SECRETARY'S REPORT 151 



and the addition of a dry storage room. To reduce the fire risk, the 

 attic is no longer used for drying purposes. 



The resident manager's house and the building used for the East- 

 man Kodak Co.'s research on deterioration and corrosion are both in 

 good shape. The Barbour cottage, which can accommodate two to 

 four persons, is in good repair. The old Chapman building is serv- 

 iceable but not in too good condition; with some repairs it can last 

 about two years more. It accommodates four persons, and all the 

 ground floor is used for laboratory purposes. 



The building now occupied by the caretaker and the dormitory 

 for the cook are in good shape; but the dormitory for the laborers 

 needs repairs. 



The trail-end houses on Barbour Point and Burrunga Point now 

 are usable only as temporary shelters from rain. The treated-wood 

 house at the end of the Drayton Trail and the Z-M-A house (Fuertes 

 House) are in good condition. The shelter at the end of Zetek Trail 

 is in fairly good condition but needs some repairs. 



The old generators for light and power are no longer in shape to 

 operate, except one 5 KVA, and that one is far from satisfactory. 

 The new 15 KVA Diesel-driven generators, now on order, should 

 give satisfactory service for at least 10 years. 



The floating equipment is in good condition. 



MOST URGENT NEEDS 



The most pressing need is for a concrete platform building at the 

 dock to house the two new generators soon to arrive and the Diesel- 

 oil storage tank, with loading and unloading equipment at Frijoles. 

 Next in order is the concrete water-storage tank behind the new 

 building. 



There is a real need for suitable dry closets ; these should be made 

 during the coming fiscal year. Reducing the humidity to control 

 corrosion and deterioration cannot always be accomplished by heat. 

 In some cases the use of dehumidifiers is preferable, especially in 

 the photographic darkroom and where chemicals are to be stored. 



In the new building, sinks, shelves, and closets should be installed. 



SCIENTISTS AND THEIR STUDIES 



The principal purpose of the Canal Zone Biological Area is to 

 provide a safe tropical environment for research. In view of the far- 

 flung interests of our nation, it is of vital importance that problems 

 related to tropical conditions be solved in advance of the need for 

 information on those conditions in defense operations. Work of this 

 character is done by many scientists from universities and institutions, 



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