http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/3ee5c1f326ce14926019635df2047e5b.PDF 07aaad1e5399f8e613adc79a1f205ce5 PDF Text Text SEAFARERS #LOG OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION . ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO �Page Two I': H SEAFARERS House Committee to Begin Hearings On Administration Maritime Budget WASHINGTON—^The House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee will begin public hear­ ings February 26 on legislation proposed by the Administration which would authorize appropria­ tions for maritime programs for fiscal 1969, Representative Edward A. Garmatz (D-Md.), chairman of the committee has announced, fGarmatz commented that the most important issues facing my after the authorization hearings hearings will constitute a land­ committee are maritime authori­ the committee will begin hearings mark in the group's history since zation, implementation of an ade­ on the long range maritime pro­ this will be the committee's first quate merchant marine revitaliza- gram introduced last November use of authority, granted in a tion program, and an independent in both the House and Senate. "First Rung of Ladder" law passed last September, which Federal Maritime Administration. gives it a prominent role in the I hope Congress will realize the "As to our statutory authority decision on how much will be imperative nature of our needs to review maritime programs on spent on major maritime activities and join our committee in its an annual basis," Garmatz said fight to save the American mer­ each year. of the February 26 hearings, "it chant marine." "The opening of the authoriza­ is clear to me that—although this The authorization bill origi­ is in itself no panacea—it at least tion hearing," the Maryland con­ gressman said, "is the prelude to nated with the Commerce Depart­ provides us with the first rung of what may well be the most im­ ment and follows the outline of the ladder to pull the maritime in­ portant session of Congress ever the budget for fiscal 1969, set dustry out of the drastic decline convened as far the future of the forth by the Administration, which it has suffered since World War American merchant marine is cut back maritime funds $156 II. million under those of 1968. It concerned. "This committee has a legisla­ covers Maritime Administration tive responsibility—to the nation "For more than two decades our merchant fleet has been vic­ spending in subsidized ship con­ and its people—and we intend to timized by neglect, indifference struction and operation, research fulfill our obligation. The annual and miserly budget allotments. and development, reserve fleet ex­ review and authorization power This persistent policy of mone­ penses and federal assistance to we now have will help us to more tary strangulation must be stopped federal and state maritime acad­ precisely evaluate the effectiveness unless this nation is willing to see emies. of both our pro^ams and our the end of the American mer­ Setting the outside boundries overall maritime policy." chant marine as an effective com­ for later Congressional appropri­ He added that "it will also give mercial and defense arm of the ations and spending by the Ex­ us an opportunity to more accu­ United States. ecutive branch, the authorization rately document our arguments can be increased and submitted to and present them effectively to Time is Short Congress for consideration if the the public." "That crisis is imminent. We Garmatz committee decides there "The American people deserve have very little time left in which,, j5, need for more money than that to know the truth and we intend to act.. . Now is the time to face included. to see that they get it," Garmatz and fight the crisis. The three Garmatz also said that soon concluded. AFL-CIO Farm Workers Win Court Battle NEW YORK —The AFL-CIO United Farm Workers Organizing Committee won an important legal victory in Bronx Criminal Court last week when a major New York produce dealer agreed to negotiate with the union and to drop all charges against 22 California farm workers arrested and jailed during a demonstration at the city-owned Hunt's Point Market in the Bronx. The decision, in a hearing before Judge Louis Cioffi, brought cheers from the nearly 300 rep­ resentatives of labor, civic and religious organiza­ tions, who had earlier participated in a demonstra­ tion outside the courthouse. The UFWOC demonstrations at various New York markets and retail outlets arise from a twoyear strike by the United Farm Workers against various California grape growers, whose principal marketing agents are in the New York area. They are part of a broad consumer-education program being developed in several major cities Febniary 16, 1968 LOG as part of a national "Don't Buy California Grapes" campaign. One of their chief targets is the Giumarra Vineyard Corp. of Delano, Calif. Fifty farm workers arrived in New York last month after a seven-day cross-country bus trip froni Delano and have been housed at the facili­ ties of SIU headquarters in Brooklyn. Aside from their own court victory in New York, the visiting Farm Workers could also take heart from a legal development last week on the West Coast. Nine California farm workers, who charged that they were fired for joining the UFWOC by the Martin Produce Company of Salinas, won their jobs back at a guaranteed annual mimum wage of $4,500 plus punitive damages of $750 each. Martin agreed to the terms in an out-of-court settlement after the case was pressed by a legal aid group financed by federal anti-poverty grants. (] Report of International President by Paul Hall The high priority being given to consumer protection by the Johnson Administration will hopefully bring about federal legislation with teeth in it sharp enough to bring an end to deceptions which have been fleecing unsuspecting Americans for many years. Aided by clever advertising campaigns and half promises, big busi­ ness has created an image of paternal benevolence which has been accepted in good faith by too many of our citizens for much too long a time. With this carefully designed image, manufacturers and businessmen have created and perpetuated the myth that the welfare of the con­ sumer is their chief concern. Americans have been falsely led to believe that the merchandise they buy is the best possible product available at the fairest possible price. Organized labor has long recognized this, myth for what it is and has waged a continuous battle to correct its inequities and expose its abuses. Old habits are hard to break, however, and the image of paternalism continues to exist. The only way the consumer can be assured of the full protection he deserves is through strong federal legislation such as that currently being pressed by the Administration. Public disclosures of wrongdoing on the part of manufacturers play an important role in the education of the public on existing shoddy practices and in the struggle to gain Congressional support for vitallyneeded consumer protection laws. The recent conviction in federal court of three of the nation's largest—and hitherto most respected— drug manufacturers for price fixing cannot help but to arouse public indignation. Announced plans by the Food and Drug Administration, following the conviction, that most other drug products on the market would be examined, for honesty in the claims made for them, will undoubtedly uncover further widespread deception of the public. Passage last year of a long-needed meat inspection law to guard the consumer from unscrupulous meat packers may well have paved the way for further laws, to protect consumers in all areas of the econ­ omy, and triggered a growing public awareness that bjg business is anj^ng but the friendly benefactor of the consumer that it pretends to be. Manufacturers and business men can be counted on to place every obstacle at their command in the way of legislation designed to prevent our citizens from being mislead by false claims for products and services. Present efforts in Congress to gain federal inspection of fish and poultry products will encounter the same pressures from those who market these products as were brought to bear in an industry attempt to kill the wholesome meat act. Such laws cut down on management's profits and require that proper attention be given to quality and performance. If the business establishment was as concerned about the health and welfare of the working man as it would have us believe it to be, care­ lessly designed television sets and x-ray equipment would not be offered for sale while the slightest danger of harmful radiation from these products existed. They are being sold, however, and they will continue to be sold until federal standards are set. Services such as auto insurance will continue to be overpriced and unfairly administered by some unscrupulous companies until they are controlled by tighter laws. Charge account buying will continue to hold disguised pitfalls and exhorbitant interest rates for the unwary consumer until honest practices are demanded by law. If the President's consumer protection programs are wholeheartedly backed by Congress, the time may soon come when the self-proclaimed image of big business in finally shattered and its mask of concern for the public good removed. if Members of United Farm Workers Organizing Committee picket Hunt's Point Market (above) as New York policemen look on. Group from California is protesting sale here of products from struck growers in home state. At right, UFWOC and other unions demonstrate outside city jail for release of 22 detained members later freed by Bronx judge. �February 16, 1963 President'sBudget Declares FDL Yes; U.S. Fleet No ): s r I „ I WASHINGTON—Last year's Congressionally-defeated plan for the construction of Fast Deployment Logistic ships is once again being pushed by outgoing Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. In the Defense Department's annual review before the Senate Armed Services Committee recently, McNamara served notice that his department seeks authorization and appropria­ tions for the construction of some 30 FDL's by fiscal year 1972. Only a few days later, President Johnson submitted his pro­ posed budget to Congress, including a request for appropriations for the initial construction of four FDL's. A similar fund re­ quest was soundly defeated by Congress in its last session. Essentially, the FDL plan calls for the construction of huge floating military bases or "floating depots" whi'ih would be per­ manently stationed in strategic areas of the world. They would never pull into port and would never engage in trade or any non-military function. Maritime labor and Congressional representatives have brandedthe proposal as unnecessarily costly and a hindrance to the ex­ pansion of the U. S. merchant fleet—which could be utilized for defense as well as commercial purposes in contrast to the FDL's limited potential. McNamara, in his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, emphasized that "funds for four ships are included in the 1969 request, and we tentatively plan on ten more in fiscal year 1970 and eight in each of the following years. Under the revised schedule, the first four FDL's would enter the force in fiscal year 1972, with subsequent deliveries being made at the rate of one a month." / Pelly Hits Maritime Cutback As Boyd 'Blackjack' Move ' iy t WASHINGTON—Accusing Transportation Secretary Alan S. Boyd of "vindictive, punitive action" in his comments on the cuts in maritime funds in the 1969 fiscal budget. Representative Thomas M. Pelly has called ^—:: —— , ^ (R-Wash.) , . . Reacting to this statement, Repfor the Secretary's resignation. resentative Felly, a member of the Shortly after the Administra­ House Merchant Marine commit­ tion's Maritime Budget cut was tee, called Boyd's remarks "an announced, Boyd was quoted as unabashed admission that the cut saying that had the Maritime Ad­ in the Maritime Administration ministration been a part of his budget was a blackjack operation agency, the deep slices in its budg­ and created "sufficient justification et would not have been so sharp. for Boyd's resignation." SIUNA president Paul Hall, who also heads the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department, commented that "Boyd has finally admitted publicly what we in the maritime industry have known for months—that he is waging a per­ sonal vendetta against the mer­ chant marine." NORFOLK —Its hull cracked In a recent press conference, by pounding 20-foot waves and DOT Secretary Boyd suggested gale force winds, the SIU of Can­ that bringing MARAD into the ada-contracted freighter Chamey Department of Transportation sank 520 miles off Cape Hatteras, might help U.S. maritime receive N.C., last Saturday. All 24 per­ higher priorities for future con­ sons aboard had safely abandoned struction needs. the 313-foot vessel hours earlier. In the recently released 1969 The Charney, bound from Que­ fiscal budget, the Department of bec to Bermuda with a crew of Transportation was given an extra 22 and a man and wife as pas­ $500 million increase over the sengers, had been reported miss­ present fiscal year, while more ing in the Atlantic storm Friday. than $160 million was cut from A U.S. Coast Guard and Air the Department of Commerce, al­ Force search was underway when most all in ship construction. the freighter's captain reported by Asked to comment on this dis­ radio that her lifeboats were parity, DOT Secretary Boyd said being lowered and that the crew that the maritime industry "keeps was going to abandon ship. saying things couldn't be worse The Coast Guard cutter Abse. . . Maybe now they ought to be con, which had been standing by willing to move over to the De­ a cripplied Liberian tanker some partment of Transportation. 150 miles west of the Canadian Transportation Secretary Boyd, ship, was immediately rerouted to with Administration support has the aid of the 2,340-ton freighter's been waging a campaign to in­ passengers. clude the Maritime Administra­ However, a Norfolk-bound Norwegian freighter, the Vinni, tion in his own Department of reached the survivors first and Transportation. MARAD is now picked them up from the two life­ part of the Department of Com­ boats and one raft tossing about merce. A House bill calling for an in­ in the icy sea. The 20-year-old Charney was dependent maritime administra­ owned by North Shipping and tion was passed last year by a 324-44 vote. Transportation Ltd. SlU of Canada Freighter Sinks; AH Aboard Safe I' K I IE t SEAFARERS LOG Page Three Budget Slash in Ship Construction Rapped hy Congressmen us Wogicur WASHINGTON—President's Johnson's selection of the Maritime Administration as the target for the biggest axe of all in his 1969 Budget Message to Congress has been widely deplored as illogical and "beyond comprehension" by leading supporters of the U.S. merchant. marine on Capitol Hill. ^ time it has received a far more chant marine," he concluded. Johnson's recommended cuts critical blow." Senator Warren G. Magnuson in the MARAD budget for the Although, the Maritime Ad­ (D-Wash.), chairman of the Com­ next fiscal year amount to a total ministration is one of the small­ merce Committee and also a mem­ of $163 million—$156 million in est of all government agencies, it ship construction subsidies and $7 has been "struck by the biggest ber of the powerful Senate Ap­ million in research and develop­ axe," Garmatz charged, noting propriations Committee, said that he is firmly convinced that "no less ment. that in the name of economy "ap­ than 30 ships a year should be Senator E. L. Bartlett (D- proximately ten percent of the Alaska), chairman of the Mer­ entire budget cut" presented by built" in U.S. shipyards. He said chant Marine Subcommittee of the White House fell on MARAD he will continue to press for Sen­ the Senate Commerce Committee, and that this represented the only ate legislation on a new maritime called the budget proposals "inex­ cutback aimed at the Commerce program and will also "point out" plicable" at a time when the need Department in which the agency the deficiency in construction sub­ of the United States for a strong is housed. sidies when the President's fiscal merchant marine "is greater than 1969 requests come up for Senate The Maryland congressman at any period since World War consideration before the Appro­ said that, in view of the "alarm­ 11." The request for only ten new priations Committee later this ships in fiscal 1969 is "beyond ing obsolescence and continued year. comprehension, defies reason, and dangerous decline" of our mer­ Another leading member of flies in the face of logic," Bartlett chant fleet, the announced reduc­ tions are even more difficult to the Commerce Committee and its said, and termed its occasion as understand. He said that, as chair­ subcommittee on Merchant Ma­ a "sad day in the history of a man of the House Merchant Ma­ rine, Senator Daniel B. Brewster seafaring nation." rine Committee, he feels he must (D-Md.), was sharply opposed to Defense Need warn that such actions now can the Johnson proposal as "totally Instead of getting Administra­ seriously jeopardize the nation's inadequate" and termed it "just tion endorsement for a "new and economic and defense posture. one more example of Administra­ revitalized program" as was ex­ "The budget message refers to tion apathy toward the critical de­ pected last fall, the Alaska Sen­ these cuts as temporary" but the terioration facing the American ator said, "we have this." "American merchant marine sim­ merchant marine." "Clearly," he Emphasizing that "this is a na­ ply cannot afford any further de­ said, "Congress will have to act tional defense need," he observed lays in the implementation of an quickly on its own maritime pro­ that the Defense Department is aggressive revitalization program," gram if anything is to be done already "relying heavily, because the congressman corifihued.' "Ahy '"to improve the condition of the of Vietnam, on chartered foreignsuch delay, no matter how tem­ fleet." flag vessels" and added that in the porary, could quite possibly term­ Last November. Brewster joined event of another "limited war," inate America's role as one of the Magnuson and Bartlett in spon­ dependence upon foreign-flag ship world's great maritime powers." soring a comprehensive maritime would be almost complete. bill in the Senate which, among Tough Fight Ahead The chairmarif of the House other things, would authorize sub­ Merchant Marine and Fisheries Garmatz declared that the sidies lO build 35 to 40 U.S.-flag Committee, Representative Ed­ budget only "serves to emphasize vessels annually. An identical bill ward A. Garmatz (D-Md.), de­ why we need an independent Fed­ clared that, "as usual, the Amer­ eral Maritime Administration . . . was simultaneously offered in the ican merchant marine had to go we must have top-level represen­ House by Representative Gar­ matz. on the chopping block, but this tation for our industry. Edwin M. Hood, President of "I hope the budget will serve as a sufficient warning—to both the Shipbuilders Council of Amer­ the United States Congress and ica, also looked to Congress and the maritime industry—that we its pending maritime bill as the must unite and fight like we never best hope for the ailing industry. have before. We know now—as He charged the Administration we never knew before—that this with "fiscal legerdemain" in com­ session of Congress will be a ing up with an "uncertain eightNEW YORK—Seafarers on the crucial one for the American mer­ to-ten ship program." Steel Traveler (Isthmian) helped extinguish a fire in number two hold on February 5 while the ship was docked at Shed 2, Pier 1, at Erie Basin near Columbia Street in Brooklyn. The fire oc­ curred about 5:40 p.m. and in­ volved a cargo of cotton which was loaded in the hold. Chief electrician Daniel Robin­ son said the men put a hose in the hatch then closed it with a canvas and used C02, a chemical dioxide, to smother the blaze. About a half-hour after the alarm sounded, "two fireboats and four or five trucks" arrived at the pier. "About 20 policemen and 50 fire­ men were on the ship," Robinson said. The firemen used carbondioxide foam. The next day, two trucks and a pair of fireboats were still at the pier and hoses could be seen hanging over the ship's side. Firemen were in­ specting the vessel for damage and because the fire was still smoldering, the hatch was kept closed. The Steel Traveler, which also carried general cargo including grain, was due to sail for India. Firemen stand by on SlU-contracted Steel Traveler at Erie Basin in It is expected the ship will be "be­ Brooklyn to make sure fire which broke out in ship's No. 2 hold is hind schedule" in it's departure. extinguished. Hatch at right was kept closed to help smother fire. Crew Fights Fire On Steel Traveler, No One Injured �Page Fonr SEAFARERS February 16, 1968 LOG Congress Can Still Bar Maritime Cut, Representative Tells MID Meeting •1' The Atlantic Coast by Earl (Bull) Shepard, Vice-President, Atlantic Coast Area WASHINGTON—The drastic cut in maritime funds for the next fiscal year is an example of Before we know it, it will be November '68 and election time again. "poor judgment" on the part of the Administration which Congress does not necessarily "have This is a good time to take stock on how your elected representatives to accept," Representative John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) said here recently. voted on the issues which are important to maritime labor and to the "As far as I am concerned," entire organized labor movement. Let's make certain that we return The "sharp cutback" in the Dingell told a meeting of the struction program and available to office only those men who have looked out for labor's interest. funding to carry it out. Secondly, ship construction budget, he said, ^ 6.5 million-member AFL-CIO when the MARAD phase of the was in retaliation against demands Baltimore Maritime Trades Department, "the Commerce Department Appro­ within the industry for an inde­ and ready to sail again. An oiler, Jan V. Rooms just completed a his last ship was the Columbia. maritime industry is the victim of priations Act is being considered pendent MARAD, which is a pri­ trip on the Mon^elier Victory, very poor judgment, indeed, on for action, the group will appear ority measure for the MTD. Bob Kirkwood, last on the Pro­ The four month voyage took in ducer, is waiting for a good deck the part of high government offi­ before the House Appropriations Transportation Secretary Boyd cials." Committee and "back to a man" has recently been quoted as sug­ Persia and Alaska. Jan's ready for maintenance job. a nice rest. However, he urged the repre­ funding which will be necessary Dean Wooster was on the gesting that the huge slash pro­ Wesley Young is waiting to be Afoundria as FWT. He'll take the sentatives of government, labor to carry out authorizing legisla­ posed by the Administration in declared FFD. He's recovering and management present not to let tion. MARAD funds for next year from an injury sustained on the first oiler or FWT job available. up in "your fight for maritime in­ Joe Milukas, who last shipped And finally, Dingell declared, might prompt the maritime indus­ Kenmar during a shuttle between dependence just because the as FWT on the Columbia, is reg­ try to think twice about placing Formosa and Vietnam. the committee will develop and Budget Bureau has tightened the istered. He has his eye on a good that agency under his Department. screws by cutting the meagre come forth with the kind of mari­ FWT's slot. Apparently, said Pelly, Boyd is time program for the U. S. mer­ maritime programs still farther." chant marine which will be neces­ threatening MARAD to "get in Boston "Let me remind you that Con­ sary for the maintenance of an the Department of Transportation gress does not have to accept American-flag fleet in terms of or else." Thomas Killion is holding down these budget recommendations," funding, construction, subsidy, re­ the hall until a good oiler's job is "Imagine," Pelly remarked," a Dingell, a member of the House newal, insurance and general well available. Tom last shipped on cabinet officer trying to blackmail Merchant Marine Committee, de­ being. the Robin Goodfellow as an FWT. Congress that way." clared, "and you have many Gerald Conant bad an AB's job Representative Thomas Pelly friends on Capitol Hill who are Congressman Pelly also hit the on the Steel Director and will be already at work to see that the (R-Wash.), a member of the Administration's plan to "stretch Rooms Violante spending some time with his family . . . cuts are restored. More than House Merchant Marine and out" subsidized shipbuilding, J. Vioiante's last ship was the before going out again. that, we're going to work to see Fisheries Committee, speaking at which he characterized as having John Kulas will grab the first that additional and adequate sums another MTD session here, "gutted" the replacement program. Cities Service Miami. The 20-year oiler's job that hits the board. His SIU veteran will be looking for an accused Transportation Secretary are appropriated. Pelly added that "I don't think intercoastal run after he takes a last ship was the Vantage Venture. Boyd of "trying to blackmail Con­ John has spent 25 years in the Separate MARAD Needed gress" into putting the Maritime Congress will fall for the Ad­ breather. SIU. ministration's request to eliminate "In my view, this assault on the Administration under the Trans­ Philadelphia the barrier to constructing naval nation's maritime programs con­ portation Department. Puerto Rico Oscar Ozeer will be FFD soon vessels abroad." stitutes the most compelling argu­ Shipping is very good for the Raps Budget ment that I have ever heard for time of year, however cooks and giving the Maritime Administra­ Pelly also attacked the Admin­ Court Order Ends Strike AB jobs are on the slow-bell. tion total and complete independ­ istration's proposed budget, which Lancelot Rodriguez and Bob ence." calls for a $156-million cut in Lasso are waiting for deck jobs, Dingell said an executive ses­ funds designated for construction while Juan Sanchez and Armando sion of the House Merchant Ma­ of merchant ships to be run by De Jesus would like a chief cook's rine and Fisheries Committee had "seamen who belong to AFL-CIO position. already met to discuss new action unions," and which instead re­ in the face of the fiscal 1969 quests authority and $120 million Norfolk The AFL-CIO, through its arbitration machinery, has ruled in budget and decided on three basic to $160 million to construct four Joe Stevens said he had a good Fast Deployment Logistic ships favor of the Seafarers International Union in a dispute over the trip on the Western Comet, sailing moves. placing of unlicensed "apprentice engineers" aboard SlU-contracted as steward. After a brief vacation, The first of these, he said, was (FDLs). CO bring forth legislation which he's ready for a new trip. Congress killed the FDL pro­ vessels by the National Marine f licensed personnel be members of will insure an adequate ship con­ posal last year. Engineers Beneficial Associa­ the SIU. The SIU made it clear Clyde Mariner caught a job on tion. The SIU had charged the that the agreement should not be the Citadel Victory, bound for MEBA with violating the "no construed as a waiver of its posi­ Vietnam. raiding" provisions of the AFL- tion in the matters pending before George Bowden was Bosun CIO constitution, and last week the NLRB or the court. on the Beloit Victory's last run. the federation handed down the following determination: SIU Supports Copper Workers 1. MEBA interfered with the established collective bargaining NEW YORK—Two vital projects to improve the harbor facili­ relationship of the Seafarers In­ ties of the Port of New York—approved for a federal grant of ternational Union in violation of a million dollars each by House and Senate conferees in Wash­ Article 20, Section 2, by placing on SlU-contracted American-flag ington only weeks ago — have fvessels unlicensed apprentice engi­ already been shelved for one Since President Johnson's pres­ neer personnel. year as a result of the Admin­ entation of his fiscal 1969 budget 2. The Seafarers International istration's cutbacks in fiscal 1969 proposals, however, the Army Union did not violate Article 20, Corps of Engineers now is au­ spending. Section 2, by its demand on the The Port of New York Au­ thorized by the Administration to employers, with whom it has con­ thority announced it has been ad­ spend only $100,000 on each of tracts, to discontinue the employ vised by federal officials that most the two projects between now and of unlicensed apprentice engineers. of the funds allocated to widen June 30 and the remaining $1.8 In the meantime, the U.S. Fifth million has been deferred until the Newark Bay channel and the Circuit Court of Appeals has or­ next year. deepwater anchorages in Upper dered an end to the three-monthThe project for Newark Bay New York Bay for the current old strike by the SIU against Delta fiscal year would be "slipped calls for widening the channel be­ Line over the "apprentice engi­ FL-CIO back" to fiscal 1969, which begins tween its entrance and Kill van neer" dispute. The court ruled also next July 1. Because of this it Kull from the present width, that the company must 'resume is inevitable that work schedules which varies from 400 to 500 operations "on the basis of the for two projects will be set back feet, to a uniform 700 feet. status quo which existed as of by one year, spokesmen for the Expansion of the anchorages in Nov. 21, 1967." bi-state port agency said. Mid- Upper New York Bay off Brook­ The decision means that Delta 1971 had been the projected com­ lyn—the first major improvement cannot hire' "apprentice engi­ pletion date, assuming adequate in the facilities in more than 30 neers," except for the two aboard federal financial support. years—is necessary to accommo­ the Del Sol and the Del Santos, As part of the $1.3 billion date more of the new deeper-draft until the dispute is settled. This Public Works Appropriation Bill vessels, particularly giant tankers. is in line with the terms of an signed by the President last No­ Port planners consider both earlier SIU offer to end the strike SIU President Paul Hall addresses Feb. 8 rally in support of striking vember, $f million was designated projects of vital importance to which the company refused. for each of the harbor improve­ the expanding traffic needs of the The basis of the dispute is that copper workers sponsored by New York Central Labor Council in ment measures, with additional port which the Port Authority "apprentice engineers" are un­ Auditorium of Manhattan Center. Following the well-attended rally, funds expected to be appropriated estimates will be handling some licensed personnel and that SIU members of many unions, including a large contingent from the SIU, in the "next fiscal year." 8,400 ocean going ships by 1975. contracts require that all un­ picketed in a demonstration outside N.Y. offices of Anaconda Copper. Jlfl-C/0 Upholds SIU Position In Raiding Beef Against MCBA N.Y. Harbor Improvements Shelved by Budget Cutback <ms PBRrs ' WORKEliS iTRIKE JNTHS ORKERS RIKE NTHS "l - li �February 16, 1968 SEAFARERS LOG The Pacific Coast by Frank Drozak, West Coast Representative I i If Those who live on the West Coast pay proportionately more for health care than the rest of the country, according to a recent govenrment report. The average family paid 18 percent more than their counterpart throughout the nation. According to the report, the average fourmember American family contributed $468—or 5.1 percent of its a new trip. First, he'll take a brief budget—for medical care in 1966. vacation. Dan Backrak is back after a A similar ratio in the cost of westlong absence from this port. He em medicine has been maintained was last on the Kyska as bosun over the past decade. and plans to ship out of this area Although western states account for awhile. for 14 percent of the U.S. popu­ Seattle lation, they make up just 12.8 Shipping has picked up in this percent of the general hospital port with the crewing-up of the beds available. Columbia Eagle and Steel Flyer. We will have at least three payoffs coming up shortly. Y. Tallberg just left the Minot Victory where he had an AB's slot. Arvel Binion will take an oiler's berth on a Sea-Land Alaska run. He recently sailed on the Halcyon Tiger. Tallberg Binion °John Indorf is ready to sail Hospital costs per day equalled after spending some time on the $55 per day as compared to $44.- beach. A chief cook and baker, 50 in other sections of the United John last made the Alice Brown. States. San Francisco Shipping continues to be excel­ lent but activity has slowed down since the last report. An upswing is expected for the next period. Paying-off and signing-on have been the Los Angeles, Hastings, Seatrain Carolina, Steel Designer, Bien.ville, Oakland, Arizpa, Pecos, Jeft'erson City Victory, Minot Vic­ tory, Steel Admiral and Halcyon Tiger. In transit are the Penmar, Achilles, Transwestern and Seamar. Scuttle 'Effective Control/ Not Fleet Shipbuilders Union Urges President WASHINGTON—Three top officers of the AFL-CIO Industrial Union of Marine and Ship­ building Workers have called upon the Administration to "scuttle" the concept of "effective con­ trol" over foreign-flag ships and to put a stop to the outflow of billions of American dollars to foreign countries for the con- ^ tion of the U.S. merchant fleet and billions of American capital flow­ struction of ships in foreign pointed out how Administration ing to foreign nations for the yards. support could build up the mer­ building of ships in foreign ship­ lUMSWA President John J. chant marine and help the balance yards. The American dollars be­ Grogan, Vice-president Andrew of payments at the same time. ing exported by these 'freebooters A. Pettis and &cretary-Treasurer "We had anticipated some fav­ of capital' (runaway-flag ships an^ Ross D. Blood also said in a orable reference to the U.S. mer­ foreign shipbuilding by United joint letter to President Johnson chant marine in your State of the States-based companies) if that only an Administration- Union Address (for) 1968," the stopped, would go a long way to backed policy can prevent the letter said, recalling that the one wiping out the deficit of the bal­ U.S. merchant marine from slip­ for 1965 had mentioned that "a ance of payments." ping into oblivion. message from the White House" The three labor leaders suggest­ "The imbalance of the balance on maritime "would be forthcom­ ed that this country "could very of payments is a very serious ing. We feel that only an Adwell contain communism on the threat to the economy of the ministration-backed policy can land body of the world consisting United States," the letter said, and save the merchant marine from of 25 percent of the world's sur­ "each year for the past ten years complete deterioration and obliv­ face and lose the battle to contain more dollars have left the coun­ ion." communism on the high seas con­ try than have entered it." sisting of 75 percent of the world's 'Effective Contror Useless Noting the President's effort "Part of the Administration surface." "While our merchant to curb "run-away-inflation with marine is on the well-greased skids certain restrictions and prohibi­ policy to bolster the merchant downward, the Soviet Union's tions on invested capital abroad, marine should be directed toward merchant fleet is on a spectacular Americans traveling abroad and the 'effective control' concept of escalator to the top," they warned. loans to foreign nations", the un­ the Department of Defense," the "Mr. President, we urge you to ion officials called his attention to letter continued. "The runaway use your good Office to immediate­ flags are of no value to the de­ the dangerously weakened condifense posture of the United States, ly take steps to strengthen the U.S. as proven in the present conflict merchant marine commensurate in Vietnam, and the concept with the present world status of our country as the leading nation should be scuttled immediately. "Along with the elimination of in the free, democratic bloc of na­ the 'effective control' concept the tions of the world," the letter Administration should prohibit the, concluded. 5IUNA fishermen Charge Soviets Violate International Fishing Pact Wilmington Bob Schoolcraft just completed a long trip as chief cook on the Rachael V and has registered for CffAff Blacklist % I;' • 1 Page Five Adds 4 Ships WASHINGTON—Four more foreign-flag ships have been added by the Maritime Administration to its list of vessels no longer eligible to carry U.S. governmentflnanced cargoes because they have called at Cuban ports. The latest total of ships on the black­ list is down to 206 from 212, however, since ten vessels in­ cluded in previous reports have broken up, sunk or wrecked. Latest additions to the MARAD report on free world and Polishflag ship.s, which have been to Cuba since January 1, 1963, are the British-flag Changpaishan (8,929 gross tons) and Chiang Kiang (10,481 tons); the 7,314ton Anka from Cyprus; and 8,776-ton Yugoslavian-flag Bar. The ships barred by the new MARAD report, which covers the period through last January 23, represent an aggregate total of 1,494,554 gross tons. AH that is required for a listed vessel to regain eligibility to carry U.S. government cargoes is a promise by its owner not to call at Cuba again while present U.S. policy regarding the Castro re­ gime continues. No such assur­ ances were made during the last reporting period. These three Russian fishing vessels were anchored in Atlantic wa­ ters on February 5, six miles off Moriches Inlet on Long Island. SI UNA Atlantic Fishermen's Union has charged that vessels such as these have violated six-mile limit set by U.S.-Soviet treaty. WASHINGTON—The Seafarers International Union of North America has accused the Russians of stripping fish spawning grounds off the New England Coast in "open and gross violation" of international agreements. SIUNA Vice-President James spawning grounds "poses a genu­ D. Ackert also accused the ine threat to the conservation goal State Department of "dragging its of the agreement, imposing poten­ feet" in negotiations with Soviet tial loss of employment for Amer­ diplomats over the infringement ican fishermen." of the East Coast fishing banks, Testimony Offered and warned that unless the prob­ The union official said that the lem is resolved quickly, "the Rus­ sian fishing fleet will strip the SlU is "prepared to place testi­ mony at the public hearing on grounds clean of fish." Ackert, head of the SlUNA- times, dates and places of the affiliated Atlantic Fishermen's Un­ Russian refusal to honor the agree­ ion, laid the problem before Rep­ ment," which was entered into by resentative Edward A. Garmatz United States and Soviet officials. (D-Md.), Chairman of the House "The Federal Government has Merchant Marine and Fisheries the same information," Ackert Committee, who scheduled public pointed out, "which was gathered hearings. by its own reconnaissance Ackert, in discussing the situa­ sources." But while the diplomats tion with members of the Massa­ talk, the red fleet continues to fish chusetts delegation in Congress, —and this dwindling stock of sea­ warned that the continued inva­ food could be completely depleted sion by the Russians of the before the problem is resolved." Johnson Urges Congress Act On Consumer Protection Laws WASHINGTON—President Johnson has called for new federal laws to protect the health and pocketbooks of America's consum­ ers and appealed to Congress for bipartisan support. He urged the extension of fed- ^ r r : , A A t u • comprehensive study of auto ineral standards of poultry inspec­ surance by the Department of tion to the 1.6 billion pounds of Transportation—a long term in­ pountry sold each year without vestigation of 18 to 24 months on crossing state lines. The coverage top of preliminary studies the de­ would parallel last year's expan­ partment has already made. sion of meat inspection. Auto insurance premiums have The President proposed a new been mounting, lawsuits have fish inspection program, citing clogged the courts and, Johnson evidence that contaminated fish noted, complaints of arbitrary has been the cause of outbreaks cancellations and discrimination in of disease and food poisoning. issuing policies have been wide­ "If poultry inspection is spotty spread. today, fish inspection is virtually In two areas not requiring con­ non-existent," Johnson said. gressional action, the President Cases Face Delay announced a high-level study of The President asked Congress warranties, guarantees and appli­ to strengthen the powers of the ance repairs and reiterated his in­ Federal Trade Commission by en­ tention to appoint a special coun­ abling it to seek court injunctions sel at the Justice Department to to halt fraudulent and deceptive be the "consumer's lawyer." sales practices without waiting un­ Probe Warranties til administrative hearings have Betty Furness, the President's been completed and all appeals special assistant on consumer af­ exhausted. Some cases now take fairs, will work with the secre­ years before an FTC order be­ taries of Commerce and Labor, comes final. the chairman of the Federal Trade He asked legislation authorizing Commission and industry repre­ federal safety standards for small sentatives to seek improvements boats, noting that "last year boat­ in the quality of service and re­ ing accidents claimed more than pairs, and to also "assure that 1,300 lives." warranties and guarantees say To protect consumers against what they mean." harmful radiation from defective Johnson also urged Congress to equipment — such as has been complete action on pending con­ found in some color television sumer legislation, including the sets and in poorly-designed X-ray truth-in-lending bill which awaits equipment—Johnson asked Con­ a House-Senate conference agree­ gress to give the Health, Educa­ ment, the Senate-passed pipeline tion and Welfare Department au­ safety and fire safety bills, meas­ thority to set federal standards and ures to guard against fraud in land require manufacturers to recall sales and regulate mutual stock defective equipment. funds, and the electric power re­ The President said he will also liability bill to seek to prevent seek congressional authority for a regional power blackouts. �Page Six SEAFARERS Senate Sidetracks Attempt To Dilute Civil Rights Bill Supporters of the Administration's civil rights hill forced a test vote after more than two weeks of fruitless debate, and by a 54-29 majority sidetracked a Southern subsitute which would have seriously diluted the bill's protection for Negroes and civil rights workers. The bill before the Senate—one part of the civil rights package President Johnson has termed "essential"—would make it a federal crime for private citizens to interfere by violence or intimidation with Negroes exercising specific legal rights, such as attending non-segre­ gated schools, voting, using public accommodations or having equal opportunity in employment. A substitute, sponsored by Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr., would have taken the specifics out of the Hill and replaced it with generalized lan­ guage which civil rights supporters say would have been of little value in dealing with the vigilantism the legislation seeks to prevent. Although Senate Republican Leader Everett McKinley Dirksen joined with the Dixie bloc in opposing the motion to table—and thus kill—the Ervin substitute, a majority of Republicans refused to follow his lead. The successful motion to table was sponsored by Senator Philip A. Hart (D-Mich.) and Senator Jacob K. Javits (R-N.Y.). It was supported by 35 Democrats and 19 Republicans. Opposed were 16 Democrats, all from the South, and 13 Republicans, nearly all hard-core conserva­ tives. Immediately following the tabling vote. Senator Walter P. Mondale (D-Minn.) and Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass.), introduced the Administration's open housing bill as an amendment—thus moving on the offensive for the first time during the debate. Amendment Co-sponsws The open housing bill has been before the southern-led Banking and Currency Committee and Mondale told the Senate that eight of the 14 members of the committee are co-sponsors of the amendment. During the week before the vote, Dirksen had sought to work out a compromise version of the Ervin Amendment with Senator Majority Leader Mike Mansfield in an effort, he said, to avoid a filibuster and pass some sort of legislation. Dirksen asked the Senate to defeat the tabling motion on the Ervin substitute to allow more time for tiegotiations, but Mansfield joined in supporting the move to kill the Ervin bill. The Senate vote—considered a general test of support for civil rights legislation—was possible because a motion to table is non-debatable. There was no indication, however, that the Dixie bloc will relent in its opposition and permit the main bill to come to a vote. On past civil rights filibusters, the two-thirds vote to limit debate has been accomplished only with Dirksen's support and has failed when the Republican leader joined with the Dixie bloc—as he did in 1966. Mansfield in the past has supported cloture, but when cloture votes have failed he has moved to sidetrack the legislation and go on to other business rather than seek to wear down the opposition. The House approved a bill extending the life of the Export-Import Bank and increasing its lending authority, adding a curb on trans­ actions with Communist countries. A similar bill had passed the Sen­ ate earlier and the measure now goes to conference. The National Labor Relations Board should not penalize a union because a board agent drank a glass of beer with a union orga­ nizer, a court has ruled. U.S. Dis­ trict Judge John J. Sirica upheld the Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers in a case involving an election May 3 at the Sturbridge, Mass. plant of Athbro Precision Engineering Corp. lUE won the election but the NLRB refused to certify it as bargaining agent be­ cause a board agent was seen drinking a glass of beer at a near­ by cafe before the polls reopened for the evening. This was a viola­ tion of rules for the conduct of elections, the board said in order­ ing a new vote. lUE asked for a restraining order, saying the NLRB abused its discretion. The judge agreed. He ruled its refusal to certify deprived the union of its lawful right to represent the employes and was "arbitrary and capricious." * * * John Chupka, secretary-treas­ urer of the Textile Workers Union of America, whose retirement at the end of 1967 closed out a 35year trade union career, will be tendered a testimonial dinner here at the Commodore Hotel, Satur­ day evening, March 2. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer William F. Schnitzler and TWUA President William Pollock are honorary chairmen, with Sol Stetin, Chupka's successor as TWUA secre­ tary-treasurer, in charge of ar­ rangements. » j;: • A four-step increase averaging 66.6 cents an hour over 33 months has been won by the rhachinists for 5,400 production and main­ tenance employes of Canadair, Ltd., a big aerospace subcontrac­ tor owend by General Dynamics. The lAM said the settlement, its first 1968 aerospace contract, rep­ resents a "long step toward parity" for Canadian workers with aero­ space rates in the U.S., and reflects an improved climate of relations as compared with 1965, when union members stayed on strike for eight weeks. Members of lAM Local 712 voted by an 84 percent margin to ratify the new pact, which includes a first-year increase averaging 45 cents, or 19 percent. The settlement provides for a new productivity improvement plan that could pay up to 12 cents an hour in addition to the agreed-on Wage increases. February 16, 1968 LOG Yankee Clipper • • Ten percent of the entire cut-back in the economizing fiscal 1969 budget of a nation which is undisputably the wealthiest in the world! That is the toll taken from a deteriorating U.S. maritime industry by an Administration which has been promising a "comprehensive maritime policy" since January of 1965 in its penny-wise and pound foolish economy fever of 1968. In an effort to save the economy of the nation, the White House has chosen to hit the merchant marine—its most obvious means of equalizing the lopsided balance of payments so long belabored—as a prime target in what President Johnson calls "re­ ductions . . . which can be accomplished without substantially altering the character of the affected program." What program? The broken-promise of a national maritime program which was as­ sured by the Chief Executive three whole years ago in his State of the Union message and which is still an unkept promise today? Instead of that promised program we have a $163-million reduction in what has long been a disgracefully inadequate allotment to the U.S. merchant fleet. With an estimated one billion dollars al­ ready being brought into the United States each year as a result of the pitiful seven percent of the nation's export-import trade carried by the U.S. merchant marine, with what conscience can the Administration ex­ cuse such a drastic slash in maritime's meager funds as "appropriate in a period when we mast relieve inflationary pressures by reducing the deficit?" The cut is a further expression of White House apathy over the rapidly-ascending position of the fleet of the Soviet Union on- the oceans of the world and is a dangerous indication that the anti-maritime views of Transportation Secretary Alan Boyd and outgoing Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara have gone much too far in influenc­ ing the President's thinking. The severe penalization of the merchant marine in the Administration's budget inessage has been interpreted by at least one con­ gressman as a "blackjack operation" en­ couraged by Boyd in continuing protest over congressional refusal last year to include MARAD in his DOT. There can be little doubt at this time that the terrible neglect of maritime under the Commerce Department would likely have been replaced by outright destruction had the Congress allowed it to fall into the hands of Boyd. Obviously, the battle for a strong and in­ dependent merchant marine must be re­ newed with fresh determination. In attempting to" explain away the Admin­ istration's appalling blow to the industry. Acting Maritime Administrator James W. Gulick said that the "net effect of this budget is to push the construction program (in sub­ sidized shipbuilding) ahead, or behind, de­ pending on how you look at it." We agree with a published evaluation of Gulick's remarks at his explanatory press briefing. Gulick stated that the alleged (since confirmed) fiscal 1969 budget request for $119.8 million to provide construction differ­ ential subsidies for ten new ships would be followed by a reduction in new ship con­ struction of $156 million. Representatives of the nation's press pres­ ent at Gulick's briefing found this the "most confused case of double talk ever presented.'' Indeed it was! • ' ^tf �^ February 16, 1968 SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven INCOME TAX GUIDE April 15, 1968, is the deadline for filing Federal income tax re­ turns. As is customary at this time of the year, the SIU Accounting Department has prepared the fol­ lowing detailed tax guide to assist SIU men in filing their returns on income earned in 1967. Generally, with very few excep­ tions, seamen are treated no differ­ ently under the income tax laws than any other citizen or resident of the U. S. (The non-resident alien seamen must also file a re­ turn, but the rules are not the same for him.) WHO MUST FILE. Every Sea­ farer who is a citizen or resident of the United States—whether an adult or minor—who had $600 or more income in 1967 must file; if 65 or over, $1,200 or more. A Seafarer with income of less than these amounts should file a return to get a refund if tax was withheld. A married Seafarer with income less than his own personal exemption should file a joint re­ turn with his wife to get the small­ er tax or larger refund for the couple. WHEN TO FILE. Tax returns l ave to be filed by April 15, 1968. However, the April 15 deadline is waived in cases where a seaman is at sea. In such instances, the sea­ man must file his return at the first opportunity, along with an affi­ davit stating the reason for delay. HOW TO FILE. The Seafarer has two return forms to choose from. Form 1040 and card form. Form 1040A. Form 1040 is lim­ ited to a single sheet. Supporting schedules may be attached accord­ ing to the individual needs of each taxayer. Generally, if your income was entirely from salary, wages, in­ terest, dividends, and sources other than those for which schedules (B, C, D, and F) are required, you will need only Form 1040. You can use it whether you take the standard deduction or itemize de­ ductions. If you have income from sources listed below, complete and attach one or more of the follow­ ing forms: Schedule B for income from pensions, annuities, rents, royalties, partnerships, es­ tates, trusts, etc.; Schedule C for income from a personally owned business; Schedule D for income from the sale or exchange of property; and Schedule F for income from farming. WAGE EARNERS WITH LESS THAN $10,000 INCOME. You can use a simpler return (Form 1040A), printed on a punch card, if: 1. Your income was less than $10,000, AND 2. It consisted of wages re­ ported on withholding statements (Forms W-2) and not more than $200 total of other wages, interest, and dividends, AND 3. Instead of itemizing deduc­ tions, you wish to use the tax table or to take the standard deduction which is generally the higher of: (a) the 10-percent standard de­ duction—about 10 percent of your income, or (b) the minimum standard de­ duction—an amount equal to . $200 ($100 if married and filing separate return) plus $100 for each exemp­ tion claimed on item 15 on the back of your Form 1040A. If your income is less than $5,000, you can choose to have the Internal Revenue Service figure your tax for you. A husband and wife may file a joint return Form 1040A if their combined incomes do not exceed these limits. DON'T USE FORM 1040A IF— (1) You wish to take any de­ ductions for specific items, such as unreimbursed employee ex­ penses. (2) You wish to claim a re­ tirement income credit: (3) You wish to compute your tax under the head-of-household rates or to claim "surviving spouse" benefits. (4) You wish to claim any ex­ clusion for wages or salary you received for a period while you were sick and this amount is shown on your Form W-2. (5) You wish to claim credit for payments of estimated tax for the taxable year or for an over­ payment from 1966. (6) Your wife (or husband) is filing a separate return on Form 1040 and itemizes her (or his) de­ ductions. (7) You have a nonresident alien status. HOW TO PAY The balance of tax shown to be due on your return must be paid in full with your return if it amounts to $1 or more. Make checks or money order, payable to "Internal Revenue Service." ROUNDING OFF TO WHOLE made in this credit for Social Se­ Workmen's compensation, insur­ ance, damages, etc., for injury curity benefits. DOLLARS or sickness. The money items on your re­ HOW TO REPORT YOUR IN­ turn and schedules may be shown COME. All income in whatever Interest on State and municipal bonds. in whole dollars. This means that form received which is not spe­ you eliminate any amount less cifically exempt must be included Federal Social Security benefits. than 50 cents, and increase any in your income tax return, even Railroad Retirement Act benefits. amount from 50 cents through 99 though it may be offset by deduc­ Gifts, inheritance, bequests. cents to the next higher dollar. tions. Examples are given below: ADVANTAGES OF A JOINT Example of income Which Must RETURN. Generally it is advan­ Be Reported: Wages, salaries, tageous for a married couple to bonuses, conunissions, fees, tips, file a joint return. There are bene­ and gratuities. fits in figuring the tax on a joint Dividends. return which often result in a lower tax than would result from Interest on bank deposits, bonds, notes. separate returns. Interest on U. S. Savings bonds. CHANGES IN MARITAL Profits from business or profes­ STATUS. If you are married at sion. the end of 1967, you are consid­ Your share of partnership profits. ered married for the entire year. Profits from sales or exchanges If you are divorced or legally sep­ of real estate, securities, or other arated on or before the end of property. 1967, you are considered single Industrial, civil service and other for the entire year. If your wife or pensions, annuities, endow­ DIVIDEND INCOME. If a husband died during 1967, you are ments. considered married for the entire Rents and royalties from property, seaman has dividend income from stocks he can exclude the first year. Generally, a joint return patents, copyrights. may be filed for 1967 provided Your share of estate or trust in­ $100 from his gross income. If a Joint return is filed and you have not remarried before the come. - Both husband and wife uave divi­ end of 1967. Employer supplemental unemploy­ dend income, each one ex­ EXEMPTIONS Each taxpayer ment benefits. clude $100 of divideC'ls from is entitled to a personal exemp­ Alimony, separate maintenance their gross income. tion of $600 for himself, $600 for or support payments received WELFARE, PENSION AND his wife, an additional $600 if he from (and deductible by) your VACATION BENEFITS. Bene­ is over 65 and another $600 if he husband (or wife). is blind. The exemptions for age Prizes and awards (such as items fits received from the SIU Wel­ and blindness apply also to a tax­ received from radio and TV fare Plan do not have to be re­ payer's wife, and can also be ported as income. shows, contests, raffles, etc.). Payments received from the claimed by both of them. Examples of Income Which SIU Pension Plan are includible In cases where a man's wife Should Not Be Reported: lives in a foreign country, he can Disability retirement payments as income on the tax return of still claim the $600 exemption and other benefits paid by the those pensioners who retire with a normal pension. There is a spe­ for her. Veterans Administration. In addition, a taxpayer can Dividends on veterans' inusurance. cial retirement income tax credit claim $600 for each child, parent, Life insurance proceeds upon to be calculated on Schedule B grandparent, brother, brother-in(Continued on page 10) death. law, sister, sister-in-law, and each uncle, aunt, nephew or niece de­ LONG-TRIP TAX PROBLEMS pendent on him, if he provides more than one-half of their sup­ A major tax beef by seamen is that normally taxes are not port during the calendar year. The withheld on earnings in the year they earned liie money, but dependent must have less than in the year the payoff took place! $600 income and live in the U. S., For example, a seaman who signed on for a five-month Canada, Mexico, Panama or the trip in September, 1966, paying off in January, 1967, would Canal Zone. have all the five months' earnings appear on his 1967 W-2 A child under 19, or a student slip and all the taxes withheld in 1967. This practice could over 19 can earn over $600 and increase his taxes in 1967 even though his actual 1967 earn­ still count as a dependent if the ings might be less than those in 1966. taxpayer provides more than oneThere are ways to minimize the impact of this situation. half of his support. For example, while on the ship in 1966, the Seafarer un­ The law also enables a seaman doubtedly took draws and may have sent allotments home. who is contributing (with other These can be reported as 1966 income. relatives) more than ten percent Unfortunately, this raises another complication. The sea­ of the support of a dependent to man who reports these earnings in 1966 will not have a W-2 claim an exemption for that in­ (withholding statement) covering them. He will have to list dividual, provided the other con­ all allotments, draws and slops on the tax return and explain tributors file a declaration that why he doesn't have a W-2 for them. Furthermore, since they will not claim the dependent no tax will have been withheld on these earnings in 1966, he that year. will have to pay the full tax on them with his return, at 14 CREDIT FOR EXCESS •SO­ percent or upwards, depending on his tax bracket. CIAL SECURITY (FICA) TAX The earnings will show up on his 1967 W-2. The seaman PAID. If a total of more than then, on his 1967 return would have to explain that he had $290.40 of Social Security (FICA) reported some of the earnings in 1966 and paid taxes on tax was withheld from the wages them. He would get a tax refund accordingly. of either you or your wife be­ In essence, the seaman would pay taxes twice on the same cause one or both of you worked income and get a refund a year later. While this will save for more than one employer, you the seaman some tax money in the long run, it means he may claim the excess over $290.40 is out-of-pocket on some of his earnings for a full year imtil as a credit against your income he gets refunded. tax. This procedure would also undoubtedly cause Internal TAX CREDIT FOR RETIRE­ Revenue to examine his returns, since the income reported MENT INCOME. A tax credit is would not jibe with the totals on his W-2 forms. That raises the question, is this procedure justified? It is allowed for individuals against re­ justified only If a seaman had very little income in one year tirement income such as rents, div­ and very considerable income the next. Otherwise the tax idends and earnings at odd jobs. saving is minor and probably not worth the headache. However, an adjustment must be �Page Eight SEAFARERS House Bolsters Truth-ln-LendlngBHI; Plugs Loopholes in Senute Version li.' February 16, 1968 LOG WASHINGTON—The House has strengthened the Senate-passed truth-in-lending bill to give a dramatic victory to the American consumer. With a strong assist from labor, the Administration and consumer organizatior\s, sponsors of a loophole-free interest disclosure The House-passed measure cor­ in calling for closing of the loop­ bill, rallied a decisive House rects major weaknesses in the Sen­ hole. majority to beat down restrictive ate bill: amendments. Soundly Defeated • It would cover revolving credit charge accounts used by Both the House and Senate ver­ The revolving credit loophole sions—'Which now go to confer­ many department stores which was defeated on a 131-10 teller ence—are aimed at making it pos­ quote low-sounding monthly rates. vote and the $10 exemption was • It would cover all transac­ shouted down on a voice vote. sible for consumers to "shop" for the best buy in credit by requiring tions, not just those in which the The House bill prohibits garn­ that interest rates and credit credit charge is under $10. The ishment of the first $30 of a charges be expressed in terms of Senate's exemption in effect ex­ worker's wages and limits garnish­ cluded purchases amounting to ment to 10 percent of wages above simple annual interest. more than $100. that amount. It bars an employer Thus a rate of 1.5 percent a A majority of the House Bank­ from firing a- workdir because of a month would be translated into ing and Currency Committee had 18 percent a year and misleading voted to amend the strong truth- single wage garnishment. The Senate bill does not deal advertisements of "4 percent fi­ in-lending bill introduced by Rep­ with garnishment. nancing" on new cars, involving resentative Leonor K. Sullivan (DThe House also added a soelaborate systems of concealed Mo.) to add the loopholes on re­ called "loan shark" amendment charges, would be outlawed. volving credit and under-$10 which would make it a federal Adds New Section charges. crime to charge interest rates ex­ AFL-CIO Legislative Director ceeding maximum rates allowed The House also added a new section limiting the amount of a Andrew J. Biemiller, in a letter under state law—in the 43 states worker's wages subject to garnish­ to all House members, said there which have usury laws. ment and protecting a worker was "no shred of justification" for Throughout the House debate, against being fired because a single exempting revolving credit from former Senator Paul H. Douglas annual interest rate disclosure. creditor attaches his pay. He said the under-$10 exemp­ (D-Ill.) was singled out as the tion was "even more objection­ man who launched the truth-inable." It would mean "a society lending campaign eight years ago matron who charged a $500 gown and did the most to arouse the would be told exactly what the public to the misleading nature of •credit 'costs were; an ordinary most credit and interest charges. At one stage in the debate. Rep­ housewife who charged $50 worth of clothes for her children would resentative Paul A. Pino (R-N.Y.), who supported the revolving credit be kept in ignorance." loophole, tried to quote Douglas Mrs. Sullivan, backed by her as a supporter of the Senate bilL committee chairman. Representa­ VIENNA—Exactly how impor­ tive Wright Patman (D-Tex.), took Representative Joseph G. Mintant can a national merchant the fight to the House floor. An ish (D-N.J.) was immediately on marine be to a landlocked neutral unexpected assist came when his feet with the transcript of the European nation such as Austria? stores which do not use revolving House committee hearings at Could any benefits derived from credit realized that the Senate bill which Douglas termed the strong­ a maritime fleet outweigh the costs would give a competitive advan­ er House version "superior to the of acquiring and maintaining it? tage to those that do—and joined Senate bill." The answer is a definite "Yes," says Dr. H. G. Wurmboeck, of Continentale Motorschiffahrts Co., writing in a recent issue of "Die Presse." In examining the many positive aspects of creating an Austrian merchant fieet. Dr. Wurmboeck A three-member federal panel turned to private talks with labor turned to the example provided by and management representatives after winding up four days , of neighboring Switzerland. Like hearings into the 23-state strike of more than 50,000 copper work­ Austria, Switzerland too is land­ ers, now in its seventh month. The strike started July 15 after locked and neutral, so that its sup­ The panel, named by the sec­ the Big Four companies made a ply lines would be unpredictable in the event of an armed conflict retaries of labor and commerce "take it or leave it" offer. It has in which it chooses not to partici­ to help achieve a settlement, spread to 11 firms with 61 mines, leard two hours of explanation mills and smelting plants. pate. from each of four big nonferrous Testimony by Big Four com­ Fleet Upgraded metal companies and spokesmen pany officials produced these atti­ In World War II, he said, Switz­ for the 26 unions involved in con­ tudes: erland transported about 600,000 tract negotiations. The Anaconda Co. said settle­ Company representatives made ment of the strike is possible if tons of foodstuffs in its own ships, t clear they are determined to the workers drop their proposals, but because it purchased its first ship as late as 1941 and had not hold out for their own terms. The adopt a more conciliatory attitude been prepared with a merchant unions characterized the manage­ on contract issues and return to marine for emergency use, it was ments' attitude as a refusal to bar­ work while negotiations continue. forced to purchase old and expen­ gain realistically and an insistence The American Smelting & Re­ sive vessels. Gradually, the fieet on complete union surrender. fining Co. said that while the issue The panel will continue private of company-wide bargaining is had to be renewed in order for it meetings with both sides in its impbrtant, there are probably a to operate effectively. Today, as a search for the key to settlement. couple of dozen strike issues but result, Switzerland has about 32 merchant ships totalling 200,000 After all public and private meth­ "we really don't know what they gross registered tons sailing the ods have been explored it will re- are." )ort the facts to Labor Secretary seas under the Swiss flag. Steelworker witnesses gave the W. Willard Wirtz and Commerce panel an anlysis of the industry's The lessons, said Wurmboeck, Secretary Alexander B. Trowpension and insurance programs show that action in creating a mer­ )ridge. and called them grossly inferior chant marine must not drag until The panelists are Dr. George to those of industry generally. it is too late, and that complete W. Taylor of the University of ownership—not mere chartering "•ennsylvania, chairman; Msgr. Bernard Greenberg of the USWA pension and insurance department —of vessels is a necessity. Aus­ George G. Higgins, director of testified that the companies' real trian ownership of a strong mer­ the Social Action Department of objection to company-wide bar­ chant marine must not be left in the United States Catholic Con­ gaining is their desire to continue doubt, he declared, especially ference, and George E. Reedy of "chiseling" on wages and condi­ since property rights are examined the Struthers Wells Corp., former tions at their wide-spread proper­ very critically in wartime. iVhite House press secretary. ties. Cites Benefits Of Strong Fleet To Landlocked Copper Companies Sabotage Strike Settlement Hearings Keeping Up! Following regular monthly membership meeting at Brooklyn headquar­ ters, Seafarers Fred Calon (left) and William Theme relax in hall with latest copy of the LOG. Fred sails as AB; Bill in engine department. The Great Lakes by Fred Famen,Seeretary-Treasurer,GrMt Lakae The MTD Port Council in Detroit has endorsed Walter Blake for the position of Port Director of the Wayne County Port Commission. Blake was endorsed by more than 30 delegates repre­ senting the various local and international unions in this city. He has studied all aspects of marine transportation and ship operations and he obtained an unlimited Mariner's certificate and maintained it that is "more informative." We for 15 years. are waiting for more information He has maintained naval re­ from Washington on this matter. serve activities in a MSTS unit Harold Carrol, one of our old and has had active duty assign­ timers has passed iaway. He was ments in port operations in New 64 years old and sailed in the York. In addition, Blake also galley. Brother Carrol's last ship sailed as ship's officer on many was the Niagara. U.S. merchant vessels. We believe he has a great deal The Detroit Wayne County of experience an we wholeheart­ MTD held it's first 1968 meeting edly back him for this important at the Operating Engineers Local maritime position. 344 Hall in Detroit recently. More than 30 different locals had dele­ Duluth The annual maritime Port gates in attendence. Council election of officers on Jan­ SIUNA Vice-President John uary 22 resulted in the election of Yarmola addressed the delegates Harry Bloomquist of the Grain and reported on the activities of Millers, as Presi­ dent. Jackie Hall the Maritime Trades Department of the SIU was in Washington and across the na­ elected secretary- tion. treasurer. Our new affiliate, the SIUNA An organiza­ Automobile Salesman Association tional luncheon of has signed contracts with 36 auto­ the Duluth-Su- mobile dealerships in the Etetroit periior-Ashland Port Council will area. President Carl Van Zant has be held on March advised that the union is picket­ 11. Guest speaker will be Peter ing six different dealerships and McGavin, executive secretary- they expect to sign them up soon. treasurer of the Maritime Trades The ASA have 2,500 members and have been certified by the Department. NLRB in 110 separate elections. Frank Hardt, Doug Smith and Gary Dunne of the original navi­ Frankfort gational class, are taking their The City of Green Bay will re­ radar examinations. We wish them main on a 20 and 8 schedule un­ good luck. til further notice, we have been in­ formed. It had been announced Chicago that the ship would go on a 5 and Only one vessel, the tanker 2 schedule, but the company has Detroit is operating in this area. changed it's mind. Seafarers on that ship took ad­ Rolling' Skinner has been re­ vantage of a day's lay-up to take leased from the Paul Oliver Mem­ a physical at our new clinic. We took a team of Great Lakes orial Hospital and is not expected operators on an inspection tour to be FFD for several weeks. of our training facilities at Piney George Iverson is confined to that Point, Maryland, and they were hospital and we wish him a speedy recovery. extremely impressed. We have met with the Coast Byron McClellan, an oiler from Guard on the matter of their in­ the MV Arthur K. Atkinson and tentions to change the type of Ralph Dodge, an electrician from seaman's documents now being the MV Viking, are on a leave of used. They said they would like absence to attend the engineer's to change the document to one school in Toledo. • X �Page Nine SEAFARERS LOG Ji M f} % • 17 ii^ I , r i \'l % ariners both ancient and modern—since as long ago as the year 500 B.C.—have been seeking to uncover the secrets of the ocean tides which some have called the pulse of the Earth. From earliest times, those who fished for a liveli­ hood watched tidal phenomena closely and, although they didn't understand the reasons behind what they saw, realized that the shape and size of the moon in its periodic phases indicated the best time for them to haul in a good catch. For many centuries, however, such observations remained entirely primitive since the more advanced ancient civilizations of the near and middle East were located on the calmer shores of the Mediter­ ranean or other seas where natural variations in tides rarely amount to more than a foot or so. In these areas the high gales of a storm, flooding rivers, earth­ quakes or drought were the only phenomena con­ nected with the sea that were ever encountered. It was not until the first Phoenician and Greek mariners ventured forth into unknown and rougher seas in search of precious minerals and stones that any observations on tides were actually recorded. These hardy treasure hunters were natural enough navigators to seek shelter from storms and ride out prevailing gales but the daily variations of sea level, found even in their havens of refuge, were new to them. But, recalling grim tales of the disasters suffered by others who had gone before them, they respected the obvious differences between high and low tides a^nd soughf to learn more about them. It was no less true then than it is now that ignorance of the decrees of Mother Nature can make her a deadly foe while awareness of these decrees goes a long way toward winning her welcome. Local fishermen encountered on distant foreign shores showed the mariners that after the full flood of spring tides, during times when the moon was new or full, the water level would then fall low enough for them to gather great quantities of mussells, crabs and other seafood from vast areas of exposed beach. Also learned from the fishermen was the fact that when the moon showed only half its round disc, at the quarters between new and full periods, there was only slight movement in the tide level of the sea. These periods were referred to by the earliest observers as the time of the Dead-water. In the year 350 B.C., Aristotle perhaps best sum­ med up the total practical knowledge learned by the ancients when he wrote: "It is even said that many ebbings and risings of the sea always come round with the moon and upon certain fixed days." Other scattered records have been found, including a record by the Roman historian Pliny (A.D. 23-79) of ranges between high and low water in a number of places where Roman military expeditions met with failure in strange western seas, but they proved of little scientific value. This is believed to be largely due to the fact that the warring ancients kept new and vital information so secret from each other that much important data was not passed down to succeeding generations. Ignorance of tidal phenomena, for instance, was the source of serious defeat and great embarrassment to Julius Caesar during a disastrous attack on Britain. His war galleys were stranded high and dry on English beaches during the Dead-water—or neap tide—^and then inundated by the following surge of the spring tide. Caesar later felt called upon to explain this by writing in his De Bello Gallico that his defeat was due to the fact that none of his people knew any­ thing about the rel ationship between the moon and such unexpected high tides. This at a time when all Britons, Phoeniceans and Greeks of the ancient maritime world were already well aware at least of the broad outlines of tidal phenomena in connec­ tion with the phases of the moon. Even some 1,600 years later, the Britons were still able to capitalize on the ignorance of attackers in naval actions. Tidal bores—^those which are blocked by cliffs or a high shoreline but open into a narrow estuary or river with a high rush of water similar to a flash flood—and rip tides confounded the Spanish Armada in the 16th century. Confused by these and strong winds in opposite directions to tidal streams, the crewmembers of the hitherto invincible invading fleet had to give all their frantic energies to keeping clear of the shore and outlying soals, handling their gear at great peril while driving to leeward as well. At these times, the ships of Sir Francis Drake were usually able to withdraw safely to vantage points in the lee of weather, shores and dangers, and make necessary repairs in preparation for the next encoun­ ter with their assailants. Sir Isaac Newton's discovery of gravity in the 17th century laid the groundwork for tidal science which today can precisely predict the ebb and flow of tides and provide accurate tables of their exact heights and times. Advances in this science over the last hundred years have been tremendous and vast amounts of data which once were compiled laboriously by hand can now be produced by computers for use in min­ utes. As recently as 1918, however, Newton's principle of gravitational pull and lunar attraction with respect to tides was not fully understood generally. Tidal ebb and flow—an age-old cause of death and destruc­ tion—was overlooked by all but experts as the chief factor in one of the worst sea disasters of modem times. During a blinding snowstorm in October of 1918, the Canadian steamship Princess Sophia was sailing south toward Juneau, Alaska, in the Lynn Canal when she struck a reef obscured by the storm. A quick inspection revealed that, although there was a wide breach in the vessel's hull, she was anchored solidly on the reef and inflowing water could easily be handled by the pumps aboard. Realizing that the ship would be likely to sink only if he attempted to back off, the captain radioed a sister ship for help and settled down to wait. Within hours, a second storm suddenly broke and the ele­ ments took over. The captain sent an urgent SOS and two more "as the water grew higher, but the near­ est ship was unable to reach the Sophia's position for six hours and then was prevented by the violent storm from approaching close enough for rescue in the rapidly-rising seas. Within 24 hours the Sophia and the 349 persons aboard her were lost. The tragedy—with a greater loss of life than the more publicized sinkings of the Vestris off Virginia in 1928 and the Morro Castle off New Jersey in 1934 combined—^was attributed in the press to storm, wind and running seas but this was not actually the case. The moon, with its gravi­ tational pull that causes tides, was directly responsi­ ble for the sinking of the Sophia. A flood tide, and nothing else, came at the height of the storm, lifted the stricken vessel from its secure anchorage on the reef, and set it over on its side to be sunk by seas rushing into the gash in its hull. The tidal whim which brought about the demfse of the Sophia was not realized by the general public— but it was well known by many men who make the sea their life that gravity was, indeed, the force that threw the final die. Simple though it is, the fact discovered by Newton so many centuries ago has no real meaning to the average person. He leans too far from a ladder and he falls; he drops his watch and it breaks. But he doesn't know why, or, perhaps more accurately, for­ gets why because Newton's principle remains in the shadow of a dimly-recalled schoolroom and all that February 16, 1968 is remembered is the concept of the apple falling from a tree. As much as the gravitational pull of the earth makes us fall from the ladder, the gravitational pull of the moon—in the opposite direction—causes our largest tides. The sun has a similar effect but, since it is so much farther away, its pull on earth and sea is only about one-third that of the moon. At the time of full or new moon, however, when the line of pull of sun and moon are both in the same direction, we have periods of extremely high tidal swells such as those which lifted the Princess Sophia from her safe position on the reef and brought about her violent destruction. Rip tides, such as those which helped to defeai the Spanish Armada centuries ago, are no longer a real danger to ships in modern day of accurate predictions and advanced technology, but they remain as a treacherous pitfall to even the most able swimmers. A recent stunning example of the rip tide's everpresent trap was seen in the tragic drowning of the late Prime Minister of Australia, Harold Holt, an experienced swimmer, fully familiar with the waters in which he died. Common to many ocean beaches, rip tides in our own country are particularly vicious on the Pacific coast. A sailor some years ago perished during a late afternoon swim off of La Jolla, Calif., when he was caught up in a rip tide and was unfamiliar with the nature of this overwhelmingly strong current. It is no secret that a rip tide is limited to a narrow band of water and that a swimmer can escape its reach by swimming to one side or the other. However, the suddenness with which one finds himself engulfed by a rip tide apparently renders knowledge of its nature useless. The sailor was ignorant of the tide and Holt knew it well—but both were drowned. As violent as the tides can be, they also have their gentler and more benevolent side. As well as destroy­ ing life, they can also bring it about. Typical of this is the spawning cycle of the shore-dwelling Grunion, a silver-sided fish native to the California coast. According to a report compiled by a staff member of the California State Fisheries Laboratory, the spawning season of the Grunion runs from March to August of each year and the female ripens ,a batch of eggs at two-week intervals during these months. Thus, the report says, "spawning occurs only every two weeks and the time required to mature a batch of eggs is so mysteriously adjusted that the fish are ready to spawn only on the three or four nights when occur the exceptionally high tides accompanying the full and dark of the moon." The report goes on to say that these spawning runs occur exclusively at night and only on those nights when each succeeding tide is lower than on the night before. "On any given night, the run occurs just at or somewhat after the turn of the tide and lasts for about one hour," the CSFL paper continues. "The Grunion are washed up on th: beach with the larger waves; the female quickly digs tail first into the sand for about half the depth of her body, then extrudes her eggs which are fertilized by the male as he lies arched around her." The entire process takes only some 30 seconds. Buried close to the high water level, the eggs are buried deeper in the sand as the beach is built up by later, lower tides. Two weeks later the spring tides erode the beach, free the eggs, hatch the baby Grun­ ion and wash them out into their natural element. This very delicate relationship between fish and tidal phenomena assures the perpetuation of a fish which is unique in its spawning process. As of today, experts in charge of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey of our own Environmental Science Services Atoinistration—as well as tidal scientists of other nations—can tell us when the tide will come in or go out next year, next century, a mil­ lion years from now. With all of our modern science and technology, however, the sea and its tides continue to withold secrets. Although we can compute its behaviour in any given port or coastal region in the world, the vertical rise and fall of tidal movement in the depth of the oceans, which cover more than two thirds of the surface of our planet, remain as much of a mys­ tery as they were in the days of Aristotle and Newton. But dedicated men are seeking the answers every day and these mysteries, too, will one day be uncovered. �Page Ten Fcbraary 16, 1968 SEAFARERS LOG [DISPATCHERS The Gulf Coast by Lindsey Williams, Vice-President, Gulf Area With the reactivating of the Delta fleet, shipping in the port of New Orleans has picked up considerably. Within four days, seven Delta ships crewed up with the balance set to go shortly. A lot of Seafarers are back on their familiar jobs. Maurice Duet shipped back on the Del Oro as AB. Alton Booth returned to the Del ^ Santos as chief steward. Francis chief cook and baker. Johnny has Peredne is glad to be back on the been a member of the Union Del Sud as engine utility while the since its inception and lives in Del Aires welcomed back third Pritchard, Ala. cook G. Garfin. Frank Mason had a long trip Nils Gronberg has taken a lik­ ing to the Delta Line ships and is a second electrician aboard the Del Sol. Dom DiMaio hadn't shipped with Delta prior to the strike, but he's now a new AB on the Del Santos. We are saddened to report the death of Margaret Gautier, cashier Andrews in the New Orleans hall. Mrs. to India as oiler on the Duval. A Gautier was the only cashier since 20 year man, Frank's a resident of it was opened six years ago. She Mobile. passed away January 12, after returning home from work. Sur­ A veteran of Gulf Coast ship­ viving is a son, Emile E. Gautier, ping, Bob Smith was GWT on the Jr. and three grandchildren. Del Aires last time out. Mobile L. B. Lott has returned to the deck department after a year on the beach. He's shipped from the Gulf area and has been a member of the Union for 20 years. Golee Andrews wants to stick to the short runs like his recent trips to Puerto Rico. Although an AB on his last ship, Golee sails mostly as bosun. Johnny Knowles is waiting for a good ship to use his talents as Houston Shipping has been very good in this port and a number of old tim­ ers have been shipped out in the past two weeks. Among them are R. W. Simpkins, P. G. King, G. Martinez, J. A. Tucker, B. J. Butts, and E Lasoya. The outlook here is very good with the following due in port, Sabine, Cbilore, Spitfire, Battlecreek, Ocean Villa and Transburon. GOME TAX GUIDE for Seafarers (Continued from page 7) personal property used in business. The credit is an amount equal to which is to be attached to the re­ 7 percent of such investment and turn. Pensioners under 65 who re­ applied against your income tax. INCOME AVERAGING. A ceive a disability pension do not have to include such payments on Seafarer who has an unusually their tax returns. However, all large amount of taxable income disability pension payments re­ for 1967 may be able to reduce ceived after age 65 are taxable the total amount of his tax by in the same manner as a normal using the income averaging meth­ pension. od. This method permits a part Vacation pay received from the of the unusually large amount of Seafarers Vacation Plan is taxable taxable income to be taxed in . income in the same manner as lower brackets, resulting in a re­ wages. duction of the over-all amount of DEATH BENEFIT EXCLU­ tax due. SION. If you receive pension pay­ The following items can be used ments as a beneficiary of a de­ as deductions against income (IF ceased employee, and the em­ YOU DO NOT TAKE THE ployee had received no retirement STANDARD DEDUCTIONS): pension payment, you may be en­ CONTRIBUTIONS. A tax­ titled to a death benefit exclusion payer can deduct up to 20 per­ of up to $5,000. cent pf gross income for contribu­ GAMBLING GAINS. All net tions to charitable institutions, and gains from gambling must be re­ an additional ten percent in con­ ported as income. However, if tributions to churches, hospitals more was lost than gained during and educational institutions. the year, the losses are not de­ INTEREST. Interest paid to ductible, but simply cancel out banks and individuals on loans, the gains. mortgages, etc., is deductible. INVESTMENT CREDIT. TAXES. In general, you can Form 3468 is to be used by a deduct: personal property taxes, Seafarer claiming the investment real estate taxes, state or local re­ credit. The credit is allowed for tail sales taxes, state gasoline taxes investment in tangible depreciable and state income taxes actually From Jan. 25, 1968 to Feb. 7, 1968 DECK DEPARTMENT TOTAL SHIPPED TOTAL REGISTERED Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Jacksonville Tampa Mobile New Orleans Houston Wilmington San Francisco ... Seattle Totals Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Jacksonville Tampa Mobile New Orleans .... Houston Wilmington San Francisco ... Seattle Totals Port Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk Jacksonville Tampa Mobile New Orleans Houston Wilmington San Francisco .. Seattle Totals All Groups Class A Class B 1 3 36 37 7 10 15 8 10 17 13 14 9 5 20 16 40 33 34 32 22 10 31 59 18 4 255 250 REGISTERED on BEACH All Groups Class A Class B 11 3 216 102 26 20 93 48 21 26 17 5 15 7 96 57 171 109 108 60 50 0 71 3 36 6 931 452 AU Groups Class A Class B Class C 2 11 42 24 2 5 7 2 13 13 0 18 12 4 8 12 10 2 2 0 6 13 73 34 5 37 40 6 16 8 7 20 37 19 17 4 12 259 195 71 ENGINE DEPARTMENT TOTAL REGISTERED REGISTERED on BEACH STEWARD DEPARTMENT TOTAL REGISTERED TOTAL SHIPPED All Groups REGISTERED on BEACH All Groups Class A Class B 3 0 56 28 7 12 13 12 10 7 7 10 4 4 14 11 34 39 32 25 17 7 21 63 20 1 254 203 Class A Class B 0 0 34 17 6 2 8 7 7 3 9 5 6 2 11 10 29 20 30 22 12 6 51 44 16 2 219 140 paid within the year. You cannot deduct: Federal excise taxes. Fed­ eral Social Security taxes, hunting and dog licenses, auto inspection fees, tags, drivers licenses, alco­ holic beverage, cigarette and to­ bacco taxes, water taxes and taxes paid by you for another person. MEDICAL AND DENTAL EXPENSES. All expenses over three percent of adjusted gross income for doctor and dental bills, hospital bills, medical and hospi­ tal insurance, nurse care and sim­ ilar costs can be deducted. Other such costs include such items as eyeglasses, ambulance service, transportation to doctors' offices, rental of wheelchairs and similar equipment, hearing aids, artificial limbs and corrective devices. However, if the Seafarer is re­ imbursed by the Seafarers Welfare Plan for any of these costs, such as family, hospital and surgical ex­ penses, he cannot deduct the whole bill, only that part in excess of the benefits paid by the Plan. All expenses over one percent of adjusted gross income for drugs and medicine can be deducted. All Groups Class A Class B 10 3 116 141 18 17 61 40 26 16 7 5 6 7 70 57 100 167 87 64 25 0 47 6 24 10 620 500 All Groui>s Class A Class B Class C 1 1 0 39 9 44 7 4 4 10 3 13 9 11 10 13 6 11 0 1 4 3 1 3 8 59 41 28 27 9 6 4 5 30 11 17 16 9 5 79 191 202 Class A Class £t Class C 2 0 0 14 28 8 3 8 0 9 0 2 10 6 13 5 5 , 20 3 0 ^ 5 2 1 36 1 55 27 21 17 6 4 5 29 17 11 7 3 10 177 113 104 " Class A Class B 3 1 38 153 9 19 58 44 9 10 6 3 3 11 60 44 90 121 69 41 20 1 47 3 30 8 607 294 The deductible portion is then reasonable value of all clothing and gear lost at sea due to storm, combined, with other medical and vessel damage, etc., for which the dental expenses which are subject taxpayer is not otherwise compen­ to the normal three percent rule. sated, can be deducted as an exIn figuring your deduction, you can deduct an amount equal to pen.se. The same applies to fire one-half of the insurance premi­ loss or losses in auto accidents ums paid for medical care for which are not compensated by in­ yourself, your wife, and depend­ surance. These losses are limited ents. The maximum amount de­ to the amount in excess of $1(X) ductible is $150.00. The other for each loss. one-half, plus any excess over the WORK CLOTHES, TOOLS. $150.00 limit is deductible subject The cost and cleaning of uniforms to the normal three percent rule. and work clothes which ordinarily The one and three percent lim­ cannot be used as dress wear can itations apply in all cases, regard­ be deducted. This includes pro­ less of your age, or the age of your tective work shoes, gloves, caps, wife or other dependents. foul weather gear, clothing ruined CARE OF CHILDREN AND by grease or paint, plus tools OTHER DEPENDENTS. If de­ bought for use on the job, or ductions are itemized, a woman books and periodicals used in di­ or a widower (including men who rect connection with work. are divorced or legally separated UNION DUES. Dues and ini­ under a decree and who have not tiation fees paid to labor organiza­ remarried, or a husband whose tions and most union assessments wife is incapacitated or is institu­ can be deducted. tionalized for at least 90 consecu­ PURCHASE OF U.S. SAV­ tive days or a shorter period if INGS BONDS. If you are entitled she dies, may deduct expenses to a refund, you may apply it to paid, not to exceed a total of $600, the purchase of Series E. U.S. for one dependent, or not to ex­ Savings Bonds. If you check the ceed a total of $900 for two or appropriate box you will be is­ more dependents for the care of: sued as many bonds as your re­ (a) dependent children under 13 fund will buy in multiples of $18.years of age or 75 for each $25 face value bond. (b) dependent persons (exclud­ DECLARATION OF ESTI­ ing husband or wife) physi­ MATED TAX. The purpose of cally or mentally incapable this declaration is to provide for of caring for themselves; current payment of taxes not col­ if such care is to enable the tax­ lected through withholding, where payer to be gainfully employed a taxpayer may have a consider­ or to actively seek gainful em­ able amount of outside income. ployment. In such cases, a Seafarer should ALIMONY. Periodic payment check the instructions on his tax of alimony to a wife in accord return carefully, as the "Declara­ with a written agreement between tion of Estimated Tax" also must them can be deducted. be filed on or before April 15, CASUALTY LOSSES. The 1968. �Laliberte At Ease in Detroit The Laliberte recently brought a load of grain into Detroit. Among the crewmen were these members of the steward department. From left to right: Harry Fernberg, porter, Arnold Kempainen, steward, Ragnar Malander, second cook and John Anderson, porter. J. 'y Retired Seafarer Kerr Recalls Hard Life of Seaman in 1920 If I / Iv I never thought that I'd ever get a pension when I started sailing in 1920, Seafarer George Kerr said in the New York Hall recently, as he was about to receive his first pension check after a 47-year career at sea. Brother Kerr has seen a lot call and fortunately 1 was picked of changes in his time, especially up by a Navy FT boat." in the steward department, where •A Coveted Job' he sails. "I was a waiter on a Before the Yarmouth was con­ passenger vessel and that was a big job in the old verted into a troop carrier during days," he said. the war, George sailed on her for "We had quite a 15 years. His job was bar waiter, few college stu­ a slot which is fast becoming a rar­ dents sailing dur­ ity. "Being a bar waiter was a ing the summer to coveted job, and the competition make some extra to land a position was fierce." money. In those On his last ship, the Puerto Rico days, there were (Motor Ships, Inc.), his fellow Sea­ three trips daily farers and the ship's officer's pre­ Kenbetween Boston sented George with a watch as a and New York." reward for his fine service through "Boston isn't the port it used the years. The Puerto Rico was to be," the veteran Seafarer re­ returning from a trip to San Juan marked. "Of course, the passenger and the presentation was made in run to Boston has been eliminated the messhall on Thanksgiving day. with the coming of air travel, but All officers and crew who were not I was sorry to see it go as I have on duty, attended. many fond memories of Boston. A resident of Long Island, I lived there for many years and Brother Kerr intends to "relax and my first ship, a sidewheeler named catch up on my reading and seven "City of Bangor," ran from Boston grandchildren." Now a widower, to Portland, Maine. I had a wait­ he has three sons and a daughter. ers job on that ship. A member of the SlU since Of all of his ships, the Yar­ 1938, he considers the pension, mouth and Robert E. Lee stand overtime pay and sickness and ac­ out most in his memory. "I was cident benefits the greatest union torpedoed on the Robert E. Lee accomplishments. during the war," Seafarer Kerr re­ called, "and the ship was hit close to New Orleans. We had a close S/l/'JUanaed 'Floating Post Offhe' Delivers the Mail to Lakes Crew Seafarers who sail the Great Lakes are frequently out of touch with their families for weeks at a time. Thus, the sight of the 'floating post office,' the SIU Great Lakes District-contracted J. W. Westcott, (J. W. Westcott Company) steaming towards their vessel in the Detroit River, is one of the most eagerly awaited mo-^~another at the lower end of the to the crew for 25 cents a letter. ments of the year. The 'floating post office,' a river. When a ship passes a He also took orders for food and 40-foot power cruiser, gives the branch office, a crewman some­ supplies. Working around the clock, sleeping between tows. men an opportunity to keep in times shouts an order for offee Captain Westcott made a success and supplies. The branch office touch with their families and the telephones the order to the main out of the venture. outside world. In the late forties, high oper­ office and the goods are delivered About 100,000 ating costs resulted in the termi­ when the vessel passes the city. pieces of mail a The Port Huron station has nation of U.S. Post Office de­ year are handled three men on boat duty, plus liveries on the Great Lakes. How­ by the cruiser, three who work in the office. In ever crewmembers protested and from April to addition to U. S. and Canadian Washington allowed private com­ early December. vessels, the Westcott services ves­ panies to bid for the mail con­ During that peri­ tract. The job went to the com­ sels of all nations. od the Lakes are pany founded by Captain West­ The mail boat was named for ice-free and open Kleman cott. the late Captain John Ward West­ to ships. The The Post Office Department Westcott has to open her Diesel cott, who sailed on the Lakes 90 once had a ruling that boats carry­ years ago. Captain Westcott engines full throttle to keep pace ing the mail could transport noth­ wanted to devise a plan to save with a large freighter. ing else and Westcott performed time in Lakes shjpping and make John Stevens, a wiper on the numerous chores for the lakers. some money at the same time. SIU Great Lakes District-con­ Eventually, the ruling was relaxed He bought a rowboat and met tracted Alpena, explained to a and Westcott started handling the cargo barges as they towed LOG reporter how the Westcott mail. past Detroit. He delivered mail delivers mail. Brother Stevens also mentioned the coffee supplied by the West­ cott. The company has a large blackboard chart listing the kind of coffee used on each ship that passes through the Detroit River. In addition to the brand name, the type of grind is noted. The Ted Persiko Charles W. Truenski ship places it's coffee order and Get in contact with your family Please contact Mrs. N. White the delivery is made. as soon as possible. They have at 9 Laurence St., Lyman, S. C. Laundry Service some important information for 29365, as soon as possible. Bob Kleman, Lakes District you. Seafarer, an oiler on the Harris Snyder, cited the laundry service Gustaf Johnson Karl Lament provided by the Westcott. "We Your daughter would like to Please contact your daughter, lower our laundry into the West­ cott and after it's cleaned ^ chore, Mrs. F. Shepard, at 32-55 Stein- hear from you. Please get in way St., L. 1. C. 11103, N. Y., as touch with her as soon as possible. they return it to us." soon as possible in regard to a ^ Lakes Seafarers are also sup­ very important matter. Stein Kristhoff plied by the Westcott with to­ Your family has had some prob­ ^ bacco, candy, soap, toothpaste lems in moving. Please get in and just about every item they Claude Pritehett touch with them as it is necessary would need. Newspapers are also Your sister, Mrs. Herman E. that new arrangements be made. supplied. Every now and then, Daniel, 605 High Street, Farma crewman gets the word he's been drafted. In that case, the ville, Va. 23901, would like you P. Lawlor Westcott takes the future soldier to contact her as soon as possible. Your wife is holding some im­ ashore. Ailing crewmembers can portant papers for you. Please get — — also depend on her for quick re­ in contact with her immediately. Refund Checks sponse in an emergency, as the Income tax refund checks are Westcott is on 24-hour call. The man's replacement is then trans­ being held for the SIU members SEAFARERS-#LOG ported back to ship by the West­ listed below by Jack Lynch, Room 201, SUP Building, 450 Harri­ cott. Feb. 16, 1968 • Vol. XXX, No. 4 The Westcott Company, lo­ son Street, San Francisco, Calif., Official Publication of the cated on First Street, Etetroit, has 94105: Margarito Borja, Andre Seafarers International Union W. Deriger, Leroy Gulley, An­ a branch office at Port Huron and of North America, drew W. Krueger, Jock On Lee. Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes Keep Informed On Welfare Rules L: ic- To facilitate the handling I of welfare claims Seafarers are reminded of the following rules regarding payment: • Failure to work at least 90 days for three consecutive years can result in the loss of prior employment credit for pension or disability purposes. • Sickness and accident benefits are collectible only to the extent of eight dollars per day not paid by maintenance and cure or disability. Claim and receipt of both in excess of that amount can result in the loss of future benefits un­ til the plan is reimbursed. Pmge Eleven SEAFARERS LOG February 16, 1968 PERSONALS and Inland Waten District, AFL-CIO L. C. Cole Please contact Mrs. Cole at 4057 Holly Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95127, as soon as you can. 4> Marvin Flrmin Your mother would like you to contact her as soon as possible. The address is Rt. 1, Box 412, Cottonport, La. 71327. Edward Giordano Please contact your wife, at Box 267, Stockton, N. J., 08559, as soon as possible. George Kerr shows Sam D'Amico, SIU administrative assistant, a watch presented to him by crew of the Puerto Rico as retirement present. Brother Kerr sailed 47 years in the steward department. —— George FHnt Your wife Mildred would like to hear from you in regard to an important matter. Contact her at 1428 W. Fayette St., Baltimore, 23, Md. Phone: 947-9364. Executive Board PAUL HALL, President EARL SHEPARD CAL TANNEB Vice-Preetdenf Exec. Vice-Prei. AL KERR See.-Treae. LINDSEY WILLIAMS Vice-President ROBERT MATTHEWS Vice-President Editor MIKE POLLACK Staff Writer* PETER WEISS HARRY WITTSCHEN STEVE STEINBERO Staff Photographer ANTHONY ANSALDI Pikllihsd klBsskhr at 810 Ihsds lilaH Amis H.E., WtililRlttB, D. C. 20018 kr tki Ssalaran latsraatleRal Ualsa, Atliitis, Gilt, Latas aa< laiaat Watara Dlitrist, AFL-CIO, CT5 Fsartk Amis, 8ntklira. 8.Y. 11232. Tal. HVaslRtk 9-8800. Ssiaai alasa pastaia paM at Waaklaftaa, D. C. POSTMASTEO'S ATTE8TI0N: Fana 3579 aarda sksali ka aaat ts Saafaiars latanialltaal URISR, Atlaatla. Galf, Lakas aat lalaad Walan Dlatrlat, AFL-CIO. 675 Fsartk Avaaaa, OraakITR, 8.Y. 11232. �Page Twelve February 16, 1968 SEAFARERS LOG FINAL DEPARTURES John Anderson, 67: Heart dis­ Ship's delegate Henry M. Connell reported on the Ocean Anna (Maritime Overseas) that "there ease claimed the life of Brother are no beefs and all is well in all departments." The Captain reported that the ship may run to Anderson on De­ Charleston, then return to the Gulf area for the payoff. As yet, no orders have come in from the cember 30, en company. Mack ^ route to USPHS Meeting Chairman Pat Ryan son. F. T. Motus, treasurer, re­ Chapman, meet­ Hospital, Boston. ing chairman, reported that the only serious pro­ ported to his shipmates that the A member of the blem aboard the ship's fund has $6.05 in the kitty. wrote that an ef­ SIU since 1952, Yellowstone (Ori­ Motus, who also served as meet­ fort will be made he joined the Un­ ental Exporters) is ing secretary, said that some re­ to have a televi­ ion in the port of some disputed pairs have been taken care of and sion set placed New York. He overtime for five that the others are being worked on board ship. was born in Mas­ days lodging. on. A vote of thanks was extend­ Pete Triantafillos, sachusetts and made his home in "Everything else ed to the steward department for meeting secre­ Boston. Brother Anderson sailed Padget is fine," reported their good work and the baker has tary, wrote that as chief cook and baker. Brother Ryan. turned out some excellent pastries. delegates elected were Billie PadBernard Mace, The entire department has done get, deck; Walter Ballou, engine; Mace meeting secretary, well this trip. 4f William McKeon, steward. reported that the treasury is down <|> to $1.20 after deductions for Albert Tillett, 20: An automo­ Ship's delegate Thomas Flem­ "ship's business." Engine depart­ bile accident claimed the life of Meeting Secretary Oscar Rayment delegate Bart Power reported ing has done a fine job and his Brother Tillett on nor reported from the Del Oro fellow Seafarers that one of his men was hospital­ January 3, at (Delta) that stew­ on the Halaula ized in Mombasa, while another Manns Harbor, ard W. H. Sim­ man had to leave the ship in India. Victory (Isth­ N. C. He was mons "stated the mian) have given born in North ^ merits of a mighty him a vote of Carolina and fine crew." The thanks, according J. T. DIckeson, meeting chair­ lived in Wanmen turned in man reports from the Steel Age to meeting secrechese, N. C. A "another fine voy­ tar y Harold (Isthmian) that member of the age," said Sim­ Strauss. The ship "we have had a deck department, mons. The Sea­ "had a fine Cap­ good trip. One Strauss Brother Tillett joined the Union farers, in turn, crewmember, sa­ tain who worked Evans gave a "standing loon pantryman with the ship's delegate and stew- in Norfolk. vote of thanks to the steward de­ L. Tarrats was are to help make it a pleasant partment for a fine job." Ship's hospitalized in trip," Brother Fleming reported. delegate Loyola Evans thanked Calcutta, India." The steward department turned in the men for "the fine cooperation Some disputed a top-notch job and department Wencll Oswald, 55: Brother in all matters," with no beefs or overtime, but oth­ heads reported no beefs. Engine Oswald died an accidental death Motus trouble of any kind. The ship's erwise everything delegate L. K. Harada reported on December 6 at treasury has $31.08. is OK," reported Brother Dicke- some disputed overtime. the Lakefront rr" Docks, Oregon, f ^ ^ ! Wisconsin. He J* sailed on the Great Lakes and .• ^ ..'i v.was last employed % by the Tomlinson Steamship Com­ Louis Romero, born December Donna Lee Willis, born Jan­ Laurie Stevens, born October pany. Joining the 9, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. uary 11, 1968, to Seafarer and 14, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Union in the port of New York, Jose L. Romero, Houston, Texas. Mrs. Donald L. Willis, San Fran­ Walter C. Stevens, Arnold, Md. he sailed as steward. cisco, Calif. Kyle Smith, born December 17, Eretta Adams, born November Michelle Brander, born Decem­ 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Harry 3, 1967, <to Seafarer and Mrs. ber 15, 1967, to Seafarer and Lee Smith, Galveston, Texas. Earl Adams, Mobile, Ala. Mrs. David A. Brander, Duluth, John SutclilFe, 51: Brother Sut— 4f — Minn. Roger Wall, born December 12, cliffe died in Veterans Admin­ Raymond Fleck, born August 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Sam­ 9, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. istration Hospital, Daraelle Shingleton, born Oc­ uel Wall, Channelview, Texas. Raymond Fleck, Alpena, Mich. Philadelphia, Pa. tober 10, 1967, to Seafarer and —4f on December 27. —— Mrs. James Shingleton, Baltimore, Susan Gail LeBlanc, born Au­ . A member of the Deborah Ottinger, born Jan­ Md. gust 6, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. deck department, uary 3, 1968, to Seafarer and Irvin P. LeBlanc, Houma, La. he joined the SIU Mrs. John H. Ottinger, BoothJamie Lu Henly, bom October in Philadelphia. wyn. Pa. 25, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Phillip Smith, bom November Bom in that city, Gerard James Henly, New Or­ 21, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. he resided there at Mary Michele Umphlett, bom leans, La. P. C. Smith, Port Arthur, Texas. the time of death. January 17, 1968, to Seafarer and Brother Sutcliffe served in the Mrs. William Umphlett, White SIU Lifeboat Class No, 193 Casts Off Navy from 1942 to 1946. His last Stone, Va. vessel was the Halaula Victory. He is survived by his wife, Isa­ Dan Rocha, bom December bella. The burial was in Hillside 14, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Cemetery, Roselyn Mount, Pa. Clemente Rocha, Jr., San An­ tonio, Texas. SIU ARRIVALS .-r- <I> — 4/ — 4/ ^J> ^ John Wedey Cade, Jr., born August 22, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. John W. Cade, Mobile, Ala. Christopher Lee Duiddin, born November 13, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. William Dunklin, Para­ mount, Calif. ^ Christopher Allen Goforth, born October 12, 1967, to Sea­ farer and Mrs. John J. Goforth, McMinnville, Tenn. vt' Gmy Chadwick Arch, bom De­ cember 31, 1967, to Seafarer and Mrs. Joseph G. Arch, New Or­ leans, La. a Earl Eggers, 66: Brother Eggers died on January 16, at the Dela­ ware County Me­ morial Hospital, Delaware, Pa. He joined the union in the port of Philadelphia. A native of Bethel, Pa., Brother Eg­ gers resided in Upper Darby, Pa. He sailed as tug captain and was employed by the Curtis Bay Tow­ ing Co. since 1930. Surviving is his wife, Christine. 4, William Johnson, 65: Heart dis­ ease claimed the life of Brother Johnson October 28, in New Or­ leans. A member of the SIU since 1938, he was on an SIU pension at the time of death. Born in the Virgin Is­ lands, he resided in New Orleans. He joined the Union in that port and had sailed as steward and chief cook. His last ship was the William Carmth. He is survived by his daughter, Olivia, of New Orleans. The bur­ ial was in Providence Memorial Park, Metaire, La. Charles Odom, 18: Brother 0dom died November 4 in New Orleans. Born in Poplarville, Miss., he resided in Slidell, La. Broth­ er Odom sailed as an OS. He joined the SIU in the port of New Orleans. Brother Odom had been shipping on the Del Oro. Sur­ viving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Odom of Slidell. The burial was held in Forest Lawn Mausoleum, Slidell. Francisco Bueno, 56: Brother Bueno died in John Hopkins Hos­ pital, Baltimore, January 15. He had been a mem­ ber of the steward department, sail­ ing as chief cook. Joining the union in the port of Bal­ timore, he sailed for 21 years. His last ship was the Gulfwater. At the time of death, he was on SIU pension. A resident of Baltimore, he was born in Manila. Surviving is his wife, Gertrude. Burial was in Loudon Park Cemetery, Balti­ more. Editor, SEAFARERS LOG, 675 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 11232 I would like to receive the SEAFARERS LOG—please put my name on your mailing list. informaHmni NAME STREET ADDRESS After attending the SI U's lifeboat school, these men have passed Coast Guard examinations and are now lifeboat ticket holders. In the front row are Harold Edwards (left) and Michael Myers. Sec­ ond row, (l-r): Al Kniffer, Ronnie Stanley, Leonard Montville, Manuel De Barros. Back row: Instructor Paul McGaharn, Luther Pack, Daniel Canton, Frank Kelly, Curtis Dowling, Floyd Taylor and Henry Hudson. The lifeboat school is in Mill Basin, Brooklyn. OTY STATE. ZIP. TO AVOID DUPUCAT10N: If you ara an old uibKribar and havo a dianga of addraaa, plaaaa giva your fonnar addrass baiew: cnr ' 'I SXME I! �U.S. Looking For Bargains I' < lif' 2V T» ,\ 11. i;. To flie Editor: Doesn't it seem odd that this nation, with the highest stand­ ard of living in the world, can't build a merchant fleet befitting it? Isn't there something ironic about the Administration's pressing to build ships abroad because American shipyard and operating expenses are higher? There are several re£<sons, good strong ones, that our mer­ chant fleet should be bolstered much and quick. But it seems that there is a very basic ques­ tion at the bottom of America's incoherent attitude toward the merchant fieet. Are we looking for the cheapest "bargain"? If we are out for the fast buck, we may get the fast kick that we deserve. Roger Buckridge Expresses Thanks For Union Aid To The Editor: This is to express our sin­ cere appreciation for the help and kindness shown us after the death of my husband. The floral offerings from the Transhartford and Seafarers' and officials in the New Orleans hall, plus the assistance from those officials and brothers at the funeral are appreciated. We also thank the union for the speed in which the welfare de­ partment handled his death benefits. We also wish to thank the LOG for its final departure notice. Our special thanks go to those aboard ship who tried to give him aid and comfort during his illness and for their help and thoughtfulness since 'heir return to the states. Gratefully yours, Mrs. June Gates, Johnny and Mark Marrero, La. Seafarer's Widow Thanks Union To The Editor: I desire to acknowledge re­ ceipt of your sympathy card as well as the death benefit which I recently received. I sincerely appreciate your offer of advice or assistance and should the occasion arise, I will certainly contact your wel­ fare service department. Sincerely yours Bemlce Sinnott Daly aty, Calif. <t> Welfare Plan Aids Seafarer To The Editor: This is a letter of thanks to those responsible for adminis­ tering welfare benefits to union members. I have had some extensive medical care since September of 1967 and was hospitalized three times for a total of 76 days, The Seafarers Welfare Plan has met the bulk of the Page Tliirteen SEAFARERS LOG Febraarr 16, 1968 expenses, amounting to a size­ able sum indeed. We are grateful to all those concerned and commend the Seafarers Welfare Plan. I thank you for your help and concern. Sincerely MIS. Ben Fitte Corpus Christie, Texas Drug Companies Bilking Public To the editor: How long can the drug fraud go on? Everybody knows that we are paying outrageous prices for our drugs and that the drug companies are making millions off of our backs. Sure, from time to time we expose some price fixing that has been going on among the companies, but when the dust has died they will still be charg­ ing us the same jacked-up prices as before. I am tired of getting bilked by these thieves, and I think the government has to do some­ thing to stop these companies from eating up my pay check with their high-priced and in many cases, useless drugs. Ted Niederhuber ^ Is the U.S. Really Civilized? To the editor: After reading your story on migrant farm workers in the LOG, I cannot understand the reason why these workers are not covered under the Ijlational Labor Relations Act. Every other worker in this country has the right to join a Union and this right is protected by law. Can it be that farm workers are the chosen ones? What I mean is that they have been chosen to do all the stoop labor in this country at the lowest wage that can be paid. Is the U.S. the land of oppor­ tunity only for those who are deemed entitled to have a share in our great wealth? Somehow, the farmworkers have been added to the U.S. list of second class citizens and what we as a nation are saying to them is that we have decided to exclude them from protec­ tion under our labor laws and therefore leave them wide open for exploitation at the hands of the growers. There is a growing inconsist­ ency in what America preaches and what the reality of life is here. On one hand, we create all types of tax loopholes for the rich to get richer, and with the other hand deny our neediest citizens the right to even join a Union. In addition, in our own Con­ gress there is debate going right now on whether Negroes should have the same rights that white citizens in this country have had for hundreds of years. One area under protest is their right to use public accommodations. Until this country accords full rights to all citizens, we can never call ourselves an ad­ vanced or civilized nation. No one can dispute that we are the leading technological and industrial nation in the world. It is in our treatment of human beings that we fall far short. Daniel Felix Seafarers Get Red Carpet Treatment During Visit to Governor of Gnam Seafarers David Warden and D. N. Pape have been enlisted as unofficial good will ambassadors for the island of Guam by the island's Governor, Manuel F. L. Guerrero. The two seafarers met him after a chance meeting with his secretary in the seamen's club in Guam. Their interview with the Gov­ ernor was reported to the LOG by Alfred Hirsch, ship's delegate on the Selma Victory and himself an admirer of the island's charms. "The boys met the secretary and after chatting with her awhile asked her if they might have an opportunity to meet the Gov­ ernor," reported Brother Hirsch. She told them she'd try to arrange an appointment and, somewhat to their surprise, the Governor granted them an appoint­ ment in the exeutive mansion. Warden and Pape called on Governor Guer­ rero the following day and "he really Hirsch treated us roy­ David Warren shakes hands with Governor F. L. Guerrero of Guam. ally." The boys got a terrific Seafarer Warren was a member of the Salem Victory steward dept. thrill out of it and said they were very well received, reported pantryman and Pape is a galleyBrother Hirsch. They met with would be beneficial to Guam, since man. 90 per cent of the people are de­ the Governor for some 90 minutes Brother Hirsch spoke highly of and the visit included a tour of pendent on American military in­ Guam's USO. Unlike some places the executive mansion and a look stallations for their livilihood. in foreign ports, "seamen are al­ at the Governor's collection of Seafarer Hirsch, Warden and ways welcome here," he said. No rare fish which are mounted on a Pape sailed in the steward depart­ hard liquor is served, but there's wall. ment. Brother Hirsch, a native of good food, cigars and cigarettes The Governor was "extremely London who lives in New York, and for relaxation, cards, ping interested in the American seaman is a cook while Warden sails as pong and billiards. and the state of the merchant marine," reported Hirsch. Gov­ ernor Guerrero asked the two about their families, schooling, what made them go to sea. They even discussed politics awhile and the Democratic Governor didn't mind when one of the youths told him he was a Republican. An appointee of the late Presi­ dent Kennedy, the Governor talked of his desire to promote Guam as a future tourist attrac­ tion. It is hoped that in the near future, some new hotels will be built, the Governor said. Smith Pashkoff Kennedy Brennan "Guam is a great place to visit, especially for a young man," re­ Four more Seafarers have been added to the SlU pension list and ported Brother Hirsch. Especially are guaranteed a lifetime of retirement security. The new SIU for those who like swimming and skin diving. The two Seafarers pensioners include: Joseph Brennan, John Kennedy, Julius Smith took some coral home with them and David Pashkoff. Joseph Brennan sailed as ^ for souvenirs. FOW and joined the Union in 1939. He joined the SIU in New Brother Hirsch was not new to Orleans. A native of Louisiana, the island, having visited there Philadelphia. A 27-year veteran, Brother Kennedy lives in New Or­ with the Navy during World War he was born in Pennsylvania and leans with his wife, Leah. An II. The citizens, called Guamese, resides in Philadelphia with his AB, his last ship was the Del Sud. are very friendly, he said, and wife, Dorothea. His last ship was David Pashkoff sailed as AB many would like the island to be­ the Columbia. and joined the Union in the port John Kennedy has sailed since of New York in 1948. Bom in come a U. S. state. A tourist boom Four More Seafarer Veterans Join Growing Pension Ranks Del Oro Chowhounds in Good Hands These veteran Seafarers helped turn out a fine Christmas dinner on the Del Oro (Delta). From left: Theodore Harris, cook and baker; W. H. Simmons, steward and William Autry, Jr., chief cook. New York, he now lives in Edi­ son, N. J. Brother PashkofFs last ship was the Tuscon "Victory. A member of the SIU since 1947, Julius Smith sailed as chief electrician. He joined the Union in Baltimore. A native of Penn­ sylvania, he lives in Virginia with his wife, Martha. Brother Smith's last ship was the Oakland. �SEAFARERS Page Fonrteen Febnuur 16, 1968 LOG UNfAIB TO ... DO NOT BUY -I- SIU-AGUWD Meetings New Orieans Mar. 12—2:30 p.ni. Mobile Mar. 13—^2:30 p.n]. Wilmington . Mar. 18—^2:00 p.m. San Francisco Mar. 20—2:00 p.m. Seattle Mar. 22—2:00 p.m. New York ..Mar. 4—2:30p.m. Philadelphia . Mar. 5—2:30 p.m. Baltimore . .. Mar. 6—2:30 p.m. Detroit Mar. 8—2:30 p.m. Houston . .. .Mar. 11—2:30 p.m. Great Lakes SIU Meetings Detroit Mar. Alpena Mar. Buffalo Mar. Chicago .... Mar. Cleveland ... Mar. Duluth Mar. Frankfort .. . Mar. 4—^2:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. 4—7:00 p.m. Great Lakes Tug and Dredge Region - i DIRBCrrOBYof UNIONHALLS SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes & Inland Waters Inland Boatmen's Union United Industrial Workers PRESIDENT Paul Hall EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Cal Tannar . VICE PRESIDENTS Earl Shapard Litidiay Wllliami Robart Matthaws SECRETARY-TREASURER Al Karr HEADQUARTERS *75 4th Ava^ »H|^ ALPENA. MIeh Chicago ... .Mm. 12—7:30 p.m. tSault St. Marie Mar. 14—7:30 p.m. Buffalo Mar. 13—^7:30 p.m. Duluth Mar. 15—7:30 p.m. Cleveland .. .Mar. 15—;7:30 p.m. Toledo Mar. 15—7:30 p.m. Detroit Mar. 11—7:30 p.m. MUwaukee ..Mar. 11—^7:30p.m. SIU Inland Boatmen's Union New Orleans Mar. 12—5:00 p.m. Mobile Mar. 13—5:00 p.m. ^Philadelphia .Mar. 5—5:00p.m. Baltimore (licensed and unlicensed) Mar. 6—5:00 p.m. Norfolk .... Mar. 7—5:00 p.m. Houston . .. .Mar. 11—5:00 p.m. BALTIMORE, Md IJ7 RWar St. EL 4-3*1* 121* E. Baltlmora St. EA 7-4f00 BOSTON, Mai 177 Stata St. BUFFALO, N.Y 735 Waihington St. SIU TL 3-7259 IBU TL 3-7259 CHICAGO, III 73B3 Ewing Ava. SIU SA 1-0733 IBU ES 5-7S70 CLEVELAND, Ohio 1420 W. 25th St. MA 1-5450 10225 W. Jaffarion Ava. DULUTH, Minn 312 W. 2nd St. RA 2^110 HOUSTON, Tax JACKSONVILLE, Fla JERSEY CITY, N.J VI 3-4741 Philadelphia Mar. 12—10 am. & 8 p.m. Baltimore Mar. 13—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. •Norfolk Mar. 14—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. Jersey City Mar. 11—10 a.m. & 8 p.m. MOBILE, Ala NEW ORLEANS, La NORFOLK, Va Sdtzel-Wellcr Distilleries "Old Fitzgerald," "Old Elk" "Cabin sun," W. L. WeHer Bourbon whiskeys (Distillery Workers) Kingsport Press "World Book," "Chfldcraft" (Printing Pressmen) (Typographers, Bookbinders) (Machinists, Stereotypers) Jamestown Sterling Corp. (United Furniture Workers) White Furniture Co. (United Furniture Workers of America) P.O. Box 2B7 4tS Main St. EL 7-2441 5104 Canal St. WA B-3207 2tOB Paarl St. EL 3-07S7 97 Montgomary St. HE 5-7424 Railway Marine Region \1> Rl 2-0140 DETROIT, Mich FRANKFORT, Mich 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.) I South Lawranca St. HE 2-1754 *30 Jackson Ava. Tal. 527-754* 115 3rd St. Genesco Shoe Mfg. Co. Work Shoes . . . Sentry, Cedar Chest, Statler Men's Shoes . . . Jarman, Johnson & Murphy, Crestworth, (Boot and Shoe Workers' Union) Tal. *22-1072 2*04 S. 4th St. DE *-3BIS PORT ARTHUR, Tax 134* Savanth St. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., 350 Fraamont St. DO 2-4401 SANTURCE, P.R 1313 Farnandaz Juncot Stop 20 Tal. 724-284B "HIS" Iwand men's cloffies Kaynee Boyswear, Judy Bond blouses, Hanes Knitwear, Randa Ties, Boss Gloves, Richman Brothers and SeweD Snits, 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 Mm Products (United Papermakers and Paperworkers Union) Comet Rice Mills Co. products (International Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drinks and Distillery Workers) Magic Chef Pan Pacific Division^ (Stove, Furnace and Allied Appliance Workers International Union) Marx Toy Company (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) ^ Giumarra Grapes (United Farm Workers) PHILADELPHIA, Pa United Industrial Workers SEATTLE, Wash New Orleans Mar. 12—^7:00 p.m. MohOe Mar. 13—7:00 p.m. New York ..Mar. 4—7:00p.m. Philadelphia . Mar. 5—7:00 p.m. Baltimore Mar. 6—7:00 p.m. i:Houston .. .Mar. 11—^7:00 p.m. ST. LOUIS, Mo 2505 First Avenua MA 3-4334 805 Del Mar CE 1-1434 TAMPA, Fla 312 Harrison St. Tal. 227-27BS WILMINGTON, Calif. .. 505 N. Marina Ava. Baltimore Luggage Co. Lady Baltimore, Amelia Earhart Stariite luggage Starflite luggage (International Leather Goods, Plastics and Novelty Workers Union) S34-252S YOKOHAMA, Japan. . Isaya BIdg., Room BOI 1-2 Kaigan-Dori-Nakaku 2014771 Ext. 281 Boren Clay Products Co. (United Brick and Clay Workers) Pioneer Flour Mill (United Brewery, Flour, Cereal, Soft Drink and Distillery Workers Local 110, San Antonio, Texas Gypsum Wallhoard, American Gypsum Co. (United Cement Lime and Gypsum Workers International) SEAFARER (Marine Carriers), Janu­ ary 28-i<!hBirman, W. Newson; Secre­ tary, E. LaRoda. Beef regarding the cap­ tain will be taken up with patrolman. Discussion held about shortage of stores. The steward department is doing a won­ derful job with what they have to work with. JI YELLOWSTONE (OrienUl Export), January 28—Chairman, Pat Ryan ; Secre­ tary, Bernard Mace. $1.20 in ship's fund. Some disputed OT in deck department. Vote of thanks to the galley and messman. STEEL VENDOR (Isthmian). Decem­ ber 23—Chairman; Fred Shaia ; &cretary, James Sheets. $34.20 in ship's fund. No beefs and no disputed OT reported. Mo­ tion was made to have all draws in for­ eign i>orts made in American money in­ stead of travellers checks. Brother A. Abrams was elected to serve as ship's delegate. The steward thanks all hands for the donations made for the children's party in Saigon. Vote of thanks was ex­ tended to the steward department. > I SEATRAIN SAVANNAH (Hudson Wa­ terways). January 28—Chairman, William Hart: Secretary, Webb Poplin. %ip's delegate report^ that everything is run­ ning smoothly except for delayed sailing in Long Beach, will be taken up with patrolman upon arrival in States. SELMA VICTORY (South Atlantic Caribbean). December 17 — Chairman. Alfred Hirach; Secretary, T. King. Some disputed OT in deck and engine depart­ ments. Chief cook is doing a good job as cake baker. HALCYON PANTHER (Halcyon), December 20—Chairman, George Stanley; Secretary, Eldward J. Wright. $26.00 in ship's fund. No beefs were reported by ,^^);^p)ent delegates. Brother Charles Barrone was elected to serve as ship's delegate. All crewmembers in favor of retirement after 20 years of service. PECOS (Oriental Exporters), January 25—Chairman, Louis W. Cartwright; Secretary, C. E. Turner. $24.70 in ship's fund. No beefs reported by department delegates. WAYNE VICTORY (Marine Carriers). January 21—Chairman. E E. Harris; Secretary, D. Pruett. $41.00 in ship's fund. Brother E Len was re-elected to serve as ship's delegate. One crewmember's mother passed away and crew sent sympathy wire and basket of fruit to family. No beefs were reported by de­ partment delegates. MISSOURI (Meadowbrook Transport). January 28—Chairman, H. P. Munzert; Secretary. M. Bugawan. Some disputed OT in deck department to be taken up with patrolman. Beef regarding getting a draw before arrival in port. J TRANSONEIDA (Hudson Waterways). January 14—Chairman, M. W. Murphy; Secretary, R. Mills. No beefs report^ by department delegates. Brother M. W. Murphy was elected to serve as ship's delegate. This is a new SlU-contracted ship that has been in the bone yard for 12 years and in need of a lot of repairs which the crew is doing. BURBANK VICTORY (A. L. Burbank). Secretary, E A. Stanton; Secre­ tary, Herbert E Atkinson. No beefs re­ ported by department delegates. Ship sailed two men short. STEEL ARTISAN (Isthmian), January 7—Chairman. J. Ohannasian ; Secretary, R. E Jackson. $10.61 in ship's fund. No beefs were reported by department dele­ gates. FINANCIAL REPORTS. The constitution of the SIU Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District makes specific provision for safeguardin? the membership's money and Union finances. The constitution requires a detailed CPA audit every three months by a rank and file auditing committee elected by the membership. All Union records are available at SIU headquarters in Brotficlyn. TRUST FUNDS- AU trust funds of the SIU Attantie, Gulf. Lakes and InUnd Waters District are administered in accordance with the provisions of various trust fund agreements. All these agreements specify tlut the trustees in charge of these funds shall equally consist of union and management representatives and their alternates. All expenditures and disbursements of trust funds are made only upon approval hy a majority of the trustees. All tinst fund financial records are available at the headquarters of the various tnut 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 1930, New York 4, N. YFull 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 avaflahle 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 ctmtract rights prop­ erly, contact tite 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 insiststhi Ene^ve Board of the Union. The Executive B«rd may delegate, from among ite ranks, one individual to carry out this responsibility. 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, hut feels that he should not have been required to make such payment, this should immediately he reported to headquarters. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. The SIU publishes every six months in the SEAFARERS 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 desling with charges, trials, etc., as well as all other details, then the member so affected should immediately notify headquarters. RETIRED SEAFARERS. Old-time SIU members drawing disability-pension bene­ fits have always been encouraged to continue their union activities, including attend­ ance at membership meetings. And like all other SIU members at these Union meet­ ings, they are encouraged to take an active role in all rank-and-file functions, in­ cluding service on rank-and-file committees. Because these oldtimers cannot take shipboard employment, the membership has reaffirmed the long-standing Union pol­ icy of allowing them to retain their 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 maly be discriminated against because of race, creed, ralor, national or geographic orWn. If any member feels that he is denied the equal rights to which he is entitled, he should notify headquarters. SEAFARERS POLITICAL ACTIVITY DONATIONS. One of the ^ie rij^U of Seafarers is the right to pursue legislative and political objectives which will s^e the best interests of themselves, their families and their Union. To achieve these objectives, the Seafarers Political Activity Donation was esUblbh^ Dputions to SPAD are entirely voluntary and constitute the funds throat which legislative and political activities are conducted for the benefit of the membership and the Union. If at any time a Seafarer feels that any of the above righU have been vloUt^. sr that he has been denied his constHntisnal right of access to Union rocords or Information, he shonld immedtetely notify 8IU PrssMsnt Pan! BnE at headqaarters by certified mall, retnm receipt rsqncstsd. SACRAMENTO (Sacramento Trans­ port), January 28—Chairman, D. B. Sacher; Secretary, R. L. Ashcraft. No disputed OT and no beefs aboard. CORTEZ (Cortez Shipping), Decem­ ber 3—Chairman M. B. Woods; Secretary, J. E. Higgins. Vote of thanks was ex­ tended to Brother H. DeBoissier, ship's delegate, and to the chief steward. Brib­ er J. E Higgins and the entire steward department for a job well done. STEEX KING (Isthmian), January 21 —Chairman, M. E Greenwald; Secretary, P. Phillips. Brother L. J. Reece was elected to serve as ship's delegate. No disputed OT was reported. Everything is running smoothly except for beef with chief engineer who is trying to run the ship and is trying to give everyone a hard time. HALAULA VICTORY (Isthmian). January 14—Chairman, Thomas Fleming; I>- Strauss. Some dis­ puted OT in engine department. Motion was made to eliminate age as far as retirement is concerned tor those with 20 years in the SIU. Vote of thanks to the ship's dele­ gate for doing a fine job. We had a fine captain who worked with the ship's delegate and the steward to make thia a- good .trip. Vote of thanks to «-• . wwss wa MWUM LO UlS the steward department for a Job well done. tmr �February 16, 1968 J •> r I /. .A ) ) (• !•/' / ' ' ( i! ,• V' L'" w.y • s: J p IK' it Wy !•> I F / N THE TWILIGHT of prehistoric time, a legend was born which has intrigued people around the world for ages. In one day and night, so the tale goes, the life of the huge continent of Atlantis and its mighty civilization was snuffed out as the Earth opened its jaws and took a bite. All that remained was the churning ocean and memory. Researchers are now peeling away the shroud of mystery and are coming up with some interesting discoveries: A gigantic five mile underwater staircase carved in Puerto Rico's continental shelf; engraved stone columns jutting from the ocean floor thirty miles from Peru; fossils of mammoths in the middle of the North Sea; and, some say, actual footprints of a human-like creature now alive on the floor of the Arctic Ocean! To many skeptics, it is too much to believe that at one time the planet shook, mountains groaned, plains creaked, winds howled, and trembling conti­ nents disappeared in agony. It's apparently not enough that earthquakes rocked Alaska and Chile only a few years ago, or that undersea quakes have slammed tidal waves into Japan and Hawaii, or that a rift in the earth has San Francisco and Los Ange­ les sliding toward each other at two inches each year. But it happened. Atlantis is not the only continent to vanish. Not only did the lands of Mu, Lemuria, Pan Laurasia, Gondwanaland and Hyptetborea sink or crack apart and drift away millions of years ago, but the seas also swept over North America, Africa, and Europe several times. In "the Sea Around Us," the late Rachel Carson explained that "Probably the greatest flooding in earth's history took place about 100 million years ago. Then the ocean waters advanced upon North America from the north, south, and east. They ended by making an inland sea about 1,000 miles wide. It extended from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico and then spread eastward to cover the coastal plain from the Gulf to New Jersey . . . about half of America was under water. . . . "With variations, this happened again and again. Some 400 million years ago, the seas drowned more than half of North America, leaving only a few islands, large and small." • Continent-submerging floods have been so great, she notes, that evidence shows that the 20,000-foot high Himalayan Mountains were covered by the sea 50-million years ago. If Atlantis and the other lost continents did exist, then, where are they now? In 1966, the Woo ls Hole Oceanographic Institute, collaborating with the University of Athens, claimed to have discovered Atlantis in the Mediterranean area. An earlier private research team had claimed that Atlantis was off the west coast of Spain. Some say Atlantis may be near Australia, but that area has been identified by others as Gondwanaland. Nobody seems to know for sure. In the North Sea, midway between England and Denmark, fishermen's nets have been pulling up fos­ silized bones of stone age bears, oxen, bison, the wooly rhinoceros, and mammoths, as well as manmade tools. Scientists have reasoned that the area (known as Dogger Bank) was once high and dry until the last ice age drew to an end and melting glaciers slowly drowned the land. There were few remains of human bones, but this was probably because the peo­ ple of the time had enough sense to migrate to safety. Perhaps this was Atlantis. But if so, it doesn't match the fable of Atlantis' advanced civilization. Then there is the case of Puerto Rico. "We never thought we'd have to go down a fivemile flight of steps in a bathyscaph." So said a vis­ ibly shaken Captain Georges Houot and Lieutenant Gerard de Froberville of the French Navy, when they emerged from their diving chamber. They had just descended the 135 million-year-old continental shelf off the northern coast of Puerto Rico, to the deepest known point in the Atlantic Ocean. Froberville explained that their rough descent to the ocean floor was caused by their bumping down SEAFARERS Page 15 LOG eroded, but nearly perfectly-formed, gigantic steps carved out of the aged shelf's solid rock. Odds against the huge stairway being formed by nature are phenomenal. Then how, and why, did they get there? Columbia University scientists have suggested that they were actually constructed by tre­ mendous humanoid creatures before the oceans rushed in. The New York Herald Tribune suggested that perhaps such creatures built the steps afterwards, for purposes we can only guess at. If such creatures did, or do, exist, such a feat would require a good amount of intelligence and skill. Could they be the remnants of the lost civilizations? Excitement flared a few years ago when Columbia University oceanographers discovered what looked like giant human footprints, freshly made, on the floor of the frigid Arctic Ocean. The oceanography team had been photographing the ocean floor there during the International Geo­ physical Year in the late nineteen-fifties. They low­ ered special cameras on cables 1,000 fathoms deep. The pictures showed nothing unusual at first, just grayish silt, apparently undisturbed for eons. Later on the expedition returned to the same spot to take more pictures. This time their photos revealed what were thought to be huge, equally-spaced humanoid footprints of something that might have walked by to see what all that bright photographic equipment was doing dangling on lines stretching up to the murky surface. After a period of puzzlement, the team decided that the odd imprints were actually caused by com­ mon types of fish that scrounge the ocean beds for food, churning up the slit, or by certain types of seaworms that curl up on the bottom. But that didn't satisfy some people. Why, they asked, are the imprints so much the same? Why do they look somewhat human? Why are they evenlyspaced as though someone had walked by? The Herald Tribune editorialized that "Scientists aren't sure just what is making these footprints, but now we have these monsters, or whatever they are, walk­ ing around on the bottom of the Arctic Ocean." If these really are evidence of giant humanoids, many have asked, could these creatures have built that "staircase"? "Who ever said the people of Atlantis were giants?" one might wonder. Evidence is now being found to show that our ancestors may indeed have been huge and quite different than we think. In 1926, a Mon­ tana coal mine 30 million years old yielded tremen­ dous bones and skulls identified as human! And fos­ silized footprints near the Tennessee River were be­ lieved made by a giant human whose six-toed foot was three-and-a-half feet long and 13 inches wide at the heel. In April, 1956, the Miami Herald told of a fatherson diving team that went scuba diving off the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. Seventy feet down, they were amazed to see the sheared tops of great marble columns, lined up in rows, and stretching into the depths. Their find was independently corroborated shortly afterward. No answer has been found, and the columns are still there for anyone to see. In April of 1966, Dr. Robert Menzies (then Di­ rector of the Duke University Marine Laboratories) was searching the undersea seismic trench 30 miles off the coast of Peru for a certain fossil. He lowered his cameras more than 1,000 fathoms into the depths, switched on the camera lights, and unexpectedly got photographs of something that should have rocked the scientific world: shots of large stone columns, apparently with some sort of alien writing engraved on them, poking up from the silt. Among the twofoot-wide columns, reported Menzies, was a massive rectangular block of stone—a roof, perhaps, of an Atlantean assembly hall? The answer to this discovery may not be known for a long time, and in fact no more is known about it since Menzies' 1966 expedition. Why? According to Menzies, no interest from others, no backers. Now at Florida State University, a disenchanted Dr. Men­ zies told the LOG that if anyone came forth to back an expedition, they would be most welcome. A cliff at Ansedonia, 70 miles north of Rome, adds one more possible clue to Atlantis. Italian archeologist Constantino Cattoi believes the strange rock formations in the cliff are actually huge rock sculp­ tures of animals, which he is convinced were carved by the people of the lost continent, and which stand by the edge of the gates to one of its sunken cities. Today, technology is bringing about new methods of undersea research: sophisticated oceanography ships, deep-diving submersibles and submarines, un­ derwater satellites to track currents and detect other phenomena, and more. Each development brings the solution of Atlantis' fate closer. The answers are hazy. But the questions are being asked. And the history of a world and its people is in the offing. J These odd stone pillars, photographed off Peru by Dr. Robert Menzies of Florida State Univ., are 1,000 fathoms deep and may be manmade. Note possible human writing in circle. Shoreline near Rome (top right) is thought by Italian Archaeologist C. Cattoi to be gate­ way to city in Atlantis. Below is his tracing of photo showing animal sculpture he be­ lieves carved by people of lost continent to guard their city which is now under the sea. i �SEAFARERScLOG OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC, GULF, LAKES AND INLAND WATERS DISTRICT • AFL-CIO \\ . I SlU ince its inception on January 6, 1959, the SIU Blood Bank S has provided more than 6,800 pints of blood to help save the lives of Seafarers and their families. ... I Any Seafarer or member of a Seafarer's family who is injured or becomes ill in any A&G port can draw against the blood credits built up in the Union's blo(^ bank by going to his local hospital. The provisions of the SIU Blood Bank system assure necessary transfusions without delay. In the case of an emergency, this prompt availability can be of priceless value when there is no time to seek out donors of blood—often needed in large quantities—and have it checked before receiving transfusions. One youngster, the son of a Seafarer who ships out of the Gulf ports, has already received well over 100 pints of blood through the system thus far. A hemophiliac, the boy is in constant danger of death from the smallest cut because his own blood will not coagulate to close the simplest of wounds. Because of the large amounts of blood always on hand through the SIU Blood Bank, BANK he will continue to have this lifesaving fluid available to him at all times in the future as it has been in the past. There is a constant demand for the restorative powers of blood. It is needed to restore vital body fluids during an operation. It helps a patient recover from shock. Those, weakened through sickness, require blood transfusions before they can be success­ fully operated on. One Seafarer who had to undergo a chest operation needed 25 pints of blood from the SIU Blood Bank to see him through the surgery. In order for blood to be continually available to Seafarers and their families, however, the need to replenish the supply and keep it at the proper emergency level is constant. Any Seafarers or members of their families who wish to donate blood in New York are asked to report to the Brooklyn SIU clinic. In other SIU ports, arrangements for donations can be made through the port agents. Only a few minutes is required to donate blood and in time of need each pint could mean the difference between life and death. . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1960-1969 Description An account of the resource Volumes XXII-XXXI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 16, 1968 Description An account of the resource Headlines: HOUSE COMMITTEE TO BEGIN HEARINGS ON ADMINISTRATION MARITIME BUDGET BUDGET SLASH IN SHIP CONSTRUCTION RAPPED BY CONGRESSMEN AS ILLOGICAL CONGRESS CAN STILL BAR MARITIME CUT, REPRESENTATIVE TELLS MTD MEETING SCUTTLE EFFECTIVE CONTROL, NOT FLEET SHIPBUILDERS UNION URGES PRESIDENT SENATE SIDETRACKS ATTEMPT TO DILUTE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL INCOME TAX GUIDE FOR SEAFARERS HOUSE BOLSTERS TRUTH IN LENDING BILL; PLUGS LOOPHOLES IN SENATE VERSION THE TIDES OF HISTORY SIU MANNED ‘FLOATING POST OFFICE’ DELIVERS THE MAIL TO LAKES CREW SEAFARERS GET RED CARPET TREATMENT DURING VISIT TO GOVERNOR OF GUAM THE SEARCH FOR LOST CONTINENTS Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/16/1968 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. XXX, No. 4 1968 Periodicals Seafarers Log