{"value"=>"<p>Series reflects Westerman's primary occupation and demonstrates how he utilized his position with The Panama Tribune and other newspapers to improve social conditions for West Indians and other Panamanians. The series consists of founding papers of The Panama Tribune, stock certificates and correspondence with shareholders and advertisers, financial records and reports about the origins, purposes, and accomplishments of the newspaper. The correspondence of the founder and original owner of The Panama Tribune, Sidney Young, pertains to the operation of the paper, as well as his personal business ventures. In addition, there is personal correspondence and biographical information about Young. The series contains correspondence relating to Westerman's purchase of the newspaper in 1959 from Young's widow. There are letters to Westerman as the associate editor in 1952 (in Spanish) dealing with continuing problems with the printing company, financial matters, and correspondence between Young and Westerman regarding The Panama Tribune's involvement in a struggle against Communist control of a labor union on the Canal Zone. There is extensive correspondence between Westerman and Rex Williams (a. k. a. Joseph Williams), Westerman's nephew who served as the Chicago correspondent. The letters from Williams discuss contemporary issues affecting Panama, his personal affairs, and his support of Westerman's efforts in all his endeavors. Included are a few articles by Williams. There are also articles by other columnists who wrote for The Panama Tribune. Other files deal with the suspension of operations of The Panama Tribune for what was believed to be temporary in March 1973 because of difficulties with the printing company and government restrictions. The series also contains Westerman's weekly editorial in The Panama Tribune entitled \"The Passing Review\", another column, and articles he wrote, covering the years 1935-1973. The news articles are arranged chronologically.</p> <p>Westerman contributed many articles for a number of newspapers besides The Panama Tribune, during and after the period of its publication. Most notably, Westerman was special correspondent for The Miami Herald, Panama Edition in the mid -1960s. He also wrote occasional articles for The Chicago Daily News, Critica, La Hora, Mundo Graflco, The Nation, Panama America, La Republica and The Sunday Republic. The latter papers are Panamanian publications, several were Spanish language issues, although Westerman seemed to prefer writing in English for the West Indian community in Panama. Files consist of Westerman's drafts for the articles as well as the actual news clippings and correspondence. There is also correspondence with George Schuyler, the New York editor of The Pittsburgh Courier. Additionally, this series contains a list Westerman compiled in 1983 of Panamanian newspapers with brief comments including their political affiliations and leading columnists.</p> <p>Westerman was a member of the Inter American Press Association and served as the regional vice chairman of the Freedom of the Press Committee from 1964-1970. He attended the annual general assemblies held in various member countries including the United States, and occasionally, the mid-year meetings as well. The records consist of conference proceedings, newsletters and news clippings, a directory of members and correspondence. There are also statements by Westerman and information about President Kennedy's address to the Association in Miami about inter-American relations on November 18, 1963.</p>"}