Evening star., 1941-07-28
Ry HAROLD X. MILKS,

PANAMA, July 28.-The boom is
er IN Panama.
A sweering defense program
aimed at protecting the Canal from
attack or sabotage, plus construc-
tion of a 277,00O000 third lock, is
rspjdlv turning the Zone and ada
cent areas in the Panamanlan Re-
public into a modernized version OF
Panama during the original con-
struction days.
EXPANSION programs by the Army,
the Navy and the Canal Depart
nent itself are converting the per-
nsnent cities OF Panama, Balboa,
Colon and CriStobal into rushing,
swelling boom towns and pushing
surplus populations into temporary
cities mushrooming the length and
breadth of the Zone.
Much of the work directed toward
snlarging and protecting the ST.
mile ditch linking the two oceans Is
hidden behind the steadily lncreas-
tne military and naval hush hush.
Put the fruits of the programs can
he seen in the crowded streets. the
climbing living costs. the lack OF
housing and servants which charac-
terized Panama in the hurly-burly
davs of the original project.
Thrilling views OF the old canal
DIGGING davs-With thousands OF Ia
horers toiling in mile-long lines in
the deeper cutS-are missing, how
ever.
Men Still Needed.
Machines, many of them espe-
r,ally designed for the work at hand,
are replacing the pick-and-shovel
workers. Giant shovelS. dirt ham
oilers, dredgers. are digging away at
earth and rock on both sides OF the
isthmuS.
Despite almost complete mechani-
-ation of preliminary stages of the
third locks program, spokesman
for Canal Zone Gov. Glen f. Eager
ton said the Zone was already 5000
vorkmen short. and will have an
even greater lack of man power un-
less new recruiting drives into Co
lombia. Costa Rica, Salvador and
other neighboring countries were
successful.
He estimated that the Zone al
ready was crowded with $4,000 alien
workers ,cIassing as aliens all non
Americans, including thousands OF
Panamanians who cross the Zone
line daily to work. plus at least
$500 American employees.
Army authorities have kept secret
the number of troops pouring into
new bases in the Zone. The labor
problem is not merely the problem
of obtaining workmen," said one
Canal executive. I'VE must provide
quarters for the men we hire. feed
them with imported food and give
them facilities for recreation
Earmarks of the Boom.
As thousands of men and MIL
Hons of dollars pour into the Canal
Zone the inevitable signs of a
boom are appearing. Homes are
hard to find at any price. store
keepers are boosting their prices.
One-time bargain centers which
attracted shoppers from Central
and Northern South America have
boosted the tariff. Crowds gather
nightly around whlrling slot ma
chimes and curving bars in the fun
snots. Project directors are build
ing three new Canal Zone towns to
house lock workers and their lam
lilies
Diable Heights. located on the site
of the old construction town OF
Disble, which had population OF
more than 1000 before construction
actually began July /, is growing
steadily. It's Pacific Coast neigh
Dor is Cocoli. spotted on the west
side of the Canal.
On the Atlantic side workers ana
their families are pouring into the
new town of Margarita, scooped out
of the rough Gatun Lake area and
ulatted to become one of the largest
communities in the Caribbean re-
eion of Colombia when the third
lock work reaches its height.
Canal executives say they do not
sypect the total number OF en-
ploves on the new projects to ap-
proach even remotely the thousands
who slushed through the original
ditch. They estimate, however, that
the $1,000 employees now on Canal
pay rolls outnumber Canal De
partment employment in 1913, the
labor peak. They add that an
other 10000 will be at work before
the third-lock project passes Its
peak.
Work Peak in 1914.
Already more than 100000 CUBIC
wards of earth have been pulled
from the third-lock cuts. This is
less than one tenth Of the total to
he handled. Engineers in charge OF
the project say it will reach its
busiest stage in 1914. when both
excavation and concrete pouring
will be under way. Then they fig
ure the labor peak will drop of as
field construction dwindles and the
labor Of installing the locks them
selves begins.
The current labor shortage IN
pansma-which has sent recruit
ing officers out TO neighboring coun-
tries to enlist workmen under one
year eontracts-has failed as vet to
slow up the multiple programs oil
all agencies concerned with opera
tion and defense of the Canal.
Under 1t. Gen Daniel Van Voor-
his. rommandant Of the Panama
Department Army area, Army units
in the Canal Zone are pushing ur
new POSTS and new barrack area tc
house and feed a rapidly swelling
force.
The Nays expansion program
ia Panama involves the construc-
ton OF a new headquarters for the
18th Naval District
Under the influx of defense pro-
eram work and money. Panama anc
colon. Panamanian cities at either
end Of the canal. are flushed WITH
prosperity Money flows freely, en-,
tertainment spots are 1ammeo
nightly with canal workers, soldiers