http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/4ab3036fe34f2a8a159db1d57a183a1e.PDF eaeba3250a6e8d9ffab74a6f7e7264a7 PDF Text Text Vol, vt NEW YORK. N. Y« FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 29, 1944 THE 5.5. BEACHCOMBER I •; No, 31 N,Y. Branch Warns On "Shifting Ship" Coast Guard Beefs If you want to ayoid a heavy log or the chance of having your papers suspended be sure to ask for a signed pass when going ashore in foreign ports. The Special Ser­ vices Department in New York emphasized this warning last week after handling scores of cases for SIU men who \ SIU crews have been in some mighty strange ports in their time, but none more unusual than the one visited last week by the crew of the SS Arthur L. Perry. Running light from Norfolk to New York, the Perry ran into a pea-soup thick fog. and then went aground. When the fog lifted the crew was face to face with strollers along the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach. Queens. The crew remained aboard the ship, and with the aid of two Navy tugs got their ship into deep water without any damage, and proceeded to Staten Island. Brothers Mickey Briggs. 2nd Cook. Mike Sokolowsky. AB. and George Lempke. AB. reported the case to the union. As yet they have not presented any beach-head beef. We Are Welcomed By The Man In The Pince -Nez (0r, How To Win Friends And Influence People) It's a pretty fancy neighborhood into which the Seafarers moved in New York, right in the heart of the financial district. The hall is flanked on one side by the Manufacturers Trust Company and on the other side by the Corn Exchange Bank and Trust Company. Half a SIU MAN TO DIRECT AFL SECURITY DRIVE Brother Nelson H. Cruikshank, a member of the Great Lakes District of the SIU, has been ap­ pointed director of Social Insur­ ance for the American Federa­ tion of Labor. In his new duties, brother Cruikshank will organize support throughout the country for en­ actment of the Wagner-MurrayDingell Bill, which incorporates many necessary amendments to the Social Security Act. Cruik­ shank will function in close co­ operation with State Federations of Labor and city central bodies, whose aid he will seek to enlist in the campaign for the proposed legislation. block to the east is Delmonico's^ Restaurant (now Oscar's), and across the street from that is the marble and limestone building which houses the investment house of Lehman Brothers. Needless to say, it is not a neighborhood which accepts By Freddie Stewart kindly the taking over of one of The following is without prejudice, selfishness or con­ its better buildings by a trade ceit, but with respect to the old and conscientious members union. A demonstration of how our new neighbors felt about us of the Seafarers International Union of North America. came shortly after the carpenters In the infant days of the SIU "a bitter struggle" was the and plasters began to remodel words used frequently to describe the unfavorable condi­ tions that existed. the building last month. cumstances for livelihood. Old plaster and dirt was being The militant ideas of the rank Members of the old school pro­ carted out the front door and and-file were still simmering, in­ vided militancy and action and loaded into a truck one after­ fluenced by the effects of unfav­ parceled this infant (SIU) with noon when down the street came orable conditions. These men, a • one of "New York's finest." Di- few in number, exploded in hopes of better achievement. The funds were low in figures. • rectly behind the flatfoot march­ terms of resentment which led to Internal troubles in the struggle strikes and bloodshed, displaying ed a round little man wearing a • pin stripe suit, a pince-nez and their unwillingness to continue for existence prevailed. their struggles under these cir­ (Continued m Page 3 ) " (Continued on Page 2) An Old Timer Recalls Early Union Struggles missed their ships abroad, going* ashore and returning to discover In New York the union appeal­ the ship had unexpectedly moved. ed the logs and had them reduced Although the men concerned to two days each, effecting a total were not at fault, heavy fines and savings for the men involved of suspensions have been ordered more than $125.00. One man, by the Coast Guard or Shipping who produced a pass signed by Commissioners. In most cases the mate, had his log entirely these have been successfully ap- suspended. plealed by the union, but it in­ Among these union brothers volves delay and inconvenience benefiting by the Special Services Department work on their be­ for the men involved. half were Joseph Fulinsky, AB; GET A PASS With a pass (preferably in du­ Lamuel D, Summarlin, AB; C. M. Wiggins, AB; George D. Eaton, plicate) signed by the purser, 2nd Cook and Howard Holland, mate or watch officer, stating the Oiler. time of shore leave, you have de­ finite proof against later charges of "missing ship" or desertion. Among recent cases handled successfully by the Special Ser­ 55 vices Department was that of a Smith and Jonhson Liberty just back from England. Several men had gone ashore with an officer's permission at a port in Wales. When they re­ In reviewing the "wage runturned they found the ship had around" which the War Labor unexpectedly shifted and it took Board has given the shipyard them six days to rejoin. The workers in the past year, John skipper logged them for the days P. Frey, president of the AFL they missed, using the money metal trades department, warned for a division of wages among the this week that his unions would soon ditch the "no strike pledge" crew who stood their watches. unless their just demands were met. VETERAN SIU MAN Frey's particular beef was the CAN STILL "SPOT fact that certain wage increases had been negotiated between the A PRETTY GIRL" union and the shipbuilders, and had been knocked out or given Enthusiastic union booster the pigeon hole treatment by the is brother William Kemmerboard. er. original SIU member, who In a personal statement to the produced well worn book Board Frey said. "We are not 3367 in New York last week here pleading with your board. and paid his dues ahead to the end of 1948. If there's We are here to tell your board anyone up and down the some things, the telling of which coasts who can beat that, is perhaps long overdue ... It brother Kemmerer would like is an open question if the Gov­ to see them. ernment fails to carry out the Nearly seventy and "still going strong" brother Kem­ provisions of an agreement it has merer vows to keep sailing negotiated with labor, whether as long as he can lift a skillet labor is any longer bound by and scramble an egg. And that, he says, is going to be other provisions of such an agree­ quite a while yet. "Anyone ment, I place this question be­ who can spot a pretty girl as fore you in all candor and seri­ far away as I can." he says. ousness, for upon your answer "Isn't going to miss that isl­ will depend the position which and run." Kemmerer recently return­ labor takes. "The WLB declined," continued ed from a Caribbean trip and spent a short time in Marine Frey, "to grant any increase in Hospital. Staten Island, where wages. In other words, the WLB he appreciated the cigarette set aside the agreement with service provided by the SIU shipyard labor to which the gov­ hospital delegate. ernment was a party." Skids For "No Strike Pledge Hints Frey �Page Two THE M fe: SEAFARERS LOG SEAFARERS Affiliated with the American federation of Labor' HARRY LUNDEBERG ------ President 105 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. - = Secy-Treas. P. O. Box 25, Station P., New York City MATTHEW DUSHANE - - - Waslrington Rep. 424 5th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. Directory of Branches BRANCH NEW YORK (4) BOSTON (10) BALTIMORE (2) PHILADELPHIA NORFOLK NEW ORLEANS (16)... CHARLESTON (9) SAVANNAH TAMPA JACKSONVILLE MOBILE SAN JUAN, 28 P.R., PUERTO RICO.... GALVESTON ADDRESS 51 Beaver St 330 Atlantic Ave 14 North Gay St 6 North 6th St 25 Commercial PI 339 Chartres St 68 Society St 220 East Bay St 423 East Piatt St 920 Main St. 7 St. Michael St. 45 Ponce de Leon 219 20th"5t PHONE HAnover 2-2784 Liberty 4057 Calvert 4539 Lombard 7651 Norfolk 4-1085 Canal 3336 Charleston 3-2930 Savannah 3-1728 Tampa MM-1323 Jacksonville 5-123 I DUl 2-1392 „ , San Juan 1885 Galveston 2-8043 PUBLICATION OFFICE: 51 BEAVER STREET HAnover 2-2784 New York, (4) N. Y. Friday. September 29. 1944 1 rR€P01?T OI\ n.^ASHIt\G10tV Published by the SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District JOHN HAWK - LOG • BV MATT44tW MERCHANT MARINE VETERANS ASSOCIATION In response to a ftibtioh made by the Baltimore Branch, regard­ ing information on an organiza­ tion known as the "Merchant Marine Veterans' Association of the U. S."—which is presently distributing pamphlets urging support on certain bills before Congress, which would grant cer­ tain privileges to merchant sea­ men who have served during World Wars Nos. 1 and 2,—I have learned the following: This organization was formed in Boston after the last war, and recruited most of its members from persons who had enlisted to serve in the merchant marine un­ der the old U. S. Shipping Board. I have been unable to determine whether it was limited to persons only who served under the old U. S. Shipping Board. Mr. Carl A. Meyers, "Comman­ der" Of this organization, and other members, oh numerous oc­ casions have testified before the Committee on Merchant Marinb & Fisheries, in favor of bills granting benefits to vets of the merchant marine. Their main ob­ jectives are (1) recognition as veterans, so they may join the various veterans' organizations; (2) privileges accepting veterans in civil service and other govern­ ment employees; (3) hospitaliza­ tion and the government to sup­ ply a flag upon death of the per­ son (as is the custom for veter­ ans). This organization has not pressed any claims for financial benefits or bonuses for its mem­ bers. ELECTRICIANS On September 22 the National War Labor Board approved of the recommendations made by the War Shipping panel, cover­ PwSHAME-e ' ing electricians' wages and work­ ing conditions. The panel rec­ ommended that electricians who hold a chief electrician's certific­ ate, wage be set at $207.00 per month. Electricians who hold aft assistant certificate be set at $137.00 per month. This is to advise all agents that the panels thoughts on this matter were that the top job shall be the rate provided for by the NWLB—$207.00 per month. In the event any company calls for an assistant electrician and requests that the union supply them with a man with a chief's endorsement, then his wages shaU be that of the chief, $207,00 per month. Should the company call for an assistant electrician and they specify that he shall only have an assistant's endorse­ ment, then his wages shall be $137.00 per month. SIU Welcomed To New Hall '267 •SIUAt War ' Two New USS Clubs Are Opened Again Praised The Hotel Continental at Mar­ seille, France, has been taken over by United Seamen's Service and the War Shipping Adminis­ tration as a residential club for American merchant seamen, it •was announced this week by Douglas P. Falconer, executive director of the Service, which is a member of the National War Fund. This acquisition increases the number of USS world-wide "facilities to 122. The United Seamen's Service, in co-operation with the War Shipping Administration, will open a residential club for Am­ erican seamen at Port Said, Egypt, it was announced by Douglas P. Falconer, executive director of the service. This will be the third USS-WSA residential club operating in Egypt, the others being at Alexandria and Cario. —lattice Another letter of appreciation for the job the Union has done on the pamphlet, "The Sm AT War" Jias been received by the LOG from one of the Union Brothers at present in the Army. The letter reads as follows: 813 A.A.F. Base Unit, September'5, 1944. Dear Editor; I received my copy of "The SIU At War," and I sure was more than glad to get it. I have thought lots about the boys who were riding those ships and the only regret I had was that I couldn't be there, too. Go­ ing to sea is one hell of a sight better than the Army. I hope to be back with you be­ fore long as I expect to Jiay oft before so very long. Just as soon as the demobilization order goes into effect. I missed my copy of the LOG with the names of the SlU's miss­ ing in it. Sure would like to have one though. My address has been changed several times, but I have never been able to get the office to change there, so by the time my paper gets through three or four stations it either gets lost or is terribly beaten up; not that I don't welcome every copy. So please change my mailing card to the above address. Keep the LOG logging till I can get back! Sincerely, CpL C. B. WILSON. 6373152, SIU Book No. 6056. Retired (Continued from Page 1) a Dewey moustache. "I got complaints," said the cop, jerking his thumb toward the solid citizen behind him. "You have been raisin' too much dust and annoyin' the neighbor­ hood." The workman ciemahded, in his most polite tones, just how in the hell the cop expected him to load plaster into the truck with­ out raising a little dust. "Yah, yah, yah, I know," said the cop, "but don't raise any more than you'hafta." The pillar of law and order then turned to his client and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "Well, •what can I do?" "Huh!" snorted the delegate from the banking industry, "I can see we're just beginning to have our trouble how that a union has moved into the neigh­ borhood." As the work on the building progressed, more ahd more of our new neighbors began to gather in little knots in front "of 51 Behver Street, beating their gums over the invasion of their sacred territory. But the payoff came when the new sign was erected. The sign runs up the front of the building three stories high, and reads, "Seafarers Interna­ tional Union of N-A." in letters two feet tall. When this sign. went up the bankers and their stooges stood around catching flies for hours on end. We have heard that they went back to their offices and gave or­ ders that none of their tellers or clerks or stenographers should walk on Beaver Street. After aU, "union" is a horrid word. Memorandum For Seamen Applying For Passports Seamen should apply for sea­ men passports in the offices of any Collector of Customs; Clerks of Court having naturalization jurisdiction; or Passport Agents of the Department of State in New York City, Miami and San Francisco. A receipt will be is­ sued for the fee of $1.00. A receipt, not older than six months, may be used for ship­ ping out instead of a seaman pass­ port until November 15, 1944. On and after November 15, 1944, a seaman will be required to have a seaman passport be­ fore he may ship foreign as other American citizens are now re­ (The Brother's request for quired. change of address has been com­ If a passport is not received plied with.—Ed). promptly a seaman should •visit the nearest (jbllector of Customs give his full name and address, Keep In Touch With date and place of birth, date and place of application, and address Your Draft Board of Collector of Customs to which seaman passport was to have been sent. Then request the col­ lector either to telephone or tele­ graph the passport division for information. Do not forget the address of the Collector of Customs to whom passport was to be sent. If a seaman receives a letter of rebjsal for a passport he should apply to the nearest district of­ fice of the Coast Guard and re­ quest a formal hearing of his case. Seamen Compensation WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 — The House today completed ac­ tion on legislation to provide lifetime compensation for mer­ chant seamen permanently dis­ abled from war causes, and sent the bill to the White House. �y. Friday, Saplember 29, 1944 THE SEAFARERS woArs Doata Around the Porta NEW YORK LOG Page Three An Old Timer Recalls Early Union Struggles iii {Conihtutd from Page 1) The true spirit of unionism and democracy was practiced by a few. DIME A DOZEN It should give you the shivers and me no greater pain than to mention, jobs were tough to get and the seamen were commonly known to be a dime a dozen. Not to mention the hardship it was to pay one dollar and a half per month dues and contributions here and there for upkeep. Of course this called" for sacrifice and men learned the advantage of time and effort. The combina­ tion of both registered well. As a result, today, we are grateful for a hiring hall, the constitution and it's "bill of rights," the ship­ ping rules, and most of all the best collective bargaining agree­ ment in the maritime industry. Other maritime unions claimed and boasted about their ableness to provide jobs for all of their members, plus any person, group or groups that cared to join their ranks. Conditions weren't bet­ tered any by rival union agita­ tion. This constituted a single menace to our efforts to organize at the time. Being punched below the belt by the shipowners, we learned the use of the motto, "Tomorrow is also a day." Thus, we have been successful in all our at­ tempts to get better conditions. BONUS STRIKE What strikes me most at pres­ ent is the Bonus Strike in 1941. We were presistant, courageous and determined. The strike com­ mittee functioned above par. Members and permit men were dispatched to all parts of the city with the spirit to carry out their tasks. All these things were done voluntarily wi t h o u t compensa­ tion, except for these conditions we enjoy today. Soup kitchens were erected and provided for financially out of the strike funds. Cold-cuts and "coffee-and" was a tasty dish in those days. Incidently, that is the first and last time that 1 witness- they realize that our contracts us must be thinking of what hap­ are to be respected and otur deal­ pened in the last grand parade, it The conimittee elected here a ings with the individual operat­ took a lot of money for us to Mr week ago to negotiate with the ors with whom we hold contracts set up stew pots, flop joints and shipowners regarding a wage and are not to be interfered with in etc., so when we decide to spend overtime increase met with a any manner. We are attending our money let us thing of these committee from the operators another meeting shortly on this, things first. and gave them onr proposals as and we shall keep the member­ Izzy Cohen paid our fair port adopted by the membership at a ship informed as to the outcome. a visit recently, and he stated recent meeting. Only one of our The Seafarers recommended that as the imion hall in New points was accepted by the oper­ to the various government agen­ York was so superior to ours here ators and the remainder of them cies and aU maritime organiza­ in Philly, he was sorry but in the were referred to the War Labor tions that a meeting be held in future he was going to ship out Board in Washington, D. C. this port as soon as possible re­ of New York. Our Agent has gone whoppee, The Seafarers have timed their garding the overcharging of sea­ submission of proposals very men by ships' chandlers placing he has purchased a new desk and nicely so as to come in between slop chests on board the various a chaiir and if you look at it the long-looked for breaking of vessels. This has long been a cockeyed he will give you a the "Little Steel Formula" and sore, spot with practically all sea­ GROWL. We are now being confronted the National Presidential Elec­ men, regardless of affiliation, and with a new problem, it seems it is the opinion of the Seafarers tion. The company, in turn, coun­ that if we push this beef, we can that when we call the RMO for tered us with a proposed contract go a long way towards not only men they send us these kids be­ of their own and Brother, it was guaranteeing decent prices for tween the ages of 17 and 18 and indeed a "Shipowner's Dream." slop chest materials, but also we dispatch them to the various Not only would they have us guaranteeing a much better qual­ ships. They then sign on and lose practically all of our condi­ ity of all gear placed on board then the last day when the ship tions if they had their way, but ships. We have had instances on is ready to sail some of the ir­ we would also be taking wage ships going into the cold weather responsible kids get off. The RMO cuts in every rating. This is only zone with only two sets of heavy when informed about this, tells a small example of what would underwear and seaboats and no us that as the kids are under age, happen to seamen today if they heavy gear at all. This is some­ they cannot control them. They did not have proper representa­ thing that should be put a stop further stated that if they were to and in making an issue of eighteen or over, that they could tion. The Beachhead Beefs which we this particular thing, the Sea­ control them, as when they got have been working on up here farers no doubt will show the off a ship at the last minute they the RMO, would notify their are how beginning to pay off and way in correcting this issue. all of our operators have either Disputes pending in this port draft board and they would be paid or have agreed to pay this sent in from outports, as well as inducted into the service. dispute with the exception of one local beefs, have pretty well been 1 do hope that the membership outfit. On the face of all other cleared up now and the ports takes special notice of this; when companies having paid this iden­ have been notified. One of the you are on a ship in Philly and tical thing, there is no question last left is the SS ROGER GRIS- you are at Piers No. 94, 96, 98 but what this one operator will WOLD, which paid off in an out- and 100, you are in an Army Base, also pay in the near future. This port and which we are going up and the officials here cannot get has been a rugged dispute and today on, to take up with the into those piers. So this being the we were glad to have settled it in Waterman SS Co., along with case phone your beefs into the oiir inembers' favor and hope we several of the crew members of hall and we will take care of get no more beefs of this nature that trip who are in New York them for you. And if in the in the future. on the beach. A few remaining event you are at these piers and A committee of the Seafarers, disputes which we have on hand you are going to pay off insist composed of myself, "Frenchy" will be handled within the next that you pay off at the head of Michelet, and John Hawk met three days and the rpen and the the dock in a room that is pro­ . with the Food Administrator of ports involved shall be notified. vided for that purpose by the the WSA along with representa­ In line with several other re­ Army. If you insist on this procedure, tives of all other maritime quests made on this particular unions. Various problems were thing, 1 would like once again to the army will allow us to be discussed at this meeting con­ ask all-members, as well as union present at the pay off and we will cerning the accumulation of stock officials from outports, who sub­ be able to take care of your beefs. piles of food in war zones where mit disputes to New York for However, if you pay off on any ships often times shuttle and settlement, to be particular with ship in these piers we cannot get consequently run low on grub. the details of every beef, taking aboard the ship and if we can't The Seafarers recommended an care to give a clear picture of get aboard we can't represent extension of two weeks to the any dispute sent here. By doing you. Another problem that we are SS John Burrough— training and up-grading program so, it means that the man involv­ Crew Members; having these days is, that when for all men, thereby further guar­ ed can collect his money quickly anteeing their being competent and the union officer handling a ships pays off some of the crew, | E. R. Johnson, N. H. men upon graduation. There the beef will have a lot less and they aren't young members Smith, J. H. Thornton, G. W. Duncan, G. E. of the union either, are getting 5 were various "experts" in at this grief. Huntzicker, F. Wagner, and 6 days off. Well, this iri itself meeting regarding the handling PAUL HALL, Agent J. G. Avery, J. Self, Paul seems harmless, but the catch is of food, preparation of menus, Chattey, H. C. Galloway, after three days off you are auto­ recording of all disputes on food, A. Ballard, E. L. Odom. ..$89.00 PHILADELPHIA matically finished with the . ship etc. Howard Halland 2.00 unless you call the hall for a This is "a la bureaucratic H. D. Branston 2.00 standby. So taking six days off Well, here We go again. It has style." It seems as though nowa­ 2.00 days when you deal with any been some time since we have you should come into the hall and Chas. Smith 1.00 government agency or represen­ written in to the LOG. The or­ register and take your regular Karl Green Conrad Miller 1.00 tative, you also deal with the iginal Three Musketeers are dis­ place on the shipping list, unless, : 1.00 usual batch of "experts." We banded, but the new gang will of course, you have called the F. Farnies Richard Brady 1.00 hall for a standby, and in this hope that we have better luck try to take over where the other case you are entitled to go back with them on this proposed set­ three left off. ings. Another practice is con­ on the ship in your old job. A lot of water has gone over up for food administration than tacting a ship that you sailed be­ Another bad feature is when the dam in the past two years. we have hau in the past. We fore and cooking up a deal with you shove off without a standby We have become prosperous, let have instances where this same the brass hats to make a vacancy man in your place the overtime us hope that this does not go to division of the WSA has had of­ for you. Of coixrse, we have no ficials deliberately advise com­ our head too fast. You guys must for Saturday, Sunday and Holi­ definite proof of this last act, days goes over the dam. Anolher panies by leLlers and conversa­ realize that when the war is over however, just so as not to cause bad thing is men being promoted tions not to pay overtime on dis­ we are going to haye a get-to­ any misunderstanding, 1 would aboard the ship without contact­ gether with John Shipowner, and putes that we had. suggest that members stay away ing the hall. By this we mean, if we spend all our dough now refer to the acting district from ships unless they have busi­ being promoted before making a we will have no amunition to port steward for the WSA in this ness there. round trip and going from the work with when the great battle area. We cannot cooperate with THREE MUSKETEERS these people on anything until takes place. I know that a lot of lower brackets to the higher rat- Honor Roll ed the Stewards Dept. being praised in the Union hall. ANDREW FURUSETH If that "Grand old man of the Sea," as he was known to ship­ owners, could see conditions to­ day he would turn over in his |i grave; in fact, he would be better identified as revolving Andy. Let us give respect in terms of a brief pause in silence in mem­ ory of our departed brothers lost at sea through enemy and other actions. To those whom we offer the least are responsible, particu­ larly, for this great union and the favorable c o n d i tions provided. They struggled, fought and died not only for the cause of this es­ tablishment but to prepetuate the existance of fair play. We welcome the new comers. Under the provisions of the con­ stitution you have the same rights as any other member. Among you are potential leaders, but we urge you bear in mind the cost—sweat, •••HJ bloodshed, long prison sentences •«l and sufferages that resulted in death that many endured for the Seafarers International Union of North America. And lo, and behold . . . the in­ fant is now a giant! This is no sideshow propaganda. Come and see for yourself. In the best busi­ ness section of New York City, written in gold letters, suspended from the building for public view — the SEAFARERS INTERNA­ TIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA, 51 BEAVER ST. I U.S. Rounding Up Foreign Seamen Alien officers and seamen serv­ ing aboard Allied merchant ves­ sels who deserted their ships in United States ports to work ashore are now being apprehend­ ed by U. S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, and given the choice of returning to ships of their nationality or face deporta­ tion, War Shipping Administra­ tion announced. WSA estimated that approxim­ ately 6,000 alien merchant sea­ men have deserted their vessels since the beginning of the war, and that most of them have found employment in private industry in the United States since. Money Due The following men have $6.00 subsislance money coming: Geo. L. Bales, Berlis L. Glisson, Louis H. Redler, Carlelon Amundson, Walter G. Riggs, D. C. Prevatt. Frank Dunovich, Joseph F. Broussard, Eivin I. Taylor, Thomas A. Forehand, Milton R. Williams, Thomas F. Hendricks, Leonard W. Kosicki, Samuel R. Hull, Donnie Stokes, Albert F. Eipper, Richard J. Goldston, Arthur B. McKinnis, Willie A. Young, James W. Stewart, Louis S. Roach, Clarence W. Griffin. Hom­ er Terrell. There is still some overtime and boat fare in dispute which was sent to Savannah. JAMES TUCKEH Agent Charleston. �« I- 1>U .K THE Page Four SEAFARERS JCQG Friday. September 29. 1344 ' THESAGA OF A By Arthur Thompson We thought it would be a good .trip. None of us had any tpwboat experience but this trip promised us something novel, something new. We had been told by those who knew, that life on a deep sea tug was like a trip with one big happy family; or maybe it was scrappy family. Anyway that's how it turned out. About half of the crew were old-timers. The mate and the skipper seemed to be OK. If they met some of the crew ashore they would sit and drink with them as though it were a common prac­ tice. But after we left the final U. S. port for foreign ports they changed over night. The mate didn't like the SIU or its agree­ ments or its members. He was used to NMU ships and couldn't savvy why we should have better wages, conditions, etc. It broke his heart to call any of the deck dept. for overtime and when our overtime ran into hundreds of hours he clamped down. He said he'd only give us overtime that he couldn't avoid. He said he'd give it to the gun crew before he'd give it to us. He kept his word, too. When one of tiie sailors was sick, instead of calling the bosun to stand the watches and make some week-end overtime, he call­ ed out one of the gun crew. And on top of that he asked the bosun to put this work on his overtime sheet and pay off the gunmen. Of course, the bosun refused. He said, "You're the kind of guy who would spit on my front porch and then ask me to clean it up for you." (Only he didn't say spit). The mate then tried to put the overtime on some one else's sheet but no one would play ball. As pimishment the old man cut down on the draw, gave us no time off in a trip lasting seven months and raised hell because we weren't getting enough work done. Of course, none of this made the crew very happy, and coupled with the rest of the hardships of the trip it's a bit surprising we got back without more trouble. Of all the ports we hit there were only two where we could , Civ-. get a glass of beer. In some of the ports we were denied shore leave. Ai%d on a forty-four day stretch without stopping, we had -no .more than a bucket of water a day to wash ourselves, our clothing and our bed linen. Shades of 1932. And as for food, the last week we had hash for breakfast, din­ ner and supper with a change to hamburger now and then. For every port there was at least one fight. Two of the crew were left in jail and one went to the hos­ pital with a fractured skull. The Navy gunner tangled up with one of the crew, threatening him with a gun and he lost his gun, a few teeth and a lot of prestige. The man he tackled was an oldtime merchant seaman and it seems he wasn't afraid of guns. Of course, we blame the old man and the mate for all the trouble. Chiseling on the over­ time, cutting down on the food, refusing to stop for water, which could have been done at a num­ ber of places, can all be laid to them. This made the crew so touchy they'd fight just to let off steam and this could create noth­ ing but bad feeling among union members and, of course, that is just what the shipownei's want and it's something we should try to avoid. The idea of this story is not to discourage anyone from sailing on tugboats. They are not bad ships and they pay better than freighters. But if you should bump into Captain N. Nielsen or Chief Mate Mack, be on guard. They'll be nice until you leave the U. S. and can't get off the ship. Then the fun begins. In HJmoriam brother LESTER M. WILLARD. OS Died in Staten Island Hospital August 18. 1944 SEA TUG Eifitor's Ma3 Bag Dear Sir and Brother: Just happened to think of some­ thing that may be worthwhile taking up, and then again it might not. There is nothing like trying so Til lay it on the line and see what yours and the mem­ bership's opinion is. First, why not run a question and answer column in the Seefarers Log for the membership's benefit in inquiring about the various types of disputes and also about the various duties. This should tie up with the Seafarers' educational policy and would be of a large interest to all of us members. Secondly, why not run the New York Patrolmen's reports in the Seafuers Log because of the fact that practically 75% of all our ships pay off in that Port. In this manner, "the membership could keep up with the union's affairs and the various disputes very easily and should work to their benefit all the way around. Like I say, I don't know what you think of this, but I have spoken to quite a few members and they all seem to be of the mind that it would be a good idea. How 'bout it? Fraternally yours, WILMER LEWIS. 21822 Chicago, 111. Sept. 17, 1944 Dear Editor: In the Sept. 6th issue of the NMU "Pile-it" a letter written by a George Guilmet of the SS Scofield. Standard Oil of New Jersey tanker, who claims that discrim­ ination of Porto-Ricans, Hawaiians and Filippinos is practiced in both the SIU and SUP. This jerk must be a product of "Sheepshead Bay" or else he has not traveled very much. The SUP has Chinese and Japanese-Hawaiians and pure Hiwaiians in the SUP. Never at any time have they been discriminated against Speak: Watchman! H.1^ Oh Watchmen: what of the bitter night What of the dangers on the deep: What are the thoughts which take their flight Speak to us of men who vigil keep! Oh Watchmen; tell us your mortal fear As your keen eyes sweep the deep sea's face; What of your shipmates whose heroic bier Is Davey Jones' locker withoxit a trace! Oh Watchmen: who stands in the bitter cold Seeking to pierce the darkness around. Tell us of seamen brave and bold. Of bombs and torpedoes hellish sound! Oh Watchmen: speak of your human Hope, Your lives now measure Our Country's need Your thoughts are clear while we yet grope Lost in the world of man-made greed! > -.* YOUR CONTRACT Oh Watchmen: who scan the stars on high Sweeping the sea by day and by night. With death ever present, the enemy nigh. What dost thou see? Ah, give us light! Oh Watchmen: who man our ships at sea. Bold searchers of the death strewn deep Speak us your Hope and our Victory. Fruit of your vigils while landsmen sleep! —Top 'n Lift in the union. It has been my pleasure to .sail with many of these SUP members of that par­ ticular race, while I was a mem­ ber of the P.C. Marine Fireman. They're good shipmates and ex­ cellent union men. In the SIU I've been shipmates with Porto Ricans and Filippinos both in the blackgang and deck department, and I've yet to see them discriminated against by SIU union brothers. George Guilmet writes like a man with a paper ash-can, drool­ ing like a fool, filling the thoughts of uneducated American seamen with slanderous lies fulfilling the mission of the CP to Corrupt the mentality of the seamen on the Standard Oil tankers. What in hell is so terrible about using economic action to gain bet­ ter wages and living conditions? Doesn't this bug-house square intelectual realize "War" is eco­ nomic action, the weapon used by politicians and statesman as the last resort when it's impos­ sible to settle a policy by peace­ ful means. Anytime Mr. Shipowner steals from a worker, that's the time to use force to place him in the custody of sensible reasoning hands. Since when does this jerk think Mr. Shipowner has seen the light and intends to part with his profits to share with the worker a decent living aboard the ships in his possession? We of the SIU and SUP have a democratic union controlled for and by the rank and file to bene­ fit the entire membership, by in­ creasing wages and living condi­ tions to hold them after the "War" by using the only weapon that protects the worker from ex­ ploitation, the right to "Strike" to preserve our just demands. Teaching men to become "scabs" during and after the war has been the policy of the Commun­ ist-controlled NMU since its in­ ception into the labor movement. "Leadership," George Guilmet must be pretty much of a damn fool if he requires a leader to take him through this world. It's a pretty poor sort of a man who lacks the coimage to think and act for himself when he realizes he is being used for the purpose of a self-seeking labor fakir like "Keep 'Em Sailing" Curran, the indespensible labor fakir who made one trip to sea since the war. Every pie-card, as you caU the SIU patrolman and agents, have been out ducking tin fish y;hile Joe (Moose-Head) Curran hid behind the cloak of patriot­ ism because, like the usual run of political labor fakirs he didn't have the back-bone to practice what he preached. When you speak of the officials of the SUP or SIU do it with respect for your out of bounds trying to create a false standard to the worker attempting to place the NMU labor fakirs. Come again punk, your line stinks too much of a 13th Street education. JOE BUCKLEY JAMES E. VAN^SAN'T: ^ ' Yotw father ha* mdvedr Hi* naw addr*** i* 137 Ba*t^ 2n^ Sfreet. San Bernardino. Calif, e. « • STANLEY n. 'rilYDlllCk:^ • Please get in touch with Rich­ ard M. Cantpr, concerning ihe' case of Anton Kerr who was hurt aboard the SS Alcoa Scout on March 29, 1943. CHESTER "RUSTY" JOMERS: Your sister is anxious to get in touch with you, as there i* illness in the family. She is living at 102 S. McDonough. Montgomery,. Alabama. • • e The following men have bag­ gage or personal effects waiting for them at the office of the Cal­ mer Line, 25 Broadway. New York City: P. DeTingle 1 seabag Bernard Marquis 1 bag Jose Caban 1 suitcase M. W; K 1 suitcase 1 brown suitcase 8c boots E. Mattigny 1 suitcase John Madden .... 1 suitcase, 1 box David Odell 1 package 1 small pkg. no information J. Armstrong 1 package John Petticord 1 suitcase R. B. Latham 1 hand bag E. Turner 1 bag—deceased Charles Lang 1 box C. Lesterman 1 bag R. Beckley 1 bag Geo. Nicoll 1 bag, 1 sack John Payette Personal affects Edw. Checkulski SS Serv. Corp. Vitol skowinski Sp. Pt., Md. by Capt. Hopen L. Tornainen....l suitcase, 1 jacket J. Powell 1 valise L. Jackson 1 bag D. Schwartz 1 bag, 1 seabag J. Gonzales personal affects M. Cox 1 box Thos. Wichman 1 seabag W. Vollweiler 1 box F. Kerner 1 bag J. Castro 1 1 box C. Lang 1 box J. Duhe 1 suitcase Robert Reals 1 carton L. Rinaldo personal affects C. Jones 1 suitcase Edw. Podgurski 1 suitcase P. Dugan 1 seabag E. Krouch 2 bags C. Specker 1 seabag I KNOW YOUR RIGHTS � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. BCC The name(s) and email address(es) of the person to whom the email was blind carbon copied. 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Title A name given to the resource September 29, 1944 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. VI, No. 31 Description An account of the resource Headlines: N.Y. BRANCH WARNS ON "SHIFTING SHIP" COAST GUARD BEEFS WE ARE WELCOMED BY THE MAN IN THE PINCE- NEZ SIU MAN TO DIRECT AFL SECURITY DRIVE SKIDS FOR "NO STRIKE PLEDGE" HITS FREY VETERAN SIU MAN CAN STILL "SPOT A PRETTY GIRL" AN OLD TIMER RECALLS EARLY UNION STRUGGLES TWO NEW USS CLUBS ARE OPENED "SIU AT WAR" AGAIN PRAISED MEMORANDUM FOR SEAMEN APPLYING FOR PASSPORTS U.S. ROUNDING UP FOREIGN SEAMEN THE SAGA OF A DEEP SEA TUG Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 09/29/1944 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1944 Periodicals Seafarers Log