http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/8e196e6061a79efde397458bc300780e.PDF 97f0d52966c7fccffae969cfb160beaf PDF Text Text i'": k OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ATLANTIC AND GXII^ DISTRICT, SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL HNKH? OF NORTH ASP^ICA NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. OCTOBER 6, 1944 VOL VL No. 32 Alien Seamen Annual Nominations Now Under Free From Way For 1945 Term Of Office Passport Allotment Can Be Made Rules Out In Foreign Ports Oct. 15th Deadline For Filing I > r Alien seamen who are mem bers of the SIU and have receiv ed cleai'ance from their country's consul to sail American ships will not be effected by the Nov­ ember 15th dead line require­ ment for U.S. seamen's passports This was definately established this week in conversations be­ tween the SIU and the Recruit­ ment and Manning Organization of the WSA. After November 15 American citizens must carry the special seamen's State Department pass­ port in order to sail to foreign ports. But this rule in no way effects alien SIU Brothers who will continue to sail upon the pa­ pers they now carry. Such a rul­ ing was given the union by Ir­ ving Witkowski, Chief of the Li­ cense Section of the RMO in New York. Several American skippers don't seem to know the score and are attempting to jerk aliens around. Brother Peter Checklen was dispatched out of the hall re­ cently to the Alcoa Voyager, and the Captain refused to sign him on, using the excuse that Check­ len did not have either the new passport or the I'eceipt of appli­ cation. The union straightened the skipper out in a hurry. . Here is the procedure that has been in effect, and will continue after November; the skipper makes up a list of all aliens who are sent to him by the union, and .submits that list to the Immigra­ tion Service for clearance. If the Immigration Service has any question about an SIU man, the union helps get him in the clear. If no objections are raised by the , Immigration Service, the skipper has no right to refuse the man merely because of his national status. Any questions or beefs on these points should be immediately refered to the branch agent. The union stands ready to back up all members in their rights, irrespec­ tive of race, creed or citizenship. IF YOU GO TO A HOSPITALTELL YOUR UNION It is not always easy for a hospital delegate to know just which brothers are in the hospitals, and in which ward they are located. If you want to be sure of a weekly visit from the' hospi­ tal delegate, send the union a postcard telling us just where you are. If you get on the high seas and suddenly remember that you failed to make out an al­ lotment before leaving an American port, don't worry too much about it because it is now possible to rearrange your paychecks in foreign ports. In any port in which there is an American consul you can make out an allotment request and have it honored by the home office of the shipowner. Merely go to the consul and tell him the prob­ lem. and he'll give you a hand in arranging it so your wife, or mother, or Aunt Hattie will be taken care of OK while you're gone. AFL Set To Beat Bad Laws WASHINGTON, D. C. — The AFL called upon its affiliates throughout the country to back labor's drive against attempts in three. States—California, Florida and Arkansas — to abolish the union shop. The federation pledged itself to carry on an intensive educational campaign until election day to win the referendum votes pend­ ing in these states on proposals to ban the union shop by con­ stitutional amendment of by leg­ islation. In a circular letter to affiliated unions, AFL President Green pointed out that this is not a sec­ tional battle but will affect the basic interests of organized labor throughout the land. He therefore appealed for con­ tributions from individual unions to a special fund being raised by the' American Federation of La­ bor with which to finance its campaign. Such contributions should be sent to AFL SecretaryTreasurer George Meany at the Federation's headquar ters in Washington. Ml". Green said in his letter: . "This appeal is being made be­ cause the fight in California, Florida, and Arkansas against the enactment of anti-labor and unAmerican legislation must be re­ garded as a menace to the eco­ nomic and industrial welfare of all the members of the American Federation of Labor located in every state throughout the na­ tion. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their union. The union has the right to expect that the most capable and experienced members will run for office and supply the leadership needed in the coming post war period. There are some stiff battles ahead with the ship­ owners, and the complete solidar­ ity of the men led by fighting of­ ficers will be needed to maintain and improve our conditions. Give this serious thought, brothers. If you think you are qualified for the post of Agent or patrolman, throw in for it and give the membership an opportunity to pick the best man available. Any member who can qualify can nominate himself for office by submitting, in writing to the one of three departments. Any candidate for departmental pa­ trolman must have three years sea service in their respective de­ partments. Sea service as speci­ Here are the qualifications for fied in this article shall mean on office as laid down in the union merchant vessels. constitution: Secretary-Treasurer, proof of his qualifications. Such notifications must be in the office of the Sec­ retary-Treasurer not later than October 15th. "(a) That he is a citizen of the "(d) He has not misconducted himself previously while employ­ United States of America. ed as an officer of the Union. "(b) That he be a full member of the Seafarers' International "(e) That he be an active and Union of North America—Atlan­ full book member and show four tic and Gulf District in continu­ months discharges for the cur­ ous good standing for a period of two (2) years immediately prior rent year prior to date of nomin­ ation, this provision shall not to the date of nonination. "(c) Any candidate for Agent apply to officials and other office or joint patrolman must have holders working for the Union three years of sea service in any during current year." Another Seamen's Rest Home ii||: The Christian R. Holmes estate at Sands Point. "The Chimneys." one of Long Island's showplaces, was dedicated as a rest center for American merchant seamen to be operated jointly by United Sea­ men's Service and the War Shipping Administration. The event also marked the second anniver­ sary of the USS-WSA Medical Division, which now operates seven rest centers in the United Stales. With H. Chase Stone. WSA assistant deputy administrator, as master of ceremonies, the program opened with the singing of the national anthem by Mrs. W. Winston Warner and the presentation of the key to the estate by Jay Holmes. President of the Holmes Foundation, to Dr. Daniel Blain. USSWSA medical director. Dr. Blain turned the key over to Chief Steward Edgar R. Lewis, represent­ ing the American Merchant Marine. The Sands Point rest center will accommodate fifty merchant seamen, survivors of enemy action or sufferers from convoy fatigue as the result of long and hazardous voyages. The other six centers are located on the estates of Mrs. Kermit Roosevelt, Oyster Bay. Long Island; Mrs. C. Suydsun Cut­ ting, Gladstone. N. J.; the late Darius Ogden Mills, Millbrae. Calif„ and the late Mary Virginia McCormick. Pacific Palisades. Calif.; and at Bay Ridge. Md.. and Camp Kittiwake, Pass Christian. Misa. �Page Two THE Published by the SEAFARERS' INTERNATIOf^AL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the Aimericsn Federation of Labor, 10 y ------ President Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK - -- -- -- - Secy-Treas. p. Q. Box 2S, Station P., New Yprk Qty MATTHEW DUSHANE - - - Washington Rep. 424 Jth Street, N. W., Washington, D. C, Directory of Branches BRANCH NEW YORK (4) BOSTON (TO).. 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 2Z0 East Bay St 423 East platt St 920 Main St 7 St. Michael St. PHONE HAnover 2-2764 Liberty 405 7 Calvert 4539 Lombard 7651 Norfolk 4-1083 Canal 3336 Charleston 3-2930 Savanna»^ 3-1728 Tampa MM-1323 Jacksonville 5-123 1 Dial 2-1392 45 Ponce de Leon 219 ZQth St San Juan 1885 Galveston 2-8043 PUBLICATION OFFICE: Sl BEAVER STREET HAnover 2-2784 New York, (4) N. Y. 267 Report From The Secretary- Treasurer , .by.. JOHN HAWK Last Thursday the union negotiating committee met with the ship-operators' committee to discuss the union's proposals for -a wage increase and the other proposals. Brother .Alphonse Michelet and Glaude Fisher represented the stewards department, brother Paul Hall and Joe Volpiap, the engine department and James Sheehan and myself, the deck department. Your representatives made it clear that although in the final analysis the total wage askej for each rating would be the same to all companies, we were submitting separate proposals to each com­ pany because the differences in the scale of wages paid to certain ratings in some agreements. Therefore in order to elirninate these inequalities we demanded that we negotiate with each operator separately. The ship operators' committee cpnsentetf to this and stated that they were authorized to negotiate for each operator individually. I arranged to haye Commissioner Liller from the Department of Labor there ia order to save time in getting our disputes to the War Labor Board. We made it clear to Mr. Liller thpt regardless of what position the company took on the proposals submitted to the first company that we took up, we wquld take each set of proposals separately and in making his report and recommendations to the Secretary of Labor we denianded that each case that was disputed would have to "be submitted to the War Labor Board as a separate case. We then took up the proposals separately for each company. The ship operators' committee agreed to only one proposal in each case. That proposal was, "The Emergency Wartime Increase" shall be in­ corporated into the permanent basic wage rate. Every other pro­ posal submitted to each and every operator was disputed, therefore they will have to be referred to the War Labor Board for final settle­ ment. After the union got through with their proposals, the com­ pany committee submitted their counter proposals which was in reality a whole new agreement and which at a glance was even finkier than the NMU's present agreement. They even asked for wage reductions for numerous ratings and "that the overtime rate of 90c per hour that they have been paying since 1941 be reduced to B5c per hour. Naturally the union'.s rommittee objected to theii counter pro­ posals regarding wage, overtime, etc. Your committee also refused to discuss their proposed changes in the working rules on the basis that pursuant to the "Statement pf Policy" signed with the War (Continued on Page 3) Friday. October 6, 1944 LOG \ Crew Battles Storm While Ship Lists At 53 Degrees SEAFARERS HARRY LUNDEBERQ SEAFARERS By Roman Gonzales I remember hearing some "Old Salt" telling of a ship that "turned turtle" and how the crew, such as were able to, lived for days on the bottom of the ship. Sounds funny. I mean the ship turning pver. Well, what I am leading up to is this—We, the crew of the SS Robin Sherwood almost had a similar experience last February. We were enroutp home, in ballast, from the United Kingdom and while the weather was rj^ther •heavy when we started, it was on Cnpt. J. J. Delaney Feb. 20 thgt the storm hit us and in the midst of it the ship failed Dyes In Jersey to right herself from an unusual roll when the ballast shifted in Marine Hospital the holds. She listed to 53 de­ grees. Well Sir, there was con­ One of the most colorful lead­ siderable shifting all around, men ers in the labor movement— and equipment and everything President J. J. Delaney of the that was loose or not permanent­ Masters, Mates and Pilots — has ly fastened to deck or hull, shift­ passed away. Following a pro­ ed, and fastlonged illness, he died at the St. SHIFTED COAL Francis Hospital in Jersey City, As soon as it was known what the town in which he was born had happened those who were almost 65 years ago. able to got busy. The crew, li­ Among offices he held in the censed and unlicensed and Uncle union were those of president of Sam's Navy crew, went below Locals 1 and 3 in the New York and started shoveling coal. We harbor, vice president of the na­ used shovels, tubs, buckets, bar­ tional organization and president rels, everything that was avail­ since 1936. able and for the next seven days Delaney not only led in battles and nights it was a case of shov­ to organize licensed men aboard eling. A few tons of coal to be ships, often against bitter oppo­ carried into a coal bin is not a sition of the owners, but actively small job, but when it comes to a.ssisted the struggles of manj"- moving a couple of thousand other unions. He served, too, on tons, well, it just ain't the kind the executive boards of the Hud­ of job a Navy man or a sailor son County Central Labor Coun­ would ask for. But we forgot all cil and the New Jersey State Fed­ about being Navy or sailor, we eration of Labor. shoveled for our lives. He was a member of the Rail­ The hell of it was that the way Labor Executives' Associa­ storm hung on and when it look­ tion and was active on associa­ ed as if we were really getting tion subcommittees formed to the ballast (coal) away from the push rail labor laws, including side and somewhat evened up, liberalized retirement and unem­ along would come another- blast ployment insurance benefits. He of wind and bang, the job had to played a prominent part, too, in be done over. For seven days movements of rail unions for and nights we shoveled coal. We higher wages. ate hard boiled eggs and such canned goods as the cook was able to get hold of. There was no chance of using the galley, the stove was all abeam. SOME LIST If you want an idea of what a 53 degree list is, suppose that house of yours suddenly decided to turn over on its side, but did not quite make it. It did how­ ever come within a few feet of it. You could find a whole, lot more comfortable places than trying to work on the floor. We finally succeeded in getting the ship from laying on its side, to a 37 degree angle and with that angle we finally made port on New Foundland. Let me say this in closing, there ain't such a damn thing as animosity or ill-feeling between the Navy's gun crews and the sailors. What we did in the dark, ill-ventilated cock-eyed hold of the SS Robin Sherwood, we do all the time, that is, work to­ gether and look after each others interests. EIGHT LOST The sudden shift of the SS Robin Sherwood cost eight lives and two were badly injured. The brothers who gave up their lives were Adolph Sepp, Oscar Kause, Clarence Adolph, Charles Bowlling, Robert Ybeng Seng, George DeJusus, Enrique Ocevedo and Sanford WiUiams. The injured were Manfred Keilits, Chief Cook, qnd myself. UNION IS HAILED ON ANNIVERSARY By Carl M. Rogers Lest we forget. It will not be so long now until the Seafarers International Union of North America, an affiliate of the Am­ erican Federation of Labor, will haye reached its 6th birfhjay, so let us go back to 1936, the yexr that the siu of NA started. The merchant seamen on the east coast were in one hell pf a fix, as far as unionisni was concerned. What with the labor fakers, the Commies, the shipowners and their other stooges reaping a har­ vest at the expense pf the seamen and bleeding them for everything they earned; what with the ship­ owners from office boy to brass hats, becoming millipnnaires overnight, but poor John Seaman was only getting enough to eat coffee andp-an^ so now brothers, let us think back a little further. UNION FOUNDED The merchant seamen, or should I say the majority of the real rank and file seamen be­ came disgusted with the set-up on the east coast, and after plenty of discussion from coast to coast, the formation of the Seafarers International Union was started. On a shoe string we must admit, but you must learn to toddle around before you can walk, and so the SIU began to be a reality instead of just chatter. This union has become stronger day by day, month by month and year after year. In other words: brothers, the SIU has developed from a small wee tpt into a grown man, ancl in only six years, and it has proven itself, beyond a semblance pf a dpubt, one of the most mil­ itant and fightingest ^bpr organ­ izations in the universe. The con­ tracts, wages, conditions and etc., on ships under contract to the SIU prove the above assertion, and the gains and successes it has obtained for the membership during those said 6 years of its existence has become known in­ ternationally from the ropkbpund coast of. Maine to the Gplden Gate in California; f r p m the Great Lakes gnd Canada to Brit­ ish Columbia, fp be more ex­ plicit; even in Europe and else­ where the populace are becoming acquainted with the SIU through the medium of our members al­ ways stating and proving the SIU is the only union for the mer­ chant seamen. PHONIES POOTED At the beginning of our exist­ ence many phoney gazunies, who wei-e ably assisted by the ship­ owners and their cohorts in crime, yelled to the high heavens that the SIU was only a flash in the pan, and that inside of three months it would be washed up. Brothers—what a flash! And as fa? as the pan is concerned, allow us to inform the said phonies that it has become a damned large pan. It has kept itself a clean pan, it has not consorted with the shipowners to sell the seamen out, and above all, if the phonies still desire to call the SIU a pan, or a flash iri the pan, they can x-est assured though the pan was small, it is now ope of the larjgest and best pans in the sea­ faring industry. The Seaferers was built thru struggles, strife and with xnany setbacks at it's inception. But now down through these years we can look back gnd say: "It was well worth everything, for look what an organization we have for Jphn Seanian." NOW PN TOP We also can very avidly state that we gre a body of men who have known hardships and will see that the SIU continues to stay right on top from now on. And incidentally, the writer knows and is sure that the complete membership will concur with him when he avers that in the Seafarers Union we have only room for two isms: Americanism and Unionism. Thanks to the Sailors Union of the Pacific, for their backing and co-operation. The old-timei's and also quite a few of the youngsters in the SIU may recall the speech of one of the youngest members made (Continued on Page 4) •A �Friday, October 6, 1944 THE SEAFARERS John Ha'wk Reports WHArS DOING Around the Pert! BALTIMORE that the forty hour week should apply. A DOUBLE DEAL We have seen the War Labor Board restrict our wages to the Little Steel Formula. We have seen the Maritime War Emer­ gency Board limit "us to a bare existence, while shore workers were getting far higher wages, and were only obliged to work 40 hours a week as compared to the seamen's 56 hours plus em­ ergency time. Never have we seen any government agency or bureau make any attempt to rec­ tify this unjust law insofar as the seamen are concerned. We have been feted and hailed as the ac­ tual saviours of our country in two wars at least, and many of us have participated in both of them. Yet when beneficial laws are passed the seamen are put into the discard. The seamen, through their unflinching courage have proven they are true and great Americans. The people of this country are proud of them and whole-heartedly agree that any beneficial laws passed by the law makers of this country should decidedly apply to the seamen, whom we all agree are a prime factor in the winning of this war. Wo cannot see the justice of a law that applies to only a part of the American people, and when such laws are made they are inconsistant with the demo­ cratic principles which this gov­ ernment was founded upon. With all this above tirade there is only one way we shall be able to get shorter hours, and that is to fight in our own fashion for them. For if we wait for the politicians to give us a break we shall still be working 56 hours ten years from now. When the fight begins you can be sure the SIU & SUP will lead it, and if the NMU exists ten years from then, Curran will be begging the politicians to give them the same hours and wages as we have. JOSEPH FLANAGAN. Agent Shipping has been exception­ ally good at this port this week and of course we have had pur usual quota of beefs plus a hell of a lot of chaos in the course of paying off some of the ships. It seems as if the South At­ lantic SS Company has forgotten the lesson our Sec'y-Treasurer, John Hawk, taught them to the tune of $7,000, as they are again up to their old practice of break­ ing sea watches at convoy ports. I have been obliged to submit identical beefs from two South Atlantic vessels to brother Hawk owing to the fact that company i. representatives paying off ships involving considerable overtime, and routine issues were settled satisfactorily for all concerned. PASSPORT SNAFU We have been getting a lot of publicity in regards to the seahapn obtaining their passports within six months after applica­ tion for same, or not later than Nov. 15, 1944. It seems that the Department of State is consistant with all other government agen­ cies and bureaus in regards to being tardy. As usual they are very prompt in submitting direc­ tives, and again as usual ai-e di­ rectly responsible for said direc­ tives not being applicable. . There have been no fewer than a dozen cases brought to our at­ tention wherein applications for J/ passports had been filed over a year, and two specific cases for over two years and as yet some of them have not received their passports. A few of these broth­ ers decided to pay a personal visit to Washington and were thus able to rouse the respon­ sible parties out of their political lethargy long enough to procure their passports. This illustrates perfectly comrat Curran's vaunt­ ed action, and demonstrates how far the seamen would get if they were to put their economic fate into the politician's hands. WE LEAD FIELD Negotiations are going on by NEW YORK the various so-called seamen's unio^ now. The major hue and The SS GEORGE WASHING­ cry is for adjustments in wages TON arrived here last week with and overtime, and as was to be a dispute which affects the wel­ expected they are on the whole fare of all seamen. This ship is asking for what the SIU has al­ going on a laid-up basis and as a ready fought for and gotten for result the crew is being paid years. The SIU and SUP has off. In pur contract with Alcoa consistently deemed this inade­ Steamship Company, on page 17, quate and have time and again section 33, there is a clause that been balked from getting our definitely states that in the event membership and aU seamen far a vessel is being laid-up, then better wages thaq now prevail transportation and subsistance, through the finky sell-out tactics first class, will be paid to aU men of some of the so-called unions, back to the port of signing on. particularly the NMU. Gurran's The port of signing on in this commie navy certainly tried hard case was Savannah, Georgia. This fq keep the seamen's conditions ship's articles carried Riders 64 down to the Russian level. and 72. As we, all know, under Conspicuous by their absence these two riders, unless the con­ is the question of less hours for tract is to the contrary, transpor­ the seamen in these negotiations. tation would not be paid on a All during this war the seamen vessel that makes the type trips have been regulated through al­ which the WASHINGTON ordin­ most every government agency arily does make and did make on and bureau, including sailing on her last voyage. The company government-owned ships. This assumed the position that the normally would constitute being vessel would pay off under riders a government employee, or in 64 and 72, which are contrary to any event a sub constracted em­ our contract \yith Alcoa Steam­ ployee and as such should by law ship Company. be entitled to the benefits of the The union assumed the posi­ wage and hours laws, meaning tion, which was proven correct i "* ¥ Page Three LOG (Continued from Page 2) Shipping Administration, our working rules were frozen for theduration of the war but not the wages, overtime, meal and lodging rates, etc. The Food Control Division of the WSA held a meeting today with all the maritime unions for the purpose of eliminating several bugs in the operation of the Stewards Department aboard the ships. Present at the meeting for the Atlantic and Gulf District of the SIU was brother Hall, New York Agent, brother A. Michelet, Assistant New York Dispatcher and a Stewards Department man and myself. Representing the SUP and Jack Dwyer, Acting New York Agent of that union, Also present were representatives of the NMU, MCS and the MFOW ST'W. Following are the points that were discussed at the meeting: 1. Training Program: Under this point the Food Control stated that they intend to make the Cooks and Bakers upgrading program uniform in all ports, instead of having the present variations. This step v/as needed, in our opinion, in order to give all men attending these schools an equal opportunity to learn the trade. The unions praised the New York Cooks and Bakers upgrading program, but felt that the course for cooks and bakers should be extended to six weeks. 2. Food Control and Accounting: The WSA informed us that it was working on a uniform system of control and accounting for all ships and all lines. We felt that this was a step in the right direction, since under the present conditions there is a different system in each line regarding stewards making requisitions, etc., and a steward moving from one line to another has a hell of a job keeping every­ thing straight. However, we demanded to know what the WSA intended to do about standardization of the food on these ships. We pointed out that some lines fed.better than others, and we didn't want the good lines pulled down to the level of the beUy-robbers if standardization was imposed. The WSA assured us that it would attempt to get the bad lines up to the level of the good ones. 3. Stowage: The WSA informed us that it intends to publish a guide for the stowage of food, and thus attempt to eliminate food going bad because of improper stowage. We approved such a manual and thought it would be helpful to the stewards. We then raised the point that many ships are not provisioned for long trips, and the men often return with their rigs knocking. We asked that all ships be provisioned for a minimum of six months, regardless where they may be bound. Or, failing this, that stock piles of food be built up in all foreign ports so that the steward may take food aboard when he needed it. The WSA said that it already had stock piles in England and Mediterrainean ports, and that it intended to extend these piles to all areas. 4. Menu and Preparation: The WSA revealed that it had in the past been attempting to standardize menus. The SIU and all unions immediately opposed such a move, for we felt that the steward should have control over the menus, and be able to build them around what ever foods he had available. We didn't want the sea­ men to find themselves faced with a maritime edition of "K" rations. The WSA assured us that standardized menus would not be com­ pulsory but would only be printed as guides to aid all Stewards. in the final analysis, that no WSA directive could supercede oiu: contract in any shape, form or manner. This vessel was sup­ posed to pay off on a Saturday and instead, because of this de­ lay, the crew held firm and the vessel didn't pay off until the following Tuesday when the transportation and subsistance was paid to the men rating the same. It is good to mention in pass­ ing that the crew of this vessel was a first-class militant gang of union men and by taking the stand which they did, and through cooperation between the crew and the union officers, this beef was settled on board the ship as it should have been. If the crew had not held firm as it did, then there is no question but what this beef would have been kicked around many months waiting for a decision of some sort. These men are to be congratu­ lated for the action they display­ ed. There is no question but that by such union-like actions as this, we will maintain every con­ dition which we have gained throughout the years. This is one more case of where seamen have run into obstacles concerning the settlement of dis­ putes which we, in normal times, never had any trouble with at all, but which, since the war, with the appearance of the vari­ ous bureaus, have had to spend needless hours of tough work. Here's for more crews like that of the SS GEORGE WASHING­ TON. Business and shipping picked up again this week in New York and from indications, it will re­ main so for a period of time. We have gathered our usual number of headaches and beefs from these pay-offs as well as having the usual amount of disputes sent in for final settlement here from some of the outports. Among the Quite a few of our members ships disputes handled in New York this week are the following are coming in from rather long trips and are seeing our new vessels: M.V. GAY HEAD, SS FELIX Union Hall for the first time. It GRUNDY, SS MARIE MELONIE, always comes as a pleasant sur­ SS PERRY, SS CAPE NOME, prise to these men who have seen SS JOHN W. GATES, SS ANNA the Seafarers grow from very H. BRANCH, SS PETER ZEN- small outfits in small dives for union halls, and advance them­ GER, SS ARTHUR DOBBS. Approximately half of these selves to the point which the ships paid off in ports other than Seafarers now have attained, one New York with the disputes sent of the largest and most progres­ here for final settlement. For that sive trade labor unions in the en­ reason, I advise all the men from tire labor field; an organization these vessels to look under the which has fine quarters in the Money Due List in this week's key ports and which is striving LOG for the details of the collec­ for" better halls and properties in all ports. tion and the amounts due. Our meetings in New York are These are indeed tremendous becoming larger as each week advances over t^e past few years goes by. Not only are the meet­ and all the old timers are con­ ings becoming larger, but the vinced that there is no limit as membership is taking a more far as the maritime industry is lively interest in the affairs and concerned to which the Seafarers problems of the organization and can push themselves. The sky's its welfare then has been taken the limit and all we must do to for a long, long time. continue our progressiveness is This is a very good sign. to keep working and building in The m e m b e rs' concensus of the same manner which we have opinion is that the educational in the past. policy of the Seafarers which is This branch has started action now being set up in thi:> port is on a problem which has been a very good thing and should be very detrimental to our member­ caiTied through until such time ship making ports in the various as we have contacted every mem­ ber in oui organization with the war areas. In those ports, es­ educational information we have. pecially in the England and Med­ iterranean Zones, they have hearing units where they try all merchant seamen who are charg­ ed with different offenses while in those ports. It is a matter of record that irt these cases the authorities are unduly severe with our member­ ship and quite often they have suspended their papers for as high as six months for practic­ ally no reason at all. We are taking these issues up as they come into port and are now in the process of appealing six of them. We have been promised coop­ eration from the authorities in this port for our effort as they feel that the hearing units in for­ eign ports are too tough. It is the request of this port that any man who has had his papers suspended in a foreign port and who feels that the sen­ tence was too rugged, to contact the officials in this branch with all the necessary details, data, etc. We should, within the next few weeks be able to have these peo-, pie in these war areas change the system which they use and not act as though they are trying to railroad the entire merchant marine out of activity. PAUL HALL, Agent �Page Four THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, October 6. 1944 1 Labor Steps Up Attack On Wage Freeze Spokesmen for organized labor fired some of their heaviest shells this week in an effort to knock over the tottering "Little Steel" formula. At hearings before the Na­ tional War Labor Board, they attacked the formula as a betrayal by the administration of its pledges to labor and to men in the armed forces. Furthermore, if the wage freeze stands, they said, a serious post-war economic collapse is inevitable. Secretary- Treasurer George*Meany of the A. F. of L. led off the battle and more than a dozen other Federation leaders joined in the assault at the opening day's hearing on Tuesday. CIO spokesmen followed on subse­ quent days. On behalf of A. F. of L., Meany served two demands on the board: (1) that the WLB request President Roosevelt to revise the formula so that workers' wages may be increased in line with the true rise in the cost of living; (2) that employers be permitted to grant such raises without going through the normal WLB "red tape." Meany charged flatly that im­ position of the "Little Steel" ceil­ ing first by the board and later by an executive order of the President amounted to a violation of the agreement entered into between labor, industry and gov­ ernment after Pearl Harbor that all disputes would be decided "on their merits," not by an arbitrary yardstick. 'Turlhermore, the present wage freeze policy constitutes a fraud on the nation's workers who are producing for victory and on the nation's soldiers and sailors v/ho expect to return to standards of living at least as good as they left behind." Meany declared. The long delay by the admin­ istration in heeding labor appeals for a righting of this grievous wrong "compounds the injustices that the nation's w o r k e r s and fighters have suffei-ed," he said. Even more important, however, is the fact that "the present fro­ zen wage structure constitutes a .firm basis for a major depression immediately after the end of the war," Meany warned. Pay rates have been kept so low under the "freeze" that workers will not have the purchasing power need­ ed to maintain production at a high level, unless substantial raises are granted now, he said. By BUNKER Since the war started many SIU men have taken advantage of their sea experience and the demand for officers and sat for tickets. One of these men who has moved his gear from the fo'castle to the quarterdeck is Joe Scully of Arkansas. Now a third mate, Scully was on an SIU ship that made the long trip to the Persian Gulf earlier in the war. Having picked up some of the native lingo during a long stay in Iran, brother Scully and AB Barney Rogers of Erie, Pa., dressed up like Arabs, complete with beards, turbans, long skirts, and sandals and made a grand tour of Abadan, Basra and other points. They went through all the out-of-bounds bazaars and had a look-see at all the "taboo" joints, shooting some Arab lingo whenever the MPs hove in sight. • • • • ' ' Louis Cherney, early SIU member who is now sailing as Chief Engineer, was in the other day to tour the new building and to marvel at the way the organization has grown since the early days when he took out book 227 down on the Gulf. Cherney came up the hard road'by way of the sujee bucket, sledge hammer and oil can. In other words, he put in a few years as wiper, fireman, and oiler before he got his first gold stripe. There's nothing better for a chief, Cherney says, than a long spell as a rag mechanic. • • » » . By the way, how many of you fellows made that Persian Gulf run in '43? What's the record for laying off the Shat-el-Arab before getting a berth? One ship claims two months. • * • * Here's a good opportunity for you black gang men. If you're ashore in New Y'ork and want to use your time to good advantage you should investigate the machine shop course offered by the New York Trade School at 312 E. 67th street. Being a defense-training course, it is entirely free and the school will accept you for as long a time as you can spend ashore. Classes are held five nights a week, 6 to 10, so you can arrange for the nights that would suit you best. Equipment ,at the school is better than you'll find in most machine shops and practical instructors teach you how to operate lathes, drill presses, milling machines, shapers, and etc. If you want to stay at sea after the war this is a mighty good thing to know, for it will give you an edge over most unlicensed men and many officers. Speaking of officers, you'll find some at sea these, days who don't know a fid from a marlin spike, or a spanner from a chisel. We heard about a second assistant who went on watch one night and decided to fill the settlers. The only trouble was he got confused by so many valves. He not only filled the settlers. but pumped the oil right on overboard into the Atlantic. * • « • When you tell anyone now-a-days that you're in the merchant marine they smile and say, "Well, you have it nice now, don't you— all the subs are cleaned out." Tell them about the freighter that was torpedoed off the North Carolina coast just before the hurricane. She didn't go down, but two C.G. cutters that took her in tow foundered in the storm. . And the Navy has just announced the torpedoing by an upseeri .^ub in the Caribbean of the tanker "Kitanning." Three tin fish hit her, but the sub didn't stick around to finish the job and a tug took her into the Canal Zone. « • « * Anniversary (Continued from Page 2) on the floor in New Orleans in 1940: "You old-timers started the SIU and put her on an'even keel and now it is up to'us younger members to see that under any and all circumstances, that the SIU is kept going." You SIU brothers who were in , the union since its inception know that the going v/as rough and tough, with all kinds of ob­ stacles put in our way, and you also know that when this war is over that we must be strong, willing and able to stand up for our rights, and see that the SIU stays at the apex. We can do it, we must do it, and .we will do it. So,- brothers with a happy birthday to the Seafarers Inter­ national Union of North America, American Federation of Labor, and a well done to the member­ ship of same, let the adage go on: The SIU is a union of seamen, by teamen, and for seamen. MONEY DUE SS ANNA H. BRANCH SS PERRY J. Pettus, 13 hrs: W. Marlin. 6 hrs; R. Habluelzel, 12 hrs; L. F. Ryniker, IIV2 hrs; E. McMaster. 12 hrs; W. W. Ketchum, 14 hrs; A. O. Olsen. 12'hrs; F. W. Fulbright, 10 hrs; J. McCoy. 13 Vj hrs; O. B. Randels, 19 hrs; L. Brekke. 27 hrs; C. E. Jones. 7 hrs; George S. Jordan. 221 hrs; George Singlelon. 51 hrs; Chas. M. Berner. 153 hrs; Joseph W. Perrin. 16 hrs; C. K. Wagner, 4 hrs. • • » SS PETER ZENGER Viscoiule. Wiper. 52 hrs; A. Harju. 9 hrs; W. Stone. 7 hrs; G. Vine, 4 hrs; F. Ruiz. 6 hrs; P. Cruz Elias. 2 hrs; R. Garcia. 12 hrs; F. Mauser. SVz hrs; H. Hill. 7 hrs; G. Trimble, 4 hrs. L. S. Biming. Bos'n. 1 hr; F. B. Folsom. Dk. Maintenance. 3V2 hrs; G. Magaites, AB. I hr: N. Juran. AB, 6 hrs; J. E. F. Bussian. Fire, 20 hrs; R. B. Jett. Jr.. Wiper. 7 hrs; J. T, Rentz. Fire, 12 hrs; H. Rostad. Fire. 12 hrs; A. G. Bur­ gos. Oiler. 3 hrs; R. R. Nauta. 35 hrs; J. C. Jansen. Steward. 14 hrs; E. W. Robbillard. Chief Cook. 13 hrs; G. R. Werst. Night Cook. 13 hrs; J. R. Briggs, 2nd Cook. 15 hrs; E. C. Korth. UtiUty. 16 hrs; E. Alien. Jr.. Utility. 12 hrs; M. L. Keleman. Utility. 13 hrs; E. B. Nichols. Mess. 12 hrs; H. W. Berger. Mess, 14 hrs. Collect at Calmar Line O&ice. This column would like to print your contributions: interesting experiences, anecdotes, recollections of ships and ports. Send them to Fore 'n Aft, c/o Seafarers Log, 51 Beaver Street, New York City. SS ARTHUR DOBBS L. Marlindale. Cook; C. Cole­ man. Messman; J. Vandwyn. Messman. Collect at Calmar Line Office. » e • SS JOHN W. GATES John W. Kulas, 45 hrs; Jack Blaesdell, 66 hrs; Robert Gilbert. 71 hrs; Martin Kelley, 3 hrs; Lawrence Craig. 3 hrs. Collect at company office. * * • SS MARIE MELONIE Calmar SS Company Security Watches for Oilers. 62 hrs. $52.90; L. Joiner. $27.85. 4 hrs; S. Bazzarone. Oiler, $27.85. 11 hrs; H. C. Price. Oiler. 1 hr; W. J. Lutter. Wiper. 23 hrs. Collect at Calmar Line Office. SS CAPE NOME Paid off in Boston, Sept. 25, 1944 Rodriguez. Chief Cook. 28 hrs; B. Ambrose. 2nd Cook. 28 hrs; Allen Bell. Saloon Mess. 15 hrS; John Gentry. Saloon Utility. 15 hrs; Roscoe Williams. Crew Mess. 19 hrs; Leon Amaker. Utility Mess. 19 hrs*. e * • M. V. CAY HEAD P. Larsen, $18.56; C. Smith. $17.77; Carlson. $20.14. Collect at Moran Towing Co. • • • SS FELIX GRUNDY Paid off in Baltimore Frank Puthe. Steward. 188 hrs. Keep In Touch With \ Your Draft Board ' fI 1 k = ^ 'I � 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/. 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Title A name given to the resource October 06, 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. 32 Description An account of the resource Headlines: ANNUAL NOMINATIONS NOW UNDER WAY FOR THE 1945 TERM OF OFFICE ALIEN SEAMAN FREE FROM PASSPORT RULES AFL SET TO BEAT BAD LAWS CREW BATTLES STORM WHILE SHIP LISTS AT 53 DEGREES UNION IS HAILED ON ANNIVERSARY LABOR STEPS UP ATTACK ON WAGE FREEZE Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 10/06/1944 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1944 Periodicals Seafarers Log