Cft-I-/Cf<£.6)

Gift ofthe Panama Canal Museum

Vol.1, No. 5 BALBOA, HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, MAY 4, 1951 5 cents

PANAMA CANAL COMPANY AND C. Z. GOVERNMENT SUPPLANTS

ORGANIZATIONS OF 102 AND 47 YEARS OF HISTORY IN JULY

Three Categories Planned

In Company Income Units

The Panama Canal Company and the Canal Zone Government, terms soon to become household words on the Isthmus,

will come into being within less than two

months.

They will replace the organizations now

known as The Panama Canal and the Panama Railroad Company, entities which have, respectively, 47 and 102 years of distinctive history. The metamorphosis will take place July 1, 1951,

by an Executive Order issued by President Truman implementing Public Law 841. Like all Gaul, the Panama Canal Company will be divided into three parts, which will be known in administrative or

fiscal parlance as activities. The Canal Zone Government will be composed of those component parts which

are generally recognized as functions or

activities of a sovereign governing body.

These are separately listed in the chart. This basic description for the future operations of the interoceanic waterway,

itb many interrelated activities of a commercial or pseudo-commercial nature, and

a government of the people participating

in these affairs is, in fact, an over-simplifi- cation of a complex pattern.

Basic Objective Explained

The basic purpose of the change in July

is to provide a single, business-type financial and administrative structure for the operation of the Canal and Railroad. The

administrative framework for this new

structure was established last July when

the reorganization became effective and

relatively few other changes of this nature

will be required. As indicated in the chart below, the Panama Canal Company will be divided

into the following main categories:

Canal Activity. This will comprise the work and fuctions directly related to the operation of the Canal as a waterway.

They include, in the main, the transiting

of vessels between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; maintenance of the water- way and its navigation aids; operation

and maintenance of the locks and their machinery; and those engineering services pertaining to these activities. Commerical Activity. This will consist

chiefly of those functions already familiar

to the average Canal-Railroad employee

under terms shown in the chart. They

include, somewhat in their relative importance for employees, the commissaries,

clubhouses, public utilities such as light, water, and telephones, the Panama Rail- road, the Panama Line, hotels, Oil Handling Plants, Industrial Bureau, real estate operations, and allied or related

activities. Housing Activity. This pertains to the

design, construction, upkeep, and rental

of employee quarters. Since Public Law 841 requires the Panama Canal Company to be self-supporting, plus paying the net cost of the Canal Zone Government and interest on

the capital investment, this division of the company's activities which provide in- come is of great importance. It makes

possible the adjustment {Seepages)

SPECIAL FEATURES

• THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW will be- come a monthly publication with the next

issue. The special announcement on this appears on page 7. # Progress of plans for the conversion of

electric power in the Canal Zone to 60- cycle frequency is described on page 5. Two of the best known employee organi- zations in the Zone are described in this

issue. Read the story of the American Federation of Government Employees and the

Silver Employees Death Benefit Association on pages 2 and 9. See pages 10 and 11 for a picture story of the quarters construction program this year.

CANAL ZONE

GOVERNMENT PANAMA CANAL COMPANY

CIVIL ADMINISTRATION

SCHOOLS

POLICE PROTECTION

FIRE PROTECTION

LIBRARY

COURTS

HOSPITALS

OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH

SERVICES

HIGHWAYS & SEWERS

CIVIL DEFENSE

GARBAGE COLLECTION

CEMETERIES

EXPERIMENT GARDENS

CANAL ZONE POSTAL

SYSTEM

Canal

Activity

Commercial

Activity

Housing

Activity

NAVIGATION

DREDGING

LOCKS

ENGINEERING

SERVICES

TERMINAL

COAL AND OIL

RAILROAD

S. S. LINE

UTILITIES

COMMISSARY

SUPPLY AND

SERVICE

HOTELS

CLUBHOUSES

INDUSTRIAL

BUREAU

EMPLOYEES

QUARTERS
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4,1951

jgmflMM

OFFICERS OF THE A. F. G. E. above are David Kaplau, President of the Army and Navy

Lodge No. 794, H. J. Chase, National Vice President, and Rufus M. Lovelady, President of Lodge

No. 14. Sherman Brooks, President of Lodge No. S8_on the Atlantic side, was ill in the hospital when

this picture was taken in the offices of Lodge 14, upstairs in Balboa Clubhouse.

A.F.G.E. Conducts Vigorous Program

For Members Nationally And Locally

Lodge No. 14 Chartered

Inl932NowLargest0f

1,300 In National Body

Probably because of the diversity of

their work and interests white collar workers have been generally recognized to be among the most lackadaisical employee

groups everywhere about labor union

matters. Despite this fact, the largest and generally the most vociferous of the employee

unions in the Canal Zone is Lodge No. 14, of the American Federation of Govern- ment Employees, which is made up

almost exclusively of white collar employees. Not only is Lodge No. 14 the largest

but it is one of the youngest locals among

the American workers here.

It was born nearly 20 years ago and

only the wheel of fortune kept it from

being No. 1 lodge. By the same, token,

however, it might have been No. 39 for there were 38 other lodges of the national organization born on the same day. The

numbers were drawn from a hat in Washington, D. C, and the charter for the Canal Zone group happened to be among

the lowest numbers drawn.

Lodge Started With 143 Members

Although it started with only 143 charter members, Lodge No. 14 now boasts an

active membership of 1,060. Its officers and members proudly lay claim to being

the largest union or local in the Canal Zone and to having the highest membership of any of the 1,300 A. F. G. E. lodges

which have been chartered since the Federation was formed with the 39 charter

lodges in August 1932. Despite its comparative youthfulness as labor unions go, Lodge No. 14 is, in a manner of speaking, the proud parent of two other lodges, which are No. 88 for A. F. G. E. members on the Atlantic side, and the Army and Navy Lodge No. 974 at Coco Solo. The former was granted its charter in January 1934 and now has 125 members, while the Army and Navy

lodge, chartered in March 1948, has a membership of about 60. Lodges Act Independently

Although each of the lodges act inde- pendently in matters pertaining to their individual interests and that of their members, the three work harmoniously on

broad objectives of the American Federation of Government workers. The top

officers of the three are in frequent communication with each other and it is not uncommon for members of one lodge to attend meetings of the others. Most of the lodge meetings of all three

are open not only to all A. F. G. E. members but also to outsiders who may

be interested in joining or just listening to the discussions. Presidents of the three lodges are: Rufus M. Lovelady, No. 14; Sherman

Brooks, No. 88; and David Kaplan, No.

974.For jurisdictional and administrative purposes the American Federation of Government Employees is divided into 14

Districts of which the Canal Zone is one.

This distinction is not accorded to other

lodges outside the continental United

States, all of which are in Districts with

headquarters in the States. Because of the large membership in the Canal Zone and the vigor with which the

three lodges have promoted the Federation's overall objectives, additional recognition was given three years ago when the

election of a national vice president from

the Canal Zone District was authorized. This position has been held since 1948 by

H. J. Chase, himself a member and

former officer of Lodge No. 14. Members Mostly White-Collar Workers

Membership in the A. F. G. E. is composed mainly of clerical, professional, and

other Federal employees in the so-called white collar occupations. Its constitution

provides, however, that any Federal employee of United States citizenship

who is a member in good standing of any

other union affiliated with the American

Federation of Labor is eligible for membership.

The A. F. G. E. is what might be termed a depression baby, being born out

of the turmoil created by the economic

crash of 1929. Very few of the local members, including those who joined at the start, now have but a hazy idea of what caused the formation of the A. F. G. E. The union came into (-See page H)

YOUR HEALTH

The Problem Of Cancer In Women

During the past few years the American

Cancer Society, among its other activities, has concentrated upon an educational program, the purpose of which is to ac- quaint the lay public with some of the fundamental facts concerning cancer. This educational campaign costing hundreds of thousands of dollars has un- doubtedly brought to medical attention and care many thousands of patients who

would otherwise have been unaware of their disabilities. The lay magazines and

other periodicals have furthered this educational program with semi-scientific feature articles which also have made the general public cancer conscious. There has been, however, one undesir- able feature connected with this publicity

in that the educational pendulum has swung so far that many have been filled with an unjustified and paralyzing fear of cancer. The purpose of this article is to bring our thinking on the subject dow: n to a common sense level and help clarify our

thinking in regard to cancers involving

the genital organs of women.

The common denominator between the

patient and her problem is the doctor, and

just as the patient has been educated to observe symptoms and signs and report

them promptly, so the doctor is constantly on the watch for symptoms which may be

attributed to early cancer. If the patient

is alerted to early symptoms and reports

them to the doctor who is also alert in the proper interpretation of these symptoms

and signs, early cancers may frequently

be detected and proper treatment given

early.

There is nothing to fear from these symptoms. A cancer is a collection of

cells which grows lawlessly and wildly

among normal cells, like bandits among

law-abiding citizens. Whatever stimulus

makes these cells grow wild, we do not know but it is a fact that certain cells suddenly grow wildly and without re- straint. So much more rapidly is this abnormal cell multiplication and growth

in relation to the rapidity of normal cell growth that the normal tissues are over- whelmed and the cancer (.See page 18)
May 4, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Canal Company Activities

Divided Into Three Parts

^Continued from page i) of rates in a

single group without disrupting those of the other two. No Increase In Rents Seen

Of major significance to Canal-Railroad

employees is the plan to maintain the

present policy with regard to employees'

quarters, which is to charge rentals calcu- lated to cover all expenses of operation

and maintenance. Simply said, it is not

expected that there will be any raise in rents on existing housing.

This policy on Housing Activity has been adopted in consideration of conditions which prevail in the Canal Zone

barring employees from providing or ac- quiring their own homes, ot securing any

equity by rental payments. The expenses

other than operation and maintenance on

quarters will be allocated to Canal and

Commercial Activities, and to the Canal Zone Government proportionate to oc- cupancy of quarters by employees in each

of the three categories.

To avoid a duplication of functions and

separate staffs for the Company and

Government, both administrative and

general services will be provided jointly in much the same manner as heretofore to The Panama Canal and the Panama

Railroad Company units on the Isthmus. The expenses for these services will be

shared proportionately by the Company

and Government under a formula which

will be incorporated into a formal agree- ment between the two organizations.

Both the administrative and general expenses will be charged into the corporation's accounts. Accounting Procedures Simplified

The administrative functions include those of the President of the Company

and his staff. Expenses incurred by the Bureaus of Finance and Personnel and by

the Administrative Branch will be listed

in "general expenses." Employees en- gaged in all these activities will be carried on the Company rolls and the units will be shown in its organization chart. This inter-agency arrangement will per- mit a simplification and improvement of the accounting system which otherwise would require a tangled mass of individual intra-agency charges.

Unlike the Panama Canal Company,

which will operate on its own revenues, the Canal Zone Government will operate on appropriated funds. Public Law 841

provides, however, that the net cost of its operation must be met by the Company

and such funds will be returned to the Treasury. These costs will be distributed

in a'-oordance with a formula incorporated

in Public Law 841. The distribution will be on the basis of the ratio of estimated

gross revenues from tolls to the estimated

gross revenues of the Company, exclusive

of the cost of commodities resold and

revenues from intra-agency transactions. For exampl.', the value of the commodities bought and resold in the commissaries

and the charges made, say by the Industrial Bureau for repairing a dredge,

would not be calculated in the formula

for recovering the net costs of civil government.

Some Costs Not Charged

There are certain costs of the Canal Zone Government which are not considered chargeable to the Panama Canal

To The Employees . . .

Preparations for the transition of the Canal organization to a corporate form are

presently nearing a conclusion. In many respects

the change will be the most significant since the construction of the Canal was formally undertaken

by our Government just IJ years ago tiday.

The plans, which have

been under consideration for many months, will be made public in detailed form after their final approval which will be in

the very near future. They are discussed at some length in their tentative form elsewhere in this issue. The changes required by the enactment of Public Law 841 of September 26, 1950,

pertain primarily to the fiscal policies under

which the Panama Canal will be operated

in the future. By and large, they affect the conduct of the business operations of the Canal-Railroad rather than the individual employee and his general welfare. The most salient fact about the incorporation of the Canal operations is that the action is required by a law which also establishes the basic framework for the change.

The plans which are now in their final

stage have been the subject of long and careful consideration—consideration not only of

the legal aspects by ichich we are bound but

of the future effect on the employees and

their living and employment conditions. Aside from those of the Canal organization

who have taken part in the discussions, we

have had advice and counsel from highest

governmental sources. These have included

representatives from the Bureau of the Budget, the Office of the Secretary of the Army, and the General Accounting Office. The Canal has taken the additional pre- caution of securing the consulting services

of one of the leading private accounting

firms of the United States, thoroughly conversant with the operation of large corporations, for advice on the fiscal problems.

It is of great importance for all employees

to acquaint themselves fully with the changes

which will take place in July when Public Law 841 becomes effective. A thorough

comprehension of the organization for which

they will work, whether it be the Panama

Canal Company or the Canal Zone Government, not only will afford a personal satis- faction to employees but will increase their

efficiency and value to the organization.

The Canal administration will make

every reasonable effort to give the employee-,

and the public generally, a complete picture

of the transformation before it occurs. The

facts will be publicized through the daily

press, in The Panama Canal Review,

to employee groups orally, at the monthly

conferences with representatives of civic and

employee organizations, and by other convenient methods. Consideration is presently being given to the

desirability of holding one

or more public meetings in the Canal Zone to provide an information forum on the incorporation. The objective icould

be to provide an open

question and answer ses- sion which would give

the general public an

opportunity to become

thoroughly informed on any and all phases of

the changes which will take place. While it is apparent that the average employee will not care to devote the time and

study'required to follow the intricate fiscal and administrative procedures in the for- mation of the Panama Canal Company and

establishment of the Canal Zone Government

next July, I consider it essential that employees have a clear understanding of the fundamental features. While the incorporation of Canal operations will bring little change to the daily

lives of the employees, the relationship be- tween the management and employees will perhaps be on a closer basis than has been

possible under the present organization. For this reason every endeavor will be made

for improved liaison through a wider dis- semination of information about the company's activities. Two steps were initiated just a year ago

to provide employees with a better understanding of the affairs of The Panama

Canal and the Panama Railroad Company.

These icere the publication of this periodical

and the monthly conferences between administrative officers of the Canal and representatives from various employee groups. The results have been highly satisfactory

from the administration's viewpoint and I

judge, by the popular response, from the

viewpoint of the employees. Both of these means of acquainting

employees with the Panama Canal Company

and its activities will be continued and

expanded. Plans have been approved for

the publication of The Panama Canal

Review on a monthly basis which will

greatly increase its value as a source of information to our employees. It is hoped

by this and other means to keep in the open

those problems which affect the ivelfare of all groups of employees in the Company and

the Canal Zone Government. In attaining

this objective the attitude and cooperation of

the employees generally are important ele- ments in the success of the administration's

efforts.

Governor

Company and these will be borne by

direct appropriation. They include the Canal Zone Experiment Gardens, corro- sion tests, Corozal Hospital, Civil Defense, sanitation and garbage collection and disposal in the Republic of Panama,

and Palo Seco Leprosarium. The annual

expenses of these operations total nearly one million dollars. These are listed as nonrecoverable items since the activities are not considered essential to the Company's operations.

A major item of Canal expense in the

future will be the $430,000 annuity pay- ment to the Republic of Panama. Heretofore this has been made by a direct payment by the Treasury. Public Law

841 requires that it be included as a part

of the Canal expense and it will be allo- cated, in toto, to the Canal activities since it, like the treaty rights in the

capital investment of the {See page 16)
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4, 1951

NEWS OF YOUR COMMISSARY STORES

REGARDING THE SUPPLY OF WOMEN'S DRESSES

must manufacturing of consumer goods, the garment makers' calendar

for cutting dresses of various weights for the different seasons is sharply at variance with the seasons themselves. In Ocl ibi . • ien the \utumn chill is setting in and most women in the States arc thinking of buying woolen things or how to get a new fur coat out of their budget, dress manufacturers start showing

their spring and summer lines of dresses, for delivery to the buyer3 between

February and May. \t the end of May and until October, the heavier weights and darker shades, generally suitable only for the more northerly latitudes, are the only dresses produced, except for the very limited "Cruise" lines, consisting mostly of sports outfits. The result of this seasonal manufacture of dresses, as far as the Isthmian woman i3 concerned, is that for about one-third of each year the Commissary

stores have attractive assortments of summer dresses in a wide variety of styles and price ranges, and for the remainder of the year very few are available to the buyer that would suit the local needs. In our 3tores now the beat ass irtments of the year are available, and our buyers can re-order lines with a reasonable as- surance that our orders will be filled. Whether or not a States vacation is planned this year, it is our earnest suggestion that our women customers anticipate their needs of dresses for the

period from about early June until the beginning of next February, and purchase

such additional dresses now as will be required during the months when our dress racks will not, and cannot because of the dress manufacturers' calendar, provide

the wide choice of dresses that they now do. In other words, we recommend that you borrow from your future clothing budget to establish for yourself a "dre=;s bank" to be drawn against at a later date when suitable garments just cannot

be had.

Incidentally, although there has been no spot-lighted publicity given the

matter, we are certain that our interested customers are by now aware that we

have been getting regular shipments of limited numbe-s of attractve suits and

dresses as currently advertised in the nationally distributed magazines, su?h as Charm, Glamour, Seventeen. Harper's and Vogue. Many of these dresses and suits have been tagged with a note as to the magazine and month of issue in which

they are to be illustrated and our customers will have undoubtedly noticed that, except for the classic suits and tailored dresses, there has usually been only one

of a given color or style. We know you have liked our selections of dresses because

of the large numbers you have purchased almost as soon as they were displayed, and we plan to keep in stock the widest possible variety of dresses during the

short period when summer styles are available. We repeat the suggestion, however, that you purchase an entire year's supply during the present season.

COMPARISON OF COMMISSARY RETAIL PRICES WITH AVERAGES

IN 50 LARGE U. S. CITIES (from Consumers' Price Index and Retail Food

Prices published by BUREAU OF L.ABOR STATISTICS, U. S. DEPART- MENT of LABOR. For detail of cities involved and other explanatory material,

refer to The Review, issue of February 2, 1951, page 12).

FOOD AND UNIT

NOTES FROM RETIRED OLD TIMERS

Each year, shortly before Christmas, we send out to all retired Zonians the

latest Commissary calendar, with a little note of greeting from those of us who

remain on the Isthmus to keep the ships moving through the "Big Ditch." This past year nearly 1,500 were sent out, resulting in the return of many in- teresting letters, nearly all of which contained general greetings to the writers' friends and acquaintances who are stilt in the service. While the letters are still coming in, and space limitations prevent printing the text of any of them, here is a sampling of the names of those who have written

so far: from St. Petersburg, Fla.: Charles E. Hutchison, Henderson C. Smith, Mary L. Stakeham, Joseph Mcintosh, Edward F. Hewitt, W. S. Essex, M. A.

Colston, T. M. Drake, W. J. Bartlett, Robert W. Claw, Arthur W. Luther, Otto Kozak, William H. Ward, Jr., Charles T. Smithies, and Charles D. Hummer.

From other Florida addresses: Bradenton: Wallace Dunham; North Miami:

Robert G. Howe; Bostwick: R. W. Grabhorn; Tampa: Charles H. Beetham; NewPort Richey: F. H. Smith; Zephyrhills: Herman and Marie Wulff; Lutz: W. B. McCombs; Pinellas Park: Louis Warner. California was represented by letters and cards from: Monrovia: Ellis D. Stillwell and W. H. Nesdham; San Diego: 0. T. Marstrand, E. C. Dunkle, Marshall J. Steele and James C. Willson; San

Francisco: Isaac H. Andrews; Los Angeles: James R. Robson and Joseph L. Welch; Oakland: H. R. Pickens and Verner B. Dingledine; Pasadena: H. F. Bevington; Altadena: Gertrude A. Murray; Albambra: Florence N. Miller; San

Mateo: Robert F. Lawrence; Sacramento: Leroy D. Shuler; Whittier: Carl P. Wanke; Palo Alto: J. H. Stevenson; Santa Barbara: A. Mundberg; Compton:

Ildege J. Langlois; and Coronado: H. L. Ferguson. The other communications received were scattered over the entire width and breadth of the United States, as follows: Topeka, Kan.: B. R. Betz, Sr.; Norfolk, Va.; Hezekiah P. Forrest; Hillsboro, Tex.: Beulah N. Eidman; Houston,

Tex.: J. H. Orr; Bellaire, Tex.: A. S. Brown; San Antonio, Tex.: W. M. Niendarff;

Kerrville. Tex.: Mrs. E. F. Attaway; Dallas, Tex.: K. R. Gilkys.m; Mt. Vernon

Tex.: W. A. Nash; Latour Borough, N. J.: George Cartwright, Sr.; Gresham,

Oreg.: Chauncey E. Knight; Buffalo, N. Y.: E. D. Hurley; Harrisonburg, Va.: Seymour Paul; East Weymouth, Mass.: Lewis B. Bates; Whitesboro, N. Y.: Eugene F. Clark; Windsor, N. Y.: Leslie T. Chapel; Seaford, Del.: Edward E.

Ellis; Manchester, Tenn.: Claude D. Campbell; Newburgh, N. Y.: H. A. Sheddock; Rochester, Minn.: Thomas A. Bender; Montvale, N. J.: Ernest Mueller;

Greenville, S. C: E. B. Strawn; Gloucester, N. J.: Mary E. Ledden; Folsom,

La.: Elmer Daily; Neillsville, Wis.: Walter B. Tragsdorf; Baltimore, Md.: Marvin L. French, William R. Thomas, Louis E. Diaz and Rov H. Wyle; Brattleboro, Vt.: Homer L. Higley; Kane, Pa.: John L. Eckert; Tennile.'Ga.: Leo

Wilkes; Ann Arbor, Mich.: Henry J. Grieser; New York City: Mary A. Laughlin;

Hendersonville, N. C: F. M. Sawder and L. W. Lewis; Washington, D. C:

Mabel A. Jacobs; Sioux Falls, S. Dak.: Ray G. Pruner; Roswell, N. Mex.: John

A. Cummins; Camden. N. J.: Tom Murray; Willard, N.Y.: James B. O'Brien; Hot Springs, Ark.: Jack and Grace Schol'efield, Tom Shirley; Hopewell, Va.: Herbert F. Ashton; Willow Grove, Pa.: George Cook Gade'; Yarmouth, Me.: Lothrop II. Luring; Union, Me.; Charles C. Cameron; Anson, Me.: Edwin A. Hovey. Only two foreign countries were heard from: San Jose, Costa Rica: John Atkins; and Kingston, Jamaica: Jacob Koch (known as "Copper Jack" in construction days). WHY PORK AND LAMB COST MORE

"mers will have noted from recent newspaper articles, that the Commissary Division is cooperating fully with the joint program of the government

of Panama and the Panama Canal Health Bureau prohibiting the importation

of fresh frozen meats from countries in which there is incidence of hoof and mouth disease. While there continue to be adequate supplies of native beef, the United States is at present the only remaining free market open fur the purchase

of lamb, veal, and many pork items. The recent sharp upward trend of prices on lamb, veal, and many pork items resulted from discontinuance of former South American sources of supply.

Cereals and Bakery Products:

Flour, wheat, 5-lb. (Comsy., 4-lb. sack

basis) Corn flakes, 11-oz ... Corn flakes, 8-oz. (see foot-note) Cornmeal, lb Ki v, lb. i Comsy, 4-lb. sack basis) Rolled Oats, 20-oz, paper pack

Rolled Oat3, 20-oz. tin Bread, white, lb. (Comsy, 14-oz. loaf

basis) Vanilla cookies, lb. (Comsy, 7-oz. pack

basis i Meals:

Beef: Round steak, lb._ Rib roast, lb. (Comsy, first 5 ribs)

( 'buck roast, lb Hamburger, lb Frankfurters, lb. Veal: Cutlets, lb Pork: Chops, center cut (Comsy, loin chops) Bacon, sliced, lb Ham, whole, lb. (skinned, smoked,

tenderized)

Salt p j.'k, lb. ( dry salt belly) Lamb: Leg, lb Poultry: Fryers, N. Y. dressed (undrawn).

Fivers, dres3ed and drawn

Fish: Salmon, pink, 16-oz. can

Dairy Products:

Butter, lb..

< 'heese, lb. (processed Cheddar)

Milk, fresh (del.), qt Milk, fresh (groc.), qt (Comsy makes a flat delive/y c':a g-„' of 75 cents a month, regardless of number of quarts delivered) Milk, evaporated, 14>£-oz. can

Ice Cream, pt Eggs, fresh, doz. (States: size and grade

sold in volume; Comsy, Consumer

Grade A, large) Fruits and Vegetables:

Fresh: Apples, lb Bananas, lb.. - Oranges, size 200, doz. (Comsy, Boquete

small) Beans, green, lb. Cabbage, lb Carrots, bunch (Comsy, pound price).. Lettuce, head

Onions, lb Potatoes, 1 5-lb Sweet potatoes, lb Tomatoes, lb Frozen: Pea3, 12-oz Strawberries, 16-oz Orange juice, 6-oz.. Canned: Peaches, halves, No. 2>£can

(States: Grade B, Choice; Comsy:

Grade A, Fancy)

Pineapple, No. 2,1'2 can

Corn, No. 2 can Tomatoes, No. 2 can

Peas, No. 303 can (Comsy, No. 2 can,

larger) Baby foods, 4-' 4 -oz. jar Dried: Prunes, lb Navy beans, lb Beverages:

Coffee, lb. ("Commissary" blend) Cola drinks, 6-bottle carton ("Comsy

Cola")

Fats and Oils: Lard, lb Shortening, hydrogenated, lb Salad dressing, pt. (Comsy, on qt.-jar basis) Margarine, uncolored, lb Margarine, colored, lb Sugar, 5-lb Grape jelly, 12-oz. jar Grape jelly, 1 6-oz. jar

Slates Commissary

Average Price Price 2-15-51 4 15 51 2-15-51

$0,514 $0,463 $0 463

.207* Not carried Not priced 220* .220

.096 090 .090

.182 115 115

171* Not carried Not priced .240* .240

.157

.495

.126

.480

I'i'JS

111) 165

.494

.263

.159

141 .157

.072 .648

.098 333

.250 .594

.240

.332

.388

.201 .187

.219 099

.275

.174

864

.283

.258

.396 .390*

.375 503

.240* Nut priced

.126

.480

1.074 .410 .410

.850 .350 .350

.730 .330 .330

.666 .380 .380

.642 .380 .380 1.235 1.440 1.440

.779 .600 .700 .679 .600 .670

.675 .650 750

.396 .360 360

.805 .500 1 030

|ss .460 460

. 620* Not carrie J .620 .590 620

.824 .660 .640

5! IS .460 .400 227 .25} 253

214 220 220

143 140 140

.314 .190 .190

.770

140

.045

.420 110

.120

.080

.180

.060 750

.100 .160

.270 .550

.250

.350

.360

.170

.180

.180

.110 .230

.160

780

.240

.280 Out of stock

260 Not carried .340

.540 Not carried .240*

.780

130

.035

.420

110 120

.100

.180

.060 .750

.140

.160

.270

.550

.270

390

.370

170

160

.170

110 .230

.190

.830

240

270

.295

.360 .520

.250*

Totals of comparable items $22 309 $18,429 $19 374

Isthmian price of cum flakes is out of line uith U. S. average because of high ocean

freight, due to bulk of the product causing it to be carried on cubage basis, rather than by weight. Note: Because totals would be distorted by inclusion of unlike items, prices marked with an asterisk i *) are omitted therefrom.

This page is devoted exclusively to news of the Retail Stores prepared by the Commissary Division
May 4, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

MADDEN HYDROELECTRIC PLANT under construction in 1934. The giant, worm-like steel tube

is known as a scroll case and contains the turbine runners which turn the generators to make electricity. The

speed and winding of the generators determine the frequency of the current. In converting the Canal Zone

power system from 25-to 60-cycle frequency it would be necessary to rewind or replace the generators in the

various power plants. Clubhouse Changes Planned

In Interest Of Efficiency

Plans For Power Conversion In Zone

May Be Laid Aside For Several Years

Groundwork Of Project

On 60-Cycle Frequency

Practically Completed

Problems of money, manpower, and

materials will probably require the post- ponement of plans for the conversion of the Canal Zone power system from 25 to 60 cycles for a period of several years. While plans already made will not be

relegated to the dead files, Canal officials

realize that it would be all but hopeless

to expect that the project could be prose- cuted expeditiously—if at all—under existing world conditions. Under national defense plans already outlined the pro- curement of restricted materials and manufactured electrical equipment in the amounts required during the next two or three years is expected to be practically

impossible for any purposes not urgently

required or directly related to the mobili- zation program. The conversion project is not one which

lends itself to a piecemeal schedule and

when the work is once begun it should,

for economy and other reasons, be completed as rapidly as possible. Among the

reasons other than economy would be the inconvenience for residents moving from

a community with 25-cycle current to one

with 60-cycle frequency and vice versa. Since there is a constant shifting of per- sonnel among Canal and other Govern- ment workers in the Canal Zone the in- convenience and expense would soon prove intolerable. Time Schedule Not Set While no time schedule has been set

for beginning the project, Canal authorities believe from statements by those in charge of the national mobilization pro- gram that conditions may permit the pur- chase of some materials and equipment

within about two years. Tentative plans on this basis, however, are subject to change as dictated by world conditions. Practically all of the investigation and

groundwork of the conversion project

have been completed up to the point

where purchase of materials or actual work could begin. Further detailed studies will be required but the basic plans

have been made ready and can be put

into effect on short notice at any time in the future. None of the time or money

spent in the studies up to now will be

wasted since they are preliminary steps

which would be required at any time in advance of the actual work. A basic organization, a tentative time

schedule, and fundamental policies and

procedures have been agreed upon for the 60-cycle conversion project.

The policies and procedures cover a wide range of subjects and situations ex- pected to arise as the conversion proceeds.

Of these, the policies relating to the conversion or replacement of frequency sensi- tive equipment and appliances in the home have perhaps the most interest to the average resident. Change Home Appliances Free

It is generally agreed that the owner

csuch equipment as (.See page 18)

Several changes are being made by the Panama Canal Clubhouses to increase the economic and operating efficiency of some

Clubhouse units and at the same time

extend and modernize as much as possible the public services provided by the or- ganization as a whole. The changes represent one phase of the

general Clubhouse policy of returning

earnings to the public in the form of additions and improvements of existing

facilities, according to W. H. Crook, General Manager of the Clubhouse Division. The relocation of the Pedro Miguel and

Chagres Clubhouses and the change to

self-service in the dining room of the

Cristobal Clubhouse are some of the

recent moves made in the interest of economy. Others of the same type which

are now being considered for the future

include the consolidation of Clubhouse

and Commissary services at Gatun and

the relocation of Clubhouse facilities at Gamboa.

Coupled with these necessary economy

measures are several major improvements

in over-all services in which the Clubhouse Division takes considerable pride.

Swimming Pool Is Opened

The opening of the Silver City swimming pool and luncheonette on April 21 is a source of special satisfaction to the Clubhouse Division and to the Canal administration generally, which has recog- nized for several years the need for such

additional recreational facilities for localrate communities.

Another major improvement was the modernization of the Balboa Swimming

Pool, which was recently reopened after being resurfaced with ceramic tile and

provided with a new water circulation system.

The Clubhouse Division also recently

"idea-ed" and opened a new dine-anddance spot at the Diablo Clubhouse,

which bases its appeal primarily on lowcost entertainment of a type which has

not been available before. It has been

planned to fit the purses of teen-agers and

income-tax conscious adults. The entire idea has been executed with more in- genuity than expense and the students who are expected to make up its main

patronage have served as active partners

in the planning and decoration of the room. On the economy side of the ledger, several moves have been made by the Clubhouse Division to offset the loss in revenues which has been experienced

since the war years and other economy

measures are now under consideration. Demolition of the old Pedro Miguel

Clubhouse was one of the recent Clubhouse actions dictated by economic considerations. Another is the relocation of the soda fountain in the dining room of the Cristobal Clubhouse and the change

of both to self-service. Plans have also been approved to relocate the Chagres

Clubhouse in a portion of the Commissary

there and move the concessionaire shops

to the old Chagres Post Office Building.

More Changes Considered

Studies are now being made with a view

to similar action at Gatun and Gamboa,

where losses have been so great that some

measure to offset them is now considered

a "must" in Clubhouse Division planning.

As a possible solution to the problem

at Gatun, plans are under consideration

to relocate the Commissary in an unused

portion of the Clubhouse. This consoli- dation would effect a considerable saving

in both operations and at the same time

centralize both facilities in one convenient

location.
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4, 1951

life-

.^s^, #*<\ <':>*:. PLOWING ITS WAV through dense tropical forests and undergrowth, this bulldozer is making a new

but rough road over which logs can be hauled to mill. After cutting roads, bulldozers generally are used to skid the tree trunks to selected bucking yards where they are cut to desired lengths.

felling, sawing, and hauling crews begin

their work.

Cruising of the forest areas has been

done largely by or under the immediate

direction of H. G. Robinson, Lumber

Advisor of the Storehouse Division, who

later acts as coordinator and general

supervisor of operations when Municipal

Division crews move in their heavy

equipment.

Work of Municipal Division

The work of felling the trees, cutting

them into desired lengths, and hauling

them out of the jungle is (Sec page 15)

Logging Operations Prove Successful

Canal Enterprise For Past Five Years

Quality Native Hardwood

Is Procured At Low Cost

From Stands Within Zone

The Panama Canal has just completed

its fifth successful season of logging operations in the Canal Zone during which

approximately 1 72,000 board feet of fine- quality native lumber, mostly mahogany,

was felled and shipped to the mill of the

Industrial Bureau in Cristobal. The finished mill product will be

stocked by the Storehouse Division and

issued during the coming months to the

several units of the Canal and Railroad

which use native hardwoods for one pur- pose or another. It will supplement the

large stock of native woods bought annually by the Canal from commercial lumber

firms in the Republic of Panama.

Logging operations in the Canal Zone

are conducted on a limited scale jointly

by the Storehouse and Municipal Divisions. The successful prosecution of the

activity during the past five dry seasons has been made possible only by close cooperation and coordination of work in the two units. Work Done With No Fanfare

The work has been carried forward

with little fanfare and the average Zone

resident would be no more astonished to hear the call of "mush" to a dogsled team

than to hear the cry of "timber" a short

distance from his home.

The operations have been centered for the past three dry seasons in the tropical

forest of the Curundu Military Reservation, which has a heavy stand of large

mahogany trees. Arrangements for cutting and hauling the timber, made in advance between the Army and the Canal, provided for the former agency to share in the finished product.

The logging during the past dry season was done near the Canal Zone boundary

line and resulted in the cutting and hauling of approximately 850 cuts of mahogany, amarillo, cedro amargo, cedro espino,

and espave logs. Of these, 760 pieces were mahogany.

"Cruising" Done In Advance

Logging operations in the Canal Zone

actually begin several months before the

onset of each dry season. The area to be

cut over is "cruised" by a small crew of men who must, first of all, be experts in hacking their way through the heavy

jungle growth. The success of the overall operation depends to a large degree on the

cruisers who must judge, among other

things, the relative value of each tree individually and its accessibility both for cutting and hauling. In the jungle areas of Panama it is generally necessary to cut individual

trails to the trees. This is especially true

in the case of mahogany where a "stand"

generally consists of trees at widely

spaced intervals. Trails only wide enough

for the cruiser to make his way to the tree to determine its size, soundness and accessibility are required at first. Later, wider

trails are cut and the area immediately

surrounding the trees is cleared before the

FORTY YEARS AGO

In

January - February - March

The Boy Scout movement was born in the Canal Zone 40 years ago in January

when an organization of 16 American

boys was formed at Gorgona with R. S. Booz, W. H. Stevens, Harry Otis, and

Samuel Paulus as members of the Scout

Council. Jess T. Hopkins was chosen as Scoutmaster for the troop.

The Canal Zone was at one of the busiest periods of the construction days during the dry-season of 1911. Work on the Canal

construction was at a high peak and by the end of March of that year a report showed

that excavation for Gatun Locks was almost completed and half of the concrete was in

place.

Among other activities of the period, the Gatun Sunshine Society was reorganized in January.

Canal Zone residents on the Pacific side could look forward to a ride in street cars following an award for the operation of an

electric street railway between Panama City

and La Boca. The project had been held up

for some time by litigation in a 50-year

franchise granted by the municipality of Panama to Henry T. Cook- He assigned

his rights to the Panama Public Utilities Corporation which was organized in July

1910.

A Board headed by LI. Col. H. F. Hodges

unanimously recommended the construction

of a bridge across the new Canal channel

near Empire at a sufficient height to clear

all shipping. The report noted that the S. S. Olympic and the S. S. Titanic were

then the highest vessels afloat and both measured 175 feet from keel to smokestack

top.

Most of the present-day town of Bal- boa had its beginning just 40 years ago when instructions were issued to the Central Division to begin filling the swamp

area between Sosa and Ancon Hill with

spoil from Culebra Cut.

The first annual gathering of the Nobles

of the Mystic Shrine in the Canal Zone was

held in March 1911 at the Hotel Tivoli. At that time there were less than GO Shrine

members in the Zone. Arrangements for the

first annual meeting were made by a committee headed by Gerald D. Bliss, then Postmaster at Pedro Miguel.

Rules governing navigation of the Pan- ama Canal and its approaches were first issued in January 1911.

Tourist business was so good 40 years

ago, it became necessary to remodel three

buildings adjacent to the Hotel Tivoli for the accommodation of guests. The annex,

as it became known, provided space for 60 additional guests.

A disastrous fire swept Colon in March

destroying ten city blocks of buildings. The

fire occurred in the late afternoon and the Red Cross rushed to the rescue.
May 4, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

An Official Panama Canal Publication

Published Quarterly at BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE

Printed by the Panama Railroad Press Mount Hope, Canal Zone

F. K. NEWCOMER

Governor HERBERT D. VOGEL

Lieutenant Governor

E. C. LOMBARD

Executive Secretary

J. RUFUS HARDY

Editor The printing of this publication has

been approved by the Director of the Budget on March 9, 1950.

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. Special Notice

Beginning with the next issue, The

Panama Canal Review will be published

monthly and will include The Safety

Zone, monthly publication of the Safety Branch. The publication date will be the

first Friday of each month. The more frequent issue of The Review

icill make possible a nearer attainment of

the primary objective of the publication

which, as announced in the first issue one

year ago, is to give all employees a better un- derstanding of problems affecting any considerable number.

This will be achieved by the coverage of a much under variety of news affecting

employees, their families, and their day-today lives than is possible by a quarterly

publication.

The more frequent publication will also permit more attention to the primary activity

of the Panama Canal—the transiting of ships between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Of special interest to the thousands of

readers of The Panama Canal Review

and the local daily neivspapers is the announcement that Mrs. Eleanor Mcllhcn ny

will join The Review staff next month. Her intimate association with newspaper

work goes back to childhood as herfather was

editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer for many years. She has much experience in

the daily newspaper field on the Isthmus, most of which has been in covering the various Canal Zone news beats. The Review will continue to be on sale

at all Clubhouses, Commissaries, and the Hotels Washington and Tivoli at five cents a copy. Rates for mail subscriptions beginning

with the next issue will be $1 a year. Postal money orders payable to the Treasurer, The Panama Canal, should be mailed to the Editor, The Panama Canal Review,

Balboa Heights, Canal Zone.

OF CURRENT INTEREST

AN EXPERIMENT begun 30 years ago to develop agriculture in the Canal Zone sufficiently to supply

part of the fresh fruit and vegetables required by the residents is being brought to a close. Notices to vacate have already been sent to a number of holders of agricultural land licenses. Holders of non-indemnity licenses

will be the first to move and later the indemnity licenses will be cancelled when funds are available to reimburse

the licensees. The grand experiment never proved successful and has been a losing proposition for the Canal now for many years. Although many of the licensees greatly improved the property and erected substantial houses, others used the land only to raise a few chickens and enough vegetables and fruits for themselves. In many

cases rude shacks, like the one shown above, made of palm leaves and galvanized iron served as shelters for the licensees or caretakers of the property.

CLOSE FARFAN PAVILION

The Clubhouse Division will cease its operation of

facilities and general supervision of both Farfan and Hideaway Beaches at the first of June.

Neither of the two beaches i3 to be closed to the

general public but the operation of Fa.'fan Beach

Pavilion, including the lifeguard service, will be dis- continued on that date. Caretaker duties only are to be provided after June 1 by the Grounds Maintenance

Division. Another curtailment of recreation service at the same time will be the closing of the Camp Coiner

recreation building. Efforts are being made to interest some civic group of that community in assuming

responsibility for the building so that it can be kept open for public use by the residents there. INCOME TAX RETURNS

Not that anyone wants to be re- minded of the fact, but June 15 is the deadline for those Canal and Railroad

employees who have not already done

so to file their final income tax returns

for 1950. Those who did not file by the March 15 deadline are now paying six percent interest on whatever they

may owe. The Balboa Internal Revenue Office, on the second floor of the Balboa Clubhouse, is open from Monday through

Friday, and the Cristobal office in Room 300 of the Administration Building, is open all day every Monday.

The two Deputy Collectors on duty in the Canal Zone will gladly assist any- one in making up their income tax returns or help in individual problems.

SUMMER RECREATION

Training courses are to start this month for volunteers in the 1951 Canal

Zone Summer Recreation program

which opens early in July. Coordinators

of the program are Mrs. G. O. Parker

for the U. S.-rate communities and

E. Stanley Loney for local-rate

communities.

The program this year is under the

direction of a newly-formed Canal Zone

Recreation Board composed of repre- sentatives from the various towns, the

Division of Schools, and the three armed services. It will be financed primarily by Community Chest Funds

raised in the successful drive last October. While the Summer Recreation

program is a civic affair, it will be closely

coordinated with the sports and re- creational activities offered during the

vacation season by the Physical Educationand Recreation Branch.

COMMISSARY CASH SALES

Although it i3 too early to determine the desirability, either from customer or commissary viewpoint, of extending the cash sales system in the retail stores of the Commissary Division, the experiment at Ancon is working satisfactorily thus far. The general customer comment in the Ancon store

is to the effect that the cash system is more convenient. However, according to Charles P. Shay, Manager, many of the old Ancon customers have

gone elsewhere to do their principal trading, obviously

preferring the time-honored coupon method of buying

their groceries and household goods. Comparative figures on sales volume in Ancon and

Balboa indicate an increase in trade in Ancon during

the first few weeks of the experiment. Some of this increase, Commissary Division officials believe, may

be due in part to the renovation of the store recently.

NEW CANAL TOWNSITES

Studies are still in progress on the two new townsites which are to be started during the coming fiscal year. One of the new towns will be located at Summit

in the vicinity of the Canal Zone Experiment Gardens. Surveys of two areas have been made. One lies north of Madden Road and the junction of Gaillard Highway and La Pita Road, while the other straddles Gaillard Highway 30uth of Summit Hills Golf and

Country Club. Detailed studies on the cost of site preparation and the installation of municipal facilities

are now being made by the Engineering Division. Meanwhile, it has been announced that Cocoli will not be retained by the Canal as a permanent townsite and all quarters assignments there are now being made on a provisional basis. Discussions are still in progress on the future of the Third Locks town which was built only ten years ago. DEPOSIT BOXES FOR RENT

A number of safe deposit boxes are now available for rent in the basement

vault of the Administration Building at Balboa Heights.

A sufficient number are available for some to be leased to retired Canal-Railroad employees on a year-to-year basis,

subject to conditions prevailing at the

expiration of each lease date. information concerning the rental or

lease of the safe deposit boxes may be

obtained from the Vault Clerk, tele- phone 2-2532.
THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4,1951

=Panama Canal Clubhouse Theatres

COMING SOON: =^=^^^===:^^=

sensational

motion picture - from

°'V'DENO

"KIUERS-FOR-HIRE'-ANOTHE MAN WHO SMASHED THEM.'

<£IB\

The real-life story of Valerie . and Ben Hogan ^iflf

«®*3C*

This page is devoted exclusively to news of the Clubhouses and Theaters prepared by the Clubhouse Division
May 4,1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW

Association Provides Low Insurance

For Local-Rate Employees In Zone

Few, if any, employee organizations in the Canal Zone have lived down dire predictions of failure at their inception in a more satisfactory manner than the Silver Employees Death Benefit Association. Today the association has 3,260 members and its financial status, while not

impressive in size, is nevertheless sound.

Its annual report for the last year showed

that the organization paid out nearly

$15,000 in 35 death claims. Since the

association was founded January 1, 1933, more than $185,000 has been paid to 485

beneficiaries. Individual claims last year ranged from $275 to $600 each. The financial report of the past year showed that the net worth of the association, after meeting all liabilities, is now

slightly over $115,000, of which $100,000

is invested in U. S. Savings Bonds.

Members Run Organization

The Silver Employees Death Benefit

Association, similar in all respects to the Mutual Benefit Association of U. S. rate employees, is entirely run by its members

although a representative of the Canal

administration is appointed by the Governor to act as examiner for the association. Although the books of the association are audited at regular intervals by outside accountants, the position of examiner

provides a reassuring factor for the rank

and file membership that the officers will not be led into unwise financial byways.

The examiner not only is required to countersign all checks but acts in an advisory capacity on all financial matters. The financial soundness of the associa- tion at present may be attributed primarily to the integrity of its officers from

the founding to the present. Almost

without exception the officers chosen

during the 18 years of the organization's

existence have been leaders in their communities whose honesty and interest in furthering the association's good have

been beyond question.

Prospects Were Bleak

Before the association was founded in 1933 the prospects for a going organization on a sound financial basis were so bleak that the first committee, appointed

by Governor Harry Burgess to investigate the possibilities of a death benefit associa- tion among local rate employees, recom- mended two to one against its founding.

Only the energy and enthusiasm of Samuel H. Whyte, for years the President and spark plug of the Panama Canal West

Indian Employees Association, saved the day. He persuaded Governor Burgess to appoint a second committee which re- turned a favorable recommendation. In

addition, a group of four members from

the Bureau of Efficiency in Washington,

who visited the Isthmus in February 1932 upon an invitation of Governor Burgess,

also investigated the question. After many conferences with local leaders among the West Indian employees plans

for the organization were approved.

Canal Backs Plans

Aside from other assistance given in forming the death benefit association, the Canal administration authorized the pay- ment of all dues by payroll deductions. This concession eliminated at the outset almost certain failure of the organization because of the great convenience in meeting monthly obligations by low-salaried employees.

Samuel II. Whyte

ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS of the Silver Employees Death Benefit Association, organized 19 years

ago, are conducted bv this group. Seated, left to right, are: E. A. Robertson, General Secretary; A. B. Williams,

President; and A. V. Dalby, Treasurer. Standing, left to right, are A. L. Wright, Examiner; S. A. Campbell,

C. W. Bruce, and H. Bayne, Trustees. Not present at this gathering were R. S. Chilcott, First Vice President, and N. H. Hawkins, Second Vice President.

With the backing of the Canal administration, the PCWIEA entered vigorously

into an organization campaign during the

latter part of 1932 and by the first of January 1933, the organization was formally established with 999 members. Since that time a program of education among

local rate employees has been energetically carried forward both by officers of the

association and the general membership

on the advantage of this employee group

activity.

While the Silver Employees Death

Benefit Association has attained a high

reputation over the period of years, the response to its appeal for membership has been disappointing since the potential

membership is several times over its pres- ent size. As in the case of all mutual

benefit societies, the larger the membership the greater are the benefits enjoyed

by individual members either by lower dues or larger claims.

Membership Dues Are Low

Membership in the association is open

to all local rate employees of the CanalRailroad organization, the Army, Navy

and Air Force on the Isthmus. The en- trance fee is $1.50 and monthly dues are 50 cents a month. In addition, there is an

annual assessment of $1 for each member

beginning one year after joining. The

annual assessment is used solely for administrative expenses and from time to time since its organization the association has been able to make modest contributions to worthy local charities from this fund from savings effected. All dues are payable by the payroll deduction plan for Canal and Railroad employees while

others make cash payments. The association's constitution requires the payment

of all dues within 60 days and imposes

loss of membership when dues are six months in arrears. Employees are permitted to maintain

their membership after they retire or leave the Government service and the

association receives regularly checks or cash remittances from employees now

living in all parts of the West Indies and

in the United States. Despite the relatively small membership, the Silver Employees Death Benefit Association is able to offer its members an

insurance at rates which compare favor- ably with group life insurance rates

offered by the larger insurance firms commerically. This is made possible only by

keeping administrative costs to a mini- mum. Last year, for example, the administrative costs were slightly under

$3,000.

Officers Work Diligently

The officers and trustees are keenly aware of the importance of low administrative expenses and meet four nights a week to handle the business affairs of the

association. The organization is administered by a Board of Directors which is selected by

popular election among the members in the various communities. Officers^ are

selected each year at the annual meetings.

The present officers are: A. B. Williams,

President; R. S. Chilcott, First Vice

President; N. H. Hawkins, Second Vice

President; E. A. Robertson, (See page 18>
10 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4, 1951

Atlantic Side Quarters Construction

Sidewalk superintendents are having a Roman holiday on both sides of the Isth- mus this year with the $3,000,000 quarters

construction program in full swing.

The Canal Review presents on these

two pages a picture story of the progress

of the work at mid-April. Views of all areas where building or site preparation is in progress are shown with the exception

of Endicott Street in Diablo Heights

BUSY AREAS are the sites of the two principal housing projects in Margarita which are on an ex- tension of Sixth Street (above) and a new loop street from First Street (below). In all, 17 composite

type houses are being erected in the two area3. Both site work and construction are being done under

contract by the Panpacific Construction Company for $343,645. Four cottages and four duplexes are being built on the Sixth Street extension, while five cottages and four duplexes are located in the other area. Both of these views were taken during the lunch hour and belie their usual appearance

of beehives.

where two masonry duplexes have just

been started. The quarters building program this year

is but a foretaste of work planned for the next few years when the Canal will spend

upwards 'of $80,000,000 to provide ade- quate housing for its employees. Next

year's budget calls for the expenditure of slightly over $11,000,000. Most of this

will be spent in the development of two new townsites, one of which will be at Summit, but considerable sums have been

earmarked for new .houses in Ancon,

Margarita, Silver City, and Paraiso. The most extensive grading projects

this year are Silver City, Margarita, and

Ancon. The site work at Silver City is a

part of this year's building program

there. The site work in Ancon and

Margarita is preparatory to the quarters

construction program for the coming year. Uppermost in the minds of most CanalRailroad employees is the question : How

FOUR ,'MASONRY TYPE duplexes will be

erected by the Building Division on this site now

being developed on the high ground east of Jadwin Road in Gatun just north of Gatun Commissary.

SITUATED on the arm of Manzanillo Bay which bends back between Colon and Coco Solo, thi3 Silver City development is the site of the largest single quarters construction project of this fiscal year. Ninety-one masonry houses with 1S2 apartments are to built here this year. The grading and construction is being done by the Panama contracting firm of Framorco, Inc., at a cost of $935,555. The

site development phase of this program is nearing completion and construction of quarters has started.

A $60,000 SAVINGS made by the Building

Division on the quarters built in Camp Coiner this

fiscal year made possibe the construction of these four additional composite type duplexes now nearing

completion.

PANORAMIC VIEW of the principal site for the

construction of new quarters on the Atlantic side during the coming year. This grading job was done by the Municipal Division in a record time of 68 days

at a saving of more than $30,000 on the job originally estimated at $120,000. The work involved clearing and grubbing 33 acres of land and moving 135,000

cubic yards of material. The above view wa3 taken

from the north end of the development looking towards Gatun and Fort Davis. Houses built by the Third Locks contractor near the end of Espave Avenue in Margarita can be identified at the right.
May 4,1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 11 Buildings and Sites in Pacific Towns

much rent am I going to have to pay for one of the new houses? The answer to this question is also uppermost in the minds of those Canal

officials who have the responsibility of

fixing rent schedules. It is presently under

study and it is not expected that exact

rates can be announced for another few

weeks. The composite type houses being built

this year are of the same size and design

as those built in the San Juan area in Ancon last year. Two-family masonry

houses under construction are also of the same design and size as those built in Diablo Heights and Margarita.

The masonry houses now in use in these towns were built two or three at a time on

an experimental basis and therefore have

a somewhat made-to-order price tag on

WORK IS well advanced on two duplex buildings on Guayacan Terrace in Anson. The Building Division is doing this work. These are the last houses

slated to be constructed in the old Corral Area.

A NAKED appearance is presented by the site along Morgan Avenue and Pyle Street in Balboa

recently cleared of old quarters dating back to the Canal construction period. The site is to be graded

for next year's building program.

them. Canal- officials believe that the

standarization of design and "mass pro- duction" possible in the $80,000,000

building program will permit the estab- lishment of rental schedules for both

composite and masonry houses very close to or lower than the existing rates for new

quarters, provided labor and building

material costs do not tise above present

levels.

ANCON'S FACE is being rapidly changed by the charging bulldozers and other heavy earth- moving equipment of the Municipal Division. Reservoir Hill is rapidly being trimmed down as Bishop's Hollow, between Ancon Boulevard and Roo3evelt Avenue, is brought up to desired grade. The top picture shows the work in progress on Reservoir Hill and the bottom view show3 the fill area

along what formerly was Chagres Street. In addition to the work as shown in these views, other heavy

grading will be done along Anson Boulevard. Tne area will provide sites for 70 houses slated for construction during the coming fiscal year.

lift ~T-"r ""*-

. .;:

FIVE NEW DUPLEX houses on Hains Street in Diablo Heights constructed by the Building

Division are nearing completion. These will be the first U. S.-rate quarters in this year's program ready

for occupancy. The quarters are similar to those erected last year in the San Juan area in Ancon. Two buildings have three-bedroom apartments and the other three are the two-bedroom type.

: :: :

MORE INTEREST is being shown by Pacific siders in the construction of tha masonry houses on

the Morrison Street extension in Diablo Heights than any other single quarters construction project. The

18 buildings on this street and two masonry duplexes on Endicott Street are all being built by the Isthmian

Constructors, Inc. at a co:t of $442,921. The houses on Morrison Street include five of the new "breezeway-type" cottages with three bedrooms, fivs newtype cottages with two bedrooms, and six duplex

buildings of the same design as other masonry

quarters in Diablo Heights and Margarita.
12 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4, 1951

The Canal-Railroad Honor Roll

"Yesterday morning Lieutenant Brooke, nephew of Gene r a 1 Brooke, U. S. A., i n

accordance with instructions

of the United States Government took possession of the

New Panama Canal Company's

property on the Isthmus and

OLD GLORY was hoisted at the

central office of the extinct French Company in this city,

thus puhlicly demonstrating

that the transfer had taken

place.

"The old employees of the Company have been requested

to continue in their present

positions until further notice."

Star & Herald, May 5, 1904.

This brief notice was the only description or explanation of this historic event

of 47 years ago today, marking the start of the greatest single enterprise of its nature ever undertaken up to that time

by the United States Government. The

same amount of space was devoted to the event in the Spanish language section

of Panama's oldest newspaper, while only one paragraph was used to tell the story

in French—the paper then being trilin- gual.

Oddly, another name now featured in world news appeared side-by-side with the Canal story. It was a column-length

story describing the crossing of the Yalu

River by the Japanese in the RussoJapanese War. The ceremony marking the transfer of the second French Canal Company's

rights and properties occurred at 7:30

o'clock on the morning of May 4, 1904.

It took place at the Company's headquarters located in the building then

known as the Hotel de la Compagnie

which is now the Panama Post Office Building.

Lieutenant Mark Brooke was selected

to represent his Government in the absence of Maj. William M. Black, then in charge of an engineering party on the Isthmus, who had just sailed for New

York. The formal transfer was somewhat

hastily arranged after clearance in Paris

of the final legal technicality of approval

by the stockholders in the New French

FORMAL TRANSFER of the second French Canal Company's properties took place 47 years ago today

in this building which is one of the best known landmarks of Panama City. It was then headquarters of the Canal Company and was known as the Hotel de la Compagnie. It now houses the Panama Post Office. This

picture was taken some four years after the $40,000,000 transfer was accomplished during a visit of the Pacific

(Fleet) Squadron. The old iron picket fence around Cathedral Plaza has long since disappeared.

Canal Company.

The famous forty-million-dollar receipt was signed in English, French, and

Spanish by Lieutenant Brooke and the

resident director of the French Canal

Company.

The simplicity of the ceremony which

launched the Canal work contrasted sharply with the scenes of feverish activity soon to take place on the Isthmus. It was much the same as if a monument had

been placed on time itself to mark the beginning of a decade of almost unbelievable man-made miracles. There were more doubters than believers then about the Panama Canal. The initiation of the project had even

been in doubt up until a short time before the young Second Lieutenant of the Corps of Engineers signed the $40,000,000

receipt.

Few believed that yellow fever and

other pestilences endemic to the Isthmus

could be eradicated; that a 50-mile trench wide and deep enough for ocean liners

could be dug through treacherous muck

and hard rock; that an earth dam could be safely built to hold back the largest

artificial lake then ever planned; that

steel and cement could be fashioned into monumental locks for the waterway; that

steel plates and girders could be pieced

together into gate leaves weighing several hundred tons. These things, never before seen, re- quired men of vision. They required men

and women who were not faint-hearted. They were found. They came from many nations, from

the United States and Panama, from

Jamaica and St. Kitts, from Barbados

and Guadeloupe, from France and England, Italy, and Spain, the Philippines and

Alaska, China and India, and from the

countries of Central and South America.

The names of 69 of those from the United States are listed below in an honor

roll of the Canal-Railroad organization.

They are still working for the enterprise

which they helped to build (See pagi tS)

The complete list of veterans of the Canal construction who

came to the Isthmus from the United States and the dates they

entered service are as follows. Names of employees in capital

letters indicate unbroken service and those marked (*) are holders of the famous Roosevelt Medal indicating two or more

years of continuous construction service:

1906

Harold V Shafei August 10 "Vincent G. Raymond—December 16 1907

Florence I".. Williams—March 1 1908

I bon S. MacSparran June 22

tries P. Morgan I li tober 26 1909

I Wendell Greeni Vlay 5 *JOHN R. WILLIAMS May 14 Vndrien Marie Bouche—July 2 John I!. Ridge—October 20'

1910

;e H. Cassel!—January 29

"Julius II. Bornefeld—February 4 V \. KOPERSKI—February 14

: J. < ieri how- - March 4 mond !'. Ward—June 13 mond A. Koperski—June 27 "William R. Howe—July 1 ALBERT C. GARLINGTON—Nov. 26 Myron R, Herrington—December 23 1911 "ERNEST C. COTTOX—February 20 William P. Quinn—May 24

Lea K. Dugan—June 6 Herbert T. Souder—July 15 "Charles Lester- August 18 *GEORGE N. ENGELKE—September 5 "Bernard W. Mclntyre—September 28

Melville L. Booz—October 2 *Gregor Gramlich—October 14 *Berney J. Robinson—October 30 1912 Samuel J. Deavours—March 1 Gustaf R. Holmelin—March 13 'Gilbert B. Owen—March 22 Josephine R. Dennis—April 6 Harland Y. Howard—April 22 "Robert W. Hutchings—April 26

'Fred Frank—June 1 George F. Miller—June 28 Mba D. Hutchings—August 19 Thomas J. Breheney—November 1 "Edward W. Schnake—November 26 George C. Orr—December 5 ARTHUR MORGAN—December 16 1913

Otto A. Sundquist—January 15 Jerome F. Prager—February 5 Bernard J. McDaid—February 19

SAMUEL ROE—February 28 Leonidas H. Morales H.—March 1 ADAM S. MILLER—April 14 David W. Ellis—June II Arthur J. Farrell—June 28 Edward P. Walsh—July 1 George E. Matthew—July 2 Otto C. Frick—July 2 Robert I. Barnes—July 3 |(HI\ W. MANUSH—July 5 EMMETT ZEMER—July 10 HARRY A. COMLEY—July 14 Harold P. Bevington—August 16 Newell N. Shaw—October 4 Kric E. Foreman—November 4 Wavne H. Nellis—November 17 WALTER W. WHITE—November U

Bert G. Tydeman—November 22 Mai LeRo'y Dodson—December 10 William V. Brugge—December 17

1914 fAMES G. MAGUIRE—January 20 LEON F. HALLETT—February 14 Clarendon Sealj—March 6 Mary G. Hammond—March 24 Samuel L. Souder—March 24
May 4,1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 13

PEOPLE YOU KNOW

CANAL'S OLDEST OLD TIMERS

Only a few years ago it was possible to get from some Canal or Railroad employee

an eye-witness account of almost any

occurrence in the Canal Zone back to May

1904 when the United States undertook

to build the Canal. Another few years

will see the last of those employed before the waterway was opened in August 1914

retired from active duty.

This issue of PEOPLE YOU KNOW

presents the two oldest old-timers among

the Americans who came to the Isthmus

during those early construction days—one

with the earliest service date and the other with the longest continuous service. They are: JAMES RANDOLPH WILLIAMS,

Chief Inspector in the Finance Bureau,

who will observe the 42d anniversary of

his Canal service on May 14. He is one of the very few who have rolled up so many

years of service on the Isthmus. He

succeeded to his present longevity title by

the recent retirement of Thomas J. Ebdon

of the Locks Division, and Joseph H.

Stilson, Jr., of the Panama Railroad

Company.

Mr. Williams, a native of New Albany,

Ind., is known to hundreds on both sides

of the Isthmus and on both sides of the Canal Zone boundary line as "Jack"

instead of the u?ual nickname of "Jim."

The nickname was given soon after his arrival on the old United Fruit steamer Pansmina from New Orleans. He was first employed in the wholesale drygoods department of the Commissary

Division. Within a few months he had

served in a half dozen of the better known

construction towns. After a year and a

half with the Commissary Division he

applied for a transfer to the office of the Examiner of Accounts as Time Inspector

and all of his service since has been with

what is now the Finance Bureau. Mr. Williams was promoted to Assist- ant Chief Inspector in May 1937 and

became Chief Inspector in February 1941. HAROLD A. SHAFER, Storekeeper in the Storehouss Division, was born in Bay

St. Louis, Miss., and he, too, arrived from

New Orleans on one of the veteran United

Fruit Company steamers, the Heredia. His father, H. D. Shafer, was then employed as a Master Builder by the Isthmian Canal Commission and was in charge of building the original Cristobal Clubhouse, or YMCA, as it was then

called. He remembers that he was dressed in short pants, a fashion then in vogue for

The Canal-Railroad Honor Roll

(Continued from page 12) and Saw brought

into being.

They are the handful left of the army of men and women who formed the white- coated fumigation and sanitation squads,

built towns, cleared jungle, swung the steam shovels, loaded dynamite, manned

the Lidgerwood cars, invented electric mules, taught school, kept books, wrote

records, policed the area, or did any of the thousand other jobs required.

This honor roll of Canal veterans was

cut by one-third during the past year and only one of those whose names are

listed had entered the service when

Teddy Roosevelt visited the Isthmus.

boys up to their late teens, when he

stepped from the gangplank in Cristobal 45 years ago. His first job as messenger

lasted only four months. After that he was reemployed and left the service several times during the construction

period, generally to take jobs at higher

pay. Among his other jobs, he recalls starting apprentice machinist training while Vincent G. Raymond, Leadingman

Machinist in the Industrial Bureau, the only other 1906 employee still in service, was learning the trade. He left that to become a Lidgerwood car operator while work on Culebra Cut was along the 95- foot berm.

Most of his service both during and

since the construction period has been as machinist or locomotive crane operator, a job he now holds at the Cristobal Store- house. His service has been continuous

since June 1924 and all of his work since that time has been with the Storehouse

Division. Harold A. Shafer, Storehouse Division

J. R. Williams, Chief Inspector

Association Provides Low Insurance

For Local Rale Employees in Zone

(Continued from page 9> General Secretary; A. V. Dalby, Treasurer; and S. A. Campbell, C. W. Bruce and H. Bayne,

Trustees. A. L. Wright, Chief of the Local-Rate Records Branch of the Personnel Division, is presently the Canal

representative as Examiner.

There have been relatively few changes

in the top management of the association

since it was organized. Mr. Whyte, its organizer, held the position of President from 1933 until 1944. He was succeeded by Graham Lewis who was President for one year, and he was succeeded by Mr.

Williams who has held that office since. The association maintains headquarters

in the basement of the Lodge Hall in La Boca.

Benefits Range To $603

Death benefits paid by the association

range from $250 to $600 each, depending

on the class and length of membership.

While these payments do not represent comfortable inheritances, they do provide

a gratifying amount for families required

to meet immediate expenses when death

occurs and often prove to be sufficiently substantial for beneficiaries to tide them

over the period of readjustment. Before the association was formed the

plight of the average local rate employee's

family was in most instances tragic upon

the death of the wage earner. The officers and leading members of the

Silver Employees Death Benefit Association have constantly emphasized this point in their education program on the

benefits offered. Today, the association has a thick file of grateful letters received from beneficiaries many of them stating that the claims paid represented the total actual cash available to meet the immediate and added expense.
14 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4, 1951

A.F.G.E. Conducts Vigorous Program In Interest

of National Policies And Its Own Membership

nued from page i) being as a result of a conflict within the National Federation of Federal Employees (also known as the F. E. U. or Federal Employees Union)

over the relative importance of the problem of classification of Federal employees

and other provisions of the Economy Bill in 1932. The X. F. F. E. advocated emphasis on the classification of employees

while its parent body, the American

Federation of Labor, considered that

the Canal Zone has enjoyed a steady and

encouraging growth. Its membership more than doubled within a year aftei it was organized and the total membership now is nearly 900 percent of that in August 1932. This amazing growth may be attributed

largely to the aims and ideals of the national organization which, by its constitution, set improvement of efficiency in the Federal Service and advancement of the

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR H. D. VOGEL b congratulated by Rufus M. Lovelady, President

of A. F. G. E. Lodge 14, on a talk recently given to its members on Canal policies.

question only one phase of a fight to repeal or soften several features of the Economy Act of 1931 which, among

other things, cut Government workers'

salaries 15 percent and seriously reduced

leave privileges.

Secedes From A. F. of L. The net result of the controversy was

the disaffiliation of the N. F. F. E. from

the A. F. of L. by a referendum vote of 16,000 to 12,000 taken in December 1931. The A. F. G. E. was then formed among

the 12,000 dissenters to the secessionist movement and the following August the American Federation of Labor granted a charter to the 39 dissenting locals, among

which was Lodge 14. Lodge No. 14 on being accorded a

charter membership by the A. F. G. E. was activated and received its charter at a meeting held in Balboa Lodge Hall on Sunday, October 9, 1932. Presiding

officer at the meeting was Harvey A. McConaughey, formerly Assistant Director of Personnel, and one of the most

active labor union men in the Canal Zone

for a period of many years. Captain C. H.

Frederick, recently retired Deputy Warden of the C. Z. Penitentiary, who had until a short time before served as President of the F. E. U. Lodge No. 6, was chosen

President of the newly-formed local. At

that time police officers were not barred from membership in employee unions

Union Has Steady Growth

Since its formation the A. F. G. E. in

welfare of Federal employees as its main

goals.

The success in attracting members to Lodge 14, however, must be largely credited to the vigorous leadership it has had

since its formation plus its willingness to wade into a fight in the interest of its members or Government workers generally. Its officers say that no question is

too small for investigation when the facts so warrant nor is any fight too big to tackle if justified. President Outlines Accomplishments

The following brief outline of the A. F. G. E. on local and national problems was

furnished at the request of The Canal

Review by Mr. Lovelady:

"The American Federation of Govern- ment Employees has played a prominent

role in influencing the enactment of most

of the beneficial legislation for Federal employees which has been passed by Congress since 1932. One of the first major

items upon which the A. F. G. E. concentrated was repeal of the Economy Act

under which salaries of employees were

reduced by 15 percent. "After this came the Leave Act of 1936 which was a long step forward in bettering the working conditions of Federal employees. This was followed by the MeadRamspeck Act of 1941 providing auto- matic within grade salary increases for employees in positions subject to the

Classification Act of 1923; the Federal Employees' Pay Acts of 1945 and 1946; the Federal Employees' Salary Act of 1948; and the Classification Act of 1949;

all of which provided substantial in- creases in compensation. "In the meantime, numerous other objectives, both legislative and administrative, were being achieved. Among these were the overtime and night differential pay for classified employees; a basic 40- hour work week; recognition of employees

rights to join or refrain from joining

employee unions loyal to the United

States Government; establishment of grievance appeal procedures for Federal

workers; and the law making it mandatory for classified employees wrongfully

suspended or removed from service to be

paid for the time they are not permitted

to work upon the resumption of their duties." Retirement Act Merger

Aside from these activities, A. F. G. E. lodges here are particularly proud of their success in legislation for the merger of the Canal Zone Retirement Act with the Civil Service Retirement Act which was passed

in the 81st Congress. Except for the present Congress, the A. F. G. E. has kept

a legislative representative in Washington

for the past four years and has waged a

relentless fight on the (See page 20)

NEW MEMBERS are being initiated into the American Federation of Government Employees

at a social gathering at the Pacific Sailfish Club. Social gatherings are held frequently by Lodge 14

to aid in keeping members interested in the main objectives of the A. F. G. E.
May 4, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 15

Canal Conducts Logging

Operations With Success

(Continued from page 6) done under the

supervision of Elwin Feliz, Municipal

Division Foreman, who is an experienced

woodsman.

One of the worst jobs of logging in heavy tropical jungles must be accomplished before the first tree is felled. This

is the clearing of trails and building rough

roads through the general area at grades

to permit the movement of heavily loaded

trucks and trailers. Certain areas along

these roads are cleared of underbrush and

established as temporary mill sites to which the entire tree trunks are skidded

or snaked by bulldozer or heavy tractor

for cutting into usable lengths.

This clearing and road building operation this season was especially bad be- cause of the hilly terrain where the logging was done. Some of the best mahogany

trees in the area had to be left standing because they were located where it would

have been too costly to haul after felling. At one location tractors had to make a wide circle around a hill to snake the heavy trunks only a short distance to the Bucking Yard because of the precipitious

grade.

Felling Requires Experience

The felling of the trees is done by ax and power saw. The trees are first notched by ax to guide their fall and small power saws are used to complete the job.

An experienced workman in felling trees can all but hit a dime with the tree top. This can be done by properly judging the

line of the tree trunk, the relative weight

and pulling power of its branches, and the notch cut in its trunk. After a tree is felled, it is cleared of limbs and foliage and is then snaked or pulled to the prepared logging site. Often

the tractor has to bulldoze its own way to the tree and thus clear a path for its return. Each length or cut from the tree trunks

is inspected by Mr. Robinson before it is ready for hauling. The general practice

is to complete all felling and cutting before hauling operations start near the close of the dry season. Logging Begun in 1946 Logging operations were initiated by

the Canal in the 1946-47 season primarily

as an economy measure. It was estimated

that a considerable saving could be

effected as the interest o

c American lumber firms in native hardwoods had caused

prices to skyrocket. In addition, deliveries of both States and native lumber were

so uncertain as to risk insufficient stocks

of seasoned lumber to meet the Canal's

requirements.

The first logging operations were con- ducted near the Canal Zone boundary line north of Arraijan. The site was selected primarily because of the good access roads into the area. The stand of timber was composed principally of amarillo with a small percentage of maria lumber. Over 275,000 board feet of high grade

hardwood was secured during the first season, which proved so successful that it has become a regular dry-season job for the Storehouse and Municipal Divisions. Logging operations were moved to a stand of timber near Chiva Chiva Trail

in the 1948-49 season where over 165,000

board feet of lumber, mostly mahogany,

was cut. Other species logged in that

area were algarroba, (See pait IS)

ROUGH TERRAIN* does not bother this bulldozer in skidding a large mahogany tree to the bucking yard3. It is not uncommon for the bulldozer to cut itself a new trail through the under- growth when skidding a tree from where it was felled to the bucking yard.

* . V* * ^ , '->*-?>^* -* V ' ."^V*-"-"'*

*

SUPERVISING THE cutting of prime mahogany logs into proper lengths for hauling to the

mill are Elwyn Feliz, Municipal Division Foreman in charge of logging operations in the field, (left) and H. G. Robinson, Lumber Advisor of the Storehouse Division (center) who superintends and

coordinates logging operations. The work is a joint operation of the two divisions and requires co- operation and coordination to make logging in the Canal Zone a success.

TO MARKET, TO MARKET, with a load of mahogany logs worth thousands of dollars. Expert

loaders and drivers are needed for this part of the logging operations conduct* I jointly by t he Store- house and Municipal Divisions in the Canal Zone during dry seasons. Mr. Robinson, is shown

giving a Municipal Division driver advice about a rough stretch of road ahead.
16 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4,1951

Canal Company Activities

(Continued from page 3) Company, is considered directly applicable to the waterway.

The decision of how to divide and allo- he expenses of what is now The

Panama Canal and Panama Railroad

Company has a direct relation to the cost

of services provided by the Panama Canal

Company in the future, whether these

services are to be for shipping, company

and government employees, other Govern- ment agencies, or other interests.

Officials Hive No Leeway

Public Law 841 makes no provision for the operation of the Panama Canal Company as a benevolent institution. Its

officers, under the law, will have no leeway

to circumvent the provisions prescribed.

This phantom strait jacket is already

evident in the announcement of increased charges for services rendered to individuals or agencies not a part of the Canal

organization. These include tuition rates

for school students residing outside the Canal Zone District, rentals on quarters

occupied by nonemployees, and rentals on

lands, offices or property of the CanalRailroad. In the past these charges have been at nominal rates which would roughly re- cover administrative costs. Under the changed conditions after next July they must be established on a basis to recover

all costs plus their proportionate share of

civil government and interest on the United States' capital investment in the Canal and its appurtenances. If this were

not done, the losses would have to be met

by revenues derived from tolls on shipping

or commodities and services provided for the Canal-Railroad employees and others. Plans Nearing Completion

Although the basic framework has been

erected for the new fiscal structure of the Panama Canal Company and the Canal Zone Government, not all the planks have

been laid. Plans are nearing their final form and Governor Newcomer announced

last week on his return from the meeting

of the Board of Directors of the Panama

Railroad Company that the completed

picture is all but ready for a public

unveiling.

Any revision in the tolls rate structure

as determined by the formula prescribed

in Public Law 841 will be announced

sometime prior to July 1. This is neces- sary since the law requires a six-month

advance notice of such changes. Tolls will be set at rates sufficient to cover expenses

of operation, including interest and depreciation charges, of the Canal Activities

in addition to a proportionate share of the net cost of civil government. The Panama

Canal Company budget for the fiscal year 1952 reflects the requirement of an upward revision of tolls by the end of this calendar year. Whatever changes are made by the Board of Directors are subject to approval by the President follow- ing a public hearing on the question.

Top-Level Advice Secured

The incorporation of the Canal operations next July has been the subject of long and exhaustive study by Canal

officials. In making plans for the historic change they have had close cooperation

and counsel from high national Govern- ment sources, including the Office of the Secretary of the Army, the Bureau of the Budget, and the General Accounting

Office. The decisions, therefore, have not

Employee Who Survived 44,000-Volt Shock

Is Aided In Finding Contentment In Work

Relative contentment and peace of mind have come to Egbert I. Williams

after four years of determined effort on

his part, aided by the sympathetic understanding and help of the men for whom he works in the Municipal Division yards in Ancon.

Less than two years ago the Injury

Board of The Panama Canal expressed

the opinion that Williams was, for all

practical purposes, permanently and

totally disabled. Today, despite the loss

of both legs below the knees and rolls of scar tissue covering the right side of his body and right arm, he is handling his job

of running the oil rack and gas pump in the Municipal Division's heavy equipment section in a satisfactory and competent manner.

His case, recently reviewed by the In- jury Board, created such a favorable impression on the members that they

recommended official commendation for the Municipal Division for its help in reestablishing him in some useful occupation.

Life Miraculously Saved

Williams' life was miraculously spared

in a blinding flash of electricity from the

44,000-volt transmission lines across the Isthmus on the afternoon of April 21, 1947. The accident occurred while he was working as an oiler on a truck crane engaged in some Municipal Division work

near Gamboa.

Williams says he remembers being

called by the crane operator to catch a

wire cable swinging from the crane boom

which was perilously near the overhead

high tension wires. Just as he grasped the

cable the boom touched the wires or came

close enough to cause the electricity to arc down the cable and through Williams' body to the ground.

He lay unconscious in Gorgas Hospital

for two weeks thereafter and remembers

nothing from the time the "boss" called him until he was told what happened 15 days later on his hospital bed. A week

after regaining consciousness, the doctors

told him it would be necessary to amputate both legs below the knees to save

his life. The operation was followed by another

year and a half in the hospital after which

he was given artificial limbs and released

for treatment as an outpatient in the Orthopedic Clinic. Two months of treat- ment followed and he was permitted to return to light duty.

Scarred Mentally and Physically

It is understandable that he was

scarred mentally as well as physically by

the experience. He found great difficulty

in moving about on his new legs and he was subject to long spells of despondency

which his employers and fellow workers

found difficult to dispel. It was soon after this that he was called before the Injury Board for hearing and

Egbert I. Williams

examination as to his fitness for work.

Despite the opinion of all members of the Board that he was permanently and

totally disabled he was given additional time to readjust himself. Gradually, with the help of his immediate supervisors, Williams became better adjusted to his work and today has a comparatively cheerful outlook on life. With the aid of a cane he has learned to walk with comparative facility and in addition to his regular duties dispensing

gasoline and motor oils, and keeping

records and stocks properly, he finds time

to engage in his old trade of upholsterer.

He now does many small jobs of upholstery work on the motorized equipment of the Municipal Division. Williams' greatest regret today about

his accident is his inability to do upholstery work in his off time which, before

his injury, brought in a tidy sum each

month.

Now Makes Regular Salary

In his present job Williams is making

53 cents an hour, seven cents an hour more than he was earning with the Canal

at the time of his injury. In addition to

his regular salary, he is receiving $57.20 a month as injury compensation which will continue until i960 at which time his case

will again be reviewed.

Williams, a native of Jamaica, came to the Isthmus 14 years ago. He and his family live in La Boca.

been hastily or lightly made.

Aside from the advice from Govern- ment agencies in Washington, the Canal

has employed the services of a leading

firm of accountants from the United

States for consultation on the questions

oir the rate structures for shipping and

other Company services. Representatives

from this firm, which has had long ex- perience in corporation accounting, have

been on the Isthmus for the past several weeks. Their studies probably will not be concluded before next July and until that time it is unlikely that the complete fiscal structure of the new Panama Canal

Company will be determined.
May 4, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 17

STATISTICS ON CANAL TRAFFIC

For the purpose of comparison between pre-war and post-war traffic through the Panama Canal, statistics for the fiscal year 1938 are used in this section, as being more nearly normal for peace-time than those for 1939. Canal Tolls

Commercial Transits

This Year May Equal

Figures Set In 1950

Present prospects are good for commercial traffic through the Canal by ocean-going vessels this year to equal or better last fiscal year's figures although tolls collected during this fiscal year which ends in June are now expected to be well under the 1950 totals. This apparently incongruous situation steins from

the loss of tanker trade from the west coast to the east coast of the United States since the beginning of this

fiscal year. The loss in the tanker trade has been somewhat overcome by increased numbers of transiting freighters which have much less tonnage per

ship than the big tankers and therefore pay less tolls. The total number of transits for the first nine months of this fiscal year was reported as 4,160 a3 compared with 4,04S during the same period of the 1950 fiscal year. There has been, however, a steady

decline during the past few months in ocean-going

traffic but the trend appears not to be sufficiently drastic to bring the number of this year's commercial

transits below the 1950 figures which were higher than any year during the 1940's. The amount of tolls collected for the first three- quarters of this year stands at $17,S96,0O0, approxi- mately $300,000' under the total collscted in the comparable period last year. This decline has been

particularly noticeable since last November. The tolls from last July through October were considerably in excess of those in the first four months of the previous

fiscal year. INTERCOASTAL SHIPPING DROPS

Comparative figures on the Canal traffic over the main trade routes during January, February, and March of this year and last year show the biggest drop occurred in the United States intercoastal run, the figures being 126 this year and 300 in 1950. This heavy loss was partially overcome by increased movements over the routes between the east coast of the United States and the Far East, and between Europe and the west coast of the United States and

Canada. The increase over the latter route was indi- cated by the substantial number of British and Norwegian vessels counted in the transit lists for the two periods. The number of vessels flying the British

flag increased from 224 to 264, while Norwegian ships numbered 140 last quarter as compared with only 116

in the comparable three-month period in 1950. Other major variations occurred on the trade routes between Europe and South America, and the east coast of the United States and Central American

ports. Both routes showed a definite slackening of shipping. The decrease in the east coast United States- Central America route was attributed primarily to a

decline in the banana trade. While the tonnage of bananas shipped through the Canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic was almost the same during the two

comparative quarters, the loss of Central American

ships was balanced by increased shipments from

South American ports. The effect .of tanker traffic on Canal business was

apparent in comparative tonnage figures in the commodity lists of the January, February, and March

figures for 1950 and 1951. Last year these shipments

were first on the commodity list in the Pacific to Atlantic trade with nearly 1,435,000 tons while the tonnage reported this year was only slightly over

95,000 tons, and mineral oils were rated tenth on the commodity list. LOSSES PARTIALLY OVERCOME

This loss of over 1,325,009 tons was only partially

offset by increased shipments of various ores, lumber, canned food products, wheat, and sugar from the

Pacific to the Atlantic but the total cargo tonnage of

all commodities was still nearly one million tons under

last year's figures. There was a 500,000 ton increase in the commodity

shipments from the Atlantic to the Pacific last quarter

over the comparative period in 1950 This increase was due to heavier shipments of mineral oils, coal, phosphates, and manufactures of iron and steel. The

most notable decline of the commodity lists from the

Atlantic to the Pacific was in shipments of ammonium

compounds which dropped from 247,000 tons last year to 23,000 in January, February, and March of this year.

Decline This Fiscal Year

150,000th COMMERCIAL TRANSIT

A MILESTONE IN the steady procession of ships of all maritime nations which has moved through the Panama Canal was set April 26th when a certificate of the 150,000th transit by an ocean-going commercial

vessel was presented to the S. S. Nevadan, 7,500-ton freighter of the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company. The certificate was presented in a brief ceremony aboard ship in Balboa Harbor by Lieutenant Governor

Vogel to Capt. F. H. Roberts, Master of the Nevadan. The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by Capt. Robert M. Peacher, Marine Director. The American-Hawaiian line is one of the Canal's oldest customers and four of its ships were waiting in

line on August 15, 1914 when the Canal was opened to commercial traffic. They transited the day after the Canal was officially opened by the S. S. Ancon, of the Panama Railroad Company Steamship Line.

Canal statistics on the amount of cargo handled in Balboa and Cristobal showed a substantial increase

last quarter over the first three months of last year. The total tonnage handled and transferred in the first three months of 1950 wa3 278,000 tons, as compared

with 329,000 tons last quarter. The increase was

principally due to the amount of transfer cargo

received.

The heavier shipments of cargo for transfer, principally in Cristobal, and the increasingly infrequent

sailings from the Canal Zone to Central American

ports caused a congestion on the local piers which

resulted late in April of the Panama Railroad Company placing a temporary embargo on incoming

transfer cargo for Central America which was lifted May 1. MONTHLY COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC AND TOLLS

Vessels of 300 tons net or over By fiscal years

Month

Transits

Tolls

(In thousands of dolhrs)

1951 1950 1938 1951 1950 1938

July 51.5 430 457 $2,373 $1,892 $2,031

453 388 505 2,093 1,733 2,195

September _. . 446 401 444 1,982 1,794 1,936

October. .. _ _ _ 480 440 461 2,068 1,985 1,981

446 439 435 1,844 1,964 1,893

452 488 439 l.s.so 2,185 1,845

452 483 444 1,854 2,207 1,838

444 457 436 1,853 2,121 1,787

March. . _ 474 522 506 1,943 2,327 2,016

459 487 1,959 1,961 M iv 488 465 2,169 1,887

June.. . , . . _ 453 445 2,093 1,801

Totals for first nine months

of each fiscal vear 4,160 4,048 4,127 17,896 18,208 $17,521
18 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4, 1951

Power Conversion Plans

Delayed Several Years

{Continued from page 6} electric refrigerators, fans, clocks, washing machines, and

other appliances with moving or timing

devices will not be required to bear the

cost of converting such motors or equip- ment. In cases where equipment is too

old to warrant the expense of conversion

adjustments will be made in lieu of conversion. Many residents have been reluctant about buying new 25-cycle home appli- ances in view of the proposed conversion

plan. While full details on the policies

governing conversion of privately-owned

equipment will be widely publicized in advance, assurances have been given that

the plan proposed makes provision to cover these costs in the overall budget.

The proposed conversion of the electric power system in the Canal Zone from 25

to 60 cycles is not a new subject noi are the present studies, which began about two years ago, the fir.-.t ever made,

although they are by far the most comprehensive. At the time the Madden Dam hydroelectric plant was projected during the

early 1930's the topic was under serious consideration but the proposal to convert

the system then was rejected for various

reasons. Plans looking to the eventual adoption of 60-cyclc current in the Canal Zone were incorporated in the Third

Locks project and the two large Diesel

plants, designed to furnish power for the new locks, have 60 -cycle generating

equipment. Both plants were equipped

with converters to permit the furnishing

of either frequency.

Conversion Plans in 1947

All plans made in connection with the Isthmian Canal Studies of 1947 contemplated the conversion to 60-cycle fre- quency throughout the Zone and final recommendations of Governor J. C. Mehaffey contained this feature. While the question of 25-cycle versus

60-cycle current is an old and somewhat

controversial subject, it doubtless would

not be under serious consideration even now if new 25-cycle equipment and re- placement parts were readily obtainable. The key to the Canal Zone's 25-cycle

power system is the Gatun Hydroelectric Plant and electrical engineers readily ad- mit that the reasons for the designers of the plant to select 25- instead of 60-cycle

equipment are as sound today as they were more than 40 years ago. The Canal builders understandably ex- pected that the bulk of the power load

in the Canal Zone would be used by heavy

electrical equipment for the Locks operating machinery, industrial use? in the

shops, quarries, piers, and refrigeration

plants. Since 25-cycle current has great

advantages in driving heavy, slow-moving equipment such as the lock gates, valves which control the water in the

locks, towing locomotives, and similar equipment used in the industrial areas and at the piers, the choice by the Canal

builders was a logical one. At the time

of their choice, many frequencies were in existence, and 60-cycle power was not standard as it is today.

Technical Reasons for 25-Cycle

Aside from this probably predominant

factor, there were other considerations of a technical nature which probably influenced the decision, among these being the

higher power losses in the transmission of 60-cycle current. In addition, it was unlikely that anyone in 1905-06 could forsee that their children and grandchildren

would use electricity to beat eggs, cook

food, sweep floors, keep time, heat water,

cool houses, wash clothes and dishes, chill food, and do many other household chores

all of which have now been standardized

for 60-cycle motors. Old Canal records reveal no arguments

on the subject of 25-cycle versus 60-cycle current and apparently at no time during

the design of the Gatun Hydroelectric Plant did any of the designers feel it nec- essary to put down in writing why 25-

cycle generating equipment was selected. Since this plant became the main power

source for the entire Canal Zone after its completion shortly before the Canal was

opened, its design actually set the pattern

for 25-cycle electric current throughout

the Zone. The present urgency in converting the power system comes not from poor judgment of the Canal builders but because

the Canal Zone within recent years has become a 25-cycle island in a sea of 60-

cycle current. Manufacturers have vir- tually ceased making 25-cycle electrical equipment of all nature with the result that any frequency-sensitive equipment

ordered by the Canal today comes with

almost a tailor-made price tag on it.

60-Cycle Adopted in U. S. After 1914 The standardization of 60-cycle current throughout the United States came about

well after the Canal was completed. During the construction period there was no

standard frequency and the power system

in the United States today evolved from

isolated systems in all parts of the country

with power frequencies ranging from 15 up to 133 cycles. As the use of electrical power and the requirement of interchange

of service between towns or systems in- creased there arose a tendency to standardize on one frequency which proved to be 60 cycbs.

The patchwork pattern of the power

systems in the United States and else- where during the early 1900's was also evident in the Canal Zone and the inte- grated power system of today was not a reality until after the Canal was completed in 1914. Towns during the construction period were served by individual generating

plants and generally 25-cycle current was

provided for heavy machinery and 60-

cycle current was used for lighting sys- tems. The Cristobal-Colon area was

served for about five years during the

early construction period with 133-cycle

current. It was not until 1909 that Colonel Goethals, Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission,

decided on 60-cycle instead of 25-cycle current for that area when the 133-cycle

generating plant was closed. The change

to 25-cycle current did not occur until

after the Gatun Hydroelectric Plant was

placed in operation. As late as 1914, the Hotel Tivoli and hou-;es in that immediate

vicinity were lighted by 60-cycle current. The change in that area was made only

after the installation of the permanent

distribution system which connected with

the new Administration Building at Bal- boa Heights.

Project Is Highly Technical

The conversion project is a highly complex and technical undertaking which will require a period of several years and it is

very unlikely that the average layman

will understand many of the technicalities. It is not presently contemplated to convert the operating machinery at the Canal Locks in the program. The Locks

will continue on 25-cycle operation and

power will be supplied through large fre- quency converters which will change the

60-cycle current from the generating

plants back to 25-cycle frequency.

While detailed estimates on the cost of the conversion project as presently

planned are still to be made, it has been

roughly calculated that the project will cost upwards of $10,000,000 and require

from five to ten years for completion.

Some better idea of the scope of the proj- ect can probably be better obtained by

the average resident by the rough esti- mate of engineers that some 35,000 fre- quency-sensitive electric appliances and

motors in the Canal must be converted,

replaced, or discarded by the time any

and all Canal Zone housewives can buy new 60-cycle eggbeaters in their nearest Commissary store as standard equipment

for their kitchens.

The Problem Of

Cancer In Women

{Continued from page 2) takes over the

tissue. In this wild growth, fragments

invade the blood vessels and the lymph

channels and are carried elsewhere in the body where they proceed to grow again.

Other cells are sloughed off and appear in the various local secretions near the

cancer. In women the generative organs are

readily accessible to examination and

direct visual inspection, so that early

changes in the organs may be detected far

earlier than in such organs as the stomach

or intestines. Therefore, secretions from

the generative organs are likewise more

available for laboratory study than the abdominal organs. For instance, some of the cells which are sloughed off from a cancer can be collected in the discharges

from the genital tract and examined in the so-called "cancer smear test," or a small portion of the tissue can be painlessly snipped off and examined, or the womb may be painlessly and quickly

scraped for an even more reliable diagnosis than from the smear alone. But, it always takes two persons, an

alert patient and an alert doctor to detect and interpret the early signs and symptoms. These are:

1. The presence of any nodule, mass,

sore, or lump.

2. Any discharge which does not clear up promptly with medication.

3. Any abnormal menstrual bleeding or blood-stained discharge either in duration

or amount.

4. Any bleeding or blood-stained dis- charge between periods especially follow- ing douching or marital relationship.

5. Any resumption of bleeding after the menapause. Should these symptoms appear, see a

doctor at once. See a doctor anyway

periodically at six-month intervals for a

regular check-up of these organs. Re- member they are accessible to sight and

touch and any abnormality may be detected promptly.

See. your doctor regularly!

{This is the second of a series of two articles of special interest to women contributed by Dr. Jack Stmmpf. Chief of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service at Gorgas Hospital.)
May 4, 1951 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW 19

THIS YEAR

In

January - February - March

The overhaul of Atlantic Locks was

completed in record time this dry-season

and normal traffic through the Canal was

resumed March 27. The job cost about

$1,200,000.

The New Year opened with the news

that the Internal Revenue Collectors had

arrived, that the Hotel Tivoli would soon be closed as a public hostelry, and that Canal-Railroad employees had a new per- formance rating system.

Of the three, the information about the new rating system was, by far, the most

cheering news. While there was no cheering and throwing of hats into the air, the average employee had reason to feel that

the new system with ratings only of outstanding, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory, was far better than the efficiency rating

with five different descriptive words for

his work. Too often, he felt, the fine dis- tinction between a rating of, say excellent or very good, depended too much on the

digestion of the boss on the day he made

up the ratings. Rating officers also could breathe easiei with only three ratings to hand out, since there would be fewer

challenges of their judgment on the work

performance of the employees they supervise.

There were ample local news items throughout the first quarter of this year to remir.d Zcne residents of the critical world

situation. Governor Newcomer announced

at the beginning of the year that the World

War II air raid sirens would be taken out

of mothballs and reinstalled. On the same

Canal Conducts Logging

(Continued from page 15) amarillo, Cedro amargo, cedro espino, ceiba, espave, and

guayacan.Report Indicates Success An indication of the success of logging

operations in the Canal Zone was given

in a formal report of the Local Committee

on Wood Utilization at the conclusion of the third year of operations. It read, in part, as follows: "Since its initiation late in 1946, The

Panama Canal has completed three sea- sons of logging, yielding well over one-half

million board measure feet logs at an

average logging cost of $60.14 per thou- sand feet, as compared with an average

cost of purchase under bids of $123 per thousand. This covers all species. When

it is considered that approximately

200,000 board feet of the yield was mahogany selling at an average price of $175 per thousand, the results prove even more

gratifying."

An important part of the logging operation is completed weeks after the last log has been hauled to the mill. This is the

reforestation of the area. Several hundred

seedlings of the native hardwoods are grown and furnished by the Canal Zone

Experiment Gardens and these are planted on a less haphazard fashion than

nature in planting the original stand. No decision has been reached on the

site of logging operations during the next dry season although a large area north of Gamboa, and another near Gatun, are being considered. The stand

of timber at Gamboa is largely maria

trees with a substantial sprinkling of mahogany and other varieties. Mr.

Robinson expects to cruise these areas

this year and report on the feasibility of economical operations.

day, Melvin E. Walker, Civil Defense Advisor, made public his program for first-aid training of Zone residents by which he hoped

to have 5,000 trained first-aiders within six. months. Late in February, Canal officials received word that the request to establish a

draft board in the Canal Zone had been approved. Shortly thereafter the Governor announced his nominations for the board, with A. C. Medinger, Deputy Marine Director, as State Director.

Meritorious salary increases were given

to three Paraiso Clubhouse employees who

thwarted an armed robbery there early in February. The three recipients, E. A. Robertson, Manager, Hylton E. Drew, Steward, and Ovira Jules de Holder, Attendant, were presented the awards by Lieutenant Governor Vogel in his office. At the same

time they were handed letters of commendation signed by the Governor.

The price of gasoline, once bought by

Zone motorists for as little as eight cents

a gallon, inched up to 15 cents a gallon

in February.

Regulations barring the importation of

live animals and meats from countries

infested with hoof-and-mouth disease be- came effective in the Canal Zone March

15. CANAL TRANSITS--TOLLS PAYING AND FREE

January--February—March 1 1951 1950 1938

Atlantic

to Pacific

Pacific to Atlantic Total Total Total

Tolls-paying vessels: Ocean-going 677 693 1,370 1,462 1,386

*Small 137 127 264 307 219

Total, tolls-paying. _ . 814 820 1,634 1,769 1,605 "Free transits 130 143 273 287 139

Total, tolls-paying and free.. 944 963 1,907 2,056 1,744

* Vessels under 300 net tons or 500 displacement tons.

** Exclusive of Panama Canal equipment.

CARGO HANDLED OVER PIERS

(In short tons)

First Quarter, Calendar year 1951

Average

quarter, 1950

Average

quarter, 1938

Cristobal Balboa Total All piers All piers

Local cargo received 61,719 24,745 86,464 92,898 87,968

Local cargo forwarded 13,935 7,018 20,953 25,221 9,388

Transfer cargo received 112,419 929 113,348 88,581 138,386

Total incoming cargo handled

188,073 32,692 220,765 206,700 235,742

Rehandled cargo 3,983 218 4,201 3,021 1,584

Transfer cargo forwarded 103,129 1,026 104,155 SS.OoK 136,127

Total cargo handled and

transferred 295,185 33,936 329,121 297,789 373,453

TRAFFIC MOVEMENT OVER MAIN TRADE ROUTES

The following table show's the number of transits of large, commercial vessels (300 net

tons or over) segregated into eight main trade routes:

January--February—March

1951 1950 1938

L'nited States Intercoastal. 126 300 264

East Coast of U. S. and South America . ._ 305 297 145

East Coast of U. S. and Central America 101 119 30

East Coast of U. S. and Far East 196 164 142

U. S./Canada east coast and Australasia 27 3i 39

Europe and west coast of U. S./Canada 192 125 271

Europe and South America 79 94 134

Europe and Australasia . 70 68 65

All other routes .. 274 262 296

Total Traffic. . 1,370 1,462 1,386
20 THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW May 4, 1951

Regulation On Transfer

Of Quarters Is Changed

Because of the wide interest in the subject, the

recent circular amending the regulations pertaining

to the town of residence and payment for moves of

('. S.-rate employees i3 quoted below in full:

"Effective this date. Section 1.2 of Circular 627-62,

dated December 6, 1947, is amended as follows:

1.2 Town of Residence and Payment for Mores—

i own of Residence: In general employees are

required to reside in the vicinity of their work. As

exceptions to this policy, residence in towns other

than the town of employment may be authorized:

(1) When the employee presents a meritorious

case which in the judgment of the Community

Services Director warrants the exception;

(2) Upon an application by an employee who is

unable to obtain an assignment in the town where

he is employed: In such cases the application must

be approved by the head of the employee's bureau

or division, and the assignment may be made only

after all resident applicants of equal or higher

standing for quarters purposes have been tendered

quarters;

(3) When an employee is transferred within

either of the official stations designated in para- graph 3.3 of Circular No. 733-6 and his bureau or

division head does not certify that a change of

residence is necessary and primarily for the convenience and benefit of The Panama Canal;

(4) In any other case determined by the Community Services Director to be in the interest of The Panama Canal.

(b) Payment for Moves:

(1) When an employee is transferred permanently to another official station within the meaning

of the regulations governing such transfers, or when

a change of residence within an official station is

ordered by the head of an employee's bureau or

division as being necessary and primarily for the convenience and benefit of The Panama Canal, the employee's household goods and personal effects

shall be moved by The Panama Canal at its expense, to be charged to the bureau or division

concerned.

(2) If a transfer of official station within the meaning of the regulations governing such transfers

is not involved, but a change in residence is certified by the Community Services Director to be primarily for the convenience and benefit of the Housing Division's quarters operations, the employee's household goods and personal effects shall

be moved by The Panama Canal at its expense, to

be charged to IT. S.-rate quarters operations."

broad issues affecting the welfare of employees generally, they do not neglect the small services they can perform for members, individually and in small groups. Such services may consist of aid

in the preparation of appeals on ratings

to the Civil Service Commission ; information services of a various nature; assist- ance in obtaining employment elsewhere

in event of a reduction in force; advice on

job problems; and help in the preparation

of official papers which involve technicalities. As an aid to its members, Lodge 14 has

secured a complete set of Federal regulations, including Classification Specifications, which may be used by its members

who call at the office. In addition, the Lodge will provide advice and assistance to any members who desire help in solving their particular problems.

Compensation Case Settled A recent example of this type of help was the case of a Federal employee whose

claim for injury compensation had run

afoul of red tape in Washington. Because

of the long delay, he and his family were

desperately in need of funds. He appealed

for help to Lodge No. 14 of which he was

a member, and through the A. F. G. E.

(Continued from page 1 4) income tax and

against the revocation of the 25 percent

differential. Its present big fight is postponement of the effective date of the income tax here until January 1, 1951,

for which it has a cheering section of several thousand Government workers in the Zone.

In addition to its affiliation with the American Federation of Labor, the A. F. G. E. is among the 24 member organizations of the Government Employees'

Council which represents more than

600,000 Federal Government employees.

With the two, the A. F. G. E. has the backing and active support of almost

9,000,000 union workers who represent

practically every imaginable kind of occupation. Close Liaison Maintained

Lodge 14 keeps in constant touch with

its headquarters in Washington and with

committees and members of Congress for the purpose of supporting favorable legislation and opposing that which is unfavorable. It has a legislative committee

which reviews all bills affecting Govern- ment employees in the Canal Zone and

prepares appropriate reports and argu- ments for or against the proposed

legislation.

Although the A. F. G. E. lodges in the Canal Zone devote much attention to

headquarters in Washington, the Pres- ident of the Lodge was able to untangle

the claim. Shortly thereafter, it was

settled and the employee received a cash settlement of several hundred dollars.

Officials of Lodge 14 attribute the

exceptionally large membership to the broad policies of the A. F. G. E. but they

also recognize that the small services to individual members have high advertising value. Other stimulants which

have been used to attract and hold membership in the lodge are occasional

social events and special speakers at the

regular lodge meetings.

Lodge No. 14 maintains offices on the second floor of Balboa Clubhouse and

observes regular office hours from 7:15

until 10:00 o'clock on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, and from 8:00

o'clock until noon on Saturdays. Lodge

meetings are held on the third Wednesday

night of each month at 7:30 o'clock upstairs in the Balboa Clubhouse.

Lodge No. 88 meets at 7:30 o'clock on

the fourth Wednesday night of each

month upstairs in Margarita Clubhouse,

while Lodge No. 974 meets in the same

place at the same hour on the fourth Friday night of each month.

;^^S

w^5

0>=— TO

TV

01- 0854 lo==s z

Principal commodities shipped through the Canal

(All figures in long tons)

Figures in parenthesis in 1938 and 1950 columns indicate

relative positions in those years ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC

Commoditv

Mineral oils Manufactures o( iron and steel- Coal and Coke

Phosphates : Raw cotton Paper and paper products

Automobiles

Cement

Machinery

Sulphur

Tinplate

Sugar

Canned food products

Ores, various Ammonium compounds

All others.

Total

First Quarter, Calendar Year

1951 1950 1938

501,657 351,679 (1) 236,664 (2) 388,345 348,658 (2) 362,008 (1) 377,347 32,785 (15) 27,867 (13) 128,577 97,176 (5) 67,518 (6) 87,922 121,198 (4) 56,323 (8) 79,796 93,908 (6) 90,274 (4) 73,920 47,824 (12) 76,102 (5) 67,196 52,706 (9) 26,719 (14) 61,629 51,027 f 11) 40,735 (10) 49,543 69,385 (7) 44,830 (9) 44,723 62,179 (8) 56,451 (7) 43,521 51,949 (10) 32,587 (11) 36,582 33,312 (141 32,162 (12) 23,923 34,313 (13) 7,809 (28) 23,168 247,736 (3) 10,409 (22) 920,866 711,867 881,216

2,908,715 2,407,702 2,049,654

PACIFIC TO ATL \NTIC

Commodity

January—February—March

1951 1950 1938

970,117

870,197

407,556

391,256

308,294

240,622

140,269 128,626

126,064 95,729

63,838

63,299

35,637 32,569

22,124 v' 679,069

859,079 (2) 640,773 (3) 375,329 (5) 445,643 (4) 264,667 (6) 191,248 (7) 134,749 (9) 161,706 (8)

126,192 (10) 1,434,375 (1) 75,890 (11) 69,416 (12) 53,906 (14) 57,26()'(13)

1 56,405 (15) 500,887'

542,936 (2) 632,901 (1) 267,904 161 531,161 (3) 219,444 (7) 299, 404 (5) 165,473 (8) Refrigerated food products (ex- 106,820 (10)

20,076 (17) 498,292 (4) 53,170 (13) Wool --- 37,915 (15) Fresh fruit (except bananas) 110,471 (9) 37,801 (16) 61,750 (12) 727,586

Total .-- 4,575,266 5,427,523 4,313,123

00 =

May 19 - Armed Forces Day - May 1

9