https://seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/f79ef153b579a5edbfe68f5ea1771395.PDF 29a4ab22f111f72f91221a3d4577ea81 PDF Text Text ^J^ABERSJOQ (^FICIAL ORGAN OP THE ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT, SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK, N. Y„ FRIDAY. MARCH 9. 1945 Vol, VII. UNIONS DON'T FORGET No. 10 Hawk, Weisberger Present Views To House Committee DEMAND A LARGE POST WAR FLEET FOR FULL EMPLOYMENT WASHINGTON, D. C., March 3—^A large post-war merchant marine for a pros­ perous America and for jobs for seamen was the demand presented to the House (Com­ mittee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries this morning by SIU Vice-Presidents John Hawk and Morris Weisberger. The SIU officials were appearing before the Committee to testify in opposition to the Maritime Commission sponsored bill HR1425, which War veierans in Los Angeles needn't feel lost when discharged would open the way for large* J from the armed services, for the new Veterans Service Center is ready to'lend a hand. Here, VSC officials confer with a veteran on job placement and readjustment to civilian life, (left to right) Dr. Robert Ziegler. director of the AFL Veterans Bureau of Employ­ ment;. VSC Director Arthur H. Tryon; Shevy Wallace. CIO repre­ sentative at the center; and Veteran W. A. Needham. member of Local 1781. Int'l. Assn. of Machinists (AFL). This set-up is similar to the AFL service bureau recently established in New York, and reported in last weeks issue of the LOG. scale disposal of American ships to foreign operators. Weisberger took the witness chair first, and read into the rec­ ord the entire statement of the SIU as prepared by President Lundeberg. (Statement appears on pages 4 and 5 ol this issue). Weisberger was interrupted fre­ quently by the members of the Committee who questioned him on various aspects of the state­ ment. Weisberger made it clear that the AFL seamen were un­ alterably opposed to gi-anting to the Maritime Commission at this The- crew members of the SS John Banvard, ship- time the authority to set any ceil­ ing on the size of the post war Wrecked abroad, worked long hours at salvage, kicked merchant fleet. around in Europe until finally repatriated across the sub- "Don't sell these ships now to $104)00 Overtime Beef Won For Crew Of John Banvard ihfested Atlantic, would have been chiseled out of $10,000 overtime if the union had taken the shipowner's "no" as fihal. But it didn't! And after"* weeks of work, Patrolmen J. P. Shuler, D. Stone and- Johnny Johnstone are ahle to atmounce ~'a' complete victory with pay ckecks waiting for all hands., , -The^ SS John Banvard went aground on a reef off the west cpast of Eur' pe last year. The crew, at" great personal danger, worked many long hours taking off the cargo and salvaging val­ uable ships' equapment. At the payoff in New York on December 29, 1944, overtime was listed for tile salvage time worked. The cbmpany screamed and declared triat this work was necessary for the "safety of ship and cargo." ; Stone, Shuler and Johnstone w^nt to work on the beef, and / this week the union received no'tice that the Robin Line had capitulated and would pay .the /£* l ien the money due them. The - exact amount is $9,912. Another victory for the SIU way of do­ ing things! •'(All crew members should cheek the Money Du© list on , page 3 for the hours coming.) the foreign operators," Weisber­ ger said, "wait until the Ameri­ can operators have had a chance to build their own trade routes. No one can know how large our fleet should be until after the war ends and our operators have had a chance to extend their lines." It was made clear to the Com­ mittee that the SIU did not op­ pose the formulation of legisla­ tion providing for the eventual disposal of surplus tonnage, but that the union opposed bill HR 1425 because it allowed for immediate disposal of the ships, and because it gave preferential treatment to the foreign oper­ ators. John Hawk followed Weisber­ ger to the stand and gave the fol­ lowing statement: "We feel it is too early in the. game to know how much dis­ cretionary authority to give any agency or any part of the execu­ tive branch of the government and still protect our merchant marine in accordance with na­ tional policy as it appears in the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. We're in the middle of a great war which has made d^g-_ changes in the world and '•cirprobably make more. To atteivQu at this time to look far ahead .'g the lime when peace arrives and, on a guess, now to estimate what the conditions then will be is (Continued on Page 2) INTER-DEPARTMENT COOPERATION IS THE THEME Union Is Found In Good Financial Condition We, the duly elected Quarterly Finance and Investigating Com­ mittee, having been elected at the Regular Branch Meeting held Wednesday, February 14, 1945, do hereby state that: We have checked the bank statements for • all funds under control of the Secretary-Trea­ surer against the weekly financial reports and the report of the Certified Public Accountants for the 4th quarter 1944, and have found that the funds were prop­ erly accounted for and in order. We made test checks of various Branch weekly financial reports and found their bills and receipts were listed correctly and corres­ ponded with the Secretary-Trea­ surer's weekly financial reports and that they were recapitulated properly. We made test checks from Branch financial reports to dues record ,cards and found that they (Continued on Page 7) : . -r. These rank and file Stewards Department men met in the SIU New York hall between trips to discuss ways and means of effecting closer cooperation within their own department and be­ tween the three departments. They met three different days to exchange ideas and suggestions. Results? A new booklet is being drawn up to add to our fast expanding supply of union literature. The new booklet will be all about the Stewards working rules, and should be off the press in the near future. �^<S THE Pag» Two SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 9. 1945 "It's ThH Big!" 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 J Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK - -- -- -- ^ Secy-Treas. P, o; Box 21, Station P.,. New York City MATTHEW DUSHANE - - - "Washington Rep, 424 Jtb Street, N. W., Washington, D. G S. i S. 1. Directory of Branches BRANCH NEW YORK (4) BOSTON (10) BALTIMORE (2) PHILADELPHIA NORFOLK NEW ORLEANS (16) CHARLESTON (9) SA'MNNAH TAMPA JACKSONVILLE iVWBILE . SAN JUAN. 28 P.R. PUERTO RICO GALVESTON PHONE ADDRESS 51 Beaver St.—HAnover 2-2784 330 Atlantic Ave.—Liberty 4057 14 North Gay St.-^alvert 4539 6 North 6th St.—Lombard 7651 25 Commercial PI.—Norfolk 4-1083 Chartres St.—Canal 3336 68 Society St.—Charleston 3-2930 220 East Bay St.—Savannah 3-1728 423 East Piatt St.—Tampa MM-1323 920 Main St.—Jacksonville 5-1231 ^ 7 St. Michael St.—Dial 2-1392 ^ , o , .OQC 45 Ponce de Leon—San Juan 1885 219 20th St.—Galveston 2-8043 -laittet Demand Post War Jobs From The Assistant Sec'y-Ireas. mittee and this Congress as the (Continued from Page I) trustees of the property of the fantastic. country, and our merchant ships PUBLICATION OFFICE; "The broad grants of authority are just as much a public trust SI BEAVER STREET contained in this Bill are being as our Navy is. Extreme caution made on little more than a therefore, appears to us to be HAnover 2-2784 New York, (4) N. Y. gamble on the future. Whenever needed in. passing any bill which 267 the people through you in Con­ wiU take the control of our mer­ By LOUIS GOFFIN gress have given the executive chant marine out of the hands branch of the government, wide of the people and place it in I received a number of beefs authority you have generally act­ the hands of an executive agency. from Boston concerning the SS ed with your feet firmly on the While it's all right to plan on Steephen Leacock. After quite a ground of proven fact. That is the future when there's a ten to bit of discussion with Mr. Hun­ the only protection the people one chance that youT estimates of ter, representing the company, have for their basic interests. We the future situation are correct, we came to an- a®ceement.. Ail' feel that the merchant marine is it certainly would be a crime money due from this vessel ir ^ By PAUL HALL a basic interest of all the people now payable. Names and amounts J. The NMU Pilot, little brother of the Daily Worker, and that the authority to dispose against the national interest, we will be in an issue of the Sea­ think, for Congress to give up Lis been recently running full pages in regards to their of it should not be granted until its authority and turn it over to farers Log. Also from Boston, one so-called "program" calling for 200 bucks a month for such time as all the surrounding some executive agency when the beef concerning the SS Flying facts indicate whether such grant chances are ten to one against a Eagle. Three sailors off the 8-12 AB's, etc. is being made wisely or not. correct estimate. That's the way watch claim that they were not The Seafarers has been questioned at various times paid arrival day overtime. I "We seamen believe that at we feel about this now. in regards to its thoughts on^ checked with the Patrolmen who this particular thing which calls pioneered for and fought so hard this time complete protection "The merchant seamen have paid this ship off, and found that should be written around our fast for a "guaranteed" wage. First, for during the past years. vessels such as those of the Vic­ heard a whole lot 6f kind words all beefs had been settled aboard. The NMU has willingly offered let us put it on the record that and they appreciate them. They Therrfore, as far as the cohithe Seafarers is indeed for to throw out all of their working tory type, the C types and the have, come from all sides. We pany and the Union is concerned, hi^er wages for seamen and for rules and conditions for this so- fast tankers so that they may hope we've done the type of job there are no beefs pending frc»m befter conditions, otherwise, we called $200 "program." This the not, through the use of authority that merits them. We've heard this ship. ' handed to any agenoy, be turned would not have always had a Seafarers will not do. We recog­ about the 60,000,()()0 jobs and the Beef from Baltimore regarding c over to other nations, to the pos­ higher wage scale than the NMU nize the fact that in the seamen's plans fpr a prosperous future. the SS William Harper going hi has. We would not have always fight for wages and conditions, sible detriment of our own. But we're wondering whether for repairs in Bermuda. WatcheS 'We feel that the Bill migl't some forces aren't at work al­ had a higher scale of overtime nothing substitutes for actual permit greater benefits to for­ ready that may result in our pay­ were maintained, and crew de­ than they do if we did not be­ militancy at the right moment. eign operators than to American off being disposition of our good mands overtime for week-epdg. We know that by offering to sur­ lieve in fighting for wages and operators. We don't think this is ships to foreign competitors and Company claims ship did not go render to the shipowners all the cohdifions. Let us state now that the Sea­ condition^ for which we have the time to even consider putting the 60,000,000 jobs going up in in for the purpose of loading or farers is highly in accord with fought, we could negotiate a $200 foreign operators on an equal smoke. We don't want to open discharging cargo, therefore since anything that will make more a month guarantee. But we would basis with American operators. soup kitchens again for boys she went to an anchorage for dough for seamen. For example, be making a grave mistake by But this Bill in certain sections waiting around deserted ports to minor repairs, they maintain that throughout the Seafarers' hist­ giving away overnight that would permit certain foreign op­ sign on ships after three months watches shall be kept, as tech­ ory, we have always fought for which took many, many years of erators to stand in a more favor­ or six nioriths or a year of idle­ nically the ship is at sea. So, for higher wages and conditions. Our hard struggle to obtain. For, re­ able position than some Ameri­ ness. To give away too much the above reason, the Company contracts call for the highest scale gardless of what beautiful prom­ can operators who might not be authority right now, when the refuses to pay. I do not recall of vvages, overtime rates and con­ ises the shipowners make us so able to meet the conditions and future is so uncertain, may result collecting this kind of beef be­ ditions of any maritime union. as to take these conditions from specifications that seme agency in paying off these seamen, who fore. - The Agreement does not The Seafarers fought for and se­ us, we know that the thought in would draw up for the purchase have been so highly praised for cover repairs. cured higher bonus rates to make the shipowners mind would be of ships. their contribution to the war by Also from Baltimore regarding more dough for seamen, when not to guarantee us anything, on 'The estimates that have been taking away their jobs from them the serving of meals to Skipper; the NMU officials not only re­ the contrary, to take away our made heretofore with respect to and giving them to coolie labor," on the bridge on the SS William fused to assist the Seafarers in conditions and then cross us up the tonnage that will l?e required Hawk then read into the record Yoimg. I contacted the company thei? fight for all bonafide sea- on wages as well. is believed by Us seattien to be the resolution passed by the At­ and after quite a tussle with the Now that the Seafarers atti­ menf, but on the contrary even pulled right out of the air. We lantic & (Sulf District, which op­ representative and ihe Skipper, sabotaged the fight that the Sea­ tude is clear, let us go back again don't see how our vessels can be posed the Maritime Commission who maintained that only 36 meals were served to him, and farers was putting up for higher to this "program" as proposed by sold until at least sufficient facts sponsored bill. thai: no latd" mCals for the Second. bonus rates. While it is clear the commies. It is continued from are on hand to give us a good Cook were involved, we wound that we are for more dough for week to week, usually about estimate of the number of ships at the 36 hour overtime rate. seamen—we will not, under any along the same line. Due to the we'll need in our commerce. Cer­ Keep In Touch With Ifup men involved in this beef feel conditions give away the rights, fact that they are using this tainly today there are not enough Your Draft Board, they they are entitled to more, conditions and privileges for sea­ "program" as a basis for so-called facts at hand to indicate this. men which the Seafarers have "The seamen regard this Com­ (Continued on Page S) (Continued on-Page 7) Wage Boost, Yes—^But Not At Sacrifice Of Conditions Jii 1, �pHday, March 9, 1949 TffE SE4F4»ERS Page Tlaee L0Q Money Due NOTE: Some of the above men have collected this money— Stewards Sept. others have not. Those who have F. Mitchell, Steward, 208 hrs; not can collect this money by M- Gaddy, Ch. Cook, ;JQ8 hrs; H. contacting the Bull Line Office Miller, Nite Ck & Bk. 208 hrs; in New York. R. Billingaley, 2nd Ck, 208 hrs; * * * p. Werhack, MM, 298 hrs; O. SS MARIBEAU B. LAMABR Papp, MM, ;2Q8 hrs; Jl. Moretz, Crew has overtime coming. Ptil. 208 hrs; R. Carpenter, MM, Collect at Waterman SS Co. of­ jeO hrs; G. Drew, MM, 160 hrs; fice. W. Branch, 2nd Troop Ck, 160 * « * hrs; J.- Roster, Util, 160 hrs; B. MV SANDS POINT d^ac'^^son, Ch. Troop Ck, 160 hrs; Crew which paid off in Mobile C. Robblns, Util-i 160 hrs; G. By "FRENCHY" MICHELET on Sept. 23, 1943, have $50.55 Sl,au8hter, Util., 160 hrs. One of the brothers on the question ain't never watched transportation money coming. Chas C. Finke, FWT oyertime Rodman apparently has us con­ brother Michelet go to work on I92 hrs, overtime for cooking Collect New York office of Moran fused with Jesus. He called this the pig. Try this on the gang, meals 69 hours; Pete Smith, FWT, Towing Company. office to ask us ta go down on bub: overume 192 hrs, overtime for the Army docks to settle a beef. cooking meals, 69 hrs; K. KamiRub a loin of pork with a mix­ Brother, union officials are not limi, Carpt., Overtime 96 hrs, ture of salt, pepper, a tiny pinch permitted on Army Docks. True, overtime cooking meals, 69 hrs. each of ground thyme and sage. they have Coast Guard passes, Now put it dry into a covered Engine Dept. are citizens, have sworn alleg­ roasting pan in a hot ov.ejq for -G. Gunderson, Deck Eng. 220 iance to the United States, and fifteen minutes. Meanwhile have hrs; D. Tolan, Oiler, 308 hrs; J. are in every other way identical­ three quartered onions, two y/eiss, Oiler, 296 hrs; J. Knapp, ly qualified as you brothers who cloves of mashed garlic and the Oiler, 2^8 hrs; C. Fike, FWT, 224 man the vessels in these Army juice and skins of two lemons hrs; R.' Pottisiy, FWT, 224 hrs; docks, but the fact that they are simmering away in a pint of P. Smith, FWT, 196 hrs; R. Lang, union officials render them liable water. After ten or fifteen min­ Wiper, 182 hrs; F. Vivoni, Wiper, to a peculiar disease. Any brass utes pour off the grease from 172 hrs.' hat knows that if they were per­ the pork, pour the broth over the You CcUi hear the sabers rattle mitted on the docks they would meat and roast until done, bast­ Deck Dept. In the journalistic battle immediately shoot the guards, ing the meat occasionally with Korneluisen, Carp. 144 hrs; H. Between the might Shuler and the dauntless Michelet; swipe a few howitzers and set the broth. Boil the sweet pota­ Liller, Bos'n, 144 hrs; H. John­ These two stewpot broilers. fife to the piers. They might even toes with the jackets on until son, A.B." 144 hrs; H. Phillips, Highly skilled good food spoilers prevent some well-fed shipowner tender. Let them cool, then slice A.B. 144 hrs; F. Ferrara, AB. 144 Contest weekly in a pen and ink affray. stooge, who has the run of the them lengthwise and fry with a hrs; G. Jones, A.B. 144 hrs; L. docks, from gyping the seamen How Frenchy mixed both squash and beans sprinkling of sugar and vinegar Martin^ A.B. 144 hrs;' D. Coxey, out a few of their rights. And In one pot in New Orleans. in butter. A.B. 144 hrs; J. Smith, O.S. 144 brother, that's sabotage of the Is a story J.P. dearly loves to tell. hrs; S». Brown, O.S. 144 hrs. We are in receipt of a letter rankest kind. "Why that bum can't boil potatoes. Collect at Robin Line SS Office from a poor misguided brother Let the uninitiated babble of Or even slice tomatoes." iin .lilew York. who takes us to task for our the glories of Greece and the Cries .the Frenchman with a whooping battle yell. views on marriage. He devotes grandeurs of Rome to their fool­ EE JOHN BANVAHD all his letter to giving us hell To each belly robbing dueler. ish hearts content, but believe a ^ PETER SALVA for our cynical attitude and neg­ (meaning Michelet and Shuler) seasoned traveler when he tells lects to mention his present cir­ 1<)5 hours coming. Collect at We suggest a finish contest Christmas day. you that the finest sight on earth cumstances. But five will get you Bull Line Office. Let them eat each other's cooking. is a table-side view t)f a roast eight that some cute little trick's SS STEPHEN LEACOCK (St. Pete will do the booking) loin of pork and sweet potatoes. got him all souped up with this J. Rooney, 3.15; J. Little, 13.35; And send both poisoned corpses on their way. Any brother who has ever seen romance stuff. J. tjpner, 3.95; G. Klosowski, a pig work his way through a 9.15; J. Brown, 8.25; R. Walker, EPITAPH Ah, listen to the wisdom of bushel of corn is probably labor­ 4.05; A. Howatich, 6.65; J. Moring under the delusion that no Hafiz: Beneath this stone, side by side. risey, 1.35. animal on earth gets more pleas­ Lie two brave souls who ate and died. "Pleasant the snaffle of Gourl8 to 12 and 4 to 8 oilers have ure out of jest plain eatin', but ship. improving the manners and What each of them cooked the other ate; 4 hours each. 4 to 12 Firemen, that's because the brother in carriage; But the colt -who is So they Hchly deserve their miserable fate. 8 hours. Deck Engineer, 11 hours. wise will abstain from the ter­ Collect New York Office of South r-S. Ulcers CREW OF DESOTO rible thorn-bit of Marriage/' Atlantic SS Company. PRAISED FOR A * * * Verily, brother, the sages of the ages are of one mind on the CLEAN SHIP SS W. YOUNG subject. E. Keen, 36 hours overtime for I should like to report to the Gather the honey, son. but serving meals p'l the bridge. Colother essential materials. There­ membership that the SS Desoto TREASURY DEPARTMENT don't pick the flower. Women le<^t New York office of the Bull for, you must have been hard put was one of the best ships to pay are sweet in satin but they're Line. ' War Finance Committee at times to find space for the off I have hit in this port of New * * • deadly in gingham. 1270 Sixth Avenue War Loan. That you always did York for some time. Everything SS JOHN GALLUP Hearken to the wisdom of the New York 20, N. Y. is a tribute to your personal in­ was in order and the department wisest: The following men who paid February 15, 1945 terest in this great endeavor. delegates had crew lists and off on the Sth of Jan. have money Please pass along my thanks to union books ready for boarding "When the Himalayan peasant Mr. John Hawk, due: Jarnes E. Rathbone, Wiper meets the he-bear in his pride the members of your staff. patrolmen. The^crew was right New York City 3 hours; Albert Cioffi, Wiper, 3 He shouts to scare the monster. Sincerely yours, on its toes, and indicated that it Dear Mr. Hawk: hoiurs, who will often turn aside; Frederick W. Gehle, had a sound grasp of what mari­ Collect at Smith & Johnson But the she-bear thus encount­ On behalf of the War Finance State Chairman time unionism is all about. SS Co.^ office in New York. ered rends the peasant tooth Committee for New York, I wish Good work fellows, and I hope and nail. to thank you and your associates Crew Of SS Hart Crane that you bring in future ships in For the female of the species is for your whole-hearted coopera­ more deadly than the male." . tion with us during thfe Sixth War Lauded By Ch. Engineer the same shape. JOHNNY JOHNSTON Loan. As you know, this loan We noted in a recent article Patrolman was the most successful in the To Baltimore Local of SIU: of brother Paul Hall's where he I wish to express my apprecia­ history of our state and our na­ said that the educational pro­ Will holders of receipt numbers tion for the cooperation I re­ tion. gram of the SIU was well under 76189 and 76190, who paid off the way. We hope that the man That New York State exceeded ceived during the past voyage SS J. Cohen, please send in The New York Baggage Room chosen to direct this work is one names to Patrolman Algina, its huge quota of $4,226,000,000 from all members of the black by ^,447,000,000 (over 30%) is in gang. The general good fellow­ has been collecting unclaimed of no common abilities. Not only New York. * « « no small measure attributable to ship shown between the licensed gear for over three years and should he be a profound scholar and unlicensed personnel made must now make some disposition with a keen scientific mind, but • PETER ^MITH. formerly em­ the support given us by Labor. I realize that your production the voyage a i-eal pleasure during of it. All members who have left his mental endowments should ployed aboard the SS. JOHN their baggage in the hall for be of such an exalted nature that BANVARD, contact Mr. Lannig, problem is a serious one today these trying times. (signed) H. O. MELQUIST. over 12 months should immed­ he should even be capable of considering the manpower short­ Operating Manager of the Robin teaching Shuler to fry an egg. Chief Engineer iately claim it. age and restrictions on paper and Line. ^ JOHK PANVA^P SS MABINA Robert H. Guiberson, 51 hrs. Acting A.B.; C. Thompson, 63 hrs, 2nd Cook; G. McNeely, 31 hrs. Stew. Utility; G. Smith, 59 hrs. Bedroom Stew.; Harold Reese, 120 hrs, O.S.; Bernard Pilarcyzk, 54 hrs, O.S.; Victor . Carlson, 22 lirs, O.S.; Patrick Dougherty, 32 hrs. Oiler; J. E. Barringer, 75 hrs, FWT; Antonlin Alvarez, 40 hrs, FWT; James Meeks, 58 hrs, FWT; John Kozar, 5 hrs, Wiper; John Kinney, ;6 hrs. Wiper; Ar­ thur Kcefer. 23 rs, .Oiler; Joseph E. Gelinas, 49 hrs. Oiler; George Wingle, 58 hrs, GaUey Util.; Ne­ ville Williams, 69% hrs. Crew Mess. STEWPOT REQUIEM Union Thanked ForWar Fund Record Notice! �PDF Compressor Pro ^ f-y: '^ge Four THE SEAFARERS '•" ,;<':• ;H,^" -•;,' . •: LOG Friday. Marclh 9. 1945 Seafarers Demands Large Post War Merchant Fleet For Full Employment Statement of President Lundeherg to House Committee on Merchant Marine And Fisheries, March'3,1945 The Seafarers' International Union of North Amer­ ica is composed of 61,000 active, unlicensed seamen, sailing American ships out of overy port in the United States and the Great Lakes. We have a vital interest in the determination of the proposed Bill (HR: 1425) now before the House Merchant Marine & Fisheries Committee. There are certain parts of the Bill with which we do not dis­ agree, but we have strong objections to other parts of the Bill. SECTION 1 of the Bill authorizes the Maritime Commission to dispose of certain American tonnage, built in American yards, during the period from Jan­ uary 1, 1941 to one year after the finish of the war. We have no argument on that. SECTION 2 sets up a procedure of pricing, under which these ships may be sold, based on pre-war dom­ estic costs and pre-war foreign costs, with certain al­ lowances for depreciation and war wear and tear of these vessels. Whether the prices are correct or not, we are not in a position to determine. That we will leave to the judgment of the Merchant Marine Committee. . SECTION 3—(a) authorizes the Commission, at its discretion, to sell the ships to American citizens at pre-war domestic prices as determined in Section 2 of this BiU, allowing the American buyers to operate their ships without restriction as to trades, services and routes. SECTION 3—(b) allows the Commission, at its discretion, to sell vessels to American operators at pre­ war foreign costs, but limits the operation of these ves­ sels to certain specific trade routes in foreign or domestic commerce of the United States. We are opposed to leaving the sale of these vessels to the discretion of the Commission. Discretion as to the sale of these vessels should not be left in the hands of the Commission due to the fact that this would leave this particular phase of the Bill open for prefer­ ential selling to certain ship operators. We do not say that that would happen, but there is nothing in the clause to stop it. We are either going to sell the ships or we are not going to sell them, and if they are sold there should be no discretionary power left in the hands of the Maritime Commission. No Restrictions On U.S. Operators We are opposed to limiting vessels, bought under pre-war foreign costs, to specific routes, because we do not know whether shipping companies who before the war ran ships in trade routes established by the Com­ mission, will be able to buy ships under pre-war for­ eign costs. If they, under this Act, are able to do so, there certainly should be no restrictions on other American operators, who might want to run their ships in the same routes. SECTION 3—(c) deals with the disposal of oil tank­ ers, and authorizes the Commission to sell these tankers at the pre-war foreign cost of building the same types of ships. It allows the buyer to operate these ships in foreign trades of the United States without regard to the route or service, and also allows the buyer to run these vessels in domestic trades under certain con­ ditions. This section also states that the Commission may permit the operation of such tankers in commerce be­ tween foreign countries. We object to the wording of "may permit." We do not think that the Maritime Commission should have the authority to determine whether an operator should be able to run American tankers between two foreign countries. That should be absolutely within the rights of the buyer. If he can find charterers for his vessels, it should be his privilege to run the vessels between two foreign countries if he so desires. It must be re­ membered that about 60% of foreign oil production of the world is American owned. SECTION 3—(e) permits the Maritime Confimission to lease ships on a bare-boat charter to American citi­ zens, with the exception of oil tankers. Why Exclude The Oil Tankers leave in the hands of the Maritime Commission or the President. We say that the foreign operators must be made ^ to purchase the American vessels under identically the same terms and. conditions as the American citizens. • Subsection (e) further authorizes the Commission to "avail itself of the services of any other agency of . the United States Government with duties or powers in respect of extension of credit or financing services, and any such agency is authorized to extend such facil­ ities and services to the Commission or to the purchaser for the purposes hereof." As we understand this, the purchaser of the vessel might then turn around and buy the vessel under Lend Lease, or under the R.F.C., or any other United States Governmental Agency which has the authority to lend money to foreigners. That seems absolutely incredible that we should al­ low foreign ship operators to come in here and buy ships at far easier terms than can American citizens, and on top of that to finance the pm-chasing • of these v.vessels, with no guarantee that payment will be made by the foreign countries. We might as well say that this clause, in our opinion, definitely authorizes the Maritime Commission to give away ships to foreign countries. How, then, are we going to be able to main-' tain an American Merchant Marine which we need, under these conditions? How can we expect American operators to go into the shipping business when they must pay American money to buy their vessels while on the other hand foreign operators will practically be given American built ships, built with American tax-payers' money. No American* Merchant Marine can exist under such conditions. We will again be faced with condi­ tions brought about by having all American imports . and exports carried in foreign vessels. Not only will the foreign operators have the advantage of getting the ships for nothing, but they will operate their ships under cheaper conditions, will buy their supplies in foreign countries, will hire cheap crews which are paid far below the American standard of wages for seamen, and repairing of their ships will be done in foreign yards at cheaper rates than in American yards. We must also take into consideration that prior to the war there were only one third of the Anierican ships running in certain foreign trades subsidized under the American Merchant Marine Act of 1936. While these types of ships and routes may well be able to exist, what will become of the other two-thirds of the American ships which are not subsidized? They will simply be eliminated from the seven seas. We definitely object to the exclusion of oil tankers. We can see no reason, if other types of vessels can be chartered to American citizens for operation, why oil tankers can not come under the same category. The Commission might find itself in the position that the purchase price of oil tankers may be too high for American operators to buy, but American operators might well be in a position to charter these tankers for operation. However, under this sub-section (e), Ameri­ can operators are absolutely denied the right to charter oil tankers. We would then like to know what the Maritime Commission intends to do with the oil tank­ ers. As the MerchantMarine Committee probably knows, by the end of 1945 the War Shipping Administration will operate approximately over five hundred high speed tankers, built at the approximate cost of $3,000,000.000 each. It would be well for these ships to be disposed of in such a manner as to protect the Ameri­ can tax-payers and to protect the national defense of our country. SECTION 4—(a) gives the Maritime Commission the authority to sell ships to foreign operators, to ifoncitizens of the United States and foreign countries, if the Commission finds that the ships are not necessary for domestic or foreign commerce of th' United States. We object to the clause in this section giving the Commission the leeway to determine whether it is necessary or not to retain the ships under the American flag. That is too important a matter to be left in the hands of the Maritime Commission, due to the fact that the post war trade will determine the necessity for the amount of tonnage the American Merchant Marine can absorb in peace time. SECTION 4—(c) authorizes the Maritime Commis­ sion to sell ships to foreign operators, based on pre­ war foreign costs, as determined under Section 2. This, we strenuously object to on the grounds that it puts foreign operators in a more favorable position than the American operators. Section 3- (a) of the Bill proposes that American citizens may buy ships from the Maritime Commission at the depreciated pre­ war domestic cost. We can not see why foreign oper­ ators should be able to buy American ships, which will run in competition with American ships, for pre-war foreign costs compared with pre-war domestic costs to American operators. That would make a big difference, as we all know it was much cheaper to build ships in foreign yards than in domestic yards be'fore the war. As a matter of fact, under the Subsidy Bill of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, amended, there is a subsidy granted to shipowners building ships in Ameri­ can yards, because of the difference in costs between The above are the most objectionable clauses in American and Foreign yards. That doesn't seem sound to us, and we think it is the Bill, that we, as American Seamen, believe should unfair to the American public and tax-payers to put be rectified. Following are the reasons for our obthe foreign competitors in a more favorable position jections: The American Merchant Marine Act of 1936, passed than the American operators. by Congress, Section 101, reads as follows: "It is necessary for the National defense and development of its foreign and domestic commerce that the United States shall have a Merchant Marine: SECTION 4—(e) reads as follows: "(a) sufficient to carry its domestic water-borne "Payment of the sales price for vessels sold commerce and a substantial portion of its waterunder this section shall be made upon such terms borne export and import foreign commerce—and and conditions as the Commission with the approval , to provide shipping service on all routes essential of the President shall prescribe. In connection with for mainteuning the flow of such commerce at all sales to noncitizens, the Commission is authorized times. to avail itself of the services of any other agency "(b) capable of serving as a naval and military ' of the United States Government with duties or auxiliary in time of war or national emergency. powers in respect of extension of credit or iineuic"(c) owned emd operated under the United ing services, and any such agency is authorized to States flag by citizens of the United States insofar extend such facilities and services to the Commis­ as may be practicable, and— sion or to the purchaser for the purposes hereof." "(d) composed of the best equipped, safest and T' We are definitely and unalterably opposed to this most suitable' types of vessels, constructed in the subsection, and request your honorable Committee to United States and manned with a trained and effi­ delete it completely. cient citizen personnel. First of all, it again puts the foreign buyers on a "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the much better basis than the American buyers, because United States to foster the development and en­ the payment of a vessel bought by a foreign operator courage the maintenance of such a Merchant can be made on terms and conditions as the Commis­ Marine." sion, with the approval of the President, shall pre­ That is the policy as laid down by the American scribe. We do not know what the Commission or the President may prescribe. That is too much power to (Continued on Page 5) Abide By Peop le's Decision Discrimination Against American Operators •A:. ti �PDF Compressor Pro Friday. March 9, 1945 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Five Lundeberg's Statement To Committee (Continned from Page 4) people in regard to- the American Merchant Marine. It is our duty to see that it is lived up to. ' A memorandum of questions and answers relating to the Ships _ Sales Bill furnished by Admiral Land, dealing with ships to be disposed of, is estimated to c^hsist of 2,545 Liberty type dry cargo ships; 515 Vic­ tory type dry cargo ships; 613 "C" type passenger and .dry cargo ships; 231 coastal dry cargo ships; 27 refrigdrator cargo ships; 504 high speed tankers; 62 Liber­ ty type tankers; and 62 coastal type tankers, totaling 4559 government-owned merchant ships available for private 'operation when the war is over. It js our opinion that none of the fast ships, such as Victory ships and "C" type ships and fast tankers should be sold by the American Government to any foreign operators or foreign countries. We feel that the American Merchant Marine needs this fast tonnage and it is essential that the American Merchant Marine have fast and economically run ships in order to com­ pete in the foreign trades of the world. Prior to the war, up to 1936 (before the Merchant Marine Act was passed) the American Merchant Marine was composed of slow ships built during the last war, which could not compete with the high speed freighters and passenger ships operated by various foreign coun­ tries. After 1936, when the Maritirfle Commission started to. build faster and better ships, the American Merchant Marine then looked like it would find its place in thesun. This Is Our Opportunity America now has the best chance it has had for generations tq become one of the leading maritime natiohs of the world, which this country must be. The American continent has thousands of miles of coast line and it is essential that we have an up to date fast fleet of American merchant ships to carry our foreign commerce in, and it is also very essential for our National Defense. Wp found ourselves short of ships during the last war, and through the short sightedness of our political and military heads, we again found ourselves short of ships in the second world war. iiow, the American people have spent billions of dollars, and today are carrying three-fourths of the war material and supplies to our troops and to the troops of our Allies to all parts of the world. If we can do that job during the war, there is no reason why during peace time American ships cannot carry the foreign trade of this country. It has been said that certain foreign countries depend on the income of the Merchant Marine to keep up their total national income. This is refuted by a report by the Department of Com­ merce on the importance of shipping to foreign ex­ change resources and national income. The report shows that the amount of foreign exchange received by other nations-from shipping operations wei-e. as follows: Norway 35% of value of all products produced and Sold abroad. Greece—24.1% ' / England—13.4% Netherlands—9.2% Denmark—7.1% Sweden—5.9% France—4% Japan—4.7% Germany—3.7% United States—1.9% .Thus, need for foreign shipping services are not so strong as applied to trade with the United States. Thus, also, an American Merchant Marine should not seriously injure, for example, British-American trade as claimed. , ' Furthermore, if American ships carried less, there is no assurance that business would go to British lines, for instance, rather than to the lines of some other country. To illustrate: In 1929 Britain's share of world shipping was 37.21%. Norway's was 5% and the United States' was 713%. Yet by 1937, when the United States' share had dropped to under 7%, Britain's share remained almost the same while Noryi^ay's share had cljmbed from 5% to 8%. • Although Britain's Merchant Marine is necessary to hold' the Empire together, it is significant that in 1937 her income from shipping was only 1.3% of her total national income. Other percentages of national in­ comes derived from shipping are as follows: Norway—11.2% 'Denmark—2.4% ' ' .. Sweden—1.1% Japan—.7% France—.5% Germany—.3% United States—^^.09% Thus, excepting Norway, no maritime nation would suffer a great hole in its pocketbook if it lost some of its shipping business. Generally speaking, the maintenance of merchant marines before the war were for most countries prim­ arily a matter of military strategy and national prestige. Who Gets The Axis Runs? Furthermore, we would like to know who is en­ titled to pick up the shipping of the Axis countries such as Japan, Germany and Italy. It is assumed that they will not be allowed to maintain the large Mer­ chant Marines they had prior to the war. In the Pacific waters, Japanese shipping was dominant prior to the war. They had fast vessels carrying a great amount of American exports and imports. As a matter of fact, the vast valuable silk cargoes imported to this country were practically all carried in Japanese ships. Are we now to assume that this should not go to American shipping? Who is more entitled to take over the Pacific trade routes, formerly held by the Japanese, than American ships? Who is doing the fighting in the Pacific waters if it isn't the American Navy, Marines, Army and the Merchant Marine? We certainly should do everything we can to capture this shipping for America after the war. This belongs to the United States and we are now in a position to take over and operate shipping lines in all waters where the Axis nations were in control prior to the war. Today, all countries are Maritime conscious. They all want ships after the war, and have made post-war plans to operate a large Merchant Fleet. China, for instance, is contemplating operating shipping lines be­ tween China and the West. Russia plans a post-war Merchant Marine. Brazil and Argentina have set up government-controlled agencies to operate seized Axis shipping to North America and Europe. These countries were not Maritime nations prior to the war, and we certainly should not turn around and give them a number one priority to establish themselves in the shipping business as competitors of the United States at the expense of the American Merchant Marine. Prosperity And Self Protection There is a theory among certain big industrialists in this country that this country is primarily an agri­ cultural and industrial nation, so consequently we should not bother about an American Merchant Marine, but we should allow foreign countries to make the money in American shipping so that they can buy our goods. This is a selfish and short sighted policy and ac­ cording to figures (previously quoted), does not hold water. This country must establish a permanent firstclass Merchant Marine, capable of carrying the large majority of its foreign trade, regardless of the ideas of individuals and regardless of the ideas of other nations. From time to time. Admiral Land has advocated that we build a Merchant Marine second to none. He has stated that this countiy should have between fifteen and twenty-five million gross tonnage for American shipping after the war. These are very vague figures. Recently Admiral Land stated that we should have sixteen million tons. We say that Admiral Land is not in a position to determine whether we should haye' sixteen miUion or twenty-five million tons of shipping. These are just figures picked out of the air. We should have tonnage adequate to protect our nation in an emergency, and secondly, a Merchant Marine capable of carrying the majority of our foreign trades—exports and imports. We should be encouraging operation of American ships, and what this Bill proposes to do is to give the foreign countries an edge on us. We should give ourselves the first break and think secondly of other nations. Although experts and politicians predict there will be .no other wars, there has been not one as yet who could give us a guarantee that there will be no more wars. We know, as practical people, it is better to be prepared than to take statements of people who are guessing at the future. Labor's Relation To Merchant Marine Today, approximately two hundred thousand American Seamen are manning American vessels. Some of these men went to sea before the war, and have gone to sea for a number of years. Others have become sailors during the war and are now qualified seamen. A vast majority of these men, who came into the Merchant Marine during this war, are young men who never before worked in any other industry. Con­ sequently, the Merchant Marine thas become their livelihood, and we know that they are not going to leave the Merchant Marine when the war is over. They are not going to go back to work they neyer had be­ fore. Also, there will be thousands and thousand.s of men discharged from the Navy and Coast Guard and other branches of the armed forces who will want to go to sea. What are we, as a nation, going to do with these men? Are we just going to discard them? Millions and millions of dollars have been spent by the United States Maritime Commission to educate men for the sea, both as officers, cadets and in other ratings. Big institutions have been built at the tax-payers' expense with the view in mind of developing men for the Mer­ chant Marine. Whether we, as a union agree with this or not is unimportant at this time. We do, however, want to point out to you that the purpose of spending this money has been to develop the Merchant Marine. We must not forget that should the foreign coun­ tries get the ships under this proposed set-up, they will be able to practically get the ships as a gift. We also want to pont out to the Marchant Marine Com­ mittee the conditions under which they will operate their ships, based on the conditions under which they operated their ships prior to the war. For instance, the wages on foreign ships ran for an average seamen from 10.00 a month to a maximum of $50.00 per month. The American seaman's wages prior to the war was $100.00 per month. If we, as a nation, give ships to foreign nations, let us say to England, what happens then? Prior to the war English seamen averaged approximately $50.00 per month, and that is a very high figure. A large per­ centage of English ships were manned by coolies from the Indies at the rate of approximately $10.00 a month American money. A great number of Holland ships were operated by Malayan crews for approximately $15.00 per month. A large number of other nationalities ships, including Britain, were manned by Chinese seamen for low wages. Are we now going to give the foreign coun­ tries American ships built at the expense of the Ameri­ can tax-payers, for foreign ship operators and nations to use to exploit their seamen and thus use cheap labor to compete with American seamen and American oper­ ators? That does not jibe with the theory of brotherly love, which we hear so much about these days, and it would also mean the loss of jobs to thousands and thousands of American Seamen. The same condition would prevail in the shipyards, for with a big American Merchant Marine there would be plenty of repair and drydock work for American shipyards, and it would relieve the unemployment, which might become a fact after the war. We know that foreign operators very seldom repair their ships or dry-dock them in American yards. Consequently, by not protecting the American Merchant Marine, we are not protecting the Amerian Seamen nor the Amerian shipyard workers. Besides, every waterfront com­ munity and seaport profits by a large American Mer­ chant Marine, because the equipment, supplies and food sold to the ships alone employs thousands and thousands of people.' Foreign ships very seldom buy food or equipment in American ports. They buy their supplies in their own ports or in the ports of other foreign countries, where they can buy it cheaper. In view of the' facts presented to your Committee, we respectfully urge your Committee, in deliberation of the Bill, to take our arguments into consideration, and that you, as members of Congress, do everything in your power to retain a large and powerful American Merchant Marine for the benefit of our country. Respectfully submitted. HARRY LUNDEBERG On behalf of: • THE SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NOARTH AMERICA, and THE SAILORS UNION OF THE PACIFIC (Affiliated with American Federation of Labor.) : .^1 �PDF Compressor Pro Page Six TM^. S^4F 4hEH§ lOQ Friday, Maz^ % JtSki, membership on behalf of A1 Ke/y; Red Trusd^e and for the cooperation >veVo beep receivlpg when you members take jobs out and live according to the reverse aide of your assignment cards. But we .dispatchers are being pestered by another situation that I would like to get aired out. Meeting nights are every other Wednesday, held at 7 p.m. at 119 East 11th Street—the wettr known Webster Hall. The meet­ ing, as you all know, starts at 7 p.m. and the deadline is 7:39' p.m., and those of you members that corne in after 7:30 pjn. can.not get credit for the meeting. It's a Union rule, acted upon and passed, to be lived up to. If you were in the Hospital or had a fieath in the family, that'« something else. Sometimes we do give regards to an exceptional case of when an individual's train was delayed and had evidence! pertaining to that fact, he is ex­ cused. PHILAPELPHIA WHATS DOim Well, here we go agaia, doing business at the same old place as usual. Things are a little slow here this week. Mostly all the; ships are in transit, however, we expect Xo pay oQ. a Robin Line ship and I guess that this will Mostly the crews are responsible move some of the boys off the as to reveal the fact that our car­ are plenty of beefs aboard. for this and are to be commended There was a transportation go vessels all have linoleum on list. for they way they handled their beef on the SS W. Young of the all the decks. It must have been We are being asked a lot of beefs aboard, and being sober at Waterman SS Company which a way of getting in a plug for his questions about overtime that the time of payoff. held the payoff up for a couple sponsor who sells opnie kind of differant members have coming Calmar, Mississippi South At­ of days, but was sqared away be­ floor wax, but spnie of the kids to them. The best answer to that lantic and American Liberty fore the rcew signed off. signing up are liable to give us a question is, if the membership will look in the LOG they will new beef. They'll be putting in One of our prize bucko skip­ Lines all had ships paying off pers, the master of the SS A- L. with .beefs settled aboard. be able to see for .themselves. In f<;ff linoleum money. Lewis of the Seas Shipping Com­ In case any Savannah boys are this port we cut the money due J. SHULER. Pafrolman pany, brought her in about as Hst out and post it on the bulletin out of town they may be inter­ • • • board and any member that has ested in learning that one of the well disorganized as could be ex­ Shipping in New York has any overtime coming to him can •local clothing stores burned down pected of a man of his type. How­ picked up again and things look trace it a year back by merely last week. I happened to be pass­ ever, his roar turned to a whine a lot better for the boys where looking over the bulletin board. ing by at the time ^d it was a when confronted by Union Pat­ the "Local Board" is on their We are still having the same honey of ^ fire. J started to look rolmen and the crew at payoff tails—^so "boys—^better grab 'em old trouble with members .quit­ around ^or the "Little Flower" time. Apparently, thp Seas SS while they're hot! ting the ships at the last minute. and then remembered I was no Company thinks no more of him The biggest part .of this head­ longer in New York. The local than the Union, as the SS A. L. The WSA stUl has around 6000 ache is the boys from the RMO. fire fighters got the matter in Lewis saUed with a new master. men on their list—so therefore, The beef pending from the SS I'd suggest to the OS that have But it's really quite out of qrThese guys run absolutely wild, hand, however, without anyone Banvard, also of the Seas SS six months or better sea service, der to ask your dispatchers "aw, being hurt and I guess everybody as we have no way of controlling Company, which went on the go to 42 Broadway, the Inspectors come on, give me credit, stamp is happy except maybe the in­ ibem and the RMO states that rocks in the Azores, has been office, and take your exams for my card—^no One will know the surance company. they can not control them either. settled. Her crew can scan the Duration of War Blue Ticket, difference." That is being very ARTHUR THOMPSON. I believe that the RMO should Money Due column in the Log which enables you to ship out as unreasonable to ask. For then Agent make some effort to control these an AB. to the tune of approximately you're attempting to make dis­ men. $10,000. This brings a total of Quite a few members .that had honest officials out of us—apd The membership must be made GALVESTON about $14,000 collected in over been shipping nut as acting ABs I'd like to say that the -SIU repu­ to realize that in most cases when After making a number of trips time from this ship. This was on six months sea experience and tation is above reproach. One of -the Branch Agent caUs the RMO are being rejected by the com­ its foundations is that all of ua for a man it is generally for a to Houston in search of a new panies through the WSA. The members built the organization job that cannot be filled other­ location for the hall in that port, N. Y. MEETINGS IN WSA has quite a few AB's on for seamen, to be run honest ahd wise. These kids go to the ship I have at last been successful in the beach and claim they can fair. So, boys, let's play the game WEBSTER HALL and look around and then they locating a place. The new hall supply the regular certified AB's. fair and honest with ourselves decide that they don't want to will be located at 6605 Can,al , So I'll say again, OS's with over and the SIU. New York Branch meetings Street. The Canal Street buses sail on it. Instead of coming -back are held every other Wednes­ six months sea experience, go and PAUL GONSORCHIK. to the Hall, they don't say any­ stop almost in front of the door. Chief Dispatcher. thing, they just pile off, and they During the time that I am at­ day evening. 7 P.M. at Web­ get your "War Duration AB Blue don't notify the RMO either. So tending the Agents' Conference, ster HalL 119 East 11th Street, Ticket" before the WSA closes in cases where the ship is in an Bro. Hall, Houston patrolman, between 3rd and 4th Avenues. the door down on you. And, as NEW ORLEANS outlaying district there is no way wiU be stationed here in Galves­ To get there take the 3rd Ave.. A1 Kerr had mentioned in his that we have of telling whether ton and the hall in Houston will Elevated and get off at 9th St.. previous article last week, about or the East Side IRT Subway those of you members in the Things are humming here .in be closed. the ship is crewed up or not. "Savage Dept." you should real­ this port again after a quiet week In cases of our own member- I intend to furnish this new lo­ and get off at Astor Place. ly go up and get all the Eng. and the indications are that next No cards will be stamped ^ip we can and do control thip cation with enough equipment to Rm. endorsements possible. Pre­ week will be equally lively. Wq situation. But in cases of these carry on the business in that port after 7:30 PJM. dominating rating I'd suggest is; put a full crew aboard the SSj probationary members we do and to make it comfortable for have headaches with them. I those members that live in through the patient work of var­ Elect. - Pump - machinist and es­ Roy K. Johnson, a new Calm£ic don't mean all of them, because Houston, so they will have a place ious patrolmen in the Port of pecially the Ref. Eng. endorse­ Line ship that was delivered fronq ments, which will be in great de­ the local shipyard Saturday. As some of them are turning out to to sit around and shoot the N. Y. mand within the next four two other Mississippi ships paid be very good members. However, breeze. The Alcoa Scout has been caus­ months. off and took almost a full crewthis is -food for thought for the Am crewing up a new Liberty ing us quite a bit of trouble. It each, there's very few men leff coming Agents' conference. At this time I'd like to take fpr the American Liberty lines on was rumored that she was to be on tlie beach. HARRY COLLINS. Agent or about March 13th. sold to the Russian Government the opportunity of thanking 'the The Agent took the loggings D. STONE' Agent but conditions aboard her was on the' Delmar before Com­ so bad, Stalin probably smelled SAVANNAH mander Brown, the head Com­ it from there. Now, it will be up NEW YORK missioner in this port, for an ap^ to the niembership of the Sea­ All is quiet on the southern peal. He won all but one of the front. There's not a ship in the Business has picked up in this farers International Union to cases, which should prove that straighten her out before the ex­ harbor except the one that's port last week. Paid off 37 ships brother Michelet's contention that terminator gets her. about ready to sail and she is all and signed on 29. the men were treated unjustly crewed-up already. We shipped SS Francis Walker of Eastern The size of the meeting last had basis in fact. twelve men out last week but we SS Company had the payoff set Wednesday night exceeded any A number of the old-timers are have ninety registered. Shipping for Saturday but the crew decid­ that we have had. There were drifting back to the Gulf and the here reminds me of New York, ed to wait and collect all their approximately 1200 members meetings are beginning to take it's so different. overtime at the time of payoff present. There have been a niunon an old-time slam-bang aspect. ' From where I sit it looks as and time of signing off articles. ber of members from the NMU However, this is a good sign, for though things will remain quiet She paid off Monday with all in the last week to transfer their a union is never so healthy as here for a while but maybe I beefs settled. books. We don't know whether when its membership take a real have a bad seat. I hope so any­ The crew of the SS A. P. Lor- it is a case of the men getting interest in its affairs. When an way. ing, also of the Eastern SS Com­ wise to themselves or rats de­ United Press reports that U. S. organization gets as much cab-: Every day I have a few new­ pany, went up to get paid off serting a sinking ship. comers asking for a trip card or a Monday morning and found that The SS George Cohen of the seamen in Britain prefer British bage in the tiU as ours has, it job or just a promise of one. the payroll was made up tp mid­ Overtakes Freight Company was gals to Americans or any others. calls for a vigilant membership ' When I finish telling them the night Saturday night. It took really a messed up job. The skip­ Questionnaire replies say Brit­ to see that the dough is handled properly. sad story they want to know why about a day's finageling with the per was under the impression ish females are: the hell the Government keeps company but the crew waited that the ship was his domain and GLENN MASTERSQN, "Cuter and more polite, easier broadcasting for men over the patiently until the beef was set­ no one should trespass. It took to get along with, friendlier than Patrolman radio. Well, a snappy comeback tled and the payroll was cor­ the physical efforts of patrolman American girls, not as spoiled as for that one is, "They have no rected before they paid off. James Sheehan to remove him their American sisters." The iSoll, other way of broadcasting except The membership of the SIU is from the gangway so that he taken by the United "Seamen's over the radio." But I listened in beginning to learn that with the could get aboard to settle the Service, also discovered that a once in a while and hear the same Eastern SS Company a beef beefs. The beefs were numerous blue-eyed red-head is the favor­ B. Tafiewisz 2.00 cry and it makes me wonder too. pending is a beef lost. and the sliip was in haywire con­ ite valentine of the merchant B. W. Covert .* i.og One night Fibber McGee de­ The SS Warrior, of the Water­ dition. She was squared away be­ service, but since these are a rar-voted an entire broadcast to re­ man SS Company, is still around fore paying off. F. M. Tucker j.oo ^ itv, 61 per cent prefer blondes. cruiting members for the Merch­ and needless to say with her J. F. Conley i_oo About six ships from the Bull ant Marine and even went so far ! famous "Captain Bligh," there Line this week, all paid off clean. —PM T. A. Scoper I.QQ Jkround the Ports Valehtine? Honor Roll S-- • .i «« rjiirtliiniiBimirTOaiiBBmiiirilriiriii r i •iiliiiiTf nk •... �PDF Compressor Pro rod^f, Dtvtm ft iwd titte APAkEk^ io6 Page SeveA APL Demands FDR Unfreeze Wages Now Textile Workers Void "No Strike Pledge;" Miners Hold Strike Vote WASHINGTON, D. C.—Sharply rejecting the find­ ings of the public members of the National War Labor Board against any change in the wage freeze, the AFL mem­ bers of the board called upon President Roosevelt to prevent "economic disaster" by promptly and realistically modify­ :\ssei'ting that cdtfon textile WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.—A ing the Little Steel formula. vt^rker^ have lost faith in the strike vote of the Nation's half Since the President incorporat­ straight time hourly earnings for million bituminous coal miners National War Labor Board, Emil ed the Little Steel formula into all wage earners subject to the (Rieve, president of the Textile is scheduled to be taken on Mar. an executive order and thus made War Labor Board's jurisdiction. Workers Union, announced last 28—three days before the expir­ it part of the nation's stabiliza­ "The workers of America are dis­ week that the anion ^ad releas­ ation of their contract—under tion program, the AFL group illusioned by this chaiige in wag6 ed 100,000 menibers in fifty-three terms provided in the Smithcontended that it is up to the Cbntrol technique. But they have (Continued from Page 1) mills from the "no-strike" pledge Connally Act which Congress President to make the final deci­ not been hypnotized into believ­ made by organized" labor on Dec. passed two years ago to "get" were being properly posted and sion on whether the formula ing that on increase for somd Workers is an increase in the 24, 1941. This is the first action of UMW President John L. Lewis. that the system is thoroughly ef­ should now be changed. Wages of all Workers. Only sta­ By serving notice on Govern­ its kind taken by any group in the ficient. Arguments of the public mem­ We found that all of the of­ bers against modification of the tisticians can be confused by the Congress of Industrial Organiza­ ment agencies involved that a ; dispute exists that threatens to ficials of the Union are 'properly formula were blasted to smither­ magic of their averaging tech­ tions, Mr. Rieve said. nique." "Political connivance has de­ interrupt war productior^ Lewis bonded for the year 1945. The eens in the AFL dissent. has paved the way for a legal bonding company being the Uni­ The dissenting report was The statement charged that the prived the National War Labor coal strike and has turned the ted States Fidelity & Guaranty signed by AFL Secretary-Treas­ public members, after a year's Board of its independent tri-pardelay, have resorted to the tricky urer George Meany, VicePresitite nature and caused cotton tex­ tables on his Congressional foes Co. We checked all the financial expedient of changing the "meas­ dent Matthew Woll, Robert J. tile workers to lose faith in the who certainly never intended for bbird's processes," he declared. Lewis to be able to use the Smith- transactions of the Un^on handled uring rod" of wages in order to Watt and James A. Brownlow. Connally Act to his own ad­ through the Secretary-Treasur­ justify their position. They emphasized at the outset He predicted that the position vantage. that the record of the President's er's office for the 4th quarter and From the beginning, the AFL taken by the union would result Under Section 8 of the Smith- found them to be correct. original 7-point anti-inflation group pointed out, the NWLB has in strikes in war plants. Potential Connally Act, which Lewis cited program is a "sorry one" on every We found that there were 1898 limited its sphere of regulation walk-outs, he contiued, would af­ in his letter to Secretary of Labor new members joined in the 4th to "wage rates" and has not used point save wage regulation, fect plants producing duck, cot­ Frances Perkins, it is made man­ quarter, September 30th through gross earnings or "take-home adding. ton blankets, sheets, pillow cases datory for the NLRB (National December 30th, 1944, making a pay" as its guide. In their latest "The contrast between the re­ and other war material. Labor Relations Board) to take a total of 9437 joined in the four report, however, the public mem­ sults attained by the War Labor The union head ^said after a secret ballot of the miners on the quarters of 1944. bers seized upon a new measur­ Board and those produced by the closed meeting of the TWU exe­ 30th day after notice has been We made a complete inventory ing rod, "adjusted straight-time other agencies involved in the cutive committee in the Park given, unless the dispute has of the various receipt books. hourly earnings." This amounts program is startling. Indeed, the Central Hotel, that he had been been settled in the meantime. to a statistical about-face since control of wages has been so ef­ MEMBERSHIP BOOKS ''deluged by requests for walk­ The only other exception pro­ the "adjustments" that are in­ fective that the deficiencies of 7294, outs in telegrams i by the bushel." vided in the Act is if the "plant, On hand last report cluded make the new measure a the entire program have been 78 At the meeting* the executive mine or facility" involved has Issued kind of "take-home pay figure." hidden from public view. committee adopted a resolution been seized by the Governnlent. 7216 Exposing the injustice of this "Nevertheless, by some strange charging cotton textile manufac­ In invoking the Smith-Connal- On hand this report method, the AFL asserted that quirk of reasoning, whenever the UNION BUTTONS turers with exerting political ly Act, Lewis had the rare satis­ if 10 men in a plant received a program is lagging more than pressure upon government agen­ faction of quoting from his bitter Buttons on hand last report....2835 10 cents an hour increase, an usual, the pressure is placed upon Received from Manufacturer 2118 averaging processes used to show the one area of control that has cies in connection with union de­ political enemy. President Roose­ that 20 men received a 5 cents succeeded. As a consequence, the mands for a general wage in­ velt, in support of his contention 4953 hourly increase. that the Act had forced him to thumbscrews have been steadily crease of 10 cents an hour and a "give, a notice that may of itself Buttons sent to branches 797 "In this manner," the AFL tightened upon workers until now minimum rate of 60 cents an be provocative of disturbances in statement declared, "the public they have been asked to foregO Buttons on hand 4156 members have concocted a 36.7 even certain benefits which are the industry." hour. After a careful count and re- per cent increase in adjusted conducive to healthful living. checking of reports for the past two years, we find that there is If at some future date, the upon by the membership at a an excess of 673 buttons on hand. cause for this excess is found, we regular branch meeting or a let­ All previous quarterly reports are of the opinion that the Secre­ ter to the bank from the Secre­ is easily seen due to their refusal were rechecked and we can find tary-Treasurer should not be held tary-Treasurer authorizing the (Continued from Page 2) "education" in their leadership to settle legitimate overtime dis­ no reason for the excess, as all responsible for the cost of these depositing and withdrawing of school, as well as a rallying point putes for their membership. previous reports were accepted buttons, as a full accounting will funds in the name of the Seafar­ for their meetings, it is well that Meeting after meeting, the rank by the membership. Herewith is then be given. ers International Union. the Seafarers look at this and and file of the menibership in a listing of the buttons on hand. We accompanied the SecretaryOur reason for this recommen­ that union hit the deck and want see just what's back of it. dation is that several times in the Treasurer to the Federation Bank Actual count on past, the Union has had difficulty and Trust Company safe deposit First, what is a guaranteed to know, "Why can't, or won't the Feb. 15, 1945 2711 in getting union funds that were vault and checked the National vc^ge and who is going- to pay NMU officials settle their legit­ Received from Mfgr 2118 Defense Bonds deposited there in banks in the name of individ­ it? A guaranteed -wage means imate disputes?" Just why they and find that there are bonds uals, due to death or other rea­ that the one who accepts it wiU w,ont settle these legitimate dis­ Actual number of putes is no secret, because in be forced to take any job as­ buttons on hand 4829 having matured value of $213,- sons. Most recent experience was their haste to wine and dine the 500.00 deposited therein. These the one itemized in this report, as signed to him. This is easily seen Buttons on hand as shipowners and give them nice as the shipowners, or any busi­ per above report — 4156 bonds cost the Union $157,990.00. a result of the death of Olden Banks, Mobile Agent. These ness man for that matter, is not banquets, they often times forget BRANCH ACCOUNTS funds will be tied up for six going to guarantee anyone a spe­ all about the men whom they Number of buttons over 673 Due to the death of Olden months or more. cific amount of dough without represent. Banks, Agent in the Port of Mo­ Curran said a few years back NEW BUILDING something in return. A man No, Brothers, this stuff just bile, Alabama, checks drawn would have to stay on whatever at a rank and file meeting that: won't cut the mustard. The Sea­ against Union funds deposited in Last year the membership went particular job he was on just as any time he was caught wining farers will never be willing to the First National Bank of Mo­ on record to assess themselves long as it was the company's and dining the shipowners he sell our conditions down the line. bile by Olden Banks in his own $10.00 Building Assessment for pleasure. If he were fired for any would have turned phoney. This Oh the other hand, we are highly name were protested and return­ the purpose of buying their own cause (and we all know damn came from the Great Curran him­ in favor for making 200 bucks a ed to Headquarters as uncollect- buildings. We are of the opinion well that the shipowners can find self and was made at a time month for AB's. So, let us fight able. Until such time as his es­ that the Building Fund has suf­ f plenty of cause) then his guaran­ when the commie officials in the together. Instead of giving con­ tate is settled these funds in the ficient fun(Js to start negotiations teed wage would stop. If he quits NMU were making a big fight ditions to get wage boosts, le tus amount of $1220.57 will be held for the buying of a building in New York. of his own volition—then bang— for rank and file support from make new gains in the same man­ by the Bank , in Mobile. Under the present lease of the there goes the money again. If the NMU membership. This say­ ner in which we received the In view of the foregoing we He fails to return at the proper ing of Curran's' has the sympa­ things in the past—^by hard fight­ would like to make the following Building of 51 Beaver Street, the rental could be saved and applied time while awaiting assignment thy of all seamen because all ing and by earnest unionism. recommendation: for a job, and if he did not sit in seamen mistrust officials who There is no short cut to condi­ We would like to recommend to the buying of the building, the the assignment hall until the very collaborate so very closely with tions for seamen. Nothing will that in Branches where the rental of the basement and first last minute, then there's even the shipo-wner. Usually after such substitute for the picket lin— Agents deposit their funds in a floor would pay the taxes of the more reason why he won't get the collaboration, it all winds up with nothing will substitute for fight. bank that these accounts are to property. Under this set up we a' cut for the seamen in Wages So, let's go and set about the task be opened in the name of the would be in the building rent 200 bucks. and conditions. In this case it of a raise in wages. But once Seafarers International Union. free and have only the expenses .The NMU officials are reaUy happens' to be conditions, for this again, let us remember never to The atithority to do this can be of the upkeep. plugging this dream of pie-inthe-sky and naturaRy it is to is what Curran and Company give away one thing we have to secured in the form of a resolu­ Property now is available attion from the bank t» be acted their advantage to do so. This have offered to thrpw away. secure this. (Continued on Page 8) Union Is Found In Good Financial Condition Don't Surrender Conditions ^I '•'7 I '' .--V' �PDF Compressor Pro - -- . r" JSJPTTW-- i ir^ ifi ''y THE Page Eight SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 9, 1J49' New York Dispatchers Busiest Men In Union NEW YORK DISPATCHERS AT WORK If there is any job in the SIU him up a bit. He was on the observe the shipping rules and Maiden Creek when she was tor­ letting us know whether or not which requires a man of iron with nerves like rubber bands— pedoed in the Mediterranean last he took the. job dispatched to. March. He had his head cracked "The rules and regulations of that job is Dispatcher in New upon, his arm smashed, and spent our union are not just printed York. All day long 500 to 1,000 over a month in a foreign hospi­ words, they were fought for over men face the Dispatcher with tal before being well enough to the years, and much blood was not only demands for jobs, but stand repatriation back to the spilled to get them. We had many hard, lean years when the for information on beefs, on pay­ United States. , old-timers died in all corners of "Red" Trusdale, the Night Dis­ offs, on shipping rules, on con­ the world in the belief that they patcher, is an old-time SIU mem­ tracts and wage rates, and on the were building a union worth the million little personal problems ber, having helped found the or­ sacrifice. ganization in New York. He sails which plague seamen when they "It is up to us, all of us, to live are ashore. Each union brother, all ratings on Deck, and has sail­ whether gassed up or sober, ed on runs throughout the world. up to the traditions of the oldwhether his question is serious or He was a member of the crew timers, and to observe the rules screwball, must be given a cour- which brough the old Essex which have been instituted for tious answer. And this takes across a stormy Atlantic, only to the good of the union." have it sink beneath them in time—and it takes patience. Long Island harbor. This was in . Fortunately the New York Dis­ 1941. A year later he was torpatchers are courteous and pa­ pedode, being one of the first SIU tient men, otherwise they would men to be on the receiving end (Continued front Page 7) have cracked long ago. The Chief of a Nazi tin fish. Dispatcher, Paul Gonsorchik, his The Dispatchers have high prices that*are within reason and assistant, Alexander Kerr, and praise for the rank and file men undoubtedly in the post war era the Night Dispatcher, James of the SIU, and their cooperation when speculators return to pri­ "Red" Trusdale, have a wealth vate business, there is little of information on everything with the officials. '"Don't let doubt but what real estate prices; from shipping rules to gin mills, anyone say that the new kids en­ will go up so that the value of; and all day long they pass it out. tering the industi-y are not good the building would be an asset union men," says Paul. "Some of Paul is the old-timer on the them may not know all the score, to the soundness of the financial structure of the union and high job, having first taken the job in but they are learning fast. Feb. 1941. Old-timers wiU re­ The Dispatchers have one com­ rentals will not drain the union's member the barren roon on the plaint, however, and it was ex­ funds. Also it is an advantage to 6th floor at 2 Stone Street, with pressed by Gonsorchik in the own our own building, as we will not be harassed by hostile land­ Paul's broken down desk in the following manner: lords who in times of strikes middle of the room and a couple "We have been receiving a lot would do everything in their of hundred men sitting on his desk, hanging on his shoulders, of cooperation between members power to disposses the union. No, Chief Dispatcher Paul Gonsorchik is not a swoon-crooner, everything but sitting in his lap. being shipped out, but they are We, therefore, recommend that he is merely calling out the jobs over the public address system in quite lax in some of their duties. Those were rugged days. I want to plead with all men to a building committee, be elected the New York Dispatch hall. Behind him is A1 Kerr marking the" Paul has shipped an average of observe the reverse side of their at the next regular branch meet­ jobs on the big new dispatching board. Night Dispatcher "Red" 500 men a week over the past 4 shipping card. This requires that ing to open negotiations with the Trusdale wa^ not on watch when the picture was taken. years. This adds up to something all men who are turned down, or real estate agent for the purchase over 100,000 men. Small wonder don't want the job, must report of a building here in New York. that seamen from Iceland to Bor­ the fact back to the hall. If this EARL H. O'DONNELL. neo know Paul Gonsorchik. No. 30704 is done, it would save us a lot Received a letter from M. B, PHIL H. AGREE, A1 Kerr, Assistant Dispatcher, of headaches. ^ (Continued from Page 2) No. 1837 Cato, former FWT of the SS is new to the job, having left the "Always remember that some­ it will have to go before a Port James Gillis, in regards to 156 ships to pie-card last December. day you may be that '"returnee" MATTHEWS SAMS, Committee, as the company re­ hours claimed by him. Checked The last trip A1 was on banged due to some brother failing to No. 21386 fuses to pay any more. with company and they have no such -record, according to the THESE MEN SAIL THE SHIPS OF OUR MERCHANT FLEET Patrolmen who paid this . ship off.. The beef was out, as safety of vessel was recognized. Union Is Sound Iv l.'V' h Goffin's Weekly Report J. Have come to a working agree­ ment for Deck Storekeepers on C-4 ships, and as soon as it is approved by the WLB, I will port it to the membership. Ii; Will have complete lists of un­ claimed wages from the various companies in future editions of the Log. During the past week Brother Hawk was in Washnigton on Union business, ^and therefore could not be present at the larg­ est meeting in this Union's hist­ ory. The hall we rented was hot quite big enough to accomodate all hands, so it looks like we will have to get a much larger hall for future meetings. It is a pleas- ure to state that all hands took h • large part in making this meeting one of the finest we ever Kad.^ The interest by new members -in' Union activities is especially gratifying, and we hope that this keeps up, proving that our Union education is operating in thip right direction. ii; • ?• •• |V' •- Here is a typical scene in the New York Dispatching hall. Dozens of men crowd around the dispatching board, looking, over the fobs posted for the day. These SIU men have been bombed and torpedoed by the Nazis>: kicked around by the WSA and the Coast Guard, but they keep sailing the ships in all waters and all weather. » •• L- ••• Keep In Touch With Your Draft Board, •.\:ir Vt . � 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. BCC The name(s) and email address(es) of the person to whom the email was blind carbon copied. 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Title A name given to the resource March 9, 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. 10 Description An account of the resource HAWK, WEISBERGER PRESENT VIEWS TO HOUSE COMMITTEE DEMAND A LARGE POST WAR FLEET FOR FULL EMPLOYMENT $10,000 OVERTIME BEEF WON FOR CREW OF JOHN BANVARD UNION IS FOUND IN GOOD FINANCIAL CONDITION WAGE BOOST YES-BUT NOT AT SACRIFICE OF CONDITIONS STEWPOT REQUIEM UNION THANKED FOR WAR FUND RECORD CREW OF DESOLATE PRAISED FOR A CLEAN SHIP SEAFARERS DEMANDS LARGE POST WAR MERCHANT FLEET FOR FULL EMPLOYMENT AFL DEMANDS FDR UNFREEZE WAGES NOW TEXTILE WORKERS VOID "NO STRIKE PLEDGE;" MINERS HOLD STRIKE VOTE NEW YORK DISPATCHERS BUSIEST MEN IN UNION Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 03/09/1945 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1945 Periodicals Seafarers Log