls, his pedestrian activities are considerable. Mr. Thomas is a machinist. He has been with

the Locks Division since 1936 and a tunnel operator since 1945. He has an electrical colleague on the same shift whose duties are substantially the same except that in the case of the

electrician the work involves the intricate

electrical equipment in the tunnels. At

some points at Gatun, the machines and

electrical equipment are half a mile away

from the central control house. Each tunnel is divided horizontally into three stories, the lower for drainage, the middle for wiring and the top as a passage- way with bays, into which the machinery

to operate the locks is set. There are, for instance, the [See page IS)

. . . ___---'

HORSE AND BUGGY DAY "sidewalk superintendents" were given this graphic illustration

of the size of a Canal lock chamber. The diagram was put out in October, 1909, by the Isthmian Canal Commission. It is undated but its date of issue is determined by the relation of its number

with that of other, dated drawings. It shows that the lock chambers are sufficiently deep to contain

a six-story office building. The side culverts are large enough to accommodate a railroad locomotive and the lateral culverts, from which the water enters or leaves the chambers could allow passage of a

horse or mule-drawn cart.
10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1951

NEWS OF YOUR COMMISSARY STORES

CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN THE AIR

The occasional sound of timeless hymns from Clubhouse record players, children being specially good and helpful, bans on the youngsters entering certain dry closets and storage rooms at home, all add up each year to the realization

that, despite the continued heat and the verdant appearance of the countryside, the most important Christian holiday

of the year again approaches the Canal Zone, even as it does in the snow-clad New England States. Continued

practicing of Christmas carols by the neighbors' school-age children seems to have even the childless Zonians humming or whistling the old, familiar tunes at unguarded moments.

Because of the recently terminated longshoremen's strike, which created havoc with ocean shipping through the Port of New York, it appeared for a while that we might have to make a great many special arrangements to ensure

that all of the "fixings" for a Merry Christmas would be in the stores in time for the jolly season. With the strike now a matter of history, however, we can return to established procedures and still be certain that all of the traditional merchandise will be available. PLENTY OF TOYS AND GIFT ITEMS

As practically all Zonians knew at the time, there was no possibility of the strike affecting the local toy situation, since these important items had already arrived and been placed on sale. There are still plenty at both of the Toy

Sections for those who may have deliberately under-budgeted at the time of the Toy Sale opening in October and who

now feel that, with a few dollars of spare retroactive pay in the hand, they can approach the liberality of former

years in their toy buying. Some of the more important items that sold out early have been re-ordered and placed on

sale and a few new, late-arrivals, have been sent out. There may now be none left, but the imported mechanical

toys that were placed on sale in November indicate a sound reason for re-visiting the special sections, where you are welcome just to look around to avoid missing new items. Both toy sections are self-service, with cash payment

plans, and visitors won't be disturbed in their "browsing."

Gift items abound throughout all of the larger stores and are constantly being added to as new shipments arrive.

It would require too much space and effort to try to enumerate all of the enticing things we have, but there is certain

to be the exact item that is wanted for each particular age or taste. Some of the especially nice things you may wish

to look at are sterling silver and plated tableware, the lovely new pattern of hand-cut English crystal that was recently

exhibited, new convenience for the house through the modern household appliances, beautiful and exclusive designs

in lamps and pottery. AND AS FOR EATING

Christmas seems to call for eggnog and, as usual, we will offer the mixed product (minus only the "nog") for those who value convenience. Other mixers you will want may include the popular sparkling Commissary Club

Soda, or cream, milk, eggs, cinnamon, etc., for your own recipe for a Yuletide drink. Set up the buffet with a cold,

sliced, canned ham, a few dishes of pickles, olives, sliced fruit cake and other "snacks" and be all set for your friends who drop in while making their rounds of calls on Christmas Da>—a buffet set-up also serves as a "wife-saver" and

will keep cooking to a minimum. For Christmas Eve, we suggest the traditional turkey menu, possibly with chestnut

stuffing, or roast goose, backed up with fresh cranberry sauce or attractive molds of the canned cranberry jelly. Fruit cake (your own favorite recipe, the delicious ones that we have baked at Mount Hope, or the States cakes,

plain or brandy flavored), plum pudding, pumpkin and mince pies savory from the oven, yum-m-m.

CHRISTMAS TREES

We are planning to make delivery (within our regular delivery districts) of natural Christmas trees, family size, on December 18th and 19th. For the few who especially want their trees ahead of that time, however, we have a

small lot due to arrive Monday, December 10th, and can arrange for delivery the following day. If interested, please

discuss the matter with your store's manager or supervisor. We hope also to have the customary and very popular

table size chemi-colored trees, and there will be a limited number of holly wreaths. STORES WILL OPEN DECEMBER 24

Although all stores are customarily closed on Mondays, for the benefit of last-minute shoppers, as well as to avoid a three-day period when stores are closed, all stores will operate on December 24 th.

For those who are interested in knowing

about such things, the huge enlargements

of Santa Clans and the Toy Buyer which

were used in the windows at Ancon, Bal- boa and Cristobal stores, were made up

by Official Photographer C. S. LaClair. The Commissary Division appreciated the

prints, which were made up by Mr. LaClair on his own time. They were a lot of trouble, however, and Mr. LaClair advises he is not seeking any more super-large

enlargements, even of Santa Clans.

DOLLS and dishes, books and bikes,

skates and scooters—they're all on hand in the Commissary's Toylands.

And the grownups are having as much

fun as the youngsters, planning ahead

for Christmas Day.

This page is devoted exclusively to

news of the Retail Stores prepared

by the Commissary Division
December 7, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11

At the request of employees at- tending the Governor-Employee

Conference, The Panama Canal Re- view here begins publication of the Medical Tariff. It will be concluded

in subsequent issues. Save this number and those following for the complete tariff.

TABLE 1 OUT-PATIENT MEDICAL CARE

Consultation Fees

MEDICAL TARIFF

1. General—This publication establishes the policy governing the eligibility of persons and rates of charge, for medical and denial

care and other services furnished at Health Bureau facilities.

2. Definitions—a. For the purpose of

this publication the following definitions apply:

(1) The term "out-patient" applies to medical and dental care normally fur- nished by medical, dental, and hospital

clinics.

(2) The term "in-patient" applies to medical and dental care furnished to patients normally admitted to a hospital.

(3) The term "dependent" shall include:

(a) Lawful wife: When the lawful wife only is employed by a Government agency, the husband and

other members of the family are ineligible for medical and dental care unless the husband is physically or mentally incapacitated for employment. When both husband and wife are employed by a Government

agency, the husband will be considered the head of the family for the purpose of this tariff.

(b) Unmarried legitimate children, step-children, and adopted children under 21 years of age.

(c) Parents and parents-in-law, provided they are dependent on the principal for over half of their support, actually reside in the principal's household, and are bona fide residents in the Canal Zone.

(d) Unmarried mentally defective or physically in- capacitated legitimate children, step-children and

adopted children, who are incapable of self-support, and are dependent on the principal for more than

half of his or her support.

(e) Unmarried legitimate children, step-children, and adopted children, regardless of age and residence, and dependent on the principal for more than half of

his or her support while attending an educational

institution.

3. Eligible Persons—a. Bona fide resi- dents of or bona fide visitors to the Canal Zone or the New Cristobal and de Lesseps

areas. b. Non-residents of the Canal Zone, pro- vided they are:

(1) Officers and employees (including U. S. citizen retired employees for one year following the effective date of their retirement or until July 1. 1952, whichever is the later date) of the Panama Canal Company

or the Canal Zone Government, and their dependents, provided the dependents actually reside with the

principal.

(2) Civilian employees of the Armed Forces of the United States and their dependents, provided the dependents actually reside with the principal.

(3) Officers and employees of the Government of the United States of America and their dependents, provided the dependents actually reside with the

principal.

(4) Commissioned and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces and their dependents.

(5) Victims of accidents or other emergencies

occuring in the Canal Zone, provided there exists a necessity to save life or prevent greater suffering.

(6) Officers, members of the crews of ships, and pas- sengers arriving at Canal Zone ports or transiting the Canal.

(7) Individuals for whom medical care is requested by the Foreign Office, Republic of Panama.

(8) Beneficiaries of U. S. Government agencies when reciprocal rates as established by the Bureau of the Budget are paid by the agency concerned.

4. Rates of Charge—a. Recipients of medical and dental care and other services furnished by the Health Bureau are grouped

as follows, based on the hourly or monthly

salary of the person responsible for payment

of the charges:

Group 1. SO. 50 hourly or $86.00 per month or less. Croup 2. $0.51 to SI. 30 hourly or $86.01 to S225.00

per month. Croup 3. $1.31 to $2.30 hourly or $225.01 to $400.00

per month. Croup 4. $2.31 to $2.87 hourly or $400.01 to $500.00

per month. Group 5. $2.88 hourly or $500.01 per month or more. Group 6. Private pay patients. b. The salary groups apply to all active employees of any United States Government

Agency and their dependents, except employees covered by reciprocal rates.

c. The charge for pensioned or retired Government employees, including retired personnel of the Armed Forces and recipien ts of cash disability relief, employees of Army

Post Exchanges, Navy Ships' Stores, and

other residents of the Canal Zone not in- cluded in paragraph 4d and e, will be as

follow-:

(1) U. S. Rate or equivalent status, charge the same as Group 5.

(2) Local Rate or equivalent status, charge the same as Group 3.

During

Office Hours Home Visits

Class of Patients

Medical

Clinics

Hospital

Clinics

8 a. m.

to 4 p. m.

4 p. m.

to 8 a. m.

U. S. Rate employees of the Panama Canal Company and

Canal Zone Government. Free Free $2.00 $4.00

Local Rate employees of the Panama Canal Company and

Canal Zone Government. Free Free 1.00 2.00

Dependents of U. S. Rate employees of the Panama Canal Company and Canal Zone Government and U. S. Rate

employees of other United

States Government Agencies

and their dependents, in- cluding members of the

United States Armed Forces and their dependents, and

patients in Group 5. $1.00 $1.50 2.00 4.00

Dependents of Local Rate employees of the Panama Canal Company and Canal Zone Government and Local Rate employees of other United

States Government Agencies

and their dependents, and

patients in Group 3. .50 1.00 1.50 3.00

Private pay patients and others

for whom a charge is not

otherwise provided. 3.00 5.00 7.00 10.00

Note: No charge will be made for consultations or other services, nor for prescriptions, furnished an employee of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government who is undergoing medical or dental treatment for an injury incurred in line of duty.

d. Private pay patients, Government contractors and their employees, individuals for whom treatment is requested by the Foreign

Office of the Republic of Panama, officers and crew members of ships, employees of companies serving ships, banking and communication companies, bona fide visitors, and all others for whom a rate is not other- wise provided herein are placed in Group 6.

e. Officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees of the Armed Forces (whether

charge is paid by individual or Government

Agency), officers and employees of other Government Agencies when necessary ar- rangements are made by the agency concerned, and beneficiaries of the Veterans

Administration and United States Public Health Service, will be charged reciprocal

rates as established annually by the Bureau

of the Budget. Civilian employees of the United States Navy will be charged the same rate as prescribed for commissioned

and enlisted personnel of the Navy.

5. Out-Patient Medical Care—a. Physician consultation fees will be in accordance

with Table 1. b. Patients Referred to Hospital Clinics: The usual consultation fees will be charged

by the District Medical Clinics. The hospital clinics will charge the usual consultation

fee less the District Medical Clinic consultation fee, provided the District Medical

Clinic referral card bears the notation that the District Medical Clinic consultation fee has been paid.

c. Home Visits: Home visits to two or more patients in the same family, except aboard ship; charge full price for first patient, and half price for each additional

patient. d. Clinic Charges after Office Hours: Medical, dental, and hospital clinic charges after hours are the same as home visits. (.See Table 1). e. Communicable Disease and Tuberculosis

Clinics: No consultation fees or other charges will be made in Communicable

Disease or Tuberculosis Clinics for diagnosis and treatment of persons classified under Groups 1 to 5, inclusive. All other patients

will be charged a consultation fee of $5.00,

plus any other charges prescribed in the

tariff.

f. Pre-Natal Clinics: A flat charge will be made in all pre-natal clinics as follows:

Patients having a U. S. Rate status, per visit, SO. 50. Patients having a Local Rate status, per visit, $0.25.

All others, per visit. $4.00. (Note: Laboratory charges, if any, are included in the flat rate charge). g. Pharmacy charges: Items sold at phar- macies will be as shown on pharmacy price

lists, which are subject to change without

notice. h. The sale of alcohol, alcoholic beverages,

narcotics, poisons, and habit-forming drugs

is prohibited, except on the written prescription of a Health Bureau physician or a medical officer of the Armed Forces.

i. Flat Rate Charges at District Medical and

Out-Patient Hospital Clinics: Flat rate charges include consultation fees, and minor

surgical procedures, such as surgical in- cisions, skin and tissue suturing, dressings, removal of foreign bodies, subcutaneous and

intra-muscular medications, and any other

service for which a charge is not provided

elsewhere in the tariff.

(1) Without anesthesia (during office hours): Patient having a U. S. Rate status, initial treatment $2.00 Each subsequent treatment 1.00 Patients having a Local Rate status, initial treatment 1.00 Each subsequent treatment .50

All others, initial treatment 4.00 Each subsequent treatment 2.00

(2) With anesthesia (during office hours): Patients having a U. S. Rate status, initial treatment 3. 00 Each subsequent treatment 1.00 Patients having a Local Rate status, initial treatment 1.50 Each subsequent treatment .50

All others, initial treatment 5.00 Each subsequent treatment 2.50

(3) After office hours items shown in paragraph i (1) and (2) will be double the rate shown.

j. Ship visits: While at dock _._ $ 7.50 Anchored in harbor 15.00 Anchored in outer harbor 35.00 Aboard ships while transiting Canal between

Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks 25.00 Aboard ship while transiting entire Canal 50.00 Notes: 1. For visits to two or more in the same

family on board ship, or to two or more members of crew, full price is charged for the first and $4.00 for each additional

patient.

2. Ship visits after office hours. $5 additional.

(.See page 15)
12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1951

OUR FACES WOULD BE RED

AS RUDOLPH'S NOSE !

if we didn't wish you

MERRY CHRISTMAS

. . . because you, Clubhouse customers, have made our Christmas merry.

All year long, you've been playing Jingle Bells on the cash registers, eating

and drinking and buying things at all the Clubhouses.

Because you bought so many things, 1951 now looks good to us. In fact, it seems almost as bright as the nose of you-know-what reindeer who guided Santa

Claus's sleigh.

As for 1952, we're asking Santa Claus for a new crystal ball and hoping next year will be as good as the last one.

Of course, what we liked best in 1951 and 1950 and all the Clubhouse years

before that was the customers. In this department, we'll go right on believing "the more the merrier." And we're polishing off our old tricks and working out a few new ones to

bring the customers to the Clubhouses next year—in droves, we hope.

* In the Restaurants there'll be more of the same—good food and good

service and, we hope, prices that are good for family budgets.

We had to spend more for food this year but we didn't charge the customers

more. That was a neat trick, if we do say so, that worked only because there were more customers—12 percent more than in 1950. Then too, we cut the corners and saved a penny any place we could. We hope we can go on like this.

* The Sales Sections sold more this year too—because they had more to

sell. They added phonograph records and sheet music (like "Rudolph the Red

Nosed Reindeer," of course) and started selling cough and cold remedies, aspirins

vitamins and other such pepper-uppers. Even more things will be sold in the Clubhouses next year.

* The Theaters had most of the choice features and short subjects produced

during the year and lots of people came to enjoy them.

Next year, we will also offer the top artists and the best productions.

* The Bowling Alleys and equipment met American Bowling Congress

Standards. And they will next year too.

So—see what we mean?

Customers are just our favorite people— in January, February, March, April,

May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.

And in December—our faces would be very red if we didn't wish vou . . . MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wilson H. Crook

General Manager

Clubhouse Division

This page is devoted exclusively to news of the Clubhouses and Theaters prepared by the Clubhouse Division
December 7, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13

Building Division Supervisors

Conclude Series Of Conferences

Two New Forms To Be Used

For Leave Applications

SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEES of the Building Division are concluding this month a series of weekly conferences on supervisory problems. The group is one of four—one is from the Motor Transportation Div'sion, another is from the Storehouses and the fourth is a mixed group from the Atlantic Side—who are holding such conferences. Left to right are: Harold W. Meyer, Painter Foreman;

Herschel Gandy, Administrative Assistant; Fred S. Baumbach, Supervisor of Painting; Fred J. Bauman, Supervisor of Sheetmetal Work; Edward F. Culverhouse, Assistant Training Officer, Personnel Bureau; Charles A. Dubbs, Training Officer. Personnel Bureau; Kenneth C. Heliums, Chief, Southern District; Leon M. Warren, Assistant Chief, Southern District; William J. Bain, Foreman,

Sheetmetal Work; Jack C. Sisson, Supervisor of Construction; and Oliver C. Culp, Supervisor of Plumbing.

A series of weekly conferences on

supervision is coming to an end early this month for a dozen employees of the Building Division. The conferees, all men in supervisory

positions, have met each Thursday after- noon for one and one-half to two hours in the Conference Room at the Central Labor Office on Roosevelt Avenue. The first conference was held August 16. For most of the conferences the leader has been Charles A. Dubbs of the Personnel Bureau. Edward F. Culverhouse, also of the Personnel Bureau, has served as

leader on several occasions.

Three other conference groups, all concerned with supervisory problems, are

also now in operation with meetings

weekly. A group from the Division of Storehouses began their meetings in Sep- tember; a group from the Motor Transportation Division met for the first time

early in November and an Atlantic Side group, made up of representatives of the Building Division, Storehouses, and

Motor Transportation Division began

their series of conferences late in November. The Atlantic side group meets in a conference room at the Building Division

area in Old Cristobal.

Purpose of all of the conferences is the

analysis of supervision as a technique.

The discussion is all informal, and of the conference type.

Audio-visual materials such as 16 mm

sound films, most of which have been

procured on loan from the Army and

Navy, have been used to supplement the

discussion. Some of the topics which have been

used for the conference discussions are: Common Supervisory Responsibilities,

The Supervisor as a Leader, The Supervisor's Responsibility for Developing Cooperation, Employees' Resistance to Change, Panama Canal Company-Canal

Zone Government Grievance Procedures

and Dealing with The Dissatisfied

Employee.

Forty Years Ago

In November

Christmas was not far off 40 years ago,

either. A committee had begun to collect a "treat" for the penitentiary inmates:

sweets, fruits, nuts, and chewing tobacco. Elsewhere plans were under. way for holi- day programs in the churches and clubhouses, and collections of toys and books

for the children of Colon.

Excavation of the Cut was completed at Bas Obispo and for a mile at that end,

except for a small amount of cleaning up. Work was proceeding so well that the Canal Record was able to predict that "digging would be completed by July 1, 1913, except for the small amount of work

to be done after the shovels are removed." The past rate of excavation could not long be continued because the time was fast approaching when the number (42) of shovels

at work would have to be reduced because of

lack of room in which to work.

Engineering and construction expenditures, exclusive of money spent for sanitation, hospitals or civil government,

totalled $129,990,075.44. The work of erecting the upper guard gates at Gatun

was finished and riveting there about 50

percent done. Construction of range light towers along the Canal was underway.

The total force at work was 37,269, with

24,747 persons living in ICC quarters.

The Canal Record reported that work was nearing completion on the "sea bath

that will form part of the equipment of the new Hotel Washington." The 125 by 100

foot pool urns to be open on the sea side so

that there would be a continual change of

water.

Effective November 6, the Commissary

store at Corozal was to be patronized only

by bachelors and laborers from 11a.m. to

1 p. m. and from 5 to 7 p. m. Women and

children who wished to make purchases were restricted to 8-11 a. m. and 3-5 p. m.

Two new forms are ready for use by

Company-Government employees in applying for leave. They may be

obtained from unit heads. One form

will be used when employees are applying for leave involving transportation. It will be made up in quintuplicate on a bound form with throw-away

carbons. Travel authority will be issued on the form itself, so that the employee's application for leave becomes

his final travel authority without use

of other forms.

The other form will be used for local leave of more than 80 hours. Ten Years Ago

In November

Christmas was drawing near this time

10 years ago. (So was Pearl Harbor, al- though no| one here knew it). The Commissary Division had ordered 5,376

Christmas trees, their largest tree order to date. But a Governor's circular banned

outside decorative lighting to avoid

placing an extra burden on the already overtaxed generators of the Panama

Canal power system.

Forty sets of specifications and contract drawings for the new Gatun Locks were air mailed to Washington for distribution to prospective bidders. The plans called for a five-story control house, streamlined

lighting on the lock walls, sunken emergency

gates and an emergency, underground

Diesel electric plant. Also on the Third Locks front, bids were opened for 60-cycle generating units, seven

of which were to be used as auxiliary plants

to operate the new locks.

Rear Admiral Frank H. Sadler, 15th Naval District Commandant, told a news

conference that the Canal was ready to meet any offensive act which Japan or any

other nation could launch. He considered magnetic mines the greatest local danger.

Panama held a series of blackouts, in Panama City, the Chorrera-Arraijan area and in Colon, New Cristobal, and the DeLesseps section.

Names in the news included those of Ira L. Wright, who arrived to take over the post of assistant Comptroller; Raymond A.

Wheeler, former Engineer of Maintenance,

who was named to head a U. S. military mission to Iran and Iraq; and Foster

Speir, a towing locomotive operator and last employed member of the Incas, icho retired

after 37 years service.

Other items: USO officials announced

that two large buildings were to be put up

on the Canal Zone; the Panama Line

refused to accept employees' cars for shipment to the Isthmus until space was again

available; and those employees on the "Gold" rolls who were resigning were

asked to give two months' notice.

Another shipment offossils collected from

Isthmian excavations ivas ready for ship- ment to Washington for classification. Dr.

T. W. Vaughan of the U. S. Geological

Survey called the tertiary fossils found in

the Canal work the best collection ever made

in tropical America. He declared that it would mark a new epoch in the geology of Central America.
14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1951

PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS

From October 15 through November 15

I he following list contains the names of those employees who were transferred from

one ilivision to another or from one type of work to another. It does nol contain within grade promotions or regradings, CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU

Robert C. Le Gates, from Signalman,

Navigation Division, to Customs Guard,

Postal, Customs and Immigration Division. Mrs. Martha L. Bell, Mrs. Mary V. Shapiro, from Substitute Teacher to Ele- mentary School- readier, Division of Schools. Mary A. Huddleston, from Elementary

School Teacher to Principal, Gamboa Ele- mentary School. Division of Schools. Gladys L. Elkins, from Balboa Elementary School Principal to Supervisor of Instruction, White Schools, Division of Schools. Albert B. Cooper, from Policeman to Police Sergeant, Police Division. Mrs. Marguerite F. Little, from Substi- tute Teacher to High School Teacher, Division of Schools. COMMUNITY SERVICE BUREAU

Mrs. Eva M. Reed, from Restaurant

Service Supervisor to Supervisor of Service, Clubhouse Division. ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

BUREAU

Frank Sulc, William H. Billerman,

from Wireman to Leading Wireman, Electrical Division. Gilbert A. Reynolds, Vernon L. Dahlhoff, from Leadingman Wireman to Fore- man, Electrical Division. Hayden B. Jones, from Distribution Foreman and Cablespiicer to Foreman,

Electrical Division. Robert C. Herrington, from Construction Equipment Operator to General

Operator, Municipal Division. Wayne M. Hatting, from Senior Powerhouse Operator to Powerhouse OperatorDispatcher, Electrical Division. Judith A. Smith, from Mail and File Clerk, Terminals Division, to Accounting

Clerk, Electrical Division. Murray Klipper, from Lock Operator

(Wireman), Locks Division, to Wireman,

Electrical Division. Ward T. Lyttle, from Telephone In- staller-Maintainer to Telephone Maintainer,

Electrical Division. HEALTH BUREAU

Dr. Melvin E. Lea, from Medical Officer, Colon Hospital, to Medical Officei, Gorgas

Hospital.

INDUSTRIAL BUREAU

Eugene V. Callahan, from Lock Operator (Boilermaker), Atlantic Locks, to Boilermaker, Industrial Bureau. MARINE BUREAU

Edward J. Gullen, from Steam Engineer,

(Floating Crane) to Engineer, Pipe Line

Suction Dredge, Dredging Division. Francis W. Werlein, from Electric Welder, Building Division, to Lock Opetatoi (Welder) Locks Division. Elmer E. Powell, from High School

Teacher, Schools Division, to Admeasurer,

Navigation Division. Andrew S. Libermann, from Engineer

(Pipe Line Suction Dredge) to Chief Towboat Engineer, Navigation Division. Frank J. Raymond, from Yulcanizer, Tire Recapper-Retreader, Motor Trans- portation Division, to Guard, Pacific Locks. Eugene T. Gregg, from Policeman,

Police Division, to Clerk-Stenographer,

Navigation Division. James E. Stuart, from Accounting

Clerk, Motor Transportation Division, to Property and Supply Clerk, Aids to Navigation Section. Arthur H. Fertig, from Probationary

Pilot to Pilot, Navigation Division. Howard G Anderson, from Lock Operator (Carpenter) and Diver to Painter Fore- man and Diver, Atlantic Locks. Benjamin J. Sawyer, from Shipwright

and Diver, Industrial Bureau, to Lock

Operator (Shipwright) and Diver, Atlantic Locks.

Alan W. Brede, from Wireman, Electrical Division, to Lock Operator (Wireman)

Atlantic Locks. RAILROAD AND TERMINALS BUREAU

Irvin E. Krapfl, from Ganger and Crib- tender Foreman to Ganger and Cribtender Foreman and Steam Engineer, Terminals

Division. SUPPLY AND SERVICE BUREAU

Harold L. LeClaire, from Service Mechanic to Plant Engineer and Mechanic,

Commissary Division. Arthur S. Miller, from Meatcutter to Meatcutter-in-Charge,Commissary Division. Charles E. Meyer, from Commissary

Assistant to Cash Accounting Clerk, Commissary Division. ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH

Albert H. Evans, from Administrative

tive Branch. A. Edwin Wilson, from Guard, Gorgas

Hospital, to Mail Clerk, Administrative Branch.

ANNIVERSARIES

Employees who observed important anniversaries during the month of No\ ember are

listed alphabetically below. The number of years includes all Government service, with

the Canal or other agencies. Those with continuous Canal or Railroad service are

indicated with (*).40 Years

J. Wendell Greene, Treasurer, Panama

Canal Company.

35 Years

Dr. John D. Odom, Quarantine and

Immigration Officer, Balboa.

30 Years Antonio Ortiz, Maintenance Man,

Motor Transportation Division.

25 Years

Vicente Alfaro, Foreman, Local Agency,

Railroad and Terminals Bureau. 'Frederick C. Bitter, Chief Marine

Engineer, Aids to Navigation Division. Blabon D. Humphrey, Sergeant, Fire

Division. •Saul M. Ives, Architect, Engineering

Division. 20 Years Thomas H. Collins, Tractor-Bulldozer

Operator, Municipal Division. Harlan Feuille, Hydrographic Engineer,

Dredging Division. Merwin A. French, Sr., Marine Dis- patcher, Navigation Division. Lawrence W. Jenkins, Storekeeper, Locks Division. Mattison G. Macaulay, Cashier, Commissary Division. 15 Years

Auvie H. Byrd, Administrative Assist- ant, Schools Division. 'Raymond Crucet, Lock Operator, Locks Division. 'Arthur F. Grusey, Junior Control House Operator, Locks Division. James E. Harrell, Postal Clerk, Postal, Customs, and Immigration Division. *Donald R. Jones, Postmaster, Postal, Immigration, and Customs Division. 'James H. Jones, Carpenter Foreman,

Locks Division. •Gerald J. Kelley, Typewriter Repair- man, Instrument Repair Shop.

Charles H. Kissling, Lock Operator, Locks Division. Walter F. Kunkel, Chauffeur, Motor

Transportation Division. Walter H. Morton, Customs Inspector,

Postal, Customs, and Immitigraon Division. Allan B. Parker, Chief Towboat Engineer, Dredging Division. •Ernest K. Reimer, Chief Towboat

Engineer, Dredging Division. •George A. Smith, Tunnel Operator, Locks Division. •Homer A. Sneckenberger, Tunnel

Operator, Locks Division. Robert L. Thompson, Clerk, Health

Bureau.

(Editor's Note: Mr. Crucet, Mr. Crusey, Mr. Sneckenberger, Mr. Reimer, and

Mr. Smith all went to work on the same

date: November 17, 1936.)

THIS MONTH'S CALENDAR

DECEMBER

7th—American Legion, Post No. 6, Gamboa Legion Hall, 7:30 p. m.

V. F. W., Post No. 3857, New Cristobal, 7:30 p. m. 9th Steamfitters, No. 652, Margarita

Clubhouse, 9:30 a. m. Plumbers, No 606, Balboa Lodge

Hall, 9:30 a. m.

10th Blacksmiths, No 400, Balboa Lodge Hall, 7:30 p. m. Machinists, No. 699, Margarita K. of C. Hall, 7:30 p. m. American Legion, Post No. 1, Balboa Post Home, 7:30 p. m.

11th Electrical Workers, No. 397, Bal- boa Lodge Hall. 7:30 p. m. American Legion Auxiliary, No. 1 Balboa Legion Hall, 7:30 p. m.

V. F. W., Post No. 100, Old Boy

Scout Building, Cristobal, 7:30 p. m. American Legion, Post No. 7, Fort Clayton, 7:30 p. m. Painters, No. 1232, House 0838,

Balboa, 7 p. m. 12th—Pacific Civic Council, Board Room,

Administration Building, 7:30 p. m. American Legion, Post No. 2, Legion Home, Old Cristobal, 7:50

p. m. 16th—C. L. U.-M. T. C., Balboa Lodge

Hall, 8:30 a. m. 17th—Electrical Workers, No. 677, Gatun

Masonic Temple, 7:30 p. m. 18th—Operating Engineers, No. 595, Margarita K. of C. Hall, 7 p. m.

19th—American Legion Auxiliary, No.

3, American Legion Hall, Gatun,

7:30 p. m.

A. F. G. E., No. 14, Balboa Clubhouse, 7:30 p. m.

V. F. W., Post No. 40, Balboa K. of C. Hall, 7:30 p. m.

20th—American Legion Auxiliary, No.

6, Gamboa Legion Hall, 7:30 p. m. 21st—V. F. W., Post No. 3857, New Cristobal, 7:30 p. m. 25th Christmas Day

26th American Legion Auxiliary, No.

2, Legion Home, Old Cristobal, 7:30

p. m.

A. F. G. E., No. 88, Margarita Clubhouse, 7:30 p. m. 27th Governor-Employee Conference,

Board Room, Administration Building, 2 p. m.JANUARY

1st—New Year's Dav

2d—V. F. W., Post No. 40, Balboa K. of C. Hall, 7:30 p. m. 3d—Carpenters, No. 677, Margarita

Clubhouse, 7:30 p. m.

December Sailings

From Cristobal

S. S. Panama December 7

S. S. Cristobal December 14

S. S. Ancon December 21

S. S. Panama December 28 From New York

S. S. Cristobal December 5

S. S. Ancon December 12

S. S. Panama December 19

S. S. Cristobal December 26
December 7, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

TOUR HEALTH

Having the head of a service in a Canal Zone Hospital an honorary captain in the Colon Bomberos is a new wrinkle in Isthmian medicine. But that's exactly what's going on at Colon Hospital.

The Medico-Bombero is Dr. John M.

Wilkerson, Chief of the Hospital's Medical Service. He also serves as chief of the X-Ray Department and the fast growing

Chest Service. During his student days at Oklahoma

City University, Dr. Wilkerson was a member of the city's fire department.

Friends here learned of this interest and

about two years ago he was given an honorary appointment in the Colon fire- fighting force. He hurries to point out that he has no

real Bombero duties and he does not fight

fires any more. But, well, once a fire fighter . . . A native of Spencer, Okla., Dr. Wilkerson is a graduate of the Medical School at the University of Oklahoma with the class of 1932. He later took post-graduate

work at Mercy Hospital in Denver and

at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

After completing his internship, he was

first in private practice and then, for almost six years, was a camp surgeon

with the CCC service in Oklahoma. Here Since 1943 In 1941 he entered the Army's Medical

Corps and two years later was assigned to the Canal Zone and detailed to Colon

Hospital. Except for a six-month absence

because of illness, his service here has been continuous. He became a civilian in 1950 and continued his work at Colon

Hospital.

Working with him in the Medical

Service there are Dr. William M. Jackson

and Dr. Frank E. Riefkohl. Dr. Jackson

heads the section for the treatment of white patients and Dr. Riefkohl is Chief

of the Pediatrics Section and also cares for the hospital's colored patients.

The Chest Clinic is a recent development at Colon Hospital and has become,

during its short period of existence, one

of the busiest spots in the hospital. In this clinic, patients who have been

discharged after hospitalization are fol- lowed as out-patients and are given such treatments as will assist in their eventual complete recovery. The clinic started with six patients less than a year ago and now has a regular attendance of 26. This work, together with other X-Ray

work and his daily rounds of the hospital

medical wards, keeps Dr. Wilkerson busy.

He and Mrs. Wilkerson live with their 18-year old son, John Barton, on Colon

Beach not far from the hospital. John is a senior at Cristobal High School, has an enthusiasm for school journalism but now appears headed for a career in law.

MEDICAL TARIFF

(Continued from page tl)

k. Physical examinations:

Applicants for United States immigration

visas _ $15.00 For life insurance 10.00 For "short form" insurance and for certifi- cates for reinstatement of insurance 6.00 Applicants for employment with government

contractors 6. 00

Utility or coast crew men signed on vessels at Canal to work cargo while vessel is in other ports, and return to Canal 6.00

Dr. JOHN M. WILKERSON

"STAIRCASE OVER MOUNTAINS"

{(Continued from page 9) huge cast

steel "bullwheels," over 19 feet across, weighing some 35,000 pounds and mounted

horizontally on a large center pin. These

are the wheels which, through a connecting arm, open and close the lock gates. In

the next bay, dwarfed by the size of its bullwheel, is the 25-horsepower motor

which operates it. Hot Spots

At intervals along the passageways are the transformer rooms, quite literally hot

spots, where current coming into the locks from the outside power system is stepped

down from 6,900 volts to 230 volts for distribution to the machines.

There are the float wells to determine

the depth of the water in each lock chamber for the gauges in the control house. In the underground world at Gatun there are 63 starting panels for the

rising stem gate valves, 40 starting panels

for the machines which move the gates, 60 starting panels for use with the motors

on the cylindrical valves—and these are not all of the machinery and equipment.

Since the Panama Canal began operations in 1914 very few changes have been

made to the locks. Some new electrical equipment is being added and at the time

of World War II some bombproofing was

done. But, generally, the locks are just as they came off someone's drawing board

40 years ago.

All of which, Mr. Albright said, goes to show that the planning was good.

All other physical examinations* 10.00 *Free to employees when done for the protection of

his health. Members of his family, one-half the regular charge.

1. Ambulance Service: Ambulance service in the Canal Zone, per trip_ S3. 00 Ambulance service to or from any point in the Republic of Panama the charge will be. per mile .50 Minimum charge 5.00 Note: No charge will be made for ambulance service when used to transfer patients from one hospital to another within the Canal Zone. m. No charge will be made for laboratory

service when performed by District Medical

Clinic laboratories. n. Charges at hospital clinics:

(1) Charges for consultation fees will be as pre- scribed in Table 1. and paragraphs 5b. d. e. and f. of the Tariff.

(2) Charges for other services will be as prescribed

in Table 5.

Panama Canal Company Board

Meeting Postponed One Month

The meeting of the Panama Canal

Company Board of Directors, which was

to have been held in Washington next Monday has been postponed, with a tentative date of January 7 set. The postponement was caused by the

inability of the Board Chairman, Karl

Bendetsen, to attend the December 10

hearing. He will be attending budget

hearings during the entire first two weeks

in December.

MONTHLY CONFERENCE

(Continued from page s) Henry L. Donovan. The purpose of the Washington talks, the Governor explained, was two-fold: to de- termine if the Panama Canal Company

will continue in the business of providing

quarters for non-employees, and whether

rents for non-employees would be in- creased. Rental rates for employees were

not on the agenda.

The meeting was opened with a break- down on price of coffee in the Commissaries. F. R. Johnson, Acting Supply and

Service Director, told the conferees that raw material for a pound of "Tivoli" brand coffee costs 54.3 cents delivered on

the Isthmus. During roasting, a shrink- age of about 14 percent develops, so 7.8 cents is added to cover this. Labor, packaging, storage, etc., add another 8.2 cents, bringing the cost before retailing to 70.3

cents. To this price, 20 percent is added

for cost of purchase, warehousing, trans- portation, retailing, accounting, allocation

of the commissary share for Government,

etc., which brings the coffee costs to the 85-cent retail price. The Commissaries

make no profit on coffee, Mr. Johnson

said. Also discussed were the question of Christmas holidays and the possibility of employees working the Saturdays before Christmas and New Year instead of on

the days preceding the two holidays; the medical tariff; the Pedro Miguel dispensary, and various highway problems.

Attending the conference were: the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor,

E. A. Doolan, Personnel Director; Forrest G. Dunsmoor, Executive Assistant to the Governor; E. W. Hatchett, Walter Wagner, J. J. Tobin, W. R. Howe, W. M.

Price and Carl W. Hoffmeyer for the Central Labor Union, Metal Trades Council; Mr. Lovelady; Mr. Luhr; R. F. Ralph,

Gatun Civic Council; Timothy Ladd,

Cristobal-Margarita Civic Council; M. J. Goodin, Gamboa Civic Council; Dr. H.

C. Deering, Pacific Civic Council; Guy

R. Lord, Marine Engineers; Robert C.

Daniels, Railway Conductors, and Joseph

L. Hummer, Machinists.

RETIREMENTS IN NOVEMBER

Employees who retired at the end of November, their birthplaces, titles, length of service at retirement, and their future addresses are: James Brown, Rhode Island, Electrician, Aids to Navigation; 17 years, 9 months, 29 days; Lonsdale, R. I. Ervin H. Eskildsen, Iowa, Pipefitter. Industrial Bureau; 10 years, 7 months, 26

days; Panama.

Earl H. Gibbs, Missouri, Locomotive

Engineer, Railroad Division; 18 years, 3 months, and 9 days; Canal Zone until spring.

Chester P. Hall, Wisconsin. Cablesplicer, Electrical Division; 20 years, 2i l/i days; Panama until summer.
16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW December 7, 1951

U. S. Groups Learn About Canal Zone

Through Diablo Camera Club Slides

CHRISTMAS CARD making was one of the projects studied recently by members of the Diablo

Heights Camera Club. Leader of this class is Harry Roland, standing. Seated, left to right, are: W. C. Kcngable, the Club's President, Hilma Lee Morgan, Hope Benowitz. Mrs. V. F. Shaw, Ann

Strickler, M. W.Foscue, the Club's Second Vice President, and Francis F. Hargy.

Hundreds of people in the United States

are learning what the Panama Canal looks

like and how the people of the Canal Zone live—through the efforts of the Diablo

Camera Club. Now in the United States, for the second time, is a collection of 85 color

slides prepared and edited by members of the Club. The slide set, entitled "Crossroads Portrait," is accompanied by a

script to be read as the numbered slides are shown.

The color slide group is now making up

a second slide set, called "Flowers of Panama." This set of 125 flower slides, accompanied by a script commentary,

will be presented at the December 20

meeting. Its second showing will be at the January meeting of the Cardenas

River Garden Club. The Diablo Camera Club, which at present has a membership of 75 men and women, has its own building at 5030 Hains

Street in Diablo Heights.

The Club's operations are governed by

a constitution, elected officers, an ap- pointed Board of Directors, and appointed

committees. Its present president is W.

C. Kongable.

Has Two Darkrooms

Two fully-equipped darkrooms for black-and-white developing and printing,

spot lights, flood lights, and slide projector and screen are available to the members.

They meet regularly the first and third Thursdays of each month and black and

white photography and color slide work

are both covered extensively. Some of the members also work with movies.

Competition is encouraged and monthly

as well as annual contests are held. Guest speakers who specialize in some

phase of photography appear at the

meetings.

Special instruction classes are held. A

six-week course in black-and-white work

has just been completed and a similar

course in color-slide work is now in progress. Several evenings were devoted re- cently to making Christmas cards and

title slides. Field trips to the new El Panama Hotel and to the Atlantic Side to photograph the heliconia plants were

pleasant outings as well as being educational from a photographic angle.

The Club is a member of the Photographic Society of America which is the

largest group of photographers in the

world. The Diablo club participates in the Society's color slide exhibits, and was

promoted to the Class A division for the 1951-52 series. Members Win Awards

Position standing among the competing

clubs is attained by the number of points

awarded the six slides submitted by each

club in each contest. The Diablo Club was among the first 10 percent of 65 competing clubs. Three members of the

Club, Eleanor Wine, L. C. Kridle, and

Jesse Gregg, won honorable mentions on

their slides submitted in the series. The

PSA Journal, a monthly magazine which

reports Society's activities and services available to members as well as technical

articles, is stock equipment at the Diablo

Camera Clubhouse. The Club bulletin, Light ' N' Lem, published monthly, keeps members up to date on club activities. In November it was

entered for the first time in the Photographic Society of America's bulletin contest for clubs and received a Green Ribbon award. The club offers variety in its monthly

programs, even sponsoring photographic

exhibits from other parts of the world. In January 1951, seventy-two black and

white prints of the Club Fotografico de Mexico were shown, and in May a color

slide set on "Postwar Japan" made up by

the Circle of Confusion Camera Club of Tokyo, was presented.

The club has entered a 1952 color slide

circuit which is sponsored by the Photographic Society of America. The Diablo

Club has lent five color slides for this

circuit, representative of the best work of the club membership, and will view its own slides along with slides of nine States' camera clubs. The set is viewed by each

of the ten participating clubs with each

club furnishing comments on the slides in the set, and also selecting the first, second, and third best slides. This is a new activity of the local club, and promises to be an excellent chance to compare

and view the work being done in color photography by clubs in the United

States. Members are encouraged to participate

in the club programs and activities. The

color slide meeting in November brought

forth participation by twenty members,

in competition, judging, and projection of

slides taken on photographic field trips.

Guests are always welcome at the meetings and are invited to enjoy the programs and, perhaps, a doughnut and a cup of coffee on one of the bright red divans in the Club's "Cozy Corner."

PHOTOGRAPHERS have to have models, of course. A group of camera experts from the Diablo Heights Camera Club, and their models, become subjects for the camera themselves during

a photographic outing at Gorgona Beach.