Media
Issue Date
1939-09-18
Volume
1
Issue Number
18
Plaintext
iiii
SECURITY
IN
UNITY '
The Seafarers' Log
Seafarers' International Union of North America
Official Organ of the Atlantic, Gulf and Great Lakes Seamen
BROTHERHQOD
OF THE
SEA
VOL. I NEW YORK, N. Y., MONDAY, SEPT. 18, 1939 446 NO. 18
SlU STRIKES SHIPS FOR RONUS
AS NMU SUPPLIES FINK CREWS!
REFUSE TO SAIL VESSELS
BOUND FOR WAR ZONES
STRIKERS AGAINST P & 0
STILL HOLDING TOUGH
NMU Agcnits Jones Accused As
A Scabherder: Makes Self Scarce
FINKS SEEK TROUBLE
Miami, Sept. 6—Fortyfour days of strike, "and only one
of the five ships owned and operated by the P&O has sailed,
Fortyfour days on the picket line in the hot tropical sun.
Say it quick, and it doesn't sound very long,—but just look
back at the record, and you will find that this .strike has set
the record, on this coast, for tying'^
up one company's ships longer
than any strike since 1915.
Company Desperate
The cotttJpSny . is getting'desper
ate. Just yesterday, a gi^oup of
link^ charge'd' up on company
beer; arid perhaps a few mugglee
on t}ie' side, wei^ ribbed by the
coml^ny to provoke a disturbance
on company property so that the
cops^ worifd be called in to make
wholesale plnchr>s. The finks,
loaded with, "Dutch • courage,"
crept arountfefa storte wall and
blocked the sidewalk in front QP'
a lone picket, but the picket
walked right on through them. It
was a pretty sight—ten finks gix
ing way before one picket! The
strikers across the boulevard, sev
eral hundred feet away, got a real
laugh out of that. And then came
the payoff. "Rat" Bell Chambers,
chief cook of the SS Florida, start
ed to sneak back aboard, and in
his confusion and haste, fell down
and sustained several bruises,
cuts, and a blackeye — which
shows that finks can't be depended
upon — especially when they can't
sneak around a wall without
stumbling!
Scablierder Jones
Just a few minutes before this,
NMU agent Frank "Scabherder"
Jones had declared his innocence,
and had solemnly sworn that no
NMU members were aboard P&O
ships. The words were hardly out
of his mouth when a NMU mem
ber named John Saunders came
bouncing down the str.eet like a
highspeed Frankenstein, waving
two big stones, and calling for the
police. Then, with a car load of
police, and a motorcycle escort to
keep him from stumbling, he
walked through the picket line,
and aboard the SS Florida. Jones
has been rather scareever since.
Still on Strike
Last Friday the Miami Branch
voted enthusiastically and unani
mously to continue, and intensify
the strike. Immediately, "Brother
(:Co)itii)vc(l on Page 3)
It
Nazi Submarine Stops
Waterman Line Ship
Mobile, Ala,, Sept. <ll~The
American freighter Wacosta,
owned by the Waterman
Steamship Co., was stopped
off the coast qf Ireland last
Saturday by a German sub
marine, and was detained for
three hours.
The captain of the vessel,
G, Self, radioed the Water
man office that his ship had
been boarded by a guard
from the submarine, who
searched her for contraband
cargo, and examined her
papers. ̂
The Wacosta, with accom
modations for about eight pas
sengers, was bound from Glas
gow to New York, with an
undetermined number of pas
sengers aboard.
After determining that the
Wacosta carried no contra
band, the submarine's com
mander allowed her to pro
ceed, the captain advised his
office. Captain Self reported
that the submarine's com
mander had informed him
that he had orders to fire on
any, vessel that refused to
halt for a search, regardless
of nationality.
Crews of Robin Adair, St. John and
Acadia Quit Ships to Enforce
Demands for'War Pay
RANK AND FILE PRESSURE PUT ON
COMMISSARS BY NMU CREWS
New York, Sept. 18.—Following closely on the heels of the
recent complete failure of NMU officials to assure their mem
bers of war risk insurance and a bonus for sailing the
SS President Roosevelt, and Manhattan, and several other
ships, SIU officials last week took definite steps to prevent a
recurrence of such a thing on SIU manned vessels.
The crew of the SS St. John of the Eastern Steamship Co.,
reported to have been chartered to the U.S. Lines for the
purpose of repatriating American citizens in Europe, held a
meeting on September 11, and drew up a list of conditions
• ^and provisions for war risk insur
and bonus. The demands were
presented to the company, and
met with a curt refusal, and a
is
Baltimore Looks For An
Early Shipping Increase
New Ships Under Construction and.
Old Ones Being Reconditioned
"GALLEY RADIO" RUMORS
• • v.,.
J3altimc)re, Md., Aug. 30—Tying up of several of the Bull
Line ships, and extended fepairs on a few ships of other SIU
lines is causiHg a somewhat topheavy beach list these days,
with shippihg below average, idtowever, the beginning of the
fruit, trade next month will start off what is expected to be
a busy season, and we look'for
boom In the SIU business out of
this port during the Fall jvnd
Winter months.
ESSO's conversion of a goodly
portion of their .foreign fleet to
American registry, with the con
sequent hiring of American sea
men for the jobs that rightly be
longed to them in the first place,
Is bound to be felt on the water
front soon. Like practically every
one else these days, we are a lit
tle fed up on'Hitler's crises; but
if it has the effect of scaring some
of our patriotic American ship
owners into giving Jobs to Amer
ican seamen—at least something
has been accomplished.
Cbnditions Improved
' Following closely the action
taken on the West Kyska for con
siderable improvements In living
condition before she went, on the
intercoastal run, similar Improve
ments were obtained aboard the
West Madaket of the same line.
The drive for better food and
quarters on all ships coming into
this port continues without any
letup and if the crews continue
to back up their delegates and pa
(Continued on Page 2)
ATTENTION
The following resolution was in
troduced at last Monday night's
regular joint meeting at Atlantic
District Headquarters, and was
unanimously concurred in:
WHEREAS: Nominations for
Atlantic District officers will be
made at the regular meetings at
Headquarters and the various
Branches on September 18 and
September 25, and
WHEREAS: There has not
yet been specified a list of those
offices which will be open for
nomination, and '
WliEREAS: Such a list
should be compiled, so that all
members will know the offices
which will be held open for
nominations, therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the follow
Ing offices be declared open
for nominations in the Atlantic
District;
ATL. DIST. HDQTRS.;
(N.V. Branch)
1 SecretaryTreasurer
1 Ass't. SecretaryTreasurer
1 Deck Patrolman
1 Engine Patrolman
1 Stewards Patrolman
3 Joint Patrolmen
BOSTON BRANCH;
1 Joint Agent
(Continued on Page 3) ~
Points Out How
Phonies Follow
Party Line
San Juan, P.R., Sept. 11.—So I
read from the "West Coast Sail
ors" of August 24th, the.exact re
petition of the little "raid" the
comrats tried last July 8, 1938, at
San Juan on the SS Afoundria of
the Waterman Company, when the
comrats, headed by the phoney
John Rogan, a six months experi
ence O.S. NMU agent, who had
been running around with his
goodhearted boss Fred W. Small
for a quarter, or a half a buck a
day, doublecrossed Fred Small,
who did not want to give in to
the terms of the'C.P. tactics and
politics. This iat, Rogan, com
bined with comrade "Blackie"
Myers, pushed Fred Small out of
the NMU agent's job, and tried to
run Union men with his six
months O.S. seamanship experi
ence, under the instructions of
the C.P.
Phoney. Move
On the good day of July 8, 1938,
this nut, combined with the
phoney UTM dumbells planted a
"picket line" on the SS Afoundria",
which was carrying an AFL crew,
union hired men with a closed
shop contract with the shipowners.
Rogan, with two other NMU
swindlers, demanded from the
Waterman Line to replace the
Afoundria's crew with NMU. Can
you imagine? Is it not. nerve?
Well, the boys on the Afoundria
called me up through their agents
early in the morning, and asked
me to speak for them. Did so; and
the commies who were working
two years ago, ahead of fiie, in
Porto Rico had a big laugh for
an answer to my request to leave
alone our AFL men on the ship,
(Continued on Page 3)
phoney, empty promise of retro
active paj'ment, if and when any
bonus or insurance is later agreed
upon between the Union and the
company. The crew refused to go
for this, which was the same
promise handed the NMU by the
U.S. Lines, and a special meeting
was called at Atlantic District
Headquarters for the following
night.
The meeting was attended most
ly by members of the crew of the
St. John,_and voted unanimously
in favor of walking off the ship at
5:00 P.M. Wednesday, unless the
company put their signature on
the dotted line. Their demands
were not met with, and the entire
crew was paid off later in the
week.
Acadia Takes Action
The SS Acadia arrived fiom
Bermuda last Wednesday. This
vessel is also reported chartered
to the U.S. Lines. The crew im
mediately contacted Headquarters,
and were told of the action taken
by the crew of the St. John, and
.signified their intention of holding
fast for the same demands. Later
in the week, the crew, with the
exception of a few standby men,
was paid off this ship, and the
St. John and Acadia are at pres
ent tied up at the U.S. Lines
docks.
Kobin Adair Crew Quits
The crew of the SS Robin Adair
of the Seas Shipping Co. (Robin •
Line) were supposed to sign on
for South African ports last Wed
nesday afternoon, but when the
company retused to agree to the
payment of a stipulated bonus, the
crew gave notice, and quit the
ship. This ship was later supplied
with finks, of which move the
NMU disclaimed all knowledge.
However, NMU representatives
were seen taking men aboard this
ship, which later pulled out and
(Continued on Page 2)
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THE SEAFAR^ :S:^'L'0, G Motiday, Sept. 18, 1939"
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Piibliahed by the
' Seafarers' International Union
of North America
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
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HARRY LUNDEBERG, Acting President .
110 Market Street, Room 402, San Frkncisco, Calif.
Atlantic District
HEADQUARTERS
New York (Phone: BOwling Green 93437) ,...2 Stone Street
BRAN6HEB
Boston .....330 Atlantic Avenue
Providence 1... 465 So. Main StreeJ
Philadelphia 6 Nortli 6th..Street
Baltimore .;. . .. 14 North Gay Street
Norfolk 60 Commercial Place
San Juan, Puerto Rico 8 Covadonga Street
Gulf District
HEADQUARTERS
New Orleans 309 Chartres Street
BRANCHES
Savannah . .a... .218 Bast Bay Street
Jacksonvlllo 136 Bay Street
Miami 809 N. E. First Avenue
Tampa ....206 Franklin Street
Mobile 55 Sp. Conception Street
Houston 1712 • 75th Street
Great Lakes District
HEADQUARTERS
Detroit 1038 Third Street
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THIS
PUBLICATION TO;
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
P. O. Box 522, Church St. Annex, New York, N. Y.
BAhTOIQRE
. (Continued from Page 1)
trolmen, as the big majority of
them have been doing lately, a
considerable all around improve
ment is going to be effected before
much longer.
Noted in a recent magazine ar
ticle, which glowingly describes
the Maritime Commission training
program, and how it will benefit
everybody ifrom Hell to Texas; , is
a statement that the Coast Guard
hopes to bring the Merchant Ma
rine back tothe status when men
who went down to the sea in
ships "had salt in their blood
Our thought on the matter is that
if the Admiralspaid more atten
tion to putting decent wages in
the pockets, and good food in the
stomachs of seamen, the "salt in
the blood" angle would take caro
of itself;
ELECTIONS SOOR AT HAND
SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN
INTO POPULARITY CONTEST
With the election of ofticers less than two months away, it
is time that the membership look about for likely material to
act as the men they wish to lead them for the forthcoming
yeai^. This matter should be given serious attention by all
concerned. •
The election of officers must not be allowed to degenerate
into a mere popularity contest, as such a thing only too often
has dire results. The idea is to pick the men whom you think
arb best fitted" for the jobs, and whom you have good reason
to believe will have the interests of the membership at heart,
rather than their own selfaggrandizement. Don't put your
affairs in the liands of incompetents, lioi those who are
strictly on the lookout for pie!
UNION'S FUTURE '
This is really a serious business, and will directly affect
the entire future of the Union. If you elect^men who are not
both mentally and physicaUy equipped to .handle the job as
it should he handled, or if you vote .lor men merely because,
they happen to he personal friends of yours, and know prac
tically nothing of the seamens' lafhor movement, then you will
end up by having a lot of grief on your hands.
Don't forget that, after this coming election, we will he
practically on our own, and the" eyes of all other maritime
unions will he upon us. We can not afford to have men at
the head'of this organization who are not honest, militant
fighters! Labor fakers are absolutely out I There is no plaee.
in this organization for shipowners' stooges!
GOOD MEN ON SHIPS
Now:—jixst who are these men who are qualified to lead
lis? Surely there must be a wealth of good material aboard
the ships. We know that there afe men sailing the Ships who
are honest and militant. Men who are not looking.for"mere
pfc', but who are, all the way through, bona fide, unign men!
Men who are willing to pitch in, and go to town for the mem
bership !
Moveto. New Hall
Due to being in the throes of
moving from our old hall to a new
location, this article is necessarily
brief this trip. By the time this
appears ih print, however, we will
he located in the new Hall at 14
NORTH. GAY STREET, whjch is
approximately three blocks from
the Pratt Street waterfront, and
half a block North from the Spar
rows Point car line, at Baltimore
and Gay Streets. Members will
find the maih hall and dispatch
er's office on the second floor. of
the new building, and tlie SUP
Hall on the third floor. The tele
phone number remains as hereto
fore—Galvert 4539.
Ships Being Recoiiiditioned
Baltimore,' Md., Sept. ll—Ship
ping hits maintained its average
figure during the past two weekp,
with the stigbl difference of opin
ion over in Europe having no
great effect on the man on the
beach, at present. ESSO con
tinues to hire men via the agency
of "Standard Pete" for the same
28 tankers under the Panamanian
flag. , Incidentally,. the foreign
crews of these ships are leading
the life of Riley in an uptown
hotel, with room and board, thirty
dollars a month wages, and an
extra fifty cents a day spending
money for the duration of the
war. ESSO is also iining up
crews for their tie'd up fleet down
at Solomons Island;, graveyard,
and we e^cpect. tosee a regular
procession of old hulks , coming up
the Patapsco, for a revival at. the
shipyards. Every shipyard In this
area is jammed with.ships .being,
reconditioned,, and the lo.cal Beth
lehem yard, with a new.orcje); for
Ave Gommlssion ships, now has a
backlog of twenty three ships to
be built within the next two years.
"Galley Wireless" Ttuniora
Bull Line appears to be ready
ing their ships for active service
again, but these pickups are more
offset py unsettled conditions on
the Calmar and other intercoastal
fleets. Calmar is showing a ten
dency to stall and delay their
ships gn this coast, with the "gal
ley wireless" reporting that the
company plans to put some of
them on tlie transAtlantic run,
and other reports having It that
they are holding iheir ships on
this coast as long as possible, in
case of trouble with agreements
on the West Coast.
Speaking of the "galley , wire
less," it seems to be working over
time these (lays, with everything
from five hundred dollar bonuses,
to the Navy taking over the Mer
chant Marine being reported hour
ly. Members should take it easy
on these wild rumors, and remem
ber that the officials are following
events closely, and the interests
of the membership are being well
protected.
Bonus Question
On the question of bonuses,—
don't let anyone kid themselves
that the bighearted steamship
companies are going to hand thia
out freely to their brave crews.
They'll push up the frenght rates,
and triple the passenger rates, but
when it comes to passing out a
few dollars to the men who have
to do the dirty work and take all
the chances, it will be the same
old sad story,, and anything that
we get will have to be obtained
in the same old, hard hitting, mili
tant Union way. . If and when
bonuses are handed out, let them
be Union bonuses, based on Union
wages, and not just a handout
from some big hearted shipowner,
to "keep the crews' mouth shut".
If we appear to be a little worked
up about the matter, blame it on.
the bright boy whom we just
heard remark that it would be
very "decent" of the companies il
they paid a bonus. Decent be
damned;—they don't know, the
meaning of the word!
WAR BONUS
Departure
We regret to report the passing
of Brother Robert Hawley at the
Marine Hospital. Brother Hawley
died of tuberculosis, which used
to be called the white man's
plague, and had its breeding place
the slums of the cities. Sinfce
the average seaman's quarters are
about on a level with the average
damp, stinking, poorly ventilated
slum, it is no wonder that tuber
culosis is fast becoming a sea
man's disease, and wiping out
fine men of Brotner Hawiey's type.
\SBr
NO POPULARITY GONTEST
There are alsq many of your'^^present officers who are
qi^hlifiM to carry on with the good work'they haVe been do
ing,' and" they are, of course at present, better known to the,
general membership than are many of the inen on the ships.
However,—as we said before, this election isnot.by any man
ner of means meant to be a popularity contest, and 'it'is up
to the membership on the ships to nominate men whom they
knovv to be dependable and trustworthy. Don't vote for any
nominee just because you happen to know him! Take al.so
into consideration ids past record, his mental and physical
equipment, and his reputation for veracity and honesty.
Above aU things/ must take all precautions to guard
against any such thing aa has happened in; the NMU,—the
control by commissars 1 To allow anything of that sort to
happen would he tantamount to the death of the organi^
tion,—so it must not happen'
SELECT RIGHT MEN
Look about you, and .carefully select the men .whom you
believe are qualified to lead yottrand then make it your busi
ness to see that they are nominated for some office. Assure
p^Ourselves of complete rank and file control of the organiza
itioh. Do not be misled'by any electioneering propaganda,
and remember that your vote is jnjst as important as that
of anyone else. "Tt is, in fact, your dutyto vote, and, thus
cssiirp. yourselfa voice in the affairs of your Union!
Picture to yourselves what mighL happen if you were to
allgw the affairs of the Union to get into the hands, of a few
phoney piecards. You would soon lose the respect of all
other" unions, and wduld,probably find yqurselves being sold
out right hnd left, as was the case with the old ISU.
The Seafarers V International Upiou has a great future in
store for it, but all this can he obviated through the actions
of a few phoney, selfish individual^. Guard against snch an
emergency by making it your business JK) se^ tl^t jtie right
men are elected to bflice. NO PIE CARDS WANTED !
REMEMBER,—THIS ELECTION OF CFFICERSJS DE
FINITELY NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST! .
(Continued from PagC 1)
anchored In the "stream with only
a partial crew aboard.
Ilauk and File Pressiire
Rank and file pressume was put
on the NMU commissars when
the crews of the American Trader,
American Traveler, Iroquois, Scan
States, Excambion, Black Gull and
the Collamer, refused to sail the
ships without >yar risk insurance
and bonus provisions. Curran
then did a complete about face,
and piously declared that the
NMU would not grder their
members to sail these ships, and
stated that the ship owners have
stalled long enough.
It is high time that the NMU
commissars took a definite stand
on this matter, which directly af
fects the welfare of every Ameri
can seaman. There Is no ques
tion of patriotism involved,—not
—at least, on the part of the sea
men. They are entitled to a just
recompetise for sailing these
.ships into hazardous waters, and
must be provided with some sort
of insurance which will take care
of their families in the event they
are torpedoed, or lost at sea
through the hazards of war. '
Time to Enforce Demaiid.s
This thing is not any question .
of Union affiliations, but a ques
tion of all American seamem be
ing adequately protected. LET'S
ALL STICK TOGETHER ON
THE WAR BONUS QUESTION,
AND GET SOME ACTION! OUR
DEMANDS CAN BE ENFORCED
IF WE FIGHT THE SHIPOWN
ERS TOGETHER, AND FLATLY
REFUSE TO SAIL SHIPS TO
ANY WAR ZONES UNLESS
GUARANTEED, IN WRITING, A
CERTAIN STIPULATED BONUS
AND WAR RISK INSURANCE.
WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO AL
4.0W THIS THING TO DRAG
ON INDEFINITELY, AND THERE
IS NO TIME LIKE THE PRES
ENT TO ENFORCE OUR JUST
DEMANDSj
Some finks, Ixave already been
shipped pn the St. John, and., we
have it from a reliable source
that they were jshipped from the
NMU hall. At the time of going
to press, no crew has yet been
shipped to the SS Acadia, and we
are unable to determine wheth^
or not the Robin Adair has sailed. ,
Coniinissiun to 3Ieet
Emergency Board Chairman re
turned from 'Washington last Sat
urday, and reported that although
no agreement has been, reached,
with the shipowners or the MarK
time Commission on the wai
bonus question, it was indicated
that all were amenable to some"
sort of added compensation for
sailing vessels Into war zones, but
that rione of the shipowners want
to stick their .chins out by setting
a figure. They have passed the '
buck to the Commission, and.
there is to be another meeting
this week, when it is hoped that
the question will be settled. "'
The Commercial Telegraphers
Union, in convention In Chicago,
has wired their unanimous sup
port to the Seafarers' as follows:
"COMMERCIAL TBLEGRA ;
PHERS UNION IN CONVBNT, ;
TION TODAY UNANIMOUSLY
SUPPORTS WAR ZONE VOY '
AGE PAY AND INSURANCE
DEMANDS OF SIU AND MA
RINE DIVISION CTU." •
DEMAND A BONUS! — DE
MAND WAR RISK INSURANCEI,
AND ABOVE ALL — DON'T,
• «FlNK ON YOUR BROtHER
SEAMENI .
V
II
Notice:
Ships' Delegates: Demand
that all replacements produce
a properly filled out assign
ment card from the Dispatcher
at the Union hall.
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http://www.pdfcompressor.org/buy.html
Monday, Sept. 18, 1939 'wK. THE. SEAFARERS' LOG 3
!'
$S VERMAR WANTS ACTiON
'' "* y
RESOLUTIXiN
WIIJBBEAS: The Caimar Line is one of the very few
steamship companies operating freighters • without an agree
ment, and
WHEREAS: The ships of this company are the worst
feeders, and have the worst working conditrons of any ships
running iutercoastal, and ,
WHEREAS: We, the crew of the SS Vermar, of this Cai
mar Line deem the shipping of crews on this company^ ships
through the Union Halls, without at the same time doing
something for bettering conditions on these ships, will ulti
mately work to the detriment of the Union,
_ THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That we request the
Atlantic, Gulf and Great Lakes Districts Secretary to bring
the matter of striking the Cafmar Line ships before the mem
bership as soon as possible, for the followiiig demands:
(1) Tlie Immediate recognition of the SlU as the sole
bargaining agency.
(2) Full enforcement of the West Coast agt^eements.
(3)^ The bringing of the quality of food and menu up
' to the West Coast standard.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That each member
of this crew donate one dollar ($1.00) in Boston, thesaid
sum to be forwarded to the main office in New Vork to be
used as expenses for making copieA of this resolution and
having it mailed to all ships' delegates of all Caimar Line
ships, and to all STTJ and SUP Branches. The surplus of this
sum to be turned over to the "LOG'^*. as a donation. We
recommend this to be published in the ."LOG" and the
"WEST COAST SAILORS",
Hiis resolution passed by the menxbership of the SS Ver
mar meeting on September 3, 1939.
(Signed) Joseph L. Hart, Chairman
Joseph Higgins, Rec. Sec'y
Chasr Twitchell, Deck Delegate
Heniy J. Childs, Eng. Room Delegate
a guide and maatervoice, came
back Avith two big NMU goons to
start organizing seamen and long
shoremen in Porto Rico again.
Will see you brothers some day
when you call at Porto Rico.
E. G. Moreno, No. 2891,
Phoney's Headhunter
WANT ORGANIZERS
TO STAY AND HELP
P&O STRIKE
(Continued Jium Paf/e 1)
Rat", who is always aroXind where
"there" is a strike, started the
rumor that the boys in Tampa
were disgusted, andwere going to
call the strike oft and sail the
SS Cuba. Last flight, Tampa held
an overflow meeting to concur
with the Miami decision, and
"carry on to victory". So much
for the rumor mongers and rats!
Representatives of the Central
Trades Council of Miami, together
with Brothers Dean, and Gunni
son, and a representative of tlie
strike committee will confer with
P&O vicepresident • and general
counsel, Scott Loftln, In Jackson
ville tomorrow, with the object, of
reopening negotiations. '
Miami Correspondent
I ill.
Miami, Fla., Sept. 12—The strike
against the P&O is still on. Some
of the boys have lost their cars,
and .quite a few things they had
bought on the installment plan.
These fellows are putting up a
tough fight against apparently in
surmountableodds. For, when a
shipowner and another organiza
tion get together to give bona fide
Union mfen a licking, it makes the
going tougher.
It is rumored around that the
U.S. Lines stiffs who could not get
a war bonus because the phonies
sold them down the river with the
O.K. of the Maritime Commission,
are coming down to Florida to
scab on the SlU. These phdnies
finked on , the NMU when the
NMU was the ISU Rank and pile.
They did not have ths guts to
stick to one, organization, but are
plain book fioppers!
The membership here went on
record thanking all ships crews
and friends who are donating, to
this strike. Without their help,
we could not have lasted.
Roland Dean was here for a few
days/.and left again. While he
was here he saw the militancy of
the SIU demonstrated on the
picket line. '
) Quite a few fellows have cleared
i for other ports, in order to be
'able to pay up bills, and take care
I of family obligations. The rest of
the gang are holding tou^h!, . „
John GUrtnisdfi/ Alsnt
SAN JUAN ,
(Continued, from Paye 1)
and^respect jurisdictions as we do.
NMU Had Fun
The socalled State Federation
of Labor in Porto Rico did not
give a damn, and, .worse yet, they
did not know what was the whole
BtoiT nor the intention of the com
mies. They were only to please
some 60called Socialist Party
members, and afraid to hurt their
feelings by imposing , order and
discipline to the phoney UTM, so
,the NMU' had the fun' for two
days, while we assembled the real
APL longshoremen who were in
sympathy and 100 percent in fa
vor of backing the Afdundria's
crew.
CIO Flops
' July llth, the ILAAFL Long
shoremen showed Rogan how to
cive insanity, and' since then,
NMU UTM r CP with all their
phoney rat,s in it, started to flop,
and I can safely say they have
flopped in Porto Rico, The two
phonies who assisted Mr. Rogan,
stowed away with $200 stewpot
money collected from ships, in
tended to be used to feed the
phoney "picket line" they had
planted' around the SS Afoundria.
Rogan was fduhd misusing fUnds
of the NMU, and to ̂ iet it down
he was removed from Porto Rico
before the nienlbers threw him out"
of their , phoney outfit.
These rotten comrats tried to
stop the liiA from working the
SS Coloradan last January ioSG,
and again flopped, and just com
plicated and hampered the welfare
Oif some unconcerned bona flde
woi kmen on the SS Coloradan.
Rogan Returns
Rogan came back as general or
ganizer for the CIO, and tried to
highjack the SIU ci'ew of the SS
Dellsle on their first trip to Porto
Rico last March 8th, and again
flopped. His commy pal, Hoffman,
had to hide himself, and had to
be provided with an jxpen ship
ping date to get away from the
Island, and Rogan hit the can/and
,qiilL±he . Island later.
Two weelai ago this Rogan, as
SS David H. At water.
Dear Brothers:
Since the SIU started it has
gained more for seamen than any
other union ever gained on tlie
East Coast. It must be remem
bered that the gains that have
been made, have been made with
hard Work, and cannot stop. Vie
have to take our Union business
the same as your shipowner does.
One of the main things we are
after is unity with the "West
Coast Unions. Also, with the ma
jority oif the members of the NMU
—but riot the officials of the NMlT.
It is understood that we are to
lose some of the maritime indus
try's most militant leaders; name
ly: Harry Lundeberg, "Duke"
Dushhrie, Frank Berry, and "Red"
Dean, the brothens up and down
the coast who have proven them
selves honest and capable, and a
credit to any organization. We,
the undersigned, go on record to
request that these West Coast men
who have worked so hard to help
make our Union a militant organ
ization stay with us and help us
to get what we are out to get.
That is—^higher wages, better con
ditions, and intercoastal unity. It
must be remembered that when
this unity is gotten, we xvill be
able to call ourselves true Ameri
can Seamen, and not as it is at
present:—Are you an East Coast
man? Are you a West Coast man,
a Gulf man, or a Great Lakes
man?
We, the undersigned are out for
one big maritime union, with no
Nazis, Fascists . or. Communists
dictating to us!
(Signed) Diclc Stewart, No.
5111; Geo. Brown, No. 539; E. H.
Fain; No. 1702: J. Morrison,No,
1802; H. Grooms, No. 2769; Ted
Wilson, No. 5064; J. S. " Sawyer,
No. 5431 T. T. Davis, No. 4884;
C. Medford, No. 4797; J: Ford, No,
5441 ( H. Hudson, No. ? ;E. S,
Day, No. ? ; R. Bellevance, No.
5237; Ei Mansfield, No. 3315; H.
P. Stafkey, No. 2385; M. Nutini,
No. 2614; Nils Nelson, No. 5720;
C. Duke, No. 5617; and J. Ginnell,
No. 89.
ATTENTION
(Continued from Page 1)
1 Deck Patrolman
1 Engine Patrofmari
2 Stewards Patrolmeri
PROVIDENCE BRAbfCH:,
1 Joint Agent
PHILADELPHIA BRANCH:
1 Joint Agent '
1 Joint Patrolman
BALTIMORE BRANCH:
1 Joint Agent "
" 1 Deck Patrolman
1 Engine Patrolman
' 1 Stewards Patrolman
NORFOLK BRANCH:
1 Joint Agent
1 Joint Patrolman
SAN JUAN BRANCH:
1 Joint Agent
and be it further
RESOLVED: That any offices
not Included in this ballot shall
be. open to a vote of the mem
bers of the Branches involved,
and be >lt further
RESOLVED: That any men
so elected shall not be consid
ered as elected, nor put on the
payroll until concurred in by a
Headquarters meeting, and be it
finally
RESOLVED: That all nominees
for such positions shall hrive
the same qualifications as speci
ffcil by the Constitution, '
COMMISSION IGNORES
OF MERCHANT VESSELS
More Concerned With Building
Up Naval Auxiliary FleiBt • ' "* ^
INVESTIGATION NEEDED
In the various pre.ss releases which the Maritime Cora
mission sends out from time to time, xve note that the M. 0,
Adnxirals dwell on .the fact that American Merchant Marine
carries less than 305^ of our foreign commerce, and that due
to the lower operating costs of foreign ships, other nations
are able to succes.sfuliy eompetd with the American ship
owner.
AUXILIARY FLEET
A very close study of the policies of the M. C. reveals
several very interesting things. They are building new ships,
very fine ones indeed, but the mo.st important features
stre.ssed are the vessels rapid adaptability for Naval Reserve
u.ses. While they are and xvill be placed at the disposal of
private operators in peace time, yet in the event of xvar, these'
ships automatically will be transfened to the Navy as ail
auxiliary fleet. On the siu'face, the ordinary man in the street"
would say it is a fine thing, but to persons who have observed
the activities of the M. C., it appears in a different light.
SEND ADMmALS TO SEA
The Maritime Commission is jiot as primarily interested
in the development of the American Merchant Marine as it
is to provide a suitable Naval auxiliary fleet. That a Naval
Reserve is a neces.sitj'^ is not questioned, but we must not lose
sight of the fact that if this country is to progress, more
emphasis must be placed on the.ship eon.struction program
froni the Merchant Marine point of view, instead of that of
the Navy. It i.s therefore .suggested that the Admirals of the
M.C. take a short cruise on a fi'eighter to acquaint themselves
with all angles of the industry's problems from both the labor
and owners' side.
FOREIGN FLAG SHIPS
While on the question of benefiting the Merchant Marine
Industry as a whole, we believe that the M. C. should investi
gate reports that a well known fruit company plans to trans
fer all its American flag vessels to foreign registry. Just how
true these rumoi'S are is not kiioxvn, but, it is said that where'
there is smoke fire is present.
This^particular company has obtained millions of dollars
from the American public for its ventures, thereby making it
a corporation in which the people of this country are vitally
interested. Further, the taxpayers of the United States have
a definite responsibility insofar as this firm is concerned, due
to having had to foot the hillfor most of the costs pertaining
to the construction and reconditioning of its vessels. ^
SHOULD BE STOPPED T
If the reports are correct about this outfit transferring its
ships to foreign registry, then the M.C. should institute an in'
ve.stigatxoil to determine why this firm xvishes to do this. "Wei
as seamen, are definitely against such a transfer because it
would ci'eate additional unemployment in our field, as well'
as tend to depreciate our endeavors to improve conditions for'
all seafai'ing classes. And from the public'e standpoint, the
merchants of this country stand to lose approximately $350,
000 yearly. This, and the fact that American seirmen will be
deprived of an annxxal iheonie of abont .$600,000 should be of
some concein to the M. C., who profess to have the interest
of the seamen and the indn.stry at heart.
We believe that any shipping company who transfers, or
threatens to transfer their .ships to a foreign flag, axe not de
serving of the trust aixd confidence of the American public
who have invested huge sums dix*eetly, or otherwise, iix their'
enterprises. Any company xvho in so doing loxvers the Ameri
can standard of living shoxxld he placed bn the unfair list of"
all organized laboh
A. 0. Wingate, SIU No. 90
• .
" ' J.
HONOR ROLL
P. A. Harrelson $1.00
E. Ormaly ;.
L. B. Lay ton 75
0.^ Anderson .50
H. Lohbefer .50
D. Grabill ;: J.....; ; 1.00
S. Tingle .. .25
R. Nevitt" .........................i.» .25
G. H. Reier . LOO
B. "W right ...I..........tju* * • • • • .50
V. Lucas .60
'I
V''U
• Mt'
n
I
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AS.
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4 THE S E A F A R E R S ' L O G Monday, Sept. 18, 1939
1^,51
iV'
IIP
NEWS and VIEWS from the LAKES
BUFFALO
10 Exchange Street
MILWAUKEE
730 S. Second Street.:
DETROIT
1038 Third Street
CLEVELAND
1426 Third Street
CHICAGO
810y2 N. Clark Street
VOTING ON OFFICIALS IN
FULL SWING ON UkES
f BobLo Line Pulls in Horns When
' Union Files Action With Board
"g
GEORGIAN BAY LINED UP
Detroit, Mich., Aug. 30—Balloting is in full swing for the
election of officers of the Great Lakes District. Fifteen hun
dred ballots, polling lists, and sets of instructions to agents
are now at all branches, and are being brought aboard all
ships. During the month of September, the men on the Lakes
will designate whom they wish to^
be their officials for the coming
year.
To be eligible to vote, all mem
bers must have paid either their
transtef fee, or initiation fee into
Seafarers' not later than August
IG, 1939, and must have paid at
least three months dues by Sep
tember 5, 1939. Those members
who transferred or joined before
June 1, 1939 must have their dues
paid for the month of June. Part
payment men, whose full initia
tion fee has not been paid pilor
to August 15, are ineligible to
vote.
Agents are distributing ballots
to all eligible members aboard
ships, and at Branch Halts.
Ballot Explained
There will he four important
propositions up for vote of the
membership on' the ballot. All
Union men should not fail to vote
bu them. Number 1 is the ques
tion of restoring rotary shipping
from the halls. Number 2 is the
15.00 Strike Fund Assessment.
JThe value of a fund to back up
the men in case of strike should
be obvious to all members. The
third proposition is a ?2.00 Burial
Assessment, to make it possible
for the Union to give a decent
burial to members who pass away.
The final proposition is the adop
tion of the proposed Constitution
for the Seafarers' International
Union of North America, copies
of which have been circulated
throughout the Lakes District.
Ballots, to be valid, must be
postmarked not later than mid
night September 30, 1939. Get
your ballots early, and avoid get
ting caught in the last minute
rush of voting. It will be entirely
up to the membership to elect the
men they wish to serve them for
the coming year. 'Nough said!
* « «
"Agent" Kicks Back
Leo Mitchell, SIU delegate on
the SS South American, gives no
tice to all members of the Stew
ard's Department who have paid
dues into Secord's cooks "union,"
that the Steward aboard the
South American has been com
pelled to refund his twentyflvo
percent cut on the dues to the
members who paid him. This re
fund comes out of his own pocket.
You can kiss the other 75 percent
goodbye! That's already in Se
cord's bank account. Get your 25
percent back now—while you can! * * • *
Tbst. BobLo Steamship Line
pulled in its horns last week
when the Union filed action
with the Michigan State Media
tion Board, giving said company
a five day strike notice if it did
not withdraw its instructions to
^ships' officers forbidding the
^Dniqi Agents from coming
aboitfd to transact Union busi
ness with the men. The threat
' of economic action brought
, fluick results.
Written permits were issued
by the company, for Union rep
reesntatives to come aboard at
any time. The BobLo season is
now over, and we expect no un
friendly action from this com
pany.
» » »
Georgian Bay
Due to the fact tliat Interna
tional representa,tive Thompson
was caled suddenly to New Or
leans and the West Coast on
Union business,' the steward'.s de
partment beef with the Georgian
Bay Line reported in a previous
issue of the "LOG" has not re
ceived quicker action. Tliis com
pany agrees to negotiate with the
Union for the Steward's depart
Guif Men Protest
Lakes Conditions
Old Time Offlciais
Held Negligent
New Orleans, La.,'
August 24, 1939.
Dear Brothers;
Recently we have been receiving
letters from Gulf District mem
bers of the .Seafarers' Interna
tional Union, who went North this
Spring to try their luck on the
Lakes. When these letters flral
started arriving we didn't pay
much attention to them, figuring
that shipping was probably bad,
and the boys were having a hard
time getting accustomed to things
up there.' As more letters cams
in, and a few of the boys drifted
back however, we realized that
with so much smoke there must
be some fire—so heregoes!
No Keal Activity
The main beef seems to be that
the old time officials seem to bs
satisfied to coast along on their
jobs, and not pay much attention
to the membership, other than be
iug on hand to inspect books, and
collect dues. The letters and the
complaints almost wholly com
plained that It was hard to get
these old time officials to settle
Better Conditions
Reported fln Lakes
War Si+uation Affects
Great Lakes Traffic
BEEF ON OAKWOOD
P&ODQNATiONS
P&O DONATIONS
SS CITY'OF ATLANTA $3.50
Detroit, Sept. 11.—For the sec
ond successive week there has
been no meeting held at Head
quarters, due to lack of quorum.
All the auto boats are out and
the passenger season of the D & C
Line has been extended to thejat
ter part of this month. The hall
is practically empty, and replace
ments are hard to .get.
Balloting for the election of
Great Lakes District officers is In
full swing, with most of the vot
ing" going on from the ships. A
meeting is scheduled for the last
Tuesday in September, or the first
Tuesday in October "to elect a bal
loting committee to proceed with
the counting of the ballots.
ment agreement for 1940 as sooh beefs, or to do anything about go
ing to town for conditions. Nat
urally, these guys who have been
accustomed to real activity on the
Gulf and East Coasts, couldn't un
derstand officials not going to hat
for conflitions.
as Thompson is free to do so. This
will be taken care of within the
coming week.
At the request of the steward's
crews on this line from Chicago,
a meeting Tias been arranged for
the month of September, to
thrash out next year's agreement.
Dissatisfied members of the NMU
have shown keen interest in the
outcome.
* * »
Headquarters Branch has gone
on record, unanimously, to re
quest the International to con
tinue to assist this District build
the Union by maintaining Its
representation for another
twelve months. "
Cleveland Hall Closed
With the conclusion of the pas
senger service out of Cleveland,
the Hall there has been closed for
the season. The Halls at Buffalo,
Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago
will stay opep for the winter.
Preparations are being made for
a concerted drive early in the
Spring at all ports from Buffalo
to Duluth, to completely unionize
the Lakes.
* m *
Rumor has it that the Steam
boat Inspectors intend to crack
down on the PutInBay Line for
scandalous conditions aboard. A
matter of a sprinkler system and
the crews' quarters are involved.
* * *
NOTICE:—We have been In
formed by the Atlantic Oietrict
that CHARLES MASON ̂ (Atlan)
tic Book No. 2524, Lakes No.
1367) had been suspended by the
Atlantic District on June 12,
1939, for 99 years. This man
has transferred into the Lakes
District without this fact being
known here. He was tried and
convicted In New York, on the
testimony of the crew of the SS
Tlomar, of working against the
Interests of the SIU on the Cal
mar Line.
We have beeii informed that
he is now working oh a tug out
of Buffalo. Headquarters Branch
vvent on record to Inform the
tugboatmen's officials in that
port of this man's status, and to
take the proper action.
Organizer OK'd
Everything wasn't so bad, how
ever, and the boys all gave a big
hand to R. D. Thompson, Interna
tional Organizer, who, they all
say, is doing a good job. He works
with the membership, and they all
voiced their respect and confi
dence in him. They did say, how
ever, that he was handicapped,
due to the opposition of the old
timers who, as one guy etated,
"Haven'trbeen to,sea since Christ
gave the first charter to St. Peter,
with jurisdiction over both sea
men and fishermen."
Elections Soon
The elections are coming up
soon. The SUP and Brother Lun
deberg have kept their promise,
and now we have a proposed Con
stitution, modeled on that of the
SUP, which is' rated as the most
democratic union Constitution in
existence. With the elections com
ing up, the membership oh the
Lakes shOuld let these "sitaround
anddonothingofficials" know that
the officials who get elected will
be those who go down the line for
the membership. If they don't cut
the mustard, they will be voted
out.
rraternally,
Finn Schefstad, Agent
APPRECIATION
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Sept. 7, 1939
SS OREMAR.
Dear Brothers:
We, the members of the Stew
ard's Department, aboard the SS
Oremar of the Calmar Lines, do
hereby give our deepest thanks
and appreciation to the deck and
engine departments, the ILA, and
Patrolman Collins of Philadelphia,
for the militant action and stand
taken in winning our bvertime in
all ports for Saturdays, Sundays 1
Events of Day
The following are a few glean
ings from the events of the day
on the Lakes. The proposition of
watchmen and shlpkeepera was
nagotiated with Mr. Perkins, op'
erating manager of the D & C
Lines, and the following condi
tloris laid down and agreed Upon:
1) Watchmen to work three shifts
of eight hours each in place of
the twelve hour shifts in effect
last winter. 2) No watchman or
shipkeeper to take care of more
than one boat. Last year e^oh
man watched two boats. 3) Whges
shall be $120 per month, same as
last year.
Iniprove*l ConditioikS
Also got new mattresses for the
forward end of the Tremaine, one
of the D&C auto boats, and had
the plumbing fixed in the toilet
of the port side forward, about
which the men were squawking
regularly. The last two Items,
though small, go to show that all
such conditions can be cleaned up
aboard ship if the men bring
them up to the patrolmen, and
back them up for action.
The war situation has greatly
stimulated the ore and grain traf
fic. The Lake Carriers Associa
tion reports something more like
twenty of more boats fitted out in
August. A number of men are be
ing placed aboard these boats for
educational and organizational
purposes.
Ignoring Agreement
Just a word about the beef on
the Oakwood, a sandsucker be
longing to the NicholsonEcorse
Line, working put of Chicago. The
SIU signed an agreement with
the company this Spring calling
for $135 wage scale for qualified
men In all departments. The
coinpany has not been living up
to this aBicemcnt The Chinago
Branch went to hat and elected a
committee to Investigate the ques
tion fully, and report hack what
action should be taken.
SS SUWIED . 12.50
SS DESOTO: '
Steward's Dept 8.00
Deck Dept 4.75
Engine Dept. 3.25
Chas. Waid 5.00
P. J. Coffey .27
SS MANUBLA:
Deck Dept 10.00
Steward's Dept. ...,. 6.00
Engine Dept 8.00
SS ftOBIN ADAIR .... 23.00 Lf
SS DELRIO 38.00
SS CITY OF SAVAN
NAH 7.00
Chas. Waid
SS CITY OF CHATTA
1.00
NOOGA .... 10.25
SS DELMUNDO;
Engine Dept 7.00
Deck. Dept
Steward's Dept. ,
SS COMET:
Engine Dept. ....
V. P. Magee
R. Brown .......
SS BOSTON:
Steward's Dept.
W. Le Bon 1.00
C. Coburn .7 ,... , 1.00
SS EVANGELINE:
Engine Dept, ,....
Deck Dept . . , 13.00
R. Roberts
A. Paige
T. Laller
A. Bourney 2.00
W. Findley 1.00
0. Gilllard
B. Gibson
M. Egan
A. Lamos
J. Carter ..........
C. Bryant .25
J. Green .25
R. Chlsholm .25
T. Smith . .50
"T. Cuminier .50 '
J. Resendeo .50
J. A. Glesias 1.00
J. A. Axelson 2.00
'F.^ Berry 1.00
J. Lapham .50
J. A. Monroe .50
E. T. Prien ... .50
E. McVay .50
C. Hodge 1.00
D. Story 1.00
B. Mayer 1.00
H. L. Kiel IJQO
F. G. Franklin 1.00
W. P. Gonsorchlk .... 1.00
J. Gourdier ^
L. Goners t.... .50
W. Schnepfe 1.00
L. N. Matz !. 1.00
R. Burns 1.00
W. Rutherford 1.00 .
M. Girolmo 1.00
J. Waan anen 1.00
A. O'Neil 1.00
D. Carney 1.00
D. Bourjie • 1.00
F. K. Metzner ...... 1.00
A. Zibron 2.50
E. P. Donnelly .. 2.50
H. V. Zumpft .. 1.00
R. Jones .......v.... 1.00
SS MAINE .. 18.00
J.Li
r:
and holidays, and all over the re
quired eight hours per day. Plus
three hours a week for the chief
cook for hutcherliig, and six
hours per week for the second
cook for baking.
Fraternally yours,
Fred W. Saunders, Na. 751
Stewards' Delegate
A. H. O'Neil, .No., 436,
Engine Delegate
Alex Ford, No. 145,
Deck Delegate • .
NOTICE!
All 81U members who are
confined In Marine Hospitals
ars 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.
It is the Duty of Every
Member to Vote,
Have You?
\ " • "
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SECURITY
IN
UNITY '
The Seafarers' Log
Seafarers' International Union of North America
Official Organ of the Atlantic, Gulf and Great Lakes Seamen
BROTHERHQOD
OF THE
SEA
VOL. I NEW YORK, N. Y., MONDAY, SEPT. 18, 1939 446 NO. 18
SlU STRIKES SHIPS FOR RONUS
AS NMU SUPPLIES FINK CREWS!
REFUSE TO SAIL VESSELS
BOUND FOR WAR ZONES
STRIKERS AGAINST P & 0
STILL HOLDING TOUGH
NMU Agcnits Jones Accused As
A Scabherder: Makes Self Scarce
FINKS SEEK TROUBLE
Miami, Sept. 6—Fortyfour days of strike, "and only one
of the five ships owned and operated by the P&O has sailed,
Fortyfour days on the picket line in the hot tropical sun.
Say it quick, and it doesn't sound very long,—but just look
back at the record, and you will find that this .strike has set
the record, on this coast, for tying'^
up one company's ships longer
than any strike since 1915.
Company Desperate
The cotttJpSny . is getting'desper
ate. Just yesterday, a gi^oup of
link^ charge'd' up on company
beer; arid perhaps a few mugglee
on t}ie' side, wei^ ribbed by the
coml^ny to provoke a disturbance
on company property so that the
cops^ worifd be called in to make
wholesale plnchr>s. The finks,
loaded with, "Dutch • courage,"
crept arountfefa storte wall and
blocked the sidewalk in front QP'
a lone picket, but the picket
walked right on through them. It
was a pretty sight—ten finks gix
ing way before one picket! The
strikers across the boulevard, sev
eral hundred feet away, got a real
laugh out of that. And then came
the payoff. "Rat" Bell Chambers,
chief cook of the SS Florida, start
ed to sneak back aboard, and in
his confusion and haste, fell down
and sustained several bruises,
cuts, and a blackeye — which
shows that finks can't be depended
upon — especially when they can't
sneak around a wall without
stumbling!
Scablierder Jones
Just a few minutes before this,
NMU agent Frank "Scabherder"
Jones had declared his innocence,
and had solemnly sworn that no
NMU members were aboard P&O
ships. The words were hardly out
of his mouth when a NMU mem
ber named John Saunders came
bouncing down the str.eet like a
highspeed Frankenstein, waving
two big stones, and calling for the
police. Then, with a car load of
police, and a motorcycle escort to
keep him from stumbling, he
walked through the picket line,
and aboard the SS Florida. Jones
has been rather scareever since.
Still on Strike
Last Friday the Miami Branch
voted enthusiastically and unani
mously to continue, and intensify
the strike. Immediately, "Brother
(:Co)itii)vc(l on Page 3)
It
Nazi Submarine Stops
Waterman Line Ship
Mobile, Ala,, Sept. <ll~The
American freighter Wacosta,
owned by the Waterman
Steamship Co., was stopped
off the coast qf Ireland last
Saturday by a German sub
marine, and was detained for
three hours.
The captain of the vessel,
G, Self, radioed the Water
man office that his ship had
been boarded by a guard
from the submarine, who
searched her for contraband
cargo, and examined her
papers. ̂
The Wacosta, with accom
modations for about eight pas
sengers, was bound from Glas
gow to New York, with an
undetermined number of pas
sengers aboard.
After determining that the
Wacosta carried no contra
band, the submarine's com
mander allowed her to pro
ceed, the captain advised his
office. Captain Self reported
that the submarine's com
mander had informed him
that he had orders to fire on
any, vessel that refused to
halt for a search, regardless
of nationality.
Crews of Robin Adair, St. John and
Acadia Quit Ships to Enforce
Demands for'War Pay
RANK AND FILE PRESSURE PUT ON
COMMISSARS BY NMU CREWS
New York, Sept. 18.—Following closely on the heels of the
recent complete failure of NMU officials to assure their mem
bers of war risk insurance and a bonus for sailing the
SS President Roosevelt, and Manhattan, and several other
ships, SIU officials last week took definite steps to prevent a
recurrence of such a thing on SIU manned vessels.
The crew of the SS St. John of the Eastern Steamship Co.,
reported to have been chartered to the U.S. Lines for the
purpose of repatriating American citizens in Europe, held a
meeting on September 11, and drew up a list of conditions
• ^and provisions for war risk insur
and bonus. The demands were
presented to the company, and
met with a curt refusal, and a
is
Baltimore Looks For An
Early Shipping Increase
New Ships Under Construction and.
Old Ones Being Reconditioned
"GALLEY RADIO" RUMORS
• • v.,.
J3altimc)re, Md., Aug. 30—Tying up of several of the Bull
Line ships, and extended fepairs on a few ships of other SIU
lines is causiHg a somewhat topheavy beach list these days,
with shippihg below average, idtowever, the beginning of the
fruit, trade next month will start off what is expected to be
a busy season, and we look'for
boom In the SIU business out of
this port during the Fall jvnd
Winter months.
ESSO's conversion of a goodly
portion of their .foreign fleet to
American registry, with the con
sequent hiring of American sea
men for the jobs that rightly be
longed to them in the first place,
Is bound to be felt on the water
front soon. Like practically every
one else these days, we are a lit
tle fed up on'Hitler's crises; but
if it has the effect of scaring some
of our patriotic American ship
owners into giving Jobs to Amer
ican seamen—at least something
has been accomplished.
Cbnditions Improved
' Following closely the action
taken on the West Kyska for con
siderable improvements In living
condition before she went, on the
intercoastal run, similar Improve
ments were obtained aboard the
West Madaket of the same line.
The drive for better food and
quarters on all ships coming into
this port continues without any
letup and if the crews continue
to back up their delegates and pa
(Continued on Page 2)
ATTENTION
The following resolution was in
troduced at last Monday night's
regular joint meeting at Atlantic
District Headquarters, and was
unanimously concurred in:
WHEREAS: Nominations for
Atlantic District officers will be
made at the regular meetings at
Headquarters and the various
Branches on September 18 and
September 25, and
WHEREAS: There has not
yet been specified a list of those
offices which will be open for
nomination, and '
WliEREAS: Such a list
should be compiled, so that all
members will know the offices
which will be held open for
nominations, therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the follow
Ing offices be declared open
for nominations in the Atlantic
District;
ATL. DIST. HDQTRS.;
(N.V. Branch)
1 SecretaryTreasurer
1 Ass't. SecretaryTreasurer
1 Deck Patrolman
1 Engine Patrolman
1 Stewards Patrolman
3 Joint Patrolmen
BOSTON BRANCH;
1 Joint Agent
(Continued on Page 3) ~
Points Out How
Phonies Follow
Party Line
San Juan, P.R., Sept. 11.—So I
read from the "West Coast Sail
ors" of August 24th, the.exact re
petition of the little "raid" the
comrats tried last July 8, 1938, at
San Juan on the SS Afoundria of
the Waterman Company, when the
comrats, headed by the phoney
John Rogan, a six months experi
ence O.S. NMU agent, who had
been running around with his
goodhearted boss Fred W. Small
for a quarter, or a half a buck a
day, doublecrossed Fred Small,
who did not want to give in to
the terms of the'C.P. tactics and
politics. This iat, Rogan, com
bined with comrade "Blackie"
Myers, pushed Fred Small out of
the NMU agent's job, and tried to
run Union men with his six
months O.S. seamanship experi
ence, under the instructions of
the C.P.
Phoney. Move
On the good day of July 8, 1938,
this nut, combined with the
phoney UTM dumbells planted a
"picket line" on the SS Afoundria",
which was carrying an AFL crew,
union hired men with a closed
shop contract with the shipowners.
Rogan, with two other NMU
swindlers, demanded from the
Waterman Line to replace the
Afoundria's crew with NMU. Can
you imagine? Is it not. nerve?
Well, the boys on the Afoundria
called me up through their agents
early in the morning, and asked
me to speak for them. Did so; and
the commies who were working
two years ago, ahead of fiie, in
Porto Rico had a big laugh for
an answer to my request to leave
alone our AFL men on the ship,
(Continued on Page 3)
phoney, empty promise of retro
active paj'ment, if and when any
bonus or insurance is later agreed
upon between the Union and the
company. The crew refused to go
for this, which was the same
promise handed the NMU by the
U.S. Lines, and a special meeting
was called at Atlantic District
Headquarters for the following
night.
The meeting was attended most
ly by members of the crew of the
St. John,_and voted unanimously
in favor of walking off the ship at
5:00 P.M. Wednesday, unless the
company put their signature on
the dotted line. Their demands
were not met with, and the entire
crew was paid off later in the
week.
Acadia Takes Action
The SS Acadia arrived fiom
Bermuda last Wednesday. This
vessel is also reported chartered
to the U.S. Lines. The crew im
mediately contacted Headquarters,
and were told of the action taken
by the crew of the St. John, and
.signified their intention of holding
fast for the same demands. Later
in the week, the crew, with the
exception of a few standby men,
was paid off this ship, and the
St. John and Acadia are at pres
ent tied up at the U.S. Lines
docks.
Kobin Adair Crew Quits
The crew of the SS Robin Adair
of the Seas Shipping Co. (Robin •
Line) were supposed to sign on
for South African ports last Wed
nesday afternoon, but when the
company retused to agree to the
payment of a stipulated bonus, the
crew gave notice, and quit the
ship. This ship was later supplied
with finks, of which move the
NMU disclaimed all knowledge.
However, NMU representatives
were seen taking men aboard this
ship, which later pulled out and
(Continued on Page 2)
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THE SEAFAR^ :S:^'L'0, G Motiday, Sept. 18, 1939"
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Piibliahed by the
' Seafarers' International Union
of North America
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
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HARRY LUNDEBERG, Acting President .
110 Market Street, Room 402, San Frkncisco, Calif.
Atlantic District
HEADQUARTERS
New York (Phone: BOwling Green 93437) ,...2 Stone Street
BRAN6HEB
Boston .....330 Atlantic Avenue
Providence 1... 465 So. Main StreeJ
Philadelphia 6 Nortli 6th..Street
Baltimore .;. . .. 14 North Gay Street
Norfolk 60 Commercial Place
San Juan, Puerto Rico 8 Covadonga Street
Gulf District
HEADQUARTERS
New Orleans 309 Chartres Street
BRANCHES
Savannah . .a... .218 Bast Bay Street
Jacksonvlllo 136 Bay Street
Miami 809 N. E. First Avenue
Tampa ....206 Franklin Street
Mobile 55 Sp. Conception Street
Houston 1712 • 75th Street
Great Lakes District
HEADQUARTERS
Detroit 1038 Third Street
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THIS
PUBLICATION TO;
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
P. O. Box 522, Church St. Annex, New York, N. Y.
BAhTOIQRE
. (Continued from Page 1)
trolmen, as the big majority of
them have been doing lately, a
considerable all around improve
ment is going to be effected before
much longer.
Noted in a recent magazine ar
ticle, which glowingly describes
the Maritime Commission training
program, and how it will benefit
everybody ifrom Hell to Texas; , is
a statement that the Coast Guard
hopes to bring the Merchant Ma
rine back tothe status when men
who went down to the sea in
ships "had salt in their blood
Our thought on the matter is that
if the Admiralspaid more atten
tion to putting decent wages in
the pockets, and good food in the
stomachs of seamen, the "salt in
the blood" angle would take caro
of itself;
ELECTIONS SOOR AT HAND
SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN
INTO POPULARITY CONTEST
With the election of ofticers less than two months away, it
is time that the membership look about for likely material to
act as the men they wish to lead them for the forthcoming
yeai^. This matter should be given serious attention by all
concerned. •
The election of officers must not be allowed to degenerate
into a mere popularity contest, as such a thing only too often
has dire results. The idea is to pick the men whom you think
arb best fitted" for the jobs, and whom you have good reason
to believe will have the interests of the membership at heart,
rather than their own selfaggrandizement. Don't put your
affairs in the liands of incompetents, lioi those who are
strictly on the lookout for pie!
UNION'S FUTURE '
This is really a serious business, and will directly affect
the entire future of the Union. If you elect^men who are not
both mentally and physicaUy equipped to .handle the job as
it should he handled, or if you vote .lor men merely because,
they happen to he personal friends of yours, and know prac
tically nothing of the seamens' lafhor movement, then you will
end up by having a lot of grief on your hands.
Don't forget that, after this coming election, we will he
practically on our own, and the" eyes of all other maritime
unions will he upon us. We can not afford to have men at
the head'of this organization who are not honest, militant
fighters! Labor fakers are absolutely out I There is no plaee.
in this organization for shipowners' stooges!
GOOD MEN ON SHIPS
Now:—jixst who are these men who are qualified to lead
lis? Surely there must be a wealth of good material aboard
the ships. We know that there afe men sailing the Ships who
are honest and militant. Men who are not looking.for"mere
pfc', but who are, all the way through, bona fide, unign men!
Men who are willing to pitch in, and go to town for the mem
bership !
Moveto. New Hall
Due to being in the throes of
moving from our old hall to a new
location, this article is necessarily
brief this trip. By the time this
appears ih print, however, we will
he located in the new Hall at 14
NORTH. GAY STREET, whjch is
approximately three blocks from
the Pratt Street waterfront, and
half a block North from the Spar
rows Point car line, at Baltimore
and Gay Streets. Members will
find the maih hall and dispatch
er's office on the second floor. of
the new building, and tlie SUP
Hall on the third floor. The tele
phone number remains as hereto
fore—Galvert 4539.
Ships Being Recoiiiditioned
Baltimore,' Md., Sept. ll—Ship
ping hits maintained its average
figure during the past two weekp,
with the stigbl difference of opin
ion over in Europe having no
great effect on the man on the
beach, at present. ESSO con
tinues to hire men via the agency
of "Standard Pete" for the same
28 tankers under the Panamanian
flag. , Incidentally,. the foreign
crews of these ships are leading
the life of Riley in an uptown
hotel, with room and board, thirty
dollars a month wages, and an
extra fifty cents a day spending
money for the duration of the
war. ESSO is also iining up
crews for their tie'd up fleet down
at Solomons Island;, graveyard,
and we e^cpect. tosee a regular
procession of old hulks , coming up
the Patapsco, for a revival at. the
shipyards. Every shipyard In this
area is jammed with.ships .being,
reconditioned,, and the lo.cal Beth
lehem yard, with a new.orcje); for
Ave Gommlssion ships, now has a
backlog of twenty three ships to
be built within the next two years.
"Galley Wireless" Ttuniora
Bull Line appears to be ready
ing their ships for active service
again, but these pickups are more
offset py unsettled conditions on
the Calmar and other intercoastal
fleets. Calmar is showing a ten
dency to stall and delay their
ships gn this coast, with the "gal
ley wireless" reporting that the
company plans to put some of
them on tlie transAtlantic run,
and other reports having It that
they are holding iheir ships on
this coast as long as possible, in
case of trouble with agreements
on the West Coast.
Speaking of the "galley , wire
less," it seems to be working over
time these (lays, with everything
from five hundred dollar bonuses,
to the Navy taking over the Mer
chant Marine being reported hour
ly. Members should take it easy
on these wild rumors, and remem
ber that the officials are following
events closely, and the interests
of the membership are being well
protected.
Bonus Question
On the question of bonuses,—
don't let anyone kid themselves
that the bighearted steamship
companies are going to hand thia
out freely to their brave crews.
They'll push up the frenght rates,
and triple the passenger rates, but
when it comes to passing out a
few dollars to the men who have
to do the dirty work and take all
the chances, it will be the same
old sad story,, and anything that
we get will have to be obtained
in the same old, hard hitting, mili
tant Union way. . If and when
bonuses are handed out, let them
be Union bonuses, based on Union
wages, and not just a handout
from some big hearted shipowner,
to "keep the crews' mouth shut".
If we appear to be a little worked
up about the matter, blame it on.
the bright boy whom we just
heard remark that it would be
very "decent" of the companies il
they paid a bonus. Decent be
damned;—they don't know, the
meaning of the word!
WAR BONUS
Departure
We regret to report the passing
of Brother Robert Hawley at the
Marine Hospital. Brother Hawley
died of tuberculosis, which used
to be called the white man's
plague, and had its breeding place
the slums of the cities. Sinfce
the average seaman's quarters are
about on a level with the average
damp, stinking, poorly ventilated
slum, it is no wonder that tuber
culosis is fast becoming a sea
man's disease, and wiping out
fine men of Brotner Hawiey's type.
\SBr
NO POPULARITY GONTEST
There are alsq many of your'^^present officers who are
qi^hlifiM to carry on with the good work'they haVe been do
ing,' and" they are, of course at present, better known to the,
general membership than are many of the inen on the ships.
However,—as we said before, this election isnot.by any man
ner of means meant to be a popularity contest, and 'it'is up
to the membership on the ships to nominate men whom they
knovv to be dependable and trustworthy. Don't vote for any
nominee just because you happen to know him! Take al.so
into consideration ids past record, his mental and physical
equipment, and his reputation for veracity and honesty.
Above aU things/ must take all precautions to guard
against any such thing aa has happened in; the NMU,—the
control by commissars 1 To allow anything of that sort to
happen would he tantamount to the death of the organi^
tion,—so it must not happen'
SELECT RIGHT MEN
Look about you, and .carefully select the men .whom you
believe are qualified to lead yottrand then make it your busi
ness to see that they are nominated for some office. Assure
p^Ourselves of complete rank and file control of the organiza
itioh. Do not be misled'by any electioneering propaganda,
and remember that your vote is jnjst as important as that
of anyone else. "Tt is, in fact, your dutyto vote, and, thus
cssiirp. yourselfa voice in the affairs of your Union!
Picture to yourselves what mighL happen if you were to
allgw the affairs of the Union to get into the hands, of a few
phoney piecards. You would soon lose the respect of all
other" unions, and wduld,probably find yqurselves being sold
out right hnd left, as was the case with the old ISU.
The Seafarers V International Upiou has a great future in
store for it, but all this can he obviated through the actions
of a few phoney, selfish individual^. Guard against snch an
emergency by making it your business JK) se^ tl^t jtie right
men are elected to bflice. NO PIE CARDS WANTED !
REMEMBER,—THIS ELECTION OF CFFICERSJS DE
FINITELY NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST! .
(Continued from PagC 1)
anchored In the "stream with only
a partial crew aboard.
Ilauk and File Pressiire
Rank and file pressume was put
on the NMU commissars when
the crews of the American Trader,
American Traveler, Iroquois, Scan
States, Excambion, Black Gull and
the Collamer, refused to sail the
ships without >yar risk insurance
and bonus provisions. Curran
then did a complete about face,
and piously declared that the
NMU would not grder their
members to sail these ships, and
stated that the ship owners have
stalled long enough.
It is high time that the NMU
commissars took a definite stand
on this matter, which directly af
fects the welfare of every Ameri
can seaman. There Is no ques
tion of patriotism involved,—not
—at least, on the part of the sea
men. They are entitled to a just
recompetise for sailing these
.ships into hazardous waters, and
must be provided with some sort
of insurance which will take care
of their families in the event they
are torpedoed, or lost at sea
through the hazards of war. '
Time to Enforce Demaiid.s
This thing is not any question .
of Union affiliations, but a ques
tion of all American seamem be
ing adequately protected. LET'S
ALL STICK TOGETHER ON
THE WAR BONUS QUESTION,
AND GET SOME ACTION! OUR
DEMANDS CAN BE ENFORCED
IF WE FIGHT THE SHIPOWN
ERS TOGETHER, AND FLATLY
REFUSE TO SAIL SHIPS TO
ANY WAR ZONES UNLESS
GUARANTEED, IN WRITING, A
CERTAIN STIPULATED BONUS
AND WAR RISK INSURANCE.
WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO AL
4.0W THIS THING TO DRAG
ON INDEFINITELY, AND THERE
IS NO TIME LIKE THE PRES
ENT TO ENFORCE OUR JUST
DEMANDSj
Some finks, Ixave already been
shipped pn the St. John, and., we
have it from a reliable source
that they were jshipped from the
NMU hall. At the time of going
to press, no crew has yet been
shipped to the SS Acadia, and we
are unable to determine wheth^
or not the Robin Adair has sailed. ,
Coniinissiun to 3Ieet
Emergency Board Chairman re
turned from 'Washington last Sat
urday, and reported that although
no agreement has been, reached,
with the shipowners or the MarK
time Commission on the wai
bonus question, it was indicated
that all were amenable to some"
sort of added compensation for
sailing vessels Into war zones, but
that rione of the shipowners want
to stick their .chins out by setting
a figure. They have passed the '
buck to the Commission, and.
there is to be another meeting
this week, when it is hoped that
the question will be settled. "'
The Commercial Telegraphers
Union, in convention In Chicago,
has wired their unanimous sup
port to the Seafarers' as follows:
"COMMERCIAL TBLEGRA ;
PHERS UNION IN CONVBNT, ;
TION TODAY UNANIMOUSLY
SUPPORTS WAR ZONE VOY '
AGE PAY AND INSURANCE
DEMANDS OF SIU AND MA
RINE DIVISION CTU." •
DEMAND A BONUS! — DE
MAND WAR RISK INSURANCEI,
AND ABOVE ALL — DON'T,
• «FlNK ON YOUR BROtHER
SEAMENI .
V
II
Notice:
Ships' Delegates: Demand
that all replacements produce
a properly filled out assign
ment card from the Dispatcher
at the Union hall.
Kit
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Monday, Sept. 18, 1939 'wK. THE. SEAFARERS' LOG 3
!'
$S VERMAR WANTS ACTiON
'' "* y
RESOLUTIXiN
WIIJBBEAS: The Caimar Line is one of the very few
steamship companies operating freighters • without an agree
ment, and
WHEREAS: The ships of this company are the worst
feeders, and have the worst working conditrons of any ships
running iutercoastal, and ,
WHEREAS: We, the crew of the SS Vermar, of this Cai
mar Line deem the shipping of crews on this company^ ships
through the Union Halls, without at the same time doing
something for bettering conditions on these ships, will ulti
mately work to the detriment of the Union,
_ THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That we request the
Atlantic, Gulf and Great Lakes Districts Secretary to bring
the matter of striking the Cafmar Line ships before the mem
bership as soon as possible, for the followiiig demands:
(1) Tlie Immediate recognition of the SlU as the sole
bargaining agency.
(2) Full enforcement of the West Coast agt^eements.
(3)^ The bringing of the quality of food and menu up
' to the West Coast standard.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That each member
of this crew donate one dollar ($1.00) in Boston, thesaid
sum to be forwarded to the main office in New Vork to be
used as expenses for making copieA of this resolution and
having it mailed to all ships' delegates of all Caimar Line
ships, and to all STTJ and SUP Branches. The surplus of this
sum to be turned over to the "LOG'^*. as a donation. We
recommend this to be published in the ."LOG" and the
"WEST COAST SAILORS",
Hiis resolution passed by the menxbership of the SS Ver
mar meeting on September 3, 1939.
(Signed) Joseph L. Hart, Chairman
Joseph Higgins, Rec. Sec'y
Chasr Twitchell, Deck Delegate
Heniy J. Childs, Eng. Room Delegate
a guide and maatervoice, came
back Avith two big NMU goons to
start organizing seamen and long
shoremen in Porto Rico again.
Will see you brothers some day
when you call at Porto Rico.
E. G. Moreno, No. 2891,
Phoney's Headhunter
WANT ORGANIZERS
TO STAY AND HELP
P&O STRIKE
(Continued Jium Paf/e 1)
Rat", who is always aroXind where
"there" is a strike, started the
rumor that the boys in Tampa
were disgusted, andwere going to
call the strike oft and sail the
SS Cuba. Last flight, Tampa held
an overflow meeting to concur
with the Miami decision, and
"carry on to victory". So much
for the rumor mongers and rats!
Representatives of the Central
Trades Council of Miami, together
with Brothers Dean, and Gunni
son, and a representative of tlie
strike committee will confer with
P&O vicepresident • and general
counsel, Scott Loftln, In Jackson
ville tomorrow, with the object, of
reopening negotiations. '
Miami Correspondent
I ill.
Miami, Fla., Sept. 12—The strike
against the P&O is still on. Some
of the boys have lost their cars,
and .quite a few things they had
bought on the installment plan.
These fellows are putting up a
tough fight against apparently in
surmountableodds. For, when a
shipowner and another organiza
tion get together to give bona fide
Union mfen a licking, it makes the
going tougher.
It is rumored around that the
U.S. Lines stiffs who could not get
a war bonus because the phonies
sold them down the river with the
O.K. of the Maritime Commission,
are coming down to Florida to
scab on the SlU. These phdnies
finked on , the NMU when the
NMU was the ISU Rank and pile.
They did not have ths guts to
stick to one, organization, but are
plain book fioppers!
The membership here went on
record thanking all ships crews
and friends who are donating, to
this strike. Without their help,
we could not have lasted.
Roland Dean was here for a few
days/.and left again. While he
was here he saw the militancy of
the SIU demonstrated on the
picket line. '
) Quite a few fellows have cleared
i for other ports, in order to be
'able to pay up bills, and take care
I of family obligations. The rest of
the gang are holding tou^h!, . „
John GUrtnisdfi/ Alsnt
SAN JUAN ,
(Continued, from Paye 1)
and^respect jurisdictions as we do.
NMU Had Fun
The socalled State Federation
of Labor in Porto Rico did not
give a damn, and, .worse yet, they
did not know what was the whole
BtoiT nor the intention of the com
mies. They were only to please
some 60called Socialist Party
members, and afraid to hurt their
feelings by imposing , order and
discipline to the phoney UTM, so
,the NMU' had the fun' for two
days, while we assembled the real
APL longshoremen who were in
sympathy and 100 percent in fa
vor of backing the Afdundria's
crew.
CIO Flops
' July llth, the ILAAFL Long
shoremen showed Rogan how to
cive insanity, and' since then,
NMU UTM r CP with all their
phoney rat,s in it, started to flop,
and I can safely say they have
flopped in Porto Rico, The two
phonies who assisted Mr. Rogan,
stowed away with $200 stewpot
money collected from ships, in
tended to be used to feed the
phoney "picket line" they had
planted' around the SS Afoundria.
Rogan was fduhd misusing fUnds
of the NMU, and to ̂ iet it down
he was removed from Porto Rico
before the nienlbers threw him out"
of their , phoney outfit.
These rotten comrats tried to
stop the liiA from working the
SS Coloradan last January ioSG,
and again flopped, and just com
plicated and hampered the welfare
Oif some unconcerned bona flde
woi kmen on the SS Coloradan.
Rogan Returns
Rogan came back as general or
ganizer for the CIO, and tried to
highjack the SIU ci'ew of the SS
Dellsle on their first trip to Porto
Rico last March 8th, and again
flopped. His commy pal, Hoffman,
had to hide himself, and had to
be provided with an jxpen ship
ping date to get away from the
Island, and Rogan hit the can/and
,qiilL±he . Island later.
Two weelai ago this Rogan, as
SS David H. At water.
Dear Brothers:
Since the SIU started it has
gained more for seamen than any
other union ever gained on tlie
East Coast. It must be remem
bered that the gains that have
been made, have been made with
hard Work, and cannot stop. Vie
have to take our Union business
the same as your shipowner does.
One of the main things we are
after is unity with the "West
Coast Unions. Also, with the ma
jority oif the members of the NMU
—but riot the officials of the NMlT.
It is understood that we are to
lose some of the maritime indus
try's most militant leaders; name
ly: Harry Lundeberg, "Duke"
Dushhrie, Frank Berry, and "Red"
Dean, the brothens up and down
the coast who have proven them
selves honest and capable, and a
credit to any organization. We,
the undersigned, go on record to
request that these West Coast men
who have worked so hard to help
make our Union a militant organ
ization stay with us and help us
to get what we are out to get.
That is—^higher wages, better con
ditions, and intercoastal unity. It
must be remembered that when
this unity is gotten, we xvill be
able to call ourselves true Ameri
can Seamen, and not as it is at
present:—Are you an East Coast
man? Are you a West Coast man,
a Gulf man, or a Great Lakes
man?
We, the undersigned are out for
one big maritime union, with no
Nazis, Fascists . or. Communists
dictating to us!
(Signed) Diclc Stewart, No.
5111; Geo. Brown, No. 539; E. H.
Fain; No. 1702: J. Morrison,No,
1802; H. Grooms, No. 2769; Ted
Wilson, No. 5064; J. S. " Sawyer,
No. 5431 T. T. Davis, No. 4884;
C. Medford, No. 4797; J: Ford, No,
5441 ( H. Hudson, No. ? ;E. S,
Day, No. ? ; R. Bellevance, No.
5237; Ei Mansfield, No. 3315; H.
P. Stafkey, No. 2385; M. Nutini,
No. 2614; Nils Nelson, No. 5720;
C. Duke, No. 5617; and J. Ginnell,
No. 89.
ATTENTION
(Continued from Page 1)
1 Deck Patrolman
1 Engine Patrofmari
2 Stewards Patrolmeri
PROVIDENCE BRAbfCH:,
1 Joint Agent
PHILADELPHIA BRANCH:
1 Joint Agent '
1 Joint Patrolman
BALTIMORE BRANCH:
1 Joint Agent "
" 1 Deck Patrolman
1 Engine Patrolman
' 1 Stewards Patrolman
NORFOLK BRANCH:
1 Joint Agent
1 Joint Patrolman
SAN JUAN BRANCH:
1 Joint Agent
and be it further
RESOLVED: That any offices
not Included in this ballot shall
be. open to a vote of the mem
bers of the Branches involved,
and be >lt further
RESOLVED: That any men
so elected shall not be consid
ered as elected, nor put on the
payroll until concurred in by a
Headquarters meeting, and be it
finally
RESOLVED: That all nominees
for such positions shall hrive
the same qualifications as speci
ffcil by the Constitution, '
COMMISSION IGNORES
OF MERCHANT VESSELS
More Concerned With Building
Up Naval Auxiliary FleiBt • ' "* ^
INVESTIGATION NEEDED
In the various pre.ss releases which the Maritime Cora
mission sends out from time to time, xve note that the M. 0,
Adnxirals dwell on .the fact that American Merchant Marine
carries less than 305^ of our foreign commerce, and that due
to the lower operating costs of foreign ships, other nations
are able to succes.sfuliy eompetd with the American ship
owner.
AUXILIARY FLEET
A very close study of the policies of the M. C. reveals
several very interesting things. They are building new ships,
very fine ones indeed, but the mo.st important features
stre.ssed are the vessels rapid adaptability for Naval Reserve
u.ses. While they are and xvill be placed at the disposal of
private operators in peace time, yet in the event of xvar, these'
ships automatically will be transfened to the Navy as ail
auxiliary fleet. On the siu'face, the ordinary man in the street"
would say it is a fine thing, but to persons who have observed
the activities of the M. C., it appears in a different light.
SEND ADMmALS TO SEA
The Maritime Commission is jiot as primarily interested
in the development of the American Merchant Marine as it
is to provide a suitable Naval auxiliary fleet. That a Naval
Reserve is a neces.sitj'^ is not questioned, but we must not lose
sight of the fact that if this country is to progress, more
emphasis must be placed on the.ship eon.struction program
froni the Merchant Marine point of view, instead of that of
the Navy. It i.s therefore .suggested that the Admirals of the
M.C. take a short cruise on a fi'eighter to acquaint themselves
with all angles of the industry's problems from both the labor
and owners' side.
FOREIGN FLAG SHIPS
While on the question of benefiting the Merchant Marine
Industry as a whole, we believe that the M. C. should investi
gate reports that a well known fruit company plans to trans
fer all its American flag vessels to foreign registry. Just how
true these rumoi'S are is not kiioxvn, but, it is said that where'
there is smoke fire is present.
This^particular company has obtained millions of dollars
from the American public for its ventures, thereby making it
a corporation in which the people of this country are vitally
interested. Further, the taxpayers of the United States have
a definite responsibility insofar as this firm is concerned, due
to having had to foot the hillfor most of the costs pertaining
to the construction and reconditioning of its vessels. ^
SHOULD BE STOPPED T
If the reports are correct about this outfit transferring its
ships to foreign registry, then the M.C. should institute an in'
ve.stigatxoil to determine why this firm xvishes to do this. "Wei
as seamen, are definitely against such a transfer because it
would ci'eate additional unemployment in our field, as well'
as tend to depreciate our endeavors to improve conditions for'
all seafai'ing classes. And from the public'e standpoint, the
merchants of this country stand to lose approximately $350,
000 yearly. This, and the fact that American seirmen will be
deprived of an annxxal iheonie of abont .$600,000 should be of
some concein to the M. C., who profess to have the interest
of the seamen and the indn.stry at heart.
We believe that any shipping company who transfers, or
threatens to transfer their .ships to a foreign flag, axe not de
serving of the trust aixd confidence of the American public
who have invested huge sums dix*eetly, or otherwise, iix their'
enterprises. Any company xvho in so doing loxvers the Ameri
can standard of living shoxxld he placed bn the unfair list of"
all organized laboh
A. 0. Wingate, SIU No. 90
• .
" ' J.
HONOR ROLL
P. A. Harrelson $1.00
E. Ormaly ;.
L. B. Lay ton 75
0.^ Anderson .50
H. Lohbefer .50
D. Grabill ;: J.....; ; 1.00
S. Tingle .. .25
R. Nevitt" .........................i.» .25
G. H. Reier . LOO
B. "W right ...I..........tju* * • • • • .50
V. Lucas .60
'I
V''U
• Mt'
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I
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AS.
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4 THE S E A F A R E R S ' L O G Monday, Sept. 18, 1939
1^,51
iV'
IIP
NEWS and VIEWS from the LAKES
BUFFALO
10 Exchange Street
MILWAUKEE
730 S. Second Street.:
DETROIT
1038 Third Street
CLEVELAND
1426 Third Street
CHICAGO
810y2 N. Clark Street
VOTING ON OFFICIALS IN
FULL SWING ON UkES
f BobLo Line Pulls in Horns When
' Union Files Action With Board
"g
GEORGIAN BAY LINED UP
Detroit, Mich., Aug. 30—Balloting is in full swing for the
election of officers of the Great Lakes District. Fifteen hun
dred ballots, polling lists, and sets of instructions to agents
are now at all branches, and are being brought aboard all
ships. During the month of September, the men on the Lakes
will designate whom they wish to^
be their officials for the coming
year.
To be eligible to vote, all mem
bers must have paid either their
transtef fee, or initiation fee into
Seafarers' not later than August
IG, 1939, and must have paid at
least three months dues by Sep
tember 5, 1939. Those members
who transferred or joined before
June 1, 1939 must have their dues
paid for the month of June. Part
payment men, whose full initia
tion fee has not been paid pilor
to August 15, are ineligible to
vote.
Agents are distributing ballots
to all eligible members aboard
ships, and at Branch Halts.
Ballot Explained
There will he four important
propositions up for vote of the
membership on' the ballot. All
Union men should not fail to vote
bu them. Number 1 is the ques
tion of restoring rotary shipping
from the halls. Number 2 is the
15.00 Strike Fund Assessment.
JThe value of a fund to back up
the men in case of strike should
be obvious to all members. The
third proposition is a ?2.00 Burial
Assessment, to make it possible
for the Union to give a decent
burial to members who pass away.
The final proposition is the adop
tion of the proposed Constitution
for the Seafarers' International
Union of North America, copies
of which have been circulated
throughout the Lakes District.
Ballots, to be valid, must be
postmarked not later than mid
night September 30, 1939. Get
your ballots early, and avoid get
ting caught in the last minute
rush of voting. It will be entirely
up to the membership to elect the
men they wish to serve them for
the coming year. 'Nough said!
* « «
"Agent" Kicks Back
Leo Mitchell, SIU delegate on
the SS South American, gives no
tice to all members of the Stew
ard's Department who have paid
dues into Secord's cooks "union,"
that the Steward aboard the
South American has been com
pelled to refund his twentyflvo
percent cut on the dues to the
members who paid him. This re
fund comes out of his own pocket.
You can kiss the other 75 percent
goodbye! That's already in Se
cord's bank account. Get your 25
percent back now—while you can! * * • *
Tbst. BobLo Steamship Line
pulled in its horns last week
when the Union filed action
with the Michigan State Media
tion Board, giving said company
a five day strike notice if it did
not withdraw its instructions to
^ships' officers forbidding the
^Dniqi Agents from coming
aboitfd to transact Union busi
ness with the men. The threat
' of economic action brought
, fluick results.
Written permits were issued
by the company, for Union rep
reesntatives to come aboard at
any time. The BobLo season is
now over, and we expect no un
friendly action from this com
pany.
» » »
Georgian Bay
Due to the fact tliat Interna
tional representa,tive Thompson
was caled suddenly to New Or
leans and the West Coast on
Union business,' the steward'.s de
partment beef with the Georgian
Bay Line reported in a previous
issue of the "LOG" has not re
ceived quicker action. Tliis com
pany agrees to negotiate with the
Union for the Steward's depart
Guif Men Protest
Lakes Conditions
Old Time Offlciais
Held Negligent
New Orleans, La.,'
August 24, 1939.
Dear Brothers;
Recently we have been receiving
letters from Gulf District mem
bers of the .Seafarers' Interna
tional Union, who went North this
Spring to try their luck on the
Lakes. When these letters flral
started arriving we didn't pay
much attention to them, figuring
that shipping was probably bad,
and the boys were having a hard
time getting accustomed to things
up there.' As more letters cams
in, and a few of the boys drifted
back however, we realized that
with so much smoke there must
be some fire—so heregoes!
No Keal Activity
The main beef seems to be that
the old time officials seem to bs
satisfied to coast along on their
jobs, and not pay much attention
to the membership, other than be
iug on hand to inspect books, and
collect dues. The letters and the
complaints almost wholly com
plained that It was hard to get
these old time officials to settle
Better Conditions
Reported fln Lakes
War Si+uation Affects
Great Lakes Traffic
BEEF ON OAKWOOD
P&ODQNATiONS
P&O DONATIONS
SS CITY'OF ATLANTA $3.50
Detroit, Sept. 11.—For the sec
ond successive week there has
been no meeting held at Head
quarters, due to lack of quorum.
All the auto boats are out and
the passenger season of the D & C
Line has been extended to thejat
ter part of this month. The hall
is practically empty, and replace
ments are hard to .get.
Balloting for the election of
Great Lakes District officers is In
full swing, with most of the vot
ing" going on from the ships. A
meeting is scheduled for the last
Tuesday in September, or the first
Tuesday in October "to elect a bal
loting committee to proceed with
the counting of the ballots.
ment agreement for 1940 as sooh beefs, or to do anything about go
ing to town for conditions. Nat
urally, these guys who have been
accustomed to real activity on the
Gulf and East Coasts, couldn't un
derstand officials not going to hat
for conflitions.
as Thompson is free to do so. This
will be taken care of within the
coming week.
At the request of the steward's
crews on this line from Chicago,
a meeting Tias been arranged for
the month of September, to
thrash out next year's agreement.
Dissatisfied members of the NMU
have shown keen interest in the
outcome.
* * »
Headquarters Branch has gone
on record, unanimously, to re
quest the International to con
tinue to assist this District build
the Union by maintaining Its
representation for another
twelve months. "
Cleveland Hall Closed
With the conclusion of the pas
senger service out of Cleveland,
the Hall there has been closed for
the season. The Halls at Buffalo,
Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago
will stay opep for the winter.
Preparations are being made for
a concerted drive early in the
Spring at all ports from Buffalo
to Duluth, to completely unionize
the Lakes.
* m *
Rumor has it that the Steam
boat Inspectors intend to crack
down on the PutInBay Line for
scandalous conditions aboard. A
matter of a sprinkler system and
the crews' quarters are involved.
* * *
NOTICE:—We have been In
formed by the Atlantic Oietrict
that CHARLES MASON ̂ (Atlan)
tic Book No. 2524, Lakes No.
1367) had been suspended by the
Atlantic District on June 12,
1939, for 99 years. This man
has transferred into the Lakes
District without this fact being
known here. He was tried and
convicted In New York, on the
testimony of the crew of the SS
Tlomar, of working against the
Interests of the SIU on the Cal
mar Line.
We have beeii informed that
he is now working oh a tug out
of Buffalo. Headquarters Branch
vvent on record to Inform the
tugboatmen's officials in that
port of this man's status, and to
take the proper action.
Organizer OK'd
Everything wasn't so bad, how
ever, and the boys all gave a big
hand to R. D. Thompson, Interna
tional Organizer, who, they all
say, is doing a good job. He works
with the membership, and they all
voiced their respect and confi
dence in him. They did say, how
ever, that he was handicapped,
due to the opposition of the old
timers who, as one guy etated,
"Haven'trbeen to,sea since Christ
gave the first charter to St. Peter,
with jurisdiction over both sea
men and fishermen."
Elections Soon
The elections are coming up
soon. The SUP and Brother Lun
deberg have kept their promise,
and now we have a proposed Con
stitution, modeled on that of the
SUP, which is' rated as the most
democratic union Constitution in
existence. With the elections com
ing up, the membership oh the
Lakes shOuld let these "sitaround
anddonothingofficials" know that
the officials who get elected will
be those who go down the line for
the membership. If they don't cut
the mustard, they will be voted
out.
rraternally,
Finn Schefstad, Agent
APPRECIATION
Philadelphia, Pa.,
Sept. 7, 1939
SS OREMAR.
Dear Brothers:
We, the members of the Stew
ard's Department, aboard the SS
Oremar of the Calmar Lines, do
hereby give our deepest thanks
and appreciation to the deck and
engine departments, the ILA, and
Patrolman Collins of Philadelphia,
for the militant action and stand
taken in winning our bvertime in
all ports for Saturdays, Sundays 1
Events of Day
The following are a few glean
ings from the events of the day
on the Lakes. The proposition of
watchmen and shlpkeepera was
nagotiated with Mr. Perkins, op'
erating manager of the D & C
Lines, and the following condi
tloris laid down and agreed Upon:
1) Watchmen to work three shifts
of eight hours each in place of
the twelve hour shifts in effect
last winter. 2) No watchman or
shipkeeper to take care of more
than one boat. Last year e^oh
man watched two boats. 3) Whges
shall be $120 per month, same as
last year.
Iniprove*l ConditioikS
Also got new mattresses for the
forward end of the Tremaine, one
of the D&C auto boats, and had
the plumbing fixed in the toilet
of the port side forward, about
which the men were squawking
regularly. The last two Items,
though small, go to show that all
such conditions can be cleaned up
aboard ship if the men bring
them up to the patrolmen, and
back them up for action.
The war situation has greatly
stimulated the ore and grain traf
fic. The Lake Carriers Associa
tion reports something more like
twenty of more boats fitted out in
August. A number of men are be
ing placed aboard these boats for
educational and organizational
purposes.
Ignoring Agreement
Just a word about the beef on
the Oakwood, a sandsucker be
longing to the NicholsonEcorse
Line, working put of Chicago. The
SIU signed an agreement with
the company this Spring calling
for $135 wage scale for qualified
men In all departments. The
coinpany has not been living up
to this aBicemcnt The Chinago
Branch went to hat and elected a
committee to Investigate the ques
tion fully, and report hack what
action should be taken.
SS SUWIED . 12.50
SS DESOTO: '
Steward's Dept 8.00
Deck Dept 4.75
Engine Dept. 3.25
Chas. Waid 5.00
P. J. Coffey .27
SS MANUBLA:
Deck Dept 10.00
Steward's Dept. ...,. 6.00
Engine Dept 8.00
SS ftOBIN ADAIR .... 23.00 Lf
SS DELRIO 38.00
SS CITY OF SAVAN
NAH 7.00
Chas. Waid
SS CITY OF CHATTA
1.00
NOOGA .... 10.25
SS DELMUNDO;
Engine Dept 7.00
Deck. Dept
Steward's Dept. ,
SS COMET:
Engine Dept. ....
V. P. Magee
R. Brown .......
SS BOSTON:
Steward's Dept.
W. Le Bon 1.00
C. Coburn .7 ,... , 1.00
SS EVANGELINE:
Engine Dept, ,....
Deck Dept . . , 13.00
R. Roberts
A. Paige
T. Laller
A. Bourney 2.00
W. Findley 1.00
0. Gilllard
B. Gibson
M. Egan
A. Lamos
J. Carter ..........
C. Bryant .25
J. Green .25
R. Chlsholm .25
T. Smith . .50
"T. Cuminier .50 '
J. Resendeo .50
J. A. Glesias 1.00
J. A. Axelson 2.00
'F.^ Berry 1.00
J. Lapham .50
J. A. Monroe .50
E. T. Prien ... .50
E. McVay .50
C. Hodge 1.00
D. Story 1.00
B. Mayer 1.00
H. L. Kiel IJQO
F. G. Franklin 1.00
W. P. Gonsorchlk .... 1.00
J. Gourdier ^
L. Goners t.... .50
W. Schnepfe 1.00
L. N. Matz !. 1.00
R. Burns 1.00
W. Rutherford 1.00 .
M. Girolmo 1.00
J. Waan anen 1.00
A. O'Neil 1.00
D. Carney 1.00
D. Bourjie • 1.00
F. K. Metzner ...... 1.00
A. Zibron 2.50
E. P. Donnelly .. 2.50
H. V. Zumpft .. 1.00
R. Jones .......v.... 1.00
SS MAINE .. 18.00
J.Li
r:
and holidays, and all over the re
quired eight hours per day. Plus
three hours a week for the chief
cook for hutcherliig, and six
hours per week for the second
cook for baking.
Fraternally yours,
Fred W. Saunders, Na. 751
Stewards' Delegate
A. H. O'Neil, .No., 436,
Engine Delegate
Alex Ford, No. 145,
Deck Delegate • .
NOTICE!
All 81U members who are
confined In Marine Hospitals
ars 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.
It is the Duty of Every
Member to Vote,
Have You?
\ " • "
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