The "let your hair down" column

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Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal

Title: The "let your hair down" column
Language: English
Source: The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XXVII (Issue No.11) November 1951
Year: 1951
Rights
Fulltext: 394 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 The “LET YOUR HAIR DOWN” ---- ---- Column THE Journal has on a number of occasions referred to the sugges tion made by several members of the Chamber that in order to avoid the payment of the 17% exchange tax on income tax remittances to the United States Government, these taxes be collected locally through the American Embassy. Central Bank officials have admitted that the application of the exchange tax in this case is an example of “unjust international double taxation”. Recently, one Chamber member received a letter from Washington with respect to this suggestion, a copy of which he sent us with a cover ing note in which he stated: “...Un doubtedly the last sentence is the orthodox ambassadorial way to let one down—according to ‘protocol’. First an indication of bad news, with, second, the bad news to follow.” The letter is from Mr. John F. Melby, Deputy Director, Office of Philippine and Southeast Asian Af fairs, Department of State, and reads: “Ambassador Cowen has asked me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to him of August 25, 1951, relating to the ap plication of the 17% exchange tax on dollar exchange purchased to pay United States income taxes by American citizens resident in the Philippines. The problem is presently under consideration in the United States Treasury Department. Preliminary study, however, indicates the proposal that the United States Embassy at Manila accept payment in pesos of United States income taxes does not appear feasible.” STEEL FABRICATORS CONTRACTORS ENGINEERS MANUFACTURERS MERCHANDISERS RIVER & HARBOR WORK SHIPS’ REPAIRS Operating: MACHINE SHOPS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR FOUNDRY FOR CAST IRON, BRASS & BRONZE STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATING SHOP MARINE REPAIR SHOPS WELDING SHOP WOOD PRESERVING PLANT Allen-Bradley Company American Blower Corporalion Armco International Corporation Armstrong Machine Worka Chain Belt Company of Milwaukee Cherry-Burrell Corporation Clayton Manufacturing Company CoSng Hoist Company Dempeter Brothers, Inc. Dodge Manufacturing Corporation Fairbanka, Morae and Co., Inc. Firth-Sterling Steel Company Gardner-Denver Company Car-Bro Manufacturing Company Ciant Manufacturing Company Johnson Service Company Landia Machine Company Lincoln Electric Company Line Material Company Marlon Power Shovel Company Mercator Corporation Myatik Adheaive Product. Pioneer Engineering Worka Shepard Elevator Company Smith Welding Equipment Corp. Stapplca and Pfeiffer Terry Steam Turbine Company Tube-Turns. Inc. Welsh Refractories Corporation Western Braes Worka Western Rock Bit Manufacturing Co York Corporation ATLANTIC, GULF & PACIFIC CO. OF MANILA (PHILIPPINE CONTRACTORS SINCE 1905) EXECUTIVE OFFICES • ENGINEERING DIV. STRUCTURAL & MACHINE SHOPS Barrio Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila Tela: 6-75-31 • 6-75-32 • 6-75-33 MERCHANDISE SALES DIVISION Robert Dollar Bldg., Muelle de San Francisco & 23rd St., Port Area, Manila Tel. 3-36-61 (Connecting all Depts.) yyTE are pleased to note here the ™ publication by the Bureau of the Census and Statistics of a 258-page, paper-bound volume: “1948 Census of the Philippines, Population classi fied by province, city, municipality, municipal district, and barrio.” In a letter to the editor, Acting Director Alfredo G. Eugenio wrote: “We feel that because of the nature of its contents, this publication has been long awaited by the public and so we have tried to make possible its early release.” The publication contains, as indi cated in the title, a complete and detailed break-down of the popula tion as of October 1, 1948, together with four maps, one political and the other three showing the total popula tion, population density, and popula tion distribution. ajr. H. P. Vibal, business editor ^v*of the Philippines Herald, com menting, in the Herald issue of Oc tober 22, on the exchange of letters between Mr. Walter Robb and the editor of this Journal, published in this column last month, came for ward with unexpected but gratifying support. Mr. Vibal wrote: “The latest American Chamber of Com merce Journal prints a letter from Walter Robb, former Manila resident and for many years editor of this Journal. He laments the old days this wise: ‘Yet I assume that at best the Journal speaks in the quavering accents of the aging and senile American influence in the Philippines. The community there whistles in the dark, keeping up a furtive courage, but the gloom creeps over it inevitably.’ “Present Journal Editor A.V.H. Hartendorp hastily rises to object and says he can not agree, believing what difficulties Amer icans in the Philippines are meeting are but temporary. ‘I am convinced’, says Hartendorp, ‘ that a better statesmanship, American and Filipino, will in time assert itelf. I see no inevitable and disastrous end, as yet.’ “We agree with Hartendorp. Everything is not lost yet.” 't'he editor received a letter from Mr. John A. Sowers, of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, who November, 1951 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 395 was in the Philippines some months ago. He wrote: “The August issue of the American Cham ber of Commerce Journal was on my desk when I returned to the office October 1. We are most appreciative of your splendid editorial. I had no idea, when I asked you for a little story, that you would find time to prepare so interesting an article. “It was a real pleasure for me to spend several weeks in the .Philippines and to again familiarize myself, with some of the develop ments and problems that are in jthat part of the world. I feel too that I know some of you a little better and that I have estab lished some friendly contacts. “With every good wish and with kindest regards to you and the others there in the office, Cordially, etc.” We thank Mr. Sowers for his friendly letter. The editor says it was not difficult to write a short article,— and he hoped interesting, on such a city as Los Angeles. To tell the truth, we only skimmed through the editorial at the time, but Mr. Sowers’ letter aroused our curiosity and we read it again. What struck us this time was that the editor managed to write about Los Angeles without even mentioning the great moving picture industry there, although he did mention “motion pictures” as among a score or so of the products of industry in which Los Angeles ranked first nationally. When we mentioned this to the editor as being something of a feat, he struck his desk a light blow with his fist, shook his head, and said, “By gad, that was not intentional: it slipped my mind!” “Imagine!” we thought to our selves. “All the beauty and seduc tiveness of earth, concentrated there. All the lovelies and loveliness. Cy nosure of the eyes of the world. Epicenter of man’s dreams of ro mance and love! He writes about the place,—and that slips his mind! Place of the angels, and he says nothing about the angels but writes about docks and piers! And he gets a compliment!” npHE sad news went out last month that Mrs. Marie Willimont, Exe cutive Vice-President, is quiting the Chamber. She herself sent out the following letter to the members under date of October 20: “This is the first time in my life that I am writing this kind of a letter and it is definitely not one I like to write! You may have heard that I have resigned my position in the Chamber as Executive Vice-President—I am now confirming this. My resignation will take effect as of December 31, 1951. “It is with deep regret that I turn over my desk to someone else and were it not for the fact that I am taking our youngest daughter back to the United States in Jan uary to enter high school and upon my return to the Philippines plan to reside in Baguio where Mr. Willimont is Auditor for the Benguet Consolidated Mining Company, I would probably be with the Chamber as long as I was wanted. “The past four years that I have been associated with the Chamber have been the most interesting and fruitful of my business career in Manila and the reason undoubtedly has been because of the continued coopera tion and assistance which I have always had from you, individually, and from all your staff. I could not have asked for more, and I shall always remember with deep apprecia tion the help you have given me when I was confronted with some problem too deep for my feminine mind. ‘ * Mrs. Virginia Gonder has been appointed by the Board of Directors to succeed me in the position of Executive Vice-President. She has been a resident of Manila for the past five years, has had excellent business training, and, I am sure, will do justice to the work which will confront her. I am sure, also, that you will extend your cooperation to her as you have to me—she will especially need this until she becomes familiar with her Countless home-makers appreciate the fine workmanship. . . the lasting qualities of LIFE TIME Venetians— backed by 19 years of continuous leadership in the industry. Home-builders prize the wide range of blinds to choose from: the all wood .. . the regular metal-and-wood ... to the finest of them all—the supreme all-metal Venetians ... in any color or size perfectly installed for a CADWALLADER PACIFIC COMPANY 337 PEREZ ST., MANILA BORROMEO ST., CEBU CITY duties. She will begin her work on November 1 so that I will be able to assist her for the six weeks’ prior to my leaving on December 15. “Again please accept my thanks for your part in making my association with the Chamber a very happy one. Sincerely, etc.” To the gratification of everyone in the office, Mrs. Willimont’s an nouncement precipitated an avalan che of letters addressed to her by members of the Chamber and others expressing their regret at her leaving and lauding her outstanding service. One was from Ambassador Myron M. Cowen, which we are taking the liberty of printing almost in full: lifetime of service. The extra ad vantages of colored tapes and cords to match or contrast. Cornice for added elegance. Equipped with LEVOLOR self-adjusting tiller. Above all. housewives value the Life Time policy of continued service long after sales. Call 5-42-74, or write P. 0. Box 285, Manila, free estimates cheerfully given. 396 AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 “I am very sorry to learn that you are leaving the American Chamber of Com merce, where you have done such a good job in the last four years. The Chamber has been very helpful to me and my staff and I think you are entitled to a great deal of the credit for the very cordial relations that have existed. “As you have no doubt noted by today’s papers, I also will be leaving and I think you and I are both experiencing the same kind of feeling because it is a very trying wrench to leave here and say goodbye to the many friends one makes in Manila ...” There were letters from a number of other embassies and legations, including the Spanish, Chinese, Netherlands, French, and Indonesian. ROCK BRILLS STAY Oil THE JOB!” Say Leading Philippine Mining Men Spare Parts and Service Always Available Chicago Pneumatic T66U COMPANY EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTORS: THE EARNSHAWS DUCKS & HONOLULU IRON WORKS Cor. Tacoma & 2nd Sts. Telephone: Branch Office at Port Area, Manila 3-35-41 Bacolod, Occ. Negros Ambassador Chen Chih-ping wrote in part: ”... I am sorry to see you leaving Manila and I am sure that you will be missed by the host of your friends here. May I take this opportunity to express my sincere apprecia tion of our pleasant association and to wish you Godspeed and every success in the future? Please rest assured that Mrs. Virginia Gonder, as your distinguished successor, will continue to receive every possible co operation and assistance from this Embassy whenever needed.” Ambassador A. A. Maramis, of Indonesia, wrote, in part: “I note with pleasure your expression of thanks for the close cooperation between the Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce which was in real essence, mutual and congenial. The Embassy, for its part, has much to thank you as well as the rest of the members of the Chamber for... Please convey to Mrs. Virginia Gonder who will succeed you, further confirmation and as surance that the Embassy will only be too glad to do its share in maintaining the same cooperation that happily exists between the Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce.” The Netherlands Minister, A.J.D. Steenstra-Toussaint, wrote in part: "It has always been a great pleasure to the members of this Legation and to me to associate with you and I want to assure you that Mrs. Virginia Gonder, your successor in the American Chamber of Commerce, may count on the same cooperation of the Netherlands Legation and myself whenever assistance or information should be re quired. . .” Minister Lucien Colin, of France, wrote that Mrs. Willimont’s letter announcing her resignation was a “painful surprise” to him, and said, in part: “Please allow me in the name of the French Chamber of Commerce as well as of this Legation and in my own, to express to you our sincere appreciation for the unselfish and unstinted cooperation you have always extended to us during your incumbency... Kindly assure Mrs. Gonder that she can count on our wholehearted cooperation.'.. ” There were two letters from the Central Bank. Governor Miguel Cuaderno wrote, in part: “...While your decision is to be regretted, at the same time I believe we can be happy in the thought that we will soon have one more friend in the United States. With your vast knowledge of conditions in the Philippines and of the problems which this young republic is trying to meet, I have no doubt that you will continue to be interested in Philippine affairs. I assure you that since the organization of this Bank it has been my consistent policy to help in the formula tion of monetary policies which are neces sary to maintain the stability of our money and to implement such policies impartially. “Mrs. Gonder, your successor, can rest assured of such assistance as we may be able to render her. “With regards and best wishes, etc.” Mr. N. Tomas, Superintendent of Banks, wrote in part: “...I deeply regret that you have to leave the Philippines soon. It has been a pleasure to have known and dealt with you. I have no doubt that Mrs. Virginia Gonder, your successor, will be accorded the same degree of cooperation that has been accorded to you by the Exchange Control Department... With kindest personal regards and best wishes, etc.” Acting Commissioner Mariano G. Pineda, of the Securities and Ex change Commission, wrote in part: "I am sorry to learn that you will soon be severing your connection with the American Chamber with which you have been so closely identified during the past four years. On your representations, the Commission has rendered the Chamber some advisory assistance in matters pertaining to the statu tory functions and activities of this Office. It pleases this Commission to know that its services in this regard are being appre ciated by the Chamber. “For my part, I can assure Mrs. Gonder AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 397 the Commission to ration that has been to you. With best in every endeavor, Collector of Internal Revenue S. David wrote in part: “...and thank you for your expression of satisfaction over the humble courtesies ex tended by this Office to you. In this con nection please rest -assured that this Office will extend to your successor, Mrs. Virginia Gonder, all the cooperation which she may need in her official transactions with this Bureau... Wishing you Good Luck, I am, etc.” Mr. A. de las Alas, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, wrote, in part: “...I deeply regret that by the imperatives of motherhood, you had to resign as Execu tive Vice-President of the American Cham ber of Commerce.I know of the creditable work you have rendered... It is the policy of our Chamber to work in close coopera tion with other Chambers of Commerce, and it has been our experience to have been the recipient of courtesies and attention from you whenever the assistance of your Chamber was needed. We are grateful to you for your cooperation... I welcome and greet, through you, Mrs. Virginia Gonder, your successor...” Mr. W. Wooding, President of the Manila Chamber of Commerce, wrote: “I am sorry to learn from your letter of October 22nd that you are giving up your work with the American Chamber of Com merce. Your departure will be a great loss not only to the American Chamber of Com merce but also the Manila Chamber. I, for one, shall long remember your helpful co operation during my term as President of the Manila Chamber of Commerce. “Mrs. Gonder may rest assured that all officers of the Manila Chamber will extend to her the fullest possible cooperation in matters of interest to the two Chambers.” Mr. Arno Duchstein, Executive Secretary of the Philippine Tourist and Travel Association, Inc., recently established, also wrote Mrs. Willimont a very nice letter. Two of the letters Mrs. Willimont received were from past Presidents of the Chamber. Mr. Frederic H. Stevens wrote in part: "...Am sorry to hear of your resignation. It will not be the American Chamber of Commerce without you. You certainly made good ... We will miss you, and I more than all...” Mr. Paul Wood, last year’s Pres ident, wrote her, in part: “I want to thank you for your most ap preciated letter... but I am made most un happy by the knowledge that the time for your leaving is rapidly approaching... Last year was to me one of the most instructive and interesting that I can remember. The Chamber presidency is without a doubt the most overworked and underpaid employ ment one could imagine—and to a certain extent, perhaps the most unappreciated. On the other hand, I know I made more friends and acquaintances during that year than at any time since I arrived in the Philip pines ... “During many years in business I have had the opportunity to work several times with capable women executives. As com pared to men, I have always felt that there were certain business responsibilities that could better be discharged by women and that has particularly to do with dealing with people. In our own business here Mrs. Carmichael has shown that ability as Super visor of Personnel. It will always be a pleas ant and happy moment to me to remember your own most capable administration of American Chamber affairs. I am glad the Board has chosen another lady to follow you, but I must say you have left an example A member of the present Chamber Board, Mr. C. R. Leaber, wrote: B. F. Goodrich RECAPPING— to men at the B. F. Goodrich Recap Plant have the equipment, the training, the knowledge and the materials to do treading jobs of superior quality that will produce new highs in performance and new lows in cost per mile of tire operation. The RECAP 205 Rizal Ave. Ext. PLANT Grace Park, Caloocan Tel.: 2-72-23 Goodrich International Rubber Co. 13th and Atlanta Sts. Port Area MANILA TEL.: 3-37-21 “... I enjoyed working with you, and no matter how competent your successor may prove to be, you are going to be sorely missed by all the members of the Chamber. Persons can be replaced, but not personal ities. . .” Letters from members were too numerous to quote from at length. A few extracts follow: "Thank you for your help to me, and with best wishes to you and your family for a happy and prosperous time in the United States, Sincerely, etc.” AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL November, 1951 qr'HE editor has been quiet and -*• rather pale about the'gills all month, and we wondered. Now we have learned that he is getting out a book of poetry! We didn’t know he ever wrote poetry, but it seems he has been writing it for years, but kept it quiet. What seems to worry him is that the poems may offend some good people who are his friends. They are not just about sunsets on Manila Bay, he said, but pretty deep stuff about man’s place in the uni verse, life, love, God, and such-like themes. “Some of it is pretty bitter”, he added. “Well”, we said/ “If you are wor ried about it in any way, why pub lish? You haven’t up to now.” “That’s it,” he said. “I have so little to show for a lifetime of work, what with my diaries and notes and manuscripts destroyed and even the library files of all the newspapers and magazines I ever wrote for. These few poems I was able to salvage or reconstruct. I can’t start all over again at my age. And foolish as it may be, I somehow feel the same impulse a young man feels when he starts carving the initials of himself and his sweetheart in the trunk of some tree. He wants to leave some thing behind him, some kind of mark of his own. He wants people to know he was there.” “When’s the book coming out?” we asked. “Heaven help me, about the end of this month!” he said. C. F. SHARP & COMPANY, INC. 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pages: 394-398