https://seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/8bcdccc81970730343af1daca49e7613.PDF 275642f9d1d6e8c469c4ac4c9bdc257e PDF Text Text ^j^^iBERS Joo 0I710IAL OEOAM OF THB A^gfaAirTfe AITO GOLF DI8TSZGT, SBAFLEKBB' IVTJQEIIASKUUft VIBOK OF NORTH AKERICA No. 4 NEW YORK. N. Y., FRIDAY. JANUARY 26. 1945 Vol. VII. Delegates Report On Meeting Of Joint Maritime Commission By MORRIS WEISBERGER and JOHN HAWK Vice-Presidents. SIU More Liberties Named For SIU'SUP Seamen The Joint Maritime Commission of the International Labor Organization convened in London last week and we attended the meetings as spokesmen for the American sea­ men. When we undertoow the responsibilities of acting as representatives of the Am­ The U. S. Maritime Commission, announced this week erican seamen, we knew that there would be many obstacles in the way of achieving that the names of six SIU and one SUP heroic dead will improved conditions for foreign seamen. However, we must make an effort to aid our brother unionists aboard, and more important we had to see that nothing was put over be assigned to Liberty ships now under construction in by T;he shipowners which might* East Coast yards. This brings to a total of 15 the number jeopardize our conditions here at veto any proposal which might So you can see that if the sea­ cost them part of their profits. men waited for the ILO to win of new ships which have been named for our members who home. gave their lives in line of duty.* It was the SIU which first re-' RICHARD D. LYONS; utility quested that the Maritime Com­ man on the SS Atlas, torpedoed mission name a few- ships for on April 9, 1942. Native of Provi­ seamen instead of for a lot of dence, R. I., and was born on November 3, 1921. Mother, Mrs. shoreside stuffed shirts. Delia Lyons survives in Provi­ The new Liberties will be dence. . launched within the next few WILLIAM J. RIDDLE, was months, and will constitute the serving as a fireman on the SS last construction of this type au­ Carrabulle which was torpedoed thorized by the Commission. and sunk on May 26, 1942. He Following are the names of the was born October 30, 1883, in SIU men who will be honored, Macon, Mo. His widow Mrs. Cora and a brief account of their Riddle, lives in New Orleans, La. death: JAMES W. WHEELER, ordin­ WILLIAM COX; fireman on SS ary seaman on the SS Carrabulle DavichAtwater which was shelled which was torpedoed arid sunk and sunk April 2, 1942. He was on May 26, 1942. He was born born March 29, 1898 in Cairo, in ^locurn, Ala., on July 17, 1913, Ga., and is survived by his widow Mrs. Arlce Cox of Savannah, Ga. (Continued on Page 2) The Joint Maritime Commis­ sion constitutes a stearing com­ mittee for the parent body, the International Labor Organiza­ tion. The Commission was charged at this London confer­ ence with discussing the Inter­ national Seafarers Charter and making recommeridations to the parent body which would then convene a full maritime session in the latter part of '45 if agree­ ment could be reached. The difficulty in obtaining im­ proved conditions for seamen out of the ILO set up can be seen from the following facts: The Joint Maritime Commission is composed equally of representa­ tives of seamen and shipowners and the shipowners can (and do) SIU Tug Commended By Halsey Thus, any proposals which come out of this body are pretty well watered down and are usually meaningless generalities. These generalities are then submitted to the International Labor Or­ ganization which is a tri-partite body composed of an equal num­ ber of representatives from the affiliated labor organizations, employer organizations and gov­ ernments. And since we know from experience that government spokesmen u-sually side with cap­ ital against labor, this means that the workers are in a minority in the ILO. CAN'T ENFORCE ' But even those proposals which pass both the Joint Maritime Commission and the Interna­ tional Labor Organization are not enforceable until they are rati­ fied by the various governments. And . the governments repre­ sented in the ILO may accept or disregard the ILO recommenda­ tions at their own discretion. The process of government ratifica­ tion might in its self take years. conditions for them, they would die of old age before winning a nickle boost in overtime. However, this is the only exist­ ing machinery for international maritime cooperation, and we wanted to do our part in all ef­ forts to make it work. The Joint Maritime Commis­ sion opened its sessions in Lon­ don on January 8. Attending the meeting were representatives of labor and management from the following countrie.s; Australia, Belgium, Great Britain, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Indi.-, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United States and Yugoslavia. AGENDA TORPEDOED The first three days were taken up with a fight between the sea­ men and the shipowners over the scope of the discussions. The sea­ men wanted a full discussion on all points in the proposed Inter­ national Seafarers Charter, while the shipowners refused a full dis­ cussion on the. grounds that they (Continued on Page 4} New Transportation Rider Is Issued By War Shipping The transportation ride known as "Operations Regula­ tion 64" has been revised by the War Shipping Administra­ tion and is effective immediately. The rider provides for transportation from port of sign-off back to port of signon under certain conditions. Inconspicuous among the huge ships carry­ ing the war to Japan was a merchant tugboat manned by an SIU-SUP crew, the Watch Hill. Though she was small and built like a work horse, she was destined to perform so heroically rs tc receive official commendation from Admiral William Halsey. commander of the Third U. S. f'leet in the Pacific. During a difficult period of assault off For­ mosa. the Watch Hill was sent to assist two Navy . tugs .which were tewing two ships that had been torpedoed by enemy planes. Here is what Admiral Halsey said about her in the official commendation: "The Watch Hill was ably handled during a period when there was great danger from enemy air and submarine attack . . . (she) contributed materially to the success - of the operation, which Resulted in the damaged ships being towed to a safe anchorage." She was small and not very elegant, but she had power and a stout hearted crew of union men. What more could be asked? . v. . Revised Regulation 64 has one improvement over the unrevised version. From now on if a man signs on, say, in Galveston and proceeds to New York; in New York the articles are reopened and he signes new articles before a trans-Atlantic voyage; and after the trans-Atlantic voyage he pays off in New York—he is entitled to transportation back to Galveston. In other words, a man is entitled to transportation to the original port of signing-on even if the articles are opened and closed again in another transportation zone. All members should study the new transpor­ tation rider carefully, and all SIU Agents should clip it and paste .'VI- •X .J. i-"' .If-' it on the bulk-head for all to see. When you sign, articles, make certain that they contain "Oper­ ations Regulation 64, Revised." Following is the full text of the transportation rider: TRANSPORTATION RIDER A.—When the vessel arrives and has discharged its cargo at a final port of discharge in the continental United States, each crew member engaged in the United States who has made a trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific voyage on the vessel, or who has been continuously employed on the vessel for a period of six months, shall be furnished trans(Continued on Page 3) �vV-.-v-pA".,::i:g Page Two THE SEAFARERjS .^:'-.;---£4'r':..Tj^.--)•. LOG Friday. January 26, 1949 SEAFARERS LOG Published by the SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor HARRY LUNDEBERG ------ President 10 i Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK - -- -- -- - Secy-Treas. P. O. Box 2 J, Stj^tion P., New York City MATTHEW DUSHANE - - - Washington Rep. 424 5 th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. Directory of Branches BRANCH NEW YORK (4) BOSTON (10) BALTIMORE (2) PHILADELPHIA NORFOLK NEW ORLEANS (16)... CHARLESTON (9) SAVANNAH TAMPA JACKSONVILLE MOBILE SAN JUAN. 28 P.R.. PUERTO RICO GALVESTON ADDRESS 51 Beaver St 330 Atlantic Ave 14 North Gay St 6 North 6th St 25 Commercial PI 339 Chartree St 68 Society St 220 East Bay St 423 East Piatt St 920 Main St 7 St. Michael St 45 Ponce de Leon 219 20th St PHONE HAnover 2-2784 Liberty 405 7 Calvert 4539 Lombard 765 i .. Norfolk 4-1083 Canal 3336 Charleston 3-2930 Savannah 3-1728 Tampa MM-1323 Jacksonville 5-123 I Dial 2-1392 San Juan !885 Galveston 2-8043 PUBLICATION OFFICE: 51 BEAVER STREET HAnover 2-2784 New York, (4) N. Y. 267 The London Conference Ships Named Elsewhere in this issue is a full report by Brothers Weisberger and Hawk on the recent sessions of. the Joint For Our "• Maritime Commission in London"! No one can read this report without having a sense of discouragement anc Dead frustration. Editor's Mail Bag —^ Fort Stanton Hospital titled "The SIU at "War," relating -Jan, 14, 1945 read a copy of your booklet entrue experiences in the war at Seafarers International Union (Continued from fage 1) Here was an international conference of labor anc sea by members of the Seafarers of North America, International Union. , I enjoyed management representing all the major maritime nations and is survived by his mother, Deaj" Sir and Brother: reading this little booklet, which a conference convened after careful preparation and de­ Mrs. R. D. Turriage of Panama Donations received amounting wa.s loaned to me by one of your dicated to noble sounding generalities—and yet it came City, Fla. to $46.25, from the SS James members and I think it is one of to nothing. Harlan, and was divided among the best little books I have seen CLARENCE F. PECK, wiper the five members. At this conference labor presented demands which published in this war, on the SS Carrabulle, torpedoed They received nine dollars and were extremely modest (far below American standards) I am writing to ask if you and sunk on May 26, 1942, He twenty five cents each. and yet because of the way the Commission is organized, could send me about 5 or 6 copies was born January 10, 1904 in with equal voice by management, these modest demands Greenwich, Conn,, and his bro­ L. S. Kates, Book 30 Gulf Dist. of this book for my own personal J. H, Jones, Book 39 Gulf Dist. distribution to some of my friends were torpedoed. ther, Mr. Leater V. Peck, lives in Archibald McGuigan, Book 22934 back home here in our little vil- •If labor is unable to get through the Commission and Greenwich, Atl. Gulf Dist. lage who have sons in the mer­ the ILO a resolution asking only $72 a month for A.B.s on Nicolas Gamanin, Book 8 Pac. chant service. Any other litera­ foreign ships, then it must be that something is wrong with GEORGE A. LAWSON. a mess- Dist, ture that you might feel that the way the Commission and the ILO is organized, and it is boy on the Tug Menominee which J, R, Horn, Book 81 Pac Dist. would be of interest for the home was torpedoed and sunk oh We would like to thank the folks will be greatly appreciated. time for labor to take a new look at this outfit. March 31, 1942, He was bom crew of the J'ames Harlan I might add a line to say that The whole basis for the ILO is the premise that there November 15, 1918 at Burgess through Seafarers Log for this my oiler, a lad by the name of are "enlightened" employers who will place the welfare mighty fine gesture on their part, Store, Va, The next of kin is and smooth sailing ahead for Paul, represented your organiza­ of their workers above profits. Upon this is added the tion and was on my watoh from Mrs. Glenwood Lawson of Bur­ them, theory that governments are impartial in disputes between gess Store, Va. 8 to 12, He was trying to orgaiv«i FrateTnally, management and labor. The ILO was then organized with The following SUP brother is ize the ship which was a good JEWELL HORN thing to have happen. Some of equal voice for labor, for management and for government. being honored; your men, who were sailing oa But the ILO's humanitarian approach to the question JOHN MARTIN MILLER, or­ January 13, 1945 this ship, were a fine, clean lot has proved itself bankrupt. As American seamen know dinary seaman on the SS Pot- Seafarers Log, of men, the first group of AFL from past experience, government invariably sides with lateh which Was torpedoed and men I have sailed with and the respect and courtesy they ex­ management in disputes, and management is not motivated sunk June 27, 1942, He was born Dear Sirs: July 20, 1910 in Portland, Ore,, Recently while at sea as a Srd tended is something that is not by anything but the desire for more profit. Where the con­ and his grandmother, Mrs, Mar­ Assistant Engineer on the SS very often found on the high ; flict involved worker demands which might have meant tha Miller, lives in that city. Quemado Lake, I happened to seas, . . , ' greater operating costs for the employer, then the worker found himself without allies. The shipowners in London have proved again this month that they are ready to give lip service to high sound­ ing generalities, but when it comes to taking any concrete action which might cost them a couple of bucks, they resort to tactics of delay, double-talk and shadow boxing. To give the shipowner equal voice with labor in any inter­ national maritime organization is to reduce that ^dy to Hoping you A^yjl continue your merely a forum for shipowner wind. Nothing else can :ight for better working condicome out of it. ;ions, I am It is our sincere hope that our European trade union Very truly yours, brothers have learned this lesson from the London con­ GEORGE T. MUNYER ference. We commend to them the American way of landling the shipowner—-by economic action, either across Keep In Touch With the bargaining table or on the waterfront picket line. That is the sort of language he understands. Your Draft Board A- / �\ Friday. January 26, 1945 Who's Man's Best Friend? Who's a seamen's best friend? His dog? His mother? No—you've got it wrong. The answer is "the Coast Guard." At least that is what Joe Volpian says. And he ought to know, since he is head of the New York Special Ser­ vice Department and thereby charged with defend SIU men before the ,Coast Guard hearing units. "There was a time," says Joe, "when the Coast Guard was lift­ ing papers faster than a seaman lifts a glass of suds. All a man had to do was to part his hair on the left side and he'd find brass swarming all over him. But times have changed." Now days, according to Joe, the Coast Guard even telephones him whenever it has an SIU man on the carpet, and suggests that he come over "if it is convenient" and defend the man. The hearing THE Log to Campaign for World Wide Distribution A SEAFARERS LOG in every port in the world touched by American ships! This is the goal of a new distribution drive about to be launched by the union. Numerous complaints have been recived from the membership that the LOG is not available in Murmansk, or Burmsu or in Dutch Guiana. From now on we intend to see that it is in just those spots— and many others. Chief Stewards on SIU ships will henceforth receive bundles of the LOG with instructions to drop them at the port of dis­ charge. They will make a re­ cord of the port and date of delivery so that the member­ ship will know just which ports are being covered. The Press run of the paper will be in­ creased from time to time as new ports of distribution are established. Write in and lei us know if you have difficulty in getting the LOG—for if you do we can correct that situation, and fast. Two Officers Are Lauded olfieeF&-eften make suggeistions how best to defend the man. And recently their most e^vere sen­ tences have been 6 months pro­ bation. Of course, there's a reason for this sudden change. It isn't that the Coast Guard brass hats have developed an affection for the merchant seamen. It's simply that they have in the past lifted so many men's papers that they contributed substantially to the present shortage of qualified men. As fast "as the RMO trained men and sent them on the ships green a^a hickory limb in May— the Coast Guard was beaching the old timers and, rated men. It must be that some one in Washington finally woke up to what was going on and gave or­ ders to trim some of the brass. But a word to the wise—this is too good to last. As soon ag the manpower situation eases a bit there is likely to be a change of policy. So when the skipper threatens you with the Coast Guard, don't couift on the redcarpet bejng rolled down the steps for you, and a bouquet of . 'roses from the hearing officer. By the time you hit the beach he jmgy again be in mood to bat ^ you around as if you were an enemy alien. Dniy One Out of Five Can Count onji Job Under Selective Service Rules; Unions Protect All Well believe it or not, I have the pleasure of informing all hands that for a change I'd like to talk about a couple of real good officers, the Skipper and Mate of the SS JAMES JACK­ SON, a South Atlantic scow. The names of these two gentlemen are J. H. Lowry, the Skipper and Jack C. Chapman, the Chief Mate. The crew on this ship were loud in their praise of the Skipper and Mate, as were the two officers of their crew. Co­ operation like that is very rare these days, and we were very glad to hear this mutual admira­ tion on the part of both parties. Officers of this type prove that being right guys pays to all hands concerned. This ship paid off without a beef. As long as Skippers and Mates of this type continue to sail, going to sea won't be as bad as some of the lousy officers make it. The Chief Mate, Mr. Chapman, is staying ashore for a while in order to sit for a Master's ticket. We would like to be the first to congratulate him when he receives his ticket and we hope that he continues to sail SIU ships. The piecards up here are still SEAFARERS LOG The Shipowner Keeps A Promise By J. P. S. This story starts back in Octo­ ber and could be titled "Mr. Nortor Reconsiders—(under pres­ sure)". The SS BARTLETT sails into Baltimore on a bright October morn with a crew raring to get paid off and go home. It looks as if everything is O.K. There has been a lot of work done and the BARTLETT is as clean as any ship can be. The crew is satisfied and it has worked many hours. All of its overtime has been approved by the heads of their departments as per contract. But on the scene arrives the "Master-Mind" Norton. He has been sitting in Boston with his heels propped up on a desk—no rough weather prevents him from eating or sleeping in comfort— no blackouts prevent him from smoking or reading at nightno seas come through his win­ dows to wet his bed or ruin his clothes while he sleeps—sub­ marines do not worry him—nor bombs. The profits are coming in. He is farsighted—he can see from Boston how long it took an A.B. to splice a wire—how long it took a Deck Engineer to do electri­ cian's work—how long it took a messman to sougee a bulkhead but, being a considerate man, he considers. He considers that there has been too much overtime turned in. So with his own little red pencil, he slashes it down to what he likes. When informed by the crew that they wouldn't sign off until legitimate overtime was okayed, Mr. Norton reconsiders—with flowing promises that all will be okayed and paid as soon as he can get to Boston and set it up. He persuades the crew to sign off and accept the rest of their money. The crew, being honest seamen and not realizing to what extent some of the operators will go to chisel them, agreed. As soon as they were cleared of the articles, Mr. Norton went to Bosbattling the elements on the front. With all the snow in the last few days, it looks like we would have to use snowshoes to cover all the ships that are pay­ ing off in this port. This is kind of hard on the boys who very seldom have seen snow before. If it keeps snowing I guess we will have to put the car on skiis in order to have the heap move. LOUIS GOFFIN ton and when the crew called for the money they learned that they had none coming. The deci­ sion had been reversed. Mr. Nor­ ton had reconsidered. The ctew notified Agent Flan­ agan in Baltimore. Flanagan sent all records to Agent Mogan in Boston. Mogan contacted Norton and did the best he could, as most of the crew had shipped and he.was.not familiar with the beef. But, Mr. Norion considered all of the angles and it was a stalemate. The beef was patiently pursued by two members of the crew that were not willing to be swindled by a company stiff. Everytime Mr. Norton was con­ tacted, he stated that he consid­ ered the matter a closed issue. amounted to less than 70 cents an hour, hardly more than a subsistence level. Average raises granted by the board in these cases were •6.3 cents an hour, which still left the pay rates far below decent American standards. Significantly, the report disclosed that employes in unorganized or "company union" plants are paid far less than workers in union establishments. In the former, the average wage, at the time of applica­ tions for raises, was only 64 Mr. Nortorl's entire vocabulary of flowery promises and his pat­ riotic pleading, the Patrolmen shook their heads sadly and re­ quested Mr. Norton to recon­ sider. Mr. Norton then went into hysteria with loud and abusive rantings. He berated the SIU and labor in general. But to no avail, for this time Mr. Norton had met his Waterloo. With no alternative, Mr. Nor­ ton re-checked the overtime and okayed all that had been dis­ puted. As Jhe finished each page, he was required to put^n O.K., with his signatury. When each man's overtime was okayed, he stopped, signed a pay voucher covering the amount of the en­ tire disputed overtime. There were around 500 hours for the two men involved. Then Gold's overtime for the voyage previous to Sept. was rechecked and he was paid 50 hours for blowing tubes at last. The re­ cord of the SS BARTLETT is clean. The men have collected their money. MR. NORTON HAS RECONSIDERED! Four months after the episode of the flowing promises, the S. S. LOU GEHRIG, of thb Eastern S. S. Company, docked in New York with more beefs than the black market. Mr. Norton blew in from Boston with a smile, a hand shake, and a new edition of flowing promises. But Mr. Norton was met by a reception committee consisting of Flayer and Gold of the BARTLETT, and Jdp Sub Gets SUP two uncompromising Patrolmen Ship off Honolulu who informed him that there was no intention of working on the SAN FRANCISCO—A Jap­ SS GEHRIG until the Bartlett anese sub, resuming undersea beef was settled. warfare against American ship­ Aftor dead panning through ping off the Pacific Coast for the first time since 1942. tor­ pedoed and sank the SUP Liberty John A. Johnson last month. 10 of the ship's crew were lost, but it has not yet been determined how many of cents an hour, as against 72 them were SUP brothers. to 75 cents in the latter. The Johnson was enroule ^ On an annual basis, that from the West Coast to Hon­ would mean a union worker, olulu when she got the tin toiling about 2,500 hours, in­ fish in her. This area is nom­ cluding overtime at time and inally safe, and is constantly one-half rates, would earn patroled by units of the Pacific approximately $300 more fleet. I than a non-union employe. According to a report re­ Other statistics carried in leased by the United Press, the report showed • that survivors of the torpedoing were machine gunned by the throughput the three-year sub. The survivors were finally period, the board and its re­ obserired by plane and then gional offices disposed of rescued by the Navy motor 362,000 cases covering 24,yacht Argus. 000,000 workers. Myth Of High Wages Shattered By Report Propaganda about war workers wallowing in high wages was shattered in a re­ port put out this week by the National War Labor Board, covering its three years of operations. Buried in the report was a special tabulation covering a 20-month period. It showed that out of a quarter million cases, involving nearly 14,000,000 workers, handled in that period, the average earnings, at the time of ap­ plications for increases. Page Three �Page Four THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. Janyary 26, 1945 Delegates Report On Meeting {Continued from Page 1) lacked technical advisors and were not in contact with many of the employers in occupied coun­ tries. In other words, they were playing the old stalling game and giving the seamen a run around by refusing to discuss even the modest demands contained in the Charter. In the face of this shipowner sabotage, the seamen's delegates were helpless to force a discus­ sion. However, they finally reached an agreement to estab­ lish a Tripartite Technical Con­ ference of maritime countries. This conference is to convene in October, 1945 and prepare drafts on the following subjects: (a) wages, hours and manning; (b) leaves; (c) accomodations; (d) food and (e) recognition of » unions. The Commission also ^ agreed to the establishment of special committees to study and report on continuous employ­ ment, social insurance and entry, training and promotion. All of these committees were TRIPARTITE BODIES made tripartite—^this is, with equal representation from labor, management and government. The SIU delegates have always been opposed to the admission of government representatives be­ cause of our conviction that this would only mean another vote against the seamen. However, bad flying weather prevented the American delegates from arriv­ ing in time to participate in this part of the procedings. Had we ^een therg. our 'votes would not have altered the final decision since the representatives of the European seamen, as well as management, favored the admis­ sion of government. After the Technical Conference is held in October 1945, the decisions agreed to will be refered to the full ILQ conference that is to be held in the spring of 1946. When the SIU delegates ar­ rived the shipowners had already torpedoed about half of the agenda. We participated fully in the discussions from then on, with the understanding that we should have the right to review the entire, agenda from the American point of view. It was extremely important that the SIU delegates make clear their position on the ques­ tion of the wage scales set up in the proposed Seafarers Charter. This proposed scale contained dynamite which might well back­ fire against the conditions won over years of struggle by the American seamen. And since our first responsibility is to . the American seamen, it was neces­ sary for us to take a sharp and clear position. On the fourth afternoon Weisberger took the floor and gave the following position on behalf of the SIU: WEISBERGER'S STATEMENT "Mr. Chairman. "My co-worker Hawk and I are grateful for the opportunity which you so kindly afford us to ^state our views with regard to the items on the agenda which Jrou have been discussing during bin- involuntary absence. I think that it is realized here that we who come from the United States take a rather different view of things. This is partly due be­ cause we cannot maintain such intimate relations with the in­ ternational movement as can our European friends. On the other hand it is the outcome of the fact that our conditions are different and if I may say so, generally speaking very much better than those of the seamen of other countries. "It is naturally our desire to help to improve the conditions of seamen all over the world which is, ultimately, also in our own interest. The question arises, however, whether the Interna­ tional Labor Organization can really, do anything to assist us or rather, let me put it the other way around—can the work we are doing here jeopardize the re­ sults we have attained and im­ pede, if not frustrate, further , ef­ forts on our part to improve con­ ditions in the American merchant marine? sight of the fact that the ultimate outcome of our negotiations is determined by our economic strength. We have no illusions that the shipowners will say 'You seamen must have a decent wage and since you need $250 per month to maintain your wife and your kids and to live in a decent home we have resolved to in­ crease your wages to that ex­ tent.' No, Mr. Chairman, if I should declare here that I con­ sidered £18 to be an adequate international minimum wage I feel absolutely sure that the American operators will tell me that we must_ get down to that figure. We all have our exper­ ience and what happened after the last war. Our Wages went down and down and down and our ships were laid up and we were told that because of the low wages in other countries our operators could not compete and so on and so forth. ference in October, there is no need for me to go into details but I do want to say that in my opinion for questions such as safety, hours, manning, accom­ modation, leave and food, it should not be difficult to find a solution. We have rather differ­ ent opinions about the setting up of shipping pools, and about re­ entry training and promotion and also with regard to social and ac­ cident compensation, but we will bring these views to the. notice of the committee which are to be set up for the purpose. FRATERNAL AID "That is all I have to say for the time being and I want once again to give the assurance that the American seamen want good conditions for themselves and for the seamen of all other countries, that we should strive for uni­ formity on an international plane and that we should be out to achieve that uniformity on the highest possible level. Again I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity of presenting the position of our organization." What the SIU delegates at­ tempted to do also, was to con­ vince the European union leaders that the remedy for inequalities in wage scales was the organiza­ tion of all seamen on an inter­ national scale into, militant trade unions. In the final analysis, when the seamen of one nation are attacked the seamen of all nations are attacked. And only strong international unionism can protect the men who sail the ships. The SIU delegates attempt­ ed to convince the European union delegates that economic power, and only economic power, was going to force the ship­ owners to pay decent wages. We feel that it is important to report to our membership at this time the position taken by the SIU on other points on the agenda, even though some of these points were not formally discussed at the London meeting. that war bonuses in the Far East waters should be established only by an international agreement, because up to this date, when the' war has been going on for sev­ eral years, the war bonuses have been handled through direct negotiations by the various coun­ tries. Why all of a sudden should the bonus in the Far East waters be established by an interna­ tional agreement? This sounds like the European shipowners might want this thing established in view of the fact that they might have to compete with American shipowners in Far East waters when the war in Europe is over, and knowing that the American seamen's war bonuses are higher in these waters, they would naturally be subjected to pressure by the foreign seamen to get the same standard as the ' . American seamen have. So by establishing an interna­ tional .system of bonus rates in Far East waters, the only ones benefited will be the European shipowners. The American Sea­ men certainly will lose by it. POST WAR FLEET "What is the position today? I think that the United States SIU CONDITIONS TOP has made up her mind that we "I said that our conditions shall have a substantial merch­ CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT were, on the whole, superior to ant marine after this war. It is The Seafarers Charter proposes those of other countries and t not only the ship operators who that each country set up a man­ don't say so because I want to want a large fleet but it is the power pool in the appropriate boast—quite to the contrary—I policy of the government and it ports. These pools would be un­ wished that conditions in other is the desire of the people and der the joint control of the gov­ we shall also maintain a Icurge coOntries were better or at any ernments, oerators and the. shipping industry. rate equal to our own because unions. We are in vigorously dis­ "The view of the American that would make the position agreement with this proposal. seamen is that we cannot afford very much easier. The question of employment "Let me take Wages—otir rpin-. to let things take their own for seamen must be handled • course as happened after the last imum basic raie for an A.B. is through the union hiring halls, war, but we assume that the $100 or £26 per month. If it were and be completely controlled by United States will have quite an not for the war bonuses which the unions.. Only the seamanrhas important fleet and we are de­ are paid at present, $100 would be the right to determine bow his an inadequate wage in my coun­ termined that our conditions labor shall be sold. try, and I think that nobody in shall be such that they will give to the American seamen a decent this room or outside will contra­ ENTRY. TRAINING. ' dict that statement. In other words existence. PROMOTION "Let me add here that we are $100 will be too low a wage after The Charter proposes that the the war and there is no doubt prepared to support the seamen entry rating should receive prethat the American seamen will of other countries by all the sea training. Here again we dis­ have to claim higher wages. means at our disposal to improve agree. During normal conditions There is no doubt that they will their conditions and bring th«n we believe that the proper way —nor do I doubt for a moment up to our standards. to train a man is to send him "Having said this I am inclined that they will obtain better pay. aboard a ship as an apprentice "Now the International Seafar­ to ask whether it isn't prema­ DANGER ZONE BONUSES and let him learn aboard. He ers' Charter suggests an interna­ ture to fix an international min­ We are definitely and abso­ should receive wages while learn- . tional minimum wage of £l8. or imum wage which may have to lutely opposed to the proposal (Continued on Page 5) $72 and I have heard that the go on the Statute Book when the shipowners on this Joint Mari­ minimum proposed is still so far time Commission have already below the standard of one or given to understand that they re­ more important maritime coun­ tries and whether we should not gard £18 as being too high. "I have not yet been able to through international and joint ascertain what fight the seamen trade union action first achieve a of the different countries will be greater degree of uniformity. able and prepared to put up in MATCH SIU CONDITIONS order to achieve the best possible "I hope I have made our posi­ wage and other conditions. Judg­ tion clear. The American seamen ing from my contacts with Euro­ demand a standard of living pean seamen in American ports which is comparable with that of I feel sure that they are in a very other American workers and the good fighting spirit. American seamen are confident MINIMUM A MAXIMUM that their coUeagues of the other "I do want to ask this ques­ countries will not only under­ tion: does not the fixing of an stand the American position, but international minimum wage for will also do everything they can seamen mean a handicap for all in order to approach the Ameri­ those who can get more than that can wage standard as near as minimum? I know the argument they can. that we are only out to lay down "In regard to Danger Zone a minimum but don't you think Bonuses—continuous employment that the shipowners will stare at —entry training and promotion that minimum and make up their —social insurance—^rights and minds either openly or secretly to obligations of seafarers—Govern­ regard it as a maximum? ment control—seamen's laws, this "My union is quite prepared to we don't see eye to eye with our W.I.B. negotiate and it has concluded colleagues on this side. However, several agreements with the with regard to the items which "JFipe that opinion off yovtr faee.'* operators. But we never lose will go before the Technical con- /.'r- :• • m �^Friday, January 26. 1945 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Five =ap • SIU Delegates Report strongly to the representatives of the European seamen that they fight for full emancipation of their members through the pass­ ing of laws freeing the seamen from' antiquated customs. The American seamen were freed in 1915 with the passage of the "LaFollette Act." This not only made American seamen free, but it also freed European seamen in SOCIAL INSURANCE American ports and gave them A system of compensation for the protection of American injury is proposed in the Charter. courts. We cannot subscribe to this be­ cause the American seamen are GOVERNMENT CONTROL covered by Federal law guaran­ We made clear also the fact teeing them maintenance and that we stood for a merchant cure while injured. marine free of government con­ This means hospitalization trol. We want to bargain directly while in critical condition, and with the shipowner, and not be subsistance while an out-patient. knifed in the back by some "im­ > Besides the maintenance and partial" government bureau. We cure, American seamen have a subscribe to the principles of be­ right to sue the shipowner for ing free men and we cannot be .damages under the Jones Act". free under government control. Under this set-up the American seamen ard far better off than MINIMUM WAGES under any compensation plan. As to the subject of minimum wages, we find ourselves- in a RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS very difficult position.. If mini­ OF SEAFARERS Members of the crew should mum wages are applied to elim­ not perform work usually done inate unfair International com­ by longshoremen, under the pro­ petition using cheap labor, we posed Charter. We object to this can only support them if Ihey because the sekmen in America are at least equal to American have worked cargo and we have standards: Otherwise we only special agreements with the eliminate the competition up to operators governing this. We the point where they reach the maintain that all work performed standard wages of certain coun­ aboard a ship, working cargo and tries, while enabling these coun­ what have you, from tackle to tries to continue unfair competi­ tackle, is the jurisdiction of the tion against our ships and our ' seamen and we cannot go against trade rates without having them­ this principle. We urge all Euro­ selves such competition on their pean unions to insist upon sim­ traditional trade routes. ilar agreements as to working This would result in well cargoes as contained in SIU con­ founded criticism by our mem­ bership and at the same time in­ tracts. terfere with our plans for a SEAMEN'S LAWS higher basic wage for our sea­ Your delegates recommended men. (Continued from Page 4) ing. After having sailed as an apprentice for a certain time he should then be able to sail as ordinary, messman or wiper. After all, we can not make sea­ men ashore—and any attempt to do so is a waste of the taxpayers* money. Further, it is understood that a considerable amount of the ton­ nage of American shipping will be turned over at very advantag­ eous rates to foreign nations OFriCIAL ORGAM OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA 5 E A,M E N ' S UNION Afniiated with g.l.U, of N.A. (A.F. of L.) in need of bottoms in the post­ war period. To permit these ships, paid for by the American taxpayers, to be worked by foreign seamen at wages rates some-30% lower than the American wage rates means Vancouver, B, C.—After nine months of bitter strug­ to further discriminate against the American seafarers and gles, arguments and negotiations with the operators of the against the entire American mer­ Union SS Company, an agreement was signed with that chant marine. company by H. Murphy, Business Agent of the BCSU-SIU, CONCLUSION on Saturday, December 9th, 1944. Prior to this time the Many of the above items will •executives of this company, which be discussed at the Technical is a mere annex of the Canadian Conference to be held this com­ Pacific Railway, used every de­ ing October. But we take this vice to stall the signing of the opportunity to make our posi­ tion clear to all. agreement. In conclusion We should like On one occasion they refused QUEBEC, Dec. 2. — Ju.stice to say that the Joint Maritime to negotiate because two of the Commission and the Interna­ Lucian Cannon rendered judg­ Union representatives had not tional Labor Organization is so ment condemning the Panaman­ sailed on their ships; they wanted organized that the employers and ian Steamship Company to pay to deal only with men who had government are able to sabotage $27,194 to the crew of the SS been in their employ. This clari­ any progressive measures intro­ Griffco and the owner, the Coast­ fies the fact that these executives duced by the representatives of wise Steamship and Barge Com­ expected us to sign a company labor. We have little hope that pany, Ltd., because of the serv­ agreement. any concrete benefits for the ices rendered by that ship's crew But this is not unusual, every workers will emerge from this when the SS Makena caught fire company would like an agree­ set-up. However, it is our inten­ off the Gaspe Coast on Septem­ ment guaranteeing the supply of tion to participate fully in the ber 21, 1942. men and at the same time mak­ work, of the ILO and to give our The crew of the Makena were ing the exploitation of these men Brother unionists abroad all the picked up by th.e Griffco and then who sell their labor to them, aid that we can. the crew of the Griffco boarded easier. At the same time we hope to the burning ship and put out the The company knew from the convince them that as long as fire. The Company had asked beginning that they were up they ^confine their demands' for $1(10.000 for services rendered, against the most militant outfit improved conditions to the arena but Justice Cannon ruled that on the waterfront, still they at­ of the ILO, they are spitting in $12,500 be given to the Company tempted every stall to test our the wind. We hope to convince and an additional $12,500 be given strength in the hope that we them that militant international to the officers and crew. The would sell out because they know~^ unionism is the instrument which sum of $2194 was authorized to that they could obtain a company will improve the lot of the sea­ cover the damage caused to the agreement from the leadership men. And we hope to eventually Griffco during the salvage oper­ of the Inlandboatmen's Union. join them in the building of such ations. (Look at the IBU's only agree­ an instrument. ment, signed by Digger Smith, and the Corporation of North Vancouver, which in the words of the ferryboatmen themselves is a company agreement.) However, no other Union was able to enter this fight because SS WM. PEPPERELL SS SAMUEL JOHNSON the SIU has the great majority of the men on these ships. Edward D. Troxel 57 hrs, All crew members who paid off Now that the agreement is sign­ L. Healy 12% hrs, 8 to 12 watch in Savannah and did not receive ed the battle is far from won, has 2% hours due. Deck Dept. their transportation money can those who sail these ships who has two weeks linen due. collect it. Checks are being mail­ have been discouraged from the Collect at Calmar Line Office. ed to your home address. If you long whit should again take no­ don't receive them in a reason­ » • • tice, learn the agreement, and able number of days, write to the SS LOUIS KOSSUTH fight the employer on the ships office of the Eastern Steamship Bloem 150 hrs;, H. While 359 Company. as well as ashore. hrs; C. Jones 109 hrs; Council The closed shop is now enforc­ • • • 100 hrs; I. Williams 50 hrs; Jen­ ed on all Union Steamships. SS MEYER LISSINER kins 117 hrs; Parrish 117 hrs. There should be no fear of unjust, Collect at Bull Line Office. firing. The right to fight for bet­ Entire crew has $7.20 coming • • • ter conditions "on the job" has for Election Day and $4 for boat SS NOAH BROWN been won. transportation. Beefs on the evap­ orators and taking salinity tests Bbs'n, 4% hrs; Chips, 6% hrs; Tremblay, 20% hrs; Eblazer, 12% on water will be taken to a com­ hrs; Lee, 12% hrs; White 5% hrs; mittee i n New Orleans. Also, 60% Of THE NATION'S Walsh, 4% hrs; Bairt, 4% hrs; Howard Crane has $6.30 coming FACfoftV ARE McKaron, 5% hrs; Jenson, 4% for carpenter work, and F. A. NovJ vJcfiKine UNKR A hrs; Deflo, 4% hrs. Collect at Maxwell has $7.20 coming for Here is the new head of tfie UNION CONTRACT. Robin Line office. painting fans. Dies Committee which has been made a standing committee of the House. This is Representa­ tive Edward J. Hart, a Hague ATLANTIC AND GULF SHIPPING FOR machine man from New Jersey. With the balance of power in NOV. 27 TO JAN. 15, 1945 the committee held by reaction­ Deck Engine Steward Total ary poll-taxer John E. Rankin from Mississippi, and with ma­ chine politician Hart as chair­ 3177 2702 2489 8368 SHIPPED man, labor can well expect a new 2475 2107 1886 6468 REGISTERED series of slanders and smears from this set-up. Union Agreements Signed BSCU Crew Win Service Suit Committee Head Money Due SS GRACE ABBOT All beefs settled in Steward and Engine Depts. For subsistance, Sept. 20, the following: James Payane, AB; Donald Crowell, AB; James Gordon, AB; Francis, Petzil, FOW; Aigly Wright, FOW; Jose Prats, Cook; George Wolf, L. Bartlett, E. Fogel, J. Escabar. 2 days subsistance, Jan. 12-13 for the following: Argyle J.'Wright, FOW; Frank Petzil, FOW; Dick Gilbertson, FOW. Overtime beef settled for Wrigh^ FOW. 4 hours for stand­ ing extra watch in Scotland. All monies collectable at Calmar SS Company Office. • • • SS CAMPFIRE Extra Meal Money: John Gib­ bons, R. Osorio, M. Lora, E. Cheney. Collect at Waterman SS Com­ pany Office. • • • SS FITZHUGH LEE T. Packer, G. Faircloth, C. Stein, H. Nichols, L. Litzinger, L. King W. Roma, Smith. Collect at Smith ^ Johnson flS' Company Office; ; , •%. •/" •> : • •.h'C. . :• •: |l �•V Page Six THE SE AF ARISES lOG Friday. January 26, 1945 May Bill Is Hit As 'Military Dictatorship' Souvenir Creates Beaver St. Riot WASHINGTON, D. C. — The Here Is the Business American Federation of Labor blasted compulsory labor legis­ JAN. 22—The House Mili­ lation at a public hearing before A couple of weeks ago a union brother walked into the oflFice of the New York^ tary Affairs Committee wrote the House Military Affairs Com­ mittee as indications multiplied an anti-closed shop amend­ Agent and presented him with a 20 mm. German shell. He suggested that the union that such legislation is doomed ment into the manpower legis­ might want to put it in some sort of a war display. The Agent accepted the souvenir, lation today and passed the with thanks and put the shell on top of the office safe. Shortly after that Al Kerr, as-, to defeat. Lewis G. Hines, AFL legisla­ measure on to the House for' sistant New York dispatcher, walked in and spotted the shell. "Say, is that thing action in the next week. tive representative, delivered loaded?" he asked. two-fisted attack on the pending The Amendment, which was "Gee, I dunno," the Agent re­ May Bill at the hearing. He approved in Committee by a plied. "A guy just left it here charged: vote of 14 to 10, stipulated that and didn't say whether or not it l'—That claims of manpower no man taking an industrial was live." shortages have been greatly ex­ job at the request or direction Kerr then recalled that the aggerated. of his draft board shall be re­ Mayor had . announced that any­ 2—That the May Bill is not a quired to join a union as a con­ one having a war souvenir should 4-F draft measure, nor a work- dition of employment. call the police and have it emp­ or-fight bill, but provides for If this bill is passed it could tied of explosives. So, Al called limited compulsory service for mean that the SIU would be the First Precinct and asked that all men from 18 to 45. required to let finks and scabs they tell the patrolman on the 3—That sub-standard wages in ride our ships without payment beat fo stop in the union and pick critical war plants are the chief of dues or joining the union. up the shell. cause of manpower difficulties. Then things began to happen. But then, seamen always 4—That the War and Navy De­ know how to take care of finks You would have thought that a partments are backing the legis­ battery of 88's were in the hall. —in one way or another. lation in order to place the entire First the cop on the beat walks nation under military control. in and looks sternly at the shell 5—That passage of the bill (measuring about 5 inches in would "demoralize" war produc­ length). While he was asking a tion instead of helping it. hundred and one questions about Meanwhile, Senator James how the shell arrived, in comes a Mead, Chairman of the Senate brace of breathless plain clothes War Investigating Committee, detectives. They started asking announced his opposition to the all over again the questions that two police cars loaded with traf­ Fire it in the steel box? A dozen forced labor bill. fic cops who's job it was to rope experts filled the room with gumthe harness bull had asked. The Senator declared his com­ off the street and prevent the beating but none o^ them seem­ Just then a siren could be mittee would institute immediate curious from getting trampled ed to have the answer. hearings to investigate the high- WASHINGTON, D. C. — An heard screaming down Beaver Finally one of the plain clothes under the mob's feet. pressure talk about manpower AFL committee, headed by Presi­ Street. It came to a rasping halt dicks merely reached across the In the union hall, in the mean in front of the hall. It was the shortages. High officials of the dent William Green, conferred at Bomb Squad of 6 men in a red time, the Bomb Squad was lay­ table, picked up the shell, drop.^ War Manpower Commission, the length with President Roosew'ilt: wagon. The appearance of the ing out its equipment. It had a ped it in his pocket and walked War Production Board and the at the White House on key labor Bomb Squad immediately began bucket of oil, a bucket of sand, out of the hall. The Bomb Squad War Department will be called. look at each other rather sheep­ In a recent report, the Mead problems affecting the war effort to attract spectators from the en­ and a bucket of water and a big ishly, and then filed slowly back tire financial district, and before steel "blast proof" box filled with Committee accused the War De and the post-war future. to their red, truck. .. . . Tpartnient of wasting manpower The principal topic of discus­ another five minutes had passed cotton. But no one knew how to One union brother who follow-; handle this particular shell. The by permitting production of huge sion was the AFL demand for Beaver Street was so jammed ed the flatfoot says that he walk­ surpluses of certain types' of v/ar scrapping of the Little Steel wage that no traffic could pass through. shell was German and all. the po­ ed to the North River and drop­ lice brains seemed to have the By now Police Headquarters equipment when the workers in formula. The last AFL conven­ ped the shell into the water. those industries could have been tion directed Mr. Green to convey had received word of the traffic jitters. Put it in oil? In water? Sand? Simple as that. jam, and down the street roared diverted to plants manufacturing its position on this issue to the continues with the vessel on an­ critical material. President. He took with him on rived at such port. Hines also charged wastage and the visit to the White House Sec­ Notwith.standing anything other voyage, his subsequent hoardirig of manpower in war in­ retary-Treasurer George Meany herein provided, no crew member right to again regeive transpor­ dustries. He also flatly declared and Vice President Harry C. who is engaged at, and assigned tation under this rider shall be that out of fourteen war indus­ Bates. to the vessel from, a port other determined from the date when, (Continued 'from Page I) tries where production lags have The labor delegation told the portation, subsistence and wages, than his port of shipniient, shall and with reference to the port set in, this condition is due to President that the wage freeze is (or oash equivalent thereof as be entitled to transportation un­ where, he joins the vessel for the manpower deficiencies in only beginning to hamper war produc­ provided in Paragraph E) fro|)n der this rider if he returns on succeeding voyage after receiv­ one. That is the foundry indus­ tion and complicate manpower the final port of discharge in the the vessel to a final port of dis­ ing such transportation. try, where wages are too low to shortages in low-wage industries. continental United States to his charge located in the same area C.—As used in this rider, the^ port of shipment, providing the as the port where he was so en­ term "port of shipment" means attract workers, he said. The rea­ They also warned that failure son for lagging production in the the port at which the individual to adjust wages now in realistic final port of discharge is located gaged and assigned. other industries, he said, are in an area (as defined in Para­ B.—If the vessel opens new crew member joins the vessel. relationship to higher living costs changes in design, suddenly step- would dry up purchasing power graph D) other than the area articles during the period of en­ As used in this rider, and in ped-up schedules and lact of fa­ in the post-war period and retard wherein is located his port of gagement, or changes the form the voyage description in the shipment. cilities. of articles or contract of en­ articles, if any, the term "final recovery. The War and Navy Depart­ If it is contemplated that the gagement, or proceeds from the port of discharge in the United ments and the Selective Service Another powerful plea present­ vessel will, and the vessel does, port of final discharge to a load­ States" shall mean the port in System are not competent to do ed to the President was for the within 10 days after completion ing port as set forth in para­ the continental United States at'" the job of rounding up manpow­ lifting of minimurn wage levels, of discharge at the final port of graph A, the master shall pre­ which the vessel completes the er, Hines stated. He insisted that particularly among white collar discharge, directly proceed to a pare a record which shall be mission for which the voyage the responsibility should be left workers and Government em­ port in the area wherein is locat­ preserved on board the vessel, commenced, or, if the vessel is to labor and industry on a vol­ ployes who have been afflicted by ed a crew member's port of ship­ showing the name of the crew carrying cargo or ballast, the port static incomes during a period of ment, such crew member will not members continuing v/ith the where all remaining cargo or bal­ untary basis. "To those who would use forced inflationary price rises. receive transportation under this I vessel, with the date and port of last is discharged. labor to avoid correcting the It was reported that the Presi­ rider if employment on the ves­ shipment of each. Benefits under A trans-Pacific voyage, for pur­ causes of manpower shoi^Jage, we dent made it clear that he has sel is offered for the trip to such this rider shall be granted with poses of this rider, includes a say: 'This is the way to delay come to no decision as yet with area. reference to original date of em­ voyage from the United States the war effort, not to speed it'," respect to the Little Steel formu­ If the master requests any crew, ployment and original port of to any port or place in the Pacific la as he is awaiting a report on member to continue with the shipment of each crew member, Ocean during which voyage the, declared Hines. this subject from the National vessel from the final port of dis­ j provided employment on the ves­ vessel crosses a line commencing War Labor Board. This report, charge to a loading port in the sel is continuous. The master, if at the north pole, thence run­ when submitted, wijl first be re­ continental United States for the requested, shall furnish, to any ning south along 175° west longi­ The following men left gear on ferred to Stabilization Director next outward voyage, located in crew member continuing with tude to 10° north latitude, thence Mississippi Line ships, and it has Vinson for an opinion as to the same or an adjoining area, the vessel, a statement showing running east to 120° west longi- . now been returned to the union whether adjustment of wage rates no such crew member shall be the original date and port of tude, thence south along 120° baggage room in New York: Vgl would force further price in­ entitled to transportation, substi- shipment of such crew member. west longitude to the south pole. Lopez or Bill Foley, Sam Cirilo, creases. The White House posi­ stence and wages to his port of If a crew member receives, A trans-Atlantic voyage, for Teems, James Daris, William tion has been that wage in­ shipment unless he shall gontinue during the course of his employ­ purposes of this rider, includes ' Foley, Robert Cunningham, Vin­ creases cannot be permitted when with the vessel to such loading ment on the vessel, transporta­ a voyage from the United States cent Walrath and C. Carter. they result in^higher prices. port and until the vessel has ar­ tion or cash equivalent, and he (Continued on Page 8) FDR Hears Demands For Freeze End WSA Rider PERSONALS w;.. < •i �w. I*riday, Jahuai^ 26, 1945 NEW ORLEANS Things are still good in this port with plenty of shipping in all Departments. Had a Waterman ship here this week with the Captain giving or­ ders that any overtime that he disputed was not to be sent to the Company office. Claims that T HE,SE AP ARERS WHAT'S DOING Around the Ports GALVESTON he has the right to strike out what he thinks isn't overtime. He has now changed his mind. One of our old members, Royal Domio, Q-123 passed away in the Hospital here after about three and' one-half years illness. The ex-shipyard workers are BOSTON still coming around to ship out, now that Uncle is tightening up All hands are still busy catch­ on the draft. ing up on our back work. At this L. J. (BALDY) BOLLINGER writing there is twelve inches of Agent snow to plow through and it's c Page Seven X Business and shipping slow for the past two weeks but with four new libertys for the SIU and one for the SUP and a Waterman ship that has been in for repairs, shipping will be on the boom again for a spell. The SS William F. Kamaka of the South Atlantic took a full crew here Jan. 17, 1945 and it was a real pleasure to see how the members took this ship. She was crewed with a 100% SIU and all good union members. The W. F. Kamaka was named after one of our jjieceased brothers who lost his life from an enemy torpedo while serving aboard the SS John Smith. The ship was lost on March 9, 1943. Brother Ka­ maka was an AB aboard the John Smith and we hope that the ship that carries his name will be as good a ship as Brother Kamaka was a seaman and union man. RAY W. SWEENEY. Agent iiir LOG OLDEN BANKS IS DEAD NEW YORK Shipping has been steady the past week in the port of New York with 816 shipped in all departments. We are looking forward to a boom this week as ships have been paying off regularly the past week and a number of them are coming off dry dock and crewing up. 39 ships paid off in this port the past week (most of them long trips) with only 35 signing on. Also had more men shipped than registered and quite a number of them were permit men. Although shipping has slowed down some, this is a gentle hint that you don't have to stay on the beach long in New York. Among the outstanding pay­ offs here were the SS LOU GEH­ RIG, of the Eastern SS Company. The unlicensed personnel had overtime submitted for standing gang watch and firemen work­ ing cargo, etc., on a date that the ship was at sea, according to the log. But the crew told a straight story and all of their dates checked. When questioned, some of the Deck Officers admit­ ted making false entries in the log. The Moran Tug, M. V. Sankety Head came in with the Purser and Captain drawing straws to see who was first in command. But the Chief Engineer Wasn't worried; he knew that he was the Great White Father, "^ey were all surprised to find that the Moran Towing Company and the Seafarers International Union had the last say. The crew of the Sankety Head took great pleasure in the amazement of the Master when he learned that he would have to sign his name to pay vouchers covdiring approximately 2,000 disputed hours overtime be- 1 The SIU lost a pioneer official and uncompromising fighter for the rights of the seamen when Brother Olden Banks died this mmmm, week in Mobile. Banks died at 4 Piilfl o'clock in the afternoon of Janu­ ary 19. He was 49 years old at the time of his death, and had spent his entire adult life in a struggle for conditions aboard ship. Brother Banks was born Jan. J, 1896 in Honduras, and was ta­ ken as a child to Grand Cayman island. He loved the sea from OLDEN BANKS childhood and became a sailor as soon as he was old enough to ing the seamen. When the ISU handle lines. folded. Banks was one of the From the first Banks was a bid timers who rallied around the leader- of seamen, for he was infant SIU and established it on proud and fearless and refused to a firm foundation. bend his knee to any shipowner or fink. He never ran away from Since then. Banks'became one a fight, and faced the issues of the best Business Agents in the union and contributed great­ squarely and honestly. ly to building the SIU into its One of the toughtest organizing present stature. iobs in the south was given to Banks by Scotty Ross back in Banks was one pie-card who 1934. One of the big Waterman never lost touch •vVith the rank ships was in Pensacola, and the and file. He made conscious ef­ company was refusing to recog­ fort to understand their problems nize thd union or allow delegates -and to further this understand­ to be elected aboard the ship. ing he shipped out for a long trip Many union men had been beat­ in the winter of 1944. He knew en and the crew intimidated. that the war had altered condi­ Banks went aboard the ship as tions on the ships, and he Want­ organizer, and shortly after that, ed to know first hand what the the entire crew followed him men were up against. His ship down the gangway and tied up paid off in Frisco and Banks re­ the ship. The company was forc­ turned to New Orleans in time ed to recognize the union because for the last Agents' Conference. of Bank's courage and militancy. The seamen have lost a sincere Banks then wei^t to the old ISU and militant champion in the liall in Mobile, taking the job of death of Brother Olden Banks. Janitor. Ko post was too small We mourn his passing, and honor for him, as long as he was serv- his memory. still falling. Brother Jim Sween­ ey bought himself a pair of snowshoes in order to get him from his home to the train. Having been a ski-trooper in World War I, he can navigate fairly well on snow-shoes or skis. Just got several letters from Brother John Stockman and Brother John Beresford. Both these Brothers are in France with the U. S. Army and from the tone of their letters wish that they were back on the high seas. They are anxious to know how things are going with the SIU and re­ quest that we keep up conditions as they will continue going to sea if and when they get back. Some of our crews are kept on board for as long as 70 and 80 days while in Scotland, without shore-leave while the officers on the same ship can got ashore as often as they please. There is something wrong here and it should be remedied. I wonder if Bro. Dushane got his Christ­ mas Bonus? If not, he sure de­ serves one. Nothing more to re­ port, so will close with all good wishes. JOHN MOGAN. Agent fore the cra*v would sign-off articles. Among the other ships paying off in this port were the SS McDonough, SS Baldwin, SS Lovette, SS Alvey, SS Hay, SS Sarazen and others, with all beefs settled aboard. The SS Hoban paid off here Monday with the whole crew, including the Master, with paid up SIU books. Needless to say, she was a clean pay-off. Yours for more SIU members in the forecastles and on the throttles. J. P. SHULER, Patrolmai\ PHILADELPHIA Paid off SS Charles Hull. Quite a bit of overtime disputed, but was settled aboard ship. They had one of these Buckeroo Mates on this ship and had every man in deck department logged, ex­ cept one man. We had most of the logs lifted. The logs amounted to close to one thousand dollars. All hands joined the Union ex­ cept two men, the Boatswain and one fireman. Paid off the SS Webb Miller. No beefs about overtime, but quite a bit of beefing about the Army fining the ship's unlicen­ sed personnel, and not fining the sihip's officers, when they were caught in the same restricted area. The chief engineer and the captain gave us statements to that affect. We are taking it up with the Army Intelligence in the Port of Philadelphia. One of the AB's was fined and the chief steward was fined one hundred, and fifty dollars. Our opinion is that they are using a Kangaroo Court on the merchant seamen over there, and discrimination against the mer­ chant seamen. For the Port of Philadelphia, We will do all we can to stop this discrimination. BUCK NEWMAN. Agent. E. S. HIGDON, Patrolman SAVANNAH Shipping around the port of Savannah was good up until this last week but I don't have any­ thing in sight for this port for the next couple of weeks. Had plenty of jobs around the holi­ days and couldn't get anyone to take them but managed to get them crewed up right after the New Year. Every one wanted to be home for the holidays. Had the Tulsa in Christmas week for a pay-off and general overhauling. Settled everything to the satisfaction of the crew and am now getting her fixed up for another trip. Got the Goldsboro out of dry-dock around New Year and finally got her crewed Up to sail last week. Had the Samuel Johnson of Eastern in this week and straigh­ tened out all disputed overtime to the satisfaction of the crew before the pay-off. Finally got the transportation question set­ tled after the pay-off and any member of the crew who didn't get his transportation at that time, a check will be mailed to your home address or it can be collected by getting in touch with the Eastern Steamship Company. Shipping looks slow for this port for the next couple of weeks unless something comes in rmexpected and have quite a few men registered here at the pres­ ent time. CHARLES WAID. Agent Jeeves, don't drive down Beaver Street. The SIU opened a hall there and it makes Madam ill when she sees it. y' • y.v" �Page Eight THE Labor Baiter In Action SEAFARERS LOG Friday. January 26, 194S Seamen Face Decisive Year By PAUL HALL, New York Agent Our 1945 general Elections are sold to France, Russia, Norway, tankers' and other unorganized over. A Taliy Committee was etc. The results will be a loss of ships. Our fishermen's organiza­ elected at the largest meeting operating tonnage and jobs for tions extend from the Rio ever held in the New York Hall, American seamen. Grande to the St, Lawrence, as and the results will soon be These negative factors may well as on the Pacific Coast. And forthcoming. turn into a serious situation for they have the same reputatiott organized, bonafide seamen. We and background of fighting Our New Year begins with the must, therefore, be on guard and unionism that the seamen have. installation of our newly elected officials for 1945. To the men who work against such things and In the Great Lakes area we are elected, their job for the such probabilities. were not only successful this past Now, let us look at the opposite season in staving off the attacks coming year is not going to be side and see what we have on of the Commies and of the labor an easy one and will require all the ball for the coming year and haters, but also were able to their efforts to keep us on the what our enemies may expect make progress ourselves. right course. Let us take a brief from us. glance into the future and see On the West Coast we have what we may expect in the way 1. Today our union halls will succeeded in organizing the hardly hold the membership of of obstacles. toughest tanker companies in the our organization during their 1. An offensive by the ship­ entire world and succeeded in meetings. Our membership is at owners, aided by the WSA and signing them to contracts which its highest point since this union's other Government Agencies, are without a parallel for con­ inception and our membership ditions. which will be designed to admission , has been controlled to "soften us up" for drastic post­ We have no reason to be afraid such an extent that under the war cuts in wages and condiof the future. We started building existing circumstances, we do not j;ions. As a start towards this have a surplus of men. our union with shoestrings, but' line, there will be further at­ 2. Our ranks have been aug­ now we have strong hawsers. We tempts to cut our war risk and mented by new, young, fresh and hit the bricks for wages, condi­ bonus area pay. The Coast Guard vigorous members; many of tions, bonuses and for union re­ will use the whip even harder whom are already taking an ac­ cognition and have fought a suc­ and the WSA's "physical exam­ tive part in leadership. Through cessful fight. We engaged in these Christian American bugle boy Vance Muse will swear inations" will be used on a larger the encouragement and aid of fights against tremendous odds, measure than ever before in an by the Holy Bible and" the W. Lee O'Daniel News that he's effort to beach our militant old our oldtimers, these young men but because we went out punch­ have become a vital part of our ing with both liands and kept *'a friend of labor." An angelic light plays over his big timers out of the industry. on punching, we were successful Organization. beefy face as he proclaims before God Almighty and the 2. The NMU, with its Political 3. Our financial condition is in our demands. ghost of Thomas Jefferson that he believes in "the right of Action Committee, the CIO, and excellent. Negotiations are now Today, with our Strike and Or­ workers to organize, strike, and' other Communist cohorts, will under way to purchase halls in ganizational Funds arc in healthy working man in his God-given use their fullest resources im a bargain collectively." practically all ports, and all of condition, we are j»reparqd to His "love for the working men" right of earning his living by the series of so-called "Organiza­ our various special funds are un­ fight a real fight. However— is the reason that his out­ sweat of his brow without pay­ tional Drives" on the Great touched. We are one of the most though we are soundly based fin­ fit is sponsoring measures ing tribute to the labor rackete­ Lakes, the Gulf, and the East financially sound organizations in ancially, that is not our greatest in 19 state legislatures, now in ers," Muse said in his office in and West Coast. This drive will the maritime field. advantage in preparing for the session, to outlaw the union shop Texas. be aimed, not at organizing the 4. The educational level, mor­ struggle ahead. Our greatest "We can protect the working so-called "unorganized," but ra­ ale and union consciousness of weapon is the fighting member­ and virtualy to outlaw the labor movement. Eleven states—Texas, man by putting the right to work ther at siezing control , of the our membership is of the Ijigh- ship which we have within omr.*/ Arkansas,-Florida, Alabama, Mis­ amendment, just incorporated in­ maritime industry. In the event est. No "isms," factions or cliques organization. sissippi, Colorado, Kansas, South to the Arkansas and Florida con- of a failure on their part to do exist within our organization. In­ With these thoughts in mind Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho and -stitutions, in the federal consti­ so, they will then create disrup­ ternal unity and cooperation is it is well that we prepare our­ Wisconsin have already passed tution," he continued. "We are tion and chaos throughout the in­ the order of the day. The Sea­ selves for the hard road ahead legislation "regulating" labor as asking the legislatures of the dif­ dustry. The Commies' rule or farers membership has dis­ of us. In the near future we must a result of blitzkrieg propagan­ ferent states to petition Congress ruin policy will be the order of covered that to be successful in take on the natural enemies of da campaigns staged by the to submit this amendment for the day for these enemies of our battles for conditions, we seamen—the shipowners, the Christian Americans and their ratification. Submission is man­ labor. must cooperate with one another. government bureaus and the jumping jacks in public office. datory if the legislatures of 32 S. There will, in all prob­ Solidarity on the waterfront is Commies, in order to show the "We just want to protect. the states ask for it." ability, be a sharp decline in not an abstraction—it results in way to real conditions. We shall American shipping in compari­ real gains for seamen. emerge, not only as the greatest son with what it is now—^with 5. Wejiave made definite pro­ and strongest union of them all, hundreds of liberty ships being gress in organizing non-union but the ONLY ONE as well. Texas Grown Fascist Leads Drive Against Trade Unions In U.S. New Transportation Rider Is Issued By War Shipping , (Contimied from Pgge 6) to Iceland, and to points in Greenland north of 65north latitude, t -1 excludes a voyage to Bermuda or the Azores. D.—For the purpose of this rider, the continental United States shall be divided into four areas, the Pacific coast area, the Atlantic coast area north of Hatleras, the Atlantic coast area south of Hatteras, and the Gulf coast area. E.—^The agreed case equivalent to be granted hereunder in lieu of transportation, subsistence and wages between the Atlantic coast areas north or south of Hatteras, and the Pacific coast shall be $125, and between the Gulf coast and Pacific coast $92.50. The agreed cash equivalent be­ tween any two areas not specifi­ cally referred to in the preceding sentence shall be the actual first class rail transportation fare in­ cluding lower berth (less tax) frojin the final port of discharge (or loading port for the next out­ ward voyage, as the case may be) to the port of shipment, with­ out allowance for wages or sub­ sistence. F.—In the event a crew mem­ ber elects to receive transporta­ tion, rather than the agreed cash equivalent, he shall be provided with a Government travel order entitling him to transportation and berth to the port of shipment and shall be granted subsistence payments during transportation in the amount stated for subsi­ stence while traveling under any applicable collective bargaining agreement or other labor agree­ ment. If no collective bargaining agreement or other labor agree­ ment containing such provision applies, cash allowance for subsi­ stence shall be $3.50 per day for licensed personnel, including ra­ dio operators, and pursers, and $3.00 per day for unlicensed per­ sonnel. The number of days for which wages and subsistence during transportation shall be granted, shall be computed on the basis of the number of days normally required for rail travel between the final port of dis­ charge and the port of shipment. The War Shipping Administra­ tion (including the Recruitment and Manning Organization) and the Agents and operators of the vessel shall not be responsible for making reservations of .space or arranging other details of trans­ portation furnished under the provisions of this rider. The form of voyage description set forth in the body of the ship­ ping articles (where articles are used) shall be that prescribed by the Coast Guard as set forth, in the Federal Register for March 31, 1942, page 2477 (7 F. R. 2477). Articles containing the above rider must not be limited to less than 12 months for the voyage's duration. All articles shall read "back to a final port of discharge in the United States," and shall not specify return to any par­ ticular coast or area in the United States. Expenses incurred by the own­ er of a time chartered vessel by virtue of the attachment, of the foregoing rider to articles or other contracts of employment shall, if the vessel is operated un­ der WARSHIPTIME or WARSHIPOILTIME, be reimbursed as provided in General Order 8 (Re­ vised), Supplement 10 (Revised), (Section 302.95), and as further provided in the letter addendum giving effect to the redetermined rates specified in that Supplemerit. If the vessel is operated under WARSHIPTIME (Rev.) or WARSHIPOILTIME (Rev.), re­ imbursement will be made in ac­ cordance with Clause 7B of the charter. In order that benefits will be made uniformly available under the provisions of this revision of Regulation No. 64, Agents, Gen­ eral Agents and owners are au­ thorized to pay transportation 'in accordance with this Regulation to the crews of all vessels which sign off subsequent to the date of issuance hereof. If any sea­ man signs off a vessel which has attached to its articles the rider contained in Operations Regula­ tion No., 64 dated July 1, 1943, and under sixch rider is entitled to transportation to which he would not be entitled under the terms of the rider contained in this revision, the provisions of the original Regulation and the rider therein, shall apply. This Regulation and ' the rider contained • herein provide for transportation only in the case of a crew member who joins a ves­ sel in the continental United States and returns on the same vessel on completion of a voy­ age which entitles him to trans­ portation. No crew member who is separated from his vessel abroad for any reason, or who signs on a vessel abroad for re­ turn to this coimtry, is entitled to transportation by virtue of the rider. No agreement will be ap­ proved, or reimbursement grant­ ed for payments incurred by reason of entering into an agree­ ment, which accords trahsporta-' tion, subsisterfce or wages in any similar circumstances or in any larger amounts than are pro­ vided for in the.above rider, un­ less such agreement is first ap­ proved b,y the War Shipping Ad­ ministration. (Sgd.) G. H. HELMBOLDAssistant Deputy Administrator, for Ship Operations � 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/. 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Title A name given to the resource January 26, 1945 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. VII, No. 4 Description An account of the resource DELEGATES REPORT ON MEETING OF JOINT MARITIME COMMISSION MORE LIBERTIES NAMED FOR SIU-SUP SEAMEN SIU TUG COMMENDED BY HASLEY NEW TRANSPORTATION RIDER IS ISSUED BY WAR SHIPPING THE LONDON CONFERENCE WHO'S MAN'S BEST FRIEND? THE SHIPOWNER KEEPS A PROMISE TWO OFFICERS ARE LAUDED MYTH OF HIGH WAGES SHATTERED BY REPORT BSCU CREW WIN SERVICE SUIT MAY BILL IS HIT AS 'MILITARY DICTATORSHIP' SOUVENIR CREATES BEAVER ST. RIOT FDR HEARS DEMANDS FOR FREEZE END OLDEN BANKS IS DEAD SEAMEN FACE DECISIVE YEAR TAXES GROWN FASCIST LEADS DRIVE AGAINST TRADE UNIONS IN U.S. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/26/1945 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1945 Periodicals Seafarers Log