http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/1c45758eb0233711d23802e76c2c5994.PDF f18d77b9b7bd538285e4c1c0338ff0bc PDF Text Text Official Organ, Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA VOL. X NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1948 No. 35 Registration For Draft Begins; Seamen s Statas Still Unsettled Seafarers Signs Two More Oatfits To Top Contract The Atlantic and Gulf District's drive to win for its membership the highest wages in maritime history made more headway this week, as two more operators capitulated to the SIU's demands for a two-year contract boosting pay by $12.50 and $25. Latest to sign the SIU contract, which has become the pattern for the maritime industry, were the Waterman Steamship Corporation and the IllinoisAtlantic Steamship Company. Negotiations with the Waterman outfit, one of the largest dry cargo operators in the world, classification under the old draft According to Section 4, Public set-up, on the basis of having Law 759: "Any citizen of a foreign obtained the Maritime Commis­ sion's Discharge of Substantially country, who is not deferrable Continuous Service, should hold or exempt from training and on to it, as it may help when service under the provisions presented to the new Draft (.of the law) shall be relieved were brouglit brougiit to a successful from liability for training and conclusion i:i Mobile, where the Boards. Men who are entitled to this service... if. prior to his in­ Union was represented by a Discharge, and who have not duction into the armed forces, sub-Negotiating Committee head­ In the SEAFARERS LOG he has made application to ed by Cal Tanner, SIU Agent in yet obtained it, are advised to be relieved from such liability that port. of August 6th. it was re­ got it now, as it may weigh in the manner prescribed by ported that men owed money The Illinois-Atlantic company Just what the status of mer­ heavily later on, in obtaining de­ and in accordance with rules was brought into line by the chant seamen will be under the ferment. for service on War Shipping and regulations prescribed by SIU Headquarters Negotiating draft is not clear at the moment, Administration ships could the President; but any person Committee in New York. MORE CONSIDERATION though it will probably be avail­ make all claims through the who makes such application able by the time actual induc­ EXPIRE IN 1950 From the experience of the shall thereafter be debarred District Auditor. Maritime tions begin on September 22. Both contracts, identical with membership under the wartime from ber.->ming a citizen of the Commission. 45 Broadway. those previously wrested from An executive order by Presi­ draft set-up, it was found that United States." New York City. the Mississippi Shipping Comdent Truman set a classification those who registered in port Important for Seafarers is the p^ny in New Orleans and eight system closely following the cities were given more conside­ The LOG has been in­ system used during the war. ration on the basis of occupa­ provision allowing men prevent- member companies of the Atlanformed by the Maritime ed from appearing on schedule. tic and Gulf Ship Operators AsThe President officially defer­ tional deferment than those who Commission that this is not because of circumstances beyond | gociation in New York, following red married men, most farmers, registered in inland cities, where their control, to register at a siU action at the point of prothe procedure. Men owed those engaged in activities which the boards were not so well in­ later time. Similarly, those who duction, is effective as of August money for work done aboard are "necessary to the mainten­ formed on maritime affairs. are aboard ship are required to 17, T948, and will expire Sep­ WSA ships are to follow the ance of the national health, safe­ Aliens can exempt themselves register within five days of established procedure of ap­ ty or interest" &nd who are also from service, but only at the cost reaching a U.S. port, or those in tember 30, 1950. As a result of its successes of plying through the agent irreplaceable, men with depend­ of forfeiting their right to ever hospitals or in jail, etc., must the past two weeks, the SIU who operated the ship at the ents, men with wartime military becoming citizens of the U.S. Negotiating Committees in New (Continued on Page 3) time the work was done. service, and many others. York and the Gulf area have The Commission office in FOR ONE YEAR extended the Seafarers' record New York is a bookkeeping wage gains and protective Union office, and handles no funds Further, the President may security clauses to the rmlicenwhatsoever. designate other special activities! sed personnel of 11 companies, as being essential to the national The Commission further including several of the larger Draft Registration dates are from August 30 to welfare in the future. When de­ pointed out that even if the contracted outfits. September 18. ferments are allowed they will company does not operate In addition to Waterman and be for a maximum period of any more WSA ships, all Illinois-Atlantic, operators now Everyone, whether citizen or alien, between the one year, instead of six months claims are still to go through bound by the new conditions are: ages of 18 and 28 MUST register. as previously. the company's office. Alcoa Steamship Company, The classifications are: Some companies have Bull Steamship Company, Bal­ Those paying off after these dates MUST register 1-A—Available for military claimed to have turned over timore Insular Line, South At­ within five days after reaching a US port. service. their books to the Maritime lantic Steamship Company, Seas Commission, but the Com­ 1 -A-O—Conscientious objector Shipping Companj', Seatrain Veterans under 26 years of age. although exempt mission says they have not available for non-combatant mil­ Lines, Inc., Eastern Steamship from service, MUST register. received any. If any comitary service. Company and Smith and John­ anies do so in the future, the son, all of which signed in New 1-C—Members of the armed Married men. although exempt from service. MUST SIU will be notified. In that York August 13, and Mississippi forces. Coast Guard, Coast and register. case a notice will be printed Shipping Company, which gave Geodetic Survey or Public in the LOG. (Continued on Page 7) Health Service and certain reg­ istrants separated therefrom. 1-D—Member of Reserve com­ ponent or student taking military training. II-A—Registrant deferred be­ NEW YORK—The SIU's peti­ though the actual election was continue to argue their respective At that time Cities Service cause of civilian occupation (ex­ tion for an election to win certi­ held imder that Taw. cases. Both have agreed to stay had eight ships, but one of them, cept agriculture) fication on the ships of the Cities It was the sam^; old story, ac­ in session until the arguments the SS Lone Jack, did not touch II-C—Deferred because of ag­ Service not included in the orig­ cording to the SIU organizers, are completed which means that an American port during the ricultural occupation. inal certification order issued in who declared that Cities Service the hearings should end Mon­ III-A—Registrant with depend­ May by the NLRB was stalled was simply looking for legal day night. If you have sailed on a by the company this week. loop-holes to delay the inevit­ ents. BROKE PRECEDENT Cities Service ship as Stew­ At hearings before an NLRB able, a full contract with the IV-A—Registrant who has The NLRB examiner will then ard, Bosun. Pumpman or Ma­ examiner here. Cities Service SIU. The Union is countering completed service; sole surviving report to NLRB headquarters in sons of parents whose other child representatives maintained that every move that Cities Service Washington, where the final de­ chinist. report to the Organ­ izing Department on the Fifth or children died in World War Stewards, Bo,sun,s, Pumpmen and makes. cision on the bargaining unit Deck in New York before 10 Machinists could not vote in MEET MONDAY II. will be' made. After that, the o'clock, Monday. August 30. IV-B—Officials deferred by such an election because they The hearings were recessed on election will be ordered. This is important. were supervisory employees. Wednesday, August 25, but rep­ law. SIU spokesmen are contend­ SUPERVISORS OUT resentatives of the Union and ing that Bosuns, Stewards, Ma­ IV-C—^Aliens. Under the Taft-Hartley Act, the company will reconvene with chinists and Pumpmen are un­ voting period. Since then the IV-D—-Ministers of religion or supervisory employees cannot be the NLRB examiner on the licensed crewmembers and for company has acquired eight ad­ divinity students. included in a bargaining unit. morning of Monday, August 30. that reason cannot be classed ditional ships. IV-E—Conscientious objectors In last winter's previous vot­ Seafarers who have sailed Cities as supervisory employees. It is In protesting the limited cer­ opposed to combatant and noning on the seven Cities Service Service ships in any of the four up to the company to prove to tification, the SIU maintained combatant training and service. ships which have already been disputed ratings should report the contrary. that the NLRB had not followed IV-F—Physically, mentally or certified. Stewards, Bosuns, to the Organizing Department on The present controversy arose its own precedent set in the morally unfit. Pumpmen and Machinists were the Fifth Deck in New York when the NLRB's certification Isthmian case—when the SIU V—Those who became 26 years included in the voting unit. In before 10 o'clock that morning, order based on last winter's el­ was certified as the bargaining old after registering and conse­ that case, the voting unit was the Organizers announced. ection aboard Cities Service agent for Isthmian ships, the quently are exempt from service. agreed to before the Taft-Hart­ ;When the hearing reconvenes, ships covered only the seven NLRB did not restrict certifica­ tion to the ships voted. Men who were given the 1-G ley Act went into effect, al­ the Union and the company wiU ships actually voted. NEW YORK—Beginning Aug. ust 30, all men between the ages of 18 and 26 must register for the peacetime draft, regard­ less of any basis they may have (or think they have) for defer­ ment from actual military serv­ ice. Those who have already reached their 26th birthday, however, need not register. WSA Money Due Points About The Draft Cities Service Eiection Stail Seen At End �Page Two THE SEAFJ^RERS LOG Friday. August 27, 1948 SEAFARERS LOG Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 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 Start Thinking Now Time seems to flit by faster for Seafarers than it does for people in shoreside occupations. A few sign-ons, a few payoffs—and before you know it a year is rolling by. With this vision of fleeting time before us, it might be a good idea to begin mulling over a mighty important piece of Union business. Although nominations for the various posts in the Atlantic and Gulf District are not scheduled to be opened for several weeks, right now seems to be the correct moment to begin thinking about the annual elections. At least, we should be taking stock of the men who might serve the Union next year. Briefly, the qualifications for nomination are that the candidate must be a U.S. citizen and a bookmember of the A&G District for at least two years. Candidates for Agent or Patrolman must have three years sea service in any one of the three departments. Candidates not now in office must show four months of discharges for the Current year. Qualifications for the positions are comparatively easy for any member to meet. Most Seafarers can qualify easily. But these qualifications are only the very minimum a man needs to serve his Union. To properly appraise the worth of a Seafarer and his ability to do a first-rate job as a Union official, it is wise to observe the tangibles. In other words, to look at the record—of the past year, for example—to see what a member has done to indicate his interest in the SIU, and what he has to offer the membership in the way of service in its behalf. Hospital Patients This looking at the record is clearly not confined to those now in office. There are many Brothers who are not officials who continually arc active to further the Union's advance. Some of these active rank-and-filers have been your own shipmates. They are the men who are always These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, ready and willing to accept responsibility in getting Union as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging jobs done. heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by Men Now In The Marine Hospitals They arc the men who serve as shipboard Delegates, who act as members of shoreside committees, who present recommendations that will benefit all hands in our Or­ ganization. These are among the men to be considered by you in making your decision on nominations. The nomination of men who might ultimately serve as Union officials is a serious business. In doing so, you are offering the names of men whom you regard as capable of carrying out your—and the rest of the mem­ bership's—decisions, to represent you in dealings with the operators and otherwise conduct the business of the Union. Ju^ as members placing the names of their Brothers in nomination must do so seriously, the recipients of this honor must accept it in absolute seriousness and with all sincerity. No one should labor under the misapprehension that a union election is a popularity contest. There is too much at stake for all of us in maritime in these critical days to take our Union offices lightly. Let us nominate as many men as possible. The more qualified Seafarers nominated, the better the chance that we will get outstanding representation for the Atlantic and Gulf District. Let's just make si^-e we make merit the measure of our choices. I writing to them. MOBILE HOSPITAL E. D. JENKINS A. C. McALPIN E. E. JARRETT C. GLOVER L. M. KYSER W. ANDERSON A. C. SIMPSON H, R. LOWMAN E. A. GRADY P. HUSEBY C. H. WILLIAMS 4" BALTIMORE MARINE HOSP. L. C. HOLMES JACK McCRANIE GETTIS LIGHTFOOT WILLIE WHITE JOSEPH W. BOURGEOIS WM. T. ROSS STANLEY GELAK PERCY BATSON M. C. EL MORES J. W. SPENCER CHRIST B. VIKIN JAS. K. CHARLESWORTH EDW. A. MORGAA J. ROOS DAVID WARDEN H. W. SPENCER JOS. W. BOURJOIS F. BECKER C. MORALES R. J. PURCELL JOHN J. SCHWABLANK C. SIMMONS STANLEY GELAK WM. T. ROSS EDW. A. MORGAN M. C. EL MORES S. A SSAN PEDRO HOSPITAL L. TICKLE T. C. KELLY M. BYERS t. t- tNEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL STELLY C. FORMAN E. LIPARI R. F. BLACK J. DENNIS L. C. MASON A. LOOPER C. ANDERSON RALPH PIEPHET V. R. NORTH V. P. SALLINGS C. GREEN C. R. GRIMES W. H. COLBOURNE M. C. GADDY H. L. SEYMOfUR JAMES FARRIOR E. MULHOLLAND A. SYLVERA 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 p.m. (on 5th and 6th floors.) Thursday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) Saturday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 1st and 2nd floors.) EDWIN MAXWELL FRANK WAGNER P. E. CUMARE H. FERDRICKSSON H. MASON G. L. DUXWORTH ED MILLER s. STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL A. EWING A. VANELZUELA M. CASTRO J. McNEELY A. JENSBY D. DeDUISEN T. ZEMRZUSKI W. H. NUNN J. BOUYEA W. HUNT R. L. JOHNSTON K. C. CROWE C. OPPENHEIMER W. H. PERRY T. MANDICK C. NANGLE C. W. HALLA P. G. DAUGHERTY ' ! ' �Fiidar. Augiul 27, 1948 Registration For Miiitary Draft Begins THE SEAFARERS LOG IN APPRECIATION? Page Thxee' Absentee Ballots Available To Most Seamen This Year NEW YORK — Merchant Sea-'tion. Application for ballot should men can vote in the coming be made to the County Clerk elections, unless their legal resi-[of the county of the voter's resi­ dence is in one of the few dence. (Couthuicd from Page I) States prohibiting absentee bal­ Connecticut—Ballots must be loting. received not later than Novemalso register within five days The fii-st step in exercising ber 1, 1948. after their release. the right and duty to vote is Idaho—^Application should be Registration will begin with r- 0 you who answered the call of your to obtain the Post Card (Stand- made to the County Clerk for the oldest group—the 25 year ard Form No. 76) application' registration forms required, if olds — registering on the first JL country and served in its Merchant from any of the following the voter did not vote in the day. The other groups will fol­ sources: 1946 general election. Ballots Marine to bring about the total defeat of low on successive days through September 18. Office of the United States must be received by election of­ the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of ficials not later than November Maritime Commission Registration dates for each 1. age group are as follows: Office of the United States the Nation. You undertook a most severe Illinois—Post Card Form No. Shipping Commissioner The oldest group, meaning 76 is not acceptable. Application men born in 1922 after August task—one zvhich called for courage and Local Union Headquarters by merchant seamen may be 30, 1922, will be registered on United Seamen's Service Clubs made directly to the County fortitude. Because you demonstrated the Monday, August 30. Seamen's Institutes Clerk. Ballots must be received Men born in 1923—August 31 In addition to the Post Card by election officials not later resourcefulness and calm judgment nec­ and September 1. Form, an application for a State than November 2. absentee ballot may also be Men born in 1924—^^September essary to carry out that task, we now Maine — Ballots must be re­ made by means of a personal ceived by election officials not 2 and 3. look to you for leadership atid example letter mailed to the Secretary later than November 2. Men born in 1923—September of the State, in which the ap­ Michigan—National, State, and 4 and 7. in further serving our country in peace. plicant has his voting residence, County officers to be elected. Men born in 1926—September or in such other manner as may u u J 1- XI. , u Mississippi — Ballots must be 8 and 9. be nrescnbed by the law of such • j u .u r-.x , : received by the Circuit Clerk Men born in 1927—September State. of the voter's county not later 10 and 11. The State absentee ballot must than the date of the election. Men born in 1928—September be carefully executed in accord­ Montana—Post Card Form No. 13 and 14. ance with the instructions which THE WHITE HOUSE accompany it. The oath may he j^ constitute a valid Men born in 1929—September May 12, 19W taken and attested by a War-! ^PPl^^^tion for baUot. Applica15 and 16. rant or Non-Commissioned Offi-'^^^^ should be made Copies of the Executive Order shown above were for­ Men born in 1930, before cer of the Army or Navy, or byi^^^ statutory form furnished by warded to Seafarers by the President of the United States September 19—September 17 and Masters, First Officers, Chief En-' County Clerk and Recorder extolling them for the important part they played in the 18. gineers and Pursers of vessels. county seat. Ballots must victory of the Allied Nations in World War II. As draft Men born after September 19, documented under the laws of received by election officials registration date approaches—with no consideration being 1930 will register on their not later than election day. the United States. shown to seamen—holders of the Presidential order wonder eighteenth birthday, or within Nebraska—Ballots must be re­ Merchant seamen desiring fur­ just how meaningful cind important are official commendations. five days therefrom. ther information should write to ceived by November 11. North Carolina — Ballots must the Secretary of the State in be received by election officials which he has a voting residence. by election day. Pennsylvania, and Maryland North Dakota — Ballots must no longer permit absentee vot­ Members who forward ing, and in Missouri merchant be received in time for the first XI. ij • J seamen must be present in the meeting of election officials after their membership books to Necessity is the mother of invention, the old saying goes, and order to vote election day. the New York Hall for retire­ Seafarer William Reid happily points to his own experience to Ohio—Post Card Form No. 76 In the following States elec­ ment are urged to mark the prove it. tions will be held November 2, will not be acceptable as an ap­ Stricken with appendicitis aboard the SS Alcoa Clipper July and absentee ballots may be ob­ plication for ballot. Seamen envelope with the notation 17, Brother Reid might have suffered severe complications had tained by applying on the Stan­ should request an ordinary civi­ "Attention: 6th floor." in or­ it not been for the timely decision and ingenuity of the ship's dard Post Form No. 76 unless lian absentee voter's application der to insure quicker hand­ surgeon and several able assistants. from the Secretary of State. otherwise specified below. ling of the matter. In an emergency operation performed in an improvised op­ Arizona—Ballots must be re­ Such ballot must be returned to erating room Brother Reid parted company with his mutinous ceived by election officials not election officials not later than Marking of the envelope in appendix, at 10:30 P.M. when the doctor decided Reid's condition later than the day of the elec­ noon of the fourth day before the manner advised above wouldn't stand waiting until the arrival' of a Coast Guard rescue tion. election. will save time and will result team the next morning. Oklahoma — Ballots must be Colorado—^Ballots must be re­ in prompt return of the book CALL FOR AID received by election day. ceived by election officials not to the sender. Reid began feeling ill the day after the Clipper had left New later than the day of the elecTexas—^Post Card Form No. 76 Orleans. His condition was diagnosed by Dr. A. S. Creniglia, is not acceptable as an applica­ who immediately issued a call tion for ballot. Seamen should for aid to the Coast Guard, since apply to the Secretary of State the necessary implements for the for an absentee ballot. required surgery were not "Vermont—Post Card Form No. aboard. The Clipper radioed her 76 is not acceptable as applica­ SOS at 2 P.M. The ship was tion for ballots. Applicants for then three hours by air from the ballots should write to the nearest base. County Clerk entirely in his According to Magge Greenown handwriting and state the berg, Stewardess on the Clipper, facts necessary to establish his the Coast Guard notified the ves­ right to vote, including the facts sel at 6 P.M. that it "just of his expected absence from the couldn't make it," because land­ polls on election day and the ing a seaplane on the water after reasons therefor. The ballots dark would be a hazardous task. must be received by election of­ Dr. Greniglia decided that the ficers before closing of polls on operation would have to be per­ election day. formed aboard the Clipper with Wisconsin — Post Card Form the tools on hand. Aided by No. 76 should be addressed to Sister Greenberg, Dr. Alvin Ramthe County Clerk of county of bar, a passenger; and C. Henlegal residence. Request should ning. Second Purser, Dr. Cre­ not be mailed to Secretary of niglia prepared for the surgery. State. Ballots must be received Four table spoons were rigged by election officials by Novem­ ber 2. as retractors, and four ounces of Wyoming—Bonafide electors of novacaine were used around the the State of Wyoming are eli­ incision area to deaden the pain, gible to vote. Post Card Form because the customary imple­ No. 76 should be addressed to ments were lacking. the County Clerk. Ballots must At 10:30 Drs. Creniglia and be received before November 2. Rambar were taking off their Residents of States not listed rubber gloves. The appendix Magge Greenberg, Clipper Stewardess, who may write to their respective William Reid, as he appeared 11 days after was so inflamed, a rupture was undergoing emergency appendectomy in im­ likely in four hours, they agreed. assisted doctors during operation, holds ap­ State Secretaries, if they desire pendix shortly after it was removed from information concerning their ab­ provised operating room aboard the Alcoa Reid's convalescence was swift. sentee voting status. Reid. In 11 days he was up. Clipper. RETIRING BOOKS Appendix Spooned Out In Trick Operntion Aboard Alcoa Clipper �THE S E Af ARERS LOG I Page Foux Friday, August 27. 1948 The Membership And Union Policy By EARL (Bull) SHEPPARD In looking over the articles submitted to the LOG by other Port Agents on "some subject of general and vital interest to the membership," I see where they have touched on specific Union problems or accom­ plishments. Brother Tanner wrote of the Union's responsibilities to the membership, where it extended and where it ended. Brother Algina covered the correctness of the SrU's course as shown by the NMU's mistakes where they differed and success where they followed us. Brother Gardner spoke of beefs and beefers—a Union problem. The subjects covered by my Brother Agents had one thing in common—each was approached from the standpoint of Union policy on the matter. Inasmuch as the Union's policy in each case was the basis of the article, it seems like a good idea to take Union policy itself as a subject. It's a big hunk to bite off and chew on, but I feel it is of prime impor­ tance to the SIU. Every organization, every government and every Union has a policy. It's the way of life, the road that is followed. Our government charts its course on its foreign and domestic policies: the SIU, too, sets its course by policy. EVOLVES FROM MEETINGS In the SIU, as every member knows, the Union's policy is arrived at through open discussion at mem­ bership meetings ashore and on the ships. Crews offer resolutions, rank-and-filers make motions and Union officials offer recommendations. They all come to the attention of the membership in the same fashion and are critically analyzed by Seafarers in meetings in all ports. Being in a democratic organization, the mem­ bership receives the proposal offered and listens to arguments pro and con. Everyone has his opportunity to support or criticize. If the matter is too big for immediate disposal a committee is set up for the study of the matter and a report on their findings is rendered at the next meeting. When the matter has been put to a vote and the mem­ bership has decided that it shall be policy, the course of the Union in that particular instance is set. Whether it be to conduct a strike or to open a new hall, the matter is settled when the vote is recorded as carried. Union policy has been made and it's up to the elected officials to put it into action and adhere to the course as made by the membei'ship. The membership has bound itself to a program, the officials are bound to follow suit and to enforce that program. We ai'e all familiar with this system, it's been the way of the SIU since its inception. To devote an The Editor of the SEAFARERS LOG has in­ vited the Port Agents to submit a series of articles on issues of general and vital interest to the membership. These articles will not take the place of the Agents' weekly surveys on the state of shipping in their ports and other matters, but will be something in addition. The Editor felt that the Port Agents, because of their positions, would be able to comment wisely on a variety of subjects. The fourth article in this series appears on this page. It was sub­ mitted by Earl (Bull) Sheppard, Port Agent in New Orleans. Members are urged to submit their own views on this and the other articles in the series. Bull Sheppard is one of the original members of the SIU and, since its founding, has participated in the many actions which laid the groundwork for the present size and strength of the Union. During the %var he sailed through all battle zones. While on the ships he acted as Delegate many times. During the Isthmian campaign Brother Sheppard was in charge of all field work. He also took part in the other organizational drives. "free discussion" means involved and pointless haranging and irresponsible and screwball performances. With a firm hand this type can be handled quickly, in union fashion. He only wastes time and once spotted can be set straight by any alert crew. The third type is not ignorant and is not a per­ former in the sense that we know it. He is either a shipowner's stooge or a political crackpot. He may be working for the purpose of destroying the Union by causing dissension in the ranks or he may be attempting to inject a pai-ticular political ideology into Union affairs. Of course, this does not mean a man cannot expound a political belief to his shipmates, but it does mean danger if he is attempting to disrupt union policy that has already been established. WANTS DIVIDED UNION including acting as Organizational Director for the Great Lakes campaign. He also was instrumental in the SIU's successful support to other trade unions, such as the Longshore Beef in 1945. Brother Sheppard, incidentally, has been lauded by other unions as one of the best administrators in his field. He is known as an exponent of direct action, and the SIU has been requested several times to lend Brother Sheppard to unions in need of a capable organizer and administrator. A man of large physical proportions—which earned him the nickname "Bull"—he has played professional baseball, and was a football player of some renown. In maritime. Brother Sheppard is know for practicing the direct action he ex­ pounds. He is a veteran of practically every waterfront labor battle and bears many scars as testimony. Sheppard first assumed elected office in the last election, when he was voted into the post of New Orleans Agent. In his article on Union policy, he covers a field which he terms as being "of prime impor­ tance to the SIU." strength into the organizing of the Isthmian Line. Organizers went into the field and aboard ships. In this the bulk of the membership and officials cooperated wholeheartedly. There were times when SIU men, anxious to do a job, turned up at the company hiring office in such nurnbers that our regular contracted vessels were held up for lack of crews. The union newspaper, the SEAFARERS LOG, became primarily an organizing weapon. More space was devoted to news of the men sailing the Isthmian ships than to all the rest of the Union combined. All down the line the story was the same—the complete subjugation of all Union affairs to the successful prosecution of the Isthmian campaign. Here again, however, a small group of dissenters composed of a few members and one or two officials attempted to throw a monkey wrench in the mach­ inery. The discussion days were past, the policy had been made—but they weren't in an abiding mood. In gin mills, on the ships and at the meetings they started a campaign of dissension. They peddled tales of huge expenditures, they questioned the Union's whole purpose in the drive, they termed as "foolish" the SIU men who went aboard the ships as oi'ganizers. They attempted to cast doubt on the ability of the men conducting the drive. All in all, they were play­ ing the shipowner's game, whether knowingly or not. Of course, the Union could not tolerate these smearcampaigns. Too much was at stake. The whole union structure was tied up in the drive and victory was too close to allow the battle to bog down because of these characters. Where it was found that these persons had acted contrary to the policy of the union, charges were placed against them and they were tried. If the charges were proved the men joined the "99-Year Club." Those A&G officials who had not fully supported the drive were "unofficially" requested This person, be he shipowner's stooge or political crackpot, is the real enemy of the Union. He is attempting to make inroads into what is already accepted union policy. He does not want the Union to remain solid and united. He has an ulterior motive in mind and it is not for the best interests of the members of the SIU. I'm not mentioning these types here solely for the purpose of warning them, nor am I mentioning them so the membership can be on the lookout. Primarily article to this would be a waste of space if that is I mention them because I want to give some examples all that was to be said. It's what happens once a of what they do on occasions and what might happen course has been set that I want to discuss. should the membership in our or any other union Once the policy of the Union has been set the for that matter become lax and allow them to succeed. majority rules. The objectors have had their say Before the 1946 General Strike was called, there and have been overruled. It is their duty to swallow was a great deal of discussion on the strategy and all objections and accept the dictates of their Brother policy to be employed. As we all know there was a Seafarers. We all live under one roof: the SIU. We complete shutdown and complete victory. This was all want the same things: better working conditions, the Union membership's decision, it became policy. better wages and a strong Union. We achieve this by However, even after the Union had decided on a only one course: complete solidarity and internal general strike, there were persons within the Union to terminate their employment in the A&G as officials. The warning was thereby made to the dissenters and harmony. officials, as well as members who wanted to hedge. slackers—the Union's policy was to win the Isthmian Sometimes when the Union's course has been set They didn't want to shut down the industry, they there are those who resist abiding by the member­ only wanted to shut down certain companies. Whether fleet and disrupters would not be tolerated. Those two examples pretty well point up union ship's decision. These persons fall into several cata- they were working for the shipowners or whether policy in the past and how the Union was able to gories. Their aims are not identical, but if they they were proposing their own personal plan iff not secure resounding victories. The 1946 General Strike succeed, the result would be the same. the important thing. The fact remains that they did showed that the solid backing of the SIU was enough There is the person who is ignorant of union policy. not choose to abide by the decision of the Union. to bring the Washington bureaucrats into line. The He was asleep, gassed up or just didn't listen when That was one of the problems successfully over­ the matter was discussed. He natui-ally has it all come. These persons were shown that they were internal solidarity of the Union and adherence to policy made the Isthmian victory complete. Seeing fouled up and tends to confuse others by his con­ acting contrary to the wishes of the membership, that the jobs in Isthmian ships up on the boards in our fusion. This type is not serious. Usually one of the they were acting against Union policy. Most of them Halls is testimony to that. informed crewmembers can straighten him up in short were brought into line, those who took action contrary The Union's policy has, as a result of the complete order by patient explanation or by showing him the to the Union became ex-Atlarttic and Gulf officials, cooperation, proved itself to be accurate in every straight dope in the SEAFARERS LOG. and in a few cases—ex-members. instance. In this we have won the admiration of all Another example came up during the Isthmian drive. Another is the attention-getter sometimes called the other maritime unions, many of which are faction"super militant", or "soap boxer". He knows what This one I particularly remember as we' sweated blood dirren. By our recent action in winning the top wages the policy is, but he wants to attract attention to him­ for years to win this company. • The policy had been (Continued on Page 1^) self, even if he • causes a little disruption. He thinks set: the Union was to throw its entire and complete �THE SEAFARERS Frid&y. Avtgusl 27. 1948 LOG mm Mi mm New York Has Routine Week Of Shipping By JOE ALGINA NEW YORK — When things are running smoothly, as they are now in the port of New Yorlc, there isn't much to write about. Noi-mal activity never makes for a big story. So, with matters under control, we'll give a quick breakdown of port ac­ tivity and the status of shipping, and let that stand as this week's report. Both business and shipping re­ main fair for another week. We played host to the usual number of SIU ships and saw off the usual quota. Some of the vessels in port this week, which brought praise from the Pati-olmen, were the Robin Doncaster, Steel Admiral, Bull's Kathryn and Jean, and the Seatrain Havana. Waterman sent us the LaSalle and the John B. Waterman. The Cape Mohican, Mar-Ancha, and the Coral Sea, Coral Sea Steamship Company, also came in for sweet payoffs. The only ship that had anything worth reporting was the Snelling, Alcoa. She paid off in good shape, but we couldn't say the same for the ship. She ran aground during her voyage and the cost of refloating her and making repairs set the company back $160,000. She's going to be around for awhile. THAT'S THE PICTURE That's pretty much the port picture for the week. Other than the ships mentioned we had a few transits, aboard which everything v/ent off per SIU fashion. Here's a reminder that has been mentioned in the LOG sev­ eral times, but it is always worth repeating: If you're an AB and have three years of seatime, go and got that green ticket. Since July 15, the Coast Guard has re­ quired that two-thirds of the ABs on a ship must hold green tickets. Take an hour or so and make the switch. You can never tell when it may mean being re­ turned from a ship because too many blue tickets are already aboard. On Overtime To insure payment, all claims for overtime must be turned in to the heads of de­ partments no later than 72 hours following the comple­ tion of the overtime work. As soon as the penalty work is done, a record shotdd be given to the Department head, and one copy held by the man doing the job. In addition the depart­ mental delegates should check on all overtime she^ 72 hours before ihe slup makes port. From The Sixth Deck By EDDIE BENDER It is every Seafarer's job to see that his dues record is in order. To make sure that your personal records are ship­ shape. it is advisable that you stop at the sixth floor of Union Headquarters in New York and check your book against the file record, at least once a year. Simply tell the Patrolman on duty that you want your book and file record checked. He will be more than glad to help you. Each request of this typo is handled promptly and there is no delay whatsoever. Remember that you should receive a receipt for every payment you make. Issuance of a receipt is your insurance that the payment will be properly recorded to your credit. It is a good policy to keep all receipts issued to you so that, should a clerical error ever occur, the receipts can simplify the process of tracing your payments and thus aid in speedily squaring up your records. Page FHM Boston Seafarers Find Berths Are Scarce As Five-Cent Beer By ERNEST B. TILLEY BOSTON—Branch business has under the contract signed last been running smoothly as usual, year. with .shipping still on the down The convention of the Massa­ chusetts State Federation of grade. Labor, AFL, drew to a close this If you're thinking of heading week, with the majority of the for Beantown be sure to come officials of the central bodies be­ well-heeled with cabbage, as jobs ing reelected. Many of them are are at a premium and the price old friends of the SIU. The of ham and eggs runs high. Governor of Massachusetts, sev­ eral Representatives and the new RANG BELL U.S. Secretary of Labor ad­ dressed the delegates with In keeping with the summer boats contract that was just fiowery speeches and promises to and signed—the first of its kind labor. They sounded fine signed for boats in this categoi-y gave the working guy a sen.se of —we have taken up wheie security. Brother Siekmann left off. We STILL SKEPTICAL covered the Liberty Bell on which we signed up a happy Ncverthcle.ss. judging from the crew. We also shipped four re­ record of politicians and the sit­ placements from the Hall. uation caused by the Taft-Hart­ However, Brother Johnson, our ley law, the boys around the Patrolman, has not been re­ Hall are plentj' skeptical and are lieved of all his headaches as i banking on the strength of the two companies are still working SIU and militant membership ac­ tion to pull us through any beefs that might confront us. The feeling on this score is: Action, not words. Mobile Maritime Council Aids AFL Carmen By CAL TANNER Dean, Jack Oossee, H. Gray, L. Joidon, R. J. Thomas and E. Edwards. As this is being written, our Hospital Patrolman is making the rounds and, when he returns, a complete list of men hospi­ talized in Mobile will be for­ warded to the LOG. Biggest labor development in this port centers around the strike of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, AFL, which is Proof of the politicians' good Workers, CIO, to move in on intentions could be established the docks on the backs of the MOBILE — Shipping in the by their backing of the seamen Carmen was stopped cold by an Port of Mobile was dead slow alert Maritime Trades Council j on the draft issue. last week. Activity was confined here. to five payoffs, three sign ons NOTHING NEW When the dispute between the I and four ships in transit from I State Dock authorities and the I It came as no surprise when other ports. A total of 66 book­ Carmen could not be adjusted, I the International Longshoremen's men and 18 permitmen were the Carmen threw a picketline Association was prevented from shipped from this port. around the docks. striking by government injunc­ Ships paying off this week The UPW commies, although tion this week. were the Cavalier, Roamer, Pur­ they did not have a picketline itan and Cape Remain, all Alcoa, It was the same thing with the themselves, tried to take ad­ and the Wild Ranger, a Waterrailroad workers last June. This vantage of the opportunity to in a n job. All payoffs were leaves the commies an oppor­ get in on the support given smooth, practically no beefs on tunity to work at their old game the AFL Carmen by the other any of the vessels. of rule or ruin. AFL men in Mobile. Best payoff of the week took Brother Lindsey Williams came We of the SIU remember the place aboard the Wild Ranger, down to help out in the beef I beef in the ILA back in 1945, which makes the Puerto Rican and he and the Mobile Agent when the comrades attempted to run. She was in PR during the immediately called a meeting of take over the waterfront. We ILA strike and came in clear the Mai-itime Trades Council of remember the part we played in of beefs with an A-1 crew the port, so that a policy bene­ that bitter struggle. With this aboard. ficial to all could be worked memory before us. we will not SIGN ONS out. tolerate any repetition. The commies were not active A good deal of time last week Sign ons took place aboard' on the picketline, but they spent was devoted to making improve­ the Roamer, headed for the West their time passing out handbills ments around the Hall, as re­ Indies run; the Wild Hanger, and doing a lot of talking which quested by the membership. going back to Puerto Rico, and being conducted at the Ala­ does no good. As the situation Supplying plenty of help were the Antinous, a Waterman ship bama State Docks. now stands, the unions involved our old standbys. Joe Greenbound for Hambui-g. A move on the part of the have 30 days to answer the in­ baum and Fish Rubery, along The four vessels in transit communist-led United Public junction against them. with many others. were the Cape Santiago, Steel Recorder, both Isthmian; the John Laurence, a Waterman coastwise ship, and the Strathmore, of the Strathmore lines. Only one of the ships paying By WILLIAM (Curly) RENTZ them. We managed to get the ing something is not the best off is headed for the boneyard. logs lifted, and everything was way to deal with a hard-timing BALTIMORE—At last we had She is the Cape Romain. She all right in the end. But the Skipper. It may seem rough, reverts to the Maritime Com­ a turn fxtr the better so far as Skipper did seem to be a little but the best thing is to keep mission after having been ope-| shipping is concerned, and we log-happy. track of all the beefs and hold rated by the Alcoa outfit for sure hope it stays that way or them for the payoff, if they can't BETTER WAY improves still more. quite some time. be settled by the Delegates. We paid off seven ships and Indications are that shipping This Skipper was strictly a Everybody here is pretty will be slow during the coming signed on the same number. bell-to-bell man and so was his happy about the pay raise, eifweek. Only a few of the ships There woi'c throe Ore ships, one Chief Engineer. That was how cept that some of the Stewards operated by the major companies Calmar, one Smith & Johnson seem to think they deserved the in this port are scheduled in and a Mathiesen tanker that same boost the Bosuns got. hei'e for payoffs and sign ons. paid off and signed right on Maybe they will get it next time. again. In addition, we paid off a COLLINS BURIED There still are too many mqn Robin and signed on an Isth­ on the beach, because it takes The body of William E. (Red) mian. more than one good week to There were some ships in Collins, former SIU official, who clear everybody out after a bad ti'ansit, too, Alcoas and Waterdied recently at sea while serv­ stretch like the one we've been ing as a Union organizer on a mans for the most part. Once having. Still, things would be new tanker, was returned to again, however, it was the Ore looking fairly good, if so many Mobile this week on the SS Line that held up the port as it has so many times in the past. Bienville, Waterman. men weren't always trying fbr Funeral services were held Seafarers ought to be glad to their favorite ship on their Aug. 23 in this city, and several take those Ore jobs, a little favorite run. oldtimers served as pallbearers. gladder than they seem to be all the trouble came about, al­ sometimes. They really keep us The men in the hospital were Some of the oldtimers on the though technically the men were as happy about the raise as tbe beach in Mobile include Leo going. There were no serious beefs logged for taking a little time Marsh, "Ding Dong" Bell, Louis rest of the boys. They'll be Pugh, M. Oswald, H. (Cherokee) except on the Robin Sherwood. off without saying anything to ready to take the good wages HeUman, Jack Thomason, F. All but a half a dozen of the anbody. Taking time off without say­ when they ace ready to ship. Smith, Johnnie Grimes, George Sherwood crew had logs on Baltimore Sees Turn For Better, At Last �Page Six- TEE SEAFARERS LOG Shipping Siows Down In Tampa For Permitmen Things Are Hopping In The New Frisco Hall TAMPA — Shipping slowed down considerably during the past week in this port. We ship­ ped a few replacements aboard several vessels that were in, but that was the limit of job activity. The ships calling here were the SS Winslow Homer and SS John Laurence, of Waterman; the SS Alcoa Partner; and the SS Edith, Bull. Mississippi's SS Del Alba was slated for this port next week, but was re-routed and will miss Tampa. The Port is still looking for the long overdue payoff, but it appears this won't be realized for about another month. Then we'll have the McBurney in for Overtakes. FINISHING UP The remodeling job on our Hall is now in the finishing stage Friday, August 27. 1948 When the search ended a couple of weeks ago for an A&G Branch in Frisco, Seafarers turned to in typical style to get everything in order as quickly as possible. Some of the Brothers responsible for the ship-shape results are shown above. A vote of thanks was enthusiastically given these and the other Brothers on the beach who had a hand in the job. The first regular membership meeting in the Atlantic and Gulf District's new Branch Hall at 85 Third Street, San Fran­ cisco, was called to order on . T Aug. 18. A large number of A&G Sea­ farers were on hand for the initial meeting in the spic and span aceommodation.s—the result of a recent membership decision in all ports urging establishment of a West Coast Branch Hall. Shipping and business is be­ ing conducted from the new quarters, which is ample enough to permit full Branch activity — including a special room for recreational purposes containing a library, games and free coffee. Union educational material is on hand for all Brothers inter­ ested in the know-how needed to be a good Union man. Union education classes will begin soon. All A&G Brothers in Frisco Here's one lad who did his are invited to make full use of share. He used plenty of el­ the new facility. The telephone bow grease to make those number is DOuglas 2-5475. bulkheads sparkle. The Patrolman Says Bread In Port and things are beginning to have the new look around here. The job would have been com­ pleted long before this, but for the fact that we're in the rainy season. The rains have been about the worst in years and are responsible for the delay. To top it all off, next month is hurri­ cane time and from the looks of things, it could be unpleasant. Hope that, if the winds do start kicking up, they don't bother our building. Several oldtimers are around the beach. Brother Jimmy Jones is still with us. He's taking out­ patient treatment for those burns he received in the explGS|ion aboard the John Bartram last month. Two Seafarers — Mohammed Elsayed and George Griffin — lost their lives as a result of the blast. They were scalded by live eteam escaping from a line con­ nected to the Bertram's deck machinery. NEW YORK—After answering dozens of inquiries on the duties of the Night Cook and Baker, and the making of extra batches of bread for port use, I hope this article will finally clear the air. In the contract, under Section 10, Article 5, the whole matter is clearly put: "Shore bread, (a) The company shall furnish bread from ashore in all continental US ports. When bread is not fur­ nished in continental US ports within twenty-four (24) hours, excluding Sundays and holidays, the Night Cook and Baker shall be required to make the bread and will be paid three hours overtime for each batch of bread baked." MAKE DOUGH That's what the agreement says, so if the clock knocks off 24 hours and no bread is aboard, get to work and whip up a batch, but keep the overtime sheet handy. As long as the overtime is written up correctly, there's small chance of losing out on money which is rightfully yours. Freddy Stewart A partial view of the large number of Atlantic and Gulf District Seafarers who took part in the first regular branch meeting held in the now San Francisco Hall, 85 Third Street, on Aug. 18. Seated at table, left to right, are A1 Bernstein, Chairman; Roy Pierce, Reading Clerk, and H. A. Orlando, Recording Secretary. Steve Cardullo, A&G West Coast Representative, is standing at left. New Contract Cheers Philly, Though Shipping Faiis Off Joe Wread just got in from New Orleans. Others around in­ clude Nevin Ellis, Tony Sosa and B. L. Duke. By LLOYD (Blackie) GARDNER , sit.r Among them were the Robin Gray, Steel Worker, Mai­ TOUGH ON PERMITS PHILADELPHIA — There is den Vicloxy, and the Marymar. Permitmen should steer clear only one word to describe the Beefs were at a minimum on of this port. We have more man­ shipping situation here this past these scows, so you can see that power around than we will be week—lousy. I believe I'm cor­ things were very .quiet here this able to ship for six months. rect when I say this was the week. However, I hope to have Several jobs come in, of course, first week this year that we more activity to report in the but there is always a bookman coming week. on hand to fill the vacancy. A didn't have one single payoff. Although the shipping picture few rated permitmen are occas­ As a consequence, jobs have has been rather gloomy, the ionally able to ship in the Engine been scarcer than chicken in a boys have been cheered and and Deck Departments, however. Shuler chicken potpie. heartened no end by the success The Agent and Nevin Ellis of our Negotiating Committees Someone started a rumor in New York and New Orleans spent the weekend doing a bit around the Hall that there was in winning the best contracts of fishing. Luck was good and they caugh a nice string — 80 a steel cable stretched across the ever held by any maritime . Bhellcrackers and a load of . other mouth of the Delaware River, union. fish. The water was high so this The subject of the new conand some of the boys have been was a pretty good catch. ti-acts has been kicked around hinting very strongly that this All hands agree the new con­ quite a bit here and the one con­ tracts represent about the finest foul deed was conceived in the clusion is: "A better job couldn't bit of negotiating ever done by minds of some of our Port have been done." • any maritime union. The Hiring Agents nearby. Maybe so! May­ This feeling, coupled with the Clause tops all the other good be so! fact that the National. Maritiiiie clauses in our first-rate contract. A few ships were here in tran- ^ Union imrnediately cried for the same thing the SIU won by hard work and membership job action, has caused SIU men here to throw out their collective chests. It has reached the stage where when an SIU man meets an NMU imfortunate, the latter has a strong tendency to blush and slink out of sight. Before signing off, I'd like to say something to certain guys who have walked off ships owing their shipmates money. I think these guys ought to un­ derstand that sooner or later they'll be caught up with. The world is indeed a small place to seafaring men. After a man sweats and labom for his earnings and then loses it, because a "shipmate" doe.sn't have the decency to repay his debts, it is damned good reason to class these runaways with finks and chiselers. For crying out loud, if a Brother is good enough to lend you a helping hand, be man enough to lepay him. If you don't, chances are they'll make up' for it in ^ome way later on. No baseball report this week. The Phillies, I would rather not mention. Neither do I care to say anything about our A's un­ til I see how they come out with the sluggers from the Bronx this NO SYMPATHY ' week end. (Better keep mum. Few guys could have sympathy The Yankees lowered the boom with a character who sneaks on the At'aletics in every one of away from a payoff leaving his the four-game series—Ed.) buddies hung up, after they had That's all for now. Hope to befriended him and-shown, trust have more cheerful news'for youin him by lending him dough. ; ail next week. . - �Friday, August 27, 1948 THE S E A t A R E R S L O G William Moore Rites Held In New Orleans CELEBRATING AFL WATERFRONT UNITY Page Seven ' :I . ,i . NEW ORLEANS — Funeral services fur William H. Moore, a member of the Seafarers In­ ternational Union, who drown­ ed July 11 at Biemen, Germany after falling from a .ship's gang­ plank, were held heie last week. Burial was in the St. Vincent de Paul Cemetary. Born in Alabama, May 14, 1916, Brother Moore became a member of the SIU Sept. 21, 1939, joining in the Port of Phil­ adelphia. He sailed in the Stew­ ards Dcpai tment and held Book No. 5950. Sui'viving are Ri'oth(n' Mooie's •wife, the former Miss Gloria Portie, of New Orleans; his father, Guy Moore, of Columbus, Ga., and four sisters and a bi-other. also of Columbus. • The formation of an AFL Maritime Port Council in Puerto Rico recently was cause for celebration by members of the unions involved. The local committee of the International Long­ shoremen's Association sponsored an affair in Ponce in honor ot Ramon Mejias, president of the ILA Ponce local, and Sal Colls, SIU Port Agent in San Juan, for their efforts in uniting the Union de Trabajadores de Muelles, Union de Empleados de Muelles, the ILA and the SIU. Brother Mejias is seated at the right of Brother Colls. Wl,^ &'oAunA PILED UP! I don't know whether the Old Man took over from this point, or whether he permitted a demon­ strably unreliable Pilot to con­ tinue to give orders. However, we got full speed ahead. Usually the engines are cut, and the ship drifts around this tortuous turn in the channel. Fascinated, I watched the open rudder chains on the poop deck, hear my feet. To a man offwatch, sitting on a bunk near me I said, "We're going to pile up-onthe starboard reef in a minute! We did. A few minutes of frenzied en­ gine and rudder work, and I felt her loosen. But "full-speed as­ We went down by the head, and I began to have a postively arial view of the poop. But that didn't make the shore look near enough, as our screw tried to emulate an airplane prop. In fact the shore receeded as our brave Captain cut across the bight. Having no intention of swim­ ming ashore with a couple of hundred weight of reinforced concrete on my aching arm, I got a lifejacket. I understand that our hero, hearing of this, didn't like- it. Oh, well, you can't please everyone. If he'd heard I'd pack­ ed another jacket in my seabag, NO TRIAL RUN I'm sure he'd have been awfully angry! Late starting to leave, and delayed in doing so, the Old Man wanted to get to La Romana, a normal two hours run east. We neglected to make a short cruis­ ing run in the vicinity of a safe {Cont'mued from Page I) haven, to find out how our plates way in face of job action on would open up after having dec­ orated three coral reefs with Aug. 6. The wage increases call for rivet-heads. (I'll bet the sea$12.50 across the board for all ratings in all Departments, with the exception of Bosun who re­ ceives a $25 boost. tern' apparently was not changed to "stop-her." "We're going on the port bank next," I yelled. We slithered or rather grated off the ground, shot across the channel, and ran clear over the opposite reef and into a narrow, long lagoon. Up and down we ran, repeat­ edly ramming the seaward reef. A hook was gotten out, so we ran and heaved, finally clearing into deep water. The Pilot was put ashore. Up Uiilil now Ihere may have been some excuse as to what hap­ pened. What follows is certainly inexcusable. MOBILE — The freighter SS Claiborne, one of 11 ships pur­ chased recently by the Water­ man Steamship Corporation, completed trial tests in the Gulf last week and will be loaded here for her maiden voyage to Hamburg, Germany. The Claiborne is the first oi the vessels bought from the U. S. Maritime Commission, to go into service. Formerly the SS Cherubim, which saw action during the war as a Navy troop transport, the Claiborne was con­ verted at the Waterman Repair Division here. The others will be completed by the end of the year. After its maiden run, the Claiborne will be placed in Waterman's operations between North Atlantic European ports. Of 10,500 deadweight tons, she has a 63-foot, one-inch beam and a 27'i;-foot draft. The Claiborne is 439 feet long. When all 11 vessels have been put in opeiation. Waterman will have a fleet of 55 wholly-owned dry cargo ships, in addition to a large number on charter from the Maritime Commission. The company's latest vessel is named in honor of William Charles Claiborne, who was Governor of Louisiana from 1812 to 1816 and later U. S. Senator from that state. Prove Identity By G. W. (Bill) CHAMPLIN In a previous article I spoke of company men who forget that the first duty of a Master is that of a seaman to his ship. I there gave a story of nearly a quarter of a century ago. Now I'll tell one less than a year old. . On a recent voyage of the Dor­ othy to ports of the Dominican Republic we put in at San Pedro de Macoris, where I had a frac­ tured wrist reduced and put in a cast. At departure, I had noth­ ing to do but sit on the poop and be a sight-seer; and a most extra­ ordinary show was put on for my benefit. We'd barely let go, when the Pilot decided to pile her on a reef. Small boats carried out our liook and we heaved and snort ed. In an hour or so we were off and back in the channel. Sitting back to relax, I made a big mis­ take: for the fun was just in the first stage—the first of many. From here the channel turned a bit right, then swung left around almost a semi-circle of short radius. At the center of this circle a great American dredge was operating, making the shore hideous with its regur­ gitations; but doubtless improv­ ing the harbor, which needs it. SS Claiborne Joins Waterman Atlantic Fleet Anyway, we made La Romana on the last kick of our high-anddry screw without any steerageway upon her, and nearly crash­ ed the bank from sheer inertia. The port's comic-opera tug (which can tow at least two canoes) got a line ashore, so we hedged into the dock. We were safe and sound. In fact, none of us gave a damn if we did sound, as the bottom was but a few feet away. It took divers sixteen days to plug the seven holes in our bot­ tom. Our Puerto la Plata cargo was transferred to the Jean, and we came home light. Who was the smart fellow who said that "haste makes waste?" To all members who have checks held for them at branch mail rooms: Port Agents will not give out any mail containing checks, unless the addressee shows sufficient evidence of his identity, such as Union book, seaman's papers, discharges, etc. An instance has been re­ ported of an envelope con­ taining a check being picked up by a phony who later forged a signature and cashed it. To prevent a recurrence, a check will be given only to the person to whom it is addressed, and then only after full identification is made. Two More Companies Sign Top Contract the record contract from com­ gotiating with the NMU revealed panies represented by the Atlantic that a settlement with the un­ and Gulf Ship Operators, the ion was in sight until the SIU Headquarters Negotiating Com­ announcement resulted in an upmittee expressed hope that all ping of the NMU demand for maritime unions, regardless of "parity." affiliation, would be able to ISTHMIAN TALKS benefit by the SIU's direct ac­ tion and obtain the same gains. The Headquarters Negotiating GUARANTEES SCALES At. that point, the National Committee announced yesterday Another notable feature of Maritime Union was still in that discussions with the Isth­ the two-year agreement is that deadlock with its operatoi-s after mian Steamship Line for a new present manning .scales are guar­ more than three months of ne­ contract are now in progress. anteed for the life of the con­ gotiations. Only several days Developments in these negotia­ tract. The Negotiating Commit­ I before the SIU's resounding suc­ tions will be reported as they tees made this one of their prim­ cess, the operators offered the occur, the committee added. ary demands in view of present NMU a final $7.50. The NMU Meanwhile the SIU will con­ maritime conditions and the pos­ was ready to accept an increase tinue to push ahead on its de­ sibility that a critical period is somewhere between that figure mands for the same contract anemones are still trying, to spit. ahead. and $10.00 a month. with other contracted operators The Union Hiring HaR clause, them out.) When the SIU's wage scale as current agreements expire. No sir—not he! The good old won by the SIU in July, has was released, the NMU stated The 16 newly-organized tanker rustbacket Dorothy, .had to keep been incorporated in the new that it would "seek nothing less outfits will be tackled aftei* most contract's. Under terms of the up to her , delapidated schedule. than parity with the SIU." of the freighter and passenger He. must have solaced himself pacts, the SIU has the right to companies have been signed. The SIU wage increases "forc­ with the idea .^that Chips' sound­ instigate discussions on wages Tug and inland boat operators ed the NMU to take a new ings would keep us afloat, that and all other monetary matters will be presented with Union approach," NMU president Joe our enemy, salt water, would at any time. demands after the tankers have Curran explained. Frank Taylor, Following its announcement never come nearer than when been dealt with. . head of the eperatoi-s group ne­ last week that the SIU had won first sighted. �Page Eight T H E S E AF ARERS LOG Friday. August 27. 1948 SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS SS Chrysanthy Star Sinks English Fishing Smack; Five Brothers Die The 7,000-ton tanker SS Chry­ santhy Star rammed and sank a fishing smack in a fog off the Cornish coast June 25, resulting in the deaths of five fishermen brothers, according to the story told by the Star's crew which paid off in New York last week. Despite the fact that a life­ boat was in the water five min­ utes after the General Alarm sounded, five of six brothers aboard the fishing boat perished. The only survivor was Ralph Richards, one of the brothers. Daniel Lippy, Chief Steward, reported that a second man, Roy Mewton, a London clerk, was alive when brought aboard and Lippy felt that the man might possibly have been saved if the Captain had not refused to return to England for aid. Lippy added that the man was being given artificial respira­ tion when the Captain ordered him to turn to in the galley. Ralph Richards, quoted in the Daily Express, stated that all hands were on the deck of the fishing' boat when the tanker loomed up 500 yards away in THE SANTA CRUZ AT THE SINGER the fog. They shouted, sounded their fog-horn and lit a flare, but the tanker held course. SURVIVOR'S STORY Ralph reported that he was the only one not wearing seaboots; yet despite the fact that he had grabbed a canvas float, the suction dragged him far be­ low before he rose to the sur­ :'Pil face. According to Red Gibbs, Pa­ trolman who boarded the tank­ er here, the ship was very clean and had an exceptional crew. But the Skipper was another matter. He considered himself an ex­ alted character, invested by un­ limited authority. He drew up and posted a set of 13 rules he called "standing orders" in a stilted hand that looked like a 14th Century manuscript. Nearly every rule has some ref­ erence to himself as the lord and master. Here are a few choice ex­ cerpts: "All crewmembers must: "1. Be diligent in the per­ formance of their duties at all The above photo by SS Isaac Singer crewmember. Julio times. To be absent from sta­ Fiqueroa, shows the Spanish refugee ship Santa Cruz tying tion of work while on overtime up alongside the Singer in mid-ocean. The small ship was pay automatically cancels such navigating the Atlantic under seul solely. overtime pay. "6. Observe those rules and regulations promulgated by my­ self, and those orders lawfully issued by duly accredited Of­ ficers and Petty Officers of the ship. "8. Render assistance when Twenty-nine refugees frpm ^fifteen days previously. He fig­ called upon to do so to any Spain's Canary Islands are safe­ ured it would take him about person acting in the interest of ly in Venezuela today, thanks 15 more days to reach Venez­ maintaining order. in part to the crew of the Isaac uela. Asked why they had "12. Bear the above order in M. Singer, Alcoa Steamship chosen Venezuela, the Captain mind when desiring to see Mas- Company vessel. said the people wanted to go Ici. Good maimers possibly and The Singer's part in the refu­ to a Spanish-speaking country probably will mean good re­ gee's safe arrival came when where conditions were better and ception." the Alcoa vessel encountered the men were freer. They had been refugees aboard the 35-foot sail­ told that Venezuela would ad­ He didn't print, what is evi­ dently another rule of his, not ing vessel Santa Cruz about 1500 mit them. to turn back to port on the miles off Paramaribo, Dutch The Captain then seeing that chance of saving a human life, Gmana in the South Atlantic. the stores were loaded, turned When the small ship was to the Singer and thanked all according to the crew which turned the unique manuscript sighted the Singer hove to in the crew for the aid given them. response to waving from persons He tlien ordered the lines east over to the LOG. aboard the Santa Cruz. Slowly off and set his course west for the ship drew alongside the Venezuela. Singer and in heavy seas made The Singer then proceeded to fast. Paramaribo and loaded cargo him by writipg to 3rd Platoon, Spanish-speaking crewmembers for New Yoi'k. When the ship Co. 'A', 60th Jnfantry Regiment, of the Singer, Carlos Matt and arrived in New York the crew's 9th Infantry Division, Fort Dix. All Aponte, hailed the vessel's feeling of anxiety for the safety skipper and worked as interpre­ of the refugees was dispelled ters for the Isaac's Captain. when one of them found an ob­ The Santa Cruz's Skipper scure item in a local newspaper shouted up that they were flee­ mentioning the safe arrival of ing from Spanish-owned and the Santa Cruz in LaGuaira on Franco dominated Canary Is­ August 8. lands and were bound for LaGuaira, Venezuela. He asked his position and if it would be pos­ sible for the Singer to give them stores as they were completely Send in the minutes of out of food. your ship's meeting to the SHIP TO SHIP New York Hall. Only in that The Singer men, of course, way can the membership act turned to immediately and sent on your recommendations, meat, sugar, soap, coffee and and then the minutes can be canned milk over the side to printed in the LOG for the the tiny ship. During the trans­ benefit of all other SIU ferring of stores, Julio Figueroa crews. took pictures of the refugee ship Hold those shipboard meet­ and queried the Captain on the ings regularly, and send ship's voyage. those minutes in as soon as The Captain told him the ves­ possible. That's the SIU way! RAYMOND W. HILL sel had left the Canary Islands piilil Singer Crew Aids Spanish Refugee Ship In Mid-Ocean Photo shows English coastguardsmen removing the body of Roy Mewton. a London clerk, from the Chrysanthy Star after crewmembers' efforts at reviving him failed. Crewmembers feel that the man could have been saved had the Captain ordered the ship back to port. Keep It Clean! Seafarer Raymond Hill Dons Khaki One of the first Seafarers to It is the proud boast of the Seafarers International Un­ join the new, expanded Army, ion that an SIU ship is a clean Raymond W. Hill, formerly Wi­ ship. Let's keep it that way. per, now Private, with one Although most of the crews month of Army life imder his leave a ship in excellent con­ belt, dropped in at the New dition, it has come to the at­ tention of the membership York Hall last week to visit that a few crews have vio­ with old shipmates. When col­ lated this rule. So they have lared for a picture and a.sked gone on record to have all about Army life. Brother Hill quarters inspected by the told the LOG staff that he had Patrolman before the payoff, little to say about the Army and if the conditions are un­ and would be glad to get back satisfactory. he has the right on an SIU ship when his en­ to hold up the payoff until ' listment expired. everything is spic and span. Asked why he had joined. Remember that the Patrol­ Brother Hill shrugged his should­ man can only have repairs ers and replied, "No particular made if he knows what has reason. I just got an urge and to be done. Cooperate by went it." making up a repair list be­ fore the ship docks. Give one At present he's undergoing copy to the Skipper, and one basic training at Fort Dix, New to the Patrolman. Then youTl Jersey, but expects to be sent see some action. to engineers school shortly. Old shipmates of Hill can reach Send Those Minutes �Friday, Augtist 27. 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine Digested Minutes Of Sill Ship Meetings $effi4REI? «4M COLABEE, May 9 — Chairman Good and Welfare where it was M. Sams; Recording Secretary G. recommended that the Chief En­ D. Allen. Previous minutes read gineer be asked to repair and and accepted. Motion carried to open the Steward's department have Delegates request Captain heads on the starboard side and to have life-line rigged on cat­ close the one by the messroom. walk aft, and to put up lights There was discussion on clean­ for the safety of the crew. Un­ liness of messroom and recrea­ low THAT we HAVE der Good and Welfare the Stew­ tion room, and it was decided to SIGNED MOSTOFard Department was given a vote ask the Chief Engineer to in­ OUR hAAJOR OPERATORS of thanks. One minute of silence spect and make necessary re­ TO A TWO-YEAR CoATTKAOT for Brothers lost at sea. pairs on the coffee urn. One WITH THE HKSHESr minute of silence for departed t t X WAGES AND THE BEST THOMAS SIM LEE. June 6— Brothers. WORKING COAJDITIONS Chairman Jerry R. Phipps; Re­ 4 4 4 IN MARITIME - WE CAN cording Secretary Charles J. on the suggestions for changes in RAPHAEL SEMMES. May 16 TURN ALL OUR ENERGIES White. Jerry R. Phipps was the freighter contract that were —Chairman M. R. Morris; Re­ TO EXPANDING OUR. elected Ship's Delegate. Motion forwarded on to the SIU Negotia­ cording Secretary E. C. Ray. Dan UNION, TO ORGANI^/NG under New Business to notify tions Committee in New York Alvino elected Ship'.s Delegate. THOSE PLEETS NOT YET Patrolman if ships repairs and from Germany. Motion carried Under Good and Welfare the UNDER THE A€l.G 6ANMER, stores were not in order before to accept the report with a vote Steward agreed to put out more SEE THE ORGANIZERS sailing. The meeting went into of thanks. Under Education, J. night lunch. He also said that OR AGENTS IN THE Good and Welfare where lack of Palmer read from the pamphlet he would try to put out better TtoRTS YOU HIT.THERE laundry facilities and absence of on delegates duties and ex­ menus and that he would notify IS WORK TO BE DONE/ ventilation for galley were dis­ pressed his opinions on the need the crew when his stores fall AND MORE OoeSTO BE cussed. It was also pointed out of the crew's full cooperation in short, so that they can take ap­ WON — that wind-scoops and toasters helping the Delegates perform propriate action. There was dis­ would have to be obtained. The their duties. Under Good and cussion on sanitary work and Steward reported that cots were Welfare it was reported that the cleanliness of messhalls. One aboard in sufficient numbers. Captain had requested the dele­ minutes of silence for departed One minute of silence for de­ gates to have the liberty re­ Brothers. parted Brothers. stocked. It was pointed out that this was done regularly when the ship hit New York. 4 4 4 EVELYN, June 12—Chairman Bergcr Hansen; Recording Secre­ tary George Swift. Brother By HANK 4 4 4 DeMass was elected Stewards MAE, June 3—Chairman F. P. Department Delegate, and In this column a couple of weeks ago we tried to pass along 4. it 4 George Swift was elected for the Hipp; Recording Secretary J. V. SEATRAIN NEW YORK. June Deck Department. Motion car­ Gibbs. New Business: Motion to a few laughs to the Brothers as usual. In doing so we made 13—Chairman Sweeney; Record­ ried, imder New Business, to have port hole screens repaired reference to psychopathic disorders and, in a kidding way, to ing Secretary Schwartz. Brother draw up new repair list and sub­ or replaced. Several items were psychiatrists as "brain butchers." It seems we weren't too success­ Sweeney reported under Old mit it to the Patrolman and the brought up in different motions ful with our humor. One Brother from Ellis Island Marine Hos­ pital felt we had done a disservice to the patients and doctois Business that he was in contact Captain. Under discussion it to be repaired. Motion carried with Port Captain in New York was pointed out that a previous to fine anyone leaving laundry there. To those Brothers and doctors we wish to extend ajC regarding new bunks. Motion list had not been acted upon. dirty one dollar. Brother How­ apology. From now on we'll keep our typewriter aimed at ships carried to put the Bosun and The Chairman was authorized ard, Stewards Delegate, was au­ and things we're better acquainted with. Deck Maintenance in the same by the meeting to draw up thorized to collect the fine. One 4 4 4 foc'sle. Motion to get a wringer charges against the former Black minute of silence for Brothers This week we're washing the fish scales off our possiblyfor the laundry. Under Good Gang Delegate who left the ship lost at sea. hiunorous deck of news items and asking "Whei-e's the best fish­ and Welfare it was decided to without accounting for the ship's 4 4 4 ing in the world?" Don't guess—we'll tell you. It's Key West, rotate the cleaning of laundry treasury of $2.59. Under Good RAPHAEL SEMMES, May 30 Florida. Turbot—a largo European (its grounds for heredity) flat­ among the three departments. and Welfare there was general —Chairman M. R. Morris; Re­ fish—esteemed as food—is the champ selection. Don't waste your Under Education, Sweeney gave discussion stressing cleanliness of cording Secretary E. C. Ray. The breath and bait on grouper, yellowtail or snapper, though. You a talk on performing and the ship. One minute of silence was Deck Delegate that there had Brothers who now and then nibble heavily at the sport of fishing effect it has on the Union's good observed for Brothers lost at sea. been too much drinking aboard, can tell us of other American spots for fishing—whether in other name. One minute of silence for and warned the membership not ports or inland states. We know there's also swell fishing spots departed Brothers. to expect the Union to help them in the world. Let's hear about these fishy experiences. (Foreign break logs incurred through scales and American scales are about the same, we'll bait!) SEATRAIN NEW YORK. May drunkenness. Motion carried to 4 4 4 24—Chairman R. W. Sweeney; make up complete repair list be­ The only kind of successful fishing on an internalional Recording Secretary C. Gold­ fore getting in. Steward re­ scale we've done was when we caught some sad-looking cat­ stein. Wind-scoops and screens ported under Good and Welfare fish while anchored in the Persian Cult. By the way, we were taken care of as per direc­ that he would make a list of 4 4 4 asked one Key West Brother it he was a champion fisherman, tion of last meeting. New Busi­ shortages and turn it over to amongst other things. Before he could fish tor a comical DANIEL HUGEa Jan. 11— the Delegates. It was decided to ness: Frank Berthoed elected remark, another Key West Brother said. •'No. he's three G's. Deck Delegate by acclamation. Chairman Anderson; Recording renew the ship's library. The Grits, grunts and gravy. (It you have laughed so tar, you're Malkrvicz elected Black Gang Secretary Frazier. R. L. Toler Stewards Department was given lucky. Now we can sleep nights). delegate. Motion carried to sep­ elected ships delegate by ac­ a vote of thanks for job well clamation. Motion by Porter arate foc'sles of Deck Depart­ 4 4 4 done. One minute of silence for ment into watches. Under Good that all hands replace cups after departed Brothers. You Ohio baseball fans may be happy about those Cleveland and Welfare there was general use and keep the messroom clean Indians, but we predict the Philadelphia Athletics to win. Philly discussion on cleanliness of between meals. Motion by i.s a great town. She saved us from a monotonous voyage once. washrooms. One minute of sil­ Porter, seconded by Toler that We bought a $1.50 ukulele in Philly before sailing for Persian the three departments rotate the ence for departed Brothers. Gulf ports and we got a big bang out of it all trip. In fact, our cleaning of recreation room. One ukulele really got hot that trip through all the heat. The Hawaiian minute of silence for departed 4 4 4 Bosun made that toy sound so good that we thought we were Brothers. NEW LONDON, July 11 — reaching the happj^ pineapple-scented land of Hawaii instead of 4 4 4 Chairman Tex Suit; Recording the hot Persian ports, with so many flies and the around-the-clock, ISAAC M. SINGER, June 5— Secretary Robert O. Smith. The porthole-to-street demand for baksheesh... In the National League 4 4 4 Chairman M. Woods; Recording Ship's Delegate reported that all we pick "dem beautiful bums, de Brooklyn Dodgers." They sirrc COLABEE. June 5—Chairman Secretary William Stansky. Joe unlicensed crew members had have a rip-roaring, militant team. Besides, we were born and Matthew Sams; Recording Secre­ Schweinfus was elected Ship's signed pledge cards. The Deck raised in Brooklyn. However, due to our many subway voyages tary Francis Armstrong. Jesse Delegate by acclamation. The Delegate reported ten bookmemacross to New York we gradually lost the genuine Brooklyn way Henils was elected Ship's Dele­ Steward and Cooks were asked bers and three non-union men. of pronoiuicing "woids." And so far we've never recaptured that gate. Under Good and Welfare, to pay off on mutual consent or The Engine Delegate reported great Brooklyn "slanguage," as Walter Winchell might say in his it was decided to request the face charges at end of voyage. six books two permits and three way of inventing new words. Captain to have the crew'.s quar­ This was put into a motion by non-union. The Stewards Dele­ 4 4 4 ters aft painted. It was pointed H. Gallager, to read that if gate reported five books, two out that several mattresses were things improved from here on permits and one NMU man. Now and then Brother Paul Smith has his way of making in need of renewal. A vote of the charges would be dropped— Under Education Tex Suit talked a small living ashore by hunting tor muskrat, mink and thanks was given the Stewards otherwise charges would be pre­ on Unionism and what the SIU skunk in Illinois. It's profitable, but sometimes there's nothing department. One minute of sil­ ferred. in his scattered traps tor days. Paul says the best way of stands for. He pointed out the ence for lost Brothers. maneuvering with a skunk is to follow him—^never face him. progress that this Union has LYMAN STEWAW March 1 We know of a belter way—and it's skunkproot. Never meet made since its inception, and 4 4 4 AFOUNDRIA, August I— —Chairman L. A. Smith; Re­ answered questions clarifying the the teller... Alfred Mullen, from New Jersey, was in last Chairman Jean Macarlhy; Re­ cording Secretary Ralph V. agreement. Brother Jimmy Cresweek asking tor his shipmate, Mike Dendak. A1 laughingly cording Secretary O. Bodden. McGee. Deck Delegate reported citelli passed out SIU literature remembers when Mike was on the West Coast and tried Jerry J. Palmer, Chairman of beef over Mate working on deck. to the new Brothers. One min­ working ashore tor awhile as an interior decorator—although the Contract Study Conunittee Robert Graves was elected Ship's ute of silence for departed he had never done this fancy painting before. Well, as we (previously appointed) reported Delegate. The meeting went into Brothers. would say it it's a pain(t) in the neck if you don't know how. [ TIME TO EXPAND. CUT and RUN W00 �Page Ten THE S E A F A H k R S L O G Friday, August 27, 1948 THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS 1^ " Beached Abroad, Grabs NMU Ship: Rues Folly . To the Editor: ' • ' ' Here's a good story for the LOG—it's about the NMU. I was left behind by the Raphael Semmes, Waterman, in LeHavre, France. After being on the beach there for over a month, I was really desperate to get back to the States. In desperation I grabbed an NMU tanker, SS Fort Meigs, in Rouen for what the Captain as­ sured me was a short trip back to New York. Rumor had it, though, that we were bound for a Far East shuttle. And that's just what we did— with five French girls at that. The Captain had notified the crew that anyone who wanted to take a woman along could go right ahead. Well, five guys took him at his word. The .• French pilot told him he would send a boat out to take them off. But as soon as the pilot, left, the Skipper gave her full ahead, and left France, girls and all, at 22 knots. At Port Said, the Chief Engi­ neer reported all this to the American Consul; whereupon the Skipper nonchantly signed the girls on the articles as Stew­ ardesses. BEER FOR ALL New York to bring the ship home. We arrived in New York, Fri­ day, July 10, and paid off at 8:00 P.M. The NMU Patrolman came down in the afternoon for a little while, handed out Pilots, and took off without waiting for the payoff or collecting any dues. By the time the Shipping Commissioner got aboard the Captain and all the Mates, ex­ cept the one flown to LeHavre. were drunk. Fighting broke out all over the ship. The Steward hit the Saloon Mess with a meat cleaver. Six times the Commissioner refused to pay off. There was no NMU Patrolman aboard. NO BRAGGING I finally got my monej% and I can tell you I sure took off. I have heard a lot of bragging by this phony NMU outfit about the good conditions on their ships. Well, I've been on one, and I can tell you I'm mighty proud to belong to the SIU. I wonder how soon the mem­ bership of the NMU will wake up to how much better our con­ ditions are than theirs? I am now 3rd Cook on the Waterman ship SS Governor Sparks. There are a lot of oldtime SIU men on here and everything is running smoothly. I feel I have just escaped from a mad-house! Edmund Eriksen The Skipper was gassed to the gills most of the time. He took on a big store of beer and cognac in Port Said. The crew got all they wanted. It got so bad that the Steward chased the Saloon Mess all over the ship with a fire ax. It was a fighting madhouse. The company tried to contact the ship for 11 days without success. The 2nd Mate was so fouled up To the Editor: in his sights that the ship was After reading the poem, "The way off course. Sailor And His Love" in the Finally the Skipper sobered up. July 30, LOG, about the burn­ Stopped selling booze and ing kisses of Latin American straightened the ship up. Then waterfront girls, I wonder that we hit Ceuta, Spanish Morocco, more seamen's wives are not for bunkers. We were only sup­ prematurely grey. We try to act cheerful as our posed to be in there for four hours, but it took 22 hours to get hubbies walk up the gangplank, the crew back aboard, and they and leave us behind while they had to call three pilots to take sail for exotic ports. But I can tell you, I'd rather live in a her out. tent and eat grass than live on When we got back to LeHavre, his allotments earned at the the US Navigation Co. (the op­ price of his absences. erators) flew a Chief Mate from It is mighty hard for a woman in love, trying to keep her hus­ Brother Gives LOG band shore-bound, to see his ears twitch at the sound of a Priority After Trip foghorn, or a boat whistle, and To the Editor: to see the love in his eyes as he glances upon the stern of When I get back to the States a ship and remarks, "What a from a long trip, hungry for stern!" news, the first thing I do is I mumble, "Oh, yes," but in read the LOG". It answers the my heart it looks like the broad questions a seaman wants to side of a bam. I speak comknow most. I hope other Sea­ farers read it thrcmgh • and en­ panionably of the beautiful poopdeck, and am called down by my joy it as much as I do. "master" for calling Uie crdw's I have been going to sea for nest a poop-deck. Give me time. 11 years. I wouldn't take any­ I've only been married two thing for myr experiences; but years! when you get, in. port" there , are IS HE TRUE? a lot of things you have to catch Op on, and. ceading the LOG However, poems like this make then is like talking to an old me worry and wonder. Does my friend., " h o ne y -1a m b " have such thoughts? He wants me to. be ' G, Lu Davies THEY SAIL IN WAR AND PEACE Retired Member In Chicago School Avid Log Reader To the Editor: Seafarers Fabian Cruz (left). OS. and Edward Castro. Oiler, members of the SIU since 1942. recall the rugged sailing days of World War II. Both men were on several different runs, but Cruz says the South Atlantic up to 1944 was the real tough spot. Asks Working Rules Change To Boost Crew Efficiency To the Editor: in the industry. But there are a few clarifications that should I have had the pleasure of be written into the working sailing with some wonderful rules that would help to make Cooks and Messmen, who were the department more efficient. sincere and on the ball. They For one thing, some Chief have worked faithfully to satisfy the officers and crew and to pro­ Cooks like to get on the job a bit eai'ly. If he gets the lunch­ mote harmony aboard ship. eon and dinner started at seven They should for they • ai'e in the morning, he can be pretty working under the best contracts well wound up by nine. On the other hand, if he doesn't get started till eight, he probably will be behind and woi-king in a fog all day. Poem Of Tropical Romance Makes This Wife Wonder true. Is he? It's enough to curd­ le a woman's soul. But about this author: From a purely medical standpoint, how can he get away with as­ sociating with these girls? I can't help wondering what tliis Casanova looks like. I'll bet he The contract should be ad­ justed so that a conscientious man can line up the allotted work in this instance to his own convenience and, thei-efore, for the best interests of the depart­ ment and crew. ALL ALONE On some of the C-2 ships, there is a separate oven for the Night Cook and Baker. This puts him in a class by himself, as he is independent of the main range. If he turns to at six and get on the ball, he can be finished at ten. The agj'eement should not put the Cooks on the spot where they must stay at their stations after their work is finished. For another thing, we all know that a Messman can't take care of toilets and showers, but that is crosseyed and bald-headed. a Utility Man, who does not How about printing a picture of handle foodi takes care' of that this horrible example? station. But it would be a lot Anyway, let's have some dif­ better if it was written in black ferent type of poetry, and show and white in the agreement. We won our beef on the SIU some pity on us married women Hiring hall because the operators who are still in love. recopiizfe iJlat an SIU man is Mrs. Judy Partlow the most efficient going to sea. SeattlW, Washington Any little changes in the. agree­ (Ed. Notes No pictuxn of ment that will clarify the work-: Brother Logge is avuilablo. Ho ing rules and increase, over all recently lieft for an indefinite efficieney is .welcomed - by all. I would like to get comment sta-y in Latin America. As, ha left be was hoard to mumMa from tiie membership; on these something abont fulfilling -a •suggestions. Ghaxles J. Haxtman moyio.. contract.) The LOG arrives every Wed­ nesday, and I devour its contents during my lunch hour. I was ver.y much impressed with the A&G District victory in main­ taining the Union Hiring Hall. I was amu.sed to learn of Mrs. Herrick's recommendation that the "Gestapo" set up a hiring hall for all seamen. I can ju.st see it! That would be the end so far as Union seamen aic con­ cerned. I am attending the Coyn.e Electrical School now. Had m.y second examination ycstciday and made 91 percent. Next I advance to the "testing and re­ pair" department, which is the most interesting department in the school. I should be finished up early in September and expect to get into the IBEW if possible. My Seafarers book is retired. I want to say "hello" to Joe Kelly, N. J. "Red" Camp'oel] and the swell crew of the Arizpa with whom I made the trip to Japan. Flash pictures that I took of the Chief Steward. Deck Engineer, First Assistant, and Junior Third Assistant tuined out very well. I'll send them along if they want them. Jim "Buy Bonds" Johnslon 500 South Paulina Ave. Chicago. 111. Venezuelan Hospital Okay, Says Member Of Loving: Crew To the Editor: This is just a word to let you know that the hospital in Caripito, Venezuela is not so bad. If any of the boys heading down this way on one of the Alcoa ships gets sick, they will find the food and service good, and the nurses, including quite a few Americans, very nice. I'd like to mention, too. that there is a good seaman's club here. The fellow that operates it is a swell joe, and he carries an excellent line of goods. You can always get a cool beer there after a hot days work, and pick up a LOG. The boy.s on the SS Oliver Loving are a good bunch, and the Steward Department is keep­ ing up the fine work they started when we left New York. That will be about all for now, except to add that I hope to out of here and back in the States in three of four weeks. R. R. Pascaal AnENTION! The riap chest-is your cor­ ner sto^ ; while ymt . Bee -al , sea. ciftn't. take your, trade immeplitce else if the slop .Chest doesn't have what you heed. �FMday* Aufiut 17, 1948 THE SEAFARERS LOG BEDSIDE MANNER IN BALTIMORE Page Eleven Seafarer, Now Law Student, Argues Seamen's Case For Draft Freedom wmrnmmmmmi To the Editor: in a Maritime Training school, and schools to go to sea. They There they learned drill, gun- served from one to six years I have just, completed a job nery, and seamanship during and then went back, in many of research on the subject of their average eight weeks basic instances, to what they had left, Seamen and the Draft in con­ training period. Then many wenti Now they are being told that nection with the University of into advanced training in either they have to leave for another Washington Law Course in Deck, Engine or Cooks .school twenty-one months. If the exwhich 1 found countless reasons which averaged eight weeks, seaman needs military training why the seamen should not be Now to sea. , then so does the ex-service drafted, and virtually no rea­ At sea you learned the mean- man. It should be neither or sons why they should. Since 1 ing of the word "combat." i else both. am a former SIU bookmember In the Pacific your ship went It is no secret that many and spent three yeai's at sea right in with the invasion force. people have a bad opinion of :::• - • SiitSf-fe • during and after the war, 1 You took the enemy's fire and i American merchant seamen, would like to give the member­ fired back as much as you could.! Many feel that they were over. ship, through the pages of the If there was a ship under you paid during the war. To those W '•; LOG, the benefit of this study when the smoke cleared, you people I would like to point out of the Seaman's case: figured you were damned lucky, that the average wage of the During the months of Septem­ In the Atlantic you caught the unlicensed seaman was $3,200 ber and October of this year, Mumiansk run and were a clay per year (this figure includes men will start leaving their pigeon for the Germans. Yes, I war-zone bonus) without further To the Editor: closed picture. The boys on the homes, jobs, and schooling to believe the seamen have had benefits. Here is what the GI enter the new peace-lime army. military training. got and still gets: left are A. E. Auers and H. W. I want to add my feelings to Spencer. I don't know the name Under the present law all men Second, the seamen, too. have 1. Base Pay those expressed by so many of the man on the bed. The between the ages of eighteen just .survived a "fighting war." 2. Longevity (5% of base, other brothers who have been nurse? Oh yes, she's Frances and twenty-five must register They tasted the enemy's fire pay after three years) with the draft board. in the Baltimore Marine Hospi­ from land, sea and air. From 3. Foreign lands and sea C. Strite, another reason my tal. I spent a short spell there This does not mean that all the land came all kinds of duty, 20% and received excellent treatment, j stay was enjoyable. will be required to go. Ex-serv­ enemy shells dui-ing a landing 4. Flying pay (50% of base While there I picked up the en- I Arveds E. Auers ice men, special students and a operation. From the sea came pay) few occupations will be exempt. attack from below and on the 5. Clothing allowances What about the seaman? WiU surface. There were no safe wa­ 6. Leaves with pay he have to go? The answer is ters for the American seaman. 7. Mustering out pay a short one: Yes. A favorite pastime with the 8. Advantages of Gl Bill The purpose of the peace-time Germans and Japanese flyers a—Schooling draft is to give military train­ was finding an allied shipping b—Loans ing to the young men of our lane to do a little bombing and 9. No income tax while in oiling job, nor a Chief Cook a the Editor: country. We need a permanent strafing on. One has only to look service Messman's berth; but after While having my tonsils irri­ you've been on the beach for a army both for national security at the casualty list from the war 10. Medical care for life. gated here in dear old dusty month almost anything looks and as a bargaining tool in in-J to see that the seamen knew 11. Pensions for disability. ternational politics. However, 1 there was a war going on. Trinidad, I came across an issue good. Another favorite objection to feel that it is a great injustice Army—8,300,000 the merchant seaman is that he of the LOG wherein some of the If we put fences around each to require men who sailed the Killed: 223,215—2.7% was a draft-dodger. After read­ boys were raising a beef about rating then you will see a lot of Navy—4.204,662 merchant ships during the war ing the casualty score above, high rated men shipping out be­ high rated men hanging around to be part of this army. Killed: 30,702—.7% that argument doesn't hold much low their rating. while guys with day-old low Marines—599,693 The soldier, sailor and mar­ water. I'd like to point out here I've been beat out of some jobs rated cards ship out. That, to Killed: 15,460—2.6% ine won't be taken because they that 100 per cent of the mer­ that way and I'm not kicking. me, is not rotary shipping. Seamen—210,000 already have military training, chant seamen were on active If a guy has the rating and an Killed: 6,592—3.1% duty during the war. The better a job, the more they have just survived a "fightiolder date on his card, then he In addition to deaths. 23,000 _ ing war," and they have alIf those who went to sea on Let's not should have the right to throw scarce it becomes. V" . . 1 ready had years taken up in seamen had ships shot out from the merchant ships during the in for it. penalize a guy for having some!For under them. war wanted to run from trouble, Let's face it. An Electrician ability and ambition. We need these identical reasons seamen' Finally, seamen too, have they certainly would have en­ doesn't enjoy taking a firing or first rate men in the SIU. After should be excluded from the given up years of their lives in listed in any other service and all, if the guy has the rating and draft. These are not empty service to their country. Only been safer; for the sea during has the older card than I, where. Examine the proof: 155,000 men were ..ailing before the war was the worst place First, I said the seamen have the war and 210,000 sailed dur- such a man could have been. As then, is the beef? had training. Nearly all of the ing the war. That means that a matter of fact, I know several Emmett Burke war-time sailors got their start 155,000 left their jobs, homes,' soldiers who used to sail, but quit because it was too danger­ To the Editor; ous. Then there are the boys like The Moosepac resort reported Westbrook Pegler who call sea­ in the July 16 LOG is okay if men a bunch of drunkards. Some you like swimming, boating and seamen are drunkards. So are activities in a homy atmosphere some soldiers, navy men, and marines. I think any seaman away from big crowds. 1 took would admit that there was a a bus from the Dixie Station at lot of drunkenness during the 9:30 last Sunday morning to war, but Pegler didn't bother to Newfoundland, New Jersey, find out why. where Frank Young, former SIU If he had bothered to find Member who has a part interest out, or if his famous imagina­ in the resort, picked me up and tion had been capable of the drove me into the secluded lake task, he would have known that in the woods to the camp. men who are responding to gen­ I found swimming, boating, a eral alarms continuously every lively three piece orchestra, and hour or two a day for week good chow served on long tables, after week, who had to sleep family style. There were about with their clothes on months at thirty girls and twelve boys a time to be ready on a mo­ staying there in the cabins and ments notice for frequent em­ dormitories who welcomed me ergencies, are apt to need a into the activities without any drink or two more than a man introductions. in less hazardous pursuits. To summarize: I have shown Everything is informal with that seamen should be exempt bathing suits and a jacket be­ from the draft because they al­ ing worn for meals and every­ ready have training, have given one having a good time. I service to this country second to couldn't go for the horse-back none, and because it is unrea­ riding tliough, as it is more fun sonable to take them from their for me to hike back through the jobs and education in cases woods trails among the lakes. where they have become re­ I had gotten into such a habit habilitated, on the one hand, or of hanging around New York from their vital work sailing The boys of the Winslow Homer, one of Waterman's ships running in the coastwise trade, when off a ship, that I had just the ships in these troubled knock off from the day's occupation for a little Java and jive. Picture was taken by Steve about forgotten how much fun times, in the cases where they Lazslow. AB. Men with backs to camera are Barrett and Wilson. Oilers. Left side of the table, jt is to get out into the woods have continued at sea as highly front to rear—Garrod. AB: Baber. AB; Jackson. Bosun: Peterson. AB. Right side of the table, for a while. skilled and experienced seamen. front to rear—HaU. AB: Duncan. OS: Sillen. Oiler «nd Engine Delegate; Brown. Utility. James Roach Verio W. McNeU ' '• ~ > w Feels 'Fencing In' Ratings Harms Ambitious Seafarers I ENJOYED VISIT ,T0 JERSEY RESORT PLUGGED IN LOG COFFEE AND CONVERSATION ON THE WINSLOW HOMER _ . . - ... - JL �THE SEAFARERS Page Twelve 'Chips Is Forgotten Man;' Urges Duties Be Clarified LOG Friday. August 27, 1948 Caught Writing '77?e Voice Of The Sea' ship's Carpenters from our UnI ion and they all feel the same In response to the request that j the membership submit their Carpenters they are a very small .views to help clarify the work­ minority of the members, and ing rules for the new agree­ they don't have much hope that the Union will change things. ment, 1 would like to make the My suggestion for the new following suggestions for the agreement is this: That we have forgotten man of the ships— the duties of the Carpenter list­ the Carpenter. ed in detail in the working rules; Traditionally the Carpenter and that the Carpenter be paid (when one was carried) always at least as much as the Bosun, with the understanding that he made $10 a month more than be allowed to make as much the Bosun. Now he finds him­ overtime as the other men in self with less pay and his over­ the Deck Department—after all, time runs about half of that the Carpenter is also a member of the Deck Department! •which the Ordinary Seaman Brother Ernest Bossert was J. S. Arzamendi makes for the trip. sitting on a hatch on the SS (Ed. Note: Brother Arza­ Steel Architect penning his As a rule the Deck Delegate "Seafarers' Guide to the Far doesn't care about him because mendi will see by reading the new contract that he is far East" when Wiper Eduard he works under the Mate's or­ from forgotten. The provision Bloom happened along with ders, and the Mate seldom holds calling for Carpenters to make his camera to make this snap. that the Carpenter is entitled to soundings anywhere, every Bossert's richly informative "Guide" appeared in the LOGs as much as the rest of the Deck day will give his take-home of July 16 and July 23. Department under the agree­ pay a big boost.) To the Editor: ment. KEPT BUSY By SALTY DICK 'Hey, Fella, Here's Your Pop' To be a ship's Carpenter a man To the Editor: "Fella" Valentine Jr., who wrote has to be a sailor as well as to the LOG recently asking for Please publish the following Carpenter, and 1 think he should news of his dad and his ship. in the LOG for the benefit of get as much as the Bosun. "Fella" said he read the LOG regularly but nowhere did he On the working rules: The P find any news of his father and agreement reads that the Car­ the Del Mundo. Well, Fella, 1 penter should chip and paint just spent three months with the windlass, take soundings and your dad on the Del Mundo. He do the customary work of a was my watch partner in the Carpenter. The majority of the engine room. Chief Mates really don't know Val is doing about as good what the "customary work" of as any fella could ask of him. the Carpenter is. Consequently, And the Del Mundo is still a they put him at anything that typical SlU ship; clean and comes handy just to keep him well run. busy; and a good deal of the • "SPsiis time he is doing work entirely Other members could take cut of his line such as repair­ pointers on how Brother Val ing cross-battens, drilling holes operates. Enclosed is a picture in sheet metal, etc. When he snapped of Val taken aboard puts, these things down as over­ ship. time, everybody raises hell about Richard G. Perkins it and he usually don't get it. Another New Ship Reported Lined Up In SIU Fashion GETS RUN-AROUND As a result the Carpenter fre­ quently neglects his regular work because the Mate has him doing odd jobs. When the time comes to varnish doors and wood-work, he is expected to do four weeks work in one. 1 have spoken with several To the Editor: E. J. VALENTINE ENTERPRISING PARTNERS The first SlU ship's meeting ever to be held aboard this ship, the SS The Cabins, was adjourned a few hours ago. Dur­ ing this session the older bookmembers of our Union made mo­ tions and offered suggestions pertaining to cleanliness and co­ operation aboard ship. Depart­ ment Delegates were instructed to make up repair lists etc., and there was much discussion about th shortcomings of our new contract with this com­ pany — the Mathiasen Tanker Corp. We cdso had a real fink for a Steward, but due to pressure extended by our Cooks, Tony Branconi, and Freddy Szblik, and other militant brothers, he piled off shortly before sailing time. We were lucky to get Bob Maupin to replace bim. CQKTBACT .QfltSiSaCKlIK I'. • V: , Octave Bourgeois is the only Island run... If you must travel fellow who scratches his tongue a-la-Jeff Davis — hobo style — with his little finger. Just an carry your SlU book along. This old habit he says . . . Anyone book in return will carry you. finding a partial plate — false The rumor is again spread­ teeth — please return it to the ing that Delta is building a New Orleans Hall. Owner will ship — Del Orleans — to carry claim it there . . . Cecilia Cervan­ 250 passengers. We can use a tes, Stewardess, is going to ship of this size. Please don't school in BA. She ali'eady knows rush to New Orleans, because two Spanish words—Si Si. She it'll be a long time... I know is the same party seen at Lake a plumber who refuses to an­ Pontchartrain trying to knock swer if called plumber. You the pins down. must address him as Chief Faustino Torres, AB, is plan­ Sanitary Engineer. ning a trip in his own boat to Ivan Durnning is a former BA from New Orleans. He has jockey. Now he's a waiter and a the courage but lacks a few good one. Recently lie received pesos ... Dick Barrett always $100 in tips from one party. has a sore throat and there's That's no hay either ... Some of only one thing for it. Yep, the boys are married to the pas­ you guessed it! ... I have seen senger ships. They have found many gripers, but the Oiler a home. The only way you can on the Robin Sherwood in '42 take them off is with the jumbo was the worst. He would kick boom . .. Don't buy watches or continuously at the table, and any jewelry at Borcnsline and you would find him at a dump Fajer in BA. They'll give you a ashore eating. Good riddance guarantee but you'll never use ... Some time ago I sailed it... 1 understand there's a dog with a "Red" Fisher, who al­ in North Africa who comes to ways tried to convert sinners. the dock, greets the boys and He tried hard on Albert de then takes them afunning. 1 Forrest and almost became a wonder what the boys call this sinner himself. dog? Every trip 1 see more and more permit men sailing the ships. The Oldtimers should edu­ cate them through the educa­ tional program. "Blackie" Bankston is doing a good job on the Del Norte as instructor. Yes, sir! we are proud to have pro­ fessor "Blackie" with us... 1 haven't been in Italy for a long time. Anyone meeting Maria (there are millions of them) give The Final Port her my best regards ... Who is the oldtimer who took his girl By E. V. Jr. to Central Park to show her he could row? He even showed her I turned an ancient poet's book his lifeboat ticket... What tall, And found upon the page: blond seaman around 25 likes "Stone walls do not a prison make, his girls short and dark. He's now in his glory. He's on the "Nor iron bars a cage." Seafarer William (Paddy) Joy and his wife Julia who are operating. Julie's. Restaurant and Tap Room. 202 South Pearl Street, Albany, N. Xi Edmund Eziksen, who submitted photo, says ifaat Srother Jey'« spot is an ideal place for Sea­ farers to while .aniMy an wirening. Service is first-class and snr men gat -a- good -deal. A few of tbe Idhdaxgs -the • bti:©thers beefed about under the new contract ace the facts that when the "iron-mike" is in use the Quartermastep must do gen­ eral maintenaace work on the bridge and boat deck, and that .the Stewucd's Hepactment is cut from the usual ten-man staff on these T-2's to a mere eightman gang. About this Steward Depart­ ment beef, 1 am not qualified to speak, but 1 can say that the Quartermaster who puts in his daytime four hour watch chip­ ping and red-leading on the boat deck, is shoved back about twenty years as far as his con­ ditions go. Men who are left-overs from previous trips are loud in their praise of the vast improvement shown aboard this ship since the good old SlU took over. The fine food, especially, has been commented upon many times by all, from the Skipper down. Not over thirty minutes ago while 1 was in the galley talk­ ing to the Chief Cook, one of the Brass Hats asked the Cook to save some of the chicken soup, if there was any left over, as it was the "best he had tasted iji a hell of a long time." The Captain and the otherofficers aboard have been okay about heipictg us get this ship opgaoBsed aaad running smoothly, iSlIU style. So by the time we retucn to PhiHy the new brothers coming aboard should find themi selves right .at home and be' .able to look .forward to pleas­ ant voyages ahead. Dick Cununings Bhip's Delegate ........ ^ W, ^ •Hou; CAM 1 Grr -A "^OOK in T-HF S.I.U.r Yes. that is true; and something more. You will find where ere you roam. That marble lloors and gilded walls Can never make a home. But every ship where loVe abides And friendship is a guest. Is surely home — home sweet home— And there the seamen rest. The ship was docked at Texas City, Where tankers usually stay. There was nothing more that I could see After she burned one day. "Good morning, seaman," said Saint Peter; "Speak to me straight and tnie: "What is the life of a seaman? "And what is the SIU?" "Rough, strong, individual." , I said; "A sailor has to he; "And the jSeafasers InternatioBal Union "Is the leader of the sea." J ... - �THE SEAFARERS Friday. August 27, 1948 Brother Answers Question On Bypassing Of Seatrains To the Editor: I have read James Sticknoy's article, about members bypass­ ing the Seatrains, in the August 13 LOG, and I would like to answer the question raised. I have sailed on all the Sea­ trains in the last several years as Steward and Cook, and I will tell anybody that I have found several faults. First, as Chief Cook, I had a bad room to live in, while the hospital— which was being used as a junkroom, was the proper place for the Cooks. Then the Third Cook sleeps with the seamen, which is an inconvenient arrangement for a Cook. Second, though I like to work for the Seatrain Line, every time you hit port a new gang comes on board, and usually there are several drunks among them, who only intend to ride to the next port. A good Seafarer likes to stay with a reliable, steady crew, and make some money to take back to whichever end of the run is his home. True, a week at sea, a day at each port, fresh food and good pay is a good job for a man who wants to work, and especially for the older members who do not care for the long deep-sea trips. LOG Page Thirteen Seafarer Tells Of Seamen's Union That Failed; Lacked SIU's Guts To the Editor: was passed. Police protection was given Lundgren when he faeed his membership after that ac­ tion. The Swedish seamen finally realized what sort of a man he was. At the meetings the men were unable to face him as he never appeared. His decisions were handed down through his lieutenants. maintained bureau operated in cooperation with the shipowners and union. In many issues of the SEA­ FARERS LOG I have read There the skipper and chief stories by oldtimers telling us engineer go to select a crew, youngsters about the days be­ after they have checked every fore the SIU was born. I'm not company blacklist and have an oldtimer, though the story made sure that the seaman has I'm about to tell is far from new. shown three discharges with at At the same time, however, it least three months service on is up-to-date. It's the story of As editor of his monthly mag­ each one. Each discharge must a union without an alert and militant membership and what azine, "The Seamen," he con­ say that the man is a "very good tinually wrote of the excellent worker and loyal to the com­ happened to that union. conditions he had fought for pany." Rotary shipping? No more WANTS ANOTHER The Swedish Seamen's Union, and won on Swedish ships. The than you would get rotation for which I'm going to use as an most remarkable improvement icewater in Hell. As soon as it is possible I intend to come to New York and example of the four Scandan- he was ever granted by the Communism is supposed to seamen's unions, was shipowners was that the com­ get another Seatrain job. As a avian thrive in misery. No better ex­ matter of fact, I would still be founded about 1911 by an Oiler pany would supply a mattress ample of that exists than the on the Seatrains if I hadn't got­ named Sven Lundgren. Through with cover and a pillow. The Swedish Seamen's Union. The ten mixed up on the registra­ the years, until 1945 when he mattress cover was to be changed men have gone so far that on retired with great wealth, he tion rules in New York. I was every six months. If not, 75(many ships they hang their gods registered as Steward, and was maintained a dictatorship over a month would be paid the Lenin and Stalin in the comthe seamen and held a .seat in turned down for a Night Cook seamen. panionways and foc'sles. and Baker job, so I re-registered the Swedish Riksda.g (congress). His only other improvement At the payoff their strong arm as Night Cook and Baker and Through his efforts, or lack of called for the company to fur­ missed a Steward job on the them, a union was built that nish coveralls and shoes for men men run around with money next day. I got so disgusted became a shipowner's dream and doing dirty work in the engine lists, taking up collections for with the dispatching system in a Seafarer's nightmare. To tell room. Dirty work meant clean­ the cause of seamen, so they To the Editor: The money goes to the New York that I left for Savan­ of all the things Lundgren -with ing bilges and tank tops. The claim. CP and the Communist Seamen's nah, where I've shipped for two the aid of the shipowners — I came down here to New Or­ coveralls used by the Engineers Club. The man who doesn't give years. | forced down the throats of the leans from New York on the were washed by the Oilers and at least a $2 contribution gets I would like to say now that 11 seamen, would fill volumes. One Seatrain New Jeisey, and was on Wipers without the payment of the once-over on the dock by = = ' • is • enough. > the beach for a week before believe that a man who has been incident overtime because there is no the money-collecting squads. making the passenger ship Al­ a full paid-up member in this When World War II had been such thing as overtime on coa Clipper. Seven days later Union for ten years, and who in progress for some years, the Scandanavian ships, except in They declare him an enemy of the workers, which means a lot I went into the U.S. Marine has shipped as Steward, Chief Swedish seamen finally received excess of eight hours of work. when he has to live and sail Cook and Baker for 44 years, Hospital down here. a small war and mine bonus. with them. LEARN LOYALTY should be able to ship in any I was very sick for a while Lundgren, as their representa­ capacity in the Steward Depart­ but everyone treated me fine, tive in the Riksdag and presi­ Any seaman who tries to be BOYCOTT REASON and I am back in shape again. ment at any time. dent of their union, proposed a union-minded on a Scandanavian Shipping is pretty fair down Scandanavian unions have During all of this time I have law that would freeze indefinite­ ship is taught one thing by the Panamanian ships. had plenty of opportunity to here now. The tanker, SS Pal­ ly all the money the seamen Nazi-like officers: Loyalty to boycotted mer came in today and took four earned as bonuses. Probably because the shipowner's the shipowner is all that counts. men. The Southland comes in The man who does not agree cannot get enough seamen for tomorrow and there may be CAN'T BE TRUSTED is sent up into the skylight and their expanding fleets. Now they some jobs on her. Also the Cape are hiring 13 and 14-year-oid To those who opposed him, he there he stays to wash white boys on their ships. Many men Nome comes into Charleston to­ paint with caustic soda. The morrow and is paying off, so said: "No seaman can handle so Diesel fumes and 130 degree would rather sail without a much money. He will drink it there should be some more jobs heat soon cause him to drop a union than belong to such phony there. We hope some of the all up in foreign ports and come unions as these of Scandanavia "bucket" or jump ship. boys get a chance at one or the back broke, unable to pay his today. Though Panamanian Strange as it may at first other. As for myself, I'm ready taxes and union dues." (The scows have no union, the work­ seamen were making $180 a sound, the Scandanavian ship­ ing conditions are better than to go. I'd like to wish James Stick- month at the time.) owners will fight just as hard aboard most of the Scandanavian He received plenty of support ney the best and thank him for as any SIU man for the Hiring ships. bringing up this Seatrain ques­ to his bill from moneyed sources, Recently a friend and I visited and a vigorous campaign was Hall, but not our kind of hiring tion. one of these "white hell ships'" undertaken. As a result, the law hall. Theirs is a government"Uncle Olio" Preusslee in Baltimore. The sights we saw would make the Nazi SS men wonder if they were so bad after all. Outside all rooms of for their heroism in the battle of right. He went so far as to log the licensed personnel shoes To the Editor: the Night Cook four for one for were lined up awaiting the cus­ Pararnam, Dutch Guiana. Just a few lines along the personal reasons—which he ad­ tomary shoeshine. If some Mate Still riding the crest of all W, A. GARDNER Bauxite Trail. First I want to or Skipper on an SIU ship at­ Bauxile waves, with old Bau.xite mitted. compliment the yoking twins, tempted such a thing, he would —Captain Bowden himself — at He refused one man doctor's see the beautiful new Hall. It Sonny Rankins (from Mobile) probably find them coated with the helm. It all started in New attention. Everything was dandy is a credit to the SIU member­ and Dennis (The Brooklyn Kid) tar or cement in the morning. Orleans the port of sinning, and whenever the bauxite-rum was ship which made it possible—it continued on up until arrival— not around but when it was, he While I have concentrated on . is truly a showplace of this Brooklyn Man Suggests which won't be long now. was booted to the gills. Brothers, the Swedish Seamen's Union, not area, which demonstrates what This man Bauxite was never the Holmes was Mr. Bauxite's a single Scandanavian union has laboring men can do through or­ Renumbering NY Pier satisfied. Personally, I don't ship! If any of you Brothers de­ ever shown such trade union ganization. To the Editor: think he loved himself very cide to ride the Holmes, you will solidarity as many of the Amer­ There are three floors, modernican unions have shown, espe­ New Yorkers have little much. One of the things he did, know what to expect. ly decorated, with an elevator. Everything is convenient and ground to deride people who which I thought was very lowI had the pleasure of meeting cially the SIU. To imagine them the piers, down and mean, occured on ar­ some of the old and newtimers going out on a pickotline to sup­ ship-shape. I wonder what the have trouble finding men who lived and died under because there is little system in rival in the port of LaCruz. With in the P.O.s—glad to see them. port another union would be the conditions of 15 or 25 years the numbering system. a draw-list in his office, he went Hello to all the boys and remem­ ridiculous. I think that every pier should ashore saying that if he got back ber this: For a cruise, take an Al­ ago would think if they could The willingness of the mem­ see our Halls today or sail un­ b e numbered i n succession, in time he would put out a draw. coa. Everyday is play-day on an bers of the SIU to battle for a starting with the Army Base, der our Union conditions? But time marches on, and it Alcoa ship. But when you play better way for fellow trade in Brooklyn. Further, all Brook­ W. A. Gardner unionists would be called foolish was night when he returned. He you must pay. lyn piers ought to have the by Scandanavian tradeunionists. promptly contacted the Dele­ L. M. Lett number preceded by the letter This is because they never had gates that were aboai'd and sent SS O. W. Homes Brother Changes Home, B—as Bl, B2, etc. nor ever will have the guts and the money ashore. Some did not Donates to LOG From Greenpoint on, the pier spirit that the SIU has shown. receive their's before eight or numbers should continue on in nine o'clock. What do you think To the Editor: This may not be a story of sequence, but be preceded by a of this? the old days, but it shows that letter Q for Queens. This sys­ Would you please send the things could be just as bad to­ HARD LIKKER tem should continue with an M LOG to my new address, c/o If you have a beef or a day if it weren't for the mili­ Robertson, 99 Bisson St., Bev­ for Manhattan, R for Staten Is­ He stopped shore leave 12 or problem when you're on the tancy of the seamen of this erly, Mass. I am enclosing two land, MB for Bronx, and a J 14 hours before sailing. I don't West Coast, contact SIU. Union. What has happened in for Jersey. A&G District Hq„ 105 Mar­ dollars for the LOG. think he has a heart. He never Scandanavia, I believe, is worth I hope it will meet with Sea­ once proved that he was a man Eric Nativig ket Street. The telephone knowing. It should make a number is DOuglas 2-5475. (Ed. Note: Thanks very farers' approval, and that some­ regardless. Everytime he drank member of the SIU doubly proud Drop in between ships, and rum and bauxite it kept him on much for the donation. The thing can be done about it. of his Union. get ncquainted. the run. He nagged at the Stew­ E. D. Bolger LOa will be winging your ards Department. Nothing was Brooklyn. • N. Y. Bertil Svensson way weeWy.) Saw New Orleans HaU; Calls It 'Area Showplace' Skipper's Rum And Bauxite Cocktail Rough On Crew On The Coast yA\ �•inm THE S E AF ARERS LOG Page Fourteen Fritdar. August 27. 194» ilE'- •i - £ MerchantSeamenGetRooked In Far East Black Market ^^ocLslde incident By R. J. PETERSON Kong newspaper quoted $5.60 to captain should be requested to "Yuz two blokes—sign 'ere, the black and tarry shrouds, one in the money market state­ give the draws in American cur­ One of the most important ments. 1 still retain that news­ rency before entering the har­ sign the nowte!" The old crimp with ratlines, ran spreading problems facing the American paper for verification. bors of these black market ports. called out with a buisness-like downward like a spiderweb; the Seaman in the Far East is the At Saigon, legal rate was 12 One is permitted to take ashore air. "God's truth! 1 ain't shang- dirty sails, snared in ropes, shook currency exchange. In Shangahi, Piastres to one American. The $100 in Shanghai and most hain' yuz!" and flapped in the wind like the Hong Kong, Singapore, Penang, black market rate was 30 to 40 other of these ports, and 1 have We affixed our signatures with wings of a vulture: the dead Saigon, Maccasar, Batavia — in to one. And even more in some never been questioned, except eyes, above the bulwarks, stared his scratchy pen. fact every place except the places—as hjgh as 47 or 50 to once in Batavia, regai-ding the "Yuz'll find the schooner at you. Phillipines and Siam — there is one. The higher rates are ob­ amount of money—American or On the poop, stormed the Skip­ more or less black market ex­ tained for currencies of the otherwise—that 1 had with me. o'right an' 'er Captain, too; per, Captain Friend, looking Friend's 'is nayme." He told us change in currency. higher denominations. Bills up­ AMERICAN SUCKERS with a cheerful smile and took every bit the brigand. When a seaman makes a draw, wards of ten dollars bring the Another thing — in all these our half-month's pay, in advance. On the pier, stormed a husky he is forced to accept the legal higher rates proportionally. foreign countries, Americans are "S'long, boys!" individual, in tweed suit and rate, which is always consider­ treated as suckers with lots of SOMETHING ROTTEN Before going down to join the leather leggings, looking like a ably lower than the black mar­ This black market swindle goes money to throw away. No mat­ vessel, we stepped into a water­ squire in his prime. ket rate. on all down the line. It dosn't ter where he goes or what kind front saloon, tossed our seabags "You pay your bloody bill!" • What' a licking the seaman take a financial wizard to un­ of purchases he makes, whether in a corner, and sighed with re­ shouted the squire to the Skip­ takes on tliis exchange! For derstand that somewhere, some­ it is a ride in a rickshaw, or a lief. per. example, in Shanghai, the legal how, there is "something rotten purchase at one of.the shops— rate on the day we received our "Two pints of mild!" called "You go to hell with your bill!" in Denmark!" And the Amer­ as soon as they even suspect that my companion to the buxom bar­ shouted Skipper to the squire. draw, was 192,000 to one US ican merchant seaman seems to he is American, the price goes maid. and, that same day, the black The squire made a remark be the principal victim of this up. market price was 560,000 to one. She greeted us with an inviting about the Skipper's girl friend. This is especially true of Sing­ swindle! This means that the seaman get­ smile. "Hello, handsome! What The Skipper made a leap and The only suggestions 1 can apore merchants. My watch ting only a little better than landed ashore. There was a fight. make regarding this matter is to partner on the ship was a native a nice wavy hair you have!" one third the full value of his We dropped our eyes, lifted Fists flew, fast and furious. The advise the seaman to take along Malayan, and 1 know what 1 money. plenty of American cash. But am talking about. A good policy the pints, had a mouthful, turned squire staggered under a. blow to A seaman who had American this is usually impossible, for is to offer about half of any ver­ mum, and turned away, toward his jaw, he fell back and down cash could go ashore and have a corner. There a pair of sturdy he went, full length, like a stun­ most seamen are broke when bally quoted price. no difficulty getting 480,000 to A better policy is to stay away fellows, their corduroy pants tied ned pike—the mouth open, his they ship. one. If he draws all he can at from waterfront dives and pat­ up at the knees, were throwing teeth bared in ghastly grimace. Sometimes American crews re­ It scared the Skipper, stiff. Manila and changes all he can to ronize only the best places. The darts and drinking ale. ceive their draws in American Where's the William Dwyer?" At this moment, we turned American cash since he gets seaman will, in most cases, pay currency, if the captain gives the 1 asked them. away in a hurry, threw our sea­ equal value and there is no less than at the little shops, and draw before reaching the harbor They stopped and scowled. bags aboard, then jumped on black market, he will avoid get far better quality for his ex­ limits. It seems the only ones penditures, and will have a bet­ "The bloody brigantine," one deck, and were about to run victimized are the American sea­ drawing later. Then, too, the company or the ter time with far less annoyance. said huskily. "She's at the coal down into the foc'sle, when we men in these ports. pier, waitin' for the tide—" heard a scream. A young wo­ EVEN THE FX The other one muttered: "The man's head appeared above the All business, legitimate or bloody bugger. . ." cabin scuttle. The face showed, otherwise, is conducted along There was a pause. Long faced, pale as a ghost. OL JHo^ Mono, Roii black market lines. Even the we returned to the bar, drank Captain Friend! Come back, US Army PX in Shanghai is op­ to the bottom our mild, paid for aboard!" She cried, frightened. erated on a black market basis. The Skipper spun round as if Tramontanic, $5.00; Wm. Brightwell, it with the last of our pennies, NEW YORK When a man makes a purchase, $5.00; Francis Dloppart, $5.00; Juan shouldered our seabags, left the tapped on the shoulder. He made INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS M. Collazo, $2.00; A. W. Klein, $2.00. for example, a clerk will quote saloon with heavy feet, and went a high jump, his outstretched Burl C. Kilby, $5.00; R. F. Wallace, Wm. Hamilton, $1.00; C. M. Silcox, the price of an article as 560,000 $5.00; J. A. Muehleck, $5.00; Roland down to the ship in low spirits. arms went through the air be$10.00; A. J. Mendenel, $1.00; C. W. and remark, "This is very cheap E. Lanoue, $5.00; J. ' H. Macinnes, Ehmsen, $2.00; A. Miranda, $1.00; E. "Where in hell is she, John? ' fore him, as he made a grab, —only one dollar American $30.00; J. A. Hallen, $30.00; L. J. A. J. Olive. $1.00; J. Cortez, $1.00; A. 1 asked after a while, speaking | caught the main shrouds, and Arbec $30.00; H. G.. Ridgeway. $30.00; Lopez, $1.00; J. C. Brumbaugh, $2.00; to my companion. "Let's hope sprang aboard like a pirate. money!" C. D. Shively, $30.00; Otto S. Stefans And it would be cheap if the soni, $2.00; Leonidas Tobias, $20.00; Arland C. Taylor, $5.00; Billy Nohl, we find the schooner all right. "All hands on deck, Charlie!" $1.00; G. A. Howard, $5.00; N. L. seaman had American cash to H. McMurphy, $1.00; D. Pashkoff, Hartnett, $1.00; E. Tirelli, $2.00; H. "The crimp is a damn liar!" "Let go the lines! Set the sails!" pay for it. But when he has to $5.00; . D. Kapor $,3.00; F. W. Keeley, W. Girard, $5.00; Rene Geiszler, $5.00; exclaimed my mate. "She's a Charlie, the Mate—a big, wick­ $5.00; I. Vantei, $2.00; M. C. Wautlet. pay for it at the legal rate of $2.00; F. Ragusa, $1.00; J. C. Carval- Russell D. Rittle, $5.00; A. J. Gon- brigantine!" ed looking brute—ran forward 192,000 to one (which rate sea­ ho, $2.00; J. J. Kealy, $5.00; R. calves ,$5.00; Wm. N. J. Boxill, $55.00; "Oh, well, it makes no differ­ with a yell, repeating his Mas­ Jose Ross, $20,00; R. Garcia, $8.00; men were forced to accept), they Staiigle. $5.00; F. Lucerno, $5.00; A. T. M. Ostaszeski, $5.00; A. &. Valen­ ence, John; we're lucky to get ter's order. The lines were let are paying almost three times as Sarg, $1.00; L. Came, $1.00; J. C. tine, $20.00; S. T. McKinney, $5.00; away with a half-month's ad­ go in a moment and the sinster Atherton, $1.00; R. J. Webber, $10.00; much for everything as it is ac­ A. E. Larson, $5.00; M. J. Matonte, John Scott, $5.00; T. A. Gilham, $5.00; vance," 1 began to explain. craft went drifting down the R. E. Stahl, $5.00; Paul L. Witthaus, tually worth. "But we were only three days river with the tide. $5.00; H. H. Hood, $5.00; A. SokolowAt Hong Kong, it was the ski, $10.00; Otto McLean, $5.00; N. M. Jr., $1.00. Next, we sprang in the in his house!" John interjected. SS STEEL ROVER same; although not quite as bad Korsak, $5.00; J. S. Dob, $5.00; A. "And we paid the crimp a week's shrouds, ran aloft, and loosened C. E. Veach, $1.00; E. Triche, $1.00; $1.00; E. Ortiz, $5.00. —$4.00 Hong Kong to one Amer­ Ricciardella, board in advance! He owes us the sails. B. Brown, $1.00; D. Simpson, $5.00; N. V. A. Urso, $1.00; Walter H. Stovall. ican, while the black market $1.00; T. L. Stinnett ,$5.00; Paul F. Raines, $1.00; Beow Teon Knew, $1.00. money!" A moment later, we sailed to rate was $5.60. How generally Thibodeaux, $5.00; T. Williams, $5.00; SS ALCOA POLARIS The next moment, we received sea with Captain Friend at the R. Tolbert. $3.00; F. Sokolowski, a rude introduction to the Dwyer. helm. He steered, turning the all business is conducted on a George P. Blanchard, $5.00; James C. black market basis may be real­ Friederich, $3.00; Anthony Serpe, $1.00; $5.00; L. M. Tibbetts, $2.00; A. A. Rough voices were heard: it was wheel (of fortune) with a grip on James Redden, $2.00; Russell Mor­ Henderson, $2,00; D, Krasovich, $3,00; ized by the fact that black mar­ rison, $1.00; Vincent Bavirsha, $5.00; L. Cherry, $3.00; J. D. Cantrell, Jr., a row, an altercation. There she its spokes. He steered all right, ket rates are quoted in the K. D. Wilburn, $5.00; F. H. Brown, $1.00; R. Wells, $1.00; J. D. Foster, was, a dark and sinster craft! now glancing aloft at his sails, money market report in the $5.00; M. R. uck, $5.00; J. D. Croker, $4.00; L. W. Young, $400; L. D. She was a brigantine with a then glancing at his girl friend newspapers. On the same day $5.00; John F. Ros.s, $5.00; J. W. C. Schlais, $1.00; W. Robinson, $5.00; hog and a stern like a duck. A standing by his side as though Iglebekk, $5.00; J. W. Martin, $1.00; J. Martin, Jr., $5.00; C. Nathan, $5.00; the draw was put out in Hong Unno Pipines, $1.00; Jose Rodriguez, I E. Ganbleta $,J.OO; T. D. Lawson, leaky old tub, ho doubt! The tall she were his fortune, too, or his Kong at four to one, the Hong $1.00; Paul Aribain. $1.00; J. M. ' $3.00; A. Wilson, $5.00. masts stood at a rakish angle; misfortune, maybe. By EARNEST BOSSERT ALL Y(9U EVER WAVE /V\E VO K CHIP, CHIP, cm/ C.THI5 ^HIP li JU6T NOT BIO ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US, BOS'N. �T H E S f: Friday. August 27. 1948? Page Fifteen A R E R S LOG The Membership And Union Policy; (Continued from Pa}^c 4) in the industry, thanks again to our internal solidarity, we have carried the whole maritime industry upward to the highest wages ever seen in maritime. So far I have dwelt on the past policies of the Union. The present and the future are more impor­ tant. The current policy of the Union is worth dis­ cussing at length, but space will not permit. It can be said, however, that the other unions will again follow the pi'ogram outlined by this Union. In the two-year contracts, won by the SIU this month, we are pretty well assured of a smooth course for pai-t of the next two years. We have that in our hands. We can now turn our attention to strengthening our Union internally. We have held the Book mem­ bership in the Union to the same number of contract jobs available—this no other union in the maritime field can claim. We have continued to give service to our membership in all ports. Their problems are handled and their beefs are settled, it is rare when one is sloughed off and those that are — have been corrected. For the days ahead we have made preparations for greater advances. We will bring more companies into RAYMOND nUPPERT Get in touch with your mother at 1328 Halsey St., Brooklyn, New York, as soon as possible. Si t S. NILS GUSTAVE ENGELBRETTSONN Get in touch with the First Engineer aboard the MS Fulgia. S. Si «• CLARENCE UPSHAW Write your sister, Lillian But- SIU HULLS SIU, A&G District BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. William Rentz, Agent Calvert 4539 BOSTON 276 State St. E. B. Tilley, Agent Bowdoin 44SS GALVESTON SOS'/j—23rd St. Keith Alaop, Agent Phone 2-8448 MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 2-17S4 NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St. E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 51 Beaver St. NEW YORK HAnover 2-2784 Joe Algina, Agent ...127-129 Bank St. NORFOLK Phone 4-1083 Ben Recs, Agent PHILADELPHIA. . .614-16 No. 13th St. Lloyd Gardner, Agent Poplar 5-1217 SAN FRANCISCO 85 Third St. Steve Cardiillo, Agent Douglas 2-5475 SAN JUAN, P.R 252 Ponce de Leon Sal Colla, Agent .San Juan 2-5996 SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. Charles Starling, Agent Phone 3-1728 TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. R. H. Hall, Agent Phone M-1323 HEADQUARTERS. .51 Beaver St., N.V.C. HAnover 2-2784 the union, we will expand the educational program, both ashore and on the ships. We are now in a period referred to by the military as "consolidation of gains." We have made great strides to date, we must now take advantage of our present strong position to have critics. Some of the criticism will come from within the union, some of it from without. Their criticism should be welcome when the matter is under discu.ssion and policy is being evolved. But once the die is cast and the membership adopts policy the union's solidarity cannot be jeopardized by their actions. If they are from within the Union's ranks, they will be dealt with accordingly as in the past; if they are of other organizations, and aimed at con­ ducting a harassing campaign against our union, motives of those responsible will become apparent and. they will either be discredited or "enlightened" by the alert membership on the ships and the beaches. The Union's policy in the future will be made, as usual, through open discussion at the meetings and on the ships. Program and policy will be hammered out and the solid backing of the membership will see them through to success. The pattern, once laid, requires the cooperation of all—anything but co­ operation must not be tolerated. digest what we have gained. When that is over we must strike out again,mto newer and larger fields. When the union moves again into dii-ect and de­ liberate action as in the past, we will undoubtedly It has been the Union's greatest strength in the past and, I'm sure, will still be our greatest strengh in the future. We shall move forward together. PERSONALS wants you to contact her immediatelv. NOTICE! ler, at 211 Central Park West, RICHARD ROTHWELL Apartment lOF, c/o W. M. Bass, Your mother, Adela B. RothNew York 24, N. Y., or call well, Cheney Plain, Newton UpTR 7-1181. per Falls, Mass., is very anxious to get in touch with you. 4- 4. 4. MICHALL R. BAAL .v. 4 4' Your wife, who is ill, wishes CHICO ERAZO you to get in touch with her. Ludovico Agulto, the Manila Watch, has .sent your picture to i 4. t JOHN NEWELL the LOG office. If you want it Or anyone knowing his ad­ sent to you, write to the Editor, dress, please get in touch with SEAFARERS LOG, 51 Beaver his brother, Edward Newell, 1037 Street, New York 4, N. Y. Manning Avenue, Verdun, Que­ 4 4 4 bec, Canada. CARLOS GOMES FENNER \ETTERTON There was some mistake when the PERSONAL told you that yo^r wife had moved. She is gt.ill living at 2529 Washington Ave., Bronx 58, New York, and would like you to get in touch with her there. .4 4 4 FRED C. DODGE Contact D e a s y , Crittenden, Dodge & Alexander, AttorneysAt-Law, 514 Easton Bldg., Thir­ teenth and Broadway, Oakland 12, California. FRANCIS VIGEANT Y'our seaman's passport is on file on the Sixth Deck of the New York Hall. 4 4 4 SS WACOSTA The discharges for the coast­ wise trip on the Wacosta, May 12-20, are now available at the Waterman Steamship Company office, 19 Rector Street. 4 4 4 Mail held at Frisco Branch for: JOYNER J. WILSON HERMAN HARRIS ROBERT ADEN BERNARD A SANFORD ALFRED L. YARBOROUGH G. C. HOUSE J. E. NEWTON MERA SMYLEY W. W. BOATRIGHT FRANCIS PETOSA W. U. LEWIS BEN. F. PACE HAROLD FERGUSON JIHN OCHINERO GERALD R. SCHARTEL JOHN H. HARVEY FRED R. ENGLAND THOS. A. THOMSON JACK GARDNER E. V. WILSON RED SIMMONS O. W. TOTTEN AXEL MOELLER 4" 4» 4» Please drop a line to Albert ARCHIE KING Bones, Oakdale Blvd., FarmingContact Professional Business dale, L. I., New York. Service, 217 American Building, 4 4 4 Sixth and Main Streets, EvansEARLE LEE ville 8, Indiana. You are asked to contact Salvatore Frank, 100 N. Claiborne MIGUEL^LLOVET Street, Mobile. He is holding Get in touch with your wife mail for you. Amanda, 128 West 100th Street, 4 4 4 New York City. THOMAS MORIARITY WILLIAM ROYER, JR. Your sister, Mrs. B. Hughes, 545 E. 114 St., Cleveland, Ohio, would like to hear from you. WILLIAM T. BRAUNECKER Contact Seamen's Church In­ stitute of New York, 25 South Street, New York 4, N. Y. CORNELIUS 'i^UURENS Your mother is anxious to hear from you. 4 4 4 JOE KUTCHINSKY Your sister, Carrie Irwin, would like you to contact her at 157 N. Conception St.. Mobile, Alabama. t. i For your laundry bag, contact MR. WOJCICKI Marie Kerney at the Ramstead Your wife Antoinette would Cafe. like to have you write her at 4 4 4 1025 SW 9th Street, Miami, RICHARD ROTHWELL Florida. Your mother, Adele B. Roth4. 4^ well, Cheney Plain, Newton SECRETARY-TREASURER WILLIAM M. WEST Upper Falls, Mass., last heard Paul Hall Mrs. Anna C. West, your mo­ ARTHUR^ L^ GRESHAM frnm you in 1945. She is vei-y DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION ther, would like to hear from much concerned about you and Lindsey Williams Get in touch with your mother you at 512 Maycox Avenue, Nor­ asks that you get in touch with as soon as possible. ASSIST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS Robert Matthews J. P. Shuler folk, Virginia. her at once. Joseph Volplan 4. 4 4 4 4 4 JOHN FITZSIMMONS ROBERT G. WEBBER SUP Get in touch with J. K. Please get in touch with your HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. O'Donoghue, KM Consul, British mother, Mrs. A. G. Webber, 709 The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea­ Phone 5-8777 61st Floor, South Semmes Street, East Point, farers International Union is available to aU members who wish PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. Consulate-General, Beacon 4336 Empire State Building, New Georgia. to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. York 1, N. Y. their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have 4 4 4 Phone 2599 the LOG sent to you each week address cards are on hand at every MANUEL R. BATISTA 4. a> 4> SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St. SIU branch for this purpose. Douglas 2-5475 WILLIAM ROCHE Your permit was found on a SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. However, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU Your father is seriously ill. train and turned into the New Main 0290 hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the LOG, Write your sister, Mrs. Thomas York Hall. Apply on the 6th WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 81 Terminal 4-3131 Ryan, Renews, Newfoundland. deck. Beaver Street, New York 4 JT. Y. 4 4 4 4. 4< 4RICHARD M. HUFFARD DAVID MCDONALD PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. Get in touch with youi- mother. Your sister, Mary, is very ill. Cleveland 7391 To the Editor: Write James R. McDonald, Wil­ She is very ill. CHICAGO. Ill .3261 East 92nd St. 4 4 4 Phone: Essex 2410 liam Sloane House, YMCA, 356 I would like the SEAFARTRS LOG mailed to the OLAF CHRISTIANSEN CLEVELAND 2602 Carroll St. West 34th Street, New York address below: Main 0147 City. Contact Johnny F a n c u 11 DETROIT 1038 Third St. through his sister, Mrs. R. Cadillac 0857 4i fc 4. Name Hearle, 798 Parker Street, DULUTH 831 W. Michigan St. MATTHEW CARSON Melrirae 4110 Get in touch with E. J. Madill, Newark, N. J. Street Address TOLEDO 615 Summit St. 4 4 4 Garfield 2112 Acting Assistant Chief, Division ALSON E. SMITH of Protective Services, Depart­ State City Your father is anxious to get ment of State, Washington, D.C. in touch with you. 4. 41 4> MONTREAL 1227 Philips Square Signed ROBERT G. WEBBER 4 4 4 BICTORIA, B.C 602 Boughton St. DARWIN E. JESSUP Empire 4531 Get in touch with Mrs. A. G. VANCOUVER 565 Hamilton St. Book No. Your wife has moved to 267 Webber, 709 South Semmes Pacific 7824 W. 22 St., Apt. 3-D, NYC, and Street, East Point, Georgia. Notice To All SIU Members Gt. Lakes District Canadian District �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Sixteen Bernstein Bids For Atiantic Passenger Run m WHAT ttWilK.,, Friday. Auguit 27. 1948 The fate of a move to expand the American passenger vessel fleet that is of direct concern to Seafarers will be decided the QUESTION: Where would you like to settle down when you quit going to sea? end of this month, when the Maritime Commission holds a WILLIAM LIEBERMAN, Cook: hearing in Washington on the THOMAS LOCKWOOD, AB: Down in Ponce, Puerto Rico. I don't intend to retire from Arnold Bernstein Line's applica­ I think it's about the best spot the sea. However, if I ever gel tion for an operating subsidy. in the world. The climate can't enough money, I'd like to travel around here and there in re^ In its application, the Bern­ be beat, either. I've gotten to know a lot of real nice people style, so I can see first hand stein company is seeking aid for there. It's my intention to settle how green the grass is on the a proposed passenger and cargo in Ponce some day. The fact other side of the fence. Up td service to Antwerp and Rotter­ that it isn't too far from the now I've been going to sea for dam, for which it is anxious to 20 years and I'm still a fairly water probably has a lot to do buy two P-2-type transports — young man, 38, to be exact. From the General John Pope and the with my decision. It's near the the way I feel about it now, I General William Weigel, former­ ships, plenty of swimming—in don't think I could stop at ly operated by the Army. fact, near everything I like. any one place for very long. Although I was born in New The Bernstein outfit has al­ Even Viough you might be up York City, big towns hold no ready filed application with the in the mountains, you can with­ attraction for me—so they're out Commission for a construction in a very short space of time as far as I'm concerned. I'll subsidy to be used in converting get down to the waterfront, keep on going to sea, with a the transports into sleek passen­ where you can meet seamen .chance to see things and enjoy ger ships. and get a sniff of the old sea air. myself everywhere. The General Weigel is a 17,812-ton ship that went into ser­ vice in 1945. The General Pope, which was completed in 1943, is BRONISLAW WOTURSKI, OS: BERTIL SVENSSON, Oiler; a 17,832-ton vessel. I'm content to continue going Some day I'm going to get SAD STATE married, and when I do I'll quit to sea, but if I had to live going to sea immediately and ashore I'd settle for the life on The Bernstein proposal for the farm. Of course, if someone settle down to life ashore. I think boosting the sadly lacking Am­ gave me a million bucks, I'd I'll spend my days ashore in erican passenger fleet comes at a stop sailing for a living and Madison, Wisconsin. I'm not orig­ time when many agencies—pub­ inally from there, but it's a spend it traveling around the lic and private — are deploring very fine city. and is known for world aboard passenger ships. the fact that foreign companies its good beer. I guess I'll build I'd visit most of the inland are developing their fleets at the European cities—Brussels, Mad­ my own house and take life expense of American-flag oper­ rid, Vienna, Paris, and take my easy in the middle west. Who ators. knows, maybe I'll open a beer time so as to enjoy all the Inauguration of passenger serv­ hall for the local citizens. That sights and never have t.o worry ice between New York and the about hurrying back to the ship sounds like -a good business to Belgian and Netherlands ports before sailing. Maybe, though, get in — especially in a town would not only provide steady when I've worked all the travel­ known for good brew. Of course, employment for a good many ing out of my blood I'll settle before I can do all this I have American seamen now on the for a little chicken farm in beach, but would also greatly to find the girl. the country. boster the prestige which the American merchant fleet is fast losing because of its lack of •large passenger facilities. JOHN WUNDERLICH, Bosun: RICHARD GONZALES, MM: In considering the Bernstein New York is where I intend to I'd like to settle down on a application, the Maritime Com­ farm for my declining days. It's settle down. I want to d.o some mission will have an opportun­ a healthy life and as long as I studying and the best facilities ity to show how deeply it is in­ already .own a piece of a farm, appear to be right in New York. terested in the future of Ameri- I might as well settle there. It's Then I want to do some writing -can-flag operation. based on the experiences I've a good distance from the sea, had going to sea. Besides all It is quite apparent that if the and I figure that by the time this, I like New York. It has service sought by Bernstein is I'm ready for it I won't miss always been my home port. I the sounds of the sea. That, •not approved, ships operated un­ however, is a long way away, like it because it is cosmopolitan. der foreign flags will pick up the There's a little bit of every port I'm going to continue to sail trade. for quite a few years—I wouldn't in New York. You meet people OPERATORS SIGN from all over the world. There give up this life for love or are restaurants where you can money. When I've had enough On two previous occasions, the get native dishes as served in of traveling around the globp, Maritime Commission has turn­ practically every country. New I'll head for that farm and spend ed down subsidy bids made by my time telling the local boys York has a special appeal for the Bernstein line. In February, the company's application for the stories of the sea. a seaman. Antwerp - Rotterdam route and another run was rejected. The second denial by the Com­ mission came last month, when Bernstein sought to charter one of the transpacific liners, Mon­ terey and Mariposa, to be used as an Atlantic liner for six months and as a cruise ship for the rest of the year. At that time, the Commission informed Bernstein that the gov­ ernment agency would only dis­ pose of two 18,000-ton ships as a package, and would not consider releasing only one. The Bernstein Line has had considerable experience in the run it now hopes to operate in. Prior to the war, it operated the liners Pennland and Westernland in similar services, both of which were lost during the war. ^ ' FRANK COSIK, FWT; :| I was born in a country that I is now controlled by the com:? munists. When they took over in 1945, my brothef, a doctor, was arrested, taken away and never heard from again. During the war my father was killed by the Germans. I guess It's clear why I would want to make :: my home in America when I i stop going to sea. Here a man has freedom. I would like to live in New York, perhaps open up some kind of business. In New York you can meet so many different kinds of people and everything you see throughout the world can be seen in New York. PADDY McCANN, Ch. Cook: Should I ever reach the point where I could retire or I couldn't go to sea anymore, I'd want to settle in St. Petersburg, Florida. St. Petersburg is a good clean town and the climate is just right for me. In fact, I'd like to own a little home there. It's quiet and yet there is plenty of life there, especially in the win­ tertime, when the resort season gets' under way. Of course, I've been going to sea for 24 years now, and as yet I haven't set­ tled down anywhere. But I'm satisfied going to. sea. It's just that St. Petersburg would be my choice if I had to make one. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource August 27, 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. 35 Description An account of the resource HEADLINES SEAFARERS SIGNS TWO MORE OUTFITS TO TOP CONTRACT REGISTRATION FORV DRAFT BEGINS;SEAMEN'S STATUS STILL UNSETTLED CITIES SERVICE ELECTION STALL SEEN AT END REGISTRATION FOR MILITARY DRAFT BEGINS ABSENTEE BALLOTS AVAILABLE TO MOST SEAMEN THIS YEAR APPENDIX SPOONED OUT IN TRICK OPERATION ABOARD ALCOA CLIPPER THE MEMBERSHIP AND UNION POLICY MOBILE MARITIME COUNCIL AIDS AFL CARMEN BOSTON SEAFARES FIND BERTHS ARE SCARCE AS FICE-CENT BEER NEW YORK HAS ROUTINE WEEK OF SHIPPING BALTIMORE SEES TURN FOR BETTER,AT LASDT SHIPPING SLOWS DOWN IN TAMPA FIR PERMITMEN THINGS ARE HOPPING IN THE NEW FRISCO HALL NEW CONTRACT CHEERS PHILLY, THOUGHT SHIPPING FALLS OFF WILLIAM MOORE RITES HELD IN NEW ORLEANS SS CLAIBORNE JOINS WATERMAN ATLANTIC FLEET TWO MORE COMPANIES SIGN TOO CONTRACT SS CHRYSANTY STAR SINKS ENGLISH FISHING SMACK;FIVE BROTHERS SINGER CREW AIDS SPANISH REFUGEE SHIPP IN MID OCEAN MERCHANT SEAMEN GET ROOKED IN FAR EAST BLACK MARKET THE MEMBERSHIP AND UNION POLICY Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 08/27/1948 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1948 Periodicals Seafarers Log