http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/aaf20726fe4f65736c553d7c6b7d4f84.PDF 57bfe927e3a2d42ad0a90ec3b7ba59a7 PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America Vol. VIII. NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. AUGUST 23. 1946 WARNING FOR N. 0. No. 34 AFL Waterfront Unions Meet In Chicago To Form Maritime Trades Council / CHICAGO—Climaxing a drive which the Seafarers International Union has sup­ ported for years, representatives from all AFL Unions connected in any way with the maritime industry assembled here in Chicago to participate in the formation of tha first National Maritime Trades Council of the American Federation of Labor. Meet­ ing in Chicago's Drake Hotel at the specific invitation of AFL President William Green Brother Richard Meyvanisson carries a picket sign while Brother Sam Stigler stands by. ready to relieve him. N.O. Ferries Te Strike if Bisso Wen't Bargain on August 15 and 16, five Unions*— signed the request for a charter, 3tatement of policy, and interim operating rules. Other Unions which assisted in the Council's formation needed further auth­ orization from their membership before finally affiliating, but will probably do so in the near future. — Seamen New Eligible For N.Y. Jobless Pay The five Unions which official­ NEW YORK — Rules and conditions under which ly affiliated are the International jobless seamen are eligible for unemployment compensa­ Longshoremen's A s s o c i a t ion; tion in this state were made public this week, in a con­ NEW ORLEANS—Pickets at ferry landings on both Masters, Mates, and Pilots; Com­ ference between State officials and Joe Volpian, SIU sides of the Mississippi River last week distributed hand­ mercial Telegraphers' Union; In­ Special Services representative. Although representatives Brotherhood of Fire­ bills and carried placards warning the general public to ternational men and Oilers; and the Seafar­ from other maritime unions were*-— be prepared for a strike and to find other means of trans­ ers International Union of North invited, the SIU was the only | ping system, and will not be ofportation if the Bisso Ferry Company continued its high America. Representatives from one to send an accredited dele- fered through the USES. handed fashion of refusing to bar-t Payments are now being made the International Brotherhood of gate. gain honestly with the SIU, which that an agreement cannot be Teamsters were present, and In order for an unemployed to unemployed seamen who, dur­ represents the employees of the reached. The Bisso Ferry promised their cooperation. seaman to become eligible for ing the year 1945, worked for any Company has long been opposed company. jobless pay, he must first reg­ shipping companies whose home GREEN PRESIDES In the event of a strike, over to collective bai'gaining, and has ister for reshipment with the office is in either New York, 5000 passengers daily will be af­ resorted to all methods to pre­ President William Green offi­ Union Hall rotary shipping list. California, Texas, or Pennsylfected, and they will have to vent having to bargain collective­ cially opened the conference of He must also be able and willing vania. Benefits can be filed for travel at least 20 miles extra each ly with the SIU. in any state, and a seaman does AFL Maritime Unions at the to accept a new job. day. Due to the cooperation be­ not have to file in the state in Drake on August 15 at 2:00 P.M. PAYMENTS READY tween the various affiliates of He remarked that all of the or­ Following registration with the which the company maintains its '' the New Orleans AFL Marine ganizations which were repre­ Union Hall, the seaman next reg­ home office. Council, a tie-up of the Bisso sented at the meeting were con­ isters with the United States Em­ Other states have made ar­ Ferries could be called at any The life of the present day sidered eligible to join in the for­ ployment Service. This is a for­ rangements to commence the time, and would be 100 per cent seaman is difficult and often mation of an AFL Maritime mality, and does not mean that he payments of benefits, and by the very complicated. He is at effective. Trades Council, and that the AFL must accept a shoreside job end of 1946, New Jersey will join the mercy of unscrupulous Executive Council which was al­ which is offered to him unless he the list of states offering this Since the Ferries are a public companies, government agen­ so meeting at the Drake would wants to work ashore. Sea jobs service. Alabama, Virginia, Ne­ service, the SIU has agreed to cies, brass hats and human be available for any advice or as- will of course still be cleared braska, and Washington come submit wages and conditions to sharks of various descrip­ arbitration if the company will through the Union rotary ship- into the fold by the end of 1947. (Continued on Page H) tions. everyone trying to take sign a contract recognizing the No seaman v/ho has been fired advantage of him. If he hap­ for "misconduct" is eligible, nor Seafarers International Union as pens to know some of his is he entitled to compensation if the sole bargaining agent of the rights, he is sneeringly refer­ he quits his job. Termination of employees. red to as a Sea Lawyer. articles is not to constitute quit­ LINES FORMED ting the job, and men whose voy­ A Special Services Dept. of The picketing started August ages come to an end will be elig­ the Union has been set up to 15, and lines were maintained to ible for benefits. consult with you on all your noon of August 17. Hundreds of problems involving the Coast It should be borne in mind that passengers stopped to have the Guard. Shipping Commission­ This week the Coast Guard the case further to the head of while Congress, in principle, also situation explained to them be­ ers, Unemployment Insur­ authorized the payment of bene­ wrote one more chapter m the'the CG in Washington, D. C. fore they boarded the ferries. The ance. personal injury claims, In the appeal, the men confits to those men who served unstory of how merchant seamen same applied to truck drivers and your statutory rights when j tended that the orders which' der the jurisdiction of the War can be victimized by the dicta­ the operators of private auto­ you become ill aboard ship. they refused to obey on July 9 Shipping Admnistration, they nemobiles. torial hooligan navy. This week and 10 were contrary to law; that glected to appropriate funds for Immigration Laws, and your In order that the public should dear, beloved Draft Board. the CG, which had tried and the vessel was unseaworthy; that this purpose. Consequently this not be unnecessarily inconven­ If you happen to be in New sentenced the eight militant men the conviction was against the feature of the bill is worthless ienced, it was explained that the York, contact us personally, of the SS Helen, reviewed the weight of evidence; and that the and will remain so until Congress action was not in the nature of presence of a biased Hearing Of­ passes the appropriation. or if you are out of town, case and decided that the de­ ficer on the Trial Board was de­ a strike. The lines were estab­ write and you will receive a As other clarifications are re­ cision they had made in the first trimental to their welfare. lished as a warning so that the prompt reply. ceived, the news will appear in place was just. The appeal to actual tying up of the boats Address all mail to SPE­ the pages of the Log. For the NO JUSTICE have the revocation of papers set would not come as a complete CIAL SERVICES. 51 Beaver time being, all questions regard­ Admiral Smith ruled that the aside was therefore denied by surprise. Street. New York 4. N. Y. ing Unemployment Compensa­ records of the hearing disclosed Rear Admiral Edward H. Smith, As a result of this activity, ne­ Your Union is your shoreside tion should be referred to the Commandant of the Third Coast no prejudice, and that the other Special Services Division, Sea­ contact. USE IT'S FACILI­ gotiations were reopened on Aug­ contentions of the men were inGuard District. TIES. ust 17, and further meetings have farers International Union, 51 been arranged for in the event Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. (Continued on Page 4) •4 The next step will be to appeal A PROBLEM, BUD? CG Rules Against Helen Seamen Despite Facts •J I �Page Two THE SEAT ARE RS LOG Friday. August 23, 1946 SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District A'Qiliatcd wiih the Ayin'rieun leJcration of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York, 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 t i S. S- HARRY LUNDEBERG ------- President lOi Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK Secy-Treas. P. O. Box 25, Station P., New York City Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New Y'ork, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. 267 From Bad To Worse There were some people who believed that the Coast Guard could never do a more autocratic job than they did in wartime. Never in a million years could they outdo the arrogant actions and dictatorial methods which they used in dealing with merchant seamen. Yes, plenty of people thought that, but the CG proved them wrong. These brass-hats went out to show that they could surpass anything they had ever done before, and this time without even the pretense that it was a measure made necessary by the wurtime emergency. The case of the SS Helen is a test of strength entirely. The army has a phrase for power-crazy officers who insist on throwing their weight around. Behind their backs they are called "rank happy" and their activities an: referred to as "pulling their rank." In a nutshell, that is exactly what the CG is attempting right now. m Hospital Patients Congress has voted the CG peacetime powers over civilians never before enjoyed by any other military branch of the Government. And this power has gone to the heads of these officers who could not even use wartime powers judiciously. They have proven that they cannot be trusted with the enormous responsibility which such authority entails. On the other hand, they have conclusively shown that they arc loyal to those who give them a helping hand „ when the going becomes tough. When it looked as if the . President's Reorganization Bill was doomed to certain de­ feat, the shipowners took an active hand in having the hearings on the legislation reopened, and finally it was passed by a slight majority. In return for this service, the CG has already paid off handsomely; take the case of the eight men persecuted on the SS Helen; and there is every indication that this will be continued as long as the brass-hats have the power to do so. And they will have the power unless the waterfront unions can contrive to have this vicious legislation repealed or made inqperative. We see the handwriting on the wall. We know what the Coast Guard will do if given half a chance, and as civilian workers in a civilian industry we want no part of such bureaucratic goings-on. The CG has allied itself with the shipowners. In the event of a waterfront dispute, is there anyone who ques­ tions which side the Hooligan Navy will take. Our course is clear. First of ail, the men of the Helen must be reinstated to their full rights as seamen, and quickly. After that is done, the fight against CG control must continue with redoubled fury. There can be no compromise between seamen, and the tools of the ship­ owners. The Coast Guard record has gone from bad to worse. They are unnecessary, and no waterfront worker or sea­ man will shed a tear on the day that they go back to their honorable jobs of patrolling the coasts and locating ice^ - liil When entering the hospital notify the delegate by post­ card. giving your name and the number of your ward. Staten Island Hospital Men Now In The Marine Hospitals These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ ing to them. STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL W. HUNT S. J. SOLSKI L. L. OWENS P. R. DEADY C. G. SMITH L. A. CORNWALL W. B. MUIR J. L. WEEKS R. J. TURNER R. YOUNG J. S. SEELEY JR. F. TOKORCHUK D. A. WARD T. L. KEITH T. J. DAWES J. E. VILLAFANA T. L. SIMONDS N. TSOAUSKIS R. G. MOSSELLER E. ORTIZ C. W. SMITH F. GAMBICKI R. LUFLIN L. L. MOODY M. C. BROOKS % % 4^ BALTIMORE HOSPITAL MATHEW LITTLE PETER LOPEZ E. J. DELLAMANO JAMES KELLY WM. BILVERTHORNE THOMAS CARROLL MORSE ELLSWORTH ARMAND RIOUX LONNIE TICKLE JAMES LAWLOR HARVEY CRONIN GEORGE LEIDEMANN ROBERT KLEMM THOMAS CARROLL B. T. BISHOP JOHN WAGNER MONTEIRO NELSON WILLIAM HAHN » » » SAN JUAN HOSPITAL R. GAUTIER P. PAGAN B; DEL VALLE P. PEDROSA T. C. LOCKWOOD J. VANDESSPOOLL X X BOSTON HOSPITAL BENJAMIN THOMAS MATHEW LITTLE STANLEY BUZALEWSKI HARRY BENNETT HAVEY CRONIN LONNIE TICKLE E. J. DELLAMANO PETER LOPEZ JAMES KELLY -W. SILVERTHORNE 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.) THOMAS CARROLL MORSE ELLSWORTH MOSES MORRIS JAMES LAWLOR GUSTAVO PASSARETTI NILS JOHNSON ARMAND RIOUX JULIAN. COGGINS NICK MAROWICH % % X NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL JOSEPH WALSH ROY CURTIS THOMAS COMPTON J. W. DENNIS R. M. NOLAN LYLE BAUMARTNER HOWARD SAVINI K. WINSLEY THOMAS DUNSEE GLEN DOWELL EDWARD CUSTER ROY PINK JAMES ANDREWS DOM SANSONE R. L. FRENCH ARTHUR MITCHELL WILBUR MANNING JOHN R. GOMEZ 'W. BROCE JR. , .ys,' nA-""' C. E. MILLS 'R. M. BARNES �•Pip Friday, August 23, 1946 XBB SE'dF'ARERS LOG Page Sailor (The Real Sea-Going Type) Calls Coast Guard's Pet Hearing Unit liiegal u > By "STEAMBOAT" O'DOYLE By PAUL HALL (Editor's Note: "Clearing The Deck" was not available for this week's issue of the Log because of Brother Hall's presence in Chicago. As Chirman of the AFL Greater New York Mari­ time Council. Brother Hall, along with a delegation from the Seafarers, met with officials representing all AFL maritime unions to form a national AFL Maritime Trades Council. Full details of the results of the meeting appear elsewhere in this issue. Brother Hall's column will again be in this space in next week's Log.) Starchy Hospital Foods Can't Cure TB Seamen Here's another case of a sea­ man complaining of the food re­ ceived at the marine hospitals. In this instance, the complainant is an old time SUP member who has been sailing on the Deck for more than 17 years. As a result of contracting tuberculosis while in the merchant marine, John Dooley was first hospital­ ized in 1942, and has been in some hospital ever since that time. John was at the Fort Stanton Hospital in New Mexico for some two odd years, and was then transferred to the Stapleton Ma­ rine Hospital on Staten Island where he remained for 14 months. oM.caoooy/ WITH THAT Dier 1 OUSHT TO (Ser ooT«3f "BV I96S - A1AV0E Now, he's located at the Neponsit Marine Hospital near Rockaway Beach, New York, and has been there for a little over a month. So, as one who has been in various marine hospitals over the past four years. Brother Dooley is certainly well-qualified to speak on the subject of hos­ pital conditions. TB patients are usually placed on a high protein diet in order to more readily build up their strength to fight off the little disease germs. But, not at Neponsit. There, according to Dooley, the patients are fed a constant diet consisting of soups, stews, macaroni, spaghetti, nood­ les and slumgullion followed by desserts such as soft puddings and gooey meringue pies. STARCHY DIET Sometimes the boiled meals, which arc usually extremely tasteless and very unappetizing, are supplanted by beans. But the beans are half-cooked. Seldom do the patients receive fresh fruits or vegetables, and when salads are served, they're quite unpalatable, too. Aside from the food, other conditions at the Neponsit Hospital are excellent. Dooley was high in his praise of the director, Dr. Haas and his assistant. Dr. Haufstra. He stated, "They are both good doc­ tors, and well-liked by all of the patients. Dr. Haas is very con­ siderate of the patients, taking the time and effort to explain everything to the inmates. Every­ one likes them, both." When approached by Dooley regarding the food. Dr. Haas ask­ ed him what was wrong with it. Dooley explained in detail, but the good doctor maintained that very few of the other patients ever complained. This was ex­ plained to him by Dooley as be­ ing the result of patients being more or less afraid to criticize, and he went on citing numerous complaints which he had heard from a number of the other pa­ tients who did not complain di­ rectly to the doctor. As far as entertainment, mo­ vies' etc., at Neponsit, the pa­ tients arc apparently well-satis­ fied with that phase of their en­ forced hospitalization. Few other complaints are ever received. But, food—that's another story! CORRECT EVILS It is quite apparent that the numerous complaints regarding food conditions at a number of Marine hospitals throughout the country are based on proven facts. Obviously, although the various hospital staffs are so afraid of reprisal that they will not affirm or deny it, the basic cause is that these hospitals are trying to operate on a budget too small to feed, the patients decent­ ly. One exception to this appears to be the Norfolk Hospital, where the fond and rnnditinns are high­ ly lauded by the patients. Criticism of the marine hos­ pitals appearing in the pages of the Log has been made with the thought that constructive criti­ cism is good because it brings out the facts, offering correctives. It is, and always has been, the policy of the Seafarers Interna­ tional Union to give praise wher­ ever it's due. Likewise with criti­ cism. Good—plenty of good—is being accomplished at marine hospitals throughout the country. But, there's no reason when certain faults exist why those faults can't be corrected. That's where this constructive criticism is being di­ rected. At the correction of ex­ isting evils in the management and operation of all marine hos­ pitals. merce) ever revoked papers, be­ cause it knew that this was the only reason the law allowed it. But if an AB misses a day's work, . if a Fireman drops a wrench on his engineer's toe, if a Baker spits on the windward side, is that a reason to revoke his papers? No, the law does not give that power. Nevertheless, the CG has interpreted the law as broadly as possible to seize that power, and there is no doubt, that they will use it illegally. If the CG .say.s it must revoke papers for so- the CG claims another power over us, which the Government Well, the boys were crying for has over no other American action last week. The same guys workers: the power to take away who were throwing heavy body our jobs and sentence us and our blows in stiff negotiations, who families to unemployment. were tossing the finishing punch­ For four years, every seam^ es in a tough organizational bat­ who stepped out of line has been tle, who had just KO'd Limepunished, not once, but twice, house 'Arry in his still-born by logging and suspension of "March on the SUP." As If thenpapers. This violates the oldest hands weren't full, they were principle of justice known, that rip-rarin' to go to work on the of double jeopardy, which says Coast Guard. that no man shall be punished Yes, on the ships, in the Hall, twice for the same offen.se. •Rutin every joint on the waterfront, just as catsup wasn't made for you could hear them cussing and ice cream, so justice wasn't made thirsting for blood—these young for seamen. Or says the Coast Seafarers. It took the steadier, TWATIS OCEAMK Guard. more experienced heads of our NO AUTHORITY oldtimers to cool them off— though plenty of the oldtimers -I challenge any and all of the has steam coming out of their swivel-chair sailors of the Ice­ ears, too. berg Patrol to show me their But, finally, their rage at the authority for subjecting free Great Double-cross turned into American sailors to their lousy a cold hate of determination that drumhead courts-martial. I chal­ when the time comes—and it will lenge them to show me the law come soon—the CG will be shorn that says "you can take away of its main weapon against us. their jobs and livelihood, you can And that is the hearing unit or sentence them and their families kangaroo court. When that is called "mi.sconduct" in order to to unemployment and hunger." gone, they will no longer be able keep order on ship, they lie and They cannot. There is no such to push us around. authority. There is no such law. they know they lie. There is just the insane belief VICIOUS AND ILLEGAL DOUBLE JEOPARDY of a half-dozen bureai'.ci ats in We have three fights on our The Government has another bellboys' uniforms that they are hands now. There is not the power for this, which it holds stronger than a 100,000 seamen. slightest doubt that we will win over no other American workers "Well, patience. Brothers, the all of them, and pretty soon. As —logging. The principle of de­ Union that licked the operators we emerge from them victorious ducting from your wages for not can handle these straw men. and stronger than ever, we can being a good boy is absolutelyBack to chasing rum-runners is go to work on the CG. In the unconstitutional applied to any­ where we'U put the seagoing pro­ meantime, I would like to point one but a seaman. In this respect hibition agents. Just let us get out that the hearing unit, be­ we are second-class citizens. Now our sleeves rolled up. sides being vicious, is illegal. The law gives the CG power to revoke papers for the sole reason of proven inability to do the job which the papers say you can do. If an AB gets off course and bumps a reef, he's no AB—the papers which let him sail as AB should be lifted. If By LOUIS GOFFIN a Fireman burns up a boiler "When one looks back to the the SIU that tremendous strides while reading the Police Gazette, days of yore, into the years of forward were taken. Proof of alJ. he's no Fireman—the papers that low wages, dirty foc'sles, poor this is in the records. say he is should be lifted. If a food and other miseries that were The records show what our ne­ Baker puts rat poison in the pan­ once heavy on our shoulders, we gotiating committee accomplish­ cake batter, he's no Baker—the realize the many changes that ed with the strength of the united papers that make him should be have been made. SIU membership 100 per cent be­ lifted. How did all this come to pass. hind the committee in their work Papers are issued to you for the one and only reason of cer­ It came about first and foremost The wages, overtime and living tifying that you know enough through organization, through the conditions that were negotiated " strength of seamen,' are without a doubt, the finest to handle a certain job, and they united through the energy and resource-, ever in the history of the mershould be taken from you for fulness of militant seamen who' chant service. the one and only reason that you looked into the future and like the COMPARE SCALE have proven incapable of hand­ seers of old saw what could be ling the job. We know what the NMU ac­ accomplished when seamen were complished for their membership ONLY REASON united. in the recent sellout and we know Although various changes were It was for this reason alone what our committee accomplish­ that the old Bureau of Inspec­ made from 1934 to 1938, it was ed for us. Compare the Wage tion (under the Dept. of Com­ really through the formation of scales and we see that our ne­ gotiators were interested only in AFL SPEEDS VETS HOUSING the welfare of the membership, while the commie stooges were interested only in their power, and in the orders from Moscow. As usual they left their member­ ship holding the sack. Now we see the almighty "Blackie" Meyers howling that the NMU should get the same wages and conditions that the SIU received. The same old story repeats it­ self. Every time the SIU gets a raise through militant action, the NMU, like a dog groveling for a bone, pleadingly asks for the same. Instead of getting out in the Desperately needed housing for veterans in every section front for increases, they always of the country is being pushed by AFL construction unions. wait for the SIU to go to bat. Posting one of the first "Held For 'Veterans" signs are Wilson W. Well, the SIU will always go to Wyatt, Natl. Housing Expediter (right) and C. F. Preller, of the bat for better wages and condi-Washington. D. C« AFL Building Trades Council. This new tions, and if seamen from other sign will be placed on all residential construction throughout unions benefit by our actions, so the country under the veterans emergency housing program. much the better. Advances Under SiU-AFL Leaves NMU Holding Bag �sStS TSE SEAFARERS LOG Four HERE$ MfH; ITHIirK iir im QUESTION'.—How were you, as an Ameri­ can Merchant Seaman, treated in f^uropean countries lately? ALFRED LOHR, Wiper: Since V-J Day I've been in Africa and Germany, and I can't complain too much. The people •expect a handout from Americans. If it wastn'i for that expectation, we would not have been treated well at all. Of course that doesn't hold true of all Europeans. Some of the people I met were deeply appreciative of the job done by Americans in liberating them from Fascist control. Others realized that it is American sea­ men who are delivering the bulk of the UNRRA aid to Europe loday. FLOYD HILLIER. Chief Cook: The frealmenf we are getting varies with the country we are in. In the British Isles, it seems to be about the same as always. They like us. and as long as we mind our business, they leave us alone. Italy, on the other hand, is always a sore spot. If a guy is going to have trouble, you can bet your last dollar that he will have it in Italy. Personally I have not had any trouble at all. During the war. we were treated well wherever we went, but the best treatment of all was in Sicily. JAMES H. E. WEST. Chief Cook: I was in Genoa. Italy, last month. The people were very generous, and treated all of us very well. The tension seems to haVe passed, and the people are easier to get along with. The last time I was there I remember that they all had the idea of get­ ting as much as they could from us. Now it appers that they no longer want to fleece us. and that makes for better relations all around. Those people really have suffered, and it may take them a little while to adjust to peace­ time ways. LOUIS PESCATORE. OS: I can't complain about any of the treatment I've received, re­ cently or otherwise. I always manage to have a good time dur­ ing Liberty, but the prices are exorbitant, and there is a scarcity of almost everything you can mention. The people of these countries are friendly, and they look upon us as their friends. If we spoil that by our actions, that is not their fault. You know, we are not angels, and we can't ex­ pect to throw our weight around when we get gassed up without somebody resenting it. Friday, August 23, 1946 Lakes Strike By NMU Timely For Shipowners AFL Puts Government On Spot On ILO Voice In a blistering statement, which characterized the change in policy to be "contrary to facts and merely for the purposes of By HENRY CHAPPELL appeasement," the AFL Execu­ NMU of the Union, who in this instance tive Council put the administra­ ASHTABULA — The strike called for on the Great are abusing the powers of union­ tion on notice that it will refuse Lakes must have been considered ism in an attempt to grab con­ to share representation on the and ordered by a bunch of farm­ trol of all shipping on the Great International Labor Organiza­ ers and fishermen who know Lakes, disregarding the legal and tion with the CIO. nothing about Great Lakes ship­ moral rights of all others. In the past this representation Secondly, consider the plight ping. has gone exclusively to the AFL The pi'oper time to call a strike of poor John Sailor who has but but at the pre,sent time. Secre­ on the Lakes, as apyone who has a short time left to accumulate tary of Labor Schwellenbach has ever sailed up here .would know, enough riaoney to tide him over proposed alternating the Ameri­ is in the spring after the com­ the period of waiting until he can can workers' delegate to the ILO panies have gone to the expense find other work ashore, or till between the AFL and the CIO. of fitting their ships out—not to spring when the lakes reopen. The AFL Council insi.p.ted that The shipowner has aheady wail until Ihu uie ducks arc crowded with ore down on Lake made his stake for this year, and if the CIO is given a voice it Erie ports and the coal docks are will not worry about a couple of would be a violation of the con­ full of coal on upper Lake docks. months left for sailing. So have stitution of the ILO which speci­ In the first place, the NMU has the officials who are calling this fies that the workers' delegate of no jurisdiction over the boats strike, NOTICE—I don't say the each nation shall be chosen from ' that will be involved in this members who are calling this the "most representative labor strike. The members of the crews strike. They (the members) are organization" in such country. "We officially call upon outwere not consulted, nor asked to the ones who will be made to vote on this issue. In any demo­ suffer for the bungling of these government to discharge its ob­ ligation to the ILO by adhering cratic union, the voice - of the officials. The NMU is going to great to the charter provisions through membership dictates the policies of the Union and not the whims expense in a last wild bid to gain the designation of an AFL rep­ and fancies of a few high officials control of shipping on the Great resentative as the workers' dele­ Lakes. Strikes cost money, and gate at the coming conference of the Union must finance them. No the ILO, to be held in Montreal wonder Joe Cm-ran complains his on September 19, 1946," the state­ treasury has been robbed, when ment concluded. he let a few farmers kid him that AFL President William Green August is the right time to pull maintained that there is no ques­ a strike up here on the Lakes, tion but that the AFL is the and spend the NMU members most representative labor organi­ (Continued from Page 1) money in a silly attempt to gain zation in the country, with over control of the Great T.akes. 7,000,009 members. valid. However, he reduced the period of suspension of pa­ pers from six months to three months. His reasons for so doing were because the men had no previous records, and had sailed the nation's ships valiantly dur­ ing the war. When the decision was an­ nounced, Joe Volpian, SIU Spe­ cial Services representative, had this to say. "The fact that the Sailing the Seven Seas con­ CG reduced the sentences of tinuously for 38 years might be­ these men is sufficient indica­ come boring for some men, but tion to all fair-minded people for Richard Ricketts, Senior, it that they had no real grounds for conviction in the first place. The has all been fascinating, and he thought occurs that probably could stand 38 more years of the hundreds of seamen were framed same without complaining. Since on just such flimsy evidence, and 1908 when he first shipped out as severe sentences were also im­ a Cook on, the SS Casey, Ricketts posed on them." The fight to completely vindi­ has been earning his living as a cate the men has not abated. Al­ merchant seaman year in and ready Ben Sterling, attorney for year out. Of course, as he puts it, many the men, has filed an appeal with CG Headquarters in Washington.' years the living "was mighty "I don't look for too much good slim," but he stuck it out and to come from this," he said, "but now things are better for the sea­ it brings us one step closer to be­ men all around. He is still not ing able to take this' case inta a satisfied, however, and he militcivil court where we stand a bet­ antly backs up the Union's stand "When my boy decided to go ter chance of getting real justice. for even higher wages and bet­ to sea," says Brother Ricketts, It doesn't surprise us one bit that ter working conditions. "I sure was a proud man. He has Before Mr. Ricketts became a been sailing since 1935, and I'm one section of the same military agency goes out of its way to seaman, he was a cook and baker glad that he came through the ashore, qpd at one time he owned war okay." back up another section." his own bakery. When things got The struggles that the Union BROTHERS HELP tough there was only one thing has had in its efforts to win Meanwhile, the eight victims to do, and so he shipped out. He of brass hat injustice have not has never been sorry for that good wages and decent conditions for seamen, has found Ricketts been forgotten by their Union decision. a willing participant — on the Brothers. The sum of $49.50 was During World War I, although picketline or wherever his serv­ collected by the crew of the SS he saw plenty of action, he was ices jyere most needed. He holds Powellton Seam, to be divided one of those fortunate few who Gulf Book 149, and has been an among the "Helen men who suf­ did not ?ake a dunking as a re­ SIU member since March, 1939. fered the action of the CG kan­ sult of enemy action. Not so in "You sort of get used to the garoo court." World War II, however. In this fight aginst the shipowners," he The men of the Powellton latest blood-letting he was on relates. "Sure, I would rather not Seam also went on record as be­ ships which were torpedoed, and have to fight them all the time, ing opposed to the "finking ac­ once drifted for hours in the Bay but what we win is ours. If they tion by the CG" and pointed out of Murmansk before being picked gave us anything without a that merchant seamen are losing up by another boat in the convoy. struggle, then they could takeyit Brother Ricketts is a solid, well their individual freedom under back any time they felt like it." the dictatorial lash of the Coast built man who does not look the Brother Ricketts is a proud Guard. The shipboard meeting 52 years of age to which he ad­ also passed a resolution that the mits. He has found the time to man. Proud of his Union, proud merchant marine should once be married and raise a family. of his family, and proud of the more be returned to the super­ His son, of whom he is very job he and his fellow Union vision of the Department of proud, is also a merchant seaman, members have done for merchant sailing as Chief Cook at this time. seamen everywhere. ', r Commerce. APPEAL OF HELEN MEN IS DENIED DY CG DISTRICT HEAD Richard Ricketts �WSA Food Waste During Shortage Well documented instances of .War Shipping Administration wasting of food have been sub­ mitted to Rep. Patrick H. Brew­ ery, chairman of the House Sub­ committee on Naval Affairs, by James R. Porter, SIU Steward on the SS Daniel Hager. Porter has asked Congressman Brewery, a personal friend, to launch an investigation of the WSA's Purchasing Department, which most Stewards agree is shot through with mismanage­ ment. SIU officials commenting on Porter's action agreed that it was time something was done. Now, especially, they hold, when food is short throughout the world, there should be no blind waste. Porter's letter follows: SS Daniel Hager Pensacola, Fla. Hon. Patrick H. Brewery Chirman, Sub Committee on Naval Affairs House Office Bldg., Washington, D. C. Dear Pat: As yet I haven't bothei-ed you with marine affairs regarding the different companies which op­ erate government ships, but in this case 1 fully believe some­ thing should be done. Very recently, a man, if I may call him a man, came over from the New Orleans office to represent the company. He left 1500 pounds of flour that con­ tained weavels, and should have been remilled and given to the poor, if not sold. Also 540 dozen eggs were left which would be­ come unfit for human consump­ tion becau.se they were slightly molded and will not last the sea voyage. These, too, could have been given to some needy cause. All this will happen because of the unfitness of the man for the position he holds. Page Fiv THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. August 23, 1346 Got A Problem, Bud? The life of the present day seaman is difficult and often very complicated. He is at the mercy of unscrupulous com­ panies, government agencies, brass hats and human sharks of various descriptions, everyone trying to take advantage of him. If he happens to know some of his rights, he is sneeringly re­ ferred to as a Sea Lawyer. If he doesn't know how to protect himself, he usually gets the business. In order to protect his rights he must be a combination of Admiral, doctor, lawyer, su­ perman and King Solomon. As none of us can possess all of these attributes, it becomes necessary for the Union to assume the function of helping its membership with their problems. A SPECIAL SERVICE di­ vision of the Union has been established to consult with you on all problems involving the Coast Guard, Shipping Commission­ ers, Unemployment Insurance, personal injury claims, your statutory rights when you become ill aboard ship. Immigration Laws, and your dear, beloved Draft Board. If you happen to be in New York, contact us personally, or if you are out of town, write and you will receive a prompt reply. Address all mail to SPECIAL SERVICES. 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. Your Union is your shoreside contact. USE IT'S FACILITIES. Rich Get Richer—You Pay The carry - back tax - relief racket has brought extra millions to the profit-swollen corporations and the wartime flim-flammers of the il. S. Treasury. Last wedk 3en. Glen Taylor (D., Idaho) ask­ ed President Truman to back legislation that would carry back tax credit to persons whose in­ come falls below the level neces­ sary for health and a decent standard of living. The only question about this legislation is whether its chances of being passed by Congress are greater than its prospects of being ap­ proved by the Natl. Association of Manufacturers, the Chamber of Commerce, U. S. Steel, and General Motors. X X If you don't think times are tough, consider the sad case last week of Tom Girdler, chairman of Republic Steel. - Girdler loves unions like most people love a bullet hole through the head. A Cleveland court ordered Girdler to return an unlawful $51,000 sal­ ary bonus. That was a dirty trick, especially when it was made so clear to the judge that the bonus was in addition to Girdler's $175,000-a-year minimum pay. Profits Still Come First, As Always, To Shipowners By E. S. HIGDON When you see a merchant sea­ job through and every man man in your tov/n, there are per­ I knows that the vital materials haps times when you have won­ 1 which they delivered had much dered just what his thoughts are 1 to do with the winning of the —just as you would a soldier, war. sailor or marine. ! Is it fair then, that just to save I can assure you that he is a money on crews' salaries that thinking man, who is familiar these shipping companies should with not only the form of gov­ be allowed to transfer their ships ernment of which he is a part, to another government after all but also the government of other these men have done to fulfill nations where his job has taken those .shipping companies con­ him. He is not "in the dark" as tracts? I do not believe there is one American, or one of any somo people may think other nation on earth who can He knows many of the "inside" say it is fair, not even the owners deals which have lent corruption of these shipping companies. and dissention among the men WHY NOT NOW? who "deliver the goods." For ex­ ample: There are some shipping The ships that are in operation companies, (names withheld), now are three times faster than who have transferred their ships those before them. They also to operate under a foreign flag, hold two to three times the load so that these steamship com­ the ships before them did—so if panies can hire crews from these American ingenuity was able to foreign countries, and in doing produce such an excellent ship, so obtain not only inferior crews, and if Americans were able to but to enable them to pay sal­ sail them throughout the war, aries of less than half of what now that peace is here and the it would cost to operate the ships seas are safe from torpedoes and with an all American crew. air attacks, why can't that same American seaman enjoy the DIRTY DEAL pleasures he has so rightfully Our American merchant sea­ earned? That is, to run these men know this and feel that they same ships which have been turn­ have been given a dirty deal. ed over to crews of other nations. They are the ones who went into It is my feeling in this mat­ the war zones, where they were ter that Congress should call up not equipped for battle as our on the carpet these shipping com­ navy ships were. panies, who have showm so little Although this was known to respect and thanks to the men them, as good Americans they who sailed their ships during the stuck to their posts, to see the war period, and impose upon them a federal tax which would be gauged by the amount of sal­ ary they are paying these for­ eign crews and the rightful sal-^ aries which should., be paid to American crews, with the differ­ ence to go into the LTnited States Treasury. I would like for you to make an issue of this. I will readily ap­ pear before any committee you have. I will really give them something to think about. What are these ship operators doing? Is it a cost-plus problem? The more money they spend, the more they make? I am sending copies to Drew Pearson and Senator Byrd. I really want to do something about this. It is about time there was an investigation in regards to the unnecessary expenditures on the part of the WSA. Can you imagine giving me 1000 pounds of pork loin for a 90-day trip? Frankly, it's a damn shame the way the WSA is wasting the tax­ payer's money. Now, Pat, neither the Captain, Chief Engineer, nor 1 are going to sign papers slating that we have destroyed unfit food at sea, as was suggested by Mr. E. Jones. I have these eggs and flour on board and I am not going to throw them over. Very respectfully, James R. Porter ATTENTION! If yea don't find linen when you go aboard your ship, notify tho Hali at once. A telegram from Le Havre or Singapore won't do you any good. It's your bed and you have to lie in it. PHILADELPHIA INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS NEW ORLEANS SS ISAAC M. SINGER Crew of Tristram Dalton—$27.00. H. G. Dagostina, $1.00; Alex A Masztak. $1.00; M. Zastowney, $2.00; S. Foss, $5.00; Nicholas Lucko, $1.00; A. Kitchas, $1.00; A. Harrison. $3.00; D Bostic. $2.00; P. Paulin. $1.00; S Weeks, $1.00; J. Senchey. $2.00. Crew of Robin Locksly—$13.00. L. F. Hern. $1.00; Richard M. Katz $1.00; G. G. Wall, $1.00; Jos. Williams, $4.50. T. Y. Pages, $1.00. SS COYOTE HILLS P. G. Ledbetter. $1.00; G. D. Gonlez. $1.00; F. L. Boysen, $2.00., SS C. AUSTIN J. A. Fl. Gendron. $4.00; W. C. Ryan. $1.00; N. W. Meador. $1.00; R. Donoghue. $2.00; C. Nottage, $1.00: W. B. Lane, $2.00; W. J. French. $2.00; S. Sczylvian, $1.00; J. H. Proctor, $2.00. Johnny Grimes. $1.00; Tambling. $2.00; Dubersson. $1.00; Blanchard, $1.00; Strickland, $1.00; Hatch, $1.00; Bishop, $1.00; Pederson, $1.00; Ladner, $1.00; Wilson, $1.00; Sheets. $2.00; Henderson. $1.00; Lawson, $2.00; Per­ kins, $2.00; Bob Henderson, $1.00; SS HASSLER Vaughn. $1.00; Lacy, $1.00; Hickox, •A. Thomas. $1.00; P. R. Davis. $1.00; $1.00; Moriarty, $2.00; Wilson, $1.00: R. Rainville, $1.00; John Bilko, $1.00; Rankin, $1.00; Williams, $1.00; Dow­ George A. Foos, $1.00; T. Muscovage, ney, 50c; Spencer, 50c; Unknown, $1.50. $1.00; D. M. Rauasa, $1.00; R. Torres. GALVESTON $1.00; J. G. Paszkiet. $1.00; C. W. NEW YORK INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS Maynani, $1.00; L. R. Edwards, $1.00: SS BENTS FORT Crew of SS Wallowa—$29.00. W. Bradford. $1.00; E. L. Holman. Jr. F. Schutz, $1.00; D. Wells, $1.00; John J. Doyle, $1.00; Lee R. Fra- R. M. Douglas, $1.00; A. M. Halvorsen. A. Cruz. $1.00; G. A. Pavlica. $1.00; zier, $2.00; A. A. Thomas, $1.00; Wil­ $1.00; Orzaio Farrara. $1.00; M. MaN. A. Halms, Jr. $1.00; G. Sneider, liam McDonald, $2,00: Edward V. Sin- boney, $|.00; M. Carson, $3,00, $1.00; V. A. Lbveiand, $1.00; A. Tor­ ecki, $2.00; Benso Scalabrini, $2.00; SS ROBIN TUXFORD res, $1.00; C, E. Black, $3.00. John P. Winn, $2.00. Crew of SS Rubin Tuxfoid—$13.40 PORT ARTHUR INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS SS Sea Triton—$10.00. S. Hamm, $2.00; D. Winery. $5.00; T. Freeland, $5.00; J. Shockley, $2.00; G. Taylor, $1.00; D. Beck, $2.00; J. Camp, $2.00; J. Thomas, $1.00; J. Brodrick, $1.00; L. Norton, $2.00; R. Deirossi, $1.00; T. M. Hosbaugh, $1.00; W. C. Stewart, $1.00; C. M. Moore, $1.00; C. E. Martin, $1.00; S. E. Helms, $2.00; W. B. Tobiasson, $1.00; E. T. Culbreth. $5.00; L. O, Cleatnn, $4,00; R. E. Halliday, $1.00; S. Andrews, $1.00; J. Richards, $1.00; E. Czyzewicz, $2.00; W. G. Davis, $1.00. M. D. Green. $5.00; L. B. Grant. $3.00: J. W. Canard, $3.00: C. W. White, $2.00; C. L. White, $2.00; J. R. Massingill, $3.00; J. S. Seely, $3.00; R. Hestes, $2.00; R. H. Mifflin, $5.00; S. Guiffrin, $4.00; R. R. Lee. $5.00; R. Docherty, $3.00; L. Anderson. $2.00; Russell, $2.00; G. H. Hinnont, $5.00; G. D. Olive, $10.00; C. C. Blair, $2.00; J. C. Russell, $1.00. SS E. LOGAN Charles Dwyer, $2.00; John Gillet, $2.00; J. Jellette. $2.00; T. Sullivan, $2.00; S. Hoyt, Jr., $2.00; Paul Gullo, $2.00; J. N. Riouf, $2.00; B. Torbick, $1.00; N. Reznichenro, $2.00; A. F. Carey, $1.00; E. E. Cabral, $2.00; J. Watkins, $2.00; S. Malachowski, $2.00; A. Kokowski, $1.00. SS VERENDRY Frank Russel, $3.00; Mont Ffc)lt, $3.00; Thomas P. Clark. $4.00; F. L. Barclay, $5.00; E. A. Orozco, $5.00; W. B. Gates, $5.00; M. Farley, $5.00; J. E. Cooksey. $5,00; G. K. Cregg, $1.00; O. O. Vaughan, $2.00; L. S. Jenkins, $2.00; O. S. Shaffer, $5.00: Roy S. Gentry. $5.00; Nandalall Singh, $10.00; M. H. Schaafsmd, $5.00; Alford Java, $2.00; C. B. Langley, $2.00; L. A. Drewery, $2.00; C. H. Thompson, $2.00. SS COASTAL ARCHER A. H. Blrt, $1.00; C. A. Hau, Jr., $2.00; Williams Utley, $1.00; C. Polish, $2.00; A. J. Healey, $2.00. LET 'EM PAY I believe that if this were im­ posed they would want their crack American crews back. However, if they feel they can operate with these inferior crews, have them pay taxes to our gov­ ernment, and let our government benefit by it rather than these shipping companies, who appar­ ently are thinking only of them­ selves and not of the men''who'— braveii death to take the load through. Laws, But No Homes Congress passed 600 new laws before it ran away home last month. The COO did not include, the Wagner-Ellender-Taft hous­ ing bill which would have pro­ vided homes for millions of vet­ erans and other hunting shelter. Construction of race tracks, night SS JANEWAY clubs and country estates con­ B. Roosberg. $1.00; M. Hartley. $1.00; tinues, and if homeless vets want E. Masterson, $1.00; George Davis. the reason why Congress didn't $l-.00; William A. Craven. $1.00; P. Dubendorf, $1.00; R. M. Tronio, $1.00; pass the housing program it's Donald S. Smith, $3.00; S. Mancino, very simple. Congress listened $2.00; R. N. Kelley. $2,00; O. Sepet. to the real estate lobby's Natl. $1.00; D. L. Hutchins, $2.00; F. J. McAssociation of Real Estate Boards, Mahon, $1.00; V. Mivnek, $2.00; N. Okry, $2.00; E. De Mello. $2.00; R. O. which turned the heat on by Kuntz, $1.00; E. R. Brown, $2.00; N. S. warning Congressmen in a let­ Ward, $2.00; G. F. 1 lazcn, $1.00; F. ter that "Very few of the 2,000,Guinpaya, $2.00; H. F. Munker, $3.00; 000 favored persons chosen to live G. R. Landis, $2.00; R. D. Hawkins, therein would vote against a par­ Jr., $2.00. ty that gives them a roof at half INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS price. Two million vest-pocket P. F. Erck. $3,(10; J. F. Rogers, $1.00; votes are enough to destroy theR. Baluner, $3.00; Albert II. Cramer. $5.00, H. J. Adamski, $1.00; Emanuel party system in our country." Lord, $4.00; V. A. Elliott, $1.00; Vin- The vets living in sheds, trailer vent A. Karnuth, $1.00; M. F. Blevins, camps and slums will want $1.00; Romualdo Garcia, $5.00; J. Stew­ to know how they're destroying, art, $2.00; F. O. Sullins, $2.00; V. C. the party system by asking for Porter, $2.00; W. C. Perrin, $1.00; Andro Bigos, $1.00; R. D. Tompkins, $1.00 ,a decent place to live �THE SEAFARERS LOG Six Friday. Augur? 23. 1946 National AFL Maritime Council Hailed As Long Step Forward By JOE ALGINA Great Lakes Sec'y-Treas Reports By FRED J. FARNEN 1^ NO NEWS?? An agreement has been reach- of the ships they have under con­ Silence this week from the ed with the Kelley Island Lime tract. We will not tolerate any picket­ Branch Agents of the follow­ and Transport Company, Erie Sand and Gravel Company, and ing by them of ships under con­ ing ports: W. L. Emery Company, on wage tract to the Seafarers Interna­ HOUSTON adjustments on the same basis as tional Union of the Great Lakes. CHARLESTON We have signed agreements with Detroit and Cleveland Naviga­ MOBILE all of the companies with whom tion Company. This covers all TAMPA we have contracts, and will not of the agreements that were PORT ARTHUR participate in this strike in any signed this spring at the lower GALVESTON way. wage rate. PHILADELPHIA So far there has been no date The wage adjustments on this CORPUS CHRISTI company's passenger Vessels set by the NLRB for an election were included in the pay roll on the ships of the Midland SS ending July 1st. The retroactive Company. pay from June 1st to July 15th will be paid as soon as the com­ pany's bookkeeping department has it ready which should be within the "next two or three weeks. The Freight ship contract with By C. J. "BUCK" STEPHENS Detroit and Cleveland Naviga­ tion Company was signed on NEW ORLEANS—In line with bers who are skilled in the var­ August 1st and is exactly the the progressive policy of the Sea­ ious branches of marine work. same as the McCarthy Agree­ The Seafarers International farers International Union and ment. This shiib formerly was Union has always had the best owned by the Midland Steamship to maintain the superiority of contracts because it has long been Company and operated with services rendered the steamship recognized by the steamship three firemen. lines, the Atlantc and Gulf Dis­ companies that the best seamen Through negotiations, we were successful in placing six firemen trict Branch of the SlU has es­ are members of the SIU. aboard. Firemen also receive tablished a school here to teach SAFETY STRESSED overtime for passing coal and seamanship to those in need of Of prime importance in the shooting accumulated ashes. same. school is personal safety. Stu­ There were also several major During the war, because of the dents are here taught that the improvements in the crew's manpower shortage, it was neces­ first rule of the sea is the health -^quarters. "We are now negotiating sary to ship inexperienced men in and safety of all aboard ship, and on the Shipkeepers contract and numbers out of proportion to the necessity of protecting the should reach an agreement this ship and equipment and main­ week. taining the same in a workman­ COMMENTS like manner at all times. At this time 1 would like to Emphasis is also placed on the bring to the attention of the recognition of objects at sea, the membership the true facts of the danger signals, blinker systems, NMU threatened strike on the emergency repairs and abandon­ Great Lakes, which is set for ing ship. August 15th. Attendance at dhe school is Joe Curran, president of the compulsory for all men going to NMU, has himself in a spot. After sea who are not first class sea­ nine years in office he has just men. Those men in the school realized that he is taking orders now are enthusiastic and heave from the Communist party, whom to with a will that is inspiring to Ko-blamps for using the mem­ the instructors and all concerned. berships funds to further com­ We are very proud of the those skilled in the duties of munistic movements in this coun­ school and recommend that other seamen. This naturally worked try. unions which do not have a train­ This big publicity movement a hardship on the old timers who ing program take a leaf from us for the 40 hour week is nothing had to do most of the work be­ and get started now. but a front for the commies to cause of the ignorance of many gain control over all Great Lakes men who shipped. Also because some of the men used their lack Shipping. of training to get out of perform­ A short time ago while Cur­ ing some of the intricate or haz­ ran was in Cleveland, Ohio, blast­ ardous tasks in connection with ing the Seafarers International the work at sea. Union in the local newspapers for Since ihe beginning of the The school was started to fill not attending a meeting called by intensive organizing drive in this pressing need by Steely him for Maritime Unity, Harry the South, between 80,000 and Bridges notorious Communist White, SlU New Orleans agent 85,000 Southern workers have and is conducted by SlU mem­ leader for the CIO West Coast joined American Federation of Longshoremen was showing his Labor unions, George L. Googe true union spirit by refusing to announced to a board session work an SUP ship in Coos Bay meeting recently in Birming­ until an NMU crew replaced the ham, Alabama. SUP crew which had a contract Brother Googe, who is chair­ on this ship. man of the 42-member South­ It is the duty of all members ern Campaign Policy Board of of the Seafarers International the AFL, declared at the meet­ Union to combat any move of the ing: NMU communist leadership in "The approximately 85,000 order that we survive to enjoy members who have been taken the benefits of true unionism that into membership In established such men as Andrew Fureseth unions throughout the South made his life work to bring to might well be equivalent to what we are today. more than 400 new unions if we PICKETLINES INVIOLATE used the same yardstick as the The only position that we will political action groups within take if the NMU strike occurs the labor structure." this month is to respect their rank and file picket lines on any Progressiveness Of SlU Proved Anew By N.O. Seamanship School 85,000 Join AFL Ranks In South lb This week in Chicago, for the first time in the history of the Seafarers International Union, several different AFL unions con­ nected with the maritime indus­ try were in .session for the fir.st general meeting of the AFL Mar­ itime Council. This council had one purpose— to foster the welfare of their members. Out of this committee came ideas and plans for the bettermen of the membership and insurance of complete solidarity among the AFL maritime work­ ers. Also out of Chicago came pro­ grams to further maritime work­ ers in their economic struggle aginst the bosses and for driving the Coast Guard from our midst back to its designated duty of guarding the coast. pare with those of the SlU. If the commies only put one-tenth of their effort into helping the member.ship instead of ringing doorbells for the CP candidates they would have better contracts, but as everyone knows the al­ mighty party comes first. They are just an insult to organized BIG CHANGE How much different this meet­ ing was from the CMU is clear­ ly shown above. The commies would quickly gather everyone up and strangle them with com­ mie ideas and doctrines. How those boys scream about SlU goons (who have beaten them at every turn) and the good they do for their membership, but they never can show working conditions or contracts that com­ labor and should be driven from the waterfront back to the holes from which they came. Business and shipping in the port of New York has picked up this week. A number of tankers are due to payoff here by the end of the week, so things should continue to be good. Once more I'd like to remind you if you do not find linen aboard the ship notify your hall immediately. San Juan Looks Forward Eagerly To Bigger And Better Shipping By BUD RAY Things have begun to appear on the upgrade in the last week with two Waterman and two Bull Line ships in. The Hati "Victory and the Columbia Victory for Waterman, the James Miller for Bull heading for Cuba to load and the Cape Mohican which went to the Dominican Republic to fin­ ish discharging and to load. Shipping should pick up as we are expecting at least eight Bull Line ships to run here steady throughout the year and Water­ man has one in each week of the Victory type. Later we will have the tramps during the sugar sea­ son. A week or so ago, a young lad got pretty badly cut up down here. They took 71 stitches to get him back in shape. After the sewing was finished it reminded me of the patchwork quilts my mother used to make. They used all the various stitches she used ABOUT •"N^RO /hY GfOP Tb -THBB' ? Oft, I'/fl Jwsr WltP ABOOT in her work, such as the herring­ bone, rose knots, cross stitches and all the rest. It was a pretty job all in all. NMUers SEE. LIGHT Well the ancient Romans had their Nero who fiddled while Rome burned, but we the people have the counterpart in Truman who plays the piano while the bureaucrats and politicians sack the nation and try to roll back the working man's conditions to the early '80's. Every day since the new wage scale went into effect there have been NMU men in by the score trying to get into the Union that represents the members as the members wish to be represented. They see where they have been robbed of thousands of dollars in the last few years by the men who insist on following the party line. Well they couldn't stay blind forever. The little giant of the Gulf, Sonny Wall, was in as the Chief Cook on the Davidson Victory, and 1 must say that if size was how one rated a good cook, and the standards were set by the work that Sonny turns out, then some of these large fellows would' be the cooks that Shuler and Michelet think they are. Sonny is also understanding and shows the new men how to do their work in an efficient and shiplike manner. T am proud to .say that I am one of the many who have had the pleasure to know this A-1 mechanic, a staunch Union man and a perfect shipmate. My best regards and good luck to you, Sonny. May you at all times have a calm sea in your journey through life. • Men like you make going to sea a real pleasure. It won't be many more weeks until all the Carioca Boys will be with me again, as the White Old Man from up north will soon be with the northmen again. Where are the following warm weather boys? Martin Haggerty, Whitey Phillips, Tex Sorensen and Soapy Campbell? I just want to tell them that Tommy Murray is in and getting all the girls lined up for the soft touches. You know, the Congo Queen and' her entourage. Hasta la vista en la Isla Enchantment. - < �THE SEAF ARERS LOG Friday, Augixst 23, 1946 Page SieveB^ Ho Matter What CG Say^They Just Gan'l Things Right By ARTHUR THOMPSON I SAVANNAH—Some time ago I wrote to Senator Richard Rus­ sell of Georgia about the con­ ditions in Marine Hospitals. I re­ ceived a reply to the effect that the matter would be taken up with the proper authorities. I just received another letter from him saying he had taken up the matter with the Coast Guard. They in turn referred the matter to the U. S. Public Health Serv­ ice. One of the interesting things in this game of passing the buck is the letter sent by the Coast Guard to the Senator. The fol­ lowing letter is a copy of the one received. Aug. 2nd, 1946 Hon. Richard B. Russell Unite States Senate Washi.,,-,ton, D. C. Dear Senator Russell: I have your letter of ''uly 26, 1946 transmitting a letter from the Seafarers International Union concerning treatment al­ legedly accorded merchant sea- V^/oTSA/^TfA?/ IS ^ALteP 0?J men at various Marine Hospi­ tals throughout the country. With respect to the implied criticism of the Coast Guard concerning any alleged delay in the issuance of duplicate docu­ ments you are advised that under ordinary conditions no more than a week elapses from the time an application is filed until the seaman r|^eives his duplicate documents. Further­ more, should a seaman indicate urgent need for a record of his sea service in order to gain ad­ mittance to a Marine Hospital such request would be honored by the immediate issuance of a duplicate record of his service. Since the principal griev­ ances expressed in the article from the Seafarers Log are not matters within the cognizance of the Coast Guard, your letter (with inclosure) is being trans­ mitted to the U. S. Public Health Service for whatever course of action by that office is warranted. Very truly yours, Merlin O'Neill Rear Admiral, U. S. C. G. Acting Commandant One of the things I got a kick out of was the statement that "under ordinary conditions no more than a week elapses from the time an application is filed until the seaman receives his dup­ licate documents." Back in Aug­ ust of 1933 I was on the SS Jean of the Bull Line. I paid off in April of 1934. I got no discharge. I didn't particularly want the di.scharge anyway, but in 1944 when I was going through my old discharges T thought T might as well get a duplicate record just to fill up the gap. I got a letter from the Bull Line slating that I had been employed on the, Jean for that period. I took the letter over to the Coast Guard on Broadway and asked for a dupli­ cate record. They took the letter and said a duplicate would be sent to me in a week or so. It was nearly three weeks later when I re­ ceived the duplicate, but instead of being dated Augu.st 1933 to April 1934, it was dated June 1, 1934 to June 26, 1934. I was not surprise at their inefficiency, but what got my goat was the fact that they never even sent my letter back. It's a good thing I didn't need the discharge to get into a hospital. Union Brothers Killed In Flames By JIMMY HANNERS JACKSONVILLE — This week we have been busy paying off the crew of the ill-fated SS Homestead. The Homestead, as you may remember, was the tgnker that was struck by light­ ning and burned here in the har­ bor two weeks ago. At that time the Homestead had just arrived here from Sa­ vannah and was unloading at the Standard Oil Co. docks, when lightning struck, setting the dock and ship afire. In the earlier story, two crewmembers were reported missing. We have received official notice that the bodies of the missing men have been recoverd. The dead are Charles Duckworth and Jack Bowman. Brother Duck­ worth is survived by his wife Dorothy and an 11-year-old son. He was a resident of Jacksonville and a good union man. We haven't any information at hand as to Brother Bowman's next of kin. Here is a shot le*t over from the spread we ran on the remember what we said then, so we will have to be content ture, Left to right: Johnny Williams. Dispatcher; Gordon Patrolman; Mrs. Allison, Stenographer; D. L. Parker, Agent; Luther V^ead, Tugboat Organizer. Galveston Hall last week. We don't with just identifying those in the pic­ Ellis, SUP Agent; Ray Sweeney, SIU Bennie Barrena, SUP Patrolman; and Coast Guard Sticks Nose In Again—SIU Smells Something Rotten About The Whole Situation By J. E. SWEENEY BOSTON — We had another Coast Guard trial here the other day. They are coming along more frequently now than the street cars on the main drag. This case was a personal knock down, drag out affair between the Bosun and the Chief Mate aboard a Robin Line ship. That was the main event any way. The Bosun had other charges against him such as taking time off etc., to which he pleaded guilty. However to the charge of beating up the Chief Mate he pleaded innocent. The story leading up to it all goes something like this: the Mate came aboard well lit about 2 a. m. and swayed into the Bosun's quarters. A few minutes later the Bosun came in rolling a little himself. No one knows ex­ actly what the conversation was, but it concerned a 'log' against the Bosun. The Mate told the Bosun the charge was going to stick and started telling him off. The result was a battle in which the Mate got two beautiful shin­ ers. The fight was broken up by the crew, but flared up again later at the didnking fountain. Well, come the dawn and the Mate tries to look at himself in the mirror, but he can't pry open his peepei's. So a trial is ordered but quick. NO FAIR TRIAL At the trial the testimony was in favor of the Bosun, as no ship's officers saw the brawl. The crew WITH THE SIU IN CANADA By HUGH MURPHY The Minister of Transport has announced that the deadline date for application for the Special Bonus to Merchant Seamen has been extended from December 31st, 1945 to August 31st, 1946. It is essential that all seamen elig­ ible for this Bonus should make application without delay. Your claims should be mailed in, be­ fore the 31st of August, and ad­ dressed to Captain W L.. C. Johnson, Director of Merchant Seamen, Department of Trans­ port, 95' Rideau Street, Ottawa. these profit hungry money ba­ rons! The officials of the seamen's unions in Britain and other Eu­ ropean countries are not interest­ ed in obtaining a decent stand­ ard of living for the seamen of their respective countries. They demonstrated this fact at the re­ cent ILO Conference held at Seattle, June 6th to 29th, 1946. The rank and file seamen throughout the world must them­ selves demand conditions com­ parable to the highest in the in­ dustry, which is the level main­ tained by the seamen of the SIU- MARITIME SUPREMACY The position held by the Am­ erican Merchant Marine at the present time is in the lead of all Maritime "Nations. This position is threatened by the poor stand­ ards of living, and low wage rates in existence on vessels of British and other Maritime Na­ tions. The Shipowners, always considering wage scales as a key item in operation 'costs will naturally make every effort to break down the conditions of the U.S. Seamen which are, and have always been, the highest in the world. Will the seamen of other coun­ tries, stand idly by, while the concerted effort of all shipowners is directed against "the U.S. sea­ man's conditions, and -then in turn, themselves be victims of SUP. Indications are that the seamen of Great Britain, Fiji and the British West Indies will not tolerate very much longer,. the present miserable \Vage, over­ time, working and living condi­ tions, and have expressed .their dissatisfaction of the apathetic attitude of the officials of their present organizations. They ace convinced that they must join the SIU, which is the exemplifi­ cation of what they believe a real honest to God seamen's Union should be. Various groups of these sea­ men have made representation.s at different times to the Vancou­ ver Branch of the SIU for assist­ ance in rectifying objectionable conditions on the job and have stated their determination to es­ tablish an organization in their respective countries which they hope to affiliate with the SIU. They are solid in this determin­ ation. and are aware of it's nec­ essity, in order to evade the planned attack which is forth­ coming from the shipowners to reduce them to the level of slav­ ery. The SIU will expand and really be what the name implies "International."These seamen ad­ mire the SIU for its progressiveness and will establish for them­ selves an organization worthly of affiliation. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE Since Unemployment Insur­ ance was put into effect by the government several years ago, the SIU has been continually making representations to them for the broadening of the "Act" to include seamen, and have just been successful in having them covered. Starting August 1st, 1946, all Seamen on the beach must regis­ ter at the N.S.S. (Section 10) Hamilton and Pender Streets. members who testified gave their honest viewpoints, but the CG prosecutor (or persecutor) said he didn't believe the testimonies and asked the Judge to stick the Bosun proper when he passes sentence. At this unfair and un­ justified remark the Bosun blew his top. He let loose with a string of words that curled the stripes on the CG boys sleeves, and made GoiLtv! GUILTY fGuinvf CASB / . C.G. n omelets of the scrambled eggs on their hats. Leaving them limp he left the room almost taking the door with him. Well, I succeeded in getting the Bosun some dough and put him on a train for Baltimore. As for the trial there is still no verdict. It's really too bad he didn't stay and see what sentence the Judge would have given. I know it is the prosecutor's job to prosecute. We're all familiar with this, just as much as he is, but when in summing up his case, he said he didn't believe the wit­ nesses, that was too much. Hear­ ing that left no doubt in my mind that Coast Guard Hearing Units must be done away with. From beginning to end there was no necessity for this trial. It was only a fight and in the Bosun's room at that. What was the Mate doing there anyway? Let the CG Gestapo prosecutor look into his own back yard for fights. I'm sure he could find plenty to keep him busj' there. Attention On ships lhat are laying up, the crew must collect trans­ portation pay at the time of the payoff, and not wait until they are miles away from the sign-off port. If re-'_>uested to stand-by they must do so up to a pe-' riod of ten days; otherwise they face possible loss of transportation pay. ' hi I �' ,'> •••\ ? :V?S THE SEAFARERS LOG PHday, August 23, 1946 Here Is What Happened At AFL Meeting (Cotithmcd from Page, 1) . sistance which the participants hi: might need. After mentioning two resolu­ tions which were passed by the 1941 AFL Convention, and which provided for the establishing of an AFL Maritime Trades Dept. and Council similar to the Metal Trades and Building Trades, President Green left the meqting to preside at the Executive Coun­ cil session being held in another part of the building. m TEAMSTER TAKES CHAIR Upon Green's departure, the chair was assumed by acting Chairman Harry O'Reilly, Mid­ west AFL Director, who is from the Chicago Milk Wagon Drivers Local 753 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Bro­ ther O'Reilly has a long record of continuous service in the la­ bor movement, and has been connected in various capacities with AFL Unions for more than thirty years. Quite a record! Chairman O'Reilly proceeded with the meeting by appointing Brother John Clark of the Bro­ therhood of Firemen and Oilers as acting secretary, and then read the text of the two resolutions (Nos. 48 and 161) to which Presi­ dent Green had referred. It was explained that the implementing of the Council had been delayed by the start of World War II, and the consequent concentration of AFL energies in other directions. After SIU President Harry Lundeberg and SIU New York Port Agent Paul Hall both spoke on the necessity of securing an AFL charter for the Maritime Trades Council immediately and the need for holding a constitu­ tional convention as soon as pos­ sible, President Joseph Ryan of the Longshoremen told how the Longshoremen were already co­ operating with the Teamsters and with Port Maritime Trades Councils which had already been established. ALL URGE COUNCIL Captain May of the Masters, Mates, and Pilots strongly urged the need of setting up the MariMti^e Trades Council as soon as JdSfhl.e. Several other speakers, were in complete agreement with the sentiments which the pre­ vious speakers had expressed. On a motion by Harry Lunde­ berg, which was supported by Joe Ryan, it was unanimously decided that the assembled Unions would request the AFL Executive Council to immediate­ ly charter a Maritime Trades De­ partment. A committee compos­ ed of John Owens of the ILA, Harry Lundeberg of the SIU, C. F. May of the MM&P, William Allen of the CTU, and John Clark of the Firemen and Oilers was selected to draft the charter re­ quest. Following the request drafting, a committee consisting of Broth­ ers O'Reilly, Lundeberg, May, and Ryan proceeded to the AFL Executive Council meeting to present it. Meanwhile, the meet­ ing was recessed. COUNCIL GRANTS CHARTER The AFL Executive Council, after listening to the arguments advanced by Brother May, Ryan, and Lundeberg of the need for such a setup, unanimously ap­ proved the granting of a charter. When asked about the affilia-^ tion of the Teamsters with the' proposed Maritime Trades Coun­ Unions and hostile organiza­ cific. Atlantic, and the Gulf Districts. cil, President Dan Tobin of the tions such as the CIO and the 2. Each port within these International Brotherhood o f Communist Party, and for the districts shall set up immedi­ Teamsters agreed to submit the purpose of organizing all unor­ ately a local body to be known proposition of affiliation to the ganized workers in the indus­ as a Port Maritime Council. next convention of the Teamsters try into the structure of the Union. Further, President Tobin American Federation of Labor 3. Each International shall stated that the Teamsters would to the end that all workers in instruct its locals in the ports continue to cooperate and join the Maritime Transportation to affiliate with the Port Mari­ with the Maritime Unions on a Industry—in the ships, the time Councils for the purpose local area basis, and would re­ docks and shoreside workers— of assisting each other in local spect all picketlines and beefs will be organized under the problems. Such action taken authorized by the AFL Port Mar­ American Federation of Labor, and such help given shall in no itime Trades Councils. President hereby dedicate ourselves to way conflict with the policies Tobin, as a member of the AFL mutual aid. support and to di­ of the A F of L or of the Inter­ Executive Council, also voted in rect our action through the national Unions involved. favor of forming the no\Y Mari­ medium of the Maritime 4. Each Port Maritime CoiinTrades Deparlment of the time Trades Department. cil shall hold regular meetings Returning to the meeting, the A F of L. at dates mutually agreeable to committee communicated the re­ STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES all local Unions concerned. sults of their visit to the Execu­ Each local Union affiliated 1. There shall be no attempt tive Council to the assembled at domination of the Maritime shall appoint one or more dele­ Union representatives. Shortly gates. as agreed on, to attend afterwards the meeting was ad­ these meetings. journed until 10:00 A.M. Friday, \ Teamster Chairman 5. Each Port Maritime Coun­ August 16. cil while awaiting date of con­ Convening on August 16, Harry stitutional convention to do O'Reilly of the Teamsters, again whatever possible for the bet­ presided with Morris Weisberger terment of relations between acting as secretary. After a roll affiliated Unions in the Mari­ call and approval of the previous time Trades Council. day's minutes, a motion that the 6. Such recommendations as name of the organization be the are made by Port Maritime Maritime Trades Dept. of the Councils for fuller development AFL was unanimou.sly approved. of Maritime Trades Councils A suggested Statement of Prin­ shall be forwarded to the Presi­ ciples and Interim Working Rules dents of all affiliated Unions was introduced by Harry Lundfor reference at the First Con­ berg as drawn up by the Seafar­ stitutional Convention. ers delegation and taken up ser7. In the event a problem riatum by the Chairman. Num­ affecting more than one port erous revisions and changes were arises in the same district, the made, with the meeting being re­ executive officer of the district cessed at 12:30 P.M. until 2:30 Union shall be immediately no­ P.M. The re-convened meeting tified of the character of the then approved the statement and problem and the nature of help rules with changes and additions Brother Harry E. O'Reilly of requested, and give all possible as noted. Following is the text: the Teamsters Union, who was assistance. Chairman of the Maritime 8. In the event of a problem PREAMBLE Trades Council of the American national in scope, the executive We, as workers in fhe fransFederation of Labor at the officers of the Unions shall con­ portalion i n d u s try. realizing meeting held in Chicago, is also fer and give all possible assist­ the necessity of strong, united Midwest AFL organizational ance. action in our endeavor to raise director with headquarters in 9. No one Union shall fake our social and economic stand­ the Windy City. any such action as will involve ards to coordinate our efforts Coming from the Chicago other Unions without first ad­ in our struggle for our rights, Milk Wagon Drivers Local 753 vising and conferring with and in order to protect our of the International Brother­ such Unions. Unions from raids by dual hood of Teamsters, Chairman O'Reilly is a veteran of the la­ ITF Observer bor movement. He's put in Secretary Owens more than 30 years of service in various capacities with the AFL. and with his dynamic per­ sonality should be good for 30 years more. Secretary - Treasurer John Owens of the International Longshoremen's Assn. was the choice of the Executive Com­ mittee of the AFL Maritime Trades Council for the position of Executive Secretary of the. Council. It will be Brother Owens duty to coordinate all Council activities on a national scale. Another old timer in the la­ bor movement, Johnny Owens has been active in the ILA since 1917. All of the Union repre­ sentatives at the Chicago meetting were well satisfied with his selection as Secretary and there's no doubt thai he'll get plenty of cooperation from the participating maritime Unions. Trades Dept. or Port Councils by any one or more Unions. 2. The scope of the Maritime Trades Dept. and it's Councils shall be limited to the economic field. 3. The Maritime Trades Dept. and its Port Councils shall at no time adopt or ad­ vance any political program or ideology. 4. The immediate objectives shall be as follows: (a) To tighten up and/or es­ tablish Councils in each port to coordinate activit­ ies of related Unions and • establish a working rela­ tionship. (b) To map out related activ­ ities in each port to ex­ pand into such parts of the field as are still un­ organized. (c) To assume a coordinated offensive against the num­ ber one enemy of labor, the communists. Il^TERIM WORKING RULES 1. This Council (Dept.) shall operate in districts to be des­ ignated as the Great Lakes, Pa­ 10. Each International Union, if possible, shall desig­ nate a field organizer for the purpose of assisting in setting up of Port Maritime Councils. 11. The International Officers of the five affiliated Unions, who signed the Charter Appli­ cation. shall act as an Execu­ tive Board temporarily until Regular Officers are elected at a Constitutional Convention called for October 7, 1946 at Chicago. 12. The Executive Commit­ tee shall appoint one secretary to coordinate and keep rossrda of all activities in the various ports until such time as a Con­ stitutional Convention is held and permanent officers are elected. Signed: Joseph P. Ryan. President Int'l Longshoremen's Asso. Capt. C. F. May, Vice Pres. Masters. Mates & Pilots. Joseph P. Clark. Sec-Treas. Int'l Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers Harry Lundeberg, President Seafarers Int'l Union of N.A. William L. Allen. President Commercial Telegraphers Union (Radio Officers Union) OWENS APPOINTED John Owens, Secretary-Treas­ urer of the ILA, was appointed Secretary of the AFL Maritime Trades Council, and will continue to function in that capacity until the election of permanent officers at the Constitutional Convention to be held in Chicago the week of October 7, and prior to the na­ tional AFL convention. He will work under the direction of ILA President Ryan, MM&P Vice President May, CTU President Allen, IBF(J Sec.-Treas. Clark, and SIU President Lundeberg who will constitute the Executive Committee. Among those attending the meeting and participating in the formation of the Maritime Trades Council were SIU representatives from the Pacific District—Harry Lundeberg, Morris Weisberger, and Max Kornblatt; Great Lakes District — Herbert Jansen, and Fred Farnem; Atlantic and Gulf District—John Hawk, Paul Hall, Wm. Rentz, Steely White, Rob­ ert Matthews, John Mogan. Rep­ resenting the Seafarers Log was Russell Smith. Other who participated were Harry O'Reilly of the Teamsters; Captain C. F. May of the PvIM&P; John Clark of the Firemen; Wil­ liam Allen of the Telegraphers, and Joseph Ryan, John Owens, Harry Hasselgren, Robert Afflick, Brother Willy J. Dorchain of Gus Wolf, Robert Cullman of the Longshoremen. the International Transport Willy J. Dorchain of the Inter­ Workers Federation was an in­ national Transport Workers Fed­ terested and official observer at eration attended as an interested the Council meetings. The SIU observer. The SIU is now affili­ is now affiliated with the ITF, ated with the ITF, and several and a number of other trans­ port Unions are in the process other transportation Unions are of affiliating in the near future. in process of affiliation. Having been connected with Now, with the AFL Maritime the maritime industry for 22 Trades Council a reality after the years. Brother Dorchain thinks years of waiting enforced by the that the AFL Maritime Trades war, action can proceed space in Council is a good start toward the setting up of Port Maritime achieving national and inter­ Councils where none now exist. national labor cooperation. He Those ports which now have was originally a wireless opera­ Councils can consolidate and tor with the Belgian Transport build them to meet any and all Workers Union, and his family opposition from shipowners, sfill resides in Antwerp. ^ bosses and stooges alike. �Friday. August 23. 1946 TBE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nlu, Everything Was Decided Democratically Steely White. New Orleans Agent of the SIU, is addressing the Council meeting' on the need for adopting a set of working rules and a statement of principles in the interim period between the Maritime Trades Council's formation and the constitutional convention when permanent rules will be established and of­ ficials elected. After certain changes and additions, the SIU's proposal was adopted. SIU delegation at Chicago (reading from left). Front row: Morris Weisberger, Curly Rentz, Bob Matthews. Willy Dorchain (ITF). and Ha;ry Lundeberg. Rear: John Hawk. Steely White. Max Kornblett, Paul Hall, and John Mogan. "•"'i 'Si 4 What happens when you get too hot. Off comes those shirts! The Seafarers delegation is here shown hard at work on the SIU proposals—regarding a preamble, statement of principles, and interim working rules. With some changes and additions, the Seafarers program was adopted by the Maritime Trades Council during the afternoon session. The boys felt justly proud that their midnight oil burning was so well accepted by the Council. Chairman O'Reilly of the Teamsters is here shown ad­ dressing the Council meeting during the discussion on adoption of interim rules and the need for holding a constitutional con­ vention as soon as possible. The group finally decided on Octo­ ber 7 in Chicago, prior to the National AFL convention. --•-ti I . '•-£ I Teamster Harry O'Reilly is here shown in the midst of an explanation to the Council meeting. They're voting on the state­ ment of principles, taken up in serriatum order, and they want to know what they're voting for so no mistake will be made. Shortly after this shot was snapped, the Council's business was concluded, and the several delegations headed home again. This is a "group shot of the entire representation at the Maritime Trades Council meeting. It's easy to see that with such a set up. and such a group of participants, that the Council meet­ ings were just as democratically run as an SIU membership meeting. And that's real democracy in action. Brother! Extreme left: Joseph P. Ryan. President of the Interna­ tional Longshoremen's Associa­ tion. Left; William Allen. Presi­ dent of the Commercial Tele­ graphers Union (Radio Officers Union.) Right: Harry Lundeberg. President of the Seafarers In­ ternational Union. Extreme right; Captain Char­ les J. May. 'Vice President of the Masters. Mates, and Pilots of America. liiii �."r-^—f - .p^'V---:'[^-^ • • Tea Friday, August 23, 1946 THE: SEAFARERS LOG SHlPSr MINUTES iiND Struck By Mine Off Italy, Returns To Norfolk To Undergo Repairs Salvage Case Offer Spumed By Seafarer The SIU crew of the SS Puente Hills which salvaged the Russian tanker Donbass, after responding to an SOS in the North Pacific last winter, still is without fa­ vorable settlement of their claims, according to Melvin TomC7,ak, at least, who took part in the rescue operation. The Puente Hills came along­ side the Donbass in a stormswept sea, removed the Russian crew, and towed the prize 2200 miles to Seattle. At the time, the crew was highly praised, and there was promise of a consider­ able piece of change for the heroic efforts, in accordance with maritime law. Time, however, has altered the situation some­ what. In a letter to his attorney, Mel­ vin J. Tomczak, one of the crewmembers aboard the Puente Hills relates his contentions in the case. • The letter, in part, follows: '' "It is my opinion that every­ thing possible has been done to lead us on by unfulfilled prom­ ises as to the value and possible awards of our salvage case. In your letter of April 17, 1946 you stated: 'As far as the progress of the care is concerned we have been much more fortunate than we had any reason to believe. So far everything has developed fa­ vorably, and these things that we thought might be serious problems have been overcome. ALL LOOKED GOOD "Mr. Attorney, how much money would we have been of­ fered if things had not developed favorably? As you know I am ~rgltO*ant. of the existing salvage laws, but l" was led to believe by the Captain and you that every­ thing was in favor of the sal­ vagers. "I am now positive the reason for this line of tripe was so ' the merchant seamen would at­ tempt to salvage a ves.sel instead of sinking it. As far as I'm con­ cerned any person who salvages a ship will live to rue the day, if they are all treated with as little consideration as we have g^been. "Your letter, Mr. Attorney, Igoes on to say the Captain will tli receive $2500 for his part in the operation whileHhe men will reit -ceive one and one-half months pay for their part in the action. "I should like to point out to you exactly what happened dur­ ing that episode, and why I be­ lieve the form-or crewmpmbers of the Puerte Hills will scoff at such an offer. POOR OFFER "The offer you propose could not repay the men for the physi­ cal work, much less for the men­ tal hardship involved. I have seen the crew suffer untold hard­ ships because at the time the men (Continued cm Page 11) The tired Liberty ship, Fitzhugh Lee, somewhat bat­ tered and bearing scars left by an exploding mine which struck her 30 miles off Venice, Italy, limped into the Port of Norfolk last Saturday, where she will await shifting to drydock for repairs. The vessel encountered the floatiiig mine in the early morningt darkness July 3 as she was plow­ plosive blasted a hole in the ves­ ing toward the Italian port. There sel's port side at the No. 1 hold, flooding it and the forepeak al­ were no casualties. Most of the crew were asleep most immediately. A crewmemwhen the explosion rocked the ber reported that the ship seem­ ship, and all were hurled from ed "to bolt from the water" their bunks by the impact. Sev­ momentarily. Huge cascades of eral of the men suffered minor water shot over the bridge, send­ bruises as they were tossed to the ing the Skipper, W. S. McFardeck and against the bulkheads. lanc, scurrying to the radio The Lee crashed into the mine shack. Heavy chunks of mine about 4:30 a. m. The floating ex- shrapnel later were found strewn over the deck. The explosion's impact dug a 14 inch gutter across the/deck at the No 3 hold. 4 n [4 i\ HL i\ J "*• •:i >t Within seconds after the blast. Captain McFarlane ordered all hands to stand by to abandon, ship, and the crew rushed to their stations. The lifeboats were made ready. Two tugs and an American destroyer replied to the stricken vessel's SOS, saying they were on the way to the scene. Top: The stricken vessel as she was undergoing temporary repairs in Venice prior to the return trip to the States. The port side puncture is in full evidence. Above; An air view of the Lee as she was being towed into Venice. Here the minemade hole is below the waterline. Left: Deck crewmen aboard the ship, from left to right, in bottom row are; Brothers Hill, AB; Varkent, Deck Main!.; Morash, Bosun and Sartora, AB. Rear: Robinson, AB; Karasak, OS and Arridine, AB. Below: As her grain cargo is being removed at an elevator, the Lee rises from the water and reveals her ugly scar, memento of a meeting with a mine. Meanwhile, the Lee's pumps were set going, and it appeared that the wounded Liberty would not go down. She was not draw­ ing water in No. 2, and No. 3 wasin fair shape. But the ship was in shallow water with her keel approximately three feet from the bottom, so it was decided not to wait until aid arrived. FULL SPEED The Lee's engines were set at full speed, and she began the run to port on her own. After she had travelled 12 miles, the tugs, a barge, and the destroyer came alongside. Some of the Lee's cargo of grain was trans­ ferred to the barge to lighten her load. While the warship stood by the tugs towed the Liberty in­ to Venice. She tied up at a grain elevator for the removal of her cargo be­ fore proceeding to the repair docks, where she was to be tem­ porarily fitted out for the return voyage. For six days workmen labored on the ship, reinforcing the beam from the after to fore end to prevent splitting. Then she was ready to start back to the States. The Lee called at Gibraltar to take on water then continued on her way to Norfolk. HEADED FOR DRYDOCK The Lee, which was built in 1943 in Houston and is operated by Smith and Johnson, will go from Norfolk to Newport News to be put on beds for the job which wiU make her seaworthy again. But for a last minute shift, the Lee may have enjoyed a serene trip. Prior to sailing out of Nor­ folk, the vessel was rerouted from Naples, her original destination, to Venice. SIU crewmenibers, who left the ship after the payoff Aug. 14, were downhearted over the tem{Continued jm Page 11) J II �Friday. August 23. 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleveir^ Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings i SEAFARER SAM SAYS: I .1 .1 /. SS RAPHEAL BEMMES. July 4—Chairman W. Merriman; Secretary C. Hartman. New Business: Deck Delegate claims Waterman contract was broken on two occasions. Dis­ pute J overtime to be submitted to Ipatrolman for clarification. Rider 64 voted unsatisfactory by entire crew. Good and Wel­ fare: More chairs, tables, fans in recreation room for crew's comfort if mess room is closed. Repair metal lockers of unli­ censed personnel. Install locks for working gear and tools. Sleeping quarters of Deck En­ gineer is to be decided by the Patrolman. SS STEPHEN BEASLEY. June 9—Chairman L. W. Paradeau. Secretary Wilson Brown. Engine Dept. reports new wiper not doing sanitary work. Crew mess not leaving sufficient bread for night watch. Dele­ gates report: Penalty cargo clause according to Miss, agree­ ment to be inserted in the pres­ ent agreement with American Pacific SS Co. Also in accor­ dance with Miss, agreement. » t * What's The Matter With Ch. Engineers? ed everything okay except for not getting overtime sheets. Deck Delegate everything okay. Engine Delegate, to have Cap­ tain obtain another wiper upon return to Trinidad as gang is one short. Decision was made OS to rotating sanitary work by departments in laundry. Decisiciu made on sailing notice being posted and overtime be­ ing collected in conection with. Decision made as to vaccina­ tion—matter is entirely up to individual. Motion carried that Captain have company forward mail to Trinidad. 3, i The crew aboard the SS Topa Topa aren't very happy at the He Just Can't Win % % % moment. It seems that the Chief These Guys Den't Have Engineer believes in punishing in­ Friends And People J^o Fpjth In Shipowners nocent parties for damages done The Chief Engineer of the SS Tristram Daltan is just down­ The crew aboard the SS Char­ by others. right anti-social. He hates every­ les Lanham must have read Joe When the crew recently asked one and everything. Algina's column last week whore for steam fittings in the crews The ships minutes reported re­ he exposed the shipowners fairywashroom the Chief Engineer re­ cently that he had called every­ story concerning slopchests. At any rate they voted to investi­ fused to have the work done be­ one in his department incompe­ gate the possibilities of a Union cause the. former crew allowed tent. (This includes the licensed officers), and at various times in­ slopchest in order to have com­ soap to stop up the pipes. plete line of goods and with no Come, come now, Chiefie, that terfered with Oilers, Deck En­ preferences. stuff went out with the fall of gineer, Firemen and Wipers while at their work. But, boys, don't you remember Bastille. The entire crew of the vessel what the clipchest spieled? It % % % has gone on record as refusing to said you could purchase white SS T. J. JACKSON. July 6 sail again until he is taken off. broadcloth shirts at $1.92 each. You wouldn't want to pass up a —Chairman Arthur E. Welch; They also requested the SIU to deal like that. All you have to Secretary Jack Sheather. New refuse a crew in the Engine De­ do to get this deal is sign on the Business: Motions carried: that partment until he is removed. "Flying Dutchman" or any other entire crew refuse to sign on XXX until ship is fumigated; that mythical ship. SS SPARTANBURG. June 9 After all on^y a mythical crew Delegates check on fans, toast­ —Chairman Browning; Secre­ ers, glasses, cots, silverware, can wear a non-existent shirt. tary George Lass. New Busi­ etc.. with definite and satisfac­ ness: Delegates reported every­ X X i tory results before sailing; that thing okay. Chief Electrician SS ALCOA CUTTER. June attention and action be taken McHenry offered his services as 22—Chairman Norman Hall; on anyone leaving cups on Ship's Delegate Pro Tem. Ac­ Secretary Charles Lotion. New tables, feet on messroom chairs cepted unanimously by crew. Business: Chairman turned over and tables and spitting on mid­ Motion carried that members ship house decks. speakers right to Deck Delegate be fined for misdemeanors who gave a talk to new and XXX aboard ship and money collect­ old members. A vote of appre­ MV SNAKEHEAD. July 1— ed be donated to Marine Hospi­ ciation was given to the entire Chairman Russ Mills; Secretary tal or SIU Log. Good and Wel­ Stewards Department. Motion Ed Sabrack. New Business: fare: Wa*shing buckets to be dis­ carried for messboy to make Steward Dept. delegate report­ tributed among crew. coffee at 10:00 a. m. Good and Welfare: Letter read and voted on to send to the Log about a party in Puerta La Cruz. Ven­ ezuela. who deserves all the business he can get. Let me add that it was mid Feb­ (Continued from Page 10) ruary at the time. risked their lives,, not once, but % % X "Another instance was when SS PETERSBURG VICTORY, dozens of times, in order to save the Steward, (acting as.AB) cut (no date)—Chairman John Car­ the Donbass and her crew. Not the anchor free and might have dan; Secretary Elmo Notting­ until the task had been accom­ fallen overboard as the ship was ham. New Business: Motion plished did the thought of finan­ continually rolling. Luckily he carried for Delegates to make cial repayment enter our minds. just got a little wet. "I would like to mention a few cut a set of rules for living "Or the time the Second Mate conditions aboard ship. Good instances of valor where the and the Stewards Utility held and Welfare: the following men risked their lives. No doubt fast to a line secured to the an­ should be put aboard before there were many more that I chor chain while heavy seas came new crew signs on. Install steam did not witness. over the fan-tail, and completely line laundry and wash bowl in "One of the AB's almost had immersed them in icy salt water. cook's room. Procure three his arm torn from his body when I know all the men I have men­ electric perculators. wash buck­ the towline snarled while it was tioned will really appreciate the ets for crew and fan and clock unraveling. The Second Mate let great token of gratitude bestowed for P. O.'s mess. out a yell that saved him as he on them by the courts. The sav­ tried to unsnarl it with, his hands. ing of-the Russian crew clinging Careless you may say, but I know to the decks should have been re­ his mother could console herself ward enough, and brother, the with that one and one-half months way it looks it will have to be. wages that the government at­ (Continued from Page 10) "In my opinion, and I think it torney so graciously offered us. is unanimous with the crew, the porary loss of what they called a "Numerous times when the an­ $2500 specified for the Master "good ship." chor chain was being hauled aft should go to the Chief and Sec­ Cecil Morash, a mild-spoken the spring cable snapped hitting ond Mates. They were the men Bosun who related the story ,to the bulkhead with the force of who made the whole operation the Log. and who has been sailing a bullet. Several times men es­ possible and enabled the salvag­ on the Lee for the last 17 months, caped death by inches .when this ing of the ship. As it now appears said that many of the men had happened. the court makes its decisions ac­ been aboard for several months, cording to the rank held and no't "Several times men werg al­ and made up a "good crew." most lost as they transferred the by the facts involved, so the Cap­ Speaking of the experience, survivors from the stricken ship. tain will undoubtedly get the Morash said it was "worse than Once the Chief Mate went down money. being torpedoed." Brother Mo­ off the stem in a bosun's chair to "In closing, I wish you to im­ rash was aboard a vessel tor­ secure a cable to the part of the part this message to the govern­ pedoed in 1940. anchor chain that was immersed ment attorney who made such a ' "Then, at least, we expected in the water, and got himself stupid offer. My answer to this it," he said. "This time we didn't soaked through by the icy waters proposal is an emphatic NO! Malvin J. Tomczah" even get a warning." of the North Pacific in doing so. SlUer Scoffs At Salvage Award Hit By Mine II CUT AND RUN By HANK With the faithful help of a shipmate with a typewriter, we've tapped out another column of Log—worthy items . . . Leo Siarkowski just blew in after a trip of organizing the Sea Hawk. Every­ thing was swell, Leo confesses, except for the phony gold-braided department. And Leo ain't kidding when he says the guys in the gilded cage topside were that rotten! ... Vic Combs, the Electrical Poet, took a short circuit trip down to the islands on the Cape Hatteras. Well, we think there's always rum for more poets here in New York, especially Ernest Kaprall, while Vic is away. Poetic justice, is it not? X X X X "Rop&yarn Charlie" Rappold finally snugged cut of Snug Harbor which had him anchored for a few moons. He wenf up to the Great Lakes to see how Joe Curran is ice-skating on his frozen lakes! . . . Oldtimer John G. Harris is in Ye Olde Towne of Newe Yorke righf now . . . One of our swell ship­ mates, Edward, Barry, famo is for the words "She done broke down" in those Pennmar days, says that another of our wellknown shipmates, of New York, "Cabbage" Sawyer, of pugilistic ~ fame, shipped out recently! 3* 4* 3* 3" Our pal, Frank Bose, Chief Electrician, finally let go some ofthe electric bulbs he was holding and wrote us a letter from his ship, the SS Cape Pillar, down in Norfolk: "Here's a short report of the good ship Cape Pillar. We're loading for Okinawa. Since no one knows where next after Oky, all kinds of guesses are shortcircuiting the ship. Chief Steward George Sieberger is an oldtimer and a swell Steward. Paul Rios is Engine Maintenance, while Joe Blake and Frank Cocoran are in the Robbing-the-belly De­ partment. Sam Anaya and Eddie Paul will be ticking away their watches and horizons, too. All in all, it looks like a good crew for a long trip with no gas-hounds aboard except for yours truly, Frank Bose. P.S.—See you in four or five months." X X X X Jack Greenhaw is probably coiling a few more spicy Ropeyarns for the Log, from over there in Belgium, ... It looks like the nightl/ colors and noises of New York's heart-of-the-town isn't being waitered on by that Smiling Bosun, Mike Rossi. Hey Mike, what good trip did you make, after all? To South Am­ erica, yes? . . . We're wondering if "Skippy" Eddie Guszczynsky will do some tugging on a pen and write a few items from that tugboat voyage he made? X X X X One of our shipmates threatened to use some of his Polish steam on our little egg of a head if we wrote about him again. Any­ way, we don't like to beat around the bush (ah, how we suffer with our sudden cleverisms) but are you going to Antwerp again, Pete? . . . Bera Smyley should be tying up his ship in New York soon unless he's taking it easy in some port of Southern Comfort. �/ i Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, August 23, I94S THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS ^STEAMBOAT' RIDES INTO THE NEW MARITIME ADMIRAL Dear Editor: Page Gilbert and Sullivan. The Merchant Marine has an Ad­ miral! Log -A- Rhythms The Life-Saver Get out the sidebuoys! Pipe the Bosun's whistle, we've got all Admiral! Yeah, Brothers, it's true. "Admiral of the Merchant Marine" was the ironic title many of us gave to Brother Land, but to the amazement of many an ©Idtimer, this animal is no longer m3d:hical. By "The Snake" Yeah, the Merchant Marine has finally done it. Commodore These are the crewmembers and officers of Ihe SB Stephen Beasely, which at the last Knight of the King's Point Gad­ writing was still in the Argentine waiting to be Ic aded. -The men say "we wish we could get some get Foundry has been appointed news." They've heard a lot about SIU activity but were in the dark on the details. Return date for the vessel, which crewed up in Baltimore, is indefinite at the moment. Admiral of the U. S. Maritime Service. This is certainly a paralyzer, but it was inevitable after the long procession of phony lieu­ tenants, commanders, and com­ modores the Maritime Service sugar we have is of the poorest are extremely high in China and has given us. These fake titles Dear Editor: giade. We have fruit juice on the it is quite an expense to some of mean exactly as much, and have A meeting was called aboard exactly the same legal basis as our ship to discuss food, cloth­ average of once a week and have the boys. gone as long as a month without The first three weeks in Shang­ ing, slopchest supplies, dental fresh fruit at all. hai we were tied to buoys un­ work and insufficient launch The Steward's orders have loading with no launch service. service. been cut short and the things he The only means of getting ashore It was decided we send a let­ has received have been of the was by Chinese sampans, which ter to the Union in order that quality as described above, while charged enormous prices. The we might be represented when Captain told the crew that they we hit port in the States. This would be furnished with these ship was formerly from New boats" (launches) at the crew's Orleans, but it is possible that wc own expense and not through the might pay off on the West Coast. company. This was objectionable In that case we would like the and therefore we had to go ashore Union Officials there to be noti­ the best way we could. fied. We hope these beefs will be The SS Josiah Parker, under acknowledged and taken care of the Mississippi Shipping Com­ when we hit the States. the Grand Dragons, Whooppany, sailed from Galveston, De­ doodles and Whodunits of the Roscoe L. Canada, Stew. Del. cember 31, 1945 with not enough Order of Elks. Just who is this Jack Nuss, Deck Del. supplies for the scheduled two guy Admiral of? Jack McCreary, Eng. Del. and one half month trip to Rio. Yeah, old Gilbei't and Sullivan After reaching there our or­ didn't know how right they were ders were changed for a much when they wrote: longer trip to Shanghai, China. other ships in this port have been getting Stateside food and plenty "Now lansmen all, whoever you In the meantime we have suffer­ ed many hardships. We received of it. This was told to us by the may be, Stewards Department and crew Dear Editor: If you would rise to the top of the poor and inferior quality food in members of other ships. Rio and Singapore. While in tree, Your letter dated Aug. 6, and There is also a beef on the Capetown, we could have gotten If you don't want to spend your the copies of the Log which you food preparation. None of the good supplies, but the Steward's days on a stool, food we ate is thoroughly cooked sent me are very much appre­ list was cut short by the Captain, Be careful to be guided by this as stated by the Steward at that and several times our meals have ciated. golden rule: been late. The reason for this is time. Thank you for printing my de­ the coal we have will not heat Stick close to your desks and FOOD NOT EDIBLE the stove. It is of a very poor ceased husband's picture along never go to sea, After we reached Shanghai we grade and was taken from our with my letter addressed to the And some day you will be ruler received fairly good supplies cargo and put into the bin as or­ crew of the SS William R. Davie. of the Queen's Navee." from the Army, .but these were dered by the Captain. The Stew;I have had my name added to I remember a third mate fresh short and limited. Since then we ard has complained about this, the Log's mailing list, and look from King.s Point who insisted have been shuttling up and down but has received no results. forward to each issue of it. While he be called Lieutenant. The the China coast, receiving our SLOPCHEST EMPTY my husband lived, I knew little Bosun, a real oldtimer, informed orders through the American of the Union's activities, but dur­ him that "the SIU doesn't recog­ President Lines, and our food is Other beefs about slops and ing my bereavement I found oiit nize Maritime Service titles. simply not edible. cigarettes. We received three much. Each and every Union You'll be plain mate on this ship." We received 200 liis. of Chin­ cartons a month, each of a dif­ man did everything possible to And that must be our policy. ese butter which has such a ferent brand. There have been no Absurd as these titles are, we strong odor that the crew was Camels for over three months. assist me, and their courtesy im­ should realize that they are a forced to remove it from the We can out of tooth paste, hair pressed me a great deal. dead giveaway of the naval sys­ table before eating. oil, razor blades and numerous In closing, I would like to say tem and strict discipline that the We also received moldy flour other articles several months ago that I shall look forward to re­ W'SA and Coast Guard intend to and coffee not fit to drink. The and haven't received any since. ceiving future issues of the Log, force on us. Our clothing was replenished one and heartily believe that it should time with used Army material be present in every Seafarers Many of our younger Seafarers have first-hand experience with breakers when the big beef and was sold to us at extremely home^ high prices. the Maritime Service, as this was comes. Emily M. Smith This was precisely the system the ' only way they could get Several crewmembers have papers during the war. They are used to break the sailor's unions needed dental care and have had unanimous in damning the Prus= in the '21 .strike and it worked to go to private dentists at their sian-type militarism of these five- then. But if they think it'll work own expense. It seems that they star phonies. The SltJ-SUP has again, then they better hang should be entitled to free service always fought this scabby outfit, crepe on their nose—their brains from the Army or Navy, or the company should make arrange­ as it is essentially a device to are dead. Steunboai ODoyle ments to reimburse them. Prices flood us with sea-going strike- Conditions Bad Aboard The Josiah Parker; Crew Notifies Union Of Impending Beefs f SIU COURTESIES IMPRESSED MRS. SMITH When you waken in the morning With you throat so dry you choke. And the awful truth comes steal­ ing To your brain that you're broke; When a thousand imps seem pounding With sledge-hammers on your head. And your legs refuse to function As you stagger from your bed; When the world sems dark and dreary And you long to die real bad— Ain't it great to find some whis­ key That you didn't know you had? For it's certain you'll start smiling And the sun will shine again As that precious amber fluid Clears the cobwebs from yoiur brain; When with shaking hand you've poured Yourself the bracer that you need. Again the world's a pleasant place, A wondrous place, indeed For the room stops it gyrations And you whistle like a lad. When you find that half-filled bottle That you didn't know you had. There are thrills that come a-plenty In the life of every man— In achievement, daring, plea­ sure— All according to their plan; Some in climbing mountains. Some in bliss of woman's kiss. But no thrill can compare To any thrill like this— To wake up in the morning Feeling sick and broke and sad, To find some frisky whiskey That you didn't know you had. NEEDS SOME DOUGH, BROTHER WRITES A POEM OF WOE Dear Editor: I have been waiting for my payoff from the SS Horace See since July 29, 1946, and as of this date, I haven't received a cent. My waiting' has inspired a poem. It is dedicated to the Pa" cific Tankers, Inc. Here it is: You need your money, and I need mine; If we both get ours, won't that be fine? Now if you get yours, and hold mine too, "What in the hell am I going to do? A1 Coldita. �c Friday, August 23, 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG WAR CONTINUES FOR THEM A •V 1; I ii Pictured are the members of the Black Gang aboard the SS Fitzhugh Lee who had a delayed war experience recently when the vessel collided with a mine off the Venetian coast. (See page 10 for story and other pictures.) UPCHURCH SAYS ALL SEAMEN MUST BE ORGANIZED . * m BROTHER WANTS INFO ON UPGRADING NMU MEMBERS WAKING UP, BROTHER SAYS WAS HE WHISTLING, TOO? Dear Editor: The old hue and cry of the NMU has been revived again, or should it be classed as their theme, song? The SIU is being offered better wages, overtime and improved living conditions far superior to NMU. Why in the heck doesn't the NMU quit selling out on every beef, and cease trying to ride on the SIUSUP bandwagon. They certainly spend enough money on losing issues and then soft-soap their membership into believing that they are obtaining better things for them, but from the talk that quite a few mem bers of the NMU are making, and in public, you can bet that their officials are in for a very sad and sudden awakening. Yes, an awakening from their semi-coma and finding out that their members are trying to join the real union (SIU) by the hun­ dreds. The above assertion can be proven by statistics and broth­ er seamen. SIU DEMOCRATIC The Seafarers' is the up and coming, in fact, the only bona fide rank and file union in the maritime industry. The member­ ship controls and runs it accord­ ing to their wishes, and do not take orders from any desiring-tobe dictators such as infest the NMU. The SIU and its parent organifield in obtaining raises in pay, O. T. and better living conditions. They have spearheaded the par­ ade in that fight and will con­ tinue to do so as long as there are merchant seamen. The younger seamen and quite a few of the old timers, whom Dear Editor: Dear Editor: I have just finished reading I should liko to utilize your time and this space to stress the your editorial items, and "Clear­ importance of world organizM^n, ing the Deck." Believe me, you sure hit the nail on the head. in regard to seamen. Unless we, the American seaI was very much surprised to men, put into operation a plan see our old friends, the Coast to unionize all foreign seamen, Guard, pull a fast one on all of such as the Hindus and Far East us. It makes me sick just to coolies who man English vessels think of what they may try to for dirt-cheap wages, we will do to us. I was talking to an suffer a catastrophic denouement NMU Steward here about the to a once perfect day. CG, and he said he would quit The case illu.strates an overt sailing. I told him it was a hell and international scab system. of a time to quit, and that I Another danger is in the English certainly didn't intend to do so. seamen's sympathetic response to I really got a kick out of hear­ the pyschology of their ship­ ing over the radio that the West owners. Where the majority of j Coast comrade, H. B., got a good American seamen fight the ship­ taste of the SIU, and then yelled owner at even the slightest op­ for abitration. portunity, the English seamen By the way, could you give feel that they are indebted to me any advice on upgrading? I their "bosses." would like to have my rating But lo! Allow them to feel that changed to Second Steward. I they have the support of Amer­ ar now shipping as a Messman. ican Unions and their attitude Will I have to go through the CG will perhaps change in our fa­ red tape? vor. It is deeper than these words I can't for the life of me un­ have shown. derstand how it is possible for It is not a threat to the demo­ the CG to take over a civilian cratic principles of our great na­ industry. This is a democracy— tion, but it is a stop sign to the or is it? All the unions will have outrageous purge by the "bosses." to fight to put the Coast Guard The capitalistic dictators will be­ back in the wrecking business come negotiators, their profits be­ where they rate A-1. ing great, but not at the expense The new contract is tops. In of seamen. 1934, I was getting $35.00 per If we're going to organize, by month, and worked 16 or 17 God, then let us completely or­ hours a day on the old Standard it has taken a long time to get ganize. We can boast of organ­ Fruit Lines. wise to the NMU setup, are trj'izing one company—but let us Time and the SIU have chang­ ing to get into the SIU because brag about organizing the world. ed many things. they are disgusted with the com­ That will be something. James J. McCormack mie tactics of their outfit. One (Editor's note: On the upgrad­ Eric Ivie Upchurch young lad, though he had a few ing, you will have to go through brews in him, emphatically stated the Coast Guard. They give the that he was darned tired of see­ SIU MAN'S SISTER examinations for ratings and you ing tin cans with labels on them, SAYS LOG KEPT must pass these exams in order hats and donation boxes at the to get the higher rating). HER INFORMED payoff table. He spoke the truth brother. He also stated that Dear Editor: SEAMEN DESERVE when he asked for a receipt he I have been receiving your was informed the complete Seafarers Log for sometime now, 'BILL OF RIGHTS,' amount of the donation would be and I feel guilty for not writing SAYS SlUer's DAD published in the 'PILE-IT.' sooner to express my apprecia­ Nough said. tion for it, as it surely enlighten­ Dear Editor: WHO DID IT? My son, a former merchant ed our family during the long seaman, has sent me the Log. Changing the subject some­ months while the war was on. Through this publication we al­ and I have read it from cover to what, the writer would like to ways knew that my brother was cover. I enjoy reading it. Keep know who payed John Hill off, < as he was listing somewhat to safe while sailing in ships as a up the good work. Merchant seamen have lived starboard, with the phony $5.00 merchant seaman. It was originally through the up to the most glorious tradition bill? John has now decided that Seafarers International Union of the sea. There is no better everything that could happen has that we first' contacted our broth­ calling. During the war they happened to him. Some of the brothers sent him er after not hearing from him for carried out their mission with a long time. I feel that the Sea­ great distinction, and have dem­ to Ben Rees, "the smiling dis­ farers Log deserves a lot of credit onstrated their ability to meet patcher" in the Port of Norfolk. also, as it represents this wonder­ the challenge. They played an ful Union. It is a perfect repre­ important part in the achieve­ place in Europe and in the Pa­ sentation of "Together we stand, ment of victory in Europe and cific. My son, and your son, as merchant seamen, were doing Japan. divided we fall." Therefore, these men of the their bit for their flag and coun­ Wishing you continued success with your great little newspaper. first line of defense should be try. Let's not. forget them! Mrs. L. Onech, Jr. given the Seamen's Bill Of They deserve the highest P. S.—My brother's name is Rights. Yes, there were many Charles Daroba, He is a member anxious days, when we knew praise. that savage fighting was taking Fred L. Miller of the SIU. Here's a shol. seni in by Brother 1. H. Pepper, of an uniden­ tified Bosun at work aboard the SS Meyer Lissner. This should send all other stories to the contrary right down the sink. BROTHER HAS PLAN TO SAVE TIME AT MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS Since the members of a trial committee are really repre­ sentatives of the Seafarers' membership when they sit in judge­ ment of a case, wouldn't it be a timesaver to accept the verdict of the committee as final wilthout the concurrence of the mem­ bership at a meeting? The concurrence of the membership has really no impor­ tance because there is no evidence presented and there is no debate for or against the member under charges. There isn't time for a full trial at the meeting and the membership's decision without one is hollow. The trial committee has all the facts at hand and has time to listen to controversy on each case. A right to appeal before the membership could be allowed to a member dissatisfied with the committee's review of the case. This I believe would allow 20 or 30 minutes more for important topics at each meeting. Fred Powel, Book No. 48165 Answer You are correct when you say thai ii would be a iimesaver lo accept the trial committee's report. However, the SIU Con­ stitution provides that a committee's verdict must be presented to the membership for concurrence. Though the process may. at times, prove cumbersome, it still is the most democratic method of handling the situation. Rees hurt his feelings still fur­ ther by telling him where he could obtain sympathy. Better luck next time. Brother Hill. The Captain on an Alcoa ves­ sel ordered D. A. Bain to paint some bits on the fore deck (in­ cidentally Bain is in the Bellyrobbing Dept.) and Bain politely informed him that he wasn't a bit painter, but just a Union man. That's D. A.'s best selling story. Paul Carter has shipped out on the SS Sea Carp (or Sea Cow) as 2nd Cook and Baker. He has gained 11 lbs. (245 now) and liv­ ing on subsistence. Ah well, maybe so Paul, but you are a Floridian and they not only catch big fish down there, but they tell some tall fish stories. Joe Grimes LOG MAILED FREE TO ALL SIU MEMBERS Dear Editor: I would be much obliged b. you would mail to my home, the Seafarers Log for the next four weeks. I am a pro book member of the Pacific District SUP. If there is any charge for this service I would be only too glad to pay for it. Walter Brown Jr. (Editor's Note: Every member of the Seafarers International is entitled and urged to have the Log sent to his home ab­ solutely free. Send your ad­ dress to Seafarers Log. 51 Bea­ ver St« New York. N. Y.) �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Fourteen Friday, August 23. 1946 MORE DISCUSSION ON HOSPITALS Patients Like Letter Takes Union To Task For Marine Hospital Stand This Hospital WHO GOT IN FIRST? r'UfSiL/r 4rA^T/ty HbiR It is our desire, of course, to correct the erroneous impressions The Public Health Service has which the published articles recently received several com­ necessarily have created and your munications transmitting clip­ assistance is desired in the mat­ pings from the Seafarers Log con­ ter of presenting to this office taining articles alleging that mer­ actual instances where merchant seamen have been denied medical chant seamen are being denied care and treatment to which they medical care and treatment at are entitled under the law and marine hospitals for various rea­ regulations. If you can secure sons. The articles al.^o indicate this information, ploacc set it that there is discrimination to­ forth in as much detail as pos­ sible giving the names of the wards merchant seamen in favor seamen, the dates or approximate other classes of beneficiaries. dates, the locations of the stations Apparently, there is a great involved and the basis upon deal of misunderstanding on the which denial was made in each particular case. After the mat­ part of m^erchant seamen as to ter has been thoroughly studied, their eligibility for medical care we would like to secure your co­ and treatment by the Public operation in presenting the actual Health Service, particularly with situation to the merchant seamen reference to the former regulatory through your publication. provision that application for Respectfully, treatment must be made within R. C. Williams 60 days after their last period of Asst. Surgeon General sea service. S ince the Public Bureau of Medical Services Health Service Act was approved To the Editor; Ife' II July 1, 1944, new regulations have been promulgated extend­ ing the 60 day period to 90 days. In this connection, there is en­ closed a copy of the new regu­ lations approved June 29, 1945, attention being invited to Sec­ tions 2.311 to 2.323 which contain the general provisions for the medical care and treatment of merchant seamen. There appears to be a feeling on the part of some merchant seamen that they are contributing to the support of the marine hos­ pitals. While it is true that the original Act of Congress approved July 16, 1789, provided for con­ tributions of seamen, such a prac­ tice was abolished entirely in 1884. From that time until June 30, 1906, the marine hospitals were supported from tonnage taxes. However, since 1906 the marine hospitals have been sup­ ported entirely by annual Con­ gressional appropriations. As for the other classes of pa­ tients of the Public Health Serv­ ice we are, of course, obliged to receive such persons into Public Health Service hospitals by rea­ son of their having been desig­ nated as beneficiaries by -Con­ gress. However, no policy has been prescribed which would cause any of our hospitals to dis­ criminate against merchant sea­ men beneficiaries, particularly when they constitute a major group and are the original bene­ ficiaries of the Public Health Service. Attention Members! Seafarers Sailing .4s Engineers All members—retired mem­ bers and former members— of the Seafarers Iriteriiaiional Union who are now ing as licensed Engineers; Please report as soon as possible to the Seafarers Hall cit 51 Bea­ ver Street, New York City, Your presence is necessary in a matter of great importance. This cartoon, drawn by an SIU member expresses vividly the picture painted by many Seafarers of the special considera­ tions accorded those of the preferred caste in seeking admission to the Marine Hospitals. There may be some denials, but the fact remains that the occasions when "gold braid" take their regular turn are few and far between. Situation In Marine Hospitals Will Not Be Cleared Up By Excuses And Delaying For the past several months the Log has been publishing rafts of articles and letters from its read­ ers slamming the Marine Hospi­ tals. It has done so because it is part of the fight to get a square deal for the seafaring men. When there have been reports of praise for the hospitals the Log has been quipk to put them in print. In fact, we wish they outweighed the unfavorable reports. Un­ happily, they do not, The Seafarers' criticism of the conditions existing in the Ma­ rine Hospitals is not indiscrimin­ ate, nor is it based on isolated cases of unfairness. The criticism comes from the men themselves —the men who have tried to gain admittance to the hospitals, the men who have been confined, and their resulting personal ex­ periences, some good, many bad. Elsewhere in this issue are two letters and an article repre­ senting different viewpoints on the Hospital issue. One of the letters is signed by several men confined in the Norfolk Marine Hospital, and is in praise of the treatment accorded them in that institution. The article deals with the case of a Seafarer, down with TB, who has spent the last four years in three Marine Hos­ pitals. This Brother has several complaints, but he also points out the good features of the treat­ ment he is receiving. He has high praise for the hospital's di­ rector and his assistant. In this regard, the story is typical — credit where merited, denuncia­ tion where due. SECOND LETTER The second letter presents a defense of the Marine Hospitals and takes the Log to task for the barrage of criticism it has fired at these institutions. The letter is from Dr. R. C. Williams, Assis­ tant Surgeon General, Bureau of Medical Service, of the U. S. Public Health Service, which ad­ ministers the Marine Hospitals. Several articles and letters have appeared in recent issues of the Log criticizing certain Ma­ rine Hospitals and their practi­ ces. Now, it gives us a great deal of pleasure to print a letter com­ ing from five Seafarers who are patients at the Norfolk Marine Hospital. These Brothers are loud in their praise of this hos­ pital, and have nothing but praise fur the Staff. It goes to prove oUf contention that it is possible to operate a hospital on a humane and considerate basis and satisfy the patients. Placelined Norfolk, Va. and dated July 28, 1946, the letter reads as follows: "The Marine Hospital in Nor­ folk receives plenty of praise from our Brothers and deserves all of the praise that it receives. In fact, we suggest that the dieti­ cians from such hospitals as Staten Island and Ellis Island be sent down here to go to school under a lady who really knows her job—how to feed people and feed them correctly. GOOD FOOD "We have yet to see a meal served without a choice of milk, fruit juice, and coffee—and all three of them if you so wished. With most meals, we have the choice of two vegetables, and usually the choice of two meats. Never have we seen anyone re­ fused if they went back for sec­ onds, and when they receive the seconds a big smile goes with them. "Our praise of this hospital does not end at the dining room. All of the nurses, doctors, and aides deserve praise also. Since 1923, when one of Us sailed his first old Mississippi tug, we've been in most of the Marine Hos­ pitals in existence. Brothers, we know a good hospital when we see one, and this is one! hospital authorities checked to see if he was eligible for treat­ ment. There is the case of Benno Zelinski who had lost his seaman's papers and was refused admit­ tance to the Staten Island Marine We should like Dr. Williams to Hospital on March 9 because he know that although we will point, hadn't received duplicate papers up any apd all cases of mistreat­ from the Coast Guard. ment of seamen that come to our Henry Snider lost a leg during attention, we recognize that many the war while serving aboard a of these do not represent the merchant vessel. Because of this policy of the Public Health Serv­ he is unable to serve again. But ice. And we are aware, too, that he cannot receive treatment at a when confinees at the hospitals Marine Hospital because it is complain of poor and inadequate OUR SYMPATHY more than 60 days—and more food, the hospital workers are than 90 days, too—since his last "So, Brother Paul Parsons, tell generally not at fault since they discharge. The .same situation the boys in Ellis and Staten Is­ also are fed the same fare. As a holds true for John Colvin. land Hospitalsf that they have our rule the medical directors of the Thomas Gisseno was unable to sincere sympathy. various hospitals seem to be do­ gain admittance to the New Or­ "The only beef that we have ing the best they can under the leans Marine Hospital because of heard in here is that the Broth­ policy laid down for them. The the 60-day clause. ers do not get the Log every Log has found some very coop­ The list is long, painfully long. week, and we understand that's erative, as was mentioned in the It proves nothing to cite them all. because Brother "White and his May 17 Log story on the Staten The fact that a ruling exists de­ Patrolmen are so busy taking Island Hospital. We know, too nying to the seamen the right to that the hospitals are under­ treatment because 60 days have care of these sea-going cow ranches that they can't make it staffed. elapsed since his last sea service out here every week. BIG BEEF i.s discriminating enough. "We suggest that the Legs be Our major beef centers around mailed each week to the Hos­ CHANGE NEEDED the ruling that a seaman, in or­ And at long last there is grow­ pital Library. Then some SIU der to be eligible for admittance ing recognition of this fact. Mem­ member can pass them around to a Marine Hospital, must apply bers of Congress are now con­ to all of the boys." before the expiration of 60 days sidering ways and means of cor­ The letter was signed by Jack after his last period of sea serv­ recting the,failure of the Gov­ Rankin, Oscar N. Pile, William ice. Dr. Williams says that, under ernment to provide adequate K. Paul, William Otis, and E. a regulation approved July 1, treatment for seafaring men. The Judy. A postscript followed the 1944, this period was extended to fo^owing members of the legis­ signatures, "This-goes for other 90 days. If this is so, then many lative branch of the Federal Gov­ members who are out on passes." of the hospitals have not been so ernment have stated their feel­ So, it shows that it is possible informed—60 days still seems to ings in letters: Senators Know- to satisfy the merchant seamen be the rule in most of them. land of California, Magnuson of who are unfortunate enough to Specifically, Dr. Williams, a Washington, Hoey of North Car­ be in Marine Hospitals. These story appeared in the Aug. 2 issue olina, Overton of Louisiana, boys don't want special care, or of the Log, citing the case of a Morse of Oregon, Pepper of Flor­ extra special treatment. All they seaman from the SS Beaver Vic­ ida, Reed of Kansas and Connol­ want j.g decent food, and to be tory. Eugene Stewart was badly ly of Texas. Also Congressmen treated as human beings. That's burned aboard the vessel in Bal­ Morrison of Louisiana and Pat- all the seamen want. timore, and after considerable de­ erson of Florida. Until the inequity is adjusted, lay an ambulance arrived to the Seafarers Log. as organ of take him to the Marine Hospital in that city. While .the burned the SIU, will continue to publi­ tissue was dropping to the floor, cize the plight of the merchant Stewart remained untreated for seaman with regard to the hos­ approximately 90 minutes while pital situation. Dr. Williams says that our cam­ paign to correct the inequities existing for merchant seamen have created an "erroneous im­ pression" and calls upon us to set forth specific instances. �-Friday, August 23, 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG BULLETIN —Unclaimed Wages— Mississippi Shipping Company, Inc. SlU HALLS 59 33 2.38 NEW YORK SI Beaver St, HAnover 2-2784 18.06 BO.STON 276 State St. 2.25 Bowdoin 44.':5 This list comprises unclaimed wages as of December 31, 1945, some BALTIMORE 2.84 14 North Gay St. Calvert 4539 8.29 of which may have already been paid. If you still have a claim, write to PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. 5,35 Phone Lombard 3-7651 Mississippi Shipping Company, Hibernia Bank Bldg., 13th floor, New Or­ NORFOLK 19.28 127-129 Bank Street 4-iosa 5.08 leans, La., enclosing your z-number, social security number, date and place CHARLESTON .68 Society St. 12.96 Phone 3-3680 of birth and present address. NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. 12.92 Canal 3338 3.56 SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. 3-1728 8.91 Parsons, Irving H .69 Pregeant, Abel L 38.86 .... 3.44 Petersen, Nobel L MOBILE 7 St. Michael St. 9.40 Parsons, James C 28.24 Presnall, Chril 19.32 24.45 Peterson, Carl E 2-1754 5.35 Parsons, Johns H 45 Ponce de Leon 14.81 Press, W 1.80 SAN JUAN, P. R 1.34 Peterson, J San Juan 2-5990 9.27 Parsons, Theo E 13..54 Preston, George W. .71 GALVESTON 99 Peterson, Lawrence R. . 305'/i 22nd St. .... 2.25 Partain, J. W 2-8448 3.96 Price, William G 2.97 5.94 Peterson, William J 1809-1811 Franklin St. .... 2.88 Pascente, Joseph 3.46 Price, Winfred L 5.94 Petit, Michael 50.23 TAMPA M-1323 .... 6.75 Paska, John .01 Pricliard, Chad.. 8.74 JACKSONVILLE 7.52 Petrea, H. A 920 Main St. Phone 5-5919 .... 3.23 Pastarana, Damaso 26.04 Priddy, Donald J. 18.17 5.07 Petrianos, Stevros J PORT ARTHUR 445 Austin Ave. .... 2.79 Pasziet, John G. ... .33 Priest. Wells B .79 4.21 Petro, Paul Phone: 28532 .... 2.42 Pate, Arthur E 1515 75th Street 12.33 Brieve, E. P .01 HOUSTON 2.25 Petrusich, Joseph Phone Wentworth 3-3809 .... 4.84 Patin, Ralph 3.71 Pringie, P 1.27 RICHMOND, Calif 1.58 Petterson, Algot ...., 257 Sth St. .... 9.00 Paton, J. D .75 Probst, Keiner 14.22 SAN FRANCISCO 5.49 Pfenninger, Paul R 59 Clay St. Garfield 822S .... 1.98 Patrick, Charles A 5.64 Prokoff, Lewis 4.27 03 Pharo, Joseph SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. 8.53 Patterson, E. A Prude, Claude 8.08 Phclos, Allen D 1.48 99 Main 0290 4.66 Patterson, Ernest 0 Ill W. Burnside St. 3.00 Prytulak, Harry .89 PORTLAND 14.58 Phillips, C. E 440 Avalon Blvd. 6.45 Patterson, Frank 8.41 Pudinski, Leon 5.97 WILMINGTON 2.25 Philips, Chas. W Terminal 4-3131 3.02 Patterson, Vincent J 4.50 Pullen, R. W 3.38 HONOLULU 69 Phillips, Horace 16 Merchant St. 1.43 Pattison, Robert A 10 Exchange St. 18.17 Ptokis, J 27.57 BUFFALO 2.25 Phillips, Lloyd Cleveland 7391 3.22 Patton, Edward C 1.34 Purcell, Francis C 1.37 CHICAGO 15.14 PhilliiJs, Michael G 24 W. Superior Ave. 3.56 Paugh, Dorsey 6.14 Superior 5175 1.39 Purdie, J. J 2.84 Phillips, Richard B. , 1014 E. St. Clair St. 3.81 Pauiuoda, Edward T 2.67 !, CLEVELAND 3.76 Purdy, Wilbur C 2.13 Piacitell, Vincent M Main 0147 43 Paul, Morris 9.27 DETROIT 1.79 Purdee, Earl L 28.41 Pichacki, M 1038 Third St. Cadillac 6857 3.55 Paulson, William E 15.42 Purvis, Thos. W .75 5.72 Picou, John W DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. 15.83 Payne, Archie B Picou, Rene 4.90 Put, Henry 12.92 2.75 Melrose 4110 03 Payne, Clinton 23.98 CORPUS CHRISTI 1824 N. Mesquite St. 74.41 Putnam, Wm. H 2.25 Piedra, Charles A 602 Boughton St. 2.25 Payne, Gordon L 84 VICTORIA, B. C ... 2.23 Puum, Konstantin 5.03 Pierce, Renwood 144 W. Hastings St. 98.75 Payne, Milton 11.88 VANCOUVER ... 1.69 Pyhus, Alex 5.80 Pierre, S 9.70 Payne, Oscar A ... 5.16 1.34 Pietrzak, Stanley V. Q 59 Peace, Wm. T .. 1.34 1.58 Pigg, Walter W. 12.67 2.25 Peak, Alan P .. 9.34 Quanico, Isabelo .74 Pihl, Royal P Queensbury, Edw. N 9.50 90 Pearce, Harry 9.00 4.50 Pilgrim Floyd Querin, John 59 The following members get in 5.69 Pearson, Jack W 2.25 7.13 Pilsini, John Quillan, Edgar J 7.52 touch with the Galveston Agent 4.13 Pearson, Wayne W 1.98 .74 Pilutis, Victor J Quinly, D. F ; 1.27 by mail or personally, as they 37.-94 Peay, W. E 2.08 1.75 Pinkham, Joe Quinby, Wm. S 2.23 are holding the wrong receipts. 2.06 Pebocae, George 8,03 Pine, Sherwood Quinn, Earl 1.78 9.39 1.14 Pino, Beltram Receipt No. Paaoao, Wm 9.05 Peck, J. H 8.40 2.68 Quinn, John 0 .89 Pinto, Anton A. Gapinski A62735 Pace, John R .53 Peck, Nohea O. Jr., 69 11.25 Quinn, Robert E 16.98 Pircy, Alden D R. A. May A62736 Pacetti, Hubert L 2.25 Peckham, Dale 0 4.82 19.66 Quinones, Anastacio A62737 B. L. Bryant Pacewicz, Stanley V. 1.34 Peckham, Sherman B, .... .38,52 Pirog, Anthony T Quinonez, Felix G 90 2.25 14.00 Piscatilla, A A62738 H. W. Martin Pachico, John A 1.93 Pede, T. M 59 31.79 Quintana, John H 95 Pizzeck, Guido A62739 Padometo, A 2.23 Pedersen, Bjourne E. A. Kays R 3.56 2.23 Placador, Joseph A62740 C. Ross Paglinghi, Frank 2.23 Pedersen, Carl G 29.96 Rabinowitz, Benjamin .... 4.40 E. Hoffman 10.52 Plaza, Henry A62741 Pagram, Cooper A 13.50 Pedersen, H Rabinowitz, Seymour D... 7.42 J. Martin Plumbe, James 0 22.34 Pederson, Johannes 4.90 A62742 Padolin, Isia 5.21 3.12 Rablatz, E. V 3.66 D. Doloa 2.67 Plunkett, Thomas G A62743 Page, Frank 5.59 Pedersen, Otto 57 A. Manuel 2.45 Rachuba, Frank 4.98 Podgofnik, Baldomire .... A62744 Page, Waldo 23.50 Pedersen, Peter J 16.00 7.52 Rackley, Paul W 45 Polask, J. W Paliga, R 7.50 Pedlar, Wm. B » » » 14.46 Rackliff, John Perez 15.16 44.71 Palome, Rein Pallant, Hayed T 2.25 Pedroza, F. M 4.50 Radford, Mike 1.07 12.92 Politis, Gustave Pallay, Stephen A 1.98 Pekkola, Oliver H 'BIRD' KIRKPATRICK 4.58 Radzvila, Frank 40.10 8.69 Polkus, Anthony Pallaro, S 7.11 Pelikeze Stanislaw Your beef has been settled in 2,23 Rafferty, Patrick 69 34.97 Pollock, Leonard D. Pally, J. J. Jr. 1.98 Pellay, Wm. your favor. Write to Calmar SS Ragas, Norman 2.31 52.61 6.54 Polo, Edwin H Palm, Robert 37 Pellerin, Victor Corp., 25 Broadway, New York 35 Ralford, Kenneth M 3.10 15.14 Poloski, John Joseph Palmer, C. T. 2.00 Pelletier, Joseph 4; giving yniir full name and 7.99 Ralph, Merrill, T 59 89 Pomkaez, Frederick Palmer, Elwyn, N 8.26 Peletier, Joseph G. Jr., social security number. 3.12 Ralston, Edward S 1.48 5.10 Ponson, J. H Palmer, Francis G. 11.88 Peltamaa, Onni J. E. Sweeney, 20 2.84 Ranerta, S 22.73 Ponson, John H Palmer, John 1.50 Penny, Chas Boston Patrolman 12.61 2.82 Ramey, Harold 16.52 Pooley, Henry Wiley Panebingo, S 2.68 Pepin, Beverly B 1.79 Ramirez, Mateo 1.37 3.76 Pope, John M. Jr Panhurst j 10.23 Percelay, Earl M 13.79 Rave, Harold 4.22 Ramos, F 8.26 Panlon, M .' 01 Percival, Robert Lewis .... 10.90 Pope, M. S ! 9.30 Raverta, Stanirner 40.33 Ramos, Jose 13.01 9.45 Poplin, Dillard G Pantak, Lawrence 45 Perdue, James W 2.25 Rawding, Harry E 2.39 Ramsey, L 16.78 1.06 Popovich, John Panter, Bruce A 4.79 Perez, Adolf o 29.13 Ra,y, Rex C 11.74 Rancic, Leonard 75 89 Porter, Fred W Pantoja, Jaime 5.83 Perez, Andries E .90 Rando, Frank Jr. 2.85 Rayda, John 5.00 1.52 Porter, R. G Pappas, John 4.31 Perez, Julio 3.56 Randolph, Claude N 3.16 Rayne, James V 4.27 16.63 Porter, Vernon L Parrata, Rafeel 20.30 Perez, Rafael 33 Randolph, Wayne G 2.11 Reagan, Wren 5.00 6.75 Porter, William W Parish, Charles J 148.99 Perin, eGo. D 2.25 Rech, Warren 74 5.51 Porter. Wilson Woodrow.. 3.63 Raney, Julius D Parish, Edward A 55.21 Perkins, Jack M ,. 1.91 Rank, Dean O .33 Recker, Edward A - 3,55 4.45 Pov/ell, Conley H. Parker, Chas. W 4.30 Perkins, J. W 1.27 Redler, Louis H. M 69 3.22 Rankin, W 5.38 Powell, Jefferson D Parker, Everett Lawrence 4.45 Perkins, Mac. M 5.44 Reed," Charles 4.98 6.68 Ranweiler, Henry M 69 Powers Parker, Floyd ...^ 2.25 Perkinson, Hiram E 19.09 Reed, Claiborn E. Lee .... 9.90 50.65 Raposa, George 11.30 Powers, Louis J Parker, James 2.42 Perpente, Edward J 33.18 Reed, Ernest 79 3.23 Rappaport, A 01 Powell, Odell P 31.03 Perr, W. C Parker, L 5.10 1.98 Reed, Harry J 1.78 Rapport, Harris K 94 Powers, Richard W , , 9.24 Perrigo, T Parker, Lee 28.91 2.23 Reed, Hollis E. 2.38 Pappmundt, Paul 14.00 Pradat, T. A Parker, Norman R .59 Perry, J. M 2.14 1.78 Reed, John A." 1.48 Raspante, Joun D 4.00 Prall, Robert E Parks, Thomas A. 7.13 Parity, Saul 8.26 3.23 Reed, Robert E 2.25 Rassmussen = ;70 Prater, Herschel L Parnell, James ;H 2.82 Peret, Mitchell 4.81 1.98 Reeder, A 74 Rast, Howard W Parodes, Rudolph W. i3.38 Peters, .Clyde A 2.41 Pratt, William C 1,42 45.86 Reed, Thorman 21.33 Raterby, Alex Puirett, Thomas R. 2.97 Peters, .F. 16.09 Preach, Frederick E 2.83 11.14 Reese, Miles H. .71 Ratcliffe, Robert Parrish, William 7.19 Peters, T. ^ . 5.95 Precious. Donald A Oliver, Basil R Oliver, Benjamin P. Oliver, Edward H. Oliver, Ralph D. Oliveria, Erwin F. Oiler, Ernest Oiler, Juan Olmstead, George S. Olofson, Edmund C Olsen, Charles Olsen, Hans Olsin, Alf 0 Olson, Carlton L. Olson, Edwin J. Olsono, Ernest A. Olson, William David Olson, William L O'Malley, Alfred O'Malley, L. B Omercalesk, Robert . O'Neil, R. O'Neil, Thomas G. . Oninby, J O'Quinn, John W. . Ori, Richard Orlande, Hursliel O. Orlando, Hirshel A Orlando, Salvatore, A Orme, Nathan O'Rourke, James G O'Rourke, J. H Orr, J. R Orris, Wm Ortega, Alfred Jr., Ortez, B Ortiga, Robert T Ortiz, R Ortman, Chester Paul Orvin, D Oi-yall, Floyd A Osborne, Paul O'Toole, Jim Ouillette, Edw. J Overholt, Charles D Owens, Irving N Owens, John S Oxley, Chas. A NOTICE! �'age Sixteen THE SEAFARERS LOG AFL President Lauds N.O. Marine Cenncil LABOR MARTYRS MOURNED YEARS AFTER MURDER Isthmian's Cape Junction Goes SIU By 90 Percent fe-,, P^. • This week, 19 years ago on Aug. 23, 1927 in Boston Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were murdered by the State of Massachusetts. They were inno­ cent men murdered through a frame-up solely to get rid of them and their radical ideas. On Sept. 11, 1920, a paymaster and guard were murdered during a payroll robbery in a suburb of Boston. Sacco and Vanzetti were immediately arrested and charged with the crime. At the trial, which was a farce and a miscarriage of justice, it was definitely proven by many witnesses that on the day of the murders Vanzetti had been work­ ing in Plymouth, and Sacco was in Boston on business, and the evidence that put them at the scene of the crime was soon per­ forated and destroyed as a mass of lies. The prejudice and vicious in­ tent in mind was cleariy shown when Judge Thayer, who pre­ sided during the' trial, said 'he was going to get those bastards good and proper. The Depart­ ment of Justice's hands were not clean either when affidavits were introduced showing that for many months they had been watching the two men with the hope of getting a basis upon which to deport them. They also stated that a murder charge would be a good way of getting rid of them permanently. They further stated that the actual crime had the earmarks of a pro­ fessional job. NEW ORLEANS — Following j ships with relief supplies free the offer of the members of the of charge was made last week at New Orleans AFL Marine Coun­ at enlarged meeting of the N. O. Marine Council. Present at that cil to load and man a ship carry­ time were representatives of all ing relief supplies under the aus­ Council affiliates plus Pat Ryan, pices of UNRRA, a telegram of AFL Gulf Organizing Director; commendation was sent by AFL U. S. Congressman F. Edward President William Green to the Hebert, 1st District Louisiana; An enlarged New Orleans AFL Marine Council meeting chairman of the Council, The snd J. C. Aldige, Jr, represent­ heard Pat Ryan, AFL Staff representative directing the Gulf ing the Mayor of N. O. telegram follows: Organizing Drive, chime in with a few words m agreement Support was pledged by all Manny Moore when it was suggested to donate services to man and work a present, and plans were laid to Chairman, New Orleans relief ship carrying UNRRA supplies to starving people of implement the offer with con­ AFL Marine Council Europe. Ai the left of Ryan is A. F. Chittenden, Council President. crete action. Captain F. B. Ryan I commend N. O. AFL Ma­ rine Council upon the action it told the meeting that the MM&P took as reported in your tele­ will donate services for the voy­ gram dated August 15. Your ages and similar promises were patriotic and humanitarian ac­ made by C. J. "Buck" Stephens, tion will receive the full and Acting SIU Agent for New Or­ complete support of all the of­ leans; Council President Chitten­ ficers and members of the AFL. den, for the ILA; and Manny The bad feeling between the the vessel which came into New The public generally will com­ Moore, for the Teamsters. Skipper and the First Mate of York harbor last week. Right now the issue is up to mend you most highly upon Six shots, fired by the unsteady the SS Arthur Lewis, Robin Line, this excellent service which you President Truman and the WSA. hand of Mate Francis O'Leary, finally erupted on the morning The N. O. AFL Marine Council have offered to the nation. took the life of a Master, de­ of December 9, 1945, in Honolulu, has made its offer, and they are William Green, scribed by his SIU crew, as "a and resulted in the shooting of prepared to follow through as President AFL the genial Captain A. S. Fithian. good Joe." soons as the "go ahead" signal At the time of this writing, This was reported by the crew of All of the bickering that went only one reply to the offer had is received. on between the two ranking of­ been received. Speaking for Fioficers was caused by the First rello LaGuardia, Director of Mate's failure to show up in port UNRRA, Mr. Lowell W. Rooks, in time to take his normal watch. Deputy Director General and This forced the Skipper to log Chief Executive Officer of O'Leary in practically every port UNRRA, wired acceptance. No of call in the Facific Islands. As reaction has yet been received a result, bad blood sprang up, and from President Truman or from During the past several days, grat issportswear was the type of came to a head in Honolulu. the War Shipping Administra­ two more Isthmian Lines ships high pressure campaign that the tion. The telegram from Mr. SHOT SLEEPING were voted and their crews chose commies tried to win over the Rooks follows: Morazan crew. They rated the the Seafarers as the Union of In this port, O'Leary went Steely White, SIU of N. A. their choice by a whopping ma­ intelligence of these men so low ashore and drank what was de­ New Orleans AFL jority. "Voting at Boston, the that they thought a few free scribed as "a great deal of liquor." 339 Chartres Street crew of the Cape Junction regis­ sweatshirts and plenty of Moscow He came back to ship, and went GANGSTER CONFESSES Sincerely appreciate your of­ tered a vote of slightly better line spouting would win them to directly to the Skipper's cabin, "What makes the whole affair fer August 14 to load and man than 90 per cent for the Seafar­ the lost cause of the NMU. where he found him asleep. With­ a damning indictment of injus­ a vessel carrying UNRRA re­ ers International Union. The ex­ Maniscalco's report stated that out a word of warning, O'Leary' tice and legalized murder is that lief supplies to overseas des­ tremely small balance of 9 per each organization's representa­ pulled his gun and fired six • a year and a half before the men tination. We are now consult- cent was doubtful. tives, the SIU and NMU, spoke to shots into the prone body of the' were executed, Celestino Mating WSA and operators and The other vessel, which was the crew for 15 minutes before Captain. He then went to his will communicate with you balloted at San Francisco, was the voting began. As a result of own cabin where he fell into a derios, a professional gangster, confessed to committing the shortly reference reaction in- the Monroe Victory. Crewmem- the SlU's iMTOgram for the sea­ drunken stupor. crime. The murder bullets tallied ' terested parties. bers of this Isthmian ship voted men being outlined in detail, sev­ Two hours later the Navy Pa­ with his gun and his story of I Lowell W. Rooks approximately two-to-one for the eral men who had been commit­ trol came aboard and removed what took place fitted perfectly. ' UNRRA, Wash., D. C. Seafarers. "With these two ships ted to vote for the NMU, changed / hihi, in company with 14 SIU However, the snowball was gath­ So far, the plan has the en­ voted, there now remains exactly their minds and voted SIU. crewmembers, who were held as' ering momentum and even a thusiastic support of the people four more Isthmian scows to yet Before the vessel confession was not going to stop These men were'nt interested witnesses. of New ' Orleans and Louisiana, register their choice of a Union. in free sweatshirts or sox. They sailed, these men were replaced society in its mad drive to cru­ coming as it does after the failure These ships are the Fere Mar­ were interested in what each by other SIU men. cify these innocent men. of the N. O. UNRRA Drive. The quette, Robert C. Grier, Atlanta Union was going to do for the Sacco and Vanzetti went to At the trial held shortly after fact that labor has taken the City, and the Steel Inventor. seamen. They knew that their their deaths with people demon­ lead in the fight to save the They must be voted by the dead­ families or they couldn't live on the shooting fray, First Mate strating and protesting in their Frances O'Leary was found guil­ starving people of the world, has line of September 18, of their empty promises and free sports­ behalf throughout the world. ty and sentenced to from 10 to j brought many words of appre­ vote will not count. All are ex­ wear. Their memory burns bright to­ 20 years imprisonment. The ciation from State and civic lead­ pected to be voted. day in these words of Vanzetti. crewmembers who were held as These men wanted good wages ers. Several new additions have "If it had not been for these The offer to work and man been made to the Isthmian fleet and living conditions such as Sea­ witnesses were then repatriated home by airplane. things I might have lived out farers enjoy on SIU ships. That's recently. Among these are the my life, talking at street cor­ why a number of them swung Marine Arrow which is scheduled EXCITING TRIP ners to scornful men. I might over and voted SIU. And that's to go to Hong Kong, Shanghai, When the Lewis docked re­ have died, unmarked, un­ why the final vote gave the SIU and Taku Bar; the Sea Shark cently, Ray Gonzales and Jimmy known, a failure. Now we are an approximate 50-50 split on a headed for Manila, lloilo, and Sheehan went aboard her to set­ not a failure. This is our career Sebu; Argonaut scheduled to visit ship which was considered by Shanghai and Hong Kong; the the NMU to be one of their strong tle the payoff, and they were told and our triumph. Never in our the whole story by the crew. It full life can we hope to do such Eagle "Wing which will go to vessels. was the consensus of opinion that work for tolerance, for justice, Manila, lloilo, and Cebu; Towanthe Skipper was a very fine man for man's understanding of da Victory on an intercoastal run; and an excellent officer, while man, as now we do by an ac­ and the Cape Sandy which goes the First Mate was a bucko char­ cident. to Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, and acter, and was thoroughly dis­ "Our words—our lives—our Fort Allen. liked by the men. pains—nothing! The taking of FRANCISCO MORAZAN Not all the activity was top­ our lives—lives of a good shoe­ side this trip, however. On March maker and a poor fishpeddler— Seattle organizer Al ManisAll members—retired mem­ 18, Deck Engineer D. C. Calhoon all! That last moment belongs calco sent in a somewhat belated bers and former members— was busted to Wiper for "inef­ to us—that agony is our tri­ report on certain occurences on ficiency" after the Chief En­ umph." the Francisco Morazan which are of the Seafarers Internation­ gineer had entered a statement quite enlightening. According to al Union who are now sailing in the log book that "this man Maniscalco, NMU organizers went as licensed Engineers: Please knows his job and is competent." down to Fier 89, Seattle when the report as soon as possible to This statement was all that the Morazan arrived on July 24, and the Seafarers Hall at 51 Bea­ Patrolmen needed, and on the Captain F. B. Ryan takes the tossed a number of bundles on strength of it, Calhoon collected the ship. These bundles didn't ver Street, New York City. floor to announce that volun­ DE pay for the entire trick, plus Your presence is necessary teer Master and Mates, mem­ contain the usual NMU bilgehaving the log against him lifted. water propaganda. No, they con­ bers of the MM&P, will match in a matter of great impor­ All the other overtime beefs the SIU and the ILA and do­ tained free sweatshirts for the en­ tance. were settled to the complete satis­ nate' services for a relief voy­ tire crew. Six-NMU organizers plus the faction of the entire crew. age for UNHRA, Killer Makes SS Lewis Trip Interesting And Thrilling Sr'i'i', Friday, August 23, 1946 Attention Members! Seafarers Sailing As Engineers � 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 August 23, 1946 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. VIII, No. 34 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: AFL WATERFRONT UNIONS MEET IN CHICAGO SEAMEN NOW ELIGIBLE FOR N.Y. JOBLESS PAY N.O. FERRIES TO STRIKE IF BISSO WON'T BARGAIN CG RULES AGAINST HELEN SEAMEN DESPITE FACTS FROM BAD TO WORSE SAILOR (THE REAL SEA-GOING TYPE) CALLS COAST GUARD'S PET HEARING UNIT ILLEGAL STARCHY HOSPITAL FOODS CAN'T CURE TB SEAMEN ADVANCES UNDER SIU-AFL LEAVES NMU HOLDING BAG LAKES STRIKE BY NMU TIMELY FOR SHIPOWNERS AFL PUTS GOVERNMENT ON SPOT ON ILO VOICE WSA FOOD WASTE DURING SHORTAGE PROFITS STILL COME FIRST, AS ALWAYS, TO SHIPOWNERS RICH GET RICHER--YOU PAY NATIONAL AFL MARITIME COUNCIL HAILED AS LONG STEP FORWARD GREAT LAKES SEC'Y TREAS REPORTS PROGRESSIVENESS OF SIU PROVED ANEW BY N.O. SEAMENSHIP SCHOOL SAN JUAN LOOKS FORWARD EAGERLY TO BIGGER AND BETTER SHIPPING 85,000 JOIN AFL RANKS IN SOUTH EVERYTHING WAS DECIDED DEMOCRATICALLY SALVAGE CASE OFFER SPURNED FITZHUGH LEE, STRUCK BY MINE OFF ITALY, RETURNS TO NORFOLK TO UNDERGO REPAIRS SITUATION IN MARINE HOSPITALS WILL NOT BE CLEARED UP BY EXCUSES AND DELAYING AFL PRESIDENT LAUDS N.O. MARINE COUNCIL KILLER MAKES SS LEWIS TRIP INTERESTING AND THRILLING ISTHMIAN'S CAPE JUNCTION GOES SIU BY 90 PERCENT Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 8/23/1946 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1946 Periodicals Seafarers Log