Gift of the Panama Canal Museum


PANAMA


CANAL


11


Vol. 3, No. 8 BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE, MARCH 6, 1953 5 cents


Cunard


Liner


Transits


Canal


Construction Projects


For


This


Fiscal


Year

SStudy


No curtailment is planned in
the quarters construction proj-
ects at Corozal and on Empire
Street in Balboa for which


contracts


have


been


awarded


school


scheduled
program,


proposed
t Corozal,


elementary
originally


for this fiscal year's
will not be built this


ONLY CRUISE
during this tourist
. .. . Tine.
po~M 3,183? tobs

O
l Personnel


LINER to transit the Canal
season .was the S. S. Caronia of
The handsome big ship-she
and is 715 feet overall length-


1


Ceilings


SForce ceilings have been fixed not only
: for the .overall Government-Company
S organization, but also for each Bureau in
:, the organization, Gov. J. S. Seybold has
, : informed all Bureau directors.
i , The ceilings were set in accordance with
1 : ""the personnel limitation order of President


was southbound February 15.
She had aboard 525 passengers for the cruise
which is to take her completely around South
America.


Each


Bureau

iy Organization


carried on the rolls at the end of January.
These figures include the New York
and Washington offices and temporary
locks overhaul employees.
The Canal Zone Government figure,


also a
level,


arrived at from the late January
is 1,223 full time U. S.- and 1,415


year.
The Canal's entire construction pro-
gram for this fiscal year and next, as well
as the operating programs for the Com-
pany and Government, has been under
careful review in conformity with the
economy program of the national admin-
istration.
In addition to the postponement of the
construction of the school at Corozal,
three street improve pro ota :
proposed for elimination from this years
program. These are the widening of
Thatcher Highway from the ferry to
Bruja Road, and the repaving of La
Boca Road and a section of Hains Street
in Diablo Heights.
The various construction projects
scheduled under this fiscal year's pro-
gram which have not been started are
still under study and the decision on any
curtailment or postponement of these will
be made individually.
A report on the proposed construction
projects for the coming fiscal year was
submitted this week to the Bureau of the
Budget by Governor Seybold. He left
last Saturday for Washington to attend
Ii 1�A I - r'' I 1 V *-


Are Still Underi


Government-Compan





THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


March 6,1953


Diablo
Fire
To


Heights
Station
Be Closed


More


Than


Are


Thousand

Upgraded


Local-Rate


Result


Workers


Job


Studies


Announcement that the Diablo Heights
fire station is to be closed was made last
week by Governor Seybold at the Febru-
ary Governor-Employee conference.
The Governor told the conference that
the action is an economy measure in
accordance with the Federal directive to
reduce expenditures.
The work of fire protection in this
Pacific side settlement, he said, has been


"very, very light."
area will be covered
Central Station. TI
not been decided,
expected within the
During the subseq
Governor told the c
is no present plan
Panama Canal Fire
units of the armed se
conferees apparently
The announcement
made by Governor
conference. He alsi
crease in water rates


The Diablo Heights
Ad from the Balboa
he effective date has
but the change is
next 90 days.
uent discussion, the
conference that there
to consolidate the
Division with fire
rvicis as some of the


feared.
t was one of sev
Seybold during
o announced an


eral
the
in-


Early in August 1952, Governor John
S. Seybold initiated an intensive review
of more than 3,000 local-rate jobs at
grade 7 and above.
As a result of this study more than
1,000 local-rate employees of the Panama


Canal
ment
one to
A si
made
release
The
appro:
crease
genera
tion, p
Since
Canal
graded
study


Company-Canal Zone Govern-
have received upgradings of from
Ssix grades.
summary of the results of the study
by the Personnel Bureau was
ed today from the Governor's Office.
upgradings represent a total of
ximately $120,000 in salary in-
s annually. There has been a
l upward increase in grade distribu-
articularly in grades 11 through 15.
ce the inauguration by The Panama
in February 1948 of the present
d local-rate wage scale a continuing
of local-rate graded positions has


been made. This study gives recognition
to special duties, assignments and respon-
sibilities.


but said that while


this would affect commercial concerns
and the armed services it would have no
affect on Canal households.
Budget Conference
Governor Seybold told the conference
that he was leaving the following Satur-
day for Washington where, in addition to
attending the Board of Directors' meet-
ing, he would confer with the Bureau
of the Budget on the 1954 fiscal year
program.
The conference was necessary because


An 1m t 1 1


1 -


o . federal orders to economize wherever
possible in government units.
At the time, the Governor said, he
could not foresee what action the Budget
Bureau would take, nor what projects
would be considered indispensable.
As customary, the conference opened
with a discussion of items raised at pre-
vious conferences. One of these was
Commissary products, bread especially.


The Governor said that I
sary is taking action toward
a better bread, but caution
ference that in a recent
Commissary operations it
that the retail stnrns have


lhe Commis-
d producing
ed the con-
appraisal of
was evident
carried ton


Former Grades


Totals-


During the first 4 years of the pro-
gram-that is, between 1948 and last
August-it-was necessary to study posi-
tions in groups, or in large occupational
categories with a minimum of time spent
on individual positions. This procedure
generally produced good results in occu-
pations min which each employee's work
is identical with others in the group.
Positions at grade 7 and above,
however, have individual characteristics
which are not found, to as large a degree,


in positions bel
As examples


upper
ary 1!
grade
none
In
figures
grade
and 4
The
study


brackets
952, their
11; 11 in
n grade 1
February
were 1


ow this grade level.
of the promotions in the
of the pay scale, in Febru-
e were 48 employees in
grade 12; 2 in grade 13;
4 and 1 in grade 15.
1953 the corresponding
50 in grade 11; 363 in


12; 7 in grade 13; 11 in grade 14;
in grade 15.
increases which resulted from the
are shown in the following table.


Grade to Which Promoted


58


58


3
149


152


10

165
135


169


1
334
34


369


27


6
26.
4

36


2
1
3


Totals
75
224
179
458
41
30
6
1,014
1,014


The table below illustrates the distribution of total force in each grade in com-
parison with one year ago.
Percent of Total Graded Full-Time Force, Grades 1-15
Grade February 25, 1952 !February 7, 1953
Number Percent Number Percent
7 ---- ------- 1,761 15.14 1,654 15.50
8 -----------973 8.37 613 5.74
9 ....... .--.--- 242 2.08 272 2.55
10 .- - ----------- 472 4.06 234 2.19
11 ......--- 48 .41 150 1.40
12- .....----- - 11 .09 363 3.40
13 .. .-----2 .02 7 .07
14 . . . . . .---- 0 .00 11 .10
15---.---------- - 1 .00 4 .04
Totals .. 3,510 30.17 3,308 30.99
(Grades 7-15) (of 1-15) (Grades 7-15) (of 1-15)


. . J .. > ** . . .


. . .


p




March 6, 1953


THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


$27,000


For


Goal


Zone


Chapter s


Trim- Uniformed Fore
Security Of Panama


e


Enforces
Canal Locks


Red


Cross Campaign


March i
Zone, as i
chapters i
Zone goal
set at $27


s Red Cross month in
t is for hundreds of ]
n the United States.
for this year's drive
,000.


the Canal
Red Cross
The Canal
has been


Of this sum, 75 percent will remain on
the Isthmus for the use of the Canal Zone
Chapter. The remaining 25 percent will
be sent to the Unitedc States to finance
the national program which provides
assistance for such disasters as floods and
fires. Victims of last year's floods in
Oklahoma and this year's floods in
Holland and England have received Red
Cross assistance.
In addition, the national program this
year is being enlarged in two important
activities: Provision of additional recre-
ational facilities for U. S. troops overseas
and expansion of the National Blood
Program to obtain plasma for a serum to
protect children from the paralyzing
effects of polio.
Funds, retained locally are used for
many worthwhile causes. Food pack-
ages for some 120 persons are provided
weekly, in most cases their only certain
supply of food. The Canal Zone Chap-
ter is also maintaining seven persons at
Corozal Hospital and two at Gorgas
Hospital.
Last year $2,000 of the $33,000 col-


elected
relief
depen
vided
latter
sonne
geney


during the drive was allotted to
of service personnel and their
dents and another $3,700 was pro-
for emergency loan funds. This
money is available to service per-
l or civilians who must make emer-
trips to the United States, for


instance m cases
their families.


of death or illness in


R. W. Collinge Is Chairman
This year's drive is headed by Roger
W. Collinge, Director of Elementary
Education for the Division of Schools.
A Red Cross campaign will be conducted
simultaneously in military establishments,
and will be part of the Canal Zone drive.
Mr. Collinge is being assisted on the
Atlantic side by Neil H.,Wilson, Chief
Admeasurer, who is General chairman
of ths Atlantic sid& Wnrking with Mr.


JAMES G. SLICE, a senior patrolman in the
Locks Security Force, and the new uniform designed
by a committee from the Force are inspected by Sgt.
L. R. Moist, left, and Capt. Edward H. Halsal.

Enforcement of the internal physical
security of the Panama Canal locks is now


entirely in the hands
ized Locks Security
Roy C. Stockham,
Division.
The organization
completed; its 58 o
on round-the-clock


of the newly organ-
Force, according to
Chief of the Locks
of the force is now
officers and men are
details at the three


Sergeant Moist is Security Commander for the
Pedro Miguel lock area. Captain Halsall heads
the Locks Security Force which was authorized
about a year ago.

pass a basic qualification test which in-
cludes the proper and legal use of fire-
arms. At the end of (See page 12)


ENDS


LONG CAREER


I :


. -


flights of locks. Two of the 58 are tem-
porary during overhaul. Its headquar-
ters are at Pedro Miguel locks where the
force's captain, Edward H. Halsall, has
his office.




THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


March 6,1953


Traffic Und


Study Durir
Special attention is being given to the
movement of traffic and the handling of
ships in the Canal during the overhaul
of the Pacific Locks during this dry
season because of the high level of Canal
traffic.
One of the principal topics under con-
sideration by the special committee of
the Canal's Board of Directors during its
meeting last month in the Canal Zone
was ship traffic and the overhaul project.
Aside from their extensive study of
statistical data on the subject, all mem-
bers of the committee spent a full morning
at Pedro Miguel Locks to make a first-
hand inspection of the work and to confer
with operating personnel on the handling
of shipping while one traffic lane is out
of service.
The committee was composed of
Matthew Robinson, Chairman, Lt. Gen.
Lewis Pick, W. R. Pfizer, and Edward
D. McKim. On their visit to the Locks
they were accompanied by Governor
Seybold, Capt. Marvin J. West, Marine
Director, and Roy C. Stockham, Chief
of the Locks Division.
Although considerable concern had
been expressed over possible delays to


er
Li


Special
ocks Overhaul


shipping during the present overhaul
period because of the high level of traffic,
no extraordinary delays have occurred
and comparatively few ships have been
delayed in transit as much as 24 hours.
The expeditious handling of ship
traffic, which has been at the highest
level in the Canal's history during recent
weeks, has been largely due to careful
advance planning and the adoption of
time-saving operations not normally em-
ployed under regular operating conditions.
Delays have also been minimized by
an unusually even flow of traffic during
the overhaul period up to now and the
relatively few peak days when an abnorm-
ally high number of ships arrive for tran-
sit at the same time.
Traffic Is High


Ocean-going commercial


(See page 12)


SOME OF THE WORK in progress 70 feet below
on the floor of Pedro Miguel Locks is being explained
by Roy C. Stockham, Chief of the Locks Division,
left, to Lt. Gen. Lewis A. Pick, center, and Governor
Seybold.


WITH THE EMERGENCY GATES as a back-
drop, two members of the Board of Directors pause
for a picture with Captain Marvin J. West, Marine
Director, during their inspection of the overhaul
work at Pedro Miguel Locks. Left to right are:
Captain West, Edward D. McKim, and Matthew
Robinson,.


MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
of the Board of Directors examine in detail some of
the work required duringg an overhaul of the Panama


Canal Locks. In the picture above, Governor
Seybold, center, is explaining some of the work.


Canal


zg





March 6,1953


THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


FOR YOUR


NTER


GUIDANCE


IDENT


PREVENT


AWARD OF MERIT Presentation Ceremony


The Maintenance Division of the Engi-
neering and Construction Bureau has
received an AWARD OF MERIT from
the National Safety Council for having
worked more than 1,000,000 man hours
without any disabling injuries.
This is the first Panama Canal Com-
pany unit to receive such recognition
under an award plan now officially adop-
ted by the National Safety Council for
recognizing good industrial safety records.
The AWARD OF MERIT is the
second highest award of recognition given
by the National Safety Council and can
only be obtained by a perfect record of
no disabling injuries between 1,000,000
to 3,000,000 man hours of exposure, or
by a prescribed and outstanding per-


centage
records.


of improvement


over


The highest recognition that may be
received is the AWARD OF HONOR,
which is given for a perfect record of
3,000,000 or more man hours, or a pre-
scribed higher outstanding percentage of
improvement over prior records.
Naturally such a record requires the
combined efforts and 100% cooperation
of all employees, so our compliments and
congratulations are extended to all em-
plobes of the Maintenance Division for
this excellent achievement.


AN AWARD OF MERIT from the National
Safety Council, the second highest given in industrial
accident prevention, was awarded last month to the
Canal's Maintenance Division. Shown above is the
presentation ceremony in Governor Seybold's office.
Left to right: Gayl O. Kellar, Chief, Safety Branch;
Nelson W. Magner, Chief of the Maintenance Divi-
sion's Northern District; Lt. Gov. Harry 0. Paxson;
M. F. Millard, Safety Representative for the Engin-


eering and Construction Bureau; Frank H. Lerchen,
Maintenance Engineer; Carl J. Browne, Chief of the
Maintenance Division's Southern District; Governor
Seybold; E. W. Zelnick, Chief of the Water and
Laboratories Branch of the Maintenance Division;
Edward M. Browder, Jr., Assistant Engineering and
Construction Director; John E. Winklosky, Main-
tenance Division Safety Inspector; and Col. Craig
Smyser, Engineering and Construction Director.


HONOR ROLL
Bureau Award For
BEST RECORD
January
CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU


W. H. Russon has been appointed
Safety Inspector for the Terminals
Division.


Emmett Zemer, Housing Division,
has been appointed Safety Inspector for
the Community Services Bureau vice
J. W. Hare.


AWARDS THIS CALENDAR YEAR
Civil Affairs . . .


Community


Services


Engineering and Construction
Health ---- ------------
Industrial- ----------.-----
Marine-----------------
Railroad and Terminals-----


Supply and Service -------
Swt m - n t i


JANUARY 1953


Disabling Injuries per 1,000,000 Man-Hours Worked
(Frequency Rate)


___ 0


Civil Affairs Bureau
Supply and Service Bureau


I tJ - I


|




THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


March 6, 1953


It Happened So:

Tivoli Wedding

Story Retold
Fact was separated from Isthmian
fiction last month by a lady who knows.
The lady is Mrs. Harry Harwood
Rousseau (she says it rhymes with trous-
seau), who was the heroine of one of the
Canal Zone's most romantic weddings.
For many years the Rousseau wedding
story has been told and retold in the
Canal Zone. Novelist Rex Beach used
the episode as.material in his story of
Panama, "The Neler-Do-Well," although,
of course, with different characters.
As legend had it, the dashing Admiral,
a member of the Isthmian Canal Com-
mission, waltzed his prospective bride,
the daughter of the American Minister to
Panama, out of the Tivoli ballroom one
April night in 1908 while her parents, who
did not approve of the marriage, sat
unsuspectingly by. In a secluded corner,
the story went, the bridal couple was
hurriedly surrounded by a protective
shield of sympathetic friends while a local
magistrate read a brief marriage ceremony.


Actually, Mrs. Rc
month during her first
Zone in 36 years, it was
There may have bee
program but the dance
the "bunny hug," the
its popularity.
Bridegroom Di
Instead of being
dance in her bridegroo
Admiral Rousseau did
or after the ceremony.
ped quietly out of the 1
intermission, into a rc
north wing. There
Rousseau were married


A. Gudger in
group of frien
she was back,
happened. He
G. Squiers, wa
Within a fey
ily became su
away from the
tral Plaza, at
She made her
streets-she r
they were-to
M. Cooke, Ch
Customs, and


d
d


the pr
s. A
ancing


usseau said last
Strip to the Canal
not Quite that way.
n waltzes on the
of the evening was
n at the height of

don't Appear
whisked from the
m's arms, she said,
not appear before
Instead, she slip-
ballroom, during an
�om in the Tivoli's
she and Admiral
d by Judge Herman
esence of a small
few minutes later
, as if nothing had


.r stepmother, Mrs. Herbert
s at the Tivoli that evening.
r days, she recalls, her fam-
ispicious, and she slipped
SLegation, then near Cen-
5 o'clock one morning.
way through the deserted
ecalls how bare of people
the Ancon home of Tom
ief of the Division of Posts,
Revenues, whose sister,


ABRAHAM JARVIS, left, a chauffeur for
the Motor Transportation Division, was working
at Culebra when the Rousseau family was living
there. He accompanied Mrs. Rousseau on a trip to


(called Pete), and


I Culebra during her recent visit here and with her
and her son, H. H. Rousseau, Jr., identified old
familiar locations. The walls of the Cut appear in
the background.


Mrs. Rousseau, Jr.,


combed the grass-grown site
humming town which had
quarters for Canal construct
They found traces of a
which had run beside their ho


tions of
identify,
bamboo
planted b
As they
Canal, M
early life


ol
a


d buildings
garden wall,


they
and


of the once
been head-
on.
paved walk
use, founda-
r could not
a clump of


vhich Mrs. Rousseau recalls was
y Mrs. Gaillard.
Stood high above the now busy
rs. Rousseau reminisced on her
in Culebra. She talked of trips


into the jungle, wearing wrap]
leggings and a heavy khaki ski
lect orchids.
Walked In The Cut
Both she and her son rememb
as a very young boy, he took ref
the house whenever a blast weni


ped khaki
rt, to col-


ered that,
uge under
t off in the


nearby Cut and how, some days, he spent
a good deal of his time under the quarters.
She recalled that she was the last Ameri-
can woman to walk in the dry Cut before
the water was let in and both mother and
son remembered many details of the first


official trip through the Canal.


MRS. MARIE GORE, standing, President of the
Caribbean Stamp Club, had her stamp album auto-
graphed by Mrs. Rousseau. Twenty-cent stamps
were issued in 1932 honoring Admiral Rousseau, a
member of the ITthmian Canal Commiusion.






March 6, 1953


THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


Official
Panama Canal Company Publication
Published Monthly at
BALBOA HEIGHTS, CANAL ZONE
Printed by the Printing Plant
Mwwi Hope. Canal Zone

JOHN B. SEraoLw, Governor-President

H. O. PAxsoN, Lieutenant Governor

E. C. LunMBARD, Executive Secretary

J. Ruius HARDY, Editor

ELEANOR H. MclLHENNY
OLEVA HASTINGS
Editorial Assistants

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters containing inquiries, suggestions,
criticisms, or opinions of a general nature
will be welcomed. Those of sufficient interest
will be published but signatures will not be
used unless desired.

SUBSCRIPTIONS-S1.00 a year

SINGLE COPIES-5 cents each
On sale at all Panama Canal Clubhouses,
Commissaries, and Hotels for 10 days after
publication date.

SINGLE COPIES BY MAIL-10 centseach
BACK COPIES-10 cents each
On sale when available, from the Vault
Cerk, Third Floor, Administration Building,
Bafl ' ht egs.
Postal money orders should be made pay-
able to the Treasurer, Panama Canal Com-
pany, and mailed to Editor, THE PANAMA
CANAL REVIEW, Balboa Heights, C. Z.


Taxpayers Take Notice:

March 16 Is Filing Date


For Income


Tax Returns


Because March 15 falls this year on a
Sunday, the following day, March 16,
will be the due date of income tax returns
for 1952 and for returns on estimated
income tax for 1953.
Wendell L. Lindsay, Internal Revenue


A FIRST-HAND A
was presented last mo
The account is the loj
topher O'Connor, who
tamn Robert G. Rennie
It is being shown in a
floor reading room of
Affairs building, tog
material.
The log-note book i
Captain O'Connor's sfa
Philadelphia on Marc,
Persia, New Holland,
Present plans
contemplate the
Erik J. Eriksen,
line and skipper
as the Panama
according to W.
change would p
May.
Mr. Pfizer, Vic
ama Canal Comr
head of its steam
Haiti several moi
Eriksen to arran
the Line's saihing
W. M. Lloyd,
Line in New Yor
tming up the offi
will be headed b2
Captain Erikse
Panama Line f
began his service
S. S. "Guayaquil
her master in 19
the old "Cristoba
When the newv
was made mast


CCOUNT of sailing ship days the Arabian Gulph." Written in a fine copperplate
nth to the Canal Zone library, hand, the log is a combination of ship and personal
g-note book of Captain Chris- history.
se great-great-grandson, Cap- On Sept. 17, 1810, after reporting the purchase of
, gave the book to the library, the same list of stores which he had bought the
n exhibition case in the second previous week, Captain O'Connor added: "And I
the main library in the Civil married a young wife."
ether with some background The book is in excellent condition, considering its
age, but its pages are so brittle that it may not be
s an account of the voyage of freely handled and will not be put into circulation.
ip, the Prince of Wales, out of Above, Mrs. Eleanor D. Burnham, Librarian, and
h 29, 1786, to "India, China, Captain Rennie, who is a Canal pilot, examine some
and New South Wales, and of the entries.
of the Panama Line units of the CommunityServices Bureau and
appointment of Capt. the Commissary Division who had been
senior master of the paid on Thursday are now being paid on
of the SS "Cristobal," Wednesday.
Line Agent in Haiti, Thursday has been eliminated as a pay-
R. Pfizer who said the day for all employees except weekly dock
probably take place in workers.
SIncidental to this change the unlimited
e President of the Pan- cashing of employees' pay checks by the
pany in New York and Treasurer will be discontinued, although
ship activities, visited there are certain hours on paydays when
nths ago with Captain checks may be cashed.
ge for resumption of Local banks, however, in addition to their
s into Port-au-Prince. regular ours, wi now be open from 4 to
freight agent for the 5 p. m. the Wednesday of local-rate pay
k, is now in Haiti set- weeks for the convenience of these em-
ce organization which ployees
.- N.--_ ._ _- f,_l _ - - - ploy ees.


y captain EriKsen.
n has been with the
For many years. He
e as an officer on the
I," being promoted to
30. He transferred to
il" as captain in 1935.
v ships were built he
er of the "Panama,"


The SS "Panama" of the Panama
Line has been designated the "School-
teachers' Special" for its northbound
sailing on June 5. At the end of the
summer vacation and for the south-
bound trip the SS "Cristobal," sailing
from New York on August 25, will be
themt "T olm o C nnr:n1 �'


OF CURRENT INTEREST


i





THE PANAMA


CANAL REVIEW


March 6, 1953


Commissary


Industrial


Laboratory


Saves


Patrons


Over


$100,000


Annually


April 11, 1911
MEMORANDUM FOR COL. GEORGE W. GOETHALS
Chairman and Chief Engineer, Isthmian Canal Commission
* * * * *
We bought some vanilla beans in
London and have them stored there
in proper storage, having enough to
last us for a year and are making our
own vanilla extract. This will save
about $2,000 a year and will give us a
much better extract.
It will be very profitable to add to
our laboratory and turn it into a
commercial industrial laboratory and
make such articles as bay rum, tal-
cum powder, Florida water, Cologne,
etc. We have obtained samples of
various essential oils, etc., direct
from manufacturers through our
Paris representative, and there will
be good savings in this work.
* * * * *
EUGENE WILSON (Major)
Subsistence Officer
The suggestion of 42 years ago was
made in a lengthy memorandum on the
Commissary Division and its operation.
Today, the "good savings" predicted
by Major Wilson amounts to probably
more than $100,000 a year for Canal
employees, and the Industrial Labora-
tory, although one of the least known, is
one of the most economically important
units of the Commissary Division.
There are few households in the Canal
Zone which are not well stocked with
Industrial Laboratory products bearing
the familiar Commissary labels. And it
is doubtful if a single thrifty housewife
fails to economize and help splice out
the family budget by savings made in
buying Industrial Laboratory items.
Located in a three-story building back
of the big cold storage warehouse at
Mount Hope the Industrial Laboratory
now manufactures, mixes, bottles, or
re-packages approximately 200 items.
These include foodstuffs, cosmetics, phar-
maceutical products, cleaning compounds,
insecticides, polishes, and many others
difficult to classify. In addition it main-
tains a stock of more than 100 other items
which can be supplied on special order.
Native Zonian Heads Laboratory
The Industrial Laboratory is run by a
native-born Canal Zone boy, Earl C.


handles the correspondence and clerical
work in the office, and 23 local-rate
employees. Some of the latter have been
working in the Industrial Laboratory
since before it moved to its present
location 33 years ago.
No accurate estimate of the amount of
savings effected for Commissary cus-
tomers by the operation of the Industrial
Laboratory is possible because of the
wide range of prices in comparable pro-
prietary articles. However, Commissary
Division officials believe the $100,000 a
year figure is on the conservative side.
Net sales of laboratory products are
now running slightly over $30,000 a
month, and it is estimated that these
products would cost at least one-third
more if bought from individual manufac-
turers or producers. In many cases the
difference in prices between "brand name"
products and those produced at the
laboratory are as much as 100 percent.
This percentage figure, naturally, ranges
downward but there are few items on
which the difference is not as high as
30 percent.
Bulk Purchases Lower Cost
Factors which contribute largely to
these savings for the Commissary cus-
tomers are the lack of advertising costs,


BRUSHLESS SHAVING CREAM


is bottled by


the gross by this funnel-shaped filling machine.
The machine is being operated by Hortense Newball.
Like many other mixing or filling machines, this one


EARL C. ORR, CHEMIST, heads the Industrial
Laboratory and closely supervises the production of
every one of its 200 or more items sold under the
"Commissary" label. He is a Canal Zone boy, one
of many who now hold responsible positions in the
Canal organization. Mr. Orr has a many-faceted job
and he is shown here making an "alcoholic determin-
ation" on a sample of beer to make sure the alcoholic
content is not above the legal limit.
inexpensive labels and containers, and
economical packaging by hand-operated
equipment. In addition, many items
can be sold at materially lower costs if
purchased in bulk and re-packaged rather
than buying and selling in packaged form.
Savings are also effected on many items
by the purchase of raw materials and
compounding the finished products.
There are, of course, many products
which the Industrial Laboratory is not
equipped to handle economically or can-
not produce or re-package as cheaply as
proprietary brands readily available.
These are either not attempted or the
lines are eliminated when it is found that
they are as expensive as name-brand
products.
The Industrial Laboratory conducts a
continuous experimental program and the
list of its products is frequently changed.
This program includes not only the


production
ment of t
suggestion
1 1 i


i of new items but the improve-
hose already on sale. At the
Sof a Commissary patron the
ii 9 I 1





March 6,1953


THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


being completed and the space to have
been allotted for canning beef was as-


OLDEST EMPLOYEE, OLDEST MACHINE.
Johnny Walker, shown above operating one of the
first automatic bottling machines ever brought to the
Isthmus, has been employed in the Industrial Lab-
oratory snce before the time it was an individual
Commissary Division unit. When he came to work
for the laboratory, the products were then made or
packaged in the old Commissary Division warehouse
in Cristobal.
the Americans who came to the Isthmus
to help build the Canal demanded some
of the refreshments to which they were
accustomed at home. These included
such things as "soda pop" and ice cream.
To meet this demand the Comndss&ry
Division ordered the necessary machinery,
and two of the first automatic bottling
machines ever brought to the Isthmus
were installed at the Cristobal Commis-
sary plant. One of these antiques is still
in use at the Industrial Laboratory for
filling and capping a special type bottle
for one of its products. It is operated
by foot pedal and resembles a late model
automatic bottling machine about as
much as the first airplane resembles a
jet airliner.
Many products such as "Florida
water" were added to the laboratory lines
during the years soon after Major Wil-
son in 1911 suggested the expansion of
the laboratory. However, it was not
until the end of the first World War that


signed to the ,making of the
Commissary products.
Shortly before the move to
Hope, Joseph V. Cariffe, who ha
employed as a pharmacist in the
Bureau, was transferred to the C


various
Mount
d been
Health
ommis-


sary Division as a foreman and placed
in charge of the work. Soon after his
transfer his title was changed to that of
chemist and in the following year, 1920,
after the transfer of the work to Mount
Hope, the name "Industrial Laboratory"
was used for the first time to designate
the unit.
For many years the Commissary Divi-
sion put fancy, multi-colored labels on its
products and during the sleek-hair age of
the 1920's no hair dressing on the market
had a sleeker-haired young man on its
label than the one which advertised its
coconut oil pomade.
The expensive labels were used until
the latter part of the 1930's when it was
decided that they simply increased the
cost of the products without adding to
their value. Consequently, less expen-
sive labels have been designed and the
name "Commissary" has been used to
designate and guarantee the quality and
purity of the articles sold.
A change in the labels was recently
made at the suggestion of employee
representatives who attend the monthly
conferences with the Governor. At their
suggestion the ingredients of each product
are printed on the labels. This change
required the redesign and reprinting of
all labels for its more than 200 individual
products and the work was only recently
completed.
Royalty On DDT
Many people are puzzled over the fact
that many of the Commissary items have
ingredients identical with proprietary ar-
ticles sold alongside them, and Mr. Orr
says they have many inquiries about this.
The confusion generally results by the
application of the public of the term
"patent" to proprietary articles of various
kinds. Most of these products are not, as
a rule, of such a nature or composition as
to be patentable. Generally they are only
protected by a registered trade name and
these, naturally, are not used on Com-
missary products. There are a few chem-
ical compounds which for certain purposes
are patentable and when these are used,


such as DDT for
missary Division
every pound used.
The mixing or
various Industria
is an interesting
which Mr. Orr clo


insecticides, the Cornm-
pays a royalty on


compounding
I Laboratory p
and individual
sely supervises.


of the
products
process
Some


of the articles, of course, are simply
bought in bulk and re-packaged. Some
of the better known of these include
aspirin, moth balls, vitamin tablets, olive
oil, and cod liver oil. Aspirins, for
example, are bought in lots of 2,000,000
tablets at a time and are re-packaged 50
to a bottle. These also happen to be one
of the products which is just half the
price of some name-brand products.
Not all of the Industrial Laboratory


products
these Mr
pounding
oratory
and this,
which re
ment, is
makes all
such proc
an exact t


are so simple and for many of
'. Orr does the mixing or cornm-
of them personally. The lab-
still produces "Florida Water"
* as well as all the perfumes
quire very accurate measure-
done by the chemist. He also
of the shaving creams and other
ducts, which must be heated to
temperature for proper blending.


He also closely supervises all of the
other operations and particularly those
which have ingredients which are poison-
ous or highly volatile. Among these are
household ammonia and lavelle water,
which are two of the fastest selling
products of the laboratory. The am-
monia is made by mixing the strongest
aqua ammomnia available with a proper
amount of water, containing soap and
borax, to give it a cloudy effect
Ice Keeps Bleach Cool
The essence of lavelle water is speci-
ally produced and is so dangerous that


it is made in a shed adjoi:
in a concrete tank. The pr
is chlorine which is bubblel
acid in the stone or concr
several hours. Because of
combination creates, 1,400
are used to keep a batch
concentrated bleach cooled
trate is later diluted to the
and the lavelle water is


ning the plant
ime ingredient
led" in caustic
'ete mixer for
Sthe heat this
pounds of ice
of 300-gallon
. The concen-
proper degree
taken to the


machines for bottling, corking with rubber
stoppers, and labeling before it is ready
for sale.
The raw materials for many of the
products of the Industrial Laboratory
come from the far corners (See page is)





THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


Railroad
During



I


Worker
Bustling


/1W


Was


Really


Construction


Upset
Days


later held the same job at the Balboa "Y."
Sometime later he was transferred to
the Panama City railroad station. While
working there in 1925 he was injured
when a trunk and a heavy tool box fell
from a truck, breaking his right ankle.
He made a claim against the railroad and,
he says, was promised a lifetime job by
the then governor, Harry Burgess. His
latest job has been as a janitor at the
Panama City station.
Mr. Moulton lives alone in a room on
Central Avenue in Panama City. He is
a devout churchman although he holds no
office in his church. Most of his off-duty
time, he says, he spends reading, or think-
ing about the days when he had a part in
the building of the Panama Canal.


March 6,1953


Clubhouse At Cocoli
Transferred To Navy

The Cocoli Clubhouse ceased to be a
Panama Canal Company operation on
March 1 when it was transferred to the
U. S. Navy.
George Fears, the clubhouse manager,
has been assigned to other duties in the
Clubhouse Division. The only other U. S.-
rate employee was on temporary status
and her employment has terminated.
Most of the 28 local-rate employees
have been transferred to other units in the
Clubhouses through standard reduction-
in-force procedure which has caused the
termination of an equivalent number of
local-rate workers with less service.
The Clubhouse at Cocoli began oper-
ation under the Special Engineering Div-
ision in 1940. It became a Panama Canal
Clubhouse in March 1943.


SATURDAY


MUSIC


DAY


wI. �a


HEZEKIAH MOULTON

The unique distinction of having been
spilled, together with his place of em-
ployment, into the bottom of the Canal
excavation belongs to Hezekiah Moulton
of the Panama City Railroad station
staff. He is now winding up over 35
year's service, all of which has had to do,
in some way or another, with the railroad.
Mr. Moulton remembers very little of
his upside-down experience, understand-
ably, as he was knocked unconscious
during the mixup. It happened on Au-
gust 2, 1909, while he was working in a
elen honn shack alongside excavation


work
He
filled
section
shovel
shack,
attach
tioned
35 fee
He
his tel
was k
his pli
frnm t


near Bas Obi


spo.


was keeping a record of all trains-
and empty-passing along that
n of the railroad track. Steam-
I No. 228 was working near the
. Its boom caught on the wire
ted to the tower where he was sta-
I, toppling him, shack and all, some
t to the bottom of the digging.
remembers that he grabbed for
lephone to call the yardmaster but
knocked out before he could report
eight. The train which was loading
:he shovel took him to an emergency


J


.l a v/ * --





March6,1953


THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


Forty

In


Ar


ears


Ago


February


The oddities of Gatun Lake after its
at rainy season were the subject of indi-


vidual curiosity and comment


as well


official attention as the future source of
the Canal water supply.
The Canal Record waxed almost lyrical
about its "varying shades of blue," etc.,
after noting that the lake had commercial
value although it was still 30 feet below
its final height.


The lake was then being used by a man


in Gatun who had fitted out


a launch on


which he conducted Sunday sightseeing
trips;,the lighthouse service was using the
rising water to tow sand and other ma-
terial to the "very spots" where the range
lights were being erected; and three gaso-
line launches and six canoes were making
"venturesome trips on the wind-swept
surface."


Water Highway


"Every


that formerly


poured into the Chagres has become a
water highway through the woods,"
The Record reported.
It was also explained, for the benefit of
"strangers to the Canal work," that the
trees in the area covered by the lake were
left standing for the simple reason that


the cost of cutting them w
amounted to about $2,000,000.


)uld have


THE DYING


JUNGLE,


slowly being covered by the rising
when the lake had risen to 524 feet


water of Gatun Lake,


above


looked like this in


mean sea level.


Anyway, The Record pointed out, a
tree smothers when its roots are covered
with water and "what with decay, insect


attack, and


wave


motion, it is probable


that within a decade the soft wood trees
that new stand soMaked and ghostike
above the water will have been uprooted
and will have floated downstream."
Floating Islands


Other oddities were the "floating
ands," masses of vegetation and earth


loosened from the bottom of Gatun Lake
by the rising water, that were moved
about by the winds, effecting fast and


uncanny changes in the
largest then floating was


mn area.
to Gatun


The islands
Spillway


scenery.
i about 3


were
where


being towed


were


floated over the dam.
The tops of orange and lemon trees
were sticking out of the water at Taber-
nilla where the fruit could be picked from
a cayuco. Orchid hunters could tie up
to the limb of a tree and load a cayuco
a It S It I I . 1 (1 fl 1


GOOD


AND


GOOD-looking


electric


clocks which operate on 25 cycle current-
an item which the Commissary Division finds
difficult to obtain from manufacturers-will
arrive from the United States early in March


and will be in the retail


stores


soon after.


There will be three types of alarms and two


styles of kitchen


clocks-in a variety


pretty colored plastic or birch cases and good


looking


For whatever


comfort the


feminine than the basic moccasin toe oxford
that has been the only style in this make


available in the shoe sections.


The new


shoes sell for $5.95 or $6.50, depending or
the size range.


Four new


Here's


Meatless
"Meat"


names might offer rudely-awakened sleepers
the names of the styles of the alarm clocks


are "Serenade," "Beckoner," and "Wink
The Kitchen clocks sound almost as nic
They are the "Helper" and the "Epicure."


Olives


stuffed with fillets


Anchovy
stuffed olives


for the


grocer


be in the ret


after arrival from Madrid


anchovies,
y sections,
ail stores


, Spain.


Miller
addec
They


vegetarian
d to the
are all me


on a soy oean
"soyloin steaks,


choplet


" SMALL FRY


.


:e.


burgers,


foods have been


grocery


sections.


atless meat built


There


meatless
roasts.


e are
wein-
"I


angles can now get in the


fishing act with fiberglass rod fishing sets that


are new in the Commissaries.


The sets have


a spun glass fishing rod, hooks, reel Hoat,
leader and line-as the manager of Whole-
sale Housewares put it, "everything but the
fish." "Little Analer" is the name of the


set and it


KRILIUM -that caused one of the horticultu-


ral world's biggest recent stirs,


Commissaries


where local


is now in the


gardeners


flower lovers can buy it for their lawns and


costs $3.25.


ood looking


low h


Fish
kA..I.


g new styles


eeled shoe:


now in the


s for
stores.


of Penalijo


women


are


One is


eb-ij +;, ,-S .rt rr ran rrIf / A4I


is'


r


k


ift;sdt tck





THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


March 6, 1953


Canal Increases


Purchase Of Panama Fruit And


Vegetables


Canal Traffic Under Spedal Study


The Panama Canal organization, dur-
ing the first 6 months of this fiscal year,
more than quadrupled its purchases in
Panama of agricultural items as against
the purchase of similar items during the
corresponding period of the previous
fiscal year.
The great increase is shown by the
following figures: $247,644 worth of such
products including over 2,900,000 lbs. of
sugar worth $183,611 was purchased from
July 1 to December 31, 1952, while only
$53,000 worth was bought between July
1 and December 1 of the previous year.
The figures indicate the growing trend
toward purchasing in Panama as much as
possible of native-grown fruit and vege-
tables. Leaders in these purchases in
addition to the sugar are such items as:
Bananas, oranges, tangerines, cabbage,
cucumbers, green peppers, squash, and
yams.
Other increases during the first half of
the present fiscal year over the previous
year are shown in beverages, a 10 percent
increase; industrial products, such as
cement and medical supplies, a 100 per-
cent increase; and meat products, up

Personnel Ceiling Set For Each Bureau
In Government-Company Organization
(Continued from page 1) less than at the
end of June 1952 when the past fiscal


year closed.
The number of U
at the end of Januar
the Isthmus and in
At the end of the pas
June 30, the U. S.-rat


the
4,860.


united


This figu
employees o0
ington office
employees o:
figures, until
Local-rate
the end of J
on June 30,
Both U. S


States,


. S.-rate employees
y totalled 4,729 on
the United States.
't fiscal year, or last
;e force, here and in
was approximately


re is approximate be
Sthe New York and \
es were not grouped
n the Isthmus, in pers
early last Fall.
employees totaled 13,2
anuary, compared to 1
1952.
.- and Local-rate work


cause
Wash-
with
onnel


91 at
3,881

rs are


at present numerically far below the peak
of the past decade. In June 1942 when


the force was greatly swollen
World War II activities, there
U. S.-rate and 28,686 Local-rate
on the rolls, to make a total


because of
were 8,550
employees
of 37,236.


from $344,000 in 1951 to $409,954.
The value of the total purchases made
in Panama during the second quarter this
fiscal year is $213,771 less than during
the first quarter this year. This drop,
however, is attributed to the fact that
sugar and beef supplies were reduced con-
siderably during the first quarter. The
overall picture of the first 6 months of
the 2 years showed between July 1 and
December 31, 1952, purchases in Panama
amounted to $1,243,457, or $338,457
more than for the corresponding period
in 1951.
The following table shows the amount
of purchases in Panama for the first half
of the present and previous fiscal years:
First half First half
fiscal year fiscal year
1953 1952
Meat products $409,954 $344,000


Agricultural products (fruits
and vegetables).
Other agricultural products.
Other food products ..-
Beverages - .. .
Forest products. ..
Industrial products .. .
Miscellaneous... ..
Total..............


Zone
houses


247,644
23,019
16,527
77,497
29,444
235,313
203,851
$1,243,457


towns; reroofing of a group of
in Cristobal; replacement of tile


roofs on nine
boa; and the
on a group of
Two street
ned for this
Maintenance
repaying and
intersections
Bolivar High
Front and El
Bids for this
February and


quarters buildings in Bal-
construction of roof hoods
16 houses in Balboa.
improvement projects plan-
year will be done by the
Division. These are the
improvement of the street
at Margarita Avenue and
hway in Margarita, and
seventh Streets in Cristobal.
work were opened late in
the sole bid received was


rejected as being too high.


Diablo Heights Fire Station To Be Closed
(Continued from page 2) on the danger
of children crossing the tracks near the
Balboa Railroad Station, rather than
further up at Corozo Street.
Safety Code Asked
Mr. Rice asked that a building fire-
and safety-code be enacted and enforced,
pointing out that there was exposed and
defective electric cables in some locations.
He said that safety of the citizens is


(Continued from page 4) traffic in Jan-
uary was the second highest of any month


since the Canal was
of 632 transits. In
97 transits by large
vessels. This high
tinued throughout
daily average number
month was slightly


opened with a total
addition there were
Government-owned
level of traffic con-
February and the
r of transits for the
higher than in the


previous month.
The overhaul of the locks is the biggest
single maintenance job the Canal has to
perform at regular intervals. The over-
haul of the Pacific locks started early in
January at Pedro Miguel and the work on
the east chamber was completed Febru-
ary 14. The unwatering of the west chain-


ber at Pedro Miguel bega
The overhaul work is sli
schedule and it is expe
work on the west chan


n February 16.
lightly ahead of
acted that the
iber at Pedro


Miguel will be completed by March 21.
The equipment will then be moved to
Miraflores locks and it is planned to
begin emptying the west chambers there
on March 23. The work at Miraflores
is expected to require about 4 weeks for
each set of chambers, and normal service
will be resumed before the end of May.
The number of lockages normally pos-
sible at Miraflores locks during an over-
haul period is less than the maximum
attainable at Pedro Miguel because of the
longer lockage time. Based on past
experience, the 24-hour capacity of Mira-
flores is 21 blockages with one lane out of
service, but it is planned to step this up
to a possible maximum of 24 a day with
special operating procedures in effect.
If this goal is attained and the flow of
traffic continues without serious fluctua-
tions, no excessive delays to shipping are
expected.


Trim-Uniformed Force Enforces Security
At All Three Sets Of Panama Canal Locks

(Continu4d from page 3) his first month he
is examined on rules and regulations of
the force and during his second and third
months he is examined on such matters
as pertinent phases of criminal law, rules
of evidence, and criminal investigation.
At the end of his 90-day probationary
period, each guard is given a written
examination covering the various phases
of his training. Not until he haspassed





March 6, 1953


THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


ANNIVERSARIES

Employees who observed important anni-
versaries during the month of February are
listed alphabetically below. The number
of years includes all Government service
with the Canal or other agencies. Those
with continuous service with the Canal
are indicated with (*).
48 YEARS
*Willjam Jump, Timekeeper, industrial
Bureau.


42 YEARS
*Ernest C. Cotton,
Plant.


Printer


, Printing


35 YEARS


John W. Towery, Claims Examiner,
Fiscal Division.
John A. Wright, General Storekeeper,
Division of Storehouses.
30 YEARS
Harry F. Cody, General Foreman, Main-
tenance Division.
Troy Hayes, Sergeant, Police Division.
James E. Heady, Assistant Chief Ac-
countant, Accounting Division.
Nicolas E. Palat, Postal Clerk, Balboa.
Joseph J. Wood, Government Systems
Accountant, Accounting Division.
25 YEARS
John F. Hern, Sheetmetal Worker,
Maintenance Division.
P. Byrne Hutchings, Housing Manager,
Gamboa, Housing Division.
William F. Long, Policeman, Police
Division.


20 YEARS
Nathan W. Ashton, Foreman, Shipping
and Receiving, Commissary Division.
Henry C. Hotz, Track Foreman, Rail-
road Division.
David F. Mead, Records Administrator,
Administrative Branch.
Herbert W. Roses Locomotive Engineer,
Railroad Division.
William L. Willumsen, Customs In-
spector, Cristobal.
15 YEARS
Arch D. Bishop, General Investigator,
Office of the Comptroller.
Walter E. Colclasure, Administrative
Assistant, Contracts and Inspection Divi-
sion.
*Helen L. Dudak, Appointment Clerk,
Personnel Bureau.
Harry D. Foster, Filtration Plant Oper-
ator, Maintenance Division.
William T. Halvosa, Jr., Postmaster,
Diablo Heights.
James L. Hatcher, Sergeant, Police
Division.
Edward G. Moran, Postal Clerk, Air
Mail Section.
Gilbert A. Reynolds, Foreman, Elec-
trical Division.
Frederick H. Smith, Jr., Supervisory
Construction Engineer, Electrical Division.


THOUSANDS OF ISTHMIANS turned out 10 years ago last month to attend the War Bond
Carnival in Balboa. The carnival was such a success that it was extended an extra day; when it
finally closed, bond sales totaled close to $650,000.


Isthmians by the tl
around the Balboa stad
ago in February at a 1
biggest affair of the sortn
considerably more than
Just about anything a
for a carnival-except a
The Governor, Glen E.
entrance ribbon. Army
meant was on display.
wagged messages. The
Balboa High School's I


thousands swarmed
ium area 10 years
Tar Bond Carnival,
Sto be held here in
a decade.
anyone ever heard of
zoo-was available.
Edgerton, cut the
and Navy equip-
Searchlights wig-
S511 members of
victory Corps made


their first public appearance min an opening
parade. Taxi-dancers wore out their shoes.
Paratroopers jumped from three planes
over Albrook Field. Give-away prizes were
headed by a round trip by air to Costa Rica.
Bond purchasers stood in line, headed by
the Governor, and sales finally totaled
some $650,000, well over the half-million
dollar goal.

A young lieutenant from the Army Air
Force was killed, three other men hurt
when an observation plane hit a protec-
tive net cable suspended over the north
end of Pedro Miguel locks and crashed
in flames in a ravine hbhind the Pedro


using'gasoline obtained through "B" rations
to make pleasure trips to the Interior.
From Balboa Heights came word that
car owners applying for "B" books would
be refused the extra gasoline when they
were known to have been making such
pleasure trips in their cars. Periodic
checks were being made at points in the
Interior where trips were likely to be taken.

a
Commissary customers were told that
there would be no serious food or drygoods
shortage if patrons bought only as much
as they needed, when it was needed.
Sales of some articles were limited; in the
Commissaries shoes could be obtained
only at the rate of three pairs a year per
member of a family, although shoes could
be ordered by mail from the States.
Commissary officials, however, backed
up a Civil Defense suggestion that each
household keep in reserve a 2 weeks' sup-
ply of nonperishable food-stuffs. Spam,
for instance.

George W. Green, Municipal Engineer,
roilrmnod frrm a nlnno nid hihinnnl fr n


Ten


ears


Ago


February





THE PANAMA


CANAL REVIEW


March 6,1953


MARCH


APRIL


Barry H. Kenealy from Policeman,
Police Division, to Customs Guard, Postal,
Customs, and Immigration Division.
Stuart M. Fisk from Machinist, Locks
Division Overhaul, to Policeman, Police
Division.


7th-Track Foreman
B & B Shops.


No. 2741, Balboa


Sth-Sheetmetal Workers, Balboa Club-
house, 9:30 a. m.


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


9th-Machinists No. 699, K. of
Margarita, 7:30 p. m.


Lodge Hall,


C. Hall,.


American Legion Post 1, Balboa Legion
Home, 7:30 p. m.


10th--Pipefitters,
7:30 p. m.


Margarita


Electrical Workers No.
Memorial, 7:30 p. m.
VFW Post 100, Old Boy S
Cristobal, 7:30 p. m.
American Legion Post 7,
7:30 p. m.
Legion Auxiliary Unit
Legion Home, 7:30 p. m.


Clubhouse,


cout Building,

Fort Clayton,


llth-Carpenters and Joiners,
Lodge Hall, 7:30 p. m.


Balboa

Balboa


Pacific Civic Council, Board Room,
Administration Building, 7:30 p. m.


American Legion 3
Home, Old Cristobal.


Legion


13th-Blacksmiths No. 400, Boilermak-
ers Nos. 463 and 471, K. of C. Hall,
Margarita, 7:30 p. m.


S15th-CLU-MTC,
8:30 a. m.


Balboa


16th-Electrical Workers


Lodge

No. 677,


Hall,

Gatun


Masonic Temple, 7:30 p. m.


Truckdrivers, Balboa Lodge Hall,
p. m.
17th-Operating Engineers No.
K. of C. Hall, Margarita, 7 p. m.


Machinists No. 811, Balboa
7:30 p. inm.


18th-AFGE No.
7:30 p. m.


7:30


Lodge


Balboa Clubh


American Legion Auxiliary Unit 3,
Gatun Legion Home, 7:30 p. m.
19th-American Legion Auxiliary Unit
6, Gamboa Legion Hall, 7:30 p. m.


23d-Machinists No. 699, K. of
Margarita, 7:30 p. m.
VFW Auxiliary, Post 3822
7:30 p. m.


C. Hall,

Home,


24th-Operating Engineers No. 595,
Balboa Lodge Hall, 7 p. nm.
American Legion Post 7, Fort Clay-
ton, 7:30 p. nm.
25th-Governor - Employee Conference,
Board Room, Administration Building,
2p.m.


VFW Post 100, Old Boy
Cristobal, 7:30 p. m.


Scout


Building,


American Legion Auxiliary Unit 2,
Legion Home, Old Cristobal, 7:30 p. nm.


Ist-VFW Post 3857,
Club. 9 a. m.


VFW Post
7:30 p. m.


Crist

Wirz


obal Veterans

Memorial.


2d-Carpenters and Joiners No. 667,
Margarita Clubhouse, 7:30 p. m.


3d-American Legion Post 6,
Legion Home, 7:30 p. m.


Gamboa


January 15 Through February 15
The following list contains the names of
those U. S.-rate employees who were trans-
ferred from one division to another (unless
the change is administrative) or from one
type of work to another. It does not con.
tain within-grade promotions or regradings
ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH
John J. Alexaitis from Helper, Indus-
trial Bureau, to File Clerk, Record Section.
George K. Hudgins, Jr. from Mail Clerk
to File Clerk, Record Section.
Mrs. Beatrice E. Lee from File Clerk
to Records Administrator, Record Section.
Mrs. Lois A. Mansberg from Personnel
Clerk (Typist), Employment and Utiliza-
tion Division, to File Clerk, Record Section.
George G. Graffman from File Clerk
to Property and Supply Clerk, Record
Section.
Walter J. Allen from File Clerk to File
Supervisor, Record Section.
Vincent Leaver from Doorman, Club-
house Division, to File Clerk, Record
Section.
CIVIL AFFAIRS BUREAU
Mrs. Nancy L. Gamble from Kinder-
garten Assistant to Elementary School
Teacher, Schools Division.
Rex O. Knight from Assistant Motor
Inspector to Motor Inspector, Police Divi-


sion..
Charles
man, Ferr
Customs,
Jacob
tion Divis
toms, and
A. Ed
Administr
Postal Ci


s A. Thomas from Junior Fore-
y Service, to Postal Clerk, Postal,
and Immigration Division.
Rand from Signalman, Naviga-
ion, to Postal Clerk, Postal, Cus-
Immigration Division.
win Wilson from File Clerk,
native Branch, to Postal Clerk,
istoms and Immigration Division.


Richard M. Hir


ons from Policeman to


Assistant Motor Inspector, Police Division.
John M. Mallia from Helper, Locks
Division Overhaul, to Customs Guard,
Postal, Customs, and Immigration D)ivision.


COMMUNITY SERVICES BUREAU


Mrs. Annie R. Rathgeber from Clerk-
Typist, Office of the Director, to Clerk-
Stenographer, Clubhouse Division.
Emmet Zemer, from General Supply
Clerk, Housing Division, to Safety Inspec-
tor, Office of the Director.
John W. Hare from Safety Inspector to
Realty Assistant, Office of the Director.
Jack W. Clarke from Helper, Locks
Division, to Superintendent, Refuse Collec-
tion and Disposal, Grounds Maintenance
Division.
OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER
John F. Lewis from Chief Accountant
to Business Analyst, Management Staff.
Floyd H. Baldwin from Auditor, Claims
Division, to Chief, Fiscal Division.
James L. Fulton from Governmental
Accountant, Accounting Division, to Chief,
Claims Branch.
George E. Girard from Assistant to
Finance Director, Internal Audit Division,
to Acting Chief, Internal Audit Staff.
Arthur J. O'Leary from Assistant to
Finance Director, Accounting Division, to
Acting Chief Accountant, Accounting Divi-


sion.
Willard D. Strode, Frank R. Mother
from Structural Engineer, Engineering Div-
ision, to Valuation Engineer, Plant Inven-
tory and Appraisal Branch.
Frank A. Baldwin, from Accountant,
Accounting Division, to Construction Cost
Accountant, Plant Inventory and Appraisal


Staff.
Morris Waxman from Governmental
Accountant, Accounting Division, to Con-
struction Cost Accountant, Plant Inventory
and Appraisal Staff.
John R. White, Noel C. Farnsworth
from General Construction Inspector, Con-
tract and Inspection Division, to Valuation
Engineer, Plant Inventory and Appraisal
Staff.
Bertha I. Frensley, Clerk-Stenographer,
from Claims Branch to Accounting Systems
Staff.
Mrs. Anna H. Ballou, Clerk-Typist,
from Personnel Records Division to Treas-
ury Branch.
Mrs. Chiquita C. Cassibry from Typist,
Cost Accounts Branch, to Clerk-Stenog-
rapher, Internal Audit Staff.
Mrs. Evelyn R. Reynolds from Clerk-
Typist, Personnel Records Division, to
Typist, Cost Accounts Branch.
Charles H. McKeon from Tabulating
Equipment Operation Supervisor to Ac-
countant, Accounting Systems Staff.
Harry E. Musselman from Cash Ac-
counting Clerk, Treasury Branch, to
Tabulation Planner, Accounting Division.
Arthur J. Wynne, from Accounting


Clerk, Agents Accounts Branch,
countant, Cost Accounts Branch.


to Ac-


71 .a^ Na Cn uliaa. n


ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION


THIS MONTH'S CALENDAR


PROMOTIONS AND


TRANSFERS






March 6, 1953


THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


MARINE BUREAU
Walter R. Malone from Floating Crane
Operator to General Foreman, Excavators
and Tractors, Dredging Division.
Claud M. Kreger from Principal Fore-
man to Rotary Drill Operator, Dredging
Division.
George G. Felps from Rotary Drill
Operator to Drill Foreman, Dredging
Division.
Robert B. Vache from Wireman, Elec-
trical Division, to Lock Opera'or Wireman,
Locks Division.
Julian O. Russell from Pump Operator,
Pipeline Suction Dredge, to Small Tug
Operator, Dredging Division.
James O. King from Plant Electrician,
Commissary Division, to Lock Operator
Wireman, Pacific Locks.
James C. Thomas from Boilermaker to
Boilermaker Leader, Dredging Division.
Mirt Bender from Combination Welder
to Boilermaker, Dredging Division.
Everett E. Branstetter from First Mate
to Master, Tug Taboga, Aids to Navigation.
David W. Ellis from General Operator
to Floating Crane Operator, Dredging
Division.
Ralph E. Garfield from Helper to Com-
bination Welder, Locks Division.
Thomas J. Ebdon, Jr. from General
Electrical Engineer, Office of Chief, Locks
Division, to Assistant to Superintendent,
Pacific Locks.
Leon D. Herring, Jr. from Junior Fore-
man, Ferry Service, to Pump Operator,
Pipeline Suction Dredge, Dredging Division.
Lloyd G. Moore from Machinist, Indus-
trial Bureau, to Lock Operator Machinist,
Atlantic Locks.
Gordon E. Walbridge from Hydro-
graphic Engineer (Dredging), to Hydro-
graphic Engineer, Dredging Division.
PERSONNEL BUREAU
Mrs. Rita H. Fritz from Clerk-Typist
to Personnel Clerk (Typikt), Employment
and Utilization Division.
Mrs. Joanne E. Robinson, Clerk-
Typist, from Office of the Director to
Employment and Utilization Division.
RAILROAD AND TERMINALS BUREAU
Robert S. Wood from Signals Super-
visor to Supervisory Signal Engneer, Rail-
road Division.
Clair E. Ewing from Traffic Clerk to
Supervisory Administrative Assistant, Ter-
minals Division.
Mrs. Gloria M. DeRaps from Traffic
Clerk, Terminals Division, to Clerk-Typist,
Railroad Division.
Irwin K. Meier from Gauger, Division
of Storehouses, to Agent-Operator, Railroad
Division.
SUPPLY AND SERVICE BUREAU
Grady G. Galley from Automobile
Serviceman to Automobile Serviceman and
Special Heavy Truck Driver, Motor Trans-
portation Division.
George L. Cain from Commissary
Assistant to Commissary Manager.
Edmund R. MacVittie from Assistant
Chief, Northern District, Maintenance
Division, to Assistant to Superintendent,
r*-> * * ,. a. *Sm


Commissary's Industrial Laboratory Saves Patrons Over $100,000 Annually


THIS DISPLAY OF INDUSTRIAL LABOR-
ATORY products is kept on exhibition in the office
of R. L. Sullivan, General Manager of the Commis-
sary Division. Mr. Sullivan is explaining how some
of the products are made to Mrs. Roberta Egolf, an
employee in the Mount Hope Commissary offices.
(Continued from page 9) of the world.
The vanilla beans from which the vanilla
extract is made come from Mexico and
the French island of Madagascar. Al-
though the first vanilla beans, back in
1911, were bought in London and stored
there, the supply is now bought in the


United States.
Vanilla extract is made
as you percolate your
of coffee. The chopped
into a percolator holding


much the same
morning's cup
beans are put
40 gallons and


are permitted to percolate for several
hours at an exact temperature before the
extract is ready for use as flavoring. An
entire year's supply is made at one time
and this requires 600 gallons.
Bay Rum Is Popular
Just as World War I provided a home
for the Industrial Laboratory, World
War II made one of its products famous.
The product made popular during the
past war was bay rum. Although its
manufacture was begun soon after Major
Wilson made his suggestion 42 years ago,
the product never proved highly popular
because the many natives of the West
Indies Islands who work for the Canal
preferred a certain type produced in the
West Indies. When the war started and
shins bean to be sunk in the Caribbean


The display here shows only a few of the more than
200 products sold under the familiar "Commissary"
label. Employees, not only in the Industrial Labor-
atory but throughout the Commissary Division, are
justifiably proud of these products which are of
highest quality and sell at very low cost.
Laboratory products which are vitally
affected by the changing times or popular
taste of Commissary customers. The
number of pharmaceutical products has
recently been increased.
Most Have Long Service
Most of the personnel who work at the
Industrial Laboratory are employees with
many years of service and they are highly


proud of their work.
rate employees bega
before it was moved
tion and given an
Reccia is one of the
in point of service
3 years of service


A few of the local-
n with the unit well
Sto its present loca-
official name. Mrs.
"babies" of the unit
and can boast only
with the Industrial


Laboratory.
Mr. Orr, who heads the unit as chemist,


is one of many boys who grew
Canal Zone and have made
their life work. His father, ]
was a former Superintender
Panama Railroad. All of
children are now Canal empl
addition to Earl, his brother,


up in
the Ca
E. F. O
it of t
the th
oyees.
Elmer,


he
nal
rr,
he
ree
In
is


employed in the Office of the Comptroller,
and his sister, Mrs. Juanita Jones, is
employed in the Engineering Division.
Mr. Orr attended elementary school in
the Canal Zone and is a graduate of
Balboa High School. Like many Canal





THE PANAMA CANAL REVIEW


March 6,1953


Signalman
Watches


At


Lone


World's


THIS VIEW of the Panama Canal from the Gam-
boa Signal Station stretches to the south end of
Mamei Curve beyond the town of Gamboa. That

Juan Hidalgo and his family live in a
house with a view-perched all alone on
a high hill about 150 feet above Gamboa.
The "office side" of the hilltop house,
where Mr. Hidalgo serves as Signalman,
looks down on about a seven-mile stretch
of the Canal which he has almost memo-
rized in 20 years at the Gamboa Signal
Station.
The Gamboa station-like the other
Canal signal stations, at La Pita, Cuca-
racha, and on Sosa Hill in Balboa-stands
all alone, but could not be considered
isolated. From their high houses, Canal
signalmen watch the world's commerce
go by, each of them keeping an eye on the
part of the Canal that can be seen from
his signal station.
The section in view of the Gamboa
Station extends from about midway in
Las Cascadas Reach a short distance
southeast of Gamboa to the bend between
(,hmhna Roneh and Mamni Curve where


Hilltop


Post


Commerce Go


By


is where Juan Hidalgo, Signalman shown here, first
sights southbound vessels and raises the big signal
shapes that instruct ships entering Gaillard Cut.

frequently given to friends as presents.
A road built to wind in a hairpin curve
around one of their treasured avocado
pear trees now connects the hilltop
house with the highway at the foot of
the hill. Mr. Hidalgo worked on that
himself in 16 years of vacations.


There are also 142 st
the Hidalgos have cou
times-which were us
signal station before th
Mr. Hidalgo first ca
Zone in construction
after he left his native
going to sea. He wo
and later on the old
ships, the Generals Go


eps tc
nted
;ed t
roadc
ame t
lays,
Chil
rked
Pana
rgas


Sthe house-
them many
o reach the
Swas built.
:o the Canal
a few years
e and started
on tugboats
ma Railroad
and Goethals


and the Allianca. Later, he went to the
United States where he acquired citizen-
ship in 1922.
Visited Canal Zone Regularly
Starting in about 1921 he came to the
reoyiol 7ra nforilo.ir wr Qhin h0 nY OQrr


Cut-the transmission of instructisons to
speed up, slow down, keep on schedule,
etc., which the ships receive when they
come in sight of the station.
.The signalman also keeps a lookout for
slides, aircraft, fires, fog, or any unau-
thorized craft in the Canal. He keeps a
record ot the Dredging Division equip-
ment in the Canal that can be seen from
the Gamboa Station and signals to ships
of the approach of a tug or barge outside
the vessel's line of vision. He is also the
man behind the fog horn or loudspeaker
when they are used in "'his part" of the
Canal.
The Hidalgos' home stands all alone
but it is not lonely. It has long been a
favorite gathering place for friends and
neighbors in Gamboa, particularly the
youngsters for whom Mrs. Hidalgo usu-
ally finds a sandwich or a freshly picked
orange. She likes to have people around
her and is busy with community activities.
Her daughter Wilma, a typist in the
Correspondence Section of the Canal,
recalls the time an entire church circle
gathered at their home. The house was
so full there must have been a few heads
sticking out the windows, she says. The
minister made a fitting talk on "The
Sermon on the Mount."
The Hidalgos' 22-year-old son, William,
is a motorcycle enthusiast. He started
with a motorscooter in high school, then
graduated to motorcycles and has had
lots of practice on both up and down the
hill to his home.


Civil


w^I
K-
a
--

"".*."""
e d
-
O> -
W -
UI


Defense Committee
Appointments Announced


Fifteen members have been appointed
to the Civil Defense Advisory Committee
according to an announcement from the
Civil Defense Office.
The first meeting of the group will be
held about March 15 when Lt. W. G.
Dolan, Civil Defense Chief, returns from
Olney, Md., where he is attending Civil
Defense Staff College.
The members are: William T. Craig,
Canal Zone Civic Councils; Robert T.
Ellis, Local-rate Labor; Walter Wagner,
U. S.-rate Labor; William Jump, Local-
rate Communities; Mrs. Dorothy Thorn-
ton, Canal Zone Chapter, Red Cross;
B. I. Everson, Railroad and Terminals
uKflnrnn. Cord, Pnrt . W flrffit- inih val