http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/b9e14476403959c0f384f7b441fe6468.PDF 07a48fc2ebc8314a0a3f80471ca02aab PDF Text Text v:-: i^:i;cr:, Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America Strike Or Arbitration Are Alternatives As Tugboatmen Take Vote NEW YORK—Following a deadlock in negotiations between the operators and New York Harbor's 2,800 tugboat workers, ballots have been mailed to the union membership to determine whether the union will strike or seek arbitration in the dispute over a new contract. Captain William V. Bradley, President of the United Marine Division, Local 333, ILA, stated that the ballots would be returned by January 2, and would decide the union's action when the present^ contract expires December 31. NO AGREEMENT The Tugboat workers are seek­ ing a reduction in the work week from 48 to 44 hours and an in­ crease in wages of $1.00 per day. However, to date the operators have offered to reduce the work week to 44 hours, but grant only an- eight percent pay increase. The operators have offered time and a half pay on Satur­ days after four hours work, while tlie Tugboat workers are a.sking that all Satui-day work be paid time and a half. The negotiations, which are be­ ing supervised by the U. S. Con­ ciliation Service, have been held at the office of the Tugboat Ex­ change, 17 Battery Place. Dur­ ing the talks the committe rep­ resenting the members of Local 333 has stated that it has no au­ thority from its membership to accept a new wage agreement which did not give the men at least 48 hours pay for a 40 hour week, thus giving the operators notice that they intend to go all the way in securing the de­ mands of the Harbor workers. Previously Captain Bradley had stated to the Log that he and Joseph Ryan, ILA Pi'esident, planned to call a meeting of the local AFL Maritime Trades Coun­ cil to discuss strategy in the pre­ sent situation with a view to gaining the support of all mari­ time workers in their dispute. HOPE FOR PEACE While negotiations remain deadlocked at the present time. Federal conciliators are working doggedly to bring both groiips in­ to a peaceful settlement to avoid a repetition of last spring's crip­ pling harbor tie-up. Stubbornness on the part of the operators to meet the union de­ mands for a wage rise necessi­ tated by the soaring cost of liv­ ing may cause an encore of last spring's walkout. The Tugboat representatives, however, are anxious to gain a contract with­ out the necessity of a strike, but are determined to gain their de-. mands which they feel the op­ erators are well able to grant— No. 51 NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. DECEMBER 20. 1946 Vol. VIII. Merry Xmas! The past year has been a good year for the men of the SIU and the SUP. We have won our biggest victories, our best contracts, and we are well on the road to gain­ ing bargaining rights for Isthmian seamen. So. wherever members of the Seafarers International Union find themselves on December 25. 1946. they can partake of Christmas cheer, and be happy in the thought that they have helped ad­ vance the fight of all United States seameiu Regional NLRB Report On Isthmian Is Ready; NMU Blocks Action NEW YORK, Dec. 18—Another chapter in the NMU's long history of stalling and deception is being written at each Hearing before the New York State Labor Relations Board. The latest chapter was added today, when the NMU arrogantly turned down the SIU pro-: posal to waive certain challenges. These waivers would be in cases of improper crew lists, and on condition that the NMU would do the same. i Seafarers Prods Trustees Of Snug Harbor To investigate Complaints On Conditions As a follow-up to the action! Complete text of the letter to two weeks ago, SIU Special Ser­ the Snug Harbor officials follows: December 16, 1946 vices Representative Joseph VolBoard of Trustees pian this week sent a letter to the Sailors Snug Harbor Sailors Snug Harbor Board of 262 Green Street Trustees in regard to the poor New York, N. Y. conditions existing at Snug Har­ Gentlemen: bor today. A short while ago we sent a This further action was neces­ sitated by the fact that Mr. How­ ard Flynn, Governor of the home located on Staten Island, neglect­ ed to answer the previous letter. (An article on the first letter ap­ peared in the Seafarers Log of December 6.) Asserting that "Our membei-ship has given us a mandate on the entire Snug Harbor question" and that "we are prepared to meet with any of your specially designated representatives in or­ der to go over our points of criti­ cism," the letter went on to state that it was the desire of the SIU to cooperate in improving condi­ tions in order to "make it possible for the retired seamen ... to fully enjoy their final years. r .' — Have You Voted? Last Bays At Hand Don't feel bad when voting has ended because you failed to vote. Once each year SIU members elect the officers who will lead them for the ensuing year. This is your chance, so make the most of it. From the way reports have been coming in it is ap­ parent that all SIU men are interested in having their say. That is why more votes are being cast in this election than were ever cast before. Have you . voted yet? letter to Mr. Howard A. Flynn regarding the conditions now existing at the Sailors Snug Har­ bor. We arc enclosing herewith a copy of this letter. Up until the date of this letter to you, we have not received an answer from Mr. Flynn nor have we had the cour­ tesy of an answer from anyone connected with your organiza­ tion. MEMBERSHIP MANDATE The SIU made the offer in the effort to expedite matters so that Isthmian seamen will not. any longer be denied union rep­ resentation. But the NMU, with, the certain knowledge that they are losing the bargaining election, . turned thumbs down on the bid. Representing the SIU at the Hearing were Paul Hall and Ben, Sterling, SIU attorney; for the : NMU Mr. Rosenfeld appeared; and Messers. Cherbonnier, Cough- . lin, and Huff represented the Company. tions now existing on SIU ships, and in trying to eliminate those sub-standard practices which we have noted in our original letter, rather than indulge in undue recriminations and otherwise criticize the administration of the Sailors Snug Harbor. In line with this, we are prepared to meet CONSIDERED SIU with any of your specially desig­ The meeting today was held nated representatives in order to go over our points of criticism for , the purpose of opening the one by one, and offer our consid­ envelopes containing the votes ered suggestions for the allevia­ of the twelve ships whose entire tion and/or prevention of these vote has been challenged by the NMU. None of the votes was inequities. seen by the representatives of It is our sincere hope and de­ the two unions involved, but sire that we receive your fullest ci-ew lists and certifications were cooperation in once more estab­ checked. lishing modei-n conditions and Although none of the votes of standards for the Sailors Snug those ships have' been seen by Harboi;, and make it possible for the retired seamen who are in- anyone, it is generally conceded > mates to fully enjoy their final Jhat all twelve cast the majority years. May we expect your reply their votes for the SIU. \ in the very near future? This is' borne out by the re­ ports of SIU Organizers, both Very truly yours. ship and shoreside, and by the Joseph Volplan. fact that the NMU challenged all Special Services votes on these ships when the Representative counting first started. Seafarers International Union. AFL {Continued on Page J) We would appreciate it if you would let us know whether or not anything is being done in this matter. Our membership has given us a mandate on the entire Snug Harbor question, and in the event that you do not .see fit to answer this communication, we have no other alternative but to give the matter the widest pos­ sible publicity in our official pub­ lication, the Seafarers Log. and other news outlets. In addition, a further investi­ gation on our part will probably be necessary to check into the court records covering the orig- NEW YORK — Recommendations' picket-cards be chang^jd from, mal establishment of the Sailors for future strike procedure, aris-1 action to action so as to prevent Snug Harbor, the trustee set-up, ing out of its experiences in any chance of confusing the cards. and all other matters pertaining clearing SIU members after the In discussing the excuses which to the operation and functions of 1946 General Strike, have been served, or can serve, as a basis the fund. This is imperative in placed before the membership for clearing men, the Committee order to satisfy our membership , for action by the Strike Clear- lists six reasons, but makes it which is quite concerned with the gnce Committee, Headquarters plain that the Clearance Committreatment being accorded to the Branch. The report was made at tees in the various ports should inmates of the Sailors Snug Har­ the regular membership meeting be permitted to use their own bor home. on Wednesday, December 18. discretion in accepting other leg­ itimate excuses. COOPERATION REQUESTED The Committee approved the The Committee has recom­ However, we would much Sti-ike Picket Card system which mended that its activity end on rather have your complete coop­ was put into operation by the Strike Committee, but recomj Saturday, December 21, but that eration in bringing Snug Harbor (Conthmed on Page 6) standards up to a par with condi- mends that the color of the ' Strike Clearance Comm. Suggests Next General Strike Procedure -4 �Page Two THE S E A P A R E US' lO G Friday, December 20, 1946 SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street. New York, 4, N. Y,. HAnover 2-2784 t HARRY LUNDEBERG » » » ------- President 105 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 York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1?12. « 267 Not Quite So Merry Considering the excellenL gains rnade by the Seafar­ ers International Union during the past year, this Christ­ mas could conceivably be the merriest ever. This past year has seen the SIU go on to outstanding gains in wages and conditions, and to a long lead in the largest full scale organizing drive on the waterfront. But, in common vzith the rest of organized labor, there is little else to be thankful for, and even less to be merry about. On every front labor has taken a setback, with indications that more will be forthcoming next year. Certainly the miners, even with the hope that the mon­ strous fine will be set aside, have no reason to celebrate the happy season. Our Union has more to be cheerful about than most, hut as seamen we know that little has been done to allevi^ite certain conditions which must be remedied before seamen will be on par with other people of the United States. Our long fight for a Seaman's Bill of Rights, better hospital conditions, more complete Unemployment Insur­ ance coverage, and old age security, has not been suc­ cessful enough to make us share the general cheer of , Christmastime. Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegate by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. .Sfc . .Mf - The heroes who garnered many waves of applause for their activities during the war years have been left out in the cold, and none of the benefits of the GI Bill of Rights have been extended to seamen. Merchant seamen and Navy men manned the guns and took the chances of These are Ihe Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, war, and seamen want the same advantages given to Navy 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 yeterans. Men Now In The Marine Hospitals ing to them. As far as hospital conditions are concerned, readers of the Log are aware that these could be bettered to a great degree without giving the seamen any more comfort and treatment than they actually need. Nowhere has the SIU asked for special consideration; all we have requested is decent hospital conditions which will help bring sea­ men back into the pink of health in the shortest pos­ sible time. i Although some strides have been made in the field of unemployment insurance, a lot remains to- be done so- that seamen can enjoy the same benefits as other workers. Some i istates still do not grant benefits to seamen who are out of yvork, and other states will not start programs until June, !J947. NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL H. G. DARNELL THOMAS BAIER K. PETTERSSON W. F. LEWIS F. BERGLAND SCOTTY ATKINS W. QUARLES CENTRAL MASON R. M. NOLAN . MEL CONTANT JACINTO NAVARRO LIONEL ROTHERHAM J. W. DENNIS W. BROCE JR. H. GRAY R. E. FRINK MAX SEIDEL EDWARD CUSTER JOHN HANES S. BROTHERS And- as far as security for their old age is concerned, seamen can look forward to very little of that. Bound down by job limitations that leave little room for ad, yancement, seamen work as long as they are able, and ' then must try to make ends meet on the little Social Se­ % * X curity that their rate of pay through the years warrants. STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL . • All of the above abuses cry out for remedy. Seamen M. TROCHA : cannot consider slowing down the fight until they have C. OLIVER achieved security and the assurance of decent treatment T. WADSWORTH KUPLICKI case they fall ill. Until that day, it won't be a Merry C. G. A, LUETH iChristmas for any American seamen. E. F. SPEAR Let's all pitch in to make sure that next Christmas If {will be the merry one. R. G. MOSSELLER W. G. H. BAUSE W. B. MUIR L. H. C. L. E. C. C. E. L. MOODY BELCHER RASMUSSEN A. CORNWALL N. DuPONT KOLSTE R. POTTER J. BONNER XXX BALTIMORE HOSPITAL HARRY WALSH RAYMOND GERHARD PETER LOPEZ MAX FINGERHUT THOMAS HOLT LEO RHODES ROBERT KUNTZ MELVIN MERCER E. DIPIETRO FRANCIS O'BRIEN OLIVER HEADLEY GALVESTON HOSPITAL LONGKEMPT PAURGASON—SUP ALDERHOLDS KING MITCHELL DOWELL DEETRECH SWENSON CASTAGNERE—B.C. MULKE Staten Island Hospital You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Staten Island Hospital at the follow­ ing times: Tuesday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 5th and 61h 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.) NEPONSIT HOSPITAL LINDER CLARK J. FIGUEROA L. L. LEWIS H. SELBY H. BURKE J. S. COMPBELL B. BRYDER B. LUFLIN G. F. McCOMB E. FERRER R. BLAKE J. R. HENCHEY % X X SAN JUAN HOSPITAL N. HAMMER R. SAUNDERS E. LARKIN A. ACEVEDO P. FELECIANO F. APUNTE XXX ELLIS ISLAND HOSPITAL D. MCDONALD J. KOSLUSKY �\" •'^':fijj'»'7';?»'rFTi»?^.'5 F5yTT^ Friday, December 20, 1940 THE SEAFARERS LOG NMU Leaders Try To Hide Failure By Wild Charges Against SlU By JOHN ARABACZ Any seaman who i-eads the NMU Pilot knows that the pri­ mary occupation of the com­ munist party members 'in the NMU and especially CP-NMU of­ ficials is to attack the SIU and to this end column after column of type has been devoted. Their savage attacks against thd policies, programs, member­ ship, and officials of the Seafar­ ers- are based upon their own weakness and inability to give their membership something con­ crete and positive. It is a choice practice of the communists to hurl fantastic charges at their enemies to cover their own short­ comings, and find a scapegoat for their failings. JOHNNY ARABACZ If you have ever bucked heads with a "commie" and maneuver­ and not the NMU. Brother Cur­ ed him into a corner, he will im­ ran was promptly slapped in line mediately change the subject or and that was the end of that. attack from another angle. There lies the necessity for the CPers who are in charge of NMU GOOD EXAMPLE organizing to wage war against Take for example Joe Stack, a the SIU. They must find a way communist party member and to take the heat off their own de­ vice-president of the NMU. Stack ficiencies and perpetuate their has been placed in charge of jobs. So in this vein we can look NMU organizing, and so far he for them to continue their cam­ has not had much success, nor is paign of calling every barroom he likely to have any in the fu­ fight and pierhead brawl the ture. work of SIU "goons." Every In the first place, the number shady deal that the commie of unorganized seamen is limited, leadership pulls—the .shuffling of and secondly the CP brand of or­ port officials as recently happen­ ganizing, in which they drag in ed in Texas, the juggling of the extraneous political and foi-eign books, etc. is "justified" because policy questions has proven un- of the "SIU threat." Threat of • popular with seamen. what? Getting the seamen what Proof that their organizing has they justly deserve? been done to achieve a political WATCHING SEAFARERS purpose rather than to organize seamen to better their wages and As of late their has been much working conditions comes from attention paid to the Seafarers the NMU president, Joe Curran, by Comrade Stack & Co. in the himself. He openly came out and NMU meetings and in their accused the organizers of or­ scandal sheet. They have been ganizing for the communist party failures in their organizing cam- Hq. Strike Clearance Committee Winds Up Its Work This Week NEW YORK—The Headquar­ ters Strike Clearance Committee, which has been busy clearing Seafarers since the end of the SIU-SUP General Strike on Sep­ tember 13, will disband Decem­ ber 21. ^:-SW5^T--;T reported in by then is not con­ cerned with the welfare of the Union and is not deserving of holding a book any longer. The committee found in their contact with men appearing be­ fore them that many of the younger members were un­ familiar with the procedure fol­ lowed during a strike and many of the men went home to wait the end of the tie-up. paign and we have been right­ eous successful; the easiest way for the commies to quiet the un­ rest of the NMU membership to­ ward their own leaders is to at­ tempt to mislead the memberbei-ship into believing that the other side of the fence is much dirtier—an old commie tech­ nique. In this they will be fail­ ures with the rank and file of their own union, providing they are shown the score. It is true that at times we have been guilty of confusing the poli­ cies of the rank and file with that of their leadership. We would be fools not to admit it. Most of the NMU membership are honest union seamen, whose policies are greatly removed from the com­ mies, in spite of the tremendous "educational" job the commies have attempted to do on them. We should discourage any ten­ dency toward creating any hard feelings between the SIU mem­ bership and the NMU rank and file. Instead we should show them by actual contact, by bringing them into our halls whenever possible, and by exploding the myth expounded in the Pilot that the commies are preaching as nothing but lie.s. We have all the facts on our side and blowing these myths sky high will be the easiest thing in the woi-ld. MEET ISSUE CALMLY Page Three MINERS ACKNOWLEDGE SIU OFFER JOHN L. LEWIS ^neSiocNT rT TELCPMONC MCTflOPOLiTPM 0S30 • •= -M UNITED MINE WORKERS' OUILDINO A". Docenber 10, 1946 Mr. Paul Hall, Director of Organization ( Seafarers International Union of North America 51 Beaver Street New York City, New York Dear Sir and Brother; Thanks greatly for your splendid telegram of December 6. The. fine pledge of support by your membership is deeply appreciated. t With my compliments and good wishes to eaoh of your members. w L:G;G The above letter from John L. Lewis is in reply to the offer made in the name of the Seafarers International Union by Paul Hall, New York Port Agent. This offer of support was made when the United Mine Workers' strike first started. Miners Win Point; Court Considers Injunction Law The entire, issue of communism WASHINGTON — O V e r the j seizure of the mines by the Gov­ must be discussed calmly, and protests of Attorney General Tom ernment was only a "token" not by red-baiting. Communism C. Clark, the Supreme Court has action, and that the Government will be the crux of every discus­ agreed to allow arguments on the was not really in possession of sion with NMU members and it applicabilitly of the Norris-La- the mines. The mines were only is important that one knows what Guardia Act and the Clayton Act being handled by the Government he is talking about when it comes when the United Mine Workers for the bituminous coal operators. up. and John L. Lewis appeal from For this reason, they stated that Wild name calling and labeling contempt of court is heard on the Government had not the right should be out. The commies have January 14. to ask for an injunction, since the been very successful in their cam­ The two anti-injunction acts, Norris-La Guardia Act bans in­ paign to brand anyone who criti­ plus four amendments to the junctions in labor disputes. cizes them as a "red-baiter." Constitution, will be considered The Union further argued tliat Use the facts and you will not when the High Court begins hear­ consideration should be given to only be listened to but respected ings on all petitions and the ap­ the First, Fifth, Eighth, and Thir­ and what is most important, you peals. teenth Amendments to the Con­ will convince them. Mr. Clark was unsuccessful in stitution. These deal with ques­ To resort to name-calling will his effort to have the Court limit tions of free speech, involuntary only lead to being placed into the its consideration to the contempt servitude, and excessive fines and same catagory as some of the convictions which were handed cruel and unusual punishment. more stinking newspaper colum­ down by Judge T. Alan GoldsUMW arguments were sustain­ nists, and the honest union man boi'ough of the Federal District ed on all points, and will be con­ will turn away at an argument Court. Clark contended that the sidered at the hearings. that sounds like a quote from the Norris-LaGuardia and the Clay­ ANOTHER GAIN Hearst press or the National As­ ton Acts were not involved, and In another victory for the sociation of Manufacturers. had no bearing on the case. UMW, the United States Court of The Union stated in arguments The way to show them up for ' Appeals for the District of Colwhat they are is by quoting their before Judge Goldsborough that ' umbia decided that the Govern­ record. It stinks. Nothing is more ment was within its rights in con­ damning than their recoi'd in the tracting with unionized foremen maritime industry. Their record at four seized mines of the Jones proves how the commies in mari­ and Laughlin Steel Corporation time have consistently sold the in western Pennsylvania. The 136 welfare of the seamen down the foremen are members of the river whenever their political Sad news to all Seafarers is the Supervisiors Branch, District 50, line demanded it. announcement that three Broth­ United Mine Workers. Their record during the war, ers have crossed the final bar Attorney for the Company an­ when they went all out for Rus­ within the past week. John L. nounced immediately that the sia has shown them up in their Distefano and Robert Cavender decision would be appealed to true light. It isn't so long ago died at the Baltimore Marine the Supreme Court. that we can forget the flip- Hospital, and Emil Von Tesmar The main arg^iment of the flop they took when Germany at­ passed away at the Neponsit Ma­ Company was that membership tacked Russia. We were "war­ rine Hospital. of supervisiors in the UMW would mongers" they claimed, but they All three were full book mem­ result in relaxed enforcement of sure changed their minds over­ bers; Brothers Distefano and Ca­ safety measures. Under Pennsyl­ night. After Russia w-nt into the vender came into the Union in vania law this enforcement is the war—we were then "anti-war 1944, and Brother Von Tesmar responsibility of mine supervisors. fascists." joined in 1939. The NLRB, which was sustain­ The Clearance Committee, com­ posed of Brothers John H. Cal­ houn, David B. Sacher, Benny Goodman, and Chairman Ed. Bender, will disband and will leave the strike clearance work to the Headquarters Office to In these cases the committee clear men with legitimate ex­ took into consideration the length cuses, and to handle the explana­ of time the man has been in the tions of members who missed Union and acted accordingly. the strike without good reason. NOVEL EXCUSES WILL HEAR PLEAS Some of the excuses rendered During this 90-day period the to the committee have been" quite disposition of pleas will be novel and the committe found it­ handled by an elected committee self at times involved in mar­ of the membership' who will hear riages and divorces; but each case all cases and determine the penal­ was weighed and judged accord­ ties. ing to its merits and no hard and After the 90-day period, which fast rules were adhered to in will fall six months after the ter­ most cases. mination of the strike, all mem­ The committee stated that most bers who do riot have legitimate of the men who wei'e fined or RECORD OF FLUNKYS excuses will automatically be penalized realized their error and suspended from the Union per­ is sure that the majority of them Their blessing of Coast Guard manently. control, their complete subser­ are good Union men who can vience to -all government agen­ It is felt that any seaman who be counted on to do a reM job cies, their alliance with the buin the event another tie-up takes stayed away from the strike with­ place. (Continued on Page 14) out legitimate reason and has not '•r'fj • -'.31 Three Seafarers On Last Voyage The three deceased Brothers will be missed by their former shipmates and by the rest of their friends in the SIU. There is no information regard­ ing the survivors of any of the three. ed by the court, answered by stating that it did not believe that supervisors would be less careful of the safety of the rankand-file because of membership in a group affiliated with the mine union. • ^1 jfj ;i1 .-.-'iii t-'rv I .J:-!, �' I • „ - THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Four Friday. December 20, 1946 Tale For Seamen, With Moral For Bucko Skippers WHAT ttWMK By RAY GONZALES and SALVADOR COLLS QUESTION: What was the most exciting thing that happened to you since you have been sailing? If i FRANK J. SOSS, AB: ROY GILMER, Steward: I was on LST 1087 off Okinawa when the Jap planes came over with their suicide tacties. We were supposed to lay down a smoke screen, but the machinery was out of order and the boats were right out in the open. A bunch of ships were hit that day, among them the Pennsylvania. We weren't touched, but it was only luck that saved us. The LST on our right was sunk, and a ship on our left was hit. It was quite a sight to see those planes go crashing into ships. Those kami­ kaze pilots must have had plenty of nerve. Back in 1944 when the North Atlantic was really sub-infested, our ship became separated from the rest of Uie convoy. We were therefore forced to return to Hali­ fax. This was plenty exciting be­ cause we were loaded with all types of bombs and with high ex­ plosives. Going into the harbor, we rammed another ship, and on­ ly quick action by the Mate kept us from a fatal accident. He drop­ ped the hook and that lessened the impact; and thereby averted a certain explosion. It sure was touch and go for a while. VIC MILAZZO, Steward: Off the coast of France, in sup­ posedly safe water, we were atlacked by about a dozen German E boats. That split the convoy right up, and it was everybody for himself. The attack started around midnight, and was still agoing strong at 5:30 in the morn­ ing. A few of our ships were sunk, and most of us had just about given up the ghost. Just when it looked like the fight would soon end with all of us sunk, the British Night Flyers appeared over us and went to work. They drove the E boats away in short order. GUS KERN, JR. ENG.; < On October 29, 1944, I was on the John A. Johnson. 950 miles S. W. of San Francisco. We were attacked by a Jap sub. and one of the torpedoes hit us square. A couple of us made it to a life boat, -but once we got into the water, the sub surfaced and shot at us like we were sitting ducks. 13 men were killed and five wound­ ed. After being in the water 19 hours we were picked up by the USS Argus and were taken to Treasure Island. • None of us ever expected to live through that ex­ perience, and we all feel lucky. V Marine Arrow Has Typical Isthinian Trip; Check It - But Good But That Seafarers Contract Is Coming Paying off in Wilimington, Cal­ ] couldn't get a draw, they went to ifornia, last week, crewmembers the SIU Hall, and contacted of the Isthmian Lines' Marine Blackie Silva. He immediately got in touch with the Isthmian Arrow declared that their last office and they called in the Old •trip was the most hectic in many Man. Captain Johnson only want­ a moon. Right from the start of ed to give the boys a $2 draw. the voyage in New York last However, Silva managed to pres­ c |\.ugust 10, the Arrow boys had sure him into letting loose of a five spot for each crewman. to put up with a short crew, HONG KONG EPISODE Short draws, and last but not least, short tempers. The Arrow anchored in the When they left New York, ac­ stream at Hong Kong, and Isth­ cording to Deck delegate Henry mian didn't provide any trans­ E- Sohl and Messman Louis Bucci, portation for the entire week that they were short a Bosun, Deck they were there. All of the boys Maintenance, Dayman on deck, who wished to go ashore were Oiler and Steward Utility. forced to pay their own sampan They were unable to pick up fare, going and returning. any additional crewmen in Philly It was in Hong Kong that the or Newport News, and it wasn't crew had their first big difference until the Arrow arrived at Nor­ with Bosun Bell, when he slap­ folk that they managed to pick ped a young OS, Misham, and up a Bosun — a big fellow named picked on him continuously. Del­ Ernest E. Bell — who treated all egate Sohl tangled with Bell over . the young crewmen as though this, and he promised to behave he was a big shot and they were himself. small fry. Later, at Shanghai, Bell grab­ Upon arrival at Newport News, bed a fire axe while he was the crew was entitled to a draw, slightly pifflicated and chased but, the tough Skipper, Gus E. several crewmembers until the Johnson, i-efused. Again, upon 3rd Mate took the axe away from the Arrow's arrival at Panama, him. Bell then stationed him.self the crewmembers tried for a astride the stairway and threat­ draw. But, no dice. ened to kick anyone in the face The Mate, who was a good guy, if they attempted to pass. Three gave the deck gang two bucks men rushed him, and managed apiece. So they were a little to clear the stairway. Later, Bell apologized to the men whom he luckier than the others. In Honolulu, wheft the crew had attacked. Two minutes after the apology, the belligerent Bosun took off after two other fellows with a marlinspike, and, would have stabbed them if other crewmen hadn't prevented him from doing so. As a result of his crazy act­ ions, Bell was finally taken off the ship by the River Police. Next day, the Arrow crew­ members pressed charges against Bell. After the usual amount of Coast Guard stalling and red tape, the trial was concluded with Bell losing his papers and being perraantely yanked off the ship. Check the slop chest be­ fore your boat sails. Make sure that the slop chest con­ tains an adequate supply of all the things you are liable to need. If it doesn't, call the Union Hall immediately. NEW YORK—What happened to Seafarer Jack Peeler on a re­ cent trip to the Far East is a good example of why the SIU cannot for one minute rest on its laurels, but must continually fight for the maintenance of SIU contract conditions. Jack was a crewmember aboard the SS John B. Water­ man, Waterman Steamship Com­ pany, when she tied up in Yoko­ hama, Japan. As the area is disease-infested, the crew was asked to submit to cholera in­ jections, which all of them gladly did, except Jack. This ^was due to the fact that he is sensitive to the serum and on previous oc­ casions it had made him very ill. He asked to be excused as it is the option of seamen to accept or reject injections. REFUSED TO LISTEN The Skipper and the First Mate refused to listen to Jack when he told them of the reac­ tion he received from the. shots. Instead they forced the injections upon him in spite of what he had told them. Immediately after receiving the shots he became violently ill and nauseated. He went to his bunk to recover but the Skipper, when he saw he was unable to" work, told him he was to get off the ship. Unable to do any­ thing about his condition. Jack accepted the payoff and left the ship in Yokahama. The actions of the Skipper and the First Mate should have been enough trouble for one trip, but Jack's troubles were not ended. A few days later he was placed aboard the SS Dunham Victory, another Waterman ship, as a con­ sul passenger. The trip home aboard the Dun­ ham Victory was far from the first class passenger accommoda­ tions called for in the contract. For Jack, along with the other passengers, found himself stuck in steerage with 12 men to a room. The food was—well, there was none, because the Captain refused {Continued on Page 6) THE LEARNED THE HARD WAY! NO MEDICAL AID At Taku Bar, Captain Johnson refused medical aid to seven crewmembers, and they were forced to get along as well ap they could with assistance from other crewmen. Due to a feud between the bull-headed Skipper and the Port Agent for Isthmian, the Arrow remained at Taku Bar for a month before she could be un­ loaded. When they arrived back in the U. S. and were paid off in Wil­ mington, the Arrow crewmen tried to get the SUP representa­ tive, Bill Bryce, aboard to help them with their beefs. ^ost of the crewmembers had approximately 200 hours of over­ time coming to them, but they paid oflE (under protest) with 179 {Continued on Page J) These two Isthmian seamen. Henry E. Sohl (left) and Louis Bucci (right), learned about Isthmian unorganized conditions the hardest way—by sailing an Isthmian ship. However, it wouldn't be possible for the SIU to begin bargaining nego­ tiations with Isthmian in the near future if it wasn't for the sacrifices of men like Sohl and Bucci. �• "/ '"f-- Friday, December 20. 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Marine Runner Really Hops Preparing For Long Cruise A vessel preparing for a long trip is a beehive of activity. It's as much as a man's life is worth if he doesn't watch himself, what with longshoremen hard at work loading and placing cargo; sailors readying the ship for the voy­ age; and stores being brought aboard for meals and the slopchest. Page Five THE LONG VIEW tht the men are not signing Ar­ ticles with clauses that will not protect them. SHIP ON BALL Once this question is satisfied, the men are examined by a doc­ tor. This is not a thorough exam­ ination, but it shows whether or not men are in good enough phy­ sical condition to withstand a voyage. Not all of the activity is con­ Next comes the actual signing fined to physical work. In the of Articles, under the direction of saioon of the Marine Runner, Ro­ a Shipping Commissioner. Men line up after the doctor's okay, bin Lines, as she made ready to and one by one they place their leave for South Africa on Tues­ John Hancock on the Articles. day, December 17, were groups All right, the cargo has been of men being examined by a phy­ stowed, the stores taken aboard, sician and signing Foreign Ar­ the Articles signed, and so off on a good trip. The Marine Runner ticles for the trip. is a clean ship, with a good crew, Accompanying Patrolmen Louis so it looks like a fine trip to Goffin and Ray Gonzales, this southern waters—and just when Log reporter went on board the the weather is getting rugged up Marine Runner to see what ac­ here. tually happens when a ship is Keep her steady as she goes, preparing for a trip. Ther's plenty" men. of activity, and although some' of it looks demoralized, all of it has a purpose. Taken from high on the bridge, this is a picture of the deck of the Marine Runner, Robin Lines, as the ship was preparing to get under way for a trip to South Africa. Plenty going on. but with an SIU crew aboard, everything is co.-nplelely under control. LASH IT DOWN The most active workers, be­ fore the ship sails, are the long­ shoremen. On the dock and on the ship, they are hard at work loading the slings with freight, hoisting the heavy slings up on the ship, and discharging the load into the various holds. This is hard work and it takes a high degree of skill to accomplish the job without damaging cargo or men. The slings swing back and forth across the deck, and a man must watch in all directions at once while making his way along ' the decks. Just one slip, one un­ wary moment, and the result is a head bashed in by a swinging Dr.' Lecky H. Russell examines an AB prior to the load. sign-on. Every man amdergoes an examination, and anything wrong is checked before the ship pulls out. It's too late to . Down in the holds the cargo is treat a bad heart or other ailments when the ship is in the being stowed by experts. The middle of the ocean. It takes men in excellent physical condition load must be equalized and lash­ to man ships, and no member of the SIU wants to take sick a ed in such a way that the motion thousand miles from nowhere and put the burden of his work of the vessel will not cause it to on his shipmates. shift. Men who have been on ships on which the cargo shifted, have come back with stories of damged holds, hours of work to straighten out the situation, and injuries to personnel. Some ships have even been sunk because of poor stowage of cargo. Signing of Articles is another date for this action, but reiterated (Continued front Page^ 1) long process. SIU Patrolmen go The twelve ships challenged by that it would be very soon. aboard for sign-ons and payoffs. the National Maritime Union; All waterfront workers are en­ This is to provide the crew with CIO, are the Argonaut, William raged by the shoddy tactics of representation and to make sure N. Byers, Carleton Victory, John the NMU. They consider that the Constantine, David Dudley Field, election has been lost by the William Glackens, William D. CIO union and that its dog in the Hoard, Anson Jones, Norman E. manger actions are only harming Mack, Marine Fox, W. W. McCra- the Isthmian seamen. ckin, and the Ocean Telegraph. Even the Pilot's wild tales of collusion between some SIU or­ AS IN ESSO ganizers and some Isthmian of­ (Canfimted from Page 4) In the counting of the Isthmian ficials is only being received with hours , after Isthmian stalled votes, the NMU is pursuing the laughter. around and claimed later that same course as it did in the case Seamen know of the difficulties they could collect the difference of Standard Oil of New Jersey, encountered by the SIU in this at the company offices. where NMU delaying moves re­ Organizing Drive, and they are Both Sohl ap^ Bucci asserted sulted in the NLRB' Examiner aware that it was hard work and that they had a good bunch of throwing out the entire election. straight union principles that officers aboard the Arrow with Standard Oil seamen have suf­ caused Isthmian seamen to go the exception of the Old Man. In fered since no union- has ever Seafarers by an overwhelming addition, they stated that Isth­ been accredited as bargaining majority. mian seamen could expect to sail agent. Nothing that the NMU or the under similar conditions to those Mr. Sidney Levy, the NLRB Pilot can . say will change the aboard the Arrow as long as Isth­ Field Examiner, announced at the facts. The Seafarers International mian remained without an SIU meeting that he has practically Union has the support of Isth­ contract. concluded his investigation, and mian seamen, and the NMU is "With an SIU contract," Sohl that his report will soon be ren- ^ raising a false issue to cover up stated, "no bull-headed Skipper dered to Mr. Howard LeBarron, its own inability to gain the conHke Johnson will deny us our Regional Director of the NLRB fidence of these previously unlegitimate rights." in this area. He would set no organized seamen. NMU Blocks Seafariers' Proposal To Expedite Isthmian Vote Count lip wliil ||||i|i||||?;li||i After being examined by the doctor, these members of the crew of the Marine Runner queue up for a chance to sign the Articles. From here on it's a long trip to South Africa, and f I back home again. Oh. for the life of a sailor! 'J SS Marine Arrow Is Truly Isthniian An AB places his signalur© jn the Articles and he is aU ready for a long trip. Two SIU Patrolmen are present to make sure that the men signed the correct Articles and that the ship is okay with no beefs by the crew. This is standard practice on SIU contracted ships. �ij Page Six THE Strike Clearance Committee Has Plan For Next Strike SEAFARERS LOG Friday, December 20, 194S THEY CHECKED THE CLEARANCES b. Proof of being in jail during the strike period.^ c. Proof of being out at sea on an SIU or SUP ship or in a for­ eign port during the strike per­ iod. d. Proof of being in the Armed Forces during the strike period. e. Proof of extreme hardship in one form or another. f. Proof of having retired- Un­ ion book prior to the strike vote. It is understood that the Clear­ ance Committee in the different ports will be permitted to use 1. We recommend that the their own discretion in regards to Winding up the tremendous amount of work of checking Strike Clearance for the 1946 same strike picket card system the possibility of accepting other General Strike, the Committee takes time to explain the job to a Log reporter. Left to right. wlrich was used in the last Gen­ legitimate excuses. Dayid B. Sacher. John H. Calhoun. Edward Bender. Chairman of the Committee, Benny Good­ eral Strike of September 3-13, FINES AND PENALTIES 1946, be accepted as the perman­ man, and the Log reporter. Missing from this picture is Paul Parsons, who served from the ent picket record system for all 4. We recommend that every time the Committee was set up. attempt be made to set-up a uni­ future strikes. form system of fines and other It is necessary, however, to penalties to be imposed upon change the color from time to men who have missed the strike time in order to avoid confusing the picket cards from the next without having legitimate ex­ cuses. strike with the previous one. 5. We also recommend that any These cards and the other strike brother who retires his book record slips used should be order­ while a stiike vote is being taken ed and distributed to the various shall not be permitted to rejoin branches as soon as this is accept­ (Cotitinued from Page 4) ed by the membership. This will the Union for a period of not less to order extra food for the pas­ avoid delay in the event the than six months from the date of Because he ran into some ISU sengers. Coffee was drunk from Union is again involved in an­ the termination of the strike. merribers in Tampa during the tin cans, as there were only six other strike. 1937 Strike, Thomas W. King, DO NOT UNDERSTAND cups for 24 passengers. AB, is a seaman today. That may UNIFORM SYSTEM 6. The Committee has listened not sound too sensible, but it's For the 24 passengers there were eight plates and three soup 2. We recommend that all ports to the cases of many of the broth­ the gospel truth. bowls. There were no 'glasses, follow a uniform system of keep­ ers who did not have legitimate Tom started out as a coalpasser and only spoons for eight. Jack, . ing track of the credit given for excuses for missing the .strike, on the Severance in 1925. He con­ like the rest had to take the main picketing. We suggest the fol­ and is convinced that quite a few tinued sailing until 1930, but of these delinquent brothers course, dessert, and sometimes lowing for this pui-pose; when the bottom fell out of ship­ soup, all in one dish due to the a. Area Commanders should simply did not understand all ping, he returned to his first lack of utensils. turn in the picket assignment of the circumstances and condi­ trade, house painting. From 1930 HEALTH MENACE slips daily. These slips or reports tions which exist when a strike to 1937, he plied his trade all must contain the names of the takes place. over the United States. When Jack was put aboard in We therefore further recom­ pickets in his area together with a Yokahama he was put in a room Although business was bad, as credit stamp next to each picket mend that a pamphlet be written a member of the AFL Painters with a man having active tuber­ who pierformed duty that day. which shall outline in clean lan­ Union, he was able to pick up culosis. The man died before the Absence or sickness must be guage exactly what is required of jobs. That's how. come he was ship left Japan; but if had lived, members during strike situations. noted likewise. the Captain would have allowed in Tampa in '37. the passengers to remain in the b. The Strike Committee rep­ This phamplet is to be distributed He heard about the strike of same room with the diseased man. resentative • in charge of picket to the membership to serve as a the seamen, but he felt that he assignment records should see guide to all those members whose had left all that behind him when All of the passengers complain­ that the daily credit stamp for knowledge of the rights and du­ he stopped sailing. It was quite ed to the Skipper about the con­ picketing is immediately stamped ties of Union members, especially by accident that he ran into some they shifted enough cargo so that ditions aboard ship, but nothing they could make headway, but on the card marked "To Be Re­ in a strike period, is limited. old buddies, and their talk of the even so they had to remain at was done about it. Jack bided his 7. And finally, this Committee tained By Port Strike Committee" time until he was back in the sea and the fight they were put­ and on the two white cards mark­ recommends that its activity end ting up caused him to change his work to prevent the cargo from States before blowing his top. As shifting back. ed "To Be Sent To Headquarters." on Saturday, December 21, 1946, mind. soon as the ship tied up he came except that one person shall con­ This went on for five days until into the New York Hall and told c. If necessai-y, a 24-hour sys­ BACK TO SEA they made port. In the storm, us his storytem should be set up to keep the tinue to keep up the records and correspondence for an additional and the activity that fbllowed, records up to date. As many men GOT TRANSPORTATION He immediately quit his job, seven seamen lost their lives. as are necessary can be divided period of 90 days. and reported for picket duty. We got a hold of the company During this three month period When the entire story was re­ into three watches, each shift un­ When the strike was over he and in short order collected the der the direction of a sub-chair- the person in charge will be em­ went down to the Union Hall, and leased, eight members of the crew transportation money and pay man who will be responsible for powered to clear all individuals as soon as possible, he made a were commended by Washington. due him from the time he was all the records during his tour of who are entitled to strike clear­ ship. dumped off the Waterman in Ja­ MORE ADVENTURES ances under the rules of the Un­ duty. pan until he arrived in the Again in 1940, he went back to d. All the white cards contain­ ion. As if this occurence wasn't states, and told him to put his painting, but when Pearl Harbor ing the picket duty record of the For these individuals who are enough, Tom also took part in the case concerning the forced inocuj was attacked, he came, right back members and which are marked not entitled to strike clearances, and has been sailing since. All invasion of North Africa, and lations on the John B. Water­ "To Be Sent To Headquarters" we recommend that a committee during the war he sailed the then was one of the first mer­ man, and the unhealthy condi­ must be sent in to Headquarters be elected off the floor every danger zones, and he intends to chant seamen to go into Okinawa. tions aboard the Dunham Victory, within a week following the ter­ Monday and Thursday to act on Luckily, he was not hurt in any in the hands of an attorney. continue shipping from now on. mination of the strike. these cases in accordance with of these ventures. Brother King was a party to He had an excellent case and e. After the strike a bi-week­ the procedure laid down by this King is a good Union man, as we couldn't see how he could one of the most heroic incidents ly report of the actions taken Committee. of the war. He was aboard the is proved by the way he came lose. The company obviously. and the work performed in fur­ And finally, after the 90-day back into the organization at the looked at it the same way we did, ther clearance of men should be period is up, all the strike clear­ SS Robin Sherwood when she height of the 1937 Strike. He because as soon as they were sent to Headquarters. Each man ance records will be deposited in' was returning from Europe with was in New York at the time of shown the case they quickly call­ must be issued a picket card re­ the files of the Union at Head­ coal slag in ballast. In the midst the 1946 General Strike, and took ed him in and. asked him to for­ gardless of whether or not he quarters and no more Strike of a storm the ballast shifted to his turn on the picketlines. get the suit and take a settlement. stood picket duty. . The proper clearances will be issued except a 45 degree angle, and the pro­ As a good Union man. Brother notation regarding his activities for those brothers who have ab­ peller was lifted clear of the Jack's attorney agreed that the King has always accepted his re­ amount offered in settlement was must be written on his card and solutely legitimate reasons, such water. sponsibilities aboard ship. When not to be scoffed at and so they on the duplicates. as proof as having been in jail, HARD WORK elected to do so, he acts as Deck made a settlement out of court. out at sea, in a foreign port, sick EXCUSES For ninetj)^ hours the men work­ Department Delegate, or in any in hospital, or proof of having re­ Before the final action was 3. We recommend the follow­ tired their book prior to the ed with their bare hands and other capacity. taken on the beef with Water­ improvised tools to shift the cargo ing excuses serve as the basis for strike vote. Thomas King's only boast is man, Jack took a ship out, so if back. Sometimes a sudden lurch that he is the best bridge player clearing men: he gets this Log he will be happy Signed by: of the ship would undo all that in the merchant marine, and that a. Proof of illness or disability, to learn that there is a check for Ed Bender they had been able to accomplish. he is ready to take on all chall­ in the form of a hospital dis­ him waiting at his lawyer's of­ Benny Goodman charge or notarized doctor's cer­ No one slept. Only cold food engers at any time. So that's fice, and rumor has it that it is Paul Parsons tificate covering the strike per­ was available, but even this had something for other bridge play­ well in the neighborhood of 500 iod. John C. Calhoun to be taken on the run. Finally ing Seafarers to think about. smackers. one person be retained to keep up recoi-ds and correspondence for an additional ninety days. This person also to be empower' ed to clear individuals who are entitled to such clearances. In the event of a question, a .special committee should be elected off the floor to hear the facts of the case.' Following are the recommendations submitted by the 194C Gen­ eral Strike Clearance Committee, Headquarters pranch; Thomas W' King Tale For Seamen, With Moral For Bucko Skippers �-•gt. ' • THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, December 20, 1946 Toledo Agent Gives Lowdown On The LSU Spurt Expected In New York After New Year By HENRY CHAPPELL By JOE ALGINA TOLEDO — At this time wish to repeat a statement which appeared in several of my Log articles regarding the fact that the NMU is a front for the Com­ munist Party. However, it was not my inten­ tion to create the thought in the minds of anyone that all NMU members are communists. The statement refers to the high of­ ficials of the NMU, a number of minor ones, and their stooges. These individuals throw thenweight around at meetings and in the discussion lof vital union matters out of all proportion to their actual numbers, and force the NMU members to abide by their decisions with threats of bodily harm, expulsion or fines. Most NMU rank and filers are good concientious union men who lack real leadership, and who in mar.^/- instances are just now awakening to the fact that their phony leadership is only interest­ ed in promoting political lines for the party. This is proven by the fact that many NMU mem­ bers are continually turning to the Seafarers where they know that they have a voice and vote on all issues. Any Lakes sailor considering the joining of a union should dis­ miss the Lake Seamens Union without the usual grain of salt. This outfit is not even worthy of mentioning whenever and wher­ ever unions are discussed. Standard California Has Last Word In Tankers: Semi-Private Foc'sles« And Hot And Cold Radar After furnishing enough men to crew up the SB R. G. Follis, Standard Oil of California (above), Marcus Hook reports that there aren't enough men on the beach to crew a rowboat, small size. The SIU and the SUP worked together on this ship so that enough men were avail­ able in all Departments. Thanks to the fact that Mr. J. H. Echeron, manager of the Marine De­ partment of Standard Oil of California, has not forgotten that he was once a seaman himself, the Follis has been outfitted with all the latest conveniences for the crew. Mike Kerney, S. O. East Coast Rep. stands left of Blackie Cardullo, Marcus Hook Port Agent, and Captain Sullivan, Skipper of the ship and a real oldtimer, himself, is right in the middle of the front row. LOWDOWN ON LSU By BLACKIE CARDULLO Here's the real score on the Lake Seamens Union: It is financed and controlled by the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Com­ pany. LSU officials are not elected by the membership, but appointed by the higher up of­ ficials of the Company. No one represents the membership ashore except the Company attornej's. The LSU is not affiliated with any other labor organization, and would not have outside support in the event of a labor dispute. In fact, the only purpose this phony outfit has for existing is to retard the movements of the only real sailors union on the Great Lakes, the Seafarers Inter­ national Union — AFL. The SIU has the. best contracts, wages, and working conditions. All of our gains have been won by collective bargaining negotia­ tions between the Union and the companies, not handed to us on a silver platter as is the case with the LSU when they finally get what the SIU has already won. As far as the legal aspects of unionism, the SIU is active, too. But, we're only active where the seamen are actually concerned, such as securing passage of bet­ ter unemployment insurance' laws and other favorable laws in re­ gard to the safety of seamen and the bettering of living conditions both ashore and at sea. This fall, if an SIU organizer fails to contact you aboard ship, be sure to come up to the SIU Hall and find out about joining the Seafarers. It's the only union of sailors run by sailors for the good of sailors, and where every member is consulted on all mat­ ters. Don't forget, in Toledo the SIU is located at «615 Summit St. Phone number: Ga. 2112. Page Seven MARCUS HOOK — We have quite a busy week in this port. What with shipping men to or­ ganized and unorganized ships, we haven't enough men on the beach to crew up a rowboat. The last ship .to crew up was the R. G. Follis, the sister ship of the Bryant, both of them the newest additions to the fleet of Standard Oil of California. The Follis was ready to make her maiden voyage, and the SUP worked together with us to get her crewed up before she took off. HE REMEMBERS This ship is the last word in comfort and safety devices. There are only two men to a room, hot and cold running water in each room, big closets, table lamps, and writing desks in the crew's lounge. Besides that, the ship is equipped with radar; the only ship in the merchant marine so outfitted. * The credit for these conditions seen talking to an SIU Organizer. Every now and then one of the stooges will get fired, and then he comes running to the Union Hall to tell us about the dirty deal received, and how phony the company is. They ask us how they can join the SIU, and they seem surprised when we give them a short and sweet answer. The newspapers have really been funny lately. The column­ ists like Westbrook Pegler and Drew Pearson try to figure out what is going on in the minds of labor leaders, and then they hurry to get it into print. Most of the time they come up with wrong information, or else they figure things out backwards. But that doesn't stop them from trying again the next day. They should round up all those columnists, put them in a bag, SUN OIL GESTAPO and then shake the bag real hard. Organizing Sun Oil is still a If they could get one good brain game of hide and seek. The com­ out of the whole bunch, I would pany stooges still report anyone be very much suprised. goes to Mr. J. H. Echeron, mana­ ger of the Marine Department of the Standard Oil of California. He is an oldtime seaman who once worked under lousy condi­ tions. He has done everything to make this ship a sailor's drearn, and no expense has been spared. In all this he has been assisted by Mike Kerney, who is the East Co,ast representative of the Com­ pany. The Skipper of the Follis, Cap­ tain Sullivan, is an oldtimer who has been going to sea since he was twelve years old. He knew Andy Furuseth well, and he never forgets that he used to be an unlicensed seaman him­ self. He instructs the Delegates to bring the beefs to him as soon as they occur, and then he goes to bat to settle them immediately. The Patrolman Says: Fault Of The Crew NE'W YORK — It has been brought to my attention that fre­ quently vessels in port with skeleton crews aboard are feed­ ing two messroom service while the Steward Department has a complement of only Chief Stew­ ard, Chief Cook, one Crew Mossman, and one Saloon Messman, a total of fom-. men or man. It is the practice of the Union when a ship is main­ taining a skeleton crew to have no less than five men working in the Steward's Department. NOTHING GAINED In the Agreement, Section 17(b) of the Steward's Department working rules, it states that no division of overtime will be made when there is a skeleton crew aboard, so it is only sensible and proper that an additional man or men be called out from the Hall as no one is going to receive ex­ tra money for the work, done. An example of this I found on a victory ship I visited recently, where I found 18 crewmembers aboard and a Steward Depart­ ment of four. This, I must say, is not the fault of the company, We don't want to go back 20 but the fault of the crew for not calling the Hall for additional years to the days when the feed­ ing was done by one man in the galley, so when on a ship that is carrying a skeleton crew make sure that there are at least five men in the galley. If not, notify the Hall at once; don't wait for two or three weeks before mak­ ing your beef. Remember that even though the company furnishes bread, pie, and cake during these periods, the cook will still need a galley man to clean the galley, wash pots, peel potatoes, and go to the ice box. The men are here at the Hall waiting for those jobs so don't be afraid to call for them. Claude Fisher NEW YORK —After a fewweeks of activity, shipping haal sort of slackened down, but wd I expect a spurt after the first of::! the new year. A lot of companiea i are prepared to expand their act- 1 ivities at that time, and as a re- || suit we should be plenty busy. Right now things are going ;J along smoothly, with all hands | being kept busy, but there are i just not enough jobs on the board| for all men on the beach. Of course, nobody has to wait on the beach too long, but it I will be good to have jobs avail­ able immediately when a man 1 comes off a .ship. We paid off the Ran some Moore, Alcoa, last week and ran into a bit of trouble. There were 800 hours overtime in dispute, | and it looked for a while as though the company was prepar­ ed to fight it out if it took aH winter. Ray Gonzales and Salvatore | Colls were the Patrolmen and they finally convinced the com­ pany that it would be smarter to pay the overtime than to have the ship tied up until the dispute was settled. CONTACTS CLEAR On and off we have these little | tiffs with the various companies; All of them could be avoided if the contracts were clearly read by the licensed officers and by the Company Agents. What consti­ tutes overtime is clearly explain­ ed, and when a seaman enters overtime on the sheet, it is irsually legitimate. Fighting this overtime only inakes for bad feeling between the crew and the company. Besides that it holds up the payoff, and that is important. So here's hop­ ing that all companies get on the ball and study the contracts. The National Association of Manufacturers just had a con­ vention, and I'm willing to bet that the most important subject they discussed was what to do about labor. CRY BABIES The news stories that came out of the convention showed that thej- are all in favor of repressive legislation against labor, legis­ lation that would rob labor of every gain made in the past twenty-five years. They didn't say a word about restricting management, in fact they cried about how employers have taken an awful licking be­ cause of labor's gains. Well, if it didn't prove any­ thing else, it proved that big busi­ ness is really on the war path against labor, and that labor- bet­ ter dig in and prepare for a long fight. Otherwise we may lose more than we can gain back in the next fifty years. ' i �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eight Friday, December 20, 1946 There Are Happy Days In Boston As Shipping, Business Pick Up OFF THE ROCKS NOW By JOHN MOGAN - ••••ii:^:'--. d ^ ' .<v ' ' . n - •• < - < , < • -X This is the SS Fairisle. Waterman Steamship Company, which is now on a regular Far East run. This picture was sent in by the Baltimore Branch. Incidentally. 26 seamen have entered salvage claims in Federal Court in Baltimore, contending that their volunteer efforts saved the Fairisle from destruction on reefs off the coeist of India a few months ago. They have asked that the cargo of the vessel be sold and the proceeds turned over to them as "compensation for their valuable service." The Waterman Steamship Company has filed a notice of intention to fight the claim. BOSTON—The time has finally arrived when it is possible to say that shipping and business in this Branch has made a turn for the better. The Niantic Victory, Simmons Victory, B e r e a Victory, and Abram Clark were crewed up completely. These vessels are all owned by Waterman, and all but the Bera Victory were just re­ cently acquired. In addition, there were quite a few jobs on the Falmouth (East­ ern) and on the Newberg (Decon-' hill tanker), which paid , off here along with the Falmouth. Also paying off and crewing up here last week was the Trinidad Head, a Moran tug. All of which contributed to the busiest week we've had since the end of the strike. With these fast sales and real­ locations of ships these days, we Bring Your Own Fooii With You When You Ship With The LSU By WILLIAM STEVENSON DETROIT — Old man winter for they v/ere only served twice has yet to appear in full force on j a week,_ once hard boiled, and once cooked to order. the Great Lakes but, with the ex­ Butter was out of reach for ception of a few stragglers, most the poor company, so the Steward ships have already found their was required to make his own winter berths, not waiting until with oleo and butter fat. The rJiught in a freeze before running fellows told me it had the ap­ for a dock. pearance of cheese but that was Some of the SIU ships are lay- all. ing-up here in Detroit, and their CONTRACT POOR crews have been coming to the Hall regularly after working Remember all this on a union • hours to pick up their mail and contracted ship. (Lake Seamen's the latest issues of the Seeifarers Union alias Cleveland Cliffs Com­ Log. pany) Somehow the contract neg­ Naturally, most of the men lected to be specific about work­ who come in are off SIU ships, ing hours, a little matter which but the other day we were visited was no doubt overlooked during by two SIU members who layed- negotiations, for the Deck Crew tip one of the Cleveland Cliffs worked eight hours a day, in a ships. This is the outfit which manner split up to suit the officsponsors, and has a contract with ers. the Lake Seamen's Union. Night or day; Saturdays, Sun­ days, or Holidays, it. made no difLSU TALE ference to the LSU contract. It is well worth repeating some Everyone knows that in the •f the tales they told me regard­ SIU contracts there is no unnec­ ing this contract, and just how essary work after 5 p.m. or be­ much good it is to the men in fore 8 a.m., and no unnecessary the Lake Seamen's Union. work on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, or holidays without the In command of the ship, the payment of overtime. The LSU SS Grand Isle, was Captain boys can claim only payment of Brytz who acted as though he bad a military crew aboard, for overtime for Sunday work. The SIU men who told me when receiving their pay the crew had to stand at attention, no these facts said that many of the smoking, no talking, in fact men were fed up with the way things are operated on the LSU everything except salute. If the crewmembers didn't sign ships, and would welcome the their pay receipt when he placed SIU. Well, they will have their it on his deck they were repri­ opportunity for these conditions are what we are out to eliminate manded. Naturally the feUows told me when our organizational drive opens in the spring. about the-feeding aboard ship. Just a P.S. to Gust W. Schultz. There is mail for you here at the Detroit Hall. Drop us a card no­ tifying us where you w ant it sent. Duty To Vote and, as could be expected, it was rough. It seems that the company thinks eggs are too expensive. It is your Union duty to vote for officials for 1947. The SIU is only as strong as the membership, so make your Union strong by taking an interest in its activities. You can vote in any SIU Hall until December 31. 1946. Don't delay; do it today. By JOE VOLPIAN The more members our Union sets forth the time and place has, the more powerful we be- •'here the election is to be held come. In order to recuit members, nd gives what is called the 'eligibility date". This means we have to have more ships to hat only those persons who are give these new members jobs, so on the Company payroll as of a that they would not cut out certain date are entitled to vote. any of the old members from After the ballots are cast, they working. Getting ships is not just a question of going aboard are certified by the National and asking men to join our union. Labor Relations Board represent­ ative and the Union's observers It is much more than that. When the decision is made to and are then sealed and sent organize a ship or a Company, we through the mail to the office send our organizers either aboard v.'here the election originated, the vessel or if they can't get When the voting is completed, aboard, we stand at the gates the ballots, are opened by the and button-hole every member National Labor Relations Board of the crew. We teU them the held representative in the presmerits of becoming a Union mem- ence of all the interested parties her and especially the value of the votes are either counted joining the SIU. We convince or challenged by either side. him by showing that we have If the votes that are counted done much more for seamen than are enough to give either union any other union. a clear majority of all the votes There are so many arguments cast, then that union is certified we can use that it would take up as a bargaining agent. However, more than this paper to set them if the challenged votes are enough all forth. After a man has been to prevent that, then an investiconvinced that we are the best gation must be made as to the union, he signs a pledge card, in j validity of the challenges, which he promises to vote for the j This is usually done by an inSIU. After a sufficient number formal conference between the of pledge cards are obtained, we unions which are interested, the then notify the vessel's owner; Company and a local Field Exthat we represent a majority of aminer for the National Labor the seamen aboaid their ships Relations Board, and reque.st that they meet with conference the parties us to arrange a contract. together either to waive their challenges or agree that the NO CONSENT challenges shall not be counted. In most cases the Company re- then those challenges which are fuses and it is tlien necessary to waived, are counted and if either present a petition to the local • union then has a clear majority National Labor Relations Board, of the ballots cast, it is certified requesting that an election be ^ as the bargaining agent. Those held to determine a bargaining' challenges which are upheld are agent for the unlicensed person-! not deemed to be valid votes and nel working the ships of the Com- j they are not counted in the list of pany. All other unions lyho elegible votes cast. might have an interest in the In other words, if 1,000 votes outcome of the election are then were cast without any challenges, notified. In due tinae if we prove either union would have to get that we have enough pledges, an 501 votes to win the election. election is ordered by the Nati­ However, if out of 1,000 votes onal Labor Relations. Board in cast 200 votes were challenged Washington.. ' and darned invalid, then theThe order of election usually winning union would have to get also crewed up a West Coast ship in error. One of our agents, who has occasion very often to order men from us, mistakenly ordered a full crew for the SS Cardinal Gibbons, formerly NMU. We crewed her up all right (it was a hurry-up job) and then she turned out to be a West Coast ship, with only the deck crew supposed to come from here. Unfortunately, foreign articles were being signed as soon as the crew got aboard, so that by the time the situation was clarified the entire crew was on articles and underway. A good proportion of our book members, at least all of those who wanted to ship, made jobs during the week. Toward the end of the week, however, there were jobs going begging—with plenty of book and tripcard men still iround — which necessitated the ssuance of a couple of permits, IS time did not permit of conlactng New York for the men. Some members are inclined to .-esent seeing a permit issued .hcse days, and wisely; but these !ame members are perhaps standng around passing up jobs when t does happen. Still, the holidays are coming up, and fast, and this doubtless -las its effect on the job situation. MERRY CHRISTMAS We have been getting an aver­ age of 300 members at our meet­ ings in recent months, and some pretty good sessions they were, too. Now, though, with over 150 -ASSOO/OA TervoutM! members shipped, the next meet­ ing will seem like a Sunday school affair in contrast. Incidentally, voting this year was much better than the aver­ age for previous years; but has now slowed down to a walk. Well, it is hoped that future re­ ports from Boston will continue to be as favorable as this one in­ sofar as business and shipping is concerned. But now to end this one—by sending to all members everywhere holiday greetings, wishing one and all a Merry Christmas and a, Happy and Prosperous New Year. a total of 401 votes-to win the election. However, if the chal­ lenged votes would make a differ­ ence in the final outcome of the election, then the Field Examiner investigates the challenges and submits his report to the Regional Director of the National JjabcHRelations Board, who then rules whether or not the challenged votes should be counted or dis­ regarded. We shall continue this article at a later date, but in the mean­ time every SIU man should be ah organizer because after all, who knows best what benefits can be gained from joining our Union than an SIU man; • �THE SEAFAHERS LOG Friday, December 20, 1946 Page Nine FAREWELL TO THE CAPE PILLAR Last Ship Of Year Clears Duluth; Expect A6 Shortage To Continue NO NEWS?? Silence this week from the Branch Agents of the follow­ ing ports: CHARLESTON By E. NORDAAS DULUTH —The last ship of the 1946 season on the Great Lakes has cleared the Lake Sup­ erior port of Duluth. Only a handful of seamen are around the Hall taking care of odds and ends before they leave for their homes to await the reopening of shipping in the spring. With the season closed, the Lakes seamen are taking a long rest which they all desei-ve, for no one but the Lakes seamen know how tiresome it can beI come plying the great inland waterways from spring to fall. As a rule, they spend only an average of four hours in any port, and after a while a milk run begins to get pretty monoton­ ous. The long winter rest will put new vigor in the boys and they will bounce back ready to knock out another season when the flowers bloom in the spring. AB SHORTAGE Unlike reports we receive here concerning the shipping in the deep sea ports, we have had a real shortage of AB's throughout the entire 1946 season. At times the shortage was so great that we had to let ships sail with as many as four vacan­ cies among the AB's. . It was a shame that these jobs could not bo filled and now is a good time to get ready for next season so there will not be a re­ peat of this. I suggest to all Ordinary Sea­ men, who have enough sailing time and believe they can qualifj', to go after an AB ticket. There is every reason to believe that the coming season will pro­ duce the same shortage of AB's, occured when the boom was used where there were men on the docks who could have taken the lines. Another cause of accidents is open bunker hatches. On many ships they are left open the whole season, and when firemen or coalpassers come on deck at night to turn the ventilators they can easily fall in the bunkers. The open hatch is unnecessary and should be eliminated. There is no sense in taking unnecessary risks which may mean perman­ ent crippling or death to a sea­ man. Although the season is at an end in Duluth, membership meet­ ings will still be held at the Dul­ uth Hall every first and third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. PORT ARTHUR HOUSTON NORFOLK JACKSONVILLE MOBILE GALVESTON CORPUS CHRISTl TAMPA This well known ship, the MV Cape Pillar, is being sold and will leave the SlU-contracted fleet. Members of the crew say that they hope the vessel is sold to the Norwegian Government rather than to Lykes Brothers. Their reasoning is that they dont want to see the NMU "crumb up the ship after the SIU men worked so hard to make her a home." Above are pictured some members of the crew. The deadline for port re­ ports, monies due, etc., is the Monday preceeding publica­ tion. While every effort ^ill be made to use in the current issue material received after that date, space commitments generally do not permit us to do so. So play safe—send your copy in on time. X Ships That Pass in The Night Don't Think Much Of Operators By LOUIS COFFIN bj- that SIU crew I can't see their beef. As a matter of fact, they ought to be pretty thankful that I'm an SIU ship." Second Ship: "Well glory be. Sister, I'm a SIU wagon, too, and my owners have the same line of crap as youis. If we weren't passing each other in the night, but in the daytime where every­ one could see us, I'll bet they would say that we were the best The Cape Pillar Engine Department takes time out to pose looking ships afloat." for a picture. They, too, are sorry that the ship is being sold. First Ship; 'T .agree with you, They worked hard, and the Pillar had a reputation as a clean and not only that, cur owners ship. Left to right, E. Delaurentiss, F, Dombouki, W. Fagan, should be thankful that we are J. Borek, F. Bose, A. Ruscetoki, R. Marsh, H. Rolen, and W. Sin­ under SIU contract. I had the clair. They made the slogan "An SIU Ship Is A Clean Ship" misfortune of colliding with a come true. NMU ship, and it took my SIU crew a long time to get that vile wea.iPVou'RE smell off of me. Well, sis, so (S0l>/STDSMA>kHAl AnVBooy... . long, and I hope we'U meet again some time in the future." ship to do the actual work, but Second Ship: "So long, be see­ Rules Are Rules to see that the departments ai-e ing you—and as the SIU boys NEW YORK — During the past •vvell taken care of. Fii'st Ship: "Hello, there. Where say, 'steady as she goes.'" week 1 have covered several SIU | So remember the Steward is are you bound for, and what are ships and can honestly say that the one who assigns in food, linen, you carrying?" all ships were 100 percent ship- ^ork, etc., and the Patrolman Second Ship: "Hello, and may shape in all three depax-tments. has nothing to do with the StewI ask you the same question?" The only headache that is ard's job. First Ship: "Well, I'm heading plaguing the Patrolmen at the It is also important that when east with a general load. How present is in the bellyrobbing de- a man is dispatched from the partmeiit in regards to the plac- Hall to a job he must report and any Ordinary who believes about you?" Second Ship: "I'm heading he can qualify should not hesi­ The coal strike produced its ing of men. For example, when aboard the ship with his gear the Steward divides up the work, ready to work as per the shipwest with grain." tate to go after it. expected quota of i-epercussipns. trying to place the men to the ping rules. I would like to im­ The procedure only takes a day First Ship: "Say, your owners or two for both lifeboat and AB must be making quite a profit on A South Carolina municipal offi­ best of his ability so that, no man press on the minds of the Broth­ cial nominated John IT. Lewis as would be burdened with too ers, chiefly the tripcardex's and ticket, and the dividend in in­ your load." creased wages and abundant jobs Second Ship: "You wouldn't the man who made the year's out­ much work, he finds that he has permitmen. the necessiey of read­ is well worth the small bit of standing contribution to smoke a hard time getting the men to ing their shipping rules. co-opei-ate. The time is past when we can trouble. Any Ordinary who goes elimination. A CIO union in Buf­ The men, it is i-eporled, want abuse the rule, and evei-y Broth­ after his AB ticket will not reg­ KNiwi-ASHiP falo, N. Y., proposed Lewis fox- the Union 1-epre.sentatives to go er should coopei-ate and obey ret it in the spring when the call TVAT TALKS! President in 1948 on a "labor out to the ship and set up the this part of the shipping rules. goes out for AB's. party" ticket. In another place work for tlxem, instead of ac­ SAFETY FIRST AGAIN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED the miners went on strike against cepting their assignments fi-om During the war the accent was Aboai-d the George Washington, the Steward. on speed and more speed, with a mine they owned themselves. Alcoa Steamship Company, on STEWARD IS HEAD everything being sacrificed to in­ December 4, Chef BenjaminBut all this fades into insigni­ All brothers in the SIU should Bailey, celebrated his 66th birth­ sure the victory. Among the cas­ ficance in the light of a x-eport realize that the Stewai'd is the ualties was the observance of from Cambria, 111., where a miner head of his department, and in day. safety rules. Well, the war is Pop Bailey, who is no stranger announced that his 13 hens stop­ his hands x'est all x-esponsibilities over and the Safety First signs to shipping companies or seamen, ped laying eggs on the day the for the department. on board shTps should again be has spent 52 of his 66 yeaxs sail­ strike started and didn't x-esume He was not placed aboard the ing the seas and whipping up observed for what they stand for. until the day the walkout ended. A couple of safety measures casty delicacies for the palates THAT is union solidarity with a think so from hearing them talk. which have been neglected dur­ of the crews he has sailed- with. vengeance. And proof, too, that ing the war years, should be ob­ They keep moaning that they are Since 1895, when Pop went to all hens aren't dumb clucks. losing money every trip as it served in the future. sea to earn his living, he has been costs too much to operate." First, the use of the landing If you are on coastwise ar­ respected by all seamen and no First Ship: "Yeah, my owners boom should be eliminated. There ticles, give the head of your one has ever had a bad woxd to talk the same way, and it seems is no reason why it should be used Department 24 hours notice say abouL him. as men from the various docks to me that the x-eason my owners before arriving in port if you So we wish a belated "happy can catch the lines upon an-ival are squawking is because they wish to payoff. This will pre­ birthday" to Pop Bailey from the and let them go upon departure. have to pay a decent living wage vent any trouble when the New York Jlgent and all his ship reaches port. Only on rare occasions should to their crews. fi-iends around the Hall. it be used. Many accidents have "The way I'm being kept up William Hamilton • ( You've often heard the expres­ sion, "like ships that pass in the night," but have you ever won­ dered whether these ships are embodied with souls and are able to communicate with one an­ other? I have, and so while thinking about it the other night I got to wondering what their conversation would be like, and what they would discuss, should they meet. I sat back in mj' chair and closed my eyes trying hard to visualize such a meeting, when to my mind came the familiar sound of a ship plowing forward through the seas in the calm of the night, and just off tlie star­ board bow came the equally familiar sound of a ship passing in the opposite direction. To my sensitive ears it seemed that I could hear the following conver­ sation: .•J ••i'A The Patrolmen Say... Soft Coal Smoke Gets in Our Eyes •M S'i TANKERMEN 1^ • ' '^1 jmMP �Pago Ten THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, December 20, 1946 SHIPS' MIMOTES AMD MEWS Crew Calls Meredith A 'Fit Home A^t Sea' Heat Has Mohican Men On War-Path According to the books, we've heard the last of the Mohicans. But there's one Mohican from which the last has not been heard. More specifically, the reference is to the Cape Mohican of the Bull line tribe, and the lads aboard her were war-whooping it up without reservation at a re­ cent shipboard meeting. The minutes report that the sturdy band were making a vain stand against the heat elements—in one form or another—and they urged that the massacre be called to a halt. During the 10 a, m. break for coffee, Iwo men of the Mere­ dith Victory crew relax by trying to outwit each other at a game of checkers while a third Seafarer looks on. The objective which all good SIU crews strive for aboard ship —that of making their vessel a fit home at sea—was accomplish­ ed by the worthy crew members of the SS Meredith Victory on the voyage that wound up in Norfolk last week. Votes of thanks for cooperation went to the Steward department, the master and his staff. There were no major beefs. Those that came up during the trip were satisfac­ torily settled at the payoff. The lads worked hard to make the voyage a pleasant one. The officers did likewise, the crew said, and at the final shipboard meeting on Dec. 4, the crew ap­ proved a statement drawn up by Walter Cressman, Engine Depart­ ment Delegate; John Papa, Deck I Delegate; James Doris, Steward CARBON CONDITIONING For one thing the air condi­ tioning system aboard the Cape Mohican, which makes tropical runs, is in dire need of repair. The minutes point out that the equipment's insides are full of carbon, with the result that in­ stead of getting fresh clean air. the men are getting mixed doses of air and carbon gas expelled from the unit. In an open discussion it was claimed that the Cape Mohican "is the hottest ship running south." It has been necessary for the crew to seek relief by sleep­ ing in cots placed out on deck. But this has posed another prob­ lem—the hot southern sun scor­ ches the men and the heavy rains soak them up. For protection against the elements it was un­ animously recommended that a canvas cover be put up on the poop deck to provide shelter. HOT STUFF The Mohican men had still another steaming complaint stem­ ming from a crazy shower sys­ tem. Both taps—the hot and cold —give off hot water only, and then it only dribbles. And, very correctly too, they want to be able to feel cool water when they turn on the tap marked "cold." A motion passed unanimously call­ ing for repair of the system whereby the hot and cold water can be adjusted to the satisfac­ tion of the man in the shower. Other matters of lesser impor­ tance getting ~ attention at the meeting were the medicine chest, into which an inspection was or­ dered; the shifting of watches on every trip, and the leaving of mess gear at various parts of the ship. \nr The Meredith lies alongside dock in Rotterdam after unloading some of her cargo. These pictures were taken by Brother Parker, a member of the ship's crew. Foaming Crew Works Up A Strong Lather Over Soap Shortage On William Johnson The lads of the SS William Johnson were worked up in a neat lather when they answered a call to attend a special meeting aboard the vessel at Quebec, Canada. The cause of the foam­ ing was the serious shortage of supplies with soap drawing the fattest complaints. The Bull line ship is outward bound on a long trip, possibly six or seven months, and in view of the supply problem the prospects for a happy voyage are none too happy, the minutes reveal. Two departments are bearing the brunt of the situation, and the third department is doing its best to keep all hands clean. The Engine department, the minutes point out, has no soap, no matches and a host of other things essential to a Seafarer's well-being at sea. The situation in the Deck department "is just as bad." The men in these two departments have, therefore, been reduced to "bumming soap and matches from the Steward department." And this state of affairs has everybody bursting bubbles, be­ cause the bellyrobbing bunch have little enough for themselves as it is. But they are willing to share it, in true-blue style, with their less fortunate Brothers un­ til reinforcements can be procur- '•©li ed. The department delegates reported to the meeting that they had gone to see the Skipper about the shortage. All he had to say was: "We have ordered all supplies." Three weeks after this statement the shortage was still shorter. How well-bollaxed up the situ­ ation is can be understood easily from the following portion of the minutes: GET TOGETHER BOYS "The First Assistant makes out a requisition for supplies, but when the Chief Engineer sees it he cuts it down to nothing." Other supplies were discussed in order of their importance with cigarettes getting a big blow. In­ vestigation into medical supplies revealed an ample stock, the new purser having procured every­ thing needed. All hands approved a motion recomqiending that the messhall and recreation room be kept spot­ less at all times. One department is to be assigned each week to cleaning of the recreation room. J. J. Bluitt, secretary of the meeting which was chaired, by Brother Fox, added to the min­ utes a request for a copy of the new agreement. It isn't hard to see why. Delegate, and W. LaChance, re­ cording secretary, expressing j thanks for the officers' contribu-1 tion to the trip. CREW STATEMENT The statement received by the | Log with the ship's niinules, fol­ lows: "It was the unanimous voice of • the entire crew, and made part of the minutes of a joint meeting held this date, that the Master of j the Meredith Victory, John Tryg, and his entire staff be given i a vote of thanks for making this j voyage, BC 102, to Antwerp and Rotterdam a most pleasant one. "Anyone sailing with this Mas­ ter will find, as we have, that he has been more than fair in his consideration of the crew. Mer6 words are inadequate to properly express the word master in this instance. Suffice it to say, this .ship is a home and rates a men­ tion in the Log." Any vessel which makes a trip, lauded by all hands as being en­ tirely satisfactory and "pleas­ ant," as did the Meredith Victory, certainly does rate a mention in the Log. The fact that crew had praise for the voyage, however, should not be construed as meaning the crew didn't make demands for improvement of conditions. RUSTY WATER At the membership meeting the crew voted to have the de­ partment delegate speak to the Chief Engineer about "a positive and permanent remedy" for the fresh water tanks. The water had been coming from the tanks odor­ ous and rusty. Not without humorous implica­ tions was a suggestion made by a Brother who, if he doesn't like to dine in class, at least has cer­ tain dining room standards. He proposed that crew members wear at least a "Tee" shirt at mealtime. "The sight of a hairy chest isn't very appetizing," he said. And all hands agreed. COOPERATION Sample of the type of coopera­ tion and willingness to please that was so universal on the Meredith is brought out in the section of the minutes dealing with the night lunch. On several occasions, the minutes say, the twelve-to-four watch found ng night lunch and sometimes very little. At the meeting, the Steward replied that he had not been in­ formed of the situation and that he was amply prepared for night lunches. Obviously annoyed with the condition, he vigorously stat­ ed to those present that from "now on there will be adequate night lunches." Other matters settled at the meeting were of a routine nature and included improvement of messroom conditions, various re­ pairs, cleanliness and courtesy. Following one minute of sil­ ence observed in memory of de­ parted Seafarers, the meeting ad­ journed. The meeting was chaired by Brother McErlane with LaChance doing the recording. �» Friday. December. 20. 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings POWELLTON SEAM, Aug. 25—Chairman Kerester;. Secre­ tary McLane. All delegates re­ port smooth sailing in their re­ spective departments. Motion carried that funds be taken from ship's treasury to pay delegate's union dues for one month. To' be eligible, delegate must serve in that position for one month. Decision was made for each department to paint their own quarters. Only mem­ bers of the Steward Depart­ ment to be admitted to the Steward Department storerooms. One crewmember fined $10.00 for creating a drunken disturbance. This to serve as warning to all other members. Under no circumstances shall the Captain be awakened in regards to night lunches. One minute of silence observed for our departed Brothers. X t % (Name of ship not given), Nov. 24 — Chairman Hurbert: Secretary William Jenkins. Delegeites reported everything okay. Motion carried that all union influence be used against slopchest and see that crews have proper warm clothing and toothpaste before sailing. Mo­ tion carried that ship be prop­ erly stored three days before signing articles. Motion car­ ried that the three delegates and Union officials hold meet­ ing. XXX Cape Horn Crew Does A Good Job First-rate success was reported resulting from a Cape Horn membership meeting held at sea recently. All suggestions and recommendations for improve­ ments of conditions and facilities which were made at the routine meeting have been put into ef­ fect, according to Brother Philip Vandel, recording-secretary. Motions carried unanimously, and which subsequently led to the correction of conditions, fol­ low; That faulty drain system in deck department shower be re­ paired; that proper lighting be installed in pasageway adjacent to Steward and Engine depart­ ments' showers; that laundry and recreation room be cleaned by the three departments on ro­ tating basis. Ealph. Stein chaired the meet­ ing. » ft MARQUETTE VICTORY. (Isthmian) July 28 — Chairman Jones; Secretary Frank Dam. Discussion about the Jr. En­ gineer having to clean their rooms as the wipers did not have the time to do it. Old Business: Motion was carriedi to have the crewmembers clean up the messhall at coffee lime and at night, put away the books, etc.. to leave it clean for the following watch. New Business: Motion carried to have shorts or undershirts worn in the messhall. Motion carried to have the crew dele­ gates for the next trip check the slopchest before leaving port, because of the fact that there was not enough supplies for more than half of unlicen­ sed personnel since the officers purchased everything they wanted ahead of lime. AH:M/*MV'STHE Hooe I'VE sretJT WifH i ft ft MEREDITH VICTORY. Sept. 22^Chairman G. Garcia: Sec­ retary W. LaChance. New Busi­ ness: Motion carried that the members doing all the griping and kicking because they think the Steweurd is not qualiiied for the job. draw up charges, and turn them in at the first port along with their own book numbers. . Furthermore, said Steward to be tried by a shoreside Steward Department com­ mittee. who, if they find him guilty will place him in the 99 year club, and if he is found innocent then the signers of the charges will be placed in the 99 year club as agitators while said Steward to return to the ship. Subject of eleven men of the Steward's Department us­ ing one shower. By mutual consent it was arranged to use one of the Engineer's showers and head to be kept clean as per agreement. Due to the fact that personal property was found missing while tied along­ side of dock, the question of keys to the rooms tO' be brought immediately to the attention of the Captain or Engineer. Dis­ cussion was made about the grade of flour and type of menus made up. ft ft ft DANIEL WILLARD. Aug. 11 —Chairman W. W. Allred: Sec­ retary S. D. Laney. Good and Welfare: The Delegates were asked to check the Purser's copy of overtime to see that his copy and the crew's overtime correspond. The Purser was told that both sheets would be checked by the boarding Pa­ trolman. Motion was carried to leave the beef about carrying trash from the chill box to the Patrolman to see if it's payable overtime. Suggestion was made to ask the tripcard men to pay at least half of the assessments and dues up to the present month. A talk was made by NMU brother Hayle who com­ plimented the SIU crew by the way he has been treated and said that if any SIU man hap­ pens to be on one of the NMU ships that he would get as good treatment in return. ft ft ft STEELORE. Aug. 6—Chair­ man Robert Humphrey: Sec­ retary Fletcher Bray. Steward Delegate discussed the manning scale for his department and the need for a galley man. Deck Delegate spoke on the proper procedure for securing better living conditions aboard. Motion carried to have the dele­ gates prepare a list of rules and regulations and submit it to the crew subject to approval. Re­ pair list drawn up including fumigation of the ship, repair of toilets, conversion of spare messhall to library and recrea­ tion room tor the crew and painting and repair ol the Nayy washroom to make it usable for crew. Page Eleven SEAFARER SAM SAYS FOLONSBEE. Nov. 21 — Chairman George Shaughnessy: Secretary James W h a 1 e n . Everythink okay. No discus­ sions. Motion made to go into Good and Welfare. Light fix­ ture to be fixed in 8-12 sea­ men's room. 2nd Cook asks why he is being taken off. Oiler Thompson explaining that the Union rules state that tripcard members are allowed on one round trip or 80 days. It was agreed thed all tripcard mem­ bers having been on 60 days or more would pay off at first port in. the U. S. One minute of silence for brothers lost at sea. STILL HAVE TIME ^To GET VouR CLEARANCE CARD. ft ft ft MV FIRE ISLAND. Oct. 30 —Chairman M. C. Foster: Sec­ retary L. B. Clyde. Special meeting. Steward Department delegate reported sick man. After discussion with Captain it was cirarnged to put man in hands of CG off Key West to be hospitalized. New Business: Motion carried that upon ar­ rival at first port all delegates contact SIU official for purpose of clearance of this non-rescue trip during the MM&P and MEBA strike. Also for informa­ tion regarding transportation back Mobile (crew under im­ pression that rescue trip was phony). Crew in question about no articles and supplement. Mo­ tion carried that all members in all departments stay until beef is settled. ft ft ft Whistle Gets Blow On Follansbee A whistle that can't be heard by the man on "standby" isn't worth the steam it takes to blow it, in the opinion of the crewmembers of the SS B. A. Follans­ bee. Expressing their dissatisfaction with the whistle signal, the Fol­ lansbee boys buzzed for awhile in search of a solution to the situation at a recent shipboard membership meeting. Apparently inspired by the crew's .buzzing, some one sug­ gested that a buzzer be used. The whistle was promptly blown out of existence. Other matters discussed and voetd on at the meeting were re­ pair of toilets, rubber stoppers for sinks in heads, obtaining of new percolator, putting out bet­ ter night lunch, repair of shorted light fixtures in foc'sle and ad­ ding another Wiper to the ship's complement. ft ft ft HELEN, Nov. 28—Chairman Leroy Jackson; Secretary Red Morgan. New Business: A list of needed repairs was drawn up. Request a new speaker be put in crew mess to be con­ nected with the WSA radio in the radio room. Good and Welfare: Discussed the need of another room for the freezers as they have been carried in the hospital in the past. A commit­ tee of three men was appoint­ ed to look over the ship for a suitable place for the freezer. It was agreed to have a book rack built in the messhall and secure a library when the ship gels in. One minute of silence was observed in memory of bur brothers lost at sea during the war. A VOID TROUBLE AMP EMSARRASSMjArr B/SEE­ ING THE STRIKE aEA•RA^JCE COMMITTEE IMTHESIU HALL. CUT and RUN • By HANK This week we're lucky enough to get a fresh turn-c /er of items—which we need now and then—to keep this column from out of the cut-and-dry vein . . . We were talking with big "Red" Hall, (no relation to our Agent, Paul Hall) last week. "Red," who is ftom Tampa, has several brothers who are sailor.s, and he sails in the Steward's Department. He was explaining what a tough trip he hgd last. The ship hit Ras Tanura, Arabia,—the over-boiled desert of a port which is an American Oil town—but the crew was never allowed ashore. Not even to the beach near the dock to pick sea shells or take a fast swim, keeping a watch for sharks . . . Frank Devlin, who was up in Great Lakes, is in town right now. Say, Frank, your pal, Dusan Dei Duisan, nicknamed "Old Chile," left recently in a plane for his home town of Santiago, Chile. Charles McDonald, ex-Norfolk pie-card, just blew into this town with his pal. Brother "Red" Hoy. Brother McDonald says he's going back to that oldjown and anchor in the hospital there for awhile . . . Happy birthday congratulations to Jimmy De Vito—December 18th was the big day . . . And the same happy congratulations to A1 Kerr who had his day last Wednesday— celebrating with his wife and a cake . . . Jimmy Saliba, a lucky guy, just came in from a good four and a half month trip to the Philippines and China. Jimmy's now up in his home town of Boston, counting his few notes and figuring out those Christ­ mas presents. Morris Rosenberg is waiting to ship out, it sems . . . Well, well "Whitey" Jutchess just announced the happy fact that his wife gave birth to a nine pound baby boy. Congratulations, "Pop," and good health all around . . . Electrician Frank Bose and his mustache just blew in from New Orleans where he finished a not-so-good trip to Okinawa ... No sodas, senoritas or .sambas out there, eh Senor Frank? . . . Earl "Snuffy" Smith just came in. Where's j-our pal, James Manning, "Snuffy?" . . . Bud Ray i.s visiting New "York right now. Your pal, Carioca Red, shipped out. Bud. Say Bud, looks like half of the Dclaircs crew is here right now, including A2 Baer, second cook, with his faithful dark mustache. A vole of thanks to the ballotting committee, which con­ sists of: Brother Flannery, who sails the deck; Ed Kelly, the fisherman, and Ralph "Red" McKenzie . . . And of course the same thanks to the Strike Clearance Committeemen who are; Ed Bender, the organizer; John Calhoun; Paul Parsons; Ernesto* Erazo, and Benny Goodman, who did a swell job directing publicity, etc., during our strike . . . Bill Gale, who is a Tampa man, is waiting to see Tampa after eight months of absence . . . George Brown—standing look-out for a ship to South Africa—where he always goes anyway . . . Coffee-drinking Clyde Morgan shipped as Cook on a tanker for nine months ... Thomas Massey, Rebel Melton's best shipmate got married this past July. Congratulations Tommy and where was the shang­ haied honeymoon? . . . The only birthday present Fred "Ski" Sweder got recently was a good ship for more than a month in port. Isn't that right. Brother Duffy, who is his relief fireman . .. Bosun James Scott, is fresh in town, mustache and a case. How's the wife and kid, Bose? �THE SEAFARERS lOG Pago Twelve Friday. December 20, 1946 THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS Labor At Mercy Of Capital, Politlcans, Brother Says Deu Editor: I' read with interest a letter published in the Log of Nov. 29 written by Louis Goffin in which he complains about the fact that Labor has no friends among the Washington politicans. He there­ fore concludes that Labor has nothing to gain from politics of any kind. Then he contradicts himself by stating that he be­ lieves that " the workers should vote anyway in spite of ail the baloney and false promises thrown at him," adding that he "wouldn't be so naive as to ex­ pect anything to come of it". Brother Goffin correctly rec­ ognizes the fact that the politic­ ians of both the Republican and Democratic parties are direct agents for Big Business, and can­ Navy, law courts, etc. The very laws that labor depends on to establish a legal right to organize, to strike, and to maintain them­ selves in Labor Unions are at the mercy of the politicians in Wash­ ington. Goffin correctly states that we should depend primarily on our organized strength to maintain our conditions. But to allow Big Busine.ss to establish a monopoly on politics is to hand over to the enemies of labor the legal and military means of crusliing the entire trade union movement. LABOR'S WAY OUT The way out is for Labor to organize on the political front just as it has organized on the economic front. If the Trade Unions got together and organized a Labor Party we could run can­ didates who would come directly from the Labor Unions, would be controlled by the Unions and who would use their political power for.the direct benefit of Labor. That would be Labor politics and be as different from the Big Business politics of the Republi­ can and Democratic parties as a fink differs from a good union man. Take the present struggle between John L. Lewis and the Government. Lewis and the coal miners are fighting the battle of all labor against the political rep­ resentatives of Big Business. K not be expected to help labor in Why couldn't the Trade Unions any way. Then why advise the get together to run Lewis, or any workers to vote, unless he also recognizes that it is absolutely other Labor Leader for President possible to ignore politics? on a Labor Party ticket in the coming Presidential elections in POLITICIANS HAVE ALL '48. That would be far better The politicans who take over Washington have the resources of than bemoaning Labor's lack of the entire country at their dis­ friends in Washington. posal. The police, the Army, Benny Goodman Tanker Acts Up For Camera High octane gas overflows lank and pours over side of the SS Portoreo Hills at Bay Town, Texas, Dear Editor: I was just looking over some of the pictures that I have taken on recent trips. I thought that the one which I have enclosed was especially interesting. . No, that's not water that is pouring over the side of the SS Potoreo Hills—it is high octane gaa I was aboard the ship when it was in Bay Town, Texas, and I decided to take a picture of her. COFFEE TIME Well, just by sheer accident, the high octane gas started over­ flowing just as I started to snap the picture. At least 50 gallons of the stuff went over the side. And just to think that one cigar­ ette or a spark could have blown us to kingdom come. I guess we were just lucky. Otherwise it was a swell, smooth-running ship. John Marsh Kenneth Blair Log-A'Rhythms THE CLIPPER CREW By "the Clipper Wren" r ONLY FIVE MINUTES Mofte" Coffee time aboard ship as it appears to Seafarer J. J. Bluitt. Brother Bluitt is aboard the SS William Johnson, which called recently at Quebec, Canada. Brother Pleads For Strengthening Ties Binding New And Old Members I i .••i-jiatfr-il We bid farewell and a fond adiet To the grandest gang—the Clip^ per crew. Deckhands, cooks, captain, maic And every engineer; Firemen, Bellhops, Wipers Whose memory we revere. The entire gang has my acclair For their help in the Milwaukee Clipper's rise to fameJ An echo softly steals o'enthe blue,( It's Orlando calling — calling for you. And if I've been any good at all Perchance from good old Joe ox Bert I'll receive some sort of call To return. If not. Sweet friendship will cheer me As of yore. In fair and stormy weather. And off in thought I'll live once more The happy days we've spent to­ gether. X % % I've been low on dough myself at It is supposed to be that all times, but I don't hit up any of members of the Union are Broth­ the guys for anything, because I ers and that they should get along realize that it's one way to lose a as such. And they do. But oc­ friend. One more thing which I no­ casionally some guy will pop up tice fails to tighten the bond of whose actions seem to pull the Union brotherhood is the attitude other way. of a few oldtimers. Most of the Some guys are damned good nldtimers I have met are helpful, shipmates and Union brothers in anxious to set a younger member every respect, but give them a straight. But I have met a few drink and they go off the beam who beef about the younger men and they act just the revei-se of because we. are just getting our I LIVE THE LIFE the way they would when sober. start. These oldtimers ought to OF A SEAMAN Then there are a few guys who realize that they had to make a By HOWARD LAMM are always putting the touch on start once, too. It generally is that you for two bits for "breakfast." the few guys who do this beefing Oh, the ocean may be stormy. Okay if they had to use it for are the ones who are all fouled up It may be calm aind serene. breakfast but it's for a snort on their books — dues, assessBut I'll be in there sailing, that's something else. I have no ments_ and such. I live the life of the merchant objection to lending dough to a GET ON THE BALL marine. brother who is in legitimate need, If these jokers .would get on the It may be bombs or food we carry. or is feeling the pinch. I'm not ball a little bit and try to set Perhaps it's troops or gasoline. talking about these guys. some of the younger members But 1 will help deliver them, HE'S BEEN HARD HIT straight everything would be I live the life of the merchant But the guy who "needs" it for okay. I had to*Wait until I was marine. a drink, well — he makes the old enough to get seaman's papers same dough as the rest of us and before I could ship out, and so Ships have been sunk by foul] weather. I don't see why he can't get along did thousands of other Seafarers. on it like the rest of us. Sure, Just because a guy happened to They've been torpedoed by the| submarine. be in the Union before another And thousands of men have diedl guy, it doesn't mean that the cit sea, younger man can't be a good all-around man, proud of, and Bui that's the life of the mer­ chant marine. willing to work for his Union. Ships are again on the roll, On most of the ships I have And if you were to pay a visit to| plying the seas to the four been on the biggest percentage of Heaven, corners of the earth. You men were all young, and from YOu'd see a very familiar scene—I Seafarers who man these the looks of things we didn't do Seamen registering at Union Halls| vessels will be popping into so bad. If some of the gripers Still living the life of the mer­ ports of call in Africa, Asia, would wise up and do their share chant marine. Australia. You'll be hitting of the work things would work Some faces would be old and the Near East, Middle East out a Hell of a lot better all wrinkled. and the Orient, and you'll be around. Others would be young and in making the high spots and If you see a guy with a permit their teens. the low in the islands, and card, don't give him the run But each mre will be happy down South America way. around. Set him straight and tell Just to live the life of the mer­ Your experiences in these him the score. That should be chant marine. places, the characters you the duty of all of us. We want to meet both ashore and aboard make our Union stronger and one ship as you wend your way, effective way to do it is to tighten ganized seamen and to some for­ eign seamen that I couldn't ex­ make interesting stories. the bonds of brotherhood. Surely, you'll run into strange Let us all meet each other half plain to them. gals and guys, clip-joints, I also want to praise Brother way. The road will be a lot easier dives, and points of historical Buck Stephens and Brother Bir­ for us all that way. interest. Maybe you'll have mingham of the New Orleans Henry Sohl a beef on the way, or a tip branch for the good job they have to pass along to your Broth­ done for us here in the New Or­ CRESCENT CITY ers that might save them leans Marine Hospital. Birming­ some trouble. HOSPITALIZED ARE ham hasn't missed a week com­ ing out here to cheer us up and We wimt to hear about any CHEERED UP and all of these. Just jot them give us the latest dope. Besides, Dear Editor: down and mail them to the he was always bringing along I thought I'd write before the something extra for us such as Sesisrers Log, 51 Beaver year runs out to express my gifts, cigarettes, magazines, which Street, New York 4. N. Y. thanks for the good work done were donated to us. Enclose pictures il you have in publishing the Log. The Log any, weH return them. Greetings to all, and our explained many things to unor- thanks. J. W. Dennis Dear Editor: Wanted: Tips �-Si Friday, December 20, 1946 Michelet Is Still Taking Advantage Of Shrimps:Hank I Dear Editor: If you're going to think that I my amateur course is a menu of ideas—you're going to be right. Well, anyway, as soon as I heard that Brother Frenchy Michelet came into New York from way down in New Orleans (where his literary and galley experiments came to a complete cold stop, and his business-like voyage of canIning crabs or goldfish, or some­ thing, bloomed into happy birth) II really thought there was going I to be plenty of big parties canned I by the special technique of BroIther Michelet. Especially because I heard that Frenchy was an ableI bodied business man now—and I was always known in the upper I crust of viscious belly-robbing I circles as a famous cooker and I literary operator while sailing all 1 sorts of tubs. Page TMrtoen THE SEAFARERS LO& Fun-Maker Dear Editor: No, Brother Michelet came in quietly, smiling, a quiet-colored striped suit on with that familiar tilted fedora on his head. He asked for Steward Milazzo and several others, and laughed about how the communists down in New Orleans were charged twen­ ty-five skins or more for fighting and revolutionizing their own meeting—probably over the idea of which of them should take the fastest planes to Moscow to tell Joe Stalin how the Poison Party is losing millions of American dollars and so much of their proud treachery. Yes, indeed, Frenchy had come into New York on a ship, just like any happy well-dressed Steward might, to say hullo and laugh about this and that. Well, Editor, here's hoping Frenchy doesn't mind a little stranger to him as And after all, even if Kilroy, I am, writing this greasy letter of I who never was a sailor, but who attempted humor. (was here, there and everywhere "Cut and Run" Hank Ion malls all over the world, had (come sudden-like into New York, Ihe wouldn't have been a more (welcomed man—or oddity. Now (l hope I can say that-Frenchy is (an oddity — an oddity of genius (with food and literary scraps, and Dear Editor: (got away with it, without being "When you come to the end of (cooked with some old potatoes a perfect day. . . ." (and canned for export. Well, it was a helluva long PARTIES AND EVERYTHING way from being perfect, but it certainly was a hilarious voyage You see, that's why I thought No. 13 aboard the SS Richard (there would be some sort of can- Rush, Robin line. From last /?Ug(ned parties opening up — with ust right on through the wind up (broken bottles Of hard liquids— there were amusing events. (dragged-out good old dust-coverThe fun for the most part came I ed remembrances, burning the in Rouen and Le Havre, France. (Broadway lamps deep into the First off, one of the boys who had (precious, happiest hours of the a date one night got into a ffa(nights. And all of it over-flowing cas with a watchman in Rouen. (with salted poetry and Latin Am- Poor watchman. (erican philosophy of the happiest. Then there was a drinking party in the Seine river on another night, involving our 200pound "Chips," who related, and I quote; AND FRV ' "I must have been in there an hour or so." (Don't tell him, but it was act­ ually less than five minutes). On top of that our "Chief" Wiper got a working over and our live-wire crew messman got a sore throat and couldn't talk for four days. He was sent to the Steamboat Says Coast Guard Poses Threat In Lean Years According to the papers Wall Street predicts a sudden depression before the end of the year, and if this comes true it will put our relations with the Coast Guard in an entirely different light. Chief Ste-ward Joe Malone of the SS John Gibbon, keeps his shipmates amused as well as well-fed. as this shot will testify. When the ship paid off in New York last week, the ship's crew voted Brother Malone their "heartfelt thanks for the good chow served through­ out the trip, and especially that Thanksgiving dinner." So far, when they have sen­ tenced a man to five or six months of unemployment, at least he has been able to get some kind of a job on the beach to keep his family alive. But if jobs on the beach become impos­ sible to find, as they were for ten years before the war, what will a man do to keep his kids from starving? A depression is bound to come sometime, no matter how you look at it. When it does, losing your papers will not mean mere­ ly working at some low paid job until you get them back again, as it does now; it will mean be­ ing thrown out of work com- Colorful Characters Spark The SS Rush's Hilarious Voyage To Te Havre And Rouen earthiest vintage. Sudden-like, a wild suspicious idea wiggled in­ side of my brain machine telling me that perhaps Frenchy was really in this big town of a mil­ lion two-by-four "greasy spoons" I and ballroom restaurants to get contracts for his New Orleans Canning Business. And in those cans you wouldn't find shrimps as you were told—^but Frenchy's own cookings. Yes sir, his own cooked food—canned and guar­ anteed to be oaten safely under water'or fifty miles up in the air. This idea shook me like an atomic hamburger-sandwich. Af­ ter all, maybe French does have huge cooking pots down in New Orleans—pots which are as big as houses—and Frenchy wants to sell his own canned food to all restaurants in SIU ports. But I was wrong. Completely wrong, lit double-chilled me when I j realized the truth. You see, I Frenchy didn't come with any cans attached, a 1947 flivver wait­ ing outside the hall, a ninety dol­ lar suit on his hull, plenty of dol­ lar-made "seegars" and giving all ( his pals big slams on the backs. GERMAN SEAMAN REQUESTS READING MATTER ON SHIPS Dear Editor: I often read in the Neue Zeitung, Heute, and the Amerikanischerundschau, the three Ameri­ can newspapers published in the German language, about the American Federation of Labor and its help for Europe. I would like to ask you for something to read on maritime affairs in order to keep up to date. I am a German sailor, now without ships and a job and I would like to remain in connect­ ion with all things referring to ships and navigation. The ferry­ boats of my father-in-law were sunk and lay on the bottom of the River Rhine. Now we make theo­ retical navigation with other sailors of the coast. Perhaps there 'is an American sailor who would enter into cor­ respondence with me, and, per­ haps send me something to eat for my little daughter and a ball for her to play with. I would like to send him stamps of Ger-; many. hospital but came right back to the ship after they darn near killed him, he said. Of course, all the crew had the same reason doped out for the cause of his sore throat. It wasn't cognac, either. He's okay now. This messman bought an alarm clock over in Rouen and set it for 5:50 a.m. When it rang he'd get up and turn it off, then go back to sleep until called by the watch ten minutes later. Any­ way, the alarm clock worked well. Several of the boys and my­ self got up to gay Paree at one The German Federations oi Labor are on the rise, but at the moment there is ^ no sailor's branch. I would be very happy to get something to read from you (shipping news with pictures of ships, etc.) in order to have an impression of world, shipping. I thank 3mu very much for your trouble. Gerd Kanne Freidich B'A'ppler Frankfurt (Main) Sommerstrasse 25 American Zone LOG 'AN ASSET' TO LIBRARY AT STANFORD U. Dear Editor: Upon checking our file of your publication. Seafarers Log, I find that we' did not receive issues numbered 45 and 46 of Volume 8 . . . Because this periodical is such an asset to the Hopkins Transportation Library, we are anxious to maintain as complete a file as possible . . . Melvin C.Oathout, Librarian Hopkins Trails. Library Stanftrd University time or another. More than once during my three-day stay I got lost in the subway. TASTE OF HOME While in Le Havre (dear old brother hole to Norfolk) we were able to put away some good American-made beer at the sea­ men's club. That was the only thing good about the place, though. We were tied up alongside the Europa there, and it looks like the French will get that in place of the ill-fated Normandie. Among the colorful characters aboard were "Trader" Meyers, the big "Virginia business man; "Chief Wahoo" Rodriguez, who is Sat­ an's twin when it comes to firing a coal-burning galley range, and last but not least, "Chico" Nodal, who got the sore throat. I was Delegate for the Stew­ ards department and we came in without a single beef pending in reference to chow, overtime or conditions in our department. Robert A. Lowry TOWBOAT CREW ATE CHOICE HOLIDAY DINNER Dear Editor: Eirclosed you will find the menu of the Thanksgiving Day dinner served aboard the MV Sands Point of the Moran Tow­ ing Company. pletely, with no chance to get any kind of a job at all. ' CG STARVATION Then when the CG railroads you, it'll be a cannonball straight to starvation. Our youngest members do not know what it is like to be kept awake at night by a baby cry­ ing for something to eat, because the home relief isn't enough. They don't know what it is like to see your pretty wife wear the same cheap cotton dress for six months because "WPA wages won't buy a new one. They don't realize what it's like when you can't find any kind of a job, paying anything at all. Many of us who are still young have seen this. 1 don't want to go through that kind of poverty again, because some military of­ ficer with a regular income paid out of my taxes is able to con­ fiscate my papers. When before in America has a military organi­ zation been able to force civilians out of work, and keep them out of work, telling them in effect, if your kids go hungry, put them in a home, if your wife is in rags, let her go out and seek work? I didn't bet my life against wolf-packs for that kind of Am­ erica. I didn't fight Nazis at sea to come home and find them in my own country. TAKE WARNING And there's a 100,000 other guys like me. Does anybody think we braved torpedoes in the Atlantic and billy clubs on the picketline only to have the mil­ itary boot of the CG crush in our face? If there is such a man, let him be warned—the SIU is going to be on the ball. Plenty of good guys from this outfit died so the rest of us could stay free. We're not going to double-cross them by becoming the slaves of Nazism, American style. Steamboat O'Doyle SEAFARER'S WIFE GETS KICK' READING LOG Dear Editor: I would like to have you put me on the mailing list to have the Log sent to my home. My wife is an invalid and she gets a kick out of reading some of the interesting experiences related in the columns of the Log that I bring home from the Philadel­ phia Hall. I am sure she will appreciate having the Log sent to her. John R. Settle, Philadelphia, Pa. We, the undersigned, think it should be printed in the Seafar­ ers Log to show the membership as a whole that things are being the crews' mouths water on the done in strictly union fashion, Sands Point: Fresh Celery and Olives and that they should try to main­ Turkey Rice Soup tain these conditions aboard other Roast Tom Turkey ships. Roast Prime Rib of Beef We offer this menu in contrast Cranberry Sauce to the one previously published Mushroom Dressing in the Log. Gravy a la Hollandaise We can truthfully say that this Whipped Potatoes ship is strictly on the ball and Peas a la Parissiene everything is right on the beam Buttered Cauliflower fi'om top to bottom. We hope to Boston Cream Pie keep it that way. *lce Cream Fresh Milk Coffee A. Whealon, Ship's Del. Assorted Nuts Raisins N. W. Ross. 2nd Cook C. J. Hartman, Steward The Steward Departmenl I. Hirshberg, Saloon MM wishes to extend holiday (Editor's note: Here's the menu .greetings to all. C. Hartman. Steward. of the holiday dinner which made A �Page Fourteen Lakes Boneyards Reminiscent Of Thirsty Thirties THE SEAFARERS LOG SIGN TELLS TRUTH imWm Friday. December 20. 1946 NMU Charges Of Collusion Are Shown Up By The Record Dear Editor: does. Never has it been further from the truth, something which By now the entire waterfront , By STANLEY WARES they never even get within smell­ is familiar with the sorry spec­ ing distance of. CLEVELAND — The port of tacle in which the NMU, after Cleveland was honored this week having suffered a clean defeat in STALLING RECORD by a visit from Morris Weisberthe Isthmian election, is scream­ Briefly look at the NMU's rec­ ger, SIU Vice President and New ing "foul." ord in the Isthmian case: York SUP Port Agent, who was Because the Isthmian men here to get a general picture of 1. Just as the NLRB was about overwhelmingly chose the Sea­ the organizational campaign to set the date for the election, farers as their collective bargain­ which is in full swing on the after the SIU had received pledge ing agent, the NMU makes the Lakes. cards from the majority of Isth­ false charge of "collusion." mian seamen, the NMU rushed Morris, who did organizational To men who know the NMI) in with a variety of excuses tn work himself up here in the early This picture of the Crew of the John Constanline means and its tactics, this comes as no stall the start of voting. days, made a tour of the what it says. Organizer Rocky Benson who contacted this Isth­ surprise. The scene may have small sruTOunding ports to visit 2. At the expiration of the vot­ mian crew during the height of the Drive, reported that they changed, but the show is the the ships laying-up for the win­ ing period they pleaded for an were almost solid for SIU. The NMU organizers must have same. The stupidity of the ter, and to check on the activity extension to vote two more ships. thought so too, because the votes of this ship were challenged NMU's performance never show­ and progrcss we are making with The extension was granted. by the NMU. ed up more clearly than it now the unorganized seamen. 3. Finally, with the SIU clearly We contacted ships of all sizes in the lead at the end of the and shapes and found an excellent balloting, the NMU began chal­ reception to the SIU by the non­ lenging SIU right and left. From the very beginning, the NMU has done nothing but put up a tooth-and-nail fight to pre­ vent the Isthmian seamen from It's very seldom that an of­ reported to the bridge and told up the Chief Mate's deficiencies getting the representation they ficer of a ship will make a state­ me that the Chief Mate had told might lose many lives in the have asked for. future. ment charging other officers with him to let it go until later. These delaying tactics are ser­ "Since I could not supercede Although Friel has been sail­ ious for the Isthmian men. For nefficiency. When that does hap­ the Chief Mate's authority, I turn­ pen, and when those charges are ed Tommen and Dories to on the ing Isthmian for quite a while, he every day they work under non­ is a member in good standing of backed up with solid facts, it foredeck securing deck cargo that the MM&P, and was a former union conditions, for every day's low wages, they can thank the should make a good story, and was beginning to come adrift. member of the SUP. None of the NMU. other officers belong to the this time is no exception. SAW DAMAGE FREE ELECTION MM&P. Leslie C. Friel is, or maybe "At daylight, Tommen again Friel will do no more sailing The Isthmian men chose the union seamen on most of these was is the better word, the Sec­ made an inspection and reported with Norgaard and Eide. He Seafarers as their representative ond Mate on the Isthmian Lines to the bridge that there was a feels that the next time their in ships. a free, democratically-con­ In the spring we should be in Beaver Victory. He signed on the bulge in the side of the ship near laxness might really bring the ducted election. The men knew a position to bring several more .ship July 25, and was prepared the bulkhead between number ship and personnel to the brink of what they wanted. They had four and five holds. To the best danger-, and so he would rather compared the waterfront records outfits under the SIU flag. for an uneventful cruise. As of my knowledge, the Captain soon as the ship left Baltimore was on the bridge at the time and take his chances on another ship. of the Unions. They chose the BONEYARD GROWING SIU because of its agressive, mili­ The unusual thing about the the fun started, and bad condi­ went onto the deck and inspected tant record of accomplishments whole tour, however, wasn't the tions continued to exist until the the damage himself. for all teamen. number of ships being layed-up trip came to an end in Galveston "It is my belief that Mr. Eide's on December 12. If there was collusion, as the for the winter, but the number failure to make an inspection at NMU falsely charges, I who of ships which have been layedAll of the officers except Friel the time he was first called and served as a voluntary ship's or­ up permanently. were definitely anti-union, and turn out sufficient men to secure ganizer and later as a shoreside Talk about boneyards that are they made no attempts to hide the cargo should be called to the organizer, and the hundreds of forming on both coasts, the ones their feelings. The Chief Mate attention of the proper authorities others who worked and sweated that are taking shape here is made many derogatoi-y statments on arrival in the United States. in the Isthmian campaign would really staggering. I about the men, and refen-ed to (Continued from Page 3) "Since men were not turned "to have been unnecessary. "We could One look at these ports and them as "dogs who don't deserve securing the cargo until after reaucrats while trying to pose as have sat the whole thing out.. immediately one is reminded of a draw." eight o'clock, it should be clear militants—this is their true rec­ And the Union would not have the early thirties, when things To show his contempt for the that considerably less damage ord, this is all that is needed to spent the money that it did. were really tough and ships were crew, he worked them from bell would have resulted to the ship expose them. When a commie is There would have been no need layed-up all along the Lakes in to bell during periods of extreme had work begun immediately. In­ faced with the facts of their war­ for the vast publicity and propa­ every inlet. heat in the Far East. vestigation should also be made time record he gets as excited as ganda operations. It doesn't give, a seafaring man The blowoff on the whole sit­ into what kind of inspection Mi'. a chameleon on a checker-board a pleasant feeling to see the ships The Seafarers certainly would uation came on November 28, Eide made of the cargo when trying to explain the wartime t-usting here, knowing that each not have poured so much hard while the ship was at sea be- loading was finished in number "militancy" of the NMU. layed-up ship means that many work into the effort to better the t\Yeen Honolulu and Balboa. Car­ four hold in Honolulu." Yes, the labor movement in lot of the Isthmian men. What lost jobs. go had been loaded in Honolulu, To add to the tense situation, Europe had to be helped once beats me is how the NMU has the ALABAMA OUT but came loose and endangered when the Chief Mate did turn the Germany attacked Russia. Wasn't face to stand up behind such a After sailing out of Cleveland the safety of the ship before it men to at daylight, his insolence there a labor movement in Eu­ phony story. for the past two seasons the ex­ was secured. toward the Bosun led to words, rope before Russia was attacked? cursion ship Alabama will no NMU PRESTIGE GONE and instead of finishing the job Where is the labor movement in FACTS IN THE CASE longer make its. usual run; but first, he insisted that the Bosun Europe today in . the Russian But when it is all over, they in its place one or two car ferries Here is the story, in Friel's go before" the Captain to be log­ dominated countries? will have lost whatever little will plow across the lake to Can­ own words, exactly as he wrote ged, and following that, the work The appeasement of the Wash­ prestige they might still have on ada. So all you fellows that have them to the Company in report­ was completed. ington bureaucrats by the CP of­ the waterfront. the urge to ship to foreign ports ing the incident; ficials of the NMU during the SHIP ENDANGERED can come here and make the trip And Isthmian men will see the "At five minutes to four the war period, is not only revolting wisdom of their choice. They to Canada several times daily. morning of the 28th of November If the weather had not been and disgusting to the typical sea­ will be represented by a Union What with the holidays upon before relieving the Third Mate, calm, there is every reason to be­ men, it is as well responsible for which has consistently fought for, us, this Bi'anch would like to I noticed that something appear­ lieve that the damage would have the finky CG rules and regula­ and won, the best wage and take this opportunity to extend ed to be adrift in number four or been considerably' worse, and tions now binding the seamens working conditions in the mari­ Season's Greetings to all the Of­ number five hold. I told William that the ship might have been hands. time industry. ficials and members of the SIU Tommen, AB, to make an in­ endangered. That is the opinion Now once again they are at­ and SUP, and may the Seafarers spection and report to'the bridge. They will be represented by a of most of the members of the tempting to be militants, once coi.-tinue to go forward in the Union which is primarily inter­ crew. "At about four-ten he re­ more they are out to "lead" the ested in the economic better­ future as it -has in the past. ported to me that the noise seem­ Friel said that the crew was fight on the waterfront, but too ed to come from number four made up mainly of SIU and NMU many seamen remember their ment of all seafaring - men. And hold. I told him to call the Chief men, and that they worked to­ opep wartime alliance with the they will not be used as tools ' Mate. Mr. Eide. He went below gether very well. In his opinion, shipowners to be impressed with for political flim-flamming. The NMU has done nothing for and then again returned to the they were the best crew he ever words. Somfeone once said that If you don't find linen the Isthmian men but prevent bridge, reporting that Mr. Eide sailed with. patriotism was the last refuge when you go aboard your them from getting decent wages had told him to open up number The Skipper, E. E. Norgaard, of the scoundrel. How right he and conditions. They are doing ship, notify the Hall at once. four hatch and inspect the cargo. tried to persuade Friel from mak­ was. nothing except hurting the cause - A telegram from Le Havre or ".Since this would be very dif­ ing the statement, and when that In this particular chapter of Singapore won't do you any of Isthmian seamen. They are do­ ficult for one man to do, I told failed, he ordered him to refrain, the waterfront section of the CP good. It's your bed and you ing nothing but hurting the Tommen to call the Mate again Friel refused to be intimidated, it might have been much better have to lie in it. cause of all merchant seamen. and tell him that the situation and in the presence of the Purser, to substitute the word FINK for u. •• might be serious. Tommen again he told the Captain thdft covering scoundrel. Rocky Benson tmsTAmm. Second Mate Charges Isthmian Officers With Inefficiency On The Beaver Victory Wild Charges Hide Failures Of NMU Leaders ATTENTION! • �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. December 20, 1946 Thar She Blows! Scented Fortune Turns Out To Be Odor Of Day NOT WORTH TWO SCENTS V, ill van .Ameringen - Haebler. fnc, : JroTnaric Essentials u*-rr. Ill t* yT\Kt '.X SW woCD. ilO.S'.Wscfer Dfiyr AxofU*. JoVi vrrcM ''V. i(,r |j«*r Or* 2nd South V V. tH Fa*Mir>$^o. }Sth I Vtnnoni SM , ttTTt.r, l/OI Sixth ,Ave So ' , ' itrttbO: OM , I5di 4 SM • •1 . ' m £'• . . V« •r'-y] -il') Fourth Avenue *'. \cw York "He was forced to get off cation enters the picture, though This is the sad saga of some the ship, however, as a result the deflated crew isn't worrying Seafarers and — indirectly — a of the recent officers' strike, about it. lUrre.-iier 20, 194S' whale. By stretching the tale a "This stuff is still on the ship bit it might even be called a blub­ and we have nothing since we and can't be landed. It has been ber story, although it's not blub­ left Mobile. "What we want you to do is tested by two or three chemists ber we're concerned with (un- ' 1. less those Seafarers want to blub- find out what happened to the and they all are of a different stuff if anything. We wrote opinion as to what it is, therefore |: ber about it.) i. ..:.4 • Capt. H.F., Soinney. ^ / '•- 7200 Rldpe Eivd. • . The substance of tlie matter is to Lykes Brothers, the Calmar Agriculture Department and Cus­ "'r.'" / -Srooklyn, H.Y, agents, but got no answer. We toms will not allow it ashore," a mass of floating "gold," known bflLBJ!. Captain SD;^.nay.: I as ambergris. The whale is men­ will appreciate anything you Kimball wrote Brother Volpian, .-leferrinr to our reco-t convorsntiin v/ltH ' . can do for us. tioned because the ambergris is "This stuff was soft when they ©forehoa to tlie ArborTla fcun.J ty yrn and y-.r erew, I John McLaoughlin picked it up. "Later is set up ' out of his pocket, but he's finisharrat to state that after a carffu.! exar inaticn T fXig30 Batchelder St., l:ed with the tale at this point. hard as concrete," Brother Kim­ Boston, Mass." '-L • V-'"" it i-s.not-'ArberTis. The saga is sad because the ball said. ^ - V .. : Very truly ycurs. I i Seafarers, crewmembers of CalA similar request came from The moral of the talc seems hmar's SS John H, B. Latrobe, see another crewmember, Charles A. tp be: Don't go picking up every­ their chances of dividing a small Lufkin. 'V i^ert J. Diainger, Perfumer ' |, fortune dwindling slowly. Quicker than you can say am­ thing that's floating around loose. -I . A,..- ' . • •' "The fortune was to have been bergris, Brother Volpian had the realized from the sale of what Calmar office on the phone. He 1 the crew thought was ambergria, learned from a Mr. Squier that |. a large mass of which they sight­ the Latrobe's Bosun, Blanco Wil­ ed and picked up in South At­ liams, had the stuff analyzed and As the above letter states, what the men of the John Latrobe lantic waters on the ship's re­ that the chemist reported it con­ found was not ambergris. And so their dream of a sweet-smelling cent tropical run. tained ambergris oil. Squier said fortune goes up in smoke. Now the problem is what to do with The story began to unfold with also that there was no entry in the mass of whatever it was that they found. Maybe it can be a letter received by Joe Volpian the smooth log pertaining to the held for a while and the Government can test atom bombs on it. NEW YORK of the SIU's Special Services De­ stuff. Or perhaps it can be cut into bricks and used to build houses. partment, who handles ambergris SS CAPE NOME Volpian passed this informa­ They say that there is a shortage of building materials. and thousands of other matters. tion along to the interested crew­ J. V. Brooka, $1.00; S. Musco, $1.00; Allan P. Todd. $1.00. The letter was from one of the members. claim-stakers on the SS Latrobe SS COASTAL STEVEDORE Meanwhile, the Skipper, H. F. and was dated Nov. 4. It said: E. R. Oswalt, $2.00; W. W. Lawton, Spinney, who had been on vaca­ "I am writing you this letter tion in Nova Scotia, but was $1.00. SS W. BRYANT in the hope that you can help dreaming of ambergris in Mobile, S. W. Jones, $1.00; S. Packer. $1,00; me obtain some information. returned to New York. Volpian F. Dansby, $1.00; J. E. Dewine, $1.00; "Several other crewmembers then contacted Squier again. L. S. Smith, $1,00; C. H. Russell, $1.00; By HERBERT JANSEN and myself recently (Sept. 25) Squier said that Captain Spinney W. B. Brown, $1,00; H, Ramos, $1.00; paid off the John H. B. Latrobe, had gotten a chemical analysis Nick Bigney, $1.00; L. E. Jarvis, $1.00; C HIC AGO —After we had this year, and only hope that next a Calmar ship, down in Mobile. from Lucien LeLong, famed per­ E. Kowndnurakis, $1.00; J. A. McDuf- thought shipping was all through year will be as mellow. fie, $1.00; B. Bonafon, $1.00; J. Bunilwhose sweet-smelling la, $1.00; J. Johnston, $1.00; .Amos for the winter, we received a "During the trip we salvaged fumers LATE DEPARTURE a large amount of ambergris in scents have guys drooling fi-om Baum, $2.00; G. Gabling, $1.00; G. F. short spurt of activity this week One of the last ships out of this Woods, $2.00; H. L. Graham, $1.00; to put a cap on this year's ship­ the South Atlantic.. The crew Siam to Spokane. port was the MS McCool, a ce­ T. J. King. $1.00; H, Blount, $1.00; ping on the Great Lakes. chipped in and had it analyzed Squier quoted the perfumers as N. Bigney & Crew. $20.00. ment ship, who is on her last trip It's all over now and the boys of the season. She will make one in Mobile, and the analyst de­ saying the "stuff is worthless." SS CAPE HEREN have picked up most of their gear more trip to Milwaukee, Wiscon­ clared it to be ambergis. How­ He added that Calmar had no ob­ S. Candela, $ I 00. which they had left here and sin and then head for Manitowoc, ever, we were unabk- to stay jection to the men removing the have headed for other parts of Wisconsin for her winter berth. down there to dispose of it so stuff from the ship. SS R. MOORE the country. the Bosun volunteered to stay C. Evans, $2.00; W. P. Hoyde, $2.00; Captain Spinney had another I want to extend thanks to the Having put the lid on one more K. Brown. $2.00; A. Placko, $2.00; W. on board with it and keep us perfumer examine the "amber­ Clark. $1.00; J. A, Slay. $2.00; C. H, Brothers in her crew for their season on the Great Lakes, a lot informed of the results. gris." He substantiated the Le­ Crump, $2.00; W. H. Harrell, $2.00; support in bringing that company of the seamen have told me that Long findings in a note repro­ S. M. Stokke, $2.00; B. Price, $2.00; under the SIU banner last spring, 1946 was a record season for ex­ duced elsewhere on this page, R. E. Ward. $2.00; H. L. McGrath, also for their cooperation with $2.00; W. W. Wise, $2.00; J. E. Porter, cellent weather. which sort of ends the Latrobe $2.00. the SIU during the past season. Some of the oldtimers stated crew's dream of converting their In last week's Log, Brother Ira that of all the years they have BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St SS JANEWAY Bishop from down Alton, Illinnis ' Calvert 4539 mass into cash. been hitting the deck they have C. Davis, Jr., $1,00; B. Roojberg, 1 BOSTON .' 276 State St. way, expressed his views on the And now, according to Mobile $1.00; E. Masterson, $1.00; L. E. never experienced smoother sail­ Boudoin 4455 coal strike and upheld the miners ! BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. Agent Charles Kimball, a compli­ Taylor, $1,00, ing weather than the Lakes gave Cleveland 7391 in their struggle for better con­ I CHARLESTON 68 Society St. ditions. Coming from the coal Phone 3-3680 mining section Brother Bishop [CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. Superior 5175 knows whereof he speaks. /kae, Eixxbeth S ' ' ' •• ' V' invitation To Aii Seafarers: Become Labor Reporters For Leg SiU HALLS [CLEVELAND ...1014'E. St. Clair Ave. Main 0147 [CORPUS CHRISTI ..1824 Mesquite St. Corpus Christi 3-1509 [DETROIT 1038 Third St. Cadillac 6857 [DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. Melrose 4110 [GALVESTON 305'/i 22nd St. 2-8448 [HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. HOUSTON 1S15 7Sth Street Phone Wentworth 3-3809 I JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St. e Phone 5-5919 [MARCUS HOOK l'/2 W. 8th St. Chester 5-3110 [MOBILE 7 St. Michael St. 2-1754 [NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. Magnolia 6112-6113 [NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. HAnover 2-2784 [NORFOLK 127-129 Bank Street 4-1083 I PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. Phone LOmbard 3-7651 I PORT ARTHUR . . 909 Fort Worth Ave. Phone: 2-8532 [PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. IRJCHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. I SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. Douglas 5475-8363 I SAN JUAN, P. R 252 Ponce de Leon San Juan 2-5996 [SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. 8-1728 [ SEATTLE 80 Senoca, St. I ' 1^ Main 0290 TAMPA .M09-1811 N. Franklin St. M-1323 I TOLEDO 818 Summit St. WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Bfvd. Terminal 4-3131 I VICTORIA, B. G 602 Boughton St. [VANCOUVER i44 w. Hastings st. BIJIJJilTIN J -PERSONALSDONALD £, HUGHES Your identification card is be­ ing held for you at the Bal­ timore Hall, and will be sent to you upon proper identification. JOSEPH B. ZAGORDA Get in touch with your mother. It is very important. XXX ERNEST GEORGE ECKHOFF Get in touch with your wife. » » » X t tKENNETH WILLIAMS SEDRICK J. TRAVIS J. B. Harris wants Kenneth Your passport is at the Bal­ Williams to get in touch with his timore Hall. Identify yourself mother and father in Plymouth, and it will be returned to you. North Carolina. » Ik t. ALFRED E. BELL Write to the Baltimore Hall for papers that belong to you. MONEY DUE The following men have money coming to them from the Alcoa ROBIN A. ROTHBUN SS Company and can. collect at W):ite to your mother. company office in Mobile, Ala. J. M. Bresling, J. B. Brewer, X X % A. J. Brown, William E. Dargan, CECIL LA VERNE WATSON James L.. Dodd, Lewis Lucas, M. Your wife asks that you get in M. Stallworth, A. W. West, D. A. Wright. touch with her at once. GIVE US THE DOPE I think it would be a good idea if the SIU Brothers who live in communities where the labor sit­ uation is of national interest, would send in their observations and comments as to what is tak­ ing place in their specific locales. Alcoa Steamship Company has By doing this we will be sure started mailing out retroactive of getting first hand information paychecks. If you are entitled to on the situation, and it will let back pay, wait a while before seamen know what the score is, 'contacting the Company. If, and what the anti-labor groups however, you don't receive your are trying to pull. money within a reasonable length No doubt there are seamen of time, get in touch with the spending some of their time in Company. places where the next strikes of national importance will take XXX Will holder of receipt No. 2008 place. So, if a walkout takes please contact Tampa Hall. This place in your neck of the woods, receipt issued in Tampa, Nov. get the dope and let us hear about it through the Log. 25th, 1946. SEASON'S GREETINGS XXX This being, the last report from Bill Dennis would like to have former shipmates contact him Chicago before Christmas, the c/o Clinton Dumber Company, membership and officials of the Chicago Branch wish to extend Clinton, La. to all members, officials and as­ t X X sociates of the Seafarers Inter­ HENRY J. FOY Please report to Headquarters national Union and the Sailor's office, 6th floor of the New York Union of the Pacific a very merry Christmas. Branch as soon as possible. NOTICE! 5^1 --.M �!• Fridaf, Dec»inb*r 20, 194S THE SEAFAKERS LOG Page Sixteen "^Si? w •••• •••^irxW- ••• •• <¥:>•• -fw*" ,;;i^^:;;i S:SS5^?S:$ i"1f[mmhiovui^Claas^ m iVAWx;: KiWxW mm jySS m. a:S:i:p::?xSa:aaay-SS^av- m 1 xW fss$as Sim mmm^^mi^. :¥5S: x-xc-x-: ;:!« m m mmm^ * sys SSM m Sg:: V sm WSS:: yxwo 5* y;y$y:':¥:¥x':": W: T_> Jii:S:::¥::; Xvi-y m^M » isay? * wm y:::W;y:W:W;y:y;¥:: X5 w>y.\< >:¥>S¥A%¥:::::¥:?:¥:::¥;%::¥;^^ W^mMM .x-x-:X-x-X-:-x-x-x-x*x " xwyxy-^-x-x-:. / fc yysxyx::: Mi S::5 S¥xy sayd xx^y: x-x lyySxxAiAysysws iWS ?piL. 'vP * >¥?S:;XJ ®=^psa iiiii :X;X y^xx;; yyffix SM :::X!l S:;S 'X'J'Xv i*y*x-: * ysay K«i. ssssssyftil aaas ysssi jxy MAl^lTiMB iftDO^rRY ayyxy miM aaay: §$:p ayay KXW» ;:yay;y::: i-x-x-xyx-x aysayysasis ysKyiia » w sys: iss^ Mm im m ysay yyyy^yyyxx-xr ;xX4 a::S » sysiysay m xR y;»a; ;::y:::$yyy:wys^y w mmm o(^?R<e«>ss ssssa^s :. 01;-; SM ly-ysa aysryy � 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 December 20, 1946 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. VIII, No. 51 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: STRIKE OR ARBITRARION ARE ALTERNATIVES AS TUGBOATMEN TAKE VOTE REGIONAL NLRB REPORT ON ISTHMIAN IS READY; NMU BLOCKS ACTION SEAFARERS PRODS TRUSTEES OF SNUG HARBOR TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINS ON CONDITIONS STRIKE CLEARANCE COMM. SUGGESTS NEXT GENERAL STRIKE PROCEDURE NOT QUITE SO MERRY NMU LEADERS TRY TO HIDE FAILURE BY WILD CHARGES AGAINST SIU HQ STRIKE CLEARANCE COMMITTEE WINDS UP ITS WORK THIS WEEK MINERS WIN POINT; COURT CONSIDERS INJUNCTION LAW THREE SEAFARERS ON LAST VOYAGE TALE FOR SEAMEN, WITH MORAL FOR BUCKO SKIPPERS MARINE ARROW HAS TYPICAL ISTHMIAN TRIP; BUT THAT SEAFARERS CONTRACT IS COMING MARINE RUNNER REALLY HOPS PREPARING FOR LONG CRUISE TOLEDO AGENT GIVES LOWDOWN ON THE LSU STANDARD CALIFORNIA HAS LAST WORD INTANKERS: SEMI-PRIVATE FOC'SLES, AND HOT AND COLD RADAR SPURT EXPECTED IN NEW YORK AFTER NEW YEAR THE PATROLMAN SAYS: FAULT OF THE CREW THERE ARE HAPPY DAYS IN BOSTON AS SHIPPING, BUSINESS PICK UP BRING YOUR OWN FOOD WITH YOU WHEN YOU SHIP WITH THE LSU LAST SHIP OF YEAR CLEARS DULUTH; EXPECT AB SHORTAGE TO CONTINUE SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT DON'T THINK MUCH OF OPERATORS SOFT COAL SMOKE GETS IN OUR EYES HEAT HAS MOHICAN MEN ON WAR-PATH CREW CALLS MEREDITH A 'FIT HOME AT SEA' FOAMING CREW WORKS UP A STRONG LATHER OVER SOAP SHORTAGE ON WILLIAM JOHNSON THAR SHE BLOWS! SCENTED FORTUNE TURNS OUT TO BE ODOR OF DAY INVITATION TO ALL SEAFARERS: BECOME LABOR REPORTERS FOR LOG Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 12/20/1946 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1946 Periodicals Seafarers Log