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Tfee Seafarers' Log
Seafarers' International Union of North America
Official Organ of the Atlantic, Gulf and Great Lakes Seamen
mat
VOL. I
NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY, JULY 7, 1939
448
NO. 13
NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION SEAIRAIN ORDERS lOB ACTION IN PORTO RICO
OF NMU PACKED BY COMMIES TWO NEI^ELS MAY HAVE DRASTIC RESULTS
New York, N. Y., July 7—The
Seatrain Lines, Inc., yesterday
All Set to SteamRoller Program
announced that they have placed
orders for two new ships to be
And Save NMU for Party
built by the Sun Shipbuilding and
Drydock Company of Chester,
GULF RANK AND FILE FIGHT
Pa. The vessels, which are simi
lar in type to the Seatrain Hav
Well, well, "hellzapoppin" way down yonder in New ana and Seatrain New York will
J3rleans. Tlie "fellow travelers" from the East Coast and all be placed in service between New
those who were chased out of Ttjxas, have concentrated at York and Texas City, Texas.
the Crescent City, with the avowed intention of saving the It was also reported yesterday
NMU for the Communist Party! Just what the eventual out that the Seatrain company had
a long term lease with the
come will be, is a matter for conjecture, and we wouldn't signed
Texas City Terminal Railway
like to make any rash predictions.
Company, and arranged for the
RAMPANT "RED RAIDERS"
construction of a^ terminal of the
However, after looking at the list of convention delegates, special type required for handling
it can be very plainly seen that the CP is to be well repre- box cars.
Although the cost of the two
sented. Such sterling (?) individuals as "Blackie" Myers, new
vessels was not announced,
Roland Perry, D. J. Gavin, John Rogan, "Rasputin" Law- the ships built in 1932 cost
renson, McGowan, Moe Byne, "Smitty" Hopkins, "Paddy" $1,500,000 each.
Whalert, Ted Lewis, and numerous others. What a nice gang The vessels will be ready for
of "red raiders"! Looks more like the roster of delegates to service next summer.
fil-
MEMBERS SHOULD BE ON GUARD
Job action, when properly handled, is an exceedingly
potent weapon; but oftimes, when applied in the wrong way,
it can, and does act as a boomerang!
An in.stariee of thi.s is the recent beef on the Bull Line
.ships in Porto Rico. The whole difficulty arose over the re
fusal of an engineer to employ a man who had previously
admittedly missed two watches. The crew of the vessel took
the stand that the engineer would either hire the man,—or
else! In the face of this, the engineer still refused to hire
the man in question, and, in retaliation, the crew promptly
quit the ship. This "job action" then spread to three other
ship.s in Porto Rico, and the beef grew to alarming propor
tions. Cablegrams were exchanged between Porto Rico and
New York, long distance phone calls were made by the com
pany, and even unauthorized persons injected themselves
into the picture with phoney cablegrams.
»
•
a commy convention, instead of one for a maritime labor organization ! Moreover, the hoys all have implicit instructions
to report to "Mile-a-Minute-Joe" as soon as they arrive in
PROPOSAL REFUSED
New Orleans on Saturday morning, to get their instructions
The Bull Line proposed to the man in dispute to bring
in the methods to be used in gaining, and keeping control
him back to New York as a fir.st class passenger on any ship
of the convention.
West Coast Longshore
on which he wanted to return, and settle the beef here. They
SHOWDOWN AT CONVENTION
further agreed
that if the engineer was proven in the wrong,
pfricia! Says Harry
Now, on the other side of the fence, there is a plenty large
they
would
pay
the man from the time he was to have
group of militant rank and filers in the Gulf District, who
Was a "Ribbon Clerk"
.shipped aboard the vo.ssel. This was also agreeable to the
have sworn that they will have no part of the East Coa.st
NMU until'the comrades are ousted from the saddle! The New York, N. Y., July 7—At a SIU officials in New York. However, this was refused by the
meeting of the Atlantic Coast
convention in New Orleans is where the showdown will be. District of the ILA in the Hotel man involved, who insisted upon coming back as a member
and the eventual outcome will tell the fate of the future of Commodore yesterday. Tiny of tlie crew of the SS Angelina. A cablegram from Head
the NMU.
Thronson, West Coast ILA Secre quarters to San Juan, instructing the crew to sail the ship,
Who will come out on top? Curran and the rest of the tary, declared that Harry Rridges and settle the beef here, was disregarded. Finally, the man
commies and stooges are down there fighting for tlieir pie and began his career in this country was signed oji the ship, which then sailed, as did also the
a strikebreaker, and that other ships in volved.
..
pork chops, and it's going to take a lot of wrangling to do as
commy propaganda had built a
them out of them! The rank and filers are just as determined "false iialo" around him.
INSPECTORS INVESTIGATE
' ^
to oust the commies, and put the union under real demo Thionson denied statements to
Now,—under instructions from the Department of Com'*
cratic control once again. Looks like an "irresistible force the effect that Bridges had been
meree
at "Washington, D.C.. the local Insueetors have been
a
labor
leader
in
Australia
be
meeting an immovable body"!
fore shipping to San Francisco in advised to investigate the matter, and the crews on the four
Heigho! You bets your money and takes your choice! May, 1920. He asserted that
One gue.ss is as good as another, and the convention has all Bridges had been a "ribbon clerk ships involved in the beef will have to appear. The crew
the makings of a regular "Donnybrook Fair",—including in a departmrat store in Aits of the Angelina lias already made one appearance before the
tralia", and had no connection local Inspectors, hut due to the short notice they wore given,
footracing!
with the labor movement there. the heai'ing wa.s postponed until the ship returns from her
STEAM-ROLLER READY
"Subversive propaganda on the present voyage.
It is, of course, a foregone conclusion that the comrats Pacifir
Coast has so confused
It is apparent, from the attitude of the local Inspectors
will adopt steamroller tactics, and exert their utmost to high l^e longshoremen," Thronson
pressure. things their way. and it isn't a farfetched conclu stated, "that it has built up a office, that it is their intention to try to prove that the crews
sion^ to say that they are very likely to suoeccd. They are so false halo around Bridges whose of these ships left them without giving the required proper
thoroughly' acquainted with the methods of packing any sort record dates back to strike notice, under the ships' articles, and also that they acted to
breaking activities during 1921, the hinderanee of commerce. Whether or not they can prove
of a meeting, that the more or less uninitiated will find it in
the seamens' strike, in New
this assumption, or coiueuiion, reuuiins to be seen. But,—
exceedingly difficult to cope with their machine.
Orleans.
RANK AND FILE OROGOY
"And for these loyal services to in the event they do,—it will prohahlj' mean the suspension
It does seem to us that the real rank and file member.ship the shipowners he was given a of the certificates of all the men involved!
of the NMU should, by this time, be sufficiently aroused to job on the waterfront in San
From what we can find out, the Bull Line isnot respon
Francisco and membership in the
take some drastic action to prevent the comrats from con blue
book of the company union. sible for this investigation, as they did not ask for it. Tlie
tinuing tO' use the NMU as a political football, but then, they When we started to organize in Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, of the Depart
have beaten down so much that they come to take such & 1933 Bridges was the last man in ment, of Commerce, at Washington, D.C., got wind of the
• I _
situation as a matter of course. The dictatorial stance as his gang to come in the Interna affair, and decided, apparently on their own hook, to con
sumed by the CP top fraction in running the atfairs of the tional Longshoremen's Associa duet an investigation,
NMU has had the average rank and file member running in tion.
"Due to false publicity they
SETTLE BEEFS IN N. Y.
circles. He doesn't dare to speak out in open meeting, and made a big shot out of him and
state his views, for fear that the commy goon squad will he bargained his position to . As has been pointed out before:—the Bull Line ships
meet him outside and dump him. Witness what happened to feather his nest. It is rumored running between New York and Porto Rieo are not gone for
Frederick Phillips,—a NMU official who would not go along on the West Coast that he gets any length of time, and it wouldn't he working any hardship
a year as regional direc
with the party policy! Whether Jerry King was framed or $12,000
tor of the CIO, and he gets an on any of the men on these ships if they waited until they
not, we don't know, but from all reports, his trial was most additional $75 a w'^k and an un return to New York to settle any beefs which may arise.
certainly railroaded through,—mainly because he also bucked limited expense account as presi They have been settled to the satisfaction of the crews here
dent of the International Long in New York before, and they will continue to he.. All that
the top fraction of the Party. •
shoremen's
and Warehousemen's is necessary is to send an air mail letter from San Juan to
Taken all in all,—it is indeed a very sorry state of affairs,
Union
of
the
CIO.
but we 're not going to put ourselves out on a limb by making "Since the change
Headquarters, explaining the beef, so that it can he thor
in affiliation
any predictions as to the outcomewe're merely going to sit from AFL to the CIO working oughly investigated before the ve.ssel returns to New York.
back and watch developments. Of course, we do have a very conditions on the waterfront have In this way, considerable expense,—to say nothing of numer
steadily gone down."
I
ous headaches,—can be avoided.
definite hunch,;but we ain't a'sayin'I
Bridges Classed As
A Strike Breaker!
Ii
Local Inspectors Instructed
To Investigate Affair
• I
.it. .V
�rr,M
%•
THE SEAFARERS^ LOG
Publishsd by tbs
Seafarers'' International Union
of North America
l^r
^Fv i
ml
News Items
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
HARRY LUNDEBERG, Acting President
11 Steuart Street, San Francisco, Calif.
Atlantic District
HEADQUARTERS
New York (Phone: BOwling Green 93437)
2 Stone Street
BRANCHES
Boston
Providence
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
San Juan, Puerto Rico
\t
Philadelphia
•
iF.
it
iHii'S
1 Rowes Wharf
465 So. Main Street
6 North 6th Street
212 East Pratt Street
307 East Main Street
8 Covadonga Street
M & M REFUSES TO
REGOGNI^IU
Company Officials
Take Phoney Stand
Friday, July 7, 1939
Baltimore Highlights
Improvement in Conditions
Reported by Baltimore
Branch Favors Vote on Assessment
For Hospital and Burial Fund
Philadelphia, Pa., June 24 —
"COMMODORE" WHALEN SEASICK I
Along witii refusing to allow our
delegates and officials to go aboard
Baltimore, Md., June 28, 1939—Shipping continues mod
their ships, tlie Merchants
Gulf District
erately good out of thi.s port, with 69 members shipped out
Miners
have
a
new
angle.
They
HEADQUARTERS
give an oiler, or a dock checker during the past week. The tying up of a eonple of the Bull
New Orleans
309 Chartres Street
a letter to (???), and lo! and be Line fleet and extended drydock pei'iods for a few ships of
BRANCHES
hold! he comes back with a chief other lines is being compensated for by some of the tied up
Savannah
218 East Bay Street
steward's certificate! This sure
Jacksonville
136 Bay Street
strikes the writer as very funny, ships coming out of the boneyard, iiiclnditig liie Robin Line's
Miami
809 N. E. First Avenue
because when I went up for my SS Maine, whieii goes out under an Isthmian charter for a
Tampa
206 Franklin Street
Mobile
55 So. Conception Street
certificate I was fold by the In trip to the Hawaiian Islands. A movement of SIU men in
Houston
1712 • 75th Street
spector that in order to obtain a from the Lakes is noted here, and tlie steady stream of NMU
rating of chief steward, 1 had to men getting information about joining up coutinnes unabated.
Great Lakes District
show at least three year's dis
HEADQUARTERS
Last Monday night's regular^
Detroit
1038 Third Street
charges as cook and steward.
business meeting took up the average American vessel, and
M & M Revokes Passes
question of a burial assessment.
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNINQ THIS
It also strikes ine as rather pe This question, judging by the they'll find, there will no longer
PUBLICATION TO:
culiar that" although numerous frequency with which it pops up, be any need for a Hoffman's isl
other steamship companies were is evidently of great interest to and to teach Americans "disci
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
pline".
P. O. Box 522, Gliurcli St. Annex, New York, N. Y. informed that we were not the the average member especially at
Sea Sickens "Commodore"
certified bargaining agency for the times when the Branch reports
unlicensed personnel, that the M the "passing on" of some brother Rumor.s tliat "Commodore" (mo
& M alone chose to revoke our who usually was in poor financial tor boat) Patrick Whalen led the
passes, and deny us the right to circumstances. After some dis parade for the Maryland Yacht
interview our members aboard cussion on the matter it was de regatta Sunday are without foun
their ships.
cided that a resolution be drawn dation. Ever since "Commodore
The crew of the SS Cornish, of the ESSCO Line.s last It is also not so funny that both up which if concurred in by Paddy" got seasick steering the
week donated to the SEAFARER»S' LOG the sum of $4.00. Mr. Blal8dale«and Mr. Hoagland, Headquarters would be submitted pride of the Soviet Navy around
They made the request that it be published in the "LOG", in the presence of Agent Reddle to the membership for their ap and around one of the tankers lay
and Patrolman Harry Goldberg,
ing in Baltimore harbor, he hae
and the crews of other ships be requested to follow suit. did admit, and produce a copy of proval.
avoided wlitGr like the devil and
The crew on this ship, incidentally, in the recent strike on the original letter which specifi
Conditions Improving
on being helped out of his "yacht"
the ESSCO Line, was the only ship that voted 100 percent cally stated that the SIU of NA
Although it has been a slow by his solicitous membership on
in favor of calling a strike. Now they have further shown was the bargaining agent for the process with some of the lines, that occasion "Commodore" (say
that they are real Union men, by their donation, and we be unlicensed personnel aboard the improvements in living conditions sir, to me, boy), Pat" was heard
company's ships, and also made
lieve that the crews on other vessels will soon follow their the statement, that' it was signed for their crews is going ahead at to remark feebly that water in
a good pace now. It was with a any shapq. or form never had
example.
at the pleasure of Mr. Merrill, the great" deal of satisfaction we noted agreed with him.
Don't forget, that by donating to the "LOG" you are head representative of the com the new refrigerators for the
"Typical" Ship Suggested
pany, in Baltimore.
helping yourselves, in that publicity is the life blood of any Ths letter also inferred that as crew being swung aboard a cou
ple of the Bull Line ships last "Word from the New York
organization. Also, do not lose sight of the fact that you are we were the representatives of the week and repairs, delousing, and World's Fair that they were con
not forced to pay any assessment for your paper, as are the men, it was the wish of the com a general cleaning up of quarters sidering putting a vessel—typical
members of the NMU; and,—furthermore, we do not solicit pany that we live up to, and abide is noticeable on the majoiity of of the U.S. Merchant Marine—on
by the contract existing between the SIU ships clearing this port. exhibition at" the Fair caused con
advertisements, and will not accept them.
siderable discussion around here.
the company and the Union.
Coniiiiission Propaganda
After deep thought it was the
Questionable Action
Come on gang,—get your names on the Honor Roll by
opinion
of tlm members in gen
Quoting
from
one
of
the
Mari
Therefore,
why
all
this
ruhipus
Contributing to the "LOG".
eral
that
the most "typical" ship
about a nonexistent" contract, and time . Commission propaganda
they
could
think of was the SS
sheets
that
are
being
tossed
out
all that bunk, when the head offi
.t •
cials in this port, and in Balti all over this waterfroiit, we no'ie Plow City of t"he American Range
more, time and again recognized that one of the trainees has this Line. However after further con
us as the representatives, and to say: "the barracks are very sideration, the wellknown tender
even went so far as to hold a'con modern, airy, warm, wellventi spot the average seaman has In
ference with "Duke" Dushane and lated, and very well lighted. The his heart for the members of the
The crew of the SS Pan Gulf donated a total of $11.75 to Agent Reddle?
bunks are of the latest twodeck fair sex came to the top, and the
type
with white linen and blan thought" of the fair ladies stepping
I
don't"
know
as
to
whether
the SEAFARERS' LOG, and the following members con,
daintily over piles of decaying
kets . . . food is excellent. .
these
and
a
lot
more
questions
tributed:
We
suppose
this Is
what
the Com
bedbugs, roaches and other live
can be answered by Blalsdale,
Benson
$1.00
Hoagland, Merrill and compJftiy. mission considers "training'' for stock, and donning gas masks
I am wondoring what is in tho the American Merchant Marine. over their loveliness while they
Anderson
.50
backs of the minds of some of our Can you imagine the thoughts of Inspected the messrooms? was too
Winecoff
,50
membeis, and wondering if a lit the "fink recruit" who wrote the much for .the SIU men and the
tie action would not be indicated. above when he finishes his "train Plow City suggestion was with
Ryan
50
Ing" and then ships out on some drawn.
Fraternally,
Thaxton
50
thing
like a Sword Line, or
Fraternally,
H. J. Collins, No. 496
American
Range Line fioating bed
Wm. McKay, Agent
Philadelphia, Pa., June 24
Hartman
50
Bug asylum. WE WONDER IF
Things will
be
popping in
good
old
Boddon
50
THE ADMIRALS AND THE
Phily one of these days. The
SHIPOWNERS
WILL EVER GET
Hicks
.50
"Redhead" has stood about his
It THROUGH THEIR THICK
limit of . tactful and diplomatic
Dukes
50
HEADS THAT THE AMERICAN
dickering with the Merchants &
SEAMAN FIGHTS, STRIKES
Graham
50
Mineifl. Their latest move of re AND SQUAWKS NOT BECAUSE
voking the patrolmens' passes HE IS BY NATURE A NATURAL
Steward
50
aboard the ships, and refusing to HELLRAISER BUT SOLELY
Chief Cook
.5()
recognize the Union as the bar BECAUSE HE IS AN AMERICAN Providence, June 26 — Shipping
2nd Cook
.50
gaining agent, was the payoff. It AND LIKE ALL OTHER AMERI good here this week oh AFL
looks like Merrill & Co. are real CANS SINCE OUR FORE ships. CIO men in NMU are
Weir
.50
locked out on tankers, and are In
ly asking for the business.
FATHERS LICKED THE PANTS quiring about transfers. Socony
Walker
50
They are perfectly satisfied with OFF GEORGE III HE'S GOING
the Union, until we insisted that TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIBERTY; has declared an open shop in this
Pash
50
all men for replacements be Union THE LIBERTY THAT GOES port. NMU officials seem passive
Hoffma.stcr
25
nieh, and that they be cleared WITH DECENT WAGES AND to Standard Oil.
NLRB claimed this week that
through the Hall. That did not
Jones (Ooiler)
.50
THE RIGHT TO WORK UNDER we must have a hearing before
fit" in at all, as they have about
Smith
50
twenty men living on the old Es DECENT CONDITIONS. Let .the them before we are certified to
Kyser
50
sex, which is tied up and being present Administration spend thS epresent men In the New Eng
used as a hotel.
same amount of money, they've land ships. The majority of men
Jones (Fireman)
50
Since the NLRB was so kind to spent In setting up the Maritime in the four ships have signed
Stinson
,50
our pledge cards, and more are
inform them that we arc not the
Commission, In boosting the signing as fast as they are con
original
signers of
the
agreement,
Tommy
50
and that the company would not wages, and improving living and tacted.
I Stanley
.50
Frank Berry, Agent
working conditions aboard the
have to deal with '.is.
9r J
HONOR ROLL
!ii
HONOR ROLL
Providence
Notes
"Mym
i -
fj'' •
• • J
t
••
',
; ty.i.' r'lf
4.-
• . :• >' ".Vy:" .
'J \ .
J
�Friday, July 7, 1939
s:
THE SEAFARERS' LOG
HERE and THERE in the GULF
MIAMI AGENT POINTS OUT
POLICIES WRECKING NMU
ATTENTION!
The following motion
was carried in the New
York Headquarters meeting of June 26:
"That all Branches
stand instructed that they
are not to take any action
on motions or Resolutions
passed in their own meetings until they have been
concurred in by a Headquarters meeting."
The Miami Branch meeting of June 26 took exception to this motion, and
passed a motion requesting
New Orleans Headquarters
to ask New York Headquarters "why such a dictatorial motion was put
forth."
The New York Headquarters meeting of July 3
non-Concurred iu the Miami
motion, with the rider that
the Miami Branch be instructed to read Article
XVII, Section 1 of the Constitution. This was amended to read that Article
XVII, Section 1 be published in the "LOG", and
the attention of all
Branches called to it.
Article XVn, Section 1
of the Constitution reads
as follows:
"ALL BRANCHES
SHALL BE UNDER THE
IMMEDIATE JURISDICTION OF HEADQUARTERS, AND NO RULE
ADOPTED OR ANY ACTION TAKEN BY ANY
BRANCH SHALL BE
CONSIDERED VALID OR
BINDING UPON THE
MEMBERS OR UPON
THE UNION UNTIL ENDORSED BY THE MEETING AT HEADQUARTERS."
HAPPENINGS in MOBILE
over to U. S. Shipping Commis
sioner, Amendment: To forward
action of Mobile Branch to Jack
Curran's Accusations Against
sonville regarding local action on
. King Proof of His Own Guilt
above question. Amendment: To
advise
Jacksonville Branch to coA
Waterman Purchases
PHONIES RULE FROM TOP
tact New York headquarters re
Lyices Bros. Ship
garding action taken in New York
Miami, Florida,
Mobile, Ala., June 26 — At the on above question."
regular joint meeting held June
. June 24, 1939
19, Patrolman Banks reported the Shipping for llie week in Mo
Seafarers' Log,
deck department overtime as fol bile:
P.O. No. 522, Church Street Annex,
lows:
Deck
32
SS Bellingham—ITiA his. (7
New York, N. Y.
Engine
16
hrs. penalty for all hands.)
Stewards ........ ig
SS Topa Topa—153^ hrs. (2
Dear Sirs and Brothers:
hrs. penalty for all hands.)
Total
60
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL SEAMEN
SS Hastings—218 hrs. (14 lire,
Regi.stered
32
penalty in dispute.)
This past few days have seen quite an upheaval in the
The above ships are of the Pan All ships of the Mobile Oceanic
Seamen's movements. The cause is that the CIO seamen are
Atlantic Line, on the twentyone Line, PanAtlantic and Puerto
day
coast run. This should show Rican line are now running, and
beginning to wake up to the fact that they are being misled.
the membership of the SIU exact should be veiy good out of JIo
The following is not Union wrecking or disorganizing state
ly the working conditions on these bile.
ships operating out of Mobile. The
Waterman Buys SS Dryden
ments, as the NMU is nothing more than a shell.
yearly average on the above ships A letter from the Waterman
After reading this week's Pilot, an unprejudiced observer
on this t'wenty:one day run, for all Company was read to the mem
departments, is approximately bership, regarding JOB ACTION
can see tliat it is an establi.shed fact that King is guilty as
three hundred dollars a month.
taken on tiie various company
charged, yet throughout the testimony there is in plain cold
Port Coiliinittee Ettective
ships in Gulf and Atlanti* port's.
facts evidence that the Maritime Commission is nothing but
The members of the crew' of the The agreement states that all
SS Hastings held a meeting before grievances of ships' crews will be
a Union wrecking bureau.
Pcaylng off June 19, and some of settled by a duly elected port
the more militant members wanted committee. There shall be no
CURRAN EXPOSES SELF
to fake JOB ACTION. After the walkouts or stoppage of work.
Cnrran has proven King guilty, but in that evidence he
agent and delegates pointed out All beefs have been settled to the
also has .stated, quote, "The tie up between Jerome King, the
Sections 5 and 6 of the "General satisfaction of the membership,
Rules" of the Waterman agree previously, and will continue to
Maritime Commission, and the shipowners will also be ex
ment, the crew decided to appoint be.
posed by a written document showing that when it became
a port committee to meet with the The Waterman Company re
Waterman Company to settle the cently purchased from Lykes
necessary to obtain the help of the shipowners to bring about
"penalty overtime" beef on the Bros., of the SS Drydeh, to be
the naturalization of a Uaiion Official, King and Emerson
Ha^ihgs. During the time this delivered about July 15. This
agreement has been in <«ffecf, the will make about thirtyfour more
made that pos.sible." iinquotc.
Waterman Company has not won permanent jobs in the Gulf that
Therefore it is only a reasonable deduction that Joe CurONE of the disputes which have the NMU have lost, and the boost
been settled by a duly elected port to the SIU is small, but is indi
ran has proven that by advocating Government Fink Halls
committee. In fact, your corre cative of the steady gains made
and Maritime Commissioa Ships he too is wrong.
spondent will wager that the crew In the East and the Gulf.
of the SS Hastings receive the
A great many of the seamen will read this and realize its
C. Underwood, Gulf No. 2
penalty overtime in dispute.
truth and plain bare facts. Yet there are tho.se who are
Jacksonville Minutes
affiliated with an organization other than the Seamen's move
Jacksonville, Fla., June 21 —
At a regular joint meeting, held
ment which will claim this a blast.
June 5, considerable discussion Everything is progressing satisfac
was on the floor pertaining to the torily In the Port of jax, and I
POLITICS CAUSE SPLI-T
Jacksonville
Branch minutes of am contacting all East anq W.O..
Those that stop to think will see what has happened sincg
the previous week. "Jacksonville ships. Settling all beefs to the sat
the NMU was formed. Those who fought so hard to expell
minutes read: M/S/C to noncon isfaction of the crews of E. G.
the JSU fakers, saw that by following the path they started
cur with Jack.sorivllle minutes re ships.
garding shipping list being turned
'."he menibership In the Port of
on in '36 and '37 they would have expelled all the Phoneys
Jax have the utmost confidence to
and been one Union. But a political party saw different; they
wards the members on the Florida
saw a chance to split the Seamen's movement and labor as
and Cuba, In regards to their do
and
explained
Alexander
was
sent
there
to
be
Agent,
and
the
a whole.
membership should elect him. This was done, although it was nations for the picket line in front
of the fmkherder (Fred Engle
The men who were elected to lead the '36-'37 strike in the evident the men wished the former Agent to he in office.
hoiiser), which amounted to
small ports, and the Gulf Headquarters, had no monies to
Jackson,
who
is
now
Agent,
was
dispatcher
there
at
the
$21.10. This shows that the tnem
buck such a political organization, so they went to the
bershlp of the SIU are beginning
Pacific Coast where they went hungry and slept where they lime. He was on the MFOWW Strike Committee in Portland, to understand what solidarity
could until it came their turn to be admitted into a Union Oregon. That Committee had a charge account with a T'axi means.
Where the membership, who worked at sailors' work, run Cab Company and the membership raised hell when they Shipping was fairly good last
found mil about it.
week, but it has slowed down
the Union.
some.
There are about 15 men in
STEAM-ROLLER
TACTICS
There is also testimony that Lester Lord was in a Los
all departments on the shipping
F'rom there I went to New Orleans, where I left the ship list.
Angeles prison on June 27, 1928. If my memory is correct,
which I believe it is, Lester Lord was in New Orleans and had and stayed ashore. At that time the '38 elections were com If all the crews will respond as
just got through doing a rap for Union Activities in the '36 ing off. The NMU men had to have 25 men OK a nominee quickly as the crews from Miami,
'3/ strike. He was still fighting for the principles which he before his name could bo put on the ballots. It was evident it won't be long before he will at
that the Party Gang would not be elected, so to block it, the tain the goal which we are striv
was fighting for when he was sent up.
officials called a Special Meeting, at which they told the gang ing for—and that is—A National
PHONIES ON TOP
all sheets would be read oft', and would the members who Seamen's Union!
Steady as she goes
On the other hand there are men now officials in the NMU
PORT COMMIHEE
SEnLESJEFS
signed them please come up and check their hook numbers,
who were nothing but wino's and chiselers before '36^'37, and and if the men that signed them were not present the nomi
others who were chased out of the West Coast. Unions for nee's name would not appear on the ballot. This seemed
using monies recklessly, and for eating chicken, etc., while funny as the shipping list had about 900 names and the hall
the member.ship was on strike^ and for disrupting meetings only accommodated around 300, which left the majority on
with political propaganda which did not pertain to the bene the beach, and those on the ships, who wished to have some
fit of the seamen.
thing to say, OUT IN THE COLD.
ALEXANDER MUSCLES IN
At this point of the meeting four SUP men and myself
When I made up my mind to sail on the East Coast I could stomach no more and asked to be excused. This, and
was a SUP man. Arriving in Mobile I attended a NMU meet the knowledge that those men who are really trying to build
ing, the one at which Harry Alexander was elected Agent. a seamen's Union in the A.F. of L. under the banner of the
It Was terrible the way the thing was done. After four tries SIU are seamen with plenty of discharges to prove, it is why
to get Alexander eliscted (after each count of the votes the anyone with any sense is SIU.
man elected would resign) the former Agent finally got up
J. Gunnison, No. 4G
Fred Laurltano
NOTICE!
All SIU members who are
confined in Marine Hospitals
are hereby advised to imme
diately notify their SIU Agent
in the port nearest to where
they are hospitalized, in order
that they may receive regular
Weekly benefits.
This does not apply to mem
bers who are already receiving
benefits.
�Friday, July 7, 1939
THE S E A F A'R E R S ' LOG
NLRB CERTIFIES LAKES
SlU ON D &^HIPS
Labor Board Grants Certification
On Strength of Pledge Cards
AGREEMENT BEING DRAFTED
^K:'.
5';,—
V' '
PKV::
Jim •
SiU PliGnles Left
SeameR Holding
The Old M!
In regards to claims now made
by former offlcials of the ISU as
to their standing with regards to
elections held hy the NLRB in
193738. there is this to be said:
HOW CAN GRANOrS PHONEY
ISU PAY irS OWN WAY ?
1
A Few Pertinent Facts for the
Informatiou of the Members
WHO WILL BUY DAVE'S CIGARS?
We would like to point out a feiv pertinent facts to tbose
SEAFARERS' INTERNATrONAL UNION
In all ports on tlie East Coast
of
our
member.s who have been foolish enough to listen to the
GREAT LAICES DISTRICT
and Gulf seamen were organized
"bull" being
passed out by Dave Grange and his cohorts.
TO ALL EMPLOYEES
info the ILA, with the exception
Suppose
Grange
and his mob did take over the control
STEWARDS DEPARTMENT
of Mobile and Savannah.'The offl of the stewards on the Ea.stern ships. (Which we know they
D&CLINESfflPS
cials who are now making nil never will do.; How would they |)a.v their own way?
GREETINGS:
these claims had left the seamen
MATHEMATICAL FACTS
Recently the Seafarers' international Union snceeeded in up in the air, and if the ILA had
Figure it out this way; The ESSCO .ships, during their
securing the signed authorizations from a clear majorily of not stepped in to protect the AFL,
the employees of the Steward's Department of the D&C Line we would have nad no seamen. As peak season carry about 6f)0 men in the steward's depart
ships. The Union then made applicatioji to the National soon as the AFL started organiza ment. This lasts for not more than four months per year.
Lahor Relations Board for certification as the bona fide rep tion, these seamen were turned All right:—650 men at $1..50 per month, for four months
resentatives of said employees. The National Labor Relations over hy the ILA to the AFL Sea comes to $3,900. During the other eight months of the year
Board has now sent to the Company and the Union the fol men's Reofganization Committee. the ESSCO ships carry an average of 400 men in the steward's
lowing certification and the Emergency Board expects to have Of the marine unions at that department. At $1.50 per month this amounts to $4,800.
an agreement worked out shortly with the company which time, the SUP was the only organ Add them both together, and you get a total of $8,700 per
wiU be submitted for approval to those members of the ization in which gains for the sea 5'ear income for Grange's projected union.
Now,'the socalled ISU ha.s, at preesnt an "Executive
Steward's Department who have indicated their intention to men were made, and held. When
the International Charter was is Board" of five men. Even if they are paid only $30 per week,*
affiliate themselves with our Union.
sued hy the AFL, and given to it will amount to $7,800 per year, which must he paid out in
Fraternally your.s,
the SUP to organize, a step for
R D. THOMPSON, Chairman.
a seamens' Union on all coasts, salaries. On top of this you have rent to con.sider. Of course
and on the Lakes was staited. there must he halls in both Boston and New York. Figuring
Many contracts have been slgmed it at a minimum of $30 per month for each hall, we have
COPY OP CERTIFICATION
hy the new International, and $720 for a year's rent. Then they must have telephones,
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
gains have been made for the sea which will certainly cost them, at the very lowest, $10 per
Washington, D.C.
men on the Lakes, and Atlantic
In the Matter of
month for each phone,—or $240 per year.
and Gulf Coasts.
Add all these expenses up:—.salaries, rent and telephones,
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
CASE NO.
The SUP has always insisted and you get a total of $8,760 for one year's operating ijosts.
OF NORTH AMERICA, GREAT LAKES
W.II.122
upon shipping from the Union
DISTRICT
Hall, as this is the only way a Remember that this does not include such items as travel,
CERTIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVES AS BONA seamen's Union can he made a printing, and other miscellaneous expenses. So what do you
FIDE UNDER SECTION 7fb) OF THE FAIR LABOR safeguard of the seamen's rights. have? Income for one year, $8,700;—expenses for year,
They are opposed to training $8,760,—or a net loss of $60 per year.
STANDARDS ACT' OF 1938.
schools,
for the reason that there
Now, it is certain that Grange and Company have figured
The National Labor Relations Board hereby certifies that
are too many unemployed seamen
the Seafarers' International Union of North America, Great now, and instead of men w;e need this thing out for themselves, and they can't possibly arrive
Lakes District, is a bona fide representative of employees, more ships. The stand taiien hy at a lower figure for expenses than we have just shown you.
for the purposes set forth in Section 7, Subdivision (b) of the the U.S. Maritime Commission of How then, do they plan to overcome this deficit? Obviously,
shipping through the Shipping they will have to increase the dues to at least $3.00 per
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Commissioners
is not following month, and on top of that, they will add all sort.s of assess
Dated, Washington, D.C., this 27th day of June, 1939.
out the policy of the Government,
By direction of the Board;
as it applies to the private ship ments.
WHO IS GOING TO PAY?
(SEAL)
NATHAN WITT, Secretary
owners who are made to deal with
the Unions, and the Maritime
It's a cinch that none of the piecards associated with
Commission ships are run by pri Grange will be satisfied with a more $30 per week, and \
vate capital, and not hy the gov Grange himself is used to something like $200 per week, plus
ernment.
expenses. That's what he was getting when the old ISU
Patrick Ryan,
folded up, and anj^oncfwho thinks that he was ever worth it
A.F. of L. Representative
is just plain nuts! Don't forget that $200 per week adds up
to $10,400 per year,—^which is some coconuts for a labor j*
faker
of his ilk! And then, who is going to pay for Dave's'
Council Embraces Seven Unions
specially made cigars? Who is going to pay for the banquets;
On Mutual Protection Basis
we know he would like to throw for certain ^hipcwners? i
Who is going to pay his first class railroad fare on his fre'.
! BOBLO SIGNS CONTRACT
quent trips, and for his two and three dollar tips? When it \
comes to expenses, Dave certainly knows how to make them;
HOW COME, BOSTON?
Detroit, Mich.—A great deal of progress has been made
NO NEWS?
add np! In the past he was frequently heard to remark,)
in connection with an efficient functioning of the Marine
"Who cares how much it costs? The membership is paying
Council. At a regular session of the Council business meet
for it!"
ing temporary officials were elected. Brother Hoffa of the
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
Teamsters' Joint Council, and Brother R. D. Thompson of the
But then, of course, perhaps the "Rajah" figures ou
|
SIU, were elected President and SecretaryTreasurer re
getting rid of his phoney "Executive Board", and of hiring|
spectively.
For the Information of vari
a couple of stooges to collect the dues for him. In this raan.|
The scope of the Council has been extended on a mutual ous members who have made ner, he could probably assure himself alone of a fairly com1
protection basis to seven powerful Union, and the prospects Inquiries from time to time re fortahle income; hut there are other obstacles in the way of
of further increased membership are extremely rosy. All pro garding the number of mem his plans. What does he plan on doing with the two or three
bers in each department In the
visions ifor office supplies, such as^
stationery, etc., were taken care stantially increase the wages of Atlantic District SIU, the fig hundred men who will he out of work for eight months out
of In the levying of a special as some of the crew. The watchmen, ures are, up to and Including of the year? He will certainly have no other ships on which
sessment. All members of the hitherto classified in the steward's July 7, 1939, as follows:
he can place them. What will happen then? Naturally, these
1,74'6
Council are enthusiastic about the department at $70.00 per month, Deck Department
1,596 unemployed men will soon become dissatisfied, and will
future, and hope to extend its in have been transferred to the deck Engine Department
fluence to the entire Lakes Dis department, and the wages raised Steward'^ Department ...1,719 eventually drift away from his phoney union,—leaving him
Total
5,061 right hack where he started,—except that he will have a few
trict. •
to $125.00 per month. It is
of their hard earned dollars lining his pockets!
Further Gains
things like this that remind the
Another important concession membership of the value of a
Oh no!—the "Rajah" isn't looking to benefit the seamen
regarding Sunday work on the strong Union.
hound contract with the BohLo in any way, hut seeks to further delude them, and provide
DC excursion trips was obtained
company. The most important
On the ChicagoMilwaukee Tran feature of this contract is the in himself with another fat pie-card! Any union with Grange Ni
hy Brother Thompson. In • ^he fu
ture, aii gear carried from the sit Co., negotiations affecting the clusion of an overtime clause at the head of it could amount to nothing more than a
dock to the vassel will be classi wages and working conditions of which will eliminate a lot of past racket, and any seaman who would associate himself with
fied as overtime. This makes one approximately one hundred stew abuses. Some NMU stooges In such an outfit should consult a psychiarist!
more for the long list of improve ards are being transacted. Our this outfit used a lot of propa
Think it over boys,—^think it over,—and if you can prove
ments already secured from this international representative will ganda on the personnel, hut' de to us that Grange or any of the other phonies can improve
leave for Chicago this week, and spite all their lying tactics, a huge
Important company.
On the Chicago, Duluth and will report later on his progress. majority of the crews indicated a your conditions, or even have your welfare at heart,^we 11
Georgian Bay lines an innovation At the time of going to '^ress, preference for our representation. put in with you. But take our word for it,—there is no
was Introduced, which will sub we have Just received an iron
J.J.D.
altruism involved on the part of Dave Grange & Co. 1
Lakes Headquarters Elect
Marine CGuncii Officers
BOSTON
News Bits
ATTENTION!
i:" J
�
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Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949
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Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log
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Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993
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Seafarers International Union of North America
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Title
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July 7, 1939
Description
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Headlines:
NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION OF NMU PACKED BY COMMIES
SEATRAIN ORDERS TWO NEW VESSELS
JOB ACTION IN PORTO RICO MAY HAVE DRASTIC RESULTS
BRIDGES CLASSED AS A STRIKE BREAKER
M&M REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE SIU
IMRPOVEMENTS IN CONDITIONS REPORTED BY BALTIMORE
MIAMI AGENT POINTS OUT POLICIES WRECKING NMU
PORT COMMITTEE SETTLES BEEF
NLRB CERTIFIES SIU ON D&c SHIPS
SIU PHONIES LEFT SEAMEN HOLDING THE OLD SACK
HOW CAN GRANGE'S PHONEY ISU PAY ITS OWN WAY
LAKES HEADQUARTERS ELECT MARINE COUNCIL OFFICERS
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Seafarers Log
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7/7/1939
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Newsprint
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Vol. I, No. 13
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Seafarers International Union of North America
1939
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Seafarers Log