http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/e136a675f270e08a55bb27c1ba98c2f3.PDF 8fe1229aa078addf448bab61163aa610 PDF Text Text SEAFARERSftl^ Vol. XXiX No. 17 OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION . ATLANTIC, GULF. LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT_^AF^Cm -:r: ;'•".• -v;; -f-• •• •;••••, Cubans Rescued. Safe aboard tbe SlU-manned Floridian after being res­ cued at sea, some of 19 Cuban refugees are shown with members of ship's crew. Escape plan took five years (See Page 5.) v-.'/t-vr "• Senate, House Groups Conclude Hearings on U.S. Ship Problems 'Ajv iTjAs. Graduation. SlU President Paul Hall presents diploma to Luis A. Saenz of , Ecuador, class spokesman at graduation of American Inst, of Free Labor Devel­ opment training program. (Story Page 4.) Page 3 Seatrain Ship Gunned By VC Off Saigon; Crew Escapes Injury Page 3 SlU-Manned Floridian Rescues 19 Refugees Off Coast of Cuba Page 5 Safety First. Alfr«l .• • • • • • " Chicgo T««i Drtven, reclvM diploma from B<A ^(ilkins of National Safety Oiuncil. Ai was fin* member in n» local to Complete NSC> cpnef^n^"®* «»uno in safety. A Forward Step. Ed Derry^Jr.. wce.yes h.s mate's ticket from SlU* Agent Don ^r«m« '» where he attended SlU Great Navigation^ Derry is employed with Boland and Cornelius. !f:\- ii J-1 T —li-.!:. I-L. ^ Observer Crew Home After Being Trapped 62 Days In Suez Canal Page 2 �August 18, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG SlU Crew Stalled in Suez Tie-Up Returns After 62-Duy Ordeui .."I 1^ -r The Arab-Israeli war has finally ended for five Seafarers after 62 days of service as part of a skeleton crew aboard the SlU-contracted Observer, as she lay trapped at anchor in the Suez Canal. Veteran Seafarer and Chief Steward Jim Davis recently told a LOG reporter what the 62-day ordeal was like for himself and for fellow Seafarers Porter John Causey, Elear Duxbury and Robert Donahue of the deck department and Morris Ward, FWT. The Observer, India hound from Galveston with a cargo of grain, was trapped in the Suez Canal on June 6th by the out­ break of the Arab-Israeli war. On June 28, after efforts on the part of the SIU, the Observer's opera­ tors Marine Carriers, and diplo­ mats of the Spanish and Indian embassies, twenty-five of the Ob­ servers crew were repatriated to the United States. The skeleton crew that volun­ teered to remain aboard the Ob­ server had no way of knowing how long it would be before they themselves could leave for home. Their departure was dependent Seafarer Jim Davis, chief steward on the Observer, tells Head­ upon the clearing of sunken ships quarters Representative E. B. McAuley about his experiences in from the Canal and upon the pos­ the Suez Canal while he and four other Seafarers were part of sible continuation of the Arab- skeleton crew that stayed aboard until the ship could reach Ismalia. Israeli war. Thus the skeleton crew settled ordered by the Observer's master. Captain Kapelowitz did a great down for a long stay aboard the Captain Kapelowitz, to prevent job, said Davis, of keeping them vessel and set about making their the ship from being mistaken for cordial, while at the same time a target by either side in the war. protecting the rights of his ship stay as palatable as possible. and its crew. Without question, boredom was "I was a one-man steward de­ At one point, Davis recounts, partment," said Davis. Food was the major problem that the crew no problem, he explained since had to face aboard ship, while all a rowboat with four armed Egyp­ around their vessel, the war went tians tied up to the Observer's "the ship was well provisioned." stern as if to board the ship. The "We spent most of our time on. Here the compatability of the Captain ordered them off, sternly catching up on repairs, painting, tiling and taking care of the little crew paid off. "Red" Donahue, but politely, and they shoved off. On August 4, the Observer was things that come up on a ship, he said Davis, "gets a lot of credit added. "We had a TV set abroad for keeping our morale up. Red able to take her cargo of grain and could get reception, but we is a real clown and he really kept into a berth on Lake Ismalia, and the skeleton force learned it would could not receive the sound por­ us laughing." tion." In spite of the precautions taken be leaving for home the next day. No Radio Contact to insure the safety of the ship, The Observer will probably The Egyptians sealed off radio and the crew's attempts to forget have to remain in the canal area contact, so that no messages could the danger, the Observer was for* four or five months more be­ be sent or received during the last really in the middle of a war, as fore she can continue her voyage. part of the Observer's stay in tbe one close call recounted by Davis Brother Davis, who studied canal area. As far as is known, points up dramatically. Journalism at the University of tbey did this to all of the 14 vessels During an exchange of fire be­ Alabama, went to sea because of trapped in the waterway, includ­ tween an Egyptian tank and an a desire to travel and because, as ing a Rdssian ship. Israeli gun position, explained he put it, "it's the best education There was plenty of reading Brother Davis, "the tank used the a man can get." material aboard. In addition to Observer as a shield. The tank, on the SIU ship's library, there were the East bank of the canal would magazines that some of the crew fire at the Israeli gun position on SEAE!AKERS^LOC had purchased in the previous the West bank and then duck be­ port. By the end of their stay, the hind our ship." The tank kept this men had read and re-read the up for, a while and during one August 18. 1967 • Vol. XXIX, No. 17 Official Publication of the material so often, that the maga­ exchange of fire, a piece of shrap­ Seafarers International Union zines were almost in shreads. nel from the Israeli gun hit the of North America, But reading time, along with side of the ship. Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, letter writing was limited to the On the whole, relations with AFL-CIO daylight hours, as a blackout was the Arabs were stiff but cordial Executive Board PAUJ. HALL, President CAL TANNER EARL SHEPARD Exee. Vice-Pres. Vice-President AL KERR LINDSEY WILLIAMS Sec.-Treas. Vice-President ROBERT MATTHEWS Vice-President HERBERT BRAND Director of Organizing and Publications Managing Editor MIKE POLLACK Staff Writers PETER WEISS HARRY WITTSCHEN FRANK MAROIOTTA n. Psblished biweekly at 810 Rhode Island Avenoe N.E., Washington, D. C. 20018 by the Seafar­ ers International Union, Atlantic, Golf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, AFL-CIO, 675 Fourth Avenoe, Brooklyn, N.V. 11232. Tel. HYaelnth 9-6600. Second class pottage paid at Washington, D. C. i Above is picture of the Marine Carriers' ship, Observer, just prior to its entrapment in Suez Canal, June 6, after outbreak of Mideast war. I. POSTMASTER'S ATTENTION: Form 3579 cards should be sent to Seafarers International Union, Atlantic. Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District, AFL-CIO, 675 Fourth Avenue, Brook­ lyn, N.Y. 11232. Report of International President by Paul Hall Lengthy hearings by Merchant Marine subcommittees of both the House and the Senate dealing with the present plight of U.S. Mari­ time recently adjourned following testimony which will fill thousands of printed pages. Without exception, those who appeared before Representative Garmatz' House group and Senator Bartlett's group in the Senate agreed that the American merchant marine faces almost certain oblivion unless constructive steps are taken and taken quickly. In reviewing this extensive testimony by hundreds of spokesmen from maritime labor, maritime management and the Congress of the United States, it is also apparent that the overwhelming majority of these experts in maritime affairs firmly believe that the necessary steps can best be taken from within the unhampered framework of an Inde­ pendent Maritime Administration. It is clearly evident as well that any plan to build U.S.-flag ships abroad and grant them equal privileges with American-built ships is unacceptable to all but those who would derive personal benefit from such a plan. Conclusion of the Congressional committee hearings means that all facts, arguments and opinions to date are now officially on record. We knew all along the views of those who would hopefully keep our mer­ chant marine submerged in a sea of bureaucratic red tape until it goes down for the third time. We were fully aware, too, of those who would watch shipbuilding in America dwindle to the status of a lost art while shopping abroad for bargains which could well be turned against our nation in time of future crisis. Combined with the 104 bills for a free and independent Maritime Agency already before the House of Representatives, the forwardlooking logic typified before both Congressional subcommittees by proponents of a separate MARAD and a build-at-home ship construc­ tion policy must be recognized if we are to rebuild our merchant fleet. The question remains: how soon? Revitalization of our merchant marine will not yield to a shotgun approach. We must make up for many years of neglect. As of now only 7.7 per cent of U.S. cargo moves on American bottoms. Our present merchant fleet, regardless of age, totals about 900 vessels—1,432 LESS than in 1946. Such a sitdation can only be described as desperate. But it will become worse if the maritime indus­ try, through desperation, is misled by the Secretary of Transportation or any other Administration bureaucrat into taking one sugared plum and allowing the balance of the cake to be given away abroad. Our merchant marine has traditionally been called the nation's Fourth Line of Defense and so it should always remain. Although some highly-placed Administration officials choose to think otherwise, American Maritime is not a political football or a prize to be bargained with. It is fortunate that elected Congressional leaders from both Houses of Congress and from both political parties recognize what those in the Executive Branch tend to lose sight of. The Merchant Marine Sub­ committees of both House and Senate have the means before them to enable the United States to jregain its rightful position on the seas. What remains to be done now is to formulate comprehensive legislation to establish an independent MARAD which can concentrate solely on building a strong Merchant marine in America for Americans. Brewster Urges Senate Approve New Maritime Authoriiation Biii WASHINGTON—Prompt enactment of legislation which would require that annual funds for Maritime programs be authorized by Congress has been urged by Senator Daniel B. Brewster (D-Md.). Brewster sent letters to the chairman of the Senate Com­ ing statistics. Further, only 7 per merce Committee, Senator War­ cent of our waterborne commerce is carried in United States ships." ren Magnuson (D-Wash.), and The Senator pointed out that in Senator E. L. Bartlett (D-AIaska), contrast, Russia carries 75 per chairman of the Merchant Marine cent of its seaborne commerce in subcommittee, in which he said Soviet-flag ships and is building passage of the bill "would be of new merchant vessels at a rate substantial immediate benefit to eight times that of the U. S. He the maritime strength of this said that while the American mer­ nation." chant fleet today has only about The bill, passed by the House 100 vessels which could be de­ of Representatives last May, would scribed as modem and able, to give legislators responsibility for sustain 20-knot speeds, "we are the formulation and funding of maritime policies and programs-^ providing assistance now for builda function which until now has only 13 ships a year." "Moreover," Brewster con­ been handled almost exclusively cluded, "it is clear that the na­ by Federal agency bureaucrats whose neglect of the merchant tional defense reserve fleet is, in reality, of little strength or relia­ marine is glaringly apparent. Brewster introduced the meas­ bility. Although (it) has a paper ure in the Senate and presided strength exceeding 1,000 vessels, there are, in fact, only 200 cargo over recent hearings on it. vessds left that are not now "The need for strengthening committed to the scrap pile." our merchant fleet is beyond dis­ The Brewster letters were ad­ pute," Brewster wrote. "As you know, testimony submitted to this dressed to Magnuson and Bartlett subcommittee shows that the only as a matter of protocol United States has now dropped because of the, committees they to 16th in the world's shipbuild­ chair. •1 �August 18, 1967 Maritime Decline Critical, Senate Committee Reveals WASHINGTON—Senator E. L. Bartlett (D-Alaska), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the Senate Commerce Committee, has concluded four months of hear­ ings on a proposed new mari­ c>time policy with the warning Edward A. Garmatz (D-Md.), to that unless the government :ome up with a program that takes definite steps soon, the "hopefully will revitalize the United States "won't even be a American fleet." contender among the great mari­ The final day of hearings by time nations of the world in carry­ the Bartlett subcommittee was de­ ing its own or other cargo." voted to two problems of the Noting that testimony heard by Great Lakes area. One relates to the subcommittee was unani­ replacement of obsolete vessels mous on the deplorable condition for domestic Lakes operators and of the U.S.-flag fleet, Bartlett said the other is the lack of subsidized the group now is faced with the service in the Lakes by Americanresponsibility of "trying to ar­ flag operators despite findings rive at some compromise—as will that trade routes from Lakes ports have to be done—to bring all the are essential. conflicting views together." He Senator William Proxmire (Dsaid that if this is not possible "we Wisc.), Chairman of the Great will have to make a determination Lakes Conference of Senators on our own part so we may move those representing states border­ forward." ing on the Lakes—said that over­ The maritime program of seas traffic through the St. Law­ Transportation Secretary Alan S. rence Seaway is steadily on the Boyd has been the main stumbling increase while the U.S.-flag share block faced by the subcommittee of that traffic has declined dras­ since the hearings began last tically. He also told the subcom­ April. mittee that the amount of U.S. cargo moving through the Seaway During his testimony before the is only a small fraction of export group, Boyd made it known that two points of his maritime plan goods produced in the Midwest. were "non-negotiable." These are "If and when additional U.S.the inclusion of the Maritime Ad­ flag shipping into and out of the ministration in his own depart­ Lakes increases," Proxmire de­ ment and the building abroad of clared, "the shipment by water of an unspecified number of ships midwestern export commodities which would be registered under will increase." He said U.S.-flag the American-flag and granted service from the Lakes in 1966 coastwise and cargo preference totalled only 18 trips in and out privileges. while there have been just nine Both of the points Boyd stands such trips so far this year—one firm on are vigorously opposed by of them just for repairs. Com­ most of maritime labor, including paring these figures with 45 trips the 37-union Maritime Trades in 1962-63 and 28 in 1961, the Department (AFL-CIO) and the Senator recalled with interest a 1962 Defense Department Report SIU. The Senator added that he and on Surface Movement of Export Senator Warren Magnuson (D- Cargo which stated that "move­ Wash.), Chairman of the Senate ment of cargo recognized as rateCommerce Committee, will join favorable through the Great Lakes forces with the Chairman of the has been restricted by the lack of House Merchant Marine and Fish­ American-flag shipping." eries Committee, Representative (Continued on Page 8) SEAFARERS LOG Hearings on Independent MARAD Centluded by House Maritime Unit WASHINGTON—The Subcommittee on Merchant Marine of the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries has concluded its hearings on the plight of the American maritime industry with representatives of both labor and manageme.it adding further protests to Transportation Sec­ retary. Alan S. Boyd's concept McKay's statement referred to of a national maritime program. implementation of existing laws. "History has repeated itself. As the 20-point program on maritime At the close of the final ses­ in 1936, our merchant fleet has pre.sented to the White House by sion, Representative Edward A. been permitted to grow old . . .we Garmatz (D-Md.), the Chairman are caught in the strange paradox the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades of the subcommittee, adjourned that as our foreign commerce in­ Department last March and the the hearings "subject to call of creases and as our responsibilities earlier adoption, in 1965, by the the Chair" and said he hopes to for maintaining world peace in­ AFL-CIO Sixth Constitutional have Boyd appear again—in "ex­ crease in scope and distance from Convention of a resolution calling ecutive" session—to further dis­ our shores, our merchant marine for an independent Maritime Ad­ cuss his highly controversial in- competence declines. The more ministration and strict adherence sistance on "foreign building" and seapower we need, the less we to U. S. cargo preference laws. Still Official Position the inclusion of the Maritime have." Administration in the Department "Despite the recent defection of Hood stressed that U. S. ship­ of Transportation. a handful of maritime unions," yards can easily build all of the Appearing on the last day were 42 ships a year called for under the statement declared, "the reso­ Edwin M. Hood, President of the Boyd's 30 here and 12 abroad lution, adopted in 1965 is still the Shipbuilders Council of America, plan—and more—without over­ official position of the AFL-CIO. and Page Groton, Director of the stimulation of capacity. He also It is the position supported by the shipbuilding division of the Inter­ pointed out, parenthetically, that overwhelming majority of the national Brotherhood of Boiler­ building abroad is contrary to the unions in maritime and related makers. President Raymond T. existing law of the land. fields." McKay of the Marine Engineers Boyd's insistence on foreign Expressing concern that "every Beneficial Association, District 2, day of further procrastination" construction "can only lead to the was unable to attend as scheduled results in a further decline of the decline of the U. S.-flag shipping but his prepared statement was fleet, Hood noted that "even if our and shipbuilding industries and the read into the record. Government decided today that ultimate destruction of the AmerHood told the subcommittee the U. S., in the interest of na­ can merchant marine," McKay that in order for any agency to tional security, must be restored as continued. "The seamen and their perform effectively it is necessary a first-class maritime power," the unions have a stake in America to have a "clear national purpose first of the needed ships could not and in the maritime industry. And with supporting policies, people be delivered in less than two years. we are convinced that the proposal and plans," and said that this Hood called for construction of to build ships abroad for partici­ "same basic concept was envis­ at least 30 ships in U. S. yards pation in our domestic commerce ioned at the time of enactment during fiscal 1969 and suggested is a threat to the very life of our of the Merchant Marine Act of possible establishment of a Com­ industry. . . . We therefore will 1936" which is "visably predi­ mission on American Shipbuilding continue to oppose this pro­ cated on the philosophy that it —made up of representatives from posal. . . Mr. McKay said. was to be administered by an all interested factions—to deal Throughout the subcommittee independent agency." He saw with the controversy over foreign hearings, many Congressional parallels in conditions now and shipbuilding. Representatives appeared before when the Act was written. the group to register their vigor­ Never Wavered "Then, as now, our merchant ous opposition to the proposals of fleet was not adequate to the needs Groton assured the group that Secretary Boyd and their deepen­ of the nation," Hood continued. despite Boyd's indication before ing concern over the Administra­ "Then, as now, our dedication to another congressional committee tion's continuing neglect of the a fixed national purpose was some­ that support by unions for an merchant marine. what less than complete. . . .And, independent MARAD is only a as today, there was insufficient "bargaining ploy," he knew this was not the case and declared his union "has never, by either word or deed, wavered for one moment in its determination to fight for the passage of legislation which would create an independent Federal Maritime Administra­ tion." The exchange of three older "In my opinion," Groton said, vessels owned by two SlU-con"HR 159, the legislation we are tracted com^>anies. Oceanic Ore SAIGON—The U.S. Military discussing here today, if passed Carriers and Hudson Waterways Command in Saigon has confirmed by Congress, would constitute a Corp., for three governmentthat heavily fortified Communist return to the original policy con­ owned ships of better quality has gun positions camouflaged along templated by Congress in the been approved by the Maritime the banks of the Long Tau River Merchant Marine Act of 1936; Administration. in South Vietnam, fired upon the the creation of an independent Oceanic Ore Carriers will turn SlU-manned Seatrain Florida agency to establish an American- in its C-2 Oceanic Cloud, now (Seatrain Lines), using a variety of built, American-owned, American- in the Far East, for the AP-2 automatic weapons and heavy re- manned merchant fleet capable of Hagerstown Victory, now in the carrying a substantial proportion government's reserve fleet on coilless rifle fire. A military spokesman added of foreign trade and being utilized James River, Va. After conver­ that none of the Seatrain Florida's as a naval auxiliary in emergen­ sion into a general cargo ship, the Hagerstown Victory will be crew was injured in the attack cies." Referring to Boyd's plan to chartered to the Military Sea which occurred 15 miles southeast of Saigon, and that the only dam­ build abroad, the union official Transportation Service. Hudson Waterways Corp. will age on the ship was to a vehicle, said that foreign construction of part of the cargo the vessel was 10 ships a year would cost U. S. exchange the 1905-built, 6,235carrying, which was hit by ma­ yards $200 million annually in ton Leonard C. Hanna for the contracts and cost direct allied Marine Lynx and the 2,988 ton, chine gun fire. Within minutes of the start of suppliers $100 million more. In 1910-built Ann Arbor No. 5 for the attack, U.S. and South Viet­ addition 16 million man-hours in the Marine Adder. namese river patrol boats, heavily shipyards would be lost and 11.2 Hudson plans to convert the armed helicopters and Air Force million man-hours would be lost to two C-4 troop ships, at a cost of fighter-bombers swarmed over the suppliers. $6.5 million per ship, into heavy What kind of economy is lift vessels also for charter to the area and suppressed the Com­ this?" Groton asked. Deploring MSTS. munist shore fire. Four Viet Cong were reported the "all or nothing" position The Oceanic Cloud will be sold tilled, with no Americans casual­ taken by Boyd, he said: "To me, for scrap in the Far East after it ties or loss of equipment to the this smacks of plain, unadulterated is turned in to the Maritime jolitical blackmail, which I don't Administration by Oceanic Ore orces which came to the aid of feel has any place in our society." Carriers. the Seatrain Florida. Seatrain Florida Attacked by VC; Three More Seafarers Upgraded To engineer's Licenses; Total 171 No One ligured Three additional Seafarers have passed U. S. Coast Guard ex­ aminations qualifying them for an engineer's license after attend­ ing the Marine Engineer's School jointly sponsored by the SIU and District 2 of the Marine O Charles Brennick is 42 years Engineer's Beneficial Associa­ old and lives in Lowell, Mass. He tion. This brings the number of was born in Somerville, Mass. men who have upgraded them­ Brennick sailed as FOWT and selves to an engineer's rating to deck engineer. 171. Two of the men received a third assistant's rating, and one received a second's license. Tom Lambeth is 39 years old and joined the SIU in 1954 in Mobile. Before receiving a third assistant's license, Brennick Crosbie Lambeth sailed as FOWT. A na­ Engine department Seafarers tive of Mobile, he Lambeth are eligible to apply for any of the now lives in the upgrading programs if tjjey are 19 state of New Jersey. years of age or older and have 18 Newly licensed as a third asjistant engineer, Richard Crosbie months of Q.M.E.D. watch stand­ previously sailed as FOWT. Born ing time in the engine department, in New York, he lives in that plus six months' experience as a city. Crosbie is 25 years old. wiper or equivalent. Page Three SIU Companies To Upgrade Three Vessels �Angnst 18, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Page Four Delay on independent MARAD Endangers U.S., Congressman Warns WASHINGTON—"The situation facing our merchant marine is too grave, and the stakes are too high, for us to delay any longer in taken the bold decisive actions that will restore our merchant marine to its rightful place as No. 1 among all of the nations in the world," Representative Fred B. Rooney (D-Pa.) told a recent meeting of the AFL-CIO Mari­ Rights director, Don Slaiman, em­ MARAD will pass the House phasized to those assembled the during the first half of the 90th time Trades Department. position of the Executive Coun­ Congress and that the legislators Calling for establishment of an independent Maritime Adminis­ cil's civil rights platform and said will also oppose any foreign ship­ tration as "the best way to accom­ that just passing laws won't settle building proposals. Hugh C. Murphy, Administra­ plish our goals of a strong and the problems. They must be growing merchant fleet," Rooney meaningful and a healthy econ­ tor of the Labor Department's said he favored "maritime su­ omy must exist before the goals Bureau of Apprenticeship and premacy" not simply for its own of Civil Rights laws can be suc­ Training, spoke of his bureau's training program and said its sake, but because "it is vital to us cessful. unique feature lies in a three-way in times of world crisis and be­ Appropriate Time investment: in the personal future cause it can help prevent crises from developing." At another MTD meeting, Ed­ of the worker, the stable future of The Pennsylvanian, one of 104 win M. Hood, president of the industry and the economic future congressmen who have introduced Shipbuilders Council of America, of America. • He expressed his appreciation bills calling for an independent declared that the push for an in­ that numerous of the Labor De­ dependent maritime agency could MARAD, declared his belief that our maritime program must have not have come at a more appro­ partment's program have been ini­ such an agency—"one which un­ priate time. He predicted that a tiated through affiliates of the derstands the merchant marine's bill creating an independent MTD. needs, which is in sympathy with the merchant marine's problems, and which can devote all of its resources to devising a program that will meet the requirements of a strong and growing America." Speaking of AFL-CIO presi­ WASHINGTON—Representative Thomas M. Pelly (R-Wash.) dent George Meany's strong en­ has demanded the return of United States ships which have been dorsement of a call by four of the nation's top Negro leaders for an sailing under the Russian flag since they were loaned to the Com­ end to "mob law" and a "redou­ munists during World War II, bling of efforts through legitimate and cancellation of the lend- through which the vessels were means" to correct long-standing lease agreement between the turned over. grievances, the federation's Civil U.S. and Soviet governments Russia has had the American ships since 1942 when the two na­ tions signed a lend-lease agree­ ment for mutual defense against Japan and Germany. Senator Clifford P. Hansen (RWyo.) recently revealed that some of these shins are being used to sunply military materiel to North The labor movements of both the United States and the Latin Vietnam even though they are American countries must demonstrate their political consciousness legally the property of the U.S. "under pain of becoming marginal," Venezuelan Ambassador Declaring that the American Enrique Tejera-Paris told new ^ people are entitled to an explana­ graduates of the American In­ til we definitely achieve the ful­ tion as to any justification or logic stitute for Free Labor Develop­ fillment of the aspirations of our for allowing the use of American working classes." ment. ships to deliver military goods to The ambassador addressed a SIU President Paul Hall, who class of 26 trade unionists from 14 is also an AFL-CIO Vice Presi­ Hanoi, Pelly said "the wording Latin American countries and one dent, presented the diplomas. He of the original agreement strikes from the United States completing reminded the class that the labor a strange sound today in light of the AIFLD's first program for movement is an international the use to which the Russians social projects and co-operative brotherhood of workers. The have put these American vessels." training. AIFLD's programs to help Latin The agreement stated: ". . . to Tejera-Paris urged the students American union members build, the end of laying the basis of a to strive to make tjieir countries strong, democratic unions, he said, just and enduring world peace, better places for their children are typical of the "constructive securing order under law." through a great program of "wel­ work which democracy does in coming the young." contrast to the destructive pro­ "Even the State Department has "Trade union leaders," he de­ grams promoted by communism." admitted that the United States clared, "should be examples to At the graduation luncheon would be within its legal rights to the young by showing a selfless, Charles R. Burrows, country direc­ recall these ships," the congress­ responsible political attitude. tor in the Office of Central Amer­ man continued. "The startling fact He also hailed the AIFLD, say­ ican Affairs in the State Depart­ ing its support by the AFL-CIO ment, asked the students to take is that we send out notices of pro­ and the international unions "is back with them the idea that both test to the Greeks, the British, and entirely justified by its teachings labor and management benefit other so-called friendly powers and by the bonds of friendship when their relations are harmo­ who are sending their ships to Haiphong Harbor to deliver Rus­ that it ties with our leaders.'^ nious. Luis Albertb Saenz, assistant to He said the efforts of responsi­ sian weapons to the fighting forces the AIFLD program director in ble union leaders in Honduras, who are shooting at our military Ecuador, responding for the class, where he formerly was U.S. am­ men, while American ships, which, praised the "unlimited scope and bassador, "amply demonstrated under lend-lease, we made avail­ broad vision" of the program. the benefits of harmonious labor- able to the Russians ... are actual­ Workers Emerging management relations." ly carrying the supplies which "The workers, the very back­ On behalf of the class, Pedro Russians get from American ex­ bone of the nations," he added, Pena Fana of the Dominican Re­ porters to send or trans-ship to "are emerging from their cen­ public presented a parchment supply our enemies in North Viet­ turies-old predicament and form­ scroll to AFL-CIO President nam. This hardly le^es out hands ing a strong and vigorous middle George Meany which was ac­ clean when we condemn others." class. They will have the right to cepted for him by AFL-CIO Sec­ Pelly added that some of these think and to live, to produce and retary-Treasurer William F. Schsame ships were also used in to enjoy the fruits of their labor. nitzler. William C. Doherty, Jr., Saenz pledged that he and his administrator of the institute, was Korea against U.S. fighting men classmates will return to their na­ presented with a hat made in and, later, during the Cuban mis­ tive lands determined to "fight un­ Ecuador. sile crisis. Soviets Usii^ Land-Lease Ships For Viet Shipments, Peiiey Charges Venezuelan Ambassador Halls Program of AIFLD SIU Toledo Upgrading Grad Milton Waldrop (center) is congratulated by SIU agent Don Bensman (left) and IBU tug agent Leonard Kirchotf after he received his Captain's license recently from Toledo School of Navigation. The Gulf Coast by Lindsey Williams, Vice-President, Gulf Area The coffee trade is in an uproar with American and Brazilianflag ships competing against U. S. coffee importers over a coffee pool aimed at curtailing the amount of coffee carried between the U. S. and South America by lines other than those owned by American or South American concerns. The pool would be aimed at 'S>— "third-Flag" lines, such as Eng­ finished. An active SIU man, Ray land, Norway and West Germany, is looking forward to going on which have traditionally partici­ pension in about one year. pated in the trade. Lloyd Brasille"Sugar" DlGlovanni would like ros of Brazil proposed an alloca­ to catch the Del Mar again, after tion of 45 per cent of the trade, a Chief Pantryman's job aboard each, for American and Brazilian that ship. ships and 10 per cent for other Among the pensioners visiting flags. They modified this to 40 per old friends at the hall are: Alton cent for the U.S. and Brazil, and "Ding Dong" Bell, Henry "Hun­ 20 per cent for other ships. gary Henry" Gerdes, Charles The proposal was rejected by "Juke Box" Jelfers and Ignace the Northbound Freight Rate Con­ Decareux. ference, which governs the coffee Houston trade. This move triggered the P. D. Amico, just off the Henry, resignation of six lines, including was around the hall long enough the SlU-contracted Delta Steam­ to say hello before shipping out on ship Lines, biggest coffee carrier the Montpeller Victory. in the Gulf. Ted Jones is scanning the boards The Manhattan is due to take for a pumpman's job. His last on a load of grain for India. ship was the Ocean Pioneer. However, due to the ship's loaded P. G. King visited some old draught of 43 feet, 9 inches, she will not be able to get out of the friends in town before catching the mouth of the Mississippi River Montpelier Victory. fully loaded. The ship will load 65,000 tons at Destrehan and have the remaining 15,000 tons brought to her in the Gulf off the mouth of the Mississippi River. She had previously loaded grain out of New Orleans in a like man­ ner, taking 100,000 tons at one SAN JUAN—The SlU-contime, 104,000 tons another. tracted MV SACAL Borincano, a new all-aluminum motor vessel Mobile owned by the South Atlantic & Herbert Lonszyn^i plans to Caribbean Line, recently arrived visit his sister in Germany this in San Juan Harbor on her maiden year. "Dutch" has sailed all deck ratings and his last ship was the voyage to Puerto Rico. The stubby gray-colored ship, Alcoa Commander. which cost just over $1.6 million Willie Slater, Jr. is looking for to build, will be used on the Mi­ a job as enjoyable as his steward's ami-San Juan run. She was slot on the Alcoa Commander. greeted in the harbor by a Coast "Superman" Milne is ready to Guard launch and tugs of the ship out again after leaving the Puerto Rico Lighterage Co. which Claiborne due to his wife's illness. tooted their horns and sent geysers An oldtimer, he's made all the of water skyward in welcome. engine department ratings. J. Carter Hammel, chairman of W. G. Dyal is waiting for a call the board of the United Tanker from the Engineer's Upgrading Corp., parent company of School in New York. A veteran of SACAL, described the Borincano the Gulf area, he's looking for­ as the "first all-aluminum commer­ ward to obtaining his engineer's cial vessel in the world" He license. stated that the company thinks New Orleans the ship "will revolutionize ship­ Ray DeShong, better known as ping traffic between Puerto Rico "Mr. Dependable" among fel­ and the mainland" and added that low Seafarers on the Del Santos, SACAL plans to charter another said he will like to ship on that similar vessel for "the down island vessel as soon as repair work is run, starting this August." New Si'J Ship Makes First Trip �Angtut 18, 1967 The Atlantic Coast by Eari (Bull) Shepard, Vice-President, Atiantic Coast Area Shipping is especially good in the Port of Norfolk, and Sea­ farers on the beach near the port are urged to register there. Quite a few military cargoes are loading and leaving from Norfolk, and rated men throwing in their cards will have no trouble in getting a ship. In Washington, and throughout the nation, the SIU is continuing its campaign to insure that the Am^ican-flag fleet will not be Detroit because he's" NFFD. Julio condemned to oblivion. The civil­ enjoyed sailing on that Sea-Land ian and military need for a strong vessel and we hope he'll be back U.S.-flag is obvious. There is little aboard her shortly. Victor Perez is doing a grade need to mince words over the present condition of our fleet—it A job as steward aboard that ship. has been neglected and is now in The Detroit is a regular on the Puerto Rico and New York shut­ tle run. Speaking of this ship, Nick Gorisb has done a bang-up job as night cook and baker. Nick's a menace to any guy trying to lose a few pounds. Norfolk Shipping has been good here with the loading of plenty of Costa Webb Government cargo. We expect the same for the next period and disrepair What this Union ac­ we welcome all those who wish complishes in the next few to register. months, in cooperation with the Robert Greene is looking for a mem^rship, may well determine steward's job on a Europe-bound the quality and quantity of SIU- vessel. contracted ships in the future. William Culpepper decided it's time for a rest after an AB's job Boston on the Merrimac. He'll be look­ Fred Rashid last made the ing for a bosun's slot when he Western Comet as cook. After a returns. vacation with the family, he's Baltimore ready to go again. James H. Webb finished his va­ William Costa, 25 years in the cation and is ready to ship out. union, told us he had a great fish­ Webb's last job was the Yorkmar. ing vacation. "Gappy" is looking He told us he's looking for a deck forward to more good sailing on job on a Calmar ship heading to SIU ships. the West Coast. Frank Bums is baby sitting for B. J. Paniccia wants to relax his daughter, who's hospitalized. awhile after paying off on the We wish her a speedy recovery. Penmar. Kermit Knutson is registered Frank's last oiler's job was aboard again after working ashore awhile. the Vantage Venture. He missed the sea after 25 years Puerto Rico in the steward department. His Julio Colon had to pile off the last ship was the Venore. SIU Contracteil Companies Allocateil Four C-4's Umler Ship Exchange Act Two SlU-contracted companies, Sea-Land and Central Gulf Steamship, recently took title to four government-owned ships which were allocated to them under terms of the Ship Exchange Act for the purpose of upgrading O" living quarters will be centralized their fleets. Sea-Land Service acquired to provide greater cargo capacity. two 16,350-ton tankers and Cen­ Work is expected to be completed tral Gulf Steamship Corporation in time for the C-4s to join the added two C-4 freighters for line's 11 other vessels in October. A Central Gulf spokesman said eventual use on the company's the newly converted ships will be trade routes. placed at the disposal of the Mili­ For Sea-Land, the tankers rep­ tary Sea Transport Service for resented the last of eight vessels movement of cargo to Southeast made available to the line under Asia. Most of the line's fleet is the exchange provisions. Of the already engaged in this service. other six—all C-4 freighters — The company's regular cargo serv­ four have already been turned into ice operates between U.S. Atlantic full container ships with a capacity and Gulf ports to the Mediter­ of 609 each of 35-foot containers. ranean, the Middle East, India", Two now are undergoing conver­ Pakistan and Southeast Asia. sion in Baltimore and the tankers Built during World War II, the will be converted in Galveston, C-4s were 523-foot troop ships Texas. A spokesman for Sea- with a cargo capacity of 14,863 Land did not specify the capacity tons and a speed of 16.5 knots. of the last four ships but said it Allocation of the vessels are would be somewhat smaller than made under stipulation that ships the original group. not immediately required by 50-Ton Boom MSTS may be placed in com­ mercial operation subject to mili­ The two C-4s that went to tary call. In addition they must Central Gulf will undergo about $5 million in conversion work, the meet all requirements for the ex­ company said. Three 50-ton change, including approval by heavy-lift booms will be installed, MSTS of the conversion plans and air conditioning will be put in and charter arrangements. SEAFARERS LOG Page Five SlU'Manned Vessel Floridian Rescues 19 Cuban Refugees MIAMI—Nineteen Cuban refugees, who crowded together in a small boat and braved the open seas in a desperate flight from Castro's Cuba, finished the last leg of their journey to freedom aboard the SlU-manned Floridian (United Maritime Corp.), after the vessel's crew plucked them from the waters off the coast of Cuba and ^ ———— rected as Seafarers M. R. Scott, deck in no time, for the obvi­ brought them into Miami. At 8 a. m. on August 3, the A. Aronica, L. Riviera, J. Torres ously hungry refugees, while other and J. Ruiz performed the deli­ rneilibers of the crew secured bed­ mate aboard the Floridian, Nor­ cate operation of transferring the ding and cots for them. man J. Dawson, observed an un­ refugees aboard the Floridian 'Inc dramatic story of how the usual blip on the vessel's radar without injury. 19 lied from Cuba was unfolded screen as she was enroute from When the 19 were safely to iiie crew of the Floridian by San Juan to Miami. He alerted aboard the Floridian, the hardship Dr. a. Rodriguez, skipper of the SIU crewmember Charles M. and misery they had endured on tiny lefugee boat, nicknamed the Henning, who was at the wheel, the open seas became apparent to "Oi..Ar." Dr. Rodriguez, who had and almost immediately a small the crew. been the Chief of Staff at the boat was spotted off the starboard Anthony Aronica, deck dele­ General Hospital in Camaguey, bow. gate aboard the Floridian, was As the Floridian inched closer struck by the lack of any personal Cuba, told of the misery and ter­ rible conditions in Cuba and how to the small craft, under the su­ belongings among the refugees. it took him five long years to build pervision of Captain William "One poor fellow," said Aroni- the Omar in secrecy. Travers, the crew could see the ica, "didn't even own a pair of Reduces Engine Noise figures of 8 children and 11 adults shoes." huddled together aboard the ves­ During the same period of time, Chief Steward C. Luna and sel. baker Dario Rios had hot food gas was accumulated bit by bit Chief Mate J. P. Anderson di­ from the Floridian's galley up on and old automobile mufflers were adapted to the Omar, to reduce the noise of her engines. As the completion of the vessel grew closer, the hour of the es­ cape had to be chosen. Dr. Rod­ riguez prepared the Omar to leave from the small town of Nuevitas, on the coast of Cuba, from which a narrow channel led out to the open sea. A militia post guarded the nar­ row channel, and the Omar would WASHINGTON—Representative Charles S. Joelson (D-N.J.) literally have to slip out under the declared recently that "although we are greatly disturbed with the noses of the armed militia. fact that any free world vessel is utilized to support the North It was decided that to cover Vietnam government, it appears their escape, the Omar would wait that the State Department is do­ to Red China or North Vietnam, until late in the evening of August ing everything within its power Macomber said. Britain has been 2, the day the town of Nevitas asked to again explore ways of would be celebrating its annual to meet the difficult problem." Joelson, a member of the House dealing with the problem of the religious carnival. At the height Appropriations Subcommittee on Hong Kong-registered shipping of the celebration, the Omar, car­ State, Justice, Commerce & the but in this connection Britain "will rying 19 residents of the town of Judiciary, made the statement fol­ no doubt take into consideration Nuevitas, moved quietly up the lowing receipt of a reply to his the likely reaction of the Com­ narrow channel and past the mili­ letter to the Department demand­ munist Chinese toward the Crown tia post. ing to know what efforts were Colony." Unseen, she made her way out Referring to the Italian vessel, being made to curtail free-world to the open seas and traveled shipping to the Hanoi Commun­ the Assistant Secretary said it be­ north until the Floridian came longs to a Genoa shipping com­ ists. pany — reportedly Communist upon her in the early morning In an answering letter. As­ controlled — which occasionally hours of August 3. sistant State Secretary William B. sends a ship to North Vietnam. Macomber, Jr., assured the con­ Adding that these ships are on gressman that the matter has been time charter .to North Vietnam, "repeatedly brought to the atten­ he said U.S. protests on involve­ tion of the governments con­ ment of these vessels in the North cerned" and "we are exploring Vietnam trade have met with diffi­ what steps can be taken to insure culty because "it appears that un­ WASHINGTON—Two more the removal of remaining ships der present Italian law, the Italian vessels have been added to the list from this trade." Government does not have the of ships ineligible to carry U.S. "During the first six months of legal means whereby it can pre­ government-financed cargoes be­ 1967 there were 39 arrivals of vent the Genoan firm from char­ cause of calls at North Vietnamese free world ships in North Vietnam tering its vessels." ports, bringing the total of black­ compared with 54 in the first half Efforts to curtail activities of listed vessels to 42. of 1966 and 74 for all of 1966," Cypriot and Maltese ships which The most recent Maritime Ad­ the letter said. "The increase of comprised almost half of freeministration compilation is based 19 in the first half of 1967, com­ world vessels plying the North on information through June 12, pared with the last six months of Vietnam trade during the first half 1967. 1966, is due entirely to Hong of this year were seen to be more The newly named vessels are the Kong-registered ships flying the successful. Macomber's letter British-flag Ardrossmore of 5,850 British flag which account for continued: gross tons, and the Polish-flag roughly 80 per cent of the total "We have made repeated rep­ Kraxzewski of 10,363 gross tons. arrivals. With the exception of resentations to the Government of There were no vessels that reone Italian arrival, the remaining Cyprus concerning their ships and arrivals during the first half of they have now assured us that aquired eligibility to carry U.S. 1967 were by ships under the they have taken the necessary government cargoes during the Cypriot and Maltese flags." steps to control this trade. With last reporting period. Eligibility can be restored upon a pledge by regard to the one Maltese flag Communist-Controlled vessel which is still in the North the ship's owner that the vessel While all British-flag ships regis­ Vietnam trade, we understand that will be removed from the North tered in the United Kingdom have the charter will expire in August Vietnam trade. been withdrawn from the trade, of these year (and) have made Presently blacklisted ships in­ those registered in Hong Kong clear to the government of Malta clude British, Cypriot, Greek, are believed to be controlled by our strong opposition to free Maltese and Polish flags with an Chinese Communist interests and world shipping to North Viet­ aggregate deadweight tonnage of 295,066. are operating under time charter nam." U.S. Seeking to Curtail Free-World Viet Shipping Two Ships Added To Vht Biackiist �SEAFARERS LOG Page Six IDISPATCHfRS REPORT Atianflc, Owlf A lAlamf WotMv btitrlef| July 28 to August 10, 1967 DECK DEPARTMENT Port Boston New York .. Philadelphia Baltimore ... Norfolk Jacksonville . Tampa Mobile New Orleans . Houston Wilmington .. San Francisco Seattle Totals TOTAL REGISTERED All Groupa Class A Class B 3 4 76 39 4 2 22 10 7 4 13 9 6 3 23 19 50 20 37 35 8 9 39 74 23 17 311 245 Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Jacksonville Tampa Mobile New Orleans Houston Wilmington San Francisco Seattle Totals TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B 2 2 60 42 2 2 6 21 5 2 7 4 7 1 7 22 41 33 23 30 4 5 28 74 4 19 196 257 TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups Class A Class B Class C 2 0 0 49 21 13 110 9 4 0 2 6 3 3 5 7 3 4 1 8 9 1 . 24 15-7 21 33 9 5 6 12 17 44 26 14 3 145 152 82 REGISTERED on BEACH All Groups Class A Class B 13 4 271 102 19 5 121 56 19 24 13 8 11 10 75 30 150 94 103 117 14 1 71 20 0 2 880 157 ENGINE DEPARTMENT TOTAL SHIPPED Class A Class B Class ^ 0 2 6 42 25 30 4 3 1 10 7 4 5 2 7 2 2 9 5 5 1 7 7 2 18 21 12 23 22 8 3 4 20 15 50 16 1 2 3 135 152 119 REGISTERED on BEACH All Groups Class A Class B 7 2 152 80 12 5 57 81 18 5 7 4 4 1 30 28 118 104 78 79 9 0 47 • 54 0 0 539 443 STEWARD DEPARTMENT Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Jacksonville Tampa New Orleans Houston Wilmington San Francisco Seattle Totals TOTAL REGISTERED All Groups Class A Class B 3 0 47 20 3 1 11 11 3 4 4 1 11 1 1 14 39 28 22 14 12 6 30 8 8 6 194 114 TOTAL SHIPPED Class A Class B Class C 10 0 43 17 20 1 2 1 7 3 1 4 0 14 1 3 10 4 10 7 2 0 18 18 10 19 10 9 3 5 11 13 13 35 0 2 4 _ 121 76 115 REGISTERED on BEACH Class A Class B 12 4 158 50 15 16 45 55 8 13 4 1 7 1 52 23 121 67 69 48 12 2 22 35 2 4 527 319 YO U R D OJ. I. A R' S WO R T H iiiililin Seafarer's Guide to Better i By Sidney Margolius Continuing incidents of children and adults seriously burned when clothes burst into flames have increased demands for stronger laws govern­ ing fabric flammability. In one case a tdri-year-old girl suffered severe bums when her nightgown caught fire in front of a heater. Betty Furness, the President's consumer assistant, told a recent credit union convention about a letter from a man who wrote: "My sister was burned to death in a fire. A simple fire from a pack of matches caused her housecoat to ex­ plode." A mother wrote to the White House con­ sumer office that her little girl was badly scarred from bums she got when her housecoat "Seemed to explode and then became a black sticky symp." Similarly, Arthur Rowse, publisher of the news­ letter, U.S. Consumer, tells about a two-year-old girl who was burned over half her body while reaching for a pet bird near the kitchen stove. A lighted burner ignited her cotton quilted house­ coat and cotton flannel pajamas. There are thousands of such incidents every year. The U.S. Agriculture Department has re­ ported that of the 6,300 deaths in homes caused by fires in 1964, about 2,000 occurred when clothing caught fire. No one knows how many other children and adults were severely bumed even if they survived. One plastic surgeon told Congress that half the burn cases he gets involve clothing. Curtains, drapes, blankets, rugs and other house­ hold textiles are similar fire hazards. Thermal blankets are especially flammable. The most dangerous fabrics, like the brushed rayon "torch sweaters" and kids' cowboy suits with highly-inflammable chaps, are banned from interstate commerce. The "torch sweaters" Augast 18, 1967 severely burned a number of girls and led to the passage in 1954 of partial protection against flam­ mable fabrics. At that time the Federal Trade Commission urged Congress to also include blankets, spreads, draperies, stuffed toys, mgs and household tex­ tiles in general. But Congress, under pressure from the textile industry and especially the cotton industry, refused to. The Administration now has asked Congress to strengthen the law by covering other clothing articles that tend to quickly burst into flames, and also, household drapes, carpets, upholstery mate­ rial and baby blankets. Senator Warren Magnuson (D-Wash.) has pro­ posed amendments to give the Department of Commerce authority to revise and strengthen the present standards, and to conduct research into the flammability of products. As former Senator Maurine Neuberger pointed out, the present standards are weak. They bar only materials consumed by fire very quickly, and do not, for example, cover intensity of burning. Some fabrics may not burn rapidly enough to be barred under the present 3.5-second test, but may burn at such an intensity that the flame cannot be extinguished easily. A special irony is that materiaf which cannot be made into a shirt because it does not pass the present test, still can be sold as drapes or blankets. Labor unions are supporting the proposed strengthening of the law. At a conference of safety experts, doctors and others a few months ago, the Trainmen's Union Counsel, Arnold Elkind, urged recognition for the right of con­ sumers to be clothed with fabrics which do not unreasonably expose them to the tortures of flame. Sandburg Poems Aided AFL Through Curly Organizing Days They laid him to rest in the Blue Ridge, North Carolina, hills that he loved. Carl Sandburg—worker, poet, historian, guitarist. Words of tribute to him rang out from on high, from the White House, from the halls of learning, from the famous, but Sandburg, himself, was a man of the people. "The People, Yes," he wrote in affirmation of his profound belief in democracy. Sandburg was a man who had worked at a thousand jobs aijd sang a thousand songs, strumming softly on his guitar. His father was an illiterate Swedish immigrant who worked as a railroad blacksmith in the yards of Galesburg, 111. And he, himself, worked as a boomer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. No matter how many jobs and how many honors came his way in later life he never lost his touch with the railroad worker. Of his many railroad poems, he had this to say of the head of the Southern Pacific: "Huntington sleeps in a house six feet long. "Huntington dreams of railroads he built and owned. "Huntington dreams of ten thousand men saying: 'Yes, sir.' " Harry Golden, in his biography of Sandburg, wrote: "Lucy Bobbins Lang, for many years private secretary to the late Samuel Gompers, told me that the early organizers of the American Federation of Labor carried "Chicago" poems in their kits: 'At nearly every organizing meeting we had group singing followed by a reading of one of Sandburg's poems,'" she said. From Galesburg, 111. to service in the Spanish-American War, to Milwaukee, Wis., Sandburg's feel for the people led to his becoming a social democrat. He worked for the socialist Mil­ waukee leader and for two years was the secretary to the social­ ist mayor of Milwaukee Emil Seidel. Here he met his wife Lillian Steichen, sister of the famous photographer, Edward Steichen. In 1912 the Pressmen were locked out by the newspapers of Chicago. The Chicago Daily Socialist was the only newspaper not affected and Sandburg went to Chicago to work for this paper. Chicago became his city. And who, who has once read his famous poem, "Chicago," can ever forget it: "Hog Butcher of the World, "Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, "Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; "Stormy, husky, brawling, "City of the Big Shoulders." Sandburg held many jobs, himself, and during his Wisconsin days he was a popular Labor Day speaker. "Labor is beginning to realize its power," he told a 1908 Labor Day rally. "We no longer beg, we demand old-age pen­ sions; we demand minimum wage; we demand industrial acci­ dent insurance; we demand unemployment insurance; and we demand the eight-hour day which must become the basic law of the land." In his years as-a newspaper man, Sandburg usually covered labor stories. In 1917, he actually went on the payroll of the AFL and wrote first-hand stories out oL the Middle West for the labor press. He wrote of a thousand workers, of mill girls, of brick­ layers, of sleel workers, of icemen, of auto workers, of soldiers, of farmers, of dancers, of machinists, of truck drivers, of builders He writes: "The silent litany of the workmen goes on— "Speed, speed, we are makers of speed. "We make the flying, crying motors, "Clutches, brakes and axles, "Gears, ignitions, accelerators, "Spokes and springs and shock absorbers." Sandburg understood hard work and what it took out of the workers. And he could express this understanding as no other. One poem is entitled "Mill Doors": "You never come back. "I say good-by when I see you going in the door, "The hopeless open doors that call and wait, "And take you then for—how many cents a day? "How many cents for the sleepy eyes and fingers? "I say good-by because I know they tap your wrists, "In the dark, in the silence, day by day, "And all the blood of you drop by drop, "And you are old before you are young. "You never come back." But Carl Sandburg could feel for the great as he did the worker. His sik-volume work on Abraham Lincoln stands as a classic. On the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln's birth, in 1959, he addressed a joint session of Congress. Twice he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for literature. Carl Sandburg remained a man of the people. "The People, Yes." �August 18, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG GOP Intra-Party Struggle Forecast for '6S Elections Is history repeating itself in the Republican Party? Will its structure, it policies and its purse-strings again be controlled by ultra-conservatives? Gradually the answers to these questions are taking form as separate bits and pieces fall into a related whole. They point to another bitter intra-party struggle like the one that convulsed the GOP in 1964. Certainly, all the evidence points to the fact the extreme right-wing elements within the party are spoiling for battle with its more moderate elements. And whether he wants them or not, the one man around whom they seem likely to collect is California Governor Ronald Reagan. Some of the particulars are these: • The vise the right-wing tightened over the 400,000-member Na­ tional Young Republicans in 1964 has been strengthened. In their recent convention. Young GOP's overwhelmingly elected as their presi­ dent an ultra-conservative backed by their elders in the former Goldwater camp. In certain of their convention actions, they as much as told more moderate national party leadership to go paddle a canoe. • The National Federation of Republican Women suffered through an unladylike campaign for their presidency that drove a deep wedge into the group. Though an ultra-rightist candidate was defeated, the victor is herself extremely conservative, a Goldwater supporter in 1964 and presently an apparent backer of Governor Reagan. It would be a mistake to write off the battles within these two groups as unrelated to the larger question of who will be the 1968 GOP presidential nominee. Leadership in the Young GOP and in the women's group brings some influence over National GOP policy, and indeed is a port of entry to party leadership itself. Equally important, the battles within these groups often are "mini-wars," initial skirmishes pointing to larger battles with higher stakes in the national convention. • Emerging as the most popular national figure—next to Goldwater at least—among Young Republicans at their recent convention was Reagan. He stood them on their ears with just the kind of speech they want to hear, simplified solutions to complex problems. Though more cautious about what he says and how he says it than Goldwater ever was, Reagan's line remains reminiscent of the 1964 presidential nominee's. • Increasingly finding their way into print in relation to all the elbowing going on within the GOP and its subsidiaries are names closely linked with the 1964 Goldwater drive for the GOP nomination. Among them are: F. Clifton White who masterminded the Draft Goldwater movement that led to the Arizona senator's nomination. William Rusher of "National Review" magazine, the most articulate and thoughtful of the rightist journals. Senator John Tower of Texas who, according to the Washington Post, has been promoting favorite-son candidates in many states. The reason for this could be to prevent an early lock on the convention by a candidate opposed by the ex-Goldwater camp. White and Rusher designate themselves as "responsible conservatives" to divorce themselves from the wilder elements of the right. But it was the wilder elements that took over the Goldwater campaign in 1964 once the "responsibles" had captured the nomination for Goldwater. Reportedly, the White-Rusher-Tower team hopes to prevent a repeat. A final element in the gathering storm is Reagan himself. Washington Post columnist David Broder has written that many key Republicans are predicting there will be a Reagan organization fielded to battle for the GOP nomination. Perhaps, he said, there will be a national Draft Reagan Committee in business by fall, headed by Clifton White. (A Reagan draft group already has set up in Colorado, led by a mil­ lionaire right-winger.) Broder reports rumors that a "Reagan political summit" already has been held and that White has met with key Reagan aides. In addition, Broder has written that "Reagan allies, present and potential, have moved into key positions in every power center in the party. . . ." John R. Strachan, member of Musicians local 802, a veteran Postal Union member, and a member of AFT Local 2, has been sworn in as postmaster of New York. Strachan began as a postal clerk in 1941, while study­ ing foi bachelor's and master's degrees at New York University, and worked his way up in the Post Office Department through the ranks. An Army veteran of World War II, Strachan served as assistant director of the New York postal region until being appointed to the postmastership of New York. * * * The United Farm Workers Organizing Committee has an­ nounced an end To the nationwide boycott of Perelli-Minetti grapes and other produce. The company has signed an agreement recog­ nizing the union as bargaining agent for the field workers. * * 4> AFL-CIO President George Meany has been appointed for the third time as national vice chairman for labor of the Red Cross fund raising campaign to be held next year. Meany was national vice chairman .^or labor during the 1962 and 1967 cam­ paigns. In addition, he is serving fourth term as member of the volunteer American Red Cross Board of Governors. Page Seven The Hour of Decision! After 15 years of Federal indifference and mishandling brought about by bureaucratic neglect, the long-awaited moment of truth for the American merchant marine is finally at hand. Mounting concern over the future of the United States as a maritime power resulted in the recently-concluded hearings on the state of our merchant marine conducted by the Senate and the House of Representa­ tives. These hearings, before the Merchant Marine Subcommittee of the Senate Com­ merce Committee and the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, were de­ liberately unhurried and comprehensive. Mountains of testimony was taken and any­ one concerned with the issue was afforded ample opportunity to be heard. Without exception, all agreed that the condition of the U.S.-flag fleet is in a de­ plorable condition and that something must be done to remedy the situation before it is too late. This we have known for a long time and the knowledge has been shared by realistic senators and representatives of both parties. Through their untiring individual efforts, they have thus far managed to fore­ stall a complete sell-out of our fourth arm of defense by those in Federal power who fail to recognize the vital role a strong, do­ mestically-owned and operated merchant marine will always play in our country's economic and defensive security. There is significance in the fact that both houses of the Legislative Branch of the United States government elected to hold hearings simultaneously on the problem of rapidly-diminishing sea strength which faces the nation. This is not often done. While only on a committee level, the tim­ ing might well be likened to a joint session of Congress—called not by the White House, but by Capitol Hill on its own authority— to deal with a crisis which Congressmen are convinced has been allowed by the Execu­ tive Branch to teeter too dangerously at the brink of the point of lio return. In effect, the move could be described as a bloodless declaration of war on administrative stub­ bornness which threatens the doom of America as a major maritime power During the course of the hearings, both Senator Bartlett's committee and that of Representative Garmatz heard substantially the same arguments—officially—that have been previously voiced in less formal cir­ cumstances. The overwhelming majority of witnesses representing labor, management and legisla­ tive government were in outright opposition to Transportation Secretary Boyd's position that some U.S.-flag vessels should be built abroad and granted equal domestic rights with ships constructed in U.S. shipyards. Similarly, the firm conviction was advanced by this majority that the only sane and sen­ sible way to restore the merchant marine to its rightful position in world shipping is to re-establish the Maritime Administration as the independent agency it was during the heyday of the U.S. Maritime industry before 1951. This, it was felt by all, would insure speedy construction in America of the num­ ber of new merchant ships vitally needed by America to fulfill obligations both at home and abroad. Secretary Boyd and other Administration officials dogmatically plugged for foreign building and the take-over of MARAD by the Transportation Department, but only a handful of dissenters from the industry went along with them. The issues are clear-cut. There can be no half-way measures or bowing to further bureaucratic whims. Our merchant marine must be kept free and brought to top strength again in America, by Americans, under the administration of its own agency. We know it. Congress knows it, even the few who don't like it must know it. The will of the majority is indelibly on record. It re­ mains only for the Congress to translate it into law and it is vitally essential to the na­ tion's welfare that prompt action be taken. �Page Eight SEAFARERS LOG S/x Additional Seafarers Added To Crowing SlU Pension Roster Covert D'Angelo Gentes Foote Chisiiell Hudgins The names of six more SIU members has been added to the growing list of Seafarers who are enjoying their retirement years with the benefit of an SIU pension. The newest additions to the SIU pension list include: Vito D'Angelo, Joseph Gentes, George Foote, Clifford Covert, Carl Chisnell and William Hudgins. " " Clifford Covert sailed as en­ and sailed in the deck depart­ way marine tugs operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad and joined gineer with the SIU Inland Boat­ ment. A native of Michigan, he joined the union in Frankfort, the Union in Norfolk. A native men's Union. Born in Grove Mich. He is presently a resident of Pears, Va., he still makes his City, Pa., he now lives in Tampa, of St. Clair, Mich. Chisnell sailed home in Virginia. Hudgins was Fla., with his wife, Angela. Covert with the Pringle Barge Co. a member of the deck depart­ served in World War I with the William Hudgins sailed on rail­ ment. Army. He joined the SIU-IBU in New Orleans. His last ship was a Coyle Lines vessel. Vito D'Angelo sailed as an AB and bosun and last shipped aboard the Robin Goodfellow. Born in Massachusetts, he now lives in Lawrence, Mass. He joined the SIU in the port of New York. The Lake Palourde, sister ship of the ill-fated, runaway-flag Joseph Gentes sailed as steward supertanker, Torrey Canyon, has been released by British officials and cook and joined the SIU in in Singapore after being "arrested" and held for 48 hours in $8.4 the port of New York. He was million bail as security for pay­ born in Vermont and now makes ment of damage to British suit of oil pollution. his home in Baltimore. Gentes Britain's suit, unique in inter­ was in the Army during World beaches caused by the wreck national law and recently upheld War II. His last ship was the of the Torrey Canyon. by the British Supreme Court, The British Government, fol­ could not name the owners of the Robin Hood. George Foote sailed as an oiler lowing the Torfey Canyon disaster Torrey Canyon at the time it was and joined the SIU in the port of on March 18, in which the ship filed because the interlocking in­ Baltimore. Born in Maryland, he ran aground in daylight on a well- trigues of the various corporations lives in Baltimore with his wife, charted reef off the coast of Corn­ involved in her runaway-flag oper­ Belva. Foote's last ship was the wall, filed suit against the un­ ation were so complex that the named owners of the Torrey Can­ owners could not be readily pin­ Seamar. Carl Chisnell was a member yon for recovery of damages sus- pointed. of the SIU Great Lakes District "^i^ined to British beaches as a reAs a part of Britain's legal ac­ tion, a writ was issued for the "arrest" of either or both of the Torrey Canyon's sister ships, the Lake Palourde and the Sansinena, should they enter any British port. On July 15 the Lake Palourde, WASHINGTON—Commerce Secretary Alexander Trowbridge en route from Los Angeles to the last week asked for the defeat in the Senate of a House-passed Persian Gulf, made a one-hour bill which would deprive the Maritime Administration of unex­ stop in Singapore to take on two coils of wire. pended funds from fiscal 1967 ^ The British had been following and sharply reduce permitted under the terms of these contracts the movements of the Torrey Can­ may subject the government to expenditures in fiscal 1968. yon's sister ships closely, and were damages and costs resulting from The bill is a Republican-spon­ shipbuilding delay claims . . . The frankly surprised that the Lake sored general economy restriction possible court damages could ex­ Palourde's operators, knowing the which would reduce spending by ceed the apparent expenditures British intention to seize the ship 5 per cent across the board. Ac­ reduction," he said. if they could, allowed her to go tual language of the amendment The Secretary added that re­ into the British-controlled port of limits spending to 95 per cent of sultant reaction among private Singapore. amounts scheduled to be spent in shipbuilders might cause delay The British have now estab­ fiscal 1968. It therefore puts un­ and uncertainty and adversely af­ lished that the Torrey Canyon and committed 1967 funds out of fect the modernization of our her sister ships are owned by the reach. This would be a heavy merchant marine "which is clear­ Barracuda Tanker Corporation, blow to ship construction subsi­ ly not in the public interest." which operates its ships under dies. Liberian registry -even though Without the limitation, Trow­ Trowbridge explained to a Sen­ bridge warned the Senators, MA they are American-owned. ate appropriations subcommittee had planned to use left-over funds In order to secure the release that the Maritime Administration, from 1967, plus new money voted of the Lake Palourde, her owners instead of having a total of some in 1968, to commit funds for 24 had to deposit with the British $240 million—from both the last new ships, but 14 new barge-car­ Treasury $8.4 million in securities fiscal year and the new one—to rying types planned by three lines and other assets which will be held pay previously-incurred obliga­ "will be much more expensive pending the outcome of a judg­ tions and commit to new con­ than more conventional ships and ment claim now before the British struction, could actually only could exceed our estimates of courts. spend $41.7 million on construc­ cost." Thus, he said, plans for the After eight days of trying to re­ tion subsidies and would have to remaining ships will not be made float the Torrey Canyon, during hold down operating subsidies by final until bids on these 14 are in. which millions of gallons of crude $10 million. He pointed out that Trowbridge reported that each oil spewed forth from her, ruining MA's subsidy outlays for con­ of the new barge-carrying types British beaches, British warplanes struction and op^ation actually were exp^ted to cost more than bombed her to sink the remaining pay obligations incurred in past $21 million. This alone could crude oil in her tanks. years. soak up all available funds, and Her twisted, rusted wreckage "Inability to make these ex­ more, unless there were some now lies asunder on Seven Stones penditures as they become due tower-than-expected bids, he said, Reef. Torrey Canyon's Sister Ship Seized by British Officials Commerce Secretary Urges Defeat Of House Bill Curbing Ship Sudsidies Aagnst 18, 1967 Maritime Decline Critical, Senate Committee Reveals not share the concern of Congress (Continued from Page 3) over the future of the Great Lakes Proxmire noted that U.S.-flag bulk cargo fleet. He stated that ships carried only 3.8 per cent Transportation Secretary Alan S. of tonnage shipped for export Boyd's proposed maritime pro­ through the Seaway in 1966 while gram would provide nothing for Canadian ships carried 66.8 per the Lakes. cent and other foreign-flag vessels carried the remaining 29.4 per cent. Pointing out that only 7.7 per cent of exports produced in the Great Lakes area are shipped via the Seaway, he said "we must in­ sure a more significant role for BALTIMORE —The second our merchant marine in the Lakes largest floating drydock in the if we are going to benefit both the Lake ports (and) build a merchant United States was put into service marine that can serve the entire in this port recently by the Mary­ nation, including the fourth sea- land Shipbuilding and Drydock coast opened by the construction Company. Originally constructed for the of the St. Lawrence Seaway." Proxmire said that available British Admiralty at Portsmouth, construction subsidies over recent England, the 32,000-ton, all steel, years have been used uniformly to solid wing-wall dock was bought build vessels too large to transit by the Baltimore firm in 1965 but the Seaway and called for the a combination of bad weather and building of U.S.-flag ships that damage enroute caused a 20can be used in Great Lakes serv­ month delay in getting it across ice. Since 1961 Canada has built the Atlantic and into operation. 25 such ships while we have built Once here, the Sparrows Ppint none. Shipyard had to modify two shipIf and when U.S. ships for the ways to accommodate the width Lakes trade are built, the Senator of the drydock before a new sec­ said he hoped Congress would tion 253 feet wide and 144 feet further benefit the area by allotting long could be built to replace the "a nominal sum—say $7,500,000 one lost in transit. The gigantic •for military cargo shipments size of the old and new sections through the Seaway.' made it impossible to join them in The president of the Lakes Car­ the normal manner. riers' Association, Vice-Admiral Therefore, it was necessary to James A. Hirshfield, also pointed pull the sections together, while to the need for a strong and effi­ afloat, with the aid of turnbuckles cient U.S. bulk carrier fleet on the and guide wedges. Divers then Great Lakes, particularly in the made the underwater connection case of a national emergency. He by bolting two series of angles to­ recalled that the Commerce Com­ gether with a watertight gasket. mittee recognized this need 10 years ago when it expressed con­ The above-water structure was cern over the preponderance of aligned and welded in the conven­ foreign-flag ships in the carriage tional manner. This dual joining of ore imports. However, Hirsh­ procedure was the first ever at­ field said, the Administration does tempted in this country. Balto. Drydock One of Largest SfU to Contest P-fid Cngtloyees'List At August 21NLRB Hearing CLEVELAND—^The regional office of the National Labor Re­ lations Board here, has set Monday, August 21 as the date for the filing of briefs by the SlU's Great Lakes District and the PickandsMather and Company, on the question of the eligibility of the election. The NLRB has ruled in the past some 38 employees of the com­ that temporary employees are not pany to vote in a special NLRB eligible to vote in representation representation election among the elections, the outcome of which 340 non-licensed seamen em­ will affect the representation of ployed by the company. permanent employees. TTie special representation elec­ The question of whether or not tion had been scheduled for July the 38 are temporary employees 31St, but was postponed at the re­ hinges on whether or not they quest of the SIU, because the un­ will leave the company's employ ion found that during the Mayin September or remain employed June payroll period, when 78 during the coming school year by persons left the company's employ the company. for various reasons 38 college At a recent hearing of the students and others the SIU con­ tends are temporary employees, Cleveland NLRB, at which the SIU was represented by Cleveland were hired by the company. It is the SIU's contention, that Port Agent Stanley Wares and these employees are in a tempor­ counsel Ned L. Mann, Pickandsary job category and should thus Mather personnel director James be judged ineligible to vote in any A. Collins, when questioned as to election, the outcome of which, the status of the 38 employees will affect the representation of recently hired by the company, permanent workers who will con­ said that in his judgment he would tinue toabe employed by the com­ "assume" that most of the 38 pany after most of the 38 will have would be going back to school although in the past one or two left the company's employ. Pickands-Mather contends that college students hired in the sum­ all the employees now on its pay­ mer months had stayed on beyond roll should be allowed to vote in September. �iy.. Attgnst 18, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine The about Blue Monday This is the final installment of a Seafarers LOG feature series dealing yfith the many expressions used in everyday American speech that had their origins in seafaring jar­ gon. They are words and phrases that we all use but whose origin would' surprise most of us simply because we have always taken them for granted and never won­ dered where they came from. I N the fabled old days of wooden ships and iron men, the men were made that way by the backbreaking work required aboard sailing ships to keep them trim and seaworthy. Thus, a hard-fisted crew, back from many months at sea, most often under the reign of a cruel captain, would seek to forget the hardships of their existence by searching out various forms of entertainment on the beach and at the same time fortify themselves for their next sign-on. As these sailors of old were a hearty lot, their idea of entertainment would make many a landlubber quake in his boots. It is the antics of these tem­ porarily beached seafarers that provide the salty words and phrases to be considered in this, the final installment of SCUTTLEBUTT. Engaging in a DONNYBROOK was a form of diversion seamen of old were particularly fond of. It seems to lend itself well to the temperament of men whose livelihood depended on their physical strength and stamina. A DONNYBROOK has come to be known as a free-wheeling exchange of opinions, impromptu or planned, in which the participants often relied upon their fists, rather than the spoken word to make a point. The term DONNYBROOK went to sea in the year 1204 from a large patch of green pasture in Ireland, just outside the city of Dublin, upon which the then King John inaugurated the annual Donnybrook Fair, for the amusement of his subjects. The good sovereign's intentions were noble in­ deed, for he sought to provide a place where farmers, sheepmen, horsemen, tradesmen, lords and their ladies, could mingle and enjoy themselves. The fair boasted a fine racetrack, a stadium for shows and bare-knuckle prize fights and booths where trades­ men could offer their wares to the gentry. But alas, the good king's intentions went astray and the fair became a center for the practice of varied forms of debauchery, including drunkenness, which often led to black eyes and broken noses and the occasional demise of a fairgoer. The Donnybrook Fair remained infamous as a place to raise cain for more than 650 years, until it was finally closed down in 1855, an occurrence which saddened seafaring men of the time, from the Bering Straits to the Adriatic Sea. Seamen, who most always were born poor and died poor, saw a resemblance between the GREAT HORN SPOON used by their fathers and that pe­ culiar combination of stars, seen from the decks of their ships at night, known as the "Big Dipper." As they enjoyed swearing by everything, seamen found it natural in times of stress, to look to the heavens and SWEAR BY THE GREAT HORN SPOON at the hardships they endured. The objective of those who took part in a DON­ NYBROOK, was to send their opponents GAL­ LEY WEST and SQUARE AWAY the opposition, post haste. In the course of a DONNYBROOK, if you sent an opponent GALLEY WEST, it meant he had been rendered unconscious by one of the variety of instruments available in the local saloon, the locale of most DONNYBROOKS, such as a chair or a half-filled rum bottle. , Actually the term GALLEY WEST is of ancient seafaring origin, dating back to the days of the proud Norse Seafarers and their study galleys. It was the custom then, when a Norse chieftain died valiantly in battle, to place him aboard his galley with the sails set so that the vessel would move westward into the set­ ting sun, carrying the departed warrior out of battle forevermore and to his just reward. Thus, in the days of sail, a seaman knocked un­ conscious by an accident or by a pugilistic shipmate was referred to politely as having been sent GALLEY WEST. The expression SQUARED AWAY, also coined in the days of sail, was somewhat similar in meaning to GALLEY WEST, but of a slightly different twist. SQUARED AWAY indicated aboard a windjam­ mer, that the braces were all set aboard, with the sails ready to run before the wind and that everything was in its proper place to meet the wind. Thus, in a DONNYBROOK, if you SQUARED AWAY your opponent, you put him in his proper place, out of the fight. Now the barkeeps in many saloons, seeing their establishments wrecked by a DONNYBROOK, would often SWEAR BY THE GREAT HORN SPOON at the destruction before their eyes and would try POURING OIL ON TROUBLED WA­ TERS before their saloons were completely devas­ tated by the combiitants. In the early days of our nation, only the rich could afford expensive utensils for eating, made of silver or pewter. Poor people used spoons carved out of the horns of cattle, and in even the poorest home there was a huge horn spoon which the head of the house­ hold used to scoop or dip out the portions of food to the family. An old Chinese legend is said by many to be the origin of POURING OIL ON TROUBLED WA­ TERS. It tells of an ancient Chinese junk, caught in a terrible storm with a cargo of fish oil stowed below in compartments separated by bulkheads. When the storm was at its fiercest, and the vessel in imminent danger of going down, the sea around the junk ceased to break over the tiny ship and be­ came calm. The captain and his crew were at a loss to explain the change, until they discovered that a seam had split below, allowing fish oil to escape into the boiling sea. Chinese legend or not, storm oil is today standard equipment aboard vessels large and small. Life aboard ship in the days of sail provided many hardships for the seaman to endure, not the least of which was often the captain of the vessel. Many of the captains of windjammers and other vessels were extremely cruel men whose idea of run­ ning a tight ship was to make life for the shellbacks under their command as miserable as possible. At sea, the master of a vessel was judge and jury when it came to deciding the fate of a seaman brought up on charges. A favorite method of pun­ ishment used aboard sailing ships to carry out the decision of the court, which was always "guilty as charged" was to administer a flogging with a "cato'-nine tails." Today, when someone wishes to convey the dis­ comfort of being in tieht quarters, he will often call upon the phrase THERE IS NO ROOM TO SWING A CAT. The "cat" in the landlubber's phrase and the "cat" in the captain's "cat-o'-nine tails" are one in the same animal. When the captain decreed that a sailor rated a flogging, the place of punishment was usually the brig. It was usually the custom to have all the punish­ ments that had been adjudged during a week at sea meted out to the unlucky members of the crew all at one time on BLUE MONDAY. If it happened that the brig was too crowded with seamen standing in line waiting for their punishment at the hands of the cat-o'-nine tails, the first mate would report to the captain, "Sir, there is not room to swing a cat." and the master of the vessel would then order the flog­ gings done up on deck, where the cat-o'-nine tails could be swung with the proper twist of the first mate's wrist. .•/ •9- �s f I J 'l Page Ten SEAFARERS LOG Railroad's Freight-Rate Increases Hinge on Rate Agreement by Co/s WASHINGTON—A $300-million freight rate hike by the railroad industry has been approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission with the stipulation that railroads in all territories must agree on a yet-to-be-filed master rate schedule covering the increases. The amount permitted equals 3 per cent and is $27 — million less than that originally doubts have also been raised by adding that declining freight rates requested by the rail carriers maritime labor and shipping com­ since 1961 have had a "deflation­ panies that the true financial posi­ ary effect," since the major source last May. tion of the railroads justifies any of the decline "has been the con­ The approval was contained in tinued modernization of railroad rate increases at all. an "interim report" issued by the plants and equipment." Increases on several commod­ ICC in which they refused the ities, mostly those moving in bulk "We believe," the commission railroads permission to publish shipments, were much lower than concluded, "that authorizing mod­ their new rates on one day's no­ tice as requested. Instead, the those sought by the roads. A re­ erate increases in freight rates at commission ruled, 10 days' notice quested graduated increase of up this time would, in the long run, must he given with the entire rate to 50 cents a net ton on coal, for do less harm to price stability than proposal subject to ICC's suspen­ instance, was trimmed to a maxi­ would denial of such increases or mum of 15 cents by the ICC. A prolonged delays in making sion procedures. proposed hike of 30 cents a ton (them) effective." Before they can hope to comply on iron ore was similarly cut to It was made clear by the ICC, with the ICC's requirement, there no more than 10 cents. however, that its approval of the must he full agreement among all The commission's order dis­ increases is by no means final and roads on the rate schedule to he cussed possible inflationary as­ that they remain under formal presented. To do this, railroad of­ pects of the proposed hikes. Not­ commission investigation. Hear­ ficials must first try to overcome splits within their own ranks. The ing that the last general freight in­ ings on the proposed rates are Chicago and North Western Rail­ crease was in 1960, it said that scheduled to begin October 3, and way, for example, has let it he since that time general price levels specific rates in the master tariff known that they have no inten­ have risen while the rail carload presented by the railroads could be suspended by the ICC later. tion of raising their rates for the freight-rate index has declined. "The decline in rail-rates in re­ Even after the master tariff sched­ movement of grain. This does not sit well with the other lines he- cent years was accompanied by ule is agreed upon, should the cause such a stand would most an increase in traffic which re­ commission finally decide it has probably force all carriers to ex­ sulted both from inducements of granted the railroads too much, empt grain from increases as well. the rate reductions and from the the industry will have to give the Also, the industry plans to push increased economic activity dur­ shippers a refund plus four per again for the rate package origi­ ing the period," the ICC said. cent interest. nally asked for. They don't like the sharp cuts made by the com­ mission on requested boosts for coal, iron ore and pulpwood and are not happy about the ICC at­ tempt to keep charges on a par Behind-the-scenes architects of a vast smear campaign against throughout the country by veto­ liberal legislators are hard at work in 11 western states in an ing new minimum fees for transit effort to lay the groundwork for rightist political victories in charges in the south. 1968 and beyond. Many port associations in the There are at least eight seasoned propaganda pros known to north have bitterly attacked the be operating on behalf of right-wing extremists in the west. arbitrary manner in which the rail However, all but one—Ronald Rankin—have managed thus carriers have proposed rate hikes. far to keep secret their identities. Rankin is the hatchetman The North Atlantic Ports Associ­ handling the trumped-up recall campaign currently being directed ation, the Virginia State Ports Au­ against Idaho's liberal Democratic Senator, Frank Church. thority and the Port of New York Backers of Rankin and his undercover associates are also Authority, among others, have ac­ mostly unknown beyond the fact that they consist in large part cused the rail industry of attempt­ of a group of wealthy California rightists. ing to upset the delicate balance What few actual facts are known were told to a reporter of of competition between northern the New York Times by Mrs. Jane Alexander of San Carlos, and southern ports by seeking Calif., who for many months was responsible for paying the lower increases for those in the secret agents with money provided by the rich radical rightists south than those in the north. In who were backing them. general, southern roads have asked for fewer and smaller rate hikes Mrs. Alexander presently works as secretary to William Penn than the northern carriers. Strong Patrick, an ultra-conservative millionaire who apparently has nothing to do with the secret financing of the eight undercover operatives, but who is paying part of the tab on the recall movement against Senator Church. The campaign to recall Church, based on his support of the Russian Consular Treaty and his voiced dissent on the Adminis­ tration's Vietnam policy, has little chance of success but is calcu­ Antwerp, the third largest and lated to embarrass him and damage his image at the polls when fastest growing port in Europe, he comes up for re-election next year. will soon have in operation the Patrick, a cosmetics manufacturer with political aspirations world's largest maritime lock of his own, has already stated his intention to challenge Cali­ which will be able to accommodate fornia's moderate Republican Senator Thomas Kuchel in that four 30,000-ton ships simultane­ state's primary next year. To help him in his bid, he recently ously. hired Joe Shell, the ultra-conservative who took an unsuccessful crack at Richard Nixon in the California gubernatorial primary The lock, a unique feat of mar­ in 1962. ine engineering, will be nearly a third of a mile long and 187 feet Right-winger Patrick has also made it known that his attack wide. It will be opened on Octo­ on Church is only the beginning. He says future targets of his ber 1 on the Scheldt River. recall efforts may be Democratic Senators J. W. Fulbright (DArk.), Robert Kennedy (D-N.Y.), Wayne Morse (D-Ore.) and Antwerp handles more than 60 Republican Mark Hatfield (Ore.)—all of whom he feels are not million tons of cargo a year and militant enough on Vietnam policy. most of the industrial goods that Other liberal western senators up for re-election in 1968 aside Western Europe sells in the world from Church and Morse are Ernest Gruening (D-Alaska), Mike move through its facilities. Monroney (D-Okla.), George McGovern (D-S.D.) and Warren The new lock will enable Ant­ Magnuson (D-Wash.). werp to increase its gross mari­ If threatened recall attempts against Gruening, Morse and time traffic, which already con­ McGovem fail to materialize, they are still sure to be prime sists of 300 shipping lines mak­ targets of the radical right Californians because of their views ing 13,000 calls yearly to make it on Vietnam. perhaps the most important port in the Common Market network. Angnst 18, 1967 The Great Lakes by Fred Famen.Secretary-Treesurer,Great Lakes The recent rioting in Detroit and Milwaukee has hurt the pas­ senger ship trade on the Lakes. Bob-Lo Steamship Co. lost 75,000 passengers and other companies reported heavy losses. Bob-Lo may have to lay up ships for the first time in history. Gartland Steamship Company reports the Frank Taplin is laidup indefinitely and we are re- ^ assigning the crew to other Gart­ The crew said they enjoyed their land vessels according to their vacation, but are glad to be on the payroll again. seniority. Our old buddie. Art Hartlaub, Duluth now retired, visited the hall re­ Shipping is on the slow bell cently. Art sailed on the Jidm now that the Buckeye Fleet's Galster of Penn Dixie Cement Henry Laliberte and Lackawanna are laid up at the Stone Dock in for 30 years. Gerry Westphal underwent Superior. We hope the Laliberte open heart surgery at Veteran's will fit out soon. Ken Lund, our favorite second Hospital. He reports the new cook is looking for a new slot, valve is working fine and this oldtimer will now be looking for light now that the tug John Roen Third work near his Wisconsin home. is laid up. The SIU's new building here is Ray Johansen has a new watch­ almost complete and it looks like er's job on the Paul Tiejten and we will beat the deadline for the Jack Wallin is ready for a wheels­ official opening of the clinic. All man's slot now that he's FFD we have to do is install the X-ray again. machine and mop and wax the Larry Laporte is heading for floors. India as FOW aboard the TransBuffalo Ontario. Shipping is good and will get Chicago The cement boat steamer Me­ even better if the Frank E. TapUn dusa Challenger has been refitted and the James Davidstm fit out as after a five week lay-up for re­ expected. Grain shipments are pairs in the Manitowoc Shipyard. lagging, however. Right ViBiw Plans HatsheOnan'Attatk largest Marine Letk Opeiring in Antwerp Magnuson, another likely target, only narrowly overcame a concerted right-wing challenge in his last campaign. In 1962 Monroney also just squeaked in with only 53.2 per cent of the vote and extremist power in Oklahoma has been on the upswing since then. All of these men—and others like them—face difficult cam­ paigns in 1968 and their chief detractors remain shrouded in mystery. We know what they are but can only speculate as to who they are. Based on known past activities of some wealthy Southern California rightists, guesses can ,be made as to the identities of those financing the field activities of the eight propagandists. In addition to verified contributors Lewis and Virtue, there are at least five other men who are prominent possibilities as members of the clandestine group. One of these is Walter Knott, owner of a big tourist attraction near Los Angeles known as Knott's Berry Farm. He founded the rightist California Free Enterprise Association which leans heavily on material borrowed from Birch Society and other radi­ cal publications. He is also a member of the board of Billy James Hargis' Christian Crusade, large contributor to the cam­ paigns of former Birch Society congressmen and to Americans for Constitutional Action. Another is R. C. Hoiles, millionaire newspaper publisher whose empire stretches all the way from Santa Ana, Calif., to Ohio. A proponent of income tax repeal and other right-wing causes, he endowed a full-time college for rightist training— the Freedom School near Colorado Springs, Colo. Los Angeles clothing manufacturer James Oviatt, outspoken anti-semite who was kicked out of the Birch Society a few years ago, is a third possibility and J. Edward Martin, leader of the southern California Birchers is a fourth. Finally, there is William H. Cies of the San Marino, Calif., Birch Society. Himself politically ambitious,.he has contributed $1,000 to the "1976 Committee," a group dedicated to a com­ plete political take-over by the right-wing by 1976. There is also the John Birch Society itself to be considered. In contradiction of its continuing claim to be "non-political," the IBS is becoming increasingly active on a national scale and recently announced a new program called Project Knowledge under which paid co-ordinators will be placed in every one of the 435 congressional districts. As for the eight cloaked hatchet men plying the radical right's line in the west, only one more—aside from Rankin—can even be guessed at. A likely prospect is Kevin Culiinane, an alumnus of Hoiles' Freedom School and a Liberty Lobby activist who left California for the Lobby's Washington, D.C., office follow­ ing the 1964 elections. He has recently turned up in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, a beehive of activity in the recall attack on Frank Church. �Augnst 18, 1967 SEAFARERS House Committee Votes Approval Of Weakened Social Security Bill The Pacific Coast by Frank Drozak, West Coast Representative Representative Jerome Waldie (D-Calif.) charged the Navy with withholding information concerning request to purchase Port Chi­ cago as a buffer zone around its Concord ammunition docks. SIU ships load there to carry ammunition to the Vietnam area. The Navy wants the zone in case of an accidental explosion. Representative Waldie charged 0 the Navy with having a report in job on the coast was as a bosun its files, at the time of last month's on the Fanwood. The family Congressional hearings, stating it really enjoys living on the West would cost twice the $20 million Coast, he reported. the Navy asked for. Congress­ After some vacation time with man Waldie has long opposed the their families, John Wade and Navy plan for Port Chicago, stat­ Red Ferguson will be looking for ing the piers should be relocated, electricians jobs, preferably on a perhaps at Roe Island. The Navy Far East run. They last shipped proposed and approved the move on the Brigham Victory. in 1965. Shipping is excellent here for rated men and the outlook is good San Francisco for the next few weeks. Shipping is excellent here and Seattle oilers and FWT's can find work Paul Carter is waiting for a here. We paid off and signed on good night cook and baker's job 12 ships during the last period. to hit the boards. Paul is a 20The Portmar was in transit. year Seafarer and last made the Brother Roland Francisco took Vantage Venture. the membership oath at the hall Marshall Townsend had to go here and is now a full book mem­ home awhile due to illness in the ber. His last job was as chief cook family. Everything is fine now aboard the Transpacific. We wish and he is looking for a berth on him good sailing in the future. Sealand's Alaska run. Wilmington Shipping has been good here John Bertolino recently moved and the outlook for the next pe­ here from New York. His first riod looks promising. Industrial Activity Spurs Building of Tugs and Barges A record total of 1,121 towboats, tugboats and barges were constructed and delivered by American shipyards in 1966, accord­ ing to a recently published survey. In its annual maritime review ^ and yearbook issue, the Marine "the smaller shipyards in the Engineering Log reports that United States continued the build­ ing boom experienced in 1965 and 1964, breaking all previous rec­ ords for vessels completed." The magazine said 91 towboats of 25,240 deadweight-tons were built last year compared with 64 of 17,760 tons the year before. For off-shore, river and harbor, and ocean-going operations, the survey showed 42 new tugboats Acting under, and pursu­ averaging 8,660 tons and 2,207 ant to, the Collective Bargain­ horsepower per vessel—an indica­ ing Agreement between the tion of the continuing trend to­ SIU and various Employers, ward more powerful craft. Many the Seafarers Appeals Board of the tugs, it was pointed out, has announced the-following: are designed to tow barges of 10,In order to give further rec­ 000 to 20,000 deadweight tons. ognition to graduates of the Harry Lundeberg School of Only 988 barges were construct­ Seamanship and to add in­ ed in 1966 compared to the pre­ centive to the individual to vious year's 1,007 but total ton­ maintain his employment in nage was up from 1,735,900 to the industry with a special re­ 1,810,600. gard to the present shipping A prime factor in the continu­ situation, the following action ing increase in the construction was taken: of more and better boats for use "On or after June 8, 1967, on inland waterways is considered Class 'C personnel who have to be the widespread splurge in graduated from the Harry decentralized industrial activity as Lundeberg Scfiool of Seaman­ indicated in a recently released re­ ship entry rating program and port by the American Waterways who have been issued a ship Operators, Inc., which represents assignment card in accord the nation's towboat, tugboat and with the shipping procedure bargeline industry. set forth in Section 2 hereof The AWO survey for the sec­ shall be entitled to Class 'B' ond quarter of 1967 shows that seniority rating.^^ production industries constructed, This above provision shall or announced plans to construct, be inserted in the Shipping a total of 112 plant facilities along Rules in Section 1 (Seniority), navigable waterways during the paragraph B, at the end of period. This compares with 92 in the second subparagraph deal­ the previous quarter. Estimated ing with Class 'B' seniority rating. overall investment expenditures for the 112 sites is $1,631 billion. Shipping Rules Amended by Appeals Board r. „ 1^ • WASHINGTON—The House board increase in social security tive proposal. The committee dumped the Administration proposal to ex­ tend medicare benefits to per­ sons under 65 on the social secu­ rity disability benefit rolls. It pro­ posed, however, to ease the hard­ ship for medicare beneficiaries whose doctors refuse to bill the medicare program. Patients could collect from medicare before in­ stead of after they pay their doc­ tor bills, under the new measure. The committee went along with an Administration proposal to raise the ceilings on earnings of people drawing social security re­ tirement benefits. But it imposed a tight income ceiling on eligibil­ ity for medicaid — the joint federal-state program which pays medical bills for low-income fam­ ilies. The committee bill would raise the taxable wage base for social security — but not to the level sought by the Administration. It has bipartisan sponsorship, with both Committee Chairman Wilbur D. Mills (D-Ark.) and Representative John W. Byrnes (R-Wis.), ranking GOP member, putting their names on the bill. House action is scheduled for mid-August, with passage consid­ ered certain. The bill will be taken up under a "no amendment rule." Opponents will have only one chance to tamper with it in the House, through a recommittal motion before the final vote. This means, in effect, that it can be weakened but not improved. Open for Amendments The measure will be wide open for amendments, however, in the Senate Finance Committee, its next stop, and when it reaches the Senate floor. President Johnson had asked an increase of at least 15 per cent for all persons on the social rolls —a request endorsed by the AFLCIO as "a significant down pay­ ment" on a needed 50 per cent benefit rise. The President had also pro­ posed raising the minimum social security benefit from the present Looking In Although they just stopped in at the SIU St. Louis office to pick up an optical certificate, Mrs. Dor­ othy Copeland, wife of Seafarer James T. Copeland, and daugh­ ters Robin and Denise stayed long enough to have photo taken. ..... ... - - - Page Eleven LOG •' ts' • -"'y'..' 'r... • ^ assSiS •••- • •- •. " •' Ways & Means Committee agreed on a 12.5 per cent across-thebenefits in a whittled-down version of President Johnson's legisla­ $44 for an individual to $70 and from $66 for a couple over 65 to $105. Johnson also asked that persons with at least 25 years of covered employment be guaran­ teed at least $100 for an individ­ ual and $150 for a couple. The principal Republican sub­ stitute bill called for only an 8per cent increase in benefits, plus a cost-of-living escalator for the future. The Ways and Means Commit­ tee compromise bill would raise benefits by 12.5 per cent for some 20.5 million persons on the social security rolls. The 2.5 million persons now receiving minimum benefits would be raised to $50 for an individual and $75 for a couple. The House committee discard­ ed one labor-opposed provision of the Administration bill — a pro­ posal to make social- security and railroad retirement benefits sub­ ject to taxation as part of a change in tax policies for persons over 65. The proposed income ceiling on medicaid would be a particular blow at moderate-income families in New York and a few other states which took the position that a family need not be destitute in order to receive government help in paying medical bills that other­ wise would leave them heavily in debt. At present, states set their own income ceilings for medicaid and New York permits assistance to a family of four with an income up to $6,000 a year. The Adminis­ tration proposed to put an income limit of one and one-half times the maximum allowed under state law for eligibility for cash welfare assistance. The committee went beyond this, setting an income ceiling starting in 1968 of 150 per cent of the welfare level and dropping over two years to one and one-third times the welfare criterion. In New York, this would limit eligibility to families with incomes of $3,900 or less after July 1, 1970. Some Exporters Reaping Bonanza From Prolonged Suez Canal TIe-Up Despite increased shipping costs and rerouting problems which are plaguing companies throughout most of the world as a result of the closing of the Suez Canal, this unfortunate by-product of last June's Arab-Israel war is ^ These isolated cases of good proving to be an unexpected fortune are by far in the minority, windfall in some quarters. however, and the blockage of the Australian fruit growers, for ex­ Suez Canal by sunken ships is ample, haye never had it so good. playing havoc generally with world shipping schedules. Of the 14 ships bottled up in the Virtually all companies—manu­ canal, four are loaded with 375 facturers, ship lines, exporters, im­ tons of apples and pears which porters—have been forced to pay were bound from Australia and higher costs. Immediately after New Zealand for Britain. The tie- the canal was closed, the big ship­ up of this cargo, combined with ping conferences which set freight an early fruit harvest in South charees imposed surcharges and Africa and a small European crop, the Federal Maritime Commission has almost doubled fruit prices In approved an increase of roughly London. Shipments of Australian 25 per cent for U.S.-flag ships. fruit now arriving in London by Typical surcharges were 10 per way of the Cape of Good Hope cent on freight moving from Eu­ bring up to $8.40 a case compared rope to the Far East, 17.5 per cent with the $4.20 they brought last from Europe to India and Paki­ year. Fruit growers "down under" stan, and as much as 45 per cent estimate that their total extra rev­ to some Middle East ports east of enue this season may reach $70 Suez. million. Grain shipments, particularly to Cape Town, South Africa, is India, are seriously affected. Rates also experiencing a bonanza. Since on India-bound grain from Hous­ Middle East bunker fuel for ships ton are up at least 25 per. cent. is the cheapest in the world, a principal bunkering port for ves­ Chicago stands to lose 25 to 30 sels using the Suez Canal has al­ sailings this year and Duluth may ways been Aden. But with the suffer an even greater loss. Extra distances are a prime fac­ canal closed and Aden temporar­ ily far off present shipping lanes. tor in higher costs with the attend­ Cape Town is the chief bunkering ant increase in fuel consumption port—at about $4.60 a ton more and man-hours required. Via the than the cost at Aden. Cape of Good Hope it is 11,600 The Panama Canal, too, is reap­ miles from New York to Bombay ing some rewards from re-routed —3,400 miles more than through international traffic. A large Brit­ Suez. With the canal it is 13,500 ish firm has shifted three new 14,000-ton cargo liners on its Lon- miles from New York to Yoko­ don-to-Kobe run to the Panama hama as against 16,700 miles route. The trip takes the same 32 without. Perhaps worst of all is days as it did via Suez but Hong the 10,700 miles from Bombay to Kong had to be dropped as a port London around the cape—almost twice the 6,200 miles via Suez. of call. - . . .J?.?... .,v-• - • - �Page Twehre Convert Your Dollars to Dinars Or Pay the Prite, Seafarer Warns I- I Angost 18, 1967 SEAFARERS LOG "The things that we come up against are fantastic to someone who nevec went to sea," Seafarer Frank Robertson, 62, commented to the LOG recently. "Even seamen don't believe that you can't always change American money," he continued. Having been burned twice, Frank has learned the hard way. The assumption that every­ pay double the regular room rate. on current exchange rates. If it is one in the world will accept The two men tried another hotel after banking hours, American American currency is a false one, which refused to accept payment Express Agency will also change Robertson said. He first found in American money altogether. money. If the port is a large one, this out in Niujata, a small port By this time it had become obvi­ it is likely to have a Cook's Travel on the coast of Honshu, Japan's ous to the men that what they Agency, which will also give the main island. No one in the for­ heard about strong anti-American correct amount of local, money at no charge. Avoid the black mar­ mer Japanese naval town would feeling in France was true. ket, Robertson says. It's unlikely One townsman of Nantes ac­ take American that you will get more money money. At the cepted American money—the por­ than at a bank. What you will time. Brother ter of the second hotel. He took get, he says, is "gypped, cheated Robertson was two dollars from the pair to let and arrested." serving aboard them sit in the lobby for three Another bit of advice from the hours while they waited for the the Robin Kirk. seasoned Seafarer is to get only storm to clear up. Not only as many dollars changed as you Iwouldn't the The snow continued. Brother think you'll actually spend. You town's bar, res­ Robertson realized he had no might have trouble converting the Robertson taurant or hotel choice but to go back to the Aza­ foreign money back into Ameri­ accept American lea City, since he couldn't eat or currency, but no one in the town get a place to sleep in Nantes. can currency. Some countries, spoke English, at least not to the The trains were still running, so like India, Pakistan and Ceylon, crew of the Robin Kirk. But this he and his companion walked will let you take only a token episode was only a prelude to four miles through the storm to amount of their currency out of what happened to Brother Robert­ get to the station on the outskirts their jurisdiction. In India, it is son in France in 1956. His ship of town. They got there at 2 20 rupees. If it is night, and you the Azalea City docked at Saint a. m. and waited until 5 a. m. for can't change your rupees back into Nazaire, on the English Channel, the train to Saint Nazaire. Cold, dollars before boarding your ship, on its way to Liverpool. tired and hungry, they needed any money in excess of 20 rupees is supposed to be turned over to Together with another crew- some coffee badly. The counter­ local authorities. member, Brother Robertson start­ man at the station snack bar re­ Brother Robertson said that the ed out for Nantes, about an hour's fused to take their money, even deck department and the black bus ride inland. It was 6:30 in the when they offered a dollar for a gang, because of their 4 to 8, 8 evening, too late to go to a bank cup of coffee. Once on the train to 12, and 12 to 8 watches, "can to convert their dollars into they encountered nine of their always get to a bank, one way or shipmates. All of them were francs. There was a small bar outside the gate that changed thoroughly disgusted, not having another." His own department, money, but his companion said been able to change their money the steward department, have it a not to bother, since he had or purchase anything, including a little rougher, as they usually have only a couple of hours off in the enough francs to pay both men's night's lodging. afternoon, and only get off quite car fare, and they could obtain Brother Robertson advises all late in the evening. more French money in Nantes. his fellow Seafarers to spend local Before sailing in the steward Shortly after the pair arrived in currency in foreign ports rather department. Brother Robertson Nantes they went to a bar to than American money. Although was a machinist. He joined the change their money. The bar his experiences of not being able SIU in 1948. Brother Robertson tender sullenly agreed on the con­ to use American money in Nantes dedicated himself to doing a good dition "if they buy everyone in and Niujata are not typical, the job as a steward and has acquired the bar a drink." The Seafarers Seafarer using U.S. currency is refused the bartender's terms. likely to come out on the short just about every other rating in Later, when they were desperate end of the stick as it is difficult to the department. Born in Falkirk, Scotland, to change dollars into francs, they figure out the proper price of Brother Robertson came to the couldn't locate the bar again. things in U.S. money and a for­ United States in 1922. He re­ A heavy snow began to fall eign merchant will usually give turned home only once, when his about an hour after the pair ar­ himself the benefit of a discrep­ ship, the Bienville, was docked at rived in Nantes. That was the ancy. Grangemouth, the port of Fal­ worst winter in many years in Eu­ His advice is to head for the kirk. A resident of Union Beach, rope, and the snowstorm was one nearest bank. A bank, unlike a N. J., he is married and has three of the worst of a bad winter. All merchant, will give you the cor­ grown children — two daughters buses and taxis stopped running, rect amount of local money based and a son. so the pair found the hotel to spend the night. The hotel conde­ Entry Rating Lifeboat Class No, 9 scended to accept their American money, but only if they would Eogle Traveller in Subic Bay Seafarers on the Eagle Traveller relax on deck while the ship is at anchor in Subic Bay, Philippines. Crewmembers, left to right, are: Woody Johnson, Bill Joyner and Tom Moose, all of the deck department. Lew Hertzog and Ed Bussian of the engine department. COTTONWOOD CREEK (Bulk Trans­ port). July 23—Chairman. Robert Ken­ nedy ; Secretary, James T. Myers. No beefs reported by department delegates. Resolution made that the brothers at sea be informed as to what the Union is doing about contract and retirement ne­ gotiations. Brother James M. Fisher was elected to serve as new ship's delegate. Motion made that noise be kept at a minimum in passageways. SACAL BORINCANO (South At­ lantic & Caribbean Lines), August 5— Chairman, R A. Gericb; Secretary, Jo­ seph Powers. No beefs reported by department delegates. Write to union about retirement of SIU members who have 20 years with 15 years seatime regardless of age to be retired on $250.00 per month. Vote of thanks given to the steward department. Discussion on having TV secured. Make wooden racks for dishes, coffee pots. etc. DEL SOL (Delta Steamship). July 9— Chairman, Jarratt Benjamin; Secretary. Alf Tolentino. Ship's delegate reported everything running smoothly. $22.30 in ship's fund. No beefs reported by depart­ ment delegates. Crew wants to know about the retirement and pension plan. The patrolman shall let the crewmembers know the score on same. OCEAN ULLA (Maritime Overseas), August 6—Chairnnen, H. Whisnant; Sec­ retary. John D. Pennell. Ship's delegates reported repairs were not taken care of when in shipyard. Ship's delegate will try to get a 'IW while ship is coastwise. Ship has no library but will get one upon entering New York. No beefs reported by department delegates. Vote of thanks to entire steward department for job well done. Chairman asked crew to shut off power to washing machines after using. HENRY (American Bulk), July 23— Chairman, Charles Tyler; Secretary, R. A. Sanchez. No beefs reported by depart­ ment delegates. Crew requested to keep visitors out of passageways. STEEL CHEMIST (Isthmian), July 23 —Chairman, L. S. Johnston : Secretary, M. Elurisa. $3.00 in ship's fund. Ship short two men. No beefs were reported by department delegates. Vote of thanks was extended to the steward departnnent for a job well done. EAST POINT VICTORY (Hudson Waterways), July 16—Chairman, John Alstatt: Secretary, T. L. Zellers. Some disputed OT and subsistance for Bangkok and Midway Islpnd to be taken up with boarding patrolman. Motion was made to replace galley range with an electric range or install better heat controls on oil ranges on all victory ships. Motion made that the Union negotiate for THETIS (Rye Marine), July 17—Chair­ man. Walter Nash; Secretary, Alfred Hirsch. $10.00 in ship's fund. Few hours disputed OT in engine department. Brother Alfred Hirsch was elected to serve as ship's delegate. VOLUSIA (Suwannee), August 2— Chairman, Delos Snead; ^cretary, John W. Malcolm. Brother C. E. Reynolds was elected to serve as ship's delegate. No beefs were reported by department dele­ gates. PANAMA (Sea-Land), July 23—Chair­ man, George Gibbons ; ^cretary, R. Her­ nandez. Discussion about the sailing board, which is never posted on time. This matter to be taken up with board­ ing patrolman. Crew to contact patrol­ man regarding a possible raise in wages. OCEANIC TIDE (Oceanic), June 30— Chairman, None; Secretary, W. Dodd. $7.00 in ship's fund. One man missed ship in Honolulu and one missed ship in Naha. One man hospitalized in Ma­ nila. Motion was made to contact Union officials in Yokohama regarding living conditions aboard ship, also to contact the American Consul. MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Carriers), July 20—Chairman, Johnson; Sec­ retary, Kells. $10.25 in ship's fund. Some disputed OT in deck and engine departn-yents to be taken up with boating patrolman. Steward department requests that a launch be provided in foreign ports at 1900.. Crew extended a vote of thanks to the steward department and they in turn thanked the crew for their cooperation. Motion was made that the negotiating committee do something about bringing wages up to par with other maritime unions. Also, OT pay for watches stood after 5 PM and 8 AM. the same as the engineers and mates. Motion made to secure a retirement plan for those with 12 years sea-time regard­ less of age. Also that the room, meal and maintenance and cure allowance be raised to meet the present cost of living ashore. Other motions also submitted to head­ quarters. PENN TRANSPORTER (Penn Shipping), July 23—Chairman, C. A. Crabtree : Secretary, Woodrow W. Perkins. Brother Carl Lineberry, who did a fine job as ship's delegate was elected to continue and was given a vote of thanks. Motion was made that the SIU nego­ tiate for a retirement plan equal to any in the maritime industry. All efforts were made to get air conditioners for messhall but with no success. CARROLL VICTORY (Delta Line), July 23—Chairman, Ralph O. King; Sec­ retary, Star Wells. Brother Ralph O. King was elected to serve as ship's dele­ gate. No beefs were reported by depart­ ment delegates. Fine crew aboard and everything is running smoothly. Donald O'Leary Walter Smith, 423 86th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. asks that you get in touch with him. <I> $300.00 a month pension for all seamen with 20 years in the Union. Vote of thanks to the steward department for a job well done. Richard BIscopInk Please get in touch with your father, Mr. C. B. Biscopink, 7839 LeMans Drive, Jacksonville, Fla. 32210, as soon as you can. DEL NORTE (Delta), June 18—Chair­ man, Jack Kenn^y; S^retary, Bill Kai­ ser. Brother "Frcnchy" Hebert was elected to serve as ship's delegate. $79.04 in ship's fund and $149.99 in movie fund. ^ nml Joiin Windnson Please notify the Veterans Ad­ ministration Center, Wissahickon Avenue and Manheim Street, Post Office- Box 8079, Phila., Penn. 19101, in regard to an important STEEL ADVOCATE (Isthmian), July 24—Chairman, T. R Yablonsky; Secre­ tary, R Sherris. Short 1 oiler in engine department. Brother Thomas R Yablon­ sky was elected to serve as new ship's delegate. Vote of thanks to Brother Robert N. Kelly, outgoing ship's dele­ gate, for a job well done. These men recenty passed Coast Guard examinations after attending the SlU's entry rating lifeboat class. Kneeling (l-r) are: R. Cunningham, J. Norman, S. Showalter, S. Browning, M. Morales, and W. Davis. Second row, C. Edwards, P. Terry, J. Waters, G. Knotts, H. Scott and instructor Ami Bjornsson. Third row, R. Smitl^ D. Gilroy, G. Johnson, J. Perez, K. Vosserinch, J. Vosserinch, and J. Fiaekowslci, The classes are held in the Port of New York. FENN VICTORY (Waterman), July 8 —Chairman, R. Christensen; Swretary, J. McDonald. One man taken off ship to be hospitalized in Honolulu. No beefs reported. Brother Henry Abel was elected to serve as ship's delegate. Motion made to contact boarding patrolman concern­ ing the Blaster's refusal to discuss the SIU agreement (shore leave in Panama while bunkering) with ship's delegate. Ship's delegate to see patrolman. ALCOA COMMANDER (Alcoa), June 19—Chairman, Frank Gonez; Secretary, Larry B. Jones. No beefs and no dis­ puted OT rejmrted by department dele­ gates. Ship is badly in ne^ of two new water coolers. DELAWARE (Bulk Transport), July 23—Chairman, L. P. Hagemann; Secre­ tary, J. T. Games. Letter written to headquarters regarding repairs, water condition and air conditioner in messhall. Some disputed OT in each department. Vote of thanks to ship's delegate. YOUNG AMERICA (A. L. Burbank), April 25—Chairman, Gerald <R. Draney; Secretary, Ralph Boulton. No beefs re­ ported by department delegates. Brother Richard Gralicki was dceted to serve as ntw ship's delegate. OCEAN PIONEER (Victory Carriers), July 28—Chairman, W. R. Gies; Secre­ tary, Charles C. Locke, Jr. $6.60 in ship's fund. No beefs were reported by depa^ ment delegates. �SEAFARERS LOG Ansoat 18, 1967 Page Thirteen FINAL DEPARTURES William Lackey, 73: Brother Juan Leiba, 64: Heart failure claimed the life of Seafarer Leiba, Lackey, an SIU pensioner, died on June 26, at April 8, in Puerto War Memorial ' Rico. Brother Le­ iba was born in Hospital, Sault Venezuela and Ste. Marie, Mich­ j lived in Brooklyn. igan. A member He sailed as chief of the SlU's Gt. I cook and was on Lakes District. an SIU pension at Lackey sailed as the time of death. a linesman in the I Leiba joined the deck department. Union in New York City. His last He was last employed by the ship was the Anchorage. He is Great Lakes Towing Co. Brother survived by his wife, Angelina Lackey joined the Union in Sault Leiba. JSte. Marie. Surviving is his wife, Mina. Burial was in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Chippewa Chester Hatch, 61: Death County, Mich. claimed Brother Hatch, June 30, 1967 at the IUSPHS Hospital, Ernest Cochran, 70: A heart |San Francisco. ailment claimed the life of Brother He joined the Cochran, March I SIU in the port 11, at the Han­ of New York. A cock General member of the Hospital, Bay 'deck department, Saint Louis, Miss. ' he sailed as an He joined the 'AB.' Brother SIU in the port Hatch was born in Virginia and of New Orleans lived in Petersburg, Va. He served and shipped as a in the Army from 1942 to 1945. FWT. Cochran The Seafarer's last ship was the Fort Hoskins. Surviving is a was born in Mississippi and lived brother, Ellsworth Hatch of in Bay Saint Louis. He served in Petersburg, Va. Burial was in the the Army during World War 1. Newville Methodist Church, His last ship was the Texas. He was on an SIU pension at the Prince George County, Va. time of death. Surviving is his wife, Estelle. Burial was in Pine Crest Cemetery, Mobile, Ala. Victor Williams, Jr., 41: A heart ailment claimed the life of Brother Williams while he was sail­ ing on the Bien­ ville. Death oc­ curred on April 10, 1967. A na­ tive of Willison, Arkansas, he was a member of 1 the deck depart­ ment. Brother Williams served in the Army from 1944 to 1946. He joined the Union in the port of Baltimore. Surviving is his wife, Evelyn. Burial was on the high seas. —•if— Fraidc Nelson, 43: Seafarer Nelson died July 5, aboard the Columbia Vic­ tory, of a cranial injury sustained in an accident. He had previ­ ously sailed on the Steel Sur­ veyor. Born in South Carolina, he joined the SIU in Savannah, Ga. Nelson made his residence in Savannah with his wife, Catherine. He held the rat­ ing of AB. Lyle "Pork Chops" Adams found out it pays to buy union-made goods, meeting secretary Gary Bryant reported from the Dei Sud (Delta). Brother Adams looked over reptile leather goods while shopping in various South American countries, but decided to make his purchase in the U. S. "to help the welfare of American ~ Meeting Chairman, G. S. Stan­ workers." He purchased a pair The entire crew of the Duke of alligator shoes when the ship (Victory) is very thankful for the ley, reports from the Halcyon Panther that an way Ted Jemigan returned to New Orleans, wiping anchor pool will "has taken hold out the alligator population of be used to help in real SIU style." Louisiana, Bryant wrote. How­ build up the ships This Brother has ever, Adams found that the shoes assumed responsi­ treasury, which is were of inferior quality and nondown to an ane­ bility and repre­ vinion made and now believes that mic $11. A. W. sented the crew "non union hides Hutcherson, meetwithout being make a hell of a ing secretary, asked and the pair of slides". writes that A. S. crew showed its He wishes to in­ Turner Jemigan Turner has been appreciation by form his Union Brothers that voting for Jernigan as ship's dele­ elected to serve as ship's delegate. more alligator gate by acclamation and thanking We will be posting a list soon for shoes will be him for his hard work on their be­ movie donations, Hutcherson available to the half. The trip has been very good writes and all hands will be asked public "as soon as so far, with "excellent co-opera­ to make a contribution. Depart­ Adams they are able to tion from all sources," reported ment delegates report no beefs or •""ild up the gator population." Meeting Secretary Harold Du disputed overtime. The ship has Meeting Chairman Mike Dunn Cloux. A balance of $20 in the been on the Vietnam run recently. ^ reports that the Captain reported ship's fund was reported. Meeting Chairman H. Whisnant a good voyage. Compliments were told his fellow crewmembers on extended first trippers for "being the Ocean Ulla clean cut young men and con­ (Maritime Over­ ducting themselves in the true seas) that he manner of the SIU." The ship's would check into fund totals $384.40, the movie the possibility of fund, $555. getting a televi­ sion set for the Darin Dewayne Thies, born if crew while on June 11, 1967, to the Harley co^twise trips. Thies, Elberta, Michigan. T. E. Yablonsky, meeting chair­ Meeting Secre­ man, reports from the Steel Ad­ tary John PenSausan Caye Thefs, born March Whisnant vocate (Isthmian) neU said a new li­ that everything is 13, 1967, to the Thomas N. Theis, brary will be added in New York. running smooth­ San Pablo, Calif. Delegates report that everything ly, no beefs or —— is OK. Archibald Bell, bom July 7, disputed over­ time. Yablonsky 1967, to the Archibald Bells, Long was elected as Beach, Calif. new ship's dele­ gate, replacing Richard Hanback, born June Robert N. Kelly, 27, 1967, to the Burt Hanbacks, Money Due Yablonsky who turned in a Pine Plains, New York. Seafarers whose names are top-notch job. E. Sherris, meeting listed below have income tax secretary, said a discussion was Adrienne Hudson, bom June refund checks held for them by held on a variety of subjects. Sea­ 29, 1967, to the Jimmy L. HudJack Lynch, Room 201, SUP farers were reminded to return all sons, Orange, Texas. Building, 450 Harrison St., San cups and glasses to the pantry, not Francisco, Calif. 94105: to misuse the washing machine if — Margarito Borja, Richard R. Julie Vincent, born July 11. and keep the mess and recreation Olson, Peter C. Onsrud, Thomas rooms clean. The payoff will be 1967, to the Joseph L. Vincents, E. Tucker. Edgerly, La. in Newark. i —if— SIU Lifeboat Class No. 182 if The 182nd graduating class of the SIU lifeboat school now hold their Coast Guard lifeboat endorsements, a necessity for obtain­ ing an AB's ticket. Seated (l-r) are: R. Egan, C. Jones, W. Meeker, S. Zuckerman, W. Torbeck, and J. Machula, Standing in back row are: P. McGaharn, instructor, L. Jones, A. Correa, J. Shaffer, S. Smith, J. P. Smith, and Lundeberg School instructor Ami Bjornsson. Roland "Frenchy" Hebert, ship's delegate aboard the Del Norte (Delta) writes that Felex JarocinskI was hospitalized in La Guaira. He's in good hands, Frenchy reports. The ship's doctor said the hospital is a very fine, Hebert modern one. Ac­ cording to Hebert, "1 have not had any beefs reported to me. All in all, it has been a very smooth trip." Jack Kennedy has been elected to serve as movie director for the next voyage. Maurice Kramer, current holder of the position, reports $304.99 in the movie fund at the present time. Crewmembers agreed that the $4 they contribute to the fund is "little enough for all the movies shown." Treasurer BUI Kaiser said that $50 was voted to Brother Jarocinrid, and the crew contrib­ uted to a key chain presented to ship's Doctor Young. Anne Laury Coats, born June 8, 1967, to the Jackie H. Coats, Port Arthur, Texas. if James Evans Smith, bom De­ cember 12, 1966, to the John A. Smiths. Elks Mills, Maryland. if — Antoinette Kwiatkowski, born June 19, 1967, to the Robert Kwiatkowskis, Philadelphia, Pa. —if— John T. Wulzen Brother Wulzen is ill and would like his friends and union brothers to contact him at Post Office Box 691, Diamond Springs, California 95619. — if — Ralph W. Mason The family of Seafarer Ralph W. Mason wishes to inform all his friends that he has passed away. —I I 675 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 11232 I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG—please put my n your name on your mailing list, list. (frmt tnfomaiion) NAME ^•STREET-^ADIDiR^ GITY I I 1j I 1 . I I "STATE. ........ iZIP........ n TO AVOID DUPllCATlONt If you are an old subscriber and have a change, | of address, pleise give your former �SEAFARERS LOG Page Fonrteen « ' i t Sm Pensioner Recalls 'Supense' Of World War II Radio Message ^ M - i;' t-: 1. • .! Vito "Vic" D'Angelo, a veteran SIU bosun who sailed with the SIU through three major conflicts, retired on a union pension recently. During World War II, Vic soon found himself in the thick of the Mediterranean campaign. He sailed on ships that had as ports of call every major staging area from Casablanca to Sicily. By the time his ships were hit­ ting the Italian mainland he was sailing as an AB. A short time later he made the Omaha Beach­ head in Normandy, about eight days after D-Day. As on most of his other ships, ammunition was the major part of the vessel's cargo. After the war in Europe was wrapped up, Vic made a few trips to the Pacific theater. He was crossing the Indian Ocean when the ship's radio operator inter­ cepted a broadcast saying that a new weapon had wiped out a large city. That was all there was to the cryptic message, which the communications officer immedi­ ately relayed to the master, who informed the crew. For two hours, until a more detailed message clarified things, the ship's crew knew that for all practical purposes the war was over, but was in the agonizing po­ sition of not knowing whether the United States had won or lost. "We didn't know if it was Tokyo Welcomed into the ranks of SIU pensioners is Vito D'Angelo (right), or New York," Vic says. The who sailed in deck department. SIU Representative Luigi lovino is next radio communication, of on hand to present Vito with his first check at the hall in New York. course, informed them that it was Hiroshima that had been hit by the Persian Gulf for three months the first of two atom bombs ship received orders to proceed while the railroad was completely to Karamshaw, the Iranian port dropped on Japan. on the Persian Gulf, to help trans­ dismantled for shipment to China. Unloads a Railroad port the components of a railroad It took ten liberty ships to trans­ After delivering its cargo, Vic's system to China. The ship was in port the 100,000 tons of equip­ ment, which included dismantled boxcars and ties. Vic's ship car­ ried 8,500 tons of cargo. In due time they made it to Shanghai, where the ship lay for half a year before it could unload. Checks are being held at SIU Headquarters, 675 Fourth Ave.,| This gave Vic a unique opportu­ Brooklyn, N. Y., for the Seafarers listed below for money duel nity to see that exotic port city. them on the vessels shown. Men whose names are listed should! He was was one of the first Sea­ -get in touch with Union headquarters as soon as possible. farers to visit the city. He was also Name Ship Claim the last. Vic witnessed the Com­ munist demonstrations on Nank­ Edward Jensen Hercules Victory Disputed overtime ing Road, Shanghai's main Robert Smith Hercules Victory Disputed overtime thoroughfare, and on the Bund, Frank G. Valerie Natalie One day's wages another important street, that were Earl H. Beamer Penn Carrier Disputed overtime a portent of things to come. Calvin R. Smith Transwestern Disputed overtime Within a few months the smolder­ Danile J. McLaren Transwestern Disputed overtime ing feud between the Nationalist Clyde Greeson Transwestern Disputed overtime and Communist factions in China Thomas E. Hanson Valient Hope Transportation had erupted into open warfare. Donald Kershaw Valient Hope Transportation Shanghai had a strong interna­ Warren Weiss Niagara Lodging tional flavor. Brother D'Angelo James Gleason Seatrain New York Disputed lodging told the LOG. There were quite Fred Patterson Seatrain New York Disputed lodging a few international settlements, Joseph L. Chapeau Kent Lodging including a French colony and a' Cyril Gauthier Kent Lodging White Russian colony. A real Andrew Lewis Sea Pioneer Lodging trade crossroads then, Shanghai J. Walsh Midlake Standby wages offered wares from all over the D. Shattuck Midlake Standby wages world. Robert Wilson Coe Victory Wages After the war. Brother D'Angelo Edgar Lee Faison Alcoa Master Transportation continued to sail. When the Ko­ Bobby v. Carter Alcoa Master Transportation rean conflict broke out he was David J. Flynn Alcoa Master Transportation one of the first Seafarers to vol­ G. Bertrand Rambam Retroactive wages unteer for the trip to Pusan, J. Rose Rambam Retroactive wages which he made a number of times. C.^Cummings Rambam Retroactive wages A. Samawi Rambam Retroactive wages J. Smith Rambam Retroactive wages lOREliiN^ PAYOmi R. Cantu Rambam Retroactive wages LEAVE CLEAN SHIP! J. Saunders Rambam Retroactive wages Seafarers are reminded thi E. M. McCay Rambam Retroactive wages when they leave a ship aft|i| Ian O. Robertson Western Hunter Unclaimed wages articles expire in a foreign pOrt| Ruben G. Ruttkay Seatrain San Juan Unclaimed wages the obligation to leave a cle,air Roy L. Frank Seatrain San Juan Unclaimed wages ,ship:^,,>th^x^nexL • ;;iS'^;:the Neil Napolitano Seatrain San Juan Unclaimed wages santc as Stateside _ Emil H. Kjono Albion Victory One day's wages • Attention: JO':detailsOf • house^ Charles Duncan Albion Victory One day's wages keeping and efforts to leavcj Donald F. O'Leary Norberto Capay Refund quarters, messrooma and i ' John B. Gardner Jr. Norberto Capay Refund working spaces cleatt will Onofre F. Rando Norberto Capay Refund appreciated by the new Kenneth E. Stevens Norberto Capay Refund when it, Money Due i'] •r •i'' ^ li' k'i Angnst 18i 1967 « -.i5- L 4U.J-K. New SIU Pensioner Praises Union Gains To the Editor: Due to my health, I am re­ tiring. During my active years I worked my department to the best of my ability, through good years and bad. I made it a practice to stand up for my men when they were right and to inform them of the rules when they were wrong. I never let them down. Of course there are always people who disagree with you when you do not go along with their ideas, but I tried to live up to the rules of the Union in whatever action I took. The young seamen of today will benefit by the advances we fought for. I trust that they will put their feet into our shoes and keep the good work going. A few years ago when sail­ ing was very poor, a meeting was called at the hall. Paul Hall said that he was going to fight to put a pork chop in every seaman's plate. Thank God, I lived to see that day come. It is now up to the seamen to keep the pork chop in the plate. May the good Lord bless the officers of'the Union and con­ tinue them in the good work they are doing to improve the working conditions for the men. Winley S. Robinson Seafarer Says 'Vote, Brother' To the Editm^ As a former SIU man, I was always curious as to why our government ignored the U.S. Merchant Marine. A conversa­ tion I overheard at a political meeting might leave a small clue. One U.S. senator re­ marked that American seamen never get around to vote at elec­ tion time and it must be as­ sumed thai he was ignoring the said plight of American seamen on this count. There are some elections coming up in 1968, and all Seafarers should vote. - Being out at sea is no excuse, as vot­ ing can be done by absentee ballot. It takes a little more ef­ fort, but the extra effort is well worth it. Frank Murphy The Editor SIU Welfare Plan Paid Ail the Bills To The Editon My wife and I would like to thank the Seafarers welfare plan for the way they handled my bills. I am grateful for the fast manner in which they paid these bills, as there was not one wait. Once again, thank you and thank God for the wonderful Seafarers Welfare Plan the SIU has. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Di Salno, ' Westwego, La. Seafarer Grateful For SIU Pension To The Editor: I started working for the Georgian Bay Line on the South America in the spring of 1936. In 1939, I worked on the Ala­ bama from April to June and finished the season on the North American. In 1951, I was appointed housekeeper on the North American and served in that capacity until I became ill in May 1967 and was forced to retire. During my 30 years of sailing, I have seen much of the Great Lakes, weathered some rough storms and have fond memories of the crew I sailed with on the Georgian Bay Line. I am indeed very grateful to the SIU and all those who made it possible for me to receive my pension. Mildred Durante, Daytona Beach, Fla. Widow Expresses Thanks To LOG To The Editor. At this time I would like to thank you for printing my let­ ter to you of appreciation to the officers and crew of the Vantage Progress for their kind­ ness and help to me at the time of my husband's untimely demise. I read the LOG completely and appreciate receiving it. There are many articles of in­ terest to anyone and it is won­ derful that you keep the men who cannot be at home so well informed not only of shipping activities, but of political events and world activities. My late husband was a very dedicated seaman and because of our complete devotion to each other, I too feel that dedica­ tion. A point of interest and in­ formation to fellow Seafarers, a new Seaman's Center has been opened in Vancouver, Washington. It is at Tenth and Harney Streets and while it is a very new project for this community, it is a good place to come. The Reverend John Larrson was instrumental in beginning this local operation and I have offered him my as­ sistance in any way possible to improve the Center and to help entertain the seamen who come to this port. At present, facilities at the center are very limited, but anyone who might come there would receive a warm welcome and help in any way possible. Vancouver is not a large port, but since January of this year we have had 231 ships in transit. Also we are just across the river from Portland, Ore., and that as you know is a fairly large port. Seamen who come to Portland are most welcome in Vancouver too. Again, I thank you for print­ ing my last letter. Nanette R. Matfliews (Mrs. Rupert H.) Vancouver, Waaii. •"*>• �Uu ^ Augnat 18, 1967 UNFAIR TO LABOR 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.) Stitzel-Weller Distilleries "Old Fitzgerald," "Old Elk" "Cabin Still," W. L. Weller Bourbon whiskeys (Distillery Workers) Kingsport Press "World Book," "Childcraft" (Printing Pressmen) (Typographers, Bookbinders) (Machinists, Stereotypers) Jamestown Sterling Corp. (United Furniture Workers) .1. 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) Baltimore Luggage Co. Lady Baltimore, Amelia Earhart Starlite luggage Starflite luggage (International Leather Goods, Plastics and Novelty Workers Union) "HIS" brand men's clothes Kaynee 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, Winston, Tempo, Brandon, Cavalier and Salem cigarettes (Tobacco Workers International Union) Peavy Paper Mill Products (United Papermakers and Paperworkers Union) ^J> Comet Rice Mills Co. products (International Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drinks and Distilleiy Workers) ^ Magic Chef Pan Pacific Division (Stove, Furnace and Allied Appliance Workers International Union) riaiaiii SEAFARERS LOG AFOUNDRIA (Sea-Land), July 26— Chairman, E. Lanestrand; Secretary, L. Caldcron. Beefs in deck and steward department to be taken up with patrol­ man for clarification. Motion made to have air conditioners installed in crew's quarters. WINCHESTER (Oriental Exporters), July 23—Chairman, E. D. Moyd; Secre­ tary, J. S. Burke. Everything is O.K. except for a few minor beefs in engine department. Ship is short of all stores. No steward aboard. DEL MONTE (Delta), July 17—Chair­ man, V. W. O'Mary: Secretary Albert G. Espeneda. Ship sailed short one oiler. Everything is running smoothly with no beefs. Few hours disputed OT in deck department to be taken up with board­ ing patrolman. Vote of thanks given to the department delegates for a job well done. Vote of thanks to the 4-8 watch for helping to keep the pantry, clean. $2.0» in ship's fund. ALCOA VOYAGER (Alcoa), July 2— Chairman, O. L. Arndt; Secretary, M. P. Cox. $20.50 in ship's fund. Few hours disputed OT in engine department. Brother F. Russo was elected to serve as ship's delegate. Crew extended a vote of thanks to the outgoing ship's delegate. SEA SCOPE (Alpine), July 16—Chair­ man, Donald Buikiewig; Secretary, Don Sullivan. No beefs were report^ by department delegates. Vote of thanks was given to the steward department for the outstanding job they are doing. DEL CAMPO (Delta), July 23—Chair­ man, Arthur Maillet; Secretary, Darrell G. Chafin. Few hours disputed OT in deck department. Crew extended a vote of thanks to Brother A. L..Danne, ship's delegate, for a job well done, and to the steward department for the fine food and service during the voyage. CITADEL VICTORY (Waterman), July 2—Chairman, L. W. Paradeau: Sec­ retary, Pete Piascik. $20.00 in ship's fund. No beefs reported and everything is going along well. OUR LADY OP PEACE (Liberty Navi­ gation), July 25—Chairman, A. F. Lesh; Secretary, H. Carmichael. Some dis­ puted OT in deck department and engine department. Everything else is running smoothly. GLOBE PROGRESS (Maritime Over­ seas), July 2—Chairman, J. C. Keel; Secretary, El V. Webb. Two men hos­ pitalized in Sicily. Ship sailed from Sicily without sailing board being posted. Trying to get repairs done with no coop­ eration from engineers. Matter will be taken up with boarding patrolman. Beef regarding equalization of OT in engine department. Motion made that the pen­ sion plan be brought up to date for those with 20 years in the Union, prorated with sea time. ROBIN HOOD (Moore McCormack), June 25—Chairman, Eldward Jahnston ; Secretary, Charles L. Shirah. Brother C. K. Bowles was elected to serve as new ship's delegate. Some disputed OT re­ ported by engine department. Vote of thanks given to the steward department for job well done. Suggested that crew clean rooms before leaving ship after payoff. MALAGUEZ (Sea-Land). July 2— Chairman, L. B. Moore; Secretary, Ralph Dravin. No beefs reported by department delegates. Brother J. G. Rivera was elected to serve as new ship's delegate. Request to have new agitator and timer installed in old washing machine. Also would like to have a new T.V. set. Vote of thanks to steward department for job well done. Please return cups and other eating utensils. STEEL FABRICATOR (Isthmian Lines), June 4—Chairman, Peter Gon­ zales ; Secretary, A. C. Castelo. Ship's delegate reported everything running smoothly. No beefs reported by depart­ ment delegates. Vote of thanks given to steward department for job well done. Vote of thanks given to ship's delegate. HERMINA (Hudson Marine), April 29—Chairman, Paul Dew; Secretary, J. Marshall. No beefs reported by depart­ ment delegates. Motion made that crew aboard all ships be able to draw 75% of all monies earned in all ports. Motion made to the effect that all seaman with 20 years full membership in union withlimited seatime be allowed voluntary retirement with full pension plus all welfare benefits. And that all members in the union take an active part in bring­ ing this to a speedy action. Deck depart­ ment to have meeting with boarding patrolman concerning interferring with deck gang by captain. Patrolman should see repairs that have not been made. GYPSUM (American Steamship), June 30—Chairman, Henschel McCanty; Secre­ tary, Eldward Steinwith. Repairs to be made. No beefs reported by department delegates. DEL MAR (Delta Steamship), July 8—Chairman, Joseph Wholer, Jr.; Secretary, None. Brother Peter Gonzales was elected to serve as new ship's dele­ gate. Bought several movies to be shown for this voyage. $28.12 in ship's fund. No beefs reported by department dele­ gates. Chief steward gave vote of thanks to crew for their help when his father died. STEIEL EXECUTIVE (Isthmian), June 4—Chairman, J. C. Steeber; Secretary, Hike Miller. Ship's delegate reported everything running smoothly. $26.50 in ship's fund. No beefs reported by depart­ ment delegates. Suggestion made to keep radios off so men off watch can sleep. Need exhaust fan for engine department. Suggestion made that ships be fumi­ gated when in shipyard. TAMARA GUILDEN (Transport Com­ mercial), July 7—Chairman, Edward Rogg; &cretary, Charles W. Pelen. $3.39 in ship's fund. Some disputed OT re­ ported by deck delegate. Discussion had on obtaining a new washing machine and also having timers installed on old ones. Brother Eldward Rogg was elected to serve as new ship's delegate. OCEAN'PIONEBR (Pioneer Tankers), July 2—Chairman, El Elsquinel; Secre­ tary, W. Moore. See boarding patrolman about disputed OT. No beefs reported by department delegates. See engineer about fixing ice maker. Vote of thanks to ship's delegate. Vote of thanks to steward department. WESTERN COMET (Western Tank­ ers), June 30—Chairman, J. H. Dubose; Secretary, None. Ship's delegate reported everything running smoothly so far. No beefs reported by department delegates. Request made for crew to donate 50c each on next payoff. Crew members to ask ship's delegate to contact hall con­ cerning payoff after leaving foreign and discharging USA Port. Page Fifteen DEL NORTE (Delta), July 20—Chair­ man, Jack Kennedy; Secretary Bill Kai­ ser. One man was hospitalized in La Guaira. Few hours disputed OT in deck and engine departments. $48.00 in ship's fund and $304.99 in movie fund. Motion made for pension to be the same as that of other maritime unions. Discussion about salty drinking and rusty washing water. EAST POINT VICTORY (Hudson Waterways), May 14—Chairman, John W. Altstatt; Secretary, Terry L. Zellers. No disputed OT. Elverything is running smoothly. Brother Joseph McGill was re-elect^ to serve as ship's delegate. FINANCIAL REPdRTS. The conatitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakea and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguarding the memb^ship'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 Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify that the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust fun^ are made only upon approval by a majority of the trustees. All trust fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various trust funds. SHIPPING RIGHTS. Your shipping rights and seniority are 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 any 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 has traditionally refrained from publishing any article serving the political purposes of any individual in the Union, officer or member. It has also refrained from publishing articles deemed harmful to the Union or its collective membership. This established policy has been reaffirmed by membenhip action at the September, 1960, meetings ,in all constitu­ tional porta. The mponsibility for LOG policy is vested in an editorial board which consists of the Executive Board of the Union. The Ehcecutive Board may delegate, firom among its mnks, one individual to carry out this rasponsibUity. SIU-AGLIWD Meetings New Orleans Sept. 12—^2:30 p.m. Mobile Sept 13—2:30 p.m. Wilmington Sept 18—2:00 p.m. San Francisco Sept 20—2:00 p.m. Seattle Sept 22—2:00 p.m. New York . .Sept 4—2:30 p.m. Philadelphia Sept 5—2:30 p.m. Baltimore . . .Sept 6—2:30 p.m. Detroit . . . .Sept 8—2:30 p.m. Houston .... Sept. 18—2:30 p.m. Great Lakes SIU Meetings Detroit Sept 4—2:00 p.m. Alpena Sept 4—7:00 p.m. Buffalo Sept 4—7:00 p.m. Chicago .... Sept 4—^7:00 p.m. Cleveland . . .Sept 4—7:00 p.m. Duluth Sept. 4—^7:00 p.m. Frankfort . . .Sept. 4—7:00 p.m. Great Lakes Tug and Dredge Region Chicago .... Sept 12—^7:30 p.m. tSault Ste. Marie Sept 14—7:30 p.m. Buffalo Sept. 13—7:30 p.m. Duluth Sept 15—7:30 p.m. Cleveland ..Sept. 15—7:30p.m. Detroit ... .Sept 11—7:30 p.m. Milwaukee . .Sept 11—7:30 p.m. SIU Inland Boatmen's Union New Orleans Sept 12—5:00 p.m. Mobile . .. .Sept 13—5:00 p.m. Philadelphia Sept 5—5:00 p.m. Baltimore (licensed and unlicensed) Sept 6—5:00 p.m. Norfolk Sept. 7—5:00 p.m. Houston . .. .Sept 18—5:00 p.m. Railway Marine Region Philadelphia Sept 12—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Baltimore Sept 13—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. •Norfolk Sept. 14—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Jersey City Sept. 11—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. United Industrial Workers New Orleans Sept 12—7:00 p.m. Mobile .... Sept. 13—7:00 p.m. New York . .Sept 14—7:00 p.m. Philadelphia Sept 5—7:00 p.m. Baltimore . .. Sept. 6—^7:00 p.m. 4:Houston ..Sept. 18—7:00 p.m. ,1. SIU Atlanfic, Gulf, Lakes & Inland Waters Inland Boatmen's Union United Industrial Workers PRESIDENT Paul Hall EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Cal Tanner Earl Shepard VICE PRESIDENTS Lindsay Williams Robert Matthews SECRETARY-TREASURER Al Kerr HEADQUARTERS ALPENA, Mich BALTIMORE, Md 475 4th Ave.. Bklyn. HY 7-4400 127 WverJL 1214 E. Baltimore St. EA 7-4900 BOSTON, Mass 177 State St. Rl 2-0140 BUFFALO, N.Y 73S Washington St. SIU TL 3-92S9 IBU TL 3-9259 CHICAGO, III 9383 Ewing Ave. SIU SA i-on3 IBU ES 5-9570 CLEVELAND, Ohio 1420 W. 25th St. MA 1-5450 DETROIT, Mich 10225 W. Jefferson Ave. DULUTH, Minn 312 W. 2nd St. RA 2-4110 FRANKFORT, Mich HOUSTON, Tex JACKSONVILLE, Fla JERSEY CITY, N.J MOBILE, Ala NEW ORLEANS, La VI 3-4741 P.O. Box 287 415 Main St. EL 7-2441 S804 Canal St. WA 6-3207 2408 Pearl St. EL 3-0987 99 Montgomery St. HE 3-0104 I South Lawrence St. HE 2-1754 430 Jackson Ave. Tel. 529-7544 NORFOLK, Va 115 3rd St. Tel. 422-1892 PHILADELPHIA. Pa 2404 S. 4th St. DE 4-3818 PORT ARTHUR, Tex 1348 Seventh St. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., 350 Freemont St. DO 2-4401 SANTURCE, P.R 1313 Fernandez Juncos Stop 20 Tel. 724-2848 SEATTLE. Wash 2505 First Avenue MA 3-4334 ST. LOUIS, Mo 805 Del Mar CE 1-1434 TAMPA, Fla 312 Harrison St. Tel. 229-2788 WILMINGTON, Calif. .. 505 N. Marine Ave. 834-2528 YOKOHAMA, Japan..Iseya BIdg., Room 801 1-2 Kaigan-Dori-Nakaku 204971 Ext. 281 PAYMENT OF MONIES. No monies are to be paid to anyone in any official capacity in the SIU unless an official Union receipt is given for same. Under no circumstances 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 reported to headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The SIU publishes every six months in the I^BAFARERS LOG a verbatim copy of its constitution. In addition, copies are available in all Union halls. All members should obtain copies of this constitution so as to familiarize themselves with its contents. Any time you feel any member or officer is attempting to deprive you of any constitutional right or obli­ gation by any methods such as dealing with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, then the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. RETTIRED 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 good 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 negotiated 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 he is denied the equal rights to which be 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 interests of themselves, their families 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 time a Seafarer feds that any of the above rights have been violated, or that he has been denied his constitutional right of access to Union records or in­ formation. he shonld immediately noUfy SIU President Paul Hall at headqaarters by certilod mail, retnm receipt requested. �Vol. XXiX No. 17 SEAFARERS^IOO OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO . 3 ILi John J. Kane is a seasoned old pro, at home on any vessel. He sails as an AB and serves as delegate from deck department. SlU Patrolman Mike Sacco (second from left) came from Union's New York headquarters to meet the Our Lady of Peace when she docked at U.S. Army Base in Bayonne, N. J., and discussed few minor beefs. Crew agreed trip was a good one but all were glad to sign paysheet. " (• I A cook with plenty of know-how in the gallery is indispensable on long hauls such as the much-travelled Vietnam run. Here, E. Barrito begins preparing evening meal for Seafarers who will soon fill messroom. AB Gary Dow pauses for photographer on way to the crew payoff. r " I 1' f-. Seafarers from Deck department, (l-r) Cliff Leahy, Gary Dow and Arthur Sequeira, discuss happenings during their many weeks on Our Lady of Peace. Crew believes it was last SlU ship through Suez. /^ .T •X. 4- -t \ «• p 11 � 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 August 18, 1967 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SIU CREW STALLED IN SUEZ TIE-UP RETURNS AFTER 62-DAY ORDEAL HEARING ON INDEPENDENT MARAD CONCLUDED BY HOUSE MARITIME UNIT DELAY ON INDEPENDENT MARAD ENDANGERS U.S., CONGRESSMAN WARNS SIU-MANNED VESSEL FLORIDIAN RESCUES 19 CUBAN REFUGEES GOP INTRA-PARTY STRUGGLE FORECAST FOR ’68 ELECTIONS RAILROAD’S FREIGHT-RATE INCREASES HINGE ON RATE AGREEMENT BY CO.’S HOUSE COMMITTEE VOTES APPROVAL OF WEAKENED SOCIAL SECURITY BILL CONVERT YOUR DOLLARS TO DINARS OR PAY THE PRICE, SEAFARER WARNS ON THE VIETNAM RUN – OUR LADY OF PEACE 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 08/18/1967 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. 17 1967 Periodicals Seafarers Log