http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/15ccd14b3efa7f8bdab0c272c1f98faf.PDF bd641380e0a689dee3bacf6f58398350 PDF Text Text ••• wr SEAFARERS :*.v LOG ••'•M • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULFJ)ISTRICT • AFL-CIO • Transfers Responsible: US FORCED TO WAIVE 50% CARGO RULE Story On Page 3 Curran's Shabby Formula There's a certain wry humor in the sight of Joe Curran pos­ ing as the high priest of the labor movement. His constant self-glorification ^nd his indignation at the AFL-CIO and the marine unions are obviously transparent devises, Curran's ridiculous posturing will never earn him a card in Actor's Equity, Curran has been working the "I'm high and mighty" pitch for years while operating simultaneously on the other side of the street. His American Coal tactics have followed the, same tattered formula. For example: • He first betrayed the officers unions so that a company union could hire ships' officers off street corners, then he denounced the unions as "playing the SIU game." • He desperately tried to give a gloss of respectability to the com­ pany union (which owns a big piece of the company), although it threw away seamen's rights under the Jones Act, rights which Andy Furuseth fought to get for four decades. • He hollered for the AFL-CIO to slap the SIU down, and confi­ dently predicted SIU's downfall, while fulsomely interlarding the rec­ ord with praise for George Meany. • President Meany, in effect, asked the SIU to drop its beef with the American Coal Company (to which SIU agreed in the interests of AFL-CIO) and offered the fleet to Curran on a silver platter. There was one small condition: Curran would have to behave like a trade nnionist—support the officers nnions and respect their picket lines. So Curran backed away and decided that George Meany was prejudiced and misinformed, and the victim of an AFL-CIO "palace guard." Right now Curran is busy rewriting history (a tactic he learned in the old days) to make it seem that he is purer than Ivoi'y Soap and SIU is only ISU spelled backwards. Joe's Pinning Labels Again By doing so he is following a traditional practice he has always employed of pinning derogatory labels on those who disagree with him. Back in 1945 Curran said that the SIU leadership was "desperate" about Isthmian. In 1957, SIU is "desperate" over American Coal, When seamen on Isthmian ships voted for SIU over NMU, Curran said it was SIU "corruption" that did the trick. Shortly after Curran bhanged his tune. He decided it was the Communists who were re­ sponsible for the NMU's Isthmian loss—not Joe Curran, the president of the Union, It was tl^at other fellow, that Commie organizer. Wasn't Curran the leader of the union? The policy-maker? If not, (Continuea da page 2) Last Bait. WC Unions, Tug Fleet SIU Step Up Votes SlU Coal Fight -Story On Page 2 -Story On Page 3 TMM0>h If n l#kla Seafarer Frank Smith, DM, descends to stage over the side ff UUCn-Up JOU» of the Fairland to freshen up the ship on her final intercoastal run as a conventional C-2, She will go into a Mobile shipyard for conversion to a ''lift-on" container ship with movable deck cranes. Looking on are C, Johnson, AB, Dan Bachrack, DM, and Frank Lambert!, bosun. The Gateway City is already undergoing conversion. Photo, by Merwyn "Doc" Watson, �Page Two SEAFARERS May 10. 1957 LOG New Ship To Honor Memory Of Harry Lundeberg Sixth Tug Co. Vote Gives Sitr Clean Sweep In Baltimore B.\LTIMORE—Crewniembers of the last of six tug com­ panies in the Greater Baltimore area have voted unanimously in favor of the SIU. Tugmen employed hy Arundel Sand and Gravel cast 19 ballots for,-*'— — none against, the SIU Harbor timore and other Atlantic and Gulf and Inland Waterways Divi­ ports. sion, giving the Union a clean The other five companies which voted SIU were Curtis Bay Towing, sweep of the port. The Arundel vote wound up Harper Towing, Baker and Whitely, series of elections which gave Baltimore Towage and Lighterage the SIU a total t)allot margin of and Atlantic Transport. 146 to 9 in the harbor. Opposing These companies represent the the Union was District 50 of the entire tug and barge industry in The newly-launched Kaiser Gypsum is shown on her maiden voyage from Japan to the US, The ship United Mine Workers which had the Greater Baltimore district. will be renamed the SS Harry Lundeberg in honor of the late secretary-treasurer of the Sailors Union urged the tugmen to vote "no un­ They operate approximately 49 ion." The overwhelmingly-success­ tugs and x)ther types of harbor ^ of the Pacific, replacing an older ship on the same run. She was built in Japan. ful Baltimore vote followed an im­ craft. The elections represented pressive HIWD contract victory the climax of a year long organiz­ among tugmen of G&H Towing. ing campaign by the SIU in the The agreement won there provided area. . conditions far superior to those existing in Baltimore. WASHINGTON—There were indications this week that the Government will step up the disposal of its reserve Libertys under terms of the Ship Sales Act of 1946. Foreign nations, In another, separate election in March, the SIU also scored a clean which have cast longing eyes toward the reserve fleet, are quickly getting in their bids. sweep, winning 28 to 0 among barge­ —~— *• Maritime Administrator men and bridgemen of the Western Clarence Morse has already Maryland Railway Company. publicly declared {hat he With the Arundel election out of would like to see every one of the the way, the SIU is now prepared (Continued from page 1) 1,400 "old pots" in the Govern­ to negotiate for substantial gains then he admitted by Indirection he was nothing but a stooge tor the ment's reserve fleets sold to for­ In wages and conditions, as well as eign interests. And Congress has welfare protection Party. for the tugmen, first major step Just in case the "desperate" and "corrupt" SIU should hand him displayed a similar inclination to help close the gap between Bal­ in MOBILE—^The the long-awaited Alabama River with the apparent approval of the another setback In American Coal, you can be sure Curran has picked system improvement program was out another purge victim. After all, there was one scapegoat for Isth­ Administration. initiated with the granting of bids mian; a few more for his setback by Harry Bridges In the contest for The latest moves along these for the construction of a terminal boss of the CMU; three more in 1954 to cover up the peddling of NMU lines have been the introduction and loading ramp. membership books; another one in 1956 to excuse his fold-up on the of a bill in the House proposing Cal Tanner, port agent, reported tlie sale of the 15 sliips—including hiring hall and throwing open the NMU's books to all comers. that the terminal site is a small Apparently, it wasn't for nothing that a New York Times story com­ eight Libertys—to Guatemala, and centrally located river town. On mented fairly recently on the "quicksands" outside Joe Curran's door. the introduction of joint resolu­ completion of the terminal, ship­ Our sympathies to NMU national officers who undoubtedly find that tions in the House and Senate pro­ pers in northern Alabama, and in posing the sale of six Libertys to sleep comes hard these nights. adjoining states, will be able to Germany. No matter how Curran struggles to conceal, to distort and to rewrite send deep sea cargo straight down A number of other countries, in­ history It can't be done. He can't wipe out the record of the day that the river to the Port of Mobile to he hailed the "great and wise leadership of Comrade StaUn" from a cluding Brazil and Korea, have al­ be transferred to ocean-going ves­ Moscow podium in a Moscow meeting hall. Ho can't destroy the fact ready gotten US tonnage and sels. Besides being a help in speed­ WASHINGTON — Two Govern­ that he called Roosevelt a warmonger, John L. Lewis an ally of Hitler, pthers are in line, hat in hand. ment-chartered Victory ships will ing the handling of cargo, the ter­ Walter Reuther one who played Hitler's game. The Guatemala proposal, in par­ be put into service for Isthmian minal will also mean many more He can't wash the record clean of his speeches to free Earl Browder, ticular, has drawn the Are of one Steamship Company around July tug operations for the SIU Harbor to make sure the "Yanks Are Not Coming" during the Nazi-Soviet authoritative spokesman who de­ 1, following Government approval and Inland Waterways Division. honeymoon; to "open up a second front" Immediately afterwards even clared that the legislation would of the company's application for Although shipping itself has been though such action would have meant the slaughter of untrained and not tie the ships down to Guate­ eight such ships. The vessels will fairly slow during the last period, mala's coastwise trade, as did pre­ be used on the Persian. Gulf and most Seafarers on the beach have under-equipped American troops. Nor can he destroy the story of his personal role in the "Bring the vious laws enacted on Brazil and India runs. been able to find relief jobs. About GIs Home" campaign. In which the Communists used the NMU as a Turkey. The two ships selected thus far 120 members took various jobs No Coastline spearhead to strip Europe and Asia of American troops and make Rus­ are the Selma Victory, now in the around the harbor and some 60 Guatemala's shoreline is so Hudson River reserve anchorage more picked up work with MAWD. sia's path smoother. Granted that many Americans were part of the game in those days, small, this spokesman pointed out, and tlie Belgium Victory, which is There were 15 vessels calling in aome innocently, some not so innocent. The sincere ones have long that 15 ships are more than she in the James River fleet. They will to port during the last two weeks. since admitted their error dnd the record is full of their remorse. needs. Included in the deal are be operated on an 18 month-char­ They were the Del Valle, Del Sol, When did Joe Curran, In all the millions of words that have poured the eight Liberty cargo ships, one ter in Isthmian's regular berth Del Mar (Mississippi); the Pointer, from him since, ever repudiate his role In any of these events. When Liberty tanker, four Cls and two service. Six more ships have been Pioneer, Cavalier, Polaris, Clipper did he show the sUghtest twinge of guilt, admit that he was wrong or Victorys, and this leads to the pos­ tentatively selected by Isthmian (Alcoa); Morning Light, Yaka, sibility that Guatemala will sell but final decision has not yet been Monarch of the Sea, City of Alma, merely misled? the two Victorys foreign to get made on their disposition. Azalea City (Waterman); Steel De­ Does he still maintain that what he did then was right? signer (Isthmian), and John B. Today, Curran plays the same kind of game in a different league. enough money to pay for the 13 Kulukundis (Martis). He portrays himself as a defender of the hiring hall, but he faithfully other vessels. Prospects for the next period, maintains a company blacklist for US lines just like It used to be done The joint House-Senate resolu­ he says, look pretty good with In the days of the ISU and the US Shipping Board. Shipowners no tion on Germany has so far drawn some 14 ships expected in for pay­ longer need insist on a "flnk book"; Joe Curran keeps the record for less opposition. This would limit the use of the six Libertys, for off or as in-transits. In addition, them. the Citrus Packer will take on a Today he sups at the table of US Lines as an officer of a labor- the next seven years, to the trans­ management committee that is nothing more than a front for the com­ portation of coal and/or ore, pur­ SIU membership meet­ full crew within the next 10 days pany's interests. Today he works on behalf of a company union against chased in the US, to Western Eu­ ings are held regularly after being in the yards for survey and repairs. the interests of the legitimate marine unions. And only recently he ropean ports. The vessels would 'bucked the AFL-CIO by supporting the expelled ILA against the be required to operate in ballast every two weeks on Wed­ Federation-chartered IBL. Today he tags those who disagree with him on their return runs to this nesday nights at 7 PM in with the same dog-eared labels he used 20 years ago, labels he picked country. Apparently it is the feeling in all SIU ports. All Sea­ M.y 10. I»7 V.I. XW No. 10 out of a Communist Party primer. - Why does Curran rewrite history this way? Why does he pointedly Congress, as stated in the joint farers ore expected to ignore certain events and periods in his past? Why, instead of tackling resolution, that the Libertys now attend; those who wish to the blacklist and other problems facing his membership does he spend in the reserve fleets are of ques­ be excused should request bis energies attacking the SIU and other unions? The answer is obvi­ tionable value for defense and are permission by telegram PAUL HALL. Secretary Treasurer ous. This is the age-old tactic of diverting attention from internal not readily adaptable to profitable HEBBERI BRAND, Editor. BERNARD SEA­ difficulties and his own misdeeds by raising an imaginary bogeyman. commercial operation under the (be sure to include reg­ MAN, Art Editor. HERMAN ARTHUR. IBWW SPIVACK. AL MASKIN, JOHN BRAZIL, StaF It is apparent that the only way Joe Curran can operate Is to pose American flag. Their disposal, the istration number). The Writers. B'.~L MOODT. Gulf Area Repre­ resolution states, would eliminate as the only defender of the faith and the salvation of the NMU, whereas next SIU meetings will be: sentative. further cost to the US for their In actuality he is the NMU membership's own worst enemy. It was he Publlihed blwaekly at tha haadquartara July 10 who involved NMU with a company union, it was he who had NMU storage and upkeep. of fha Saafarars Intarnatlonal Union, AN members cross the AFL-CIO marine officers' picket lines. It was MA support for the disposal of lantic & Gulf District, AFL-CIO, 675 Fourth May IS Avanua, Brooklyn 32, NY. Tal. HYaclnth Curran who fed the NMU membership lies about the meeting with the Libertys amounts to a confes­ »-6600. Entarad at sacond class matfar -May 29 sion that its much-ballyhooed Lib­ at tha Post Off lea In Brooklyn, NY, undar George Meany. And Curran was the one who turned down Mieany's tha Act of AVS. 24, 1*12. June 12 proposal when it would have given NMU the coal fleet. No wonder erty "upgrading" program is a fail­ 120 then, that Curran always has to create an emergency to cover up his ure, though some of the ships have June 26 ajttained up to 18 knots. •„ tt.o.iij, ! ' l.'J ii.'S?" Jr. ti9i(.a7S Jush'iJfit. Ship Giveaway Bids Rise Ala. River Act Boost Curran's Shabby Formula To Mobile Select First 2 Victorys For Isthmian SCHEDULE OF SIU MEETINGS SEAFARERS LOG I �--" ' 10, 195T Pare Three SEAFARERS LOG Transfers Compel Gov't To Bypass 'SO-SO' Ship Law WASHINGTON—^Thanks to wholesale transfers to foreign flags, the "50-50" law will probably have to be bypassed this year on bulk cargoes, the International Cooperation Administration reports. Transfers have so decimated the US tramp fleet that there are simply ICA declared that "a larger number nation's foreign commerce. The not enough American ves­ of waivers of this requirement ideal, as viewed by the authors of sels around to carry US may now have to be granted." In the 1936 Merchant Marine Act un­ With SlU patrolman Ray Oates (2nd from left) looking on, SlU and SUP deck men line up for the sign-on on the cool ship Martha Berry in Savannah. In order (I to r) are Karl Schroeder, SlU; John Munden, SlU; Ed Steenson, SUP; NMU man (felt hat); and Nick Sargent, SlU. The shipping commissioner (left) was K. A. Jorgenson. SlU is still leading NMU in the competition for jobs on all seven ships crewed so far. shipping's share of "bulk for­ other words, transferred ships and der which the subsidy program was other foreign flag vessels are now established, was for US ships to eign aid. •As a result, for the first reaping a harvest of cargo that aim for half of the country's for­ tlm» since the "50-50" principle was enacted, the US tramp share of such cargoes may fall below the minimum set by law in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1957. The Sailors, Cooks, Firemen, A&G Step Up Joint Fight On ACS With the American Coal organizing drive pushing into the home stretch, the SIU Atlantic and Gulf District and the three West Coast unions of the SIU's Pacific District have joined hands to assure coordinated action in the campaign. A coordinating committee has been formed consisting of the heads of the A&G District, the Sail­ ner, international representative, SUP, the MFOW, the MCS and the ors Union of the Pacific, the Ma­ rine Firemen's Union and the Ma­ rine Cooks and Stewards Union. Upon formation of the commit­ tee, its members—Morris Weisberger, secretary-treasurer, SUP; Sam Bennett, president, MFOW:EdTur- Turner Bennett MCS, and Paul Hall, secretarytreasurer, A&G District—issued a joint statement, which included a call to oldtimers in each of their organizations "to participate in this important American Coal Shipping Company. Shipping "This is a beef," the Joint state­ ment said, "in which only oldtimers can help. The Job cannot be done by the younger men In the indus­ try. All of us know of the solid oldtimers—good union men—who can draw on their years of experi­ ence at sea to help win this impor­ tant campaign, which is being waged in the interests of sound trade union principles. "Each of our organizations—the Coal Beef Stirs Sea Vet Action SAVANNAH—The smoke has finally cleared from the "Battle of the Oldtimers" in the American Coal beef. Those left "behind from the crewing of' the Martha Berry and Harry L. Glucks-> man have gone north to Nor-' 96 SIU men are now on the coal folk to try again and are being joined by seagoing veterans pour­ ing in from ports on every coast. There's been nothing like this to fire the imagination and spirit of the oldtimers since Korea, and before that World War II, when thousands came out of relkement and from the comfort of shoreside jobs to meet the shipping emergency. Notir, as in those days, oldtimers from the SIU, the Sailors Union, Marine Firemen and Marine Cooks have been converging on East Coast ports where the coal ships have been crewing up since March. These men remember the long, bitter struggles of the 20's and SO's from first-hand experience. Many are sailing below their regular ratings just to participate In this important campaign. The success of their efforts is highlighted in the boxscore on the Jobs put up for competition so far. ships compared to 87 from the NMU. A built-in NMU margin of six more jobs still holds the count to 96-93. Seniority in the industry counts most in qualifying for the coal jobs under the Federal hiring order, and you can't go much further back than sailors union veterans like Carl Landberg, who came east from Seattle with 43 years' of discharges to his credit. Land­ berg threw in and earned a deck utility's job on the Martha Berry with ease. There were others like John Williams, the oldest of the oldsters who came here to show their stuff. One of many men from the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union to pitch in on the beef, Williams produced 48 years of discharges to land a messman's job on the Harry L. Glucksman,. A full half-century of seatime (Continued on page 18) would have gone on US tramp ships if such vessels were available. The inability of the Government to locate unemployed US tramps to carry cargo at today's top-heavy freight rates substantiates SIU charges that the ship transfers are not prompted by hardship. It in­ dicates that tramp owners could make a comfortable living under the American flag, but prefer the tax-free status that Liberia offers them no matter what preferences they get under the "50-50" law. In the liner field, the ICA adds, the "50-50" law is liable to be ob­ served because there will be suffi­ cient space available. US Share Declines The decline in US ships' percent­ age of "50-50" cargoes follows a sharp drop the US-flag share of for­ eign commerce generally. Running between 22 and 25 percent in re­ cent years, latest figures show that US companies are now carrying little more than 18 percent of the eign trade. '56 A 'Good Year' In contrast to the current figure, the ICA reports that during the 1956 fiscal year US ships carried more than half the foreign aid ship­ ments in all categories. Tramps got 52 percent of the total of tramptype cargoes. Liners got 71 per­ cent and tankers, which played only a minor role in these move­ ments, got 76 percent. Figures for military cargoes show 70 percent moving on US ships with an average of 60 percent maintained since the Mutual Se­ curity Program began? Other cate­ gories of shipments also were in the vicinity of 60 percent. In light of the trend, any fur­ ther large-scale transfers of US freight tonnage would largely nul­ lify the effect of "50-50" for which the SIU and other sea unions fought for many years. The law permits the various agencies in­ volved to waive it when US ships are not available. A&G District—was made strong by the kind of men who are now needed in the American Coal beef," the joint statement continued. "Many such oldtimers from each of our unions have already come for­ ward and are participating in this beef. More are needed, and our unions are asking those oldtimers who have not done so to con­ tact their own union representa­ tives who can give them the de­ tails on how they can help on this Joint effort." Ship Due Next Week The Joint SUP-MCS-MFOW-A&G committee emphasized that even SAN FRANCISCO—The nation's first training center for though seven of the company's ships have been crewed initially, marine cooks and stewards, was opened on May 3 on a 400 oldtimers are needed to compete acre site in Sonoma County, California. for seven very important jobs Dedicated to the mainte-"*"^ ^ " nance of high cuisine stand­ administrator Karl Schneider, for­ ards, the joint union-manage­ mer passenger liner chief steward ment center was built by the SIU- and wartime instructor for the US affiliated Marine Cooks and Stew­ Maritime Officers Training School; ards Union and the Pacific Mari­ chef Constantine Bruckner, former time Association, an association of executive chef of US Lines; meat West Coast, shipowners. The cen­ cutter Suey M. Chew, graduate of ter will offer tuition-free training the National School of Meat Cut­ for young men who wish to become ting and former SS Lurline butch­ cooks and stewards on Pacific Coast er, and baker Henry Chinn, well known craftsman in the culinaiy passenger liners and freighters. arts. Weisberger Hall Opening of the center-was hailed Also Vacation Spot by the SIU in a telegram of con­ aboard the Casimir Pulaski, coming In addition to using it as a train­ gratulation from SIU Secretaryin next week, as well as for replace­ ing center, the union has plans to ment jobs that might turn up on Treasurer Paul Hall which read in develop the mountain woodland re­ part: "The opening of the MCS any of the other six American Coal Training School is a very signifi­ treat into a vacation spot for sea­ ships as they come into port. cant step forward and is a strik­ men and their families and to pro­ Many of the West Coast brothers ing symbol of the tremendous prog­ vide a low cost year-round home have already answered the call and ress you people made in the for retired seamen. The former reinforced the A&G District in its brief period youhave have been func­ mountain estate of a wealthy rail­ (Continued on page 13) tioning ... We are confident that road executive has a trout-stocked the future will be studded with lake, swimming and boating facili­ As the SEAFARERS LOG was equally important gains and bene­ ties, riding paths and a hunting re­ going to press word was received fits for our sisters and brothers serve. Guest speakers at the dedication that a Seafarer on the Martha who sail under the banner of the Berry had to be replaced be­ Marine Cooks and Stewards . . ." ceremonies which was attended by cause of illness. SIU standby- • The training program consists of some 300 representatives from eligibles had first call on the three-month comprehensive Government, Labor and the marlreplacement because they had courses under capable and well- time industry included Lieut. Gov­ the seniority under the court known instructors in all phases of ernor Harold Powers; C. J. Hagorder. Nevertheless, the com­ cooking, baking, butchering, and gerty. Secretary of the California Federation of Labor; J. Paul St. pany awarded the job to an waiting. Sure, President of the Pacific Mari­ NMU, making the score 95 to 94. The' $500,000 Installation boasts time Association; Ed Turner, Mor­ This follows the developing pattern of company favoritism a rustic style administration and ris Weisberger and Sam Bennett for the NMU in spite of the pro- classroom building, student and of the Seafarers Pacific District; cednres speUed out in the court guest duplex cabins, a $50,000 all- John . Hawk, Secretary of the Sea­ order. The SIU is preparinff to electric kitchen, and cooking and farers International Union, and dining facilities for 200 persons. John Hennlng of the State AFL take legal action accordingly. The staff of the school includes and neutral trustee of the center. Ist Cook School Opened By MCS �Pas« Four SEAFARERS May 10. 1957 LOG Health Center impresses Visitors Visiting delegation of Japanese trade unionists gets a close-up view of modern x-ray equipment at SlU health center in Brooklyn as technician Benjamin lannotti explains how it works. They visited center during State Department-sponsored tour of SlU facilities. (See feature on health center in centerfold.) Seatrain Plans Added Services The SlU-contracted Seatrain Lines, Inc., has announced the acquisition of two large waterfront properties at Sawanah, Georgia, and Edgewater, NJ, near its present docks Graham Brush, the chair-" man of the board of directors, River and adjacent areas. He also stated that the company has stated that they had reached an agreed to a 50-year lease with the Savannah District Authority cov­ ering the old Southeastern ship­ yard property on the Savannah The Marine Firemen's Union has announced that its new hall will he completed and opened on June 1. The new building, now under construction, is located at 240 Fremont Street, San Francisco, "just a stone's throw from the Sailors Union of the Pacific." The State of California had condemned the Union's present building to make way for the building of a freeway. 4. t 4. Burglars broke into the Portland hall of the Sailors Union of the Pacific and made off with a clockradio from the agent's office and checks totaling over $2,600. All of the checks, except one for $200, have been recovered. The burglars also attempted to take the televi­ sion set, but probably found it too heavy to cart out and left It at the door. Two suspects are being held foig questioning. t J. - 3^ An AFL-CIO sponsored disability proposal for increased weekly un­ employment disability and hospital benefits has been voted for by the California Assembly Finance and Insurance Committee, the Marine Cooks and Stewards report. The bill would increase weekly unem­ ployment disability from $40 to $50, and would raise hospital bene­ fits from $10 a day for 12 days to $12 a day for 20 days. It also calls for the elimination of a 75 percent rule under which benefits are reduced for seasonal workers who earn more than 75 percent of their annual wages in any one calendar quarter. agreement for all of the waterfront property of the Archer-DanielsMidland Co. at Edgewater, NJ, just a few hundred feet,from the present Seatrain terminal. Expansion Program Underway These acquisitions. Brush said, are part of the company's new ex­ pansion program. Earlier the com­ pany had announced plans for the building of a new freight ship. Details as to the type and size of the vessel have not been releas%d. Seatrain was a pioneer in the development of hauling complete rail freight cars. There is a possi­ bility that the new vessel may be of a type similar to the ships now being built by Pan-Atlantic Com­ pany in its land-sea trailership operations. These vessels are spe­ cially built to accommodate the stacking of trailers, one on top of the other, in the vessel's holds. Although loaded and unloaded in a similar manner as the freight cars, the Pan-Atlantic trailertrucks have the advantage of not requiring railroad tracks running the length of the docks and dockside loading installations. Money Exchange Rates Listed The following Is the latest available listing of official ex­ change rates for foreign cur­ rencies. Listings are as of May 9, 1957, and are sub­ ject to change without notice. England, New Zealand, South Africa: $2.80 per pound aterling. Australia: $2.24 per pound sterling. Belgium: 50 francs to the dollar. Denmark: 14.45 cents per krone. France: 350 francs to the dollar. Germany: 4.2 marks to the dollar. HoUand: 3.7-3.8 guilders to the dollar. Italy: 624.8 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: 21 cents per rupee. Argentina: 18 pesos t-. 'he dollar. BraiU: 5.4 cents per cruzeiro. Uruguay: 82.63 cents per peso. Venezuela: 29.85 cents per bolivar. M in the M... Caution should be the byword of everyone on o ship. The flashy grandstand play belongs on the circus lot or the rodeo arena; it's out of place on a ship and may even endanger the next guy, who's counting on you to follow the book. Core in carrying out the routine, day-to-day tasks aboard ship will always pay dividends. Teamwork among shipmates is what counts most in bringing the ship, cargo and all personijel safely into port every time. The crewmember who thinks he can go it alone not only endangers his own safety, but also boosts the odds against everyone else. Once in c while, certainly in an emergency, the job cafis for something special, and seamen have always proven themselves equal to the occasion. But in the long run, taking extra chances when it's not necessary is looking for trouble. The seaman who knows his job and his ship is the best insurance against potential disaster, big or small. As the statistics clearly show, there are enough occasions in this business when you have to take chances because the chips ore down and there's no choice. But while things are going smoothly, keep 'em that way. Trouble never chases anyone; it's always the other way around. A sailor who's looking for excitement con find it ashore.in ample quantity between trips. Once you start up the gangway again, concentrate on the job ahead. That's the best way to be sure you'll see port again. - " Remember Caution Pays Off I j An SlU Ship is a Safe Ship | �^ee A-Ship Commercial in 7 Years I' A commercially-useful atompowerad merchant ship may be closer than is commonly thought. The US already has atom subs, of course, and now is building its first atom-powered merchant ship. But this is an experimental vessel and up until now it had been felt that commercially profitable atompowered ships would not appear for, many years. Now, however, the weekly publication "Pacific Ship­ per" reports that atom-powered ships will be an "economic reality" by 1964. What's more, "Pacific Shipper" says, both the Isbrandtsen Com­ pany and Matson Navigation have displayed interest in atomic power and have been given access to certain confidential and restricted data of the Atomic Energy Com­ mission. The closeness of commercial atomic power, the periodical says. Is one reason why there has been little opposition to the Govern­ ment's cut of shipbuilding funds, as requested by the MA, from $941^ million down to a mere $3 million. With the atomic age so near, vessels built, now could be out-of-date as soon as they left the ways. Paye Fiv* SEAFARERS LOG May 10. 195T INPIRING SEAFARER Question: Do foreign countries and persons bear any resemblance to the way they are portrayed in American movies or books? Sinpllcie Mansan, eh. eook: Gen­ erally American actors do portray foreign persons ' ' ' ' Just as they are. They do have some trouble us­ ing the same ges­ tures, but other­ wise there is a close resemblance. I think they have the most difficulty in imitating the Chinese. They may copy the costumes and scenery, but not the manners or actions of the people. George Fiance, carp: Shooting the scenes over there makes the movies more realistic. But they do not portray the people as they are. An ac­ tor must live in the country to be able to correctly imitate the char­ acteristics of the native. This goes for books too. If the author never lived in the country, how can he write about it? Seafarers Lick Fire On Kafhryn SAN JUAN—Seafarers aboard the Bull Line freighter Kathryn here fought for several hours before they were able to douse a fire which broke out in a jute cargo in No. 4 hold. The cause of the fire was^ not known, with spontaneous sides of the ship, the fire was combustion considered the finally brought under control. most likely offender. The fire, which did an estimated $50,000- damage according to a company spokesman in San Juan, broke out on Friday morning, April 26. Ship's reporter Mike R. Zelonka wrote that "the fire alarm bell broke out the officers and men at 5 AM r.nd immediately crewmembers were at the scene with fire hoses and 4 4 4 R. A. Barrett, ch. elect.: There other equipment 4" t t is a general resemblance. But I ready for use. C. L. M. Gonzalez. AB; American think that they "Captain Olsen authors do a vei-y good job writing overplay some and chief mate on a foreign Robert Bradford parts, as the country. Any went down into limey accent. It good actor should the smoke-filled is only the cock­ be able to com­ hold and it was ney who speaks pletely portray quickly decided with the real any type of per­ "h" dropping ac­ to cover up the Zelonka son, foreign or cent, yet our hatch and smoth­ not, right down movies seem to er the burning jute with C02. In to their gestures. show that all the this way, together with water That's part of English speak that way, which is hoses being used on top of the their business, certainly incorrect. tarp-covered hatch and on both and I think they do a very fine job at it. 4- 4" 4« "I would like to mention the fact that Captain Olsen expressed himself as 'gratified with the swift manner and complete coop­ eration of members of the crew.' We also had excellent cooperation from the San Juan fire depart­ ment 'and the US Coast Guard." No injuries were reported as a re­ sult of the blaze. The vessel continued on her trip to Mayaguez, Dominican Republic and returned to New York without furthqr Incldeqt, Shorthanded? If a crewmember quits while a ship is in port, delegates are asked to contact the hall immediately for a replace­ ment. Fast action on their part will keep all jobs aboard ship filled - at all times and elimi­ nate the chance of the ship sailing shorthanded. Onassis Tankers Fly Coop— MA Doesn't Seem To Know George Hines, FWT: No. Outside of the direct scenery shots, most of the American movies grossly overstate the con­ WASHINGTON—^US shipping officials are so busy revising the conditions under which ditions in these countries. They the Onassis interests will transfer 14 ships to Liberia and build three super-duper tankersnever show these here, that they've apparently lost track of the fact that six of the ships involved became conditions as bad as they really "runaways" three months ago," are, but always and a seventh one two weeks make them seem back. a lot better, show The Maritime Administration has Representatives of the Arab the good side always. just disclosed a proposal for soLeague have announced in Damas­ 4 4 4 called "new conditions" for the cus that they will blacklist the SIUmanned tanker Kern Hills for car­ Peter Choplinski, OS; I think complex ship exchange deal which rying oil to Israel. The Kern Hills Hollywood does a very good job is supposed to yielfl one tanker of made the first voyage to Eilat, Is­ in imitating the 100,000 tons and two more about rael, opening up the Gulf of Aqaba characteristics of half as big for US operation. The to ocean-going vessels. Arab coun­ a foreign coun­ construction contract was signed tries have maintained that the try. A good last December. Gulf of Aqaba at the head of the American actor Red Sea is territorial water of can portray any Concern expressed during hear­ Egypt and Saudi Arabia and can­ type of person, ings on the transfer Issue a few not be opjened for Israeli shipping. whether he be an weeks ago by the House Merchant The Arab League announcement Italian, Egyptian,Marine Committee produced the " means that the Kern Hills would or Chinese. The "new" set of conditions. Several be barred from all Arab ports in­ movies try to committee members felt that the cluding oil terminals in Saudi copy, as close as possible, the gen­ orighial transaction-did not have eral conditions of the country. Arabia. enough built-in guarantees that the One of the seven Onassis-owned ships already transferred to The oil that was delivered in new ships would ever be built. Liberia while the Maritime Administration still debates changes in Eilat came from Iran, which is not conditions for their disposal, the SS Republic is shown with a gash Victorys Kept Under US Flag a member of the Arab League. Fol­ in her bow from a collision some time ago. She became a "run­ In essence, the package still calls lowing the furore over the first away" on Feb. 2, 1957. for an exchange under which the voyage, the Arab nations called on SlU-contracted Victory Carriers ship, US Petroleum Carriers and built is reinforced by the chang­ Iran to refuse to supply oil to Corp. would continue to operate its Western Tankers would swing over ing developments in the tanker pic­ the tanker. fleet of seven Victory ships, plus to the Liberian flag. All but the ture since January 1. At last report, according to the three new tankers when they're Victory Carriers' operation would Companies Dump B'ldg Plans ship's delegate Frank Throp, the eventually built. With the tanker boom on the be liquidated. The four companies Kern Hills was supposed to make SAN FRANCISCO—Shipping In slow bell, 15 US companies, sev­ At the same time, the company's are under contract to the SIU. "three or four" more voyages to this area has continued on the However, more than a month be­ eral of them SIU operators, have two Libertys and a fleet of 12 tank­ Eilat. No word has been heard of her whereabouts in the past couple healthy side with some 16 vessels ers operated by three other Onas­ fore the House hearings even be­ notified the MA that they have hitting port during the last two sis companies, Trafalgar Steam- gan, and three months before the dropped plans to transfer old ton­ of weeks. MA produced its proposed "new nage to foreign registry in return Another SIU tanker was in the weeks. conditions" last week, half of the for building new tankers. news last week as the second There were two pay-offs with six Approval in principle had al­ tankers involved had already gone American ship to pass through the ready been granted in these cases foreign. Suez Canal since it reopened. The vessels signing on, and eight ships The parade started on Febru­ and others for the transfer of 120 tanker Ivy, on the way home from stopped In to be serviced. The ary 2 with the Republic and was vessels. Including 61 T-2 tankers a long siege on the shuttle run, Ocean Evelyn (Ocean Transport) followed two days later by the and 49 Libertys, in exchange for passed through the canal north­ and Raphael Semmes (Waterman) Federal, thus wiping out Trafal'gar. the construction of 51 new super­ bound following the transit of the paid off while the Afoundrla, By February 28, the Olympic tankers. The cancellations came President Jackson of American Games, William A. Burden, Fort from companies which were to President Lines. The Ivy paid Wacosta, Choctaw (Waterman); Bridger and Camp Namanu had build 16 vessels and transfer about her canal tolls under protest as Charles Dunaif (Colonial); Ocean followed suit. Then on April 27 40 others. American ships have been in­ Evelyn and Ocean Joyce (Ocean the McKittrick Hills joined the The SIU operators who refused structed to do by the State De­ Transport) signed on. parade. This now leaves Trafalgar to use their approval were Triton The Hurricane, Wacosta, Choc­ partment. inactive and cuts the US Petro­ Shipping, Panoceanic Tankers, The Kern Hills voyage came taw. Iberville (Waterman); Coe leum fleet to four ships and that New Jersey Industries, Webb and shortly after the SIU of NA con­ Victory, Jefferson City Victory of Western 'iaukers to one. The Knapp, Eagle Ocean Transport and vention passed a "freedom of the (Victory Carriers); Steel Ar­ five remaining tankers plus two Samuel Wang. In addition. Cities seas" resolution calling for free chitect (Isthmian), and Portmar Service has dropped, for the time Libertys are still to go. passage for all ships in the Gulf of (Calmar) were in-transit. All were (Congressional concern over being, plans for construction of Aqaba and for opening of the Suez in good shape with no beef re­ whether the new ships vdll be another supertanker. ported. Canal to Israeli, flag shipping. Kern Hills On Arab Blacklist SF Healthy On Shipping ^ PHoros ^ ^foRtes. •Si. ibtnzY �Tampa Wary Of. CG Acts TAMPA—^"The Coast Guard In Tampa," reports Port Agent Tom Banning, "is out looking for cases." In one instance they tried to get a case against a brother for fight­ ing ashore before he was paid off. The beef was squared away, he said, warning the brothers that It shows what the Coast Guard would do to hang a charge on a Seafarer if it could. Activity on the shipping front Is still good, and promises to con­ tinue that way, he said. During the past period the port had Water­ man's City of Alma paying off, and the Steel Rover, Steel Flyer (Isth­ mian), Yaka (Waterman), and Alcoa Pilgrim (Alcoa) calling into port while in transit. The in-transit activity should start slowing up some. Banning added, because of the C-25 which Pan-Atlantic is converting to "difton" containerships. One vessel, the Gateway City is already under con­ version and the Fairland is next. May 10, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pa«o Six Accident Victim April 17 Through April 30 Registered Fort Killed in an auto accident on her way to school, Dolores Helen Mynett, 6, was the daughter of Seafarer Mack O'Neill of Wilmington, Calif. The family had moved to Wil­ mington just a short time be­ fore the accident. US Welfare Fund Control Seen; Meany Backs Bills Boston • New York Philadelphia .... Baltimore Norfolk Savannah Tampa Mobile New Orleans Lake Charles.... Houston Wilmington San Francisco... Seattle •ooeoeeeeeeee# ••••eeeeeeeeee ••••eeeeeeeeee I'teeeeeeeeeeee ••••eeeeeeeeee •••••••e*eeeee ••••••eeeeeeee (•••eeeeeeeeee (•••••••••eeee i«*e»eeeeeeeee Deck A Deck 16 76 15 58 11 9 7 30 36 11 19 19 20 25 3 26 3 14 11 1 3 3 16 7 8 60 12 45 6 7 9 18 33 18 26 8 16 16 9 9 14 22 Deck Deck B A 352 Total •nt. • "A"*282 141 stew. A itew. B Totel A Total B Total Reg. 5 46 4 13 4 15 12 2 2 1 12 2 14 61 14 37 30 5 8 7 43 21 15 26 35 59 43 243 50 168 53 24 28 79 151 56 76 61 86 124 15 24 15 29 182 36 131 23 19 20 72 108 35 61 35 51 65 in.. Stew. A stew. B Total A Total B Total Reg. 134 233 100 867 375 1242 7 22 7 8 7 2 3 3 9 28 6 3 4 24 39 6 IS 12 3 9 14 22 16 3 8 7 8 Shipped Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Savannah Tampa Mobile New Orleans Lake Charles Houston Wilmington San Francisco Seattle Deck A 5 70 7 35 9 2 4 24 53 5 15 14 15 10 Deck B 2 14 . 1 6 1 1 7 0 13 2 10 11 14 Deck C 0 15 0 4 2 0 1 0 2 0 7 3 1 13 Ing. A 2 49 8 30 3 5 3 11 29 8 19 14 16 Ing. Ing. B C 1 24 2 14 5 0 1 7 14 6 1 9 17 10 0 21 1 9 .2 2 2 12 8 1 7 16 3 12 Stew. A 1 41 5 27 1 1 7 15 32 3 11 9 18 Stew. B 2 10 1 11 3 2 2 5 8 1 1 7 stew. Total C A 1 7 0 2 0 1 0 1 4 1 8 3 3 8 160 20 92 13 8 14 50 114 16 45 37 Total B 5 48 4 31 9 3 10 12 35 9 12 27 40 22 Total c 1 43 1 15 4 3 3 13 14 2 22 22 7 36 Total Ship. 14 251 25 138 26 14 27 75 163 27 79 86 96 85 49 9 WASHINGTON—^There is little doubt here that the current 4 11 8 27 8 9 session of Congress will produce legislation aimed at Federal Deck Eng. Eng. Ing. Stew. Stew. Stew. Total Total Total Total Deck Deck A B A C Ship. C B C A A control and inspection of union welfare funds. 66 42 653 267 186 1106 48 206 Ill 96 179 90 268 Total After a conference with ' Secretary of Labor Mitchell, should be completely safeguarded SlU shipping levelled off again during the past two weeks while registration increased. President Eisenhower an­ from any and all corruption and The total number of men shipped was 1,106. At the same time, 1,242 men registered for jobs. nounced that he was prepared to mismanagement." The decline reflects the unusual sea-sawing pattern of shipping this Spring, when job ac­ submit proposals on this issue to These views, however, were net tivity would normally be ris-"*Congress that should be enacted as shared by management. The Na­ ing. Last period shipping hit "speedily as possible." He proposed tional Association of Manufactur­ the registration, reporting and pub­ ers, in a report to its members, de­ a high for the past two lic disclosure of all data on uniqji health and welfare funds, and pub­ lic disclosure of all other finan­ cial reports of unions, includihg the amount of dues collected, the amount in the union treasury, and the salaries of union officials. The proposed legislation is largely an outgrowth of the current Senate investigation into practices of cer­ tain unions. Meany Supports Proposal AFL-CIO President George Meany agreed with the President's proposals, but went even further on public disclosure of welfare funds. "We have long favored," Mr. Meany said, "legislation even more sweeping than the pending administration bill. These health and welfare plans, whether oper­ ated by unions, by management or by both jointly, are funds held in trust for the benefit of workers and Lk. Charles Labor Cains In Election ! W:, LAKE CHARLES — Labor is becoming stronger, politically, in this port, reports Leroy Clarke, port agent. In the last runoff elec­ tions, of the three men running for the city council, one was a strong labor advocate, and the other two, although not outspoken, are expected to favor the workingman's side. The last period has been slack In job activities in this area, with enough men on the beach for any expected jobs, Clarke said. There were 11 ships In port during the last two weeks. The Winter Hill, Chiwawa, CS Miami, Council Grove, Bradford Island, Royal Oak, Government Camp, Winter Hill, Chiwawa (Cities Seiwice); Ideal X (Pan Atlantic), and the Val Chem (Valentine). Tfu; clared that it was entirely in favor of legislation covering welfare and health programs administrated by unions or unions and management jointly. However it took a different attitude towards plans adminis­ tered by management alone. Coming under the NAM's fire is the Douglas bill, submitted by Senator Paul Douglas (Dem., 111.). This measure provides for regis­ tration of all employe welfare plans, including those which es­ tablished pension programs, with annual reports to be made to the Securities and Exchange Commis­ sion, and to beneficiaries. This, NAM complained, "sweeps all employer benefit programs un­ der federal control, regardless of their type or past history." NAM Complains Both the President and the Sec­ retary of Labor expressed the view that care must be maintained in proposing new regulations. The legislature should not rush "head­ long, impelled by the hysteria of the moment, to secure punitive leg­ islation aimed at undermining or weakening the general body of or­ ganized labor," commented - Mr Mitchell. Uhion representatives are con­ cerned that amendments further limiting union activity far beyond the "intended scope of the original bill would be tacked on to any such legislation. Fight 'Work Law' Moves Although accepting the Admin­ istration's views on Federal inspec­ tion, the AFL-CIO is out to keep any "right to work" measures from being tacked on to these bills. Meanwhile in New York, Gover­ nor Harriman has approved legisla­ tion aimed at tightening state regu­ lation of union funds. But in ap­ proving the bill, the Governor charged that the legislature made "clearly wilful" omissions in the bill, particularly in failing to in­ clude "employer - administered" funds under the law's scope. months. Five ports still managed to show gains over the previous report and three others remained about the same as before. Those showing improvements.- were New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, New Orleans and San Francisco. Tampa, Mo­ bile and Wilmington held to the status quo which, for Wilmington, at least, represented top shipping. On the other hand, Boston, Philadelphia, Savannah, Lake Charles, Houston and Seattle all declined. Philadelphia and Lake Charles are very quiet, but Hous­ ton and Seattle are still busy. Black Gang Even Registration and shipping were virtually even in the black gang during the period. This also pro­ duced a boom for class C men in the engine department, which ac­ counted for more C men shipped than the deck and steward depart­ ments combined. A seniority breakdown shows class A men filling 59 percent of the total jobs, class B about 24 perment and class C the remainder. This reflected an eight percent drop in jobs claimed by class A men, which translated Into gains for both B and C men. The following is the forecast port by port: Borton: Slow . . . New York: Good; C men still getting out in quantity . . . Philadelphia: Fair . .. Baltimore: Good . . . Norfolk: Fair . .. Savannah: Slow . . . Tampa: No change . . . Mobile: Good . .. New Orleans: Very good . . . Lake Charles: Should improve ... Hous­ ton: Good . . . Wilmington; Veiy good . . . San Francisco: Good .. . Seattle: Good. ^Rights' Showdown Hears In 4 States Organized labor is now facing the challenge of "right to work" legislation in the states of Delaware, Connecticut, Ohio and Illinois. In all of these states, where Republicans are in control of the legislature, un­ ions are getting ready for a Labor leaders In Illinois do not believe the state legislators, long showdown. outspoken against such wreck Labor hopes are running high in Delaware that such a measure would die after sentiment seemed to turn during hearings before the State's Revised Statutes Committee. Addresses by Clement J. Lemon, President of the State Federation of Labor and Rev. Thomas Reese, Director of the Catholic Welfare Guild of the Wilmington diocese, bitterly denounced one clause of the proposed bill which would bar an employer from requiring the payment of union dues. "All men have an obligation to join together In an effort to organ­ ize—they have the responsibility to pull their weight," Father Reese said. "If a law says that no dues shall be paid, then we are weak­ ening the whole power of the un­ ion." Although this bill had two pre­ vious readings in the House, it is questionable that it will ever come to a vote. Ohio's measure tends to limit labor without actually 'outlawing the union shop. But another meas­ ure Is being proposed which would tightly restrict any union politi­ cal activity. Connecticut Package Seen In Connecticut, a joint senatehouse committee held hearings on a "right to work" proposal but re­ frained from taking any action. But the recall of a minimum wage bill previously reported on by the House Labor Committee leads many labor advocates to believe a pack­ age deal Is In the offing which will include a "right to work" proposal. measures, would adopt the pro­ posed Brydie "right to work law." The bill, sponsored by Rep. G. Bry­ die, who represents a farpiing dis­ trict, Is being used, they said, to offset union proposals for increased workmen's compensation and for an effective state minimum wage. On the other side, New York and Maryland legislatures failed to vote on bills which would restrict un­ ion activities. In New York a bllL which would bar organizational picketing was withdrawn by Its sponsor after It was found that it lacked sufficient votes for Its pass­ age. The Maryland legislature ad­ journed without acting, after hear­ ing on a wreck measure. Although two previous efforts to repeal Nevada's right to work laws have failed, a new bill, supported by several major employer and state management groups was pro­ posed which would replace the present law with a plan patterned after the Federal Taft-Hartley Act. The measure would allow union shop contracts, but ban picketing for organizational purposes and secondary boycotts. Keep Draft Board Posted SIU headquarters urges all draft-eligible seamen to be sure they keep their local Se­ lective Service boards posted on all changes of address through the use of the post cards finished at all SIU halls and aboard ships. �Mar 10, 195T SEAFARERS LOG Fage Seven YOUR DOLLAR'S WORTB WC Unions Seafarer's Guide To Better Boyit^ Pool Their Pension $$ SIU Baby Parade •;V-> \ Mrs. Kathleen Bannister (at left) is shown propping up Robert Jr. so he con put his best foot forward out­ side their New Or­ leans home. The youngster, born in 1955, is now 2. By Sidney Margolius The High Cost of Renting Money SAN FRANCISCO—An agree­ Some state governments are finally moving to give the public at least ment merging $7 million in retire­ a little protection against the many installment rackets that have ment and pension funds has been sprung up in recent years. US families have been subjected to an ex­ worked out by the SIU Pacific Dis­ traordinary bilking. A Senate Committee has been investigating the trict. The agreement affects funds credit rackets, but the Federal Government is almost powerless to stop formerly operated individually by them because most installment purchases take place within state lines. the Sailors Union of the Pacific, Only state governments are in a position to blow the whistle on these Marine Firemen's Union and Ma­ gouges. The shame of the states is that unknown to the general public, rine Cooks and Stewards Union in their laws permit sharp practices that can expose you to severe financial conjunction with the operators. damage when you buy a car, household equipment, home repairs, The agreement, which has been jewelry, and other goods on time-payment plans. approved by the employer trustees What buyers rarely realize is that most sharp practices are perfectly of the funds, will pave the way to legal in most states, and even where state laws limit the amount of higher pension retirement bene­ fits because of lowered costs of finance charges on cars, quite high fees are still permissible. Only 12 states limit finance charges on cars, and only Ohio limits operation and pooling of service the charge on all goods, with a new law in New York State also limit­ credits. The moneys of the three ing the credit charges on all goods beginning Oct. 1. But only seven funds wiU be merged for invest­ of these ,12 put -real muscle in the finance law by requiring that ment purposes and central records finance companies be licensed so will be kept. The three unions had announced an outraged buyer has a place to their intent to pool their resources air his grievance, and the state a way to make lenders comply with at the last SIU of NA convention. the law. These seven are Connecti­ All three deal with the Pacific Ma­ cut, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, ritime Association on the employer side, representing the greatest New York, Pennsylvania and Wis­ bulk of West Coast shipping. consin. States that put a ceiling on finance charges on cars, but forgot Above, Cynthia Faye to license the finance companies Manley, 6 months, strikes a are California, Kentucky, Nevada, fetching pose to show off Ohio and Utah. People in Colo­ rado, Maine or New Jersey are her new doll. Dad is Ern­ protected only by straw-man laws est Manley of Miami. that license auto finance compax.'yw' ^ jr limit finance Backed up by mom (not WASHINGTON—A biU to re­ charges. Such "regulation" is al­ shown), Naomi Cruz stands together meaningless, the chief quire advance testing of chemicals counsel of a leading finance com­ to establish their safety before on her own feet at her first they are used in foods has been pany recently told this writer. birthday in the Bronx, NY. recommended to Congress by the Little Or No Protection US Department of Health, Educa­ Dad Virgilio Cruz is on the In other states, consumers have tion and Welfare. Robin Mowbray. little or no protection St all. There As things stand now, a harmful have been increasing attempts by chemical food additive could be In some of the more scrupulous finance companies. Better Business Bu­ use for years before any action reaus and other civic organizations to secure legislation barring the could be taken to stop it. As a more flagrant overcharges. But such proposals are fought hard by rule, a minimum of two years of other finance companies and merchants. In New York, for example. scientific research is needed before Assemblyman Bernard Dubin had proposed a ceiling of $9 per $100 of .any legal proceedings can be debt on installment goods others than cars. That's a true interest rate started. of about 16 percent per annum, and certainly a costly enough fee to pay Policing of these matters is for the privilege of paying on time. But sellers and lenders fought for under the supervision of the Food a ceiling of 13 percent—a true rate of about 24 percent. That's what and Drug Administration which, in WASHINGTON—President Eisenhower has announced that many have been charging on installment purchases. The compromise 1954, finally won approval of legis­ he will order an investigation into charges by Gordon Gray, ceiling set in the new law is $10 per $100, a true rate of about 18 per­ lation to set up controls over cent. This is better than 24 percent but still an expensive way to buy. chemical pesticides used on farm Director of the Office of Defense Mobilization, that imports of In comparison, Ohio limits the finance change to $8 per $100 of debt. crops and other raw agricultural crude oil into the United • States are a threat to our na- (affect the movements of US flag The state ceilings on auto finance charges in Maryland and Kentucky commodities. ' tankers, but a drop in the offshore are so high they actually legalize the excessive charges they were de­ The proposed bill would require tional defense. Gray advised the President that runs would undoubtedly have to signed to curb. They permit finance fees of $9 to $15 per $100 of bal­ chemical manufacturers or others ance, which is equal to true interest rates of 16 percent on new cars concerned to furnish the FDA increased importation of oil tends be made up by increased use of and up to 27 percent on second-hand vehicles. with scientific evidence upholding to discourage exploration in this coastwise tankers. If the President finds this to be the safety of new or existing ad­ country for new deposits on which Up To 50 Percent a threat, he is required to ask for If you live in an unregulated state, you have no protection at all ditives. Regulations would then we would have to depend in time a reduction in the amount of oil of war. be issued either permitting or bar­ against sharp operators. The Spokane Better Business Bureau reports Any cut in imports would surely that can be imported. He ordered "general confusion" among buyers about whether the finance charges ring their use. Gray to explore the possibility of they pay are legal (they are), while some car dealers "boast they make having the major importers them­ more money from 'packs' than on cai-s." The Roanoke, "Va., bureau selves set voluntary restrictions on has found finance charges of 20 to 42 percent on television sets. In imports. This, it is suggested, Texas, 75 percent of the complaints about car purchases reaching the would avoid the harsher solution Houston bureau concern financing charges. One Eastern finance com­ of either a legal quota limitation pany is known in the trade as customarily charging 50 percent for fi­ or of higher tariff charges. nancing older used cars. High auto finance rates in some areas of Ten­ Ten Percent Limit nessee are similarly notorious. In Nebraska, a nationwide auto finance It had been determined last Oc­ company, perturbed by public resentment of excessive charges, protober by the Energy Supplies and posad legal limits. But local companies successfully opposed the pro­ Resources Committee that imports posed lids of $7 to $13 per $100 as "too low," although these are true should be limited to about 10 per­ interest rates of 13 percent on new cars and up to 27 on older ones. cent of our national production. Call the roll of the other unregulated states and you get similar reports. This was the ratio that existed in States that regulate installment charges also tend to outlaw the blank 1954. But, Gray reported, the ra­ contracts that have been making so much trouble for the trusting buy­ tio is expected to run close to 18 ers who sigir their names before the dealer fills in the amounts. But percent by the second half of this both regulated states as well as the unregulated ones still permit wageyear. He said the major companies assignments, a major source of abuses. For example, Chicago has been plan to import 1,216,000 barrels a THE fOOD AAJI> VRxCeSAiaKOVJM so troubled by canvassers who sell goods at factory gates that the day, 510,000 barrels a day over Illinois legislature passed a requirement that the spouse as well as the the 1954 ratio. wage-earner must sign any wage-assignments. Salesmen had been While American imports have pretending the contracts were merely receipts. Unfortunately, the quadrupled since 1946, he said, pro­ Governor of the state vetoed this potential protection against hidden duction has not even doubled. wage-assignments. Robert L. Wood, president of the After many incidents involving abuses of wage-assignments, credit Independent Petroleum Association jewelry and furnitiure stores in some cities are now trying to police of America, which represents the themselves, legal aid officials report. But in the absence of laws for­ independent companies who have bidding blank contracts and concealed wage-assignments, you have lit­ appealed the question of import tle legal defense against being drygulched from behind a sheet of limitations, agreed with Mr. Gray's paper. For your own guidance, note that the more reputable retailers findings, but strongly doubted the and finance companies do not take wage assignments even in states probability of a solution through vtdiere permitted. voluntary action. Seek Limit On Drugs In Food President Orders Study Of Oil Import Reduction "Fii-ior a Seafarer! BAffimsANom/yGRi^siucAFeTmi^ TUE M£M3^flS UN\Of\.VPf^ in VMB YoUkBM1HBl4AlL. '% I I �-•'mmjf Pare Elcki May 19, 1957 SEAFARERS LOG • '"V •' . ..rrwrww '"•''''*i*>"»wSwSiiMiiaialiail^^ StW': 1 A1 Tanner, Welfare rep. gives exam slips to (1 to r) R. Eaton, P. Boyer, H. Kaufman, B. Wagones. T PROTECT TOUR HEALTH. r'' 1'^ - HE first union health center in the maritime industry is now in full operation, giving thorough heod-to-toeu physical examinations to Seafarers in the Port of New York. The center, first of four to be operated by-the Seafarers Welfare Plan Medical Department, has com­ plete facilities for such examinations, including x-ray, electrocardiograph, fluoroscopy and a modern, wellequipped laboratory. An experienced group of MDs and technicians staffs the center. The group is headed by Dr. Joseph Logue, former medical director of the Isthmian Steamship Company and a veteran of more than three decades of Naval medical service as surgeon and medi­ cal administrator of Navy programs. . r • s • iiiiiiiiir Seafarer George Berry, electri­ cian, enters center for exam. It's just one block from Union hq. Aside from its first-class equipment, the center has been designed with comfort and attractiveness in mind. It is fully air-conditioned and decorated in an eye-pleas­ ing manner, with none of the chilling atmosphere usually associated with medical facilities. The basic function of the center is to detect and prevent ailments and physical disabilities before they become serious enough to affect a Seafarer's ability to work. As such, the center has the welcome mat out for all Seafarers who hit the port. All they need do to get an examination is to ask for on appointment through the Union's Welfare Services Department at headquarters. The small invest­ ment in time involved can pay big dividends in protect­ ing a Seafarer's most precious personal possession—his health and well-being. Hemoglobin test checks iron con­ tent of blood, is one of tell-tale in­ dicators of general health. J" 1 si aar. * jn 'ML.aifllPWIIII ! i Benjamin lannotti, ex-ray tech­ nician, positions Berry for chest x-ray. mimm ^9 aB •/ < ^ Dr. E. J. Thompson runs Berry through exercise to check on muscle tone and other reactions. �Mar 10, 1957 , SEAFARERS rage Nln« LOG -t'' |iii«iiiiipliiiiif • .'v^ • 1 -'-r. " Ai •••-' Jrsf ••• *]' ailijiii . .A ' , , ''AV , »». At left, Seafarers Percy Boyer (center) and Harry Kaufman, ABs, chat while Bjorn Wagones, electrician, reads magazine in center's roomy, com­ fortable lounge. Right, Seafarers James Thompson, (1) and Joseph Kriz. Old friends of Pete Larsen, Seafarers Kaufman, Boyer and Wagones read plaque inscription. Plaque and head were cast from original design by Bernard Seaman, LOG art editor. Miss Florence Penney of center's staff checks his card. Appoint­ ments hold waits to a minimum. Lab technician John Gearrity starts entries on Berry's record which will be in permanent file. Gearrity draws blood sample for serology test, another in the se­ ries of routine lab exams. Urine is checked for specific grav­ ity, sugar, albuipen and micro­ scopic contents. Another view of center shows main corridor with doors leading off to va­ rious offices and examination rooms. Air conditioning unit is at rear. Main lounge and reception room leads into corridor. Drs. Logue (right) and L. C. Kelly study x-ray plates in viewing room. Boyer gets fluoroscope once-over. It's used to examine functioning of internal organs. standard eye chart test is admin­ istered to Berry by technician Hans Scheelen. r V • -'A -Blood pressure reading is another essential phase of an all-around physical. Scheelen administers electrocar­ diograph exam to Seafarer Daniel Seda. Berry undergoes stethescope check. Cardiograph test is the routiiiie iori men over 40. - Eyes, ears, nose and throat get go­ ing over at wind-up of the exam series. I All results in, Berry gets^ clean bill of health from Dr. Logue the following day. �Pagre Tea SEAFARERS LOG Phone Co. Plot Too Rank For Strikebreakers' Tastes Ever since the trade union movement started making a dent in the United States it was a commonplace practice for a strikebound company to hire professional strikebreakers. Em­ ployers considered themselves perfectly justified in employing squads of strong-arm men, either full-time company pol­ ice or.free-lance operators like the notorious Pearl BergofE, to "take care of" picket lines, strike leaders and union organizers. Then along came the LaFollette Commit­ tee investigation of labor spies and strikebreakers, the passage of the National Labor Relations Act and a changed climate toward unions. Professional strikebreakers, never deemed respectable, now had to lie low. But that doesn't mean that they went out of business alto­ gether. Just a couple of weeks ago, a National Labor Relations Board trial examiner found a company responsible for violence against strikers and accused the employer of hu'ing "investigators" to break the strike by doing physical harm to strike leaders. The company is no fly-by-night operator either. It is the Ohio Consolidated Telephone Company of Portsmouth, Ohio, and the union against whom these tac­ Dismissing strike problems for the moment, telephone workers tics were directed is the Communi­ pitched in during a community-wide effort to provide relief for cations Workers of America. That the tactics failed to break a V/2Kentucky flood sufferers. The Ohio strikers assisted in transferring nionth strike is more the result of relief supplies from small trucks to big highway rigs, then returned the squeamishness of the "investi­ to picketlines when relief work was finished. gators" than any let-up by the com­ pany on the strikers. with an automobile if necessary." for their seiwices. Crouthers. who At subsequent meetings with was in charge of the "investigators," Here in part, is what the Na­ tional Labor Relations Board found company officials, including the is still trying to collect further division manager and general man­ payment on his bill, which he said •bout the company's conduct: ager, the investigators were again amounted to more than $3,000. • Investigative Services Incidentally, the trial examiners' "During the latter part of Au­ urged to "dispose" of the strike leaders. When they failed to do so, findings came in the course of gust . . . Clare Williams, president they were canned by the company. company unfair labor practice of Ohio Consolidated, solicited and That wasn't all, the examiner charges against the union. obtained the services of Charles W. Ended 14-Yr. Peace Crouthers, then employed by the adds. "The Ohio Consolidated be­ William J. Burns International De­ gan congregating at the scene of As to the strike itself, company tective Agency, to come to Ports­ cable repairs an increasing number action followed the pattern of mouth in his private capacity and of individuals not previously em­ union busting. For example, the with other operatives to perform ployed, but brought In from various company demanded that the CWA parts of the country. District Man­ give up the union shop contract, ager Matz testified all these were something which had been in ex­ 'supervisors' . . . Striking linemen of long experience testified without contradiction that such repairs re­ quired but two men, yet on many such jobs . . . there would,be a dozen or more so-called 'super­ visors' standing around the job site ... testimony of certain profes­ sional 'investigators' hired by the company . . . was that officials of the telephone company urged at least two to pose as real linemen and join the crews of 'outsiders'." Testimony given by one of the investigation services relating to investigators" says in part, "It was further agreed that Griffith the strike. "Credible testimony of these in­ [the company attorney—Ed.] would vestigators established that upon pay him for such services because, istence for 14 years. In fact, the their arrival in Portsmouth they as Crouthers testified without con­ examiner noted, "until July, 1956, were urged by the company offi­ tradiction, "they did not want no and for the preceding"14 years . . . cials to break the strike by remov­ record of the Telephone Company there had never been a strike of ing from such strike, in any man­ paying me." more than a few hours' duration. When the "investigators" were That long and peaceful relationship ner they saw fit, four named strike leaders ... by running them down dismissed they were each paid $125 came to an abrupt end, however, upon assumption of control of Ohio Consolidated by General Telephone Company of Ohio." The strike began on July 14, and continued for 228 days. In the Senate hearings have confirmed warnings in union papers includ­ course of the walkout the governor ing the SEAFARERS LOG that insurance outfits connected with • of Ohio, then Frank J. Lausche, asked both parties to submit to number of leading auto finance companies had been overcharging arbitration. The union agreed to, buyers for collision insurance. Many finance companies had been but the company refused. It wasn't until February 27, charging buyers the higher rate for young drivers, whether or not there was a driver under 25 in the family. The average overcharge 1957, that a new agreement was reached. Through all those months was estimated to be $40. One wage-earner who read about this only one striker of the 210 involved nationwide gouge in his union's newspaper wrote to his state in­ returned to work. Nothing of a serious nature ac­ surance department at the state capital and asked if he might be tually occurred in this strike. But eligible for a refund since he had financed a car in a recent year that does not detract from the and thought he might have been charged the higher rate for the obvious fact that there are still insurance. The state insurance officials investigated and found he employers who will not hesitate had been overcharged. Result: he got back a $10 refund from the to beak a union, one way or an­ other, If the opportunity should insurance eompany. arise. Reads Union Paper, Collects Insurance Refund May 10, 1957 SANTORB (Ora Ncvlgstien), March 11—Chairman, W. RaBOWski; Sacratary, G. Faata. Repair list to be pre­ pared. Cups to be returned to pantry, washed and put away. Return cota and linen to steward. ports accepted. New delegate elected. Motion to remove pump from washing machine and let water discharge by gravity. Vote of thanks to steward dept. for good chow. Discussion on proper use of washing machine. ALCOA ROAMER (Alcoa), March 31 —Chairman, none; Secretary, Jl. Klenast. Repair list to be made up. Re­ port accepted. Communications read and posted. Need new fans. MONTEBELLO HILLS (Western Tankras), March 35—Chairman, L. McNalr; Secretary, N. Martin. To notify headquarters regarding fans and atti tude of chief engineer toward SIU. Two men missed ship. Copies of log entries sent to Headquarters. Wash­ ing machine repaired. Ship's fund $8.25. Vote of thanks to steward de­ partment. Meetings to be held every two weeks. SEA'!'A»"r"S LOG to be circulated. ALCOA ROINTER (Alcoa), March 17 —Chairman, W. Biskat; Secretary, E. Canlzado. No launch service at Pt. Cabello. One man missed ship In Maracalbo. rejoined In Trinidad. ForecasUe keys to be Issued In NY. Sick man's gear to be taken care of by delegate upon arrival In Mobile. Ship's fund *26.30. Some disputed overtime. STONY POINT (USPC), March 14— Chairman, M. Olson; Secretary, J. Sul­ livan. New delegate elected. Ship's fund $15.34. Report accepted. To contact office about mall ^tuatlon— no mall since Feb. 8. teclslon to he made about radio and Iron before ship transfers flag. Repair list to be submitted: bathroom 'o be repaired: need more variety In night lunch. More cooperation In keepbig messhall clean after supoer h-ur KATHRYN (Bull . April 3—Chair­ man, W. Ortiz; Secretary, M. Zelowka. Ship's fund $6. Reports accepted. New delegate elected. Milk situation In Venezuela to be referred to patrol­ man. Repairs to be made before signon. Vote of thanks to stewards dept. for Job well done. BATTLB ROCK (USPC), March •— Chairman, M. Msgel; Secretary, J. MenvHIe. Drinking to be done ashore, not aboard ship. Beefs to be handled among persons involved, not in messhaU at meal hour. Ship's fund $53.05. Some dispute between oilers about standing watches. Some disputed over­ time. New delegate and treasurer elected. March 20—Chairman, P. Graenwood; Secretary, H. Lewis. One man missed ship. Ship's fund S53.03. Request to remove one man from SIU—a con­ tinuous performer, bad Union mate­ rial. Repair lists to be made out. Re­ quest variety of fruit juices for night lunches. HILTON (Bull), March 34—Chair­ man, J. Mucia; Secretary, H. Dombrowskl. Black gang repairs not made —to be referred to patrolman at pay­ off. Receipts to be checked. One man hospitalized In San Juan; Union noti­ fied. Two men missed ship in Ponce. Reports accepted. New delegate elect­ ed. Washing machine to be repaired. Scuttlebut does not give cold water at times. To be adjusted. BIENVILLE (Waterman), March 33 —Chairman, G. Suarez; Secretary, C. Martin. Few hours disputed overtime. Repairs made. Two men missed ship. Ship's fund $18. Motion to have meet­ ings between Baltimore and Miami. Crew voted to hold meetings between Tampa and New Orleans, port of pay­ off. Stores to be taken aboard in Port Newark. Drain In pantry to be checked. Vote of tbnnks to delegate for fine job. YAKA (Waterman), April 7—Chair­ man, J. Howarth; Secretary, C. Burnt. PONCE (Pence Cement), April 0— Chairman, W. Heater; Secretary, C. Knowles. All doors and locks repaired and new washing machine installed. Ship's fund $22.49. Report accepted. Take better care of washing machine: need new library; keep inessroom cleaner at night. Few beefs to be settled at payoff. Pantry-man to see patrolman regard­ ing working conditions. One man sick, to be referred to patrolman. San Juan hall visited. Cigarettes donated for men on picket line. Ship's fund *14.55. Several replacements In San Francisco. Some disputed overtime. Reports accepted. Request two wash downs a week on aft deck. Repair lists to be prepared. Proper use of washing machine discussed. Vote of thanks to steward dept. Delegates to pick up all books for patrolman at port of payoff. SUNION (Kea), March 14—Chair­ man, J. Flanagan; Secretary, F. Hicks, Jr. Major repairs made. New dele­ gate elected. New secretary-reporter elected. Some discussion among deck dept. Few hours disputed overtime. Report accepted. Laundry to be taken care of by deck and engine depart­ ments; steward dept. to take care of recreation room. Cots now available. ANGELINA (Bull), April 4—Chair­ man, C. BuguskI; Secretary, J. Gal­ lagher. Ship's fund *51. Some dis­ puted overtime. Reports accepted. Endeavor to get full death benefits tor brother who was killed on Mission tanker. Laundry schedule to be post­ ed. Recreation room to be kept clean and neat. Discussion on new safety pi'ugrani. MASSMAR (Calmar), March 14 — Chairman, F. Walker; Secretary, H. Ladyn. New delegate elected. One man missed ship In Baltimore. Wash­ er needs repairing. Need more water pressure In bathrooms. BRADFORD ISLAND (Cities Serv­ ice), March 25—Chairman, J. Whatlay; Secretary, J. Parker. Some disputed overtime. Report accepted. Delegate elected. Observe safety rules on smoking. Request action on forward­ ing mail by company office. OCEAN JOYCE (Mar. Overseas), March 31—Chairman, J. Brock; Secre­ tary, D. Masse. Members who fouled up will be acted against. Ship's fund $16.45. Little disputed overtime. Some conflict In stewards dept. Discussion concerning steward and baker being too friendly with captain. MONARCH OF THE SEAS (Water­ man), March 31—Chairman, J. Stew­ art; Secretary, L. Jacksen. Two men short—no time to get replacements. Need new Ice box. new toasters. Fumigate ship. Messhall to be sprayed. Place cups in sink after using. PENNMAR (Calmar), March 23 — Chairman, V. Monte; Secretary, W. Openhorst. New delegate elected— requested full cooperation in all de­ partments. Minor beefs to be settled. Report accepted. Faucet to be re­ paired In steward dept. shower. Prop­ er attire to bo worn In messhall. TOPA TOPA (Waterman), March 17 —Chairman, P. Van Wygerden; Secre­ tary, F. Kustura. Reports accepted. Repair list to be prepared. Start arrival pool and $20 to be placed in ship's fund. Return an cups and glasses to pantry after using. DEL SUD (Mist.), April 7—Chair­ man, C. Llles; Secretary, T. Novak. Balance on projector $37. All beefs settled. Ship's fund $37. Man sounded off to Imqilgratlon Dept. Papers re­ voked for six months. New delegate elected. Request aU monies be paid out of fund; $50 be given when mem­ ber is left in foreign port for reason beyond his control. Pool's fund to be donated to baseball fund. Safety sug­ gestions and beefs to be given to delegate. Messroom only to serve meals. Need microphone for meet­ ings. Suggest $2 donation from all members for ship's fund. e B NORFOLK (Cities Service), April 13—Chairman, F. Natale; $eeretary, S. Kollna. Reports accepted. Need flrst-ald kid In engine room. Menu needs changing. Radiator to be adjusted In messroom and foc'sle. ROYAL OAK (Cities Service), April 1—Chairman, W. Funch; Secretary, D. Beard. Repairs not made. Messhalls and galley to be painted after tanks are cleaned. Ship's fund $7.63. Re- DEL SOL (Delta), April 3—Chair­ man, N. Huff; Secretary, B. Stewart. Ship's fund $15. Motion to stop carr.y. ing Kroo boys from Liberia on Delta Line ships as stevedores. Ship to be stored for 90 days' supplies; need more variety in meats. Ship runs sliort of food. Trips extend to 87-95 days. Discussion oh carrying Kroo boys on ships taking overtime away from crew members; cleaning laun­ dry; bad wash water; fine jmrformance of crew as a whole—no per­ formers. MCKETTRICK HILLS (Western Tank­ ers), March 2—Chairman, J. Hauser; Secretary, D. Collins. Six men paid off. Some disputed overtime—to be settled at payoff. FLORIDA STATE (Ponce Cement), March 4—Chairman, D. Wagner; Sec­ retary, H. Wills. Request headquar­ ters to verify practice of shipping replacements In Puerto Rico. Ship's fund $19.08. Some disputed over­ time. Baker fired for unsatisfactory work. Report accepted. Need port­ hole fans; hot water Una to washer. Vote of thanks to delegate and stewart dept. April 7—Chairman, W. Varn; facratary, H. Will. Lack of cooperation in Engineering Dept. Matter to be referred to port agent. Ship's fund 816.20. Report accepted. Ice box door needs repairing. Vote of thanks to steward dept. Engine department beef discussed. GEO. A. LAWSON (Pann Shipping), April 5—Chairman, L. Schmidt; Sec­ retary, F. Calnan. Fans ordered. Cap­ tain to put out blanket draw If ship is cleared. Ship's fund $13.40. Re­ ports accepted. Repair list submitted. Need fans for hospital; new mat­ tresses. Need more milk. Discussion on traveler's checks in Brazil—big loss taken when cashed. Request cap­ tain take more cash. SEATRAIN TEXAS (Saatrain), March 34—Chairman, J. Monart; Sacratary, R. Pappan. Shlp'a fund SM.OO. Some disputed overtime. Report accepted. New reporter elected. Boom^ need painting. Awning to be repaired. Mfhlle painting soma one cut staging Una dropping man In water—much discussion. �May 10. 1957 Pare Eievea SEAFARERS LOG * Ready To Serve' World Labor Groups Seek UN Action On 'Runaways' Organized labor is now giving strong support tn a proposal to have the United Nations take official action against ship­ owners who transfer their vessels to foreign flags to evade the taxes, laws and wage 4scales of their own countries. national Law Commission which Such action has been rec­ has been studying the transfer ommended to the UN's General problem for several years. The Assembly by a fact-finding Inter- General Assembly's legal commit­ tee, in turn, has proposed that a UN conference he held in Rome next March to draft a Law of the Sea concerning ships' nationalities. This law would stipulate, that "there must exist a genuine link between the state (in which the ship is registered) and the ship." Both the International Confed- ^ Balto Gears For Pick-lip In Shipping That old line about the proof of the pudding ajiplies very literally to the opening of the Marine Cooks and Stewards training center. After members of the SIU Pacific District voted the Communist-dominated stewards outfit out of ex­ istence two vears agp, it was up to the new union to show that it could deliver the goods. Since then the union has built a new San Francisco headquarters hall, has drafted a constitution now being voted on in a membership-wide referendum and has markedly improved its contracts and conditions. Now the MCS has climaxed its efforts by open­ ing a lavish training and recreation center for members seeking to upgrade themselves and improve their earning powers. This Is the kind of forward-looking action which Is the objective of the unions affiliated with the SIU of NA. BALTIMORE — Shipping has •lowed down somewhat during the past period but is expected to pick up. There were 10 payoffs, 7 signons and 18 ships in transit during 4" $ 4" the last two weeks. "Next period," Port Agent Earl Sheppard reports, "we expect shipping to improve as •cveral ships are scheduled to pay The report by the "Pacific Shipper" that atom-powered off." • ^ merchant ships will be an "economic reality" by 1964 in a way The vessels paying off were the serves only to cloud the atomic ener^ picture. Previous re­ Mankato Victory, (Victory Car­ ports from various sources have Indicated that atomic-pow­ riers); Jean, Emilia (Bull); Cubore, Feltore, Marore, Venore (Ore); ered merchant ships will not be commercially feasible for Chickasaw (Pan-Atlantic), and the many years to come. Now there are indications it will be Council Grove (Cities Service). much sooner. Perhaps some official agency should clear the air with an in­ The Mankato Victory, Chickasaw, Cubore, Feltore, Marore, Santore formed estimate on the future of atomic energy In the mari­ (Ore), and the Oceanstar (Dolphin) time industry. signed on. We believe a definite pronouncement at this time would en­ Pulling into port to be serviced able the maritime industry to more accurately chart its future were the Alcoa Puritan, Alcoa course. Planter, Alcoa Pegasus, Alcoa Poim 4> 4> 4> ter (Alcoa); Steel Vendor, Steel Navigator, Steel Chemist (Isth­ mian); Evelyn (Bull); Robin Wentley, Robin Trent (Seas Shipping); The tactics of the Ohio Consolidated Telephone Company Warrior (Pan-Atlantic); CS Norfolk during the strike of the company's employees in Portsmouth, (Cities Service); Calmar, Bethcoas-* O., (see page 10) point up again the readiness of some groups ter (Caimar); Baltore (Ore); Grain Trader (Grain); and the Carib among management to engage in union-busting. Queen (TMT). There are some who are complacent enough to' believe that Sheppard expressed the Union's labor organization has now reached the stage of maturity. appreciation to the Seafarers in They believe that the principle of collective bargaining has Baltimore who assisted in the now been so firmly established that it is universally accepted recently-concluded SlU organizing campaign among six towboat com­ —that it cannot be dislodged. Unfortunately, this is not so. There are still many who panies. The year-long drive in the are eager to take away labor's gains. We find them in the port, he said, was made possible by the active participation of Ohio telephone company. We find them among the advo­ Seafarers and rank and file tug- cates of "right-to-work" legislation. Therefore labor must •jboatmen. continue to be vigilant again^; all these forces. Atomic Energy—iHow Close? No Picnic For Unions Walter P. Reuther and Emil Mazey were re-elected president and secretary-treasurer respec­ tively of the United Auto Workers Union at the imion's annual con­ vention in Atlantic City. The 3,000 delegates voted to amend the con­ stitution to provide for a special convention next January which would map plans for forthcoming contract negotiations with the auto industry. They also adopted a reso­ lution calling for an additional 50 cents per month dues from each member. The increased contributio nis to strengthen the union's financial position in the negotia­ tions at which they will seek a 4-day work week with increased pay. 4" 41 t The Senate has approved a bill calling for Federal inspection of poultry and poultry products along the lines long sought by the Meat Cutters Union. The amendment, which stipulates inspection before and after slaughter, is designed for the protection of both the con­ sumer and the workers in the poultry processing industry. The provisions of the amendment will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 1959, although the processors could vol­ untarily make themselves subject to federal inspection one year earlier. 4 4 4 The Newspaper Guild of New York is preparing to demand arbi­ tration of $1 million in dismissal claims for some 300 employes of the defunct Brooklyn Eagle. In January, 1955, the Guild struck the Eagle, demanding benefits equal to those received by em­ ployes on New York's other dailies. The paper went out of business and refused to pay the severance claims. When arbitration was re­ jected, the Guild went to court, where it was successful on appeal. 4 4 4 The Nonferrous Metals Council of the AFL-CIO has called upon the Federation to charter a new union to contest bargaining rights in the industry now held by the independent Mine, Mill & Smelter Workers. The Government has asked the Subversive Activities Control Board to declare the MM&SW as Communist infiltrated and thereby take away the Federal labor law protection enjoyed by the union. The United Steelworkers has already claimed jurisdic­ tion over the 100,000 members in the field. 4 4 4 A mfirathon 22-hour final-settlement-or-strike bargaining session has resulted in a new two-year con­ tract between the members of TWU Local 1 and the Akron (Ohio) Transportation Company. The con­ tract procides for a 20-cent hourly wage increase and a 4-hour reduc­ tion in the work week over the length of the agreement. It also calls for increased hospital and in­ surance benefits. Some cynics say that US ship­ owners transfer their ships for­ eign to save on taxes and wages. But the shipowners are really big-hearted fellows who are only trying to do soniebody a good turn, according to Paul Getty of Tidewater Oil. Getty, who soon expects to have 21 tankers un­ der the Liberian flag, spoke re­ cently at the launching of his newest tanker in France. "I like Liberia," Getty said. "It's a nice little country and I like to help It out." Getty, who owns pieces of oil fields in the Near East and various other enterprises, is re­ puted to be one of the world's richest men. Estimates of his personal fortune have run to nearly $900 million. eration of Free Trade Unions and the International Transportworkers Federation have thrown their full weight behind the proposal. In Canada, where the SIU Canadian District has been spearheading la­ bor's protest against transfers, the Canadian Labor Congress has call­ ed upon the Canadian Government to support the UN proposal. Ten Perct_t Affected Labor's feeling was summed up bv the ICFTU, which pointed out that nearly one-tenth of the world's gross tonnage "is now under flags with which neither owners nor crews have links." The ICFTU called this "a deplorable practice which has ex­ panded rapidly, and gravely affects the social rights and interests of the crewmembers." Hub Yawns At Synfheik 'Tea Party' BOSTON—The Boston Tea Party had a revival this week, but this time it was strictly ersatz. Beantowners got some amuse­ ment out of a Chamber of Com­ merce gimmick to have a group of hired hands disguised as Indians throw crates labeled "Government Waste," "Tax Duplication" and "In­ efficiency in Government" from the deck of a two-masted schooner. One observer wisecracked that "the Chamber left two of its crates on the dock—the ones labeled 'Pork Barrel' and 'Right to Work laws'." On the serious side, job activities continue to be fair. James Sheehan, port agent reported three pay­ off and sign-ons, the Government Camp, Bradford Island and Royal Oak (Cities Service). Among ships in transit were the Steel Chemist (Isthmian), Robin Trent and Robin Mowbray (Robin). The future outlook pretty good, Sheehan said, with a couple of Libertys scheduled in plus the usual tanker and diner callB;- ' r �SEAFARERS P«ffe Twelve LOG-A'RHYTHM: CUPID WINS AGAIN Dan Cupid has thrown another bachelor for a loop, this time veteran Seafarer Earl D. Pattee. Leap year is over and By E. Wiley Carter gone, so now the boys are tumbling on their own. Pattee and his bride, Kath-"*" I shipped aboard the Alice Brovon leen, took the nuptial vows in friends." Pattee said he didn't want anybody to think he was pull­ From the port of Baltimore, States Marine had chartered her. Seattle, with fellow Seafarer ing their leg about his being mar­ Rock N' RoH So Bloomfield lost the score. Just one AB was on the board When I threw in my card, I thought I wouldn't make It—' But it really loasn't hard. She stayed two days around the port For me, this wasn't bad. We then sailed out and headed South, And those Texas gals were glad. John Garber and Miss Vivian Bahr looking on as witnesses. The cere­ mony was followed by a festive celebration in honor of the newlyweds. The photo below was submitted by the new bridegroom "for the benefit of my many non-believing ried now, so the picture was set up as proof of his new status. For the record, it shows the cou­ ple's marriage license backed up by the witnesses and the bride and groom. This surely makes things official. Welcome to the fold, Earl, and best wishes to you both. We took off for the West Coast And had ourselves a time. Of course, the weather helped a lot. We were in a sunny clime. Sailing out of Frisco town The seas were rough and ready. We rocked and rolled with Alice Brown, And boy'. Was that gal steady! For twenty days and twenty nights We rocked and rolled our way. To Yokohama, our first port We sure had earned our pay. We did a different rock and roll In the Land of the Rising Sun, But this is only half the trip. So we've off on another one. Now we can't say how the trip will end Though it really doesn't matter. Our Alice Brown will get us there With a rock and roll and a splat­ ter. 'Sea Spray'-"Red' Newlyweds Earl and Kathleen Pattee (right) celebrate after their marriage in Seattle. Miss Kathleen Bahr and fellow Seafarer John Garber (2nd from left) were the witnesses at the ceremony. SlU, A&G District B.^LTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St. Earl Sheppard. Agent EAstern 7-4900 BOSTON 276 State St. James Sheehan. Agent Richmond 2-0140 HOUSTON 4202 Canal St. A. Michelet. Agent Capital 7-6538 LAKE CHARLES. La 1419 Ryan St. Leroy Clarhe. Agent HEmlock 6-5744 MOBILE 1 South La-wrence St. Cal Tanner. Agent HEmlock 2-1754 MORGAN CITY 912 Front St. Tom Gould. Agent Phone 2156 NHTW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St. Lindsey WiUiami. Agent Tulane 8626 NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn HYaclnth 9 0600 NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. Ben Rees. Agent MAdlson 2-9834 PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St. S. CarduUo, Agent Market 7-1635 PUERTA de TIERRA PR 101 Pelayo Sal Colls. Agent Phone 2-5996 S.4N FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St. Marty Breithoff. Agent Douglas 2-5475 S.4VANNAH 2 Abercorn St. E. B. McAuley. Agent Adams 3-1728 SEATTLE ....2505 1st Ave. Jeff GiUette. Agent ElUoU 4334 TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. Tom Banning, Agent Phone 2-1323 WIIAIINGTON, Calif 505 Marine Ave, Reed Humphries. Agent Terminal 4-2874 HE.4.DQUARTERS....675 4th Ave.. Bklyn. SECRETARY-TREASURER Paul HaU ASST. SECRETFARY-TREASURERS J. Alglna, Deck C. Simmons. Joint J. Volpian. Eng. W. Hall, Joint E. Mooney, Std, R. Matthews. Joint SUP SEATTLE WILMINGTON NEW YORK 2505 1st Ave. Main 0290 505 Marine Ave. Terminal 4-3131 675 4th Ave., Brooklyn HYaclnth 9-6165 Canadian District HALIFAX. NR MOI4TBEAI. 128>.4 HoHis St. Phone 3-8911 634 St. James St. West PLateau 8161 FORT WILLIAM Ontario 130 Simpson St. Phone: 3-3221 PORT COLBORNE Ontario 103 Durham St. Phone: 5591 TORONTO. Ontario 272 King St. E. EMplre 4-5719 VICTORIA. BC 6171i Cormorant St. E.Mplre 4531 VANCOUVER. BC 298 Main St. PaclHc 3468 SYDNEY. NS 304 Charlotte St. Phone: 6346 B.4G0TVILLE, Quebec 20 Elgin St. Phone: 545 THOROLD. Ontario 52 St. Davids St. CAnal 7-3202 QUEBEC 85 St. Pierre St. Quebec Phone: 3-1569 SAINT JOHN 85 Germain St. NB Phone: 2-5232 Great Lakes District ALPENA 1215 N. Second Ave. Phone: 713-J 180 Main St. 16 Merchant St. BUFFALO. NY Phone: Cleveland 7391 Phone 5-8777 PORTLAND 811 SW Oay St. CLEVELAND......734 Lakeside Ave., NE CApital 3-4336 Phone: Main 1-0147 RICHMOND. Calif..,.810 Macdnnald Ave. BEacon 2-0925 DETROIT 1038 3rd St. Headquarters Phone: Woodward 1-6857 SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St. Douglas 2-8363 DULUTH 831 W. Michigan St. Phone: Randolph 2-4110 HONOLULU s Editor, SEAFARERS LOG, 675 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn 32, NY I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG— please put my nome on your mailing list. (Prinf Information) NAME S STREET ADDRESS CITY r> ZONE STATE TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you are an old subicribar and hava a changa of addresi, pleasa giva your formar address belov/s ADDRESS ! CITY fa • « • • •I 'Adopt-A-Shlp' Plan Supported To the Editor: To stimulate an interest in the minds of our future business men and women concerning the importance of a strong Ameri­ can merchant marine to our economic welfare and the na­ tional defense, the "Women's Organization for the American Merchant Marine, Inc." under­ took the "Adopt-a-Shlp" project. By this plan, school classes. Letters To The Editor AU letters to the editor for publication in the SEAFAR­ ERS LOG must be signed by the writer. Names will be withheld upon request. The deck gang was a salty bunch, And most from "Tea Town" yet. But all in all, the whole darn crew Was as good as any I've met. Wv hit the seas and plowed right through The storm got worse and worse, And as I say, she rocked and rolled At this we'd shout and curse. May 10. 195T LOG ZONE STATI SOUTH CHICAGO...... 3261 E. 92nd St. Phone: Essex 5-2410 under the supervision of teach­ ers, correspond with the master, officers and crew of their "adopted" American merchant ship. Thus the plan reaches not only the children and their families but also those who teach the younger generation, the educate r s. The first step in the "Adopta-Ship" plan Is to contact the steamship companies active in the US merchant marine and obtain from them permission to ask the cooperation of their captains. The captain of each vessel Is then approached and, if he Is sufficiently Interested in the work to take on the re­ sponsibility of answering the correspondence personally or through his officers or crewmembers, his ship is "adopted" by a school listed with the com­ mittee. Correspondence from the ship is sent to the pupils in care of thj teacher responsible for the project. The aim of the plan is to teach young Americans, our boys and girls, the necessity of maintaining an adequate mer­ chant marine. Aboard our ship, the John B. Waterman, Capt. Wimmer has been corresponding with stu­ dents of the Moulton Junior High School, Moulton, Iowa. The captain was considerate enough to bring this matter to the at­ tention of the ship's delegate and, during our last meeting aboard, delegate William Wormack explained the importance of this project to the crew. It was agreed by all hands that they will assist the captain in every way possible. I am writing th'is article in the hope that Seafarers aboard other ships will work' together as a unit with their ships' offic­ ers to assure that this project can be a success. Anthony C. Aronica Ship's reporter Wants Savings Plan On Ships To the Editor: For the average Seafarer, sav­ ing money is a touch and go affair. Often a ship is in port only a day or two and getting time off is impossible. The plan I propose <or one similar to it) could alleviate the inconvenience the average sea­ man faces when he tries to save part of his earnings and would also encourage savings by mak­ ing it so easy. The entire trans­ action could take place aboard ship, either at the sign-on or payoff. When the patrolman comes aboard, anyone who wanted to start a savings account could give him a deposit, sign a sig­ nature card and would then be free to make regular deposits. Once a man had started an account, a system could, be worked out to get the deposits to the bank and a man could put as much of his earnings away as he wished each time the patrolman came aboard. Re­ ceipts naturally would be issued in all cases. This convenient method would encourage many to put their money into a safe place rather than carry large amounts of cash on their person. According to the banking rules, bankbooks cannot be held by the bank ^cept by special permission from the banking commission. But if permission could not be obtained to keep them there, then the book could either be mailed to-the seaman or held for him at the local Union hall. The Union could advise the seaman of the number of his book so that be could still make deposits although the book was not actually in his possession. Allotments to the bank might possibly be made in the same way. The question whether a shipping commissioner would allow a man to make an allot­ ment to an open account could easily be resolved. To eliminate confusion, one bank in each port could be designated to accept accounts and deposits in that port. Bank In Any Port Once the system had been in effect for a while, the wrinkles could be ironed out so that a man whose home port was New York could make a deposit to his New York bank even if he paid off in Norfolk or any­ where else. The deposit could be forwarded through the SIU Norfolk branch to New York, and then transacted In the nor­ mal manner. This would be an' ideal savings plan for seaman. A man could sign on at any port in the US and would not have to go further than the Union patrol­ man at the payoff or sign-on to start an account or make regular deposits of his earnings in a safe place. Joseph Pasinosky t 4- This Explains Nature-Lovers To the Editor: Enclosed is a short item from our local Texas City paper, which you might like to print in the LOG. A TREE There's something feminine In a tree. It does a strip tease in the fall. Goes with bare limbs all winter. Gets a new outfit every spring, and Lives off the saps all winter. I would like to contribute some drawings for the LOG, but would like to know if they have to concern sea life or more gen­ eral subjects. If you can Use some, what size drawings can I send which would be suitable for reproduction? My hubby has been a seaman for nearly 17 years and so have my brothers, so they see the LOG, too. Mrs. A! Sandino (Ed note: Original drawings - and other material for the LOG are always welcome, preferably dealing with some aspect of maritime life, seamen or trade unions. The size of the original is optional, depending on the artist's own convenience. Black and white pen and ink or char­ coal drawings reproduce best.) �Pace Tbirteen SEAF ARERS LOG May 10. 1957 Wesf Coast Oldfimers Turn To For Coal Jobs Oldtimers are in the spotlight in the American Coal beef and are com-, ing forward to join the fight. De­ spite their years, veteran sailors, fire­ men and cooks from all coasts are turning to again to demonstrate the fighting spirit that helped to build their unions under the SIUNA ban­ ner. They know from bitter experi­ ence in the beefs of long ago what must be done to bring union condi­ tions to the ACS fleet. What they are doing is a tribute to each of the men participating in this fight. Oldest man to make a job on the two coal ships crewed in Savannah, MCS veteran John Williams (in­ set) is shown cpming down gangway of the Harry L Glucksman. He had 48 years of discharges. fl m l^. Aldeguerra of MCS (top), with 42 years' time, and 43-year-man C. A. Landberg, SUP, sign on the Berry after defeating competitors. ALCOA RANGER (Alcoa), April 7— Chairman, C. Fischer; Secretary, A. Carpenter. Dispute over delayed sail­ ing. Few houra disputed overtime. Recreation room to be cleaned by BR and slop sink and laundry room to be cleaned alternately by OS and wiper. List to be posted. Laundry room to be left clean, remove trash. Check with patrolman about repairs. Doors to be closed quietly. . These SlU oldtimers, all of whom mode jobs on the Martha Berry, had 113 years' seatime between them. John Munden, AB (left), has 40 years; Russell Stone, oiler, 37 years, and Okol Jones, oiler (right), 36 years. to Ubrary for new ones. Repair list submitted. One man paid off due to Illness—sent to hospital. Crew to stand one hour picket duty in San Juan. Need new gangway. AU home­ steaders on this ship; chow is fine. Good cooperation among steward de­ partment. Ship's fund 114. RION (Actium), April 7—Chairman, C. Hepklns; Secretary, H. Moore. Baker attacked in Bone; Algeria by MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car­ riers), March 20—Chairman, J. Mcehan; Secretary, J. Long. Iron or­ dered. Beef with chief mate. All former repairs made. Slop chest sit­ uation discussed. Ship's fund S31. SI to be donated by each new member. Electrician sent to hospital. Ship aaUed short-handed. Steward dept. foc'sles to be painted. Ironing board cover to be provided. IRENESTAR (Sea Traders), Jan. 13 —Chairman, G. Campbell; Secretary, C. Parker. New repair list drawn up. If no payoff on arrival dqy. draw to be given. Widow of longshore boss killed was very grateful for contribu­ tion by crew. French people im­ pressed with SIU crew and goodwill gesture toward them. All members very cooperativo. Ship's fund $10.20. No beefs—longshore work clarified. Some disputed overtime. Vote of thanks to all members in steward dept. Discussion to start arrival pool with percentage going to ship's fund. STEEL VENDOR (Isthmian), March II—Chairman, H. Ehmsen; Secretary, V. Orencle. Crew entitled to six days subsistence while ship in drydoek. Messhall and rooms will be painted after top-side painting is finished; also passageways. Ship's fund $27.01. One OS paid off in Honolulu. Some disputed overtime. Reports accepted. Ship should be fumigated for roaches. Apple peels and used tea bags to be dlQosed of. Cups to be returned to pantry. Put out night lunch at night; more fresh fruits. New safety rep­ resentatives elected. Vote of thanks to steward dept. ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), April 4— Chairman, T. Waslluhi lecretary, C. OoHetpedales. Old books to be sent on pier-head Jump; to be taken up with patrolman. Several hours dis­ puted overtime. Report accepted. Bathrooms to be repaired. Post sail­ ing board according to agreement. VAL CHEM (Valentino Tankers), March 31—Chairman, R. King; Secre­ tary, W. Nesta. Delayed sailing time disputed by captain; will be taken up with patrolman. Ship's fund $.1Q.3.'5. Few hours disputed overtime; One man hospitalized. TV and radio to be turned off during meal hours. Radios to be tuned low so men can sleep. Request different brand of ice cream. JOHN B. WATERMAN (Watarman), March 31—Chairman, B. Parker; Sec­ retary, A. Aronlca. New delegate and" treasurer elected. Ship's fund $13.02. Report accepted. Letter to be sent to headquarters and Waterman regard­ ing bathrooms in quarters back aft. Medicine cabinets to be installed. Beefs to be taken up with delegates. Crew _asked to observe quiet after midnight. Vote of thanks to steward dept. for excellent meals prepared and served. unknown seaman. Baker incompetent and unsatisfactory. Past draws unaatisfactory; to be referred to-patrol­ man. One man hospitaUzed in Algeria. Reports accepted. Foc'sles to be paint­ ed. Baker not to ship above rating of galleyman. Check life boats and gear more often. Foreign money draws to be discussed with patrol­ man. Slop chest to be kept open later on entering US port. Servicca of steward dept. to be taken up with patrolman. GATEWAY CITY (Waterman), March 31—Chairman, B. PuzyskI; Secretary, H. Carmlchaal. Repair list to be sub­ mitted. Ship's fund $3.19. One man hospitalized in Holland. Two men logged. Reports accepted. CHICKASAW (Pan-Atl.), April 4— Chairman, H. Hastings; Secretary, O. Beck. Man hospitalized in Miami. Man missed ship; rejoined in Tampa WILD RANGER (Waterman), April $—Chairman, C. Lawsoiii Secretary, D, Ruddy. Delegate commented on excellency of crew regarding con­ duct, behavior & working abiUty. Re­ quest to divide "time off" equally. Ship's fund $17.72. Unable to secure magazines before departure. Reports accepted. Vacate mcssroom when fin­ ished so that others may get chow in time. Bosun gave brief talk on suiJieriority of aU hands and ship in general. Asked everyone to keep up good work. MV PONCB (Ponce Cement), Feb. 24—Chairman, P. Miller; Secretary, O. Knowles. San Juan agent cleared up overtime beefs; will be paid. Ship's fund. $22.49, Motion to make collec­ tion for ship's fund. Need new wash­ ing machine. Locke<$o be repaired or replaced. Vote of thanks to stew­ ard dept. Quiet to bo observed dur­ ing meals. COB VICTORY (Victory Carriers), March IS—Chairman, D. Barry; Sec- (Continued from page 3) . battle for tlie coal fleet. A good number of them are now sailing aboard American Coal ships. Seafarers Vote Thanks Expressing appreciation for the staunch support offered by the Wiest Co^st oldtimers, Seafarers at the last headquarters membership meeting unanimously endorsed a vote of thanks to the tliree West Coast afllliates for their invaluable assistance. The membership noted that the action of these- affiliates has materially assisted the SIU in maintaining its present job edge of 96 to 93 over the National Maritime Union. The arrival of the Casimir Pu­ laski in the coming week is one of two possibly crucial events. The other is the AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting which begins May 20. The Council will enter the pic­ ture at the request of AFL-CIQ. President George Meany in a fur­ ther effort to resolve the beef. Meany acted after a second ex­ change of correspondence with NMU President Joseph Curran over the latter's insistence on mis­ representing and distorting Meany's proposals to settle the beef. At a meeting in Washington earlier this year Meany offered a proposed solution which was acceptable to the SIU and all the other marine unions, but was rejected by Curran even though it would have meant giving him jurisdiction over the coal ships. Curran then distorted the outcome of the meeting to give the impression that it was the SIU that had blocked a solution. Meany To Make Report When called to account by IMeany for this misrepresentation Curran charged the AFL-CIO President with prejudice and rancor. Meany for his part announced he intend­ ed to place the entire matter be­ fore the Executive Council and added, "I feel that before the Coun­ cil decides on its approach to this matter it should have an oppor­ tunity to hear a report from me as to the efforts I have made to date." The key to Curran's refusal of Meany's offer was a proposal that he support the AFL-CIO deck and rotary, J. Brigham. Ship's fund $15.30. Some disputed overtime. Complaint on steam lines in foc'sles. New dele­ gate elected. Motion to replace old mattresses and springs—more than four each trip. Messhall to be left clean. Vote to be taken before size­ able amount of ship's fund is spent. Discussion on preparation and serv­ ice of food. Discussion on C-card men—were warned to observe rules, etc. ALCOA PURITAN (Alcoa), April 7 — Chairman, (none); Secretary, J. Byrne. Repair lists submitted. Some disputed overtime. Reports accepted. One brand of ice cream put aboard to avoid disputes. Member requested no smoking in galley by cooks. Safely measures discussed. Need new steel hooks on fore and aft housings—old one rusty. Heavy equipment on fantail needs some attention. STEEL SURVEYOR (Isthmian), March 27 — Chairman, A. Bankston; Secretary, F. Shaia. One man hospi­ talized in Brazil; Union notified. $10 donated to hospitalized brother. Mag­ azines purchased. Ship's fund $20. Reports accepted. Pantry to be kept clean. Suggestion to have arrival pool —half of money to be used for prizes and half put in ship's fund. LOSMAR (Calmar), March 24 — Chairman, W. Avcock; Secretary, J. Skarvelts. New delegate elected. One man missed ship—replacement ob­ tained. Discussion on steam; port hole dogs to be repaired. Kood-Ade to be put out every day. More tea to be purchased on West Coast. EMILIA (Bull), April 7—Chairman, C. Gladhlll; Secretary, R. Jopski. New delegate and secretary-reporter elect­ ed. One beef to be settled by patrol­ man. Discussion on distribution of linen. Steward to distribute linen at his convenience. STONY POINT (USPC), April 7— Chairman, M. Olson; Secretary, J. Sullivan. Repair list to be prepared. Ship's fund $19.34. Two hours dis­ puted overtime for restriction to ship in Rto. Need new mattresses. Pump­ man's room needs sougeeing and painting. Foc'sles need sougeeing. engine officers unions in their ef­ forts to get an American Coal contract. The officers' contract is presently held by District 50 of the United Mine Workers which in turn owns a one-third share of the company. Sea Vets Respond In Beef (Continued from page 3) won a steward's utility berth on the Glucksman for Seafarer William "Professor" McKay of New Orleans, 69, who turned up dis­ charges going back to 1907 to do it, A Tclativ® youngster. Seafarer Joseph Savoca came into a Gal­ veston shipyard with the Del Alba and was in Savannah soon after with 39 years on discharges in his pocket. He landed an AB's job on the Glucksman for his efforts. The arrival of the oldtimers here stirred up something like a carnival all over town, although the sailors tempered their enthusi­ asm "far into the night with tall tales of the long ago in maritime," Seafarer Okal Jones reported. "It's nice to meet your old pals and shipmates and hash over the '21 strike ... It all seems sd very fresh to us who have come so far since then . . . This beef is our way of reminding the youngsters that the struggle never ends even now in 1957 . . ." He and other oldtimers in town for the job competition said that despite the beef, members of all unions got along well together. "We had sailed" with some of them "and figured this can be settled without resorting to trouble. Jones, 55, a "youngster" himself with only 36 years' seatime, made an oiler's job on the Martha Berry. "I have a new name now," he added. "The doctor who passed us wanted to know if I was the mascot since I was the youngest one he had examined . . . Now they really call me 'Mascot' . . ." Vote.of thanks to chief cook. Contact patrolman about rider attached to articles regarding statement "north of equator." CHILORE (Or* Nav.), April 4 — Chairman, J. Dalton; Secretary, A. Nash. Minor beef to be taken up with patrolman. Ship's fund $321.71. Reports accepted. New delegate eleet' ed. Discussion on shortage of cups, fresh fruit. Books from Ubrary to b# returned to recreation room. ALCOA PEGASUS (Alcoa), April 13 —Chairman, R. Encarnaclon; Secre­ tary, R. Wendell. Check on delayed saUing last trip. One hour disputed overtime. Washing macliine to be kept clean. Keep clothes off valves in fidley room. Washing machine re­ paired. Vote of thanks to steward dept. Soiled Unen to be placed in linen locker. Toaster to be used for toast only, not toasted cheese sand­ wiches. OCEANSTAR (Triton), April 7 — Chairman, P. Lolk; Secretary, R. Perry. Ship's fund $4.80. Alien sail­ ing as saloon messman did not obtain necessary papers to make return trip —was paid off in Bel-gium. Pots and pans to be secured in heavy seas. Messhall to be kept clean at night. Soiled linen to be placed in locker. Vote of thanks to steward dept: also to Senator Magnuson. Washington, D. C. COEUR D'ALENE VICTORY (Vic­ tory), April 7—Chairman, L. Lewis; Secretary, R. McCullock. Draw in Yo­ kohama and every 3 days after. Some men asked for too much money. They have allotments. Have patrolman see about master having, personal aerials taken down. Steward department given a vote of thanks for good food and service. All hands return cups to pantry and keep clean at night. Excercise more care in use of wash­ ing machine. COUNCIL GROVE (CS), April «— Chairman, K. Hallman; Secretary, Si. Voit. New delegate elected. Beef on Unen. toilets in deck head will not work. Several fane out of order. �Pare Fourteen SEAFARERS LOG Del Norte BB Team Tops BA Nine The Del Norte "Stars" have apparently won the first round of-the annual rivalry be­ tween the SlU crews of the Delta Line passenger wagons and the famed Gimnasia y Esgrima In the Argentine capital of of Buenos Aires. According to the first re-^ lost now and then, but the boys ports in, the "Stars" took the of good will for Uncle Sam." Some might say the SIU squads don't seem to have considered that initial encounter by a score of 7-4, Teams fielded by one or an­ could promote a lot more friend­ possibility and just keep on win­ other of the three Delta passenger ship south of the border if they ning. ships have for the past seven or eight years accumulated quite a few silver trophies by winning the seasonal series against the Argen­ tine sports club. Last year the Del Sud "Rebels" took the honors by winning two ma­ jor games for the "Friendship Trophy" on consecutive trips. They also won an earlier contest to sweep the series. According to Seafarer George McFall, a regular on the Delta ships, the competition of the past few years "has promoted improved inter-American relations plus a lot 'Can-Sliakers' Have No OK The membership is again cau­ tioned to beware of persons soliciting funds on ships in be­ half of memorials or any other so-called "worthy causes." No "can-shakers" or solicitors have been authoriezd by the SIU. Part of tfie SIU team from the Del Norte is shown ready to board a bus for Palermo Park, Buenos Aires, and their latest encounter with an Argentine club. The SIU "Stars" won 7-4. SEAIAREKS IN THE HOSPITAES USPHS HOSPITAL STATEN ISLAND, NY D. F. Kazlukewlci Philip Ackroyd James Llppincott Robert Beliveau D. P. Ryan-McNeiUe Candido Bonefont Edw. T. Campbell Ahmed Mehssln Thomas Moncho James H. Fisher Arthur J. Fortner Jan Plorkowskl Eustaquio Rivera E. V. Gelling Jose Rodriguez Estell Godfrey Charles B. Roosa Robert C. Gorbea Chow G. Song Burl. Haire Cesar Izqulerdo Clarence Wallace Alfred Kaju BELLEVUE HOSPITAL NEW YORK, NY Loyd McGee USPHS HOSPITAL SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. Noah C. Carver Alonzo M. Mllefskl Kaj E. Hansen George R. Nichola Alexander Lcincr R. A. Statham USPHS HOSPITAL SEATTLE. WASH. John H. Dietsch Walter G. Stuck# Jonas Heidt USPHS HOSPITAL MEMPHIS, TENN. Claude F. Blanks VA HOSPITAL ALBERQUERQUE, NM Charles Burton USPHS HOSPITAL FORT WORTH, TEXAS B. F. Deibler James Lauer Siegfried Gnittke John C. Palmer USPHS HOSPITAL MANHATTAN BEACH BROOKLYN, NY Manuel Antonana Ludwig Kristiansen Eladio Aris Frank J. Kubek Fortunate Bacomo Frederick Landry Frank T. Campbell Leonard Leidig John J. DriscoU Archibald McGuigan Robert E. Gilbert B. J. Martin William Guenther Albert MartineUi Bart E. Guranick Vic Milazzo John Haak Joaquin Miniz Howard Hailey Norman J. Moore Taib Hassen W. P. O'Dea BUly R. Hill Ben Omar Thomas Isaksen G. A. Puissegur Ira H. Kilgore James M. Quinn ^ E A F=- A PORT O' CAU 675--43V>\vEMcr -12/6 E.BALTi/WaeE SROOfcru/Al Burly ^AL-7/MoeF George E. Renale Stanley F. Sokol S. B. Saunders Michael Toth G. £. Shumaker Harry S. Tuttle Kevin B. Skelly Virgil E. Wllmoth Henry E. Smith Pon P. Wing USPHS HOSPITAL SAVANNAH, GA. I. Lopez Albert Birt M. J. McCormick E. G. Brewer L. A. DeWitt Biliie R, Meeks BiUie Padget R. C. Grimes Jimmie Littleton USPHS HOSPITAL BOSTON, MASS. August F. Eklund George D. Rourke Jose E. Leston MONTEBELLO CHRONIC DISEASE HOSPITAL BALTIMORE, MD. Francisco Bueno USPHS HOSPITAL BALTIMORE, MD. George Amblard Edw. F. McGowan Charles Cochran Walter A. Maas Victor B. Cooper John Mallnowskl James R. Dayton Francisco Mayo Guy G. Gage William Millison Dan Gentry Domingo Orbigoso Gorman T. Glzae Lionel D. Peat W. V. Gontarski Walter Saichuk Edw. P. Scherzer James Gustavson Carl J. Spurck CarroU Harper Percy Harrelsoq, Harry C. Sullivan Robert Littleton Arnold Tilda Patrick Lynch Albert Willis USPHS HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS, LA. Knud Larsen John E. Adams C. D. Anderson William Lawless Louis P. Anderson Alois F. Mauffray WiUiam Bargone William Mauldin VirgU Coash Michael Muzio Cloise Coats Randolph RatcliH Ray DeShong F. Regalado Serio M. DeSosa William Scruggs William DriscoU William Singleton Toefii Smigielski Alfredo Duarte Lucie R. Eiie Wert A. Spencer George G. Gordano Rufus Stough Leon Gordon Gerald L. Thaxton Elmer Groue Lonnie R. Tiekle Sigurd Halvorsen Pedro Vlllabol Joseph F. Harris Frank Vivero William Havelin Charles A. Wahl Sam Henry James E. Ward James Hudson Richard S. Worley Oliver Kendrick Salvatore Zammith Edward G. Knapp D. G. Zerrudo Leo Lang Jacob Zimmer USPHS HOSPITAL NORFOLK, VA. Francis J. Boner Edward G. Morales C. D. Crowder George R. Trimyer Frank HaU Clifford Vaughan May 10. 19» Crew Mourns Lost Shipmate To the Editor: Our voyage to the Far East having been blemished by trag­ edy. We, the crew of the Iber­ ville, would like to make known our deep appreciation to the captain, John T. E. Sodden, for his unfailing - performance in handling the situation when one of our members was lost at sea. Within 30 minutes of his known disappearance, the gen­ eral alarm was sounded, the Letters To The Editor All letters to the editor for publication in the SEAFAR­ ERS LOG must be signed by the writer. Names will be ibithheld upon request. entire ship searched, lookouts were posted at all mast levels and a boat crew stood by. The ship returned to the approxi­ mate area and a seven-hour search ensued, during which time a boat was lowered and put out to investigate what turned out to be floating debris and birds. The captain also held a prayer service in the days fol­ lowing, with all hands present. We also wish to pass on. our condolences to Brother John W. Smith's family. He will always be remembered by his friends, which numbered many among our ranks. R. J. Henniinger Ship's reporter it t , it Urges Check On A-Menace To the Editor: Within the last six months or so I've been reading articles in several periodicals about the radioactive fall-out from the nuclear e.xplosions set oil by the US and Russia. . A French scientist has stud­ ied the affects of recent radiation sickness on people in Australia from eating flsh that migrated from the bomb testing areas. He has suggested to the Austral­ ian government that all fish factories be equipped with scin­ tillation counters to measure radioactivity in the flsh being processed. In the March 11 issue of "Time" magazine (page 33), a Japanese scientist reported that the average human being con­ tains about eight times more strontium 90 than was reported in the US. While this ship, the Afoundria, was in Formosa on the 23rd and 24th of March, we were hit with the radioactive rain which got most of I'ormosa. Since our ship is not equipped with a counter or a meter, it was impossible to measure the amount of fall-out. And the radio news and newspapers didn't mention how many units were involved in the fall-out. Since scientists cannot be sure of the prevailing winds, they cannot be sure where radioactive rain will fall, or where "a radioactive fish (53.5 units from Bikini waters) will migrate. But if a ship at sea were "hit" with radioactive rain and was equipped to measure the amount of fall-out, it could wash it off with sea water and take protective measures for the personnel aboard. Perhaps the SIU should make some inquiries into this progres­ sively serious situation. Since strontium 90 cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, my suggestion would be to require all ships to be equipped with a scintillation counter just like they're now equipped with fire extinguishers to fight a fire that one can see, feel and smell. Robert N. Walton 4< 4" 4" Oldtimer Asks Pals Ts Write To the Editor: I am landlocked and sick for the sea, so I'd like to have the LOG sent to my, address here in Kansas City. I'd also appreciate mail from any of the boys who sailed on the Seamagic under Captain King, from November, 1950, to December, 1951, or froip any of my old shipmates. My address is 917 Tracy St., Kansas City, Mo. Best of luck to all the broth­ ers. The SIU doesn't need luck, but thanks for everything. Vincent "Curley" Mercon 4" 4 4" Hails Dunaif Crew's Assist To the Editor: I would like to thank the crew of the Charles C. Dunaif for all the help they gave my son and I. My thanks also to Bill, AB, who bought me a bus ticket to get back home. My son is now doing fine. In the minds of my Wife and I, you are all real shipmates. Best wishes for a good trip. Boh Brookshire 4" 44 Thanks Brothers In Prisco Hall To the Editor: This is an open letter to all boys in the San Francisco hall. I'd like to thank each and every one out there for being so nice to me while I was there taking treatment at the US Pub­ lic Health Service hospital. Right now I'm back in Balti­ more. Pat McCann By Bernard Seaman �May 10, 1057 LOG Paye Fifteea What's Up, Doc? CG 'Atom Checks' Ships Entering Boston Harbor SEAFARERS All of the follovAng SIU families have received a $200 maternity benefit plus a $25 bond from the Union in the baby's name: John Flood Jr., bom April 17, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Joseph 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. John T. C. Donovan, Boston, Mass. Flood, Philadelphia, Pa. 4 4 4 Cathy Patricia Hemby, born 4" 4« 4" Linda Jean Beiiveau, born April February 14, 1957, to Seafarer and 11, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Mrs. Clarence E. Hemby, Tampa, Fla. Robert Beiiveau, Brooklyn, NY. 4 4 4> i t 4 4 4 BOSTON—The Coast Guard has announced that it is tight­ ening its-security ring around Boston harbor to minimize the possibility of an unidentified vessel delivering a sneak atomic 4attack. An 83-foot patrol boat will tain of the Port, or by blinkers. be stationed at designated The Coast Guard warned that no 4 Marc William Friend, born Linda Magaly Valie Vega, born March 21, 1957, to Seafarer and April 6, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Oliver V. Ortiz, Sabana Grande, Mrs. Allen J. Friend, Brooklyn, NY. PR. Thomas Lewis Horton, born April 15, 1957, to Seafarer and Mi-s. Henry L, Horton Jr., Plym­ outh, NC. 4 4 4 Last Call For '57Scholarship Rose Mary Copado, born March Coming into the home stretch 14, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Faustino H. Copado, Galveston, for the 1957 SIU scholarship awards, ten Seafarers and eight Texas. Seafarers' children are currently .444 Karen Rosalie Dlering, born eligible for the $6,000 four-year Februai-y 12, 1957, to Seafarer and prizes. The panel of educators Mrs. Louis H. Diering Jr., Strat­ which meets annually to -select award winners will convene during ford, NJ. the third week of June. 4 4 4 Several of the contestants have Rob Mathews, bora March 22, already taken the college entrance 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. James examination which is a basic re­ R. Mathews, Galveston, Tex. quirement for the scholarship and 4 4 4 the remaining members of the Carlos Leon Colon, bora March group are scheduled to take the 23, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Leo­ May 18 exam. pold Colon, Puerta De Tierra, PR. Under the college scholarship program five awards are presented 4 4 4 Paul Joseph Dickens, born April each year, one of which is reserved 3, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wood- for a Seafarer. Last year. Seafar­ row Dickens, Hammond, La. ers won four out of five, the larg­ est number taken by crewmembers 4 4 4 Martin Donovan, bora April 10, to date. Your Gear for ship . • • for shore Whatever you need, in work or dress gear, your SIU Sea Chest has it. Get top quality gear at substantial savings by buy­ ing at your Union-owned and Unionoperated Sea Chest store. Sport Coats Slacks Dress Shoes Work Shoes Socks Dungarees Khakis Frisko Jeens CPO Shirts Dress Shirts Sport Shirts Belts Ties Sweat Shirts T-Shirts Shorts Briefs Swim Trunks Sweaters Sou'westers Raingear Caps Writing Materials Toiletries Electric Shavers Radios Television Jewelry Cameras luggage the SEA CHEST Toto (right) seems a little put out by the photographer's at* tentions, but Seafarer F. T. Di. Carlo, chief cook, manages" to keep her in check. positions at the mouth of the har­ bor, according to the weather, to clear or detain any ship seeking admission. Signals have been estab­ lished which will confirm identi­ fication, or order the vessel to heave to until further identifica­ tion may be made. The white painted boat will ap­ proach each vessel as it enters the harbor. If identification is made, the Coast Guard boat will display its international code flag 0 giving the ship permission to proceed. In bad weather, or when visibility is poor, permission may be obtained by radio from the boat or the Cap- Sub-Chasing Seals Fail; Pigboafs Lack Fish Scent STOCKHOLM—A newspaper article has disclosed the in­ side story of Sweden's experiments with sub-chasing seals. The paper announced that the Swedish navy had removed Itthe "top secret" label from what is probably the fishiest story of World War II. Personals And Notices John A. Dunne Please contact your sister, Mrs. A. Bianchini at 1443 Spain Street, New Orleans, La. 4 4 4 Ex-George Lawson Will the following former engine department crewmen of the SS George A. Lawson please contact Robert E. Gannon, 825 So. Meyler St., San Pedro, California: John Karliss, Clifton J. Lipsey, Claude S. Jones, Frederick H. Taylor, Har­ old A. Damon, Jr., Donald A: Peterson, Frank Travis, Robert Fravel, and Louis C. Cevette. 4 4 4 Frank Pannette Would you please get in touch with TheUna Wise at Nag's Head, North Carolina. It is very im­ portant. 4 4 4 Ray Herrcra Alfonso Armada would like you to get in touch with him on the SS Santore, Ore Navigation Corp., Sparrows Point or at 1700 Thames Street, Baltimore, Md. 4 4 4- 4 4 4 4 4 4 Charles F. Schuch, would appre­ ciate it if any bi-other who owes him money would please send it as he sorely needs it. He can be reached at PO Box 50, Savannah Beach, Georgia. It is a story of how naval experts and animal doctors combined their efforts to train seals to carry ex­ plosives and hunt down enemy submarines. "Yes, we tried it," a navy spokes­ man said, "and you needn't get flip about it. The seals cooperated but we couldn't handle the fish." Herring Ahoy! Young seals had been captured and put through extensive training at a naval base. There, submarines were sent down with bundles of fresh herring tied to them. The cooperative seals eagerly dove down after the lunch-bearing subs. The first part of the project was successful. But then came the diffi­ culties. For one thing they found that it was almost impossible to attach the explosive charges to the smooth and slippery skins of the seals. They called in the Royal Institute of Animal Medicine to devise a plastic carrier to overcome this difficulty. This was done, after a lot of ex­ periments with different materials, and the seals didn't even seem to mind. But the next problem was the stopper. It seems that despite their intensive training, the seals would only go down after fish-laden subs. That ended the project, as nobody could get herrings to stay around the subs voluntarily. ' B. J. Dzelak Ex-Steel Designer Two packages for you are being held in the SEAFARERS LOG office. Wally Maison Richard Kavanaugb, 63: Brother EXTREMELY URGENT! Please Kavanaugh died contact Bernadine Anroldt, 839 W. in Baltimore, 33 Street, Baltimore, Md., imme­ Maryland, on diately. Anybody knowing the April 10, 1957, above brother's whereabouts please ihform him of this notice. from a heart ail­ ment. He joined 4 4 4 Wallace Jenkins the Union August Contact Emory Jenkins, c/o 20. 1947, and James Summerall, PO Box 227, sailed in the en­ Wabasso, Fla. gine department. He is survived 4 4 4 James W. Duffy by a brother, A1 Kavanaugh, of Get in touch with your draft Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Place of burial is not known. vessel should proceed into the har­ bor without first getting permis­ sion. It announced that it will open fire to prevent any vessel fro.m entering without giving proper identification or failing tq heave to. Since ships must enter by designated lanes^ outgoing vessels were alerted to watch for incoming ships which may be maneuvering in the identification area. This will avoid possible mishaps in any kind of weather. ^ The crew of the Ideal X (PanAtlantic) gave a hearty vote of thanks in appre­ ciation to John Jellette on his resigning his po-, sition as ship's delegate to assist in the American Coal beef. A fine delegate, they said, and one who can be Jellette called upon to do his best for the crew and the Union. 4 4 4 Five months is a long time at sea, but according to reports from the Western ' * Ranger, (North Atlantic), it's a pleasure with a good crew of cooks and stewards. Bosun James Adams said that the food on board had greatly improved Powers since steward Joe Powers went into the galley and took over the third cook's job. Add to that, they reported, a night cook and baker like Leroy Pierson and a messman like Bert Wlnfield, both well known for their fine service, and you have a very happy crew. 4 4 4 Easter, like other holidays, brought a flood of thanks to the stewards department from many ships. Most verbose in their ap­ preciation of the holiday dinner were the members of the Seatrain Savannah, Morning Light (Water­ man), Mankato Victory (Vic. Car­ riers), Dorothy (Bull) and the Steel Maker (Isthmian). '4 4 4 The quarterly auditing commit­ tee elected at the April 17 mem­ bership meeting has completed its assignment for the first quarter of 1957. The committee, whose job is to audit the Unions books, records, bank ac­ counts,' and se­ curities, consist­ ed, as required, of two men elect­ ed from each of the three depart­ ments, the deck, steward and en­ Zekendc gine. Committee members were Edward Anderson, Warren Cassidy, WUUas Helms. Robert Joy, Antonio Sctaiavone, and Bozo Zekencic. it �SEAFARERS • OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO • Senate Will Honor LaFollette, Author Of Seamen's Act Steady Upturn Anticipated in Seattle's Jobs SEATTLE—Job activity haa been good in this port during the past two weeks, reports Jeff Gil­ lette, port agent. There were three ships paying off, two of them sign­ ing on, and four vessels in-transit. The Auburn (Alba), Wacosta (Waterman), and Western Ranger (Denton) paid off. The Wacosta and Western Ranger later signed on. Tfie Seamar, Losmar, Marymar (Calmar) and Afoundria (Water­ man) were in port to be serviced. Next period should be just as good, Gillette said, with four or'five pay­ offs expected thus far. The au-thor of the 1915 Seamen's Act, Senator Robert La­ Follette, Sr., has been honored as one of five outstanding US Senators whose portraits will be hung in the Senate office building. The other four chosen were John Calhoun, Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, a famous trio from the pre-Civil War Senate, and Senator. RobFdllette. He said to the Senator ert A. Taft. LaFolMte had a long dis- that he wanted to interest him in the cause of the American sailor, tinguisheu career in the Sen­ and he added that he wanted to ate, and in his native state of be free. The Senator did not Wisconsin where the LaFollette clan dominated political affairs for many years Such was his follow­ ing that he was the only American leader in the 20th century who suc­ cessfully started a third political p,arty, the Progressive Party. (Not to be confused with the later Pro­ gressive Party of Henry Wallace.) On that ticket he campaigned for the presidency in 1924, drawing just under five million votes com­ pared to Calvin Coolidge's 15,700,000 and 8 million for Democrat James Davis. During his Senate career from 1906 to his death in 1925 LaFol- know what he meant and ques­ tioned him further saying surely there were no slaves under the American flag, that Lincoln had changed all of that. Furuseth re­ plied, 'Yes; but not for the sailor.' Senator LaFdllette took an immedi­ ate interest in the struggle . . . "Test after test was carried to the United States Supreme Court. The Court ruled against the sea­ men, holding the 13th amendment to the Constitution was intended to free Negro slaves and that sea­ men remained bondmen under the law." Finally in 1912, the Seamen's Act was passed, but was vetoed by President Taft. It wasn't until three years later that LaFollette's and Furuseth's joint endeavor came to a successful conclusion. US, Poland Near Pact For Aid $ Andrew Furuseth lette was noted for his champion­ ship of liberal causes including regulation of railroads, the direct election of US Senators (now in the 17th amendment), women's suf­ frage and taxation according to ability to pay. It was in December, 1909, that LaFollette and Furuseth started an alliance which resulted in the pas­ sage of the "Seamen's Bill of Eights" five years later. As re­ ported by his son, Robert LaFol­ lette, Jr., "One morning in Decem­ ber, 1909, Andy for the first time went to see Senator Robert M. La- Water, Water Everywhere Water covers an estimated 70 percent of the Earth's surface in oceans, rivers, lakes and gla­ ciers, but that doesn't even take into account what's hiding be­ neath the surface, in the form " of ice. In Antarctica, where about 90 percent of the world's ice is believed located, scientists have just discovered that one US polar base is resting on 10,000 feet of ice, half of it above sea level and the rest below. Last year, some American flyers re­ ported ice surfaces as high as 14,000 feet in Antarctica at the farthest point from tht sea. This Represents an awful lot of icecubes, any way you figure it. WASHINGTON — The United States has virtually reached agree­ ment to offer Poland a $95 million aid program of farm surpluses and machinery to bolster her sagging economy. The amount is a .substantial in­ crease above that offered by the US earlier and about one-third the amount originally requested by the Polish delegation. But it is under­ stood that the negotiators were sat­ isfied with the aid offer. Since the pre-sent farm surplus disposal authority, which author­ izes sales to "unfriendly" nations, is almost exhausted the actual sign­ ing of the agreement must await Congressional passage of an appro­ priation which will add $1 billion to the authority. Farm Surplus Of the total amount of the pro­ gram, about $80 million will be in the form of surplus farm commodi­ ties, mainly wheat, cotton, fats and oils, and the rest in mining and drilling machinery. The reason for the Polish request is to enable the government to free Polish peasants from compulsory delivery to the government of farm commodities, especially wheat. A government reserve stock of wheat could be used to prevent any sharp increase in prices in case these deliveries could not be made. It was a similar loan and aid offer from the United States to Yu­ goslavia that enabled that nation to modify her system of compul­ sory deliveries, one of the first steps in her drive to freedom from Moscow domination. Named lost week as one of the five US Senators selected for the Senate Hall of Fame, the late Robert M. LaFollette Sr. (right) was the author and sparkplug with Andrew Furuseth of the historic Sea­ men's Act of 19ii5. He is shown with his son, Sen. Robert M. LaFollete Jr., in 1924 when he ran for president on an independent ticket. Hq Sees Job Spur In Operators' Plans NEW YORK—The job outlook for SIU members is on the upgrade, reports Claude Simmons, port agent. With shipping booming for the past month and some of the operators in initial stages of expansion plans, the improvement is ex­ (Western Tankers); Cantigny CS Miami (Cities Service) all paid off. pected to continue. West Coast Co. To Buy Prudential SAN FRANCISCO—Negotiations have been virtually completed by American President Lines for the acquisition of the Prudential Steamship Corp. APC is under contract to the West Coast affiliate of the SIU. Prudential, an NMU contracted operator, owns three Victorys, has two more under charter and one in which it holds an interest. Although not officially confirmed, it is reported that APL will make a cash payment of some $5 million and assume the mortgage obliga­ tions of the steamship corporation. This is the second large acquisi­ tion by American President Lines in the past year. Late last year it acquired the fleet of nine vessels owned and operated by American Mail Line. The President Lines now control some 41 vessels and has seven others which it is now readying for service. Prudential operates between North Atlantic ports and the Medi­ terranean. The Robin Wentley (Seas) Job activity has continued on the upswing with some positions hung Steel Worker, Steel Navigator up on the board with no takers for (Isthmian); Pan Oceanic Trans­ a couple of days. During the past porter (Penn. Nav.); Ocean Ulla period a total of 27 vessels paid (Ocean Trans.), and the Arickaree off, 6 signed on and 3 were serv­ (USPC) signed on. Simmons requested that the iced in-transit. The jump in the number of payoffs accounted for membership take advantage of the most of the activity, most of them facilities offered in the newlywith a big turnover in crews, he opened health center before it gets added. The Grain Trader taking too busy. There is not much of a on a full crew for her Japan run delay for appointment right now, he urged, but things are picking up also boosted shipping, he said. very fast. Isthmian Charters Among major developments ac­ counting for an expected shipping rise was the Government's ap­ proval of Isthmian's application for the charter of eight Governmentovmed Victorys for their India and Persian Gulf runs. Also, Seatrain has announced plans for the purchase of water­ front property in Edgewater, New | One of the first bene­ Jersey, and Savannah, Georgia, and fits adopted by the Plan, for the construction of a hew ves­ it entitles Seafarers in the sel. hospital more than one The last few editions of the LOG week to $21 a week in have reported on Pan-Atlantic's benefits for as long as progress in their new conversion they are hospital in­ program. Already underway is the patients. The benefits conversion of the C-2 Gateway City go to all men who have into a containership. Another SIUworked 90 days or more ccntracted company has disclosed in the preceding calendar plans to purchase a number of ad­ ditional ships. year and one day in the All of these reports indicate one past 90 on SIU ships. thing; bigger and better SIU ship­ ping in the coming montlis. Vessels in Pond During the past period the Kathryn, Elizabeth, Arlyn, Beatrice, Angelina (Bull); Seatrain's New Jersey, New York, Louisiana, Texas, Savannah, Georgia; Steel Navigator, Steel Worker, Steel Chemist (Isthmian); Pan Oceanic Transporter (Penn. Nav.); Almena, Maxton, Ideal X (Pan Atlantic); Alcoa's Planter, Runner, Pointer; Mermaid (Metro); Pacific Ocean (World Carriers); McKettriQk Rills YOUR Seafarers Welfare Plan j Hospital I I BenetU SEAFARERS INT'L UNION, A&G DISTRICT � 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 May 10, 1957 Description An account of the resource Headlines: US FORCED TO WAIVE 50% CARGO RULE LAST BALT. TUG FLEET VOTES SIU WC UNIONS, SIU STEP UP COAL FIGHT SHIP GIVEAWAY BIDS RISE SELECT FIRST 2 VICTORYS FOR ISTHMIAN TRANSFERS COMPEL GOV’T TO BYPASS ’50-50’ SHIP LAW 1ST COOK SCHOOL OPENED BY MCS SEATRAIN PLANS ADDED SERVICES SEE A-SHIP COMMERCIAL IN 7 YEARS KERN HILLS ON ARAB BLACKLIST ONASSIS TANKERS FLY COOP-MA DOESN’T SEEM TO KNOW US WELFARE FUND CONTROL SEEM; MEANY BACKS BILLS WC UNIONS POOL THEIR PENSION $$ PRESIDENT ORDERS STUDY OF OIL IMPORT REDUCTION WORLD LABOR GROUP SEEK UN ACTION ON ‘RUNAWAYS’ WEST COAST OLDTIMERS TURN TO FOR COAL JOBS DEL NORTE BB TEAM TOPS BA NINE CG ‘ATOM CHECKS’ SHIPS ENTERING BOSTON HARBOR SENATE WILL HONOR LAFOLLETTE, AUTHOR OF SEAMEN’S ACT 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 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 5/10/ 1957 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. XIX, No. 10  1957 Periodicals Seafarers Log