https://seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/c037ea22eff811b529dfc0dd5279e8bd.PDF 7c71704ba69150fed6be64c6054a8e51 PDF Text Text iftHESpiiii v>^ '-y Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. IX. NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 21. 1947 SlU ON ANOTHER UNION FRONT No. 8 SlU Demands Inquiry Into Panamanian Ships; ITF To Discuss Action NE!W YORK, February 19 — The Coordinating Committee of the International Transportworkers Feder­ ation today discussed the fact that many shipowners are placing their ships under Panamanian registry in an effort to avoid having to employ union seamen. Figures dis­ closed at the meeting showed that a vast number of United States yessels have already been transferred, and more than 350 Greek ships are now sailingt^ " -SlU Again Takes To Street With UFE Leaflets All seamen's ujjjons are hostile to this, since Panama's seamen are very poorly paid, and this The notably anti-union Bushey Company is finally going to sit down and bargain with the will inevitably lead to a break CIO Shipbuilders. It was cooperation such as the picture above shows that forced Bushey into this down of union wages and condi­ move. Seafarers and shipbuilders united can't lose. tions in the countries where sea­ men have strong unions. In addition, the inspection While the banking interests rules in Panama are very lax, were frantically searching for and this may prove costly in new ways to stall the demands of The SIU sailing through the seamen's lives. the United Financial Employes, streets, distributing leaflets for The companies which have al­ AFL, the Seafarers again ranged the UFE in an inspiring dis­ ready affected the transfers have the New York financial district, play of union solidarity and started the union-busting ball distributing literature which ex­ NEW YORK—With a new contract signed, sealed, fraternal cooperation, evidently rolling by advertising for scabs plained the UFE side of the story. and delivered on January 29, 1947, the passenger ships op­ had an effect on the Wall Street to sail their ships. In three hours, on Tuesday, fat boys. Although the Seafarers Inter­ February 18, close to 50,000 leaf­ erated by the Alcoa Steamship Company were added to the national Union has taken a pos­ lets were handed out. Headed, The New York Cotton Ex­ growing list of vessels instituting the new conditions and change backed down very ition condemning the juggling of "UFE CALLS ITS OWN wages being won on passenger, freight, and tanker ships quickly from its obstinate re­ United States ships in this man­ SHOTS," the message was eager­ by the Seafarers. fusal to even talk to the union, ner, the ITF Coordinating Com­ ly grabbed by the Wall Street The new agreement, which supplements the agree- and has promised not to attack mittee, as the result of a sugges­ workers as they hit the street for -tment dated October 23, 1946, was the UFE's bargaining rights and tion by Brothers Paul Hall and their lunch hour. Morris Weisberger, decided to signed by John Hawk, Secretaryto negotiate in good faith. It is reported that the Wall table any action until the next Street circles are a little taken Treasurer; J. P. Shuler, Assistant The Cotton Exchange meeting on February 28. Secretary-Treasurer; Paul Hall, aback by the solid cooperation swears that it was misquoted Director of Orgpnization; and SIU CALLS HALT which the UFE is receiving from in that story in the Com­ Robert Matthews, Headquarters A resolution, drafted by SIU the SIU. But the UFE members mercial and Financial Chron­ Department Engine Representa­ President Harry Lundeberg, and potential members are gain­ icle. But it also might be that tive. For the Company Messrs blasted the practice by which ing new confidence for the job SIU support for the UFE Schilling and Parks signed. great financial interests are able which lies ahead. forced this sudden change of NEW YORK, Feb. 19 — A Four ships are covered by the heart. {Continned on Page 15) {Continued on Page 1 5) break of possible major signifi­ cance in the SlU-supported strike contract: the George Washington, SOLIDARITY DOES IT of the CIO Shipbuilders against and the Alcoa Cavalier, Alcoa the Ira. A. Bushey and Sons' Corsair, and Alcoa Clipper. All Brookly.n shipyards was reported are cruise ships, and although the today by Fred Mesita, Chairman GW is the only one in operation of Local 13, of the Industrial right now, the others will be run­ Union of Marine and Shipbuild­ ning by the middle of June at the ing Workers of America, CIO, as latest. the walkout went into its fourth These ships are the last word week. in comfort, both for passengers William McCaffrey, the union's and crew. They are air-condi­ international representative, and tioned throughout, newly paint­ William Scanlon, company per­ ed and renovated, and promise to sonnel manager, met this morn­ be good berths for SIU members. ing at which time the shipyard While the Cavalier, Corsair, workers demands were present­ and Clipper have a capacity of 96 ed to the company. Under terms of a "gentlemen's passengers each, only an average agreement," the striking local of 60 are expected to be car­ agreed to remove picketlines ried. Should there be any in­ from the yard's entrance, while crease in this amount, the Com­ the company promised to refrain pany has agreed to employ ad­ ditional members in the Stew­ from putting scabs to work. ards Department. Officially, however, the strike continues pending ratification of The complete text of the sup­ any. agreement reached by the plemental agreement appears on conferees. This is the first time pages 7 and 8;, keep these pages Lefl to right, AFL Office Workers' Vice-President R. M. Daugherty; Local 205, UFE Presi­ the Bushey outfit has indicated a for future reference. They may dent M. David Keefe, and an unidentified Seafarer give out handbills in the financial district. willingness to negotiate the dis­ mean more money for you—or pute, which began Jan. 30. Far right is John Cole, another Local 205 official. save you from filing bum beefs. Seafarers And Alcoa Sign Passenger Ship Clauses Bushey Agrees To Meet Shipmen As Strike Holds United Action Wins �V.. ^ :..V ;ES Page Two TL'i. THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, February 21, 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 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y. HAnover 2-2784 % ^ X 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. Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, at the Post Office in New York, N. Y., imder the Act of August 24, 1912. GEORGE NOVICK, Editor 267 Peacetime Conscription The men who make it a life work to be fftliticians learn early that words are valuable mainly to hide what they are really trying to say. The man who learns this the best usually winds up in a position of major importance. With hands patriotically lifted in the air, they say that the United States needs a large standing army so as to protect us from foreign countries. They try to prove that a large navy is a necessity to prevent other nations from conquering u^ A big air force is another must, according to the big shots, so as to enable the United States to withstand in­ vasion should it come by air. There is not one single grain of truth in any of the above arguments. Atomic warfare has made large armies and navies silly holdovers from the past. A million men are not a good match for one atom bomb. Why, then, do the Washington legislators go down the line for conscription of young men in time of peace? The answer is simple, and is the other string to the antilabor bow that all Congressmen are equipped with. Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegate by post­ card, giving your name and the number of your ward. By fair means or foul, the big businessmen of .the United States have resolved to break up unions and thereby send workers back into economic slavery. Through their lackeys, the elected representatives who sit in the Halls of Congress, they have started a flood of laws that will, if passed, push the U. S. labor movcm.ent back 50 years. But they are not satisfied with just that. They like to make sure of their ground, and if the bills they favor are not passed, they want another weapon to fall back on. That is where conscription comes in. Staten Island Hospital Men Now In The Marine Hospitals These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals, as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ ing to them. A vast conscript army in an ever-ready source of strike-breakers. During the days of the 1930's, when the American labor movement was just emerging as a factor in our economic life, the National Guard of various states STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL was called out to disperse pickets and club helpless men R. G. MOSSELLER J. S. WOOD and women. What the NO did, conscripted soldiers may E. E. CASEY be forced to do. W. G. H. BAUSE F. H. DOLAN We. all know only to well that the Army has no mind L. A. CORNWALL of its own, but obeys blindly. Soldiers moved trucks when F. CORNIER the Teamsters were on strike; Army battalions stood ready M. BAUCSKI to run the railroads when the Railroad Unions were on E. D. MILLER M. MORRIS strike, and this was a large factor in breaking that strike. After the end of the war, many United States soldiers were trained in the use of billy clubs and tear gas. Taken by Itself, this piece of information is not frightening, but when this training was accompanied by lectures on break­ ing picketlines and the handling of "mobs," then it became a matter of concern to all vmrkers. It took a great deal of publicity to force the Army to halt the training of soldiers as strike-breakers. If the brass-hats get the go-ahead signal now, nothing will stop them in the future. It may be that the men who are drafted for peace­ time training will not be used as strike-breakers. But labor cannot afford to take that chance. The only way to make sure is to fight the program now, before it is too late. H. BELCHER L. L. MOODY W. BLOOM R. R. LEIKAS R. MCDOWELL K.- KORNELIUSSEN M. J. LYDEN J. H. DANIEL, Jr. S. W. LESLEY C. SULLIVAN S" S" it NEPONSIT HOSPITAL J. R. HANCHEY C. M. LARSON J. S. CAMPBELL R. A. BLAKE L. TORRES L. CLARK H. SELBY J. FIGUEROA C. SCHULTZ L. L. LEWIS E. V. FERRER H. BURKE 5, 5, S. BALTIMORE HOSPITAL CLIFTON COATES CASIMIR HONOROWSKI CHARLES SIMMONS CLYDE MILLER THEODORE BABKOWSKI THEODORE CARROLL MATTHEW CARSON MAX BYERS JOHN OSSMOW PETER LOPEZ ROBERT SHEHEE LAWRENCE McCUNE FRANK NIXON DAVID HERON You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Stateii Island Hospital at the follow­ ing times: Tuesday—1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 5th and 6th floors) Thursday—-ItSO, to 3:30 p.m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) Saturday>—1:30: to 3i30 pmi. (on 1st and Znd floors.) GALVESTON HOSPITAL OLSEN BENNETT GALANE R. V. JONES HUTCHENSON STAEINZ MILKE FLESHER AKIN GRAVES BREASHAR KOW LIM t t t 4. t BRIGHTON HOSPITAL E. JOHNSTON H. SWIM R. LORD E. CABRAL A. MABIE R. BROWN T. ALDRIDGE E. BOLEKALA SAN JUAN HOSPITAL JUAN OLIVER WALTER JORGENSON RAYMOND SAUDERS R. ARMSTRONG P. FELICIANO . R. SEIFO J. TIERNEY X X % ELLIS ISLAND HOSPITAL C. RASMUSSEN D. MCDONALD J. KOSLUSKY M. MCCARTHY �Friday. February 21, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three Seafarers Asks Congress For Action On Program For Merchant Marine By PAUL HALL One of the most nauseating dishes cooked up at the San Fran­ cisco meeting of the national council of the Marine Cooks and Stewards union last December was an item probably served as "Unity-a-la CMU." It was a proposal by the MCS New York agent Sid Kaufman, that the Committee for Maritime Unity (which rerecently went through a much-needed scrap job( move in and take over the East Coast longshoremen of the American Federation of Labor. The stomach of any honest trade-unionist would have turned at the first smell of such finking crap. But not so with the officials of the MCS, whose guts have long been filled through with the poisons of the communists' trade-union diet. The finking raiding proposal was neither new nor surprising. Any guy on the waterfront with the least bit of savvy would ex­ pect just that sort of thing from these characters, whose mouths shout workingclass slogans, but whose hands hold the knife that rips the back of labor. Always one of the major obstacles in the way of communist waterfront ambitions, the AFL longshoemen have long been the commies' chief target. Commie inspired attempts to move in on the International Longshoremen have been made before. But the wings of these redbirds were clipped, and we'll clip them again if necessary. Specifically, though, what can be done, what will be done about this finking threat to our Brother outfit in the Maritime Trades Department? Agents Will Discuss jVIatter As far as the Seafarers International Union is concerned, the matter will receive careful attention at the Agents Conference of the Atlantic and Gulf District, and at the International's conven­ tion to be held in Chicago in March. The entire question will be discussed very thoroughly on the basis of our considerable—and bitter experience with the commies in the past. Out of these two meetings will come specific recommenda­ tions for combatting the latest in the sickening list of commie-dis­ ruptive trade-union tactics. In addition the matter will be placed on the agenda of the AFL Maritime Trades Department, and on the agenda of the Maritime Councils in every port of West, Gulf and Atlantic coasts. * This latest commie-led maneuver shows up sharply one of the fundamental reasons for the organization of the Maritime Trades Department. The powerful alliance of AFL waterfront unions was forged not only to strengthen its affiliates in their fights against the operators, but also to successfully defend ourselves against the raids of commie unions. We stand prepared to smash the foul tactics of these red raiders, who, in order to carry out the dictates of Mother Russia, must completely eontrol the maritime industry. SIU Expansion Program Valuable Definite signs of the value of the Seafarers' expansion program are now becoming more and more evident. Added to the tremen­ dously important victory in the Isthmian election are several new contracts signed recently with dry cargo operators. And, while other unions are experiencing tough shipping, the Seafarers is enjoying uniformly good shipping up and down the ports. Credit for this healthy condition must go not only to the all-out efforts of the organizing department, but also to the membership for its keen foresight in voting against indiscriminate issuance of membership books. At the time this policy was put into operation, some considered it an unwise move because it had the effect of cutting down the Union's income. Now, however, the wisdom of the move on this score is undisputed. For the time being, the threat of unemployment has been throttled. We can thank the membership for another move that con­ tributed to the Union's smooth functioning. The recently voted re­ quirement that every man must make one trip on an unorganized ship, unless exempted because of other union activities, has had tremendous educational value. As a result of this ruling new mem­ bers are able to gain first-hand experience on the benefits of union­ ism. The new man learns—and sees—the value of Union tactics. The experience pays double interest—the man is come of an asset to himself, and to his Union. The progress we have made should furnish us with greater power in continuing our important drive in unorganized fields. We must keep steam up. We must complete the program we have laid out. In doing so, not only will the size and strength of the Union multiply, but the membership will acquire on-the-spot know-how at the same time. SIU Prestige Grows Speaking of the size and strength of our Union brings up an importantly related matter. The Seafarers is now following a policy in all ports which is adding stature and prestige from out­ side sources. We're gaining new friends all over, and we're putting into practice the principle of real trade-union solidarity. And we're We are taking this opportunity to call your attention to various problems which face the Ameri­ can Merchant Marine and the American .seamen, who make their living sailing on American ships; and also the people ashore; such as the shipyard workers, who are vitally effected and in­ terested in maintaining a large American Merchant Marine. We hope you will read our ideas on the subject, and give them serious consideration. ships with; the foreign operators immediately charter out these ships on long-term contracts to American exporters and impor­ ters, at a rate much lower than American operators can charter out ships. This condiion prevails both in the dry cargo and tanker field. On this page the LOG is proud to start the text of the message sent by Seafarers President Harry Lundeberg to the members of the House Merchant Marine and Fish­ eries Committee and the members of the Committee on Commerce. Due to space limitations, the entire message could not be printed in one issue. Next week the concluding sections will appear. These foreign ships haul Amer­ ican imports and exports, and pay from $100 to $150 less a month for each sailor they hire. They feed badly; they have poor manning scales; and in a num­ AMERICAN SHIPPING ber of cases, are subsidized by Department, and the disinterest­ their government; pay little or no The great American Merchant ed part the United States Con­ taxes, and can operate at a profit. Marine, which reached its peak gress has played. of about 50 million tons during The American banker, who It is the opinion of many peo­ the war, is rapidly dwindling lends money to foreign coun­ down. At the rate ships are be­ ple in the maritime industry that tries and foreign operators to en­ ing laid up by the millions'of tons the Maritime Commission has not able them to buy American built all around the country; at the laid down a strong enough policy ships, owned by the United States rate ships are being sold to for­ to safe-guard the American Mer­ Government, gets a nice fat in­ eign governments and foreign chant Marine. It appears they terest on his money, at the ex­ operators, and at the rate Amer­ just establish policies from day pense of the American Merchant ican capital is buying ships and to day. Marine. The Merchant Marine Act of putting them under the Pana­ Every day more and more manian Flag, it will not be long 1936 was specifically passed by American shipyard workers and before the American Seamen will Congress to build and maintain a American seamen are out of large American Merchant Ma­ be in the breadline with the high­ work. Moreover, this *is daily est wages in the world, but with rine, which would be large weakening the national defense enough to take care of the needs no ships to sail. status of the United States. Before the war, the entire of the United States in peace or The Ships Sales Bill, in its American Merchant Marine was war; and the Maritime Commis­ sion was created as the adminis­ present form, is practically ruin­ approximately between 12 and 13 trative body to enforce the act. ing the American Merchant Ma­ million tons; this included the rine. There are certain people tonnage on the Great Lakes. The SHIPS SALES BILL within the United States Govern­ way the American Merchant Ma­ Last year Congress passed a rine is decreasing, it will not. be Bill to dispose of all surplus ment, who do not believe the long before we are back to the American tonnage. The Bill was United States should have a large same tonnage we had before the supposed to protect American Merchant Marine. These people, war. There are various reasons shipping, but it did not work out however, are in favor of allowing for this, which we will attempt that way. We find today that foreign flag ships to carry im­ ports and exports to the United to point out to you. foreign buyers and countries are States, so foreign countries can In our opinion, the major blame purchasing American ships by make the money to buy Ameri­ for the sick status of the Ameri­ the hundreds. They can afford to can products. can Merchant Marine today can buy them with American dollars One advocate of this theory is be laid squarely in the lap of the on long-term plans. American Maritime Commission, the State banks lend them money to buy Mr. Clayton, Assistant Secretary of State. This is no idle state­ doing this great job simply by helping other unions in their beefs. ment, for Mr. Clayton has, from Most recent example of this was the active aid given in New time to time, expressed so pub­ York to the CIO Shipbuilders in their strike for a union contract, licly. Besides the theories of Mr. and to the AFL United Financial Employes in their drive on Wall Clayton, there are others within Street. In Tampa, our Branch stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the the State Department, who are more interested in giving Ameristriking AFL Teamsters, and the Waiters and Bartenders union. At the outset, some of the membership were of the opinion that ] can ships away to foreign counthe Seafarers was taking part in beefs that should be no concern of, tries, than helping to build a ours. No doubt, they now understand that all labor stands—and powerful Merchant Marine. Our falls—together. Union solidarity cannot be measured on a favor-for-1 Organization fought consistently favor basis. Proof is that we, ourselves, were helped by other ^ hard for a decent Bill for the Unions during our own General Strike. No occasion has arisen American Merchant Marine. where we might return that aid. But that is not the basis for As a result of the present Ships labor cooperation. Sales Bill, the records will show Our stand has contributed strength to the entire labor body. that thousands of ships are being When we throw pur support to one union, all American labor of ^ goijj foreign operators. Furthwhich we, the Seafarers, are an important part, picks up the gains, ermore, hundreds of ships are beSolidarity is ndt something achieved by words. It is built on the j^g laid up in American rivers picketlines; it is forged at the point of production. and bays, and the active Ameri­ Every SIU Hall—and this will come up before the Agents can Merchant Marine is dwind­ conference should be so established physically and organizationally, ling away. that if called upon, it can play a vital part in helping other trade The only American operators, unions in their just beefs. who buy tonnage today, are the industrial carriers; such as Stand­ Action At Point Of Production ard Oil, Isthmian Line, and a few The point to be remembered is that in doing so, the Seafarers companies, who carry their own will be educating the working stiffs of other unions in the prac­ products. tical advantage of SIU policies and practices—the value of eco­ The records will show that the nomic action at the point of production, as contrasted with the American government today is political bull-s ... of the commie-dominated unions. helping to build up the Merchant This type of assistance, if continued along with the rest of the Marine • of foreign countries. SIU program—organizational and educational—will aid the Sea­ Some of them have already farers, and the trade-union movement in general. The Seafarers passed the tonnage they had prior must fight continually against the tactics of some so-called "labor to the war; others are rapidly leaders," whose idea of bargaining is to go crawling to the bosses, coming up to their pre-war ton­ instead of fighting with their economic strength in honest, trade- nage. union style. The crawling approach if continued will reduce labor It must be remembered that to nothing. the American taxpayers spent 20 We know now that a defeat of any union is a defeat for all billion dollars to build a great unions. We must use our economic power to keep the bosses, the American Merchant Marine. It reactionaries and commies from smashing the labor movement. must also be remembered that Can this action be successful? Yes. Let us continue on our the United States Legislators, chartered course—Let us continue to fight our beefs the hard way through Congress, enacted a law —Job action. Most of all let us continue to realize that a defeat for one union is a defeat for all unions! (Continued on Page 8) t J �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Four Staff Officers Signs Mor-Mac; Wins Two Polls WHAT itWIMC... QUESTION:—^What do you think of the SIU policy of helping other unions in their beefs, as we are now doing with the United Financial Employes, AFL? ! MICKEY HEALEY, OS: OSBORNE WILLIAMS, Cook: If other unions can't depend on j us for help, who can they de­ pend on? We know how bad the situation is on unorganized ships; it is just as bad in unorganized industries. When we go out on the picketline to help the Long­ shoremen, or the Shipbuilders, or the Financial Employes, we are just strengthening the whole la­ bor movement and making it tougher for the bosses to bust us up. No sense kidding ourselves, labor is in for a hard fight. We are going to need all the help we can give and get from each other. I've been in the SIU since 1940, and I have seen some of the things we all went through before our Union became as strong as it is. It's a good idea for us to get behind other unions if they have just beefs. Recently we helped out the ILA, the MM&P, ihe ClO Shipbuilders, and now we are assisting the AFL Financial Em­ ployes. We have won a hard fight against our own employers, and if we can do something towards helping others, I am all in favor of doing it. That's how a strong labor movement is built. » Mor-Mac operates approxi­ mately 80 ships, and the new agi'eement covers more than 100 Pursers, Wage increases averaging $40.00 per month, and overtime rates of $1.60 per hour, are features of the contract. These apply to the freighters, and passenger wages are still un­ der negotiation. The elections which- the AMMSOA won were all hotly contested by the NMU. There was lots of mud-slinging by the commies, but the good reputa­ tion of the AFL Pursers Union was more than a match for any­ thing the NMU could do. PAT ROBERTSON, OS: Great Lakes Seamen Held Ready For Unionism As SIU Prepares To Launrh Organizing Drive There exists a general tend­ ency among salt water seamen to refer to lakes seamen as "farm­ ers" and, because of the seasonal nature of the Lakes maritime in­ dustry, to regard organization as virtually impossible. When the question of organization on the Lakes is discussed, the answer is generally "it can't be done." Nothing can be farther from • the truth. A little study of our Union history shows that not only can the Lakes seamen be organ­ ized, but that actually their or­ ganization ..and ..struggle., have been responsible for many of the greatest gains made by seamen anywhere. In 1912, three years before the passage of the "Seamen's Act," sponsored by Andrew Furuseth, the Lakes seamen were on the picket lines fighting one of the greatest battles in maritime his­ tory. It was this fight, led by the American Federation of Labor and waged against the greatest of odds, that was responsible for the passage of the act, and the subsequent organization on a na­ tional scale of seamen in the old International Seamen's Union. The question will then be askC|d> "If the Lakes seamen were Despite the obstructionist tac­ tics of the NMU, the American Merchant Marine Staff Officer.^ Association has signed a new contract with Moore-McCormack Lines, and has won two NLRB elections recently. These facts were announced by Tom Hill, East Coast Representative of the AMMSOA. In the election covering the 17 ships of the Atlantic, Gulf and Helping out other unions is one West Indies Steamship Lines, the of the best things we can do. NMU was snowed under by a 12 When we have trouble, we ex­ to 1 margin, and in the New York pect help from other unions, and if they have trouble it is only right that'we should assist them. The SIU had a hard time in the early days of our organiziiiion, and if we can help other unions over the bumps, we ought to do it without one moment's hesita­ tion. When we were asked to volunteer to distribute literature for the AFL Financial Employes, there were plenty of guys who came forward to do their part. EDWARD JANASZAK, Cook: • I agree with that 100 i>ercenl. We are all working stiffs and v/e should support each other. The bosses always help each other over rough spots, and we should do the same thing. Of course, that doesn't mean that we should allow ourselves to be used by the commie unions, or by the rack­ eteering unions; but when an honest union comes to us with a beef, we should get right out on the line with them. The SIU has a fine reputation for doing the things we have done in the past year, and all SIU members are proud. By EARL SHEPPARD Friday, February 21, 1947 the first to be organized, why are they not organized today?" The answer is that the ship­ owners on the Great Lakes rep­ resent the greatest financial mon­ opoly ever known in American history, the Steel Trust. Literally tens of millions of dollars have been spent by the Steel Trust to prevent organiza­ tion on the Lakes. The two watch, twelve hour day system was maintained on the Lakes long after it had been abandoned elsewhere. To main­ tain this system, the owners, tak­ ing full advantage of prevalent unemployment, paid higher wages, established a continuous discharge "fink" book system, company-union hiring halls, and a large group of professional rats to maintain a constant agitation against unionism. The millions of dollars that have been spent by the Steel Trust have not stopped organiza­ tion any more than any amovmt of dollars could succeed in bring­ ing about successful organization. This business of calling Lakes seamen "farmers" and crying "it can't be done" sounds much the same as the weeping and wailing that came from some people when the Seafarers tackled Isth­ mian. In many ways, the problems to be faced are the same. Isthmian is U.S. Steel, part and parcel of the major- factor on the Great Lakes. Isthmian was won after a long tough fight, and by using the same methods combined with the experience that has been gained in the Isthmian drive, the Lakes can and will be organized. The SIU today is the strongest and most respected organization on the Lakes because of the fact that, despite all obstacles, it has remained in the field and kept punching at all times. Much money has been spent, but sum­ med up, it is a small amount when compared to the benefits that have been gained. This season the Seafarers In­ ternational has allocated funds for the purpose of making an allout drive. These fund^, even the entire treasury of our union, are but a drop in the bucket when they are compared to the immense finan­ cial resources of the Lakes ship­ owners. The thing that is going to or­ ganize the Lakes is manpower and hard work, not cash. Every member of the Seafarers, both or­ ganizers and the rank-and-file, must join hands, pitch in and work like hell to do the organi­ zing job. The NMU is no longer- a factor. The abortive strike of last year, when a few men called a strike without even consultmg the Lakes seamen, has thoroughly discredited the NMU leadership. On the other side of the picture, the Seafarers has succeeded in signing new contracts, winning bargaining elections and to a great degree bettering the condi­ tions of all Lakes seamen. Add to this the off-shore record of the Seafarers, and you have the record, a record of achieve­ ment which the NMU cannot ap­ proach in the slightest. The only thing that it needed to make the Lakes one hundred percent Seafarer is the full-heart­ ed support and cooperation of the membership. This support won Isthmian, and this support will organize the Lakes. The membership as a whole is showing a great interest in this drive but interest alone won't win the fight. All men who have sailed the Lakes should contact the organizers immediately and find out what they can do to help. Chipping, painting, splicing, cooking and oiling are the same on the Lakes as anywhere else. A lot of steam is made with "backs and shovels, but all in all, a sea­ man's life is about the same on fresh water as salt. TOM HILL and Puerto Rico Steamship Com­ pany election; the ratio was 6 tol. The New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Company has already voted, but the results will not be announced until February 26. NO COMPANY VOTES It is interesting to note that in the two elections already certi­ fied, the companies were not able to muster one single vote. Elections to select a bargaining agent for Staff Officers are un­ der way in the United States Lines, American South African Line, Black Diamond Steamship Corporation, and Overlakes Freight Company. 125 ships in all are involved, and when the results are made public on or about April 1, the AMMSOA is confident that all four will have rolled up a de­ cisive majority in favor of rep­ resentation by the AFL union. Check It - But Good Check the slop chest be­ fore your boat sails. Make sure that the slop chest con­ tains an adequate supply of all the things you are liable to need. If it doesn't, call the Union Hall immediately. �Friday. February 21. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Five New York Business Still Booms; Rated Men Still At Premium By JOE ALGINA Oldtimes Returning To Boston; Shortage Of Rated Men Hits Port By JOHN MOGAN NO Silence this week from the Branch Agents of the follow­ ing ports: NEW YORK — All the Patrol­ men of the merchant marine men in this port are being kept really keep the sea lanes of the pretty busy these days, what with world open. more ships coming in here than UNION-BUSTING IDEAS we have seen in many a month. The Senators in Washington Truly, the days of decent ship­ took office with the avowed in­ ping have returned, and not tention of stripping Labor of all many men stay on the beach un­ its rights and privileges. They less they really want to rest. threatened to outlaw the closed Rated men are still at a pre­ shop, deny industry wide bar­ mium, and if there are men in gaining, and a whole host of the outports who want to ship other things that would have put fast, just contact New York and labor in a strait-jacket. we will tell you what jobs are What they didn't count on was available. It sure does my heart that Labor would not take these good to report this state of af­ changes sitting down. The men fairs. and women who work for a Some of the boys who came living are not going to stand in recently had some hair-rais­ around and watch while the fat ing tales to tell about the weather boys cut the guts out of all they in the.North Atlantic: Seas that have fought for. were stories high,y wind that And so now the bureaucrats could push a man overboard, are backing water fast. They say and nights that were so black that they didn't mean all the you couldn't see one inch in front of your face. The boys kept the ships sailing WEU.WHADOVA ICNtoWand they are the same guys who I DIDTMAT.' are referred to as lazy and nogood. In peace, and in war, the BOSTON—Business and ship­ this area with regard to the ex­ ping for the port of Boston re­ tension of Maritime Commission CHARLESTON mains good for the third week in control over coastwise and interHG'JSTON a row. So much so, that there is coastal shipping. This port would NORFOLK actually an acute shortage of really suffer if these services were JACKSONVILLE rated men. In fact, it looks like curtailed at this time. BALTIMORE We received very favorable old times on the board, with a MARCUS HOOK dozen or more jobs going beg­ replies from all of the solons, TAMPA and especially Congressman John ging. NEW ORLEANS On the surface of things it F. Kennedy, whose district cov­ would appear that the industry ers nearly the entire waterfront, The deadline for port re­ was heavily overmanned; but»the and who called up from Washing­ ports. monies due. etc., is the question quite naturally arises: ton to assure us of his 100 percent Monday preceeding, publica­ cooperation. Where are the men? tion. While every effort will The SS William Rawle just be made to use in the current Last week we had occasion to issue material received after call New York for a couple of paid off here and the following that dale, space commitments rated men, and found that the Brothers donated one dollar generally do not permit us to same situation exists there also. apiece to the boys in the marine hospital: A. Smith', Joe Samuel do so. Under the circumstances we and Brother Gabor. can only issue new permits and consider ourselves lucky if there are rated men around looking for an opportunity to ship. The Yarmouth will have been crewed up by the time this goes to press. This will just about by the Company." That can pears that Savannah will soon be By ARTHUR THOMPSON empty out the Hall, as the major­ a steadily busy port. We haven't mean almost anything. ity of book members currently at­ SAVANNAH —- As Gabriel done bad all along, but we did As for other ships in port, we tending meetings will imdoubt- Heatter might say, "Ah, there's have a few slack periods. nasty things they were quoted edly make bids for the Yarmouth. good news tonight"—The South still have the SS Zachary Taylor, as saying. In fact, they are all We also have a piece of bad This past week also saw two Atlantic SS Co. has gone and which is paid off and crewed up; Labor's best friends, and they the SS Beloit Victory, ditto and news to report. The body of Har­ payoffs hit this area, one of which bought four ships. They will be the SS Raphael Semmes, which rison Whittmore was found float­ wouldn't do anything to hurt was the SS William Rawles called the Southland, Southport, only called for two replacements ing in the river a few days ago. their friends. (Bull). Southwind and Southstar. Two and will be well on the way to No one seems to know how it This change of heart proves more will be bought, but I don't WAY IT'S DONE Shanghai by the time you read happened. that Labor has plenty of power, know when. this. Brother Golding, who is a fa­ He's not registered in this port and that if we choose to use our The Southland pulled in this The good old Jefferson City and never shipped from here. He power and influence, the men miliar figure at the New York Hall, was Steward on this vessel, morning, but I haven't had a Victory just paid off yesterday lived in South Carolina and prob­ who play the bosses' game will and did a beautiful job in assist­ chance to go aboard yet. She and, as usual, there were no ably shipped through Charle.ston. find themselves out on their; ing the Patrolman at the payoff. used to be the SS Black War­ beefs, and all hands were ap­ However, Charleston has no backs. parently happy. This kind of co-operation is rior of the Isthmian Line. We are the people who built record of his shipping since the These ships will take the old If all ships were like this a strike and no ship in Savannah the United States, and we are really appreciated, especially in ports where one Patrolman cov­ South Atlantic run to LeHavre, piecard's life would be a bed of has reported a man missing. the ones who fought for it. All London, Antwerp and Rotter­ roses. But then life might be a ers all three departments. No marks of violence were re­ we ask is a decent break, and The other payoff was the SS dam. They are 10,000 ton cargo bit too dull at that. we are not going to allow a bimch ported on the body and the coro­ William Kamaka (So. Atlantic), ships having a speed of 15 Va BAD NEWS of over-stuffed stooges for the which paid off in good style. A knots. Thai's about all we can say for ner declared the cause of death bosses cheat us out of what is The Ocean Steamship Co. also $50 log on one of the crewmemthe business at hand and it ap­ was accidental drowning. our rightful due. bers of this ship might have been announced the purchase of two squared away, if the member had 7,000 ton C-I-A type ships, one remained over the weekend; but of which has already been de­ he wanted to get started for home livered to the company in New immediately and charged up the' York. They are the Cape Ruce and $50 to profit and loss, mostly loss. the Cape Nome. These ships Together with the organizing make the run between Savannah work going on in the port, which VANCOUVER, B. C. — The to someone else. That's real news unable to stomach the food served have a speed of 14 knots. They'll was also rather hectic this past them. Prince David, which was recently consumption. week, the flow of shipping kept and New York in 48 hours, which The complaint was dealt with TOUGH SHIP all hands going around the office. is 12 hours better than the ones sold to a British Company, hasn't by the Patrolman who went gotten very far on her voyage The British ship, Brighton, re­ aboard and some changes were Brother Sweeney, in particular, they ran before the war. ONE HITCH had a mighty busy week. to England. We've just received cently arrived here from Colom­ agreed to by the Skipper and The only hitch in this announ­ Of course, this business may be a report that she had a rough trip bo, Ceylon, after what was re­ Company Agent. After the little a flash in the pan, but there is cement is the fact that the ships from Vancouver and had to put ported to be a very hungry trip. conference the crew agreed to the The Skipper cabled the Hall here changes and the vessel pulled every indication that it will con­ will "be used when conditions while at sea and requested an out. tinue, in which case the port will warrant resumption of operations into San Francisco for repairs. The trip, from what we've official of the Union to meet her need another Joint Patrolman. Since then we've heard that heard, was also rough on the when she docked so we could get The members have really taken there is more trouble aboard the crew with many of them hanging a first hand story of the condi­ up that advice not to sign on un­ ship, and the firemen have walk­ over the side and the messroom tions on board. The Skipper less a Patrolman is present, so It may sound funny in ed off the .ship in Oakland, Cali­ that even in Portland the crews these days of housing short­ •empty at mealtime. If that's the wanted a witness so the matter fornia. case it mu.'^t have been really could be reported to the British will hold up signing on until rep­ ages, but it is true that the , The cableship Restorer is rough sailing. Seamen's Union. resented by the Union, as was Seafarers has a new Hall in changing her base of operations the case last week during one of We've always know that the A Patrolman covered the ship —she is going to handle repair Galveston. It is located at our busiest days. Log really gets around, but a let­ when she hit port, and she was operations in the Pacific. As she 2081/2—23rd Street, just a ter I received recently shows really in rough shape. A report expects to be away from the I went up to the ship myself block from the old one. The what happens to one copy of it. is being made to the British West Coast for about a year, she and explained to the crew the new Hall is a big improve­ The letter was from Scotland and Seamen's Union in an attempt to will operate out of Honolulu. SUP tanker rider which has been ment over the one just va­ was written by Malcolm McMil­ rectify the objectionable and causing some difficulty, and also cated. Shipping is good in The Restorer is under an SIU lan, Labor Member of Parlia­ starvation conditions aboard the contract, and it is the first union accepted written charges against Galveston these days, so if ment, who says he reads his copy ship. a book rtiember, who was accus­ you find yourself down in contract in her history. We got of the Log from cover to cover, ed by his shipmates of being a that Texas Port, make a beeA few days after this incident an excellent agreement with good and enjoys every part of it gashound, of failing to perform line for the Hall where you I got a call from the English Blue conditions and wages, also a 40 his duties, and of stealing from can rest comfortably while He also says that when he is Funnel Line ship, Bellerophon. and 48 hour week. In fact, she a shipmate. wailing for the Dispatcher's through with it he sends it on On contacting the vessel it was now has the best working agree­ Also during the week we con­ call. to a friend of his in North Scot­ found the deck crew was in a ment of any ship in the Domin­ tacted all the Congressmen from land. who likewise passes it along state of semi-starvation, being ion of Canada. Savannah Looks To Future As South Atlantic Buys Four More Ships For North European Run WITB THE SlU !H GAHADA New Galveston Hall ,| �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Six MM&P Charters Local In Duluth; Weather Slows Other Activities Friday. February 21. 1947 SIU VOLUNTEER By EINAR NORDAAS DULUTH — Things are good Also in the local picture, the and bad here in Duluth as far as girls on strike at the-Glassblock organized labor is concerned. On store are still out in force. The the dark side of the ledger the strike has been in progress for reactionaries in the state legisla­ over six months, with no weak­ ture are working overtime to ening on the part of the girls. shove through an anti-closed shop The strikers are members of Re­ bill. If they succeed it will come tail Clerks Union Local 3, AFL. We've ben suffering a spell of up for referendum vote in 1948. sub-zero weather for the past The State Federation of Labor week, so the girls, rather than has called a meeting for this month in St. Paul of all AFL or­ stand out in the cold, let old man ganizations in the state to fight winter hold down the picketline. Vernon Pickelman is a vetsuch legislation. It'll sure get a They didn't have to worry about earn of two Isthmian ships. He anyone crossing the line as the fight in this state. .streets are pretty well deserted says that Isthmian ships are We don't intend to sit idly by right now. pretty rugged, but that all the and watch the state become a re­ Until the cold spell lets up the seamen are looking forward to plica of Florida, where the antibest place to be is in front of a the time when the SIU will be closed shop law has made life fireplace, and not on the water­ doing the bargaining for all of miserable for everyone, not just front. them. the labor unions. On the sunnier side of things • there is a new AFL outfit being formed here on the Lakes. The pilots of the Bulkcarriers are be­ ing organized into a local of the Masters, Mates and Pilots. By EDDIE HIGDON I attended the last meeting of the Pilots, and was highly pleas­ PHILADELPHIA — Improve­ crowding the Dispatcher's desk ed by the enthusiasm shown by ments ' in the operation of the has been eliminated. the new members. In accordance with the effort They have already received Seafarers Hall in this port have already been made, and the drive to standardize a new shipping their charter from the MM&P to increase service to the mem­ system has been put into effect. and are well on their way to be­ bership will continue in full Announcements of further coming a strong outfit. swing until we are satisfied that changes in the operation and The Duluth branch of the SIU everything possible is being done structure of the Hall will appear takes this opportunity to wel­ in that direction. in the Log as they are made. come the Pilots into the AFL. Among the physical changes SEARCH FOR QUARTERS LITTLE LOCAL NEWS that have already been made in Philadelphia Makes Imprbvements In Hall And In Shipping System Locally there isn't much do­ ing right now, although every­ thing isn't dead in the harbor by any means. Just the other day they transported a house from Superior, Wis., over here to Du­ luth. So you can see there is some activity up here. the Hall, was the installation of a public address system. The micro­ phone has been placed on the Dispatcher's desk, with two speakers located at vantage points in the Hall. Now the shipping calls reach everyone, and the necessity for Chicago Seafarers Are Anxious To Start Organizing Campaign By HERBERT JANSEN CHICAGO — Until this week it looked like a late start for Lakes shipping out of this port, due to the heavy weather and the large ice fields on Lake Mich­ igan. Now, however, we have had almost a week of balmy spring weather and the ice on the Lakes is quickly melting. With the spurt of warm weather hitting the port, the boys have started to ask when shipping will start. I guess they have a premature touch of spring fever; however, it won't be too long before they'll be going back to the ships. While most of the men coming in are concerned with the open­ ing of shipping, a good percent­ age of the Brothers are pledging themselves to assist the SIU in the organizing drive when it gets under way. MEN CONFIDENT All the men coming in are confident that the drive will be a success, and I can assure all of them that it will definitely be a success if we all pull together. If we get in there and hit them with all we've got there can be no doubt as to the outcome. There are, of course, some ob­ stacles that will have to be con­ tended with, namely, the NMU and LSU. The NMU will use all kinds of methods to sabotage this cam­ paign and we can look for some new tricks to come out of their bag of sell-out tactics. They are fighting a negative campaign on the Lakes now, for their own record has ended any chance of their doing a job for themselves. The Lake Seamen's Union, run by the Cleveland Cliffs Company, will be doing all it can to dis* credit the SIU by using all its resources and power to spread anti-labor propaganda to the un> organized seamen. SOLID FRONT Neither of these groups will succeed if we form a .solid front. Let's show the LSU and the NMU that we are a real Union, and cannot be swayed in our de­ termination to organize Lakes seamen. We have gained top wages and conditions in the maritime field and we will continue , to fight for an even better life for seamen. We won't let any phony union or employer stop us from gaining that end. That's our program, and it's the best. James Tuphy, who is well known around the Lakes, met with an accident while working at a shoreside job. A large seg­ ment of ice fell from a roof and struck him in the body. At first it was thought he was in grave condition, but x-rays showed no serious injury. He is now recuperating in the Marine Hospital here in Chicago. Tom Wickham Away back in 1904, Thomas Wickham was a young squirt of 18 with a strong desire to see what lay over the far horizons. He had an overwhelming urge to see what the wide world was like, and what better way is there "to satisfy such a desire than by go­ ing to sea. For the past forty years he has been doing just that. He has had a long and colorful career as a seaman, and he has sailed in every capacity on deqk from Cabin boy to Second Mate. Brother Wickham joined a sea­ man's union thirty years ago, and he has been a union member ever since. When the SIU started he was among the first to join. Tommy took part in both World Wars, as well as a few wars of his own. In 1921 he was made a prisoner of war in Punta Arenas, Costa Rico, when he be­ came involved in a boundary dispute between that country and Panama. However, that doesn't mean that he wasn't in the thick of things. If you think that, then you don't know Brother Wickham. REAL OLDTIMER Even now, at the age of 61, Tommy is as good a sailor as most men half his age. He can work aloft with the best of them, and can hold his own with any man on the deck or below decks. He went through many strikes The Second World War found and job actions, and can tell Tommy right there as usual and plenty of stories about the old raring to go. Being a real sailor days. Always a Union militant, he didn't pick his runs, so he was he was in the forefront of the available for the first ship that battle to improve the wages and called for a man, and he travel­ conditions of seamen. led in all waters. Brother Wickham doesn't re­ He was torpedoed only once, gret one single day that he has The search for cleaner, and when the SS Benjamin Smith spent at sea. In fact, his only re­ more ample quarters for Phila­ went down in January; 1945, gret is that it is now time for him delphia Seafarers continues. to retire. Word has just come from the Those who know Tommy, or committee designated to inspect have sailed with him, will be suitable locations, saying they sorry to learn that he is on his have turned down a building way to the Sailors Snug Harbor. which was under consideration. His rest is well deserved, and it Careful investigation proved it is the earnest hope of all his to be far short of the commit­ buddies — he numbers them in tee's standards. the thousands — that he lives in Shipping at the moment is By CAL TANNER comfort to a ripe old age. pretty good, but there are few ABs around to take the jobs call­ Brother Thomas Wickham — MOBILE—There is a good pos­ ing for that rating. We are ex­ sibility that we'll be changing our a credit to his calling and his pecting more companies to start address down here soon, as we've Union. He's a real Seafarer! sending vessels here for payoffs found a building that is much in the very near future. This more satisfactory than the one prospect of greater activity is we now occupy. certainly okay with us. At the last membership meet­ Dispatcher Harry Collins, and ing, a building committee of Patrolman Ernest Tilley are turn­ three members was elected to in­ ing in fine jobs in the perform­ spect the new building, and give ance of their duties. Their help, the final approval or disapproval. and the splendid cooperation If it gets their okay, and we which the membership is giving, can get the necessary repairs and accounts for the smooth way in By J. S. WILLIAMS renovations made in the new which this port is now function­ Hall, I'll be pickipg up my hat CORPUS CHRISTI — Business ing. We're also getting the full and coat, and the Union will and shipping have been a bit slow cooperation of the other AFL out­ switch its base of operations from in this area for the past couple fits in this port. this old joint. of weeks. At the same time, how­ PAYOFFS WERE CLEAN The address of our prospective ever, there aren't many men on Two payoffs here on Monday headquarters is 1 South Law­ the beach waiting for jobs, so were clean. The Topa Topa and rence Street. One thing in favor the situation isn't too bad. Although there have not been the Waltham Victory were the of the switch is the fact that it will be an easy number to re­ many contracted ships coming in ships paid off, without any lately, we have been kept busy trouble, all beefs being settled at member. contacting the unorganized ships the point of production. SHIPPING FAIR and we seem to be making good At this point I should like to Shipping is going along at a headway on that score. stress the importance of having all Delegates aboard vessels com­ fair rate with men going out to Things are also looking good in ing into this port notify the Hall the regular Alcoa and Waterman the organizing efforts of the other immediately of their arrival here. ships that stop off here, but we ports around here. I was down to Prompt notification will enable won't kick if we get a sudden Brownsville and Port Isabel last week and everything is in good us to get out to the ships with­ rush of shipping. out delay and will insure settle­ We are still contacting the un­ shape and going smooth down ment of all beefs before the pay­ organized ships that hit Mobile there. off. with good results. There never is We had.the Cape Breten, Bull a dearth of unorganized ships, so Line, in with no beefs and in we are kept pretty well on the good shape. She had Brother ball. Red Hall aboard her as Chief When and if we get the new Bellyrobber, and for once a ship Hall, we'll pretty her up and take came in with no squawks about some pictures for the Log, giving the Stewards Department. all the Seafarers a glimpse of the I'll sign off for now and I hope Union's new home in the good old to be able to report better busi­ port of Mobile. ness and shipping next week. SIU Committee Investigates New Hall In Mobile Corpus Christi Is Busy With Organizing Work �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, February 21, 1947 Page Seven And The Seafarers International Union Of N.A. GENERAL RULES Employment. The Company agrees that only mem­ bers of the Union shall be employed in all unlicensed personnel ratings on their Passenger vessels or Ameri­ can Flag Passenger vessels taken over on bareboat charter, with the exception of the following: Cadets, Super-Cargo, Pursers, Doctors, Concessionaires, and female employees other than Stewardesses and Wait­ resses. . Except, as provided herein, all other provisions of the General Rules of the agreement shall apply. RECK DEPARTMENT Special Working rules arid wages for certain ratings in the Deck Department of the SS Cavalier type pas­ senger vessels and the SS George Washington type passenger vessels: Monthly Wages Boatswain—Cavalier type passenger vessel....$235.00 Carpenter—Cavalier type passenger vessel.... 225.00 Boatswain—George Washington type pas­ senger vessel 225.00 Carpenter—George Washington type pas­ senger vessel 225.00 Section 1. Quartermaster's Duties, (a) While on watch. Quartermasters shall not be required to leave the wheelhouse or navigation bridge for any purpose unless relieved by another Quartermaster or by an Able Sea­ man. The sending of the Quartermaster on watch for tools or supplies or for the purpose of carrying messages shall not be deemed as adequate reason for his leaving .the bridge or wheelhouse without proper relief. (b) Quartermasters shall be relieved thirty (30) min­ utes during each watch for coffee by one of the AB's on his watch. However, the AB shall not receive any extra compensation for such relief. In port Quarter­ masters may be required to stand gangway watches without payment of overtime except on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. (c) The Quartermaster shall be responsible for the rigging of the flags upon arrival or departure of the vessel fiom any port. Other members of the Deck De­ partment shall not be utilized for this purpose except when ship is being dressed. Section 2. Watchman's Duties: (a) Watchman shall be required to stand watches of eight (8) hours on and sixteen (16) hours off. They shall be required to make their regular rounds for the key stations and punch the clocks. They may be required to stand gangway watches in port. (b) Any watches stood on Sunday at sea shall be paid for at the regular overtime rate. He shall receive over­ time for all watches stood on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in . port. (c) Watchmen shall not be required to perform duties normally under the jurisdiction of a Master-at-Arms. Where no Master-at-Arms is carried, his duties shall not be delegated to other members of the Deck De­ partment. (d) Any work performed by watchmen other than their regular and accepted duties shall be paid for at the regular overtime rate. Except as provided herein, all other provisions of the Deck Department Working Rules and General Rules of the Agreement shall apply. ENGINE DEPARTMENT It is agreed that on the SS Alcoa Cavalier type pasenger vessel a Second Electrician will be carried in­ stead of an Assistant Electrician and the wages for the Second Electrician shall be $271,50 per month. It is also agreed that the Second Electrician must hold an Electrician's endorsement. Except as provided herein, all other provisions of the Engine Department Working Rules and General Rules of the Agreement shall apply. STEWARDS DEPARTMENT Cavalier Type Passenger Vessel Manning And Wage Scale Number Rating 1 Chief Steward 1 Second Steward 1 Chief Cook 1 Second Cook 1 Larder Cook Monthly' Wage Rate $325.00 220.00 260.00 220.00 220.00 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 5 2 2 1 1 1 1 I 2 1 Third Cook 195.00 Crew Cook 205.00 Chief Baker 250.00 Second Baker 211.25 Butcher 222.75 Galley Utilitymen 150.00 Deck Steward •. 155.00 Lounge and Smoking Room Steward. .. 155.00 Saloon Steward 160.00 Waiters 150.00 Room Stewards 150.00 Night Steward 155.00 Chief Pantryman 195.00 Assistant Pantryman 165.00 Night Pantryman 165.00 Dishwasher 150.00 Messmen 150.00 Bellmen ^ 150.00 Porters 152.50 Bartender ; 175.00 Gloryhole Steward 150.00 Linen-Storekeeper ."i •195.00 Captain Waiter 150.00 Officers' Room Steward 150.00 Stewards-Utility 150.00 Stewardess 175.00 If at any time the above Manning Scale is not suf­ ficient to give required service to the passengers and crew, the Company agrees to add such personnel as deemed necessary. Section 1. (a) Routine Duties for members of the Stewards Department shall be to prepare regular meals, the cleaning and maintaining of licensed officers, staff officers and chief stewards and passengers quarters, dining rooms and messrooms, all enclosed passage­ ways, smoking and lounge rooms, bathrooms, toilets, galley, pantrys and all departmental equipment. (b) Any work necessary for the service of passengers shall be performed by the members of the Stewards Department assigned to those partieular duties such as deck service, handling deck chairs, layout of games, handling hand baggage from deck to passengers rooms when taking on passengers, and from passengers rooms to custom inspectors' office when passengei's are dis­ embarking. Section 2. Selection of Personnel, (a) Recognizing the fact that the following are essential to the welfare of the passengers, the Union agrees that the Company may select and employ men for the following ratings from those members of the Union who are available provided such men are suitable to the Company. The Company shall be the sole judge of the man's suit­ ability. The Company agrees to make every reason­ able effort to obtain suitable men from within the mem­ bership of the Union, and if such men are not available from among the Union membership, the Union agrees that the Company may secure men for these ratings from any source. Men so selected may remain in the employ of the Company provided that they become members of the Union. The penalty provided in Article 1, Section 3 of the General Rules shall not be applicable to this section. Chief Steward Store-Linenkeeper Second Steward Chief Cook Head Waiter Chief Baker Bai'tender Larder Cook Storekeeper (b) The Company agrees to select all other unli­ censed personnel in the Stewards Department through the offices of the Union. Section 3. Passenger Vessels, (a) These rules shall be in effect for passenger vessels and shall not be con­ sidered as being in conflict with freight ship working rules for members of the Stewards Department. Section 4. Overtime Work, (a) All work performed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays in port and Sun­ days and holidays at sea shall be paid for at the over­ time rate. (b) The hours of work for the Stewards Department shall be eight (8) hours within a spread of fourteen (14) hours. Any work performed in excess of eight (8) hours or outside of the fourteen (l4) hour spread shall be paid at the regular overtime rate. (c) Members of the Stewards Department assigned for the exclusive service of the crew shall perform theii' regular duties between the hours of 6:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. Section 5. Saloon Service for Officers, (a) No officers or crew members except the Master, Chief Engineer, Chief Mate, 1st Asst., Purser, Cruise Director, Chief Steward and Doctor shall be served in the saloon during the passengers meal hours or be entitled to bell service. The Second Steward's room and Purser's office shall be entitled to bell service. (b) No member of the Stewards Department shall be required to serve meals to officers or crew [except those entitled to dining salon service as in Section 5, Para­ graph (a)] outside their respective messrooms, without the payment of overtime. This section shall not be con­ strued to apply to passengers or unlicensed personnel served during regular working hours on account of illness. Section 6. Late Meals, (a) When members of the Stewards Department are required to serve late meals due to the failure of officers eating within the prescribed time, the members of the Stewards Department ac­ tually required to stand by to prepare and serve the late meals shall be paid at the regular overtime rate. (b) When meal hours are extended for any reason at all and the unlicensed personnel are unable to eat within the regular prescribed time, all members of the Stewards Department required to stand by to prepare and serve the meal shall be paid- at the regular over­ time rate for the time meal is extended. This shall not be construed to mean overtime shall be paid when meal hours are shifted as per Article II, Section 37, Para­ graph (c) of this Agreement. Section 7. Extra Meals, (a) When meals are served to other than officers or crew in the messrooms, fifty cents per meal shall be paid. This is to be divided among the members of the Stewards Department ac­ tually engaged in preparing and serving the meals. No extra meals shall be served without the authority of the Master or Officer in charge of the vessel. (b) All meals served in the passenger's dining saloon other than to passengers, the Captain, Chief Engineer, Chief Mate, Chief Purser, Chief Steward, executive of­ ficers of the Company or Government Officials, shall bo paid for at the rate of fifty cents for each meal served to the waiter actually serving the meals. How­ ever, when the complement of passengers aboard vessel is not sufficient to require the service of the dining room crew, guests shall be served during their regular eight (8) hours without extra compensation, providing passengers and guests combined does not exceed 96 perosns on the Alcoa Cavalier type vessel and shall not exceed 200 persons on the George Washington type ves­ sel. Section 8. Stores and Linen, (a) Members of the Stewards Department shall not be required to carry stores or linen to or from the dock but when stores or linen are delivered aboard the ship, the storekeeper and linenkeeper shall handle their respective stores without the payment of overtime within their regular pre­ scribed hours. When the ship is in port and no pas­ sengers are aboard, members of the Stewards Depart­ ment on day work may be required to handle stores and linen aboard ship within their regular working hours without the payment of overtime. Section 9. Cleaning Chill Boxes, (a) Members of the Stewards Department shall be assigned by the Steward to clean domestic refrigerated walk-in boxes and shall be paid at the regular overtime rate for the time that the work is performed. This shall not apply to re­ frigerators in pantrys, messrooms, bake shops, etc. Section 10. Chipping and Painting, (a) Members of the Stewards Department shall not be required to chip, .scale or paint. Section 11. Sougeeing, (a) At sea when members of the Stewards Department are required to sougee, over­ time shall be paid for the actual time worked, how­ ever, porters and utilitymen shall be required to sougee in their regular prescribed hours without the payment of overtime. This section shall not apply to waiters and bedroom stewards on day work when full comple­ ment of passengers is not carried, however, bedroom stewards shall be required to spot up within their regu­ lar hours witkout the payment of overtime. Section 12. Shifting Ship, (a) When a ship is making a shift as prescribed in this agreement. Article II, Sec­ tion 21, it shall be considered in port and overtime shall be paid to the members of the Stewards De­ partment on duty on Saturdays, Sundays, ,and holidays. Section 13. Required Complement, (a) When mem­ bers of the Stewards Department are required to do extra work because '^a vessel sailed without the full complement required by this agreement, or because of illness or injury, the wages of the missing or disabled men shall be divided among the men who do their work, but no overtime shall be included in such wages. This shall not apply when extra work is not necessary due to the fact that the amount of passengers carried does not require the services of the full complement of the crew. (b) In port members of the Stewards Department shall be paid overtime for work in excess of eight (8) hours caused by the shortage of the department but there shall be no division of wages because of such shortage. Section 14. Galley- Gear and Uniforms, (a) The Com­ pany shall furnish all tools for the galley including knives for the cooks. White caps, aprons, and coats (Contin-ued on Page 8) �Friday, February 21, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eight Alcoa Seafarers Supplementary Agreement (Continued from Page 7) worn by the Stewards' Department shall be furnished and laundered by the Company. The white trousers worn by the galley force shall be laundered by the Company. (b) The uniforms worn by the Stewardesses shall be furnished and laundered by the Company. Section 15. Fireroom. (a) Members of the Stewards Department shall not be required to enter the engine or fire rooms for any purpose. on day work they may be required to work in store­ rooms, linen lockers, toilets, passenger and officers quarters, messrooms, galleys, bake shops and butcher shops, steward department passageways, and do gen­ eral cleaning including sougeeing, within their regular hours without the payment of overtime. (c) When members of the Stewards Department are on day work they shall be allowed fifteen minutes for coffee at 10:00 A.M. and fifteen minutes at 3:00 P.M., or at a convenient time near these houfs. (d) When members of the Stewards Department are on day work they shall receive one full hour from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 P.M. for lunch. (e) When any members of the Stewards Department on day work are required to change their hours so as to serve visitors, parties, or other persons in the dining saloon, they shall be knocked off of their day work at least four hours prior to the time of beginning such service or shall be paid at the regular overtime rate for all work performed outside of their regular day work schedule. Section 19. Penalty Work. Any work performed by the Stewards Department that is not recognized as routine duties in this Agreement shall be paid at the regular overtime rate. Section 20. Authority of Chief Steward, (a) Nothing in these working rules shall be deemed to detract from the authority of the Chief Steward who shall be final authority aboard the vessel in all disputes in the Stew­ ards Department subject to, the pi'ovisions of Article II, Section 9, of this agreement. Section 16. Minimum Complement, (a) No members of the Stewards Department shall be laid off Sundays or holidays while at sea, or in port other than home port. (b) On ships arriving or sailing on Saturdays, Sun­ days or holidays the Stewards Department shall only be paid overtime for the hours actually worked. (c) When the full complement of the Stewards De­ partment is carried and the passenger complement aboard ship does not require full Stewards Department service, members of the Stewards Department not re­ quired for the service of the passengers may be placed on day work and shall be subject to the working rules for day workers as provided for in Section 18 of this Supplement Agreement. (d) When the ship is in home port and no passengers are aboard but officers and crew are eating aboard, the minimum Stewards Department required aboard on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays for the purpose of preparing and serving meals shall be; 1-Chief Cook, 1-Crew Cook, 1-Butcher, 1-Baker, 1-Galley Utility, 1Officer Bedroom Steward, 5-Messmen, 2-Steward Utili­ ties, 1-Linen and Storekeeper; other members of the Stewards Department whose service is not required by the Company shall not be turned to on Saturdays, Sun­ days, and holidays in home port. For the purpose of this agreement, the home port shall be considered the port in which they sign articles. The above members of the Stewards Department Number Rating shall be required to do all cooking, baking and serving 1 Chief Steward the officers and crew in the home port. 1 Second Steward Section 17. Cleaning Toilets, (a) No members of the 1 Storekeeper Stewards Department who are required to handle food 1 Linen Keeper ; for the unlicensed personnel shall be required to clean 1 Bartender toilets or baths. 1 Deck Steward Section 18. Day Work, (a) At sea and in port other 1 Lounge Steward than the home port, when members of the Stewards 1 Stewardess Department are on day work their hours shall be from 1 Assistant Stewardess 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon and from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 1 Captain's Steward P.M. In home port when members of the Stewards 1 Head Waiter Department are on day work-their hours .shall be from 15 Waiters 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon and from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. 1 Smoking Room Steward Monday through Friday. 1 Dining Room Utility (b) When members of the Stewards Department are 9 Bedroom Stewards George Washington Type Passenger Vessel Minimum Manning And Wage Scale Monthly' Wage Rate $325.00 220.00 195.00 165.00 185.00 155.00 155.00 175.00 150.00 150.00 205.00 155.00 150.00 150.00 150.00 2 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 5 5 Bellmen Night Waiter Crew Pantryman Assistant Crew Pantryman .....'. Messmen Officer's Bedroom Steward Gloryhole Steward Bath Steward Chief Cook Second Cook Third Cook Fourth Cook Fifth Cook Night Cook Crew Cook Chief Butcher Second Butcher Chief Baker Second Baker Galley Utility Chief Pantryman -. Second Pantryman Third Pantryman Night Pantryman Pantry Utility Stewards Utility : 150.00 150.00 . 162.50 150.00 150.00 150.00 150.00 150.00 260.00 220.00 195.00 180.00 175.00 175.00 205.00 222.75 190.00 250.00 211.25 150.00 195.00 180.00 170.00 170.00 150.00 150.00 All working rules and conditions contained in this agreement will also apply to the SS GEORGE WASH­ INGTON except that to the ratings listed in Section 16 (d) there will be. added: One (1) Pantryman and one (1) Pantry Utility. This supplement agreement is being signed subject to the ratification of the membership of the Union and in case no notice is given the Company within thirty (30) days from January 29, 1947, it shall be deemed ratified by the Union and binding on both parties hereto. This supplement agreement shall automatically go into effect on January 29, 1947. Dated: January 29. 1947 ALCOA STEAMSHIP COMPANY, INC. Signed:— R. P.- SCHILLING L. A. PARKS SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA Signed:— JOHN HAWK J. P. SHULER PAUL HALL ROBT. A. MA-TTHEWS Seafarers Asks Congress For Action (Continued from Page 3) to protect the American Merchant Marine. At the rate we are going today, it is our definite opinion that the law is not being lived up to; and the ones responsible for admin­ istrating the law—the Maritime Commission—are not doing the job they are supposed to do, which is to protect and maintain a large American Merchant Ma­ rine. Last year, our Organization went on record requesting Con­ gress, when they passed the Ships Sales Bill, to insert a clause in the Bill to the effect that all American ships sold to foreign countries and foreign owners should be made to pay the Amer­ ican standard of wages and working conditions, while plying in and out of American ports in competition with American ton­ nage. This, we feel, is no more than fair. "Why should our coun­ ty spend billions of dollars to build a merchant fleet, and then make it so easy for the foreign countries to buy American ships? For immediately after acquiring American tonnage, the foreign operators put them in the Amer­ ican freight markets; thereby un­ der-cutting the rates of American operators, and driving American It cost the American Govern­ ships off the seas. ment approximately three mil­ lion dollars to build each one of The least we should insist on, these tankers. Today we find, and Congress should see that it due to the peculiarities of the is enacted, is that these foreign Ships Sales Bill, which prohibits countries, who receive our ships, American operators from chart­ do not sail the ships in and out ering government tankers, the of American ports, carrying Am­ only ones who are buying these erican cargoes, unless they pay the American standard of wages; tankers from the government are then they will come down to a companies who carry their own comi?etitive level with American products; such as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, etc. operators. American operators can not char­ We would also like to know ter a government vessel. why hundreds of ships, which Meanwhile, the foreign coun­ were turned over to the Soviet tries and operators can afford to Government and Great Britain buy American tankers and chart­ during the war under Lend Lease er them out to carry oil in and Agreement, have not been turned out of this country for far less back to the United States, to than American operators are able whom they belong. to do, because American ships At the present time, they are pay higher wages and they must using American ships; built with repair their vessels in American American money, without the yards. While foreign vessels have cost of a nickel, and competing their repairing done in foreign directly with American shipping. yards, where wages and ma­ This is outrageous, and we feel terials are much cheaper than in it is the job of the State Depart­ the United States. Consequently, ment to see that these ships are there again, we are making it returned. possible to build up the Merchant The American Government, Marine of foreign countries with during the war, built approxim­ American ships; while the Am­ erican ships are tied up in rivers ately five hundred first-class tankers. These tankers are turbo- or sold to foreigners. electric driven and carry approx­ We urge Congress to make an imately 135,000 barrels of oil. immediate and serious study of s- . the Ships Sales Bill and make proper recommendations, in or­ der that the American Merchant Marine and the thousands of peo­ ple engaged in the maritime in­ dustry in our country will be protected. have to be repaired or overhauled in American yards; rather op­ erators can pick any country they wish—where work is cheapest, and put their ships in for repairs; thus saving millions of dollars in repair bills. PANAMANIAN SHIPS At the present time, there are several American companies, in­ cluding the largf^t American oil company; namely Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, who is operating a fleet under the Panamanian Flag. At the present time, the Re­ public of Panama has twice as large a merchant fleet as they had prior to the war; and at the rate American companies and foreign countries are putting their ships under the Panaman­ ian Flag, the Republic of Panama will soon have the largest Mer­ chant Marine in the world. There are various reasons for this: (1) When a vessel is registered in the Republic of Panama, it does not come under the rigid Steamboat Inspection Laws which an American vessel comes under. (2) Operators do not have to pay high taxes. (3) They can hire seamen at any wage and under any condi­ tions they see fit, because in Panamanian ships, seamen of all nationalities are gathered up in various ports of the WPrld where they can be hired the cheapest. (4) Panamanian ships do not It must be remembered that this fleet was built with American taxpayers'" money and owned by the United States Gov­ ernment until they were bought by these companies, who regis­ tered them in the Republic of Panama, in order to operate them cheaper. Today, even the Greeks are operating American built ships under Panamanian registry. We believe that it is the duty of the!' Maritime Commission and the United States Congress to in­ vestigate this matter thoroughly and pass legislation which will stop this practice and also pro­ tect the American Merchant Ma: rine. (The conclusion of this report will appear in next week's LOG.) �Friday-, February 21, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine Bandelier Voyage Rugged Enough For All The last voyage of the SS Ban­ ' all the men aboard. One instance delier, Pacific Tankers, started I will show to what lengths he went to make the crew toe the off all wrong from just about the mark. first day. On that day, October Harry Gebbie, Wiper, dropped 14, 1946, the Chief Steward came a cup in the mess room, and be­ aboard at the last minute, and cause of this the Skipper order­ before the trip to Curacao was ed him to eat out of a tin plate well under way the whole crew and off the bits instead of in the was already starting to feel the mess room. effects of this. After one full day of this Cap­ Food shortages were the rule tain Langbehn relented, but the during the entire length of the pattern had already been set. voyage. Even where food could The Bandelier loaded oil at Curacao and then headed across the ocean for England. In Shell-rfcTTHiMS MOPF haven, the Skipper posted a no­ wecAwRuw tice that no women were to be our OF! allowed aboard, and then he and his officers violated that ruling. Not only were women brought aboard for the enjoyment of the licensed personnel, but they were served three meals a day for two days while the crew had to make do with short rations. Soon the Bandelier crew put England behind them and head­ have been procured, the Master ed for the Mediterranean. In of the ship refused permission to quick succession Vada, Italy; Has Tamura, and Bari, were visited. do so. At Bari, women were again When the crew tried to hold a shipboard meeting to protest. brought aboard for the officers, Captain Langbehn objected, and and again food was served to quoted the WSA Order of Decem­ them despite the fact that the ber, 1944, in support of his po­ crew had boon without sugar, butter, eggs, and potatoes for al­ sition. most two months. He stated that he had to have a After discharging cargo at written request before he would permit the crew to hold meetings. Bari, the Bandelier headed back This the crew refused .to do, and across the Atlantic Ocean for as a result no meetings were held Carapito, Venezuela. On the way throughout the trip, nor was the over a pressure spray-painting vessel in any port long enough pot disappeared. No one in the to contact the SIU until the voy­ Deck Department had any idea age ended in New York on Feb­ what had happened to it. It was thought that the pot had been ruary 11. swept overboard in the heavy From the first the Captain tried seas. to show the crew that he was However, this absence of evisupreme master of the ship and 1 dence did not stop Captain Lang­ behn. Before the ship made port in Carapito he posted the follow­ ing notice: SS Bandelier At Sea Jan. 25. 1947 NOTICE TO ALL UN­ LICENSED PERSONNEL: Going ashore in any foreign port shall not be permitted for the duration of this voyage until the person or persons re­ sponsible for the disappearance of the deck department pressure spray-painting pot, either dis­ close its whereabouts on the ship or volunteer to pay for its replacement. The two lengths of spray hose that had previously vanished can be replaced by requisition,; but this is not so regarding the mechanical equipment, hence it must be bought and paid for in cash. Not wishing to impose a pen­ alty on all unlicensed person­ nel for the acts of a few it is my earnest desire to settle this as quickly as possible. F. H. LANGBEHN. Masterj Left to right, Glenn Jenkins, AB; Jimmy Drawdy. and Ray Gonxales, Patrolmen; and Joe Warner, AB. Glenn and Joe were locked in the linen closet for a good part of the trip, and both were in irons for a while. Note the bandage on Joe's right hand. That's from the irons. Brothers! Joe Warner, who was one of the men locked in the closet, was the last to be released. He re­ ceived special treatment, and on January 26, the Skipper had him locked up for the remainder of the voyage. out to the ship that forced the Skipper to release him. In the course of the trip Cap­ tain Langbehn contrived to place at least one log against each member of the crew. But this could not stand up under ques­ Warner was only allowed to tioning from the SIU Patrolmen. take a shower every three days, was permitted to go to the toilet only twice a day, and at Trini­ dad and Halifax the Captain did all in his power to get Warner to quit the ship. The provisions of this notice On February 1, Warner was were rather hard to live up to, and in Carapito a few of the given a companion in misery. Glenn Jenkins, AB, was put in irons for insubordination, and he stayed there for the rest of the trip. Finally, as with everything else, this brutal trip came to an end. As soon as the ship made fast in the port of New York, the crewmembers made a beeline for a telephone to call the Hall. They wanted fast action, and they got it. Patrolmen Ray Gonzales, Joe Volpian, and Jinnny Drawdy, were dispatched from the SIU, and Bill Armstrong, from the men went ashore for a fast beer. SUP. By this time the Captain They were discovered by the had taken Warner and Jenkins Captain and he ordered them to up to the Coast Guard to place return to the ship within five charges. minutes or he would log them all. IN IRONS The men quickly returned to Upon return to the ship, Jen­ the ship, but the Master logged kins was not placed back in irons, them all anyway, and they were but Warner was, and it was only placed in the linen closet where ^ they were kept for 25 hours. 1 the fact that the Patrolmen came The Shipping Commissioner only allowed a total of three logs to stand. Right now the situation stands thusly: Captain Langbehn has Warner and Jenkins up on charges before the Coast Guard. But he, himself, is also being charged with certain violations of his duty. No matter what happens, SIU and SUP members now have suf­ ficient warning, and it will be a long time before a Seafarers crew will take a chance sailing with this latest copy of Captain Bligh. iBiiiiilii ElilElEE'E ii; si: For dropping a cup in ihe mess room, Harry Gebbie, FWT, was forced by Ihe Skipper to eat his meals out of a tin plate from the bits. After a day of this, the Captain reconsidered. But Brother Gebbie will not soon forget the Master's high-handed methods. "A lough Irip," was Ihe concensus of opinion when the SS Bandelier arrived in New York Harbor. There was plenty of reason for this opinion. Read the story on this page and find out what it's like to sail with a Skipper who hasn't the interests of his crew in mind. �THE SE AF AR EHS LOG Page Ten Fziday, Februacy 21. 1947 John Knapp Dies In France; At Rouen Rites Mine-Tom Signal Hills Still In Yard John Raymond Knapp, who died aboard the SS Richard Rush while the vessel was in France, was buried in a Rouen cemetery on Jan. 10, after a simple, but im­ pressive ceremony attended by his Seafarer shipmates and the ship's officers. j The SS Signal Hills is still un' dergoing extensive mine-damage -repairs in Genoa, Italy, where it I is reported she will be in drydock for at least two more months, according to Vincent Keller, a member of the crew. Funeral services were conduct­ ed at the chapel by the Reverend Menard, and the flag-draped cas­ ket was carried to its resting place by six SIU pallbearers. They were: Joseph Gill, Jacob Otrera, Raymond Kryling, Leon E. Foskey, Charles C. Kershaw and Floyd Hillier. The Pacific Tanker vessel was struck by a mine off Savona, FLORAL OFFERINGS Italy, last October, and was tow­ As the coffin was lowered into ed to Leghorn, and later taken to the grave, the Reverend Menard T.a Spezia, From there she was closed the burial service with the transferred to the repair docks Lord's prayer and pronounced at Genoa. the benediction. Floral offerings The mine explosion causing from the Rush's crew and officers ' great damage was sustained Oct. and from the Union Maritime, the • 6, 1946, after the ship had clear- company's agents in France, were ''ed Savona, where she had un- placed at the grave. loaded a cargo of high-test gasoDeep regrets over Brother 'line. Knapp's passing were expressed About 6:30 in the morning the by his shipmates and the officers vessel was struck in number 9 alike. Knapp, who died on Jan. ^ tank portside, the explosion 6, made friends easily and those sent water, fuel, oil and steel with whom he came in contact flying 500 feet into the air. found his friendship worthwhile. EYE-WITNESS REPORT After the first stunning effects crewmembers assembled at their boat stations in a prompt and or- BROTHER WANTS BEEF AIRED AT MEETING Dear Editor: My ship pulled into port on i Friday, Jan. 31 at 6 o'clock at . night. The Waterman company . terminated the articles, while the ^ship was in. the stream, at 12 mid. night the same day, without givj ing the crew money with which to come ashore. The crew was not paid off un­ til Monday, Feb. 3, although they were paid until the previous Fri­ day. Only if they worked on Monday, Feb. 3 were they paid for the weekend. Oilers in port are supposed to have the weekend off. The ship broke watches on Friday at 6 o'clock. Are we going to con­ tinue to let the company pull this trick? ..(If J am not at the next mem­ bership meeting. I wish one of the membership would bring up this subject. Robert P. Hanley to him." Every member of the crew, whose presence aboard ship was not necessary, attended the fu­ neral of their shipmate, Capt. Ranstrom added. I oeaicurer pallbearers, shipmates of the late John Knapp. carry his casket from the chapel after the funeral service. Born on March 21, 1902, Knapp had been a member of the Sea- The crew, most of them asleep, ,:was awakened by the general , alarm bell, and in a report of the derly manner, waiting to aban­ don the ship, as it was at first i mishap. Keller related: thought the stern of the ship > ."As I came out on deck I saw was blown off. The crew stood • some of the deck had been blown by the boats for about four hours, through. I then looked into the with all the men acting calm and pumproom which was flooded orderly in spite of the ship's; with about 15 feet of water. After dangerous condition. • seeing that, I ran back to my When it was seen that the ship room to get on some clothes, as was in no immediate danger of when the alarm rang I didn't sinking the crewmembers left wait to put on anything but a their emergency stations. pair of shoes." of the explosion had worn off, the farers for close to four years, and shipped as a Fireman, Oiler, and Watertender. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knapp, of Port Jervis, N. Y. CONDOLENCES TO PARENTS Messages of condolence from the entire personnel aboard the Rush were sent to Brother Knapp's parents by the ship's master, Capt. Richard R. Renstrom, along with details of the funeral ceremony. Captain Renstrom's letter to the parents said that he had "en­ deavored to see to it that your son was placed at rest in the very • best manner possible," and that ' all due respects had been paid CREW PRAISED The Reverend Menard (back to camera) leads members of the crew of the Richard Rush in prayer at Brother Knapp's final resting place in Rouen, France, cemetery. Parker Cops Second Skate Crown In Week With Wins In 440, 880 And 1-Mile Events Later when an investigation was made into the accident, the inve,stigating committee c o m mended the crew for its fine con­ Scoring his second major triumph in less than a week, duct. When it submitted its re­ port to Washington, it included speed'-skater Jack Parker raced home first in three events high praise for the gallant way to win top honors in the 27th Annual Winter Carnival at the Engine Department had kept Utica, N. Y., last Saturday. The flashy Bosun was awarded the plant going under such try­ ing conditions, while not know­ the carnival's trophy for being the outstanding performer of the day, adding to the champ-* ing if the ship was going to stay pionship laurels bestowed upon trying to get himself in shape for afloat or sink. him at the neighboring city of next month's Metropolitan In'toor Championships to be held The committee also lauded the Rome, four days earlier. in the Brooklyn Ice Palace. This fine conduct of the Deck Depart­ Parker received medals for his ment during the emergency and victories in the 440-yard and 880- indoor event is one of the high­ gave both departments letters to yard men's open races, his time lights of the skating season, and that effect. being 0:42.1 in the former event attracts most of the top blade speedsters in the area. Most of At the time the ship took on and 1:53 in the latter. Jack's competition has been on its cargo in Corpus Christi one TAKES 1-MILE the outdoor ice, and he feels he of the crewmembers had- a pre­ Feature attraction on the card won't be at his best on the arti­ monition of what was to occur. was the one-mile open event, ficial ice. He's going to take a Brother Keller says, "While we which Parker took handily by crack at it, nevertheless, just for were taking on our cargo of highbeating last year Carnival cham­ the excitement that comes with test gasoline, one of the Oilers pion. The skating Seafarer was top-level competition. had a bad night and dreamed clocked at 3:36.2. Never extend­ PLACED LAST YEAR that something was going to hap­ ing himself, Parker paced him­ In spite of his comparative in­ pen to the ship. «e asked the Jack Parker with latest trophy self well, holding second place experience in the indoor field, Old Man if he could pay off, and after what happened later he until the final lap. Then he let Parker took a medal in last year's anticipating for the past several go with a burst of speed that car­ meet at the Brooklyn ice-spot for days—the arrival of a baby. Jack sure was right." ried him over the finish line 40 crossing, the line third in a speed and his wife, Genevieve are The Signal Hills began its ill- yards ahead of his nearest com­ event. He says he'll be satisfied anxious for an heir—or heiress— fated voyage at Corpus Christi, petitor. and won for him the with a. similar showing this year. to step into the "old man's" Texas, on September 13, with a third medal for the day and title Overshadowing all the events,' skates and take his place at the crew that had signed articles in of Carnival champ. past and future, in Parker's car­ starting line when his legs begin New York. The. stocky Seafarer is now eer, is one he has been eagerly to slow up. �Friday. February 21, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven SIU Ship's Minutes In Brief SEAFARER SAM SAYS MIDWAY HILLS. Nov. 12— Chairman Arl Newman; Secrelary D. O. Pierce. Delegales reported all okay. List of tines for various offenses drawn up. New Business: At next port of call. Patrolman to be called aboard and the water tanks be inspected. If the water is un­ fit for use and nothing is done about the situation, the crew will give the Skipper 24 hours notice to have the condition rectified. Beef about leaving linen in passageway discussed. Cleared by delegates. X X BIENVILLE. Dec. 28—Chair•man Talley; Secretary Willianf Ruggie. Good and Welfare; Motions carried that cooks quarters be changed to PO messroom which is not bein^ used: that all crew's quarters be fumigated, painted and thoroughly dried before sailing on next voyage: that a scrub board, ironing board, and at least two irons be supplied; that proper representation be aboard before anyone signs off, also all beefs must be settled to the satisfaction of all before signing off: that air condition­ ing and heating system be checked and fixed: that ice machine be replaced or re­ paired. its. The G. Washington Upholds Tradition With the birthday anniversary of the"father of our country," coming up tomorrow we are moved to give space to the min­ utes of the SIU ship bearing his name. Like their illustrious forebearer, the crew of the SS George Wash­ ington, at a recent meeting, blazed the way for better things. There were recommendations that the sun deck be waterproof­ ed, and that the Master be ap­ proached in regard to placing the seamen in dry foc'sles. Also urged were recommenda­ tions for racks to be placed in the messhall to hold condiments, and for greater effort in keeping the vessel's cups hnd dishes clean. Brother Hunt was chairman of the meeting, while Brother Char­ les did the recording. 4. 4. JOHN MILLEDGE. Sept. 8— Chairman P o z e n : Secretary Early. No new business. Good and Welfare: All^ agreed to slick with Bosun in regards to time-off in port. What he says will be accepted. Chief En- gineer is to be informed thai the steering gear is to be re­ paired as soon as possible. Chief Steward is to see Chief Engineer about crew's refriger­ ator. Agreed that only in case of emergency will anyone be allowed to eat chow in galley. Agreed that each crewmember shall donate $1.00 to go to Patric Forest for keeping recre­ ation room clean. Money to be collected by ship's delegate. SAN ANGELO^ VICTORY. Jan. 24—Chairman Jack Giller: Secretary Franklin Smith. Delegate gave their reports. Ch. Mate hired customs men to stand gangway watches in Ma­ nila, Hilo, Cebu and Saigon. First Assistant refused soap powder to Engine Department, issuing the soap to licensed personnel only. No overtime pay for election day, as com­ pany did not allow time off to vote. Recommended that four men who had signed pledge cards previously be admitted to Union because of their consis­ tent - battles in behalf of our membership aboard ship. 4. 4, 4 NEWBERG. Jan. 5—Chairman L. L. Phillips: Secretary John Siler. Motions carried: that hook be dropped on arrival at Corpus Christi until Union Pa-trolman can be contacted in regard to paying off at new wage scale: that we see SIU Patrolman about turning; on water fountains, in crew's pas­ sageways. Brother Stewart of the Engine department was in­ formed by Boston Patrolman that crew would be paid off under new wage scale. 4 4 4 ALCOA PEGASUS, Jan. 5— Chairman Sullivan: Secretary Bischoff. Discussed matter of getting draws in American money. Motions passed: That Delegates look into matter: that Purser try to take back foreign money which crew has left over: that present mattresses be replaced with innersprings: that crew will be advised not to Sciil if ship is not fumigated Antinous Accident Victim On Mend Henry Bildc, who was severely injured I'ecenlly in an accident aboard the Waterman vessel SS Antinous, is recuperating, accord­ ing to word just received from Jerry J. Palmer, Deck Delegate on the SS Maiden Victory, now in Bi'emerhaven, Germany. Brother Bilde is wearing a plas­ ter cast as a result of the injury to his back. He is, however, out of bed, and is "walking around and in the best of spirits," ac­ cording to Palmer. Palmer added that Bilde "is ex­ pecting to arrive on the next hos­ pital ship from the 21st Station Hospital here in Bremerhaven." at end of next trip: that crew is not to pay off until all pay, beefs and overtime are squared away: that prices of cigarettes be investigated. 4 4 4 ALMA, Jan. 19—Chairman J. Graley: Secretary "Red" Sully. Minutes of previous meeting ac­ cepted as read. Delegates gave their reports. With a few min­ or disputes in the Engine de­ partment everything reported okay. Recommendations for ship repairs submitted, along with request for fumigation. All books are to ba ready for the Patrolman before the pay­ off. Motion unanimously car­ ried to give J. Eleridge an SIU permit card. \ 6ETITOFF 0 3 YOUR CHEST/ SAM WAfHS "PD KNO\AJ YOOR BE£fS,yOLJR SOSGESnOMS, IDEAS OM MEMBERSHIP ACTIV/ITIES AMD ACTiOMS,E-rG.— IN SHORT, ANVTHINJSTHAT CAN BENEFIT SEAFARERS . WRiTE TQ : SEAFARER SAM THE S.I.U. voe> Si BEAVER 4 4 4 WILLIAM BREWSTER, Jan. 26—Chairman Bankert: Sec­ retary Haase. A repair list will be turned in, and Steward was elected to inspect the rooms. Agreed to give a letter of recommendation to four mem­ bers of the crew. Brother Doyle expressed thanks of all hands to Brother Wolch for his help and guidance throughout the trip. Motion carried that letter be sent to Log about our dog, Kilroy, the ships mascot, who attended the meeting. 4 4 4 Bcrea Victory Crew Bans Wipers' Pin-Ups The pin-up girl is on her way out. The photographic female pul­ chritude was started on the road to oblivion with a send-off in the form of a motion passed by the lads aboard the SS Berea Victory at the Jan. 26 meeting, held at sea. The beginning of the end to an American era was pronounced tersely, as follows: "Motion carried that Wipers re­ move pin-up girls from heads as this practice does not look good." Theer will be one moment of silence out of respect for the memory of those choice morsels. 4 4 4 LAREDO VICTORY, Feb. I—Chairman Harvey Hill: Sec­ retary R. A. Wickham. One man in each department to be chosen by delegate to clean laundry. Steward requested those needing mattresses to ad­ vise him now or before ves­ sel reach port. Discussion on payoff and sign on within same day: matter to be left to Pa­ trolman's discretion. One min­ ute of silence out of respect to Brothers lost at sea. •BuiU-tteS.ltt- foanvMion / NBvj YORK4.NY. CUT and RUN By HANK First of all, a shout of congratulations and a sincere wish for continued good health to Jack Parker and his wife, who just gave birth to an eight-pound, four-ounce baby girl, who will be called Linda. Thanks for the cigar, "Pop" Parker . . . That man from New Orleans, the great Percy Boycr, the mustached Bosun and a swell skate in more ways (and saloons) than one, is fresh in town, con­ fessing that The Champ, Moon Koons, must still be in New Orleans, as usual . . . Jimmy Mulligan humorously laments the fact, that after his six-week trip to the islands he only paid off with five dollars and twenty-five cents—which is about enough for four or five heavy meals and a few packs of smokes, eh Jimmy? . . . Eugene "Jimmy" Crescitelli reveals that Brother Johnny Flynn is in town celebrat­ ing and that he has refused to join Brother Flynn in his celebration. Must be some old birthday he forgot to observe or something? . .. Attention Johnny Johnston: Did you know that two of your friends have asked for you on two occasions. One of them was AB-Bosun Kenneth Dickenson. The other was Edward Baggus ... If you want to see a big smile on his face and watch him in his glory then ask Bill Higgs to'get a guitar to play and sing a song called "Union Blues!" 4 4 4 4 Brofher Eddie Kelly, who loves fo go fishing and will keep on frying fo own his own fishing boaf some day, jusf blew info fown from a shorf frip. Eddie says fhe besf European port is Bremen: fhe besf Mediferranean porf is Genoa, Ifaly and fhat Marseilles isn'f so good. Eddie smilingly says fhat Brofher John Flannery is one of fhe nicest guys but he could also haunt a house reasonably. John has no vices, but fhe funny thing about it is, he's just like a woman—he brings all his troubles fo Eddie. The latest accomplishment up John's sleeve is fhe fact that he has bought a sextant and will be frying fo raise himself in fhe future up info fhe topside life aboard ship. Happy climbing, Brofher Flannery! 4 4 4 4 Bosun Bera Smyley just sailed with his shipmate, AB Bill Shorten, who had been beached since the strike in this town and also hospitalized. They sailed with Paddy Walsh and Peg Leg An­ derson on the SS Monroe Keith heading for Lisbon, Portugal . .... Leo Siarkowski and Ozzie Okray came into New York last week from a trip but it seems that they're making another trip . . . Charlie Fischer continues to be a familiar sight in the hall. Is he shipping. Nah, just waiting for his wife to arrive here from England. Yens Nielsen, the oldtimer of an AB, just sailed out with his familiar pipe for a Far East voyage . . . After four years of Army life, oldtimer John J. Giordano, citizen of Brooklyn, is waiting to ship out soon . . . Oldtimer J. D. Lewis just registered for shipping. What's new. Brother Lewis? . . . Does anyone know the name of the fa­ mous "Beachcomber" anchored amongst the coffee beans down in. Santos, Brazil? 4 4 4 4 If happened recenfly on one of fhe Sfreefs of Dreams, other­ wise known as fhe Times Square secfion—which is fhe happy, expensive melfing pof of dollars and sense. Bosun Mike Rossi, fhe smiling, musfached, faxi-driving, saloon-waifer of a happygo-lucky Seafarer—accidenfly met one of his former shipmafes, now a chief in fhe gold deparfmenf. Well, affer fhe usual round of jokes, memories, some convincing conversation and cokes or something, Mike was merrily shanghaied down fhe coast for a frip aboard the Stephen Leacock. headed for Rio. etc. Also aboard is a famous ex-pugilisf. If should be some trip, Mike ... ' If all Ihe Commies in Ihis country got together and went to Russia fo taste fhe Life of Communism as it really exists, they would never be Commies again and frying to rule and ruin cur ' country with their decaying minds and flaming dreams. �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Twelve Friday, February 21, 1947 THE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS Boxcar Sailors Mastered Every Trick Of The Jungle Dear Editor: What has become of the old boxcar sailor? Today many of our members think this is some kind of drink, but plenty recall the day when a sailor was as much at home on a rolling freight as on rolling deck. In prewar days, when shipping was good in one port, the grape­ vine would carry the word to the dead ports, and pretty soon the job-hungry would be pulling into the local railroad yards from all parts of the country. This was once the only mode of transport a sailor ever used. SKILL NECESSARY In those days, a seaman had to be as expert at catching a grab iron as he was at a monkey's fist. He kept a sharper lookout for the RR bulls than he ever did for white water. If shipping was bad all over, he would take to the road until it picked up. Often he would follow the fruit crop. Many of our piecards can still pick prunes with the best of them. In those days, a sailor could rustle up a chicken or a sack of spuds as quick as John Farm- cannot be arrested for vagrancy. This is due to an old Federal law, which protects seamen out of work from the "no visible means of support" routine. Just show your papers, tell them you are on the way to a ship and you can't be held. (If the judge heard of the law, that is). Perhaps, as jobs get scarcer, some of the boys would like a few lessons in the ancient art of getting into a boxcar without a stepladder. Just apply to one of us Knights of the Road. You'll find us around the Hall arguing about the best recipe for Mulli­ gan. Be sure to bring along an onion or a potato. "Sfeamboat O'Doyle" THE END OF THE TRAIL w V ' 'ji Log'A' Rhythms Ab-sho-looly The things that you say when you're stewed, boys. Are the things you mean when you're not. But you haven't the gall to say them, that's all. Until you make whoopee a lot. Alcoa's MV Manrope Knot as she discharged her cargo of bauxite in Trinidad recently. Crew member Michael Baal "shot" the picture. Bishop Slaps At Labor Critics, Says They Court Dictatorship The things that you say when you're stewed boys. Are the things that are close to your heart. And I'll just bet a ten, if you start something then. It is something you wanted to start! So, here's to the brew as it stews, boys. Last summer, a few ill-advised file workers who recognize that And here's to the stews that it Dear Editor: brews. I'd like to avail myself of the which has been preached in this old men and a few misled com­ columns of the Seafarers Log in country since its inception. Name­ munists made an agreement to hold seamen's wages at a certain an attempt to refute some of the ly, united we stand, divided we level. When a majority of the fall. intimations and statements be­ As for tribute, do you classify American seamen through their ing made by certain columnists. what NAM members pay as tri­ duly elected representatives ne­ I'd like to address the following bute? No, you don't. Why call gotiated higher wages and con­ remarks to David Lawrence, union dues tribute? ' The dues ditions through the shipowners, Westbrook Pegler, and other paid by union members today are this group, known as the Wage AVAST! BATTEM , columnists of the same caliber: used to defray administrative Stabilization Board, ordered the What, may I ask, do you use -ORSOMPW... costs, build welfare, recreational. seamen to work for what they for brains when you think up and the communists had agreed these things you say? I'd like to was enough for a dumb sailor. NoW!-Vo(J use Mr. Lawrence's recent article /It didn't work. Why? Because the LlSTEMT60Si entitled: "National Unions Have seamen are united on a national Own System of Laws" as an il­ basis, and they refused to accept lustration. I this dictatorial mandate. Thus, The courage you get when you're Men of your caliber keep talk­ dnto the lap of a power-mad govplumb soaking wet. ing of monopoly when referring I ernment bureau can be Ihrowhi Ought to be labeled "90 Proof to Labor. However, you consis­ the blame for the greatest strike Booze." tently forget the monopoly en­ in maritime history. —Barleycorn joyed by the National Associa-'; UNITED SEAMEN tion of Manufacturers and such J er himself. He was an expert at Dear Editor: organizations. | Why? Because someone want­ "pie-snatching and carrying the I picked up "this poetry at a bar Also, you forget to mention tht • ed to show his power. Why did banner"—panhandling to you. • in Honolulu. NAM'S assessments that are lev-1 the dictator lose? Because sea­ A favorite trick was to ask the ied against the members to de­ and strike funds. These are very men all over the country remem­ Vic Gardecke, butcher for a piece of meat to go fray the expen.ses entailed but­ necessary, because of the fact, bered what they learned in cle SS Santa Clara Victory with your bread, then ask the gro­ tonholing men like yourself and that it takes money to fight mentary school—united we stand, cer for some bread to go with your lobbying members of Congress money. No union funds find their divided we fall. SignedyMom" meat. You would let some solid into passing such detrimental way into the hands of journalis­ Also the contributing factor citizen see you pick up a butt laws against Labor as those you tic parasites or crooked politi­ By WAYNE McALLISTER (previously planted), and then propose. Who, do you think, en­ cians. Perhaps, that's why you was a large strike fund which when you asked him for a smoke joys the monopoly over our law­ hate us as badly as you do. Con­ enabled men to eat and live while The letters I get. they waited for common sense to he would give you the pack. Ah, makers? gress will probably try to abol­ They are quite a few. come to light. That strike fund hobo days! ish the closed shop and other GOVERNMENT OF THE But the one I like best. was built not by tribute, as you Some sailors became quite weapons with which the slave PEOPLE . . . Is the one sent by you; put it Mr. Lawrence, but by vol­ well-known in the jungles. I be­ The tendency for a good many has been able to arm himself. On untary contributions by members Each word that you write lieve Ropeyarn nearly got elect­ years has been for the govern­ that score I don't doubt you are Is to me like the lights. ed King of the Hoboes once in ment to be the master of the cit­ right. However, they wouldn't of a democratic union. Which brightens my days Last winter another man tried PhiUy, but he had to leave town. izen, rather than his servant. It dare put such a proposition to a And fills lonely nights. Incidentally, the added mobil- is high time that we got back to vote of the people. The landslide the same thing. A bureaucrat ihy which 10,000 freight cars give, the state from whence we start­ against it would be larger than named Krug managed to with­ To me they are treasures. and by which a sailor could get ed: A Government of the peo­ the one for Roosevelt over Lon­ hold over three million bucks To have and to hold. from a lot of hard working out of town in any direction al­ ple, by the people and for the don in '36r The joy that they"bring me miners. I don't remember read­ most instantly, was often a great people. ABUSES PUBLIC Could never be told; ing a single column in protest to Onelp in affairs of the heart. Par­ The right to work and earn a You are right again when you I like to get letters ticularly in the "shotgun belt," it livelihood has never been de­ say that the present Congress this. From Jack or from Tom, However, the Supreme Court was a useful talent to take quick nied anyone in these United was elected on a mandate of li­ But the ones that I love leave without worrying about the States. This right certainly would beralism. However, it has cer- has yet to hand down its de­ Are the ones signed 'Mom.' passenger schedule. be^ denied if your theory is fol­ trainly started to abuse the pub- cision, and it ha,d better be care­ Easy shipping during the war, lowed. Under all foreign isms, He that put it there. You say the ful, for a wrong decision could and juicier pork chops, have con­ the citizen becomes the servent public wants no authority set up well lead to open rebellion. Peo­ verted many of the boys from of the government and does what that can freeze their food supply ple like yourselves, Mr. Law­ riding the rods to riding the cush­ he is told to do. or keep them cold in winter. Yet rence, are certainly no help in If you don't find linen ions. Old time 'bo's who once To remove the closed shop and you criticize the very people who preventing such disasters. when you go aboard your rode the blind and dodged the national unions, would be a dic­ would break that authority, be­ The people of the United States ship, notify the Hall at once. cinder-bull with the best of them, tatorial measure and hasten a cause it already has existed for want true democracy. Most un­ A telegram from Le Havre or today, look down their noses at police state. a good many years. Only recent­ ions already have it, but can you Singapore won't do you any the poor bums who go by in box­ Today, national unions do not ly the government, that same say the same for our govern­ good. It's your bed and you cars. Never mind boys, you'll be have their own system of law. supposedly servant of the pub­ ment? have to lie in iL The laws and rules of a union lic, attempted to take over that back. Ira E. Bishop Few seamen know that they are made by democratic rank and power from those who hold it. Aliom 111. . ATTENTION! �SPIC AND SPAN SIU-MANNED PASSENGER SHIP Seafarers conlribuie to the smooth, safe sailing of the passengers pictured above in the lounge of Mississippi Shipping Company's 10,000-ton passenger-cargo liner, Del Norte. The IBVz knot vessel has accommodations for 120 passengers and 124 SIU crew members. She plies be tween New Orleans and East Coast ports of South America on a 47-day round trip schedule This is not the Lounge for the crew, but since an SIU ship is a clean ship, even the passeng gers' quarters are kept spic and span. The SS De! Norte is the newest of the Mississippi Steam ship Company's passenger fleet, and the above picture was taken on the mciiden voyage. ALIEN SEAMEN'S WAR RECORD RATES CONSIDERATION i)ear Editor: I realize that our Union has made great strides forward the past year, and will make even greater advances this coming year. Our rank and file, should again, as in the past, give our of­ ficials the complete and neces­ sary cooperation, which has gain­ ed for us so many victories, and will win for us so many more. One of these battles will be to extend the waiver granted to alien seamen to facilitate their sailings on American ships. This waiver, I understand, is to ex­ pire in the near future, and when it does expire, it will be disas­ trous for all of us who are es­ pecially desirous of becoming naturalized. HAD LOYAL WAR RECORD Our actions during the war should have spoken of our loyal­ ty to America. At least, we alien seamen should be rated a little higher than the conscientious ob­ jectors who were hustled off to detention camps during the war. Few Americans realize what a Wonderful country they are liv­ ing in and it is usually the new­ ly-arrived alien who is quick to notice the differences between the country of his birth and the country of his choice. Few unions are so democratic as om- SIU. At least if a man should disagree with an elected official, or vice-versa, the prob­ lem is discussed openly on both sides. Thereby heightening an interest, not only in the Union, but in the best course to follow. Also, the solidarity and mutual understanding between the of­ ficials and the rank and file is vastly increased. NOT LIKE SIU In some foreign* unions, if a member should openly disagree with union policy, or with an of­ ficial, he promptly becomes a marked man for the rest of his union life. Due to an outmoded American law, alien seamen are not per­ mitted to ship coastwise. Yet in Galveston and Fort Arthiur, I have seen the Dispatchers tear- Page Thirteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, February 21, 1947 Marine Hospital Personnel Lauded By New Orleans Man Dear Editor: I would like to write a short letter in behalf of the U. S. Ma­ rine Hospital in New Orleans. I have been reading the Log for over two years, and so far I have never seen or heard a good word expressed about the hospital here, its nurses or doctors. I know that I speak from ex­ perience, having been here since Nov. 1944. Many men write in conplaining of the conditions but, if all the seamen could only realize that a lot of ailments cannot be checked in two or three days, as in my case it took six months, and then months of treatment and operations. PRAISE My family and myself cannot praise the doctors for all they have done, and the nurses with always a smile or a glad word. Do not think for a minute that they like to see you suffer, as there ara times when that comes to all of us. Other groups in the hospital we don't want to forget are the nurses in the operating rooms, and those who have charge of the SS August Belmont Crewmembers Wrestled Tough Food Problems Dear Editor: The conversation aboard this ship goes something like this: "Hey, Joe, lend me a spoonful of sugar 'til chow time, will ya?" You're not dreaming. Brother, for that is actually what liappens at coffee time aboard the SS Aug­ ust Belmont. The funniest doings I've seen aboard any ship occur on this one at coffee time, chow time, or any time where a bit of sugar is required Whenever the occasion arises, off you troop to your foc'sle to get your half-pound of sugar, or whatever remains of it. Ten days out of Philly, on the return trip, an acute sugar short­ age was the main topic of the special meeting called by the dele­ gate. With the consent of all haiids, enough sugar was set aside for baking bread, "until we hit port," and the remaining 19 pounds was distributed amongst the crew, one half-pound per man. your ration and when it was gone, your coffee was drunk un­ sweetened. This applied only to coffee, because we had run out of tea three weeks earlier. The borrowing occurs mainly at coffee time, when time is short and the man has forgotten to bring his own sugar.' The debt is promptly repaid at chow time, however. This ship signed articles in New York and was stored for a 60-day trip to Norfolk, Lisbon NO HOARDING and back. Instead, due to the This seemed to be the best way coal strike, we lay 20 days in to avoid hoarding. You received Norfolk awaiting coal and then Thank you very much for printing the article headlined, "SIU Corrects Deck Hazard on ing their hair trying to sell mem­ bers on shipping on tankers going coastwise. The main reason for not taking the ships was because New York and Boston were too cold. Aliens meanwhile, could sail only on a few ships that wei'e going foreign, and which hadn't at the time called for any crews. In order to maintain our Union conditions and contracts, we must keep those ships crewed up, and especially the tankers, which were among the most difficult to organize. Thomas "Aussie" Dawes BACON SCARCE The dock workers there don't believe in hurrying, so unload­ ing proceeded rather slowly. We ran out of bacon but managed to get some Swedish bacon that was as salty as the Atlantic, but they would not supply us with other meats. Our meat supply ran low, and we had very little variety on the way back. By the time we finished load­ ing chemically treated wood pulp destined for Philly and New York, we ran out of butter and potatoes. Eggs were rationed one a day per person, and we rereceived no cakes or puddings for dessert. Soup crackers joined the missing list six days later, and coffee lasted until we reached port, with 12 pounds to spare. According to the Steward, none of our very scarce commodities were obtainable in Sweden, due Span Splice," in the Jan. 31 issue to strict rationing there. of the Log. Outside of all this, however, My brother," Johnny Steeber, we had a very pleasant trip. whose picture was printed along Walter Blazer with the article, is the Deck (Editor's note:—At one point Delegate aboard the ship. "We were all very pleased to see his in Brother Blazer's letter, he picture—he was also in the group changed from writing in ink to picture on page 4. a pencil. He added a post­ Each issue of the Log is more script saying "as you can see, I interesting than the one before— even ran out of ink.") from the articles about the ships down to the jokes. Please keep up the good work! Jeanne Steeber Mobile, Alabama (Editor's note: The Log thanks Seafarer Johnny Sleeber's sister for the gracious plug. We promise to "keep up the good work"—in fact, to improve upon it whenever we' can). Plugs Log For 'Good Work' . Dear Editor: headed for Sweden and a 90-day trip. En route, we ran out of "canned cow." We unloaded a half cargo in Gothenburg, then proceeded to Stockholm where unloading was completed. By that time, the evaporated milk supply had been replenished and fresh milk and ice cream had been added to the larder. meals. There are about 16 dif­ ferent diets to be prepared every day, so just let some Stewards try and figure that headache out. Yet in all the time I have been here the food has been good and plenty when a man is fit to have more. OVERWORKED STAFFS In the Log of Jan. 24, Brother Bause said the truth. The facili­ ties of all marine hospitals are overworked, with not enough doctors or nurses, and overtime something they do not know about. Let us give credit where credit is due. let's not forget the ma­ rine hospital at New Orleans and all the persormel. Also a word should be said for our Patrolman R. Birmingham for his unfailing Sunday after­ noon visits with the latest news in the Secffarers Log. Let us hear from all the sea­ men on the good points as well as the bad points in our marine hospitals. There is plenty of good to be found in these hospi­ tals. Charles Tiller New Orleans, Leu (Editor's note: The Log en­ deavors to present both sides of a question, whenever pos­ sible. It has, in the past, pub­ lished favorable articles by hos­ pitalized Brothers. Prominent among these were items by William Bause, in the May 31, 1946 issue, and a group letter from Brothers in the Norfolk Marine Hospital, which ap­ peared Aug. 23, 1946). LAREDO VICTORY A SAFE BET FOR GOOD TRIP Dear Editor: I have a straight tip for the Brothers, and the three Delegates aboard this ship are in complete agreement on it. If you would like to have a pleasant trip, sailing with 100 percent SIU members, and good officers, then the next time you see the SS Laredo Victory on the shipping board in our Union Halls, take this ship and see for yourself. You won't regret it. By the way, if you ever go to Antwerp, and providing you like to drink good beer, pay a visit to Angela's Cafe Rotterdam on Koolkaal St., 6., or Eddie's Black Cat Cafe on Kuipersstraat. You can enjoy fine recordings from rhumba, bolero, and boogie woogie to La Traviata. And there is a chance that you wUl meet some of our Brothers there. Pablo R, Lopez Engine Delegate Photos Of Trip Of San Angelo Victory Wanted Dear Editor: While I was aboard the San Angelo Victory, the boys and my­ self had some pictures taken. I • would like to have duplicates of these shots that covered our trip to "Rio, Montevideo and Buenos Aires. If Bob Petersen, Oiler, or Tiny, the crew messman, still have these pictures in their possession, I would appreciate it very much /|| if they would send me copies of the shots. Vincent Meehan 2940 Tremont Ave. Bronx, N. Y. �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Fourleen Friday. February 21, 1947 Ships, Girls Abound In Miami; Seafarers Are Needed For Both Agent is Charles Starling. the Brothers there is a Hall down here and more guys are needed. THE SIU PATTERN Ever since the Seafarers Inter­ One word of advice to Broth­ national Union Hall opened in The Agent and Patrolman are ers putting into Miami: Don't Miami, Fla., there have been diligently spending their time send any personal laundry ashore numerous questions asked about lining up the port in true SIU unless it is absolutely urgent. By JOSEPH VOLPIAN this Hall. Mostly, what the boys manner. They are having the Hall These laundry men wait in every repaired and painted so that the nook and corner, it .seems. They want to know is where it is lo­ We have heard of more than drivers have to answer for cruel, boys will feel more at home. all have the characteristics of a cated, who is the Agent^ and how They are taking care of the beefs Jessie James, without the gun. It one instance of buckaroo masters harsh, inhuman and unlawful general conditions are in that and doing a good job of it. How­ was reported to me that some in the last few years. And this treatment. This day is when the vessel ever, they had some trouble when men were charged as high as is true, despite the fact that port. pays off at it's destination. Prop­ $1.75 to $2.00 for sponging and there is plenty of legislation in There was a little mixup on the they first started. erly made complaints are lodged the books for the purpose of It seems that the companies pressing a two-piece suit. address sent to the Log, and some with the authorities resulting in As they were about to sail, making any potential "Captain hearings at which all sides get an of the boys were almost across did not want to recognize the the street, but couldn't find it. I presence of the Union, and they some of the men went looking Bligh" remember that his crew opportunity to present their story. chased all over town and was directed the skippers of each ves­ for the laundry man to get their is composed of human beings* — Findings are made on the evid­ walking back when I happened sel to go to the Seamen's Insti­ shirts. I don't know whether they guys like himself, trying to earn ence, and penalties are enforced to discover it. For all you Bro­ tute here and pick up men. Of carried fire axes, etc., or not, but a living the hard way. based on what was done; not thers who want to visit the va­ course, they were brought to a if it had been me I probably Every once in a while we run who did it. cation city and ship out from this screeching halt by the Agent. across a ship's master who ex­ Crews which find themselves I was asked by men about the would have done so. Hall, the address is 1352 First emplifies a total disregard for in the unfortunate position of Ave., N.E., Miami, Fla. The Port sick care there and made it my the rights and privileges of the being under articles with un­ Paul Parsons. business to inquire into condi­ men who ai'e in the unfortunate reasonable officers should be tions. I found that the Agent had position of being subject to his mindful of the fact that the law LEAK ON SEMMES god reports from all concerned. command. is a two-way proposition. MAY BE POOL ERE It gives the master almost dicA person applying for licensing CHINA IS REACHED as a ship master of steam has to tatoi'ial rule during the term of meet requirements by way of the voyage but he and his officers Dear Editor: are accountable for wrongful acts, qualifications and character. Just a few notes as to what has the day of reckoning being reach­ The rules say he must satisfy been taking place aboard the ed ultimately at the final port. the authorities that his ability, Raphnel S e m m e s , Waterman, Of course there are remedies experience and habits warrant since we signed on here in Sa­ which the crew can try to use By SALVADOR COLLS belief that he can safely be in­ vannah for a trip to the far east. while on the voyage. Upon re­ trusted with the duties and re­ Although the ship needed many SAN JUAN — Business in the quest, the master must grant a sponsibilities of master. repairs, we started on what look­ port of San Juan during the past reasonable opportunity for sea­ Like most laws of the United ed to be an uneventful trip, Fri­ week was the best it has been in men to present grievances to the States, provision is made for pen­ day, Jan. 30, but it didn't remain a very long time. Shipping on American Consul for settlement. uneventful for long, as about 350 the other hand was not up to par, alties upon satisfactory proof of By this means, the men may be miles out of Savannah we broke with only a few ships touching bad conduct, intemperance, in­ able to tone down a highhanded capacity, inattention to duty, or down with one boiler out of com­ port. ship's captain during the progress If a person is to be treated as an willful violation of laws of the mission. I think shipping to this port of the voyage so that life will be We limped back into port and out-patient he is cared for by the will improve when the Ponce Ce­ sea. more bearable until the final port reports have it we'll be here ten Public Health Service, but if hos­ The punishment may be sus­ is reached. ment outfit gets the two addi­ or fourteen days for repairs. At pitalization is required, the sea­ There is an old and very true tional ships it has ordered, which pension or revocation of papers. the same time we hope to get the men is sent to the Jackson Mem­ These ., same requirements and saying that "a little knowledge should be around the end of the other needed repairs made. May­ orial Hospital where the best of month. Also Waterman is getting checks are present also in the is often a dangerous thing." be while they're at it they'll fix care is given by competent doc­ Too many skippers regai'd three or four C-2 ships to run in case of all the ship's officers gen­ that big leak down below, 'cause tors and pretty nurses. erally. themselves as legal authorities here from the Gulf. if they don't it will make a nice There were some beefs about after reading a copy of the Ship­ With the addition of these ships TYRANTS PARADISE swimming pool by the time we the ruling of not being allowed ping Code in which certain pen­ hit Shanghai. in these marine hospitals, if a dis­ we should have enough shipping Life aboard ship can be made alties may be imposed for various They'd better get busy and fix charge was less than a month. to keep us busy for quite a while. plenty disagreeable by the pres­ infractions of the law. the leaks we have already as they However, even if you have spent The extra ships shouldn't make ence of one iron-handed officer. SEAMEN'S RIGHTS are coming on faster than they only one day aboard, just request it difficult for the officials, as the But ship life becomes hell when Unfortunately, it does not oc­ can be stopped. Last night the a hospital slip from the master boys on the southern run are this ratio is increased — the ves­ cur to these lunk-headed skip­ good Union men, all knowing the coal oil got loose and squired all of the vessel you happen to be sel whose officers are an iron pers that each seaman under their over everything. And today, the on, and present it to the medical score when it comes to shipboard handed clique with only one ex­ command is entitled to certain unionism. coldest day they've had in officer-in-charge. You will have ception. constitutional liberties. Most of these men square their Georgia in seven years, we have no trouble in obtaining treatment. We have in mind the skipper of Occasionally a group of selfbeefs away themselves, leaving no heat. an oil tanker who just completed esteemed little tin gods get com­ PHONE COMING little for the Agent to handle. We've got a god crew aboard, a four-month voyage, the des­ mand of a vessel, and act as if Many of the men arriving in a real international set-up. There cription of which can be found in CIO RAID the ship were their pleasure are Indians, Jamaicans, Puerto this port, found there was no the pages of this issue of the Log. On the local labor scene, there yacht and the crew their slaves. Ricans, Italian, Spanish, and even phone in the Hall, but one has It is our understanding that the Unreasonable searches are made a hill-billy represented. been ordered and it will be in­ has developed a little tension be­ crew has brought criminal charges The boys aboard all feel they stalled as soon as possible. There tween the CIO and AFL. The at all hours; shore leave is pro­ against this individual who hibited; ship's compartments are can put up with all the incon­ is a reported upsurge in shipping General Labor Confederation, thought he was a law unto him­ converted into prisons; single veniences I've mentioned but here and, in my opinion, there CGT-CIO, is trying to organize self by keeping them in irons in and double irons are polished up; there is one that has us all down. will be a need for many men to everything on the Island and is a number of ports, without re­ The toilets are on the fritz and to man the ships. At present there not stopping with the unorgan­ twelve for one loggings are levi­ ed; laws protecting life and lib­ porting the fact to the Consul or top that off we are stuck in the is a shortage, and there has been ized maritime workers. any of the law enforcement agen­ It is trying to break up the ILA erty are forgotten, and proper mud at the pier. So, with the a request to reinstate Brothers cies. suction pumps working in the in bad standing to man the ves­ and UTM, two affiliates well procedure is circumvented. By so doing, he deprived these The unlicensed crew on a mud they overflow sometimes sels in this port. The request was kijown down here. I don't think men of their civil liberties such and the whole mess sure makes presented to the regular meeting the CGT will succeed in their "Bounty" ship of that type leads as: the right to bail; the right to for rough wading. raiding attempts as the two AFL a dog's life until the voyage ends. held Feb. 12. file writs of habeas corpus; the waterfront unions are sticking to­ The taking away of shore leave The Chief Engineer has said to rights to earn a livelihood; and This Hall needs more publicity. hell with it, along with the Elec­ gether and presenting a solid alone is likely to cause drastic what is the first principle of the I saw many oldtimers here, but action such as jumping ship. But trician who doesn't know where front. American conception of justice, the light connections are for the it is my belief that in the near The nights here are becoming the crew should always remem­ that a man is innocent until future there will be a real short­ boxes. a little cooler now, and it is en­ ber that there is eventually a day proven guilty. age unless some men come down While we are tied up here we joyable to take a stroll at night of accounting for the voyage — As we go to press, this petty to relieve the situation. a Jay when the self-inflated slave are taking in. the town. All the under the big round moon. de.spot is sweating aplenty. A lot of talk is going around native Georgians see us coming and from the taxi cab to the bar about the expected exit of the they soak us extra for being Coast Guard from its position of WE CROSS "yankees." interference in merchant ship­ THE Rl\/Efel& The Skipper we have is ugly as ping. The boys all want to lend NISHT-SI6M a bear. I don't come in contact a helping hand in giving them an UP Al^ SID/ with him so everything is going added push toward the place The Seas Shipping Company CLREW/ marked EXIT. ta be alright. has announced that the dispatch As you can surmise from the from London reporting the tank­ SUN. HONEY AND OH BOY! above mentioned mishaps this is er Belle of the West as being on a real hard luck ship. If she So much for that, but serious­ fife is erroneous. The Company doesn't fall apart, or hit a mine ly, fellows, come on down to the reports the vessel as not being in I should be back in the big city land of sunshine, milk, honey and any difficulty. A United Press about June 1. beautiful girls. Get away from dispatch early this week had Harold Farrington that cold weather up North. Tell listed the vessel as being aflame. Dear Editor: San Juan Slow, But More Ships Are Due To Come 'in I SeasShippingReports Belle Of West Is Safe 'V. .v.-' V-- • •' �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, February 21. 1947 Page Flfleen Resolution On Panamanian Ships Halt Ship Switch WHEREAS, the American Merchant Marine during World War II was built up to approximately 50 million tons by American tax­ payers. at a cost to ihem of approximately 20 billion dollars; and To Panama Flag, Says Seafarers WHEREAS, the American Merchant Marine today is rapidly decreasing and if nothing is done by the Maritime Commission and (Covtinued from Ptge I) Congress to stop this decrease of American ships we will find our­ to mask their vessels under Pan­ selves with an American Merchant Marine of less tonnage than we amanian registry, and called upon had prior to the war; and By FRENCHY MICHELET Congress to immediately inves­ WHEREAS, in 1936 the Merchant Marine Act was passed by tigate the condition. This is a view of Palermo, fair­ should sure get fat and sassy in Congress, which had for its purpose the building and maintaining This resolution was unani­ est flower in the garden of Sicily, this jointof a large and substantial American Merchant Marine to take mously adopted in San Francisco, as seen by a non-too-observant But then we figure: what the care of the commerce of this country and to establish national deand at a special New York Branch seaman as he wends his dreamy hell, if that old spider can get ;fense; and meeting today, the same resolu­ way along her dusty, sun-drench­ that fat living in it, why, a slug WHEREAS, in the last few months millions of tonnage of tion was passed without a dis­ ed streets. or two of vermouth shouldn't senting vote. (See text of reso­ A short stroll from the docks make a lot of difference at this American built ships, built by the American taxpayers' money, have lution on this page.) been bought by foreign operators and transferred to foreign flags, takes us to a narrow street, lined stage of the game—so we order Besides discussing the change including the Panamanian flag, and also American capital has on either side by the hovels of a bottle without further ado. of registry of American owned transferred a number of U. S. Governmenf boughf ships fo Pana­ the poor. A handsome boy of AH. PEACE vessels, the agenda of the Co­ manian registry: and perhaps six, with dark flashing The stuff is good. It warms us ordinating Committee meeting WHEREAS, today the Republic of Panama has a merchant eyes and agreeable features, deep inside. It's good to sit here also included the welcoming of darts before us chasing an ema­ on this glorious Mediterranean marine tonnage twice as large as it had prior to the war; and Captain William Ash, MM&P, WHEREAS, the Republic of Panama is not a seafaring nation as the representative of'4;his new­ ciated dog. morning and dream of the port and does not by any stretch of the imagination need this type of est ITF affiliate. They tumble pell-mell into a over the distant hill. tonnage in connection with the export and import trade of their Also present at the meting were miserable one-room shack. A gi­ History tells us that Ponce de the following; William Dorchain, gantic peasant woman, presum­ Leon scoured the New World in country; and WHEREAS, American capital and foreign countries who trans­ United States Representative of ably his mother, cuffs both boy search of a Fountain of Youth. ferred their ships under the Panamanian flag obviously did this the ITF; Emmanuel Pithavoulis, and ring hack out again and bonds But we who were born and bred back over her crude stone oven. there know that it's just as apt tor several reasons; namely, to save taxes, to opexale ships with Federation of Greek Maritime cheaper crews, and to avoid regular steamboat inspection service; and Unions; Fred B. Clausen, Danish We saunter a trifle closer and to be found within the precincts WHEREAS, this condition not only weakens the American Mer­ Seamen's Union; J. Scott, Na­ of the Old, for the only Fountain are rewarded with the delicious chant Marine and puts thousands of seamen and American ship­ tional Union of Seamen of Great of Youth on this good green earth aroma of garlic braising in real yard workers and longshoremen out of work, but also weakens the Britain; Einar Johansen, Nor­ lies in the -seeking thereof. olive oil. We sniff and sigh ap­ wegian Seamen's Union, Ernst To follow the sun is to be eter­ national ddfense of the United States of America; preciatively. She turns her lined, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Seafarers In­ Rabcrg, Swedish Seamen's Union; heavy-featured faee.and nods in nally young in heart.. It was the beloved vagabond poet* of Eng­ ternational Union as an organization petition Congress to immed- W. J. Van Buren, Secretarysmiling agreement. It is the Freemasonry of con­ land who so knowingly dubbed ietely invesfigafe this condition and fake proper steps to safeguard Treasurer of the ITF; and Paul Hall and Morris Weisberger, noisseurs, for an appreciation of Adventure the "True Romance:— ihe American Merchant Marino; and representing the SIU. "Who holds by thee hath heaven BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it no action is taken by good food makes brothers of us in fee to gild his dross thereby Congress that we inaugurate the policy of boycotting all Pemaall. Food, too, has its romantic And knowledge sure that he manian ships sailing in and out of American ports; and asppcis, but: one must serve one's endure a child until he die." apprenticeship to life ere he BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we also inaugurate the Two grimy bewhiskered Amer­ learns that the aroma of prop­ policy of Closing up all fink halls shipping seamen to Panamanian' BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St; Calvert 4E39 erly braising garlic is every bit as ican beachcombers stagger past, vessels in American ports until such time as Panamanian-flag regis­ 276 State St. sweet as the perfume of the rose. a little the worse for the cup that tered ships running in and out of American ports pay the prevailing BOSTON Boudoin 4455 cheers. "Ya know," one confides She bears her trials with the 10 Exchange St. scale of American union wages and live up to the prevailing man­ BUFFALO to the other, "these foreigners Cleveland 7391 stolid endurance of the animal ning scale of American ships and to adopt the working rules now in CHARLESTON 424 King Street aint bad Joes at all." that browses in the distant fields, force and effect in American union vessels; Phone 3-3680 We Americans are truly a race this woman of the people. CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we send this resolution apart. We are the only people Superior 5175 "Perhaps tomorrow," she in the world who go to another Maritime Trades Department of the American Federation of CLEVELAND ...1014 E. St. Clair Ave. thinks, "things may be a little Main 0147 man's country and look upon the Labor for action and introduce this resolution to the Seafarers In­ CORPUS CHRISTI ..1824 Mesquite St. better. Does not the Good Book ternational Union of North America's convention being held in Corpus Christi 3-1509 guy as a "foreigner." say that the meek shall inherit DETROIT 1038 Third St. Chicago in March for the purpose of setting up a policy to^be car­ We once saw three American Cadillac 6857 the earth?" ried out by the East and West Coast seamen affiliated with the soldiers celebrating something or DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. Perhaps, Madam, but the earth other by shooting holes in a bar American Federation of Labor; Melrose 4110 GALVESTON 30823rd Street will be but a son-y patrimony by mirror in Gran. They got highly BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we request support on this 2-8448 the time the quick and the strong insulted because the MP's made by the American Federation of Labor and also notify Congress HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. get around, to handing it over to 'em cut it out. 58777 of our action. HOUSTON 1515 75th Street the likes of you and yours. If a foreigner ever pulled Phone Wentworth 3-3809 JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St. caper-like that in a gin mill in BUREAUCRATS Phone 5-5919 MARCUS HOOK 114 W. 8th St. Two stevedores shuffle along America the "cops would beat Chester 5-3110 on the opposite side of the street his head all the way to MIAMI 1356 N. E. 1st Ave. bound for the docks, evidently, the can. And he'd play hell try­ RAYMOND L. PERRY. Steward MOBILE 7 St. Michael St. where they will earn about one ing to get out again in less than 2-1754 Write to, or call. Special Ser­ NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St. hundred lire an hour for work­ 39 years—and a dark night, too. vice Department at New York Magnolia 6112-6113 ACCIDENTAL APPRENTICE Hall immediately regarding your ing cargo. NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. KAnovcr 2-27S4 The lire is theoretically pegged By the way, they tell us that beef with the Hotel New Yorker. NORFOLK 127-129 Bank Street at two hundred and twenty-five the Maritime Commission is still (Continued from Page 1) 4-1083 PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. to the American dollar. But the operating their ridiculous Stew­ EDWARD^ M. PHILLIPS The Commercial and Financial Phone Lombard 3-7651 Italian government's economists ards Dept. Retraining School. Write to Ernest Wainwright, Chronicle, a bankers publica­ PORT ARTHUR . .909 Fort Worth Ave. Phone: 2-8532 are about as trustworthy a tribe There's a tripcard man aboard P.O. Box 717, Norfolk 1, Va. tion, gives the tipoff on the at­ PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St. as their American counterparts. who has a certificate of gradua­ Beacon 4336 titude of the financiers toward We often wonder by what ab­ tion from this boon-doggling pro­ RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St. the UFE. JAMES R? WIGHT 2599 struse arithmetic the American ject. He cooks as though he got 105 Market St. In the issue dated Thursday, SAN FRANCISCO Contact C. A. Lester at 76 Mereconomists arrive at those pecu- his culinary education by wapDouglas 5475-8363 February 13, a long write-up is SAN JUAN. P. R. . . .252 Ponce de Leon lar cost-of-living charts that they dering into a chance afternoon rimac Road, Portsmouth, Va. devoted to the fact that the New San Juan 2-5996 S. 4- J. try to palm off on labor every cooking lecture and taking cuffSAVANNAH 226 East Bay St. JACK PEABER York Cotton Exchange is refus­ time we get around to asking for notes on a shortsleeve shirt. 8-1728 "Tiny" E. T. O'Mara would ing to even sit down to negotiate SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. a living wage. We think that'this Union should Main 0290 a contract unless the union agrees We will take the ads of one of immediately take steps to bring like Jack Peaber, Electrician off TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. to an escape clause by which M-1323 the large food chains in any news­ this glaring waste of the taxpay­ the SS Celilo to get in touch with members are free to leave the TOLEDO 615 Summit St. him; Ward B, Marine Hospital, paper of, say, the normal year ers' money to the victims' atten­ 440 Avalon Blvd. union during a fifteen day period WILMINGTON of 1939, and compare it with that tion. The Stewards Dept. Re­ Portland, Maine. Terminal 4-3131 each year. VICTORIA, B. C 602 Boughton St. of 1946. training School is an out and out Garden 8331 HAROLD V.^GOHN This is a.trick which is used to If the prices aren't uniformly steal of public funds. It cannot VANCOUVER 144 W. Hastings St. divide the union forces, and in Pacific 7824 Your mother is holding some 25 percent higher than the gov­ be defended except on the char­ ernment's experts say they are, acteristic bureaucratic gj'ounds important mail for you and is this instance it is being employ­ then we will undertake to eat a that it provides jobs for the faith­ anxious that you communicate ed to stall the UFE and force a showdown. with her. dozen hot cakes cooked in the ful. More than 70 percent of the Maritime Commission's Stewards How sad a thing it is that the KARL AGNE HELLMAN Cotton E.xchange employees are the annals of American history. Retraining School by the sorriest scum as well as the cream must The Swedish Consul has been members of the UFE, and they Today our Army and our Navy shoemaker in the house. often rise to the top of the po­ are being denied sufficent funds have agreed, unanimously, to go notified that your mother passed A smiling publican with an litical cauldron. enormous paunch, barely covered It is one of the inevitable evils to protect our precious heritage on strike March 3 unless a new away, and that your father is anx­ ious for you to communicate with by a greasy apron that is evi­ attendant upon the democratic of Liberty, while miserable para­ contract is signed by that date. , Whatever happens, the UFE is him. dently an utter stranger to soap way of life that many of the prin­ sites on the body politic are still assured of the active cooperation 4' 4> apd water, invites us in to sample cipal administrative tasks should able to wrangle enough dough to FRED BRUGGNER hjs wares. fall to the lot of the basets of teach shoemakers a smattering of the Seafarers, whether it is to Please get in touch with the of cooking in order that they help them publish and distribute We preer into the dungeon-like self-seeking men. SIU Port Agent at Marcus Hook, literature, or participation on the iiaj:erior dubiously. If germs acWe are living right smack dab might qualify for nonexistent Pa., immediately. picketline. jobs! tually thrive on dirt then they'in the middle of an era unique in SIU HALLS PERSONALS SIU Again Takes To Street With UFE Leaflets PERSONALS • T r. , ' •>- iSr" �Page Sixteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, February 21, 194> A' FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PFACE ... .. i ii~- FIRST IN MARITIME! 1+ IS v\o acGidei^'f +hcH"i-he Seotarers Irrternorfional UKIIOH has groLon-frona "fhe original 2,doo members m 1938 ix5"tirie G2,OOOi-hat notu hold SlU books • The SlU has consisten1-|q se"bH^e pace in getting betfer condi1"ipns-For its membership, and thus for the entire uJcfterfrorrt. From the verg -first" dags dotun to i-uinnmg the Isthmian eiectionr ft"' � 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 21, 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. 8 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SIU DEMANDS INQUIRY INTO PANAMANIAN SHIPS; ITF TO DISCUSS ACTION SIU AGAIN TAKES TO STREET WITH UFE LEAFLETS SEAFARERS AND ALCOA SIGN PASSENGER SHIP CLAUSES BUSHEY AGREES TO MEET SHIPMEN AS STRIKE HOLDS PEACETIME CONSCRIPTION SEAFARERS ASKS CONGRESS FOR ACTION ON PROGRAM FOR MERCHANT MARINE STAFF OFFICERS SIGNS MOR-MAC; WINS TWO POLLS GREAT LAKES SEAMEN HELD READY FOR UNIONISM AS SIU PREPARES TO LAUNCH ORGANIZING DRIVE NEW YORK BUSINESS STILL BOOMS; RATED MEN STILL AT PREMIUM OLDTIMES RETURNING TO BOSTON; SHORTAGE OF RATED MEN HITS PORT SAVANNAH LOOKS TO FUTURE AS SOUTH ATLANTIC BUYS FOR MORE SHIPS FOR NORTH EUROPEAN RUN MM&P CHARTERS LOCAL IN DULUTH; WEATHER SLOWS OTHER ACTIVITIES PHILADELPHIA MAKES IMPROVEMENTS IN HALL AND IN SHIPPING SEASON CHICAGO SEAFARERS ARE ANXIOUS TO START ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN SIU COMMITTEE INVESTIGATES NEW HALL IN MOBILE CORPUS CHRIST IS BUSY WITH ORGANIZING WORK SUPPLEMENTARY AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALCOA SS CO. AND THE SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF N.A. BANDELIER VOYAGE RUGGED ENOUGH FOR ALL JOHN KNAPP DIES IN FRANCE; SHIPMATES AT ROUEN RITES MINE-TORN SIGNAL HILLS STILL IN YARD PARKER COPS SECOND SKATE CROWN IN WEEK WITH WINS IN 440, 880 AND 1-MILE EVENTS ANTINOUS ACCIDENT VICTIM ON MEND SAN JUAN SLOW, BUT MORE SHIPS ARE DUE TO COME SEAS SHIPPING REPORTS BELLE OF WEST IS SAFE Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2/21/1947 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1947 Periodicals Seafarers Log