Media
Issue Date
1970-01-01
Volume
23
Issue Number
5
Plaintext
LOG
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO
Seafarer^ 4 SIU Children Win
$6,000 SlU College Awards
Story On Page 8
Texaco Goes SlU; 4fh Victory
In Puerto Rico's Oil Industry
* I-If Inn Set to graduate this year, Seafarer Ed Skorupski
f fIflflKS LOfimilflf CC« (standing) came up to SIU Welfare Plan to meet
educators who awarded him SIU scholarship in 1957, Committee, which selected
five winners this year, includes (1. to r.) F. D. Wilkinson, Howard University; Miss
Edna Newby, Douglas College; Dr, Edward Kastner, New York University; Dr. Ber
nard Ireland, College Entrance Exam Board. (Story on Page 3.)
High Court Bars
Runaways' Move
To Ditch Unions
Story On Page 8
Congress Okays
Boost In Farm
Surplus Cargo
Story On Page 5
MTD Criticizes
New Maritime
Survey Croup
Story On Page 8
Officers' Unions
Agree On Joint
Runaway Drive
Story On Page 5
Story On Page 2
Bull Lines Sold;
Plans Expansion
Story On Page 5
SlUNA Fights CG
Health Test Rule
Story On Page 2
AS J Answering aid plea from
MKMO f O I/OflCS* striking Danish seamen,
Seafarer Forrest L.. Stouck (right) aids strikers on
picket line. SIU joined with other unions supporting
strike in all ports. (Story on page 3.)
Pace Tw* SEAFARERS LOG May. )961
SlU Wins Texaco Vote
In Puerto Rico, 138-10
SAN JUAN, PR—The SIU's campaign to organize oil company workers who have been
members of so-called "independent" associations scored another notable success when Tex
aco employees voted overwhelmingly for the Union in a National Labor Relations Board
election here. Of the approxi- ^
Saved By 60 Pints Of Blood
mately 160 Texaco drivers and
plant workers eligible to vote,
138 cast their ballots for the
SIU Puerto Rico Division,
with just ten "no union" votes.
The independent association which
had long been a fixture at the
company withdrew from the bal
lot in the face of the obvious de
sire of the Texaco employees for
SIU representation.
The latest victory means that the
SIU Puerto Rico Division now holds
bargaining rights for the four maj
or oil companies operating on the
Island. It follows on the heels of
an SIU triumpb at Esso, in which
employees of this company voted
to join the Union. Other compa
nies with whom the SIU had con
tracts are Shell and Socony.
In the Esso election, the SIU
was up against another "indepen
dent" union, the Esso Association,
which held the contract for Esso
workers for the past 20 years. The
head of the Esso Association was
also secretary to the company's re
gional manager.
An important factor in swinging
Texaco and Esso employees to the
SIU was the wage and other con
tract benefits won for other oil
company employees by the SIU,
at the Shell and Socony-Vacuum
plants in Puerto Rico.
The May 3 Texaco vote was part
SIU Steps Up
Runaway Drive
As IMWU Ends
NEW YORK —The SIUNA will
step up its organizing campaign
on runaway-flag vessels following
the dissolution of the Internation
al Maritime Workers Union.
The IMWU was originally es
tablished to carry out in the Unit
ed States the organizing policies
adopted by the International
Transportworkers Federation fol
lowing the December, 1958, world
wide boycott of runaway shipping.
The IMWU was dissolved follow
ing the unanimous adoption of a
resolution by SIU and National
Maritime Union representatives at
a meeting on May 3. As was point
ed out in the resolution, the SIU
had withdrawn from the ITF
whose policies the IMWU had been
established to implement. Further,
the resolution noted that as a re
sult of Federal court and Labor
Board decisions, American mari
time unions are now free to or-"
.gaiize runaway shipping directly
The SIU and three other marine
un.ons, the Masters, Mates and
Pilots, Marine Engineers Beneficial
Association and International
Longshoremen's Association, had
withdrawn from the ITF in protest
against the unfair manner in which
it had suspended the SIUNA, with
out a hearing, because of a dispute
between the SIU of Canada and
the National Union of Seamen of
Great Britain.
TIUNA President Paul Hall stat
ed that in the year and a half of
its operation, the IMWU had per-
• formed valuable services in the
fight on runaway shipping.
Before the IMWU dissolution,
the NMU had announced that it
was withdrawing from the AFL-
GIO Maritime Trades Department
• '• '•y f-!
of an aggressive SIU Puerto Rico
Division campaign to organize wa
terfront and allied workers on the
island.
The recent victories bring the
membership of the Puerto Rico Di
vision to nearly 5,000. The expan
sion of the SIU in Puerto Rico is
in line with the island's increasing
industrialization.
In addition to the benefits of
Union representation, the Union
has been attracting support by Its
program of welfare services for
members and their families in
Puerto Rico, including the estab
lishment of a Union clinic in San
Juan.
SIUNA Fights Move
For CC Health Test
WASHINGTON—Apparently acting on the urging of physi
cians in the employ of West Coast shipping companies, Rep.
George Miller (Dem.-Calif.)
would give the Coast Guard
authority to pass on the
physical qualifications of sea
men. The bill drew the immediate
fire of the SIUNA.
The bill would authorize the
Coast Guard to prescribe physical
standards for the shipboard em
ployment and would also give that
agency the power to administer
the examinations. Once the Coast
Guard had turned a man down, it
would be unlawful for the ship
owner to hire him, and he would
be effectively blacklisted from the
industry in which he earns his
living.
The Miller bill is similar in pur
pose to the proposed Coast Guard
'profiling" system, first proposed
in 1954 and hasily withdrawn un
der a storm of protest from the
maritime unions. That proposal
would also have given the Coast
Guard absolute authority to deny
seamen the right to sail
SIUNA Executive Vice-President
Morris Weisberger, the secretary-
treasurer of the Sailors Union of
the Pacific, charged that the Miller
proposal had been put forth to
defeat plans for a system of diag
nostic clinics on the West Coast,
to be run under the Pacific District
Welfare Plan.
Weisberger noted that doctors
employed by the steamship compa
nies have been actively opposing
the e.stahllshment of the clinics.
"This extreme proposal," he said,
"shows how- far these company
doctors , will go in order to protect
the lucrative fees they receive
from the steamship companies."
The proposal for a West Coast
system of clinics has been pending
since October 1, 1957, when the
ship operators started making con
tributions to the clinic fund. Ever
since then, even though the fund
has accumulated $400,000, the Pa-
has introduced a bill which
cific Maritime Association has
blocked establishment of the clin
ics, under the urging of company
physicians
Thanks to 60 pints of blood donated by Seafarers, Tracy
Wright, ID months, son of Seafarer Norman Wright of
Houston, is back home with mother, Mrs. Linora Wright,
and sister Theresa, nine. Blood covered baby's needs in
course of hospital treatment.
SIU Establishing Chain
Of Biood Banks In All Ports
HOUSTON—Emergency blood requirements for a Seafarer's eight-month-old baby here
in this city set plans in motion for a chain of SIU Blood Banks on all coasts to supplement
the main bank in Brooklyn. —
The baby, now eleVen
months old and reported do
ing fine, is Tracy Wright, son
of Seafarer Norman B. Wright, a
ten-year SIU veteran sailing in the
declc "department.
Developments surrounding the
Houston youngster and the danger
SEAFARERS LOG
May, 1961 Vol. XXIII, No. 5
PAUL HALL, President
HEDBERT BRAND, Editor. BERNARD SEA
MAN. Art Editor. HERMAN ARTHUR.
AL MASKIN, CHARLES BEAUMET, ALBERT
AMATEAU, ARTHUR MARKOWITZ, Staff
Writers.
Published motiinly at The headquarters
of the Seafarers international Union, At
iantic Gulf, Lakes and inland Waters
District, AFL-CiO, 675 Fourth Avenue,
Brooklyn 33, NY. Tel. HYacinth f-6600.
Second class postage paid at the Post
Office in Brooklyn, NY, under the Act
of Aug. 24, 1912.
MTD Forms
West Cult
Area Croup
HOUSTON — A regional MTD
organization has been set up which
covers the entire Texas Gulf
Coast, plus Louisiana as far east
as Lake Charles. The organization,
called the West Gulf Ports Coun
cil, represents approximately 200,-
000 maritime workers in the area.
Unions participating in the group
thus far include the SIU, Marine
Engineers Beneficial Association,
Masters, Mates and Pilots, Inter
national Longshoremen's Associa
tion, the Oil, Chemical and Atomic
Workers, whose members man the
numerous refineries and oil termi
nals in the area, the International
Union of Electrical Workers, the
International Union of Operating
Engineers, the Retail Clerks Inter
national Association and the Of
fice Employees Union.
As one of its first official ac
tions, the council voted to support
the strike of the Oil Workers
against the Phillips Chemical
Company here, a subsidiary of the
giant Phillips Petroleum firm.
The Oil Workers have been strik
ing the company for over four
months now.
The officers of the council are:
C. E. DeFries, MEBA Houston
agent; president; J. .E. Williams,
ILA regional, secretary-treasurer,
vice-president; Bob Matthews, SIU
Houston agent, executive secre-
.Jaiy-tre^sur^,
that similar emergencies could de
plete the Brooklyn blood bank
overnight prompted the Union's
decision to set up local banks in
every port. Voluntary donors pro
cessed through the SIU clinic In
Brooklyn have been the regular
source of biood for the past two
and a half years.
Due to a blood condition, young
Tracy Wright required transfusions
totalling 62 pints
of blood during
several short
periods of hospi
talization over the
last few months.
The Brooklyn
bank provided 48
pints on one occa
sion and Seafar
ers ashore here
In Houston do-
Wright
nated the balance.
Several times in the past, the
Brooklyn bank has supplied up to
35 pints in a single emergency. It
has serviced the needs of over 200
Seafarers and their families with
almost 800 pints of blood since its
inception.
The plan for a network of SIU
Blood Banks would make it pos
sible for a bank in each port to
service all routine needs in its lo
cality without drawing on the main
bank in Brooklyn. This would en
able the Brooklyn facility to build
up a reserve toward any large-scalo
emergency. At the same time,
Brooklyn will continqe to service
the local needs of the Port of New
York as well. as all inland loca
tions where the Union does not
maintain any halls.
It is expected that ports such as
Baltimore, Mobile, New Orleans
and Houston, which already have
established SIU medical clinic fa-
(Continued on page 13)
INDEX
To Departments
The SIU Inland BoatnMin
—Pages 8, 9
SIU Social Security Dep't
—Page 13
The Pacific Coast Seoforer
—Pages 22, 23
The Great Lakes Seafarer
—Pages 10. 11
The Fisherman and
Cannery Worker
Page 18
The Canadian Seafarer
-r-Pake 21
The SIU Industrial Worker
-^Page 25
SIU Safety Department
—Page 7
SIU Medical Deportment
—Page 19
SIU Food, Ship Sanitation
Dep't —Page 20
Editorial Cartoon —Page 15
•
A&G Deep Seo Shipping
Report —Page 6
Shipboard News
—Pa^cs 27, 28, 29, 30'
Hajr. im 8KAWARERS LOG Pave Hire*
MTD Assails
New Marine
Study Group
WASHINGTON—The Maritime
Trades Department of the APL-
CIO has assailed the composition
of the group appointed by Secre
tary of Commerce Luther Hodges
to conduct another study of the
maritime industry.
No Maritime Members
The main union objection to the
seven-man committee is the unfa-
miiiarity with the American mer
chant marine. Ironically, the only
member who has had any connec
tion with maritime is Eugene Hol-
man, former chairman of Standard
Oil of New Jersey who was titular
head of the world's largest Ameri
can-owned runaway-flag fleet.
In a letter to Hodges, Paul Hall,
president of the MTD, and E. N.
Altman, legislative director of the
department, pointed out' that the
committee bag no member from
maritime labor, or for that matter,
from American-flag maritime man
agement.
In ad'dition to Holman, the com
mittee includes Donald K. David,
Ford Foundation head; T. V.
Houser, former Sears & Roebuck
chairman; William P. Foster, head
of Olin Mathieson; Herbert Hoover
Jr.; Carter Burgess of American
Machine & Foundry, and Gen. Al
fred P. Gruenther, American Red
Cross director.
The protesting letter declared
that the participation of the six
non-maritime members of the com
mittee would be "perfunctory and
uninformed."
Hodges appointed the commit
tee to find out "if we are subsi
dizing mediocrity" in the merchant
marine program. The committee's
original assignment was to investi
gate the nation's maritime policy
problems, including subsidies, ship
construction, research and devel-
opmcnt and maritime commercial
requirements.
Subsidies Are Stressed
Since its appointment, the com
mittee has indicated it will con
centrate its study in the area of
shipping subsidies, one which is of
vital concern to seamen's unions
and the maritime industry.
The American-flag merchant ma
rine has been studied and probed
frequently in the past, but little
remedial action has ever been taken
by the Government on the basis of
such studies. "Project Walrus" was
a recent investigation.
The new Hodges committee ap
parently will follow the pattern of
previous merchant marine study
groups. Consequently the maritime
industry is expected to be rather
skeptical of the groups findings and
recommendations.
SlU Scholars
Welfare, Vacation
Offices Moving
Seafarers are urged to note
a change of address for the
SIU Welfare and Vacation
plans starting early in June.
The two Plans, which have
been in the same quarters since
1950, will shift from their pres
ent location to 17 Battery
Place, New York 4, on or about
June 5. The move will provide
more space" for the expanding
services of the two benefit pro
grams, which have paid out
conibined cash benefits of over
$25 million to Seafarers and
their families. No interrup
tion in the processing and pay
ment of claims is expected due
to the moving operation. The
new telephone number will be
WHitehall 3-5950.
SIU Scholarships
Co To Seafarer^
Four SIU Children
NEW YORK-^Seafarer John R. Sweeney and the children of four Seafarers
have been awarded foitr-year SIU college scholarships worth $6,000 each. The fivQ
1961 awards boost the number of SIU scholarships given so far to a total of 43.
In addition to Sweeney,^'
Pictured here are four of the
five winners of the SIU schol
arships. Top (I. to r.), John
Sweeney, Linda Peterson. Bot
tom (1. to r.), William Walsh,
Charles Hogge.
Fathers Of Winners
Above are the Seafarer par
ents of four of this years'
award winners. Top 11. to r.),
Garland Hogge, William Pet
erson. Bottom (I. to r.), Har
old Welsh, William Walsh.
DanesThank
SlUFor
Strike Aid
NEW YORK—Danish seamen,
whose strike ended May 15, have
thanked the SIU for its support. In
a cable from Copenhagen to SIU-
NA President Paul Hall, the Dan
ish seamen'^unlons expressed ap
preciation for "your fraternal co
operation and demonstration of
sympathy."
The strike of the Danish Sailors
and Firemens Unions ended early
this month when the Danish trans
port unions voted to go back to
work. The Danish seamen here
turned to May 15 after ratifying
their new coneract.
The strike in US ports was sup
ported by • American maritime
unions including affiliates of the
SIUNA and the International Long
shoremen's Association.
When the Danish seamen refused
to sail their ships out of New York,
shipowners hired scab crews from
a downtown job agency.
The seamen were seeking a $43
per month wage increase. Shipown
ers offered a $13 increase. The new
contract grants an increase of about
$20, bringing the current average
seaman's wage to $145 per month.
However, there is no contract
provision concerning the Danish
unions' protest on the hiring of
seamen in Far East ports at far
below union scales.
whose home is Mankato,
Minn., the 1961 winners
are:
Charles B. Hogge, son of
Garland L. Hogge, Luthers-
ville, Md.
Linda P. Peterson, daughter
of William E. Peterson, Balti
more, Md.
William J. Walsh, son of William
A. Walsh, Savannah, Ga.
Harold E. Welsh, son of Harold
R. Welsh, New Orleans, La.
Both active seamen and children
of Seafarers compete for the five
annual awards, whose provisions
are among the most liberal in the
country and allow an unrestricted
course of study. Trustees of the
program, which began in 1953,
base the awards on the recommen
dations of a panel of educators and
college administrators.
Sweeney is currently engaged in
post-graduate studies at Mankato
State College, Mankato, Minn.
A former SIU organizer who's
been shipping in the deck depart
ment since 1953, he received a
bachelor of arts degree from
Carleton College, Northtield, Minn.,
in 1949 and is seeking to complete
preparation for the teaching pro
fession. Married and the father of
^a two-year-old son, he also attend
ed Goleg Harlech, Harlech, Wales,
during 1956-57 on a Ruskin labor
scholarship.
Named an alternate winner in
1960, Charles Hogge is now com
pleting his second year of engi
neering studies at Virginia's Poly-
technical Institute, Biacksburg,
Va. He's 20 years of age and his
father is an SIU tugboatman in
Baltimore. Hogge expects to spe
cialize in aeronautical engineering
at VPI.
Math Or Science Studies
Miss Peterson is a senior at
Notre Dame Preparatory School
in Baltimore. An accomplished
student of music and art, she is
planning college studies in either
mathematics or science this fall.
Her dad is also an SIU tugboat-
man in Baltimore harbor.
William J. Walsh, 21, is attend
ing Emory University, Atlanta,
Ga., and has a medical career in
view. He already holds a two-
year associate arts degree from
Armstrong College, Savannah. Sea
farer William A. Walsh has
shipped in the SIU steward de
partment since 1951.
Harold E. Welsh is an honors
course senior at Jesuit High
School, New Orleans, and is hop
ing to pursue a law degree at Loy
ola or St. Louis University. He's
18 years old and his father. Sea
farer Harold R. Welsh, has been
shipping on SIU vessels since
1943 in the black gang.
Selection of the winners was
based on previous scholastic
achievement, extra-curricular and
community activities and per
formance on the standard College
Entrance Examination Board test.
The panel which assisted in the
selection process, concurred in by
the trustees on May 4, included:
Miss Edna M. Newby, assistant
dean, Douglass College, New
Brunswick, NJ; Dr. Bernard Ire
land, visiting representative. Col
lege Entrance Examination Board,
New York City; Dr. Elwood C.
Kastner, dean of registration and
financial aid. New York Univer
sity, New York City, and F. D.
Wilkinson, administrative assistant
School of Engineering and Archi
tecture, Howard University, Wash
ington, DC.
Seamen Dominated Early Awards
Of the 43 SIU scholarships
awarded to date, 20 have gone to
Seafarers and the balance to Sea
farers' children. Active SIU men
predominated among the winners
in the early years of the program;
currently one of the five annual
scholarships is reserved for a Sea
farer. The 1960 winners also in
cluded one Seafarer and four
children.
At presstime, acknowledgments
have been received from several
of the scholarship winners.
Hogge wrote that he and hig
family are "extremely pleased that
I was chosen for this honor. Now
my plans for continuing studies
towards master and doctor degrees
in engineering can be realized."
Miss Peterson wrote to thank
the SIU Welfare Plan "for both
my family and myself for awarding
the scholarship." She plans to en»
ter Dunbarton College of Holjr
Cross in Washington in September.
Welch wired that ha was "very
happy to receive your most wel«
come telegram and I sincerely
thank the membership and officers
of the SIU for the scholarship
award. It means everything to ma
and my family. I will do my best
to show my appreciation."
Sweeney wrote that the scholar
ship will enable him to continua
his education. He hopes to obtain
a Masters degree.
High Court Rejects
Runaway's Appeal
WASHINGTON—American operators of runaway shipping
suffered a staggering blow when the US Supreme Court an
nounced on April 24 that it would not consider a runaway
operator's bid to escape the-*
jurisdiction of US labor laws.
The court's action indicates
that from now on, the American-
owned runaways will have to deal
with US maritime unions through
the National Labor Relations
Board, just like any American-flag
ship operator.
The Supreme Court's action
came as the result of an appeal
by Universe Tankships, Inc., own
ers of the Liberian-flag Ore Mon
arch, from a January ruling of the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The
Pennsylvania courts had refused to
enjoin picketing of the vessel,
telling the owners to take their
complaint to the NLRB.
As a result of the ruling, it ap
pears that maritime unions have
clear legal sailing in attempts to
organize American-owned runaway
shipping. The only legal questions
that would need resolving would
be whether or not an organizing
target meets the conditions of
American-ownership and participa
tion In American foreign com
merce.
In their written brief to the
High Court, union attorneys relied
heavily on the NLRB's favorable
ruling in the Sea Level case. In
that instance, the Board took jur
isdiction over the vessel because
of its American ownership and its
participation in US foreign trade,
even though it is under Liberian
registry. Consequently, the Sea
Level owners were ordered to
cease unfair practices against
crewmembers who had joined the
SIU.
The Sea Level case had been the
test thus far of the right of US
unions to organize runaway ships.
The owners had announced their
intention to appeal this ruling to
the US courts, but in light of the
SUpreiiie Court's recent action,
their prospects of success are con
sidered poor.
The runaway operators' prima
objective has been to evade the
jurisdiction of the National Labor
Relations Board so as to obtain
immunity from American union
contracts and wage scales.
The Ore Monarch dispute arose
when picket lines were placed
around the ship last October in
Philadelphia as she was about to
unload ore for the Fairless Works
of US Steel. The picketing result
ed from the action of the operator
in compelling crewmembers to join
the so-called "Global Seamen's
Union" as a means of escaping or
ganization by the International
Maritime Workers Union. The own
ers tlien went to the courts in their
unsuccessful bid for an injunction.
Runaway Ore Monarch
As was pointed out in the union
brief, the Ore Monarch, like nu
merous other runaway ore ships,
was built by an American company
with American funds borrowed
from aji American bank; was reg
istered in New York under the
Liberian fleet; is owned by Liber
ian corporation which, in turn, is
owned and operated by Americans;
has a long-term time charter to
another American-owned Liberian
corporation, the American owners
of the chartering corporation being
none other than United States
Steel.
The "Global Seamen's Union,"
the brief pointed out. was set up
only after the IMWU obtained
pledge cards from the crew. It was
established in the Cayman Islands
(the first and only union in that
British possession) following which
the company signed a "contract"
with the new "union."
Tut Tim SEAPARERS LOG May. INI
How American Flag Ships
Are Classified By ABS
-By Capt. Milton Williams-
(Ed. note: This is the fourth in a series of articles written for the SEAFARERS LOG, by Captain Mil
ton Williams, formerly vice-president and operating manager of Bull Lines. Captain Willtanw, who is now
retired, will discuss the various phases of ^American-flag ship operation in these articles from an indepen
dent management viewpoint.)
The above insignia is well-known to all men who go to sea
in ships. To those of us who have frequently hung over the
Bide in a bosun's chair trying to be an artist with an oversize
brush, we thought they were
They may also be stationed in a
port to visit a ship to determine
her fitness to go to sea, or to carry
out other surveys which have to
do with hull machinery or even
the refrigeration plant. Another
function is to examine the condi
tions of assignment of load lines.
Other surveyors are stationed in
machinery-building plants many
thousands of miles from the yard
where the hull is being built.
The surveyors of the Society
not only inspect the construction
of "classed" vessels but subse
quently throughout their service
life have them under observation
during periodical and damage sur
veys. The reports of these sur
veys from all over the maritime
world come to the head office
where a study of particular prob
lems involving hull, machinery,
equipment and materials is made
by the technical staff. This staff
also reviews many new construc
tion designs and plans for altera
tions to existing vessels, including
materials for such work. It com
piles for consideration of the
technical committees any project
ed changes in the rules. Thus the
rules are really an analysis of ex
perience and enable the society
to state with assurance the mini
mum standards which should be
applied. Representing the industry
as it does, and In a real sense the
Bomething the mate invented
to make life miserable for the
deck gang.
However, to the seaman this is
the most important safety factor
on the ship aside from the life
boats. This is the load line for the
ship. This load line is assigned
under the Load Line Act of 1929.
Load Line Limits
The large letters "A" and "B"
alongside the disc indicate that
the load line was assigned by the
American Bureau of Shipping after
the Coast Guard had approved
proposed limits on how much
weight may be loaded on the ship.
You will note that the word
"weight" includes cargo, bunkers,
water, stores, dunnage, ballast and
any other weight.
The American Bureau of Ship
ping is a classification society.
Classification societies are guardi
ans of seaworthiness. We haye to
thank the underwriters for origin
ating these socities but this con
trol has long since passed from the
underwriters to the general ship
ping community. As iron and steel
ships supplanted wood and ships
increased in size, it was inevitable
that such control could not remain
vested in one segment of the in
dustry, such as the marine under
writers.
Classification societies control
the thickness and size of materi
als going into the building of
ships. They assign load lines and
they survey ships to maintain sea
worthiness. In the US, the Amer
ican Bureau of Shipping is recog
nized under the Merchant Marine
Act of 1920 as the official classi
fication society so long as it,
among other conditions, has no
capital stock and pays no divi
dends; in short it must be a non
profit organization. Its manage
ment is by representatives of the
chipping industry; that is ship
owners, shipbuilders and under
writers. It includes representa
tives of the US Government. It
was established in 1862 when It
was known as the American Ship
masters Association.
Its principal job at the time
when our famous clipper ships
carried our flag to many parts of
the world, was- the certification of
ships' officers, there being no
laws in this country until 1870 for
the licensing of officers or sea
men.
World Wide Offices
Today the American Bureau
of Shipping maintains offices
throughout the world in which
there are one or more surveyors
engaged in either shipyards where
the ship is built or in repair yards
where necessary repairs are made.
British Plan
Cunard Aid
LONDON—The British govern
ment plans to grant Cunard Lines
a subsidy for building a successor
to the giant luxury liner Queen
Mary.
The legislation would give Cu
nard a maximum of $50.4 million
toward the $84 million replace
ment cost of the famous vessel.
The government would have
the power to make up to $9.1 mil
lion, this an outright, non-repay
able grant and the re.st in loans.
This would be the first time that
Great Britain has directly sub
sidized her merchant marine. Aid
to the British merchant shipping
until this time has consisted of
low-cost loans and tax deprecia
tion allowances.
The British transport minister
told parliament that the US pro
vided 58 percent of the construc
tion of the luxury liner the United
States. He also noted that France
subsidizes its merchant fleet,
general public, society's approach
to any hull and machinery de
signs which are not based on ex
perience has been a strict one.
This conservative approach has
led to idle claims that such an at
titude impedes progress, but a re
view of the-great shipbuilding and
marine engineering progress will
show that this is not the case.
When a ship has been built to
the requirements of the Bureau
and regular inspections are made
to insure that she is maintained in
"class," she is carried in the
American Bureau of Shipping
"Record." The "Record" contains
a list of all ships and their status
with the ABS.
'Record' Aids Insurers
. The "Record" also has consid
erable other information which is
used by the insurance companies
who insure the cargo on the ships.
If a ship leaves port in a seaworthy
condition and is lost, the ship
owner does not have to pay for
the cargo lost. The shipper there
fore takes out insurance on his
cargo.
The insurance company cannot
know the condition of every ship.
Since the premium it wants is
based on the risk it takes, it checks
the ship in the "Record." If she
is not "classed" his premium will
be very high. Therefore the ship
owner get double return from his
investment In "classing" the ship.
He is assured that the ship is sea
worthy and safe for crew and cargo
and also that insurance company
will charge a minimum rate on
cargo shipped on his ship.
It must be mentioned that clas
sification requires periodic sur
veys to determliic the condition
of the hull and machinery. In ad
dition to examination during dry-
docking and at times when vessel
is damaged, there are surveys at
stated times to look at the boilers,
load line requirement and so forth.
Every four years there is a major
survey at which time all spaces
on the ship are opened and in
spected throughout, including all
double bottoms, peaks, holds, lock
ers, houses, deep tanks and others.
All machinery is opened for a
check and examination. Any de
fects found are corrected at this
time.
'AH Man' Guards Safety
When you see the "AB man"
on board remember he is here to
make sure your ship is as safe as
it is possible to make her.
No matter how much cargo the
owner built his ship to carry, he
cannot load beyond the Icid line
marks. There may be occasions
when the ship takes on additional
weight after leaving the dock, sucb
as in a heavy sea when the wells
are full. The ABS has this in mind
when designing hull and assigning
the Load Line. Even the Ice which
can form on the houses and rigging
is taken into consideration.
For the uninitiated, we list below
the definition of the letter shown
on the "marks." As stated above,
AB stands for American Bureau.
There are other Societies with
their letter. LR stands for Lloyds,
B. V. Bureau "Veritas, etc.
T F Tropical Fresh Water Allow
ance
F Fresh Water Allowance
T Load Line Tropical Zones
S Summer Load Line
W Winter Load Line
W N A Winter North Atlantic
Load Line
LABOR
'ROUND THR WORLD
ECHOES OF WORLD WAR n were revived in i lawsuit against the
Finnish Seamen's Union by an engineer because crewmembers refus^
to sail with him. The engineer in question had participated in a Ger*
man secret police move to evacuate Nazi agents from Finland as well as
pro-Nazi Finns toward the end of World War II.
The Finnish Seamen's Union has had a long-standing policy of xt-
fusing to sail ships if any Nazi agent or collaborator was on board. Con<
sequently, when the man was hired as engineer of the ore carrier Outo-
kumpu, the crew walked off the ship. The owners then discharged
the engineer so that the crew would take the ship out.
The result was that the engineer has filed suit against the seamen's
union and its president in an effort to compel them to accept him
aboard any ship. The union has pledged to fight the suit and use all
its economic weapons, if necessary. They noted that back in 1047 the
president of the seamen's union, N. Wallari, had been given a four-
month prison sentence in a similar case, but that the seamen's union
had voted a general strike and successfully won revocation of the prison
term.
a-
THE DIFFICULTIES WORKERS IN MANY LATIN AMERICAN
countries face in light of unrestrained inflation are illustrated by figures
issued in Argentina as living cost changes. Since 1953, the cost of jiv
ing has gone up 33 times. Average, wages have risen some 28 times
during the same period in the vain attempt to catch up with prices.
The net effect has been a decline id the standard of living.
Inflation was touched off by an orgy of public spending during the
regime of dictator Peron and has continued since because of the fall in
world prices of agricultural commodities which Argentina exports and
the rise in imports of machinery, equipment and oil.
THE IMPACT OF MEXICAN FARM LABOR on employment and wages
in the southern and western United States is being taken up by the US
Congress. In previous years, as many as a million Mexicans a year
have been coming into the US as contract farm labor, with the specific
approval of the US Congress. The agreements to bring in the la^
borers are negotiated with the Government of Mexico. Now, however,
in light of the protests of US unions and the continuing recession in
the United States, the administration is supporting a bill which would
specifically require US growers to offer Americans decent wages and
conditions. Only if Americans were unavailable at these conditions
could Mexicans be imported on a temporary basis. The Department of
Labor would have considerable authority over the working condi
tions and other terms of employment.
THE "KANGAROO" COURT IS FAST BECOMING a standard fea
ture in many Communist countries. Called "social workers' courts," or
"comrades courts" they are devices for whipping Into line anybody who
doesn't toe the mark. For example, In a typical recent trial in Upper
Silesia, Poland, five workers were sentenced to loss of 25 percent of
their wages for a six-inuiUh perluil on charges of "sabotaging the social
ist construction effort." The charges actually dealt with the fact
that they had objected to a speed-up in which they would compete with
fellow workers to see who could turn out the most production. The
top achievement then becomes the standard for all. After the five were
sentenced, the workers in the plant attacked the "judges" with the
result that ten were arrested by Communist police. The "judges" in
question are hand-picked by the factory management and the Com
munist "unions."
4" 4" 4"
EAST GERMANY IS SUFFERING A LABOR SHORTAGE and it's
not because of industrial prosperity either. Rather it results from the
constant flight of East German workers across the border to West
Germany. In the last ten years, over million people have fled East
Germany and refugees are still crossing the border at better than 200,-
000 annually. Half of the refugees are under 25 years of age, which
means that the Communist half of Germany is being drained of its labor
force. As a result, the East German government is appealing to retired
people and housewives to register for jobs in all branches of the eco
nomy.
511/ Companies Seeking
Reserve Fleet Trade-ins
WASHINGTON—Trans western Associates, an SlU-con-
tracted company, has exchanged its tanker 88 Transwestern
for the former Morrhacport, a C-3, according to the Maritime
Administration. 8 e v e r a
other 8IU-contracted compa
nies have indicated that they
intend to exchange vessels now in
operation for ships in the US Na
tional Defense Reserve Fleet.
Being Converted
The Mormacport is currently
undergoing conversion, but com
pany officials were unable to say
at this time what kind of trade
the new vessel will be engaged
in. The company operates the
Trans India and the Trans Orient
in the grain trade. The two ships
were formerly in the Ore Line
fleet.
Among the SlU-contract«d ship
ping firms seeking to exchange
obsolete vessels for larger ships is
Alcoa Steamship Co., which plans
to swap C-ls for C-2s or C-3s.
Globe Waterways Corp.; Marine
Carriers Corp.; Intercontinental
Transport C., Inc.; Waterman SS
Corp., ' and Oceanic Petroleum
Carriers have indicated a desire
to trade for ships in the Govern
ment Reserve Fieet.
Bull Lines is swapping the Hil
ton and Carolyn, two Libertys, for
two C-4s, the Marine Fox and Ma
rine Panther. The firm also plans
to exchange two other Libertys
for the la'«:r C-4s.
Mar, un SEAFARERS LOG Pace Five
Seafarers Double Award Winners
C'rewmembers of Seatrain Louisiana and company officials
display safety award to vessel for six-month accident-free
record. Seatrain fleet also won sanitation award from Public
Health Service. In photo (I. to r.) are: E. Witzke, DM; Billy
Provost, BR; R.C. Chapdelaine, Seatrain labor relations
director; I. Hansen, company safety director; Smokey
Schreiner, chief cook; Jim Moxey, quartermaster; Billy
Russell, baker.
Farm Export Speed-Up
Will Boost US Shipping
WASHINGTON—A bill authorizing an extra $2 billion in
1961 for the sale of farm surplus products overseas was signed
into law last month, giving the US merchant marine one of
its biggest boosts in manyt
years, and assuring the US
job opportunities for US sea
men.
The legislation provides an ex
tra $180,000 for ocean transporta
tion of the surplus, and a big
chunk of that sum will go for
American-flag shipping, primarily
to bulk carriers, thanks to the
'50-'50 law.
The original authorization for
farm surplus export for 1961 was
$1.5 billion. Most of this moitey
was earmarked for a three-year
agreenient with India.
A large part of the $2 billion
will go to Pakistan under a four
year agreement. Nationalist China
(Taiwan) and Indonesia will also
receive food shipments under the
expanded program.
Tiie 1961 "foor for peace" pro
gram, called for recently by Pres
ident Kennedy, will use about $6()0
million of the new funds. Included
In the "food for peace" plan are
proposed farm products ship
ments to Brazil (under a long-
term agreement); Chile, Israel,
Paraguay, United Arab Republic
and Poland, among other nations.
The current programs are ex
pected to use up the great buik of
the total $3.5 billion appropria-,
tion.
Under the "50-50" law, at least
hqlf of all government-financed
cargoes must sail on American
bottoms. It is estimated that the
American merchant marine will
get at least $100 million more this
year out of the $180 million al
lotted for ocean transportation in
the extra appropriation.
An earlier boost to maritime
came when the International Co
operation Administration ordered
all cargoes to be carried on US
bottoms where the United States
pays the freight. If the aid car
goes are carried by foreign-flag
ships, the receiving country'pays
the freight costs.
The long term farm surplus
agreements such as the current
one with India and the proposed
new ones with Pakistan and Bra
zil, will help relieve shortages cre
ated by poor crop conditions in
those countries.
Bull Lines Changes Owners;
Company Will Upgrade Fleet
NEW YORK—It's sale having been completed to the Kulukundis interests, Bull Lines
is activating plans to improve its fleet through the construction of combination container-
general cargo ships, based on C-4 mollifications.
The company, which will-*'
continue to operate under the
A. H. Bull standard, expects
momentarily to receive permission
from the Federal Maritime Board
to trade some old Libertys for
larger C-4 type vessels.
The Hilton and the Carolyn
have been nominated for ex
change for more modern ships.
The two Libertys will be traded
for the Marine Fox and the Ma
rine Panther, both of which are
C-4s.
Company officials said they in
tend to secure two more C-4s in
exchange for additional Libertys.
Another addition to Bull Lines
service to Puerto Rico is a trailer-
ship operation. The Federal Mari
time Board has approved Bull
Lines' time charter of the recent
ly-built MV Floridian and MV
New Yorker.
The C-4 exchange program is
being conducted under the Gov
ernment sponsored plan to up
grade the US non-subsidized mer
chant fleet. The Marine Fox and
the Marine Panther come from the
US National Defense Reserve
Fleet.
Bull Lines plans to modify the
C-4s to enable them to carry be
tween forty-eight and 178 contain
ers of 35-foot lengths. In addition.
the newer ships will be able to
carry as much break-bulk cargo
as the present C-2s carry when
fully loaded.
Increased employment abroad
Bull Lines ships ^is the prospect
for Seafarers when the expansion
program is in full swing. The Lib
ertys involved in the trade for the
larger vessels are presently used
only sporadically during the su
gar season, and for single voy
ages, while the C-4s and the char
tered trailerships will be used in
reguiar berth operations between
Puerto Rico and the mainland.
Present Bull Line C-2s will be put
on a Mediterra;;iean run.
Sea Unions Back Return
Of Tankers To US Flag
WASHINGTON—Support for a bill which would allow
Standard Oil of California to transfer back runaway-flag
tankers for US-flag domestic service was voiced by spokesmen
for the SIUNA and the-*^
Marine Engineers Beneficial
Association at Senate Com
merce Committee hearings here.
The proposal, which would in
volve as many as six modern US-
built tankers, has been attacked
by the Maritime Administration,
by Standard Oil of New Jersey,
by some of the independent tanker
operators, and by John Collins,
spokesman for company unions in
MEB A, MM&P Plan Drive
Against Runaway Ships
NEW YORK—The National Marine Engineers Beneficial
Association and the International Organization of Masters,
Mates and Pilots have launched a joint drive to obtain union
contracts and conditions for-*'
deck and engine department
officers employed in run
away-flag fleets. In announcing the
drive, spOkesiiieii fur the officers
unions also revealed that they are
activating long-pending proposals
to work toward establishing one
union for all licensed officers.
The primary target of the cam
paign will be some 250 runaway
ships owned by American-flag
operators with whom the officers'
unions have contracts.
It was pointed out that many of
the ships' officers of these run
away vessels are American citizens.
It is a common practice for Ameri
can owners of runaway tonnage to
employ American skippers, chief
mates, chief engineers and 1st
assistants, while recruiting the rest
of their runaway ship crews from
foreign sources.
Heading up the organizing eam=
paign is Captain Thomas F. O'Cal-
laghan of the MM&P, secretary-
treasurer of the mates local union
for the Baltimore-Philadelphia area.
The organizing program was
drafted and approved at a two day
meeting in New York attended by
members of a top-level bi-union
policy corninittee.
The merger proposals stem from
long-standing approval of merger
by the memberships of both unions.
With the two unions now working
jointly on negotiating and organ
izing, the time is appropriate to
work out details for merger.
the major unorganized oil company
fleets.
Strong backing for the measure
came from Morris Weisberger, sec
retary-treasurer of the Sailors
Union of the Pacific and executive
vice-president of the SIUNA. He
pointed out that California Stand
ard has long been under SUP con
tract and that the action would
increase employment for West
Coast seamen. "That is why the
SUP supports this bill and will
support every effort by anybody
to bring more ships under the
American flag."
He added that opponents of the
bill were identified with the oper
ation of runaway ships.
SIUNA President Paul Hall gave
approval to the bill provided that
the vessels were restricted to car
rying the products of California
Standard and other limitations
were placed on their operation.
He too, questioned whether op
ponents of the iheasUfe were genu
inely concerned over an American
merchant marine, noting that com
panies such as Esso had heavy in
vestments in foreign-built runaway
tonnage.
Hall advocated that the partic
ular vessels involved be restricted
to the hauling of their own prod
ucts.
Ed Altman, president of the
MEBA, also attacked critics of the
measure, declaring that "their op
eration of runaway-flag vessels has
contributed greatly to the decline
of the American m e rc h a n t
maiine ..."
!
ba,lX
NEWS
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face Ss SEAFARERS LOG May. J»n
SEAFARERS
ROTARY SRIPPINO ROARD
(Figures On This Page Cover Deep'Sea Shipping Only In the SW Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District.)
April 1 Through April 30, 1961
After a very strong showing in the month of March, ship
ping in the deep-sea segment of the District fell back again
in April. The April results were contrary to the usual sea
sonal trend. Normally April is the start of the slack period
for tankers, the over-all shipping picture usually improves.
A significant decline in ship calls at US ports appears
to be largely responsible for the shipping drop. Payoffs
were off by nine from last month's 138 total. In all, there
were 21 less ships than last "month's 489 vessel-calls.
Oddly enough class C shipping more than held its o\vn,
despite the slump. A total of 275 clas^C ratings got ship
board jobs, one more than the 274 of March, leaving class
A and B to absorb all of the loss. This is a good sign since
it indicates that cla.ss A and B men are feeling no pres.sure.
Otherwise they would have used their seniority to throw
in for the jobs taken by the "C" men.
The total of jobs shipped In April, 2,240, compares un
favorably with the 2,689 shipboard posts filled in March.
Class A registered-on-the-beach totals stands at 2,219, or
actually less than the jobs shipped during the month, giv
ing class A men a very favorable job opportunity ratio.
In the port-by-port breakdown. New York and Houston
spreadeagled the field, shipping 850 jobs between them,
approximately 38 percent of all the jobs in the District. The
two ports also had the bulk of ship calls, as i? to be ex
pected.
In the new class 1-S category, which is chief stewards
only, all ports registered 52 men and shipped 21. Since this
is the first month that the 1-S system has been in effect
throughout the district, it is too early to tell how the new
registration procedure is working out.
Ship Atfivify
Poy Sign In
Ofh Ont Tront. TOTAL
Beiten 7 3 8 18
New York. .. , 3S U 35 89
Pkiladelpkia .. 4 1 26 31
Rattimero ....14 6 12 32
Norfolk 2 1 19 22
Jocktonvlllo .. 6 0 22 . 28
Miami 1 0 11 12
Mobile . 12 5 14 31
New Orleani..1A U 44 76
Houston 12 4 55 71
Wilmington ... 0 0 10 10
Son Francisco.. 8 6 10 24
Seattle ...... 9 9 6 24
TOTALS 129 67 272 468
DECK DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
Port
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP
Port 1 2 S ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 8 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
Boston 6 9 1 16 0 2 2 4 6 7 0 13 0 0 3 3 1 1 1 3 13 3 3 19 6 12 2 20 0 2 4 6
New York 45 80 21 146 1 15 28 44 36 69 22 127 1 14 14 29 0 2 11 13 127 29 13 169 69 110 32 211 2 10 50 62
Philadelphia 6 11 6 23 0 4 1 5 3 7 1 11 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 11 1 0 12 13 27 11 51 0 8 0 8
Baltimore 16 33 9 58 1 13 22 36 10 28 7 45 1 3 15 19 0 0 1 1 45 19 1 65 36 71 17 124 2 20 38 60
Norfolk 9 8 1 18 0 4 5 9 3 9 4. 16 2 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 16 4 0 20 .4 9 0 13 0 4 4 8
Jacksonville 4 11 0 15 0 3 8 11 2 5 0 7 0 2 3 5 0 2 0 2 7 5 2 14 8 18 1 27 0 . 3 6 9
Miami 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 I 2
Mobile 13 17 7 37 0 7 2 9 6 21 9* 36 2 1 2 5 0 0 2 2 36 5 2 43 21 18 5 44 0 4 3 7
New Orleans 29 59 17 105 3 17 20 40 33 60 14 107 0 6 16 22 0 1 8 9 107 22 9 138 58 94 26 178 8 23 34 65
Houston 37 68 18 123 2 34 19 55 32 67 24 123 1 7 25 33 0 0 0 8 123 33 0 156 29 43 20 92 7 21 23 61
Wilmington 7 13 2 19 0 6 3 9 4 8 2 14 0 8 3 11 1 2 3 6 14 11 6 31 9 15 1 25 0 2 2 4
San Francisco 15 ' 19 3 37 2 14 8 24 16 22 4 42 5 14 12 31 2 4 5 11 42 31 11 84 19 2 3 24 2 4 2 8
Seattl" 15 16 6 1 37 1 12 11 24 12 14 6 32 3 16 12 31 1 16 6 23 32 31 23 86 20 13 4 37 4 8 8 20
TOTALS 199 345 91 1 635 ~10" "131" 130^ 1301163 317 93 1 573 15 71 108 1 194 5 28 37 |~70 573 194 70 |~837 292 433 122 r847 25 110 175 1 310
ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
Port
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP Port 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
Boston 2 12 2 16 0 1 2 3 1 3 0 4 2 1 a 6 Q 6 4 16 4 6 10 20 5 15 2 22 T 0 3 "'4
New York 22 62 iz 96 4 41 19 64 21 56 11 88 3 22 15 40 4 7 12 23 88 40 23 151 32 92 16 140 6 41 30 77
Philadelphia 1 17 1 19 0 4 3 71 1 5 2 8 0 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 12 2 34 3 39 0 6 3 9
Baltimore 11 35 4 50 i 0 15 7 22 5 21 5 31 0 18 8 26 ' 0 1 0 1 31 26 1 58 11 57 7 75 2 27 22 51
Norfolk 6 13 1 20 0 1 2 3 2 5 3 10 2 5 7 14 0 2 2 4 10 14 4 28 2 9 2 13 0 4 3 7
Jacksonville 3 7 0 lO. 1 4 3 8 2 4 0 6 0 5 1 6 0 4 1 5 6 6 5 17 3 . 11 1 15 0 3 3 6
Miami 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 1 2
Mobile 6 23 6 35 1 4 4 9 5 22 6 33 2 5 7 14 0 1 4 6 33 14 5 52 7 26 5 38 0 4 3 7
New Orleans 13 67 8 88! ! 5 26 12 43 11 41 7 59 1 22 15 38 1 10 11 22 59 38 22 119 34 93 15 142 3 22 20 45
Houston 26 62 8 96 3 33 17 S3 22 77 9 108 0 16 15 31 0 0 2 i 108 31 2 141 37 41 13 91 9 21 7 37
Wilmington 1 9 3 13 1 3 4 8 0 7 0 7 4 8 3 15 2 4 5 11 7. 15 11 33 2 13 3 18 1 2 4 7
San Francisco 3 17 0 20 1 11 8 20 4 24 2 30 1 12 9 22 1 2 1 4 30 22 4 56 5 22 0 27 0 3 3 <
Seattle 1 26 4 SI 2 12 7 21 3 35 6 44 1 9 6 16 1 6 4 ix 44 16 11 71 2 12 2 16 2 9 6 17
TOTALS "95~ ~350~ 49 1 4941 18 ~15S ' 89 1 1 262 77 300 51 428 16 124 92 1 232 9 43 76 1 98 428 232 98 1 7581142 427 69 1 638 28 143 108 1 275
STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered I Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
|B|i CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
HH
Port
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP 1 CLASS GROUP 1 GROUP
Port 1-9 1 2 3 ALL 1 1 2 3 ALL 1-S 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1-fl 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
Bos 1 1 1 3 6 0 1 4 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 4 2" o' 11 13 1 4 13 18 0 1 1 4 6 1 0 2 3
N.Y .... 12 22 11 60 105 2 4 26 32 5 13 4 48 70 2 3 19 24 1 0 24 25 70 24 25 119 29 59 21 87 196 4 7 43 54
Phil 3 3 1 4 11 0 0 .8 8 1 4 0 2 1 7 0 0 7 7 0 0 0 9 7 7 0 14 6 5 7 8 26 0 0 12 12
Bal 8 8 7 17 40 1 2 11 14 3 10 6 16 35 1 1 7 9 0 2 2 2 35 9 2 46 12 20 12 33 77 2 3 29 34
Nor 6 2 0 4 12 1 2 2 5 0 1 0 3 4 1 0 8 9 0 0 3 3 4 9 3 16 0 3 2 3 8 1 1 3 5
1 Sfk Jac 2 6 1 2 11 ! 1 1 5 7 2 2 1 4 9 1 0 4 5 2 0 7 9 9 5 9 23 3 6 2 2 13 1 1 3 5 mm Mia 1 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 2 0 2 6 0 0 0 0
Mob 3 7 4 20 34j 0 0 14 14 0 4 3 21 28 0 1 18 19 0 0 6 6 28 19 6 53 fo 18 7 32 67 0 0 10 10
^^9 No 4 15 13 69 lOl' 2 1 37 40 2 17 7 40 66 2 0 30 32 0 d 14 14 66 32 14 112 14 38 25 108 185 3 1 52 56
Hou 5 22 11 38 76 2 5 33 40 1 16 14 39 70 0 0 42 42 0 0 2 2 70 42 2 114 13 17 21 20 71 9 11 19 39
Wil 2 0 3 4 9 1 0 4 5 1 2 2 2 7 0 0 3 3 0 0 7 7 7 3 '7 17 4 4 3 6 17 2 0 2 4 u, m S.F 2 3 7 10 22 0 3 10 13 1 6 7 15 29 0 1 11 12 0 0, 12 121 29 12 12 53 3 15 4 13 35 1 1 6 8
Sea 3 9 5 10 27 1 3 15 i9 4 9 6 9 28 6 2 8 16 0 2 12 14* 28 16 14 58 1 6 6 4 11 27 0 4 15 . 19
TOTALS "52~ "99" 64 242~ I'457 11 22 169 1 202 2r~ "84 ~ ~50" 2or 1 356 1 13 9 160"| ri82 5 2 100 1 107 356 ~1S2 107 1 645 102 194 109 "^9~! PlM 24 29 196"! 249
SUMMARY
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP
1 2 3 ALL 123 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
DECK 199 345 91 1 635 10 31 131 1 271 163 317 93 1 573 15 71 108 1 194 5 28 37 70 573 194 70 1 837 292 433 122 I 847 25 .110 175 1 310
ENGINE 95 350 49 i 494 18 155 89 1 262 77 300 51 1 428 16 124 92 1 232 9 43 46 98 428 232 98 | 758 142 427 69 1 638 24 143 108 1 275
*STEWARD 151 64 242 1 457 11 22 169 1 202 105 50 201 1 35$ 13 9 160 1 j 182 5 2 100 107 356 182 107 1 645 296 109 329 1 734 24 29 196 1 249
GRAND TOTALS 445 759 382 |1586 39 208 388 1 735 345 667 345 11357 44 204 360 1 1 608 19 73 183 275 1357 608 275 |224U 730 969 520 12219 73 282 479 1 834
• Tl^e total?, are topluded in the grand total of group 1, steward. For A breakdown on. 1-s shipping, see steward department section of the report. ^
Hint, IMl SEAFARERS LOG fag* ScTes
Jos Alrlni, Safety Director
More aloint Safety Action Seen
More shippinr companies seem to be coming around to the idea
that they're never going to get any real results from their safety
programs by shutting out the workers involved. It's no secret that
tnanagement has traditionally regarded the safety field as its own
"private ballpark", as an area where the union and the working peo
ple directly affected should have the smallest role possible.
At last month's regional conference of the National Safety Council's
Marine Section, here in New York, several shipping industry speakers
finally admitted that more of the crews—more unlicensed men—have
to be brought into the operation of their company safety set-ups in
order to make these programs work. It just can't be done any other
way. If the men aren't taken into account, the program can only work
around them and won't hit home.
This is why when the SIU Joint Safety Program was first set up,
and since then, it's operated on one basis all along: It can operate
with some degree of success only where there's proper teamwork and
cooperation between the companies, the Union and the men on the
•hips.
One other idea that still crops up at these meetings is the notion
that a screening system for seamen patterned after the Coast Guard's
•1954 "profiling" scheme can somehow eliminate all the accident and
even health problems abroad ship. The rejected "profiling" propoi^al
was based on a vague collection of physlcal-mental-moral require
ments designed to keep everybody but a "superman" group out of
the Industry. Those behind it figured "Superman" wouldn't trip on
a ladder or on the deck like any ordinary human being and this would
•olve everything.
Maritime unions and a large part of the Industry rallied to beat
down this schema but it comes up now and then again. A new version
has been offered by Rep. Miller of California in a biil submitted to
Congress recently. The California label is important because the West
Coast affiliates of the SIU are right now trying, together with the
companies, to start up a medical clinic operation as a part of a joint
health and safety program. (See story on Page 2—Ed.)
* * y
Makeshift "benches", fruit crates, overturned buckets and the like
•eem to be the favorite equipment for doing painting or other work
on overheads. Railings are also used for support, and with the same
result. The men who use this kind of gear generally wind up with
an accident most of the time because the ship takes a roll or a rickety
crate collapses. There are several good designs used aboard ship for
a 24" to 36" one or two-sjep ladder that has a wide surface for isafety
and stability. Some are commercial items and others can be made by
any carpenter from available lumber on the ship. AVOID USING
MAKESHIFTS!
* » •
According to some recent testimony before a House Merchant Ma
rine subcommittee, another cutback in the already-reduced firefight-
Ing force at the Panama Canal Zone is going to make it mighty tough
to handle shin or dock fires in the Canal area, especially with certain
kinds of cargo. The latest cut from 13Vi to 10 fire stations means that
the Canal's firefighting force is about 70 percent smaller than a few
years ago.
Since this force covers military as well as civilian installations along
the whole length of the Canal, it ought to cause some concern. It's
been said. In fact, that since the Canal government has no legal man
date to supply fire protection for shipping, a ship might simply be
ordered out to sea to be sunk in case of a lire.
{Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
he submitted to this column care of the SEAFARERS LOG.)
Port Council Hits Power Grab
By Vfaterfronf Commission
TRENTON—Organized labor in the New York-New Jersey area Is conducting an all-
out fight against efforts by the bi-state Waterfront Commission to expand its power over
SIU Safety Honors For Semmes
Crewmembers of the Raphael .Semmes (Sea-Land) display
SIU award for six-month accident-free record after presen
tation by SIU Safety Joe Algina (left) at Port Newark.
The Semmes Is one of almost 50 SIU ships to receive an
•ward during the past year. Crewmen pictured (I. to r.),
•re Seafarers Ai Silva, bosun, and Bill Yarn, steward; chief
mate F. Worthy and J. Cook, AB.
harbor workers.
The scene of the legislative
battle shifted to the New
Jersey State Assembly late
last month after New York's Gov
ernor Nelson Rockefeller signed
into law amendments which would
increase the jurisdiction of the
Waterfront CommLssion if carried
in New Jersey.
The bills pertaining to the com
mission must be approved by the
legislatures of both New York
and New Jersey.
The New Jersey Assembly held
a day-long hearing on the amend
ments April 28. Representatives
of the Maritime Port Council of
Greater New York and Vicinity,
of the Maritime Trades Depart
ment, AFL-C?10, warned the as
semblymen that the Waterfront
Commission bill could set up a
"super-state" under the guise of
protecting longshoremen from
criminal influence. AFL-CIO Pres
ident George Meany had previous
ly informed the governors and
legislature of both New York and
New Jersey of his opposition to the
measures.
No action by the New Jersey
Legislature is expected until June,
A week prior to the New Jer
sey hearing, the Port Council met
in New York and reiterated its de
termination to fight the proposals
Anthony Scotto, of the ILA, Port
Council president, pointed out that
AFL-ClO state bodies in both New
York and New Jersey were op
posed to the extension of Water
front Commission powers.
The Port Council consists of 27
international unions representing
more than 150,000 waterfront
workers in the Port of New York
area.
The pending legislation would
permit the Waleilronl Uumniission
to register workers In categories
of work not presently included In
its powers. It would also make it
a misdemeanor, punishable by fine
or prison, for anyone to attempt to
"interfere" with registered dock
workers in the performance of
their duties.
This last provision would give
the commission sweeping author
ity to Intei'fere In the legitimate
strike and picketline activity of
any one or more of the unions
whose members work in the har
bor.
The commission also is seeking
to bar men and women with police
Food Plan
Wins Reefer
Box Repairs
HOUSTON—The SIU Food and
Ship Sanitation Department swung
into action here recently when the
SS Penn Mariner (Penntrans)
came into port with several beefs
on food spoilage.
The Food Plan learned that a
considerable amount of fiuits,
vegetables and other perishable
foods were lost during some re
cent voyages because of faulty in
sulation in refrigeration compart
ments.
The Union then notified the
c^pany that repairs would have
to be made on the reefeV boxes.
The company started work on the
most serious repair jobs immedi
ately, and a general overhaul and
renewal of the refrigerators was
scheduled.
records from ever holding jobs
with waterfront unions or their
welfare or vacation plans. Scotto
noted that this goes far beyond
the Landrum-Griffin bill which has
a provision barring persons from
holding Union office if they have
a felony conviction within the past
five years.
SIU president Paul Hall told
the Assemblymen in Trenton that
the Commission grossly misrepre
sented facts at the hearing. Vin
cent J. Murphy, New Jersey State
Federation of Labor president
noted that the Commission "is
seeking to expand its activities to
areas never before controlled
by it."
Scotto pointed out that at the
MTD meeting before the hearing
that the Commission has spent
$15,000,000, contributed by water
front employers, in the past seven
years, but still claims that crime
is widespread in the harbor and ia
seeking more money.
Out of the commission's annual
$2 million budget, some $1.5 mil
lions are spent on salaries, includ
ing $17,500 a year for each of th«
waterfront commissioners.
Bill Johnson of the Dock Build
ers Union; Steve Leslie of Local 23
of the International Union of Op
erating Engineers, and Capt. Wil
liam Bradley, ILA president, urged
port council members at the pre
hearing meeting to oppose the bill.
John O'Rourke, president of Joint
Council 16 of the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, strong
ly supported the port council stand
against the legislation.
Bioomfleid 100 Percenters
After Lucile Bloomfield won 100 percent rating in PHS sani
tation inspection fourth year running, award was displayed |
by (I. to r.), Wilbur Purdy, chief cook, Ben M. Bloomfield, i
company president and Horry Huston, chief steward.
The United Rubber Workers and
the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.
have agreed to a new contract cov
ering 18,000 workers in eight
plants, calling for a wage increase
of 7.5 to 14.5 cents an hour de
pending on job classification and
plant, an added holiday and im
proved supplement unemployment
benefits. The SUB improvements
extend benefits 39 weeks in keep
ing with new Federal legislation,
increase by $5 the maximum SUB
payment and permit seniority em
ployees on layoff more than two
years to take separation pay in a
lump sum instead of continuing on
layoff status with seniority rights.
Women's coat and suit manufac
turers in New York have agreed
to a two-year contract extension
covering 45,000 members of the In
ternational Ladies Garment Work
ers Union in the metropolitan area.
The package provides wage in
creases averaging 14 cents an hour
and increases in payments into re
tirement and health and welfare
funds.
* * *
Members of the International As
sociation of Machinists have been
cautioned not to "moonlight" —
work at two jobs—by union offi
cials who pointed out that the prac
tice has become a serious threat
to working conditions and is con
tributing to unemployment. Offi
cials said it was ironic that labor's
achievement of a 40-hour week has
enabled some workers to take ex
tra jobs at the expense of other
workers. Many of them "earn a
fair week's pay, at union scale on
their regular jobs," 1AM officials
said.
Check Links
Of Attorneys
Members of the Union, in
cluding Seafarers in the hospi
tals, come into contact with
lawyers or their representatives
from time to Jime. To protect
the interests of this Union and
the membership. Seafarers
should check out any statement
made to them by a lawyer that
he is the attorney for the Un
ion or represents the Union in
any capacity. Such statements
should be immediately checked
with the port agent or the local
welfare representative.
Vi^"'.e '.•'is-' -- '• •
rage Bchl SEAFARERS LOS lUy. INl
SIX7 INZ.A
' ^-.:r .>./:.
/
Lakes IBU
Signs Three
New Firms
DETROIT — The newly-formed
Great Lakes Tug and Dredge Work
ers Region of the SIU's Inland
Boatmen's Union opened its organ
izational drive in the Lakes area by
signing three operators to first-
time contracts, reports Lakes Re
gional Director Robert Jones.
The three new contracted firms
are Thornton Construction, Han
cock, Mich., Bueschliner and
Smith, of Mt. Clemens, Mich., and
Hydro Dredging Co., Port Clinton,
Ohio. The new pacts were signed
late last month.
The Great Lakes Region of the
IBU was established last month
through merge, of the Dredge
Workers Union and the Tug Work
ers Union, both of them SlU-affili-
ated. Members of the two unions
voted by overwhelming m.irgins for
the establishment of the Great
Lakes Region and for affiliation
with the IBU.
The merger had been recom
mended by the officers of the two
unions as providing added strength
and organizing resources. Conse
quently, the success in organizing
the three new companies is the
first dividend resulting from the
recent merger.
Jones said that the Great Lakes
IBU Region is working on an all-
out drive to organize all dredge
and tug operations and allied ma
rine workers as well. At present,
the Union has the names of eight
unorganized companies which are
targets for organizing efforts. In
addition, all members in all Lakes
ports have been asked to report
the names of any companies in
their area which have no union
contracts.
Gatco TQ Be IBU-Contracted
The three brothers (insets) above are Gatco tugboatmen
out of Wilmington, NC. One of Gatco's tugs, the Alabama,
Is also show^. Tugmen of the firm voted 84-14 for SlU-IBU
representation.
Members Elect Delegates
To 1st IBU Convention
NEW YORK—Voting by the membership within the Inland
Boatmen's Union for delegates to the IBU's convention at
headquarters this month ended last week and rank-and-file-
elected committees were tal--*^
lying the ballots at press time.
The results will be sent to
elected candidates and all ports
as soon as the tally is completed.
The IBU has been alloted 10
IBU Man's Pets
Tom Grimes, IBU shopman
with Custis Bay, Philly, feeds
cats at pierside.
Panelist Proposes RR's
Adopt SIU Welfare Plan
NEW YORK—A finding that members of the SIU's Railway
Marine Region should be covered by the Seafarers Welfare
Plan has been issued by the impartial chairman of the three
man panel selected to dealt^
with pending welfare issues railway marine workers were
in the railway marine con
tract.
Dr. Donald Shaughnessy, in re
porting on the results of discus
sions on welfare Issues of railway
harbor workers, declared that the
best solution of the issue was that
the employers involved should be
come signatories to the Seafarers
Plan.
The finding was another impor
tant step forward in the fight of
the RMR for proper welfare pro
tection for railway marine work
ers. Shaughnessy similarly found
that mates and engineers should be
covered by the deep-sea plans of
their respective unions.
Need Central Plan
In his findings, Dr. Shaughnessy
pointed out that it was not feasible
to set up a separate plan for the
railway workers group which could
adequately meet their needs.
He noted that the group of some
660 men was too small for effi
cient, low-cost administration and
funds would not be adequate to
provide them with effective cov
erage.
Further, Shaughnessy noted, the
The activities of the various
inland boatmen, railroad marine
tugs, deep sea tugs arid harbor
craft under the SIU banner are
dealt with here. The SIU fam
ily includes various groups of
boatmen throughout the nation
—on the Atlantic and Gulf
Coasts, on the Mississippi and
Ohio Rivers, the Great Lakes
and in Pacific Coast ports.
These craft operate in support
of deep sea shipping and sup
plement such shipping in eon-
fined waters. Their activities
concern all seafaring trades.
anxious for coverage by the plans
of the unions involved and were
willing to have pending wage IHT
creases earmarked for welfare pur
poses.
"These two factors must, in the
opinion of the impartial chairman^
be given consideration of the high
est priority. For the reasons given,
it was not found possible to extend
them the coverage they wanted . . .
unless their employers become sig
natories to the union's plans . . ."
Shaughnessy also ruled out the
charging of any administrative fees
by the companies for administer
ing welfare benefits.
Very Limited Coverage
Up until now, the railway ma
rine workers have had minimal
insurance coverage, with no pro
tection for themselves or their
families in such areas as hospital,
surgical, disability and maternity
benefits, other than the hospital
treatment they were entitled to
from the Public Health Service.
Dr. Shaughnessy had been
named as impartial member of the
panel under the terms of the har
bor strike settlement in January.
He was selected by Secretary of
Labor Arthur Goldberg, Governor
Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor
Robert F. Wagner of New York
City. The three officials had par
ticipated in the meetings which
led to the settlement of the harbor
strike, with the settlement specify
ing the appointment of a group to
work out the welfare issues.
It is expected that the railroads
will contest the Shaughnessy find
ing in an attempt to delay the
application of SIU Welfare Plan
coverage to the railroad tugmen.
Meetings between the railroads
and the SIU Railroad Marine Re
gion are being continued in an ef
fort to gain union welfare cover
age for tugmen. , . . .
delegates while the Railway Ma
rine Region and the newly-affil
iated Great Lakes Tug and Dredge
Region will send three delegates
eac?h, in addition to the executive
board and the Regional director
from each Region, in accordance
with the IBU constitution.
Names of Nominees
A total of eleven IBU members'
names were placed on ballots
mailed to Inlandboatmen in all
ports for the secret mail referen
dum. Five RMR members' names
appear on the ballot to be voted by
that Union's members and six men
from the Great Lakes Tug and
Dredge Region (GLT&DR) are vy
ing for the three delegate posts
alloted to each of the Regions.
The IBU members whose names
appeared on the ballot, were: Dan
iel Behrens, John Blanchfleld, E. A.
DuBose, Martin Gould, Raymond
Herold, Frank McHale, Robert
Matthews, William E. Peterson, Al
bert C. Repsch, Joseph Trainor
and Steven Zubovich.
The five delegate-nominees from
the RMR were Howard F. Brower,
Waiter A. Mielnicki, C." T. Murreil,
John G. Provitera and Edward B.
Pulver.
The six IBU convention nominees
from the Great Lakes Region are:
Max Tobin, Harold F. Yon, Robert
Affleck, Donald Gallagher, "Patrick
J. Finnerty and Joseph Miller.
Ballot By Mail
Each member in the IBU and
its two regions was sent a ballot
which went to his last known ad
dress. A covering letter of instruc
tion accompanied each ballot which
informed the member of the voting
period and the proper Post Office
box to which the ballot should he
sent.
The tallying committees were
voted in by the rank and file of
the IBU, the RMR and the GLT-
&DR during special meetings
earlier this month. Yhe ballots were
collected for the IBU and each
Region by the committeemen with
the secretary-treasurers.
The IBU convention is expected
to place considerable emphasis on
continuing organizing, particularly
in such areas as the rivers, where
there is a large group of underpaid
and unorganized boatmen operating
tugs and barges on the inland wa
terways.
The convention will be held
May 22 at SIU headquarters, 675
Fourth' Ave., Brooklyn 32, NY.
Receives Sizable IBU Benefit
Ben Cundiff (left), deckfiand on ferry Jersey Shore, receives
benefit check for $1,334.20 from IBU's Joe Trainor, at Philly.
Money covered hospital expenses for Cundiff's wife.
IBU Crew To Man
New Tank Barges
BOSTON—A newly IBU-contracted concern, National Ma
rine Service, Inc., will place the first of five newly-designed
twin-container tank barges in service next month, accord
ing to an announcement by
the company.
The barges, which will he
operated on the Mississippi River
and other inland waterways, have
two container sections—an inner
one with three compartments and
an outer section with six compart
ments. Such an arrangement will
permit the use of one of the sec
tions on an outgoing trip while the
other one can he utilized on a re
turn trip, thereby doing away with
the necessity of cleaning the vessel
before taking return-trip cargo.
May, Iftl SEAFARERS LOG pare NIB*
IBU-Contracted Ferry Co.
Is Largest In The World
SEATTLE—The IBU of the Pacific-contracted Washingtoh
State Ferry System has added another vessel to its growing
fleet of 21 ferries which employ some 750 Inland Boatmen on
this coast.
Washington State Ferries,
which has the largest ferry
fleet in the world, operates on nine
different routes. Last year, the sys
tem carried 9,000,000 passengers
and nearly 3,000,000 vehicles.
With its numerous Islands and
deep indentations, Puget Sound's
geography is such that the only
way to get around effectively from
one town to another is by ferry.
Consequently, the sound is criss
crossed by ferry routes manned by
"ISIUNA boatmen.
Most Modern Ferry
The latest addition to the fleet,
the MS Tillikum, is the most mod
ern vessel in Washington's ferry
system. Several changes incorpor-,
.ated into the Tillikum which were
not included in her prototypes in
clude the extension of the passen
ger deck at each end to allow a
seating capacity for an additional
200 persons; .the heightening of
the truck clearance to 14 feet, and
the shifting of engine locations to
improve accessibility and allow
larger working space at electrical
controls.
As for crew accommodations,
• they are reported to be designed
for comfort, with ample heat and
light. A stainless steel galley also
is provided. The Pacific IBU-
manned Tillikum makes the Seat-
tle-Winslow- (Bainbridge Island)
run on Puget Sound, daily. ITie
vessel is 310-feet in length and op
erates at a speed of 15 knots.
McAllister Men
On deck of Charles D. Mc
Allister (McAllister Bros.) at
Norfolk are Richard Cheat
ham, mate and Calvin Sykes,
deckhand. Tugboatmen of
McAllister's operations in
Virginia-Carolina area re
cently voted for SlU-IBU.
At Curtis Bay
Crewmen of tug Petrel (Cur
tis Bay) pose for photog on
deck, at Norfolk. From left:
Floyd Hudgins, H. E. Mathews
and Cecil Gwynn.
April IBU Work
Modest In Mobile
MOBILE—That old saw about
the ill wind is proving itself for
IBU members here. Most of the
work the tugs have been getting
in this port involves hauling ships
off flats where they have grounded,
or cutting Libertys out of the re
serve fleet to be taken off to the
scrap yards in Florida.
Other Operations Slack
Other operations in the port
have been on the slack side, Port
Agent Louis Neira reports. The
tugmen hele are awaiting for
dredging and berthing operations
to get back to normal, which
should be very soon.
April IBU Benefits
Reported At $7,972
NEW ORLEANS—Gulf and East Coast SIU Inland Boatmen
received $7,972.8'9 in welfare benefits during the month of
April, according to the IBU Welfare Plan.
The highest benefit check—
amounting to an even $500-
went to Alfred E. Gould, Sr.,
of Crescent Towing Co. This pay
ment covered a dependent's hospi
tal and medical expenses.
, Other disbursements for
amounts over $200 went to the fol
lowing IBU members:
Lansdale Madere of Coyle Lines,
$395, for personal hospital ex
penses: Harold Hultman, Berg
Towing Co., $328.55 for depen
dent's hospital and medical ex
penses Clyde L. Jamison, Bay Tow
ing Co., $295 for dependent's hos
pital and medical expenses, and
Willie Rushing, Bay Towing,
$232.75 for dependent's hospital
and surgery expenses.
The IBU Welfare Plan provides
a wide variety of benefits for boat
men and their dependents similar
to those provided by the deep-sea
Seafarers Welfare Plan.
W»BHcHAimsAm^on
ijOGMAlLMSlJSr
INClWeBoSfAU
ZONf NUMBER
TOGpegp
PEUV^
IBU In Ellis
Pact Talks
HOUSTON—The Inland Boat
men's Union began negotiations
with Ellis Towing and Transpor
tation Co. here last month, reports
Bob Matthews, Houston agent.
From all indications, the pact
should be signed shortly, he added.
Ellis towboatmen voted for SIU
representation several weeks ago
in an NLRB election in this port.
The final tally showed the SIU
won by a vote of 15-12. Ellis em
ploys about 30 persons and its
boats operate from Lake Charles
to Brownsville, mainly handling
barges in- the Galveston ^irea and
on the intracoastal canal. The elec
tion victory at Ellis was one of a
series of IBU successes in the Gulf
area.
The most recent IBU pact
signed in this port was with Na
tional Marine Service, an operator
employing about 100 tugmen on
eight boats.
Matthews also reported that tha
IBU had affiliated with the Harris
County AFL-CIO and that a total
of twelve delegates from the SIU
had attended the meeting last
month, as accredited members.
IBU Men of Pusher Tug Christina
The Tug Christina (Taylor & Anderson) is not only unique in appearance but it's also the
only pusher type tug in the port of Philadelphia. The Christina is manned by six crew-
members, of whom five are IBU men. The tug's main function is the transporting of sand
scows, oil and coal bargeS within a 30-mile radius of Philadelphia, mostly in the Delaware
River. The boat is powered by two engines of 9p0-horsepower each, and has twin screws.
The tug, as shown above, was moving away from dockside to re|>ort elsewhere for an after
noon's work. Other photos at right depict what was going on Inside the vessel.
At top left: Christina's cook, Frank Smagalla, poses for
picture. Top right: Mate Pete Schaefer lights smoke in his
room. Above, Capt. Burvii Owens checks engine control
system of Christina.
. . .1-
Lakes Navigation Bili OK
Seen By Sen. McNamara
WASHINGTON—Senator Patrick McNamara, (Dem.-
Michigan) predicting passage of the Great Lakes Compact
bill which he had introduced in this session of Congress with
12 other Great Lakes senators,^
said "Federal agencies have tion of public works, McNamara
no objection to the bill in its said.
present form, and I see no reason The compact wiil also assist in
•why it should not become law." maintaining a proper balance
He pointed out that "proposals
that the Great Lakes states join
in an interstate compact to assist
In the solution of problems relalfng
to the water resources of the Great
Lakes have been advanced for
more than a decade.
Mutual Advantage
"My state of of Michigan,"
McNamara said, "in community
with her sister states of the Great
Lakes Basin, beiieves that these
states can operate to their mutual
advantage under a Great Lakes
Basin."
Five states, Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Minnesota, and Wiscon
sin ratified the compact during
legislative sessions in 1955. Penn
sylvania gave its approval in 1956
and New York approved the com
pact in 1960.
' The compact which became effec
tive on July 1, 1955, upon ratifica
tion by four states has, for its
primary purpose, the orderly use.
development, and conservation of
the water resouces of the Great
Lakes Basin, and would insure
that all Great Lakes states derive
the maximum benefit from utiliza-
among industrial, commercial, agri
cultural, water supply, residential,
recreational and other uses of the
water resources of the area, the
senators added.
McNamara pointed out that his
bill is identical with S548 which
he introduced in the last session
but which died in the legislative
logjam in the House.
"Those of use who have worked
on this bill think it is a good one.
The Great Lakes Basin Compact
is of vital concern to all our
Great Lakes states and we hope
this enacting legislation will re
ceive Congressional approval in the
near future."
While the states involved in the
compact have approved the meas
ure, Federal approval by Congress
is required by the Constitution be
fore the agreement can go into
effect and the states can devise
laws under its provisions.
A key area for compact action
is the stopping of garbage and raw
waste dumpage into the Lak^s
from ships which is creating a
health hazard to Lakeside commu
nities.
High And Dry
The Flow W, SlU-contracted tug, went into drydock last
month at the American Shipyard in Toledo for repairs on a
bent wheel. The vessel has a gross weight of 65 tons and
draws 10 feet.
Lakes Port Reports
Alpena Jobs Filled
ALPENA—When the Steamer
E. M. Ford and Wyandotte fit out
most of the SIU members in this
area will be working, the port
agent reports. Arnold Transit is
now operating two of their eight
motor vessels. Two others will go
into service on May 25 and one on
June 1.
4. t t .
Toledo Council Action
TOLEDO—The port council has
been gaining momentum with the
Seafarer Recalls Vfartime Duty;
ShipTorpedoed From Under Him
One thing about sailing on the Great Lakes ... you don't have to worry too much about
having your ship sunk from under you by a torpedo.
SIU member John C. Robinson, 54, is an AB, who has been sailing on both the Great
Lakes and salt water since-•
1922.
During World War II he re
calls sailing on an American Export
Lines vessel going from India to
the United States by way of the
Cape of Good Hope. The ship was
traveling through the Mozambique
Channel, between Madagascar and
the southeast coast of Africa. John
was asleep in his bunk when the
ship gave a sudden, violent lurch,
tumbling him to the deck.
He just had time to rush out on
deck. "The next thing 1 knew 1
was thrashing around in the wa
ter and watching the ship go un
der."
11 Men Killed
Eleven men lost their lives to
that torpedo. John first thought
that it was fired by a submarine
but later learned from British in
telligence that the attacker was a
Japanese raider operating in the
area.
John managed to get aboard an
abandoned lifeboat and later he
found a drifting raft to which he
transferred. He was alone from the
date of the sinking in late June
until he was rescued by a Dutch
ship 11 days later.
During that time he recalls be
ing without water or provisions
while on the lifeboat for a period
of five days.
He figures that it was July 4
when he 'found the raft drifting in
the open sea. He climbed aboard
and found chocolate, canned rations
and best of all, a 10-gallon keg of
water. He struggled to get the keg
open without losing the precious
drink. "1 never really knew how
good water tasted," John said, "un
til then."
He managed to conserve the food
and water for the next six days
until the Dutch ship picked him
up and took him to Durban, in the
Union of South Africa.
Missing, Presumed Lost
There he learned about the Ja
panese ship and also that the Gov
ernment had already notified his
mother that he was missing and
presumed lost.
He recalls that the first his fam
ily knew that he
was alive and safe
was a report in
the press that he
had been picked
up and was in
South Africa. It
took 18 days
aboard a fast
troop ship and
_ John was back
Robinson home with h i s
famiiy.
It's 'much safer on the Great
Lakes.
But John never lost his love for
salt water sailing. Even now he
sails the oceans during the winter.
This year he worked aboard a ship
that went to Venezuela from Phil
adelphia. Later he served on one
making runs between New Orleans
and Puerto Rico.
But he really likes the Lakes.
"Of course, when 1 was younger,"
he said, "it was a real adventure to
travel to the foreign ports. 1 really
liked Bordeaux in France . . . prac
tically all the European ports are
good. But the ones in the Far and
Middle East ... 1 didn't care too
much for. There's too much poverty
and misery. It wasn't a pleasure to
go ashore there."
'Lakes Best For Me'
"But now," he says, "the Lakes
are the best for me. 1 like working
here and 1 still get a kick out of
steering the ships. It's much bet
ter up here. 1 think the work is
easier . . . and when you get to be
my age you really appreciate that."
John has sailed on SIU ships
since becoming a member more
than eight years ago. Last season
he was on the Ball Brothers and
laid up the Aquarama.
"Things have really improved
since the SIU came and gave the
Lakes sailor better security and
safer working conditions. It's been
a good life," he said, thinking back
over his 39 years as a sailor. "All
except the eleven days floating on
the ocean back in 1942," he added.
beginning of the season and is
prepared for the big beef with the
runaway-flag vessels. The ILA is
reported to be' disappointed but
not surprised to learn that the
United Mine Workers District 50
settled for a sub-standard contract
at the Toledo Overseas Terminal.
4" 4»
Cleveland New Hall
CLEVELAND — The SIU has
been busy setting up operations at
the new location at 15614 Detroit
Avenue, Lakewood. The facilities
at the new hall will be more
spacious and for the enjoyment of
the membership, a pool table will
be added.
4* 4* " 4*
Duluth Runway Flagged
DULUTH—SIU representative
Pete Drewes reports that the first
saltwater ship to arrive in Duluth
for the 1961 season, jthe Point
Lacre, a Liberian-flag vessel, ar
rived with a great deal of fanfare.
A reception committee made up of
local politicians met her at the
dock, and the captain received a
plaque and the key of the city.
Five minutes after the ceremony
was over a United States marshall
boarded the ship and placed a lien
on her for some $3 million.
3^ 4» 4"
Buffalo Quiet
BUFFALO — Shipping thus far
has been rather slow with the fol
lowing ships fitted out; Niagara
Mohawk, B. W. Druckenmiller,
Geo. Steinbrenner, Carmi Thomp
son, Scobell and the La Liberte.
In the process of fitting out are
the Jas. E. Davidson, Wayne Han
cock, and the Phillip Minch.
4' 4 4'
Chicago Moving
CHICAGO—Registration in this
port is heavy but moving fairly
well. All Gartland boats have fitted
out and are running with a few
job replacements in the fleet.
4" 4" 4"
Frankfort Active
FRANKFORT—Port agent Han-
mer reports that the Ann Ai-bor
Railroad Company is stiil running
the four-boat operation. "The Ann
Arbor No. 7 is now in the ship
yard and the Wabash is still one
five and two.
Twin Cities
GrainExport
Wiii Rise
DULUTH—Operators of grain
elevators in Duluth-Superior are
confidently predicting that total
exports of grain shipped from the
twin cities will be five to ten per
cent higher than in 1960.
The ports shipped 92,924,000
bushels last year, a seven percent
increase over 1959. Grain men ex
pect May to show a heavy amount
of traffic in the export trade.
Deepened harbor and channel
depths and more adequate trans
fer facilities are "also expected to
aid in increasing the amount of
grain shipped from all Great Lakes
ports.
The optimistic view of the eleva
tor operators will probably have
little -meaning for Lakes seamen.
The majority of the grain will be
loaded on ocean-going vessels for
direct shipment to overseas des
tinations.
Seaway Aids Foreign Flags
Before the opening of the Sea
way export grain was carried on
Lakes vessels to eastern Lake Erie
or Lake Ontario ports and from
there trans-shipped to ocean ports
for overseas shipment. Then US
vessels carried 30 percent of the
grain and Canadian ships 70 per
cent.
Today export grain is loaded at
the lakehead directly onto ocean
vessels and Lakes shipping has, for
the most part, lost this valuable
trade. Last year US ve.ssel.s car
ried merely 16 percent of the
grain trade, Canadian ships' share
dropped to 56 percent and over
seas ships carried 24 percent of the
total.
Although President Kennedy has
issued an order making it manda
tory that 50 percent of grain
purchased by the US as part of its
foreign aid program be shipped on
American vessels, it is unlikely
that this will greatly increase the
activity of the Lakes vessels.
Indiana Approves
Plan For New Port
On Lake Michigan
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana
State Legislature recently enacted
legislation that will open a brand
new port on Lake Michigan. The
bill authorizes the establishment of
the Port Authority of Indiana to
build a $80 million port facility
near Porter, Indiana, between
Michigan City and Gary.
-Hearings were held in Indian
apolis on May 3 and 4 to determine
the exact location of the port site.
A final decision has not yet been
made.
The port will be the base of an
entirely new steel and power com
plex with Bethlehem Steel, Mid
west Steei and the Northern In
diana Public Service Company all
indicating that they will locate at
the site.
While the project now has clear
sailing, several hurdles remain be
fore Congress can be approached
for funds for construction.
V
-'tt -'V f)* % «• > -•? >
SEAFAREM^ LOG
yr' -v-f''
ES SEAFikREIt
Chicago Port Council
Formed By 19 Unions
Al Tanner, SlU vice president In charge of the Great Lakes area, administers the oath of
ofFice to newly elected officers of the Greater Chicago and Vicinity Port Council (I. to r.),
Scotty Aubusson, sec'y: Robert Affleck, executive vice-pres. and James P. Crane, pres.
CHICAGO—Nineteen AFL-CIO unions connected with the maritime Industry have
formed the Greater Chicago and Vicinity Port Council under the Maritime Trades Depart
ment of the AFL-CIO.
Jurisdiction of the new Port-^'
Council covers Illinois' Cook,
DuPage, Lake and Kane coun
ties and Indiana's Porter, LaPorte
and Lake counties.
Maritime Trades Department
Great Lakes Coordinator Al Tan
ner presented the Port Council's
charter to the newly "elected offi-
Chicago's Planned
Port Improvement
Cost $45 Million
CHICAGO — The Port of Chi
cago has scheduled some $45 mil
lion In Improvements In cargo
handling facilities both at the Lake
Calumet harbor development and
on the downtown waterfront.
Included In the Lake Calumet
program Is a 3,500-foot ocean whip
wharf which will have two cargo
sheds, a warehouse, tank farm for
the storage of bulk liquids, a 42-
acre truck terminal and a 10-mll-
llon bushel grain elevator.
The city has completed a rebuild
ing project on the downtown Navy
Pier which can now accommodate
six average size ships. The harbor
has a depth of 27 feet as the result
of a recently completed dredging
project. This depth will accommo
date any ocean-going ships which
can navigate the seaway.
cers at a meeting at the Hamilton
Hotel In Chicago.
James P. Crane, president of
Local 150, Operating Engineers
was elected President; Robert Aff-
llck, of the IBU, was elected .execu
tive vice-president; elected secre
tary was SIU Chicago Port Agent,
Scotty Aubusson and Al Sinkeus,
.president of Local 421, Welgh-
masters, was elected decorfiing
secretary.
Officers of the Port Council said
that It will provide Its principal
services In the settlement of com
mon disputes, cooperation In or
ganizing and play an Important
part In the fight against runaway
flag vessels on the Great Lakes.
SIU Hosts Dinner
Following the meeting, the SIU
a buffet dinner at which the repre-
senatives of the unions participat
ing in the Council met with MTD
officials. -
Mayor James Daley of Chicago
sent the Council a congratulatory
telegram commending the unions
on the formation of the Chicago
Port Council.
SIU Helps Defeat Curb
On Seamen's Jobless Aid
LANSING—The Michigan State House of Representatives
narrowly defeated a Republican-sponsored measure to deny
Great Lakes seamen unemployment compensations during
the 13 winter weeks of the-^*
year in a vote taken here
April 12.
The vote came after a blitz at
tempt to rush the bill through the
House before opponents could rally
for a fight. Instrumental in killing
the measure was the SIU and the
Michigan AFL-CIO.
Four Republican legislators In
troduced the bill and worked quiet
ly behind the scenes to get the
measure passed with little fanfare.
It was rushed out of committee to
the floor of the house on the last
day for reporting bills.
Send Back to Committee
But when the bill came to a vote
on April 12, the house decided
by a small margin of 53-47 to refer
it back to committee, in effect
killing the bill In this session of
the legislature.
Earlier, when the SIU learned
of the Republican attempt to turn
back the hands of time and take
away the hard-won rights of the
Great Lakes seamen. It started an
Intensive drive with the all-out
support of the Michigan AFL-CIO
and the Tug and Dredge Region
of the IBU to block the legislation,
SIU agents In all Michigan ports
contacted their local representa
tives and told them of the opposi
tion of the Lakes sailors and their
families to this bill. They stressed
the discriminatory aspects of the
Shipping Totals Rise Sharply
As Fitout Activity Continues
DETROIT—As the spring fitout season swings into high gear, the increase in jobs is be
ing reflected In the shipping figures.
The current shipping summary (see below) shows an increase of almost 1,00Q Lake Sea
farers shipped over the last-*
period covered. A total of
1,371 were shipped during the
period from April 1 to April 30,
The large Increase in men
shipped last month Is a sign that
shipping will be more active than
jsome earlier predictions had. Indi
cated.
Aided By Weather
A rapid change in the unsettled
weather that plagued the Great
Lakes just before-the fitout began
Great Lakes Shipping
April 1,1961 Through April 30, 1961
PORT DECK ENGINE STEWARD TOTAL
Alpena 11 11 2 24
Buffalo 90 84 32 206
Chicago 58 47 19 124
Cleveland 53 66 22 141-
Detroit 168 87 45 300
Duluth 1 2 0 3
Frankfort 68 74 30 172
Toledo 201 153 47 401
TOTAL 650 524 197 1371
aided the Increase which showed
the following port situations:
The port of Toledo had the
highest number of men shipped
for the first time this season going
well ahead of Detroit, which had
reported the highest number
shipped in previous reports. Tole
do shipped a total of 401 men and
Detroit, which was second in to
tals, reported 300 .shipped.
Activity in Buffalo showed a
large increasse over the previous
report: from 14 men shipped In
the last period to 206 shippe'd dur
ing the current one.
All Great Lakes ports reported
heavy increase In men shipped.
Six hundred and fifty men
were shipped in deck department,
524 In engine department and 197
In the steward department.
By the end of April over 45
SlU-contracted vessels had either
started or finished their fitout.
Most companies- have indicated
they will operate their entire fleet
or a large part of It—possibly
greater than their earlier expecta
tions.
Increased Aiito Activity
Increased auto activity in De
troit, together with the improved
outlook In the steel and other bulk
goods Industries have caused the
changed outlook for shipping.
The only area of concern is in
grain shipments where foreign-
flag shipping lines will probably
equal the large tonnage they car
ried last year and may even In
crease the amount somewhat this
year.
bill which singles out the seamen
and takes action against him.
Telegrams to Legislature
Secretary-Treasurer Fred Far-
nen of the Great Lakes District
sent a telegram to everj' member
of the legislature. Including th«
four Republican sponsors of tha
bill, advising them of SIU opposi
tion, to the measure.
He said that only one state In
America had such a law on its
books and the Department of Labor
considered the Ohio law not In
conformity with the intent of Con
gress which passed, in 1946, a bill
providing unemployment compen
sation to Great Lakes seamen
under state systems. Farnen also
pointed out that a bill pending in
the Senate would deny federal tax
credits to shipping companies of
states whose laws did not conform
to Congress' Intent.
He asked that the legislators not
allow Michigan to adopt a law that
would "erode the rights of Lakes
seamen."
In a statement following tho
defeat of the bill, Farnen said that
he was pleased that the measuro
was killed and thanked the AFL-
CIO and Democratic members of
the House for their support of th®
SIU and Lakes seamen.
SIU Great Lakes
Union Halls
HEADQUARTERS
10225 W. Jefferson, River Rouge 18, Mich.
Vinewood 3-4741
Fred J. Farnen, Secretary-Treasurer
Stanley F. Thompson, Asst. Sec.-Treas.
ALPENA 127 River St.
Norman Jolicoeur, Agent. Elm wood 4-361®
BUFFALO, NY 733 Washington St.
Roy J. Boudreau. Agent TL 3-9259
CHICAGO 9383 Ewing Ave.
Ernest Aubusson, Agent
South Chicago, HI.
SAglnaw 1-0733
CLEVELAND 1420 W. 25 .St,
Stanley Wares, Agent MAin 1-014T
DULUTH 312 W. 2nd St.
Gerald Westphal, Agent. .HAndolph 2-4110
FRANKFORT, .Mich 415 Main St.
Address MaU to: P.O. Bo.x 28T
Floyd Hanmer, Agent ELgin 7-2441
TOLEDO 120 Summit St.
Ed Doherty, Agent CHerry 8-2431
Great Lakes SIU Backing
MTD's Fight On Runaways
DETROIT—-The Great Lakes District has pledged full sup
port to the efforts of the Great Lakes Conference of the Mari
time Trades Department to stop runaway-flag ships from
stealing American and Can--*'
adian seamen's jobs.
The conference met last
month in Montreal to map its
strategy. It also elected a nine-
man executive board headed by
Hal C. Hanks, SIU of Canada pres
ident, to direct the campaign
against the runaways.
Nine Unions Involved
Nine international unions, rep
resenting workers in every phase
of waterfront activity, attended
the meeting and agreed to take
action to end the runaway threat
to both the American and Canadi
an Lakes fleets along both sides
of the border.
The unions, which formed the
conference last November to co-
ordinate" Lakes and Seaway labor,
could block the operation of the
runaways since their members
load and unload vessels, move car
go from the docks and repair
ships.
Strategy Discussed
The conference discussed and
decided on strategy that would be
employed in the campaign.
Attending the first strategy ses
sion in addition to SUNA repre
sentatives were representatives
from the following labor groups:
waterfront Teamsters, United
Sleelworks of America District
5000, International Longshore
men's Association, Masters, Mates
& Pilots, Marine Engineers Bene
ficial Association, International
Union of Operating Engineers,
Boilermakers and Carpenters un
ions.
Pare Twelve SEAFARERS l&^ Aay, 1961
REVIEW OF SiUNA
CONVENTION ACTS
The 10th biennial convention of the SIU of North America took ac
tion on a wide variety of issues of consequence to seamen, fishermen,
fish cannery workers and other affiliated crafts of the international
union. These actions dealt with the various problems confronting affil
iated unions in their relations with employers, in their organizing activ
ity and in the legislative arena on the Federal and local level. The fol
lowing is a digest of the key decisions made at the convention, which was
held in March.
Domestic Trades
Vhe convention caLed for intensive ef
forts to revive the coastwise and inter-
coastal industry and to secure reprtsenta-
tion for the maritime industry on the In
terstate Commerce Commission.
50-50 Law
-elegaies applauded the new Govern
ment policy of requiring virtually all for
eign aid cargo to be shipped on US ves
sels. They urged that this practice be
extended to other Government-financed
cargoes, where US ships are presently
carrying a bare 50 percent under the law.
Oil Imports,
Other Bulk Cargoes
Noting that the offshore oil trade has
been dominated by Runaway and foreign-
flag ships, the convention called for a
"50-50" quota rule on oil imports to re
vive the American-flag tanker industry.
Similarly with bulk trades being the larg-
I I
The verbatim record of the proceed
ings of the 10th SIUNA convention is
now being printed and copies will be
made available for distribution.
est portion of US foreign commerce, most
of it carried on foreign vessels, the _con-
vention called for other Governmenr ac
tion to encourage development of US
shipping in this area.
Runaway Shipping
' he convention hai ed the Labor Board
ruling giving the SIU the right to repre
sent the crews of the runaway-flag Sea
Level. It urged all affiliates to explore
further action against runaways.
Subsidies
The convention criticized the in
adequacies of the present subsidy pro
gram, limited to one segment of the in
dustry. It called for changes in the pro
gram to match changing foreign trade
patterns.
Automation And Manning
Delegates served notice that aifiliates
would take all necessary steps to pro
tect manning scales, in the face of a ship
owner campaign to reduce such scales, and
to promote shipboard automation.
Civil Rights
The delegates supported the AFL-CIO
Council call for a Federal Fair Employ
ment Practices Act to provide equal rights
for all Americans.
Fishing Contracts
And Fish Imports .
As recommended by the Fish and Fish
Cannery Organization and Grievance
Committee, the convention acted on two
fishing issues. It called for extension of
US labor laws to certain fishing vessels
so as to relieve them of anti-trust action
and also asked for a quota system to limit
foreign fish imports.
Soars Boycott
The nationwide boycott of Sears Roe
buck by the Retail Clerks International
Association was given wholehearted en-
dcsement.
Waterfront Commission
The convention affirmed its vigorous
o' osition to expansion of the authority of
the Bi-State Waterfront Commission, both
over longshoremen and other New York
Harbor waterfront workers.
Caribbean Federation
The convention approved plans for a
Maritime Federation of the Caribbean to
act on mutual problems. It recommended
San Jukn as the Federation's headquar
ters.
Great Lakes MID
Svpp'ort was voted for the Great Lakes
Conference of the MTD, which was set up
by affiliated MTD port councils to fight
runaways on the Lakes.
Ohio Jobless Pay
Support was voted to efforts to nullify
an Ohio law which denies Great Lakes
seamen unemployment pay In the off
season.
Maritime Bargaining
The program of the National Commit
tee for Maritime Bargaining was fully en
dorsed as in the best interest of both
American seamen and the industry. All
unions were invited to participate.
Seamen's Minimum Wage
Noting the depressed pay of many non
union seamen, the delegates went on rec
ord to support legislation which would
provide Federal minimum wage coverage •
in maritime.
Maritime Trades Department
Delegates cited the valuable work of the
MTD and urged the SIUNA to continue
close working relationships with the or
ganization.
Right To Work Laws
With anti-union elements active in sev
eral states, the SIUNA will make every
effort to defeat so-called "right to woTk"
legislation.
Landrum-Griifin Act
The convention was particularly critical
of the bonding provisions of the Act
among others, which impose an enormous
cost on unions.
Textile Strikers
The convention assailed the use of Na
tional Guard troops against the Harriet-
Henderson textile strikers. It called for
release of imprisoned striker leaders.
Social Legislation
• Delegates approved proposals for im
provements in Social Security, medical
and hospital coverage for retired Ameri
cans, low cost medicine, aid to education,
additional housing aid and other pro
posals essential to the wril-being of
American workers.
Canadian Labour Congress
The convention condemned the action
of the CLC in withdrawing its label from
the SIU of Canada at the behest of the
Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Train
men.
Arab Blacklist
The convention reaffirmed its belief in
absolute freedom of the seas for all ships.
It called for Government action against
the Arab blacklist and against abuse'of
crews of blackli.sted vessels..
Canadian Domestic Ships
It was noted that Canada was the only
maritime nation lacking legal safeguards
for its ships. Protection for the Canadian
domestic trades was called for by the
delegates.
State Income Taxes
The convention recommended court ac
tion to prevent Alaska, Washington and
Oregon from imposing multiple taxes on
fishermen and boatmen operating out of
Puget Sound.
Medical, Safety Plans
And Union Clinics
The convention noted that joint union-
industry medical and safety programs
have achieved noteworthy results. It
called for extension, of such programs and
How Delegates Amended
International Constitution
Article I. Name, Membership and Jurisdiction
International membership is broadened to provide for various miscellaneous,
crafts as well as seamen, fishermen and fish cannery workers.
This article also provides that the headquarters will be located wherever the
international oresident has his home office, so as to bring the business of the
International under one roof.
Article III. Form of Organization
The section on transfers was deleted, as it is impractical to provide for transfer
from one craft to another, totally-unrelated one. This section applied in the early
days of the international union when for practical purposes virtually all of the
members of the international union were seamen. "
Article IV. Executives
• The international structure was strengthened by providing for three executive
vice-presidents from the three three major districts—Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and
Inland Waters; Canadian District and Pacific District—in addition to the presi
dent, and vice-presidents. An elected international representative is also pro
vided for to assist the president and executive vice-presidents.
The executive body, consisting of the president, three executive vice-presidents
and all other vice-presidents is now known as the executive board. The presi
dent and thd three executive vice-presidents form an executive committee of the
executive board. The executive board is the executive authority of the union be
tween conventions. Similarly,, the executive committee exercises the powers of
the executive board in between meetings of the board.
Every affiliated union with 5tfd or more members is entitled to a vice-presi
dency, with the proviso that existing vice-presidencies are retained if the union
holding them has less than the 500-member requirement.
The office of the president has been given added responsibility in the form of
supervision, record-keeping, financial reporting and other duties performed under
the old constitution by the office of the secretary-treasurer.
Article V. Legislative powers
This article retains the provision that all legislative powers reside in regular
or special conventions of the SIUNA. However, it specifies that delegates to a
convention are to be elected by secret ballot in accordance with the constitution
by-laws of affiliated unions. The president and the executive vice-presidents are
ex-offico delegates.
The article also spells out in greater detail the basis upon which affiliated un
ions are assigned delegates and votes at conventions.
Article VI. Judical Powers
The executive board'is given specific responsibility for establishing rules and
procedures for filing grievances or complaints and for hearng grievances and com
plaints. .
Article VII. Finances
To meet the needs of the international union, the per capita tax was increased
from 30 cents per month to 45 cents. However, the charge on initiation fees has
been set at $2 instead of the old 10 percent figure.
The section also specifies that the President and all other persons required by
law to be bonded shall be so bonded for a minimum of $25,000.
recommended a system of Union diganos-
tic clinics for members and their families.
Military Sea Trai^port Service
The convention reaffirmed long-stand
ing opposition to MSTS competition with
private shipping." It strongly criticized the
agency for operating US ships in the Paci
fic with foreign seamen.
Great Lakes Organizing
It was noted that considerable success
had been scored by the SIU Great Lakes
District in the organizing field. Delegates
called on all affiliates to cooperate with
the continuing drive.
Maritime Hiring Halls
The convention reiterated its deter
mination to preserve this keystone of ma
ritime unionism.
Organizing
Delegates reviewed the organizing pro
gress of various SIUNA affiliates and went
on record for a vigorous organizing pro
gram throughout the industry.
Public Health Hospitals
The erosion of hospital services under
penny-pinching budgets was criticized.
Delegates called for adequate funds and
more liberal eligibility requirements for
hospital admission.
Shipboard Feeding
The convention proposed establishment
of industry-wide food plans to assure pro
per feeding and storing of ships, including
appropriate training for the steward de
partment.
Ship Replacement
A long-range program was ur^ed to as
sure the maritime industry modern ves
sels which can compete with foreign-flag
ships.
Ship Bankruptcies
Delegates recommended to affiliated un
ions that they incorporate provisions in
contracts which would protect seamen's
wages in the event the operator encoun
ters financial difficulties.
World Safety Standards
The convention was critical of the lack
of progress in international safety. It
urged that a new international safety con
vention be held to bring foreign ships up
to snuff.
Officers' Training
Noting the growing tendency for marine
officers to come out of Government acad
emies, the convention suggested that af=
filiates work out training programs to as
sist members in obtaining licenses.
Affiliations
Delegates approved proposals of the
National Affiliation Committee calling for
close ties with several groups, including
state and local bodies, the Union Label
Department and the MTD. They also
called for affiliation with the newly-
formed Food and Culinary Department
and the Railway Labor Executives Associ
ation.
Inland Boat Organizing
An organizational survey of the inland
boat field was approved to setup organ
izing targets among unorganized workers
as well as among boatmen not represented
by legitimate maritime union.?.
SIUNA Constitution
The constitutional committee recom
mended revision of the constitution in va
rious areas. (See story on this page.)
MCS Hearings
The Seamen's Organization and Griev
ance Committee reported on the Execu
tive Board hearing in San Francisco,
August 8-13, 1.160, dealing with complaints
made concerning the Marine Cooks and
Stewards Union. They confirmed the
findings and recommendation of the in
ternational president, with the approval
of the convention.
International Ties
^s proposed by the International Affili
ations Committee, the convention approved
continued ties with the International La
bor Organization, the International Con
federation of Free Trade Unions and join
ing with the Maritime Federation of the
Caribbean, among others. The convention
also approved a recommendation that an
SIUNA committee be appointed to deal
with the issues in dispute between the
british seamen's union and the SIU.
Ibr. INI SEAFAKEHtS LOG riac«nirlem
Efficency Stepped Up
Seafarers' Benefit Plans
Getting Larger Quarters
NEW YORK—Admiriistrative offices of the SIU Welfare
and Vacation Plans will move to new quarters here early in
June to provide more space for their constantly-expanding
The new location-^ ^ services,
will cover the entire 22nd
floor at nearby 17 Battery
Place.
More than $25 million in com
bined cash benefits has been paid
to Seafarers and their families
since •the present office site at 11
Broadway was established In 1950.
The Vacation Plan Joined Welfare
as a tenant the following year and
the two have been sharing quarters
since then.
The spread of office space at the
present location has matched the
growth of the Plans over the years.
In 1950, Welfare included just two
basic benefits: $7 weekly for sea
men in the hospitals and a $500
death benefit. The Vacation Plan
began paying benefits In 1952 at
the annual rate of $140.
Today, SIU Welfare provides al
most 20 cash and service benefits,
including a. comprehensive med
ical-hospital-surgical program for
dependents plus maternity benefits,
college scholarships, upgrading
training and many other items. The
basic hospital benefit for seamen
is $3 daily; the death benefit,
$4,000. The annual rate of vaca
tion pay has jumped to $400.
Expansion of the Plans to cover
Expand SIU
Blood Bank
(Continued from page 2)
cilities, will operate in the same
manner as Brooklyn. At the present
time, biood collected from donors
at that clinic is handled under a
standard processing and storage
arrangement with the Brooklyn
Donor Center, Inc.
This provides for simplified
transfer arrangements with banks
all over the country through use
of the Union's teletype network
linking all ports. The Brooklyn
bank has thus been able to supply
blood for Seafarers or their de
pendents anywhere In the US on
short notice.
SIU deep-sea and Great Lakes
ports wliicli do not have an estab
lished clinic facility are making ar
rangements with US Public Health
Service instaliations or other banks
in their port areas to get the na-
tion-vyide apparatus started.
The expanded operation does not
mean any change for Seafarers or
their families requiring blood in
an emergency. Just as before, all
they need do Is contact the nearest
SIU hall and the necessary ar
rangements will be made promptly.
new and changing needs of Sea
farers and their dependents has
produced a cramped administra
tive operation at the Broadway ad
dress. The shift to new quarters
will provide for much more effi
cient services.
A carefully-prepared timetable
for the move to 17 Battery Place
promises no Interruption at all in
the processing and payment qf
claims. The telephone number for
the new offices, expected to be in
full occupancy by June 5, will be
WHitehall 3-5950.
Seafarer's Trio
Big brother Roger L. Hall, Jr..
7, and sister Carlo Lois, 3,
give new arrival Edward Mi
chel Hall, born March 14, a
warm welcome at home in
Jackson Heights, NY. Dad
Roger Hall is in the Far East
on the ines. All three young
sters are SIU benefit babies.
Four SIU Veterans
Retire On Pension
Maisonet Phillips Hawkins Jacobs
Four more veteran seamen ranging from 46 to 61 years of
age have just been qualified for the lifetime SIU disability-
pension. The quartet represents one of the youngest groups
ever approved for the $35 f
weekly benefit, which is based
on seatime regardless of age.
Union and company trustees of
the Welfare Plan have cleared the
benefit applications of a total of 14
Seafarers so far this year. The
ClinicsExamine
35,000 So Far
Entering its fifth year of opera
tion, the SIU Medical Department
has provided over 35,000 complete
physical examinations to Seafarers
and their dependents so far. Half
the total has been given at the
Brooklyn, NY, diagnostic clinic,
which started off the medical pro
gram in April, 1957.
Five More Clinics
Since then, five more SIU clinics
have opened: Mobile and New Or
leans (December, 1957); Baltimore
(February, 1953); Houston (June,
1959) and Santurce, Puerto Rico
(March, 1961). In the past two
months, the Baltimore and New
Orleans medical facilities have
been established right in the halls
in those ports.
The Santurce clinic is due to be
gin actively functioning late this
month. Difficulties with equipment
snagged the start of the examina
tion program.
Of the 35,000 exams to date, 11
percent has been ^iven to seamen's
wives, children and dependent
parents. The figures cover both
original exams and re-examinations
since 1057.
latest group includes John A. Haw
kins, 55, of Brooklyn, N.Y; John
E. Jacobs, 46, of Baltimore; Leon-
cio Maisonet, 61, of the Bronx,
NY, and Lacey L. "Tiny" Phillips,
55, of Hounia, La.
The four oldtimers are now receiv
ing $35 weekly checks plus the reg
ular medical-hospital-siirgical cov
erage and other benefits of the
Plan.
Sailed On Supertanker
Sidelined by an arteriosclerotic
condition, Hawkins last sailed in
the deck department on the super
tanker Erna Elizabeth (Albatross)
over a year ago. A Navy veteran,
he began shipping with the SIU
back in 1941. He lives with a sister,
Mrs, Helen Young, of Brooklyn.
A Curtis Bay shopman and deck
hand for many years, Jacobs has
been in and out of the hospit".! for
months because of a back injury.
He's been working SlU-contracted
tugs since 1957 butdias had to quit
working due to extremely poor
vision. He and his wife, Aldean,
reside In Baltimore.
Veteran Union Men
An SIU black gang veteran,
Maisonet has shipped with the
Union since 1943. His last vessel
was the Elizabeth (Bull) In Novem
ber, when he worked as a wiper.
He's married and has been tagged
"not fit for duty" permanently as
a result of general arteriosclerosis.
Phillips has been beached by
heart disease and was last aboard
the Alcoa Pegasus (Alcoa) a year
ago. He began shipping with the
SIU in 1942 as a member of the
steward department following ten
years on foreign-flag vessels. He
lists a daughter. Miss Dolores Pat-
rica Phillips, as next of kin.
REPORT
Joseph Volpian, Social Security Director
Ranks Off The 'Aged' Keep Growing
One of the iittie-notice actions by the legislature of the state of New
York this year was an amendment to the law regarding discriminatioa
in employment because of age. New York previously had barred dis
crimination by employment agencies and employers against workers
45 to 65 years of age; the bottom limit has now been extended to 40
years, effective July 1, 1961.
Legislation dealing with job discrimination based on age is still •
relatively new development. It was designed originally as a form of
protection for older workers seeking new jobs and, at the same time, to
prevent the outright loss of their experience and skills to the eco
nomy. The interesting fact today is that from the viewpoint of New
York state and its AFL-CIO labor movement, which supported tho
amendment, 40-year-olds are now subject to the same type of discrimi
nation as their elders of 55, 60 and up who are still In the labor market.
This is a probiem of our times and it reflects a sharp shift in recent
years of employment patterns throughout US Industry. "Life begins
at 40," as the old saying goes, apparently no longer applies to reality.
In this Industry, In maritime, the experienced, professional sailor is
all ages, depending on when in life he first began going to sea. He may
be in his late 20s, or 40 or 60. The last issue of the SEAFARERS LOQ
carried an item about one SIU oldtimer still actively sailing as a night
cook and baker at the age of 83. A number of active Seafarers are well
past 60 and a few are over 70. Retirement from an active life is
something they can't even conceive. There really must be something
about a seagoing life that the shoreslders are missing.
The interest in Job discrimination due to age, where it exists, takes
many forms. One that comes to mind is the long-range effect created,
as time goes on, when workers at lower and lower ages find themselves
bypassed for younger and younger men. If 40 Is now a problem, what
will it be like a generation or two from today?
Concern these days over an issue such as medical care for the aged
is pegged to the problems of people in their sixties and beyond. As
more and more trained young people come Into the job market and
diminish employment opportunities for older workers and profession
als, those who are bypassed or forced into less desirable jobs becauss
of their age swell the ranks of the so-called "aged." Their medical
care problems and others are thereby niugaified aiany times for thoss
who must deal with them.
The above is an extreme view of what seems to be happening bit by
bit all around us, but It is happening all the same. In a way, these are
the fruits of rising automation and obsolescence of both men and
machines without proper advance planning. It is a situation that bears
watching in days to come.
(Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
be submitted to this column care of the SEAFARERS LOG.)
On-The-Spot SIU Hospital Cash
Seafarer Keith Foster, AB (standing), receives
hospital benefits as Welfare Rep. Tom Gould makes weekly
rounds servicing SIU men at Staten Island marine hospital.
Looking on is Seafarer A. C. Sonkovit, messman, who was
last aboard the Steel Artisan (Isthmian). Foster is off the
Exra Sensibar (Construction Aggregates).
Pare FomiecB SEAFARERS LOG MWr itn
.--w'rll- -1-
L -tlG
iri ̂
Seven Safety Prizes
Awarded Seafarers
NEW YORK—Seven active Seafarers have.won special
awards for their original safety poster designs in a contest
sponsored by the SIU Safety Department. Judging of entries
submitted since last summer
was conducted on April 18.
Grand prize in the ship
board competition went to Leonard
Palencar, OS, 26, of King.ston, Pa.
First prize wtnners were Bernard
Maret, OS, 24, Melbourne, Fla.;
Norman "Moose" Lightell, AB, 38,
and Philip Maechling, MM, 33 both
of New Orleans. E. I. Rihn, DM, 26,
Harvey, La.; Charles I. Hampson,
MM, 34, Miami, and Dirk Visser,
OS, 52, New Orleans, won second
prizes.
Four Main Subjects
The contest covered four main
subjects: General shipboard safety,
deck department safety, engine de
partment safety and steward de
partment safety. A fully-equipped
Polaroid flash camera was the
grand prize; transistor radios went
to the first prize winners and elec
tric shavers to those placing
second.
Safety Director Joe Algina and
officials at the joint safety meeting,
who took part in the judging,
agreed that almost all entries illus
trated good safety points and ideas
for shipboard use. One of the main
SEAFARERS IN DRYDOCK
The following is the latest available list of Seafarers in hospitals around the country:
Maret Rihn
Lightell Hampson
Seafarer Leonard Palencar
displays his prize-winning
safety poster.
purposes of the contest was to
bring the ideas of active seamen,
as those in a good position to know
the danger areas for possible acci
dents aboard ship, into focus.
May Distribute Color Posters
It was indicated later that the
Safety Department is looking into
the possibility of preparing full-
size posters in color, based on
various original designs by Seafar
ers, for distribution to all SIU
vessels.
An interesting sidelight regard
ing the winners was that prac
tically all came out of the deck
department. Lightell, an AB, took
"first" in both engine and steward
department safety. There was no
"second" awarded in the black
gang category.
Visser Maechling
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meet
ings are held regularly
once a month on days in
dicated by the SIU Con
stitution, at 2:30 PM in
the listed SIU ports below.
All Seafarers are ex
pected to attend. . Those
who wish to be excused
should request permission
by telegram (be sure to
include registration num
ber). The next SIU meet
ings will be:
New York June 5
Philadelphia June 6
Baltimore June 7
Detroit June 9
Houston June 12
New Orleans June 13
Mobile June 14
Ship-Jumpers
Face Jailing
In Singapore
SINGAPORE—American seamen
who fail to join their ships in this
port will be running into more
trouble than they have in the past,
according to the American con
sulate here.
The consulate issued the warn
ing in a letter to C. F. Sharp &
Co., steamship agent for several
SlU-contracted companies among
others. The American authorities
here have asked the agent to
spread the word to seamen on
American vessels which call at this
port.
Tightens Policy
Singapore immigration authori
ties have until recently been some
what lenient in connection with
alien seamen who fail to join their
ships.
The new policy of Singapore
authorities will be to charge sea
men who miss their .ships with il
legal entry. Seamen in that situa
tion will be immediately jailed in
the Remand Prison until arrange
ments are made for them to rejoin
their ships or for them to be re
patriated, the consulate advised.
The American vice-consul in Sin
gapore noted that the port's offi
cials have declared their intention
of enforcing the alien seamen law
to the letter.
TJSPHS
STATEN
Robert Burton
Arthur Camera
John Campbell
Antonio Carrano
T. C. Cepriano
Daniel Cement
Chriatoa TsambU
Hugh Dick
Harry Dorrah
Modesto Duron
George Fiance
Michael Filosa
Keith Foster
Esteil Godfrey
Carlos Gomez
F. C. Higgason
Samuel Howard
A. Jensen
D. Kambanos
Patriek Kelly
Charles Kinnke
Norman Krumm
HOSPITAL
ISLAND. NY
Thomas Lauer
Fidel Lukban
Earl Martin
George May
Rafael V. Molina
James C. Muivey
Robert Nielsen
Joseph Odreza
Pietro Paulln
Carl Peterson
Donald Peterson
George Phifer
Eugene Plahn
P. S. Retoriano
Antonio Russo
A. Sankovidt
J. Shefuleski
William Vauchan
Basil W. Smith
Robert Smith
Edward J. Taylor
Bart E. Guranick
VA HOSPITAL
NEW YORK, NY
Chas. O. Bergagna
SAILORS SNUG HARBOR
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Henning Bjork Thomas Isaksen
A. B. Gutierrez
VA HOSPITAL
KERRVILLE, TEXAS
Willard T. Cahill
LUCIEN MOSS HOSPITAL
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Baldo Coccia
USPHS HOSPITAL
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Davis Danes Max Olson
B. F. Deibler Bozo G. Zelenclc
Thomas Lehay
VICTOR CULLEN STATE HOSPITAL
CULLEN. MD.
Carlton A. Roberts
VA HOSPITAL
WEST HAVEN, CONN.
John J. Driscoll Henry E. Smith
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
BETHESDA, MD.
Henry J. Foy
PINE CREST HAVEN
COVINGTON. LA.
Frank Martin
LANDIS STATE HOSPITAL
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Thomas Murphy
VA HOSPITAL
TEMPLE, TEXAS
WUUam E. Nelson
TRIBORO HOSPITAL
JAMAICA, LONG ISLAND, NY
James RusseU
US SOLDIERS HOME
WASHINGTON, DC
Wm. H. Thomson
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Russell Aldrick
Percy Bradshaw
William Brewer
Dan J. Cherry
Lewis Cook
Peter Daniels
John Davis
Leonard Davis
John Drummond
Chester Green
James ilelgoth
Roy Johnston
Herman Miller
Albert Morse
Domingo Orbigoso
Domingo A. Ortiz
Golden E. Parker
Robert Scales
Jim Spencer
Carlos Velez
Merwyn E. Watson
Bruce E. Webb
USPHS HOSPITAL
BRIGHTON, 'MASS.
William S. Costa
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
Jose C. Alvarado J. B. Lippencott
Harry Fentress Joseph P. Pettus
Wm. C, Grey Harry G Peek Jr.,
Wm. D. Hampel Lawrence Sanders
Joe Leston Roland A. Wright
Judson P. Lamb
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAVANNAH. GA.
Wm. Crawford Luther Roberts
Carl Hargroves E. Roig
Les Lcntonen W. H. Ross. Jr.
W. E. Olson Ernest H. Webb
USPHS HOSPITAL
NORFOLK. VA.
O. C. Bailey B. J. Nelson
T. F. Johnson P. S. Parker
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF.
Matthew Bruno R. J- Coleman
Mike Coins F. E. Farrell
Get That SS
Number Right
Seafarers filing vacation
money claims should make sure
that they use their correct So
cial Security number. Use of
the wrong number means a cler-
tcal headache for the Vacation
Plan office and slows up the
handling of payments.
Also, a Seafarer who uses the
incorrect Social Security num
ber is crediting his tax deduc
tions to some other US worker.
S. C. Hudgini John H. RatliA
Charles W. Lane A. J. Scheving
Chas. Neukrichner Howard J. Watt*
WiUiam Nuttal
USPHS HOSPITAL
SEATTLE, WASH.
Vernon Cain Raymond Ruppert
William Mellon John SUles
Kenneth Miller Sten Zetterman
John Fasko
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
Lucien All.ilre
Herbert Allman
Orville L. Arndt
Charles L. Avera
Marlow Barton
William Brewer
Thomas DaUey
E, Pouga
James Fall
Stanton L. Grica
J. L. Gulllory
Virgil L. Harding
Wade B. Harrell
Frederick Hauser
George H. Hiers
Justice P. Hughes
Vincenzo lacono
Edward Knapp
Leo Lang
Arnt Larsen
Norman Lightell
Michael Luizza
William J. Maas
Edward M. Cain
Duggan McCrary
A. Michclct
Alonzo Morris
Bernard Moye '
Eugene T. OTWara
William A. Pitman
Calvin A. Rome
Theodore Simonds
Chas. E. Slater
Billy C. Ward
George Wendel
Herbert Young
SIU Blood Bank
Inventory
Period: March, 1961
Pints Contributed 60
Pints Rejected 2
Pints Credited 29
(Under a standard arrangement
with the Brooklyn Donor Center
Inc., 50% is alloted for service,
processing and storage.)
Previous Balance 69
Pints Used
Balance On Hand
April 1, 1961 ..
98
14
84
An SIU Blood Donor Certificate (sample above) is given to every
person donating to the SIU Blood Bank, which is maintained through
the SIU Clinic in Brooklyn. The bank supplies Seafarers or members
of their families anywhere in the United States and has been in
operation since January, 1959. Through an arrangement with a
national clearing house, blood can be supplied on short notice in any
emergency. Donors can arrange appointments on the 2nd deck at
SIU headquarters, one block from the Clinic. The whole procedure
takes only a short time.
Physical Exams—All SIU Clinics
Month Of March, 1961
Port Seamen Wives Children TOTAL
Baltimore ... ••••••••« 129 18 11 158
Houston ..., 9 6 88
Mobile 65 3 9 77
New Orleans •••>••••• 166 18 10 194
New York ... 319 21 33 373
TOTAL 752 69 69 890
SIU Welfare, Vacation Plans
Cash Benefits Paid
March 20-April 16, 1961
Number
Of Benefits AMOUNT PAID
Hospital Benefits (Welfare) .... 6367 $20,100.58
Death Benefits (Welfare) 15 56326.00
Disability Benefits (Welfare) .. 787 27,545.00
Maternity Benefits (Welfare) .. 36 7,200.00
Dependents Benefits (Welfare) . 215 42,556.87
Optical Benefits (Welfare) .... 123 1,164.29
Summary (Welfare) 7545 $154,892.74
Vacation Benefits 1479 $239,127.21
TOTAL WELFARE, VACATION
BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD... 9024 $394,019.95
None of the figures in the above summaries indicate the amounts
paid for varieus other Welfare Benefits for SIU men and their de
pendents, such as scholarship payments, meal books, training facilities,
medical examinatioiis, and similar items.
lii^.'iNt"-' stt'ArJ:ttEk'^ LOG ti^ihru^h
V n\ t
'. f- ' 'L . -.v •'; .' ••'• • ^ ;• 'He/p?'
Another dreary round of study and diag
nosis by amateur physicians is in the offing
for the maritime industry. This time, a
seven-man body has been appointed by Sec
retary of Commerce Luther Hodges out of
the ranks of American management to poke
and probe into tlie ailing maritime structure
and make recommendations accordingly.
Studies of the maritime industry are not
new. On the contrary, the industry has
been examined and diagnosed innumerable
times iri recent years (the latest being the
pompously-named "Project Walrus"), but
none of these numerous studies has yet re
sulted in an effective attack on the indus
try's ailments.
The composition of the latest study group
offers no ground for optimism as to any
tangible results that might emerge from its
deliberations. The seven-man group, in
cludes a retired Sears, Roebuck executive, a
former general, now head of the Red Cross,
the president of an aluminum and chemical
corporation and the head of a company
whose chief- product is automatic pin-spot
ters for bowling alleys.
There is only one member of the commit
tee who can boast of any familiarity with
shins and shipping. As is to be expected,
he is the former board chairman of Stand
ard Oil of New Jersey, the company which
more than any other fathered the runaway
escape hatch. As such he is singularly ill-
fitted to pass judgment on the needs of an
American-flag merchant fleet.
The AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Depart
ment has protested the composition of this
committee on several grounds, among them
its total lack of familiarity with the prob
lems and needs of the industry, its lack of
representation from maritime management,
and its bypassing of the employees of the
maritime industry who have the biggest
stake in the future 6f the industry.
Chances are that what will emerge from
• the comittee's study will be another scissors-
and-pastepot job—a compilation of past
findings rearranged and rejuggled to give
them the appearance of freshness.
The maritime industry has been studied
enough. It is hard to see what any new
study can produce in the way of original
information and an original approach to the
Industry's problems, particularly in light
of the nature of the committee named by
Secretary Hodges.
No Escape Hatch
It's been a bad month for the runaway
operators all around. To begin with, there
was the drubbing the runaways took when
the Supreme Court of the US flatly refused
to hear their bid to escape the jurisdiction of
US labor laws and the National Labor Re
lations Board. Clearly, from now on, the
runaways will have to contend with US
maritime unions just as if their ships were
registered under the American flag. If that
wasn't enough, the Kennedy Administration
is embarking on a drive to put an end to the
tax evasion of runaway operators. Con
gress is being told that there is. no legitimate
reason why these people should not pay
their fair share of taxes just like domestic
corporations.
Up until mid-1958, the runaways' position
looked impregnable. Then came the land
mark NLRB decision giving the SIU the
right to organize and represent the crew of
the Liberian-flag SS Florida, followed by
the equally-significant SS Sea Level rul
ing this year in favor of the SIU. Now
the Supreme Court has closed the ring
around the runaways.
With the legal obstacles out of the way,
the SIU intends to press hard on the organ
izing front, on the collective bargaining
front and Pn the tax legislation front until
the runaway device loses its desirability
and these ships come back under the Amer
ican flag where they belong.
Department
Ray Mardock, Director
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP.—The Senate's Merchant Marine Sub
committee has recently heard testimony on S. 1183. This bill would
permit the subsidized operators to use capital reserve funds for re
search, development, and design expenses. Witnesses appearing thus
far have agreed to submit for the subcommittee's consideration an
amendment which would make provisions of the bill apply retroactively
to funds already expended for cargo container purposes . . . Represen
tative O'Konski (R), Wisconsin, has introduced H. R.6595, a bill to
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 so to allow the withholding
of unemployment tax credit, provided under section 3302 of the Code,
from maritime employers in certain ca.ses. The bill has been referred
to Ways and Means . . . The Senate has passed S.1288 which provides
more flexibility with respect to annual inspections of communications
equipment aboard American-flag vessels . . . Legislation to authorize a
study of the feasibility of a de-icing system for the Great Lakes and the
St. Lawrence Seaway has been offered in the Senate by Senator Wiley
(R), Wisconsin. The proposed bill, S.1704, is also being sponsored by
Senators Young (D), Ohio, Humphrey (Dj, Minnesota, and McCarthy
fD). Minnesota . . . S.1690, a bill which would increase to 90 percent
from the present statutory figure of 75 percent the amount of estimated
operating-differential subsidy which the FMB may pay on account has
been introduced by Senator Magnuson (D), Washington. The Magnuson
bill is identical in language to H. R. 6309, introduced by Rep. Bonner (D),
North Carolina . . . HMM has resumed hearings on H.R. 4299, the dual-
rates bill. In its testimony before the committee the Justice Depart
ment said it would prefer no legislation at all looking toward the legal
ization of dual rates rather than accept a "new working print" of th«
bill. "From every view," said the representative from Justice, "the
original 4299 is much preferable to the present version" ... Amendment
of section 17 of the Interstate Commerce Act so as to provide for fur-
their delegation of authority to employee boards to make decisions in
certain cases in which a public hearing has been held would, be pro
vided under the terms of S. 1667, offered by Senator Magnuson . . .
Representative St. George (R), New York, has introduced H.R. 6376, a
bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to sell up to fifteen Cl-
MAV-1 ships to Turkey.. The measure has been referred to HMM . ...
The creation of an Interoceanic Canals Commission which would have,
as one of its duties, a study of proposals for increasing the capacity of
the Panama Canal and construction of a new Panama Canal of sea-level
design has been proposed by Representative Flood (D), Pennsylvania,
in H.R. 6296 . . . Admission to United States registry and use in coast
wise trade of not more than two foreign-built hydrofoil vessels has been
proposed by Representative King (D), California, in H.R. 6197 . . . Con
gressman Shelley (D), California, has introduced H.R, 6147, legislation
to admit certain vessels to American registry and to permit their use in
the coastwise trade. A similar bill, S. 1627, has been introduced in th»
Senate by Senator Engle (Di, California.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—In a paper presented to the
Hydrofoil TranspQrt-atiQn Conference, MA reported that the HS
DENISON, an 80-ton test vessel, utilizing a gas turbine power plant and
subcavitating hydrofoils, with speed capabilities to 60 knots, is Hear
ing completion. Launching of the hydrofoil craft is expected by July
1961. While'not designed for commercial use, the DENISON can b«
outfitted to carry 70 to 80 passengers in comfort. The engineering ex
perience gained to date provides a sound basis for believing that tech
nically hydrofoil vessels up to 500 gross tons and 60-knot speeds can be
built and operated with confidence . . . MA will install an experimental
gas turbo-generator and waste-heat boiler system for shipboard testing
aboard the US Lines' ship SS PIONEER MOOR. The experimental
unit was instigated as a means of providing a source of standby electri
cal power primarily for in-port use. This would permit the shutting
down of the ship's steam power plant for in-port maintenance, thereby
simplifying existing procedures . . . Use of the NS SAVANNAH, and
other vessels available, in the interest of promoting foreign trade, ha#
been proposed by Senator John Sparkman (D), Alabama.
RIGHT TO WORK.—As part of its anti-union activities, the Right to
Work Committee is planning a campaign to save section 14 (b» of tha
Taft-Hartley Act, a section which empowers states to prohibit compul
sory unionism. It is expected that the committee will attempt to bring
much pressure upon Congress to maintain this section of the law. The
Right to Work Committee has already announced that it will oppose leg
islation proposing to repeal 14 (bi. Such legislation has been offered by
Representative Herbert Zelenko (Di, New York, Representative John F.
Shelley (D), California, and Representative Elmer J. Holland (D)
Pennsylvania. Revision of 14 (b) may also become a topic of discus
sion in an inquiry set up by Representative Roman C. Pucinski (D), Illi
nois, concerning ".specific amendments" to the Taft-Hartley Act. It is
hoped that these Congressmen will be successful in their attempt to
repeal section 14(b) . . . Several Right to Work measures have been
prepared for introduction in the Florida legislature. This proposed
legislation will attempt to strengthen the administration of Florida's
Right to Work amendment adopted in 1944.
MARITIME STATISTICS.—MA has reported that as of April 1, 1961,
there are 950 vessels of 1,000 gross tons and over in the active ocean
going U.S. merchant fleet. This is three more than the active number
on March 1. This number includes 45 government-owned and 905
privately-owned vessels. This figure does not include privately-owned
vessels temporarily inactive, or government-owned vessels employed in
loading grain for storage. This also excludes 23 vessels currently in
custody of the Departments of Defense, State, and Interior. There wa#
aii increase of four active vessels and a decrease of three! Inactive ves-
.sels in the privately-owne^d fleet. One freighter, the DEL RIO. wa#
delivered from construction.
Vice Bisleai SEAFARERS LOG May, IMl
;:iliiilii;:g
•v;
' 'i
r-P
8ALTIM0RE
Above, left, Dr. John Littleton examines
Diana Barnette, 3, with assistance of
Mickey Van Horn. Top, right, Diana's
brother Dorrell, 15, gets chest x-ray. At
left, Rickey Barnette, 8-, receives eye
exam, while at right his height and
weight are taken.
Among the most valuable
services of the health centers
operated in various SlU ports
by the Seafarers Welfare Plan
are those offered free of
charge to the wives, children
and dependent parents of Sea
farers, as well as to all the
Seafarers who are retired. • In
each of the five stateside clin
ics, as well as in the San Juan
clirfic which will start operat
ing shortly one afternoon o
week is set aside specifically
for dependents of Seafarers.
These dependents receive
the same head-to-toe physicol
check-up given Seafarers, in
cluding the use of x-ray facili
ties, blood tests and urine-anal
ysis, electrocardiograph where
indicated, eye examination,
and similar services. In addi
tion, specialists in pediatrics
and gynecology are available.
The purpose of these exam
inations is the same as those
given to Seafarers, preventive
medicine. Regular check-ups
of this nature, coupled with re
ferral to family physicians
where treatment is needed,
have helped to check'the onset
of disease and preserve the
health of Seafarers' families.
May, 1961 SEAFARERS LOG Paca Seventcea
HOUSTON
'
' _'
;iiiilip5^
\ i...
At top, Mr$. R. R.
Gonzalez, wife of
Seafarer R am i r o
Gonzalez. Center,
Mrs. Herman Pal
mer and Herman,
Jr., 9. Dad is skip
per in G&H Towing.
At left, Mrs. Lyie
Hipp and baby Mi
chael. Father ships
as pumpman.
Above, Seafarer Thomas Brannon and
family give medical history to recep
tionist. At left, top, Mrs. Shirley Brannon gets blood test
from nurse Marvell Contrell. Below, left, Stephen, 5, is
checked by Dr. Amendola. Below, Lenora, 2, is weighed
and measured.
' V
iillililii
iiilF
mximviim.
KiJiSWW
iliiiiiiii mmmmmmmimm
iiiiii
•• ' \
iiliiliiiiii
Ill
iliil
NEW YORK
Far left, top, Mrs. Sarah
Setliff in test lab; cen
ter, Mrs. Guorina An
drews gets x-ray: lower
left, Louis Garcia. 9, it
examined, with father
Mario Garcia Lopez
Above, Clifford Aversano finds stethesdope
Father it Seafarer Michael Aversano. On
standing by.
quite ticklish. .
table, left, it little Deborah Ortiz.
NEW ORLEANS
Carl T. Feary, Jr., 11-year-old son of Sea
farer Carl T. Feary,- AB, is examined at
New Orleans SlU clinic by Dr. Harold
Cummins.
Filie' Di^tectt" SEAFARER'S LOG M'hi- iMt
CAJ^W^MY" WORXSR
SlUNA Sponsors Fish Bill
Law Would Allow
Price Bargaining
WASHINGTON—Government agencies are stu^iying an
SIUNA-sponsored bill which would exempt certain fishermen
from some anti-trust and Taft-Hartley law provisions and
enable them to bargain for
mmimum prices.
The legislation was intro
duced by Senator E. L. "Bob" Bart-
lett, (Dein.) of Alaska and has been
cleared through the Departments
Japan Bans
Its Trawlers
Near Alaska
SEATTLE—Halibut fishing in
the North Pacific, which began on
sciiedule last month, has been de
clared "out of bounds" for Japa
nese trawlers in the grounds east
of Unimak Pass, Alaska. The de
cision" was made by the Japanese
Fisheries Agency, a government
body.
The decision is regarded as a
constructive step in preserving the
halibut fisheries from over-
ex-)loitation.
The waters which will be closed
to Japanese trawlers include the
area east of Longitude 165 degrees
West and north of Latitude 53 de
grees, 30 minutes North.
Extensive Union Fishing
The order excludes Japanese
trawler operations from Davidson
Bank, Sanak Bank, and the
grounds in the Shumagin Islands
vicinity. These waters are fished
extensively by men of the Alaska
Fishermen's Union and other
SIUNA-affiiiated unions.
However, nothing in the Japa
nese government order prohibits
its nationals from fishing in the
restricted area with tangle nets.
Last year, Japanese vessels were
observed prospecting between the
Sanak and Shumagin groups with
tangle nets as well as trawls.
Fear Halibut Catch
The Japanese government order
said that the restricted area "is too
close to the United States coast
and there is probability of a mixed
catch including halibut, fishing for
which by Japan is not permitted
under the tripartite treaty."
The decision by the Japanese
agency created optimism among
American and Canadian halibut
fisherman who feared that the hali
but resources on banks, where
they had for years been protected
by an American-Canadian treaty,
might be excessively exploited.
The Japanese order does not
prevent trawlers from working
banks south of the Aleutians and
west of Unimak Pass. Russian ves
sels are expected to extensively ex
ploit the halibut banks of the
North Pacific. The Soviet Union
is under no agreement outside of
territorial three-mile limits.
It is feared that Russian activity
may nullify eonservationj efforts in
the area.
of Labor and Interior. The bill, SB
1265, is currently being reviewed
by the Justice Department.
Exempt 2-Ton Vessels
If approved by the Justice De
partment, the legislation will go
to the floor of the Senate. The bill
would exempt all fishermen on ves
sels of two tons or more from cer
tain anti-trust laws and from some
sections of the Taft-Hartley Act.
SB 1265 would permit members
of fishing unions throughout the
country to bargain for minimum
fish prices before sailing.
Successful passage of the legis
lation would give American fisher
men the best break ever received
from Congress. US fishermen are
subject to all the penalties and
restrictions of the nation's labor
laws and anti-trust laws, yet the
major benefits of these laws are
denied fishermen.
Take-home pay, secured through
collective bargaining, is deter
mined for fishermen by the price
of fish they land. Although fisher
men are permitted to bargain,
whenever they attempt to set a
minimum price for fish, the laws
are invoked to stop the action. The
proposed legislation would remedy
this condition.
Atlantic Fishermen's News
eo¥. ¥0iPE mm nmwi immr
Twou "Ob" O-kriM, iirntwr Tm^
mtt Oi tht ATLAfmC HSHERMEN-t
•JNIOV ~ f J IV stsH It I el
Mr mett m^\uUoa WHH SCAFARUS
INTTRNATIONAL UNION ud
with tkt Btmaa Pott Cotukd, 'Mirmaia
Tfidw Dffi, APl-aO, the ATLANTIC
F1SHMMAN-I UNION tbk f
» mm of amtifip wUh tfcr COT*
•TBor, hji •dviKn siU purihuuif tgrnit.
At • (mil, Cortimt jclm A V.ilp«
Mcntlf iaMd t direai*< to hi* d^panmmt
hndi which HMtraatd them to parctuit
mir Uflucd SUM dommtcsllr pruduced
tad procMcd kh. The Miksiiou wnf
along with ro^uau for M« on Adi to bo
GontuiMd in ntimm Sure liutiMMRi. witl
MW incbd* (h* woidt. "NO BIDS
ACCEPTED LTILESS FOR FISH FRO
DUCED AND PROCESSED IN TUB
UNITED 5TATB,"
The order will provide a nrw Mitet foe
mtnr ihommit of mmU of domMic kh
ame (he kau vu bupni iwMlf iwortgd
Ak. Its eAacrs htve aireadr been felt M
ttM Bomn Fish Pier. A Aih dnier openlr
Hated ika for (ho AM tine to h>t knowW
odoe he WM shlc IO WU Ath to the Suie
In • fumnMr to the Go^not, O RriM
^Med (Mt that over ht.OO^
MauwlxiMm receive j
A.F.U. ON THf AAOVE
The ba« frw
ENS UNION —SI.U. Anme (W i
with the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL
have Men a aumhee of (kftgw « ke ATlANnC PISHEB*
SI.U. AnwAg (he major <' X ehaoga. we cao epoM om rnfthmim
UNim Of NORTH AUERiCA be iht
overatielraing vote of 99%. The meitkerkip in all pert* spehe and ther left no
douK attewr their dcHre foe sAlitiexi wnh the iMenutKMUl, led kf lovalMyt
•Mutaore WT c«ld receive ficen wch a nove.
AIM notable in the ouior dungn, wai the election of • itew Smurr Ti«uiii<r.
Agtin. the membtrkip u a whole Irtt no doubt at to theic dbekf. Thomu B. "ObeT
OBiim received Ave (1> oat of onv seven (7) vote* csit.
The memben in BoMwi and ciouicfter aim sppieved kevk Into btttr UnkR
Okcei. tad ibn we can atMir you ii only the brgmoing.
» ki** tvoM fthrr etimnaiM iti t'n./nt ^,<1..^ mtJi AM la «
East Coast
Fish Unions
Talk Pacts
Two Atlantic coast fishing unions
affiliated with the SIU are In the
midst of negotiating new contracts
with fishing vessel owners.
The Atlantic Fishermen's Union
and the New Bedford Fisherman's
Union have been discussing con
tract provisions for more than a
month.
First Talk Since 1946
The Atlantic Fishermen's Union
which affiliated with the SIUNA
last year, is working on Its first
contract negotiations since 1946
and talks are therefore expected
to continue for some time.
The union, headed by Thomas
"Obie" O'Brien, is proposing cer
tain changes designed to enable
fishermen to pocket extra earnings
without increasing operators' costs.
Current negotiations by the Atlan
tic Union are mainly concerned
with- the operators of the large
Boston beam trawlers.
The New Bedford Fishermen's
Union is currently negotiating a
new contract with the New Bed
ford Seafood Producers Associa
tion. The Union, headed by How
ard W. Niekerson, is drafting a
reply to a contract offer by the
boat owners.
Negotiations for a New Bedford
agreement began with talks on the
scallopers' contract, while talks on
a d.agger contract were begun
later this month.
A new labor newspaper came into being last month, "The
Atlantic Fisherman," official organ of the Atlantic Fisher
men's Union of the SIUNA. The paper is part of the Union's
revitalizing efforts on behalf of the New England fishing
industry.
Aflantic Fishermen
Publish New Paper
BOSTON—Another union paper, dedicated to the interests
of the fishing industry and the men who sail its boats, is now
being published by the Atlantic Fishermen's Union.
It is the second newspaper
publish by an SIUNA-affili-
ated fishermen's union.
The New Bedford Fishermen's
Union, also affiliated with the
SIU, has been publishing a news
paper for nearly three years.
The new publication, "The Atlan
tic Fisherman," will record
the revitalized activities of the Un
ion. Late last year, the Atlantic
Fishermen's Union voted overwhel
mingly to join the Seafarers
International Union of North
America.
Since then, with the election of
Thomas "Obie" O'Brien. The At
lantic union has been in the fore
front of the fight to bring life back
to the fishing^ industry.
- Organizing 'non-union fishermen
has been one of the biggest tasks of
the Atlantic Fishermen. Another
problem, which can be pushed to
ward solution with information con
tained in the new Atlantic Fisher
man, is getting Americans to eat
more fish.
For the first time last month,
the Union, boat owners and fish
dealers jointly cooperated in a ra
dio promotion story for the entire
Among unions In the Sill are
a number of groups of commer
cial fishermen on ail coasts, as
well as sboreside fish canneries
and processors. They are In
volved in such widely-diversi
fied fishing operations as scal
loping, tuna fishing, salmon
fisheries, cod, halibut and many
others. Groups involved inoluda
the New Bedford Fishermen's
Union, Alaska Fishermen's
Union, tuna fish and eannery
unions operating out of Cali
fornia ports and groups in
Bristol Bay, Kodiak, and else
where in the far northwest
Pacific," ^ r. ' • • •
industry.
The newspaper will devote much
of its space to telling about the
Uniuii's elfui't to gene^iile eutliu-
siasm in the fishing industry and to
bringing more and more fishermen
under the Atlantic Fisherman's
banner.
Fish Industry
Honors Rice,
New US Aide
BOSTON—Fishing Industry lead
ers from the ranks of labor, boat
owners and fish dealers paid trib
ute last month to Tom Rice, re
cently appointed Special Assistant
to the Commissioner of the US
Fish and Wildlife Service in Wash
ington.
Rice served for 15 years as exec
utive secretary for the Massachu
setts Fisheries Association as well
as for the Federated Boat Owners
of New England and New York,
and fish dealer and boat owner
associations.
Representatives of the Atlantic
Fishermen's Union and the New
Bedford Fishermen's Union, as
well as of the SIU, attended the
testimonial dinner here last month
In honor of Rice.
The new special assistant to the
Fish and Wildlife Service is known
for his fair dealings in the fishing
industry, and with his familiarity
with fishing, should become a valu
able addition to the service.
Rice's sound knowledge of the
fishing- business was praised' by
m^ny representatives in the in^
dustry at. the dinner here late last
month.
New Bedford
Asks Quota
On Scallops
NEW BEDFORD—Acting on a
request by the New Bedford Fish
ermen's Union, this city's mayor
has asked President Kennedy and
the Massachusetts Congressional
delegation to amit imports of Ca
nadian scallops. .
Howard W. Niekerson, secretary-
treasurer of the' SlU-affiliated
fishermen's union, said in a letter
to Mayor Lawler of New Bedford
that "if no quota is placed upon
Canadian scallop imports within a
short period of time, the New Bed
ford scallop industry will become
extinct."
5-Year Increase Voted
Niekerson noted that in 1955
scallop imports from Canada to
taled 1,946,000 pounds, while 1960
scallop imports from Canada
reached a total of 6,873,000 pounds.
In New Bedford in 1955 the
scallop catch was 13,976,000
pounds, valued at $7,309,000. How
ever, in 1960, the catch total
climbed to 19,325,000 pounds but
the valuation declined to $6,-
731,000,
In an effort to curtail the Cana
dian scallops imports. Mayor Law
ler has been in contact with the
President, Senators Smith and Sal-
tonstall, and Representative Keith.
Alaska Union
Elects Officers
SEATTLE — George Johansen,
secretary-treasurer of the Alaska
Fishermen's Union, was reelected
and is entering his 11th consecu
tive year as chief executive officer
of the Union. The Alaska Union
has been affiliated with the Sea-,
farers International Union of North
America since 1960.
The membership reelected Swan
Lundmark assistant secretary-
treasurer for his 10th consecutive
year.
Kenneth Olson of Astoria was.
elected Columbia. River agent in
place of Swan Ohman who did not
seek reelection. Jack Wood of Bel-
lingham,' Harold Gudbranson of
Ketchikan and Abe Lehto of San
Francisco were also reelected.
New Pier Plant
In New Bedford
NEW BEDFORD—A $1,000,000
waterfront improvement project
for this city was put Into action
recently when a Providence, lif,
firm signed a contract to bui'd a
cold storage plant here.
The plant was brought to tha
city through the efforts of munici
pal leaders and the city'r Harbor
Development, Commission. The
New Bedford Fishermen's Union is
represented on the commission.
The projected plant will be built
adjacent to,another waterfront s<te
selected, by Ihe Quaker Oats com
pany for a $1,500,000 pet food
factory.
May. If n SEAFARERS LOG Faga Maetoaar
New Cruise
Run Seeks
US Subsidy
WASHINGTON — The Federal
Maritime Board has started its
hearing procedures on the bid of a
new shipping company, Atlantic
Express Lines of America, Inc. for
a subsidy op a Baltimore-tO'Europe
run.
Atlantic Express is proposing a
combination passenger-container
ship service from the Chesapeake
Bay area to Great Britain, France
end the Low Countries.
The company says that with sub
sidy approval it will build three
combination ships capable of
carrying 600 passengers each and
2,500 and 3,000 tons of cargo in
containers.
At least three steaPnship com
panies have intervened in the hear
ings and can be expected to fight
any subsidy proposal for the new
operator. They are US Lines,
Mooremack and Waterman.
There have been repeated pro
posals in recent years calling for
establishment. of passenger serv
ices from either Baltimore or
Philadelphia on a European run.
S8 Frances Lugs A Heavy Door
A 261^-ton door is shown after being stowed on the deck of
the Frances (Bull) by longshoremen for delivery to Puerto
Rico. The door is aesigned for an atomic reactor which
explains its size and weight.
Waterman, Alcoa
Win Safety Awards
The SlU-contracted Waterman Steamship Company, an ac
tive participant in the joint SlU-industry safety program,
scored its best rating yet when it came up with the third place
standing In the 1960 safety^'
contest of the Marine Section,
National Safety Council.
Waterman's score of 3.39, which
represents a formula based on the
number of hours of time lost per
million man hours worked, was
sufficient to beat out the SlU-con-
tracted Alcoa Steamship Company
for the third spot. Alcoa, which
had won the Marine Section con
test two years' running in 1958 and
1959 and had come up with a
second place in 1957, was a con
testant for the top spot again until
the collision of the Alcoa Corsair
with the Italian freighter Lorenzo
Marcello, in October, 1960.
Accident On The Mississippi
That accident, which took place
on the Mississippi down-river from
New Orleans, took the lives of five
Seafarers and resulted in lost-time
injury to five others. It also re
moved Alcoa from contention for
the number one award. Both ves
sels were under the control of river
.SeatarefH to...Better Buyi
By SIDNEY MARGOLIUS
Frozen, Canned Foods Water-Logged
When you buy one of these frozen meat or fish dinners to eat while
you look at TV, or many other ready-cooked frozen and canned foods,
you often get more of such inexpensive fillers as potatoes, water, flour,
celery, etc., than of meat or fish.
The watered hams, about which consumers are complaining, are only
one part of a fantastic story of the padding and watering of modern
"convenience" foods. ' \
Recently the New York State Cooperative Extension Service advised
consumers to read labels on ready-cooked products to know what they
are realy getting. By law, the label must list the ingredients in order of
the relative amount. The first on the list is the largest single ingredi
ent, the second is the next largest, and so on. But other reports and
surveys have shown that most shoppers do not read the ingredients on
labels.
If that's how people shop nowadays, they are paying a lot of hard-
earned moneV for some cheap, ingredients. The food processors have
discovered a wonderful way to get as much as $1.25 a pound for such
fillers as rice, flour and even water.
For example, the extention service found one brand of "shrimp" chop
euey actually contained, in order of importanee, celery, bean sprouts,
and shrimp broth, with the shrimp itself in fourth place. A brand of
frozen fish balls had potatoes, not fish, as the leading ingredients. And
do you know what the leading ingredient is in "shrimp croquettes with
Newburg sauce"? Not shrimp, but water.
We did some further shopping and found a brand of frozen cooked
turkey, with broth first, with turkey second, followed by giblets and
flour. At 39 cents for a five-ounce package, you pay $1.25 a pound for
this dish.
Or take a famous TV dinner of "meat loaf with potatoes and peas."
The actual ingredients in order of importance are potatoes, tomatoes,
beef, peaS, skim milk and water. At 59 cents for 11 ounces, this
comes to 86 cents a pound for a meat-loaf dinner that is more loaf than
meat. .
Foods already breaded for the frying pan are rarely a good value be
cause you pay a meat or fish price for bread crumbs and flour for the
breading. For example, frozen breaded veal patties at 45 cents for
8 ounces come to 90 cents a pound and part of that isn't even meat.
Patties increasingly offered in the fresh-meat as well as the frczen-
food departments are often called "veal birds," "mock chicken leg" and
so on. Here the problem is the frequent addition of extra suet.
The freshly-ground patties sold in the meat department don't have to
say when extra fat is added. One manufacturer now even sells stores a
machine to convert beef, veal and lamb trimmings into patties. This
manufacturer advertises to butchers that this machine "helps you mer
chandise a great part of this suet at 55 to 69 cents a pound instead of
the 3 cents a pound you get from the renderer."
After cooking you can tell if a butcher has added extra fat to ham
burger and other chopped meat. You can see how much fat has drained
off, and how the patties have shrunk. But it's hard to tell before you
buy. Ordinarily, chopped meat that has extra fat added is whitish.
But butchers have many ways of making ehopped meat look red.
For one thing, they maj^add fresh blood to make cheap chopped
meat look red. Or they may mix in part of the spleen, which has a lot
of blood in it. All this is legal.
The wide use of various, fillers shows a serious need for legislation
to require processors and retailers to state the exact percentages of
starch, water, etc., used in foods. It's not enough to say "fat added" or
"water" or "flour". We also need to know how much.
Otherwise, the loss of confidence as consumers do learn to check
the ingredients, will be self-defeating for the manufacturers and re
tailers.
Seafarer Retired On
'Island In The Sun'
CAPARRA TERRACE, Puerto Rico—Just past his 69th
birthday, Seafarer Jose Rodriguez looks back on the last two
years as a time that has made him "very proud of our Union."
Retired since 1959 on an SIU-*
disability-pension, Rodriguez
credits this laenefit as a major
Union accomplishment.
With a life of seafaring dating
back to 1912 behind him, he's com
fortably enjoying his well-earned
leisure with his family here. The
$35 weekly lifetime disability-pen
sion assures him a measure of
security he and other SIU pen
sioners viewed as a "pipedream"
years ago. Like many of today's
Union benefits, they "just didn't
seem possible" then.
Sailed The World
A native of Spain, Rodriguez
started his sailing career from
Cuba in 1912 and covered many
parts of the world before he set
tled down here. As a family man,
he admits that his favorite runs
were always in the New York-
Puerto Rico trade because his
family was always there at the
southern end of the run. With his
wife, two sons, two daughters and
his grandchildren around him, he
counts it "a good life."
Rodriguez first joined the SIU
in 1941 at the Port of New York
and shipped steadily in the deck
department. He was a "regular"
on the Jean IBull) until he had to
call it quits just about two years
ago. A leg ailment and an arterior-
sclerotic condition had sidelined
him for good and he began receiv
ing the SIU disability-pension a
short time later.
Much of his time is spent at
home today because leg pains keep
him from climbing stairs, but he
does get around to the Union hall
in Santurce now and then to visit
with old shipmates.
As an oldtimer, he offers his
"best appreciation for all that the
Union has done for me. I feel
happy with everything,". he adds.
pilots at the time of the accident.
First and second places in the
1960 were taken by United States
Lines and United Fruit Lines re
spectively.
In other ratings, Matson Line
and American President Line,
under contract to the SIU Pacific
District unions, placed eighth and
ninth. Mississippi Shipping and
Isthmian finished tenth and 11th
respectively in this year's contest.
Retired Seafarer Jose Rodriguez, 69, is shown at home with
his daughters Winnie and Sylvia and granddaughter Shirley.
Staff Officers
Certified In
Export Fleet
WASHINGTON — The National
Labor Relations Board has formally
certified the SIUNA-affiliated Staff
Officers Association as the collec
tive bargaining agent for pursers
employed by American Export
Lines.
The certifieation closes out a
long fight by the pursers to win
representation in the fleet and oust
District 50 of the United Mine
Workers.
Election In February
In the election held in February
of this year, the Staff Officers got
44 votes to 40 for District 50 with
four challenges and one void bal
lot. The New York regional direc
tor of the NLRB held that one of
the challenges should be sustained
since the individual involved was
not an eligible voter. Consequently,
the other three challenges were
dismissed as not being aible to' af-
feet the results of the election.
The Staff Officers' victory repre
sents the first penetration of E3£=
port Lines' officers ranks by an
AFL-CIO marine union. Export
mates and engineers are repre
sented by District 50, with the Ex
port fleet being the Mine Workers'
only major base in the n>artitime
industry. Officers of all other deep
sea dry cargo fleets are represented
by the Masters, Mates and Pilots
and the Marine Engineers Bene
ficial Association.
Notify Union
, On LOG Mail
As Seafarers know, copies of
each issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG are mailed every month
to all SIU ships as well as
to numerous clubs, bars and
other overseas spots where Sea
farers congregate ashore. The
procedure for mailing the LOG
involves calling all SIU steam
ship companies for the itiner
aries of their ships. On the
basis of the information sup
plied by the ship operator, three
copies of the LOG, the head
quarters report and minutes
forms are then airmailed to the
company agent in the next port
of call.
Similarly, the seamen's clubs
get various quantities of LOGs
at every mailing. The LOG is
sent to any club when a Sea
farer so requests it by notifying
the T.OG office that Seafarers
congregate there.
As always the Union would
like to hear promptly from SIU
ships whenever the LOG and
ship's mail is not delivered so
that the Union can maintain a
day-to-day check on the accu
racy of its mailing lists.
Pare Tweafr SEAFAKERS^ LOG Mmr, IMl
No. 40 In Soafarors Lifeboat Ciaasoa
Joseph B. Lorue, MD, Medical Director.
Cataract is Common Eye Ailment
A cataract is the clouding or fogging of the lens of the eye. The lens
is the small, concave, normally transparent body, just posterior to the
pupil of the eye. The lens refracts the light and focuses it on the
perceptive area on the posterior wall of the eye called the retina. It
does this in a manner similar to the way the lens of a camei'a works.
The clouding of the lens is due to change in its physical and chemical
composition. Swelling of the fibers of the lens due to absorption of
water may be reversible; however, the chemical change which pro
duces changes (similar to that of the white of an-egg when boiled) is
irreversible, and is usually progressive. The lens has no direct blood
supply, and depends on its nutrition by absorption from the surround
ing liquid or aqueous humor. The normal lens contains large amounts
of certain chemicals which are found to be reduced when the lens be
comes affected.
Cataracts may be produced experimentaly by many processes such
as mechanical injury, temperature changes, chemical damage, radiation
or diet deficiencies. They are also produced by certain toxic or meta
bolic disorders.
There are many types of cataracts depending on the basic etiology
of the cataract or the associated condition. The routine examination of
normal adults by using a slit lamp will often show a number of lens
opacities, especially with widely dilated pupil and the periphery of the
lens carefully examined. They usually are not progressive and, if so,
are slow and usually do not affeet the vision.
Congenital cataract is a very common form. It may be due to con
genital deformity of the lens or develop after birth due to various
external influences. It is often found in children with nutritional dis
turbances. Traumatic cataracts are usually produced by penetrating
wounds of the eye and damage to the lens.
There are many other causative or associated conditions in a person
which predisposes to cataract. Diabetics seem prone to cataract and
cataract changes in the lens seem to be hastened by diabetes. Catar
acts appear frequently in myotonic dystrophy, Mpngolionism and cre
tinism; in certain patients with chronic eczema and those with para
thyroid disease. Certain toxic drugs may cause cataract. It may also
be produced by radiation, lightning or high voltage electric current and
atomic radiation.
The older a person becomes, the more likely he is to develop a catar
act known as a senile cataract. It is estimated that 90 percent of all
persons over 70 years of age have this type of cataract, and that 34 per
cent of people between the ages of 40 and 50 have some degrees of lens
opacity. (See Dr. Roy O. Scholz in "Today's Health.")
The first symptom a person with cataract has is a gradual impair
ment of vision. The things which they see appear misty or not quite
clear. They may complain that they see better in a strong light if the
cataract is more developed at the periphery of the lens or, it is a cen
tral cataract, they may state they see better at night.
The progress of the cataract may remain fairly stable for years,
and a person may not require assistance. However, there is usually
a gradual progress in the cataract formation. In others, there may be
rapid progress and rapid loss of vision, due to increasing opacity of
the cataract lens. As the progress of the cataract is often so slow de
veloping that a person may have good vision for years, it may be desir
able for the physician not to advise the patient of the cataract. The
only way to determine the progress of this condition is to check for
decreasing vision by repeated examinations.
When a cataract has been diagnosed by the ophthalmologist, he
should refer the person for a complete physical checkup to determine
the person's general physical condition and, if any of the conditions
that are known to favor the progress of the cataract, such as diabetes,
focal infections, or anemias are present, these conditions should be
remedied.
There is only one known treatment for cataract and that is an opera
tion. The time and the necessity of operative treatment has to be
determined in each individual case. With the modern technique of
operative removal, usually under local anaesthetic, the operation is suc
cessful in possibly 99 percent of the cases.
It is advisable to wait for sufficient convalescence after the opera
tion before a peranent corrective lens is procured, due to subsequent
changes in the eye following the operation. However, if necessary, tem-
crary fitted lenses may be used and permanent corrective lenses ob-
tainedafter the eye has completely recovered. (Reference: "Gifford's
Textbook of Ophthalmology by Adler," by W. B. Saunders.)
(Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
he submitted to this column care of the SEAFAERS LOG.)
In the hospital?
Call SlU Hall immediately!
Fortieth in the series of classes graduated under the SlU training program, these Seafarers
gather for their graduation photo. Seated (I. to r.) aro Jesus ^nondei, Nicolas Lekkot,
Alfredo Tampol, Holimero f^rirandei. Standing (I. to r.) Kepner Nestor. Philip J. Copling,
Dewey Gillikin, instructor Biil Dooks, George Murphy and Bob Hermansen.
Victory Will Build 2 More Tankers
WASHINGTON—Victory Carriers' long-proposed 106,500-ton tanker has been ditched—
but in its stead, the company intends to build two 46,000-ton vessels, which will be similar to
the company's recently-completed Mount Vernon Victory.
Agreement on the two new "
tankers was announced by the
Maritime Administration,
with the approval of the Depart
ment of Defense. The Maritime
Administration had previously ap
proved Government loan and mort
gage insurance for the 106,500-ton
vessel.
Onassis Settlement
The giant supertanker, plus the
smaller 46,000-ton Mount Vernon
Victory and the Monticello Victory,
now under construction, was to
have been constructed under a
package settlement made by the
Government with the Onassis in
terests in 1957. As part of the
package Victory Carriers and re
lated companies were pern^itted to
transfer twelve T-2s and two Lib-
ertys to the Liberian flag.
Construction of the new veesels,
originally arranged' for in the
tanker crisis period following the
Suez War of November, 1956, was
pushed back when the tanker mar-
School Ship
Sinks; Six
Lives Lost
MIAMI—A twin-masted sailing
craft used as a seagoing school
sank in a storm in the Gulf of
Mexico early this month, and six
of the 19 persons aboard perished.
The 92-foot brigantine Albatross,
registered under the Panamanian
flag, sank within a minute after
she began taking in water off the
Dry Tortugas.
Dr. Christopher B. Sheldon,
master of the vessel; two teachers
and 10 students were saved by a
passing Dutch motor ship. Grand
Rio, and were taken to Tampa. The
Albatross was sailing from Pro-
greso, Mexico to Nassau in the
Bahamas when the storm hit.
Among those lost was Dr. Alice
Sheldon, wife of the skipper, who
was the vessel's physician. The
vessel sank so fast that the six
persons below were unable to es
cape.
The vessel, based at Mystic,
Conn., served as a'school where
young men received a year's col
lege preparatory training. The 93-
ton craft, built in the Netherlands,
had served as a Dutch training
ship, German pilot schooner dur
ing World War II and belonged to
novelist Ernest K. Gann befpie
she was purchased by Dr. Sheldon.
ket sagged. The Mount Vernon Vic
tory was Anally put into service in
January of this year, but work had
never begun on the larger vessel.
The Navy Department apparent
ly is just as happy with the smaller
vessels, noting that ships of ex
tremely large size, such as the
106,500-tonner, have limited utility
because there are few ports cap
able of handling them.
Seafarers too, will be pleased
with the change which calls for
two tankers to replace the one
giant super, since it just about
doubles the number of crewmem?
bers required. The proposed 106,-
500-ton ship would probably have
operated with no more than four
or Ave men above the standard
supertanker manning scale.
Part of the reason for the 106,-
500-ton proposal was a prestige
contest between Onassis and Stav-
ros Niarchos, whose American-flag
subsidiary has made arrangements
to build a ship of similar size.
The two 46-000-ton ships will be
built in the Bethlehem yard at
Quincy, Mass.
Maritime Roundup
A bulbous snout beneath the wa-
terline may grace the bows of fu
ture ships. This feature of marine
design may result in decreases of
a ship's required power by 10 to
25 percent, according to the De
partment of Naval Architecture of
the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor. The department noted that
Professor Takao Inui, naval archi
tect of Japan, devised the careful
ly designed underwater snout
which showed a reduction in total
resistance by about 10 percent at
a speed of just over 18 knots. If
other problems can be solved, such
as the effect of heavy seas on the
bulbous nose, a real breakthrough
in marine design may be made,
the school claims.
t-
The Federal Maritime Board In
tends to enforce some standardiza
tion in containerized boxes. Thom
as £. Stakem, chairman of the
board, said that ships designed to
carry containers and built with
Federal construction subsidies or
mortgages, will have to accommo
date standard sizes of containers
approved by the American Stand
ards Association. The association
has approved standards for van
containers having cross sections of
eight by eight feet and lengths of
10, 20, 30 and 40 feet. Stakem
said standardization will open the
way to complete interchangeabili-
ty between rail, highway and sea
transport.
4" 4- 4'
The use of strontium 90 as a
heat-power source of electricity
for lighted buoys is being investi
gated by the Coast Guard. Investi
gations show that heat emitted by
the decay of radioactive strontium
90 can actuate a thermocouple and
provide long-lasting power for ah
electric buoy. A buoy lighted by
such a source could stay in service
for many years. The Coast Guard
is also considering replacing old
lightships with fixed offshore struc
tures. Helicopter platforms and
facilities for a seven-man crew
would be included in the offshore
structures which should provide
more efficient and reliable serv
ice.
4> 4> 4*
A 10 percent rate Increase for
cargo service to Hawaii from the
West Coast proposed by Matsof
Navigation Co., was suspended for
four months by the Federal Mari
time Board. The increase was sus
pended for the maximum term al
lowed by law in the middle of last
month. An investigation into the
proposed new increase was con
solidated into an inquiry into a
previous 12 percent increase by
Matson which has been in effect
since September, 1959. A maritime
examiner has upheld the 12V^ per
cent rate hike, subject to Board
review, and a separate hearing will
be held on the new 10 percent in
crease.
4" 4' 41
The Panama Canal last month
was forced to issue draft restric
tions for larger ships for the first
time since 1957. The limitations
are issued when the level of Ga-
tun Eake, in the center of the ca
nal, falls to 84 feet. Unusually
light rainfall during the annual
four-month dry season caused the
low water levels and the conse
quent draft restrictions. Ships of
90-foot beam or more were limited
to a 35-foot, six-inch draft. Nar-
nower ships were allowed six
inches more.
May, Itn
r '.••-•-• • • " ' ' ' '"
SEAFARERS LOG Page Twenty-OM
Latest Foreign Flag Cruise Ship
The latest addition to the foreign flag passenger fleet oper
ating out of the Canadian and American West Coast is the
$42 million, 45,000-ton British flag P&O liner Canberra
(above) shown being completed at a^Northern Ireland ship
yard. The 2,250 passenger liner, which will operate at 27>/2
knots between Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the West
Coast, will begin service from London 4une 2 and will arrive
on the West Coast sometime in July.
MAJOR SiU VICTORY
Canada To Bar British
From Domestic Trades
OTTAWA—^The Canadian government has undertaken action to aid the Canadian-flag
shipping and shipbuilding industry, including announcing that it will institute measures to
limit shipping in the domestic trade on the Great Lakes to Canadian-flag vessels.
The announcement in the-in
House of Commons that Can
ada will move to ban British
Commonwealth ships from the
Great Lakes domestic trade is a
victory for Canadian-flag shipping
and the SIU ,of Canada. The Un
ion has been pressing the Federal
Government for such assistance
for the maritime industry for a
number of years.
Thr last SIUNA convention
went on record calling for such
action by the Canadian govern
ment as have previous SIUNA
conventions on many occasions.
The banning of Commonwealth-
flag vessels will be done through
Canadian National Beef Still Alive;
Cuba Target Of $1.5 Million Suit
HALIFAX—Court endorsement of a $1.5 million suit against the Cuban government
for breach of contract is the latest ripple in the Canadian National beef which began in 1957
when the SIU of Canada struck the company's fleet for more wages.
Flota Maritime Browning,
a Cuban-American firm, sued
the Castro government for
Ocean Ships
Need Pilots
On Seaway
WASHINGTON —Special Cana
dian or American pilots must be
•board all ocean-going ships using
the St. Lawrence Seaway and other
connecting Great Lakes channels,
the State Department has an
nounced.
This requirement, set up as a
safety measure, was effected
through an exchange of notes with
Canada. Preparations for the sys
tem were started when the Seaway
was opened last year.
Special pilots must be aboard all
ocean vessels traveling along con
fined waterways in the Great
Lakes such as the Seaway, accord
ing to the new'regulations.
In the Lakes' open waters, no
speciar pilot is needed if the ship's
pilot has a masters rating, knows
English for communications and
has had recent experience on
Great Lakes voyages.
SIU Canadian
District Halls
rem WILLIAM 400 Simpson St.
Ontario Phone: 3-3221
HALIFAX, N.S mva noiiis st.
Phone 3-8911
MONTREAL 634 St. James St. West
Victor 2-8161
OUEBEC 44 SauIl-au-Matelot
Quebec LAtontaine 3-1569
THOROLD. Ontario 52 .St. David St.
CAnal 7-5212
TORONTO, Ontario 272 King St. E.
EMpire 4-5719
VANCOUVER. BC 298 Main St.
ST. JOHN, NB 177 Prlnca William St.
OX 2-5431
damages, charging breach of con
tract of « Ipasfi-purchnse agree
ment made in 1958 between the
company and the Cuban govern
ment of Fulgencio Batista, under
which Browning would operate the
ships for Cuba.
The seven ships involved in the
court suit were sold to Cuba by
the Canadian government in 1958
after being tied up almost a year
by a strike against their owner, Ca
nadian National Steamship, a sub
sidiary of the Government-owned
Canadian National Railway. The
sale was a government attempt at
strikebreaking against the SIU of
Canada's strike for wage increases.
Sovereign Immunity Claimed
The Castro government, opposing
the suit, entered an application of
sovereign imniunity for the ships.
claiming the affair was outside the
court's jurisdiction.
Rejecting the claim, the court
said the ships were equipped to be
passenger and cargo vessels, non
government functions which do not
extend sovereign immunity to them.
As a result of the decision, the
company can now attempt to seize
the ships rusting in the Halifax
harbor as payment for damages,
if the court upholds their claim.
Strike Had Extensive Picketing
The original strike against Ca
nadian National saw extensive pick
et action when the government at
tempted to transfer the ships to
foreign registry. The picketing.
Which was extended against the
Cuban government when it pur
chases the ships, has kept the ves
sels idle since the 1957 beef began.
Large Lakes Bulk Carrier
Serving V/ifh SIU Fleet
MONTREAL—One of the largest Great Lakes bulk carriers
ever built is now in service with the SIU of Canada-contracted
Canada Steamship Lines. ^
After undergoing successful
trials, the Whitefish Bay is
now on 'the bulk-carrying
trade for CSL on the Lakes and
through the St. Lawrence Seaway
to the St. Lawrence River and
Gulf.
With a designed summer draft
of 26 feet, 31^ inches, the 26,500
deadweight-ton ship is 730 feet
long, has a 75-foot beam and a
depth of 39 feet. The designed
speed is 16-% miles per hour.
The single-deck, welded steel
vessel has 22 hatches served by
six cargo holds. Propelling ma
chinery is aft while guidance is
done from • forward house in
which the officers and deck crew
also live. Engine and steward
crews are in the after house as are
the crew mess and saloon.
Modem crew features include
airconditioning for heating and
ventilation, with individual room
control. Crews are berthed in
double cabins.
Emergency equipment includes
two aluminum life boats on grav
ity-type davits mounted aft and
two life rafts forward.
Electric cargo handling equip
ment, the latest steering and guid
ance gear and heavy duty turbine
and steam and diesel generators
are included in the equipment.
the modification of the Common
wealth Merchant Shipping Agree
ment. which covers shipping
among the member nations of the
British-led group.
Trade Should Be Canadian
In revealing the government's ac
tion, Transportation Minister Leon
Balcer said the move was being
made "because the government be
lieves . . . the domestic Canadian
trade within the Great Lakes area
was not in any sense contemplated
as part of the reciprocal privileges
when the Commonwealth Mer
chant Shipping Agreement origi
nally came into force, and that
this trade should be effectively
reserved to Canadian-registered
vessels."
Canadian, American and British
shipowners have taken advantage
of this loophole by registering ves
sels under the British flag or under
the flags of British colonies such
as Bermuda, hiring foreign crews
and running their ships in Cana
dian domestic waters in direct
competition with better-paying
Canadian-flag ships.
In addition, the Ministry said
that Cnnadinn operators were
transferring some of their Cana
dian Lakes ships to non-Canadian
commonwealth registry, to save on
labor and other costs.
Canadian seamen and the domes
tic shipping industry have been
hard hit by these runaway tac
tics of some Canadian steamship
operators.
NUS Pledge
Many of these runaway-flag
ships are manned by British sea
men. Their union, the National
Union of Seainen, had pledged not
to crew such vessels, but this
promise to the SIU of Canada was-
never fulfilled.
The other aspect of the govern
ment program include paying a
35 percent subsidy toward ap
proved construction costs of Cana
dian registered ships built in
Canadian yards. This would enable
Canadian-flag shippers to buy
their vessels in Canada at com
petitive prices instead of going
abroad where lower construction
costs exist.
Fishing Boat Subsidy
Subsidies will also be payed for
construction of fishing boats. Steel
trawlers will receive a 50 per
cent subsidy while wooden trawlers
over 45 feet in length will have
their previous subsidy of $165 a
gross ton increased to $250 a ton.
Ships now under construction
are covered with the aid being
applied only to the work still to
be done. The ship subsidy will be
applied at a higher rate of 40 per
cent between now and March 31.
1963 to get quicker results.
Two Immediate Effects
The government action will have
two immediate effects on domes-
lie sliipping: transfer of Canadian-
flag vessels to other Coihmon-
wealth nations will halt and shipg
that had been transferred will re
turn in order to be able to engag*
in the Great Lakes domestic trade.
Job opportunities for Canadian
seamen will eventually increase as
foreign-flag ships return to th«
Canadian-flag and sign on Cana
dian crews.
NUS Voices
Concern Over
Poor Contracts
LONDON—According to "The
Seaman" official publication of the
National Union of Seamen of Great
Britain, the NUS is concerned with
the possibility of another wildcat
strike in protest against low pay
and poor conditions.
"The Seaman" warned British
shipowners not to pass off a cheap
contract on the union.
"Shipowners no doubt will pro
test violently at these demands for
higher pay," the unions quotes •
British magazine as saying, but if
"one of the toughest group of Bri
tish employers can glimpse th®
light this time, they will come to
terms quickly with Mr. Scott."
Scott, the magazine says, "knowf
that if trouble is to be averted . . .
improvements have to be made."
Then, stating that "a blind ey®
would play into the hands of trou
blemakers," the union's organ con
tinues its quote from "Time and
Tide" magazine:
"If the shipowners tura their
blind eye to his signal they will
play only into the hands of Mr.
Neary (a leader of the wildcat
strike)."
Finally, in a back-handed admis
sion that there was justification to
the strike, "The Seaman" ends
with this quote from "Time and
Tide";
"If the employers think that Jim
Scott is going to give them the
easy ride they have had from the
NUS in the past few years, we fear
they will be mistaken."
Canadian Seafarers, members
of the SIU of Canada
are a vital element in the mari
time picture generally and in
the SIU family of unions. They
man ships under Canadian
flag across-the-board—deep sea
off the Atlantic Coast, on the
Canadian West Coast, on the
Great Lakes and the Seaway.
The Canadian SIU also repre-
.sents large groups of Canadian
tugboatnien, dredgemen and al
lied crafts. The Canadian Dis
trict works closely with the
other SIU • unions throughout
North America and the mutual
relationship has been of great
advantage to all SIU members.
,A . • »• K ? .V > i;
SEArARERS LOG Kar. 1M&.
Hi.
«•
Optical Plan Is Started
By SlUNA Pacific Unions
SAN FRANCISCO—The SIU Pacific District's optical plan,
whereby the members receive free eye examinations and
eyeglasses, went into operation last month at all ports and
branches with port agents in'*'
charge of the welfare pro
gram.
Details of the program include
the following:
• Eligibility — a seaman must
have 10 days of covered employ
ment within the 365 days imme
diately preceding his application
for the plan's benefits.
• Benefits—Complete eye exam
ination every two years by a li
censed eye doctor. .
• If glasses are needed, a sea
men will receive either single vl-
Unions Act
On Viilson
Food Beefs
SAN FRANCISCO—Sign-ons by
members of all SIU Pacific District
Unions on the American President
Lines' President Wilson was de
layed after the ship's last voyage
as a result of the piling up of a
number of food beefs.
The beefs were attributed to a
chief steward with an attitude of
"its never been done before and
I'm not going to do it now."
Adequate Food Menu
Members of ali three unions ob
jected to the lack of an adequate
crew menu, and they demanded a
greater variety of food, more fresh
fruit and a rotation of juices.
The demands were presented di
rectly to the chief steward who ap
proves the menu made by the chef.
The steward department was
also involved in a separate beef
with the chief steward over dis
puted overtime for a penalty meal.
Early Breakfast Beef
The chief steward had ordered
an early breakfast for some wait
ers and the third steward but had
not turned a pantryman to as re
quired by the contract. The crew-
members involved had to" serve
themselves. They did so but many
did not submit overtime as re
quired in the contract.
After direct intervention by the
steward department delegate, the
waiters took action to end the vio
lation of the agreement.
A port committee was convoked
after the beefs were presented to
APL with the result that overtime
was paid lor the early breakfast
and action was promised to provide
greater variety in the crew menu.
sion or bifocal glasses. One pair of
glasses will be supplied each year;
•Standard type frames will be
supplied, with no provision for
substitution of other types of frames
except where some physical de
formity requires a special type of
frame to be used.
• Contact lenses are not covered
by the plan and they will not be
furnished nor allowances made for
their purchase.
Special Case*
Circumstances in which a spe
cial type of lense is required be
cause of a previous eye operation
or of a particular eye illness will
be handled as special cases and
approval must be received before
any purchase can be made.
Port agents will be supplied with
Medical Authorization .forms and
rubber stamps for use in operating
the plan.
The stamp, indicating when an
examination was authorized, will
be placed in the seaman's book
when a member fills out an Au
thorization for Medical Care form.
Bill Payment
When a bill for examination and
glasses is submitted, it must be ac
companied by the Medical Author
ization form to be honored.
Welfare will inform each union's
headquarters of those seamen who
receive glasses so that the pfoper
notation may be made on his rec
ord.
Old Days On Alaska.Run
Everyone turned out to watch the ships-go north to Alaska.
Above, part of the crowd saying bon voyage to the SS Yukon
as it sailed in April, 1934, from Pier 51, then known as Pier 2,
one of "The Alaska Docks."
Yesteryear Gone
Haze 'Ataska Dock'
For Seattle Cafe
SEATTLE—Soon it will be just a memory . ..
The sounds of passengers waiting to sail to Alaska, the
hustle, the bustle, all was relegated to a colorful, but departed,
past last month as wreckers
began razing Pier 51 in Seat
tle.
The pier, long known as Pier 2
and for 38 years the Stateside ter
minal of the Alaska Steamship CO.,
together with Pier 1 was known as
"The Alaska Docks" when steam-
Pacific Port News
Alaska Tax Payment
SEATTLE — Returns must be
filed on Alaska income tax by non
residents, the state has informed
SIU Pacific District unions. They
suggest payment be made by check
with note indicating it is done
under protest. SUP reports Tom
"Lefty" Matthews, building cus
todian passed away March 7. Jerry
Clements appointed to job.
if if if
Wilmington Active
WILMINGTON — SanDiegp
shows interest in forming MTD
Council. SUP welfare administra
tor visited in setting up optical
plan. MC&S agent working on get
ting doctors for medical plan.
Port's MTD working to have Cus
tom House built in the harbor area
rather than Los Angeles which is
some 22 miles from harbor.
if if
Ships Transit Hawaii
HONOLULU—Large number of
ships in transit had SUP supply
sonf>e men for A&G. One man, Ole
Olson, was in hospital at end of
month.
if if if
SF Gets New Dispatcher
SAN FRANCISCO — Elmiro
"Chlno" LaRue, MC&S delegate
aboard APL's President Wilson,
appointed temporary dispatcher.
New SUP constitutions arrived..
Union signed agreement with Met-"
ritt-Chapman & Scott on manning
M/V Gear.
it if i
NO Closer To Gulf
NEW ORLEANS—F. E. Weyer-
hauser tied up in Tampa, MFOW
reports. All men with baggage in
old A&G hall should remove same
as union has moved into new hall,
SUP advises. This city moved 68
miles closer to sea as dredges cut
a straight 42.mlle channel to Gulf,
enabling deep-water ships to avoid
110-mile winding Mississippi River
trip.
i- i . i
Mormacglen Trial Run
SAN PEDRO — Trial run crew
for SS Mormacglen will be shipped
shortly, MFOW reports. Catalina
will start regular run at end of
month. Union attorneys aided
Greek seamen from ship abandoned
on rocks in getting increase in
money while waiting to' be sent
home.
i i i
Portland Sponsors team
PORTLAND — MFOW is again
sponsoring k Babe Ruth League
tean>. Transfer of Matson C-3s to
Australia run presented much work
for MC&S. Shipping picked up for
SUP which also urges men»bers to
subscribe to unionized "Portland
Reporter."
ships plied the frigid waters be
tween the US and the icy land to
the north.
From their heavily r timbered
docks thousands of passengers and
millions of tons of cargo were
shipped north to Alaska in the
golden years of steamship travel.
Oldtimers remember the honor
roll of wooden ships berthed at
the piers by Alaska Steamship in
yesteryears—the Dirlgo, the Dora,
the Jefferson, Santa Clara and the
Bering, to name Just the mainstays
of a fieet that numbered over IS
ships.
Soon the memory of the journey
north will be replaced by an imi
tation setting of a balmy South
Sea island as the pier is renovated
as an elaborate restaurant, the
Polynesia,
The move is part of a conversion
of sections of the Seattle water
front from, a shipping center into
a complex of harbor attractions—
hotels, shops, restaurants—and
will eventually encompass more
than ten acres of seafront sites.
Gov't Okays
Ship Travel
By Militaiv
WASfflNGTON — A bill
providing for'^$2.5 million for
use by the Defense Depart
ment to send its personnel on com
mercial An>erican-flag passenger
ships was signed into law by
President Kennedy.
The measure, strongly supported
by the SIU Pacific District, covers
the period through the end of June,
1961. It reverses a Defense Depart
ment report of September, 1960,
which stated the agency would diS'
continue using ships after the
present fiscal year. The report also
said that some $80 million was
found for use for conunercial air
transportation.
BUI Aids 2 SIU Companies
The bill would materially aid
two SIU Pacific District-contracted
companies, American President
Lines and Matson Navigation Co.
Matson has already announced that
it has made available more than
3,000 berths for use by the Defense
Department.
The importance of such aid to
steamship companies is shown by
the fact that in 1959, while less
than three percent of military per
sonnel was transported in commer
cial American-ftag vessels, this
small amount transported account
ed for 10 percent of the gross paa=
sengsr income of the companies
involved.
Government Benefits
The benefit of sea transportation
to the Government is evident from
a report in the Scripps-Howard
newsppers which stated that $50
million was allocated for berths
on commercial airlines of which
only 60 percent was actually util
ized. On ships, 100 percent of the
space contracted for was used and
neither APL or Matson has ever
defaulted in their contract to pro
vide berths for military personnel.
On the Government-operated
Military Sea Transport, 80,000
berths in one year were not utilized
and MSTS vessels sometimes carry
only 10 percent of their capacity.
Commercial operators and sea
men's unions have long argued
that MSTS vessel activity be dis
continued in this area.
Pacific District Shipping
Port - SUP
3/6 to 4/3
MFOW
4/1 to 4/30
MC&S
4/6 to 5/4
Total
San Fran. 631 197 398 1,226
Seattle 115 87 43 245
Portland 129 83 41 253
Wilmington 386 ~ (no hall) 109 495
Now York 115 22 40 177
New Orleans 37 (no hall) 0 37
Honolulu 19 31 19 69
San Pedro (no hall) 66 (no hall) 66
Total 1,432 486 650 2,538
Mar. Iffl SEAFARERS LOG Face Twenty-Tkrea
Put It Down Gently, It Weighs 80 Tons
Artist's conception of
the new American
President Lines' SS
President Lincoln (be
low), shows where
the 80-ton gantry
crane being installed
(left) will be located
above the No. 4 car
go hold. The crane
will move container
ized cargo from the
dock to the hold in
Z'/j minutes. Aiding
the operation will be
a boom trolley and
special spreader ex
tending 16 feet over
the dock.
693,000 cubic feet of cargo space.
Sea Racer cargoliners are im
proved Mariner type ships, pow
ered by 17,500 horsepower single
screw geared turbines, with a
cruising speed of 20 knots. Displac
ing 22,640 tons, the ships are 563
feet long with 76-foot beams.
The two vessels are part of a
$32 million APi. construction pro
gram to modernize the company's
fleet.
Newest Pacific District Ship
APL's Lincoln To Start Run
SAN FRANCISCO—With Installation of an 80-ton gantry crane to handle container
ized cargo and final trimming finished, the American President Lines' 88 President Lincoln,
newest 8IU Pacific District-contracted ship, is scheduled to sail on her maiden voyage to the
Far East on Memorial Day, a-*
week after delivery to APL
here.
Another APL vessel, the SS
President Tyler, sistership to the
completed 23,000-ton Sea Racer
cargoliner, is undergoing comple
tion work and final testing at the
Bethlehem Steel Company's San
Francisco shipyard and is expected
to be delivered to APL within four
months.
The two ships will offer con
tainerized service to shippers be
tween the US and Asian ports, as
well as regular cargo facilities and
passenger service. At first service
will be between the West Coast
and Asian ports, with East Coast
service to follow later.
80 Ton Gantry Crane
To handle the eight by eight by
20-feet containers used by APL,
the 80-ton gantry crane was in
stalled above the^No. 4 cargo hold
which holds 126 containers in a
vertical stack six containers high.
APL purchased 420 containers for
$1,250,000 for use on the two ves
sels. A second hatch is also avail
able for container service.
The gantry crane, which is 25
feet tall, 76 feet wide and 35 feet
long, has a capacity of 25 tons and
has the unique feature of a "fiying
control room" mounted on the
crane itself, with all control opera
tions housed in waterproof, alumi
num cubicles.
Accommodations For 12
The ships have air-conditioned
passenger accomodations for 12 in
addition to room for a total of
'Hope' Seamen Make Donation
To MFOW's Matthews Fund
SAN FRANCISCO—Contributions keep rolling into the Ma
rine Firemen, Oilers, Wipers and Watertenders' Sam Mat
thews Fund with possibly the "farthest out" donation being
made by crewmembers of the 4
88 Hope, now in Indonesia,
who said they wouldn't be
able to send in the money, about
$150 to $200, "until we get to
Singapore in June."
The fund was set up to aid Mat
thews who has been paralysed
from the waist down for over a
year after being mugged in New
York City.
Old Timers Contribute
In addition to contributions from
active members of the MFOW and
other SIU Pacific District Unions,
donations have been received from
old-time members who have re
tired and are living on union pen
sions. While tlie source of income
for these members is limited, they
have ail made generous contribu
tions.
Matthews, now in the San Fran
cisco Public Health Hospital, was
recently visited by his family who
live in Honolulu. The trip to the
mainland by his wife and four of
his seven chiidren was made pos
sible by contributions to the fund.
After visiting her husband, Mrs.
Matthews thanked the contributors
to the fund. "It was a wonderful
thing for you to do," she said.
"The children had not seen their
father for two years and their
visit with him was a teriffic boost
for their morale and to Sam's also.
Words cannot express our appreci
ation to the members who con
tributed, many of whom we do not
know personally. The MFOW is a
great organization with e real spir
it of brotherhood."
Matthews Fund money is being
used to pay for therapy which,
doctors say, will enable Matthews
to regain the use of his legs.
Fund monies also aid in the sup
port of his family.
SUP Continues Fight
On MSTS Job Issue
SAN FRANCISCO—The Sailors Union of the Pacific said it
will continue efforts to have the Military Sea Transport Serv
ice change its policy of using Japanese crewmen on cargo
ships in the Pacific after learn-
ing that Secretary of Defense
Robert McNamara said he
was not opposed to the present
MSTS policy.
The SUP and the Masters, Mates
& Pilots had asked McNamara to
investigate MSTS operation of 17
cargo ships in the Pacific which
fly the American flag but are crew-
ed by 750 Japanese nationals.
McNamara was quoted in the
"San Francisco News-Call Bulletin"
as defending the practice of having
the vessels operated by a Japanese
firm under a MSTS contract.
Favors Using 'Indigenous' Persons
According to the report, Mc
Namara stated that the Depart
ment of Defense favors using per
sons "indigenous" to the area in
which our foreign bases are located
where such skills are available.
As reasons for this, McNamara
said, such a policy "makes our
presence more palatable to the
host countries, fosters a limitation
of dollar expenditures aboard and
permits logistical support to our
operating military forces not other
wise obtainable."
The Sailors Union has pointed
out, that such foreign operation of
military ships only takes money
out of the domestic economy with
out returning any comparable gain.
It was also pointed out that
American merchant seamen were
able to supply logistical support to
American military forces during
war time.
'Ill Suited' For American Crews
McNamara also said the ships
had been modified for Japanese
crews and were "ill suited" for
An>erican crews. There was no
elaboration on this statement.
McNamara's arguments are sim
ilar to those previously advanced
by MSTS. It is believed that Mc
Namara contacted MSTS when he
promised to investigate the oper
ating policy of the service follow
ing the SUP-MM&P request.
The two unions has protested
MSTS method of crewing the ves
sels, stating that foreign personnel
should not man American-flag
StaffOfficers
Repay MC5
SAN FRANCISCO—The Marine
Staff Officers, Office and Allied
Personnel Union presented a check
for $3,000 to the Marine Cooks and
Stewards union at last month's
headquarter's meeting as partial
payment for money borrowed for
organizing purposes.
MSOOAP, which has a direct
charter from the Seafarer Interna
tional Union of North America,
embarked on an extensive organiz
ing campaign three years ago and
received support from the MC&S.
The union's efforts, which have
extended from Nome, Alaska to
the Mexican border, have brought
longshoremen, fishermen, fish can
nery workers, pursers and office
personnel under the SIU banner.
ships, especially when many Amer
ican seamen are on the beach.
Understandable Tears Ago
The Unions said that MSTS'
action was understandable years
ago when it was necessary to bol
ster the Japanese economy. But
this situation has changed in recent
years. At present there is a short
age of Japanese seamen and that
nation's economy is booming.
Foreign operation of the ships
has taken about $85 million out of
the American economy in recent
years, with the yearly operation
estimated to be $8 million for
Japanese crew and expense.
MCS Calls
1st Planning
Conference
SAN FRANCISCO — T h •
first Marine, Cooks and Stew
ards Union Planning Confer
ence, to be held here June 15-18,
was officially launched last month
with the niailing of the conference
call to all ships and branches of the
union.
Coupled with the announcement
of the mailing, MC&S Assistant
Secretary-Treasurer James Wil-
loughby, conference coordinator,
reported that committees on ar
rangements, rules, program and re
ception have been set up and oth
ers will be formed after the con
ference begins.
The mailing consisted of an over
printing of the conference call and
small stickers. Conference post
ers will be placed aboard ships by
patrolmen when vessels reach port.
SIU Pacific
District Halls
SUP
HONOLULU Pier 8, Room 208
PHone 502-777
NEW ORLEANS 523 BienvUle St.
Jackson 5-7428
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6605
PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St.
CApitol 3-43.78
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St
Douglas 2-8363
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Main 2-0290
WILMINGTON 505 Marine Ave.
Terminal 5-6617
MC&S
HONOLULU Room 206. Pier 8
PHone 5-1714
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St.
RAmond" 7-428
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
PORTL.4ND. 211 SW Clay St.
CApitol 7-3222
SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St.
EXbrook 7-5600
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
StAin 3-0088
WILMINGTON 602 Broad Ave.
TErminal 4-8538
MFOW
HONOLULU. . 56 Norib Nimitz Highway
PHone 5-6077
NEW YORK 130 Greenwich St.
COrtland 7-7094
PORTLAND 522 NW Everett St.
CApitol 3-7297-8
SAN FRANCISCO 240 Second St.
DOuglas 2-4592
SAN PEDRO 298 West 7th St.
TErminal 3-4485
SEATTLE 2333 Western Ave.
UAin 2-6328
/
VI
VMC* Twenty-Vcor SEAFARERS IOC May, INl
SIX7 FOOZ> and
Cliff Wilson, Food and Ship Sanitation Director
Meat: The Center Of The Menu
It's estimated that one-third of all the money spept in the United
States for food is used for the purpose of meat. It is also a fact that
Americans consume more meat than any other nation in the world, not
only for its flavor and "stick-to-the-ribs" quality, but for its health-
building proteins, calories, vitamins and minerals. Needless to say,
a rugged life at sea makes meat an important item of shipboard feeding.
Meat is the center of the menu—the article of diet around which
most meals are planned, prepared and served. Good meat therefore
deserves good care and preparation so that none of its taste and
nutritive value is lost.
Most of the meat used for shipboard feeding is fabricated into stand
ard packaged and frozen cuts. Most of the bones, excess fat, gristle
and tendons have been removed according to specifications as to grade
and weight. This eliminates excess weight plus routine butchering and
is both a storage-saver and time-saver for the galley crew.
The IIS Department of Agriculture has set up for the packing houses
engaged in interstate-trade specific standards and regulations regard
ing the type and conditions of animals slaughtered and the care given
the meat afterward. All meat destined for Interstate trade must be
inspected by US Government inspectors and meet stipulated standards
before it can be sold. This also applies to meat for consumption on
American ships.
The Government has similarly established grades for the meats most
commonly used. These grades are determined by conformation, finish
and quality, which include such characteristics of the meat as tender
ness, flavor, amount of fat, juiciness and color.
Variations from grade to grade can be considerable. Only a year
ago, SIU companies began storing "US Good" grade steaks instead of
the commercial grade in food service on SIU vessels through efforts of
the Food and Ship Sanitation Program.
Meat can spoil and its eating qualities are reduced if it is improperly
or carelessly stored or is subject to sharp temperature changes. It is a
costly, perishable product and should be placed under refrigeration as
soon as it is brought aboard ship.
All meats keep best when frozen at zero degrees or below. They will
keep as long as a year at this temperature. At higher temperatures the
exterior of the meat may look and feel frozen, but deteriorating changes
occur at rapid speed. Higher than zero temperatures result in rancidity
and cause meat to lose color, juiciness and flavor.
For example: At 10' F. pork starts going rancid in three or four
months; beef, lamb or veal in four or five months. Quality loss occurs
faster and faster as the temperature rises.
Another important thing to remember is that temperature damage is
not visible or tastable in itf early stages. Held for only a day at 20' F., a
product is not likely to show evidence of damage particularly if it has
been kept in its original packaging. Nonetheless, changes that eventu
ally result in visible and tastable damage have begun and the damage,
once done, can't be undone.
Today most of the meats aboard ship are received in fabricated form
as individual cuts (strip loins, sirloin butts, rounds, etc.) in separate
packages. Individual cuts are better for many reasons. They keep
better, take up less space in the freezer, are easier to store, more
sanitary, less trouble to prepare for cooking and only the items to be
served need be defrosted.
One of the best protections for meat is proper packaging to prevent
the product from being exposed to air. Exposure causes the meat to
turn rancid faster and become tough. It allows "drying up" or desic
cation to occur at a more rapid rate.
Never soak meat in water as a means of thawing. Thaw as slowly as
possible and do it in the thaw room or any other chilled place. Meat,-
especially the larger cuts, should not be thawed at room temperature.
If meat is thawed at room temperatures, such as in the galley, the sur--
face will begin to spoil before the meat is thawed at the center. Fur
ther, the meat juices, formed into ice crystals when the meat was
initially frozen, will drip away from the frozen meat and be completely
lost.
(Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
be submited to this column care of the SEAFARERS LOG.)
ICC Reports Declining
Domestic Ship Revenues
WASHINGTON—^Figures issued by the Interstate Com
merce Commission on revenues of the coastwise and inter-
coastal trade for 1960 bear out the gloomy picture of the in
dustry beset by railroad rate--^
cutting.
With the exception of the
SlU-contracted Calmar Steamship
Company, which is in a special situ
ation because of its haulage of
Bethlehem Steel cargoes, com
panies in the trade had little to
cheer.about and some of them ran
far below the previous year's
figures.
Intercoastal Hit Hard
The hardest hit segment of„ the
trade was in the intercoastal area,
where revenues were way down for
Luckenbach (which has since quit
the trade altogether) and were also
down for offshore companies run
ning an intercoastal leg such as
States Marine and Isbrandtsen.
Calmar showed the biggest plus
figure, but only because its 1959
revenues had been sharply affected
by the steel strike..
On the East - (i)oast coastwise
service, Seatrain showed a revenue
increase, while Sea-Land had a
sizable drop-off during the year.
Most of the Lakes operators
showed modest improvements over
1959, but here too, their 1959 fig
ures were adversely affected by
the steel tie-up.
Thfr revenue figures issued by
ICC are gross revenues and do not
reflect actual profit or loss.
Seamen Win On Minimum Pay;
New Law Applies To Maritime
WASHINGTON—American merchant seamen are now covered by the Federal minimum
wage law as a result of an SlU-backed amendment passed by Congress last month. Con
sequently, non-union seamen employed in many harbor and inland waters operations will be
receiving at least $1 an hour'
for the first time.
The new minimum wage
law still exempts seamen from the
overtime provisions of the legisla
tion. Eventually, it will bring all
seamen. as well as other covered
workers, up to a $1.25 an hour
minimum in a step-by-kep pro
cedure over a four-year period.
Eesiored In Senate
The victory on the minimum
wage issue came after the House
of Representatives had originally
knocked out coverage for seamen.
Such coverage was restored in the
Senate and subsequently, both the
House and the Senate adopted the
Senate version of the bill, follow
ing some elaborate maneuvering
by Administration forces.
In their fight for minimum
wages for seamen, the SIU and
other MTD-affiliated maritime un
ions pointed out that while exist
ing union contracts call for wages
well above the $1 an hour mini
mum, too many seamen on small
boats were being paid less than
the minimum because they were
working anywhere from 60 to 80
hours a week for $200 to $300 a
month in many instances. Among
such groups are the deck scow
captains in New York Harbor
whose earnings are considerably
below $1 an hour.
Shipowner groups had opposed
the law, even though the overtime
provisions were dropped so as to
exempt them from h:;ving to pay
Union seamen time and one-half
for overtime. Originally, the ship
owners had declared that the law
was acceptable to them were it not
for the overtime provisions, but
when these were jdropped, the
American Merchant Marine Insti
tute went on record against the
legislation anyway.
Even without the jtvertime provi
sions, the new law' will still pro
vide considerable improvement for
many non-union seamen and boat
men, and also minimize the impact
of low wage operations on compet
ing, union-organized groups.
High Court Bars
16-Cent Scale
WASHINGTON —A recent Su
preme Court decision held that a
knitting "cooperative" in the State
of Maine was in violation of the
Federal Wage and Hour law. The
"cooperative" was paying house
wives 16 to 23 cents an hour for
knitting infants' wear.
In its ruling the Supreme Court
declared that the Whlttaker House
Cooperative, Inc., of Troy, Maine,
was not a true cooperative at all,
but had been set up for the pur
pose of evading Federal wage
standards.'
Only Gid-Time Seafarers Will Remember These
Three former SlU-manned ships of Pre-World War II vintage are (top to bottom) the
Margaret (Bull), a Hog Islander, the Major Wheeler (Bull) which the oldtimers call a "laker"
even though it was a salt-water shijp, and the Azalea Clly (Waterman) a Merchant type
ship built in the Merchant Shipyard in Pa. All three were built during or right after World
War I and were reported missing and presumed lost as a result of enemy action during
World War II. (Photos courtesy US Naval Institute Proceedings, Annapolis, Md.)
SEAFARERS LOG 9m* Twemtf-nm
Jay-Kay Workers Approve
Proposed Contract Terms
After workers at the Jay-Kay company had unanimously
authorized strike action in a special meeting op Thursday
evening, May 11, a tentative agreement was reached with the
employers which would pro-'^
vide a general Wage increase
for all hands, plus other con
tract improvements.
The .proposed contract won over
whelming approval from the sub
sequent special meeting of the
plant's workers on Monday, May
15. Meetings are continuing be
tween the Union and the company
In an effort to put the proposed
agreement into final form.
Immediate Raise
The two-year agreement calls
for an immediate wage increase,
across-the-board for all depart
ments, reclassification of jobs in
the 20 departments at the com
pany's two plants which will result
in appropriate minimum scales,
plus seniority protection, welfare
coverage and further improvement
during the life of the contract.
Numerous negotiation meetings
had been held with the employers
since the UIW was certified as
collective bargaining representa
tive in February. Negotiations on
the Union side had been carried
out by a committee consisting of
UIW representatives and rank-and-
file employees from various com
pany departments.*
Two-Year Fight
Completion of the contract
would wind up a fight of nearly
two years' duration to bring the
benefits of genuine u n 1 u n
representation to Jay-Kay em
ployees. Previously, the plant had
been represented by an "inde
pendent" outfit, known as Amal
gamated Local 355 which func
tioned largely as a paper local.
The organizing campaign was
These Are Your
Union Meetings
—Attend Them!
All union members should
regularly attend the member
ship meetings in their area.
These meetings are devoted
to discussions of matters vital to
the welfare and security of
every UIW member and his
family.
What's more, these meetings
provide every UIW member
with the opportunity to speak up
and state his views about these
vital matters.
Here is the schedule of the
next meetings:
NEW YORK-Tuesday, June
6, at 6 PM, SiU Hall, 675
Fourth Ave., B'klyn.
BALTIMORE - Wednesday,
June 7, at 7:30 PM, SIU Hall,
1216 E. Baltimore St.
SUNBURY - Sunday, June
11, at 2 PM. Friendship Fire
Company.
PHILADELPHIA - Tuesday,
June 13, at 7:30 PM, SIU Halt,
2604 S. 4th Street.
climaxed by an election In Octo
ber, 1960, which the UIW won
handily by a margin of nearly two
to one. UIW certification was de
layed until January because of
legal maneuvers by the defeated
"independent" outfit.
Worst Conditions
Under this "independent" union,
the employees had worked under
the most Intolerable working con
ditions worse than those prior to
the great union organizing cam
paign of the I930's. This was so be
cause the "independent" union did
nothing, would do nothing, and
could do nothing.
Under the "independent" union,
employees were hired at $1 an hour
and advanced to $1.15. The com
pany would lay them off for a
month or so and then rehire them
at $1 an hour. This the "Indepen
dent" union allowed.
There were many other abuses
also, which made the rehiring gim
mick look small by comparison.
The change brought about by
the UIW was summed up by one
veteran employee, who, after the
contract approval, when over 100
copies of the agreement were Im
mediately passed out, said: "At
last we know what a contract looks
like."
Another employee said he had
worked seven years at the plant
and had never eeen a Cunlract.
The contract settlement was pre-
ceeded by three months of bitter
negotiations during which the Un
ion and the negotiating committee
had to fight for a contract, clause
by clause.
Status Quo Offer
After three months, all the em
ployers would offer was a one-
year status quo contract—that Is,
the same contract they had with
the "independent" union.
The employers also said that
they would talk about money
"later"— if they made any In the
meantime.
At the special meeting May 11,
the employees voted unanimously
for strike action—even those who
had voted against the UIW in the
NLRB election.
The company actually believed
that these people, whom they had
kicked around, browbeaten and
fired at the slightest pretext would
never vote for a strike.
Fight For Rights
The employers didn't realize that
once the employees' fear was lift
ed as a result of the UIW election
victory, and once it had been
proved that the employees had a
strong union to support them, they
would stand up and fight for the
rights denied to them for many
years. i
As another employee put it:
"This shows the Jay-Kay em
ployees are solidly behind their
union, 100 percent."
At the peak of the season, em
ployment in the Jay-Kay Corpora-
lion's NeW York City plants is in
the vicinity of 700 workers. The
firm, which operates plants in
Long Island City and The Bronx,
manufactures a variety of equip
ment, most of it for household use.
At The UIW Bargaining Tabie
At bargaining table discussing demands for a new two-year agreement at UlW-contracted
Eastern Automotive Co., of the Bronx, are UIW National Director Steve Cardullo (far
right) and UIW organizer Ralph Quinnonez. At left are management representatives.
UIW Welfare Plan Expanded
NEW YORK—Increases in maximum allowances including hospital room and board and
broader coverage of other hospitalization benefits, were approved for UIW members by th#
trustees of the Union's welfare plan, who met at headquarters here earlier this month.
The trustees voted to raise'
the m a X i m u m hospital
benefits to $300 from $240, and
also upped the In-hospital room
and board allowance to $15 a day
from the former $12 a day, effec
tive the first of this month. In ad
dition, the group approved plac
ing the following cases under regu
lar hospitalization benefits: Caesar-
ean sectioii, ectopic pregnancy, and
miscarriages. The latter were for
merly covered by the regular UIW
maternity benefit allowances. In
the case of normal childbirths, the
trustees agreed to Increase the al
lowance to $80 from $62.50. The
trustees also approved benefit cov
erage of newborn babies which
may require special medication or
surgery.
During the month of April, a to
tal of $7,383.03 was paid to UIW
UIW Members End Voting
On Convention Deiegates
NEW YORK—Members of the United Industrial Workers
Union have completed voting for delegates to the UIW's first
convention, and are now awaiting the report of their tallying
committee.
members by the United Industrial
Workers Welfare Plan, according
to Plan officials.
The highest welfare paj-ment for
the month went to Pablo Cruz of
Porter-Mathews Co., who received
a check in the amount of $702,70=
Other large benefit payments went
to: Charles Schaffner of F. M.
Stevenson, $564.00; Joseph Znan-
iec, F. M. Stevenson, $552.00;
Camilllo Fioravanti, Wilson Marin#
Terminal, $466.90; Edward Toch-
man, C & S Canvas and Rope,
$336.00, and Phillip Chiappisl,
Standard Building Displays,
$280.15.
The results of the election
will be reported to all ports
maintaining offices, in addition to
ail candidates appearing on the
ballot.
17 Vie For Posts
According to the UIW constitu
tion, eight delegates to the conven
tion will be elected. A total of 17
members placed their names in
nomination and were listed on the
ballot. They were:
Basil Booker, David Brechcr,
Joseph Campolei, John J. Dwyer,
John Holiday, Warren Leader, Sal
Maccarone, Ysmael Paz, Gennaro
Primiano, Ralph Quinnonez, Louis
A. Ruggiano, Price C. Spivey,
Charles S. Spruell, Frederick Stew
art, Matty A. Stucchio, Joseph
Walsh and Odell Watts.
Ballots Mailed To Members
A mail ballot, together with a
letter of instruction, was sent to
each UIW member at his last
known address, and the menrbers
were instructed to return 1 "h-
. marked, ballots tq g designated post
office box by not later than May 12.
The UIW convention is sched
uled to open May 24 at head
quarters in Brooklyn. Among the
items expected to be discussed are
plans for broadening organizing
activities in many areas where un
organized industrial workers are
receiving sub-standard treatment
and low pay.
The news on this page deals
with people working under the
SIU banner in shoreside estab
lishments engaged in maritime
production and allied fields.
Included among the items
made are cordage, canvas,
lifesaving equipment, ship's
gear and related industrial
products. Because there had
not been any organization avail
able to tbem, many of these
workers were formerly without
any union protection, until they
came under the SIU banner.
Developments in their area will
be reported here because they
are an important part of the
maritime industry.
UIW Signs Up
Phila. Company
rillLADELPIIIA —The United
Industrial Workers Union has
signed a new two-j'ear contract
with the Philadelphia Dressed Beef
Company which grants the firm's
employees increased fiinge bene
fits, including health and welfare
gains.
The contract, which went into
effect earlier this month, will cover
some 20 UIW employees when the
firm reaches Its peak season, ac-
: cording to UIW National Director
• Steve Cardullo. Philadelphia
Dressed Beef pi-imarily deals with
tlie wholesale processing of hides.
Cardullo al.so announced that
Jack Miller, area UIW director,
was recuperating from a recent
operation which not only kept him
away from his regular duties, hut
also from attending the SlUNA
convention in Puerto Rico. Miller,
who had been elected a UIW dele
gate by the membership, is ex
pected back on the job in a few
week.s. Cardullo added that Bro.
Miller wished to thank all those
who sent cards and flowers during
his hospital confinement.
• v--r L-t-;.,
Fare Tweiity-SiB SEAFARERS tOG Har. 19S1
All of the following 5IU families have re-
^ceived a $200 maternity benefit plus a $25
bond from the Union in the baby's name,
representing a total of $6,400 in maternity
benefits and a maturity value-of $800 in
bonds: ^
Maurice Gaines, born March 4,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ellis
Gaines, Mobile, Alabama.
$> $1 ^
Mary Savoie, born February 28,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Irvin
Savoie, Cut Oif, Louisiana.
3» it 4"
Clara Spiers, born March 15,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Token
Spiers, Columbia, Mississippi.
4« t 4"
Irene Sears, born March 24, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. Lyn Sears,
Brooklyn, New York.
4"
Tadashi Diaz, born March 27,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Juan
C. Diaz, Santurce, Puerto Rico.
4 4" 4-
Chariene Longr, born March 21,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Charles
Long, Prichard, Alabama,
4 4 4"
Gilbert Gonzales, born March 29,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Gilbert
Gonzales, Galveston, Texas.
4 4 4
Daniel Kennedy, born March 22,
1981, to Seafarer and Mrs. Aubry
Kennedy, Jay, Florida.
4 4 4 1
Carolyn Reed, born March 20,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Hardy
Reed, Galveston, Texas.
4 4 4
Kevin Lewing, born April 2,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ottis
Lowing, Flsrien, Louisiana;
4 4 4
Karen Fedraza, born February
24, 1961, to .Seafarer and Mrs. H.
B. Pedraza, Texas City, Texas.
4 4 4
Estelle Rabaria, born March 17,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Teadoro
Rabaria, San Francisco, California.
4 4 4
Louise Romero, born April 9,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Antonio
Romero, Brooklyn, New York.
4 4 4
Karl Evert Johansson, born Feb
ruary 22, 1961, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Sven-Olaf Johansson, New
Orleans, Louisiana.
4 4 4
Robert Bridges, Jr., born April
C, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs Rob
ert Bridges, Galveston, Texas.
4 4 4
Dennis Peterson, born March 18,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ken
neth Peterson, La Grange, Georgia.
4 4 4
Kevin Vega, born March 16, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. Woodrow
Vega, Cut Off, Louisiana.
4 4 4
Sharon Gurney, born April 14,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Antonio
Gurney, Baltimore, Maryland.
4 4 4
Cynthia Miniz, born April 20,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Joaquin
Miniz, Brooklyn, New York.
4 4 4
Daniel Hartley, born December
80, 1960, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Lewis Hartley, Mobile, Alabama.
4 4 4
Edward W. Hall, born March 14,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Roger
Hall, Jackson Heights, New York.
4 4 4
John Ward, born March 28, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. John Ward,
Clinton, Mississippi.
4 4 4
Donald Floyes, bom February
10, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Rob
ert Floyes, Mobile, Alabama.
William Baker, born March 12,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs,-Edgar
Baker, New Orleans, Louisiana.
4 4 4
Marcell Thomas, born March 30,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Warren
Thomas, Baltimore, Maryland.
4 4 4
Joyce Piatt, born March 27, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. Elijah C.
Piatt, New Orleans, Louisiana.
4 4 4
Kenneth Bewley, bora November
8, 1960, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Thomar Bewley, Seattle, Washing
ton.
4 4 4
Rebecca Sanchez, born March 18,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Thomas
Sanchez, Chickasaw, Alabama.
4 4 4
Gordon Gasklll, born March 81,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Floyd
Gaskill, Sea Level, North Carolina.
4 4 4
Blair Rowell, born March 31,
1961, to 'Seafarer and Mrs. Frank
Rowell, Dickinson, Texas.
4 4 4
Amy Denny, born April 6, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. Hershel Den
ny, Bluefield, West Virginia.
4 4 4
Michael DeSouza, born April 12,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Celes-
tino DeSouza, Brooklyn, New York.
The deaths of the following Seafarers have been reported to the
Seafarers Welfare Plan and a total of $44,000 in benefits was paid-
(Any apparent delay in payment of claims Is normally due to late
filing, lack of a beneficiary card or necessary litigation for the dis
position of estates.)
George J. Balaskos, 45: Brother
Balaskos passed away from a lung
ailment at the
USPHS Hospital,
Norfolk, Va., on
March 1, 1961.
He had sailed in
the SIU steward
department since
1951. Surviving is
his sister. Maty
Helen Balaskos,
of Norfolk. Burial
was at Forest Lawn Cemetery in
Norfolk. Total benefit; $4,000.
4 4 4
Lawrence J. Sheehan, 64: Broth
er Sheehan died of arteriosclero
sis on May 27,
1960, at the
USPHS Hospital,
S t a t e n Island,
New York. He
had been shipping
SIU since 1940 in
the steward de
partment. His sur
vivors are Caro-
1 i n e McGrath,
Walter Hand and William O'Con
nor, all of Brooklyn, NY. Burial
was at Pine Lawn Cemetery, NY.
Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
Wglter G. Browning, 34: A lung
condition was the cause of death
to Brother Brown
ing on March 17,
1961 at Greens
ville. North Caro
lina. He had
shipped in the
SIU deck depart
ment since 1946.
Surviving is his
mother, Mrs.
Flossie Browning,
of Richmond, Va. Interment was at
Richmond. Total benefit: $4,000.
IMM.
Fernand Bertalo, 57: Brother
Bertalo died at the USPHS Hospi-
t a 1, Baltimore,
Md., on March 20,
1961, due to a
heart ailment. He
had shipped as an
engineer on SIU
tugs since 1957.
Surviving is his
widow, Mrs. An
toinette Bertalo,
of Baltimore. Holy
Cross Cemetery, Baltimore, was the
place of Interment. Total benefit:
$4,000.
4 4 4
Oswald M. Ergle, 70: A lung con
dition was the cause of death to
Brother Ergle on
April 9, 1961, at
the USPHS Hos
pital, Baltimore,
Md. He had sailed
in the SIU stew
ard department
since 1946, and is
survived by Dol
ores T. Wine-
brenner of Balti
more. Woodlawn Cemetery, Balti
more, was the place of burial. Total
benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
William M. Scott, 60: A heart
ailment was the cause of death to
Brother Scott on
January 17, 1961
at Mobile, Ala.
He had been a
member of the
SIU steward de
partment since
1941, and is sur
vived by his wid
ow, Mrs. Frankie
Scott, and a son,
Cornelius, both of Mobile. Inter
ment was at Oaklawn Cemetery in
Mobile, Total benefit: $4,000.
viRm-xo
7MB/^ 1
Seafarer's Last Rites in Pakistan
Solemn services were held for Seafarer Turner T. Parker at Chittagong, East Pakistan, foU
lowing his death at a local hospital last Christmas Day. Parker, 56, had suffered a stroke
aboard the Coeur D'Alene Victory two days out of port. Shipmates and friends gathered at
the Protestant Cemetery included (standing, from left): Seafarers Eidemire, McGeOi
Malhabour, George, Roditis, Bunce, White, Casey, Ameiinck, Correli, the local Reverend
who ofFiciated, Seafarer Downey and local residents. In front, 2nd mate Todd, chief engi<
neer O'Donnell, Capt J. E. Rothrock, Seafarer Kolonas, 1st engineer Jolley and 3rd mate
Fitzell. Bunce, who was ship's delegate, submitted the photo.
Louis R. Ross, 33: A heart ail
ment caused the passing of Broth
er Ross at St; Jo
seph's Hospital,
Houston, Texas,
on March 10,
1961. He had been
shipping in the
deck department
on SIU tugs since
1957. Surviving
is his widow, Mrs.
Shirley Ann Ross,
of Houston. Burial was at Rose
wood Memorial . Park, Houston.
Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
Michal Mlchalik, 45: Brother
Michalik died of broncho-pneumo
nia in San Fran
cisco, Calif., on
March 14, 1961.
He had sailed in
the SIU steward
department since
1952, and is sur
vived by Paul L.
Marty of San
Francisco. Holy
Cross Cemetery
in San Francisco was the place of
burial. Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
Cecil E. Williams, 36: A heart
condition caused the passing of
Brother Williams
on October 2,
1960, while
aboard the S3
Montego Sea at
New Orleans, La.
He had sailed in
the SIU engine
department since
1945. His mother,
Mrs. Rosa E.. Wil
liams, of Richmond, Va., survives.
Burial was in Richmond. Total ben
efit: $4,000.
4 ,4 4
Nick Giosue, 76: Brother Giosue
passed away from a lung ailment on
February 21, 1961
at' St. Joseph's
Hospital, Tampa,
Fla. He began
sailing SIU in the
deck department
in 1940 and hkd
been receiving
special disability
benefits since
1954. His widow,
Mrs. Carmelina Giosue, of Tampa,
survives. Myrtle Hill Cemetery,
Tampa, was the place of interment.
Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
Maurice Kopenhagen, 57: Broth
er Kopenhagen died of a heart con
dition oh March
11, 1961, at Met
ropolitan Hospi
tal, New York,
NY. He began
shipping with the
SIU steward de
partment In 1941
and had been re
ceiving special
disability benefits
since 1960. His sisterT Irene K. An
derson, of Bronx, NY, survives.
Burial was at Monteiiore Cemetery
inthe Bronx. Total benefit: $4,000.
Mar, IMl SEAFARERS LOG Face Tweaiy-Sere*
MONTIiOO SUN (Standard Marina),
March S—Chairman, S. i. Alpai^i Sae-
ratary, L. W. Pmpfr. SSO draw for
Yoliohama. Charles Slanina waa elect-
ad as new ship's delegate. No beefs
reported. Motion made to have a
delegation send letter to headquar
ters regarding ship's safety. Food
menus and service excellent. Crew
very cooperative In all respects. Vote
of thanks to ail delegates and steward
department for a job well done. Re
pair list to be given to patrolman at
port of payoff. Discussion about mas
ter and mate doing sailor's work on
deck.
PENN MARINER (Penn Shipping),
March S—Chairman, Wm. H. Thomp
son; Secretary, A. Trammer. Ship's
delegate reported everything is going
•lean as par new cleaning schedule
posted, and to Include the Library
and tha Nop sink room. Some crew
repairs still not completed, but being
worked on at intervals. Suggestion
that crew donate SI toward ship's
fund as a few items have been pur
chased for the benefit of the whole
crew. Department delegates reported
no beefs. Motion made that all SlU-
contracted companies (such as this
company) follow the SlU agreement.
Suggestion that passageway on main
deck be blocked off so that Koreans
will not be all over the place. This
to be taken up with the captain.
ROBIN HOOD (Moora-McCormack),
March 12—Chairman, C. Terry; Secre
tary', R. Sedowtkl. Ship's delegate re
ports that two men missed the ship—
one man rejoined. Everything running
smoothly. S14 in ship's fund. No beefs
in deck and steward departments.
Several hours disputed OT in engine
department. Discussion on poor mail
service. To bee patrolman regarding
ship's purser on the draw, and slop
chest situation. Purser tends to put
out the draw and open slopchest at
his convenience only, without notice.
Crew complains about purser every
trip. This has been brought to patrol
man's attention but no action has
been taken.
along very good. Requested resigna
tion. Vance A. Reid was le-elected
and given a vote of thanks for a job
well done. Departineii{~crelegates re
ported no beefs. Request to cut steam
olT radiators. Steward to make a
cleaning schedule for the wash room.
The BR will take care of the recre
ation room. The steward department
was given a vote of thanks for the
good job they are doing.
EAGLE VOYAGER (Sea Transport),
March 25—Chairman, J. Doyle; Secre
tary, S. U. Johnson. Decided by crew
to sign the 30-day extension to the
shipping articles. Definite under
standing not obtained from headquar
ters on bonus for signing extension.
Captain refused to have the US con
sul brought down from Foukuoka.
Japan for the signing of the exten
sion. Two men hired in Japan as
replacements. Very little repairs
were taken care of in shipyard. Ship's
storerooms were to be fumigated.
New washing machine needed along
with mattresses for all.
TWIN FALLS VICTORY (Suwannee),
Feb. 27—Chairman, J. Nsylor; Secre
tary, A. Philips. Ship's delegate re
ported . bosun missed ship at Port
Canaveral. Engine delegate reported
that his department is to get report
on new contract to apply to opera
tion of this vessel. John Cantrell
elected new ship's delegate. Motion
for amendment to constitution that
assessments .mme due at end of first
quarter. Crew request all paychecks
to be inspected to see if too much
Income tax is being withheld. Request
company to add men to all depart
ments to maintain ship as is presently
expected. Comprehensive report to
follow. Request that wash basin be
installed in chief cook's quarters. Vote
of thanks to steward, department. Vote
of thanks to outgoing sship's delegate.
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), April 2—Chairman, C. GIbbt;
Secretary, J. Meehan. Ship's delegate
reported few hours' disputed OT to
be taken up with patrolman. No other
beefs reported. Ail running smoothly.
THE CABINS (Texas City Ref.)
March 23—Chairman, J. Mathews; Sec
retary, H. K. Pierce. Vote of thanks
to ship's delegate who was taken to
hospital in Boston. John Williams was
elected new ship's delegate. $14.72 in
ship's fund. Motion that ship's' fund
be built up some at payoff. Ship's
delegate to handle fund. Everything
running smoothly and no beefs were
reported.
HASTINGS (Waterman), March 24
—Chairman, George F. Clarke; Secre
tary, John E. Wells. Ship's delegate
reported some disputed OT. Two men
logged. One man missed ship in
Rijeka, rejoined in Naples. Ship's
delegate to call headquarters regard-
in- men gelling olT in New York.
Safety meeting expected to be held
March 27. Delegate to turn in sug
gestions regarding safety. Water cool
er in engine room not working. Need
more water pressure on toilet. Men
asked to keep toilets clean. Catwalk
to he built on both sides of ship
when deck cargo is carried. This ha's
been a good trip with the minimum
of beefs due to able delegates and
good crew.
NATALIE (Maritime Overseas),
March 26—Chairman, W. Ferrandiz;
Secretary, R. E. Hommel. No ship's
delegate at present time. One to be
elected. C. A. Bailamy elected as
ship's delegate. No beefs reported by
delegates. Vote,«f thanks to steward
department for good food and service.
NATALIE (Maritime Overseas),
March !•—Chairman, R. DcVirgileo;
Secretary, R. Ripley. Ship's delegate
requested to step down in favor of
another man. J. N.' McLaren elected
new ship's delegate. Some disputed
OT in deck department to be taken
up with patrolman at payoff. Vote of
thanks to steward department for
good job. Laundry room needs better
attention—man. responsible for the
job will see to it.
DEL MUNDQ (Mlsslsslnnl), March
19—Chairman, Jack Chastain; Sacra-
tary, L. J. Harvey. Before resigning,
ship's delegate requested ail members
to sign olTicial SlU ship's crew list.
Theodore Marulio, elected new ship's
delegate. No beefs reported by de
partment delegates. Crew requested
to bring coffee cups back to pantry.
Also to fill washing machine with
water up to water mark, and not
overload.
PENN TRADER (Penn Shipping
Corp.), March 26—Chairman, J. 2lo-
rels; Secretary, S. Rothschild. No
beefs reported by department dele
gates. Harold Arlinghaus elected new
ship's delegate.
SEATRAIN GEORGIA (Seatrain),
March 26—Chairman, John Cola; Sec
retary, Frank Flanagan. Incident* con
cerning man in deck department was
phoned to headquarters last trip. Will
be settled by patrolman at payoff.
Deck engineer claims not his job to
repair lockers but is job of the basun
who should do this work. At last
safety meeting the captain asked men
to use gangway rather than long
shoremen's ladder when going ashore
in Belle Chasse. $8 in ship's fund.
Some disputed OT In deck dbpart-
ment.
AMES VICTORY (VIslery Carriers),
March 25—Chairman, Jack Stouch;
Secretary, Kaznowsky. Ship's dele
gate reported (hat he saw captain re
garding the money draw situation in
the future foreign ports. Reported
^ an injured crewmember. No beefs
reported by dcnartment delegates.
Crew reque»t leak in cook's room be
renaired. Ship's delegate asked to be
relieved in order to rotate delegate's
poailion. Sotiemm elected new ship's
de'cate. An agreeable hand vote
taken regarding the type of money
dr.">ws in the future foreign ports.
TOPA TOPA (Waterman), March 19
—Chairman, Harvey L. Graham; Sec
retary, Frank L. Bartlett. Ship's dele
gate reported- everything running
smoothly. Engine delegate reported
some disputed OT. Fight aboard ship
in Antwerp causing olie man to be
hospitalized. One man asked to he
removed from ship. Union contract
being violated by 1st asst. engineer.
Will explain to boarding patrolman.
Some disputed OT in steward depart
ment. Suggestion made that ship's
delegate see captain about lifting
Logs. Also for all members to help
keep crew pantry clean, and to "flush
toilets after use.
SAMPAN HITCH (Suwannee), March
26—Chairman. J. F. Wunderlich; Sec
retary, A. Bell. Shin's delegate re
ported all rooms will be painted. No
one to go topside without consent of
ship's delegate. One man went to
hosnital in Puerto Rico but returned
to .<-h!p OK. One men broke h's ankle
and. was paid off. $7 30 in ship's fund.
Minor ' beefs in deck department.
Washing m -chine needs to be repaired
or replaced. On March 28 on board
ship a meeting was held and it was
recommended that crew write to ask
about sending a shio's library as there
Is none on board. Also need OT sheets.
JEFFERSON CITY~ VICTORY (Vic
tory Carriers), March 7—Chairman,
S. E. Walsh; Secretary, C. J. Oliver.
One m-n failed to Join ship in New
York. One man failed to join ship in
Philadelphia. One man left ship due
to his mother being in hospital. Left
gear aboard .ship. Want more. LOG to
distribute. $7.52 in shin's fund. No
beefs reported. Suggestion that valve
on fire ho.se be cleaned. Grating
around washing machine is dangerous
and should be replaced.
ROBIN GOODFELLOW (Moore-Mc-
Cormack), March 12—Chairman, Jack
Smith; Secretary, , Jack Sweeney.
$18.35 in ship's fiind. No beefs re
ported in deck department, and stew
ard department. Few minor beefs in
engine department to be taken up
with patrolman.
STEEL ARCHITECT (Isthmian),
March IS—Chairman, V. Suska; Sec
retary, J. Ormond. Ship's delegate
reported that three men went to the
hospital in Colombo. Ship will arrive
in New York April 7. Discussion
about pa.s.sageways which need to be
sougeed and painted. Coolie labor
taking OT. Decks need to be washed
down more often. Meeting between
steward delegate and patrolman is
suggested when ship pa.vs oiT. Dis
cussion about mounting TV set. Pa
trolman to check medicine chest.
Passageways and heads should be
painted soon. Launch service not good
enough.
OCEAN DINNY (Maritime Oversees)
—Chairman, F. Baron; Secretary, Paul
L. Whitlow. Ship's delegate reported
laundry is finKshed and to be kept
STEEL DESIGNER (Isthmian), March
9—Chairman, Daniel Butts; Secretary,
N. Mutln. No reply received regard
ing petition sent in concerning black
g.mg foc'.sles. $10.50 in ship's fund.
No beefs reported b.v delegates. Del
egates ot see patrolman reg.arding
sh'o being fumigated. Discussion on
slopchest. Vote of thanks to steward
department.
India's Unions Make Progress,
Montego Sky Seafarer Finds
(The followina article teas submitted tp the LOG bu Seafarer William Calefato.l
Four boys used as strikebreakers in India,
and their contractor, rest against wall
(above, left) while delegates of striking
chippers, painters and scrapers union
(right) pose tor Seafarer William Cale-
fato.
Intiia is a relatively new nation, and its unions aren't much older. While the unions
are similar to others the world over, the unions also symbolize the future for India. Just like
the nation, the unions are in ferment, working to improve themselves against all kinds ol
difficulties.
A case in point occurred
when the Montego Sky (Tiger
Shipping) was in Calcutta and a
strike was called by members of
the chippers, painters and scrapers
union working on the ship..
The beef was against the cen
tral government for more work and
more pay. The strikers also pro
tested against the method of pay
ment to workers by which the em
ployers give the job agents about
10 rupees ($2) for each man, hut
the agents pay only two rupees to
each man.
Scabs Are Common
While strikes in India are very
serious affairs, scabs take them
lightly as the incident on the
Montego Sky showed. The scab em
ployer, an anibitious c ontractor,
brought four kids into the engine
room and reported to the second
engineer that they were ready to
paint. Nobody knew who hired the
new contractor. But he said that
made little difference; all he want
ed was something to eat for the
kids and three rupees for himself
—and the group would go to work.
The contractor knew there was a
strike on, hut that fact was unim
portant. While he talked, the
youngsters stripped to their under-
The new industrialized India is slowly being built as the
scene (above) ,shot along the Hooghly River, one ot India's
important waterways, shows.
mreas
VRAWihJ&y
mCL£S
!X,
ate welcozmdhy
youir
-A'j/I «i:(4 . C i<.- f () 1 v i- « i i n -i 'i 4 t ' r. t II f| ' '-
wear and then climbed all over a
boiler, splattering aluminum paint.
Above decks, the strike was still
on in full force.
^Whils ws didn't know who hired
the group, we -later learned that
one of the absent engineers was
unaware of the strike and hired
them the day before. In the ex
citement the contractor forgot to
explain this.)
Everyone should have known
that the waterfront grapevine
would carry the news of the strike
breakers to the union, because in a
short while the Indian unionists, in
the best of native dress and man
ners., presented themselves to the
second engineer and the con
tractor, and w^ted to see the anti
union workers.
Youngsters Hidden
At first the kids couldn't be
found. There were fresh paint and
brushes on the boilers, hut no
painters. A more thorough search
disclosed that the four youngsters,
at a signal from the contractor, had
hidden themselves in the bilges
and shaftalley. How they got down
there so fast was their secret. In
India, acrobats and magicians of
various kinds are somewhat com
mon.
After the round-up, an unsched
uled meeting was held right on the
floor plates. To an uninformed by
stander this could have sounded
like a group of auctioneers trying
to outbid each other. But the sig
nificance, and the principle was the
same as in any SIU strike.
The argument on the floor was
an omen of the greatest struggle
of India herself. The small union
wanted, among other things, unity.
And In the enthusiasm of 'the
unionists who surrounded the con
tractor, everyone could see the
strength and determination of In
dia that will eventually make that
nation great.
Police were on the scene now
••• Z V o 1 » , 6 1 • V ti ' ; (
and they stood with local watch
men on the grating until the small
gang was ushered out. The kids,
along with their erring employer,
were a little dismal as they wulkeil
down the gangway with the union
ists.
Where they went was anyone's
guess. But the right one could be
that the little gang was due for
some indoctrination.
As for India—she has untold
millions of unemployed. Prominent
businessmen and the government
are convinced that these people
will get their chance in the new
industries that are being built.
From a ship the sights are evident
of a growing industrial nation.
Everywhere one can see shoe fac
tories, jute mills, shipyards and
many more kinds of factories being
built or operating.
Begging Will Go
As I discussed tills with one
storekeeper, the man said, with a
smile full of dignity, "India, like
all other nations, came from the
dust. It fell under exploitation hut
it is now rising again. True, there
are a 100 million beggars. But the
culture is changing so that the
begging will he gone in a few
years and the people will again win
over their hardships." .
He didn't have to add: just like
the painters union won.
Ssgn Name On
LOG Letters
For obvious reasons the LOG
cannot print any letters or
other communications sent in
by Seafarers unless the author
signs his name. Unsigned
anonymous letters will only
wind up in the waste-basket.
If circumstances justify, the
LOG will withhold a signature
on request.
Pace Twenty-Eiclil SEjl FARERS LOG May, IMl
Seafarers' Own 'Foreign Aid'
As Effective As US Variety
- (The following article was submitted to the LOG by Seafarer J. L. Gomez.)
Vast amounts of publicity are being given to the foreign aid program which our Govern
ment is sponsoring in many foreign nations. Far less well known, but just as important,
is the personal aid program American merchant seamen have been pursuing since World
War II, and even previous to*
the war.
Of course, the American
seamen is a part of the Govern
ment assistance program, both by
paying taxes to hnance the pro
gram and manning the ships that
transport the aid cargoes. In addi
tion to his vital contribution to the
national aid effort, the average
seamen is also engaged in a per
sonal aid endeavor that is sup
ported by all seafarers regardless
of union—an aid program that is
completely unorganized and wholly
voluntary, and one that rarely, if
ever, makes the front pages of any
newspaper.
Most Seafarers Contribute
In spite of the fact that our ef
forts are completely voluntary, it
is hard to hnd a seaman who has
not made his contribution—money,
clothing, books, tools, etc.—to the
program.
It may be wrong to classify our
efforts as a "program." But our
efforts have been successful oh a
local level, where they have con
tributed directly to the betterment
of the people involved.
Through our efforts—and it is
more than just charity., is is a direct
concern for the welfare of the
many less fortunate people we
come in contact with in our travels
throughout the world—children
are able to attend school, families
are grateful for the medical bills
we have paid.-'and poor peasants
and city dwellers praise America
for the food we have provided,.
Our men are not called upon to
make any donation. We choose the
people we want to help. We have
no rules as to how much we should
give to a man or his family. Yet
there are many orphanages and
B?boDlb that exist through the.
generosity of the American sea
man.
Thousands Of Dollars Involved
Roughly speaking, many hun
dreds of thousands of dollars have
gone into this program each year.
We consider this nothing as com
pared to- the people who have
learned to know and become
friends with the "United States
through us.
Of course we are proud of what
we have done and are doing. Each
of us may have some secret, selfish
reason for what we do. But there
are also practical reasons.
Many people think that the Gov
ernment aid program reaches the
people for whom It Is intended.
For the most part this is true. The
food, materials and equipment are
helping to eliminate starvation and
hardship in many under-developed
countries.
Program Used Against US
realize that every time we step
ashore in a foreign country we
become ambassadors for the US.
We willingly accept this challenge.
Sharing the material bounty of
America , is a small answer te the
challenge. The knowledge of the
good that we are doing, the happy
faces, the joyful people all are
small rewards for our efforts.
After seeing how much our efforts
mean, the most hard-bitten seaman
succumbs and he, loo, becomes in
volved in our program.
There is no single answer as to
why any seaman gives to our pro
gram. But the final answer may
lie in the fact that to do so is in
the tradition of the sea, a tradition
At the same time, because many j that involves aiding those in need
of aid. of us make these countries our
steady run, we know that in many
places the materials and cffuip- Rave
ment have been used to our dis- ®
advantage.
We know where large quantities
of grain have had to. be shoveled
into the sea because the facilities
to handle such large shipments
were inadequate and storage space
was not available.
We know where to find food
products labeled "not to be sold"
being sold. We know where large
shipments of rice and wheat have
been delivered into the black jnar-
ket, thereby adding to the hard
ships of the people for whom the
food was originally intended.^
The agencies responsible for the
delivery and distribution of the
aid must have some knowledge of
what is happening. It is unfortu
nate to note that these agencies
were not held in high regard
among the natives who are to re
ceive the aid. In fact, the reputa
tion of some agencies only de
tracts from the good impression
and good work that our Govern
ment is trying to do.
Our efforts are a small attempt
to counteract the injury that is
being done to our nation. Seamen
Varied subjects were discussed by crews at sea last month.
They ranged from the problem of unauthorized 'persoii®^!
coming aboard ship in foreign ports to possible areas of con
tract negotiations.
The problem of unauthor
ized persons coming aboard
ship in foreign ports ls» heightened
by the fact that past experience
•has shown that when these persons
leave they occasionally walk off
with personal possessions of sea
men.
The Steel Seafarer (Isthmian)
has called on company officials to
take action to keep unauthorized
persons out of the crew areas
while the ship is in foreign ports.
Sailing along the African coast, the
Robin Hood (Robin) urged all
hands to cooperate to keep non-
crewmen out of the midship house
because of the sanitary reasons in
volved and to put a stop to pilfer-
by E. Reyes
Sailor Rags visits the new New Orleans hall.
Ing of crew's personal belongings.
On the Penn Explorer (Penntrans)
traveling in the Middle East, ev
eryone was asked to keep all doors
locked to keep Egyptians out of
the deck house.
Contract Chances
With contract time near, crews
are starting to discuss possible
areas of negotiations. Morning
Light (Waterman) voted to send a
letter to headquarters suggesting
that the new contract incorporate
a provision that companies pay
crews for the actual number of
days worked Instead of a 30-day
month. Beauregard (Sea-Land)
wants all port time in the contin
ental limits of the US as time off
or have the company pay OT.
A motion to change the pay rate
from OT to time and a half for
painting offices' quarters was ap
proved aboard the Orion Comet
(Orion). Alcoa Pegasus (Alcoa) is
looking for improvements on wel
fare and retirement.
Margaret Brown (Bloomfield)
wants clarification of the following:
Is deck maintenance required to
take temperatures in cargo holds
each morning? Is this a regular
routine duty or is it the duty of
the chief mate? Is OT involved
for the deck maintenance, and is
he required to take readings seven
days a week? Crew also notes that
deck watchstanders are required to
turn blowers on and off in cargo
holds and, as blowers are in the
resistor house, it may be considered
hazardous for anyone not familiar
with electrical work and equip
ment.
Crews are also concerned with
proper attire. On the Producer ^
(Marine Gairiers Curp) it was
moved to have proper clothes worn
in the messroom. Steel Artisan
(Isthmian) specifically required
crewmembers to. wear full shirts,
not T-shirts, for meal time in the
dining room.
MT. VERNON (Victory Carriers),
Feb. 17—Chairman, G. Ruf; Secretary,
J. Coyle. Ship's delegate reports one
man missed ship In New Jersey. One
m- w 7 hospitalized in Curacao.
Three replacements in Honolulu. No
beegs reported.
black on any ship. Also, tliere should
be a telephone on all ships while in
any port .so as to permit a crewmem-
ber to call to see what time his ship
is going to leave.
SEATRAIN NEW YORK (Seatrain),
Feb. 19—Chairman, Charles Lee; Sec
retary, Fred R. Ryder. No beefs re
ported, One man missed ship in New
Orleans. Crew requested to be more
tidy in quarters.
ORiON COMET (Orion), Feb. 12—
Chairman, E. L. Roberts; Secretary,
C. V. Berg. Ship's delegate reported
that BR steward missed ship in
Sasebo, Japan, on February 3rd. J.
Nicholson paid off on a medical on
the same date. Two men who missed
the ship on the previou.s trip re
joined the vessel before sailing. No
ship's fund. Members asked to chip
in to cover cost of postage for letters
to headquarters. Several hours dis
puted OT in deck and steward de
partments. Mate continually doing
sailor's work.on deck, trying to save
the company money. Ship's delegate
asked to write headquarters regarding
store sand other things put off by
the captain.
PENN TRANSPORTER (Penn Navi
gation), March 5—Chairman, William
Anderson; Secretary, Keith Cole. Some
disputed OT in all departments. 8-12
oiler to see patrolman regarding black
gang delegate bWhg drunk and
missin.g watch. Request that all wages
and OT be paid at payoff and not to
be carried over to next voyage. No
signing off until all OT is settled and
all monies due collected. All depart
ments and two ship's delegates
thanked for good jobs they have
done. Vote of thanks to steward de-
[
foc'sles repaired and painted. Crew
to keep pantry clean at all time.
Crew suggested that the Coast Guard
inspect chart room deck for structural
defect. Twelve to four engine de
partment foe'slo relocated, was an
other suggestion. Vote of thanks to
steward department.
tary, Ange Panagopoulos. Ship's dele
gate reported htat three men in the
deck department are missing watches
and one man missed the ship. Repair
list turned over to captain. No beefs
were reported. Ship's delegate to see
chief engineer regarding cold water
in showers.
delegate reported no beefs. Washing
machine repaired. Steward department
quarters to be painted this trip. Rob
ert Banister elected new ship's dele
gate. Crew asked to keep the pantry
clean of trash and return all used
cups to the pantry. Vote of thanks to
steward dept. on an excellent Christ
mas and New Year's Dinner.
DEL ALBA (Mississippi), Mar. 12—
Chairman, E. Butch Wright; Secretary,
G. Trosclair. No beefs reported. All
running smoothly. $2 in ship's fund.
Motion made to have negotiating com
mittee put clause in contract to elemi-
nate carrying Kroo boys on Africa
coast as this causes much dissension
among the ship's crew. Will see Union
official to see what can be done
about roaches aboard ship. Washing
machine in bad shape. No can opener
in pantry for night use. Vote of thanks
to the baker for a job well done.
EMILIA (Bull), Feb. 26—Chairman,
Michael Enders; Secretary., Ned Rom-
ley. Ship's delegate reported eveiw-
thing running smoothly. Nine cred-
members appeared in a 20th Century-
Fox production being filmed at Kyoto,
Japan. Letter sent to LOG on story.
$55.75 in ship's fund. Michael Enders
elected ship's delegate. Steward re
ported that he is short on linen
changes and requests that the crew-
members turn in soiled linen promptly.
partment. Union headquarters to be
alerted on lack of any kind of safety
program aboard this vessel. Crew and
officers received letter of apprecia
tion from deceased 3rd mate's wife
and children, thanking them for
floral wreath and donation of $150.
PETROCHEM (Valentine Chemical),
March 6—Chairman, K. Hatgimislos;
Secretary, A. Z. Deheza. $11.21 in
ship's fund. No beefs were reported.
Motion made to elect new ship's dele
gate. Motion to see captain and see
if he would authorize the building of
wooden benches for crew's use on
deck back aft. Vote of thanks to stew-
art department for work well done.
Suggestion made that negotiations be
opened for a 10 percent increase in
wages and overtime, as well as
fringed benefits.
STEEL WORKBR (Isthmian), Feb. 26
—Chairman, Wm. O'Brien; Secretary,
W. M. Hand. Ship's delegate reported
that the two day's loading was ok'd
and two days for chipping in Kandia,
India, is disputed. Everything else is
OK: Motion was made to have the
Union pay transportation to men
shipped from one port to do job in
another port. Water faucet for coolies
should be moved away from crew
quarters. Vote of thanks to carpenter
and steward for seeing that crew have
fine movie program. Also vote of
thanks to steward department for
good meals and service. Vote of
thanks to steward for good menus
and for being especially accommodat
ing to crew.
MARGARET BROWN (Bloomfield),
Mar. 5—Chairman, Canales; Secretary,
Makin. Ship's delegate reported no
beefs. Repairs were turned in. Safety
meeting was held. Motion to have
deck meeting with the patrolman re
garding no hot bread served. Motion
that, the negotiating committee be re
quested to insert a clause in the
agreement covering a 25 percent
hlnirs while loading or unloading lamp
ALCOA PEGASUS (Alcoa), March S
—Chairman, Robert B. Barnes; Secre
tary, Carlie W. White. Ship's delegate
reported that everything was running
smoothly. Repair lists have been
turned in before reaching the east
coast. $5.10 in ship's fund. There
was a general discu.ssion regarding
letter sent to headquarters about the
mail not being delivered to ship. It
was reque.sted that the company be
contacted regarding putting luggage
racks over all single bunks in foc'sle.s,
and to have all personal lockers in
DANNY BOY (Kulukundls), March S
—Chairman, L. P. Hagmann; Secre
tary, F. Donovan. Ship's delegate re
ported that new chairs and mattres.ses
were ordered. Motion made to consult
patrolman regarding beef on subsSft-
enee. Motion made to get some
prompt action on the building of new
hall in Houston.
IBERVILLE (Waterman), Feb. 26—
Chairman, Phillip F. Ackroyd; Secre
tary, Wm. R. Cameron. Ship's dele
gate reque.sted repair list be turned
In. $3.66 in ship's fund. Messroom
chairs need repairing. Movie projec
tor to be stenciled. William Cameron
to go with otficer to .select movie film
for out-going voyage. No beefs re
ported. t)
STEEL DESIGNER (Isthmian), ApHI
1—Chairman, G^ne Flowers; Secre
tary, N. Martin. Ship's delegate re
ported one man was fired for per
forming. Lockers for deck depart
ment were not taken care of. $15.63
in ship's fund. Department delegates
reported no beefs. Ship's delegaje re
signed. New ship's delegate elected.
Gene Flowers. Black gang foc'sles to •
be reconverted in 'Frisco shipyard.
Discussiin on draws in foreign ports.
Request cooperation of all members
to take eare of washing machine.
Vote of thanks to former ship's dele
gate.
MT. EVANS (Cargo & Tankship),
March 26—Chairman, F. B. Neely; Sec
retary, H. F. Henry. Ship's delegate
reported no beefs. Discussion about
better assortment of condiments.
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), Feb. 12—Chairman, Fred L.
Travis; Secretary, Paul S. Howe. No
beefs reported. Elected ship's dele
gate from deck department. Old books
to be turned in to American Merchant
Marine Library, Honolulu.- All salads
to be seasoned by individuals.
MARORE (Marven), March 5—Chair
man, John Miller; Secretary, Frank
Albore. Ship's delcate reported two
men hospitalized. No disputed OT.
Discu.ssion on men being able to pay
off. Have patrolman meet ship in
Pedro.
ATLAS (Cargo A Tankship), March
11—Chairman, Carl Jsiinson; Secre-
DEL MUNDO (Delta Line), March 5
Chairman, Robert Banister; Secretary,
Leuls J. Fernandez. .Ship's delegate
reported no beefs. Repair lisis turned
In to captain. One rnan in the Stew
ard department In hospital in Buenos
Aires. Vote of thanks for the good
work of the Steward department.
Jan. 8—Chairman, Robert Banister;
Secretary, Leuls J. Fernandez. Ship's
ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), March 2«
—Chairman, E. A. Wright; Secretary,
W. R. Stone. Ship's delegate reported
that most of the repairs have been
made and most painting has been
done. More repairs to be made when
material obtained for making repairs
is received. Will see patrolman about
getting new washing machine. De-.
partmetit delegates reported no beefs.
'Discussion on the installation of
scieen doors in galley and crew mess-
room. '
MASSMAR (Caiman, March 19 —
Chairman, B. Hirsh; Secretary, M. E.
Greenwald. No beefs reported. Ern
est W.. Johnson elected new ship's
delegate. AR running smoothly.
ALICE BROWN (Bloomfield), March
12—Chairman, J. W. Altstatt; Secre
tary, Charles F. McDowell. $19.10 in
ship's fund. No beefs reported. Dis
cussion on each department taking
-turn cleaning recreation room. Dis
cussion on safety.
nil liti SEAFARERS LOG Paf«» Tiirnfy-NliM'
New Orleans Hail:
Comfort, Beauty
To the Editor:
Just a few lines to say hello
.again and let you know that I
am aboard the Del Sud (one of
the Delta Line "Glamour
Wagons") after shipping out of
the new New Orleans hall.
Words cannot describe the
beauty and all-around comfort
that our hall in New Orleans
To The Kditor
P-.
All letters to the Editor for
publication in the SEAFARERS
LOG must be signed by the
writer. Names will be withheld
upon request.
has; one must personally visit
it to realize that this hall was
built for the comfort and con
venience of the rank and Ale
and their families. It is a real
tribute to the maritime and
trade movement and will con
tinually show the SIU always
•leads the way.
I hope I am in New Orleans
for the grand opening which,
they say, will be in April. We
are due back in on the 19th.
Just a suggestion from the crew:
how about open house on the
22nd? It is a perfect day: Sun
day. We have the best baker in
the Gulf aboard to bake a cake
replica of the hall.
. Vic Miorana
Thanks Union
For Condolences
To the Editor:
I received the Welfare Plan's
benefit check together with
Union letter and I wish to ex
tend my thanks.
I would also like to thank the
Union for its letter of condol
ence.
I would like to Ihuuk the
Union on behalf of the Hawood
family for its condolence.
Mrs. Carol Root
Welfare Plan Help
is Appreciated
To the Editor:
These few lines are in grate
ful appreciation to the SIU for
the substantial assistance I re-
received through the Union's
Welfare Plan.
In January, I was obliged to
enter the hospital for serious
abdominal surgery. I telephoned
the Welfare Plan office and was
assured that everything would
be taken care-of under the fam
ily Hospital Plan.
The kind and courteous treat
ment shown me by the people
at the Welfare Plan office made
a deep impression on me.
I am especially grateful to Mr.
Patterson and his staff for the
prompt attention and for mak
ing all the arrangements for me.
I realize, of course, that kind
and considerate treatment Is
typical of the SIU and it Is a
good feeling to have a friend
when help Is needed.
Again, my heartfelt thanks to
all of you.
Mrs. Mary Driscoli
PS I enjoy reading the LOG
from cover to cover.
4. 4. 4)
Expresses Thanks
For Flowers
To the Editor:
I wish to express my thanks
to the members of the SIU for
the lovely floral offering sent
upon the death of my dear hus
band, Ben Stewart,
Mr. Buck Stephens was so
helpful to me; I wish him to
know how much I appreciate the
time and effort he spent on my
behalf.
The kind letter'received from
the Union was a consolation to
me. The check enclosed from
the SIU Welfare Plan will be of
much help to me.
I hope to continue receiving
the SEAFARERS LOG so I can
keep up with the progress of
the Union and the many friends
made through the years while
my husband was a Seafarer.
Mildred Stewart
4" 4" 4'
Calls For New
Lifeboat Design
To the Editor:
The latest sea accident in
which a Liberty-type ship broke
in half off the coast of Maine
and the skipper kept his crew
on board, the damaged ship as
long as possible claiming that
the lifeboats were not sea
worthy to battle 15-foot swells,
shows that improvements in
lifeboat design are needed.
It is time to provide the
American merchant marine with
a lifeboat that not only can re
sist bad weather but also re
main waterproof after being
overturned. Such a lifeboat
should also be supplied with
oxygen tanks as part of its em
ergency equipment in case the
boat has tc be sealed for sur
vival purposes.
Such sealing would be neces
sary in case of atomic attack
at sea as a protection against
radiation until the danger is
past. In addition, a fireproof,
sealed lifeboat would provide
emergency protection in case of
a fire at sea when the boat has
been trapped.
The boat-lowering system
system should be changed to
provide for lowering from with
in the lifeboat so sailors will not
be exposed to added danger by
being required to remain on
deck to lower away.
It is my belief that a fleet
provided with such advance
ments will run without compe
tition in the passenger trade due
to its safety advantages and will
provide unequaled protection
for seafarers in the cargo trade.
Julio Evans
Sword Knot Seamen's Theme:
'Monopoly' Between Missiles
The cries could be heard in the clear night as the ship rested at anchor somewhere in the
South Atlantic:
"Two yellows for a blue!" •
"No I won't—I'm getting
cheated!"
It wasn't mayhem. It was
just a "fierce and shrewd" game
of "Monopoly" being played on the
Sword Knot (Suwannee) while the
ship was on a record 95-day down
range missile run.
According to the report to the
LOG, "Monopoly" was the chief
form of relaxation for the 23-man
SIU crew of the knot-type ship,
one of 11 used by Suwannee on the
ni i s s i 1 e patrol extending from
Trinidad to the Ascension Islands.
Ushering In Space Age
The job, an important part of
the efforts that are ushering in the
space age, is not all play. While the
I vessels carry no cargo, the men
are continually involved in day-to
day maintenance and operation
work to insure the fleet's operating
at peak efficiency.
The ships serve as mobile mis
sile-tracking and recovery stations
for the earth satellites, moon shots
and military guided missile and
ballistic missile tests conducted by
the Government.
Because of the nature of the
work, the company-union agree
ment covers such unusual areas
as assignment of telemetry space,
manning of recovery boats and re
covery watch.
Based . In Trinidad, Recife
The ships are based in Trinidad
and Recife, Brazil. Their passen
gers are the technicians who oper
ate the radar tracking gear and
the frogmen who salvage nose
cones and recording gear.
While the ships are away from
port for long periods, the Sword
Knot's 95 days at sea was a record
for which the captain compli
mented the entire crew.
During the voyage, chief steward
Frank Napuli and AD Henry Mur=
No Fish Story
When (I. to r) Stanley Ze-
browski, wiper; George Stan-
ley, bosun; Pete Mena, A6;
and Frank Wherrity, AB, tell
of the 28-pound dolphin they
caught while on the Losmar,
it isn't a fish story, as Tom
Uliss^'s pix shows.
At the end of a run a missile ship rests quietly in harbor
waiting for another call to go down range and recover a
test shot.
ranka caught over 1,000 pounds of
dolphin and other varieties of fish
to keep the ship well supplied
with seafood.
1,000 Pound Ray Got Away
Ship's delegate Leonard G.
Kropp reported that Napoli's only
"disapointment was losing a manta
ray, estimated weight 1,000 pounds,
that he had speared single-handed
from the fantail."
No beefs were reported on the
voyage. Because there are few
places where the ship's fund can
be used, the crew voted to "tem
porarily discontinue" collecting
money for it, as the present $47.50
"is adequate."
On the shark front, wiper Frank
Hickox and BR Roy Elford caught
a fair catch of four makos and
three white tips, Kropp reported.
"Monopoly" continued for most
of the trip, with engine depart- ~
ment delegate Peter McDonald
claiming the game gave him high
blood pressure. It "finally broke
up under heated, friendly trading
discussions."
Red Carpet Out For Players
Kropp says the red carpet is out
for any Seafarer who enjoys a game
of "skill and possesses real estate
such as Park Place and Board
walk."
It has been suggested that the
crew discuss the possibility of
using some of the computers that
are employed in the tracking
operation in planning their trading
moves. The scientists aboard ship
should be glad to oblige—maybe
they can get into the game that
way.
Third Mate Saves AB's Life;
Treatment Stops Gangrene
Month-long patient care by the third mate of the Montego
Sky saved the life of John Statchen, AB, while the ship was
returning to Portland from Singapore. The mate, V. E.
Sprague, treated Seafarer
Statchen's gashed right hand
index finger, checking the ad
vance of blood poisoning and pre
venting gangrene which could have
resulted in an amputation or even
death.
Statchen is now being treated at
a hospital In Portland. At first a
doctor said the finger would have
to come off, but later consultations
resulted in the decision that it
could be saved.
Doctors: 'Mate Did Good Job'
Statchen reported the doctors as
saying the mate "did a damned
good job and if it wasn't for him
I would be dead now."
The finger was gashed while
Statchen was cleaning a rose box
in a hold. Though the wound was
dressed immediately, a day or so
later the pain increased and infec
tion became prevalent, with th«
symptoms pointing to gangrene.
Radio messages were exchanged
with Singapore and Sprague as
sumed responsibility for carrying
out the treatment of lancing, soak
ing and penicillin.
Looked Like 'Chewed Frankfurter*
The infected finger was de
scribed in a report to the LOG as
looking like "a chewed frankfurter
with ketchup, mustard and relish
all over it."
A slow trip to Portland, caused
by the fact that the ship was empty
and could not make good time,
added to the danger of gangrene,
while storm conditions prevented
Statchen from being transferred to
another ship or to Midway Island,
the nearest land, for more thciough
hospital treatment.
Pare Thirty SEAFARERS LOG ibr. IMl
Praises LOG'S
Medical Coiumit
To the Editor:
I have found the medical ar
ticles in the SEAFARERS LOG
very interesting. Is it possible
to have an issue on arthritis?
James W. Reed
4» it
Ex-Seafarer
Passes Away
To the Editor:
This is to advise the members
of the SIU who knew him about
the death of my brother, Abe
Gamzon, who was a member of
the Union during World War II.
He died tragically at Hillside
Hospital, Queens, NY, on Octo
ber 25, 1960. He left a wife,
Louise; a wid
owed mother,
Mrs. Moliie
Gamzon; a
brother, two
sisters and
many friends
and relatives
who loved him.
He would have
been 34 years
old on May 24,
1961.
Abe was attending Hofstra
College and had made the
Dean's List as an honor student.
He had hoped to become a
teacher, attended Mannes School
of Music in New York and ex
celled at playing the recorder
and flute. He also played the
mandolin and danced at folk
dance groups.
The enclosed picture was
taken about 1946, right after
the time he was with the merch
ant marine. He later was in the
Army, and was honorably dis
charged after serving as a miii-
tarj' policeman.
I'm sure his buddies aboard
ship will remember him kindly.
He was a gentle and good soul.
May he rest in peace.
Mrs. Sarah Kaplan
(Ed. note: Brother Gamzon
sailed with the SIU in the deck
department after joining in
New York on March 10, 1945.
He shipped primarily with Rob-
in Line. Our condolences to his
family and friends.)
Gamzon
Workers' Tax
Relief Needed
To the Editor:
Now that income tax time is
here again, I found the LOG of
February most helpful in mak
ing out my income tax return.
However, I note that each year
the Internal Revenue Service
has taken away something from
the workers in favor of big busi
ness interests at the expense of
the workers.
In view of the fact that the
workers, who pay 90 percent of
the income tax in the US, do not
have depletion allowance tax
loopholes like the oil trusts who
have a 27 percent tax dodge—
and I note that the big oil com
panies who enjoy this tax dodge
have most of their ships under
runaway Panlibhonco flags—and
in view of the rising cost of liv
ing and rising taxation ,which
are both outstepping wage in
creases, I think it is time for
labor to demand a $1,200 tax ex
emption per person from the
Government. Like everything
that labor receives, we will have
to put up a big fight for it.
I do not feel obligated to have
my income tax money spent by
the State Department to buy ail
of the big shots in Venezuela a
$10,000 automcbiie and all of
the pocket -money they can
spend in order to keep the oil
trusts in business.
Alan Kenneth Green
Radio Officer
4> 4-
SIU impresses
British Seaman
To the Editor:
It is some time since I wrote
and thanked you for mailing the
copies of the. LOG, which my
mates and I enjoyed very much.
I am now enclosing a copy
of our union magazine, lEd note:
National Union of Seamen of
Great Britain] thought some of
the articles would interest you.
I gave up deep sea work
last October, and am now on
coastal ships.
After reading about the vari
ous benefits your Union gives to
members, I cannot but compare
it with our union (really no
comparison). Let me quote an
experience I had back in 1955.
I had to go into a hospital for
an operation and was off duty
nearly a year. I notified my un
ion each week with a hospital
certificate, saying I was unfit
for duty.
The union excused my union
dues for this period. But did I
get any sick pay? Not a cent.
The only money I received
was from state insurance. This
was two pounds, 10 shillings a
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFARERS
LOG must be signed by the
writer. Names will be withheld
upon request.
week. (Ed note; $7 a week).
When I was fit again, I got
another ship and, on reporting
to the union, was offered two
weeks at their convalescent
home. This I declined and re
turned to sea.
All the time I have been in
this union I have kept up my
dues, even when I was out of
employment. So you see, when
you read our magazine you will
no debut discern a certain
amount of "bull" in it.
Even a temporary seaman,
that is one who works on river
pleasure steamers from May un
til the end of September, has to
belong to the union, knowing he
may not get on a regular run
afterward.
Well I think this will give you
some idea of our union. Many
thanks again for the SEA
FARER'S LOG. It is good to
know that there is a union with
strength.
S. Powell
Maritime Unions
Unity Praised
To the Editor:
Having sailed SIU ships
steadily for 13 years, I recently
took a job ashore to see how
the other half lives.
I am presently employed in
a position where several unions
and crafts must work together
on the same job, and after see
ing the jurisdictional disputes
etc., that arise from such a sit
uation I can appreciate all the
more the close cooperation the
SIU has maintained with the
MM&P, MEBA etc., throughout
the years I sailed.
I read in one of the .latest is
sues of the LOG of a proposed
, joint negotiating board of all
maritime unions. This^eeems to
me to be another great step for
ward.
One must see to believe some
of the ridiculous disputes that
can arise because labor unions
cannot or will not work closely
with each other.
Daniel C. Robinson
4- 4" 1»
Welcomes Words
Of Sympathy
To the Editor:
My special thanks for the
most comforting words of sym
pathy received from the Union
during my bereavement. Our
loss is very hard to take.
I received the benefit check
and appreciate the prompt effic
iency of the Welfare Plan. It
has made the burden easier on
all of us.
Mrs. Ann Sumaki
4- 4- 4
Not impressed
By ST Louisiana
To the Editor:
I am about to leave the pride
of the Seatrain fleet, the Louisi
ana. Boys, believe me, she is
some feeder. Ask the sea gulls.
These sea gulls followed us from
Edgewater to Texas City and
back. You can't fool a gull. They
are the best fed on the coast.
We have no recreation room.
Everything takes place in the
mess hall: the mess boy cuts
off the TV so he can take orders
while the others want to see
or hear the news.
Boys, its one happy family.
And belie\{p me some fellows
have been on here for four or
five years.
The first engineer is a prince.
No chipping overhead unless its
8 AM. It could be sooner, but
that would be overtime.
Well, as Red Campbell used to
say: Back to the Delta Lines for
me. Here is where the one year
vacation rule would go over big.
Thomas Daniel Garrity
4-4 4
Wants Same
Day Payoff
To the Editor:
I feel when ships arrive in
their final port of discharge in
the early hours of the day it
should be compulsory for the
ships to pay off the same day.
And if the time of arriving is
late the ships should pay off the
following day, not two or three
days later. Also if we are not
paid off prior to noon we should
be paid for the day of payoff
instead of through the previous
day.
At payoff the boarding patrol
man should bring vacation pay
applications with him so the
crewmembers desiring to do so
will be able to apply for their
vacation pay. This would be
very helpful to and appreciated
by the members not quitting the
ship. By the time the ships get
to engagement ports there
would be time for the checks
to be processed. And after get
ting to our ports we'd only have
several days to wait Instead of
a week.
Evis J. Thibadeanz, Jr.
4 4 4
Thanks Crew
For Flowers
To the Editor:
My son John Sutcliffe is a
crewmember of the Emilia. We
wish to express our thanks and
appreciation to the crew and to
the SIU for the flowers sent on
the death of my husband, Ed
ward Sutcliffe.
Mrs. Edward Sutcliffe
In the velvet stillness of the night
I am awakened by a dazzling light.
Standing before me In a robe so
bright
The Black Prince, in all his maj
esty and might.
The Black Pfinceo spoke, in a
voice so great
trembled mth fright, wondered
at my fate.
With The Chiidren
The Sullivan Boys
The Sullivan boys stopped in at headquarters after getting a
checkup at the medical center to say hello. They are
(I. to r.), Eugena, Daniel and John Jr.. John Sullivan, Sr., is
a member of the engine department.
LOG-A-RHYTHM:
The Black Prince
By Carl Max McDaniel
Dur photographer caught
Tex Jocks at headquarters
when he-made a recent visit
with his children Lori, 9, and
Lorry, 6. Jacks, who sails as
bosun, was last on the
Ocean Ullo.
NY Visitors
Paul Folios and his wife Jeon-
nie paid a visit to headquar-
ers before he left for Norfolk
for a deck department job on
the Construction Aggregates
Corporation dredge Ezra Sen-
sibor, formerly the Sandcap-
tain. The dredge is working
on a tunnel construction proj
ect in the Norfolk harbor
area.
"I come for your soul," the Black
Prince said.
1 shuddered with horror, at words
so dread.
"I will not go," in defiance, I
replied
"I'm among the living, I have not
died."
The Devil looked at me, his visage
quiet dark
"There's no mistake, against your
name is a mark." .
"So come, let us Journey to the
regions below
Forsake light and life, surrender
your soul.
In the nether dephs, a place waits
for you
Your life is forfeit, your soul is
due."
With fear and trembling I rose
from my bed
To accompany the Devil to the land
of the dead.
A sudden shouting! From a distance
it seemed
I awakened to sunrise, I had only
dreamed!
With thanksgiving In my heart, I
looked at the sun
What a glorious, day for me had
begun.
The Black Prince ivas gone, to the
legions in Hell
I was still safe in the world, living
and well.
Prove Eligibility
For Hospital $
Seafarers being admitted to a
Public Health hospital are
urged to carry with them their
Union book plus proof of eli
gibility for SIU b e n e fl t s;
namely, a record that they have
at least 90 days seatime during
the previous year and at least
one day during the previous six
months. Failure to have the
proper credentials will cause a
delay in payments to the Sea
farer.
If the Seafarer is admitted to
a hospital which is not a PHS
institution, he should contact
tiie Union immediately. The
Union will arrange with the
USPHS for a transfer to a Pub
lic Health hospital in his vicin
ity. The PHS will not pick up
the hospital tab for private
hospital care, unless it is noti
fied in advance.
.••r '
'M»y.<Un SEAFAREmS LOG 9*f* Tblrty-Omi
FINANCIAL nEPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and In-
land 'Vaters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's
money and Union finances. The constitution requires a detailed CPA audit
every three months by a rank and file auditing committee elected by the mem
bership. All Union records are available at SIU headquarters in Brooklyn.
Should any member, for any reason, be refused his constitutional right to in
spect these records, notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mall, return
receipt requested.
MiNll
TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland
Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various
trust-fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in
charge of these funds shall consist equally of union and management represent
atives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds
are made only upon "approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund
financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds.
If, at any time, you are denied information about any SIU trust fund, notify
SIU President Paul Hall at SIU headquarters by certified mail, return receipt
requested.
mmi
J
SHIPPING RIGHTS. Your shipping rights and seniority are protected by the con
tracts of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, and by
Union shipping rules, which are incorporated in the contract. Get to know
your shipping rights. If you feel there has been any violation of your ship
ping or seniority rights, first notify the Seafarers Appeals Board. Also
notify SIU President Paul Hall at headquarters, by certified mail, return re
ceipt requested.
® CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These
contracTrs specify the wages and conditions under which you work and live aboard
ship." Know your contract rights, as well as your obligations, such as filing
for or on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, any
SIU patrolman or other Union official, in your opinion, fails to protect your
contract rights properly, contact the nearest SIU port agent. In addition,
notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested.
m
EDITORIAL POLICV—REAFARERS LOG. The LOG has traditionally refrained from
publishing any article serving the political purposes of any Individual in the
Union, officer or member. It has also refrained from publishing articles deem
ed Jiarmful to the Union or its collective membership. This established policy
has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September meetings in all
constitutional ports. The responsibility for LOG policy is vested in an edi
torial board which consists of the Executive Board of the Union. The Exec-
utlvo Board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out
this responsibility.
PAYHENT OF MONIES. No monies are to bo paid to anyone in any official capacity
in 1 ho SIU unless an official Union receipt is given for same. Under no cir
cumstance should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given
such receipt. If in the event anyone attempts to require any such payment bo
made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment
and ̂ given an official receipt, but feels that he should not have been re
quired to make such payment, this should Immediately be called to the attention
of ,su; President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested.
CONRTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The SIU publishes every six months in
liiu .llAFAnEnS LOO a verbatim copy of its constitution. In addition, copiea
are available in all Union halls. All members should obtain copies of this
constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time you
feel any member or officer is attempting to deprive you of any constitutional
right or o'oligation by any methods such as dealing with charges, trials, etc.,
as well as all other details, then the member so affected should immediately
notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested.
RETIRED SEAFARERS. Old-time SIU members drawing disability-pension bene
fits have always been encouraged to continue their union activities., in
cluding attendance at membership meetings. And like all other SIU members
at these Uiiloii meetings, they are encouraged to tolce an active role in alX
rank-and-lilo functions, including service on rank-and-file committees.
Because these oldtlmers cannot take shipboard employment, the membership
has reaffirmed the long-standing Union policy of allowing them to retain
their good standing tln-ough tho waiving of their dues.
WSiSJiSsSS! ^
Logger Union Revived In Newfoundland
ST. JOHNS, Newfoundland—iTwo years after their strike was crushed by the Newfound
land provincial government, the International Woodworkers of America is back in business
here, organizing loggers employed by two major companies.
x
^ ' J/' " ' ' '
The International Wood-*—
workers of America has an
nounced that a new local un
ion formed in Newfoundland will
apply for certification and bar
gaining representation for 5,000
loggers employed by the Anglo-
Newfoundland Development Com
pany and the Bowater Company,
two major paper manufacturers.
Back in 19.'59, the union was de-
stioyed in Newfoundland by the
action of tlie provincial govern-
pient. The government of Premier
Joseph Smallwood enacted laws
which outlawed the loggers union
and replaced ft by a government-
^Bpngoi-ed "union."
At the time, the logsers strike
from the labor movement. The
SIUNA convention in Montreal,
May, 1959, voted support and
financial assistance to the loggers,
as did the SIU of Canada.
What helped put the union back
into the picture was the report of
a Canadian government commis
sion criticizing substandard wages
and living conditions in the logging
camps. The so-called "Newfound
land Brotlierhood of Wood Work
ers" the puppet "union" set up by
the Newfoundland government has
not been enforcing agreements it
has with the employe s.
The key test wiil come when
vowed to "stop at nothing" to keep
a legitimate loggers' union out of
the province.
appizration is made for certifica-
drew wide sympathy and support tion since Premiere Smallwood h^is.
Union Has
Cable Address
Seafarers overseas who want
to get in touch with headquar
ters in a hurry can do so by
cabling the Union at its cable
address, SEAFARERS NEW
YORR.
Use of this address will assure
speedy transmission on ail mes
sages and faster sempe for the
men involved.
Robert (Bob) Moylan
Important you get in touch
with Mrs. Ruth Tilley, 6803 Espa-
nita Street, Long Beach 15, Calif.
Richard J. Cavanagh
Contact Mrs. John Burns, 362
White Road, Mineola, NY.
Olle Jobannisson
Contact Ake Jobannisson, S;T
Eriksplan 1, Stockholm, Sweden.
RandhanI S. Nandkeshwar
Contact Wilma Nandkeshwar,
1654 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore,
Md.
Dale Lucia
Contact Mrs. T. Buryers, 19 B.
Catlin Avenue, Superior, Wiscon
sin.
Angel Lester Reyes
Get in touch with Eiisa Reyes,
PO Box 5454, Puerta de Tierra,
Puerto Rico.
The following Seafarers have im
portant mail being held for them in
the Houston port office. Please
write to the SIU, 4202 Canal Street,
Houston 3, Texas:
E. S. Becker, E. L. Bcfhurum, I.
Bouzin, A. J. Bullard, J. L. Conner,
Jr., L. R. Centeno, G. M. Chang,
R. M. Christian, D. C. Coyle, H. L.
Campbell, A. Du Rapau, j. w.
Floyd, E. P. Fauntleroy, M. J. Cal-
licr, J. M. Cuillory, S. L. Crice.
C. A. Ceorger, G. Howaid, J.
Iluisman, B. L. Hosea, M. V. Hunt,
J. Hart, E. K. Iverson, J. R. Joy,
A. Joosepson, M. L. Kellcy, J. C.
Lakwyk, K. M. LeRoy, L. J. Lowe,
M. Miller, O. R. Meffert, W. S.
Montgomery, E. P. Meyer, J. H.
Moore, S. D. Morallcs.
O. Motley, D. McDuffie, M. Mc-
Nabb, Jr., J, S. McRae, C. Owen,
T. F. Oliver, F. Pieszykoln, F. M.
Primeau, A. Phillips, H. C. Pow
ers. B. J. Power, J. M. Pasko, S.
Rivera, J. Rawza, V. H. Smihula.
W. W. Stockman, J. E. Slayton,
R. W. Schumacher, F. L. Sanders,
Jr., M. Terrington, W. Turpin, A.
Vacontios, C. E. Williamson, F. C.
Williams, N. West. J. E. Williford,
I. W. Wright, C. E. Wynn, T. Zie-
linaky, II. Yates.
Richard P. Bowman
Contact David C. McClung, at
torney, c/o Gill, Doi, Shim, Nalto
and McCIung, Rm. 446, Honolulu
Merchandise Mart Building, Hono
lulu 13, Hawaii, concerning back
wages due to you.
Audley C. Foster
Important you contact your wife
Rose immediately at 609 Observer
Highway, Hoboken, NJ. She is hold
ing some important mail for you.
Dominick M. Ranosa
Please contact Flora at IV 8-0017,
Baltimore. Very important.
Francis Reboucas
Contact Miss Emily Almeida, 261
Stockbridge Road, Greenbuch,
Mass.
Mike Brennan
Please contact Archie Milne,
vei-y urgent, concerning bus acci
dent on January 4, 1960. Get in
touch with him at 4720 Capital
Street, Houston 11, Texas.
Zygmunt OsinskI
Contact Robert E. Tarbox, attor
ney, at 3 The Embarcadero, San
Francisco 11, Calif.
Income tax refund checks are
being held for the following SIU
members by Jack Lynch, Room
201, SUP Building, 450, Harrison
Street, San Francisco 5, California:
Adolph T. Anderson, Freddie
Bailey, John J. Doyle, B. J. Dzelak,
Fong Yao King, Steve Krkovich,
Angelo Meglio, Raymond H. Millei",
Joseph Pltetta, Irinio C. Roble,
Cleveland Scott, Bryan C. Slaid,
Charles H." Stephenson.
Mr. Gibson
Please contact- James D. Chav-
ers, Jr., 2607 East Jones Sti'eet,
Sayannab,. C« - -
Eugene Warren Bent
Contact your mother at 853 In-
man Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey.
Roosevelt Robblns
Contact Belle Needham, 835 W.
Anaheim Street, Wilmington, Cclif.,
TKrminal 5-8946 or TErminal .5-
8909, concerning tax refund checks.
John H. Murray
Important you contact your son
at Brownell Street.
Jo Jo Trouit
J. R. ALsobrook hospitalized, in
financial need. Contact him at
Box 100, USPHS, r. t Worth,
Texas.
Tommy McCarthy
Contact Miss Fay McCarthy,
126-17 Jamaica Ave., Richmond
Hill 18, NY.
John W. Ward
Contact Robert E. Querry, Sup
port Enforcement and Collection
Union, State Department of Pub
lic Assistance, PO Box 1162,
Olympia, Washington.
Frederick M. Donaldson
Contact Henry J. Fisher, Com
missioner of Public Welfare, 240
Fair Street, Kingston, NY.
Mr. Bluefort
Contact Daniel Sherman, 1410-
12 Bankers Securities Building,
1315 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
7, Pa.
Donald E. Boots
Get in touch with Edward May
er, Imperial Credit Company, 8
-North Dearborn Street, Chicago
2, 111.
Mohd H. Beg or Harry Beg
Contact your wife at 3302 Grif
fith Park Blvd., Los Angeles 27.
John Mueller
Please get in touch with Gather^
ine Mueller, 2337 Edmondson Ave.,
Baltimore.
Demetrlo de Jesus Franco
Important you contact Carmen
Valencia de Jesus, calle 25 J 30,
Rio Piedrsa, Puerto Rico.
v
4
DIRECTOEY i
I.;. ;. .. -3
SIU Atlantic, Gulf
Lakes & Inland Waters
District
PRESIDENT
Paul Hall
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Cnl Tanner
VICE PRESIDENTS
Claude Simmoni Lindsey Willlama
Earl Shepard A1 Tanner
SECRETARY-TREASUHEH
A1 Kerr
HEADQUARTERS REPRESENTATIVES
Bill Hall Ed Mooney Fred Stewart
BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St.
Rex Dickey, Agent EAstern 7-4n00
BOSTON .. 276 State St.
John Arabascz. Agent Richmond 2-0140
DETROIT 10225 W. Jefferson Ave.
Paul Drozak. Agent Vlnewood 3-4741
HEADQUARTERS 675 4th Ave.. Bklyn
HYacinth 9-6;n0
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
R. Matthews, Agent CApital 3-4089: 3-4080
JACKSONVILLE 2608 Pearl St.. SE.. x
William Morris, Agent ELgin 3-0987
MIA.M1 744 W. Flagler St.
Ben Gonzales. Agent FRanklin 7-;i.")tJ4
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Louis Neira. Agent HEmlovk 2 '154
NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave.
Buck Stephens. Agent . Tel. 529-7.546
NEW YORK • 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
riVacinlh B-f 00
NORFOLK 416 CoHev Ave.
Paul Gonsoichik, Agent MAdison 7-1083
PHILADELPHIA 2604 S 4th St.
S. CarduHo. Agent DEwey 6-."t'!8
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Walter Sibley Agent Douglas 2-4401
SANTURCE. PR 1313 Fernandez .liinvos.
Slop 20
Keith Terpe, Hq. Rep. Phone 2-5996
SEATTLE . . 2505 1st Ave.
ii ' t ;,l-.;^uwskl. Agent lain 3 4334
WILMINGTON, Calif 505 N. Marine Ave.
Reed Humphries.-Ageict TemtiBal 4-2528
SEAFARERS LOG
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE'SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION . ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT . AFL-CIO
EVERY SEAFAR
FILLO
THIS CARD
A new combination beneficiary and enrollment card has been
issued by the Seafarers Welfare Plan. This replaces all previous
forms used for this purpose. Consequently, every Seafarer is
urged to fill out the new form, listing his beneficiary and his
dependents, to assure speedy payment of welfare benefits.
By filling out this new card you give the Plan an accurate record
containing the most up-to-date information about your family,
including your latest address and the names of all your de
pendents.
Cards have been sent out to all SlU ships and are available in
all Union halls. Fill one out and drop it into any mailbox in the
United States to provide full protection for you and your family.
You ̂ your name here. DO NOT PRINT HERE.
Be sure to date the card. ————
The witness signs here. Any adult can sign as your witness.
This space is for the address of the witness.
SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN
ENROLlMENT^ENEFICIARr CARD
Room 1060, 11 Broadway, New York 4, N.Y.
Name.,
Prinf: Lait Nam* Flnt Nam* Mtddt* InlHal
Address
pFinl: HumbiF and Strait Cilf JEuuC Ns. Csunip Stats
Social Security No Z No.
Date of Birth
i revoke all prevlout beneficiary nomlnatlont end make the following nomination with respect to ell benefiti provided
now or at any time In the future under the Seafarers Welfare Plan, itlll reserving to myself the privilege of other and
"urther chanoei.
Relationship
..to You
.Signed,
City Zone No. County Stole
UST BEIOW NAMES OF YOUP. WIFE AND UN.MejlRIED CHIIDREN UNnER 19 YEARS OP AGE
Witn^s.,
Signature —
Address
Print; Number end Street City Zone No.
.17® IMPORTANT-Dependentt must be listed on Reverae Side
County Steii'
II CHECK ( / ) RELATIONSHIP || DATE OF BIRTH
Husband Son Daughter || MONTH DAY YEAR
1 '—1—
1
1
1
1
1
IMPORTANT: As soon as possible, mall photostalie copies of your marrlige certificate and the birth certiflcetes e^ll
unmarried children listed on this card to the Seafarers Welfare Plan, II Broad<«ey, Naas Yerk 4, N.Y.
Failure to do so could delay the payment of welfare benefits.
List all dependents here, including dependent parents, if any.
if you list the name of a parent., write In the word '^parent".
If you wish, you can send In original certificates. These
will be photostated by the Welfare Plan and returned to you.
SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO
Seafarer^ 4 SIU Children Win
$6,000 SlU College Awards
Story On Page 8
Texaco Goes SlU; 4fh Victory
In Puerto Rico's Oil Industry
* I-If Inn Set to graduate this year, Seafarer Ed Skorupski
f fIflflKS LOfimilflf CC« (standing) came up to SIU Welfare Plan to meet
educators who awarded him SIU scholarship in 1957, Committee, which selected
five winners this year, includes (1. to r.) F. D. Wilkinson, Howard University; Miss
Edna Newby, Douglas College; Dr, Edward Kastner, New York University; Dr. Ber
nard Ireland, College Entrance Exam Board. (Story on Page 3.)
High Court Bars
Runaways' Move
To Ditch Unions
Story On Page 8
Congress Okays
Boost In Farm
Surplus Cargo
Story On Page 5
MTD Criticizes
New Maritime
Survey Croup
Story On Page 8
Officers' Unions
Agree On Joint
Runaway Drive
Story On Page 5
Story On Page 2
Bull Lines Sold;
Plans Expansion
Story On Page 5
SlUNA Fights CG
Health Test Rule
Story On Page 2
AS J Answering aid plea from
MKMO f O I/OflCS* striking Danish seamen,
Seafarer Forrest L.. Stouck (right) aids strikers on
picket line. SIU joined with other unions supporting
strike in all ports. (Story on page 3.)
Pace Tw* SEAFARERS LOG May. )961
SlU Wins Texaco Vote
In Puerto Rico, 138-10
SAN JUAN, PR—The SIU's campaign to organize oil company workers who have been
members of so-called "independent" associations scored another notable success when Tex
aco employees voted overwhelmingly for the Union in a National Labor Relations Board
election here. Of the approxi- ^
Saved By 60 Pints Of Blood
mately 160 Texaco drivers and
plant workers eligible to vote,
138 cast their ballots for the
SIU Puerto Rico Division,
with just ten "no union" votes.
The independent association which
had long been a fixture at the
company withdrew from the bal
lot in the face of the obvious de
sire of the Texaco employees for
SIU representation.
The latest victory means that the
SIU Puerto Rico Division now holds
bargaining rights for the four maj
or oil companies operating on the
Island. It follows on the heels of
an SIU triumpb at Esso, in which
employees of this company voted
to join the Union. Other compa
nies with whom the SIU had con
tracts are Shell and Socony.
In the Esso election, the SIU
was up against another "indepen
dent" union, the Esso Association,
which held the contract for Esso
workers for the past 20 years. The
head of the Esso Association was
also secretary to the company's re
gional manager.
An important factor in swinging
Texaco and Esso employees to the
SIU was the wage and other con
tract benefits won for other oil
company employees by the SIU,
at the Shell and Socony-Vacuum
plants in Puerto Rico.
The May 3 Texaco vote was part
SIU Steps Up
Runaway Drive
As IMWU Ends
NEW YORK —The SIUNA will
step up its organizing campaign
on runaway-flag vessels following
the dissolution of the Internation
al Maritime Workers Union.
The IMWU was originally es
tablished to carry out in the Unit
ed States the organizing policies
adopted by the International
Transportworkers Federation fol
lowing the December, 1958, world
wide boycott of runaway shipping.
The IMWU was dissolved follow
ing the unanimous adoption of a
resolution by SIU and National
Maritime Union representatives at
a meeting on May 3. As was point
ed out in the resolution, the SIU
had withdrawn from the ITF
whose policies the IMWU had been
established to implement. Further,
the resolution noted that as a re
sult of Federal court and Labor
Board decisions, American mari
time unions are now free to or-"
.gaiize runaway shipping directly
The SIU and three other marine
un.ons, the Masters, Mates and
Pilots, Marine Engineers Beneficial
Association and International
Longshoremen's Association, had
withdrawn from the ITF in protest
against the unfair manner in which
it had suspended the SIUNA, with
out a hearing, because of a dispute
between the SIU of Canada and
the National Union of Seamen of
Great Britain.
TIUNA President Paul Hall stat
ed that in the year and a half of
its operation, the IMWU had per-
• formed valuable services in the
fight on runaway shipping.
Before the IMWU dissolution,
the NMU had announced that it
was withdrawing from the AFL-
GIO Maritime Trades Department
• '• '•y f-!
of an aggressive SIU Puerto Rico
Division campaign to organize wa
terfront and allied workers on the
island.
The recent victories bring the
membership of the Puerto Rico Di
vision to nearly 5,000. The expan
sion of the SIU in Puerto Rico is
in line with the island's increasing
industrialization.
In addition to the benefits of
Union representation, the Union
has been attracting support by Its
program of welfare services for
members and their families in
Puerto Rico, including the estab
lishment of a Union clinic in San
Juan.
SIUNA Fights Move
For CC Health Test
WASHINGTON—Apparently acting on the urging of physi
cians in the employ of West Coast shipping companies, Rep.
George Miller (Dem.-Calif.)
would give the Coast Guard
authority to pass on the
physical qualifications of sea
men. The bill drew the immediate
fire of the SIUNA.
The bill would authorize the
Coast Guard to prescribe physical
standards for the shipboard em
ployment and would also give that
agency the power to administer
the examinations. Once the Coast
Guard had turned a man down, it
would be unlawful for the ship
owner to hire him, and he would
be effectively blacklisted from the
industry in which he earns his
living.
The Miller bill is similar in pur
pose to the proposed Coast Guard
'profiling" system, first proposed
in 1954 and hasily withdrawn un
der a storm of protest from the
maritime unions. That proposal
would also have given the Coast
Guard absolute authority to deny
seamen the right to sail
SIUNA Executive Vice-President
Morris Weisberger, the secretary-
treasurer of the Sailors Union of
the Pacific, charged that the Miller
proposal had been put forth to
defeat plans for a system of diag
nostic clinics on the West Coast,
to be run under the Pacific District
Welfare Plan.
Weisberger noted that doctors
employed by the steamship compa
nies have been actively opposing
the e.stahllshment of the clinics.
"This extreme proposal," he said,
"shows how- far these company
doctors , will go in order to protect
the lucrative fees they receive
from the steamship companies."
The proposal for a West Coast
system of clinics has been pending
since October 1, 1957, when the
ship operators started making con
tributions to the clinic fund. Ever
since then, even though the fund
has accumulated $400,000, the Pa-
has introduced a bill which
cific Maritime Association has
blocked establishment of the clin
ics, under the urging of company
physicians
Thanks to 60 pints of blood donated by Seafarers, Tracy
Wright, ID months, son of Seafarer Norman Wright of
Houston, is back home with mother, Mrs. Linora Wright,
and sister Theresa, nine. Blood covered baby's needs in
course of hospital treatment.
SIU Establishing Chain
Of Biood Banks In All Ports
HOUSTON—Emergency blood requirements for a Seafarer's eight-month-old baby here
in this city set plans in motion for a chain of SIU Blood Banks on all coasts to supplement
the main bank in Brooklyn. —
The baby, now eleVen
months old and reported do
ing fine, is Tracy Wright, son
of Seafarer Norman B. Wright, a
ten-year SIU veteran sailing in the
declc "department.
Developments surrounding the
Houston youngster and the danger
SEAFARERS LOG
May, 1961 Vol. XXIII, No. 5
PAUL HALL, President
HEDBERT BRAND, Editor. BERNARD SEA
MAN. Art Editor. HERMAN ARTHUR.
AL MASKIN, CHARLES BEAUMET, ALBERT
AMATEAU, ARTHUR MARKOWITZ, Staff
Writers.
Published motiinly at The headquarters
of the Seafarers international Union, At
iantic Gulf, Lakes and inland Waters
District, AFL-CiO, 675 Fourth Avenue,
Brooklyn 33, NY. Tel. HYacinth f-6600.
Second class postage paid at the Post
Office in Brooklyn, NY, under the Act
of Aug. 24, 1912.
MTD Forms
West Cult
Area Croup
HOUSTON — A regional MTD
organization has been set up which
covers the entire Texas Gulf
Coast, plus Louisiana as far east
as Lake Charles. The organization,
called the West Gulf Ports Coun
cil, represents approximately 200,-
000 maritime workers in the area.
Unions participating in the group
thus far include the SIU, Marine
Engineers Beneficial Association,
Masters, Mates and Pilots, Inter
national Longshoremen's Associa
tion, the Oil, Chemical and Atomic
Workers, whose members man the
numerous refineries and oil termi
nals in the area, the International
Union of Electrical Workers, the
International Union of Operating
Engineers, the Retail Clerks Inter
national Association and the Of
fice Employees Union.
As one of its first official ac
tions, the council voted to support
the strike of the Oil Workers
against the Phillips Chemical
Company here, a subsidiary of the
giant Phillips Petroleum firm.
The Oil Workers have been strik
ing the company for over four
months now.
The officers of the council are:
C. E. DeFries, MEBA Houston
agent; president; J. .E. Williams,
ILA regional, secretary-treasurer,
vice-president; Bob Matthews, SIU
Houston agent, executive secre-
.Jaiy-tre^sur^,
that similar emergencies could de
plete the Brooklyn blood bank
overnight prompted the Union's
decision to set up local banks in
every port. Voluntary donors pro
cessed through the SIU clinic In
Brooklyn have been the regular
source of biood for the past two
and a half years.
Due to a blood condition, young
Tracy Wright required transfusions
totalling 62 pints
of blood during
several short
periods of hospi
talization over the
last few months.
The Brooklyn
bank provided 48
pints on one occa
sion and Seafar
ers ashore here
In Houston do-
Wright
nated the balance.
Several times in the past, the
Brooklyn bank has supplied up to
35 pints in a single emergency. It
has serviced the needs of over 200
Seafarers and their families with
almost 800 pints of blood since its
inception.
The plan for a network of SIU
Blood Banks would make it pos
sible for a bank in each port to
service all routine needs in its lo
cality without drawing on the main
bank in Brooklyn. This would en
able the Brooklyn facility to build
up a reserve toward any large-scalo
emergency. At the same time,
Brooklyn will continqe to service
the local needs of the Port of New
York as well. as all inland loca
tions where the Union does not
maintain any halls.
It is expected that ports such as
Baltimore, Mobile, New Orleans
and Houston, which already have
established SIU medical clinic fa-
(Continued on page 13)
INDEX
To Departments
The SIU Inland BoatnMin
—Pages 8, 9
SIU Social Security Dep't
—Page 13
The Pacific Coast Seoforer
—Pages 22, 23
The Great Lakes Seafarer
—Pages 10. 11
The Fisherman and
Cannery Worker
Page 18
The Canadian Seafarer
-r-Pake 21
The SIU Industrial Worker
-^Page 25
SIU Safety Department
—Page 7
SIU Medical Deportment
—Page 19
SIU Food, Ship Sanitation
Dep't —Page 20
Editorial Cartoon —Page 15
•
A&G Deep Seo Shipping
Report —Page 6
Shipboard News
—Pa^cs 27, 28, 29, 30'
Hajr. im 8KAWARERS LOG Pave Hire*
MTD Assails
New Marine
Study Group
WASHINGTON—The Maritime
Trades Department of the APL-
CIO has assailed the composition
of the group appointed by Secre
tary of Commerce Luther Hodges
to conduct another study of the
maritime industry.
No Maritime Members
The main union objection to the
seven-man committee is the unfa-
miiiarity with the American mer
chant marine. Ironically, the only
member who has had any connec
tion with maritime is Eugene Hol-
man, former chairman of Standard
Oil of New Jersey who was titular
head of the world's largest Ameri
can-owned runaway-flag fleet.
In a letter to Hodges, Paul Hall,
president of the MTD, and E. N.
Altman, legislative director of the
department, pointed out' that the
committee bag no member from
maritime labor, or for that matter,
from American-flag maritime man
agement.
In ad'dition to Holman, the com
mittee includes Donald K. David,
Ford Foundation head; T. V.
Houser, former Sears & Roebuck
chairman; William P. Foster, head
of Olin Mathieson; Herbert Hoover
Jr.; Carter Burgess of American
Machine & Foundry, and Gen. Al
fred P. Gruenther, American Red
Cross director.
The protesting letter declared
that the participation of the six
non-maritime members of the com
mittee would be "perfunctory and
uninformed."
Hodges appointed the commit
tee to find out "if we are subsi
dizing mediocrity" in the merchant
marine program. The committee's
original assignment was to investi
gate the nation's maritime policy
problems, including subsidies, ship
construction, research and devel-
opmcnt and maritime commercial
requirements.
Subsidies Are Stressed
Since its appointment, the com
mittee has indicated it will con
centrate its study in the area of
shipping subsidies, one which is of
vital concern to seamen's unions
and the maritime industry.
The American-flag merchant ma
rine has been studied and probed
frequently in the past, but little
remedial action has ever been taken
by the Government on the basis of
such studies. "Project Walrus" was
a recent investigation.
The new Hodges committee ap
parently will follow the pattern of
previous merchant marine study
groups. Consequently the maritime
industry is expected to be rather
skeptical of the groups findings and
recommendations.
SlU Scholars
Welfare, Vacation
Offices Moving
Seafarers are urged to note
a change of address for the
SIU Welfare and Vacation
plans starting early in June.
The two Plans, which have
been in the same quarters since
1950, will shift from their pres
ent location to 17 Battery
Place, New York 4, on or about
June 5. The move will provide
more space" for the expanding
services of the two benefit pro
grams, which have paid out
conibined cash benefits of over
$25 million to Seafarers and
their families. No interrup
tion in the processing and pay
ment of claims is expected due
to the moving operation. The
new telephone number will be
WHitehall 3-5950.
SIU Scholarships
Co To Seafarer^
Four SIU Children
NEW YORK-^Seafarer John R. Sweeney and the children of four Seafarers
have been awarded foitr-year SIU college scholarships worth $6,000 each. The fivQ
1961 awards boost the number of SIU scholarships given so far to a total of 43.
In addition to Sweeney,^'
Pictured here are four of the
five winners of the SIU schol
arships. Top (I. to r.), John
Sweeney, Linda Peterson. Bot
tom (1. to r.), William Walsh,
Charles Hogge.
Fathers Of Winners
Above are the Seafarer par
ents of four of this years'
award winners. Top 11. to r.),
Garland Hogge, William Pet
erson. Bottom (I. to r.), Har
old Welsh, William Walsh.
DanesThank
SlUFor
Strike Aid
NEW YORK—Danish seamen,
whose strike ended May 15, have
thanked the SIU for its support. In
a cable from Copenhagen to SIU-
NA President Paul Hall, the Dan
ish seamen'^unlons expressed ap
preciation for "your fraternal co
operation and demonstration of
sympathy."
The strike of the Danish Sailors
and Firemens Unions ended early
this month when the Danish trans
port unions voted to go back to
work. The Danish seamen here
turned to May 15 after ratifying
their new coneract.
The strike in US ports was sup
ported by • American maritime
unions including affiliates of the
SIUNA and the International Long
shoremen's Association.
When the Danish seamen refused
to sail their ships out of New York,
shipowners hired scab crews from
a downtown job agency.
The seamen were seeking a $43
per month wage increase. Shipown
ers offered a $13 increase. The new
contract grants an increase of about
$20, bringing the current average
seaman's wage to $145 per month.
However, there is no contract
provision concerning the Danish
unions' protest on the hiring of
seamen in Far East ports at far
below union scales.
whose home is Mankato,
Minn., the 1961 winners
are:
Charles B. Hogge, son of
Garland L. Hogge, Luthers-
ville, Md.
Linda P. Peterson, daughter
of William E. Peterson, Balti
more, Md.
William J. Walsh, son of William
A. Walsh, Savannah, Ga.
Harold E. Welsh, son of Harold
R. Welsh, New Orleans, La.
Both active seamen and children
of Seafarers compete for the five
annual awards, whose provisions
are among the most liberal in the
country and allow an unrestricted
course of study. Trustees of the
program, which began in 1953,
base the awards on the recommen
dations of a panel of educators and
college administrators.
Sweeney is currently engaged in
post-graduate studies at Mankato
State College, Mankato, Minn.
A former SIU organizer who's
been shipping in the deck depart
ment since 1953, he received a
bachelor of arts degree from
Carleton College, Northtield, Minn.,
in 1949 and is seeking to complete
preparation for the teaching pro
fession. Married and the father of
^a two-year-old son, he also attend
ed Goleg Harlech, Harlech, Wales,
during 1956-57 on a Ruskin labor
scholarship.
Named an alternate winner in
1960, Charles Hogge is now com
pleting his second year of engi
neering studies at Virginia's Poly-
technical Institute, Biacksburg,
Va. He's 20 years of age and his
father is an SIU tugboatman in
Baltimore. Hogge expects to spe
cialize in aeronautical engineering
at VPI.
Math Or Science Studies
Miss Peterson is a senior at
Notre Dame Preparatory School
in Baltimore. An accomplished
student of music and art, she is
planning college studies in either
mathematics or science this fall.
Her dad is also an SIU tugboat-
man in Baltimore harbor.
William J. Walsh, 21, is attend
ing Emory University, Atlanta,
Ga., and has a medical career in
view. He already holds a two-
year associate arts degree from
Armstrong College, Savannah. Sea
farer William A. Walsh has
shipped in the SIU steward de
partment since 1951.
Harold E. Welsh is an honors
course senior at Jesuit High
School, New Orleans, and is hop
ing to pursue a law degree at Loy
ola or St. Louis University. He's
18 years old and his father. Sea
farer Harold R. Welsh, has been
shipping on SIU vessels since
1943 in the black gang.
Selection of the winners was
based on previous scholastic
achievement, extra-curricular and
community activities and per
formance on the standard College
Entrance Examination Board test.
The panel which assisted in the
selection process, concurred in by
the trustees on May 4, included:
Miss Edna M. Newby, assistant
dean, Douglass College, New
Brunswick, NJ; Dr. Bernard Ire
land, visiting representative. Col
lege Entrance Examination Board,
New York City; Dr. Elwood C.
Kastner, dean of registration and
financial aid. New York Univer
sity, New York City, and F. D.
Wilkinson, administrative assistant
School of Engineering and Archi
tecture, Howard University, Wash
ington, DC.
Seamen Dominated Early Awards
Of the 43 SIU scholarships
awarded to date, 20 have gone to
Seafarers and the balance to Sea
farers' children. Active SIU men
predominated among the winners
in the early years of the program;
currently one of the five annual
scholarships is reserved for a Sea
farer. The 1960 winners also in
cluded one Seafarer and four
children.
At presstime, acknowledgments
have been received from several
of the scholarship winners.
Hogge wrote that he and hig
family are "extremely pleased that
I was chosen for this honor. Now
my plans for continuing studies
towards master and doctor degrees
in engineering can be realized."
Miss Peterson wrote to thank
the SIU Welfare Plan "for both
my family and myself for awarding
the scholarship." She plans to en»
ter Dunbarton College of Holjr
Cross in Washington in September.
Welch wired that ha was "very
happy to receive your most wel«
come telegram and I sincerely
thank the membership and officers
of the SIU for the scholarship
award. It means everything to ma
and my family. I will do my best
to show my appreciation."
Sweeney wrote that the scholar
ship will enable him to continua
his education. He hopes to obtain
a Masters degree.
High Court Rejects
Runaway's Appeal
WASHINGTON—American operators of runaway shipping
suffered a staggering blow when the US Supreme Court an
nounced on April 24 that it would not consider a runaway
operator's bid to escape the-*
jurisdiction of US labor laws.
The court's action indicates
that from now on, the American-
owned runaways will have to deal
with US maritime unions through
the National Labor Relations
Board, just like any American-flag
ship operator.
The Supreme Court's action
came as the result of an appeal
by Universe Tankships, Inc., own
ers of the Liberian-flag Ore Mon
arch, from a January ruling of the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The
Pennsylvania courts had refused to
enjoin picketing of the vessel,
telling the owners to take their
complaint to the NLRB.
As a result of the ruling, it ap
pears that maritime unions have
clear legal sailing in attempts to
organize American-owned runaway
shipping. The only legal questions
that would need resolving would
be whether or not an organizing
target meets the conditions of
American-ownership and participa
tion In American foreign com
merce.
In their written brief to the
High Court, union attorneys relied
heavily on the NLRB's favorable
ruling in the Sea Level case. In
that instance, the Board took jur
isdiction over the vessel because
of its American ownership and its
participation in US foreign trade,
even though it is under Liberian
registry. Consequently, the Sea
Level owners were ordered to
cease unfair practices against
crewmembers who had joined the
SIU.
The Sea Level case had been the
test thus far of the right of US
unions to organize runaway ships.
The owners had announced their
intention to appeal this ruling to
the US courts, but in light of the
SUpreiiie Court's recent action,
their prospects of success are con
sidered poor.
The runaway operators' prima
objective has been to evade the
jurisdiction of the National Labor
Relations Board so as to obtain
immunity from American union
contracts and wage scales.
The Ore Monarch dispute arose
when picket lines were placed
around the ship last October in
Philadelphia as she was about to
unload ore for the Fairless Works
of US Steel. The picketing result
ed from the action of the operator
in compelling crewmembers to join
the so-called "Global Seamen's
Union" as a means of escaping or
ganization by the International
Maritime Workers Union. The own
ers tlien went to the courts in their
unsuccessful bid for an injunction.
Runaway Ore Monarch
As was pointed out in the union
brief, the Ore Monarch, like nu
merous other runaway ore ships,
was built by an American company
with American funds borrowed
from aji American bank; was reg
istered in New York under the
Liberian fleet; is owned by Liber
ian corporation which, in turn, is
owned and operated by Americans;
has a long-term time charter to
another American-owned Liberian
corporation, the American owners
of the chartering corporation being
none other than United States
Steel.
The "Global Seamen's Union,"
the brief pointed out. was set up
only after the IMWU obtained
pledge cards from the crew. It was
established in the Cayman Islands
(the first and only union in that
British possession) following which
the company signed a "contract"
with the new "union."
Tut Tim SEAPARERS LOG May. INI
How American Flag Ships
Are Classified By ABS
-By Capt. Milton Williams-
(Ed. note: This is the fourth in a series of articles written for the SEAFARERS LOG, by Captain Mil
ton Williams, formerly vice-president and operating manager of Bull Lines. Captain Willtanw, who is now
retired, will discuss the various phases of ^American-flag ship operation in these articles from an indepen
dent management viewpoint.)
The above insignia is well-known to all men who go to sea
in ships. To those of us who have frequently hung over the
Bide in a bosun's chair trying to be an artist with an oversize
brush, we thought they were
They may also be stationed in a
port to visit a ship to determine
her fitness to go to sea, or to carry
out other surveys which have to
do with hull machinery or even
the refrigeration plant. Another
function is to examine the condi
tions of assignment of load lines.
Other surveyors are stationed in
machinery-building plants many
thousands of miles from the yard
where the hull is being built.
The surveyors of the Society
not only inspect the construction
of "classed" vessels but subse
quently throughout their service
life have them under observation
during periodical and damage sur
veys. The reports of these sur
veys from all over the maritime
world come to the head office
where a study of particular prob
lems involving hull, machinery,
equipment and materials is made
by the technical staff. This staff
also reviews many new construc
tion designs and plans for altera
tions to existing vessels, including
materials for such work. It com
piles for consideration of the
technical committees any project
ed changes in the rules. Thus the
rules are really an analysis of ex
perience and enable the society
to state with assurance the mini
mum standards which should be
applied. Representing the industry
as it does, and In a real sense the
Bomething the mate invented
to make life miserable for the
deck gang.
However, to the seaman this is
the most important safety factor
on the ship aside from the life
boats. This is the load line for the
ship. This load line is assigned
under the Load Line Act of 1929.
Load Line Limits
The large letters "A" and "B"
alongside the disc indicate that
the load line was assigned by the
American Bureau of Shipping after
the Coast Guard had approved
proposed limits on how much
weight may be loaded on the ship.
You will note that the word
"weight" includes cargo, bunkers,
water, stores, dunnage, ballast and
any other weight.
The American Bureau of Ship
ping is a classification society.
Classification societies are guardi
ans of seaworthiness. We haye to
thank the underwriters for origin
ating these socities but this con
trol has long since passed from the
underwriters to the general ship
ping community. As iron and steel
ships supplanted wood and ships
increased in size, it was inevitable
that such control could not remain
vested in one segment of the in
dustry, such as the marine under
writers.
Classification societies control
the thickness and size of materi
als going into the building of
ships. They assign load lines and
they survey ships to maintain sea
worthiness. In the US, the Amer
ican Bureau of Shipping is recog
nized under the Merchant Marine
Act of 1920 as the official classi
fication society so long as it,
among other conditions, has no
capital stock and pays no divi
dends; in short it must be a non
profit organization. Its manage
ment is by representatives of the
chipping industry; that is ship
owners, shipbuilders and under
writers. It includes representa
tives of the US Government. It
was established in 1862 when It
was known as the American Ship
masters Association.
Its principal job at the time
when our famous clipper ships
carried our flag to many parts of
the world, was- the certification of
ships' officers, there being no
laws in this country until 1870 for
the licensing of officers or sea
men.
World Wide Offices
Today the American Bureau
of Shipping maintains offices
throughout the world in which
there are one or more surveyors
engaged in either shipyards where
the ship is built or in repair yards
where necessary repairs are made.
British Plan
Cunard Aid
LONDON—The British govern
ment plans to grant Cunard Lines
a subsidy for building a successor
to the giant luxury liner Queen
Mary.
The legislation would give Cu
nard a maximum of $50.4 million
toward the $84 million replace
ment cost of the famous vessel.
The government would have
the power to make up to $9.1 mil
lion, this an outright, non-repay
able grant and the re.st in loans.
This would be the first time that
Great Britain has directly sub
sidized her merchant marine. Aid
to the British merchant shipping
until this time has consisted of
low-cost loans and tax deprecia
tion allowances.
The British transport minister
told parliament that the US pro
vided 58 percent of the construc
tion of the luxury liner the United
States. He also noted that France
subsidizes its merchant fleet,
general public, society's approach
to any hull and machinery de
signs which are not based on ex
perience has been a strict one.
This conservative approach has
led to idle claims that such an at
titude impedes progress, but a re
view of the-great shipbuilding and
marine engineering progress will
show that this is not the case.
When a ship has been built to
the requirements of the Bureau
and regular inspections are made
to insure that she is maintained in
"class," she is carried in the
American Bureau of Shipping
"Record." The "Record" contains
a list of all ships and their status
with the ABS.
'Record' Aids Insurers
. The "Record" also has consid
erable other information which is
used by the insurance companies
who insure the cargo on the ships.
If a ship leaves port in a seaworthy
condition and is lost, the ship
owner does not have to pay for
the cargo lost. The shipper there
fore takes out insurance on his
cargo.
The insurance company cannot
know the condition of every ship.
Since the premium it wants is
based on the risk it takes, it checks
the ship in the "Record." If she
is not "classed" his premium will
be very high. Therefore the ship
owner get double return from his
investment In "classing" the ship.
He is assured that the ship is sea
worthy and safe for crew and cargo
and also that insurance company
will charge a minimum rate on
cargo shipped on his ship.
It must be mentioned that clas
sification requires periodic sur
veys to determliic the condition
of the hull and machinery. In ad
dition to examination during dry-
docking and at times when vessel
is damaged, there are surveys at
stated times to look at the boilers,
load line requirement and so forth.
Every four years there is a major
survey at which time all spaces
on the ship are opened and in
spected throughout, including all
double bottoms, peaks, holds, lock
ers, houses, deep tanks and others.
All machinery is opened for a
check and examination. Any de
fects found are corrected at this
time.
'AH Man' Guards Safety
When you see the "AB man"
on board remember he is here to
make sure your ship is as safe as
it is possible to make her.
No matter how much cargo the
owner built his ship to carry, he
cannot load beyond the Icid line
marks. There may be occasions
when the ship takes on additional
weight after leaving the dock, sucb
as in a heavy sea when the wells
are full. The ABS has this in mind
when designing hull and assigning
the Load Line. Even the Ice which
can form on the houses and rigging
is taken into consideration.
For the uninitiated, we list below
the definition of the letter shown
on the "marks." As stated above,
AB stands for American Bureau.
There are other Societies with
their letter. LR stands for Lloyds,
B. V. Bureau "Veritas, etc.
T F Tropical Fresh Water Allow
ance
F Fresh Water Allowance
T Load Line Tropical Zones
S Summer Load Line
W Winter Load Line
W N A Winter North Atlantic
Load Line
LABOR
'ROUND THR WORLD
ECHOES OF WORLD WAR n were revived in i lawsuit against the
Finnish Seamen's Union by an engineer because crewmembers refus^
to sail with him. The engineer in question had participated in a Ger*
man secret police move to evacuate Nazi agents from Finland as well as
pro-Nazi Finns toward the end of World War II.
The Finnish Seamen's Union has had a long-standing policy of xt-
fusing to sail ships if any Nazi agent or collaborator was on board. Con<
sequently, when the man was hired as engineer of the ore carrier Outo-
kumpu, the crew walked off the ship. The owners then discharged
the engineer so that the crew would take the ship out.
The result was that the engineer has filed suit against the seamen's
union and its president in an effort to compel them to accept him
aboard any ship. The union has pledged to fight the suit and use all
its economic weapons, if necessary. They noted that back in 1047 the
president of the seamen's union, N. Wallari, had been given a four-
month prison sentence in a similar case, but that the seamen's union
had voted a general strike and successfully won revocation of the prison
term.
a-
THE DIFFICULTIES WORKERS IN MANY LATIN AMERICAN
countries face in light of unrestrained inflation are illustrated by figures
issued in Argentina as living cost changes. Since 1953, the cost of jiv
ing has gone up 33 times. Average, wages have risen some 28 times
during the same period in the vain attempt to catch up with prices.
The net effect has been a decline id the standard of living.
Inflation was touched off by an orgy of public spending during the
regime of dictator Peron and has continued since because of the fall in
world prices of agricultural commodities which Argentina exports and
the rise in imports of machinery, equipment and oil.
THE IMPACT OF MEXICAN FARM LABOR on employment and wages
in the southern and western United States is being taken up by the US
Congress. In previous years, as many as a million Mexicans a year
have been coming into the US as contract farm labor, with the specific
approval of the US Congress. The agreements to bring in the la^
borers are negotiated with the Government of Mexico. Now, however,
in light of the protests of US unions and the continuing recession in
the United States, the administration is supporting a bill which would
specifically require US growers to offer Americans decent wages and
conditions. Only if Americans were unavailable at these conditions
could Mexicans be imported on a temporary basis. The Department of
Labor would have considerable authority over the working condi
tions and other terms of employment.
THE "KANGAROO" COURT IS FAST BECOMING a standard fea
ture in many Communist countries. Called "social workers' courts," or
"comrades courts" they are devices for whipping Into line anybody who
doesn't toe the mark. For example, In a typical recent trial in Upper
Silesia, Poland, five workers were sentenced to loss of 25 percent of
their wages for a six-inuiUh perluil on charges of "sabotaging the social
ist construction effort." The charges actually dealt with the fact
that they had objected to a speed-up in which they would compete with
fellow workers to see who could turn out the most production. The
top achievement then becomes the standard for all. After the five were
sentenced, the workers in the plant attacked the "judges" with the
result that ten were arrested by Communist police. The "judges" in
question are hand-picked by the factory management and the Com
munist "unions."
4" 4" 4"
EAST GERMANY IS SUFFERING A LABOR SHORTAGE and it's
not because of industrial prosperity either. Rather it results from the
constant flight of East German workers across the border to West
Germany. In the last ten years, over million people have fled East
Germany and refugees are still crossing the border at better than 200,-
000 annually. Half of the refugees are under 25 years of age, which
means that the Communist half of Germany is being drained of its labor
force. As a result, the East German government is appealing to retired
people and housewives to register for jobs in all branches of the eco
nomy.
511/ Companies Seeking
Reserve Fleet Trade-ins
WASHINGTON—Trans western Associates, an SlU-con-
tracted company, has exchanged its tanker 88 Transwestern
for the former Morrhacport, a C-3, according to the Maritime
Administration. 8 e v e r a
other 8IU-contracted compa
nies have indicated that they
intend to exchange vessels now in
operation for ships in the US Na
tional Defense Reserve Fleet.
Being Converted
The Mormacport is currently
undergoing conversion, but com
pany officials were unable to say
at this time what kind of trade
the new vessel will be engaged
in. The company operates the
Trans India and the Trans Orient
in the grain trade. The two ships
were formerly in the Ore Line
fleet.
Among the SlU-contract«d ship
ping firms seeking to exchange
obsolete vessels for larger ships is
Alcoa Steamship Co., which plans
to swap C-ls for C-2s or C-3s.
Globe Waterways Corp.; Marine
Carriers Corp.; Intercontinental
Transport C., Inc.; Waterman SS
Corp., ' and Oceanic Petroleum
Carriers have indicated a desire
to trade for ships in the Govern
ment Reserve Fieet.
Bull Lines is swapping the Hil
ton and Carolyn, two Libertys, for
two C-4s, the Marine Fox and Ma
rine Panther. The firm also plans
to exchange two other Libertys
for the la'«:r C-4s.
Mar, un SEAFARERS LOG Pace Five
Seafarers Double Award Winners
C'rewmembers of Seatrain Louisiana and company officials
display safety award to vessel for six-month accident-free
record. Seatrain fleet also won sanitation award from Public
Health Service. In photo (I. to r.) are: E. Witzke, DM; Billy
Provost, BR; R.C. Chapdelaine, Seatrain labor relations
director; I. Hansen, company safety director; Smokey
Schreiner, chief cook; Jim Moxey, quartermaster; Billy
Russell, baker.
Farm Export Speed-Up
Will Boost US Shipping
WASHINGTON—A bill authorizing an extra $2 billion in
1961 for the sale of farm surplus products overseas was signed
into law last month, giving the US merchant marine one of
its biggest boosts in manyt
years, and assuring the US
job opportunities for US sea
men.
The legislation provides an ex
tra $180,000 for ocean transporta
tion of the surplus, and a big
chunk of that sum will go for
American-flag shipping, primarily
to bulk carriers, thanks to the
'50-'50 law.
The original authorization for
farm surplus export for 1961 was
$1.5 billion. Most of this moitey
was earmarked for a three-year
agreenient with India.
A large part of the $2 billion
will go to Pakistan under a four
year agreement. Nationalist China
(Taiwan) and Indonesia will also
receive food shipments under the
expanded program.
Tiie 1961 "foor for peace" pro
gram, called for recently by Pres
ident Kennedy, will use about $6()0
million of the new funds. Included
In the "food for peace" plan are
proposed farm products ship
ments to Brazil (under a long-
term agreement); Chile, Israel,
Paraguay, United Arab Republic
and Poland, among other nations.
The current programs are ex
pected to use up the great buik of
the total $3.5 billion appropria-,
tion.
Under the "50-50" law, at least
hqlf of all government-financed
cargoes must sail on American
bottoms. It is estimated that the
American merchant marine will
get at least $100 million more this
year out of the $180 million al
lotted for ocean transportation in
the extra appropriation.
An earlier boost to maritime
came when the International Co
operation Administration ordered
all cargoes to be carried on US
bottoms where the United States
pays the freight. If the aid car
goes are carried by foreign-flag
ships, the receiving country'pays
the freight costs.
The long term farm surplus
agreements such as the current
one with India and the proposed
new ones with Pakistan and Bra
zil, will help relieve shortages cre
ated by poor crop conditions in
those countries.
Bull Lines Changes Owners;
Company Will Upgrade Fleet
NEW YORK—It's sale having been completed to the Kulukundis interests, Bull Lines
is activating plans to improve its fleet through the construction of combination container-
general cargo ships, based on C-4 mollifications.
The company, which will-*'
continue to operate under the
A. H. Bull standard, expects
momentarily to receive permission
from the Federal Maritime Board
to trade some old Libertys for
larger C-4 type vessels.
The Hilton and the Carolyn
have been nominated for ex
change for more modern ships.
The two Libertys will be traded
for the Marine Fox and the Ma
rine Panther, both of which are
C-4s.
Company officials said they in
tend to secure two more C-4s in
exchange for additional Libertys.
Another addition to Bull Lines
service to Puerto Rico is a trailer-
ship operation. The Federal Mari
time Board has approved Bull
Lines' time charter of the recent
ly-built MV Floridian and MV
New Yorker.
The C-4 exchange program is
being conducted under the Gov
ernment sponsored plan to up
grade the US non-subsidized mer
chant fleet. The Marine Fox and
the Marine Panther come from the
US National Defense Reserve
Fleet.
Bull Lines plans to modify the
C-4s to enable them to carry be
tween forty-eight and 178 contain
ers of 35-foot lengths. In addition.
the newer ships will be able to
carry as much break-bulk cargo
as the present C-2s carry when
fully loaded.
Increased employment abroad
Bull Lines ships ^is the prospect
for Seafarers when the expansion
program is in full swing. The Lib
ertys involved in the trade for the
larger vessels are presently used
only sporadically during the su
gar season, and for single voy
ages, while the C-4s and the char
tered trailerships will be used in
reguiar berth operations between
Puerto Rico and the mainland.
Present Bull Line C-2s will be put
on a Mediterra;;iean run.
Sea Unions Back Return
Of Tankers To US Flag
WASHINGTON—Support for a bill which would allow
Standard Oil of California to transfer back runaway-flag
tankers for US-flag domestic service was voiced by spokesmen
for the SIUNA and the-*^
Marine Engineers Beneficial
Association at Senate Com
merce Committee hearings here.
The proposal, which would in
volve as many as six modern US-
built tankers, has been attacked
by the Maritime Administration,
by Standard Oil of New Jersey,
by some of the independent tanker
operators, and by John Collins,
spokesman for company unions in
MEB A, MM&P Plan Drive
Against Runaway Ships
NEW YORK—The National Marine Engineers Beneficial
Association and the International Organization of Masters,
Mates and Pilots have launched a joint drive to obtain union
contracts and conditions for-*'
deck and engine department
officers employed in run
away-flag fleets. In announcing the
drive, spOkesiiieii fur the officers
unions also revealed that they are
activating long-pending proposals
to work toward establishing one
union for all licensed officers.
The primary target of the cam
paign will be some 250 runaway
ships owned by American-flag
operators with whom the officers'
unions have contracts.
It was pointed out that many of
the ships' officers of these run
away vessels are American citizens.
It is a common practice for Ameri
can owners of runaway tonnage to
employ American skippers, chief
mates, chief engineers and 1st
assistants, while recruiting the rest
of their runaway ship crews from
foreign sources.
Heading up the organizing eam=
paign is Captain Thomas F. O'Cal-
laghan of the MM&P, secretary-
treasurer of the mates local union
for the Baltimore-Philadelphia area.
The organizing program was
drafted and approved at a two day
meeting in New York attended by
members of a top-level bi-union
policy corninittee.
The merger proposals stem from
long-standing approval of merger
by the memberships of both unions.
With the two unions now working
jointly on negotiating and organ
izing, the time is appropriate to
work out details for merger.
the major unorganized oil company
fleets.
Strong backing for the measure
came from Morris Weisberger, sec
retary-treasurer of the Sailors
Union of the Pacific and executive
vice-president of the SIUNA. He
pointed out that California Stand
ard has long been under SUP con
tract and that the action would
increase employment for West
Coast seamen. "That is why the
SUP supports this bill and will
support every effort by anybody
to bring more ships under the
American flag."
He added that opponents of the
bill were identified with the oper
ation of runaway ships.
SIUNA President Paul Hall gave
approval to the bill provided that
the vessels were restricted to car
rying the products of California
Standard and other limitations
were placed on their operation.
He too, questioned whether op
ponents of the iheasUfe were genu
inely concerned over an American
merchant marine, noting that com
panies such as Esso had heavy in
vestments in foreign-built runaway
tonnage.
Hall advocated that the partic
ular vessels involved be restricted
to the hauling of their own prod
ucts.
Ed Altman, president of the
MEBA, also attacked critics of the
measure, declaring that "their op
eration of runaway-flag vessels has
contributed greatly to the decline
of the American m e rc h a n t
maiine ..."
!
ba,lX
NEWS
HEADLINES
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face Ss SEAFARERS LOG May. J»n
SEAFARERS
ROTARY SRIPPINO ROARD
(Figures On This Page Cover Deep'Sea Shipping Only In the SW Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District.)
April 1 Through April 30, 1961
After a very strong showing in the month of March, ship
ping in the deep-sea segment of the District fell back again
in April. The April results were contrary to the usual sea
sonal trend. Normally April is the start of the slack period
for tankers, the over-all shipping picture usually improves.
A significant decline in ship calls at US ports appears
to be largely responsible for the shipping drop. Payoffs
were off by nine from last month's 138 total. In all, there
were 21 less ships than last "month's 489 vessel-calls.
Oddly enough class C shipping more than held its o\vn,
despite the slump. A total of 275 clas^C ratings got ship
board jobs, one more than the 274 of March, leaving class
A and B to absorb all of the loss. This is a good sign since
it indicates that cla.ss A and B men are feeling no pres.sure.
Otherwise they would have used their seniority to throw
in for the jobs taken by the "C" men.
The total of jobs shipped In April, 2,240, compares un
favorably with the 2,689 shipboard posts filled in March.
Class A registered-on-the-beach totals stands at 2,219, or
actually less than the jobs shipped during the month, giv
ing class A men a very favorable job opportunity ratio.
In the port-by-port breakdown. New York and Houston
spreadeagled the field, shipping 850 jobs between them,
approximately 38 percent of all the jobs in the District. The
two ports also had the bulk of ship calls, as i? to be ex
pected.
In the new class 1-S category, which is chief stewards
only, all ports registered 52 men and shipped 21. Since this
is the first month that the 1-S system has been in effect
throughout the district, it is too early to tell how the new
registration procedure is working out.
Ship Atfivify
Poy Sign In
Ofh Ont Tront. TOTAL
Beiten 7 3 8 18
New York. .. , 3S U 35 89
Pkiladelpkia .. 4 1 26 31
Rattimero ....14 6 12 32
Norfolk 2 1 19 22
Jocktonvlllo .. 6 0 22 . 28
Miami 1 0 11 12
Mobile . 12 5 14 31
New Orleani..1A U 44 76
Houston 12 4 55 71
Wilmington ... 0 0 10 10
Son Francisco.. 8 6 10 24
Seattle ...... 9 9 6 24
TOTALS 129 67 272 468
DECK DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
Port
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP
Port 1 2 S ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 8 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
Boston 6 9 1 16 0 2 2 4 6 7 0 13 0 0 3 3 1 1 1 3 13 3 3 19 6 12 2 20 0 2 4 6
New York 45 80 21 146 1 15 28 44 36 69 22 127 1 14 14 29 0 2 11 13 127 29 13 169 69 110 32 211 2 10 50 62
Philadelphia 6 11 6 23 0 4 1 5 3 7 1 11 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 11 1 0 12 13 27 11 51 0 8 0 8
Baltimore 16 33 9 58 1 13 22 36 10 28 7 45 1 3 15 19 0 0 1 1 45 19 1 65 36 71 17 124 2 20 38 60
Norfolk 9 8 1 18 0 4 5 9 3 9 4. 16 2 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 16 4 0 20 .4 9 0 13 0 4 4 8
Jacksonville 4 11 0 15 0 3 8 11 2 5 0 7 0 2 3 5 0 2 0 2 7 5 2 14 8 18 1 27 0 . 3 6 9
Miami 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 I 2
Mobile 13 17 7 37 0 7 2 9 6 21 9* 36 2 1 2 5 0 0 2 2 36 5 2 43 21 18 5 44 0 4 3 7
New Orleans 29 59 17 105 3 17 20 40 33 60 14 107 0 6 16 22 0 1 8 9 107 22 9 138 58 94 26 178 8 23 34 65
Houston 37 68 18 123 2 34 19 55 32 67 24 123 1 7 25 33 0 0 0 8 123 33 0 156 29 43 20 92 7 21 23 61
Wilmington 7 13 2 19 0 6 3 9 4 8 2 14 0 8 3 11 1 2 3 6 14 11 6 31 9 15 1 25 0 2 2 4
San Francisco 15 ' 19 3 37 2 14 8 24 16 22 4 42 5 14 12 31 2 4 5 11 42 31 11 84 19 2 3 24 2 4 2 8
Seattl" 15 16 6 1 37 1 12 11 24 12 14 6 32 3 16 12 31 1 16 6 23 32 31 23 86 20 13 4 37 4 8 8 20
TOTALS 199 345 91 1 635 ~10" "131" 130^ 1301163 317 93 1 573 15 71 108 1 194 5 28 37 |~70 573 194 70 |~837 292 433 122 r847 25 110 175 1 310
ENGINE DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
Port
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP Port 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
Boston 2 12 2 16 0 1 2 3 1 3 0 4 2 1 a 6 Q 6 4 16 4 6 10 20 5 15 2 22 T 0 3 "'4
New York 22 62 iz 96 4 41 19 64 21 56 11 88 3 22 15 40 4 7 12 23 88 40 23 151 32 92 16 140 6 41 30 77
Philadelphia 1 17 1 19 0 4 3 71 1 5 2 8 0 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 12 2 34 3 39 0 6 3 9
Baltimore 11 35 4 50 i 0 15 7 22 5 21 5 31 0 18 8 26 ' 0 1 0 1 31 26 1 58 11 57 7 75 2 27 22 51
Norfolk 6 13 1 20 0 1 2 3 2 5 3 10 2 5 7 14 0 2 2 4 10 14 4 28 2 9 2 13 0 4 3 7
Jacksonville 3 7 0 lO. 1 4 3 8 2 4 0 6 0 5 1 6 0 4 1 5 6 6 5 17 3 . 11 1 15 0 3 3 6
Miami 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 1 2
Mobile 6 23 6 35 1 4 4 9 5 22 6 33 2 5 7 14 0 1 4 6 33 14 5 52 7 26 5 38 0 4 3 7
New Orleans 13 67 8 88! ! 5 26 12 43 11 41 7 59 1 22 15 38 1 10 11 22 59 38 22 119 34 93 15 142 3 22 20 45
Houston 26 62 8 96 3 33 17 S3 22 77 9 108 0 16 15 31 0 0 2 i 108 31 2 141 37 41 13 91 9 21 7 37
Wilmington 1 9 3 13 1 3 4 8 0 7 0 7 4 8 3 15 2 4 5 11 7. 15 11 33 2 13 3 18 1 2 4 7
San Francisco 3 17 0 20 1 11 8 20 4 24 2 30 1 12 9 22 1 2 1 4 30 22 4 56 5 22 0 27 0 3 3 <
Seattle 1 26 4 SI 2 12 7 21 3 35 6 44 1 9 6 16 1 6 4 ix 44 16 11 71 2 12 2 16 2 9 6 17
TOTALS "95~ ~350~ 49 1 4941 18 ~15S ' 89 1 1 262 77 300 51 428 16 124 92 1 232 9 43 76 1 98 428 232 98 1 7581142 427 69 1 638 28 143 108 1 275
STEWARD DEPARTMENT
Registered Registered I Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
|B|i CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
HH
Port
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP 1 CLASS GROUP 1 GROUP
Port 1-9 1 2 3 ALL 1 1 2 3 ALL 1-S 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1-fl 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
Bos 1 1 1 3 6 0 1 4 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 4 2" o' 11 13 1 4 13 18 0 1 1 4 6 1 0 2 3
N.Y .... 12 22 11 60 105 2 4 26 32 5 13 4 48 70 2 3 19 24 1 0 24 25 70 24 25 119 29 59 21 87 196 4 7 43 54
Phil 3 3 1 4 11 0 0 .8 8 1 4 0 2 1 7 0 0 7 7 0 0 0 9 7 7 0 14 6 5 7 8 26 0 0 12 12
Bal 8 8 7 17 40 1 2 11 14 3 10 6 16 35 1 1 7 9 0 2 2 2 35 9 2 46 12 20 12 33 77 2 3 29 34
Nor 6 2 0 4 12 1 2 2 5 0 1 0 3 4 1 0 8 9 0 0 3 3 4 9 3 16 0 3 2 3 8 1 1 3 5
1 Sfk Jac 2 6 1 2 11 ! 1 1 5 7 2 2 1 4 9 1 0 4 5 2 0 7 9 9 5 9 23 3 6 2 2 13 1 1 3 5 mm Mia 1 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 2 0 2 6 0 0 0 0
Mob 3 7 4 20 34j 0 0 14 14 0 4 3 21 28 0 1 18 19 0 0 6 6 28 19 6 53 fo 18 7 32 67 0 0 10 10
^^9 No 4 15 13 69 lOl' 2 1 37 40 2 17 7 40 66 2 0 30 32 0 d 14 14 66 32 14 112 14 38 25 108 185 3 1 52 56
Hou 5 22 11 38 76 2 5 33 40 1 16 14 39 70 0 0 42 42 0 0 2 2 70 42 2 114 13 17 21 20 71 9 11 19 39
Wil 2 0 3 4 9 1 0 4 5 1 2 2 2 7 0 0 3 3 0 0 7 7 7 3 '7 17 4 4 3 6 17 2 0 2 4 u, m S.F 2 3 7 10 22 0 3 10 13 1 6 7 15 29 0 1 11 12 0 0, 12 121 29 12 12 53 3 15 4 13 35 1 1 6 8
Sea 3 9 5 10 27 1 3 15 i9 4 9 6 9 28 6 2 8 16 0 2 12 14* 28 16 14 58 1 6 6 4 11 27 0 4 15 . 19
TOTALS "52~ "99" 64 242~ I'457 11 22 169 1 202 2r~ "84 ~ ~50" 2or 1 356 1 13 9 160"| ri82 5 2 100 1 107 356 ~1S2 107 1 645 102 194 109 "^9~! PlM 24 29 196"! 249
SUMMARY
Registered Registered Shipped Shipped Shipped TOTAL Registered On The Beach
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C SHIPPED CLASS A CLASS B
GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP GROUP CLASS GROUP GROUP
1 2 3 ALL 123 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL A B C ALL 1 2 3 ALL 1 2 3 ALL
DECK 199 345 91 1 635 10 31 131 1 271 163 317 93 1 573 15 71 108 1 194 5 28 37 70 573 194 70 1 837 292 433 122 I 847 25 .110 175 1 310
ENGINE 95 350 49 i 494 18 155 89 1 262 77 300 51 1 428 16 124 92 1 232 9 43 46 98 428 232 98 | 758 142 427 69 1 638 24 143 108 1 275
*STEWARD 151 64 242 1 457 11 22 169 1 202 105 50 201 1 35$ 13 9 160 1 j 182 5 2 100 107 356 182 107 1 645 296 109 329 1 734 24 29 196 1 249
GRAND TOTALS 445 759 382 |1586 39 208 388 1 735 345 667 345 11357 44 204 360 1 1 608 19 73 183 275 1357 608 275 |224U 730 969 520 12219 73 282 479 1 834
• Tl^e total?, are topluded in the grand total of group 1, steward. For A breakdown on. 1-s shipping, see steward department section of the report. ^
Hint, IMl SEAFARERS LOG fag* ScTes
Jos Alrlni, Safety Director
More aloint Safety Action Seen
More shippinr companies seem to be coming around to the idea
that they're never going to get any real results from their safety
programs by shutting out the workers involved. It's no secret that
tnanagement has traditionally regarded the safety field as its own
"private ballpark", as an area where the union and the working peo
ple directly affected should have the smallest role possible.
At last month's regional conference of the National Safety Council's
Marine Section, here in New York, several shipping industry speakers
finally admitted that more of the crews—more unlicensed men—have
to be brought into the operation of their company safety set-ups in
order to make these programs work. It just can't be done any other
way. If the men aren't taken into account, the program can only work
around them and won't hit home.
This is why when the SIU Joint Safety Program was first set up,
and since then, it's operated on one basis all along: It can operate
with some degree of success only where there's proper teamwork and
cooperation between the companies, the Union and the men on the
•hips.
One other idea that still crops up at these meetings is the notion
that a screening system for seamen patterned after the Coast Guard's
•1954 "profiling" scheme can somehow eliminate all the accident and
even health problems abroad ship. The rejected "profiling" propoi^al
was based on a vague collection of physlcal-mental-moral require
ments designed to keep everybody but a "superman" group out of
the Industry. Those behind it figured "Superman" wouldn't trip on
a ladder or on the deck like any ordinary human being and this would
•olve everything.
Maritime unions and a large part of the Industry rallied to beat
down this schema but it comes up now and then again. A new version
has been offered by Rep. Miller of California in a biil submitted to
Congress recently. The California label is important because the West
Coast affiliates of the SIU are right now trying, together with the
companies, to start up a medical clinic operation as a part of a joint
health and safety program. (See story on Page 2—Ed.)
* * y
Makeshift "benches", fruit crates, overturned buckets and the like
•eem to be the favorite equipment for doing painting or other work
on overheads. Railings are also used for support, and with the same
result. The men who use this kind of gear generally wind up with
an accident most of the time because the ship takes a roll or a rickety
crate collapses. There are several good designs used aboard ship for
a 24" to 36" one or two-sjep ladder that has a wide surface for isafety
and stability. Some are commercial items and others can be made by
any carpenter from available lumber on the ship. AVOID USING
MAKESHIFTS!
* » •
According to some recent testimony before a House Merchant Ma
rine subcommittee, another cutback in the already-reduced firefight-
Ing force at the Panama Canal Zone is going to make it mighty tough
to handle shin or dock fires in the Canal area, especially with certain
kinds of cargo. The latest cut from 13Vi to 10 fire stations means that
the Canal's firefighting force is about 70 percent smaller than a few
years ago.
Since this force covers military as well as civilian installations along
the whole length of the Canal, it ought to cause some concern. It's
been said. In fact, that since the Canal government has no legal man
date to supply fire protection for shipping, a ship might simply be
ordered out to sea to be sunk in case of a lire.
{Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
he submitted to this column care of the SEAFARERS LOG.)
Port Council Hits Power Grab
By Vfaterfronf Commission
TRENTON—Organized labor in the New York-New Jersey area Is conducting an all-
out fight against efforts by the bi-state Waterfront Commission to expand its power over
SIU Safety Honors For Semmes
Crewmembers of the Raphael .Semmes (Sea-Land) display
SIU award for six-month accident-free record after presen
tation by SIU Safety Joe Algina (left) at Port Newark.
The Semmes Is one of almost 50 SIU ships to receive an
•ward during the past year. Crewmen pictured (I. to r.),
•re Seafarers Ai Silva, bosun, and Bill Yarn, steward; chief
mate F. Worthy and J. Cook, AB.
harbor workers.
The scene of the legislative
battle shifted to the New
Jersey State Assembly late
last month after New York's Gov
ernor Nelson Rockefeller signed
into law amendments which would
increase the jurisdiction of the
Waterfront CommLssion if carried
in New Jersey.
The bills pertaining to the com
mission must be approved by the
legislatures of both New York
and New Jersey.
The New Jersey Assembly held
a day-long hearing on the amend
ments April 28. Representatives
of the Maritime Port Council of
Greater New York and Vicinity,
of the Maritime Trades Depart
ment, AFL-C?10, warned the as
semblymen that the Waterfront
Commission bill could set up a
"super-state" under the guise of
protecting longshoremen from
criminal influence. AFL-CIO Pres
ident George Meany had previous
ly informed the governors and
legislature of both New York and
New Jersey of his opposition to the
measures.
No action by the New Jersey
Legislature is expected until June,
A week prior to the New Jer
sey hearing, the Port Council met
in New York and reiterated its de
termination to fight the proposals
Anthony Scotto, of the ILA, Port
Council president, pointed out that
AFL-ClO state bodies in both New
York and New Jersey were op
posed to the extension of Water
front Commission powers.
The Port Council consists of 27
international unions representing
more than 150,000 waterfront
workers in the Port of New York
area.
The pending legislation would
permit the Waleilronl Uumniission
to register workers In categories
of work not presently included In
its powers. It would also make it
a misdemeanor, punishable by fine
or prison, for anyone to attempt to
"interfere" with registered dock
workers in the performance of
their duties.
This last provision would give
the commission sweeping author
ity to Intei'fere In the legitimate
strike and picketline activity of
any one or more of the unions
whose members work in the har
bor.
The commission also is seeking
to bar men and women with police
Food Plan
Wins Reefer
Box Repairs
HOUSTON—The SIU Food and
Ship Sanitation Department swung
into action here recently when the
SS Penn Mariner (Penntrans)
came into port with several beefs
on food spoilage.
The Food Plan learned that a
considerable amount of fiuits,
vegetables and other perishable
foods were lost during some re
cent voyages because of faulty in
sulation in refrigeration compart
ments.
The Union then notified the
c^pany that repairs would have
to be made on the reefeV boxes.
The company started work on the
most serious repair jobs immedi
ately, and a general overhaul and
renewal of the refrigerators was
scheduled.
records from ever holding jobs
with waterfront unions or their
welfare or vacation plans. Scotto
noted that this goes far beyond
the Landrum-Griffin bill which has
a provision barring persons from
holding Union office if they have
a felony conviction within the past
five years.
SIU president Paul Hall told
the Assemblymen in Trenton that
the Commission grossly misrepre
sented facts at the hearing. Vin
cent J. Murphy, New Jersey State
Federation of Labor president
noted that the Commission "is
seeking to expand its activities to
areas never before controlled
by it."
Scotto pointed out that at the
MTD meeting before the hearing
that the Commission has spent
$15,000,000, contributed by water
front employers, in the past seven
years, but still claims that crime
is widespread in the harbor and ia
seeking more money.
Out of the commission's annual
$2 million budget, some $1.5 mil
lions are spent on salaries, includ
ing $17,500 a year for each of th«
waterfront commissioners.
Bill Johnson of the Dock Build
ers Union; Steve Leslie of Local 23
of the International Union of Op
erating Engineers, and Capt. Wil
liam Bradley, ILA president, urged
port council members at the pre
hearing meeting to oppose the bill.
John O'Rourke, president of Joint
Council 16 of the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, strong
ly supported the port council stand
against the legislation.
Bioomfleid 100 Percenters
After Lucile Bloomfield won 100 percent rating in PHS sani
tation inspection fourth year running, award was displayed |
by (I. to r.), Wilbur Purdy, chief cook, Ben M. Bloomfield, i
company president and Horry Huston, chief steward.
The United Rubber Workers and
the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.
have agreed to a new contract cov
ering 18,000 workers in eight
plants, calling for a wage increase
of 7.5 to 14.5 cents an hour de
pending on job classification and
plant, an added holiday and im
proved supplement unemployment
benefits. The SUB improvements
extend benefits 39 weeks in keep
ing with new Federal legislation,
increase by $5 the maximum SUB
payment and permit seniority em
ployees on layoff more than two
years to take separation pay in a
lump sum instead of continuing on
layoff status with seniority rights.
Women's coat and suit manufac
turers in New York have agreed
to a two-year contract extension
covering 45,000 members of the In
ternational Ladies Garment Work
ers Union in the metropolitan area.
The package provides wage in
creases averaging 14 cents an hour
and increases in payments into re
tirement and health and welfare
funds.
* * *
Members of the International As
sociation of Machinists have been
cautioned not to "moonlight" —
work at two jobs—by union offi
cials who pointed out that the prac
tice has become a serious threat
to working conditions and is con
tributing to unemployment. Offi
cials said it was ironic that labor's
achievement of a 40-hour week has
enabled some workers to take ex
tra jobs at the expense of other
workers. Many of them "earn a
fair week's pay, at union scale on
their regular jobs," 1AM officials
said.
Check Links
Of Attorneys
Members of the Union, in
cluding Seafarers in the hospi
tals, come into contact with
lawyers or their representatives
from time to Jime. To protect
the interests of this Union and
the membership. Seafarers
should check out any statement
made to them by a lawyer that
he is the attorney for the Un
ion or represents the Union in
any capacity. Such statements
should be immediately checked
with the port agent or the local
welfare representative.
Vi^"'.e '.•'is-' -- '• •
rage Bchl SEAFARERS LOS lUy. INl
SIX7 INZ.A
' ^-.:r .>./:.
/
Lakes IBU
Signs Three
New Firms
DETROIT — The newly-formed
Great Lakes Tug and Dredge Work
ers Region of the SIU's Inland
Boatmen's Union opened its organ
izational drive in the Lakes area by
signing three operators to first-
time contracts, reports Lakes Re
gional Director Robert Jones.
The three new contracted firms
are Thornton Construction, Han
cock, Mich., Bueschliner and
Smith, of Mt. Clemens, Mich., and
Hydro Dredging Co., Port Clinton,
Ohio. The new pacts were signed
late last month.
The Great Lakes Region of the
IBU was established last month
through merge, of the Dredge
Workers Union and the Tug Work
ers Union, both of them SlU-affili-
ated. Members of the two unions
voted by overwhelming m.irgins for
the establishment of the Great
Lakes Region and for affiliation
with the IBU.
The merger had been recom
mended by the officers of the two
unions as providing added strength
and organizing resources. Conse
quently, the success in organizing
the three new companies is the
first dividend resulting from the
recent merger.
Jones said that the Great Lakes
IBU Region is working on an all-
out drive to organize all dredge
and tug operations and allied ma
rine workers as well. At present,
the Union has the names of eight
unorganized companies which are
targets for organizing efforts. In
addition, all members in all Lakes
ports have been asked to report
the names of any companies in
their area which have no union
contracts.
Gatco TQ Be IBU-Contracted
The three brothers (insets) above are Gatco tugboatmen
out of Wilmington, NC. One of Gatco's tugs, the Alabama,
Is also show^. Tugmen of the firm voted 84-14 for SlU-IBU
representation.
Members Elect Delegates
To 1st IBU Convention
NEW YORK—Voting by the membership within the Inland
Boatmen's Union for delegates to the IBU's convention at
headquarters this month ended last week and rank-and-file-
elected committees were tal--*^
lying the ballots at press time.
The results will be sent to
elected candidates and all ports
as soon as the tally is completed.
The IBU has been alloted 10
IBU Man's Pets
Tom Grimes, IBU shopman
with Custis Bay, Philly, feeds
cats at pierside.
Panelist Proposes RR's
Adopt SIU Welfare Plan
NEW YORK—A finding that members of the SIU's Railway
Marine Region should be covered by the Seafarers Welfare
Plan has been issued by the impartial chairman of the three
man panel selected to dealt^
with pending welfare issues railway marine workers were
in the railway marine con
tract.
Dr. Donald Shaughnessy, in re
porting on the results of discus
sions on welfare Issues of railway
harbor workers, declared that the
best solution of the issue was that
the employers involved should be
come signatories to the Seafarers
Plan.
The finding was another impor
tant step forward in the fight of
the RMR for proper welfare pro
tection for railway marine work
ers. Shaughnessy similarly found
that mates and engineers should be
covered by the deep-sea plans of
their respective unions.
Need Central Plan
In his findings, Dr. Shaughnessy
pointed out that it was not feasible
to set up a separate plan for the
railway workers group which could
adequately meet their needs.
He noted that the group of some
660 men was too small for effi
cient, low-cost administration and
funds would not be adequate to
provide them with effective cov
erage.
Further, Shaughnessy noted, the
The activities of the various
inland boatmen, railroad marine
tugs, deep sea tugs arid harbor
craft under the SIU banner are
dealt with here. The SIU fam
ily includes various groups of
boatmen throughout the nation
—on the Atlantic and Gulf
Coasts, on the Mississippi and
Ohio Rivers, the Great Lakes
and in Pacific Coast ports.
These craft operate in support
of deep sea shipping and sup
plement such shipping in eon-
fined waters. Their activities
concern all seafaring trades.
anxious for coverage by the plans
of the unions involved and were
willing to have pending wage IHT
creases earmarked for welfare pur
poses.
"These two factors must, in the
opinion of the impartial chairman^
be given consideration of the high
est priority. For the reasons given,
it was not found possible to extend
them the coverage they wanted . . .
unless their employers become sig
natories to the union's plans . . ."
Shaughnessy also ruled out the
charging of any administrative fees
by the companies for administer
ing welfare benefits.
Very Limited Coverage
Up until now, the railway ma
rine workers have had minimal
insurance coverage, with no pro
tection for themselves or their
families in such areas as hospital,
surgical, disability and maternity
benefits, other than the hospital
treatment they were entitled to
from the Public Health Service.
Dr. Shaughnessy had been
named as impartial member of the
panel under the terms of the har
bor strike settlement in January.
He was selected by Secretary of
Labor Arthur Goldberg, Governor
Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor
Robert F. Wagner of New York
City. The three officials had par
ticipated in the meetings which
led to the settlement of the harbor
strike, with the settlement specify
ing the appointment of a group to
work out the welfare issues.
It is expected that the railroads
will contest the Shaughnessy find
ing in an attempt to delay the
application of SIU Welfare Plan
coverage to the railroad tugmen.
Meetings between the railroads
and the SIU Railroad Marine Re
gion are being continued in an ef
fort to gain union welfare cover
age for tugmen. , . . .
delegates while the Railway Ma
rine Region and the newly-affil
iated Great Lakes Tug and Dredge
Region will send three delegates
eac?h, in addition to the executive
board and the Regional director
from each Region, in accordance
with the IBU constitution.
Names of Nominees
A total of eleven IBU members'
names were placed on ballots
mailed to Inlandboatmen in all
ports for the secret mail referen
dum. Five RMR members' names
appear on the ballot to be voted by
that Union's members and six men
from the Great Lakes Tug and
Dredge Region (GLT&DR) are vy
ing for the three delegate posts
alloted to each of the Regions.
The IBU members whose names
appeared on the ballot, were: Dan
iel Behrens, John Blanchfleld, E. A.
DuBose, Martin Gould, Raymond
Herold, Frank McHale, Robert
Matthews, William E. Peterson, Al
bert C. Repsch, Joseph Trainor
and Steven Zubovich.
The five delegate-nominees from
the RMR were Howard F. Brower,
Waiter A. Mielnicki, C." T. Murreil,
John G. Provitera and Edward B.
Pulver.
The six IBU convention nominees
from the Great Lakes Region are:
Max Tobin, Harold F. Yon, Robert
Affleck, Donald Gallagher, "Patrick
J. Finnerty and Joseph Miller.
Ballot By Mail
Each member in the IBU and
its two regions was sent a ballot
which went to his last known ad
dress. A covering letter of instruc
tion accompanied each ballot which
informed the member of the voting
period and the proper Post Office
box to which the ballot should he
sent.
The tallying committees were
voted in by the rank and file of
the IBU, the RMR and the GLT-
&DR during special meetings
earlier this month. Yhe ballots were
collected for the IBU and each
Region by the committeemen with
the secretary-treasurers.
The IBU convention is expected
to place considerable emphasis on
continuing organizing, particularly
in such areas as the rivers, where
there is a large group of underpaid
and unorganized boatmen operating
tugs and barges on the inland wa
terways.
The convention will be held
May 22 at SIU headquarters, 675
Fourth' Ave., Brooklyn 32, NY.
Receives Sizable IBU Benefit
Ben Cundiff (left), deckfiand on ferry Jersey Shore, receives
benefit check for $1,334.20 from IBU's Joe Trainor, at Philly.
Money covered hospital expenses for Cundiff's wife.
IBU Crew To Man
New Tank Barges
BOSTON—A newly IBU-contracted concern, National Ma
rine Service, Inc., will place the first of five newly-designed
twin-container tank barges in service next month, accord
ing to an announcement by
the company.
The barges, which will he
operated on the Mississippi River
and other inland waterways, have
two container sections—an inner
one with three compartments and
an outer section with six compart
ments. Such an arrangement will
permit the use of one of the sec
tions on an outgoing trip while the
other one can he utilized on a re
turn trip, thereby doing away with
the necessity of cleaning the vessel
before taking return-trip cargo.
May, Iftl SEAFARERS LOG pare NIB*
IBU-Contracted Ferry Co.
Is Largest In The World
SEATTLE—The IBU of the Pacific-contracted Washingtoh
State Ferry System has added another vessel to its growing
fleet of 21 ferries which employ some 750 Inland Boatmen on
this coast.
Washington State Ferries,
which has the largest ferry
fleet in the world, operates on nine
different routes. Last year, the sys
tem carried 9,000,000 passengers
and nearly 3,000,000 vehicles.
With its numerous Islands and
deep indentations, Puget Sound's
geography is such that the only
way to get around effectively from
one town to another is by ferry.
Consequently, the sound is criss
crossed by ferry routes manned by
"ISIUNA boatmen.
Most Modern Ferry
The latest addition to the fleet,
the MS Tillikum, is the most mod
ern vessel in Washington's ferry
system. Several changes incorpor-,
.ated into the Tillikum which were
not included in her prototypes in
clude the extension of the passen
ger deck at each end to allow a
seating capacity for an additional
200 persons; .the heightening of
the truck clearance to 14 feet, and
the shifting of engine locations to
improve accessibility and allow
larger working space at electrical
controls.
As for crew accommodations,
• they are reported to be designed
for comfort, with ample heat and
light. A stainless steel galley also
is provided. The Pacific IBU-
manned Tillikum makes the Seat-
tle-Winslow- (Bainbridge Island)
run on Puget Sound, daily. ITie
vessel is 310-feet in length and op
erates at a speed of 15 knots.
McAllister Men
On deck of Charles D. Mc
Allister (McAllister Bros.) at
Norfolk are Richard Cheat
ham, mate and Calvin Sykes,
deckhand. Tugboatmen of
McAllister's operations in
Virginia-Carolina area re
cently voted for SlU-IBU.
At Curtis Bay
Crewmen of tug Petrel (Cur
tis Bay) pose for photog on
deck, at Norfolk. From left:
Floyd Hudgins, H. E. Mathews
and Cecil Gwynn.
April IBU Work
Modest In Mobile
MOBILE—That old saw about
the ill wind is proving itself for
IBU members here. Most of the
work the tugs have been getting
in this port involves hauling ships
off flats where they have grounded,
or cutting Libertys out of the re
serve fleet to be taken off to the
scrap yards in Florida.
Other Operations Slack
Other operations in the port
have been on the slack side, Port
Agent Louis Neira reports. The
tugmen hele are awaiting for
dredging and berthing operations
to get back to normal, which
should be very soon.
April IBU Benefits
Reported At $7,972
NEW ORLEANS—Gulf and East Coast SIU Inland Boatmen
received $7,972.8'9 in welfare benefits during the month of
April, according to the IBU Welfare Plan.
The highest benefit check—
amounting to an even $500-
went to Alfred E. Gould, Sr.,
of Crescent Towing Co. This pay
ment covered a dependent's hospi
tal and medical expenses.
, Other disbursements for
amounts over $200 went to the fol
lowing IBU members:
Lansdale Madere of Coyle Lines,
$395, for personal hospital ex
penses: Harold Hultman, Berg
Towing Co., $328.55 for depen
dent's hospital and medical ex
penses Clyde L. Jamison, Bay Tow
ing Co., $295 for dependent's hos
pital and medical expenses, and
Willie Rushing, Bay Towing,
$232.75 for dependent's hospital
and surgery expenses.
The IBU Welfare Plan provides
a wide variety of benefits for boat
men and their dependents similar
to those provided by the deep-sea
Seafarers Welfare Plan.
W»BHcHAimsAm^on
ijOGMAlLMSlJSr
INClWeBoSfAU
ZONf NUMBER
TOGpegp
PEUV^
IBU In Ellis
Pact Talks
HOUSTON—The Inland Boat
men's Union began negotiations
with Ellis Towing and Transpor
tation Co. here last month, reports
Bob Matthews, Houston agent.
From all indications, the pact
should be signed shortly, he added.
Ellis towboatmen voted for SIU
representation several weeks ago
in an NLRB election in this port.
The final tally showed the SIU
won by a vote of 15-12. Ellis em
ploys about 30 persons and its
boats operate from Lake Charles
to Brownsville, mainly handling
barges in- the Galveston ^irea and
on the intracoastal canal. The elec
tion victory at Ellis was one of a
series of IBU successes in the Gulf
area.
The most recent IBU pact
signed in this port was with Na
tional Marine Service, an operator
employing about 100 tugmen on
eight boats.
Matthews also reported that tha
IBU had affiliated with the Harris
County AFL-CIO and that a total
of twelve delegates from the SIU
had attended the meeting last
month, as accredited members.
IBU Men of Pusher Tug Christina
The Tug Christina (Taylor & Anderson) is not only unique in appearance but it's also the
only pusher type tug in the port of Philadelphia. The Christina is manned by six crew-
members, of whom five are IBU men. The tug's main function is the transporting of sand
scows, oil and coal bargeS within a 30-mile radius of Philadelphia, mostly in the Delaware
River. The boat is powered by two engines of 9p0-horsepower each, and has twin screws.
The tug, as shown above, was moving away from dockside to re|>ort elsewhere for an after
noon's work. Other photos at right depict what was going on Inside the vessel.
At top left: Christina's cook, Frank Smagalla, poses for
picture. Top right: Mate Pete Schaefer lights smoke in his
room. Above, Capt. Burvii Owens checks engine control
system of Christina.
. . .1-
Lakes Navigation Bili OK
Seen By Sen. McNamara
WASHINGTON—Senator Patrick McNamara, (Dem.-
Michigan) predicting passage of the Great Lakes Compact
bill which he had introduced in this session of Congress with
12 other Great Lakes senators,^
said "Federal agencies have tion of public works, McNamara
no objection to the bill in its said.
present form, and I see no reason The compact wiil also assist in
•why it should not become law." maintaining a proper balance
He pointed out that "proposals
that the Great Lakes states join
in an interstate compact to assist
In the solution of problems relalfng
to the water resources of the Great
Lakes have been advanced for
more than a decade.
Mutual Advantage
"My state of of Michigan,"
McNamara said, "in community
with her sister states of the Great
Lakes Basin, beiieves that these
states can operate to their mutual
advantage under a Great Lakes
Basin."
Five states, Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Minnesota, and Wiscon
sin ratified the compact during
legislative sessions in 1955. Penn
sylvania gave its approval in 1956
and New York approved the com
pact in 1960.
' The compact which became effec
tive on July 1, 1955, upon ratifica
tion by four states has, for its
primary purpose, the orderly use.
development, and conservation of
the water resouces of the Great
Lakes Basin, and would insure
that all Great Lakes states derive
the maximum benefit from utiliza-
among industrial, commercial, agri
cultural, water supply, residential,
recreational and other uses of the
water resources of the area, the
senators added.
McNamara pointed out that his
bill is identical with S548 which
he introduced in the last session
but which died in the legislative
logjam in the House.
"Those of use who have worked
on this bill think it is a good one.
The Great Lakes Basin Compact
is of vital concern to all our
Great Lakes states and we hope
this enacting legislation will re
ceive Congressional approval in the
near future."
While the states involved in the
compact have approved the meas
ure, Federal approval by Congress
is required by the Constitution be
fore the agreement can go into
effect and the states can devise
laws under its provisions.
A key area for compact action
is the stopping of garbage and raw
waste dumpage into the Lak^s
from ships which is creating a
health hazard to Lakeside commu
nities.
High And Dry
The Flow W, SlU-contracted tug, went into drydock last
month at the American Shipyard in Toledo for repairs on a
bent wheel. The vessel has a gross weight of 65 tons and
draws 10 feet.
Lakes Port Reports
Alpena Jobs Filled
ALPENA—When the Steamer
E. M. Ford and Wyandotte fit out
most of the SIU members in this
area will be working, the port
agent reports. Arnold Transit is
now operating two of their eight
motor vessels. Two others will go
into service on May 25 and one on
June 1.
4. t t .
Toledo Council Action
TOLEDO—The port council has
been gaining momentum with the
Seafarer Recalls Vfartime Duty;
ShipTorpedoed From Under Him
One thing about sailing on the Great Lakes ... you don't have to worry too much about
having your ship sunk from under you by a torpedo.
SIU member John C. Robinson, 54, is an AB, who has been sailing on both the Great
Lakes and salt water since-•
1922.
During World War II he re
calls sailing on an American Export
Lines vessel going from India to
the United States by way of the
Cape of Good Hope. The ship was
traveling through the Mozambique
Channel, between Madagascar and
the southeast coast of Africa. John
was asleep in his bunk when the
ship gave a sudden, violent lurch,
tumbling him to the deck.
He just had time to rush out on
deck. "The next thing 1 knew 1
was thrashing around in the wa
ter and watching the ship go un
der."
11 Men Killed
Eleven men lost their lives to
that torpedo. John first thought
that it was fired by a submarine
but later learned from British in
telligence that the attacker was a
Japanese raider operating in the
area.
John managed to get aboard an
abandoned lifeboat and later he
found a drifting raft to which he
transferred. He was alone from the
date of the sinking in late June
until he was rescued by a Dutch
ship 11 days later.
During that time he recalls be
ing without water or provisions
while on the lifeboat for a period
of five days.
He figures that it was July 4
when he 'found the raft drifting in
the open sea. He climbed aboard
and found chocolate, canned rations
and best of all, a 10-gallon keg of
water. He struggled to get the keg
open without losing the precious
drink. "1 never really knew how
good water tasted," John said, "un
til then."
He managed to conserve the food
and water for the next six days
until the Dutch ship picked him
up and took him to Durban, in the
Union of South Africa.
Missing, Presumed Lost
There he learned about the Ja
panese ship and also that the Gov
ernment had already notified his
mother that he was missing and
presumed lost.
He recalls that the first his fam
ily knew that he
was alive and safe
was a report in
the press that he
had been picked
up and was in
South Africa. It
took 18 days
aboard a fast
troop ship and
_ John was back
Robinson home with h i s
famiiy.
It's 'much safer on the Great
Lakes.
But John never lost his love for
salt water sailing. Even now he
sails the oceans during the winter.
This year he worked aboard a ship
that went to Venezuela from Phil
adelphia. Later he served on one
making runs between New Orleans
and Puerto Rico.
But he really likes the Lakes.
"Of course, when 1 was younger,"
he said, "it was a real adventure to
travel to the foreign ports. 1 really
liked Bordeaux in France . . . prac
tically all the European ports are
good. But the ones in the Far and
Middle East ... 1 didn't care too
much for. There's too much poverty
and misery. It wasn't a pleasure to
go ashore there."
'Lakes Best For Me'
"But now," he says, "the Lakes
are the best for me. 1 like working
here and 1 still get a kick out of
steering the ships. It's much bet
ter up here. 1 think the work is
easier . . . and when you get to be
my age you really appreciate that."
John has sailed on SIU ships
since becoming a member more
than eight years ago. Last season
he was on the Ball Brothers and
laid up the Aquarama.
"Things have really improved
since the SIU came and gave the
Lakes sailor better security and
safer working conditions. It's been
a good life," he said, thinking back
over his 39 years as a sailor. "All
except the eleven days floating on
the ocean back in 1942," he added.
beginning of the season and is
prepared for the big beef with the
runaway-flag vessels. The ILA is
reported to be' disappointed but
not surprised to learn that the
United Mine Workers District 50
settled for a sub-standard contract
at the Toledo Overseas Terminal.
4" 4»
Cleveland New Hall
CLEVELAND — The SIU has
been busy setting up operations at
the new location at 15614 Detroit
Avenue, Lakewood. The facilities
at the new hall will be more
spacious and for the enjoyment of
the membership, a pool table will
be added.
4* 4* " 4*
Duluth Runway Flagged
DULUTH—SIU representative
Pete Drewes reports that the first
saltwater ship to arrive in Duluth
for the 1961 season, jthe Point
Lacre, a Liberian-flag vessel, ar
rived with a great deal of fanfare.
A reception committee made up of
local politicians met her at the
dock, and the captain received a
plaque and the key of the city.
Five minutes after the ceremony
was over a United States marshall
boarded the ship and placed a lien
on her for some $3 million.
3^ 4» 4"
Buffalo Quiet
BUFFALO — Shipping thus far
has been rather slow with the fol
lowing ships fitted out; Niagara
Mohawk, B. W. Druckenmiller,
Geo. Steinbrenner, Carmi Thomp
son, Scobell and the La Liberte.
In the process of fitting out are
the Jas. E. Davidson, Wayne Han
cock, and the Phillip Minch.
4' 4 4'
Chicago Moving
CHICAGO—Registration in this
port is heavy but moving fairly
well. All Gartland boats have fitted
out and are running with a few
job replacements in the fleet.
4" 4" 4"
Frankfort Active
FRANKFORT—Port agent Han-
mer reports that the Ann Ai-bor
Railroad Company is stiil running
the four-boat operation. "The Ann
Arbor No. 7 is now in the ship
yard and the Wabash is still one
five and two.
Twin Cities
GrainExport
Wiii Rise
DULUTH—Operators of grain
elevators in Duluth-Superior are
confidently predicting that total
exports of grain shipped from the
twin cities will be five to ten per
cent higher than in 1960.
The ports shipped 92,924,000
bushels last year, a seven percent
increase over 1959. Grain men ex
pect May to show a heavy amount
of traffic in the export trade.
Deepened harbor and channel
depths and more adequate trans
fer facilities are "also expected to
aid in increasing the amount of
grain shipped from all Great Lakes
ports.
The optimistic view of the eleva
tor operators will probably have
little -meaning for Lakes seamen.
The majority of the grain will be
loaded on ocean-going vessels for
direct shipment to overseas des
tinations.
Seaway Aids Foreign Flags
Before the opening of the Sea
way export grain was carried on
Lakes vessels to eastern Lake Erie
or Lake Ontario ports and from
there trans-shipped to ocean ports
for overseas shipment. Then US
vessels carried 30 percent of the
grain and Canadian ships 70 per
cent.
Today export grain is loaded at
the lakehead directly onto ocean
vessels and Lakes shipping has, for
the most part, lost this valuable
trade. Last year US ve.ssel.s car
ried merely 16 percent of the
grain trade, Canadian ships' share
dropped to 56 percent and over
seas ships carried 24 percent of the
total.
Although President Kennedy has
issued an order making it manda
tory that 50 percent of grain
purchased by the US as part of its
foreign aid program be shipped on
American vessels, it is unlikely
that this will greatly increase the
activity of the Lakes vessels.
Indiana Approves
Plan For New Port
On Lake Michigan
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana
State Legislature recently enacted
legislation that will open a brand
new port on Lake Michigan. The
bill authorizes the establishment of
the Port Authority of Indiana to
build a $80 million port facility
near Porter, Indiana, between
Michigan City and Gary.
-Hearings were held in Indian
apolis on May 3 and 4 to determine
the exact location of the port site.
A final decision has not yet been
made.
The port will be the base of an
entirely new steel and power com
plex with Bethlehem Steel, Mid
west Steei and the Northern In
diana Public Service Company all
indicating that they will locate at
the site.
While the project now has clear
sailing, several hurdles remain be
fore Congress can be approached
for funds for construction.
V
-'tt -'V f)* % «• > -•? >
SEAFAREM^ LOG
yr' -v-f''
ES SEAFikREIt
Chicago Port Council
Formed By 19 Unions
Al Tanner, SlU vice president In charge of the Great Lakes area, administers the oath of
ofFice to newly elected officers of the Greater Chicago and Vicinity Port Council (I. to r.),
Scotty Aubusson, sec'y: Robert Affleck, executive vice-pres. and James P. Crane, pres.
CHICAGO—Nineteen AFL-CIO unions connected with the maritime Industry have
formed the Greater Chicago and Vicinity Port Council under the Maritime Trades Depart
ment of the AFL-CIO.
Jurisdiction of the new Port-^'
Council covers Illinois' Cook,
DuPage, Lake and Kane coun
ties and Indiana's Porter, LaPorte
and Lake counties.
Maritime Trades Department
Great Lakes Coordinator Al Tan
ner presented the Port Council's
charter to the newly "elected offi-
Chicago's Planned
Port Improvement
Cost $45 Million
CHICAGO — The Port of Chi
cago has scheduled some $45 mil
lion In Improvements In cargo
handling facilities both at the Lake
Calumet harbor development and
on the downtown waterfront.
Included In the Lake Calumet
program Is a 3,500-foot ocean whip
wharf which will have two cargo
sheds, a warehouse, tank farm for
the storage of bulk liquids, a 42-
acre truck terminal and a 10-mll-
llon bushel grain elevator.
The city has completed a rebuild
ing project on the downtown Navy
Pier which can now accommodate
six average size ships. The harbor
has a depth of 27 feet as the result
of a recently completed dredging
project. This depth will accommo
date any ocean-going ships which
can navigate the seaway.
cers at a meeting at the Hamilton
Hotel In Chicago.
James P. Crane, president of
Local 150, Operating Engineers
was elected President; Robert Aff-
llck, of the IBU, was elected .execu
tive vice-president; elected secre
tary was SIU Chicago Port Agent,
Scotty Aubusson and Al Sinkeus,
.president of Local 421, Welgh-
masters, was elected decorfiing
secretary.
Officers of the Port Council said
that It will provide Its principal
services In the settlement of com
mon disputes, cooperation In or
ganizing and play an Important
part In the fight against runaway
flag vessels on the Great Lakes.
SIU Hosts Dinner
Following the meeting, the SIU
a buffet dinner at which the repre-
senatives of the unions participat
ing in the Council met with MTD
officials. -
Mayor James Daley of Chicago
sent the Council a congratulatory
telegram commending the unions
on the formation of the Chicago
Port Council.
SIU Helps Defeat Curb
On Seamen's Jobless Aid
LANSING—The Michigan State House of Representatives
narrowly defeated a Republican-sponsored measure to deny
Great Lakes seamen unemployment compensations during
the 13 winter weeks of the-^*
year in a vote taken here
April 12.
The vote came after a blitz at
tempt to rush the bill through the
House before opponents could rally
for a fight. Instrumental in killing
the measure was the SIU and the
Michigan AFL-CIO.
Four Republican legislators In
troduced the bill and worked quiet
ly behind the scenes to get the
measure passed with little fanfare.
It was rushed out of committee to
the floor of the house on the last
day for reporting bills.
Send Back to Committee
But when the bill came to a vote
on April 12, the house decided
by a small margin of 53-47 to refer
it back to committee, in effect
killing the bill In this session of
the legislature.
Earlier, when the SIU learned
of the Republican attempt to turn
back the hands of time and take
away the hard-won rights of the
Great Lakes seamen. It started an
Intensive drive with the all-out
support of the Michigan AFL-CIO
and the Tug and Dredge Region
of the IBU to block the legislation,
SIU agents In all Michigan ports
contacted their local representa
tives and told them of the opposi
tion of the Lakes sailors and their
families to this bill. They stressed
the discriminatory aspects of the
Shipping Totals Rise Sharply
As Fitout Activity Continues
DETROIT—As the spring fitout season swings into high gear, the increase in jobs is be
ing reflected In the shipping figures.
The current shipping summary (see below) shows an increase of almost 1,00Q Lake Sea
farers shipped over the last-*
period covered. A total of
1,371 were shipped during the
period from April 1 to April 30,
The large Increase in men
shipped last month Is a sign that
shipping will be more active than
jsome earlier predictions had. Indi
cated.
Aided By Weather
A rapid change in the unsettled
weather that plagued the Great
Lakes just before-the fitout began
Great Lakes Shipping
April 1,1961 Through April 30, 1961
PORT DECK ENGINE STEWARD TOTAL
Alpena 11 11 2 24
Buffalo 90 84 32 206
Chicago 58 47 19 124
Cleveland 53 66 22 141-
Detroit 168 87 45 300
Duluth 1 2 0 3
Frankfort 68 74 30 172
Toledo 201 153 47 401
TOTAL 650 524 197 1371
aided the Increase which showed
the following port situations:
The port of Toledo had the
highest number of men shipped
for the first time this season going
well ahead of Detroit, which had
reported the highest number
shipped in previous reports. Tole
do shipped a total of 401 men and
Detroit, which was second in to
tals, reported 300 .shipped.
Activity in Buffalo showed a
large increasse over the previous
report: from 14 men shipped In
the last period to 206 shippe'd dur
ing the current one.
All Great Lakes ports reported
heavy increase In men shipped.
Six hundred and fifty men
were shipped in deck department,
524 In engine department and 197
In the steward department.
By the end of April over 45
SlU-contracted vessels had either
started or finished their fitout.
Most companies- have indicated
they will operate their entire fleet
or a large part of It—possibly
greater than their earlier expecta
tions.
Increased Aiito Activity
Increased auto activity in De
troit, together with the improved
outlook In the steel and other bulk
goods Industries have caused the
changed outlook for shipping.
The only area of concern is in
grain shipments where foreign-
flag shipping lines will probably
equal the large tonnage they car
ried last year and may even In
crease the amount somewhat this
year.
bill which singles out the seamen
and takes action against him.
Telegrams to Legislature
Secretary-Treasurer Fred Far-
nen of the Great Lakes District
sent a telegram to everj' member
of the legislature. Including th«
four Republican sponsors of tha
bill, advising them of SIU opposi
tion, to the measure.
He said that only one state In
America had such a law on its
books and the Department of Labor
considered the Ohio law not In
conformity with the intent of Con
gress which passed, in 1946, a bill
providing unemployment compen
sation to Great Lakes seamen
under state systems. Farnen also
pointed out that a bill pending in
the Senate would deny federal tax
credits to shipping companies of
states whose laws did not conform
to Congress' Intent.
He asked that the legislators not
allow Michigan to adopt a law that
would "erode the rights of Lakes
seamen."
In a statement following tho
defeat of the bill, Farnen said that
he was pleased that the measuro
was killed and thanked the AFL-
CIO and Democratic members of
the House for their support of th®
SIU and Lakes seamen.
SIU Great Lakes
Union Halls
HEADQUARTERS
10225 W. Jefferson, River Rouge 18, Mich.
Vinewood 3-4741
Fred J. Farnen, Secretary-Treasurer
Stanley F. Thompson, Asst. Sec.-Treas.
ALPENA 127 River St.
Norman Jolicoeur, Agent. Elm wood 4-361®
BUFFALO, NY 733 Washington St.
Roy J. Boudreau. Agent TL 3-9259
CHICAGO 9383 Ewing Ave.
Ernest Aubusson, Agent
South Chicago, HI.
SAglnaw 1-0733
CLEVELAND 1420 W. 25 .St,
Stanley Wares, Agent MAin 1-014T
DULUTH 312 W. 2nd St.
Gerald Westphal, Agent. .HAndolph 2-4110
FRANKFORT, .Mich 415 Main St.
Address MaU to: P.O. Bo.x 28T
Floyd Hanmer, Agent ELgin 7-2441
TOLEDO 120 Summit St.
Ed Doherty, Agent CHerry 8-2431
Great Lakes SIU Backing
MTD's Fight On Runaways
DETROIT—-The Great Lakes District has pledged full sup
port to the efforts of the Great Lakes Conference of the Mari
time Trades Department to stop runaway-flag ships from
stealing American and Can--*'
adian seamen's jobs.
The conference met last
month in Montreal to map its
strategy. It also elected a nine-
man executive board headed by
Hal C. Hanks, SIU of Canada pres
ident, to direct the campaign
against the runaways.
Nine Unions Involved
Nine international unions, rep
resenting workers in every phase
of waterfront activity, attended
the meeting and agreed to take
action to end the runaway threat
to both the American and Canadi
an Lakes fleets along both sides
of the border.
The unions, which formed the
conference last November to co-
ordinate" Lakes and Seaway labor,
could block the operation of the
runaways since their members
load and unload vessels, move car
go from the docks and repair
ships.
Strategy Discussed
The conference discussed and
decided on strategy that would be
employed in the campaign.
Attending the first strategy ses
sion in addition to SUNA repre
sentatives were representatives
from the following labor groups:
waterfront Teamsters, United
Sleelworks of America District
5000, International Longshore
men's Association, Masters, Mates
& Pilots, Marine Engineers Bene
ficial Association, International
Union of Operating Engineers,
Boilermakers and Carpenters un
ions.
Pare Twelve SEAFARERS l&^ Aay, 1961
REVIEW OF SiUNA
CONVENTION ACTS
The 10th biennial convention of the SIU of North America took ac
tion on a wide variety of issues of consequence to seamen, fishermen,
fish cannery workers and other affiliated crafts of the international
union. These actions dealt with the various problems confronting affil
iated unions in their relations with employers, in their organizing activ
ity and in the legislative arena on the Federal and local level. The fol
lowing is a digest of the key decisions made at the convention, which was
held in March.
Domestic Trades
Vhe convention caLed for intensive ef
forts to revive the coastwise and inter-
coastal industry and to secure reprtsenta-
tion for the maritime industry on the In
terstate Commerce Commission.
50-50 Law
-elegaies applauded the new Govern
ment policy of requiring virtually all for
eign aid cargo to be shipped on US ves
sels. They urged that this practice be
extended to other Government-financed
cargoes, where US ships are presently
carrying a bare 50 percent under the law.
Oil Imports,
Other Bulk Cargoes
Noting that the offshore oil trade has
been dominated by Runaway and foreign-
flag ships, the convention called for a
"50-50" quota rule on oil imports to re
vive the American-flag tanker industry.
Similarly with bulk trades being the larg-
I I
The verbatim record of the proceed
ings of the 10th SIUNA convention is
now being printed and copies will be
made available for distribution.
est portion of US foreign commerce, most
of it carried on foreign vessels, the _con-
vention called for other Governmenr ac
tion to encourage development of US
shipping in this area.
Runaway Shipping
' he convention hai ed the Labor Board
ruling giving the SIU the right to repre
sent the crews of the runaway-flag Sea
Level. It urged all affiliates to explore
further action against runaways.
Subsidies
The convention criticized the in
adequacies of the present subsidy pro
gram, limited to one segment of the in
dustry. It called for changes in the pro
gram to match changing foreign trade
patterns.
Automation And Manning
Delegates served notice that aifiliates
would take all necessary steps to pro
tect manning scales, in the face of a ship
owner campaign to reduce such scales, and
to promote shipboard automation.
Civil Rights
The delegates supported the AFL-CIO
Council call for a Federal Fair Employ
ment Practices Act to provide equal rights
for all Americans.
Fishing Contracts
And Fish Imports .
As recommended by the Fish and Fish
Cannery Organization and Grievance
Committee, the convention acted on two
fishing issues. It called for extension of
US labor laws to certain fishing vessels
so as to relieve them of anti-trust action
and also asked for a quota system to limit
foreign fish imports.
Soars Boycott
The nationwide boycott of Sears Roe
buck by the Retail Clerks International
Association was given wholehearted en-
dcsement.
Waterfront Commission
The convention affirmed its vigorous
o' osition to expansion of the authority of
the Bi-State Waterfront Commission, both
over longshoremen and other New York
Harbor waterfront workers.
Caribbean Federation
The convention approved plans for a
Maritime Federation of the Caribbean to
act on mutual problems. It recommended
San Jukn as the Federation's headquar
ters.
Great Lakes MID
Svpp'ort was voted for the Great Lakes
Conference of the MTD, which was set up
by affiliated MTD port councils to fight
runaways on the Lakes.
Ohio Jobless Pay
Support was voted to efforts to nullify
an Ohio law which denies Great Lakes
seamen unemployment pay In the off
season.
Maritime Bargaining
The program of the National Commit
tee for Maritime Bargaining was fully en
dorsed as in the best interest of both
American seamen and the industry. All
unions were invited to participate.
Seamen's Minimum Wage
Noting the depressed pay of many non
union seamen, the delegates went on rec
ord to support legislation which would
provide Federal minimum wage coverage •
in maritime.
Maritime Trades Department
Delegates cited the valuable work of the
MTD and urged the SIUNA to continue
close working relationships with the or
ganization.
Right To Work Laws
With anti-union elements active in sev
eral states, the SIUNA will make every
effort to defeat so-called "right to woTk"
legislation.
Landrum-Griifin Act
The convention was particularly critical
of the bonding provisions of the Act
among others, which impose an enormous
cost on unions.
Textile Strikers
The convention assailed the use of Na
tional Guard troops against the Harriet-
Henderson textile strikers. It called for
release of imprisoned striker leaders.
Social Legislation
• Delegates approved proposals for im
provements in Social Security, medical
and hospital coverage for retired Ameri
cans, low cost medicine, aid to education,
additional housing aid and other pro
posals essential to the wril-being of
American workers.
Canadian Labour Congress
The convention condemned the action
of the CLC in withdrawing its label from
the SIU of Canada at the behest of the
Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Train
men.
Arab Blacklist
The convention reaffirmed its belief in
absolute freedom of the seas for all ships.
It called for Government action against
the Arab blacklist and against abuse'of
crews of blackli.sted vessels..
Canadian Domestic Ships
It was noted that Canada was the only
maritime nation lacking legal safeguards
for its ships. Protection for the Canadian
domestic trades was called for by the
delegates.
State Income Taxes
The convention recommended court ac
tion to prevent Alaska, Washington and
Oregon from imposing multiple taxes on
fishermen and boatmen operating out of
Puget Sound.
Medical, Safety Plans
And Union Clinics
The convention noted that joint union-
industry medical and safety programs
have achieved noteworthy results. It
called for extension, of such programs and
How Delegates Amended
International Constitution
Article I. Name, Membership and Jurisdiction
International membership is broadened to provide for various miscellaneous,
crafts as well as seamen, fishermen and fish cannery workers.
This article also provides that the headquarters will be located wherever the
international oresident has his home office, so as to bring the business of the
International under one roof.
Article III. Form of Organization
The section on transfers was deleted, as it is impractical to provide for transfer
from one craft to another, totally-unrelated one. This section applied in the early
days of the international union when for practical purposes virtually all of the
members of the international union were seamen. "
Article IV. Executives
• The international structure was strengthened by providing for three executive
vice-presidents from the three three major districts—Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and
Inland Waters; Canadian District and Pacific District—in addition to the presi
dent, and vice-presidents. An elected international representative is also pro
vided for to assist the president and executive vice-presidents.
The executive body, consisting of the president, three executive vice-presidents
and all other vice-presidents is now known as the executive board. The presi
dent and thd three executive vice-presidents form an executive committee of the
executive board. The executive board is the executive authority of the union be
tween conventions. Similarly,, the executive committee exercises the powers of
the executive board in between meetings of the board.
Every affiliated union with 5tfd or more members is entitled to a vice-presi
dency, with the proviso that existing vice-presidencies are retained if the union
holding them has less than the 500-member requirement.
The office of the president has been given added responsibility in the form of
supervision, record-keeping, financial reporting and other duties performed under
the old constitution by the office of the secretary-treasurer.
Article V. Legislative powers
This article retains the provision that all legislative powers reside in regular
or special conventions of the SIUNA. However, it specifies that delegates to a
convention are to be elected by secret ballot in accordance with the constitution
by-laws of affiliated unions. The president and the executive vice-presidents are
ex-offico delegates.
The article also spells out in greater detail the basis upon which affiliated un
ions are assigned delegates and votes at conventions.
Article VI. Judical Powers
The executive board'is given specific responsibility for establishing rules and
procedures for filing grievances or complaints and for hearng grievances and com
plaints. .
Article VII. Finances
To meet the needs of the international union, the per capita tax was increased
from 30 cents per month to 45 cents. However, the charge on initiation fees has
been set at $2 instead of the old 10 percent figure.
The section also specifies that the President and all other persons required by
law to be bonded shall be so bonded for a minimum of $25,000.
recommended a system of Union diganos-
tic clinics for members and their families.
Military Sea Trai^port Service
The convention reaffirmed long-stand
ing opposition to MSTS competition with
private shipping." It strongly criticized the
agency for operating US ships in the Paci
fic with foreign seamen.
Great Lakes Organizing
It was noted that considerable success
had been scored by the SIU Great Lakes
District in the organizing field. Delegates
called on all affiliates to cooperate with
the continuing drive.
Maritime Hiring Halls
The convention reiterated its deter
mination to preserve this keystone of ma
ritime unionism.
Organizing
Delegates reviewed the organizing pro
gress of various SIUNA affiliates and went
on record for a vigorous organizing pro
gram throughout the industry.
Public Health Hospitals
The erosion of hospital services under
penny-pinching budgets was criticized.
Delegates called for adequate funds and
more liberal eligibility requirements for
hospital admission.
Shipboard Feeding
The convention proposed establishment
of industry-wide food plans to assure pro
per feeding and storing of ships, including
appropriate training for the steward de
partment.
Ship Replacement
A long-range program was ur^ed to as
sure the maritime industry modern ves
sels which can compete with foreign-flag
ships.
Ship Bankruptcies
Delegates recommended to affiliated un
ions that they incorporate provisions in
contracts which would protect seamen's
wages in the event the operator encoun
ters financial difficulties.
World Safety Standards
The convention was critical of the lack
of progress in international safety. It
urged that a new international safety con
vention be held to bring foreign ships up
to snuff.
Officers' Training
Noting the growing tendency for marine
officers to come out of Government acad
emies, the convention suggested that af=
filiates work out training programs to as
sist members in obtaining licenses.
Affiliations
Delegates approved proposals of the
National Affiliation Committee calling for
close ties with several groups, including
state and local bodies, the Union Label
Department and the MTD. They also
called for affiliation with the newly-
formed Food and Culinary Department
and the Railway Labor Executives Associ
ation.
Inland Boat Organizing
An organizational survey of the inland
boat field was approved to setup organ
izing targets among unorganized workers
as well as among boatmen not represented
by legitimate maritime union.?.
SIUNA Constitution
The constitutional committee recom
mended revision of the constitution in va
rious areas. (See story on this page.)
MCS Hearings
The Seamen's Organization and Griev
ance Committee reported on the Execu
tive Board hearing in San Francisco,
August 8-13, 1.160, dealing with complaints
made concerning the Marine Cooks and
Stewards Union. They confirmed the
findings and recommendation of the in
ternational president, with the approval
of the convention.
International Ties
^s proposed by the International Affili
ations Committee, the convention approved
continued ties with the International La
bor Organization, the International Con
federation of Free Trade Unions and join
ing with the Maritime Federation of the
Caribbean, among others. The convention
also approved a recommendation that an
SIUNA committee be appointed to deal
with the issues in dispute between the
british seamen's union and the SIU.
Ibr. INI SEAFAKEHtS LOG riac«nirlem
Efficency Stepped Up
Seafarers' Benefit Plans
Getting Larger Quarters
NEW YORK—Admiriistrative offices of the SIU Welfare
and Vacation Plans will move to new quarters here early in
June to provide more space for their constantly-expanding
The new location-^ ^ services,
will cover the entire 22nd
floor at nearby 17 Battery
Place.
More than $25 million in com
bined cash benefits has been paid
to Seafarers and their families
since •the present office site at 11
Broadway was established In 1950.
The Vacation Plan Joined Welfare
as a tenant the following year and
the two have been sharing quarters
since then.
The spread of office space at the
present location has matched the
growth of the Plans over the years.
In 1950, Welfare included just two
basic benefits: $7 weekly for sea
men in the hospitals and a $500
death benefit. The Vacation Plan
began paying benefits In 1952 at
the annual rate of $140.
Today, SIU Welfare provides al
most 20 cash and service benefits,
including a. comprehensive med
ical-hospital-surgical program for
dependents plus maternity benefits,
college scholarships, upgrading
training and many other items. The
basic hospital benefit for seamen
is $3 daily; the death benefit,
$4,000. The annual rate of vaca
tion pay has jumped to $400.
Expansion of the Plans to cover
Expand SIU
Blood Bank
(Continued from page 2)
cilities, will operate in the same
manner as Brooklyn. At the present
time, biood collected from donors
at that clinic is handled under a
standard processing and storage
arrangement with the Brooklyn
Donor Center, Inc.
This provides for simplified
transfer arrangements with banks
all over the country through use
of the Union's teletype network
linking all ports. The Brooklyn
bank has thus been able to supply
blood for Seafarers or their de
pendents anywhere In the US on
short notice.
SIU deep-sea and Great Lakes
ports wliicli do not have an estab
lished clinic facility are making ar
rangements with US Public Health
Service instaliations or other banks
in their port areas to get the na-
tion-vyide apparatus started.
The expanded operation does not
mean any change for Seafarers or
their families requiring blood in
an emergency. Just as before, all
they need do Is contact the nearest
SIU hall and the necessary ar
rangements will be made promptly.
new and changing needs of Sea
farers and their dependents has
produced a cramped administra
tive operation at the Broadway ad
dress. The shift to new quarters
will provide for much more effi
cient services.
A carefully-prepared timetable
for the move to 17 Battery Place
promises no Interruption at all in
the processing and payment qf
claims. The telephone number for
the new offices, expected to be in
full occupancy by June 5, will be
WHitehall 3-5950.
Seafarer's Trio
Big brother Roger L. Hall, Jr..
7, and sister Carlo Lois, 3,
give new arrival Edward Mi
chel Hall, born March 14, a
warm welcome at home in
Jackson Heights, NY. Dad
Roger Hall is in the Far East
on the ines. All three young
sters are SIU benefit babies.
Four SIU Veterans
Retire On Pension
Maisonet Phillips Hawkins Jacobs
Four more veteran seamen ranging from 46 to 61 years of
age have just been qualified for the lifetime SIU disability-
pension. The quartet represents one of the youngest groups
ever approved for the $35 f
weekly benefit, which is based
on seatime regardless of age.
Union and company trustees of
the Welfare Plan have cleared the
benefit applications of a total of 14
Seafarers so far this year. The
ClinicsExamine
35,000 So Far
Entering its fifth year of opera
tion, the SIU Medical Department
has provided over 35,000 complete
physical examinations to Seafarers
and their dependents so far. Half
the total has been given at the
Brooklyn, NY, diagnostic clinic,
which started off the medical pro
gram in April, 1957.
Five More Clinics
Since then, five more SIU clinics
have opened: Mobile and New Or
leans (December, 1957); Baltimore
(February, 1953); Houston (June,
1959) and Santurce, Puerto Rico
(March, 1961). In the past two
months, the Baltimore and New
Orleans medical facilities have
been established right in the halls
in those ports.
The Santurce clinic is due to be
gin actively functioning late this
month. Difficulties with equipment
snagged the start of the examina
tion program.
Of the 35,000 exams to date, 11
percent has been ^iven to seamen's
wives, children and dependent
parents. The figures cover both
original exams and re-examinations
since 1057.
latest group includes John A. Haw
kins, 55, of Brooklyn, N.Y; John
E. Jacobs, 46, of Baltimore; Leon-
cio Maisonet, 61, of the Bronx,
NY, and Lacey L. "Tiny" Phillips,
55, of Hounia, La.
The four oldtimers are now receiv
ing $35 weekly checks plus the reg
ular medical-hospital-siirgical cov
erage and other benefits of the
Plan.
Sailed On Supertanker
Sidelined by an arteriosclerotic
condition, Hawkins last sailed in
the deck department on the super
tanker Erna Elizabeth (Albatross)
over a year ago. A Navy veteran,
he began shipping with the SIU
back in 1941. He lives with a sister,
Mrs, Helen Young, of Brooklyn.
A Curtis Bay shopman and deck
hand for many years, Jacobs has
been in and out of the hospit".! for
months because of a back injury.
He's been working SlU-contracted
tugs since 1957 butdias had to quit
working due to extremely poor
vision. He and his wife, Aldean,
reside In Baltimore.
Veteran Union Men
An SIU black gang veteran,
Maisonet has shipped with the
Union since 1943. His last vessel
was the Elizabeth (Bull) In Novem
ber, when he worked as a wiper.
He's married and has been tagged
"not fit for duty" permanently as
a result of general arteriosclerosis.
Phillips has been beached by
heart disease and was last aboard
the Alcoa Pegasus (Alcoa) a year
ago. He began shipping with the
SIU in 1942 as a member of the
steward department following ten
years on foreign-flag vessels. He
lists a daughter. Miss Dolores Pat-
rica Phillips, as next of kin.
REPORT
Joseph Volpian, Social Security Director
Ranks Off The 'Aged' Keep Growing
One of the iittie-notice actions by the legislature of the state of New
York this year was an amendment to the law regarding discriminatioa
in employment because of age. New York previously had barred dis
crimination by employment agencies and employers against workers
45 to 65 years of age; the bottom limit has now been extended to 40
years, effective July 1, 1961.
Legislation dealing with job discrimination based on age is still •
relatively new development. It was designed originally as a form of
protection for older workers seeking new jobs and, at the same time, to
prevent the outright loss of their experience and skills to the eco
nomy. The interesting fact today is that from the viewpoint of New
York state and its AFL-CIO labor movement, which supported tho
amendment, 40-year-olds are now subject to the same type of discrimi
nation as their elders of 55, 60 and up who are still In the labor market.
This is a probiem of our times and it reflects a sharp shift in recent
years of employment patterns throughout US Industry. "Life begins
at 40," as the old saying goes, apparently no longer applies to reality.
In this Industry, In maritime, the experienced, professional sailor is
all ages, depending on when in life he first began going to sea. He may
be in his late 20s, or 40 or 60. The last issue of the SEAFARERS LOQ
carried an item about one SIU oldtimer still actively sailing as a night
cook and baker at the age of 83. A number of active Seafarers are well
past 60 and a few are over 70. Retirement from an active life is
something they can't even conceive. There really must be something
about a seagoing life that the shoreslders are missing.
The interest in Job discrimination due to age, where it exists, takes
many forms. One that comes to mind is the long-range effect created,
as time goes on, when workers at lower and lower ages find themselves
bypassed for younger and younger men. If 40 Is now a problem, what
will it be like a generation or two from today?
Concern these days over an issue such as medical care for the aged
is pegged to the problems of people in their sixties and beyond. As
more and more trained young people come Into the job market and
diminish employment opportunities for older workers and profession
als, those who are bypassed or forced into less desirable jobs becauss
of their age swell the ranks of the so-called "aged." Their medical
care problems and others are thereby niugaified aiany times for thoss
who must deal with them.
The above is an extreme view of what seems to be happening bit by
bit all around us, but It is happening all the same. In a way, these are
the fruits of rising automation and obsolescence of both men and
machines without proper advance planning. It is a situation that bears
watching in days to come.
(Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
be submitted to this column care of the SEAFARERS LOG.)
On-The-Spot SIU Hospital Cash
Seafarer Keith Foster, AB (standing), receives
hospital benefits as Welfare Rep. Tom Gould makes weekly
rounds servicing SIU men at Staten Island marine hospital.
Looking on is Seafarer A. C. Sonkovit, messman, who was
last aboard the Steel Artisan (Isthmian). Foster is off the
Exra Sensibar (Construction Aggregates).
Pare FomiecB SEAFARERS LOG MWr itn
.--w'rll- -1-
L -tlG
iri ̂
Seven Safety Prizes
Awarded Seafarers
NEW YORK—Seven active Seafarers have.won special
awards for their original safety poster designs in a contest
sponsored by the SIU Safety Department. Judging of entries
submitted since last summer
was conducted on April 18.
Grand prize in the ship
board competition went to Leonard
Palencar, OS, 26, of King.ston, Pa.
First prize wtnners were Bernard
Maret, OS, 24, Melbourne, Fla.;
Norman "Moose" Lightell, AB, 38,
and Philip Maechling, MM, 33 both
of New Orleans. E. I. Rihn, DM, 26,
Harvey, La.; Charles I. Hampson,
MM, 34, Miami, and Dirk Visser,
OS, 52, New Orleans, won second
prizes.
Four Main Subjects
The contest covered four main
subjects: General shipboard safety,
deck department safety, engine de
partment safety and steward de
partment safety. A fully-equipped
Polaroid flash camera was the
grand prize; transistor radios went
to the first prize winners and elec
tric shavers to those placing
second.
Safety Director Joe Algina and
officials at the joint safety meeting,
who took part in the judging,
agreed that almost all entries illus
trated good safety points and ideas
for shipboard use. One of the main
SEAFARERS IN DRYDOCK
The following is the latest available list of Seafarers in hospitals around the country:
Maret Rihn
Lightell Hampson
Seafarer Leonard Palencar
displays his prize-winning
safety poster.
purposes of the contest was to
bring the ideas of active seamen,
as those in a good position to know
the danger areas for possible acci
dents aboard ship, into focus.
May Distribute Color Posters
It was indicated later that the
Safety Department is looking into
the possibility of preparing full-
size posters in color, based on
various original designs by Seafar
ers, for distribution to all SIU
vessels.
An interesting sidelight regard
ing the winners was that prac
tically all came out of the deck
department. Lightell, an AB, took
"first" in both engine and steward
department safety. There was no
"second" awarded in the black
gang category.
Visser Maechling
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meet
ings are held regularly
once a month on days in
dicated by the SIU Con
stitution, at 2:30 PM in
the listed SIU ports below.
All Seafarers are ex
pected to attend. . Those
who wish to be excused
should request permission
by telegram (be sure to
include registration num
ber). The next SIU meet
ings will be:
New York June 5
Philadelphia June 6
Baltimore June 7
Detroit June 9
Houston June 12
New Orleans June 13
Mobile June 14
Ship-Jumpers
Face Jailing
In Singapore
SINGAPORE—American seamen
who fail to join their ships in this
port will be running into more
trouble than they have in the past,
according to the American con
sulate here.
The consulate issued the warn
ing in a letter to C. F. Sharp &
Co., steamship agent for several
SlU-contracted companies among
others. The American authorities
here have asked the agent to
spread the word to seamen on
American vessels which call at this
port.
Tightens Policy
Singapore immigration authori
ties have until recently been some
what lenient in connection with
alien seamen who fail to join their
ships.
The new policy of Singapore
authorities will be to charge sea
men who miss their .ships with il
legal entry. Seamen in that situa
tion will be immediately jailed in
the Remand Prison until arrange
ments are made for them to rejoin
their ships or for them to be re
patriated, the consulate advised.
The American vice-consul in Sin
gapore noted that the port's offi
cials have declared their intention
of enforcing the alien seamen law
to the letter.
TJSPHS
STATEN
Robert Burton
Arthur Camera
John Campbell
Antonio Carrano
T. C. Cepriano
Daniel Cement
Chriatoa TsambU
Hugh Dick
Harry Dorrah
Modesto Duron
George Fiance
Michael Filosa
Keith Foster
Esteil Godfrey
Carlos Gomez
F. C. Higgason
Samuel Howard
A. Jensen
D. Kambanos
Patriek Kelly
Charles Kinnke
Norman Krumm
HOSPITAL
ISLAND. NY
Thomas Lauer
Fidel Lukban
Earl Martin
George May
Rafael V. Molina
James C. Muivey
Robert Nielsen
Joseph Odreza
Pietro Paulln
Carl Peterson
Donald Peterson
George Phifer
Eugene Plahn
P. S. Retoriano
Antonio Russo
A. Sankovidt
J. Shefuleski
William Vauchan
Basil W. Smith
Robert Smith
Edward J. Taylor
Bart E. Guranick
VA HOSPITAL
NEW YORK, NY
Chas. O. Bergagna
SAILORS SNUG HARBOR
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Henning Bjork Thomas Isaksen
A. B. Gutierrez
VA HOSPITAL
KERRVILLE, TEXAS
Willard T. Cahill
LUCIEN MOSS HOSPITAL
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Baldo Coccia
USPHS HOSPITAL
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Davis Danes Max Olson
B. F. Deibler Bozo G. Zelenclc
Thomas Lehay
VICTOR CULLEN STATE HOSPITAL
CULLEN. MD.
Carlton A. Roberts
VA HOSPITAL
WEST HAVEN, CONN.
John J. Driscoll Henry E. Smith
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
BETHESDA, MD.
Henry J. Foy
PINE CREST HAVEN
COVINGTON. LA.
Frank Martin
LANDIS STATE HOSPITAL
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Thomas Murphy
VA HOSPITAL
TEMPLE, TEXAS
WUUam E. Nelson
TRIBORO HOSPITAL
JAMAICA, LONG ISLAND, NY
James RusseU
US SOLDIERS HOME
WASHINGTON, DC
Wm. H. Thomson
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Russell Aldrick
Percy Bradshaw
William Brewer
Dan J. Cherry
Lewis Cook
Peter Daniels
John Davis
Leonard Davis
John Drummond
Chester Green
James ilelgoth
Roy Johnston
Herman Miller
Albert Morse
Domingo Orbigoso
Domingo A. Ortiz
Golden E. Parker
Robert Scales
Jim Spencer
Carlos Velez
Merwyn E. Watson
Bruce E. Webb
USPHS HOSPITAL
BRIGHTON, 'MASS.
William S. Costa
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
Jose C. Alvarado J. B. Lippencott
Harry Fentress Joseph P. Pettus
Wm. C, Grey Harry G Peek Jr.,
Wm. D. Hampel Lawrence Sanders
Joe Leston Roland A. Wright
Judson P. Lamb
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAVANNAH. GA.
Wm. Crawford Luther Roberts
Carl Hargroves E. Roig
Les Lcntonen W. H. Ross. Jr.
W. E. Olson Ernest H. Webb
USPHS HOSPITAL
NORFOLK. VA.
O. C. Bailey B. J. Nelson
T. F. Johnson P. S. Parker
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO. CALIF.
Matthew Bruno R. J- Coleman
Mike Coins F. E. Farrell
Get That SS
Number Right
Seafarers filing vacation
money claims should make sure
that they use their correct So
cial Security number. Use of
the wrong number means a cler-
tcal headache for the Vacation
Plan office and slows up the
handling of payments.
Also, a Seafarer who uses the
incorrect Social Security num
ber is crediting his tax deduc
tions to some other US worker.
S. C. Hudgini John H. RatliA
Charles W. Lane A. J. Scheving
Chas. Neukrichner Howard J. Watt*
WiUiam Nuttal
USPHS HOSPITAL
SEATTLE, WASH.
Vernon Cain Raymond Ruppert
William Mellon John SUles
Kenneth Miller Sten Zetterman
John Fasko
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
Lucien All.ilre
Herbert Allman
Orville L. Arndt
Charles L. Avera
Marlow Barton
William Brewer
Thomas DaUey
E, Pouga
James Fall
Stanton L. Grica
J. L. Gulllory
Virgil L. Harding
Wade B. Harrell
Frederick Hauser
George H. Hiers
Justice P. Hughes
Vincenzo lacono
Edward Knapp
Leo Lang
Arnt Larsen
Norman Lightell
Michael Luizza
William J. Maas
Edward M. Cain
Duggan McCrary
A. Michclct
Alonzo Morris
Bernard Moye '
Eugene T. OTWara
William A. Pitman
Calvin A. Rome
Theodore Simonds
Chas. E. Slater
Billy C. Ward
George Wendel
Herbert Young
SIU Blood Bank
Inventory
Period: March, 1961
Pints Contributed 60
Pints Rejected 2
Pints Credited 29
(Under a standard arrangement
with the Brooklyn Donor Center
Inc., 50% is alloted for service,
processing and storage.)
Previous Balance 69
Pints Used
Balance On Hand
April 1, 1961 ..
98
14
84
An SIU Blood Donor Certificate (sample above) is given to every
person donating to the SIU Blood Bank, which is maintained through
the SIU Clinic in Brooklyn. The bank supplies Seafarers or members
of their families anywhere in the United States and has been in
operation since January, 1959. Through an arrangement with a
national clearing house, blood can be supplied on short notice in any
emergency. Donors can arrange appointments on the 2nd deck at
SIU headquarters, one block from the Clinic. The whole procedure
takes only a short time.
Physical Exams—All SIU Clinics
Month Of March, 1961
Port Seamen Wives Children TOTAL
Baltimore ... ••••••••« 129 18 11 158
Houston ..., 9 6 88
Mobile 65 3 9 77
New Orleans •••>••••• 166 18 10 194
New York ... 319 21 33 373
TOTAL 752 69 69 890
SIU Welfare, Vacation Plans
Cash Benefits Paid
March 20-April 16, 1961
Number
Of Benefits AMOUNT PAID
Hospital Benefits (Welfare) .... 6367 $20,100.58
Death Benefits (Welfare) 15 56326.00
Disability Benefits (Welfare) .. 787 27,545.00
Maternity Benefits (Welfare) .. 36 7,200.00
Dependents Benefits (Welfare) . 215 42,556.87
Optical Benefits (Welfare) .... 123 1,164.29
Summary (Welfare) 7545 $154,892.74
Vacation Benefits 1479 $239,127.21
TOTAL WELFARE, VACATION
BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD... 9024 $394,019.95
None of the figures in the above summaries indicate the amounts
paid for varieus other Welfare Benefits for SIU men and their de
pendents, such as scholarship payments, meal books, training facilities,
medical examinatioiis, and similar items.
lii^.'iNt"-' stt'ArJ:ttEk'^ LOG ti^ihru^h
V n\ t
'. f- ' 'L . -.v •'; .' ••'• • ^ ;• 'He/p?'
Another dreary round of study and diag
nosis by amateur physicians is in the offing
for the maritime industry. This time, a
seven-man body has been appointed by Sec
retary of Commerce Luther Hodges out of
the ranks of American management to poke
and probe into tlie ailing maritime structure
and make recommendations accordingly.
Studies of the maritime industry are not
new. On the contrary, the industry has
been examined and diagnosed innumerable
times iri recent years (the latest being the
pompously-named "Project Walrus"), but
none of these numerous studies has yet re
sulted in an effective attack on the indus
try's ailments.
The composition of the latest study group
offers no ground for optimism as to any
tangible results that might emerge from its
deliberations. The seven-man group, in
cludes a retired Sears, Roebuck executive, a
former general, now head of the Red Cross,
the president of an aluminum and chemical
corporation and the head of a company
whose chief- product is automatic pin-spot
ters for bowling alleys.
There is only one member of the commit
tee who can boast of any familiarity with
shins and shipping. As is to be expected,
he is the former board chairman of Stand
ard Oil of New Jersey, the company which
more than any other fathered the runaway
escape hatch. As such he is singularly ill-
fitted to pass judgment on the needs of an
American-flag merchant fleet.
The AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Depart
ment has protested the composition of this
committee on several grounds, among them
its total lack of familiarity with the prob
lems and needs of the industry, its lack of
representation from maritime management,
and its bypassing of the employees of the
maritime industry who have the biggest
stake in the future 6f the industry.
Chances are that what will emerge from
• the comittee's study will be another scissors-
and-pastepot job—a compilation of past
findings rearranged and rejuggled to give
them the appearance of freshness.
The maritime industry has been studied
enough. It is hard to see what any new
study can produce in the way of original
information and an original approach to the
Industry's problems, particularly in light
of the nature of the committee named by
Secretary Hodges.
No Escape Hatch
It's been a bad month for the runaway
operators all around. To begin with, there
was the drubbing the runaways took when
the Supreme Court of the US flatly refused
to hear their bid to escape the jurisdiction of
US labor laws and the National Labor Re
lations Board. Clearly, from now on, the
runaways will have to contend with US
maritime unions just as if their ships were
registered under the American flag. If that
wasn't enough, the Kennedy Administration
is embarking on a drive to put an end to the
tax evasion of runaway operators. Con
gress is being told that there is. no legitimate
reason why these people should not pay
their fair share of taxes just like domestic
corporations.
Up until mid-1958, the runaways' position
looked impregnable. Then came the land
mark NLRB decision giving the SIU the
right to organize and represent the crew of
the Liberian-flag SS Florida, followed by
the equally-significant SS Sea Level rul
ing this year in favor of the SIU. Now
the Supreme Court has closed the ring
around the runaways.
With the legal obstacles out of the way,
the SIU intends to press hard on the organ
izing front, on the collective bargaining
front and Pn the tax legislation front until
the runaway device loses its desirability
and these ships come back under the Amer
ican flag where they belong.
Department
Ray Mardock, Director
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP.—The Senate's Merchant Marine Sub
committee has recently heard testimony on S. 1183. This bill would
permit the subsidized operators to use capital reserve funds for re
search, development, and design expenses. Witnesses appearing thus
far have agreed to submit for the subcommittee's consideration an
amendment which would make provisions of the bill apply retroactively
to funds already expended for cargo container purposes . . . Represen
tative O'Konski (R), Wisconsin, has introduced H. R.6595, a bill to
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 so to allow the withholding
of unemployment tax credit, provided under section 3302 of the Code,
from maritime employers in certain ca.ses. The bill has been referred
to Ways and Means . . . The Senate has passed S.1288 which provides
more flexibility with respect to annual inspections of communications
equipment aboard American-flag vessels . . . Legislation to authorize a
study of the feasibility of a de-icing system for the Great Lakes and the
St. Lawrence Seaway has been offered in the Senate by Senator Wiley
(R), Wisconsin. The proposed bill, S.1704, is also being sponsored by
Senators Young (D), Ohio, Humphrey (Dj, Minnesota, and McCarthy
fD). Minnesota . . . S.1690, a bill which would increase to 90 percent
from the present statutory figure of 75 percent the amount of estimated
operating-differential subsidy which the FMB may pay on account has
been introduced by Senator Magnuson (D), Washington. The Magnuson
bill is identical in language to H. R. 6309, introduced by Rep. Bonner (D),
North Carolina . . . HMM has resumed hearings on H.R. 4299, the dual-
rates bill. In its testimony before the committee the Justice Depart
ment said it would prefer no legislation at all looking toward the legal
ization of dual rates rather than accept a "new working print" of th«
bill. "From every view," said the representative from Justice, "the
original 4299 is much preferable to the present version" ... Amendment
of section 17 of the Interstate Commerce Act so as to provide for fur-
their delegation of authority to employee boards to make decisions in
certain cases in which a public hearing has been held would, be pro
vided under the terms of S. 1667, offered by Senator Magnuson . . .
Representative St. George (R), New York, has introduced H.R. 6376, a
bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to sell up to fifteen Cl-
MAV-1 ships to Turkey.. The measure has been referred to HMM . ...
The creation of an Interoceanic Canals Commission which would have,
as one of its duties, a study of proposals for increasing the capacity of
the Panama Canal and construction of a new Panama Canal of sea-level
design has been proposed by Representative Flood (D), Pennsylvania,
in H.R. 6296 . . . Admission to United States registry and use in coast
wise trade of not more than two foreign-built hydrofoil vessels has been
proposed by Representative King (D), California, in H.R. 6197 . . . Con
gressman Shelley (D), California, has introduced H.R, 6147, legislation
to admit certain vessels to American registry and to permit their use in
the coastwise trade. A similar bill, S. 1627, has been introduced in th»
Senate by Senator Engle (Di, California.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—In a paper presented to the
Hydrofoil TranspQrt-atiQn Conference, MA reported that the HS
DENISON, an 80-ton test vessel, utilizing a gas turbine power plant and
subcavitating hydrofoils, with speed capabilities to 60 knots, is Hear
ing completion. Launching of the hydrofoil craft is expected by July
1961. While'not designed for commercial use, the DENISON can b«
outfitted to carry 70 to 80 passengers in comfort. The engineering ex
perience gained to date provides a sound basis for believing that tech
nically hydrofoil vessels up to 500 gross tons and 60-knot speeds can be
built and operated with confidence . . . MA will install an experimental
gas turbo-generator and waste-heat boiler system for shipboard testing
aboard the US Lines' ship SS PIONEER MOOR. The experimental
unit was instigated as a means of providing a source of standby electri
cal power primarily for in-port use. This would permit the shutting
down of the ship's steam power plant for in-port maintenance, thereby
simplifying existing procedures . . . Use of the NS SAVANNAH, and
other vessels available, in the interest of promoting foreign trade, ha#
been proposed by Senator John Sparkman (D), Alabama.
RIGHT TO WORK.—As part of its anti-union activities, the Right to
Work Committee is planning a campaign to save section 14 (b» of tha
Taft-Hartley Act, a section which empowers states to prohibit compul
sory unionism. It is expected that the committee will attempt to bring
much pressure upon Congress to maintain this section of the law. The
Right to Work Committee has already announced that it will oppose leg
islation proposing to repeal 14 (bi. Such legislation has been offered by
Representative Herbert Zelenko (Di, New York, Representative John F.
Shelley (D), California, and Representative Elmer J. Holland (D)
Pennsylvania. Revision of 14 (b) may also become a topic of discus
sion in an inquiry set up by Representative Roman C. Pucinski (D), Illi
nois, concerning ".specific amendments" to the Taft-Hartley Act. It is
hoped that these Congressmen will be successful in their attempt to
repeal section 14(b) . . . Several Right to Work measures have been
prepared for introduction in the Florida legislature. This proposed
legislation will attempt to strengthen the administration of Florida's
Right to Work amendment adopted in 1944.
MARITIME STATISTICS.—MA has reported that as of April 1, 1961,
there are 950 vessels of 1,000 gross tons and over in the active ocean
going U.S. merchant fleet. This is three more than the active number
on March 1. This number includes 45 government-owned and 905
privately-owned vessels. This figure does not include privately-owned
vessels temporarily inactive, or government-owned vessels employed in
loading grain for storage. This also excludes 23 vessels currently in
custody of the Departments of Defense, State, and Interior. There wa#
aii increase of four active vessels and a decrease of three! Inactive ves-
.sels in the privately-owne^d fleet. One freighter, the DEL RIO. wa#
delivered from construction.
Vice Bisleai SEAFARERS LOG May, IMl
;:iliiilii;:g
•v;
' 'i
r-P
8ALTIM0RE
Above, left, Dr. John Littleton examines
Diana Barnette, 3, with assistance of
Mickey Van Horn. Top, right, Diana's
brother Dorrell, 15, gets chest x-ray. At
left, Rickey Barnette, 8-, receives eye
exam, while at right his height and
weight are taken.
Among the most valuable
services of the health centers
operated in various SlU ports
by the Seafarers Welfare Plan
are those offered free of
charge to the wives, children
and dependent parents of Sea
farers, as well as to all the
Seafarers who are retired. • In
each of the five stateside clin
ics, as well as in the San Juan
clirfic which will start operat
ing shortly one afternoon o
week is set aside specifically
for dependents of Seafarers.
These dependents receive
the same head-to-toe physicol
check-up given Seafarers, in
cluding the use of x-ray facili
ties, blood tests and urine-anal
ysis, electrocardiograph where
indicated, eye examination,
and similar services. In addi
tion, specialists in pediatrics
and gynecology are available.
The purpose of these exam
inations is the same as those
given to Seafarers, preventive
medicine. Regular check-ups
of this nature, coupled with re
ferral to family physicians
where treatment is needed,
have helped to check'the onset
of disease and preserve the
health of Seafarers' families.
May, 1961 SEAFARERS LOG Paca Seventcea
HOUSTON
'
' _'
;iiiilip5^
\ i...
At top, Mr$. R. R.
Gonzalez, wife of
Seafarer R am i r o
Gonzalez. Center,
Mrs. Herman Pal
mer and Herman,
Jr., 9. Dad is skip
per in G&H Towing.
At left, Mrs. Lyie
Hipp and baby Mi
chael. Father ships
as pumpman.
Above, Seafarer Thomas Brannon and
family give medical history to recep
tionist. At left, top, Mrs. Shirley Brannon gets blood test
from nurse Marvell Contrell. Below, left, Stephen, 5, is
checked by Dr. Amendola. Below, Lenora, 2, is weighed
and measured.
' V
iillililii
iiilF
mximviim.
KiJiSWW
iliiiiiiii mmmmmmmimm
iiiiii
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NEW YORK
Far left, top, Mrs. Sarah
Setliff in test lab; cen
ter, Mrs. Guorina An
drews gets x-ray: lower
left, Louis Garcia. 9, it
examined, with father
Mario Garcia Lopez
Above, Clifford Aversano finds stethesdope
Father it Seafarer Michael Aversano. On
standing by.
quite ticklish. .
table, left, it little Deborah Ortiz.
NEW ORLEANS
Carl T. Feary, Jr., 11-year-old son of Sea
farer Carl T. Feary,- AB, is examined at
New Orleans SlU clinic by Dr. Harold
Cummins.
Filie' Di^tectt" SEAFARER'S LOG M'hi- iMt
CAJ^W^MY" WORXSR
SlUNA Sponsors Fish Bill
Law Would Allow
Price Bargaining
WASHINGTON—Government agencies are stu^iying an
SIUNA-sponsored bill which would exempt certain fishermen
from some anti-trust and Taft-Hartley law provisions and
enable them to bargain for
mmimum prices.
The legislation was intro
duced by Senator E. L. "Bob" Bart-
lett, (Dein.) of Alaska and has been
cleared through the Departments
Japan Bans
Its Trawlers
Near Alaska
SEATTLE—Halibut fishing in
the North Pacific, which began on
sciiedule last month, has been de
clared "out of bounds" for Japa
nese trawlers in the grounds east
of Unimak Pass, Alaska. The de
cision" was made by the Japanese
Fisheries Agency, a government
body.
The decision is regarded as a
constructive step in preserving the
halibut fisheries from over-
ex-)loitation.
The waters which will be closed
to Japanese trawlers include the
area east of Longitude 165 degrees
West and north of Latitude 53 de
grees, 30 minutes North.
Extensive Union Fishing
The order excludes Japanese
trawler operations from Davidson
Bank, Sanak Bank, and the
grounds in the Shumagin Islands
vicinity. These waters are fished
extensively by men of the Alaska
Fishermen's Union and other
SIUNA-affiiiated unions.
However, nothing in the Japa
nese government order prohibits
its nationals from fishing in the
restricted area with tangle nets.
Last year, Japanese vessels were
observed prospecting between the
Sanak and Shumagin groups with
tangle nets as well as trawls.
Fear Halibut Catch
The Japanese government order
said that the restricted area "is too
close to the United States coast
and there is probability of a mixed
catch including halibut, fishing for
which by Japan is not permitted
under the tripartite treaty."
The decision by the Japanese
agency created optimism among
American and Canadian halibut
fisherman who feared that the hali
but resources on banks, where
they had for years been protected
by an American-Canadian treaty,
might be excessively exploited.
The Japanese order does not
prevent trawlers from working
banks south of the Aleutians and
west of Unimak Pass. Russian ves
sels are expected to extensively ex
ploit the halibut banks of the
North Pacific. The Soviet Union
is under no agreement outside of
territorial three-mile limits.
It is feared that Russian activity
may nullify eonservationj efforts in
the area.
of Labor and Interior. The bill, SB
1265, is currently being reviewed
by the Justice Department.
Exempt 2-Ton Vessels
If approved by the Justice De
partment, the legislation will go
to the floor of the Senate. The bill
would exempt all fishermen on ves
sels of two tons or more from cer
tain anti-trust laws and from some
sections of the Taft-Hartley Act.
SB 1265 would permit members
of fishing unions throughout the
country to bargain for minimum
fish prices before sailing.
Successful passage of the legis
lation would give American fisher
men the best break ever received
from Congress. US fishermen are
subject to all the penalties and
restrictions of the nation's labor
laws and anti-trust laws, yet the
major benefits of these laws are
denied fishermen.
Take-home pay, secured through
collective bargaining, is deter
mined for fishermen by the price
of fish they land. Although fisher
men are permitted to bargain,
whenever they attempt to set a
minimum price for fish, the laws
are invoked to stop the action. The
proposed legislation would remedy
this condition.
Atlantic Fishermen's News
eo¥. ¥0iPE mm nmwi immr
Twou "Ob" O-kriM, iirntwr Tm^
mtt Oi tht ATLAfmC HSHERMEN-t
•JNIOV ~ f J IV stsH It I el
Mr mett m^\uUoa WHH SCAFARUS
INTTRNATIONAL UNION ud
with tkt Btmaa Pott Cotukd, 'Mirmaia
Tfidw Dffi, APl-aO, the ATLANTIC
F1SHMMAN-I UNION tbk f
» mm of amtifip wUh tfcr COT*
•TBor, hji •dviKn siU purihuuif tgrnit.
At • (mil, Cortimt jclm A V.ilp«
Mcntlf iaMd t direai*< to hi* d^panmmt
hndi which HMtraatd them to parctuit
mir Uflucd SUM dommtcsllr pruduced
tad procMcd kh. The Miksiiou wnf
along with ro^uau for M« on Adi to bo
GontuiMd in ntimm Sure liutiMMRi. witl
MW incbd* (h* woidt. "NO BIDS
ACCEPTED LTILESS FOR FISH FRO
DUCED AND PROCESSED IN TUB
UNITED 5TATB,"
The order will provide a nrw Mitet foe
mtnr ihommit of mmU of domMic kh
ame (he kau vu bupni iwMlf iwortgd
Ak. Its eAacrs htve aireadr been felt M
ttM Bomn Fish Pier. A Aih dnier openlr
Hated ika for (ho AM tine to h>t knowW
odoe he WM shlc IO WU Ath to the Suie
In • fumnMr to the Go^not, O RriM
^Med (Mt that over ht.OO^
MauwlxiMm receive j
A.F.U. ON THf AAOVE
The ba« frw
ENS UNION —SI.U. Anme (W i
with the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL
have Men a aumhee of (kftgw « ke ATlANnC PISHEB*
SI.U. AnwAg (he major <' X ehaoga. we cao epoM om rnfthmim
UNim Of NORTH AUERiCA be iht
overatielraing vote of 99%. The meitkerkip in all pert* spehe and ther left no
douK attewr their dcHre foe sAlitiexi wnh the iMenutKMUl, led kf lovalMyt
•Mutaore WT c«ld receive ficen wch a nove.
AIM notable in the ouior dungn, wai the election of • itew Smurr Ti«uiii<r.
Agtin. the membtrkip u a whole Irtt no doubt at to theic dbekf. Thomu B. "ObeT
OBiim received Ave (1> oat of onv seven (7) vote* csit.
The memben in BoMwi and ciouicfter aim sppieved kevk Into btttr UnkR
Okcei. tad ibn we can atMir you ii only the brgmoing.
» ki** tvoM fthrr etimnaiM iti t'n./nt ^,<1..^ mtJi AM la «
East Coast
Fish Unions
Talk Pacts
Two Atlantic coast fishing unions
affiliated with the SIU are In the
midst of negotiating new contracts
with fishing vessel owners.
The Atlantic Fishermen's Union
and the New Bedford Fisherman's
Union have been discussing con
tract provisions for more than a
month.
First Talk Since 1946
The Atlantic Fishermen's Union
which affiliated with the SIUNA
last year, is working on Its first
contract negotiations since 1946
and talks are therefore expected
to continue for some time.
The union, headed by Thomas
"Obie" O'Brien, is proposing cer
tain changes designed to enable
fishermen to pocket extra earnings
without increasing operators' costs.
Current negotiations by the Atlan
tic Union are mainly concerned
with- the operators of the large
Boston beam trawlers.
The New Bedford Fishermen's
Union is currently negotiating a
new contract with the New Bed
ford Seafood Producers Associa
tion. The Union, headed by How
ard W. Niekerson, is drafting a
reply to a contract offer by the
boat owners.
Negotiations for a New Bedford
agreement began with talks on the
scallopers' contract, while talks on
a d.agger contract were begun
later this month.
A new labor newspaper came into being last month, "The
Atlantic Fisherman," official organ of the Atlantic Fisher
men's Union of the SIUNA. The paper is part of the Union's
revitalizing efforts on behalf of the New England fishing
industry.
Aflantic Fishermen
Publish New Paper
BOSTON—Another union paper, dedicated to the interests
of the fishing industry and the men who sail its boats, is now
being published by the Atlantic Fishermen's Union.
It is the second newspaper
publish by an SIUNA-affili-
ated fishermen's union.
The New Bedford Fishermen's
Union, also affiliated with the
SIU, has been publishing a news
paper for nearly three years.
The new publication, "The Atlan
tic Fisherman," will record
the revitalized activities of the Un
ion. Late last year, the Atlantic
Fishermen's Union voted overwhel
mingly to join the Seafarers
International Union of North
America.
Since then, with the election of
Thomas "Obie" O'Brien. The At
lantic union has been in the fore
front of the fight to bring life back
to the fishing^ industry.
- Organizing 'non-union fishermen
has been one of the biggest tasks of
the Atlantic Fishermen. Another
problem, which can be pushed to
ward solution with information con
tained in the new Atlantic Fisher
man, is getting Americans to eat
more fish.
For the first time last month,
the Union, boat owners and fish
dealers jointly cooperated in a ra
dio promotion story for the entire
Among unions In the Sill are
a number of groups of commer
cial fishermen on ail coasts, as
well as sboreside fish canneries
and processors. They are In
volved in such widely-diversi
fied fishing operations as scal
loping, tuna fishing, salmon
fisheries, cod, halibut and many
others. Groups involved inoluda
the New Bedford Fishermen's
Union, Alaska Fishermen's
Union, tuna fish and eannery
unions operating out of Cali
fornia ports and groups in
Bristol Bay, Kodiak, and else
where in the far northwest
Pacific," ^ r. ' • • •
industry.
The newspaper will devote much
of its space to telling about the
Uniuii's elfui't to gene^iile eutliu-
siasm in the fishing industry and to
bringing more and more fishermen
under the Atlantic Fisherman's
banner.
Fish Industry
Honors Rice,
New US Aide
BOSTON—Fishing Industry lead
ers from the ranks of labor, boat
owners and fish dealers paid trib
ute last month to Tom Rice, re
cently appointed Special Assistant
to the Commissioner of the US
Fish and Wildlife Service in Wash
ington.
Rice served for 15 years as exec
utive secretary for the Massachu
setts Fisheries Association as well
as for the Federated Boat Owners
of New England and New York,
and fish dealer and boat owner
associations.
Representatives of the Atlantic
Fishermen's Union and the New
Bedford Fishermen's Union, as
well as of the SIU, attended the
testimonial dinner here last month
In honor of Rice.
The new special assistant to the
Fish and Wildlife Service is known
for his fair dealings in the fishing
industry, and with his familiarity
with fishing, should become a valu
able addition to the service.
Rice's sound knowledge of the
fishing- business was praised' by
m^ny representatives in the in^
dustry at. the dinner here late last
month.
New Bedford
Asks Quota
On Scallops
NEW BEDFORD—Acting on a
request by the New Bedford Fish
ermen's Union, this city's mayor
has asked President Kennedy and
the Massachusetts Congressional
delegation to amit imports of Ca
nadian scallops. .
Howard W. Niekerson, secretary-
treasurer of the' SlU-affiliated
fishermen's union, said in a letter
to Mayor Lawler of New Bedford
that "if no quota is placed upon
Canadian scallop imports within a
short period of time, the New Bed
ford scallop industry will become
extinct."
5-Year Increase Voted
Niekerson noted that in 1955
scallop imports from Canada to
taled 1,946,000 pounds, while 1960
scallop imports from Canada
reached a total of 6,873,000 pounds.
In New Bedford in 1955 the
scallop catch was 13,976,000
pounds, valued at $7,309,000. How
ever, in 1960, the catch total
climbed to 19,325,000 pounds but
the valuation declined to $6,-
731,000,
In an effort to curtail the Cana
dian scallops imports. Mayor Law
ler has been in contact with the
President, Senators Smith and Sal-
tonstall, and Representative Keith.
Alaska Union
Elects Officers
SEATTLE — George Johansen,
secretary-treasurer of the Alaska
Fishermen's Union, was reelected
and is entering his 11th consecu
tive year as chief executive officer
of the Union. The Alaska Union
has been affiliated with the Sea-,
farers International Union of North
America since 1960.
The membership reelected Swan
Lundmark assistant secretary-
treasurer for his 10th consecutive
year.
Kenneth Olson of Astoria was.
elected Columbia. River agent in
place of Swan Ohman who did not
seek reelection. Jack Wood of Bel-
lingham,' Harold Gudbranson of
Ketchikan and Abe Lehto of San
Francisco were also reelected.
New Pier Plant
In New Bedford
NEW BEDFORD—A $1,000,000
waterfront improvement project
for this city was put Into action
recently when a Providence, lif,
firm signed a contract to bui'd a
cold storage plant here.
The plant was brought to tha
city through the efforts of munici
pal leaders and the city'r Harbor
Development, Commission. The
New Bedford Fishermen's Union is
represented on the commission.
The projected plant will be built
adjacent to,another waterfront s<te
selected, by Ihe Quaker Oats com
pany for a $1,500,000 pet food
factory.
May. If n SEAFARERS LOG Faga Maetoaar
New Cruise
Run Seeks
US Subsidy
WASHINGTON — The Federal
Maritime Board has started its
hearing procedures on the bid of a
new shipping company, Atlantic
Express Lines of America, Inc. for
a subsidy op a Baltimore-tO'Europe
run.
Atlantic Express is proposing a
combination passenger-container
ship service from the Chesapeake
Bay area to Great Britain, France
end the Low Countries.
The company says that with sub
sidy approval it will build three
combination ships capable of
carrying 600 passengers each and
2,500 and 3,000 tons of cargo in
containers.
At least three steaPnship com
panies have intervened in the hear
ings and can be expected to fight
any subsidy proposal for the new
operator. They are US Lines,
Mooremack and Waterman.
There have been repeated pro
posals in recent years calling for
establishment. of passenger serv
ices from either Baltimore or
Philadelphia on a European run.
S8 Frances Lugs A Heavy Door
A 261^-ton door is shown after being stowed on the deck of
the Frances (Bull) by longshoremen for delivery to Puerto
Rico. The door is aesigned for an atomic reactor which
explains its size and weight.
Waterman, Alcoa
Win Safety Awards
The SlU-contracted Waterman Steamship Company, an ac
tive participant in the joint SlU-industry safety program,
scored its best rating yet when it came up with the third place
standing In the 1960 safety^'
contest of the Marine Section,
National Safety Council.
Waterman's score of 3.39, which
represents a formula based on the
number of hours of time lost per
million man hours worked, was
sufficient to beat out the SlU-con-
tracted Alcoa Steamship Company
for the third spot. Alcoa, which
had won the Marine Section con
test two years' running in 1958 and
1959 and had come up with a
second place in 1957, was a con
testant for the top spot again until
the collision of the Alcoa Corsair
with the Italian freighter Lorenzo
Marcello, in October, 1960.
Accident On The Mississippi
That accident, which took place
on the Mississippi down-river from
New Orleans, took the lives of five
Seafarers and resulted in lost-time
injury to five others. It also re
moved Alcoa from contention for
the number one award. Both ves
sels were under the control of river
.SeatarefH to...Better Buyi
By SIDNEY MARGOLIUS
Frozen, Canned Foods Water-Logged
When you buy one of these frozen meat or fish dinners to eat while
you look at TV, or many other ready-cooked frozen and canned foods,
you often get more of such inexpensive fillers as potatoes, water, flour,
celery, etc., than of meat or fish.
The watered hams, about which consumers are complaining, are only
one part of a fantastic story of the padding and watering of modern
"convenience" foods. ' \
Recently the New York State Cooperative Extension Service advised
consumers to read labels on ready-cooked products to know what they
are realy getting. By law, the label must list the ingredients in order of
the relative amount. The first on the list is the largest single ingredi
ent, the second is the next largest, and so on. But other reports and
surveys have shown that most shoppers do not read the ingredients on
labels.
If that's how people shop nowadays, they are paying a lot of hard-
earned moneV for some cheap, ingredients. The food processors have
discovered a wonderful way to get as much as $1.25 a pound for such
fillers as rice, flour and even water.
For example, the extention service found one brand of "shrimp" chop
euey actually contained, in order of importanee, celery, bean sprouts,
and shrimp broth, with the shrimp itself in fourth place. A brand of
frozen fish balls had potatoes, not fish, as the leading ingredients. And
do you know what the leading ingredient is in "shrimp croquettes with
Newburg sauce"? Not shrimp, but water.
We did some further shopping and found a brand of frozen cooked
turkey, with broth first, with turkey second, followed by giblets and
flour. At 39 cents for a five-ounce package, you pay $1.25 a pound for
this dish.
Or take a famous TV dinner of "meat loaf with potatoes and peas."
The actual ingredients in order of importance are potatoes, tomatoes,
beef, peaS, skim milk and water. At 59 cents for 11 ounces, this
comes to 86 cents a pound for a meat-loaf dinner that is more loaf than
meat. .
Foods already breaded for the frying pan are rarely a good value be
cause you pay a meat or fish price for bread crumbs and flour for the
breading. For example, frozen breaded veal patties at 45 cents for
8 ounces come to 90 cents a pound and part of that isn't even meat.
Patties increasingly offered in the fresh-meat as well as the frczen-
food departments are often called "veal birds," "mock chicken leg" and
so on. Here the problem is the frequent addition of extra suet.
The freshly-ground patties sold in the meat department don't have to
say when extra fat is added. One manufacturer now even sells stores a
machine to convert beef, veal and lamb trimmings into patties. This
manufacturer advertises to butchers that this machine "helps you mer
chandise a great part of this suet at 55 to 69 cents a pound instead of
the 3 cents a pound you get from the renderer."
After cooking you can tell if a butcher has added extra fat to ham
burger and other chopped meat. You can see how much fat has drained
off, and how the patties have shrunk. But it's hard to tell before you
buy. Ordinarily, chopped meat that has extra fat added is whitish.
But butchers have many ways of making ehopped meat look red.
For one thing, they maj^add fresh blood to make cheap chopped
meat look red. Or they may mix in part of the spleen, which has a lot
of blood in it. All this is legal.
The wide use of various, fillers shows a serious need for legislation
to require processors and retailers to state the exact percentages of
starch, water, etc., used in foods. It's not enough to say "fat added" or
"water" or "flour". We also need to know how much.
Otherwise, the loss of confidence as consumers do learn to check
the ingredients, will be self-defeating for the manufacturers and re
tailers.
Seafarer Retired On
'Island In The Sun'
CAPARRA TERRACE, Puerto Rico—Just past his 69th
birthday, Seafarer Jose Rodriguez looks back on the last two
years as a time that has made him "very proud of our Union."
Retired since 1959 on an SIU-*
disability-pension, Rodriguez
credits this laenefit as a major
Union accomplishment.
With a life of seafaring dating
back to 1912 behind him, he's com
fortably enjoying his well-earned
leisure with his family here. The
$35 weekly lifetime disability-pen
sion assures him a measure of
security he and other SIU pen
sioners viewed as a "pipedream"
years ago. Like many of today's
Union benefits, they "just didn't
seem possible" then.
Sailed The World
A native of Spain, Rodriguez
started his sailing career from
Cuba in 1912 and covered many
parts of the world before he set
tled down here. As a family man,
he admits that his favorite runs
were always in the New York-
Puerto Rico trade because his
family was always there at the
southern end of the run. With his
wife, two sons, two daughters and
his grandchildren around him, he
counts it "a good life."
Rodriguez first joined the SIU
in 1941 at the Port of New York
and shipped steadily in the deck
department. He was a "regular"
on the Jean IBull) until he had to
call it quits just about two years
ago. A leg ailment and an arterior-
sclerotic condition had sidelined
him for good and he began receiv
ing the SIU disability-pension a
short time later.
Much of his time is spent at
home today because leg pains keep
him from climbing stairs, but he
does get around to the Union hall
in Santurce now and then to visit
with old shipmates.
As an oldtimer, he offers his
"best appreciation for all that the
Union has done for me. I feel
happy with everything,". he adds.
pilots at the time of the accident.
First and second places in the
1960 were taken by United States
Lines and United Fruit Lines re
spectively.
In other ratings, Matson Line
and American President Line,
under contract to the SIU Pacific
District unions, placed eighth and
ninth. Mississippi Shipping and
Isthmian finished tenth and 11th
respectively in this year's contest.
Retired Seafarer Jose Rodriguez, 69, is shown at home with
his daughters Winnie and Sylvia and granddaughter Shirley.
Staff Officers
Certified In
Export Fleet
WASHINGTON — The National
Labor Relations Board has formally
certified the SIUNA-affiliated Staff
Officers Association as the collec
tive bargaining agent for pursers
employed by American Export
Lines.
The certifieation closes out a
long fight by the pursers to win
representation in the fleet and oust
District 50 of the United Mine
Workers.
Election In February
In the election held in February
of this year, the Staff Officers got
44 votes to 40 for District 50 with
four challenges and one void bal
lot. The New York regional direc
tor of the NLRB held that one of
the challenges should be sustained
since the individual involved was
not an eligible voter. Consequently,
the other three challenges were
dismissed as not being aible to' af-
feet the results of the election.
The Staff Officers' victory repre
sents the first penetration of E3£=
port Lines' officers ranks by an
AFL-CIO marine union. Export
mates and engineers are repre
sented by District 50, with the Ex
port fleet being the Mine Workers'
only major base in the n>artitime
industry. Officers of all other deep
sea dry cargo fleets are represented
by the Masters, Mates and Pilots
and the Marine Engineers Bene
ficial Association.
Notify Union
, On LOG Mail
As Seafarers know, copies of
each issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG are mailed every month
to all SIU ships as well as
to numerous clubs, bars and
other overseas spots where Sea
farers congregate ashore. The
procedure for mailing the LOG
involves calling all SIU steam
ship companies for the itiner
aries of their ships. On the
basis of the information sup
plied by the ship operator, three
copies of the LOG, the head
quarters report and minutes
forms are then airmailed to the
company agent in the next port
of call.
Similarly, the seamen's clubs
get various quantities of LOGs
at every mailing. The LOG is
sent to any club when a Sea
farer so requests it by notifying
the T.OG office that Seafarers
congregate there.
As always the Union would
like to hear promptly from SIU
ships whenever the LOG and
ship's mail is not delivered so
that the Union can maintain a
day-to-day check on the accu
racy of its mailing lists.
Pare Tweafr SEAFAKERS^ LOG Mmr, IMl
No. 40 In Soafarors Lifeboat Ciaasoa
Joseph B. Lorue, MD, Medical Director.
Cataract is Common Eye Ailment
A cataract is the clouding or fogging of the lens of the eye. The lens
is the small, concave, normally transparent body, just posterior to the
pupil of the eye. The lens refracts the light and focuses it on the
perceptive area on the posterior wall of the eye called the retina. It
does this in a manner similar to the way the lens of a camei'a works.
The clouding of the lens is due to change in its physical and chemical
composition. Swelling of the fibers of the lens due to absorption of
water may be reversible; however, the chemical change which pro
duces changes (similar to that of the white of an-egg when boiled) is
irreversible, and is usually progressive. The lens has no direct blood
supply, and depends on its nutrition by absorption from the surround
ing liquid or aqueous humor. The normal lens contains large amounts
of certain chemicals which are found to be reduced when the lens be
comes affected.
Cataracts may be produced experimentaly by many processes such
as mechanical injury, temperature changes, chemical damage, radiation
or diet deficiencies. They are also produced by certain toxic or meta
bolic disorders.
There are many types of cataracts depending on the basic etiology
of the cataract or the associated condition. The routine examination of
normal adults by using a slit lamp will often show a number of lens
opacities, especially with widely dilated pupil and the periphery of the
lens carefully examined. They usually are not progressive and, if so,
are slow and usually do not affeet the vision.
Congenital cataract is a very common form. It may be due to con
genital deformity of the lens or develop after birth due to various
external influences. It is often found in children with nutritional dis
turbances. Traumatic cataracts are usually produced by penetrating
wounds of the eye and damage to the lens.
There are many other causative or associated conditions in a person
which predisposes to cataract. Diabetics seem prone to cataract and
cataract changes in the lens seem to be hastened by diabetes. Catar
acts appear frequently in myotonic dystrophy, Mpngolionism and cre
tinism; in certain patients with chronic eczema and those with para
thyroid disease. Certain toxic drugs may cause cataract. It may also
be produced by radiation, lightning or high voltage electric current and
atomic radiation.
The older a person becomes, the more likely he is to develop a catar
act known as a senile cataract. It is estimated that 90 percent of all
persons over 70 years of age have this type of cataract, and that 34 per
cent of people between the ages of 40 and 50 have some degrees of lens
opacity. (See Dr. Roy O. Scholz in "Today's Health.")
The first symptom a person with cataract has is a gradual impair
ment of vision. The things which they see appear misty or not quite
clear. They may complain that they see better in a strong light if the
cataract is more developed at the periphery of the lens or, it is a cen
tral cataract, they may state they see better at night.
The progress of the cataract may remain fairly stable for years,
and a person may not require assistance. However, there is usually
a gradual progress in the cataract formation. In others, there may be
rapid progress and rapid loss of vision, due to increasing opacity of
the cataract lens. As the progress of the cataract is often so slow de
veloping that a person may have good vision for years, it may be desir
able for the physician not to advise the patient of the cataract. The
only way to determine the progress of this condition is to check for
decreasing vision by repeated examinations.
When a cataract has been diagnosed by the ophthalmologist, he
should refer the person for a complete physical checkup to determine
the person's general physical condition and, if any of the conditions
that are known to favor the progress of the cataract, such as diabetes,
focal infections, or anemias are present, these conditions should be
remedied.
There is only one known treatment for cataract and that is an opera
tion. The time and the necessity of operative treatment has to be
determined in each individual case. With the modern technique of
operative removal, usually under local anaesthetic, the operation is suc
cessful in possibly 99 percent of the cases.
It is advisable to wait for sufficient convalescence after the opera
tion before a peranent corrective lens is procured, due to subsequent
changes in the eye following the operation. However, if necessary, tem-
crary fitted lenses may be used and permanent corrective lenses ob-
tainedafter the eye has completely recovered. (Reference: "Gifford's
Textbook of Ophthalmology by Adler," by W. B. Saunders.)
(Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
he submitted to this column care of the SEAFAERS LOG.)
In the hospital?
Call SlU Hall immediately!
Fortieth in the series of classes graduated under the SlU training program, these Seafarers
gather for their graduation photo. Seated (I. to r.) aro Jesus ^nondei, Nicolas Lekkot,
Alfredo Tampol, Holimero f^rirandei. Standing (I. to r.) Kepner Nestor. Philip J. Copling,
Dewey Gillikin, instructor Biil Dooks, George Murphy and Bob Hermansen.
Victory Will Build 2 More Tankers
WASHINGTON—Victory Carriers' long-proposed 106,500-ton tanker has been ditched—
but in its stead, the company intends to build two 46,000-ton vessels, which will be similar to
the company's recently-completed Mount Vernon Victory.
Agreement on the two new "
tankers was announced by the
Maritime Administration,
with the approval of the Depart
ment of Defense. The Maritime
Administration had previously ap
proved Government loan and mort
gage insurance for the 106,500-ton
vessel.
Onassis Settlement
The giant supertanker, plus the
smaller 46,000-ton Mount Vernon
Victory and the Monticello Victory,
now under construction, was to
have been constructed under a
package settlement made by the
Government with the Onassis in
terests in 1957. As part of the
package Victory Carriers and re
lated companies were pern^itted to
transfer twelve T-2s and two Lib-
ertys to the Liberian flag.
Construction of the new veesels,
originally arranged' for in the
tanker crisis period following the
Suez War of November, 1956, was
pushed back when the tanker mar-
School Ship
Sinks; Six
Lives Lost
MIAMI—A twin-masted sailing
craft used as a seagoing school
sank in a storm in the Gulf of
Mexico early this month, and six
of the 19 persons aboard perished.
The 92-foot brigantine Albatross,
registered under the Panamanian
flag, sank within a minute after
she began taking in water off the
Dry Tortugas.
Dr. Christopher B. Sheldon,
master of the vessel; two teachers
and 10 students were saved by a
passing Dutch motor ship. Grand
Rio, and were taken to Tampa. The
Albatross was sailing from Pro-
greso, Mexico to Nassau in the
Bahamas when the storm hit.
Among those lost was Dr. Alice
Sheldon, wife of the skipper, who
was the vessel's physician. The
vessel sank so fast that the six
persons below were unable to es
cape.
The vessel, based at Mystic,
Conn., served as a'school where
young men received a year's col
lege preparatory training. The 93-
ton craft, built in the Netherlands,
had served as a Dutch training
ship, German pilot schooner dur
ing World War II and belonged to
novelist Ernest K. Gann befpie
she was purchased by Dr. Sheldon.
ket sagged. The Mount Vernon Vic
tory was Anally put into service in
January of this year, but work had
never begun on the larger vessel.
The Navy Department apparent
ly is just as happy with the smaller
vessels, noting that ships of ex
tremely large size, such as the
106,500-tonner, have limited utility
because there are few ports cap
able of handling them.
Seafarers too, will be pleased
with the change which calls for
two tankers to replace the one
giant super, since it just about
doubles the number of crewmem?
bers required. The proposed 106,-
500-ton ship would probably have
operated with no more than four
or Ave men above the standard
supertanker manning scale.
Part of the reason for the 106,-
500-ton proposal was a prestige
contest between Onassis and Stav-
ros Niarchos, whose American-flag
subsidiary has made arrangements
to build a ship of similar size.
The two 46-000-ton ships will be
built in the Bethlehem yard at
Quincy, Mass.
Maritime Roundup
A bulbous snout beneath the wa-
terline may grace the bows of fu
ture ships. This feature of marine
design may result in decreases of
a ship's required power by 10 to
25 percent, according to the De
partment of Naval Architecture of
the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor. The department noted that
Professor Takao Inui, naval archi
tect of Japan, devised the careful
ly designed underwater snout
which showed a reduction in total
resistance by about 10 percent at
a speed of just over 18 knots. If
other problems can be solved, such
as the effect of heavy seas on the
bulbous nose, a real breakthrough
in marine design may be made,
the school claims.
t-
The Federal Maritime Board In
tends to enforce some standardiza
tion in containerized boxes. Thom
as £. Stakem, chairman of the
board, said that ships designed to
carry containers and built with
Federal construction subsidies or
mortgages, will have to accommo
date standard sizes of containers
approved by the American Stand
ards Association. The association
has approved standards for van
containers having cross sections of
eight by eight feet and lengths of
10, 20, 30 and 40 feet. Stakem
said standardization will open the
way to complete interchangeabili-
ty between rail, highway and sea
transport.
4" 4- 4'
The use of strontium 90 as a
heat-power source of electricity
for lighted buoys is being investi
gated by the Coast Guard. Investi
gations show that heat emitted by
the decay of radioactive strontium
90 can actuate a thermocouple and
provide long-lasting power for ah
electric buoy. A buoy lighted by
such a source could stay in service
for many years. The Coast Guard
is also considering replacing old
lightships with fixed offshore struc
tures. Helicopter platforms and
facilities for a seven-man crew
would be included in the offshore
structures which should provide
more efficient and reliable serv
ice.
4> 4> 4*
A 10 percent rate Increase for
cargo service to Hawaii from the
West Coast proposed by Matsof
Navigation Co., was suspended for
four months by the Federal Mari
time Board. The increase was sus
pended for the maximum term al
lowed by law in the middle of last
month. An investigation into the
proposed new increase was con
solidated into an inquiry into a
previous 12 percent increase by
Matson which has been in effect
since September, 1959. A maritime
examiner has upheld the 12V^ per
cent rate hike, subject to Board
review, and a separate hearing will
be held on the new 10 percent in
crease.
4" 4' 41
The Panama Canal last month
was forced to issue draft restric
tions for larger ships for the first
time since 1957. The limitations
are issued when the level of Ga-
tun Eake, in the center of the ca
nal, falls to 84 feet. Unusually
light rainfall during the annual
four-month dry season caused the
low water levels and the conse
quent draft restrictions. Ships of
90-foot beam or more were limited
to a 35-foot, six-inch draft. Nar-
nower ships were allowed six
inches more.
May, Itn
r '.••-•-• • • " ' ' ' '"
SEAFARERS LOG Page Twenty-OM
Latest Foreign Flag Cruise Ship
The latest addition to the foreign flag passenger fleet oper
ating out of the Canadian and American West Coast is the
$42 million, 45,000-ton British flag P&O liner Canberra
(above) shown being completed at a^Northern Ireland ship
yard. The 2,250 passenger liner, which will operate at 27>/2
knots between Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the West
Coast, will begin service from London 4une 2 and will arrive
on the West Coast sometime in July.
MAJOR SiU VICTORY
Canada To Bar British
From Domestic Trades
OTTAWA—^The Canadian government has undertaken action to aid the Canadian-flag
shipping and shipbuilding industry, including announcing that it will institute measures to
limit shipping in the domestic trade on the Great Lakes to Canadian-flag vessels.
The announcement in the-in
House of Commons that Can
ada will move to ban British
Commonwealth ships from the
Great Lakes domestic trade is a
victory for Canadian-flag shipping
and the SIU ,of Canada. The Un
ion has been pressing the Federal
Government for such assistance
for the maritime industry for a
number of years.
Thr last SIUNA convention
went on record calling for such
action by the Canadian govern
ment as have previous SIUNA
conventions on many occasions.
The banning of Commonwealth-
flag vessels will be done through
Canadian National Beef Still Alive;
Cuba Target Of $1.5 Million Suit
HALIFAX—Court endorsement of a $1.5 million suit against the Cuban government
for breach of contract is the latest ripple in the Canadian National beef which began in 1957
when the SIU of Canada struck the company's fleet for more wages.
Flota Maritime Browning,
a Cuban-American firm, sued
the Castro government for
Ocean Ships
Need Pilots
On Seaway
WASHINGTON —Special Cana
dian or American pilots must be
•board all ocean-going ships using
the St. Lawrence Seaway and other
connecting Great Lakes channels,
the State Department has an
nounced.
This requirement, set up as a
safety measure, was effected
through an exchange of notes with
Canada. Preparations for the sys
tem were started when the Seaway
was opened last year.
Special pilots must be aboard all
ocean vessels traveling along con
fined waterways in the Great
Lakes such as the Seaway, accord
ing to the new'regulations.
In the Lakes' open waters, no
speciar pilot is needed if the ship's
pilot has a masters rating, knows
English for communications and
has had recent experience on
Great Lakes voyages.
SIU Canadian
District Halls
rem WILLIAM 400 Simpson St.
Ontario Phone: 3-3221
HALIFAX, N.S mva noiiis st.
Phone 3-8911
MONTREAL 634 St. James St. West
Victor 2-8161
OUEBEC 44 SauIl-au-Matelot
Quebec LAtontaine 3-1569
THOROLD. Ontario 52 .St. David St.
CAnal 7-5212
TORONTO, Ontario 272 King St. E.
EMpire 4-5719
VANCOUVER. BC 298 Main St.
ST. JOHN, NB 177 Prlnca William St.
OX 2-5431
damages, charging breach of con
tract of « Ipasfi-purchnse agree
ment made in 1958 between the
company and the Cuban govern
ment of Fulgencio Batista, under
which Browning would operate the
ships for Cuba.
The seven ships involved in the
court suit were sold to Cuba by
the Canadian government in 1958
after being tied up almost a year
by a strike against their owner, Ca
nadian National Steamship, a sub
sidiary of the Government-owned
Canadian National Railway. The
sale was a government attempt at
strikebreaking against the SIU of
Canada's strike for wage increases.
Sovereign Immunity Claimed
The Castro government, opposing
the suit, entered an application of
sovereign imniunity for the ships.
claiming the affair was outside the
court's jurisdiction.
Rejecting the claim, the court
said the ships were equipped to be
passenger and cargo vessels, non
government functions which do not
extend sovereign immunity to them.
As a result of the decision, the
company can now attempt to seize
the ships rusting in the Halifax
harbor as payment for damages,
if the court upholds their claim.
Strike Had Extensive Picketing
The original strike against Ca
nadian National saw extensive pick
et action when the government at
tempted to transfer the ships to
foreign registry. The picketing.
Which was extended against the
Cuban government when it pur
chases the ships, has kept the ves
sels idle since the 1957 beef began.
Large Lakes Bulk Carrier
Serving V/ifh SIU Fleet
MONTREAL—One of the largest Great Lakes bulk carriers
ever built is now in service with the SIU of Canada-contracted
Canada Steamship Lines. ^
After undergoing successful
trials, the Whitefish Bay is
now on 'the bulk-carrying
trade for CSL on the Lakes and
through the St. Lawrence Seaway
to the St. Lawrence River and
Gulf.
With a designed summer draft
of 26 feet, 31^ inches, the 26,500
deadweight-ton ship is 730 feet
long, has a 75-foot beam and a
depth of 39 feet. The designed
speed is 16-% miles per hour.
The single-deck, welded steel
vessel has 22 hatches served by
six cargo holds. Propelling ma
chinery is aft while guidance is
done from • forward house in
which the officers and deck crew
also live. Engine and steward
crews are in the after house as are
the crew mess and saloon.
Modem crew features include
airconditioning for heating and
ventilation, with individual room
control. Crews are berthed in
double cabins.
Emergency equipment includes
two aluminum life boats on grav
ity-type davits mounted aft and
two life rafts forward.
Electric cargo handling equip
ment, the latest steering and guid
ance gear and heavy duty turbine
and steam and diesel generators
are included in the equipment.
the modification of the Common
wealth Merchant Shipping Agree
ment. which covers shipping
among the member nations of the
British-led group.
Trade Should Be Canadian
In revealing the government's ac
tion, Transportation Minister Leon
Balcer said the move was being
made "because the government be
lieves . . . the domestic Canadian
trade within the Great Lakes area
was not in any sense contemplated
as part of the reciprocal privileges
when the Commonwealth Mer
chant Shipping Agreement origi
nally came into force, and that
this trade should be effectively
reserved to Canadian-registered
vessels."
Canadian, American and British
shipowners have taken advantage
of this loophole by registering ves
sels under the British flag or under
the flags of British colonies such
as Bermuda, hiring foreign crews
and running their ships in Cana
dian domestic waters in direct
competition with better-paying
Canadian-flag ships.
In addition, the Ministry said
that Cnnadinn operators were
transferring some of their Cana
dian Lakes ships to non-Canadian
commonwealth registry, to save on
labor and other costs.
Canadian seamen and the domes
tic shipping industry have been
hard hit by these runaway tac
tics of some Canadian steamship
operators.
NUS Pledge
Many of these runaway-flag
ships are manned by British sea
men. Their union, the National
Union of Seainen, had pledged not
to crew such vessels, but this
promise to the SIU of Canada was-
never fulfilled.
The other aspect of the govern
ment program include paying a
35 percent subsidy toward ap
proved construction costs of Cana
dian registered ships built in
Canadian yards. This would enable
Canadian-flag shippers to buy
their vessels in Canada at com
petitive prices instead of going
abroad where lower construction
costs exist.
Fishing Boat Subsidy
Subsidies will also be payed for
construction of fishing boats. Steel
trawlers will receive a 50 per
cent subsidy while wooden trawlers
over 45 feet in length will have
their previous subsidy of $165 a
gross ton increased to $250 a ton.
Ships now under construction
are covered with the aid being
applied only to the work still to
be done. The ship subsidy will be
applied at a higher rate of 40 per
cent between now and March 31.
1963 to get quicker results.
Two Immediate Effects
The government action will have
two immediate effects on domes-
lie sliipping: transfer of Canadian-
flag vessels to other Coihmon-
wealth nations will halt and shipg
that had been transferred will re
turn in order to be able to engag*
in the Great Lakes domestic trade.
Job opportunities for Canadian
seamen will eventually increase as
foreign-flag ships return to th«
Canadian-flag and sign on Cana
dian crews.
NUS Voices
Concern Over
Poor Contracts
LONDON—According to "The
Seaman" official publication of the
National Union of Seamen of Great
Britain, the NUS is concerned with
the possibility of another wildcat
strike in protest against low pay
and poor conditions.
"The Seaman" warned British
shipowners not to pass off a cheap
contract on the union.
"Shipowners no doubt will pro
test violently at these demands for
higher pay," the unions quotes •
British magazine as saying, but if
"one of the toughest group of Bri
tish employers can glimpse th®
light this time, they will come to
terms quickly with Mr. Scott."
Scott, the magazine says, "knowf
that if trouble is to be averted . . .
improvements have to be made."
Then, stating that "a blind ey®
would play into the hands of trou
blemakers," the union's organ con
tinues its quote from "Time and
Tide" magazine:
"If the shipowners tura their
blind eye to his signal they will
play only into the hands of Mr.
Neary (a leader of the wildcat
strike)."
Finally, in a back-handed admis
sion that there was justification to
the strike, "The Seaman" ends
with this quote from "Time and
Tide";
"If the employers think that Jim
Scott is going to give them the
easy ride they have had from the
NUS in the past few years, we fear
they will be mistaken."
Canadian Seafarers, members
of the SIU of Canada
are a vital element in the mari
time picture generally and in
the SIU family of unions. They
man ships under Canadian
flag across-the-board—deep sea
off the Atlantic Coast, on the
Canadian West Coast, on the
Great Lakes and the Seaway.
The Canadian SIU also repre-
.sents large groups of Canadian
tugboatnien, dredgemen and al
lied crafts. The Canadian Dis
trict works closely with the
other SIU • unions throughout
North America and the mutual
relationship has been of great
advantage to all SIU members.
,A . • »• K ? .V > i;
SEArARERS LOG Kar. 1M&.
Hi.
«•
Optical Plan Is Started
By SlUNA Pacific Unions
SAN FRANCISCO—The SIU Pacific District's optical plan,
whereby the members receive free eye examinations and
eyeglasses, went into operation last month at all ports and
branches with port agents in'*'
charge of the welfare pro
gram.
Details of the program include
the following:
• Eligibility — a seaman must
have 10 days of covered employ
ment within the 365 days imme
diately preceding his application
for the plan's benefits.
• Benefits—Complete eye exam
ination every two years by a li
censed eye doctor. .
• If glasses are needed, a sea
men will receive either single vl-
Unions Act
On Viilson
Food Beefs
SAN FRANCISCO—Sign-ons by
members of all SIU Pacific District
Unions on the American President
Lines' President Wilson was de
layed after the ship's last voyage
as a result of the piling up of a
number of food beefs.
The beefs were attributed to a
chief steward with an attitude of
"its never been done before and
I'm not going to do it now."
Adequate Food Menu
Members of ali three unions ob
jected to the lack of an adequate
crew menu, and they demanded a
greater variety of food, more fresh
fruit and a rotation of juices.
The demands were presented di
rectly to the chief steward who ap
proves the menu made by the chef.
The steward department was
also involved in a separate beef
with the chief steward over dis
puted overtime for a penalty meal.
Early Breakfast Beef
The chief steward had ordered
an early breakfast for some wait
ers and the third steward but had
not turned a pantryman to as re
quired by the contract. The crew-
members involved had to" serve
themselves. They did so but many
did not submit overtime as re
quired in the contract.
After direct intervention by the
steward department delegate, the
waiters took action to end the vio
lation of the agreement.
A port committee was convoked
after the beefs were presented to
APL with the result that overtime
was paid lor the early breakfast
and action was promised to provide
greater variety in the crew menu.
sion or bifocal glasses. One pair of
glasses will be supplied each year;
•Standard type frames will be
supplied, with no provision for
substitution of other types of frames
except where some physical de
formity requires a special type of
frame to be used.
• Contact lenses are not covered
by the plan and they will not be
furnished nor allowances made for
their purchase.
Special Case*
Circumstances in which a spe
cial type of lense is required be
cause of a previous eye operation
or of a particular eye illness will
be handled as special cases and
approval must be received before
any purchase can be made.
Port agents will be supplied with
Medical Authorization .forms and
rubber stamps for use in operating
the plan.
The stamp, indicating when an
examination was authorized, will
be placed in the seaman's book
when a member fills out an Au
thorization for Medical Care form.
Bill Payment
When a bill for examination and
glasses is submitted, it must be ac
companied by the Medical Author
ization form to be honored.
Welfare will inform each union's
headquarters of those seamen who
receive glasses so that the pfoper
notation may be made on his rec
ord.
Old Days On Alaska.Run
Everyone turned out to watch the ships-go north to Alaska.
Above, part of the crowd saying bon voyage to the SS Yukon
as it sailed in April, 1934, from Pier 51, then known as Pier 2,
one of "The Alaska Docks."
Yesteryear Gone
Haze 'Ataska Dock'
For Seattle Cafe
SEATTLE—Soon it will be just a memory . ..
The sounds of passengers waiting to sail to Alaska, the
hustle, the bustle, all was relegated to a colorful, but departed,
past last month as wreckers
began razing Pier 51 in Seat
tle.
The pier, long known as Pier 2
and for 38 years the Stateside ter
minal of the Alaska Steamship CO.,
together with Pier 1 was known as
"The Alaska Docks" when steam-
Pacific Port News
Alaska Tax Payment
SEATTLE — Returns must be
filed on Alaska income tax by non
residents, the state has informed
SIU Pacific District unions. They
suggest payment be made by check
with note indicating it is done
under protest. SUP reports Tom
"Lefty" Matthews, building cus
todian passed away March 7. Jerry
Clements appointed to job.
if if if
Wilmington Active
WILMINGTON — SanDiegp
shows interest in forming MTD
Council. SUP welfare administra
tor visited in setting up optical
plan. MC&S agent working on get
ting doctors for medical plan.
Port's MTD working to have Cus
tom House built in the harbor area
rather than Los Angeles which is
some 22 miles from harbor.
if if
Ships Transit Hawaii
HONOLULU—Large number of
ships in transit had SUP supply
sonf>e men for A&G. One man, Ole
Olson, was in hospital at end of
month.
if if if
SF Gets New Dispatcher
SAN FRANCISCO — Elmiro
"Chlno" LaRue, MC&S delegate
aboard APL's President Wilson,
appointed temporary dispatcher.
New SUP constitutions arrived..
Union signed agreement with Met-"
ritt-Chapman & Scott on manning
M/V Gear.
it if i
NO Closer To Gulf
NEW ORLEANS—F. E. Weyer-
hauser tied up in Tampa, MFOW
reports. All men with baggage in
old A&G hall should remove same
as union has moved into new hall,
SUP advises. This city moved 68
miles closer to sea as dredges cut
a straight 42.mlle channel to Gulf,
enabling deep-water ships to avoid
110-mile winding Mississippi River
trip.
i- i . i
Mormacglen Trial Run
SAN PEDRO — Trial run crew
for SS Mormacglen will be shipped
shortly, MFOW reports. Catalina
will start regular run at end of
month. Union attorneys aided
Greek seamen from ship abandoned
on rocks in getting increase in
money while waiting to' be sent
home.
i i i
Portland Sponsors team
PORTLAND — MFOW is again
sponsoring k Babe Ruth League
tean>. Transfer of Matson C-3s to
Australia run presented much work
for MC&S. Shipping picked up for
SUP which also urges men»bers to
subscribe to unionized "Portland
Reporter."
ships plied the frigid waters be
tween the US and the icy land to
the north.
From their heavily r timbered
docks thousands of passengers and
millions of tons of cargo were
shipped north to Alaska in the
golden years of steamship travel.
Oldtimers remember the honor
roll of wooden ships berthed at
the piers by Alaska Steamship in
yesteryears—the Dirlgo, the Dora,
the Jefferson, Santa Clara and the
Bering, to name Just the mainstays
of a fieet that numbered over IS
ships.
Soon the memory of the journey
north will be replaced by an imi
tation setting of a balmy South
Sea island as the pier is renovated
as an elaborate restaurant, the
Polynesia,
The move is part of a conversion
of sections of the Seattle water
front from, a shipping center into
a complex of harbor attractions—
hotels, shops, restaurants—and
will eventually encompass more
than ten acres of seafront sites.
Gov't Okays
Ship Travel
By Militaiv
WASfflNGTON — A bill
providing for'^$2.5 million for
use by the Defense Depart
ment to send its personnel on com
mercial An>erican-flag passenger
ships was signed into law by
President Kennedy.
The measure, strongly supported
by the SIU Pacific District, covers
the period through the end of June,
1961. It reverses a Defense Depart
ment report of September, 1960,
which stated the agency would diS'
continue using ships after the
present fiscal year. The report also
said that some $80 million was
found for use for conunercial air
transportation.
BUI Aids 2 SIU Companies
The bill would materially aid
two SIU Pacific District-contracted
companies, American President
Lines and Matson Navigation Co.
Matson has already announced that
it has made available more than
3,000 berths for use by the Defense
Department.
The importance of such aid to
steamship companies is shown by
the fact that in 1959, while less
than three percent of military per
sonnel was transported in commer
cial American-ftag vessels, this
small amount transported account
ed for 10 percent of the gross paa=
sengsr income of the companies
involved.
Government Benefits
The benefit of sea transportation
to the Government is evident from
a report in the Scripps-Howard
newsppers which stated that $50
million was allocated for berths
on commercial airlines of which
only 60 percent was actually util
ized. On ships, 100 percent of the
space contracted for was used and
neither APL or Matson has ever
defaulted in their contract to pro
vide berths for military personnel.
On the Government-operated
Military Sea Transport, 80,000
berths in one year were not utilized
and MSTS vessels sometimes carry
only 10 percent of their capacity.
Commercial operators and sea
men's unions have long argued
that MSTS vessel activity be dis
continued in this area.
Pacific District Shipping
Port - SUP
3/6 to 4/3
MFOW
4/1 to 4/30
MC&S
4/6 to 5/4
Total
San Fran. 631 197 398 1,226
Seattle 115 87 43 245
Portland 129 83 41 253
Wilmington 386 ~ (no hall) 109 495
Now York 115 22 40 177
New Orleans 37 (no hall) 0 37
Honolulu 19 31 19 69
San Pedro (no hall) 66 (no hall) 66
Total 1,432 486 650 2,538
Mar. Iffl SEAFARERS LOG Face Twenty-Tkrea
Put It Down Gently, It Weighs 80 Tons
Artist's conception of
the new American
President Lines' SS
President Lincoln (be
low), shows where
the 80-ton gantry
crane being installed
(left) will be located
above the No. 4 car
go hold. The crane
will move container
ized cargo from the
dock to the hold in
Z'/j minutes. Aiding
the operation will be
a boom trolley and
special spreader ex
tending 16 feet over
the dock.
693,000 cubic feet of cargo space.
Sea Racer cargoliners are im
proved Mariner type ships, pow
ered by 17,500 horsepower single
screw geared turbines, with a
cruising speed of 20 knots. Displac
ing 22,640 tons, the ships are 563
feet long with 76-foot beams.
The two vessels are part of a
$32 million APi. construction pro
gram to modernize the company's
fleet.
Newest Pacific District Ship
APL's Lincoln To Start Run
SAN FRANCISCO—With Installation of an 80-ton gantry crane to handle container
ized cargo and final trimming finished, the American President Lines' 88 President Lincoln,
newest 8IU Pacific District-contracted ship, is scheduled to sail on her maiden voyage to the
Far East on Memorial Day, a-*
week after delivery to APL
here.
Another APL vessel, the SS
President Tyler, sistership to the
completed 23,000-ton Sea Racer
cargoliner, is undergoing comple
tion work and final testing at the
Bethlehem Steel Company's San
Francisco shipyard and is expected
to be delivered to APL within four
months.
The two ships will offer con
tainerized service to shippers be
tween the US and Asian ports, as
well as regular cargo facilities and
passenger service. At first service
will be between the West Coast
and Asian ports, with East Coast
service to follow later.
80 Ton Gantry Crane
To handle the eight by eight by
20-feet containers used by APL,
the 80-ton gantry crane was in
stalled above the^No. 4 cargo hold
which holds 126 containers in a
vertical stack six containers high.
APL purchased 420 containers for
$1,250,000 for use on the two ves
sels. A second hatch is also avail
able for container service.
The gantry crane, which is 25
feet tall, 76 feet wide and 35 feet
long, has a capacity of 25 tons and
has the unique feature of a "fiying
control room" mounted on the
crane itself, with all control opera
tions housed in waterproof, alumi
num cubicles.
Accommodations For 12
The ships have air-conditioned
passenger accomodations for 12 in
addition to room for a total of
'Hope' Seamen Make Donation
To MFOW's Matthews Fund
SAN FRANCISCO—Contributions keep rolling into the Ma
rine Firemen, Oilers, Wipers and Watertenders' Sam Mat
thews Fund with possibly the "farthest out" donation being
made by crewmembers of the 4
88 Hope, now in Indonesia,
who said they wouldn't be
able to send in the money, about
$150 to $200, "until we get to
Singapore in June."
The fund was set up to aid Mat
thews who has been paralysed
from the waist down for over a
year after being mugged in New
York City.
Old Timers Contribute
In addition to contributions from
active members of the MFOW and
other SIU Pacific District Unions,
donations have been received from
old-time members who have re
tired and are living on union pen
sions. While tlie source of income
for these members is limited, they
have ail made generous contribu
tions.
Matthews, now in the San Fran
cisco Public Health Hospital, was
recently visited by his family who
live in Honolulu. The trip to the
mainland by his wife and four of
his seven chiidren was made pos
sible by contributions to the fund.
After visiting her husband, Mrs.
Matthews thanked the contributors
to the fund. "It was a wonderful
thing for you to do," she said.
"The children had not seen their
father for two years and their
visit with him was a teriffic boost
for their morale and to Sam's also.
Words cannot express our appreci
ation to the members who con
tributed, many of whom we do not
know personally. The MFOW is a
great organization with e real spir
it of brotherhood."
Matthews Fund money is being
used to pay for therapy which,
doctors say, will enable Matthews
to regain the use of his legs.
Fund monies also aid in the sup
port of his family.
SUP Continues Fight
On MSTS Job Issue
SAN FRANCISCO—The Sailors Union of the Pacific said it
will continue efforts to have the Military Sea Transport Serv
ice change its policy of using Japanese crewmen on cargo
ships in the Pacific after learn-
ing that Secretary of Defense
Robert McNamara said he
was not opposed to the present
MSTS policy.
The SUP and the Masters, Mates
& Pilots had asked McNamara to
investigate MSTS operation of 17
cargo ships in the Pacific which
fly the American flag but are crew-
ed by 750 Japanese nationals.
McNamara was quoted in the
"San Francisco News-Call Bulletin"
as defending the practice of having
the vessels operated by a Japanese
firm under a MSTS contract.
Favors Using 'Indigenous' Persons
According to the report, Mc
Namara stated that the Depart
ment of Defense favors using per
sons "indigenous" to the area in
which our foreign bases are located
where such skills are available.
As reasons for this, McNamara
said, such a policy "makes our
presence more palatable to the
host countries, fosters a limitation
of dollar expenditures aboard and
permits logistical support to our
operating military forces not other
wise obtainable."
The Sailors Union has pointed
out, that such foreign operation of
military ships only takes money
out of the domestic economy with
out returning any comparable gain.
It was also pointed out that
American merchant seamen were
able to supply logistical support to
American military forces during
war time.
'Ill Suited' For American Crews
McNamara also said the ships
had been modified for Japanese
crews and were "ill suited" for
An>erican crews. There was no
elaboration on this statement.
McNamara's arguments are sim
ilar to those previously advanced
by MSTS. It is believed that Mc
Namara contacted MSTS when he
promised to investigate the oper
ating policy of the service follow
ing the SUP-MM&P request.
The two unions has protested
MSTS method of crewing the ves
sels, stating that foreign personnel
should not man American-flag
StaffOfficers
Repay MC5
SAN FRANCISCO—The Marine
Staff Officers, Office and Allied
Personnel Union presented a check
for $3,000 to the Marine Cooks and
Stewards union at last month's
headquarter's meeting as partial
payment for money borrowed for
organizing purposes.
MSOOAP, which has a direct
charter from the Seafarer Interna
tional Union of North America,
embarked on an extensive organiz
ing campaign three years ago and
received support from the MC&S.
The union's efforts, which have
extended from Nome, Alaska to
the Mexican border, have brought
longshoremen, fishermen, fish can
nery workers, pursers and office
personnel under the SIU banner.
ships, especially when many Amer
ican seamen are on the beach.
Understandable Tears Ago
The Unions said that MSTS'
action was understandable years
ago when it was necessary to bol
ster the Japanese economy. But
this situation has changed in recent
years. At present there is a short
age of Japanese seamen and that
nation's economy is booming.
Foreign operation of the ships
has taken about $85 million out of
the American economy in recent
years, with the yearly operation
estimated to be $8 million for
Japanese crew and expense.
MCS Calls
1st Planning
Conference
SAN FRANCISCO — T h •
first Marine, Cooks and Stew
ards Union Planning Confer
ence, to be held here June 15-18,
was officially launched last month
with the niailing of the conference
call to all ships and branches of the
union.
Coupled with the announcement
of the mailing, MC&S Assistant
Secretary-Treasurer James Wil-
loughby, conference coordinator,
reported that committees on ar
rangements, rules, program and re
ception have been set up and oth
ers will be formed after the con
ference begins.
The mailing consisted of an over
printing of the conference call and
small stickers. Conference post
ers will be placed aboard ships by
patrolmen when vessels reach port.
SIU Pacific
District Halls
SUP
HONOLULU Pier 8, Room 208
PHone 502-777
NEW ORLEANS 523 BienvUle St.
Jackson 5-7428
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6605
PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St.
CApitol 3-43.78
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St
Douglas 2-8363
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Main 2-0290
WILMINGTON 505 Marine Ave.
Terminal 5-6617
MC&S
HONOLULU Room 206. Pier 8
PHone 5-1714
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St.
RAmond" 7-428
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
PORTL.4ND. 211 SW Clay St.
CApitol 7-3222
SAN FRANCISCO 350 Fremont St.
EXbrook 7-5600
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
StAin 3-0088
WILMINGTON 602 Broad Ave.
TErminal 4-8538
MFOW
HONOLULU. . 56 Norib Nimitz Highway
PHone 5-6077
NEW YORK 130 Greenwich St.
COrtland 7-7094
PORTLAND 522 NW Everett St.
CApitol 3-7297-8
SAN FRANCISCO 240 Second St.
DOuglas 2-4592
SAN PEDRO 298 West 7th St.
TErminal 3-4485
SEATTLE 2333 Western Ave.
UAin 2-6328
/
VI
VMC* Twenty-Vcor SEAFARERS IOC May, INl
SIX7 FOOZ> and
Cliff Wilson, Food and Ship Sanitation Director
Meat: The Center Of The Menu
It's estimated that one-third of all the money spept in the United
States for food is used for the purpose of meat. It is also a fact that
Americans consume more meat than any other nation in the world, not
only for its flavor and "stick-to-the-ribs" quality, but for its health-
building proteins, calories, vitamins and minerals. Needless to say,
a rugged life at sea makes meat an important item of shipboard feeding.
Meat is the center of the menu—the article of diet around which
most meals are planned, prepared and served. Good meat therefore
deserves good care and preparation so that none of its taste and
nutritive value is lost.
Most of the meat used for shipboard feeding is fabricated into stand
ard packaged and frozen cuts. Most of the bones, excess fat, gristle
and tendons have been removed according to specifications as to grade
and weight. This eliminates excess weight plus routine butchering and
is both a storage-saver and time-saver for the galley crew.
The IIS Department of Agriculture has set up for the packing houses
engaged in interstate-trade specific standards and regulations regard
ing the type and conditions of animals slaughtered and the care given
the meat afterward. All meat destined for Interstate trade must be
inspected by US Government inspectors and meet stipulated standards
before it can be sold. This also applies to meat for consumption on
American ships.
The Government has similarly established grades for the meats most
commonly used. These grades are determined by conformation, finish
and quality, which include such characteristics of the meat as tender
ness, flavor, amount of fat, juiciness and color.
Variations from grade to grade can be considerable. Only a year
ago, SIU companies began storing "US Good" grade steaks instead of
the commercial grade in food service on SIU vessels through efforts of
the Food and Ship Sanitation Program.
Meat can spoil and its eating qualities are reduced if it is improperly
or carelessly stored or is subject to sharp temperature changes. It is a
costly, perishable product and should be placed under refrigeration as
soon as it is brought aboard ship.
All meats keep best when frozen at zero degrees or below. They will
keep as long as a year at this temperature. At higher temperatures the
exterior of the meat may look and feel frozen, but deteriorating changes
occur at rapid speed. Higher than zero temperatures result in rancidity
and cause meat to lose color, juiciness and flavor.
For example: At 10' F. pork starts going rancid in three or four
months; beef, lamb or veal in four or five months. Quality loss occurs
faster and faster as the temperature rises.
Another important thing to remember is that temperature damage is
not visible or tastable in itf early stages. Held for only a day at 20' F., a
product is not likely to show evidence of damage particularly if it has
been kept in its original packaging. Nonetheless, changes that eventu
ally result in visible and tastable damage have begun and the damage,
once done, can't be undone.
Today most of the meats aboard ship are received in fabricated form
as individual cuts (strip loins, sirloin butts, rounds, etc.) in separate
packages. Individual cuts are better for many reasons. They keep
better, take up less space in the freezer, are easier to store, more
sanitary, less trouble to prepare for cooking and only the items to be
served need be defrosted.
One of the best protections for meat is proper packaging to prevent
the product from being exposed to air. Exposure causes the meat to
turn rancid faster and become tough. It allows "drying up" or desic
cation to occur at a more rapid rate.
Never soak meat in water as a means of thawing. Thaw as slowly as
possible and do it in the thaw room or any other chilled place. Meat,-
especially the larger cuts, should not be thawed at room temperature.
If meat is thawed at room temperatures, such as in the galley, the sur--
face will begin to spoil before the meat is thawed at the center. Fur
ther, the meat juices, formed into ice crystals when the meat was
initially frozen, will drip away from the frozen meat and be completely
lost.
(Comments and suggestions are invited by the Department and can
be submited to this column care of the SEAFARERS LOG.)
ICC Reports Declining
Domestic Ship Revenues
WASHINGTON—^Figures issued by the Interstate Com
merce Commission on revenues of the coastwise and inter-
coastal trade for 1960 bear out the gloomy picture of the in
dustry beset by railroad rate--^
cutting.
With the exception of the
SlU-contracted Calmar Steamship
Company, which is in a special situ
ation because of its haulage of
Bethlehem Steel cargoes, com
panies in the trade had little to
cheer.about and some of them ran
far below the previous year's
figures.
Intercoastal Hit Hard
The hardest hit segment of„ the
trade was in the intercoastal area,
where revenues were way down for
Luckenbach (which has since quit
the trade altogether) and were also
down for offshore companies run
ning an intercoastal leg such as
States Marine and Isbrandtsen.
Calmar showed the biggest plus
figure, but only because its 1959
revenues had been sharply affected
by the steel strike..
On the East - (i)oast coastwise
service, Seatrain showed a revenue
increase, while Sea-Land had a
sizable drop-off during the year.
Most of the Lakes operators
showed modest improvements over
1959, but here too, their 1959 fig
ures were adversely affected by
the steel tie-up.
Thfr revenue figures issued by
ICC are gross revenues and do not
reflect actual profit or loss.
Seamen Win On Minimum Pay;
New Law Applies To Maritime
WASHINGTON—American merchant seamen are now covered by the Federal minimum
wage law as a result of an SlU-backed amendment passed by Congress last month. Con
sequently, non-union seamen employed in many harbor and inland waters operations will be
receiving at least $1 an hour'
for the first time.
The new minimum wage
law still exempts seamen from the
overtime provisions of the legisla
tion. Eventually, it will bring all
seamen. as well as other covered
workers, up to a $1.25 an hour
minimum in a step-by-kep pro
cedure over a four-year period.
Eesiored In Senate
The victory on the minimum
wage issue came after the House
of Representatives had originally
knocked out coverage for seamen.
Such coverage was restored in the
Senate and subsequently, both the
House and the Senate adopted the
Senate version of the bill, follow
ing some elaborate maneuvering
by Administration forces.
In their fight for minimum
wages for seamen, the SIU and
other MTD-affiliated maritime un
ions pointed out that while exist
ing union contracts call for wages
well above the $1 an hour mini
mum, too many seamen on small
boats were being paid less than
the minimum because they were
working anywhere from 60 to 80
hours a week for $200 to $300 a
month in many instances. Among
such groups are the deck scow
captains in New York Harbor
whose earnings are considerably
below $1 an hour.
Shipowner groups had opposed
the law, even though the overtime
provisions were dropped so as to
exempt them from h:;ving to pay
Union seamen time and one-half
for overtime. Originally, the ship
owners had declared that the law
was acceptable to them were it not
for the overtime provisions, but
when these were jdropped, the
American Merchant Marine Insti
tute went on record against the
legislation anyway.
Even without the jtvertime provi
sions, the new law' will still pro
vide considerable improvement for
many non-union seamen and boat
men, and also minimize the impact
of low wage operations on compet
ing, union-organized groups.
High Court Bars
16-Cent Scale
WASHINGTON —A recent Su
preme Court decision held that a
knitting "cooperative" in the State
of Maine was in violation of the
Federal Wage and Hour law. The
"cooperative" was paying house
wives 16 to 23 cents an hour for
knitting infants' wear.
In its ruling the Supreme Court
declared that the Whlttaker House
Cooperative, Inc., of Troy, Maine,
was not a true cooperative at all,
but had been set up for the pur
pose of evading Federal wage
standards.'
Only Gid-Time Seafarers Will Remember These
Three former SlU-manned ships of Pre-World War II vintage are (top to bottom) the
Margaret (Bull), a Hog Islander, the Major Wheeler (Bull) which the oldtimers call a "laker"
even though it was a salt-water shijp, and the Azalea Clly (Waterman) a Merchant type
ship built in the Merchant Shipyard in Pa. All three were built during or right after World
War I and were reported missing and presumed lost as a result of enemy action during
World War II. (Photos courtesy US Naval Institute Proceedings, Annapolis, Md.)
SEAFARERS LOG 9m* Twemtf-nm
Jay-Kay Workers Approve
Proposed Contract Terms
After workers at the Jay-Kay company had unanimously
authorized strike action in a special meeting op Thursday
evening, May 11, a tentative agreement was reached with the
employers which would pro-'^
vide a general Wage increase
for all hands, plus other con
tract improvements.
The .proposed contract won over
whelming approval from the sub
sequent special meeting of the
plant's workers on Monday, May
15. Meetings are continuing be
tween the Union and the company
In an effort to put the proposed
agreement into final form.
Immediate Raise
The two-year agreement calls
for an immediate wage increase,
across-the-board for all depart
ments, reclassification of jobs in
the 20 departments at the com
pany's two plants which will result
in appropriate minimum scales,
plus seniority protection, welfare
coverage and further improvement
during the life of the contract.
Numerous negotiation meetings
had been held with the employers
since the UIW was certified as
collective bargaining representa
tive in February. Negotiations on
the Union side had been carried
out by a committee consisting of
UIW representatives and rank-and-
file employees from various com
pany departments.*
Two-Year Fight
Completion of the contract
would wind up a fight of nearly
two years' duration to bring the
benefits of genuine u n 1 u n
representation to Jay-Kay em
ployees. Previously, the plant had
been represented by an "inde
pendent" outfit, known as Amal
gamated Local 355 which func
tioned largely as a paper local.
The organizing campaign was
These Are Your
Union Meetings
—Attend Them!
All union members should
regularly attend the member
ship meetings in their area.
These meetings are devoted
to discussions of matters vital to
the welfare and security of
every UIW member and his
family.
What's more, these meetings
provide every UIW member
with the opportunity to speak up
and state his views about these
vital matters.
Here is the schedule of the
next meetings:
NEW YORK-Tuesday, June
6, at 6 PM, SiU Hall, 675
Fourth Ave., B'klyn.
BALTIMORE - Wednesday,
June 7, at 7:30 PM, SIU Hall,
1216 E. Baltimore St.
SUNBURY - Sunday, June
11, at 2 PM. Friendship Fire
Company.
PHILADELPHIA - Tuesday,
June 13, at 7:30 PM, SIU Halt,
2604 S. 4th Street.
climaxed by an election In Octo
ber, 1960, which the UIW won
handily by a margin of nearly two
to one. UIW certification was de
layed until January because of
legal maneuvers by the defeated
"independent" outfit.
Worst Conditions
Under this "independent" union,
the employees had worked under
the most Intolerable working con
ditions worse than those prior to
the great union organizing cam
paign of the I930's. This was so be
cause the "independent" union did
nothing, would do nothing, and
could do nothing.
Under the "independent" union,
employees were hired at $1 an hour
and advanced to $1.15. The com
pany would lay them off for a
month or so and then rehire them
at $1 an hour. This the "Indepen
dent" union allowed.
There were many other abuses
also, which made the rehiring gim
mick look small by comparison.
The change brought about by
the UIW was summed up by one
veteran employee, who, after the
contract approval, when over 100
copies of the agreement were Im
mediately passed out, said: "At
last we know what a contract looks
like."
Another employee said he had
worked seven years at the plant
and had never eeen a Cunlract.
The contract settlement was pre-
ceeded by three months of bitter
negotiations during which the Un
ion and the negotiating committee
had to fight for a contract, clause
by clause.
Status Quo Offer
After three months, all the em
ployers would offer was a one-
year status quo contract—that Is,
the same contract they had with
the "independent" union.
The employers also said that
they would talk about money
"later"— if they made any In the
meantime.
At the special meeting May 11,
the employees voted unanimously
for strike action—even those who
had voted against the UIW in the
NLRB election.
The company actually believed
that these people, whom they had
kicked around, browbeaten and
fired at the slightest pretext would
never vote for a strike.
Fight For Rights
The employers didn't realize that
once the employees' fear was lift
ed as a result of the UIW election
victory, and once it had been
proved that the employees had a
strong union to support them, they
would stand up and fight for the
rights denied to them for many
years. i
As another employee put it:
"This shows the Jay-Kay em
ployees are solidly behind their
union, 100 percent."
At the peak of the season, em
ployment in the Jay-Kay Corpora-
lion's NeW York City plants is in
the vicinity of 700 workers. The
firm, which operates plants in
Long Island City and The Bronx,
manufactures a variety of equip
ment, most of it for household use.
At The UIW Bargaining Tabie
At bargaining table discussing demands for a new two-year agreement at UlW-contracted
Eastern Automotive Co., of the Bronx, are UIW National Director Steve Cardullo (far
right) and UIW organizer Ralph Quinnonez. At left are management representatives.
UIW Welfare Plan Expanded
NEW YORK—Increases in maximum allowances including hospital room and board and
broader coverage of other hospitalization benefits, were approved for UIW members by th#
trustees of the Union's welfare plan, who met at headquarters here earlier this month.
The trustees voted to raise'
the m a X i m u m hospital
benefits to $300 from $240, and
also upped the In-hospital room
and board allowance to $15 a day
from the former $12 a day, effec
tive the first of this month. In ad
dition, the group approved plac
ing the following cases under regu
lar hospitalization benefits: Caesar-
ean sectioii, ectopic pregnancy, and
miscarriages. The latter were for
merly covered by the regular UIW
maternity benefit allowances. In
the case of normal childbirths, the
trustees agreed to Increase the al
lowance to $80 from $62.50. The
trustees also approved benefit cov
erage of newborn babies which
may require special medication or
surgery.
During the month of April, a to
tal of $7,383.03 was paid to UIW
UIW Members End Voting
On Convention Deiegates
NEW YORK—Members of the United Industrial Workers
Union have completed voting for delegates to the UIW's first
convention, and are now awaiting the report of their tallying
committee.
members by the United Industrial
Workers Welfare Plan, according
to Plan officials.
The highest welfare paj-ment for
the month went to Pablo Cruz of
Porter-Mathews Co., who received
a check in the amount of $702,70=
Other large benefit payments went
to: Charles Schaffner of F. M.
Stevenson, $564.00; Joseph Znan-
iec, F. M. Stevenson, $552.00;
Camilllo Fioravanti, Wilson Marin#
Terminal, $466.90; Edward Toch-
man, C & S Canvas and Rope,
$336.00, and Phillip Chiappisl,
Standard Building Displays,
$280.15.
The results of the election
will be reported to all ports
maintaining offices, in addition to
ail candidates appearing on the
ballot.
17 Vie For Posts
According to the UIW constitu
tion, eight delegates to the conven
tion will be elected. A total of 17
members placed their names in
nomination and were listed on the
ballot. They were:
Basil Booker, David Brechcr,
Joseph Campolei, John J. Dwyer,
John Holiday, Warren Leader, Sal
Maccarone, Ysmael Paz, Gennaro
Primiano, Ralph Quinnonez, Louis
A. Ruggiano, Price C. Spivey,
Charles S. Spruell, Frederick Stew
art, Matty A. Stucchio, Joseph
Walsh and Odell Watts.
Ballots Mailed To Members
A mail ballot, together with a
letter of instruction, was sent to
each UIW member at his last
known address, and the menrbers
were instructed to return 1 "h-
. marked, ballots tq g designated post
office box by not later than May 12.
The UIW convention is sched
uled to open May 24 at head
quarters in Brooklyn. Among the
items expected to be discussed are
plans for broadening organizing
activities in many areas where un
organized industrial workers are
receiving sub-standard treatment
and low pay.
The news on this page deals
with people working under the
SIU banner in shoreside estab
lishments engaged in maritime
production and allied fields.
Included among the items
made are cordage, canvas,
lifesaving equipment, ship's
gear and related industrial
products. Because there had
not been any organization avail
able to tbem, many of these
workers were formerly without
any union protection, until they
came under the SIU banner.
Developments in their area will
be reported here because they
are an important part of the
maritime industry.
UIW Signs Up
Phila. Company
rillLADELPIIIA —The United
Industrial Workers Union has
signed a new two-j'ear contract
with the Philadelphia Dressed Beef
Company which grants the firm's
employees increased fiinge bene
fits, including health and welfare
gains.
The contract, which went into
effect earlier this month, will cover
some 20 UIW employees when the
firm reaches Its peak season, ac-
: cording to UIW National Director
• Steve Cardullo. Philadelphia
Dressed Beef pi-imarily deals with
tlie wholesale processing of hides.
Cardullo al.so announced that
Jack Miller, area UIW director,
was recuperating from a recent
operation which not only kept him
away from his regular duties, hut
also from attending the SlUNA
convention in Puerto Rico. Miller,
who had been elected a UIW dele
gate by the membership, is ex
pected back on the job in a few
week.s. Cardullo added that Bro.
Miller wished to thank all those
who sent cards and flowers during
his hospital confinement.
• v--r L-t-;.,
Fare Tweiity-SiB SEAFARERS tOG Har. 19S1
All of the following 5IU families have re-
^ceived a $200 maternity benefit plus a $25
bond from the Union in the baby's name,
representing a total of $6,400 in maternity
benefits and a maturity value-of $800 in
bonds: ^
Maurice Gaines, born March 4,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ellis
Gaines, Mobile, Alabama.
$> $1 ^
Mary Savoie, born February 28,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Irvin
Savoie, Cut Oif, Louisiana.
3» it 4"
Clara Spiers, born March 15,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Token
Spiers, Columbia, Mississippi.
4« t 4"
Irene Sears, born March 24, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. Lyn Sears,
Brooklyn, New York.
4"
Tadashi Diaz, born March 27,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Juan
C. Diaz, Santurce, Puerto Rico.
4 4" 4-
Chariene Longr, born March 21,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Charles
Long, Prichard, Alabama,
4 4 4"
Gilbert Gonzales, born March 29,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Gilbert
Gonzales, Galveston, Texas.
4 4 4
Daniel Kennedy, born March 22,
1981, to Seafarer and Mrs. Aubry
Kennedy, Jay, Florida.
4 4 4 1
Carolyn Reed, born March 20,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Hardy
Reed, Galveston, Texas.
4 4 4
Kevin Lewing, born April 2,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ottis
Lowing, Flsrien, Louisiana;
4 4 4
Karen Fedraza, born February
24, 1961, to .Seafarer and Mrs. H.
B. Pedraza, Texas City, Texas.
4 4 4
Estelle Rabaria, born March 17,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Teadoro
Rabaria, San Francisco, California.
4 4 4
Louise Romero, born April 9,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Antonio
Romero, Brooklyn, New York.
4 4 4
Karl Evert Johansson, born Feb
ruary 22, 1961, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Sven-Olaf Johansson, New
Orleans, Louisiana.
4 4 4
Robert Bridges, Jr., born April
C, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs Rob
ert Bridges, Galveston, Texas.
4 4 4
Dennis Peterson, born March 18,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ken
neth Peterson, La Grange, Georgia.
4 4 4
Kevin Vega, born March 16, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. Woodrow
Vega, Cut Off, Louisiana.
4 4 4
Sharon Gurney, born April 14,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Antonio
Gurney, Baltimore, Maryland.
4 4 4
Cynthia Miniz, born April 20,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Joaquin
Miniz, Brooklyn, New York.
4 4 4
Daniel Hartley, born December
80, 1960, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Lewis Hartley, Mobile, Alabama.
4 4 4
Edward W. Hall, born March 14,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Roger
Hall, Jackson Heights, New York.
4 4 4
John Ward, born March 28, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. John Ward,
Clinton, Mississippi.
4 4 4
Donald Floyes, bom February
10, 1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Rob
ert Floyes, Mobile, Alabama.
William Baker, born March 12,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs,-Edgar
Baker, New Orleans, Louisiana.
4 4 4
Marcell Thomas, born March 30,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Warren
Thomas, Baltimore, Maryland.
4 4 4
Joyce Piatt, born March 27, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. Elijah C.
Piatt, New Orleans, Louisiana.
4 4 4
Kenneth Bewley, bora November
8, 1960, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Thomar Bewley, Seattle, Washing
ton.
4 4 4
Rebecca Sanchez, born March 18,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Thomas
Sanchez, Chickasaw, Alabama.
4 4 4
Gordon Gasklll, born March 81,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Floyd
Gaskill, Sea Level, North Carolina.
4 4 4
Blair Rowell, born March 31,
1961, to 'Seafarer and Mrs. Frank
Rowell, Dickinson, Texas.
4 4 4
Amy Denny, born April 6, 1961,
to Seafarer and Mrs. Hershel Den
ny, Bluefield, West Virginia.
4 4 4
Michael DeSouza, born April 12,
1961, to Seafarer and Mrs. Celes-
tino DeSouza, Brooklyn, New York.
The deaths of the following Seafarers have been reported to the
Seafarers Welfare Plan and a total of $44,000 in benefits was paid-
(Any apparent delay in payment of claims Is normally due to late
filing, lack of a beneficiary card or necessary litigation for the dis
position of estates.)
George J. Balaskos, 45: Brother
Balaskos passed away from a lung
ailment at the
USPHS Hospital,
Norfolk, Va., on
March 1, 1961.
He had sailed in
the SIU steward
department since
1951. Surviving is
his sister. Maty
Helen Balaskos,
of Norfolk. Burial
was at Forest Lawn Cemetery in
Norfolk. Total benefit; $4,000.
4 4 4
Lawrence J. Sheehan, 64: Broth
er Sheehan died of arteriosclero
sis on May 27,
1960, at the
USPHS Hospital,
S t a t e n Island,
New York. He
had been shipping
SIU since 1940 in
the steward de
partment. His sur
vivors are Caro-
1 i n e McGrath,
Walter Hand and William O'Con
nor, all of Brooklyn, NY. Burial
was at Pine Lawn Cemetery, NY.
Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
Wglter G. Browning, 34: A lung
condition was the cause of death
to Brother Brown
ing on March 17,
1961 at Greens
ville. North Caro
lina. He had
shipped in the
SIU deck depart
ment since 1946.
Surviving is his
mother, Mrs.
Flossie Browning,
of Richmond, Va. Interment was at
Richmond. Total benefit: $4,000.
IMM.
Fernand Bertalo, 57: Brother
Bertalo died at the USPHS Hospi-
t a 1, Baltimore,
Md., on March 20,
1961, due to a
heart ailment. He
had shipped as an
engineer on SIU
tugs since 1957.
Surviving is his
widow, Mrs. An
toinette Bertalo,
of Baltimore. Holy
Cross Cemetery, Baltimore, was the
place of Interment. Total benefit:
$4,000.
4 4 4
Oswald M. Ergle, 70: A lung con
dition was the cause of death to
Brother Ergle on
April 9, 1961, at
the USPHS Hos
pital, Baltimore,
Md. He had sailed
in the SIU stew
ard department
since 1946, and is
survived by Dol
ores T. Wine-
brenner of Balti
more. Woodlawn Cemetery, Balti
more, was the place of burial. Total
benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
William M. Scott, 60: A heart
ailment was the cause of death to
Brother Scott on
January 17, 1961
at Mobile, Ala.
He had been a
member of the
SIU steward de
partment since
1941, and is sur
vived by his wid
ow, Mrs. Frankie
Scott, and a son,
Cornelius, both of Mobile. Inter
ment was at Oaklawn Cemetery in
Mobile, Total benefit: $4,000.
viRm-xo
7MB/^ 1
Seafarer's Last Rites in Pakistan
Solemn services were held for Seafarer Turner T. Parker at Chittagong, East Pakistan, foU
lowing his death at a local hospital last Christmas Day. Parker, 56, had suffered a stroke
aboard the Coeur D'Alene Victory two days out of port. Shipmates and friends gathered at
the Protestant Cemetery included (standing, from left): Seafarers Eidemire, McGeOi
Malhabour, George, Roditis, Bunce, White, Casey, Ameiinck, Correli, the local Reverend
who ofFiciated, Seafarer Downey and local residents. In front, 2nd mate Todd, chief engi<
neer O'Donnell, Capt J. E. Rothrock, Seafarer Kolonas, 1st engineer Jolley and 3rd mate
Fitzell. Bunce, who was ship's delegate, submitted the photo.
Louis R. Ross, 33: A heart ail
ment caused the passing of Broth
er Ross at St; Jo
seph's Hospital,
Houston, Texas,
on March 10,
1961. He had been
shipping in the
deck department
on SIU tugs since
1957. Surviving
is his widow, Mrs.
Shirley Ann Ross,
of Houston. Burial was at Rose
wood Memorial . Park, Houston.
Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
Michal Mlchalik, 45: Brother
Michalik died of broncho-pneumo
nia in San Fran
cisco, Calif., on
March 14, 1961.
He had sailed in
the SIU steward
department since
1952, and is sur
vived by Paul L.
Marty of San
Francisco. Holy
Cross Cemetery
in San Francisco was the place of
burial. Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
Cecil E. Williams, 36: A heart
condition caused the passing of
Brother Williams
on October 2,
1960, while
aboard the S3
Montego Sea at
New Orleans, La.
He had sailed in
the SIU engine
department since
1945. His mother,
Mrs. Rosa E.. Wil
liams, of Richmond, Va., survives.
Burial was in Richmond. Total ben
efit: $4,000.
4 ,4 4
Nick Giosue, 76: Brother Giosue
passed away from a lung ailment on
February 21, 1961
at' St. Joseph's
Hospital, Tampa,
Fla. He began
sailing SIU in the
deck department
in 1940 and hkd
been receiving
special disability
benefits since
1954. His widow,
Mrs. Carmelina Giosue, of Tampa,
survives. Myrtle Hill Cemetery,
Tampa, was the place of interment.
Total benefit: $4,000.
4 4 4
Maurice Kopenhagen, 57: Broth
er Kopenhagen died of a heart con
dition oh March
11, 1961, at Met
ropolitan Hospi
tal, New York,
NY. He began
shipping with the
SIU steward de
partment In 1941
and had been re
ceiving special
disability benefits
since 1960. His sisterT Irene K. An
derson, of Bronx, NY, survives.
Burial was at Monteiiore Cemetery
inthe Bronx. Total benefit: $4,000.
Mar, IMl SEAFARERS LOG Face Tweaiy-Sere*
MONTIiOO SUN (Standard Marina),
March S—Chairman, S. i. Alpai^i Sae-
ratary, L. W. Pmpfr. SSO draw for
Yoliohama. Charles Slanina waa elect-
ad as new ship's delegate. No beefs
reported. Motion made to have a
delegation send letter to headquar
ters regarding ship's safety. Food
menus and service excellent. Crew
very cooperative In all respects. Vote
of thanks to ail delegates and steward
department for a job well done. Re
pair list to be given to patrolman at
port of payoff. Discussion about mas
ter and mate doing sailor's work on
deck.
PENN MARINER (Penn Shipping),
March S—Chairman, Wm. H. Thomp
son; Secretary, A. Trammer. Ship's
delegate reported everything is going
•lean as par new cleaning schedule
posted, and to Include the Library
and tha Nop sink room. Some crew
repairs still not completed, but being
worked on at intervals. Suggestion
that crew donate SI toward ship's
fund as a few items have been pur
chased for the benefit of the whole
crew. Department delegates reported
no beefs. Motion made that all SlU-
contracted companies (such as this
company) follow the SlU agreement.
Suggestion that passageway on main
deck be blocked off so that Koreans
will not be all over the place. This
to be taken up with the captain.
ROBIN HOOD (Moora-McCormack),
March 12—Chairman, C. Terry; Secre
tary', R. Sedowtkl. Ship's delegate re
ports that two men missed the ship—
one man rejoined. Everything running
smoothly. S14 in ship's fund. No beefs
in deck and steward departments.
Several hours disputed OT in engine
department. Discussion on poor mail
service. To bee patrolman regarding
ship's purser on the draw, and slop
chest situation. Purser tends to put
out the draw and open slopchest at
his convenience only, without notice.
Crew complains about purser every
trip. This has been brought to patrol
man's attention but no action has
been taken.
along very good. Requested resigna
tion. Vance A. Reid was le-elected
and given a vote of thanks for a job
well done. Departineii{~crelegates re
ported no beefs. Request to cut steam
olT radiators. Steward to make a
cleaning schedule for the wash room.
The BR will take care of the recre
ation room. The steward department
was given a vote of thanks for the
good job they are doing.
EAGLE VOYAGER (Sea Transport),
March 25—Chairman, J. Doyle; Secre
tary, S. U. Johnson. Decided by crew
to sign the 30-day extension to the
shipping articles. Definite under
standing not obtained from headquar
ters on bonus for signing extension.
Captain refused to have the US con
sul brought down from Foukuoka.
Japan for the signing of the exten
sion. Two men hired in Japan as
replacements. Very little repairs
were taken care of in shipyard. Ship's
storerooms were to be fumigated.
New washing machine needed along
with mattresses for all.
TWIN FALLS VICTORY (Suwannee),
Feb. 27—Chairman, J. Nsylor; Secre
tary, A. Philips. Ship's delegate re
ported . bosun missed ship at Port
Canaveral. Engine delegate reported
that his department is to get report
on new contract to apply to opera
tion of this vessel. John Cantrell
elected new ship's delegate. Motion
for amendment to constitution that
assessments .mme due at end of first
quarter. Crew request all paychecks
to be inspected to see if too much
Income tax is being withheld. Request
company to add men to all depart
ments to maintain ship as is presently
expected. Comprehensive report to
follow. Request that wash basin be
installed in chief cook's quarters. Vote
of thanks to steward, department. Vote
of thanks to outgoing sship's delegate.
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), April 2—Chairman, C. GIbbt;
Secretary, J. Meehan. Ship's delegate
reported few hours' disputed OT to
be taken up with patrolman. No other
beefs reported. Ail running smoothly.
THE CABINS (Texas City Ref.)
March 23—Chairman, J. Mathews; Sec
retary, H. K. Pierce. Vote of thanks
to ship's delegate who was taken to
hospital in Boston. John Williams was
elected new ship's delegate. $14.72 in
ship's fund. Motion that ship's' fund
be built up some at payoff. Ship's
delegate to handle fund. Everything
running smoothly and no beefs were
reported.
HASTINGS (Waterman), March 24
—Chairman, George F. Clarke; Secre
tary, John E. Wells. Ship's delegate
reported some disputed OT. Two men
logged. One man missed ship in
Rijeka, rejoined in Naples. Ship's
delegate to call headquarters regard-
in- men gelling olT in New York.
Safety meeting expected to be held
March 27. Delegate to turn in sug
gestions regarding safety. Water cool
er in engine room not working. Need
more water pressure on toilet. Men
asked to keep toilets clean. Catwalk
to he built on both sides of ship
when deck cargo is carried. This ha's
been a good trip with the minimum
of beefs due to able delegates and
good crew.
NATALIE (Maritime Overseas),
March 26—Chairman, W. Ferrandiz;
Secretary, R. E. Hommel. No ship's
delegate at present time. One to be
elected. C. A. Bailamy elected as
ship's delegate. No beefs reported by
delegates. Vote,«f thanks to steward
department for good food and service.
NATALIE (Maritime Overseas),
March !•—Chairman, R. DcVirgileo;
Secretary, R. Ripley. Ship's delegate
requested to step down in favor of
another man. J. N.' McLaren elected
new ship's delegate. Some disputed
OT in deck department to be taken
up with patrolman at payoff. Vote of
thanks to steward department for
good job. Laundry room needs better
attention—man. responsible for the
job will see to it.
DEL MUNDQ (Mlsslsslnnl), March
19—Chairman, Jack Chastain; Sacra-
tary, L. J. Harvey. Before resigning,
ship's delegate requested ail members
to sign olTicial SlU ship's crew list.
Theodore Marulio, elected new ship's
delegate. No beefs reported by de
partment delegates. Crew requested
to bring coffee cups back to pantry.
Also to fill washing machine with
water up to water mark, and not
overload.
PENN TRADER (Penn Shipping
Corp.), March 26—Chairman, J. 2lo-
rels; Secretary, S. Rothschild. No
beefs reported by department dele
gates. Harold Arlinghaus elected new
ship's delegate.
SEATRAIN GEORGIA (Seatrain),
March 26—Chairman, John Cola; Sec
retary, Frank Flanagan. Incident* con
cerning man in deck department was
phoned to headquarters last trip. Will
be settled by patrolman at payoff.
Deck engineer claims not his job to
repair lockers but is job of the basun
who should do this work. At last
safety meeting the captain asked men
to use gangway rather than long
shoremen's ladder when going ashore
in Belle Chasse. $8 in ship's fund.
Some disputed OT In deck dbpart-
ment.
AMES VICTORY (VIslery Carriers),
March 25—Chairman, Jack Stouch;
Secretary, Kaznowsky. Ship's dele
gate reported (hat he saw captain re
garding the money draw situation in
the future foreign ports. Reported
^ an injured crewmember. No beefs
reported by dcnartment delegates.
Crew reque»t leak in cook's room be
renaired. Ship's delegate asked to be
relieved in order to rotate delegate's
poailion. Sotiemm elected new ship's
de'cate. An agreeable hand vote
taken regarding the type of money
dr.">ws in the future foreign ports.
TOPA TOPA (Waterman), March 19
—Chairman, Harvey L. Graham; Sec
retary, Frank L. Bartlett. Ship's dele
gate reported- everything running
smoothly. Engine delegate reported
some disputed OT. Fight aboard ship
in Antwerp causing olie man to be
hospitalized. One man asked to he
removed from ship. Union contract
being violated by 1st asst. engineer.
Will explain to boarding patrolman.
Some disputed OT in steward depart
ment. Suggestion made that ship's
delegate see captain about lifting
Logs. Also for all members to help
keep crew pantry clean, and to "flush
toilets after use.
SAMPAN HITCH (Suwannee), March
26—Chairman. J. F. Wunderlich; Sec
retary, A. Bell. Shin's delegate re
ported all rooms will be painted. No
one to go topside without consent of
ship's delegate. One man went to
hosnital in Puerto Rico but returned
to .<-h!p OK. One men broke h's ankle
and. was paid off. $7 30 in ship's fund.
Minor ' beefs in deck department.
Washing m -chine needs to be repaired
or replaced. On March 28 on board
ship a meeting was held and it was
recommended that crew write to ask
about sending a shio's library as there
Is none on board. Also need OT sheets.
JEFFERSON CITY~ VICTORY (Vic
tory Carriers), March 7—Chairman,
S. E. Walsh; Secretary, C. J. Oliver.
One m-n failed to Join ship in New
York. One man failed to join ship in
Philadelphia. One man left ship due
to his mother being in hospital. Left
gear aboard .ship. Want more. LOG to
distribute. $7.52 in shin's fund. No
beefs reported. Suggestion that valve
on fire ho.se be cleaned. Grating
around washing machine is dangerous
and should be replaced.
ROBIN GOODFELLOW (Moore-Mc-
Cormack), March 12—Chairman, Jack
Smith; Secretary, , Jack Sweeney.
$18.35 in ship's fiind. No beefs re
ported in deck department, and stew
ard department. Few minor beefs in
engine department to be taken up
with patrolman.
STEEL ARCHITECT (Isthmian),
March IS—Chairman, V. Suska; Sec
retary, J. Ormond. Ship's delegate
reported that three men went to the
hospital in Colombo. Ship will arrive
in New York April 7. Discussion
about pa.s.sageways which need to be
sougeed and painted. Coolie labor
taking OT. Decks need to be washed
down more often. Meeting between
steward delegate and patrolman is
suggested when ship pa.vs oiT. Dis
cussion about mounting TV set. Pa
trolman to check medicine chest.
Passageways and heads should be
painted soon. Launch service not good
enough.
OCEAN DINNY (Maritime Oversees)
—Chairman, F. Baron; Secretary, Paul
L. Whitlow. Ship's delegate reported
laundry is finKshed and to be kept
STEEL DESIGNER (Isthmian), March
9—Chairman, Daniel Butts; Secretary,
N. Mutln. No reply received regard
ing petition sent in concerning black
g.mg foc'.sles. $10.50 in ship's fund.
No beefs reported b.v delegates. Del
egates ot see patrolman reg.arding
sh'o being fumigated. Discussion on
slopchest. Vote of thanks to steward
department.
India's Unions Make Progress,
Montego Sky Seafarer Finds
(The followina article teas submitted tp the LOG bu Seafarer William Calefato.l
Four boys used as strikebreakers in India,
and their contractor, rest against wall
(above, left) while delegates of striking
chippers, painters and scrapers union
(right) pose tor Seafarer William Cale-
fato.
Intiia is a relatively new nation, and its unions aren't much older. While the unions
are similar to others the world over, the unions also symbolize the future for India. Just like
the nation, the unions are in ferment, working to improve themselves against all kinds ol
difficulties.
A case in point occurred
when the Montego Sky (Tiger
Shipping) was in Calcutta and a
strike was called by members of
the chippers, painters and scrapers
union working on the ship..
The beef was against the cen
tral government for more work and
more pay. The strikers also pro
tested against the method of pay
ment to workers by which the em
ployers give the job agents about
10 rupees ($2) for each man, hut
the agents pay only two rupees to
each man.
Scabs Are Common
While strikes in India are very
serious affairs, scabs take them
lightly as the incident on the
Montego Sky showed. The scab em
ployer, an anibitious c ontractor,
brought four kids into the engine
room and reported to the second
engineer that they were ready to
paint. Nobody knew who hired the
new contractor. But he said that
made little difference; all he want
ed was something to eat for the
kids and three rupees for himself
—and the group would go to work.
The contractor knew there was a
strike on, hut that fact was unim
portant. While he talked, the
youngsters stripped to their under-
The new industrialized India is slowly being built as the
scene (above) ,shot along the Hooghly River, one ot India's
important waterways, shows.
mreas
VRAWihJ&y
mCL£S
!X,
ate welcozmdhy
youir
-A'j/I «i:(4 . C i<.- f () 1 v i- « i i n -i 'i 4 t ' r. t II f| ' '-
wear and then climbed all over a
boiler, splattering aluminum paint.
Above decks, the strike was still
on in full force.
^Whils ws didn't know who hired
the group, we -later learned that
one of the absent engineers was
unaware of the strike and hired
them the day before. In the ex
citement the contractor forgot to
explain this.)
Everyone should have known
that the waterfront grapevine
would carry the news of the strike
breakers to the union, because in a
short while the Indian unionists, in
the best of native dress and man
ners., presented themselves to the
second engineer and the con
tractor, and w^ted to see the anti
union workers.
Youngsters Hidden
At first the kids couldn't be
found. There were fresh paint and
brushes on the boilers, hut no
painters. A more thorough search
disclosed that the four youngsters,
at a signal from the contractor, had
hidden themselves in the bilges
and shaftalley. How they got down
there so fast was their secret. In
India, acrobats and magicians of
various kinds are somewhat com
mon.
After the round-up, an unsched
uled meeting was held right on the
floor plates. To an uninformed by
stander this could have sounded
like a group of auctioneers trying
to outbid each other. But the sig
nificance, and the principle was the
same as in any SIU strike.
The argument on the floor was
an omen of the greatest struggle
of India herself. The small union
wanted, among other things, unity.
And In the enthusiasm of 'the
unionists who surrounded the con
tractor, everyone could see the
strength and determination of In
dia that will eventually make that
nation great.
Police were on the scene now
••• Z V o 1 » , 6 1 • V ti ' ; (
and they stood with local watch
men on the grating until the small
gang was ushered out. The kids,
along with their erring employer,
were a little dismal as they wulkeil
down the gangway with the union
ists.
Where they went was anyone's
guess. But the right one could be
that the little gang was due for
some indoctrination.
As for India—she has untold
millions of unemployed. Prominent
businessmen and the government
are convinced that these people
will get their chance in the new
industries that are being built.
From a ship the sights are evident
of a growing industrial nation.
Everywhere one can see shoe fac
tories, jute mills, shipyards and
many more kinds of factories being
built or operating.
Begging Will Go
As I discussed tills with one
storekeeper, the man said, with a
smile full of dignity, "India, like
all other nations, came from the
dust. It fell under exploitation hut
it is now rising again. True, there
are a 100 million beggars. But the
culture is changing so that the
begging will he gone in a few
years and the people will again win
over their hardships." .
He didn't have to add: just like
the painters union won.
Ssgn Name On
LOG Letters
For obvious reasons the LOG
cannot print any letters or
other communications sent in
by Seafarers unless the author
signs his name. Unsigned
anonymous letters will only
wind up in the waste-basket.
If circumstances justify, the
LOG will withhold a signature
on request.
Pace Twenty-Eiclil SEjl FARERS LOG May, IMl
Seafarers' Own 'Foreign Aid'
As Effective As US Variety
- (The following article was submitted to the LOG by Seafarer J. L. Gomez.)
Vast amounts of publicity are being given to the foreign aid program which our Govern
ment is sponsoring in many foreign nations. Far less well known, but just as important,
is the personal aid program American merchant seamen have been pursuing since World
War II, and even previous to*
the war.
Of course, the American
seamen is a part of the Govern
ment assistance program, both by
paying taxes to hnance the pro
gram and manning the ships that
transport the aid cargoes. In addi
tion to his vital contribution to the
national aid effort, the average
seamen is also engaged in a per
sonal aid endeavor that is sup
ported by all seafarers regardless
of union—an aid program that is
completely unorganized and wholly
voluntary, and one that rarely, if
ever, makes the front pages of any
newspaper.
Most Seafarers Contribute
In spite of the fact that our ef
forts are completely voluntary, it
is hard to hnd a seaman who has
not made his contribution—money,
clothing, books, tools, etc.—to the
program.
It may be wrong to classify our
efforts as a "program." But our
efforts have been successful oh a
local level, where they have con
tributed directly to the betterment
of the people involved.
Through our efforts—and it is
more than just charity., is is a direct
concern for the welfare of the
many less fortunate people we
come in contact with in our travels
throughout the world—children
are able to attend school, families
are grateful for the medical bills
we have paid.-'and poor peasants
and city dwellers praise America
for the food we have provided,.
Our men are not called upon to
make any donation. We choose the
people we want to help. We have
no rules as to how much we should
give to a man or his family. Yet
there are many orphanages and
B?boDlb that exist through the.
generosity of the American sea
man.
Thousands Of Dollars Involved
Roughly speaking, many hun
dreds of thousands of dollars have
gone into this program each year.
We consider this nothing as com
pared to- the people who have
learned to know and become
friends with the "United States
through us.
Of course we are proud of what
we have done and are doing. Each
of us may have some secret, selfish
reason for what we do. But there
are also practical reasons.
Many people think that the Gov
ernment aid program reaches the
people for whom It Is intended.
For the most part this is true. The
food, materials and equipment are
helping to eliminate starvation and
hardship in many under-developed
countries.
Program Used Against US
realize that every time we step
ashore in a foreign country we
become ambassadors for the US.
We willingly accept this challenge.
Sharing the material bounty of
America , is a small answer te the
challenge. The knowledge of the
good that we are doing, the happy
faces, the joyful people all are
small rewards for our efforts.
After seeing how much our efforts
mean, the most hard-bitten seaman
succumbs and he, loo, becomes in
volved in our program.
There is no single answer as to
why any seaman gives to our pro
gram. But the final answer may
lie in the fact that to do so is in
the tradition of the sea, a tradition
At the same time, because many j that involves aiding those in need
of aid. of us make these countries our
steady run, we know that in many
places the materials and cffuip- Rave
ment have been used to our dis- ®
advantage.
We know where large quantities
of grain have had to. be shoveled
into the sea because the facilities
to handle such large shipments
were inadequate and storage space
was not available.
We know where to find food
products labeled "not to be sold"
being sold. We know where large
shipments of rice and wheat have
been delivered into the black jnar-
ket, thereby adding to the hard
ships of the people for whom the
food was originally intended.^
The agencies responsible for the
delivery and distribution of the
aid must have some knowledge of
what is happening. It is unfortu
nate to note that these agencies
were not held in high regard
among the natives who are to re
ceive the aid. In fact, the reputa
tion of some agencies only de
tracts from the good impression
and good work that our Govern
ment is trying to do.
Our efforts are a small attempt
to counteract the injury that is
being done to our nation. Seamen
Varied subjects were discussed by crews at sea last month.
They ranged from the problem of unauthorized 'persoii®^!
coming aboard ship in foreign ports to possible areas of con
tract negotiations.
The problem of unauthor
ized persons coming aboard
ship in foreign ports ls» heightened
by the fact that past experience
•has shown that when these persons
leave they occasionally walk off
with personal possessions of sea
men.
The Steel Seafarer (Isthmian)
has called on company officials to
take action to keep unauthorized
persons out of the crew areas
while the ship is in foreign ports.
Sailing along the African coast, the
Robin Hood (Robin) urged all
hands to cooperate to keep non-
crewmen out of the midship house
because of the sanitary reasons in
volved and to put a stop to pilfer-
by E. Reyes
Sailor Rags visits the new New Orleans hall.
Ing of crew's personal belongings.
On the Penn Explorer (Penntrans)
traveling in the Middle East, ev
eryone was asked to keep all doors
locked to keep Egyptians out of
the deck house.
Contract Chances
With contract time near, crews
are starting to discuss possible
areas of negotiations. Morning
Light (Waterman) voted to send a
letter to headquarters suggesting
that the new contract incorporate
a provision that companies pay
crews for the actual number of
days worked Instead of a 30-day
month. Beauregard (Sea-Land)
wants all port time in the contin
ental limits of the US as time off
or have the company pay OT.
A motion to change the pay rate
from OT to time and a half for
painting offices' quarters was ap
proved aboard the Orion Comet
(Orion). Alcoa Pegasus (Alcoa) is
looking for improvements on wel
fare and retirement.
Margaret Brown (Bloomfield)
wants clarification of the following:
Is deck maintenance required to
take temperatures in cargo holds
each morning? Is this a regular
routine duty or is it the duty of
the chief mate? Is OT involved
for the deck maintenance, and is
he required to take readings seven
days a week? Crew also notes that
deck watchstanders are required to
turn blowers on and off in cargo
holds and, as blowers are in the
resistor house, it may be considered
hazardous for anyone not familiar
with electrical work and equip
ment.
Crews are also concerned with
proper attire. On the Producer ^
(Marine Gairiers Curp) it was
moved to have proper clothes worn
in the messroom. Steel Artisan
(Isthmian) specifically required
crewmembers to. wear full shirts,
not T-shirts, for meal time in the
dining room.
MT. VERNON (Victory Carriers),
Feb. 17—Chairman, G. Ruf; Secretary,
J. Coyle. Ship's delegate reports one
man missed ship In New Jersey. One
m- w 7 hospitalized in Curacao.
Three replacements in Honolulu. No
beegs reported.
black on any ship. Also, tliere should
be a telephone on all ships while in
any port .so as to permit a crewmem-
ber to call to see what time his ship
is going to leave.
SEATRAIN NEW YORK (Seatrain),
Feb. 19—Chairman, Charles Lee; Sec
retary, Fred R. Ryder. No beefs re
ported, One man missed ship in New
Orleans. Crew requested to be more
tidy in quarters.
ORiON COMET (Orion), Feb. 12—
Chairman, E. L. Roberts; Secretary,
C. V. Berg. Ship's delegate reported
that BR steward missed ship in
Sasebo, Japan, on February 3rd. J.
Nicholson paid off on a medical on
the same date. Two men who missed
the ship on the previou.s trip re
joined the vessel before sailing. No
ship's fund. Members asked to chip
in to cover cost of postage for letters
to headquarters. Several hours dis
puted OT in deck and steward de
partments. Mate continually doing
sailor's work.on deck, trying to save
the company money. Ship's delegate
asked to write headquarters regarding
store sand other things put off by
the captain.
PENN TRANSPORTER (Penn Navi
gation), March 5—Chairman, William
Anderson; Secretary, Keith Cole. Some
disputed OT in all departments. 8-12
oiler to see patrolman regarding black
gang delegate bWhg drunk and
missin.g watch. Request that all wages
and OT be paid at payoff and not to
be carried over to next voyage. No
signing off until all OT is settled and
all monies due collected. All depart
ments and two ship's delegates
thanked for good jobs they have
done. Vote of thanks to steward de-
[
foc'sles repaired and painted. Crew
to keep pantry clean at all time.
Crew suggested that the Coast Guard
inspect chart room deck for structural
defect. Twelve to four engine de
partment foe'slo relocated, was an
other suggestion. Vote of thanks to
steward department.
tary, Ange Panagopoulos. Ship's dele
gate reported htat three men in the
deck department are missing watches
and one man missed the ship. Repair
list turned over to captain. No beefs
were reported. Ship's delegate to see
chief engineer regarding cold water
in showers.
delegate reported no beefs. Washing
machine repaired. Steward department
quarters to be painted this trip. Rob
ert Banister elected new ship's dele
gate. Crew asked to keep the pantry
clean of trash and return all used
cups to the pantry. Vote of thanks to
steward dept. on an excellent Christ
mas and New Year's Dinner.
DEL ALBA (Mississippi), Mar. 12—
Chairman, E. Butch Wright; Secretary,
G. Trosclair. No beefs reported. All
running smoothly. $2 in ship's fund.
Motion made to have negotiating com
mittee put clause in contract to elemi-
nate carrying Kroo boys on Africa
coast as this causes much dissension
among the ship's crew. Will see Union
official to see what can be done
about roaches aboard ship. Washing
machine in bad shape. No can opener
in pantry for night use. Vote of thanks
to the baker for a job well done.
EMILIA (Bull), Feb. 26—Chairman,
Michael Enders; Secretary., Ned Rom-
ley. Ship's delegate reported eveiw-
thing running smoothly. Nine cred-
members appeared in a 20th Century-
Fox production being filmed at Kyoto,
Japan. Letter sent to LOG on story.
$55.75 in ship's fund. Michael Enders
elected ship's delegate. Steward re
ported that he is short on linen
changes and requests that the crew-
members turn in soiled linen promptly.
partment. Union headquarters to be
alerted on lack of any kind of safety
program aboard this vessel. Crew and
officers received letter of apprecia
tion from deceased 3rd mate's wife
and children, thanking them for
floral wreath and donation of $150.
PETROCHEM (Valentine Chemical),
March 6—Chairman, K. Hatgimislos;
Secretary, A. Z. Deheza. $11.21 in
ship's fund. No beefs were reported.
Motion made to elect new ship's dele
gate. Motion to see captain and see
if he would authorize the building of
wooden benches for crew's use on
deck back aft. Vote of thanks to stew-
art department for work well done.
Suggestion made that negotiations be
opened for a 10 percent increase in
wages and overtime, as well as
fringed benefits.
STEEL WORKBR (Isthmian), Feb. 26
—Chairman, Wm. O'Brien; Secretary,
W. M. Hand. Ship's delegate reported
that the two day's loading was ok'd
and two days for chipping in Kandia,
India, is disputed. Everything else is
OK: Motion was made to have the
Union pay transportation to men
shipped from one port to do job in
another port. Water faucet for coolies
should be moved away from crew
quarters. Vote of thanks to carpenter
and steward for seeing that crew have
fine movie program. Also vote of
thanks to steward department for
good meals and service. Vote of
thanks to steward for good menus
and for being especially accommodat
ing to crew.
MARGARET BROWN (Bloomfield),
Mar. 5—Chairman, Canales; Secretary,
Makin. Ship's delegate reported no
beefs. Repairs were turned in. Safety
meeting was held. Motion to have
deck meeting with the patrolman re
garding no hot bread served. Motion
that, the negotiating committee be re
quested to insert a clause in the
agreement covering a 25 percent
hlnirs while loading or unloading lamp
ALCOA PEGASUS (Alcoa), March S
—Chairman, Robert B. Barnes; Secre
tary, Carlie W. White. Ship's delegate
reported that everything was running
smoothly. Repair lists have been
turned in before reaching the east
coast. $5.10 in ship's fund. There
was a general discu.ssion regarding
letter sent to headquarters about the
mail not being delivered to ship. It
was reque.sted that the company be
contacted regarding putting luggage
racks over all single bunks in foc'sle.s,
and to have all personal lockers in
DANNY BOY (Kulukundls), March S
—Chairman, L. P. Hagmann; Secre
tary, F. Donovan. Ship's delegate re
ported that new chairs and mattres.ses
were ordered. Motion made to consult
patrolman regarding beef on subsSft-
enee. Motion made to get some
prompt action on the building of new
hall in Houston.
IBERVILLE (Waterman), Feb. 26—
Chairman, Phillip F. Ackroyd; Secre
tary, Wm. R. Cameron. Ship's dele
gate reque.sted repair list be turned
In. $3.66 in ship's fund. Messroom
chairs need repairing. Movie projec
tor to be stenciled. William Cameron
to go with otficer to .select movie film
for out-going voyage. No beefs re
ported. t)
STEEL DESIGNER (Isthmian), ApHI
1—Chairman, G^ne Flowers; Secre
tary, N. Martin. Ship's delegate re
ported one man was fired for per
forming. Lockers for deck depart
ment were not taken care of. $15.63
in ship's fund. Department delegates
reported no beefs. Ship's delegaje re
signed. New ship's delegate elected.
Gene Flowers. Black gang foc'sles to •
be reconverted in 'Frisco shipyard.
Discussiin on draws in foreign ports.
Request cooperation of all members
to take eare of washing machine.
Vote of thanks to former ship's dele
gate.
MT. EVANS (Cargo & Tankship),
March 26—Chairman, F. B. Neely; Sec
retary, H. F. Henry. Ship's delegate
reported no beefs. Discussion about
better assortment of condiments.
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), Feb. 12—Chairman, Fred L.
Travis; Secretary, Paul S. Howe. No
beefs reported. Elected ship's dele
gate from deck department. Old books
to be turned in to American Merchant
Marine Library, Honolulu.- All salads
to be seasoned by individuals.
MARORE (Marven), March 5—Chair
man, John Miller; Secretary, Frank
Albore. Ship's delcate reported two
men hospitalized. No disputed OT.
Discu.ssion on men being able to pay
off. Have patrolman meet ship in
Pedro.
ATLAS (Cargo A Tankship), March
11—Chairman, Carl Jsiinson; Secre-
DEL MUNDO (Delta Line), March 5
Chairman, Robert Banister; Secretary,
Leuls J. Fernandez. .Ship's delegate
reported no beefs. Repair lisis turned
In to captain. One rnan in the Stew
ard department In hospital in Buenos
Aires. Vote of thanks for the good
work of the Steward department.
Jan. 8—Chairman, Robert Banister;
Secretary, Leuls J. Fernandez. Ship's
ALCOA RUNNER (Alcoa), March 2«
—Chairman, E. A. Wright; Secretary,
W. R. Stone. Ship's delegate reported
that most of the repairs have been
made and most painting has been
done. More repairs to be made when
material obtained for making repairs
is received. Will see patrolman about
getting new washing machine. De-.
partmetit delegates reported no beefs.
'Discussion on the installation of
scieen doors in galley and crew mess-
room. '
MASSMAR (Caiman, March 19 —
Chairman, B. Hirsh; Secretary, M. E.
Greenwald. No beefs reported. Ern
est W.. Johnson elected new ship's
delegate. AR running smoothly.
ALICE BROWN (Bloomfield), March
12—Chairman, J. W. Altstatt; Secre
tary, Charles F. McDowell. $19.10 in
ship's fund. No beefs reported. Dis
cussion on each department taking
-turn cleaning recreation room. Dis
cussion on safety.
nil liti SEAFARERS LOG Paf«» Tiirnfy-NliM'
New Orleans Hail:
Comfort, Beauty
To the Editor:
Just a few lines to say hello
.again and let you know that I
am aboard the Del Sud (one of
the Delta Line "Glamour
Wagons") after shipping out of
the new New Orleans hall.
Words cannot describe the
beauty and all-around comfort
that our hall in New Orleans
To The Kditor
P-.
All letters to the Editor for
publication in the SEAFARERS
LOG must be signed by the
writer. Names will be withheld
upon request.
has; one must personally visit
it to realize that this hall was
built for the comfort and con
venience of the rank and Ale
and their families. It is a real
tribute to the maritime and
trade movement and will con
tinually show the SIU always
•leads the way.
I hope I am in New Orleans
for the grand opening which,
they say, will be in April. We
are due back in on the 19th.
Just a suggestion from the crew:
how about open house on the
22nd? It is a perfect day: Sun
day. We have the best baker in
the Gulf aboard to bake a cake
replica of the hall.
. Vic Miorana
Thanks Union
For Condolences
To the Editor:
I received the Welfare Plan's
benefit check together with
Union letter and I wish to ex
tend my thanks.
I would also like to thank the
Union for its letter of condol
ence.
I would like to Ihuuk the
Union on behalf of the Hawood
family for its condolence.
Mrs. Carol Root
Welfare Plan Help
is Appreciated
To the Editor:
These few lines are in grate
ful appreciation to the SIU for
the substantial assistance I re-
received through the Union's
Welfare Plan.
In January, I was obliged to
enter the hospital for serious
abdominal surgery. I telephoned
the Welfare Plan office and was
assured that everything would
be taken care-of under the fam
ily Hospital Plan.
The kind and courteous treat
ment shown me by the people
at the Welfare Plan office made
a deep impression on me.
I am especially grateful to Mr.
Patterson and his staff for the
prompt attention and for mak
ing all the arrangements for me.
I realize, of course, that kind
and considerate treatment Is
typical of the SIU and it Is a
good feeling to have a friend
when help Is needed.
Again, my heartfelt thanks to
all of you.
Mrs. Mary Driscoli
PS I enjoy reading the LOG
from cover to cover.
4. 4. 4)
Expresses Thanks
For Flowers
To the Editor:
I wish to express my thanks
to the members of the SIU for
the lovely floral offering sent
upon the death of my dear hus
band, Ben Stewart,
Mr. Buck Stephens was so
helpful to me; I wish him to
know how much I appreciate the
time and effort he spent on my
behalf.
The kind letter'received from
the Union was a consolation to
me. The check enclosed from
the SIU Welfare Plan will be of
much help to me.
I hope to continue receiving
the SEAFARERS LOG so I can
keep up with the progress of
the Union and the many friends
made through the years while
my husband was a Seafarer.
Mildred Stewart
4" 4" 4'
Calls For New
Lifeboat Design
To the Editor:
The latest sea accident in
which a Liberty-type ship broke
in half off the coast of Maine
and the skipper kept his crew
on board, the damaged ship as
long as possible claiming that
the lifeboats were not sea
worthy to battle 15-foot swells,
shows that improvements in
lifeboat design are needed.
It is time to provide the
American merchant marine with
a lifeboat that not only can re
sist bad weather but also re
main waterproof after being
overturned. Such a lifeboat
should also be supplied with
oxygen tanks as part of its em
ergency equipment in case the
boat has tc be sealed for sur
vival purposes.
Such sealing would be neces
sary in case of atomic attack
at sea as a protection against
radiation until the danger is
past. In addition, a fireproof,
sealed lifeboat would provide
emergency protection in case of
a fire at sea when the boat has
been trapped.
The boat-lowering system
system should be changed to
provide for lowering from with
in the lifeboat so sailors will not
be exposed to added danger by
being required to remain on
deck to lower away.
It is my belief that a fleet
provided with such advance
ments will run without compe
tition in the passenger trade due
to its safety advantages and will
provide unequaled protection
for seafarers in the cargo trade.
Julio Evans
Sword Knot Seamen's Theme:
'Monopoly' Between Missiles
The cries could be heard in the clear night as the ship rested at anchor somewhere in the
South Atlantic:
"Two yellows for a blue!" •
"No I won't—I'm getting
cheated!"
It wasn't mayhem. It was
just a "fierce and shrewd" game
of "Monopoly" being played on the
Sword Knot (Suwannee) while the
ship was on a record 95-day down
range missile run.
According to the report to the
LOG, "Monopoly" was the chief
form of relaxation for the 23-man
SIU crew of the knot-type ship,
one of 11 used by Suwannee on the
ni i s s i 1 e patrol extending from
Trinidad to the Ascension Islands.
Ushering In Space Age
The job, an important part of
the efforts that are ushering in the
space age, is not all play. While the
I vessels carry no cargo, the men
are continually involved in day-to
day maintenance and operation
work to insure the fleet's operating
at peak efficiency.
The ships serve as mobile mis
sile-tracking and recovery stations
for the earth satellites, moon shots
and military guided missile and
ballistic missile tests conducted by
the Government.
Because of the nature of the
work, the company-union agree
ment covers such unusual areas
as assignment of telemetry space,
manning of recovery boats and re
covery watch.
Based . In Trinidad, Recife
The ships are based in Trinidad
and Recife, Brazil. Their passen
gers are the technicians who oper
ate the radar tracking gear and
the frogmen who salvage nose
cones and recording gear.
While the ships are away from
port for long periods, the Sword
Knot's 95 days at sea was a record
for which the captain compli
mented the entire crew.
During the voyage, chief steward
Frank Napuli and AD Henry Mur=
No Fish Story
When (I. to r) Stanley Ze-
browski, wiper; George Stan-
ley, bosun; Pete Mena, A6;
and Frank Wherrity, AB, tell
of the 28-pound dolphin they
caught while on the Losmar,
it isn't a fish story, as Tom
Uliss^'s pix shows.
At the end of a run a missile ship rests quietly in harbor
waiting for another call to go down range and recover a
test shot.
ranka caught over 1,000 pounds of
dolphin and other varieties of fish
to keep the ship well supplied
with seafood.
1,000 Pound Ray Got Away
Ship's delegate Leonard G.
Kropp reported that Napoli's only
"disapointment was losing a manta
ray, estimated weight 1,000 pounds,
that he had speared single-handed
from the fantail."
No beefs were reported on the
voyage. Because there are few
places where the ship's fund can
be used, the crew voted to "tem
porarily discontinue" collecting
money for it, as the present $47.50
"is adequate."
On the shark front, wiper Frank
Hickox and BR Roy Elford caught
a fair catch of four makos and
three white tips, Kropp reported.
"Monopoly" continued for most
of the trip, with engine depart- ~
ment delegate Peter McDonald
claiming the game gave him high
blood pressure. It "finally broke
up under heated, friendly trading
discussions."
Red Carpet Out For Players
Kropp says the red carpet is out
for any Seafarer who enjoys a game
of "skill and possesses real estate
such as Park Place and Board
walk."
It has been suggested that the
crew discuss the possibility of
using some of the computers that
are employed in the tracking
operation in planning their trading
moves. The scientists aboard ship
should be glad to oblige—maybe
they can get into the game that
way.
Third Mate Saves AB's Life;
Treatment Stops Gangrene
Month-long patient care by the third mate of the Montego
Sky saved the life of John Statchen, AB, while the ship was
returning to Portland from Singapore. The mate, V. E.
Sprague, treated Seafarer
Statchen's gashed right hand
index finger, checking the ad
vance of blood poisoning and pre
venting gangrene which could have
resulted in an amputation or even
death.
Statchen is now being treated at
a hospital In Portland. At first a
doctor said the finger would have
to come off, but later consultations
resulted in the decision that it
could be saved.
Doctors: 'Mate Did Good Job'
Statchen reported the doctors as
saying the mate "did a damned
good job and if it wasn't for him
I would be dead now."
The finger was gashed while
Statchen was cleaning a rose box
in a hold. Though the wound was
dressed immediately, a day or so
later the pain increased and infec
tion became prevalent, with th«
symptoms pointing to gangrene.
Radio messages were exchanged
with Singapore and Sprague as
sumed responsibility for carrying
out the treatment of lancing, soak
ing and penicillin.
Looked Like 'Chewed Frankfurter*
The infected finger was de
scribed in a report to the LOG as
looking like "a chewed frankfurter
with ketchup, mustard and relish
all over it."
A slow trip to Portland, caused
by the fact that the ship was empty
and could not make good time,
added to the danger of gangrene,
while storm conditions prevented
Statchen from being transferred to
another ship or to Midway Island,
the nearest land, for more thciough
hospital treatment.
Pare Thirty SEAFARERS LOG ibr. IMl
Praises LOG'S
Medical Coiumit
To the Editor:
I have found the medical ar
ticles in the SEAFARERS LOG
very interesting. Is it possible
to have an issue on arthritis?
James W. Reed
4» it
Ex-Seafarer
Passes Away
To the Editor:
This is to advise the members
of the SIU who knew him about
the death of my brother, Abe
Gamzon, who was a member of
the Union during World War II.
He died tragically at Hillside
Hospital, Queens, NY, on Octo
ber 25, 1960. He left a wife,
Louise; a wid
owed mother,
Mrs. Moliie
Gamzon; a
brother, two
sisters and
many friends
and relatives
who loved him.
He would have
been 34 years
old on May 24,
1961.
Abe was attending Hofstra
College and had made the
Dean's List as an honor student.
He had hoped to become a
teacher, attended Mannes School
of Music in New York and ex
celled at playing the recorder
and flute. He also played the
mandolin and danced at folk
dance groups.
The enclosed picture was
taken about 1946, right after
the time he was with the merch
ant marine. He later was in the
Army, and was honorably dis
charged after serving as a miii-
tarj' policeman.
I'm sure his buddies aboard
ship will remember him kindly.
He was a gentle and good soul.
May he rest in peace.
Mrs. Sarah Kaplan
(Ed. note: Brother Gamzon
sailed with the SIU in the deck
department after joining in
New York on March 10, 1945.
He shipped primarily with Rob-
in Line. Our condolences to his
family and friends.)
Gamzon
Workers' Tax
Relief Needed
To the Editor:
Now that income tax time is
here again, I found the LOG of
February most helpful in mak
ing out my income tax return.
However, I note that each year
the Internal Revenue Service
has taken away something from
the workers in favor of big busi
ness interests at the expense of
the workers.
In view of the fact that the
workers, who pay 90 percent of
the income tax in the US, do not
have depletion allowance tax
loopholes like the oil trusts who
have a 27 percent tax dodge—
and I note that the big oil com
panies who enjoy this tax dodge
have most of their ships under
runaway Panlibhonco flags—and
in view of the rising cost of liv
ing and rising taxation ,which
are both outstepping wage in
creases, I think it is time for
labor to demand a $1,200 tax ex
emption per person from the
Government. Like everything
that labor receives, we will have
to put up a big fight for it.
I do not feel obligated to have
my income tax money spent by
the State Department to buy ail
of the big shots in Venezuela a
$10,000 automcbiie and all of
the pocket -money they can
spend in order to keep the oil
trusts in business.
Alan Kenneth Green
Radio Officer
4> 4-
SIU impresses
British Seaman
To the Editor:
It is some time since I wrote
and thanked you for mailing the
copies of the. LOG, which my
mates and I enjoyed very much.
I am now enclosing a copy
of our union magazine, lEd note:
National Union of Seamen of
Great Britain] thought some of
the articles would interest you.
I gave up deep sea work
last October, and am now on
coastal ships.
After reading about the vari
ous benefits your Union gives to
members, I cannot but compare
it with our union (really no
comparison). Let me quote an
experience I had back in 1955.
I had to go into a hospital for
an operation and was off duty
nearly a year. I notified my un
ion each week with a hospital
certificate, saying I was unfit
for duty.
The union excused my union
dues for this period. But did I
get any sick pay? Not a cent.
The only money I received
was from state insurance. This
was two pounds, 10 shillings a
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFARERS
LOG must be signed by the
writer. Names will be withheld
upon request.
week. (Ed note; $7 a week).
When I was fit again, I got
another ship and, on reporting
to the union, was offered two
weeks at their convalescent
home. This I declined and re
turned to sea.
All the time I have been in
this union I have kept up my
dues, even when I was out of
employment. So you see, when
you read our magazine you will
no debut discern a certain
amount of "bull" in it.
Even a temporary seaman,
that is one who works on river
pleasure steamers from May un
til the end of September, has to
belong to the union, knowing he
may not get on a regular run
afterward.
Well I think this will give you
some idea of our union. Many
thanks again for the SEA
FARER'S LOG. It is good to
know that there is a union with
strength.
S. Powell
Maritime Unions
Unity Praised
To the Editor:
Having sailed SIU ships
steadily for 13 years, I recently
took a job ashore to see how
the other half lives.
I am presently employed in
a position where several unions
and crafts must work together
on the same job, and after see
ing the jurisdictional disputes
etc., that arise from such a sit
uation I can appreciate all the
more the close cooperation the
SIU has maintained with the
MM&P, MEBA etc., throughout
the years I sailed.
I read in one of the .latest is
sues of the LOG of a proposed
, joint negotiating board of all
maritime unions. This^eeems to
me to be another great step for
ward.
One must see to believe some
of the ridiculous disputes that
can arise because labor unions
cannot or will not work closely
with each other.
Daniel C. Robinson
4- 4" 1»
Welcomes Words
Of Sympathy
To the Editor:
My special thanks for the
most comforting words of sym
pathy received from the Union
during my bereavement. Our
loss is very hard to take.
I received the benefit check
and appreciate the prompt effic
iency of the Welfare Plan. It
has made the burden easier on
all of us.
Mrs. Ann Sumaki
4- 4- 4
Not impressed
By ST Louisiana
To the Editor:
I am about to leave the pride
of the Seatrain fleet, the Louisi
ana. Boys, believe me, she is
some feeder. Ask the sea gulls.
These sea gulls followed us from
Edgewater to Texas City and
back. You can't fool a gull. They
are the best fed on the coast.
We have no recreation room.
Everything takes place in the
mess hall: the mess boy cuts
off the TV so he can take orders
while the others want to see
or hear the news.
Boys, its one happy family.
And belie\{p me some fellows
have been on here for four or
five years.
The first engineer is a prince.
No chipping overhead unless its
8 AM. It could be sooner, but
that would be overtime.
Well, as Red Campbell used to
say: Back to the Delta Lines for
me. Here is where the one year
vacation rule would go over big.
Thomas Daniel Garrity
4-4 4
Wants Same
Day Payoff
To the Editor:
I feel when ships arrive in
their final port of discharge in
the early hours of the day it
should be compulsory for the
ships to pay off the same day.
And if the time of arriving is
late the ships should pay off the
following day, not two or three
days later. Also if we are not
paid off prior to noon we should
be paid for the day of payoff
instead of through the previous
day.
At payoff the boarding patrol
man should bring vacation pay
applications with him so the
crewmembers desiring to do so
will be able to apply for their
vacation pay. This would be
very helpful to and appreciated
by the members not quitting the
ship. By the time the ships get
to engagement ports there
would be time for the checks
to be processed. And after get
ting to our ports we'd only have
several days to wait Instead of
a week.
Evis J. Thibadeanz, Jr.
4 4 4
Thanks Crew
For Flowers
To the Editor:
My son John Sutcliffe is a
crewmember of the Emilia. We
wish to express our thanks and
appreciation to the crew and to
the SIU for the flowers sent on
the death of my husband, Ed
ward Sutcliffe.
Mrs. Edward Sutcliffe
In the velvet stillness of the night
I am awakened by a dazzling light.
Standing before me In a robe so
bright
The Black Prince, in all his maj
esty and might.
The Black Pfinceo spoke, in a
voice so great
trembled mth fright, wondered
at my fate.
With The Chiidren
The Sullivan Boys
The Sullivan boys stopped in at headquarters after getting a
checkup at the medical center to say hello. They are
(I. to r.), Eugena, Daniel and John Jr.. John Sullivan, Sr., is
a member of the engine department.
LOG-A-RHYTHM:
The Black Prince
By Carl Max McDaniel
Dur photographer caught
Tex Jocks at headquarters
when he-made a recent visit
with his children Lori, 9, and
Lorry, 6. Jacks, who sails as
bosun, was last on the
Ocean Ullo.
NY Visitors
Paul Folios and his wife Jeon-
nie paid a visit to headquar-
ers before he left for Norfolk
for a deck department job on
the Construction Aggregates
Corporation dredge Ezra Sen-
sibor, formerly the Sandcap-
tain. The dredge is working
on a tunnel construction proj
ect in the Norfolk harbor
area.
"I come for your soul," the Black
Prince said.
1 shuddered with horror, at words
so dread.
"I will not go," in defiance, I
replied
"I'm among the living, I have not
died."
The Devil looked at me, his visage
quiet dark
"There's no mistake, against your
name is a mark." .
"So come, let us Journey to the
regions below
Forsake light and life, surrender
your soul.
In the nether dephs, a place waits
for you
Your life is forfeit, your soul is
due."
With fear and trembling I rose
from my bed
To accompany the Devil to the land
of the dead.
A sudden shouting! From a distance
it seemed
I awakened to sunrise, I had only
dreamed!
With thanksgiving In my heart, I
looked at the sun
What a glorious, day for me had
begun.
The Black Prince ivas gone, to the
legions in Hell
I was still safe in the world, living
and well.
Prove Eligibility
For Hospital $
Seafarers being admitted to a
Public Health hospital are
urged to carry with them their
Union book plus proof of eli
gibility for SIU b e n e fl t s;
namely, a record that they have
at least 90 days seatime during
the previous year and at least
one day during the previous six
months. Failure to have the
proper credentials will cause a
delay in payments to the Sea
farer.
If the Seafarer is admitted to
a hospital which is not a PHS
institution, he should contact
tiie Union immediately. The
Union will arrange with the
USPHS for a transfer to a Pub
lic Health hospital in his vicin
ity. The PHS will not pick up
the hospital tab for private
hospital care, unless it is noti
fied in advance.
.••r '
'M»y.<Un SEAFAREmS LOG 9*f* Tblrty-Omi
FINANCIAL nEPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and In-
land 'Vaters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the membership's
money and Union finances. The constitution requires a detailed CPA audit
every three months by a rank and file auditing committee elected by the mem
bership. All Union records are available at SIU headquarters in Brooklyn.
Should any member, for any reason, be refused his constitutional right to in
spect these records, notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mall, return
receipt requested.
MiNll
TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland
Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various
trust-fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in
charge of these funds shall consist equally of union and management represent
atives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds
are made only upon "approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund
financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds.
If, at any time, you are denied information about any SIU trust fund, notify
SIU President Paul Hall at SIU headquarters by certified mail, return receipt
requested.
mmi
J
SHIPPING RIGHTS. Your shipping rights and seniority are protected by the con
tracts of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, and by
Union shipping rules, which are incorporated in the contract. Get to know
your shipping rights. If you feel there has been any violation of your ship
ping or seniority rights, first notify the Seafarers Appeals Board. Also
notify SIU President Paul Hall at headquarters, by certified mail, return re
ceipt requested.
® CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These
contracTrs specify the wages and conditions under which you work and live aboard
ship." Know your contract rights, as well as your obligations, such as filing
for or on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at any time, any
SIU patrolman or other Union official, in your opinion, fails to protect your
contract rights properly, contact the nearest SIU port agent. In addition,
notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested.
m
EDITORIAL POLICV—REAFARERS LOG. The LOG has traditionally refrained from
publishing any article serving the political purposes of any Individual in the
Union, officer or member. It has also refrained from publishing articles deem
ed Jiarmful to the Union or its collective membership. This established policy
has been reaffirmed by membership action at the September meetings in all
constitutional ports. The responsibility for LOG policy is vested in an edi
torial board which consists of the Executive Board of the Union. The Exec-
utlvo Board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out
this responsibility.
PAYHENT OF MONIES. No monies are to bo paid to anyone in any official capacity
in 1 ho SIU unless an official Union receipt is given for same. Under no cir
cumstance should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given
such receipt. If in the event anyone attempts to require any such payment bo
made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment
and ̂ given an official receipt, but feels that he should not have been re
quired to make such payment, this should Immediately be called to the attention
of ,su; President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested.
CONRTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The SIU publishes every six months in
liiu .llAFAnEnS LOO a verbatim copy of its constitution. In addition, copiea
are available in all Union halls. All members should obtain copies of this
constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time you
feel any member or officer is attempting to deprive you of any constitutional
right or o'oligation by any methods such as dealing with charges, trials, etc.,
as well as all other details, then the member so affected should immediately
notify SIU President Paul Hall by certified mail, return receipt requested.
RETIRED SEAFARERS. Old-time SIU members drawing disability-pension bene
fits have always been encouraged to continue their union activities., in
cluding attendance at membership meetings. And like all other SIU members
at these Uiiloii meetings, they are encouraged to tolce an active role in alX
rank-and-lilo functions, including service on rank-and-file committees.
Because these oldtlmers cannot take shipboard employment, the membership
has reaffirmed the long-standing Union policy of allowing them to retain
their good standing tln-ough tho waiving of their dues.
WSiSJiSsSS! ^
Logger Union Revived In Newfoundland
ST. JOHNS, Newfoundland—iTwo years after their strike was crushed by the Newfound
land provincial government, the International Woodworkers of America is back in business
here, organizing loggers employed by two major companies.
x
^ ' J/' " ' ' '
The International Wood-*—
workers of America has an
nounced that a new local un
ion formed in Newfoundland will
apply for certification and bar
gaining representation for 5,000
loggers employed by the Anglo-
Newfoundland Development Com
pany and the Bowater Company,
two major paper manufacturers.
Back in 19.'59, the union was de-
stioyed in Newfoundland by the
action of tlie provincial govern-
pient. The government of Premier
Joseph Smallwood enacted laws
which outlawed the loggers union
and replaced ft by a government-
^Bpngoi-ed "union."
At the time, the logsers strike
from the labor movement. The
SIUNA convention in Montreal,
May, 1959, voted support and
financial assistance to the loggers,
as did the SIU of Canada.
What helped put the union back
into the picture was the report of
a Canadian government commis
sion criticizing substandard wages
and living conditions in the logging
camps. The so-called "Newfound
land Brotlierhood of Wood Work
ers" the puppet "union" set up by
the Newfoundland government has
not been enforcing agreements it
has with the employe s.
The key test wiil come when
vowed to "stop at nothing" to keep
a legitimate loggers' union out of
the province.
appizration is made for certifica-
drew wide sympathy and support tion since Premiere Smallwood h^is.
Union Has
Cable Address
Seafarers overseas who want
to get in touch with headquar
ters in a hurry can do so by
cabling the Union at its cable
address, SEAFARERS NEW
YORR.
Use of this address will assure
speedy transmission on ail mes
sages and faster sempe for the
men involved.
Robert (Bob) Moylan
Important you get in touch
with Mrs. Ruth Tilley, 6803 Espa-
nita Street, Long Beach 15, Calif.
Richard J. Cavanagh
Contact Mrs. John Burns, 362
White Road, Mineola, NY.
Olle Jobannisson
Contact Ake Jobannisson, S;T
Eriksplan 1, Stockholm, Sweden.
RandhanI S. Nandkeshwar
Contact Wilma Nandkeshwar,
1654 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore,
Md.
Dale Lucia
Contact Mrs. T. Buryers, 19 B.
Catlin Avenue, Superior, Wiscon
sin.
Angel Lester Reyes
Get in touch with Eiisa Reyes,
PO Box 5454, Puerta de Tierra,
Puerto Rico.
The following Seafarers have im
portant mail being held for them in
the Houston port office. Please
write to the SIU, 4202 Canal Street,
Houston 3, Texas:
E. S. Becker, E. L. Bcfhurum, I.
Bouzin, A. J. Bullard, J. L. Conner,
Jr., L. R. Centeno, G. M. Chang,
R. M. Christian, D. C. Coyle, H. L.
Campbell, A. Du Rapau, j. w.
Floyd, E. P. Fauntleroy, M. J. Cal-
licr, J. M. Cuillory, S. L. Crice.
C. A. Ceorger, G. Howaid, J.
Iluisman, B. L. Hosea, M. V. Hunt,
J. Hart, E. K. Iverson, J. R. Joy,
A. Joosepson, M. L. Kellcy, J. C.
Lakwyk, K. M. LeRoy, L. J. Lowe,
M. Miller, O. R. Meffert, W. S.
Montgomery, E. P. Meyer, J. H.
Moore, S. D. Morallcs.
O. Motley, D. McDuffie, M. Mc-
Nabb, Jr., J, S. McRae, C. Owen,
T. F. Oliver, F. Pieszykoln, F. M.
Primeau, A. Phillips, H. C. Pow
ers. B. J. Power, J. M. Pasko, S.
Rivera, J. Rawza, V. H. Smihula.
W. W. Stockman, J. E. Slayton,
R. W. Schumacher, F. L. Sanders,
Jr., M. Terrington, W. Turpin, A.
Vacontios, C. E. Williamson, F. C.
Williams, N. West. J. E. Williford,
I. W. Wright, C. E. Wynn, T. Zie-
linaky, II. Yates.
Richard P. Bowman
Contact David C. McClung, at
torney, c/o Gill, Doi, Shim, Nalto
and McCIung, Rm. 446, Honolulu
Merchandise Mart Building, Hono
lulu 13, Hawaii, concerning back
wages due to you.
Audley C. Foster
Important you contact your wife
Rose immediately at 609 Observer
Highway, Hoboken, NJ. She is hold
ing some important mail for you.
Dominick M. Ranosa
Please contact Flora at IV 8-0017,
Baltimore. Very important.
Francis Reboucas
Contact Miss Emily Almeida, 261
Stockbridge Road, Greenbuch,
Mass.
Mike Brennan
Please contact Archie Milne,
vei-y urgent, concerning bus acci
dent on January 4, 1960. Get in
touch with him at 4720 Capital
Street, Houston 11, Texas.
Zygmunt OsinskI
Contact Robert E. Tarbox, attor
ney, at 3 The Embarcadero, San
Francisco 11, Calif.
Income tax refund checks are
being held for the following SIU
members by Jack Lynch, Room
201, SUP Building, 450, Harrison
Street, San Francisco 5, California:
Adolph T. Anderson, Freddie
Bailey, John J. Doyle, B. J. Dzelak,
Fong Yao King, Steve Krkovich,
Angelo Meglio, Raymond H. Millei",
Joseph Pltetta, Irinio C. Roble,
Cleveland Scott, Bryan C. Slaid,
Charles H." Stephenson.
Mr. Gibson
Please contact- James D. Chav-
ers, Jr., 2607 East Jones Sti'eet,
Sayannab,. C« - -
Eugene Warren Bent
Contact your mother at 853 In-
man Avenue, Rahway, New Jersey.
Roosevelt Robblns
Contact Belle Needham, 835 W.
Anaheim Street, Wilmington, Cclif.,
TKrminal 5-8946 or TErminal .5-
8909, concerning tax refund checks.
John H. Murray
Important you contact your son
at Brownell Street.
Jo Jo Trouit
J. R. ALsobrook hospitalized, in
financial need. Contact him at
Box 100, USPHS, r. t Worth,
Texas.
Tommy McCarthy
Contact Miss Fay McCarthy,
126-17 Jamaica Ave., Richmond
Hill 18, NY.
John W. Ward
Contact Robert E. Querry, Sup
port Enforcement and Collection
Union, State Department of Pub
lic Assistance, PO Box 1162,
Olympia, Washington.
Frederick M. Donaldson
Contact Henry J. Fisher, Com
missioner of Public Welfare, 240
Fair Street, Kingston, NY.
Mr. Bluefort
Contact Daniel Sherman, 1410-
12 Bankers Securities Building,
1315 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
7, Pa.
Donald E. Boots
Get in touch with Edward May
er, Imperial Credit Company, 8
-North Dearborn Street, Chicago
2, 111.
Mohd H. Beg or Harry Beg
Contact your wife at 3302 Grif
fith Park Blvd., Los Angeles 27.
John Mueller
Please get in touch with Gather^
ine Mueller, 2337 Edmondson Ave.,
Baltimore.
Demetrlo de Jesus Franco
Important you contact Carmen
Valencia de Jesus, calle 25 J 30,
Rio Piedrsa, Puerto Rico.
v
4
DIRECTOEY i
I.;. ;. .. -3
SIU Atlantic, Gulf
Lakes & Inland Waters
District
PRESIDENT
Paul Hall
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
Cnl Tanner
VICE PRESIDENTS
Claude Simmoni Lindsey Willlama
Earl Shepard A1 Tanner
SECRETARY-TREASUHEH
A1 Kerr
HEADQUARTERS REPRESENTATIVES
Bill Hall Ed Mooney Fred Stewart
BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St.
Rex Dickey, Agent EAstern 7-4n00
BOSTON .. 276 State St.
John Arabascz. Agent Richmond 2-0140
DETROIT 10225 W. Jefferson Ave.
Paul Drozak. Agent Vlnewood 3-4741
HEADQUARTERS 675 4th Ave.. Bklyn
HYacinth 9-6;n0
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
R. Matthews, Agent CApital 3-4089: 3-4080
JACKSONVILLE 2608 Pearl St.. SE.. x
William Morris, Agent ELgin 3-0987
MIA.M1 744 W. Flagler St.
Ben Gonzales. Agent FRanklin 7-;i.")tJ4
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Louis Neira. Agent HEmlovk 2 '154
NEW ORLEANS 630 Jackson Ave.
Buck Stephens. Agent . Tel. 529-7.546
NEW YORK • 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
riVacinlh B-f 00
NORFOLK 416 CoHev Ave.
Paul Gonsoichik, Agent MAdison 7-1083
PHILADELPHIA 2604 S 4th St.
S. CarduHo. Agent DEwey 6-."t'!8
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Walter Sibley Agent Douglas 2-4401
SANTURCE. PR 1313 Fernandez .liinvos.
Slop 20
Keith Terpe, Hq. Rep. Phone 2-5996
SEATTLE . . 2505 1st Ave.
ii ' t ;,l-.;^uwskl. Agent lain 3 4334
WILMINGTON, Calif 505 N. Marine Ave.
Reed Humphries.-Ageict TemtiBal 4-2528
SEAFARERS LOG
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE'SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION . ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT . AFL-CIO
EVERY SEAFAR
FILLO
THIS CARD
A new combination beneficiary and enrollment card has been
issued by the Seafarers Welfare Plan. This replaces all previous
forms used for this purpose. Consequently, every Seafarer is
urged to fill out the new form, listing his beneficiary and his
dependents, to assure speedy payment of welfare benefits.
By filling out this new card you give the Plan an accurate record
containing the most up-to-date information about your family,
including your latest address and the names of all your de
pendents.
Cards have been sent out to all SlU ships and are available in
all Union halls. Fill one out and drop it into any mailbox in the
United States to provide full protection for you and your family.
You ̂ your name here. DO NOT PRINT HERE.
Be sure to date the card. ————
The witness signs here. Any adult can sign as your witness.
This space is for the address of the witness.
SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN
ENROLlMENT^ENEFICIARr CARD
Room 1060, 11 Broadway, New York 4, N.Y.
Name.,
Prinf: Lait Nam* Flnt Nam* Mtddt* InlHal
Address
pFinl: HumbiF and Strait Cilf JEuuC Ns. Csunip Stats
Social Security No Z No.
Date of Birth
i revoke all prevlout beneficiary nomlnatlont end make the following nomination with respect to ell benefiti provided
now or at any time In the future under the Seafarers Welfare Plan, itlll reserving to myself the privilege of other and
"urther chanoei.
Relationship
..to You
.Signed,
City Zone No. County Stole
UST BEIOW NAMES OF YOUP. WIFE AND UN.MejlRIED CHIIDREN UNnER 19 YEARS OP AGE
Witn^s.,
Signature —
Address
Print; Number end Street City Zone No.
.17® IMPORTANT-Dependentt must be listed on Reverae Side
County Steii'
II CHECK ( / ) RELATIONSHIP || DATE OF BIRTH
Husband Son Daughter || MONTH DAY YEAR
1 '—1—
1
1
1
1
1
IMPORTANT: As soon as possible, mall photostalie copies of your marrlige certificate and the birth certiflcetes e^ll
unmarried children listed on this card to the Seafarers Welfare Plan, II Broad<«ey, Naas Yerk 4, N.Y.
Failure to do so could delay the payment of welfare benefits.
List all dependents here, including dependent parents, if any.
if you list the name of a parent., write In the word '^parent".
If you wish, you can send In original certificates. These
will be photostated by the Welfare Plan and returned to you.
SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN