https://seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/4b7164c6e4f819b744452e5f81edb1ce.PDF cdcb5d8f8c1cf57ca3cff2f6cc409da8 PDF Text Text T-»-rlr1345>"/ Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. IX. NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. FEBRUAY 7. 1947 UNITY AT POINT OF PRODUCTION AFL Offers Unity MIAMI — A developmeat of major importance broke at the meeting of the Ameri­ can Federation of Labor's Executive Council, when President William Green an­ nounced early this week terms of a proposal made to the Congress of Industrial Organizations to achieve "organic unity" between the two labor groups. Green stated that the AFL had already set up a com­ mittee composed of leaders of its affiliates who are pre­ pared to work with CIO rep­ resentatives. The AFL chief called upon the CIO to desig­ nate a similar committee to work jointly with his group in surveying the prospects for possible amalgamation of the two organizations. After the Seafarers International Union joined striking Local 13. CIO Shipbuilders, on the picketline in front of Ira S. Bushey and Sons. Paul Hall. New York Port Agent, addressed the SIU members. Said Brother Hall. "This is a good place to start maritime unity—on the point of production, and against the bosses." By SONNY SIMMONS AFL Membership Hits An Aii-Time Recerd With Over 7 Miiiien Membership in the American Federation of Labor has hit an alf-time high with 7,505,446 dues payers listed on the books. Announcing the collection of a per-capita tax on that number, George Meany, * secretary-treas­ urer, pointed out that the new figure represents a gain of more than 255,000 since September, 1946. The new figure puts the AFL well out in front of the CIO which claims a membership of 6,000,000 but has not given an exact tabulation. AFL officials contend the CIO membership is closer to 3,500,000. SIU Supports Strike Of CIO Shipbuilders; Bushey Yard Tied-Up NEW YORK, February 5—With the strike of the CIO Shipyard Workers, Local 13, holding solidly as picket­ ing against the Ira S. Bushey and Sons Company shipyard in Brooklyn enterted its seventh day, lUMSWA interna­ tional representative William J. McCaffrey today an­ nounced the release of three ships from the strike-bound Taxi Men Continue Strike In Tampa Despite Injunction TAMPA—Nothing that the an­ ti-labor city administration can do down here seems to be able to break the back of the Taxi Driv­ ers' strike. With the knowledge and cooperation of the authori­ ties, the company has imported gons and strike-breakers, and still the strikers, members of Lo­ cal 79, Teamsters and Chauffeurs Union, AFL, are holding out. Even an anti-picketing injunc­ tion, which prevents members of the union from picketing the com­ pany office, or talking about the strike on the streets, has not coerced the men into giving up their battle for improved wages and decent conditions. The injunction is being fought out in the courts right now, and No. 6 it is obvious that the injunction doesn't have much legality be­ hind it. For that reason, the Judge has had the ruling under advisement for quite some time, and this stall is liable to continue indefinitely. One thing that this strike has brought about was not planned by the labor-haters here, or by Attorney General Tom Watson, who is masterminding the union busting moves of the Company and the city officials. Labor here in Tampa has become more solid now than at any time before, and that bodes ill for the people who think that they can bust labor without a fight. SIU TAKES LEAD The Cigar Makers, long a mili­ tant group, and the Boiler Mak­ ers, now being led by a new and progressive local president, were pretty much alone until the Sea­ farers took the lead. Now things are really hum­ ming, and at the State Federa­ tion of Labor convention in March, plans will be made to bring labor out on top in this state. Unless labor accomplishes some­ thing important, and very soon, the labor movement will be forced to close up shop in this state. The terroristic tactics being used by the company and the authorities to break the strike of the Teamsters are indescribable. They have resorted to violence on more than one occasion, and they have tried to incite the pub­ lic to take the law into their (Coniinuei OH Page 4) Something To See This issue of the Log car­ ries two full pages of photos on items which should be of great interest to Seafarers. Page five is devoted to the CIO Shipbuilders' strike at the notoriously anti-union Ira Bushey yards in Brook­ lyn. and shows, pictorially. the picketline support which the SlU gave the shipyard workers when the walkout occurred. The photos on Page nine depict one of the most unique vessels afloat—the MV Gads­ den. operated by an SlU-contracted company. The Gads­ den, which carries locomo­ tives and tenders, is reported to be the only one of its type in operation. Its distinction lies in the fact that it is a self-contained unit, and can load and unload its massive cargo completely unaided by shoreside facilities. yard for the humanitarian pur-*pose of hauling grain supplies to Shipbuilding Workers of Amer­ ica—CIO, the striking union. needy European countries. Before leaving, Tracy express­ Two of the three vessels re­ leased, the Bessemer Victory and ed his pleasure over the strikers' the Francis O'Gara, are SlU-con- attitude in agreeing to release tracted ships. While none of them the three grain ships. He also informed the Bushey was being repaired, as a result of the CIO strike which the SIU (Continued on Page 4) is supporting one hundred per­ cent, the action of the Shipbuild­ ing Workers Union is permitting their departure certainly reveal^ an awareness of the desperate need of the starving Europeans. Yesterday, Mr. Ed. Tracy, Mar­ itime Commission labor I'epresentative, flew in from Washington to confer with both parties in­ The crumbling Committee for volved in the Bushey strike. Maritime Unity suffered its sec­ However, Bushey representatives ond major setback in two weeks indulged in a little buck-passing with the announcement early this by claiming that everything was week that members of the Mar­ up to the company attorney, Mr. ine Firemen, Oilers and WaterDevlin. tenders, an independent union, It later developed that the com­ have voted overwhelmingly pany attorney was absent on an extended motor trip to Floi'ida, against affiliation with the com­ and wasn't expected back for munist-dominated marine group. With more than half the ballots three weeks. This clearly re­ vealed the outright stalling tac­ counted, returns on a national tics of this viciously anti-labor basis indicate that the MFOW men opposed to tying up with shipyard. the CMU are leading by a better REP. STYMIED than five-to-one margin. Seeing that he was getting no­ As the balloting returns were where with the Bushey outfit, being released, Malone stated Mr. Tracy flew back to Washing­ that the vote indicated a trend. ton last night in order to con­ Votes for candidates for the tact President Green of the In­ union offices were going much dustrial Union of Marine and the same way, he added, -with. pro-CMU officers being replaced by those opposing affiliation. Newly elected port agents will meet late this month to formu­ late a new policy based on nonaffiliation with the CMU, Malone added. a contract for this new company. The fact that it took only 60 days to secure the agreement gives proof to another swell job of or­ ganizing done by the rank-andfile Seafarers." A speed up in service from The' SIU conti-act covers the highly technical operation of the Baltimore to Venezuela and the American Eastern ships, which Dutch West Indies has been an­ are doing a yeoman job of re­ nounced by the Alcoa Steamship building the war-torn rolling Company. Beginning February 21, ships stock of the European railroads will sail on a ten-day schedule —rebuilding the European lines with American built locomotives instead of the former 14 day in­ terval. Alcoa vessels on this run and tenders. Each one of the American call at La Guarira, Guanta, Puer­ Eastern ships has specially con- to Cabilla, Maracaibo and Vene­ zuela, as well as Curacao. {Continiied on Page If) Marine Firemen Vote To Reject CMUBy5-1 Vote American Eastern Signs With SIU; Will Carry RR Rolling Stock t NEW YORK — Another addi­ tion to the list of SlU-contracted shipping companies was made this week when SIU Organiza­ tional Director Paul Hall an­ nounced the signing of a closed shop contract with the American Eastern Steamship Corporation. Representing the union in lining up this company were Cal Tan­ ner, Earl Sheppard and Bob Mat­ thews. "In making this announce­ ment," stated Brother Hall, "full credit should be given to the SIU volunteer organizers who sailed aboard American Eastern ships, and made possible the signing of Alcoa SS Speeds Up Caribbean Schedule �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Two Friday, February 7, 1947 SEAFARERS LOG 'Published Weekly by the SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Atlantic and Gulf District Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor At SI Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 i X HARRY LUNDEBERG ------- President 105 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif. JOHN HAWK -------- Secy-Treas. p. O. Box 25, Bowling Green Station, New York, N. Y. --SI Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at tlie Post Office in New York, N. Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912. GEORGE NOVICK, Editor 267 . On The March The Seafarers International Union is even now pre­ paring for a drive on the Great Lakes that will bring Union conditions and high wages to thousands of Lakes seamen. Most of the men up th-ere are unorganized, and as a conse­ quence, poor conditions and starvation wages are the order of the day. But the situation is changing. The men on the Lakes are increasingly eager to be organized, and the SIU is ready and able to take on the job. Our Organizing Staff is now geared for a high speed campaign, the kind of drive that will be needed to do the job in the time between freezes in that area, and with vic­ tories under their belt, they can tackle that big job with co.nfidence that all seamen are aware of what the SIU has accomplished for men of the merchant marine. During the past few months the SIU Organizing Drive has met with success on every front. A contract has already been signed with the American Eastern Steamship Company, and only NMU stalling has prevented the SIU from banging on the door of the Isthm.ian Steamship Company. Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegate by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. In the weeks and months to come, there will be more contracts won by the SIU, and more seamen protected by the excellent SIU conditions and wages. The best organizers in the world can't induce a man to join a union unless that union has something to offer. Sweet words can't be used to buy groceries, but actions and results show up in the paycheck. Staten Island Hospital Men Now In The Marine Hospitals That is why the SIU has achieved so much success in organizing seamen so far, and that is why the Great Lakes These are Ihe Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, D rive is being looked forward to, both by the SIU organ­ as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging izers and the men on the Great Lakes. Effective Unity The cause of trade-union solidarity is far from being a hopeless one, in spite of the staggering damage inflicted in its name by the so-called advocates of "unity"—the communist-led labor groups. This week, unaccompanied by drum-beating, hysteric•al shouting or publicity-seeking fanfare, the Seafarers In­ ternational Union sharply demonstrated that one union can help another without trying to move and take over under the guise of "unity." The AFL Seafarers were out on the picketlines of the CIO Shipbuilders. Our white-capped men, old hands when it comes to militancy, were out there in response to a simple appeal for aid. And they responded wholeheartedly and enthusiastically. There was no maze of resolutions, no can-shaking, no long drawn-out conferences, no jockeying for position to make political capital of the situation. It was effective unity at the point of production. And trade-union solidarity can be as simple as that. The long-winded, hot air merchants of "unity" might well learn a lesson from the honest, hard-hitting Seafarers when it comes to labor solidarity. heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ ing to them. BALTIMORE HOSPITAL MATHEW CARSON LLOYD YOUNG PETER LOPEZ JOHN DUDKO FRANCIS O'BRIEN CASIMIR HONOROWSKI THOMAS CARROLL PHILIP BAZAAR JOHN TILL GALVESTON HOSPITAL OLSEN BENNETT GALANE R. V. JONES HUTCHENSON STAEINZ MILKE FLESHER AKIN GRAVES BREASHAR KOW LIM X X X SAN JUAN HOSPITAL JUAN OLIVER WALTER JORGENSON RAYMOND SAUDERS R. ARMSTRONG P. FELICIANO R. SEIFO 4 J* 4* STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL C. BONAFONT R. G. MOSSELLER ^ J. S. WOOD W. G. H. BAUSE H. BELCHER L. L. MOODY E. D. MILLER C. KOLSTE R. POWELL M. MORRIS L. A. CORNWALL JOE LEWIS M. J. QUINN G. LUETH XXX NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL HUGO ECHEVARIA E. R. BUCKLEY ROBERT MULHOLLAND M. R. SUTHERLAND JOHN RETOUR , SIR EDWARD CUSTER 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.) DAVID McDUFFIE O. M. STIREWALT ERNEST COOPER ALBERT SHULL J. W. DENNIS STEVE MOGAN W. BROCE, Jr. JACINTO NAVARRO JOHN O'DONOHUE JJ. STEFANIDES CENTRAL MASON KARL PETTERSSEN XXX BRIGHTON MARINE HOSP. E. JOHNSTON H. SWIM G. VICKERY J. GALA R. ALBANESE T. DINEEN V. RUIZ R. FIORE R. LORD J. LAVASSOR �Friday, February 7. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three NMU Can't Service Its Members, Se They Leek Elsewhere Fer Help Dear Friend: Do you have money due from your ship on unclaimed wages? Disputed overtime? Linen or transportation money? Federal Old Age tax over-payment? We'll find out for you and notify you as part of our regu­ lar service to seamen. This ser­ vice comprises: 1. Immediate notice to you that money is due, how much it is, and where you can get it. 2. Use of our facilities as your permanent mailing address. The above is part of the text of a letter being circulated by the Merchant Seaman's Personal Ser­ vice, a new organization which offers to assist seamen to collect money, that is rightfully theirs, from unclaimed wages or dis­ puted overtime. The letter goes on to say that this service is provided for the nominal sum of $2.00 per year— in advance. There is every possibility that this organization is perfectly hon­ est and will provide the services it so glowingly advertises, but it is obvious that these services are not necessary for seamen who be­ long to a union that works un­ ceasingly for the benefit of the membership. NMU NEEDS HELP That's the rub. Reading the list of companies paying retro­ active wages, and using the Mer­ chant Seamen's Personal Service to locate the seamen to whom the nobody becomes angry enough to back pay is due, the first thing raise a fuss. that strikes the eye is that not FALSE PATRIOTISM one of the companies- is under During the war, by raising the contract to the Seafarers. cry of "patriotism," the NMU On the other hand, of the misleaders could get away with twelve companies mentioned, one practically anything. They had or two are unorganized, and the By PAUL HALL others are contracted to the Na­ free hand to dispose of the mem­ bership's legitimate complaints in The Seafarers have been very fortunate not to have had any tional Maritime Union, CIO. any way they saw fit, and they That fact has only one meaning. of the inner factional troubles that are splitting the NMU and did exactly that. For the unorganized companies, other labor organizations. That does not mean that we have not it is easy to see why they have Now with the struggle for pow­ had differences of opinion in the Union, but it does mean that we to advertise to get in touch with er in the NMU going strong, the have been able to settle our differences without weakening our former crew members who have officials are so busy defending back pay coming, but for the themselves, and looking for a structure. NMU contracted companies, only good place to stick a knife in The shipowners have always known that the SIU was a solid, a complete breakdown of the the other man's ribs, there does democratic Union, and that any attempts to club us through foster­ union's services could make such not seem to be any time to settle ing bad feeling among the officials or rank-and-file would be fought action necessary. beefs, collect overtime, or check And that is exactly what has on retroactive pay. by a solid front of SIU members. happened. It is logical to assume that Last week I had the privilege of attending a meeting in Phila­ For a long time it has been since the companies can't depend delphia. It was here that the attitude of the Seafarers was best known that the NMU officials' on the NMU to bring certain in­ exemplified by one of the Brothers who took the deck and re­ spent more time on politicking | formation before the member­ and following the communist; ship, the members of the NMU marked when a man had a beef in the SIU he had the right and party line than they did on pro-' can't depend on being informed the duty to hit the deck with it at a Union meeting, and get it off viding decent service for the' or serviced by the union. his chest. members. They also organized AH of the services advertised One of the members at the meeting, summed the situation more for the CP than they did by the Merchant Seaman's Per­ fur the NMU, and this indirectly ' sonal Service are benefits which up very well when he took the deck to say, "The place to dis­ led to the overwhelming defeat' should be provided by the union. cuss Union beefs is on the deck at a Union meeting. If anyone suffered by the NMU in the Isth-; When the imion fails to do so, the comes to you with a damn BS story, tell him to speak his piece mian election. ! members look elsewhere. That's at a meeting and have it thrashed out there." In such a set-up, it is obvious the story in the NMU today. that the elected or appointed of­ In the course of the discussion, it came out that certain stories SIU HANDLES BEEFS ficials just don't have enough has been circulated by former Philadelphia officials and others that The Seafarers International time to settle the beefs of the smeared some other officials and members of the SIU. This sort of membership. The best they can Union has always prided itself in talk and action can do the organization harm from which it might do is to keep the situation as the way all beefs, large or small, never recover. quiet as possible, and hope that are immediately worked on by Union officials. Differences of opinion are healthy and the open discussion of SIU men know that when they thnse differences stimulates the Union. However, when these dif­ have overtime due them, or linen ferences are used as whispering campaigns to undermine either money, or transportation, they . the Union, individual membei'S, or officials, the instigators of such don't need an outsider to repre­ campaigns then become disrupters and have no place in a true, sent them. They are assured of democratic Union such as the Seafarers. the services of a qualified Union official from the moment they Union-Busters Move Fast join. A new Merchant Seamen's b. Employment Rights The way the Washington hot shots are talking about labor, Wartime Service Act has been If the Merchant Seamen's Per­ The maximum employment op­ you would get the idea that the labor movement is up on the block, introduced into Congress by Rep­ portunity is to be afforded by the sonal Service looks to members like a pig, waiting to be killed. resentative Peterson, Democrat Federal Security Administrator. of the SIU for business, they Reemployment rights are extend­ might as well fold up shop right One group says, "Let's cut labor's throat from left ear to right." of Florida. The new bill, made necessary ed from 40 to 90 days after ter­ now. But if they expect NMUers The other group says, "No, let's cut from right to left." to provide the bulk of their trade, when the old one died in com­ mination of service. But all are agreed on the throat-cutting part of the deal. then they will probably be able c. Hospitalization and Medical mittee with the adjournment of to build up a lucrative enter­ Even the so-called friends of labor are snapping at labor's the 79th Congress, calls for prac­ Care— Hospitalization, domiciliary, in­ prise. heels, and saying that certain of the rights which labor has fought tically the same provisions con­ stitutional and convalescent care for should now be taken away. It is surprising how many Senators tained in the old bill. H. R. 476, as it has been num­ are provided at U. S. Public and Representatives, elected with labor's support, are now jump­ Health Service Hospitals and sta­ bered, after its introduction, was tions. This service includes arti­ ing on the anti-labor bandwagon and trying to outdo the bosses referred to the Committee on in thinking up new ways to tie the ball and chain to the United Merchant Marine and Fisheries ficial limbs, wheel chairs and on January 6. The Union has re­ similar appliances. States labor movement. d. Vocational Rehabilitation— There is one lesson to learn from all this, and in the SIU we ceived assurance for the Chair­ Any disabled wartime service have a recent lesson to bear in mind. Economic action is the only man of the Committee, Fred seamen would be eligible to the power which the worker has, and which the Washington fakers Bradley, that he would do every­ benefits of the Vocational Re­ VANCOUVER, B.C.—The Sea­ can't take away from him. By use of economic action the SIU thing to secure passage of the habilitation Act of 1920. farers International Union in threw out the Wage Stabilization Board which set itself up as a measur-e. Canada, this week, completed e. Disability Benefits— The bill, with its provisions, is high-and-mighty body to overrule legitimate contracts arrived at The benefits provided under negotiations with the Union as follows: between labor and management. the Act of September 7, 1916 are Steamship Company gaining a H. R. 476 (Peterson) Merchant made available to wartime serv­ $20.80 increase in wages. What we did then, all labor may be forced to do in the future. Seamen's Wartime Service Act— The new agreement covering ice seamen who became disabled And if that times comcSj wc will have a definite part to play. To provide aid for the readjust­ or die from injury or disease in­ wages of all unlicensed ratings We must in the future, as we have in the past, assist all unions ment in civilian life of these per­ curred in or aggravated by serv­ on the 11 ships of that company in their legitimate beefs. When one 'honest union is in danger-, sons who rendered wartime serv­ ice. went into effect on February 1. ice in the United States Merchant then there is danger for all other organizations of workers. The $20.80 increase brings one A Division of Maritime Serv­ Marine, and to provide aid for ice Benefits and a Board of War­ more company into line with the Our Program Clear their families. time Seamen's Appeals would be gains made by the Seafarers, for This bill would provide for any created in the Maritime Commis­ the Canadian Pacific Steamship We must continue in our organizing, and to assist other unions to organize if they need our help. We must continue to take the individual who rendered "mari­ sion for administering these bene­ and Canadian National Steam­ lead in winning higher wages and better conditions for all seamen. time wartime service." ship Companies recently signed a fits. a. Education and Training— similar agreement calling for the When the bill comes up for In this whole program education will be a major factor. If a same wage boost. For a period of one year be­ hearing, which is expected short­ man doesn't know what he is fighting for, there is no real reason The gains made by the Seafar­ tween September 2, 1948 and ly, the Union will have represen­ for him to put up his best battle. Education does not mean the ers in Canada are the fruits of September 2, 1952, preference to tatives present to testify for the phony political education that some unions have forced down the long negotiations, and with the be given to their admission at necessity of the measure. Also, throats of their memberships. maritime schools. The cost of tui­ the American Federation of La­ $12.46 boost won last year they It means the education of all working stiffs in the value of tion, and other incidentals, not to bor Legislative Committee will now show a raise in wages of something that Seafarers know well—the use of economic action. exceed $500, will be paid by the put the AFL behind the biU. over $33.00. Negotiations are continuing be­ Federal Security Administrator While the bill is waiting hear­ All workers must realize that economic action at the point of tween the SIU and the Union to the school. A slibsistence al­ ing, President Lundeberg requests production is what makes us more powerful than the richest boss Steamship Company on hours and lowance of $60 per month, if officials of the Union, in every who ever lived. Our labor is our stock in trade, and if we with­ conditions, with Hugh Murphy, without dependents,and $80 per coastal state to write their Con­ hold it, no factory, plant, ship, or money, will be any good to guys who use their property and money to keep a heel on the neck of month with dependents is pro­ gressmen urging their support Port Agent for Vancouver, rep­ resenting the Union. in the passage of the bill. the working stiff. When labor stops—industry stops—profits stop. vided. New Seamen's Bill Of Rights Is Introduced Into Congress Canadian SIU Wins Wage Rise From Union SS J.; • ij . �THE SEAFARERS LOG "Page "Four • Friday, February 7, 1947 Taxi Drivers Are Strong In Tampa Strike WM4r iTWIHC.,. (Continued from Page 1) QUESTION:—From time to time, the Log has asked questions on how conditions could be improved aboard ship, or what could be done to strengthen or streamline the Union. Many of the suggestions have been put into effect, and again our question is the same: What suggestions do you have that would increase the efficiency of the SIU, or would better the lives of seamen? WILLIE EDWARDS, Pantryman: I have no beefs because I think the Union is okay just at it is go­ ing along now. We operate ef­ ficiently. and all members get quick and effective representa­ tion. My only suggestion is that we continue to build for the fu­ ture, stay strong, and be prepared for anything that might happen. If we do that, then we can be as­ sured that the Seafarers Inter­ national Union will be able to weather anything that comes along. The AFL Maritime Trades Department is a big factor in our present strength. JAMES A. MacKENZIE, Bosun: My idea is that promotion of an AH to Bosun, while aboard ship, should not be allowed. All Bosuns should ship through the Hall, and that would put an end to disturbances aboard ship. The system now makes apple-polish­ ers out of some men, and they buck for Bosun by kissing the Male's foot. The Union rule of three years for an AB before be­ ing allowed to ship as Bosun should be adhered to, and Serangs should come from the Un-ion Hall, just as they do in the SUP. aa CARLOS GOMEZ, Wiper: I think that the Union should concentrate on the organization of tankers, and inland waterways workers, so that more jobs will be available to the members of the Union. As long as there are men who are not organized, they are a threat to the security of the Union members. At the same time I believe that the Union should start a full scale Educatonal Program, so that organized and unorganized secimen will know the score on how a union fights for its members, and for all labor. THOMAS DAWES, MM: The Union should go all out for the four-watch system. In , my opinion, that is the most import­ ant objective for us to have in Ihe coming year. Shipping is on Ihe decrease, and there will be plenty of men on the beach, •while men who do get jobs will have to work that much harder. With the four-watch system, there will be a more equal dis­ tribution of the work, and less unemployment among the men of the merchant marine. After all, there were plenty of jobs during the war; why not now too? SEAFARERS SUPPORTS STRIKING SHIPRUILDERS {Continued jroin Page 1) Company that the Maritime Com­ mission wanted the strike-bound docks in steady use, and that the MC would not place any addi­ tional work there until the labor dispute with the Shipyard Work­ ers was finally cleared up. U. S. Conciliation Commission. er Stewart and Judge McGuire • from Mayor O'Dwyer's special labor committee were both re­ buffed by Bushey representatives when they attempted to intervene in the current dispute. Of course, the company didn't refuse out­ right; they just used the usual line of stalling tactics and hooey common to labor haters of the Bushey variety. SIU SUPPORT Last Thursday, January 30, several hundred Seafai~ers pick­ eted jointly with the CIO Ship­ yard Workers in a demonstration of maritime solidarity before the ..gates of the Bushey company. Appearing with traditional white caps and SIU picket pla­ cards, SIU members marched the picketlines before the. Brooklyn shipyard side by side with their CIO brothers in the maritime in­ dustry. (Pictures of the demon­ stration appear on page 5 of this issue.) In line with a pledge of sup­ port which was given the Ship­ yard Workers Union at the N.Y. membership meeting on January 15, all activities at SIU head­ quarters were closed down until 4 P.M. in the afternoon. This was done to facilitate the picketing demonstration, and allow every­ one to get over to the Brooklyn shipyard. Leaving the Nev/ York hall shortly after 11 A.M., the SIU members arrived at the Bushey shipyard before noon and con­ tinued to walk the picketlines until late in the afternoon. "Vari­ ous on-the-spot observers com­ mented on the swell effect creat­ ed by the pickets from both unions marching together in this demonstration of maritime soli­ darity. At the conclusion of the joint demonstration, SIU pickets held an impromptu meeting across the street from the Bushey shipyard. New York Port Agent Paul Hall addressed them on the fine job that they had done in supporting the Shipyard Workers beef. He stated, "Real union solidar­ ity is always achieved at the point of" production by union members backing each other up on the picketlines. It can never be achieved simply by making motions or passing resolutions. Direct action is the only solu­ tion." Two members of the striking Shipbuilders Union, internation­ al representative WiUiam McCaf­ frey and Nick Lamb, secretary of Local 13, also spoke, a few. words to the assembled Seafarers. Brother McCaffey expressed the thanks of the strikers for the SIU support, and pledged the support of the CIO union for any future beefs of the Seafarers. In his remarks. Brother Lamb also thanked the SIU for their as­ sistance, and declared that the display of solidarity between AFL and CIO maritime unions as expressed by the joint SIU and lUMSWA action set a mark for other unions to follow. At the conclusion of the brief meeting, Seafarers made thenway back to the SIU hall confi­ dent that once again the SIU had shown the way to other maritime unions. COMPANY FINAGLING During the seven days of their strike, the Shipyard Workers have maintained solid picketlines, and no one has attempted to cross them—other than the of­ fice workers and supervisory em­ ployees of Bushey. Lines are - maintained on a 24hour basis "With only a few pick­ ets on the scene late at night and early in the morning. According to the pickets, they're prepared for a longer siege than Bushey. U&yr: -r One day this week, a certain Bushey stooge. showed up with a bankroll large enough to choke the proverbial ox. This individ­ ual, who is rather noted for his tight fistedness, started buying drinks right and left, and even went so far as. to loan the boys a sizeable sum of money. His boast was, "Drink it up, fellows. It's all on old man Bushey." The boys took him at his word. They drank up and borrowed all of the dough, and had the pleas­ ure of seeing this guy pass out cold. They didn't mind taking a free handout as long as it was costing Bushey money, and took the whole thing as a huge* joke. Certainly, when you look over the roster of Bushey-owned com­ panies, everyone realizes that he can well afford to shell out some of his cabbage. They want to know why he doesn't invest some of it in paying better wages, and building up better labor relations with the employees. With the support that the CIO Shipbuilders Union is receiving from the SIU and other maritime unions, even a rich, labor-hating individual like' Bushey can't ex­ pect to hold out too long. In any event, they're fully prepared to battle this outfit to the bitter end and the SIU will/support them until the beef is won. hands to run the taxi men out of town. But this has reacted against them, and the public is waking up more and more to the fact that an open shop is a wedge that can be used to grind down all working people. The attitude of the city officials and the Com­ pany is not popular with most of the people here. GOOD NEWS Not all the strike news from Tampa is bad this week. With the cooperation of the Seafarers, Local 153 of the Bartenders and Waitresses Union, AFL, won a strike at a restaurant called the Old Fort. This has been a seaman's hang­ out, and after the waitresses threw a picketline around the place, seamen refused to go in, and pretty soon the owner saw the light and signed a contract. The same thing happened at O'Falk's Tearoom, and a contract has been signed and sealed by the management there. SIU help did not pass unrecognized, and the branch received a letter from the Local, thanking the Seafarers for their assistance. Here is what the letter had to say about the SIU contribution to the winning of their strike: Dear Sirs and Good Brothers: Our poor words written or spoken are inadequate tools to express our deep down heart­ felt appreciation for your boun­ tiful aid in winning the "OLD FORT" and the "O'FALK'S TEA ROOM" strikes. I pray that we shall continue through­ out the years to enjoy the mu­ tual friendship. We beg to re­ main, your humble brothers. Sincerely and Fraternally, Thom Boger, President Peter C. Leto, Fin. Sec. Owners of restaurants and grills here have formed an or­ ganization to combat the Union. But the first two spots that Local 153 tackled were swiftly put un­ der contract, and that means that the owners organization will probably soon fold up. Danish Sailors Talk Merger With Firemen • From Denmark comes word of a po.ssible merging of the Dan­ ish Seamen's and Firemen's un­ ions. A joint "cooperation com­ mittee" has been set up to test the plan's practicability. A management committee -of three representatives from each union will deal with day-to-day problems. A broader permanent committee will meet at least twice a year—or when necessary, as determined by the managing body. Under the rules of the man­ agement committee, the coopera­ tion shall not interfere with the sovereignty or particular inter­ ests of either union. All major questions and negotiations with the shipowners, however, will be dealt with by the joint commit­ tee. (Internalional Transportworkers Federation) �Friday. February 7. 1947-' SNI And CIO In Real-Life Page Five THT. SE AT ARERS LOG On Picketline Of Maritime Unity •J, -. i Z U 'm Before fhe strike of Local 13. CIO Shipbuilders, started, a delegation from the union came to ask the support of the Sea­ farers. This was quickly volunteered, in line with the SIU policy of backing up the legitimate beefs of honest unions. Here Fred Mesita. Chairman of Local 13. and Lou Calomine, head of Local 13's Veterans Committee, tell the story up in the LOG office. When the strike broke, and picketing started on January 30, shipping was suspended in the New York Hall, and Seafarers went down to join Local 13 on the picketline; They gathered at a central spot, near the Ira S. Bushey and Sons Shipyards in Brooklyn, and then took their places in the line that had. and still has. the yard sewed up tight. See how the Seafarers white caps stand out, even on a cold, rainy day. Business not going as usual inside. This line is impregnable—good union men won't go through it. and those who would like to would have quite a bit of trouble trying it. Bushey's long history of bad labor relations brought this strike on. but the CIO Shipbuilders are going to finish it by winning a victory and forcing Bushey to bargain. The SIU signs stand out. This close-up of the picketline shows CIO Shipbuilders and AFL Seamen marching side by side. That's real unity, not the phony CMU kind. After the picketing, a sandwich and a cold bottle' of milk really hits the spot. That s what is 'happening. above.- as Seafarers take time out to refresh themselves, and then back to the line to show Bushey.that the AFL Seamen and the CIO Shipyard Workers are in this fight against anti-labor bosses. �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Six There's More To Organizing Than Meets The Naked Eye By EARL SHEPPARD Ellis Samia Friday. February 7, 1947 Philly Is Out To Get Bigger And Better Hail There is a lot more to organiz- | who wears his union button, car­ By EDDIE HIGDON ing than merely going aboard an ries his picket cards and paid up PHILADELPHIA—After I as­ unorganized ship, contacting the union book, and lets the world After 11 years in the Navy, El­ sumed the Agent's job last week, crew, passing out literature and know that he is a Seafarers mem- lis Samia, Oiler, really started enthe first thing the membership ,. . t. presenting the Seafarers' pro- ber, and damn proud of it, is ani an . . ' joing his sea life in 1941 when he did was assign me the task of gram. organizer whether he knows it joined the Seafarers Internation­ finding a larger and better hall. All of that is necessary, but be- , or not. al Union. The motion was a good one as hind and ahead of it is a lot of Every official, every organizer this joint we are in now can't "Don't get me wrong," he says hard work—work that isn't spec- [ and every employee in any caeven start to serve the needs of with a smile, "but now that I'm tacular or even generally known pacity possible comes from the the Port. but which, nevertheless, is abso- membership at large, and it is in the SIU, it's hard to believe Finding a new location is an­ those members who are most ac- that I stood Navy discipline for lutely necessary to success. other matter, however, but prac­ such a long time." Before an organizing campaign tive, who constantly work in betically every member in the port Brother Samia went to sea is launched, every detail must be half of the union arid participate is working as a committee of one. worked out carefully. Things i" every activity from picket more than 16 years ago. He was And with so many sea going like the names of every ship's of- , lines to organizing who become a young man, in search of adven­ real-estate brokers on the job we ficer, whether or not he has a known, who learn their jobs and ture, and the Navy offered an op­ should be able to find something union background and in what who ultimately become union of- portunity to see the world. He and get out of this dump. saw the world, and liked sea life, union, must be determined and ^ f icials. Shipping has picked up some so he reenlisted and served a carefully filed for future refer­ and there are indications that it EDUCATION total of 11 years. ence. will continue to improve. Broth­ A study of the back issues of By that time, he decided to try The thousand and one little deer Harry Collins, who held this taiis'thaTmust be "taken care of'the Log constitutes a good Sea- his luck in another direction, so port down in some of the tough, in the union offices, carefuUy fai'ers education. In these back he became an Oiler on tugboats, lean years, is back on the job sifted and filed, are the job of issues will be found the story of and from there he graduated into in the regular Navy, and sailing again presiding over the Dis­ the organizing staff and each or-' how the Union grew from a little deep sea vessels. patcher's office. merchant shipk ganizer has to learn the opera-' outfit of 500 members to its "I've never been sorry that I He took hold of things the "The dangers were the same," II present strength, and the reasons left the Navy," he says. "In the tion of the system. he recalls, "only the Navy had same way he takes over the Stew­ It isn't a very easy job to make why it will continue to grow. SIU I've met plenty of swell more protection and armaments ard's job, with the result that In the Log are the stories of guys, and I have seen how con­ than we had." an office worker out of a seaman, everything is ship-shape and ef­ but it is seamen who have done the strikes, job actions and beefs ditions and wages have improved ficient. Its like old times to have LUCKY CHARM and are doing this work. It is a that paved the way to the con- even in the short time since I Harry back on the job again. thankless job, with the only re­ tracts we have today—the de­ came into the Union." Samia sailed the dangerous Charlie Bush, newly elected ward being the knowledge of a cisions of the conventions, the North Atlantic run to Murmansk, Philly Patrolman, hasn't shown ON THE SPOT job well done, but the hands that | Agents' conferences, the action Russia, at the height of the Na­ up yet to assume office so we are ' of the membership on resolutions splice, oil and cook have done an Ellis Samia joined the SIU in zi U-Boat menace. Although at­ getting along with only one Pa­ equally good job at pecking on a and the general knowledge that 1941, and almost immediately he tacked from the air on many oc­ trolman, Brother Ernest Tilley. typewriter, running a filing sys­ is needed to make an organizer took part in the 1941 Bonus casions, Samia luckily escaped He and I cover payoffs together tem and building an investiga­ thoroughly conversant with the Strike. He and his shipmates without injury. and make the routine daily pa­ subject of maritime trade union­ tied up the SS Evangeline, East­ tion and research apparatus. Not only that, but no ship he trol. The new policy here is to ism. ern Steamship Company, in the was ever on was torpedoed, but see that every ship is adequately CONCENTRATION In the resarch department of port of New York, and then they there were plenty of near misses. covered. The last membership meeting If the organizing staff were to the organizing staff are complete all stood picket duty until the Brother Samia expects to con­ here also took up the question of undertake to organize the whole files of various trade union strike was won. tinue sailing. He feels that since ports calling one another when industry at the same time, they papers clearly proving by their In the 1946 General Strike, his the Union has won so many ad­ would be wasting Union money articles that while others have, luck was not as good, and he vantages for seamen, the life of there is a shortage of men in­ and butting their heads up against like the rocky mountain goat, was at sea until four days before a merchant seamen has improved stead of issuing new permits. This is a good idea and should im­ a stone wall. For that reason "jumped from peak to peak and the strike ended. But as soon as immeasurably. prove shipping all up and down their work has to be so arranged back again," the Seafarers has his ship pulled into New York He recently returned from a the coast. that the main effort is directed maintained a steady, unswerving •Harbor, Samia headed for the trip to South Africa on the Robin In general, things are shaping against a particular company progressive line. Hall and then out to the picket- Locksley, and he is eagerly This is the knowledge that is line for duty. up pretty good in Philadelphia. such as Isthmian. awaiting another trip to another The membership as a whole has While that is going on, how­ needed to make a good organizer; During the war period, it was foreign port. cooperated a 100 percent in the ever, the future tasks mu d al­ this is the knowledge that, when hard for Brother Samia to tell His words of advice are well business of taking over from out­ ways be kept in mind and pre­ imparted to an unorganized sea­ the difference between service worth remembering since he has going Agent Truesdale, and with pared for by a portion of the man, brings him into the Sea­ had the opportunity to compare this kind of good membership work being against other unor­ farers' ranks. military life with the democratic you can't go wrong. The staff of the Log has pre­ ganized companies, probing and SIU way. exploring in order to determine pared a summarized "Organizers He says, "If we let the Coast just where the next main con-! Handbook" which will be off the Send in th© minutes of Guard rule us it will be the same centration shall be. press shortly. This together with your ship's meeting to the as being in the Navy. No mer­ For the past year the main at- the other mat^2rial available New York Hall. Only in that On and after February 1, chant seaman wants that or he tention of the Union has been on • should be studied by every memway can the membership act 1947, Station "P" Post Office, the Isthmian Line, but all. ber so that all will be able to exwould join the Navy in the first on your recommendations, located at the Custom House, place. It is our duty to fight CG through that period forays were' plain, organize and build our and then the minutes can be Bowling Green and Broad­ control. We are civilians and made in other directions. The Union still stronger, printed in the LOG for the result was that, even before the way, New York 4, N. Y.. will should be treated as such." benefit of all other SIU end of the Isthmian voting, it had ROUGH. TOUGH. READY be known as Bowling Green That is the concensus of opin­ crews. Station. ion in the SIU, and with a mili­ become evident that the unorThe Seafarers has come a long Hold those shipboard meet­ The official address of the tant membership, the Union will ganized tankers were the most ways, but there is still a long ings regularly, and send Union is now P. O. Box 25, continue the fight against the logical field, and the Isthmian or- tough voyage ahead. By followthose minutes in as soon as Bowling, Green Station, New Brass Hats, and for civilian su­ ganizing forces were thus able to ing a correct program, using the possible. Thai's the SIU way I York 5, N. Y. pervision of the maritime indus­ swing into action as tanker or- right tactics and being always try. ganizers with no confusion and a ready to go to bat at anytime, prepared plan of action. the Seafarers has proven itself, The success of all union ac- not only to its own membership tivity depends upon efficient op-1 but to the entire trade union eration and the proper coordina­ movement, as the most militant, tion and concentration on a de- aggressive and democratic Union By BEN REES These men were hurt when a to take unnecessary chances just termined objective. heavy sea broke over the bow for big profits, then the Union in the maritime field. NORFOLK — Penny-pinching while they were stowing lines will have to step into the pic­ Hardly a day passes without by the big steamship companies EVERYBODY AN ORGANIZER ether unions, CIO and Indepen­ is really funny, except at times that should have been stowed be­ ture. fore tlje ship left port. By far the most important fac­ dent—as well as AFL- -coming in Last week the men at the Nor­ when men's lives are endangered tor in organization is the mem­ for aid or advice. None goes But the company was too tight folk Marine Hospital got a spe­ by that desire to save an extra bership as a whole. Without the away empty handed, for the Sea­ cent. to pay for an hour overtime, and cial break. The fines that were full support and cooperation of farers lives up to the principle so Brother James P. McNeeley is collected on the SS Stephen The companies made piles of the membership, no organizing that labor's fight on any front, is in the hospital with two broken Beasley were earmarked for the money during the war; and even effort could hope for success. The the fight of labor as a whole. legs. He's resting a little easier 12 hospitalized Brother?, and conversations in hotels, gin mills, To accomplish this has taken in peacetime operation, the prof­ now, but that's not due to any­ they each received $3.00. on the docks and street corners, a hard hitting and alert member­ its of the shipowners and opera­ thing the company did. The recipients were: James P. anywhere and everywhere sea­ ship. For that reason, if for no tors are exorbitant. McNeeley, Brother Manning, NO LONG CHANCES men gather, is of vital impor­ other, there is no reason to fear The case I have in mind at this John Harrison, J. Burchinal, Wil­ the future. In the days to come, time, and there have been plenty tance. It's about time that the com­ liam D. Weiss, William Gibbs, W.' The unorganized man judges whatever the job may be, the more in the past, was the in­ panies started to realize that R. ICnight, William C. Scott, J. C. a union largely by what the rank Seafarers will tackle it and win, jury that occurred to three SIU men's lives are much more im­ Smith, Clinton Lester, Orville and file members of that union then as always before — rough, men on the Coastal Advocate, portant than profits. If the op­ Daniels, and Edward A. Dussenthink and say about it. The man tough and ready. Bull Line. erators won't stop forcing men burg. Send Those Minutes New Address COMPANY EGONOMY COSTS SEAMAN BROKEN LEGS mH'it J • �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, February 7, 1947 Page Seven Payoff Takes 14 Hours, But Crew Gets Everything It Has Coming By JOE ALGINA NEW YORK—The Skipper of the Fort Winnebago, Pacific Tankers, is not too popular with the New York Patrolmen right row. At least, he's not at all popular with Ray Gonzales and Jimmy Drawdy. mess was straightened out, and Ihe SIU crew collected every­ thing they had coming to them. It will be a long time before that HO NEWS?? toPETHey Gar A f Silence this week from the Branch Agents of the follow­ ing portsr • They hit the Winnebago one day last week for a payoff, and since they went on board at about one o'clock in the after­ noon, they figured on being fin­ ished-at a reasonable time. •. But they didn't figure on the Skipper. He had a habit of eras­ ing the overtime claimed by the members of the crew, and sub­ stituting what he believed to be the correct amount. As a consequence, the over­ time sheets were all fouled , up, and the crewmembers were mad enough to throw the Captain over the side. It took until three o'clock the following morning before the Great Lakes Is Realty For Big Organizing Drive By HENRY CHAPPELL TOLEDO — Seafarers officials •in this area are busy trying to improve the contracts for 1947, and in mapping out our organi­ zational campaign for this com­ ing summer. This summer looks to be the biggest year for SIU organizing that the Great Lakes have ever seen. SAN JUAN BOSTON particular Old Man puts eraser to any more use. his ON UPGRADE Shipping is still on the up­ grade in this port, and we are continuing to keep our fingers crossed. There are plenty of jobs cn the board, and that is a good sign for the men who come off ships looking for new vessels to sign on. This sudden flurry in shipping is bringing a lot of the oldtimers through this port once more. But this isn't a gossip column, so you'll have to read "Cut and Run Hank" to find out who's in town. Seems like the organizers are pretty chipper these days, too. More and more men are coming in to volunteer for jobs on unor­ ganized ships, and added to the large group that has already gone on record to ship unorganized so as to help out, tfiat makes a lot of men who are willing to sail under poor conditions and with low wages just to bring more lines under the SIU banner. That's all to the good, and shows*the militant spirit of the Seafarers. When Lakes men see how SIU freight ships are operated, and the conditions under which our men,work, this should turn out to be a banner year for us in this area. The NMU is planning to try some organizing up here, but there is little chance that they will have any success. Their rec­ By ARTHUR THOMPSON ord is so foul that few, if any, SAVANNAH—As we predict­ seamen will be willing to enroll ed, business picked up consider­ under the NMU banner. ably in Savannah. The SS Joshua Last fall the NMU pulled the Slocum came in already signed phoniest strike that I have seen on, but we shipped one man and in years of sailing, and then the every job counts. seamen were sold out by the The SS Bienville also came in NMU with the poorest contract ever signed by any sailors' union. with a full crew aboard, and Lakes seamen will not soon for­ there probably won't be any re­ get this, and the NMU organizers placements for her. The SS F. W. will be coming up here with two Galbraith paid off and called foi­ ls men. strikes against them. The SS Cyrus W. Fields also CLEAN RECORD paid off and will caU for a crew The clean record of the SIU probably next week. She's off will be the biggest single factor the cattle run now and will be in persuading Lakes seamen to stripped of stalls before she goes come into our Union. We are out again.. The SS Joshua Hendy came in known as a sincere, honest Union, and the men up here have and will pay off Monday, and heard, and seen how the SIU we've had a few calls from Watreman for some ships- which gqes to, bat for its members. Our contracts are far superior are being resurrected from the to any ordinarily won by the other boneyard. All of this keeps us unions, and what they have now busy, but also makes us very they owe to the fact that we ne­ happy. No big beefs came up gotiated the best agreements ever so far and the pay offs were .seen, and We stood off the Wage clean. We're not sure how long this Stabilization Board when they attempted to take our gains away will keep up, but we're keeping our fingers crossed. from us. That will: not be lost oa the Lakes when the drive opens. This spring and summer should be excellent for. the SIU on , the Great Lakes. Shipping Takes A Sudden Spurt In Savannah CHARLESTON HOUSTON NORFOLK JACKSONVILLE BALTIMORE MARCUS HOOK The deadline for port re­ ports. monies due, etc., is the Monday proceeding 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 lO' do soi Log-Happy Skipper Throws Them in Ail Birections, Poor Feiier By R. W. SWEENEY GALVESTON — Sometimes it looks as though the Skipper of a ship is trjdng to pile a fortune for the operators by logging all qrow members. That's what hap­ pened on the SS Milan R. Stefanik. Pacific Steamship Company, which paid off here this week. Practically three fourths of the crew had logs against them, and it made no difference to the Skip­ per if the man being logged was on the ship or not. The Bedroom Utility was hit for 48 days, but we knocked it down to six days which the man admitted taking off. The others were just about the Action In Chicago is Confined To Bull Sessions in Union Hail By HERBERT JANSEN CHICAGO—When the SS Rockwood pulled her fires this week she gained the honor of being the last sand boat to finish the sea­ son. We don't expect her to have too long a lay-up, as the sand boats will return to operation as soon as the ice breaks up on Lake Michigan. With the tying-up of the last sand boat there isn't much else moving around this port, so the action for the most part has been confined to bull sessions in the Hall. Hardly a day passes in the Hall without the SIU members, former NMU members, and newcomers, discussing the tactics used by the NMU in organizing seamen. The^e seamen are wise to the tactics of the NMU in using the seamen as pawns for their own political ends, and it is easy to see that the shoe is on the other foot now. RECORD NO CREDIT It took some of the younger men a long time to see the trend, but the phony strike pulled by the NMU last summer showed their true colors to all seamen organized and unorganized alike. Retroactive Pay Seafarers writing to the be­ low-named companies for re­ troactive pay should address their communications as list­ ed: South Atlantic Steamship Company—Savannah Bank and Trust Bldg., Savannah, Ga. Mississippi Shipping Com­ pany — Hibernia Bank Bldg., New Orleans, La. Los Angeles Tankers — 365 West 7th Street, P; O. Box 380, San Pedro, Calif. Deconhil Tankers—311 Cali­ fornia- Street, San Fran­ cisco, Calif. Pacific Tankers — 433 Californda. Street* San • Fran<cisco, Calif. Their record of commie regi­ mentation has been no credit to them, for since their inception as an alleged labor organization their record has proved to be one of misi'epresentation. They have never made any gains in wages and conditions for the seamen. Instead, they have always grab­ bed onto the shirt tail of the SIU after we have won a battle for seamen. Their record of always running to the government bureaucrats and shipowners to gain an adjust­ ment up to SIU standards is well known. It's unfortunate, but their membership has been time and time again victimized by the sel­ fish motives of the commie-mind­ ed officials of the union. The only solution to the muddle the NMU has created is for all sea­ men to repudiate their efforts to pull them into their mire. STRAIGHT UNIONISM You seamen who will sail on the Lakes this season who do not belong to the SIU: When you arc in port look around for an SIU organizer. He'll be around to your ship to talk to you. You don't have to worry about him peddling you a line, for he will talk straight unionism. The SIU organizer who will cover your ship will be a repre­ sentative of the only democratic union on the Lakes, run by the rank and file. He is an exper­ ienced seamen himself, having sailed for many years and knows the score on unorganized ships. Get the score and join the SIU. In the coming days all seamen will have to stand together for protection. The Lakes Carriers Association is united in its drive to break, the wages and condi­ tions of seamen. So, in the same manner, sea­ men on the Lakes must present a. united front to combat them. The SIU is the only union that can present,that united front to defend the hard-won rights of seamen. same, phony all the way through, and we had little trouble making the Captain see the light. The only way to teach these tough Skippers a lesson is to fight them when they try to throw their weight around. The crew of the Stefanik col­ lected $70.00 to be turned over to the men in the Baltimore Ma­ rine Hospital. That was a nice gesture, and the boys there will sure appreciate the money. HUNGRY STEWARD We had the SS William Cox, of the Bernstein Steamship Com­ pany, in here for a clean payoff, but the Port Steward seemed ,to be under the impression that the crew would be willing to sail the ship out of here without enough stores on board. We checked and found that the stores were about 30 days short. What goes in all other ports is the rule here, and so the ship ttoW,LET'S SEE.... ONB HAM.oME 8AS OF TOTAXOBS — riMMM ... \ CAJOOSH R* \ TWfteE i MOATTHS : did not leave until everything was aboard. We held up the sign on, and the stores started arriving soon after. The SS Fairport, Waterman, came in, paid off without beefs, signed on again, and sailed the same day for Coastwise ports and' China. Fast work, eh? Shipping has slowed up a little here, but there arc still enough jobs to go around. Like every­ thing else, it could be better, but we won't kick as long as it doesn't get any worse. This seems to'be about all the news out of this port unless you are interested in knowing that "No Coffee Time" Curran is in port and is reported to be having no success in getting his point across to the party-line piecards here. NOTICE! When requesting informa­ tion regarding your book, dues record status or retire­ ment, address your communi­ cations to: J. P. Shuler, Assistant Secy.-Treas„ Sea­ farers International Union of N. A., 51 Beaver Street, NewYork 4. N. Y. Never send cash by mail if you wish to pay your dues, assessments, etc. Send money order payable to the Seafar­ ers International Union of N. A, �Ir THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eight Tampa Chandlers Crying in Beer: Nobody Is Buying Their Supplies By SONNY SIMMONS TAMPA — The Shipchandlers are crying so loud down here that I am sure they can be heard as far away as Boston. Most of the beer they drink is half tears, and their tales of woe would fill a number of books. I'll bet that the next time these . guys see a picketline they will respect it. At least, that is what they are promising now. Their story is that they didn't know what a picketline meant, and that they learned the hard way. The Chamber of Commerce and the City tried to rig a meet- everything in port, and the next week turns out to be slow. We manage to have a fairly good turnover, but most of it is for replacements since very few ships payoff here, We have an election here soon for the Central Trades and La­ bor Union. The SIU has been in­ strumental in getting support to weed out the labor fakers. We are now backing a young fellow is on the ball and who will go down the line against the unionbusters in this town. Attorney General Tom Watson, one of labor's prime enemies in the United States, was elected with some labor help, and now labor realizes that they saddled themselves with a Frankenstein monster. That will not happen again. Strike Clearance Seafarers who did not lake active part in the 1946 Gen­ eral Strike, and who have not yet obtained strike clear­ ance, are advised to do so immediately. Edward Ben­ der, of the Clearance Com­ mittee at Union headquar­ ters in New York, has issued a reminder to the member­ ship that Mar. 21, 1947 is the deadline. The committee's functions expire on that date. This advice applies only to Seafarers whose reasons for not participating in the strike require satisfactory explana­ tion. Men with legitimate rea­ sons for non-participation, such as illness, being aboard ship at sea, etc., during the strike period, do not have to be cleared by Mar. 21, but can apply at any time. Ben­ der pointed out. Transportation Rule On Coast Is Clarified For Membership By W. H. SIMMONS C FKLIN'Mf&HrriMv! SAN FRANCISCO- -After be­ ing between the Chandlers and the SIU, but we told them that ing a tough beach for some time, there was nothing to gain by the old Gold Coast is coming to such a meeting. life with shipping picking up i» Then the Chandlers tried to get j good style. All ratings are shipan injunction against us but their ping with few men on the beach lawyer decided that we hadn't in any departm.^nt. done anything that could be inwe had the .Ethiopia Victory, joined against. Waterman, in for a payoff this Again we want to impress this week. At the payoff the crew on all Stewards' coming into was notified, that inasmuch .as Tampa; buy your supplies at they were getting first-class some other port. Don't patronize transportation, wages and sub­ these men who hit us from be­ sistence back to their original hind when we were fighting the port of sign-on, they would be shipowners and the Wage Stabili­ required to leave the ship, go zation Board. register and clear through the Hall before going back on her. Shipping down here has slowed up somewhat, and it continues | This due to the Port ruling here, to fluctuate. One week we ship It seems that a part of the crew of this ship is under the impression that this ruling was devised by some individual out here. But this is not the case. All members should realize that NEW YORK—It is very grati- no one man in this entire organifying to see the response from zation can make or lay down any the membership regarding clean- rule of any sort, liness of ships and the handling of performers. I ' CARRYING OUT RULES The Patrolmen Say Keeping Them Clean Friday, February 7. 1947 recognize it as being in force out here. It is not for me, or any repre­ sentative of the union, to alter this rule in any way. I have racked my brain for a solution to this problem, but there seems to be no solution other than the rescinding of this rule at a gen­ eral conference meeting. I believe that most members realize that the Patrolmen are trying to do a job. That job is to uphold the rules laid down by the membership. Of course, now and then a crew will feel that they were slighted, and not given proper representation. If this is the case don't hesi­ tate to let the Patrolman know your feelings. We are out for the good of the membership, and it is not my policy, nor the policy of any other Patrolman, to give any one the brush-off. By JOE VOLPIAN Due to its importance to alien sioner's Service, and urged ex­ seamen I am continuing this tension of the waiver. week on the problems created by "We received assurance both the end of wartime regulations from Admiral Farley and the governing alien seamen. As I mentioned last week, the Maritime Commission that they peacetime regulations, when they would recommend extension of go into effect on March 31, 1947, the waiver allowing 50 percent will require that 90 percent of aliens in all American ships to the crews on government subsi­ dized vessels be American citi­ the end of December 1947. zens. "There is a good reason for this Inasmuch as this will create to go through, which will give an unbearable hardship for alien us some time to work on a Bill seamen, a serious attempt is be­ to help our Brothers get their ing made by the SIU to gain some measure of protection for citizenship papers. these men. "At the present time, the Im­ migration and Naturalization President Lundeberg, aware of Law allows a seaman to apply for this problem^ has made an an­ alysis of the situation, placing citizenship papers after he has it as one of the SIU's major prob­ five years' discharges in Ameri­ lems. In his report, following his can ships; whether he is legally or illegally in the country; mean­ trip to Washington, he states: ing if he has paid his head tax "At the present time, a waiver or not. is in effect which allows 50 per­ cent of the crew of American "Our organization has been on ships to be alien. This waiver record for years to fight for a was put into effect during the Bill which will give foreign seawar, because of the shortage of; men, who have sailed in Ameriseamen and expires March 31. It can Flag vessels during the war, will then revert back to a law full citizenship papers. This we which is very rigid on alien sea­ feel is nothing but justice, be­ men, because under this law, it cause an alien who joined the only allows 10 percent alien sea­ Army during the war ultimately men in the Stewards Department received his citizenship after in Government subsidized ships; three months in the army, and and 25 percent in non-subsidized to deny the alien seamen the ships. This creates a hardship on same right is nothing but dis­ a large number of our members, crimination. who are good union members and NEW BILL NEEDED also served the American, Mer­ chant Marine well during the "Last j'ear's Congress intro­ war. duced a Bill to give seamen full citizenship rights after three EXTENSION OF WAIVER "We appeared before Admiral years service in American ships. Farley of the U.' S. Coast Guard, This Bill unfortunately was not who is in charge of the U. S. acted upon, in spite of all the Steamboat Inspection Service golden promises given us. So and also the Shipping Commis- now the Bill is dead and a new Bill must be introduced. This is another job we have to do. We will receive' active support on this measure from the Amer­ ican Federation of Labor Legis­ lative Committee on this matter. AFL Council Will Meet In Buluth; 18 Unions Expected To Attend Our Union has come a long. As everyone knows our rules "Meanwhile, ail alien seamen way from a slow beginning, and and by-laws are made by the members of our organization slowly but surely, through the membership. Your Patrolmen are By EINAR NORDAAS should rnake every effort to get medium of organizing the unor- only representatives of the memDULUTH—The big news at the progress for about six months their citizenship papers if they ganized, we are improving our bership, who have been chosen job security. to stay ashore to see that the ^ present in the Port of Duluth is and is still going strong. The have five years' discharges. Also, More and more of our old pre- rules of the Union are properly | the coming meeting of the Mari- strikers, all girls, belong to the the ones who have not, should ap­ Clerks Union Local 3, AFL. ply for a visa into the United war operators are coming back carried out—which is sometimes Council. The Council is goStates from the American Con­ The pickets have walked in into the maritime industry. With a very difficult job. ing to get together February 11 front of the store in sub-zero sul in the foreign country which the addition of new operators and For the information of men at the Labor Temple in this city weather, never missing a day. We he may be in while on an Amer­ contracts, more jobs will be se-' who are in the dark on the transcured for our membership. { portation payment and sign-on, for a series of meetings. We ex­ believe that is a record to be ican vessel. They should not, however, leave their ship, because Under such circumstances we I'd like to quote the report of pect approximately 18 unions'proud of, a record men would then they may not be readmitted from Ashland, Wis.; Superior, find hard to beat. must protect our job security the General Conference of the country. Also, they Wis.; and Duluth, Minnesota, to Some time ago a bomb ex- to , ,this , and honor our agreements, which, SIU-SUP held in Chicago, March send representatives to the meet­ nloded at the entrance between ^^""^'^^""t jeave this country to without a question of doubt, are 19i 1945, ing. the outside and storm doors f f ^o apply the finest in maritime history. Report No. 6, Section D reads: Among the items we expect to causing some damage. To this for a visa, unless they have reIn order to do so we should ex- "When a man receives transporceived permission from the amine these agreements lation, regardless of the ship, discuss is the backing of legisla­ day the damage has gone unre­ United States Immigration and thoroughly. In that way we w.ill company or district, he must get tion to establish Duluth—Su­ paired, because, of course, the Naturalization Bureau." be better informed on what is off that ship, and cannot ship perior Harbor as a free port zone. carpenters will not cross the and what isn't overtime. back on that ship until such time We expect, also, to discuss sev­ picket line. A friend to many SIU seamen These new agreements are as he has cleared through the eral other matters important to printed in a manner that should Union Hall in the particular port seamen and dockworkers in this in Duluth, Erick Soder Tavervicinity. over, died suddenly Tuesday, be easily understood by all. It of paying off." As soon as the meetings are January 28, Many Lakes seamen would be a good policy in my Members of ihe Seafarers' over I'll try to give you Lakes will miss Erick. He was always opinion, if the ship.s delegates; Infernalional Union of Norlh seamen the highlights through ready to give a helping hand made a careful study of the, This rule was rescinded America join with Brother agreements for the benefit of the May, 1946 on the Atlantic and! report to the Log. We ex­ when needed. Jimmy Slevens. Balfimore few who do not thoroughly un-' Gulf Coast, but is still a rule on pect to reach some concrete deci­ I'd like to repeat for the infor­ derstand them. | the West Coast. So, until such sions that will be of interest to mation of members living in the Dispatcher, in mourning the If this was done I'm sure that time as the Seafarers Internation- all SIU men, so keep your eye vicinity of Duluth that the Hall recent death of his father, ships would payoff with a mini- al Union as a whole can go back peeled for the results. is open and meetings are held Robert Stevens. mum of beefs. into another general conference j A strike at the Glassblock, a the first and third Monday of the Louis GofSn and change this ruling, we must' department store, has been in month at 7 p. m. Final Departure • I JLAAAO X WOO X k..O*..XXXVX1^VX ^^1 �Friday, February 7, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine RR Elquipment For Europe - Via An SIU Crew It's a ticklish job lowering railroad engines into the hold of a ship. The above picture was taken as an engine was being lowered into the h }ld of the MV Gadsden, American Eastern Steam­ ship Company. The engines and cars are consigned to Europe, where they will help to break up the transportation bottle-neck that exists in the countries across the sea. 4. i i A group of railroad engines and cars was lined up at the side of the ship, waiting to be loaded. One by one, they were picked up by the big booms, swung onto the ship, and gently deposited in the hold. There they were lashed down so that there was no chance of the cargo shifting while the ship was on the high seas. Special equipment is needed to do this work, and it takes a high degree of skill and efficiency to accomplish the job without injury to the crew or the material being loaded. The AFL Longshoremen did the job in handy fashion. On the right is the big boom which is used to lift the rail­ road cars onto the ship and then lower them into the holds. This is some piece of machin­ ery, and must be handled gent­ ly so that the load can be lift­ ed and swung without sudden starts or slops. Left, the Gadsden as she lay at the dock waiting for the loading operation to begin. Soon this peaceful scene gave way to one of great activity, and railroad cars and eiigines sailed through the air with the greatest of ease. Below the picture of the Gadsden is the sign-off, which took place aboard the ship. An SIU Pa­ trolman was present to make sure that all parts of the con­ tract were being lived up to by the Company. The sign-on was on Thursday, February 6, and the crew was then ready for a trip that will take them to European ports. d t 4. i ^ i • •] S: SsifSssi i Good food is promised to the crew by the above two men. They must be able to live up to their promises because the LOG photographer says they are very popular with the rest of the cre'vlr. It was too cold^and rainy to take many pictures on deck, so the crew gathered in the mess room for this one. A typical SIU crew, they made sure that everything was okay aboard before the sign-off. A Patrolman was also present to protect the interests of the members. �Page Ten Friday. February 7; 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS MEMBERS OF THE SEAFARER CREW ABOARD THE SS BIENVILLE Tulane Crew Hits Topside Favoritism Charges of showing favoritism to "topside" were leveled at the Chief Engineer and Purser at a recent crew meeting aboard the SS Tulane Victory. The playing of favorites left the crew holding the bag on two counts, it was re­ vealed; The charge against the Chief Engineer originated with the Black Gang, who said that the engine officer "deliberately ra­ tioned the water supply, when it was not necessary." The Pur­ ser's affectionate treatment of the topside inhabitants involved pre­ ferential sale of cigarettes. Deck. Gang (from left to right): L. Knowles. G. Talley. W. Ruggie. E. Bauer. F. Litsch. H. Humphrey. P. Lunakis. C. Wenski. J. Jordan. H. Gawoski. J. Nelson. J. Gates and F. Oliver. Black Gang (left to right); front row: H. I. Nelson. J. E. Odomi P. Menkavitch. C. McHugh;. back row: A. Rezende. R. Cullum. A. Giovanni' and- W.' Beyer. Loop Knot Has One-Man Deck Dep't. SLICK TRICK The Black Gang men stated that the engine officer set the water valves "at a certain regu­ lation, then sawed them off, so that they could not be regulated further by the crew. "This procedure on his part worked a hardship on the crew, whereas the water supply to top­ side was not affected by this ac­ tion. The meeting, acting on a recom­ mendation by the Black Gang, voted to refer the matter to the Union Agent. While the Purser's pandering to the topside bunch was not quite so openly detected, there • was sufficient ba.sis for strong suspicion. The minutes state "that the Purser showed a tinge of favoritism in the. issuance of certain brands of cigarettes to topside. CORRECTIONS URGED Both the slopchest and the medical chest were scored as in­ adequate, and the crew urged that the deficiencies of both be corrected immediately. The Black Gang registered another beef with the complaint that there was an insufficiency of cleaning mate­ rials for the heads arid showers. The minutes concluded with "bouquets" for the Deck and Stewards gangs. There were no beefs in either for these two de­ partments. John Boros was chairman . of this Tulane Victory meeting, and Lloyd Stakebrake did the. TCT cording. The shoreside one-man band now has a sea-going rival for. honors in human buzz-saw ac­ tivity. This shipboard phenomenon, who aspires to be a one-man deck department, also doubles in brass. He's the Chief Mate of the MV Loop Knot, of the Alcoa bauxite fleet, which wound up her Souths ern run: in New York Jan. 21. All went well aboard the Loop Knot for the first month of the voyage, following the departure Stewards Department (left to right), front row: J. W. Tingle. I. Brown. L. Coates. V. Brew from New York Nov. 14, accord­ and H. P. Ducoux; back row: S. Hunter. T. Sims. O. Thompson. D. B. McKimsey and C. D.. White. ing: to Seafarer Michael Baal, AB, one of the crew. The. initial part of the trip "appealed to all hands," Baal reported. "In fact, as far as the crew was concerned, it was a pretty good trip. The crew got along well, and had a good time," he added; (Editor's note:—The follow­ Cairo, I would have lost all faith that it was a good experience, TROUBLE STARTS ing article, by Seafarer Larkin in Egypt. We got to see King and wishing we could have stay­ Tut's tomb (made of enough solid ed a few days more. gives an interesting pic­ But there were some e.xcepgold to fill cavities in all the Next port of calls were Port ture of the. way an Isthmian teeth in the world). In the Cairo tions. Brother Baal continued. Said and Suez. We didn't stay crew spent some of their time Museum, we saw thousands of long in either, but I heard some The first of these appeared when ashore, while on a recent trip other interesting things, follow­ of the crew speak of the ice-cold the Chief Mate precipitated trou­ to Indian and Arabian ports. ing which we had a swell feed beer they had. On the way to ble by trying to make more over­ The Log would appreciate simi- for two bucks. Jeddah, Arabia, we saw Mt. Si­ time than the boys, he said. The ° lar accounts from Seafarers on nai where Moses received the deck department head was on PAL ALI deck constantly, bouncing around other vessels.) Ten Commandments. like a beaver. One minute he was Then our guide, Ali Hassan is We dropped the hook at Jed­ By ED LARKIN the name in case you want to dah one fine hot morning and Chief Mate, the next a Bosun, then an AB, and finally and OS, After hearing and reading look him up, took us to several waited for the sailboats to come about Isthmian ships, I shudder­ ancient palaces, the market- cut and start uriloading. Jeddah Much of the time, Beal said, this guy was acting out all roles at ed when I got a job aboard one has a beautiful harbor, but it is one time. of these scows. Well, I had some very shallow. At one of the island ports, he tough times during the voyage, HANDS OFF BETtlHA VoysSEF called in natives to paint the side but there were plenty of bright <30ES «r«AldrtT spots to pick us up when we went We were only a few miles from of the ship. Each was given 10 r(6\N) \ ashore. But here's my story: Mecca,, the Mohammedans' holy pieces of dunnage for his work: The Loop Knot's skipper rack­ city, where it is reported no dis­ The first day aboard several of believer of . the faith is allowed. ed up a spicy litle record, too, it us guys from the SIU investi­ Incidentally, the civilians there was pointed out. Brother Baal gated and found the ship in bad are discouraged from stealing by himself was the victim of the old condition. The ship had been use of some pretty sharp methods. salt's sting. taken over from an NMU crew, For a first offense, the local gen­ with whose reputation we are all In Trinidad, Mike Baal had to darmes will cut . off a hand. An make a trip to the hospital be­ well familiar. arm goes for the second offense. cause of a sciatic condition. As We were able ^finally to clean up the scow and we set our place, the Dead City, Memphis, Three strikes and you're out—- a result, he missed the ship when course for Alexandria^ Egypt. Ar- the Tombs, and finally to the the third steal and the head- it pulled out for Paramaribo. He I iving there a few weeks later, Pyramids and the Sphinx. Ali comes off, the. story, goes. After picked it up a week, Igter when that, of course, the offender lays the Knot returned to Trinidad. we took in the town. was no gyp; he workea for the off .stealing. He learned than that the 70-yearIn Cairo, we arranged to get a American: Express-outfit,: and we old skipper had logged him $80 In Jeddah; we unloaded several few, days, off for some of, the paid a.reasonable fee for hi* seiwautos for one Prince, and somefor missing ship.- Meanwhile, the crew after- using some SIU. per­ ioes. We returned to ship ' "ard suasion. If I didn't get to see truck, with all hands agreeing f(tinvj'/t on Page 11) (Continued on Page 11) Shoreside Excursions Highlight Isthmian Crew's Mid-East Trip �Friday, February 7. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven Shoreside Excursions Highlight Voyage Of Isthmian Vessel To The Middle East (Continued from Fage 10) other cargo, then pulled out. All crewmembers had their hands when we left, by the way. Karachi, India was our next call. When we arrived there, the civilians were dying of the heat, a Wiper made some overtime, an AB was rating an entrance to the romance ward at Staten Island, and Joe Louis, we heard, had just beat Conn. We went ashore, got haircuts, and drank cool beer at the limey seamen's club. The usual amount of guys went out with "hostesses," some bought souvenirs, a few got plastered, and some did all three. Now a place that is a place is Bombay—our next port. I got off watch there and went up the street with a few guys to a local gin mill, and later we had wash­ ed down Isthmian's grub we grabbed a few rickshaws and started to see the sights. BOMBAY'S CAGES I've been on Skipper Street in Antwerp, Pig Alley in Paris, Shanker Alley in Oran, Snake Ranch in Port Sudan, but a section in Bombay, called the Cages, is the most amazing of all. In this section, stretching over an area of several blocks, are thousands of girls peering out in­ to the streets from behind wood­ en doors, which resemble cages. hence the name. Yes, this is Bombay's impoverished red light district, with side streets that make New York's Greenwich Village, and Los Angeles' Per­ shing Square look sick. The Cages cater to the coolies and beggars, who cannot afford wives, and prices range from 15 to 50 cents. All these ladies of easy virtue raise their voices at once. I felt like Gen. Eisenhower marching down Times Square. Our crew carefully avoided these cages, which are hot beds of venereal disease. LEARNED A LESSON Columbo, Ceylon, was next. Expensive is the word for this town, but we rented some sail­ boats and went for a cruise. I learned a lesson there, too:, not to buy stones I don't know any­ thing about. I got stuck. Take heed, fellows. A few days later, we hit Mad­ ras, where the movies are made. We got a riqkshaw and headed for the English section of town, where we found a satisfactory night spot. We didn't blow our lops because we didn't get any draw there. But we made up for it in Cal­ cutta. We were the only Ameri­ can ship in that port, and we really took the town over, but now that I look over my money draws, I think it was vice-versa. Knot Has 1-Man Deck Dept. (Continued from Page 10) skipper had telegraphed to the States an order to stop Baal's al­ lotment, causing his family ex­ treme financial hardship. ANOTHER VICTIM .Baal was not alone, however. Brother Blackstadt had his trou­ bles too. He broke his ankle in Paramaribo. Nothing was done in the way of medical treatment. Baal reported the skipper's feel­ ings as being that the injury didn't warrant medical attention. This the Loop's Captain based on his own experiences—30 years in p, • couple of minor exceptions which Baal cited: A permit man in the deck department hurt his finger while demonstrating how to work the davits in the lifeboats. Since the vessel was still in New York, he was' offered a chance to get off. He refused, however, and the offer was repeated in St. Thomas but it was again rejected. All this time, this guy stood no watches. Ball said, adding that the crew intended to prefer charges against the man. It was learned later, however, that this "thumb rider" had attempted to retire his permit card. Editor's note:—As we go to press, word has just been re­ ceived that Brother Baal's S80 log has been halved. Our Spe­ cial Service Department rep­ resentative succeeded in reduc­ ing the amount of the log to equal the time Ball was away from his ship.) - Calcutta has plenty to offer. 'We visited the Temple, a marble palace, the Black Hole, and the burning-ghats, where they burn the dead, they toss the ashes into the Ganges River. It was a grue­ some, but educational, neverthe­ less. LOVELY WOLVES Souvenirs were cheap in Cal­ cutta. Most Seafarers bought leather suit cases for five to fif­ teen dollars. We ate steaks and drank American beer at Firpo's. We met Anglo-Indian gals, who just LOVE Americans. Several of the guys had notes sent to them while sitting in the movies. Calcutta is a town where the dames are wolves, and okay, too. Swimming at the marble pal­ ace or the Calcutta Beach Club is okay. Good floor shows can be seen at the Princess Pat, and Winter Garden, plus several ether good nite spots. Between riots we went out on dates, and it was the beginning of a long friendship for this town. We were in Calcutta two weeks, which gave us plenty of time to cultivate a gal. Several of the guys just came to the ship to work. They must have found a home. We had a good deal in Cal­ cutta, but the Captain evidently didn't see the "adventure" of it, because he didn't let the Bosun decide when we should leave port. Our fun ended when the Skipper very nervily set a sail­ ing date. Some guys are always lousing up the act. TOUGH TIMES. TOO I mention only some of the good times v/e had ashore. We had our tough times aboard ship, too, on that trip, but when you ship unorganized you expect it. ThtR's our job as Seafarers—to correct these conditions for sea­ men, and we're well on the road now with Isthmian. If you want to see the sights, and have fun—ship Isthmian. Re­ member this: Just because we've won the Isthmian election, it doesn't mean that we still don't have plenty of work to do. We have to keep right on sailing them until we win a contract. Don't let the SIU down. Broth­ ers, by not sailing Isthmian. If you don't sail them, you'll be missing a helluva lot of fun, a chance to do some good and have that "Volunteer Organizer" stamped in your book. Ship Isth­ mian, Brothers! MINUTES OF SIU SHIP MEETINGS MICHAEL BAAL the merchant service, five years in the Navy—^which he thought enabled him to decide when a man was in need of care. At St. Thomas, Blackstadt de­ manded to go ashore for examin­ ation. An x-ray revealed a chip­ ped bone. Crew relations aboard the Loop Knot were tops. There were a JANEWAY. Jan. 1—Chair­ man A. Lavoie; Secretary John Jellette. Deck and Engine De­ partments reported no beefs. Steward Department reported more cooperation needed from night cook and baker. Good and Welfare: One of Wipers asked that men refrain from leaving their old razor blades in sink as one man received a severe cut due to this negli­ gence. Agreed that all men on watch be fed first at mess. Steward brought out that pitch­ ers now on board made of glass, are not suitable for use of crew. This is to be corrected upon ar­ rival in U. S. 4. 4. S. WILLIAM CLAGETT. Sept. II—ChairmEui Babkowski; Sec­ retary Tears. Delegates reports. Deck Delegate reported the disputed overtime and the tmcooperative attitude of the Mate. Steward Department okay. Engine Department re­ ported that overtime was being disputed in direct opposition to the agreement. New Business: Motion passed on July 21 per­ taining to fines for neglect or failure to stand regular watches be dropped. 4" 4 4JOHN LA FARGE, Dec. 22— Chairman Frank Gages. Secre­ tary Donald J. Bushard. First order of business concerned two men who joined ship in Brem­ enhaven. They ask for admis­ sion to union. New Business: Delegates reported everything okay. Overtime to be settled at payoff. Motion carried to hold beef concerning stores and shortage of food until Patrol-' man is contacted at first port. Motion carried that all men be sober at time of payoff. HELP THE SEAFARERS BRIHS SFCURIlVAfOD CO^/DITIO^IS Ife-THe UMORGAMI^ED SEAMAN . -TELL-fflEM WHAT •TUB SIU HAS DONE' TtJ RAISE SEAMEN OUT ECOMOMIC SLAVERY-SHOW/ THEM OUR. CCWTRACTS -ASK -rDEM TO YOUR MEETINGS,SO, THEY ON SEE FDRTMEMSELVES.' CUT and RUN By HANK "Mister" Franklin Smith, the oldtimer, just blew in from an Isthmian trip to the Philippines. Here's what he has to say: "You guys who happen to hit Manila, don't patronize the New York Bar. It has changed ownership and become a clip joint. So if you want to straighten out the roll in your sea legs and have a good time, visit the Old Manila Gardens on Delacruze Street near the water­ front. There's a lively, jazzy 15-piece orchestra, the best beer flow­ ing for the cheapest price going and the place is owned and operated by two foi'mer seamen, one of them a skipper. If the island of Cebu happens to be staring you in the face, then head for the OverhiH Inn or the Tropical Hut. Beer flows for a buck. I hope to see n^ shipmate, Jack Giller, who should soon be leaving San Francisco for the East coast" . . . Last week Warren Callahan registered for shipping just to grab a ship till spring-time. He has successfully established himself in business up in upper New York, where he, his wife and daughter are now living. Warren 'nappily states that his two-month daughter, Patricia, is in fine health and is cutting her teeth. Well, Warren, drop us a letter while you're out. 4 4 4 4 There's plenty of electricians in town right now. Carl Wayne is one of them . . . Edwin Edginton, another Chief Juicedoctor just blew in from a trip from Antwerp where his ship was kept idle due to a 30-day longshoremen's strike. Are you getting ready to start patching up those electric bulbs with scotch tape on your next trip. Brother Edginton? . .. Oldtimer and Assistant Electrician Marshall Dodge is waiting for a ship with a big smile on his face , . . 4 4 4 4 Paddy Walsh has been anchored in town for over a month now. Another trip to Antwerp, Paddy? . . . Thomas "Rebel" Melton said that he was going to grow another beard while he's aboard his ship on her four trips between Barcelona, Spain and Buenos Aires . . . Willie "Bill" Thomas and Bosun Luke Collins are probably still making a home cut of the SS American Press on her East Coast run . . . Oldtimer Eddie Parr is visiting New York for a while . . , Here's part of letter to us from Alex "Ski" Janowski over in Hono­ lulu while aboard an Isthmian ship: "Read the only Log in Hawaii, the one that was mailed to the Hall. The editor saj's I have to have a heart, and after tearing it in pieces, why should I tear it and leave it in pieces? Well, my wife's heart won't be torn in pieces because love is grand nowadays if you get the right kind of wom­ an for yourself!" 4 4 4 4 Meet Joe Felton: Cynically anchored in town right now, waiting for a good trip, this little Bosun of an oldtimer, has confessed in one of his idle moments of humorous disgust that because of good living (meaning, of course, this sea life of his) he has plenty of grass on his skull, regardless of the fedora covering it. Of course, whenever he has observed or been ad­ vised that a few gray hairs have suddenly sprouted, he goes right out and gets a short haircut. Remembering the good old bad days of ships, Joe said that as an AB he got iifty-five dol­ lars a month, never did see fresh fruit more than once or twice a week (sometimes) and the good meat always went straight to the deserving hearts and stomachs of Skipper and company. On one seven-month trip the crew kept wishing for something svAeet to eat. The cooks finally made cinnamon buns out of maggotty raisins, molasses, etc. The crew knew the raisins were maggotty but they ate the buns and were glad to get them. If Joe had twenty more years to sail SIU ships he would spend them all with the swell deck crew of oldtimers who paid off the SS Button Gwinnett before she was laid up recently in Baltimore. �PagwTwel'rrr T H E' SEAF A R ERS LOa Friday, Febniary 7, 1947 DiRUNKS IMPOSE HARDSHIPS ON THEIR BROTHERS Dear Editor: I have been receiving the Log since Oct. 1945, and I have been enjoying it very much. It comes to my home and my parents either save them or send them on to my ship. Now, the reason for writing this letter is that it just occurred to me that I've paid only two dol­ lars for all this. I'm short on funds, so I will ship out next week, and will send something for the Log at first chance. I also wish to express my grati­ tude to the SIU for taking me in in Sept. 1945. I came out of the Maritime Service a very mixedup lad, but luckily I visited the SIU Hall and was straightened out. I first visited the NMU hall but one look was enough, and after considerable inquiring I was di­ rected to 51 Beaver Street. I'm a little confused at pres­ ent as to my chances of getting a full'or pro book. Any informa­ tion would be appreciated L. M. Quam Klamath Falls. Ore. Now that jobs are getting scarce and will, I am afraid, con­ tinue to get scarcer, and the num­ ber of sailors waiting for jobs at the hall are becoming mox-e nu­ merous, it appears to me that a thorough housecleaning in our union is in order. The hopeless, useless chronic drunks in our ranks seem to have an uncanny ability to get them­ selves shipped out in the best jobs. I have seen, as most of us have, a steady procession of dipsomaniacal stewards, electricians, machinists, etc. The compassion we usually entertain for drunks makes UB put up with them. While they go on happily raking in their large salaries every month, the rest of the crew does their work for them and suffers from the inability of these indi­ viduals to handle the work they were hired to do. Our Union officers have ex­ pounded this very thought at various meetings, but I believe that a more energetic executive policy is in order. Let us rid ourselves of these undesirables. It is ridiculous and unfair to have these drunken sots make our lives miserable, while capable men are hanging around the hall until their finances force them to ship below their capacities. This cartoon and the one below were the greetings New Orl'eans Dispatcher Stephens received one morning as the enter­ ed the Hall. G. Schlesinger MV Moose Peak Brother Stephens took them from the Bulletin Board and sent them to the Log. (See story elsewhere on this page). (Editor's note:—In regard to your request for information on pro book possibilities, it would be difficult to give you an an­ swer on the basis of informa­ tion -supplied. We suggest that you stop in at the Hall where you can be answered satisfac­ torily.) Seafarers Artist Catches N.O. Dispatcher Off Guard Brother "Stevie" Stephens, Dispatcher in the Port of New Orleans, emerged from a situa­ tion last week with his keen sense of humor still intact. In fact. Brother Stephens' sense of humor passed with flying colors what we think was an acid test. If it hadn't, you very likely wouldn't have had a chance to see the two cartoons reproduced on this page. Here's how it came about: One bright morning last week. Brother Stephens, who for a long time- has been dreaming about having his portrait painted, step­ ped briskly into the hall at 339 Chartres Street ready for his dis­ patching chores. With folded eyes too glad to weep. Yet too sad for dreams or sleep. The blessing cure comes from above. Folds around us like arms of love; Heaven lent us the stars so bright To see us through the awful night. Out on the seas that send such fright. We do not pine for those we love. For we have the stars that shine above. We, who who so loudly praise the • sky. Feel akin to its starry comforts That brighten our way from on high. % % % Me Mudder and Me By Vic Combs While walking down the street one day, I heard a kiddie say: "Hey, Jimmie, lemme tell youse, I'd be happy as a clam If I only wuz da fella Dat me mudder tinks I am. She tinks I'm a wonder As he passed the bulletin board he froze in his tracks. Tacked up on the board were two sketches of "Stevie," by an artist who signed only "Hal." The sketches weren't exactly what "Stevie" had in mind when he dreamed of sitting for a painting, but he let out a roar of laughter, neverthe­ less. This is too good not to be seen by the membership, Stevie figured. Forthwith, he took them down from the board, and sent them pronto to the Seafarers Log for reproduction so that all hands could get a wheeze out of them. Caps off, then, to "Stevie" Stephens for his unselfish sense of humor. She tinks she knows her lad Wouldn't mix wid nottin' Dat was mean or bad. And lots of times I sit and tink. How nice it ould be—gee whiz. If I only was de feller Dat me mudder tinks I is." ANOTHER SPOT WHERE LOG CAN BE FOUND Paralyzed Oldtimer Urges Young Members Hold Gains bilities. They saw I was in the merchant marine, and therefore, I am a wheelchair sailor now, not in the "service." as a result of an accident aboard ship , in Casablanca, North Africa, If the merchant seamen were during the war. not in the "service," what in hell I was injured when an over­ was it that we were doing? We loaded boom broke, crashed down maintained the food and supply and hit me in the back. Nine of lines, we carried the men and my ribs were smashed, and my their stuff across and brought back was broken, leaving me them back. Now that it is over, paralyzed from the waist down. what do they want us to do— I have -been in bed, flat on my starve? Watch your step, and keep her back, for four years now the first of this month. As you know I steady as she goes, or they wiU have no. income, no pension- such have you right where we were as men I in the armed forces rfe- before. I have sailed those rust ceive for service-connected disa­ pots for $30 a month, and it A mass of stars hover over head. Our cares are behind, and our hearts ahead. While the thrill that hurries us along Is the sea and its lonely song; Weary at heart and sick at soul. The star has a story seldom told. Dear Editor: "By 'THE /{ay'Dfii-EM's j)is PATCHFR Fc"? FfliLORe 70 PUT Gooo (7(505 UN THE TioAKO. APPROACH MfTH CAUTION. f^PoMSLV APriEP iH/m iflPGC^cLUA. wasn't so long ago, either. Even though I'm no longer sailing I wouldn't want to see those con­ ditions come back.' You've got a damned good Un­ ion in the SIU, so keep; it going ahead. Fight for, and keep whdt you've won for-the seamen. The oldtimers like myself started the advance. Now you younger men have to pull together to keep the ball rolling. Here in Washington, they are raising hell in Congress, in a des­ perate -effort to 'break -the Unions. So-, if it comes to a fight let them Dear Editor: I have an address to which I would like you to send copies of the Log weekly. It is a weUknown bar in Antwerp, Belgium. It is the only bar for..several miles around the docks, and is visited by a great number of SIU sea­ men. The name and address of this spot is: Charlie's Bar Norderlain, 1000 Antwerp, Belgium I know the boys will appreci­ ate finding copies of the Seafarers Log at this place. Robert L. Kennedy SS John B. Hamilton have both barrels. I will ring off now, wishing you all the best of luck; God bless you all, and steady as she goes! Hart G. Bro-wn r. 1330 Queen SU N. E., Washington 2,~Di C, �Friday," February 7. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG SEAFARERS OFF THE SS CAPE JOHN Page Thirteen ILA Men Join Drive To Aid War Orphans Dear Editor: These SIU men were shipmates aboard the Isthmian vessel on a recent trip. Left to right, E. R. Johnson, R. L. Karns, D. K. Tighe and Ed Bolehala. Membership Only Can Break The Commies' Death-Grip On National Maritime Union Dear Editor: Now it happened that about this time Curly bought himself a new pair of shoes. That night he got his feet wet in the recent rains and the dye from the shoes poisoned his feet so that for sev­ eral weeks he was forced to wear slippers. The charge finally brought against Curly was for dressing in a manner unbecoming to a Union representative, due to his wearing slippers. And believe it or not,, that \Vas what Curly Rentz was expelled from the Another example was the way NMU for. in which they put the boot to At the time Curly was up on "William "Curly" Rentz, our pres­ ent Baltimore Agent. Curly charges with the NMU, H. K. Rentz has been a rank and file Duechare, the present Galveston man for a long time. In 1936 he NMU agent, was hanging around was one of the few elected offi­ haranging the membership about cials of the ISU who went along Curly, calling him phony, and with the NMU rank and file. urging them to get rid of him When the NMU was formed he by any moans. As soon as Curly was elected Patrolman in New was framed, Duechare stepped Orleans. Running later for Texas into his place as Texas City Pa­ City Pati-olman, he was elected trolman. by a large majority. When the rank and file men of the NMU wake up and realize CANT STAND CRITICISM that they are being used as tools It wasn't long after his election by the commies to further their to the Texas City job that the twisting policies, and break away commies began to "blast" him. from them, they will find that Curly never made any bones the SIU is right here to give them about where he stood on their a helping hand and to help them disruptive and sell-out policies so organize into a genuine demo­ they naturally did their best to cratic union. get something on him. Being an John D. McLemore honest man they were unable to seen entering or leaving the place was to have his book taken away and the member was to be placed in the "99 year club." An esti­ mated 25 members had their books taken away for that rea­ son. Yours truly was seen and reported for leaving the place, but beat them to the punch by rushing to Galveston and ex­ changing my NMU book for an SIU one. I have never regretted the move. Looking over last week's issue of the Pilot reminds me of the situation in the NMU during 1939. The difference is that one clique, who cooperated with the com­ mies in 1939, is today trying to buck those same master sell-out artists. The communist party has a death grip on the throat of the NMU today, and don't think for a moment that they will relax that grip.' All the cries, struggles, twisting and squirming of Curran, Lawrenson, Keith, Dunlavy, et al, will not shake that grip one iota. The communist party is us­ ing the same tactics that they used against so many rank and file members in 1939. As a rank and file member 'of the NMU in 1939, I want to. give you a couple of examples of how they worked: FINE TACTICS There was a cafe in Texas City called "Boots Place" that allowed the SIU, then a newly formed union, to display its literature in the place. "When the NMU heard of it, H. K. Duechare, the present NMU Galveston Agent (more of him later) got up on the floor of their meeting and accused Boots and his wife, Blanche, of print­ ing the literature. A motion was passed that any member of the NMU who was get the goods on him. We all know the terrific effect the war had on most people who lived in war areas. Seafarers, whose jobs bring them into the war-torn areas, particularly, know the hardships that exist. And the worst sufferers of all are the poor, helpless children who have been orphaned. It is in their behalf that we are attempting to do something to bring them a bit of relief, and to ease their suffering. And it is hoped that individual Seafarers may find it possible to help. As Business Agent of Local 1191-1 of the International Longshore­ men's Association, I have had much contact with SIU as our Brother Union in the AFL Mari­ time Trades Department of New York. An organization, the Torrese Social Club of New York, is now in a drive to collect clothing for the orphaned children of Torre del Greco, Naples, Italy. These children lived in an orphanage which was bombed out in the war, and their clothing needs are great. Those children who were orphaned by the war will also be aided. The Club has set up an effec­ tive way to see that the clothing it collects is legitimately dis­ tributed on the other side. Pietro Palomba, an attorney, of Torre del Greco, Naples, heads an au­ thorized committee of foiu: United States citizens, who were sent to the town by the club to see that the clothing is fairly dis­ tributed. These people will remain on the other side until their job is done meanwhile making reports back to the group here. VINCENT ERATO We would be grateful for any old gear which Seafarers have, and which could be distributed as clothing to these orphans. Paul Hall has said he will have un­ claimed gear made available to us. Should any reader have some­ thing wearable he would like to contribute to the drive, he can leave it on the 4th floor on the baggage room of the SIU Hall on 51 Beaver Street. Arrangements wiU be made for periodic pick­ ups. Or they can be sent direct to the Torrese Social Club, 107 President St., Brooklyn, N. "Y. The first shipment is scheduled for overseas shipment in one month. After that we intend to make shipments monthly. It is sincerely hoped that this drive will bring some measrure of comfort to these orphaned war victims. And we hope members of the SIU will be able to make clothing contributions to help us in that direction. Vincent Erato, Bus. Agent Local 1199-1 Intl. Longshoremen's Assn. DUTCH TREAT Galveston, Texas GI Won't Spare Power Returning To Sea spared. Oh, for the life of a sea­ I have received the Seafarers man! If there is anything you would Log and I certainly did welcome like to know about this place, I it. By the looks of things, - the Will be glad to send you some Union is really going to town pictures, or negatives—any infor­ Believe me it is about time some­ mation that you may want. body did something for the sea­ Well, I hope the paper keeps men, and the SIU is the one that coming, and if there js any charge is doing it. I will be glad to pay it. Also let me know if I am behind in We took a lot of guff during any dues. the war about making a lot of Edwin T. Clark money and all that nonsense. The 32nd Inf. APO 7 people never did seem to under­ San Francisco, Calif. stand the seamen's side of the (Editor's note: — No charge stoi-y—the risks involved;' etc. for the Log—all members and I am in the army, stationed former members are entitled to near Souel, Korea. It's not such receive it. We would like to a bad place, but as soon as I get have some of the negatives you put—well, you know where I am speak of,. along with all per­ heading for, and with no power tinent details. Since you are in Dear Editor: in the Army, it is advisable that you send your book to Headquarters, attention 6th floor, where it will be put in the Armed Forces file until your release. John Clamp (left) and Ray Carroll cool their palates during a recent stopover in Rotterdam. Requests SIU Service In A Package Beef Dear Editor: I'm writing you for a little help which I think you can supply. I was a crewmember aboard the SS Topa Topa on a voyage that payed off Jan. 3, 1947, in Phila­ delphia. After the payoff, I im­ mediately went home becau^^e I received word that my mother was very. ill. On the train home, while read­ ing my mail, I found a package notice from Waterman Steam­ ship Company stating that I had a package waiting for me in their New York office. Upon arriving home I wrote them a letter explaining the situation, and asked them to send the package to the return ad­ dress, my home, collect. It has now been three weeks since I wrote and I have had no answer from them. Would it be possible for you, or someone at the Hall in New York to get some action out of them, so I could get this package back? I cannot leave home because of my mother's condition and I have postponed my sailing because of tliis. Joseph A. Wilksoit (Ediior's note:—We've turned your letter over to Freddie Stewart, who is in charge of the baggage room, figuring he'd be the one to give you some SIU .service. Freddie said he'd turn to right away, so you should hear something shortly.) �Friday, February 7, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Fourteen THEY WANT TO ORGANIZE * * By FRENCHY MICHELET tinually boil all the taste out of The following notes are cabbage. Shred it up as for cold resume of much that wo have slaw occasionally, season with learned as Steward and Cook on salt and pepper and fry in ren­ a slew of ships both large and small. We pass them on to you dered sowbelly. When you open a can of string as a sort of valedictory effort for we shall not pass this way again beans, whole kernel corn and so on, try washing it in a collender in similar guise. and braising it with a little green You will find little here to onion and chipped bacon or with nourish the inner man. It is all designed to appease a hunger of whatever comes to hand. Then there's chicken and tur­ the belly kind. But perhaps it's an equal service, for we are all key ... primarily earthly creatures with There's a slew of ways to cook Pictured here are three typical Seafarers who came up to the New York Hall and asked to earthly appetites. them but one of the juiciest and be assigned to an unorganized ship. Left to right, are Olgerda Blues, Oiler; Bill Hutras, AB; and For every hour that we stumble tastiest of shipside methods is Ray Arnold, Oiler. Bill and Ray have been sailing for more than three years, and Brother Blues down the stony road with poor the simplest of the lot. has five years of seatime under his belt. None has sailed on an unorganized ship before, and all look blind Lear, wc spend a hundred forward to obtaining jobs on one so that they can do their parts in the SIU organizing campaign. Clean the birds, wash thorough­ mulling over the Betty Crockers' ly in cool running water, rub fascinating concoctions of ham liberally inside and out with a and eggs. mixture. of equal parts of salt, So pull up a chair, chum, and pepper and ginger. list to the lore of bacon and beans. Now rub each with salad oil, Give 'em all they want! cover with a cloth saturated with Woe unto the Steward who is the same oil and roast til a drum­ The Seafarers' crack speed yet to learn the wisdom of the.se stick hollers uncle when skater. Jack Parker, continued magic words. Give 'em all they squeezed with the fingers. Re­ with his winning ways last Sun­ want, brother, and you will find move the birds and make your day, when he whizzed over the that they will soon want but little gravy with the drippings. of anything at all. ice ahead of all competition in Don't keep jabbing a fork into Pack the refrigerators with a roast to test its doneness or to five speed events at the annual fresh fruits and jam the tables turn it over. If you do this you Rome (N. Y.) Winter Carnival. with ham and jam. It's the psy­ will find that it has bled most A record crowd of 3,000 en­ chology of plenty. If you make of its savory juices and is about By JOHNNY JOHNSTON thusiasts saw Parker crowned the the mistake of locking up every­ as tasty as something cooked by up-state city's senior and open Although for a long time the thing, you will find that you have the WSA's "experts" in their skating champ for the third con­ succeeded in doing nothing but Stewards • Dept. Retraining superiority of steam over sail secutive year. . stimulating appetites, for your School. was an accomplished fact in the looks will last about as long as Brother Parker, who makes eyes of the world, yet as late as AND GARLIC a snowball on the hottest hinge Rome his home when he isn't Bone all your roasts. They 1895 over 1700 sailing vessels of hell. doing Bosun's chores aboard SIU cook through better, slice better entered the port of New York. ships, flashed first across the tape WOMEN KNOW and are more economical. Smack But that was the last dying gasp in the 100, 220, 440, and 880-yard The women know all about this the bones with a cleaver and put events. For his fifth win he cop­ of the sailing portion of the ship­ JACK PARKER psychology of plenty. They trade them right into the pan with the ped the one mile open race, fea­ on it with a psychology of scar­ meat if you want the additional ping industry. ture event in the carnival's at­ city. The lock up everything with flavor. While gallant square riggers tractions. the result that simple souls like continued to be sighted on sea Wot, no garlic? you and me hustle around for li­ MORE MEDALS lanes throughout the world, their Roasting fresh pork without a censes to get at what we in our Last Sunday's victories added liberal sprinkling of garlic just number became fewer as the lamentable ignorance verily be­ years went by, and they present­ five medals and one trophy to lieve to be the choicer fruit ed an ever more lonely appear­ Parker's growing collection. In­ stashed away inside. ance in a world gone into steam cluding the latest additions, About vegetables and things . . power, and soon to go into diesel seven trophies and 55 medals now power. adorn the Parker home in testi­ The books all note that fresh The old adage that "one good mony to Jack's prowess on the turn deserves another" spurred vegetables should be cooked in 4" 4, 4silver blades. rapidly boiling water just long New Orleans Seafarers to return Donald McKay has been term­ enough to render them eatable. a compliment this week to the The accomplishments of the ed the most famous of America's SIU's ice whizz are all the more Rev. Thomas A. McDonough, port That's stuff for the birds to peck builders of clipper ships. He de­ noteworthy in view of the fact chaplain at the Catholic Martiat. Maybe you conserve the vita­ signed 16 of the finest and swift­ that he is unable to train as ef­ time Club on Camp Street. mins that way, but it makes the est of them between 1850 and fectively and religiously as his The youthful priest, who of­ food about as palatable as that 1853, and their romantic names shoreside competitors. fers the facilities of the club "as slumgum that Shuler ladles out have come down out of an equal­ a home and service center for the to crews silly enough to sail with His performances, however, use and welfare of all seamen ly romantic period. him. ain't done in the best culinary Among them were the Flying prove that he has sufficient speed temporarily in the port of New A smart cookie will operate on circles, chum. Cloud, the Mastiff, the Westward to offset this handicap. Orleans—irrespective of their na­ the supposition that a sailor gets Bone the meat, rub liberally Ho, and the last and greatest of all the vitamins he needs in his with a mixture of equal parts of Parker's string of victories be­ tionality or creed," has stated McKay's masterpices, the Great shoreside beer. When he tackles salt, pepper and thyme. Squeeze gan when he was 13-years-old, that "merchant seamen are not Republic. only the finest guys in the world, a messroom vegetable he craves the juice of two lemons over the when he scored his first win in something tasty. She had a tonnage of 4,555> competition. Now 22, Jack looks but also the biggest-hearted." meat, throw in the skins, add a Seafarers down in New OrAll of which brings us to liberal sprinkling of garlic and was 325 feet long and S3 feet forward to many more years of le§ins think pretty highly of O'Brien. Ireland hasn't produced roast di'y for 30 minutes. Now wide, had four decks, three racing. Father McDonough, too. anything to equal things O'Brien pour off the grease, add a ladle square rigged masts, and a SISTER TOO "He has never turned down one since St. Patrick was chasing the of hot water and roast in a slow of our members, and men go spankermast. An indication of Following in Brother Jack's snakes over her green hills with oven until done. over there every day to get a the gigantic size of this ship footsteps is his IJ-year-old sister, a knobby shillelagh. The following di.sh was taught flop and something to eat," says Rosemary, who already cuts a us by good old "Shanghai" Char­ may be gained by the fact that VARIATION ON THEME a note from the Gulf port. And neat chunk of ice herself. She the main yard was 120 feet in For a tasty variation of the lie while we were beachcombing has been under her . brother's the lads feel he is entitled to a in Singapore. The old Far East length, which was twice the O'Brien technique take firm champion tutorage since she was vote of thanks for his hospitality. fresh carrots and slice them in gang will be pleased to learn that size of the main yard on an nine years of age. chips. Cut up two green peppers Charlie survived the war and is average large merchantmen. Among the most recent of Par­ and four raw onions and add to now running a characteristic joint Unfortunately the Republic ker's trophy winnings is the behind the native bazaar in Cal­ the carrots. Slice up plenty of If you don't find linen never sailed the seas in all her award made to him last year at cutta. salt sowbelly and add. Then sea­ when you go aboard your glory, for she was seriously burn­ the Brooklyn Ice Palace, training Here's the way to make curry son with salt and pepper and ed while lying alongside the dock ship, notify the Hall at once. spot for some of the nation's top braise on the top of the range, and rice that will make the guys A telegram from Le Havre or in New York ready for her first speed artists. The Speed Skat­ who never eat the stuff call for stirripg occasionally till done. Singapore won't do you any voyage to San Francisco. Al­ ing Club there presented Jack seconds. Raw Irish potatoes may be though the vessel was repaired with its Silver Trophy for being good.^^ It's your bed and you Cut up a few old hens as for somewhat, the upper deck was treated the same way for an have to lie in it. the "most improved skater of the equally tasty dish. Don't con­ (Continued on Page 15) never replaced. 1945-46 season." Seafarer Parker Skates His Way To Carnival Crown For Third Time N.O. Seafarers Offer Thanks To Rev. McDonough ATTENTION! �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, February 7, 1947 Page Fifteen Geo. Washington Bartender Is A Topnotch Professional American Eastern Signs With SlU; Will Carry RR Rolling Stock ally, they were discovered and Brother Robert L. Brock, who; He sailed as a Night Cook and taken mid-ships. sails on the Alcoa liner George' Baker during the war, and once GALVESTON Later, the two Spanish politic­ SS Wm. Cox—$15.00. Washington as Bartender, is when his ship was docked at a al refugees were released and put SS Milan R. Stefanik—$20.50. worthy of Log mention for sev- Belgian port, buzz bombs caused to work doing odd jobs around INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS eral very newsworthy reasons. it to break loose from its moor­ R. B. Johnson, $5.00. the ship. On their arrival in this Not only does he have the honor ings, At the same time, dive country, they were picked up by NEW YORK of being the first and only Bar­ bombers sank another Alcoa ship the Immigration authorities and SS CITY OF ALMA tender on the George Washington docked along side. J. Piurllinmmi» Sr Crow of .S.S City confined to Ellis Island. Rumor since her return to passenger sail­ During the SIU General Mari­ has it that they will be taken of ALMA—$29.00. W. R. Mcllveen, $1.00; M. Lutzza, ing, but he also has the distinc­ time Strike in 1946, Bob did his back to France on the Gadsden's $1.00; j. E. L. Morin, $1.00; S. W. G. tion of being the first Seafarer to stint at the 125th St. Pier on the next trip across. Hale, $100; F. Havard, $1.00; j. C. sign on as a Bartender since the North River, and also participat­ Most of the crewmembers are Long. $1.00; H. Sharpe, $1.00; J. L. war's end. ed in the work stoppage which staying aboard for the next voy­ Chastain, $1.00; J. H. Prudhomme, occurred earlier in '46. He reaUy $1.00; E. E. Kusgen, $1.00; A. ArvanBob came to the SIU well age, and give full credit for the ites, $1.00; H. Faybik, $1.00; G. W. believes in the SIU, and isn't good food they've been having Vencil, $1.00; B. G. Doda, $1.00; G. qualified to sail as a Bartender, afraid to tell any of his thirsty having been a member of the Crisenio, $1.00; G. Bette, $1.00; J. to Chief Cook Pete Gonzales. clients aboard the George Wash­ According to them, Pete de­ McConeghey, $1.00; F. Sullivan, $1.00; Bartenders' Union for over 4 J. TozzI, $1.00; W. Graley, $1.00; A. years, and also the favorite drink ington that he belongs to the serves a medal for the swell feed Mueller, $1.00; M. Gichenico, $1.00. mixer-upper of John Goodman, Seafarers as well as the Bartend­ job he's been doing on the Gads­ SS WHITE OAK First Vice President of the Bar­ ers Union. den. However, SIU oldtimers 11. Tarranl. $2 00; V. Sunguroff, Attesting to his bartending abil­ have come to expect that kind $2.00; Don Newell, $2.00; W. Hryszko, tenders. Among his many as.sets, he has ity is the fact that Brother Brock $2.00; J. Griffin, $2.00; D. McFadden, of food on the average SIU ship. $1.00; F. Landry, $1.00. an international Bartenders cer­ has had numerous offers from For more details concerning SS COASTAL MARINER tificate which entitles him to passengers to tend bar in various American Eastern and the Gads­ W. Newberg, $1.00; C. Munden, $2.00. parts of the country. Not only den turn to Page 9 of the Log, SS GRAYS HARBOR does Bob know the numerous where you can see a full page C. A. Anderson, $1.00; J. B. Sher­ strange concoctions which many spread on this latest addition to man. $3.00; T. E. Freeland, $2.00; J. 1. passengers dream up, but his NEWSREEL BUILD-UP the Seafarers family of contract­ Booker, $1.00; C. Zipoff, $1.00; j. A. Gallagher, $1.00; J. A. Lormand, $1.00. knowledge of wines — dry or Recently, the RKO News car­ ed shipping companies. SS MADAKET sweet, chilled or room tempera­ ried a feature on the MV Gads­ A. T. Arnold, $1.00; E. T. Peterson, ture, and with what course —• $1.00; R. Strom, $1.00; C. L. Dasha, den, one of the American Eastern delights the gourmets' hearts. $1.00; J. Sanlonzans, $2.00; F. Bura, ships. The newsreel covered the $1.00; L. W. Borreson, $1.00; J. Aba, technical operation of the ship $1.00; William Jenkins, $1.00; M. Sooin great detail, showing how the bramoney, $1.00; Henry Rowe, . $1.00; H. S. Bonitto, $1.00; L. Reynolds, $1.00; locomotive and tenders were B. Holmes, $1.00; A. Douglas, $1.00; O. lifted by the Gadsden's huge {Continued prom Page 14) Lewis, $1.00; S. P. Gondzar, $1.00. crane and properly stowed in the fricasseeing. Put in a pot of hot SS PURDUE VICTORY holds. W. Montalvo, $1.00; J. J. Lawlor, water, feet and all. Add salt, A commentator described the whole black pepper, a heaping $1.00; Lee Klapp, $1.00; John Clamp, rather involved technical opera­ teaspoon of ginger, three whole $1.00; A. Kubcrski, $1.00; E. A. Fancher, $1.00; T. S. Moller, $1.00; A. W. tion of the ship's equipment, onions, a few bay leaves, and a King, $1.00; A. P. Maznrick. $1.00; while the SIU'crew provided the few peppercorns. By GAL TANNER David Nunnn, $1.00; M. Dodge, $1.00; background. Let simmer until the meat is J. M. Rogers, $3.00. MOBILE — It's good to be in SS SIMMONS Bartender Robert Brock shak­ American Eastern expects to tender. Remove the meat, re­ J. Brady, $1.00; J. LaaFrance, $1.00; have a fleet of 21 ships eventual­ serving the stock. Remove meat M. Roth. $1.00; J. L. Crowley, $1.00; ing up one of his thirst-quench­ Mobile again and meet so many ly, all of thern engaged in haul­ from bones, dice and fry in but­ D. A. Meacham, $4.00; J. D. Garvin, ing specials aboard the George old shipmates. The affairs of the Washington. port were in excellent shape, so ing railroad equipment, and all ler. Add strained stock. Fry four Jr., $1.00. •SS S. CLARA the business of assuming office equipped .with self-contained large onions in butter until gold­ L. T. Everett, $1.00; W. J. Tarrant, serve not only in the U.S., but in was narrowed down to hanging loading and unloading gear. en brown and add to stock. $2.00; C. M. Owens, $2.00. Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico as up my hat, rolling up my sleeves Other runs besides the one to Cook a mixture of two heap­ well. and going to work. Lc Havre will be made, and prac ing galley spoons of curry pow­ As a result of winning the top Shipping has been good here .tically all European countries der and equal part of flour in award given by the Bartenders since before Christmas with Wa­ will benefit from the American butter til raw taste of flour is Union in open competition with terman taking out a bunch of railroad equipment transported gone. Add to the stock. Simmer BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. 87 other Bartenders from all parts ships from the boneyard for the Calvert 4539 by the American Eastern ships. for about an hour. Meanwhile, of the United States, Bob's bank grain run to Europe. BOSTON 276 State St. wash about a gallon of rice in a Boudoin 4455 account was fattened to the ex­ STOWAWAYS ABOARD In fact, it has kept Charlie china cup til the starch is gone, BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. tent of $775. His prize winning Cleveland 7391 Kimball and the other officials then fry the raw rice in cooking On the last trip of the MV CHARLESTON 68 Society St, effort was monickered the "Times busy hunting up crews. Things oil til it starts to get tender. Then Phone 3-3680 Gadsden, when she left Le Havre Square Cocktail. 24 W. Superior Ave. have slowed down some, but it on January 17, two stowaways add just a little well-salted water CHICAGO Superior 5175 WINNING RECIPE isn't much trouble to ship on the managed to hide themselves and cook til done. CLEVELAND ...1014 E. St. Clair Ave. Main 0147 Recipe for this tempting taste kind of run you want. aboard the vessel. They con­ Just before serving stir in two ..1824 Mesquite St. titilator is one-half jigger of lem­ trived to stay hidden for five slightly-beaten eggs into the'cur- CORPUS CHRIST! Corpus Whitey Lewis is already on the Christi 3-1509 1038 Third St. on juice, one-half jigger of slo job as Engine Patrolman and the days, subsisting on canned milk ry. It makes as tasty a dish as DETROIT Cadillac 6857 gin, and one full jigger of rum old officials are cooperating 100 and stale bread, and coming out any you will serve during the DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St, Melrose 4110 bacardi. Ingredients are shaken I percent, giving the port a good for air early each morning. Fin- entire trip. GALVESTON 305Vi 22nd St. well with cracked ice until the working force, We didn't get around to tell­ 2-8448 ^ith the regular Alcoa and 16 Merchant St, mixer becomes frosted, and then ing you about veal marengo and HONOLULU 58777 poured into the cocktail glass in Waterman payoffs and most MisSpanish rice and a host of equal­ HOUSTON 1515 7Sth Street Phone Wehtworth 3-3809 Brock s inimitable style, develop- giggippj freighters making this a ly, tasty dishes.' But we gotta 920 Main St. ed through years and years of ex­ port of call there is plenty of All those who witnessed the stop now or Ye Editor will give JACKSONVILLE Phone 5-5919 perience as a thirst quench ex­ work to keep the waterfront paaccident sustained by E. E. Casey us a beef about monopolizing MARCUS HOOK 1 Vz W. 8th St. Chester 5-3110 pert. ti-ol busy. space. on July 25, 1946, aboard the SS MIAMI 1355 N. E. 1st Ave. He has also developed an or­ The Seafarers has 16 towboats So we'll leave you with this MOBILE 7 St. Michael St. iginal technique in shaking the Algic, will please get in touch 2-1754 operating in this port, and the recommendation: If there's any­ NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. cocktail and pouring it without with Joseph Volpian, SIU Special thing that you don't know about Magnolia 6112-6113 once banging or cracking the crews are getting pretty tired of "Services Department, 51 Beaver cooking, ask Shuler; he doesn't NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. the run-around the operators are HAnover 2-2784 mixer against the bar. Yes, we giving them. Street, New York City. know it either, and you will NORFOLK 127-129 Bank Street saw him with our own very eyes, 4-1083 feel so much better for having Several times during the past and can vouch for his ability. 4' 4" t PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. met a kindred soul. year they have had to hang the Phone LOmbard 3-7651 Seems as how the technique con­ Viktor Makko, Bosun; Charles PORT ARTHUR . .909 Fort Worth Ave. sists of screwing or twisting the hook to enforce clauses of the " Phone: 2-8532 Sonwald, AB; Moussa Talamas, agreement, and right now they PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. cap around the measurette firmly AB; are requested to get in touch Beacon 4336 are out after an iron clad con­ in such a way as not to crack the RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. •with Richard Cantor, 51 Cham­ tract with all the vague "Phila­ 2599 glass when losening same. Sounds bers Street, New York. It is in delphia lawyer" clauses elimin­ SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. quite complicated, but it's really Send in the minutes of Douglas 5475-8363 refei-ence to the injury of John ated. simple, says Bob! your ship's meeting to the SAN JUAN, P. R. , , .252 Ponce de Leon Novak aboard the Joseph S. All in all. Mobile is the same Among other nite spots. Bro­ San Juan 2-5996 New York Hall. Only in that Emery on October 1, 1945. SAVANNAH .220 East Bay St. busy Union port it has always ther Brock worked in Cole Port­ way can the membership act 8-1728 been, and the headaches are er's old place, the 1-2-3 Club. on your recommendations, SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. Main 0290 nothing new. One thing every­ He's also worked along the mainand then the minutes can be TAMPA .1809-1811 N. Franklin St. stem in other niteries. one can be sure of is that the printed in the LOG for the M-1323 Hailing from Birmingham, Al­ membership down here will con­ TOLEDO 615 Summit St. benefit of all other SIU WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd. abama, Brook is an eligible bach­ tinue to do the same good job ij. C. GUTHMAN crews. Terminal 4-3131 as it has done in the past, and VICTORIA, B. C. ...i«02 Boughton St. elor in his late twenties. He's Hold those shipboard meet­ Please write to your • son • Billy Garden 8331 been a member of the SIU since that as a good Union port Mobile, ings regularly, and send IJack Gtithman, 25 South Street, VANCOUVER 144 W. Hastings St. will continue to rank second to Pacific 7824 1944, and now resides in New those minutes in as soon as 'New York City. He wants to none. York when he's in town. ihear from you. (Continued frotn Page 1) structed holds and special gear for the loading and unloading of the railroad equipment. On the present run from Weehauken, N.J. to Le Havre, France, these new type ships carry 18 locomotives and 18 tenders on each trip of approximately five weeks duration. With competent crews of Sea­ farers aboard those self-loading and unloading ships, a real ship­ shape job of handling them is being turned in. No other union could be expected to do the dif­ ficult job of manning them in the same competent and responsible manner as the Seafarers. Only in a union like the SIU, where pride in seamanship an'd job know-how is highly devel­ oped, can the responsible sea­ men necessary to the competent operation of these new type ships be found. Straight From The Galley New Agent Finds Port Mobile Is In Good Shape SIU HALLS NOTICE! Send Those Minutes PERSONALS �Page Sixieen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. February 7, 1947 ... is more "ttiaix a toord; it is liviK9 # militont unionism. DuHnq the past severol montHs the Seofarers Inter­ national Unloin has acttvelc| aided the :fellou>ing umons, looaliuand nation­ ally , 1p u)m tliedr beefs or the point of production : The MMeP, ILA.CIO Shipbuilders, MSBA, Teamsters,and the MFOWVfV. IK- HEAFARERS Ivitsrnortional Union of /Ibirth.America U-'. ifofC � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seafarers Log Issues 1939-1949 Description An account of the resource Volumes I-XI of the Seafarers Log Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource February 7, 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. 6 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SIU SUPPORTS STRIKE OF CIO SHIPBUILDERS; BUSHEY YARD TIED-UP TAXI MEN CONTINUE STRIKE IN TAMPA DESPITE INJUNCTION MARINE FIREMEN VOTE TO REJECT CMU BY 5-1 VOTE AMERICAN EASTERN SIGNS WITH SIU; WILL CARRY RR ROLLING STOCK AFL MEMBERSHIP HITS AN ALL-TIME RECORD WITH OVER 7 MILLION ALCOA SS SPEEDS UP CARIBBEAN SCHEDULE ON THE MARCH EFFECTIVE UNITY NMU CAN'T SERVICE ITS MEMBERS SO THEY LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR HELP NEW SEAMEN'S BILL OF RIGHTS IS INTRODUCED INTO CONGRESS CANADIAN SIU WINS WAGE RISE FROM UNION SS DANISH SAILORS TALK MERGER WITH FIREMEN SIU AND CIO SHIPBUILDERS ON PICKETLINE IN REAL-LIFE EXHBITION OF MARITIME UNITY THJERE'S MORE TO ORGANIZING THAN MEETS THE NAKED EYE PHILLY IS OUT TO GET BIGGER AND BETTER HALL COMPANY ECONOMY COSTS SEAMAN BROKEN LEGS PAYOFF TAKES 14 HOURS BUT CREW GETS EVERYTHING IT HAS COMING LG-HAPPY SKIPPER THROWS THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS, POOR FELLER GREAT LAKES IS READY FOR BIG ORGANIZING DRIVE SHIPPING TAKES A SUDDEN SPURT IN SAVANNAH TAMPA CHANDLERS CRYING IN BEER; NOBODY IS BUYING THEIR SUPPLIES TRANSPORTATION RULE ON COAST IS CLARIFIED FOR MEMBERSHIP THE PATROLMEN SAY AFL COUNCIL WILL MEET IN DULUTH; 18 UNIONS EXPECTED TO ATTEND RR EQUIPMENT FOR EUROPE - VIA AN SIU CREW TULANE CREW HITS TOPSIDE FAVORITISM LOOP KNOT HAS ONE-MAN DECK DEP'T. SHORESIDE EXCURSIONS HIGHLIGHT ISTHMIAN CREW'S MIDEAST TRIP SEAFARER PARKER SKAES HIS WAY TO CARNIVAL CROWN FOR THIRD TIME GEO. WASHINGTON BARTENDER IS A TOPNOTCH PROFESSIONAL NEW AGENT FINDS PORT MOBILE IS IN GOOD SHAPE Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2/7/1947 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1947 Periodicals Seafarers Log