http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/a4f42636f26d4df2b349139bde89b55e.PDF 0b37841df11045437cd677b984fe7ca8 PDF Text Text Vol. XXIX No. 4 SEAFARiatS*LOG OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION . ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO H. R- R. 2549 H. R. 2l4r2 ^ R. 255 H.R.a770 Defense Dep't 'Doublethink' Endangers Merchant Marine Page 4 Five More Seafarers Liceiised As Engineers; Total Now 124 Page 3 H.R2837 Maritime Defense Leagiie__ Endorsed by SlU Membership nnirT~^°°^ Page 2, centerfold im > * ^ ^ fc * V' • • i •. .V- \ ' �Pace Two Congress Asked to Show Zeal in Support of Maritime Active Congressional Support Urged For Adequate U.S. Merchant Fleet WASHINGTON—The 90th Congress has been-called upon to show the same zeal in passing legislation designed to save the American merchant marine that its predecessor, the 89th Congress, showed in passing other long-time legislative goals of labor—such as medical care for the aged. Speaking before the regular the U.S. merchant marine is nec­ and II, when it was caught with­ weekly noon legislative meeting essary. out a large enough merchant fleet, "Russia, by launching Sputnik," and noted that the "lessons of his­ of the Maritime Trades Depart­ ment, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treas­ he said, "gave our space program tory are not being heeded." "Realistically, this nation must urer William F. Schnitzler cited its powerful thrust forward. Per­ the lead which the Soviet Union haps it will take the superiority face up to its need for a genuine enjoys over the United States in of Russia as a maritime power to vessel replacement program," he maritime power as one of the jolt our nation out of its lethargy." said. Schnitzler pointed to the na­ Alexander Barkan, National Di­ many reasons why immediate Congressional action to revitalize tion's experience in World Wars I rector of the AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, was among several speakers who addressed a recent legislative breakfast meet­ ing also sponsored by the AFLCIO Maritime Trades Depart­ ment. Other speakers at the meeting included International Longshoremen's Association Presi­ dent Thomas W. Gleason and Mario Alvarez, representative of the Argentina Dockworkers' Un­ ion and a member of the Con­ federation of Argentina Transport Workers. Barkan, who discussed labor's political action program, noted that the legislative gains scored by labor in recent years are due in large measure to legislators elected with the aid of strong AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer William F. Schnitzler called for a labor backing. ILA President Gleason, who greatly accelerated merchant ship construction program in his recent also serves as MTD Legislative speech before a legislative meeting of the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Chairman, reported to the meeting Department. He pledged labor support in the struggle to "keep the delegates on action taken recently American flag on the high seas" as a vital part of national defense. by the^ International Transport Federation in London to support a strike by Argentine dockwork­ ers. The situation in Argentina was explained in more detail by Mario Alvarez, representative of the Argentine Dockworkers' Un­ Seafarers have adopted three amendments to the Constitution ion. Among the goals of Argentine governing delegates to SlU International conventions. Approval dockworkers, Alvarez said, were: of the amendments were announced by the elected rank-and-file Formulation of a program for Union Tallying Committee date and duly authorized number dockworkers by a committee made whose report was submitted to of delegates to the Convention of up of representatives of labor, and concurred in by the mem­ the Seafarers International Union government and management; es­ bership at the February regular of North America, he shall com­ tablishment of a hiring hall sys­ meetings in all constitutional ports. municate such facts to the Port tem; a compensation structure to Under the changes. Article X, Agent of each port, together with pay dockworkers; assurances of Section 13, provides that elected recommendations as to generally Argentine workers' right to strike union officers would be included applicable rules for the election of and the freedom of the trade un­ as members of the Atlantic, Gulf, officers, FOR THOSE DELE­ ion movement. Lakes and Inland Waters District's GATES THAT MAY BE RE­ Another speaker who addressed delegation to the SI UNA conven­ QUIRED IN ADDITION TO the meeting was George Johansen, tions, in addition to the rank and THOSE PROVIDED FOR IN Secretary-Treasurer of the SIUfile delegates elected by the union ARTICLE X, SECTION 13." NA-affiliated Alaska Fishermen's membership. The amendment stip­ (Amended portion in capital let­ Union. Johansen noted the de­ ulates that "the following officers ters.) cline of the U.S. fishing industry upon their election to office shall, The amendment to Article XII. in recent years because of a lack during the term of their office, be Section 1, of the constitution of postive governmental policies, delegates to all conventions of the which deals with qualifications of and compared this with the decline Seafarers International Union of delegates to the International con­ of the U.S. merchant marine for North America in the following ventions, requires that of the three similar reasons. He noted that order of priority: President; Ex­ years seatime on American-flag it is becoming increasingly impor­ ecutive Vice President; Vice-Presi­ ships required of delegates, at least tant to bring pressure on elected dent in charge of contracts and one year must be in a rated un­ officials in Washington, D.C., to contract enforcement; Secretary- licensed capacity, other than in an spur positive action by the Ad­ Treasurer; Vice-President in entry rating. ministration. charge of the Atlantic Coast; ViceThe Tallying Committee re­ At another Maritime Trades President in charge of the Gulf ported that of the 2,345 ballots Department legislative luncheon Coast; Vice-President in charge of cast, 2,165 were in favor of the meeting. Federal Maritime Com­ the Lakes and Inland Waters; amendments, with 140 against the missioner George Hearn described Headquarters Representatives, changes. The remainder were the close cooperation between the with priority to those with the voided and blank ballots. Ballot­ FMC and Congress which led to greatest seniority as a full book ing began in the constitutional the recently adopted legislation to union member; Port Agents, with ports on Jan. 16 and concluded on assure the high safety standards of priority to those with seniority as Jan. 27. passenger vessels calling at U.S. a full book union member, and pa­ Members of the Tallying Com­ ports. He described passage of the trolman, with priority to those with mittee and , their book numbers Cruise Ship Safety Bill as an exer­ the greatest seniority as a full book were: Herman Ricci (R-96), cise in which a federal agency union member." Chairman; Edward Puchalski (P- worked practically hand-in-hand As a result of the constitutional 157); Abraham Handleman (H- with Congressional Committee changes. Article XIV, Section 3 813); Arthur C. Ballu (B-95); members to insure complete per­ now reads as follows: "As soon as Eugeniusz Sieradski (S-1259) and formance with legislation and the intent of Congress. the President is advised as to the James Mitchell (M-193). Constitution Amendments Adopted In Membership Referendum Builot February 17, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Report of International President by Paul Hall Recent events have made it increasingly obvious that the survival of the American maritime industry depends, in great measure, on legis­ lative action taken in the United States Congress. The recently proposed Fiscal 1968 maritime budget request proves beyond a doubt that the Administration is continuing to abdicate its responsibilities under the 1936 Merchant Marine Act, which calls for the maintenance of an American-flag merchant fleet adequate for the nation's needs. As in previous years, the new maritime budget request is totally in­ adequate. It is not designed to even slow down the accelerating decline of the industry, nor certainly, to begin a revitalization of the fleet— despite the obvious danger in which that decline has placed the nation, as exemplified by the shipping needs of the Vietnam conflict. At the same time it is equally obvious that various agencies of the government continue to regard the maritime industry as their chief ex­ pendable. For many years the maritime industry has been submerged and all but ignored in the red tape of the Department of Commerce. Recent statements by Alan S. Boyd, who will head the new Department of Transportation, make it amply clear that he too has no concept of the needs and importance of maritime and would be content to preside over the death of the industry. Fortunately, the successful fight waged by maritime labor to exclude the Maritime Administration from the jurisdiction of the Transportation Department has taken the fate of maritime out of Boyd's hands. Another prime example of the low status in which American mari­ time is placed by various government agencies and administrators comes from the Defense Department. More than any other, this is the federal agency which relies most heavily on the American merchant marine— as a fourth arm of defense without which the national security can never be secure. Yet Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara has never truly understood the vital role of the American-flag merchant fleet in main­ taining national security. He remains a staunch advocate of proposals— such as sacrificing the merchant fleet to pay for cargo aircraft or the so-called Fast Deployment Logistic Ships—which could bring about the total disappearance of the nation's maritime capacity and place the national security in grave danger. These are just a few examples of lack of interest, understanding and sympathy on the highest levels of government which tradition­ ally afflicted American maritime, and have alarmed the nation's leading legislators to the necessity of taking direct action to preserve our mari­ time capability before it is too late. It was these Representatives and Senators who, through deep concern over the effects of maritime's decline on the nation's economic and de­ fense security, supported maritime labor's successful fight to exclude MARAD from the new Department of Transportation. It is these same legislators, with the added support of increasing numbers of their col­ leagues, who have proposed and will push for passage of legislation to give the Maritime Administration independent status as a separate agency of the federal government whose sole purpose is to assure the revitalization of the American maritime industry so it can meet its legal obligations to the nation. The existence of a federal agency truly interested in the future of maritime and enjoying the support of Congress is a prime requisite if we are to get a realistic maritime policy, backed up with a realistic maritime budget. Only then will it be safe to consider the American maritime industry definitely on the road to survival. SlU Members Vote Support Of Maritime Defense League NEW YORK—Seafarers at regular membership meetings in all constitutional ports enthusiastically voted this month to endorse and support a newly-formed Maritime Defense League. In approving ;he purposes of the « eannot obtain assistance in new organization, the member­ many areas because of recent leg­ ship called for maximum pub­ islation such as the Landrumlicity and support of the League Griffin Act, and interpretations by by all Seafarers. the courts prohibiting and restrict­ The Maritime Defense League ing union activities. is a voluntary organization which "This situation puts a member was established last month to as­ who lacks the necessary resources sure that maritime workers faced in an almost impossible position," with legal problems or charges the League declared. "While the threatening their personal liberties access to his union is no longer are assured their fundamental possible in this respect, many American rights to counsel and members still require this type of other assistance at all times. assistance." (For a report on the SIU mem­ The League said that this type bership action and details regard­ of situation "especially applies in ing the Maritime Defense League, the case of maritime workers, be­ see Pages 7=10.) cause of the great range of Gov­ The founders of the League ernment agencies which have conpoint out that in past years "union ttol or influence over their rights members were able to turn to to a livelihood and their rights as their own organizations for direct individuals." assistance in virtually any type of The SIU membership action en­ problem in which they might be­ dorsing the League followed a come involved. presentation at the New York "Today, however, union mem(Continued on Page 4) • n , { • 11 • . ^1 �Februarr 17, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Page Three Pending Legislation Would Make MARAD Independent Five Additional Seafarers Win Engineers Licenses Five more Seafarers have passed the U.S. Coast Guard exam­ inations and have been issued their engineer's licenses after attend­ ing the training school jointly sponsored by the SIU and District 2 of the Marine Engineers Bene- f a full book member of the Union ficial Association. A total of since 1944. A native of Puerto 124 Seafarers have now received Rico, Nazario joined the SIU in engineer's licenses as a result of the port of Baltimore and last the joint program. sailed with the Union as FOWT. The newly-licensed engineers Alfred Case, 36, has been a are sailing or about to sail in engi­ member of the SIU since 1951. neer's berths aboard American- A native of New York, Case flag ships. The SIU men who passed their Coast Guard examinations this week and were li­ censed as engi­ neers are: David L. Wakliss, Grady D. McNeil, An­ tonio Molis, Jr., Nazario Case Wakliss and Jose M. Nazario, who received their Third joined the Union in that port, Assistant Engineer's licenses; and sailing in various engine depart­ Alfred Case, who received his Sec­ ment ratings including FOWT. The joint- SIU-MEBA District ond Assistant Engineer's license. 2 upgrading school offers Seafar­ David L. Wakliss, 25, has sailed ers and Engineers qualified in­ with the SIU since 1960. A native struction in preparing for their Third Assistant Engineer, Tempo­ rary Third Assistant Engineer or Original Second Engineer's li­ censes in either steam or motor vessel classifications. SIU engine department men who have the necessary require­ ments and who want to enroll in the school can obtain additional McNefl MoUs information and apply for the of New York, Wakliss first joined course at any SIU hall or write the Union in that port and last directly to SIU headquarters at 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn, sailed with the SIU as fireman, New York, 11232. The telephone oiler, watertender. Grady D. McNeil, 39, has been number is HYacinth 9-6600. a member of the SIU since 1945 after joining the Union in the port of Mobile. A native of Alabama, McNeil last sailed with the SIU as FOWT. Antonio Molis, Jr., 44, has been a full book member of the SIU The United States remains since 1955. A native of New mired in 10th place among world York, he joined the Union in the shipbuilding nations while Japan, port of Houston and sailed as the world leader, launched twice FOWT. as much new merchant shipping Jose M. Nazario, 52, has been last year as the next three leading shipbuilding nations combined. This was reported by Lloyd's SEAFARER! LOG Register of Shipping in its latest quarterly report for the period Feb. 17. 1967 • Vol. XXIX, No. 4 ending Jan. 1. Oflleiel Publication of the For the year 1966, Japan Seafaren International Union of North America, launched 6,738,000 tons of new Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes ships while the U.S. turned out and Inland Waters District, just 388,819 tons. APL-CIO Japan also led in construction of Eatutnt Board PAUL HALL, ProMent export tonnage—that is, in ton­ CAL TANNtn EARL SHBTARD nage for registry in a country other Sxoe. Viea-Prto. Vieo-Proiident AL KRRR LiNoan WILLIAMS than that of the builder—with Ste.'Troat. Vieo-Preiident 43.1 per cent of the world's ex­ ROBERT MATTHEWS Vice-President port tonnage. Britain was next HSRBSRT BRAND with 10.8 per cent of the world Direeter of OrganiMtng and total, followed by Sweden and Pablieationo West Germany with 10.3 and 8.5 Managing Editor MIKE POLLACK per cent, respectively. AooUtant Editor NATHAN SXTER Staff Writori Oil tanker tonnage amounted to only 28.9 per cent of the total PETER WEILL Pmrm Wans tonnage being built, the lowest ED RUBENSTBIN such percentage since March, 1948. There were 144 oil tankers Pikllikid khMkly at tlO Rksds lilani Annas under constniction as of Jan. 1, N.E., Wuklaitsn, D. C. 30OI8 ky tks Stafar•n fatirnalisnal Ualsn, Atlantis, 6slf, Lakss with an aggregate gross tonnage of aa< latand Watsn .Dlitrlst, AFL-CIO, 675 Faartk Annas, •rseklyn, N.V. 11252. Tsl. 3,424,868, a drop of 721,975 tons. HYaslatk 9-6600. Ssssak slais ysstais paii at Wasklnitaa, D. C. Ships considered in the survey NSTHASTEI'I ATTEHTIOR: Fsna 5979 by Lloyd's include all merchant sards skssid ks isnt to Ssafarsrs Intsfnatisnal vessels of 100 gross tons or more Oalsa, Atlantis, Salt, and Irslaad Watsn DIslrlst, AFL-CII, 675 Fsartk Annss, Imkexcept for those produced in Com­ lya, R.r. 11252. munist China, East Germany and the Soviet Union. U.S. Shipbuilding Still in lOtb Place Campaign for Independent MARAD Gaining Momentum in the House WASHINGTON—The campaign waged vigorously by maritime labor for the establishment of an independent Maritime Administration—completely autonomous and outside the jurisdiction of any other federal agency—is gaining momentum rapidly, with ever-increasing and more vocal support coming not only from Of the 50 bills, 33 have been organized American labor but House of Representatives aimed at introduced by members from 4 the establishment of an inde­ from maritime industry manage­ states, as follows: New York, 14; pendent Maritime Administration. ment, interested citizen's groups Twenty-seven of these bills were New Jersey, 8; Pennsylvania, 6; and Congressmen as well. and California, 5. The remaining As the LOG goes to press, 50 introduced immediately at the legislators with bills pending all Congressmen have introduced sep­ opening session of the new Con­ represent coastal or Great Lakes arate but identical bills into the gress. states, with the exception of Mis­ Fihy-Five Congressmen Introduce Bills For Independent MARAD The following is a list of Congressmen who have introduced legisla­ tion into the House of Representatives calling for the creation of an independent Maritime Administration. The 55 Congressmen represent states bordering on all the seacoasts of the U.S. in addition to the Great Lakes states. Bill Number HR 4476 4504 4709 4723 4745 4849 4878 4905 5009 5084 3571 3763 3790 3795 1991 2142 2168 2549 2552 2770 2783 2806 2822 2827 2837 2883 2905 3053 98 151 152 153 154 155 159 208 338 348 352 363 366 419 545 550 567 587 619 841 931 1140 1165 1200 1399 1429 1446 Congressman James R. Grover. Jr. (R.-N.Y.) Rogers C. B. Morton (R.-Md.) James J.' Delaney (D.-N.Y.) Henry Helstosid (D.-N.J.) Hastings Keith (R.-Mass.) James A. Burke (D.-Mass.) Joseph E. Karth (D.-Minn.) John R. Rarick (D.-La.) Wilham S. MaiUiard (R.-Cal.) Arnold Olsen (D.-Montana) Fred Rooney (D.-Pa.) Seymour Halpem (R.-N.Y.) Robert Nix (D.-Pa.) Dan Rostenkowski (D.-Ill.) Leonard Farbstein (D.-N.Y.) William St. Onge (D.-Conn.) Lester Wolff (D.-N.Y.) James Howard (D.-N.J.) Charles Joelson (D-N.J.) Phillip Burton (D.-Cal.) Dominick Daniels (D.-N.J.) William Green (D.-Pa.) Robert Leggett (D.-Cal.) Joseph Minish (D.-N.J.) Femand St. Germain (D.-R.I.) Frank Brasco (D.-N.Y.) Peter Rodino (D.-N.J.) Robert Giaimo (D.-Conn.) Frank Thompson (D.-N.J.) Leonor Sullivan (D.-Mo.) Alton Lennon (D.-N.C.) Thomas N. Downing (D.-Va.) John M. Murphy (D.-N.Y.) John Dingell (D.-Mich.) Edward A. Garmatz (D.-Md.) William A. Barrett (D.-Pa.) James A. Byrne (D.-Pa.) William T. Cahill (R.-N.J.) Hugh L. Carey (D.-N.Y.) Emanuel Celler (D.-N.Y.) Charles E. Chamberlain (R.-Mich.) William C. Cramer (R.-Fla.) Jack Edwards (R.-Ala.) Joshua Eilherg (D.-Pa.) Paul Fino (R.-N.Y.) Samuel N. Friedel (D.-Md.) Jacob H. Gilbert (D.-N.Y.) William S. MaiUiard (R.-Cal.) Abraliarn Multer (D.-N.Y.) Thomas M. Pelly (R.-Wash.) Ed Reinecke (R.-Cal.) Benjamin S. Rosenthal (D.-N.Y.) Herbert Tenzer (D.-N.Y.) Joe D. Waggoner (D.-La.) Charles H. Wilson (D.-Cal.) souri, which, however, includes the port of St. Louis. Among the legislative leaders of the drive to create an independ­ ent MARAD are members of the House Merchant Marine Commit­ tee, including its chairman, Ed­ ward A. Garmatz (D-Md.). The passage of legislation creat­ ing an independent Maritime Ad­ ministration is the next step in maritime labor's continuing strug­ gle to revitalize the American maritime industry. An important step in the campaign was mari­ time labor's successful fight last year to prevent the inclusion of the Maritime Administration in the new cabinet-level Department of Transportation — a victory achieved with the aid of many of the same Congressmen who have now joined the struggle to achieve an independent MARAD. At present, the Maritime Ad­ ministration is under the jurisdic­ tion of the Department of Com­ merce. The proposed legislation would transfer the functions of the Secretary of Commerce under the Reorganization Plans of 1950 and 1961 to the new independent agency. Under terms of the proposed leaislation, the Federal Maritime Administrator, who would head the new agency, would not have to submit his decisions for the approval of, nor be bound by the decisions or recommendations of any committee, board or other organization created by Executive order. With the Maritime Administra­ tion a part of the Department of Commerce, the industry has been declining steadily to the point where U.S.-flag ships carry a mere 8 percent of the nation's foreign waterborne commerce and its ship­ building and repair capacity are on the verge of disintegration. With the increasing demands for more U.S. tonnage to meet the needs of military operations in Viet Nam, the neglect which the maritime industry has suffered at government agency hands has been driven home very clearly. Creation of an independent Maritime Administration will be another vital step toward a revitalization of the American mari­ time industry because it will re­ store the industry to its proper position of size, strength and pres­ tige. The next step will be to win approval of the kind of realistic national budget that will make it possible to increase significantly the amount of U.S. waterborne foreign commerce carried by American-flag vessels^ and to sup­ port the building in U.S. yards of an adequate number of vessels for this purpose. �Page Four SEAFARERS February 17, 1967 LOG Growing SlU Pension Roster Adds Four More Seafarer Oidtimers The Atlantic Coast by Eari (Bull) Shepard, Vice-President, Atlantic Coast Area The State of Wyoming has suffered four economically-despairing years under a "right to work" law since the state legislature applied steamroller tactics to get the law passed. The law'^ harmful effect tells a tmly shocking story. Since '63 Wyoming's per capita income Rafael Montalvo was bom with the SIU in the port of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He has gone from $18 per person above the national average to $188 in Puerto Rico and joined up Baltimore. He earned his life­ was bom in Philadelphia. below the national average. PerBoston boat ticket and during his years sonal bankmptcies rose 30 per Shipping has been pretty good cent during this period. Private at sea sailed as an A.B. employment dropped 2.9 per cent here and we are hoping for more Apron Castillo was bom in the while in the nation it rose 6.7 per of the same. Philippine Islands but makes his Munroe Hall has been keeping cent. Wyoming citizens have left home presently in Brooklyn, N.Y., the state at a rate of 8.2 per cent, his eye glued to the shipping board where he joined the SIU. the highest rate of move-out in looking for a steward department Ear! T. Congleton was bom in the nation. Home foreclosures slot. An SIU man for over a North Carolina, joined the SIU in have quadrupled. Construction quarter of a century, he last sailed the port of New York. He makes aboard the Norfolk as crew mess. has dropped by 17 per cent. his home in Norfolk, Virginia. Charles Brennick says he'll be The lesson of Wyoming is clear: John J. Walsh was active in the ready to sail again very soon. Unions tend to stimulate the econ­ Montalvo Castillo Railway Marine Region on the Walsh Congleton Charlie, who is presently enjoying omy through those gains it brings a visit with his family, last sailed to the workers, while the absence aboard the Penn Sailor as oiler. of unionization removes vital lifeblood from the economy. Wyo­ John Gala, who last shipped ming stands as a poignant example aboard the Platte as engine utility, of why federal legislation is is ready to cast off again as soon needed to outlaw right-to-work as a coast hugger hits the board. legislation in all states. Philadelphia Shipping has been fair at this New ./York port for the last couple of weeks Paul Schneider was by the hall and we are looking for an upturn WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense tion, however, that American-flag ships of all lately just off Seatrain's Delaware very soon. Robert McNamara recently expressed alarm kinds are presently carrying a mere 8 percent to San Juan, which had "a con­ Henry Karpowicz is registered at the growing inability of the shrinking Amer­ of U.S. waterbome foreign trade. Were they genial crew and good food," ac­ here and ready to go again. Henry ican-flag merchant fleet to meet the nation's to drop even this tiny portion of trade it is cording to Paul, who sports a sails in the blackgang and his last defense transport needs. doubtful that they would ever be able to regain camera wherever he goes to get ship was the Venore. After a few it once their emergency sealift service ended. some good shots. He's hoping to months at home, John Schaller is The Defense Secretary did not mention, how­ Without any cargoes at all they would then be get out to the coast for a Viet also registered and watching the ever, that the state of decay into which the doomed — since the Government has never Nam run. U.S. merchant fleet has fallen is largely the board. John says he'll grab the shown any willingness to help them get com­ result of a long:Standing anti-maritime bias Larry Howard is back from a first steward department slot he mercial, cargoes. Naturally they are reluctant on the part of vafious U.S. Govemment agen­ trip to the Persian Gulf which can get. An engine department job to give up what little they already have. cies, including the Defense Department itself. took him to Pakistan, Germany is what John Smith is keeping his The Defense Secretary bemoans the tech­ He also failed to acknowledge the fact that one and France. Larry enjoyed most eye on the board for. Smith's last nological obsolescence of the U.S. shipbuilding of the Defense Department's pet projects at the of all his stopover in Germany ship was the Cape San Diego. industry and asserts that there is no reason why present time, the Fast Deployment Logistic where he found the girls especially Last off the Alcoa Marketer, it should not be superior to that of other Ships (FDL) program, would certainly result attractive. He too is eyeing the Ralph Bullard has decided he's nations. In fact there is a very good reason in a further deterioration of the U.S. merchant joard for a run to Viet Nam. spent enough time on the beach for whatever technological deficiencies do exist fleet. and is looking for a chief cook's in the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Due to Gov­ job going anywhere. Testifying before a joint session of the Senate ernment's policies affecting maritime, U.S. ship­ Armed Services Committee and Senate Sub­ Puerto Rico yards have been building so few ships that committee on Department of Defense Appro­ Osvaldo Rios is back home for keeping up with the most modern technological priations, McNamara predicted that in the most a vacation after a 7-month stint advances has been both impractical and vir­ likely limited war emergencies of the future, of duty as cook and baker aboard tually impossible. With so little work (because up to 460 general cargo ships averaging 15,000the San Juan. Harry Jones also of a continued govemment policy of ignoring ton capacity and 15 knots speed might be just finished a trip aboard the San the nation's maritime needs) U.S. shipyards needed, over and above those available in the Juan. have been hard-pressed even to retain skilled U.S. airlift/sealift forces. manpower. McNamara was very critical of the U.S. BALTIMORE-^The SIUThe answer to all these problems is selfshipbuilding industry, which he described as nland Boatmen's Union strike evident. The nation needs more merchant ships technically obsolescent compared to those of against three tugboat companies in all segments of the fleet. They must be Northern Europe and Japan. "There is no is now four months old. Some built in America and manned by American reason why the American shipbuilding industry jrogress has been made however. seamen. should not be, in a technological sense, as good Negotiations are now being con­ Reappraisal Needed as the best any other country has to offer," he ducted on a regular basis. To do this the Government must accept its remarked. The union is meeting with fed­ lawful responsibility in this area and not shirk Much Left Unsaid eral mediators and representa­ responsibility as it has done in the past. The As is usual in statements or testimony by (Continued from page 2) tives of the Baker-Whiteley Tow­ pet projects of various government adminis­ U.S. government agencies and their representaing Co., the Baltimore Towage SIU regular membership meeting trators and bureaucrats (such as FDL) will t.ves, what the Defense Secretary left unsaid and Lighterage Co., and the Curtis on February 6 by Robert A. have to be carefully reexamined in terms of w as much more important than what he did say. Bay Towing Co. on a fairly reg­ Matthews, chairman of the their overall value to the nation. Special inter­ For instance: ular basis. League, who is SIU vice-presi­ ests must become secondary to the national The Defense Secretary admits that the tramp The Union's major demand is dent in charge of contracts and need. segment of the fleet is deteriorating. He does or a contract that is equivalent to contract enforcement and a vet­ Had the U.S. Govemment adhered to sound not say, however, that the tramp fleet is dying the one enjoyed by the IBU in eran of the maritime labor move­ principles of maritime development we would because year after year govemment agencies, Philadelphia which provides for a ment. not be in the serious predicament in which the including the Defense Department, have cheated 24-hour notice before layoff. In U.S. now finds itselL If a sound maritime Matthews said the League had the tramp operators out of cargoes that were addition, the Union is also seeking established an office at One Han­ policy is not developed now and adhered to rightfully theirs under U.S. law by evading triple time after 12 hours and son Place, Brooklyn, and would strictly, we will find ourselves in a much worse cargo preference provisions. The U.S. govem­ time-an-a-half between 4 PM and depend on voluntary contributions fix in the future. ment has never made any attempt to help the 6 AM. The nation's needs are clear. The surest to provide the necessary assistance tramp segment in any way—through cargo ways to meet those needs are also clear. What Morale among the strikers, who to members of maritime organi­ preference or fleet modemization. It has made is needed now is some clear thinking on the have been on strike for more than zations who face problems involvno attempt to encourage an effective Ship highest levels of govemment. Unfortunately ng their personal liberties and 125 days, remains high and picket­ American program, has allowed ranaway ships such clear thinking is not yet in evidence either who otherwise would not have the ing is continuing on an around the to operate in the U.S. trade to steal cargoes from the Defense Department, the new Trans­ means to protect themselves. clock basis. from the American-flag tramps, and has for portation Department, or from any other de­ Price C. Spivey, Administrator With tugboat personnel idle, no the most part even refused to release ships from partmental segment of the Administration. of the Seafarers Welfare Plan, is the reserve fleet to help the tramp operators tugboats in the Port of Baltimore Fortunately, many congressional legislators treasurer of the League. upgrade their fleets. region are assisting in any docking have recently demonstrated a keen awareness of or undocking procedures except McNamara assails the subsidized operators the nation's needs with regard to maritime and LOOKJofthe for being reluctant to drop their commercial nr SIU-IBU members who con­ it begins to appear that Congress itself must UNION . cargoes without being assured a "good profit" take action if the nation is to be spared a serious tinue to dock and undock, with­ LABEL from U.S. sealift operations. He does not men­ disaster in the near future. out pay, MARAD-certified vessels fr— f UNION lABIl AMD tftVICI tHADK DIPT., API CIO bound for Viet Nam. The list of Seafarers collecting an SIU pension continues to increase in size. Added to the roster of pensioners recently were Rafael Montalvo, Apron Castillo, Earl T. Congleton and John J. Walsh. Defense Department 'Doublethink' Endangers U.S. Merchant Marine SIU Tug Strike Holds Firm In Baltimore S/U Members Vote ApprovalOf Defense League �February 17, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Pmge Fire Repeal Measure Gains House Approval The Great Lakes by Fred Farnen,Secretary-Treasurer,Great Lakes All representatives and members of the SIU wish newly-retired oldtimer Hjalmar Olofsson a long, happy, and healthy retirement. This vet­ eran Seafarer has just completed a sea-going career of more than 50 (fifty) years. Olie last served aboard the Milwaukee Clipper as watertender, a spot he held down for the last few years. To all of his fellow Seafarers, Olie has been a fine, Oupstanding shipmate, a good Un­ ing crews to return to work in ion man and an all-around good February. I suppose if winter guy. He will continue to live in comes, spring can't be far behind. February 20th is fit out time for Chicago with his old time friends, the U. S. Gypsum, the Iglehart, Mr. and Mrs. Emerick. and Huron Cement. And the Chicago South American, the only U. S. Captain Manley, director of the registry cruise ship operating on Port of Chicago, was instrumental the Great Lakes, will also fit out in providing much needed assist­ early this year in order to handle ance in helping the MV tanker huge crowds visiting Montreal to Detroit to depart Chicago after see International Expo '67. The she was delayed due to the terrific South American will make seven blizzard which recently inundated special cruises to Montreal, two in the city. The Detroit couldn't leave June, one in August, and three in the Calumet River due to heavy, September. The first one leaves accumulated snow on the bridge. Detroit Monday, June 5. Al­ The city of Chicago sent down a though we expect shipping to be city fire tug which removed the extremely good this season we snow by means of its heavily- don't expect too many crew pressurized, snorkel hose. The co­ changes on this vessel. operation of Chicago's city hall The B. W. Calvin is now off the and of Capt. Manley made this winter run and is laying up in effort possible. Toledo. Art Garretson, oiler, says Meanwhile, despite the worst this was the easiest winter run, blizzard in Chicago's history, ren­ ever. Joe Salisbury, assistant conovations on the new SIU hall are veyorman, said he made enough money on the winter run to relax proceeding on schedule. all summer playing golf. John Detroit "Hi Fi" Rottaris is back on the Just a few weeks ago we were beach and all the boys have put talking about all vessels being laid their hearing aids in storage. up, about the big winter freeze, "Scottie" Quiniivan is back in the close-up of Lakes and the Sea­ town after several months out on way, and here we are now notify­ the West Coast. Reagan Fills California Gov't Posts With Big Business, Anti-Labor Men SACRAMENTO, Calif.—For the first time in modem history a management man will hold the post of California Labor Commissioner. Traditionally the spot has gone to a trade unionist. Ultra conservative Governor Ronald Reagan has appointed William C. Hern, executive vice president and general manager of Colonial Bakeries, San Francisco, to the office. There are reports, also, that Reagan will name a businessman to replace Ernest Webb, head of the California Industrial Relations Department. Sigmund Arywitz had resigned the Labor Commissioner post to be­ come head of the Los Angeles County Labor Federation. The commissioner heads the state agency which, among other things, helps workers collect unpaid wages from employers. Hern, 52, has appeared before the State Labor Commission as a representative of Colonial Bakeries in hearings on wage claims against the company. Arywitz, the outgoing commissioner, said, "I wish him luck and hope he remembers the purpose of the commissioner's job is, by statute, to foster and protect the interests of the working men and women of the state." Hem served as executive assistant in the War Labor Board in San Francisco. He since has been employed in industrial relations work for the American Forge Co. and later as executive secretary of the San Francisco Bakery Employers Assri. Other Reagan appointments show full industry orientation; • Henry M. Shine, an official of the National Association of Home Builders, as director of the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards. • Burton Smith, former president of the California Real Estate Association, as State Real Estate Commissioner. • John C. Montgomery, director of the American National Cattle­ men's Association, as director of the State Department of Social Welfare. • Dr. Preston Marshall, consulting economist for the Council of Savings and Loan Financial Corporations and director of the Savings and Loan Association of Los Angeles, as State Savings and Loan Commissioner. Reagan also leveled a blow at the consumers when he fired Helen Nelson, the energetic Consumer Counsel, and slashed the meager $110,000 budget of the office in half. He named a Republican house­ wife to study the office. The State Consumer Council was created by Gov. Pat Brown in 1959 with a large issist from organized labor. It has long been under attack from business interests. Wyoming Right-to-Work RepealBill Fares Stiff Fight in State Senate Cheyenne, Wyo.—A move to repeal Wyoming's 4-year-old "right-to-work" law has won initial success with passage in the state House of Representatives by a 34-27 vote. The measure now goes to the Senate where it faces strong opposition. Final House passage of the ^ repeal measure came after the 6.5 percent during the same peri­ dropped 2.9 percent while increas­ od. ing by 6.7 percent in the rest of bill survived a key vote in which Wyoming, since 1963, has the nation. the House overturned a Labor dropped from a position where it • Wyoming citizens have Committee recommendation of was $18 per person above the moved away at the rate of 8.2 "Do not pass." Seven Republicans national average in per capita in­ percent in the last five years, the joined with the 27 Democrats on come to $188 per person below highest move-out rate in the na­ the final vote. that figure. tion. In the Senate—^where a repeal Other economic indicators fur­ • Home foreclosures have attempt in 1965 failed by one nished to the Wyoming legislators quadrupled to where they are now vote—the bill is expected to face showed that since enactment of twice the U.S. rate. • While construction has risen a Labor Committee log-jam of the state's "right-to-work" law: • Personal bankruptcies have by 8 percent in the U.S., it has House-passed measures. The bill dropped by 17 percent in Wyo­ must be acted upon before the risen by 30 percent. • Private employment has ming. Feb. 18 adjournment deadline. The swift floor action which saw the bill move out of the House in a matter of minutes came as a surprise to the jammed gallery which had prepared for prolonged debate and emotional fireworks. Under an agreement between party leadership, the entire House was called into attendance and the measure put to an immediate vote. Loss Of Income Earlier in House Labor Com­ mittee hearings, Wyoming State AFL-CIO Executive Secretary John Holaday testified that the effects of the law had been to cause the state "disastrous loss of income, employment and popula­ tion." In a lengthy document spelling out the state's economic losses since 1963, Holaday declared that the "blight of 'right-to-work' will only cause the state a further downward slide." All the economic data of the last four years tell the shocking story of the law's harm, he stated. "Visual evidence of closed refin­ eries, foreclosed homes and shut­ down businesses reinforce the de­ pressing facts of the statistics," he told the committee. Each legislator received a copy of Holaday's testimony as well as figures which showed that since January 1965, when Indiana re­ pealed its "right-to-work" law, its per capita income had jumped nearly 10 percent, as related to the national average increase of SiaUIW Strikes Hussman Co. HADDONFIELD, N. J.—The SIU United Industrial Workers has struck the Hussman Refrig­ erator Co. in a fight to obtain in­ creased wages and fringe benefits for employees of the company. ^ At midnite on the 7th of Feb­ ruary, 250 Hussman employees struck the company and began to picket on an around-the-clock basis. Only recently, unions represent­ ing Hussman employees in St. Louis settled a strike against the company. Hussman Refrigerator Co. is one of the leading manufacturers in this country of refrigerator dis­ play cases, the kind found in vir­ tually every supermarket. Kingsport Management Axes Tree That Sheltered Strikers People not familiar with the American labor movement often express wonder at where striking workers get the courage and determination to continue a long strike in the face of the great hardships imposed by an em­ ployer determined to deny them Afternoons, evenings and at night the right to collective bargain­ their husbands take over the march for decent wages, hours ing. and working conditions through At least one answer to this ques­ union representation." tion is demonstrated vividly by an If Kingsport management event that took place recently in thought that by destroying the the strike by union printing trades "pro-union" tree they would be workers against Kingsport Press a step closer to destroying the un­ in Tennessee. This strike has been ions themselves, it was sorely mis­ going on for almost four years taken. It is just such examples against the largest producer of of ridiculously petty spitefulness textbooks and encyclopedias in on the part of Kingsport manage­ the United States. ment that have made it clear to A few weeks ago, in an act of the striking workers that decency unbelievably petty spite and ha­ of any sort—decent wages, decent tred, Kingsport management cut working conditions, decent treat­ down a tree which had occasion­ ment—must be wrung from the ally afforded pickets some respite Company through direct action. from the blazing summer sun, The strike will continue. Man­ spring rains and winter weather. agement's childish behavior has made that fact certain. After 24 Hour Duty Since the beginning of the strike standing firm in the face of threats, in 1963, pickets have patrolled the the importation of scabs, and other huge Kingsport Press plant around strikebreaking attempts, the strik­ the clock, 24-hours a day, in fair ing workers' determination will weather and foul. Mornings the not be undermined by the loss of pickets are mostly housewives who a tree. It's a shame though. It was a take time from their homemaking chores to man the picketlines. beautiful tree. SIU WELFARE, VACATION PLANS December 1 - December 31/ 1966 Number of Benefits 5/000 Amount Paid $ 51/887.11 Death Benefits . . . . 23 42/623.51 Disability Benefits . 915 204/075.00 Maternity Benefits 35 7/000.00 Dependent Benefits 418 84/574.34 86 1/284.10 4/052 29/470.00 1/834 740/861.23 12/363 $1/161/775.29 Optical Benefits . . . TOTAL WELFARE/ VACATION BENEFITS PAID THIS PERIOD �f Puge Six DISPATCHERS REPORT N.Y. Navy Yard Site Urged For New Maritime Museum by Frank Drozak, West Coast Representative San Francisco labor is mourning the recent passing of Henry Zacharin of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. Zacharin was manager of the San Francisco joint board of the ILGWU from 1935 to 1956, and then served with the New Jersey ILGWU until his retirement in 1959. <S> — Signing on were the Columbia San Francisco Victory, Seattle and Cape Saun­ Shipping continues to move at ders. Serviced in transit were the a fast pace in this area. Right Anchorage, Seattle, EUzabethport now oilers, FWT's and electri­ and Calmar. cians are in the greatest demand Oldtimer Al McCullam dropped and these jobs are moving fast. by the hall to say hello recently. Payoffs and sign-ons during the Al is chief steward aboard the last period included the Halcyon Choctaw Victory now, following Victoiy, Delaware, Southwestern, a long spell as chief cook aboard Transwestem, Rachel V., Cour the Long Lines. Pedro Alverez lYAlene, Trenton, Los Angeles, is still UFFD following an injury Cosmos Mariner, Oceanic and sustained while aboard the Coun­ Duke Victoiy. cil Grove as chief cook. He hopes Ships serviced in transit in­ to get his FFD soon however and cluded the Seatrain Puerto Rico, says he will take the first chief Oakland, Calmar, Trenton, York- cook's job that hits the board. mar, Geneva, Steel Seafarer and Steel Artisan. Wilmington R. L. McCannon just signed off Shipping has been good here the Cosmos Mariner on which he for the last couple of weeks and sailed in the steward department promises to get even better in the on a trip to Guam. Anxious to upcoming weeks. During the last ship again right away, he's now period we had the Enid Victory watching the board for a job that oavoff and serviced eight ships will take him anywhere in the in transit. The best shipping world aboard any vessel. Ross F. prospects in the near future Lyie is ready to ship again follow­ should be for AB's, FOWT's, ing a short rest at his home in electricians and cooks. Houston. Brother Lyle, whose Ray Austria received his first last ship was the Lynn Victoiy, is disability pension check here relooking for an engine department "entlv and is planning to spend a slot that will take him to the Far lot of his time on the beach with Bast. his 3-year-old son. We hope to Seattle see him around the hall regularly Shipping has been brisk here and so do his many shipmates. during the last period with four After being UFFD for several payoffs, three ships signing on and months, Louis Thomas has the four ships passing in transit. Pay­ go-ahead to ship again and is offs included the JopUn Victory, anxious to ship out. He plans to Seattle, Santore and Ames Vic­ grab the first steward job that toiy. comes up. Atfantlc/ Guff A inland Watars District January 28, 1967 to Fobruary 10, 1967 DKK DEPARTMmT TOTAL SHIPPED TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups All Groups The establishment of a fitting memorial to the Brooklyn Navy Yard that would be dedicated to the history of the Yard and prob­ ably take the form of a naval museum is currently under considera­ tion. fIt has the support of Repre­ throughout the U.S., battleships are moored and maintained by sentative Hugh L. Carey of community and sponsoring organ­ Brooklyn, who said recently, izations. The U.S.S. Texas is in would hate to see the Yard's won­ Texas; Wilmington, N.C., has the derful and glorious history just North Carolina; and the Massa­ wiped out and forgotten." chusetts is at Fall River, Mass. A Navy spokesman said it When the Brooklyn Navy Yard would be most happy to return was officially closed, each curious priceless historic relics that accum­ article was labeled and catalogued ulated during the Yard's 166 years precisely. Most were shipped to —and supply other items, such as the Washington museum and some a submarine, a cruiser and a bat­ were loaned to other institutions. tleship—provided that someone The items available include old foots the bill. Civil War and Spanish war weap­ The curator of the Navy's Na­ ons; cannon; models of many ships tional Museum in Washington, built in the Navy Yard; and old Rear Admiral Ernest M. Ellers, ship logs. said a small museum would be The Officers' Club still operat­ established for under $100,000. ing at the Navy Yard possesses a If a battleship were included, the number of valuable mementoes cost could go as high as $250,000, that include, among others, two he predicted. Spanish-style cannons vintage "There is ample material," said 1857, and a painting of the 1812 Rear Admiral Ellers, "to estab­ battle between the Constitution lish a large museum or a small and the Java. one, whatever the community Another Brooklyn Congress­ wants to pay for and maintain; all man, Representative Emanuel we ask is that a responsible organ­ Celler, stands fully behind the ization of public or private com­ museum idea. "I would be happy," munity leaders assume financing he said, "to head a committee with and maintenance." that objective in mind. What's A number of naval museums al­ more, I'd like to make the first ready exist. In other ports cash contribution." The Pacific Coast February 17, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Jacksonville Tampa Mobile New Orleans Houston Wilmington San Francisco .... Seattle Totals Port Boston New York Philadelphia . Baltimore ... No/folk Jacksonville .. Tampa Mobile New Orleans . Houston Wilmington .. San Francisco Seattle Totals Class A Class B 1 1 51 16 7 2 27 5 12 6 6 7 1 2 34 13 25 29 48 32 17 8 43 18 15 20 286 159 Class A. Class B CUssC 4 0 6 17 18 48 2 0 5 17 5 24 17 6 15 3 5 2 2 3 1 4 22 28 0 6 1 20 24 23 11 16 10 39 21 15 19 9 19 149 124 216 ENGINE DEPARTMENT TOTAL SHIPPED TOTAL REGISTERED AU Groups All Groups Class B Class C Class A Class A Class B 0 5 4 0 4 23 27 40 31 44 4 2 1 4 6 23 11 12 25 12 6 10 6 7 6 7 1 2 1 6 1 1 1 4 2 29 20 7 24 22 8 22 1 26 27 19 20 18 28 33 21 13 9 8 12 24 45 43 35 35 20 16 8 8 22 143 174 213 201 231 STEWARD DEPARTMENT TOTAL SHIPPED TOTAL REGISTERED Port Boston New York ... Philadelphia . Baltimore ... Norfolk Jacksonville .. Tampa Mobile New Orleans . Houston Wilmington .. San Francisco Seattle_j^^^^ Totals All Groups Class A Class B 0 1 26 11 4 1 23 8 8 8 4 5 2 5 29 4 37 24 31 18 14 10 24 17 10 10 217 117 All Groups Class A Class B Class C 1 2 5 27 11 26 4 6 5 9 11 15 7 5 5 4 3 3 1 4 0 10 6 27 1 8 15 7 10 14 16 14 8 37 17 29 19 7 13 143 101 168 AU Groups Class A CUssB 16 5 240 82 26 5 102 48 22 15 13 4 12 7 79 14 229 98 158 75 38 2 95 17 34 2 1064 374 REGISTERED on BEACH All Groups Class A Class B 5 1 169 79 17 7 57 34 16 16 6 6 7 4 48 23 108 96 92 78 22 2 49 14 24 10 620 370 REGISTERED on BEACH All Groups Class A Class B 0 4 38 152 8 22 26 61 14 12 6 5 4 8 64 10 73 168 40 90 4 14 54 12 7 19 241 674 Stiff Standards Collapse Under Industry Threats Federal Auto Safety Standards Hit As Weak, Ineffectual, Meaningless WASHINGTON—The American automobile industry has won another battle against safety— with the aid, comfort^ and cooperation of the National Traffic Safety Agency, set up under the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, supposedly to set up stiff mandatory safety stand­ ards. automobiles for many years. defroster and defogging system, The giant auto industry has These items include windshield shatter-resistant windshields. been so successful in watering wipers, hydraulic brake system, More than this, the auto manu­ down safety proposals and rec­ facturers had declared, would ommendations for 1968 cars that force companies to go out of busi­ the recently announced federal ness—a difficult claim to justify standards led auto industry critic for companies that show net year­ and author, Ralph Nader, to com­ ly profits of about $2 billion. ment that the government "didn't Enforcement of the safety re­ compromise with the industry, quirements is almost as meaning­ they surrendered to it." All SIU men, regardless of i less as the standards themselves. Another commentator stated their ratings, who are sailing i Manufacturers whose cars do not the general feeling when he said actively and whose draft sta-' that the Government agency "met tus is in question should com-1 meet the standards will be fined $1,000 for each illegal vehicle, not virtually all the recommendations municate immediately with to exceed $400,000 in total fines made by the auto industry." It is the Union, giving full par­ —again, a difficult amount to jus­ generally agreed that the industry, ticulars. Direct all letters and tify for companies with net yearly while remaining close mouthed in communications pertaining to profits in the billions of dollars. public, really threw its weight draft board matters to Earl around behind closed doors in Shepard, Chairman, Seafarers Under heavy attack from many Washington. Appeals Board, 675 Fourth quarters for doing a disservice to Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232. To protest the virtually mean­ the safety of the American people, ingless safety standards finally won The SIU and the Maritime the National Traffic Safety Agency Trades Department have been by the auto industry, the National refused to comment on why it seeking to have seafaring de­ Traffic Safety Agency's top safety weakened seventeen of the regula­ clared an essential • industry engineering consultant, William I. tions to the point where they are because of the vital support­ Stieglitz, resigned his post, saying "virtually meaningless," as Ralph ing role it is performing in that he could not "in good con­ Nader charges, and withdrew the Viet Nam conflict. This science" continue to serve as an three other regulations entirely. effort has not yet been suc­ agency consultant. An order accompanying the regu­ cessful but the Union mean­ Of the so called "safety stand­ lations said that the agency was while has been endeavoring i ards" finally demanded by the "under no legal duty to reveal to obtain deferments. agency, many cover items which the internal processes that shaped have been standard equipment on the project. . . ." Contact Union On Draft Status �February 17, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven to assume protection of their rights 99 MARITIME DEFENSE LEA6UE ENDORSED RY SlU MEMRERS "The Maritime Defense League ... a voluntary committee to assure that Maritime Workers, faced with charges threatening their personal liber­ ties, are afforded a meaningful fundamental American right to counsel and assistance which, but for recent legislation and interpretation, would normally he furnished by their associations and organizations • • N FEBRUARY 6, 1967, the regular SIU membership meeting in the Port of New York voted endorsement and full support of the Maritime Defense League. This action followed a presentation under the Good and Welfare section of the meeting by Robert A. Matthews, a vice-president of the SIU, who is the chairman of the newly-formed Maritime Defense League. Matthews outlined the reasons he and others had recently formed the Maritime Defense League and asked for the support of the League and its objectives by all SIU men. After discussion and indications of support, a motion was made and carried to return to the New Business portion of the meeting agenda, so that action could be taken on Matthews' request for membership support. The motion, which endorsed Matthews' remarks, called for full support O and endorsement of the Maritime Defense League by SIU members, and urged all action possible by the union and the membership to publicize and assist the League in carrying out its program. After further discussion and support for the remarks by Matthews and others, the membership voted its concurrence, and enthusiastically urged similar action by Seafarers at regular meetings in all SIU constitutional ports. As a result, this matter was similarly discussed and acted upon unani­ mously at all regular SIU membership meetings this month. On the following pages, this Special Report in the SEAFARERS LOG provides further details regarding the SIU membership action as well as additional information about the Maritime Defense League. �'•> nt'•frv*'' I. ! Page Eight SEAFARERS LOG February 17, 1967 February 17, 1967 Page Nine SEAFARERS LOG SiU Membership Meetings Vote to Support Maritime The following is the text of Brother Robert A. Matthews' remarks to the membership under Good and Welfare at the New York regular SIU mem­ bership meeting on February 6, 1967, in which he describes the reasons for the establishment of the Maritime Defense League and the need for member­ ship support: "Mr. Chairman and brothers: There is a matter of very special importance that I would like to discuss at this time. "This subject is a matter of great importance for every member and officer of the SIU, for every union member who works in the maritime industry and for every trade unionist in America. "I would ask all of you to keep in mind that I speak not only as one of the founding members of the SIU, but as a vice-president of this union and as the oldest officer in terms of service to this union, as well as an individual. "As I look around here in the hall, at this meeting, I see many of the brothers who have been involved in the type of situation I refer to. This goes back to some of the earliest beefs we were involved in as members of this union—to organize new ships and companies—to get new contracts and conditions—to help other unions in our industry—and also, in the trade union tradition, to help unions throughout the labor movement who were helpful to us and who needed help in their time of trouble. "Since the inception of our union, our people have been involved in constant struggle. To the oldtimers, I refer you to the beginnings of our union and the struggles we had in the early days merely to exist. "I refer you to the year 1939 in Mobile — to the SS American Seaman beef involving our fight against a government fink ship that threatened the security of union seamen. You will remember that many of our brothers were thrown in jail and beaten by the police during this beef. "You will remember the 1946 General Strike called by the SIU — the only general strike in maritime before or since that time, in which dozens of SIU men were jailed — one of whom, after 21 long years, is still in prison. We won our beef. We forced the government to allow our wage increase, and we paved the way for the end of the Wage Stabilization Board. "There also was the Isthmian strike in 1947 after we had won a worldwide collective bargaining election. There were other major strikes and beefs in that period — like the P «& O strikes in the Gulf — the bonus beefs before and during the war — and the historic Cities Service beef, of which a U.S. Senate Labor Committee said: Tt is amazing that any union could survnve this carefully-coordinated, heavily financed, lawyer-led attack.' "And there was the Garment Workers' strike—^the Wall Street strike— the lUE Westinghbuse strike—^the Oil Workers' strike—the CIO Shipyard Workers strike—strikes by government employees, insurance agents and many, many more in which hundreds of SIU men were jailed. In all of the beefs of our union in the interests of its own membership and in our supporting actions for other unions, our people have always paid a price — in mass arrests, jailings and beatings. "The road has been long and hard to gei where we are today—and many a member and officer has been involved in situations where their action and service on behalf of the union and their union brothers has led to problems with the law and law enforcement agencies—to jailings and jail sentences — to phony charges rigged by management, detective agencies, lawyers, cops, ambitious prosecutors, and others. , f :, f;f: 'I 5 .%• "In all of these beefs, SIU men have been subjected to harassment, jailings and legal problems. Witness the recently-concluded Duluth matter, in which four SIU men suffered so needlessly—for no reason other than they were union men. This was not the first time where seamen were picked up on a phoney pretext in order to harass and intimidate them. It's happened before, it's happening now and it will happen again. "In the past, the union and the membership have often been able to help Seafarers and other SIU brothers who have needed help as a result of these problems. We've been able to help them with legal assistance and other types of assistance, including assistance for these men and their families because they were unable to keep working—or were thrown into some dingy lock-up and had no funds. Naturally, they turned to their union and union brothers for help, and they got it. "The same type of situation has happened hundreds of times in many ports — including foreign ports — where SIU men and other seamen have been harassed — even framed — by local authorities looking to make a pinch. Seamen everywhere have always been fair game for this kind of thing, whether because of a strike or job action, and or any other kind of beef. There are lots of men in this hall who have had problems like these at one time or another. "So the matter I speak of is really nothing new; it's been going on for years — especially where our kind of people are involved — because the beefs we've been in have all been for the purpose of building our union, for pro­ tecting our jobs and helping our friends who have been in some kind of trouble. "Today, however, although many of the same problems still exist for SIU members and members of other maritime unions, much of this kind of help for members is no longer available from their union. Under such laws as the Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959 and various court decisions and interpreta­ tions, unions can no longer help their members in this way. "Although a union member still needs this type of help—where he's involved in some type of charge and doesn't have the necessary funds of his own— he can't go to his union for help. "The law says the union can't help him fight these charges. The law says the union can't provide assistance, legal or otherwise, unless the man is acquitted and released—even if the union believes it can help prove the man's innocence—it cannot help in any way. "It's too late then most of the time, because a union member has probably used up all his savings, if he has any—he's hocked his house, car and every­ thing else to pay for his defense—and after he beats the charge, he's back where he started except for being broke and having a bad name. "If a union brother doesn't have the means to defend himself, he's worse off—he has to look for charity and handouts. You all know that legal fees and expenses come high—higher even than medical bills and hospital costs. "The law today makes a union member a second-class citizen in this respect—because in management, in business, if a member of some company gets in trouble involving his work for the company, the company can usually help him. They can help pay bills for his defense and charge the cost off as business expense. "THIS IS WHAT THE LAW HAS COME TO MEAN TODAY—two classes of citizenship—one for union members and another for management. This is a bad and unfair situation, but it's a situation we have to live with under the law. We are a nation of laws—and we have to abide by the laws. "For this reason, the need has existed for some time now for the kind of private, voluntary organization that can help SIU members involved in these situations and give them the type of legal assistance and other assistance they may need to assure protection of their rights. "In the maritime industry, we've all had plenty of experience with the 'Kind'of situation I'm talking about—because our jobs and our industry are regulated by more agencies and more government groups, local, state and federal—and we're policed by more types of agencies—than anyone else. "The waterfront worker and the seaman have always had this type of problem more than anyone else. This is the reason we've had to fight harder and more often than anyone else to get where we are today, and to stay there.' It's a constant fight—you can't take anything for granted. "The only way we've been able to do anything is by fighting back wherever we can—by fighting to keep government agencies, police, phony detective agencies and others from smothering us and our people with unfair regula­ tions, arrests and phony prosecutions. "Over the past months, a number of people concerned with these problems hive, been talking about this situation more and more, and finally have formed an organization to do something about it. ^ "We intend to help ourselves because nobody else can do it. The conclusfon is obvious—something should be done, something must be done. We hitend to see to it that our people are properly defended. "We have formed an organization called the Maritime Defense League, whose purpose is to provide the type of assistance needed to guarantee basic constitutional rights that are available to everybody else, but not to members of labor organizations—because of legal restrictions. "This new organization, the Maritime Defense League, has established a set' of by-laws. It has elected its own officers, and I am proud to serve as its, chairman. We intend to move forward to help promote this League, by enlarging our committee to include people from all walks of life. "The Lea^e has established an office in Brooklyn at One Hanson Place, and is establishing the necessary machinery to provide the type of help that SIU men need when they are in trouble. The Maritime Defense League is going.to set about collecting the funds that are needed for the defense of SIU members who can't turn to their union for help—because the law is set up to deny them the help they need. "I 'and others in the new Maritime Defense League believe this is an inigcJTtant organization—that it is a most worthy cause and that it deserves the support of every SIU member and every union member in this industry. It is the only way to provide the help that is needed at the time it is needed. "We believe the Maritime Defense League should be endorsed by the SIU membership and supported in every way, with funds, publicity and by every other means possible. - "Mr. Chairman and brothers—speaking as an individual member and officer of this union, I request that the membership endorse the purposes pf the League and give it their voluntary support in every way possible." • * «Pe( 10 Pickets ArrestedJ^ At Westinghoa" ^ Picture on "ng •••'f'.'S / Of Two 0« SW tose On Sea. ^ ivis F. • • A t the end of Brother Matthews' remarks, there was discussion on the subject matter presented in his remarks and on the need for an organization such,as the Maritime Defense League. It waj moved that the meeting go back to New Business and, there being no objection, this was done. A motion was then made by Brother Joseph Algina and seconded by several to concur with Brother Matthews' remarks and recommendations, to endorse the Maritime Defense League and to give it full support and publicity through the SEAFARERS LOG and other means; further, that officers and members be authorized to contribute their time in behalf of the League in the same manner that they do for community service organizations and civic causes. There followed discussion by members from the floor, who voiced strong support for the League's objectives, with several describing their own experiences in urging support for the League. Following considerable discussion, the question was called and the motion was adopted unanimously. kMe C/. /arrest 5 on Picket Une •Brother Matthews' report on the Maritime Defense League was subse­ quently presented at the regular February membership meetings in all con­ stitutional ports, which endorsed the League and concurred with the action taken by the membership in New York. Maritime Pickets Face Court Test ' . 'r.s • iE\ PvesWenl's By "f**® it 'V" �fcbruary have o resulted in a thrpersons with otherwise uponi "Desirous ofJ uniawfiil activi^ :ts, both economic and w.'wmfy^onsti- tntinnnl fjcyht ^ enced, with "rice 0 ate funo^^c ^ alleviate advf^tomis^S^. Kaiiarthej service r°"»eriy ^acat,Oi, and n m;i I; P c ^ Frofffi of -tie Mael0W:civi/£a^f&4^ '^eceived " service L!^P- •' ^'ons for t • ^'P^fous com o«,e, fiance to JJ' / '^ea/va *>©#« fnny yesH Ch^'J'i'i-l „'"*® "2J7 , - •fc • �February ITj 1967 Page Eleven SEAFARERS LOG Liberal Losses in Congress Change Legislative Climate The cold, hard laws of arithmetic are constant. They have no party affiliation. This has become indelibly clear in the early days of the 90th Congress. It stresses anew the high cost of liberal losses in No­ vember, 1966, and the urgency of gearing for 1968 elections imme­ diately. Arithmetic showed up plainly in President Johnson's State of the Union message, as much by omission as by declaration. Two years ago, for example, the arithmetic of Congress enabled LBJ to call for 14(b) repeal with some hope of success. This year it went unmentioned. Absent, too, was mention of trail-blazing new social programs. More to the point, the early tests of the 90th Congress provide a tough lesson in basic math. Two years ago, with a 295-140 Demo­ cratic bulge in the House, the 21-day rule to circumvent the Rules Committee with liberal legislation passed 224-202. This year, the 21-day rule was scrapped. On the first vote, a move to adopt intact the rules of the last Congress was defeated 224-196. Only two Republicans joined 194 Democrats for adoption, but 44 Democrats joined 180 Republicans to set the stage for a vote spe­ cifically junking the 21-day rule. It passed 232-185 with a coalition of 156 Republicans and 76 Democrats putting it over. Twenty-six Re­ publicans joined 159 Democrats in support of retaining the 21-day rule. The votes reflect the changed balance in the House. With 295 Democrats to 140 Republicans two years ago there was just enough of a margin to provide a 22-vote victory for the 21-day rule. Despite a present spread of 246 Democrats to 187 Republicans, there aren't enough horses to pull a liberal proposal through unless for some reason the Dixiecrat-conservative GOP coalition splits on a measure. The defeat of the 21-day rule was more a symptom of problems than a serious blow in itself. The Rules Committee this year is likely to have a clear liberal majority inclined to flash the green light for good pro­ posals. But the votes were indicative of a bounce-back for the conservative coalition whose ranks had been decimated during the 89th Congress. It comprises half the 90-odd southern Democrats and the bulk of the 187 GOP members of the House, enough, allowing for minor defec­ tions, to swing the 218 votes needed for control of the 435-member House. The same problem that must be faced in votes on the House Floor crops up in key committees. Notable among these is the Appropria­ tions Committee which, in effect, writes the checks to finance major programs like the poverty war. In the 89th Congress, Democrats con­ trolled the committee 34-16. The ratio is now down to 30-21, and at least seven of the Democrats are expected to line up with a solid GOP bloc for cuts in domestic spending. Further weakening the liberal "grip on appropriations was the death on the opening day of Congress of Representative John E. Fogarty (D.R. I.), chairman of the health, education and welfare subcommittee which handles most Great Society appropriation bills. Congressional Quarterly, an independent publication with no axe to grind, has studied the make-up of the 90th Congress closely. Its analysis shows a drop in the House to 167 dependable liberal votes on progressive domestic legislation from the 206 in the 89th Congress, and a corresponding increase in conservative votes from 171 to 206. Middle-of-the-road votes, those likely to switch depending on the issue, number 62, as opposed to 58 in the last Congress. The base of 206 conservative votes is built on the nearly united front the 187 GOP House members will present plus several dozen Dixiecrats who'll vote with them on almost any issue. This is the coalition. In terms of specific issues, the CQ analysis shows, support for antipoverty programs has plummeted from 240 votes to an anticipated 191; for favorable labor legislation from 221 to 188; for civil rights, notably housing, from 234 to 205; for most Great Society programs from 218 to 177. 'Come On Down!' A Lesson Learned? The proponents of so-called "right-towork" laws paint rosy pictures of how nice it would be, how industry and the economy would flourish, how everyone would be rich if only there would be no imions. Without unions, they say, free enterprise will create a heaven on earth in which everyone will profit, including the worker. It just isn't so, however, as is clear from the financial condition of those states who do have "right-to-work" laws on the books at present. These states trail behind the rest of the nation in virtually every category of the economy. Wyoming, for instance, became a "rightto-work" state in 1963. Since then bank­ ruptcies have risen 30 per cent; private em­ ployment dropped 2.9 per cent (while the rest of the nation enjoyed a 6.7 per cent rise); citizens have left the state at the rate of 8.2 per cent (the highest move-out rate in the nation); home foreclosures have quad­ rupled to twice the U. S. rate; construction has dropped by 17 per cent (although it rose by eight per cent in the rest of the nation). By comparison, Indiana scrapped its "right-to-work" law in 1965 and since then its per capita income has jumped nearly ten per cent—much higher than the national av­ erage of 6.5 per cent. "Right-to-work" has had such a disastrous effect on Wyoming's economy that the state House of Representatives recently passed a repeal measure, and action by the State Senate is now pending. The experiences of Wyoming and other states should provide a vivid example of the dangers that "right-to-work" legislation holds for the entire U. S. economy. Section 14(b) and "right-to-work" should be abolished, and it is up to Congress to do so. Unload The Gamers Back The University of Akron has established the L. S. Buckmaster Scholarship Fund to honor the former president of the United Rubber Workers who died recent­ ly. The scholarship will be open to any student. TTie University hopes to obtain $10,000 in contri­ butions for the capital amount. This could provide interest enough for one full or two partial scholar­ ships, said college spokesmen. A nurse's aide who was fired in 1964 for participating in a labor-sponsored recall campaign against the directors of her hos­ pital, has been ordered reinstated. The California Supreme Court ruled that the law under which she was fired, which prohibits pub­ lic employees from taking part in campaigns affecting offices of the agencies for which they work, was unconstitutional. The Amalgamated Clothing Workers attempted to organize the Apparel Corporation plant in Knoxville, Tenn., 21 years ago. Repeated attempts to organize the plant were met by fierce antiunionism on the part of the em­ ployer. But, the union didn't for­ get its promises to the workers and finally, last month, won a first contract for the 1,500 employees. Members of the Woodbridge Township Federation of Teachers who had been on strike for two weeks returned to work after win­ ning salary increases and improve­ ments in working conditions. The teachers also won the guarantee that special instructors in remedial reading, vocal music and physical education would be hired for the system of 21,600 students. * * * * * * Few borrowers know the meaning, in full dollars and cents, ot such loan techniques as the add-on rate scheme, the discount rate, or the "simple" monthly rate plan. Nor are they aware of subtle surcharges which "load the camel's back," that is, increase the actual cost of the loan to a substantial degree. Very few Americans do understand these terms, yet they may vitally affect one's eco­ nomic stability. Consider the consumer who seeks shortterm credit—such as the installment buyer seeking a small loan, who frequently is de­ nied a factual accounting of the cost of credit in advance of his making the loan, or even of an accurate picture of the annual interest rate he'll have to pay. This very consumer is the one who can least afford a gouging. Yet he remains the most vulnerable victim of the unscrupulous lender. For example, the simplest and most direct method of obscuring credit costs is to quote to the consumer no interest rate whatsoever. The borrower is told only that he'll pay so much down and so much per month. This way, the total finance charge, and the actual interest rate, remains obscure. The American consumer is being robbed time and again through deceptive loan tactics. What's needed is "truth in lending" legisla­ tion that would make it necessary for loan companies to spell out actual charges. The lending industry opposes "truth-in-lending" legislation simply because there's big money to be made without it. The shadier the operation, the higher the possible killing. A strong truth-in-lending bill is badly needed to put an, end ta the unscrupulous practices which annually milk Americans of millions of dollars. �Page Twelve SEAFARERS AFL-CIO Begins Nationwide Drive To Catch Minimum Wage Chiselers WASHINGTON—The AFL-CIO has opened a nationwide drive for vigorous enforcement of the new wage-hour law and has set up machinery to help all workers—whether union members or not —who are shortchanged by chiseling employers. Federation President George of unorganized shops and busi­ far the greatest single victory up Meany outlined labor's enforce­ nesses. to now in the war against poverty ment program in a letter to The unorganized now "have no in America." President Johnson and in letters place to go," Meany said. "I hope He noted that nearly 5 million to all AFL-CIO state and local each central body becomes such a workers were scheduled to re­ bodies. place." ceive pay raises February 1 to It calls for each central body In his letter to Johnson, Meany bring those already covered by to set up machinery to receive and termed the addition of more than FLSA to a $1.40 minimum and to help process complaints of wage 9 million workers to coverage of guarantee newly-covered workers law violations from all workers the Fair Labor Standards Act and $1 an hour. The direct impact of in its area—including employees the increase in the wage floor "by raising the wage floor will add $1 billion to the purchasing power of those in greatest need. "Only one circumstance could prevent this memorable legislative advance from fulfilling our hopes, and that is widespread violation of its terms," Meany wrote the President. He stressed that "a law is only as good as its enforcement, and On February 1 the Federal minimum wage law rose from $1.25 in this instance enforcement poses i an hour to $1.40. And in one year the floor will be placed at a special problem." i $1.60 an hour. Meany pointed out that last Although this minimum will provide less than what is considered year Labor Dept. investigators I a living wage, it is a vast improvement* over the original 25 cents found that "some 430,000 workers an hour minimum under the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938. were underpaid a total of $90 What is generally not known is that years before the Federal million by employers who flouted wage was established, a total of 15 states, the District of Columbia the FLSA" and the department and Puerto Rico had minimum wage statutes on their books. estimates that "only about half the These laws were usually limited to women and children, their| violators were caught." i minimums were woefully small and their enforcement left much The nevy amendments increase ; to be desired. But they helped to mold the thinking of the nation the number of covered workers 1 and pave the way for Federal legislation several decades later. by almost 30 percent, Meany The actual minimum wage movement in the United States noted, and the number of estab­ ! started in 1910 when the National Consumers' League made such lishments to be checked by nearly i legislation part of its program for women and children during the 60 percent. I next ten years. First Step In the following year, the Women's Trade Union League took| This extension of coverage "will : similar action, joining its efforts with the National Consumers enormously enlarge the inspection ' League. task," he said. He termed the The minimum wage proposal was adopted first in New Zealand President's budget request to Con­ i in 1894. However, the New Zealand measure was actually a part| gress for additional wage-hour in­ I of compulsory arbitration of labor disputes and, as such, was very spectors "a necessary first step." unpopular with the labor movement. To supplement this, Meany told Australia, two years later, passed a law which established mini­ Johnson, the AFL-CIO is under­ mum wages to protect weak, unorganized workers and there was taking its own campaign to assist no limitation on labor's right to strike. workers in processing complaints In 1909 Great Britain passed a law similar to the Australian law.| of wage-hour violations. He urged Only two years after the National Consumers League and the ^ the President to "make sure that \ Women's Trade Union League initiated their fight for a minimum both employers and the ad­ I wage in 1910, the first state, Massachusetts, passed its law. ministrators of this law know that The first minimum wage bill in the U.S. was introduced in Wisyou intend to have fair labor 1 consin in 1911 and official investigations of women's wages in standards for all—in fact as well j relation to cost of living were begun in Connecticut, Kentucky as in name." i and Massachusetts. The problem of enforcement The creation of the Massachusetts investigating commission was was pointed up by the Labor : secured by a committee of the state branches of the National ConDept.'s wage-hour administrator, i sumers League, Women's Trade Union League, the American Clarence T. Lundquist, at a news i Association for Labor Legislation and similar groups. conference. What aroused these groups and gave impetus to the minimum || Lundquist said he could add 175 wage movement was the horrible conditions which provoked the additional wage-hour investigators Lawrence textile strike. The United Textile Workers led the drive to the present staff of 1,000 if for the legislation with the support of other unions. Congress approves the full budget The final measure, as adopted in the state, was less than was increase sought by the President. I sought. It, provided that a permanent commission investigate to He acknowledged, in reply to i see that employers were paying the established minimum rates and questions, that even after the new : to publish the names of employers failing to do so in the newsinvestigators are trained the Labor i papers. Also, a provision was included which asked consideration Dept. would not be able to in­ I for an employer who could prove that minimum wage could have spect as high a proportion of firms i an adverse effect on his business. as it did last year. The proponents of stronger legislation debated whether to acEnforcement problems are al­ : cept the weaker bill and decided that they had better not let the ways greater following a change favorable atmosphere slip ,by. in the law, he said, and the govern­ Public feeling was further shown in Ohio in 1912 when the ment will have to depend to a state adopted 32 amendments to its constitution and the amendgreater extent on violations being i ment receiving the second largest number of votes was one which called to its attention, rather than authorized the legislature to enact minimum wage legislation as on their being ferreted out by in­ I well as other protective labor laws for men, women and children. vestigators. In the next year, 1913, minimum wage laws were passed in Meany, in his letter to central I eight states. bodies, pointed out that the Labor By 1923, when South Dakota took action, 15 states had passed Dept. "has never had enough in­ : such laws. However, all the hopes and dreams were lost during the spectors to do the job" and "it is , neriod of "normalcy" and retrenchment and the push for Federal up to us to help." I legislation came from the New Deal a decade later. The procedure requiring work­ State laws remain one of the weakest links in the entire minimum ers to file individual complaints "is . wage structure, but the early fight of such groups as the National just cumbersome enough to be dis­ i Consumers League and Women's Trade Union League made poscouraging," the AFL-CIO presi­ i sible the Fair Labor Standards Act many years after the first dent observed, "especially for the \ Massachusetts law. unorganized people who have to operate on their own." A Brief History of US. JAinimum IVoffo Legislation Febraary 17, 1967 LOG The Gulf Coast by Llndsey Williams, Vice-President, Guff Area Representative Eddie L. Sapir, AFL-CIO and Maritime Labor Council endorsed candidate, was the leader in the Democratic primary held on January 28 to fill a New Orleans city council vacancy. Sapir led his closest opponent in the five-man contest by 3,591 votes. He garnered 9,951 to 6,360 for his nearest op­ <1^ ponent. Mobile Sapir's lead was an outstanding victory for the New Orleans labor After a hundred-day round trip movement. His opponents had the to Viet Nam, Raymond C. Steele support of the city administration, is glad to return to his home in most elected officials, and the local Bayou La Batre, Alabama. He newspapers. In spite of this, Sapir made his trip on the Canton Vic­ was still able to finish as the top tory. Oiler Michael Darawich re­ man in the primary. cently logged off the Overseas Sapir will face the city adminis­ Joyce after a six-month trip. He tration candidate in the runoff is now relaxing on the beach be­ on February 28. His opponent fore scanning the shipping lineup. will need 97 per cent of the vote Also off the Overseas Joyce, Irwin cast for other candidates to get a Matthews is taking to the beach to draw. Sapir's ultimate victory with celebrate the Mobile Mardi Gras support primarily from labor with his wife and children. Matt­ groups will represent a fine feather hews has sailed from Gulf ports in in the cap of the local labor move­ various steward department ratings for over twenty years. ment. New Orleans Deck maintenance James M. Chief cook Peter Piascik, a re­ Foster doesn't spend his beach formed Connecticut Yankee, is time idling about. Instead he busys himself by doing now holding court in the Crespent iron work. His City. His last ship was the Del last ship was the Rio and now Pete is looking for Alcoa Ranger. the first thing to show on the Seafarer Frank O. board. Armand Garcia is just Catchot's last looking at the board after spend­ stint at sea was as ing time as AB on the Hattiesburg an electrician Victory. Garcia is originally from aboard the Cos­ Cheyenne, Wyoming. mos Mariner on Westphall Seafarer H. R. Peters is settling the Viet Nam sup­ down to enjoy the Mardi Gras be­ ply run. Steward Harold Westphall fore looking for a new billet. His last job was galley utility on board was repatriated from the Ameri­ the Alcoa Voyager. Peters makes can Son after serving aboard her his home with his family in for seven months. Illness forced Tampa, Florida. AB Robert But­ Brother Westphall to leave the ler recently piled off the Del San­ ship overseas. He makes his home tos. Butler makes his home in St. with his family in Satsuma, Louis, but likes to do his shipping Alabama. Houston from New Orleans, especially fa­ J. R. Moncrief is around the voring the Latin America run. Joseph Forchia is scouting the hall waiting for a coastwise run board in hope of a billet heading to show on the shipping board. for Viet Nam. Forchia sailed last Isadore Levy, a former New as galley utility on the Del Monte. Yorker converted to a Texan, is Old salt Kris Komeliusen makes eyeing the board in search of a his home in New York, but likes tanker billet. Levy prefers warm the Southern winter. Kris isn't weather which is why he is now a particular about the ship he's look­ Texas citizen and also why he is ing for, but would prefer a good looking for a tanker. Shipping has picked up in the feeder. His last ship was the Del Santos on which he served as deck last week and there are plenty of jobs in all ratings. maintenance. Voting in San Francisco ' 3 ' I? Seafarer Yea Wing enters polling booth at the SlU hall in San Fran­ cisco to cast his ballot in the recently-completed referendum vote to amend provisions of the constitution governing delegates to SlU International Conventions. Seafarers voting in all constitutional ports approved the proposed amendments, and results of the voting are now being placed before the membership at regular monthly mem­ bership meetings for ratification. Secret ballot ended January 27. �Februaiy 17, 1967 Mmdieal Practiced Need Examinatiort lb The Editor: i Just how much are we going to put up with frcwn the medical bunko artists in this country? Your article on eye doctors who sell glasses, doctors who send their patients to drug stores that they own, and doctors who pre­ scribe drugs that come from Companies they own made me MC red. < I wondCT how many of us are aware of avarice an4 indiffer­ ence toward patients and pro­ fessional ethics that penneates the medical profession? Phillip Wiley, in his great book, Gen­ eration of Vipers, described the situation as it was then. That was in 1942. Thin]^ have got­ ten even worse. 4 Wiley said that 80 per cent of the illnesses that are brought to the attention of American phy­ sicians are either purely imagi­ nary, or of psychosomatic ori­ gin^ In a magazine article by a doctor that I read last week, the author made the same point, but lestimates that now about 90 per Jcent of illnesses are psychosoimatic—the products of the • minds of people snapping under the strain of life in contempo­ rary America, Ideally, given the premise that we can do little about our pres­ ent society except ride it out, these people should be sent to ^psychiatrists. Of course, there ^aren't enough psychiatrists to go around now, and there are just •enough psychiatrists armind to cater to the people lucky enough to be able to afford 50 doUars -a week' or more for treatment. Like many other medical spe­ cialists, they go where the money is. Yet, the incidence of mental illness is considerably higher among the poor than among the rich, who don't have to fight for their survival every day. What happens to these mentally ill poor? If they're lucky enough to live in a city that maintains psychiatric clinics in itf hospi­ tals, and are lucky enough to be acceptedj they can be prac­ ticed on by a young resident who is biding his time until he can join his grown up colleagues in the upper-upper income bracked If te isnlf luck^ to have access to a fledging head shrinker, he will likely as J hot end up in a st^t? hiental hospital There institutiic^^ are notoiiously badjprowding*^^^ tOdial'' carC.u; fe they dp what reems tp l^ ard practice among the medical profession: they jet the patient either get well or get Worse as fate dictates. JBut let's get back to the aver- , age Joe, who goes to his "friend­ ly family doctor" with his psychomatic "illness," which can range the gamut from intense headaches to severe back pains. The doctor has several options open to him. (The "friendly family doctor" now averages $35,000 a year, in declared in­ come.) t often, the doctor will prescribe medication. Often, like the doctor in your article who wrote his colleagues, "Let's push the pen for Gartone toand watch it grow," he is motivated by ruthless avarice. Or, he can refer his patient to a specialist if he feels his patient n afford it. whether a Page Thirteen SEAFARERS LOG hc^ specialist treating ch^ pains or a neurologist treatsing headaches, carries the ball frOm there, after" milking the patient until the well runs dry. Often, of course, the illness is real An accountant friend of mine told me that a "In five years I expect to be a suitable challenger for the world title," Searfarer Fred B. Kritzler doctor client of his told him told the Log recently. One of his best matches—which he lost—was against a man named Floyd that "medicine is 20 per cent Patterson. Brother Kritzler was not talking about boxing, however, but about the game of checkers, science, 80 per cent art." "Bal­ oney" is a better word f<xr it at which he is a recognized mas- f "Checkers is a difficult game tinued. "The second match 1 again than "art," I think. These spe­ ter. He has held the title of of­ won by nine wins, five losses and to learn," Brother Kritzler empha­ cialists are past masters at slic­ ficial Merchant Marine Checker six draws." sized. "It demands the ability to ing the baloney. Champion since 1953. study text books on the subject. Though he is one of the nation's At the beginning of my letter Brother Kritzler, 44, plays about top players. Brother Kritzler does It requires patience, observation, I mentioned psychiatrists. 1,000 games a year. He is deadly lose occasionally. In 1961 he had mental concentration, and long Things being as they are, you earnest about checkers. "When I the unusual experience of losing practice sessions with better type would think that these special­ play, I don't play as a pastime. a match to a fellow-member of players. The master must be able ists would be in the vanguard of I look for competition," he says. the Merchant Marine. The match to judge personalities and to make the small group of dedicated He learned the game in 1941, was played at sea, aboard the City rapid, correct calculations. doctors whose aim is to heal "It has proven useless to spend of Alma. He played the 20-game, (Half of all hospitalized patients time with a known inferior player. non-title match against the ship's in this country are mental cases.) Third Mate, and lost by three Being able to win constantly with Yet, with the exception of a few games. The Third Mate's name, these kind will not provide any who teach and do research at aptly enough, was Floyd Patterson. chance to advance in the game. the pitifully few good mental; "Checkers is nothing more than hospitals, they cater to the rich. Refuses Rematch a science. One must find the con­ How long will we permit; Brother Kritzler offered Patter­ structive basis of the game. The these medical bunko artists tO ; son the chance to play him an player must pinpoint his losing practice medicine? How l<mgS official 20-game match for the flaws, and remember them. A good will we tolerate outrageous fees Merchant Marine title when the student who has a desire to leam and medical con games? How ship reached port. The Third must not repeat losing patterns long will we tolerate the inepti­ Mate declined, however, conced­ he made in the past. tude and indifference that per­ "Ideally, every game played ing that he would most likely lose meates the medical profession in against Kritzler in an official should result in a draw. Many America? World Title matches have included match. 30 or more draws out of the offi­ Humphrey He^s Seafarer Fred Kritzler, Merchant Saigon Match cial 40-game requirement. Marine Checker Champion since A year ago, in February, 1966, "Some of the games between 1953, concentrates on his game while ashore in Saigon during a foremost players have taken over in the New York hall recently. Viet Nam run. Brother Kritzler three hours," Seafarer Kritzler played an exhibition match for at the age of 19, while in the the GI's at the South Viet Nam pointed out. "The standard rules allow six minutes to complete a Army. He enlisted in 1939. Sta­ To The Editor tioned Capitol USO. He played against in Pearl Harbor, he was an Army Staff Sergeant. "He was move. In tournaments, one hour is usually the limit for a game discharged in 1941, exactly ten a great player," Kritzler admits, and any amount of moves may days before the Japanese attack but he defeated him just the same. be made in this time. If a game on that base that catapulted the Why Is the Notion Brother Kritzler placed third in is unfinished at the end of an hour United States into World War II. the contest for the Gulf Coast it must be declared a draw, evei So Immediately after the attack he Championship in 1963, 1964 and if one side has a winning advan enlisted again, this time in the To itre EdittMr: Navy. He served throughout the 1965. The series of matches are tage. In some other importan. Why are the people of the war. Brother Kritzler also con­ played in Mobile each year during contests, including World Titl< United States so shortsighted in tinued playing checkers, sharpen­ the Labor Day weekend. This matches, the standard rule of si.their treatment of the Merchant ing his game to the point where year, Kritzler hopes to compete minutes to a move is in effect Marine? Airlines get fat subsi­ he became U. S. Navy Checker again, hopefully coming up with and there is no time limit to ; dies in the form of ridiculously the championship, and the cash game." Champion. padded air mail contracts from Brother Kritzler follows checl Brother Kritzler, who sails as an prize that goes with it, this time. the federal government. The One of Brother Kritzler's great­ ers with a single-minded devotion AB, joined the SIU in 1953, the airlines are growing by leaps year that he took the Mer­ est regrets is that he can't play He has never played a game of and hounds and most of the big chant Marine Championship. The in more title matches. "I can't get cards in his life. Furthermore airline companies are showing match, which he played against title matches," he explained, "be­ he doesn't believe in gambling. fat profits. He is single and makes his hom» another AB, took place in San cause I'm at sea so much of the We may he living in the time." in Atlanta, Ga. Francisco. His opponent "played "Space Age," but let's get down v the game well," Kritzler said. to earth. How essential are the Since then Brother Kritzler has airlines, really? If all commer­ successfully defended his title cial aircraft would he grounded many times. tomorrow, I don't think we "Lots of Seafarers play," and would suffer a major upheaval. he has no trouble getting up games Our Merchant Marine fleet, while at sea, Brother Kritzler says. oh tile other hand, is vital to the His last ship, the Sapphire Sandy August G. Swoboda James Thomas Wolfe nation's security. Even in our (Sapphire Steamship), was ideal, Please contact your attorneys, Please get in touch with your "Space Age" the vast majority as far as he was concerned. He Teitler & Teitler, at once. ITie mother as soon as possible. of freight going abroad and was on the ship over three months address is 44 Wall St., New York, coming from overseas is waterand the crew provided enough N.Y. 10005. Augustus P. POWMP borne. And 50 per cent of all worthy opponents to satisfy him. transoceanic passengers are car­ Please contact Mrs. Mollie "I really learned the game at Cliff Mendell ried by ships as well. In a war, Cooper about a matter of the the New York Checker Lab," Please contact your former ship­ utmost importance. Write in c/o military supplies and troops Brother Kritzler told the Log. The would undoubtedly have to he Checker Lab, he explained, is a mate on the Antinous, Robert West End P. O., St. John's West, moved by ships, and they w:ould club on West 42nd Street in New Lonardo, before Feb. 14, to help Nfld., Canada. have to be wir ships. York. "The players there are him in a legal matter. His address It seems as if the U. S. Gov­ really good, and you can really is 2721 O'Reilly St., New Orleans, Henry Hicks ernment is setting out to delib­ sharpen up your game," he said. La. 70119. Please contact Mrs. John R. erately destroy their Merchant He gets to New York as often LaFoe, 1608 Park Ave., Balti­ Marine, heeding neither the les­ as he can, to play at the Checker Jerry Rosenberg more, Md. 21217 for very urgent sons of the past^—when we were Lab and other clubs in the city. Please contact Treuhaft & news. one of the greatest Maritime ; He had the unusual experience Walker, counselors at law, in re­ powers—or the future—when of being trounced recently at the gard to their work on behalf of a modem fleet could be a source New York City Checker Club. "I Joseph Hollins. Their address is of national pride, a boon to the lost this game, in January, to a 1440 Broadway, Oakland, Calif. oation's economy, and provide worthy Brooklyn opponent, a 94612. a livelihood for many thousands known chess master who only one —— of Americans. year ago took up checkers and X" Christopher Radcliffe is rapidly becoming an expert at More power to the SIU and eroKiES-fVfiine Contact your friend. Giro Bocthe game," Kritzler related. "I the Maritime Trades Depart­ SWA^fisios was able to recover from this up­ cia, at your first opportunity. The ment of the AFL-CIO in their set and eventually won the 20- address is: Universal American effort to turn the tide before it pame match by scoring five wins, Ent., 6361st Air Base SQDN, SKtOKCrMiAly. IS UiSi Timothy McMann • four losses and 11 draws," he con­ APO 96415, San Francisco, Calif. f/oyd Patterson Declines Rematch With Merchant Marine Champion LETTERS <I> �Page Fourteen February 17, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Lifeboat Class No, 169 Casts Off I I, f I. i' IF f' The crew of the Barre Victory (Delta) received "high praise from the company and the Captain for a job well done," reports Meeting Secretary J. Alford. Ship's Delegate Armond Dunne, Jr., also reported that SIU West Coast Representative Frank Drozak sent a message to the crew praising them "on bringing in a good ^ The Steward Department of The Master of the Rolnn Sher­ ship with no beefs, no disputed wood (Robin Line) wrote to the the York (York Agents) gave the overtime, and no one logged . . . crew a vote of company to say a clean SIU ship." The crew will thanks for their that the ship's bend every effort to make the cur­ cooperation and Seafarers were rent trip as good as the last one. the stewards, in "the best crew he The Barre Vic­ turn, were given had ever sailed tory motto, says a vote of thanks with," writes Brother Alford, by the crew for Meeting Secretary is: "Help a broth­ the special meals W. T. Langford. er member make put out for the A vote of thanks a good trip." The holidays. The was extended the Paylor Brock crew has an crew decided, Stewards Depart­ added incentive, ment for "a fine job well done." writes Meeting .Secretary F. S. as the Captain Washing machine spare parts are Paylor, that they would keep the told the Ship's to be ordered. All mattresses and noise level down when returning Atford Delegate that he pillows are to be replaced with from going ashore while in port was going to request a TV set for fresh ones. All hands were re­ at night. They also decided, dur­ the crew "if we have as good a quested to come to the messroom ing the meeting presided over by trip as the last one." During the properly dressed, and not in un­ Meeting Chairman Carl Gibbs, to good and welfare period of the derwear. Meeting Chairman Jack keep native workmen out of the meeting, the crew decided they Brock reports that the crew has crew's quarters. would keep the messhall and the requested that movies be given the Vt' laundry room clean at all times, ship "as the stay in Cam Ranh A vote of thanks went to the and to wear proper attire at meal Bay, without liberty, is hell with­ Captain of the Del Rio (Delta) for times. Brother Dunne was re­ having the TV out any diversion." elected as Ship's Delegate. antenna repaired, ^ reports Meet­ "All departments are running ing Secretary J. Brother Blackle Busalackl was smoothly" on the Belgium Victory elected by acclamation to remain Gouldman. The (Isthmian), Meet­ Steward Depart­ as ship's delegate ing Secretary H. ment accepted a on the Missouri Middleton wrote suggestion that it (Meadowbrook the Log. S. WItry to acquire a Transport), re­ son was elected better grade of ports Meeting Gouldman Ship's Delegate. bacon and frank­ Chairman Leo Ken Hayes, MeetLasoya. Meeting furters, and that it serve more of ing Chairman Secretary Max­ a variety of ice cream. During the and Acting Sec­ imo Bugwan meeting presided over by Meeting retary, reported Middleton writes that crew Chairman S. Pdppas, the crew, Bugwan that a check had members were ad­ in turn, agreed to bring cups and been sent to the family of Brother glasses back to the pantry. The Robert Golding, missing at sea vised to keep their rooms locke(j in men also decided to do "a little foreign ports, especially when go­ last trip. The crew voted to give ing through the Suez Canal. The better houskeeping" in the lounge the Steward Department "a vote and pantry. of thanks for good food and serv­ men were asked to bring back dishes taken from the messroom. ice." The crew decided that they would "The Steward Department on all wear pants in the messroom, in the Penn Exporter (Penn Ship­ The crew of the Rebecca (Mari­ spite of the tropical heat, and not ping) should be time Overseas) sent a letter of appear in underwear. TTie crew mentioned in the condolence, flow­ was requested to make less noise Log as the best ers and money to in the passageways and also not Department on the family of to walk in them barefooted. I'f k any ship," MeetBrother Moham­ i,:}' ing Secretary med Nasser, of Z. A. Markrls Brooklyn, N.Y., writes. "They Ship's Delegate Ulas Coffman who died in Sase- made a motion during his report serve excellent bo, Japan. Meet­ food and have the to extend a vote ing Chairman D. best service. The of thanks to the Fitzpatrick also Chief Cook. The New Year's dinner was as good, Nasser reports that O. motion was if not better, than you could get Farrara's resignation as ship's dele­ adopted by the anywhere." Needless to say, the gate was refused, and he was re­ crew of the Inger crew gave the Stewards a vote of elected. Brother Farrara is also (Reynolds Metal). thanks "for a fine running Stew­ serving as meeting secretary. A He also reported, ard Department." P. J. Connolly vote of thanks was given the fourduring a meeting was elected by the crew to serve to-eight watch for cleaning the recorded by Meet- at Ship's Delegate, during a Coffman messroom in the mornings. ing Secretary meeting presided over by Meet­ W. B. Yarbrough, that men going ing Chairman A. M. Micbelet. Brother R. P. Nelson, Ship's ashore in Panama will clean their The three departments all re­ Delegate aboard the Sterf Artisan rooms and turn in dirty linen to ported "everything going along smoothly." (Isthmian) reports the Steward Department. that the vessel has "a marvelous crew." Deck Del­ egate R. J. Mor­ gan reports that two men were picked up in SaiShattack 1 Depart­ ment's quota. Some of the messhall chairs are to be replaced, writes Meeting Secretary Donald E. Shattuck. Meeting Chairman Robert J. Mor­ gan reports that the men gave a vote of thanks to the Stewards Department for good service and for catering service above and be­ yond the call of duty. Instructor Ami Bjornsson proudly stands with his latest graduating class of lifeboatmen. With their official Coast 0uard lifeboat en­ dorsement, they will receive shipping priority. Seated in the front row (l-r) are: Nick Zervos, Nick Prodendo, Mohamed Basir, and Lesantro Burrello. Behind them (l-r) are: Charles Kastanis, Paul Schneider, Richard Schmidt, and their Instructor Ami Bjornsson. FINAL DEPARTURES Albert Gray, 41: A heart at­ tack the life of Brother :ack claimed tl Gray. He died in the Mobile In­ firmary. A resi­ dent of that city, he was retired on an SIU disability pension at the time of his death. Born in Maine, he joined the SIU in 1944, in the port of New York. Married and the father of a child, he served in the Army during the Korean conflict. n Carmine C. Giordano, 62: Brother Giordano died of heart disease in Los Angeles. Sailing in the Steward Department as a Cook, he resided in New Orleans and usually sailed from that port. Brother Gior­ dano, a bachelor, was born in Philadelphia. <t> James A. Garrison, 57: Brother Garrison suffered a fatal heart at­ tack in his home in Norfolk. A welder, he was employed at Colonna Shipyards. Born in North Carolina, he was a long-time resi­ dent of Norfolk, having worked for Colonna Shipyard since 1942. He is survived by his wife, Osie, and three children, Albert, Evelyn and Hattie Sue. ^ John Ficarrofta, 57: Brother Ficarrotta died of cancer after being hospitalized in the New Or­ leans USPHS hospital for six weeks. Born in Italy, he was a citizen of the U.S. and resided in Tampa. He joined the SIU in that port and usually sailed from there. Murdock MacLeod, 57: Brother MacLeod died suddently of a heart attack at his home in Jackson­ ville, Fla. He worked as a Fire­ man on tugs and dredge boats, first on the Great Lakes and then in the South. Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, he learned the miner's trade there. Immigrating to the U. S., MacLeod was a mem­ ber of the United Mine Workers of America from 1925 to 1941. He was wounded while serving in the Army during World War 11. After the war he became a Sea­ farer. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Louise, and a sister, Mrs. Owen R. Hadley. August Matousek, 49: Brother Matousek died while performing his duties as a tugboat deckhand for the Erie-Lack­ awanna Railroad. He fell from the deck of a vessel and drowned in the Hudson River near Hoboken, N. J. He had worked for the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad since 1937, with a threeyear interruption while he served in the Army artillery during World War 11. He resided in the city of his birth, Jersey City, N. J. He is survived by his wife, Marga­ ret, and two sons, Richard and Charles. Emilio Pardo, 65: Brother Pardo succumbed to a stomach ailment in his home in Balti­ more. A veteran of over 30 years at sea, he joined the SIU in the port of New York in 1947. Brother Pardo sailed in the Deck Depart­ ment, as an FWT. Born in Spain, he was a citizen of this country. A widower. Brother Pardo is sur-. vived by a son, Emilio Pardo Suarez of Caruna, Spain. �February 17, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Schedule of Membership Meetings SIU-AGLIWD Meetings New Orleans Mar. 14—2:30 p.m. Mobile Mar. 15—2:30 p.m. Wilmin^on . Mar. 10—2:00 p.m. San Francisco Mar. 22—2:00 p.m. Seattle Mar. 24—2:UU p.m. New York . .Mar. 6—2:30 p.m. Philadelphia .Mar. 7—2:30 p.m. Baltimore .. . Mar. 8—2:30 p.m. Detroit Mar. 10^—2:30 p.m. Houston . .. .Mar. 13—2:30 p.m. Great Lakes SIU Meetings Detroit Mar. 6—2:00 p.m. Alpena Mar. 6—7:00 p.m. Buffalo Mar. 6—7:00 p.m. Chicago Mar. 6—7:00 p.m. Cleveland ...Mar. 6—7:00p.m. Duluth Mar. 6—7:00 p.m. Frankford . . Mar. 6—7:00 p.m. Great Lakes Tug and Dredge Region Chicago ... .Mar. 14—^7:30 p.m. tSauIt Ste. Marie Mar. 16—7:30 p.m. Buffalo Mar. 15—7:30 p.m. Duluth Mar. 17—7:30 p.m. Cleveland .. .Mar. 17—^7:30 p.m. Toledo Mar. 17—7:30 p.m. Detroit Mar. 13—7:30 p.m. Milwaukee . .Mar. 13—7:30p.m. SIU Inland Boatmen's Union New Orleans Mar. 14—5:00 p.m. Mobile Mar. 15—5:00 p.m. Philadelphia . Mar. 7—5:00 p.m. Baltimore (licensed and unlicensed) Mar. 8—5:00 p.m. Norfolk .... Mar. 9—5:00 p.m. Railway Marine Region Houston .... Mar. 9—5:00 p.m. Philadelphia Mar. 14—10 awm. & 8 p.m. Baltimore Mar. 15—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. •Norfolk Mar. 16—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Jersey City Mar. 13—10 a.ni. & 8 p.m. United Industrial Workers New Orleans Mar. 15—7:00 p.m. Mobile Mar. 15—7:00 p.m. New York ..Mar. 6—7:00p.m. Philadelphia .Mar. 7—7:00 p.m. Baltimore ...Mar. 8—7:00p.m. ^Houston .. . Mar. 13—7:00 p.m. t Meeting held at Labor Temple, Sanit Ste. Marie, Mich. * Meeting held at Labor Temple, New­ port News. ^ Meeting held at Galveston wharves. DIRECTORYof UNION HAUiS SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes & Inland Waters Inland Boatmen's Union United Industrial Workers PRESIDENT Paul Hall EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Gal Tanner Earl Shapard VICE PRESIDENTS Lindsey Williams Robert Matthews SECRETARY-TREASURER Al Kerr HEADQUARTERS 675 4th Ave., Bklyn. HY 9-6600 ALPENA. Mich 127 River St. EL 4-3616 BALTIMORE, MD 1216 E. Baltimore St. EA 7-4900 BOSTON, Mass 177 State St. Rl 2-0140 BUFFALO, N.Y 735 Washington St. TL 3-9259 CHICAGO, ill 9383 Ewing Ave. SA 1-0733 CLEVELAND, Ohio 1420 W. 25th St. MA 1-5450 DETROIT, Mich. .. 10225 W. Jefferson Ave. VI 3-4741 DULUTH, Minn 312 W. 2nd St. RA 2-4110 FRANKFORT, Mich P.O. Box 287 415 Main St. EL 7-2441 HOUSTON, Tex 5804 Canal St. WA 8-3207 JACKSONVILLE, Fla 2608 Pearl St. EL 3-0987 JERSEY CITY, N.J 99 Montgomery St. HE 3-0104 MOBILE, Ala I South Lawrence St. HE 2-1754 NEW ORLEANS, La 630 Jackson Ave. Tel. 529-7546 NORFOLK, Va 115 3rd St. Tel. 622-1892 PHILADELPHIA, Pa 2604 S. 4th St. DE 6-3818 PORT ARTHUR. Tex 1348 Seventh St. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. 350 Freemont St. DO 2-4401 SANTURCE. P.R. ...1313 Fernandez Juncos Stop 20 Tel. 723-8594 SEAHLE, Wash 2505 First Avenue MA 3-4334 ST. LOUIS, Mo 805 Del Mar CE-l-1434 TAMPA, Fla 312 Harrison St. Tel. 229-2788 WILMINGTON, Calif. ...505 N. Marine Ave. 834-2528 FINANCIAL REPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters 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 membership. All Union records are available at SIU headquarters in Brooklyn. TRUST FUNDS. All trust funds of the SIU AOantlc, 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 equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval hy a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. Your shipping rights and seniority arc protected exclusively by the contracts between the Union and the shipowners. Get to know your shipping rights. Copies of these contracts are posted and available in all Union halls. If you feel there has been any violation of your shipping or seniority rights as contained in the contracts between the Union and the shipowners, notify the Seafarers Appeals Board by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proper address for this is: Earl Shepard, Chairman, Seafarers Appeals Board 17 Battery Place, Suite 1980, New York 4, N. Y. Full copies of contracts as referred to are available to you at all times, either by writing directly to the Union or to the Seafarers Appeals Board. CONTRACTS. Copies of all SIU contracts are available in all SIU halls. These contracts 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 OT on the proper sheets and in the proper manner. If, at ~.ny time, any SIU patrolman or other Union official, in your opinion, fails to protect your contract rights prop­ erly, contact the nearest SIU port agent. EDITORIAL POLICY—SEAFARERS LOG. The LOG bos traditionally refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the Union, officer or memb«'. It has also refrained from publishing articles deemed consists of the Executive Board of the Union. The Executive Board may delegate, from among its ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. S CaWAJMEL VICTOBY (Wdterassin), Do.; ;«ombor 11—-Ghaimwn, W. X<«iuehper: jSecretary, J. Dolan. Brother J. Bolnnd. Itvos elected to serve as ship's delegate. No beefs and. no disputed OT. ESyerything b running smoothly. WILD BANGEB (Waterman), Janu­ ary 3—Chairman, K. W. Ferrandli; Sec­ retary, None, $44.00 in ship's fundSome disputed OT in each department. Insufhcient hospital supplies on board. Not enough deck stores. Request that ship be fumigated before and after ship DIOEST of SIU MEETINGS storing. Vote of thanks'•to the steward department for the wonderful Holiday meals. MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Carriers), December 18—Chairman, dhomas Hilbum; Secretary, Werner Pedersen. $10.60 in ship's fund turned over to Brother J. McCrec. Jr. No beefs re­ ported by department delegates. To see patrolman about safety strips in galley. See about awning back aft. Vote of thanks to the steward department for a Job well done. Motion about retirement program submitted to headquarters. TRANSYORK (Commodity Chartering), December 18—Chairman, James W. Can­ ard ; Secretary, Clarence Bl Jordan. Crew requested to conserve water so it will not be necessary to ration it before arrival in Port. No disputed OT and no beefs re­ ported by department delegates. Motion made to see the Captain about an inter­ communications system from the saloon to the galleys for orders to be called down from topside. ALDlNA (Wall St. Traders), Decem? ber 26—Chairman, Peter V. Hammel; Secretary, B. R. Jrifery. No beefs re­ ported by department delegate. Brother Peter V. Hammel wasi elected to serve as ...ship's, delegate. Page Fifteen • ADENA • (Wail St. 8S—Chairman, Peter V. HaBtme); Setawe.' tory, Jeffrey Nolan. Brother Peter V. Hammel was elected to serve as ship's delegate. No major beefs reported by de­ partment delegates. FORT HOSKINS (Cities Service), De­ cember 29—Chairman, W. J. Grovor! Secretary, C. Hancock. 'Disputed OT rejKirted by deck and engine delegate. Joe Algina to be notified ss to the safety of ship's hull and request inspection of same. Improper mall service to ship. HALCYON PANTHER (Halcyon), Jan­ uary 1—Chairman. V. Porter; Secretary, S. L. Martin. No disputed OT reported by department delegates. GOTJNCIL GRoini" (Cities Service); September 29—Chairman, F. C. Tatum, Jr.; Secretary, C. Quinnt. Brother Ed Devereaux was elected to serve as ship's delegate. Numerous minor beefs abosrd. Discussion held on various matters. Ship sailed short one PWT and a 3rd Cotdt. JOHN B. WATERMAN (Waterman), November 25—-Chairman, Stanley Gondzar; Secretary, Dick Birmingham. Some disputed OT in deck department. One mon in steward d^artment left ship in Le Havre. DEL NORTE (Delta), November 27— Chairman, Bob Callahan; Secretary, Bill Kaiser. $249.05 in ship's fund and $211.85 in movie fund. Motion made that no one signs on unless water cooler is placed in engine room. Motion made that ship needs Sn automatic dryer for crew's laundry. Brother Peter Gonzaies was elected to serve as new ship's delegate, KtABYMAR (Calmsr), January 22— chairman, William Sears; Secretary, Wil­ liam Addison. Ship's delegate reported that everything is running smoothly. Dis­ cussion about contacting headquarters re­ garding speeding up mail drtiveries by the Company, ALCOA TRADER (Alcoa). December 11—^Chairman, C. M. Houchins; Secre­ tary, Quinton Phillips. No beefs reported by department delegates. Everything is running smoothly. Motion made that all members have invested, rights in the Un­ ion, Also, that a widow or dependent clause be instituted whereby a member's wife and dependent children would be en­ titled to all of the member's benefits until death or remarriage of -widow and/or until dependents become of age. NORBEaiTO CAPAT (Liberty Naviration), February 28—Chairman, A. H. B^ko; Secretary. R. Reum. BroHior P. -S LOS ANGELES (Sea-Land), December O'Leary was elected to serve as ships 20—Chairman, Frank Sullivan; Secretary, delegate! Everything is running smoothly Ralph H. Smith. No beefs reported by in ail departments.. Ship needs quite a bit: department . delegates. Btother Delraer Of painting. Discussion .about having a Grain was elected to serve as ship's dele­ ; doctor for shots at aign-oa time, instead; gate DiscussioU about hot water. , lof getting shots in fimeign ports. i'Vote o# 'thanks to ' Die .'steward^dgl>attn^«m^ job well done. • TRENTON (Sea-Jvaad), December S6-Chairman, Sv A. DiBIaggio;; Secretary; Stephen H. Fnlford. No beefs except ship TAMARA GUILDEN (Transport ComN sailing short men in steward and engine mercial), December 29—Chairman, J. R*: departmentsu MbtioU made to have a gangway .reliefi regardless uf the time in port Or the ship's run, seven dsiw a'tteek. This motion to be discussed with the ship's fnnd and $507.71 in movie fund. boarding patrdiman. : Brother E, J. Roggs, ship's delegate dur-,' Jng tast trip: was aakedi to pta? > on >as: skip's delegate and was glvw a vbtelpf. S... KYSKA (Waterman). December 11thanks. I Chairman, N. Evans ; Secretary, Stephen I T. Dent. Crew request that ship .be J FiAlRISLE (Pah Clceanic fumigated bsTore sailing. Motion made January 8—Chairman, George Craggs : to have Gulf area covered for transpor­ Secretary, Ira G. Brown. Some disputed' tation the same as the East Coast and the West Coast, having New Orleans as the: OT in steward department One man-left Ship due to illness and replacement picked; dividing point. Motion made that all SID up In Japan missed ship in Saigon. I contracted companies have the Captains I give crewmembers duly earned monies, A I draw om all money earned, such as regu­ BABINE (Ship Operators), January lar wages, CJ* and Iwnuses.; Vote; of : 14—Chairman, None; Secretary, D. M.' . thanks was extended to the steward de- 'Woods. Motion made to have a ship's;; "i partment and department delegates. meeting with^the boarding patrolman con-1 coming the living conditions in the crew's' IqUarters due to the portholes having to'' ,, , CHOCTAW (Watcrnwn), December 81-—^ be closed at all times when the ship is |;Ghairman,:, D. Backrak: ''Secretary, iL loaded. Motion made that at general : Odea, One man missed in Yokohama and l one man paid off in TdkdlmmB. • Vote of ' elections, regular election voting machine':: be used by the membership. Few matters ; thanks /exteiiited to the.: chief .^-eedk discussed that, will be taken up with ; pa-'' a Job well done. irolman. DSL SOL (Delta), November 27— ENGBR (BeyhoMs'Metels); J^uary'16 Chairmahi • .Id.i'v'j.' BaBenger Secretary; --Ohairman. U; 0.' Coffman; Secretary, i El J. Riviera, $23.36 m ship's fund. Few ' hours Idlsputed CiT in deck and engine!: W, B. Yarbrough. XKsputed OT in deck; department. Beef in engine department 1 departments to be taken Up with boardabout wiper, will be taken up' 'with pa-: ling patrolman. Discussion about roaches ttolnma:. : M^ get 8 A.B.' J on ship, and it was suggested that the pa, trotman be advised: of , same and.,; to try .Maintenance on this ship and the Walter ' Rice. Motion also made to get; Srd cook , and'.have' 80msthi«g/dsmej;:«hoUt:i,'the" i And pantiwman, on this ship. " ton. PAYMENT OP MONIES. No monies arc to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official Union receipt is given for same. Under no circumetances should any member pay any money for any reason unless he is given such receipt. In the event anyone attempts to require any such payment be made without supplying a receipt, or if a member is required to make a payment and is given an official receipt, but feels that he should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately be reiiorted to headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The SIU publishes every six months in the SBIAFAREIRS LOG a verbatim copy of its constitution. In addition, copies are available in all Union halls. Ail 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 obli­ gation by any methods such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as wei! as all other details, then the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. RETIRED SEAFARERS. Old-time SIU members drawing disability-pension bene­ fits have always been encouraged to continue their union activities, including attend­ ance at membership meetings. And like all other SIU members at these Union meet­ ings, they are encouraged to take an active role in all rank-and-file functions, in­ cluding service on rank-and-file committees. Because these oldtimers cannot take shipboard employment, the membership has reaffirmed the long-standing Union pol­ icy of allowing them to retain their g<^ standing through the waiving of their dues. EQUAL RIGHTS. All Seafarers are guaranteed equal rights in employment and as members of the SIU. These rights are clearly set forth in the SIU constitution and in the contracts which the Union has negotisted with the employers. Conse­ quently, no Seafarer may be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, national or geographic origin. If any member feels that be is denied the equal rights to which he is entitled, he should notify headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATIONS. One of the basic rights of Seafarers is the right to pursue legislative and political objectives which will serve the best intermts of themssives, their fanrilies and their Union. To achieve these objectives, the Seafarers Political Activity Donation was established. Donations to SPAD are entirely voluntary and constitute the funds through which legislative and political activities are conducted for the benefit of the membership and the Union. If at any Ume a Seafarer feels that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he has been denied hU conetitntlonal right of acccea to Union records or In­ formation, he shonld immediately notify SIU President Paul HaU at headqnartere by certified mail, return receipt requceted. UNFAIR TOUABOR DO NOT BUY Seafarers and their families are urged to support a consumer boy­ cott by trade unionists against various companies whose products are produced under non-union conditions, or which are "unfair to labor." (This listing carries the name of the AFL-CIO unions in­ volved, and will be amended from time to time.) Sears, Roebuck Company Retail stores & products (Retail Clerks) ^ Stitzel-Weller Distilleries "Old Fitzgerald," "Old Elk" "Cabin SHll," W. L. Weller Bourbon whiskeys (Distillery Workers) ^ Kingsport Press "World Book," "Cbildcraft" (Printing Pressmen) (Typosraphers, Bookbinders) (Machinists, Stereotypers) Jamestown Sterling Corp. (United Furniture Workers) ^ White Furniture Co. (United Furniture Workers of America) *- Genesco Shoe Mfg. Co. Work Shoes . . . Sentry, Cedar Chest, Statler Men's Shoes . . . Jarman, Johnson & Murphy, Crestworth, (Boot and Shoe Workers' Union) ^ Di Giorgio Fruit Corp. S and W Fine Foods Treesweet (National Farm Workers Association) ^ Baltimore Luggage Co. Lady Baltimore, Amelia Earhart Starlite luggage Starflite luggage (International Leather Goods, Plastics and Novelty Workers Union) ^ "HIS" brand men's clothes Kavnee Boyswear, Judy Bond blouses, Hanes Knitwear, Randa Ties, Boss Gloves, Richman Brothers and Sewell Suits, Wing Shirts (Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America) —— R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Camels, Winst;>n, Tempo, Brandon, Cavalier and Salem cigarettes (Tobacco Workers International Union) Peavy Paper Mill Products (United Papermakers and Paperworkers Union) —4/— Comet Rice Mills Co. products (International Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drinks and Distillery Workers) Antonio Perelll Mlnetti & Sons Ambassador, EJeven Cellars Red Rooster, Greystone, Guasti, Calwa, F. L, Tribuno Vermouth, Aristocrat, Victor Hugo, A. R* Morrow Wines and Brandies. (National Farm Workers Association) ^ > �/• SEAFARERS^LOG OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO S NOW IS THE TIME... Upgrade to Engineers License EAFARERS in ever-increasing numbers are taking advantage of the opportunity to upgrade themselves to engineer ratings under the jointly-operated SIU-MEBA District 2 engineers training program. Thus far, a total of 124 engine department Seafarers have obtained their engineer's licenses. Now is the time for Seafarers who have been thinking about taking advantage of the oppor­ tunity to upgrade to engineer, to file their applications for the school. If you are 19 years of age or over, a citizen of the United States, and haVe 18 months of engine department watch standing time, you qualify to train for an engineer's license, at no cost to yourself. You'll be provided with meals, hotel lodgings and subsistence payments of $110 a week and you'll be able to ship as engineer immediately upon obtaining your license. Through a reciprocal agreement with Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, District 2, Sea­ farers will receive full credit and complete protection for all pension benefits built up under the SIU pension plan. Furthermore, your SIU pension will be supplemented by the MEBA, District 2 pension plan in approximately an equal amount while you're sailing as engineer. Welfare bene­ fits are also completely covered. Seafarers who sail aboard MEBA District 2-contracted ships after obtaining their licenses will not be required to pay the MEBA $1,000 initiation fee, and will not be required to drop their SIU membership if they do not wish to do so. The period of instruction ranges from 30 to 90 days, determined only by your own ability and knowledge. The latest group of Seafarers to have dieir af^lkations approved and accqited for the npgradh^ school includes: John B. Abrams Willis B. Addison Edgar Felton Armstnmg Joe N. Atchison Joseph Bereczky George A. Bishop Raymond J. Bowman John E. Burchinal Robert J. Carrigan Jochini F. Cicirello James E. Ciine William J. Conners WiUiam D. Cook A. J. Covington, Jr. Richard W. Croshie Antonio S. Cruz Ezekiel Daniels Armond Dunne, Jr. William G. Dyal Melvin C. Eickmier Jasper D. Fair John W. Fairclotfa Lee Roy Frazier Jose M. Gomez Staidey P. Gondzw Herbert Gray James Hale Isabel Hemandes Ronald M. Hosford Billie Jenkins Vernon E. Keene Francis Keeley John P. Lasky Edmund James Len Lucas Ijopez George H. Mafinowski George W. McAlpine Robert Lee McDavitt Joseph Nichol McLaren Juan Medina Juan J. Mordra Odd Jan dsen Spiridon Perdilds Robert Ignatz Pionk Walter Pritchett Thomas Virgil Raines James L. Reaume James Edward Roberts Herbert Denton R<den John J. Rymarz Frank Travis Herman Van De Beek Alberto M. Velez Walker E. Ward John Lauren WUsnian Clark Cole Wood Robert L. Wroton The men whose names are listed above, as well as the others who are being accepted daily for the engineer license training program, are being scheduled to begin classes at their earliest conven­ ience. Men whose names appear on this list—if they have not already done so—should write to or telephone the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. 11232; telephone (201) 499-6565, so that they can be scheduled to begin classes. If you are interested in upgrading to engineer and can meet the qualifications listed above, sign up now. Further details and application forms are available at any SIU hall or by writing SIU headquarters, u/J 675 rui Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. 11232. u&au4uaiici5, Name: Numbers Joined 5/U;, ::i APPLY NOW! � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1960-1969 Description An account of the resource Volumes XXII-XXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 17, 1967 Description An account of the resource Headlines: ACTIVE CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT URGED FOR ADEQUATE U.S. MERCHANT FLEET CAMPAIGN FOR INDEPENDENT MARAD GAINING MOMENTUM IN THE HOUSE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT ‘DOUBLETHINK’ ENDANGERS U.S. MERCHANT MARINE WYOMING RIGHT-OF-WORK REPEAL BILL FACES STIFF FIGHT IN STATE SENATE N.Y. NAVY YARD SITE URGED FOR NEW MARITIME MUSEUM FEDERAL AUTO SAFETY STANDARDS HIT AS WEAK, INEFFECTUAL, MEANINGLESS MARITIME DEFENSE LEAGUE ENDORSED BY SIU MEMBERS AFL-CIO BEGINS NATIONWIDE DRIVE TO CATCH MINIMUM WAGE CHISELERS FLOYD PATTERSON DECLINES REMATCH WITH MERCHANT MARINE CHAMPION Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/17/1967 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XXIX, No. 4 1967 Periodicals Seafarers Log