Seafarers Log: Vol. 11 No. 2 (1949-01-14)

Official Organ, Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA

VOL. XI NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14. 1949 No. 2

No One Is Fooled
The oil business is a pretty slick game. Under the circumstances you

certainly wouldn't expect an amateur performance from the people who head
up one of the largest petroleum outfits in the world.

But expectations to the contrary, officials of the Cities Service Oil
Company are still straining to make a success of a sorry little spectacle they
call the Cities Service Tankermen's Association. And a rank performance
they're making of it, if we ever saw one.

By now everybody who wasn't born yesterday knows that CTMA is a
company-inspired and company-controlled puppet organization—and nothing
more. Everyone knows that Cities Service masterminds blew breath into
CTMA.

Nevertheless, Cities Service officials persist in running CTMA across
the stage in a futile attempt to convince their tankermen that they're seeing
the real thing. Perhaps these Cities Service oil men have a sense of humor
as out of date as the conditions aboard their ships.

, If Cities Service officials want to continue this masquerade to delude
the company's stockholders into thinking they're getting something for the
dough they're sinking into CTMA, that's their business.

But for the record—and in behalf of Cities Service tankermen, who dare
not open their mouths in CTMA—we want to remind the guys who are back­
ing this flop that it's performance that counts.

As an organization of, by and for seamen, the SIU is a genuine trade
union with a glowing record of accomplishment for maritime workers. This
is a fact Cities Service men already recognize—just as they recognize the
figure of Cities Service even when it Is rigged out as CTMA.

Bland Readying
Bill To Close
Loophole In EGA

The SIU's campaign to block ECA Administra­
tor Paul G. Hoffman's attempt to move Marshall
Plan bulk cargoes in foreign ships began to bear
fruit this week. On Wednesday, it was reported
that Representative Schuyler Otis Bland, Chairman
of the House Committee on Merchant Marine and
Fisheries, was preparing a bill absolutely guaran­
teeing that at least 50 percent of all dry cargoes,
and perhaps of all tanker cargoes, go under the
American flag. Presumably the bill would not have
the loophole that exists in the^
present law.

Judge Bland already had in­
dicated his support of the SIU's
position in the fight to save the
American merchant marine and
the jobs of American seamen in
several letters to the Union and
in a strong protest to Senator
Styles Bridges, retiring chairman
of th^ Joint Committee on Econ­
omic Cooperation.

In his letter to Bridges, which
released to the press last

month. Judge Bland showed
that Hoffman's plan would not
save the American taxpayer any
money and might in the end
constitute an economic loss. He
used many of the same argu­
ments which the LOG employed
in the issue of January 7.

FLOOD OF PROTESTS

While Judge Bland was pre­
paring his bill, hundreds of let­
ters from Senators and Con­
gressmen continued to pour into
Headquarters and into SIU
Branches up and down the coast,
indicating wide Congi-essional in­
dignation at Hoffman's wilful
and ruthless scheme. At the
same time, thousands of letters
and telegrams continued to pour
into Washington condemning the
"Huffman Plan" which would
throw 10,000 seamen out of
work.

Many of these protests came
from the seamen themselves. But
many more came from the hun­
dreds of international and local
unions, CIO as well as AFL, in
non-maritime fields whose mem­
bers have rallied to the SIU's
side.

On pages eight and nine of
this issue of the LOG are quo­
tations from some of the letters
which members of Congress have
addressed to the SIU, and from
some of the communications
which the various unions sent
to President Truman, Cabinet
members. Senators, Congressmen
and Paul G. Hoffman himself.

CUT-RATES

The Marshall Plan beef began
on December 3 when ECA Ad­
ministrator Hoffman announced
that after January 1 he would
not ship any more bulk Marshall
Plan cargoes in American ships
because American freight rates
were too high. There was an
immediate roar of protest from
the SIU.

Hoffman admitted that under
the law he was supposed to send
50 percent of the bulk cargoes
and all other cargoes in Ameri­
can ships, but qualified this by
saying that if American ships
were not available at "competi­
tive rates," the law allowed him
to use cut-rate foreign tramps.
Apparently Hoffman was endors­

ing the low labor standards on
foreign vessels.

Members of Congress have
maintained that they meant that,
if American ships were available
at American rates, at least 50
percent of all cargoes must go
in American ships—and no non­
sense about it. Representative
Bland's bill is expected to be
worded beyond misunderstand­
ing.

Under the "Hoffman Plan" it
was estimated that somewhere
between 120 and 150 Maritime
Commission ships, now chartered
to private companies, would be
laid up. This would be "finished
with engines" for the American
marchant marine. What is more,
Hoffman would not be saving
the government the money he
claimed.

NO SAVING

As the LOG pointed out on
January 7, the United States
government would lose the char­
ter hire on these ships—some
$7,500 or more per month per
ship, and would also forego mil­
lions of dollars in federal taxes
which ship operators would pay
on their income from the ships.

In addition, the government
would have to pay $10,000 per

(Continued on Page 15)

Bills To Exempt
Seamen From Draft
Introducod In House

WASHINGTON—A bill to ex­
empt merchant seamen who sail­
ed through the war from the
draft was inti'oduced into the
House of Representatives last
week by Congressman William
M. Colmer of Mississippi.

Colmer's bill would exempt all
those who sailed between Sep­
tember 16, 1940, and June 24,
1948. The proposal has been re­
ferred to the House Committee
on the Armed Services. Eight
other similar bills are being in­
troduced into Congress and also
will be referred to committees
for preliminary consideration.

Meanwhile, despite rumors to
the contrary, merchant seamen
are still eligible for the draft.
Their only recourse is to present
their case so well to local draft
boards that they are granted de­
ferment on a local basis.

However, there is a fair chance
that one of the bills now in Con­
gress may become law before
many more seamen are. drafted.
This week, it was announced that
the rate of enlistment in the
Army was so high that during
February and March nobody
would be drafted at all.



Page Two THE SB 4 PA RERS LO G FHdUiy, January 14,, 1949

SE^AFARERS
Published Weekly, by the

SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA

Atlantic and Gulf District
Affilialed wilh the American Federation of Lahor

At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnover 2-2784

EJntered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office
in New York, N. under the Act of August 24, 1912.

267

The Union Builders
When the organizers of the SIU, A&G District, first

became active in the Isthmian fleet in 1945, they touched
off a campaign in which the Union has racked up a
virtually unbroken string of victories.

The Union's permanent organizing staff cannot be
praised too highly for the list of achievements they can
show. The expansion they have made possible has carried
us to our present position at the top of the industry. They
know, as all of us know, that as long as an unorganized
ship sails the sea there is a chink in the armor of organized
seamen.

But praise for the organizers cannot be limited to
the members of the permanent organizing staff. At least
as much must go to the volunteer organizers from the
r^nk-and-file.

No amount of planning by the permanent staff can
bring a single vessel into the SIU fold if the volunteer
organizers do not go out and get the jobs, running what­
ever risks are necessary.

Isthmian was organized by the rank and file, and so
was every other company we have gained. When Cities;
Service is finally brought under contract—the time is
not far off now—we will owe another debt to the volun­
teer organizers who have been sailing those ships, endur­
ing the bad living conditions, eating the bum chow, taking
the brutality of. the Mates and Engineers, and foregoing
legitimate overtime.

Organizing at sea is a tough job. Let those members
who never sailed Isthmian in the pre-contract days, or
who have not sailed Cities Service or other ships we have
organized since, consider what the volunteer organizer
is up against.

In a degree, a volunteer organizer is a soldier operat­
ing behind enemy lines. No matter how ready he finds
the majority of the crew to swing to the SIU, he must
always be on the alert against company stooges.

He must size up his shipmates. For as soon as he is
spotted by the company stooges, licensed or unlicensed,
he is finished. He will be fired and blacklisted, and will be
of no more use in the organizing campaign.

Nevertheless, his wariness of company stooges must
not make him over-cautious. A volunteer organizer who
'does no organizing might just as well be on the company
blacklist. An organizer's job is to bring the ship to the
SIU. So caution must be mixed with daring, diplomacy
and a keen sense of timing. An organizer must know
when to make his move as well as when to keep quiet.
Meanwhile, he must do his work aboard ship for a Sea­
farer is an expert seaman, a fact which all the companies
admit.

Men Now In The Mnrm Hospitnk
These'are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals,

as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers Gnd time hanging
heavily on their handK Do what, you can to cheer them up by
writing to them.

^ ^ In paying tribute to the volunteer organizers for
their past and present deeds, we must not lose sight of
the task still remaining.

There are thousands of American seamen sailing
American ships today without the benefit of real trade
union protection. Particularly is this true in the tanker
field.

We must break down the wall which the companies
have erected between those, men and us. This is a difficult,
but far from impossible goal. Accomplishing it will call
for the best this Union's volunteer organizers can give.
The security of all American seamen depends on the
determination with.which they go about their assignments.
,Thcy have already shown that they have the guts to do
jhe job.

MOBILE MARINE HOSP.
V. E. PETERS
W. PETERS
E. B. McGUFFY
W. R. ROSS
L. J. WECKS
C. R. SIMMONS
J. E. NORDSTROM
H. M. HANKEE
E. SMITH
E. JARRETT
R. B. DEARMAN

t. % I,
BOSTON MARINE HOSPITAL
FRANK ALASSAVICH
VIC MILAZZO
JOSEPH E. GALLANT

» » &
BALTIMORE MARINE HOSP.
L. THOMAS
J. SWOBODA
M. DAVIS
O. J; HARDEN
S. WILSON
J. B. PURVIS
G. A. CARROLL
J. BROWN
W. C. HALL
B. FREY
L. CASE
L. EVANS •' r
E. VITEK .
T. A. CARROLL
E. C. LAWSON r/.

MASTANTUNO
C. B. VIKEN
C. BOGUCKI

% t.
GALVESTON HOSPITAL

J. GIVENS
W. WESTCOTT
D. HUTCHINGS
J. J. O'CONNOR
S. R. PARIS
M. POSTER
M. MAYNARD

S> t
NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL
S. C. FOREMAN
A. N. LIPART
HARRY J. CRONIN
J. DENNIS
P. L. SCHUQUE
E. SOTO
B. MALDONADO
G. ROTZ
O. HOWELL
V. P. SALLINGS
H C. MURPHY
A. WARD
e. IVEEHL
G; MALONEY
P. BIVINS
L. MILLER ,
W. PERNHOUT -
D. RUSSO
B. W. BIGGS
H. SWANN
S; LB BLANC

When enlering the hospital
notify the delegates by i^t«
card, giving your name and
the number of your ward.

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 pan.

(on 3rd and 4lh floors.)
Saturday — 1:30 to 3:30 pan.

(on 1st and 2nd floors.)

D. MC KINNIE
G. MESHOVER
W. GARDNER
A. BLAIS
E, DEAN
D. POICA
J. YOUNG

4. t
STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL
MOSE MORRIS
W. HUNT
J. HERNANDEZ
N. DORPMANS
A. C. SIMPSON
E. SOTO
W. NORRIS
F. STOKES
J. BLANCHARD ' .
H.'V. NEILSEN ^
J. STEPANCHUK • i
J. GRANGAARD " ;
P. O. FONDULA ^ : •
CHANG SENG :;4
M. J. LUCAS HA;
A. BORRERA v ^

» t
SAVANNAH MARINE HOSPi.A
A. C. McALPIN '•
L. MARSH
H. R. BELL •'
R. ANDERSON ; - -A ;
R. FLAGLER " v
M: PLYER

h



Friday. January 14, 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three

Histadrut Is Bulwark Against Communism
By CHARLES G. RAYMOND

Wherever in the world you find an honest,
progressive, democratic anti-communist . trade
union movement you find an organization which
deserves the respect and support of its trade
union brothers, in all countries. No false issues
must be allowed to hamper us in the global
struggle against communist expansion and the
tyrannies in many lands which are virtual in­
vitations to communist agents.

Histadrut, the cooperative labor movement to
which 80 percent of all the workers in sorely
beset Israel belong, is an organization which
merits a friendly hand froin American labor
unions. Histadrut's 300,000 members are the men
and women who are toiling mightily to build a
stable economy in the new state of Israel, and
an economy which will support a high standard
of living.

Already Histadrut, the only labor organization
of any consequence in the Middle East, has
raised Israeli wages to a level several hundred
percent above those paid in the neighboring Arab
nations, and working conditions have been cor­
respondingly improved.

EFFECTIVE BUFFER

But until the British and the other big powers,
including the United States, force an end to the
present war with the Arabs by proposing a
decent settlement for the Israelis, Histadrut will
be handicapped. A sound economy cannot be
built if Arabian oil and the strategic military
position of the Suez Canal are held to be more
important than the progressive development for
the common good of Israeli and "other Middle
Eastern resources. To make matters worse the
communists might discover a way to take advan­
tage of the situation if the strife continues.
, Histadrut members find themselves in a plight
somewhat similar to that of the Indonesians iri
the struggle against Dutch imperialism and that
of the people of Indo-China who are trying to
throw off the yoke imposed by the French.

The possibility of a communist-dominated
China makes the situation in Indo-China critical,
a fact to which the French imperialists are just
awakening. In the East Indies, where the Dutch
are using troops in a ruthless "police action" to
oust the Indonesian Republic, the situation is, if
anything, worse.

In French Indo-China. in Burma, in British
Malaya and in the East Indies, communist agents
roam far and wide and many who are not com­
munists listen to them. In their misery, they
will listen to anybody who offers a cure, how­
ever false, to their economic ills.

A powerful, progressive Histadrut in the
Middle East can be an effective buffer against the
commies, and American unions would be doing
both themselves and the world a huge service
by supporting the Israeli workers.

MORE THAN UNION

The backward-looking, labor-hating imperial­
ists who control Dutch, French and Britisl^
colonial policies are fond of excusing their fail­
ure to free the peoples of Malaya, Indo China
and the East Indies by maintaining that those
peoples are not yet ready for independence and
self government. At best they offer phony forms
of freedom.

The British and the rest who are allowing the

Charles G. Raymond, author of the article
on this page, was the author of articles in
the LOGs of November 12 and November 26.
1948, analyzing the national elections and
their effect on the Taft-Hartley Act. Those
articles attracted wide attention inside this
Union and throughout' the trade union move­
ment. His account of Histadrut, the new
state of Israel's powerful and progressive
labor federation, will also be widely read.

Ordinarily, this Union does not carry
articles which can be interpreted as political
in nature. However, the importance of
labor's role in the November elections made
Raymond's election analysis imperative for
the information of the membership. At the
present juncture, with the continent of Asia
threatened by the communists because of the
short-sightedness of European governments,
an understanding of the labor movement in
strategic, anti-communist Israel is equally
imperative. Of course, Histadrut is a feder­
ation of trade unionists not a political or­
ganization. But it is so powerful a force in
Israel and the whole Middle East that any
discussion of it is necessarily concerned with
politics on a world scale.

Israelis—and the Arabs, for that matter—to be
destroyed in war can voice no such excuse. The
members of Histadrut are Europeans. They are
not by any stretch of the imagination a colonial
people, although many of them have endured
more than 10 years of slat^ery and torture under
the late Adolf Hitler.

Actually Histadrut is something more than a^
labor union, or even a group of labor unions.
Technically it is the General Federation of
Jewish Workers in Israel, and is roughly the
Israeli equivalent of the American Federation
of Labor. But it is a complete economic and
social organization which controls vast enter­
prises.

ORGANIZED ECONOMY

Histadrut grew along these lines because
it had to. It was founded in the early 1920s
when Israel, then known as Palestine, was under
a British mandate. There was no Israeli govern­
ment, nor were there any social laws providing
for hospitalization, workmen's compensation and
the like. Histadrut provided an organized econ­
omy and became the greatest economic force in
the area. The present Israeli government leans
heavily on Histadrut as,a going concern of nearly
30 years standing.

Many members of the present Israeli govern­
ment came from Histadrut, which is playing
a leading role in the tragically unnecessary con­
flict with the Arab nations. In illustration of
this is the story of Abba Hushi, the Histadrut
leader who visited SIU Headquarters a year
ago. Last fall Abba Hushi, a onetime dock
worker and a member of the Histadrut executive
committee for the port of Haifa, was wounded
in the leg by an Arab sniper. He was inspect­
ing Israeli fortifications when the bullet struck
him.

Histadrut organized the workers, fought for
the eight hour day, and won the right to bar­
gain collectively for wages and conditions. What
if did not get from the outside it provided from
within itself. Belonging to it are skilled and
unskilled workers, manual and white-collar
workers, scientists, engineers, doctors, teachers,
longshoremen, farmers, building workers, quarry-
men, factory workers, needle-workers, seamen
and others. "The list is as long as the list of
occupations in Israel.

Histadrut provides health insurance, medical
care including" hospitalization and a pension plan

for the aged. It runs agricultural and industrial
cooperatives, housing projects, public markets,
banks, vacation centers, schools, theaters, a
sports organization, an aviation company and an
infant merchant marine plying Mediterranean

waters. In addition, it publishes newspapers and
magazines including one paper in Arabic for the
thousands of Arab members who work in perfect
harmony with the Jewish members. Outside
employers contribute to only the welfare pro­
gram.

AMERICA HELPS

Because of Histadrut's efforts, the contrast be­
tween conditions in Israel and those in the
feudal Arab countries is tremendous. In Israel,
a skilled Arab worker can make close to five
dollars a day, a princely wage by Middle East
standards, and even an unskilled worker can
count on about two dollars. The same Arabs
working in the Arab states—in Egypt, Syria or
Iraq—would be lucky to make 80 cents and 45
cents respectively. Presumably the Arab leaders
have no love for Histadrut. Their own people
might get the idea.

Much of Histadrut's recent progress has been
the fruit of the current campaign to raise money
in the United States, a campaign which has the
full support of both the AFL and the CIO. This
help is necessary for the present because of the
war, and because of the thousands upon thou­
sands of immigrants who arrive every day.

The war damage must be repaired and many of
the newcomers must be trained and fitted for
new jobs so that they can find their places in the
Israeli economy.- For the present, these two
tasks are too much for Histadrut's resources.

But Histadrut can be expected to be the main
bastion of a free democratic labor movement in
the Middle East. Staunchly anti-communist, it
should resist all attempts by the communists to
infiltrate its ranks. Its strength and the well-
being of its members should be so great that
communist blandishments will have no effect.

GUARANTEE

The sooner the British government, the same
government which u.sed troops to break the
London dock strike in 1947, realizes this fact the
better. By the same token, the sooner the Dutch
government realizes that the Indonesians basi­
cally want nothing but freedom and a chance to
utilize their own resources, the less chance com­
munist agents will have to win the Indonesian
people to their side.

A strong, free labor movement in progressive
Israel, and the kind of freedom in Indonesia that
will allow a labor movement to grow in the
eastern islands, can save the continent of Asia
from communism. By insisting that such
movements be encouraged and allowed to
flourish, American unions can do much to guar­
antee their own future.



Page Four THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, January 14, 1949

Shipping is Good in Baltimore
And Prospects Are Even Better

SIU VOLUNTEERS IN BOFFJEAN PLAN FIGHT

By WILLIAM (Curly) RENTZ

' BALTIMORE—Although ship
ping slowed. down a trifle here,
we can get the men out pretty
easily. And we expect shipping
to be very brisk in the near fu
ture.

Recent payoffs included six
Ore Line ships, three Bull Line
ships and three Waterman ships
The sign-ons in the same period
were distributed in about the
same way—six Ores, four Bulls
three Watermans and one Isth­
mian.

It is easy to see that Ore ves­
sels are the solid basis of ship­
ping in Baltimore. This is the
only port in this country which
they hit, so we always can
count on them.

The others may come here or
they may payoff and sign-on
somewhere else. We like to see
them all, though.

Incidentally, Ore ships sure
have changed since the old pre-
SIU days. Ask an oldtimer if
you don't believe it.

Man to be ready to leave at an
hour's notice. The Old Man had
no choice but to restrict the men
to the ship which was in the
stream and ready to go, although
sea watches had not been set.
However, it took The Army six
days to get around to sending
the ship on its way. That's the
Army for you.

The crew of that ship can
keep track of their beef in the
LOG. We'll let them know how
the overtime turns out.

BEAT HOFFMAN

SAME OLD ARMY

We had a sign-on beef on
Watennan's Governor Sparks
and we still are working at
squaring it. It's a good beef,
but we couldn't blame either
the company or the Master for
the way it began. The only one
we could blame was the United
States Army for whom the ship
was carrying cargo when she
signed on.

The Army ordered the Old

The "Paul Hoffman Plan" is
something for us to fight hard
to defeat. Certainly that guy
Hoffman is out to hurt us as
much as he can, just why we
don't know.

We hope that Hoffman doesn't
believe we will take this scheme
of his to smash the merchant ma­
rine and the maritime unions ly-
ng down. If he does he has an­

other think coming.
After what we went through

to win our wages and condi­
tions we are not going to let
our jobs be tak«n away from
us. Hoffman can be sui-e of that.

Other than the Hoffman Beef
everything is running well in
lis port. During the holidays the

men had a swell Christmas din­
ner at the Hi Ho Inn.

The boys in the hospital are
oing fine and hope to be out

so'on. They say there is nothing
that can stop the SIU and we
agree with them.

The all-important battle waged by the A&G District to halt the EGA poUcy switch which
would ditch American ships in favor of foreign flag vessels required plenty of willing workers.
Here are some of the Seafarers who enthusiastically volunteered their services as Headquarters
alerted Congress and, organized labor of the dangers of the plan. Around the table from left to
right; Mike Cristaldi, AB; Liudley Ritch, AB; Charlie Sexton, Wiper; Charles Oppenheimer.
Wiper; Ernest Koons, Oiler; Tony Randazzo. OS; John Ziereis, Bosun: Clarence Lohne, FWT;

^om Williams, Oiler; Gus Rener, AB, and Frank Chamberlayne, AB. J. R. Gonzalez, AB; Lucky
Gillis, Steward, and John Flynn, AB, were out of camera's range when photo was taken.

New York Winds Up Fair Week Of Shipping

Mobile Hears Waterman May Pull
Six Liberties Out Of Lay-Up

By CAL TANNER

MOBILE — Activity here dur
ing the past week was highlight­
ed by several clean payoffs ab­
oard ships manned by capable

* "^lU crews. There were six sign-
ons, including three vessels on
ccmtinuous articles, in addition
to;'five payoffs.

jrhe Alcoa Corsair paid off and
went back on her usual 17-day
passenger run to the Islands.
Her heads-up crew paid a visit
to the local marine hospital and
distributed gifts of three dollars
to each of the Seafarers con­
fined. The money was donated
from the ship's fund.

The Monarch of the Sea and
the Morning Light, two of the
Waterman C-2s on the Puerto
Rican fun, also paid off in good
clean fashion, and then signed
on crews for the voyages to
PR.

TWO MORE

Also paying off very cleanly
were the Daniel Lownsdale and
the Governor Kilby, both Water­
man jobs. The Lownsdale came
off the coastwise run and signed
on for a trip to Europe under
an Army time charter.

Ships in transit this week
were the Fairisle, Claiborne, Wa­
terman ships in from New Or­
leans; the Marquette Victory, an

Isthmian scow back from the
Far East and headed for the
East Coast for loading; and the
Del Mundo, Mississippi, in from
around the coast. All of these
ships were in good shape.

There is a possibility that Wa­
terman may pull six Liberties
out of the lay-up fleet in the
near future. This wUl be a boon
to shipping and we have the
men to fill the jobs.

TUG RELIEF JOBS

A gratifying source of jobs for
our members this week were the
tugboats. We shipped approxi­
mately sixty men to tug boat
relief jobs.

On the list of patients in the
Mobile Marine Hospital at this
time are the following Seafar­
ers; V. E. Peters, W. Peters, E.
B. McGuffy, W. R. Ross, L. J.
Weeks, C. R. Simmons, J. E.
Nordstrom, H. M. Hankee, E.
Smith, E. Jarrett and R. B.
Dearman.

Around the beach are several
oldtimers. Among them are Tom
Bernsee, Elmo Bailey, T. R.
Stanley, Clarence Nail, Jimmie
Moore, S. W. Ghale, Joe and
Charlie Stringfellow, C. R.
Steers, B, P. McNulty, Ernest
Hannon, E. R. Smith, Dusty Es-
palla and Slim Sweetser.

The Mobile Branch has re­
ceived several very encouraging
communications from Senators
and Congressmen promising then-
support in our fight against the
switch in Marshall Plan policy.
Meanwhile, we are keeping the
campaign fo save seamen's jobs
going strong and steady.

By JOE ALGINA

NEW YORK — Another fair
week for shipping in this port
ended with the signing on and
paying off of the usual lot of
ships, most of them in from for­
eign runs.

Next week may bring a slight
dip in activity to this port, be­
cause of the sale of one ship to
another company and the return
of another to the Maritime Com­
mission.

Anyway, the line-up for this
week went like this:

In the payoff column we hand­
led the Steel Ranger, Kenyon
Victory, Isthmian; the Bessemer
Victory, John B. 'Waterman, Gov-
vernor Graves, Waterman; the
Helen and Beatrice, Bull; the Al­
exander Woolcott, Alcoa; the
Colabee, American - Hawaiian;
The Cabins, Mathiasen. The last
named is a new tanker added to
the Mathiasen string.

The ships to hit here this week
topped off voyages to just about
every port in the world. The Col­
abee came from Quebec, The
Cabins from coastwise, the Steel
Ranger from India and the Far
East, the John B. Waterman fi-om
Europe, and the Helen from the
Caribbean.

OFF THE LIST

The Govemoi Graves and the
Woolcott are the ships scheduled
to leave the SIU fleet. The
Graves has been sold to another
company, the Woolcott is to be
returned to the Maritime Com­
mission.

For sign-ons we^ handled the
John B. Waterman, Beatrice, Col­
abee, Steel Designer, Azalea City
and Robin Grey. Over these we
squared away several in-transit
vessels and filled the gaps in
their crews.

Almost all the ships that were-
visited by the Patrolmen were
squared away with little diffi­
culty—all except two, however.

On the Kenyon Victory the
Chief Engineer felt his muscle
and decided to demonstrate his

prowess on the Second Electri-
ciam. He figui-ed wrong on that
one as the Second Electrician
emerged the victor. Being a sore­
head who couldn't take his beat­
ing and forget it, he told the
Second Electrician he was fired
and the Chief Electrician could
pack his gear, too.

The men ignored his phony or
der and went about their busi­
ness. A short while later the En­
gineer brought up his reserve—
the Skipper. The Skipper repeat •
ed the "hit the road" order. The
Electricians, this time, called the
SIU Hall and a Patrolman hied
down to the ship. The windrup:
both men stayed aboard the ship.

A similar case came on the
Governor Graves. There the
Chief Engineer decided he didn't
like the Fireman-Watertender
and ordered him off the ship. A
Patrolman was aboard the ship
at the time and nipped the "get
off" order in the bud. That set­
tled the Engineer for the mo­
ment, but he had ideas. Late in
the evening, when he was sure
no Patrolman was available he
nailed the FWT again. This time
he told him to get off the ship,
or he would have the watchman
toss him over the side.

OUT OF THE DARK

The Fireman got to a telephone
and notified the Hall. In no time
two Patrolmen went down to the.
ship. The Engineer almost passed
out when he saw tlie Patrolmen
coming aboard the ship late in
the evening. A quick consulta­
tion, a few words of advice to
the Engineer and the Fireman
stayed aboard.

The point in giving these two
examples is not just to point out
that the Patrolmen will protect
a crewmember against a hot­
headed Mate or Engineer; it is
also to remind men that when
beefs of this nature arise a quick
call to the Hall can save a lot of
headaches all around.

If the men in these cases had
piled off and then waited five or
six hours before informing the
Hall of their beef, the untangling
of the mess would have been

much more difficult.
For one thing the company

would have called for a replace­
ment. A man would have been
dispatched to the ship and then
the beef would have come to
light. In the end the Seafarer
would probably get his job back,
but the SIU man sent down as
a replacement would have been
put to a great inconvenience.

The quicker the beef is report­
ed the quicker it will be settled.

There is no word yet on Bern­
stein's application to operate two
passenger ships to Europe. Ru­
mor has it that he has a 50-50
chance of receiving Maritime
Commission approvaL There are
a lot of bigwigs against Bern­
stein's move, and they're trying
to block him.

NATIONAL DEFENSE

If the Maritime Commission is
hep they'll approve his applica­
tion. Atithorities in the maritime
field have been moaning for
months about the lack of tankers
and passenger ships should a na­
tional emergency arise. Here's a
guy who wants to put two big
passenger ships into operation,
but they say no dice. It doesn't
make sensed

Another item that doesn't make
sense is the radio report that
corporation profits were 31 bil­
lion this year, an aU-time high,
but because the dollar isn't
worth much anymore, the value
of the profits is really 21 billion
bucks. If 10 billion of their dol­
lars are worthless, I know what
they can do with it. I'll take the
dough off their hands anytime.

One bit of good news out of
"Washington this week is the an­
nouncement that the draft has
been suspended for two months
due to heavy enlistments.

It's not much consolation to the.
Brothers who are sweating out
the man with the khaki suit, but if
the eager beavers keep joining in
large enough numbers they may
leave the seamen alone for
awhile.

Maybe, in the meantime. Con­
gress will take action to exempt
seamen from the draft.

is?: x i;



I^ay. January 14» 1449 TISEStA PA RBRS LOG Page Five

Year's Shipping
Reaches End For
Port Coihourne

By NORM CUNNINGHAM
and JOE McNEIL

PORT COLBOURNE, Ontario
—Shipping in this Lake Ontario
port stopped for the winter, as

,of December . 15. But the last
crew did not payoff until the
first week in January. This was
the after crew of the Midland
Prince, Canada Steamship Lines,
which did not complete its lay-up
job until after New Years.

There are 19 ships laid up in
this port. This is comparatively
few since in other years we have
had 25 to 30 wintering hei-e. In­
cidentally, most of them always
have storage cargoes of grain.

During the lay-up period, SIU
representatives were busy on the
organizing front. We wore
mighty pleased with the recep­
tion we got, too. We are looking
forward to a new contract in the
spring, and we are going to show
the men a better one than they
ever have had before.

At this point, Canadian seamen
are enjoying finer conditions
than they had in the past. But
we hope to improve them itill
more.

CANADIAN BABY

The Port Colbourne office is
the baby of the Canadian Dis­
trict, not having been opened
tmtil last November 1. Al­
though the season was almost
over when we started here, we
have accomplished a lot.

Normally shipping is good—as
long as the navigation season
lasts. In fact, we sometimes suf­
fer from a shortage of men.

Some of our members, who did
not manage to save up enough
money to keep them through the
winter months, have had the
good luck to finds jobs right here
until shipping starts again. Most
of them visit the office from
time to time.

Members will be sorry to hear
that Brother Harry Melling had
a fall on the icy deck of the SS
Stadcoma, injuring his knee so
badly that an operation was
necessary.

He is in the Montreal General
Hospital. Brother Melling has
been Port Agent in Toronto since
the beginning of this Union in
Canada.

Incidentally, we have taken
considerable interest in the fight
our American Brothers are wag­
ing against the shipping of all
Marshall Plan bulk cargoes in
foreign ships. We wish them
every success in their battle.

FRISCO WATERFRONT FRIENDS

• •••
!;<s 5

Father Matthew Conolly and Seafarers Ed McLaughlin and
David Bell stand outside Catholic Maritime Club, where many
seamen were fed and entertained during recent West Coast
strike.

frhto CathoBe Maritime Chb
Has Proved To Be Seaman's Friend

(The SIU does not endorse
political, religious or fraternal
organisations. It does recog­
nize, however, that there are
groups within these categories
which perform services in the
interests of seamen. It is for
this reas<m that the following
article, written and submitted
by a mendier of the SIU, is
published.)

By WILLIAM M. KIERULF

The SIU membership in San
Francisco who were on the beach
for three months as a result of
the West Coast shipping strike
will not soon forget the hospital­
ity of Father Matthew Conolly
and the Catholic Maritime Club
at 320 Harrison street.

This organization, one of ten
all over the country and better
known as the Apostleship of the
Sea, provided a real home at­
mosphere to all strike-bound and
locked-out seamen, serving them
two meals a day and a special
Sunday dinner. There, were also
regular Friday night dances and
Wednesday night card games,
with cigarettes as prizes. There
were also recreational features
to help us while away the long
months ashore.

The club also donated litera­
ture to our SIU library here in
San Francisco.

BIG DAY
Thanksgiving Day was one of

the really memorable <lays at the
dub. If it hadn't been for the
club many SIU men and other
seamen would have had a dull
holiday. Nearly 900 seamen,
among whom wore many of our

Brothers, feasted on a turkey
dinner with all the trimmings.

The bulk of support for the
clubs comes from Catholic or­
ganizations, and some help is
given by passenger and freight
outfits.

Founded in England in 1923, by
a Catholic priest, this organiza­
tion is definitely for the seaman
and his enjoyment while on the
beach. Everyone is welcome, re­
gardless of color, religion or na­
tionality. The only question ask­
ed by the swell people .who op­
erate the club is, "Are you a
.seaman?"

The history of the San Francis­
co branch of the Apostleship
dates back to 1932. Temporary
headquarters were established at
5 Pacific street and a year later
a center was opened at 226 Em-
barcadero, which was the scene
of much activity in the winter of
1933. Food, shelter, clothing and
medical care were given to the
men who were victims of the
terrible conditions on the water­
front. During the 134 strike, an
average of 1,700 men were fed
every day.

ON RINCON HILL
. Since 1936, the flag of the
Apostleship has been flying from
atop famous Rincon Hill, in a
building at Fremont and Harri-
.son streets that foi*merly housed
St. Brcndon's Church.

Always a source of joy to both
seamen and sponsors are the an­
nual Christmas tree parties at
the club's recreation hall and the
Marine Hospital. Last Christmas,
more than 500 gift-packed stock­
ings were distributed to shut-ins
in the hosital.

Shipping Hoids Steady In PR
With Deckmen Still Favorites

By SAL COLLS

Imeo Has Tbe Sh^, Smids (ht CaH Far Men
By FRENCHY MICHELET

SAN FRANCISCO—Shipping
continues to be a permitman's
dream on this coast.

The SS Fairhope, a Waterman
C-2, came out of the Oakland
shipyard this past week and took
a full crew aboard for the Puerto
Rican loop run. This took every
man we could beg, borrow or
steal.

Then out of a clear blue sky
Waterman grabbed the Monroe
Victory that had been laid up
for awhile, and we had cme hel­
luva time racing around to put a
crew together for her.

Now, as we sit typing out this
report, we get word that a full
crew must be found for the SS
Young America, which has just
come in from the Far East.

JOBS APLENTY

These tribulations, coming on
top of the following prospects
have all combined to give the
placards on this coast a case of
wartime jitters. This is what is
ahead of us:

1. Crewing up four more Wat­
erman C-23, which are yet in the
shipyard, but are soon due to
take full crews.

2. Three Far East scows due
in the Seattle area within the
next 20 days and which also.
must be crewed.

3. Continuous calls for replace­
ments from the intercoastal
S;hips. ,

So shipping is plenty good for
all hands on this coast. In view
of this situation, we again urge
all permitmen, who find them­
selves stranded in other ports,
to get out here in the best way
they know.

Permitmen coming out here
will be assured of jobs for a long;
long time to come.

SAN JUAN—Shipping may not
have been exceptional here in the
past week, but it certainly was
steady. It still favors the deck
department over the other two.

There is always a job or two
on board for the book or permit-
man who is so short on brains
that he wants to leave this sunny
and tropical nest for the wind
and rain and snow in the States.

When the MV Ponce .steamed
into Ponce a few days ago to
payoff, we had to scramble to
send her necessary replacements:
five men for the deck, four for
the engine room and four for
the stewards department.

The only man who really
seemed joyous to ship was big
"Red" Whidden, the oldtime
shellback from Tampa. He prac­
tically ate the Bosuns job right
off the blackboard, he was so
glad to get it.

They really can't be • satisfied
unless they have a rolling deck
under their feet and, for lads
ike them, a bar deck won't do­

it's got to be a genuine steel
plate with scuppers.

WELCOME SHIP

The arrival of the MV Ponce
is always looked forward to and
we could think of nothing bettor
to start the New Year with than

two or three more such vessels-
Other ships to touch Puerto

Rico in the last week weie the
SS Jean, SS Kathryn, SS Monroe
and the SS Wild Ranger with
just a few minor beefs cropping
up. Nothing serious, really, and
all beefs were settled to the sat­
isfaction of all hands.

One thing, however, that has
been happening and which re­
quires severe disciplinary mea­
sures, is the px-actice of men pay­
ing off their ships over the week­
end and, like as not, in some
island poi't as far distant as 70
or 80 miles from the city of San
Juan.

RULING S.2LYS NO.

For some time, now we have
had a ruling in this poi-t, which
states that a man cannot pay off
his ship on Satui-day afternoon
or Sunday, unless ho can present
a qualified Union replacement
and proof that the officials at the
Hall have been informed of the
change.

This port i-uling. of late, has
been mistreated and action has
been taken against offendei'S.
Ships sailing with short crews
are a violation of our Union con­
tract and this practice must stop.
Let this serve as a warning to all
who come to Puerto Rico in the
future.

Gap't Anderson, Waterman, Retires
It is a rare daj"^ when the LOG

takes note of the i-epiesentatives
of shipowners; there is little, if
any, common ground between
maritime labor and the employ­
ers. The shipowner is well known
in labor's lecord as being one
of the most vicious and oppres­
sive of all bosses.

However, Captain Hilmer
"Andy" Anderson, until this
week operating manager of Wat­
erman's New Yoi-k office, is so
unusual among shipowner offi­
cials that his record desei-vcs
comment. He's an honest guy.
A good many, if not all, ship­
owners in the business today
could take a lesson from him.
"Andy" always kept his word.
That's something Seafarers know
well from bitter experience that
few shipowners bother to do.

This week, after 48 yeai's in
maritime, Andy retii'ed from his
post as operating manager for
Waterman in New York, a posi­
tion he held for several years.

By retiring, he brings to a
close a career which included
shipping aboard Swedish square
riggers, service as a seaman on
all types of American ships, duty
as a ship's officer during and fol­
lowing the first World War and
fourteen years as Poi't Captain
for Lykes Brotheis.

When he came to Watei-man as
operating manager. Captain An­
derson brought first-hand knowl­
edge of the life led by seafaring
men. In his years of serving as
intermediary' between the com­
pany and the SIU, he demon­
strated undei-standing of the
problems facing seamen.
Throughout his work, he showed
a desire to work out all eompanj'
and union problems in a manner
fair and satisfactory to both
parties.

PRAISE TO CREWS
In commenting on- his years of

dealing with the SIU, Captain
Anderson remarked: "We've had
plenty of differences, but I've

CAPT. ANDERSON

found the Union fair to deal
with." He also voiced high
praise for the men of the SIU.
who lie felt are the "most com­
petent crews sailing Ameiican
vessels."

By the same token, a ixxembef:
of the SIU Negotiating Commit-,
tee spoke of Captain Ander.«on
as being a "hard man, but fair to
deal with, and most of all, a man
whose wox'd is his bond. We
hope Andy's position will be
taken by a man having an equal
understanding of maritime prob­
lems."

The best wishes of the SIU are
extended to Captain Anderson in
his retii-ement.

Membership Rules
Membership rules require

every man entering the
Union Halls to show hia
Union Book. Pro-Book, per-
mil or whitecard to the door­
man. This is for the mem­
bership's protection. Don't
waste the Doorman's — or '
your own—time by arguing '
this point. Observe the rules
you make.



Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, January 14, 1949

£SSO Tankers As Rugged As Cities Service
It's all sweat, blood and teais

for seamen sailing aboai'd Esso
Tankers. These much-abused
tankermen are victims of the
company's slick strategy of "di­
vide and conquer."

With the men in a continual
state of jitters because they fear
loss of their jobs, Esso has been
able to keep its employes from
presenting a solid front against
intolerable conditions, every one
of which is a sound reason in it­
self for the protection of a Union
contract.

Esso's rotten policy of holding
the unlicensed personnel under a
whiplash wielded by cold, cal­
culating topside characters was
revealed to the LOG this week
by Edward J. Hagan, who got a
bellyfull aboard the SS Esso
AUentown.

"I've never seen a more dis­
contented crew than the one
aboard the Esso AUentown in
all time I've been going to sea,"
Hagan said.

He paid off the tanker in a
Jacksonville shipyard after a
coastwise voyage, which began in
New York on Dec. 8. The Allen-
town was scheduled for a long
trip and conditions were such

standard maneuver to keep them
slaving away was the fact that
the Mate tried to pacify the men
by saying that things would be
easier when they got to the ship­
yard in Jacksonville. That, too,
turned out to be a snare.

While the AUentown was in
the yard, the men had to put in
five days a week. Hagan pointed
out that the custom caUed for
four daj'^s of work and one day
off. That was the schedule fol­
lowed on three other tankers in
the yard at the same time.

This discrimination brought the
first rumblings of dissatisfaction
among the crew. The Mate
answered by driving them even
harder than before. Then he
started snooping and forced the
Bosun, who Hagan said was a
decent guy, into acting as his
personal lookout.

As his next step in the cam­
paign of intimidation, the Mate
started handing out warnings to
the men he suspected of talking
too much. This, too, was a

definite part of company strategy,
since the rules of the phony Esso
Tankermen's Association,, a com-
pany-controUed organization, "re-
quh-e" that a man receive a
warning before he is fired. With
that formality attended to, the
Mate was then free to give the
axe to anyone he found objec­
tionable.

HIGH TENSION
Threatened with the loss of

their jobs, overworked and
abused, the AUentown crew was
a setup for the company strategy,
Hagan pointed out.

"The chow was terrible—even
in the shipyard," Hagan said,
and as a result of all these con­

ditions, evei-yone was under great
emotional strain. Tension was
high and as would be expected,
dissension broke out among the
crewmembers.

"The company's scheme was
obviously to play the crewman
against one another — and it
worked," Hagan said.

At coffee time", which aboard

Union contracted ships is gener­
ally a period for friendly dis­
cussion and good fellowship, the
AUentown men were glum and
silent. If anyone spoke at all,
Hagan said, it was only to gripe.

It was at one of these sessions
that Hagan told his shipmates on
the Esso tanker that they were
falling into the company's trap
by distrusting each other. He
warned them they would never
get anywhere under such a
handicap. , Hagan advised them
to walk off the ship in a group.
But they had no heart for such
action, since they knew they'd
be blackballed for good.

At this stage, Hagan decided
he had enough. Before he left
the ship, he told the Mate that
he saw clearly what he was up
to.

Hagan, who sails as an AB,
piled off at a personal sacrifice.
He had been hoping to get
enough time aboard the AUen­
town to make him eligible for
a gi-een ticket, for which he

lacked only ten days when he
paid off.

The Esso AUentown experience
convinced Hagan more than ever
that unorganized tankermen are
the most abused seamen in the
maritime industry and that their
only salvation lies in organiza­
tion—under a contract that will
give them decent conditions and
guaranteed security,

"If any group of sailing men
ever needed the benefits of an
SIU contract, it is these tanker­
men. And they're in the same
boat as the men aboard Cities
Service tankers. They're abused,
browbeaten and disgusted."

Hagan has sailed Cities Service
ships, too, so he knows what he's
talking about.

"At least the Cities Service
men are better off than the Esso
tankermen," Hagan pointed out.
"They're going to have a chance
to vote for SIU representation
very soon. They won't have to
live in constant fear of losing
their jobs much longer."

EDWARD J. HAGAN

that the crew looked forward to
nothing but misery. Hagan said
he had enough and got off.
' Hagan paid tribute to the Al-
lentown crew as he recounted
the nerve-wi-acking experience
from the time he boarded the
ship until he signed off.

"We left New York with a good
crew, as hardworking a bunch
anyone could ask for," he said.

On the second day out all
hands in the deck department
turned to cleaning the tanks.
The tanker had just returned
from a four-month trip in the
Persian Gulf and her tanks were
in rugged shape, Hagan said.

FOUL TANKS
The deck men sweated out 16

and 17 hours a day on the job.
Even the men on the wheel and
lookout turned to. On the l ^t
day of the cleaning job no one
was on the wheel or lookout,
Hagan said, which was a viola­
tion of the law which requires
that these watches be main­
tained from sunrise to sunset.

Men on board the AUentown,
wno had been sailing for years,
told Hagan they had never seen
tanks in such foul condition.
They said the cleaning job was
long overdue.

Despite the back-breaking job
because of the company's failure
to order the cleaning earlier and
without regard for the men who
were working long stretches, the
Mate charged all hands with
loafing.

But proof that this was only a

WHAT
itwim..

QUESTION: The membership of the SIU is currently debating the question of the trans­
portation rule now in effect. What are your views on this rule?

CY MAGNAN, Oiler:
The Iransportation rule should

not be considered only on the
way it affects personal finemces.
The conditions and wages which
we have won through the years
were not achieved without con­
siderable hardship and sacrifice
on the part of many members.
As all good Union men know,
the rules the membership pre­
sents and ratifies at meetings are
in the interests of the general
welfare. Brothers .on the beach
today are sailing ships tomorrow.
The transportation rule has ac­
celerated shipping for you and
me and is a fine "builder-upper"
for union solidarity.

IlilSiilgMlllieii
-

JIMMY HIGHTOWER. Cook:
I very definitely feel that if a

man accepts transportation mon­
ey he must get off the ship.
However. I do not feel that a
man should be compelled to get
off a ship, if he has only been
aboard for a comparatively short
time and he still wishes to work.
Speaking of my own personal
experience, I have accepted
transportation and have gotten
off the ship in accordance with
the present rule, ,but I would
have preferred to remain aboard.
Personally, I would rather not
have the rule, but as a Union

. man I accept the will of the
majority.

PERCY BOYER, Bosun:
The present rule was adopted

by the membership after con-,
sideration at meetings up and
down the coast. Since its adop­
tion, there have been some men
saying they are against it be­
cause they have had to accept
transportation and get off the
ship. Yet when they got off some
other man got a job. The rule
will work in the same way for
their interest. The rule should
not be discarded solely because
a few men find it inconvenient.

ERNEST BUCHSER, AB:
I agree that if a man accepts

transportation he shoiild get off
the ship. But I also think that
he should be allowed a period of
time aboard a ship before being
required to payoff. Naturally, a
man who has spent anytime at
aU on the beach is bound to be
broke or in a hole by the time
he catches a ship. He ceVtainly
wouldn't be able to get even or
get ahead of the game, if he finds
himself on a ship that pays off
in four to six weeks.

iliilH;

JOHN A. ZIEREIS, Bosun:
Several years ago when the

shipowners were in habit of
dumping seamen in various ports
in the USA it became necessary
to. take job action on each indi­
vidual ship to get them to pay
transportation to return a man
to the port of sign-on. Seamen

I who were dumped in strange
ports with little or no money
in their pockets, and who were
anxious to ship again, became
easy prey for crimps. If the
present rule were relaxed in any
way, the seamen could again be­
come prey to these scaveagc/.*s.

^4^

CHARLIE BUSH, Bosun:
I think the transportation rule

should be revised by putting in­
to effect a time limit during
which a man may remain aboard'
a vessel before paying off. If a
man happens to be oii the beach
for about three months, catches
a ship and then finds he has to
pay off after five weeks, he isn't
exactly getting a break. There­
fore, a compromise should be
worke4'out. If a man doesn't
accept the transporation let him
stay on the ship for, let's say,
about six months. That will eli- >
minate the difficulty.



i; ."*-iiT'j|rrt

Friday, January 14. 1848 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven

Sjgn-Oil Proves Value Of SlU Contract
There is a world of difference between the activities preceding the isign-on aboard

jan SlU-contracted ship and one aboard an unorganized ship. The reason for the differ-
'Cnce is the Union enforced contract.

Before any SIU crew signs articles, a Union Patrolman goes aboard to perform
a multitude of functions, all in the interest of the crew's welfare, security and comfort.

The Union Patrolman checks the ship's stores, the slopchest, the repair lists. He
•inspects the linen supply, and sees that comfortable mattresses are provided in foc'sles
that aren't overcrowded. Also, he. makes certain that the Union manning scale is ob­
served by the company, that the articles are proper and contain no phony riders.

On an unorganized ship, the crew climbs aboard and simply signs the articles. No
one is there to protect their interests. Any checking is done by a Port Engineer of
Steward, who act solely in the company's behalf.

The sign-on, like the one pictured on this page aboard the Robin Goodfellow, em­
phasizes one of the many advantages held by men sailing under SIU contract:

• mm

' >.f'r .. ' .
> 'A.-

. v_

All hands were in good mood at. the sign-on ceremonies
aboard the Robin Goodfellow. In photo abov^ the doctor (left).
tells Bosun A. Thome he's a husky specimen fit for duly.

At left is a typical Union pre-sign-on conference. Crew-:
members pay close attention as Engine Delegate V. Meehan
(holding repair list) informs Patrolman Jim Sheehan (wearing
glasses) of conditions on Robin Goodfellow. Steward Delegate ,
Jake Longfellow is at Sheehan's left. This kind of procedure
is something unorganised seamen never see.

The Union way is the se­
cure way. In photo above, the
Union Patrolman checks the
ice boxes with members nf the
Robin Goodfellow's .Steward
Department — left to right,
Bernard Mace, Messman; Pa­
trolman Sheehan; Steve Stove-
land, Second Cook, and Bro­
ther Longfellow, Chief Cook.

Because stores are checked
before the voyage, SlU-con-
iracted ships do not come home
on half-rations. The sign-on
must wait, if necessary, while
this Important matter is taken-
care of. Chow beefs on unor-

^gai^ed ships are* largely trace­
able to fact that crew has no «
>Union representative to check
Stores, ^

Christy Mantages, ^ight Cook and Baker, is the first to sign the Goodfellow's articles,
while Anthony Pedicini, DM, waits his next.

The beefs have been squared
away, the stores have been
checked, the necessary repairs
have been made—in short, the
crew is satisfied that every­
thing is now in order for Sf
smooth voyage. The sign-on
can now proceed. Crewmen
get ready to put their names
on the dotted line (photo
above) in presence of Good-
fellow's Captain T. Frith (left)
and Shipping Commissioner
F. W. McGrath. Engine Delei-
gate Meehan stands by.

On unorganized ships, the
actual signing of the articles
is the total activity. That's
why unorganized seamen are
paid less than SIU members
and sweat out voyages without
any security.



Page Eight THE S E A P A R E R S L O G Friday, January 14. 194S

Congressmen Reply To SiU Protest On EGA
Rep. Otto E. Passman (D^ La.):

"Let me assure you that the subject
matter will have my earnest considera­
tion and I will do everything in my
power to protect American interests."

S" 4" S"
Rep. Overton Brooks (D., La.):

"I am asking the Econopiic Coopera­
tion Administration for a complete writ­
ten report on this subject. I assure you
of my continued interest in this vitally
important, matter."

4- 4-
Sen. Herbert R. O'Connor (D» Md.):

"In an effort to be of assistance I
have taken this matter up with the
Economic Cooperation Administration
and just as soon as I am in receipt of
a report I will notify you."

41 4> 4>
Rep. Hale Boggs (D., La.):

"It is my feeling that Mr. Hoffman is
acting illegally, and is flouting the will
of Congi-ess. I am quite certain that this
matter will be one of the first -things
on the agenda for the approaching Con­
gress, and I am equally certain that
Congress will insist upon the 50 per­
cent provision regardless of the type of
cargoes."

4> 4' 4>
Rep. W. Kingsland Macy (R., N.Y.):

"Of course, I am in agreement with
you as to the desirability of using our
own ships to the maximum."

4" 4" 4"
Rep. James J. Murphy (D.. N.Y.):

"I am fully in accord with your pro­
test against Paid Hoffman's decision
and will do aU in my power after
Jan. 3 to see that the Marshall Plan's
original program of shipping 50 per­
cent of bulk and general cargoes is
carried out."

4. 4 i
Rep. John J. Rooney (D., N.Y.):

"Heartily agree with your stand pro­
testing proposal Economic Cooperation
Administration that all bulk cargoes
sent under Marshall Plan move in for­
eign ships. Shall do everything pos­
sible (to) block adoption of such a
dangerous move, and have wired Paul
G. Hoffman, Administrator, strongly
urging the rejection of such a pro­
posal."

4. 4 4
Rep. Prince H. Preston (D., Geu):

"Unless sentiment has changed con­
siderably it is unlikely that the ECA
law will be amended to eliminate the
fifty percent cargo provision. I will
certainly oppose any effort to amend
it along this line."

4 4 4
Sen. A. Willis Robertson (D., Va.):

"Will bear in mind the strong ob­
jection of your union to the proposed
policy of the ECA...I recognize the
importance of maintaining an Ameri­
can merchant marine for defense and
other needs and 1 shall devote my best
dfforts toward that end."

4 4 4
Rep. Henry D. Larcade (D., La.):

"You may be assured that I shall
do everything in my power to have
American ships utilized to the fullest
extent by the Economic Cooperation
Administration."

4 4 4
teeman Anderson, Administraiiv© As­

sistant to Sen. Richard B. Russell
(D., Ga.):

"Your telegram received in absence
of Senator Russell. Have been glad to
communicate with ECA officials in Sen­
ator's name urging use of American
Ships in sending Marshall Plan cargoes
abroad."

4 4 4
Rep. Sol Bloom (D« N.Y.):

"Let me assure you that the matter
in which you are interested is receiv­
ing my most careful attention and con­
sideration."

4 4 4
Rep. Schuyler Bland (R., Va.):

"I have been doing and shall con­
tinue to do what I can in this connec­
tion."

The statements on this page are excerpts from Congress­
men's and Senator's replies to the Seafarers in answer to the
Union's protest against ECA Administrator Paul Hoffman's
plan to torpedo the American merchant marine.

Sen. William Langer (R., NJ>.):
"You can count on my support."

4 4 4
, Rep. James J. Heffeman (DM N.Y.):

"You can rest assured that 1 will not
support any legislation designed to put
American seamen out of work."

4 4 4
Rep. Ernest K. Brambleli (R., Calif.):

"1 agree with your stand in this
matter, and expect to do all 1 can
toward stopping the same."

4 4 4
Rep. Leonard W. Hall (R., N.Y.);

"Many thanks for your message en­
closing a copy of the SEAFARERS
LOG. 1 am particularly -interested in
your editorial "The facts, Mr. Hoffman."
1 am certainly hoping that there will
be a thorough-going investigation by
the appropriate committee of the House,
so that this whole question may be
definitely clarified. 1 have felt right
along that the act meant exactly what
it said. Mr. Hoffman's position was
certainly puzzling to me."

4 4 4
Rep. Emanuel Celler (D., N.Y.):

"You may be sure 1 am giving serious
study to this proposal and will take
earnestly into consideration your point
of view."

4 4 4
Sen. Lister Hill (D., Ala.):

"Am doing all in my power to pre­
vent diversion of bulk cargo from
American bottoms and will certainly
continue my efforts."

4 4 4
Sen. John J. Spaxkman (D., Ala.):

"1 have been taking matter of Hoff­
man directive up with appropriate offi­
cials .., Shall continue doing my best."

^ ^
Sen. Spessaxd L. Holland (DM Fla.):

"Thank you for your letter...My
people in Florida have already been '
in touch with me. 1 shall help." '

4 4 4
Rep. John A. Blatnik (DM Minn.):

"As you point out in your letter, the
ECA Act clearly stipidated that at least
half of all cargoes shipped would move
in American ships. 1 gave this provision
of the bill my full support, and shall
certainly support the efforts whiph are
being made by your imion in coopera­
tion with other labor groups to keep ,
this policy in force. Unemployment
among our skilled seamen must be
avoided at all costs."

4 4 4
Rep. Jacob K. Javits (R., N.Y.):

"1 have carefully noted the points
made, and you may be sure that I will
have them very much in mind in the
course of the consideration of this ques­
tion in Committee and by, the House."

4 4 4
Rep. Eugene J. Keogh (D., N.Y.)i

"1 appreciate very much having your
experienced expression of opinion and
want you to know that I propose to
give to this... my earnest consideration.
We are hopeful that we may be able
to come forth with satisfactory solu­
tions."

4 4 4
Sen. Walter F. George (DM Ga.):

"1 am glad to have the Information
you furnish relative to the ECA Ad­
ministrator's proposal regarding ECA
bulk cargo. 1 have taken this matter
up with Mr. Hoffman."

4 4 4
Sen. Milton R. Young (R., N.D.):

"Several others have written to me-
on this matter and I have taken this
problem up with Mr. Hoffman, Director
of ECA."

Sen. Owen Brewster (RM Maine):
"You may be sure 1 shall have 3mur

views in mind when this matter comes
up on the floor of the Senate for con­
sideration."

4 4 4
Sen. John C. Stennis (D., Miss.):

"1 am confident that this matter wiU
receive the early attention of the Con­
gress and you may be assured of my
very real interest in the matter. I
have been benefited by your view­
point and shall be delighted to hear
from you in the future."

4 4 4
Sen. William F. Knowland (R.. Calif.):

"It may be of interest to you to
know that the amendment which is
now in the ECA Act of 1948 requiring
that at least one half of all cargoes
from the United States move in Ameri­
can ships was introduced by me. 1 shall
oppose any attempt to repeal the con­
gressional policy set forth at that time."

4 4 4
Rep. Charles A. Wolverton (R., N.J.):

"1 am fully in accord with the news
you have expressed. I will be glad to
so vote if and when the matter comes
before Congress for action." •

4 4 4
Sen. WiBrren G. Magnusoii (D., Wash.):

"1 am glad to have your expression
in this regard. My personal interest
dates well ahead of the time the leg­
islation was presented on the floor, at
which time a few of us succeeded in
having the stipulation written into the
basic legislation. This outcome was not
anticipated and I now have an oppor-'
tunity to go into the matter."

4 4 4
Rep. William T. Byrne (D., N.Y.):

"1 have been receiving a number of
telegrams and letters from my district
concerning this, proposal, and you may
be assured that I am giving this matter
my very serious attention at this time."

4 4 4
Rep. Harris Ellsworlh (R., Ore.):

"1 appreciate the interest of the mer­
chant seamen in this problem and am
glad to have your comments. Your let­
ter will be kept in mind in connection
with any action which may come be­
fore the Congress on this matter...I
am sure that any abridgement of the .
Act of Congress will receive the early
attention qf the proper committees and
recommendations will be made for re­
medial action;"

4 4 4
Rep. F. Edward Hebert (D., La.):

"I have already contacted Adminis­
trator Hoffman protesting this action,
and assure you of my full cooperation
in an effort to have this proposal with­
drawn." •

4 ' 4 4
Rep. M. G. Burnside (D., W. Va.):

"You may rest assured that your let­
ter and article will receive my prompt
and sympathetic consideration."

4 4 4
Rep. William T. Granahan (D., Pa.):

"You may be assured that I will
keep in close touch with the proper
authorities in the matter, as I think
the protest is justified, and that it
would be a great blow to 'the merchant
marine if the order were carried out. I
bitead to try in every way to have the
order rescinded, so that American ship­
ping and American seamen may not
suffer."

4 4 4
Sen. Eugene D. Millikin (R., Colo.):

"Please be assured that this subject
will receive my most careful attention
whenever it. comes before the Congress."

Rep. Charles P. Nelson (Rf, Maine):
"Thank you for... giving me the

facts with regard to the shipping of
Marshall Plan cargoes by the ECA on
foreign ships, 1 shall be glad to give
this matter every attention."

4 4 4
Rep. Fred Marshall (D., Minn.):

"Feel assured that this matter will
.receive our serious consideration. After
further study we will be able to give
you a more definite reply."

4 4 4
Rep. John McSweeney (D„ Ohio):

"1 am very grateful to you and your
union for acquainting me with the
conditions as expressed in your letter.
1 can assm-e you that when the matter
is being discussed 1 shall give it my
mo.'t serious consideration."

4 4 4
Rep. Hal Holmes (R.. Wash.);

"This is to acknowledge receipt of
your letter... 1 appreciate very much
having this information from you..."

4 4 4
Daisy Goad, Adminislrative Assistant

to Senator Thomas (D., Okla.):
"1 am sure the Senator will appre­

ciate having the benefit of your sug­
gestions and advice."

4 4 4
Sen. Leveretl Sallonstall (R., Mass.):

"1 have been looking into this situ­
ation and am glad that you also have
brought it to my attention."

4 4 4
Sen. Irving Ives (R.. N.Y.):

"Your thoughtfulness in furnishing
me with the views of your organization.,
with respect to this problem is appre­
ciated, and 1 know it will be of as­
sistance to me when this matter is
before Congress."

4 4 4
Sen. Robert F. Wagner (D., N.Y.):

"Be assured that the matter will con­
tinue to have my very careful study."

Sen. Styles Bridges^ (R.f N.H.):
"Appreciate your correspondence with

reference to the Hoffman announce-

4 4 4
Gilbert J. Fortier, Administrative As­

sistant to Senator Allen Ellender
(DM La.):

"Senator Ellender has received num­
erous letters of protest... Accordingly,
he contacted the Administrator of ECA."

4 4 4
Rep. James G. Polk (D., Ohio):

"1 am very glad to have this informa­
tion and appreciate your courtesy in
sending it."

4 4-4
Sen. Ralph G. Flanders (R„ Vt.):

"My point of view is not that the
freight should be diverted but that the
extra cost of shipping the 50 percent on^
American vessels should not be taken
out of Marshall Plan funds but should
be directly appropriated."

4 4 4
Rep. W. G. Sligler (D., Okla.):

"You may be sure that when this
important matter comes up before, the
Congress it will receive my conscicin-
tious attention." , U

4 4 4
Rep. Clark W. Thompsqn (D., Texas):

"Being a member of the House Com­
mittee on Merchant Marine and Fish- .
eries, this is a matter in which I am
fiarticularly interested, and you may
be sure that I wiU continue to do
everything within my power to pro­
tect the interests of our Merchant. Ma­
rine and those manning our vessels.
It is my sincere hope that we can
prevail upon the ECA to entirely with­
draw the order so that Marshall Plan
shipments will continue to be carried
on the '50-50 basis now in effect."

4 4,4
Lamar Cox, Secretary to Rep. E. E.

Cox (DM Ga.):
"Congressman Cox is out of the city

...but your message will receive his
personal attention."

(Conthmed on Page 15) .



Friday, January 14, 1949 THE S.E A F A R E R S LOG Page Nine

US LaborBacksSeafarersOn EGA Cargoes
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters:

"I urge you to use your good office
to assure the American workers that in
spite of the increased cost of bulk car­
goes, such as coal, wheat, that they
will not be penalized for attempting to
raise their standards of living and at
the same time aid the Marshall Plan."

B. F. McLaurin
Field Organizer

4. i. J.
International Brotherhood of Black­

smiths, Drop Forgers and Helpers:
"Your order will cause removal from

service of American ships and take
away employment from American citi­
zens, both of which tend in the direc­
tion of reducing living standards by
having this work done by citizens of
other countries. We, as a responsible
labor organization, protest your deci­
sion in the matter and urge you to
reconsider your action."

John Pelkofer
President

4. 4.
Baltimore Federation of Labor:

"This federation of labor and its 160
affiliated AFL unions join with our
maritime imion affiliates in urging your
intervention in a situation deemed to
be gi-ossly unfair... If we are to par­
ticipate and cooperate with our Gov­
ernment in successfully carrying out
the ec'onoinic recovery program, we
urge that the program be extended to
the recovery of earning opportunities
for American workmen."

Harry Cohen
President

4 ifc
Local 20499, American Federation of

Rubber Workers:
"We feel that you should exert every

effort of authority bestowed upon you
to do justice to seamen... We are an-.
xious to see the Marshall Plan accom­
plish its pm-pose but still think that
charity should begin at home."

George Schmidt
Business Representative
4 4 4

Local 45, Sign, Scene and Pictorial
Painters of America:

"Protest proposal of Paul Hoffman
... We believe the Marshall Plan should
succeed but not at the expense of
American Workers."

Stanley Beyers
Secretary

4 4 4
Lodge 678, International Association of

Machinists:
"We believe that it is a clear viola­

tion of the law... and request that it
be discarded."

William C. Duncan
Secretary

4 4 4
International Photo Engravers Union:

"Object to any change in Marshall
Plan shipments which will transfer
cargoes from American to foreign ves­
sels."

Edward J. Volz
President

4 44
Region 9, United Automobile. Aircraft

and Agricultural Implement Work­
ers:

"Urge assignment of EGA shipments
to foreign vessels be reconsidered. This
action...is particularly discriminatory
against hard won gains of Amex'ican
merchant marine unions."

Martin Gerber
Director

4 4 4
International Brotherhood of Boiler­

makers, Iron Shipbuilders and
Helpers:

"Here we are on one hand rebuild­
ing Europe and ostensibly the stand­
ards of living of its people; however,
in order to accomplish this avowed
pimpose we are now being called upon
to make further sacrifices and tear
down, the standards of living of our
own people. Does thiia make sense?"

Charles J. MacGowan
Inlemational President

Oil this page are excerpts from some of the scores of com­
munications protesting the Hoffman plan sent by organized
labor to President Truman, cabinet members, Congressmen,
Senators and EGA Administrator Hoffman.

Local 177, Building Service Employees
Inlemational Union:

"Such a plan is without a doubt the
most outrageous and un-American act
of consideration for our fellow Am­
ericans."

Maurice Zuckerman
Secretary

4 4 4
Local 924. American Federation of

State, County and Municipal Em­
ployees: .

"Members of this local voted unani­
mously to urge you to do all in your
power to prevent this unjust action to
the American seamen."

John J. O'Brien
Secretary-Treasurer

4 4 4
Local 301. Brotherhood of Carpenters

and Joiners:
"Such a proposal, if adopted, would

not only give our merchant marine a
serious set-back bu^ would also deprive
many American seamen of their jobs."

WiUiam T. McClintock
President
4 4 4

Loczd 627. Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners:

"Protest the use of foreign bottoms
to ship Marshall Plan cargo. This will
cai&e unemployment of American sea­
men and tie-up over 50 percent of our
ships."

John Maxim
Financial Secretary

4 4 4
Local 1292, Brotherhood of Carpenters

and Joiners:
"Protest Hoffman proposal as this

constitutes serious threat to American
merchant marine and shipping."

Arnold Cocker
Recording Secretary

4 4 4
International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sul­

phite and Paper MiU Workers:
"We carmot afford to decommission

hundreds of American ships and their
more than ten thousand skilled men."

Joseph Tonelli
Vice President

4 4 4
International Ladies Garment Workers

Union:
"Consider Hoffman Proposal injurious,

unfair to American seamen and mer­
chant marine. Respectfully urge you use
your influence to bring about rejection
of his proposed plan."

David Dubinsky
President

4 4 4
Local 892. Brotherhood of Painters,

Decorators and Paperhangers:
"If this threat is carried out it will

be a detriment to the seamen and to
our merchant marine.''

Gus Miller
Recording Secretary

4 4 4
Local 1244, Brotherhood of Painters,

Decorators and Paperhangers:
"Our organization wishes to protest

the action of Paul Hoffman. At pres­
ent, 50 percent of this cargo is shipped
in American flag ships, and, after all,
we, the taxpayers, are paying the
freight and should be given first con­
sideration.'*

Freincis Tardy
Business Manager

4 4 4
Michigan Federation of Labor:

"Protest the action of Paul Hoffman.
We r^uest your support in rescinding
such ofder."

1, Robert P. Scott
y'*- Secretary-Treasurer

Local 62, Brotherhood of Painters, Dec­
orators & Paperhangers:

"We are spending millions of dollars
in keeping up our defense forces. We
feel that the paying of higher rates to
our American shipping firms is also
justified in keeping our merchant ma­
rine sti'ong in case we should meet
another emergency." *

Frank W. Cernik
Recording Secretary

4 4 4
South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District.

International Longshoremen's As­
sociation:

"Yom- decision in this matter is most
disappointing to the maritime trades in
this country and we ask that you
rescind your action and that the fifty
percent rule be kept in effect so that
we can keep our merchant seman
working."

Frank Yeager
District President

4 4 4
Local 702. International Alliance of

Theatrical and Stage Employees:
"Protest the threat of Paul Hoffman.

We urge you to use your influence to
block any such threat that would de­
prive American seamen of their jobs."

George Waugh
Secretary-Treasurer

4 4 4
Miimesota Stale Federation of Labor:
' "When this matter comes before Con­
gress we trust you will agree with us
that there should be no change in the
original stipulation in the Marshall
Plan as to the amount of cargoes to
be moved by American ships."

George W. Lawson
Secretary

4 4 4
New York State Association, United

Association of Journeymen & Ap­
prentices of the Plumbing and Pipe
Fitting Industry:

"Paul Hoffman's proposal will throw
thousands of highly skilled American
seamen out of work (showing very
little appreciation for services rendered
in the past World War II), also reduce
the American merchant marine to a
skeleton, imperil our national defense
and sweep a large percentage of the
seamen from the high seas, to say
nothing of the harm done to our econ­
omy."

John L. Costello
Secretary-Treasurer

4 4 4
North Dakota State Federation of

Labor:
"We feel that this plan would break

down our national defense, that it
would increase the unemployment rolls
of our nation, and we also believe that
it would only be employing foreign
labor, as we understand that the United
States, under the Marshall Plan, would
be compelled to finance this venture."

W. W. Murray
President

4 4 4
Local 947. American Federation of State.

Coimty and Municipal Employees:
"We do not want Mr. Hoffman's pro­

posal carried out if it means throwing
American seamen out of work."

Harry J. Hobkirk, Jr.

4 4 4
Radio Officers' Union:

"Mr. Hoffman's proposal not only
takes away our livelihood but also im-
dermines our country's defenses in case
of an emergency that from all indica­
tions exists at this time."

Lester F. Pamell
Representative '

International Chemical Workers Union:
• "It seems to be just common sense
to say that inasmuch as American wage
earners are in a very large measure .
financing the Marshall Plan, they have
every right to expect that goods pur­
chased under the plan shall be trans­
mitted under American workingmen's
conditions and rates of pay."

H. A. Bradley
President

4 4 4
South Dakota State Federation of

Labor:
"This federation believes in patroniz­

ing home industries, goods and serv- ;
ives; this should also apply to the
business of the U. S. Government. We
protest the use of foreign ships in trans­
porting Marshall Plan supplies to Eu­
rope."

Albert J. Maag
President

4 4 4
Local 79. International Brotherhood of

Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehouse­
men and Helpers:

"This expresses our disapproval, of
plan to use all European ships in Mar­
shall Plan shipping. Urge you use all
influence to stop this action that would
result in thousands of American sea­
men losing their jobs."

R. I. Vam
Business Agent

4 4 4
Troy (N. Y.) Federation of Labor:

"Paul Hoffman's threat constitutes a
deadly peril to American seamen and
the American merchant marine."

Joseph R. Quinan
Secretary-Treasurer

4 4 4
"Tampa Central Trades & Labor As­

sembly: «
"Request you use all possible influ­

ence to stop Hoffman action on ship­
ment of Marshall Plan goods. This
program is detrimental to livelihood
of thousands of American seamen."

R. 1. Vam
President

4 4 4
Local 8. United Hatters. Cap and Mil­

linery Workers International Unions
"Urge proposal to send aU Marshall

Plan bulk cargoes in foreign ships be
dropped. If carried through this
means that 10,000 American seamen
would join the rank.? of the unem­
ployed."

Hyman Goldstein
President

4 4 4
United Association of Journeymen &

Apprentices of the Plumbing and
Pipeiitling Industry:

'Wish to protest this action and to
request that you do everything pos­
sible to have such shipments made with
American ships and seamen."

Martin P. Durkin .
General President

4 4 4
Union of CARE Employees:

"This union, interested in overseas re­
lief, protests your statement concern­
ing the shipping of EGA supplies in
foreign bottoms. We urge you to re­
consider your position and make avail­
able to the Amex'ican merchant marine
at least 50 percent of EGA shipments."

Nat Klein
Chairman

4 4 4
West Virginia State Federation of

Labor:
'There is some growth of unemploy­

ment in this counti-y and by adding
more to the ranks it certainly will not
help this country in can-ying out the
Marshall Plan, because what is gained
in one way- is more than lost by un­
employed workei-s. We trust that
when this new Congress convenes you
will be on the lookout to protect labor­
ing seafaring people."

Volney Andrews
Secretary-Treasurer

(Continued on "Page 11)

1



Page Ten THE SEAFARERS LOC i'day^ Jwuary 14, 1^49

Crew's Year-Old Excursion To Paris
Still Bright In Brother's Memory

By ROBERT BEALE

With a tug fore and aft the American freighter Lyman Stewart slid
alongside her berth in St. Nazaire, France, bumped once or twice against the
dock, and settled down comfortably beneath the giant over-hanging cranes.

On the journey up through the?

Philly Seafarer Captures
City Golden Gloves Title

river and succeeding locks we several bottles of the indispen-
had passed the famous U-boat sable red wine.
pens, built of solid concrete and
still intact after years of bomb­
ing.

The town was a rubble-strewn
shambles. But, in spite of an
acute shortage of life-giving ne­
cessities, there was no acute
shortage of bars, bearing such
nostalgic names as American
Bar, Texas Bar, Joe's Place and
sundry others. This fact is a
material tribute to the concerted
efforts of the French towards
economic recovery,

All too soon Paris was reach­
ed, whereon we took it upon
ourselves to continue the jour­
ney to Montparnasse. This dis­
trict compares favorably with the
Bowery, New York; China Town,
Rotterdam; and lower Govern­
ment Street, Mobile.

LODGING, PLEASE
After an interminable period

trapped in a maze of subway,
we split forces and decided to
call it a night. Joe and Blackie
disappeared into the depths of

In the midst of this havoc Pigalle, known to GI's as Pig
and ruin, gaunt skeletons of Alley. Doug and I wandered
what must have been imposing from flop-house to flop-house,
structures reared themselves like With the unfortunate combina-
lone sentinels against a bleak tion of a late hour and a busy
sky.

Came Friday, four of us de­
cided' to visit Paris for the week­
end. By - dint of selling shoes,
pants and sundries, we man­
aged someliow to scrape to­
gether five or six thousand
francs apiece, two bottles of
Vermouth, and, of course, our changed from a negative blank
Parisian - pipe-dreams. to a benevolent grin wearing

UPPED CLASS more wrinkles than a prune ever
The train journey itself was dreamed of. He caUed, "Garcon!

week-end our difficulties proved
manifold, but finally we suc­
ceeded in obtaining the almost
impossible room!

And the way we got it was to
whisper sibilantly into the pro­
prietor's unwashed ear the open

I sesame, 'Cigarettes!' His face

No. 5; one park almost com­
pletely devoid of trees; another
bar; a public convenience; se'v-
eral sidewalk cafes, where we
ogled the New Look, the New
Length and several other addi­
tions to the oldest shape in the
world.

All good things can't last for­
ever. So, completely exhausted
and reduced to penury, we re­
turned to St. Nazaire, two days
older and two years wiser.

Today, as I write, marks the-
first anniversary of my week­
end in Paris; but neither time,
deliriiun tremens, nor congenital
insanity, can ever dim the mem­
ory.

Paris! I luv ya!

By dint of his victory in the
contest sponsored by the Phila­
delphia Daily News, the newly-
crowned Golden Gloves feather­
weight king of Philly is Seafarer
Jackie Smith.

The 18-year old Seafarer,
weighing in at 112 pounds, fought
his way to victory over all com­
ers to^ain undisputed title to
the Golden Gloves crown in the
Quaker City.

Possessing a record of 48 wins
in 58 fights, 18 by knockouts.
Brother Smith in gaining the
title, climaxed two years of
leather tossing, all squeezed in
between trips _on SlU vessels.

Jackie's next step, toward the
national Golden Gloves wind-up,
which will take place in New
York in February, is the Penn­
sylvania state finals. A victory
here would put him well , on his
way toward realization of a pro­
fessional ring career. His un-
timate aim is to turn pro when
he picks up enough weight to

make the 118 pound bantam­
weight class.

In the meantime, he'll continue
to sail aboard SlU ships in the
Stewards Department. Despite
his ability with his dukes,
Brother Smith is known to his
union brothers as a quiet fellow
and a good shipmate. When the
Pennsylvania State title holder is
determined, there will be a solid
block of Seafarers on hand to
lend moral and vocal support.
His shipmates are sui*e they're
backing a winner.

a classic in train journeys,
starting at 4 p.m. on Friday
evening at St. Nazaire, and end­
ing in Bienvenue, Paris, at mid­
night. Half-way there a mer­
cenary ticket collector entered
our first class compartment and
denianded the difference between
the first class fare and our third
class tickets.
' Rather than concede to his

greedy, grasping exhortations,
myself and Joe Slaughter (now
pushing a hack in that Marin­
er's Mecca, Mobile) repaired to
the rear of the train and suc-
ciunbed to an uncomfortable
steerage. Doug Murrell and
Blackie Stevens, wilting under
the cold official eye, parted with
the required simoleons and re­
tained their dignity. Joe and 1
later rejoined them.

AH. GUI
. My companion on the left was
a boy of some seven summers.
In conversation with him 1 was
iTuly. amazed at the remarkable
extent of my knowledge of
:^ench which 1 had hitherto de­
plored. Except that the young­
ster did not know a word of
more than one syllable or three
letters and could speak only his
own language, we understood
each other perfectly. Our friend­
ship was sealed by the time-
honored custom of changie-for-
changie. 1 gave him a slug of
Vermouth for two cookies and
a hard-boiled egg. The rate of
exchange would have been high­
er, but those were all he had.

Nobody in France travels with­
out a basket of hard-boiled eggs,
and some of the fairer sex travel
with hard-boiled characters, in
addition of course to cookies and

lei!'' In one second there was
assembled before him innumer­
able assistant managers, bell­
hops, porters and chambermaids.
The manager's arm swung in
dramatic dispersal as he shouted
a munber, and the gathering
vanished in a flurry of bodies.

Two seconds later a semi-
naked Frenchman wearing a hair
net was escorted to the door
gesticulating wildly and panting
volubly in rapid Franch. Every­
body politely ignored him, be­
cause the French believe impli­
citly in courteous service. The
manager then placed a weU-
timed kick in the appropriate
quarter, forcibly but dignified
and said, "Pour one day you
'ave pay no rent. Git!"

The idiomatic expressions in
French are much the same as
in American, only different!

SAW THE TOWN
The next morning the four of

us got together and invaded the
subway. Some two hoxurs later
(our fault, not the subway's) we
broke surface in a remote corner
of the Champ Elysees. We tramp­
ed that cosmopolitan boulevard
until we came to the Arc de
Triomphe and the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier. There, com­
plying with prescribed tourist
behavior, we purchased the us­
ual penny picture postcards
which we subsequently forgot to
post.

The rest of the day and most
of Sunday we spent in the fol­
lowing order at the following
places: The Eiffel Tower; a bar;
two motor exhibitions; "The
Picture of Dorian Grey" at the
local Bijou; two bars; perfume
establishments pricing Chanel

Photographed in his dressing room inunedi£dely after his
Golden Gloves victory, Jackie Smith. Philly Seafarer, is winded
and tired but bears no marks of his opponent's gloves.

Frank Becker
Dies, Burial
In New York

Seafarer Frank Becker, who
died on his 45th birthday in the
Baltimore Marine Hospital, was
buried December 21 in Evergreen
Cemetery, New York City.

Stricken while aboard ship last
April, Brother Becker was re­
moved to a hospital in Honolulu
when.the vessel docked there. He
was transferred to the Baltimore
institution in June.
' Brother Becker was born in
New York City on December 17,
1903. Originally a member of
the SlU's Great Lakes District,
where he held Book No. 4012,
Becker transferred to the Atlan­
tic and Gulf District in the Port
of Baltimore on April 19, 1947,
when he was issued Book No.
34654. He sailed in the Deck
departmeht.

DAUGHTER SURVIVES
A wrdowet, Becker is survived

by a daughter, Mrs. Lois Vetter
of New York. Also surviving are
his mother, Mrs. Louise Becker;
four sisters, Mrs. Louise Mc­
Donald, Mrs. Ann Hughes, Mrs.
Catherine McGregor, and Mrs.
Betty Stauder; and three broth­
ers, Eugene, Joseph, and Harry
Becker, all of New York City.

Brother Becker was in good
standing at the time of his death
and burial benefits were paid by
the Union.

The other night after work all
the waiters in'vited the cooks
and a few others to a champaigne
cocktail party. A good time was
had by all... Angelo Gonzales
says he's going on a vacation to
Cuba. His job is open for a
beachcomber . . . Felix Amoura,
Waiter, uses the vacuum cleaner
for something besides cleaning
the rugs... Whatever became of
the Portuguese AB from Glou-
chester? He was known as the
"Star Gazer," and knew more
about stars than most mates.

To Irene Lukacs: Thaiiks for
your interest in my column,
but I still insist cola drinks
are bad for one's teeth. 7-Up

'The Voice Of The Sea^
By SALTY DICK

is still worse. You received
your information from Coro­
net. I got mine from Reader's
Digest and from talking to
dentists.
Claude E. Parker comes from

the red hiUs of Mississippi. He
still feels lost in the big city of
New Orleans... This takes the
cake—One of, the boys is buying
a trailer to torn: the coimtry.
The. bad feature about aU this
is that "^he has no automobile...
There's a man around who says
he's like Robin Hood. His aim is
to make people happy. He can
start on me. /

Anthony Djnarski, known as
"Ski." has Idft us and no one
knows his whereabouts. The

last time I. saw him was when
he blew his top because the
portholes were open and the
air conditioner was going on
the bum. Louis Peed is on
the coffee run. I think he in­
tends to stay there awhilei
He's Chief Electrician on the
Del Norte... Emory Harfield
is firing on a Delta ship and
likes it.

Frank Vivero is back sailing
again after taking a long vaca­
tion in Puerto Rico. He's waiter
on the Alcoa Clipper. Ralph
Dominici is also oh the Clipper.
He's slinging hash... When a
crew is ready to elect a delegate
they rfiould pick the most cap­
able man and then back him up.



Friday, January 14, 1S49 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven

US Labor Backs Seafarers On EGA Cargoes
(Continued from Page 9)

Local 16, Holel and Restaurant Em­
ployees International Union:
"The Hoffman proposal will cripple

an industi-y that this country has had to
build up at such great expense during
the war because it had been crippled
previously by neglect. To use foreign
ships because they are cheaper can be
carried to the ultimate absurdity; ap­
point a European administrator to head
ECA because he would probably work
for less salary than Mr. Hoffman."

David Siegal
President

t % %
Region 9-A, United Automobile, Air­

craft, Agricultural Implement Work­
ers:

"Protest the proposal that Manshall
Plan bulk cargoes go in low standard
foreign ships. Proposal is contrary to
law."

Charles H. Kerrigan
Director

Local 15. Hotel and Restaurant Em­
ployees and Bartenders Interna­
tional Union:

"We strongly protest your proposal
If we decommission these hundreds

of American ships as you suggest we
will deprive thousands of skilled sea­
men of jobs."

Jack Townsend
President

i & i
New York State Journeymen Barbers'

Association:
"We fully sympathize with the needs

of assistance to the Marshall Plan
countries but we think that this help
should not be given at the sacrifice of
American workers."

Fred Scatidi
Secretary

i % %
Local 10, Bakery and Confectionery

Workers:
"If Mr. Hoffman's proposal is carried

out it will mean that thousands of
skilled American seamen will be
thrown out of work, the American mer­
chant marine will be .swept from the
high seas and the national defense im­
periled."

Arthur Borrman
Secretary-Treasurer

i
Local 17^ Bakery and Confectionery

Workerii:
"We urge you to support the 50-50

provision and see to it that the Amer­
ican merchant fleet has a guarantee
that it will get its share of Marshall
Plan shipping.

Fritz Helling
Secretary

4. t
Local 1658, Brotherhood of Carpenters

and Joiners:
"We wish to raise our voice in pro­

test to a proposal of this kind. It
would be unjust to the American
worker and would be an un-Amer'cau •
act by sweeping the American mer-
cliant marine from llie high sea."

L. P. Burdick
> Recording Secretary

4. 4. S.
Local 302, Hotel and Restaurant Em­

ployees International Union:
"We strongly urge the return to the

original bill requiring 50 percent Amer­
ican ships. Plans will, cause unem- ,
ployment to ten thousand American
seamen. Is it your plan to aid Europe
by starving Americans?"

Joseph Fox
^ Secretary-Treasurer

4. 4. 4.
Local 143, International Chemical

Workers:
"Primarily the success of the Mar­

shall Plan in restoring foreign econ­
omies and bringing faith in democracy

. to foreign peoples is most important.
But it must not be successful to the
detriment of American workers."

Edna Rose
F • President

Local 32-J, Building Service Employees
International Union:

"If the policy Mr. Hoffman recom­
mends becomes a reality, it might very
well be a precedent for the U. S. Gov­
ernment employing foreign help to the
exclusion of American help, for the
purpo.se of economy.- .Such a course of
action could destroy American stand­
ards of living by setting an example
of all American industry."

Albert E. Perry
President

4, 4,
Central Union Label Council of Greater

New York:
"Mr. Hoffman's proposal will mean

that the wages of Amei'ican seamen will
be lowered in order to meet the com­
petitive bids of foreigti'shipowners. Do
not think that was the purpose of the
Marshall Plan."

Moe Rosen
Vice-President

t 4. t
Association of Catholic Trade Unionists:

"Common sense dictates the need for
a strong merchant fleet to ensure ful­
fillment of important commitments of
our citizens and their families, who in
turn spend and help pay the taxes es­
sential to all foreign relief plans."

Roger K. Larkin
Executive Secretary

* % ^
Local 60, Hotel and Restaurant Em­

ployees International Union:
"While we desire to help our Euro­

pean friends, we must insist that our
primary obligation is to our own Amer­
ican seamen and workers."

Joe Decker
Secretary-Treasurer

» 4> $
Local 202, International Brotherhood of

Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehouse­
men and Helpers:

"While we are in sympathy with the
purpose of the plan to aid in the recov­
ery of Europe, we do not feel that
American ' labor should suffer in the
process. Directly and indirectly a
severe blow will bo dealt many labor
unions."

Joseph C. Papa
President

4> 4> 4>
Empire Typographical Conference:

"We believe the plan would be dis­
astrous to the seamen in the United
Slates and create a condition of critical
unemployment among the members of
maritime unions."

Basil J. Hillman
Secretary-Treasurer

4^ 4« 4*
Local 94, Uniformed Firemen's Associa­

tion of Greater New York
"We strongly urge that no change be

made in the Marshall Plan. At least
50 percent of cargoes should be on
American ships to prevent thousands of
American .seamen from being forced
into unemployment."

John P. Crane
President

4" 4< 4»
Local 200, United Association of Jour­

neymen and Apprentices of the
Plumbing and Pipe Fitting In­
dustry:

"Protest the recent decision on the
carrying of Mai'shall relief car-goes in
foreign bottoms, as this would lead to
the unemployment of a great number
of Ameripan seamen who regard very
Irighly and have always considered one
of the branches of the fighting men who
preserved the Amer-ican way of life
which we enjoy today."

J, ^4# Criss, Jr.
Business Manager

t
New York Organizing Committee, Na­

tional Federation of Insurance
Agents:

"Cannot see sense in reviving Euro­
pean economy by wrecking an impor­
tant par-t of our own."

S. J..ZebrBuskas
Organizer

United Hebrew Trades of the State of
New York:

"We cannot affor-d to decommision
hundreds of American seamen of jobs."

William Wolpert
Executive Secretary

4. 4.
International Jewelry Workers' Union:

"Opposed to proposal that all aid to
Europe be carried on foreign ships. We

I demand that the law calling for 50
percent shipment on American ve.s.se].s
be carried out."

Joseph Morris
President

4» 4, i>'
Joint Board. Dress and Waislmakers

Union, ILGWU:
"Tlie American seamen have earp.e/l

the respect and admiration of the en­
tire American public for their heroic"
efforts during the war years and it
would be.highly un-American and un­
patriotic for the EC.\ to lender some
6,000 of these heroes unemployed."

Julius Hochman
General Manager

4. 4. 4.
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and

Enginemen:
"For many years the American sea­

men have been striving to better their
conditions to bring them on a par with
the living conditions of American
people. Before the advent of the La-
Follette Act, conditions on board Am­
erican ships were scandalous. Natural­
ly, it follows in turn that to impro\-c
living conditions on board .ships flying
the American flag, it required an in­
creased expenditure of money which,
in turn, was reflected on freight rate
charges."

Frank S. Columbus
Chairman, Legislative Board

4, 4- 4.
Local 471, New York Newsboys Union:

"We protest the proposal to ship
Marshall Plan bulk cargoes in low
standard foreign Ships. The pniposal is
contrary to law which calls for half of
all cargoes to go in American ships and
it will throw 10,000 American seamen
out of work. We urge the proposal be
diopped."

Irving Kanior
Secretary-Treasurer

4* 4* 4*
Newspaper Guild_of New York:

"While the Ncw'sp.-ipcr Guild of New
York, representing 7,500 newsmen,
wholelieartedly supports the Marshall
Plan as the means for economic recov­
ery for war-torn nations, it opposes and
condemns the plan to ship bulk cargoes
by foreign shipping. Hundreds of Am­
erican seamen already are on the beach
and diversion of caigoes to foreign bot­
toms will further imperil their liveli­
hood and a major bulwark of American
economy."

Thomas J. Murphy
Executive Vice President

4> 4> 4<
Metal Polishers. Buffers, Platers &

Helpers:
."This unwarranted abandonment of

the policy of shipping one-half of such
supplies in American ships in favor of
using foreign ships entirely is an af­
front to American workmen, and places
in serious jeopardj'- the jobs of those
w-ho are employed directly in the
shipping industry."

R. Muehlhoffer
President

4. 4* 4*
Local 153, Office Employees Interna­

tional Union:
"Paul Hoffman's propo.sal is a viola­

tion of the intention of Congress and,
if followed through, could have disas­
trous effects. It might destroy an im­
portant industry. The American mer­
chant marine is respected throughout,
the world. Its exploits are history. To
do what Mr. Hoffman proposes would,
in effect, be a blow at the American
people."

I Howard Coughlin
Business Manager

Local 38, Melal Polishers, Buffers.
Platers and Helpers:

"In these troubled times nothing
should be done to reduce the effective­
ness of our merchant marine."

Albro Fessenden
Recording Secretary

4, 4, 4<
Local 802, American Federation of Mu­

sicians:
"Should Mr. Hoffman's proposal be

adopted, thou.sands of American sea­
men will be thrown out of jobs and
one of our best American trade unions
will be severely injured."

Charles R. lucci
Secretary

i 4. i
Local 141, Office Employees Interna-

lioHcd Union:
"While the Marshall Plan is complete­

ly and wholly favored by this local, we
do not feel that the American working
man should be prejudiced against in
its operation."

A1 Bookman
President

i 4, i
District Council 9, Brotherhood of

Painters, Decorators 8c Paperhang-
ers:

. "We urge that at least fifty percent
of these cargoes be moved under the
American flag as provided by law."

Martin Rarback
Secretary-Treasurer

4. 4- 4.
Local 58. International Printing Press­

men's and Assistants' Union:
"Members of this union have raised

their voices in protest to the Hoffman
proposal. Inasmuch as the Marshall
Plan involves American labor and
money, it should also include Ameri­
can ships and be manned by American
seamen."

Sylvester S. Hoffman
Secretary-Treasurer

4. 4 4.
Local 4, International Brotherhood of

Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill
Workers;

"Hoffman's outrageous scheme will
put thousands of skilled, worthy Ameri­
can seamen out of work ... It will im­
peril our national defense, and the sea­
going unions of the AFL will be greatly
reduced."

A. King Zeigler
Secretary

4, 4- 4.
Retail Clerks International Association:

"Vigorously prot^ your pi-oposa).
This is contrary to law and will disem-
ploy many thou.-^ands of American sea­
men."

Samuel J. Meyers
Vice President

4- 4. 4.
Local 380, American Federation of State,

County and Municipal Employees:
"Urge that ECA shipping not be

transferred to foreign ships. This would
be a body blow to tlie American mer­
chant marine and American seamen."

Bernard G. Brophy
President

4. 4. 4.
Local 1478, Sugar Refinery Workers

Union, ILA;
"The members of this local went on

record against the Hoffman piioposal to
drop American ships from carrying of
Marshall Plan Bulk cargoes. We are in
favor of at least 80 to 90 per cent of
the Marshall Plan cargoes being carried
in American ships."

Mae Sanderson
Secretary-Treasurer

.1. .V- 4
New York State Council, Sheet Metal

Workers:
"The proposal by Paul G. Hoffman to

lower rates by American steamship
owners who carry goods to European
countries will seriously curtail employ­
ment of seamen in this country and
lower wage .standards. Our council is
opposed to such proposal."

M. Rosen
Secretary-Treasurer



Pag« Twalv* T a E SEAFARERS IOC •
Januarr 14, 1949' •

Advocates Club For Seamen
In ChUe As 'Safety Valve'

To fhe Editor:

I am running down to Chile
on one of the Ore Line express
wagons, twenty-six days round
trip. It's not as bad a run as it
is often painted. Anyone that
has ever made the trip tx> Chile
knows that it is a money mak­
ing deal because you come back
with your whole pay intact.
Money isn't everything, how­
ever.

This is the fourth time that I
have been down here, but some­
thing is still lacking. The twen­
ty-six days on the type vessel
I'm aboard, the Marore, or the
thirty-six days it takes on the
old ships of the Steelore type
seem awfully long when there
is no shore leave. The only time
the crew gets ashore is when
the ship returns to its United
States port, usually Baltimore.

Even there it's rough. In Bal­
timore crewmembers get about
twenty to twenty-two hours
ashore, hardly enough time to
go uptown and back. I can only
add up the liabilities as there
are no assets.

True, a guy can quit if he
doesn't like the run, but there
are those aboard with the never-
say-die spirit who stick to the
nm. Their's are the sentiments
and opinions I'm voicing.

On the Chilean end we only
stop for four hours—no shore
leave. It seems that with a little
cooperation from the company

' they would get men to make this
rtm if the crew could get ashore
in South America.

STRETCH GAMS
Anyone who has been to sea

knows that during the period a
man spends at sea emotional
stress builds up and nothing can
relieve that stress better than to
stretch his legs pn good old
terra firma.

It's true that twenty-six days
is not very long when you com­

pare it with other trips, but most
guys quit a ship after a long
voyage.

The point I'm driving at is
this:

Couldn't the operators of the
Ore Line build some sort of
club within the confines of the
Ore plant, such as the one in
Ras Tanura in the Persian Gulf?
They would be operating on a
sound money basis. They could
feature such items as coke, beer
in limited quantities, a juke
box, magazines, writing mater­
ials. There could be concessions
where seamen could pick up
handicraft items.

A set-up like this would be
a great help towards keeping up
the morale of the men on this
run. I've seen such a place op­
erated on a profitable basis is
Caripito, Venezuela, and but for
it, we would have blown our
tops in that steaming Venezuelan
jungle.

I would like to get some com­
ments from other fellows on the
Ore run and see what they think
about such a plan.

Dennis G. Saundera

A COOL ONE IN THE FAR EAST

wm

Bearded Seafarer Donald Short attempts to combat the
Far Eastern heat by quaffing a idt of Iced tea. When the San
Angelo Victery returned to the States recently he dotmed a
shirt and doffed the beard.

Says Tugboat Heads Ignore Men's Needs
To the Editor:

FORMER MEMBER
ASKS FOR LOG
To the Editor:
• I am a fcxmer member of the

SIU, but have quit going to
sea. At present I am working for
ibe Missouri Pacific RR, where strike conducted on a huge scale.

I am employed on a tanker in
the New York, New Jersey and
Long Island Sound areas. We
are facing a strike situation to
better our conditions to a level
in line with those of other sec­
tions of the maritime industry.

Our union (Local 333 of the
International Longshoremen's As­
sociation, AFL) has made very
proper demands. But we are
confronted by a united group of
tug operators.

To hear the operators talk you
would think that the men who
man the towboats, short-haul
tankers and oil barges were
brigands robbing the helpless
shipowners.

The diehard, profit crazed in­
terests are maddened by the
power of the AFL Maritime
Trades Department. Recently
they witnessed a paralyzing

I am a member of the Railway
and Steamship Clerks Union.
Would it be possible to have
my nan» placed on the mailing
list of the SEAFARERS LOG?

Enclosed you will find a do-
xtotioa to- the LOG. In my opin­
ion it ^ the best publication put
out by any Union today. Having

The towboat operators now real­
ize that their wages and condi­
tions are far out of line with
the rest of the industry. Never­
theless, they do not want to meet
labor even half way in this sec­
tion of the industry.

THE FACTS
Incidentally, this section of the

sailed with the SIU for two industry has long been ignored.
yesas, I have no doubt but that The public has become familiar

with the longshoremen and the
deep sea seamen, but few people

than it is a far better Union
any I have se«i yet

I would appreciate any infor­
mation that you may have on
fhe -status of former merchant
seamen under the new draft act.

Walter W. Love
(Ed.. Noler As carried in a

Jzenl page-article of the Ho-
.v«ad»r 19 LOG, the latest
emwd is-that no consideration
-wiiatever is being given for­
mer seamen for wartime serv­
ice on merchant ships. The
LOG is being sent to your
address.)

know much about the harbor
boatmen.

A man named Frank Taylor, as
head of the American Merchant
Marine Institute, speaks of bet­
ter labor relations in his annuah
report. Better and smoother re­
lations at this point could only
mean acceptance of the starva^
tion wages now being offered by
the companies.

What are the facts? The facta
are that the towboat operators
have no moral or legal right to

speak for one section of the in-1 ̂ charge
dustiy, the short-haul tankers steer the
and the oil barges. Yet speak
they do, although towboat crews
are not trained to man the oil
ships—and vice versa in most
cases.

Inland water oil tankers re­
quire men with special knowl­
edge and training. Special cer­
tificates are issued after exams
by the Coast Guard for men
manning the tankers and oil
barges that run in coastal waters.
These special certificates are not
required for towboat operations.

Let us see what truth lies be­
hind these cries we hear that
harbormen's wages are too high,
e^cially those of the vital oil
men.

These men have had no sub­
stantial raises in years; Today
they are for, wages far below
those paid on union-contracted
deep-sea tankers.

An AB and rated tankerman is
paid an hour—while he
works. A chief mate and navi­
gator for coastal waters draws
$1.48 an hour. A captain gets
$1.98. A lay-up means that the
crew goe.s off, and lay-ups are
frequent.

The writer is now on a tanker
in coastal waters operating from
New York. The two-watch sys­
tem, six on and six off, is- in
effect. The crew, working two
men to a watch must load and

cargo, navigate and
ship in and out of

Tbanks Brothers ^
For Ho^. Visits
To ihf Edifo»!

-Kindly give this some i^ace in
the LOG:

I wish to . thank the Union of­
ficials and members who visited
me during the time I was a
patient in the U. S. Marine Hos-
Ditjal.

Claude Fisher
New York City

rivers and harbors by night as
well as by day, in cold and fog
as well as in good weather,

Think of this re^onsibility for
a ship worth half a millinn dol­
lars and a cargo of 7,500 barrels,
not to mention the rest of the
men aboard. The closing or
opening of a wrong valve can
cause thousands of dollars of
damage to pump or oil lines. Is
$1.06 an hour adequate pay for
a job that requires years of ex­
perience?

Sailing these vessels in
crowded harbors or inland waters
studded with rocks, reefs, and
bars and beset by currents, tides
and rips is no child's play. A
man needs a full knowledge of
charts, and he must be pains-
takin^y watchful, as well as
technically expert.

. KtGH TIME
It is time the wages aind condi­

tions of the harbor boatmen on
the tankers, the oil barges and
the tugs were brought into line
with the rest of the industry.
And it is time that the Mayor of
New York, and the rest of the
people who are butting into, the
tugboat picture investigated the
archaic "Battery to Battery" sys­
tem by which the .towbOat com­
panies make their biggest profits.

This system, by which the New
York towboat companies charge
everybody on a Battery-to-Bat-
tery basis even if the tug moves
onty.from one dock to another,
is a real economic cancer in the
maritime industry.

The towboat operators would
drop their opposition to the hon­
est demands of the , men like a
hot potato and concede 100 per­
cent to the Union rather than
have, their system and their pro­
fits investigated..

Wandering'Seaiaibr

Rhyme Off Watch
By WANDERING SEAFARER

He's just a young seaman
With girls on the brain—
There's Margie in England.
Dolores in Spain;
His brain is agog
And his heart is in pain,
bh, what girl will pity
Our poor s^or lad.
So full of romance.
When there's maids to be had;
Yet as soon as he finds 'em
There's parting so sad.
He hardly gels settled
When his ship whistle blows.
It's back to the billows
And the life sailor knows.
Where his girls are but dreams
When the foc'sle tale flows.
So here's to our hero.
May his soul find its rest.
May his heart find its peace
In the dreams of the blessed.
May his sweethearts of fancy
Grace his far tossing nest.
For lo* in this world
All we own is a dream,
Oiir lives are but motes
In the light of a beam.
And a human ntust ponder
And the stars be the theme.
So dreams of a Margie
Or Dolores in Spain.
Chiquita from Rio
With the sailor remain—
The ports of the world
Are in memory's chain.

O Mistress Mine
'AXrSSlE' SHRIMPTON

Now years ago when I was
young,

I Jiankered for the sea, lads;
To climb the ladder rung

fey rung,
jAnd wear the dungaree, lads.
I sailed far on every sea.
And many a. mile logg'd,

lads;
I loved the gals and spat to

lee.
And learnt to hold my grog,_

lads.
I cared for no man — no,

not I,
And no one cared for me,

lads;
I thought that I was the

toughest guy.
That sailed the salty sea, lads. -
But came the time when

oft I'd pine.
For wife and kids and home,

lads;
For kindred kind that were

not mine.
And .1 had never known,

lads.
But then I found it could

not be.
No matter how I'd strain,

lads;
My mistress was the open

sea,
|byk I'd go again, lads.



Friday, January 14, 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Thirtean

Near-Fatal Diving Accident
Keeps Seafarer Shorebound
To Ihe Editor:

Any of my shipmates and
friends who may have wondered
what happened to me will find
the reason for my disappearance
here. I'm lucky to be alive after
the accident that befell me while
I was home after paying off the
SS Charles Lanham in Septem­
ber at Baltimore.

Before jumping into the story
I'd like to ask the brothers of
the Lanham to whom I loaned
money to get in touch with me
and repay the favor I did them.
Write mo at Route 1, Box 214-A,
Orange, Texas.

After I paid off the Lanham
I caught a plane out of Balti­
more and got home on a Sun­
day. I had a wonderful time at
home for seven days and then
it happened. The Sunday fol­
lowing my arrival home we went
swimming. We went to a place
that is considered dangerous be­
cause of the sandy, shifting bot­
tom. There are four or five per­
sons killed there yearly.

This particular spot that we
went to had always been my
favorite. As soon as we got
there, I got up on a stump that
stands ten feet from the water
and dived in—that ended the
swimming party.

PARALYZED LIMBS
Instead of plunging deep into

the water I stuck up to my
shoulders in sand. The water
wasn't even knee deep. When
I came to, I tried to get up, but
both my ai-ms and legs wore
paralyzed and I was speechless.

The others in the party half
carried and half dragged me to
the car and took me to a hos­
pital twenty miles from the
swimming hole in Beaumont.

When we got to the hospital
I was able to move my legs a
little and had recovered my
speech. We told the hospital
people what had happened. They
x-rayed my neck and found it
was broken in three places.

It doesn't seem possible that
a person could live after break­
ing his neck in three places, but
I guess it just wasn't my time
to go. After the X-ray they
rolled me into the operating
room and shaved my head.

I couldn't imagine at the time
what they were shaving my head
for, but I soon foimd cut. After
shaving my head they put two
screws through my head. The
screws were three inches long
and had eyes, some way they
were rigged to the top of my
head.

After that they removed me
to a room and placed me in a
bed. They tied a line in the eye
and ran it through a block that
hung behind my bed. They then
tied twenty-two pounds of
weights to the block. The weights
puRcd my head back with great
tension.

All this was designed to pull
my neck back into place and
hold it there until the bones re-
knitted. I laid like that for a
month and four days. They then
removed this rig and put me in
a cast which reached from my
waist line all the way up and
over my head. It weighed about
twenty five pounds. I had to
learn to walk again. I wore the
cast for six weeks, after which
they removed it and put me in

'a brace, which I now wear.

EXTREME CASE
My arms were paralyzed for

seven days and then slowly their
use returned. The doctor told

I would have to wear the brace
until around the first of next
April. Even if I had to wear it
a year or a lifetime, I consider
myself lucky to even be alive.
The doctor told me that this
was the worst broken neck case
he had ever seen where the pa­
tient lived through ft and wasn't
left paralyzed for life. He told
me that in a year or so I would­
n't even feel that my neck had
been broken.

That about winds up the tale.
Recuperating hasn't been too
bad, but I want to ship out so
bad I can taste it. I hope to be
sailing before too long. In the
meantime a letter from any of
you guys wUl be more than
welcome. Here's hoping ^ for
smooth sailing for all of you.

G. B. (Tex) Gillispie

Getting Tlie News

The LOG gels around. An
unidenlified young lady in
Santos, Brazil, absorbed in a
story which interests her, is
caught in a candid photo. The
name of the photographer also
was not given.

Says Labor's EX!A Beef Aid
Shows Value Of SIU Policy
To the Editor:

It isn't so strange, but the only
people who are against our pol­
icy of helping other trade unions
are the vicious labor-haters.

Anyway, our excellent record
in helping out other unions is
paying dividends now. In our
present all-out fight to maintain
the 50 percent clause for Mar­
shall Plan shipments, hundreds
of trade unions are backing us.
They have protested strongly
and effectively to proper officials
in Washington and have made
our fight a much stronger one
by their support.

GOOD POLICY
If nothing else, this demon­

stration of trade union solidarity

WARRIOR CREW
ENJOYED TRIP.
TAKE ENCORE
To the Editor:

Here we go for another Far
Egst trip on the good ship War­
rior, Waterman's pride and joy.

Nearly 95 per cent of the
original crew have signed on
again—a real bunch of Seafarers.
On this ship, it's unity and un­
derstanding above everything
else.

We are looking forward to a
pleasant, but long long trip. We
would like you to send to the
enclosed address the Seafarers
LOG for Nov. 26 and Dec. 30.

Thank you for attending to
this matter and best wishes to
you aU.

F. A. Delapenia
(Ed. Note: Tho LOGs will

meet you: they're already on
the way.)

for the SIU's cause should prove
the value of our policy of help­
ing other unions in every way
we can. Labor-haters are not in­
terested in the reason for this
policy, which is to obtain and
maintain improved working and
living conditions for working
niCn and women throughout the
country. Every fight of this kind
in behalf of one group of work­
ers is a fight for the interests of
all.

It should prove to aU Seafarers
that by sticking together in sup­
porting other groups of union
people, we are helping ourselves,
too. Because of our reputation
for being willing to give a lift
to other guys in a beef, the or­
ganized labor movement was
quick to j,ump to our support at
a time when every bit of help
is important. Our policy there­
fore, has made us much stronger.

And it is just as important that
all unions stick together. Be­
cause of their solidarity, it looks
like the Taft-Hartley law is on
the way out.

Gus Breilweg

RETIRED MEMBER
KEEPS IN TOUCH
To the Editor:

Although it has been over a
year since I paid off my last ship
and it appears that I'm becoming
a permanent shoreside seaman,
I certainly appreciate receiving
the LOG and keeping up with
the doings of my Brotheis.

I would appreciate your chang­
ing my mailing address to the
one attached.

Congratulations to the Sea­
farers on the progress made dur­
ing the past year.

BiU Robinson
Glondole, Calif.

POLARIS CREW
REPORTS GOOD
TRIP, STEWARD
To ihe Editor:

Just a few lines from Port of
Spain to let the boys in the
Union know that the crew of the
Alcoa Polaris is still thinking of
them. We are having a fine trip
down here. The Chief Steward,
Robinson, is tops—^we could ask
for no better.

Here is one of our fine menus
(inclosed) to show you how well
we eat. Hope your mouth doesn't
water I

Best of everything for the
Union.

Leo Bruce
(Ed. Note: We're drooling.)

SIU Membership Continues
Boosts And Bumps Of Rules

Below are letters from the membership giving their views on
the Union transportation rule. In line with the SIU policy of
full discussion on all matters of policy, the LOG for the past
several weeks has devoted space to the opinions of the member­
ship, both pro and con. All letters on the matter of transportation
will be printed in the LOG during the coming weeks to give the
membership ample time to form opinions on the rule. All possible
steps are being talcen to devote equal space to both sides of the
controversy.

In brief, the rule calls for men to lake transportation money
and pile off their ship when it pays off at a port other than the
one in which the crew signed on. This applies in cases where the
vessel does not start for the sign-on port within ten days.

PRO:

Asks Ceasefire
To the Editor:

I will explain my viewpoint in
regards to the transpoi'tation rule
that is now in effect and has
been passed by the membership
up and down the coast. This rule
has proven itself to be the best
that we have ever had since the
beginning of the SIU.

Since the rule went into effect
the membership can take note of
the great turnover in jobs by
merely looking in the LOG from
week to week. I recommend
that we cease all this criticism
of the rule and accept it as it
now stands, for when shipping
gets tough we will appreciate a
quick turnover in jobs.

Now that the year of 1948 has
passed, I would like to give a
hearty vote of thanks to the offi­
cials for the way they have
handled the Union's affaire, par­
ticularly the winning of the two-
year contract with the top wages
in the industry. Thanks for a
job well done.

D. D. Story
Alcoa Pioneer

Send Those Minutes
Send in the miniites of

your ship's meeting to the
New York HaU. Only in that
way can the membership act
on your recommendations,
and then the minutes can be
printed in the LOG for the
benefit of aU other SIU
crews.

Hold those shipboard meet­
ings regularly, and send
those minutes in as soon as
posdble. That's the SIU wayl

Push New Rule
To the Editor:

At a genex'al meeting held
aboard the SS Del Mar at sea it
was moved, seconded and carried
without a dissenting vote among
the 95 members present that we
write to you in reference to keep­
ing the transportation rule as it
is now for the following reasons:

1. It creates a larger turnover
in shipping.

2. It helps outports where
shipping is sometimes slow.

3. It gives each member great­
er union security.

4. It gives some of our newer
members a chance to visit our
union halls and see rotary ship­
ping in action.

5. It gives our negotiating
committee a better discussion
point in future negotiations, as
that will be less for the ship­
owners to want to cut out.

Crewmembers
SS Del Mar

CON:

Reject Rule
To the Editor:

We, the_ undersigned crew-
members of" the SS Andrew Jack­
son, strongly oppose the new
amendment to the transportation
agreement whereby crewmem­
bers must accept transportation
money and pile off the ship.

We feel that this is in direct
contrast to good Unionism, for
job security is one of the basic
principles of Unionism and of
our Union. The SIU is the ac­
knowledged leader in working
for these conditions, and such
policy is contrary to the SIU
tradition.

We all realize that shipping is
bad, but it is equally bad for us;
so let us weather it out in the
usual manner.

The new ruling boils down to
this: A brother may be on the
beach for two or three months
before shipping. When he finally
makes a ship (in New York for
example) for a short European
nui that pays off in MobRe, he
must pile off and look forward
to another lengthy stay on the
beach.

This we feel again is directly
in contrast to job security. We
sincerely urge that his ruling be
abolished.

28 Crew members
SS Andrew Jackson

Uphold Cons
To the Editor: •;

A meeting was held aboard the
SS William R. Davie, dt^jdng
which the matter of the new
transportation rule was disi^iss-
ed.

A motion was passed unanim­
ously to send you a letter ex­
pressing disapproval of said rule
in its present form. None Were*
opposed. The reason put forthi
for our disapproval are in Une,
with the various opinions sent
to the LOG by the many Broth--
ere who are opposed to this un- .
popular ruling.

28 crewmembers
SS William R. Davie

South Of Border Hospital Gets OK
To the Editor:

I am writing this from Tam-
pico, Mexico. I met with an ac­
cident while employed aboard
the SS W. E. Downing, a Mathia-
sen Tanker. My thanks go to the
members who packed my gear
when I went to the hospital—I
would like to sail with them
again in the future if things per­
mit.

IncidentaUy, I have read pre­
vious LCXIS where SIU mem­
bers have reported being treated

like dogs in hospitals in various
countries, so I would like to com­
ment on this hospital:

The staff seems to think that
they are never doing enough for
the patients, and do a little more.
Here one is treated with the re­
spect due a gentleman. Things
ere so pleasant here I actuaRy
hate to leave. As for the nurses
—tliey're beautiful! If ever have
to be hospitalized again, this is
the one for me.

Frank Pinkowski



Page Fourteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, January 14, 1949
. t-

Brother Suspects Job 'Leak'
In Crewing Canal Vessels
To the Editor:

fr, I recently relumed from Pana
?;,ma after a few weeks in the hos

pital there and I'd like to call the
• Brothers' attention to some

strange doings in Balboa.

OS, At Balboa I was removed fi'om
o the Kyska on November 23 and
•' isent to the hospital. After being

discharged I was placed in the
quarantine station where I had to

J Member's Father
Blasts US Stand
On Seamen Eights

.i -y.

To the Editor:

If it is proper. I would like
to say a few words on the role

'^ seamen played in the war. My
' son became a merchant seaman
fin July, 1941. and, of course,
"was sailing when Pearl Harbor

was attacked. All thro'ugh 1942
when the subs were sinking
ships by the hundreds, our fam-

' ily was kept in suspense as to
I'Whaf was happening to our boy,
"^Uusy sailing the troop ships, the
'•amniunition ships, tlie tankers.
In our minds v/e could sec the

•tankers exploding, the boys
swimming in fire while the subs
machine-gunned them.

I made a trip to Washington
to see my Congressman about
the matter and wrote him sev­
eral letters, all aimed at getting
recognition from the govern-

'menU for their war .service;_the
benefits of the G.I. Bill of
Rights. Nothing happened.

NO CREDIT

While ships were being sunk
and crews machine-gunned, the
editor of the local newspaper
wouldn't even publish my boy's
address along with the names
of the other boys in the armed
services. Lots of the servicemen
were home every week-end and
many were never sent out of the
country. The editor even pub­
lished an insulting article to
the effect that merchant seamen
were not patriotic.

I believe the merchant seamen
of that period should be honored.
They should receive the same
rewards as the service men.

Frank Anderson
Stewardson, 111.

report once a day, while I was
trying to catch a ship. All
hands are kept in this quarantine
station.

But the beef is this;

DAY'S NOTICE

Ships coming into port radio a
day before if they need any men
Then the company agents would
call the quarantine station for
what men were needed and tell
them to stand by. But two
hours later, the agents would call
again and say the job—or jobs
had been taken.

In the three weeks I was in
the quarantine station, I saw this
happen many times—a call for
men, then another call cancelling
the standby order. I also heard
from other men who had been
there longer that they had ob­
served the same thing.

No one seems to know the rea­
son for the sudden cancellations,
but it is suspected that there is
a leak in Cristobal. Some one
apparently gets wind of the jobs
and succeeds in placing their own
men.

It's a leak that ought to be
;topped up.

I was fortunate in finally get­
ting out via the Daniel Hugcr,
which paid off last month in
Mobile.

Joe Ruszel

SEAFARERS ON THE STONY CREEK

BEREAVED MEMBER
THANKS HAVANA
CREW FOR HELP
To the Editor:

My family and I wish to ex­
press our sincere thanks to all
the members of the crew and
officers of the Seatrain Havana
for their kindness and aid giv­
en us during my wife's illness
and death of our baby.

As soon as the CTew heard of
my. sorrow they had a large
donation of money collected. "We
shall always be grateful to all
of those who were so kind and
helpful to us when we needed
it mdst.

Gustav S. Carlson
Mrs. J. B. Barlow
Mrs. J. A. Manis
Mr. J. H. Manis
Anna Ruth Carlson

Crewmembers aboard the T-2, which recently came into
the SIU as a result of the organizing drive being conducted
in the tanker field. Under the Union banner, they now are
among the industry's highest paid tankermen and enjoy top
working conditions.

This photo was submitted to the LOG by John Wunderlich,
Bosun, who recently paid off the Stony Creek after what he
described as a "first-rsite trip."

Shoreside Job,
Brown-Eyed Ida-
Member Quits Sea
To the Editor:

Just a few lines to. let my for­
mer -shipmates know that I'm
retiring my book. I've been on
the beach here in Canton, Ohio,
since July and got myself a job
as a plant engineer. Besides,
there's a sweet little thing nam­
ed Ida who has big brown eyes
—well, you know how it is.

I wish all the shipmate friends
I've sailed with in the past eight
years would write me a letter-
or drop me a card from wherever
they are. I'd really like to hear
from the guys, because tliey're
a swell bunch of- fellas, and I'm
proud to call them friends. If
they're ever around this neck
of the woods, I wish they'd drop
in and see me.

Besides wishing all of you a
lot of smooth sailing I would
like to wish you all a belated
very Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year.

Donald R. Short
722 18th Street N.E.
Canton, Ohio

Red Tosses Out A Few Warm-Up Pitches

Skipper's Mush Sours Mosoil Crew
To the Editor:

We left Baltimore November
19 after spending six weeks on
the beach. We were sure we had
the real thing. November 20
the next day we were back in
Baltimore having broke down.
The Captain told us boys, "it was
just one of those things." She's
an old ship, but a good s'lip.

On November 21 we took off
again but not for long, she broke
down again on November 24th.
This time tiie wliole plant went
dead—no lights, no nothing. We
went shark fishing. Even the
sharks wanted no part of the
Mosoil. She's an old ship, but a
good ship.

To get the steam up again the
Chief Engineer had Blackie
(Scherzer by name, he requested
the identification), the Bosun, col­
lecting our benches, chairs and
whht not. After fourteen days
we finally reached our destina­
tion, Tampico, Mexico. The Pilot

came aboard, and after a while
asked the Captain how fast we
were going. The Captain replied,
"We may not be going fast but
we are moving." We run out of
fuel oil with the first heaving
line. She's an old ship, but a
good ship.

We are now headed for Texas
but we still break down about
every 24 hours. As the Captain
says, she's an old ship, but she
is a good ship.

The Steward Department
headed by Chief Steward Daniel
Lippy, Chief Cook Jacob Cook,
2nd Cook Doi sey Faugh and the
rest of the boys gave us unheard
of cooperation. Without this co­
operation it would have been a
pretty miserable trip. Thanks,
boy^

P. S.: We ran aground at Hous-
to. She's an old ship, but a good
.ship.

George Weldon
Earl E. Kelley

To Ihe Editor: ,

New Year's Eve was pretty
tough on some of the Seafarers.
Izzy" Levy drank .so much

Southern Comfort he's got cot­
ton-covered tonsils. He's now
acting as chief organizer for a
group of boll-weevils. However,
last week most of the brothers
returned to the hall to ship out.
They carried their heads high—
some carried two or three.

For me, 1949 started with a
rousing greeting from Water­
man: "Happy New Year, Red—
we hope it's your last." Water­
man's overtime cry for 1949:
"Keep it as close as two coats
of paint."

At the last board meeting the
stockholders were up in the
air. Probably swallowed their
bubble-gum. - This year they in­
tend to open new ports of entry
—^should be easy the way some
of their skippers navigate. One
of their geniuses has been, ag­
round so much he may have his
license revoked for lack of sea
time. Yesterdav's New York Mir­
ror said: "Russians Claim First
Air Flight." They can't claim
the first steamship—^Waterman's
got it. I was on it. I'm not say­
ing which way we were going
but that's the first ship I was
ever on where the wake was
on the bow. The Waterman crews
make the best sailors. No matter
what happens we've seen worse.

With an old shipping card in

CfeEW ASKS NEW
SAN JUAN HALL
To the Editor:

We, the undersigned members
of the Seatrain New Orleans, be­
lieve that some arrangement
should be made to secui-e a
larger and better Hall for the
port of San Juan.

If we are to keep a hall in
this port, it certainly should be
large enough to accommodate
the membership. We also believe
that some form of recreation
room and library should be pro­
vided for the members on the
beach.

Signed by 22 Crewmembers
Seatrain New Orleans

my hand I expect to go Fax-
East this time. In case I'm not
hei-e for the baseball openers,
I wish my Pirates the best of
luck. They're improving annu­
ally. Remember '46 and '47. They
were so far down under they
played the last 10 games in
Austrialia ... I'll swear they had
a kangaroo playing center field.
iThe team was in the cellar so
long the management put a fur­
nace in the dugout. Just a case
of too many bags under the eyes
and not enough under the feet.
I'm not saying the players were
old but Pittsburgh was* the only
team that received Serutan in­
stead of Wheaties for home-runs.
But Crosby's changed things.
He'll keep the boys moving. No
more Serutan, no more Wheaties,
—Ex-Lax, he'll keep the boys
mo-ving. This year before the

, regular season starts there's to
be a Pennsylvania State Champ-

' ionship. There will be a three
game play-off between the Phila-
jdelphia Phils and the Philadel­
phia Athletics—the winner will
play Ralph Kiner.

As my job is due on the board
any minute, fellas, I'll say so-
long. So, to all who sail, bring
us back safe, sound, and single.

Red Campbell

AHENTION!
If you don't find linen

when you go aboard your
ship, notify the Kail at once.
A telegram from Le Havre or
Singapore won't do you any
good. It's your bed and you
have to lie in it.

DEL NORTE SIDELIGHTS BY E, REYES

ff)IN HBUD OP

SfJTfiYMW ;
^or^ef? FlYNN

'AO6HT A
'THROUbH P0fiT»Ot-f>'

1 r >
• I!".;,:; J .v-'l



fHOkr. Jknuarr W XSXS T B E S E AP A RE R S L O G Pag* Flftaan

Congressmen Reply To SlU Protest On EGA
(Continued from Page 8)

Rep. Leonard Irving (D., Mo.):.
"While I am a new member of Con­

gress, you n^ay be sure that I shall
support all proposals against the use
of foreign ships and likewise will do
what I can to see that as much of this
cargo (as possible) is placed in Am­
erican bottoms."

i 4.
Rep. Eugene D. O'Sullivan (D., Neb.):

"If the facts are as you portray
them I think Mr. Hoffman should be
sharply criticized and his plans tossed
into the wastepaper basket. I assure
you that if a vote is taken I'll be
on the side of justice. I feel I owe
my election to union labor."

4. 4. 4.
Rep. Charles E. Bennett (D., Fla.):

"I do not want our ships to be put
off the seas by such a procedure even
if the result is a reasonably increased
tax burden to the American taxpayers."

Rep. Charles R. Howell (D.. N.J.):
"I am impressed with the arguments

here set forth and will study them
carefully. Let me know of anything
that I can do to be helpful."

4, 4, it
Rep. William Lemke (R., N.D.):

"I shall do all I can to block Mr.
Hoffman's proposal, and shall take the
matter up further with the Department
of State and Department of Commerce."

Carl L. Weicht, Administrative Assist­
ant to Senator Thye (R» Minn.):

"Fm sure that Senator Thye will be
interested in the views you expressed
concerning the new ruling promulgated
by the EGA in connection with the
shipment of supplies overseas."

4- - t
Sen. Bumet Maybank (D., S.C.):

"I appreciate your writing express­
ing your, views on Mr. Hoffman's pro­
posal regarding EGA bulk cargo."

4 4 4.
Sem Russell B. Long (D., La.):

"I have taken this matter up not
only with Mr. Hoffman but with Presi­
dent Truman. I share your feelings and
am very hopeful that something can
be done to rectify the great damage
already done and which would continue
if Mr. Hoffman's proposal is allowed
to stand. You may rest assured that I
will always be vitally interested in
whatever affects our merchant marine,
including the fine body of American
seamen which mans our ships."

4 4 4
Sen. Robert C. Hendrickson (R., N.J.):

"The information contained in your
letter and the paper will be of great
help to me when the matter of ship­
ping imder the EGA comes before the
Senate for consideration in the 81st
Congress. Please be assured I shall
keep the contents very much in mind
that time."

William C. Simms, Administrative As­
sistant to Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey
(D., bBnn.):

"Senator Humphrey has asked me to
reply and to assure you that he intends
to do everything possible to prevent
the action mentioned in your telegram.
You may be sure that he will do
everything possible to protect the job
rigiits of* American seamen."

4 4 4
M. McMahon, Secretary to Senator Scott

Lucas (D., IlL):
"The matter will be brought to the

attention of Senator Lucas at the first
available opportunity."

4 4 4
Sen; J. Melville Broughton (D., N.C.):

"I have noted the expression of your
views in connection with EGA and at
such time as any legislation on this
subject comes to my attention I will,
bear in mind your position."

4 4 4
Sen. Claude Pepper (D„ Fla.):

"I have been in contact with the
EGA Administrator concerning this mat- •
ter, and you may be sure I will con­
tinue to do all I can to be helpful."

44 4
Rep. Harold C. Hagen (R., Minn.):

"When the matter of movement of
EGA cargo in American ships comes
up before the House, I will support
retention of the original stipulations."

Sen. Millard Tydings (D.. Md.):
"I am bringing your views to the at­

tention of the Administrator, and upon
receipt of advices will let you hear
further from me." r

4 4 4
Rep. Porter Hardy, Jr. (D., Va.):

"You may be sure that I shall do
everything I can to prevent action
which will further weaken our mer­
chant marine."

4 4 4
Rep. Henderson Lanham (D., Ga.):

"I am taking this matter up with
Mr. Hoffman in the hope that he will
see fit to use American ships in the
future."

4 4 4
Rep. Jimmy Morrison (D.. La.):

"The matter is receiving my utmost
attention."

4 4 4
Rep. Abraham J. Mulier (D., N.Y.):

"Congressional intent is directly to
the contrary of the proposed regulation
and I am sure that as soon as Congre^
convenes we will make that evident
to Mr. Hoffman."

4 4 4
Sen. Edward Martin (R., Pa.):

"Have been in touch with Mr. Hoff­
man regarding proposal to ship foreign
aid cargo in foreign ships. Am glad to
forward your telegram to him for
consideration."

SlU HALLS
SIU, A&G District

BALTIMORE 14 North Cay St.
William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4S40
BOSTON 276 Stats St.
E. B. TiUey, Agent Richmond 2-0140

Dispatcher Richmond 2-0141

GALVESTON 908%—23rd St.
Keith Alsop, Agent Phono 2-8448
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence SL
Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 2-1754
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville SL
B. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113

NEW YORK 51 Beaver SL
Joe Aigina, Agent HAnovor 2-2784

NORFOLK 127-120 Bank SL
Ben Reel- Agent Phone 4-1083

PHILADELPHIA. ..614.16 No. 13th St.
Lioyd Gardner, Agent Poplar 5-1217

SAN FRANCISCO 85 Third St.
Steve Carduiio, Agent Dougias 2-5476

SAN JUAN, P.R 252 Ponce da Leon
Sal Coils, Agent San Juan 2-5996

SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St.
Phone 3-1728

TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
•; H. Hall, Agent Phone M-1323

WILMINGTON, Calif.,
227% Avalon Boulevard

HEADQUARTERS.. 51 Beaver St., N.Y.C.
HAnover 2-2784

SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul Hail

DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION
Lindsey Williams

ASSIST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
Robert Matthews J. P. Shuier

Joseph Voipian

PERSOHALS

SUP

JACKSON WOOTEN
Please get in touch with Andy

Lorier at once. Important.
4 4 4

HOY A. GRUNDNER
Your mother is anxious to hear

from you. Her address. Box 483,
ejus, Fla.

4 4 4
FREDERICK JOHNSON

Your wife is anxious to hear
from you.

4 4 4
KARL O. H. STROM

Mrs. D. G. Strom, 3597-A Mis­
sion St., San FTancisco, Calif,
asks that you write her.

4 4 4
EDWARD DIAZ. JR.

Imperative you contact your
local Dx'aft Board at 501 Vz Frank­
lin St., Tampa, Fla.

4 4 4
RICHARD J. CLAUSSEN

Your mother asks that you
write her.

4 4 4
ALVIN L. HARRELL

Get in touch with Mrs. Ros­
aline Harrell, 3004 Central Ave.,
Tampa, Fla., regarding illness in
the family.

MAX E. MOORE
Your mother is anxious to hear

from you.
4 4 4

STANLEY GRIFFITHS
Contact the local Draft Board

in Scranton, Pa.
4 4 4

LOUIS W. PEPPER
Your children are ill, write

your wife at Route 3, Box 332
Tampa, Fla.

4 4 4
LUIGI GALLO

Contact your aunt, Mrs. Rose
Pisaniello, 36 Joralemon Street,
Brooklyn.

4 4 4
RUSSELL E. BASKERVILLE
Your wife has moved to the

following address: St. Stephens
Road, Black Rock, St. Michael,
Barbados, BWI.

4 4 4
GUNNAR GUSTAF
ADOLF LINDVALL

Write the Seamen's Church In­
stitute, 25 South St., New York.

.4 4 4
GEORGE RAYMOND BROWN
Formerly aboard the SS Gov­

ernor Dixon. Please get in touch

NOTICE
HONOLULU 16 Merchant SL

Phono 5-8777
PORTLAND Ill W. Burnoido St.

Beacon 4336
RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St.

Phone 2599
SAN FRANCISCO 59 Clay St.

Douglaa 2-8363
SEATTLE 86 Seneca St.

Main 0290
WILNilNGTON 440 Avalon Blvd.

Terminal 4-3131

Canadian District
MONTREAL ..1827 Philips Square

Plateau 6700—Marquette 5909
PORT ARTHUR. ...63 Cumberland St.

Phone North 1229
PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St.

. Phonei 5591
TORONTO 11 lA Jarvla Street

Elgin 5719
VICTORIA, B.C 602 Boughtoa St.

Empire 4531
VANCOUVER B68 Hamtlton SL

Pacific 7824

The following books are being
held in the Mobile HaU. If not
picked up in the near future they
will be sent to headquarters.

Theodore Bratsos, 50535; Hem-y
Barber, 34709; Aime Belanger,
45895; Orual Burks, 27487.

Louis Cay ton, 34802; Herbert
G. Capps, 49508; Frederick G.
Carpenter, 49033.

Leray Davidson, 44517; Leon F.
Davis, 28870; Michael Daravich,
44485.

John H. Edlund, 50449.
Raymond Ferreria, H7G.
J. H. Grady, Jr., 33275; Earl C.

Gilbert, 37495; James DeWitt
Guy, 14-G.

Dew^ D. Howard, 2289; A. M.
Ham, 34707; Homer G. Harris,
48906; William H. Harriss, 51016.

Lewis Jackson, 47176.
Albert G. Kimberly, 48973;

Fred W. Keenan, 40657; John
Henry Kennedy, 33224.

Richard J. McCafney, 45580;
Lawrence Mclnnes; 44311; Thom­
as L. McBrayer, 24568.

Robert W. Morriss, 23427; Carol
E. Martin, 42371; Stilanos Mavro-
michalis, 47220; John Paul Mor­
riss, 34305; A. N. Mulder, 107-G.

James J. Ohare, 35489; Andrew
L. Oliver, 39198.

Richard F. Ransome, 50920.
Conrad D. Shirley, 36227; J. C.

Stennett, 45515; Herbert L.
Smith, 31919; Wm. N. Satchfield,
22875; Frank M. Schell, 34870; W.
R. Simpson, 100108.

Benedict Veiner, 49499.
Deward C. Wilson, 49820;

James O. Wentzell, Jr., 34711;
John R. Williams, 31628.

John William York, 45742; Wil­
lie A. Young 9-G. .

with Margie or Johnny Dreisch,
1175 Evergreen Ave., Bronx,
New York City.

ts, 8,
MICHAEL R. BAAL

Get in touch with your wife,
as an accident has occurred.

ts,
EUGENE PHILIP KELLY

Contact your wife at 4204
Barnes Ave., Bronx 66, N. Y.

4 t
ALEXANDER MENDICINI

Your mother, 132 J/i 16th St.,
Brooklyn, is worried about you.

t i
CHESTER SKAKUN

Important you contact your
Local Draft Board in Paterson,
N. J.

% 8, %
IRVIN J. GORGAS

See your local Draft Board im­
mediately.

Bill Will Plug
Loophole In EGA

(Continued from Page 1)
ship every year to maintain the
laid-up vessels. Thus any saving-
in Hoffman's books might be baL
anced by losses in the books of
other government agencies.

Moreover, foreign ship opera­
tors have been raising their
rates in anticipation of a monop­
oly. As some observers have
pointed out, the bill for carrying
the Marshall Plan cargoes in
foreign ships might in the; end
be bigger than if American ships
carried them exclusively.

The fight is not yet over. The
new bill is stiU in an embryo
stage. The SIU will press for its
passage when the membership
is satisfied that its pa-ovisions
offer full protection to the jobs
of American seamen.

Notice To All SIU Membors
The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea­

farers International Union is available to all members who wish '
to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoymeilt of
their families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have
the LOG sent to you each week addi-ess cards are on hand at every
SIU branch for this purpose. '

However, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU
hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the LOG^:
which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 5l'
Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.

PLFASF PRINT INFORMATION

To the Editor:

I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to the,
address below:

Name

Street Address

City Zone- State

Signed

Book No.



Page Sixteen THE SEAFARERS LOG j f JErtto^ Jta««*T 14, 1949 ;
•i • • • •

5-7

&tie9 S^vice Seaifien
/•

QMtitCMAefimi>an.A'Cou»feau§ uduAu
• Jms altua:y$ paidL ilie lotuest tuaiges 3113.
overtune in, iJie industry ?

^ and, lilacKballs anyozLe zultohas
^ tbe couzrs^^-bo speafc upe^nsl'intoler-

alple cojxoaiions ?
pz^tices discrxminatiort dttdenoour-

^ a^s a|>pZe-polislwu^ ?

anUyottdepeudoH.:

S

I " • • fee'7.
R: •
We-: p.- -• • :»,••, ... •" - . «7'- " '• •••

pipe • • -
|;ep,:.,e

JobSecarihtf

BeneSfls

SHiPP)l4c

1 =

JU.rr

ifputrpam

VDTESIU
•"M--

•'"''•v. .7r7fe.''7.75??!i^b7s:
iSfeSxViisX.

• 5^7r.f rv.,
A.,: ;;/7.--..

w;

. .>.:'v'.'"'.-'.'1'I'' -;e';7.v.,-/. •,'. .

- eelti:.,; 'li/r: •
••ee:;.7h:S.v-'

',. • 7'e ;.•• ••


1949-01-14
1949-01-14_V1