http://seafarerslog.org/archives/files/original/2db0249fa89ff1945636f58a83944a8b.PDF f5fd19fbdaa3617d6f23ed7122bcacba PDF Text Text BRITISH ASK BOYCOTT BELAY '1 Unless the Trades Union Congress, British counterpart of the American Federation of Labor, or the British Government itself, soon persuades misguided British dockworkers to handle SIUmanned Canadian ships in England, the Seafarers International Union will ask the AFL Maritime Trades Department to boycott British ships in US ports on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Official Organ, Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers Internationtd Union of NA In reply to a cablegram sent to Britain's Prime Minister, Clement R. Attlee, saying that a boycott NEW YORK, N. Y.. FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1949 No. 20 VOL. XI might be necessary, TUC President Arthur D^kin Canadian Labor Expels GSU As Comniie-Led BME On March The newly-organized AFL Brotherhood of Marine En­ gineers is making great strides, BME Headquarters announced today, and Engin­ eers who want trade union­ ism, not party-line politics, are applying in droves. Engineers anxious for AFL imion representation, with no political strings at­ tached, were urged to visit, phone or write BME Head­ quarters at 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N.Y. asked SIU Interntional Vice-t— Presidents Paul Hall and Morris been patient long enough in this Weisberger to hold off until the situation, which is ftrictly an British unions could bring the inter-union dispute and does present wildcat, commie-inspir­ not concern other organizations." ed actions against Canadian ILA SPEAKS ships in British ports to an end. Meanwhile, Atlan ic coast of­ The SIU officials indicated ficials of the International Long­ that the Se'afarers would com­ shoremen's Associatio'-., AFL, a ply with Deakin's request. How­ powerful component of the AFL ever, they said that they expec­ Maritime Trades Department, ted quick action on the matter met in New York recently with in Britain. ILA President Joseph P. Ryan "We do not desire to see presiding, and voted unanimous­ British ships tied up in United ly to support the SIU if a boy­ States ports, but the New York cott became necessary. AFL Maritime Trades Council will be asked to set in motion The tying up of several Ca­ the boycott machinery, unless nadian ships in British ports is swift action is forthcoming from the result of propaganda spread the British dockworkers," Hall by the communist-led Canadian and Weisberger said. "We've Seamen's Union. Early in the spring, the CSU talked some of their members into attempting to strike ships sailing from Canada's east coast ports, after the SIU Canadian District signed a contract cover­ ing the ships. caUed Greenwich Village, but it But most of the CSU members is not a farm any more. Instead it ffocked to the SIU, so fed up is a complex of huge apartment ^gre they with years of com* houses, hotels, single dwellings, mimist rule by political trickery stores, a variety of buildings bestrong-arm'squads, longing to New York University The phony strike was unsuc­ and Washington Square. cessful, except in a handful of Much of it is leased out on a foreign portS; notably in Eng­ 99-year basis. land, where commie agitators When the city of New York stirred up the waterfront with engulfed Greenwich Village, the lies. trustees moved Snug Harbor to Harry Davis, CSU president, Staten Island so that the Man­ who is an open follower of the hattan property could be used to communist party line, is now in maintain the establishment. England working with British The whole institution is now communists in an effort to dis­ "conservatively" valued at 30 rupt British shipping. Davis flew million dollars. to England to continue his illThirty million would produce starred maneuver after plans to an income of $1,200,000 at a con­ tie up shipping in Canada col­ lapsed completely. servative four percent. Acting swiftly after their re­ studying the problem said that cent day-long conference in the CSU had: (1) Violated the "spirit and Cleveland with the Executive Council of the'American Federa­ letter" of the TLC's constitution; (2) Failed "to recognize and tion of Labor, the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada, affili­ accept its responsibilities;" And (3) had issued literature ated with the AFL, suspended the Communist-dominated Cana­ "vilifying tried and trusted trade dian Seamen's Union from the union leaders." Committee members also point­ parent body on June 3. The suspension followed five ed out that the CSU's so-called days of closed meetings in Otta­ strike on the east coast was a wa of a special committee of the source of great embarassment to TLC, which recommended that the TLC and its affiliated unions. the action be taken. The AFL Executive Council had urged that the TLC drop the CSU from its ranks because of the communist policies the CSU continued to practice. Moreover, 14 AFL international unions threatend to secede from the TLC NEW YORK—The'trustees of ture have been "incomplete and unless the CSU was ousted. Sailors Snug Harbor have given unsatisfactory." The vacancies on the board While all details of the suspen­ up at last. sion conditions are not known, As the result of a suit filed in are those seats which are sup­ it is known that it will be ef­ the New York State Supreme posed tp be occupied by the fective until the TLC convention Court by the State Attorney Gen­ Chancellor of New York State in Calgary in September. eral, the trustees have agreed to and the Recorder of New York, If the convention upholds the abandon the -system, adopted two officers whose posts were suspension, the CSU will be com­ last year, of charging aged sea­ done away with many years ago. A third vacancy may be the pletely expelled from the TLC, men for their maintenance at the seat now assigned to the Mayor supposedly free institution. and will lose what little backing of New York City. The incum­ it retains among the TLC's 400,The State Attorney General bent Mayor has indicated a per­ 000 members. brought his suit a month ago af­ sonal distaste for the job. ter pressure from maritime DEAD DUCK Sailors Snug Harbor was set unions forced the issue. Snug In fact, many think that the Harbor's trustees didn't even up under the terms of a will TLC will have to dissolve itself fight the case. made by Captain Robert Richard Randall in 1801. Randall left his if it fails to oust the CSU once CLIP JOINT fa,rm on Manhattan Island to be and for all in September. In addition to agreeing to used as a home for elderly sea­ Canadian observers pointed out abandon charging the fees, the men. a week before the CSU suspen­ The farm was in what is still sion that many of the large AFL trustees agreed to pay back the unions in TLC would withdraw money they have clipped from unless the CSU were bounced—a elderly seamen in recent months, speculation later confirmed—or to submit to an independent au­ unless the CSU leaders renounc­ dit of their accounts and to let a competent court fill two vacan­ ed their communist ties. WASHINGTON — Everything AFL said were acceptable under which the company would have cies on the board. Others pointed out that the pointed to a showdown fight on the circumstances were as fol­ to accept. The "property agreement," the floor of the Senate, as formal lows: CSU had become a dead duck Meanwhile, all profits earned which the trustees invented in debate opened on the new labor anyway, since so many former 1. A "free speech" guarantee to during the period of seizure CSU men, fed up with the com­ 1948, required the 400-odd elder­ bill to replace the Taft-Hartley both employers and employees. would be turned over to the mie-line of their leaders, had ly seamen living at the Harbor to Act, which was passed two years United States Treasury, as a mis­ 2. A requirement that unions joined the SIU Canadian District surrender all savings in their ago this month over the Presi­ as well as employers bargain in cellaneous receipt. since the end of March, when possession and all income, in­ dent's veto. good faith. The way Senator Taft wants ,the., CSU officials called the cluding pensions from any source, the bill written is anotner story. Specifically, the battle seemed 3. A requirement that both phony strike against SlU-con- in return for maintenance, which destined to rage around the crip­ employers and employees sign much as four He has come down slightly tracted ships on Canada's east amounted to pling amendments Senator Taft non-comrhunist affidavits and from his haughty stand of two bucks a day. coast. When this practice began, the wants to add to the Administra­ swear that they belong to no or­ years ago, but the change is al­ ANOTHER BLOW ganization considered fascist. most imperceptible when his maritime unions rose in wrath. tion's bill. amendments are subjected to the The labor committees of both Another blow was suffered by Under the new dispensation, any 4. A provision allowing gov­ the poor commies who have been retired seaman, who left the Har­ Houses of Congress approved the ernment seizure of industrial cold light of analysis, as they leading their members down the bor rather.than be clipped, may Administration's bill, commonly plants involved in labor disputes were the other day by AFL law­ path to destruction, and it was return without making formal known as the Thomas-Lesinski likely to lead to national emer­ yers in Washington. Bill, in its original form was ac­ gencies. delivered by M. J. Coldwell, application. If Taft's notions get to be law, cepted by both the AFL and the leader of the Canadian Common­ In this connection, it is neces­ the attorneys said, "the result The audit must be completed wealth Federation, a strong, lib­ and recommended changes in ac­ CIO. The bill would repeal the sary to point out that there is a would be nothing but a slightly eral and anti-communist force counting methods accepted by Taft-Hartley Act and restore the difference between the "seizure" watered Taft-Hartley Act." old Wagner Act with a few that the AFL is willing to accept, in Canadian politics. In the House of Representa­ the trustees by December 15. In a meeting at Sydney, Nova Ilf will cover the Harbor's changes. This week, the AFL in­ and the "injunction" which la­ tives, the Lesinski Bill was sent Scotia late in May, Mr. Coldwell books in exhaustive detail back dicated that it would be willing bor's sworn enemies, including back to Committee, after a com­ bination of Republicans and re­ roundly denounced the CSU to January 1, 1941. Accountants to accept further amendments as Senator Taft, want. a way of forestalling the Taft actionary Democrats came with­ The "seizure" clause would leaders as communists who were will have the right to interview amendments. The Taft proposals permit the government to bar­ in an eyelash of railroading misleading their members and all employees of the institution. woul4 mean the Taft-HarUey Act through a version so amended gain collectively with the union had been for'years. In his suit, the State Attorney virtually unchanged. while the plant is imder govern­ that it was in many , ways worsa In recommending-susj^nsioh of General claimed the accounts the ment. control, and reach terms than the Taft-Hartley Act itselL The amendments which the the CSU, the special committee Harbor submits to the Legisla­ Snug Harbor Ends 'Property Agreements' Under Strong Union And State Pressure Senate Debates Substitute For T-H Act �THE Page Two SEAFARERS LOG SITAFARERS LOG Frida}, June 10, 1949 BiodtiiiK UK riAiE Published Three Times a Month by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affilialed with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 Reentered as second class matter May 27, 1949, at the Post Office in New York, N.Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. 267 T-H Repeal Backed by organized labor. Congressional foes of the .Taft-Hartley Act are again attempting to obtain passage of a labor-management law under which organized work­ ers would receive more equitable treatment. Although the people spoke clearly at the polls last fall, a bloc of diehards have refused to put their personal prejudices aside in favor of the people they are supposed to represent. Workingmen must hammer home Taft-Hartley must go. With the fight second round on Capitol HUl, Seafarers representatives know what kind of labor the point that going into the should let their law they favor. Write to your Senators and Representatives, Tell them to repeal the Taft-Hartley Act. Tell them you want the Thomas-Lesinski bill, which would restore the old Wagner Act, with a few amendments. Write now, and get your families to do likewise. Keep up the fight until Taft-Hartley is defeated. »The Bums Get Bum's Rush Twenty-five hundred members of the AFL Interna­ tional Longshoremen's Association got sick and tired of a political demonstration staged at the union's headquarters by a group of communists the other day, and gave the Kremlin puppets the old heave-ho once and for all. For a long time the communists have been trying to drive a wedge into the ILA, as part of their pattern to gain control of key sections of the waterfront. That they never made any progress didn't keep them from trying to keep up the push. They used the flimsiest pretexts to beat their political pots and pans, in the vain hope that they could attract some attention among rank and file members of the ILA. Hospital Patients WOipmL -i Mea Now to The Marine Hospitals These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, Heading up the communist contingent which put as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find lime hanging on the short-lived show at ILA headquarters the other heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by day, was an old party waterfront hack by the name of writing them. Fer^nand Smith, who shortly will leave the US rather MEPONSET HOSPITAL H. ASHURST than face trial for illegal entry. F. GOOSE R. A. BLAKE He was supported by an array of non-longshoremen, including female members of commie front organizations and party-line pushers from controlled unions, like- the CIO United Electrical Workers and the CIO Furriers Union. Here and there were a few commie longshoremen, who, by the way, are scarcer on the East and Gulf coasts than hen's teeth. If the commies had hired a hall to entertain them­ selves, the ILA men might not have raised an eyebrow. .What got them hopping sore was that the medicine men from Moscow thought they could use the union's head­ quarters as a backdrop. When word spread along the North and East River piers that 200 commies were run­ ning through their act in ILA territory, 2,500 members from five locals quit work and headed for 14th Street. When entering the hospital notify the delegates by post­ card. giving your name and the number of your ward. Mimeographed Postcards can be obtained free at the Social Service desk. L. BALLESTERO J. S. CAMPBELL V. W. CHESNER J. T. EDWARDS I. H. FRENCH E. FERRER V. JIMINEZ J. T. KEMPT K. G. LUNDBERG C. L. MOATS W. SEARS H. SELBY J. SILLAK Q. TULL L. TORRES T. WADSWORTH G. WOODS F. ZESIGER » » FORT STANTON It was all over in a matter of minutes. And there probably won't be any repeat performances by the com­ mies jFor a long time, if ever again. The commies, who are seeing their dream of playing a leading role on the water­ front disappearing everywhere, suffered one of the most smashing and humiliating defeats they ever have had at the hands of a group of workers. D. MCDONALD J. SUPINSKI If they have as much sense as they have gall, they'll call it quits. MOBILE HOSPITAt J. B. BERREIER E. COLLINS J. LIGHTFOOT A. McGUIGAN W. H. ROBERTS J. ASHURST » » s L. HOWARD L. ATKINS. J. NAYLOR . J. L. WORLEY S, X X STATEN ISLAND J. TURNER T. M. BROWN M. J. LUCAS N. NORPMANS C. W. GOODWIN J. SMITH D. GELINAS V. D'ACO R, E. QUINN 'S. RIVERA V. GROVER A. KING D. HERON J. J. DEVINE X X t BALTIMORE MARINE HOSP. L. MCMILLIAN W. VAUGHAN G. A. CARROLL H. G. REYNOLDS F. KORVATIN C. SHASTZER J. M. FERNANDES G. PAGANO P. E. WALSH W. G. ALSTON A. L. MASTERS J. G. BERRENKENFEN B. MESSERALL L. YARBOROUGH S. RUZYSKI XXX GALVESTON HOSPITAL BILLY BROWN FRED P. LALLIER XXX NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL, E. E. GROSS E. R. MESSINA E. MASSEY J. DENNIS ROTZ F. LANDRY ELLARD L. WILLIS N. I. WEST w. MCDONALD. L. LA CHAPELL G. PETEUSKY G. H. NOLES G. MEANEY C. RAYFUSE G. MIHALOUPOULOUS J. PATTERSON C.BROWN E. G. PLAHN DICKINSON A. ARVANTIS M. A. LIUZZA B. C. RESKO F. L. DROUANT P.G.BEAUFORT ! J.GALIANO , ' • •• , 1 ! , r ' -r y • ! 1 gfl i;,; i'ifS �Friday. June 10. 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three CSU Goons Attack Sleeping Triland Crew In the early morning of May 26, the SS Triland, a Canadian ship, lay at the West Indies Dock In - North Vancouver, British Columbia. Her SIU Canadian District crew were sound asleep in their bunks. Suddenly, out of the darkness, appeared at least 15 armed goons of the communist-led Canadian Seamen's Union. Once they were on the ship, the strong-arm boys of the CSU broke into quarters where six men were sleeping, and attacked the latter as they lay. Bulkhead and deck were soon covered with blood as the CSU "representatives" swung carpen­ ters' mallets, monkey fists, twoby-fours and clubs that resem­ bled sawed-off chair legs. All six Seafarers, although they fought back, were injured, three of them seriously. back and chest.' The deck was ponditions the same on Canad­ "One CSU man had been to The fourth Seafarer's state­ covered with blood. # ian ships as on United States Russia, and came back to tell ment said: "The weapons used on me were ships. We can do that through his fellow union men what he "I was in my bunk at the blackjacks and two-by-fours, the SIU. The SIU keeps ships saw. He was fined 25 dollars time of the attack. Three men reported to the police, who ar­ clean, and cuts down on gas- and told to shut up. He refused came in. Two began hitting me rived about_4:00 a.m., that it was hounds and performers who are to pay the fine and joined the on the head with clubs. The attempted murder. a menace, to their fellow crew­ SIU. third worked on me with a car­ "Brutal attacks like this should men ... CSU crews keep their "My uncles also told me how penter's mallet. The clubs were not be tolerated in any civilized ships filthy. They have the com­ the CSU stuffed ballots by bring­ the size of the leg of a chair, country. I fought the Germans munist idea of getting paid for ing in men from the East. So I I got a swollen ankle, lumps on in two wars, and will fight this not working..." joined the SIU. the front and back of my head, thing here. The government has 5'he third Seafarer to•make a "In 1945 I was getting $87.50 a bruised back and bruises on taken a lukewarm attitude tow­ statement declared: as a Fireman. On the same job arms and chest. I haven't beenard this and similar incidents. "I am 21 years old. I have on the same ship, two weeks bothered since the attack. I do Presumably it wishes to remain been in the SIU since the sum­ before I joined the Triland, I not believe they know me. I was on the fence for coming elec­ mer of 1945. When it came time was getting-$159.00—plus over­ hospitalized." tions. for me to join a union, I talked time, which was a practically A 19-year-old Seafarer who "The next day after the at­ it over with my father and unknown institution when I suffered cuts, sprains and bruises tack, a CSU picket boat came uncles, all of whom have always started in 1945. while asleep in the petty offi­ alongside of the Triland and been. interested in the trade un­ "At the time of the attack cer's cabin was hospitalized, but CSU men shouted through loud­ ion movement and are union on the Triland, I was in the en­ speakers: ''What's the matter? men. They pointed out to me gine room... but later came up made no statement. Neither did Can't you sleep? You better lock the communist influence in the and saw the remains of the the OS who was knocked un­ conscious. your cabins. We'll be back to CSU. battle." finish .the job.' "I am 49 years oldi I have DISTRESS SIGNAL been going to sea for 30 years One Seafarer stumbled through and have 35 discharges from deep the darkened ship to find the sea vessels. I have been a mem­ 8hip-to-shore telephone, only to ber of the British Seamen's and discover that the wire had been Firemen's Union and the Inter­ cut. He hastily fixed the severed national Longshoremen's Asso­ ciation. From 1939 to 1946 I was line and called the SIU Hall. Then he managed to sound in the Canadian Army. the Triland's distress signal, "I have been in the SIU since which had the effect of inducing 1946. Association with the SIU the attackers to scramble off the is a great advantage for Canad­ ship and escape into the pre­ ian seamen, as it gives us great­ dawn. But by then the damage er bargaining power and the finest contracts in the world as had been done. models." The assault on the Triland The second Seafarer to make crew by CSU goons was reminis­ a statement about the affair cent of earlier CSU assaults on spoke as follows: Seafarers asleep in a hotel jn "I am a Canadian citizen, aged McAdam, New Brunswick, and 22. I have been going to sea aboard a ship in Montreal. It was also typical of what CSU since 1944. In 1946 I joined the thugs have been doing in recent SIU of which I am a bookmember. An agent of the CSU offer­ weeks in Vancouver. ed me a CSU book with three The small brother of one Sea­ months dueis paid. I refused. farer was beaten up one day ROCKS THROWN while he was playing outdoors "On the day before the big with a ball. A Seafarer was fol­ lowed to his girl's house one- attack on the Triland I was with night and both he and his girl a friend, when we were attacked were worked over. Nor were by CSU men. My friend jumped off the end of the pier. His at­ these incidents all. In the attack aboard the Tri­ tackers .hurled huge rocks at land, one of the goons was rec­ him. I threw one of my attack­ ognized. The man was described ers to the ground and began to by a Seafarer as "a psycho- pummel him. A passing team­ pathological case who has fre­ ster came to my aid. quently boasted of ambushing "At the. time of the attack on German boys and beating^them the Triland I was sleeping peace­ up, and attacking and raping fully in my sack. I awoke to German girls while in the occu­ find myself.being struck on the head and shoulders with a mon­ pation army." key fist soaked in white lead. NINE GASHES "Fortunately I was in the lower Four of the men who were bunk so that my attacker could aboard the Triland issued state­ not swing their weapon effec­ ments for the LOG. The names tively. "Hence I was able to grab it, of these men are omitted to pre­ vent reprisals on them—and their pull it away from him and use families. The first of them said:- it in my own defense... My "At 3:30 a.m.. May 26, 1949, I roommate, Steve, was knocked was awakened by loud scream­ out and suffered a badly swollen ing. I got out of my bunk and elbow. I was able to get away stepped out into the alley. As I with light wounds on the head "What's the latest on Cities Service?" a member >vrites the LOG. Well, here is how left my cabin I was struck on and arms. My groin also suffered things stand as of press time: the head with a hard object. from blows with the monkey-fist. The regional office of the National Labor Relations Board is still investigating the "After I had beaten off my Half stunned, I grappled with my attacker, whereupon I was attackers I ran out on the boat 19 "objections" filed by the company after its unlicensed personnel overwhelmingly again slugged on the head sev­ deck. It and the mess room were designated the SIU as their collective bargaining agent. eral times from behind. covered with blood. I tried the As soon as the NLRB regional office concludes its investigation of the company "Blows rained upon my body shore telephone, but it had been and head from all .sides. I slipped cut. I repaired it and phoned charges, it will submit a report to the Washington office for a final ruling. If the ob­ and fell several times. Some­ the SIU International Represen­ jections are thrown out, an order duly certifying the SIU as collective bargaining agent how I got hold of a fire axe. I tatives who notified SIU branches is expected to be issued at that point. do not know whether I picked it of what had happened. The Cities Service Tankermen's Association — CTMA — is dead and buried, but tho up from the deck or took it "After I phoned, I began blow­ old company lawyers are stirring her grave, trying to put the breath of life in her beatdown off the wall. It stands to ing the ship's whistle. Soon the reason I was not struck on the dock watchman appeared. He up, fat — but very cold — carcass. But she's dead, all right, because you can smell her head with the fire axe, as no told me to stop the racket as it even more strongly than when the Cities Service lawyers first tried to sell her to the man could survive that. was 'nothing serious.' The at­ CS seamen. "I drove the attackers off with tackers had left the ship by Meanwhile, all pro-Union men aboard Cities Service ships are urged to remain on the axe and with help frbm way of the dock, presumably their vessels until they receive the protection of an SIU contract. If asked to sign a Other members of the_^crew. under tljie very nose of the CTMA petition, do so, as the company is still making every attempt to rid its fleet of "I have nine gashes on my watchman. head and bruise? on my arms, "Our aim is to get wages and known pro-Union seamen.- �Page Four THE Tampa SlU Active In AFL Drive To Win Better Deal For Labor SEAFARER S/EOG TALKING THE MATTER OVER By RAY WHITE TAMPA—Shipping and busi­ of 125,000—affiliated with the ness are on the slow side in this AFL. port, but we are still managing Labor's League for Political to ship replacements on the Education, the AFL educational coastwise ships, which are com­ body with which we are coop­ erating, is making great strides ing in here as usual. We had the Canton Victory locally. A candidate for public in for a payoff last Simday. office has a good chance of be­ There is a good crew aboard this ing elected if he has the back­ ship, so there wasn't any ing of this group. trouble. We shipped several re­ However, before any support placements to this vessel and al­ is given, a man must have con­ so to the Chickasaw, another crete proof that he is a staunch supporter of organised labor and caller. There were a number of beefs that he will work in its behalf. on the Chickasaw that were la­ Several oldtimers are around belled "Skipper-made." It ap­ at this time, among them Jimpears that the Skipper doesn't mie Jones, Paul Brinson and old like the way the Steward parts man Bill Scarlett, who just came in from Mobile. his hair. Sonny Simmons, former Port He cuts the Steward's orders Agent, paid off the Canton Vic­ for stores, then beefs because he tory last Tuesday, after having doesn't get everything he wants. been aboard for several months. The crew rates the Steward as He decided to hang around for okay. We visited the ship sev­ a while and catch up on his eral times while she was in port, fishing. and lined' things up somewhat. SIU HITS LABOR FOE Friday, June 10, 1949 Port Galveston Rides Wave Of Good Shipping By KEITH ALSOP The Philadelphia Branch made a change for the better when it moved recently to new quarters at 337 Market Street. Here are Dispatcher Ray Oates^ (left) and Port Agent Jim Sheehan as they discuss the benefits .of the move. Photo »was submitted to the LOG by Seafarer RichaAl Martinez. The LOG hopes to have a picture layout of the new Hall in a future issue. Put Photo In Union Book For Protection GALVESTON — Shipping has been good in the Port of Galves­ ton—so good, in fact, that there haven't been enough men around: here in the past six weeks to constitute a quorum for a meet­ ing. However, a sufficient number of men has been coming in from other ports to solve the problem. Present indications poiint to some pretty fair shipping for the next couple of weeks. Scheduled for possible payoffs here thus far are an Isthmian scow, a Miss­ issippi ship and a couple of Wa­ terman jobs. You can't count heavily on the Waterman ships, however, as that outfit can change its mind on payoffs faster than a woman can in buying a hat. PAYOFFS Vessels that paid off here in the past two-week shipping pe­ riod were the SS Beauregard, Waterman, in Galveston; SS Ed­ ward Markham, South Atlantic, in Houston; SS Warrior, Water­ man, in Houston; SS T. Haywood, Waterman, in Port Arthur, and the SS John Hanson; White Range, in Galveston. Signing on again *were the Beauregard, Edward Markham, Warrior, T. Haywood and the John Hanson. All beefs at the payoffs and sign-ons were taken care of in regular SIU fashion. A couple of the Brothers are iri the local Marine Hospital as of this writing. They're Bill Brown and Fred P. Lallier. The announcement on the local labor news front is that the AFL State Federation of Labor will hold its annual convention some­ time during the latter part of. this month. The Seafarers will be i-epresented. We'll keep you informed on the proceedings of the con­ vention through this column. The SIU here was highly in­ strumental in getting Tom Wat­ By JOE ALGINA probably be settled soon. The for the job ahead of permitmen son's anti-labor law sent back Dowling has finished her work if they have the rating. for a State-wide referendum. We NEW YORK—Before plunging for awhile and is heading for Speaking of misunderstand­ had a representative at Tallahas­ into the breakdown of the ship­ ings, a lot of squabbles come up Baltimore to lay up. see, the state capital, during the ping situation in the New York aboard ship over who is supposed The sign ons were: Steel Re­ time the bill was under discus- area, here's a suggestion worthy to do a specific job not outlined corder, Elizabeth, Suzanne, Cor­ sion. of consideration by book mem­ nelia, Beatrice, Kathryn, Sea- in the agreement. The Committee on Labor Leg­ bers: train New Jersey, Seatrain New Several times Cooks have com­ islation voted ten-to-two to re­ A man's Union book is his York, Robin Goodfellow, Robin plained that they were doing fer it to the people. This is a means of making his livelihood victory for organized labor in and he usually protects it care­ Mowbray, Robin Trent, Colabee, work that was not their duty. Bessemer Victory, Algonquin Unless the agreement says speci­ Florida. fully, but sometimes a book is Victory and Gadsden. fically that they are not to do The Watson law is as bad, if lost and months later it turns up The Gadsden was in lay-up af­ the work, they should pitch in not worse than the Taft-Hartley in the hands of some character ter carrying grain for awhile with the other Cooks and do the law. trying to pass himself off as a and is now going back to hauling work instead of bickering among Labor's best friend in this Seafarer. themselves. state—Senator Claude Pepper- To combat this, Seafarers are locomotives to Turkey. One of the m.isunderstandings PITCH IN is up for re-election next year. urged to paste a passport picture of the Union shipping rules There is some talk of Tom Wat­ of themselves inside the book's The work has to be done and son opposing him. Senator Pep­ cover and write their name comes from permitmen who do a little teamwork makes the per makes no bones abqut the across the picture, and onto the not understand the rights of work makes the work easier and fact that he strongly supports margin in the book. This way an bookmen under group registra­ the crew relations a lot happier. Before closing, it's worth re­ organized labor. Both Watson imposter would have a tough tion. A bookmember has priority peating that men who get off a and Governor Millard Caldwell, time rigging the book to suit oyer a permitman at all times. If ship for medical reasons should who is another possible candi­ himself. a bookman, for example, is reg­ apply for unemployment pay as date, are opposed to labor. A lot of men have made this istered, in group I and a job soon as they are released from Florida already has one anti- move already and the SIU urges comes up in another group for the hospital. labor man in Washingt<ki. He is that the entire membership do which he has the rating, he has Regardless of the illness—den­ Senator Spessard Holland, a the same to protect themselves. the right to take the job ahead tal work included—men should All Saafarers now paying staunch supporter of the T-H If Seafarers are in New York, dues on tripcards are re­ law, who has stumped the state they can make the protection of a permitman, provided, how­ get a hospital slip from the Skip­ quested to forward their praising this anti-labor legisla­ doubly safe by stopping at the ever, there is no bookman avail­ per and collect their unemploy­ cards to SIU Headquarters, tion, Unfortunately, Holland still 6th Deck and having the official able who is registered in that ment insurance when they are has three years to serve of his Union seal impressed on their group. 6th"Floor, 51 Beaver Street,. recovered. They have a legiti­ current term. New York for exchange to ^ In other words, if no bookmen mate right to the money and photograph. permits. This business of using identi­ are around for a job, bookmen should make their claim as soon AFL ORGANIZING DRIVES fying photographs is only a sug­ from other groups can throw in as possible. : A drive is presently under gestion and is by no means a way to organize Maas Brothers, Union rule. It just seems to be a the c i t y's largest department good idea, and the protection it gives is worth the few minutes store. Considerable progress has it takes to have the picture taken. sels called here ih-transit: Alcoa Word has been received from By CAL TANNER b^n made, despite the fact that Roamer, Steel Mariner, Greeley, the Waterman Steamship ComFAIR SAILING innumerable obstacles have been MOBILE — Although shipping Victory, Del Alba and Bull Run. pany that the body of Wayne J. placed in the way of the AFL Back to the shipping picture: has been somewhat slow during Only a few minor beefs pop­ Wookey, a bookmember who, Retail Clerks Union, not only by This past period we paid off 20 the past two weeks, the pros­ was stabbed to death in Salon­ Maas Brothers but other em­ ships and signed on 15, for what pects for next week appear ped during the payoffs, but all ika, Greece, during a stopover ployers as well. However, it we'll term a fair week across the much brighter. Scheduled so far were settled to the crews' satis­ of the Fairhope, was being re­ looks, as though this time the board. for crewing are four Waterman faction. The in-transit ships were turned to Mobile on the same in good shape. Retail Clerks will win. The payoffs were: Elizabeth, C-2s and an Alcoa C-1. The Alabama State Federa­ vessel. Our relations with the other Suzanne, Cornelia, Beatrice and Ships paying off here included The funeral will probably take trade unions are tops. We have Kathryn, Bull; Steel Recorder, the Fairhope, Afoundria, Ponce tion of Labor held its annual place here. A complete story on convention in Mobile a couple given assistance to the Laundry Steel Vendor, Steel Scientist and de Leon, Wild Ranger, Antinous, Workers, the Teamsters and the Allegheny Victory, Isthmian; Bret Harte, Yaka, Jeff Davis and of weeks ago. The Seafarers In­ this incident will be carried in Retail Clerks during the past Seatrains New York and New the Morning Light, all Waterman, ternational was well-represent­ next week's report. ed, with 31 delegates attending Brothers in the Marine Hos­ couple of weeks. Jersey; Robin Mowbray and Rob­ and the Alcoa Clipper. The Laundry Workers asked in Trent; Colabee, AmericanSigning on were the Clipper, in behalf of several affiliated or- pital during the past week in­ for aid during their organizing Hawaiian; Julesburg, Terminal bound for the British West In­ ganizationsr These SIU dele­ cluded J. B. Berreier, E. Collins, drive and we responded readily. Tankers; Purdue Victory, Besse­ dies; the Morning Light, heading gates represented all branches H. Ashurst, F. Goose, L. How­ They were successful in obtain­ mer Victory and Azalea City, for Puerto Rico; the Jeff Davis, of the maritime industry, and ard, L. Atkins, J. Naylor and J; ing a contract with the city's Waterman; Algonquin Victory, scheduled for stops at London, they were received with respect L. Worley. largest laundries, the Latin-Am­ St. Lawrence Navigation, and Bremen, Antwerp, and Rotter­ by the convention. The meeting Among those on the beach are erican and Imperial outfits. William Dowling, State Fuel. dam. The Alawai, Waterman, lasted four days. Lynaugh, H. C. Fields, Eyag-' Once labor's forces are con­ All were in good shape and also signed on, for a run to The Marine Allied Workers' elos Stratis, J. Byers,' C. Sey­ organizing drive in .the Gulf is solidated here, Tampa will be easy for "the Patrolmen to square Greece, Italy and Turkey. mour, H. House, J. Crews, L, the best organized city in the away. The only beef still hang­ The - Antinous and Wild Rang­ in full swing and it looks as US. At this time, we have 50,- ing fire came up in the Steel er signed on continuous articles. though' this outfit , is really going Taylor, H. Wilson, F. James^ . _ I Andy George and- F. Jldwards. C90 people—out cf a - population Scientist's black gang and will In addition, the following Ves­ places. A&6 Tripcards Mobile Shipping Prospects Seem Brighter �THE Friday. June 10. 1949 SEAFARERS Page Five LOG % WHAT ttWMIC.,, QUESTION: What incident gave you the greatest thrill of your seagoing career?. JAMES E. WILSON. FOW; D. E. MILLER. FWT: JOHN C. JACKSON, MM: BENNO ZIELINSKI, Deck Eng.: PABLO DEPAZ, MM: In 1945 I made my first trip to sea from the West Coast. I Was dispatched to a C-4 headed for India, to pick up and return home 2500 American soldiers. In addition . to the thrill of being aboard my first ship. I found interesting the way the voyage was planned, right down to the finest detail. I was amazed at the efficiency that went into the organizing of a ship for a big Job. The storing, crewing, and timing of the operation was top notch. It was a line trip and everything came off okay. Stores were adequate and everybody was happy to see that the affair went off so well. Seeing Rio de Janeiro for the first time, back in 1945, gave me one of the biggest thrills I've had since going to sea. I was only there a few days, but I got around to see most of the points of interest, among which was Sugar Loaf Mountain, which I ascended by cable car. On sec­ ond thought, though, I probably got a bigger thrill than the Rio visit. That was the time I learn­ ed we were leaving the Persian Gulf after shuttling- out of there for a period of nine months. The heat had taken a terrific toll among the crew, and I guess I was almost stir crazy. Outside of supporting other unions, such as the ILGWU, which 1 found interesting, an ex­ perience I had in 1947 gave me the biggest thrill of my sea­ going career. While my ship was in Bremen I took some time off to fly to Berlin. When the Army transport plane I was aboard came over Berlin, I saw the ruins of the German capitol spread out under us. The sight was awe-inspiring. It brought home to me the full effects of the war and the allied bombs. Skeletons of buildings and debris everywhere took my breath away. It was my biggest thrill, and also mute testimony to the terrible toll of war. Changing from a lifeboat to a raft after my ship, the old Penmar, was torpedoed by a Nazi sub off Iceland during the war. Our lifeboat was overloaded and we couldn't bail her out fast enough. They asked for volun­ teers to go on a raft. I went, then three others followed me. All together we were on the water 84 hours. As we were abandoning ship, the Captain's Steward tossed me a bottle of gin, which I figured I'd Jpreak out when spirits were low. When I took the bottle out later and passed it around, you should have seen the Skipper's face as he recognized the familiar label. I was in Calcutta the day In­ dia got her independence from the British. That was a great day for the people of Calcutta and for everybody else in India, I guess. The people were all dressed up and they danced and shouted in the streets all day^ I guss that, when you wait for a couple of hundred years or so to get your freedom, it really means something when the great day comes. I went ashore to watch the celebration, and I got a thrill from seeing so many people happy at once. Freedom is something that makes any­ body happy. Maybe there isn't enough of it in the world. DOUGLAS O'NEILL. ABt JOHN FEDESOVICH, Wiper: JOE KOTALIK, Bellboy: EDWARD GONSALVES, OS: This isn't exactly in the na­ ture of a thrilling experience, but it certainly gave me one of the biggest laughs I've had at sea. I was aboard the Morning Zught at the time. We were down in Mayaguez, P.R. Two of the crew were painting the side of the ship from a small boat on the offshore side. They were us­ ing "man helpers," dipping them into five gallon buckets of paint. Suddenly those on deck lieard some commotion. We looked down. The water around the small boat was covered with red paint and our two painters were swimming around in the stuff. They got a big horse laugh. On New Year's Day, 1949, we were moving into Portland, Ore­ gon, in a storm. Suddenly we came upon a fishing boat hove to in the weather. She was ob­ viously in bad shape. There were two men aboard her, one of them a 19-year-old kid. We brought them aboard our ship. They were all-in, having gone at least two days without sleep and, I guess, without food. They were just lost in the storm. We tried to tow their boat, but the line broke and a couple of days later their boat was found wrecked. They were lucky we picked them up. To me it was a lesson on how tough the sea can be. 1 don't know. It depends on what you mean. There are all kinds Of thrills. I remember one thing that gave me a bang. In May 1947, I was Messman aboard the Del Norte. We were coming into Rio de Janeiro one day. Suddenly overhead there ap­ peared three' American planes. I think they were B-25s. Anyway, they came in low and circled us. Then they circled us^ again, and a couple more times. Finally they dipped their wings and flew away. Whether it was a thrill for anyone else or not, I don't know, but it was exciting to me to be greeted in a foreign port by our own airplanes. During the recent war I was on an ATS ship, the State of Virginia, which was en route to Brazil from Trinidad. We were traveling in convoy, of course. In that period of the war, the Nazi submarines were operating around the clock in the South Atlantic and they picked off ships like clay pigeons. So, sure enough, a pack of raiders showed up when we were about half way to Brazil. They let go with the torpedoes and although we didn't get hit, several ships in the convoy were sent to the bot­ tom. There was plenty of ex­ citement on board our ship, which was loaded with soldiers. NORMAN EDWARDS, FWT: Back in England in 1941, a group of British seamen were as­ signed to man two ships, the Pacific and the Messala, which we were to pick up in the US. I was about to sign for the Paci­ fic when a friend said the Mes­ sala would be in New Orleans and, therefore, a better deal. The Pacific was sailing from New York. After innumerable com­ plications caused by the Messala's unseaworthiness, we were forced to drop behind the con­ voy, which later was attacked by the Nazis. 25 of the 77 ships were lost. When I got to London, I heard that the Pacific had gone down and that only one man survived. I sure was grate­ ful for mt friend's advice. �Page Six THE SEAFARERS Friday. June 10. 1949 LOG AMD NEWS DeSoto Crewman Urges ShipmatesTo Back AFL Typos In Miami Strike * SEAFARERS ABOARD THE ALCOA PIONEER ^ . •* , > s ^ -i/,, ' /- The 125 members of the International Typo­ graphical Union now on strike against the Daily News and the Herald in Miami deserve the full support of the SIU, Sea-* farer Philip Reyes told meeting he chaired last the crew of the SS De month. He said that the newspaper Soto, Waterman coast­ publishers were trying to force wise ship, at a shipboarc the open shop down the throats of the Miami typos, and were using Florida's own anti-closed shop law as well as the TaftHartley Act to do it. Because the SIU does not maintain a Hall in Miami, Reyes suggested that the crew of any ship touch­ ing that port go see the strikers The men of the Waterman and give some tangible evidence vessel, Antinous, are pressing a of support. search for the former crewmemBITTER STRUGGLE bers of the Marine Arrow. The The Miami printers' strike has reason: to thank them for the washing machine given them been in progress for six months. when the Marine Arrow was It began when the publishers sold to another company. tried to get an open shop con­ tract, a contract which would The matter came up recently allow non-union printers to work at a shipboard meeting, and a alongside union printers for suggestion was made that the SEAFARERS LOG be employed wages and conditions the ITU to convey the thanks of the An­ won. ITU officials say that the publishers obviously are trying tinous crew for the fine gift. to rim the typographical union One of the crewmembers, in out of Miami. commenting on the union-like gesture, stated that the action Seafarer Reyes pointed out to of the Marine Arrow men "spoke his crewmates that the Interna­ - louder than anything of real tional Typographical Union was imity and brotherhood." one of the oldest organizations The crew bemoaned the fact in the American Federation of that they did not have the Labor and was playing an im­ names of the crewmembers re­ portant role in the fight on the sponsible for the gift, but hop­ Taft-Hartley Act and the "little ed that they would leam some­ Taft-Hartleys" which a number how of the Antinous crew's of state legislatures have adopt­ ed. "A boost for the type-setters thanks. from Seafarers touching Miami Appropriately enough, the top­ ic discussed during the meet­ would be a first class demon­ ing's education was: Unity of stration of inter-union solidar­ the SIU. ity," Reyes declared. The meeting was chairmaned Recording the meeting's pro­ by Charles O. Lee and recorded ceedings was Raffael Martini. by Paul Carter. Antinous Crew Seeks To Thank Arrow Brothers Tail End Of A Fish Story V. G. Colas, an AB aboard Isthmian's Steel Chemist, got a chance to display his skill as a fisherman recently as the vessel lay off Vizgapatam, in the Bay of Bengal. Casting a line from the ship's deck. Colas hooked a five foot, 75 pound shark. After he had subdued his quarry, Colas went down over the side of the Chemist and posed for the customary picture, taken by one of his shipmates. He then turned his catch over to several eager natives, who con­ sider the tiger shark something of a table delicacy. Passenger Crewman Is Rabid Hobbyist Between trips the average crewemember of a passenger ship has hardly enough time to get used to the feel of land afoot be­ fore heading out to sea again, but Fred Schroeder, Plumber on Del­ ta Line's SS Del Norte, manages in his few days ashore to squeeze in flings at his half dozen or so hobbies besides courting a New Orleans girl. A young man in a hurry, In the meantime; however, he'll Schroeder usually wastes no time content - himself with sailing getting ashore in his hometown aboard the Del Norte and getting of New Orleans and out to the in a few licks at his hobbies be­ wide open spaces where he may tween trips. take a spin in a plane, hunt rab­ What his girl friend thinks of bits in the backwoods, troll for his many avocations isn't known, big ones in the Gulf, or maybe but chances are that she's handy take to the highway on his mo­ with a rifle and fishing rod. How torcycle. In his less adventurous else could she keep up with the moments he hobbies with horses. guy? The 23-year-old Seafarer, a member of the SIU since 1943, can't explain his avid pursuit of the many sports, other than to say that he likes to get'around and enjoy himself while doing it, FLYING TIME Most of his hobbies he picked up as a youth in and around the The ill-fated raid on the MV big southern city. It was after a Sea Trader by Venezuelan cus­ long haul aboard the tug Watch toms men took place in the port Hill in the Pacific during the of Maracaibo, and not in La war that he turned his interest Guaira as originally reported in to flying. He'll soon receive a the ship's minutes of April 10, commercial pilot's license. according to Charles OppenheimFor the future, when he gets er. Oppenheimer served as sec­ more than a few days off, he retary-treasurer of the shipboard plans to team up with six other meeting at which the Maracaibo fellows in a cabin cruiser and go incident was discussed. on a long cruise fof- the bigger The story of the Sea Trader fish in the sea. Another long crew's experience in the Vene­ range desire is to get on the zuelan • port appeared in the FRED SCHROEDER African run and bag an elephant. SEAFARERS LOG of May 10. It revealed that customs men had illegally boarded the vessel and seized the property of two crew members. After the crew vigor­ ously protested the arbitrary ac­ tion, the customs officials told! By SALTY DICK the two men to report at the Ray Flynn has finally left someone came to his rescue... customs house, where they said a Delia scow after being on it Erasemo Arroyo dreams of the the property would be returned. for over two years. The rea­ day when he can retire from Instead, they placed the claim­ son was illness... For those the sea and live in the hills of ants under arrest. The Sea Trad­ who do not know it„ the SIU. Puerto Rico with cows and er's Skipper and crew then ap­ Constitution reads you can be chickens. pealed to the American consul. fined $10 for the first offense Men are still being trained As a result, the customs men for being drunk and bring the in the U. & Maritime School were forced to release the two Union into ill repute. Read at St. Petersburg... While on men and return their property. Article XX. Section 5... The the high seas suggest Sparks Oppenheimer advised crew­ big fellow you see around the to get Station WPG in Nor­ members who might have sim­ HaU in New York looking like folk for maritime news. I un­ ilar experiences in the South a million and smiling all the derstand that Wayne Miller is American port to be just as firm time is Albert DeForrest. He's announcer... Mike Kolokik has as th^ Sea Trader men were in « on the beach but receiving his finally gotten a slow boat to opposing the illegal raids. How­ pay every week. China. He had a minor oper­ ever, the success of the Sea Shorty Sanchez is the little Trader crew in turning the fellow who fell into a huge tank ation recently and the doctor tables on the raiders is expect­ on a ship and was not mi^ed told him "it won't be long ed to considerably reduce the until he started yelling and now." possibility of recurrences. Seafarers Turned Tables On Customs In Port Maracaibo 'The Voice Of The Sea' BIG CHOMPERS Colas said that the shark had some 150 teeth. Each row of 75, contained 50 saw teeth, he swd. The Steel Chemist paid off in Baltimore on May 10, following a five month voyage. • Crewmember Paul Perez look Ihis photograph of some of his shipmates during a stopover at Halifax recently. While in port, the pioneer men exchanged greetings with their Brothers of the SIU Canadian District. V. G. COLAS �Friday. June 10, 1949 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings more careful in dumping refuse ALGONQUIN VICTORY. April 17—Gene Flowers, Chair­ off the fantail. Minute of si­ lence for lost Brothers. man: John W. Parker. Secretary. « it « Engine and stewards delegates KATHRYN, April 5 — A. reported all okay, deck delegate Oquendo. Chairman: T. W. Blanreported disputed overtime for ton. Secretary. Six men on es­ cleaning bilges. Motion carried sential duty excused from meet­ that Steward order new mat­ ing. No departmental beefs. tresses and pillows and that Ship's delegate i-eported that Duvernoy's bread and Snow foc'sle ventilation system was in­ Boy washing powder not be pur­ effective ^nd unhealthy and that chased. -Motion carried to get something should be done about after 1st Assistant for not re­ it. Report accepted. Voted for pairing' boom collars. Good and new awning over poop deck and Welfare: Suggestion made that delegates contact Baltimore "gestion of 1st Assistant Engin­ for painting of mess hall. Also TiTith./irwiyAgent concerning transportation eer that present Engine delegate voted that delegates should call ~ cr _ and new wage scale. Stewards be replaced. Bosun reported that meeting if and when a man is Department given vote of thanks deck department would be given fired so that crew can decide for fine food served during voy­ time off in port. Deck depart­ whether or not the firing was age, especially the wonderful ment to draw for gangway justified. Decided to send this resolution to Headquarters for Easter dinner. One minute of watches. possible wider action. Repair silence observed for departed 4 4 4 list prepai-ed. Various matters Brothers. ALCOA PIONEER. May 3 — discussed under Good and Weir Huff. Chairxnah: Drawdy, Secre­ fare. tary. Reports of delegates ac­ cepted. Motion by Story that all men desiring to pay off in Hali­ fax notify ship's delegate as soon as possible. Motion by Bouland 4. S. 4. 4 4 4 STEEL MAKER, April 3 —A. that in future no shipboard MARINA. April 7 — V. SwanWoodferd. Chairman: T. Con- meetings be held before 8 A.M. cepcion. Secretary. Delegates re­ or after 5 P.M. Motion defeated. son. Chairman: E. Goulding. ported no beefs. New Business: Motion by Rubinoff that after Secretar;i% Minutes of previous Motion carried that the crew the first draw in Halifax only meeting accepted. Elected Rowe pantry scullery be fixed for bet­ American money will be accept­ to post of ship's delegate. Repair ter drainage. Also that coffee ed, where it does not conflict list to be turned over to Patrol­ urn be repaired. Good and Wel­ with existing currency laws. One man in States. Voted to repair By HANK fare: Suggestion made that old minute of silence for departed kitchen utensils. Minute of si­ lence in memory of departed library be exchanged for new Brothers. The average Seafarer has either a .mustache or. smokes cigars. Brothers. reading material when ship ar­ 4 4 4, We haven't any statistics on all this, but we can't help noticing 4 4 4 rives in Honolulu. STEEL APPRENTICE. Mar. 27 these things. By the way, we're wondering if cigar-smoking CITRUS PACKER. April 10— —C. Loesch, Chairman: B. Un4. 4. Brothers have a choice, in several brands of cigars put of the shipSTEEL RECORDER. April 24 dertajlo. Secretary. Delegates re­ H. Gordon. Chairman: W. H. boai'd slop chests in these times? ... Flash News—Johnny Ward Kumke. Secretary. No beefs in Eddie Lessor, Chairman: J. ported everything running sailed into this town with his mustache after a voyage... Brother Taboada, Secretary. New Busi­ smoothly. No New Business. Good Deck Department, but engine Blackie Connoi's writes from Hawaii saying his ship SS Steel ness: Motion carried that Patrol­ and Welfare: Suggestion made delegate i-eported two permits Maker is tied up by the longshoremen's strike. Okay, Jim, the man be contacted about fumiga­ that a letter be sent to the SIU missed ship in Kobe and ste­ LOGs are on their way down to you • in Kahului, Maui... Brother tion of the ship. Motion carried Hall complimenting the Stew­ wards delegate said there was Ray Duhrkopp came in-transit last week, with his mustache. He's that crew quarters be painted. ards Department on the good an overtime beef to be settled. aboard the SS Gadsden... Little Joe Kotalik must be a dapperMotion carried that a voluntary feeding and handling of food. Varied discussion under Good looking Seafarer when he's rigged up in that passenger ship bell­ donation be made for SIU sea­ One minute of silence for de­ and Welfare covering laundry, boy's uniform... One of the Gulf oldtimers. Brother E. W. Mayo, repair list and slopchest. men at Fort Stanton TB hospi­ parted Brothers. sailed into one of our ports. Where are you. Brother Mayo?... 4-4 4 tal. Good and Welfare: Suggest­ FYom a letter we learn that- another oldtimer, Brother Harold DANIEL H. LOWNSDALE. ed that delegates have books in April 3—Duke Livingston. Chair­ Laurvik is taking a little vacation from the sea (as he calls it) order for Patrolmen. All quar­ man: R. Guild. Secretary. Deck, out in Kansas. Smooth vacationing. Brother Laurvik... Artie King, ters to be tidied up for the new engine and stewards delegates well-known cake Baker, shipped out on the Seatrain Havana along crew. reported no beefs beyond a few with the oldtime Bosun, M. Van Ryswyk. 4 4 4 ^ 4 JOHN B. WATERMAN, April STEEL ADMIRAL. Mar. 31— disputed hours. Under Good and 10—Luke Collins. Chairman: E. W. W. Weslbrook, Chairman: M. Welfare talked over the food sit­ Brother "Tiny" Mease sailed into town recently after a Jones, Secretary. Delegates re­ L. McCarly. Secretary. Delegates uation, making suggestions for benefit of the Steward and voyage with Brother Pete King—who stayed on for another ported beefs on overtime due for reported no beefs. Good and not breaking sea watches. Mo­ Welfare: McMullen suggested Cooks. Repair list drawn up. round of good voyaging... Frank Waller sailed into town after tion carried that a letter be sent that crew get together on clean­ Minute of silence for lost three months of inter-coastal... Brother Ivan Whitney is in to Union Hall concerning 2nd ing of passageways, heads, show­ Brothers. town with his mustache after tripping on the IbervUle. If you're 4 4 4 Cook who missed the ship, caps- ers and pantry. Suggested that FLORIDA. April 13—L. Shaw. in the frame of mind to talk about wrestling, as a topic of ing it to sail shorthanded. Good some arrangement be made to Chairman: T. R. Hyde. Secretary. conversation only, then Ivan is sure to bend a willing ear. and Weilarc: Suggestion made prevent outsiders from raiding Department delegates' reports that punching bag be put up to night lunch. Suggestion made He's done a bit of groaning and grimacing at one time, we've accepted. Collection for Brother give crew a work out. Suggestion that Patrolman see Chief Mate learned... Bosun Mike Rossi is in town again after several Herman Laundres totaled 196 made that New York' launch about requiring men to sign re­ months of shipping—with mustache and those "hearts" games dollars. Under Good and Wel­ tickets be turned over to ship's ceipt for $1 in case of loss of no doubt... Here's an item we forgot to mention in our last fare, various shipboard problems delegate to see if money can foc'sle key. One minute of silence were discussed. Minute of si­ column. Brother "Red" Beers is in town a few weeks now from be collected. for departed Brothers. the West Coast. Red, who is a bartender (sea-going, if we're lence for Brothers lost at sea. correct) hasn't been in this town for many years. We hope 4 '4 4 SANDCHIEF. AprU 9 — Ed "Red" isn't talking into his beers about having enough of Parr. Chairman: John Cole. Sec­ this expensive town already. retary. Previous meeting min­ utes accepted. Deck and engine duties and overtime problem dis­ The SEAFARERS LOG will be sailing free of cost to the LOYOLA VICTORY. AprU 18 homes of the following Brothers—Leonard Kennedy of Alabama, cussed in detail. Stewards De­ 4 4 4 partment had no beefs. Voted —Seeburger. Chairman: Cairns. EVISTAR, March 27 — Cox. to appropriate funds to purchase Secretary. Departmental re­ J. H. Martin of New York, Clifford Umfieet of Missouri, Curtis Chairman; N a g 1 e. Secretary. games and other recreational ports accepted. Under Good and Ridge of California, Joseph Bierman of New Jersey, Archie Carter Delegates reported on number of material for use of crew. Voted Welfare discussed making repairs of North Carolina, M. G. Batchelor of Alabama, Harold Witt of books and permits in their de­ that any man leaving ship must of washing machine, painting^ Maryland, James Sellers of Georgia, E. P. Sahuque of Louisiana... partments. New Business: Mo­ give 24 hours notice and wait deck gang foc'sles, pantry and A few' Seafarers in town right now are: Elmer Witzke, Andy tion by Jarvis to send a repre­ for replacement from Union messhall as Mate had promised Hom-illa, Roy White and Bill Doran, Francis Sylvia, W. W. Reidy, John Bednar, big George Whale, the Steward, with his familiar sentative to Hall to see if it is Hall. Failure to follow this pro­ at begining of the trip. cigars... Since one of the well-known oldtimers sailed, there's possible to pay off without Pa­ cedure to result in charges. 4 4 4 one record we don't hear in the music-boxes. It's called "The trolman. Good and Welfare: Dis­ Broad discussion under Good 9TEEL AGE. April 13—R. LiStreets of Laredo." cussion on performers, condi­ and Welfare. pari. Chairman: B. B. Darley. tions, welfare of crew and Union. Secretary. No beefs reported by 4 4 4 department delegates. R. Lipari SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY, 4 4 4 Brother Frank Gages is in town talking about the Liberty BIENVILLE, April 6—Drozak, April 12—^Mclnlyre, Chairman: was elected ship's delegate. tanker he made last week... We heard from that talented Chairman: John ~ Brady, Secre­ Roy Robertson, Secretary. No Voted to create a ship's fund, Seafarer artist. Norman Maffie. who keeps running down to the tary. Deck and Engine delegates beefs reported by departmental the balance to be tuimed over to Islands, that he hope.s to further develop that skill by going reported disputed overtime. Ste­ delegates. Voted after discus­ hospital at end of trip. Deck to school. Good luck. Norman... Brothers, keep those ships wards delegate reported every­ sion that all delegates were to delegate reported that men who happy by running those jobs according to the agreement. thing okay in his department. post overtime totals before each didn't get hot night lunch on Keeping your nose clean and the ship clean makes for happy Brother Drozak elected ship's arrival in New York. Under sailing day would be compen­ voyages, indeed. delegate. Crew voted down sug- Good and Welfare decided to be sated. If goit are a, poor aiul dc ndt cdicm^oii arc at sisa,, tpa ivili sa-vfe ijotur and £ricnd& a lot ctf wovrt^ hy iioti£yia^ theitt wh^ yotL out. <3iv&thott titenaatiecif tlte ship, coittfaityfe address, attd Wi CUT and RUN �THE SEAFARERS Page Eighl Copra And Far Eastern Cabarets Highlight Harte's Round WorldTrip To Ihe Edilor: Articles were signed the morn­ ing of November 22, 1948 and thus began the round-the-world voyage of the Bret Harte. Each man was punctured five times in the left arm by a doctor. That afternoon a one-armed crew turned to. I escaped work that day for awhile by having the fellows call me AB when the Engineers were around. This worked until Red Owens, an Oiler and former pal of mine, came up and slapped me on the back, saying, "I'm glad you made the Oiler's job." "Aha," said the Chief Engineer, and the echoes of the mall-on-bearing wrench told the story of his greeting. During the outward run many sea stories were exchanged, with Brother Roundtree taking top honors for his tall tales. His exaggerating (\xceeded his cook- Hardworking Deck Man Staunch Seafarer Frank Sylva, AB, poses aboard the MV Seatrader after comple­ tion of a hard day of work keeping the German vintage ship in shape. Frank is a booster of the LOG. seeing to if that there are adequate copies aboard at the beginning of each trip. 14-Year-Old Future Seaman Asks For Log To the Editor: I would like it very much if you would send me the SEA­ FARERS LOG each week. I re­ gret that I am not a member for I am too young. I love ships aiid I will belong to a union some day. I am 14 years old and I would like to get the SEA­ FARERS LOG so I will know what it's like. I found a copy of the LOG on Delaware Avenue near pier 98 in Philadelphia and I thought I might as well try to receive it. That's why I am writing. I • bc^e you will not turn me down. Leslie Goldstein (Ed. Note: .Please accept a gift subscription to the LOG from ihe Editors. We hope you like it.) ing by far. I also want Bosun Carl Carlson to know that I don't believe his yarn of meeting his brother coming around the Horn on a hatch board. When stores began to get low, partly because of bad stores re­ ceived in Norfolk, the Steward shrugged and claimed that the supply ship had struck a mine and was sunk. During a squall, Fireman Massey related the story of a trip when the seas were so rough they came down the stack and water was knee deep in the engine room. Fridar. June 10, 1949 LOG REYES* VIEW ON THE HAVANA-MIAMI RUN V. THC CHOW IM THt S5. FLORID-^ ejfCCLLENT. • came used to it. We ate, breathed, fought and slept with hell's own plague of copra bugs. The smeU alone was sickening. There was little in the way of pastimes, except in a couple of ports which boasted a movie and dance hall. SING TO ME. TONI On February 25 we departed from the Islands. After stops at Singapore, Aden and Suez we headed for Trieste, our destined port of discharge. It was here that Junior Bryant fell in love with Toni, the singer at the QUICK LOAD Sugar Bowl. Junior had been Discussion of sudden weather composing songs all trip and changes brought this one on. Toni sang one at the Club, there­ Robert King says the last time by winning Junior's heart. Now he was in the South Seas, a Toni doesn't know what to do typhoon blew the hatch covers with it. Theugh Trieste was off, filled the hatches with cocoa- favorable to everyone, the crew nuts, The sun came out and was glad to set sail for home. dried them and they sailed away Two pups, the Third Cook and with a full load of copra and Junior Bryant's heart were left four monkeys up the mast. All behind. After we were homeward in 24 hours. bound, the nervous strain. that The arrival of the Bret Harte in Honolulu sent grass skirt sales j had existed during the long and soaring, while pineapple juice, tedious trip soon passed away, prices remained at par. The but enroute to Mobile we reonly nite stand in this port wak ceived orders to go to Canada. bathed in typical California The crew's feelings turned, as weather: rain. The Hawaiian cold as a welldiggers in the gals are sure "full books" as far Klondike. After a short stop in Halifax, as we are' concerned, although the only gals we saw in grass the ship pulled away from the skirts were part of the nitery's dock with half the crew still orchestra. Our patronage there ashore saying fareweir to the was far the sole purpose of get­ local maidens. The Bosun, how­ ever, dropped the anchor to wait ting out of the rain. On January 10 we dropped for us. "It was alright, though," anchor off Kawasaki, Japan. I the Captain said, "I was just know many home town girls are about to tell you to, anyway." going to be pleased with the Some of the fellows say they're silk garments and tricky gim­ coming back to this port on vaca­ micks the fellows bought -for tion. Can't say that I blame them. We sailed for Manila, with them, either. Favoring winds and seas rumors rife that we would shuttle Army equipment between brought us to New York, the port of-pay off. All beefs and Manila and Japan. Manila proved to be another troubles are now in the capable one night stand with fair hands of the Patrolmen. The weather. All rumors of shutting gang is packing now, laughing were stopped. We received de­ and joking, ready to go their finite orders to load copra. Six separate ways. Some to vacation of the loading ports were made spots, others to their homes to in all. None of us had hauled wile away the weeks their pay copra before, but .it's best not to will permit. Whichever way they even mention the word around a travel, I'm sure ,some of us will seaman who has made this run meet again To talk over - the before. voyage of the Bret Harte, when The heat was just about un­ she took. the long way home. bearable until finally we beVincent Kuhl "TtlEfte AWE MORG 'JEA6l/t.L$ «. EflTlNS OUT OF THE FLORiPA, IM HAVANA THAU OUT .'V OF ANV OTHER SHIP. HNO THE CREW SETS HO £*n?A FOlf THIS- FXTRA . WOPK. Longtime crewmember of P&O's passenger ship. Florida, Brother E. Reyes sketches his impressions of the crew gained during the shuttling back and forth between Cuba and Flori­ da. Reyes took a vacation ashore since making this sketch, but late reports have it that he's back aboard agun— just can't stay away from her. I remember one membership meeting I attended where a re­ port was made stating that the Union was seaching for a new Hall in New York. That was quite awhile ago and' I haven't heard anymore about it. I am a keen reader of the LOG and have read the reports of the agents in various ports stating how their new Halls are being rigged up. In the past few months there have been re­ ports of new Halls in New Or­ leans, Philadelphia and Savan­ nah. I also believe Mobile will shortly begin renovating their present headquarters. In the LOG in the near future I would like to read where the New York Agent extends an in­ vitation to all to come and visit the new New York Hall. PLEDGES HELP I am only one member and not long in the Union, but I am 100 percent for the betterment of the organization. I would like to know what we can do to obtain a new building in New York? We are strong internally, we fire respected by the shipown­ ers and by coimtless of organiza­ tions throughout the country. I I j 61DRYHOLE * .1- €.ReV65 Seafarer Still Says Tacoma Is Way Up There As A City To the Editor: and all beefs were settled at the spot. Well boys, that is about all. there is about Tacoma at the moment. I would appreciate a line from any of the fellow who have sailed with me. Write to me care of the Tacoma Hall. Clyde L. Still 5 I thought I would drop a line to the fellows and let them know about the fair shipping port of Tacoma. This is one of the greatest cities I have ever visited. If the people would start wearing, top hats and tail coats you would swear the Pilgrims had just landed here. I was walking up a hill yesterday and lost 10 pounds during the first hundred feet. To a country boy these hills are like Mt. Fujiyama (Jap­ an's highest mountain, 12,395 To the Editor: feet—Ed). We had the Young America to I read with interest the letter pay off at the first of the week appearing in the Seafarers LOG of May 2, and headlined "Dis­ charge of 40-Year-Olds Seen as Major U. S. Problem." feel that as such we need a I have often devoted much place of business to conform thought to that serious subject with our position. I hope the members will come and I believe that if my thinking through and give their views on is correct I could turn out an . this matter. interesting article on it. I agree John Lavin (Ed. Note: For some time a that it is a matter of serious committee has been attempt­ concern. I wish I could find the ing to find a new Hall for the time to do the necessary research port of New York, but the into the whole business of how group feels that .-^the Union .men , 40 and over find it increas, doe. not waoi jutf anolhe. 4™'5' "f ® diBicult to Bod emHalL but a set-up that wUl ployment. Unfortunately, I must sail for answer every need of the a living and compelled put my; SIU. When that building is found a full report will be wish aside. Maybe someday I submitted to ihe membership will be able to tackle it, though. for action.) Victor E. Johnson Asks New NY Hall To Fit Union Prestige To the Editor: T«£ \/C/VOP(9WC4 ' OF UNtbN . RULFS /S Johnson Agrees 40-Year-Olds Pose Problem �Htm THE SEAFARERS Friday. June 10, 1949 Home From Rough Trip To Sicily, Wants The Log To ihe Editor: While on ships I miss many issues of the LOG. Inasmuch as I am not able to pick up copies when I come ashore, I wish you would forward some to me at my home here in Tampa. I'm lost and so is my family without the paper. My wife and three oldest children always read it . On my last trip I was taken off the ship in Messina, Sicily. I was removed from the Beaure­ gard with diptheria and hospital­ ized for 27 days. I returned to the States on the SS Warrior and arrived in Galveston last week. It was indeed a most trying experience and one I never want to go through again. Later on I will have a very interesting story for the LOG concerning my experiences in Sicily. At present I an? busy with school winding up. My oldest daughter js graduating from Notre Dame Girls School in Baltimore. With seven . chil­ dren, five of whom are going to school, the old payoff doesn't seem to last long. Stanley M. Clark Page Nine LOG DOCKSIDE CONFERENCE Log's CTMA Cartoons Okay, Says Wife Of CS Seafarer To the Editor: Three Arabs in deep discussion provide colorful subjects for the sketch paid of Seafarer-artist Norman Maffie. Scene is Alexandria. Egypt. Maffie was* a crewmember of the Isthmian ship, Santa Clara Victory, which stopped .off at the Egyptian port during its round-the-world voyage last fall. Attention Members! Porthole Navigation Submitted by E. B. MacAuley .With a pair of calipers and a twelve inch rule .The Chief climbed up on his cabin stool; He glanced out the port at a bit of land As he shifted six pencils from hand ,to hand. He toiok a two finger bearing on God-knows-what And hurriedly grabbed his morning tot; He jumped down below, the "revs" to take. To see what knots he'd have to make. He looked at the clock and yelled for steam iThen wrote in the log, "Diamond Head's abeam;" Righto, Chief, as the Aussies say— Abeam twelve hundred miles away. jpn an ancient chart of old Cathay . ' . vr : .The course he marked with a corwt stay; His calipers slipped as a wave made her roll. But he marked his fix with a piece of coal. He added, deducted, divided by three And called to the Mate, "Dead ahead's Flattery!" Navigation to him is mere child's play; Tes, Flattery's, five hundred miles away. All applications for unem­ ployment insurance in New York City must be made through the offices at 165 Joralemon St., Brooklyn (Third Floor), instead of the District offices, as formerly. Mr. Roop is going to have to grin and bear the Cities Service cartoons as long as the SIU con­ tinues its organizing drive on the Cities Service Company. I should think that since the membership hasn't had any com­ plaint with these cartoons for the past year, certainly none should arise now. (The reference here is to a letter published in the LOG of May 20, in which Brother Edwin C. Roop said th^t the LOG'S cartoon character of the Cities Service Tanker Men's Association is offensive— Ed.) In answer to Mr. Roop's letter pertaining to CTMA, I would say that the character used is the closest the SIU can come to the real CTMA. Especially ap­ propriate was . the one in which this CTMA •character went into a beauty parlor for a clean-up. My husband says that this car­ toon character is the cleai'est ex­ planation of what he was up against while he sailed aboard Cities Service ships. I have found these cartoons very interesting and not from a fanatical point of view. BOOSTS CS JOB I sincerely hope that the SIU gets the contract for which it has been fighting so hard for the past two and a half years. I would like to close by saying that the most tragic picture I have yet seen which proves that we must fight to uphold our democratic rights is the Union's picture, "Battle of Wall Street." In one scene the New York po- Drydocked Members Ask News lice are seen unmercifully beat­ ing several SIU pickets. Mrs. Pauline Milton (Ed. Note: Mrs. Milton is the wife of Rocky Milton who well knows the viciously antir union {Practices employed by the Cities Service Company. Rocky Milton was fired from the SS Fort Hoskins in^ New York on Feb. 19 of this year because of Union activity.) Moon Rates Spot In Ring History, Says Old Percy To the Editor: This is to settle some disputes that have been brewing for quite a number of years concerning what two pugilists fought the last 20 round bout down yonder in a southern ring, or for that matter anywhere in the good old USA. Did you know that one of the battlers was no one but the popular Bing Crosby of the SIU, Moon Kouns? The contestents were Moon (christened Martin H. Kouns) and K.O. Bear (chris­ tened Charles Domique). This bout took place on the west bank of the Mississippi at the West Side Arena. Techni­ cally there were two other 20round bouts later, but they end­ ed early when all contestants quit before too many roimds. Anyway, heading back to the big event, the gong ended the 20th round and the bloodied scrappers headed back to their corners. The announcement came and our boy. Moon, was hailed the winnah. With that the lights went out (to save juice, you know), and Moon and the Bear jumped out of the ring for the payoff. Moon's purse whs $13, the Bear's, $1.50. They made a quick look around and learned that the promoters had headed on the double for the Canal Street ferry. There wasn't much of a gate for them to lug away. There were fifty people at the fight and 35 of them were deadheads. Percy Beyer Thomas Taylor To the Editor: Tripler General Hosp. Greetings from Hawaii from Ward 26 four news-starved Brothers in Honolulu, T. H. the Tripler General Hospital, Honolulu. We'i-e also requesting (Ed. Note: Copies of the some SIU news via the SEA­ SEAFARERS LOG are on the FARERS LOG, as we haVe been unable to get any since we have way to these four Brothers. The LOG is happy to know been here. One or two copies would be that these men are anxious ample. All four of us are in the to keep up with SIU news and same ward and it looks as will see to it that each issue though we will be here for some time. It would be swell to be is forwarded to them as it able to keep up with current comes off the press.) SIU events. A FANCY ANGLER'S PRIZE Our best wishes to all for good shipping. Clinton L. Barb Arthur J. Lomas Alton Leach Wife's Opinion Of Labor Unions Revised By SIU To the Editor: I would appreciate your chang­ ing the address on my coaies of He took the bilge soundings and added the log. the LOG. I enjoy reading the LOG and Deducted the draft, made allowance for fog, my husband and his shipmates Divided the tonnage by the pi;pssure of steam. look to me upon their return Added the length to the maximum beam. from a voyage to be up-to-date on all matters affecting them By the sea temperature, her speed multiplied. and their interests. This your paper enables me to do. Then threw all his figures over the side. Since having seen the SIU in Blew the whistle three times, set his watch back an hour. action, I have greatly revised Tied the safety valve down with a half sack of flour. my opinions of unions in gen­ eral, for you really have the in^ "Another three days," he told the Chief Mate, terests of your membership as your main concern. Would that I'Wilf bring her in sight of the Golden Gate!" all other unions did as much for Jitter grab sohiething. Chief, and take a round turn, tlieir memberships. JJP'e're inside the Bay and the Gate is astern! Mrs. William A.- Ebanka SIU Chief Cook, Claude R. West, displays the results of a few hours in Jacksonville. The Brother not only hooks them, he also fHes them up for his guests. "Great eating." says Brother West. �Friday. June 10, 1949 THE SEAF A RE R S LOG Page Ten Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings In Brief PHILADELPHIA — Chairman, E. Higdon, 182; Recording Sec­ retary, J. Sheehan, 306; Reading Clerk, D. HalL 43372. Minutes of previous meetings read and accepted. Agent dis­ cussed shipping in this port. Re­ ports read and accepted included the following: Secretary-Treas­ urer's financial statement, Head­ quarters' report to the member­ ship, Patrolman's and Dispatch- er's report. Charles J. White, Book No. 51191, took the Union Oath of Obligation. Communica­ tions from members asking to be excused from meeting were re­ ferred to the Dispatcher. Charges read. One minute of silence was observed in memory of departed • Union members. Meeting ad­ journed at 8:30 P.M. $ NEW YORK — Chairman. J. Azabasz, 29836; Recording Secre­ tary, F. Stewart, 4935; Reading Clerk, E. Mooney, 46671. Minutes of previous meetings in other Branches read and ap­ proved. Motion carried to non­ concur with that part of Boston minutes regarding transferral of money from Building Fund, and to reaffirm Union's original pol­ icy .in lending money to the Canadian District. Charges read and motion carried to refer them to Trial Committee. Motion car­ ried that action be withheld on Mobile resolution on Chief El­ ectricians for at least three meet­ ings, to allow full discussion in A St C Shipping Prom May 18 To June 1 PORT REG. DECK Boston New York Philadelphia Baltimore Norfolk...... Savannah Tampa Mobile New Orleans. Galveston West Coast San Juan....; 35 186 31 87 32 22 21 49 64 51 23 7 GRAND TOTAL.. 608 quarters' report. Agent discussed shipping in this port during the past two weeks, and' noted that the situation ^had been very fa­ vorable. A five-man committee was elected to review qualifica­ tions of men wishing to change departments. Committee recom­ mended that one of the appli­ cants be allowed to change from Engine to Deck Department. Membership adopted committee's recommendations. Meeting ad­ journed at 7:35 P.M., with 88 members present. 4. t TAMPA—Chairman, R. While, 57; Recording Secretary, R. H. Hall, 26060; Reading Clerk, L. White, 27165. JtEG. ENG. 17 133 24. 69 18 15 . 8 47 66 39 26 13 REa STWDS. TOTAL^ REG. 21 145 24 70 14 10 5 42 119 26 33 11 73 464 79 226 64 47 34 138 249 116 82 31 SHIPPED DECK 30 178 33 49 27 29 11 29 93 49 13 16 SHIPPED SHIPPED TOTAL STWDS. SHIPPED ENG. 16 133 22 41 18 30 7 20 97 35 23 8 12 152 28 41 14 23 7 18 137 44 19 13 58 463 83 131 . 59 82 25 67 327 128 55 37 NEW ORLEANS — Chairman, Leroy Clarke, 23082; Recording Secretary, James Tucker, 2209; Reading Clerk, Buck Stephens, 76. After minutes of previous meetings were read and ap­ proved, a committee was elected to hear charges. Later in the meeting committee announced its. decisions, which were ap­ proved. Port Agent reported that business of port was in good shape and that shipping was holding its own. Since last meet­ ing, there _ were seven payoffs, eight sign-ons and 27 ships inpast two week period. A motion tions were excused from meet­ transit, he said. He expected that carried to refer excuses to a ing. Headquarters' report to the activity for the next two weeks committee. Motion carried rec­ membership was read and ac­ would about equal that of the ommending that membership be cepted. Motion carried to take past two-week period. Agent also kept informed about the func­ a hand vote on the Mobile reso­ discussed the chartering of the. tioning and needs of the San lution affecting Electricians. Fin­ Brotherhood of Marine Engineers Juan Branch. Under Good and al vote showed the membership and the ultimate effect of this, Welfare there was discussion on unanimously opposed the resolu­ development upon all AFL mar­ the need for two men to super­ tion. Port Agent reported that itime' workers. Patrolmen made vise the Hall when the Agent is he, along with Bennie Gonzalez their reports. Communications out on the ships. Various other and Leon Johnson, had attended from Brothers asking to be ex­ matters, such as cleanliness of the recent Maryland State and cused from meetihg were re­ the Hall, were also topics of dis­ District of Columbia Federation ferred to the Dispatcher. Motion cussion. Meeting adjourned at of Labor Convention. He an­ carried to table resolution on 7:45 P.M., with 82 members in nounced that they had been Electricians offered by Mobile. successful in getting one man Membership concurred in Secreattendance. from the AFL .^Maritime Trade 'tary-Treasurer's report. Two men » 4^ » Council—Jefferson Davis, of the took the Union Oath of Obliga­ GALVESTON—Chairman,' Ray International Longshoremen's As­ tion. One minute of silence in Sweeney, 20; Recording- Secre­ sociation — elected as seventh memory of deceased Brothers. tary Keith Alsop, 7311; Reading vice-president of the Federation. Under Good and Welfare, mem­ The Agent also discussed the bers were advised not to sit on Clerk. R. Wilburn, 37739. present state of shipping in the the window ledges. It was point­ Approved minutes of previous Port of Baltimore. Hospital Com­ ed out that more and more meeting in Galveston and other mittee's report was accepted. One members are taking an active Branches. Headquarters' and minute of silence was observed part in the Branch meetings. Secretary - Treasurer's financial in memory of iieparted Union This was hailed as a very good reports read and accepted. Port Brothers. Meeting adjourned at indication of membership inter­ Agent stated that shipping had 8:30 P.M. 255 members were est in the general welfare. been very good for the past two present weeks, and that the immediate ^ X, MOBILE—Chairman, W. Dic­ key, 95; Recording Secretary, James L. Carroli, 50409; Reading Clerk, Harold J. Fischer, 59. 475 520 1,603 New Business in minutes of previous meetings in other ports read and accepted. Motion car­ ried to concur in Mobile resolu­ tion on Electricians. SecretaryTreasurer's financial report ap­ proved. Agent reported on state of shipping in the port. He point­ ed out that SIU had helped con­ siderably in beating down the state anti-labor law proposed by Tom Watson and succeeded in having it placed on a referen­ dum ballot for decision by the state's voters at next year's el­ ection. He also discussed the prospect was that it would con­ situation regarding the ten-year tinue that way. However, he the SEAFARERS LOG, so that lease held by the second fioor said that, at the rate men were all members will fully under­ tenant of the Union's building coming in here from other ports, stand the issue. Port Agent dis­ here. Under terms of the lease, it was likely that shipping op­ cussed the status of shipping in the only way the Union can portunities would be slowed up this port. Headquarters and Sec- gg^ ^jjg lessee out is by offering somewhat. Motions carried to ac­ reary- reasurers reports read financial inducement. A motion cept the reports from Head­ and accepted. Excuses for ab- was called for and carried, ask­ sence from meeting referred to ing the membership in all ports quarters Reinstatement Commit­ the Dispatcher. It was announced to authorize such arrangement. tee, Transportation Rule Tally­ that the lease on the Headquar­ Dispatcher's and Patrolman's re­ ing Committee and Quarterly ters building had been extended port read and accepted. Under Finance Committee. Communica­ for one year. One minute of Good and Welfare, there was tion from Galveston Labor Coun­ cil was read and approved. Mo­ silence in memory of deceased considerable discussion on the tions carried: to refer all com­ Union members. local labor situation and the munications from members seek­ 4 4, t problems facing organized labor. ing to be excused from meeting BOSTON—Chairman, T. Flem­ ing, 30821; Recording Secretary, SAN JUAN — tfiChairman, T. to the Dispatcher, to concur in B. Lawson, 894; Reading Clerk, Banning, 3038; Recording Secre- Mobile resolution on seatime re­ quirements for Electricians. Jeff A. Melanson, 44406. lary, Julio Evans, 7573; Reading Morrison was elected by accla­ Minutes of previous meetings Clerk. T. Viera. mation to represent Galveston in other Branches read and ac­ SIU at AFL State Convention. cepted. Headquarters' and Sec­ Minutes of previous meetings Ray Sweeney was elected alter­ retary-Treasurer's financial re­ in other Branches read and ac­ nate delegate. One minute of ports approved. Motion carried cepted. Port Agent said that silence in memory of departed to accept Agent's verbal report. shipping had been slow, but was Brothers. Meeting adjourned at Dispatcher reported shipping picking up a little in the past 7:50 P.M., with 45 members figures for each of thfr depart­ present. ments. One minute of silence in %> % memory of departed Brothers. BALTIMORE—Chairman, Wil­ Meeting adjourned at 8 P.M. liam Rents, 26445; Recording with 125 members present. Secretary, G. A. Master^t^, % few days. The Ponce paid off in SAVANNAH—Chairman, E. M. fine shape, with the exception 20297; Reading Clerk, A1 StknsBryant, 25806; Recording Secre­ of a beef or two in the Stew­ bury, 4683. tary, and -Reading Clerk, C. M. ards Department. He said that Charges and decisions of Trial lUce, 40707. quite a few ships had been call­ Committee were read and ac­ Motions carried to approve ing at the port, most of them in cepted. Membership approved minutes of previous meetings in pretty good shape. Dispatcher re­ minutes of previous meetings in other Branches, Secretary-Treas- ported on number of men regis­ all Branches. Several members uror's financial report and Head- tered and shipped during the who had forwarded communica­ 557 450 508. 1,515 Minutes of previous meetings in other ports read and acted upon. Port Agent reported that a- charter had been granted to the Brotherhood of Marine En­ gineers and he read communica­ tions from Headquarters regard­ ing this development. He also discussed the bids received from several contractors on the re­ pairs needed for building occu­ pied by this Branch. A report on the organizing drive being con­ ducted by the Marine Allied Workers, affiliated with the SIU, was also given. The Agent con­ cluded his report by stating the prospects for shipping in this port during the coming two weeks. Motion carried to accept communications received from Headquarters. A motion carried recommending that any man carried on the shipping list for 90 days be placed at the bottom of the list. Motion carried that Branch give full support to Lindsey Williams in his job as Sec­ retary-Treasurer ot the Marine Allied Workers. The following reports were approved after reading and discussion: Patrol­ man's, Dispatcher's and Secre­ tary-Treasurer's financial report. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M., with 290 members present. Savannah Enjoys Several Days Of Goofi Shipping , By JIM DRAWDY SAVANNAH — Shipping has been pretty good here in Savan­ nah these past few days. Among the ships paying off was the George D. Prentice, the entire crew of whichepaid off and headed for Baltimore. The Pren­ tice has some disputed overtime because of some indiscretions on the part of the Skipper. However, all the overtime was cleaned up before the payoff was over. The Prentice has since sail­ ed for Korea. ' The SS Dorothy, Bull, also was in here for a payoff. She took a few replacements. Several men were shipped to each of the de­ partments of the SS Cape Race, South Atlantic, another Savan­ nah payoff. The Robin Mowbray came in^to load cargo and we shipped four men to her. MarAncha's SS Cape Mohican is now in port and she will take almost a full crew. Despite the fiiirry of activity, we don't want to encourage men to come to this port because the. prospects for the coming weeks are not too bright. One of our regular South Atlantic ships is tied-up by a strike in Glasgow. We have a new water cooler to help wet down the gang here during the hot days ahead. That's about all from the fair city of Savannah at the moment. We'll have more next week. �Friday, June 10. 1949 THE SEAFARERS Page Eleven LOG Alcoholism And Maritime By JOSEPH I. FLYNN i licensed personnel were not limited. Such naive attitudes have undergone a great change since that time. The SIU, in recognizing the problem, is doing something con­ structive about it. The US Pub­ lic Health Service which oper­ ates the Marine Hospitals, has adopted a complete change of policy toward the seaman who drinks to excess. In the old days, a seaman with a drinking problem, and in a very sick condition, received a poor welcome, if any, at Marine Hospitals. Today, the best treat­ ment in the country is given the alcoholic seaman here in New York at Ellis Island Marine Hos- a sickness has been disseminated among seamen and others in the maritime field, The operation that is mainly responsible for the progress now shown is the AA Seamen's Club, Inc., which has lately changed its name to the Helmsmen Club, Inc. It was only five years ago that an article in the New York World Telegram on alcoholism among HENRY B. DONAHO MARTIN BLACKWELDER seamen caused some controversy. Your grandfather is ill. Get • Get in touch with Vincent O'Reilly, 2427 9th Walk, Jackson in touch , with your aimt, Mrs. The head of what was then a Heights, New York. He is hold­ Essie Jones, Route 2, Box 21, large organization for seamen's welfare, protested furiously to ing a suit for you. Normangee^ Texas. the statement that alcoholism is 4 4 4 RESPECTED prevalent among seamen. LOUIS W. PEPPER DIRK DEGRAZIA Various newspapers gave his . Please send your mailing ad­ Meredith B. Williams, SS FredIt's this group, which is rim dress to your wife—^who, in turn, ricksburg. Keystone SS Com­ protests a write-up, as well as by seamen and shoreside alco­ forwards Happy Father's Day pany, 1015 Chestnut Street, Phil­ those of one of the larger mari­ holics, that in the last five years wishes from Butchie and Judy. adelphia, has your discharges and time unions. has brought about the change in He said in part that less than papers. hundreds of- heretofore hopeless 1 percent of the 3,000,000 seamen AXEL nf ROGHAMMAR 4 4 4 gashounds, performers and bot­ who visited clubs and hotels run You are asked to contact Mrs. IDELFONSO PEREZ tle babies who are now sober Frida Roghammar, 6 BollhusYour wife is anxious that you by this organization had a drink­ highly respected, efficient seaing problem. .grand, Stockholm, Sweden. men. get in touch with her. Yet it was this same outfit These men are better seamen, 4. 4 4 4 4 4 that had rules in their estab­ ARTHUR L. MATTHEWS ROBERT E. HANEY union members and citizens Communicate with Herbert T. Contact local draft board No. lishments to the effect that un­ For the last three years this through the understanding of Drew, ' U.S. Deputy Collector, 61, Crozier Building, Fifth and licensed seamen were allowed problem has been studied at this themselves that they have gained only three bottles of beer, while hospital, with the result that since sobering up. The informed Bureau of Internal Revenue, Market Streets, Chester, Pa. Box 1278, Savannah,. Georgia. . conditions and treatment have I alcoholic seamen—and I mean steadily improved throughout informed, not reformed—are the 4 4 4 ERNEST DRASHER the country. proof that something can and is You are requested to get in being done about what was once ALL RATINGS •touch with Herman N. Rabson Mississippi ShippiQg Company has begun the pay­ a hopeless problem in the mari­ or Benjamin Sterling, 42 Broad­ It is estimated that an aver­ time field. ment of unclaimed wages and over-deductions of Fed­ way, New York 4, N- Y. age of 135 seamen per month In the past the steamship com­ eral Old Age Benefits accumulated as of December 31, 4 4 4 are admitted to the alcoholic panies would say, "That's the V. KOEL section at Ellis Island, 20 per­ union's problem," and the unions 1948. Inasmuch as the list is too long for publication Get in touch with E. E. Ool, cent of these being repeaters. denied they had any problem. in the SEAFARERS LOG, members can check the list 906 E. 178th Street, New York This figure includes seamen The marine hospitals, although 60, N. Y. in any SIU Hall, where a copy is on file. from all ranks. Captain to Or­ realizing the problem, took on dinary Seaman, Chief Engineer the general attitude of the others Men who have money coming should address their to Wiper, Steward to Messman. and dealt with other matters. This hospital has cooperated claim to Mississippi Shipping Company, 1301 Hibernia Today the steamship companies with all lay groups working on know that the seaman who Building, enclosing their Z number. Social Security the problem, and today it's a drinks to excess is a liability— SIU, A&G District number and date and place of birth. proven fact that the alcoholic missing ships, by causing acci­ BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. seaman can be helped and is dents, and destruction of prop­ William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4540 worth helping. BOSTON 276 State St. erty, and is an inefficient work­ Ben Lawson, Agent Richmond 2-0140 Seamen's welfare bureaus and er, which is no small cost to Dispatcher Richmond 2-0141 organizations have undergone a them. GALVESTON 308y»—23rd St. complete change in attitude, from Keith Alsop, Agent Phone 2-8446 that of hopelessness to one of RESPONSIBILITY MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St. Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 2-17S4 interest and cooperation. NEW ORLEANS S23 Bienviile St. The Seamen's Church Institute The unions realize that con­ E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 6112-6113 has a department for guiding tracts are two-sided affairs. They NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. and helping the seaman who have to supply efficient, sober, Joe Aigina, Agent HAnover 2-2764 ERASMO ARROYO NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St. By WILLIAM McKAY wants to do something about his responsible men who know their Your gear is in the baggage Ben Rees, Agent Phono 4-1083 drinking problem. In the last jobs and are able to protect the TACOMA — I should like to four years of its operation, an union's interests, making each PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St. room of the New York Hall. J. Sheehan, Agent Market 7-1635 take this opportunity to empha­ average of 500 seamen per year ship a better one for a new 4 4 4 SAN FRANCISCO 85 Third St. size a point that apparently is have been helped. crew. Frenchy Micheiet, Agent Douglas 2-5475 SS YOUNG AMERICA not fully understood by some of SAN JUAN, P.R 252 Ponce de Leon The American Seamen's The welfare organizations and (Voyage W-1) the men who have been signing Friends Society has lent its sup­ hospitals are now given moral L. Craddock, Agent San Juan 2-5996 SAVANNAH . ..2 Ahercom St. Will crewmembers who were on Waterman ships in the Gulf port of its facilities for the help support by this change in at­ Jim Drawdy, Agent Phone 3-1728 aboard this vessel from Oct. 27, for the Orient run. of the alcoholic seamen. The titude,- making cooperation pos­ TACOMA 1519 PaciHc St. 1948 to Jan. 8, 1949, communi­ Broadway 0464 The ships involved are those seamen's YMCA has shown mo­ sible among all. There is still TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. cate with Henry Beckman, care coming into Pacific ports, then tion pictures and has had talks much to be done, and it's to be Ray White, Agent Phone M-1323 of Christensen, 3245 N. Damen expected that progress be slow. continuing on to Europe or the on the problem. WILMINGTON, CaUf., 227Va Avalon Blvd. Ave., Chicago, 111., giving their The unions and other maritime But today in the maritime field E. B. Tilley, Agent Terminal 4-2874 names and addresses. Beckman Mediterrean. HEADQUARTERS.. 51 Beaver St., N.Y.C. organizations are now cooperat­ it can truly be said that, if any These ships are on continuous paid off the ship in China be­ SECRETARY-TREASURER ing, and much information and seaman with a drinking problem articles and are scheduled to cause of illness. • Paul Hall knowledge about alcoholism as wants help, he can get it. DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATION payoff in the Gulf. The trips do 4 4 4 Lindeey Williams not terminate on the Pacific NICHOLAS W. FUNKEN ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURER Coast. This is the point that Robert Matthews J. P. Shuler Your discharges and papers should be understood. Joseph Volpiaa are being held for you in the Of course, if a man must pay­ The SEAFARERS LOG as the official publication of the Sea« New Orleans SIU Hall. off for a sound reason, such as farers International Union is available to all members who wish 4 4 4 illness, he can do so in any Am­ to have it sent to their home free of charge for the enjoyment of HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. Phone 5-8777 HAKAN HENNING JANSON erican port. But groups of men tiheir families and themselves when ashore. If you desire to have PORTLAND Ill W. Bumaide St. Papers are being held for you paying off under flimsy excuses, the LOG sent to you each week address cards are on hand at every Beacon 4336 RICHMOND. CaUf. 257 5th St ill the baggage room. New York as happened in the Port of Ta- SIU branch for this purpose. coma recently, is bad practice. Phone 2599 SIU Hall. However, for those who are at sea or at a distance from a SIU SAN FRANCISCO 69 Clay St. We cannot allow situations that hall, the LOG reproduces below the form used to request the LOG, 4 4 4 Douglas 2-8363 can become a detriment to the which you can fill out, detach and send to: SEAFARERS LOG, 51 SETTLE 86 Seneca St. NOTICE welfare of the entire Union mem­ Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. Main 0290 Gear belonging to the follow­ bership. WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. Terminal 4-3131 ing men has been sent to the PLEASE PRINT INFORMATION ! Remember that you are re­ addresses listed on the baggage quired to give the customary Canadian District tickets. The items were returned 24-hours notice before paying To the Editor: MONTREAL 404 Lo Moyne St. after being in the New York off. You cannot wait until the I would like the SEAFARERS LOG mailed to th^ Marquette 6909 baggage room over three months: ship is ready to pull out to an­ address below: HAUFAX 126^ Hollis St. K. M. Kain, Vincent Walrath, nounce that you wish to payoff. Phone 3-8911 Homer Workman, Leo Burnett, PORT ARTHUR 63 Cumherland St. Name Phone North 1229 Julio Santiago, A. J. Tansilee, PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St. M. Donovan, L. Ritch, A. Mitchel, Phone: 6591 Dale Ramseyer, Albert Oke, MerStreet Address TORONTO Ill A Jarvls St. lyn Lormand and Albert, Isiac. Elgin 6719 The slop chest !• your corZone.. State City VICTORIA, B.C. ....602 Boughton St. 4 4 4 HR store while you ere at Empire. 4531. JULIUS E. PARKS sea. You oaa't take your VANCOUVER BOS Hamilton st. Signed trade someplace else, if the J. M. Carras, Inc., of 24 State PaciSc 7824 Street, New York is holding a slop chest doesn't have what HEADQUARTERS ...812 McGill St. Book No. you need; Montreal Ptateau 670 check for wages due you from the SS Alexandra. Mississippi Uttclaimetl Wages SlU HALLS Gulf-(Ment Ships NyoH In CM, Not On Coast Notice To All SIU Mofflbers SUP: AnENTION! �Page Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. June 10, 1949 Can Political Action Benefit Seafarers? By CHARLES RAYMOND ^ Traditionally, the SIU has refused to mix trade unionism with politics. Seafarers have borne the nickname "anti-politicals" proudly — es­ pecially when the commies have tried to use it as a weapon of scorn. Consequently, the SIU as an organization, could claim no share of the credit for the land­ slide by which the Democratic Party was re­ turned to power in November 1948, although most of the Seafarers who voted probably stood with the Democratic majority. However, last fall's presidential, and guber­ natorial congressional elections proved that or­ ganized labor has an effective voice. President Truman himself attributed his victory to the unions, despite the surprisingly large farm vote cast in his behalf. Many a congressman, sena­ tor and governor would have to make the same admission if pressed, and many have. , I ® ing the Taft-Hartley Act, and replacing it with ' the kind of labor law the working men and wo­ men of this country want, once again brings up the old question of political action. In the article on this page Seafarer Charles Raymond explores the "political" issue and suggests that it may be time for the SIU to be thinking in terms of political activity. Brother Raymond's views are his own and do not reflect present Union policy. However, labor made it pretty clear at the polls last fall that it wanted the Taft-Hartley Act dumped and dumped fast. If reactionary Congressmen and Senators of both major parties refuse to accept the mandate which was handed to them, organized labor will have to do something about the situation in the 1950 congressional elections. In these circumstances. Brother Raymond's ar­ ticle is both timely and provocative. LABOR SUPPORT HELPED More recently young Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., was elected to the House of Representatives from a New York City district after running with labor backing. Last fall's elections may or may not have been quite so resounding a triumph for labor as they first seemed — it may take the 1950 congress­ ional election to make victory complete — but the emergence of organized labor as a real poli­ tical force should make Seafarers wonder whetherournon-poHUcalism cannot be" profitably modified, modified without in the least impairing our companion policy of economic action where it will do the most good. Let's look back and see just why organized labor came into its own as a political factor in 1948. The first cause was the 80th Congress, a Re­ publican Congress elected in the off year of 1946. That was the Congress which alternated be­ tween doing nothing and doing evil. That was the Congress which let the cost of living soar out of sight. That was the Congress which blandly ignored the crying need for a huge, government-supported housing program. Above all, that was the Congress which gave us the Taft-Hartley Act, and winked as big cor­ porations instituted an intense campaign of union-busting, a campaign that is still in pro­ gress. NAM PROPAGANDA Beginning in 1946, the Republicans and the union-busters really went to town on labor. The National Association of Manufacturers, along with chambers of commerce and powerful cor­ porations, bought advertising space in magazines and newspapers, and purchased time on the air to "expose" labor, as they put it. By the summer of 1947, they had succeeded in relaxing all the controls which had protected the workingman's pocketbook during the war period and the immediate aftermath, and they had enacted the T-H Law. But instead of being cowed as the reactionar­ ies had anticipated, labor was mad and spoiling for a fight. By the summer of 1948, labor was ready. During the first year of T-H, many unions began to feel the teeth of the law. As the months passed, the real intent of the men who wrote it became increasingly apparent. At the same time, prices kept sky-rocketing while the reactionaries muttered something about "free enterprise," something more about "postwar readjustments" — and did nothing. Meanwhile, you stood about one chance in ten finding a place to live, if you didn't mind spending a month's pay or more for a month's rent. In the midst of what seemed to be a boom, tbing.«; were plenty tough. They ^ill are — and may get worse. The Seafarers came through this period with flying colors. Although the Hiring Hall was said to be illegal under the Taft-Hartley Act, the SIU turned on its economic power and a tighter Hiring Hall clause than ever was written into its 1948 contract. In preparation for probable stormy weather, we insisted on a two-year agreement, using our economic power to make our insistence stick. We built up our Strike Fund and our General Fund to make sure that our economic power enough to meet any emergency, ^ Nevertheless you could not say we were uncame through better ^ we were better prepared than most. But we weren't liking things any more than anybody else did. In fact, we still don't like things. OUR PROBLEMS ARE MANY Prices are about as high as they ever were, The housing problem is still unsolved. The TaftHartley Act remains on the books and the legislation replacing it may not be much of an improvement, despite the excellent bill originally sent to Congress by the President. Perhaps another congressional election will be required to convince Congress that labor means what it says. That brings us back to our original question: Should our non-politicalism be modified in some degree? Should the Seafarers — as an or­ ganization — enter the political arena, as many a fine union has done successfully? Don't forget that one big reason for our nonpoliticalism in the past has stemmed from what we have seen the communists do. Political act­ ivity on the waterfront has much too often meant communist shenanigans. Another reason has been our frequently just­ ified distrust of all politicians, regardless of pol­ itical party. The communists sold the seamen down the river, and so did others. But the emergence of labor as a real factor in the political scene, with no communist strings attached, puts matters in a different light. Per­ haps labor now has the power to select its own spokesmen in Congress and elsewhere. If there are not enough men in Congress now to carry a labor program, it's up to labor to see that there are enough after next year's congres­ sional elections. That is the problem in a nut­ shell. Whether the SIU wants to join the battle as an organization is something for the membership to decide. One thing that the SIU as an organization would bring to the political scene, should it decide in favor of political action, is a profound knowledge of the tactics and strategy of the various communist groups — those communists who call themselves Stalinists and those communists who call themselves trotskyites. One thing we have found out is that both these groups, and their splinter offshoots, use the same tactics: everything they do is for the of themselves only. Neither one would hesitate the slightest to sell labor down the river, if its organization could gain any ma­ terial or,political advantage, and t)oth will at* tempt to infiltrate any organization set up by unions to use it for themselves. But the SIU knows how these disrupters work, and knows how to beat them at their own game. If these disrupters should enter any grouping with which the SIU is affiliated, they would get their ears pinned back — but fast and per­ manently. Other unions, with anti-communist records comparable to that of the SIU, have engaged in politics and been successful. For instance, the International Ladies Garment Workers Unioii has been an important factor in politics in New York for many years, and is now more influen­ tial than ever. The ILGWU membership knows what it wants and goes after it. TWO POWERFUL WEAPONS A trade union acting on trade union principles, the ILGWU uses its tremendous economic power whenever necessary, but it supplements econom­ ic action with political action to gain improved conditions for its members and for organized labor as a whole. There are other unions which do the same but the ILGWU is an outstanding example. Actually, should the SIU decide to engage in political action in municipal, state and national campaigns, we would not come as complete strangers. We have fought on the political front before, but from a non-political viewpoint. We have fought for and against legislation in Washington and fared rather well on many occasions, In the winter of 1948-49 we conducted a fourand-a-half month campaign to beat the Hoffman Plan, which would have diverted EGA cargoes to foreign ships, smashing the American merchant marine in the process. We played the top role in defeating Paul Hoffman, obtaining from Congress what may turn out to be a pretty fair shake for American seamen. We called on the whole American Federation of Labor to give us a hand in the battle and many a congressman and senator, who never had had occasion to pay much attention to maritime affairs, discovered that American seamen had a real stake in the national economy. It was an educational exper­ ience for everybody including Seafarers. However, fighting for or against particular bits of legislation is not political action, as that term is commonly meant. Political action means not only fighting for or against particular laws, it means joining in the process of selecting and electing the senators, congressmen, governors, state legislators and even presidents who make and administer laws. In other words, it means participating in the process of representative government all along the line. MEMBBRSHIP WILL DECIDE This is not the place or the time to suggest a policy. Here we can only raise the question. When the time comes, the membership of the SIU will decide for itself. However, the time is not far off, and in the opinion of many the de­ cision to do or not to do will have to be made. For in the opinion of many, we should look at our non-political policy and see whether it fits present circtunstances. If it does, we can main­ tain it. But if the Union stands to gain from political action, we'd better change our policy artd change it fast. Our main job is to protect seamen and continually improve their conditions. In addition, it is our job to help all organized working meii gain greater economic and social security. If we can do these jobs better through political action, then political action is the answer. , Let's do some thinking about it. ' � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource June 10, 1949 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. XI, No. 20 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Description An account of the resource Headlines: BRITISH ASK BOYCOTT DELAY CANADIAN LABOR EXPELS CSU AS COMMIE-LED SNUG HARBOR ENDS 'PROPERTY AGREEMENTS' UNDER STRONG UNION AND STATE PRESSURE SENATE DEBATES SUBSTITUTE FOR T-H ACT T-H REPEAL THE BUMS GET BUM'S RUSH CSU GOONS ATTACK SLEEPING TRILAND CREW TAMPA SIU ACTIVE IN AFL DRIVE TO WIN BETTER DEAL FOR LABOR PORT GALVESTON RIDES WAVE OF GOOD SHIPPING PUT PHOTO IN UNION BOOK FOR PROTECTION MOBILE SHIPPING PROSPECTS SEEM BRIGHTER DESOTO CREWMAN URGES SHIPMATES TO BACK AFL TYPOS IN MIAMI STRIKE ANTINOUS CREW SEEKS TO THANK ARROW BROTHERS PASSENGER CREWMAN IS RABID HOBBYIST SEAFARERS TURNED TABLES ON CUSTOMS IN PORT MARACAIBO TAIL END OF A FISH STORY SAVANNAH ENJOYS SEVERAL DAYS OF GOOD SHIPPING ALCOHOLISM AND MARITIME CAN POLITICAL ACTION BENEFIT SEAFARERS? Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 6/10/1949 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1949 Periodicals Seafarers Log