http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/6445e1753290ae7c50fda7bc5f6ac4b9.PDF 4fad120ab650b89e9f66e587d71dd9eb PDF Text Text SlU BACKS ILA PUERTO RICO STRIKE When 8,000 longshoremen, members of the In­ ternational Longshoremen's Association, AFL, struck the Puerto Rican docks, the Seafarers In­ ternational Union, acting in its traditional style, immediately pledged all out support to its brother; union. In a letter to Sal Colls, the SIU's Agent in Puerto Rico, the Secretary-Treasurer wrote: "You are to work with the officials of the International Official Organ, Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA VOL. X NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. JULY 30, 1048 No. 31 Sm Terms Operators' Wage Offer Inadequate To Meet Prire Rise NEW YORK—iBecause the cost of living is stilT rocketing upward, the SIU Negotiating Committee rejected a piddling five-dollar-a-month wage increase offered this week by the Atlantic and Gulf Ship Operators As­ sociation. While turning down the inadequate wage proposal, the Commit­ tee also blocked the efforts of the oil orators to weaken the working rules and conditions included in the presmt contract. The Committee announced that it was confident that its demands for a tar more substantial wage in-® crease to match surging living costs would be met, but that it would not hesitate to call for In a telegram to President Truman this week, the SIU urged strike vote within the next few draft exemptions for veteran seamen of World War II who are -weeks, should the operators fail sailing today. Text of the telegram follows: to see the light. The Seafarers International Union. Atlantic and Gulf District, Last spring the Committee AFL, strongly urges that you instruct Director of Selective Service was authorized by the member­ to grant draft exemption to U.S. seamen who sailed our nation's ship to call for such a vote at vessels and thus kept democracy's lifelines upon under enemy any time if it thought strike ac­ fire in World War II and who are still actively sailing U. S. ships. tion necessary. A strike vote is These men. many of whom survived bombed and torpedoed ships required under the Taft-Hartley and who so superbly manned our ves^ls during the national peril, Act. are highly skilled seamen. Many were trained at taxpayers' The Committee took its stand expense in government training schools to handle jobs in what on the wage issue as a result of you recently referred to as a vital industry. In their present what statistical surveys have capacities, these men are essential to the nation's welfare. It is shown about the cost-of-living your obligation to see that they are classified accordingly. Failure -trend. to act now may later prove to of irreparable damage to our Many food prices have soared national welfare. to new highs in recent weeks, PAUL HALL. Secretary-Treasurer the Committee said. The Bureau Seafarers International Union, AFL of Labor Statistics of the De­ Atlantic and Gulf District partment of Labor has disclosed The President has full power to direct the exemption urged that the overall retail price of food is now 211 percent of the in the SIU message. Every Seafarer should wire or write the President immediately, strongly advising him to recognize the 1935-39 average. service of those who were in the nation's front lines during the The same agency said that the recent war and who are manning our important merchant fleet novprice of most clothing is still go­ —and get his family, friends and organizations to which he ing up as are the prices of belongs to do the same. many other items. Send your message right now to President Harry Truman The Committee noted that White House. Washington. D. C. Tomorrow may be too late! the recent unwarranted boost of neaily 10 dollars a ton in the price of steel would surely 'J * •result in still higher prices for thousands of items using steel, which in turn would raise other* prices, so basic a com­ modity is steel in the nation's economy. Tell The President Longshoremen's Association in the matter of the current strike and to operate in whatever man­ ner the ILA requests. "You are to keep to an abso­ lute minimum any expenses which may be incurred as a re­ sult of this strike, and what ex­ penditures are made shall be covered with a detailed report by the Branch of San Juan. "Please keep this office advised at all times as to the develop­ ments of this strike, so that we in turn may know what to ex­ pect." BOSSES REFUSED In a report to Headquarters, Agent Colls said that the strike was called because the companies refused to discuss a much needed wage increase which the ILA has been trying to get since January 1. The companies said fiatly that they would not negotiate directly but would insist on arbitration. Under arbitration, the long­ shoremen would have had no voice in the settlement. Direct action was the only possible answer to the companies' obsti­ nate stand. In his report, Colls disclosed that there Were eight SIU ships in Puerto Rican harbors when the strike began. Puerto Rican longshoremen at­ tained complete unity in Jime of this year, when the Union de Trabajadores de Muelles, some 6,000 strong, joined the ILA to become ILA District Council No, 2 of Puerto Rico. The older District Council No. 1 has about 2,000 members. The SIU played a major role in bringing the UTM into the ILA and in forming a strong Port Council after the ILA char­ tered its new group. The SIU's stand in support of the strike is in line with tradi- tional SIU policy which is to support any union that has a legitimate economic beef. REGULAR POLICY In the past, the SIU has sup­ ported the ILA, the MM&P, the Shipyard Workers, the Teamsters, the Farm Workers, the Office Workers, the Restaurant Work­ ers, the Hat, Cap and MillineryWorkers and many others in beefs both big and small. This policy has gained respect for the SIU throughout the labor move­ ment. It was in line with the same policy that the SIU took the lead in 1946 in forming the powerful Maritime Trades Department of the AFL. As a result, in ports up and down the coasts of Amer­ ica, AFL imions in the maritime industry are united in strong Port Councils. The ILA strike in Puerto Ricd is the first major problem to con­ front the newly formed Puerto Rican Council. Aside from carrying out its traditional policy in beefs of this sort, the SIU is glad to have another opportunity to repay the ILA for valuable help which the longshoremen repeatedly give the Seafarers. SIU Asks Truman To Draft-Exempt Wattime Seamen NEW YORK, July 29 — The Seafarers International Union called on President Truman yes­ terday to protect the nation's welfare by granting draft exemprion to veteran seamen of World War II who are still actively sailing U. S. ships. In a telegram to the nation's chief executive, Paul Hall, SIU Secretarj--Treasurer, urged Tru­ man to "instruct Director of Selective Service to grant draft bxemption to U.S. seamen who sailed our nation's vessels and thus kept democracy's lifelines open under enemy fii'e in World War II," and who are still en­ gaged in the maritime industry. STAND FAST In rejecting the operators offer, the Negotiating Commit­ tee stood solidly on its original demands: a wage increase that would be worth talking about; all Mondays following holidays which fall on Sunday to be recognized as holidays both at sea and in port; and clarification of a number of rules. The Hiring Hall, which the operators agreed to a month ago, must, of course, be included in the final contract. The members of the Atlantic and Gulf Ship Operators. Asso­ ciation are the Alcoa Steam­ ship Company, Bull Steamship Corporation, Baltimore Insular Line, Eastern Steamship Com­ pany, Bernstein Shipping Com­ pany, . South Atlantic Line, Smith & Johnson, Seas Ship­ ping Company and Seatrain Lines. The Negotiating Committee The SIU message pointed out to' the President that these sea­ men, many of them trained at taxpayers' expense, are highly skilled workers and, as such, are essential to the welfare of the nation. "It is your obligation," the President was told, "to see that they are classified accordingly.". President Truman was re­ minded that he had previously termed the shipping industry as vital to the country's well-being. On two occasions, notably during the SIU's 1946 General Strike, President Truman threatened government injunction on grounds of the maritime indus­ try's importance in the national picture. One of the factors motivating, the SIU message for Presidential action on the draft stattis of sea- (Continued on Page 3) (Continued on Page 15) HIGHLY SKILLED �Page Two tiSa', XME SE AE A R E R S LOG OTriday, July M. :1M8 1 .. SEAFARERS LOG m-' Published Weekly by the .V. A&e pisTRicr SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District * »?-••••' .. » .l ^EAFAftERS . I .« • A *• * Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor if At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 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 Our Own Halls The membership of the A&G District has long de­ sired to own its Halls. In the Union's scheme of things, ownership would make each a pillar of steel and concrete forming the physical foundation of the Union. Each would serve as a place for the membership to relax when ashore, a place to hold meetings and eat and bunk during strikes—and a place that would ease the economic burden of the Union, if things should get tough. The SIU already owns its Halls in Boston, Norfolk, Tampa, Mobile and New Orleans—and other purchases are planned in those ports which need them. The SIUowned Halls and those to come are the result of the large building fund set up by the membership's approval of the $10 building assessment in referendum vote. Seafarers who, because of any number of reasons, have not been able to pay their assessment, as yet are urged to do so to bring about-^the final realization of the SIU's objective: a solid physical foundation for the SIU. SIU Tradition Once again the Seafarers has taken up the cudgels for a brother union, this time to support the Interna­ tional Longshoremen's Association, which was forced to strike in Puerto Rico when the companies flatly refused •to bargain collectively on a wage increase. The Seafarers' stand in Puerto Rico is in the SIU tradition. The SIU has backed up the ILA before as it has backed up other unions time and again — and the ILA has helped the SIU on many-occasions. The SIU always goes to the aid of other unions which have legitimate economic beefs. It helps them where the help counts, at the point of production — in this case, the Puerto Rican docks. This policy of the helping haud has brought the SIU to the forefront of the labor movement. By adhering to it strictly and miliThese axe Ihe Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals. tantly the SIU will always be respected by friend and as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging foe alike. heavily on their hands, Do what you can to cheer them up by a Men Now In The Marine Hospitals writing io them. Seventeen Cents A Day MOBILE HOSPITAL A. C. McALPIN LOUIS E. DEWAR . J. MILLS J. M. SKINNER : J. T. BENNETT P. ELY What can a man do with five bucks in these times? Nothing. Make it five bucks a month, and it breaks down to a trifle under seventeen cents a day. Has anybody tried to buy anything with seventeen cents lately? X t Yet five bucks a month was what the Atlantic and SAN FRANCISCO HOSPITAL Gulf Ship Operators thought would be a proper wage CHAS. DEIBLE . increase in this year of the great inflation. That was the J. HODO offer the operators asked the SIU Negotiating Commit­ W. WATSON P. P. TRASMIL tee to present to the membership. A. ELDEMIRE The offer was made in the week that the Bureau of E. MELLE Labor Statistics announced that prices had reached an D. P. GELINAS XXX all-time high, cracking even the inflationary records set SAN PEDRO HOSPITAL in 1920. MAX BYERS In the week ending July 17, prices were 168.9 per­ T. C. KELLY L. TICKEL cent of the 1926 average. What was more, the BLS fig­ XXX ures did not include the new jump in the price of steel, NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL which is expected to set off a wild new upward spiral. STELLY C. FORMAN Naturally, the Negotiating Committee tossed the E. LIPARI F. BLACK five bucks right back to the operators, just as we turned R. J. DENNIS down the operators' rejection of the Union Hiring Hall. L. C. MASON Our statement then was that no agreement at all was A. LOOPBR possible, unless the hiring halls were accepted by the C. ANDERSON RALPH PIEPHET . ' shipowners. * V. R. NORTH We won that beef. And we'll win this one. V. P. SATXINGS -.i •' C. GREEN C. R. GRIMES W. H. COLBOURNE M. C. GADDY H. L. SEYMOUR JAMES FARRIOR E. MULHOLLAND A. SYLVERA EDWIN MAXWELL FRANK WAGNER P. E. CUMARE H. FERDRICKSSON H. MASON G. L. DUXWORTH ED MILLER XXX SAVANNAH MARINE HOSP. B. K. BAUGH TROY THOMAS F. W. VANLEW A. S. GRIFFIN H. W. BIGHAM W. ROBERTS M. T. TABING X X X STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL T. ZEMBRZUSKI J. 'BURNS C. E. BRADY G. D. FINKLEA J. McNEELY A. EWING A. JENSBY . Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegates by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. Mimeographed postcards can be obtained free at the Social Service desk. Staten Island Hospital You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Staten Island Hospital at the follow­ ing times: Tuesday — 1:30 to 3:30 pmi. (on 5th and 6th floors.) Thursday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.^ Saturday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (im 1st and 2nd floors.) J. L. ROBERTS A. GIANFAGLIONE J. BOUYEA D. DcDUISEN D. SCANLON A. VITIELLO K. C. CROWE C. NANGLE W. S. PERRY J. R. GONZALES C. HALLA XXX. NORFOLK HOSPITAL H. NEILSON E. SNOWMAN F. W. BANTZ WM; H. MASON J. LUPTON CARLTON A. ROBERTS C. W, CRAFFORD XXX GALVESTON HOSPITAL A. E. MOULTON WARREN W. CURRIER , J. M. DOONER LAPERHOUSE T FOSTER ICOMMANDER ':A �Friday. July 30, 1948 THE New Dispatcher In Tampa Has Good SiU Record SEAFARERS LOG WORKING ON UNIFORM REGISTRATION RULES The hard-hitting, aggressive tactics of the Seafarers are "the only way to win beefs," declares Ralph Seckinger, who recently took over the Dispatcher's duties in the Tampa Branch. "You've got to go at 'em hard," Ralph says—and he ought to know. In his 10 years as an SIU member — he joined when the Union started—Brother Secking­ er was in there pitching every inch of the way, as the Sea­ farers travelled the stormy course to maritime leadership. His record as a staunch Union member is packed with action. It began with the job action days of 1938-39-40, when the newly born SIU was getting un­ der way. He acquired more trade union P's and Q's in the P&O strike. Page Three Registration Ruies Due At Next Meeting NEW YORK, July 30 — New uniform registration rules will be submitted to the membership for its consideration at August 11 meetings of the A&G District, it was announced today by the Headquarters Registration Rules Committee. These new Rules, if concurred in by the membership, will su­ persede the many different Rules now in force in various ports, thus insuring uniformity and eli­ minating confusion. As reported "by the LOG on June 25, the drafting of stand­ ard registration rules which would further streamline the Union apparatus, simplify pro­ cedure throughout the ports, and bring our regulations up to date with present day shipping con­ FOUGHT POLICE Headquarters Registration Rules Committee members who will submit recommendations ditions, was set in motion by the In the 1946 General Strike, for new uniform registration rules at the A&G brajich meetings on August 11. are from left last Agent's Conference in re­ when the Seafarers tied up to right: sponse to a membership demand. every port in the nation, Ralph Back row (Deck Department) : Bill Champlin. Chairman. Robert McQueen, John Ulas. Steve PORT COMMITTEES was chairman of the Tampa Carr. Leo Siarkowski. Morris Richelson. Branch strike committee. During Center row (Engine Department): L. A. Marsh. Arthur F. Smith. Ernest Waters. William In order to arrive at a set of that stormy beef, he was one of Meagher. Edward Robihson. proposals that would reflect the the strike leaders who led a Front row (Stewards Department): B. Hardacker. John Ross. M. F. Dellano. Pat McCann. wishes of the entire membership march on Tampa's city hall to Donald Gardner. as well as make use of the ex­ protest the police department's perience of the various branches, strike-breaking activity. rank and file Port Committees There's hardly a phase of Unworked out recommendations which were forwarded to Head­ quarters. NEW YORK—The SS WiUiam crew, who lauded the Captain as "We received a report that An over-all Registration Com­ Carson — "mutiny" ship of being a good guy with the crew's there was mutiny aboard," Cap­ screaming headlines that mon­ interests at heart. Both officers tain Frost replied. He then went mittee was elected July 26 at opolized the daily newspapers and crew reported that there was on the bridge with his Ensigns to Headquarters, composed equally from July 13 to 17—paid off no friction whatsoever aboard confer with Captain Braithwaite, of men from each Department, to clean and happy here Monday. ship during the seven weeks trip while the armed enlisted men sift through port recommenda­ Despite the rough picture of from Charleston and Norfolk, to spread out on the deck of the tions, and draw up the imiform rules for membership action. unruly merchant seamen defying Genoa, Italy, Dingwall, Nova ship. Also part of the report will be law and order at sea which was Scotia, and back to New York. Quiet and alert, the guards a reclarification of A&G require­ given the public when a garbled The original distress message, (still under the impression that message was relayed by the "Crew mutinous. Cannot control. there was, or had been, mutiny ments for registering in rated capacities. Navy on July 12, Chief Mate R. Come at once," was sent out aboard) took positions on the The committee members are: E. Burnette stated that both he about noon, July 12, without the open deck where they could Deck Department: Bill Champ­ and Captain Ernest W. Braith- knowledge of the Captain, by watch the crew. However, no lin, Chairman, Morris Richelson, waite would be glad to have the Radio Operator Gerald A. Melton. weapons were brandished and no Leo Searkowski, Stephen Carr, entire gang stay on the ship. He hostility was shown toward the John Ulas, Robert McQueen. added that it was the best crew RADIO MAN DISAPPEARS ci-ew of the Carson. Engine Department: Edward he had sailed with since 1940, Melton disappeared sometime Robinson, L. A. Marsh, Arthur The boarding party remained when he left the SIU to sail on after midnight July 13. The Smith, William Meagher, Ernest for about forty minutes. During the bridge. RALPH SECKINGER Captain was notified at 5:30 A.M. the later part of the time, the Waters. The same thing went for the and the ships was searched. At Stewards Department: Pat Mc­ Navy men drank coffee with the ion activity in which Brother 7:15 the Master sounded the gen­ crew in very friendly fashion. Cann, John Ross, M. F. Dellano, Seckinger hasn't participated. He James Keno, B. Hardacker, Don­ eral alarm and mustered the Jack Wooten, Utility, George ald Mardner. has played a role in several o:: crew by calling each name from Hammock, Wiper, C. O. Stroud, the SIU's organizing drives. the crew-list. Deck Engineer, and B. Harrison, Despite his varied and full All hands were accounted Bosun, and others among the participation in the Union's pro­ for, except Gerald Melton. The crew all agreed that the actions gress, his job as Tampa Dis­ ship was turned around, double of Melton, in sending the distress patcher marks the first time he lookouts posted in the crosstree message, and his later disappear­ has been a Union official. And / and on the bridge with bino­ Of every 100 tankers in the ance, could not be accounted for though young in years, Seck­ (Continued from Page 1) culars and a search was made world today, 43 are are owned by any incident that had occured inger is typical of the SIU's pointed out that, normally the till6:30 P.M., when another by the United States, the Na­ aboard the ship. strike-wise oidtimers. Union enjoyed excellent rela­ crew muster was made and the tional Petroleum Council re­ Brother Seckinger, who ships tions with the individual com­ Nor was it consistent with his as AB and Bosun, firmly believes panies belonging to the asso­ Radio Operator was presumed to attitude or appearance up to the ported the other day. They are divided as follows: the SIU will eventually envelop ciation. It was only when the be lost. The ship was stopped time of his loss. They all agreed one minute for prayer. The United States government the entire maritime industry. Ship Operators Association en­ that he had been a "nice follow," owns 14.4 percent of them, pri­ During aU of this time those tered the picture that serious liked by all, and not the "screw­ ISTHMIAN DRIVE TOPS disputes arose, the Committee aboard ship remained in ignor­ ball" type. He had no enemies vate U.S. interests 28.5 percent, ance of the "mutiny" message aboard. His disappearance re­ making a total of 42.9 percent Of all the major achievements declared. Serving on the Negotiating which the Radio Operator had mains a complete mystery to all. American owned. scored by the SIU in its tenNine percent of the world year existence, Ralph feels that Committee are Joe A1 g i n a , sent. The US Navy Destroyer Captain Braithwaite was tanker fleet is Panamanian, more the success of the Isthmian or­ Charles Haymond, Robert Mat­ 836, George K. Mackenzie, "over­ termed the "best Skipper they than half of which actually is ganizing drive was the out­ thews, J. P. Shuler, Paul Hall hauled, them on July 16th and, ever sailed with" by many mem­ owned by union-dodging Amer­ and Lindsey Williams. after considerable difficulty in standing. bers of the crew. He put out icans. Because many ships of the the rough sea, got a small boat Not that he imderestimates the draws whenever requested in Britain has 20.1 percent; Nor­ recent hiring hall accomplish­ companies belonging to the as­ along side the Carson's jacob's port, was liberal with the cigar­ way 11.0; Italy 2.7; France 2.4; ment, either. He felt that vic­ sociation operate from Gulf ladder and put a boarding party ette allowance, and even in­ the Netherlands 2.3; Sweden 2.2; tory was a foregone conclusion, ports. Earl Sheppard, New Or­ aboard consisting of Captain quired as to men's sizes when Greece 0.7; Denmark 0.6; Bel­ leans Agent, and Cal Tanner, Frost, USN, two Ensigns and a because of firm Union policy. they came aboard ship so that gium 0.2; Portugal 0.2; Germany "But only the SIU could have Mobile Agent, were in New number of enlisted men — all he could be sure that the slop- 0.1; Switzerland 0.1; and Turkey gotten the Hiring Hall agree­ York this week to attend nego­ armed. chest clothes would fit all. 0.1. ment the way it did," he points tiation sessions. The first thing the Navy Cap­ The Delegates reported all full The Soviet Union has 1.1 per­ Negotiations would be resum­ out. "This is a result of having tain said when he came aboard books aboard with the excep­ cent; Spain 0.7; Finland 0.1; Can­ the shipowners know we mean ed in the pear future, the Com­ was, "1 suppose you know why tion of one permit man in Stew­ ada 0.8; Argentina 0.9; Mexico mittee said, unless, of course, business." 1 am here?" according to Jack ard Dept. In the last ship's 0.4; Venezuela 0.3; Brazil 0.1; That we mean business is at­ the companies, encouraged by Wooten, Utility man. meeting, July 18, all Delegates Honduras 0.1; Uruguay 0.1; tributable to the many Seafarers the Ship Operators Association, reported no beefs. A good SIU Japan 0.4; China 0.1; and South "No, I don't know why.'' The like serious, Union-minded Ralph continued to maintain their ship all around. Africa 0.2. Mate was reported as replying. present hard-headed position. Seckinger. 'iiiili Mutinous? — Just Best Crew Ever! SiU Turns Down Operators' Offer As Inadequate US Has 43 Percent Of World Tankers �tU£ Page Four S E At ARE RS LOG ¥AA»9. July 30> 1M9 What The Union Owes The By CAL TAinfEB Security in a shifting world and betterm«it of the conditions of IBe for each inciividual member are tiie human needs which have led working men to organize trade unions for their own protection and improvement. By maintaining economic security for its mem­ bers, the Seafarers International Union creates a substantial degree of stability for both seamen and the maritime industry. By setting adequate wage scales, by improving the conditions of employment, €md by supervising the contracts, the Union leader­ ship elected by the membership, assumes the mantle of protector to each and every member. But there are very definite limits to the Union's responsibilities to its members. As a matter of prac­ tical reality the duty of the Union and its represen­ tatives is completed when the primary purposes for which the Union was founded are met. These purposes are, as noted ab(2ve, attaining and maintaining bet­ ter working conditions and as much economic se­ curity as possible. MISCONCEPTIONS I f K is-. I : I Tibc frf "tlM SBAFAKERS LOG has mvited .the Port .^ents to sotoiit a series of a<rtieies on tasaes of geiiersd and vitid interest to the anmr bershipu These arlkies wM not tidce the i^bee fd the Agents' wccKiy s«rvejs on the state of skippins: in their ports and other matters hut wffl be scmiethiiis: extra. The Airents wiB eontinne to send in their pert reports. The Editor felt that tte Port Agents, because of their position, would be able to eonunent wis^y on many subjects. The first article in the series appears bdow. It was sufamitted by Cal Tanner, the Agent in MoInle. Members are urged to subnnt thdr own views of the subjects cov­ ered. Nevertheless, many members of the SIU continue to labor under the very human, but very erroneous, The inability of individual workers to stay indefin­ impression that the Union must be both father and itely on the picketlines has been a powerful factor mother to every one. That the Union should be so in the defeat of an otherwise strong union. We can regarded is highly flattering 'to the Union and its remember too many picketlines that evaporated into elected officials, because it demonstrates that the thin air after a week or two. Old Man Economics members have faith both in the men they chose in beat them. free elections and in the organization. We cannot rely on the money in the Union treas­ At the same time, such misconceptions of the Union's functions could lead to grave internal weak­ ury to finance the long haul to victory by itself. We nesses which, in turn, could brinf about the defeat must place great reliance on the PERSONAL SAV­ INGS of individual members. of the Union in a time of crisis. Here is one mistake too many Seafarers make. A Union whose members have substantial bank They say: "The Union has money now. Hook at our accounts to cover their personal expenses while the Strike Fund takes care of strike operations is a Union prepared for a long siege. Money is a tool and, with enough tools in the form of BOTH Union and personal funds, victory is assured. Of course, don't anybody get me wrong. Seamen are the kind of men who can run a strike without money. They have done it in the past, and they will do it again if they have no other choice. When you come down to it, money is just a substitute for determination. However, for those men who have families ashore a little money laid up against a strike period is highly desirable. When money is combined with determination. Seafarers pan keep strike fund! Why there must be a couple of hun­ going forever. dred thousand bucks in it! Maybe a million! No REAL STRENGTH need for us to worry. We can go on strike in a minute with that much dough and- live good too." These are the hard facts of life which coitfrcmt the As a matter of fact, • the SIU has $800,000 in its SIU's officials and membership alike. Individual strike fund. This is the biggest strike fund of any savings are of paramount inxportance to the Union. outfit in the maritime industry, and does not in­ They influence Union strategy at every point. As clude any of the Union's other funds, such as the each member grows in personal wealth so grows the Building Fund, the Hospital Fund and the General Union's real strength. Fund. Nevertheless, the members who think in the Plenty of young men are coming into the industry terms noted above are dead wrong—unless they are these days and many of them have no knowledge millionaires in their own right which is most un­ of the terrible struggle we went through to estab­ likely. lish the SIU on the waterfront. They are wrong because there are no funds in the SIU treasury to take care of a member's personal Would these younger members be willing to spend needs during a strike. There is no Unioi-i money long months on the picketlines and even cany the which can replace PERSONAL SAVINGS. banners at night? Things are different now. Gone are the 10-cent "meals" we used to grab—a hum STRIKES EXPENSIVE An empty Union treasury does not mean a weak organization—if the members are well heeled as in­ dividuals. By the same reasoning, a big Union treasury does not mean a powerful Union—if the members are broke and up against it. When the chips are down, a big Union treasury and plenty of individual savings are an additional guarantee of victory. Many members seem to believe that an occasional small donation to the Strike Fund is aU that is needed to protect them in a time of strike action. They believe that the Strike Fund and other Union funds are all that are needed to cushion them against the shocks which life brings. They are wrong. Those funds help, and a hell of a lot too, but something more is required. Consider how a strike is financed. The cost of a modern, big-scale maritime strike is enormous. Maintaining an army on the picketlines for a very long will exhaust the strongest Union treasury. Fur­ thermore, there is the problem of the personal ex­ penses of each individual Union member, including piecards—piecards are not paid during strikes. How is the individual going to pay his own and his family's expenses when his wages are cut off? RENT MONEY The answer is that the individual member must be ready to meet the situation when it comes. The Union cannot take care of the membership's rent. .. • .-J-lI-Sao'. •:.. /_• .< Brother Tanner takes peraenal sav­ ings as a factor in SIU strike strat­ egy- as his subject. He pcnnts ont that the Union cannot pay the private ex­ penses of the membership during a strike, and. stresses that, wily if the members themselves put aside a few dollars, can they consider themselves well prepared for a struggle with the sidp operators. Cal Tanner is one of the Union^s or­ iginal members, and is a veteran of all its struggles. He was a key organizer IB the great and successful drive to bring Isthmian under the SIU banner. Tanner was elected Port Agent for Mobile hi 1947 and was re-elected in 1948. few short weeks. With all the good will in the world and the best of determination, we cannot stand up long in a big strike—^unless the members them­ selves are in a position as individuals to sustain a long period of unemployment. We need the solidarity of all labor, the financial backing of other AFL unions. That is the reason for the existence of the American Federation of Labor, to give a solid backing to member omions. If the maritime organizations must hit the bricks -at ' any time, we must be supported by the other unions in other fields. However, in the final analysis, the power of the SIU-SUP rests in the individual members. All of us know that it was the individual members, thousands of angry, half-starved, overworked seamen who hit the bricks in other years to build the maritime unions. They as individuals were burning with des­ perate resolve—and they had nothing to lose. PLENTY TO LOSE Today we have a lot to lose, and we must be pre­ pared to fight just as hard as we fought in the old days. On our own slioulders rests the problem of maintaining our own gains. We must be as tough in holding our position as oldtimers were in winning it. If we are not tough, it will be as if we had built our house on sand for everything we have will be washed away. It takes a dollar these days to do what used to 'cost a dime. As everything goes up so does the over­ head cost of running the Union itself. The cost of living ashore has more than doubled. We have only a short time before us -to prepare for the struggle against the reactionary forces which are in the saddle nojv. The Union is our bulwark. Whether we live "OT die as an organization depends on each and every individual. Wise men will save a little from their earnings as beer plus the rotten free lunch. We have become used to palatial Halls, with comfortable chairs, li­ braries and television sets, good food afloat and ashore. Some of the young members know nothing else. There is nothing wrong with these comforts, of course. They are part of the old dream come true. But we must not let the comforts soften us. We must not forget the history of our bitter fight to rise, because we face new fights. Unless we give a little thought to the problem of financing strike action—and strikes will be forced upon us in the days to come—we will be in danger of losing our comforts along with our wages and conditions. This is no idle chattering either. <We can lose those television sets faster than we got them. Television sets and everything else. Everything that we have gained can be lost in a a cushion against the time of need when the Union may be fighting for its very existence. Personal sav­ ings may well be the factor that turns the battle in our favor. We must prepare—as individuals—to support the Union which fights for the whole. We must have both organizational and individual economic strength. �Friday. July 30. 1348 LOG Page Fiv^ San Francisco Branch Kept Busy By Shipping And Hunt For Hall By A. S. CARDULLO MobHe Expects Flour Sbipments To Boost Port By CAL TANNER CG To Jbfmo Law On Ms On July IS. the Coast Guard conunenced rigid en­ forcement of the legal qualUicatioBs for signing ABs on American ships. Under the law. two-thirds of the ABs on any ship must hold green tickets. In other words, two-thirds of the ABs must show three years of deck time. Hm remaining third may hold hlue tickets which require only a year of deck time. On the average ship calling for six ABs, four will have to havq green tickets after July 15. All ABs are urged to check their tickets. If you hold a wartime AB tidcet. terminating six months after the end of the war, you should go to the Coast Guard and get your bhie ticket, or get your green ticket if you have the ffiree years. And if you have a blue ticket and the ^ee years, you should get it upped to green, whether you got your papers during the war or some time earlier. SAN FRANCISCO — There has been quite a bit of action on the West Coast this week, although not many A&G men were involved in the pay­ offs. The Iberville—first ship in the Waterman West Coast-To-Europe fleet — came in and took off smoothly. She is scheduled to ^ake Germany, France, Holland, and North European ports, while the second (when it comes out) wiU run to South Europe— Genoa, Trieste, etc. When this trade gets under way the ships wiU go alternately to North Europe one trip, and South Europe the next. In all, we except to crew up nine ships shortly for an initial mn to the East Coast, where they will be prepared for this new Waterman itinerary. The Ramapo, Seatrade Coi-poration, which is being handled by the Chamberlain Steamship Com­ pany, will call for a full crew shortly. FILED AND FORGOTTEN A Bosun shipped as replace­ ment on the St. Augustine Vic­ tory, and started chasing butter­ flies the first day aboard. He wound up by falling asleep in the Mate's bunk. Yes! The re­ placement was made in short order! MOBILE—The long promised and hoped for Marshall Plan cargoes are just beginning to If men who have no intention loom over the hump. Flour car­ of completing the trip on the goes for Europe are expected to intercoastal ships would hit the Gulf ports shortly, and straighten it out before they sign will undoubtedly involve quite on, it would eliminate one of the a number Trf ships. causes for beefs that have been Inasmuch as Gulfport, Missis­ cropping up here. sippi, is one of the principal We see where some of the top loading points for flour. Mobile Commies are behind bars in­ will get a big boost. We've stead of • hanging in front of waited a 16ng time for this, and them. It won't be long before it comes at a time when we can the "defense stamps" come out. use every bit of work involved. When the story broke here in the The past week was one of By JOE ALGINA, It's a good idea to check your good idea to check the card for local press, all the local "breth­ rather slow shipping here. We registration card immediately the stamp before sticking it in ren" hit for the hills! dispatched a total of 113 bookNEW YORK — Stay in your after it is issued so any errors yt)ur pocket. members and 46 permitmen. seats, kiddiife, and don't start a LOOKING FOR HALL can be corrected. Just one more item of com­ Port activity was due to five stampede. New York shipping LOOK IT OVER ment: We've been wearing out shoe payoffs, four sigh ons and two has picked up! How long it wiH When ships lay up from a voy­ leather trying to find Another time when it is smart just the ships in transit, a little down continue is your guess, but we're to check your registration card age and members of the cre^v right place for the new Union from pur usual tempo. enjoying it while it is here. wish to go back aboard, they hall. Those places that are nice • The payoffs this week were It's a sure cinch that we won't must register in the Hall for that are too expensive, and those that Antinous, Noonday, Monarch Of have to caU the oirtports for men ship. This is called for in the don't cost too much are .crummy. The Seas, all Waterman; and —shipping is not that good—but Shipping Rules. the ' Alcoa Ranger and Alcoa it is good enough so that a lot We're hot on the trail of a If there is a meeting while the Corsair. For sign ons we hand­ of men who have patiently good spot however, and should ship is still in lay-up and hasn't led the Alcoa Pioneer and Alcoa sweated out the weeks of fair have something definite to re­ called for a crew, those men Banger; the Monarch Of The shipping will now get beiths. port on this week. registered for that ship must at­ Sea and- Madaket, Waterman. If we can make a dent in the One spot that we considered tend the meeting in order to stay All of the payoffs for the backlog of men here, we'll be was next to the Waitresses Union eligible. Some men haven't been week were smooth, with only a •more than pleased. headquarters. Some of the boys aware of this requirement. few minor i beefs which were Some of the ships in this week on the Building Committee It's been nice to report good soon settled to the crews' satis­ that made for good shipping wanted to take the place sightshipping in the port of New faction. Before the crews signed were three Robin Line vessels, unseen after they saw the York. It's a little like old times on, all repairs were made and two Watermans, and odds and is at the meetings. When your card is presented for stamping with 40-odd ships in port and in waitresses. the slopchests checked. There ends from other companies. But the cooler heads on the should be no beefs on these The three- Robins were the at the door, the confusion around transit. It keeps the Patrolmen committee decided to look-at the hopping, but who has ever heard ships on those matters. the men stamping the cards Lahaina Victory, Robin Locksley Unfortunately it did. them complain about good ship- place first. Countries these ships will be and Robin Grey. They came in, occasionally causes one to be not suit our needs. hitting are Puerto Rico, Eng­ overlooked. So, aghin, it is a pinB? paid off and settled in good land, Holland and the countries shape. The only beef of the along the Bauxite Trail. trip came on the Grey where For next week we expect just the Chief Electrician was busted about the same picture. Alcoa to Wiper. and Waterman together expect We're taking the matter to the it as long as we did still re­ tect your job and your book, By EARL (Bull) SHEPPARD about five to seven payoffs and shipping commissioner and next mains a mystery all hands are by reporting immediately to the signons. NEW ORLEANS —Although trying to fathom. Dispatcher if you decide to, re­ week we'll have the dope on this Waterman, however, has a shipping has slowed down fancy maneuver. There's going Outside of the few minor ject a job. few C-2s in the shipyards here, Prompt notification will en­ to have to be some fast talking somewhat during the past beefs that occur on all ships which are expected to be»ready on the part of the company, be­ montti, bookmembers iwjt too there is nothing out of the or­ able othei- Brothers to take ai for service some time next cause we intend to squash this choosey about their ships and dinary to rejjort, in so far as crack at the job and will preweek. runs still do not have much the contract is concerned. This On the local labor scene practice. trouble getting jcfisB. fine situation is due largely to things are very quiet. Our Bro­ WATERMANS. TOO Despite the ojnflieting pre­ the fact that the delegates and thers in the building trades dictions filling the air these crews coming in here have Waterman's Bret Harte and have gone back to work after days on the pro^recte for ship­ made it their business to study a long lockout. The end of their Jean La Fitte were in fxnt pay- ping, the section of the industry Both ships had minor operating out -ei this port is not and learn the contract. • strike leaves the City without a offs. And when there is interest single union beef of any sort in beefs, but when the payt^ was ioo pessimistic. In fact, it is of the kind these members are progress. Seems awfully quiet completed the beefs ^ had been expected that the MarshaU Plan showing, beefs are always cut settled. around here. will get rolling and pep up to a minimum and easily set­ Other good vessels were the • Here are a few of the oldactivity he];e. tled in routine manner. Colabee, Evangeline and Cai-son. timers now on the'beach: ThS* Mississippi Shipping Co­ The experience of these crews C. Merritt, C. Jordan, A. Di- All three • ships paid off and mpany is even optimistic about is proof that it pays to know Costi, J. L. Wolfe, F. Holcombe, signed right back on again with the whole thing. It figures that your contract, to know what J. Self, T. B. HaU, J. Modan and no beefs. The Carson, famous the Plan will eventually result you're entitled to and what not. "mutiny" vessel, was an easy one in expan.<uon of the Company's F. McConico. vent the ship from sailing short-It saves time. and energy and for the Palrolman to handle in operations to West Africa and handed. spite of all the hulabaloo in the South- America. The only sound loads to smoother sailing. All Men who foul up, by failing members would do well to fol­ papers. to inform the Dispatcher that and serrsible view, however, is low suit on this score. At the moment BuU Line is ^ou can't paythey are not taking a job, are TOUGHENING UP laying off crews because of longprospects. placed in the same category as Membeiship ruin rec^ls* shore trouble in the Islajjjds, but One of the matters which the gasliounds, and they usually de­ every man oalering the Un­ HALL WORTHWHILE this should be cleared up in a men here are getting tough serve to be. ion Halls to show his Union short while and Mr. Bull's gals With New Orleans experienc­ about is the rejection of jobs As the saying goes, a word book, pro-hook, permit card will be rolling once more. ing one of the hottest summers to the wise is sufficient. Unless too late for replacements to be or white card to the Door­ Prom Bull to beefs: on record, our spacious, com­ shipped. There is positively no you want to face a trial com­ man. Nothing else will be Sometimes a man will regi.ster fortable, cool, new Hall is more excuse—these days, especially— mittee don't commit any per­ recognized. This is for the for a job and sonne time later than proving its wOTth. for any vessel sailing short- forming of this type. membership's protection. discover that the card does not There is no question that it hSnded. Don't waste the Doorman^s The membership has cleai-ly have his registered rartamg noted. would be next to impossible If you're not sure you want demonstrated that it does not — or your own — time by . arguing Ihis point. Observe Tt's an oversight on the part of for the, men to bear up in die a' job, don't put in for it. The like guj's who are responsible the Dispatdher, <rad a ssmpie tane sweat box that used to serve committees here are poison to jfor fellow members losing out fhe rules you make. < to correct rf caught right away, as our Hall. How we all stood offenders, so don't foul up. Pro-'on jobs they want very much. Improved Sh^mg SmU Reduee NY Lists New Orleans Shipping Runs into Slowdown Ntenbersbip Rnies �1 Page Six THE HURRY UP, MES? — TAKE 5ACK THAT TOPSIRLOrW MEDIUM STEAK AND MAKE IT MEDIUM-RARE!! BE SURE I GET WHIPPED CREAM ON MY DESSERT AND NOT THAT MARSHMALLOW !! ON TH' DOUBLE NOU/, AND DON'T BE SO CLUMSY// SEAFARERS LOG SEND ME THAT ••Dfe!!] STElUARD If I THINK I SAW A COCKROACH OUT ON DECK LAST 'WEEK... \ \ 15 MINUTES ^vx>y SMrTH-:> OLD )! / Galveston Shipping Hoids Spurt, But Return To Noruiai Seen Due By KEITH ALSOP ETC., ETC. -AND MAKE A FRESH URW OF COFFEE-] THIS STUFF'SI Friday, July 30. 1940 SOME PEOPLE CHOUJ IS NEVER RIGHT ON BOARD — -7 BUT ASHORE AT THE CAFE PUTRIDO, IT'S ANOTHER STORY: GALVESTON — The spurt in shipping which began in this port a couple of weeks ago continued through last week. With the help of the New Orleans Branch we were able to dispatch crews that were needed. A calm appraisal of the situa­ tion, however, points to a return to what is regarded as normal shipping for the Texas area, pos­ sibly within, the next couple of ! weeks. The Patrolman Says AB Tickets II l! 'i I'l NEW ORLEANS—For the last two months the SEAFARERS LOG has been warning the mem­ bership that the Coast Guard will enforce the provision on wartime 'AB tickets which voids them as full tickets six months after the end of the war. Many of the SIU men affected have acted promptly and gotten squared away with renewed tickets. They have nothing to worry about when they take a job, for their new tickets are good from now—on any ocean, lake, river or pond. But there is always the guy who thinks "manana is good enoijigh for me," and lets every­ thing ride along until he has been hurt. He then takes up the Union's time expecting its offi­ By WM. (Curly) RENTZ I men. As a result 28 mep were cials to help him out of a situa­ ; hired by the company. That was BALTIMORE—It's a pleasure 28 jobs lost to the, Union. tion which only he can help. to report the activity of the past This has been happening in the week. Shipping this week sud­ The membership of this Union Port of New Orleans, where the denly became very good here, did a lot of spade work to get Shipping Commissioner is turn­ and enabled us to send out a these ships' \inder the SIU ban­ ing down many who are still good number of the men who ner. The Union spent money trying to ride on expired tickets. have been on the beach. In fact, to organize the ships, but the we had to call some of the out- jobs went begging. UNION CAN'T HELP Not only were 28 Union jobs ports for rated men, when we Some of these men rush back, ran short. thrown down the drain, the wild-eyed, to the Dispatcher, The list of payoffs and signons Union men who took jobs will be damning the Commissioner, and sounds like a roll call of sailing under a disadvantage. expecting the company to give ships. Here they are: For pay­ If they want to stand up for them a day's pay, plus transpor­ offs—Alamar, Calmar; Robin their rights as Union men and tation to and from the ship. Tuxford, Robin; Venore; Ore; see that Union conditions are Too bad. Brother, it is your Marine Arrov/, Robin; Southstar,' maintained, they'll have a tough own fault. Read your LOG, and South Atlantic; Mangore, Ore; time. The company isn't going Robert Stuart, South Atlantic; Bethore, Chilore, Steelore, all Ore ships; Edith and Arlyn, Bull; and the Bull Run, Mathiasen. Handling these payoffs kept this Branch on its toes, but with excellent cooperation from the crews the payoffs were handled in short order. In the signon column we had the Steelore, Mangore, Venore, Bethore; Chilore, Ore; Alamar, Calmar; Edith, Bull; Steel Arti­ san, Isthmian; John Paul Jones, keep up with the latest develop­ Alcoa; Isle of Patmas; Southstar, to worry too much about a mili­ ments in maritime. Robert Stuart, South Atlantic. tant crew if they know most of the men aboard are cornpany But for the benefit of those Not a bad lineup, eh? men. who did not turn in the old In transit we also handled a tickets before July 15, here is the few Waterman and Alcoa ships On the Cities Service front, Coast Guard Ruling under which that came in here to top off and the Organizers are keeping after the Shipping Commissioner must head for Europe. those scow.s like homing pigeons. act: We had a Cities Service ship in FEW TAKERS here Saturday and the crew was Two thirds of the ABs on any ship must hold green tickets. In With this excellent break in in good shape for us. The men other words, two thirds of the the shipping situation, we ex­ are sticking aboard, all deter­ ABs on board must hold a ticket pected the men to grab the mined to make sure .the .ships which shows three years of deck ships on the double, but that go SIU when the time comes. time. The remaining third may wasn't entirely the case. hold blue tickets which require We sent out call after call for only one year of deck time. On men to take the Ore ships but the average ship calling for six we got very few takers. It's true ABs, four will have to have that these ships have a quick The slop chesl is your cor­ green tickets. Your wartime turnaround and spend very little ner store while you are at ticket is now a blue ticket no time in port, but a job is a job sea. You can't take your matter how much sea-time you when ships are scarce. trade someplace else if the have had on it, until you have Because we couldn't get men slop chest doesn't have'what it renewed. for all of the Ore ships, the com­ you need. Johnny Johnston pany exercised its vight to hire Responsible for the good ship­ ping here' were three payoffs and two signons. The ships paying off were the Cahaba, Pacific Tankers, which payed off in Corpus Christi; the Fairport, Waterman, which terminated her voyage in Lake Charles, and the F. Ingersoll, Waterman, which paid off here jjn Galveston. JUST MINOR Only minor beefs existed on these ships and all Vere settled at the payoffs. Signons took place aboard the Cahaba and the Ingersoll. Probably the subject of most conversation and interest in this port at the moment i» the good shipping we're enjoying. And very likely, it's the kind of news the membership in other ports would most like to hear. We hope we can keep them satis­ fied on that score. On the organizing front we've been fairly active contacting un­ organized ships that have touched this port. Some of the SIU men around the port during the past week were E. C. Hill, W. H. Laffoon, J. B. Gribble, Buddy Jordan, W. Berry, Gene Legg, J. Blizzard, C. Lin and R. W. Sweeney. SIU Put On Spot When Members Refuse Jobs More men are always needed aboard these ships so, if you're in the homesteading mood, latch onto a Cities Service job and do yourself and the Union a favor. That's about it for this week. I blew my top on the Ore ships and got it out of my system. Now the air is becoming a little cooler around here. See you next week. Send 'Em In Don't hold your pcitures and, stories of shipboard acti­ vities. Mail them to the Sea­ farers Log. 51 Beaver St., New York 4, N. Y. If you haven't the time or don't feel in the ^ood, just forward de­ tails. We'll do the rest. Pic­ tures will be returned if you wish. NEW UNION BOOK HOLDER AHENTION! Two views of the leather folder designed especially to hold SIU Union book, the new type Coast Guard discharge and identification card. The SIU wheel is stamped in gold on the outside cover. - There are. two inside compartments, ond covered with a celluloid window and the other with leather. Price is $1.50. The folders, union.made. are available in all SIU Branch Halls. �ftidor/Juiir 3ff« IM» TnE SEAPARBRS taC Pagt Sereir Most of the world's famed cities owe much of their prominence to the fact that they possess colorful waterfront^T This is especially true of San Francisco. But be­ sides being one of the ranking U.S. seaports, Frisco coritributes considerably to the nation's industrial might with her oil refineries, shipbuilding yards, meat packing and vegetable canning plants and her tin and steel production. Americans, however, know Frisco as the city that was split by a death-dealing earthquake in 1906, and as the locale for the lusty Barbary Coast tales that are still widely told. Though the Barbary Coast lost it's robust­ ness when the nation grew up, Frisco still has sights that haven't been dimmed by her industrial advance. San Francisco's port activity is increasingly being augmented by the presence of vessels operated by two of the SIU's larger contracted companies, Isthmian Steam­ ship Lines and the Waterman Steamship Corporation. Last week the SS Iberville, the first of Waterman's new West Coast-to-Europe fleet, returned to Frisco from the Far East and took off for Germany and France. Some of- her crew took in Frisco's sights. Sleek and trim, Ihe Iberville lies alongside he* Frisco dock before faking off for European ports. This photo and others on the page were submitted by the SIU's San Fran­ cisco Branch. One of Frisco's best known sights is the cable *car. At the start and finish of each ran, the car ie pushed onto s fttxnMbde and its position is reversed by hand, with the molonnaB sop> plyingr the steam (photo above). Courtesy rules the road and the motorman. who knows most of his fares by name, often will oblige a passenger by stopping directly in front of his^ house or apartment. Looking as trim as the vessel they just paid off, these Iberville crewmembers relax over a couple of cool ones. From left to right: Pete Drebas^ Stan Buzoleweki, the Deck Engineer (name not given), and Eddie At the end of the cable, car line is San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, site of many eateries known from coeist to coast for first-class seafood. Joe DiMaggio's' ahd the Grotto are among the better knowin In photo above are some of the fishing boats whose daily hauls reach seafood lovers via the Wharf's restaurants. , ; Buzoiewski. The pretty young miss at the right is the waitress. Her name wasn't given, but it doesn't matter—she's out of circulation. Married to a Seafarer, in fact. Anolher section of the fishing fleet at Fisherman's Wharf. Frisco's famed waterfront is often the setting for many movie productions turned out in nearby Hollywood. More often than not, the Hollywood pictures differ great­ ly from the more realistic waterfront living experienced by SIU men. But the nation wants its romance—even in the bilges. - -pi? -.1 �Page Eight THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, July 30. 1948 SBIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS Brother Overlooks Dangers In Suggesting Seafarers Start A Veterans Organization Log-A'Rhythms The Sailor And His Love The 'Seafarers International run by big-businessmen in their ing for merchant marine veterans By JOHN LEGGE Union should organize a vet­ own interest, and their national that the SIU is not already doing. policies are strongly anti-labor Moreover, SIU officials and erans' group for merchant sea­ •AAAAAiiA and militaristic. rank-and-filers are sure to feel men who sailed in the war, ad­ GROUP IS SPLIT that Brodbeck is treading on Just for love, vises William J. Brodbeck, who The most acceptable of the dangerous ground when he so Give me a girl from a waterfront barroom seems unaware that the SIU existing veterans organizations much as suggests, however inDown under a sweating sun; on several occasions has found has been found to be the Amer­ directly, that merchant seamen A girl that meets the sailors good reason to reject all pro­ ican Veterans Committee. How­ be considered in the same light In Santos or Rio or Buenos Aires— posals to start or participate In ever, even this has been badly as the Arniy, Navy, Marine split/in a fight centering around Corps and Coast Guard. Let that Yes, in San Juan or Havana, too! any such program. the commies quite similar to happen and the next step is Speaking, of the war role of the brawling in the NMU. bell-bottomed trousers. If sea­ American seamen, Brodbeck When it comes to pressing for men were to get full military says in a letter to the LOG, a new organization, the first fact benefits they would have to risk For she loves with a hot, mad rhythm "We kept our lifelines function­ that strikes everybody is that a military control—right down the And she doesn't hold anything back. ing on the many battlefronts new organization could do noth­ line. And you'd better be true to her, mister— during the recent war. We were For she loves with a knife at her bosom. heroes in dungarees, remember? The United States as a whole With a razor blade in her hair! praised our courage, resource­ fulness and spirit. Today we are forgotten as though we never There is no future, \ existed. Yet our brothers, the Merchant seamen with exten­ merchant seamen with at least There's only the present; Army, Navy, Marines and Coast sive wartime service stand a twelve months' service on the Guard are being rewarded hand­ She's a red-hot poker good chance of being exempted high seas be exempted from in­ somely for the service they ren­ Searing your flesh and your mind; from the draft, if the Maritime duction under this Selective dered. Commission has its way, accord- Service legislation. And she can stop your breath with her eyes. "Many of us have returned toeing to a letter Seafarer W. J. "Unfortunately Congress failed You feel her touch right down in your loins our pre-war occupations. Others piauche received from the Corn- to take favorable action in this When you kiss herJ have gone into business. Some mission's Washington headquar- connection. The Maritime ComIt isn't exactly tender. have returned to colleges and ters. missioru however, will make trades. You may have to leave As her hands creep bver your shoulders Knowing that the draft status every effort to establish a pro­ your occupations and your fam-' of seamen under 26 years was a And slide down to the small of your back; cedure with the National Head­ ilies. You may be drafted. But, mister, while you're with her, she's yours! <.T.n. n twr .. -J matter of. grave concern to many quarters of the Selective Service "Why? We are not organ^ei , hoto- System for obtaining reclassifica­ We were Ignored by the 80th of the letter to the tion of the merchant seamen who Congress m their haste to get y served during the war. to the Republican Convention Oh, I'll be truer than she ever imagined. The full text of the Maritime "Sincerely yours, because we are insignificant... When she's old, and sick—^perhaps gone"C. W. Sanders, The American Legion, the "VFW Commission's letter dated July She'll be tropical youth in my memory, "Assistant Chief, and other groups with political 15, to Brother Piauche follows: "Marine Division." She'll haunt a more respectable bed! pressure will always reap the "Mr. WiUie J. Piauche, benefits. We will always get the "8233 Apricot Street, back of the hand... I have al­ "New Orleans 18, Louisiana. ways maintained that we are in "Dear Mr. Piauche: dire need of an organization." "I have your letter of June 22, When it comes to practicing recently defeated the Sun Oil good unionism and being a good 1948, with reference to the Company team of Venezuela SIU DOES THE JOB eligibility of former merchant shipmate, it's hard to beat fuU for its first upset in two seasons Brodbeck's idea is well in- seamen for induction under the Look Sister Jennie Rizzuto, ac­ —you begin to see that she is tentioned, but SIU officials have Selective Service Act of 1948, cording to D. F. "Danny" a real part of the crew. found that Seafarers already iPublic Law 759, 80th Congress. Brjmes, Ship's Delegate on the The Corsair, according to possess the best veterans' organi­ "Prior to the termination of Corsair. Stewardess on the ship, Patrolmen who have been zation they could possibly find. the Selective Service and Train­ she also acts as Secretary-Treas­ aboard, is one of the best run That organization is the Seafar­ ing Act of 1940, merchant sea­ urer of the ship's fund, a job ships in the SIU fleet, and the ers International Union itself men who had completed a period she handles to everyone's satis­ reports of the ship's minutes, which has helped push through of substantially continuous serv­ faction, and is very active in all go far to back them up. or defeat many a bill in Con­ ice, excluding service on the Union proceedings aboard ship. Paul Waren writing , in the gress without becoming involved Groat Lakes, and who obtained LOG recently revealed that not Incidentally, the ship's fund in politics. a Certificate to that effect, were now stands at $125.00 — $40.00 being satisfied with clamping down on performers when they SIU representatives, testifying entitled to consideration bj' the of this she raised personally as started causing trouble, the honestly and non-politicaUy, I.ooal Boards for a 1-G classifica­ the sole sponsor of a raffle which many oldtimers aboard called have convinced Senators and tion, which relieved them from she ran for this purpose. Congressmen of the Tightness of any further consideration for the ship's crew together when Sister Rizzuto is affectionately the SIU stand on many issues military service. she cleared the harbor and knowm as Mom to all the crew, warned each and all that the including the Coast Guard, the a term she earned by her tire­ GOOD INTENTIONS .bargaining position of the Union division of shipping under the less attention to the needs and depended on the kind of Union­ Marshall Plan, and the Marine "When classifications was dis­ problems of her big "family" ism the membership displayed Hospitals among others. continued March 10, 1947, our of SIU boys. aboard ship. regulations required an applicant Regardless of the time of the Merchant marine veteran or­ for a Certificate of Substantially day or night, it is never too JENNIE RIZZUTO ganizations brought to the SIU's PERFORMERS WARNED attention and investigated close­ Continuous Service to have had much trouble for Mom to press They also warned would-be ly prove to be phony. For in­ at least eighteen months' service, a shirt, sew a button, or make sea, can be appreciated if you and we were advised at that performers that they would be a patch for one of her charges. remember back to that first stance, one in the Gulf area was time by General Lewis B. Herdealt with summarily if they When new crewmembers come trip, when everything was an outright insurance racket whose policies were worthless. shey. Director of the Selective aboard she immediai(ely gets strange and seemingly against started anything. Service System, that should in­ acquainted AS: a result all departments with them and you. The Union has also discovered ductions be resumed it was be­ makes them feel at home. The way the crew feels about worked together. There was no that there is no point in trying lieved regulations could be so When any of the crew is sick her is best shown by the fact monkey business, and the ship to get certain Federal statutes written that a certificate to the she is among the first to visit that Mom Rizzuto is an honor­ came in in good shape. altered so that Seafarers can effect a registrant had completed No small share of the initia­ him and does all in her power ary member of the ship's softparticipate in the American Leg­ a period of substantially con­ to make him comfortable. ball team. Few are the women tive -and leadership that has ion, the Veterans of Foreign tinuous service in the Merchant that are accepted,in that most made this ship an example of Wars (VFW) and other organiza­ Marine would furnish a basis for GOOD FOR MORALE exclusive part of the man's the high standard of SIU crews tions. finding that such registrant could What this must mean to the world — his competitive sports. is due to the presence of Jen­ The Legion, the VFW, Amvets be relieved from any further con­ Ordinary Seaman or Wiper who Then when you know that this nie Rizzuto. and similar outfits are not con­ sideration for military service. has left home for the first time is not just an ordinary baseball The SIU can well be proud "The Maritime Commission and feels that empty homesick­ club, but a winner that has not of having Mom as a fuU book trolled by their rank-and-file, the Union has found. They are recommended to Congress that ness settling down on him at lost a game this season — they member! MC Favors Draft Exemption For Men With War Service Corsair Stewardess Strong Unionist And Mom To Crew �Friday. July 30, 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings gSAFASeC SAMSays CAPE EDMONT. May 30 — efficient clock for the messhaU. Chairman F. Harishern; Secre­ Delegates reported no beefs and tary W. Chrislain. Motion car­ a large proportion of full books. ried to bring charges against per­ Brother Mike Hook was unani­ formers. Moved to ask the Stew­ mously elected Ship's Delegate ard to order necessary stores in under New Business. Motion by SEAFARERS LOG IS Trinidad. Under Education the Steward Reyes that a crew-mem­ ^iNCnrONLY THE MEANS book men were instructed to ber accompany him ashore when WHEREBY THE UNlOAO he buys stores. Amended by give a little time to the new men REACHES YC >- GIVING to help them understand Union Brother Proctor, that the Ship's YOU THE LATEST NEWS, principles and procedure. Under Delegate assign a different man DE\/ELOPA/IENTS, MEMBER­ Good and Welfare was discussion each time. Carried. Motion by SHIP, PEClSlONS,ETC.,— on cleanliness of quarters. Mem­ Gillis that natives be kept out of Crew's quarters. Under Good bers were warned that they BUT IS THE WAY YOU CArJ would be fined for leaving dirty and Welfare the existence of REACH YOUR BROTHER clothes in the laundry. One min­ which had been written for the vermin was discussed. The MEMBERS AND THE ute of silence for Brothers lost LOG, and it was moved to send Steward promises to use DDT OFFICIALS, ANP TELL it in as is. Cleanliness of mess- bombs in storerooms, and to is­ at sea. THEM WHAT YOU THINK rooms and quarters was discuss­ sue them for use in quarters. SJI 4" 4" OF UNION POLICY, UNION ed under Good and Welfare, and 4 4 4 JEAN LAFITTE. June 2 — PROGRESS, AND ACTIONS. JOHN B. WATERMAN. Julyseveral Brothers took the oc­ Chairman Edward J. Chante; Re­ THE ONLY REQUIREMENT Chairman Charles Buser; Record­ casion to blow their tops about cording Secretary J. J. Quinlan. IS • Delegates reported all in order. minor occurances. One minute ing Secretary Donald S. Gardner. There was a talk on Union prin­ of silence for Brothers lost at All Departments reported in or­ der by the Delegates. Under ciples as applied to • shipboard sea. Good and Welfare, it was decided organization and . conduct. The 4 4 4 that used linen mUst be returned SS WARRIOR. June 13 new men were reminded of the promptly to the Steward. SlopChairman N. Larson; Recording many books and folders printed chest short on candy. One minute Secretary F. A. Delapenha. Af­ by the Union and put aboard of silence for departed Brothers. ter the Delegates reported on ships for their enlightenment. ^The condition of the drinking the standing of members, the water was discuss'ted under' Good meeting went into Good and and Welfare, as was also the new Welfare. There was a proposal By HANK repair list, and the necessity of by Brother Stevenson to send a While steering this column on a cut-and-dried course were-stocking the slopchest before letter to the LOG congratulat­ ing and thanking Brother somehow failed to serve the brothers (and ourselves, too) with a» another trip. One minute of si­ JOHN B. WATraMAN. June few halfway decent laughs. In these hard times you really need a Hawks, and Brother Tanner on lence for Brothers lost at drawing up a very suitable rid­ 13 — Chairman C. A. Hill; Re­ er to the articles for the voy­ cording Secretary C. Nickerson. laugh or two to get along with your shipmates. Especially if you; age. Request by Brother Larson Deck and Steward Delegates re­ don't want to suffer from psychopathic disorders — a phrase that the last standby on each ported all in order. No Engine which the brain butchers invented at their annual mental con­ watch clean up the messroom. Delegate had as yet been elected. vention. So now we're sailing this column of Walter WincheU Brother C. Whidden asked that Under Good and Welfare the literature on another taclc by dosing our weekly potpourri (sounds 4 4 4 JEAN LAFITTE. May 16 — more night limch be left out. repair list from last trip was like soup) with attempted humor and a tug to your sea legs at Chairman Edward J. Chante; Re­ Brother Jackson pointed out checked. It was decided that the cording Secretary G. Byrne. It that a fan was needed in the clock-changes would be posted the same time. We know it's going to be a laugh just trying to was pointed out under Old Busi­ crew's pantry. It was decided to ahead of time on the black­ be humorous. In fact, we're taking it so seriously we feel like ness, that the repair list from appoint a committee to " see to board. Each department was to two people already. If you feel like that the doctors say you have last trip had not* been completed, it that ship's stores were not be responsible in turn for keep­ a split personality — with no strings attached. Split personality, and it was decided to make up peddled ashore, as same are for ing the laundry room clean. One for example, is like a bowl of split-pea soup — half of it is a new list. Thomas Clark was crew's benefit. The Deck De­ minute of silence for departed strained, the other half burnt. But we don't believe the doctors. elected Ship's Delegate. Motion partment agreed that the Stew­ Brothers. AU they keep saying is, "take these pills and take a vacation." was carried to request that all ards Department could paint 4 4 4 CHARLES A. WARFIELD. Crazy, ain't they? quarters be painted out before their own department. One min­ end of trip. Under Education ute of silence for departed Bro­ June 13—Chairman Frank Sul­ 4 4 4 livan; Secretary A. W. Gowder. the Permitmen were told that thers. Lengthy discussion of painting of good Unionism is now more nec­ A few Seafarers recently had the appetizing luck to turn quarters and passageways. Beef essary than ever to maintain to over a New York smorgasbord. Although they satisfied has been standing for several conditions in the threat of reac­ themselves it soon got monotonous looking at those tons of trips. Motion carried to send tionary laws. These new men cold cuts. etc. A smorgasbord can best be described as a legit­ letters to New Orleans and Mo­ 4 4 4 were also instructed to take their problems and questions as they bile stating facts and informing imate "free for all" for those people (called gourmands) who NOAH WEBSTER. May 24— arose to their Delegates, who Chairman J. Cannon; Secretary HaUs that crew will not payoff like to eat mass' production style and indefinitely. No wrest­ would be glad to set them right. F. D. Gardner. New Business: until the old beef is settled. ling or guerrilla tactics allowed. One of these smorgasbords Under Good and Welfare it was Motion to discuss death of Broth­ Good and Welfare: Brother Jones has enough food to feed half the population of Brooklyn — decided to set aside one table er Paul Hunt. It was agreed suggested that Ship's Delegate and there still would be enough left over for a few Dagwood for the men on watch. One min­ that each man would donate not see 1st Assistant about fans for sandwiches to take home. Anyway, we'd like to know if there ute of silence observed for Broth­ less than ten dollars, part of the crew mess and some of the foc'sles. Also he is to see Cap­ ers lust at Sea. are any Seafarers who had Ihe nerve to help themselves at a which would go to defraying tain about payment of subsist­ genuine smorgasbord in one of those Scandanavian countries. the expenses of the funeral (ap­ ence for time ship was in Mobile. proximately $55) and the rest to We wonder if those people have smorgasbords for breakfast, be forwarded to Brother Hunt's dinner and supper? What Seafarer will contribute a humor­ relatives in care of Joe Volpian. ous smorgasbord story for the LOG? The officers would be allowed to 4 4 4 donate to this fund if they so PETROLITE. May 23—Chair­ desired. One minute of silence 4 4 4 On the radio recently we heard a popular love song about man Frank Livingston; Record­ for Brothers lost at sea. PAUL REVERE. June 27— New Orleans. Taking a quick guess we'll say that the composer ing Secretary Frederick Willis. Chairman W. Saylors; Secretary 4 4 4 must have been a Mardi Gras participator with a romantic hang­ Under New Business it was mov­ L. E. Meyers. Delegates reported SS MONROE VICTORY — ed to give the Captain the new Chairman E. L. Eriksen, Record- their departments as okay. Good over. Are there any lovers down in New Orleans who keep repair list along with a copy of ing Secretary S. I. Higginbotham. and Welfare: Stewards to clean faithfully singing this love song about New Orleans? . . . Brother the list for last trip. Magan was j order according to Dele- recreation room and laundry a James A Johnston right now is finishing his three months of elected Ship's Delegate. Motion gates reports. Under New Busi­ week and then rotate with other electrical knowledge up in Illinois. He interrupted his school corried to bring charges against ness all members were warned departments. Men to wear shirts work to participate in the SlU's 1946 General Strike, A vote of performers. Under Good and that performers would be or T shirts in messroom. One thanks to a real militant Brother. . . . The weekly SEAFARERS Welfare there was much discus­ brought up on charges. G. Wer- minute of silence foi Brothers LOG will be sailing free of cost to the homes of tlie following Brothers: William Cogswell of Alabama, Claude West of Florida, sion on cleanliness of quarters. muth . was elected Ship's Dele­ lost at sea. W. C. Mathews of Florida, Arthur Shaw of New Jersey, W. C. The Stewards Delegate volunteer­ gate. Motion by E. Eriksen that 4 4 4 JAMES SWAN. June 8—Chair­ Fritz of Louisiana, Norman Ward of North Carolina, William ed to contact the MMLA for ship's delegate talk to the boss books. The Delegates agreed to stevedore and request him to man M. Burnstine; Secretary I. Boyd of Alabama, George Ehmsen of New Jersey, Kenny Lewis inspect the cots when, they came see that his men keep the mess C. Gentile. Paul Basberg elected of Alabama, Michael Geagan of Massachusetts, R.. J. Orput of aboard. One minute of silence hall and pantry clean if the Ship's Delegate by acclamation. Oklahoma, Leon Johnson of Florida, John Scott of Ohio, Thomas for Brothers lost at sea. stevedores are to continue using Good and Welfare: Crew dis­ Sloan of Georgia, H. C. McCurdy of Florida, Norman Henson of them. One minute of silence for satisfied because Captain did not Florida, Roy Kelly of Tennessee. . . . By the way, our definition 4 4 4 issue draw making it necessary of a shillelagh is — it's an Irish club without an address. ... Is MONROE. May 30—Chairman Brothers lost at sea. for many men to leave personal there any Seafarer who brought back a real shillelagh from RoY Hawes; Recording Secretary STEEL ADVOCATE. June 20— effects in cleaners, etc. Motion Ireland as a souvenir? . . . Captain Ernest Braithwaite of the SS l^aymond A. Hestres. Deck and Engine Department Delegates re­ Chairman Mike Hook; Recording carried that men keep the mess- William Carson (which didn't have a mutiny aboard after all the minded permit and MFOW men Secretary Paul James. Under hall cleaner. Motion carried that labor-hating newspapers stated it did) said the erroneous report aboard that they would have^to Old Business there was a motion minutes be mailed to the LOG, was an "unwarranted reflection on a crew which is definitely get off at the first American port. by Roales to have the Delegates New Yoi'k Headquarters and much above the average in conduct and ability." Every ship which has an SIU ciew has the best sailors in the world. The Chairman read the article make another effoi't to get an; Norfolk Branch. YOG TELL 'EM f SIGN yOUR NAME AND GIVE YOUR BOOK NUMBER. moo CUT and RUN �Ptuat Ttn Fridar. July 3a 1841 TtfE SEAFARB»» li & G B= %•' VBE MEMBERSRIP SPEAKS Seafarer On Cape Raee Logs Recent Trip To Europe As 'One Of My Best' To the Editor: THE WACOSTA ENTERS LEHAVRE Antwerp, Bremen and Rotter­ dam. We ought to have a dam good time. Two days after we left the U.S. the ship's delegate started to negotiate with the old man on a draw list for' foreign ports. No kidding, we really have had some good times and more are in the making. We got copies of the LOG tell­ ing about the opening of the neAV New Orleans Hall. If New York doesn't get a new one soon I'll be shipping out of the Gulf where they give free showers. Didn't think I'd write, did Seriously though, the new Hall you? Well, I fooled you. Here is a beautiful locking spot and it is and you're stuck with it. a tribute to the men who voted Tm on a C-1, a South Atlantic overwhelmingly on the $10 build­ job, and I couldn't have picked ing assessment. It shows that a better one at that. we are really going places with The gang on the Cape Race is the new look. 100 percent Union and if any one gets out of line we call a THE HORRORS meeting and all is squared away The new strike kitchen in immediately. N.O. will surely give the ship­ We are now on our way to owners the horrors. Meetings are being held on the ship every Sunday on No. 5 hatch (see cut) and they go off very smooth. I took several rolls A familiar sight to Seafarers is this view tak«n from tlie of film and the photos are in­ bow of Waterman's Wacosla. The ship shown is a French tug cluded. The photos were taken after pulling the Wacosta into the locks at Le Havre, France. Photo the -meeting and then the gang was by Donald Rood, Wacosta's Deck Maintenance. posed for pictures. Instead of the usual coffee time we had a watermelon party, thanks to Chief Steward Fidel G. Lukban, The food on here is very tasty and weU prepared. It is like dining at the Waldorf every night. It is a very clean ship and To tho Editor: terman ships. The policy of this the men are very cooperative. company of shifting stores from, Of course, life is kept from the We had a fast and eventful one ship to another should be humdrum with five or six com- trip. First we picked up five abolished as it results in dam-', edi£ins aboard (I'm looking for stowaways just outside of New aged and poor-grade supplies.. a good straight man), and a York from the SS Wacosta, and The butter, meat; and eggs came handful of card players. Chances carried them all over Europe and aboard in bad shape. are that this trip will go down finally dropped them in Le Regular meetings were held Havre. in orderly SIU style. Cape Race men hold .one of their regular weekly ship­ in my personal log as one of (Ed. Note: When the SS board meetings. In the center, with paper in hand, is James my best. NIGHT SAILINGS Wacosta dropped a lifeboat Ed Larkiii Flanagan, AB, Deck Delegate, reading his report to the crew. The ship earned the name" of Chief Electrician outside New York harbor to Man with back to camera and arm raised is John Hopkins,'The Fly By Night Raphael."' transfer the five stowaWays to SS Cape Race Oiler and Engine Department Delegate. We hit Bremen, Bremerhaven, the SS Raphael Semmes, the forward releasing gear jam­ Hamburg, Antwerp, Rotterdam, med while the after block and Le Havre, but only spent' swung past the heads of the one night in port. That was in' stowaways wd the Deck De­ Antwerp which is the most ex-' partment men in the boat. pensive of them' all. So it made a hard trip for Cool SIU seamamhip saved everyone—arriving in the morn-" the day. however. A full ac­ ing and leaving in the evening. count of the near-disaster fur­ To the Editor: Returning to Norfolk on June nished by Seafarer Donrid I would like to compliment Rood of the Wacosta appeared 7th we ran aground in a short' blow, but were pulled off, afterCharles Raymond on his letter in the LOG of July 16. some hard work, in time to tiein the LOG of July 16 about The Captain okayed three up and leave the dock the same' the shipowners who are trying! meals a day for the stowaways, day. to break up the unions with the which helped out the cooks ov­ If we have a good payoff, we help of a fev/ politicians itj ertime a bit. They worked on can call it, all-in-all, a pretty Washington. deck, and assisted the galley- fair trip. ; I am with him whole-heartedly 1 man. R< M. Garzod, when he say^ we must stick' The ship was in a pitiful con­ Deck Delegate together and make the SIU a dition when we came aboard. SS Raphael Seimnes leader for all maritime unions to The foc'sles had even been left follow. dirty by the previous crew. We've Moved, Wants LOG • In this great organization of cleaned her up a good deal now, ours I am just one man. But I though the overtime was held To Keep Coming After the business at hand was disposed of and the meet­ to the minimum, which wasn't will do my best to convince my To the Editor: shipmates and Brothers that we ing adjourned. Steward Fidel Lukban, center, holding knife, so good. rolled out three king-size watermelons and the feast was on. will be in trouble if we do not I- would like to infoim you. GOOD REPLACEMENT Popular fellow, that Lukban. stick together. that 1 have moved and would, The previous Mate, "Snuggy," like the LOG sent to my new; To change the subject slightly, for Snug Harbor, was replaced address. I want to thank Bill Champlin by a man whom everyone con­ Being a former Seafarer and. for his articles on "Why Bosuns siders okay. So with a ' good member of the SIU, 1 still likeGet Grey Hair." He may not To the Editor: half a toe, but may have to lose Bosun and highly recommended to . keep up with the Union ac­ realize it, but he is teaching us one more. Can't seem to get rid Well, boys, is there room for a cooks, plus a lively crew, things tivities and the doings of my younger members, future Bosuns brother who has been hospi­ of this infection. went very well. friends, with whom 1 sailedwe hope, good lessons in his talized for the past five months Gosh, sometimes I could go There was a character in the during my years with the Sea­ articles. but is slowly getting back on for a couple of eggs the way the deck department known as farers. I am not a Bosun yet, although his feet? Where is that mail and James Gillis used to feed. The "Chicago," who was always givr I am an AB, and I don't think where is that oldtimer James Steward on that ship was tops as Ing the hoys a laugh; and Here's hoping that all goes I will ever get to be as good as Mulligan? I just ran across his a feeder. Whenever I go on a "Scotty" John Gowling, the gal- well with the Union and the some Bosuns I've sailed with. name in a recent LOG. Jimmy, ship and see him 1 know she is leyman, an old salt, kept things gains made over the years. Here's But there is one thing I'm sure if you run across this I sure going to be okay in the chow de­ hopping too. The crewmess. Bill cheers for a great Union, the' Seafarers. Happy sailing, bro­ of. That is that I am learning coidd use some of those sea partment. Ray did his job to everyone's thers. something from BiU and the stores cigarettes. I hope to be out of here next satisfaction. ^ B. C. Blair. Jr. ; other- Bosuns who contribute to Otherwise I'm doing okay here month and back on a ship, so ' Plenty of food was put aboard, c/o R. L. Dobbs the LOG. in the Frisco Hospital. Been here keep her sailing until then. but tlie quality and variety was Hi. 12. Hwy. 42 Albert Mosher five months and have lost only bad as is often the case on Wa­ Donald P. Gelinas Atlanta. Ga. Crewmen Take Stowaways On Extended European Tour Sets His Course By Bosun Series, Haymond's Letter Hospitalized, Pines For Good Ship 11^ �•Tr-'i') "•••'A THE Fziday, July 30. 1948 Inland Seafarer Applauds Union For Hiring Hall Win Vol plan of Special Services could give me an idea on how to ob­ I would like to congratulate tain cdiiies of ship's discharges and thank the SlU Negotiating that I have lost. With this draft Committee for our recent Hiring coming up I may need them. Please send the LOG to me in Hall victory." Although I am of Phil-Kron Drive-In, one of the younger members I car i Bloomington, Illinois. I would realize that the Hiring Hall is I have notified'you of this change vital to Union security, and to , of address sooner, but I have the preservation of our con­ been in the ^ospital with a bad ditions. leg injury—the result of getting So, congratulations are in order too close to an air-conditioning both to the Committee and to the unit. entire membership back of them. Thanks again Brothers, and keep 'em sailing—SIU style of I hope you will publish my ad­ course. dress with this letter for it may Ralph Padget help me to get in toueh with Bob McDonald and some of my (Ed. Note: Lost discharges other shipmates whom I have may be replaced by applying at lost contact with out lufre in any Coast Guard Office that Illinois. I would sure like to issues papers. In New York hear from them. the address is Pier 9. East By the way, I wonder if Joe River. They require your name, the name of the ships and the dates you were on them. There is a charge of BERTH WANTED 35. cents for the first duplicate AND QUICK, TOO discharge, and five cents for each additional one.) SEAFARERS LOG Deck Man iiiiiii/iiP'sp, To Ihe Editor: To the Editor: THE RUNNER'S STEWARDS No beefs for Ihis Steifrards Department. The Marine Run­ ner's Stewards Department received a vote of thanks from the entire crew for the excellent food served. Responsible for the good chow are, left to right, kneeling — Chang Kung, Galley Utility; Tom Reilly, Chief Steward; F. Napoli, 3rd Cook. Standing — Ching Han, BR; A. Rose, Utility; George Finn, Waiter; L. Zumbha, Night Cook^Baker; J. Geiger, Messman; S. Edwards, BR; W. Mantalow, Messman; J. Mastonaik, Chief Cook and J. Meitz, Bartender. Blasts Magazine For Views On Wall Street Beatings To the Editor: While 1 was on one of the ru'stpots of the Isthmian navy recently, I picked up a back copy of the "Saturday Evening Post." In it I found the most vicious anti-labor editorial I have ever read, a sweet little bit. of sewage about the Wall Street strikers and the help we gave them. . This piece of journalistic slime says our "strategy was the strategy of communist-nazi street fighting." Goebbels would have wept tears of envy at that switch. His technique was to charge others with the crimes he himself was committing. The statement that unarmed, defenseless pickets, Worth Pittman, OS, recent­ outnumbered more than two to ly paid off the SS Harry Peer, one by the police, who had their after being aboard the Carras skulls cracked by the score, were tanker for her first two voy­ indulging in "communist-nazi street fighting" was the most ages under an SIU contract. cynical lie I ever had read. Bom in North Carolina, Bro­ BLUE NAZIS ther Pittman now makes his The only nazis in Wall Street home in Norfolk. Va. that day " were the uniformed Marshall Plan Aide Praises Bosun Article By Tex Suit Please, sir; could you run thefollowing ad in the next issue of the LOG? After reading that -General Hershey has his old job back again (and it ain't handing To the Editor: out Hershey bars, kiddies), I ^When I got through reading suddenly have the urge to get the July 9 issue of the LOG, I away from -it all. Here it is: felt constrained to write you a POSITION WANTED/ complimentary letter about your article on page 3 headed, "When Desire position aboard ship A Bosun Is Really A Bosun." leavipg USA for about two I read this thing through twice years. Must leave before Aug­ ust 30. Am young man, in because it is such an excellent early • twenties, have no de­ piece of labor journalism. Then pendants and am non-veteran. I showed it to Marion Hedges, Hold continuous discharge for wartime service. I hold all for many years with the Interna­ ratings in the engine room tional Brotherhood of Electrical and have full book in SIU. Workers, who is our labor in­ Am allergic to crowds, es­ formation officer in the Labor pecially if fhey're all dressed Division of EGA. He also appre­ ciated it very much. in khaki. Please help! I want to congratulate you and Ed Larkin Tex Suit,for this piece which cer­ tainly is a highly readable and well presented item that must command the attention of your members And influence their con­ duct . and employment on ship­ board. The piece is an excel­ lent illustration of good labor education material through com­ petent labor journalism. Page Eleyan ' storm troopers of the New York police force. The only clubs that were swung were theirs, the one^ that are filled with lead. The cops had the guns, the blackjacks and the jails. They even had the judges. The workers on the picketline, "pobr slobs" Westbrook Pegler might have called them, had no way to defend themselves but to bleed all over the cops who beat them down. In fact, it must have cost a sweet penny to dryclean all the blood from those mappy blue suits. This example of editorial pros- titution goes on to wonder "whether the right to strikTe is more" .sacred than the right to work; whether it includesj the right to commit acts of violence against people who don't want to strike; whether our epterprises have no rights of their own." It gives me a laugh to see the "Saturday Evening Post" worrying about the right to work. They didn't do itauch thinking about it during the de­ pression when millions were begging for jobs. At that time they fought every measure the Government introduced to give work to the unemploj^ed. RIGHT TO SCAB Of course, it isn't the right to work they're thinking about at all. They're worrying about thb right to fink. And the right to strike is more sacred than the right to scab. As for violence, unionists nev­ er seek it. When a strike is re- Bill SUPPORTS UFE duced to violence the workers invariably lose, because, the whole force of society is arrayed against them. Nevertheless, worker.? have a right to defend thcm.^cl'cs against scabs who I hope you will continue to tr.'.to smash their pieketlines. send us your paper. This Labor I In fact, that is the very defini­ Division is set up in EGA so tion of the right to strike, which that the entire American labor ' is the right of workers to de­ movement may have a share in fend their jobs and their work­ making European recoVery a suc­ ing conditions by defending their cess. Your own organization and pieketlines. I suppose that what your own members will have no the "Saturday Evening Post" small part in this because of the To the Editor: wants is strikes without picketkey shipping operation you help lines. Thousands of seamen served to fulfill. jAnd that bit about "our en­ for years during the war on all Ted F. Silvey terprises"—corporations to you—• waters. Thousands more were having rights of their owh is Executive Assistant torpedoed, bombed, fired upon, another twist. One hurtian right Labor Advisors and suffered injuries and loss is worth a hundred property Economic Cooperation Admin. of limbs. Undoubtedly we were essen­ rights. The right to a decent Washington, D. C. tial during the war or we would wage is more sacred than the right to a juicy dividend. have been drafted then. But NOW, NOW BOYS MEMBER PUTS OKAY now, after receiving our dis­ Any time the paper "rights" charge of substantially contin­ ON PR HOSPITAL, of a corporation,"a fictitious per­ uous service, we may still be DOCTORS, NURSES son is what the courts say a eligible for twenty-qne months corporation is, conflict with the additional military time. To :^e Editor: rights of American citizens I When will it be possible for After spending one ' month in an ex-seaman to settle down and say let the corporation go hang. / Incidentally, it should be re­ the Marine Hospital at Stop 7, establish a home and raise a called that the "Saturday Even­ San Juan, Puerto Rico imder family? ing Post" is the magazine that I continued sailing after the the care of Dr. Goca Mir, I recently glorified Gonrmodore should like to give full credit war. I think it is unfair to draft Manning of the SS America. men that contributed as much to the doctors and nurses there. to victory as those who served Manning was described as the "terror of the seamen's unions." Speaking for myself and the six in the Armed Forces. Now, now boys, there's nothing other SIU men in there at the Gan't our officials do some­ to be afraid of. time, we were given every at­ thing to prevent this? Must we I guess it is foolish of me to tention and care, as are all stop sailing now and enter- the take notice of the rantings of armed foi'ces? the "Saturday Evening Post," patients including the veterans Please give us any information that "kept woman of the press." and federal workers. that you maj' have on what is It is composed almost entirely All the nurses are just as nice being done. of large advertisements paid for • Bill Corringlon a they can be. They make by the richest corporations in the every effort to help the patients (Editors Note: No ruling has country. It's too much to expect and make them comfortable. come down from Washington the editorial page to play a Any Brothers needing hospitali­ since ihe article in the LOG different tune. zation should try to head down for July 2. Whenever a deNaturally the phonograph this way if they can. cisoion is made or any further plays for the hand that turns Also we want to thank Sal­ information comes through you the crank. The Post would speak vador Golls and the SIU staff will be informed in the'pages for us, I suppose, if we bought in San Juan for their attention. of the LOG. In the meantime, a million dollars worth of space We got the LOG and cigarettes the SIU Washington Represent- every week. Any opinion that every Wednesday as well as' iative will continue pushing goes to the highest bidder isn't many magazines. I for the exemption of seamen worth worrying about. who sailed during the war.) George Litchfield Steamboat O'Doyle Feels Seamen Deserve Draft Status Of Vets �Page TwelTe ®:P m THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, July 30. 1948 Thank Negotiators Vendor's Delegate Flays Chief Mate Crewmen For Winning Hiring Hall For Crew's Low Morale In Far East To the Bditos: senting each of the departmeids to study the agreement. We'd like to address a few ( We hit Colombo and then Cal­ we would suggest that tJiis Mate To the Editor: They have discovered several cutta. Finally time off was take a good rest cure for his woi-ds to the SIU negotiating methods of approach that can be Four months out of New York granted to half the boys on Wed­ neuroses. He should talEe along Committee: used with propriety and effec­ the SS Steel Vendor of the Isth- nesday, to the other half on a seaman's manual and a ci^y tiveness by such a Union as ours. Brothers, you have done a miaA Steamship Company com­ Thursday. of the Isthmian agreement. He superb job On the Union Hiring These suggested clarifications will pleted its round-the-world cruise might turn out to be possilSe to clause of our contract and we require some adaptation, of One OS, after a hard day on by entering New Orleans. sail with. Bucking for ^if^er! thank you for making it the best course, and we shall leave that Although the Skipper and the Wednesday, finished his sanitary Bah! Hiring Hall agreement in the to you. Chief Mate consider the Deck work on Thursday then lay down Your previous work in the he-; The Engine Department. also maritime industry. Department one of the best they during coffee time. He fell asleep gotiations for this .part of our We want to teU ypm how much contract has helped us a lot, and ever have sailed with., the Chief and nobody woke him up due to has some overtime beefs, but the a little confusion arising from the Stewards Department is the we appreciate your tireless ef­ Mate is bucking for a Skipper's all of us on the Afoundria appre­ first time-off of the trip. The forts in developing this out­ ciate it immensely. If there is position with Isthmian and he Chief Mate called the Ship's standing clause. We owe ycai a anything in our listed suggestions has undermined the morale of o^^Ap CbsT^Oc real vote of thanks for your co­ that is useful to you, we shall be the crew, especially in the Deck Delegate to view the relaxing OS and took advantage of the op­ AAID ISTHMIAN operation and support. You also satisfied. Department. (SOOUTINTHB t portunity to back down on the deserve the gratitude of all Sea­ He claims to have 15 years ex­ shore leave agreed upon. /kOHOAVSOd/ Jewry Palmer farers for coiitributing so much perience as a Chief Mate, but in James Murphy In Indian ports and elsewhere of interest and value to them. our estimation it will take an­ Juan Oquenda other 20 years before he qualifies in the tropics the climate is, as William D. Burke HAVE SXIGGESTIONS everybody knows, unbearable. as a good one. T. Tuczlcowsld Even the natives have a respite To further show you that we E. ^Carihy To be a good seaman and to be n the hottest part of the day. are back of you 100 percent in Jesse Sweet respected as such, a Mate should :3ut not the crew of the SS Steel the coming negotiations on clari­ C. Silvertsen know something about the Vendor. fications in the Union's standard (Ed. Note: The suggestions handling of men and the care of frei^er agreement, we the from the Afoundria crew have Air-hammers and chipping a ship. This man lacks knowl­ hammers! Chipping, scraping ship's sore thunffi. The food iff crewmembers ^ of the Afoundiro been turned over to the Ne- • edge of both. and painting! The work went unsatisfactory to both crew and have elected a committee repre­ gotiatirig Committee^) MAY LEARN YET on. To add to the Deck Depart­ officers. Show him a merited half-hour ment's discomfort, the Chief The Chief Cook was warmed of overtime and, man alive, you Mate kept running around de­ and reprimanded. Members of would think the company was manding more and more. No that department are assayed to realization that seamen are hu­ going to mark him down as in­ man beings not robots. work they are not supposed to efficient if he did not dispute it! Some day this Mate may learn do without overtime. The Stew­ KEPT BOTH HALVES " that by giving a little he will net ard himself is doing work that To the Editor: Moreover, he made constant plenty. would be overtime for others. references to the SIU, saying that A few examples will illustrate I'd like to say a few words Union seamen were drunken We are looking forward to what the point. in behalf of the boys on the e:^:the Patrolman will say to clarify As is normal SIU procedure, bums and that a ship would be cursion boat, Steel Pier of the He the work assigned to each man the Ship's Delegate, when better off without them. Boston-Provincetown rxm. didn't seem to know that he had in the Stewards pepartment" so elected, notified the Chief Mate I entered the marine hospital of the crew's choice. An, effort the SIU to thank for his own as to avoid beefs next trip. here in Boston last week with was made to settle certain dis­ wages and conditions. No wonder blood poisoning. I was dead Incidentally, the Purser turned pute in advance. There was an the crew's morale sagged. Who broke, disappointed in life and agreeable discussion of working really was to blame for the out to be so ardent a radio hob­ expecting them to chop off a loggings? byist that medical care has been rules, overtime and shore leave. finger. In my pants was only a We were to meet each other hard to get. Working rules were to be h.alf pack of cigarettes and not a checked by the contract in case half way. The Mate seemed to nickel to call the Hall. S. J. Jandora any disagreement arose. Any think that half-way meant his Well, I finally fell into a Ship's Delegate overtime disputes were to be keeping both halves. troubled sleep to experience As proud members *of the SIU SS Steel Vendor settled aboard ship if possible. wierd dreams of empty cigar­ Shore leave was to be given half ette packages. After a night of the crew on Saturday, the other fitful slumber, lo and behold! The half on Monday. next morning in bounded Red Things turned out differently, Cashman with a cheerie "good however. morning" and an aii' that took When we arrived at Bombay, care of such matters at the right the Chief Mate was approached time. Under his zirm was a on the shore leave question. His great big carton of butts. God answer was that there would be bless him! no -;Shore leave until Calcutta. Wrfl, to make a. long storyJust why, we never knew. short, rd like to take this apLeaving Bombay, the Chief Seafarer Johnny Thompson po-itamity to thank all the boys tslcM a stroU .along a Ham­ Cook was notified of eary chow. on the Bteel Pier for the dona­ burg street. He was sailing But unfortunately the galley tion of $15 backs. Deep thanks aboard the SS Trinity Victory stove broke down. The Chief especially to the oldtimers at the lime. Since then, he's Mate, a neurotic case if ever aboard and the skipper. there was one, came down ravhad a vacation in his home town, Roanoke, Virginia. Lex Farjoy Smokes, Donation Cheer Up Brother Sick In Brighton «^Sees Hamburg Sights HAD SMOOTH TRIP TO AFRICA WANTS MORE POEMS Maritime Made Clear BY SEAMAN'S WIFE By LOG, Says Unionist PORTY Box LUNCHES , FOR THE STEEL VENDOR / To the Editor: m ing. Apparently he expected the Ship's- Delegate to perform a miracle and get supper. He stated that if we wanted to run things this way it was okay with him. - No shore leave and work from bell to bell. This, of course, came as a sur­ prise. The crew had nothing to do with -the state of supper. Had the crew agreed to a no-penalty hour maybe the Mate would have judged everything fine and dandy, but an SIU crew does not work that way. There were no major complaints aboard the Robin Line's SS Marine Arrow on her last run, to Africa, according to Jack Dietrich, second from left, who was in the Black Gang. The Arrow touched at Capetown. Port Elizabeth. East London. Durban. Lourenco Marques and Beira. On the way Mit. bez cargo was mostly automobiles and heavy maehineey. She came back wUh ore and tea. Brother Dietrich says that the only real beefs concerned the food once in a while and a few shortages in the slopchest. The Arrow brought back two Seafarers who had been hospitalized in Ca^ietown and who had a hard time finding a Robin Skkipper to take them. SosTYt but the rest of the boys cannot be identi^Bed.- My husband h4s his LOG sent home every week and since he is out at sea most of the time I get it before he does. I read most of the articles, some of the things 1 know about. 1 always read the poetry in LogA-Rhythms. ^ Beceijtly there was one by Mirs. Betty Constantin (I don't r(3Tieaiber the date as I cut it out and framed it). The name of the poem was, "I Am A Seaman's Wife.", It really hit the spot, as 1 am sure other jailor's wives .win teR you. Could yoo please print some more /of her poems? 1 tfeiisk they're swell. Mrs. Richasd V-an Dmren. (Eri. Note: How Mrs. Constanrin?) about it, To the Editor: For the past few weeks I have been receiving the SEAFARERS LOG and I wish to take this oppbrtunity to say that I have been reading it with a great deal of interest. At times 1 have been puzzled when reading in the daily press about waterfront problems and various seamen's unions. Now the LOG has set me straight. I can now follow the course of events intelligently. 1 win also say that after I read, the LOG I give them to my fellow workers. I wish to extend cordial greet­ ings, and to wish the SIU every success. Fingel Stening Financial Secretary Local 20 American Flint Glass Worker's . . Union of N. A. �Tff£ SEAWARERS Jttlr 30' 1040 •_••••:• •- tP:.- LOG Page ^luxlMa Crew Calls Stewards Rdl, Thoughts Of A Lonely Seaman Praises Entire Department Lying In His Darkened Bunk To Ihe Editox: Here is something "wy rarely encovuttered scnvadays aboard these ^lips and tiiat is praise of the Steward and his gang. Bat here aboard this ship we have this praise for them. All the boys aboard the Lahaina Victory agree that this was one of the best Stewards Departments they've seen in a long, long time. We all hope to sail again with this "bunch of. bellyrobbers." In order to satisfy the demands of the crew concerning fresh stores, the Steward went out of his way on many occasions. For this we're very grateful and he gets a unanimous vote of thanks from us. It really is a pleasure to have fresh stores in some out. of the way port. In case you ever meet up with him, his name is Bill Hay, but he's nicknamed "Aus­ sie." Then we have our Chief Cook, and a damn good Chief Cook he is. His name is Alf Kaden. Talk about this man cooking grub, you've get to go a long way be­ fore you'll find anyone that'll compare with Alf. As for bread and cakes, Ken­ neth Harper our Baker cannot be outdone. Pies just like Mom used to make. And Pedro Rodriguez,, our 2nd Cook, de­ serves every bit of praise as a hard worker and a "Johnny on the spot" in the galley. . Stewards Department, and that's what made the trip on thw Robin Line ship a good one. In concluding, let me, the writer, say, if you ever meet up with a galley crew like this one, get on the ship and homestead her. it's too bad we can't sail this on? any more as Robin is laying her up at the end of this trip. So, with thanks from all of us aboard the Lahaina Victory, we wish this Stewards Depart­ ment, for a job well done, loads of luck in their future jobs. Harry J. Pollins For the crew Lahaina Victory ATTENTION! If you don't find linen when you go aboard your ship, notify the HeiU ut once. A telegram from Le Havre or Singapore won't do you any good. It's your bed and you have to lie in it. To the Editor: My name is Johnny. A very common name I do admit; and I must confess I am a very com­ mon man. Just one of the many unadjusted persons making their way in this world who appear to be going backwards, but are really advancing against the tide. Bom under the sign of Cancer, I am a man of the month of June, and according to my sign am supposed to be mild-temper­ ed. But given a few glasses of Vodka, I can scon turn into an aggravating nusiance. So I guess that T should not drink. But I do, just to prove the weakness of the human flesh. I am not particularly honest, as "111 use a lie as soon as the truth if there's profit in it. I've seen most of the world and tried most of its vices. If I've learned any lessons Fm not aware of it. HAPPY SMILES FROM THE DEPTHS me complain? But many are tht times when my head was hidden in my pil­ low aboard, that I swore in wrath (not cried, for a seaman is not allowed to cry) against my own weakness—^my lack of willpower to create a cleaner life for myself. Yet that would be contrary to my professed be­ liefs; so I allow my weaknesses to rule my destiny and follow in the footsteps of generations of men who lived and died as sea­ men while their inner soul cried out to be different—to live as chey imagined the people ashore to be living. As we go along we could men­ tion all the boys in the depart­ ment but that would take a ream of copy. But there is one messman who has the backing of his mess mates. He's C. Veira, good Union man and a good messman. It seems that these Seafarers aboard went out of their way to do a better job than the average LOG Ranks With Best Union P^ers, Says ILGWU Official Lately I have been reading the DOG, a copy of which is mailed to the Poughkeepsie Trades and Labor Council. We receive any number of Union journals, but this is the first time that I have felt impelled to make any comment for the record. I think the LOG is one of the best Union papers I have ever read. Your members also seem to think so because they evi­ dently read it and enjoy it too. Good luck to you. M. Goodman District Manager International Ladies' Garment Werkws' Union Am I happy and content? Of you swear at your own helpless­ ness for you cannot help them. course not! Who is? Next time it may be you -out I am the boatswain — the man there alone in the furious sea who takes the dirt. If the crew fighting to stay afloat for a few works too hard, I am a slave endless minutes only to realize driver. If they take it easy, I how futile it is to resist the sea am not a good boatswain and I closing over your head—and end­ will not last long in my present less oblivion. capacity. If able to, I must al­ Death is no stranger on ship­ ways follow the golden middleboard. Cargo falls; a sling way. breaks; a hawser snaps; a sea The bums on the waterfront, breaks green over the deck.' Or the pimps and panderers — and a careless grip slips as you're their mealtickets, the prostitutes —in the millions of cabarets and cheap nightclubs around the world cater to the seafaring men —they are my alloted friends. Do you hear You do not! ALL DESERVE CREDIT To the Editox: No one gives a damn so why drenches your clothes. Your shauM I? tongue is a swollen lump in your I have been double-crossed and mouth, and you have a thirst I have double-crossed. I know that mere water cannot quench. as much about deceit and cor­ Winter time in the Norlh A.truption as I do about sincerity lantic K tough in another way. and honesty — m ab e more. Mountainous waves break across The world is rotten to the core the deck taking all in its way, and I know it. The biggest rat The ^p is covered with a thick gets the most tender morsels; layer oT ice that increases byand I have not been starving. the hour. The fast-flying spray stings your face and bums your TO THE WDVNER eyes as you peer into the black Justice is for the strong and vastness that envelopes you even the victorious. May I always in mid-day. be on the side of the winners! When your close comrades are I am but a man. washed over the side and lost,- the Islands They seem skins. Left Swift. Ask Clarification Of Port Ruling Wo have heard that there is ruling in the Port of Mobile that aU SUP members who ac­ cept transportation on SIU con­ tracted vessels must get off. As far as we know this has not applied to other Atlantic and Gulf ports. Therefore, we would like to liave a clarification on this sup­ posed ruling in the port of Mol>ile. They're Here — 1948 Bound Logs Just arrived! Bound volumes of the SEAh'ARERS LOG for January through June, 1948. Description: Complete and unabridged, bound in sturdy tan buckram with dates lettered in gold. Price: $2.50 per copy, the cost of binding. Copies are excellent for reference, homeuse or just plain browsing. If you're building a library, copies of past years are also available in six-months editions at the same price. How to order: Call in person or write to the Head­ quarters baggage room, 4th Floor, 51 Beaver Street, New York 4,-N. Y. A seaman gets to know and understand every emotion in ex­ istence. Homesickness, if he has a home. More often he has none. The life at sea is soft at times; But stiU he has a tender ^K)t but more often harder than any­ for some certain town or place one ashore would brieve. which holds dear memories for There are nights in the trop­ him. ics with a perfectly calm sea, BEYOND REASON when you ride along the coast of an island or steam ahead Fear he. knows too. Not fear We SUP members have the rolling sluggishly in the deep of physical pain; but fear when deepest respect and appreciation he is looking death right in the for all SIU members, their con­ face and sees things he does not tracts and rulings made by the understand. Things beyond the membership of the Atlantic and power of reasoning are dreaded Gulf District. more than death itself. We would like to have an im­ Loneliness at times drives him mediate reply so that it will mad. There is the longing for reach us before the ship re­ the companionship of a woman, turns to the Port of Mobile on for affection. There is a des­ July 26th. Thank you for your perate desire for a home to come consideration in this matter. back to after a long voyage— John C. Jackson someone to work" for who will D. R. Emge appreciate and admire his Michael A. Servine achievements and whom he car swells and you drowse in the worship as dear to him. Alcoa Cavalier arms of Morpheus, as your ham­ Dreams are our main enjoy­ (Ed. Note: SIU Headquart­ mock "swings to the rhythm of ment. One plans and schemes ers stales that at the present the ship's movements. for the future, but very seldom time the rules in existence re­ do tliese dreams come true. New garding SUP men on SIU A JOY TO HAND driams and ambitions replace ships, as well as SIU men on Taking your turn at the wheel, the old ones. So he remains SUP ships, is the same as it has a few spokes of the rudder is ever a dreamer—^just a dreamer. been since 1945. That is. that aU that's needed to keep the Maybe one is far happier that the men should have equal ship on her course. The lookout way. It is hard to say. If one shipping privileges as come under the particular shipping in the crow's nest of on the really tried to put his dreams rules of th^ particular district foc'sle-head is a joy in the re­ into reality and faUed, he would in which the men have ship­ freshing breeze of night after a be deprived of this one avenue of escape from the harshness of ped. . There has been no scorching day on deck. life. Then there would be noth­ In the daytime, when the sun change in this rule since 1945. ing absolutely nothing, left! is directly overhead, your body alBiough there have been is covered in perspiration that numerous misinterpretations.) John Wunderlich Jr. Woiidng below decks on the hot run soiith to hasn't taken the starch out of these Evelyn men. to enjoy feeling the perspiration pop out on their to right, they are: Gorman. Leighton and George To the Editor: dimbing the mast. Then the man with the hour glass and scythe pays a visit and a name is replaced by a new one on the ship's articles. �Page Fourteen THE NY Offering 'Equivalency' HS Dipioma Seafarers, 21 years old or over residing in New York State, who have not completed high school may qualify for an "equivalency diploma" by taking examinations being conducted' throughout the state. Successful candidates for the State High School Equivalency Diploma may make application for the Regents High School Diploma, provided they meet cer­ tain other requirements, through the principal of their local high school. Besides paving the way for a regents diploma, the equivalency diploma has other values, a New York City Board of Education officer pointed out. JOB HELP SEAFARERS LOG Friday. July 30. 1948 WHAT ttWMK. QUESTION: What hdp did you get from your older, experienced shipmates when you first went to sea? VLADIK SUSK. Electrician: A couple of bookmen took me in hand when I first went aboard a ship five years ago. They straightened me out on how it is in a Union crew. Then they told me what my job was in the Engine Room as a Wiper. They told me what I was supposed to do and not do. Then they showed me the right way to do things. They were pretty nice about it. but it took me six months to catch on to every­ thing. Since then. I've done my best to help a lot of new men myself. I think that's part of being a good Union member. That way we will always have good crews. The diploma is helpful where a high school education is requirec for a job, he said, since all em ployers will recognize it. It will also help those seeking to qualify for advanced educational train­ ing. Many people have qualified for the equivalency diploma ED BROWN, 3rd Asst. Eng.: The majority of men on my purely for reasons of persona satisfaction. first ship were inexperienced like Application forms for admis­ myself. They came from Sheepssion to the examinations, which head Bay. I had had mechanical will be given by official testing experience ashore so the transi­ agencies in various communities, may be obtained from any ac­ tion was not too difficult. Those credited high school in New York oldtimers aboard gave me a great State or by writing to the State deal of help during those green Education Department, Division days and I soon learned the of Examinations and Testing, know-how of a ship. Now that Albany 1, N. Y. I've retired as a Deck Engineer The completed application in the SIU. I'm helping the new form plus a four-dollar fee, is to men that come aboard in the be presented in person to a engine room, but there aren't school official. Notification when many these days. Remembering and where to report for the ex­ my early days on a ship I al­ amination will be forwarded to ways go out of my way to lend the applicant by mail. hand to a newcomer. The examination consists of a series of five tests, each taking TOM WILLIAMS, OUer: approximately two hours. Ac­ On my first trip out. I didn't cording to a memorandum issued leam much. It was at Christmas by the New York City Board of time and all the oldtimers were Education, "the examinations are going home for the holidays. tests of power and maturity. That's how a lot of inexperienced They are not primarily tests of knowledge of specific subject men made that trip with nobody matter." learning mucb. On following trips, it was different. With men CHOICE ANSWERS aboard who were familiar with the routine, things ran much In answering the questions, smoother and I had a chance to candidates will not have to do learn something. I really ap­ much writing, but will merely preciated the oldtimers asking select the best answer out of me to work with them. It was several choices that are given good experience and becoming him. acquainted with the engine room No extensive preparation such routine was made easy; The as enrolling in a special coach­ oldtimers alsa taught me alot ing course, is necessary, the about the SIU, something I Board of Education declared. didn't get on that first trip. Applicants wishing to brush up on their own are advised to . re­ view the fundamentals of Eng­ lish grammer and "improve their ability to handle the fundamental operations in general mathema­ By G. W. (Bill) CHAMPLIN ticle II, Section 13, the word tics." "plane" be stricken from the In New York City, applications Last week, I took the oppox'clause "repatriation by • train, may be obtained at Washington tunity afforded by this occa­ plane or vessel." Irving High School, 12th Street sional column to propose two Why support a competing in­ and Irving Place, between 9 clarifications of the contract to dustry which already has gone a A.M. and 1 P.M. and from 6:30 to long way toward straxigling our the Negotiating Committee. These 8:30 P.M. Completed applications American merchant marine pas­ may also be returned—in person suggestions were so well re­ senger service? —to that school. ceived that I feel sufficiently en­ Why put men back on the Non-residents of New York couraged to submit some more. shipping list from one to several State may file applications if First off, I suggest that Article months earlier than necessary in they wish to have their test re­ I, Section 32, of the General Dry these days of tough shipping? sults sent to school authorities Cargo Agreement, entitled '*Rest Planes should be resorted to only outside New York State, and pro­ Periods," be extended to include in direst distress. Maybe you vided the applicant presents a day workers at sea, particularly will recall my article on this sub­ letter from a local authority au­ when transitting the Suez Canal. ject in the LOG of December 5, thorizing him to take the tests. Second, I propose that in Ar­ 1947. ED LARKIN. Jr. Engineer: fiiiis? My early shipmates, taught me Illi many things that I haven't for­ gotten. They pointed out that the ship was my home and that I had to help keep it clean, as well as myself. They explained that the reason I signed on was to do a job. and that I had to fill the bill. They also impressed upon me that on a first trip silence is bliss. "Keep your mouth shut and observe what's going on," they said. Good ad­ vice, too. They told me I had to respect the ship's and my ship­ mates' property and the rights of others. I try to pass this all on to newer men. It's stuff that makes our Union strong. THOMAS KUSTAS, FWT: I first shipped on American ships out of the Union Hall in Portland. Oregon. . I was im­ pressed by the difference be­ tween the way new men were treated on these ships, and the way it was when I shipped ouf of Piraeus as a trimmer. Then I was practically a slave to the Chief Engineer and oldtimers kicked me around. Here, new men were treated with respect and consideration by the rest of the Union members. All showed an interest in helping us learn the ship's work and Union con­ tract. I was also impressed with the Union shipboard meetings where I learned how beefs and education was handled. BILL BLANTON, Electrician: I got started off on the right foot soon after I started going to sea. On my first SIU ship I sailed with several oldtimers who knew the score. It was a hungry Waterman scow and had beefs of every description. The way these men tackled the problem was very impressive. Quite a differ­ ence from the first two ships I sailed, one Panamanian and the other a WSA job, on which the crews were nondescript. Early in my sailing days I had the luck to meet two other Seafarers who were excellent seamen. They taught me- a helluva lot about first-class seamanship. iiisSjiitjW Brother Suggests More Contrart Clarifirations Third, I believe* Article II, Section 14, should state specifically that it also applies to men paid off or injured in foreign ports. I have seen many "chisels" worked, and have been the vic­ tim of some myself. Accordingly, it should be fur­ ther slated that a cash difference must be paid when a man re­ turns at a lower rate of fare than the agreement specifies. Foui'th, under Article II, Sec­ tion 36, room and board are often forced upon men by American consuls in foreign ports. Buenos Aires provides some examples. For instance, the Hotel Splen- dide Bouchard in BA is paid 12 pesos a day plus the customary additional amount for tax and employees' tips, bringing the total to about 1314 pesos. At the legal rate of four pesos for one U.S. dollar, this costs the company about $3.40. The seaman is chiseled out of the baldnce and is left with no money for cigarettes, toilet ar­ ticles, postagfe and other small matters. He either has to bum them or peddle his gear. Here's hoping that last wfeek's^ and this week's columns help us all along a bit. �W9 THE S E AF ARERS HE KEEPS THE COFFEE COMING LO G Page Fiftie i Injured Seamen Say Robin Line Held Up Return To The States The Robin Line was accused this week of ignoring its respon­ sibility in returning to the States crewmembers stranded in South Africa by illness, and injury. The charge was made by Sea­ farer Charles Garcia, hospitalized last April for injuries received on the Robin Hood, who says he was refused passage on several of the company's ships after more than a month's wait in Capetown. Garcia finally procured trans­ portation on the Marine Arrow, after U.S. consular intervention, and arrived in New York Mon­ day. He was accompanied by Lou Fisher, another Seafarer, who corroborated the story of com­ pany laxity. Fisher, an AB, had been felled by malaria while Seafarer Carl Barre, a Steward, turns to on the third declc aboard a Robin ship. They were recreation room of the New York Hall, so that his Union successful in getting out only af­ Charles Garcia (left) and Lou Fisher held the Robin T.iwfl Brothers won't be kept waiting for that cup of coffee. ter telling the Consul they would responsible for failure to return stranded crewmen to States be forced to stowaway. •within reasonable length of time. Both lads, who had spent A considerable number of men more than a month trying to get tramH>ortation from Cape­ are on the beach in Capetown town. arrived in New York last week aboard the Marine now, Garcia said, trying hard, Arrow. SS STEEL CHEMIST Broadway, New York, N. Y. and but apparently in vain, to be re­ (Volage No.'3) may be called for there. turned to this country. Garcia set out to get transpor­ The new tack was successful and Ellis, Richard A., $10.60; Laws, tation to the U.S. The following crewmembers "WORSE IN DURBAN" Garcia and Fisher were soon Earl J., $10.60; Price, Frederick Every time a ship came in he homeward bound. have pay vouchers at the New "I understand the situation is L., $7.29; Cooke, Edwin F., $5.30; went down to see the company Orleans' Office of the Isthmian UNION ADVISES Stansell, Ralph C., $4.24; Mahood, even worse in Durban," he said. agent, the Consul and the Skip­ Steamship Company, covering "No matter how you plead Arthur L., $4.24; McLemore, At SIU Headquarters it wai per. Each time it was the same •disputed overtime later approved. Tommie D., $4.24; Fielder, Don with the company agent, the story. . No facilities for extra pointed out that men, stranded If not called for by August 20, L., $5.30; Oppenheimer, Charles Consul and Skippers of the ships abroad by illness or injury, whoi 1948, these vouchers will be for­ C., $5.30; Connell, Henry M., calling in Capetown," Garcia hands, he was told. experience unreasonable delays The Robin Kirk, Marine Run­ warded to the main office at 71 $1.06. charged, "it's always the same in obtaining transportation back ner and the Seton Hall Victory story—'no room.' " S. S. S. to the States should immediately "I learned on investigation, were among the several ships notify the Union of their plight, The following men have whose Skippers turned down however, that there was room." so that action can be taken on vouchers waiting at the Ore SS After he was given an okay by Garcia's pleas for passage. His this end. Co.. in Baltimore; the Capetown doctor on May 27, experiences were shared by Fish­ SS Marymar: W. Donaldson, Brother Garcia, who was er. BALTIMORE 14 Norih Gay St. 3 hrs; F. Christy, h.hrs.; E. Daaboard the Robin Hood as OUer William Reatz, Agent Calvert 4539 DESPERATE vito, 2 hrs,; K. McWilliams, 2 when it left New York Feb. 16, BOSTON 276 State St. When the Marine Arrow called suffered head injuries when Walter Siekmann, Agent BowUoin 44SS hrs.; H. Bers, 2 hrs,; M. Doucette, at Capetown, both Garcia and struck by a boiler plate as it GALVESTON SOSMi—23ril St. 2 hrs.; T. Benson, 2 hrs.; R. Keltli Alaop, Agent Phone 2-8448 Ewing, 2 hrs.; C. Johnston, 1 hr.; Fisher were desperate after a was being prepared for repacking' MOBILE 1 Sonth Lawrence St. month of futile attempts to get in Mombassa. G. Kosch, 23 hrs. Cat Tanner, Agent Phone 2-1784 home. Despite this, the Skipper SS Portmar: H. Fowler, 1 hr. He was removed to a hospital; NEW ORLEANS 823 Bienville St. said there was no room on the and remained seven days, be-E.Sheppard. Agent Magnolia 6112.6112 A A NEW YORK 61 Beaver St. Arrow for them. fore returning to the ship. Dur­ GEORGE ARNOLD, MM Joe Algina, Agent HAnover 2-2784 (Continued from Page 1) Both men decided then and ing the trip to Capetown he suf-f Transportationmoney due you NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. men was the feeling that he there that if the situation con­ fared frequent dizzy spells and<l Ben Reel, Agent Phone 4-1083 from the LST Boat Highway 16 tinued they might be in Cape­ upon arrival in port, the com-^ PHILAOELPHU...614-16 No. I3th St. has been collected and is being should be consistent. Uoyd Gardner, Agent Poplar 6-1217 held in the Milwaukee Hall. The SIU maintains that the town for months longer. They pany doctor recommended he be'' SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. maritime industry is certainly told the Consul they would at­ taken off the ship. i Steve Cardullo, Agent Douglae 2-5475 more vital today than it has been tempt to stowaway, if they did He was under the doctor's care t SAN JUAN, P.R 282 Ponce de Leon at any other period—^from both not get out on the Marine Arrow. from April 27 to June 29, when Sal CoUi, Agent San Juan 2-5096 SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St the economic and national de­ It was then that the Consul he left aboard the Marine Arrow. ALFREDO RIGS Charles Starling, Agent Phone 3-1728 fense standpoints. showed considerable concern, ac­ Garcia who hails from Ohio, TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. You can obtain your Union President Truman should be cording to Garcia, and brought has been a member of the SIU . R. H. Hall, Agent Phone M.1323 book, which you left aboard the consistent, therefore, and follow pressure on the Arrow's Skipper. for more than three years. ( HEADQUARTERS. .81 Beaver St., N.YX:. HAnover 2-2784 SS Suzanne, on the Sixth Deck through with exemptions for the of the New York Hall. Your men who are t'he backbone of the SECRETARY-TREASURER clothes are at the Bull Line's industry, the Union holds. It is Paul Hall ,New York office at 115 Broad President Truman alone who has DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION Lindsey Williams Street. The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea­ full power to direct the move -ASSIST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS farers International Union is available to all members who wish ; i- i- i' suggested by the SIU. Robert Matthews -J. P. Shuler to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of J. BOGARD, AB Joseph Volpian MUST ACT NOW! their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have ' Your personal effects, taken the LOG sent to you each week address cards are on hand at every Pointing to the need for im­ from the SS Besemer Victory SUP SIU branch for this purpose. mediate action by the President, in Los Angeles, have been left HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. However, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU ' con­ Phone 5-8777 with Sudden and Christenson, the SIU communication hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the liOG, '• PORTLAND... 111 W. Burnsido St. company agents, in San' Fran­ cluded with the cliarge that: • Beacon 4336 cisco. "Failure to act now may later which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 51 RICHMOND, Calif .257 5lh St. prove to be of irreparable dam­ Beaver Street, New York 4 ,N. Y. t, t. S, Phone 2590 SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St. Will S. E. Watkins, Bosun, age to our national welfare." PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION Douglas 2-6475 Willam Duffy, AB, F. K. Coun­ Individual messages from Sea­ SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. tryman, AB and Phillip Kerr, farers and their families have To the Editor: Main 0290 been pouring into Washington, WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. Pumpman, on the SS J. J. Coney I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to the similarly urging presidential and Terminal 4-3I3I on April 7, 1^47, when Lorence Murphy, OS, was killed in an congressional action in recogniz­ address below: accident, please contact Albert ing the wartime, and present BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. Michelson, attorney for mother service of seamen to the nation. Cleveland 7391' of Lorence Murphy, Russ Build­ Release of the SIU telegram in CHICAGO, lU.. .V...32ei East 92nd St. all Atlantic and Gulf Coast ports ing, S.F., YUkon 6-6818. Street Address Phone: Essex 2410 has swelled the volume' of ap­ CLEVELAND 2602 Carroll St. peals to the President for im­ Main 0147 BOB GRISHAM State City DETROIT 1038 Third St. mediate action. Your seabag has been left at Cadillac 0887 Indications point to consider­ the New Orleans SIU HaU. Signed DULUTH.... 531 W. MichigBn St. able support for the SIU view­ & » £ Malrosa 4110 point by many sections of the FRANK SNYDER TOLEDO 815 Summit St. Book No Garfield 2112 Get in touch with the San organized labor mo v e m e n t throughout the country. Francisco A&G GiOtiee. MONEY DUE SiU HRLLS SItJ, A&G District SIU Asks Tiliinan To Draft-Exempt Wartime Seamen NOTICE! Notice To All SIU Members Gt. Lakes District a;;j, �Fage Sixteen W." mm SEAFARERS LOG Fridajf. July- 30. 1048 'Mutiny'CrewBestSkipper Ever Had • On July 17, the U.S. Navy destroyer George E. McKenzie drew alongside the SS William Carson, a 7,000-ton South Atlantic Steamship lines freighter, in the At­ lantic Ocean somewhere between Portugal and the Azores. A 10-man boarding party climbed gingerly up the Carson's ladder. The commanding officer asked the Chief Mate: "Do you know why we're here?" "No," said the Chief Mate. Neither did any other Carson crewmember. "We had reports of a mutiny on this ship," the CO said. That was the first the Carson men had heard of it, though for four days Amer­ ican newspapers had screamed the rumor in front-page headlines. The report wa< the result of an SOS sent out by the radio operator, who then jumped overboard. These photos were' taken by a LOG cameraman who went aboard with a Union Patrolman when the Carson docked in New York this week. iiisiiSiSiK ^ i + u "• OS-' ,» , • V. >s iiiiifiisiiiisiai ' ' ' ^ : ^ ' i ' ii i.' ^ <i. /• ' ' '''iiliiiiiiiiiiiilliiiilil ' Seafarer B. Harrison, the Carson Bosun who was mak­ ing his second trip, was stand­ ing by the ladder when the Navy party boarded the "mu­ tinous" ship, and asked for the Skipper. Like every other crewman, Harrison was dumb­ founded by the "mutiny" re­ port. Sample of genial atmosphere and brotherly spirit which crew said prevailed throughout voyage is shown in this photo taken in crew's messroom. >.> >: I!' Catching up with the latest Union news and details of the Carson "mutiny" they knew nothing about. Seafarers in photo right read the LOGs brought aboard by Patrolman Purcell. Deeply engrossed (left to right) are Anthony Poddiford, Oiler; Lee D. Biggs, Night Cook and Baker, and Marvin Oliver. Oiler. All hail from Georgia. When Biggs called his girl in Atlanta after the ship's axrival. he was suprised to learn she thought he was in the hoosegow. "How come." he asked. "Well, after that 'mutiny* we read about, we thought we wouldn't be hearing from you for awhile, especially after they had to call out the warships to get you," came the reply. 'J i Chief Mate R. E. Burnett (above) agreed fully with the Carson's Captain Braithwaite. when he said. 'The crew is one of the best I ever sailed with." Both Mate and Skipper hoped crew would stay with them as long as the Carson sailed. Burnett is a former SIU man. New York Patrolman Jimmy Purcell (left) lines things up and checks books of waiting members preparatory to payoff. The capable Carson crew was ably represented by these shipboard Delegates. Seated (leitto right) : Clark Medley. Jr.. Deck; C. O. Stroud, Engine: standing (left to right) : O. F. Martin, Ship s Delegate, and E. J. Neal, Stewards. All Departments were manned by fullbookmen. ' ^ J � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource July 30, 1948 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. X, No. 31 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES SIU BACKS ILA PUERTO RICO STRIKE SIU TERMS OPERATORS WAGE OFFER INADEQUATE TO MEET PRICE RISE SIU ASKS TRUMAN TO DRAFT-EXEMPT WARTIME SEAMEN NEW DISPATHER IN TAMPA HAS GOOD SIU RECORD REGISTRATIN RULES DUE AT NEXT MEETING MUTINOUS /- JUST BEST CREW EVER SIU TURNS DOWN OPERATORS' OFFER AS INADEQUATE WHAT THE UNION OWES THE MEMBERSHIP SAN FRANCISCO BRANCH KEPT BUSU BY SHIPPING AND HUNT FOR HALL MOBILE EXPECTS FLOUR SHIPMETS TO BOOST PORT IMPROVED SHIPPING SHOULD REDUCE NY LISTS NEW ORLEANS SHIPPING RUNS INTO SLOWDOWN GALVESTON SHIPPINH HOLDS SPURT,BUT RETURN TO NORMAL SEEN DUE SIU PUT ON SPOT WHEN MEMBERS REFUSE JOBS SAN FRANCISCO IS A SEAMEN'S TOWN BROTHER OVERLOOKS DANGERS IN SUGGESTING SEAFARERS START A VERTERANS ORGANIZATION MC FAVORS DRAFT EXEMPTION FOR MEN WITH WAR SERVICE NY OFFERING 'EQUIVALENCY' HS DIPLOMA BROTHER SUGGEST MORE CONTRACT CLARIFACTIONS INJURED SEAMEN SAY ROBIN LINE HELD UP RETURN TO THE STATES SIU ASKS TRUMAN TO DRAFT-EXEMPT WARTIME SEAMEN Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 07/30/1948 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1948 Periodicals Seafarers Log