http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/bae3a7facc02d20de9caecd73005ebbc.PDF 9a9eb5bdbb3fe8bddd355af61b2641d9 PDF Text Text --- :V'--%;-' Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America Vol. vni. No. 27 NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. JULY 5. 1946 Seafarers Calls Company Stall With Strike Vote SERIOUS BUSINESS NEW YORK — Heavy voting narked the opening days of the ;trike referendum being taken in eVery port of the Atlantic and Julf Districts, Seafarers Interlational Union, AFL. On the question, "Are you in favor of authorizing your See:etary-Treasurer to call a strike in the event a satisfactory agreenent on wages and working conlitions cannot be reached?", SIU The line formed early at the New York Hall on July 1. Seafarers want to have their say in answer to the shipowners arrogance. This scene was repeated in all SIU Halls of the Atlantic and Gulf Districts, as Seafarers lined up to vote on the strike referendum. SIU Wins 1st Round Over 0. G., House Defeats President's Plan WASHINGTON, July 2 — The Seafarers has won the first leg of its fight to oust the Coast Guard from its entrenched posi­ tion in the Bureau of Marine In­ spection and Navigation, but the Hooligans aren't beaten yet; they're digging in for a new stand in the Senate. The permanent transfer of the Curran, Commie Fight For Power Breaks Out Again Joe Curran, President and titu­ lar leader of the National Mari­ time Union, has broken irrevoc­ ably with the communist ma­ chine in his union. This charge was made by. the New York World Telegram on Monday, and has beeir substanti­ ated by sources available to the SIU. Curran's new break with the commies—-he . had been working with them under an armed truce since March^—came at a closed meeting at Manhattan Center last Tuesday. He charged the com­ munists with manipulating the election in the outports to de­ feat his slate of supporters. Counting of the New York bal­ lots is underway. Curran and his supporters will challenge the re' (Continwd on Page 3) BMIN to the Coast Guard was defeated by the House last Sat­ urday by a wide margin, when members voted not to accept President Trumans reorganiza­ tion (Proposals. The transfer comes under Reorganization Plan 3, Part 1. But the Coast Guard announ­ ced Monday, in a statement to the press, tht it is mustering legis­ lative support to effect the per­ manent shift. The President's proposals must be rejected by the Senate also, or they automatically become law. That is where the Coast Guard is seeking its support. HEARING END Hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the Reorganization Plans now lie, seemingly have been concluded. All that remains is correlation of the testimony and a report from the committee. Thus the Coast Guard must carry its case before individual members of the Senate and re­ quest support of each of them when the fight on the proposals reaches the floor. Time is an ally of the Treasury's quasi-mili­ tary branch in this instance, be­ cause the proposals must be turn­ ed down before July 16. If they have not been rejected by that date they become law. But if tjie Coast Guard can go to the individual members of the Senate for support, so can the SIU. Seafarers who feel that con- •inuod jurisdiction of the Coas1 Juard over the BMIN will be an nsupportable load for seamen— Attention Members! Seafarers Sailing As Engineers All members—retired mem­ bers and former members— of iha Seafarers Internation­ al Union who are now sailing as licensed Engineers; Please report as soon-as possible to the Seafarers Hall at 51 Bea­ ver Street. New York City. Your presence is necessary in a matter of great importance. (Continued on Page 4) SIU Crew^ Leave Ships, Protesting Contract Deiay NEW YORK, July 3 — SIU crews are spontaneously walking off ships or refusing to sign on in protest of the operators' con­ tinued stalling in contract nego­ tiations. The walkouts have occured at widely separated ports, even as a strike vote is being taken. The membership evidently is impa­ tient of the long machinery neces­ sary to call a strike, and are staging the walkouts to express their feelings on the matter. Meanwhile, the negotiations are following the old familiar pattern of stalling and foolish offers by the operators. They seem to be trying to bog down and force the Government to step into the picture. But the SIU is insisting that it will deal only directly with the operators. The spontaneous walkouts and refusals to sign on are pointing up that determination. IN EVERY PORT Just how many ships are af­ fected is not known at the pres­ ent time, but reports have come in from almost every port in the country of one or more ships tied up. The operators, however, .seem to feel that the longer they can keep the negotiations going on the better their case will be. So they're stalling around dur- members started to vote on July 1. The balloting will conclude on July 31. Present indications, on the basis of the opinions of the men actually doing the voting, show that the membership is over­ whelmingly in favor of using eco­ nomic action if the shipowners refuse to accede to the reason­ able demands of the Union. When the voting started at 9:00 a. m. on Monday, July 1, a line of men were already queued up at the polling booths. Balloting went along smoothly, with an average of two men vot­ ing every three minutes. SERIOUS PURPOSE A certain air of grimness ac­ companied the start of the refer­ endum. Most of the men at the beginning of the line had been through strikes before and re­ alized the seriousness of the pres­ ent voting. The younger men also had a realization of their responsibility, and were deter­ mined to do the right thing, come liell or high water. The consensus of opinion was,., that the shipowners, through their greed and cupidity, had forced the Union's action, and that the consequences can be laid directly at their door. All of the men grimly sweating out the line remembered the recent war days during which merchant seamen caiaied a large part of the burden of the fight against ' fascism abroad. As one of them aptly put it, "The seamen, like all other work­ ers, did not strike during the war. Now we are faced with ris­ ing prices and low wages. It just (Continued on Page 4) (Continued on Page 6) Correct Job Action An Important Union Weapon In Winning Beefs By PAUL HALL One of the principle points in the growth of the Seafarers and the development of the Union has been the correct and timely use of job action. In recent months, more than ever before it has been necessary for the Union to act fast and decisively. The shipowners fear job ac­ tion even more than strikes. In a strike both the employer and the Union dig in for a showdown scrap. Both prepared their de< fense and attack plans, both take stock of their available reserves and resources and plan their campaign accordingly. The shipowner uses job action quite often, yet, still squawks like hell when it is used against him. Whenever a man is fired, overtime protested, food cut down, crews reduced, work in­ creased, etc., the shipowner is using job action, ai.ilnst the (ConHmted on Page 6) �Page Two THE S E AF AREHS LOG Friday. July 5, 1946 SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affili'iiiii uiih iLc AiruviiiUi lidcratimi of Lahnr At 51 Beaver Street, New York, 4, N. Y. HAnovcr 2-2784 4. 4. 4- S' HARKY LUN'DEBERG ------- President 10^' Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK -------- Secy-T reas. P. O. BOK 2), Station P., New Ynrk City V Entered as second class inatter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. 267 Voting For Independence •ie. I' H Negotiations between the SIU and the shipowners arc rapidly coming to a head, and unless the operators show a willingness to bargain honestly, there is little that stYnds in the 5vay of a general strike. Only the Seafarers' determination to exhaust every possible means of settling the disputed is,sues amicably has' prevented a walkout up to now. But this state of affairs ' 'cannot be carried on any further, and the shipowners must realize that we mean business. If they have any doubt of this, those doubts would be rapidly dispelled by one look at the lines waiting to vote on the strike referendum in all ports of the Atlantic and Gulf Districts, SIU. The shipowners' contemptuous disregard of the basic demands of the Union's Negotiating Committee has acted like kerosene added to the fire. From their pinnacle of 21 bi.'lion dollars profit, made during the years of World War II, they have turned down the Union's reasonable requests for higher wages and better working conditions.' This is not bargaining. It is attempting to foist con­ ditions on the Union with the backing of the Washington Bureaucrats and the Armed Services. The success which crowned the Government's strikeBreaking efforts in the negotiations with the railroad work­ ers, has made the shipowners confident that their battles will continue to be fought for them by the bureaucrats. We are aware of this this, and we are prepared to fight for what we consider to be the conditions and wages which seamen deserve. These first days of voting on the strike referendum thus far show that the Seafarers are overwhelmingly in These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, favor of using their economic power to force concessions as repotted by the Port Agents. These Brothers iind time hanging from the shipowners. It is the only weapon which the heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ 'bosses and the Government have not yet taken away from ing to them. BRIGHTON HOSPITAL JOHN (SCOTTY) CLARK us, although they have made many attempts to do so. EMERY SIMMS VINCENT JONES The freedom that is supposed to be part of the American LAMAR PALMER T. FORTIN beritage would be denied the worker tomorrow if the HAROLD CLODIUS H. GILL AN Bos.ses thought they could get away with it. tit R. FRENCH STATEN ISLAND HOSP. It is fitting that July 4, Independence Day, falls dur­ E. JOHNSTON G. A. SMITH ing the month of the SIU strike vote. Because if ever S. KELLEY K. -JOHNSON W. SILVERTHORN men were united for their independence, the tim.e is right V. HAMMARGREN now. The freedom which we celebrated yesterday is no G. GOODWIN E. H. ENYART P. CASALINUOVO les« dear to us than the freedom from economic slavery J. E. TUCKER H. HANSEN H. NEILSEN which tve would like to celebrate in the years to come. A. CHASE A. NELSON Liberty is tied up with economic freedom and good J. CONLEY L. KAY living. We fight to keep freedom alive when we are will­ J. BLYTHE L. A. CORNWALL ing to battle against large odds for higher wages and better R. GAYECKA G. ORPILLA conditions. Our past record and our present actions prove H. STONE R. G. MOSSELLER T. DINEEN that we believe in liberty, and are constantly prepared to W. H. G. BAUSE i. s, X • W. B. MUIR dclcnd it against those who would deprive us of it. Men Now In The Marine Hospitals Commies In Unions rC - Currently in the news arc two labor unions whose presidents are having trouble with the little Red howlers. One is Morris Muster, who quit the presidency of the United Furniture Workers (CIO) because of Communist control and corruption from within. The other is Joe Ciirran, who is having another set-to with the commies within the NMU. It's the same story in boith cases. And it alv/ays will be ithe same story when the rank and file and the officers of a Union allo^y the Reds to infiltrate. .Y-' NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL W. C. FRITZ W. P. FOLSE , J. W. DENNIS W. F. LEWIS J. R. QUINN R. M. NOLAN JOFIN R. GOMEZ EDWARD CUSTER •WILBUR "MANNING E. LADINER LEROY DAVIDSON ROY D. LUSKO JESSE LOWE GEORGE C. PRATT 'Y - ' J. M. DALY J. L. WEEKS L. R. BORJA L. L. MOODY, Jr. G. P. RAEBURN L. A. HORNEY C. A. MILLER M. J. FORTES W. J. GEIGER W. G. ROBERTS E. WEINGARTEN G. KUBIK C. KUPLICKI H. BEAKMAN E. B. HOLMES Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegate by post­ card. giving your name and the number of your ward. Staten Island Hospital You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Staten Island Hospital at the follow­ ing times: Tuesday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 5th and 6th floors) Thursday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) Saturday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 1st and 2nd floors.) " R. SAVIOR G; JANAVARIS C. G. SMITH D. J. MULCAHY C. BENESCII R. MORCIGLIO G. 'H. STEVENSON XXX GALVESTON HOSPITAL R. V.'JONES ROBERTS ORPUT HARDWICK BROWN LARSON A. L. HULL M. BANSIDES HAYES GEORGE ADOLPHUS (SUP) XXX BALTIMORE MARINE HOSP. HOWARD NEAL ROBERT MILLER ELMER BROWN CHARLES STANCLIFF WALTER BENDLE JAMES HANCHEY WILLIAM REEVES VAN WARFIELD MANTA 'WALDROP '- : • "-7Y'VY - iF �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, July 5, 1946 PLANS IN THE MAKING Officials of the SIU meet in New York to dis uss and make plans for the wind-up of the Isth­ mian Drive, the contract negotiations, and strike preparations. Seated, Steely White, New Or­ leans Agent and Gulf Coordinator. Grouped around Steely, from left to right, are Curly Rentz, Baltimore Agent; Paul Hall, New York Agent and Director of Organization; Cal Tanner, Organ­ izer; Ray White, Norfolk Agent; and Jimmy Hanners, New York Patrolman. Page Three Leaflet Warns Seafarers On Shipowners' Disruption NEW YORK—Warning against possible disruption and provoca­ tion on the part of the shipown­ ers was voiced by Paul Hall, SIU New York Agent, in a leaflet distributed to the membership. Brother Hall pointed out that the shipowners are prepared to give the Union a bad time during the present contract negotiations so as to force the Union to waste its energies. The disruptionist tactics may take any form. Hall warned, from acts of provocation by stooges planted in the Union, to refusal to pay off on legitimate beefs and conditions. POINTS TO REMEMBER To prevent the operators from getting away with their plans. Hall suggested that certain steps be followed: 1. Do not sign on your vessel until a Union Representative is on board. This is done so the Pa­ trolman can check the vessel for beefs. 2. Do not pay off your vessel until a Union Representative is on board and has your beefs set­ tled. This is very important. 3. Notify the Union Hall of any repairs to be made on shipboard. Do this as soon as possible so as to allow time for the settlement of the condition, beefs, etc. 4. Check at Union Hall for all information, etc., in regards to present negutialiuns. Read the regular • "Negotiations Log" re­ port so as to be kept informed as to the status of negotiations. The leaflet closed with re­ sounding warning to the ship­ owners. "Not only are we going to get the best contract in the business, but we are also going to protect our Union and our conditions while we do it." Isthmian Seamen Will Benefit From New Seafarers Contracts Curran, Commies Battle in NMU By EARL SHEPPARD ten soon and will be the reward of long hard months of organiza­ tion. The fight has been a hard one but the victory will amply repay all the effort. WE FIGHT TO WIN AND WE WIN OUR FIGHTS. Isthmian Line, Standard Oil, and other unorganized SS Com­ panies are all willing to accept the phony agreement reached in Washington, D. C., between the' CIO-CMU, the WSA and the op­ erators. Immediately after the FINAL DISPATCH agreement was reached, the NMU The OPA, which never did so Pilot broadcast the claim . that they had "raised the wages" of much during its lifetime, died all seamen and called upon Isth­ last week as a result of President mian seamen to fight for the Truman's veto. This leaves the road open for still greater infla­ same agreement. It is fortunate that the Isth­ tion, with the price of ham and mian seamen had learned the eggs soaring to Alaska gold-rush role of the NMU and would not levels. The newspapers, bankers and listen to them. Already the SIUSUP have received substantially politicians may be able to kid the greater increases from the oper­ general public that there is no ators. In the deck department immediate danger of uncontroll­ alone these increases range from ed inflation, but every seaman five to forty-five dollars above knows that not only is there an immediate danger but that infla­ the scale the NMU signed for. In the meantime the Seafarers tion to alarming proportions has is refusing to be high-pressured already taken place. The American dollar no longer into accepting any "fact finding" has the allure of the "yankee dol­ government board or WSA de­ lar" song. Every ragged beggar, cisions or to accept the pattern set by Curran-Bridges and com­ hustler and shoeshine boy in the pany in Washington. Despite the near east can sport a roll of Am­ handicap of the NMU's accept­ erican dollars, even though he ance of the inadequate award, can't find anything to buy with the Seafarers demands remain the dough. When a pair of worn, dirty the same and the final settlement dungarees brings five bucks, cig­ will show substantial increases. arettes from four to twenty simThe Isthmian seamen will oleons, and anything and every­ benefit fully and gain the same thing else comparative priced, increases upon the completion of then there is no question of fu­ the voting and the signing of an agreement with the Seafarers. ture inflation, it's already here. The SIU policy of standing pat MONEY COMES HOME and playing their hand to the Millions of dollars of yellowlimit will pay dividends to all seal invasion money were printed seamen, even to the misled mem­ and put into circulation through­ bers of the NMU who were high out the world. Other millions pressured by their leadership in­ were looted from cities occupied to believeing that they had ac­ by Germany, Italy and Japan; tually scored a victory. > Russia probably grabbed off her Curran is already screaming share in the drive from Stalin­ his head off and calling meetings grad to Berlin. with the American Merchant Ma­ There are strict rules prohibit­ rine Institute, demanding that ing the return of this money to the NMU scale be raised to that the U.S.A. by individuals, but no won by the SIU-SUP. This is the law or force is big enough to role the NMU has always played, search every pocket and this coming in at the tail end of the money is all fast finding its way fight to enjoy what the Seafarers back. win. The black markets are account­ IT'S YOUR UNION To all intents and purposes the Seafarers is the Union of the Isth­ mian seamen. Time after time on all but a very few of the Isth­ mian ships, the Seafarers has won a substantial majority. The Isthmian agreement will be writ­ ing for a lot of this and many enterprising servicemen have managed to send enough back home via money order to at least give them a little breathing spell when they get out of uniform. The people who have it can't eat or wear it so they naturally spend it for whatever It will buy, re­ gardless of cost or source. PRICES AND WAGES .The real sufferer is the woi'kingman and his family. Prices have already risen far faster than wages and there is no end in sight. The OPA failed miserably, for despite the so-called price control the politicians did noth­ ing to force the manufacturers to release their stocks to the retail­ ers, and nothing to force the re­ tailers to carry sufficient stocks on their shelves. The result was that the black market fiourished. Anything from nylon stockings and butter to pullman tickets and automobiles were always available to the guy who had the price. Probably no one will ever know how' many ways the OPA pie was cut, and how many plums were pulled out by the political fingers. Now all pretence of price con­ trol has been eliminated and the whole thing resolved on the question: "Are wages sufficient to meet living costs?" The answer is that they are not, and will be even less ade­ quate as prices increase. Labor then has to do something and do something damn quick. LABOR CONTROL BUREAUS All of the labor control bu­ reaus, wage stabilization boai-ds, labor boards of all types, etc., are still in existence, and on top of it all Congress has shown its de­ termination to pass still greater anti-labor restrictive laws. All of this goes "to show that labor can place no faith in the actions of any type of politicians or in any form of political activ­ ity. The whole matter has now narrowed down to a strict eco­ nomic question—the question of being able to eat or going hun­ gry. The working man today isn't going to go hungry and neither is he going to stand in breadlines or peddle apples on street cor­ ners. His answer is going to be economic action, action at the point of production to end all repressive bureaus and kill all anti-labor organizaiton. The workingman has within his hands the only sound com­ mon sense method of price con­ trol, the control of production. Inflation will be ended by labor when its united strength exerts itself on the job. {Continued from Page 1) Union, though the inference that suits of the election if they fol­ they were Communists was clear. low the pattern of the rest of (Later he denied this obvious in­ the country, where his boys were; terpretation of his charges, say­ ing that it was merely an intraoverwhelmingly defeated. union fight, with no issue of com­ The Curran-commie fight now munism involved. Comrade Stack extends beyond the NMU itself. pointed up this denial by throw­ Since the organization of the Committee for Maritime Unity, ing a 2,000 man picketline around the World Telegram, which first Harry Bridges, fair-haired boy of published the charges.) the Comintern, has entered the Curran said he would permit picture. If Curran is shown to be weak by the election. Bridges no group, regardless of race, color will take over as top dog in the or creed to dominate the NMU. CMU. THEY CHEERED SAPPING JOB The members cheered wildly The election returns follow and stamped their feet. long-asserted charges that the Curran, however, neglected to commies are trying to undermine mention how he would achieve Curran in favor of Bridges. this, encircled by the commies, One result of the NMU ruckus as he seems to be. has been the departure of Joe Other huzzahs came when Miss Stack, self-avowed communit Madlyn Ford, NMU statistician and New York Port Agent. Stack and a charter member of the shipped out last week. He spoke Union, said: "I have never been at the meeting, however, defend-' a communist and I never wiU be." ing the party, saying, "I am a' She set herself solidly on Curran Communist and proud of it," and ground and described the ma­ lauding Communist vice presi­ chine the commies have built to dent Howard McKenzie. He was manipulate the election. roundly booed by the member­ How that machine operated ship for his pains. was revealed in part by Curran, Blackie Myers, NMU vice who said that Organization Chief president and a CP state commit­ Myers had packed Reds into the tee member, accused Curran of ranks of Isthmian organizers, and "giving in to the pressure of the used them to campaign for the shipowners and newspaper and communist slate in the election. magazine publicity." The 3,000 He said organizers were even members at Manhattan Center sent to ports where there were booed him off the stage. no Isthmian ships, to contact This was a new tack for the crews of NMU ships and lay down majority of rank and file mem­ the political line. bership. All but a small group cheered Curran as lustily as they BRIDGE BUILDERS booed the commies. Heretofore, The concerted drive against any attacks on the commies, or Curran was begun after the for­ even hints that there was di­ mation of the Committee on rection from the CP had brought Maritime Unity. After the Wash­ crise of "red-baiting" from the ington negotiations two weeks floor of the meeting. ago the commies began a whis­ pering campaign on every water­ SWING SHIFT front, charging that he had sold There were a couple of such out to the shipowners. They said cries this time when Curran told it was really Bridges who won the membership that the com­ the increases without a strike. mies in the Union constitute a Plenty of NMU men know bet­ clique that is trying to swing the ter, however. They have read election. This was the first time Curran the SIU reprint of Drew Pear­ had brought the word "commu­ son's Washington column, in nist" into the open at a general which he gave the inside story meeting. In his insurrection of Bridges' knocking a $30.00 a against their control last March, month increase across the board he had referred to them merely down to $17.50. The reason: Hoyt as a power-grabbing clique, Haddock, a Curran man had which was trying to control the made the deal. �Ui' Page Foiuf THE SEAfARERS IOC SUP Contract Tops; Bridges Cries For A 'Ride On Gravy Train' SAN FRANCISCO, ^uly 2—A new contract, directly negotiated between the Sailors Union of the Pacific and the shipowners, which gave the SUP membership con­ tract gains far in excess of the CMU agreements, was unani­ mously adopted by the SUP mem­ bership tonight. Immediately, Ildia'y Dridgcs, cochaiiman of the CMU, put out the usual squawk for a "ride on the same gravy train." The wage increases ranged from $17.50 to S52.50 per month, and were in most cases a substan­ tial increase over the scale set for the NMU by the Govern­ ment. Bosuns will receive as much as $225.00 per month, on the larger ships $35.00 per month more than NMU Bosuns; and Carpenters, Carpenter's Mates, and Store­ keepers will be paid from S20.00 to $25.00 more than comparable NMUratings. The $5.00 wage dif­ ferential between ABs of the NMU and the SUP will remain in effect. CMU ON BANDWAGON When the new wage agree­ ment was announced, Harry Bridges, co-chairman of the Com­ mittee for Maritime Unity, made it clear that his members will ex­ pect to receive the same benefits as those gained by the SUP in direct negotiations with the op­ erators. Bridges said, "They (the shipowners) will find that we can ride the same gravy train (as the ^UP; and it will cost the ship­ owners more dough." In contradiction to the stand taken by Bridges was the state­ ment made by Hai-ry Lundeberg, Secretary-Treasurer of the SUP. In discussing the increases, Brother Lundeberg said, "It is hoped that these increases will be extended by the Government to the NMU and the unions following the NMU-CMU policy, now that our increases have been granted through direct negotia­ tions with private operators." -War Shipping Administration which holds title to 80 percent of the nation's shipping on be­ half of the Government, has not yet indicated whether or not it will approve the new contract. If the WSA refuses to approve the new agreement, it is faced with a strike by the militant SUP membership. The new wage scale is retroactive to April 1, 1946, and will remain in effect until September 30, 1947, with provision for a review of wages on February 1, 1947. ' Certain working rules were also amended, and under the new agreement the work week at sea will be 48 hours, and in port it will be 40 hours. Overtime in port will be paid for all work performed after 5:00 p. m. and before 8:00 a. m., and for all work done on Satin-days, Sundays, and Holidays. At sea, work in excess of 48 hours per week shall be paid for at the regular overtime rate, as will all work performed on Simdays. Still remaining in dispute are the following issues: 1. Rate of stand-by pay. 2. Rate of stand-by overtime pay. 3. Traveling time while work­ ing stand-by. 4. Subsistence while traveling. 5. Explosive clause. 6.' Adjustment of cargo work­ ing rate offshore and the Alaska Trade. COMMITTEE THANKED All in all, the- SUP was able to negotiate increases far in ex­ cess of what the Government gave the CIO Unions in Washing­ ton. This vdew was seconded by SUP members who not only ap­ proved the provisions unanimous­ ly, but also went on record as extending a vote of thanks to the Negotiating Committee of the Union. The Committee was composed of Harry Lundeberg, John Mahoney, John Massey, Harlin Snow, Walter Lubinski, Ray Paull, Sam McGuffin, and Harry Julinson. SlU Answers Stalling By Strike Vote QUEST/ON:—U the Seamen^s Bill of Rights is passed, what provisions will you take advandage of? THOMAS J. MONAHAN. Second Cook: That would be the best break that could happen to mo. I want more education, but the only way I can get it is if the Government foots part of the bill. Of course, the amount of money that I would receive from the Govern­ ment would be awful small, but it would be better than nothing. I used to be a salesman before I first shipped in 1943. and I could use a fast training course in sales. If we could depend on a loan from the Government, that would be a big help in case I wanted to build a home or go into business some time in the future. Seafarers Wins First Round in CoastGuardBeef (Con tin tied from Page 1) and who doesh't—can do some­ thing about it as individuals. They can write to the Senators from their home state and ask them to lop off Part I of Reor­ ganization Plan 3. Enough such letters will show the Senators that seamen don't want con­ tinued Coast Guard control. In organizing its fight for con­ tinuance of the BMIN under its jurisdiction, the Coast Guard is laying .stress on safety of life and property at sea and on na­ vigable waters of the U. S. The New York Times yester­ day , quoted a Coast Guard spokesman as saying: "Since for many years the Coast Guard has been charged with all remedial phases and part of the preventive phases of such responsibility, it is logical and desirable that it be the agency to which all functions of maritime safety should be assigned in the interests of efficient operation, greater economy and good gov­ ernment." John Hawk answered that one whtm he told the House and Senate Committees that Coast Guard officers could not possibly have the knowledge and knowhow on merchant ships that the old inspectors of the Bureau, un­ der the Commerce Department, had. These merchant ship cap­ tains, and engineers, he said, undeistand the problems of mer­ chant ships much belter. In other words, the Coast Guard now admits that it hasn't done a good job, but is asking for another chance-^a permanent one! . Tail-end of the story put out by the Coast Guard obviously was a weak attempt to answer Hawk's charge that the Coast Guard hadn't operated efficiently during the war. It said: "Lack of permanency in the 1942 transfer precluded longrange planning by the Coast Guard for proper and effective administration of inspection functions." Friday, July 5, 194B WILLIAM PARKS, AB: Frankly I'm not too much in­ terested in the Bill of Rights be­ cause it- actually doesn't mean anything. The only seamen who will benefit are the fellows who want to go to school. I don't; I want to keep going to sea. Sure I would like us to get recognition from the Government, and this would be one form of recognition. Seamen deserve a lot better treatment and consideration than they are now getting. I don't like the idea of the Maritime Commission being given the au­ thority to administer the Bill. We probably won't get a square deal from them. (Continued from Page /) doesn't make sense. If that is the thanks we get, then I think we ought to go out on strike and stay out until we get everything we ask for!" ALL ENTHUSIASTIC Reports from the other ports engaged in the balloting indi­ cated that the pro-strike senti­ ment was rampant all over. While all votes are secret, the SlU members were not reticent about telling how they voted. Al­ most all of them stated that they voted for a strike, should it be­ come necessary in order to en­ force the Union's demands. The resolution to take a strike vote was instigated at the regu­ lar business meeting of all ports of the Atlantic and Gulf Districts. This was quickly followed by notification to the United States Department of Labor of our in­ tention to strike in accordance with t4ie Smith-Connallv Act. DATE TO BE SET The actual date for calling the strike is up to the membership, and is contingent upon the prog­ ress of the negotiations with the shipowners. When the time comes, the date will be decided upon in the usual democi'atic way. Top officials of the SIU are non-committal in their opinions on the present vote, but ex­ pressed the hope that all mem­ bers of the Union would parti­ cipate in the voting. From the look of things to dale, Seafarers know that the fu­ ture action is the responsibility of all, and they are prepared to do their part, in the voting, and on the picketline if necessary. IBU Scabs On SUP In Work-Stoppage CLARENCE DAIRE. Ch. Cook: I would like to take advantage of the educational benefits. I was interested in radio before going to sea. and now I'd like to look into the new field of television, or one of the other new develop­ ments in the radio field. I'm married, and I know that the $80.00 per month subsistence would not be enough for me and my wife, but I have saved a few bucks which I could use to sup­ plement the money allowed by the Government. Of course, if prices keep going higher and higher, no amount of money will be enough. WEAVER MANNING, Oiler: The education provision is the only one that interests me. . I want to study more electricity so that I can prepare for a license as a Third Assistant Engineer. The sea is my life, and I want to advance myself as I become quali­ fied for better jobs. $60.00 a month is not a lot of dough, but I can hustle a little more by odd jobs, and make enough to pay my own way. One thing more, we ought to fight for hospitaliza­ tion rights because if a man's dis­ charge is more than 60 days old, he can't be admitted to the Ma­ rine Hospital, and then he has to depend on charity to take care of him. SAN FRANCISCO—From the standpoint of the commie-domi­ nated CMU, unity works only one way. The history of the NMU is one of the scabbing, not only on the SIU-SUP, but on each other. Recently Harry Bridges and his ILWU were charged by a brother CIO union with scab­ bing tactics during the strike against Montgomery Ward. To these records can be added the recent action of the Inland Boatmen's Union (CIO) and . the ILWU (CIO), both members of the CMU. When the SIU-SUP stop work meetings took place on June 6, the Seafarers members in San Francisco decided to hold a sec­ ond meeting on June 7 in Order to further discuss developments and plan future action. At this time there was a ship lying in drydock, belonging to a company shipping an SUP deck gang. IBU SCABS The IBU was called on to sup­ ply a crew to shift the boat, and did so, thereby scabbing on the SUP. To add insult to injury, the ILWU worked the sailors hatch on the vessel. SIU members are justifiably angry, and as one of them, Joe Lightfoot, put it, "That's a fine way to thank us for backing them up in their strike action. We say we won't scab on them, and then they go and scab on us. A fine state of affairs." ' ' �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, July 5, 1946 Paea Fiva Seafarers Ballot On The Strike Question Young and old Seafarers agree that the strike vole is a good thing under present conditions. After they voted, three of the younger members were snapped getting the lowdown from an oldtimer. Left to right, Thomas Cahagan, Earl Cinna­ mon, A. Goldsmit, and Blackie Colucci. SEAFABEBS' INTEBNATIONAL UNION OF N ^ A H SAMPLE ATLANTIC and GULP DISTRICT STRIKE RESOLUTION BALLOT INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: Vote either YES or NO —Mark a cross (X) in the square. Do not use a I^ad pencil in marking the ballot — ballots marked with lead pencil will not be counted. Your vote is secret, but you must be a member in good standing to vote. Here Brother Wil­ liam Atwood checks the books of some of the men waiting to cast their ballots. MARK YOUR BALLOT with PEN and INK or INDELIBLE PENCIL. DO NOT PUT ANY OTHER MARKINGS ON THIS BALLOT. / , FOREWORD I ' AT THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING HELD IN NEW YORK, JUNE 19, 1946, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED AND , CONCURRED IN UNANIMOUSLY: 1 I VOTING PERIOD FROM JULY I, 1946 THROUGH JULY 31, 1946 RESOLUTION WHEREAS: At the present time the Seafarers International Union of North America, Atlantic and Gulf District, is engaged in negoti^ions with our contracted companies for improved wages and working conditions, and WHEREAS: The Seafarers International Union of North America, Atlantic and Gulf District, has always won the best wages and working conditions in the Maritime Industry and we intend to maintain that record in our present negotiations, and WHEREAS: Although we have stated for the record to the Public, the Gov­ ernment and to our contracted companies that we will refusetto be bound by any agreements entered into in Washington by the Committee for Maritime Unity, our contracted companies have attempted to use that agreement as a pattern in their dealings with us, and WHEREAS: The conditions which we are demanding in our contract nego­ tiations are much better than the demai(Hs Aba| iff^^iipde by the Maritime Unions affiliated with th^ time Unity on their contracted companies, and Bmay be necessary, as negotiations progress, to have an affirma^e strike vote in the hands of your Committee in order to be in position to strike if necessary to enforce our demands, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Secretary-Treasurer be instructed to prepare a Strike Ballot immediately in accordance with the Constitution, and Preparedness from soup to nuts is Ihe keynote as the strike vole gets weirunder way. Here is part of the soup kitchen, ready for instant action if the shipowners continue their stalling tactics. Left to right, trying the coffee, are three members of the strike committee, Salvatore Frank, Vic Combs, and Edward Guszczynsxy. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the body of this Resolution be printed on the face of the Strike Ballot with the following question: "Are You in Favor of Authorizing Your Secretary-Treasurer to Call a Strike in the Event a Satisfactory Agreement on Wages and Working Conditions cannot be Reached?", AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the voting on this ballot shall begin on July 1, 1946 and shall terminate with the regular meet­ ing of July 31, 1946, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the actual date of calling the strike be left open for the membership to decide upon at a later date which will be contingent upon the progress of our negoti­ ations with the operators, AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That we notify the United States Department of Labor immediately of our intention to strike in accordance with the Smith-Connally Act. SAMPLE BALLOT SAMPLE "Are you in favor of authorizing your Secretary-Treasurer to calli.a strike in the event a satisfactory agreement on wages and working conditions cannot be reached?" YES NO Traditional Seafarers militancy is shown by the ready picketsigns to be carried if and wheiu �Correct Job Action An Important Union Weapon In Disputes I,.. H' ;J I j[ (Cani'tnued from Page 1) Union, he is directly attacking seamen's conditions without warning. . Simply defined, job action is the exercise of organi7:ed strength in a surprise attack. RIGHT AND WRONG ' Friday, July 5. 1S48 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Six reaman to sign on a ship, and there is no law to make a man on the beach ship on ahy particular ship. The Union didn't instruct the men aboard the ships not to sign on nor did it instruct men not to ship on any of the ships affected. The problems wore discussed and the men acted on their own initative. They were Union mem­ bers on Union ships and the Union represented them in their action. This further defines job action. r George Saucier "Hey," said the Counter Pa­ trolman, "here's a good guy for your 'Meet the Seafarers" this week. He is one of the men who really helped to build this Union, and a story about him might be an inspiration to the newer men." That was our introduction to George Saucier, G 113, Deck En­ gineer and Oiler. George is about ' ft. 8 in. tall, and weighs about 165 pounds—not very big, but he luuks like he can take care of himself when he has to. George first went to sea in 1930 when jobs ashore were tough to get. The love of adven­ ture was in his blood and so, during the depression, he decid­ ed to have a fling at a romantic .sailor's life. Observations On The Current Contract Talks By STEELY WHITE The SlU has for some weeks now been attempting to nego­ tiate an agreement with Mississi­ ppi Shipping Company, which has been forced to negotiate through a committee of operator represen­ tatives drawn from the so-called Atlantic Steamship Operators As­ sociation. This committee has to date been RAM-RODDED by the ship­ owners' chairman, L. A. Parks (who is known throughout the maritime industry as a scabherder and ex-piecard sellout ar­ tist), and Cherbonnier (a fanati­ cal anti-labor shyster who is con­ nected with the AMMl and sun­ dry steel corporations). These two guys, along with some of the companies' representa­ tives, have been doing everything in their power to in.stigate and provoke a strike or lock-out in place of attempting to sit down with the Union committee and negotiating an agreement. They have snooped and maneuvered, finagled and concocted insults in the form of offers and proposals contrary to all negotiating prin­ ciples and technique, and neither knows the difference between a fid and a sampson post. Job action to be successful must be well planned. If a ship's crew were to decide to take independent action in defense of a grievance, no matter how just the case might be, the chances are 100 to 1 that it would result OVERWORKED in failure. Refusing to sign on, walking GEORGE SAUCIER When a crew sits a ship down, off or just sitting down and talk­ A GOOD LIFE or_ walks off without the knowl­ ing things over are by no means seamen he knows lost three or edge and support of the Union, the only forms of job action. In It turned out not to be as ro­ four ships from under them. they are playing into the ship­ fact the acts of walking off or mantic as he had thought, but George's only dunking took place owner's hands. Job action should sitting down are so closely re­ he has never regretted his ser­ on May 5, 1942, when the Afounalways be in defense of a speci­ lated to striking that caution vice with the merchant marine. dria. Waterman Lines, was sent fic grievance, for a definite cau^e. must be taken to prevent such In fact, he left the sea during to the bottom by a Nazi torpedo. While job action is often dem­ action from becoming a strike. the years 1933-34-35, and worked He also had his share of bomb­ onstrative in character, as in the The main objective of the ship­ as a farm hand and construction ings in the Atlantic and the Med­ recent SlU-SUP stop-work meet­ owners and industrialists has al- worker, but he returned to the iterranean, and was on one of ings, it should always be linked ^o get as much work ships, and has been sailing ever the first vessels to sail into the to urgent issues. In the case of little time as possible from since. harbor at Antwerp after the port the stop-work meetings the ac­ the working stiff. They call this "The years 1936 and 1937 are was opened. Saucier calls this tion was 100 percent successful "efficiency" and the engineers the ones I'll never forget," he the toughest action he ever went in forcing a specific demand, the who plan their systems "effici­ recalls. "We were fighting for through. BAD FAITH opening of negotiations indepen­ ency experts." The Union right­ our lives against the commun­ "They threw everything at us," This group has yet to meet the dent of the Washington bureaus. ly call it "speed up." Whatever ists who were trying to split the he remembers. "We were dive Union committee with any vis­ A good example of a wrong you call it—it's still exploitation seamen's union for their own bombed, buzz bombed, strafed— ible intention of bargaining in ends. We had to fight like hell, everything but the kitchen sink. good faith, nor do they intend to type of job action took place re­ of the workingman. and 1 was badly beaten then, but We thought that our own planes cently on the Washington, a U.S. Very frequently Masters and until such time as their skull­ Lines-NMU manned ship. The Chief Engineers try to show we won, and now bur Union can had all been shot down, but a few duggery is publicized and the entire crew refused to sign on ^ brilliance by estimating the withstand anything. Can the days later, our planes started in­ companies they represent take because the company refused to j necessary to paint a stack NMU say the same?" to action, and pretty soon it was some action against it. fire a Purser who had refused to ^ pump. Not so long ago Saucier has a well earned rep­ all over." The Union committee has been join the NMU. This was a juris- Mates and Engineers on Ford utation for militancy; usually he unable to make any progress in SEAMEN UNITED dictional raid as the Pursers have gbips were given instructions as is elected Engine Room Delegate We asked George what he negotiations because the counter­ their own union, the American ^ bow long every job and he believes in job action at thought of the work-stoppage on proposals offered exposed their Merchant Marine Staff Officers-gbould take. If things like this the point of production when June 6, and he replied, "It had insincerity of intention and stu­ Union, AFL. became prevalent, then the ship's seamen's wages or conditions are to be done. The operators were pidity of program in addition to '' It was poorly timed because ^ officers would be slave drivers at stake. fooling around, and probably being an insult to our intelli­ the U.S. Lines was looking for, and the crew slaves, "The only way to settle a beef," thought that we would accept gence. Their action so far can be an excuse to tie the ship up and T aw he states flatly, "is to show the any terms that they were able termed as a "lock-out." send it to the shipyards for reNO LAW shipowners that the whole crew to put over on the commies. If the operators believe they conversion. The result was that There is no law that says how is united. Job action should be "They know better now. Our arc going to get anywhere by the crew was paid off, the ship much work a man is able to do, used as soon as you see that the demands are simple and just— such proceedure as this, they are taken out of service and no con- j how long it takes him to get company is trying to chisel. In better wages and conditions, and as crazy as some of their nego­ elusion reached on the beef. The tired, how often he needs a drink that way you can stop a lot of the four watch system. We'll get tiating representatives. On the net result was some 350 men add-, of water, when he has to relieve headaches." it too, cause we are united." contrary it could create an un­ ed to the already overcrowded ^ himself or if his tools are right To George Saucier, and other favorable condition where now Saucier sailed steadily all NMU shipping list. for the job. His seaman's papers through the war. He considers SlU Brothers like him, we say, none exists. The time is at hand merely qualifies him to do the himself lucky because he was "Good sailing, and keep her when this foolishness must come RIDER BEEF job whether it takes an hour or only torpedoed once. Many other steady as she goes." to a sudden halt. The recent rider beef was won ^ day. with the correct kind of job acThe employer likes to say tion. The shipowners and the ^bat when the work slows down WSA had hedged to the point of ^ ^bere is "a conscious lessening of creating a deadlock in the rider efficiency." The Union theory is negotiations. The whole matter | ^bat a satisfied worker is more was discussed at the regular efficient. Thus if an attempt is membership meeting and the of­ made by some phony ship's of­ ficials of the Union were in­ ficer to overwork a crew to please foolish offers which they know are two catches. What they're (Continued from Page 1) structed to take the necessary ac­ a shipowner, the crew protects aren't and never can be accept­ offering is the new SUP scale, ing the negotiation sessions. tion. their health, etc., by doing only not the actual raise in wages the The next morning the Patrol­ what they are able to do, then They're using every trick in the able to the SlU membership. SUP gets. Bosuns, for instance, men were on the job discussing they are taking justified and le­ book to try to get the members BUM OFFERS would get $202.50 under the new the matter with crews of ships gal job action. Every man should of the negotiating committee Here, for instance: scale. If they were actually which were loaded, ready to sign know and do his job but no man mad. They're sitting down hard raised from the current Missis­ They agreed to pay the new on and sail. The crews didn't should do two men's work. on the progressive operators who sippi wage level by the SUP's scale offered to the SUP, and sign on and the ship didn't sail. want to settle. Every Union member should actual raise of $45, they'd get now before the SUP membership. , The same proceedure was fol­ know his job and do his job. A BOGGED DOWN $207.5(1; It's the same all down Sounds good, eh? Yes, but there lowed in all ports and in a short man lifting a weight or heaving the line. The other catch is that They're letting the negotiation period of time 112 loaded ships a line is imposing on his ship­ the SlU would have to agree to sessions drag on and on, hoping were idle. The pressure was too mates if he fails to do his share. lowering standards of working to wear the SlU committee down great and the shipowners yield­ No Union member should ever conditions in many instances. ed. This was the right kind of fail in his obligations to his ship­ through sheer boredom of going The SlU won't go for anything job action, action organized and mates. A good Union member is over the details point by point. If you don'f find linen It is the strategy of watchful like that. The negotiating com­ effective. a good seaman. when you go aboard your waiting, of boxing the compass mittee is sticking out for its A job action is not a strike. To ship, notify the Hall td once. to kill time. original demands, with retroac­ be effective a job action must be A telegram from Le Havre or tive pay increases to the begin­ They're still refusing to let kept strictly within the limits of ning of bargaining. It won't Singapore won't do you any Mississippi negotiate on her own, the law. In the case just quoted settle for anything less. "• despite the repeated protests, good. It's your bed and you every action was legal and the And the membership is back­ pointed up by two walkouts, of Union contracts were never once have to lie in it. ing up the committee with its the SlU. jeopardized. ' walkouts. And they're contifluing to make There is no law to compel a Seafarers Crews Leave Ships, In Protest Over Continued Delay In Contract Talks ATTENTION! 0 �Fiidsy. July 5. 1946 THE SEAFARERS L0€ Page Seven Seafarers Stymies Sly Skipper; Pigeon Point Proxy Pays Plenty By LOUIS GOFFIN -'' 'hai Castle Island Berths City Owned: All Boston Lacks Is Shipping By JOHN MOGAN NO NEWS?? Silanctt thi» week from, tho Branch Aganl* of the follow­ ing ports: JACKSONVILLE — The Skip­ per of the Moran Tug MV Pigeon Point seized the recent work stoppage action as a timely mo­ ment to to.5S a neat curve at the SIU crew aboard his scow. But hi.s underhanded pitch was clout­ ed visciously to put the Skipper at the short end of the score. Here's the way the story shapes up; The Pigeon Point, in here for a few hours stay prior to towing the SS James Rumsey up North to the boneyard, had a few men paid off. We were informed that the Skipper had deducted one- half day's wages from each man becau.se of the crew's absence in the Port of Philadelphia during the stoppage on June 6. The Sicipper, intent on ven­ geance, took it upon himself to make the deductions. This was a matter on which we thought the Skipper had to be enlighten­ ed. Coupled with this short-pay stunt was an overtime beef re­ garding certain work done by the Electrician. BOSTON—Another week has; the Oilers rated this kind of over­ passed with shipping and busi­ time; but after a short session HOUSTON We took both beefs to the tug's ness practically at a standstill in with Eastern officials the dispute CHAHLESTop^ Captain. All beefs would have this port. 'I'hings were so slow was settled satisfactorily. SAN JUAN to be settled here and now, or that all hands were able'to con­ The outlook for the coming the tug doesn't proceed North, centrate on an organizing job week is very poor also. "Judging we informed him. And the crew which should payoff with a con­ by the Branch reports the proper is 100 percent in favor of this tract this week. advice to members today is "Go action, we added. The regular meeting was very South, young man," but such, ad­ And .so the beefs were settled well attended, owing to the poor vice doesn't take well when it's without delay. Like her Captain, shipping situation, and all mem­ sweltering in gold old New Eng­ the Pigeon Point puffed and bers are anxious to get into the land. Seriously, though, any strained a little and headed for new quarters, which are coming members wanting to get out in a By ARTHUR THOMPSON along fine. hurry can do so from almost any A motion was made and passed of the Gulf ports. SAVANNAH—When we paid If you quit your ship, j'ou to have an open house for all off the SS Joseph Storey we had should notify the Hall immedi­ members on July 3, with appro­ another honey. She's an SUP ately so we can check with the priate refreshments to celebrate ship and had no beefs at all. calls coming in. the occasion and properly chris­ The ship was as clean as a yacht. A day's pay does not compen­ ten our new home. It is hoped We also paid off another SUP sate a man enough for the trouble that nothing unforeseen pops up ship, the SS George H. Flanders and expense he goes through to delay the opening date, as a and it was a duplicate of the lai'ge part of the local member­ By L. P. KELLY Storey, except for a transporta­ ship come in from distant towns, S^AlD Mf FbUR MFAJ - J CORPUS CHRISTI—The Sea­ tion beef which .was squared and, in many cases, from out of vVf HAV-e Of/e JOB OPEN ^ farers International Union has away. Transportation with the state. opened a new Branch and Hall day's pay and subsistence was CITY BERTHS in this Gulf Coast port. Located paid. the northern boneyard. Most of the membership will at the Labor Temple, 1284 North I should like to point out to I don't like to say it, but I must, remember the Castle Island Mesquite Street, the branch is admit that the SUP ships paying crew members who attended the berths in South Boston; they now handling all traffic for this off down here ai'e a lot cleaner work-stoppage meeting in Philly were used chiefly for the loading district. and who have been paid off since, than our own. When the SS of ammo cargoes during the war. , We are presently conducting an James Jackson paid off a lot of that it would be wise for them to The island has 17 good berths, all intensive organizing campaign on complaints were sent in concern­ check to see if they had been docked a half-clay's pay. If so, the Standard Dredging Corpora­ ing the condition of the lockers, they should get in touch with tion, as well as on the barges fans, bunk lights, etc. the Moran Towing Company at and tugs making the intercdastal It was pointed out by the com­ run. We feel that considerable pany officials that this ship was when he goes to a ship. He has 17 Battery Place. New York City success is being made in these manned by SIU crews since she to carry a lot of gear with him for their dough, Also in here for a few hours efforts. came out of the yards and the and he may be passing up an other job and, in some cases was the SS Fern Victory, an The establishment of an SIU condition of the ship is entirely where men are not living at American Haywire scow. Charges hall in this district is a step for­ up to the crew. home, they have a hell of a time made against a crew member by ward. The move has met with They declared that if lockers finding a place to stay after they the Deck Gang were forwarded considerable opposition from the and. other gear are destroyed it have checked out of the place to Joe Algina in New York since NMU, and from the Magnolia, stands to reason that our own they were staying. You owe ft to the vessel was bound for that Humble and Sinclair oil refin­ crews were responsible. This is yourselves and your fellow memport. eries. The latter outfit definitely a tough argument to answer. In bers to keep the Hall advised if The SS Daniel Willard is exrefuses to allow any Union offi­ fact there is no answer to it. you don't want the job you're dis- pected here from Charleston vei^r of which were plenty busy cial to pass through their prop­ RATED MEN y patched to. soon. "We're hoping that there' throughout the war. erty to get aboard any vessel. Anyway, they have now been At the present writing we have ONLY FIVE MEN ' ^ replacements to They have been getting away purchased from the Government one SIU ship in port and four Speaking of the four ; Jc^ ^^^cle before she pulls out of with this practice successfully by the City of Boston, so that all SUP ships. ' We are short of with the NMU, but we of the system to which the shipowners; we need now is some ships in SIU are most certainly not go­ rated men, especially in the deck are opposed, we can't see why: here to keep off the termites. In ing to let our membership suffer department. With ships running there should be any objection. fact, the port is exceedingly well in and out of Savannah fairly An extra watch would be five by any such tactics. off now for berthing space and If any of you fellows come in regularly now we can almost al­ extra men. They claim they have ' it would seem logical that the We do and tie up at any of the docks ways use rated men. no room for these additional men.; operators, who were always beef­ have an oversupply, however, of But during the war they carried here, do not let go. Remain on ing about the lack of facilities in your vessel until a Patrolman OS, Wipers, and Messmen. 24 or more additional men as i By RAY WHITE Boston, will now put the port to We've had a bit of trouble late­ gun crews. comes aboard to settle your beefs. Only two rooms i NORFOLK — Preparations are greater use. ly caused by the company calling would be needed for the five under way for the formation of It is good to see all the for more men than they need. extra men and these" rooms are ; an AFL Maritime Council of NorBranches getting together with Some of this is due to careless­ available. | folk. Objective of the proposed the ILA in their ports. Boston ness on the company's part. More The amount of food.they would council is to coordinate the labor seamen and the longshoremen than once I've checked when they eat is already wasted anyway. activities of all AFL maritime have always realized their mu­ called for men and discovered tual dependence on the other in Alcoa Steamship Co. will oper­ that the jobs had been filled al­ We've seen cases of food go over unions in this city, as has already the side because it spoiled before been done in many other Atlan­ obtaining better conditions and ate the former coastwuse vessel ready. it could be eaten. Anyone who tic and Gulf ports. obtaining legitimate concessions. George Washington between But there were times, and quite has a large family would realize Member unions of the council' The set-up has always been of New York and Bermuda on a a few times, when the calls came that feeding a few more doesn't would assist one another in any an informal nature, however, weekly schedule beginning July in that we dispatched men only cosl a hell of a lot more money. | actions requiring joint action. (though none-the-less strong) and 13. The ship l^s been che.rtered to have them turned down be­ However, putting our ideas | moment shipping is we will soon cement the relation­ from the War Shipping Admin­ cause a full crew was already here won't do much good. The slow and the outlook is not too ship along the lines suggested by istration. aboard. negotiating committee knows, j good for the near future. HowHeadquarters. Sailings will be made every Some of the fault lies with our and so do the operators know, j ovei", we look forward to a stir Saturday from New York and on own members. OILER'S BEEFS When the SS that we're not asking for much, | activity and it is not unlikely Tuesdaiys on the northward run. James Swan was in port the com­ V Quite a few of the ships but the monej' they made during j some day soon will see some around here on idle status have Passengers will be offered com­ pany called for a crew. This the war is something they want motion on the board, been anchoring quite a way out, fortable service on the vessel, but meant 28 men. Befoi-e we finally to hold on to. Maybe they'll see! Norfolk Seafarers will now be and on a port payroll involving on a simple nonluxury basis. got the ship out, we had shipped the light before the month's over, their shots on a green Alcoa has operated the ship, 45 men. This means that 17 men three Oilers on the SS Edward table. We've put a new billiard; Logan (Eastern SS Co.) a dis­ which is 390 feet long and has a had quit while the ship was in VWWWV. table in our recreation room to pute arose about 750 hours of gross tonnage of 5,184, since last port and only about four men re­ help a-eate pastime for the men overtitne for standing continuous November as agent for the WSA ported back to the Hall that they waiting around to ship out. in a service to the Caribbean that didn't want the job. watches. We had So. if you get down this way Eastern could not see where included a call at Bermuda. to guess at the rest. stop by and, run off a few. Notify The Hall If You Rejoct Job To Which You've .Been Sent SlU Opens Hall In Corpus OhristI Norfolk To Form Maritime Council Alcoa Takes Over George Washington Make isthmian SIU! -"I �... ... THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eight Strike Is Called Workingman's Only Weapon In Fight For Livilig . .. .;. .r - Friday, July 5, 1946 ISTHMIAN NEWCOMER—THE SIROCCO By JOE ALGINA NEW YORK —The man who works, for a living has very few weapons he can use against the employer. Bosses have always had the cups and the National Guard on their side, and many strikes have been settled by billy clubs and bayonets. It is only when the workers be­ come strong enough that the Gov­ ernment bureaucrats stop using terroristic methods to crush the workers when they ask for de­ cent wages and better conditions. Well, right now T think we are strong enough. The present strike vote shows that seamen are prepared to use the only wea­ pon left to them in fighting for their rights. During the war all workers accepted the "no-strike" pledge, and this left seamen at the mercy of greedy shipowners and cruel officers. The situation has changed, and the bureaucrats can no longer stop seamen from using the economic weapon of a stike. believe that the improvement will continue. Of course, that won't provide enough jobs for all the men who want to continue sailing, and the only way to be surp that there are plenty of jobs on the waterfront is to institute the four watch system. Other­ wise, there will be more men than there are jobs, and that al­ ways leads to unemployment and a resultant lowering of wages and conditions. MORE SHIPS The Robin Line has taken on more ships for the South African run. A lot of our members who like only the long trips will be overjoyed at the news. The South African run is always in­ teresting so these new ships will give more of the boys a chance to make the voyage. With business picking up, the Overlakes ships are crewing up for plying the water along the Atlantic coast, and these short runs are also popular with the NOT POLITICAL Seafarers who are family men. We are not like the NMU and Well, with the long runs and the the rest of the unions in the com­ short runs, there is something mie dominated CMU. Our strike for everybody. Brother "Slim Jim" Lightfoot will not be for politics, but for more money and better working is in town with a story of how conditions. Therefore we will the Inland Boatmen's Union, CIO, not back water when faced with scabbed on the SUP during the the bosses, the Government, and work-stoppage on June 6-7, in San Francisco. Jim is plenty sore, the Armed Services. One word of advise to the and says that the other boys on members of the SlU and the j the West Coast feel the same SUP: save your money. Walking way. By the way. Slim wants his the picketline is not a salaried pals to know that he and Bob Kennedy are still good frieftds. job! Shipping has picked up in this That sounds like the long and port, and there is good reason to short of it. Shipping Booms In New Orleans; State Anti-Union Bill is Passed By C. J. (BUCK) STEPHENS NEW ORLEANS — Shipping still booming down this way and jobs are on the board for all rat­ ings. Business is fair with a few payoffs last week. The SS Fort Matanzas came in -vfrom a nine-months trip and the whole crew got off. Quite a few of the oldtimers were on the beach, so she crowed up 29 full book members out of 34 jobs. Among the ones shipping on her were: Moon Kouns, Jan Englehardt, J. Kemp, G. Burch, Sam Marinello, Louie Bourdonnajy, Scotty Findley, Junior Pullen, Chas. 'Make-a-motion' Giallanzia, Red Wahl, and T. G. Plunkett. It looks like the Mates, En­ gineers, etc., on this scow will have to fly right, because these men going on there really are oldtimers and will not take any­ thing from them. LABOR HATERS WIN The labor haters in Louisiana have passed the Anti-Closed Shop BiU by a vote of 23 to 15 and it is now up to the Governor to either okay or veto the bill. From the talk going on in the various union halls, it looks like he may veto the bill; if he does he sure will put himself in the good graces of the various unions in Louisiana. The following is how the vote went. In favor of the anti-labor bill: Edward Burguieres, Lafayette; Reimer Calhoun, Mansfield; Ches­ ter Coco, Marksville; Edmond L. Deramee, Thibodaux; James O. Dolby, Lake Charles; Louis H. Folse, New- Orleans; R. L. Gay, Zwolle; A. K. Goff, Ruston; Os­ car Guidry, Church Point; Lloyd L. Hendrick, Shreveport; R. E. King, Winsboro; Alexander E. Rainbld, New Orleans; Clyde E. Ratcliff, Newellton; Geo. R. Reitmeyer. New Orleans; Andrew L. Sevier, Tallulah; Grove Stafford, Alexandria; Clyde V. St. Amant, Gonzales; E. M. Toler, Clinton; Cornelius Voorhies, New Iberia; Eugene B. Watson, Fluker; Louis J. Wilbert, Plaquemine; and Marshall E. Woodward, Arcadia. Those against the bill were; Phil Arras, New Orleans; Dray­ ton R. Boucher, Spring Hill; H. Alva Brumfield, Baton Rouge; Bently G. Byrnes, New Orleans; Nicholas G. Garbajal, New Or­ leans; Wilfred J. Desmare, New Orleans; A. A. Fredericks, Nachitoches; Lessley P. Gardiner, Opelousas; Gilbert F. Hennigan Fields; W. T. Hodges, Jena; John F. McCormick, West Monroe; Brooks Oliver, Bastrop; H. H.* Richardson, Bogalusa; Alvin T. Stumpf, Gretna; and Leonard C. Wise, Morgan City. FAIL IN TRY J. Aubrey Gaiennie, New Or­ leans, who spoke against the bill and originally voted against the measure, was recorded in the final rollcall as voting for the bill; and the President of the Senate made it clear that the ac­ tion he took in changing to the affirmative side could not be re­ called after his strategy had backfired. Another anti-labor bill that passed the house was a bill deny­ ing unemployment compe.isation to strikers. The bill passed the house by a vote of 72 to 10. This crew shot of the Sirocco, recently taken over by the Isthmian "Lines, was snapped by a crewmember aboard the ship while docked at 23th Street Pier, Brooklyn. She's pretty solid for the SIU (Editor's Note; Thanks for the picture, but how about including the names, next time?) \ Coast Guard Is Greatly Understaffed (It Says) But Always Finds Enough Hands To Pull Papers they have a big enough of a The dispatcher here is busier staff to rap a seaman with. They than a one-armed paper-hanger, BALTIMORE—The demand is have plenty of cheap talk, too. what with trying to get men to greater than the supply here this Their treatment of seamen has take jobs off the board, running week with shipping active but to answer the telephone while he with the men not taking the jobs prays for a job-taker. He sure as fast as they appear on the blows his top when they don't board. take the jobs. But that's my boy It is important that we get the Hogge. Happy Hogge he'd be if ships out so that when we go up the men would take up the jobs. for new contracts the companies The Isthmian drive is nearly won't be able to say that we can't over with but we are not through stand up to our end of the agree­ by a long shot. We still have a ment. bigger job ahead of us, one that We still have contracts with must be done. For the bigger the operators and we must live and better Union that we all up to our agreement. When Sep­ want. We'll have it so long as tember comes around and we go the Seafarers stand solidly to­ after better conditions we don't gether, as they have all along' want anything thrown in our face always been pretty raw and while the Union was being built that will hurt us. We want to shabby. up the hard way. keep on bettering the Union and Steady as she goes! And best So let's get rid of the hooligan the membership. No matter navy, once and for all. of luck to all! what may happen the Seafarers will keep on fighting for its men. So let's all take the ships out and keep them steady as they go. The Brothers who are confined gripes did not point to the cooks, to the marine hospital here and but rather to the materials they those who have been released Way back in the old ISU days, had—or didn't have—at hand. have praise for the consideration a man sailing on a ship never The Port Steward, who is an ef­ and Ihoughtfulness the SIU men have shown for them. The hos­ knew whether he was going to ficient and practical man, agreed He promised pital donations go a long way make the second trip until he with this finding. ^ to put the proper stores aboard. with the men and they deeply ap­ was out on the seas. preciate being remembered. But what 1 want to get into is The men that the bright Skip­ the story of the SS San Bias per ordered as replacements SWELL HALL which was on six months con­ were paid for the day they re­ We still see a few oldtimers tinuous articles. The ship re­ ported to the ship. around here. They are all very turned on June 19. Out of a crew Claude Fisher much impressed with the Balti­ of 11 men in the Stewards De­ more Hall. We take great pride partment, two men gave notice in our Branch here. The second to sign off under mutual consent. floor is much better than that At the payoff 1 discovered that of any other Hall. the Captain had ordered a full The crew of the SS Fallen Perhaps it won't be long before Steward Department. 1 contact­ Timbers was in good spirits until we will be rid of the Coast ed the crew to straighten out this the payoff. Then things started Guard. Then things will go along to happen. confusing situation. All the men, just like they used to, with the An inexperienced Purser was 3old braid thrown out of work. excepting the two wishing to At least they call it work. They sign off, claimed that as far as the cause of it all, and he sure had it easy during the war. But they knew there was no thouble had the whole payoff fouled up.' all good things must come to an in the department and that they Some of the men were as much and. It may be okay to be a had no complaints from anyone. as $100 short in wages, not tak­ land-lover and shout orders but' They planned, therefore, on stay­ ing into consideration overtime they can't tell a seaman how to ing on the vessel for another voy­ or bonus. age. run a ship. The company auditor had. to work 24 hours straightening CAPTAIN'S STORY They almost seem proud of beng able to take a seaman's papers So, back to the Captain for me. things up, but with the help of and prevent him from making a His story was that the officers the Union Delegates and myself, living. But when it comes to were not satisfied with the cook­ the scow was squared away be­ a showdown they try to back out ing and that they wouldn't sail fore the men left the ship. Moral: Keep an accurate rec­ of everything. When a man goes the ship if the same cooks stayed ord of your overtime and draws. up for his duplicate papers they aboard. I'm pretty well acquaint­ Don't trust these matters to thegive him a run-a-round. 1 had ed with the situation wherein the experience here in Baltir officers refuse to sail with mem­ Purser; especially a first trip Purser. more .when 1 lost my discharges bers of the unlicensed crew. James Purcell but it didn't last long. 1 had I got all hands together and af­ them singing a different tune. ter a little discussion the matter was settled to the satisfaction of EXCUSES Their excuse to me was that all. The Stewards Department they didn't have enough of a stayed. Checking through the stores staff to handle that kind of work for the seaman. But, strangely list, I found that the officer's By JOHNNY HATGIMISIOS The Patrolmen Say.,, Stewards Stay Snafu Payoff �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, July 5, 1948 Page Nine The Lind Was A Hellship, Until SlU Got Busy The ice cream freezer didn't they pull together to win SIU Captain either would fire the work. We needed new percola­ conditions? man or ridicule him, bawl him On April 20, 1946, the SS Governor Lind stank worse tors. We endured a very poor 2—Installing his own stooges as out in front of others and give Department Delegates. At than a French latrine in distress. Bedbugs swarmed over brand of coffee. The after gun platform remain­ the end of each short trip mo.st the bunks. Ten men in the deck gang had only one toilet ed in place and the stanchions of the men in each department that would work. That one sounded like a threshing supporting it stooH in evorybnrly'R would get off. The Captain would persuade his stooge to stay machine when it was flushed and woke up everyone. Every way. faucet ran scalding hot water;t The Engine crew insufferably on and appoint himself Delegate. The clean laundry showed huge hot. The ship steered badly. As new replacements came it was tough to wash or bathe. aboard, the Captain's stooge The showers had neither heads splotches, of rust, paint, dirt and $64 QUESTION grease. The r'der on the ar­ would take up the shipping cards nor curtains. How did the ship get in such and announce to all new men ticles would not let. any crew The Captain gave his favorite member get off south of Hat- a hell of a shape? that he had been "elected" Dele­ sailors illegal promotions aboard teras. Two Brothers who did We blame Capt. Oscar E. Wil­ gate. The following short trip ship, in violation of shipping got off lost their pay and were liams. The Captain knew that would be half over before the rules. Paint brushes proved cla.ssed as deserters. the ship might be either sold or crew realized that he hadn't been pinclically unusable. Steam leaks condemned within the year. He elected, and by that time the men made the washroom miserable. RUN RAGGED knew that the Bull Line didn't would feel "why have a lot of Sanitary workers did not have him the dirtiest and hardest jobs, The messroom had almost no want to spend money on a ship trouble when the trip's nearly suitable mops, brushes, buckets aboard ship—until the man, ventilation or insulation. When which it might not operate much over." And they'd leave the would quit. and disinfectants. So the ship the Messman swabbed the deck longer. Therefore, he determined stooge in power. stayed dirty. We had only one there he had to scoop up the ^—Lighlning-fast payoffs. At to run her without spending a scuttlebutt on the ship; even it water and carry it out because cent on her upkeep. The Cap­ 2—Bluff, bully and bribe. When­ the end of each trip he would didn't work sometimes, so we the messroom had no scuppers. ever a Delegate who wasn't pay us off before we could pos­ tain saved the Bull Line money thiisted. The galley stove needed a new by letting living and working a stooge would go' to the Captain sibly get an SIU Patrolm.an down with a beef, the Master (an exExtremely poor lighting in the top. We ran out of rags. for the payoff. By this procedure conditions go from bad to worse professional heavyweight prize­ the Captain kept the Patrolmen messroom caused constant eye The officers showed us they during the 10 months or more fighter) would bluff or bully the strain. Mess rooms and toilets were good ABs all right. All that he had been here Master. away for seven successive trips. Delegate. Or else he would try Our Union officials didn't know went unpainted. The coffee um except the Third Mate worked Previous crews had tried to to bribe him with some personal fitted so closely against the over­ on deck, depriving the crew of establish SIU conditions on the favor or kindness. The Captain what was going on aboard the head pipes that no one could overtime. When the cargo (sulLind. Lind, but the Captain had al­ had a limitless stock of indefinite make coffee in it. Electric plier ore) burned and inflamed ways succeeded in dominating or answers and empty promises. The Captain used to brag that plugs were so scarce that we had our eyes we discovered we had he had been a great leader in or­ to disconnect the fan to use the poor goggles and no boric acid. suppressing them. He used six ^—Use of informers. Through ganizing the NMU. He was one. methods to accomplish this sup­ toaster and pull out the toaster rats, spies and stool pigeons of the first NMU Patrolmen. pression: to use ..the percolator. The mess(usually the stooges who were Here then, is the way he felt room got so damned hot in the J—Divide and Rule. With clever "delegates), the Ca|)tain knew about the SIU: Gulf that we had to take our lies, suspicions and back- everything that was said or done "The SIU is nothing but the meals out on the hatch. stabbing statements he turned among the crew. He knew of corrupt and phony old ISU hid­ white men against black, alien every instance, and he knew ex­ ing behind changed initials," he DIRTY POOL against native-born, Puerto actly who said or did it. said once. No one could get enough Rican against stateside, one de­ U—Drive, ride and fire. When­ "The SIU has never had a strike matches. One laundry bucket partment against another, oldever a good Union man did had to serve five to ten men. timers against newcomers, "Yan­ stand up for SIU conditions, the {Continued on Page 14) The Mates knocked the ABs off kees" against "Rebels," and mari­ the wheel and made them work time trainees against non-train­ during their wheel watches. ees. With the crew thus fighting against each other, how could The ladders on the masts and the cargo runners had rusted and worn until the Deckhands had to risk their lives every time they climbed aloft or drove a winch. By ERIC UPCHURCH Firemen and Wipers risked the This article is meant as a under the influence of whiskey. danger of getting caught by special tribute to all of our pa­ 100 PROOF heavy seas breaking over be­ By BUD RAY tient Doormen everywhere; and cause their quarters were for­ When we are intoxicated we for one shining example, we'll ward, though there was plenty of SAN JUAN — Everything in the ship 10 days without his serv­ believe we are 100 percent right use our Skating Jack Parker of room for them aft. They had an the Enchanted Isle is as good as ices. in anything we do, until we sober the New York branch. outside toilet. The .sea gave them can be expected with plenty of up and realize what fools we If the membership expects its ; There is a clear black and drunken mortals be. Don't get a free wash just about every time ships in, and the shipping list officials to put more men on they used this toilet, however. constantly changing. Tex Soren- these ships, it seems as though white sign in the entrance that the point of this wrong, however. states: "Show Your Book or Trip- Some of the greatest and smart­ Men continually sprained their sen is still •watching over the the membership would try and card To The Doorman." est people drink, but choose the ankles and stubbed their toes ramparts of El Morro to see if protect the gains that are made This is a rule of the member­ proper time and place for it. over a lot of surplus pad eyes on any of the regulars are on their for them. The Hall is not the proper the main deck. Soured canned way in to keep him company. This fall, when contracts are ship, and not a rule of the indi­ vidual at the door. Yet, when a place and the time to come milk made the coffee bitter as renewed, all of the performances Seems as though all the exarsenic. Lumpy, sagging, worn- pie cards of the SIU were in to of the performers' will be thrown lot of members are asked to pre­ around to bend the ear of our out mattresses reeked with filth. see me in the last two weeks: at those officials who are fight­ sent their books, they do so, but Doorman with a sure-fire philo­ sophy of life. I say that our In tropical heat we discovered Harry Collins^ Steward, and Tex ing for the gains that we all ex­ Doormen are a patient lot. They that most of the fans wouldn't Suit, Serang, on the Cape Pillar; pect. If they should lose, who WHO'S H/cP_ are, but there is a limit to human work. The absence of soap con­ A1 Kerr on the Washington; Dan gets the blame? Not the per­ 1 MEAA/ — endurance. tainers and toilet paper holders Butts on the Cape Nome; The former, but the guy who is beat­ WHO'S" One gentleman rame to the made matters unhandy. Happy Calahans on the James ing his head off to make these DRUNK f/ Doorman the other day, and gains. So for the love of Jesus, Miller. CONFUSION when refused admittance, began, Buddy Calahan made the track let us all pitch in and help to to cry. He practically had all Every Deckhand had five boss­ while in here, but he never told keep the SIU the best and only of us in tears before some hard­ es at all times: the Bosun, three seamen's Union on the Water­ me how much of the coin of the hearted person came to the res­ Mates and the Captain. The realm he gathered up playing the front. cue. Needless to say, he was in Bosun would give one order, a The shoregang work is going bangtails. the pit. Mate another and the Captain over with a bang. We are put­ Bob Bunce is Serang on the still another. We caught hell WHY, INDEED? ting all the members to work who because we couldn't do three Cape May. It seems as though care for it, and still have to use Jumping from Doormen and the folks were breathing down things at once. go away mumbling what a sotheir trials and tribulations, let his spine, so the Mate (Smoky a few outsiders. and-so that so-and-so is. When mosquitoes attacked in us go to phrases. The best lec­ The Waterman Company is Lanton) gets a break and has a swarming droves we could get ture I ever received from Paul Always bear in mind that it is talking favorably of doing the No. 1 lead man. no screens to keep them out of same when they start to run their much easier for you, the member Hall was about ten words on the Mike (Little Boy) Gison finally, our quarters and no insecticides. in question, to recognize one face phrase, "needless to say.'' own ships in here. after being at sea for 12 or 14 Brother Hall says: "If it is There is no need to worry than it is for the Doorman to The officers used six clocks. years, is making the fabulous about rice and beans if you make recognize a thousand faces. You needless to say, why bother to They even had clocks in their wages that are being paid to up your mind to spend a few see him as one, he is seeing you say it?" cabins. The crew, however, had ABs. It sure is good to see some Yes, if we all stopped to weigh pleasant weeks in the Ise of En­ as many. no clocks. We never knew when of the long beards coming in. Of course, we have the alco­ our words, we'd have a great chantment, w here the lovely to turn to or relieve the watch. THOSE PERFORMERS ladies are plentiful and the Old holics coming around as many as deal of silence. Needless to say. In the three foc'sles used by the Bosun and Messmen rain peeped We had a case on the Cape Demon is procurable for a few five times a day demanding en­ we don't do it. Now, back to the Doormen. A through the overheads and soak­ Pillar, the first ship to have 11 chavo's. What more could a sea­ trance to the Hall. Although I motion should be made to award am not above reproach, I per­ man ask for: Rum, ladies and song ed the bunks. Our lockers were men in the Stewards Depart­ all Doormen a Distinguished sonally know that there is noth­ with gentle sea breezes to bask junked by the Navy before we ment, where the messman wait­ Service Medal at the termination ing so disruptive to the system in, and the Welcome Mat always got them, half-length and badly ed until the ship was ready to of their employment. of our organization than a man out! bent. " sail and then walk off, leav.'^g BY CREW OF SS GOVERNOR LIND --'I 'v-l jil Shipping And Shoregang Work Keep San Juan Seafarers Busy M �•f'W Page Ten X ft £ S EAP dMERS E&E Friday. July S. 1S48 Pictorial Highlights of Recent Trip of the Aiken Victory Stewards Shifty Deal lA)used Up ' Here is a well-documented beef from the Deck Department of the SS Bingpr Herman, which we present in its entirety: m w Deck Delegate, F. R. Fiske, spoke to the Port Steward about getting better supplies for ship and he insisted that it was prop­ erly stored for a three-month voyage, while the trip wouldn't last more than two months. A new Steward came aboard, after }thc other one resigned, claiming (ship was properly stored, so the |crew signed articles. I' After putting out to sea crew '"received no cooperation what­ ever from the Stewards Depart­ ment in regard to sanitation of .alley, • scullery and other parts the Steward was to keep clean. '' Bosun turned a member of Deck Department to on port side alleyways and bulkheads to keep 'em clean. ON THE BUM * Ran out of a number of items on way to Greece and had to trade with Greek ships, paint for food. Had to bum food off other ships, in. every foreign port, in­ cluding NMU ships! Conditions didn't improve even when a Greek Steward came aboard after the other one hurt himgplf. He kept cereals in his bedroom and messboys weren't permitted to go into dry stores, but the Saloon Messman could have anything he wanted for saloon. Steward explained that ~ "we don't have enough to go round so I gave it to them." Sanitary conditions are ter­ rible! Same water is used for dishes of several meals. Mess is dirty, garbage being disposed of vonce a day. It. li^". • ECCENTRIC ii, Since leaving States food and iits preparation grew worse. Crew fkthinks Chief Cook eccentric, pro­ moted Third Asst. Clerk to that Grade for health of crew. After change was made food showed a change for a few days and then went back to same as before. Captain acts indifferently to conditions. Crew has been well behaved, considering that most of them are "green." Deck Department because of above mentioned conditions will refuse to eat on board when ship arrives in Port of New Orleans. lllia Summing up, it was a good trip the crew on the SS Aiken Victory made on her last run to La Havre and back. The mem­ bers found Skipper John F. Ownes a square-shooter, who looked out for the welfare of the crew. Top: GIs from the Army of Occupation coming aboard the Aiken at Le Havre, all ticketed for honre. The Army men got out a mimeo­ graphed daily paper during the voyage home, found the crew and officers hospitable, beefed about the commercials they would be hearing on the radio, outlined their plans for cele­ brating, and got seasick, by turns. Center: here is a very different scene indeed—grimfaced German prisoners of war grouped about the deck glumly awaiting return to the blasted Vaterland, and treatment as a defeated nation for years to come. Bottom: a seaman stands just below the U. S. flag, in­ specting the lashings of the after cargo booms, which'*have been swung into their high cradles. Coastal Liberator Crew Asks FiringOfMateAndEngmeer The Chief Mate aboard the MV Coastal Liberator made the statement "if there's a strike the Mates and Engineers will sail this ship." Said Mate may have this op­ portunity sooner than he expects it,, and without benefit of a strike, for the members of the Libera­ tor crow voted unanimously at a meeting on June 23 for a resolu­ tion. asking that the Chief Mate and the Chief Engineer be elim­ inated from the crew. This character, the crew says, "doesn't believe in overtime ex­ cept for himself." He refused to let the Electrician (Turing fire and boat drill, after the Cap­ tain had given permission on .this point. At the previous drill some men did not report because of faulty bells. The crew believes that a guy who hasn't the safety of the crew in mind shouldn't be sailing as Chief. LADDER MAN At Numacao he refused to pay overtime for lowering the gang­ way. A pilot ladder was lowered instead. The Chief Engineer also is an anti-overtime man. Members of the Black Gang had plenty of trouble getting overtime signed. The Chief painted in the Engine Room for two hours then beefed like a steer when the Wipers claimed overtime. Among other things: He told one member of the crew he was aboard the ship for a vacation. He instructed the Maintenance Man to run a lathe. He failed on two occasions to let men repair a boiler when it broke down after 5 p. m. Result was no steam. The crew considers him entire­ ly inefficient on the job. ADDED VIRUS If they weren't enough, for nxortah man.to- bear, several' mem-^ bers of the crew developed diarrhea on the trip. A motion was made to find out where Overlakes Freight Carp, has a contract for their diesel ships, especially for the Engine Departments. Along this line, the crew wants to find out I'AfJOrHE MAre StiNiKS Too/ whether the ship should carry a junior engineer or an Engine Maintenance Man for mainten­ ance work. It was pointed out that Waterman carries a J. E. ; The crew also passed a reso­ lution to find out whether an extra man can be obtained for the Stewards Department. This would make a total of eight mep^ Waterman, members said, has an eight-man agreement for the Stewards Dept. for the same type of vessel. WELFARE Under Good and Welfare these points were made: That the International keep the San Juan Hall better informed of Union activities in other ports, especially crucial developments, such as the recent walkout. That the exhaust ventilating system in the galley be checked. That spare parts for the fans be procured. The Electrician re­ ported, that if a fan wai broken there would be no way of fixing it. To see whether the Messman could acquire better accommo­ dations. -.M �Friday, July 5. 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings TALISMAN. April 21—Chair­ man Garcia; Secretary Wiluski. Motions carried: to install working rules on C-2 ships for Steward dept.; to refuse payoff until a satisfactory answer is received from Patrolman in meal overtime issue; net to ac^ cept one of the crew for mem­ bership; that all tripcard men be recommended for mem­ bership; that the entire crew donate $1.00 to the Log. Un­ der Good and Welfare motions were carried to make up a re­ pair list to be handed to the department heads, and that the PO mess be ^repaired. 5, 3, 1 Overlakes Freight Corp. Sends A Contribution Perhaps this doesn't come un­ der the classification of Ships News and Minutes, by all rights, but we have to put it in some­ place. We received an envelope in the mail the other day from Overlakes Steamship Corp., addressed to the editor of the Log. In it was one of Bill Mauldin's car­ toons: the one that shows three little boys sailing their boats, and one of them picking up his boat to go home. One of the other kids is saying: "He won't play boats affer 5 o'clock. His pop's a merchant seamen." We still don't quite know what point Overlakes is trying to make; we merely pass the infor­ mation along for what it's worth. t t WILLIAM M. STEWART. April 8—(Chairman and secre­ tary not noted). Mate com­ plained to Bosun about deck crew not putting out enough work. Crew agreed to satisfy Mate to best of their ability. Motions carried calling for a combined meeting of all three departments. Delegates to handle all complaints. Good and Welfare: Stewards prom­ ised to end throwing of gar­ bage and trash on the deck by members of his department. Delegate to consult Steward on improvements in cleanliness of coffee urns, milk pitchers and sugar bowls. Motion carried: to see Captain about percola­ tor for mess. Crew agreed to lake better care of head. X t t BRANDYWINE, May 2 — Chairman N. Ellis; (secretary not noted). Minutes of pre­ vious meeting read and accept­ ed. Motions carried: that over­ time be shared equally be­ tween members in the Deck dept.; that Chief Mate should not show partiality among deck members otherwise there will be no overtime worked. Ten members of the deck dept.. signed a statement to this ef­ fect. tEU. HIM OF THE AOVAHJAeeS. OF SlU MEMBERSHIP — / 'BUlL'DIHeSlU /. k Crew instructed to keep laun­ dry clean. Electrician asks men not to unscrew bulbs and to turn out lights at 10 P.M. t S, WILLIAM STEWART. April 12 — (Chairman and secretary not noted). Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted. Motions carried: to divide se­ curity watches on Sunday to even up overtime;' to told a meeting every two weeks; to send minutes in to Union Hall. When ship reached Montevi-. deo. Mate told Bosun that he favored as few men as possible on deck. C. W. FIELD. April 13 — Chairman Harrigan; Secretary Kodak. Previous meeting's accepted as read. All delegates report overtime okay. Good and Welfare: Cups and pitch­ XXX ers being broken due to care­ lessness. Motion carried: that We Got A Nice Note pitcher be given to Engine Dept.. for taking coffee below From Harry Truman so rest of crockery can be We got a nice note in the mail saved. Offenders who leave from Harry Truman the other cups on deck are to be warned. day. Very informative and to the Shakedown of ship on linen point, it was. matter, some being found in Mr. Truman said that the No. 3 hold. Captain yrants aft United Seaman's Service Port quarters painted. He also Area Office, formerly located at wants to put dog and cat ashore, 1010 Second Ave., Seattle, Wash., but none took responsibility has moved to the USS Residential for this. Club, 317 Marion Street. XXX Facilities at the club, Mr. Tru­ BUNTLINE HITCH. May 1— man tells us, now include the Chairman Mitchell; Secretary port area office, personal service Vandervert. 11 trijicard men office, hotel rooms and apart­ checked and approved. One ments, checking and information tripcarded to be put on proba­ services and recreational club. tion for six months and to be XXX closely watched because at JULIAN POYDRAS. May 6 times he hasn't shown up as a —Chairman M. A. McCosky; good Union man. Fines were Secretary C. E. Domingue. checked and approved; money Election of officers. Delegates to be turned over to the men made their reports. Crew held in hospital. Good and Welfare: discussion on new mattresses. Motion carried to have dele­ Motions carried: that minutes gates on next trip inspect ice­ of meeting be mailed to Union boxes and store rooms to see from France to show there's that there are sufficient stores Unionism aboard the vessel; in fresh condition. Supplies that ship's fund be used to wanted for the next trip, if provide expense money for all possible, are: ice-cream, good ship's delegates, records to be coffee and cocoa, tea. fresh kept by Secy-Treas. Under fruit, fruit and tomato juices, Good and Welfare there was candy, gum. clothes for slopgeneral discussion on the con­ chest and stationery. dition of the messhall when the XXX men left it. Night Lunch Big Issue XXX Aboard The Henry Lamb Acting Steward Stewed If anyone asks where the night Up the Joint, But Good lunch is, you might say "they took it on the Lamb." That seems to be the big issue aboard the SS Henry Lamb. Everybody's in on it, from the Captain on down. The Captain, for instance, ask­ ed that some ham , be cooked for the night lunch. The Bosun said that if any meat was left over, put it out for night lunch. Chips asked that more cheese, baloney and liverwurst be put out. Another crew member ask­ ed that lettuce and tomatoes be served. Chips came back again to ask that any leftover steaks or chops be put out. And then someone. Secretary M. Wilson reports, allowed as how the night lunch was being loused up proper by the odors. Someone had been cooking cheese in the toaster. XXX CRANSTON VICTORY. May 13 — (Chairman and secretary not noted). Previous meeting's minutes accepted as read. Good and Welfare: motion carried calling for more variety in food such as jelly omelet and fruit or juice at breakfast. Each man to clean his own cup and keep the tables clean. 8-12 OS to do better job on cleaning heads. They complained on the SS Wililam Harper that the Acting Steward didn't know, in effect, a ship from Shinola. Here is a portion of the beefs the men aboard raised about him at the April 17 meeting: He failed to compose menus, was absent from galley and messhalls, allowed fresh fruit to spoil, failed to check night lunch, re­ fused to attend Union meetings and lacked responsibility. They requested that he be barred from SIU ships in future. oTiFY THG (JNJION WHEA/ "/OU ARE LAID UP INJ HoSPiTAU..(5iVE YOUR WARD A/UMBER SoTMATi"H6RE WILL BE" SIOVELAY iM GBTTihlGYoUR CUT AND RUN By HANK Well, while the weather is sweating us out, we're sweating out another ship-shaped column of brotherly news ... To Brother Per T. Lykke and his wife go our congratulations about the birth of their 6'/^ pound baby boy. The Secretary-Treasurer's financial staH happily donated something and everybody received those traditional cigars, excluding the women, of course . . . One of our shipmates, Chico Philip Salino, just signed off the SS Tulsa from that Persian Gulf trip. We're sorry to hear from Chico that our swell shipmak; Bosun Gordon Ellingson had to be sent (with His gear and souvenirs) to the hospital in the port fcf Suez, suffering from a high temperature. Quick recovery to you, Gordon . . . "Beachie" Tom Murray has to keep on dreaming of those Rum and Cokes and Caledonia down there in good old San Juan, after all. He stowed his gear aboard but when he came back the ship was gone. The next ship that takes you down, Tom, say hullo to "Dum Bum" will you? i i S. 4. Weighing 145. standing 6 feet 8 inches, that Savannah. Georgia, man, Joe Lightfoot, is back in Ye Olde Towne of Gothham. How's everything up there Shorty? . . . Louis Keller, Gulf oldtimer, was beaning it up there in Boston in April—but where IS he now? . . . "Skippy" Edward Guszczynsky has been smiling away a few weeks her^ in port, with a white cap on. No tugs yet, Skippy? . . . Dick Falls, nicknamed "Lucky Luciano," left this sun-fried town on the Blue Ridge Victory. How's the flowers and shoe shines." Lucky? X X X ^ X Sam "Heavy" Vatis just arrived from the Gulf on a tanker. Don't you wish you were back on the SS Palmer, Heavy . . . Ray Knoble is milking those 17 cows on his father's farm these days. Ray wants 27 of them for himself when he gets his own cow plan­ tation . . . Ray Holloway, who just came off the USSR Victory from Le Havre, is looking (he'll be doing more than that, though) for a trip to sunr(y Genoa, There's nothing anywhere like the Two Brothers, says Ray! X X X X Pre-Dated By VIC COMBS 'Twas the night before payday. And all through his pants He hunted in vain For the price of a dance. Not a greenback was stirring. Not even a buck; The gods were off duty Who send folks good luck. •' ^ So forward, jump forward. Oh Time in thy flight! And make it tomorrow Just for tonight! X Ybo CAWPRoowf W6AftnV«'BADSp/ X X X Chips J. N. Bourant and Bosun W. S. Parker say there were no monkeys aboard their ship but plenty of monkey rum, indeed. Say, we're curious to know what ports are famous for this oddlynamed stuff . . . Red Canno, who was on the maiden voyage of the SS Delaires, is in tdwn^right now, saying hullo to Joe and to {Contittund on Page 13) PC''- �BRAND NEW CAPT. WAS FUSSY ABOUT FRIED POTATOES Pear Edilor: This has been a very hectic trip. The Walter Kiddie carried a load of phosphate from Beau­ mont, Texas to Gdynia, Poland. Before reaching Poland the ship ran out of shoreside bread, so the Skipper after sampling the Second Cook and Baker's bread jumped the Steward saying the bread was not fluffy enough and the French friend potatoes were not cut thin enough. The Skipper takes great pains in raising hell about a lot of small things such as a place about a foot square not having red lead on it or he wants fish oil on a place that has been .ship­ ped before it is red leaded, but the more important things seem to be immaterial, such as blocks that the sheaves won't turn in on account of rust To the Bosun who may take this ship I say, every guy block, • boat fall, block gin and heel block has been taken apart and thoroughly overhauled. There wasn't a one of said blocks in working condition when this crew came aboard. No draws in Poland unless you wanted to be charged 100 Zloty for one American dollar. The ARB-my I FLOFFV- " Tde BREfJCH FRIED ? m- 1.1 exchange ashore was 360 Zloty each dollar. One carton of cigarettes was worth an offer of 1500 Zlotys. "None were sold though, as the crew didn't have enougfi for themselves. About all I can say is very few of us ever care to sail with the Skipper Capt. Armen Garabedian (Capt. French Fried Fluffy) again. Book No. 5241 A & G P. S.—Cigarettes were rationed. P. S.—Captain's first ship. . P. S.—Capt. Garabedian re­ fuses to answer any questions put to him saying "don't speak to me on the bridge, if you have any thing to say to me tell it to the Mate on watch. P. S.—^When asked by the Dele­ gates for an account to each man on his draws and slop accounts the Skipper told sad delegates the request was ridiculous. P. S.—Never a good morning has been answered by the Skip­ per so no one ever bothers to bid him the time of day any longer. P. S.—The baker's bread wasn't as fluffy as shoreside "Butter Crust" but the crew's ap­ petite was highly satisfied. The French fries weren't shoe string size but they were good anyway. P. S.—Chief Engineer (turn off that faucet!) Goodson and the Captain thought it a good joke when the Chief had to go below and turn off the plant after every member of the crew walked off in Galveston last trip because they couldn't stand the gaff. Log'A -Rhythms The Gold Diggers By Jesse Miller Fireman, SS Floyd Gibbons Oh. Ihe places I have been lo (All the strange and foreign ports) Only whet my curiousity for more; But the tricks of nut-brown maidens. And their jealousy the while Sometimes gripe me (put it mildly) To the core. Dear Editor: Now we have seen everything. Jimmy Stewart has finally admitted he is heading for his second childhood. He has resorted to playing with wooden toys, such as a large grasshopper, a monkey on a bike, a rocking duck, a wooden tie rack. So now you come to the recreation room and see old Jimmy pulling some of the aforementioned toys on a string someday. Please don't criticize him. You may think it is funny, but he is very serious about his toys which were so generously donated by Scotty. The rsason we ask you not to criticize is that someday you may be Building Superintendent, too. Joe Ryan Editor's Note: The toys were made by R. Smith, a Seafarer who fell into a hErtch and was seriously injured. He's now in a rehabilitation center, and since he hasn't any money saved, makes the toys for sale to support his children. BROTHER NEEDS WITNESS TO GET OVERTIME JVEW BEEF LAID SEAFARER GIVES THE LOG ARTIST ON DOORSTEP OF THE OLD WHAT FOR HOOLIGAN NAVY Dear Editor: I need statement from several members of the Stewards Dept. of the Flagstaff Victory, on which I was Chief Steward from Octo­ ber 17 to February 13, certifying that I worked with them on painting and box cleaning, so that I can collect my overtime from the Seas Shipping Com­ pany. The men whom I worked with and who will remember the inci­ dents are Lowell Cardwell, Ray McFarlahd, Sweeney and Carl­ son. Here's the pitch: I left the ship in February to go into a hospital in France, and when I came out, my overtime hadn't been turned in for me. The Chief Cook had collected it for himself. Now these men I mention above know that I did the woi-k, and if they will write to me at the New York Hall, 51 Beaver St., I can take their letters and go to the Seas Shipping Com­ pany with proof. So if you see any of these men, show this to them and ask them to get in touch with me. Keen Newcomb Dear Edilor: BROTHER MAKES A POINT FOR QUARTERMASTERS There are veiled Arab women Who are hard to whistle at (For their shapes, beneath their Dear Editor: robes, just can't be seen); Boy! That's some nautical ar­ This is a beef. Any beef against But the languid senoritas tist, you have. I'm speaking of our Lords and Masters, namely And ihe petite mademoiselles the Coast Guard, probably is Make my appetite for women. legitimate. Anyone can tell we Once 'more, keen. have sufficient cause for com­ plaint, so here's my addition to Still, no matter where you the groaning number. wander And no matter where you roam Perhaps the WSA and all the There is one thing that you really rest of the bigshots are in dire must admit; distress because of the lack of That with women the world over licensed men, but believe me, a Of any race or creed person has to have his ancestors' endorsement before he can legal­ It's the green stuff in the wallet Makes the hit. ly get a license. the spot illustration where the guys is crying and the other guy is measuring the depth of the water. He's in it up lo his knees with a tape measure, and he's saying "Three fathoms!" That one is really hard to fathom! That's a pun, son. Disgusted V&AR ViSGOSim), I'M GIAO you As»<eo THAT Question. This PKAW//^& SHDutD HowIfl&0R6D THETHI/^S-ZBUT gVE/V IRE losVoes/MT PRINT gVERV-rHlWG-.I Hope YbU'KGAJO UINGBR fiSfiusreP. GlAV lb HEAR FROM TOO. Dear Edilor: Here is a point I would like to make to set certain Quarter­ masters sailing aboard Alcoa Steamsjiip Co. passenger ships (I've looked up the 'mling, and this is the way it goes): Sea watches for Quarter­ masters are broken, the same as for ABs. There is no such thing as maintaining sea watches for Quartermasters until midnight of the da'y of arrival. Only if the vessel's stay exceeds 24 hours sh^I this article apply. Editor's Note: Our artist is Stephen Carr nautical, though. Name's Seamaqi til I went before the Hooligan Navy here in New Orleans with every paper required for appli­ cation for an examination ex­ cept one discharge. After con­ siderable study, they allowed me to sit for examination if I could furnish the discharge later. After answering the questions and passing the examination, I was told to allow them time to check on the missing discharge. Meanwhile, I had made applica­ tion for a duplicate. Upon furnishing them the dis­ charge, I was told that they had received word that the discharge was in error. Consequently, I was not allowed to receive the li­ cense because of insufficient QMED time. Consequently, I have spent some $350 (a good many beers), six weeks of my time and still do not have a license. Is that an example of efficiency? First, they issue a discharge which I believed to be correct and then refuse to accept it. Second, they allow a man to sit for an exam­ ination and pass it and do not check on his papers prior to the exam. Third, they allow no lee­ way for correct answers by the applicant. Brothers, it looks to me like the Coast Guard should brag only X % Shipowners Prayer Anonymous God and the Merchant Seaman We adore In lime of war and danger; Not before. With war and danger passed And all things righted, God is forgotten And the Merchant Seaman slighted. when they brag about. ing in their any greater have something to So far, tRere is noth­ record which shows degree of efficiency than was evident before they took over. As a matter of fact, they stink to high heaven. Robert D. Jones �Friday. July 5. 1946 taS SEAFARERS LOG Page Tlurteea The Coast Guard Vs. Civil Courts: Case Of A Seaman Accused Of Theft Dear Editor: It all stprted when I made my first trip. I shipped out from the New Orleans Hall with a Iripcard as an Ordinary Seaman aboard a Morgan sea-going tug, the MV Race Point, on August 25, 1945. We went to Colon, ranarna then hatk to Tampa, where we paid off on October 6, 1945. Agent D. L. Parker represented the SIU at the payoff. He asked me if I wanted to pay anything on my tripcard. I told him that I wanted to pay it all, so I gave him $69.00 to cover my initiation fee, assessments and three month's dues. That night (Saturday), a couple of ABs and 1 went ashore and got drunk. 1 don't even remem­ ber when and bnw I got back to the ship. Ne.xt morning the Chief Mate woke me up. The Cap­ tain wanted to see me in his room. Two welldressed men were w''h the Mate. 1 still felt pretty groggy from the night before. GEAR IN ROOM In the Captain's room I was told to sit down. 1 noticed my seabag and small handbag in the room. The Captain asked me how come a wallet containing $78,00, and which belonged to Ned Sachfield. a Messboy, had gotten in my bag. He pulled the wallet from my handbag. Then from my sea-bag he pulled two emergency lights. Both bags, he said had been found in the officer's passageway that morning. The two lights were missing from the bulkhead, right where he said he found my bags. 1 said 1 didn't know how they got there, that I was drunk the night before and didn't remember getting back to the ship. The Captain returned the wallet to the messboy. The two men, who were local detectives, took me to joil. They charged me with grand larceny. 1 pleaded not guilty. Four days later, a Coast Guard officer came to the jail and told me I was being charged with misconduct aboard ship, specifically . . (1) steal­ ing a wallet from a crew member and (2) stealing two emergency lights which were government property. The Coast Guard held my trial three hours later, right in the jail. The only person representing me was D. L. Parker, the SIU Agent in Tampa. 1 will remember this all my life. After the cross-examination, the Coast Guard prosecutor made the following remarks to the officer who was serving as judge: P'^E-VERDICTS "In my opinion, I think the defendant was. drunk and knew what he was doing. He decided he would go home but before leaving the ship he would steal what he could. After stealing the wallet he packed his bags, then decided he would steal a couple of emergency lights, so he went up to the next deck and took the two lights in the officer's passageway and stuffed them in his bag. When he was through he was so tired he laid down and fell asleep. "Then the Captain came aboard early in the morning and found the bags in the passageway which was for officei's only." But during the cross-examination, Parker and I proved that 1 was going to remain on the ship for another trip because the company still owed me overtime. Als'^ though the Captain had told me at the payoff, that 1 was fired and to get my gear off as soon as 1 was paid, he had been unable to offer a legitimate reason for doing so. Conse­ quently, I wasn't fired, and the Captain knew 1 was on the ship for at least another tr^p. The Captain had admitted this at the Coast Guard trial. BROTHER ASKS CLARIFICATION The judge delivered his decision. "I find the defendant guilty as charged and OF HIS PRESENT DRAFT STATUS revoke his seaman's papers indefinitely." 1 read in the May Slst issue of the Log that you must have He said that I wasn't fit to go to sea, that if I '•i2 months sea time before you can obtain a discharge. erred the first'time 1 would do it again. Parker 1 have 30 months in and 1 left my ship in December. a.sked for an appeal. The judge told him where to If 1 caiiic back liuw aiid luade a few mure trips and made get an application for it and 1 was locked up up the remaining two months, would 1 be able to get my dis­ again. charge paper? NO EVIDENCE Or have 1 been ashore too long? On January 18. 1946, the civilian authorities 1 certainly don't want to change my fo'csle for a ten. I'm took me to the Criminal Court for my trial with only 29 and would appreciate this information as soon as pos­ them, the third time they had done so. The sible. other two times they put it off. The judge nolle Harry T. Pitner pressed the case because of insufficient, evidence. I was turned free—after three months and 11 THE EDITOR TIMIDLY VENTURES days in jail. AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION 1 immediately went to the Union Hall to see There is a possibility you already have enough time in for Parker and inquired about my appeal of the a discharge certificate. The regulations stipulate 32 months of Coast Guard charges. Parker told me the appeal continuous service. You say you have 30 months of sea time. had been tui-ned down. If you have it in sea time, you have more than 32 monihs ser­ Flat broke, I decided 'to hitch-hike home to vice, because only 75 percent of the total service (24 months) Orange, Texas. I hit it lucky. In Pensacola I was must be sea time. There are allowances made for chcuiges be­ picked up by a fellow who said he was an SIU tween ships, etc. In addition, any school time or hospital time man. He brought me a meal and gave me three is counted as sea time. dollars when we got to Mobile, where I got a standby job for nine days on a tanker. I got it In the event the 30 months merely constitutes total ser­ through the Hall, of course. vice and not sea time, the WSA said, when we inquired, that you would do well to ship out again. The lag between Decem­ SEES STEPHENS ber and June is a pretty long one, but the WSA says the regu­ In New Orleans, I told my story to Buck lations are still in a state of change, so chcuices are you'd get Stephens. He sent me to a Coast Guard officer credit for the two additional months and be able to get your who advised me to write the Commandant in discharge. Washington about an appeal on my case. I did, Don't however, go shipping out without notifying your and the reply said I was entitled to one within draft board if it is breathing warmly on your neck. 30 days after the original trial. But it was now Your best bet right now will be complete clarification of four months since my appearance before the your status by the WSA field representative there in Chicago. kangaroo court, too late for an appeal. His name is R. E. Demuth, RMO, War Shipping Administration. I'm asking you. Editor, how in the h could 844 Rush Street. Take your discharges along with you for him I go about writing for an appeal when I was in to check. jail until January 10, 1946. The Coast Guard had Maybe you'll end up with your certificate, even. told me that the appeal application was good for 30 days, yet when D. L. Parker appealed for me he was turned down. At any rate, when 1 was in New York I paid T up on my dues and I'm supposed to get my full book the last of July, if I'm voted in. Even if 1 can't pull through I am going to keep up my bock because 1 believe in, and like, the Union. (Continued from Page 11) 1 feel that some day the SIU will get rid of the i .finky, no-good Coast Guard, and that, then, 1 Salvatore Frank, his shipmates ... If we received our information may have a chance to go to sea again. covrectly Baldy was still signed on down in Jamaica . . . Some— After five years of working, doing a little bit wliere in the heart of New York, Bosun Connie Knowles is cele­ of everything, 1 finally found something 1 like brating his recent voyage. How's the snake ranch, Connie? . . . and the Coast Guard step^ in and says no you Has Brother Cherokee shipped out? Last week he said his pockets can't go to sea. It is the phoniest outfit 1 have were washed out of financial power and satisfaction, which is saying it mildly! ever heard of. G. B. Gillespie they finally sit down across the table from Isthmian representa­ tives to bargain for a written contract. Third, Seafarers in every port • Dear Editor: in the world should continue to Visit I'm writing this letter to the contact Isthmian crews. Log because I think there are several significant points regard­ ing the Isthmian organizing drive, election and negotiations which should be brought clearly to the attention of all Seafarers. First, the election to determine a Union bargaining agent for the Isthmian company is practically over with a mere dozen ships left to vote. As this phase draws to a close, the SIU is so far out in front of the NMH and com­ pany that they have as much chance as a snowball in hell of catching up to us. their ships, and invite them over Second, SIU members must to yours. That's the way to continue to sail Isthmian ships cement the bonds of fiiendship, . whenever and wherever pos­ and to aid these unorganized sible. This is vitally necessary Brothers solve their beefs, learn because Isthmian ships must be the Union score, and see how manned by Seafarers or pro-SIU SIU ships are run. seamen in order to back up the Fourth, with the organization SIU Negotiating Committee when of Isthmian into the Seafarers, SIU MUST KEEP ON ORGANIZING ISTHMIAN SHIPS CUT and RUIS the SIU will have achieved the balance of power in the maritime industry, and will top consider­ ably any other maritime union in total number of jobs available to the members. .1 hope a few SIU brothers read this and take it to heart. Any organization is only as strong as it's foundation, and in the SIU the members form that founda­ tion. Let's keep it strong, and nrake it even stronger in the future. Joe Grimes SEAMAN'S FATHER WANTS LOG, TOO Reggie Chisholm has been waiting about two months for a ship gojng to England so he can see his brother who is in the Army over there. We hope you get that ship soon, Reggie . . . Blackie Lloyd Gardner is due in New York soon after shipping out of Philly . . . D. P. Eldemire was sure glad he found his papers—through the services of jack-of-all-trades, Freddie Stewart and his Post-Office, Baggage and Sudden-Confessed Beefs Department on the fourth floor. Richard Owens will probably get the package he's wailing for sooner than he gels a ship. Golla be Ihis or lhal, as lhal songs says. Rich . . . George Goldsmith says he knows William McCuislion since 1927. When's the celebration or did it come off already? . . . We have a younger member named William .KcOuistion (who is not related in any literary or family way) waiting for a few letters from home and some ship to gel him out of this oven of a town. Dear Editor: I have read the Log consistent­ ly since I got out of the Navy in '43 and joined the SIU. My father, a locomotive engineer, would like to read it, too. Please place me on the mailing list and send the Log to my home. T. J. Lewis We're wondering where our shipmate, AB Gene Moon is right now. The last time we saw him was last year just before he went out on a Pacific run . . . Porky Benson is in town, says the Ropeyai-n writer who was taken ill and hospitalized last week. But he'll mange to get out of it humorously enough, no doubt . . . Robert Scatty Morton is now wearing a white cap to cover his naked head from the summer sun ever since he lost that familiar shipmate of a fedora. Too much wind hit you on the street, Scotty? . . . Jack Parker was sure glad his sister, Rosemarie, came down here from Rome, New York to see the town with him and ice skate to her heart's content, too. �IW III iiiiii • iI Will <|| I Iii I<|||' I I I Iim Ml Hill III I II ill I THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Fourteen Friday, July 5. 1946 The Lind Was A Hellship, Until SlU Got Busy (Continued from Page 9) or won any gains for the seamen The NMU has achieved all the gains and improvements for sea men. All your phony SIU ever did was to scab and fink on the NMU, then claim credit fo revery thing the NMU accomplished." Next the Captain boasted of organizing a new CIO union for Captains and Chief Engineers. "I already have the charter the charter members and the financial backing," the Captain claimed. The erew grew boiling angry over the conditions and the abuses by the officers. But they couldn't do anything. Someone would call a meeting once in a while, but they were wrangling so much that nobody would at­ tend. The Stewards Department had no Delegate. The Deck and Engine Departments Delegates fought each other with fists, feet, bottles and chairs; I'm sure the Captain had a finger in this, too. Ho started to take it out on if they got rid of the trouble­ getting listed. We gave one to Humphrey. He called him a "ir­ maker all would "nice and easy the Captain, one to the Union responsible agitator" and a "radi­ again.'' and kept one ourselves. cal." The Mate called Humph II—No payoff without Patrol WHEE-HYSTERIA! "the dynamiter." man. We refused to be paid The crew backed their Dele­ off in Mewark without a Patrol THE RADICAL gates all the stronger. We figured man present; so the Captain had First he tried to bribe Hum­ that if the Captain throws the to wait. Patrolmen Warren Cal phreys by offering him the Bos­ book, the crew can throw the lahan and Jimmy Sheehan came We stopped taking un's job and various other favors. book, too. down and were astonished that At this Then he came up with this deal: coffee to the bridge! an SIU ship could degenerate to "If we clean this ship up like piece of strategy the Captain got such a deplorable condition. Then you want it, we will get caught somewhat hysterical. Sheehan and Callahan, backed by Later he blandly announced: Gonzales, Joe Algina and Paul in a strike. Let's forget about the repairs and sail before the strike "Bob Humphrey is fired." Hall gave us the best Union rep­ resentation we have ever exper­ breaks." Humphrey wasn't afraid The cre'w staged a vigorous ienced. The Seafarers Log start­ of a strike. protest. Delegates Roch and Mc­ The Captain screamed and bel­ Neely marched up to the Captain. ed lending its highly-valued lowed, shook his fists, waved his "You can't fire a man for legiti­ moral support. Boy, did our arms, got red in the face as he mate Union activity," they told Union go after the Bull Line! exploded at Humphrey: "You've him. "Humphrey is one of the <2—Hanging fhe hook. We re­ caused more trouble on here in a best sailors and best workers on fused to sign on for a new week than 1 had before in a year. this ship and you know it." The trip until the company met our I'll make you sorry you ever stir­ Captain backed down on the fir­ demands for shipboard improve­ red up this awful mess." ing idea. ments. We hung the hook until we got what we wanted. Then the Captain instructed Humphrey answered him: You might ask what we gained "Captain, you can no more fright­ his Mates: "Ride, drive and raise by this militant, united seven- en me than frighten a fence hell with Humphrey until he quits or refuses an order so we can step job action. Here is a partial post." fire him." list of the things we won at the PSYCHOLOGICAL end of the trip before last: THE WORKS Every time Huuiphi5y won a Fumigation, we got rid of the They gave' him the dirtiest, bedbugs; two more scuttlebutts beef after that the Captain's hardest jobs after that. They stomach ulcci's became very pain­ —now we could have drinking made him overhaul a huge moor­ ful and he vomited. water; toilets repaii'ed; new mat­ He tried to turn the officers ing line by hand and by himself tresses; fresh canned milk; clean­ er laundry; wind chutes; paint against Humphreys. He told while six other men and the brushes; the best goggles wc have them this was the man to blame winches were idle. Then he had ever worn; shower heads; valve for everything that happened. to tote 200-pound hatch covers; handles; the captain's favorite (a Some officers secretely took Hum­ he had to carry 200-pound sacks Others remained of coal up ai steep ladder; he had shipowner's son) was sent back phreys' side. to move hatch beams about on through the hiring hall; a prom­ neutral. deck. But he never refused an ise from the Bull Line that the He tried to turn the crew ship would go to drydock on the against Humphreys. "We're go­ order. following trip so they could meet ing to live by the book," he pro­ They gave him conflicting or­ the rest of our demands. claimed. "No more standby in ders in front of seperate wit­ We began the last trip with the the messroom, no more look-out nesses. As a six-foot tide started Captain raging because we had on the lee side of the bridge, no rising fast the officers told him, "hung the hook." The delay cost smoking on watch, only 15 min­ before one witness, to slack the Bull several thousands of dollars, utes for coffee, and work from mooring lines. A minute later, he complained. On every pre­ bell to bell " He forced the crew before a different witness, they vious trip the Captain had de­ to live up to every annoying and told him not to slack the mooring Now, if Humphrey did layed the ship while he shopped petty regulation he could dig up lines. for a radio, got drunk and/or con­ and told the crew it was all Hum­ slack the lines he would be fired phrey's fault. He suggested that because the officers could prove ducted a love affair. Near the end of the trip befoi-e last a one-eyed Acting AB named Bob Humphrey kicked the Cap­ tain's stooge out of the Dele­ gate's job in the Deck Depart­ ment, and the Deck elected Hum­ phreys its Delegate. Then the fireworks started. You'll remember that the Cap­ tain took six steps to gain his dirty ends. Well, Humphrey took seven steps to help the crew gainf' SIU conditions for the ship. J—Cooperation. He worked with not fought with, HenPy C. Roch, Jr., the Black Gang Dele~gate. Henry Roch is the best De­ partment Delegate we have ever sailed with, but he had been fighting alone. —Election. Humphrey and Roch persuaded the Stew­ ards Department to elect a Dele­ gate. The Stewards Department elected Gene McNeely, who proved a valuable asset in "Op­ eration Improvement." —Solidarity. Humphrey set about pulling the crew to­ gether. "We're all SIU men," he SAN FRANCISCO said. "Let's fight the shipown­ SS BEN ROBERTSON Vincent Karmuth, $1.00 M.anuel Fi. ers, not each other. It makes no difference whether we are black gueroa. $1.00; Joseph Cordenas, $1.00; John Burgrave. $1.00; AI Lund. $1,00; or white, alien or native-born, Carl Biscup. $1.00; George Weller. $1.00; Spanish or English-speaking. We Stanley Duda, $1.00; Louis Knight, must stop this quarrelling among $1.00; Louis Gonzalez, $1.00; Jose ourselves; we must back up our Gimeniz, $1.00; George Smith. $1.00; Delegates and stick together to Charles Little. $1.00; Eriing Alfee. $1.00; Roy Norman. $1.00; Jack Smith win SIU conditions." $1.00; Jim Bird. $1,00; Francis Ten—Attendance at meetings. nant. $1.00; Joseph Cye. $1.00; Harry $1.00; John Mandzak. $1.00; Humphreys proposed a $5.00 Schultz, Dick Smith. $1.00; Mario Fernandez, fine for all members who missed $1.00; G. W. White. $1.00. a shipboard Union meeting while NEW YORK not on duty. The crew accepted SS CAPE MOHICAN this proposal and for the fust C. Butterfield. $1.00; A. Fisher. $1.00. time in several trips we had a SS HUBBERT L. Benltez, $2.00; J. Barker, $1.00; Union meeting that everyone at­ J. Granado. $2.00. tended. SS WILLIAM PEPPER U—Lists of beefs. It sounds H. Piva. $3.00; B. Starks. $2.00; W. simple, but it meant a lot H. Lietzon. $3.00; N. Leone. $2.00; P. for Humphreys to write down L. Robinion, $2.00. MV FARALLON in triplicate all of the beefs we' (Donations for Hospital and had and demands we were ask­ Seafarers Log) ing. Before they hadn't been Taylor, $2.00; Purr, $1.00; 3. Kino- shita, $2.00: Thomas. $1.00; Renotds. G. E. Interdonato. $5.$0; M. Armando. $1.00; W. Reed. $2.00; C. Parker. $2,00; $3.00. Total—$63.00. Headricks, $1.00; F. Gunsolus. $2.00; SS WILLIAMS VICTORY Bornhurst. $2.00; K. Brightbill. $2.00; C. Douglas, $1.00; A. Niineberg. R. Allen. $2.00; Frank Barbaria, $2.00; $2.00. Total—$3.00. E. Walthers. $2.00; John Doe. $2.00; SS GEORGE WASHINGTON Alec Valinaki. $2.00; J. J. Shulte. $2.00; Anna Rivera. $2.00. Total—$2.00. J. Mclndoe, $1.00. SS CAPE FALCON J. Campbell. $1.00; 1. Magarvy. $1.00; SS WALTER KIDDE M. Carrasco. $1.00; R. Trewitt. $1.00; H. Hopkins, $1.00; J. Dunne. $1.00; W. Clifton. $1.00; O. Keonbog. $2.00; J. Buynar. $1.00; D. Harbin, $1.00; C. J. Gates, $2.00; Louie Pugh. $1.00; Franks. $2.00; B. Browning. $2.00; J. Carl F. Berry. $2.00; W. M. Wittaker. J. Rivera, $1.00; L. Medlin. $1.00; $1.00; C. Andrews. $1.00; T. C. HarnanJoseph C. R. Landry. $2.00; L. H. dez. $2.00: W. M. Hayes. $2.00; J. P. Johnson, $2.00; G. C. Barrios. $2.00; Hicks. $1.00; F. C. Kelly. $2.00. Total Jose R. Mora, $2.00; Dalton E. Simon. —$21.00. $2.00; Dewey V. Glass, $2.00; J. A. SS TULSA Santerfeit, $2.00; Dale W. Gridsby, P. G. Salino, $2.00; J. C. Gustilo. $3.00; E. I. Bennett. $1.00; D. C. Miller, $11.00; William Todd. $2.00; J. Men$4.00; Hugh A. Drake, $3.00; G. R. nano. $2.00; E. Silberberg. $2.00; D. Melendez, $1.00; H. A. Pelas, $2.00; K. Hines, $3.00; A. A. McVeigh. $3.00; C. M. D'Aivdrade, $2.00; Skyler B. T. A. Curran. $3.00; A. Bonte, $3.00; Littel, $1.00; Robert W. Wagster, $1.00; W. J. Burbine, $3.00; G. T. Carnell. Jack Smith, $5.00. Total—$47.00. $3.00; T. H. Geyer, $3.00; J. Kelly. $3.00. Total—$43.00. SS CITADEL VICTORY INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS R. Ruteledge, $5.00; G. P. Johannssen. W. B. Jodar, $6.00; Frank L. Webb, $2.00; A. H. Roghammar, $2.00; B. G. Brehm, Jr.. $5.00; G. M. Arena, $5.00; $1.00; Leroy S. Atwell, $1.00; J. HanJ. Olano, $20.00; A. G. Soto, $5.00; J. nes, $i.00; Lyndon 3. Wade, $.50; D. E. Alexander, W.O#; G. Pennef, $5.00; E, Walker, $1.00, they told him not to. But if he did not slack them he would get fired because the rising tide would part the lines and the officers could prove they had ordered him to .slack them. He saved his job by sending a shipmate to talk to the officers and distract their attention. Then he slacked the lines when the of­ ficers weren't looking., NO SLEEPER Then the officers gave all deck hands several days off, except Humphrey. They ordered him lu wuik all day and stand gang­ way watch at night. They ex­ pected him to refuse a lawful or­ der to turn to or stand watch, or to catch him asleep on watch. Somehow he stayed awake 24 hours a day until the Deck Gang came drifting back. The Captain was sure that if he could just get rid of Humph­ rey he could go back to the old penny-pinching conditions. He sneaked down to the Union Hall, where he falsely accused Humph­ rey of robbing, and ' chiseling. But the SIU knew the score and it didn't take. Finally the Captain did get rid of Humphrey! The ship was laid up to be either sold or repaired. There was three Deckhands, in­ cluding Humphrey, left for the three gangway watches. The Captain took a gangway watch himself so he could pay Humprey off! VICTORY IS OURS The victory was ours, however —not the Captain's. Before Humphrey left we had won the following additional SIU condi­ tions: More and better lights in the messroom; a new top of the gal­ ley stove; full-length lockers; ad­ ditional electric plugs for fans, coffee, percolators and toasters; repaired steam leaks; twelve sci'een doors; new ladders on the masts; new cargo runners on the winches; more toilets repaired; pa^ eyes burned off deck; soap containers; toilet paper holders; a new" water heater; plumbing r,epaires; new steam pipes; no more ABs knocked off the wheel dur­ ing watch; scupper in messroom; ventilator for messroom. Though "Hang - the - Hook" Humphrey is gone from the Lind, we still follow the program he and Roch laid down. The hook is still hanging. It will keep hanging until we win the rest of our demands. We have detailed the beefs and the approach we used to square them away because we think every SIU man should know how direct action works. This program can be used to maintain conditions on any ship. In closing, we wish to thank the Seafarers Log. Joe Algina, Jimmy Sheehan, Callahan, Gon­ zales and Paul Hall for the won­ derful support they have given us. , �Friday. July 5, 1946 THE SEA F AH En S L O G Page Fifteen BIILLE I Foaron, Joseph R 2.23 Federoff, Peter P. Jr., .... 12.34 Fed.s, Edward J. 5.35 Feher, Leo 5.69 1.34 Fehrcnbach, Wm Felicko, Steve 1.78 4.95 Felix, Frank M .59 Felton, Nicolas 1.98 Felly, John Fenn, Roy 2.81 5.94 Fenton, H. E Fenlren, L. L. 5.26 Feraci, Charles E .66 Ferenc, Jozsef 5.51 .59 Ferguson. Maurice E. 2.48 P'ernandez, Carmelo T 3.17 Fernandez, M. C «•, .45 Fernandez, Raul .35 Feroli, Ernest R .69 Fcrrara. Frank .69 Ferrero, John Ferri, Benjamin G 3.46 Ferri, Edward V - 1.42 Unclaimed Wages Mississippi Shipping Company, Inc. SlU HALLS NEW YORK BOSTON This list comprises unclaimed wages as of December 31, 1945, some of, BALTIMORE which may have already been paid. If you still have a claim, write to Mis-j ^"'^ADELPHIA sissippi Shipping Company, 339 Char ti es St., New Orleans, La., enclosing NORFOLK your z-number, social security number, date and place of birth and present ^"ARLESTON NEW ORLEANS address. SI Beaver StH An over 2-2784 330 AtUntic Ave. Liberty 4057 I4 9 South 7th St. Phone Lombard 7651 .127-129 Bank Street 4-10S3 68 Society St. Phone 3-3680 339 Chartres St. Canal 3336 SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. 3-1728 1.78 MOBILE 7 St. Michael St. 2-1754 8.90' SAN JUAN. P. R 45 Ponce de Leon San Juan 2-5998 5.44 GALVESTON 305'/j 22nd St. 1.98, 2-8448 TAMPA 1809-1811 Franklin St. 1.37 i M-1323 74 JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St. Phone 5-5919 59' PORT ARTHUR 445 Austin Ave. 3.13, Phone: 28532 7137 Navigation Blvd. 70 ' HOUSTON Phone Wentworth 3-3809 41.00' RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. 2.72 SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St. Garfield 8225 .79 j SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. 2.25 | Main 029O Ill W. Bumside St. 39.54 PORTLAND 440 Avalon Blvd. 4.42 WILMINGTON Terminal 4-3131 23.45; HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. 10 Exchange St. 4.00 BUFFALO Cleveland 7391 3.87 1 CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. Superior 5175 2.971 CLEVELAND 1014 E. St. Clair St. 12.57 Main 0147 7.52 ; DETROIT 1038 Third St. CadiUac 6857 6.83 DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. 4.27 Melrose «nO 602 Bougbton St. 1.79 VICTORIA, B. C. VANCOUVER .. .144 W. Hastings St. Ferris, Benjamin 1.78 Farnen, William L. .. 1.65 Gaddie, Daniel A. ... 2.06 Gaffney, J. J Ferullo, Joseph L. 2.97 Forsythe, Edward C. Forsylho, E ... 2.54 6.75 Festos, P. N Gafford, Ben P. ... For.syth, .I(jsepb H. 12.84 lili .46 Fortin, Joseph Gotterhoff, J 2.25!Gainey. Gilbert B. .89 Foster, Edward M. Fcttgather, Melvin L. 10.50 Galarce, Ismael 6.00 Foster, Joseph H. .. Ficaratto, J 26.411 Galaza, Jose G 2.79 Foster, Walter A. .. Ficarelli, Donato 5.51 I Gallegher, Manus Fieldson, Charles ... 1.37 ! Gallefos, Adolph 9.18 Foster. Walter D. Filip, Stanley J 2.25 Fowler, James F. .. 14.25 I Galligon, William T Filipovich, L. A 3.00 Fox, George J 1.07 Gallo C Finger, Louis A. Sr., 8.42 Fox, Paul A. 1.24 Gallordy, J. H Finigan, John R 4.82 Frahse, Roy 35.96 Gambertoglio, Francesco .. Finklostcin, Albert 3.46 Fraley, Forrest 1.34 Gamblin, Wm When in New York please Finley. William 20.70 Francillo, Luigi 73.56 Gamble, Joseph come to headquarters with your Finn, Martin A. Jr., 9.56 Francis, Joseph P. . 56.40 Gambuco, A I* Union book. Finnell, Jas 12.80 Francis, Vernon H 1.27 Garasich, Vincent A A. Dudde G18 Finnegan, J li' 01 Francis, Warren C 3.17 Garber, Clarence F David Sloan 72(>2 Finnegan, Thomas H 10.58 Franke, Marvin O. H. 2.75 Garbett, J. K DoHinter Milak 7290 Fischer, John L 2.23 Franklin, Henry R 117.50 Garcia, Alfred Louis Salvatore 7336 Fischer, Walter- V 26.72 Franklin, Joseph S 9.95; Garcia, F. A Finiero Franciso 7367 Fishburn, R. E. 08 Frankowski, Junius E. 4.01 I Garcia, G William J. Graley 7442 Fisher, Benjamin Xi 28.93 Franson, Carl I 2.23 ! Garcia, Pedro J George W. Thomas 7447 Fisher, Daniel W 33 Fraser, A 9.30 Garcia, Rafael Lotus L. Stene 7479 Fisher, Harry M. Jr., 2.23 Fraser, Noble 8.42 Gard, Edward Adolphus W. Watron 7548 Fisher, M. R 2.97 5.25 Frazier, Francis 8.92 Gardanse, M Garden, Lloyd D 1.48 5.70 Frazicr, Leslie D Edward 1. Tuselier 7643 Fisher, William C 5.94 4.90 Geyer, Andrew 3.30 Frazier, Wilburn Rusus Carrington 7682 Fi'istoe, Ashby J 1.34 Gardner, Clarence F 36.48 78.17 Frederick, Robert 5.78 Geyer, A Freddie Baptiste 7690 Fitch, Richar T 19.22 Gardner, Edward A 1.48 20.28 Ghee, R. M 6.39 Frederick, Robt. H Edwin J. Laskowski 7732 Fitts, R 3.12 ; Gardiner. Edward F 1.58 ,... 11.32 Giadrosich, Paul 11.25 Frederick, Virgil L Levin Bryant 29789 Fitzer, Joseph 8.61 Gardiner, H .69 5.64 Fredericksen, Axel 8.32 Giambone, Vincent Antonio Armand 10109 Fitzgerald, Charles 15.87 Gardiner, James 2.85 33 Giannola, Vincent .\... 3.46 Fredericksen, Earl G 34 Gardner, C. J Lucien W. TVIiller 10722 Fitzgerald, John D 1.34 8.43 Fredericksen, Geo R 35.80 Giatros, Christopher A. . 8.26 Gardner, Jack T Wayne Hartman 20167 Fitzgerald, John R 189 8.27 Freeman, Emmett L. . .. 1.37 Gibbons, Francis Antonio Denaro 4311 Fitzgerald, Robert J .74 9.90 Gardner, R 3.22 Freeman, Horace 2.47 Gibbs, Edward L Charles Breaux G15 Fitzgerald, Thomas J 16.20 7.14 Gardner, S 20.62 Gibbs, Howard T .02 Free.se, Clarence George Burns G153 Fitzgerald, W. E. 114.59 7.92 Gargan, John Gargiulo, Frank T. ...* 23.83 Fitzgerald, W. J. 69.67 Raymond J. Thomas 22819 Gibles, Wm 1.58 Freimanis, Lina 2.23 69 Gibbons, William .99 Freimanis, Edgars William Taylor 48 Fitzpatrick, John J. 3.95 13.66, Garner, Chas. R 1.34 Gibson, Wallace .83 Freitas, John L W. Sweetser G123 Flaherty, John J 2':®0 6.22 Garner, Clyde Garner, Herman 0 2.82 Cichenko, M 3.12 French. Dinestead Jackson Wooten ^ 2396.5 Flanagan, Elmo P 3.23 3.56 13.77 Giebel, William 5.25 French, E Joseph Santalla 22420 Flanders, C. "C ' .79 .11 Garrett, Harry J Garrett, Ralph ' 2.67 .34 French, John F William Shaw 34548 Flaves, J Giebler, William H 4:98 9.24 9.86 Gietek, Chester W 2.06 Frenkler, John Henry Childs 4327 Fleck, Jerome Charles 18.87 5.92 Garrett, Wayne M • 2.25 Gifford, Jackson T 2.16 Frenzell, Raymond J William Gale G105 Fleming, Berney 3.01 1.98 Garrison, J. J 8.26 Gilbert, David W .01 Freydos, Louis J Leonardo Munna 25065 Fleming, J 2.52 5.02 arrison, Norman G 71 Gilbert, Forrest E 2.13 Friday, John W Charles Crawford 26324 Fleming, Thomas H. ... 45 Garrison, Roy 2.97 2.00 Gilbert, Homer Wilfred .89 Frick, Harold W Angelo Ferrie 34223 Fletcher, Edward A. ... 2.64 Garrity, F 3:60 2.06 Gillandis, Kenneth .04 Friedrich, Ewald W. J. S. Williams 7161 Fleury, Arthur 1.34 Gary, Allen L. Jr., 5.42 14.05 Gillboy, Wm. 5.77 Friedrichs, James C Roger L. Williams 7285 Flippin, Richard Lee ... .99 45 Gasic, Paul Thomas 89 Gillespie, John C. 4.50 Frigon, A 7.42 Glen M. Curl 7325 Flora, D. B, 4.50 Gaspard, George .59 6.69 Frizt, Ronald C Fred L. Hopfer 7346 Florence, Aubrey L. ... 7.42 Gasporini, Eugene Gassman, Franz, J 5.19 Floras, Manuel T 2.68 .Frost, William A Gilbert Viner 7441 87 10.96 2.75 Frum, Emile Earl O. Carlson 7444 Flores, Ricardo 25.20 Gate wood, Albert W 2.25 7.76 Frye, Raymond W Alphonse C. Romejko 7467 Flory, H. E 3.96 Gates, E. G 5.35 6.80 Frye, Raymond 2.42 Gattone, Vincent Paul F. Arthofer 7537 Floyd, Jessie W SS GROVE CITY VICTORY 50.17 10.05 Fulford, William B. L. Jackson • 7568 Fluence, Humella 3.79 Gatwood, James Lee L. Hudson, 74 hrs.; B. Thorn6.75 .45 Fulsebakke, K. M Henry G. Cordes 7663 Flynn, James A. 98.75 Gaudin, Geraldo stinson, 168Vi hrs.; M. Colbridge, 14.93 .02 Funk, Clarence W . Willie F. Gentry 7689 Flynn, J. 2.11 Gaupp, Ootto A 168'i; hrs.: N. Engman, 120 hrs.; 65 15.28 Furlong, James M 7.65 Gaurtney, Irvin Steve M. Simmons 7716 Flynn, James P. D. Sobin, 33 hrs.; W. Warmbold, Flynn, R ! Gauther, Edward 14.25 1.33 Fuselier, Edward L 99 William H. Pierce 20347 hrs. 3.38 33 hrs.: H. Fink, .79 Fyfe, Cyril H 862.40 Gauthreaux, Claude J. .... Jimenez Evaristo 26622 Flynn, Raymond J. This can be collected at the Gavigan, Robert 6.35 2.82 Jos. H. Bibeau 10127 Flynn, William P. Alcoa Steamship Co., 17 Battery Gaylor, Enoch J 28.06 Fogt, Donald E. .. 3.37 Thomas M. Murray 10723 Place, New York, N. Y. Gaaso, Hallder Geanuses, Peter G 7.42 Foley, Stephen, E. 7.23 2.23 'Pietro De Valle 20183 Gachetti, R. .. Gearhart, Dale B 17.84 .59 Fontenot, Dillon .. .89 Jessie B. Voliva 10737 Geaunses, P 6.00 5.94 James Armstrong G47 Ford, James A Geib, Leroy • 2.06 Forrest, John H. .. .45 W. A. Beyer G366 Geiss, William J 2.97 .45 Leopold Wareham ; 3383 Forster, Joel R EDWARD YANCY Genter, Fiancis J 59.44 •. 8.35 Tadeuse Chilinski 22157 Forsyth, Joseph H Contact Agent at Galveston; 48 51.34 Anyone who was aboard the Gentry, Luther rPedro J. Ortez 24182 Fort, Robert B 6.69 you have a check from the rSS 2.47 plane from New Orleans, char­ Gentry, Norman H C. T. White 24990 Foley, Prank J Homestead. 1.34 3.96 tered by the crew of the SS Tu Gentry, Willie F John L. Cobb GOO Folsky, Leon E % X X 5.51 JT.IO lane Victory, who knows any­ Gerdes, Henry C J. Cruz 3320 Folsom, Samuel P JOHN N. CONNOLLY Gericevich, Vadimir 5.46 5.25 thing about two alligator bags, J. E. Thmosa 22513 Foltz, R. H A check for $33.05 is still be­ Gerald, Willie 5.94 Eorcelline, Robert C. 1.07 please get in touch with F. Rob­ John W. Matysuk 24930 ing held for you by the Norfolk Gerling, Vernon F. 17.83 Forehand, O. A. 3.82 inson, 35-24 /72nd Street, Jackson John Gersey '6545 Bi'anch. Getty, Erwin 89 Forester, iL. 2,25 Heights, New York. Joseph Palmer 31109 NOTICE! Money Due NOTICE! .. .J'V- • rr>:* NOTICE! >1 •".^1 �t;P' li' THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Sixteen McCosh Bosun Tries Some Slaveship Stuff McCosh Organizer Friday, July 5, 1946 Cape Catoche Is Strong For Sill One of the more recent addi­ tions to the Isthmian Fleet, the ,;p'V Cape Catoche, has been crewed up in New York and has a strong­ ly pro-SlU crew. SIU organizers Isthmian ships' organizers H. report that almost the entire C. McCurdy and John Walz stop­ crew is either members of the STTI Of spamen who whole-heart­ ped in the Leg office the other edly support the program and day to relate the story of an principles of the Seafarers. NMU Bosun on the Isthmian ship Three active volunteer organ­ 1;-;- p. James McCosh who rather fancied izers aboard the Catoche, Bosun himself in a Captain Bligh role. T. W. Call, Chief Steward AydThis individual, Karlson by name, lette and Eric Upchurch, are do­ ing an A-1 job of making their is an NMUer of six years serv­ ship a solid SIU vessel. They've ice. who formerly sailed foreign succeeded in converting the en­ ships, and tried to use the same bullying and intimidating tactics tire crew to the SIU Union way of life with the exception of a on the McCosh that he had used couple of died-in-the-wool NMUon the foreign flag vessels. ers, and they haven't given up According to McCurdy, num­ on these lads either. erous deckhands have been fired Leaving New York for Phila­ or piled off on account of Bosun Karlson. This NMU-company stiff delphia on June 29th, the Ca­ bas taken a special delight in toche is headed for the Far East. Headed for Philly and then Singapore, this group of Isth­ framing or making life miserable First port of call on her itiner­ mian seamen from the Cape Catoche was snapped in front of for Seafarers who are unlucky ary is Singapore, and she'll beat their ship while docked at Greenpoint. Brooklyn. Kneeling enpugh to sail in the deck de­ her way around the world be­ (reading from left): W. Stewart, J.. Aydlette, W. Snead. and T. partment under his jurisdiction. fore returning to good old U.S. W. Call. Standing: H. Vidger. G, Hollar. C. Kerr, G. Caudill. F. soil. H. C. McCURDY Caborubias. and M. Magsael. SPECIAL PRIVILEGES "WHO SOLD OUT" •The McCosh laid off City Is­ the great rush on the Bosun's part This week the Seafarers issued land for several weeks, and fin­ to have the cover removed, the a throwaway bulletin entitled ally moved to the 29th* St. Pier Deck Gang had nothing else to "Who Sold Out?" It deals with in Brooklyn where she's remain­ do, and so went back to the fan- the statements of Drew Pearson, tail to continue doing nothing for ed for the past two weeks. well known Washington column­ two or more hours. Special privileges is the order ist, who charged that personal Several men went to see the feuding between Harry Bridges of the day for the licensed perChief Mate regarding the bully and Joe Curran prevented the .sonnel, with the Chief Steward making special turkey dinners Bosun, and he said he'd see what seamen of the CMU unions from for them, while the crew has could be done. In the end, the securing a $30 monthly increase roast beef brisket dished out Chief backed up the Bosun, and instead of the measely $17.50 said, "I'll let the entire crew go monthly which they finally set­ for them. before 1 fire the Bosun!" tled for. Crewmembers asserted that So McCurdy and Walz left the Pearson's syndicated column, plenty of bananas came aboard, but they' only had them served McCosh. As McCurdy expressed which appeared from coast to once. Extra pie, pastry or other it, "The days of slavery for sea coast on June 23rd, mentioned a dainties went to the officers men are over. No freedom-lov discussion which took place be­ saloon. For night lunches, the ing seaman can be expected to tween "a CMU representative, the crew rated bologna sandwiches. continue working under such in Secretary of Labor and a WSA In addition, food was never salt­ tolerable regimentation as aboard representative. According to the McCosh." Pearson, "Curran's Washington ed properly. He went on, "It's really some representative, Hoyt Haddock, McCurdy and "Walz left the McCosh as a result of trouble satisfaction to know that Isth­ Labor Secretary Schwellenbach with Bosun Karlson over removal mian will soon be forced to sign and WSA's Granville Conway of the tarpaulin from No. 4 hatch. a contract with the Seafarers had a talk. "Schwellenbach and Conway The tarp was jammed between Then they'll have to eliminate the midship housing and the these would-be Captain Blighs, agreed that the men rated a hatch combing, and five men had and substitute typical SlU ship­ "substantial" increase, $30 a month was mentioned. They told difficulty in removing it. After board conditions." Haddock any fact finding board would be so apprised. There was favorable talk of a 56 hour week, with overtime of about itme and a half after 48. Government cus­ todian of 80 percent of U.S. ship­ ping, Conway felt that he could offer confidential a s s u r a nces. Volunteer ships organizer Arne after it was unanimously agreed Schwellenbach supported him. Larsen reported from the West to close the Messroom for a CURRAN-BRIDGES FEUD couple of hours to get rid of the Coast about the Isthmian scow, "Haddock sent a report to Cur­ flies. These Filipino members of the Catoche's Steward Dept. are ran and Bridges. He got a hot St. Augustine Victory, which JUNE 16 MEETING strong for the Seafarers. F. Caborubias, Chief Cook, is on the telegram from Bridges, stating docked there recently. Accord­ In their second meeting, the right, and the other man is M. Magdael, 2nd Cook. he. Haddock, had no authority to ing to Larsen, the Augustine held crew elected C. J. "Tex" Welrepresent the- Committee for two shipboard meetings at sea, born as chairman and H. E. Wes­ Maritime Unity, ordering Had­ and both were well attended by ton as secretary. dock to tell the Government men The meeting was attended by to disregard the talks. the crew with the exception of entire crew, and was called to Writing from Manila, ships or­ and expects to join the Seafarers "Haddock did so after contact­ those on watch. order at 6:30 p. m. Motions re­ ing his boss, Curran, who said ganizer James M. Fisher, of the upon his return to the U. S. once Holding their first meeting on garding the cleaning of the laun­ that Bridges had equal jurisdic­ NMUer Thomas Logan Isthmian Lines ship Sea Lynx again. promised Fisher that he would June 9th, the Augustine's crew dry, keeping same tidied up, and tion so his wishes must be re­ gives the lowdown on fairly re­ •elected Arne Larsen as Deck the replacement of cups and spected. Curran was infuriated cent happenings aboard that ves­ turn in his NMU book at the end of the current trip, and would glasses in the pantry were. car­ just the same. Delegate, Charles Gregory in the ried. 'In the settlement, the seamen sel. Four men were left behind take out an SIU book. Engine Dept., and Lineberger in While at Manila, Lynx crewIt was agreed to contact the got not $30, but $17.50 a month, at Shanghai—Frank Sharkey and the Stewards Dept. The meeting Chief Engineer and Captain, if plus average overtime of less Menceau at the 712nd General members visited the Claremont was chaired by Larsen with How­ necessary, to move the three than time-and-a-fourth for over Hospital, and Fireman Jack "Victorfy, another Isthmian ship, ard E. Weston as secretary. Weidman and Jr. Engineer Hart- and secured some recent Logs Wipers amidships due to the fact 48 hours." and leaflets. They also had a Various rules governing the that soot covers their quarters The shipowners have already well. Sharkey was hospitalized as a chance to talk over a number of messroom were established with everytime the tubes are blown. offered' the Seafarers the same ^certain other changes being Meeting was then adjourned. increase as the CMU, but the result of a badly infected finger mutual problems with their Isth­ that the doctor had to x-ray three mian co-workers. anade. It was agreed to have the Larsen declared, "The Skipper SIU has stuck to the original de­ Messman feed the men on watch is quite a character—in fact, no mands and turned it down. AH separate times in order to de­ WAITING FOR CONTRACT termine if surgery was necessary. first, and it was requested that good whatsoever. Seamen from the two ships maritime Unions, including the We've had the Stewards Dept. clean the that before on Isthmian ships, so NMU, could have won a greater Latest word is that he is on the agreed that it would really be a pantry and coffee urn. The Chief it doesn't bother us too much increase, but the "Unitfy Boys" mend, snd doing well. pleasure to work for Isthmian Steward agreed to cooperate in now. We're just waiting for the were evidently too busy sneak , Conditions aboard the Sea after SIU negotiations with that changing one Messman around day when Isthmian has an SIU punching each other to bother Lynx haven't changed much, ex­ company forced them to sign an due to the fact that he couldn't contract to live up to, and some about the rank and file seamen. cept for slight improvements, ac­ SIU contract guaranteeing SIU Vndersiand English, In the meanthne, the Seafcu-?'';:i cording to Fisher. Bosun John wages, working and living con­ SIU delegates to make sure that Tefco signed an SIU pledge card, ditions to all Isthmian seamen. is carrying on-the fight. Meeting was finally adjourned that they do." ' t isthmian's St. Augustine Victory Holds Several Ship Meetings Sea Lynx Reports From Far East •• � 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. 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 July 5, 1946 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. VIII, No. 27 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 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SEAFARERS CALLS COMPANY STALL WITH STRIKE VOTE SIU WINS 1ST ROUND OVER C.G.; HOUSE DEFEATS PRESIDENT'S PLAN CURRAN, COMMIE FIGHT FOR POWER BREAKS OUT AGAIN SIU CREWS LEAVE SHIPS, PROTESTING CONTRACT DELAY CORRECT JOB ACTION AN IMPORTANT UNION WEAPON IN WINNING BEEFS VOTING FOR INDEPENDENCE COMMIES IN UNIONS LEAFLET WARNS SEAFARERS ON SHIPOWNERS' DISRUPTION ISTHMIAN SEAMEN WILL BENEFIT FROM NEW SEAFARERS CONTRACTS SUP CONTRACT TOPS: BRIDGES CRIES FOR A 'RIDE ON GRAVY TRAIN' SEAFARERS BALLOT ON THE STRIKE QUESTION OBSERVATIONS ON THE CURRENT CONTRACT TALKS SEAFARERS STYMIES SLY SKIPPER; PIGEON POINT PREXY PAYS PLENTY CASTLE ISLAND BERTHS CITY OWNED; ALL BOSTON LACKS IS SHIPPING NOTIFY THE HALL IF YOU REJECT JOB TO WHICH YOU'VE BEEN SENT SIU OPENS HALL IN CORPUS CHRISTI ALCOA TAKES OVER GEORGE WASHINGTON NORFOLK TO FORM MARITIME COUNCIL STRIKE IS CALLED WORKINGMAN'S ONLY WEAPON IN FIGHT FOR LIVING COAST GUARD IS GREATLY UNDERSTAFFED (IT SAYS) BUT ALWAYS FINDS ENOUGH HANDS TO PULL PAPERS SHIPPING BOOMS IN NEW ORLEANS; STATE ANTI-UNION BILL IS PASSED THE LIND WAS A HELLSHIP UNTIL SIU GOT BUSY PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT TRIP OF THE AIKEN VICTORY STEWARDS SHIFT, DEAL LOUSED UP COASTAL LIBERATOR CREW ASKS FIRING OF MATE AND ENGINEER MCCOSH BOSUN TRIES SOME SLAVESHIP STUFF CAPE CATOCHE IS STRONG FOR SIU ISTHMIAN'S ST. AUGUSTINE VICTORY HOLDS SEVERAL SHIP MEETINGS SEA-LYNX REPORTS FROM FAR EAST Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 7/5/1946 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1946 Periodicals Seafarers Log