http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/2208d6e010e8d9199c20add615cc7ff9.PDF c43a02bd81fe5d5016a2a3175eaf79ef PDF Text Text -Story On Page 2 SEAFARERS LOG 3 M\ • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL • SlU ROVIS BRIDGES IN ELECTION, 4-1 Story On Page 3 •h ^ '? • Jubilant MCS-AFL mem­ bers (right) celebrate after leamfng that SIU Pacific District walloped Harry Bridges' ILWU in NLRB vote on West Coast snips. Above, NLRB examiner Bradford C. Wells. (standing)] calls off ballots for checkers (h to r.) Eleanor Aviso, Pac* M'time Ass'n; Harry Brown> MCS-AFL; Howard Cavaco, ILWU. Top right, smiling j^L leaders V^atch NLRB''s Roy Hoffman boxing bal­ lots after count. (L. to r.) Hoffman; Jack Henning, Calif. AFL; Harry Brown, MCS-AFL; Ed Turner, SIU organizer; John Jehnings, SIU attorney, Sam Ben­ nett, vice-pres. Marine Firemen, (Story on Page 3.) J Viefory! '•imt • Vri; I 'M I •'•!{«! I .^!'S m �AllHi is/l9ltt S isf A F A R B R S t^ML ILA Crimp Rig Milks Seamen K.' Further proof of charges the SEAFARERS LOG that the ILA's so-called seamen's union is nothing but a cover for a crimp hall shak^own operation was shown by the ' experience of a group of* crewmembers it was able to solicit Greek seamen on the SS Cam­ on the ship. The money was bridge, a Liberian-flag Lib­ squeezed from crewmembers who Plans for the SIU's new Andrew Furuseth Training School which will provide complete facilities for a fuli ungrading program in all departments were developed following joint meetings of Union and shipowner representatives with the US Department of Labor and the Coast Guard. Pictured (seated, 1-r) at a meeting in Mobile are: Cmdr. R. Murdoch, CG; Seafarers Jack Parker, Bill Wallace; C. Griffin, field rep.. Bureau of Apprentice Training, US Labor Dept.; Gal Tanner, SIU port agent; Max Harrison, chairman of management committee; Capt. J. B. Rucker, CG; Capt. T. L. Proud, Alcoa port captain; Cmdr. C. C. PhilUps, CG; Harold Fischer, SIU patrolman; standing, H. Fagan, Waterman commissary super.; Seafarer F. M. Reyes; Leo Marsh, SIU patrolman. Seafarer Joe Wread. New SIU Training School To Start Classes May 1 MOBILE—A completely equipped training school for the upgrading of merchant seamen, developed jointly by the SIU and SlU-contracted steamship companies, is slated to open here May 1. The new program was an­ in case of emergency," the state­ resentative. Bureau of Apprentice­ ship. nounced following meetings ment said. The Coast Guard, Bureau of Ap­ Joint Administration with the US Department of Tentative plans for the school, prenticeship and Alabama Depart­ Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship, steamship companies and the US Ck>ast Guard. Purpose of the school will be "to provide training for prospec­ tive merchant seamen and to pro­ vide refresher courses and training for seamen in the industry to help qualify them for upgrading," it was set forth in a statement of pol­ icy developed at the meeting here. It will be financed by the SIU Welfare Plan as a welfare benefit for unemployed eligibles. It is expected that the school will be developed into a complete train­ ing center—^both for entry and up­ grading—pending the working out of adipinistrative and legal details. "Training will be provided which should drastically reduce accidents and waste and should equip all sea­ men to handle themselves properly SEAFARERS LOG April 18, 19S5 Vol. XVII. No. 8 As I See It Page Burly Page Crossword Puzzle Page Editorial Cartoon .......Page Editorials Page Final Dispatch Page Inquiring Seafarer Page Labor Round-Up Page Letter of The Week Page Maritime ". .Page Meet The Seafarer Page Notices, Personals Page Off Watch Page Port Reports Pages 12, Quiz ' Page Repent Arrivals Page SIU History Cartoon Page Vote of Thanks ...Page Welfare Benefits ....Pages 18, Welfare Report Page Your Dollar's Worth Page 4 16 8 9 9 19 8 8 9 8 8 17 14 13 14 18 6 9 19 18 4 Publlthad bfwMkly at tho haadquarfart of fha Saafarars Intarnatlonal Union, A^ lantic a Gulf Dlstrlet AFL, «75 Fourth Avanua, Brooklyn 32, NY. Tal. HYaelnth af.ifta Rost Xtfflea.ln. BrooktyD..JIY,.jiadar 0.4M0. Entarcd a« laeond cl»« mattar to be known as the Andrew Furu­ seth Training School, provide for its administration by a committee of six members, three representing the SIU and three representing the companies. Seamen now sailing on SIUcunlracted ships who want to up­ grade their present ratings may do so through attending the school, whicfi is expected to receive Coast Guard sanction for this purpose. The training program contem­ plates use of the SIU training ship, the Andrew Furuseth, now based at Bayou La Batre, near Mobile. Merchant ships that will be in Mo­ bile harbor from time to time will be used for advanced training phases. Two-Week Sessions The school will accommodate about 30 men for each two-weeks' training session and will be capable of handling 700 to 800 men a year. The school will be departmen­ talized for specialized instruction in deck, engine and steward de­ partment work. Veteran SIU men will be engaged as instructors in each department. Training courses wiU . include such general subjects as use of lifeboats and life saving equip­ ment, fire fighting, first aid and artificial respiration and swimming for men in all departments. In addition, courses will be offered in work specialties of the various departments. The planning session here was attended by SIU Port Agent Cal Tanner, Patrolmen Harold Fischer and Leo Marsh as well as Seafarers F. M. Reyes, Joe Wread, Jack Parker and Bill Wallace; Max Har­ rison, Chairman of the Manage­ ment Committee; Alcoa Port Cap­ tain T. L. Proud and Waterman Commissary Superintendent Harry Fagan, representing SlU-contracted steamship companies; Captain James B. Rucker and Commanders" Charles C. Phillips and Robert Murdoch, representing the Coast Guard, and Carl Griffin, field ren-, ment of Vocational Education will act in an advisory capacity in de­ velopment of the school. "Through the Andrew Furuseth Training School, the SIU will be discharging important responsibili­ ties to the membership and to our contracted steamship companies," Tanner said. "We will provide our members with an opportunity to (Continued on page 17) erty. Instead of a contract and improved conditions that they were promised, the ILA's "union" rep­ resentative simply had these men signed off and crimped another alien crew aboard, after taking several crewmembers for $15 apiece. The ILA-chartered "United In­ ternational Seamen's Union" was formed last fall ostensibly to or­ ganize seamen on foreign-flag ships. Actually, according to its president, Louis Le Doulx (Londos), the organization hoped to raid established sea unions, American or foreign, with cut-rate contracts.The new "union" simply repre­ sented a continuation of a crimp hall operation that had functioned for some time to supply crews to 'h:unaway"-flag ships operated by Aristotle Onassis. Fouled-Up Trip Crewmen on the Cambridge had arrived in New York on March 14 after a trip which proved unbear­ able because of extremely bad food, unsafe conditions and mis­ treatment. They'had heard about the ILA "organizing" foreign-flag ships, so six of their number went up to the "United International Seamen's Union" office for help. Their objectives were to get a contract which would at least, set down conditions of work in writ­ ing, some improvements on food and wages, and a formal payoff and sign-on which they had not received up to then. The "United International Seamen's Union" said that it would go to work on the problem Immediately. The first thing that the "union" did was to collect $15.05 from 14 were making less than $100 per month. The "union" then went through the motions of calling a company representative and asking for overtime increases, transporta­ tion, and better food. In the process of comiiig down to the ship to- sign men up and collect their "dues'" the "tinion" repre­ sentative spent most of his time freeloading on the officers' chow. After several days of shadow boxing, the "union" told the men it could do nothing for them. It told the crew to sign off and take whatever the company wanted- to give them. As soon as the men signed off, the ILA "union" rep­ resentative promptly crimped a new crew aboard which he had taken off another Liberian-flag ship in the port. SIU Pension^ Family Care Studied By Welfare Plan A promise of new Welfare Plan benefits and possible increases in existing ones are con­ tained in a study now imderway by Union and management trustees. Trustees are studying the possibility of an expanded pension program which would be an outgrowth of the disability benefit, as well as the problem cover all Seafarers meeting age of providing medical bene­ and seatime qualifications. This fits for wives and children of Sea­ farers. Existing benefits, with the exception of scholarship and ma­ ternity benefits, are lilso under re­ view. The new study is an outgrowth of recent increases in Welfare Plan contributions won by the SIU as well as a review of the operation of the Plan up until now. Several sessions of the trustees have been held on these problems with the as­ sistance of actuarial specialsts and it is expected that the trustees will act on the new proposals be­ fore long. Since the SIU Welfare Plan is self-administered and self-insured, the addition of new benefits or im­ provement of old ones is a com­ paratively simple procedure. It does not Involve rewriting of trust fund contracts as happens when an outside insurance company is in­ volved. This makes for faster action on new proposals. Pension Study Under consideration on the pen­ sion issue is a plan which would would be in addition to the cur­ rent disability benefit which pro­ vides lifetime income to Seafarers at any age who are imable to work. Should such^ plan be worked out the 'trustees would also aim for possible increases in payments over the present disability benefits. The dependents' medical bene­ fit is one which has been requested by Seafarers frOm time to time, and the trustees are studying the advisibilily of such a plan as well as the administrative problems in­ volved. Not neglected in the study are the existing hospital and death benefits. Increases in one or both of these benefits may be part of the new package. The trustees are hopeful that they can come up with a combina­ tion involving increases in old benefits and addition of new ones if possible. That depends on skilled forecasting by actuaries of the cost of such benefits through the years, as compared with the -anticipated income of the Welfare Plan. Mobile Hall Work Delayed MOBILE—Seafarers in this port are hopeful work on the beautiful new addition to the SIU hall here will be completed in time for th^ membership meeting of April 20, but the construction schedule hai been delayed by two major strikef in this area. Every effort is being made to complete finishing touches to thO new three-story wing as well a8 al­ terations to the original two-story building at S. Lawrence and Da­ uphin Streets, said Port Agent Cal Tanner. "Some Items 4re completely be­ yond our control, however," he said. "Delivery of some necessary materials and telephone installa­ tions are being held qp by the rail and telephone strikes." Both strikes were still going strong at last report witji .no settle­ ments in sight. / �9EAPARERS Ayrii 15. 1955 Scene at NLRB headquarters in San Francisco after 4-1 victory for the SIU Pacific District in West Coast bargaining election was announced shows Pete McGoIdrick (left), representing Harry Bridges' longshore union, making a hasty and unhappy exit. Momentous victory for SIU unions, which ended control by last remnants of Commie unionism on US-flag ships, is marked by restrained relief of Ed Turner (3nd from left), SIUNA organizer who headed the drive, and Sam Bennett, MFOW vice-president. In rear is John "Bud" McGorlan, MCS-AFL. Par* Thr«!« LOG Victory smiles were flashed at MCS-AFL headquarters as soon as news of the crushing 4-1 defeat of Bridges' longshore union by the SIU Pacific District was known. Phil Boucher, MCS-AFL dispatcher, passed news to jubilant membership in San Francispo. Balloting represented combined win for SUP, MFOW and MCS-AFL. Siij Of NA Routs LOG To Give Own Bridges By 4 To 1 ^Oscars' For 1955 In 3-Dep'f Vote The • constructive role of Seafarers in making the SEA­ FARERS LOG an outstanding and unique trade union pub­ lication is to be recognized in the form of four annual LOG awards established this week-*by the SIU. Each year the editors of the LOG will select four distinguished membership contributions, one each in four categories — letters, photographs, poetry and drawings—and present to them the SEAFARERS LOG award. The award program begins as of January 1 of this year so that everything published in the LOG during 1955 is eligible. At the end of the year all issues of the LOG will be scrutinized for out­ standing contributions, the pres­ entations to be made early in 1956. In selecting the award winners, the following standards of judg­ ment will apply: The letters award will go to the Seafarer whose letter, in the judgement of the editors, offers a positive and constructive proposal for the membership or best ex­ presses the feeling of a Seafarer on any given issue. Seafarers For Action Xhe photography award will be keyed to the best photograph or photographs of Seafarers at work or play, or other photographic sub­ ject matter of strong reader appeal. * The poetry award will be issued on the basis of literary merit and subject matter in the tradition of the sea. Similarly the award for drawing will take into account quality and originality as well as subject matter based on maritime or related experience. While it is the editors' present Intention to make the awards in these four categories, the award program is flexiible enough .so that any contribution that does not fall into their scope would be consid­ ered for an additional award if it has sufficient merit. The idea for an awards program derives from the fact that rank and file Seafarers have done a great deal in years past to make the LOG an interesting and lively newspaper. The stories, letters, poems, photos and drawings sent by Seafarers from all over the, I i f.if'srf' SAN FRANCISCO—Seamen on West Coast ships have put to rout the remains of Communist-line unionism with 'a resounding four to one vote in favor of the SIU Pacific District. Sailors, firemen and cooks participating in the three-depart­ ment vote rolled up 3,931 votes for the SIU of NA with Harry Bridges' Interna­ tional Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union far in the rear with 1,004 tallies. There were 327 no unionr~ the Pacific, the Marine Firemen's soon threw in the sponge when it votes. Union and the Marine Cooks and found that it would have to buck powerful waterfront ap­ The overwhelming SIU Stewards, AFL, indicated they Bridges' paratus. victory heralds the first time in 20 years that American un­ licensed seamen have been completely free of any Com­ munist controlled unions on the West Coast. It represents the most serious setback Harry Bridges has suffered in his career. For the first time now, all three shipboard departments on West Representation of the SEA­ Coast ships will be represented by FARERS LOG award emblem. one union, the SIU of North America. world have done much to add ap­ SIU Pacific District officials, peal to the LOG and make it a representing the Sailors Union of membership publication. SIU Crews And Meetings Back Lnndeberg Stand SIU members ashore and on the .ships have taken strong positions in support of Harry Lundeberg, secretary-treasurer of the Sailors Union of the Pacific, following the attack on him by Joseph Curran, president of the National Maritime Korea, a trade now monopolized by Liberian-flag vessels. Tiie Union. Membership meetings in all ports voted unanimously to sup­ port liUndeberg and endorse his signing of an experimental bulk cargo agreement. SIU crews are also acting on the""issue. Eighty •Siu-manned shipsL have already taken unanimous action in support of Lundeberg's position. The NMU president's virulent attack on Lundeberg followed the signirtg of an agreement with the operators of the Tonsina, a Liberty ship, which will run in the bulk trade between California and agreement was designed to enable US ships to compete in this trade. The attacks grew in intensity when AFL unions ieft the Conference of American Maritime Unions. Typical of the response from SIU ships was the message sent to Lundeberg by the crew of the SS Edith. "Curran and his stooges," they declared, "tried to use CAMU for their own ends, even if it was at the expense of all the seamen and the AFL unions. You did the right thing in getting out of CAMU." would move immediately for a new contract covering the stewards as soon as certification from the La­ bor Board is received. It is ex­ pected though, that Bridges will restort to harassing tactics in an attempt to delay certification. In any case, the Communist-line leaders of ILWU Local 100, which succeeded the defunct National Union of Marine Cooks arid Stew­ ards, realize the jig is up. Reports are that they have been advising their supporters in the shipboard steward depai'tments to apply for AFL membership. Since the re­ sults were announced, MCS-AFL offices have been deluged with new applications. The SIU victory represents a personal triumph for SIU presi­ dent Harry Lundeberg who spon­ sored the chartering of MCS-AFL in 1950 after NUMC&S was ex­ pelled from the CIO for following the Communist line. With the aid of rank and file NUMC&S mem­ bers who had been fighting the Communist-line leadership the new union made its modest be­ ginning. Immediately it ran into violent opposition from Bridges who had long had NUMC&S under his thumb. One of the methods used in an attempt to stir up opposi­ tion within the Sailors Union was publication of the "West Coast Sailor's Journal," an anonymous publication which spent its ener­ gies attacking the SUP leadership and promoting Communist propa­ ganda issues. Meanwhile, the National Mari­ time Union (CIO) made half­ hearted efforts to organize the cooks and stewards, That union Once MCS-AFL became active, the leadership of NUMC&S began a series of violent purges of men suspected of AFL sympathies. They were expelled from the union, jobactioned off the ships and dumped in the streets. But none of these tactics could keep the MCS-AFL from making progress. Finally, MCS-AFL reached the point where it was able to petition for an election last year. . The Communist Party strategists switched horses in midstream from the discredited NUMC&S and ad­ vised their supporters to vote "no union." Meanwhile, NUMC&S membership was swallowed up in a hastUy organized "Local 100" of the longshore union. The result was that a heavy "no-union" vote prevented MCS-AFL from winning a dear majority. Nothing daunted, the SIU Pa­ cific District petitioned for a new election involving all three shipbard departments. Alcoa Payroll Office Moves Seafarers in New York who have to contact the Alcoa Steamship Company's Marine and Ship's Payroll Depart­ ment are advised to note the shift of that office from its former location in downtown New York. The new address is 270 41st St., at Pier 6, Bush Terminal, Brooklyn, not far from SIU headquarters. The change from the old location at 17 Battery Place is effective immediately. ., jii -..J ji \'- �SEAFARERS iPat* W6vr '' lAwfii W; IfM LOG Seafarers Aid Jn Fishing Beat Rescue a"5; The SlU-manned coastwise freighter Antinous la shown in Coast Guard photo as she stood by dis­ abled fishing boat South Seas (circled, top) in Gulf rescue. Three men were saved through com­ bined efforts of ship's crew and Coast Guard after their boat sprung a leak and threatened to sink. Ex-Sailor Writes Historical Novel A frequent contributor to the SEAFARERS LOG, Marius Hansome, -former seaman, fisherman and cannery worker, and a present-day writer and academic figure, this month published his first novel, "Appointment with Fortune," dealing with the history of the m the*^ I American Northwest in varied experiences at sea, which early part of this century. Mier Sure to Get Dues Receipts Headquarters again wishes to remind all Seafarers that payments of funds, for what­ ever Union purpose, be made only to authorized A&G repre­ sentatives and that an official Union receipt be gotten at that time. If no receipt is offered, be sure to protect yourself by immediately bringing the mat­ ter to the attention of the sec­ retary-treasurer's office. The 247-page volume, published at $3.50 by Vantage Press, Inc., New York, tells a story based on the authox-'s varied personal ex­ periences in the West of 1914 land ill the post-World War I period. The key figure is first a seaman and then a teacher in the brawl­ ing "wilds" of the Pacific North­ west and Alaska. Life On Ship Woven into the tale ai-e some Interesting descriptive passages about the life of seamen in the old pxe-union days. The author apparently called upon his own began in Denmai k and later moved to this country where he , sailed for a number of years on "West Coast ships. He has been a pi-incipal and superintendent of schools in Wash­ ington, Idaho and Alaska; Profes­ sor of Social Sciences in the Rand School, Hunter College, Columbia University, Baldwin-Wallace Col­ lege, and has a doctorate conferi-ed by Columbia. He is the author of "Woi-ld Workei-s' Education Move­ ments, Their Social Significance," "Sociology," a textbook, and a con­ tributor to numerous newspapei's and national magazines. THE LATEST HOOVER COMMISSION REPORT DEALING WITH trovernment transportation operations puts light on a situation which your Union and the rest of the maritime industry has recognized for some time. That is that the Military Sea Transportation Service has been competing with privately-owned shipping for years through its operation of dry cargo, tanker and passenger ships. Furthermore the Commission's findings bear out another well-known situation, that MSTS does its job at far greater cost than it could be done by private operators. This is true in face of the fact that wages and conditions on private ships are'superior all ai'ound to those on MSTS ships. Since these conditions are well-known to everybody in thp industry, in the administration and in Congressional quarters that deal with the merchant marine, there seems to be no reason why immediate action could not be taken to change matters. US shipping and seamen have enough problems to deal with without having to face unfair competi­ tion from a Government agency. , J". 4i t A COUPLE • OF DEPUTIES IN THE FRENCH NATIONAL Assembly have dramatized the problem of the runaway flags again by demanding that French ports be closed to these cut-rate, cutthroat operations. Those demands follow growing complaints' by British shipowners on this same score, so it can readily be seen that the runaways are hurting all legitimate shipping operations, even those under lower-wage foi-eign flags. Aside from the serious impact of the runaways on American sea­ men, which is well-known to every Seafarer, it appears that these out­ fits will ci'eate an international pi'oblem for the United States. As is well known, the bulk of this shipping is owned by American opei*ators who have been encouraged by their own Government to evade the international standards established by the legitimate maritime nations. The spread of the runaways can only contribute to inter­ national friction and lead to 'anti-American feeling accox-dingly. It is well-known that this country has taken the lead in promoting constantly higher international standards of manning, safety, con­ struction and shipboard-feeding on ships of all nations. At the same time we have our State depai-tment professing great concern about the well-being of foreign flag shipping under legitimate flags, even to the extent of attacking protective legislation for the American mei'chant marine. ^ IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOUR UNION'S POLICY TO ENCOURAGE the broadest possible participation by Seafarers in the shipboard and shoreside machinery of the Union. The recent change in the ship­ board set-up involves, among other things, the addition of new func­ tions to be fulfilled toy crewmqpnbers. On some occasions there is a tendency for crewmembers to let one or two of their number carry out- these opei-ations with the result that one man will be performing a double function. While the Seafai'er involved may be fully capable of handling these chores, it's a sounder idea to spread the responsibilities and duties around a larger mnnber of men. Broader participation by crewmembers is the fairest and most desirable state of affairs. Many clews are already following a pi-occdure of giving each ship­ board assignment to a different man. In the long run, the Union and the membership will benefit by such a procedure which promotes the idea and practice of teamwork among ships' crews. SEAFARERS GUIDE TO RETTER BUYING Renting Vs. Buying Home If you listen to the National Assn. of Real Estate Boai'ds, you will go away believing you don't have to pay much rent at all for a place to live. This association of real estate agents reports that half the dwellings in the coun­ try still rent for $42 or less. Thei'e is one big fallacy in that plausible-sounding sta­ tistic. As labor housing experts have pointed out, the average cost of rent is brought way down by substandard dwellings. There are about 15 million decaying and delapidated homes in the counti-y, and one out of every five families now lives in slums. So you can see what you get for "$42 or less." As a matter of fact, rents have been subject to more inflation in recent years than any other major living ex­ pense except medical costs. "Average" rents have gone up 20 per cent since 1950, compared to increases of nine percent in food costs, and seven pei'cent for clothing. The result is, among many families, including those of Seafarei's, the big debate of other generations—is it cheap­ er to buy or rent a house—has been the big dilemma of today: where can you either rent or buy at a tolerable cost? For many families there has been no choice in recent years—they have had to buy to get a roof over their heads. Also, there are personal pieferences involved. Some fam­ ilies prefer a house, while otheis prefer the convenience of a flat or apartment. Here is a comparison of the strictly financial advantages of renting vei-sus buying in today's housing market: Advantages of Renting: There is no risk of capital as in buying a house in today's inflated market, which requii-es at least an initial outlay of $2,000 to $4,000, when you con­ sider not only the down payment but closing fees and additional equipment required. I Hi' '• LiifertiS!.':'. —The investment lequired for a house can be made to yield an income in savings bonds or other investment. —A renting family has greater freedom if it must move or if its income or family size changes. Also, unless you , know you will stay in the same location at least a few years, renting avoids the hidden expenses of buying (clos­ ing costs, lawyer's fee, etc.) which many families who move fieq'uently have been paying over and over in recent years. —Except for coopei-ative apartments available in some cities, home ownership usually means an individual house. But unless you prefer and want a separate house, it is the costliest type of dwelling to build and maintain. Advantages of Ownership: You are partially pi-otected against excessive I'ent charges despite any possible further inflations. The cost of opei'ating your own home will rise too, but not as steeply. In some ai-eas where rents have skyrocketed as controls were removed the past two years, home ownei'ship has actually been a cost saver for some families. You lose perhaps three to six percent interest on the cash you invest, but nowadays landlords often try to make the lent you pay yield them a ten peicent return on their investment, in addition to their basiness expenses which you must pay. —If you ov(ri a home you have an oppoitunity to invest "sweat equity"—your own labor—by maintaining and im­ proving your property. —Some of your monthly payment does build up equity (your own investment in the house), even though the amount you build up is often exaggex'ated by builders and mortgage lenders. The partial fallacy is that you also "use up" a house while you are paying for it. It depre­ ciates in value. Also, in the eai-ly years of home ownership you build up very little equity. Most of your monthly pay­ ment goes to mortgage interest, arid only a small pai't Written exclusively for THE SEAFARERS LOG. by Sidney Margolius, Leading Expert on Buying toward paying off the debt itself. Still, it is possible to stave off some of the depreciation by wise choice of a neighborhood that is impx'oving i-ather than deteriorating, and by cai'eful pi'operty maintenance. If you keep the house' long enough you will ultimately enjoy the benefit of high equity. . —There is a tax advantage in owning. Mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible on federal and some state income taxes. This often saves the homeowner $8 or $9 a month. -' Adding up the comparative advantages, nowadays own­ ing does Tiave a financial edge over i-enting a comparable home, largely becduse rental housing in many areas has become an exorbitant profit enterprise. The chief excep­ tion is if you do have a reasonable, stable rent in one of the few areas where controls still exist, or where lack of demand restrains rental charges. But in general, as one authority put it, you can probably have a better home for the same money owning than renting. But beware undertaking a lax-ger house and larger ex­ pense than you can afford. Realtors arid lenders tend to be over-optimistic about how much house a family can afford. They tend to say you can afford to spend one-fourth of your income for housing expense. But unless you are willing to sex-imp on food and other necessities, it is much more realistic to pjan to spend no mox-e than one-fifth of income for your entire housing expense, including mort­ gage payment, takes, heating and repairs. Buyers often tend to underestimate repair costs. They are fooled by the fact that new houses require comparatively few repairs and replacement o|^ equipment. But before many years, repaix-s aiid replacement of such expensive items aS heating-system components begin to bedevil homeowners. Real-estate ex­ perts themselves calculate repair costs at about 2^1 perleriht of fhd 'cost of a piropertyl • - �SEAFARERS Pare Five LOG See No Job Loss In Sale Of Waterman To McLean MOBILE — The SlU-contraded Waterman Steamship Company is in the process of selling all of its ships and facilities to the Malcolm P. McLean interests which recently bought the ^ven ships of Pan Atlantic Steamship Corp., Waterman's coastwise subsidiary. Properties involved in the'" multi-million dollar deal now $68 million and total liabilities at doctor ordered to give the almostdead coastwise trade a revitalizing being closed include 29 steam­ nearly $21 million. Familiar the world over as the emblem of the Waterman fleet, the "Flyinr W" symbol on the bow of the company's fleet of C-2s will disappear from the high seas once the sale to McLean is completed. Starting in 1919 with one ship, Waterman became the largest freight shining operation in the world. The company has been under SIU contract since 1938. Familiar To Vanish From Sea MOBILE—The sale of the Waterman Steamship Corp. this month foreshadows the disappearance of the familiar "Flying W" from the high seas after a 35-year career during which the company grew into the-*largest freight shipping oper­ ers for the Government at one time, all manned by men of the ation in the world. Waterman vessels have been manned by Seafarers under an SIU contract since the Union was first founded in 1938. The company had a modest be­ ginning in 1919, when the old US Shipping Board alloted the SS Eastern Sun to a newly-formed Mobile shipping company headed by the late John B. Waterman, af­ ter whom one of the ships is named. The Eastern Sun made her first trip to Livei*pool, England, via Norfolk, with coal. Reached Peak During War During World War 11, when the company reached its peak, it had its own fleet of 38 American-flag vessels and operated up to 125 oth- 'Loretta' Dies In Baltimore BALTIMORE — Seafarers and maritime labor through­ out this port mourned the passing last month of Mrs. Loretta G. Busick, 62, a long-time friend of merchant seamen and a wellknown local waterfront figure. She died 'March 25. Until recently, Loretta had op­ erated the "Seven Seas Cafe" where, in good times and bad, she always had a friendly word for the mei'chant sea­ man and an open heart when he was in trouble. Many an oldtime sailor was in her debt for money, Mrs. Busick advice, or the price of a meal. A delegation of Seafarers and Baltimore SIU port officials paid their last respects at the funeral services here, at the Poly Trinity Church. Burial followed in Rich­ mond, Va. Floral tributes were sent by the SIU branch here, from headquarters in New York, and SIU. As trade expanded during the post-World War 1 period, the op­ eration became known as the Mo­ bile-Oceanic Line, with three small vessels running between Mobile, Tampa and Miami. By 1931, it had 14 ships and its own local repair yard for handling minor repairs. Additional vessels were pur­ chased in 1936 and 1937 when the now near-defunct coastwise ship­ ping industry was the mainstay of US-flag shipping and Waterman was the principal operator in that service. In 1937, Waterman also bought the giant Chickasaw shipyards and created a subsidiary, the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., for construct­ ing cargo ships. Conversion of several "baby flat-tops" after the war for the SlU-manned Robin Line and the building of 31 of its own ships was done right here. All of its ships are C-2s. Never Regained Trade In the post-war years. Water­ man, like most other coastal opera­ tors, never recaptured the trade it lost in that field. Nevertheless, it operated over 40 ships at one time in service all over the globe, to Europe, the Caribbean and the Far East, as well as others for Govern­ ment account during the Korean War. The company moved into its own new 18-story building here in 1948, and this home office served as the center for branches in 25 US cities . and other agencies throughout the world. There are Waterman-owned docks in Puerto Rico, purchased from the Govern­ ment and doubled in capacity, a new terminal, only a year old, in Port Newark, NJ, and branches of Ryan Stevedoring, another subsi­ diary, ih many US ports where "Flying W" ships call. A huge Waterman-built and op­ erated citrus fruit tei'minal in Tampa, Fla., used chiefly by the Pan Atlantic Steamship Co., its coastwise subsidiary, was disposed of as part of a sale to the McLean Securities Corp. earlier this year, from other SIU ports on al^ coasts. ifiyqlying.peYen.slijps. ships manned by Seafarers and the Waterman repair yard here which is under contract to the Marine Al­ lied Workers, an SIU affiliate. Shortly after McLean Securities Corp. bought Pan Atlantic, the SIU signed the McLean corpora­ tion to ,a regular SIU freightship agreement. Port Agent Cal Tan­ ner, SIU representative in this port who handled the negotiations on that occasion, expressed the belief the SIU will encounter no diffi­ culty in continuing in effect its present Waterman contracts cover­ ing the freightships and the repair yard. Security of SIU jobs on the 29 ships in question and MAW work in the repair yard seems to be as­ sured, T;.nner said. He already has been conferring with McLean exe­ cutives regarding the situation. The ships which McLean pro­ posed to buy through the C. Lee Co., an Alabama corporation which is a wholiy-owned subsidiary of the McLean Securities Corp., are being operated by Waterman in the intercoastal trade and in runs to the Far East, Europe and Puerto Rico. 842 Million Deal Under terms of the McLean pur­ chase, approved by the Waterman board of directors, offers are being mailed to Waterman stockholders by the C. Lee Co. to purchase all outstanding shares of Waterman common stock at $48 a share. Thei'e are 874,548 shares of this capital stock outstanding, which would make the total purchase price $41,978,304. The sale is conditional upon 80 percent of ail outstanding capital stock being delivered to the pur­ chasers on or before April 21, 1955. Also involved in the transaction are other Waterman properties in­ cluding the 18-story Waterman Building in downtown Mobile, the Gulf Shipbuilding facilities at Chickasaw, Ala,, the Ryan Steve­ doring Co., the Grand Hotel at Point Clear, Ala., and properties in Puerto Rico. In a financial statement issued along with announcement of the purchase offer. Waterman assets were listed as slightly more than Rename SIU Friend La. AFL Head BATON ROUGE—E. H. "Lige" Williams of Shreveport, long i-ecognized as a friend of the SIU in this area, was reelected president of the Louisiana State Federation of Labor at its 43rd annual con­ vention here. Williams, who entered the labor movement gs a union barber, has served as president of the state or­ ganization for 22 of those years. Louis P. Sahuque, New Orleans, was reelected first vice president and E. J. Bourg, Baton Rouge, was reelected secretary-treasurer. Sahuque, who also has served for many years as legislative rep­ resentative of the state federation, announced at the convention that he would not accept nomination to the office after this year be­ cause of, ill J^oalth. If the McLean offer is accepted by the required number of stock­ holders, it is his intention to con­ tinue the Waterman business with headquarters at Mobile, McLean said. After purchase of the Pan Atlantic fleet and the Gulf Florida Terminal Co. of Tampa from Wa­ terman, McLean stepped down as head of the McLean Trucking Co. of Winston-Salem, NC, to take active charge of the new enter­ prises. He also moved his residence from Winston-Salem to Mobile. McLean purchased Pan Atlantic as the first step in his plan to op­ erate a coastwise trailer-ship serv­ ice. He plans construction of at least four specially designed ves­ sels capable of carrying 286 35foot loaded trailers on a "roll-onroll off" service. Maritime observers felt that Mc­ Lean's purchase of the Waterman coastwise ships was just what the shot in the arm. Acquisition of the additional Waterman properties would permit him to extend his op­ erations to the intercoastal trade. The readiness with which Mc­ Lean signed an agreement with the SIU covering Pan Atlantic encour­ aged the belief that Seafarers will man the new specially-designed trailer-ships when they are com-" pleted under plans which report­ edly involve the outlay of $43 5 million for construction. These ships would supplement rather than replace present Pan Atlantic operations. In furtherance of McLean's coastwise plans. Pan Atlantic sus­ pended its operations to Mobile and Boston on April 1. Company officials said the sus­ pension was temporary and WHS "part of a program of preparation for a long-range coastwise pro­ gram." PORTLAND, Me. — A vet­ Unable to sail any longer eran Seafarer who first joined because of a muscle disorder the Union in 1940, Earl Spear that has weakened his right had to call it quits because of a bad heart and a bronchial condi­ tion first contracted dur­ ing three years of imprisonment by the Japanese in World War II. However, Spear credits the secu­ rity of the SIU disability benefit, which he's been receiving since March, 19.53, and the freedom from worry that it brings, with actually improving his health. It's been a good prescription for him; he's tanned and healthy - looking today. Since he is only 56 years of age, he is not yet eli­ gible for Social Security benefits, and the SIU dis­ Spear ability money is bread and butter for him. He does get a small payment from the Gov­ ernment which is given to exPOWs, but it's far from enough. At present. Spear lives in a small cottage on Highland Lake, 15 miles from here in the heart of the piney Maine woods. With a television set, a fishing rod, a veg­ etable garden and occasional visits from friends, he finds his days pass pleasantly. Anytime he wearies of the solitary life, there are his mother and sister and old fi'iends to see in Portland, as well as a lit­ tle shopping to do. Spear started going to sea in 1912 at the age of 14. His first trip out was as a messboy on a coastwise collier at $10 a month for 16 hours a day. But he liked sailing and stayed with it. Dur­ ing the 1920s, he recalled, he earned as much as $120 a month as a combination cook and steward. While in Manila shortly after World War 11 broke out he was jailed by the Japanese and im­ prisoned for three years until fi­ nally, on February 23, 1945, the US 11th Airborne Division freed the American prisoners. When he was released his weight was down to 129 pounds and he was badly in need of medical care. leg permanently. Seafarer Burton Frazer, at 61, at least has the comfoi't of knowing that he's got $25 weekly in SIU disability benefits coming in regularly to help him out. The transition from a long, ac­ tive life of sailing on all kinds of ships to the present calm has been a painful one, but Frazer manages to keep busy .ind is .nlwnys "in touch" with things. He's almost a daily visitor to Union headquar­ ters in Brooklyn and attends most SIU meetings in the port like a ritual. He lives in Manhattan. Leg Buckled,^ On the disability list since Janu­ ary, 1954, he wound up his last trip just two years ago on the Seatrain Louisiana. It all happened, quickly. He turned in one night after watch feeling fine and the next day couldn't get as far as the door of his foc'sle without the leg buckling. Hospital treatment later failed to bring it around. He then applied for, and received, the SIU disability benefit. Single now, although he was married once many years ago, Frazer started his sailing cai'e.r at the age of 14, shipping out of Portland, Me. in the summertime, and later turned to the sea as a livelihood. He passed from sailing ships to colliers, then to tankers and fi­ nally to dry cargo ships. At this point, in World War I, he was Frazer earning up to $90 monthly as a fireman. Eventually, he joined the SIU in 1938, after a stint in the old ISU. He sailed continuously be­ fore and since then in the engine department. "The sea is a good place for a boy to begin in," he points out, "but it's best, these days, to fin­ ish some schooling first. Today's wages and conditions won by the SIU make sailing a highly desirable,.^rDfe5sion.*', j. ':ii �J,...,.w. SEAFAItERS race Six hf. i|L I.!!; • S';"£; .i' :j;^ '-* 1'^ I f > • LOG April IS. 19SS CS Orders Louisiana Labor Backs 3rd Super Sill's Hospital Fight T ankship PLAN NEW BIG FOUR TALKS—Efforts are afoot to set up a new series of talks leading up to a meeting of President Eisenhower with the leaders of France, Great Britain and the Soviet Union. The efforts follow ratification of German rearmament and would be aimed at a general solution of world problems in Austria, Germany and the Far East. 4" 4* iji AUTO INDUSTRY RUNS WILD—A tremendous boom in automobile production and salea has taken place in the first three months of the year with manufacturers putting out over 2,100,000 passenger cars alone in that period. Production is 37 percent ahead of last year's rate, .with the total number of passenger cars turned out last year be­ ing 5V& million. BATON ROUGE, La.—The SIU's fight for continuing the appropriation for USPHS ho.spitals was supported by the Louisiana State Federation of Labor in a strongly worded resolution adopted at the or--*ganization's 43rd annual con­ thrown ui)on the already over-bur­ dened and over-crowded facilities vention here. WASHINGTON — The SlU-contracted Cities Service Oil Company formally completed an agreement with the Maritime Administration this week for trading in two more The resolution urged the US T-2s against the building of a third Senate to approve the hospital ap­ 80,000-deadweight-ton supertanker. propriation already okayed by the Five other T-2s were involved in US House of Representatives and the contract reached last Novem­ sent to the Senate Appropriations ber for the first two ships. Committee for consideratipn. The Construction on the first two, at House recognized "the need for an estimated cost of $8 million these hospitals and public health •ach, is already underway at the services" despite the "adverse re­ Bethlehem Steel Company's Spar­ port" of the Hoover Commision on row Point Yard in Baltimore, and Government Reorganization, the they are expected to be ready early resolution pointed out. next year. The third supertanker "American merchant seamen will also be built by Bethlehem. perform a vital and fundamental role in our national defense and New Design The ships are completely new in in the development of our state design and will be able to carry and national economy," the resolu­ 18 different grades of petroleum tion declared. "Adoption of the products at one time. The 650-foot Hoover Commission's proposals vessels will have a speed of 17 , . . would-work severe hardship ^ knots and carry a 48-man crew in on merchant seamen and adversely * US-flag service between Lake affect the economic* structure of Charles, La., and East Coast stor­ the American shipping industry. "This program of service to mer­ age terminals. Individual rooms for each crewmember plus special chant seamen has been functioning recreation rooms are part of the for 157 years, and long has been recognized as essential for the design. The traded-in tankers will go in­ care of injui'ed seamen. "Closing of the USPHS hospi­ to the Government-reserve fleet under the program designed to tals would result in thousands of se'amen and other patients being modernize US tankers. French Deputies Urge Actiou Ou 'Ruuaways' PARIS — Striking a blow on behalf of French shipowners and indirectly for the flag-operators of other recognized mari­ time countries, two French deputies are campaigning in the National Assembly for a law-*" barring entry to ports in enable the shipowners to escape France and her dependencies the wages, safety regulations and of any ship sailing under the "Panhonlib" fiag. "Panhonlib" is a designation given to ali ships sailing under the "runaway" fiags of Panama, Honduras and Liberia. In the US, 69 former Americanflag Liberty-type vessels have been allowed to transfer to operations under these flags, against the protest of the SIU and other mari­ time unions. The "runaway" flags other standards that exist in reg­ ular maritime nations. In urging their measure on the National Assembly, the deputies pointed out that the ships under "Panhonlib" flag were owned by companies "which try to elude responsibilities affecting all other merchant marines, and consequent­ ly are' competing di.shonestly with otiier companies respectful of the laws of their countries." of other public and private hos­ pitals." The resolution went on to point out how the hospitals, have "con­ tributed immeasurably to the gen­ 4 eral public good" by pioneering OBITUARIES IN THE NEWS—Two nationally-prominent publishers many medical developments and died recently, Colopel Robert R. McCormick of the Chicago "Tribune" "training thousands of* critically .and Joseph Pulitzer, of the St. Louis "Post Dispatch." Colonel McCor­ needed doctors and nurses." mick gained fame as spokesman for the right wing of thb Republican The resolution, which directed Party. Other prominent personages who passed away were Walter that copies be sent to US Senators White, energetic head of the National'Association for the Advancement Russell B. Long and Allen J. El- •of Colored People, and John W. Davis, famed constitutional lawyer lender of Louisiana, was intro­ and unsuccessful presidential candidate in 1924. Davis and White duced at the convention by the dueled last year in th^ US Supreme Court over the school segregation New ' Orleans SIU delegation issue. headed by Lindsey Williams, New Orleans port agent. EARTHQUAKES ROCK SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES—Over 300 per­ Adopted Unanimously sons were reported killed and untold damage done when a series of The convention suspended its regular order of business on sharp earth shocks wrecked a number of villages on the island of Min­ Wednesday afternoon to adopt the danao. Philippine relief agencies and the US,Air Force both took a resolution unanimously so that hand in ferrying supplies and rnedical aid to the stricken area. 4 4 4 action on it could be reported to the SIU regular membership meet­ WAR CLOUDS OVER QUEMOY, MATSU—Two tiny islands just off ing in New Orleans Wednesday the China coast, Quemoy and Matsu, were the center of international night. attention this week. The islands are held by Chinese Nationalists and The stand of the Louisiana Fed­ reports were rife that the Chinese Communists would attack them. eration was hailed by Seafarers in This raised the question of US involvement in the fighting and its pos­ New Orleans as strengthening the sible spread into a major war. US allies have already stated they hand of the SIU and others in would not fight over these islands although they do agree on defense maritime industry in the fight to of Formosa. preserve the USPHS hospital 4 4 4 program. CHURCHILL RESIGNS—Winston Churchill's lengthy tenure as The Hoover Commission report Prime Minister and Government official in Britain came to an end last recommending the closing of all week when he offered his resignation clearing the way for new elections but four specialized USPHS hos­ in Great Britain. Churchill has been succeeded by Anthony Eden as pitals closely paralleled the pro­ prime minister until the elections take place. The 80-year old leader, posal advanced last year by Mrs. v/ho ranks as one of the most famous men of all times, may continue Oveta Gulp Hobby, Secretary of in an active role as a member of the House of Commons. The elections Health, Education and Welfare, are expected to be held in May. and former Budget' Director Jo­ 4 4. 4 seph P. Dodge. This proposal was RED CHINA SHAKEN BY PURGES—The first major shake-up in voted down after it aroused a storm of protest from Seafarers and CommunRt ranks since they took over China has taken place. Two others in the maritime industry. major party leaders have been accused of conspiracy and seeking to While the action of the Louisi­ overthrow the leadership of the Red Chinese government. One of the ana Federation and others sup­ accused men reportedly committed suicide. The shake-up may, in part, porting the SIU fight was encour­ be connected with internal economic difficulties. The event follows aging to SIU officials at headquar­ the recent major shake-up in Soviet Russia itself. 4 4 4 ters, Seafarers were urged not to relax their efforts in contacting POLIO VACCINE A SUCCESS—Results of last year's nationwide their Senators and Congressmen tests on polio vaccine have been announced with the vaccine reported about the necessity of keeping the a success. Approximately 440,000 children were inoculated last year hospitals open. Washington offi­ and only 113 came down with the disease, with no deaths. There were cials must be kept aware of the 750 cases and 15 deaths among 1,400,000 children who did not get the need for the hospitals until final vaccine. Authorities report that the vaccine is at least 80 per­ approval is won for the $34 million cent effective, possibly more, and preparations are underway for mass appropriation voted by the House. vaccinations of all school children this spring and summer. Cartoon History Of The SIU In January, 1951, with the Korean war still on, US maritime unions faced a- new attack on the hiring hall. The shipowners, claiming a shortage of experi•nced seamen, asked that manpower pools be set up by the-US similar to those established in World ^^ar JI. Se* uflione rfadied-Jbr .f . SMU Vt'livefs 3ifinpower The SIU immediately answered the shipowner threat by creating its own reserve of skilled seamen. Manpower committees were set up in all SIU halls to contact Seafarers over draft age who had left the industry, urging them to return. No source of experienced manpower, was left untapped, - ; iI No. 87 The response proved again that the Union could supply the operators with all the men they needed right out of its own hiring halls. No ships were delayed because of crew shortages and vital cargoes continued moving. SIU companies-hailed the Union effort as»,j'?a: remachaWe^ jobsl^'iv '•-i' • y ' i •• �April 15, 1955 SEAFARERS LOG Pagre Seven T-'.'is'" Report Rakes MSTS Competition from WASHiNCTOw )|yjti| Privately-Operated Shipping SlU NEWSLETTER Rulei are finally beinp aet up relatinr to claims by seamen and officers of ships owned toy the Government and operated under agency agreements. Section 1 (a) of Public Law 17, 78th Congress, provides that officers and members of crews of vessels operating now or in the past under . agency arrangements with the Government would have the right to make claims as follows: death, injuries, illness, maintenance and cure loss of effects, detention, or repati'iatlon, collection of wages and bon­ uses and making of allotments. All claims must be submitted for administrative consideration prior to institution of court action thereon. Claims based upon any insurance policy issued by the Maritime Administration (except claims for loss of or damage to personal ef­ fects if the seaman is alive, bonuses, detention and repatriation bene­ fits) must be filed with the Chief, Division of Insurance, Maritime Ad­ ministration, Department of Commerce, in this city. All other claims should be filed with the general agent of the vessel with respect to which such claim arose, or with the Director, Office of Natiortal Shipping Authority of the Maritime Administration, this city. The Government promises to give prompt notice in writing of the allowance or disallowance of each claim, toy mail to the last known ad­ dress of, or by personal delivery to, the claimant or his legal repre­ sentative. In the case of administrative disallowance, in whole or in part, such notice shall contain a brief statement of the reason for such disallowance. The above rules become effective as of the middle of April, 1955. 4> !• WASHINGTON — The open secret of the maritime industry, that the Military Sea Transportation Service is competing directly with privately-owned merchant ships, was strongly assailed in the latest Hoover Commission's report, this one dealing with Gov­ ernment transportation serv-|' ices. The report bluntly states though in the words of the Com­ mission 85 percent of MSTS cargo that much of the dry cargo, is "merchandise which is very sim­ tanker and passenger traffic of MSTS could be carried on private­ ly-operated ships at a great saving to the taxpayers. At the same time, a change in operations would be of great benefit to the US merchant marine. The Commission's conclusions repeat what has been maintained for some time by the SIU, other maritime unions and every ship­ owner group in the industry. It has been pointed out time and again that MSTS ships in the so-called nucleus fleet were in direct and open competition with private in­ dustry. Excessive Costs Private ship operators have also maintained that they could carry cargo and passengers far more economically than MSTS does be­ cause of the excessive manning scales on MSTS vessels. The report estimates that total Government transportation costs run as high as $3 billion a year. Typical of the way MSTS has grown all out of proportion is the fact that it operates over 220 cargo ships now compared to the 160 it had in 1950 and the 140 it began with in 1947. While MSTS has been growing the privately-owned fleet has been shrinking, even ilar . to commercial commodities and could be carried on commer­ cial ships." Could Carry All Private merchant ships, the Commission found, have 50 percent more unused outbound space avail­ able than would be required to handle every ton of outgoing cargo carried by the MSTS nucleus fleet. In other words existing private ships could carry as much outgo­ ing cargo as MSTS now handles and still have space left for half as much again. The same situation prevails with regard to passenger services. The entire privately-owned passenger fleet consi.sts of 40 ships which carried 466,000 passengers last year. MSTS runs 60 ships, 35 of vdiich carry civilians. In 1954 it carried 200,000 civilian passengers, enough, apparently, to keep about 15 good-sized ^private passenger ships in operation. Actually, the American-owned passenger fleet declined from 49 to 40 in the years between 1952 and 1954 while MSTS was carrying large numbers of civilians. The committee declares that more private passenger ships, tank­ ers, intercoastal ships and dry car­ go ships could be utilized by the Government and recommends that the MSTS nucleus fleet should be reduced considerably. "There cannot be two American merchant marines," it concludes, "one military and one civilian, op­ erating independently and at times in coippetition with each other. Cooperation from the Secretaries of Defense and Commerce, assisted by American ship operators and the Congress, is needed to end this situation." The Government has put the finishing touches on plans for a family of new merchant vessels—ships that will become the next generation of America's merchant shipping. These ships tentatively are being re­ ferred to by such types as the Island, the Freedom, the Clipper, the Seafarer, the Pipeline, the Bulk and the Turnpike. Right now, for example, the Government is seeking appropriations of $23.5 million for construction of two prototype ships of a type de­ signed to carry military materiel in event of "war. Thei^e two ships would not be for sale. Another $23,450,000 appropriation request probably will be approved •toy Congress to cover construction of five dry cargo ships (of the ex­ perimental type mentioned above). Sale of these ships to industry has been discussed behind closed doors but no decision reached as of this" time. In the coastwise trade there will be rapid growth of special purpos-2 ships. In the cargo handling phase, there will be considerable improve­ ment in ship-to-shore cargo handling facilities with special emphasis in speeding special types of cargo. The future will ^pd ships becoming much more specialized. For example, there will be an increase in the construction of large bulk carriers to take care of the needs of Ameri­ can industry for the import of evei'-increasing quantities of ores. Some of {he new-type ships will soon be offered to fiidustry for com- ' Under the SIU contract, US Public Health Service doctors meht and for suggestion as to integration into their present fleets. have the final say on whether If the Maritime Administration gets the money it requested, the or not a man is fit for duty. If agency will start on the construction program toy expanding its tradethere is any question about in-and-biiiid offer. It is now applicable only to tanker construction but your fitness to sail, check with wdll be extended to the dry cargo ship field. the nearest USPHS hospital or In the preparation of design work for the next generation of ships, out-patient clinic for a ruling. as outlined above, the Government has been guided by the following considerations: 1. That the deadweight size of the cargo ships now in operation is adequate for the replacement program. 2. That cargo carriers which will be forming the US merchant ma­ rine of the next 20 years must be faster than the corresponding units now in operation. 3. That, in general, a trend toward higher stowage factor is evident and therefore that the new units must have a higher cubic footage con­ tent than in corresponding types now in operation. Going ashore in port in Southeast Asia has 4. An all-out effort must be made at this time to design cargo ships ports, and not the least of them is the harassment which embody the best possible cargo handling features. VSPHS Has Last Say On Duty Slip Ala, Cuts Fishermen Gas Taxes MOBILE—The Alabama Legisla­ ture has provided for a refund of six cents of the seven-cents-a-gallon state gasoline tax on all gaso­ line purchased by commercial fishermen for use in their boats. This means Alabama commercial fishermen must henceforth pay only one cent a gallon state lax on gasoline instead of the seven cents they have been paying for years. The tax-relief bill long has been a major item in the legislative pro­ gram of the Mobile Bay Seafood Union. Full credit for success in securing enactment of the legisla­ tion was given to the Mobile Coun­ ty legislative delegation by Urban Bosarge, head of the SlU-affiliated fishermen's organization. Much-Needed Relief "We have been fighting for thi* greatly needed relief for a long time," Bosarge said. "We would not have succeeded this'session if it had not been for the vigorous fight put up in our b^ehalf by Stale Senator Garet Van Antwerp and State Representatives Otto E. Si­ mon, Thomas Murphy and John M. Tyson." More than 200 gasoline-propelled fishing boats based along the Ala­ bama Coast will be affected by the measure which "will save many fishermen from disaster," he added. The tax relief comes at a time when "the going is rough, economically speaking," for fisher­ men, Bosarge said. ' Drug Traps/ Strict Customs Plague Seafarers In Far East its hazards. Seafarer Luis Ramirez re­ of seamen by local customs officials. Just tit off the Steel Navigator (Isthmian) on a round-the-world trip, Ramirez found that customs The privately-owned US-flag fleet on April 1 totaled 1,117 vessels regulations in several coun-"*" of 14,089,628 deadweight tons. This total was divided into 719 dry the ship. "Not only did I have to pieces that are sold in many of cargo and passenger vessels of 7,531,386 deadweight tons and 398 tank­ tries are getting stricter all pay the export duty, but I think these places as solid ones, but af­ ers of 6,558,242 deadweight tons. the time, particularly in such they considered it a very serious ter being broken they can produce The fleet on April 1 was two vessels and 10,500 tons below the March places as Indonesia, Ceylon and 1 size, this reduction resulting from the removal of one over-age pas­ senger vessel, a Liberty type dry cargo ship and 2 tankers by transfer Thailand. Adding to the difficulty is the or sale foreign. This takes into account additions during the period. fact that the US offers cash re­ t t. t President Eisenhower is asking Congress to okay , an appropriation wards for informers who turn men of $161i million to pay for detention benefits of internees and prisoners over for violation of US customs regulations. Since the US awards of war of World War II. Under Public Law 744 of the last Congress, merchant seamen are are scaled to US income levels, entitled to such benefits if they were captured or interifed by Germany they often represent a fortune to or Japan for any period of time after December 7, 1941. Under the law impoverished Asiatics who are en­ couraged to plant narcotics and these benefits would amount to $60 a month. other valuables on unwitting Seamen entitled to benefits (if they have not already collected under the original 1948 benefits legislation) are those who were employed on Americans and then turn them in. Underpaid Guards any US-fiag ship or on a vessel of any government friendly to the US Ramu-ez quotes one Singhalese during World War II, and who was a citizen of this country on and policemen telling him in Colombo after December 7, 1941. ' Applications for the above benefits must be filed with the Foreign that "you can take a treasure ashore and they (the pustoms) do Claims Settlement Commission in this City before August 30, 1955. not even care so much to check. iJi> 4» 4< ~ ' Coming back to the ship, they try Once again secret negotiations are under way to have American their best because it is the US shipping lines represented by one organization. The three major, and Customs rewards they are after, separate, organizations now are the American Merchant Marine In­ not what they can get from our stitute, the Association of American Ship Operators, and the Pacific own country. No matter what and Maritime Association. how we work, we always stay un­ Talks are under way to have AMMI absorb PMA, as a beginner. derpaid." It was in Colombo, Ramirez said, he got a working over from customs'because hto was carrying a pound of Ceylonese tea back to - offense because they nearly gave me the works." Checks were also extremely strict in Indonesia where two items of the same kind are not allowed out of the country. More serious, as far as seamen are concerned, is the racket whereby narcotics are stuffed in the insides of souvenh's. In some ports souvenir-sellers specialize iq. peddling stuffed fish, birds or ani­ mals to seamen and tourists. Oc­ casionally though, valuable nar­ cotics are secreted in the insides. Notify Washington The drugs themselves are worth little or nothing in the Asiatic country, being a common and eas­ ily-obtainable item. But the re­ wards from Uncle Sam are another story. After the seaman buys the 'item and goes aboard' ship, US Customs in Washington is notified and the reward collected on the basis of the US market value of the drug. "It will pay you to check any­ thing you buy," he warns, "and make sure that no Insides go ut^ checked. There are many wooden a lot of surprises." The policy of the SIU has always been to take strong action against anyone In the Union ranks who Is found to use or traffic in dope, a policy fully endorsed by the mem­ bership on numerous occastions. Seafarers are urged to be vigilant against any attempts by outsiders to use them as pawns in their traf­ fic, for not only will the individual be penalized, but the entire Union and the membership may suffer harmful effects. Turning to more pleasant sub­ jects, Ramirez reports that almost everywhere he went he found the S^IAFARERS LOG available and being read by people "who actual­ ly do not even know how a ship looks inside." During one stop in a Malayan port on the edge of a jungle to pick up rubber "a Malayan fisher­ man who doubles as a souvenir salesman sold me a souvenir wrapped in a copy of the LOG." All (if vf-hiiih pifbvey that" the LOG really gets around. -.t- �SEAFARERS Paee Eight LOC April 15. igsc MEET THE SEAFARER The chief engineer of the Brazilian freighter Santa Maria has de nied sinking his ship in a plot to collect over $1 million in insurance. He is accused of opening the seacocks while the ship was at sea, send­ ing to the bottom a cargo of scrap iron falsely declared to be machin­ ery. . .The Maritime Administration has asked bids for 1.he purchase of three sunken ships for scrap. They are the tankers Munger T. Ball and Joseph M. Cudahy and the cargo vessel Baja California. ROY JOHNSON, AB Fresh out of Uncle Sam's khaki Somehow, through that my8« and eager to sail again is Seafarer terious system of selection em­ Roy Johnson of New York City. ployed by the Army, it was decided Question: What team do you Johnson just completed his two that Johnson's seagoing experience pick as baseball champs in '55? year hitch last March 1 and is now qualified him as a policeman. He 3« 4" 4" getting accustomed to wearing civ­ was put in an MP detachment and Back to France, but temporarily. The SS America has carried • William V. Giick, AB: My pick vies while he looks for a fast run sent to Korea where he spent a cargo of $6,500,000 worth of French 19th Century paintings to Paris for this year is the Kansas City down to the islands. year enforcing military law at an for an exhibition. The paintings are owned by American museums and Athletics. I'll Johnson, who won't reach his Army post in the hills. are on loan. . .Governor Harriman of New York has signed into law Subsequently, the Army sent back the under­ 26th birthday until this coming a provision increasing pilotage fees at the Port of New York from dog in everything summer, doesn't look the picture of him back to the States and set him $5.50 to $6.25 a draft foot for all ships. It is the first increase in three and I'm no dif­ an old salt. Still he rates as a veteran down on Governor's Island, right years and the third since 1884. Pilots will get a 10 percent wage ferent when it seaman with eight years' sailing in the middle of New York harbor increase, comes to base­ under his belt. That's because he where he could watch all the SIU ball. I like the got an early start in the trade. He ships go by while he counted the 4" 4" 4" team's sense of was only 16 when he caught his days to his release. ThQ South African cargo ship Constantia limped into Halifax recently fair play and first ship. It was a tanker belong­ On Cruise Ship minus her foremast. The ship was enroute from England to Baltimore sportsman ship, ing to an unorganized company, when she ran into a storm. The mast fell overboard on the port side, Before going into service, John­ and that always land Johnson worked steadily for smashing the port boom as it went. . .Moran Towing and Transporta­ son was a crewmember on the Bull tion Corp. has purchased the Dauntless Towing Line. The fleet con­ helps a team that needs a push to them "for the next two years, sail­ Line cruise ship Puerto Rico, which ing as ordinary seaman. sists of four Diesel tugs and two coastwise tugs . . . Longshoremen at wind up on top. ran between New York and San 4i 4> 4> three Irish sea ports have returned to work after a three-day stoppage In SIU In '47 Juan. "I was on her 22 months," involving over 20,000 men. The strike was of a jurisdictional nature Joe Brown, cook: New York In 1947, Johnson got his break, he recalled, "and she was a good . . .A leading British shipper has warned that the "pseudo shipping Giants. They are under good as far as he was concerned, wlien ship. It's too bad that the com­ countries"—Panama, Honduras and Liberia—are a real threat to legiti­ management and he got into the SIU by sailing on pany couldn't make a go of her oil mate maritime nations. He pointed out that these countries now have they already have organizational status. Since then, a passenger ship run." more tonnage than all powers other than the United Kingdom and have a winning team he has been sticking close to the Although the Puerto Rico is now from last year. a lower average age. Seafarers, with the exception of defunct and flying a runaway flag, You can never his two years' service in the Armed Johnson prefers to ride either Bull 4" 4" 4' underrate the Forces. Line or Alcoa boats to the islandi The Socony-Vacuum Oil Company will soon charter the Onassis value of proper In the course of time Johnson if he can. Like many Seafarers, tanker Al Malik Saud and Al-Awal. The 46,550-ton ship, world's larg­ management. If picked up an AB ticket. Then came he favors this short offshore run est tanker, has lain idle since being completed by her German build­ you follow the the Korean war and a steady up­ over any other, offering as it does, ers. . .The Port of New York Contracting Watching Association is giv­ game, you'll al­ surge in shipping, which caught the the advantage of frequent return ing a ten-week training course to 600 watchmen, gatemen and security ways see that In officers. Course is on basic port security and will have lecturers from the tight spots good strategy can industry short of experienced men. to the home port, particularly for Thousands of seamen, discouraged a married man. the Coast Guard, Customs Service and other Governmental agencies pull the team through to a win. by the 1949 post-war slump in the Living ashore as he does in New . . .The last of 18 tankers built by German shipyards for Aristotle merchant marine and the lack of York, shipping out on the Puerto it 41 Onassis was launched in Bremen early this month. She is the 21,850Hugh Dryden, oiler: My girl jobs, had given up the sea. By Rican and nearby foreign runs ton Olympic Sky. . .Several hundred tons of high-octane gasoline ex­ friend and family are Yankee fans, 1952 when shipping hit its peak, gives him more time at home than ploded in a coastal tanker in Brighton, England, caAy this month. and I can't buck the Government was crying for any other. The blast destroyed the vessel, but left the captain's canar^^ unscathed. the whole family. ship's officers and experienced rat­ As far as that license is con­ 4" 4" 4" I say the Yanks ings, beating the bu§Jies to flush cerned, Johnson hasn't given up out men. Johnson decided it was will win it this The Italian freighter Valentina Bibolini came off second best in a the idea. He intends to get some year. The girl as good a time as any to get a more shipping under his belt as a collision with the British tanker Alva Star near Southampton. The iicense so he headed to Sheepshead friend is the one Italian ship was left high and dry on a mudbank. . .The Queen Eliz­ sort of refresher course and then who always gets Bay and took a cou^e in prepara­ will sit for his license examination. abeth arrived in New York last week after completing her first Atlantic tion for a third mate's ticket. the tickets, so crossing using her new stablizers. The ship's master reported that the However, circumstances in the But even if he gets the ticket, he you can see the ship was running at 30 knots and kept steady through a "real north­ form of Uncle Sam's Army in­ plans to continue shipping with spot I'm in. But easter for 12 hours with the wind occasionally reaching 47 and 50 the SIU. "The way things shape the team seems terfered with his ambitions. miles per hour." up now", he concluded, "a mate's Ordered To Ship to have the stuff to make it this license isn't worth anything be­ t 4' 4' season. "I had finished the course," he cause shipping is so tough for of­ The Sft Lawrence River season officially got under way on April 1 said, "and 1 was getting ready to ficers. A seaman can do better 4 4 4" with the arrival of the British vessel Manchester Spinner. None of the sit for my license examination for himself by shipping as an un­ Al Williams, cook: It's the Brook­ channel buoys has been put In place yet because of the heavy Ice con­ when my draft board instructed licensed man with the SIU, be­ ditions, which kept the ship from proceeding on to Montreal. First lyn Dodgers for sure, and for a me to go back to sea. I shipped cause then at least, he has the op­ simple reason. ship to open the port of Montreal wins a gold-headed cane. The Man­ out and the next thing I knew they portunity to work pretty reg­ They're a damned chester Spinner won the prize last year. drafted me anyway." ularly." good team and there's no one around that can top them. Their consistently good playing for the ACROSS 48. Period of time 8. Town on Cape 25. Wipe out A $5 a month dues increase ha< $175 million plant in a dispute Spoil 27. Cod Admiral past few years I. Group to which has been voted by the convention over the daily output expected What most 30. European Domingo 9. the SIU belongs shows that for ships are falcon 4. A symbol to of the United Automobile Work­ from the men. 10. New Years — •31. Crushed engaged In real, honest tc) ^ Seafarers of ers (CIO). The increase will go to­ Bl. Ground 11. Members of a 33. Frequent color 4 4 4 idleness goodness baseball they're the beneficial moisture of the sea 5. The opposite wards building up a $25 million The power of state courts to is­ group team. 34. Came to earth of 4 Across DOWN strike fund in the event the union sue Injunctions in Taft-Hartley 16. Belaying 36. Water animal 12. Seaport in 4 4 4 Cry of triumph 18. The nurse 37. Noted pioneer has to strike a major automobile cases has been upheld by the Su­ Indochina shark 39. Reared Part of a John Troester, FWT: I'd say the manufacturer this spring. Negotia­ preme Court by a 5-3 vote. The 13. Pass from one Dresses 20. 40. Our Uncle giant's shout to another Dodgers are the team to beat this tions on the UAW's demand for a ruling was denounced by Justices How cotton is 41. Oriental title 6 nautical miles 14. Actress shipped 42. Boys' organiza­ equals 2 — year. With any guaranteed annual wage are ex­ Douglas, Black and Chief Justice Gardner 22. Large body of tion Mark with 15. Port in kind of luck and pected to produce some sharp bar­ Warren as opening the door for water 43. Before hot iron Honduras 3.3. Come to a stop 44. Not Certain fish no major injuries gaining and possibly a strike. 17. Girl's name anti-union campaigns. It allotvs 24. What some experienced Mobile. 19. A kind of to the players, ships are not 47. Senior: Abbr. employers to by-pass the National Symbol for liquor: PI. 4 4 4 calcium they should come 20. Annoying (Puzzle Answers On Page 17) Labor Relations Board and get Southern Bell Telephone is Insect through the sea­ locked in a strike struggle with state court Injunctions against or­ 21. Get your 1 2 son on top all the Communications Workers of ganizational picketing. volume of the Log the way. All- they America (CIO) in nine southern 12 4 4 4 S3. An ore ship need is a couple states. The strike has been on for 26. Good things A seniority dispute caused the to hold of breaks and no four weeks so far with so signs of closing of two New Jersey West15 27. Little grooves one can keep a settlement apparent. 28. Arrive: Abbr. inghouse lamp- plants last week. 29. Man's nick­ them from the championship. Three thousand members of the 4 4 4 name 4 4 4 30. Strikes with New regulations to safeguard International Union of Electrical a knife Charles Hartman, steward: The workers against the harmful ef­ Workers (CIO) walked out after 15 81. Kind of resort Yankees have got it made now fects of atomic radiation are being men were furloughed from one town 32. Each: Abbr. that Turley has put into effect by the New York plant for refusing to work over­ 33. The Galloping come up from State Labor Department. The reg­ time. The settlement provides that of Moraga 34. Friends, in Baltimore. They ulations take into account the workers with seniority can select France needed a little growing use of atomic by-products their shifts in certain circum­ 33. New sub­ marine device • push in the in industry as well as other radio­ stances. 37. Part of a pitching depart­ active materials. propeller 4 4 4 38. Chinese money ment and he San Jose, Costa Rica, is the site 4 4 4 39. Wood, in should certainly An electric generating plant con­ of the 3rd annual conference of France 40 41 40. Greek god with be the man to struction job by the Atomic En­ the Inter-American Regional Or­ a horse's ears provide it. I ergy Commission is humming on ganization of Labor, now in prog­ 45 42. Any SIU don't think New member all cylinders after 414 AEL pipe­ ress. Delegations from the US, 49' • York will have any trouble mak­ fitters retUbWed td their JobS. Work' Canada *An6. Latfn-AiifdHfcifl' labbf' ing the grade' thik'^year. wds tied up for five days at the organizations are in alt'&dahVd':'' '1 ' V . �April 1S« 1955 SEAFARERS SEAFARERS «L06 Published biweekly by th* Seafarers international Union, Atlantic & Gulf District, AFL, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn 32, NY. Tel HYaciulh 9-6600, Cable Address: SEAFARERS NEW YORK. LEHER PAUL HALL, Secretary-Treasurer of the Vol. XVII, N». • April IB, 1955 Editor, HERBERT BRAND; Managing Editor, RAT DEHISON; Art Editor, BERNARD SEAMAN; VPhoto Editor, DANIEL NXLVA; Staff Writer*, HERMAN ARXBUR. IRWIN SPIVACK; Gulf Area Reporter, BiU MOODT. 1*0 T*g» Nine LOG WEEK Final Victory At long last US seagoing unions, after a bitter 20-year struggle, have been cleansed of Communist influence. The victory of the SIU Pacific District in the three-department vote has driven the Communists out of their last stronghold in maritime—the steward departments on West Coast ships. The US has been so strongly anti-Communist in the last few years that most people take it for granted the Com­ munists are on the run. They tend to forget the very real tlireat the Communists posed in some sections of industry, particularly in maritimie. If anybody thinks that defeating Communists is a soft touch, they should look at the record. It took flve years, for example, to free the West Coast cooks and stewards from Communist control, and they are only one small segment of the industry. The Communist strength in maritime came originally from the fact that seamen used to be among the most ill-treated and exploited of any American worker. By 1946 the Com­ munists on the waterfront had grown to menacing propor­ tions. They had fed well on the wartime honeymoon at­ mosphere and seized control of the apparatus of one union after another while the seamen were busy manning the ships. In fact, in the immediate postwar period the SIU of North America stood virtually alone against rising Communist strength. The NMU was under their thumb, as was the National Union of Marine Cooks and Stewards, the Canadian Seamen's Union, the American Radio Association, and im­ portant sections of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Asso­ ciation. Communist forces were 'also making a determined bid to capture the Marine Firemen's Union and made such serious inroads on the Masters, Mates and Pilots that they barely missed taking that organization into their camp. Were it not for the SIU A&G District on this coast and the Sailors Union out west it's likely the Communists would have swept all of maritime into their* net. Now the situation has been completely reversed. In both Canada and the US the Communists remain a threat in mari­ time, but they are on the outside looking in. The fact that they ace is a fitting tribute to the rank and file membership of all SIU affiliates who carried the brunt of the battle. J" 4" Training Program A long-standing SIU objective will be realized next month when the Andrew Furuseth Training School starts func­ tioning in Mobile Bay. The idea of a joint Union and ship­ owner training school has been an attractive one for many years. Now the idea has arrived since Seafarers, in coopera­ tion with SlU-contracted operators, will be running the show^ What it means for the average Seafarer is that he can upgrade himself for any shipboard rating for which he is qualified in terms of seatime and other minimiun require­ ments imposed by the Cpast Guard. The training will be free of charge since its cost will be met by the SIU Welfare Plan. A point, too, which Seafarers can pride themselves on is that the SIU in going ahead shows confidence in the industry. —a quality sor,ely lacking among shipowners and Govern­ ment today. The SIU has always prided itself on the fact that men sail­ ing under its banner were the best in the American mer­ chant marine. The FurusethJTraining School is insurance that those standards will be maintained. 4 ^ Log Awards How A Bosun Can Wear A Smile To the Editor: A bosun's Job aboard ship is one which can be—^like any other job —good or bad, pleasant or un­ pleasant, depending on circum­ stances. I do not pretend to be an oldtime bosun, although I broke into this particular racket as bosun-mate on the Alcoa Clipper in 1947. At that time promotions were allowed aboard ship, and the job went, by common agreement, to the man who had been dayman the longest. Bob Hubbs, an excellent Sea­ farer and shipmate, and I, had been daymen on the vessel longer than others but we had both shipped at the same time. Our only recourse was to flip a half dollar. (SIU men had just gotten a raise due to Union efforts and there was nothing cheap about us!) I won and Bob got off. This was perhaps wise under the old policy of promotions aboard ship—it may have prevented dissension and pre­ vented my losing a friend. Promotions aboard ship can cause discord and I am not in favor of them. I have never taken a job as bosun for one trip only. I do not contend that bosuns should marry a ship, but until IIP they become sour, or tired of the vessel or the run, each trip may find them more efficient and the job an easier one. These points hold true, I be­ Lewis lieve, only if the bosim Is a good Seafarer, unselfish, and well grounded in SIU policy. Of course, the ability to get along with one's shipmates is of great importance. A bosun's responsibility to his crew calls for leadership in stress­ ing matters pertaining to good sea­ manship for the operation and maintenance of the vessel. His further service to his shipmates demands good Union character and a conscience. He should work closely with his delegates. There should be no cause for friction be­ tween them. His Vital Job Ho can do much for his Union and consequently his brother crewmembers, by knowing the contract, living up to It, and by taking a stand always for his men. Habitual foul-ups, of course, are deprived of his and the delegate's protec­ tion. His teaching of Interested newcomers In both Union activity and seamanship can do immeasur­ able good. Particular attention should be paid to ordinary seamen, young­ sters, and anyone going to sea for the Hrst time. Too many bosuns forget their early days at sea and expect a new man to know as much or be as skillful as they are. As I said, I do not pretend to be an oldtime bosun or a know-it-all. In fact, if I should do all of these things Instead of merely writing them down, I might be a damn good The institution of SEAFARERS LOG annual awards aims for proper recognition of the worthwhile and valuable ma­ teriel submitted to the LOG by rank and file Seafarers. In the past the writings, drawings and photographs submitted by Seafarers have done much to make the LOG a lively and informative newspaper. In addition, many valuable suggestions have appeared in the pages of the LOG which have later been incorporated into official Union policy. Whait the editors are looking for in making these awards is not necessarily the "professional touch." The emphasis instead, will be placed on content and interest of the ma­ terial itself. Every Seafarer then, has as good a chance as any other to come up with one of the four annual, prizes. The editors will. gnd .j^livpaat^ri^d J^rom. the in^inbership bosun myself.' v. 'nrarston Lewis ftCCOrdnjjIyi; >«»i:: .n '• » • v> I I,- .I fi. I Vote m Thanks The tricky question of financing I New York. At the wind-up, three a shipboard TV set has plagued specific ideas were approved and many ship's crews, but the solution passed' on for consideration by devised on the Alcoa Patriot ap­ headquarters officials. pears to have everybody happy, so One, submitted by Seafarers there mus't be something to it. A Thomas H. Bubar and Philip F. hand vote at a recent meeting Erek, concerned a proposed rule adhpted the combined suggestions that the deck department not be of two crewmembers. Seafarers E. required to secure gear at one end A. Grady and Floyd Smith. of a hatch while cargo operations Under the proposal, each man are going on at the other end. will donate $5.00 to the kitty right Such a rule would, most likely, away in order that the purchase help avoid many costly injuries to can be made. Then upon leaving crewmembers on this score. the ship, a crewmember can get Bubar Is an oldtimer bom In his $5.00 refunded by presenting Maine in '94 and he still lives his receipt to the ship's treasurer. and maintains his New crewmembers, apparently, home there, in will also have to kick in a $5 bill. the town of BumIn this way, everyone on the ship ham. He has been at all times will have an equity shipping with the in the set and can be expected to SIU for nearly protect his investment against out­ 12 years now. right abuse. "The gangway watch," Erck, a comparathe meeting minutes also noted, tive newcomer, "will keep a close eye on the TV will celebrate his set." Yes, but then who's going to 31st birthday a Wariiola watch the store? week from today, on April 22, and will have bean an Lives In Mobile Grady, a deck department man, SIU member for seven years when originally hails from Mississippi, this May 19 rolls around. Born in NY, he now lives at where he was born in 1927, but he now makes his homf in Mobile. Absecon, in the neighboring state He's married, and joined the SIU of New Jersey. Julio Evans, Man­ in the port of Mobile back in De­ uel Sanchez and Richard P. Dorau cember, 1947. A member of the also put up specific ideas for black gang, Smith joined the SIU working rules which were later 16 years ago, on May 21, 1939, in submitted to Union officials for New Orleans, where he lives now. study. 4 4 4 He's also a married man. He was Crewmembers on the Arlyn born 43 years ago in Oklahoma. (Bull) didn't go hungry after all 4 4< Many times in the past, sugges­ when the chief cook had to leave tions from ships' crewmembers the ship suddenly just before it have been incor­ sailed on a recent trip. Accord­ porated later on ingly, the crew unanimously adopt­ as part of the ed a vote of thanks to the night standard SIU cook and baker and the 3rd cook working agree- "for splendid meals put out during ments. Recom­ absence of the chief cook." Paul mendations from Warhola, 3rd cook, and Clyde the ships in this Kreiss, NCB, had turned to on ex­ connection are tra work in the emergency to keep generally checked the boys well-fed. Apparently over very care­ they filled in so well that the chief Bubar fully and docu­ cook wasn't even missed, which mented. If the idea is a sound one, speaks well for steward depart­ and both sides can see its merit, ment talent down the line. Just turned 28 last month, War­ it will soon wind up in the agree­ ment to take care of the particu­ hola hails from Johnstown, Pa., and joined the SIU In Baltimore lar situation. On the Steel Navigator (Isth­ nearly eight years ago, in August, mian), deck department members 1947. Kreiss will celebrate his met last month to consider several 27th birthday this June. He's mar­ proposals for ship safety and ried, lives In NYC, and joined working ruleSrW^ch might be sug­ Union on April 28, 1945.. He|' gested to headquarters In —^-'nalljr comes from lUinpis.^ ;<S:'.-•a! '•'C �SEAFARERS Pare Ten ON THE HIRING HALL AGAINST: FOR: "Your president recommended that the books be opened. . . . Our members lost nothing by opening the door to quali­ fied seamen. . . . The National Council voted 18 to 2 to adopt the resolution calling for compliance with the Taft"The union hiring hall is the most Hartley Act and immediate integration important single labor relations device into the shipping list of the Union of ever to be developed in the maritime , all seamen with qualifications whether industry. . . . Taft-Hartley would pre­ members or non-members of the union vent preferential employment and I'otary and to treat them ali on an equal basis. shipping." There would be no discriminatioa against qualified seamen who were not union —Joe Curran, April 2, 1953 members." • "Our union shall strike if any at­ —Joe Curran, Nov. 25, 1954 tempt is made to destroy the' hiring hall." —Joe Curran, March 12, 1948 "The union does not intend to permit non-union men to freeload on conditions built up over years by the union mem­ bership." —Joe Curran, Aug. 24, 1950 I*.'}- s "We have stated from time to time on this question of the hiring hall we will make no compromise. ..." —Joe Curran, Feb. 9, 1950 ON CLOSED NMU BOOKS FOR: AGAINST: "The council has taken , the position that no books will be issued. . . . Our members will be fully protected. . . . We do not intend to permit the same thing to take place where the Com­ munists and their stooges controlled the union when they opened the books . . . and flooded the union." —Joe Curran, Aug. 10, 1950 "Opening the books of the union will remove obstacles and place the union in a better position to fight antiunion at­ tacks . . . the resolution adopted by the National Council calls for the open­ ing of the books—it would be foolish to continue a policy of keeping the books closed. . . ." —Joe Curran, Sept. 16, 1954 ON COAST GUARD FOR: AGAINST: "The Coast Guard knows what a mer­ chant seaman is really like . . . the Coast Guard also is in a position to un­ derstand problems in the industry . .~. we can expect the Coast Guard to make a thorough investigation and to take action on all cases of reported miscon­ duct. ..." —Joe Curran, Oct. 22, 1943 (Ed. note: We were unable to locate any statements by the NMU President ' that were critical of the Coast Guard, its hearing units, its arbitrary powers, its proposed military-type physical and mental tests or any other action by the Coast Guard against civilian seamen.) ON COMM. FOR MARITIME UNITY AGAINST: FOR: "The leadership of the SIU-SUP . . . "The west coast section of CMU tried have in the past week bitterly attacked to jam down our throats now by a four the foi-mation of a national structure for to one vote . . . make the policy for our all seamen, longshoremen and officers. union . . . practically telling us you will The claim it is a 'booby trap' and a com­ follow our procedure or else . . . this mie plot to enslave the seamen under the has enabled the shipowners to weaken domination of Bridges and Curran. -the NMU. ... I disagreed particularly It is unfortunate that the leadership of when our union is made into a B class these two unions are so shortsighted. . . ." union by a couple of small craft unions 3,000 miles away. Did we build our —Joe Curran, March 22, 1946 union for these people to dictate its poli­ "We owe a great vote of confidence to cies? These four craft unions, located CMU and pledge to make it even stronger. 3,000 miles away, together with the fifth We didn't do this alone. We did it union, a shoreside organization, the through the solid support of many ILWU, have been dictating all policies unions . . . because of the solidarity of of CMU and have made our great indus­ seven unions in the CMU." trial union virtually a stooge for their shotgun 'unity.'" —Joe Curran, Sept. 20, 1946 —Joe Curran, Dec. 27, 1946 LOG April 18, 195S ..Mr. Curra Record Of Fli|j The Editor, Seafarers Log All of this big hollering by NMU President Joe Curran in trying to make a big issue out of the SUP agreement on the SS Tonsina prompted us to send the following wire to Harry Lundeberg: "Harry Lundeberg: "Hope you are getting as big a kick out of Joe Curran's latest hysterics as we are. Man that boy gets more confused every day. Remember how he saddled the seamen with the Coast Guard and later used it to get rid of his opposition? Remember his zig-zag- . ging on the war? Remember^'how he blasted RMO one day and loved it the next? And how about his position (what position) on the war bonus for sea­ men? After reading his phony attack on you and the SUP, we know that Mr. Curran and his record of flip-flopping hasn't changed a bit. Laugh it off ON WALTER REUTHER AGAINST: FOR: "The best fitted man . . . was Walter P. Reuther, president of the million and a half member United Auto Workers, a man who had shown the ability to lead that great organization and to pull it to­ gether, after faction wai'fare had threat­ ened to destroy It, and as a result of his leadership, the union today is one of the most powerful in the CIO. Walter P. Reuther, will. In my opinion, bring to the presidency strong, able leadership." —Joe Curran, Dee, 11, 1952 ON NO-STRIKE PLEDGEFOR: AGAINST: "Our no-strike pledge is a sincere^ one if the operators will deal .... in peace­ time as they did in war, there should be no reason for strikes. We intend to do everything we possibly can to avoid disastrous strikes . . ." —Joe Curran, May 18, 1945 ON THE AFL FOR: "I had the real privilege of sitting in on the joint meeting of the AFL and CIO . . . the AFL Executive Council adopted a program for which they should be highly coinplimented. ..." -Joe Curran, Feb. 17, 1955- ON PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT FOR: AGAINST: R:-/, P'/-- - "Franklin Roosevelt's passing was a shock to the entiie world. . . . Seamen lost the greatest friend we have ever had. No otlier man . . . did more for the seamen during the days of unemploy­ ment and depression ... he did not for­ get the seamen . . . prior to the Roose­ velt administration, merchant seamen re­ ceived no recognition. ... He gave us that inspiration which helped us build our strong union. . . ." —Joe Curran, April 20, 1945 "The Roosevelt Administration was bent on destroying the militant trade unions . . . We have gotten nothing from Roosevelt's administration ... if the Roosevelt administration is re-elected it will, under the smokescreen of na­ tional defense, immediately set about to smash our union." —Joe Curran, Nov. 1, 1940 "The Reuther forces in working alli­ ance with the Trotskyites arc instigating strikes. . . . The Reuthers, Trotskyites, ACTU'ers, are also bent on destroying the war effort. By their efforts to con­ fuse the .rank and file and to convince the workers that Hitler is not our enemy but that our government is, they have given practical support to John Lewis. ... They are now trying to cause division in the ranks of the United Auto Workers. ... It is our job ... to denounce these fakers whose lust for power makes them willing to play Hitler's game, ..." —Joe Curran, May 28, 1943 "I, together with other officials, fought the Communists' attempt to promote col­ laboration with the shipowners in 1944. ..." —Joe Curran, Sept, 12, 1947 AGAINST: "There are those in the AFL who have always hoped that some disaster would befall the CIO and that the in­ dustrial movement would return to the "House of Labor." It is regrettable that the leaders of the AFL have often played into the hands of the real enemies of labor." —Joe Curran, Nov. 27, 1952 ON WAR AGAINST FASCISM AGAINST: FOR; "Our position on the international situation Is clear. Our members do not have to be told that Fascism means the end ... of the free trade union movement . . . the union is solidly sup­ porting the Administration's all out fight against Fascism and Nazism." —Joe Curran, Nov. 7, 1941 "We the trade unionists . . . have got to organize and make articulate the over­ whelming anti-war sentiment in this country . . . there is being launched in this country today a series of planned as­ saults on the trade union movement . . . under cover of the war program." —Joe Curran, March 14, 1941 �AprU 15. loss SEAFARERS And His ^Flopping..." Harry, your record is for seamen straight down the line. Crew of the SS Steel Worker" As you will note in oiir wire to Lundeberg, Curran's rav­ ings are no surprise to oldtimers. We remember his rec­ ord as smelling pretty bad. Too bad the younger men on the ships couldn't get a chance to see how Curran the great stood on the important issues affecting seamen. For that reason we think the SEAFARERS LOG ought to cheek back into the record and print some of the positions Curran I has taken on many of the issues of the past. In that way, the younger men would have a better chance of judging I just what his yelling is worth. How about it? Crew of the SS Steel Worker {Ed Note: The SEAFARERS LOG ^oUoived out the recommendation made by the creiv of the Steel Worker. HerewUh are direct quotations from statements made by Joe Curran in the "Pi7o<" over the past years on issues of {interest to seamen.) ON THE MEBA FOR: "Our Union wishes to extend its deep appreciation to the officers and members of your union for their splendid solidar­ ity " —Jo* Curran, Sept. 27, 1946 rage Eleven LOG ON COMMUNISTS IN NMU AGAINST: FOR: "Hacks . . . who have taken open pub­ "I am not interested in purging the. union of anyone because of political be­ lic positions . . > against supporting our liefs. Communists . . . have every right country in time of war if the Soviet Union is on the other side should be to be members of our union. . . ." pulled off the ships and the Coast Guard —Joe Curran, March 14, 1947 should revoke their papers. .. "I am against . . . any brand of witch —Joe Curran, August 10, 1950 hunt in our union. The present struggle "They are attempting the policy of in our union ... is one of issues and not rule or luin. These are orders to be on the matter of political beliefs. . . ." carried out on behalf of the Communist —Joe Curran, Jan. 24, 1947 Party. If they can't control our union they will attempt to break It. . . ." —Joe Curran, Jan. 31, 1947 ON PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN AGAINST: FOR: "The National Maritime Union congratulates you on your magnificent vic­ tory . . . despite Dixiecrat and Wallace defections. . . .1! N "President Truman is backing up the shipowners . . . showed that in addition to selling the railroad workers down the rivei', he now intends to do the same with the maritime workers ... we rated him a first class strikebreaker." —Joe Curran, Nov. 5, 1948 —Joe Curran, June 7, 1946 ON JOHN L. LEWIS FOR: AGAINST: "Lewis retired from his position as president of the CIO a greater and stronger figure than ever." The CIO . . . will fight any attempts on the part of Lewis ... to divert the atten­ tion of labor from winning the war. . . . Lewis is one of those at home who are trying to open a second front for Hitler behind our backs." —Joe Curran, Nov. 29, 1940 AGAINST: "We cannot support that kind of beef ... we are not going to sacrifice the crews of those vessels, on a haywire beef on which we were not consulted. ... I will tell you this: everything the MEBA has got from 1936 up to today Is due to what the NMU and other unlicensed unions got for them." —Joe Curran, Oct. 6, 1949 —Joe Curran, June 12, 1942 ON THE ISTHMIAN CAMPAIGN AGAINST: FOR: "The desperation of the SIU ... in the Isthmian Line organization shows too that in this organizing work our program has been correct...." "Myers, proceeded to appoint only those organizers who were members of the Communist Party . . . dozens of organizers were put on. Thousands of dollars were wasted. Organizers, instead of organizing Isthmian ships, spent much of their time . . . smearing and discredit­ ing non-Communists. . . ." —Joe Curran, May 3, 1946 ON HARRY BRIDGES AGAINST: FOR: "There has not been sufficient expres­ sion of concrete support to the second Harry Bridges defense which Is of the utmost importance to the labor move­ ment. Our union would be far from the stage it has reached were it not for the inspiration which .the seamen derived from the courageous work of Harry Bridges." "Ever since the days when Bridges ... set up the CMU for the purpose of controlling our union'^from the outside, he has been giving misleading informa­ tion in an attempt to create confu­ sion. ..." —Joe Curran, Nov. 5, 1948 —Joe Curran, March 28, 1947 ON COMMUNISM FOR: AGAINST: "We believe that no greater service could be rendered today to the unity of our country than the immediate release of Earl Brovvder." —Joe Curran, May 9, 1941 "Today the Soviet Union is following the same line as Hitler.'' , —Joe Curran, July 13, 1950 —Joe Curran, April 3, 1942 "The only case the Government has against Harry Bridges is that he is a champion of labor. . . ." "The Soviet delegaition consisted of a wonderful group. . . . Kuznetsov their spokesman is an outstanding trade union­ ist. . . ." —Joe Curran, May 30, 1941 —Joe Curran, March 9, 1945 ON THE WAR SHIPPING ADMIN. AGAINST: FOR: "Officials of the SlU, SUP and MM&P prepared to do all in their power to scut­ tle the Maritime War Emergency Board. ... The whole maneuver was planned as' a move against the Board for reducing the bonus. . . . Lundeberg's position, and that of Captain C. F. May and Harry Martin, of the MM&P ... is completely untenable ... we give our unqualified support to the MWEB. . . ." —Joe Curran, June 9, 1944 "For the most part, the members of the Board have ijeen extremely fair in arriving at their decisions (on war bonuses). We have reason to believe that the War Shipping Administration now has a constructive and cooperative labor division. They have and will receive the full cooperation of our union." —Joe Curran, July 31, 1942 (Ed. note: At no time were we able to find any statement by Curran that was critical of the MWEB, despite the fact that all other unions were highly critical of this agency for slashing the war bonus.) "The (Maritime) Commission Is not engaged in a legitimate, bona fide train­ ing project. . . . The Commission ... is attempting to flood the industry . . . for the obvious purpose of undermining the present wage structure and weakening maritime unions." . i (Ed. note: Kuznetsov was recently ap­ pointed Minister of Culture by the rulers of the Soviet Union to oversee that literature, music and the arts con­ form to the Communist Party's policies.) ON VINCENT MALONE AGAINST: FOR: "I know that you have always been deeply concerned with the welfare of your membership and it is for that rea­ son that I urge you to give further con­ sideration to unity proposals." —Joe Curran, Aug. 15, 1941 "Malone of the MFOW stated that the conference was a flop and Weisberger of the SUP stated the same, showing that they were afraid to continue the con­ ference , . . when we withdrew they did' not have the guts to stand on their own feet. . . ." —Joe Curran, Aug. 22, 1941 —Joe Curran, Feb, 7, 1941 ON JOE CURRAN "Curran has always taken one position and will continue to do so. . . ." r —Joe Curran, July 11, 1947 'I �m SEAFARERS Pace Twelre April 15. 1555 LOG PORT REPORTS Mobile: Rail Sirike Embargo Slows Hall Constraelion ' K: . fe': IF«f This port is still in the grip of a railroad strike, with the result that shipping has been hampered considerably and the recreation building was unable to open as planned. The struck railroads have clamped a freight embargo on this port which is keeping freight from being shipped into the area. As soon as the strike ends we expect shipping to pick up quite a bit accordingly. Our payoffs in the last two-week period were: Hastings, Afoundria, Monarch of the Sea, Claiborne and Hurricane (Waterman); and the Alcoa Corsair, Clipper, Polaris and Pennant. Signing on were .the Hastings, Afoundria, Monarch of the Sea, Hurricane, Alcoa Polaris and Alcoa Pennant. In-transits were the Steel Vendor (Isthmian) and the Chickasaw (Pan Atlantic). Dispatcher Moved We have moved the dispatcher to the second deck of our main building as the street floor level is now in the process of painting and redecorating. The new building lacks some equipment that was ordered and is being held up until the railroads start running again. Also holding up the opening of the combined Sea Chest and recre­ ation building is the telephone •trike. We have been held up on telephone service also. If, as it ap­ pears, both of these strikes are settled , shortly, we should be able to get everything going by our next meeting. The Mobile branch wishes to Owens extend the deep­ est sympathy to the families of brothers Barrett W. Moore and Charles Wilson. Moore was chief cook on the Ocean Ulla in Far East waters when he passed away. He was a member of the SIU for many years and is survived by his wife. Wilson lost his life when he ano two friends were trapped in a rowboat in Mobile Bay during a recent surprise cold wave and were frozen to death. He is survived by his parents and five brothers. Oldtimers on the beach at pres­ ent include Chester Steers, C. Lowery, T. D. Owens, H. Gray, H. Gable, W. Havelin, E. Howard, C. Taggart, T. Bell, A. Lazzaro, B^ C. Jones, C. Hanners. Cal Tanner Mobile Port Agent if $> 'minor beefs, all of which were set­ tled satisfactorily. The only exception to this was the Bienville (Waterman), on which the company held a beef in abey­ ance. The company had used shoreside labor in Korea to scrape and paint inside passageways on the ship. This is a good beef and should be settled in a few days. Payoffs in the port included the Seatrains New York, Savannah, Louisiana, New Jersey (Seatrain); Elizabeth, Arlyn, Kathryn (Bull); Steel Flyer, Steel Navigator (Isth­ mian); Bienville, Mobilian (Water­ man), and Archers Hope, Bradford Island and Fort Hoskins (Cities Service). The following were the ships signed on; Puritan, Roamer (Alcoa); Robin Locksley, Robin Mowbray (Seas Shipping); Eugenie (Oro); Coe Victory (Victory Carriers); Greece Victory (-South Atlantic), and Mobilian (Waterman). In transit were the Seatiger (Orion); Bethcoaster, Massmar (Calmar); Andrew Jackson (Waterman); Iberville, DeSoto (Pan Atlantic); Seatrain Georgia (Seatrain); Val Chem (Valentine), and Ines and Beatrice (Bull). Claude Simmons Asst. Sec'y-Treas. i $• Philadelphia: it Arlzpa Tied Up In Dockers' Beef Shipping is holding its own pretty well in this port, and we still have the Arizpa (Pan Atlantic) hanging tight at the Sugar House, locked in a beef which has local longshoremen refusing to work. JHowever, the ship may yet leave the port due to the beef, and there is also still a chance that the long­ shoremen will go back to work any day. On the question of the AFL maritime unions and the CAMU beef, we are happy to report that crews of SIU ships touching here are very much in favor of the posi­ tion the Union has taken. The following were the ships paid off during the last two weeks: Carolyn (Bull); Republic (Trafal­ gar); Massmar (Calmar); Steel Ap­ prentice (Isthmian), and Queenston Heights (Seatrade). All except the Carolyn signed on again. We also had the following ships in-transit: Robin Mowbray (Seas Shipping); Eugenie,(Oro); Antinous, De Soto, Iberville (Pan Atlantic); Bents Fort (Cities Service); Marymar (Calmar), and the Arizpa (Waterman). A. S. CarduIIo Philadelphia Port Agent New Orleans: SIU Officials Hamad To City AFL Board Two SIU representatives were elected to the 15-man Executive Board of the New Orleans AFL Central Labor Council at the coun­ cil's annual election held in the •SIU hall here recently. They were C. J. "Buck" Stephens, New Or­ leans SIU patrolman, who was re­ elected to the board, and Tommy Doyle, representative of the ^lUaffiliated Marine Allied Workers. Doyle received the highest total of votes of any candidate in the spirited contest for the executive board seats. Stephens was not far behind, receiving only three less votes than his brother mernber of the SIU delegation. A. P. Harvey, president; A. H. Buckley, vice president, and Robert L. Soule, secretary-treasurer, were re-elected without opposition. The council is made iip of delegates representing about 80 AFL unions in the area. Other news of interest to New Orleanians is the begiiming of ac­ tual construction of the new Missis­ sippi River Bridge. Ground has already been broken for the foundation of the New Orleans end Curl of the span at Thalia St. The $30 million bridge will connect this city with com­ munities on the west bank of the river. The bridge is expected to be completed in July of 1958. An estimated 670 days will be required for completion of foundation work for the project, which engineers say presents some of the most dif­ ficult engineering problems ever encountered on this type of con­ struction. New Admissions Four brothers were recently ad­ mitted. to the USPHS hospital. They are Jean Latapie, Dolphus Johnny" Walker, Clarence Crevler and Pierre LeBlanc. Still in the hospital, but reported to be con­ valescing in good style, are Keyon F. Parks, Thomas Scanlon and John P. Doyle. Edward Stevens, Glen Curl, Adie Coleman and Charles Terry were discharged re­ cently and hope to be able to ship soon. Shipping, meanwhile, continues to be on the slow side, and pros* pects for the immediate future are not any brighter. Since our last report, we have had 5 payoffs, 3 New York: Repair Lists Vital Al Payoff, Sign-On Shipping in the port is still on an even keel, but we expect it to pick up in the near future, due to PORT Boston the Alcoa ships that will soon be New York paying off in this area. We would like to bring up the Philadelphia matter of repairs on our contracted Baltimore .7 ships. Delegates should always be Norfolk sure to have sufficient copies of Savannah the repair list made up at the time Tampa of sign-on or payoff. The chief engineer, chief mate, company Mobile representative and your Union New Orleans patrolman should each receive one Houston In order to avoid any delays in Seattle getting these repairs attended to. San Francisco During the past two weeks we had 8 sign-ons, 14 payoffs and 10 Wilmington ships, in. triin^il,, .Most, o£{^^,p|dps i <1. « came in clean, with only a few. i/f. totals ^ Shipping Figures March 23 to REG. REG. REG. TOTAL DECK ENGINE STEW. BEG. 60 20 11 244 82 74 99 32 19 170 61 49 49 13 17 44 17 14 122 37 48 106 27 . 38 116 46 37 73 33 16 r 24 76 26 29 64 23 22 28 u 6 1 885 F 1,251 sign-ons and 13 shipil to hit here in transit. Payoffs The Steel Scientist (Isthmian); Del Sud and Del Santos (Mississip­ pi), and the DeSoto and Iberville (Pan Atlantic) paid off. The Del Sud, Del Oro and Del Mundo (Mis­ sissippi) signed on. The Alcoa Clipper, Alcoa Pen­ nant, Alcoa Corsair and Alspa Pil­ grim (Alcoa); Steel Traveler (Isth­ mian); Del Sud, Dfl Oro and Del Mundo (Mississippi); Seatrains Georgia and Louisiana (Seatrain Lines); Monarch of the Seas and Claiborne (Waterman), and Arlyn (Bull) called here. ^ Lindsey J. WUliam# New Orleans Port gent it ft Tampa: SS Cuba Goes Into Shipyard; Grew Off The business of this branch is moving along in gOQd order, with only a few minor exceptions which will be cleared up In the near future. Although we have been enjoying good shipping here, things have slowed up a bit and we have only a few in-transit ships to look for­ ward to. But there will probably be some jobs on them', so that they will help take up some of the slack. The SS Cuba (P&O) has gone into the shipyard for about 30 days so her crew is helping to keep the hall here looking busy. We will keep the membership informed on the progress of the work on her as soon as we get further informa­ tion on it. Payoffs The following were the ships paid off here during the last period: City of Alma (Waterman), Beaure­ gard (Pan Atlantic), and the Cuba. The Beauregard signed on, and joined our three in-transits, the Chickasaw and Antinous (Pan At­ lantic), and the Alcoa Pilgrim (Al­ coa), in moving in and out of here. Our new shipping and hiring set-, up is working just fine and that is due a great deal to the manner In which the brothers have pitched in to get it going. All of them de­ serve a vote of thanks for their help. Tom Banning Tampa Port Agent Lake Charles: Lois Of Strike Aclien In 'Phones, Lanndrios Shipping in this port continues to move along at a steady pace. Calling here in the last two weeks were ten Cities Service wagons to keep the pumps humming and the boys moving off the beach. These ships were the Archers Hope, Bents Fort, Bradford Island, Fort Hoskins, French Creek, Cantigny, Chiwawa, Salem Maritime, Logans Fort and Winter Hill. Over in Orange,. Texas, we had ouf reg­ ular call on the Val Chem (Valen­ tine). All of these ships were in fair shape with no outstanding beefs and all took a few replacements. Picket Maneuvers We have quite a bit of activity on the strike front here. The laun­ dry workers are out on strike and have modified their tactics by car­ rying around picket signs reading "this place unfair to me." This is made necessary by the fact that the anti-labor laws in Louisiana allow injunctions to be slapped on unions for such picket lines. Also on the picket line here are the telephone workers who are striking in this state and several of our neighbors. The new seniority system has been working fine in this port. Naturally there's been a great deal of interest in it and all the broth­ ers are studying up on it so that they know the regulations from A to Z. Torre One of our ver­ satile brothers on the beach here is I. J. S. Torre, who sails in the. engine department usually as pumpman or oiler. On occasion he will take a firing job and right now he is thinking of shipping as 3rd cook. As you can see, he's a good man to have around because he can give you a hand in quite a few. ways., Leroy Clarke Lake Charles Port Agent Miami: t, t. Blood Emorgoney Ho Problem Hero The membership at our last meeting in this port was mad»^ aware of the attempt by certain groups within the Conference of American Maritime Unions to con­ fuse .the aims of legitimate mari­ time unions. It has fully endorsed the present SIU position on CAMU. Meanwhile, shipping continued to hold its own and we expect it to continue likewise for the coming period. ' We paid off the Florida (P&O),' which is on continuous articles, and also signed on the Michael ' April 5 (Carras). Ships in transit were the SHIP. SHIP. TOTAL Ponce (Ponce Cement); John B.' SHIP. ENG. STEW. SHIPPED Waterman (Waterman); Antinous, DECK De Soto (Pan Atlantic); Chiwawa 29 6 11 12 (Cities Service), and the Florida. 191 58 66 67 A complete discussion was held 68 14 27 27 at the meeting under "good and 58 208 73 75 welfare" on the possibilities of establishing a local blood bank for 8 81 8 15 the use of SIU men and theii^ 46 IS 15 18 families. 79 26 27 26 However, the final decision of 82 23 31 28 the members here was that there 86 are enough Seafarers available at 33 24 27 all times in the event of an emer42 19 11 12 gency^ and-that where the need 71 18 29 24 occurs, it caa be handled almost 77 29 26 22 immediately witbin the local mem­ 12 8 7 2 bership. I. .' •Bddla. ^arr.,.,. . Pqrt.A^f^t.^iir. •'v.351 F'--: 332, • 339 • ''i- • �SEAFARERS April IS. 19BS Paf« ThIrieW' LOG .... JPOJRT JREJPORTS Boston: Engine Ratings In Short Snppty Shipping has been above aver­ age for the past two weeks and we hope it will stay that way. We had six payoffs during the period, in­ cluding a few Cities Service wagons which paid off on Saturday and Sunday as usual. Replacements were also put on the seven intransit ships that called here. For the information of the brothers, we have had a shortage of rated engine room men for some time. Ac­ cordingly, , m e n who could get pumpmen's endorsements should make it a -point to do so as we have had to call New York Olson for all pumpmen during the past couple of months. We have also been short of messmen and ordinary seamen and had to call New York for these ratings, too! Ships paid off included the Michael, Alexandra (Carras), and Winter Hill, Logans Fort, Bents Fort and French Creek (Cities Service). All of them were signed on again. The in-transits were the follow­ ing: Tagalam (Seatrade); Steel Navigator (Isthmian); Iberville, Chickasaw - (Pan Atlantic); Bien­ ville (Waterman); Ann Marie (Bull), and Robin Sherwood (Seas Ship­ ping). All beefs on the above ves­ sels were settled to the satisfaction of the crews involved. Typical SIU Man Our selection for typical SIU man of the week is Evald A. Olson, one of our real oldtimers. A mem­ ber of the old ISU, he has been with the SIU since 1938, and is known to his friends and ship­ mates as the "Big Swede" or "Alec." Olson just got off the Queenston Heights (Seatrade) after seven months and intends to take it easy for the summer. He sails in the deck department as an AB. A final note is about three North End cops who will be given a hearing by the commissioner next week on charges that they were watching TV at the Seamen's Friend Society, on Hanover St., at 5 PM last Friday. This happened while traffic was piling up as the result of a fire alarm at Prince and Salem Streets. James Sheehan Boston Port Agent t> , out seven months, the Mary Adams had an exceptionally clean payoff. This was matched by the Ocean Deborah, which was not out quite as long. Both of these' ships also paid out with transportation for crewmembers back to the port of engagement. Vote Of Confidence At our last meeting here, the membership went on record to give all of our officials a 100 percent vote of confidence for their fore­ sight in keeping our hiring hall system and maintaining the best work possibilities for Seafarers. Among the brothers on the beach right now are W. E. Harris, O. Oakley A. Oramener, W. Pozen and J. Spuron. Those in the marine hospital are J. Dowell, W. Fick, S. Johannessen, W. Johnston, M. Musashi, F. J. Rochon and' G. J. Wanka. Jeff Gillette Seattle Port Agent ji • J" 4" San Francisco: Revised Hiring Rules Wertdng Out Wett The past two weeks has seen very good shipping in this port and the future outlook is also good for the brothers who are on the beach right, now. The La Salle (Waterman) and Alice Brown (Bloomfield) were in here for payoff and we signed the La Salle on again for another trip. Our in-transits included the Fairisle, Topa Topa, Fairport, Citrus Packer (Waterman); Steel King (Isthmian), and Alamar (Calmar). Two ships were scheduled to come in here this week for payoff, but it looks like the Jean Lafitte will be diverted to Seattle. The Choctaw (Watei'inan) will be in next week for sure as she was delayed. John C.^Due By the time of the next ineellng, we should..jlso have the John C. (Atlantic Carriers) in. This ship has been out for a considerable length of time and should take a full crew. Our new hiring system and ship­ ping rules are working out very well, and with no beefs. Oldtimers on the beach, at the last count, included C. Shirley, C. Nangle, W. Pennington, T. Ulisse, G. Manning, J. Moore, J. Morris, Tom Hong, T. Delaney and F. Votto. In the hospital right now we have P. S. Yuzon, N. West, J. Perreira, J. McBrien and R. Lam­ bert. Marty Breithoff West Coast Rep. Cooper, Robert McCorkel, George Houston: Bekken, John Straka, Ed H. Huizenga, Norman Jackson, Joseph C. Lewallen, John R. Schultz, Harry Rockind, George D. Olive, Joseph A. Buchec, Raymond Solheim, Gor­ Apparently the US Coast Guard Things looked- up considerably man Glaze and Ralph Ruff. is active these days Investigating Earl Sheppard over the past two-week period and misdemeanors in the official log­ Baltimore Port Agent we have high hopes that the future book of ships in Northern France will bring even bigger and better 4" 4* and Germany, as charges have jobs for Seatarers^-in the port. Savannah: been forwarded to the States and We had 16 ships pay off, 10 sign some seamen have been beached on and 15 ships stopped over in as a result. transit. All the payoffs with a few A case like this occurred on the minor exceptions were very clean Genevieve Peterkin (Bloomfield) and we wish to offer a vote of The SIU crews of at least four which, incidentally, was the only thanks to the delegates and crewmembers on these ships for a job ships here have unanimously ac­ ship to pay off and sign on here cepted and concurred in resolu­ during the last period. However, well done. " We would like Seafarers to drop tions upholding the SIU and AFL the matter was eventually settled in and enjoy the food and drinks position regarding the Conference to the satisfaction of the crew and in the Baltimore Port O' Call. The of American Maritime Unions company and we don't think it will come up on this Ship anymore. food is priced most reasonably and (CAMU). In any case it appears that the Among others, the Southwind the drinks are "certainly in line Coast Guard is getting progressive­ with those in all the better-class and Southland (South Atlantic) ly tougher. and the Steel Vendor (Isthmian) bars. Aside from having the Genevieve and Seatrain Georgia (Seatrain) Best In Town Peterkin in and out, we had five have also sent wires on behalf of Those who have already visited in-transits, including the Steel our Port O' Call know that it is, the entire crew to Harry Lunde- Vendor, Steel Scientist asthmian); berg, endorsing his stand. without a doubt, one of the nicest Hastings (Waterman), and Seatrains Shipping in the port has been New York and Savannah (Seatrain), places of entertainment in the city, and you can be proud to bring very good up until now, but is not Shipping has slowed down an:', fig­ your families and friends to a place expected to be ures to be slow the next two weeks more than fair of this calibre. nlso. Our "Seafarer of the Week" this in the near fu­ Seafarer-Shipowner time is George ture. We paidLoff Among the brothers on the beach Little, who has and signed on right now is "Toots" Harris, who been sailing with the Southwind is now a capitalist and the proud and Southland the SIU for a pe­ possessor of his own shrimpboat. riod of seven and also serviced However, all he has caught so far five in transits. years. Little is a is a couple of catfish. Dan Gribble full bookmember These were the has a new baby girl. That makes Angelina (Bull); In the Union and it three girls and no boys for him. really appreciates Chiwawa (Cities Enough said. Service); Steel Vendor, and Seaall the different "Red" Rhoades is taking a litti# benefits he de­ trains Geoi-gia and Louisiana (Sea­ Little siesta after setrain). rives in the SIU. ranging on the One of our real oldtimers. As he states It, "I have always Seagarden (Pen­ found the officials of the SIU Brother Geronimo B. Gapac has insular Nav.) for ready and willing at all times to been going to sea for some 30 years one trip. "Stud" listen to all of my beefs, large or and is one of the top stewards in Melloy has just small. I know, without a doubt, the Union and in the maritime in­ returned after that we have the finest set-up in dustry. He is at present working three years of no ashore as chef and manager of Bothe maritime industry." overtime in the Peep's L'uncheonette, which boasts Men In Hospital Army. Among the of the "finest food in the .South," Those boys In the hospital are other oldtimers Sims Proud of SIU still looking forward eagerly to re­ on the beach are As far as Union matters are con­ A. "Salty" Wilburn, G. Sims, R. ceive some word from old friends and shipmates. Seafarers are urged cerned, Brother Gapac considers Rnoles, J. Ziereis, J. Coash and V. to send them a card or letter and the fight the SIU is maintaining Svendsen. to come in and visit when they're in regard to the hiring hall one of Jack Mays was discharged from in port. The address is USPHS its most outstanding efforts. He the marine hospital on April 1. He Hospital, Wyman Park Drive, Bal­ says he is really proud to belong went in there with a couple of timore 18, Md. Those laid up at to such an organization, and also broken ribs and a punctured lung. has high praise for our Vacation John Grassi and W. G. Trice com­ this time are: Robert J. Wiseman, Alfred Seeg- Plan and other benefits for Se?t- plete our hospital list at this time. miller, Anthony Mastantuno, Lo­ farers. There's a tali story making the Others on the beach include rounds here about a Texas raccoon renzo Brigida, Robert Scales, George Anderson, John Simpson, John Floyd. John Monteverde, Carl being smarter than either the man Fred Pittman, Joseph Prabeck, Leo Lowery, Claude West, Berry Tip- or the hound-dog who are out to Dwyer, Roy M. Hawes, William pins, Barney McNally, Steve Poole, get him. It may be true because Mellow, Thomas Mungo, Edward Jim Lee, Marion Akins, G. A. the 'coons keep multiplying and Serserko, L. J. Brilhart, John C. Allen and Thomas Constantin. get progressively harder to catch. A. Mlchelet Charles Tannehill Mitchell. Savannah Port Agent « Houston Port Agent Also, Jessie C. Clark, V. B. Baltimore: GG Keeping Busy Chectiing Legbeeks Port 0'Catt Set-Up ts Realty Top-Notcti Money Exchange Rates Listed Shipping Good, Soon Staying That Way SIU, A&G District BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St. Earl Sheppard, Agent EAstern 7-4900 BOSTON 276 State St. James Sheehan, Agent Richmond 2-0140 HOUSTON 4202 Canal St. C. Tannehill, Acting Agent Preston 6558 LAKE CHARLES, La 1419 Ryan St. Leroy Clarke, Agent HEmlock 6-5744 MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. Cal Tanner, Agent HEmlock 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS 523 BienvUle St. Llndsey Williams, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 NEW YORK 675 4tb Ave., Brooklyn HYaclnth 9-0000 NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. Ben Rees, Agent MAdison 2-9834 PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St. S. Cardullo, Agent Market 7-1635 SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St. Douglas 2-5475 Marty Breithoff, West Coast tiepreseniatlve PUERTA de TIERRA, PR. Pclayo 51—La 5 Sal Colls, Agent Phone 2-599P SAVANNAH S Abercorn St A. Mlchelet, Agent Phone 3-1728 SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave. Jeff GUlette, Agent " Elliott 4334 TAMPA, .. .tl809-lUll N. Franklin St: Tom Banning, Agent Phone 2-1323 •:f| Crews Endorse StU Position On CAMU Seattle: Shipping in this port has been and remains very good. The mem­ bership here has its choice of runs, and we only hope things keep up this way. We shipped just a few men Jess than we registered dur­ ing the past two weeks. Payoffs included the Kyska and Young America (Waterman), Ocean Deborah (Ocean Trans) and Mary Adams (Bloomfield), which has since been sold to Sheppard Lines, an SUP-contracted company. The Cecil N. Bean (Dry Trans) and all but the Mary Adams signed on again. In-transits were the Morning ' Light, Topa Topa and La Salle (Waterman), plus the Yorkmar and Portmar (Calmar). No Major Beefs •There were^ho outstanding beefs on 'aHJR *bf' thfese vessels. Although ''r'll WILMINGTON, Cam 505 Marine Ave. Ernest Tllley, Agent Terminal 4-2874 HEADQUARTERS....675 4th Ave.. Bklyn. SECRETARY-TREASURER Paul HaU ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS J. Alglna. Deck C. Simmons. Joint • J. Volplan, Eng. W. Hall, Joint E. Mooney, Std. R. Matthews, Joint SUP HONOLULU FORT WILLIAM.... 118>A Syndicate Ave. Ontario Phone: 3-3221 PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St. Ontario Phone: 5591 TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E. EMpire 4-5719 VICTORIA, EC 61714 Cormorant St. Empire 4531 VANCOUVER, BC 298 Main St. SYDNEY, NS Pacific 7824 304 Charlotte St. Phone 6348 BAGOTVILLE, Quebec 20 Elgin St. Phone: 545 THOROLD, Ontario 52 St. Davids St. CAnal 7-3202 QUEBEC .113 Cote Oe La Montague Quebec Phone: 2-7078 SAINT JOHN 177 Prince WiUiam St. NB Phone: 2-5232 16 Merchant St. Phone 5-8777 PORTLAND ..622 N. W. Everett St. Beacon 4336 RICHMOND, CALIF 257 5th St Phone 2599 SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St. Douglas 2-8363 Great Lakes District SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave. Main 0.290 ALPENA 133 W. Fletcher WILMINGTON 505 Marino Ave. Phone; 12.38W Terminal 4-3131 BUFFALO. NY 180 Main St. 734 Lakeside Ave., NE NEW YORK 675 4tb Ave.. Brooklyn CLEVELAND Phone: Main 1-0147 HYaclnth 9-6600 * Phone: Cleveland 7391 DETROIT 1038 3rd St. Canadian District Headquarters Phone: Woodward 1-6857 531 W. Michigan St. MONTREAL 634 St. James jSt- West DULUTH PLateau 8161 Phone: Melrose 2-4110 CHICAGO 3261181:32)16 St. HALIFAX, N.&. 12^^^0111^ Phone: Essex 5-2410 The following is the latest available listing of official ex­ change rates for foreign cur­ rencies. Listings are as of April 14, 1955, and are sub­ ject to change without notice. England. New Zealand, South Af­ rica: $2.80 per pound sterling. Australia: $2.24 per pound stei-ling. Belgium: 50 francs to the dollar. Denmark: 14.45 cents per krone. France: 350 francs to the dollar. Germany: 4.2 marks to the doUar. Holland; 3.7-3.8 guilders to th« dollar. Italy: 624.9 lire to the dollar. Norway: 14 cents per krone. Portugal: 28.75 escudos to the dollar. Sweden: 19.33 cents per krona. India: 21 cents per rupee. Pakistan: 30.22 cents per rupee. Argentina: 14.2 pesos to the dollar. Brazil: 5.4 cents per cruzeiro. Uruguay: 52.63 cents per peso, j '•'> Yi^esuela:''2fr.i65 centrpeF b'ollvar.' 4 .'I'lO ..'ib'jt'J j'" sl-^l '^1 '^1 -il �SEAFARERS Pare Fourteen April 15, 195S LOG OFF WATCH Flit Flies On Steel Seafarer —Painting Job Gets Nowhere This featur* is designed to offer hints and inforgiation on hobbies, new 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. SIU ships' meetings and the minutes which record the happenings therein are a unique institution and have been applauded as such in national magazines and daily newspaper feature stories time and time again. The meetings are a practi--*Although the Post Office De-^ cat voice-box for all Seafarers, were John Masters, ship's delegate; captain. Fortunately, the ship oper­ partment is still playing it cagey maica, BWI, by April 30. Orders who need an outlet of this kind Paul Pallos, deck delegate, and ates in a warm climate, so there's on the date for the first-day sale should be accompanied by 50 cents to sound off to their brother members and to the world at large about an infinite variety of items, including beefs large'and small. "Nobody knows the troubles at sea," might be a proper refrain In this instance. Aboard the Steel Seafarer (Isth­ mian)—certainly an apt name for a vessel crewed by sturdy SIU men—a recent ship's meeting was treated to an illuminating dis­ course by Chris­ topher B. Kelleher, engine dele­ gate, who also served as chair­ Kelleher man. Faithful in his duties, delegate Kelleher reported to the assem­ blage about the state of things in his department, and particularly, of the new but incomplete paint job in the foc'sles occupied by the black gang. Delegates Paid A Visit The narrative began with the captain. Apparently, before the painting was even begun, Kelleher v as a member of the contingent of delegates who visited the office of the old man to see about having the quarters painted. The others 'Duke' Pays Call Manuel Caldas, steward delegate. The master. In his turn, was ap­ propriately busy on the occasion. Standing there, in his belly-but­ toned birthday suit, he was tire­ lessly squirting disinfectant from a flit gun at a lonely fly. Before the Seafarers even got to the point, he let them have it, too. "Do you have to bother me? Don't you see I'm busy now?" he asked less than delicately. "See the de­ partment heads. I'm a busy man. I don't have no time for Union delegates," he added. His gram­ mar, however, didn't bother them as much as his attitude, but they advanced to the next lowest link in the chain of command, in this case the chief mate and chief engineer. And lo and behold, they were told the black gang quarters would indeed be painted, and they were —sort of, anyway. After the 12-4 watch put in 28 hours painting, the job was abruptly cut short. 'Painting Too Slow' The chief engineer had the no­ tion that the paint-wielding by his department was a little slow, and that he might work a deal to get the deck department to finish the job in less time. But this likelihood is extremely unlikely, according to brother Kel­ leher. His feelings on the point are, in fact, quite emphatic. "It will never happen," he told the meet­ ing audience. Thus, the painting of the black gang quarters is up in the air, just like the DDT-weary fly which we expect is still being pursued by the llse Onlif One 3ia£l Address Veteran Seafarer Tony Pisano, well-known as the "Duke of Bourbon Street," shows off the royal profile as he crosses Dauphin St. in Mobile on way to meet a lady friend. The curious passers-by apparently didn't realize that a "Duke" rates a picture wherever he goes. •P.^h' • A." ^'ir •ftl: III 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. (1) John Marshall Harlan is the newest justice of the US Supreme Court. How many of the others can you name? (2) What is the common name of the group of stars known as Ursa Major, or Great Bear? '3) Which word does not belong in the following group: fez, turban, culotte, toque, beret? (4) One number is missing from tlie following scries: 16, 18, 22, 25, 31, 35. 43, ., 58. Which is it? * (5) What famous family of bankers derived their name from a red shield? (6) The.art of producing, pictures from plates treated with acids is given what name? (7) What kinds of twins ere brother and sLster twins called? (8) If you were on the moon would you weigh more or less than you do now? (9) One-third, one-fourth and one-fifth of a number added to 13 pMduce the missing number. What is it? (10) According to Emerson, where was the shot fired that was heard •round the world2s x -.i • (Quiz Answers on Page 17) '.V \ of the stamp marking the centen­ ary of the Soo Locks, at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., it has meanwhile come up with plans for another 3c. issue honoring the Armed Forces Reserve. The stamp will go on sals for the first time at Wash­ ington, DC, on May 21. It will picture a member of each of the reserve forces. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. About a dozen more new US issues are expected before the end of the year,- • t. i The Caribbean Island of Jamaica is also offering an item for phila­ telists next month, when a set of four commemoratives wijl be is­ sued May 10 to honor the island's 300th year under the British flag. no danger of his catching cold if Collectors who want first-day cov­ the chase should take him on deck ers along with a mint set of the when he's in the costume last re­ stamps can obtain . them if they ported. send an order to PO Box 300, Ja- lOG-A-RHYTHM: There's Nothing Like A Baby In The Home By Charles W. Cothran To the Editor: I have written the following poem and dedicated it to my Infant daughter, Carole Ann Cothran. I hope you will publish it in the SEA­ FARERS LOG. Charles W. Cothran When the baby wakes up in the middle of the night And it's bellowing at such an hour that you moan. Just remember these words, and get their meaning right: "There's nothing like a baby in the home." While lying in bed and wishing like—well. That its wailing was just a nocturnal dream. The wife awakens and you hear her yell: up. John, you heard the baby scream." 'Tis an ordeal from which one must never take flight. For a married man should cease the world to roam. So remember these words in the midst of your plight: "There's nothing like a baby in the home." Of course, no one remembers his own cradle days. Or the nights his daddy picked him up and walked. So charge it all up to the price a dad pays. For the words "I do" he could have balked. Then take it like a man, 'tis the only thing to do. That's the moral of this little poem, Stick out your chest — it's a compliment to you, for "There's nothing like a baby in the home." Many Services At Genoa Club In either stamps, postal money or«\ der or check for the first-day cover of the four stamps only. An ad­ ditional two bits should be sent for the mint set. The stamps spot­ light the Jamaica centenary (16551955) with designs of four differ­ ent events in the island's history, and the usual portrait of the reigning monarch, in this case Queen Elizabeth II. 3) 4" i Already given the condensedversion treatment in "Life" and • Book-of-the-Month Club choice for April, C. S. Forester's "The Good Shepherd" is a sea story which tells of 48 desperate hours in the life of a North Atlantic convoy during 1942-43, before improved sonar, and hunter-killer teams turned the tide against the Uboats. Essentially the story of a US Navy convoy escort commander and his trials in bringing a convoy of merchantmen to England, it fol­ lows in the tradition already set by a number of earlier novels deal­ ing with the same theme. "The Cruel Sea," first the book, and then the movie, told a similar story about a British Royal Navy escort force, and there were others both before and after that one. Seamen Secondary Few of these books go into much detail from the standpoint of the merchant ships and their crews, because the drama, from the point of view of the authors, apparently was greater aboard the outnum­ bered naval escort ships than onthe sitting-duck merchantmen. But The Good Shepherd" Is Forester (creator of Captain Horatio Hornblower), and those who like sea stories, regardless of their focus, should enjoy this one. It's pub­ lished by Little, Brown St Co., at $3.95. 3) 4 A new item in hobby and do-ityourself shops is a ratchet chain wrench designed to fit into tight spaces where a pipe wrench won't go. The new tool is adjustable over a wide range of pipe sizes from %" to 41^" and is said to grip any round or hex shape with­ out slipping. It saves buying a full set of pipe wrenches and gives you the right size when you need it. The wrench lists at $3.95 post­ paid from Chain Wrench Co., 1217 Harmon PL, Minneapolis 3, Minn. Jolly 'Goodfellows' In Yugoslavia One of the little-known spots catering to seamen in different ports of the world is the Apostolato del Mare in Genoa, Italy. According to Nicholas Gladis, an SUP member who was there last while on the SS President Buchan­ an, a man who's in port and wants to get a meal off the ship for a change can do pretty Vv-ell there on 75 cents. The six bits will get him table service for a good meSl, wine and even a finger bowl at the end. The place is only a few min­ utes' walk from the main dock, at number 6, Piazza Dinegro. In addition to a restaurant, the Apostolate del Mare, which is the same as the Apostleship of the Sea maintained In US^ ports and places all over tjie globe* features a read­ ing room, writing-rsorH* i^pvies, a playroom and individual rooftw^ Gathered round the festive board. Seafarers from the Robin Goodfellow exchange greetings with the citizens of Sibenik, Yugoslavia, at a party in their honor given by the local populace: Pictured (1-r) are: Walt Pitek, M. J. "Skinny" Wells, Glen T. Darling,Jtudy Urbina, Ruben Martaznes. Wells 8e»t in thenElH^*- .T' �15, 1955 f(E 4F ARERS Revolt Brews -^Pointermen' Leading Way LOG Pate Fifteen A 'RelaxIngVGame Of Ping Pong Bv Spike Martin Latest reports from the Al­ coa'Pointer (Alcoa) are that this SIU crew is going to take some decisive action on a matter that has been tr9ubling them for some time. A lot of people are expected to rush to join the cru­ sade. However, the Seafarers involved may find it difficult to answer for this sudden move when they re­ turn to home and hearth. Concentrating hard on their game. Seafarers Harry K. Kaufman (left) and Percy A. Gray, Jr., both ABs on the City of Alma, pad­ For there it is, plainly enough, dle their way through a ping pong tourney at the United Seamen's right in the March 13 ship's min­ Service club In Leghorn, Italy. Apparently both of them forgot utes; "A vote was taken to change they had come ashore in the first place to relax. We don't know the vegetables as much as pos­ sible." who won, but Kaufman yvas the one who sent the photos in. Enraged youngsters who can't answer back too often when a plate of legumes and similar edi­ bles is put before them will now have dad on their side. After all, M you can't have a Take some lions, monkeys and diamond mines, add the "two-pot system" operating in the Congo, Victoria Falls, ivory, sand, great pyramids, tom-toms, McNulty kitchen back, Cairo, Casablanca and Capetown, and you have the "dark home either. continent"—limitless Africa. To its credit, the Pointer crew Take all of the same and We just missed (no regrets) a 17has put its collective finger on a add Seafarer Duska "Spider" day rainy season, the worst in 32 real problem. Take spinach, for Korolia who's now returning after years. Some claim they were wad­ example (please!). That's green. So his first trip in nearly three years, ing in water up to their waist . . . are green peas. Then there are and you have a full report on all "A funny thing happened at the green beans, too. Add to this broc­ the goings-on. Mayfair Hotel. . . Instead of a sea­ coli, cabbage, asparagus, brussels Happy to be back in harness after sprouts and others. They're all a lengthy stay in the hospital, Ko­ man getting gypped, a receptionist at the hotel has been giving out too green, too. This is fine for a St. rolia is aboard much English money in exchange Patrick's Day dinner, but that was the Robin Ket­ for US dough . . . They sent out a last month. tering (Seas Ship­ Jetter to all American ships asking Why not some orange peas or as­ ping), which is the crewmembers who exchanged paragus? Oranges and tangerines money there to return the differ­ have had a monopoly on this for due back in th^ States next week. ence . .. years. Or blue broccoli, maybe? "The amount overpaid was just That would certainly help make a The vessel is the about half the girl's salary for a dish look colorful and perhaps same one he was month, nearly six pounds. At $2.80 more appetizing. Cabbage, of on when he made his last voyage American for the pound, she was course, is the exception. Korolia out 16 bucks. No one on the Ket­ There are both green and red to Africa. Extensive Itinerary tering was involved . . . varieties of this, but red is a good The itinerary this time covered, color to leave alone these days. Raise For Longshoremen In any event, the possibilities are among other places, Durban, Mom­ "Longshoremen in Mombasa have endless. A revolution is in the basa, Laurenco Marques, Dar-Es- won their strike. After eight days making, and the Pointer, appropri­ Salaam, Zanzibar and Macala in of picketing, they have come away ately enough, leads the way. B. P. Portuguese East Africa. Points of with a raise of 50 cents a day, about McNulty was chairman at the interest were many and varied. cents American. They now "Durban is booming . , . Lots of seven ship's meeting last month; Leo make 84 cents (American) per ships here waiting to unload . . • Bruce was secretary. eight-hour day . . . "About two dozen ships are an­ chored out waiting for berth in Mombasa. Shipping is very pros­ perous . . . But all of East Africa's natives seem hungry and just mak­ ing ends meet, especially with this prosperity staring them in the face. "The 'Sultan' owns Zanzibar, which attracts Europeans from all nations ... At the hotel, you can get guides for a whole day for one buck, hire a sailboat or gear for underwater sightseeing . . . This last item is very ^popular. The is­ land and the waters around it are very scenic ... It also has the best climate in East Africa all year round. It never gets higher than 86 or lower than 76 degrees here at any time. 'Beasts Roam Town' "Another interesting spot Is Macala in Portuguese East 'Afi'ica . . . The natives hardly ever leave home at night for fear of being caught by some of the panthers and lions that roam around the little town after dark . .. Until two years ago, all American crews were warned never to go ashore after 6 because of the hungry beasts that came out of the jungle at night. Ap­ parently some good hunters have scared the rest of them off. It's pretty safe now . . . "This is written from Laurenco Marques . . . After three more stopovers back in South Africa, we arc homeward bound for Boston ^Spider' Gets Caught In The Web Of Africa Just in case you never heard of him before, and might nevei\hear of him again, the new welter­ weight champion is a 23-year old Bostonian named Tony DeMarco. For the record, DeMarco took the title by knocking holes in Swisscheese 'champion Johnny Saxton up in Boston on April Fool's Day. Chances are that on June 10, two months and nine days later. DeMarco will no longer be cham­ pion because he has a date that night with Carmen Basilio. Offhand we don't know whether that would be the shortest tenure ever for a titleholder, but it cer­ tainly comes close. There have been other champions who held titles briefly, among them Gene Tunney when he y/as American light-heavy champion in 1922. Then of course there were the bush-leaguers Lauro Salas and Paddy DeMarco ino relation) with whom Jimmy Carter played re­ volving door in the last couple oL years. No Man Of Distinction Tony DeMarco has nothing in tne way of an impressive record, which is the reason why he was hand-picked for Saxton to fight in the first instance. In the last year, the only fighters of any distinction he met were Red Top Davis, a featherweight, and George Araujo, who once challenged for the light­ weight title with notable lack of success. The tipoff was that ti:e sports were putting three skins to one in Saxton's favor. Saxton won the title origin.iliy after a strenuous build-up during A baker on his last trip, with Bull Line, Norwood lasf provided LOG readers with a recipe for making an old-fashioned clam '35 Memento -OR BETTER MORE R)R HIM THAN MEDICINE. and New York . . ^ " 'i T.y , i- /-I yj 7 One of those old-line Maine cooks with a full stock of recipes for the real. New England-style fish and seafood ^tews and chowder, Seafarer Nelson E. Norwood now comes up with a change of pace in a pastry** batter for making eclairs or chowder like the ones for which Maine 'coasters are justly famous. cream puffs. yRoPA Ham lElL BE SLAD TO SEE 'ibu, AMP TbuR VISIT WiLt- vd 7: The LOG conducts this column as an exchange for stewards, cooks, bakers and others who'd like to share flavored recipes, little known cooking and baking hints, dishes with a national jlauor and the like suitable for shipboard and/or home use. Here's Seafarer Nelson E. Norwood's recipe for eclairs and cream puffs. 'Ben&sk KiBDicm! YET- DRoPlM AND SEE THAT OlX> SHlPMAlE OF YOURS Aibw iNiHE HOSPITAL. which his management carefully avoided tossing him in with any­ one remotely connected with ihe business end of a punch. All who saw the Saxton-Gavilan title fight of last October which Saxton "won" are unanimously agreed that it was the worst title fight in years, capped by a ques­ tionable decision. All Saxton did Was slap, clutch and clown throughout the fight, while Gavilan was about as active as the subject of a Matthew Brady photograph. They didn't need any ^ high-speed lenses to catch the action that night. Basilio, the unrecognized cham­ pion, has been thundering in -his tent up in Syracuse, New York, for several months now. Basilio will never get a job as an Arthur Murray dance teacher, and he's no speedster with his hands either. But for lack of somebody better, he is generally regarded as the class of his division. To prove it, he has been fighting middleweights and some of the stronger welter­ weights, winning with monotonous regularity. He has an awkward, crowding style, which is somehow effective and he scores regularly with a heavy left hook. Chances are that Basilio will be a lop-sided favorite when he gets into the ring with DeMarco which will be an odd situation indeed. But it will be no odder than the fact that Saxton was given a crack at the title in the first place or that anybody ever thought him worth the trouble of an extensile buildup. Digging down into his scrapbook, Seafarer Leroy Clarke, SIU agent at Lake Charle.s, La., has come up with this "oldie" taken from the deck of the SS Chiriqui, a United Fruit Co. ship running out of Frisco to Panama in 1935 un­ der SUP contract. The boat was transferring a stowaway (seated) to another ship to re­ turn him'to Panama. Clarke, of course, is the man with the boathook. His varied career ha.s taken him from Grand Bank fishing boats and shoreside restaurants to deepsea ships with the SIU since 1939. However, he's just as proud of his breads, especially brown bread, which is a Maine and New England specialty, as of the other items he features when he sails as a cook. His recipe here, with the amounts given below, will produce about 80 eclairs or cream puffs. The batter is the same. Here's what you need: 2 cups shortening, 4 cups water. 1 teaspoon salt, 4 cups sifted flour, 2 teaspoons bakers' ammonia (powd­ ered, not liquid), and 16-20 eggs, depending on their size. First melt the shortening (lard or oil), add the Norwood water and salt, and let the combination come to a boil. Add the flour all at once and stir it up fast until the paste leaves the side of the pan. Let it cool five minutes. Now add one egg at a time, beat­ ing each egg thoroughly into the mixture, until all the eggs are used. The batter may then be dropped with either a spoon or bag. Bake in a hot oven until the shells are nice and light, approximately 25 minutes. Fill with custard or cream. It might be a good idea at this point to start getting the next batch ready, too. The crew will probably want more; • 1 �'SFMPARBRS Page • Sixle^ CG Proposais Baffle Him If. To the Editor: Everything is fine out here on the Steel Rover (Isthmian) in Honolulu. I just read the Coast Guard's new proposals for profiling mer­ chant seamen and my first reaction is a quick burn; what's this sea life coming too, anyway. Such standards may be in order for a licensed man, but I don't think they can be applied to a working sailor. Does - the Coast Guard really expect the deck hands to v elcome these proposals with open arms? In my opinion, a man's ability to produce a day's work for the company is not limited because he may have a stiff knee joint i'or have some fin­ gers missing. By Coast Guard standards, a man could be classed "incompetent" or "unquali fled" Feil very easily. After I read the proposed pro­ filing system's inspection of a deck hand's individual behavior pattern, I wasn't sure whether I was the village idiot or not. Under the col­ umn heading "Emotional Stabil­ ity," if a man is not calm, cooper­ ative, interested or alert, he prob­ ably would be stuck with a label as a "psychoneurotic" or worse. Of course, the answer is simple. Now that the Hoover Commission has come up with the moldy idea of closing all the marine hospitals, why don't they just fire all the present sailors, hire a new ci'op from "Muscle Beach," and throw us all in the booby-hatch. What's this sea life coming to— huh? Bill Feil 4< MMG Is Tops^ Iti'other Says To the Editor: I'm sending you my change of address so that you can continue to send me the LOG. I would like to compliment you on your punctuality in sending the LOG to me, and I would also like to say that I think the LOG is the outstanding union publication in circulation today. Thomas L. Teeara 4« P Ir . t 4" lAiwson Crewmen On Shuttle Run To the Editor: I thought you might like to know that this ship, the George A. Lawson (Pan-Oceanic) has been on the Japan-Korea shuttle for the past eight months and this has Ijeen a good deal thanks to good chow and good cooperation from topside. This crew has given a vote of thanks to the steward department for the good meals it has'put out and especially wants to commend Jimmy Cox for his fine baking. The crew has also given a vote of thank.s to our skipper. Even though we were in Pusan at the time, we had a very enjoy- LETTERS' able Christmas and New Year's holiday, with fine meals and the mess and recreation rooms excel­ lently decorated with all the holi­ day trappings by Steve Mosakowski. John Sweeney Ship's delegate Leaves The Sea —Not The Fish To the Editor: After 10 years of sailing SIU ships with the very best union there is in existence, I decided to try shoreside life for a while. So, with Henry Laired as my partner, I have opened the L & R Fish Market at 400 North Joachim St., Mobile. Henry and I would like to see our many friends, and they all have a standing invitation to drop in if they are down this way. Incidentally, I hope you will note my new address and continue to send me the LOG there. I will close with the hope that good fortune continues to follow the SIU brothei-hood. Eldon (Bill) Ray (Ed vote: Your change of ad­ dress has been noted. You will continue to receive the LOG. reg­ ularly. ) t> if Wants LOG Sent To Keep in Touch To the Editor: I have been sailing on SIU ships for the past three years and have been amazed at the wonderful con­ ditions which the Union has won. Right now, I am on Tinos Is­ land, Greece, as I have come back here to see my family after a long absence. I will be here many months and while I am away, I would like to receive the LOG at this address. Although I will be away from ships and from my brothers for some time, I would still like to keep in touch and learn all about the SIU. Andreas Velalopoulos (Ed. note: The LOG will be sent to you regularly at your new address.) X if if by setting up hospitalization plans, both for themselves and their fami­ lies, through their respective wel­ fare plans. To the Editor: Right now I am one of the SIU Wants SIU Program crew on the Sandcaptain, down As we Seafarers know, our SIU here in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and has always been the pioneer and I have just finished reading the March 4th issue of the SEA­ leader in the maritime field, and FARERS LOG, telling about the therefore I think we should again Hoover report which proposes the give very serious consideration to closing of US Public Health Serv­ the matter of setting up some sort ice hospitals and thus would de­ of hospitalization insurance pro­ prive American seamen of the gram. We all know that much consider­ medical and hospital care which they have every right to obtain. ation of such a program has al­ ready been given by our members, Will Do Share and much investigation and This Hoover report, which would groundwork has already been done strike a crippling blow to US mer-" by our Welfare Services Depart­ chant seamen under the guise of ment. But so far the program has "economy," makes the future of not become a reality and I think the TISPHS hospitals look mighty we should strive to that end. black. I know At the time that- initial surveys that our Union— as it always has of such a program were made, I done in the past was told by our Welfare Services —wiil fight tooth director that considerable mpney and nail to keep would be needed because many hos­ the USPHS hos­ pitals and clinics would have to be pitals alive. And contacted in order to assure the I am also con­ members proper treatment and fident that the service. Assessment Is Okay individual Sea­ Jellette farers will do Apparently, insufficient funds is their share in this fight by writing what is holding up this prograi^, letters of protest to their Senators and so I say that if we cannot ob­ and Congressmen in Washington. tain sufficient funds out of em­ Remember, boys, this Hoover ployers' contributions to our Wel­ proposal is just a carbon copy of fare Plan, then we should assess the one that Mrs. Hobby tried,to ourselves, year by year, to meet the shove across before, which was cost. voted down by Congress last year I again urge that this matter of after a heavy protest fiom seamen, a hospitalization assessment be including Seafarers. This shows brought to a vote on the floor. I am that we did it before and we can do sure that if our members approve it again, if we put our shoulders it, our officials and Welfare Sefvto the wheel. ices director can work out a hos­ At the same time, however, I pitalization program that will be of strongly feel that all American inestimable benefit to every SIU merchant seamen should, take im­ member. John Jellette mediate steps to protect themselves Urges Hospital Plan For Union When Men Were 'Boys' Rt§ttei'-IJp Time is iiet*e Again To the Editor: Now that baseball is back and is one of the most talked-about subjects again, everyone is team­ ing up and pairing off against the next guy. Tommy Doyle and his "shallow water" boys, way down yonder in New Orleans, have rigged a team and are prepping 'to take on all comers. "They go to bat against some crackerjack team from the West bank of the Mississippi some time this month. Scirana is man­ ager, and Dpnohue (Pat's brother) is captain. By the way. Tommy is official batboy. As he says, all he can catch is a few cold ones. Percy Boyer Burly Memories of days gone by are recalled by SIU oldtimer Percy Boyer (3rd from right) in this tintype of 15 years ago, taken at a dockside canteen in Buenos Aires. All the faces are familiar, ex­ cept for the man at Percy's left, the local shoemaker. We don't know what happened to him. The rest are all still active in the SIU. Pictured (1-r)' are Seafarers Joe Martello, Danny Byrnes, the shoemaker, Boyer, Eddie Parr and Frenchy Mouton, when they were on the old Del Sud in 1940. Parr Is now SIU Miami agent. Cun^i Go Wrong For $i srrv/vra 91 )\oi/Jvqyoo, ^" Apfii 15, ?95S LOG •V / Ltfi/epE soiX> TOMS FOR •iA ^ONSt THSfRS A UTTLS FUtST. His Prospeetin^ isnH Paging Oft To the Editor: ..Some of your readers may re­ member a story printed in the SEAFARERS LOG last year called "Seafarer Digging for Gold." The . Seafarer was my husband, Horace Curry of Mobile. Well, Curry has been from Mo­ bile to Canada, Brazil, Venezuela and Trinidad, but he hasn't found the gold. This doesn't stop him, however; he's still looking. Meanwhile, this is my first letter to the LOG, but I had to write. think the Union has done wonders' for its members. Keep the good work going. (Mrs.) J. Horace Curry if if Urges issue Of 'SiU Guidebook' To the Editor: I'd like to make life suggestion that the SIU publish in one con­ cise, easy-to-understand pamphlet all the material which a guy on a ship or ashore could use for quick reference. A booklet like this could include the working agreements between the companies and the Union, the SIU constitution, the complete re­ quirements of the SIU Welfare Plan and Vacation Plan and any­ thing else like this pertaining to the benefits offered by our fine organization. It would make things simple for everyone to check on a moment's notice. As far as suggestions go, I'd like to second the idea put forward by brother Sven Stockmarr recently in the SEAFARERS LOG which urged the use of pictures of the brothers Involved along with the "Final Dispatch" column. Some­ times this is the only way we can identify a de­ parted brother, since often we Cousins. never use more than a nickname for a new shipmale, and don't know the man's real name until we i-ead his version of the trip in the LOG. Incidentally, the United Sea­ men's Service club here in Pusan, Korea, was shut down for a while by the provost marshal after a little ruckus took place there .^late in February. We are patiently waiting for it to reopen again soon, as we are idle here, waiting for the completion of loading while we age of SEAFARfiRS LOGs here By the way, there is a real short­ age of SEAFARERS LOGS here at the club and more can i-eally be used. C. L. "Buddy" Cousins (Ed. note: The USS Club in Pu­ san, according to the NY office of the organization, reopened again last month after a brief lapse. LOGs are being sent there regu­ larly, in response to your request. A "Seafarer's Guide," including the material you mention, has' been under consideration for some time. Plans will be announced as they develop.) By Bernard Sedn^an OfnLj. 6ies4^ BM/N^ �* iWH Pat* Scrcnteca SEAFMKEtLS 'tOG ... DIGEST oE SHIPS* MEETINGS ... ROBIN TUXRORD <t«it Shipping)/ JanMary 30 — Chairman, F. Da Baaumont; •acratary, C. Mathaws. Several complainta about food. Conduct of chief steward to be brought before patrolman at a crew meeting after ship docks in New York. Appreciation voted to galieyman for his excellent work ax night cook and baker and second cook during illness of regular second cook, night conk and baker. SEATRAIN NEW. YORK (Saatrain) Fabruary 13—Chairman, W. Doak; Saeratary, J. Cole. Ship's delegate will speak to the chief engineer about low pressure on drinking fountain. Crewmembers were asked to cooperate and return cups to pantry. Canvas covers requested for ventilators down below during cold weather. ^Balance in ship's fund $65.80. Ship requests a pocketbook library from SlU.VAL CHEM (Valentine) Fabruary 15— Chairman, J. Karl; Secretary, L. Hagmann. A special meeting was called due to the crowded condition in the deck department quarters. Crewmembers of that department voted to give the cap­ tain 24 hours notice not to sail the ship unless they' get one additional foc'sle. February 17—Chairman, J. Parker; Sec­ retary, J. Vandenbarg. The steward was asked to put out an assortment of fruit .at night, and to sed that the milk is thawed out before serving. A new TV set will cost around $235. MARY ADAMS (Bloomfleld), February 12 — Chairman, Al Wile; Secretary, O. Smith. A motion was made that the* ship's delegate be instructed to report at regular ship's meeting any fights that take place aboard ship. The steward department was given a vote of thanks for a job well done. ship's delegate will sea the master about the threa dapartments. A vota of thanks having deck department foc'slas and pas­ was flvan to tho ataward dapartmant, sageways sougeed. ROBIN 6RAY (tail Shipping), D6camARCHERS HOPE (Cltlas tarvica), Feb­ bar !•—Chairman, J. HIghant; Sacratary, ruary 23—Chairman, W. Adamsi Secre­ B. Slald. Motion mada and carriad to tary, B. Padgett. Ship's delegate saw tiie have patrolman check alopchest bafora captain about having rooms painted. Ail signing ai'llclea. General diacusaiun on men on standby be sure to make coffee ship's stores. Washing machine in bad condition and laundry has no scupper. for all hands on holidays. Ice box in galiey needs repairs. STEEL SURVEYOR (Isthmian), Fabru­ STEEL TRAVELER (Isthmian), Febru­ ary 10—Chairman, H. Hutcharion; Sacre1ary,.H. Rosecrans. Cooka wlU tender­ ary 21—Chairman, A. Shrlmpton; Sacra­ ize steaks. Suggestions welcomed for tary, D. Moon. Captain agreed to paint new suggestions to menus. Recreation all foc'sles next voyage. There is a sura room will be locked in port. Checkers of $60 In the ship's fund. Motion made and carried that the messhaU chairs be will be fed after the crew. secured as a safety precaution. This PORTMAR (Caimar), February 16— crew goes on record as being in favor Chairman, C. Martin; Sacratary, F. Buhl. of the existing traveler's check system. Crewmembers agreed that all beefs A motion was carried that the crew fol­ should be taken to the department dele­ low up the recent write-up in the LOG gates and not to the Union hall Individu­ regarding installing air conditioning on ally. A vote of thanks was given to th( Isthmian ships on the Persian Gulf run. ship's delegate and the caoks and mes.s- A. hearty vote of thanks given to the boys. A motion was made and carried steward and his entire department for to request large wooden lockers installed the fine meals served throughout the in crew foe'slcs. Stores will be checked four month trip. The ship's delegate with delegates before start of next trip. thanked the crew for its cooperation. All hands agreed that this trip was a ROBIN KIRK (Robin), Dtcembar 1«— good one and that harmonious relations Chairman, A. Thompson; Secretary, A. prevailed throughout.- . Notturno. Motion made that a more ANTINOUS (Watsrman), Fabruary 12— adequate Sea Chest be provided for the Chairman, M. Duat; Secretary, H. B|er- ship. A suggestion was made that engi­ ring. Ship's delegate reported contact­ neers be contacted about fixing leaks in ing New, Orleans patrolman pertaining laundry. Crewmembers were asked to be to un.safe deck cargo. Captain agreed considerate of the men off watch sleep­ to remedy situation in future. Balance ing. in ship's fund $21.81 and a suggestion STEEL EXECUTIVE (Isthmian), Janu­ was made not to increase tame as there might be a tendency to use an excessive ary 33—Chairman, R. Cummings; Secre­ fund foolishly. Baker asked crewmem­ tary, E. M. Watts. The steward depart­ bers to refrain from serving themselves ment was given a vote of thanks for the from the pantry during regular meals. fine food prepared during the hoiiddys Crewmembers were asked to take better as well as the rest of the voyage; Mo­ care of the washing machine in the tion made and carried that the ship's delegate l>e allowed ample time with the future. boarding patrolman to get beefs squared away without interference from the rest ALCOA ROAMER (Alcoa), February 21 —Chairman, L. Moora; Sacratary, R. of the crew: Deck department delegate Palmer. Ship's delegate spoke on bring­ suggested that tlie mate be contacted and ing ship in clean. Everything running asked to have a dodger board installed oh the foc'sle to protect the man on smoothly aboard with no beefa. watch. WARRIOR (Waterman), Fabruary <— Chairman, J. Crews, Jr.; Secretary, M. Elliott. A suggestion was made that delegates be changed every trip so every man has a chance at the Job and can get more experience. Crewmembers re­ minded of Sea Chest bill which should be paid, in New York at the payoff. A EVELYN (Bull), Fabruary 11—Chair­ new water cooler is needed in the engine man, F. Wtflktr; Secretary, J. Warmack. room. The ship's delegate reported that lots of ALCOA RUNNER (Alcos), February 13 painting has been done and lots more — Chairman, R. Egan; Secretary, W. will be done on next voyage. Discus­ Kavitt. Ship's delegate talked on per­ sion on pantryman not doing his work formers, and said beefs should be properly, and he goes to the captain brought up in the proper manner. Crew with beefs about the steward. Crewmem­ goes on record to give second cook a bers were told to go to the ship's dele­ vote gf thanks for doing a fine job. The gate with beefs and not to the captain. MONEY DUE Ex-Bradford Island The follovving men should con­ tact McNutt & Nash, 84 William St., New., York 38, NY, concerning salvage money due for towing dis­ abled island trader MV T.B. Radar off Trinidad, on March 19, 1953: Henry Czer, Francis Becraft, Gote Berggren. Joseph Burns, Daniel Clapp, James Curran, Henry Czerwinski, James Elrod, Jacobus Lakwyk, Marthon Lea, Lars Lynge, Tony Maliik, Spero Manzares, Homer Paschall, Joseph Puglisi, John Bounds, Marvin Sparrow, Eugene Stinehelfer, John Tierney. t Ex-Victory Carriers Checks for retroactive wages have been returned to Victory "Car­ riers, Inc., 655 Madison Ave., New York 21, NY, as unclaimed and may be obtained by writing the com­ pany: SS Ames Victory, Joseph V. Bissonnett, Joseph J. Penner; SS Jefferson City Victory, John C. Martin, Carmelo Murphy, David Raynes; SS Longview Victory, Rob­ ert E. Ayers, Raymond J. Knoles, Thomas C. Riley; SS Mankato Vic­ tory, James A. Slay; SS Northwest­ ern Victory, Henry N. Grant, John W. Williamson. ft Ex-John C. Checks covering retroactive wages on the above vessel can be obtained by writing or calling At­ lantic Carriers, Inc., 29 Broadway, New York 4, NY. • ~ ^ Puzzle Answer S][!]S QSBQia QQQ @•013 SESQEi BBS 30Q[1I3 3SIES @0 @Q[iB3 ESS @33301 SSH ANN MARIE (Bull), February 14—Chair­ man, E. Dakin; Sacratary, L. Caldaron. The chairman told the crew that there is a good aupply of clgarettea for the trip and informed them that the master has enougii cash on hand to give a draw before getting to Boston. Discussion on cleaning the laundry. It was agreed to be cleaned on a weekly rotary basis by Louis EuEcne Barch Contact Bull Steamship Com­ pany, 115 Broad St., New York, NY, or the nearest office of the US Immigration and Naturaliza­ tion Service. 4, Jim Babaccia Get in touch with Slaid c/o the Lake Charles SIU hall. 4 4. 4. Preston J. Stevens Please get in touch with Harold J. Lamy c/o Dodd, Hirsch and Bar­ ker, 709 Carondelet Building, New Orleans, or call Canal 7265. 4" 4^ 4i(» Crew complalnloc because ship's officers, custom guards and their friends go Into tho crew pantry and eat up aU the night lunch. Department delegates wiU see the captain about this in addition to keeping longshoremen from the crew quarters. MICHAEL (Carrat), January 2—Chair­ man, F. Israll; Secretary, W. Lleberman. Fans are needed In foc'sles, galley and pantry. .Ship's fund totals $25.71^ and donations will be taken from crewmem­ bers. The clock in the galley should be fixed. An iron will be purchased. SANTA VENETIA (Elam), December 12 —Chairman, E. Black; Secretary, W. Nesta. Crew was asked to make less noise in passageways, and to keep the pantry and messhaU cleaner at night. January 15—Cltairman, J. Smith; Sec­ retary, J. Haynes. Crew's radio is in Baltimore hall being repaired. Ship's delegate reported that the captain will put. out a $25 draw for all hands on reaching port. Motion made and carried that water tanks be examined and if nec­ essary cleaned and cemented. Steward requested one man from each depart­ ment check stores coming aboard in States. Slopchest for next voyage should be checked for items and sizes. ARCHERS HOPE (Cities Service), Jenuary 29—Chairman, C. Kaust; Secretary, B. Padgett. Department delegates were asked to get up a, repair list. A vote of thanks was given to the steward depart­ ment for the good chow and to the messman, especially, with the extra daymen to serve. ALCOA CORSAIR (Alcoa), JanuarySO— Chairman, T. Costello; Secretary, James M. Nelson. Crewmembers made a col­ lection of tl05 and it was sent to a brother who had to get off the ship be­ fore sailing as his baby died. Sugges­ tion made to stop using coffee cups for ash trays, and to buy ail crew movies in the port of Mobile instead of New Or­ leans. $219.50 in the ship's fund. VENORE (Ore), January 2—Chairman, J. Kearney; Secretary, J. Oliver. The steward department was given a vote of thanks. A ship's delegate was elected. A motion was made and carried to see the patrolman for fans ift recreation * ANTINOUS (Waterman), January 30— room. Chairman, J. Charamie; Secretary, R. BENTS FORT (Cities Service), January Guild. Deck cargo aft considered unsafe for crew. Discussion on men missing 6—Chairman, Ben Martin; Secretary, ship. The. electrician is not permitted to Robert Hammond. Headquarters was no­ change bulbs on weekend. Men in en­ tified about the coffee and the soap pow­ gine department complained they are re­ der. Each member of the engine depart­ quired to stan^ by on weekends to blow ment donated $1 to the ship's fund. Sev­ eral complaints on the food situation. tubes. Ship's delegate urged men to take dele­ TAGALAM (Seatrade), January 5 — gate posts aboard ships, and the meeting Chairman, T. J. Cennell; Secretary, J. A. positions as well, stating that he feels Menville. The Tagalam was .laid up in it is a bookman's responsibility to the Seattle for eight months and in very bad Union and his book to hold such shape, so the crew has taken a pledge positions. to make it a clean SIU ship by sougeeCOEUR d'ALENE VICTORY (Victory ing, chipping and painting. February 1—Chairman, T. Connellr Sec­ Carriers), January 15—Chairman, W. Zaretary, J. Menvllla. The washing ma­ leski; Secretary, W. Fisher. Delegates chine needs repairing. Suggestion made were asked to make up repair lists so to have a jar placed on the table at that all work can be done aboard ship payoff for the March of Dimes, and all that is possible before arrival in the money donated will be turned over to States. Departments will rotate in tak­ the patrolman. The Tagalam isn't what ing care of the recreation room and the slie was on the beginning of this trip. laundry. The crew did a very good job, and wilh ROYAL OAK (Cities Service), no datea little more work and paint the ship Chairmen, C. Gillespie, Jr.; Secretary, J. will be a good clean SIU ship. Wilson. Caplain requesled lliat gear of DEL VIENTO (Mississippi), January 29 seaman in hospital be brought to him, .—Chairman, H. Shiro; Secretary, P. K. for rechecking. The food should be' Chambliss. Discussion on the possibility cheeked for freshness as there has been of having the vessel stored at least oiia eonsideruble trouble with • the refrigera­ day prior to .sailing so the quality and tion. Vote of thanks given to the messquantity of stores can be .examined by man and pantryman for cleanliness. cooks and steward. STEELORE (Ore), December 29—Chair­ man, Henry Shepeta; Secretary, E. J. Debardelaben. A vote of (hanks was given to the stew-ard department for the Christmas dinner they worked so Iiard to prepare. The washing machine will )je checked when tlie ship arrives in Balti­ more. The steward will check with the port officials to ace what can be done about same. . ' SEATRAirt SAVANNAH (Seatrain), Jan­ uary 27—Chairman, S. Johnson; Secre­ tary, J. Puller. Motion made and car­ ried that ship's delegate see the chief mate about painting deck department shower and toilet. All brothers were asked to try to keep the messhaU cleaner. The ship's delegate promised to have a new work list made up concerning the cleaning of the laundry room. There has been a shortage of face towels. Crew­ members were asked to be a little more careful with them. The water fountain is leaking pretty badly. REPUBLIC (Trafalgar), February 22— Chairman, W. Barth; Secretary, D. Keddy. Ship's delegate reported that new fans are coming aboard and that port captain would inspect tlie mcssroom chairs using his judgment on repairs. Discussion held on ship's cleanliness and on some food problems. SEATRAIN TEXAS (Seatrain), Febru­ ary 20—Chairman, J. Alien; Secretary, Sir Charles. Discussion on sailing board time and the time the crew has to re­ port back to ship, and what can be done about same. A new TV set is needed aboard and facts will be obtained on same from Sea Chest at the hall. that • letter be prepared and sent to Union etating the feeling of the mem­ bers in support of the administration and affairs of the SfU, A&G District. A suggestion was made that a picture story of. the members activities be prepared and sent to the editor of the LOG. No date—Chairman, J. Denals; Secre­ tary, M. Cox. Repair list hag been turned over to the captain and copies are on hand for SIU patrolman. Wire was re­ ceived from headquarters stating that this is an organized ship. Balance in ship's fund is $23. Suggestion made that Innerspring mattresses and better linen be put aboard. A vote of thanks was given to the steward department. Tho captain reported we do not have a pen­ alty cargo. L. EMILIA (Bull), January 16—Chairman, Guelinifi; Secretary, C. KaVanagh. Ship's delegate informed deck members that mate informed him that men are to work bell to bell with no time off. The mate, emphasized the fact that the bosun is not to do any work only super­ vise. A vote of thanks was given to the steward department for the service and preparation of food. Ten innersprings are needed to replace old ones. All rooms need painting. Scuppers should be cleared to stop odors. February 16—Chairman, C. Kavanagh; Sacretary, Red Campbell. A new ship's delegate was elected. Que.stion regarding fans will be brought to the patrolman's attention. • Messman requested coopera­ tion of all hands as to keeping messroom and pantry clean. * OREMAR (Ore), March 4—Chairman, C. Milssp; Secretary, "W. Anderson. Brother Anderson reported that two men in the deck department were fired without cause. Attention was called to the fact that dockworkers have walked off with property belonging to the crew and weren't searched or challenged at the gangway. Steward was asked to leave napkins out for the night lunch. A vote of thanks was extended to the steward and his department for the good chow they have been putting out. Furuseth School To Open May 1 (Continued from page 2) upgrade their ratings and thus in­ crease their earning capacity. We will give further assurance to the operators that the SIU always can provide a stable force of competent seamen to help them meet the cut­ throat competition of 'runaway' foreign flag operators." Harrison sees the school as being a means of providing the industry with "qualified men who will aid us in the efficiency and economy of our operation. < "From the humane side, it will do much to promote the safety of men at sea and we are always in­ terested in the safety factor," he said. "We see opportunities for great advancements in the steward department, particularly with ref­ erence to training passenger ship personnel." Captain Rucker said the school appeared to him to be a "fine movement which will have farreaching effect in the direction of promoting greater safety. The Coast Guard is in favor of any program that will add to safety of men at sea." Friends of Re and Luckjf at the Hub Bar, 311 23 St., Galveston, OCEAtT DINNY (Maritime Overseas), Texas, are urged to get in touch January 2—Chairman, D. Bass; Secretary, with them. W, Miline, Motion made and carried to request SIU headquarters to provide in­ 4 41 4^ formation as to the status of this ship. A great deal of discussion regarding R. De Los Santos and Joseph whether or not brothers aboard would be Saxton, are urged to contact the issued books. A suggestion was made Seafarers Sea Chest at headquar­ CATHERINE (Dry-trans), January 25— ters, 675 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY. Chairman, L, Hailiday; Secretary, J. Sherlock. Purpose of this meeting was Edifor, 4i <4 4^ to discuss members coming back to the Bill Gonzales ship under the intluence of alcohol and SEAFARERS LOG. their shipmates. If any mem­ Van Whitney has checked your disturbing ber conducts himself in such a way that 675 Fourth Ave., gear into the headquarters baggage it is unbecoming to a Union member he Brooklyn 32. NY room. The baggage check has been will be put on charges. left in the mailroom in an en­ DEL MUNDO (Mississippi), January 31 I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG—please —Chairman, I. Brown; Secretary, J. Pocbu. velope with your name on It. put my name on your moiling list. (Print Information) i> if ti Quiz Answers Ernest E. Smallwood (1) Chief Justice Warren and NAME It Is urgent that you contact Mrs. O. G. Bowen, Fairfax Drive, Justices Black, Burton, Clark, Route 2, Fort Myers, Fla. Douglas, Frankfurter, Minton and Reed. STREET ADDRESS 4 4> t V (2) The Big Dipper. Al Caracciola (3) Culotte; the rest are head­ Please contact Ted Chinell, CITY ...ZONE STATE Purser, Pacific Far East Lines, gear. (4) 48. Pier 40, San Francisco, Calif., or (5) The Rothschilds. ^ Signed . 1556 Filbert St., San Francisco. (6) Etching. Very urgent. TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you srg an old lubtcribsr and hav# a chanq* (7) Fraternal twins. i. i. i. of addrati, plaata giva your formar addraii balow: (8) Considerably less. Anyone knowing whereabouts of (9)60. gear of Alfred Stearns who paid (10) At Concord, Massl, where ADDRESS ... off City of Alma, March 29, 1955, the first battle of the; Aiperican is urged tD^ contact the -Mobile Revolut^^ took 4CI:LY tiaaaaaaataaa «•«aa996ao9ta099«aaata$ata9aMMaM y::*j " •I - ••U - AI .•-I I m • -A" I " I M ;s; . -A I •/I -• AI -J I "••il '^1 •II �April m. 195f I SEAFARERS'L0€ ' VW* l^lrhte'cB Family Gathering At The Brown'a Homestead S E A F A R E R 8 fyi!;' • t 5 -I.H I; w.i. ' 5 SEAFARERS WELFARE, VACATION PLANS REPORT ON BENEFITS PAID T. 'war No. Seafarers ReceiTinf Benefita this Period| Average Benefit! Paid Each Seafarer Total Bencfita Paid thia Period '•^. »• .Iv.-'- ;: M, '- -I . ' WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD ivj.; ;^. Howital Benefita Death Benefita SJESJL Diaabilitv Benefit. .M4<«nity Btatfiw. ¥.L. Vacation Beneflta New twin arrivals, Ira C. (left) and Sharon join rest of family of Cecil Brown in posing for LOG photographer in their Louisiana home. Susan, 2, also brought family $200 maternity benefit and $25 US Bond as did each of the twins. Oldest daughter Margaret Ann, 4, came Into world before Union maternity benefit was instituted. All of the following SIU families 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray­ Mrs. Lawrence G. Tailey, Sr., New will collect the $200 maternity mond Torres, New Yofk, NY. Orleans, La. benefit plus a $25 bond from the $1 4/ 4^ $1 4) Union in the baby's name: Steven Eikevik, born February George Daniel Tailey, born Feb­ Elizabeth Torres, born March 6, ruary 9, 1955. Parents, Mr. and 26, 1955. Parents, Mr. .and Mrs. Bjarne Eikevik, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 4 4j' 4» Gwendolyn Jane Wiggins, born February 28, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Wiggins, Mobile, Ala. Immigration Now Spot-Checks Ships In Domestic Trades J Al. 4) 4« 4" Stricter immigration controls involving spot checks of ships Robert Thomas Brewer, born De­ even though they may not touch a foreign port have been cember 31, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Brewer, New Or­ instituted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The leans, La. spot checks involve the clear-• ance of every crewmember on dered to produce the four men at Cheryl Lynn Terry,4J'born March the ship, including all the US a Government Immigration office 16, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. citizens aboard. Failure of crew- or be penalized by a $1,000 fine James Terry, Whittier, Calif. members to .stay aboard for such for each man. This is the standard 4. 4. 4. spot checks means that both they fine imposed on the operators in Dannie Lee Darby, born Febru­ and the shipping companies can any instance of a crewmember ary 10, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. leaving a ship without clearance. Huron C. Darby, Jr., Galveston, get into hot water. Under the procedure, all ships Subsequently, two of the men Tex. arriving at any US port are re­ returned to the ship and were 4^ 41 4 quired to notify Immigration. In cleared while a third was located Ida Lee Jartin, born January 26, recent weeks Immigration has been in New Orleans. The fourth- man 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Domin­ spot checking these ships at ran­ has still not been located and is go Jartin, Bi-ooklyn, NY. dom. If the ship is ordered to being sought by the company and 4, 4> 4 await an Immigration check it the Government agency. Donna Maria Mottram, born means that every crewmember's These checks, of course, are car­ March 8, 1955. Parents, Mr. and papers must be looked over. ried out regularly on offshore Mrs. Richard P. Mottram, Murine, A recent instance involving the ships as well and involve checking Miss. Arlyn (Bull Line) is indicative of the credentials of resident and 4 4 4 how the system works. The ship non-resident aliens. This kind of Deborah Elaine Lago, born arrived at Port Sulphur, Louisiana, procedure has been carried on March 16, 1955. Parents, Mr. and from San Juan. It had not touched under the authority of "the Mc- Mrs. brison Lago, New Yoi'k, NY. at any foreign poi-t in the course of Canan Immigration Act. 4 4 4 the voyage. Nevertheless, Immigra­ Seafarers on ships in the coast­ John Joseph Cabral, born Feb­ tion came aboard to check the wise, intercoastal and islands ruary 28, 1955. Parents, Mr. and crew. trades who have been accustomed Mrs. John Cabral, Brooklyn, NY, Four of the crewmembers had to going ashore without these 4 4 4 already left the ship before they checks are advised to make sure Mary Rose Murphy, born March could be cleared by the inspector. the ship has been cleared by Im­ 9, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John As a result, the company was or­ migration from now on in. F. Murphy, Flushing, NY. ^ E A «=* A B PORT C CALL 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ••riT-. ^A\^iN\pRB Hosoitnl Benefit* P«id Since lulv 1. 1950 • | Sda Death Benefits Paid Since lulv 1. 1950 • 11/ / Oo tnS Diaabilitv Benefits Paid Since Mav 1. 1952* oo Mnternitv Benefits Paid Since AotU 1. 1952 • oo Vacation Benefits Paid Since Feb. 11. 1952 • Sf Total LSiS 3CR A ^ • D.te Benefit* Beeaa WELFARE, VACATION PLAN ASSETS CEibonHand Vacation cvKiinakca AVVOUIKV nccciTaoic VVclfErc US Government Bonds (Welfare) Real Estate (Welfare) Other Assets - Training Ship (Welfare) TOTAL ASSETS 4 r-.' 1 1 Vff'ril\t*\ tutes "iT ' /5- yy lt> mSiA y® iTSJTTir*! COWIEHTSt TUB board of truatBaa of tha Saafarara* Walfara Plan la# at tha praaant tlma* angagad in a atudy of tha banaflta which hava baan paid by tha Plan. Tha atudy la baing laada in anticipation of inereaaihg aoma of tha praaant banafita, aa wall aa nha poaaibility of adding a Depandancy Banafit in lina with tha raquaat mada by varioua allgiblaa undar thia Plan. Uhdar tbia aalf inaurad typa of plan» tha abova can ba accompliahad aisplar and chaapar than if tha Plan waa an inaurad Plan.^^^ A Submilttd ..*....4^...?.?. A1 Ketr, AssiMtmfXMnistftor ' YOUR CLAM fOR MAmSNANCe ANDO/RB,.. Ill 4 SIO 4 WELFABE SERVICES Carl Elestus Penton, born Oc­ tober 16, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jackson Penton, Pearl A/ WELFARE, VACATION BENEFITS PAID PREVIOUSLY Michael Kenneth Marple, born August 11, 1954. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth P. Marple, West Haven, Conn. Margaret Ann Bojko, born March 15, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bojko, Philadelphia, Pa. S9 /// JL June Ann Galasi born March 13, 1955. Pai-ents, Mr. and Mrs. John Galas, New York, NY. Mary Teresa Strickland, born March 13, 1955. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Leroy Strickland, Savannah,-Ga. g/eoC?ACt>^Al _IauL Ifc is vfety Impot^ayii'inc/amni^ WBiiffeJiaMce and cutis-ihat you ms-f-a shipboard wade of yout^ accidienb'endihf' you ave leavino-iiieahipfor med­ ical yfeacone. ^ve a sifiiptAAdh. Mie keex> a copy. Al^' wed/cal sli^ . If Voa have., any quesVio^, cortmcd-dh& Stu Welfaye SeK//c5e&. . BEPumnT ...J • �ldS3 SEED** THE SEi^ARERS With WALTER SIEKMANN Everybody knows the saying that it's the innocent bystander who gets it in the neck. Well Seafarer Isaac Antonio proved that very statement. Brother Antonio was trying to break up a fight out in the street near his home, and all the thanks he got for it was to get knocked down and have his right knee broken. He learned the hard way that being a peacemaker can turn into a pretty rugged job. Antonio's last ship was the Seanan and he was steward aboard her. He's been in the hospital about three weeks .now and hopes to be up and around before too long. Among the other brothers at the hospital is Sea­ farer Philip Korol, who is getting treatment for a back injury. He was BR on the Alcoa Runner when he got hurt and after being- treated in a hospital in Ponce, Puerto Rico, was sent back to the States. For a while he was getting outpatient treatment here but the condition kept getting worse so he was admitted to. the hQspital on April 6. Seafarer George Herrman, who was on the Archers Hope his last trip out, has been readmitted to Staten Chirichella Island for further treatment. Dominic Chirichella, AB off the Sandcaptain, entered the hospital for an operation on March 30. He's in fine shape now and should be discharged by the time this appears in print. The doctors have R. C. Caraballu, messman off the Jean, under study to find out what caused his stomach ailment. He entered the hospital on April 6. The day before that. Seafarer Newton Eddington came in for treatment of a gall bladder ailment. Eddington was oiler on the Seatrain New York. Seafarer John Hawkins, OS off the Steel Appren­ tice, is being treated for a cyst on the base of his spine. Hernia trouble has put Francisco Pineiro out of action for a while. He was FWT on the Greece Victory. A skin condition put Brother B. Hanssen in the hospital for treatment. He has a rash on his hands which keeps him froip doing his work in the steward department and the doctors are trying to clear it up. Pineiro He was on the Seagarden on his last trip. Olav Seim, who was oiler on the Steel Admiral, is being treated for an attack of malaria. Seafarers In Hospitals usPHS HosprrAi. BALTIMORE. MD. George Anderson Thomas Mungo George D. Olive George Bekken Fred Pittman Alvln L. Blain JoRph Prabeck Lorenzo Brigida' , Harry Rochkind L. J. Brllhart Ralph Ruff Joseph Backer Robert W. Scales Byrd O. Buzbee John R. Schuitz Jessie A. Clarke A. E. Seegmiiler Victor B. Cooper Edward Sescrko Leo A. Dwyer John Simpson Gorman T. Glaze Robert Smith Roy M. Hawes R. H. Soiheim Edward Huizenga Norman T. Jackson John Straka Joseph C. Lcwallen Warren O. Whitmer Robert McCorkel John C. Mitchell G. Manila Henrich Wiese Tony Mastantino Robert J. Wiseman WUliam J. Mellon USPHS HOSPITAL BOSTON. MASS. Alfred A. Hancock USPHS HOSPITAL STATEN ISLAND. NY. A. J. Andersen Serafin G. Lopez Dusan DeDuisin John McKarek Perfecto Manguel Hipolito DeLeon Jorge J. Marrero C. E. Flikins Michael Michalik Gerald Fitzjames Paige A. Mitchell Theodore Gerber George Robinson Estell Godfrey Jose Rodriguez Robert F. Grant Matti Ruusukalllo Fred Hauser Howard Sanders D. Kaim Joseph J. Keating Aaron Sasser Norman D. Wilson Adolph Kubacki T. Larsen USPHS HOSPITAL MANHATTAN BEACH. BROOKT.VN, NY. Fortunato Bacomo James R. Lewis Frank W. Bemrick Arthur Lomas Claude F. Blanks • Francis F. Lynch Joseph D. McGraw Robert L. Booker A. McGuigan Joseph G. Carr Vic MUazzu Jar Chong Walter W. Denley Melvin O. Moor* Joseph Neubauer 4ohn J. Driscoll Daniel F. Ruggiano Bart E. Guranick Wade H. Sexton Taib Hassen' George E. Shumaker Thomas Isaksen E. R. Smallwood John W. Keenan John R. Klemowicz Henry E. Smith Ludwig Kristiansen Renato A. Villata Frederick Landry Virgil E. Wilmoth James J. Lawlor Chee K. Zal Kaarel Lcetmaa Put Number On Meeting Excuses Seafarers sending telegrams or letters to the New' York headquarters dispatcher asking to be excused from attending headquarters membership meetings must Include the reg­ istration. number of their shlppfhg card in the message. From now on. If the number Is not included, the excuse can­ not be accepted by the dis-patcher. r Pagf Mnstem SEAFARERS'LOC MAINE GENERAL HOSPITAL PORTLAND. MAINE Lionel O. Chapman USPHS HOSPITAL SAVANNAH. GA. Rufus L. Fields Louis C. Miller Samuel N. Hurst James T. Moora Jimmic Littleton John H. Morris Angelo J. Martins Wallace W. Sweat USPHS HOSPITAL DETROIT. MICH. Tim Burke USPHS HOSPITAL MEMPHIS. TENN. Charles Burton USPHS HOSPITAL LEXINGTON, KY. George O. Chaudion USPHS HOSPITAL FORT WORTH, TEXAS Benjamin F. Deibler Jose Santiago Virgil L. Harding Edward J. Toolan SAILORS SNUG HARBOR STATEN ISLAND. NY. Joseph Koslusky * USPHS HOSPITAL NORFOLK, VA. John J. Blpere Francis J. Boner USPHS HOSPITAL HOUSTON, TEXAS Benjamin F. Grice Earl Alverson Alexander P. Copa John E. Markopolo Jack Maya Roy E. Curtis Fred Fall William G. Trie* John Grassl USPHS HOSPITAL ' SEATTLE, WASH. K. Abarons John Kasigian James Dewell Raindo Mora William J. Frick Motomu Musashl Sverre Johannessen Jack R. Simison W. A. Johnston George J. Wanka USPHS HOSPITAL NEW ORLE.ANS, LA. William Brewer Kenyon Parks C. G. Crcvier Wallace Pratts John Doyle R. A. Ratcliff T. L. Dugan N. Reznichenko Charles Ellzey - Gleason St. Germain Henry L. Falgout Thomas A. Scanlon Leo Fontcnot Benjamin C. Seal William Grimes Edward J. Stevens Earl T. Hardeman Luiuilo R. Tickle E. G. Knapp Dick Visser Leo H. Lang Dolphus D. Walker Jean Latapie James E. Ward Plere LeBlanc Maurice A. Webra James M. Lucky David A. Wright ^onso Olaguibel VETERANS HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS. LA. Floyd F, LUes CHARITY HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS. LA. George W. Books USPHS HOSPITAL . SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF. Marcelo B. Belen John F. Murphy . Salvatore J. Guiffre Joseph Perreira Merle Houx Clyde J. Smith Jr. Aloyslus Kessen Norman West Robert Lambert P. S. Yuzoa C. McBrien KINGSBRIDGE VA HOSPITAL „ BRONX. NY. James Kennedy SlU's Reputation Meets The Test The SIU's reputation for making good on blood donations stood the test again recently. As a result, the wife of Seafarer John Jellette is out of danger after hovering on the brink for several hours. the hall for help. He got in tou^i called the hospital and informed' Jellette had just returned with a Welfare Services represen­ them that the Union was ready to home from an SIU ship when tative at headquarters and ex­ replace any and all transfusions his wife was, taken critically plained his needs. Unfortunately promptly on Monday. With this as­ ill at their home in Brooklyn. She was rushed to Prospeet Heights Hospital where Jellette was told that several blood transfusions were needed immediately to keep her alive. Jellette's first thought was to call it was a Saturday afternoon, and since dispatching was over for the day, there was nobody around the hall to turn to on the problem. Go-Ahead Signal Here's wher^ the Union's "credi?' stood the test. Welfare Services The 'New' Tommy Moore Ready To Make Debut The value of both the Public Health Service hospitals and of the SIU Welfare Plan has been written up many times on these pages, but it would be hard to find somebody more ap­ preciative of these two organ-• izations than Seafarer Tommy ' the items he consumed in an hour Moore. After 3V2 years in and and 20 minutes were 18 feet of surance, the hospital went ahead and gave Mrs. Jellette four trans­ fusions which pulled her through the crisis. On Monday arrangements were made with the local Red Cross chapter and four Seafarers, Brinkeroff. House, Coutant and Bram­ ble, went to th^ local Red Cross offices to make up for the trans­ fusions. Mrs. Jellette is now doing nicely and is well on the road to recovery. This latest instance is only one of several in which the Union has been able to get immediate help for Seafarers or members of their families by pledging replacement of transfusions. Because the Union has liverfup to its obligations time and again, most hospitals in the metropoiitan New York area will go ahead with transfusions without delay. The same is true, of course, of the Public Health Service hospital in Staten Island where it has been general policy to provide as much blood as needed for Seafarers with the assurance that the Union, when asked, ^ would make up for any drain on the hospital's blood sup­ plies. The only reason that a Union blood bank has not been es­ tablished at the hospital is because of lack of space and personnel. At other Public Health Service hospitals, such as in New Orleans, the Union has a blood bank of its own to which Seafarers donate regularly, providing assurance that their Union brothers will have all the blood they need in any emer­ gency. "I am deeply grateful" Jellette said, "as is^iy wife, for the gen­ erous response to my appeal. It sure feels good to belong with such brothers to .the SIU who truly live up to the inscription on the Union button, 'Brotherhood of the Sea.'" out of the Savannah USPHS'hos­ Vienna sausage, eight cans of sar­ pital, Moore is hopeful of being dines, four cans of salmon, four discharged shortly, 280 pounds cans of pork and beans, three links lighter than when he entered and of smoked sausage each 12 inches in good health again. long, a quart of buttermilk, large Through all those trying months loaf of bread and a quarter pound one thing that helped sustain him was the interest of his Union and the financial help received in the form of the $15 weekly hospital benefit. Since the SIU benefit is paid for as long as it is needed, Moore has been receiving it since back in >1951 with the exception of a lengthy period in 1953-1954 when he was not hospitalized. All told, the figures show he received over $1,700 in benefits. Moore entered the hospital origi­ nally for a throat operation and treatment of arthritis. At the time, November, 1951, he tipped the beam at 427 pounds, obviously a complicating factor in his arthritis and an extremely serious health hazard of its own. At last word, he had lost 15 inches from his 54-inch Tommy Moore in 1952. waistline and weighed 160 pounds. He expects to take off another 10 of potato salad. Needless to say he pounds before he leaves the hos­ won a bet he made on the outcome. pital. But all that is behind him now. Active Athlete From now on in, Moore looks for­ Moore's weight problem grew ward to leading-a normal life and like anybody's—from eating too hopes his former shipmates wilL much. The 42-year-old Seafarer abandon the nickname "Skoko" recalls that he was always bulky they attached to him after a wellas a youngster, but that didn't keep known shortening product of the The deaths of ihk following Sea­ him from being hale, hearty and same name. farers have been reported to the "I can't say too much," Moore active. He played football in high Seafarers Welfare Plan and the school and was a crack swimmer, said "in thanking Dr. Zeigler and $2,500 death benefits are being the entire staff of the Savannah participating in many Savannah paid to their beneficiaries: Kiver swimming meets including hospital for the wonderful care I've one 20-mile run down to Tybee Is­ Melvin N. McQuiddy, 46: On land in which he managed to cover September 12, 1954, Brother Mc­ 18 of the 20 miles. Quiddy died of heart disease in Couldn't Get Clothes Galveston, Texas. He started sailing regularly In Burial took place the SIU in 1942. In 1943 he was at the Forest torpedoed on the General James Park Cemetery Oglethorpe and had his first ex­ in Galveston. perience with the disadvantages of Brother McQuiddy bulk. All his gear had been lost joined the Union on the vessel and he had been in 1952 and had given a dunking in the North At­ been sailing in lantic besides. When the rescue the engine department. He is sur­ ship took him and other crewmemvived by his brother, Mr. B. W. bers to Londonderry, Ireland, there McQuiddy of Ogden, Utah. were no clothes availa"Ble to fit him iS* i* 4" and he had to wear a trench coat, Trlpo Vldovlch, 62: On February shoes and scarf until he could'get 11, 1955, Brother Vidovich died of to Belfast and get appropriate a heart ailment gear. At the time he wore size 48 while sailing pants. arfooard the SS Moore always had an avid ap­ Winter Hill. Burpetite and before he went to sea, ial took place at The "new" Tommy Moore. he would always work in places St. Joseph's Cem­ that had food or served food. Much received all along. That goes too etery in Camden, of his time was spent in local drug for the great help I've gotten all New Jersey. Join­ store-luncheonettes like Walgreen, along from the Union. ing the Union in Inman's and the Hotel De Soto in 1952, in San Fran­ "I don't think there's another Savannah. cisco, Brother union anywhere that would have On one occasion he was written stuck with a member-for as Ion? Vidovich had been sailing in the up in Ripley's "Believe It. or Not" as the SIU did for me. As far as engine department. He is survived after he.starred in an eating con­ I'm concerned there's none better by his wife, Mrs. Mary Vidovich test at Inman's in 1934.' AtAtmg than the SFCTWelfafe Plan." • - Of•Xafflden; "Flew Jersey; DISPATCH i •-s -.I j I 1' - fJ. I I II I �•- SEAFARERS • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL ITN I O N • LOG ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL • til s. Announcing ESTABLISHMENT OF Ife- aoss w I SEAFAREltS Ivaf;;-' i: LOG . --|g Ji;i >'• B BV" m::. To Men of the Seafarers Int'l Union, A&G District, AFL "for outstanding contributiont toward bettering the SEAFARERS LOG and for constructive aid to the SlU/If Ife" •Ei--.' 1^/ Seafarers and readers everywhere have long found the SEA< FARERS LOG to be.an Interestingly different union newspaper —a fact that has led to the LOG winning a sizable number ofowards in trade union journalism. That "something" that has made the LOG different is un­ questionably a result of the letters, poems, photographs, and, drawings sent in by Seafarers from snips and ports throughout the v/orfd. l-wf-' 1^- m m- •. •^• fc-:: : This direct participation in the Union newspaper by Seafar­ ers has served to make the LOG truly a newspaper of, by and for the membership. Moreover, membership participation in the newspaper fias served as a means of bringing forth fdeai and suggestions for Union action on fronts beneficial to Sea­ farers. ifi- b'lV].. fc:>- ISWijj':.;-'/:; ' ISfc'feit-; Bi,'-/"!.!-. •• ••' • -• ; f/'Vi •' ' In order to give recognition and honor to these membership contributions as well as encourage greater participation, the SfU is establishing the SEAFARERS LOG Awards, The SEA­ FARERS LOG Awards will cover the four topics listed below. Everything published in the LOG during 1955 is eligible. At -the end of the year, the editors of the LOG will go bock • through all the issues and select the outstanding examples in these four fields for awards. The presentations will be made early next year. P;. '-.x _ 4V -.y . .. .-.L': .! . - J - • An award to the Seafarer whose letter offers the best proposal in behalf of the member$hi|S or for the bed! Letters. ......... .letter expressing the feeling of a Seafarer on a particular issue. MI Im'-W-^-r . ligiti- •' Photographs t - : ;. I e 'e' e '« e' An award to the. Seafarer whose photograph or photograph! the editors feel hai the greatest reader appeal'' OP best illustrates Seafarers at work or at play. ^ Poetry. ......... .An award for the poem which the editors feel has literary merit and Isdn the tradition of the sed. ^ * Drawings. ...... .. i An award for the pen and ink drawing showing quaiity and originality based on marltimi or teiated.experlencei. � 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 15, 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. 8 Description An account of the resource Headlines: ILA CRIMP RIG MILKS SEAMEN NEW SIU TRAINING SCHOOL TO START CLASSES MAY 1 SIU PENSION, FAMILY CARE STUDIED BY WELFARE PLAN MOBILE HALL WORK DELAYED SIU OF NA ROUTS BRIDGES BY 4 TO 1 IN 3-DEP'T VOTE LOG TO GIVE OWN 'OSCARS' FOR 1955 SIU CREWS AND MEETINGS BACK LUNDEBERG STAND EX-SAILOR WRITES HISTORICAL NOVEL SEE NO JOB LOSS IN SALE OF WATERMAN TO MCLEAN FAMILIAR 'W' TO VANISH FROM SEA 'LORETTA' DIES IN BALTIMORE RENAME SIU FRIEND LA. AFL HEAD CS ORDERS 3RD SUPER TANKSHIP LOUISIANA LABOR BACKS SIU'S HOSPITAL FIGHT FRENCH DEPUTIES URGE ACTION ON 'RUNWAYS' REPORT RAKES MSTS COMPETITION WITH PRIVATELY-OPERATED SHIPPING ALA. CUTS FISHERMEN GAS TAXES DRUG 'TRAPS,' STRICT CUSTOMS PLAGUE SEAFARERS IN FAR EAST FINAL VICTORY TRAINING PROGRAM MR. CURRAN AND HIS RECORD OF FLIP FLOPPING FLIT FLIES ON STEEL SEAFARER - PAINTING JOB GETS NOWHERE MANY SERVICES AT GENOA CLUB REVOLT BREWS - 'POINTERMAN' LEADING WAY 'SPIDER' GETS CAUGHT IN THE WEB OF AFRICA SIU'S REPUTATION MEETS THE TEST THE 'NEW' TOMMY MOORE READY TO MAKE DEBUT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 4/15/1955 1955 Periodicals Seafarers Log