Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

The Pearl Industry of Panama.

369

The "La Gloria" Bakeries

Turn Out the Best Bread Made on the Isthmus.

QUALITY UNEXCELLED.

Only Expert Breadmakers Employed. OUR BAKERIES NOTED FOR THEIR NEATNESS AND CLEANLINESS. House Deliveries Made. Family Trade Solicited.

BAKERIES AT

PANAMA: Cor. E 13th St & North Av. EMPIRE: West St. &

Cor, C and 14th St.

Railroad Av.

GARCIA BROTHERS, Proprietors.

amounting to some eleven pounds were set aside for the monarch, Philip II,

The diving operations at that period were under the charge of an overseer, or Armador. As fast as they were brought up from the ocean's bed, a division was made,

two oysters going to the Armador, two to the diver, while the fifth was apportioned to the King. Those of the Armador were opened first, and he had to use the utmost vigilance for the diver had a knack of swallowing the most valuable pearl along with the live oyster which he threw into his mouth with a dexterity defying detection. After the Armador's, the king's fifth was opened, and lastly the diver's share. All the pearls collected were then deposited in one pile, the Armador generally taking the diver's share for debts owing him. Notwithstanding the precautions taken, the divers usually managed to reserve some to trade for liquor, cigars and knick-knacks.

The use of the diving bell in connection with the pearl industry has been tried on several occasions, but without signal success.

THE NEW PALACE AND THEATRE.

The most imposing edifice in the Republic of Panama is the new Government Palace and National Theatre, which occupies a beautiful site on the bay front, covering the area of one block between Central Avenue and Avenue B. The palace fronts on Central Avenue, and the theatre on Avenue B.

The structure was commenced in November, 1905, and will be finished in the early part of 1908. The CStimated cost at completion is $600.000 gold. The dimensions of the building are approximately 280 by 161 feet. The architectural style is patterned after the Italian Re

naissance.

The principal rooms in the palace are the President's office, reception hall and parlor, private living rooms, offices of the Secretaries and their staff of employes, hall of Congress, and rooms of the National Treasury. All the rooms will be handsomely finished and furnished.

The theatre will have a seating capacity of 1,100, and a total seating and standing capacity of about 1,600. The interior construction is of stone and iron, and the building is absolutely fireproof. The stage is of magnificent size, and will accommodate the largest companies now traveling. The stage settings and equipment, including the metal curtain are of the latest and most approved design. The curtain, as well as the decorative effects on the ceiling and foyer were painted by the well known artist, Mr. Robert Lewis, a citizen of Panama, but who has

[merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed][ocr errors]

LA UNION

HA

BOTICA Y LIBRERIA,

Plaza de la Catedral, al costado del Hotel Central, Panama, R. P.

DROGAS, PRODUCTOS QUIMICOS, MEDICINAS DE PATENTE, PERFUMERIA y ARTICULOS PARA DROGUISTAS, UTILES de ESCRIBIR, LIBROS en BLANCO, TARJETAS POSTALES y ARTICULOS PARA INGENIEROS Y ARTISTAS, MATERIAL PARA ESCUELAS. Unicos Agentes del Celebrado "TE CEYLINDO",

y de las Máquinas de Escribir "AMERICAN". CHOCOLATES Y CONFITES.

Venta Constante de Papel Sellado y Estampillas de Timbre Nacional.

BENEDETTI HERMANOS, Propietarios.

spent many years at Paris in the

SUCURSAL Avenida Central, No. 326.

interest of his work.

The seats are of special design, the work of the celebrated Bordalli of Italy. Italian talent was also brought into play in connection with the painting of the stage scenery, the services of Prof. Agostini, a master of this art, having been secured for the purpose.

The matter has been broached of working up a regular theatre circuit for the west coast cities of South America. Should this come to pass, Panama will be represented in it, and the theatre-going public treated to the best operas and plays touring the Americas.

In view of the long jumps that have to be made some governments of South America grant a small subsidy to prominent theatrical companies, and in this way secure some exceptionally fine talent. The fact however, that Panama. has an up-to-date playhouse will furnish inducement to many of these companies who have not heretofore included the Isthmian capital in their itineraries.

[ocr errors]

The New Palace and Theatre.

373

The building was designed by Mr. G. N. Ruggieri of Panama, and constructed under the supervision of Mr. F. H. Arosemena. The contractors were Messrs. J. Gabriel Duque and Ramon Arias jr. The decorative painter was Mr. Enrico Conrado. The builders are to be complimented on the excellence of their work, which will stand as a lasting monument to their efforts.

THE PAN-AMERICAN RAILROAD.

But for the untimely death of that far-seeing statesman, James G. Blaine, the Pan-American Railway would doubtless now be an accomplished fact. The scheme, if not born in his brain, was certainly fathered by Mr. Blaine from the moment he became Secretary of State. Mr. A. J. Cassatt, former president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was made chairman of the first committee from the various American republics, and all went well until death called the prime mover. After Mr. Blaine's death and during the Cleveland administrations, the Pan-American Railway fell into innocuous desuetude, and not until a little over two years ago, when Andrew Carnegie offered to finance the undertaking, did it come to life again.

re

Mr. Carnegie provided the money to send commissioners to consult with the various South American publics interested, and the amount necessary to correct the surveys made by the United States Government during Mr. Blaine's hour of influence. Since Mr. Carnegie made his generous offer, there has been considerable shaking up of dry bone railway projects in South America. Both the railways of Argentina, ending at Bahia Blanca, and those of Chile terminating at Valdivia, have mooted new pro

« ÎnapoiContinuă »