https://seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/d04e08b379cd7f09e1166aece3e31812.PDF cdb585b0076537f2153ae9eb15fe958e PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gidf District, Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. IX. SOLIDLY WITH THEIR UNION 2 SlU Ships Crash; 1 Man Is Injured Two SIU freighters were vic­ tims of the heavy fog shrouding Mobile Bay last Sunday morn­ ing, when the Waterman Steam­ ship Corporation's SS Abraham Claik struck the SS Alcoa Plant- or amidships, tearing a four-foot wide hole in the vessel's side from the deckhouse to a point below the waterline. One Seafarer was hurt and at least six others narrowly escaped injury when the Clark's bow stove in a large section of the deckhouse in which the messroom is located. The men were drink­ ing coffee at the time of the col­ lision. COMPTON HURT The injured man is Howard Compton, 25, a Messman, of Crichton, Ala. Brother Compton was removed to the Marine Hos­ pital when the Planter docked early Sunday afternoon. Following the crash, fire broke out almost immediately up for­ ward in the Clark's oil-filled storm tank. With her bow partly split open by the impact, a strong northeasterly wind quickly trans­ formed the tank into a roaring inferno. The Waterman crew fought the llames for three hours before get­ ting them under control. The fire was extinguished as the vessel pulled into her berth at Pier C, State Docks. None of the Clark's general cargo was damaged by the collision or fire. Fire also broke out on the Alcoa Planter, when flames •jumped from the Clark and ig­ nited wooden partitions in the Planter's cargo hold. The fire was put down quickly by the crew. The Clark nosed into the Plant­ er as the latter vessel was lying aground at Beacon 30, about nine miles from Mobile. BAD STEERING GEAR The crash was attributed to the Clark's faulty steering mechan­ ism by her master, Capt. Ralph Smith. Smith said; "When the Alcoa Planter loom­ ed ahead in the fog I turned the wheel hard to the right, but there was no reaction. We were pro­ ceeding at slow speed at the time." He added that he ordered fullspeed astern in the engine room a moment before the collision. Apparatus from two Mobile fire-fighting companies wei-e at the State Docks when the vessels pulled in. It was the second collision in three days for the Abraham (Continued on Pege }) No. 1 NEW YORK. N. Y„ FRIDAY. JANUARY 3. 1947 Aside from the men on the picketline, here aro the striking cab drivers in Tampa, meeting to plan further strategy. Standing ed the left, wearing a white shirt, is Sonny Simmons, SIU Tcunpa Agent. The SIU has pledged full support to the strikers, and has already assisted as much as possible. Tampa City Heads Help Company Against Striking AFL Teamsters By SONNY SIMMONS TAMPA—This town is a nor­ mally colorful city of 250,000 peo­ ple—a town that has grown ter­ rifically during the past six or seven years. Before the start of World War II, Tampa enjoyed a reputation as one of the finest of the Florida resorts. And during the war many fliers and radio technicians were trained at Drew Field which lies very clo.se to the town. Tampa has everything a city needs to make it a good place in which to live, and a fine place in whih to bring up children. There TUGBOAT STRIKE Unless the operators climb down from their high horse before midnight. Saturday, January 4, New York faces another paralysis of the sup­ ply lines into this large met­ ropolis. On that date members of the United Marine Division, Local 333. International Longshoremen's Association, will walk off the job unless their reasonable demands are arbitrated in good faith by the committee representing the tugboat operators. For a story of the develop­ ments to date, and the ar­ rangements made by the union in the event a strike is necessary, please turn to page 5. are wide spacious streets, a pleas­ ant residential district, and the sea right at the front door. Yes, Tampa is a wonderful city most of the time. But right now Tampa is the scene of one of the most vicious attacks ever launch­ ed against the free American la­ bor movement. CAB DRIVERS OUT For about two weeks now the taxi drivers, members of the Teamsters and Chauffeurs Union, AFL, have been on strike for bet­ ter wages and conditions, plus recognition of their Union. Since Florida has a law against the closed shop, the union is asking- merely for an agreement recognizing the union on open shop principles, and providing for wages, seniority, working condi­ tions, and machinery for hand­ ling grievances. It is pretty pitiful when labor has to come, hat in hand, to beg for such small requests. This is one of the prices of an "anti-la­ bor" state. The company has refused to bargain with the union, and has employed goons and thugs to keep the taxis on the streets, and to intimidate the men on strike. Many of the strikers have been beaten up, some seriously, but the police have made no move to ap­ prehend the attackers. Instead, the. newspapers scream daily about the violence of the strikers, and the police and other local officals have played an ac­ tive strike-breaking role. Only recently O. C. Wilson, peacefully picketing, was set up­ on by a number of goons and badly beaten up. While all the new.spapers are keeping feelings at a fever pitch by carrying ar­ ticles about what the police should do in the event of violence by the strikers, this incident was glossed over by police and press. Since more than half of the strikers are returned veterans, and quite a few of them suf­ fered war wounds which would disable them for any difficult or rigorous work, the action of the company, abetted by the local Government, has rigged a Hitler­ like job on these men. NO GAINS The two arbitration sessions held so far have not produced one single gain for the union. On the other hand, the stand taken by (Continued on Pege 3) New Isthmian Meet Called ByTheNLRB ' NEW YORK—Invitations have been extended to the Seafarers International Union, the Nation­ al Maritime Union, and the Isth­ mian Steamship Company to send representatives to an infor­ mal meeting on Wednesday, January 8, at the New York of­ fice of the National Labor Rela­ tions Board. The conference has been arranged by the Field Ex­ aminer, John A. Penneilo. The campaign of silence which the NMU has embarked on re­ garding Isthmian, is still con­ tinuing with not one word ap­ pearing in last week's edition of the Pilot. The many threats by the NMU and the Pilot that they had un­ covered evidences of coUusion between certain SIU representa­ tives and certain Isthmian offi­ cials have been shown ro be idle charges, and it is obvious that the NMU would be pleased to forget the whole matter at this time. BAD TASTE The eagerness with which the NMU has worked to deprive the Isthmian seamen of union repre­ sentation has left a bad taste in the mouth of every seaman and waterfront worker. NMUers have been unable to defend the position adopted by their own union, and have put a lot of pressure on their leaders to withdraw the phony protest so that Isthmian seamen could en­ joy the benefits of SIU contracts and protection. Only the stalling of the NMU has prevented this so far. It is hoped that the conference on Wednesday will find the NMU more willing to see the impend­ ing defeat which it faces, and to agree to having the challenged votes counted. When that hap-' pens. Isthmian too will be SIU. Snug Harbor Trusteos To Take Up SIU Request For Investigation • NEW YORK, January 2—Fur­ ther action on the Seafarers' de­ mands for an SIU two-man com­ mittee to investigate conditions existing at The Sailors' Snug Harbor is now awaiting the next meeting of the Snug Harbor Trustees. In answer to the request, sent last week, SIU Representative Volpian received a letter dated December 31, 1946 from Snug Harbor Governor Howard A. Flynn stating that the SIU re­ quest "will be presented to the next meeting of the Trustees for their consideration." In line with the Snug Harbor Trustees' decision to take this matter up at their next meeting, the SIU is holding up on any further action until the results of the meeting are made known. However, SIU members can rest assured that the action will be in the best interests of the Snug Harbor inmates and of all seamen as a .whole. �Page Two THE SEAFARERS LQG Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District SEA P 4 R EM S LOG Friday, January 3, 1947 AFTER ALL/©ENTiEMeN, vw^o's AGAiftmr NATIONAL OBFENSE ? Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 t, 4, 5, HARRY LUNDEBERG ------- President 105 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK ------- Secy-Treas. p. O. Box 25, Station P, New York City Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. 267 Training Strikebreakers Within the next few months, after the Republican Congress takes office, we can look forward to new at­ tempts to put over a Compulsory Military Training Law. Not that the Democrats would not do the same; it's just that the Repubs will now be able to take the play away from the party that has been in power in Washington for close to 14 years. All the howling in the world that the Congress will do, cannot convince any thinking American that compul­ sory military training is necessary for our protection against foreign enemies. The atomic bomb makes any old idea of defense look silly. From now on, men will net win wars, they will merely be killed in them. When Congressmen and businessmen ask for mili' tary training for the young people of the United States, their real idea is to build up a vast anti-labor reservoir that can be used to break strikes and to grind labor down to nothing. That has always been the ambition of the bosses, and with compulsory military training, they have their best chance of making it come true. Soldiers, and those other people who are trained to follow orders without question, are the only ones who can be depended upon to carry out the anti-labor plans of the big-shots who want to extend their power over you, you, and you. Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegate by post> card, giving your name and the number of your ward. Staten Island Hospital Men Now In The Marine Hospitals You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Staten Island Hospital at the follow­ ing times: Tuesday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 5th and 6th floors) Thursday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) Saturday—1:30 to 3:30 p. m. (on 1st and 2nd floors.) These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, All the smug words of the Senators and Represen­ as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging tatives in Washington cannot hide the real purpose of the heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ coming drive to make robots out of the citizens of the ing to them. United States. While they preach preparedness for war, NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL MOSES MORRIS they will be practicing preparedness for the war against J. S. WOOD H. G. DARNELL labor. Before the hostilities in Europe and Asia were over, B. BONIFON JOE GAMBLER soldiers in many southern camps were already being trained S. RIVERA LIONEL ROTHERHAM J. C. GRIFFIN NEPONSIT HOSPITAL in strike breaking techniques: use of billy clubs, tear gas, etc. M. ELTON D. B. BROWNLEE LINDER CLARK EDWARD CUSTER Only the white , light of publicity stopped this move J. FIGUEROA R. M. NOLAN t X A L. L. XEWIS in its tracks. But if the training of our young people in JACINTO NAVARRO BALTIMORE HOSPITAL H. SELBY ipeacetime becomes the law of the land, nothing will be F. BERGLAND H. BURKE ORPHA JOHNSON able to stop the forward march of the anti-labor, fascistic W. QUARLES J. S. CAMPBELL MICHAEL LUCAS CENTRAL MASON big businessmen and their stooges—the men we elect to J. T. EDWARDS THOMAS WADSWORTH KARL PETTERSSON Congress, but who represent only the wealthy and powerful. B. LUFLIN PETER LOPEZ MELVIN COLLINS G. T. McCOMB HARRY WALSH THOMAS J. BAIER As seamen, we see what is up the sleeve of the redE. FERRER JOHN DUDDKO J. P. BROOKS tape artists. They let the cat out of the bag when the R. BLAKE SEBASTIAN AMENTA J. W. DENNIS Maritime Commission stated/that some of the men who will J. R. HENCHEY EMILIO DI PIETRO W. BROCE, Jr. be drafted under the new program should be assigned to FRANCIS O'BRIEN WILLIAM GRAY AAA the merchant marine for training. JAMES DAVIS BRIGHTON HOSPITAL MANUEL ROMERO • H. SWIM In an already overcrowded industry, this has but one STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL E. JOHNSTON X 'X 'X . meaning. If the merchant seamen are forced to fight like E. F. SPEAR E. DUNPHY GALVESTON HOSPITAL dogs for jobs, they may be induced to give up the gains R. G. MOSSELLER G. BONDI W. G. H. BAUSE LONGKEMPT they have made, at such a great cost, over the past few E. MAY W. B. MUIR PAURGASON—SUP E. DELLAMANO years. And pushing men into the industry by means of L. L.. MOODY ALDERHOLDS R. BAASNER compulsory training is one way to bring on this condition. H. BELCHER KING G. VICKERY L. A. CORNWALL MITCHELL The fat boys have tipped us off to what they are AAA C. KOLSTE DOWELL really trying to put over. Now that we have the warning, C. R. POTTER ELLIS ISLAND HOSPITAL DEETRECH let's do our level best to stop them cold. Tf we don't, we D. HUTCHINS i D. MCDONALD SWENSON may be out in the cold instead. j M. J. QUINN J. KOSLUSKYCASTAGNERE—B.C. �Triday. January 3, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three Tampa Officials Help Break Taxi Strike ploy union men and non-union"? HITTING A STRIKER DOESN'T HELP men." the city officials has strengthen­ If the union had insisted on the ed the hand of the company, and spokesmen for the company have same stand as that taken by the become increasingly arrogant as company, it is obvious that the press and the petty officials would the strike continues. be howling for the scalps of the The company still has more union members and their lead­ than 50 percent of its scabs on ers. But the press and the offi­ the streets, all with police protec­ cials in Tampa are owned body tion, and now the company main­ and soul by the bosses, and. they tains that there is no strike, and have developed a habit of look­ that union and non-union men ing the other way when it is to will be hired, as is company pol­ the benefit of the companies for icy. them to do so. The union leaders, headed by In the SIU 1946 General Strike, W. E. Sullivan, Teamsters and the Tampa police and press were Chauffeurs Union business agent, a potent factor in trying to sail and Oscar Bloodworth, secretai-y hot ships out of that harbor. Only of the Central Trades and Labor the cooperation of the local Team­ Assembly, have made charges sters Union, and the striking cab that the strike was forced by the drivers are part of that union, company when many drivers were kept the shipowners from carry­ fired for union activity or because ing out some part of their scheme. they had joined the union. The city resorted to any tactic to break the seamen's strike, just They further charged that as they are trying every possible peaceable pickets have been as­ trick to force the cab drivers to saulted by company thugs in an throw in the sponge. Discredit­ attempt to provoke violence. ing the union leaders and threat­ The company countered by ening them with jail, is only one making statements to the effect of the many underhanded de­ that the strikers are guilty of vices that were used in the SIU rowdyism, and the Mayor of Tam­ Strike, and which are now crop­ pa then issued orders to give the ping up in the cab drivers action. company all the protection it The pattern of this strike is needs. very much like any other strike they have had down here. Only UNION BUSTER the fact that the SIU strike was O. C. Wilson, above, was beaten badly by the goons in the Florida Attorney-General Tom on a national basis pi-evented the employ of the Tampa Cab Company, but he is not licked. Fifty Watson, whose activities as a city authorities from breaking drivers are still out on strike for better wages and conditions rabid union-buster were revealed the the strike and sending the and for recognition of their union as their bargaining agent. The in a Log article a few months ships out of here at will. The company has refused to negotiate, and in cooperation with the ago, injected himself into the dis­ Shipchandlers here requested po­ local authorities, have instituted a reign of terror. But the pute recently. lice support in busting picketlines, drivers are holding firm, and it will take plenty to beat them. He made a public statement ad­ and they were able to crash vising the Mayor to take strong through the lines. As a result, men; this month the taxi cab steps to "keep law and order," no SIU or SUP ships coming into the entire state, and never hsis drivers; next month it's any­ there been a better example of and has encouraged the company this port has since bought a single body's guess as to whom the what happens when the bosses to hold firm against the strikers article from these finks, and police will be intimidating and control all the news publica­ by giving them every help they chances are that they never will. driving from the streets. tions. need to keep their cabs on the REMEDY NEEDED 4. Labor must use the law streets. 2. Education is a crying need and the courts. When the law For a public official, he has The situation shows the need in this section. Workers must is deliberately violated by made some statements which are for certain minimum points so be shown how to break the elected officials, labor should certainly dangerous, if not down­ that labor in this section could yoke of the anti-labor harness go into court to prevent this. right fascistic. In a press con­ hold its own in disputes with which is imposed on them by All city laws pertaining to traf­ ference, Watson said, "unless or- management. Right now the cir­ laws such as the anti-closed fic safety have been ignored by • ganized labor and others desist cumstances are appalling, but Shop Law, and the Loitering the police and the authorities from the unlawful practices and with a few things added, labor Law which prevents more than so as to provide the Tampa Cab three people from gathering on refrain from trying to set up a could hold up its head here, and Company with enough scabs to closed shop operation in this have a good chance to gain its the streets together. This last break the strike. is used to break up street state, speaking without any intent just demands. 5. Organize politically. The to be blasphemous, hell is going Here are the most urgently meetings and rallies, as well as way to stop city officials from to persecute people doing picket to break loose in their neighbor­ needed remedies: mis-using their power is to duty. hoods." I. A local paper that will give elect only officials responsible labor's side in a dispute. There 3. Show the people the pat­ This type of statement is par­ to labor. The Mayor who is is not one pro-labor paper in tern. Last month it was the seaticularly dangerous since it de­ now doing his best to force the liberately obscures the issue. The cab drivers to their knees is the union has never asked for a same official who used police closed shop, but merely for recog­ to crack the SIU-SUP lines a nition of the union as the bar­ short time ago. Labor can go gaining agent of the cab drivers to the polls and vote men like employed by the Tampa Cab this out of office. In Tampa Company. light. A bauxite carrier, the there are 18,000 voters, and {Continued from Page 1) If the company needed any Planter suffered extensive dam­ over 30,000 members of various more encouragement to hold out Clark. On Friday she figured in age to her deckhouse, in addition unions. The answer is obvious; against the union, and to use a crash with another freighter in to the gaping hole cut in her side. if labor wants to do the job, goons and thugs to break up the the Mississippi River, near New Brother Compton told a physi­ the fakers can be driven out of union, Watson's remarks were Orleans. The steering device was cian at the Marine Hospital that office and replaced by honest likewise blamed when she was more than enough. "some of the men in the messunable to avert colliding with the room saw the bow of the Liberty men who don't toady to the In the face of the obstinate at­ S. J. Hutchinson, a Lykes Bro­ bosses. ship as she loomed toward us titude adopted by the company, ther ship, in a heavy fog. Labor in. Tampa is solidly be­ during our coffee period." the union has continued to search hind the cab drivers, just as it GROUND TWICE for an agreement that would was behind the seamen. When WARNING SAVED CREW satisfy both, parties. The spokes­ this beef is over, labor must get Capt. Smith said that fog con­ A cry of warning from one of set for more trouble, in Tampa as man for the union asked the May­ or to appoint an arbitration board ditions were so bed at the lower the crewmembers who sighted well as all over the United States. end of Mobile Bay Sunday morn­ the oncoming Clark probably ac­ to assist in solving the unioning that the Abraham Clark counted for the fact that no one The best way to be prepared is company controversy, but the grounded twice en route from the was seriously hurt, Compton said. by having a program—a program company lawyer replied: mouth of the Bay to the State Both vessels were able to make that will eventually lead to a Docks. He said that the ship was their berths without assistance solid labor group. VICIOUS STAND able to back from shoal waters from tugs or the Coast Guard. Only in this way can labor beat "Mr. Mayor, in answer to that, under its own power. On her first run for Waterman, the Tampa finks and scabs, and there is nothing to arbitrate. The The Alcoa Planter was pro­ the Clark was taken over by the the rest of the people in the drivers we have now are satis­ fied, but the union is just de­ ceeding from Mobile to Port of Company in Boston on Dec. 4. United States who think that manding that we sign up for a Spain, Trinidad, at the time of Previously she was operated by they can prey on labor without fear of retaliation. closed shop. We are I'eady to em­ the accident and was traveling the Grace Line. {Continued from Page I) Alcoa Planter, Abr. Clark Crash In Mobile Bay; Seafarer Injured Rank And File Upholds Curran On Resignation NEW YORK—A packed meet­ ing of the National Maritime Union, held at Manhattan Cen­ ter on Monday, December 30, rousingly received President Joe Curran's reasons for resigning as Co-Chairman of the CMU, and by a standing vole of approxim­ ately 7 to 1, they concurred in his action. In another direct slap at the communist fraction in the NMU and the CMU, the same meeting directed Mr. Curran to meet with Harry Lundeberg, President of the Seafarers International Union, and Vincent Malone, President of Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders, and Wipers, Independent, in Washington. This meeting was suggested by Malone at an informal conference with Lundeberg and Curran in San Francisco a few weeks ago. The main purpose behind this coming meeting is to map out ways and means of combatting the anti-labor legislation that is sure to be introduced by the Congress that went into session on January 3. A number of restrictive labor laws, some aimed principally at seamen, are up for consideration, and only prompt action by the honest seamen's unions will be able to deal with them effective­ ly. CP OPPONENTS The opposition to Curran in the NMU is spearheaded by Joe Stack and Howard MacKenzie, Vice-Presidents, and Ferdinand Smith, National Secretary. All three are acknowledged com­ munists and have been the spokesmen for the communist line in the NMU for many years. So far, Curran has had all the best of it in this fight for control of the NMU. But it is too early to count the communists out, and it should be kept in mind that this whole battle might just be some communist strategy to make the public think that the weak anti-communist p r o g r am adopted by the CIO Convention in Atlantic City is being carried out. The leaders of another com­ munist-dominated union in the CIO recently issued a blast against the CP, and this may just be one more part of the same ruse. ATTENTION SIU, SUP CREWS When your ship comes in­ to the port of Tampa, do not buy one single thing from any of the Ships' Chandlers there. Those men, with the help of policemen, crashed our picketlines during our General Strike. Keep those links off your ships, and re­ member to pass the word to other seamen. This is action that has the backing of the entire membership of the Seafarers International Union. �Page Four ITHIMK THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, January 3, 1947 1946 Was Year Of Many Victories For SiU; New Drives Progressing The SIU petitioned for an elec­ companies and some new com­ tion of these tankermen a few panies which we are working oh Now that 1946 is over — gone weeks ago, but the NMU inter­ at the present time. However, we but not forgotten — and we are vened, and no election date has can't reveal anything about these entering a brand new year, it's yet been set. When it is, the Sea­ outfits at this time, until it's time time to briefly review the Sea­ farers is fully confident that these to petition for an NLRB election; QUESTION:—What port has the fondest farers' organizational p r o g r am, men will follow the lead of the One good thing occurred in the what it has meant to you as a Isthmian seamen, and vote for memories for you? member of the Seafarers, and the SIU as the union of their past week. CMU "unity" is now a thing of the past, according td what it should mean in the choice. * the statement of Co-Chairmari months that lie ahead of us. TEXACO TANKERS Joe Curran (NMU President)' Through our various organiza­ OTHO BABB, Second Cook: As far as Texaco is concerned, when he resigned from that po­ tional efforts, we have learned the SIU moved into this outfit sition. New York has the fondest several lessons which should be With the defection of Curran memories for me. This is my invaluable in our new organiza­ some time ago, and did a good home, and to this place I return tional work." Very few Seafarei-s job of organizing the lai-ge ma­ and the strong possibility that after all my trips. My family had any organizational experi­ jority of them into the Seafarers. other fringe party liners might lives here so it's not surprising ence prior to the past year, and However, on the strength of a decide to desert the sinking ship that some of the best times of now we have a large pool of contract which had expii'cd over just as the rats always do, it five years ago, the NMU went seems to be only a question of my life have been spent right trained ships organizers. through the Texaco back door time before the CMU is complete­ here. I was born in Norfolk and These men are now on tap for and negotiated an agreement cov­ ly wiped out. Then, perhaps, that is my next choice, but New any SIU organizing project, and ering a bunch of men who want­ we'll have the beginning of gen­ York is the best port in the they're trained men who know ed no part of their Moscow Line. uine cooperation and unity on world, bar none. I settled here the SIU score and aren't afraid By means of goons, bargain the waterfront. right after I started sailing and to shout it out to the whole world. basement unionism, and every Originally formed for the pur­ I just can't imagine living any Several different organizing other place. New York has every­ drives are now under way as part other filthy trick in their finky pose of being a front for the comthing, and I've seen them all so of the present Seafarers' organi­ book, the NMU did their best to mie-dominated waterfront unions terrorize the Texaco tankermen. in their attempt to take over the I ought to know. zational program. These different Despite this, many of these tank­ Marine Firemen and other small outfits are in varying stages of ermen remained in the SIU, and development at the present time, are fighting hard to secure Sea­ unions, and with the possibility and it will be necessary to go into farers representation and a con­ of being a home for the commie unions in the event that they details concerning the status of tract they can have something were kicked out by Papa Mur­ each one individually. to say about. •• . ray, the CMU is being given the ISTHMIAN They know that they were sold kind of burial that all phony out­ THOMAS BLUITT. FOW: , Isthmian should be dealt with down the river when the NMU fits of its kind deserve. Pori Selte, France, is a rarely first, because it has been hang­ signed their sweetheart agree­ The roles played by Bridges visiled port and so things are ment with Texaco, but they won't and all the commies, including ing fire much longer than any of very cheap there. At least that's the others, and certainly a decis­ take it lying down. The Texaco Joe Curran before he got "relig­ ihe way it was a year ago when ion should be reached on Isth- tankermen are fighters,' and in­ ion," make you realize what a I was last there. The people were main within the near future. We tend to see this through to the good thing it is that the SIU-SUP nice to us and seemed genuinely are waiting to hear from either end. is streamlined for effective action, glad to see us. They didn't jack the NLRB Regional Director or OTHER OUTFITS and is an important part of the up the prices on things when we the Examiner who conducted the Aside from these four compan­ powerful AFL Maritime Trades came to town and they made informal hearing on this case. ies, we have two other tanker Department, sure that we only bought mer­ Meanwhile, Isthmian seamen chandise of good quality. We had are being denied the union rep­ a lot of fun there, and in these resentation which they need so diays of rising prices, a port where badly and which is being.with­ articles were cheap was a real held from them through the finky treat. There should be more like actions of the NMU commissars. Port Sette. These guys are playing a dogALEXANDER CITY, Ala. ^ A and urged him to ignore a gov­ in-the-manger game where, if sordid story of anti-labor terror­ ernment suppoena to the hearing. they can't win themselves (and ism, police strike-breaking, brutal Murphy declared that Mann paid they've already lost Isthmian), attacks on unionists and spying him $22 to "pimp" on union act­ they are trying to make it impos­ WILLIAM O'BRIEN, AB: was unfolded here last week as a ivities and offered him $25 to sible for anyone else to win. I guess the general population Finky tactics such as the NMU National Labor Relations Board reveal the identity of the union of Edinburgh, Scotland, was the has displayed throughout the hearing. leader in one of the Russell mills. most receptive to merchant sea­ Isthmian drive have brought Police Chief Mack Horton and In addition, he testified that men and so that's why Edin­ home to the Isthmian seamen the two other policemen were charged Mann told him at police head­ burgh has always been my fa­ fact that they are lucky that they with administering a vicious beat­ quarters before Chief Horton that vorite port. My fondest memories voted for the SIU. Certainly, the ing to J. P. Mooney, international "they (the police) were going to are about the fun I had there, smelly reputation of - the NMU representative of the Textile break the union." and the many things that were has lieen spread all over the Workers Union — CIO, in the available for us to do. The food •world as the re,suit of their Isth­ downtown section of this city $100 GOON was excellent and the liquor was mian antics. during an organizing drive at the Roy H. Boddie, another mill of good quality. Although I Russell Manufacturing Co. worker, said Horton and Mann CITIES SERVICE haven't been there in over two Mooney testified he was given offered him $100 to beat up a mill years, I would enjoy returning As far as Cities Service is con­ a bloody beating about the face, there to see what changes the cerned, no date has yet been set kicked repeatedly, stamped on employe who was helping to or­ years have brought. I'll bet it's for the start of an NLRB election and had his head banged against ganize the union. William T. Anthony, an ex-GI, testified that still a good friendly city. in this tanker outfit. The SIU is the pavement. police offered him money to stay still going ahead making gains in After the attack, when he re­ at the Russell Hotel and spy on signing up members, and as soon fused to leave town, Mooney was as the date is set, voting within arrested and taken to the police the union. Organizers were living at the hotel and holding union this fleet will begin. station where his life was threat­ meetings there. Anthon|,r said Here, also, the NMU is doing ened in the presence of Chief the police told him they would all in its power to hold up the Horton. pay all his expenses, but he re­ EUGENE McGUINN, OS: date of an election, preventing Protesting this to Horton, fused. these Cities Service tankermen Mooney was told by the Chief, New Orleans is my kind of NLRB Field Examiner Joe from getting decent union repre­ "They can get away with any­ town. It's full of life and there Bailey testified that he was un­ sentation. These delaying tactics thing around here. I told you be­ as something doing all the time, successful when he sought to look of the NMU have raised such a fore this was going to happen if every minute of the day. A sea­ at police records at City Hall deal­ strong smell around the water­ you didn't leave town." man can have a good time in that ing with the attack on Mooney. front that no decent seaman place; in fact if he doesn't have a Mayor Thomas C. Russell has PAID SPIES would thing of voting for that good time it's his own fault. The been subpoenaed but has not ans­ outfit. They, too, want the kind bars stay open all night, and as The evidence against Horton wered the summons. of contracts, wages, and condi­ long as a guy keeps out of trouble and the two policemen — all While claiming that phlebitis tions that only an SIU contract Ihe cops will stay away from you. charged with interfering with keeps him from the hearing, he can give them. Some of the best times in my life union activity and acting as has been seen in town numerous were spent on the beach in New MATHIESEN TANKERS agents of the company — piled times. Orleans. Maybe some day 1 will higher with the testimony of his This company only has one Mayor Russell is the uncle of visit another port where I will son Murphy, a cotton mill worker. Thomas D. Russell, president of tanker as yet, but they are plan­ have a better time, but I doubt it. Murphy said that Horton and the Russell Manufacturing Co., ning on buying others and will possibly go into the dry cargo Policeman Floyd Mann "used" and is also a vice-president of the him to spy on union activities company. business as well. By EARL SHEPPARD Ala. Police Use Beatings, Spying And Bribery To Smash Unions �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, January 3. 1947 New Smith Bill Would Strip Labor Of All Proteetlon .WASHINGTON — Formulated by one of the most reactionary members of the House of Rep­ resentatives, Howard W. Smith of Virginia, a new bill designed to strip labor of all the protec­ tion of the National Labor Rela­ tions (Wagner) Act, was complet­ ed this week. As soon as the new Congress convenes, the bill will be presented. Described by Mr. Smith as a bill which would "restore equal­ ity betwen industry and labor . and . . . prohibit the practices that have lead to the present labor dictatorship," this proposed measure contains much of the Cjase Bill which was vetoed last May by President Truman. Also included are Wagner Act amend­ ments which were adopted by a two-to-one vote in the House in 1940, after the Smith Committee had "investigated" the NLRB'. This move was later blocked in the Senate. Some provisions of the Smith Anti-Strike Bill are also revived for inclusion into this all-pur­ pose, labor crippling bill. The Smith ;Bill, when originally brought up in 1940, met the same fate as the amendments to the Wagner Act'. The curbs on labor, as proposed by this new bill, go much further than any previous anti-labor scheme to be drafted in Wash­ ington. Besides the measures out­ lined above, the bill would ap­ ply the recently rejected provi­ sions of the so-called Petrillo Act to cover all industries, rather than just radio broadcasting, and in that way meet the constitutional objection that classed the Pe­ trillo Bill as "class legislation." ANTI CLOSED SHOP Under the new measure, strikes in public utilities and related in­ dustries would be outlawed, as would secondary boycotts and sympathy strikes. The closed shop and industry wide bargain­ ing would likewise bo prohibited upon passage of the Bill. One section of the Bill would make it an unfair labor practice for either an employer or a un­ ion in a public utility or an in­ dustry essential to public health to refuse or neglect to insert in new contracts an agreement to arbitrate any and all disputes. Failure to comply with this would exempt both parties from their rights under the Wagner Act and the Norris-LaGuardia and Clayton Acts. Stating that the move to or­ ganize foremen has been "the chief stumbling block in the coal negotiations," Mr. Smith has writ­ ten into the proposal that fore­ men and supervisory employes would be stripped of their col­ lective bargaining rights. This would not only apply to the coal mines, but to all industries. EXPECT QUICK ACTION Indications are that the Bill will fall into anti-labor hands when it comes up in the House Committe on Labor. The Com­ mittee is dominated by Republi­ cans, and Rep. Welch, California, who has a reputation of a "friend of labor," has announced that he will accept the Chairmanship of the Merchant Marine Committee, rather than the Labor Commit­ tee, for which he is also eligible by right of seniority. The two men next in line for this important post are men who were fought bitterly by organized labor because of their vigorous support of the Case Bill and other anti-labor measures. The two are Gerald W. Landis of Indiana, and Fred A. Hartley Jr., of New Jer­ sey. In the Senate, much activity is also being expended to work out a labor bill to be ready for consideration by February 15. A statement from Senator Taft, Ohio, leads to the belief that most of the Senate concentration will be on proposed outlawing of the closed shop, plus various points of the Case Bill, before ronsidering revision of the Wagner Act. Action on bills to control la­ bor should not take long, ac­ cording to Mr. Taft, since "many hearings (on the Case Bill) have already been held, and there are volumes of testimony and dis­ cussion relating to its provisions." Labor has already voiced its op­ position to the proposed mea­ sures, and all labor leaders have stated flatly that there is no in­ tention on the part of organized labor to take any restrictive laws without putting up a battle. Analysis of the Bills, and the arguments put forth in their fa­ vor, have aroused no sympathy from workers, who feel that busi­ ness and management have al­ ways been more powerful than labor, and -that that power was never' as strong as it is right now. VIeet Tommy, Great Lover By JOHNNY JOHNSTON In the old days of wooden ships and iron men, salt beef was the principle meat caried on sailing ships. Some of these ships also carried live stock such as pigs, sheep, and poultry, but the sea­ men never knew what this meant for rarely did a tender morsel find its way forward. Salt beef was the only meat that the sailors were served, either in stew or just plain boiled chunks, that were called "old horse." But even with salt meat, they were poorly dealt with since the choice pieces in each barrel were taken off for the officers. What was left was for the men in the foc'sle. Here is a poem about "old horse," from Richard Dana, Jr's "Two Years Before the Mast." OLD HORSE Old horse, old horse, what bought you here. From Sacarap to Portland Pier? I've carted stone this many year; Til, killed by blows and sore abuse. They salted me down for sailors use. The sailors they do me despise. They turn me over and damn my eyes. Crew Satisfied Cut off my meat, and pick my NEW YORK—The SS Yaka of bones. the Waterman Fleet came in And pitch the rest to Davy Jones. town last week after a 45-day t i 4. round trip across the pond. On the night of September 29, It was not long after .she tied up that the ship's delegate came 1913, Dr. Rudolph Diesel; the in­ up to the Hall asking that a dele­ ventor of the engine which bears gation of five Patrolmen be sent his name, -was.crossing the Eng­ out to the ship which was lying lish Channel on his way to Lon­ don to attend a meeting of man­ at pier 6. Bush Terminal. The Agent was unable to send ufacturers and to confer with five Patrolman out to her as some members of the British Ad­ there were numerous other ships miralty. After dinner he went below to his stateroom and was to be paid off that same day. The agent instead assigned Jim never seen or heard from again. Purcell and myself, along with It was rumored that German three rank and file members, to agents had done away with him go over and investigate the situa­ to prevent him from giving sec­ tion and return to the Hall with rets about the invention to the the findings. British. Years later, however, his son Eugene Diesel, told an QUICK FIX UP incident that helped to clear up So, out to the ship we went. the mystery. After going aboard and hearing Rudolph had speculated in real all sides of the issue it did not estate in Munich, and had suffer­ take any great length of time to ed a heavy loss. Before his trip, have the entire membership of he had discussed methods of sui­ the crew well satisfied and happy. cide with his son, Rudolph, Jr., The ship's delegate, Bill Thomp­ and the boy, not realizing what son, then told the crew that the was on his father's mind, told three rank and file members that him that the best way would be came along with us were mem­ to leap from a fast moving ship bers who were not paid to do a on a dark night. job, but gladly did so on their By taking his own life, this own time, the way all Seafarers great man did not live long should do to keep down all dis­ enough to see his name become a satisfaction among crew mem­ household term. Today, Diesel bers. powered liners speed across the The delegate then suggested sea, Diesel trucks roar along the that a small donation be taken highways, and Diesel motored up and turned over to the Pa­ airplanes blast their way across trolmen to be divided so these the sky. willing brothers could buy them­ 4 3^ 3^ selves a little something as a Dead Man Island, an old land token from the crew of the Yaka, and he hoped there would not be mark in the harbor of San Pedro, any hard feelings among the crew California, also has a seafaring woman, buried on it. She was the throughout the next voyage. The crew then made up a purse wife of the Captain of the Laura of $37.00 and turned it over to the Sevens. His ship left San Pedro Patrolman who divided it be­ and was never heard of again. •When his wife died, she was tween Brothers Joe Bordon, Oli­ ver Hodge and Siegfried Jafgem buried on the Lsland, and is the only woman who was ever buried doy. William Hamilton there. The Patrolmen Say Page Five Numerous articles have appear­ ed in the pages of the Seafarers Log regarding the exploits, ad­ ventures and what-have-you of various Seafarers. This item isslightly different in that it deals with a human interest—er, we mean feline interest — phase sel­ dom covered in the average story. This, my friends and readers, is the saga of Tommy the Tomcat, as stalwart a Seafarer as ever sailed the bidny deep. Our hero. Tommy, of whom a picture appears herewith, is no usual Tomcat. No, he is an un­ usually intelligent individual who has certain daily duties and a regular schedule for performing them. Usually, when the New York Hall opens in the morning. Tommy may be found perched on a table alongside the doorman. CATTY LOOKS Tommy carefully scrutinizes each would-be entrant, and once in a while registers extreme dis­ approval. The reason for this dis­ approval becomes readily appar­ ent when investigation discloses that the individual in question is either a member in bad standing or some non-member trying to get past the vigilant eyes of the doorman. Tommy knows his Sea­ farers. You can't fool him. After completing his morning stint at the door, Tommy calmly strolls over to the elevator and cooly awaits for George the oper­ ator to open the doors. At the completion of his ascent to the third deck, Tommy lines up for a grand exit and makes for his usual resting place — Jimmy Stewart's desk. This is Tomniy's favorite resting place, where he recuperates his strength after an exhausting night. Just as occasional Seafarers, Tommy has an eye for the fairer sex. His favorite jaunt is over to the French Lines office where he is carrying on a torrid affair TOMMY. THE TOMCAT with a certain French cutie. Yes, he's an internationalist, our Tom­ my, but not of the same variety as some of the NMU stooges. He's merely an international lover. LAY OFF! Tommy's protector and guard!-, an, Red McKenzie, swore when he shipped out that he was going to take Tommy with him. So, when v/e searched the hall for Tommy this morning to complete our interview, no Tommy was evident. Checking a little further, we found that Red had shipped out with — yes, you've guessed it — Tommy. "When he returns from his current trip, we expect to finish our interview, and should be able to add some of Tommy's recent exploits abroad. FLASH: ! •^''e just ran into Tommy on the Second- deck. So, Red must have sailed without his buddy after all. Guess Jimmy Stewart protested too vehemently when Red tried to kidnap Jim­ my's protege. Jimmy says that if Rod or anyone else gets Tommy on a ship, it will be over his dead body. That cat has more guard­ ians! Tugboats Will Halt Saturday If Operators Refuse To Bargain NEW YORK, Jan. 2—This town order the membership on strike of over 8,000,000 people faces the if negotiations or arbitration second tugboat tie-up in a period terminated. Your Committee met with the of 15 months this Saturday, Jan­ Owners today and found that uary 4, unless the so far obstinate it is impossible to come to any operators show a willingness to agreement. Therefore, the Com­ get down to business and bargain mittee voted unanimously to honestly with the United Marine Division, Local 333, ILA, the union order a Strike for the coming' which represents the tugboatmen Saturday at Midnight, January 4, 1947. in this area. The conditions of the Strike That much became plain today are to be as follows: when the result of the strike ref­ All men are to cease work erendum, conducted during the at midnight Saturday in ac­ past few weeks, was made public. cordance with the follo'wingi The vote was heavily in favor of rules set down by the Wage arbitration, but with the proviso Scale Committee: that strike action be resorted to All Oil Tankers loaded be- ^'A if the operators continued to stall. fore Saturday midnight are to / \J The meetings between the be unloaded and returned to Union, the operators, and the their home port or designated Mayor's Arbitration Committee place set by the Owners. have so far not been productive Tugboats that pick up a tow of any gains for the union, and so, before midnight Saturday are to unless something beneficial takes deliver the tow to their designa­ place during the meeting to be tions and report to the designat­ held on Friday, January 3, the ed place set by the Owners. tugs are sure bets to stop opera­ All vessels requiring a watch­ tion at midnight Saturday. man, one member of the crew Below are^he instructions issu­ is to act as watchman amd the ed to all members of Local 333 so Union shall be notified of the that they will know exactly what man who-is watching it. How­ to do if, and when, the pin is ever, if the Company attempts to move any of its equiptment pulled: all watchmen will be with­ On a referendum Vote held drawn from the vessels. by Ihe Membership of Ihis Or­ The vessels of the Central Ver­ ganization on Thursday, Jan­ uary 2. 1947, it was voted by mont Transportation Company, the majority of the members the . Providence Steamboat Com­ that the Wage Scale Negotiat­ pany, and all Ferries, are exempt ing Committee be authorized to |from this directive. �Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG Fxiday, Januuy 3, 1947 SUP Signs Contracts With Deconhil, Pacific Tankers And American Pacific Any such notice shall be given at The foregoing basic wages shall least thirty (30) days prior to the be retroactive to June 15, 1946. expiration date and after notice 1. Overtime. The overtime pay has been given specific proposals for all unlicensed personnel shall must then be submitted and ne­ be one dollar ($1.00) per hour.. gotiations commenced within ten 2. Hours of Work in Port. The ' (10) days. If such notice shall not work week in port shall be forty be given, the agreement shall be (40) hours per week. It is under­ deemed to be renewed for the stood for the purpose of this par- . succeeding year. agraph all work performed in The terms and provisions here­ port on Saturdays, Sundays and of shall not be binding and ef­ recognized holidays shall be paid fective until all the terms and pi'ovisions hereof shall have been for at the overtime rate, subject, approved by the United States however to paragraphs 4 and 5 below. Maritime Commission. Deck Dept. Per Month 3. Hours of Work at Sea. At This agreement is also subject Bosuns , $215.00 to approval by any other govern­ sea the hours of work shall be Quartermasters 180.00 mental agencies having jurisdic­ forty-eight (48) hours per week ^ Maintenance Men, for men standing watches. It is ' tion in the premises. day work 195.00 understood that for the purpose IN WITNESS WHEREOF the of this paragraph Sunday at sea AMERICAN PACIFIC STEAM­ Effective 10-1-46, the rate for Able Bodied Seamen .... 180.00 150.00 parties have executed this agree­ shall be considered the overtime SHIP COMPANY Extra Meals (Section 7, Article Ordinary Seamen ment this 20th day of November day, that is to say, all work perVII, pages 34, 35 of Union Agree­ Engine Dept. Manning and Wage Scale 1946. foi-med on Sunday at sea shall ment) is to be 50c per meal. Dry Cargo Liberty Vessels Electricians $294.50 be paid for at the overtime rate, AMERICAN PACIFIC Stand-by Work In Port: Revised Dec. 7, 1946 Pumpmen 225.00 subject, however, to paragraphs STEAMSHIP COMPANY Effective 10-1-46 the rate for Pumpman-Machinist .... 225.00 Effective Effectiic Effective Effective 4 and 5 below. As General Agent for the United Oiler 180.00 5-14-46 6-1 5-46 6-25-46 y-26-46 Stand-by work in port (Section 4. It is agreed that there shall States Maritime Commission 34, Article I, pages 12, 13 of Un­ Combination Firemanbe no duplication or pyramiding No. Rating Watertender 180.00 ion Agreement) is to be $1.45 per Signed—H. H. Birkholm of overtime and/or penalty time. 1 Boatswain Watertender 180.00 hour. President $205.00 $205.00 $205.00 $205.00 5. It is agreed that overtime Firemen : 175.00 1 Carpenter (See Note) Cash Subsistence: shall not be paid for regular SAILORS' UNION OF THE Wiper , ;.... 160.00 205.00 205.00 205.00 205.00 watches stood between the hours PACIFIC All payments of cash subsis­ 6 Able Seamen of 5:00 p. m. and 8:00 a. m. and tence must be fully explained, Stewards Dept. Deck Department 172.50 172.50 172.50 172.50 giving reasons in detail, specific Chief Steward on Saturdays, Sundays and recog­ $227.50 3 Ordinary Seamen nized holidays during the period 210.00 dates, and actual meals involved. Chief Cook SAILORS' UNION OF THE • 150.00 150.00 150.00 150.00 Room allowance only payable 2nd Cook and Baker a vessel's departure is delayed by 190.00 PACIFIC failure of the Sailors Union of the 155.00 NOTE:-Carpenter to furnish when quarters are not available Galleymen Engine Department Pacific to furnish unlicensed 150.00 own tools. If Maintenance AB on vessel. Reasons for room ah Utilitymen deck, engine or stewards' de­ 150.00 carried in lieu of Carpenter, lowance must be stated in com- Messmen SAILORS' UNION OF THE partment crewmembers. The foregoing basic wages shall . wages are $187.50. If Purser/, detail and sptJfic dates PACIFIC 6. The foregoing paragraphs 1 be retroactive to June 15, 1946. Pharmacist—$229.00 per month, "^"^t be indicated. Stewards' Department to 5 inclusive shall be retroac­ (In place of Purser.) 1. Overtime. The overtime pay Unlicensed tive to June 25, 1946. 1 Deck Engineer Signed—Harry Lundeberg Effect. Effect. for all unlicensed personnel shall 180.00* 205.00 205.00 205.00 Sec.-Treasurer THIS AGREEMENT shall be 5-14-46 10-1-46 be one dollar ($1.00) per hour. 3 Oilers $ .85 $1.00 Breakfast 2. Hours of Work in Port. The AGREEMENT TO AMEND IN binding upon the respective par­ 172.50* 177.50 177.50 177.50 Luncheon 85 1.00 work week in port shall be forty CERTAIN RESPECTS AGREE­ ties to and including November 3 Firemen/Watertenders 1.00 Supper 1.00 (40) hours per week. It is under­ MENTS OF OCTOBER 1st and 18, 1947, and shall be considered 172.50* 177.50 177.50 177.50 Room 2.50 3.00 stood for the purpose of this para­ 17th. 1945 BETWEEN PACIFIC as renewed from year to year 2 Wipers graph all work performed in port TANKERS INC.. DECONHIL thereafter between the respec­ 150.00* 175.00 175.00 175.00 TOTAL $5.20 $6.00 on Saturdays, Sundays and recog­ TANKERS. AND SAILORS UN­ tive parties thereto, unless either 1 Chief Steward (All payments of Cash Subsis­ nized holidays shall be paid for ION OF THE PACIFIC. DECK. party hereto shall give written 220.00 220.00 220.00 220.00 notice to the other of its desire tence must be shown on payroll at the overtime rate, subject, ENGINE AND STEWARD 1 Chief Cook to amend or terminate the same. or pay voucher, as these amounts however, to paragraphs 4 and 5 DEPARTMENTS 200.00 205.00 205.00 205.00 Any such notice shall be given at below. are subject to both FOAB and I 1 2nd Cook & Baker least thirty (30) days prior to the IT IS AGREED between the State Unemployment Insurance 3. Hours of Work at Sea. At sea 185.00 185.00 185.00 185.00 Tax.) expiration date and after notice SAILORS UNION OF THE PA­ the hours of work shall be forty5 Utility/Messmen has been given specific proposals CIFIC and PACIFIC TANKERS eight (48) hours per week for 150.00 150.00 150.00 150.00 Linen Allowance; must then be submitted and nego­ INC. that the following wage men standing watches. It is un­ (*) Denotes changed rate. $2.00 per week to all person­ derstood that for the purpose of scale will be applicable in all tiations commenced within ten OVERTIME AND CASH SUB­ nel for each full week no linen this paragraph Sunday at sea tankers under contract beween (10) days. If such notice shall is issued. (Linen allowance sub­ shall be considered the overtime the SAILORS UNION OF THE not be given, the agreement shall SISTENCE SCHEDULE ject to withholding, FOAB, and day, that is to say, all work per­ PACIFIC and the PACIFIC be deemed to be renewed for the Revised Dec. 7, 1946 CSUI Tax.) formed on Sunday at sea shall be TANKERS INC., and that the succeeding year. DRY CARGO—(Liberties) paid for at the overtime rate, sub­ contracts between them dated Oc­ The terms and provisions here­ Travel Subsistence: tober 1st and 17th, 1945, shall be of shall not be binding and ef­ ject, however, to paragraphs 4 Personnel Classifications: $4.00 per day for all ship's per­ amended in the following re- fective until all the terms and and 5 below. sonnel. .spects: Unlicensed: provisions hereof shall have been 4. It is agreed that there shall (Travel subsistence is only payapproved by the United States be no duplication or pyramiding Deck Dept. Per Month All other crew members not able when transportation" is furMaritime Commission. of overtime and/or penalty time. licensed including Chief Steward, nished. It is not payable when Bosuns $215.00 This agreement is also subject 5. It is agreed that overtime Quartermasters Watch Personnel: (For purposes cash in lieu of transportation is 180.00 to approval by any other gov­ shall not be paid for regular of Sunday Overtime at Sea.) i paid. No travel subsistence is Maintenance Men, ernmental agencies having juris­ Unlicensed—All Able Seamen, payable when transportation is watches stood between the hours day work 195.00 all Ordinary Seamen, all Oilers, via air.) of 5:00 p. m. and 8:00 a. m. and Able Bodied Seamen .... 180.00 diction in the premises. all Firemen/Watertenders, all Also concluded with the Amer- on Saturdays, Sundays and recog­ Ordinary Seamen 150.00 IN WITNESS WHEREOF the members of the Stewards Depart- ican Pacific Steamship Company, nized holidays during the period parties have executed this agree­ ment. 1 the Pacific Tankers, Incorporated, a vessel's departure is delayed by Engine Departmenl ment on the date first herein Non-Watch — Day Workers: and the Deconhil Tankers, were failure of the Sailors Union of Electricians 294.50 mentioned. (For purposes of Sunday Over- contracts covering wages of the Pacific to furnish unlicensed Pumpmen 225.00 SAILORS UNION OF THE time at Sea). j tanker personnel. The contract deck, engine or stewards' depart­ Pumpman-Machinist .... 225.00 PACIFIC ment crew members. Staff Officer, Boatswain, Car- was entered into on October 1 Oiler 180.00 penter. Deck Engineer, Wipers. and 17, and amended on Novem­ 6. The foregoing paragraphs 1 Combination FiremanSigned—Harry Lundeberg ber 14, 1946. All new wages and to 5 inclusive shall be retroac­ Sec. Treasurer Watertender 180.00 Overtime Rates: overtime rates in these agree­ tive to June 25, 1946. Watertender 180.00 PACIFIC TANKERS INC., ments are retroactive to June 15, Unlicensed Personnel 175.00 THIS AGREEMENT shall be Firemen As General Agents for Effective 5-14-46 • ; 160.00 binding upon the respective par­ Wiper Regular Overtime ....90c per hr.' the same reasons as out- ties to and including September THE UNTED STATES Effective 6-15-46 lined above, the new provisions 30, 1947, and shall be considered Stewards Department MARITIME COMMISSION Regular Overtime ..$1.00 per hr.' are printed in their entirety: as renewed from year to year Chief Steward 227.50 Signed—^Allen Cameron , Unlicensed Personnel with base thereafter between the respec­ Chief Cook 210.00 AMENDMENT TO AGREE­ General Manager wage of $200.00 or over tive parties thereto, unless either 2nd Cook and Baker .... 190.00 MENT DATED OCT. L 1946 Effective 9-19-46 party hereto shall give written Galleymen 155.00 Witness: Regular Overtime ..$1.25 per hr. It is agreed between the Sail­ notice to the other of its desire Utilitymen 150.00 Signed—Omar Hoskins . Handling Cargo (Longshore ors' Union of the Pacific—Deck to amend or terminate the same. Messmen 150.00 U. S. Comm. of Conciliation A new dry cargo contract, comWork) $1.35 per hr prising wage increases and addi- Handling Explosives..$2.50 per hr tions to the manning scale, was (Other miscellaneous special rates recently concluded between the per Union Agreement) Sailors Union of the Pacific and Effective 6-15-46, all Unlicensed the American Pacific Steamship watch personnel to be paid overCompany. time at $1.00 per hour for regular The contract was signed on De-, watches stood at sea on Sundays, cember 7, 1946, but various por-' Overtime at $1.00 per hour to be tions, mainly wages and over- ] paid for all routine watch work time rates, are retroactive to as in port on Saturdays and Sundays. far back as May 14, 1946. When performing unlicensed Since many SIU members ship on the vessels of the American personnels' work. Relief EnPacific Steamship Company, and gineers and Relief Mates shall resince many members of the SUP|Ceive $1.00 per houi-, for length read the Seafarers Log. the con- of time work is performed, in adtract is being printed as a serv- dition to the regular rate of $1.50 ice. Below are the provisions of per hour, the new contract: Extra Meals: Department, Sailors' Union of the Pacific—Engine Department, Sailors' Union of the Pacific — Stewards' Department (affiliated with Seafarers International Un­ ion of North America, American Federation of Labor) and Amer­ ican Pacific Steamship Company, that the following wage scale will be applicable in all tankers under contract between the parties and that contract between them en­ tered into as of October 1, 1946, shall be amended in the follow­ ing respects: �Page Seven THE SB4F4ReRS LOG Friday, January 3, 1947 New Revision Of Riarilfnie Laws Not Do Seamen Any Good By JOE ALGINA K Was Hot Time On Cedar Break But The Boys Finally Cooled Off By D. L. PARKER GALVESTON — The port of Galveston is coming out on top again with quite a bit of shipping going on. WB also have had sev­ eral transient ships in and out plus some payoffs, which is the way we like to see things. One of the ships that hit port this week, the Cedar Break, real'ly was. in tough shape after a coastwise trip. It seems that she was. coming out from Bay town and on the way down the Chief Engineer and the First Assistant were drinking a little joy juice, and came to the conclusion that the Oiler, Fireman, and Second As­ sistant didn't know how to handle things in the engine room. They had the notion that they could handle things better than the ones that were sober, so down into the engine room they went. ENGINE ROOM DRAMA The Cjiief took over from the Fireman and cut all fires out, ran all the water out of the boilers and then decided that she should come full astern. After playing with the throt­ tle for awhile the steam ran out, so the Chief ordered the Fire­ man to put fires under the boiler even though there was no water in it. The Fireman had no alternative and for about 15 minutes there was no steam coming up from the boilers, so the Fireman cut the fires out to keep from blowing everything to hell and gone. While this was going on the First Assistant decided that he and the Chief should have an­ other drink, so he ordered the Oiler to go to his room and get the bottle of joy juice. After about four hours of this, the two riammys went on the top side and passed into the arms of Mor­ pheus. SAD AND SOBER After the ship tied up here, I got the story and went out in the roads taking the Steamboat Inspector with me. Immediately the now sober Engineers were charged with misconduct and the matter was referred to the Coast Guard in Philadelphia as the ship was' ready to sail. I also notified Brother Red Truesdale about the-matter. As for the unlicensed person­ nel aboard the Cedar Creek, they were a real union crew, and I must say that they were right on the beam and handled the situation the best way possible. Incidentally anyone who wish­ es to grab a ship should come ATTENTION! If you don't find linen when you go aboard your ship, notify the Hall at once. A telegram from Le Havre or Singapore won't do you any good. It's your bed and you have to lie in it. down here and ship out on tank­ ers or dry cargo ships to any place on the map. There are jobs in practically every rating open, so come down and take them off my hands. I wonder what Sonny Sim-, mons is doing these days? I never hear from him; however, I guess he has the old fort well under control, and that includes Mother Williams' Cocktail Lounge. Believe it or not, none other than the great writer and bellyrobber Frenchy Michelet paid this fair port a visit, and while here shipped out as bellyrobber on the SS Thomas Heyward, Waterman scow. He brought some samples of his canned shrimp and traded them for canned heat, at least he got something he could u.se out of the deal. FINAL DEPARTURE One of our SUP members. Brother Samuel Price, passed away this week. He was going aboard the SS Hastings and as he climbed the gangway he slipped and fell to the dock breaking his back and neck. He was rushed to the hospital but died 10 hours later. Calmar Now Readying List For Back Pay By ARTHUR THOMPSON SAVANNAH—The good news many Seafarers have been count­ ing on heavily broke recently with the announcement by the Calmar Steamship Corporation that its retroactive payrolls are in preparation. NO NEWS?? Silence this week from the Branch Agents of the follow­ ing ports: CHARLESTON HOUSTON NORFOLK JACKSONVILLE PHILADELPHIA PORT ARTHUR SAN JUAN MARCUS HOOK The deadline for port re­ ports, monies due, etc., is the Monday preceeding publica­ tion. While every effort will be made to use in the current issue material received after that date, space commitments generally do not permit us to do so. NEW YORK — The Federal Shipping Laws are going to be revised, which is a damn good thing. Most of the laws are handme-down from the days of the old windjammers and so it's about time that something was done about them. quite some time. But no seamen are asked to assist in the job, and no one on the Committee even thought to get advice from sea­ men who make their livings by sailing the ships of the United States merchant marine. KNIFE IN BACK But with such a worthwhile Of course they got plenty of project in mind, do you think advice from the shipowners. Most that the Government would con­ of the revisions that I have had sult seamen, men whose lives are a chance to study so far will give most affected by these laws. nt> advantage to working sea­ No such thing. They got to­ men, but shipowners will bene­ gether with high priced ad­ fit. miralty lawyers, guys who make The powers of the Coast Guard their living by toadying to the shipowners, and from this un­ are broadened, and that is bad holy combination a revision of news for all seamen. I can't im­ the Federal laws was produced. agine our men taking this stuff There isn't one single repre­ sentative of any of the seamen's unions, nor is there any one on the Advisory Committee who could be called friendly to labor. That's a fine thing. Here they set out to do a big job, and a job that has needed doing for Lakes Carriers Seamen Learn; Come Around To Chicago Hail By HERBERT JANSEN CHICAGO—With the holiday spirit still in the air, the boys around the hall are getting their snow shovels out for the snow­ storms which have finally over­ taken the city. We've been impatiently await­ ing the white stuff and finally it came with a blast relieving the tension of all the fellows around. It wasn't a White Christmas, but it is going to be a White New Year. Now the winter sessions around the Hall will, be in earnest, and the round table debates will get stronger as the winter progresses, and the boys stand looking out the windows chafing for the spring to roll around. Shipping Is On The Rise In Corpus Christi By J. S. WILLIAMS The company said further that checks would be mailed as soon CORPUS CHRISTI —We have as possible after receipt of re­ something to celebrate during quests from men having 'money this holiday season and that. is due them. the continued upswing of ship­ The retroactive payrolls arc ping and business in this port of being drawn up alphabetically, the Lone Star State. and the company will be ready In fact, we feel in such a holi­ to begin payments when the list day mood that we are extending is completed. an invitation to Seafarers to come According to information made down to ^ this port and catch a available to us, Calmar is send­ ship, but don't forget to bring ing out letters to men who have along your ten gallon hat and worked their ships, stating that high heeled boots so as to gain the company would soon be in the proper almospliere. Out at Harbor Island we had position to make retroactive the Carlsbad and El Morro this payments to those having claims. week, and we expect the Wolf A statement to be filled in by Creek in next week for a payoff the claimant setting forth the de­ from Germany. Brother Joe tails of his claim and then re­ Wread is aboard the Creek, so turned to the company, accom­ she should come in in good shape. panies the letter. Over the week-end we had the It is advisable that Seafarers Tide Penn in port and she was having retroactive wage claims carrying a pro-SIU crew, which on the Calmar Company, and speaks well for our organizers who have not received any noti­ up North. They really have her fication from the company to in fine shape. Keep sending the write to Calmar at 24 Broadway, ships down here in that manner New York 4, N. Y., requesting and we won't Jiave to worry about a thing in the tanker field. the form for filing claim. Among the boys who are in daily attendance at the Hall are Louis Engfer, Joe Anderson, Vic­ tor Gustofson, Oscar Zacher, Thomas Bush, Ed. Eisner, Jack O'Connor and Fred Rausmussen. They will be joined in a few days by the crew of the SS Amer­ ican which is on her way up now to her winter berth in South Chicago. MORE JOIN As the 1946 season came to an end, the last week of the year brought in more seamen who sail on the Lakes Carriers ships to take out books in the SIU. This action on the part of these seamen shows how the trend will be in 1947 when most of the unorganized seamen who want representation from a rank and file union will be coming to the SIU Halls. The attitude that they have is healthy, for they are dead against the Lake Seaman's Union and the NMU. The have watched the per­ formances of both and have found that the only organization that gets conditions and representa­ tion for the seamen is the SIU. They have found that the SIU, not by putting out phony propa­ ganda, but through direct action of all its members gets what it goes after. CLEAN RECORD The clean record of the SIU is getting around to the men who sail the Lakes ships and it is do­ ing an effective job. There is no better selling point than a imion's record and the SIU has nothing to be ashamed of on that score. The record of the NMU, in spite of aU the high-sounding leaflets and pamphlets, is finding its way to the unorganized seamen and one whiff of it is usually enough to drive them from any intention of joining that outfit. I am sorry to report that Broth­ er Patrick Wyne passed away De­ cember 15 at the Marine Hospital here in Chicago. Pat was wellknown on the five big Lakes, and the Union lost a staunch member. Burial will be by the Union as he leaves no relatives. lying down, and I'm sure that the officials of the SIU and the SUP, as well as the leaders of the AFD Maritime Trades Department, are going to raise a holy stink about this sort of underhanded dealing. For a change, we have some really good news about shipping and business in this port. Very suddenly things started to pick up, and now we could use some rated men in all Departments. We've got our fingers crossed, and we hope that it continues. Although we could use some men as stated in the above paragraph, it would be smart for men to send a telegram to the New York Hall inquiring about jobs on the board before hopping a rattler to this town. The situation might change overnight, and that could mean a needless e.xpense with no • job at the end of the trip. Nordeff Crew Plays Santa In Baltiinore By RAY WHITE BALTIMORE — Seafarers off the SS Charles Nordhoff, this week in Baltimore, donated the sum of $47.50 to their brothers in the Marine Hospital of this port. The crewmembers donating the funds to their recuperating broth­ ers are: Vernon Porter, $5.00; K. Nikander, $5.00; R. Kehoe, $5.00; H. Hesman, $5.00; A. Suha, ^ff.OO; M. G. Mickey, $5.00; J. Ragens, $3.00; R. A. Rosekrans, $2.00; J. B. Weeler, $2.00; C. Horton, $2.00; Chief Engineer, $2.00; Pedro Badar, $2.00; W. Harris, $1.00; V. Gilliland, $1.00; H. Johnson, $1.00; S. Vick, $1.00; and O. Smith, $.50. The hospitalized brothers re­ ceived $4.00 each and the moneys was distributed among P. A. O'Brian, W. L. Giecispie, Leo Rhodes, March Ramro, Emilio DiPietro, Joseph Ramieri, Oliver Headly, Harry Walsh, Peter Lopez, Roy Justice, J. F. Davis, and John Fitjamon. �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eight NMU Slander Campaign On Lakes Falls Flat As Seamen Learn Truth Testimonial Dear Edilor: Friday, January 3, 1947 Boston Officials Boldly Mush Into Far North To Service Ships The members here in New By JOHN MOGAN Orleans Marine Hospital have BOSTON — Winter really de­ Cashing, American Mail, West TOLEDO—Activity in the port the brass hats in Washington for requested I write to you and of Toledo has quieted down a bit their efforts in aiding the train­ have you publish a little piece scended on this area full weight. Coast. A full deck department now that the majority of crews ing schools and ships. in regards to a person that has An average of 10 inches of snow will be needed for her, and the of the 60-odd ships tied up here The NMU was strangely silent been very good to them while covers New England with liberal same for the SS Eldridge Gerry, doses of sleet and rain to make Pacific-Fai- East, which is being for the winter have finished the when the SlU-SUP forced the in the hospital. activated after a long lay-up, to lay-up work and left for their Wage Stabilization Board to re­ In October she sent them things worse. And, as might be expected, go to Sweden and Denmark, winter homes. verse its decision and give the shaving cream, tobacco, tooth­ The NMU in the Pilot is still members of the SIU-SUP the paste, playing cards and sev­ now we get some shipping up The coming weeks loom as continuing its campaign of slan­ wage increases negotiated by the eral other very useful items Maine way, where, at this writ­ pretty busy ones, with several dering the SIU officials and mem­ Union and the Company. But that have come in very handy ing, the newspapers tell us ab­ payoffs expected before January bers. Well, they know whom that when their wages were brought as there was quite a supply for solutely no transportation is 6. This will help considerably, title fits. The NMU officials who up to SIU-SUP standards then all hands. At Christmas time functioning. Airlines are ground­ for despite the fact that few book signed such a finky agreement the Pilot in large headlines pro­ she sent them a fruit cake ed, trains are hours behind sched­ members are around right now, ule, and of course, buses and auto­ as they did with the Bethlehem claimed to the woi-ld. The big­ each and a very nice card. January 2 will find scads of them mobiles are stopped cold. Company here this fall, permit­ gest victory we have ever won! on dock for a job. Of course, She is the mother of one of ting these ships to operate with So v^hat happens? The SS there are quite a few oldtimers NOT WORRIED our members and her name is Tarleton Brown, Mississippi, pulls NMU crews eight days after they Florence Krech, 2447 Grove St., into Portland and is scheduled around, but most of these are not The SIU officials on the Great were picketing non-union ships moving until Eastern does. and docks, have little reason for Lakes do not worry about the Blue Island, Illinois. These for payoff today. And even The boys in the Marine Hos­ name-calling when they are in campaign of slander from the members have thanked her worse, the Alcoa Pilgrim pulls possession of such a scabby rec­ NMU as we know this outfit push­ personally but would like a into Searsport, Maine at the pital here were the recipients of ed the indicator on the Chad- very special thanks published height of the storm on Saturday, nice cash presents for Chri.stmas. ord. burn over to "finished with en­ in the Log where all hands can and we get a call for two re­ It was gratifying to us in the PEGLER STUFF gines" when they pulled the see the .swell work and deeds placements. office to receive letters from the Some misinformed NMU offi­ phony organizational drive up done by this swell friend of the Two hardy souls volunteered ho.spitalized members, expressing cial took a personal blast at our here in August, and eight days SIU Seamen. to go up there. We haven't heai'd their gratitude for the generosity Great Lakes Secretary-Treasurer, later signed the finky agreement Hoping that this thanks and from them since Saturday noon; of the Union, but the feeling predicting that he was selling out with Bethlehem. greetings from the boys to Mrs. but if the Mounties should call, would be even better if it were to the D&C. Krech makes a swell place in we'll know it's with reference to possible for every member who Nor does the SIU on the Great This Westbrook Pegler type ar­ Lakes worry much about the the Log, I am those two interpid characters. donated to the Christmas Fund to ticle can be expected from NMU company sponsored outfit that The only payoff during the know how the boys inside feel Fraternally, officials who would sign, or per­ C. J. 'BUCK' STEPHENS week was that of the SS William about it. mit to be signed, such an agree­ calls itself a union. Any man who has ever sailed the Lakes ment as they did with Bethlehem FEW IN HOSPITAL whereby they agreed to submit to knows the LSU is sopnsored by Not too many of our members a government agency to dictate the open shop Lake Carriers As­ were patients over the holidays, their working conditions, crew sociation, and is the brain child of a company attorney whose I am happy to say, so the Fund quarters, etc. still has some good money in it. While the SIU is fighting both knowledge of ships was gained Which means that our hospital the shipowners and the govern­ in a law school, and later by be­ By STEAMBOAT O'DOYLE delegate can spread good cheer ment on these conditions, trying ing employed by a shipping com­ This is the whole idea behind for New Year's also. Take a stiff drink before you to improve the conditions both pany to protect their interests in the courts, as he is still attempt­ the Maritime Service when it read the following statement ashore and aboard ship, the NMU Comparison are odious, hence, ing to do, by forming this phony was first formed. Every act of its made by the Maritime Commis­ has continually sided with the suffice it to say that throughout sion: "It is in the best interest of history proves that it's long range shipowners who have spawned company union. the ho.spital our members were our national defense and our program is the compulsory mili­ such boards as the Maritime Com­ made prouder by being told by Merchant Marine that a propor­ tarization of American seamen. mission, the War Shipping Board, their fellow paients, "You guys First, it tried to do this by tionate part of the peacetime and the Wage Stabilization sure belong to a real outfit." compulsory military trainees pro­ flooding the industry with poten­ Board. These Government agen­ posed by the President be train­ tial strikebreakers. It took large Here's hoping for a lot of sun­ cies are designed solely to place ed. by the U.S. Maritime Service numbers of woodchoppers direct shine this week, to get rid of .seamen in a state of serfdom. as a national reserve of merchant some of the snow and ice. Else BLOCK ADVANCES seamen." this weekly report will continue The NMU has been outstand­ to look like a weatherman's Think that over! They are ask­ ing in their efforts to bend over column. But seriously, this is the ing that free Americans be draft­ backwards to please and cooper­ WASHINGTON—Not too pleas­ ed into the Maritime Service just time of the year that Portland ate with these vai'ious boards, and ant news announced the day after as they are into the Army and usually shows some life, and we blocking the efforts of the mili­ Christmas by the Bureau of Labor Navy. need some fairly decent weather tant SIU in attempting to rid sea­ Statistics of the Labor Dep't in order to function efficiently. If you refuse to join this bellmen of . these shackles. showed that retail prices of con­ bottomed scabbery you would be Still, like the U; S. Mail, the SIU In January 1937, Joe Curran sumer goods in the U.S. hit the called a draft-dodger and sent to will get through okay! came out with a statement ap­ highest level on record on Nov. a federal penitentiary. Best wishes to all hands for a proving of the Copeland Fink 15. Once in, you would be govern­ Happy and Prosperous New Book. Harry Lundeberg empha­ The consumers price index on ed by strict military law. You Year! tically refused to abide by the Nov. 15 was 1.5% higher than in would be in a junior edition of provision set down by the Cope- June 1920 — the peak after World the Navy, with uniforms, saluting, from the CCC, and trained'them land Act, and on February 11, War I — and 13.8% higher than and all the trappings. to be "seamen" when there were 1937, the American-Hawaiian five months earlier before Con­ ten real seamen for every job. CHEAP LABOR ship Columbian was boarded by gress crippled price control. During the war it tried again U. S. Marine Inspectors at New Between mid-October and midYou would get the standard by working a deal with the Coast York in an effort to compel a November, retail food prices rose pay of an enlisted man—75 per. Guard whereby men could no west coast crew to accept the fink 4.3%. Retail prices of fats and Of course, you would not spend longer obtain papers for the ask­ WASHINGTON — A five-man book. oils rose 65%, with lard prices all your time marching up and ing, but had to go to this fink- AFL delegation will visit Argen­ No support was given by the soaring 104% in the one-month down Muttonhead Bay. You hatchery instead. At the present tina early in January for a brief NMU in fighting this finky deal, interval. would be assigned to a ship. What time, it has a bill pending in study of labor, economic and poli­ but the crew fought it and final­ Besides the spectacular increase kind of a ship? Why a merchant Congress to form a "Maritime tical conditions in that counti-y, ly compromised by accepting in in food prices, the BLS found ship, of course. Reserve" which would be used as AFL President William Green an­ lieu of the fink book a certifi­ that higher prices were asked for How the owners would tremble a strikebreaking machine. nounced last week. cate of identification. When this nearly every type of apparel, in­ with joy to see a number of cargo BLACK LIST gain was made the NMU put on a Making the trip at the invita­ cluding shoes and shoe repair. ships manned in this way by Recently there have been rum­ grandstand play and told their tion of the Argentine government In the year between mid-Nov­ draftees, whose penality for men­ ors of a new plan, a plan to bring members to build a bonfire out and the Argentine Confederation ember 1945 and mid-November tioning "union" would be hard forth a so-called "official service of the finkbooks. 1946, food prices rose 34%; cloth­ labor in a military prison. How record" of every seaman, which of Labor will be: Arnold S. Zan­ TRAINING SCHOOLS ing 13% ; housefurnishings 15%). far would it be from this start to will no doubt have a blank space der, president of the American The NMU is also very militant Rents advanced "only slightly" having cargo ships manned by for "union agitation." What a Federation of State, County and in aiding government training and gas and electricity costs de­ this uniformed scab organization. beautiful black list that would Municipal Employes;. Lee W. Minton, president of the Glass Bottle schools, which turned out thous­ clined about 2%. You can almost picture it. First make! Blowers Ass'n; Israel H. Gold­ ands of young lads with the rat­ Despite the repeated promise.s they would take over "strategic Now it has come forth with the berg, vice president of the United ing of AB, who hardly knew east of meat packers and their lobby­ routes" — in the interest of na­ most brazen piece of skunkery in Hatters, Cap & Millinery Workers, from west on a compass and were ists here that meat prices would tional defense of course, Next, its whole career. By demanding Miguel Carriga, vice president of lucky if they could pack their rise only "reasonably" with the they would find it necessary to that free Americans be forced the Hotel & Restaurant Employes gear right. end of price controls, the BLS man "vital operations" like the into it on a compulsory basis it Int'l Association; Scrafino RomuThe SIU leadership and mem­ found retail prices of all meats tankers and colliers. After that has pointed the finger of finkery aldi, of the Int'l Ladies Garment • bers contend a man does not need have risen 55.4%. in one year, they would expand into the pas­ at its own self. Workers. to go to school to be taught or­ most of this since the end of senger ships — but only to "pro­ At last it has admitted what dinary seaman's work and can­ price controls. Pork rose 83.9%, vide greater safety." it has always been accused of — Romualdi, AFL Latin-Ameri­ not- become a competent seaman beef and veal 61.2%, lamb 50.8%., Pretty soon all our ships would that it wants to take, over the can representative, will serve as in six months, while the NMU has between mid-November 1945 and be manned by uniformed swab whole Merchant Marine on - a secretary and interpreter for - the been praised by the press and 1946. jockeys working for peanuts. group. military basis. By HENRY W. CHAPPELL Maritime Commission Rigging Up Gigantic Doublecross For Seamen Cost Of Living Hits New High In November AFL Officials Go To Argentina �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday* January 3. 1947 Page Nina The Patrolmen SayHats Off NEW YORK — I thought, until the other day, that I had seen the cleanest ships on the seas. Then I handled the payoff of the John Gibbon, Bernstein Steamship Company, and had to change my After twenty-six years of sail­ mind for she was the cleanest ing time, Hemsley Guinier, Stew­ ship I have ever had the oppor­ ard, still looks forward to each By JOSEPH VOLPIAN tunity to visit. new trip with the same enthus­ I'm sure if I had gone over'her The office ofthe Shipping Com­ ping Commissioners and we have iasm of a new seaman. Even sail­ with white gloves, the way the missioner is of such importance always been treated fairly and ing through danger zones during brass does Saturday morning in that one is stationed in almost squarely. However, their hands the war couldn't kill his love for the Navy, I wouldn't have pick­ every port in the United Stales, are tied very often when they .see the sea. ed up any dirt anywhere. including some ports in the Great an injiistice being done because "The .sea Has been good to me," In addition to being spotless Lakes. They were placed in office they are unable, as we said be­ he says, "and I have made out from bow to stern there were for the express purpose of pro­ fore, to initiate proceedings or, if^ well by learning all I could about no problems for me to handle. tecting the rights of seamen. This the Master refuses to appear be­ the sea and my job." Everyone was sober, and there protection begins from the mo­ fore the Commisioner, he cannot were no beefs at all as not one a That statement is very true. ment the men sign articles. As enforce his rulings. Therefore, it minute of overtime was disputed. Hemsley started out as an ordin­ you no doubt know, before the is our opinion that the Shipping The crew of this ship certainly ary Seaman in 1919, aboard the commencement of a voyage, a Commissioners be given more deserves a lot of praise for bring­ SS Esparta. Today he sails as contract is entered into between power. ing in the ship in fine condition. Steward and is qualified to carry the Master, representing the Com­ These are the right to issue a GOOD CHOW out his functions on any ship, no pany, and the seamen. summons requesting that the Chief Steward Joe Malone re­ matter what the size. This contract or Articles sets Master or the seaman appear beceived the heartfelt thanks of the Brother Guinier has also work­ entire crew for the good chow forth the ratings and wages of fore him and if they fail to do .so, ed ashore for quite a few years, the men and also gives the dest­ without a justificable excuse, that serving as chief cook in some of he has always volunteered his throughout the entire trip; es­ ination and diuation of the voy­ their papers be cither taken away the finest resort hotels in the services not only on the picket pecially the Thanksgiving Day age. As you can readily see, there 01 su.spended. Understand, of Dinner, over which the crew was Islands. For a few years he was line, but as Cook or Steward. could be many instances where course, that in 999 times out of chef at the Constant Spring Hotel, Wherever he was needed, there still licking their chops when I seamen can be imposed upon. The 1,000, the Master is the one to be came aboard. in Kingston, and later served in he would be, doing his best. Shipping Commissioner is there summoned and not the seaman In addition to being all ship­ In the 1946 General Strike, the same capacity at the Myrtleto supervise the signing of the becau.se the Master exercises hi.s Hemsley was on the picketline shape at the payoff, the crew Articles to make certain that bank hotel. so-called judgement upon the showed their true Union feelings in New Yoik,''and also served as these injustices do not occur. man tvhen he logs him. It i.s when they donated $18 to the BACK TO SCHOOL standby Steward for the duration Before Commissioners came in­ usually on loggings or desertion.s Marine Hospital and $17 to the In 1937, in an endeavor to im­ of the action. Anyone who re­ Seafarers Log. and the Chief to the picture, men were abandon­ that the men complain against prove himself even moi-e, Guinier members the good food that was Mate Richard Moore donated $10 ed in foreign ports, they were, in the Master. If in the event the went to London, where he en­ dished out knows how hard the to the hospital collection. many instances, .«hanghaied, and decision is i-endered against either rolled in the school operated by cooks and pot washers worked to Paying off a ship like the John did not know the duration or party 4hen the Commissioner the United Food and Cookery make that part of the Strike Gibbons is always a pleasure to dc.stination of the voyage. shall be given some method of Association. He took two courses Committee function smoothly. enforcing his decision. any Patrolman. Hats off to a real We thus can .see from this alone Guinier's idea about the SIU in Culinary Arts. SIU crew. that the Shipping Commissioner It is our opinion That once u Soon after this he began to tire is short and sweet. "The SIU has Jim Drawdy more than earns his money, ac­ decision is made against a Master for the of his life ashore, and the call of fought a very fine fight .t. he protects seamen's interests. or the Company that unless they the sea proved to be more than he good and welfare of all seamen, At the time of the signing on abide by the decision that they he says, "and that's why all sea­ could withstand. So, in 1941 he of the articles, the Shipping Com­ should be punished either by the came to the United States, and men should support it. That is Sometimes a Skipper thinks of missioner also takes care of allot­ Master losing iiis license until why I am a member of the SIU." joined the SIU. He sailed con­ himself as a cross between Hitler ments and sees that they are such time as he does heed to the tinually, all through the war, and the Mes.siah. At least, the properly made out. ruling or that the Company be transporting farmers back and Master of the MV Costal Stevefined the amount found to be due GOOD JOB DONE forth between the United States doi-e. Bull Linos, tried to make the .<eaman by the Commissioner. At the termination of the voy­ and Belize, Barbadoes, and Kings­ the crew think that he was a tin age, the Commissioner must be ton. God. present at the payoff and signing j Although this was not in the When the ship arrived here in off of the articles. At that time, most dangerous sectors of the port, we went aboard for the pay­ he is suposed to .settle all disputes Atlantic Ocean, nevertheless, off, and found that the crew had between the Master and the crew. plenty of trouble was encounter­ put in overtime for lowering life­ By and lai'ge, the Commissioners ed. His ships were attacked many WASHINGTON — If America boat for the pui-pose of fishing. times, but luckily they escaped slides into an economic "reces­ When we inquired about this, no­ have done a fairly good job of serious damage and he person­ sion" in 1947, the fault will lie body would admit that the Cap­ this phase of their work, however, ally was never hurt. with those employers who keep tain had ordered any such thing. many cases have come up where the man supervising the signing saying "no" to all reasonable re­ By JOSEPH VOLPIAN So we had them break out the INTO DANGER off of the articles is unable to quests of workers for wage in­ official log book, and lo and be­ In conversation with many docAs the war lasted, Guinier vol­ creases, it was charged last week hold, we found that not only had settle a dispute. The question is then placed j tors I have learned that manyunteered for more dangerous by James A. Brownlow, Secre­ the Skipper ordered lifeboats before the Chief Shipping Comi I'uns, and finally got a ship that tary-treasurer of the AFL Metal manned for the purpose of fish­ men are not following through to missioner of the port for a de­ took him to the Mediterranean Trades Department. ing, but he had also stopped the cision. If both parties agree, in rompletion their ami - luetic area. The convoy he was with "It is about time that employers vessel on several occasions so writing, to submit the matter to ireatiiient thu.s leaving thcmscF was attacked by bombers and stopped saying 'no' from begin­ that he could haul in fish. ai'bitration then the Commission­ ves open to the complications submarines, and four ships were ning to end of collective bargain­ Well, you can bet that the overer has the right to render his de­ and disorders the disease leaves sunk. For hours they .stood olT the ing," he said. "Industrial peace tune was paid. cision which should be binding attackers until the fighting ships can never be attained if one party in its wake. We inquired for the Old Man, of the convoy were able to rout persists in exercising veto powers. but he was not on board since the upon both parties. However, the Commissioner cannot institute a should not be necessary to the planes and undersea ships. "Instead of taking a negative FBI is looking for him on the hearing except with the express i urge men to complete their treatLater he was on the Flying position, employers should corne charge that he bought various consent of both parties and even j ment, but it seems that many Elagle, Mississippi Steamship to the bargaining table prepared articles into this country without after he renders his decision, he j the disease is comCompany, when that ship was to listen to reason and willing to the formality of clearing them cannot enforce it. | ph'tely cured upon receiving the caught-in the now famous typhoon agree to a reasonable compromise. with the Customs. Another duty of the Shipping final shots. This is not the case. off Okinawa. One of the escort Compromise is no new idea. Life REDUCED IN RANK Anyone who has been treated ships was sunk then, and all 960 is a series of compromises be­ Between the Skipper and the Commissioner is to receive all hands were lost. Although the tween what the individual wants phony Second Mate, this trip was dcserter.s' wages and personal ef­ for syphilis must continue to men of the Flying Eagle did all and what he can get. The same a nightmare for the men of the fects. He then turns these over haye blood and spinal fluid tests they could to try to effect a principle is the basis of collective Costal Stevedore. The Bosun to the United States District until informed by his physician rescue, the ferocity of the waves bargaining. was busted for demanding his Court where they are held either that further tests are unneces­ caused them to give up rescue "Many thousands of employers, rights as a Bosun, and an AB for the account of the seaman, sary. attempts. Many patients make the mis­ who sincerely engage in collect­ was demoted for the same thing. if he is subsequently declared . "What I remember most about ive bargaining, have found that it Of course, both men received the not to be a deserter, or, the pro­ take of believing that they can that," he recalls, "is the courage pays dividends in uninterrupted difference in pay at the payoff. ceeds are turned over by the make their own interpretation of of the cfew. Their morale was production and peace and har­ Most unlicensed officers are Court to the United States Treas­ the various te.sts for syphilis, excellent, and especially the mony within the production pretty good guys, having come up ury supposedly for the use and and not infrequently this result.® Bosun, and Deck Maintainance family of management and labor," from the ranks in most cases.. benefit of sick and needy seamen in, their failure to get further ex­ who both, were outstanding ex­ Brownlow said. aminations and tests which are But every now and then you meet or their families. This is a thumb-nail outline of necessary. amples of brave men." "If the old guard of hitherto up with a character who trys to uncompromising industrial lead­ live up to the traditions of Cap­ some of the duties of Shipping Therefore, if you have ever GOOD UNION MAN ers will agi-ee to stop saying 'no' tain Bligh twenty-four hours per Commissioners. been treated for the disease and, FAIR DEALING Brother Guinier has carried out to organized labor , and start try­ day. That's the bird who gives have not had the blood test, spin­ acceptable adjust­ you trouble. his Union responsibilities with ing to find As an experienced seafaring al fluid examination, or physical Ray Gonzales the same earnestness that made ments, fair to both sides, peace­ man and especially in the position examination recommended b y Salvadore Colls him strive to better his job per- time production will break all we now hold, we have had many your doctor, follow through, and James Sheehan foimiance. During strike action records in 1947." occasions to appear before Ship-' see him now. Hentsley Guinier .-.r; MM piiiii Good Fishing Bosses' Refusal To Bargain Will Bring Recession VD Cases Must Follow Through With Troatmont iiiiCaaAA.;!.-. �THE Tan- S t 4 t > H k H S Lafitte's Conditions Blasted By Delegate Knife Wielder Hawser Crew A flash of knife-play aboard the MV Hawser Eye following an argument between two crewmembers provoked a stem warn­ ing from the crew that any fu­ ture displays of violence would result in offenders being brought up on charges before the Union, according to the minutes of a special meeting called at sea Dec. 19: The war is over, but some of the wartime' shipboard conditions linger on. They won't linger long, however, for Seafarers are going to eradicate any carry-overs from the days of war shipping. The crew of the SS Jean Lafitte, which arrived recently in the Port of Baltimore after a fivemonth trip to the Far East, is preparing to do just that, accord­ ing to Ship's Delegate Blackie Bankston. In a letter to the Seafarers Log describing some of the more glar­ ing of the LaFitte's deplorable conditions, Blackie said: "The war may be over, but for the Brothers of our good Union the fighting has just begun. Con­ ditions on this ship are lousy, and it's not the fault of any of the crew members. The purpose of the meeting was "to decide action to be taken" against the Steward Utility who PEACE IS DIFFERENT threatened the Wiper with a knife after the Wiper had quelled "During the war," continued a fight between the utility man Blackie, "we had to take things and another member of the crew. they shoved down our thi-oats, but it's a different story now. WHAT HAPPENED When the shipowners give you a The ship's minutes recon­ run-around and would have you structed the incident as follows: sail their old scows around the The Steward Utility created a world in any kind of way, it sure disturbance in the messroom dur­ makes you feel good to know ing a meal, when he picked a you're a member of the SIU." The Lafitte pulled into Balti­ more "a hungry ship," Brother Bankston said, and the men hope to get "things squared away" there so that future Seafarer crews won't experience a repitition of the voyage just completed. Everything was in order when fight with the Deck Delegate. The Wiper, attempting to quiet the men, was struck across the face by the utility man, who was then forcibly ejected from the messroom by other crew men. The matter was presumed to have been forgotten. Several minutes late, however, the Stew­ ard, department man returned to the messroom in high temper, brandishing a knife, and threat­ ening the Wiper for having in­ terfered. Crewmembers again quelled-the disturbance. Shortly after there was another outburst, this time in the passage­ way, during which the enraged utility man inflicted a minor cut on. the Steward's arm. This time the vessel's Master came to the SG^e, quieted the man and took bun to his room. Later, the Captain called the Delegates to his quarters and suggested that they do their ut­ most to prevent any repetition of the incident. He said that he would lend them aid, if neces­ sary. CALL TO ACTION It was then that- the special meeting was called. Several recommendations were made to handle the situation. One motion'urged that the Delegates seethe American consul about the possibility of removing the Stew­ ard Utility from the vessel. The Friday. January 3. 1947 LO G SHE LUGGED TUGS the Lafitte went into a Mobile drydock after the previous trip, says Bankston. A complete re­ pair list had been drawn up by the crew, and they were promised that it would be fulfilled when the ship got back off the coastal run scheduled to last a month. But the repairs were never com­ pleted. TUG CARGO Blackie shipped aboard the LaFitte in New Orleans, when the vessel pulled in to take on a cargo of tugboats shipped to China by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. Principal cargo aboard Ihe SS Jean Laiilte was a deckload Every available inch of space of tugs consigned to China by the United Nations Relief and on deck was given up for the Rehabiliation Administration. Above, one of the tugg has just payload. "They were on our been lifted from the vessel's deck at Kobe, Japan, to be trans''front porch,' and only inches shipped to its final destination. from our bunks," relates Bank­ ston. 1, Then the LaFitte got under icine chests I've seen in a long way and with it the series of un­ time — nothing in them. We got pleasant conditions which the one carton of cigarettes every crew is now intent on cleaning up. ten days. Here's the way Blackie relates "Food gave out long before we what aren't the finer points of the started heading home. We were trip: feeding passengers and a dozen extra heads in every port we hit. HOT STUFF "Live steam came from both The ship was supplied for three the hot and cold lines in the months and the voyage lasted showers, and some of the brothers about five. "In the Phillipines, some linen got burns. The wash water was so dirty it didn't make any dif­ was supposed to have been stolen. ference whether you washed or A side port and a door leading not. The toilets were throwing into No. 3 cargo hold was open all the time we were there. The back. "As far as air-conditioning is Captain took it out on the crew concerned that's just some swivel- by. giving us only one sheet a chair admiral's brainstorm. The week. The Steward had enough ship has the poorest slop and med- to give us two a week until we reached Singapore where he could have the stuff laundered. Seen on ihe aft. deck are iwo NOT RESPONSIBLE lugs awaiting their turn in the "Our agreement says that the unloading operations. All pic­ crew. shall not be held respon­ tures are by Brother E. Hunter, sible for lost linen, but we were AB and were sent to the Log held responsible. "In Kobe, a maritime guy gave by Brother Bankston us a line, a mile long that there was no shore leave, the ship was going to shift and sail the next aboard without a reason." And so goes Brother Bankston's* day, there was nothing to go letter. ashore for, and a lot of other hooey. Ports on the LaFitte's schedule, "We learned that there was no. in the order of call, were: Colon, Army order forbidding shore Honolulu, Kobe, Shanghai, Man-, leave. We were there two days, ila, Masinloc, Bulan, Legaspi,.. and we have put in for overtime Singapore, Sweetenham, Penaqg. for the two days we had to stay and Port Said. G. Washington To Continue Bermuda Run Until Easter The Alcoa Steamship Company will continue to operate the pas­ senger vessel George Washington on her regular weekly run to Bermuda probably until after Easter, it_ has been announced. Continued heavy demand for steamship accomodations from New York to Bermuda resulted in the company changing its orig­ crew approved this action by a ing his performance he would be inal plans to suspend the run on Jan. 1. brought up on charges. fourteen-to-five vote. Part of the Lafitte's crew. In the front row, left to right, are: Ship's Delegate A. Bankston, AB; Deck Del. H.'Durant, AB; Engine Delegate W. Holmes, Oiler; Steward Delegate C. Perkins, Steward. Middle row, left to right, N. Rohder, OS: D. Tippets, AB; C. Hayes, Bosun; T. Kesyer, Fireman; A. Dickin­ son, Fireman. Back row, left to right, C. Hawkins. 2nd'Cook; L. Tippets, OS; J. Yancy, Deck Maint.; R. Jones, Wiper; and F. McConico, Steward. Revealing a sporting desire to give the offender a second chance, the crew voted down a motion that he be brought up on charges. A motion was passed, however, saying that if the utility man gave any indications of repeat­ An amendment broadened the motion by saying "that if any trewmember should attack an­ other with a weapon," charges would immediately be preferred against him. Despite the fact that the fall season is customarily- a slack period for tourist travel, requests for space on the Washington have fallen off only slightly, it was re­ ported. The George 'Washington is said to be operating now at close to 100 per cent passenger' capacity. The Alcoa company put theGeorge Washington on the Ber­ muda run last July. The weekly schedule has the vessel leaving New York on Saturdays and re­ turning on Thursday. The ship's passenger capacity was reduced' recently from 270 births to 200:' births to provide more tworbertht rooms. The George Washington is ano i 1 - b u r n i n g, turbine-driven steamship with an overall length of 390 feet and a beam of 54 feet. She has a gross tonnage of 5,184: Prior to the war the ship operat­ ed in coastwise passenger traffic. �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, January 3, 1347 Digested Minutes Of SlU Ship Meetings PLATTSBURG. Oct. 19 — Chairman George J. Espalla; Secretary C. R. Sloan. Deck Department Delegate suggested repairs for head, also that foc'sles be cleaned and made ready for painting. Black Gang Delegate made same sugges­ tion for his department. Stew­ ard Delegate also reported needed repairs in his depart­ ment. Motions carried: that quiet be maintained in foc'sles 60 that men may get proper sleep; that letter be sent to Union commending Steward de­ partment for its cooperation with other departments; that passageways below deck be split up equally among all de­ partments for cleaning jobs, and preparation for painting. t X %. CAPE NOME. Nov. 30— Chairman H. A. Moore; Sec­ retary J. E. Melton. Minutes of last meeting read and ac­ cepted. Motions carried: thai Delegates check with Steward on all stores coming aboard, if anything is short the Steward will notify Delegates to have action taken; to have cold wa­ ter faucet fixed; he had re­ ported it to 3rd Ast. several times but nothing was done about it; that Delegates meet with department heads about repairs needed; that alarm sys­ tem in iceboxes be repaired so that men will not be locked in. XXX WILLIAM MACLAY, July 4 —Chairmsm Carl P e d e r s e n; Secretary James Van Sant. Good and Welfare: Motion car­ ried to see what can be done about securing addiiional foc'sle for black gang—especi­ ally for the oilers, whose quar­ ters ha'*e not the proper ven­ tilation. Motions carried: to se­ cure a library in Canada; to send a copy of minutes to Log; to keep buckets out of shower rooms; to appoint a commit­ tee of the three department delegates to call on the Sea­ men's Union of Canada to get information about the new con­ tract negotiations; to get a new radio speaker in Crew's messroom; to ask delegate to speak to Radio Operator about play­ ing radio more frequently. Chairman Pedersen promised to try to make arrangements to secure all back issues of the Log. All hands stood in silence for one minute in tribute to the memory of our Brothers lost at sea. NEW ECHOTA. Aug. 18— Chairman Paul M. Palmer; Secretary William T. Harrison. Delegates reported and over­ time to be held for discussion with Union Patrolman. Other Business: Motion carried that each crewmember after coffee must wash own cup and after eating he must put night lunch back in ice box. Last man on each watch to see that the messhall is clean. Motion car­ ried that men will be lined for not observing sanitary rules in heads. tit The Midway Hills Meets An Obstacle ALCOA PILGRIM. Sept. 22 —Chairman Gednes M. Hearn; Secretary James B. Baldwin. Delegates reports: Deck dele­ gate listed various hours work­ ed towing dunnage, etc.. with­ out the required rest periods. Reported that Captain ordered the men to work until Male knocked them off. New Busi­ ness: Discussion about over­ time for meals served to one of the crew laid up in hospital. Crew was told of two crewmembers being denied hospi­ talization in one port due to some mixup by the Mate and Company. Matter of messhall clock not being repaired was aired. » » * BUTTON GWINNETT, Nov. 17—Chairmetn A. Schiavone; J. C. Jutchess. New Business: Motion carried to make up a list of needed repairs for the benefit of the next crew. Good and Welfare: Several cases of violations of shipping rules, and it was decided to bring them to the attention of the boarding Patrolman. The crew agreed that as they found the ship clean they also would leave it clean, if not cleaner for the next crew. It was also agreed that all hands would submit their books and trip cards to their respective delegates with slips enclosed stating the num­ ber of months dues they wished to pay. in this way hope it would help the Patrolman and give him more time to take care of beefs if any arise. Copy of minutes to be posted on bul­ letin board for next crew, also copy to Patrolman and Log. XXX Midway in the proceedings of a recent meeting aboard the Mid­ way Hills, a Seafarer rose and started debate on a matter which, in the crews opinion, smelled to high heaven—the water in the ship's tanks. The discussion wound up with unanimous passage of a motion offered by Brother Gallagher Gallagher stating that "at the next port of call, the Patroln.an shall be called aboard and the water tanks inspected. If the water is unfit for use and if noth­ ing is done about the situation the crew shall give 24 hours no­ tice." At the next port of call, the sore-spot was called to the at­ tention of the Patrolman, accord­ ing to a later set of minutes. The E, T. FRELINGHUYSEN. — Patrolman advised, however, that the crew not take any im­ (Date. Chairman and Secretary mediate action since the port was not given). New Business: Mo­ in an "out of the way place," and tions carried: that all crewno facilities for repairs were members have innerspring mattresses; that all foc'sles be available. Since the Chief Engineer was painted; that windshields be doing everything possible to obtained for portholes; that fan remedy the condition of the wa­ and ice box be repaired; that ter, and, consequently, the water any man found leaving cups, was beginning to show some im­ knives, forks, etc.. on tables provement, the crew decided to donate 25 cents to fund; that accept the Patrolman's advice all men be fully dressed to and postpone any further action come into the messhall and no one to appear with undershirt until, the next port was reached. At Log press time, there was at the meal table; that each de­ no further word on this state of partment take turns cleaning affairs. Perhaps, the Midway laundry, departments to rotate Hills was getting over the hump each week; that a letter be written to John Hawk concern­ of things. ing Mates and Engineers whom 4- 4* 4* we refuse to sail with until clearance is made by them in MAIDEN CREEK. Dec. 16regard to recent strike. (Chairman and Secretary not given). Motions carried: that beefs between Oiler and Stew­ ard be put on agenda for next meeting; that ship delegate see Captain about repairing fan in galley; that OS and wipers clean recreation room every other week; that Steward see about getting new coffee pots; that if Brother should run afoul of> membership's advice again concerning the health and welfare of the crew, dele­ gate shall send in to headquar­ ters recommendation that his book be pulled. Amendment: WCAie ^oofi SIO f»/M — that delegate see Captain about -THE 'BAI&e OF A Fl6RVne his condition and he be placed UNION ... (/OOfl UNION ! on probation for remainder of voyage. Page Eleven SEAFARER SAM SAYS: you VONT HAy/e 'fOBEA J $HAKESPEARe/ IT DOESN'T HAVE. To BE A WORLQ-SHA^m EVENT -BUT EVERY TRIP WILL HAVE A HIGHLIGHT THAT WILL INTEREST THE U/VioNMfMBERSMiP; AN AMUSING INCIDENT A CccD MEETNG, AM OOrSfAMOlHQ UNioN JOB. WHATE\^R IT iS, SEAJDITIN); IP IT'S PRINTABLE, Wf'LL -PUBLISH IT S CUT and RUN By HANK This week's column just ain't up to our now-and-then notice­ able Plimsoll mark due to Merry Christmas and Happy New Year knocking us off course and plugging up our radar ears from de­ tecting fresh news. Well, so help us, it looks like these two holidays were too merry and too expensive. Just about e very bod j' (except a few guys now and then who didn't know we had a strike recently) is flooding the hall to ship out . . . Brother Paulo Pringi, with his mustache and a black rain coat, just registered for shipping . . . The little Steward always with a cigar. Brother Joe Arras, just sailed in from Marseilles, France! And, oui, we naturally presume Joe preferably brought back cognac, which seems to be the only perfume a sailor is usually odored with, just like anybody else is too, now and then . . . We hope that Brother Joe Miller, nicknamed the "Little Admiral," somehow enjoyed a Merry Chi'istmas after all, to cover up his blues from losing out in a night-club investment down in Florida. i. 4 4 Perhaps Joe couldn't get a liquor license so he served all sorts of orange drinks, if that's possible, and the Floridian nightowls just couldn't enjoy themselves boxing the nightly compass in such a unaffecting manner . . . Brother H. W. Greenless, who was taxi-fcuring in West Virginia, sent a Christmas card from Arizona to Paul the Dispatcher. Are you digging for gold or just expanding your taxi-ships. Brother Greenlee? . . . Brother Steve Carr. who got married recently, shipped out. Let's hear from you. Steve . . . Abe "Bob" Sprung, just sailed into town after six months of shuttling bauxite between the Carribbean islands and Canada . . . Thomas Massey. who came in to see his wife, says that his trip with Salvatore Frank ended rather humorously in Mobile. After paying off their long trip. Brother Frank went out and bought a brand new second-hand suit for 17 dollars. The high cost of living must have hit him. too, eh Tommy? 4 4 4 Here's a few of the oldtimers anchored here in town until the ships take them out: Cliarlie Roinikaitis; Bosun Charlie Bush; Andy Thevik; B. Murio: J. Kelly; J. Santos; J. Rockhill; Harold Farrington; F. B. Ortiz; Bosun Francisco Morciglio; and Thor Thorsen . . . Thanks to Joe, the boss of the Mariner's Bar and Restaturant below the Union hall, for way he bottled his Merry Christmas greetings to al his friends topside . . . Bob Hicks just sailed in from Baltimore where he says he couldn't find his pal. One Eye Pete De Pietro, who was meanwhile anchored in the Baltimore Marine Hos­ pital suffering from something—maybe too many peppers? Kidding aside Pete, how was Merry—was she around—1 mean, how v;® Christmas, merry? We were shocked lo hear thai the oddest and rather un­ expected Christmas present the seamen in the "Doghouse" on South Street received was a 50c more raise in prices for sleep­ ing there. Maybe the place needs the money more than the ^ seamen themselves! Well, seamen always have absorbed the worst things in their lives—but the SIU membership has knocked out many of these unfair practices on their lives thrown, at them by all sorts of happy bureaus, military stiffs, phony medical experimenters, financial company wizards, and happy Washfor a living—gel dirt and cuts on their hands, grease on their ington labor-haters. Why don't they go out and really work pants and pains in their backs? "^ �UK if THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Twelve Friday. January 3, 1947 TBE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS Moon Koons' Warm Advice For Men Making Island Run Dear Editor: On our recent trip to South America on the SS Del Valle, a Mississippi scow, which, as you know, left New Orleans after the strike was over and after the new agreements were signed, we met several ships operated by SIUcontracted companies. The men aboard these vessels didn't have any knowledge of the new agreements, therefore we distributed several bundles of the Seafarers Log which contained the complete agreement. On all Waterman and Mississippi ships we met, we explained to the men that the agjreement with the aforementioned companies is bas­ ically the same as the agreements with the other companies, with only a few changes in working conditions. MET ALCOA SHIPS NEWS FOR TANKERMEN TANKER MEN book men. The crew blames the Steward, who they say is a tripcard man, and he in turn blames the Captain. There is plenty of food avail­ able in this country, and no need for the men to go hungry. It seems that the old man is a man with an iron whip. It has also been said by some of the crewmembers that the old man said he didn't care if the men ate,or starved. I would like to pass the word to the branches up and down the coast to be on the lookout for this ship when she gets back home as there is plenty to be straight­ ened out aboard. Moon Koons Did You Really Try? By Wayne McAllisJep READ THE S. I. U. TANKER NEWS IH West 8th St. Phone Chester 5-3110 Stickers like the one reproduced above appear all over Marcus Hook. Pa., advertising the SIU's Tanker News. The paper contains all the latest news of interest to men sailing tankers. Christmas And Mystery Cheer Seafarers Abed In Staten Island Marine Hospital We also met two of the Alcoa Steamship company's vessels in Buenos Aires. They left New Orleans for a 21-day trip to the Dear Editor: islands on a bauxite run which I would like to thank the SIU, wound up here in Buenos Airies. the Log. and all the Brothers for It seems that the Alcoa company the splendid generosity shown to is taking several of their ships. us hospitalized members this Christmas. It sure gives a fellow a great moral lift to realize that in this militant and adventurous year of fighting to better a sea­ man's living conditions, we, the sick and disabled, were not over­ looked. In behalf of all SIU men in Ward B-5 I thank you, and many thanks to Joe Volpian, our splen­ did hospital delegate. We all wish the SIU the success and victory it deserves as an Americiin seaman's o r g a n iz a t i o n. "Steady as she goes!" after the run to the islands, and Life here in the Staten Island sending them to the River Plata Marine Hospital has been improv­ area to load grain bound for Bal­ ing as a whole. The food has im­ tic points. proved considerably and is still As you know, it is very cold in on the upgrade, also up here in the Baltic this time of the year, B-5 we have some nice nurses, and when a seaman leaves the orderlies and a top notch medical states on an island run he doesn't staff. take any heavy gear with him. Christmas here was well cele­ So please advise our Brothers brated and it seems like every­ leaving on island runs for Alcoa one was remembered. We wish to be prepared for a trip which to thank the various organiza­ might take them the full length tions for their generous effort in of the articles into any port in the behalf of the sick and disabled world, and to bring heavy clothes seamen. from the states with them. The DARK MYSTERY crews of the above-mentioned ships have no winter gear and A very dark mystery occurred they are headed for Sweden. here some time ago involving a One of these ships is the Cald­ colonel, lieutenant, and an in­ well. The Blanchard brothers spector which resulted in the com­ are aboard her. We also laid plete disappearance of the lieu­ alongside the New Afoundria, a tenant. The story is absolutely Waterman ship, which needs in­ true and took place about a vestigating when she returns to month ago. The names of the the States. She has been around inspector, colonel, and lieutenant the world and has just come are as phony as their ranks. How­ from Shanghai to Buenos Aires ever, the story has a moral and where she will load grain for is good for a few laughs, so here's what happened: France. It was a very dull day in Ward A HUNGRY SHIP B-5, most of the patients were on This ship. New Afoundria, is the sack, the sky outside the win­ very hungry. She has been in dows was leaden and grey, while port seven days at this time and within the ward aH was silent. when we arrived they didn't have Suddenly the calm was broken by ang sugar, coffee, or anything to the shrill jangle of the telephone eat but water-buffalo meat and and someone barked: "Lieuten­ very few stores. It appears that ant Bull is wanted on the phone." there are but few men who are Immediately, to the phone dashed Log'A'Rhythms Oil a spry young fellow. Lieutenant Bull, of course. Two men sitting peacefully on their bunks looked questioningly at each other, "Wonder if he is a real looey?" With the war being over looeys are kind of scarce around here. Suspicion arose in their minds and tacitly then and there it was decided to investi­ gate the looey. LATER One hour later another call came through for Lieutenant Bull, and in anticipation a spy had been placed near the phone booth. To our spy's ears it seem­ ed that an Inspector of some office was calling and was demanding to know of Lieutenant Bull where in the hell he got his high rating. The lieutenant, quick on the comeback, replied that he was a Steward and that all Stewards were looeys, full lieutenants on big ships and lieutenant (j.g.'s) on small ones. The inspector whose name is McSnoop, and who had been a Steward quite a while, wouldn't believe it and ordered Lt. Bull to call Colonel O'Stupid, who is an old army man and has investi­ gated many a messhall, to the phone. The Colonel was called and soon an-ived sputtering and pushing his wheel chair to the phone. The inspector related to the colonel the details and de­ manded that the colonel place the lieutenant under restriction at once and investigate his creden­ tials. HOW COME After hanging up the phone the Colonel turned to Lt. BuU and asked him just how come he was a lieutenant, and demanded his ID card and papers. Bull was only able to produce evidence of having sailed as a messman on a Liberty, evidence which did not satisfy the colonel even though he knew very little about the sea and its ratings. Colonel O'Stupid pressed his investigation and found that Bull wore two full gold stripes on his sleeve and an eagle on his cap. It was also revealed that our boy used his "Z" number instead of stamps on his letters. All this displeased the colonel no end, but Mr. Bull had aroused the colonel's sympathy and he said he would try to get Bull off with a couple of years in Atlanta. The inspector, who had foment­ ed the whole issue arrived on the scene and after hearing the report of the investigation ordered the Colonel to place Bull under re­ striction pending further action in the morning. Are you a good for nothing. Or a lazy sort of guy. With not too much to offer To this world as you go by? Do you think that they are wrong. And that you are always right. Or to let the other fellow do it Is the only way to fight? Do you just sit back and wait For the good things in this life. Or are you in there pitching When it means an honest fight? Does everything you try to do Seem always to be wrong. And to have to try them over Seems a little bit too long? When they're passing out good fortune. And you're standing in the line. Does the same thing always happen That you don't get there in time? If the things you hope and wish for . Seem empty as a lie. And you never seem to get them. Perhaps you really didn't try, 4, 4, 4, Cheerio . By 1. H. PEPPER Let's haunt the old places. With all our old friends. Let's dance all night long And laugh and drink — This is the one night I dare not think. And when the time comes, I'll shed not a tear. HITS THE ROAD Just bid me goodby. That night we all hit the sack While I drink up my beer. to await the morrow and the dis­ position of Mr. Bull, but we were disappointed for when the sun rose in the morning over the hos­ pital, Mr. Bull was missing and upon examination it was found his bunk had not been slept in. Colonel O'Stupid and Inspector % McSnoop, who by a strange co­ incidence were patients in the Dear Editor: same ward as the departed Mr. I am an ex-seaman. During the Bull and just as phony as far as last war I was injured at Casa­ ratings are concerned, upon dis­ covering that their chaige Lad blanca, North Africa and now I flown the coop decided that there am paralyzed from the waist is no honesty in this world and down. left the ward in an ill frame of I would appreciate it very mind to talk of old battles over much if you would send me a a nickel cup of coffee at the can­ Log. at the address below. The teen. book number is 3070, SIU. So, dear readers, thus ended the Give my regards to all the mystery of "Lieutenant" Bull who no doubt, returned hurredly Brothers. to his fleet, with' the curse of Hart G. Brown Midas ringing in his ears. Anoth­ 1330 Queen St.. N.E. er boy had learned that all that Washington, D. C. glitters is not gold. (Editor's note: Former shipmates of Brother Brown might drop William Bause, Staien Island Marine Hosp. him a line at the above address.) WAR INJURIES . LEAVE BROWN SEMI-PARALYZED �Friday, Jfenuary 3, 1947 Compulsory Arbitration Viewed As A Snare For Union-Smashing Dear Editor: Page Thirleea THE SEAFARERS LOG ences held between big business and their political representatives is the one whereby labor unions would be forced to write into their contracts the proviso that arbitration would be the sole way of settling all differences with the employers. Those labor ROUGH STUFF sugar-coated pill, but the real name for this sort of thing is compulsory arbitration, more familarly known was "the two-toone against." The history of com­ pulsory arbitration is a history of the kicks and blows Labor re­ ceived whenever it gave up (or was forced to give up) its right to strike. The end of the war saw prices of food, clothing and other neces­ sities climbing higher and higher. As a result, the labor unions in the great mass industries were forced to break through the "no strike" restrictions imposed on them during the war. UP TO LABOR In round after round of mighty battles the seamen, coal miners, Organized labor can put a stop Steel workers, truck drivers, auto to this by calling its own Congress workers, etc., beat the ears off the of Labor. This Congress could be giant monoploy owners, and gain­ composed of delegates from all This scene of a not-so-steady day at sea is familiar to most ed substantial wage increases. Unions regardless of affiliation. Seafarers, and was recorded by Brother E. Snyder, Oiler, on Its purpose would be to devise Badly licked in the economic a recent voyage. ways and means of defending field, the profit-hungry owners Labor's rights. In this way, a turned to their paid political lac­ solid front of organized labor keys in Washington for help. The could be opposed to the solid Government promptly lifted con­ trols over prices, allowmg them unions that refused to do this front of the bosses. to raise prices as they pleased. In would be deprived of all legal This Congress of Labor would this way the increases won by rights contained in the Wagner put the unions in position to de­ Labor were wiped out. clare a general strike if that were Act. Labor had no alternative but The Wagner Act makes it legal necessary to defend the right to Dear Editor: found himself flying through the to prepare another round of for a union to strike and to or­ strike. It would be able to set up air aided by the Bosun Vince strikes to meet the increased cost ganize and it prevents the issu­ a Labor Party so that Labor After seeing the notice in the Carrecas and a SUP man from of living. The United Mine Work­ ance of injunctions in strike sit­ would be enabled to vote into Log, "Wanted: Tips," I thought I Brooklyn. Alexander landed with ers, under Lewis, went on strike uations. Loss of legal rights con­ Congress representatives from the woirld drop you a line and give a thud on the dock and we, in no when the Government, acting for tained in the act would leave a mines, factories and ships in place uncertain terms, told him to stay the coal owners, refused to negot­ union wide open to attacks from of the present politicans who rep­ the brothers a tip-off on a char­ iate a new contract containing all sides. resent the mine, factory and ship acter we ran across in Rouen, higher wages and better condi­ France. SAC-Rg BLED - I -THE Congress may try to hide this owners. /,LEXAMDER-A^A OUT­ tions. Benny Goodman This guy's name is Alexander union-smashing dose under a RAGE !! *^0 i-OAkSEft DO I MACHINE GOES TO WORK and he hangs out around the GET waterfront in Rouep, France. He WHOLfSAl-E» Immediately the propaganda thinks he has a neat racket and drums began to beat. Through his victims are merchant seamen. the controlled newspapers, over His first order of dirty work is to the radio, and from the floor of come down to the ship inquiring Congress itself, the public was were cut to a half glass per man, if any of the crew plans to shove Dear Editor: told hysterically that the fate of and four cans of milk per day the country, the very right to Here is a story of how the for the crew. The flour and yeast off for Gay Paree over the week­ end. Then this rat takes the un­ life, liberty and the pursuit of great Waterman Steamship Com­ were so bad that the Baker could suspecting Brothers into tow and happiness depended on depriving pany feeds on their fine ships not make bread fit to eat. gives them all the information on Labor of the right to strike. since we received our little raise how to spend a delightful week­ When we arrived in Shanghai In the face of this, Lewis was in pay, and it looks like they're off the ship, and if he ever camw end in Paris. we were told that we were to go forced to retreat. His union had taking the raise out of our hides. back the crew might not let him proved more than a match for The "Hungry" Hastings left to Hongkong, from there to Man­ "GOOD JOE" off so easily. the mine owners on the coal New York on the 17th of August ila, and then to France. All this Just as a warning to all Sea­ I was aboard the SUP ship fields but was helpless when the for Shanghai after leaving San by a ship with two and one half farers who hit Rouen, though I owners took refuge behind the Pedro September 2. The fun months' stores. In Manila we took Benjamin Goodhue when she hit don't think anyone will be gull­ skirts of the Government. started when the messman said on flour and yeast so the bread Rouen last July. This phony ible enough to fall for his line, The United Mine Workers were no seconds on the food, so we was better. Here the fun really found out about some of us fel­ this is his description: He is about started. It was no this and no lows planning to go up to the big 5 ft., 9 inches tall, has silvery slapped with a three-and-a-half called a meeting at once. million dollai' fine for having dar­ The Steward was called in and that, and so on until we got to city for the week end, and hot­ hair, is about 35 or 40 years old, ed to exercise their right to strike. asked the reason for the actions France. Here we couldn't get but- footed it down to the ship to give and of course speaks English. If organized labor had replied to of the messman, and we were and eggs, or anything we really us all the facts on having a good This phony operates a perfume this dastardly attack with a gen­ told that the Company had cut needed to make the trip enjoy­ time. We all thought he was a shop about six blocks from the eral strike, and followed up by his store list by two thousand able, but this didn't make any Good Joe, going to all this trouble docks. Look out for this character organizing their own poUtical dollars and the Cooks had to difference to Waterman 'cause for us, but we soon discovered because he'll only get you in parly, the big shot owners and weight everything so that the they stuck aboard 19 more pas­ his true stripe. some kind of a fix. their office boys in Washington stores would last until we re­ sengers to eat up what little we After the week end in Paris, HEADIN' SOUTH had left. Well, what the hell do which was enjoyed by all, this would have beat a hasty retreat. turned to the States. they care, it's more money for guy came aboard and told us he Now, having tasted blood, the This kid from New England is HALF RATIONS them so let the crew starve. profit-hungary bosses are conspir­ was going to do us another favor. down in Marcus Hook looking This is what happened after ing as to the best way of locking He then calmly told us we had for a southern run. Bob Pohle, BAD MEAT just two weeks at sea: fruit juices the "no strike" handcuffs on kicked out doors, smashed win­ Dispatcher and local ladies man After leaving France, bound dows and did other damage to is right on the ball these cold Labor. One of the schemes which is WANTS MYSTERY for home, we ran out of butter the hotel he had recommended to days. gaining most favor in the confer­ OF MISSING LOG and then eggs and we soon had us. While I'm writing the Log I'd only one meat at meal time and We were pretty well surprised like to have you send the paper INVESTIGATED by this double cross, but he was to my home. The AFL Newspa­ New York Fades not through. He told us that per Guild is on strike in Spring­ Dear Editor: IT'S MOT SO 8AD,WILM€R fortunately the manager of the field, Mass., and it gets kind of —'THE TooTHPiC-KS I had been receiving the Log hotel was a personal friend of his dull without a newspaper. My for about a year or more until ARE B^MD ME\Ail and if we kicked in the sum of Dad is a.n old Lakes sailor and he about three months ago. I would 10,000 francs he would speak to misses the news of the water­ like to know why I am not re­ the manager and have the gend­ front. ceiving it anymore. I sure do armes called off, who, he said, Well, take it easy you guys up miss reading it. were hot on our trail. in Boston. I'm just curious as to I find it very interesting to whether Shorty, six-foot of mess­ HEAVE HO read, and the important things man, has shipped out yet. Does I clip out and sent to my hus­ Alexander no more than got the he still walk down to Common­ band. The rest I keep until he words out of his mouth when he wealth Pier and drool over the returns from his trips, so that ships, wishing he was on one? he will know what is going on in we don't have to go without the Charles W. Halla, no one could eat that, also there the Union. things we should have. We un­ Wesifield, Massachuseiis Please look into this matter for was no milk or anything you can derstand now that this ship was (Editor's note: Anybody had me. I am a steadfast reader of think of. sent out on a trial menu with any similar experiences?) The Captain did what he could lust enough stores to cover that the Log. Seafarer Okeil Jones caught Mrs. Wesley Young to get more stores, but you can­ menu. Well, Brothers, believe not get them in foreign countries. me, if you don't starve on that this shot of the Big Town's Baltimore. disappearing skyline from the (Editor's note:—We don't know The members of this crew think menu you have to be able to live stern of a vessel it headed why you haven't been receiving it is time to do something about on water and toothpicks. out to sea. Brother Jones did the Log, but at any rate, we're this and make sure that Water­ Red Hancock not give the name of the ship. making sure that you get it from man and all other companies Deck Delegate Is it a Statmi Island ferry? store their ships in the U.S. so now on.) Alexander Of Rouen Ruined By Racket-Wise Seafarers The Hastings Is Strictly From Hunger, Says Delegate �I THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Fourteen Asks Whether Labor Has Political Responsibility I' i Dear Editor Having read Louis Coffin's ar­ ticle in the Log concerning the vote of labor and Bernie Good­ man's answer to it, obviously raises the question, have Labor Unions a political responsibility? Both agree that Labor can ex­ pect nothing from the two ma­ jor political parties of Big Busi­ ness. On the other hand, Good man takes issue with Goffin, say that Labor can have a po­ litical party of its own. Both Brothers Goodman and Goffin obviously do not see eye to eye that part of our constitu­ tion—Article XV, Sec. 1—which states, "The Chairman shall per­ mit no religious subjects or po­ litical subjects to be discussed." Since our constitution denies po­ litical expression at Union meet­ ings it takes the position that la­ bor has no political responsi­ bility. How often then can Gof­ fin and our constitution supply answers to situations where strikes are counter-acted by po­ litical force? INTER-RELATION This whole question of political responsibility in Labor unions ' is predicted on the premise that . economics and politics are in- SS JEAN KEPT THINGS HUMMING IN ALL PORTS Dear Editor: Who said Bull line ships were built for the rice and beans run? The SS Jean has proved them all wrong. At present we are rid­ ing the hook in the harbor of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, bound for Gothernberg, Sweden. We have made all the major ports in South America: Buenos Aides, Rio, Santos and Montevi­ deo. We have a swell bunch for a crew on here; everyone is • a character. One of Bud Ray's warm weath­ er boys is riding as Serang — James Corcoran. The Jean has made a name for herself in every port, so far. The crew has kept things humming wherever they have gone, and the painted ladies and the giggle juice kept us broke all the time we were in South America. ONE PHONY We have a nice Skipper on here and topside is pretty good, as are the engineers. The only phony is the Purser, who wears more gold. braid than the Captain. When ; the trip is over we are going to reveal all his doings to the Log. By the way, is Johnny Martin still holding up the bar in the Marine Grill? The Chief character on this l ship i$ John Kugat, knowri to : the crew as Sporty Ody. He's : been Fireman one week, and ; Wiper the next, alternating off and on. At present he's Bull: wiper, while I am holding down the Chief Bellyrobber's Job. We hope to be home for New Year's Day, but in case we don't make it, here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year. The following guys want to be remembered to all: James Callis, Jimmy (the Lost Weekend) Boone, Hug Randall and John Kugat. Dennis (The Brooklyn Kid) Saunders terlated. The proof that one has a direct bearing on the other was made very plain in the recent coal strike. So long as economic action produces violent political reaction to Labor, it cannot es­ cape political responsibility to safe-guard its own interest. BROTHER URGES UNITED FIGHT IN CG HEARING UNITS Dear Editor: Let's all stick together in our fight against the plague or disease called the hooligan Hearing Units (USCG). Let us publicize through the medium of the Seafarers Log all the case histories and beefs of each individual who has been treated unfairly by this outfit. I am sending you a few clip­ pings for publication, and, from time to time, I wiU send you more. I should like this letter to be published in the Log. Let's get this ball rolling for our own benefits. Please with­ hold my name for personal reas­ ons. B. R. Friday, January 3, 1947 A SEAFARER GOES SIGHT-SEEING ' . - '' Whether we like it or not, poli­ tics has made itself a part of la­ bor's action and as such, has made labor a part of politics. In this situation that has been thrust upon us we have denied ourselves the use of political ex­ pression to effectively oppose our enemies. By this do nothing policy in the realm of politics, what are we actually doing? It (Editor's note: The clippings amounts to this, let our enemies control all political weapons for which the Brother sent were the suppression of Labor. Let reports on CG Hearing Unit them appoint their Judges and activities. In June 1946. 1.581 haul our elected official before cases were investigated, from which hearings resulted involv­ their courts as criminals. ing 318 unlicensed men and 75 This is what happened in the officers. Of the unlicensed per­ coal strike and it will continue so sonnel. 17 had papers revoked. long as we refuse to participate 172 suspended. 118 were placed totally in what is Labor's interest. on probation. 55 were volun­ At this point, in the words of tarily surrendered. 4 closed Mark Anthony, "I pause for a with admonitions and 14 were reply." I would appreciate very dismissed after hearings. much a profound answer from The cases increased slightly Brother Goffin to the questions— in July 1946. with 1,633 being Has Labor a political responsi­ investigated Hearings resulted bility? Can Labor escape political 230 unlicensed men and 54 of­ 2-esponsibility? ficers. Unlicensed men had 18 certificates revoked, 99 suspen­ W. J. Brady sions. There v/ere 94 suspend­ ed on probation. 55 surrender­ ed voluntarily. 5 received ad­ TRIPCARDER HAS monitions and 12 were dismiss­ RATING CHANGED ed. Officers fared only slightly TO PFC (MARINES) better in both months. Dear Editor: CREW OFFERS I used to be one of you and still consider myself a good SIU SOLUTION TO man even though I held a trip SORRY SLOPCHEST card at the time. I have a probook coming to me now. I made Dear Editor: a trip on the Andrew Jackson in I wish to bring to the attention December of 1945. She is an old of the Union members the situa­ C-2 that lost her screw in the tion regarding the inadequately Indian Ocean. When the SS Meredith Victory called at Rotterdam, Hol­ stocked slopchest aboard our ship. land, recently, crewmomber Gilbert Parker, an avid cameraman The Deck Delegate on that trip There is absolutely no excuse —and a good one—stepped around town in quest of "shots." was Thomas Joseph and he was for this condition to exist. In most Two of the results, a canal thoroughfare and one of the country's really a good guy. If he happens cases there seems to be a com­ famed windmills are pictured above. to read this I would enjoy hear­ plete disregard for the seamen's ing from him, also I would like needs. to receive the Log if possible. It Recently, on an eight months would be a godsend because I like to keep up on all union mat­ trip to the Pacific, I had the mis­ fortune to be on a ship that was ters. completely out of slopchest I am in the Marine Corps now stores after only two months at Editor's note; The SIU's an­ check which has Just come to me. and stationed on an airfield doing sea. I was Deck Delegate, and I nual custom of cheering its At this time I would like to MP duly. There are quite a few asked the Captain if he would members who are confined to thank the membership for this SIU men here with me and there purchase additional supplies hospitals during the holiday gift and the donations which I are also some nickel moochers, when we arrived in Saipan. He season was repeated this have received in the past. but we are trying to convert them informed me that the money be­ Christmas, with $10 gift checks Here's wishing everybody a to the Seafarers. Some of them longed to the WSA, and that, going to all hospitalized Sea­ Merry Christmas. To the Union said they will be glad to sail for therefore, he couldn't do any­ farers in the Atlantic and Gulf as a whole, my best wishes for a union that is on the level. Well thing about it. District. The gifts were authr continued success. mates, I have to secure for now. orized by vote of the member­ J. McDonald, ' Fortunately, we were able to Lets hear from you and a Happy ship at recent meetings. Ellis Island get the necessary toilet articles New Year to all. Letters of appreciation from from the army PX on that island. 4 4 4. Pfc. C. M. Coffey the gift recipients already are Dear Editor: It wasn't until later at Iwo Jima that we were able to purchase coming in. In addition to Bro­ Hqs. Squadron I want to extend my heartfelt clothes from a Navy small stores. ther Bause's letter appearing MCAS Miramar thanks to all the members for I am now on another ship on on page 12, three other notes San Diego. Calif. their kind Christmas gift. It came the South African run. The very expressing the senders' senti­ in very handy for me. As you (Edilors Note: Brother Coffey same thing has happened on this ments follow: know, I am a married man with also enclosed a Christmas Card ship. There is nothing in the slop­ Deoir Editor: a wife and three children, and wishing all Seafarers a Merry chest except some cigarettes (and I have received your Christmas without any income. Worse yet, Christmas and a Happy New /ery few of these), and some overmessage and the check. I want I have spent three years in the Year. On the card he asks former over-sized khakis. to thank all the Brothers for their hospital,, and God knows whether crewmembers of the Andrew In conclusion, the undersigned kindness and thoughtfulness. or not I will ever get out. Jackson who made the trip to book members think some way Thanks a lot, and my very best India in December of 1945 to con­ The check from the Seafarers should be arranged whereby the wishes to you all at Christmas tact him at the above address.) helped me get a few little gifts slopchest could be inspected time. for my family that T otherwise either by the delegates on board, E. V. Ferrer would have beeun unable to buy. or the Union Patrolmen before Nesponsit Hospital I will close now wishing all the the ship sails. This would insure boys a Merry Christmas and a 4. 4. 4. an adequate slopchest for the Happy and Prosperous New Year. Dear Editor: needs of everyone. James S. Campbell. This is to advise you of the Eugene Howlelf Jr., Nesponsit Hospital and the rest of the crew. receipt of the Christmas gift Hospitalized Members Thank Brothers For Xmas Checks �Page Fifteen Unclaimed Baggage—A.H. Bull Seafarers who left their gear behind on Bull Line ships may now be able to regain their lost goods if their names appear on the list below. The com­ pany wishes to dispose of the goods as soon as possible to their rightful own­ ers. However, articles not claimed by April 1, 1947 will be donated to some charitable institution. Gear can be claimed at Pier 22, Brooklyn. GALVESTON Crew SS SS SS SS / ( / of the— Midway Hills J. Robbins Horace See M. M. Chassreau $ 5.00 1.00 10.00 2.00 Henry Anderson Frank G. Brown L. Bullock, Wm. Buckley NEW YORK J. A. Bean SS ORBIS W. S. Frew, $2.00; W. F. Dunn. $2.00; Robert Clewis W. D. Weise, $1.00; D. Krickovich. Edward Cullivan $1.00; H. Harnett, $1.00; D. F. Kellener, Jaimes J. Crawford $2.0; R. Crigsby, $1.00; R. Kiminsky, $1.00; M, Olvera, $1.00; L. J. Broyles, Dominic Calucmio Carmiel $2.00. SS OUCHITA VICTORY Dennis Gaboon J. D. McDaniel, $2.00; J. C. Laseter, Theo. Dorotus $1.00; R. C. Noe, $1.00; V, Suska, $1,00; C. H. Fox S. E. Jansen, $1.00; E. A. Duda, $1,00; R. R. Carlson, $1.00; N, H. Pratt, $1.00; Earnest Goodman P. C. Adkins, $1.00; W. J. Compton, Frank Gould $1.00; R. Peters, $1.00; J, L. Thomas, Louis Golman $1.00; K. P. Clausen, $1,00; W. G. Eudalley, $1.00; P. Winiarcryk, $1.00; John Graham H. J. Conin, $1.00; F. H. Houck, $2.00; J. J. Gustafson A. F. Roth, $2.00; J. Deal. $2.00; D. E. Leon W. Gray Dupree, $1.00; J. Griffith, $1.00, Gaylard G. O'Brien. $1.00; J. Michava, $1.00; C. C. Burkett, $1.00; C. Jurewicz, $1.00; Michael Getchins, T, F. Yarbrough, $1.00; F. H. Glover. P. Gallagher $1.00; A. J. Langan, $1.00; J, B. Bar­ Oscar Hassiner rier, $1.00; B. Stancil, $1.00; J. Nor- Harold Hardt gaard, $1.00; G. Fleming, $1.00; J. M, R. Hansen Kinstle, $1.00; V. Gerner, $1,00; C. W. A. Harrellson Pritchstt, $2.00; A. DeFilippie, $1.00. SS J. GIBBON Harper Crew of SS J. Gibbon $17.00 Jerome Henderson SS HUNNINGTON HILLS Geo. D. Jones J. W. McKiernan, $19.00; W. R. 'Wilklns, $2.50; C. Davis. $2.00; C, H. Reese, Raymond Joseph $2.00; G, Cascia, $5.00; W. Pikula, M. Jones : $5.00; C. B. Ivey, $5.00; E. S, McGuire, J. Jones •$5.00; T. Sustaire, $2.00; J. B, Sher­ Clarence Jones man, $2,00; H, Wiltshire, $5:00; C. L. Kepper, $5.00; J C. Baily, $5.00; S, R. P. Jones Hamilton, $5,00; H, C. McVay, $5.00; Kleppe I. J. Torre, $5.00, Ellis Kirkpatrick SS ALCOA PARTNER Francis W. Kenefic P. F. Spencer, $1.00; W. L, Paterson, Barry .Kooser $1.00; L. P. Chapman, $1.00; G. R. Sin clair, $1.00; G. Ontai, $2.00; J. G. Na Fred Knoll polenni.s, $1.00; D. B. Brown, $1.00; Hugh E. Lee T. Hong, $2.00; A. Tosado, $1,00; A, E, George Ling Anderson, $2.00; R. Flores, $1.00; R. M. Tussi, $3.00; J. Cornelius, $3.00; R, Sar- Salvadore Marty rano, $1,00; J. C. Bernard, $1,00; F, Michael Motko 1 brown suit case 1 suit case 1 sea bag 1 suit case 2 paper boxes 1 Valise 1 Valise 1 suit case 1 suit case 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 suit case 1 sea bag 1 tin suit case 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 valise Small black case bag Black suit case 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 card board box 1 card board box Small round bag 3 pes. 1 card board box 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 valise 1 valise 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 sea bag 1 valiso Black case one trunk 2 pes. 1 suit case 1 sea bag Brown suit case 2 pes. 1 sea bag J. P. Mikalozivas John A. Morris Herbert A. Miller Charles H. Murphy Guillcrmo Morales L. Maldonado P. Morsk Joseph Nelson R. Noaek George Newmann Edward Newcomb Patrick Oneil Emilio Pinilla Casper Pinedo Capt. A. J. Powell Robert Paris Damian Passina Pierce C. F. Rebedeau Francis L. Rappell Esteban Ramirez Luther Sutton P. Spierings A. Bund John E. Salisbury Steel George W. Sutton Louis Siebert U. Z. Stone T. B. Thompson R. O. Turpin John Torras J. Thiebes J. Urban Fred Werring Albert Warnk'e Joseph P. Waugh Robert Zaddock 1 sm HALLS 14 North Gay St. Calvert 4539 BOSTON 276 State St. Boudoin 445S BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. CleveUnd 7391 CHARLESTON 68 Society St. Phone 3-3G80 CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. Superior 5175 1 metal grip 2 pes Clair Ave. 1 sea bag CLEVELAND ...1014 E. St. Main 0147 1 sea bag CORPUS CHRISTI ..1824 Mesquite St. Corpus Christi 3-1509 1 sea bag DETROIT 1038 Third St. Cadillac 6357 1 valise 531 W. Michigan St. 1 card board box DULUTH Melrose 4110 brown valise, 2 pes GALVESTON 305 Vi 22nd St. 2-8448 1 black bag HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. 1 sea bag HOUSTON 1515 75th Street Phone Wentworth 3-3809 1 card board box 920 Main St. 1 sea bag JACKSONVILLE Phone 5-5919 1 sea bag MARCUS HOOK IVz W. 8tb St. Chester 5-3110 1 valise MOBILE 7 St. Michael St. 1 suit case 2-1754 339 Chartres St. 1 trunk, 3 pes NEW ORLEANS Magnolia 6112-6113 1 sea bag NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. HAnover 2-2784 1 sea bag 127-129 Bank Street 1 sea bag NORFOLK 4-1083 1 sea bag PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. Phone Lombard 3-7651 1 sea bag PORT ARTHUR . .909 Fort Worth Ave. 1 hat box Phone: 2-8532 Ill W. Bumside St. 2 Valises PORTLAND 257 5th St. 1 suit case RICHMOND, Calif SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. 2 suit cases Douglas 5475-8363 252 Ponce de Leon 1 sea bag SAN JUAN, P. R San Juan 2-5996 1 suit case 2 pes. SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. 8-1728 2 packages 86 Seneca St. 1 Valise SEATTLE Main 0290 3 pes. 1 radio TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. M-1323 1 sea bag TOLEDO 615 Summit St. 1 sea bag WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. Terminal 4^3131 1 sea bag 602 Bough ton St. 1 sea bag VICTORIA, B. C VANCOUVER 144 W. Hastings St. 1 sea bag -2 packages 1 sea bag 1 suit case Small grip BALTIMORE a PERSONALS- JOHN COLFER Your gear, from a Deconhil » tanker, is at the Corpus Christi Hall. i. J. 4. Jarocinski, $2.00; J. Serrano, $1,00; M. C. Getchell, $2.00; M. Lovet, $1.00; P. ROBERT M. RUTLEDGE Sanchez, $1.00; A, Moulier, $1.00. Your wife is very anxious to SS COLABEE hear from you. Contact her at Crw of SS Colabee $13.50 1718 Girard Avenue, Phila., Pa. SS PEPPEREL M. H. Smith, $1.00; Simon H. Nu­ 4. 4. 4. gent, $2.00; S. Mills, $1.00. WARREN LANTZ SS CAPE HATTARAS F. Dunn, $1.00; R. W. Satterfield, Richard M. Cantor is anxious pay their dues until they get $1.00; R. Rivera, $1,00; H, Prytulak, VANCOUVER, B, C. — The feel The vessels Prince Robert and to have you contact him immed­ $1,00; R, Galarza, $1.00, ings of seamen around this port their retroactive $12,80. This at­ Prince David, onetime crack pas­ iately, at 51 Chambers St., N. Y. SS AMERICAN PRESS who have been sailing "Park titude shows they have a very D. G. Miller, $1.00. senger liners on coastwise service Ships" is that they have been poor conception of unionism, and INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS and veterans of the Royal Canad­ R. Mueller, $5.00; C, A, Ericsson, given the merry run around since are just hangers-on, riding the <$1.00; V, Phillips, $0c. their joining up with the Canad­ backs of the membership taking ian Navy where both saw service The crew of the SS Jean La A. T, Bunch, $1.00; S. Mavromichalis, ian Seamen's Union, the gains and giving nothing in during the war as auxiliary, cruis­ $3.00; E. Bachiller, $1.00; A. Gold­ Fitte can collect linen money at ers, have recently been sold to a The majority of them admit it return. smith, $1,00; Charles Brilhart, $2.00; $1.00 per week by calling at the British firm. S. Jaegendorf, $2.00; M. Katrausky, was of their own fault when they They seem to think they have Waterman office. $E00; Lionel Gilmore, $1.00. foolishly voted CSU. They fully to do nothing for these condi­ It is understood that both ves­ 4. 4- 4. realize now that the rosy promises tions, that they just drop from sels will sail for Britain where PHILADELPHIA DAVID STICKEROD SS Coastal Defender Crew $4.00 dished out to them by the CSU the sky. The only security is in they will be gutted out and re­ stooges were just so much hot unity. Get together, get organi­ built for passenger service be­ Please fill out an Exemption HOUSTON air, and now that the CSU has zed. Hold your regular weekly tween England and Continental Certificate (Form W-4) and send INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS Harry Hankec, $1.00; C. V. Burrow, control of these ships the condi­ meeting aboard your ship. The European ports. SIU crews will it to the Chicago Branch. This -91.00; H. J. Potier, $1.00; J. Owen Jr., tions are not above the British only way to get anything is man the ships, and deliver them was to be filled out when you $1.00; H, L, Wills, $1.00; R. L. Gar- standard. worked for the Fitzsimmons and through organization and unity of to their new owners. relty, $1.00; j, R. Clement, $ 1,00; D, They now complain that the all members. December 10, 1946, marked the Cornell Dredge and Dock Com­ E. Waters, $1.00; M. H, Mayberry, s$1.00; W. F, SeoRO, $1.00; T. H. job- CMU seems to be interested only Elections for officers in the 1st anniversary of the death of pany and it is important that this lom, $1.00; Wm. Sumrall, $6.00: M, A. in the collecting of dues and kow­ ports of Vancouver and Victoria Brother Pete B. Gill. Brother be done at once. Morse, $1,06; W. Cotton, $1.00; B. towing to every whim of the ship­ are proceeding on schedule and Gill, one of the oldest members 4. 4. 4. Jones, $2.00; A. Wasinger, $2,00. owners. Conditions are bad on will be completed January 31, of the SUP, and at the time of his Papers belonging to the follow­ J. T. Reagan, $2,00; J, A, Sastellion, $2.00; R. Bryant, $2.00; C. C. Jordan, these ships and only the SIU can 1947. death, had been port Agent at ing men are being held at the $2.00;. H. A. Robenson, $2.00; S, Garcia, improve them. All full book members must Seattle for many years. His work Baltimore Hall. They will be re­ $2.00; K, J, Kloundt, $2,00; M, R, WilThis is admitted somewhat call at the Hall and cast their and achievements diiiing his life­ turned to owners upon proper •Ilams, $2.00; Hannigan, $2.00; J, Becksheepishly, and is the main reason ballot. This is your Union, there­ time on behalf of the seamen shall identification. ner, $1.00; T. G. Morris, $1.00; H. Whitley, $1.00; G. O'Rouke, $3.00; J; why so many CSU men are seek­ fore, it is your primary duty to always be remembered. All sea­ John Davis, John Wulzen. Ru­ Foerster, $1,00; S. L, Rasco, $2.00; C. ing membership in the SIU. vote for the nominees on the bal­ men today reap the benefits of dolph Barber, Robert Lee Willis, N. Bolton, $2,00; W.'D, Austin,'.$2,00; The CPR is shaping up very lot who you think will serve your his labor. The world today is in Robert Earl Williams, R, E. Wil­ J, Carves, $2,00; E, M. Eaton, $2.00; J, well, except for a few men whoj best interests. Be sure to call at sore need of more men like Pete liams, Harry Sheilds, Aloysius W. Smith, $2,00; A. Stout, $2,00; H. don't figure they are obliged to' the Hall and vote. Gill. T, Slaven, $1.00, I Kessen, and Charles Hickis. 2 1 3 1 Unknown brown suit cases small brown trunk sea bags round bag NOTICE! �Page Sixteen «•» 555:5?:: Friday. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource January 3, 1947 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newsprint Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Vol. IX, No. 1 Description An account of the resource Headlines; 2 SIU SHIPS CRASH; 1 MAN IS INJURED TAMPA CITY HEADS HELP COPMPANY AGAINST STRIKING AFL TEAMSTERS NEW ISTHMIAN MEET CALLED BY THE NLRB SNUG HARBOR TRUSTEES TO TAKE UP SIU REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION TRAINING STRIKEBREAKERS RANK AND FILE UPHOLDS CURRAN ON RESIGNATION 1946 WAS YEAR OF MANY VICTORIES FOR SIU; NEW DRIVES PROGRESSING ALABAMA POLICE USE BEATINGS, SPYING AND BRIBERY TO SMASH UNIONS NEW SMITH BILL WOULD STRIP LABOR OF ALL PROTECTION MEET TOMMY, GREAT LOVER TUGBOATS WILL HALT SATURDAY IF OPERATORS REFUSE TO BARGAIN SUP SIGNS CONTRACTS WITH DECONHILL, PACIFIC TANKERS AND AMERICAN PACIFIC NEW REVISION OF MARITIME LAWS WILL NOT DO SEAMEN ANY GOOD IT WAS HOT TIME ON CEDAR BREAK BUT THE BOYS FINALLY COOLED OFF LAKES CARRIERS SEAMEN LEARN; COME AROUND TO CHICAGO HALL CALMAR NOW READYING LIST FOR BACK PAY SHIPPING IS ON THE RISE IN CORPUS CHRISTI NORDOFF CREW PLAYS SANTA IN BALTIMORE NMU SLANDER CAMPAIGN ON LAKES FALLS FLAT AS SEAMEN LEARN TURTH BOSTON OFFICIALS BOLDLY MUSH INTO FAR NORTH TO SERVICE SHIPS MARITIME COMMISSION RIGGING UP GIGANTIC DOUBLECROSS FOR SEAMEN COST OF LIVING HITS NEW HIGH IN NOVEMBER AFL OFFICIALS GO TO ARGENTINA BOSSES' REFUSAL TO BARGAIN WILL BRING RECESSION VD CASES MUST FOLLOW THROUGH WITH TREATMENT KNIFE WIELDER WARNED BY HAWSER CREW LAFITTE'S CONDITIONS BLASTED BY DELEGATE G. WASHINGTON TO CONTINUE BERMUDA RUN UNTIL EASTER Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 5/11/1947 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1947 Periodicals Seafarers Log