http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/7553eb82c17dde6c3db60c7f31092998.PDF d86fee0c5c09b7da368d637496bd228f PDF Text Text SEAFARERS LOG • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THI SiAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL • 3-DEPr VOTE ENDS SEE SlU VKTORY Last Sea Union Under Control Of Communists Hearing Doom ——— ->1 Story On Page 3 New Seniority Hiring Set-Up Runs Smoothly 'I'H Story On Page 3 - • CAMU Flops; AFL Unions Withdraw .*>1 1 Story On Page S 'ifi SlU Action w Nips Unsafe Shipboard Rig '•'m •s" •. I<V>: ' - ^-. 'V V. 11••.•;'••: |!'j.r Ir'"' lit. 'it Story Ontf*age 3 liS-^ — M ^ff u •/ Harry Lundeberg, president of the SIU of North America, lead» AFL delegation out of CAAfU rOnSp Washington conference room after presenting statement with reasons for AFL maritime union withdrawal from the Conference of American Maritime Unions. Failure of CAMU to fulfill its function was cited as one of the main reasons for the AFL unions' action. Shown leaving with Lundeberg are: SUP New York port agent Morris Weisberger (behind Lundeberg) ; David Lees (with pipe) and Fred Farnen, Great Lakes SIUj .^knd Thomas Meyer (right), Marine Firemwi'si,Union. (Story on Page 2). House Okays USPHS Budget For'55-'56 Story On Page S • .''rf �"Hr k^s'i, 1S88 USPHS Clears 1st Hurdle Okays Fund Bill ;r. Venus Loses Her Sea-Legs WASHINGTON—Seafarers and other merchant seamen last week won the first round in the fight to keep the US Public Health Service hospital program intact for another year, as the House of Representatives passed a bill to provide $34 million for the operation of the hospitals in the fiscal year year after a wave of protest from beginning July li Seafarers and others, in the mari­ Now clear of its first major time industry. The. House action last week, in approving funds for hospital operations ; during . the coming 12 thonths, underlines its reaction to the "economy" pro­ posal. Employee Wage Boost ^ The additional funds for USPHS activities provided in the House appropriation bill this year cover an increased wage cost for em­ Swept ashore last week during 60-mlIe-an-hour gale winds, the ployees, estimated at $800,000, Venus, a 6,269-ton Norwegian vessel, provokes the interest of curi­ which Is required by law. osity-seekers at Plymouth, England, after Hhe rode up on the rocks at nearby Mount Batten. No injuries were reported. Noting this. Rep. John E. Fogarty (D-RI), who filed the com­ mittee report, stated: "According to testimony and information pre­ sented to the Committee,'it was not planned to close any hospital In 195*6. The Committee wished to further assure this by allowing in full for this sizable and practical­ ly uncontrollable added cost (of $800,000)." While House Merchant Marine Committee staff members Hailing the House action, SIU started discussions with East Coast maritime representatives, officials at headquarters urged they announced that open hearings have been scheduled on Seafarers not to relax their efforts in contacting their Senators and the subject of West Coast la--*'situation in maritime and its effects Congressmen about the necessity bor relations. on the American merchant marine. of keeping the USPHS hospitals The staff members, Ralph Discussions are planned with open. "The battle may be won, E. Casey, chief counsel, and two representatives of both seagoing but the war isn't over," they cau­ assistants are, in their own words, and shoreside unions, the ship op­ exploring" the labor-management erators, stevedores and the New tioned. York-New Jersey waterfront com­ mission. Subsequently, the committee staff wUl go to the Gulf area to explore conditions in that section. The SIU Atlantic and Gulf Dis­ trict is one of the unions which Adding another company to the the House staff will contact. SIU roster, the Union reached Casey and his assistants have agreement with, the newly-formed Pointing to the failure of the Conference of Anierican Maritime Unions to deal sincerely already been to the West Coast Arthur Steamship Corp. last month for a standard SiU freight contract and effectively with the issues affecting the American seaman, all the AFL-affiliated unions to see maritime representatives in that area. The hearings there are on its first ship, the Westport. have left the conference. In a statement of withdrawal signed by the AFL representatives,' expected to open after the con­ The ship, a Liberty, had aboard a hey declared: "The CAMU clusion of the current discussions. full crew of Seafarers and sailed was formed to present a firm organization for his own pet pro­ jurisdictions over bulk cargo ships. The committee, headed by Rep. in ballast from Norfolk to pick up jects at the expense of his mem­ When the AFL and CIO joined a cargo of sodium ash in Louisiana. and united stand on problems bership and the membership of hands, the prograih would be Herbert C. Bonner (D-NC), is seek­ ing to develop remedies for the facing the American seaman. She will pay off in Hampton Roads other unions, industry's many ills. (Continued on page 17) "Of these the foremost were the and is expected to head for the The futility of CAMU was spell­ maintenance ... of the' hiring Far East after that. ed out clearly when NMU Presi­ Formerly the SS Union Sulphur, dent Joseph Curran and William the Westport had been manned in Full details of the contract Steinberg, president of the CIO all three departments by SIU af­ tigned by the Sailors Union radio operators union. Issued a filiates on the West Coast until the with the International Steam­ blast in the public press against new company was formed for East ship Company, operators of the Sailors* Union of the Pacific Coast operations. Its offices, in the Tonsina, can be found on and its secretary-treasurer, Har^ New York, are at 120 Wall Street. page 6 of this issue. Lundeberg. This blast came on the very eve of the meeting on an issue that should have been dis­ hall ... we do not approve of the cussed at the meeting itself. The manner in which the hiring hall April 1, 1955 Vol. XVII, No. 7 was handled by the National Mari­ attack was followed up' by radio­ grams circularized to all ships at NMU President Joseph Curran's violent and hysterical As I See It Page 4 time Union ... all undersigned sea by CIO radio operators well attack on Harry Lundeberg and the Sailors Union of the Burly Page 16 unions pledge themselves to a de­ in advance of the meeting. Pacific has stirred much_comment in maritime and labor Crossword Puzzle Page 8 termined and continue# fight to Target Was SUP Pact circles,. ' The SEAFARERS-* Editorial Cartoon ....... Page 0 uphold the . . . rights of our mem­ LOG has asked observers in was to meet, Curran invited Lunde­ bers ... to use their own hiring The target of the attack was an Editorials Page 9 experimental bulk cargo agree­ both fields for their reactions. berg to a meeting of the LaborFinal DispatchPage 19 haUs. ..." ment signed by the Sailors Union Although they prefer not to be Management Committee without Inquiring Seafarer Page 8 CIO Hiring Surrender some weeks before with the oper­ quoted these' observers attribute success. Here is Lundeberg's view Labor Round-Up Page 8 On this note, AFL unions, in­ Letter of The Week Page 9 cluding fhe SIU and all its affili­ ators of a US flag liberty ship, Curran's rash action to three fac­ on the subject as reported to the SUP membership: Maritime Page 8 ates, left the March 21 meeting in the Tonsina. One point of the at­ tors: "The CIO Maritime Committee 1. The CIO Labor-Management Meet The Seafarer Page 8 Washington. Their endorsement of tack was that the new agreement is part of what is called the LaborNotices, Personals Page 17 this position was the result of was signed by the Sailors Union Committee. Off Watch Page 14 maneuvers by CIO unions, particu­ for the whole crew. In fact, Lunde­ 2. The maritime hiring hall and Management Committee, composed of the big subsidized shipowners Port Reports Pages 12, 13 larly the National Maritime Union, berg had consulted with unli­ seniority. on the East Coast, headed by the Quiz Page 14 to use CAMU for political pur­ censed affiliates on the question of 8. The APL-CIO merger. US Liiie and the CIO unions, prin­ Becent Arrivals Page 18 poses and as a cover-up for a jurisdiction, and / subsequently in Here in brief is the background cipally the NMU. No one else in SIU History Cartoon Page 6 series of abject surrenders on Washington, met with national on these factors;j the industry, belongs to this set-up, Vote of Thanks Page 9 major "porkchop" issues for sea­ heads of the R^dio Officers Union, The CIO Labor-Management which is ostensibly set up by the Welfare Benefits Pages 18, 19 men. These issues, aside from the Brotherhood of Marine Engineers ^ Committee big shipowners under labor's label Welfare Report Page 18 all-important hiring hall question. and Masters, IV&tes and Pilots on : ' The CIO Labor-Management in their continuous attempt to Your Dollar's Worth Page 4 Include the Coast Guard's pliyslcal this question. All parties'agreed thkt this Was Cdmnlltlee was set up by Curran, wheedle more subsidies from the Publlshod biweekly at the headquarters and mental examination program in their jurisdiction but that the and Lundeberg has often been re­ US, Government. •f the Seafarer* International Union, At­ and defense of AFL jobs on Ampac Saiiors Union shodld be allowed quested to participate. Lundeberg "Significantly' enough the colantic a Oulf District AFL, 675 Fourth ships. to crew the ship in this one experi­ has spurned these invitations be­ chairmen of this committee are Avanue, Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel. HYaclnth In addition, CAMU was rendered mental instance. Subsequently if cause he opposes this type of "co- NMU President Joseph chrran and at the Post Office In Brooklyn, NY, under B4660. Bntered a* second class, matter ineffective by the efforts of one the experiment, workgd, the other. pppyatiQi}." Just before the, Confer­ John Franklin, president of United CIO representati've to exploit the AFL unions Vould assert their' ence of American Maritime Unions ttM Act ef August 24; 19IZ (Continued on page 17) hurdle, the measure now goes to the Senate for consideration by the Appropriations Committee of that body. Action there is expect­ ed before long. House approval followed a day. after the House Appropriations Committee had adopted the bill with minor amendments. The funds provided are. $352,000 less than the President's' original bud­ get request of $34.4 million for "hospital and medical care" ac­ tivities of the USPHS, but are $1 million more than the program received last year. The House Committee report noted that "it was not planned to Secretary of Health Hobby close any hospital in 1956." This A reluctant custodian of view was backed up earlier by Dr. seamen's hospitals. G. H. Hunt, Assistant Surgeon General, in testimony at commit­ the Hoover Commission recom­ tee hearings, who told the Con­ mending the closing of all but gressmen that the Public Health four specialized USPHS hospitals Service operates 16 hospitals and Indicated this proposal was getting 25 outpatient clinics. "The esti­ anything but a warm reception. mates before you," he said, "pro­ The suggestions of the Hoover vide for the continuation of this Commission paralleled the same program at approximately the idea put forward in mid-1953 by present level of bperations." Mrs. Oveta Culp Hobby, Secretary Meanwhile, the furor through­ of Health, Education and Welfare, out the maritime industry and in and former Budget Director Jo­ Congress raised by the report of seph P. Dodge. These were voted down last Gov't Goes 'Exploring' In East Coast M'time -- 0 SlU Signs Up New Company CAM U Fails UnionSeamen ^AFL Unions Withdraw Maritime Observers Report: SEAFARERS LOG I I fek:-' Why Joe Curran Attacks Lundeberg �April , I>ar*^t1ife« gE^EARBR9'LOC 19SI •''m Working Smoothly The SIU's new seniority hiring system went into effect smoothly and unobstrusively in all ports last week. Seafarers are now registering and shipping under the joint Union-ship­ owner plan which assures the**^ men th^t they will ship in ac­ of the LOG there were-no difficul­ cordance with their pooled ties in putting it into effect. Regis­ seniority, which is their length of service on all SlU-contracted ships. The new system calls for all seamen employed regularly since before January 1, 1951, to register class "A"; seamen employed regu­ larly since before January 1, 1951, and before January 1,"1955, to reg­ ister class "B"; and all newcomers to register class "C". Class "A" men have preference over "B" and "C" for jobs, with "B" next in line on the preference sys­ tem. Provision has been made for a joint union-shipowner board of control and the entire procedure, including Union shipping rules, has been written into the SIU contract. Training School Meanwhile agreement has been reached on the mode of operation of the Andrew Furesetfa Training School which is now located in -Mobile Bay. With the new seniority hiring system fully reported at all mem­ bership meetings and in the pages tration and shipping figures for the first two weeks indicate its workability. The Union registered 1,190 men in all ports during this period and shipped 1,019, a situa­ tion which showed a lower registra­ tion figure than in the period j)rior to establishment of the new rule. The new seniority system offers ample assurance to the profession­ al seaman that he will be able to get a ship within 'a reasonable length of time, even though ship­ ping today is not what it was two or three years ago. By contrast, under the National Maritime Union system of an open hiring hall for aU comers, the NMU has 23,000 men waiting on its registration lists, and is ship­ ping roughly 1,000 men a week, which means a lengthy delay in getting a ship. The NMU has been pleading for its membership to take vacations so that some of the men on the beach can move aboard ship, but the membership is understandably reluctant to pay off under present conditions. It is reported that the NMU is now in the process of attempting to negotiate a seniority agreement with the shipownei*s in the SIU pattern, but that it is having con­ siderable difficulties because of the fact that it has already opened its hiring hall to all men with seamen's papers. Meeting Night Everg 2 Weeks Regular membership meet­ ings in SIU headquarters and at all branches are held every second Wednesday night at 7 PM. The schedule for the next few meetings is as follows: April 6, April 20, May 4. All Seafarers registered on the shipping list are required to attend the meetings ; I --"t Group or crewmembers of the Wpst Coast passenger ship President Monroe relax in messroom awaiting their turn to cast ballots in NLRB election. At right, Louis Salvi, 3rd steward, reads post­ ed election notice. Last ship to vote, the Monroe was polled by the New York NLRB office March 30. 3'Dept Vote Ends See SIU Victory As Tally Hears SAN FRANCISCO—The last segment of Communist-line unionism on Ameri­ can-flag vessels is expected to be on its way to extinction early next week when the counting of ballots in the three-department vote on West Coast ships is completed. The actual count is due to^ department personnel on West Sailors Union led by Harry Lundeget underway Monday, Coast ships, who have been with­ berg and the Marine Firemen April 4. out formal union representation of headed by Vincent Malone on tho Every indication froin the balloting which wound up Wednesday with the polling of the liner President Monroe in New York points to a solid victory for t le SIU Pacific District, representing the Sailors Union of the Pacific, the Marine Firemen and the Marine Cooks and Stewards, AFL. The win will cul­ minate a bitter 20-year fight on this coast to end Communist ex­ ploitation of American seamen. The immediate issue at stake is j the bargaining rights of steward Prompt Action Nips Ship Beet Prompt action by headquarters representatives brought a swift end to unsafe v/orking conditions on the SS Elizabeth (Bull Line) and substitution of a new system of wire-brush­ ing over the side. The company was contacted immediately after the ship's delegate com­ plained to headquarters aboutt i' & the unsafe conditions and agreement wa.s reached to use a different and safer method. The beef arose wiien deck gang members were put to work over the side ^on rope-rigged stages with electric wire-brushing equip­ ment. -There were two men on a stage, each one operating an elec­ tric wire brush. The equipment consisted of a bulky tank, hose, wire brush and cables leading to a power source. "The whole unit resembles a tank-type vacuum cleaner, but is of far greater weight, about 30 to 40 pounds. With two men working there were two tanks and accessory equipment on the narrow stage.*" Deck gang men on the Elizabeth described it as heavy work and particularly dangerous In the high March winds. Once headquarters received the complaint. Union representatives immediately went to work on it. The men were knocked off shortly afterwards and after discussion with the company, agreement was reached on modifying the type of 'operation. Pictured on deck of the Elizabeth a short time after work over the Bide with heavy vire-brush rig was halted, "Lefty" Gooch, AB and deck delegate, shvows what equipment looks like. - any kind for some time, although the Marine Cooks and StewardsAFL, an SIU affiliate, has been active in their behalf. Last year, an election among the cooks and stewards involving only the MCS-AFL and the National Union of Marino Cooks and Stew­ ards (Ind.) proved inconclusive. With CP strategists dictating each move, NUMC&S received ,quarterbacking from Harry Bridges' Inter­ national Longshoremen's and Ware­ housemen's Union (Ind.) and al­ lowed itself to be swallowed up so that a hastily-organized Bridges "Local 100," which was unable to get on the ballot, could campaign in its place. The result was a clear majority for MCS-AFL over the Commieline cooks' union, but a heavy "no union" vote marshalled by Bridges' forces nullified the result. With the issue still unresolved, this led to the joint filing last fall of a petition by the three SIU affiliates for a three-department election in­ volving all personnel on West Coast ships. Eventually, after lengthy hear­ ings by the National Labor Rela­ tions Board and much jockeying before the board and the courts by both the NUMC&S and Bridges, voting began January 31 with Bridges' "Local 100" and the SIU Pacific District on the ballot. NUMC&S was unable to qualify. Voting was conducted by mail on a total of 140 freighters and manually on five passenger ves­ sels, including the Lurline, and the Presidents Cleveland, Wilson, Polk and Monroe., Nearly 6,000 votes are involved. However, with the deck and engine departments already repre­ sented by SIU affiliates, and a large majority of steward depart­ ment members already recorded in favor of MCS-AFL in last year's polling, a heavy victory for the SIU Pacific District is inevitable. The result will close many years of bitter campa gning, with the one hand opposing Bridges' efforts to extend his control over workers wiio have never been within the Commie-line longshore union's jiu'isdietion. An SIU win will also bring fulllime representation to the cooks nnd stewards on the West Coast for the first time in several years, replacing the part-time, party-line unionism practiced on them by the now-defunct NUMC&S. The result­ ing single bargaining unit for all three departments on the ships will extend the practice in force on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts for nearly 20 years. US Breaks Out 18 Ships For 'Blue Jay' Run WASHINGTON—The Mili­ tary Sea Transportation serv­ ice announced it is breaking out 18 ships. Including both Victorys and C-ls, from the Govern­ ment reserve fleet for "Operation Blue Jay," the summertime supply run to US Arctic bases. The Government-owned ships will be used on the runs that are considered more hazardous. Strict security controls will be invoked on these runs. In addition, MSTS announced it would charter pri­ vately-owned ships in this opera­ tion for the first time. The private ships would operate in the less dangerous waters. The announcement did not make clear whether the Governmentowned ships would be chartered out to private companies or not. This has been the standard pro­ cedure in previous years. Bases to be supplied include the giant Air Force installation at Thule, Green­ land. I JI ml �f: Vacv'Toor' sr^F^ii«ir»' tiO'c New Hiring System Gets Once-Over Keen interest in new seniority hiring system just established by the SIU is displayed by a dcl^ation of Turkish government labor officials during a visit to SIU headquarters. Pictured in the shipping hall (1-r) are: SIU Patrolman Keith Terpe; S. S. Mehmet, labor inspector; Willy Dorchain, American Representative, Int'l Transportworkers Federation, and G. B. Huseyin and O. M. Sami, of the Min­ istry of Labor in Ankara. Dispatcher Tom Gould is behind the counter. MA Okays 'Fake' Runaway Deals WASHINGTON.—A Maritime Administration official has admitted that the Government ship agency merely winked at "private arrangements" between.shipowners trying to get on the foreign-flag transfer gravy train and others who committed theemselves to keep their vessels under the American • This fee, of course, was recov­ Eighteen separate transfer deals flag for a price. ered many times over when the are reported to be involved. . Captain Walter C. Ford, The much-criticized MA ship American shipowner began oper- Deputy Maritime Administrator, said over one-fourtl> of the 69 Liberty ship transfers allowed under the policy adopted last Au­ gust presumably Involved "mone­ tary considerations for the sub­ mission of letters of commission." transfer program enabled shipowners to transfer one ship for every two they would continue to maintain under the US flag. Owners of only one ship were allowed to switch to foreign-flag operations" provided they could produce a letter from another company, under which the second company committed itself to maintain a ship under the US flag. Those owning three ships who wanted to transfer two of them qualified by submitting a letter from another company along with their own to meet the "one for two" requirement. Sold For $10,000 The going rate for such letters of committment. The New York Times reported last fall, was $10,000 and up. ating under .a 'Tunaway" flag and competing with US ships for the same cargoes. A letter from Capt. Ford to Rep. Herbert C. Bonner (N-NC), chair­ man of the House Merchant Mar­ ine Committee, on this subject ar­ gued that "it was not believed to be necessary or advisable to con­ cern ourselves with the private arrangements made." Ships involved in the 18 special transactions include the following SlU-manned vessels: Capt. N. B. Palmer and National Freedom (American Waterways); Christos M. (Martis), Holystar (Intercon­ tinental), Marven (International Nav), Taddei (Shipenter), Mother M. L. (Eagle Ocean) and Compass (Compass), alL-qye'ntually' transfered. A»ril-C IT IS UNFORTUNATE, AND A DISSERVICE TO WORKING SEAmen of all unions that the NMU president has chosen to open an attack which tends to push aside fundamental issues facing his inembership. The reasons for his attack on Harry Lundeberg, the secretary-treasurer of the Sailors Union and president of the SIU" of North America, are fully discussed elsewhere in this issue. Even if it could be assumed that the NMU president is sincere in hia complaint, it certainly appears to. your Union and to other observerii that the complaint could have been discussed in an orderly and con« structive fashion at the conference table. Instead, the NMU officer has chosen to rush out and sound the alarm for a personal vendetta based on sheer avarice, in the process app.ai-ently hoping to elevate himself in the eyes of people outside the industry. It appears odd that the NMU president Joined in calling a meeting of ail maritime unions at the very time that he was preparing to smear Lundeberg, create a hostile atmosphere and even pressure individuals in other unions to form a combination in his corner. Your Union con­ siders that it was impossible from the start for any constructive and rational discussion to take place at a meeting, scheduled subsequent to the issuance of noisy broadsides against our affiliate, the SUP, and its secretary^ Harry Lundeberg. The sad result of his ill-conceived adventure is that it holds no promise of benefit for seamen anywhere."- He may believe it expedient and politic' in his own union to raise this -issue in dealing with the probleihs the NMU faces. It is doubtful whether such a procedure is to be preferred when it would appear that a cool head would be in the best interests of the seamen. The need for a sober attitude is particularly keen now in light of the general condition of tiie US maritime industry. Now more than ever the cool, deliberative point of view is necessary if the industry is to be preserved in the best interests of all concerned. In any case, whatever the NMU officer has done or will do, will not distract those maritime unions that are at work on the problems of their memberships. And we, in our union, are sure that when the tumult and the shouting dies, that all seamen regardless of affiliation, or whether they are licensed or unlicensed, will see this maneuver of the NMU president as just one more political gjTation in a long series, and will judge it accordingly. A FINE EXAMPLE OF TEAMWORK BETWEEN THE MEN ON THE ships and your Union's shoreside apparatus took place recently in deal­ ing with a problem that arose on an SlU-contracted ship. It appears that a deck department officer had put members of the deck gang to work over the side under hazardous circumstances. Immediately, Seafarers on the ship, who were fully alert to the dangers involved, contacted headquarters. The officials of your Union got to work on the problem with-the company with the result that a new and far safer system of handling this particular kind of work has been devised. This incident speaks volumes for the value of having both shipboard and shoreside Union machinery functioning at all times. Had there been nobody on board to take responsibility for seeing to it that the safety objectives of the Union were met, serious injury eould have resulted. iBut with an active system of shipboard delegates the com­ plaint was acted upon without delay. , Certainly, all parties—the Union, the membership and the shipowner —benefit greatly when such conditions are corrected since all stand to lose in case of neglect. Your Union is proud of the fact that its ship­ board apparatus "does respond so readily to the needs of the member­ ship, just as it takes pride in equally rapid response from shoreside. SEAFARERS GUIDE TO BETTER BUYING Some Lowdown On Gasolines A Seafarer operating a car this summer will find his gasoline expenses larger than ever. Next to depreciation, gas is the biggest expense in car ownership. You have to figure that your cost for gas and oil now runs close to 2t2 cents a mile. Not only are cars getting bigger and heavier, thus demanding more fuel, but prices of gaso­ line have been shoved up by the introduction of new premium fuels. It's easier to know if you are getting good comparative value in a whiskey than in a gallon of gas. The whiskey at least has the proof and age marked on the label. But when you want to buy a tankful of gas you are bombarded with all kinds of claims for super-ingredients and high octane rating, but no major gasoline company tells con­ sumers just what the octane rating of its fuel actually is. The reason for all these new fuels, many of which com­ mand an extra premium in price too, is that modern highcompression engines require high-octane gas, which is gas that bums more slowly and evenly. Otlierwi.se, the Intense heat at which a high-compression engine ignites the fuel mixture will cause the engine to knock. The usual method of raising the octane rating of gas is to add tetra-ethyl lead. But the lead causes a new problem for modern high-compression cars. It leaves a residue of lead salts on the piston heads. Together the lead and carbon deposits make a liot surface when you've been running your car under load, and this in turn causes a premature explosion of the gas. This difficulty has been most noticeable in hilly regions, as on the West Coast, where much city driving is done under hill climbing con­ ditions. So there's^ tho 'problenii.-: Lqsvpoctane gas causes • knock' 4•;':;;V: in a modern high-compression engine, while high-octana gas—if it depends chiefly on added lead for its~octane rating—causes premature explosion of gas, with such ef­ fects as loud, cracking noises in the engine at low speed, or a thudding sound when you open the throttle after a slow trip through traffic. That's why the new premium gasolines came on the market, and why there has been so much confusing bally­ hoo, about them. One group of gasoline companies has sought to solve the problem by adding such chemicals as trictesyl phosphate ("TCP") to the gas. This neutralizes - the deposits of lead salts, and also helps stop spark-plug fouling, a problem with older engines as well as highcompression ratio (over 1 to 1), and do much driving to solve the problem by re-forming gasoline during refin­ ing to get a higher octane rating without adding so much of the lead which has been causing trouble in some mod­ ern high-powered cars. Where does that leave a Seafarer when he loads his family or girl friend into the car and wants to buy a tank­ ful of gas? Should you buy one of the new premium gaso­ lines even if they do cost more? Or should you just buy i any reasonably-pi'iced regular-grade gas? Try'Em All The answer really depends on your own car and drivifig conditions. If you have a modem car with highcompression, ratio (over 7 to 1), and do much driving under heavy traffic and hill conditions, and have actually expei-ienced premature explosion of gas, then it is cer­ tainly worth trying several tankfuls of TCP gas or sev­ eral tankfuls of the new extra-high octane gases without TCP, to see if they actqally help. Or if you have experi' enc«d much kpark-plug fouling, that'i8, if yduF cA' 'ii'ik''' Written exclusively for THE SEAFARERS LOG. by Sidney Margolius, Leading Expert on Buying "spark plug eater," it would be worth trying a TCP gas. Another possibility is the few brands which don't use lead at all, such as Amoco, wliieh develops a high octane rating through the addition of benzene. Amoco, however, is not available everywhere, and generally costs more than other gasolines except where competition causes its dealers to cut the price. But if you don't have a high-powered car (the dealer in your make can t<^l you its compression ratio), or have not experienced the premature gasoline explosion de­ scribed above, then you" can save mote money than ever by sticking to regular gas. The gasoline companies havg increased the price of premium gases so the spread be­ tween the regular and premium grades is now at least 2Vi or 3 cents a gallon, and often more. Consider that even regular grade gas tliese days has a comparatively hign octane rating, and for many older cars on the road, mod­ em regular grade is the equivalent of premium. The only time higher-octane gas may be wholly useful for older cars is When you travel in hilly counti-y. It would also pay to try different brands of regulargrade to see if there Is an noticeable difference in the mileage yoii get, and also the performance when acceler­ ating and on hills. Not all "regular" gasolines are the same. Some have a little higher octane rating. One of the best values is considered to be Sunoco,- which seln for the price of most "regular" grades but has a higher octane rating, although, according to trade authorities, not quite as high as the costlier top premium gasolines. Also, some of the private brands sold by |maller regional service-station chains at a little lower cost may be sat­ isfactory for your particular neieds. In fact, the privatebrand stations sometiiffes bujQhe gasoline from the big 'cbmpaiiieS; v - •-• •n 'y- " Jul: �P&gt T1T« ' ' BE AT A KEitS^ lOG' Aprii^> ISSi 'Hairless'Honnds Cut Inspections To Make BredBy Seatarer Shins'Safer ' CC Asks WASHINGTON—The US Coast Guard marshalled its forces this week for a drive toamend Federal ship safety laws and do away with annual inspections of merchant ships. The CG .is backing a bill requiring inspectio n of vessels only once every two years, on the shaky theory that this wille ^^ .actually help make the ships sels for both crew and cargo by tention to the case on a Citips much safer. unscheduled reinspections of reg­ Service tanker earlier this year, Laws requiring annual inspec­ tions of vessel hulls and boilers have been on the books since 1871. As expected, representatives of the major shipowner organizations backed the officiai Coast Guard view, which was presented by Rear Admiral H. C. Shepheard. The testimony was at a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Merchanf Marine and Fisheries, headed by Sen. Warren Magnuson (D-Wash.>. A similar bill was passed unani­ mously by the Senate in the last Congress, but ran into snags in the House. Now CG's Job Support for the measure-is based All set to beat out her own accompaniment, Foo-Foo, a Chinese on Coast Guard recommendations crested dog owned by Seafarer Raymond Frye, sits on her hairy that the biennial inspections would legs at the family piano. A rare variety, the Chinese crested is be sufficient protection to the hairless except for its legs, topknot and talk merchant marine and the public. Under present statutes, the Coast STOCKTON, Calii—Flea powder for the family pup is Guard h^s the responsibility for something they never have to worry about in the household conducting formal inspections of of Seafarer Raymond W. Frye of this city. The dog is there, merchant ships once every year. but the fleas have to shift for-f — — Its backing for the proposed themselves and find a differ­ The Fryes have a number of the amendment stems from the convic­ tion that more can -be accom­ ent home. Chinese-crested dogs, both males Frye's special hobby is breeding and females, of which there are plished to insure the safety of vesand raising Chinese-crested dogs, only about 50 altogether in the which are almost hairless and, con­ US. The American Kennel Club sequently. are on the "flnfair" list recognizes the breed, but won't of every known variety of flea. His register it until there are more of prize show-dog, Foo-Foo, has won them in the country. The Seafarer her share of awards with just a and his wife have raised dogs for thatch of foliage on her head, tail years, but had never heard of the and feet, all of it show-white next cresteds until Mrs. Frye learned to a sturdy, cliocolate-brown body. one was for sale in Arizona. Foo-Foo also has a sidekick The breed is actually supposed called "Tingaling," a toy Chineseto have originated in Turkey about crested who is equally bald all over her spotted body. The two of 3,000 years ago when the cresteds them are a weird-lpSking, but were used as harem watch-dogs. striking pair. . Barbers are about The first ones imported to this country reportedly came over in the only ones who can't understand clipper ships engaged in the China all the fuss over them. They're tea trade, which gave them their hostile to anything "hairless" by name, in roundabout fashion. SEAWPfflCB BUT 7Wa« nature. The crested requii-es no special Hope To Exhibit SfiARATTHfilROVlN Now on the tanker. The Cabins care and has a thick hide like that of a sow. They are easy on the (Mathiasen), running between Guam and Philippines in the Pa­ house, shed dirt but no hair, and cific, Frye and his wife, Catherine, have no body odor, according to intend to specialize in raising the Mrs. Frye. They are easy to train, AT SlU HALL ' YORH unusual breed and hope to be able she adds. Foo-Foo sings, for ex­ ample. Unfortunately, only -other to exhibit them in most-of the 56 dog shows scheduled on the West dogs can follow the melody. Coast for next year. Foo-Foo has already made her mark and will be in about ten shows this year just to see wliat the competition is like. m 6HBST Mumps, Wine Busting Out CARRIERE, Miss.—To most of its recipients, the SIU dis­ Mumps and sherry wine were ability benefit means the dif­ part of this week's maritime news, although in different times. The mumps came as an extra added hazard to erewmembers of the Coast Guard cutter Bibb, on serv­ ice in stormy North Atlantic waters. The Bibb was on weather duty between Greenland and Labrador when the mumps epidemic struck, putting 34 of the crew out of ac­ tion. The Bibb headed for Argentia, Newfoundland, where the ill men were taken off and rushed to the Boston USPHS hospital. Mumps can be pretty serious for adults. The sherry wine proved equally aggravating because , it was rendered useless by bilgewater. The British liner Starling was pumping her bilges in Bristol, Eng­ land, when the pumps started" squirting sherry. Examination re­ vealed that several caskS; of sherry had burst during a gale. • ference between living off charity and being self-sustaining. But to Seafarer Robert L, Butler, Jt is even more important than that. It means that in his declining years, he and his wife have- assurance that they will be able to meet the mortgage on their home. Butler's health has been .failing for several years Butler and just recently he was compelled to apply for the disability benefit, after being an active Union member since it was founded in 1938. He is. now listed as permanently unfit for sea duty. He had his own home in the Mis­ sissippi town for several, years but some time ago took out a mortgage for improvement?; Ofi;,the building,. ularly-inspected vessels than by the formal inspections required at annual intervals specified by law This argument was also upheld by former Sen. Herbert R. O'Conor of Maryland, now Washington counsel of the American Merchant Marine Institute, who said that the biennial inspections would permit mote "surprise" inspections of ships throughout the year. This would "induce" the maritime in­ dustry to redouble its-own efforts to have ships and equipment in the besst condition in every month of the year—ready for unexpecteo examination and inspections, he stated. Similar arguments were advanced by other speakers. Want ABS Used The AMMI also urged con.sideration of another amendment to ex­ isting law which would authorize, but not require, the Coast Guard to utilize the services of accredited and non-profit organizations in the inspection of hulls and boilers, such as the American Bureau of Shipping founded in 1923. Maritime observers from all seg­ ments of the industry, however, sharply question the entire basis of the proposed legislation. They note that, if anything, more regu­ lar inspections of vessels are needed at a time when the Ameri­ can merchant marine is rapidly deteriorating. Most of the ships were built during World War II and show the strain of wartime assembly-line construction. At SIU headquarters. Union spokesmen discounted the whole idea and pinpointed several cases of inadequate Coast Guard inspec­ tions and "arrangements" like those made between the operators of the ill-fated LST Southern Dis­ tricts, ABS and the Coast Guard, to allow the ship, to "get by" with patched plating instead of new plates at key structural points. Replacement would have involved expensive repairs. The Southern Districts disappeared in the At­ lantic last December with a crew of 23 men. Union officials also called at- Since his wife is ili also, neither of In due time he moved up in the them was in shape to go to work ranks and obtained a chief mate's and feared they would have to give license for Norwegian ships. their place up. In 19U2 Rolls decided he was "I don't know how," his wife tired of sailing, so he piled off a writes, "we would ever manage to Norwegian ship pay off the mortgage, and live, in the States and without this aid from the SIU headed for North Welfare Plan. We realize that the Dakota. For fif­ SIU has made this possible." teen years he is. i. tried his hand at SEATTLE—After a lengthy farming, until he decided that sail­ seagoing career stretching ing was really his back to 1893, Seafarer Bernard first love.. Roll is content to live shoreside He returned to these days. The disabled Sea­ Roll sea with the old farer keeps an oar in by attending membership meetings in Seattle ISU in 1918, and stayed with it and dropping around to the hall through the bad years until the when he is lonesome for company. SIU was founded, sailing as AB or Ben Roll was born in Norway bosun all the while. Once in the SIU, Roll was able back in 1877, and started going out to sea on coastal schooners at the to reap the benefits that had been a^e of 16. Subsequently, he denied him during all his years of worked as coal-passer for a short sailing. time on deep sea Norwegian ships, Now though, he lives ashore but soon switched over to the deck comfortably in Seattle and keeps department where he has been in sight of the waterfront where he ever sincgj <• spent so much of his where a ship's lifeboat was found to have a hole in its side as big as a man's fi.st right after the Coasts Guard had pronounced it seaworthy. The hole was right next to the CG inspection plate on the lifeboat. Question Shift Ob.servers also noted that with the Coast Guard apparently eager to reduce its own tasks relative to ship inspections—at a time when the ships were most vulnerable to safety infractions—it appeared par­ ticularly unwise for the Govern­ ment agency to stress its willing­ ness to suddenly expand opera­ tions for a full-seale screening of all merchant seamen on the basis of their physical health, mental conditions and family background. The Coast Guard unveiled a. de­ tailed plan for "profiling" of sea­ men late last year. As yet, no hear­ ings have been scheduled on the proposal, which has been attacked by all segments of the industry. Rush Work On Mobile Hall's Wing MOBILE—Every effort is being made to have work on the beautiful new addition to the Mobije SIU hall completed in time for the next membei'ship meeting, April 26, Most of the major remodeling work to the new building which ad­ joins the present hall on the Dauphin Street side has been com­ pleted. Some minor alterations, installation of some additional equipment and finishing touches to interior decorations remain to be completed. The time schedule for comple­ tion of the work was interrupted by two major strikes in this area. One, being conducted by non-op­ erating employees of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, delayed de­ livery of materials needed for in­ stallation of new flooring in the addition. The other, involving em­ ployees of the Southern Bell Tele­ phone Company, has delayed in­ stallation of telephones for'the dis­ patcher's counter which is being moved from the first floor to the second deck of the original building. New Facilities When completed, the addition will house a snack bar, galley arid Sea Chest warehouse on the first floor- offices for the port agent, administrative staff, welfare de­ partment and Sea Chest on the second deck, and a dormitory, showers and laundry on the third floor. A Sea Chest retail store, front­ ing on pauphin Street, and a .Rec­ reation room will be installed on the first floor of the original build­ ing. The hiring liall will be moved to the second floor of this building, which also will provide accommo­ dations for a patrolmen's office. The first and second decks are connected by doorways which have been opened between the wall sepai-ating^ the two. 'bnlldingsf - ' • < ' ''mm :> �Fac* SEAFAREitS \ LOG Experimental SUP Pact Seeks Part Of Runaway Bulk Cargo Shipping April 1/1955 The jollowing story deals with the signing of an experimental contract on the Tonsina, a bulk cargo Liberty ship, by the SUP. The Tonsina case has been blown up all out of proportion by NMU President Joseph Curran in the hope of diverting attention from his failure to make a fight on the hiring hall issue and the lack of a militant, forward-looking policy on other matters of importance to working seamen. The actual facts of the Tonsina case and the purposes of the Sailors Union of the Pacific in signing a new-type agreement with one operator on one ship, are described below. YALTA CAUSES STORM AGAIN—A good deal of heat and very little light was generated by the State Department's sudden release of the 1945 Yalta conference proceedings. The release drew much critical comment abroad especially in England where Prime Minister Winston Churchill charged that there were many inaccuracies in the US version. The text did not divulge anything not known except to give some in­ sight on the outlook of the three major personalities; Roosevelt, Chur­ chill and Stalin. A new, experimental contract aimed toward stimulation of bulk cargo trade off the West Coast has been signed by the Sailors Union of the Pacific with the International ^Trading Company, operators of the Liberty ship Tonsina. The new contract is designed to recap^ ^ture for American-flag ship- + ping the carriage of ore and putting 25 crewmen on these other cargo in bulk that is now ships instead of 32. LABOR OUSTS BEVAN; CHURCHILL MAY RETIRE—Change are coming fast and furious on the British political scene. The Labor Party executive booted out Aneurin Bevan who disagreed time and again with the party's leadership on foreign policy matters. The split in the Labor Party was taken as indication that the Conservatives would seek an early election and that Churchill would finally retire from public life. New Union Officials In Office Effective today, officials elected by the SIU member­ ship officially take office for two-year terms. As a result of tiie elections there are .some new faces in the SIU ofTicial family and shifts in other spots. Major changes are in the ports of Savannah, Tampa and Houston In Savannah, Frenchy Michelet is the newly-elected port agent and has taken over his duties there. Tom Banning, formerly serving as San Francisco port agent, was elected to the post of Tampa agent, while Ray Vaughan was elected agent for Galveston. The Galves­ ton hall has since been moved to Houston, Texas, by membership resolution. Port agents for the other SIU ports in the Atlantic and Gulf Dis­ trict were all reelected to tiieir present positions. Hq Revamped On the headquarters staff the Union has a new assistant secre­ tary-treasurer in the person of Ed­ die Mooney. He ^vill serve as the steward department representative in the new alignment whereby eacn department will be represented on this level along with three as­ sistant secretary-treasurers atlarge. Joe Algina and Joe Volpian are serving as deck and engine representatives respectively, with Claude Simmons, Bob Matthews and William Hall, as joint as­ sistant secretary-treasurers. New patrolmen were elected in the ports of New York, Baltimore, Tampa and New Orleans. being carried largely by foreignflag operators. The SUP's action in embarking oni this experiment was the-outcome of a steady decline of Ameri­ can shipping in this area. While American ships were laying up, these cargoes off the West Coast { were moving largely under runa­ way flags. By sighing the agree­ ment the SUP hopes to obtain jobs for seamen in this trade, which is totally apart frdm the regular berth services and the coastal and intercoastal trades. Approved By Members The contract came after meet­ ings with the International Steam­ ship Company in which the prob­ lem of getting bulk cargo for ^merican-flag ships was discussed. It was agreed to set up this one ship experiment to see if it would be fruitful for all parties con­ cerned. The agreement was dis­ cussed by the SUP membership in all ports and unanimously ap­ proved. Crewing of the Ton,sina followed late in February. Under the terms of the contract the base pay is $400 a month with overtime payable after eight hours in any one day. Weekend over­ time has been incorporated into the base scale. The savings in costs for the shipowner come out of a reduction in the manning scale by seven. The SUP membership of course, is fully aware of this arrangement and h h should prove unsatisfactory, they are in a position to discontinue it. Other SUP contracts are not affected by the experi­ mental arrangement. The Tonsina agreement has provoked an hysterical reaction from Joseph Curran, president of the National Maritime Union. Leaflets have been flooding all USflag ships, SUP, SIU and NMU,: at­ tacking Lundeberg and the Sailors Union. The leaflets have called for seamen on all ships to "petition"' AFL President George Meany protesting the Tonsina vcontract. "The "petition" tactics are, of course, the same ones used by Curran in days gone by to "save Harry Bridges," "open up a second front now," "bring the boys home," "reappoint Henry Wallace" arid a variety of other causes embraced by Curran in the past. Use Oftlif One 3tail Address Seafarers with beefs regard­ ing slow payment of monies due from various operators In back wages and disputed over­ time should first check wheth­ er they have a proper mailing address on file with the com-., pany. SIU headquarters offi­ cials point out that reports received''from several opera­ tors show checks have been mailed to one address while a beef on the same score is sent from another, thus creat­ ing much difficulty in keeping accounts straight. Seafarers are urged to use one perma­ nent address for mail so that claims can be checked speedi­ ly and payment made right away. Cartoon History Of The SIU i. 4 4. 4 4. 4 STOCK MARKET SETTLES DOWN—The value of stocks took a violent dip in the course of a Senate investigation into the stock market, leading to complaints that the Senate committee was "rocking the boat." However, it recovered most of the lost ground showing that the market, and the people who play it, could survive all investigations. - 4 4 4 LOYALTY PROGRAMS UNDER FIRE—Important changes in US screening procedures seem to be in the offing as the result of growing criticism of the US loyalty program. One suit now in the courts will challenge the Government's right to conceal the identities of accusers. A member of the Government's security controls panel, ex-Senator Harry Cain, has attacked criticism of the Fifth Amendment, and Con­ gressman Martin Dies indicates, he will introduce a bill to give more rights to accused Government employees. Meanwhile, Government wit­ ness Harvey Matusow has been sentenced by a Texas court to three years for contempt after reversing his testimony on the alleged Com­ munist affiliations of a union oflicial. 4 4 4 WEST GERMANS RATIFY REARMAMENT—The West German par­ liament completed ratification of German rearmament, leaving it up to the French to finish the job. The Fi-ench Assembly had ratified the agreements and the French Senate followed suit—this past week. Ger­ many would be allowed 12 divisions under the rearmament plan. 4 4 4 STASSEN GIVEN DISARMAMENT POST—President Eisenhower has appointed Harold Stassen special assistant to the President for dis­ armament. His job will be to develop disarmament policies. Stassen is currently head of the Foreign .Operations Administration and his new appointment was seen, in part, as the result of his failure to win approval for an expanded aid program for Asia. 4 4 4 SEGREGATION OUTLAWED IN RECREATION—A Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that beach and bathhouse facilities in Balti­ more must be open to all races. The ruling reversed a Baltimore Dis­ trict Court decision upholding separate facilities and follows the pat­ tern of the Supreme Court's decision on schools. Meanwhile the Su­ preme Court is prepai'ing to rule on enforcement methods for its school segregation decision. The Court is now at full strength with confirma­ tion of John Marshall Harlan to replace the late Justice Robert E. Jackson. 4 4 4 FORMOSA STALEMATE CONTINUES—An atmosphere of watchful waiting prevailed in Formosa -Straits as Nationist China sought US guarantees for offshore islands and Communist China failed so far to act on threats of Invading the islands. Meanwhil^ efforts were afoot to set up a new force in Southeast Asia in the form of a Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). The US, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaya and the Indochinese states participated in a conference tp that end. Several important nations, notably Burma, Indonesia and India, are stading aloof. The Membership tteeides •\o.80 ,:-V I»<- • Using the democratic procedure traditional with Seafarers, in January, 1951, the SIU began polling ship's crews on two items of Union policy involving their jobs. Previously aired in the SEAFARERS LOG, the questions dealt with the denial of shoreleave in war areas and cargo-handling in foreign ports. saiwiMi •* -vjtfliod ..S'.VtT'.A Letters from the Union urged all crewmembers to observe all contract terms even when they felt the companies were violating them. The Union noted the dangers of crews taking matters into their own hands at a time when enemies of maritime labor were anxlous to put the ships under'military controL Beefs on both questions, the Union proposed, should be handled at the payoff where proper settlement of the overtime couldybe made. Results of the polling proved conclusive. Immediate returns backed the SIU view by a margin of 3,145-5. A difficult problem had handled in. typical^ SIU; $tyl«. �SEAFARERS Aprn 1, 1958 SlU NEWSLETTER from WASHINGTON ALTHOUGH THE REQUIREMENT IN LAW OF INDIVIDUAL visas for alien seamen has not been enforced as of this time, foreign maritime nations, particularly Britain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Greece and Spain, continue to hammer away at our State Department to either knock out the statutory provision altogether or to permanently post­ pone it. The US State Department's visa office admits that a difficult admin­ istrative problem is presented in the issuance of iiWividual visas to several hundred thousand seamen. The visa office says that considerable time may be required to complete clearance checks; if a seaman applies outside of his home district, the case must be referred to the consul in the home district for any available infofmation regarding him; cases will constantly arise in which it will not be possible to complete the action within the short time the vessel will be in port; and that there would be cases in which seamen will not be eligible to receive visas because their passports have been lost or stolen or because of some medical disability or other ground not involving security, or be­ cause the processing of their cases has not been completed. Approached on the above subject matter, the US State Department says: "It is doubtful whether it would ever be practicable to have a worldwide screening of all seamen coming to this country through the visa process since, without consular establishments in every seaport from which'vessels may proceed to the US, it is necessary to exempt from the visa requirement vessels sailing from ports at which no American consular officer is stationed as visas cannot be required unless facilities for their issuance are available. Furthermore, even with expanded yisa facilities, difficulties would arise in the case of vessels diverted at sea to an American port and in the case of a lastminute replacement without time in which the replaced seaman can obtain a visa before the departure of the vessel. "The problem of issuing seaman visas to all members of the erews of vessels which may proceed to the US is enhanced by the fact that there is a frequent change in the composition of the crews under the systems in force in most of the maritime countries to provide employ­ ment on a rotation basis for the seamen of these countries." Because of the above considerations, US Government agencies in­ volved are giving consideration as to how best to amend existing law to obtain a more realistie program of control of alien seamen in the interest of national security. S* J* LOG Pare Sere* A Maritime Tragedy TARANTO, ITALY—^The terrors of a raging sea unfolded dramatically for passengers and crewmembers on the British liner Stratheden recently, as stormy seas off the southern coast of Italy brought death to 19 men just 200 feet from safety. A lifeboat from the Stratheden had been sent out on a perilous rescue mission to pick up survivors of the disabled Greek trawler las on. As it returned, with eight jnembers of its boat crew and 11 survivors from the stricken ship, the boat capsized, drowning all those aboard. Only four men from the trawler were eventu­ ally rescued of its 20-man crew. The traveler had developed engine trouble which com­ pletely disabled it in the midst of heavy' weather. An air-sea search finally located her after more than eight hours. The double disaster followed. • '41 The six Indian seamen and two British sailors who later drowned while returning to the Stratheden with 11 survivors from the lason are shown before they left. Their lifeboat capsized only 200 feet from safety. 4" IN ORDER TO BOLSTER AMERICAN-FLAG SHIPPING, THE Commerce Department may ask President Eisenhower to publicly re­ affirm-the nation's eontinued need for an adequate merchant marine. Having in mind that present and prospective investors in shipping must have confidence in the future of the American merchant marine. Commerce is weighing the idea of recommending that the President, in a major policy speech, should adflress a special message to Congress reaffirming the importance to the nation of a well-balanced, vigorous and modern merchant marine. 4" . i i THE US GOVERNMENT FINALLY HAS DECIDED TO MOVE ahead and study the possibilities resulting from the St. Lawrence Seaway project. The Maritime Administration, for example, is now moving with haste studying the trade potential on routes that will extend from the Lakes area to various foreign destinations. This agency also is studying the question of whether American lines, under existing law, can be subsidized on routes extending from our Great Lakes ports. In the meantime, ports on the Great Lakes are preparing to spend over a billion dollars in anticipation of increased trade resulting from opening up the Lakes to foreign trade—most of this money going into harbor development. Upwards of 50 million tons of cargo is anticipated annually after the St. Lawrence seaway is deepened to permit large ships to pass through —grain and iron ore will dominate this movement. t> On the deck of the British liner Stratheden, passengers intently watch efforts to rescue 20 men on the disabled Greek trawler lasoQ. The scene was 120 miles oil the southern coast of Italy. Anxious eyes looked on as the lifeboat was lowered from the Stratheden for its mercy mis­ sion. It never returned; 19 met their deaths. 8fh 5IU Library To All Ships AMERICAN SUBSIDIZED LINES, RESPONDING TO A REQUEST Seafarers will shortly begin enjoying the latest in new reading material furnished under from the Government for recommendations in connection with ship the SIU ship's library program. Cartons of 50 brand-new books will be available to all con­ replacements, have come up with many suggestions aimed at fostering tracted vessels beginning today, April 1. and encouraging the sizable fleet modernization job facing the mer­ This fourth no-cost distribu--*^ chant marine in the next few years. tion of the year to all SIU packages prior to sailing, depend­ These include continued research toward atomic power and gas ships means that 8 sets total­ ing on the length of the trip. turbine piopulsion for merchant ships; long-term operating subsidy ing 400 new books will have been Crews who may have missed some contracts (20 years) to eneourage fleet replacement; a flattening out put aboard all vessels within the of the previous libraries can still of the peak of vessel replacement schedules to permit orderly ship­ past two years under the pioneer obtain them by notifying any building programs; broadened Investment opportunities for the use of library program sponsored by the Union official or representative of reserve fund moneys; and authority for considering all war-built ships , - the SIU Sea Chest. A Seafarer who has complained SEAFARERS LOG. as "obsolete" for purposes of replacement. The library packages are dis­ All of these are hot issues and it's highly unlikely that the Com­ about receiving mail from various Communist and Communist-front tributed in all ports through the merce Department or the Congress will okay many of them. groups has been advised to request facilities of the SIU Sea Chest and, 4* 4» 4" Seafarers who have been AFTER CONTACTING STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS, THIS that his name be removed from the in all cases, may also be ordered fired aboard ship for any rea­ directly from any Union hall. Dele­ reporter found out that the following remark is the typical short­ mailing list. son are urged Ho contact tho Seafarer Henry P. Leavey re­ gates are reminded that they sighted statement made by foreign maritime nations. The Government nearest SIU hall as soon as maritime spokesman for the Netherlands criticizes the US for what ported to the SEAFARERS LOG can obtain a 50-volume ship's li­ their ship reaches port. he calls "protectionist shipping policies." This official contends that that he has been receiving propa­ brary in the event none has been There have been cases where our maritime policy will lead to retaliation by other countries which ganda material at his home con­ delivered to the ship merely by the company orders replace­ taining the standard Communist contacting the nearest SIU hall. wouid_ result m the disappearance of free enterprise in shipping. ments for the fired men and For example, speaking of the 50-50 shipping rule, this Netherlands line and purporting to represent , First launched in August, 1953, the replacements are sent out the library program provides for official says that the US "cannot expect to be the most powerful nation the opinions of seamen. from the hall only to learn that of the western world and the world's largest creditor and at the same He was told that the proper the distribution of 50 new books to the fired men have been rein­ ail contracted ships every three time force expensive transportation on other countries . . . which course of action was to write to stated after an SIU patrolman would undermine a basic activity of many European countries." the- address of the propaganda months. The books are handy, has arrived aboard and investi­ In other words, according to their point of view, it is alright for them publication' and ask that the, ma­ paper-bound volumes supplied un­ gated the case. This often to support their own shipping, but wrong for us to support ours. By terial be discontinued. If that der an arrangement with Pocket causes Inconvenience or hard­ using US-flag ships to carry surplus cargoes, our Government will doesn't do the trick the next step Books, Inc., one of the country's ship to the men sent as recollect more in taxes—these taxes would be lost to Uncle Sam if our will be for him to file a complaint major distributors 'of such vol­ placements. cargoes were carried by foreign ships. umes. with the postal authorities. Fired Seafarers are urged to Ships which are scheduled to be Any other Seafarers who are contact the hall so that re­ plagued with the same, ot similar, away from the US for more than placements will not be sent iinwanted material should follow a three-month trip, receive two or before a patrolman arrives. moke separate, all-different library thq. same airocediue- - -. - CP stepping Up Sea Mail Fired? Call Hall •Wl :y§\ •'< • I �Pa£« Eight Pi; • SEAFARERS LOG AprU 1. 1»S5 THE MEET THE INQUIRING SEAFARER SEAFARER ^The International Ice Patrol has begun its annual vigil against drift­ ing bergs on North Atlantic sealanes. Headquarters for the patrol, which is maintained by the US Coast Guard, is at Argentia, New­ foundland. Three cutters and five airplanes are being used. All ships HAROLD WRIGHT, wiper have been asked to report ice wherever they see it ... US Steel's fleet of 59 iron ore ships is expected to begin its Great Lakes shipping The Korean War, like World ing than the daily clock-punching season next Monday, if weather and ice conditions permit . . . Bids War II, brought an Influx of new routine that people run into shoreare already in for a 1.7-milc'-long tunnel under Baltimore harbor. Question: In what world port men in the maritime industry. A side. The project is expected to cost about $94 million. have you noted the greatest post­ lot of them dropped out as soon as Most of the time Wright ships J. a> 4i war change? ,the emergency was over, but oth­ out of New York since he Uvea Application has been filed with the Federal Maritime Board by the • < ers. like .Seafarer^ Harold Wright, down In the Coney Island section States Steamship Co. of Vancouver for a Government subsidy en its have stuck to tlie sea in good of Brooklyn. He has no particular Sal Labarbera, MM: Yokohama. trans-Pacific service. The company says it Is the only West Coast line times and bad because they prefer preference as to ships and runs, Japan, probably took as bad a without a subsidy contract now. Thirteen ships would be involved . . . taking "anything that comes along" beating as any it to any other kind of life. Japan's Transportation Ministry says plans are now completed for a Wrigim who is 37. comes from on the shipping board. For a while place got during major shipbuilding program to be started between now and April 1, the war. but you Jersey (fity originally. As he put though, he was shipping out of the 1956. About 260,000 gross tons of new shipping is proposed . . . TwJ wouldn't really it. "I always wanted to go to sea West Coast to Japan and the Far crewmembers were injured when a cargo of 480 tons of potassium ni­ but I never had the chance to." East and had the unusual experi­ know it today. trate in the hold of the 6.393-ton British freighter Sarmiento caught After a two-year hitch in the Army ence one trip of going to New The harbor is fire and exploded. The mishap occurred near Bristol. England. busier than ever, in World War II and several years Zealand, a country few American new buildings of working shoreside, the last time seamen get to set. Only 13 ships were building or under contract to build in the nation's Followed The Queen are always going in a New York hospital. Wright privately-owned shipyards on March 1. Two dry-cargo ships, an finally got his chance in the 1951 He was aboard the Julesburg, a up. and the peo­ auxiliai-y cargo-attack transport and three tankers are being built for tanker, with a cargo of gasoline ple are very shipping boom. the Maritime Administration and the rest are tankers for private His first ship was Waterman's last April when she called at Auck­ friendly and easy to get along with, companies. No ships were ordered, launched or delivered during Wild Ranger on the North Euro­ land. New Zealand. "We got there t t , February . . . Arnold Bernstein's ten-year legal battle with Hollandpean run. It was during the win­ about a week after the queen of H. Filler, OS: I think Rijeka, ter. he recalls, and the ship ran Amenca Line ended last month when an undisclosed settlement was England." he said, "and the city reached. He had brought suit for $11 million as the value of two Yugoslavia, has seen a lot of into one of those mean North At­ was still decorated and full of the Red Star Line vessels "extorted" from him while he was a prisoner changes since the lantic gales. When it started holiday spirit." Crewmembers had ot the Nazis in Germany in 1937. Holland-America bought the ship.3 war, according to bouncing around. Wright began to a fine time, with plenty of spark­ what I've seen. «n a re-sale in 1939. have doubts about his decision to ling sight-seeing available to add I know that it 4* sail for a living. "When the ship to other attractions. Monthly sailings between Finland, Sweden and Denmark to St. Law­ today everything started squeaking and groaning I Evidently the Julesburg was the rence River and Great Lakes ports will begin this month when the is cheap, the food began to get a little worried." he first US ship in that port in quite 2.500-ton Helsingfors arrives from Finland about April 10. This first is good and the confessed. some time, because 'it repatriated are Finnish-flag service to the Great Lakes will be operated by the newly- people Surprisingly enough though, he one forlorn American seaman who formed Finnish North America Line, which will be known as Finlake. friendly and didn't get seasick and was spared had been on the beach thei-e for Three ships will be used altogether .,. The liner Panama is being with­ make no trouble the unpleasant initiation that usu­ almost two years. "He was in drawn from the passenger trade for use as a cargo ship on the New for you. Of ally greets a tenderfoot seaman. pretty bad. shape," Wright recalled, Vork-Haiti-Canal Zone run. Her sister ships, the Cristobal and Ancon, course, the place has- changed gov­ "and the crew all chipped in to No Pleasure Trip will, however, remain in passenger service for the Panama Line. The ernments a couple of times too. "People ashore." he commented give him some clothes, shoes and it lO.OOO-gross-ton Panama was built in 1939. sadly, "get the idea that life on everything else that he needed. John Maguire, AB; Casablanca, board ship is just one big pleasure He was certainly happy to see that i 3. Heavy seas caused the 2,585-ton Portuguese freighter Vila do Porto in North Africa. They've built a cruise and that seamen get paid American flag again." lot of those high. for doing nothing. If they got on to break in two last month, after she ran aground on the Portuguese Not the least of the attractions of White modern boai-d one of these freighters in a seafaring, Wright said, is the op­ coast. The crew of 35 was rescued by lifeline. The ship was on its buildings there good blow they would find out portunity for on-the-spot observa­ way to New York .... Contracts for a new $8 million ore pier at that have really that it's a lot rougher than they tion of how the other half of The Newport News, Va., have been awarded, and work is due to begin made the city think and there is plenty of hard world lives. Reading about it in next week. The new facility will rise about 12 feet above mean low look like some­ work besides." water level, and will be 800 feet long and 90 wide. The builder is the newspapers, he says, is never thing. I was the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway . . . The Adriatica Line has re-es­ Most shoreside people, he finds, quite the same as actually being there in 1953 on get their ideas about ships from there. One of the big differences tablished service between Italy and Yugoslavia. The 1,403-ton Civita­ a tanker and the seeing and hearing about the big between US cities and most for­ vecchia will be used on the run. place looked like passenger liners which are a far eign ports, he finds, is the number 4" A Norwegian Air Force lifeboat rescued 40 Russian seamen after it never even cry from the typical dry cargo of beggars you run into in the their ship, the Irtish, collided with another vessel and grounded out­ came close to the war. It's a good freighter. streets. It's an object lesson on side Bodoe. Norway. There were no reports of damage to the other port for us. Of course, Wright adds, the pay how comparitively well off Amer­ ship, the German freighter Carl Julius . . . All 204 passengers and the i going to sea is good under the SIU icans are. crew of the 3.000-ton Chilean cniise ship Villarica were removed from For his part, Wright intends' to Bias R. Veea. 2nd cook: I'd say contract, much better in' fact than the vessel last month, after she ran on the rocks in the Straits of Puerto Rico has changed the most the kind of money he got when keep on sailing for the. indefinite Magellan. Rescue ships, including the Moore-McCormack freighter in the last ten he was working ashore in the hos­ future. As far as he's concerned Alormacgulf. arrived quickly to take off all those aboard. The ship years since 1945. pital. But as far as he's concerned, it's a good life and an interesting was reported taking water in two holds but was believed in no danger Conditions on the it's a fair day's pay for a fair day's one. and he wouldn't change it for of sinking. • island have im­ work, and the job is more interest­ any other. proved a lot, and the people are much better off today than they were then. The Jap coin 11. US Pacific Italy and ACROSS standard of liv­ AFL Paper Mill Workers con­ Pittsburgh's 16-month-old depart­ Town in base Albania 1. Port in France Holland 19. Capital of 38. Distress call 6. Chatter ing is higher and ducted a successful two week ment store strike finally came to 61. Attack Eritrea 42. What the Sea 9. Swamp the ports are much better today, an end as delivery trucks went to strike at the Jesup, Georgia, mill 21. The Khan Chest is 12. A member of DOWN 22. Famed flax 44. It'a cooked in the crew too. 1. Large snake work for the first time since of Rayonier, Inc., winning a first maker the galley 13. Nari-ow creek 8. Shape, number, November 27. 1953. Teamsters time contract with a base of $1.44 23. Great Lake 45. Tops t 4" 4" 14. Water, in etc. of sails 24. Havine a 46. Employ France Local 249 had settled its strike an hour. The union had been cer­ .3. High note Theodore Catherine, OS: Yoko­ aaucy look 47. British foreign 15. Capital of 4. Realize 25. Very drunk minister hama is the-best port today as far several weeks ago but other unions, tified as collective bargaining agent Guam 9. Fishing boat 28. Small fish 48. Bound 16. Branch, at of 6. Attempt to as I'm concerned. represenling office workers, res­ in December and called the strike 30. What an SIU 51. Free of the sea seize power contract 53. Gains: ahbr. I was there be­ taurant workers and store clerks when the employer offered a wage 17. Chinese tea 7. Light breeze usually showi 54. Summer in scale below the prevailing levels 18. Mop up 8. South Sea fore the war and had continued picketing. 31. Irish France 2U. A calkiuc island in the South. 32. Horned animal 55. What old since then and material 4i 41 4> 9. Labor leader 35. Strait between •hipt do 82. Turn back 10. Hawaiian the way it's The stikebound Brooklyn Eagle it 4" 4 Harbor. 85. island (Puzzle Answers On Page 17) c h a n g e d 1 s announced it was closing its doors LI. New York City employees have 88. Cargo for a really something. permanently following a contract laker asked for rights to organize and le |9 7 10 II S 1 They've cleared dispute with the CIO Newspaper 27. Give off. ai bargain collectively on wages and smoke up most of the Guild. The Eagle blamed the clos­ 13 14 89. The pension damage from the ing on Guild wage demands, claim­ conditions on the same basis as plan helps this group war, and today ing it could not meet the competi­ workers in private industry. The 16 17 33. Title of it's a busy place where a seaman tion but the Guild argued the news­ demand was put forth by repre­ respect sentatives of AFL, CIO and inde­ IZO 34. Means of sea Is always welcome. paper was meeting the competition pendent unions of city employees communication on contracts with all.craft unions. at hearings on the formulation of it 4" 5" 36. Part of "to be" 22 23 24 37. Arranges, as Joseph Petrusewicz, OS: Manila Attempts are now being made to a city code of labor relations. sails |27 26 28 31 32 in the Philippines had more than revive the newspaper under new 39. This dents the budget 4i 4 4 ownership, while the strike pro­ its share during 40. Bay in Japan 134 33 136 ceeds. the war and when 41. Girl's name Soap and toothpaste workers at 43. Danish crowns we came In there Colgate-Palmolive in Jersey City 139 37 l40 45. A good place afterwards you to buy The camels are off the. picket- voted to return to work after an 48. Borrowed 143 44 42 could see how lines at the Rohr Aircraft Corpora­ 18-day strike and reopen negotia­ money the city was hit. tion of Riverside, California. A tions with the company. A 14-cent . 49. What the SIU 45 46 4^ provides Today, it's all six-week-old strike by the Inter­ wage Increase demand had been Gold, in Spain EG. built up again national'Association of Machinists rejected by company representa­ 92. River emptying 49 into Gulf of and back in good ended with agreement on a new tives. The 2.500-member local Guinea shape. Manila has grievance procedure. lAM mem­ union is a miember of the inde­ 56 S6. Before: Prefix ' 67. A kind of Ude: always been a bers picketed with camels and ele- pendent Colgate-Palmolive Em98. eifij S9f.s pretty fair pl«* jjlidttts dfteF-tf -'cbUrt drdet Umiftld'j iplbyees ' Associatibri, • which visit .yi, helper ohe-cqmpany outfit MM " pickets. 1 XABOa p- |LI ^'••' I I ^ --; I •5i?.; ^^ ' $1 $1 �April 1, 19SS' SEAFARERS Xant See Any Reason For Keeping This Law!' SEAFARERS « LOG Vol. XVII. No. 7 April 1. 1955 Pafe Nine LOG " v'Ur '-tri Published biweekly by the Seafarers international Union, Atlantic & Gulf District, AFL, 673 Fourth Avenue. Brooklyn 32. NY. TeL HYaclnth e-6600. Cable Address: SEAFARERS NEW YORK. •- > PAUL HAIL, Secretary-Treasurer Editor, HEBBEBT BRAND; Managing Editor, RAY DENISON; Art Editor, BESNABD SEAMAN; Photo Editor, DANIEL NILVA; Staff Writers, HERMAN ARTHUR, IRWIN SPIVACK Ai MASKIN; Gull Area Reporter, Bnx MOODY. 180 IVo Safety 191 easnre The US Coast Guard and US shipowners are pulling in the same harness to put through a bill cutting the number of ves­ sel inspections in half. Instead of the annual inspections that have been the law since the 1870's, the Coast Guard now pro­ poses that inspections be conducted just once every two years. At the same time the Coast Guard is pushing for tight con­ trol over seamen by seeking a complicated inspection system of crewmembers for safety purposes. s The'Coast Guard's excuse for lowering inspection standards is that it will permit greater flexibility for surprise spot checks. The theory is that shipowners will keep their ship in constant readiness. Also the Coast Guard points to the inferior inspection standards of foreign nations as a reason for lowering US standards. It is obvious that some of the impetus for this bill is a ship­ owner desire to save money, since ships will not have to be laid up each year for inspection purposes. Whether or not this motive predominates, it is a poor idea in light of the fact that the US merchant fleet as a whole is past middle age and growing older daily. There is nothing like the knowledge of an annual inspec­ tion year in and year out to make a shipowner keep his ves­ sels spic and span. The "hit and run" system of spot checks simply is not going to convince those shipowners who feel that the "other guy" will be the one who will get tabbed or they'll be able to "talk" their way out. If anything, one of the conclusions that could be drawn from the Southern Districts case is that ships need more careful and more intensive inspection at frequent intervals. To lower inspection standards now is,simply an invitation to new disasters. t 4J- PBS Wins Again That the Public Health Service hospitals will function for another, full year at least seems reasonably certain as the re­ sult of action by the House of Representatives in approving the hospitals' fund requests. Economy advocates apparently shot their bolt in last year's fight and raised no opposition in the House. The appropriations bill still has to pass the Sen­ ate but it is rare for the Senate to make cuts in House appro­ priations, since that bpdy has the responsibility for initiat­ ing imoney bills. The appropriation voted by the House is much the same as last year's, with a small increase added to provide pay boosts for hospital personnel. This is assurance that the hos­ pitals will be able to maintain full staffs at a time when skilled doctors and nurses are pretty hard to come by. Further, in'passing the appropriation the House indicated it was not taken in by the Hoover Commission's arguments in favor of discontinuing Government medical services. For the time being at least, the commission's proposals are no threat to American seamen. ' 4 4 4 CAMlJ's Failure All seamen, whether in the SIU or other unions, will cer­ tainly be disappointed with the news that the Conference of American Maritime Unions no longer functions as a working body. With the withdrawal of AFL unions, CAMU remains a shadow creature. Actually though, the disappointment should ba tempered by the knowledge that CAMU never did function effectively because its-purposes were nullified by- some, of its members. The major reasons for, establishing CAMU'were the hiring hall, the hospital issue and other legislative matters. From the very beginning, the NMU and CIO unions went their own' way on these issues instead of utilizing CAMU. This left it an organization without a purpose. ^ The SIU, if it so chose, could have remained in CAMU and would have if anything constructive was possible.^ Actually though, the AFL mafitime unions have cooperated on major issijes: in the past, and will'continue to work together as the. heed arisen, Asks SMU-Owned^ Operated Ships To the Editor: For some time now I have been kicking an idea around in my head, and so finaiiy I made up my mind to write you this letter. Perhaps if you print it in the LOG some of the other SIU brothers will have some comments to make about it. Briefly, I have often wondered if it wouldn't be'feasible for our Union, the SIU, to go into the shipping business—provided, of course, that jye didn't compete with our contracted companies. It seems to me that if some of these fly-by-night operators can put a small down payihent on a socalled "surplus" ship, and then start operating, why can't we? This would provide our niembers with % jobs of a permanent nature. Also, i think, we,should make it a point to compete with ships op­ erated under the Panamanian and Honduran flags. Even if we only If the black gang quarters on broke even, we would have ac­ the Steel Seafarer do not have a complished something. new coat of paint by the time she comes back to her home port, it Would Vote Assessment I, for one, would gladly vote for won't be the fault of John Masters, an assessment of $100 in order ship's delegate, and Chris Kelleher, to get this project started. Per­ engine delegate. Masters and Kel­ haps, in return for putting their leher were still plugging away on money into the project, we could the subject, according to last re­ sell the members shares in the ports received at headquarters, despite inertia and resistance from corporation. It might even be possible for topside. Kelleher told his shipmates that us to charter a Mariner ship from the Government and operate it as after some remonstrances with the a low-cost passenger ship—perhaps skipper and the chief engineer, solely for the use of students or some of the black gang men were other worthy people who can't put to work on the job, but pulled afford the regular passenger fares. off it before they had gotten very I realize therer would be all sorts far. However, the delegates re­ of difficulties in the way of getting fused to be discouraged and were such a project rolling, but I wish all set to go back at it for another some of my SlU brothers would try. give the matter some thought. Per-- .*^^sters, the ship's delegate, sonally, I think it's worth trying. sails in the deck department and And while we're speaking of has been the possessor of an SIU ships, I'd like tb tell the brothers book since December, 1950. He about my last ship, which was the joined the Union in the Port of Steel Advocate, although I think New York and is a native of the a better name for it would be the big town of 43 years' standing. Kelleher first saw the light of Steel Aggravate. Actually it's not such a bad ship, but it has one day in Ireland 39 years ago. but of those hardtiming chief mates now makes his home in Massachu­ on it who thinks he can get away setts. He joined the SIU in New York back in December, 1943. with anything. Was Deck Delegate 4 4 4 Because of this mate's tactics, There seems to be a friendly and there was plenty of contradiction beneficial rivalry developing among and confusion on deck, to say noth­ shipboard bakers ing of behind-the-scenes skulldug­ over turning out gery. I was the deck delegate andT,coffee time snacks. Anyway, believe me, it was no picnic. For a increasing men­ while there I wanted to resign, tion of this prac­ but I knew somebody had to keep tice has been this character In line and so I stuck noted before in it out. the various ship's Among the stunts this bird reports. The lat­ pulled was replacing the bosun, est man to get who paid off in Honolulu, with Souther the palm from one of his pals who wasn't even qualified ,for the job, working qne his shipmates is Seafarer Harry D. watch a day himself on OT and Souther on the Robin Hood. Crewhaving the men paint the rails members noted that his baking was "exceptionally good" in addi­ with rags. , Anyway, as soon as we hit New tion to the coffee time treats, York for payoff I called the hall which have met with unanimous and they arranged to have another favor. bosun shipped. What's more, at Souther, who is 29, comes out of the payoff the patrolmen did a Leominster, Massachusetts. He got go£d job of putting this mate, his SIU membership in .New York strai^t'about « few things. Even just last summer, and has all of so, I don't expect him to change, hit seatime in the steward depart­ ^hpse gpys.jiev^r jlesr^. , .. . ment. } < ' < Edward ,N, Vote -. Thanks I1 are one of the items proposed by the SIU steward department com­ mittee as a means &f improving shipboard feeding and providing greater variety to crew-members on SIU ships. 4 4 .. 4 Usually it's the crew singling out an individual member that rates mention in this space, but the next item is a turnabout one. Seafarer Edwin E. Ritchie on the Beauregard has a word of praise for the crew for helping keep the pantry ship-shape and clean. Sanitary Measure Of course, keeping the pantry and messroom in proper shape makes it that much easier for the galley gang and allows them to devote their time to the primary job of turning out good chow. It's also an important sanitary measure. Ritchie has been shipping as a Seafarer since World War 11. and got his book in New York in March, 1945. He's 33 and lives in Pritchard, Alabama. 4 4 4 Recently a Seafarer got himself worked up for some unexplained reason 'and went on a shipboard binge, drinking on the job and performing in the recreation room so that other crewmembers had to handle his chores. Naturally, this didn't sit well with the crew, and as soon as the ship .arrived in port, which hap­ pened to be Phil­ adelphia, his shipmates brought him up on charges under two head­ ings. The Philadel­ phia membership elected a trial Ruff committee con­ sisting of Seafarers Rapfiaei Romos, Fred Tonucie, William Mel­ lon, Thomas Gorman and Ralph Ruff to hear the charges. The ac­ cused Seafarer was advised of his rights and after testimony was taken. It was decided to fine him on two counts, plus probation. Sitting on a trial committee is one of the responsibilities and duties accepted by the men of the SIU: to insure democratic and con|ona| rljghti t« all Iccu^ -ii-K-.-i I • ••'tt WS.r- w rcisifa:,. •m �^ y»«» Tea • / • SEArAREkS LOG ^ ^ " April 1,195» . J- ^ worth'o Three Years of SlU Maternity I ir' m 518 636 647 In three years, payments of maternity benefits to Seafarers have steadily increased as shown above. The increase has taken place although there are less men in the shipping industry now than there were in 1951-1952, showing the growing tendency of Seafarers to become family men. ir^Ml i-11^..:/ • i:;;: '"•\vOj_r Bw; • !p' w .Mi' I 0'' • w''' Number one on the maternity benefits list was Seafarer Joseph Cave (right) of New Orleans. Cave Is shown picking up the first check plus congratulations from A1 Kerr, assistant administrator of the Welfare Plan. . -. >!•) • ..f.. Jostiph Cave, Jr.y points to his big day on the calendar as he prepares to celebrate his, and the Welfare Plan's, third birthday. Jodywasbomon , '' f - . April 2, 1952, just 24 hours after the SIU Plan vent into effect, making • • �April 1,195B- ,• B • :•."••' --. •;: • K:V^"A • - - "• p?:®'A V SEAFARERS LOG Pace Elevoi babies enefits , The SIU -Welfare Plan paid out its first $200 maternity benefit as of l^pril 1, 1952, to Seafarer Joseph A= ICave of New Orleans. Three years land 1,800 bouncing babies later, the IPlan had disbursed another $360,000 to Seafarers to help meet the burden of hospital and doctor bills. During this period the SIU has given each lewly-born youngster a $25 savings 3ond—a total of $45,000 at maturity. I An astonishing feature in the maJternity benefit picture is the absolute Igrowth in number of benefits paid, y^ear by year. This growth has taken olace in the face of a decline in the lumber of men shipping. I What it means is that the Seafarers [Welfare Plan correctly anticipated a lew trend in Seafaring—the tendency of professional seamen to become family men and assume the burdens ind responsibilities .of parenthood. The SIU maternity benefit is probjably the largest of its kind in any [welfare plan. Its value and desirjability is no longer questioned, and its [successful operation has been imi­ tated by other unions in the maritime [industry. , I One of four Seafarers who have collected the Union maternity henefit three times for single hirths, Seafarer Nils Nielsen is shown ahove with his family. Nielsen sails regularly as carpenter on SlU ships. His wife, Louise, is a formet- PHS hospital nurse. -ti To date tl. Plan ha. paid beneHl. to .even KU of la-ln. .uch a. the Maher hvlo, (left) and one set of trlnlel., chUd.-en "'J"'""' also collected for one other child. Apart from these multiple births there have been four instances where Seafarers have collected three individxi^al benehts for three separate births. Seafarers who have collected two individual benefits total. 180. The Plants particularly beneficial in instances of multiple births hecausa it nays oni berififit for each child, unlike other plans which make no allowance for such circumstances. v • - . . Siiivy---v'-i ."v c; I �vv:':" -Vr 1 &•• • •frflr «; ' SEAFAREnS Faci Twelve Houston: Good Shipping Holds; Payoffs Rnn Smooth ;: .1 Shipping and business in this port during the last two weeks continued to be very good. In some respects, in fact, it has been too good. In some ratings, such as ABs and oilers, we had some trouble getting enough men. The four ships in for payoff made for a pretty busy weekend of pay­ ing off. signing on and crewing up these ships. The William Carruth (Trans Fuel), Irenestar (Maine), Seagarden (Peninsular Nav.) and Gene­ vieve Peterkin (Bloomfield) ac­ counted for all this activity. In transit were the following; Eoj'al Oak, Bents Fort, Fort Hoskins (Cities Service); Seatrains Texas, Savannah, New Jersey (Seatrain); Del Oro, Del Mundo (Mis­ sissippi); Tagalam (Seatrade); Michael, Alexandra (Carras); Seatiger (Orion) and Val Chem (Val­ entine). There was very little in question on these ships, and we handled whatever disputes there were right on the ships. The future outlook so far de­ pends on a Bloomfield ship due April 5, plus the regular in-transits that always provide a few jobs. Charles Kimball Acting Houston Port Agent ^ ^ New Orleans: ^ Union Policy On GAMU Backed By fdembership - Shipping dropped way down in this port during the past period, and will probably remain that way in the coming two weeks. Even the towboat and relief jobs ^didn't ac­ count for much activity, which didn't help things at all. At our last meeting, the mem­ bership of this branch went on record unanimously in favor of the SIU's policy regarding the Con­ ference of American Maritime Unions and allied items. Payoffs during the period in­ cluded the following ships: Steel Scientist (Isthmian); Iberville, De Soto (Pan Atlantic), and Del Sud and Del Santos (Mississippi). The Del Sud, Del Oro and Del Mundo (Mississippi) signed on. We had a total of 13 in-transits as follows: Alcoa Clipper, Pennant, Corsair, Pilgrim (Alcoa); Steel Traveler (Isthmian); Del Sud, Del Oro, Del Mundo (Mississippi); Seatrains Georgia and Louisiana (Seatrain); Monarch of the Seas, Clai­ borne (Waterman), and Arlyn (Bull). Lindsey J. Williams New Orleans Port Agent t two weeks just passed included the Stony Creek (American Tramp); Calmar, Seamar (Calmar), and Angelina and Dorothy (Bull). The Stony Creek, Calmar and Seamar signed on again. In addition, we had these eight ships in transit: Winter Hill (Cities Service); Emilia, Jean (Bull); Raphael Semmes (Waterman); Arizpa, Chickasaw (Pan Atlantic); Steel Chemist (Isthmian), and Robin Locksley (Seas Shipping). A. S. Cardullo Philadelphia Port Agent i, t Seattle: New Hiring Rules Please Membership As expected, the Cecil N. Bean (Dry Trans) was the only ship to pay off here during the last period, so activity has slowed down from the pace of two weeks ago. We had a pair of sign-ons in the Ocean Lotte (Ocean Trans) and Sea Comet II (Ocean Carriers), plus the Pennmar (Calmar) and Azalea City (Waterman) as intransits. Shipping in the near fu­ ture looks to be only fair. Arrival of the SEAFARERS LOG issue of March 18 containing the full reports on the new hiring sys­ tem and shipping rules gave the membership here a chance to go over the whole set-up again and they again came up with a very favorable verdict. The whole new hiring system was, of course, ex­ plored in considerable detail at the previous meeting. Among the members on the beach here is Seafarer Billey G. Edelman, a Texan who, at the age of 27, is still enjoying a life of single-blessedness. Edelman joined the SIU in Jan­ uary, 1946, in New Orleans, and has sailed in the deck department continuously, ex­ cept for a twoyear hitch in the Army in 1953-54. His first trip was ^the Park Victory, (Robin Line), which took him to Greece, Pales­ Edelman tine and Italy with a cargo of mules and horses. Despite this, he stayed with it. This brother is very pleased with his SIU membership and really likes the way of life aboard SIUcontracted ships. He says our sys­ tem of handling beefs jointly through the delegates and Union officials is second to none. Jeff Gillette Seattle Port Agent Baltimore: Seafarers Rate Hand Far Glean Payoffs Perl Hciding lis Own; Pace Bue Tc Keep Up A slight improvement in ship­ ping in the last two-week period has us hopeful of a future upturn in business out of here. We paid off 16 ships in the period covered by the report, signed on 10 and had 11 in-transits. Our payoffs were: Mae, Emilia, Evelyn, Edith (Bull); Raphael Semmes (Waterman); Salem Mari­ time and Logans Fort (Cities Serv­ ice); Coe Victory (Victory Car­ riers); Alcoa Ranger (Alcoa); Steel Chemist (Isthmian) and the usual run of Ore ships, the' Feltore, 4" 4" t Chilore, Baltore, Marore, Venore and Oremar. Norfolk: Signing on were the Baltore, Feltore, Chilore, Cubore, Marore, -Venore and Oremar, all of Ore Line; and the Yaka and Raphael Semmes. The in-transits were the Michael (Carras); Bethcoaster and Shipping has been holding its Calmar (Calmar); Alcoa Pioneer own here in this port with practi­ and Puritan (Alcoa); Iberville (Pan cally the same number shipped as Atlantic); and the Angelina, Hil­ were registered over the past two ton, Jean and Ines (Bull). weeks. However, there is nothing Most of the ships paid off clean definite scheduled here at the and the crews can certainly take a present time, so we are hoping bow for bringing in the vessels in for the best. such fine shape. The only beef The new system of seniority job hanging fire is one on delayed classifications has been out into sailing on Bull Line ships. We are effect and is working very satis­ expecting to hear from headquar­ factorily. All shipping is being ters momentarily as to the out­ done under the new rules. come. The new rules have been dis­ Welcome Mat Out cussed very thoroughly by the The welcome mat is out to all membership here and all agreed SIU members, friends and families that they would work for the pro­ to visit our buifding and make use tection of Seafarers. The following were the ships paid of our famed cafeteria. Port O'Call cafe and Sea Chest. All these fa­ off: Seastar (Mercador), Greece cilities are open for your conven­ Victory (South Atlantic), Hastings ience and pleasure. (Waterman) and Eugenie (Oro). In port with" us now is Seafarer All but the Eugenie signed on Stanley Wojcik, , again. We had only one in-transit who is one of '< - ship during the period, the Steel our newer Union Flyer (Isthmian). There were no members and special beefs on any of these ves­ mighty pleased sels. Meanwhile, our pool table has with it all. As he puts it, "my been repaired and neW'balls, cues one ambition and rail covers provided so that since I s^rted the membership can make use of this equipment at all times. The sailing with the table is very popular and gets a SIU was to be­ Wojcik lot of wear accordingly. come a full book member. I have always found the Although the plans have been Union to have my welfare at heart passed on and bids for repairing and I can assure all newcomers the roof and painting the hall have that if they do their job in the been accepted and approved by good old SIU fashion they too will the membership, the painting of eventually become full members the hall is still not accomplished. of the Union. It is just a matter This is due to the fact that it of following the rules laid down has taken some time for the build­ by the organization- and doing ing to dry out since the roof was their jobs as set forth in the fixed. We hope to get around to agreements." the painting itself before long. We suggest that all the brothers Ben Rees get out their pens and cards or put Norfolk Port Agent New Hiring System Working Out Okay Shipping Figures March 9 to March 22 The shipping figures for this REG. REG. BEG. TOTAL REG. port tell most of the story of the PORT DECK ENGINE STEW. REG. past two weeks. We shipped al­ Boston 15 12 12 39 most as many as we registered and New York .. 74 62 59 195 that means we have been holding Philadelphia 28 9 22 59 our own pretty well in this depart­ Baltimore .. ..a........... 73 63 200 ment. Norfolk .... This pace will probably keep up 29 6 46 11 for the coming period, as we are Savannah 10 10 29 R scheduled to have the Arizpa (Pan Tampa 22 50 19 13 Atlantic) in, possibly for payoff, Mobile 39 44 40 123 as well as two ships each for Bull 22 New Orleans 45 57 124 Line and Calmar. Ships -that have been in here 45 175 Houston .... 67 63 recently appeared in ve^ fine 49 14 Seattie 15 20 shape, with few beefs and a smooth . 28 70 21 21 iSan Francisco •••••••oeeeeee' trip recorded all around. This is 85 15 IS • • • * »eee«eeee the way we always like to see ' <:>S? V/'.-)'!-;- V them. ' Thei'lllf of''i>aj«4fli»'aurinf the on their walking shoes either to write or pay a visit to their less fortunate buddies in the USPHS Hospital, Wyman Parkway, Balti­ more 18, Maryland. Those in the hospital now are as follows; Clyde R. Leggett, Arthur Faulker, Ed Ruley, J. A. Lewis, Wm. C. Simmons, Francis Mayo, Roy Hawes, William Mellon, B. O. Buzbee, Robert Smith, Alfred E. Seemiller, Robert Scales, Stanley Gelak, Robt. J. Wiseman, G. Maiello, Thomas Mungo, George Bekken, Jessie Clarke, Robert McKnew, Edward Seserko, George Olive, Victor B. Cooper, Norman Jackson, John-R. Schultz, Edward Huienga and Gorman Glaze. Earl Sheppard Baltimore Port Agent Lake Charles: Laundry Workers In Sign-Up Brive AFL Laundry Workers in this port are in the midst of a full-scale organizing drive these days. The tactic devised by the union has the employees working only half a day, but the employers don't know when the half-day begins and they're pulling their hair out. The way it operates, the laundry workers may cOme in for the morn­ ing, work until noon and then go fishing, or they may first come in at noon. With schedules and de­ liveries to worry about, the bosses can't figure which end is up. Of course, all they have to do to right the situa­ tion is to sit down with the union Hellman and talk business. All the unions here are backing the workers all the way. Shipping down here is moving along nicely, so quite a few of the brothers got out during the last couple of weeks. The activity was due to the arrival of t:he following: Chiwawa,. Logans Fort, Bradford Island, Archers Hope, Winter Hill (all of these came in twice), Cantigny. Bents Fort, Salem Maritime (Cities Service), plus the Tagalam (Sea Trade) and Seatiger (Colo­ nial),. both in Port Arthur, Texas, and the Val Chem (Valentine), in Orange, Texas. At our iast branch membership meeting, brother Ross Lyle, pump­ man, was chairman, and Ezeb Manuel, who sails in the steward department, was recording secre­ tory. Both did a very fine job. For our Seafarer of the week we nominate brother Karl A. "Swede" Hellman, better known as the exmayor of Highway 90 West; Since this is an election year, he may run again, we hear. "Swede" started sailing with the SIU in 1946 and has always proved to be a good man on the ship. He was observed recently looking over some second-hand cars and said . he may go into the used-car busi­ ness between trips. He uses the , cars alright; we once made the mistake of riding with him and that was enough. Leroy Clarke Lake Charles Port Agent 4i 3^ Wilmington: .\ ^ jr smPi DECK 15 68 23 68 21 15 29 17 31 56 10 32 12 t lii-TransH Ships Keep Things Busy Although we had no payoffs or sign-ons during the past tvvo we.eks and nothing appears to be expected in the coming period, shipping still caused a little stir in this port. The 1^1 ships that we had in transit hiad us busy trying to find men who were ready to ship. The only brother that' we had in the ; SHIP. SHIP. TOTAL hospital here was discharged last ,. ENG. STEW. SHIPPED week and was able to ship on the 13 87 Western Trader after she came in 9 at the Shell Oil dock. 49 56 178 forHebunkers t was none other than Arthur 13 54 "One-Round" King who had spent 18 191 a couple of months in drydock and , 59 , 64 on the beach with us. 12 8 41 The ships which were in transit 8 82 :» were "the following; Bienville, John . 56 17 14 B. Waterman, Morning Light, Fair15 15 45 port, Azalea City (Waterma_n); Steel Voyager (Isthmian); Mary35 118 47 mar, Yorkmar, Portmar (Calmar); 137 85 46 Warrior (Pan Atlantic); National. 13 . 82 Liberty (American Waterways); ^ 9 25 21 78 Seacomet'II (Ocean Carriers), and6 12 80 Westefn Trader (Western Nav.). .a**" ^ nl'-i .A<v iJL Bw'WHey-''* •' hi'"- mmitiPMifGMEcoitP^ 3^ Philadelphia: rv'i" rir April 1. 195S LOG PORT REPORTS.. PWi 1^1. ; ' t. /'ill" �SEAFARERS li/-'. V-- Aprtl 1,1955 raire Tiiirie«fl LOO PORT KEPOBTS Boston: City Officials Applaad Seafarer's Boys Cieb company paid everything. This is just one more instance in which the crewmen, working with their Union officials, got everything that was coming to them. The payoffs during the past two weeks were {he Salem Maritime, Cantigny and Archers Hope (Cities Serviceir Frances and Jean (Bull); Robin Mowbray (Seas Shipping); Jefferson City ,Victory (Victory Carriers); Val Chem (Valentine Tankers); Republic (Trafalgar); Queenston Heights (Seatrade), and Seatrains Georgia" and Texas (Seatrain). The sign-ons were the Steel Advocate and Steel Traveler (Isth­ mian); Robin Kirk (Seas Shipping); Jefferson City Victory (Victory Carriers); Lawrence Victory (MLssissippi); Republic (Trafalgar) and Queenston Heights (Seatrade). Ships in tran-sit were the Seatrains Savannah, Louisiana, New York and New Jersey (Seatrain); Alcoa Partner and Alcoa Pioneer (Alcoa); Chickasaw and Antinous (Pan Atlantic); Steel Chemist (Isth­ mian); Kathryn, Ann Marie and Suzanne (Bull); Bethcoaster and Seamar (Calmar), and Greece Victory (South Atlantic). Claude Simmons Ass't. Sec.-Treasurer This port is continuing, to hold its own fairly well, with the tankwagons, as usual, providipg the bulk of our sJiipping business. We paid .off the Ann Marie (Bull); Seatiger (Colonial) and Bradford Island, French Creek, Fort Hoskins and Royal Oak (Cities Serv­ ice). Ali of these ships signed on again. Ships in transit, which took a few men, were the John Kulukundis (Martis); Antinous and be Soto (Pan At­ lantic), and Alex­ andra (Carras). What beefs there were on board were set­ tled to the satis­ faction of crewmembers. Maffucol LocaT I'esidents and political representatives here are worked up over defective con­ struction in a new $9 million jail being built in this state. Although the place has been six years 4) 4) a-building, the Governor refused to open it for occupancy after two San Francisco: convicts pointed out major defects, such as cracks in the walls and locks that could be opened with penknives. Of more interest to Seafarers is the world's largest ship anchor Shipping here continues its now under construction at the roller-coaster ride. Although the Charlestown Naval Shipyard. The last report showed us way down, hook is 20 feet long, 13 feet wide the present two weeks were very and weighs a mefe 30 tons. It's for good and the future looks bright. use aboard the super-carrier ForIn the period just passed we restal. shipped more men than we regis­ Club A Success tered, even with just the one pay­ Just off the Chickasaw (Pan off and sign-on that we had. The Atlantic) is Seafarer Vincent Maf- crystal ball didn't even come close fuci, who is having considerable to that when we reported in the success with the boys club he runs last issue of the SEAFARERS LOG. in Somerville with the aid of two We expect a couple of payoffs next other residents. They instruct the week, also. boys in various sports and run Waterman's Morning Light was dances and social affairs. Maffuci the source of a lot of our activity has been commended by the mayor in the shipping department, and and other city officials for the the eight In-transits we had added good work at the club. On the beach with us at the mo­ their share. Ships that called here ment are J. Rubery, R. Johnston enroute Include the following: and G. McCarthy. We have only Gateway City, Azalea City, Fairone hospital patient at the mo­ port, Fairisle, Maiden Creck,.(Waterman); Yorkmar, Portmar (Cal­ ment, A. Hancock. mar)^ and Steel Voyager (Isthmian). Seafarer Arthur Blood, who Among the brothers on the sailed out of this port, passed away on March 20. A wreath was sent beach here waiting their turn to by the Union to the funeral serv­ get out are F. Yoh, C. Mazur, J. Henhing, C. Shirley, F. Ryan, C. ices. Ridge, A. Surles, M. Lee, I. DeJames Sheehan Kleo,, C. Demers, J. Webber, T. Boston Port Agent Ulisse and C. Hill. 4- 4" 4" Tom Banning New York: San Francisco Port Agent Shipping Up Again; Future Looks Good CG Seen Sliii inienl On Hardtiming Seamen Once again I would like to call the members' attention to the fact that upon the slightest pretext the Coast Guard is waiting to pounce on you. It seems as though the CG has nothing to do but hardtime seamen. So watch your step or they'll be on your trail. Shipping in this port slowed up considerably during the past two weeks and it does not look as if It will be any better during the coming two weeks. During the past two weeks we paid off 12 ships, signed 7 oh for­ eign articles and had 15 in ti'ansit. However, the job turnover on these ships was small. Crewmen Win Beef On the Lawrence Victory (Mis­ sissippi), the skipper and chief mate did not want to pay some good overtime, but the crew stood together and reftrstfdi. Jtty off. So, d&>«iBuai^1l^lm«||feMitl)i6y the Kagelmacher, Joe Rosa, Jack Cra­ Mobile: ven and Ernie Sims. The membership here is remind­ ed that Garden City-Checker Cabs is the only union cab company in town. These cabs should be pa­ The recent' transfer of several Shipping is likely to pick up tronized by all unionists. Alcoa ships to the East Coa.st run E. B. MacAuIey here this coming week as we have hM quite a few bi'others wonderHq. Representative two payoffs schedule(f right now. in| how long these vessels will be 4 4 4" In addition, there are not too many on the new run, since they always Tampa: men on the beach here at the shipped out of here, and have their homes and families in this present time. Accordingly, the out­ area. look is fair for the immediate future. We've checked with the com­ pany on this matter, and so far The Southport (South Atlantic) came in for payoff and sign-on dur­ The rainy season has dropped in they have set no definite time for ing the last period with 228 hours here with a bang and we are really the duration of this extra EaSt of disputed overtime. Most of this getting it now at all times. But Coast service. Accordingly, we had to be referred to headquarters everything else is fine down here, urge Seafarers on tlie.se ships to stay with them. It may be only a for interpretation, however, so it so we can manage' the weather. will -take a little time to clear it Shipping pepped up quite a lot couple of trips hauling sugar and all up. during the last period as we then they'll be back on the Gulf We were successful in collecting shipped six more men than we run, and getting home regularly overtime for butchering for the registered and all ships arrived in again. Shipping in the port generally chief cook on this ship. The com­ fine shape. The only beef we had pany was forced to buy beef in was on the Cuba (P&O), where the took a real nose dive for the last Germany to restock the vessel, and chief mate fired one man on what couple of weeks. Only 44 men the beef turned out to be an en­ we thought were insufficient were shipped to regular jobs, and approximately 120 to various relief tire cow. Since^ our agreement grounds. states that butchering of anything This was cleared up finally in jobs in and around the harbor. in eighths or larger shall be con­ the man's favor, but it was a long Runner In Survey sidered overtime, the chief cook way getting there. First the cap­ There were a total of seven pay­ netted' himself 16 hours of OT tain refused to talk about it by offs, three sign-ons and four ships claiming there were no beefs on in transit. Part of the decline in when it was all over. the ship and therefore nothing to shipping stems from the fact that In-Transits Ships in transit io this port were talk about. Then a call to the out of the seven ships paying off, the Seatrains Georgia and Louisi­ company office in Miami got no­ four are on continuous articles and ana (Seatrain); Steel Scientist where when we tried to get P&O only took a few replacements and (Isthmian); Bents Fort and Chi- to have the master or the chief one other, the Alcoa Runner, went take the man back on the into the yard for a five-year sur­ wawa (Cities Service), and An­ mate job. vey. This put a full crew on the tinous (Pan Atlantic). But we still had one ace left in beach until the ship crews up Our man of the week this trip the bag, which was article II, sec­ again in the next week or ten is brother Hari-y M. Galphin, who tion 3 of the P&O agreement deal­ days. started going to, ing with a "port committee." This Payoffs here were the following: sea regularly just did the trick, after the company Alcoa Corsair, over 28 years ago, was notified that we wished to Pilgrim, C a v aon Marqh 4, 1927. exercise the privilege of calling lier. Runner and Galphin has seen together a port committee as pro­ Patriot 'Alcoa), many changes on vided for in the agreement. Monarch of the behalf of seamen Won In Committee Seas and Clai­ during this time, borne (W a t e rFive hours of bargaining later, but he considers man). Signing on the SIU's gains we were awarded the beef when were the Alcoa the company agreed that the de­ of recent years to Galphin Pilgrim and mands we made were just. The be the most out­ Patriot (Alcoa). brother involved thei-efore got Lumpkins standing of the lot. The DeSoto and back on the ship with full wages One of the worst experiences he and subsistence for the time he Iberville (Pan Atlantic). Steel recalls came during the war when was fired. Traveler (Isthmian) and Del Sud the SS Benjamin Smith was torpe­ Our only payoff here was the (Mississippi) were in transit. doed off the west coast of Africa Alcoa Pointer (Alcoa), which was Authorities in the Italian port and he wound up in a lifeboat for clean as a whistle with no beefs city of Venice recently identified two and a half days before he was at all. A few more ships are also a body found in the Grand Canal picked up. Today, he lives danger­ expected to come in this week. as that of Reese Lumpkins, who ously between trips indulging in his The following were the ships in was chief electrician on the Ocean favorite hobby, which is stock car transit: Cuba (P&O); DeSoto and Dinny (Ocean Trans). Brother auto racing. Iberville (twice), Antinous, Chicka-' Lumpkins had shipped out of this Along with Galphin on the beach saw (Pah Atlantic); Archers Hope, port for years and started his last at this time are several other .old- Winter Hill (Cities Service); Del voyage from here also. He was timers, includingr Claude R. West, Viento (Mississippi); Topa Topa reported missing about a month Geronimo B. Gapa'c, Clyde Laseter, (Waterman); Marie Hamil (Bloom- ago when the Ocean Dinny sailed George Trusedell, Johnny Floyd, field). from Venice. Bennie Gonzales W. "Sleepy" Matthews, Jack Nel­ Support To Strikers Hq. Representative son, R. C. Shedd, Steve Poole, Red The labor scene in Mobile pres­ ently shows two strikes in prog­ ress, one involving non-operating personnel on the L&N Railroad and the other communications workers at the Bell Telephone systeih. Our support and assistance WILMINGTON, CalU BOS Marine Ave. FORT WHLIAM....118t4 Syndicate Ave. has been pledged to both of these Ontario Phone; 3-3221 groups in their beefs. Ernest TlUey. Agent Terminal 4-2874 103 Durham St. HEADQUARTERS....678 4tli Ave.. Bklyn. PORT COLBORNE Ontario Phone: 8591 For our Seafarer of the week BECRETARY-TREASURER TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E. Paul HaU EMpire 4-5719 we nominate brother Henry Hill, ASST. SECRETARY-TREASITRERS VICTORIA, BC 61714 Cormorant St, who joined the SIU in 1938 and J. Alglna. Deck C. Simmons, Joint Empire 4531 J. Volpian. Eng. W. Hall, Joint VANCOUVER. BC 298 Main St. has sailed out of the Gulf area E. Mooney. Std. R. Matthews. Joint Pacific 7824 SYDNEY. NS 804 Charlotte St. since then, usually as chief cook or Phone 6346 steward. He is married and makes SUP BAGOTVILLE Qucbee 20 Elgin St. Phone: 545 his home here. Having seen all HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. 62 St. Davids St. the gains won by the Union under Phone 5-8777 THOROLD. Ontario CAnal 7-3202 PORTLAND 023 N. W. Everett St. QUEBEC 113 Cote Do La Montague the SIU Welfare Plan, he is still Beacon 4336 Quebec Phone: 2-7078 IlICUMOND. CALIT. 257 Sth St SAINT JOHN 177 Prince William St. most pleased with the Vacation Phone 2599 NB Phone: 3-5332 Plan, which he feels helps take up SAN FRANCISCO..i.....450 Harrison St. the slack for a man on the beach Douglas 2-8363 Great Lakes District waiting for a ship. SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave. Main 0.280 ALPENA ; 133 W. Fletcher Other oldtimers in port right WILMINGTON 805 Marine Ave. Phone: 1238W Terminal 4-3131 BUFFALO. NY 180 Main St. now include L. Koundourakis, 734 Lakeside Ave.. NE NEW YORK 678 4tb Ave.. Brooklyn CLEVELAND Phone: Main 1-0147 A. E. House, W. Wade, M. Robin­ HYacinth 9-6600 Phone: Cleveland 7391 son, J. Miller, T. Moss, C. McDETROIT .1038 3rd St. Canadian District Headquarters Phone: Woodward 1-6857 Lemore, W. Reynolds, R. Watford. 831 W. Michigan St. MONTREAL. . m St. Jamek St. West DULUTH Phone: Melrose 2-4110 J' ' Cal Tanner ii PLateau 8161 • Phon^^E^AW. Savannah: iSKiyM££ SlU, A&G District BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St. Earl Sheppard, Agent EAstern 7-4900 BOSTON 276 State St. Jamea Sheehan. Agent Richmond 2-0140 HOUSTON 4202 Canal St. R. Vaughan, Agent Preaton 6SS8 LAKE CHARLES. La 1419 Ryan St. Leroy Clarke. Agent HEmlock 6-3744 MOBILE . ' 1 South Lawrence St. Cal Tanner, Agent HEmlock 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS 823 BienvUle St. Lindsey WiUlaini. Agent MagnoUa 6113-6113 NEW yORK 678 4tb Ave.. Brooklyn HYacinth 9-6600 NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. Ben Rees. Agent MAdiaon 2-9834 PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St. 8. CarduUo. Agent Market 7-1639 SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St. Douglas 2-5479 Marty Breitboff, West Coast Kepreseniative PUERTA de TIERRA. PR Pelayo 51—La 9 ^1 Colls. Agent Phone 2-5996 SAVANNAH 3 Abercorn St A. Michelet. Agent Phono 3-1728 SETTLE : 2505 1st Ave. GlUette, Agent--..-EUiott 4334- New East Coast Run May Be Just Temporary Cow-Carving Cook Goto Bulehoring OT Pact Clause Saves Job For Seafarer •-'.Hr I ' ••^1 M / "^^1 �SEAFARERS Par* Fourteen •« April 1, 1951 LOG OFF WATCH This feature it designed to offer hints and information on hobbies, neto products, developments^ publications and the like which Seafarers may find helpful in spending their leisure-time hours, both ashore and aboard ship. Queries should be addressed to "Off Watch," SEA­ FARERS LOG, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 32, NY. fe- :i- t '-Hr' &;g:"=:' Making a voyage aboard the SlU-contracted Kathryn proved a happy sequel to the story of his marriage. Seafarer Charles E, Rawlings reports to the LOG. Above (left) Rawlings poses in the ship's engine room with his wife Angelica and daughter Sandra. At the right are Angelica and Sandra with the Kathryn's skipper, Captain Callis. Rawlings says Kathryn crew's work is in best SIU tradition. SIU Voyage Is Seque To Story Of Romance Althougrh Seafarers who are reg-^ is for the Seafarer to carry iilar travelers in and out, of the stances his film in a separate package. country may not have too much Then Cu.stoms can check your bag­ trouble on this score, a reminder gage without fogging" every roll. never hurls. The» lesson learned 3) 4 the hard way by many occurs whem The American Photographio their baggage contains film—ex­ posed or not—and the need to let Book Publishing Company has Customs know about it. In major available a 30-page listing of cur­ ports like New York, Customs may rent books on different phases of use an x-ray machine to go over photography, which can be gotten your gear. This is what can ruin merely by writing 33 West 60th film, and generally they wijl al­ Street. The information is - ar­ ways be the rolls which contain ranged under 40 separate subject the highlights of a particular trip. headings, and may help speed se­ The best advice to give in such in- lection "of a good all-around book dealing with a photography sub­ ject you're interested in. Shutter Subjects On The Venore Some time ago the SEAFARERS LOG published a story telling of Seafarer Charles E. Rawlings' long search for the fiancee he had not seen in many years. That search, as the LOG story related, ended hap--f pily when Rawlings Ipcated honeymoon Angelica and I could his sweetheart—Angelica Diaz see the ships in the harbor from —in Puerto Rico, and the two were married there. Now, it seems, there is a sequel to the story, for Rawlings—who at­ tributes his finding of Angelica to his SIU sailing—recently was able to give his wife a first-hand exam­ ple of what it means to be aboard an SIU ship. This occurred when Rawlings, together with Angeiica and daugh­ ter Sandra, sailed as a passenger aboard the SlU-contracted Kathryn (Bull). "You may remember that in your fine story about our marriage," Rawlings now writes the LOG, "you mentioned that during our Speak Your Mind At SttJ 3^eetuB^s r Under the Union constitu­ tion every member attending a Union meeting is entitled to nominate himself for the elected posts to be filled at the meeting—chairman, read­ ing clerk and recording secre­ tary. Your Union urges you to take an active part in meet­ ings by taking these posts of service. And, of course, all members have the right to take the floor and express their opinions on any officer's report or issue under discussion. Seafarers ai-e urged to hit the deck at these meetings and let their shipmates know what's on their minds. the window of our hotel room in San Juan. Well, one of the ships we saw at that time was the Kath­ ryn, and I was very happy, re­ cently, to be able to give Angelica a close-up of life on her when we boarded her as passengers at Mayaguez, PR." Met SIU Buddies The trip to the States, Rawlings writes, not only gave him an op­ portunity to renew acquaintances with many of his SIU buddies, but also proved a very interesting and enjoyable one for Angelica and lit­ tle Sandra. "This voyage," Rawlings says, "was the first for my wife and daughter, and my wife wants you to know that the outstanding serv­ ice she received aboard the ship was the best she has ever gotten. She wishes to convey her heai-tiest thanks to the officers and SIU crewmen of the Kathryn and hopes you will print a special God bless you all, for these wonderful men. "For myself," Rawlings writes, "I want to say that the spirit I saw displayed aboard the Kathryn by t%e SIU crewmen, in the perform­ ance of their duties, again made me realize that there is no union that can begin to compare with the SIU. The wondel-ful at home feeiing that they gave to me and my family, and their consideration for our comfort, meant more in happiness to all of us, I am sure, than anything our fares could have purchased. I would like to 'add my voice to that Of my wife in saying 'Thank you one and ail.'" 1^ I&-' rfr Vf-:':- I.*;, £ I (1> Which does a fire need in order to burn: oxygen or carbon dioxide? (2) If A is always one-fourth of B, and A is 2 when B is 8, what is B when A is one-half? - (3) What little girl in a comic strip has a dog named Sandy? (4) What is probably the earliest-known instrument for measuring time? (5) Who wore herring boxes for shoes? (6) Is the monetary unit of the Greece the quetzal, the franc or the drachma?' (7) How fast must the wind travel to be a huri'icane: (a) 25 mph, (b) 50 mph, (c) 75 mph, (d) ICQ mph? (8) What important part did Sutter's mill play in American history? Where is it? (9) Puring what war did the Charge of the Light Brigade take place: (a) War of 1812, (b) Crimean War, (c) Spanish-American War, (d) World War I? (10) The word meridian pertains, to what time of day? <. . (Quiz Answers On Page 17) t:i:i < H i f f K'*'? . Snapped during a moment of leisure aboard the Venore (Ore) is (left) Richard Glaze, oiler. At the right, in the usual order, are C. O. Stroud, oiler and FWT Smith. Stroud sent in the photographs. The Venore is on the regular run between Sparrows Point, Md., and the ore fields in South America. LOG-A-RHYTHM: A Seaman's Dream By M. Dwyer A frequent contributor of poetry to the SEAFARERS LOG, M. Dwyer herein submits a new version of an age-old formula for success in mar­ riage for seamen. "To many foreign lands you'll I sailed upon a moonlit sea roam And dreamed a dream most real to me. "Yet none will ever be your home. I dreamed that I was home once "You'll laugh when in some more, distant port A welcome mat outside the door. "With maids whose favors can be bought. And in the dream I seemed to be A lad close to my father's knee. "But when you settle down for His words of wisdom I still hear. life, Through the years ringing clear. "Choose a lady for your wife. I saw him smile at me and say: "Test them, son, one and another "Perhaps some day you'll sail away, "But if a ieaman's life you choose, "Try to find one like your mother, "Be prepared to win or lose. "A loving woman, kind and true. "Remember, boy, there are a few. "And if you choose this fine -profession, "And if you find this woman rare, "'Think well first and -use dis­ "Make sure that she can also share cretion, "Your seaman's life and seaman's "For it's no picnic to attend— ways, "This rugged life can break or "With no tears shed through mend. absent days. "But if she's one who takes to "Some nights you'll toss upon grieving, your sack. "And wish, perhaps, that you "Her heart viay break when you were back are leaving. "On land to live a life of ease "So find one who will Understand "Instead of sailing on the seas. "A seaman cannot live on land." "But should the sea get in your These wisdom words were in vein my ear "You'll never stay at home again, As I awoke to a sky clear. "For men have left their loved And I smiled and had to say: ones fair "To roam -the •world, and' breathe "Thanks,~I3tt<k-i«r-sh0winff--me-'---the way." ^ j . .... i i,.< f 4« 4» The " ticklish Job of painting chair and table legs can be accom­ plished without smearing the floor or leaving excess paint at the tip of the leg by creating a pair of stilts for the article involved which will get it off the floor. The trick lies in elevating the chair or table by driving a nail or two into the end of each leg so that the piece can still stand on its own and then be painted. 4" 4" 4" 4 4 4" Philatelists interested in firstday covers of the proposed new Soo Locks stamp will have to wait for official word from Washington before they can start sending out requests. Although June 18, 1955, was announced as the date of is­ sue by the local postmaster, the Post Office Department in Wash­ ington has refused so far to con­ firm the date, and collectors will have to await Its decision. The angler interested in knowing about the flies on which trout feed will find a good source in Art Flick's "Streamside Guide to Natu­ rals and Their Imitations." Both the novice and the experienced fly fisherman will find it valuable. Most bookshops and sporting goods stores, carry it. '—for SIU MEMBERS! A/eEDINSB4GE4R ANPSHOReWSARFfiOMATbO/HBRdSH TOASOUVKKUERT^ULATSPEOAU se4c/JKrH?ics your SEA CHEST SHORE WEAR f SEA GEAR SEA GEAR t SHORE WEAR at SIU HEADQUARTERS �A»Hi 1, idss SEAFARERS Pace Fifteea LOG Shipmate's Wedding is Gala Event For Dei Vaiie Crew B3J Spike Marlin , The wedding of Seafarer M. W. Valentine proved a festive occasion for Valentine's shipmates on the Del Valle (Mississippi), as this photo shows. The wedding was held in Houston and was followed by a party at Little Nell's, with a good time had by all. Valentine and his bride Ey^hel, both wearing light clothes, are shown at the center of the photo, which was sent to the LOG by H. D. Higginbotham. Tampa-To-Havana Is Some Fun For SlU Stewardess On The Cuba Life aboard one of the SIU's newest ships the P & O's SS Cuba—is a good deal for the SIU crewmembers. And especially if that crewmember happens to be a woman. So re­ ports Audrye E. Henry, a nurse who has been serving as stewardess on the Cuba, and who has been tending to the wants • of both the crew and the 200 joyable .because of the kindness~of enables her to give care to the passengers which the ship the crew. "They have taken me crewmembers, if needed, as well Just when we thought everybody in this gloomy old world was get­ ting ftiore worked up over foreign affairs than sports, the citizens of Montreal have shown where their true interests lie. Others may get excited over what Acheson told Chiang Kai Shek. In Montreal, they are all for stuffing Clarence Campbell in a well-weighted sack and rolling him down the slopes of Mount Royal into the St. Lawrence River. Campbell got in this plight by happening to be the president of the National Hockey League. His enormous "crime" consisted of the suspension of Maurice Richard for the remainder of the season. In the eyes of the citizenry, Richard is hockey's Babe Ruth. The suspension came when Mon­ treal and Detroit wei-e neck and neck in the stretch and continues right through the championship piayoffs. Naturally the citizens were annoyed. Drew Blood All Richard did to deserve such foul treatment was to crease an op­ ponent's skull with a hockey stick and take a couple of whacks at an official who interfered. Inciden­ tally, it wasn't the first time that Richard drew blood. The very same night of the sus­ pension, Detroit played Montreal in the latter's home arena and Campbell boldly attended the game. A mild riot foliowed, punc­ tuated by rotten fruit and eggs and climaxed by a tear gas bomb. The game was called off while police moved in to try to break it up, car­ rying several kicking, screaming spectators off to the iocal pen. After that the crowd really got hot under the collar. It surged into th^ street, smashed windows, looted and started fires. Over 100 people were ^ arrested. Richard hustled off to a radio studio and broadcast a special pica to his legions of admirers to keep cool. Richard may be hotheaded but his worshippers will match him in that respect anytime. Explosive Fans This kind of behavior is always amazing but it is not restricted to Montreal, far from it. People will open newspapers and yawn at the daily recital of misdeeds, local or international. Then they will ex­ plode all over the place at a sport­ ing event. New York is supposed to be a sophisticated town in that respect, but that myth is easily punctured. We recall one ugly scene in Yankee Stadium when New York and De­ troit were grimly battling for the top spot. lYes, Detroit once did win a pennant). The Yankees were trailing in late innings when they got three men aboard and left-hander Tom­ my Henrich di-ibbled a roller down the third base line. The umpires called it a foul ball and the next thing we knew, men who wouldn't dare raise their voices to their wives were flinging pop bot­ tles." Everybody, friend or foe, retreated to the dugout to keep from getting skulled. Since then, then've been serving beer and soda in paper cups. There's something about a sport­ ing event that incites to riot more than anything else. What it is we'll leave for others to explain. /. -U "./•r .1 generally carries. The Cuba, Audrye reports in a letter to the LOG, is on a weekly run between Tampa and Havana. It leaves Tampa every Monday morning for Key West; From there it goes on to Havana and then re­ turns to Tampa for the week-end. "Havana," Audrye writes, "is the kind of place you read about in the magazines or see in the movies, with palm trees swaying in the breeze, stars, shining overhead, and music guaranteed to make one for­ get iife's ups_and downs." Escorted By Crewmen ' Her visits to Havana, Audrye re­ ports, have been particularly en­ to some of the nicest places in the as to carry on her regular duties city," she writes, "and have treated among the passengers. me wonderfully in every respect. I would like- to take this oppor­ The LOG conducts this column as an exchange for stewards, cooks, tunity to express my appreciation bakers and others who'd like to share flavored recipes, little-known to each and every one of them." cooking and baking hints, dishes with a national flavor and the like suitable for shipboard and/or home use. Here s Seafarer Julio Reg's Audrye writes that she has a recipe for "Chicken a la Rey." son in school in Baton Rouge, and A perennial favorite, chicken again makes an appearance that her desire to be nearer to him is making her leave the Cuba here as the mainstay of Seafarer Julio Key's "Chicken a la for the present. She hopes, how­ Rey." The recipe is the veteran steward's own creation, and ever, to be able to ship on an­ the dish, from all reports, other SIU ship out of New Orleans seatime under his belt, about 15 in the near future. Meanwhile she "fit for a king," which is what of of those in the galley. intends to do private nursing duty. "a la Key," in this Seafarer's To make the dish, here's what This nursing experience, Audrye native Spanish, means in English. you need: 10 chickens (3-31i feels, is very valuable in her work The speciality always met with pounds each), 1 as stewardess aboard a ship and favor whenever he served it on the pound onions, 1 iiipiiliil® liner Puerto Rico, while that ship pound green was in US-flag service with an SIU peppers, 3 grains crew, and still has 'em smacking gai'lic, 1 teaspoon their lips on other SlU-contracted paprika, 2 bay ships today. Re^'s last ship was leaves, 1 can the Marina (Bull). Although he tomato paste, 2 first joined the SIU in 1948, by No. 21^ cans to­ Audrye Henry, shown while that time he already had 20 years matoes, 2 table­ stewardess on the Del Sud. spoons WorcestKey er.shire sauce. First, clean and prepare the Delegates Pose On Seatrain Georgia chickens and cut them into four parts. Fry the parts until they are half done and set aside in a brais­ ing pan. Prepare the sauce by chopping the onions and peppers finely, add the garlic, paprika and bay leaves and braise separately in a little oil. Now add the tomato paste, toma­ toes and Worcestershire.and when this is ready, pour it over the chicken in the braiser. Add enough stock to cover the chicken, cover the pan and cook until the sauce begins to thicken. The next step is to prepare the [HB SIU NASAgarnish. Fry 12 green peppers POTATIOAJ cut in four parts, boil 6 dozen small onions until half done and boil 2 MAlf^rrAlMlNG dozen carrots cut into 3 or 4 strips. CLEAM SHIRS. AT THE When serving, to each piece of chicken on a plate or casserole, add LAYOFF BE SUR£ THE two of the small onions, 2 carrot strips, 1 piece green pepper, 1 _ ^SSAe£lVAyS,MESSR3CM, strip of pimento (if available) right ^Fodsi^At^ DECKS Af2.BCLBM> BB A on the chicken, 1 teaspoon green This quartet is composed of the four delegates aboard the Seatrain peas, chopped parsley and lots of Georgia (Seatrain Lines). Left to right are D. Smith, deck; A. Lam­ CdBW THE SIU CAM BE PRoUD OF I the sauce itself. It's a real pleaser. bert, steward; K. Beckerich, engine, and F. King, ship's. Photo (Feeds 40.) .was. taken by.I'lftehcr. Johnson, chief steward. It" .-•YWrH'.h •.t. U*1 LBA\/B HBR SH/PSHAFeJ U I ! I 9 �^ P,se •* s'^'f SE SiV Men Cheered JViftf In Hospital To the Editor: I would like to take this oppor­ tunity, through the LOG, to thank the SIU brothers and officials for their visits to me while I was in the Brighton USPHS Hospital in Massachusetts. I would also like to say that the members of the hospital staff were very kind to me. It was wonderful to get letters and postcards from the brothers in distant ports who read about me in the LOG, and these brought me many happy memories of the times we spent together. Again I would like to thank one and all. Joseph Fawcett An ^" u'f r. • L E T T E R S April 1, IvsS GI In Europe Wants LOG Sent To the Editor: everything that tvas done for me, Catholic Trade Unionists, popularly I have been in the Army since and I hope, someday, I will be August, 1954, and now that I have known as the ACTU. . Welcomed By Crew able to do them all a good turn. to spend quit'e a bit of time here Right now I m all set and ready in Europe, I would like to have The nien on board these ships To the Editor: accepted me for what I was—a I have just finished reading the to^ ship out again here in New copies of the LOG sent to me. member of the crew. And never February 18th issue of the LOG, York. The call of the wild seas got In my estimation, the LOG Is was I made to feel uncomfortable which contained an article of great me shortly after the accident and one of the best union newspapers since then I have been anxious to there is when it comes to keeping or unwelcome in any way, whether interest to me. I was casually talking to a group its members informed about what's Tliis article was the "Inquiring ship out again. . The accident was like a light to going on in their union, on deck, or having* coffee in the Seafarer" column in which the crew's mess or sitting in on a ship­ men were asked if they would be me, showing me the way to be a I really never fully appreciated board SIU meeting. interested in a correspondence Christian. I'm really ship-shape our Union until after I was drafted. now. Coming, as I do, from a long school set-up for seamen. I used to gripe line of seafarers, sailing is in my James McGbe* about 'some of My answer to that question is blood, and when I am among sea­ "yes," I have tried on several oc­ the shipboard ^ ^ men I always feel that I am among casions ta carry conditions, lik^p my own people. Also, as a priest, on extension the food on some I am in my elemenh For, after all, work from the of the scows, but t i J. whom did Christ choose for his University I can see now To the Editor: first apostles but men who went of Washington in I am writing this to thank you that it was like to sea—the fishermen of Galilee? Seattle, But be­ for sending the SEAFARERS LOG eating at the Rev. John J. Walsh cause of the diffi­ to me. I only wish I had been re­ Waldorf com­ To the Editor; Philadelphia, Pa. Smith culty of main­ ceiving., copies of this fine news­ pared with some We, the undersigned members 4> 4- 4' taining a current paper long ago, liecause then I of the Army of the crew of the DeSoto, feel forwarding ' ad would have known and understood chow I have had. that a steward should be compli­ Also, in the SIU, we got paid for dress, and the so much more than I did ..when 1 mented when he does good work Cowdrey time consumed lost my son. He was Purdom Ar­ our work. Here in the Army we just as quickly as he should be in sending-mail, I always found it nold Moulds and he was aboard the put in plenty of OT and never get condemned when he is delinquent To the Editor: a nickel for it,I am writing this to let you know impossible to completq a course. Southern Districts. in his duties. Of course, one should be proud You complete a lesson and mail I live far inland, in Arkansas, Our "bellyrobber," Phil Reyes, that I have been drafted into the who has been almost a permanent Army and would like to have my ir in for correction. Then, in the and so I do not know much about to serve his country. But life in fi.xture on the De Soto— and who name put on the SEAFARERS two or three monI:hs it takes you shipping. Also, I do not know the Army can never stack up with to get the next lesson, you could much about unions, and I had no Ife in the SIU, is well known to many Seafarers LOG mailing list, Melvin H. Smith I sailed with the best union have completed a half-dozen idea, until I lost my son, that anv as a tine steward and fine shipmate (Ed. note: The LOG will be sent union took such interest in the —has finally left this ship for a there is, the SIU, from 1943 to lessons, to you regularly.) I certainly wish the SIU mem­ families of its members. January, 1955, and my last ship shore assignment. bership would give this matter We don't know whether this was the Steel Director. In particular, I would like 'to 4^ 4 4 Any lettei's my friends in the some more consideration. move will prove to be permanent thank the SIU Welfare Services Robert G. Cowdrey or temporary. But we certainly SIU care to send me will be greatfor taking a personal interest in wisli Brother Reyes the best of ly appreciated, my loss and doing things for me 4< 4" as tliis Army life luck in whatever he does. when I was too shocked to do them To the Editorleaves a lot to be for myself. Kept Crews Happy Just a few lines to let you know desired. Believe Mrs. Floyce Morris We think that for a steward to I am still receiving the LOG evei*y me, they could To the Editor: slay on a coastwise ship as long two weeks and am enjoying every My husband brings home the as Brother Reyes did, and to keep Qcrtainly use a issue of it. few organizers, SEAFARERS LOG for me to read the men satisfied and have no It certainly is good to read of especially here and I certainly do enjoy the arti­ major beefs, is a big achievement. the man^ things the Union is doing at Fort Knox. cles about the sea and ships in To the Editor: What's more, we think that Broth­ and getting, for its members, and I would like to I would like to thank you and it shows what a union can accom­ your fine newspaper. er Reyes was primarily responsi­ say "hello" espe­ Humphrey ble for the fine reputation this I like almost all of the articles your entire staff tor making it plish when it is wide awake. ship enjoys in the ports she calls cially to my pals and pictures in your paper, but possible for us to receive the LOG My last ship was the George K. in New Orleans, which has been while we are in service. It certain­ Fitch out of Mobile with a cargo at. most "of all I like the poems you Therefore, in appreciation of his my home port since 1946, I sure publish and that is the real reason ly is a great morale lifter and I'm of wheat for Sicily, in 1947. I fine work, we take this way of ex­ miss seeing the Mardi Gras this for this - letter, because I would sure the. other SIU brothers in also made one trip on the Maiden pressing our esteem, and we hope year and the races at the Fair like to know if you publish these service will agree with me. Creek and would like to know jf Now my time has come to return this ship has been laid up as I that when Brother Reyes reads Grounds, but I guess there'll come poems,in book form. this letter in the LOG he will another day. I collect poems of all kinds and to civilian life and freedonv. I had haven't seen anything about her In closing, I would like to wish two years of Army life and, believe know that his leaving this ship all the brothers happy sailing and I have been cutting the poems out me, that's enough for me. I can in the Log for some time. has been deeply felt. ^of the LOG and putting them into Send Quotations say I hope to be with them again H. C. Randall, ship's del. my scrapbook. But I would prefer hardly wait to get back to the SIU when my hitch is up. Incidentally, I recently read a and especially to see the new Balti­ R. A. Jackson, deck del. to have them in book form if they Pvt. Henry E. Humphrey little piece in the Woodmen Of more hall. D. R. Smith, engine del. are available. US 52386490 I probably won't be here when The World magazine and I thought Curt Boruxin, steward del. I would appreciate it very much Btry C, 54th AFA Btn. the next batch of mail comes so other SIU men might enjoy read­ if you would let me know about i. 4.-4. DIv Arty, 3rd Armrd Div. you can take my name off the ing it, so here it is: this. Fort Knox, Ky. mailing list. If someone should ask you (Mrs.) Mary Edwall (Ed. note: Your name has been M, L, Olvera why a ship Is always referred (Ed. note: LOG poems are not added to our mailing list.) (Ed. note: Your name has been to as "she or her" you might published in book jorm at pres­ To the Editor: 4. 4i 4. give this explanation: "It costs ent. However, a number of SIU removed from the mailing list.) I have spent the past two sum­ a lot to keep her in paint, and 4> 4* 4* members have suggested such a mers at sea—in 1953 aboard the powder, she'll drift off If you publication and this project is be­ Iberville and in 1954 aboard the don't keep her tied down, she ing considered.) John B. Waterman. To the Editor: makes her best showing in a 1 signed on these trips as libi-ar4» 4» 4« I would like to take this way high wind and it takes a man To the Editor: ian. but changed this title to that of extending my sincere thanks to On behalf of my wife and fam­ to handle her." of chaplain-librarian and served in my fellow SIU crewmen on the ily, I am writing this letter to • I am sending you a small contri­ this capacity during both voyages. Compass. thank my fi'iends and shipmates bution which I hope you can use I can truthfully say that both of I had to get off the Compass for To the Editor: in the SIU for their thoughtful- to keep up your good work. those summers were the most re- hospitalization in Piraeus, Greece, I want to take this opportunity ness and sympathy following the L. C. Hall waiding of my priesthood. And and my shipmates took up a col­ to thank every one who stood by tragic death of our son. (Ed. note: Thank you for your the experience I gained during lection and presented me with $60 me at the time of my accident on I hope you will print this letter contribution. .A receipt is being them has been invaluable, particu­ to help me out. I want them all the Steel Fabricator (Isthmian), a in the LOG soon as it is the only mailed to you. The Maiden Creek larly since I was appointed by the to know I appreciate this very year and a half ago, outside of way we have of reaching all these is in service' and was'recently re­ Archbishop of Philadelphia to be much. Manila. ported enroute from the • Canal men and thanking them. chaplain for the Association of August J. Williams Zone to iSan Pedro, Calif.) Believe me, I really appreciated Norman I. West Correspondence School Souyht SIU Aids Mother Of Lost Crewtnan HeSoto Crewmen Commend Reyes GI Anticipaiiny Return To Union Enjoys Gettiny^ Readiny The LOG Wants LOG Poems Printed As Rooh He^s Eayer To Return To Union Priest Finds SIV Runs 'Rewarding Shipmate Aided Ry Compass Crew SIU Men Liyhten Parents^ Sorrow Ue^s Okay iVoii?, Ready to Ship Burly A IJllle MHttpnied Overtime Bit Bevnard Seaman �Afrit 1. ItBS Maritime Observers Report: Why Joe Curran Attacks Lundeberg BE Af AHERS Psse LOG . CAM U fails Union Seamen ^AfL Unions Withdraw by the fact that genuine opposi­ (Continued from page 2) The same NMU representative, worked out with CIO imions as tion is limited to only one segment incidentally, again without consulta­ of maritime. tion with AFL spokesmen, testified well. Another cause of friction was before a Congressional committee It appears certain that thie. NMU July 2, 1948, when Taft-Hartley loosed the attack at the time it did the attempt- of the NMU's Wash­ in favor of policies that would (Continued from page 2) ington representative, Hoyt Had­ have deprived the membership of States Lines, largest benefactor of was first becoming a problem, to cover up its own singlehanded dock, to" play both sides of the the Sailor's Union of 400 jobs on abandonment of union hiring with­ Curran vowed in the "Pilot": Government ship subsidies in the fence on the runaway-fiag issue. Ampac company vessels. nation. "We have made It clear that we out consulting other unions as Without consultation with the promised. By finding some excuse As the evidence piled up, it be­ "Attempts have been made for do not intend to relinquish our AFL unions, he placed an item on came obvious to AFL maritime to attack the Sailors Union, NMU fight for the hiring hall ... we years to get the Sailors Union and President Curran was hopeful that the agenda of the March 21 meet­ unions that CAMU was not serving the AFL unions into this outfit. will strike." ing calling for censure of Senator It is obvious in order for it to be But on March 3, 1955, NMU he could take the heat off his ad­ Warren Magnuson of Washington. the interests of their membership. ministration on the hiring issue, Instead it was being used to pro­ really effective, it must have the treasurer Hedley Stone reported The censure was to have been for. AFL unions in there. As a matter the following as his statements at not only at the conference meet­ Magnuson's vote approving con­ mote private projects and to give of fact, not only have the ship­ an NMU council meeting of the ing, but inside his own union firmation of Louis Rothschild as the cloak of authority to self-ap­ where both officials and members pointed spokesmen. Under such owners pleaded with us to join, previous August: have expressed dissatisfaction with Under-Secretary of Commerce. circumstances, the AFL unions taut also Joseph Curran has at­ (You are saying) "to the hun­ Rothschild, as Maritime Adminis­ felt it was best to sever connec­ tempted as their salesman, but has dreds of thousands that have sea­ his surrender on hiring. trator, perpetrated and encouraged tions with the organization. AFL unions of course, were the ship transfer program. been unsuccessful, in selling this men's papers, that we have 23,000 outfit to the AFL labor unions. CAMU was formed originally in jobs here, come in boys, stand in aware for some time what was go­ While calling for Magnuson's "Now we have found out further line . . . These officials (Curran ing on in the NMU on the hiring censure, the same NMU represent­ January, 1954, to formulate a com­ that the CIO unions, together with and Company) say, look, you are issue, and were disturbed by de­ ative congratulated Rothschild on mon program on behalf of all nonthe so-called management, have going to die anyway, so commit velopments. However they held off his promotion and the NMU Communist American maritime been trying to create the impres­ suicide . . . The question is to get open criticism in the hope that the "Pilot" applauded Magnuson in unions. Among issues responsible sion that this CAMU is in effect knocked down dead or to lay down unions could get together at a print. If the AFL unions had fal­ for its formation were the hiring a Labor-Management committee. dead . . . the 90-day waiting time CAMU meeting and-thrash the is­ len for this trap, it would have hall question, the fate of the ma­ It certainly was the feeling among will become a 180-day waiting sue out. The AFL maritime unions placed the onus on their heads for rine hospitals, the fight for a per­ were not the only ones upset by censuring a Senator well-known manent "50-50" law and the prob­ the AFL unions that we should not time . . ." the NMU's hiring hall fiasco. Top for his hght on behalf of a strong lems of coastwise and intercoastal lend the label of the American And Stone concluded, "I don't officials of the NMU were equally Federation of Labor as a seal to shipping. want to be the one that says to the disturbed. As M. Hedley Stone, merchant marine. this phony set-up called the Laborguy out there pitching for the job Management committee, to be used treasurer of the NMU said at an to go before the Government and that he has to divide it with the emergency NMU Council Meeting world when the union primarily last August, "this is about the get more fat subsidies." Incidentally, Curran's "coopera­ was formed to secure him his job." most distressing subject ... I have tion" with management casts much Which is just what Curran told his encountered in a long, long time light on NMU policies in recent membership. ... To willingly vote I am-going Curran also said on July 2, 1948, to comply ... means the follow^ months, including his failure to make any kind of beef on the "we do not intend to allow any ing: that without being forced to Coast Guard's physical and mental shipping from the dock." But on I am saying ... to the hundreds March 17, 1955, the New York of thousands that have seamen's CECIL N. BEAN (Dry Trans), February men while on shipboard, and in doing so inspection proposals. the respect of the shipowners. When Lundeberg rejected the NMU acting agent,' Jdhn Kadash, papers, that we have 23,000 jobs <—Chairman, I. Music; Secretary, L. Pep­ winFobruary 20—Chairman, J. Rogers; Sec­ per. Ship's delegate reported any over­ said there was shipping off the latest invitation, it meant that here, come in boys, stand in line." time regarding no launch service will be retary, none. A vote of thanks was given to the steward department and the crew turned over to the patrolman before pay­ Curran had failed in his promise dock in the NMU. "With shipping •We Can't Protect You' off. Department quarters need sougee- messman for their fine work. No beefs to "deliver" Lundeberg to John as bad as it is, more and more and repair lists should be turned reported. "... as an officer of this union ing, in to department heads. The chief mate Franklin and the^ "fat cat" sub­ skullduggery comes to light each has been several times v.bout BALTORE (Ore), February —Chair­ sidized shipowners. Curran theh day . . . we are checking crew lists should I be the one to tell the working on warned deck but ignores these warn­ man, T. Jacks; Secretary, E. Villapol. man in the hall, divide your job ings and continues working when he Motion made and carried to. contact turned around and loosed the blast ... in ordgr to determine . . . who pleases. The 1st assistant has been work­ boarding patrolman on behalf of three at Lundeberg, before CAMU had had shipped off the dock . . .," with the world. In other words, ing outside of the engine room while on men fired in the black gang. A vote we can't protect you. Have we watch. Kadash said. even met. Both of these men should be of thanks was given to the steward de­ turned into their own unions. Pantry­ partment for a gob well done. With a growing groundswell of come to that particular stage?" The Maritime Hiring Hall man was fired without payment for day's opposition from his own member­ and Seniority Stone was overridden on this work. Captain threatened erew mess and GATEWAY CITY (Waterman), Febru­ saloon mess if overtime was turned in ary 14—Chairman, D. Degraf; Secretary, The most tragic aspect of Cur­ ship, Curran ^as in desperate subject and the NMU did, in fact, there would be no time off in any ports. Robert Walton. Two men missed ship in ran's recent behavior was his aban­ need of some issue to divert at­ open its halls to all comers on an Bremerhaveii and the.v will be turned in donment of the hiring hall. On tention internally from the NMU equal basis. STEEL ADMIRAL (Isthmian), February to the patrolman. Discussion on the S—Chairman, J. Selby; Secretary, F. way the crew left the pantry and messhiring hall catastrophe. He turned Although the NMU had been SIvertsln. Ship's delegate is seeking room in port. The baker was requested on Lundeberg as a scapegoat ac­ clarification of wipers p.yinting the en­ to put out some hot rolls and some cof­ moving in this direction for sev­ Puzzle Answer gineer's quarters. All members should fee time goodies. General discussion on cordingly. eral months, nothing Was ever said study contract and make su.ggestions for repairs. about it to the other unions. Then iicgutiating committee for the next con­ The AFL-CIO Merger SHINNECOCK BAY (Veritas), February tract. Crewmembers were asked to take care of cots and linen issued to them and 13—Chairman, L. Garabedian; P. Living­ Since the AFL and the CIO when the conference meeting was bring ston. Due to adverse working condi­ back all soiled linen when chang­ were about to merge, the big ques­ just a few days off, the blast ing. Ship's delegate will see the mate tions on deck when leaving port, ship's against the Sailors Union was let about having oft' shore passageway roped gear was not properly secured and when tion in Curran's mind apparently off when crew sleeps on deck in hot men were turned to later to secure same, was who would be the top spokes­ go both as a smokescreen and to climate. the overtime «as disputed under guise safety of the ship. Motion made and man for maritime. CuiTan showed provoke the break-up of the ALAWAI (Waterman), February 10— of carried to give radio operator a vote by his politicking oh merger that CAMU. Chairman, E. King; Secretary, R. Land. of thanks for his cooperation in opening The NMU's abject surrender on Motion made and carried that a' letter the slopchest whenever any of the crew he was extremely anxious to be be prepared and submitted to the Union required an.vthing. Repair lists to be recognized as .mafitime's "top the hiring issue has placed in­ hall in Mobile concerning the excessive turned in by all delegates and copies creasing pressure on other unions. charges brought against a Seafarer for will go to the chief engineer and the stateman" and the number one damages to an innerspring mattress. chief mate. man in hrs field. But he well knew Both the SUP and the SIU have Charges were $35 and the cost of re­ LIBERTY BELL (Dover), January 30— of Lundeberg's outstanding repu­ succeeded in the face of this pres­ placement was only $19.50. The ship's was requested to contact the Chairman, R. Vickerman; Secretary, A. tation as a relentless fighter for sure in maintaining hiring halls delegate captain for a letter for eaeh man stat­ Weddie. Motion made and carried to seamen. In his mind, Lundeberg that protect the rights of profes­ ing that he had been laid off 'through no have ship's delegate see the captain fault of his own, this letter to he used about obtaining American currency or loomed as the principle obstacle to sional seamen. In dealing with the unemployment office. traveler's cheeks in foreign ports, and Other action by the NMU con­ about having inside passageways cleane,i Curran's burning ambition, even CANTIGNY (Cities Service), January 2f up. •though Lundeberg has shown tributed to thg breach. One was —Chairman, R. Koch; Secretary, AckerJOHN B, WATERMAN (Waterman), many times in past actions that he the NMU's half-hearted lip service man. Foc'sles need painting, sougceing and fumigating. Performers were warned. February 14—Chairman, S. Gondiar; Sec­ prefers to remain at the helm of in the fight against the Coast The retary, E. Hansen, Discussion about keep­ steward delegate will see the stew­ Bill Gonzales his own union over any other dis­ Guard "brain-body" testing sys­ ard about putting more cups out in port. ing the laundry room clean, Rantryinaa tem, leaving the SIU and the Sail­ All hands were asked to keep the pantry asked the members not to leave glasses Van Whitney has checked your tinction. in the sink at night. $3 was spent for gear into the headquarters baggage Curran's self-created fear and ors Union to carry the brunt of and recreation room cleaner at night. OS who was hurt in Philadelphia, There room. The baggage check has been anxiety over Lundeberg impelled the campaign. The Coast Guard, MICHAEL (Carras), February 14—Chair­ is 31 cents in the siiip's fund. man, F. Israel; Secretary, W. Leiberman. left in the mailroom in an envelope him to try to tear Lundeberg incidentally, .has not given up its^ Ship's COMPASS (Compass), January 30 — delegate bought an iron for $12.98. M. Krammer; Secretary, P. with your name on it. ' down. That was the reason for program, apparentiy encouraged A letter was received from an injured Chairman, pumpman's wife thanking officers and Piascik, Any repairs from the last re­ directing his anti-Lundeberg pe­ ^ James McGuffey pair list that have not been taken care crew for their contribution and good deeds. Repairs arg not being taken care of should be added to the new one. The Phone Valley 4492 or write your titions to George Meany, AFL ship's delegate thanked the crew for of and fans haven't been ordered. Quiz Anstvers wife at 1916 Stephen Giarod, New president, in an attempt to dis­ the contributions given to the crewmemher who was injured at Sardini, Greece. (1) Oxygen. DESOTO (Waterman), December »— credit Lundeberg and enhance his Orleans. Important. Chairman, W. Burke; Secretary, F. Reyes. A vote of thanks was given to the stew­ (2) Two. own standing at the same time. He Thurston Lewis ard department for their efforts during The steward department was commended (3) Orphan Annie. for the fine food prepared and service the voyage. Write to Saltjl Dick, c/o SS dusted off the mimeograph ma­ rendered. Crewmembers were asked to (4) The sundial. Cuba, P&O Steamship Company, chines left over from the days MARIE HAMILL IBloomficId), February clear laundry of hanging clothes as soon (5) My darling Clementine. as they are dry, to return coffee cups to It—Chairman, D. Jones; Secretary, C. 'when he and the Communist Party Taib^, Florida. the pantry and keep the mcssroom clean. Berg. Two men missed ship;. Motion (6) The drachma. were riding high in the NMU and Clifford C. Moore The deck engineer thanked the crew for made and carried to have delegate con­ (7) (c) 75 mph. the very fine spirit of brotherhood which tact union official in regard to Bull Line (^tact Re's Hub Bar, Galveston, turned out canned statements by e.xists among the SIU crew of this ship. plan for feeding. Ship's. delegate re­ (8) Gold was first discovered He the hundreds. ; TexaSi;fbr important mail. stated that he has not shipped with ported that all repairs have been taken If anything, CUrran'S hysterical there in 1848. It's in California. many finer crews in the past and ad­ care of and a new motor Is on order Gloucester City High Ring vised the members present to keep up for the washing machine; A vote of (9) (b) Crimean WgTi which was the desirable Above ring with initials R.F.F. and divisive attack at a time when confidence was given to the elected and conditions on board. reelected officials of -:the Union. has been left with LOG office. the AFL and CIO are working between Russia on the one hand TRANSATLANTIC (Pacific Waterways), Owner can have same by-identify­ more closely together. Irreparably and Turkey, England, France and December 1?—Chairman, C. Yearwood; FAIRLAND (Waterman), February II— ing his ship and rating at time ring damages his standing as a spokes­ Sardinia on the other in 1853-55^ Secretary, L. Zweriing. Temporary ship's Chairman. J. Sullivan; Secretary, G. Tip­ delegate reported that all repairs have ton. Four men were logged in deck de­ was lost. man for maritime labor, and un­ Americans were hot involved.' been taken care of-and everything is go­ partment for drinking and missing work. Bill Blanton (10) Noon. Post meridian means ing fine. Brother Marshall gave a short Motion made and carried to hold all fortunately only; 'raises stumbling in messhall. Crew was asked Get in touch with Dick Clement blocks vin the . path^ Qf the labor "aftef mdqm' and leads to the use talk on the Issue that we are now con- meetings yith as a Union, He said we to take care of washing machine until 436 48tH Street. Brooklyn,'{ Ih < aiiiwgt jeopduct ourselvei^ as true unlofi fepairs can be made in next port. • Digest of Ships* Meetings m T EHK HE10 SCaQS aSHDQEl SES E^DE EEana EE[^ SSDS ESEa DSd asa cassfflaB Ena SBS BnasE EES EDE aaBDS sais sag aEasQ • • / eg •: - Si - -••If �v!" 4 ^»11flfflitem SEA^ARER^' tt? g ' : : : ' ^^ .• > ;... «»9H! !, Iflif Happy For Two Different Reasons iiiiill ?- - ^•5 "H'- 5 mmmmmm ^IliSilF *iiiiili SEAFARERS WELFARE, VACATION PLANS REPORT ON BENEFITS PAID hem -((«>,<»> • ' > No, Seafarers Receivine Benefita thia Period I Average Benefita Paid Each Seafarer Total Benefiu Paid thia Period "MurMp.mmuiiMii • ^SS" A2. WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD Seafarer George Herrman smiles after receiving maintenance and cure check at Staten Island hos­ pital. The check, which was delivered by an SIU Welfare Services representative, represented pay­ ment for period before Herrman entered hospital. At right Mr. and Mrs. K. M. Cole pose with daugh­ ter, Barbara Ann, in New Orleans, following delivery of $200 SIU maternity benefit. ifaHBitri BtntflU Peath BtBtHtt PIMMHIY -5UsflJ 4.Z6Z- Vacation Benefita bl.SSZ JIsaaL WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID PREVIOUSLY 1: iCfc.- All of the following SW families Mrs. Erving J. Taylor, Covington, will collect the $200 maternity La. benefit plus a $25 bond from the 4" 41 4" Union in the baby's name: Naomi Lorraine Hoiiings, born Helen Marie Gladhill, born Jan­ February 16, 1955. Parents, Mr. uary 30, 1955. Parents, Mr. and and Mrs. Alphonse Hollings, Mo­ Mrs. Charles Gladhill, Ellicott City, bile, Ala. Md. 4 4« a* i" •$> if Teresa Carolyn Morris, born Linda Gayle Hathorne, born February 16, 1955. Parents, Mr. February 3,1955. Parents, Mr. and and Mrs. Richard Morris, Jr., VineMrs. Arnold E. Hathorne, New Or­ mont, Ala. leans, La. 4 4 4 Jacqueline Louise Gray, born i i Debora Ann Alexander,' born February 4, 1955. Parents, Mr. February 23, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack E. Gray, Norfolk, and Mrs. Nick Alexander, Jr., Va. 4*4 4 Texas City, Texas. Debera Anna Prodey, born De­ 4i 4" cember 28, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Judith Ann Bonefont, born Jan­ Mrs. Jerome A. Prodey, Baltimore, uary 4, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Md. Mrs. Juan Bonefont, NY. 4 4 4 4" a« 4" Richard Elton Jacoby, born Dominic Ann Hali, born Decem­ February 28, 1955. Parents, Mr. ber 15, 1954. Parents, Mr. and and Mrs. Richard Jacoby, Los An­ Mrs. Joseph Hail, Mobile, Ala. geles, Calif. and Mrs. Uuno Paulson, Brooklyn. 4 4 4 Ivan David Curtis, born March 2, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan R. Curtis, NY, NY. 4 4 4 4 Mary Frances Brault. born Feb­ ruary 23, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond E. Brault, Brooklyn, NY, 4 4 4 Candace Leigh Primeaux, born February 25, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis P. Primeaux, Sulphui-, La. 4 4 4 4 4 4" John Hamoudah Ei Giiani, born February 16, 1955. Parents, Mr. an_d Mrs. Hamoudah EI Ghani, Bi'ooklyn^ NY. Walter Gerard Kammerer, born December 4, 1954. Parents, Mr. 4« 4^ a^i 4 4 4 and Mrs. Raymond Kammerer, Jean Jenalie Taylor, boi-n Jan­ John Kenneth Paulson, born Brooklyn, NY. uary 2, 1955. Parents, Mr. and February 19, 1955, Parents, Mr. 4 4 4 Andrew Sherrad 'Andrade, born March 5, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Andrade, Plateau, Ala. Death At Sea Can Lead To Complicated Problems 4 ^4 Mm tizw 4 Bertha Mae Williams, born Feb­ ruary 28, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Williams, Jr., Tampa, Fla. 4 Hospital Benefita Paid Since lulv 1. 1950* i Sa Death Benefita Paid Since lulv I. 1950 * Lii^sia Disability Benefita Paid Since May 1. 1952* Maternity BeqeRta Paij Sjnce Aprtf 1. 1{>?2 ' Vacation Benefita Paid Since Feb. II. 1952 ' iltl Total Date Benefita Be«»a WELFARE, VACATION PLAN ASSETS Vacation C..byuH.wl |pei£„e Esiimaied Accoums Receivable nutoi^ A9 If a i,6io At e Vacation US Government Bonds (Welfare) Real Estate (Welfare) Other Assets - Training Ship (Welfare) TOTAL ASSETS oo y3| inPoil v«ll II 1 9EBBFZ3iZl COMMENT* Effective March l5, 195?* the employees contri­ butions to the lYelfare plan was increased from ,60 per day to .75 per'day, A new benefit, "Special Equipment,", to provide j'or the pruchase of wheel chalfs, braces, etc., for seamen eJ.lglblo for benefits under the Plan, In cases where such equipment is not provided by a hospital. SuhmMti /Wf 3-28-55 4 A1 Kerr, Assistant Administrator YOUR CLAIM fOR MAmBNANCe ANDOuRS... Patricia Gail Fillingim,- born March 4, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Filllngim, Chicka­ saw, Ala. When a Seafarer dies either aboard ship at sea or in'a for­ eign port, the natural inclination of the family is to make arrangements for return of the body. This seems to most 4 4 4 Pamela Aiesia Rankin, born people to be more reverential and proper than burial at sea is available, and the family is March 4, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey A. Rankin, Mobile, or burial in a foreign port, billed accordingly. but it is not as easy as it seems. Contrary to popular impx-ession, the shipping company has no re­ sponsibility for the return of the deceased to his residence. Further, it is not possible for the family in such circumstances to get a last look at their loved one, because regulations require that an airtight and sealed case be used for trans­ portation purposes. This case can­ not be opened. The only satisfactory alternative to burial at sea or in foreign soil is a cremation. Here personal preferences and religious scruples come into play. Embalming Necessary If the family is determined that the deceased be returned home, this is the procedure that has to be followed. 'Arrangements have to be made at the ship's first port of call for embalming the deceased and the body sealed inside an air­ tight lead coffin.. The coffin is then sent back to the States, usual­ ly on a fast passenger ship if one At a US port, an undertaker has to be hired to transfer the coffin to a train, on which it is shipped to the home town of the deceased. There are charges for both these sex-vices as well as for the home town undertaker's services, funeral ceremonies and cemetery plots. Where families have requested such procedure, Welfare Services has assisted in making such ar­ rangements. Families should con­ sider that the procedure can be a very expensive one and should weigh it against their future needs. As always, it is important that 'Ihe Union or the company have a next-of-kin listing which they can turn to in any kind of emer­ gency. Not all Seafarers have re­ membered to fill out Welfare Plan beneficiary cards, with the result that it is sometimes difficult to locate next of kin. In several re­ cent instances. Welfare Services has been able to locate family Ala. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Joanna Moreni, box-n February 19, 1955, Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moreni, Philadelphia, Pa. % is vfeiy impoyhni-inclamnt^ tpaiifferjance aytdcuire-Mioa shlpbodhJ fepoH' be rrtade of acxii^eni'stKlihsf' Souere ledYino-tbe^hip-ht^niaJ' John Eai-1 Mitchell, born March 11, 1955. Parents, Mx-. and Mrs. John E. Mitchell, Lake Charles, La. Thurman Emmit Beavers, born January 15, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emory A. Beavex's, Baltimore, Md. 4 4 4 4 4 4 v^lhse&o-fhe copY' Melvin John Massicot, born Jan­ uary 15, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jules Massicot, Marksville, La. Ira Cecil Brown, Jr., and Sharon Cecile Brown, born January 4, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Bi-own, Ponchatoula, La. 4 4 4 Mark. Douglas Franklin Turner, box-n December 17, 1934. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Georgo F. Turner, members through othpr sources. •Tampa, Fla.. . . .. ••i.ixvt'i .. Ill keepd medical slip . If Voa have any qae&f ions, cormc^-ther sia SID WELFUr SEIVICES iirunnr .'rrJj » :* . ''.-Mr'. . .14' 1 1r �MM - SEEDT THE SEAFARERS With WALTER SIEKMANN Sometimes it happens that the brothers go into the hospital with one complaint only to find out that there is something else wrong that they never knew about. That's what happened recently, to Seafarer Adolph Kubacki. This brother was working as night cook and baker aboard the Greece Victory (South Atlantic) when the ship ran into some weathej:. Kubacki slipped while she was pitcliing and rolling and in­ jured his head. '' When he checked into the hospital for treatment on March 10, the doctors found he was also suffering from pneumonia. Now he's getting both matters attended to and should be up and around before long. Seafarer Howard Sanders was injured while aboard the Calmar as messman. He had to have a hernia operation, and is now doing fairly well. Also in the hospital off the Calmer is chief cook Michael MichaKubacki lik. John Cook, AB off the Seanan, checked in on March 2 for some minor surgery. Several of" the brothers who had been in the hospital for a while have been discharged recently. Brother Mattl Ruusukallio is back home over in Hoboken. He's going to keep working on those physical therapy exercises in the hope of gaining some control over his legs and feet. Meanwhile, he's got the use of the wheelchair your Union bought for him. Seafarer Paige Mitchell is also in circulation again. He was on the Sandcaptain. Brother Theodore Larsen has been discharged after getting his eye treated. A case of pneumonia put Seafarer H. DeLeon on the shelf. He was aboard the Ponce as utilityman and went into the hospital on March 11. 4" , ^ SE*3i>r^%'rR^s* xoc Carbon- Tef Plus Alcohol-TNT Carbon tetrachloride la well known to be one of the deadliest compounds in general use forcleaning purposes. For that reason the SIU contract discourages its use by calling for overtime wher­ ever it is employed. A little Iqiown effect of the compound, however, is that slight exposure is multiplied many times over when it combines^ with alcohol in the body. The New York State Depart­ ment of Health has reported in­ stances where a combination of carbon tet fumes and the glass that, cheers have had fatal or near-fatal results. Close Call One recent case reported con­ sisted of a shoreside worker who used carbon tet to clean a rpg. He breathed too many of the fumes even though he was working in a well-ventilated room, and became ill. Subsequently his wife came home, fixed him a hot toddy and put him to bed. The next day he was in a hospital and just did man­ age to pull through. The best thing, of course, is to keep away from carbon tet alto­ gether. But if you must use it, make sure of two things: That the work area is as well ventilated as possible, that you drink nothing stronger than soda pop at least for the next 24 hours. | • • "* 'Wig* 'Waeteea Taklnst Charge At Early Age v! Patricia Murphy, 31^, has firm grip on cash after her dad, Sea­ farer John Murphy, collected $200 maternity benefit for her baby sister, Mary. Patricia's brother, John, 2, also qualified for SIU baby benefit. As every Seafarer knows its important for a great many reasons not to lose your discharges. One of them is that you need a recent discharge to get into the hospital. And, of course, the discharges are important in collecting vacation and welfare DeLeon The pitfalls of high-pressure installment-type buying were again illustrated by the sad benefits. ' experience of one Seafarer's wife. After she had signed teh installment contract, she came If you have misplaced your discharges, you can get duplicates from the Coast Guard for a fee, or the Union can come up with proof that to Welfare Services too late to do anything about it, and has had to mark it down as the you were on a ship at a certain time. But all this takes time and price of wisdom". trouble, particularly when a man is sick and has to get into a hospital After signing the contract she Welfare Services advises and upwards. The discount will for treatment. The easiest way is to hang on to those discharges and Seafarers before they sign more than cover the cost of the discovered to her sorrow that she have them handy when needed. was only allowed $110 as a deposit their names to any purchase or­ bank loan. and that the interest rate and indi­ der to make sure what they are This particular instance dealt getting into. The best thing to do with the purchase of a refrigerator vidual costs were hot specified. Further, by all indications, the is not to buy from the "no money and kitchen range from an install­ WiUiam E. Neet USPHS HOSPITAL Antonio Schiavone store was charging her list price SEATTLE, WASH. G. H. Robinson Victor ShavroS down, three years to pay" type of ment-buying house that advertises Jose Rodriguez •Warren Smith Michele CandeUeri WUliam J. Rose place. If, necessary, borrow the quite heavily in the press and over or better for the two items. Jose Rodriguez Henrich Sterling Sverre Johannseen Abe Rosen Subsequently, she found that Olav W. Rosenberg Matti Ruusukallio Sylvester £. Walsh W. A. Johnston cash from a bank first, so that at television. After the woman had Aaron Sasser N. Di Wilson Stanton B. MarshaU George .T. Wanka her contract had been "sold" by least you know how much inter­ Seymour Savitt CUfford Womaek been high-pressured into the sale the appliance house to a credit Edward J. Rogg est you have to pay. she agreed to deposit $100 cash corporation. This allows the pur­ SEASIDE HOSPITAL USPHS HOSPITAL Such a procedure can be a real and trade in her old refrigerator chaser to avoid ceilings OR inter­ LONG BEACH, CALIF. GALVESTON. TEXAS saving, because today it's possible on the understanding that it would est and opens the way to extravaMax Byers Fred Fall Louis B. Thomas to buy any kind of appliance for knock $100 additional off her total -gant charges. Chuiles C. Greer William G. Trice HARBOR GENERAL HOSP. James F. Mapp John T. Watt LOS ANGELES, CALIF. cash at a discount of 20 percent obligation. In some instances Welfare Serv­ Andrew Noronha V. E. WUkerson Arthur R. King Miurray W. Smith ices has been able to get install­ USPHS HOSPITAL ment houses to take back their CITY HOSPITAL FORT WORTH. TEXAS stuff, return the deposit and vol­ MOBILE, ALA. B. F. Dclbler Vlrgll L. Harding untarily tear up the contract. This Arthur Hendersen Joseph C. Lewallen . CHARITY HOSPITAL isn't easy, because the installment NEW ORLEANS, LA. USPHS HOSPITAL house is under no legal obligation Ceorge W. Books MANHATTAN BEACH, NY to do anything of the sort. High Pressure Shrinks Pocketbook Seafarers In Hospitals Growing Up in Baltimore VETERANS HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS, LA. Floyd F. Liles MERCY HOSPITAL BALTIMORE. MD. Edward RiUey USPHS HOSPITAL BOSTON. MASS. Alfred A. Hancock W. V. Kouzounas John M. Herrold USPHS HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS, LA. Charles E. Brady Kenyon Parks William Brewer R. A. RatcUil Adie Coleman H. E. Restucker Francisco S. Costa M. J. Rodriguez Clarence G. Crevier G. J. St. GermaItt" Glen M. Curt Elvis J. Saucier John Doyle Thomas A. Scanlon Henry L. Falgout Benjamin C. Seal Leo Fontenot Edward J. Stevens Charles L. Terry William Grimes Jack Groen Lonnie R. Tickle Jack Utz E. T. Hardeman Eugene V. Hoyden Marion C. Vester Konstant N. Kain Dick Visser E. G. Knapp Billio C. Ward Leo H. Lang James E. Ward J. M. Lucky Paul J. Wilkinson Harold' D. Napier Edward L. Woods David A. Wright Alfonso Olaguibel USPHS HOSPITAL SAVANNAH. GA. Allen D. Edenfield Angelo J. Martins Rufus L, Fields Louis C. Miller Samuel N. Hurst James T. Moore Carl F. Kumrow John H. Morris Jimmle Littleton William A. Smith . USPHS HOSPITAL STATEN ISLAND, NY Oscar J. Adams Fred Hauser Hussen Ahmed G. E. Herrmann D. Kaim A. J. Andersen Virgil S. Bowman T. Larsen Serafin G.-Lopez Dusan De Duisan Joseph P. FarreU John McKarek Simyliero Mansan C. E. Filkins Gerald Fitzjames ^ J. J. Marrero EsteU Godfrey ' Antonio S. Martin Paige A. Mitchell Robert F. Graitt Fortunate Bacomo Frank W. Bemrlck Claude F. Blanks Robert L. Booker Joseph G. Carr Jar Chong Walter W. Denley John J. DriscoU Bart E. Guranick Taib Hassen • Thomas Isaksen John W. Keenan John R. Klemowicz Ludwlg Kristianscn Frederick Landry James J. Lawlor Kaarel Leetmaa James R. Lewis Arthur Lomas Francis F. Lynch Joseph D. McGraw Archibald McGuigan Vic Milazzo Melvin O. Moore Joseph Newbauer Daniel F. Ruggiano Wade H. Sexton G. E. Shumaker •Henry E. Smith Harry S. Tuttle Renato A. Villata VirgU E. Wilmoth Chee K. Zal - .-^1 .••AB The deaths of the following Sea­ farers have been reported to the Seafarers Welfare Plan and the $2,500 death benefits are being paid to their beneficiaries: USPHS HOSPITAL SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF. Marcelo B. Belen Joseph Perreira Salvatore J. Guiffre Clyde J. Smith Jr. Robert Lambert Norman West C. McBrien Joseph R. Wing George W. Manning S. L. Woodruff Frederick Ness . P. S. Yuzon Walpole L. Clark, 37: Brothpr Clark died of a heart ailment on February 11, 1955, in Los Angeles, California. Place of burial is not known. One of the first men to join the Union, in 1938, in Balti­ more, Brother Clark has been sail­ ing in the steward department. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Veda Clark of Brooklyn, New York. USPHS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE, MD. George Bekken Clyde R. Leggett Lorenzo Brigida James A. Lewis Byrd O. Buzbes Robert Littleton Robert G. McKnevr Jessie A. Clarke Victor B. Cooper C. Marilla Fr^cisco Mayo James R. Dayton Leo A. Dwyer WUnam J. Mellon Arthur J. Faulkner Thomas Mungo Louis Firlie George D. OUve Stanley Gelak Robert W. Scales •John R. Schultz , Gorman T. Glaze Alfred E. Seegmiller Roy M. Hawes S. A. Holden Edward Seserko Edward Huizenga W. C. Simmons Norman T. Jackson Robert Smith Melvin H. Jones R. H. Solhein Robert J. Wiseman Okol J. Jones USPHS HOSPITAL NORFOLK, VA. William C. Baldwin WiUis A. Harper Francis J. Boner Frank S. Paylor Joseph M. Cash James A. Sparrow • ^1 "i 4" Seflfares T'mory "Moose" Beavers is justly proud of his family of four growing children. Latest arriver is Thurman, being held by mother. Big brother Tony Ray, 21^, got $200 reward from Union when-he was fiofn. Dad ships regularly out of Baltimore. li'il 4" Harold B. Lennon, 37: On Janu­ ary 8, 1955 Brother Lennon died of 3d degree burns in the Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City, NC. Burial took place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in North Carolina. Brother Lennon joined the Union in 1952 in New York and had been sailing in the engine depaiiment. He is survived by his father, Mr. Robert B. Lennon, of Manteo, North Carolina. •'I �LOG SEAFARERS • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL • "A Vital link in the Chain HK'^ •if'- • ft: is a key figure in the never-ending fight for security and conditions on the job.. He is just as important in this respect as your SIU contract and your staff of Union officials in each port. iSV''-: 'c'' •- - i|£'V.'" Shipboard delegates are men who, of their own accord, accepted responsi-^ bility for protecting your rights during the voyage. A crew without a dele­ gate would be a crew''in danger of losing the rights won through its Union. jr-V5- • • I'- • i£-r.h: •:. • I-KK:: Your delegate protects the contract. He handles individual grievances with department heads and the captain. He is an important cog in shipboard meetings. He sets up repair lists and carries out other actions by the crew. In the last analysis he is the SIU's one and only liaison between the Union and a crew of over 30 Seafarers out on the high seas where Union action counts ^ i the most. , • ^r Delegates, in short,- are* a vital link in the chain of Union security. They , . • i ... . • . . • y need and deserve the cooperation of all crewmembers. 'tSii:' ': - - -• tei'4 ' ' : - ;' • •' ^ '' • f ' • . pf- . •, • • ;• ;.. \ , j.jiv I • I J "X -V t-/ - � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1950-1959 Description An account of the resource Volumes XII-XXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource April 1, 1955 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XVII, No. 7 Description An account of the resource Headlines: USPHS CLEARS 1ST HURDLE - HOUSE OKAYS FUND BILL GOV'T GOES 'EXPLORING' IN EAST COAST M'TIME CAMU FAILS UNION SEAMEN - AFL UNIONS WITHDRAW WHY JOE CURRAN ATTACKS LUNDEBERG SIU SIGNS UP NEW COMPANY SENIORITY SYSTEM WORKING SMOOTHLY 3-DEPT VOTE ENDS - SEE SIU VICTORY AS TALLY NEARS PROMPT ACTION NIPS SHIP BEEF US BREAKS OUT 18 SHIPS FOR 'BLUE JAY' RUN MA OKAYS 'FAKE' RUNAWAY DEAL 'HAIRLESS' HOUNDS BRED BY SEAFARER CUT INSPECTIONS TO MAKE SHIPS 'SAFER,' CG ASKS RUSH WORK ON MOBILE HALL'S WING EXPERIMENTAL SUP PACT SEEKS PART OF RUNAWAY BULK CARGO SHIPPING NEW UNION OFFICIALS IN OFFICE A MARITIME TRAGEDY 8TH SIU LIBRARY TO ALL SHIPS CP STEPPING UP SEA MAIL NO SAFETY MEASURE PHS WINS AGAIN CAMU'S FAILURE SIU VOYAGE IS SEQUEL TO STORY OF ROMANCE TAMPA-TO-HAVANA IS SOME FUN FOR SIU STEWARDESS ON THE CUBA DEATH AT SEA CAN LEAD TO COMPLICATED PROBLEMS HIGH PRESSURE SHRINKS POCKETBOOK Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 4/1/1955 1955 Periodicals Seafarers Log