http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/06a46e2d3aeed2bd59ae9d0bb15a6fbd.PDF e50ef05ac80fd20582a41abc791501ec PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America NEW YORK, N. Y« FRIDAY. DECEMBER 27. 1946 VOL VIII. SUPPORT FOR THE TUGBOATMEN No. 52 N.Y. Maritime Council Piedges Fuii Support To AFL Tugboatmon NEW YORK—The solidarity of the Greater New AFL Maritime Port Council, already a proven factor in bringing about quick settlements of disputes between waterfront unions and employers, is once more in evidence. The Tugboatment ,members of Local 33 3, ILA, Marine Division, who are now in the middle of negotiations with the companies, were pledged the support of this powerful body on Monday, Dec. 23. "* Paul Hall. SIU New York Port Agent, reads the resolution pledging SIU support to the Tugboatment in their tight for higher wages and better working conditions. Following this, the resolution was unanimously adopted by all present at the special meeting. Curran Resigns As Co-Cliairman Of CMU; Charges It With Disunity And Raiding NEW YORK — A showdown fight in the National Maritime Union, initiated a few months ago when Joseph Curran, Presi­ dent of the NMU, attacked some of tlie officials of that union as beirrg communists and working against the best interests of the membership, again flared into the open Tuesday when Curran resigned as co-Chairman of the communist - dominated Commit­ tee for Maritime Unity. Charging that the activities of the CMU had been to "promote warfare on the waterfront with the AFL and independent unions," and that the strategy of the CMU had prolonged strikes which were later settled without any gains being made by the CMU membership, Curran pub­ licly withdi'cw from the CIO Maritime group, and announced that he was prepared to defend his views to the membership of the NMU. Although no place in his 4000 wofd prepared blast against the CMU did he mentioned the other Co-Chairman, Harry Bridges, President of the International Longshoremen's and Warehouse­ men's Union, CIO, or Joseph Stack, red-tinged NMU VicePresident, nevertheless he made reference to them when he stated that "the CMU, as it now stands, is designed as an instrument to build up certain people as a means of giving them control over our union and carrying on warfare with the American Fed­ and to carry out raids against the eration of Labor sea unions." AFL Maritime Unions. Curran admits that certain tac­ ANOTHER BLOW tics of the CMU have lead to Curran's resignation from the jurisdictional disputes such as the CMU does not necessarily mean one which caused the AFL that the NMU will follow the Waterfront Unions to freeze Coos lead. When questioned on this Bay until the CMU was forced score, Curran said that he would to allow the SUP to crew ships recommend such action, but that with which they had a contract. it would be up to the member­ COMMIES ANGRY ship to vote such a move. No official action has yet been Following as it does on the heels of the decision taken by taken against Curran's remarks, the members of the Marine Fire­ but communist officials in the men, Oilers, Watertenders, and NMU are already openly talking Wipers, an independent union, about bringing him up on charges not to affiliate with the CMU, and ousting him from his $7,800 Curran's blast strikes another a year post. blow at this group of watei-front In a press interview following unions whose only apparent pm-- announcement of his resignation, pose has been to spread disunity Curran expressed doubt that his statement would be published in the Pilpt, the official organ of the NMU. "I'm going to try to get the Pilot to tell our membership why I resigned," he declared. "If The regular bi-weekly they don't print it, I'll get my Wednesday night member­ version to the rank-and-file even ship meeting of the New if I have to print 100,000 pamph­ York Branch, originally lets and pay for them myself." scheduled for Jan. 1 will be held the following night be­ The complete text oi Curran's cause of the New Year's holi­ reasons for resigning as co-Chairday. man of the CMU starts on Page 3. All members in the Port of A general membership meeting New York are urged to at­ of the NMU will be held in Man­ tend the meeting. Remember: hattan Center on Monday eve­ ning, December 30, at which, time The time—^Thursday. Jan. it is expected that the Curran 2 at 7 pjn. statement will be debated. The The place — Webster HalL National Council of the NMU has 119 East 11th Street, New also been called upon to meet on York City. January 6 to consider the same question. N.Y. MEETtNG SIU Demands Snug Harbor Investigation This action came on the heels of a pledge of support from the SIU and the SUP, and was em­ bodied in the resolution passed at a joint special membership; meeting of the two Unions. Here is the resolution, as it was proposed by Paul Hall, SIU New York Port Agent and Chairman of the Council: NEW YORK, December 27— WHEREAS: The Marine Division j Having sent two unproductive letof Ihe ILA (Tugboalmen of ters to Snug Harbor officials reGreater New York Harbor) garding sub-standard conditions have supported the SIU-SUP in reported by various inmates, the every one of their many beefs SIU today took further steps and strikes and leading to personal investigation VyfHEHEAS: Through this support of actual Snug Harbor conditions of the Tugboatmen, it has aided by two Seafarers representatives. the SIU-SUP membership In the latest SIU letter to Snug greatly in bettering conditions Harbor Governor Howard A. and wages for our membership, Flynn, Special Services Represen­ tative Joseph H. Volpian de­ and WHEREAS: At the present time, manded such an investigation to these same Tugboatmen are substantiate or refute SIU charges now fighting for a raise in and Snug Harbor denials. Two completely unsatisfactory wages and reduction in hours against their employers in the letters liave been received by the SIU in reply to letters sent on Port of New York, and WHEREAS: It is possible that December 4 to Snug Harbor Gov­ these men will need our assis­ ernor Flynn, and on December 16 tance in many ways if they are to the Snug Harbor Trustees. to successfully carry out this Dated December 18, the first let­ ter is from Governor Flynn. As­ fight, SO, THEREFORE, BE IT RE­ serting that SIU information re­ SOLVED: That we, the SIU- garding Snug Harbor conditions SUP membership, gathered at "is undoubtedly from the same this joint special meeting go on unreliable sources as like propa­ record as notifyng Capt. W. ganda that is brought to oiu- at­ Bradley, President of the Ma­ tention from time to time," Mr. rine Division of the ILA. that Flynn's complete letter read: we stand behind his Organiza­ December 18, 1946 tion solidly 100 percent and Mr. Joseph H. Volpian will assist them in any manner Special Services Representative possible or necessary to guaran­ Seafarers Int'l Union of N.A. tee that they win their de­ 51 Beaver Street mands. and New York 4. N.Y. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That we notify also the AFL Dear Sir; This will acknowledge receipt Maritime Port Council of Great­ er New York of our action and of your letter of December fourth. The information which inspir­ request that Body to take simi­ lar action so that all AFL Mari­ ed your communication is un­ time Unions will be solidly doubtedly from the same unreli­ back of the ILA Tugboatmen in able source as like propaganda that is brought to our attention their beef. Morris Weisberger, SUP from time to time. You may rest assui'ed that in Paul Hall. SIU PASSED UNANIMOUSLY the future as in the past the Following the unanimous adop­ Trustees of the Sailor's Snug Har­ tion of the above resolution, the bor and the Administration will other affiliate-: of the Council continue to make every possible (Continued on Page 6) {Continued on Page IJ) •'31 I'31 • ''M • .TI .'51 �Page Two THE SEAFARERS LOG FridaT' l>*e»nibM 27, 1946 SEAFARERS Piihlished 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 X XXX 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, 1912. 267 The Best To Come The year 1946 shapes up as having been the best year in the history of the Seafarers International Union. Dur­ ing this past year the Union withstood raiding attempts by the commie-dominated Committee for Maritime Unity, and has decisively licked the Wage Stabilization Board, and >iyon the highest wages and best conditions in the history of xnaritime. And with all this activity, our organization of unorganized seamen has not been neglected. It would be fine if we could announce at this time that the Isthmian election was over, and that the SIU had been ^declared the bargaining agent for the Isthmian seamen. Al­ though we have gained the overwhelming majority of the votes, NMU disruptionist tactics are stalling the certifica­ tion of the SIU, and Isthmian seamen are being deprived of the representation they want. Hospital Patients The coming year should see even more gains on the part of the SIU. Our organization is tighter than it has ever been, and our organizing campaign in the tanker field is gaining new recruits every day. Building on the already firm foundation of the Union, we will go on to better con­ tracts and more and more members in our Union. When entering the hospital notify the delegate by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. Staten Island Hospital ' You can contact your Hos­ The AFL Maritime Trades Department can also look pital delegate at the Staten forward to 1947 as a year of growth and strength. The Island Hospital at the follow­ great strides made by this grouping during the first six ing times: months of its existence show that the organization has be­ These are Ihe Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, Tuesday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. come the most powerful combination of waterfront unions as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging (on 5th and 6th floors) ~-^n the United States. Using its terrific power for good pur­ heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ Thursday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) poses, the resultant solidarity will be a decisive factor in ing to them. Saturday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. dealing with employers. NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL L. L. MOODY Men Now In The Marine Hospitals 1946 was good, but 1947 looks like it will be even better. It should be because all the members of the SIU .will be working damn hard to make it so. Thieves Fall Out The many articles written in the Log which have pointed out the basic weaknesses of the Committee for Maritime Unity were substantiated recently by one who should know what he is talking about. When Joe Curran blasts his bed partners and says that they are not really working for maritime unity, but actually to dominate the maritime industry, it is well to pause and take note of his •^ords. 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 Joe is the President of the National Maritime Union, land was until his recent resignation, the co-Chairman of xhe CMU. His frank statement, in which he accuses the XXX tCMU of raiding the AFL seamen's unions, and of spreading disruption along the waterfront, are printed on other pages STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL p{ this edition of the Log But Joe, while his words go quite a bit to break off bis relations with the communists in the NMU, still does not tell the complete truth. He makes certain statements Sabout the power-mad leaders of the CMU and the unions that are part of the CMU, but he does not take the final (Continued on Page i) M. TROCHA C. OLIVER T. WADSWORTH C. KUPLICKI G. A. LUETH E. F. SPEAR R. G. MOSSELLER W. G. H. BAUSE W. B. MUIR H. C. L. E. C. C. E. BELCHER RASMUSSEN A. CORNWALL N. DuPONT KOLSTE R. POTTER J. BONNER XXX BALTIMORE HOSPITAL PETER LOPEZ EMILLIO DI PIETRO LEO RHODES FRANCIS O'BRIEN HARRY WALSH OLIVER HEADDLEY JOHN AMENTA MICHAEL LUCAS JAMES DAVIS MANUEL ROMERO XXX GALVESTON HOSPITAL LONGKEMPT PAURGASON—SUP ALDERHOLDS KING MITCHELL DOWELL DEETRECH SWENSOI^ CASTAGNERE—B.C. MULKE (on 1st and 2nd floors.) NEPONSif HOSPITAL LINDER CLARK J. FIGUEROA L. L. LEWIS H. SELBY H. BURKE J. S. COMPBELL B. BRYDER B. LUFLIN G. F. McCOMB E. FERRF.R R. BLAKE J. R. HENCHEY XXX BRIGHTON HOSPITAL H. SWIM E. JOHNSTON E. DUNPHY G. RONDI E. MAY E. DELLAMANO R: BAASNER G. VICKERY X X X ELLIS ISLAND HOSPITAL D. MCDONALD J. KOSLUSKY �:•••• v-- VJ?/: ^ .^• Friday. December 27, 1946 T H E S E AP ARERS LOG Page Three Full Text Of Curran's Statement On His Resignation From CMU Joe Curran's fears that his statement blasting the CMU, and resigning from the coChairmanship of that organi­ zation would not reach the rank-and-file due to opposition^ from his own officials, are grouhdless. It is extremely possible that the pro-communist members of the NMU Executive Board may be able to prevent publication of the statement in the Pilot, or they may be able to only'quote certain sections which would spoil the effect Mr. Curran wanted to create, but if that is done, seamen and waterfront workers are not going to be de­ prived of the report which lays bare the inner workings of the Committee for Maritime Unity. For the first time, from an of­ ficial who helped to form the CMU, the true story of how the CMU helped to spread disrup­ tion on the waterfront is set down in black and white. This is of prime importance to the members of the NMU, and to all other waterfront workers, whether they are af­ filiated to the CMU or to the AFL Maritime Unions. F or the record, here is the complete text of Joe Curran's statement: Statement of JOSEPH CURRAN, President NATIONAL MARITIME UNION in connection with resignation as Co-Chairman of CMU. total membership of les^ than one-third of our membership, are able to dictate the policies of our Union, and we have no alterna­ tive, or even veto, but must fol­ low this type of "majority" rule. ILWU DICTATORSHIP The net result of this has been that these four craft Unions, lo­ cated .3000 miles away, together with the fifth Union, a shoreside organization, the ILWU, have been dictating all policies of CMU, and have made our great industrial Union virtually a stooge for their shot-gun "unity," so to speak. Under this setup, the NMU leadership, elected by the rank and file, cannot decide our Union's policies, or fulfill its constitutional duties and respon­ sibilities to our membership. 2. Decisions are made by what is termed the "West Coast Sec­ tion" of the CMU, and in many cases, after these decisions are in effect, we are asked to approve them, without the benefit of prop­ er information or discussion. This has resulted in our Union being made responsible for many de­ cisions in which we were not or should not have been involved, such as being made a party to the jurisdictional dispute between the MCS and MFOWW craft unions and the SIU-AFL over who was to man ships of a west coast company. Another decision, made by the West Coast Section of CMU in the recent strike was to issue an ultimatum to the Masters, Mates & Pilots, one of the unions on strike, to remove their picket lines within twenty-four hours or have them, smashed by CMU. The MMP required 48 hours in which to vote on their agreements, and this ultimatum was looked upon as open strike-breaking. Neither our Union, nor I as its President, would have wanted to be a party to crashing legitimate picket lines of any Union, but without our agreement, we were made a part of this. STRIKEBREAKING This type of decision, and the manner in v/hich they are made, are certainly not in the interests of our Union and creating mari­ time unity. Under this setup, the good name of our Union can be dragged in the mud; without our consent, our Union can be used for strike-breaking. 3. Financially, our Union has contributed $30,000 to CMU, in advance, while, aside from the ILWU, the four other Unions, (Continued on Page 14) Eyewitness Answers SovietCharge Of American, British Cowardice December 24, 1946 Members of the National The following letter by Wil­ Executive Committee, CMU liam H. Harrison, a member in and good standing of the MM&P. Members and Officers of all Book number 3158. is in an­ CMU affiliated Unions: swer to Captain Andreyev's I have submitted my resigna­ article in the New York Times tion as Co-Chairman of CMU, ef­ December 14, when he accused fective at once, by wire to Union American seamen of showing leaders on the National Execu­ cowardice and abandoning tive Committee of CMU. their ships during an attack by I have taken this action in or­ German Torpedo planes off the der to bring sharply to the atten­ Norwegian coast. tion of our membership the in­ Captain Andreyev of the So­ tolerable situation that now viet Navy made his charges in exists in CMU. the newspaper Red Fleet, Oct­ As President of the National ober 12 and 15. and was re­ Maritime Union, I am constitu­ printed in the New York Times. tionally bound to inform our Harrison, a crewmember of the membership any time I am aware convoy, gives his eyewitness of any dangers to our Union, and account of what actually took I am required to take all neces­ place during the attack: sary measures to safeguard our HARRISON'S REPLY Union, the interests of our mem­ In his "Lessons of One Convoy" bership and the maritime work­ the subject of which is the fate ers generally. of the 37 merchant vessels and NMU MISLED their escort that left Reykjavik, It is for these reasons that I Iceland, for the northern ports of have submitted this resignation: the Soviet Union on June 27, first, because I believe the pre.s- 1942, Captain Andreyev of the ent situation in CMU endangers Soviet Navy charges in the news­ pur Union; and second, because paper Red Fleet October 12 and the seamen, particularly the 15: membership of our Union, are .. the crew of the Allied trans­ being misled into believing that ports did not fight stubbornly for the unity which gained much for the lives of their ships. Nothing seamen in the June 15th nego­ else could explain the fact that tiations is still the same strong the transports Navaiino, William unity, and that the CMU is cre­ Hooper and others that remained ating unity among all seamen, afloat were deserted by their while the truth is that this is not crews and sunk by the fire of the so, and has not been so since the escort." conclusion of our victories in On the afternoon of July 4, June. 1942, when the British vessel NaNow as to the dangers to our varino, the American freighter Union that I see: William Hooper and the Russian 1. We are a Union of approxim­ tanker Donbass were torpedoed, ately 90,000 members. The four the writer was a seaman aboard other CMU seamen's Unions have the American freighter Peter a combined membership of not Kerr, one of the vessels of the more than 25,000. Under the vot­ convoy. ing arrangement on the CMU FOUR GUNS Executive Committee, all Unions As the gunners of the Peter have one vote each. Thus four Kerr could bring only their four of tke six CMU Unions, with a machineguns into play in this at­ tack, my assistance was not need­ ed; also I was off watch, and so with a group of shipmates was able to witness the entii-e action from the ship's stern. • As I was unschooled as yet in Captain Andreyev's "lessons," the firepower of the convoy, in united action, appeared to my untutored eyes as devastating. As the enemy aircraft slowly circled the convoj', the escorts and ack-ack vessels firing inter­ mittently made them keep their distance. We counted 34 planes; there (Continued on Page H) What A Difference 50 Years Have Made In Lives Of Seamen From Mobile, dated December 18, 1896, a clipping has been sent to the Log showing; the differ­ ence in the lives of seamen then and now. At that time some half a hundred seamen were on strike for higher wages, but their de­ mands were certainly moderate. They demanded wages of $20.00 per month, as opposed to the go­ ing wage of $14.00 monthly. But then, as now, the business­ men of the town, and especially the owners of rooming houses near the waterfront, lined up with the shipowners. They claim­ ed that most of the men on strike Were not seamen at all, but were actually hoboes, and that the real seafaring men were not on strike. The clipping does not give the results ,of the action, so if there are any oldtimers around who know what happened, how about writing to the,Log so that the in­ formation can be given to the membership. We just wonder whether or not they ever got their ^20.00. By PAUL HALL The New York Branch in a special meeting held jointly with the* SUP this last Monday unanimously voted all-out support to the AFL Tugboatmen, who are now taking a vote on whether to strike or submit their demands to arbitration." Whatever their decision these Tugboatmen, members of Local 333 of the ILA, now know that the entire apparatus of the New York Branch of the Seafarers is behind them in their beef. This action of the membership is not surprising if for no other reason than that the Tugboatmen were squarely behind us in all our beefs, and the Seafarers does not forget who its friends are. But more than that, it is the normal action for one AFL maritime union to take whenever another of its Maritime Trades Council affiliates takes economic action. And it should be noted here that the SIU was notalone in its decision. A meeting of the Greater New York AFL Maritime Council placed the moral, physical and eco­ nomic resources of the combined organizations at the disposal of the Tugboatmen. Here To Stay By this time the operators should know that whdn they tangle with one of the AFL waterfront unions they are also tangling with every other AFL union that is connected with the maritime indus­ try, and that the old days when they could isolate the weakest union and attempt to srnasii it is gone. The AFL Maritime Council, which started going at the time of of the SIU-SUP successful strike against the bureaucrats of the Wage Stabilization Board, is no longer an experimental outfit. By this time it has reached its full growth, knows its way around, and knows how to use all of its potential strength—, and. Brother, it has plenty of that—just ask the WSB, the shipowners and the finky union-raiding CMU of Harry Bridges. The Four Watch System One of the demands of the Tugboatmen is for a 40-hour week. That this should be fought so bitterly by the operators is just one more example of their placing profits above everything else. In prac­ tically every other major industry, the 40-hour week is common­ place; in some the 37- and 35-hour week has been established. The American Federation of Labor is about to start a campaign for the 30-hour week which, according to the economists, can be absoi'bed by industry without decreasing wages or raising prices. Only in maritime, the last great industry to escape from economic slavery, are skilled workers to be found putting in such long hours. From time to time the Seafarers has put forth the demand for a four watch system. Unfortunately, the time was not yet ripe, but the goal has not been forgotten. So the Seafarers looks with just more than plain curiosity at the Tugboatmen's demand for the 40hour week. The time will come, and it won't be long, when the four watch system will be a reality; and when it does it wiR be because the Seafai-ers seized the right time to throw its entire strength into the beef. Still On The March Although the active part of the Isthmian campaign was over with the end of the voting—what remains now is the consolidation of our strength in the fleet to protect ourselves during future con­ tract negotiations—it is not to be thought that the Seafarers has finished wih its organizing drive. The Seafarers is not standing still; we have many irons in the fire in the general dry cargo and tanker fields. It is true that Isthmian was the largest "unorganized line, but there are many smaller outfits that are getting our at­ tention. You'll hear more about these later. Watch the Log. In connection with this, the Agents Conference next year, which will meet directly after the new officials are installed, will have as one of its major jobs the question of further tightening the or­ ganization. Much progress was made during, the past two years, organizationally, and the streamlined Seafarers is running much more efficiently. However, the beefs we were in the past year have shown a few defects that must be straightened out before we can get the maximum efficiency. Nobody can deny that we did okay —our records speaks for itself—but we can do better than that. And we will! Thieves Fall Out (Continued from Page 2) step to show that they are all working under certain orders, and for purposes far removed from the labor movement. Joe Curran knows that the CMU was set up on orders of the communist party. "He knows that the CP dictates every move, and he has business to tell what he knows, so that the American labor movement can rid itself of the Moscow-directed traitors, and save itself from dictator­ ship by the red fascists. �mSE 9 EAmABEES hO^a Four WHAT Friday;» .D*oMnbec 27,- 18461 Qffi Silica On Isthmian Further proof that the NMU's charges of collusion between the SIU and the Isthmian Steamship Qompany rest on a shaky foun­ dation was brought out this week by a statement in the Pilot, of­ ficial organ of the NMU, that fur­ ther evidence would be withheld until a more opportune time. QUESTION — In what port would you like to spend New Years Eve? ROGER SWANSON. Wiper: I'm a New Yorker and Tm used lo the way people carry on in this town. If I had my way I'd spend this New Years Eve in Rio. That's one of the prettiest places in the whole world, and just as clean as it can be. The celebration there is colorful, and a fellow can have a fine time. I've been forced to spend many New Years Eve cele­ brations in slow ports, but Rio is a fine, fast moving port, and that's the one for me. Not this year of course, but next year I hope to make it. WILLIAM ABERCROMBIE, OS: I'd just as soon pass the time at sea as any other place. I usually take it easy on New Years Eve. As far as I'm concerned it's just like any other night, and I don't see any sense in blowing a bank­ roll in a night club. If things go okay with me, I'll get a ship and ^end New Years Eve at sea the way I like to. People have the -idea that all seamen like to drink and raise hell. Well, -that's not true. I know plenty of guys who feel the way I do about New Years Eve. After starting out the series on so-called collusive practices with a loud fanfare, the stories have now fizzled out without proving anything more than that the SIU was able to do a much better or­ ganizing job among Isthmian sea­ men than the NMU. The Pilot's stories were re­ ceived apathetically by practic­ ally all seamen and waterfront workers. No evidence was pre­ sented that bore out in the slight­ est detail the wild charges made When it became apparent that the NMU was suffering a decisive licking in the Isthmian election. JOHN ECOCK. Wiper: I know it's impossible this year, but my ambition is to spend one New Years Eve in Rio De Janiero. I've never been there, and I guess I might even be disap­ pointed, but still and all I want to be there for the celebration. Friends have told me of what goes on. down there, but I want to see for myself. A real.hot time is^a good way to start off the New. Year. Since I can't spend New Years Eve in Rio, I'll have to have my hot time in some New York bar. Well, that should be fun. ii iliil ilultillth Machine Makes Copy Fly, As Seafarers Are Kept Informed When the Union purchased a multililh offset printing machine in June 1946, it made one of the smartest investments an organi­ zation could make. Since that day, six months ago, the mach­ ine has paid for itself over again several times, and proved itself indispensable during beefs when leaflets and literature are needed in a hurry. When the machine was deliv­ ered bright and shiny last June and installed on the 5th floor of the New York Hall, only one thing kept the machine from go­ ing into immediate action; there Was no one who knew how to operate it. OPERATOR FOUND Immediately the call went out for a multilith operator, and just as. someone once said, "You can find any trade you want around a. Seafarers' hall," someone was found in the person of Hugh Eatherton. Hugh, 9 Seafarer since 1944 when he received his baptism of fire at Normandy, proved im­ mediately that he and a multilith machine were not strangers when he took over the operation and .started things humming. , Hugh, hailing from St. Louis, Mo., had started operating the same type machine ten years ago when he worked for a steel com­ pany in St. Louis. After working with the machine for a number of years with, various companies he developed, his skill. Expert operators of this type machine ALPHONSO PARKER, UtiUty; I'm going to spend this New Years Eve in New York, andihaf's the way. I' like it. My family lives here and so does my girl friend. The best wuy to start off the New Year is with people you like, so I'll spend the evening with my girl and my friends in some night cluh and the next day we'll go to a show. I spent one New Years Eve in New Orleans and I was very unhappy. Of course, that was during the war, but I still prefer to be home with my loved ones. LEAFLETS FOR THE SlU are difficult to find and the Un­ ion was fortunate to find one in its midst. ULTRA-MODERN The machine itself is one of the most modern means of printing clean, clear material at a mini­ mum of cost and has the greatest adaptability of any machine of its kind. The machine with all attachments cost approximately .$2500 and is used to print interbi-anch material such as bulletins, pamphlets, leaflets, pledge cards, "social register" feards, and over­ time sheets. Of the last mention­ ed over 100,000 copies have been run off. The machine has a run-off speed of 600a copies per hour and among its features are: automatic suction feed; thermo-dryer, which casts infra-red rays on the print as it comes off the rollers; a jog­ ger, which stacks the printed copies in neat piles; automatic counter; self-cleaning mats; auto­ matic roller cleaner; and auto­ matic inking. Although' everything on the machine sounds automatic it still needs someone to set the auto­ matic processes up for every job and that is where Hugh comes in. GREAT FLEXIBILITY The machine has a great deal of flexibility fpr it will handle all types of paper from tissue to 3 ply card stock. In addition, the machine will reproduce anything typewritten, or sketched with either pencil or ink in designs of, REPORT READY Now, with the findings of the National Labor Relations Board Field Examiner about ready for presentation to Mr. Howard LeBarron, Regional Director of the NLRB, the NMU and the Pilot have started to back water. : They know that the flimsy charges which they have made in an attempt to cover up their own inability to appeal to unor­ ganized Isthmian seamen cannot possibly do them any good in a fair investigation by an impartial board. The end is just about in sight, and soon Isthmian seamen will be represented by the Seafarers international Union—a Union not under the influence of the com­ munist party, and a Union in which the elected leaders are not fighting for personal power. Seafarers Grew To The Rescue Hugh Eatherton, SIU member and expert multilith op­ erator, holds a sample of the leaflets prepared by the machine. Hugh is in charge of the multilith, and is experienced in turn­ ing out the material which has played a large part in keeping the SIU membership quickly informed on all actions of the Union. any kind. The maehine can also reproduce photofi(raphs of any type. During the 1946 General Strike when literature of all kinds was necessary in a hurry, the machine really earned its spurs, when it operated day and night turning out literature for all ports at top speed. During the strike alone the machine paid for itself through low cost, of printing, "(approxi­ mately, ,1/2 to .l/3„ the regular cost) and the speed with which material was made available for distribution. During; the General Strike, ahdi the Masters, Mates, and Pilots strike, over one-half million copies of material were turned out. There is no way of detei'mining the value of having a well in­ formed membership during a critical period such as the Gen­ eral Strike, but the multilith machine did all that was possible to keep the membership up to date on the beef and that was the important thing. At present, the SIU's machine is still running along its merry way saving money for the union and- getting the necessary^ forms and leaflets out when necessary. MONT JOLI, Que., Dec. 27— The Seafarer crew of the SS Colabee was reported battling its way through the ice floes of the St. Lawrence River today on a. life-or-death rescue mission. The men are searching for two, and possibly, three, survivors of the Quebec Airways plane which was forced down on the river early this week. The victims are believed to be drifting seaward on floes. Four of the plane's seven oc­ cupants have already been brought to shore. The fourth man was rescued Wednesday night af­ ter he climbed into a dinghy dropped from a plane. He said the two men with him were too weak to get into the dinghy, and that he believed that the third man unaccounted for may have drowned. TANKERMEN If you are on coastwise ar­ ticles. give the head of your Department 24 hours notice before, arriving in port if you wish to payoff. This will,pre­ vent any trouble when, the ship, renohes port. �Friday.'Daeember'27, 1948 ON THE BAUXITE RUN Galmar's Gominamdnmiita For Making Seamen Scabs By JAMES PURCELL We went aboard the SS Wil­ liam Pepperell of the Calmer Line for a sign-on and found the crew in an uproar. While trying to get our bear­ ings we went into the saloon to see what was wrong. In there we found a company representa­ tive trying to high-pressure the men into signing the Articles with a phony set of rules at­ tached. • These rules are without doubt the finkiest and the most ob­ noxious set of rules that we have ever laid our eyes on. Why, even the Holy Rollers would never at­ tempt to saddle their member­ ship with so many silly and dan­ gerous "Thou Shalt Not's." Here are the regulations that caused all the to-do: It is understood that the wages payable under these ar­ ticles shall be adjusted at the lime of paying off in-order to give effect to the following: 1. Crew to work until 5 p. m. on day of arrival at final port of discharge. 2. Crew to work cargo and/or ballast if requested by Mas­ ter. 3. Crew to kep their respec­ tive quarters clean and sani­ tary under penalty of a fine. 4. No liberty granted other than by permission of the Master. 5. Any member of crew fail­ ing to report for duty at 7 a. m. on sailing day in a so­ ber condition shall be dis­ charged and substitute ship­ ped in his stead. 6. Seamen to keep galley sup­ plied with coal. 7. No smoking allowed on deck except at time and place designated by Master. 8. No overtime to be paid ex­ cept it is agreed to by Master. 9. You also agree that upon failure to return articles of bedding, issued to you on joining ship and life saving equipment and arctic cloth­ ing when issued to you, to reimburse the company and have cost of same deducted from your wage account. Page Five TRE SEAFARERS LOG and RAY GANZALES to read just like any other stand­ ard rider aproved by the Union for intercoastal runs. By this time he loked a .sorry mess, and he pleaded with us to get his ship out. He told us that he ain't a bad guy at heart, and that we should play ball with him. Oh, Bellevue, where is thy wagon! We called the Company this time and told them that in order to sail that ship they would have to reduce the time of the Articles from 12 months to six months; scrape the Nine Commandments; and insert the regular transpor­ tation rider. They hemmed and hawed, but they finally came through. Now Brothers, let this be a warning to all hands not to signon unless a Patrolman is present to examine the Articles. This will protect you, and will prevent the company from trying to saddle you with phony "Thou Shall", or "Thou Shalt Not." M A lot of the credit for making the Seaton the smooth sailing ship she is must go to the Deck > Gang. No names were submitted with this picture, which was sent in by the New Orleans •" Branch, so we just present the Deck Department, and if one of you Seaton hands will send the names to the Log, we will publish them in a subsequent edition. (Editor's Note: This should Show that names are important. Unless you send the names, of people in pictures to the Log, the Log cannot print those names with the pictures. Okay, New Orleans, better luck next time.) Members Must Be Self-Appointed Organizers To Keep SlU Growing By LOUIS GOFFIN With shipping on the upswing, our main thoughts now must be concerned with job security. Job security is the most important thing in any union, and the way we can maintain it is by going out and organizing all unorgani­ zed lines. That will mean more jobs, and higher standards in the industry. It is therefore the personal duty of all of us to constitute ourselves as volunteer organizers. We must all feel that we alone can do the job, and if we work out like that, than all of us will talk and reason unorganized men. We have the facts, and we can prove to any non-union seaman that sailing on union ships has many advantages. We have a good record to sell, and since our Union has been in the fore­ front of the fight for all seamen, That one about smoking is a we shouldn't have any trouble in rule that they don't even try to selling SIU to all unorganized enforce in prisons, and here free seamen. men are asked to live up to ^uch STRENGTH IN UNION a phony command. And that one More and more seamen are about the "crew to work cargo starting to realize that the only and/or ballast if required to by protection they can be sure of is Master." union protection. If they rely on Shades of Chowderhead Cohen! the shipowner or the Government, Even that finkmaster would not they usually wind up well behind ask that of his professional finks. the eight-ball," but when they Imagine the SHI agreeing to fink put their faith in the Union, and on longshoremen in case they put their strength behind the have labor trouble in some port. Union, they come out on top. Calmar and Company must Union contracts are the best have underestimated the intel­ guarantee of wages and work­ ligence of this crew, or else .they ing conditions. Plenty of bosses thought the signing on was being will say that they are willing to held in the loony ward of the give good conditions and high Bellevue Hospital. wages without "union interfer­ After much discussion with the ence." Well, if that is true, why company representative, the big- didn't they do it before the unions hearted guy, agreed to scratch off became strong enough to force six of the Acts of Calmar. We them to do so? refused to budge a single inch, Sailing in peacetime is a lot so off he went to make a tele­ different from sailing in wartime. phone call. During the war we were heroes He came back soon, and the in dungarees, but when the shoot­ gall to say that Mr. Squiers hq^ ing stopped, the people went called the Union Hall, and had right back to thinking of us as ben told that the crew should wanderers and vagabonds. sign-on without delay. FIGHT eONTINUES . Needless to say, we told him We must think of ourselves as what to do with that line of talk, and that we weren't going to tradesmen, trying to make a liv­ move until the rider was changed ing in our chosen profession. We want to sell our services for the highest possible price, and our contracts assure us that no oper­ ator will force us to accept less money or poorer conditions to get a job. The food aboard the William Seaion is iop order. Ask the man who eats if, and the men on this ship were very willing to talk about Ihe excellent meals prepared and served by the Stewards Department. In the usual order, Ed Steeley, Chief Cook; Albert Brickhouse, Night Cook; Thomas Foster, Steward; and Fred Knox, 3rd Cook. Remember that a short while ago, within the past few years, we hit the bricks many times just to gain the conditions and wages that are now part of our contracts. Now we have the job of bet­ tering our conditions and wages, and the only way that can be done is by organizing all seamen, so that the ohperators cannot break our solid ranks. Within our Union we must continue the same cooperation that has made us strong. All De­ partments must work together, and that makes for a clean ship, a well run ship, and a happy ship. Let's make 1947 a good organ­ izing year for our own benefit and for the benefit of all SIU Brothers. We believe in our Union, and we are proud of being the best maritime union in the world. New Orleans played host to the SS William Seaton, Alcoa, after she came in from one of the bauxite runs. Most of the crew decided to stay aboard her for another run, although a few men left to spend the holidays where snow is not thought of as a miracle. Pictured here is the Black Gang. Left to right, Albert Williams, George, Charles, and Louis Daniels, David Moore, and Don De Souza. MINES STILL THimATEN SEAMEM ^ W' •# The war in Europe ended over a year and a half ago, l^t to Sea­ farers danger still beckons ships that ply the continental Euro­ pean coast, for according to the master of an Army transport that recently returned to the United States, the English Channel and North Sea still contain many mines laid during the war years. The war is over for the men who fought in Europe, but to the seamen who sail these waters, the aftermath of that struggle still re­ mains below the water's surface to harass him. �•~r THB SEAFARERS LOG Page Six Rum And Fights Are No Help When Trying To Organize Committee Aids Anti-Fascists In Europe NEW YORK—The Internation­ al Solidarity Committee, 303 Fourth Avenue, New York, today announced tiie gift of $1,000 from the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, AFL, to be used for relief packages for Spanish exiles in France. The ISC is a non-communist, non-profit organization set up solely to aid in the rehabilitation of European anti-fascists and trade unionists who felt the brunt of the fascist heel. This is ac­ complished through the dispatch­ ing of packages of food and medicine abroad to them. The work of this Committee has been a great factor in keep­ ing the spirit of democratic trade unionism alive in the devastated sections of Europe. The packages sent abroad, the Committee points out, bring not only bodily nourishment, but also moral encouragement. The sur­ vivors of the Gestapo and con­ centration camps are anxious to rebuild the unions and demo­ cratic organizations which were destroyed by the fascists. These food packages are their only means of regaining enough strength to carry on this work. FAMILIES ADOPTED Another important function of the International Solidarity Committee is to transmit the names of the many anti-fascists who need help to people who will provide the needed assis­ tance. The Committee has on hand the names and addresses of many families of all nationalities in need of help. Hundreds of fami­ lies have already been adopted, but there are many more who would be helped to a new life by being adopted by an individual or a family. Names and addresses can be obtained by writing to the com­ mittee at their New York ad­ dress. 1 At the present time the com­ mittee is conducting a campaign to send more packages of food to anti-fascists in Europe. The standard package used is the army surplus ten-in-one which contains many of the things un­ obtainable in Europe today. This package can be purchased for shipment for $10.00. The daily press was fascinated by a report that picketing of a San Pedro, Calif., bakery had gone into its sixth year. This was quickly forgotten, Jiowever, when it discovered a 93-y'ear-old coal mine strike at Nanaimo, British Columbia. It seems that Indian miners went on strike for higher pay in 1853 and never went back to work. The Indians are demanding re­ troactive wages for 93 years with pprtal-to-portal pay, and the miner owner—reasonable as all mine owners are—says he's quite willing to meet their terms if he cap pay them off in -wampum. Friday, D^ember 27. 1946 By J. M. WALSH Bill Thompson (Editors Note; — This letter liability, and a number of other was sent in to the LOG by such' items to point out to the "Looking back on 27 years of "Windy" Walsh, Organizer for younger men, they can influence sailing," says Bill Thompson, the SIU in Port Arthur. His their actions to such an extent Deck Engineer, "I still think that ideas are strictly his own, but that they are lost as far as be­ it's the only life for a man." since they seem to represent a coming Union men. Bill ought to know because he problem, we are printing the SERIOUS MATTER tried other jobs, but only at­ letter as a signed article, in the I am citing this one incident tained happiness when he startec hope that this entire situation in order to bring this deplorable sailing. He came to the life of a can be discussed and settled state of affairs to the attention of merchant seaman almost by ac­ before it becomes more serious. our membership. It is serious. cident, but has never regrettec There is no reason "to believe Brothers, as we are actually en­ his choice. that this has happened on more gaged in an all out struggle for than this one ship, but even so our right to existence in the Thompson was raised in an or­ it bears discussing. The great Tanker field. phanage, but at an early age he success of the SIU Organizing slipped away in the night and has Many more such incidents as Drive has been made possible this one, and I wouldn't give a been on his own ever since. He solely because of the whole­ plugged dime for our chances in bummed around the country, try­ hearted cooperation of all mem­ this outfit. ing any sort of job he could get, bers; this cooperation will not and when the first World War Sometimes a shipside or shorebe reduced by an outspoken side organizer has to spend hours started, he was among the first beef by one of the officials of or even days in convincing some to enlist. unorganized sailor that unionism He sailed to France with the he made arrangements to ship the Union.) is the only way to security. famed 30th Division, and al­ out. I recently made a Cities Serv­ It takes more than just talk, though he was under fire for His first trips were made in the ice ship in Lake Charles, talking many months, he never was Steward's Department. He start­ with pi'actically every member of too. It takes good example, and touched. ed as a Second Cook, but after a ;he crew—SIU, NMU and non­ personal likeability to convince quite a lot of these men riding year and a half, he shifted to the union alike. "I must bear a charmed life," Engine Department, where he has he says. "In this war I came pret­ I had to wait for seven hours these ships since the only contact stayed ever since. ty close also, and this time I for the ship to arrive, and was most of them have ever had with Unions, is the very same shipside Most of the trips were routine wasn't touched, either." gratified to find that, the ship was voyages to the Far East and to in excellent shape with three organizers. SEA STUFF They look at our men riding Africa, and as Bill puts it, "One NMU men aboard ajid three unde­ these unorganized ships as repComing home after the Armis­ trip is very much like another cided and bewildered characters. resentaive of our whole mem­ tice, Bill got to talking with some when you have been sailing for I left her at ten o'clock, and at bership. That they are. And if of the merchant seamen on the 27 years." that time only one of our boys they choose to conduct them- • Thompson, deciding to make boat. Although they worked un­ was paying off. The crew as a selves in a sloppy manner, or in der poor conditions, and although the sea his life, also decided to whole assured me that they were an abusive manner, or with utter the pay was bad. Bill was im­ do something about making his going to make the ship SIU 100 disregard for the rights of their pressed with the stories they told life as pleasant as possible. First percent by the arrival time in shipmates, they are doing some­ him. So once back in the States, off, he joined the old ISU, and Boston. They were going to stay thing that cannot be undone. when the SIU was formed, he with her until such time. That A first impression goes a long came along. He holds Gulf book was the story at ten o'clock at way, if backed up with subse­ number 18 in the SIU. night. quent proof. The way to prove MORE WAR The next morning I got a rude that unionism does work is to be In the second World War, Bill shock to find seven of our good the best man in your Depart­ had his share of excitement. He Brothers in the hall. They had ment: do a little more than you was on a regular run in the North had an argument with one of the would on one of our ships. Atlantic, and while he never was Engineers, and one of them had Always maintain smooth rela­ forced to abandon ship, still there had a run in with the Mate and tions with the Licensed Officers, (Continued from Page 1) were many moments when the air was fired. It was all the result as they can, if they will, do us were notified, and they immed­ seemed full of bombs and the sea of too much drink and too much a lot of good, and they will do us iately went on record to back the seemed full of torpedoes. gin-mill palavering. a lot of harm if antagnoized-. Tugboatmen. 'Casablanca and Antwerp were Also, don't make any untrue POOR PICTURE statement that can be used The New York Council in­ the two places that wil stand out That ship could by this action cludes the following Unions: The in my memory for a long time," of our own brothers be lost to us. against you later on in rebuttal says Brother Thompson. "Those of your arguments. Seafarers International Union; There are on every type of un­ Sailors' Union of - the Pacific; buzz bombs in Antwerp were organized ships, new seamen who SOFT SOAPERS Masters, Mates and Pilots; Inter­ really something. They came actually do not know what un­ The commies have some very national Longshoremen's Asso­ from nowhere, and it was sure ionism and union men are. They plausible and smooth cookies ciation; Radio Officers' Union; hell on earth to have to stand must get a very pretty picture functioning aboard these tankers American Merchant Marine Staff there and take it without a chance from such actions. as organizers. If you have to Officers Association; and various to fight back." drink, don't do it on board a These men having Union books On 'ships, and on the picketwaterfront locals of the Team­ ship; if you get plastered ashore are supposed to know how to conline, Bill is a militant fighter. He sters. and return to the ship, hit the .duct themselves. It is well and was on the picketline in Savan­ sack—don't disturb everyone in "The entire support of the AFL nah during the 1936 Strike, and good to try to organize the un­ Maritime Trades Council of helped to close the docks in Tam­ licensed personnel, but we must your room or foc'sle, they too Greater New York is behind the pa during the 1946 General not lose sight of the fact that want to sleep . Don't get involved in anj'^ Tugboatmen," said Paul Hall, in Strike. we do not liave union conditions brawls, and don't smear the op­ announcing the pledge. "If they on board these ships, and until ALWAYS MILITANT position. Name-calling is an ever, should strike, no member of an such time as we do, we must As well as marching on picket- make every effort to get along present weapon of the opposite affiliate of the Council will cross side, and if we should start it lines, Brother Bill does not shirk with the Licensed personnel. their picketlines. his duty, aboard ship. He is aboard these ships, the prospec­ They can make it tough for the "In addition, the entire facili­ usually elected Ships Delegate— individual crewmember, as he has tive member may get bewildered ties of the member unions will "can't get out of it." no machinery for redress except and say, "The hell with both un­ be at the disposal of the Tugboat­ "I believe in unionism 100 per­ appeal to the Master, and you ions, I'll stay as I am." men, and that includes soup kit­ Remember it is the shipside or­ chens,''money and physical sup­ cent," he says, "and I think the know that in 99 percent of all ganizer that does 90 percent of SIU is always in the fight for cases he will not, intervene. port." all the organizing. The shoreside seamen. I talk Union to all my These Mates and Engineers can The worth of the Maritime shipmates, and that helps make organizer merely coordinates the do us harm by talking against us. Council, formed in June of this us all better Union men." functions of the shipside organi­ If they have concrete facts such year, has already been proven. Right now Bill is in port for a as drunkenness, fighting, unre- zer and maintains constant touch It actively aided the SIU and the short time—his ship just paid with the shipside units. SUP to win their General Strike off—but he will soon be off again Don't depend on us too much, against Government bureaucracy, on a trip. And wherever he goes, be self reliant, and if the spirit and played a major role in the on whatever ship he may find a of pooperation is maintained be­ recent strike of the Masters, berth, you can be sure that the tween you an us, there is no doubt If you don't find linen Mates and Pilots. that we can and will lick them militant spirit of the SIU will go, when you go aboard your The AFL Maritime Trades De­ too. all in the organizing of these ship, notify the Hall at once. partment will meet in Miami in tankers. That's what makes this Union A telegram from Le Havre or January, 1947, for the purpose of the best and strongest waterfront So, Brothers, I say: Keep your Singapore won't do you any drafting a Constitution, and to union in the world. Bill, and noses clean, and we will have good. It's your bed and you elect permanent officers. The men like Bill, have done the job everything which is unoi-ganized have to lie in it. SIU and the SUP will both be of carrying the word of the SIU at present, in the fold in the not represented at that, convention. too distant future. to all seamen. 0 AFL Port Council Votes Support To ILA Tugmen ATTENTION! a-A':, �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, December 27,. 1946 Galveston Sick * Still Waiting For Improvements Mobile Has Jobs For Men Broke Playing Santa By CHARLES KIMBALL By TED CUMMINGS MOBILE—Not only has ship­ ping and business picked up con­ siderably in the past few weeks in this port, but prospects for the future look very bright. After a dead period here, we look for­ ward eagerly to activity. From now on, Mobile will be a port with many jobs on the board, and with men shipping regularly and quickly. Well, any­ way, we hope so. Waterman Steamship Com­ pany has notified me that they are prepared to start operating about 23 more ships within the next week or so. They are bring­ ing the ships out of the boneyard, and the group will consist of 11 Liberties and 12 various other type vessels. The Liberties are going to tramp, but the others will be put on regular runs. In any case, these ships represent quite a num­ ber of jobs, and that ain't hay, Brothers. MEN WANTED The Tanker Companies have also been bringing out tankers during the past couple of weeks. This has just about exhausted our supply of men, mainly ABs, Cooks, Electricians, Oilers, and FWTs. So, after all you Brothers have spent Chirstmas and New Years at home, and after you have all gone broke playing Santa Clans, come down to Mobile where you can ship out in a hurry. To all the SlU Brothers, wher­ ever you may be, on the high seas or in some foreign port, 1 and the Brothers in Mobile wish you all a very merry Christmas. Seafarers' Hall In Port Arthur HO NEWS?? Is Due For A Good Face Lifting By LEON JOHNSON PORT ARTHUR — During the past few weeks this port has had not one payoff of any descrip­ tion. Business has fallen so low that you would have to get down on your knees to see it. On the other hand shipping and settling minor beefs has been in full swing. Since the last article 1 wrote we have had the following ships in this area: Brandy wine. Fort Matanzas, Capitol Reef, Klamath Falls, Fort Christina, William Schirmer, David Burnett, Wil­ liam Ogden, Verendrye, Brazil Victory and Zane Gray. We have been engaged in hav­ ing the Hall here remodeled a bit so that we would have something that looks presentable. We have coffee on practically all of the time, provide plenty of cards, etc., for the amusement of the small membership that we have on the beach here. Shipping for rated men is on the whole better at the present time than it was in the past. We are having two payoffs over the weekend, one a tanker going to France and the other an UNRRA rice load for Manila. Since it is so close to Christmas, we should have a little hard time in getting full crews for these scows. PICTURES COMING We will have pictures made of the Hall as soon as the front of the building is completely fin­ ished, with fancy blinds over the windows. We have with us at the pres­ ent time. Windy Walsh, Organ­ izer, with who we are cooperating to the best of our ability. It is a local rumor that this Casanova lOOK. PKETTr' To Hospitalized Seafarers Gives In keeping wih its annual cus­ tom of bringing a measure of cheer to its less fortunate mem­ bers who are confined to hos­ pitals during the holiday season, the Seafarers International Un­ ion last week distributed Christjuas checks to all hospitalized Seafarers in the Atlantic and Gulf District. The decision to remember the men whom illness prevented from fully enjoying the Yuletide season was made at recent meet­ ings by vote of the membership. Accompanying the checks was a message from the Union. The message follows: "The membership of the Sea­ farers International Union went on record to send a Christmas gift in the amount of $10.00 to' every member in the hospital. "With the gift goes our best wishes for a very Merry Christ­ mas and a speedy recovery in the New York." Page Seven, — HOtD ITI is getting himself spliced. We'll believe that when we see it. Voting in this port has been negligible as we have a hard time getting three full book men together at any one time, although we do have a fine crop of young­ er members who appear to be good prospects for good rankand-file members in the near fu­ ture. They take a great deal of interest in all phases of the Un­ ions activities. CROOKED WORK The Hall had a little run of bad luck recently when some character lifted our radio. He also left his mark on quite a few of the local boys on the beach. At present he has the dubious honor of being a full time member of the 99-year club. It is also a very good possibility that if he runs into any one of a number of re­ sentful persons here, he will be given some unwanted attention. The following books are on hand and can be picked up at any time by the interested parties: Edison H. Dobbs, 37069; Charles A. Pelt, 45339; and Charles O. Greenwood, 46501. We have received quite a num­ ber of Christmas and New Years greetings from the various branches and individual mem­ bers, and 1 wish to take this op­ portunity to thank each and every one. Silence this week from the Branch Agents of the follow­ ing ports: CHARLESTON HOUSTON NORFOLK JACKSONVILLE TAMPA The deadline for port re­ ports. monies due, etc.. is the Monday preceeding publica­ tion. While every effort will 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. CMU Pulls New Phony Strike; SlU-SUP Ready For Anything By W. H. SIMMONS SAN FRANCISCO — The old Gold Coast is slowly coming back to life after too long a time. Things are moving along pretty good at this writing. However, am having a bad time with the Calmar Steamship Company. The ACA Radio Operators, CIO, has had a picketline around all Cal­ mar ships on this coast for the past thi-ee weeks. Calmar has had ROU, AFL, Operators on their ships since the war, and now, due to that fact, the ROU has called and filed for an election on the ships of this Company. The ACA saw that their only chance of making Cal­ mar sign with them was to act on this coast. They are sure to get the commie CMU backing, as Harry Bridges controls the Longshoremen. The CMU ordered the MEBA Local No. 38 to pull the En­ gineers off the SS J. Willard Gibbs, a Calmar ship, docked in Seattle. Now, the MEBA does not hold a contract with Calmar, or so far as that goes, 1 know of no closed shop agreement they have with any company. PHONY PICKETLINE When this thing first broke, the SUP, SIU, and MM&P went on record not to recognize this phony ACA picketline, due to the fact they did not have a legitimate right to put a picketline around thie Calmar ships. They do not have an existing agreement with the Company. However, these are the facts they are basing their claim to an agreement with Calmar on. Be­ fore the war Calmar did have ACA Radio Operators, but during the war all ships that they con­ trolled were sunk by enemy ac­ tion. As you know, during this time our Government started a vast ship building program and own­ ed and operated these ships. The WSA is still operating these ves­ sels and' does not recognize any agreement with the ACA Radio Operators. Therefore, under these conditions, we cannot recog­ nize this as a bona-fide picketine and we do not on the West Coast. GALVESTON —Wc have been having quite a few beefs on the treatment given at the Marine Hospital in Galveston. One in particular came up the other day. Brother Miller, who paid off in Galveston a few weeks ago, was suffering from the effecte of an operation he had under­ gone in the New York MarineHospital .several months ago. Acting on the advice of the Public Health doctor in Port Arthur he went to the Marino Hospital here. Here is Brother Miller's state­ ment: "Upon entering the hospit­ al I was asked nothing; they said nothing and told me nothing—• nor did they examine me. They merely put me in a car, and next I knew I was in the John Sealy Hospital. NO EXAMINATION "After five days they discharg­ ed me without a physical and I still have the nervous trouble. "1 went to the Union Hall where they called Dr. Lewis, who is in charge at the Marine Hos­ pital, concerning my case and he At present these ships are all idle and 1 can not say as this time how long the situation will con­ tinue. The MM&P and SIU men are still aboard these vessels and are going to stay there. Just in case the WSA tries to do any re­ allocating, 1 will see that Calmar Steamship lives up to their agree­ ment with the Union. SORRY MATE About ten days ago, the Joshua Bartlett, Eastern SS Company, arrived in this port. She had a referred me back to the doctor at full SIU crew from the East John Sealy HoBpital. Coast. This was as fine a crew "He in turn referred me back as I've bumped into for a long to Dr. Lewis for the following time. Brother Gardner brought day, with the understanding that her in in the old SIU style. He I was to be confined for one is a man who knows his Union, week's convalescence at the Mar­ and how to carry out his duties ine Hospital. as a Ship's Delegate. "Upon arriving there. Dr. Lewis When Brother Gardner gave changed my discharge from 'fit me the story on the Chief Mate, for duty' to read 'one week's cona Mr. Momfourquette, 1 knew valscent leave' and issued me a that it was correct. This Mr. box of vitamin B tablets and Momfourquette was anti-union. nembutal for sleeping. He remai-ked about his outfit out "It was understood I was sup­ on strike, saying they were all posed to have stayed in the Mar­ a bunch of dam fools for striking; ine Hospital for one week. Butthat no agent could fool with him; and he chiseled overtime and cus­ as this hospital is run, you go in sed the men. He was charged and out as you please and, if with about everything in the you wish, to a bar across the street if your crutches can carry book. you. Listening to all the capers this NOT FOR LIVING bully pulled on this voyage, there was nothing left to do but have "To this day they have not ex­ him removed from the ship. He amined me. 1 left the remainder will never sail as Mate or on any of the nembutal capsules in my other SIU ship again. room and went back and was is­ 1 had the Master, Mates and sued more. These capsules are Pilots Patrolman with me the day issued upon doctor's prescription 1 boarded the ship. He listened only, but 1 walked in twice and in on the meeting and was pres­ got them without even an exam­ ent when 1 called on the Mate. ination. The outcome is that this Mate "My trouble is from an opera­ was posted in all MM&P Branch­ tion which they don't even knovr es as NG. So goes it, fellows, he 1 had. But let them answer this has learned his lesson but a little article and they will be doing too late. something. These Mates and Captains will "My advice, fellow shipmates some day wake up and realize and members, is. to die first — that they just can't push an SIU then let them take you to the man around. 'Dem days are gone Galveston Marine Hospital and forever. For the benefit of those maybe the doctors will know men who had to endure this what is the matter with you Mate's doings on previous voy­ then." ages, they can rest assured they Outside of this everything is will never need tolerate him any going along nicely down here. more. He has gone the way of Shipping is good and everyone all bad Mates. is happy. I'll drop anchor here. �r— THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eight Friday. December 27. 1946 'a I mil , ' Big Business Makes Resolution For New Year; Smash Trade Unions By JOE ALGINA NEW YORK—The president of ord for beefs settled right on the CJeneral Motors Corporation, board ship. That's the way we Alfred Sloan, recently issued an operate—pressure at the point of eight point program designed to ^ production. keep labor in its place. He is the i We had a young fellow come last man to talk about such' into the Hall this week off the things because he is one guy who SS American Press. This ship would be dead set against any had just been taken over from rules that would limit bosses. the NMU, and the ship was in as To say that his ideas are all bad condition as any vessel could wet is very mild. They go even be in and still float. By the time further than that, and if put into the trip to Brownsville and back effect would wreck everything to New York was over, the ship we have done so far. It is not to had been cleaned up and was be expected tliat big business habitable. would play fair with labor, but The rest of the necessary re­ this time they want all the mar­ pairs have been listed, and the bles and the umpires, and then crew has resolved not to sign on they will be willing to start the game. One of his proposed rules would ban labor from contribut­ ing money to the campaign funds of any candidate for public of­ fice. Of course, he says nothing about big business contributions to the same campaign funds, con­ tributions so large that many of­ fice holders are owned body and soul by big business. LABOR'S RIGHT Labor has the right to expand as much as it possibly can. No matter what Sloan and guys like him can do, labor is in the poMtical picture to stay. Work­ ers have just as much right to go into politics as business has. Shipping and business in the port of New York are steady but not ^ectacular. There are ships paying off and signing on daily, and there are prospects of even more activity after the first of the year. The Patrolmen are being kept busy, and during the last few weeks have piled up quite a rec­ for another trip until everything has been completed. What interests me is how the NMU men can stand to sail on dirty ships, and why their Pa­ trolmen allow such goings-on. Even if the SlU members didn't complain, and they do, our Pa­ trolmen would never allow a crew to sign on a beat up, dirty ship. Here's wishing you all a Happy New Year from everyone in the New York Hall. But remember we all have to work together to make 1947 a really happy year. Bad Smell In Marcus Hook Hall Turns Out To Be CMU Propaganda By BLACKIE CARDULLO MARCUS HOOK—On opening better each week. It's like a the Hall this morning we noticed inowball that picks up speed as a very peculiar odor. At first we it travels down hill. Each man thought that the smell might come from a cat or dog that had been left in overnight, but on closer investigation tve found that it was caused by card sent by the NMU, a card all about Maritime Unity. Right off the bat we apologized to the cats and dogs whom we might have hurt. Then we start­ ed to think about the "maritime unity" that those hoys were preaching. The kind that left the MFOWW walking the picketlines, holding the bag while the NMU settled its beef. we talk to seems to me feels it his WHERE WAS NMU business to go out and talk to an­ .We'd also like to know where other new man. the NMU was when the SlU was SIU HONESTY PAYS OFF battling for seamen during the war. Every time the SIU went to The SIU really has something bat for seamen, Curran, Stack, to sell, and we are going our way, and Company did their well without outside influence from known double-cross. any politicians or political par­ For Joe Stalin's sake they de­ ties. Honest trade unionism al­ liberately sold the U. S. seamen ways pays off. down the river. As far as we We e-^yect to pay off the SS here in Marcus Hook are conCapital Reef this week. Shipping calmed, we want no part of the is good and getting better. Any­ phony Committee for Maritime body looking for a ship could do Unity, and before the NMU tries worse than come to this port. to- preach unity, they ought to first practice it. I^o knows, Shipping is fine and the wom­ I they might like it. en are beautiful. A nice room Oiir organizing campaign down can be had cheap. What more : heie is going along better and could a sailor want? A PROBLEM, BUD? The life of the present day seaman is difficult and often very complicated. He is at the mercy of unscrupulous companies, government agen­ cies, brass hats and human sharks of various descrip­ tions, everyone trying to take advantage of him. If he hap­ pens to know some of his rights, he is sneeringly refer­ red to as a Sea Lawyer. A Special Services Dept. of the Union has been set up to consult with you on all your problems involving the Coast Guard, Shipping Commission­ ers, Unemployment Insur­ ance, personal injury claims, your statutory rights when you become ill aboard ship. Immigration Laws, and your dear, beloved Draft Board. If you happen to be in New York, contact us personally, or if you are out of town, write and you will receive a prompt reply. Address all mail to SPE­ CIAL SERVICES, 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. Your Union is your shoreside contact. USE IT'S FACILI­ TIES. Baltimore Seafarers Are More Than Just Casual Union Brothers By WILLIAM RENT2 BALTIMORE — The best we from friends of the man whose can say about shipping in this life was saved by the transfu­ port is that it is just about fair. sion. Here is the letter: 1 am confident that it will all "I am writing this letter to pickup soon, but until then we be read to your membership are being patient and doing the publicly, to show our gratitude day to day job. to the seamen who so kindly From all indications, we will donated their blood for a dying have to wait until after the first man. By their great generosity, of the year before anything big he was able to go through the will take place. By that time needed operation, and is getting we hope that more ships will be along wonderfully. He will go coming into Baltimore for cargo, home soon, thanks to you swell and that-means payoffs and sigh- fellows. ons. Wo can use both. "Without your blood it would Here in this port, our members have been impossible to save have gotten reputations as being johnny-on-the-spot to volunteer as blood donors. Hardly a meet­ ing goes by that we don't have a request to give blood so that some poor guy can be given a transfusion. Our boys do this without pay; in fact, they fight among themselves for the honor. SEAMEN'S BLOOD Last meeting the .same thing happened, and on December 19 we received a letter of thanks Christmas Spirit is Very Much In Evidence In Boston Branch By JOHN MOGAN BOSTON—Business and ship­ ping has continued on the up­ grade for the past week, with every indication that conditions will remain pretty fair for this port in the coming weeks. Already we're beginning to feel the pinch when it comes to ob­ taining rated men in a hurry, and have had to send to New York for men. However, this fact does not mean necessarily that all our members have been shipped; rather, it means that a good per­ centage of them have decided to enjoy the Christmas holidays at home. Only two ships paid off in this area during tbe week, but both were good payoffs. The Muncie Victory paid off in good style, with all beefs settled on thp spot. The New Echota (Pacific tanker) paid off in Providence after a six-month voyage. This also was a clean payoff, after it was point­ ed out to the SIU men aboard that the tanker agreements are somewhat different from the SIU agreements. COOPERATION There was quite a job getting the overtime clauses straightened out; but the gang was one of the best and cooperated 100-plus per­ cent. In addition, they showed a truly brotherly spirit by con­ tributing $80.00 toward making Christmas for the boys in the Brighton Marine Hospital a little brighter. I made my regular Christmas visit to the Marine Hospital lasst week. We have only eight mem­ bers in there right now, all of them in good spirits, if not all in good health. Thanks to the gen­ erosity of the members, we were able to give each a sizable cash present, and on Christmas Eve we will be able to go back with more. SIU SPIRIT Many letters have been re­ ceived here from the members in the hospital, expressing apprecia­ tion to all the brothers for their generosity and thoughtfulness. It is not necessary or fitting that these letters should be re­ printed in this column, but any brother who ever donated to these hospitalized brothers .should know how much his gift is ap­ preciated. It might be added here, also, that SIU consideration for its members in the hospital has not passed without notice from hos­ pital attaches and all other pa­ tients. There isn't a great deal more to be said this week, except to thank all the officials and mem­ bers for their Christmas greet­ ings which are pouring in daily. At this time of the year, almostforgotten friendships are renew­ ed and strengthened by a Christ­ mas remembrance, each card turning back pages of memory to forgotten incidents and to friends long since moved' on to, other ports. To one and all, then, I say thanks for the remembrance, and may Christmas and the New Year be the best ever for all hands. his life. He wished to have me send you fellows his deepest gratitude and mllions of thanks for coming to his aid. He will never forget what you men did for us, and may God bles you, one and all. "Thanks a million times again, for all you did. We thank you from the depths of our hearts, and someday in some way hope to repay you somehow." Mr. and Mrs. Jack Watson 721 E. Chase Street, Baltimore. Maryland. That letter makes us all feel that what we are doing is worth­ while. Any time we have a chance to help out in any way like this, we are glad to do so. Blood banks are good things; we have all heard how transfu­ sions saved so many lives in the armed serWces and merchant marine during this past war. We Gay Street people are happy to help out. I'm sorry that I was unable to wish you all a Merry Christmas before the happy day, but I mean it from my heart. From all of us in this port, we send greetings for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all members of the SILT, wherever they may be. Seafarers Representation Gets Logs Dropped, Medical Bills Paid Effective Union representation enabled four Seafarers, who had been logged on the recent trip of the SS Walter Christensen, to breathe a little easier when SIU Patrolman successfully intervened in their behalf at the payoff. The logs entered against the men during the four-month trip to South America, were dropped by the Skipper after the Patrol­ man presented a convincing argu­ ment. With the logs out of the way, the Patrolmen attacked the Cap­ tain's policy of making the men pay their own bills for visits to medical doctors in Santos and various other ports.' They ap­ pealed the matter to Shipping Commissioner McGrath, who rul­ ed that the expenses incurred were the company's. The crewmembers who had paid bills out of their own pockets were to be reimbursed. The Patrolmen, Ray Ganzales and Salavador Colls, reported the payoff as being very clean, which they attributed to crew's cooper­ ation. Every man had his soiled linen in a pillow case ready for the. Steward before leaving the vessel. It was pointed out that "the ship was so clean, you cQuld eat off the decks." Three of the crew, Paul Miller, Ralph Garrett and Mike Hook, took up, a collection, proceeds of which were to be used for aiding; needy SIU seamen., �•• 7,r^il<P'-VJav:-', THE SEAFARERS LOG rriday, December 27, 1946 The Song Of The Strikehreakers Box-can-ed an' .stockaded; Bayonet-paraded— "Harnessed-buUs" behind us an' squad on either side. Awake, it's bricks an' curses; Asleep, we dream o' hearses— That's us! They call us Rough Necks, an' we're picked be­ cause we're tried! That's us! We're shy o' morals, an' flat in purse an' pride! Wet All Over By JOSEPH VOLPIAN In last week's column, we dis­ cussed the procedure of the Na­ tional Labor Relations Board in conducting an election, and this is a continuation of the same sub­ ject. The Field Examiner submits his report of his investigation as to the election, including his findings on challenged votes, to the Regional Director who then in turn makes his report to the Board in Washington. In this re­ port, he gives the result of the election. The union which was won is then certified. If no union received a clear majority and there are chal­ lenged ballots then he recom­ mends to the Board which bal­ lots should be counted and which should be rejected. A copy of his report is also sent to the interested parties who then have the right to make their objections as to the recommenda­ tions of the Regional Director. • These objections are submitted to the Board in Washington and the contestants are then permit­ ted to file briefs in support of their contentions. Branded vags by the hand o' God, from the strength o' eai'th On rare occasions, the Board we're barred— will permit, in addition to the An' in shame we're doin' our findings of the brief, an oral ar­ brother's work, backed by gument before' it. the Enoch Guard! Grind the wheels with a better RIGAMAROLE wail, as the soaped tracks If the Board finds there is merit jolt an' throb: to the argument of any contes­ tants, the case is then sent back to the local NLRB office for fur­ ther hearing. At these hearings all the charges are actually investigated and a formal trial is held where witnesses are examined and crossexamined by the opposing side. After the hearings are con­ cluded, the person conducting such hearings renders his report to the Regional Director, who in turn submits it to the Washington Am I my brother's keeper, too, Board and at that time a final de­ along with my brother's job? cision is rendered. Sometimes this procedui-e is Out o' the ground his blood it calls. Oh, the weight o' our rather a long drawn out affair and the losing union will assume a load is hai'd When we're tryin' to do our broth­ dog-in-the-manger attitude such er's,^ work, but minus his Union Card! The only Union you'll find today that's runnin' an Open Shop Is the one our friend Starvation keeps, an' it works you until you drop. For God is sore on the sons o' J Cain an' the work that we try to do— An' a curse growls out o' the mouth o' earth as our broth­ er's blood seeps thi'ough! "Scab! Scab! Scab! Oh you lousy labor scab!" But it's dollars a day to hear : 'em say— "Sca-a-ab!" Jeered, but feared—an' hated; Cemetery slated; Battered skulls an' shattered hulls; should we be satisfied? Awake, it's bricks an' curses; Asleep, we dream o' hearses— That's us! They call us Rough - Necks, an' we're flat in purse an' pride; That's us! There used to be some more, but several of us diedl t-.'. ' W'.y. • Page Nine The Patrolmen Say,,, By DAMON RUNYON To the present generation the late Damon Runyon is best known for his human tales of Broadway characters, "dolls" and "guys." His fame rest largely on his characterizations of New York's "Roarin* For­ ties," which he knew so well. Most of his eulogists, however, omit mention of his literary ac­ complishments of another era, written against an even more turbulent and historical back­ ground. In his early twenties, Runyon worked as a reporter on news­ papers in Colorado, scene of many a bloody labor strife. There he was an eye-witness to the brutal machinations of the powerful mine operators who were dedicated to the exter­ mination of labor. It was there, at the age of 25. that Runyon penned the fol­ lowing classic characterization of the strikebreaker: :vy- .<-, •c-^l'*^.:yV_ SlU Crews Give To Boston III Christmas was brightened somewhat for the Seafarers in the Brighton Marine Hos­ pital thanks to the thoughtfulness of Union Brothers in the Port of Boston. Holiday contributions for the hospi­ talized totalled $103.85. it was reported by Port Agent John Mogan. Each of the Seafarers in the Brighton hospital was to share equally in the proceeds, of which $79.85 was donated by the crew of the SS New Echota. The SS Cardinal Gibbons men gave $15.00. and the SS Muncie Victory added $4.00* to the gift pool. Seafarer Ernest Belkner con­ tributed $5.00 to bring the to­ tal up to $103.85. as the NMU did in the Esso Tank­ er Fleet case. SAD CASE NEW YORK —In a few instances lately it has been an un­ fortunate experience for me, and the crows of the ships I boarded for the payoff, to find one or more of the delegates all gassed up and unable to present the crew's beefs to the Patrolman. Fortunately for the crews, these occurences are in the great minority, but in the few instances chat they have arisen they have caused a great deal of inconven­ ience and trouble for everyone concerned. In this particular case the com­ pany union was certified as be­ ing the bargaining agent in the unlicensed personnel. The NMU BLACK EYE filed its objections and the case Everytime that something un­ was set down for a hearing by fortunate like this arises it is a the Washington Board. The hearings were so confused black eye for the Union, as these and took such a great length of men are regarded as representa­ time that when it was concluded tives of the union. The companies, always anxious and sent back to the Washington Board for a final decision, the ' to get something on the SIU, will Board threw the entire case out seize upon such cases to say that on the ground that ^ the original , the crew delegates are in no poselection was so old that the bar­ I ition to represent the crew and gaining agent which was selected ! the beefs they present cannot be might not be representative of relied upon, as the man is under the personnel now employed the influence of alchohol. aboard the ships. This makes it a hell of a tough This prolonged fight left the job for the Patrolman to gain an company union in power, and if adjustment of beefs, and some­ more time and effort had been times things like this mean the made to organize the men than loss of legitimate overtime and bickering with hearings then the money for the crew just because NMU might have represented the the delegate couldn't wait a few men instead of allowing the com­ hours until payoff was out of the way to tie up with 'John Barley­ pany union to do so. corn. From the present indications, it is our opinion that the NMU CONFUSION GALORE is pm-suing the same tactics in The result of the conduct by the Isthmian case. However, it is our opinion that they will not these brothers, who have taken be as successful in frustrating the responsibility of the problems the wishes of the Isthmian sea­ of their shipmates, leads to noth­ men as they were in the case of ing but confusion and a waste of time trying to iron out the beefs. the Esso Fleet. I don't wish to be misconstrued as a "dry", but it is the duty of all delegates aboard ship to be sober and present their beefs in an orderly manner so as to pro­ tect the interests of the member­ ship and maintain the good name of the SIU. James Purcell By JOHNNIE JOHNSTON There are many old terms, which when applied to a real sea­ man, must be said with a smile, otherwise a bang-up brawl us­ ually will result. One of the terms is "marine.' ' This is used for a man who is ignorant of seamanship and i.s slow to catch on or just doesn't care to learn. In the days of the clipper ships, the Mate or Bosun made such a man march fore and aft during his watch with a marlin spike on his shoulder, like a sentry walking his post. Within a short period of time, this treatment could be relied on to bring a quick change in the man. Another term is "sojer," or "soldier." This is the worst re­ proach that can be leveled at a seaman because it signifies a shirker, or someone who tries to goldbrick when there is work to be done. Even lazy men don't like to be called "sojers." These old sayings are rapidly fading from the sea, but there are still plenty of oldtimers sail­ ing on the bridge or in the foc'sle who use them. They remember telling these yarns while sitting around "splicing the main brace." lifeboats and shift for themselves the best way they could. UNHAPPY FOUR The ship, after nine days out of Charleston finally reached Broklyn where she unloaded four half-frozen Seafarers with empty bellies and curses of being shang­ haied. They're thawed out now and are heading back for the warmth of Charle.ston with the knowledge that never again will they go aboard a ship unless they have down in black and white exactly where it is going and the proper gear is aboard. Their experience is cautionenough for any man who is sent out on a similar job to see that he has the full dope before tak­ ing the ship out of the harbor. Jim Drawdy XXX Sweet Ship The SS Gervais, Pacific Tank­ ers, paid off this week, and she was one of the sweetest ships to pay off here in quite some time. The credit for this should go to the three Delegates, who did a swell job in bringing in a clean ship with no beefs. The Deck Gang averaged 500 hours overtime each for a threemonth trip, and not one penny of any overtime Was disputed. The other Departments did equally as well. James Purcell Howard Guinier Tillamook Crew Resents Pound Tax On Butts Anyone who has the idea that the days of piracy on the high seas are a thing of the past, had better take heed of a cablegram recently received by SecretaryTreasurer John Hawk. This mes­ sage, from the crew of the SS XXX Tillamook, protests the fact that Hungry, Thirsty, Cold cartons of cigarettes from the slopchest are subject to a tax of NEW YORK—When the Wa­ terman Steamship Company took one Pound which is approximateover the Henry W. Longfellow in Ij' $4.20 in good old U. S. coin. The Tillamook has been Charleston recently they called the SIU for four men to handle aground off Swansea for the past a short towing job to Wilming­ four weeks, and during this per­ ton. At least they said it would iod the slopche.st cigarettes have be short, so the HaU dispatched been taxed by the British Cus­ William Padget, H. D. Mace, of toms. Adding about $4.20 to the the SIU and L. Maltry, and M. normal cost of a carton of ci­ J. Armon, of the SUP down to garettes makes smoking an ex­ pensive pleasure, indeed. the ship. It is almost like watching your With rations for three days, the ship taken in tow by a Mo- money go up in smoke when you ran tug started for Wilmington, light up a cigarette off Swansea and the men settled back for a these days. Here is the cablegram which short and uneventful jaunt. The was received from the crew: ship soon reached Wilmington, but instead of tying up and pay­ We the crew of SS Tillamook ing off she merely changed tugs aground at Swansea for the past and pulled out in the sti-eam four weeks enter protest against again. the charge of one Pound tax The ci'ew was getting a little on slopchest cigarettes. Cap­ disturbed now for they were prac­ tain also protesting to Merchant tically out of food and they had Marine Association. Please en­ no gear for cold weather; but on ter in Seafarers Log. Deck Dele­ and on the ship went and soon gate Richard R. Weikas; Engine the fellows were standing on the Ray Lusko; Steward Marcus bow with binoculars looking for Robinson. an inlet where they hoped the There isn't to much that can be tug would swing the ship. done in such a situation since It was no use, however, for on British taxes are high, and this they went, past Norfolk the ship tax on cigaretes is no exception. was towed, and without rations, One word of advice, though: water and gear the crew was car­ Take a lesson from the Tillamook ried fui'ther north. crew and keep plenty of smokes' Soon they had no fresh food on hand if you are in any danger aboard and had to scurry around of going aground in British ter­ and pull the rations out of the ritorial waters. I �PM» T*a Friday, December 27. 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG smps'MINimS AMD NEWS MV COASTAL DEFENDER BRISTLES WITH ACTIVITY » » $ The lads aboard the Smith and Johnson vessel gingerly perform their tasks in the brisk Canadian atmosphere of Baf­ fin Island. Photo at left shows members of Deck Gang straightening out dunnage: stooping is Bosun Wiliams. in center is Fin Malland, AB; while "Ski" the Deck Maintenance stands in rear. Crew Slings Seme Changes On Goliath "There's got to be some changes made around here," isn't the title of one of the top tunes on radio's Hit Parade, although it certainly may sound like it. It is the tune, however, of the minutes of a recent meeting held aboard the SS Goliath, an East= ern Transportation Company tug. The crewmembers are downright disgusted with some of the pres­ ent goings-on, and at the meet­ ing they went on record to call a halt to things. LINEN CHANGE Rating top attention in the pro­ posed changes was the procedure whereby the Mates handle and distribute the linen aboard the vessel. The men are not getting "a proper amount" of linen this way, they charge. They passed a motion calling for the transfer of. the linen custodianship from the Mates to the Steward. Equally as bad was the situa­ tion in regard to matches and bath soap. Supplies of each are "supposed" to be given out to the men weekly but in practice it has been working out different­ ly. The. supplies are not forth­ coming regularly with the result that crewmembers have been \ At right, some of the men ready oil drums for unloading at Frobisher Bay. % % % Counter Offensive Planned Against Insects On Evelyn Two of the sturdy crew, Finn Malland (left) and Robert Brown, pose at the rail. Those are snow-capped peaks in the background. Brr-rr. MINUTES OF SlU SHIP MEETIN8S IIGESTED FOR ERSIER READING buying their own. To surmount this somewhat dark and dirty trick, it was unanimously recom­ mended that soap and matches, along with the linen supply, be turned over to the Steward for disposition. WILL SING NEW TUNE The conduct of the Skipper was discussed also with the object to get him to change his tune. His singing has a definitely unsavory slant. A motion, passed unani­ mously, stated that the "Agent (Patrolman) see Capt. Dan Hayman about his union-baiting, and his attempts to cause dissension among the crew. To also have him stop making slanderous re­ marks against the Union, and to stop trying to cause disruptions and hard feelings." Final of the changes recom­ mended at the Goliath meeting was one designed to wipe up a wet condition in the crew's quar­ ters. Pipe in the overhead have been sweating in the cold weath­ er, and the water has been drip­ ping into the men's bunks, and it's got to stop, the men said. If there's a Seafarer named Da­ vid aboard the Goliath maybe history will repeat itself. to' JOHN GALLUP, Oct. 28 — Chairman J. Coy; Secretary E. Youngblood. Motions carried; that Steward Department be permitted to paint their own quarters; that reprirs submit­ ted by Steward in regard to living quarters be carried out; that fines be donated to Hospi­ tal fund and that Delegates collect fines; to have new lock­ ers installed; that messrooms, ports, W.T. doors and locks be repaired; that all fans be re­ paired, linen be replaced, soap dishes be placed in all showers and washrooms; and that leak be repaired in Deck Depart­ ment head. 4 * COASTAL LIBERATOR. Sept. 27 — Chairman C. E. Chandler; Secretary K. G. Freyschlog. John Malcolm, Black Gang Delegate, reported that small boiler was not op­ erating properly. In order for it to supply adequate hot water during winter. months, he ad­ vised that it be repaired or re­ placed. Also reported that per­ colators are needed in Engine room and in messhril. Steward Delegate Robert Marion said that his department- had. left With the horde of insects aboard the SS Evelyn being "augmented daily by swarming reinforce­ ments, crew members planned strategy at recent shipboard meetings to combat the winged menace. The situation had reach­ ed such proportions that immed­ iate action was imperative in face of what appeared might be a disastrous rout by the rapidly multiplying bug brigades. The Steward reported that the charge of artillery operations on the. ground and in the air: The crew instructed him to order up additional buzz-bombs and to launch an immediate offensive. "Wipe them out," were the terse orders received. FIRE-POWER MISSING hTe Steward reported that the inescts had been able to establish a beachhead because his repeated galley in cleEm condition prior to strike, and returned after strike to find everything dirty. Security watch sent by Union had been denied access to stores. Several men were recommend­ ed for membership. t 4. 4. JEFFERSON CITY. Oct. 30— Chairman T. M. Jones; Secre­ tary T. A. Williams. Delegates gave their reports—everything in pretty good shape. Motions carried: that repair list be pre­ pared in duplicate—one to be turned in to the hedl, the other to be given oncoming crew; that repair list be posted in arrival. It was suggested that Delegates pick up books Emd turn them to agent or patrolman with amount each man wishes to pay, also that Delegates advise Captain to dump overboard food infested with weavels. DIAMOND HITCH, Sept. 27 Chairman Les -Goldinger; Sec­ retary J. DuBose. Deck—Com­ plaint made agEunst Chief Mate. Engine — Complaint was made against the First Assist­ ant concerning the logging of Paul Kent. The Second Assist­ ant degrades all crewmembers pleas for fire power were ignored or cut down. He said that al­ though he had put in an order for a considerable number of the bombs for a complete wipingout job, the company had refus­ ed to send him more than three at a time. This report of laxity in the rear stirred the crew meeting in­ to action. They formulated an ultimatum to the 'effect that if the company did not send up sufficient equipment with which the crew could combat the insect by defamation of their charact­ er. All beefs to be settled in New York. No one to pay off until Edl beefs axe settled. All three departments totally dis­ satisfied with the Chief Stew­ ard as <1 union man. They claim (Continued on Page 11) ravages, the Evelyn would be held alongside the dock. She would not be moved until such time as the company itself saw fit to take over and exterminate the invaders. This was the de­ cision reached at the Nov. 23 meeting held at sea. " SWIFT ACTION At the Dec. 1 meeting also held at sea, the situation was such that the members swiftly passed a motion saying "that extermina­ tors niust be bought aboard the vessel when she arrives in Balti­ more, and that all the insects on board must be exterminated be­ fore the ship will be allowed to leave the dock in Baltimore." All action, however, at this Evelyn meeting was not combat­ ive in nature. Brother Tilley motioned that a vote of thanks be given the Stewards deparfcment for the fine work they did in preparing such a splendid Thanksgiving dinner, and for their efforts on the whole." The question arose as to wheth­ er or not a holiday at sea for men on watch constituted overtime. It was agreed that the question would be resolved when the Ves­ sel pulled into port. It was con­ firmed, however, that crew mem­ bers of the ship "are entitled to the same holidays as longshore­ men in whatever port the vessel happens to be in." Also unanimously passed was a motion in regard to the water coolers in the Engine room, and on the main deck in the crew's quarters. "The two water cool­ ers must be prepared and put on suitable working condition be­ fore the ship sails from Balti­ more," the motion stated. The Thanksgiving dinner menu, which the crew recommended be sent to the Seafarers Log, follows: Table Celery Olives Consomme Roast Turkey Dressing and Giblei Gravy Baked Virginia Ham Pineapple Sauce Candied Yams Mashed Potatoes Cranberry Sauce Mixed Nuts Mince and Pumpkin Pies Plum Pudding and Hard Sauce Hot Rolls Apples Oranges Coffee Cocoa Fresh Milk �Friday, December 27, 1946 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings I SEAFARER SAM SAYS (Continued from Page 10) him to be a company stiff. The Steward boasts that he is an officer and must be respected aboard and ashore. Chief En­ gineer refuses to recognize Paul Kent as Deck Delegate. Sug­ gested that Purser's records concerning the rate of ex­ change of foreign money (BWI, Dutch Guiana) be investigated. Meeting was called by the crewmembers and not by the delegates. No one refused to turn to at anytime. J. t i ALCQA PILGRIM. Sept. IBChairman Nils Gronberg; Sec­ retary L. W. Highsmith. Dele­ gates reported no beefs and that overtime was okay. Crow pantry icebox had been re­ paired. Motions carried: that crew leave glasses in pantry for use during meals; to have some fruit juice left in box at night; to have notice of launch serv­ ice to and from ship posted on bulletin board. Genercil dis­ cussion on drinking glasses, spoons, knives, forks and win­ ter gear. %> i X WOLF CREEK, Nov. 17— Chairman LeRoy Nichols; Sec­ retary Gerald Laura. Reports from three department dele­ gates. Deck: everything okay; Engine: all okay; Steward: over 1.000 hours overtime and no disputes. Motions carried: to have Delegates make list of re­ pairs for their departments, to be turned in to Agent at Cor­ pus Christi; that delegates see that quarters are clean before payoff. Discussion on transpor­ tation rider. Vote of thanks tendered Steward department for "wonderful chow and ex­ cellent service and for carry­ ing on under very trying con­ ditions in Mobile, Ala." X X SAM JOHNSTON, Nov. 10— Chairman E. A. Lane; Secre­ tary G. Gallant. Lockers and fans in foc'sles to be checked and repaired, foc'sles to be painted. Chairs in messhall to be repaired. Men to leave quar­ ters clean when signing off ship. New coffee urn needed in crew's mess. Motions carried to have patrolmen to see that sufficient stores be stocked for next crew, and enough provi­ sions be alloted to care of pas­ sengers if taken aboard. One minute of silence for Brothers lost at sea. XXX ALCOA MASTER, Nov. 10— Chairman George A. Allen; Secrefary Lynn A. Poole. Deck Delegate reported disputed overtime believed to be col­ lected; Steward Delegate asked men to aid in keeping messhall cleaiu Delegates reports ac­ cepted. Steward said vegetable aboard are not enough for round trip and urged his men to go easy on them; vegetables in Aruba are "unfit for human consumption." Crew advised to read up and fully understand the new agreement. Motion cariried to elect one man from each department to study new agreement. LUTTIER HURD. Sept. 19— Chairman F. Nohlicki; Secre­ tary E. Powell. Reports of three delegates accepted. Motion passed that ship not be sailed until action was taken on ship's repairs. Suggested that crew 'members keep out of messman's way when he is setting up the meals; also that messman check the supply of milk. etc.. in mess­ hall each night. In memory of departed brothers one minute of silence observed prior to ad­ journment. Ailerix(Chiri6tAtas and Ro > X t X ETHIOPIA VICTORY, Aug. 6—Chairman W. A. Driver; Sec­ retary T. J. Roach. Beef made that chow is not being pre­ pared in right manner. Two men late for watch because they 1 3. t were not served immediately. ARGONAUT. Dec. 8—Chair­ Suggestioni that coffee urn be man George Meaney; Secretary cleaned out daily. Motions car­ J. Egga. Motions carried: to fine ried calling for fumigation of anyone abusing toaster, and entire ship in first port, and for those who put feet on chairs new mattresses and pillows to ' and cushions; dirty cups not be put aboard. Drinking glass­ to be left on tables, and cigar­ es to be kept cleaner. Motion ettes not to be thrown around made and passed that men keep deck. Ch. Steward nominated feet on deck and not on chairs. and elected to collect fines and XXX turn money over to Fort Stan­ STEEL ARTISAN (Isthmian). ton Tubercular hospital; com­ Nov. 28—Chairman Tannehill; mittee for same also elected. (Secretary not noted) Possibility Moved that one member of the of opening PO messhall dis­ crew designated to obtain books cussed. One messroom lacks for crew's libreiry. and a mo­ By HANK sufficient capacity for eating tion carried to have washboards entire crew. Steward asked to built on bulwards so crew can After recovering from our Christmas spirits we're right on the order mirrors for Jr. Engineer's wash clothes. Everyone voiced snow-ball with our weekly collection of bi'otherly news. . . Saj% if room. Crew assured by Bosim satisfaction with meeting. One those government bureaus and dreaming politicians don't knowthat deck head and showers minute of silence for seamen about this sky-high cost of living, then Brother Ralston "Curly" would be kept clean. Deck 12lost £it sea. Stuart can tell them. He's shipping out because he can't keep on 4 asked that fans be supplied XXX paying $11.29 weekly for his two-by four room in the YMCA any­ for laundry. Cook stated that HELEN. Nov. 26—Chairman more. . . Harry "Popeye"' Cronin just sailed into town from a thiity galley scupper was still plug­ Leroy Jackson; Secretary Red day trip to Greece. . . Little Paddy McCann shipped on the Waltged up although First Assistant Morgan. List of needed repairs ham "Victory. Let's hear from you, Paddy? ... Is smiling Mike was notified of this on last drawn up. Requested a speaker Rossi still turning to every day as a taxi-driver? How's tips treating trip. Motions carried: that Dele­ to be put in crew's mess and you. Senior Mike? . . . Brother K. Kain anchored into the hall. gates check slopchest and stores connected with radio in radio What's new and how was the trip, Brother Kain? . . . Boy, shipping and to get approximate size of room. Discussed need of an­ picked up so good in the last week that it made Leslie Brilhart say: clothes and shoes that are to other room for the freezers as "It's sure good to see those smiles on the guys when they get their be ordered. they have been carried in the jobs and leave the hall" . . . The best shipping however is down in hospital in the past. Commit­ Marcus Hook, brothers. . . tee of three men appointed to look over ship for a suitable place for another room. Agreed to have a book rack built in Last week we talked to Jimmy Mulligan, a swell guy, a messhall. and secure a library Boston Irishman, who lives in New York with the wife and kids. when ships gets in. One min­ Jimmy rather laughed when he remembered how the MM&P ute of silence observed for strike hit his ship down in Texas. You see, the only strike chow brothers lost at sea during war. they were lucky enough to get was some wild animals running XXX ^ i 1 around every day. Well, when you have to — you have to. Ypa MAE, Dec. 10—Chairman R, WILLIAM JOHNSON. Dec. can't wail for any strangers to feed you in a strike, indeed . . . Sechinger; Secretary A. Baker. 15—Chirman . Roy Thompson; Little Charlie Stevens, oldtimer bellyrobber, is anchored here in M Motions carried: that crew's Secretary John Bluitt. Officers our town and smoking up his beachy days with cigars. . . Stew­ quarters be heated while in are to be kept out of crew mess­ ard Eddie Kasnowski who lost his gear on some ship, is waiting port of Baltimore or notify hall. and crew is to kep out of to ship out. Write to the company, Eddie, and ask them for a crew's in advance so they can saloon. Food situation is get­ new cook-book and a new special pot for gravy overtime. If they find rooms ashore; have Stew­ ting bad. There is no Steward don't throw the Shipping Commissioner at them. . . ard order electric coffee pot and or Chief Cook; second cook and glasses for crew mess; that one pantry man are feeding the best of the small urns not in use be they can do. Special commit­ moved to crew mess. Repairs tee is to see the old man about Before Brother Harold Lawlor left for Korea recently in an needed in Oiler's foc'sle, pins this. Motion carried to keep Army suit, he retii-ed his book and then gave Patrolman Jimmy* needed for shower curtains, messhall and recreation room grattings for shower, keys for clean at all times and radio is Purcell a happy beef by chewing the Seafaring fat about old timesr Bosun's room, and fumigation and shipmates. . . Sal Volpi shipped Bosun on the SS Orbis with to be shut off at 10 p. m. necessary. Big Mike and Nick the Pollock. The ship is chartered to France so XXX she might shuttle. . . Isidore Levy is geting married in March, 194*^; '•M NOONDAY, Oct. 27—Chair­ man Clough; (Secretary not Does your girl want you to donate your sea blood to the Red Cros^-: ^1 noted). Motions carried: thai Bx-other Levy? . . . Bosqn Bera Smyley, aboard the SS Cape Rac% ;S'| sanitary work in laundry be will be saying hello to to Ray Sweeney when the ship hits Texas . '41 XXX done on regular sanitary hours GEORGE WASHINGTON (no and be alternated weekly be­ date)—Chairman Murphy; Sec­ tween deck and Black gang retary Hunt. Reports niade by and that room alloted for li­ Joe Barringer, who just finished a short trip to Canada, is the department delegates. Mo­ brary and writing room be hoping for a miraculous trip to Shanghai, China. The best tions carried: to put oil cloths taken care of by Steward de­ Chinese laundryman couldn't shanvjhai you for that trip for all on any and all mess room tables partment; thai before next the dirty shirts in New York, Joe. Joe asked Harvy Hill why that need them; to put door regular meeting, to be held be­ he didn't grab a ship. Harvey answered: "Now don't give me any • stops on messroom doors to pre­ fore arrival in England, each ideas, Joe. My wife has enough of them. Anyway, I'm wonder­ vent slaipming,' to put soap department meet and draw up ing where my paL Rodney Johnson is right now?". . . Probably trays in crejv's rooms; to elect list of repairs and/or recom­ in Shanghai. Harvey, wishing Ke was here in New York, getting, delegates for each and every mendations to be submited be­ into the Merry Christmas spirits. •. . Louis Galvani, who sails as department before leaving the fore joint meeting—those getting Deck Engineer, is in town now, charged with desertion, after dock. Discussion on cleanli­ final approval to be typed and missing his ship down in St. Thomas. . . Steward Vic Milazzo ness of engine department. One given to Master, Ch. Mate, Ch. just went up to Boston to get operated on his neck. Don't stick minute of silence for brothers Engineer and Steward and a your neck out too far, Vic. Kidding aside, Vic. good luck! . . lost at sea. copy sent to Union via airmail. •I cm and RUN • �Fiiday, 'December v27,4946 ** TB E SEAFARERS LO G Fa0« THE MEMBEBSmP aPCAKS FOUR MEN IN A BOAT Hill Spends His Christmas Night-Clubbing In New York Dear Editor: i Sealed across Ihe beam of a boal in Calculia, from left to right, are Seafarers E. Tassin, Carpenter; B. Marshall, OS; F. Hughe. Maintenance, and W. Wyman, Bosun, crewmembers of the SS Twin Falls Victory. Brother Wyman, who has been on several Isthmian ships, is now an organizer in New Orleans. Buck Stephens, acting New Orleans Agent submitted the photo to the Log. ^CHIPS' STEFANIK WRITES OF A HECTIC TRIP Dear Editor: I thought I'd drop you a few lines to let you know where we are. This American Steamship Company vessel went from Hol­ land to Poland, and we'll be in England tomorrow, for two days. From there we go to Venezuela, and Lord knows where from there. In- Rotterdam we went into drydock and had 5,000 rivets put in this scow, but she still leaks. When we left Cuba, the old man got 650 cartons of Ameri­ can cigarettes—and they were cheap. Just $2.89 a carton. At Rotterdam we got 500 cartons at $1.32 each. In Gdynia, Poland, no draw was allowed. The boys had to sell their personal clothing for spend­ ing money, and with things be­ ing so dear, it didn't last long. The old man says his name is Captain Bligh. He also called up one of the lads for a routine log, told him he was a "rummy," and asked why he couldn't stay sober when in port. (The pot call­ ing the'kettle black.) We've also had some good co­ operation from the Chief Stew­ ard,- the old man's wipe rag, whom we'd like to recommend to the NMU. Kay is Bosun aboard this scow, and Ed Hibbard of Cuba is 3rd Mate. We would like for you to have a few words with Curly Rentz for us,^ and have him write us a few lines in Venezuela sending as inuch information as possible, as yre haven't had but one letter from anyone. And we may be cut for a long time. Milan "Chips" Siefanik BROTHER TAKES STEP TOWARD U. S. CITIZENSHIP Dear Editor: I have what I think might be some very good news for alien seamen who are interested in getting United States citizenship papers. This week I made a start in that direction, and since there Well, here I am anchored in good old bc-wintered New York, waiting to ship out sometime af­ ter New Year's Day blows its brand new top. My wife, Louise, and of course, and my own good old self, kinda enjoyed spending (and I don't mean spending a lot of loose green-bills, either) a landlubbing Christmas together— which is always a good thing but always an expensive partnership! Now don't get me wrong, broth­ ers. I don't act like one of these 85 day wonderful sailors swaying over the-Christmas tree and drop­ might be some men interested, 1 thought I'd pass on the procedure. First off, you have to have your birth certificate, or a copy of it. Then you get an affidavit from the local police or municipal au­ thorities from the town in which you lived on the other side, at­ testing to the fact that you have a clean record. With these two documents, you go to your country's consul in whatever American city you hap­ pen to be in, and he will translate these papers into English, mak­ ing three copies. Finally, you get two photo­ static copies of your birth cer­ tificate and the affidavit. This is as far as 1 have gotten. My next step is to see one of the American consuls in a foreign city and apply for a permanent entry into the United States. Actually there is much yet to be done before 1 get citizenship, but 1 feel I've made a darned important start. ping his inherited sentimental tears on the colored bulbs and the drooping candles. You see, here's how we spread out our Christ­ mas feelings—and you know how those feelings spread out after a little encouragement. Well, after taking unhesitating care of a tur­ key—(which couldn't make the dead-line on Thanksgiving due to ihe fact that it was out in the late hours celebrating his last day of life on earth)—we went out for some dancing and club­ bing one or two night-clubs with our few cabbage leaves. MERRY XMAS Now although I'm kinda late in wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, 1 sure hope every­ Edmund Erikson body had a good time, without getting paid off in the morning with those traditional hang-over beefs. Now, as for me, with or with­ out Santa Claus, I'm getting along swell on the (temporary) wagon—which won't be used un­ til the little kid called 1947 starts running around wishing every­ body a whale year of less income tax—if the Republicans can count numbers right and give me the right change. WILL SHIP OUT Well, until 1 ship out sometime in January, Til probably still be coughing up the coffee-nickels to keep the dryness out of the plumbing works in a few guys— and those good old laughs in the ordinary kind of chewing-thefat which goes on through the Dispatching Hall floor. Before 1 knock off with this fancy and perhaps humor-sugar­ ed letter-writing—with which 1 ain't recently familiar enough with to keep on without getting off course, naturally—I'm going to go window-looking in some antique shop or wax museum and buy a long yellow-colored arm with a open hand so I can bring to the ne.xt union meeting so 1 can be recognized by the Chairman and have my shortworded say-so about anything popping on the floor. Harvey Hill By WAYNE McALLISTER Oh. to be a carefree sailor. Tying knots and splicing wires. With a marlinspike to help me. And a back that never tires; Let me climb up in the riggin' And gat nearer to the sky. While I watch some distant island As our ship goes sailing by. Off to some strange foreign country. Let me sail a course that's true. On a ship low-in with cargo. Let me be one of the crew; Just' to watch the playful porpoise. As it jumps up into view. Or to see the flying fishes. As they glide across the blue. Oh. to be on watch at midnight. On a night that's cool and clear. "Simper Apparatus" By Clyde B. Ward (Cuzzin Cisco) The height of ambition Of the Maritime Commission, With the aid of the Hooligan, Is to improve its position. No more Department of Com­ merce. Or Steamboat Inspectors. Just Hooligan brass-hat Injectors and rejectors. To survive an examination Without Coast Guard injection. Is sillier than a blood-poison Minus the infection. But with Hooligan's blessings. And a cute monkey-suit. They'll give you your ticket. And some ratings to boot. Almighty Admiral on high: We hail you. shoreside Captain Bligh, Lord of all seamen, the high and low. Though only the lowly know the weight of your blow. It's "have a drink. Captain, tsk, tsk and tut. tut. Bad Leg Keeps 'Tis the radical element—noth­ Brother In Bed ing else but, Dear Editor: I'll pull all their papers, on the Please send me the Seafarers beach they'll stay. Log as I'm laid up with a bad leg While you ship our brave lads and 1 don't know when I'll be from Sheepshead Bay." able to ship out again. 1 would like to keep up with You can knock the L out of Kelly, But Kely he still will be. the news of the Union and the Seafarers. So why not knock the gold braid St. Louis. Mo. Glen Junge Out of the peacetime industry. Oh, It's The Seaman's Life For Me A seamen's life is what I fancy. Out upon the open sea. To sail across God's oceans Where a man is really free; Just to see the sunset's glory On the crest of rolling waves. While the wind is blowing gently O'ei; the masthead and the stays. Log -A' Rhythms v- While the wind and tossing ocean. Brings soft, sweet music "to my ear; You can have your moonlit gardens. They're all quite pretty I'll allow. Biit I'd rather see the moon dancing In the foam around -the bow. If I had but a single wish. To chose what I would be, I would chose to be a sailor. On a ship far out at sea. Yes, it's a seaman's life I fancy. Out upon the open sea. To sail across God's oceans. Where a man is really free. 1 We have a brasshat Commiss­ ioner of Mining. A broken-down Admiral is King of the Sea. The Coast Guard is lord of all shipping— An Independent would be a wonder to see. Let's return the mines to the owners and miners. May the Hooligan just Coast Guardsmen be. Let ships return unto Commerce, And men who can handle them, by G". Dear Editor: Enclosed find a few of my Donkey Watch Dirges. Although 1 try to keep my scribbling straight in the English Channel, it gets off course occasionally. Anti-hoolinganly yours, Clyde (Cuzzin Cisco) Ward SS Nelson W. Aldrich Bound for Hither and Yon Speculation By I. H. Pepper What love is this rieam'to know. How is it nourished. And why does it grow? �TB.B SB AFARERS I a C: BrLday.. December 171.194fi Paa»: TbSrleto Himk J^hs, At Critic Of Seamen, Says Employers Prolong Strikes Dear Editor: Working my slow and' common brain through the daily paper I came across a shockingly chUdish editorial, headlined: "Futility of Strikes," and this definite deci­ sion was based and blamed on the maritime strike. Naturally my common sense immediately twisted and boiled when I fully realized what this land-lubbing, desk genius of an editorial writer gave birth to from his stagnant but happy sinecure environment of' office dust, coffee cups, ciga­ rette-overflowed ash-trays, empty cooa-cola bottles and racing noisy typewriters. Well, regardless of the fact that this mysteriously educated moron qualified enough to write impor­ tant editorials but didn't know any of the honestly basic details in the strike (especially the de­ tails from the working seamen's position), he still definitely stated that all strikes are worthless and futile (especially the maritime strike) because it really was set­ tled eventually through a peace­ ful conference. Now, brothers, wouldn't this moron be a rich, back-broken, happy company stiff if he acidentally but unfor­ tunately was ever a seaman? lars or two cents more to their workers. JUST A LITERARY STIFF But to get back to this overaged kid who wrote such an experl-like editorial. There were just two details this literary stiff knew from his big, overcrowded desk: (1—there was a strike; (2— it was settled eventually through a conference. And with these atomic facts, this satisfied lemon of an educated man cuts his fin­ gers and ruins his sixty dollar suit, climbing madly up the Mountain of Definite Truth and screaming to the eager, common people: "STRIKES ARE FU­ TILE!" Now, who ever heai-d of a com­ mon worker bravely going up to his boss, asking him for a raise and even telling him he wants 15 dollars more a week—because he can't live on his present salary ..So —THAT'S WMY i WANT /A RAISE. ! NEVER FUTILE Of course the strikers are futile—for the government and for the rich, greedy, cut-throat bosses. But strikes are never worthless for the workers and their families — in these days where a dollar is worth about 50 or 60 cents. • Why indeed shouldn't seamen strike for more decent wages and conditions, for the kind of lives they live when they have two strikes against them? (1) The higher cost of living, and (2) the fact that the rich bosses just don't feel like giving any more money because it means so much less of their precious profits rushing into their bank deposits. Seamen, like all workers, don't want more money because they want to buy mansions and yachts, or over­ load their wives with jewels and furs—and their children with slick clothes. due to the higher costs of food, clothes, etc? Why, the boss would be shocked. He would laugh. He would roar and scream and sob with genuine tears flow­ ing—and then he would say: "Well, that's too bad, my good man. I'm sorry, and you're fired." Would this be fair—would it be American democracy of man helping man in his job and sin­ cerely wishing everyone health and happiness. Merry Christmases and Happy New Years? Or would it be plain insane slav­ ery and dictatorship. PICTURE Picture it; The dirty, hard work­ ing, tired worker kneeling humb­ ly on his bony knees before the throne where sits the happy, fat rich American boss who tells him And the tragic thing about the. that if he can't live on his present rich bosses who are shedding j salary he can get another job crocodile tears because they are and the same thing will happen being so mistreated is that they again and again to the worker still raise the prices of their pro­ begging for just a little more ducts, etc., regardless of whether money for himself and his family. they were forced to give two dol­ In other words, a worker has to keep his little mouth shut, starve or steal, and just keep holding on to his lousy job—and let the boss make all the profits in the world—while the worker and his family keep on needing so much milk, meat and vegetables all through the week and new shoes and clothes now and then, in ad­ dition to paying the rent bill, the coal bill, the electric bill, the inaui'ance man, the medical treat­ ments now and then. HEAR THIS Let me quote .some of this writer's poisonous stupidity: "Obviously the maritime strike was wholly unnecesary and fla­ grantly unwise. There was never any lack of opportunity for col­ lective bargaining and the pro­ cess of bargaining continued throughout the strike and even­ tually produced agreement . . . It was a costly and stupid strike from all standpoints and it was a particularly costly and stupid strike from the standpoint of -la­ bor . . . Strikes . . . deprive workers of wagfcs and inflict severe privations and acute hard­ ships upon their families . . . im­ pair the organizations and facili­ ties of employers . . . and cause great annoyance and inconven­ ience to the general public." WHERE ARE THEIR BRAINS? Well, now, if the employers were ever aware of all that and sincerely wanted to prevent those severe hardships to their factories, their profits, their pres­ tige . . . and severe hardships on the workers and their families . . . and the annoyance and in­ convenience to the public—why didn't they use their quick-trig­ ger minds with figures and offer to accept a major portion of what the unions asked for—which seems to be what happened any­ way after several weeks of a strike? If the employers settled so much later after the strike, why didn't they use the same system weeks before the threat of a strike and avoid all those severe hard­ ships on public workers, govern­ ment and their own profits and continued operation of factories and services? But these greedy scheming employers deliberately avoided any day to day con­ ferences held in good faith weeks before the strike. In other words, the employers, with childishly stubborn but clever minds, con­ tinued the strike for the workers. "Cut and Run" Hank ABOARD THE SS MEREDITH VICTORY AT SEA Some of the crewmembers pose, for Seafarer Gilbert Parker, the Meredith's; ace cameraman. The picture, was te.>:en while the vessel — which the crew termed,'a fit. home, at-sea'— was re­ turning to its home port, of Norfolk.. Brother In Army Requests Info Regarding Future Status Prior to joining the army in September 1945, I was a member of the SIU, in good standing. My last vessel was a Waterman Victory, which I left in New Orleans sometime in August, a month before I entered the army. I had been sailing 26 months, and I liked going to sea. At present I have 26 months to go before being discharged from the army. Meanwhile, I would like to know if there is any way in which I can right myself with the Union, so that I majy be eligible to sail upon termination of my army service. I still have my papers and Union book. Please let me know what can be done in regard to restoring my status in the SIU. Jerry Rouse, Pfc. Troop A, 1st Cqnstab. Sq'n 15th Constab. Regiment APO 209, c/o Postmaster, N.Y. ^ Answer; — We have checked with the bookkeeping depart­ ment and they recommend that you mail your book to that de­ partment at the New York Hall, where it will be placed in the Armed Forces file. When you are discharged from the army, come to the New York Hall with your discharge papers. The book will be returned to you at that time, and you will have established yourself in good standing. 'Have A Heart' Begs Ski After Tearing It In Pieces Dear Editor: let would have gone right through your heart and killed Here's a couple of short ones— you." I'd like to pass along: To which the first OS replied: Two ordinary seamen were "Not me it didn't. I was so reminiscing on deck one day scared when he fired, my heart about their war experiences. was in my mouth." Said one: Then there were the Purser, "I'll never forget the time I the Pharmacist's Mate and the was torpoedoed. I was swim­ radio operator, who were shoot­ ming around when the sub ing the breeze about books and surfaced and came toward me. authors. "It got closer and closer. "Have you read Bacon?" Suddenly, I saw one of the asked one. enemy standing on the deck "No, but I've eaten it," came of the sub with a gun pointed the answer. right at my chest. Then he "I'm talking about Bacon the pulled the trigger. . . ." writer." "Hey, wait a minute," piped "Oh, him — sure, I knew him the other OS. "If he was that very well," said the second close to you and fired, the bulsmart guy. Why we used to. ." "Hey, Bacon's been dead 200 years." BROTHERS PASS "You don't say? How time ALONG NOTE ON flies." A HARD GUY Well, that's it fellows, but have a heart, wiP you. I'll be seeing Dear Editor: you fellows in New York within Today, Brother Richard Far­ a few days. ley and I, Arthur Hillai-y, were Alex (Ski) Janowski invited to have a dinner aboard the SS Siroco, an Isthmian ship. The invitation came from Broth­ WANTS THE LOG er Hefflin, another SIU brother, SENT TO THE who knew we were flat broke and LOG INN needed a square meal. We were eating our dinner in a Dear Editor: quiet, orderly manner, when the I have been getting the Log Chief Mate, Albert Meyers, pass­ every week and I have been en­ ed by. Noticing that we were not joying it very much reading members of the crew, he called about the good work the boys the Steward aside and told him J have been doing. I sure wish that meals are not to" be served, I could have been there to help. to any persons other than the I plan to ship out again around crew. the first of the year. I was living in Nevada, but I This little note might save a few brothers from an unnecessary moved to Rock Springs, Wyom­ hard trip. It has been said by ing, and I would like to have the members of the crew that this Log sent to me at the new ad­ mate is a very hard and unreason­ dress. Keep up the good work, boys. able man to get along with. He is also a non-union man—to put it And hello to the boys in New Orleans. mildly. A. J. Doty Arthur Hillary c/« Log Inn Richard. D; Farley Rock Springs, Wiyo. Honolulu,. T. H; .1 �Page Fourteen T B E SEAPAHtHf> L tt t. Friday, December 27. 1946 Curran's Statement On CMU Resignation porations to destroy the labor Stewards Division, would be set- ber two, for promoting warfare bloody warfare on the water­ ' (Coniinued from Page 5) whose votes decide the policy, movement, leave no stone un­ ting the pattern for all unions, on the waterfront with the Am­ front, while the shipowners and have contributed together less turned in seeking unity, even on and leave us in a position where erican Federation of Labor and reactionary forces stand by and than $13,000. Ordinarily it would a minimum basis, with the Am­ we would have to inform our op­ the independent unions. Because enjoy the sight of unions destroy­ not' be of much importance, this erican Federation of Labor, Rail­ erators that we were not able to of the dominating role played by ing each other-. question of money being contrib­ road Brotherhoods, and CIO, for negotiate but would submit our a few people on the west coast It may be argued that we are uted, but when that money does the mutual protection of the la­ demands to arbitration, thereby and their hatred of the unions of bound by a vote of our member­ injuring the bargaining power of the American Federation of La­ ship and therefore I cannot re­ not serve the purpose of creating bor movement in general. NMU for its Deck and Engine bor, the unions that we were able sign as Co-Chairman. The vote unity, then it is of great importIn many ports, CMU local com­ to work with before, such as the of our membership was a vote for •ance. It is also important, be­ mittees, which, under national Departments. MFOW, have been driven from affiliation to CMU based upon the cause under this setup, t'he NMU CMU policy, are not supposed to NO RIGHT the CMU, and their leadership, policy statement adopted in the treasury can be drained by CMU, carry out any programs not pre­ Arbitration has never been the whether we agree with them or whfle our Union, which carries viously authorized by the Execu­ instrument which did any good not, have been constantly sland­ May Convention, which gave full the main financial bui'den, does tive Committee, have gone off on for the workers unless tremend­ autonomies to unions, and recog­ not'have a decisive voice on how their own on political issues, etc., ous pressure was exerted similar ered and attacked. The MEBA, nized all of their rights, and which was moving towards na­ stated that what would be done our money should be spent. and involved our unions in*^m- to that of last June, September tional unity in their own ranks, is that the unions together would 4. Since June 15th, instead of barrassing situations. An example and October. I objected to this ha.s been divided further because work toward uniform agree­ gaiiis as a result of unity, and of this is the recent occurrence in procedure, and requested that in of the recent strikes and wrong ments, uniform expiration dates, oyer my objections, time and New Orleans, where CMU in­ line with CMU policy, the west strategy. So we are actually left and the promotion of greater time again, these union leaders volved itself in the .political situ­ coast unions wait until we had with, not 7 original unions which have elevated tactics to prin- ation occurring in that city. had an opportunity of having one instituted the CMU, but 5 unions, unity among all seamen, with the 'ciples, particularly during vari­ meeting with our operators for 4 of which, although given equal eventual objective of creating AUTONOMY ENDANGERED ous strikes in September and negotiation before discussing ar­ voting, make up less than one one union. The opposite is now Much more can be said of the October, and our Unions, al­ true. The vote of the member­ bitration. As I felt the east and though geographically complete­ activities of local commUtecs, west mast operators had trapped fifth of the membership of our ship did not bind me to remain a ly steparate, wore kept on all-out many of which actually usurped us into separate approaches and union. Co-Chairman. That was decided strikes bj' action of the CMU the authorities of individual weakened our unity. I was "voted at the CMU Convention, without CMU DISUNITY Executive Committee on the unions. The national policy of down, and I was informed that a vote of the membership. And I With the critical days ahead, basis that we should all stay on CMU, adopted in May, specifical­ under CMU policy we had no and unity so necessary, particul­ am sure the membership of our strike until both coasts were set­ ly does not permit this. That right to expect individual unions arly with the attacks from the Union would not want me to con­ tled; and in the end both coasts policy said that each union main­ to give up the possibilities of win­ Coast Guard growing and anti- tinue, knowing that our Union is had' to settle separately anyway, tains its full autonomy and the ning for their members conces­ labor legislation more serious in a B-ciass union in the CMU. The • in spite of the fact that the setup right to make its own decisions sions under arbitration on retro­ the maritime field than in the membership did not vote to have on both coasts made it impossible with respect to all parts of its active pay, and this motion was general labor field coming up, I 4 craft unions, with a total mem­ •for cither to be of value to the constitution. carried by the usual 4-1 vote. am sure that our membership, bership of less than one-fifth of other. We had great difficulty our membership, located three I have fought constantly to On the question of setting up a when they voted for CMU did not thousand miles away, dictate the keeping the support of ILA, AFL straighten these things out be­ realize, or they would have voted Longshoremen on the east coast cause I had believed, and believ­ national organization of CMU against it, that it would result in policies of the NMU, a powerful becaiise of these wrong tactics. ed up to the Executive Commit­ through a Convention, the west less unity and the promotion of industrial union, national in In the case of the MEBA, their tee meeting of December 16th coast unions insisted that a Con­ greater hatreds than we have character and with a proven rec­ strike was eventually concluded and 17th, that if these matters vention be held in March. I at­ had. Nor would they have voted ord of its strength.--Ijbr did they separately for the east coast and were straightened out, CMU tempted to point out that a Con­ for it if they knew that our vote to give the right to any or­ the west coast, and had the cor­ could still be a force for unity. vention in March would not have Union was to become a B-class ganizations, no matter how large rect policj'^ been adopted, the But the Executive Committee the desired effect because of the or .small, to dissolve the NMU. I Since union, without even the right to am sure also that our member­ strike, which lasted 21 days, meeting held in San Francisco changed circumstances. veto policies dictated by the.sc would have been much shorter, convinced me more than ever June, the Marine Firemen, Oilers small craft unions. Nor did they ship was under the impression as as they obtained in the end, that there not only is no possibil­ and Watertenders Union were no vote, I am sure, to be a part of I was, when they voted, that we through the National Strike, no ity of creating this unity that we longer in the CMU, and of the an open warfare with fellow would eventually establish unity more than they could have gotten desire, but there is a grave dan­ MEBA only the west coast half workers in unions of the Ameri­ of all seamen, AFL, CIO and in­ by settling separately in the first ger, because of the hatreds of in­ of it had voted, and there were can Federation of Labor, with dependent alike, and not just a place. dividual leaders on the west strong possibilities that the Con­ whom we were able to work in few unions, for the purpose of de­ On the west coast, MEBA, coast for each other, AFL and vention of the MEBA to be held unity during Jhe September and claring war against other unions,which had to continue on stidke CIO, that our Union would be­ in Los Angeles would vote October strikes, particularly the unless these unions agreed to for approximately 50 days along come the victim of and an inno­ against affiliation with CMU. I AFL longshoremen on the east unity on the terms of these few with the ILWU, because of the cent, assistant to creating bloody stated there that a Convention coast, who gave us full support in union leaders. refusal of the west coast operat­ warfare on the waterfront at a should not be held until at least spite of the attempts of some of LUST FOR POWER ors to deal on a national basis, time when unity of all seamen, October, when we knew where their leadei'S to break our strike. These are a few of the reasons actually got less than the east AFL and CIO alike, is the most we would be going, and we would When I participated in the which impel me to resign as Cohave a bettor idea of where the coast MEBA in the matter of important thing. Convention which established the Chairman of CMU. I am - con­ other unions stood on this allpreference of employment for DOUBLECROSSED important question. Still, a dele­ CMU, I was not aware that the vinced that unity -can be achieved their members. At that Executive Committee gated conference was voted, and CMU would be turned into this for all seamen, but only on the Millions of dollars in earnings kind of organization. Had I been basis of wiping out all the'past were lost because of this wrong meeting, which was called for it was left to this Conference to so, nothing would have made me hatreds and lust for power by istrategy. This situation has em­ the purpose of setting up the de­ decide if it wanted to turn itself participate in its inception. To some individual leaders, and mands of our various unions in into a Convention. My position bittered many engineers, because continue as Co-Chairman of such meeting together on a basis of of creating a uniform national the CMU for the wage review was against this on the basis that a set-up would be tantamount to Setup, it actually had the effect! January, in order that that conference should only mo­ selling out the seamen, in my recognition of the rights of all the unions, and to act on the min­ of furthering the division be- these demands would be uniform, bilize all our forces for the ex­ opinion, and strengthening the tween the east and west coast the approach of all our piration of agreements on June hatreds between unions which we imum things necessary to protect the interest of the meVnbership sections of the MEBA, and it was ""tons would be the same, Ihere- 15th of 1947 and not for the pur­ were actually beginning to break of all the maritime unions, such definitely misleadership through creating the greatest united pose of creating a national or­ down in a small way. Some may as; which our union was dragged as P' ossure to obtain these demands; ganization at that time as it would argue that this is a disruptive 1. To organize jointly against the a stooge union by the four craft I December 1st, before I left for be px-emature. That vote too was statement and will cause our peo­ activities of the Coast Guard unions voting solidly for that|tho Executive Committee meet- carried by the usual 4 to 1. ple to lose gains. Certainly the now becoming vicious against strategy developed by the west t"®' Union, upon request.of truth cannot be disruptive, and AGAINST AFL seamen. ' the west coast unions, submitted coast section of CMU. the truth is that if CMU continues 2. To organize jointly, CIO and no demands. to the shipowners, Now on the question of unity as it has in the past few months, FIGHTS AFL AFL and Independent, to de­ leaving these demands to be of all maritime workers, what The CMU has been used by the made up at the CMU Executive has happened? In June we had it would be the greatest disrup­ feat the. establishment of vi­ west coast unions since June also meeting. Arriving at the meet­ unity behind our issues. It was tive instrument. It has ah-eady cious anti-labor maritime laws as a weapon of warfare against ing, I found that the MC&S and not a name which won our de­ disrupted unity that existed be­ which forces among the ship­ .the American Federation of La­ the ILWU had already met with mands. It was solidarity of our tween our organization and the owners and in the govern­ bor and the MEOW and inde­ the operators on the west coast unions, and the support of other MFOW and parts of the MEBA, ment ar-e attempting now to pendent unions and has caused and wei-e asked to submit their unions that won them, and that and it would not be long before pass through the next Con­ a complete separation between demands by the following Friday unity could have grown had there it would be the cause of greater gress under the guise of re­ the eastern and western sections and then agree to throw them in­ been respect for the rights of losses to our membership and the codifying old maritime laws of the Marine Engineers, thus to arbitration, on which a decis­ other unions instead of policies rest of the seamen than have and bringing them up to date. opening the way for penetration ion would be rendered by Janu­ being jammed down their throats, been gained. 3. Organizing jointly all our of the officers' union by District ary 1st. This placed our Union in which drove these unions away unions, AFL and CIO and In­ OUTSIDE FORCES 50 of the United Mine Workers. the position where we had no and caused them to set up such dependent, for the purpose of Our Union is powerful. It has Constant blasts are made against meetings with the operators on organizations as the AFL Mari­ nothing to fear, except if it be­ getting the best possible the SUP, MFOW, MM&P, and the the east coast until January, and time Trades Department to de­ comes the tool of forces who wages, hours and conditions ILA on the east coast. This cer­ I was told that these unions were fend themselves in what was ob­ want to take it over from the out­ for all seamen without regard tainly is not in the . interest of going to follow this program of viously to be war between CMU side. It cannot at this date be­ to affiliation and also without unity of all maritime,workers for submitting their demands and and AFL Seamen's Unions. We come a B-class union to be used regard to the desire"" of the which we are striving and which their gains to arbitration with a succeeded in cutting the hours to^ heighten the prestige of a few leadership of some unions to has been recommended on a na­ decision coming out by January and raising the pay of seamen. individual leaders and be used by be either the first in getting tional scale by Philip Murray in 1st for stewards and longshore­ We made tremendous gains, but them to promote hatreds and dis­ these demands or refusing to his famous statement that we men, and we would be in the po­ since then CMU has been used unity among the seamen as a work together because of this, must, in the face of a reactionary sition where the MC&S, a craft for the purpose, number one, of whole under the guise of fake I can assure the membership Congress and the drive of cor- union, representing only the controlling our union, and num- unity which can only result in {Continued on Page IJ) �Friday^ December 27, 'W46 THE SEAFARERS LOR Pag* Fifleeii Seafarers Demands Investigation Into Snug Harbor Conditions AFL WATERFRONT SOLIDARITY ing to make a suggestion which (Continued from Page 1) should satisfy both your organi­ effort to so administer the affairs zation and the members of the of the Trust that the aged, de­ Seafarers International Union, crepit and worn out seamen of Our suggestion is that a suitable the U.S. Merchant Marine, as time be arranged by you in order specified in the will of the Found­ that two SIU representatives be er, may find here a quiet, respect­ allowed to visit the home, and able and Christian haven where satisfy themselves that the condi­ they may enjoy their advancing tions prevailing are as you stated years in an atmosphere of peace in your letter. and contentment. Surely, if^you have no doubts Very truly yours, as to the conditions being as you Howard A. Flynn have stated, none of the officials Governor. of The Sailor's Snug Harbor can The second letter was in an­ object to our proposal. In line swer to Volpian's 'letter to the with this, our Union shall be only Trustees, and is extremely brief. too glad to publish in our official It reads as follows: union paper, the Seafarers Log, December 23, 1946 the results of any such investi­ Mr. Joseph H. Volpian gation. We make this offer in or--*, Seafarers Int'l Union of N.A. der to show our willingness to 51 Beaver Street In recognition of the support given the SIU in the General Strike, and to assist the Tugboatdo all within our power to clear New York 4, N.Y. up, once and for all time, any men to gain their just demands, these SIU members met in a special meeting in the New York Dear Sir: doubts which may exist as to the Hall to adopt a resolution unanimously backing Local 333, Marine Division, ILA. Right after this Your communication of the actual conditions now existing at picture was taken, the resolution was carried by a standing vote. IGth instant, addressed to the Snug Harbor. Trustees, has been received and We shall be pleased to* hear a reply has been made to you by from you in the near future re­ Governor Flynn on the 18th in­ garding your compliance with our stant. reasonable request. In the event Yours very truly. that you do not see fit to grant Waller A. Guenlher this request, we shall be forced Comptroller. to assume the correctness of our Inasmuch as neither letter an­ original information regarding swered the criticism levelled at the existence of poor conditions North Russia, in July-August of ships, heavily loaded with sup­ Snug Harbor by those inmates (Continued from Page }) at The Sailor's Snug Harbor, and 1942, it was persistently rumored plies for Russia, alone and poorly who contacted the SIU for aid in may have been more. It was that you do not wish these condi­ that the Russian seamen who armed, were attacked and des­ bettering conditions, the SIU con­ about 4 P.M.; suddenly from the tions to become known. Thank­ "deserted" the Donbass in a life­ troyed by enemy submarines and tinued its campaign by sending right rear corner they charged ing you in advance for your fui-boat, when the explosion occur­ the nummerous enemy aircraft. another letter to Mr. Flynn re­ into the convoy. Flames, smoke ther cooperation in this matter, I questing that "two SIU represen­ red, were shot. and tracers issued from guns on am tatives be allowed to visit the Official eyewitness testimony is all sides. The lead enemy air­ Very truly yours, home, and satisfy themselves craft dropped two torpedoes also offered by Captain Andreyev Joseph H. Volpian that the conditions prevailing are which leaped, skimmed, and rush­ for he quotes a Captain Lowford, Special Services 14 North Gay St. as you stated in your letter." ed the water to their target; the in "official conversation" as say­ BALTIMORE Representative, Calvert 4539 Following is the letter in its William Hooper was torpedoed. ing, "the crews of the American BOSTON 276 State St. Seafarers International Boudoin 4455 entirety: transports left their ships at the Union of N.A. BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. Howard A. Flynn, Governor PLANE DOWN first danger." Cleveland 7391 In line with the militant pro­ CHARLESTON 68 Society St. The Sailors Snug Harbor gram of the SIU to bring about The plane swerved up and over Captain Andreyev's eyewit­ Phone 3-3680 Staten Island 1, N.Y. the best possible conditions for Clearing the ships of that column ness is a very indefinite person. CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. Superior 5175 Dear Sir: seamen, whether at sea or ashore, and passing close by our. stern we While in his "lessons" the Cap­ Your communication of De­ CLEVELAND ...1014 E. St. Clair Ave. saw the streams of armor-pierc­ tain himself reminds us of those Main 0147 cember 18, and that of Mr. Walter the present Seafarers' campaign ing tracer bullets and millimeter Nazi tutors who instructed the CORPUS CHRISTI ..1824 Mesquite St. A. Guenther dated December 23, to investigate, and improve if Corpus Christi 3-1509 necessary, conditions prevailing shells tearing into the plane, and German youth, along with other DETROIT 1038 Third St. have both been received and the Cadillac 6857 at The Sailor's Snug Harbor will the puffs of the exploding shrap­ know-how, that "the Americans DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. contents carefully noted. We no­ be carried through to a success­ nel around it. Bursting into are not soldiers." Melrose 4110 ticed particularly in the second flames it slowly pancaked to the 305'/a 22nd St. paragraph of your letter that you ful conclusion. Certainly, wheth­ Describing the attack on the GALVESTON 2-8448 er a seaman is "aged, decrepit and water's surface. . 10 Merchant St. specifically deny the reliability convoy. Captain Andreyev re­ HONOLULU worn out" or not, he deserves the 1515 75th Street of our information concerning the A German torpedo-bomber, ported, "one of the torpedoes hit HOUSTON best possible food and living con­ Phone Wentworth 3-3809 heading out of the convoy, passed the American transport Chris­ JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St alleged shortcomings of The Sail­ ditions; and whether that seaman Phone 5-5919 or's Snug Harbor. over our stern about mast high. topher Newport which was im­ is a retired member of the SIU, MARCUS HOOK IVz W. 8th St Such a statement on your part Smoke issued from his rear; he mediately left by her crew al­ Chester 5-3110 SUP, NMU, MCS, MFOWW or was wobbling; streaming steel though the damage was not MOBILE 7 St. I'ichael St is probably motivated by the 2-1754 findings of certain routine check­ any other maritime union, the spitted his bottom. Now, as the great." NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. SIU is going to fight to see that action died down, we saw the NaMagnolia 6112-6113 ups undoubtedly performed by he gets those conditions. NEW YORK 51 Beaver St you or the Trustees from time to PREVIOUSLY HIT varino out of her column and HAnover 2-2784 falling back; she was listing and 127-129 Bank Street time. However, there is a pos­ However, it was over thirteen NORFOLK 4-1083 sibility that the inmates might smoking. hours prior to the afternoon cele­ PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St not care to criticize the food, con­ Phone Lombard 3-7651 Heavy black smoke was billow­ bration of the Fourth of July that Worth Ave ditions or other matters concern­ ing skyward from the tanker two tin fish ripped the guts of PORT ARTHUR . .909 Fort Phone: 2-8532 ing the home with you or other Donbass. Two or three lifeboats the Christopher Newport. In a PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St 257 5th St officials due to the fact that they could be seen among the ships, one surprise attack by an enemy RICHMOND, Calif 105 Market St might be afraid of retaliatory (Continued From Page 14J^ and behind the convoy a small aircraft at 2:30 A.M., she was SAN FRANCISCO Douglas 5475-8363 measures being taken against of our union that it is my inten­ group of German fliers adrift in struck squarely amidship—struck SAN JUAN, P. R 252 Ponce de Leon San Juan 2-5996 them. tion to follow the leadership of their inflated doughnut. Above where the Firemen, Oilers and SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St In view of this possibility, and Philip Murray, President of CIO, them a red distress flare, sus­ the Second Assistant Engineer 8-1728 also in view of the fact that our in his declaration of leaving no 86 Seneca St pended by its tiny parachute, were standing their 12 to 4 A.M. SEATTLE Main 0290 membership has specifically rec­ stone unturned in seeking at least descended slowly. Corvettes were watch. TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St ommended that an investigation M-1323 a minimum unity with all unions now scurrying to the stricken Thus we find in the Captain's TOLEDO 615 Summit St be made in order to determine in the maritime field in the days vessels. 440 Avalon Blvd the truth of conditions at The "lessons," that which Ernest Re- WILMINGTON to come, because I know it is in Terminal 4-3131 "The transports Navarino, Wil­ nan pointed out: "Precept is VICTORIA, B. C 602 Boughton St. Sailor's Snug Harbor, we are go­ the interests of our membership liam Hooper and others that re­ nothing, practice is everything." VANCOUVER 144 W. Hastings St. to do so, and it cannot be done mained afloat were deserted by Shortly after the main attack under the present structure of their crews and sunk by the fire, on the convoy the covering CMU. of the escort," says Captain An­ forces of British and American Members who forward In my report to the National dreyev in his "lessons." warships steamed by, taking our their membership books to Council, recently concluded, I The William Hooper and the destroyer escortr with them. The the New York Hall for retire­ made it clear that there were Navarino were examined by merchant ships were ordered to FRED DUNN ment are urged to mark the many activities of CMU which British boarding parlies, and then scatter and proceed to their des­ envelope with the notation would have to be straightened Get in touch with Eric Gronsunk. tinations, for the German fleet, "Attention: 8th floor." in or­ out, and I was in hopes that they we were told, had put to sea from berg, SS Alcoa Pilgrim, or at the der to insure quicker hand­ would be straightened out at the Dbl^BASS LUCKY Trbndhjem; the covering force Mobile Hall. ling of the matter. December meeting of the Execu­ The Donbass, fortunately for set out to engage them. Marking of the envelope in tive Committee. These hopes * 1 t the Russian seamen aboard was It was after the convoy's dis­ the manner advised above were not realized, and therefore KARL ALEX. ERIKSON hit in a compartment of linseed persal in the vicinity of the will save time and will result my resignation was submitted.' ' oil instead of her tanks of gaso­ North Cape, Norway, on our way in prompt return of the book Fraternally yours, Contact Salvation Army, 52 El­ line. She was able to proceed and to the North Russian ports, that lis St., N. E., Atlanta, Georgia re­ to th* sender. Joseph Curran, President. ^ later arrived safely in Russia. In most of the scattered merchant garding your family in FirJand. National Maritime Union ' American Seaman Answers Russian Charge Of American, British Cowardice in Convoy SIU HALLS Curran's Blast AtCMUMeddling RETIRING BOOKS PERSONALS �Friday, December 27, 1949 r a E S E 4F A R ERS LOG Page Sixteen J': fy. • tV pp eafarers Way Pays Off On Beefs, Again fe i me, T~ •aric Co\lu^ Union Action Brings $5,653 j) faSnug to^w ToEi %«. *• -.n,mneiengl 0/t/i Harb SIU Pledges Ail-Out All Rider Reel vfSAj To The Eight Victims Ol astGuardMiiitaryRuii n«» / '•"S* 'fie .'•"rfe. .'--i • 68 of the Seafarers International Unia apcis were suspended for six montlj [|^ilii«^M||^^UDnprt was pledgp J YORl •Ked to] cnilicJ Is ^'mar StrtkefcreaWng Ti Iff''' Si-0 vccmi '.tSS ''Oils lot ^^"'1' ^''ooks III R'fis'T-. "o„ ..••\ vOT^'i" lllUiieias>I«t^ Jffne^tlinei te'fl/dxes jKiM-SU ri- S^nun/iN I? o *• n ilL-iv-v'i? I_ =^1 'fic' otA,i " ;tiitcc frt '•itionl li'. ' SmS !!> ^ ^ c-V -V-.. vvV-l <ftW X 0- ... '€/» e/3 " t'i s 15 5-^S sS ss RicS-i ta. ^ «» i'* ^ i> In ® AFL Maritime unions Answer ridges'Raidii >-o» 7/j "04 r IK-D day., thel definite stci P"I."f the comnS iity 3gj] '•X- f. 1'\ 1946 M S. latere ^LMon rnalional ^ "lis. 2 if s" c> ^ ^ And AFl '"nlT'^ 'Company i»-V ®®feaf ''!' P'^", ^ 3* m •o m. rn hf NortJi NEW YORK, N. Y.. FRIDAY. MARCH 22, 194E Agents Confer in New YorkToPlanS^y^ »wl /'"Pressure;«,» K "arm Suuni 4fe<i..v, i' '"^CIIBWCOM.H^ &|ss^ • "IC/l ; withh t noivi r ycarf Fee*J lo' •„ir" '•'•'Ol f"" '•ffwi- Ife -1' ?®® Jo Crew |®f £ye (ract u «« 5ea6arers - T®^^ei Afg '%'PWC/ r'"'^" are ' mofe^-g-. is™".; 1 nurJ 'hf crbv;, ""aineill -,r_ tent to «comm«d 'tr ^oir"pt^^ -., ——«e-i rf^-r AFL Maritime Soiidarity Beats Bridges, CMU Raid On SIU Pacific NEW YORK—Ffl •fe F4 If*'® 'ey A/SA T- '.e""e' evidenced by^ «VI TuedaV. J«P« T „ cl,..Ve. end Joseph Suumw-^ � 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 27, 1946 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. VIII, No. 52 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: N.Y. MARITIME COUNCIL PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT TO AFL TUGBOATMEN SIU DEMANDS SNUG HARBOR INVESTIGATION CURRAN RESIGNS AS CO-CHAIRMAN OF CMU; CHARGES IT WITH DISUNITY AND RAIDING THE BEST TO COME THIEVES FALL OUT FULL TEXT OF CURRAN'S STATEMENT ON HIS RESIGNATION FROM CMU EYEWITNESS ANSWERS SOVIET CHARGE OF AMERICAN, BRITISH COWARDICE WHAT A DIFFERENCE 50 YEARS HAVE MADE IN LIVES OF SEAMEN NMU DECIDES ON SILENCE ON ISTHMIAN SEAFARERS CREW TO THE RESCUE CALMAR'S COMMANDMENTS FOR MAKING SEAMEN SCABS MEMBERS MUST BE SELF-APPOINTED ORGANIZERS TO KEEP SIU GROWING MINES STILL THREATEN SEAMEN RUM AND FIGHTS ARE NO HELP WHEN TRYING TO ORGANIZE COMMITTEE AIDS ANTI-FASCISTS IN EUROPE MOBILE HAS JOBS FOR MEN BROKE PLAYING SANTA SEAFARERS' HALL IN PORT ARTHUR IS DUE FOR A GOOD FACE LIFTING GALVESTON SICK STILL WAITING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO HOSPITALIZED SEAFARERS GIVES BIG BUSINESS MAKES RESOLUTION FOR NEW YEAR: SMASH TRADE UNIONS CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IS VERY MUCH IN EVIDENCE IN BOSTON BRANCH BAD SMELL IN MARCUS HOKK HALL TURNS OUT TO BE CMU PROPAGANDA SEAFARERS REPRESENTATION GETS LOGS DROPPED, MEDICAL BILLS PAID TILLAMOOK CREW RESENTS POUND TAX ON BUTTS CREW SLINGS SOME CHANGES ON GOLIATH COUNTER OFFENSIVE PLANNED AGAINST INSECTS ON EVELYN Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 12/27/1946 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1946 Periodicals Seafarers Log