https://seafarerslog.org/archives_old/files/original/d9f4c189b023edbe43583f7d401e157a.PDF 7f6d46141f7a426da1c4a03a70cc170a PDF Text Text Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America VOL. IX. NEW YORK. N.Y„ FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 28. 1947 SlU Leaflets Hearten Wall Street Workers NEW YORK, Feb. "28—^With hundreds of union-wise members of the Seafarers International Union aiding in the operation, the United Financial Employes, AFL, continued its organizing broadside yesterday by passing out union literature to the exploited white collar workers in the Wall ^Street area. Postwar Losses Total 131 Ships One hundred thirty-one ships have been sunk by mines since the end of the war, and 95 have been damaged according to a re­ port issued by Lloyd's of London. In reporting the loss, the Lon­ don insurance firm noted that the sinkings after this war com­ pared closely with those follow­ ing the first World War, when 137 ships were lost in the first 18 months following the end of hos­ tilities. After the first World War, drift­ ing mines continued sinking ships until seven years after the end of the war. The most dangerous waters for larger vessels have been the Mediterranean. 18 ships were lost in the Mediterranean and 14 were damaged. 11 of the vessels were sunk and 11 were damaged in or near Italian and Yugoslav waters. Of the 131 ships sunk, 45 were of more than 500 gross tons and 86 were under that size. Of those ships damaged, 64 were large ships and 31 were small. Shipping was suspended for three hours as the Seafarers join­ ed their brother-unionists of the UFE in bringing a vital message to the underpaid office workers. The sight of the Seafarers tak­ ing to the streets in their behalf has considerably heartened the financial workers and is spurring a strong response to the UFE or­ ganizational drive. Letters from individual broker­ age employes have been coming into SIU headquarters applaud­ ing the Seafarers demonstration of solidarity, and citing the con­ fidence they have instilled among the Wall Street workers. Target of the latest broadside was A. M. Kidder and Company, one of the nation's top moneymaking brokerage firms, which has been fighting desperately the attempts of UFE to bring Kid­ der employes the increased wages and working conditions that come with a union contract. COMPANY CALLS MEETING Prior to the operation, John Cole, UFE vice-president, an­ nounced to the Log that a letter had been received from the Kid­ der outfit requesting union rep­ resentatives to meet with com­ pany offluials at 3;15 this after­ noon. He said that the union would attend the meeting, the purpose Last Stages The National Labor Rela­ tions Board in Washington, acting on the recommenda­ tions of Howard LeBarron. Regional Director, has de­ cided that the NMU's flimsy charges in regard to the Isth­ mian Steamship Company bargaining election warrant a hearing. These hearings will begin on March 24. in New York, but will shift to other places if it is deemed necessary. The original recommenda­ tions called for a hearing within five weeks after the date of the report, but March 24 is the earliest that a Trial Examiner will be available. NEW YORK — Monday, Feb­ ruary 24, saw the start of a new feature in the SIU program of educating the membership in all phases of the Union structure. Beginning with this first dis­ cussion period, sessions will be held weekly, or more frequently if needed, to iron out any diffi­ culties or questions that may come up pertaining to the Ship­ ping Rules. If Monday's meeting is any cri­ terion, these sessions may prove to be a highpoint of the week foxseamen on the beach. Plenty of interest was aroused, and the men were serious in presenting the questions which puzzled them. Paul Gonsorchik, Dispatcher, led the discussion, and Patrol­ men were present to answer any query that went further than just interpretation of the Ship­ ping Rules. NEW YORK, Feb. 26—The CIO Shipbuilders' strike against the Ira S. Bushey and Sons' Brooklyn yards stood at the ci'ossroads today, pending announcement to­ morrow of the company's answer to a union plan for settlement of the four-week-old dispute. , The Bushey decision is expect­ ed to have important bearing on the future course of the strike, which has been supported from the start by the Seafarers Inter­ national Union. Fred Mesita, Chairman of Local 13 of the Industrial Union ~of Marine and Shipbuilding Work­ ers of America, CIO, told the Log that his union insisted on settlehient of the strike solely on the basis of the direct issues, which are recognition of Local 12 as bargaining agent for the yard's Maritime Trades Dept. To Meet In Chicago After SIU Convention Directly following the Convention of the Seafarers International Union in Chicago, the AFL Maritime Trades Department will also meet in the same city to take up any problems of the various unions affiliated to the Depart­ ment. The meeting will be held at the Hotel Morrison, and will commence on March 31. Each member union is allowed to send three representatives, but at the time the Log went to press there was no official knowledge of who would go as delegates from the SIU. Since the Department was first formed in Chicago in August of 1946, great strides haVe been made. In turn the raiding tactics of Harry Bridges were brought to a halt, the Wage Stabilization Board was forced to reverse a de­ cision which would have deprived SIU seamen of increased wages NEW YORK, Feb. 28 — The won through negotiations, and Maritime Trades Council of the Masters, Mates, and Pilots Greater New York will meet on were able to win a smashing vic­ the first Tuesday of each month, tory over the operators. beginning Mar. 4, it was an­ In practically the same period nounced yesterday by Paul Hall, of time the commie-dominated JOHN R. OWENS chairman of the powerful AFL Committee for Maritime Unity watei-front group. was born, did a god bit of dam­ The monthly sessions will be age, and then was scuttled after held at headquarters of the Dis­ the communist party saw that it trict Council of the International would not ever be able to rival Longshoremen's Association, 164 the AFL Maritime Trades Depart­ 11th Avenue, New York City. ment in power. The maritime group will con­ Refusal of the Mai'ine Firemen vene at G p.m., one hour before and the Marine Engineers to be­ the ILA district meeting in the Alert to the threat of what mil­ come affiliated to the group, and same building. itary control can do to workers, Joe Curran's blasts against the The decision to meet regularly the New York Branch of the Sea­ way the CMU was being operated was made at the last session of farers International Union adopt­ {Continued on Page 6) the council. ed a resolution opposing the ex­ tension of the Conscription Law which is due to expire March 31, 1947. •The resolution was proposed by Paul Hall, New Yoi'k Agent, and seconded by Joe Algina and 500 workers, and a working, con­ Freddie Stewart. Senators, Rep­ Charging negligence and ad­ resentatives, and the President of tract. herence to the communist party the United States were notified Bushey was informed also, line, NMU President Joe Curran Mesita said, that the Shipbuilders of this action. told a membership meeting this The text of the resolution fol­ would submit to arbitration the week at Manhattan Center that "outside issues" following con­ lows: he intends to ask the trial and WHEREAS: The present Selec­ tract negotiation. removal of Joe Stack, vice-presi­ The plan was a counter-propos­ tive Service or Conscription Law dent, by the union's national al to the company offer to negoti- is due to expire March 31, 1947, council. and (Continued on Page 3) Bolstered by the backing he reWHEREAS: It has been the reived from the membership experience of the SIU and other when he resigned as co-chairman Labor Unions in the United of the Committee for Maritime States of America and Foreign Unity, Curran said he would countries to have conscription prefer specific charges against used or threatened to be used in At the last regular coast­ Stack in the near futui-e. breaking our strikes. wise meeting of the Atlantic The action of Curran, if he fol­ BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED: and Gulf District, seven dele­ lows through with his threat, will That the SIU go on record as op­ gates were elected to the In­ disperse any remaining belief posing the extension of the Con­ ternational Convention of the that the feud raging in the NMU scription Law and notify our Sen­ SIU. Pictures and story ap­ is window-dressing for the bene­ ators, Representatives and Presi­ pear on page 6. fit of the national CIO. dent of our decision. . Maritime Council To Hold Regular Meetings In N.Y. Seafarers Takes Staud Agaiast Peacetime Draft Shipping Rules Clarified In New Union Feature ShipbaiUers' Pressure Forces Bushey To Negotiate With Uaion (Continued on Page 4) No. 9 Int'l Convention Curran Threatens To Bring Charges Against Joe Stack �Page Two THE SEAFA'RERS LOG Friday, February 28, 1947 m 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 £ 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., under the Act of August 24, 1912. GEORGE NOVICK, Editor 267 Phony Transfers Without any publicity, and by a series of undercover maneuvers, the United States merchant marine is being sold to foreign countries. Of course, this does not mean that those foreign countries will benefit. Oh, no, the peo­ ple who will benefit are the shipowners who never ac­ tually lose their ships even when they sell them. Sounds confusing, doesn't it. But confusing or not the shipowners are using this ruse to gyp thousands of United States..merchant seamen out of jobs, and the U. S. Government out of taxes. Here's the way the scheme works. Mr. Shipowner, in the United States, who made plenty of dough during the war, now transfers his ships to a dummy corporation in Panama or Honduras. The profits still go into the same pockets, but U. S. seamen no longer man the ships, and they are cut off from gainful employment. Since the end of the war more thail 100 ships have been quietly transferred to Panamanian or Honduran regis­ try, and more than 4,500 American seamen have been forced out of jobs. What is even worse, foreign seamen have been forced to take jobs on those ships at wages far less than the prevailing scale in the United States, and under conditions that are a throwback to the days of 50 years ago. Hospital Patients When entering the hospital notify the delegate by post­ card. giving your name and the number of your ward. All of this has vast implications for the working stiff who goes to sea to earn a living. On Panamanian and Hon­ duran ships the operators will set low wages and poor con­ ditions and thereby be able to carry cargo for less than companies paying decent wages. American companies will then put up a terrific howl and claim that they are being forced out of business, and that they will have to cut wages These are the Union Brothers currently in the marina hospitals, in order to meet the competition. But the competition is as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging of their own making, and no matter what happens, their heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­ ing to them. profits pile up. Men Now In The Marine Hospitals If this situation is allowed to continue, soon the Amer­ ican merchant marine will be only a skeleton. But Panama and Honduras will have thousands of ships, employing thousands of non-union seamen, while standards of Ameri­ can seamen are being beaten down. This is intolerable and seamen who have fought for years to come out of the depths are not going to take this without a stiff fight. Where does the Government stand in this contro­ versy? Well, the Government is doing exactly nothing, and by doing nothing has given the fat boys the go ahead signal. Although millions of dollars will be lost in taxes by such goings-on. Uncle Sam haS kept quiet and watched the merchant ships bemg transferred to foreign registry, or sold to dummy corporations in foreign lands. The seaman has been picked for the role of sucker in all this. But the Government and the shipowners are in for a rude shock. Seamen won't be the fall guys, and they have asserted, through their leaders, that this phony busi­ ness has got to stop. Men who sailed through combat torn waters are not going to sit around and watch their jobs being stolen away from them. If the Government won't put a stop to the racket, then the seamen will stop it with the best weapon in the world—economic action! NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL V. NORRGARD H. ECHEVARIA W. LEWIS CENTRAL MASON STEVE MOGAN O. M. STIREWALT JACINTO NAVARRO V. FREDERIKSEN JOHN RETOUR ROBERT (BOB) WRIGHT W. BROCE, Jr. JOHN HANLON K. SCHERREBECK R. MULHOLLAND J. W. DENNIS EWARD CUSTER TED (THE KID) THOMPSON W. HEMPEL BALTIMORE HOSPITAL LELAND McMILLIAN LAWRENCE McCUNE LONNIE TICKEL STEPHEN BRADLEY SEBASTIAN CARTER CLIFTON CARTER CHARLES SIMMONS JACK HAMILTON EMMANUEL COTTIS ELMER WALKER ERNEST SIDNEY WILLIAM LAWTON PETER LOPEZ PHILIP BAZAAR THEODORE BABKOWSKI DAVID HORN ROBERT SHEHEE MATHEW CARSON VERNER JENSEN. X X MOBILE HOSPITAL KARL LUNDBERG XXX STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL R. G. MOSSELLER J. S. WOOD E. E. CASEY W. G. H. BAUSE F. H. DOLAN L. A. CORNWALL F. CORNIER M. BAUCSKI E. D. MILLER M. MORRIS H. BELCHER L. L. MOODY W. BLOOM R. R. LEIKAS R. MCDOWELL Staten Island Hospital You can contact your Hos­ pital delegate at the Staten Island Hospital at the follow­ ing times: Tuesday —1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 51h and 8th floors) Thursday —1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (on 3rd and 4th floors.) Saturday — 1:30 to 3:30 pj». (on 1st and 2nd floors.) K. KORNELIUSSEN M. J. LYDEN J. H. DANIEL, Jr. S. W. LESLEY C. SULLIVAN. XXX GALVESTON HOSPITAL OLSEN BENNETT GALANE R. V. JONES HUTCHENSON STAEINZ MILKE FLESHER AKIN GRAVES BREASHAR KOW LIM XXX BRIGHTON HOSPITAL E. JOHNSTON H. SWIM R. LORD E. CABRAL A. MABIE R. BROWN T. ALDRIDGE E. BOLEKALA M. MCCARTHY J. TIERNEY • ' �Friday, February 28, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three Every Division Of iMaritime Must Be Organized In Guif Area By LINDSEY WILLIAMS still remains that the Gulf is loosely organized and until things Practically every form of mari­ are tightened up there is always time activity carried on any­ a danger. where in the world is found on Where in the past the organi­ the Gulf. This includes every­ zational work has been a series of sharp fights centralized on thing from fishermen to salvage strategic points, we must now crews and from inland water­ By PAUL HALL plan a mopping-up campaign to ways to tidewater. Quite a few months ago the AFL Maritime Trades Depart­ tie all the loose ends together and Many of the men work in the ment went on record to refuse to work any ships belonging to new build a solid functioning appara­ various divisions of maritime companies that signed contracts with the National Maritime Union tus. much more often than they do after that date. We took that stand in view of the raiding by Harry When the Agents' conference elsewhere—thug a towboatman Bridges and his commie CMU. convenes next month, this should will fish for shrimp during the Our resolution meant that AFL Seamen, Longshoremen, Team­ seasons, and end up the year on be one of the principle points on sters, and Tugboatmen would not even go near a ship that signed an off-shore trip. the Agenda and the work of the with the NMU after the AFL Maritime Trades Department made organizers laid out like a battle The chief reason for this is that its position clear. And that also meant that no new shipowner could plan. the Seafarers has penetrated all do business if he tried to make any agreements with the NMU. The Gulf was one of the prin­ different maritime trades, mak­ Our position was not an idle boast. We had, and have, the ing it fairly easy for any organ­ ciple factors in the original or­ strength to lock up any ship or company that violates our resolu­ ized maritime worker to change ganization of the Seafarers, and LINDSEY WILLIAMS tion. See the back page for details on one company that was caught from trade to trade as he desires. will continue to be a great factor SIU. Field Representative in its progress. in the act. In Charge Of Becansp of the rnmparatively What we did in the case of the SS Lawrence Brengle we can do great distances between ports Waterman, with Mobile as its Gulf Area Organizing again. We will do it again if companies persist in signing finky and the interlocking waterways, home port, will shortly be operat­ agi'eements with the NMU. it is necessary for the protection and Houston Bay Towing Com­ ing some 135 ships. The companies are smart in trying to get the NMU to repre­ of each craft that all be organized Mississippi is already operating pany which was operating a com­ sent their employees. They know that NMU conditions are much with a common affiliation. a large number of ships out of pany union. inferior to those of the SIU, and they know that NMU piecards New Orleans and plans to sub­ The volume of dry cargo and With the Seafarers, victory, the stantially increase their number. don't have the time or inclination to fight the membership's beefs. oil transported via the inland company Union Was liquidated waterway system from Florida to and an agreement signed with I Among these are three large NMU Loved By Companies Sure, the Steamship companies would love to have the NMU the Mexican border is greater the SIU. Organizational activity new passenger ships and more get in on the ground floor. But that is not the feeling of the sea­ than the entire tonnage handled in this field is being carried on are planned. Alcoa is putting two men. In every case these men would choose the SIU if they had by sea on either the east or west in all ports from Tampa to new luxury liners on the Island cruise run, and so on down the the chance. Seamen know what the SIU has done for wages and coasts. Brownsville, and progress report­ line. conditions of American seamen and they don't want to be represent­ If this shipping is neglected and ed everywhere. The men on the Gulf never ed by the NMU, a union that is constantly fighting within itself. left unorganized, it could easily j Included in this classification I were, and never will be, satisbe extended through the river ar­ Right now the SIU, and the AFL Maritime Trades Depart­ are the dredges, and the Seafar­ . fied with doing anything half teries, up the east coast inland ment have decided to unfreeze the Lawrence Brengle so that the ers is making steady inroads way. It's always a bang-up job shipowners would not be forced out of business. But that does not waterway system, via canal into' among them. with fhem. To do a job right re­ the Great Lakes out through the mean that other shipowners, or the NMU, can become cocky. quires planning and a thorough TANKERS If the same collusive agreements are entered into by new ship­ St. Lawrence and thus seriously working system. This is the Or­ The offshore trade is not be­ owners and the NMU, they will have to take the consequences of cripple if not break, a general ganizational Committee's job, and ing overlooked, and within the their action. They have sufficient warning, and they know that maritime strike. with the continued aid and supThe Gulf organizational com­ past month an agreement has we, have the power to back up our position. 1 port of the membership it should We reaffirm .our original position. New companies going into mittee of the Seafarers has work­ been signed with a company I be done well. the shipping business will either deal with the AFL throughout, ed on these linking waterways for which, although operating only or they will have to get used to the sight of their ships lying by a long period of time and has a few ships now, will shortly be the docks, with no Teamsters delivering goods, no Longshoremen made steady progress. The major operating a m.inimum of Ifi ships. to load cargo, and no Tugboatmen to warp the vessel out into the operators are under contract. As soon as the final details are One of the best contracts, the deep water. worked out, a full report will be To the members of the SIU, and to the members of the other Mobile Towing and Wrecking Co. made on this new contract. unions affiliated to the AFL Maritime Trades Department, our show being signed only recently. The main field of offshore or­ of strength in this case was all to the good. It proved what we have Because of the great hook-up By HUGH MURPHY ganizing on the Gulf at present known for a long time. Only the AFL has the power to do what which has its main terminal in is on tankers, and the main con­ VANCOUVER, B. C.—Recently we said we could do when we first adopted the resolution. New Orleans, everyone on the centration in the Sabine-Port Ar­ Gulf looks forward with interest when the North Sea, Northland Our Strength Apparent thur and Corpus Christi areas. to the Lakes organizing campaign Transportation Company, ran Through our combined strength we closed up the nation's This woi'k is being closely co­ which will sew things up com­ aground in Seaforth Channel in shipping during our General Strike, and we beat the shipowners pletely on both ends of the sys­ ordinated with the work being during the MM&P beefs. This power will come in mighty handy carried on in the Marcus Hook, upper British Columbia, the tem. for the future, when labor will need all its strength to fight off Philadelphia and New York areas quick thinking and efiiciency of what the Washington fat-boys ai-e cooking up. HARBOR CRAFT and real results should make the crew prevented a panic and Our victories are won solely through economic action. We don't evacuated all 85 passengers, in­ Great progress has also been their appearance soon. go sucking around the big shots when we have a legitimate beef— As a result of this work the cluding women and children, made in the organization of har­ we settle our difficulties at the point of production. And that's without a casualty. why we have built up such a good record for winning our fights. bor craft. Mobile, Alabama, is Seafarers is now in the position to start a campaign for bargain­ one hundred percent organized Since then all of the survivors Other unions are rapidly coming around to our point of view. ing elections on the ships of sev­ and the major tug operators»of have been praising the fine work Lots of union piecards used to laugh at our method, but now they eral tanker companies. Texas are under contract. done by the crew in handling this are laughing out of the other side of their mouths. difficult situation. The crew Despite all the gains that have One of the biggest victories By using our methods we won all our beefs, and by brownnosing, those guys allowed their membership to be cheated out of was the capture of the Galveston been made, however, the fact really did a fine job, and through their efforts prevented what plenty that was rightfully theirs. So now they are all adopting could have been a disaster. economic action, and it's about time. A week or so ago the Olympic UFE Fights Too Steamship Line vessel James S. Even the white-collar workers have come to the conclusion that Drain arrived here after a trip to economic action is the only way to force the bosses to come across Japan. After looking over the with some of their tremendous profits. For a long time office em­ workers was precipitated by the ship it was hard to believe she {Continued from Page 1) ployees were paid off in compliments and double talk, but now company's repeated refusal to ne­ had a crew aboard, as she was they are demanding real money instead of promises. ate and sign an agreement pro­ the filthiest ship that ever hit this Right here in New York the United Financial Employes, AFL, vided "the union would wipe the gotiate a contract with Local 13, port. is putting up a tough fight to force the brokerage houses to cough slate clean of all complaints which has been designated by the The performing by some of the NLRB as 'collective bargaining up some of their dough for the workers. Of course, the bankers against Bushey," Mesita added. crew was a disgrace to the Union. agent. have lots of reasons why they shouldn't do that, but the UFE has The complaints — or "outside Prior to the strike call, repre­ There was nothing for us to do in more reasons why they should. issues" referred to involve ap­ sentatives of Local 13 and the In­ this case but to pick up all per­ Office workers have always been underpaid and overworked. proximately 50 cases of back-pay mits and tripcards and have them Now they are demanding a decent wage, and we in the SIU are awards to Bushey workers hand­ ternational appealed to the SIU payoff. backing their play 100 percent. In their leaflet distribution we ed down on Jan. 7 by the Na­ for aid. We then called Seattle for a The Seafarers membership have assisted them by printing and giving out more than 100,000 tional La_bor Relations Board. new deck crew, which signed on voted all-out assistance to the pieces of literature. And if they have to hit the picketline, we'll Another issue which the com­ CIO shipyard workers, and when and set to cleaning out the filth. be there right alongside of them. That's what union solidarity really means. It doesn't just pany wanted "wiped off" involv­ the strike began on Jan. 30, the She looks like a different ship go for AFL unions—it goes for any honest union that is involved ed reinstatement of two shipyard white-capped men of the SIU now, thanks to the new crew's in a legitimate beef. The CIO Shipbuilders and the AFL Office workers as ordered by the NLRB massed on the picketlines in a efforts to make the ship live up in a ruling made on Dec. 27, 1946. powerful demonstration of trade- to our slogan, An SIU Ship is a Workers are the same to us. Both are honest, both need help, and Clean Ship. , The walkout of the Bushey union solidarity. both got what they asked for. Quick Thinking Prevents Panic Shipbuilders' Pressure Forces Biahey To Negotiute With Union �THE SEAFARERS LOG Pa{i& Four Friday, February 28, 1947 SlU Leaflets Help UFE Deal With Bankers WHAT ttWWK. QUESTION:—What type ship do you prefer to sail on, and why? J. O. SARTINL Steward: Give me those Victory ships any day! They are more modern and have belter equipment to worb with than any other ship : j ifloat. When you have good ;quipmenl it makes work much 3asier and more pleasant. Men who sail on Victories seem to ::ake pains to do a god job 'and •;il <eep the ship clean. Not that ->ther crews don't, it's just that •)n Vic's the men take extra spe:ial care and pride. Speaking :rom the viewpoint of a Steward, I think that it is easier to store food and prepare good meals on H Victory. JAMES WALKER, Second Cook: It may sound funny, but I like the Liberty ships. I know they are slow and pokey, but just be­ cause of that a man can make more money. On a small ship like a Liberty a man gets a chance to meet his shipmates and make friends with them. I've sailed on large ships and each time it was a relief to get back to a Liberty. In the days to come we won't see or even think about those good old tubs, but we should re­ member the part they played in making victory possible during the war, and I like them for that, too. "Bay screamed they would wreck his business," the handbill continued. "Today, profits in his line are higher than ever. And •.eamen's wages are in tune with ,he times." It emphasized that the "only way any worker can better his or her conditions and win increased wages is by collective bargain­ ing," pointing out that the em­ ployes of the New York Stock and Curb Exchanges already en­ joy wage and hour conditions considerably above the Wall WALTER MCLAUGHLIN, FOW: Street level, as a result of their I cast my vote for the Hog union eontract. Islanders. They are the real oldtimers, but they were built to BAD BARGAINING RECORD last. They are riveted all around, Up to now, Kidder has refused and can take a heavy sea without to bargain in good faith. Negoti­ breaking up like the Liberties.' ations bi'oke off about a month All the Hog Islanders I have been ago in the offices of the New on were smooth riding and that York State Mediation Board, means a lot when you are spend­ when company officials stated ing months on a ship. Another that nothing could be gained by thing that makes me in favor of a fact-finding review of condi­ the HI is that they don't have a tions in the Kidder concern. lot of fancy gadgets on them, and Kidder's anti-union philosophy a man doesn't have to spend his time messing around with new was summed up by Ambassador Bay, when he left for his lush contraptions. post recently. He said: CARL WAYNE, Ch. Elect.: This may sound selfish, but I can't help that. I like C-2's or Victories because of the electrical equipment aboard each one. They have electric winches and other equipment that makes a sailor's life more pleasant. On Hog Islanders and Liberties, there is little electrical equipment, and a seaman has to work his head off from bell to bell. There are lots of reasons for liking different types of ships, but the best reason is because work is easier on one ship than it is on another. Operator Puts Blame For The Decline Of Shipping On Wgh' Wages, Ignoring The Enormous Profits By ROBERT MATTHEWS In the February 24, 1947, issue of the "Journal of Commerce," Mr. Frank J. Taylor, President, American Merchant Marine Insti­ tute, has written quite an exten­ sive article in which he says, in effect, that the demands of the Maritime Unions for increased wages and better working condi­ tions will bring about the decline of the American Merchant Ma­ rine. He infers that the increases in seamen's wages has brought about the serious decline in in­ ter-coastal operations. He states further: "While it will be admitted that the cost of living has increased 51 percent since January, 1941, the unions find it convenient to ignore the fact that during the same period seamen's wages have increased more than 125 percent. In other words, seafarers are far ahead in the race against the cost of living. "A general wage increase is the principal demand being put for­ ward by the unions now, and in June, when most of the contracts expire, the unions have already stated that they will seek such things as a 40-hour week at sea, a four-watch system, longer vaca'tions, and the creation of a wel­ fare fund—all items which will further increase the cost of op­ erating American ships." An examination of the cold hard facts is all that is necessary to show up the fallacy of Mr. Taylor's statements. It may be true, as he says, that the cost of living has risen 51 percent since January, 1941. Most sources, however, say it has gone up 72 percent. It is not a fact that seamen's wages have risen 125 percent since 1941. In July 1941, the aver­ age wage for a seaman, based on actual fact, was $107.69 per month, and at this writing, the average wage of a seaman is $185.83 per month. Thus we sec that instead of ris­ ing 125 percent as Mr. Taylor states, the increase over a period of six years is actually only 72 percent. Mr. Taylor conveniently fails to mention that in 1941, when the average was of the seaman was $107.69 per month, this wage in comparison with shoreside work­ ers was decidedly sub-standard. All through the war years, when shoreside workers were getting increases in their wages to meet the increased cost of liv­ ing, the seaman's wages remained static. Now that the war is over, the seaman's average wage is still sub-standard. While the ship­ owner is reaping enormous prof­ its from exorbitant freight rates, they still do not recognize the fact that a seaman is entitled to a decent standard of living. j (Continued from Page 1) of which was not revealed in the letter. Curiously, one of the Kidder partners, Charles U. Bay, present U. S. Ambassador to Norway, is also "a diiecLur of a large shipping line. The UFE handbill distributed vestcrday pointed out that Bay had vigorously objected to "deal­ ing with a seamen's union at first, Mr. William Clayton, UnderSecretary of State, by no means a liberal, hit the nail on the head when he testified before the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. He said that in his opinion the profits in the shipping industry are much too large. In fact, he thinks that they act as a restraint and limitation, a limiting factor on world trade. To throw further light on my statement that right now seamen's wages are sub-standard, I cite fi­ gures from the report of the Hel­ ler Committee of the University of California. According to the committee, it is iiecessary for the average worker, in order to maintain a minimum health and decency standard of living for a family of four to have an average an­ nual income of $3545.82. If the average seaman worked for 12 calendar months with no time off at home, (and few sea­ men have work for nine, let alone 12 months a year) he would earn the sum of $2229.96. Take from {Continued on Page H) "I am glad to get away from the strikes. In America, recon­ version has been slowed down by strikes." No mention was made in his statement of the rocketing prices, as a result of which. Ambassadors of high finance like Bay saw their profits zoom to unprecented heights while workers — white collar workers particularly—suf-. fered further drops in their standards of living. Meanv/hile, the militancy of the UFE membership was on the increase. Wednesday night, they voted almost unanimously to back the Cotton Exchange em­ ployes, also members of the AFL union, in their announced inten­ tion to strike should efforts to negotiate a new contract fail. The Seafarers likewise has prom­ ised the financial workers its full support. LAKES SlU REJECTS NLRB MAIL VOTE PLAN By STANLEY WARES CLEVELAND—A meeting was held recently at the Regional Of­ fices of the National Labor Rela­ tions Board here in Cleveland. The purpose of the meeting was to call the companies and unions together for suggestions as to an­ other method of holding elections aboard ships for the personnel. The Regional Director explain­ ed that due to a cut in his staff, the old method of shoreside ob­ servers wooold place an awful burden on his office. One of the field examindfs then went into detail as to the merits of voting by mail. He tried to put across to us the fact that if the voting coiUd be held by mail it would relieve the burden of not only the NLRB, but also the unions and companies involved. Representing the SIU at this meeting were Great Lakes Secre­ tary Fred Farnen and myself, and we immediately ruled out any form of mail vote. We felt, and always have felt, that the only way the seam'en can get a fair and non-interfering election is through the use of shoreside observers and that method alone. ALL OPPOSED Strange as it may seem, the NMU lawyer agi-eed with our point of view, and to top it off, the company dominated Lakes Seamen's Union went right down the line on everything, which is really something for the books. The lawyers for the Lakes Car­ riers Association, and there were quite a few of them present, would not commit themselves on anything, claiming that this was not a hearing, therefore, they weren't representing their clients, but were there on their own and whatever they had to say was only their personal views. A good way to get out from under. After two hours the meeting broke up with the SIU still hold­ ing the view of giving the sea­ men personal representation at the polls. This is a good example of the fact that even though-the Lakes are closed down at least four months each year, the SIU is in there giving its members representation all year around. �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, Fabitiary 29^ 1947 Page Fiyo I Excerpts From The 'SIU Organizers' Handbook' Talk Seafarers You're aboard an unorganized scow to put the SIU across. One of the best ways is to talk SIU whenever you get an opportun­ ity, but not to the extent of bor­ ing your listeners. Tell the unorganized men that the SIU is organizing all unor­ ganized seamen on one simple point. They can better their wages, working and living con­ ditions by joining the SIU and becoming active Union members in the fight to improve the condi­ tions of all seamen afloat or ashore. You can be a bum organizer or a good organizer. There are two kinds of bum ship's organizers to avoid being like. One is the guy who goes aboard, flips his lid right away, and lets everyone know who he is and what he is doing. The other kind is the strong, silent type who goes aboard, rides the ship for a year, and never lets anyone know who he is or what he believes in. Don't be either kind. A. good prganizer follows neither of these two courses. You should take the middle course, and set a good example by doing your job well, being a good ship­ mate, and not throwing your weight around. Tell the unorganized seamen the truth. Your Union has noth­ ing to hide. Remember that a lot of baloney will result in both you and the SIU being regarded as unreliable. Use facts, but don't try to talk everyone else down. Be logical in your discussion of the SIU's brand of unionism. Talk plain, unvarnished facts. The average seaman intesely dis­ likes the "super militant" blowhard who doesn't know what he is talking about. Give the unorganized man a chance to talk and ask ques­ tions. Let him do most of the talking, after . you have broken the ice, and you supply the cor­ rect answers. Don't brag when you talk about the SIU. Use cold facts and figures. That's what counts. To back up your statements, break out your SIU contracts and compare them with the non-un­ ion conditions aboard the unor­ ganized ship. Conditions under an SIU contract ai-e so far ahead of unorganized conditions that Comment Please The "Organizers Hand­ book" is the latest of the pub­ lications prepared by the Edu­ cation Department of the Seafarers. We'd like to have the opinions of the member­ ship of this booklet, so that future* printings may be re­ vised and improved. there actually is a world of dif­ ference. Use the Seafarers Log as an additional argument to back you up, and study all of the organiza­ tional material which you will receive from time to time. You must be up on your facts and figures. If you don't know the score, how are you going to show un­ organized men the light of union­ ism—SIU style? You must be up on your facts. That's important. New Booklet Reprinted in this page are five excerpts from the "Seafare r 8 Organizers' Handbook," which has just come off the press. Chock full of vital informa­ tion for every Seafarer, the handbook's purpose is to ac­ quaint SIU members with the fundamentals of union organi-i zational e:ffort, and thereby, to make every Seafarer a rank and file organizer. Be A Good Shipmate When you're aboard ship, your shipmates judge you by your ac­ tions. Never make the mistake of talking too much, or you'll be looked upon as a windy guy. Then no one will pay any attention to what you say. Your value as an organizer will be completely finished, and much valuable time and effort will be wasted. On the other hand, don't make the mistake of being a sourpuss who comes off watch, hits the hay immediately, and never Discuss SIU Structure, Conditions, Contracts Your SIU contract is one of the best organizing convincers in your kit. Show it to the unor­ ganized men and explain how their comparative conditions will be im.proved under an SIU con­ tract. Most unorganized ships make damn sure that the men get very little overtime. Your SIU con­ tract provisions covering the pay­ ment of overtime should be an eye-opener to the average unor­ ganized seaman. Everytime you see one of these unorganized men doing a job for which he would be receiving overtime on an SlU-contracted ship, break out your SIU con­ tract and show him the advan­ tages of being an SIU member. Don't forget to stress in your discussions the complete democ­ racy of the SIU and its meetings. In the entire country, there are very few unions which prac­ tice SIU democracy in electing the chairman, secretary and reading clerk from the floor of each meeting. Most unions have their meet­ ing run from the platform by their elected officials with very little rank-and-file participation. That's one of the things that make the SIU the democratic out­ fit that it is. Tell these unorganized men how trial committees, finance committees, auditing committees, and other regular and special committees are elected from the floor at SIU membership meet­ ings. • Don't forget to tell them also that these committees aren't only composed of rank-and-file mem­ bers, but are also run by them free from any interference or coercion from the officials. That's SIU democracy in action! Your SIU constitution is also a good pointer to demonstrate to the unorganized seamen. The provisions of the constitution show how democratically the Seafarers is run, and reveal how little control by the officials is actually ^ercised. Read your constitution through several times, and make those points in it which best illustrate the rankand-file control of the Seafarers. In the back of this Handbook, there are two charts which should be quite helpful to you in demonstrating how the SIU functions and its outside affilia­ tions. One of the charts illustrates the structure of the SIU, its var­ ious districts, and how the mem­ ber on the ship is represented in his beef. The other plainly shows the SIU's affiliation with the AFL, the AFL Maritime Trades Department, and other AFL unions. It's very important to remem­ ber that you must know the Sea­ farers structure, contracts and constitution if you're going to +alk to others about their good points. In your spare time, go through the contracts and constitution and mark those spots which should be of special interest to the average unorganized seaman. Then you will have little difficul­ ty in finding these parts when you want to refer to them. The best way to tell others about the good points of the SIU is to know the score about those particular points yourself. That's the best way! Running The Ship Union Style Tliis is a lot simpler than it sounds. To run a ship union style, it is necessary for the crew to hold regular shipboard meet­ ings. At these meetings, all legiti­ mate beefs should be thoroughly discussed and a record kept of same. An attempt should be made to correct or remedy the beefs aboard ship, but if this is not possible, then bring them ashore to your SIU representative. We'll see if anything can be done about them. Always remember that a union ship is a clean ship. Keep it clean. Any man who throws ship's equipment or gear over­ board, who deliberately smashes in door panels or fouls up his quarters, is not a union man. A good ship is a shipshape ship. The union style is good seaman­ ship, good shipmates, good trip and good payoff. If you want to drink, drink ashore. If you want to perform, then perform ashore. Remember the ship is your home while you are aboard, and should be treat­ ed as such. Hold meetings aboard ship us­ ing the ships meeting agenda contained in the SIU pamphlet "Order—How To Conduct A Un­ ion Meeting On Ship And Ashore." 1. Call the meeting to order. 2. Elect officers — chairman, secretary. 3. Read previous minutes — if any. 4. Ships delegates reports — reports of committees, etc., and action taken. 5. New business. 6. Good and welfare. 7. Adjournment. Remember that these meetings are not held until the ship is or­ ganized so that the majority of the crew supports or belongs to the SIU. In running the meeting, use the union literature contained in the Organizers Kit to the best ad­ vantage. That's what it's in there for—to be read, studi^, and above all, used sensibly.' Also make use of the latest copy of the Seafarers Log, and other organizational material as it IS published. The Log has much useful information in it, and contains a complete, up-tothe-minute record of the Seafar­ ers beefs and victories. It's a damn good organizational source book. speaks to anyone. Everyone will ignore you, and you'll never be consulted in any discussion con­ cerning the crew's beefs. Live aboard your ship in a normal manner, and everyone will regard you as a good ship­ mate. Never try to be the "voice of experience," and an authority or final judge on every subject. Act natural, eat, drink, and talk with your shipmates as you would with your shoreside friends. Your worth as an individual while you are aboard ship is judged by whether or not you are considered a good shipmate. If you aren't a good shipmate, you won't be much good as an or­ ganizer. • Always be ready to lend a help­ ing hand to the new guy who doesn't know what it's all about. These fellows look up to you as an example and as one who knows the score, so repay that confidence with a little assistance whenever it's necessary. Your attitude toward these new guys will pay good dividends when the ship votes, because these men are going to vote fo^ the Union representative that they like best. So, above all, re­ member to be a good shipmate and you'll also be a good or­ ganizer. There's More In addition to the material reprinted on this page from the "Seafarers Organizers' Handbook, the following top­ ics are covered in the new publication:It's Your Union, Brother; Getting a Job on an Unor­ ganized Ship; SIU Beef Rec­ ord — N M U Comparison; Compare AFL Maritime Trades Department and CMU; Handling the Commies and Their Propaganda; Con­ tact Union Hall—Bring Ship­ mates There; Stay With the Ship Until 'Voting Is Over. The booklet concludes with important final instructions and organizational charts. Your Job As An Organizer Any seaman—deck, engine or stewards department — is mea­ sured 'oy his ability to do his as­ signed job. This doesn't" mean the old philosophy of "Work like hell, from bell to bell," and it doesn't mean to a.sk any favors by being a job killer. It means just what it says. Do your job well. If you are shipping as a Cook, try your best to turn out good grub. If you're in the Engine De­ partment and have to pack a pump, cut right on the right end. If you don't turn to when letting go or tying up, you are only put­ ting an added load on your ship­ mates. DO THE JOB RIGHT. Any job you do, do to the best of your ability. As a result, your shipmates will respect you, and you will add to the prestige of the Union. If a beef comes up, j ou will be able to discuss it. in­ telligently and won't have to take any malarkey from tha ship's officers. A seaman who knows and does his job can always speak with au­ thority. His fellow seamen re­ gard him as a good ^shipmate. The oldtimers respect him and the newcomers look to him for assistance in becoming better seamen. Do your job, and don't be a job killer. Remember this al­ ways. It's not how hard you work that counts, but how well you know and do your job, A good Union man is always a good seamajn. 0 vTv\, • ' �Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG Galveston Asks, IDELEGATES Does Agreement Cover Romhes? By RAY W. SWEENEY GALVESTON—Well here we are again, "Beautiful Galveston by the Sea." Shipping during the past week has been fair here, but due to the fact that quite a few West Coast boys have piled into town under the impression that ship> ping is good, we have found our­ selves swamped with men wait­ ing for ships. So for the time being we have plenty of men around for the jobs that will come in. If you're thinking of hitting Galveston for a ship, it would be a good idea to change your plans and try one of the other ports. The other day Brother Brightwell and I paid off the SS Rich­ ard Rush of the Robin Line and we ran into some difficulty. The Stewards Department had quite a bit of disputed overtime and one item in particular stumped us. It seems that the Master order­ ed the Steward to keep the messrooms sprayed to kill the cock­ roaches. At the end of the trip, three men handed the Steward an over­ time sheet with no dates or time for a total of 57 hours each. The Steward disputed the entire 171 hours and handed it in as disputed overtime with the word "cockroaches" written on the bot­ tom of each sheet. EARL SHEPPARD Friday, February 28, 1947~ TO INT'L CONVENTION Based on the unanimous recom­ mendation of the Ci-edentials Committee, elected to examine the credentials of candidates for election as Atlantic and Gulf Dis­ trict delegates to the Internation­ al Convention of the Seafarers In­ ternational Union, the member­ ship has elected .seven delegates by acclamation. The successful candidates are Paul Hall, No. 190; Claude Simmons, No. 398; Ray White, No. 57; Carl E. Gibbs, No. 2341; Earl R. Smith, No. 20057; W. C. Tanner, No. 44; and Earl Sheppard. No. 203. The Union had previously gone on record to elect seven candi­ dates to the convention starting in Chicago on March 24, 1947, and since only seven qualified men accepted nominations, the committee made its recommenda­ tion in order to save the Union the considerable expense which would be involved in holding a totally unnecessary election. The report was submitted to regular coastwise meetings on Wednesday, February 26, and was adopted. The committee which ex­ amined the credentials consisted of William Higgs, No. 223; Don­ ald E. Woods, No. 34575; Sidney D. Turner, No. 7199; George E. Berry, No. 20225; B. Miller, No. 26202; and William Brown No. 29935. * - ^' 4|5ii|s|s CARL E. GIBBS (Continued from Page 1) also hastened the death of that disruptionist organization. The call to the meeting was signed by John Owens, Execu­ tive Secretary of the Department. Brother Owens is also SecretatyTreasurer of the International Longshoremen's A.s.sociation, The letter calling the meeting follows: Feb. 21, 1947. Mr. Harry Lundeberg, President Seafarers Int. Union of N. A. 105 Market St., San Francisco 5, Cal. Dear Sir and Brother:— The Executive Board has de­ cided to hold a meeting of the Maritime Trades Department at the Hotel Morrison in the city of Chicago commencing March 31, 1947. Each International Union af­ filiated with the Department will be entitled to three repre­ sentatives. You will make your own ar­ rangements and reservations. We are of the opinion that a meeting at this time will be helpful to the general picture. Kindly let me know who will represent your organization. With be.st wi.she.s, I am EARL R. SMITH W. C, TANNER AFL Maritime Group To Meet in Chisago Fraternally yours, JOHN R. OWENS, Executive Secretary, AFL Maritime Trades Dept. CORRECTED SHEETS Brother Brightwell handled the beef and had the men rewrite the overtime with the dates and time the work was performed. He then had the Steward sign and okay each man's sheet and hand­ ed them to the Master. At the time Brother Brightwell was told this would be paid on a supplementary pay voucher. After the pajmff everyone left the ship, including the Patrol­ man, who thought everything was all right. The men, however, didn't re­ ceive their money, as three or four days later, when the ship arrived in Houston, the beef was RAY WHITE raised again with the Houston Agent. I guess the boys were too embarrassed to come to the Hall here and let us know that they did not receive the money. It is my opinion that this is part of the Stewards Department routine duties, and I would like to ask some of the oldtimers to come to my rescue on this. This kind of beef is a new one, By SONNY SIMMONS and I can't find anything in the TAMPA—The anti-labor situ­ agreement to cover it. I hope I can get some answers ation in this town is becoming on this as I'm beginning to see worse by the day. All the local cockroaches in my sleep. newspapers, which have really turned into filth sheets, are laud­ ing the states of Georgia, Ten­ nessee, and Arkansas for their stand to outlaw the closed shop, and it makes a good union mem­ Members who forward ber sick at the stomach to read Iheir membership books to the rotten propaganda that is put the New York Hall for retire­ out daily in the Daily Times and ment are urged to mark the the Morning Tribune. envelope with the notation There is no pro-labor paper in "Attention; 6th floor/' in orTampa, and after years of taking der to insure quicker hand­ it on the chin from city officials ling of the matter. and newspapers, organized labor Muking of the envelope in is thinking seriously about start­ the mimner advised above ing a paper, by and for labor. will save time and will result in prompt return of the book It looks like something might to the eonder. come out of all this talk. There is a committee investigating such New Galveston Hall PAUL HALL CLAUDE SIMMONS It may sound funny in these days of housing short­ ages, but it is true that the Seafarers has a new Hall in Galveston. It is located at 308 Vz—23rd Street, just a block from the old one. The new Hall is a big improve­ ment over the one just va­ cated. Shipping is good in Galveston these days, so if you find yourself dovzn in that Texas Port, make a hee­ ling for the Hall where you can rest comfortably while waiting tor the Dispatcher's call. Tampa Trade Unions Consider Publishing Paper To Combat Anti-Labor Reporting in Daily Press RETIRiNB BOOKS a venture, and their reports to print anything about strikebreak­ ing and scab herding. date have all been favorable. A person living joutside of The SIU has taken the lead in Tampa may find it difficult, if not trying to get all labor in this vi­ impossible, to comprehend what' cinity, and that means about 40,is going on down here. To start 000 AFL-affiliated union mem­ with, the Mayor is owned body bers, consolidated so that the and soul by the corporations here, Chief of Police, the Mayor, and and the Chief of Police is the Tom Watson, the Attorney Gen­ one who pulls the strings that eral, wil have some obstacles make the Mayor dance. The thrown in their paths if they try Chief, by the way, is running for to run again. Sheriff in the next election. The anti-labor Judges down During the SIU Strike, this po­ lice big shot set himself in solid with the corporations by using the police force to break picketlines and escort scabs through them. A good labor paper would be a weapon to expose these phonieis, since the papers now in opera­ tion are firm believers in: a finky policy and so don't bother to here are another problem. They are always on the side of the bosses, and did what they could to give us a hard time during our strike. Then, when the Taxi Drivers, of the Teamsters and Chauffeurs, went on strike, one Judge handed down a ruling that made it a criminal act to talk about the strike, picket, ? or even give as­ sistance to the striking cab driv­ ers. If labor doesn't band together to beat these two-bit politicians, we might just as well give the state to Tom Watson and Com­ pany. By their actions the authorities here have labelled themselves as dictators—even Hitler could do no worse than these people—and they have turned this free communnity into a hell hole. Any man who doesn't support a platform to oust all those fak­ ers hasn't the interests of labor at heart. Labor in politics is pretty bad business, but here we ha'yje either got to clean up a mess or be moved out of here altogether. We have taken our choice, and we are going to fight the laborhaters tooth and nail, ' �THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, February 28. 1947 Page Sevea New Season Brings Its Warning; Union-Wreckers Are Busy At Work By HERBERT JANSEN • CHICAG-O —The first activity of the 1947 sailing season began last week when the SS Gilbert, MS McCool, and the SS North and South America called part •of their crews to work. To most men around here this looked like an early fit-out, but after looking at the ice on the lake, I think they are a bit pre­ mature. Everyone here is anxious to get going, and there is quite a bit of betting as to the fit-out date. The fellows sure get excited when the fit-out time comes, as the pool gets pretty big and its a good slice to the guy that wins. It reminds me of the pools that "used to be held in Alaska, where the guys would bet on the hour and minute that the ice would break up. If a guy hit it right he didn't have to work all year. We received a report this week that the SS Rockwood has been sold to the Kelly Island Steam­ ship Company of Cleveland. Forf WHAT WE NEED IS MO«E HOURS, tAORt Vy|bRk,AA)D LESS PAV merly owned by the Tri-Lakes Steamship Company, she oper­ ated out of hei-e for a good many years, supplying this city with sand for buildings and road im^provements. OLD STANDBY She was an old standby and well known by many Chicagoans. Although she was cursed at times by many, whom she held up and made late for work, she was so well liked that if she wasn't seen for a couple of days we'd receive calls asking what happened to her. As soon ,as the ice breaks, she will leave for Cleveland where she will do the same work she did here for so many years. In looking over my files of last year, I came across a letter dated August 1, 1946, that had been handed to me by a self-appointed Stewards Department Delegate on the SS Theodore Roosevelt. This letter had been prepared by him and read to the members of the Stewards Department, call­ ing for (believe it or not) a re­ turn to the old days of a thirteen hour day, the elimination of cer­ tain jobs and the payment of half wages to those who assumed the eliminated jobs. This joker, whom we later found out was working for a ship­ ping company, went so far with his plot that he duped the de­ partment into backing him up and agreeing to walk off the ship. UNION HISTORY When we got word of what this stooge was trying to pull, wc made tracks down to the ship and called a meeting of the Stewards Department. We told the fellows how they had been taken in and how foolish they would be to follow such a program. We gave them a little history le.sson in the struggle that sea­ men went through to gain the eight-hour day. We told them how the companies fought the eight-hour day for years, sparing nothing to keep the seamen work­ ing long hours for little pay. After the short lecture, we told them if they still wanted to fol­ low the company stiff they could pile off as he had urged them to do. To their credit, not a man piled off. This little story is but a pre­ lude of what we can expect to see in the season coming and every season thereafter. Lettei's such as the one I mentioned, will be circulated among seamen, both organized and unorganized. We will see company stooges masquerading as working stiffs, pulling all kinds of tricks to weaken the union. Tliey will be doing their best to get your good will and cut your throat at the same time for the company's benefit. BEWARE The outfit that will be doing most of this knife-in-the-back work is the Lakes Seamen's Union, bastard child of the Cleve­ land Cliffs Company. They are going to have their stooges out in strength this year to bring sea­ men into their outfit by just such tactics as mentioned above. They will attempt to pit one worker against another; they will peddle cleverly written propa­ ganda and speeches promising seamen everything if they fall in line with them. Don't fall for their phony line. No employer is interested in your welfare, and that includes the Cleveland Cliffs Company. r ATTENTION! If you don'l find linen when you go aboard your ship, nolify ihe Hail at once. A telegram from Le Havre or Singapore won't do you any good. It's your bed and you have to lie in it. NO NEWS?? Silence this week from the Branch Agents of the follow­ ing ports: CHARLESTON HOUSTON NORFOLK JACKSONVILLE NEW ORLEANS BOSTON CORPUS CHRISTI SAVANNAH The deadline for port re­ ports. monies due, etc.. is the Monday proceeding publica­ tion. While every effort will be made to use in the current issue material received after that date, space commitments generally do not permit us to do so. No Hot Water On Diamond Hitch; That Means Hot Time For Chief By JOE ALGINA NEW YORK — You've heard many times about a seaman who got into hot water, well, here's a •story about seamen who wanted to get into hot water and couldn't. Of course, the difference is in the kinds of hot water. On the Diamond Hitch, Alcoa Steamship Company, the hot water was the kind you use for showers, and the Chief Engineer was the kind of guy who didn't give a damn whether the men showered or not. . Being an SlU crew, the men wanted to be as clean as the ship, at least. So they went to the Shipping is Not So Hot And Heavy But Is Stili Good in Baltimore Skipper and he put the heat on the Chief. That worked out okay, except that every time the men needed hot water, they had to follow the same procedure. They waited patiently for the ship to reach New York, and when it did, they blew their tops. First off, they sent for a Patrolman, and when he came aboard •he whole story. He went into action in a hurry, and talked turkey to the Old Man and the Chief. Now the whole matter has been straightened out. But if there is the same complaint when that ship hits another port, that Chief Engineer is going to find himself in hot water, the real boiling kind, that is. BUSINESS STILL GOOD Business and shipping have reached a peak here. If things on the second deck of the Hall. keep going along at this steady We had the floor oiled, the bulk­ gait, we may have to shanghai heads painted and a new head men in order to keep our ships crewed. installed. The Hall now looks the best it Rated men are at a premium, has in a long time. We are going so if you are on the beach, come to continue to make improve­ on up here where you will freeze, ments where we thing they're but where the shipping is good. necessary until the Baltimore Congress has got a bug in its Hall becomes tops. bonnet about economy. They We had a little run-in on the j want to cut down on expenses, waterfront down here last week. i and they are studying the budget At the moment I can't say too to see what they can lop off. much about it, but I will say that , Well, for a start, let them cut we handled the situation nicely.' ^oast Guard. The real credit for the win goes The CG has no reason for to the AFL Maritime Trades De­ standing guard over the mer­ partment, which scored another chant marine in peacetime, and victory on the waterfront. the money that organization is NO SNOW JOB wasting could be put to better use. The snow here in Baltimore By WM. (CURLY) RENTZ BALTIMORE — After several weeks of hot and heavy shipping in the port of Baltimore, things have cooled down a bit. I think, however, it is only a temporary lull. Don't misunderstand me, now, shipping is still fine—it has just dropped from excellent to good with plenty of activity taking place in this port. Along with the continued good shipping, the organizers have been kept busy legging it from ship to ship. There's plenty of organizing work to be done, so if any of j'ou care to do some vol­ unteer organizing, and I know there are many of you, come on down and give the boys a hand— they'll appreciate it. This -week we did a little work Port Buffalo Sends Its Report: Everything Is Really Solid By ALEX McLEAN BUFFALO •The winter is still join the active Lakes fleet this holding its own in this Lakes' year. port with everything solid, and The Lakewood, renamed the that- ain't jive talk. K.. V. Schwartz, is being recon­ All the ships around here are ditioned, converted from coal to solidly imbedded in the ice which oil, and is having new bins in­ now reacl/es out of the harbor stalled. into the blue of Lake Erie for Neil J. Cunningham, well miles. known to most AFL men in this Alth©.ugh the icefield) looks like area died recently in Lackawan­ it will remain around for awhile, na, New York. He was the re­ the newcomers are flocking into gional director of the AFL in the Hall to get the dope on the Western New York, and North­ union and when they can get a western Pennsylvania, having ship. held that post since 1938. The SS Sultana is in drydock Since taking the po.st he work­ here getting a new rudder. This, ed in that capacity handling or­ no doubt, will make the oldtimganizational work, negotiation of ers smile. There will be no ex­ cuses now for her to follow the agreements and grievances. He was the link between AFL acti­ seagulls. vity in this region and the na­ tional office in Washington. LAKEWOOD SOLD The sandship Lakewood, which At present in the Marine Hos­ operated for many years out of pital here in Buffalo are Daniel Buffalo, has bfeen purchased by Kirkpatrick, Francis Campbell, the Schwartz Sand and Gravel Charles Dovey, James Maloney, Co. of Cleveland, and will re- Chris Manaham and B. Oliver. has the city tangled up in knots. All those brass hats do is sit It's really deep. I don't believe around figuring new ways to pull I'll be accused of mixing in pol- a seaman's papers and thereby itics when I say that there is nO| deprive him of his means of livesystem in this town for snow re- lihood. moval or street cleaning. ONLY TO SEAMEN The stuff is still for the most It's hard to imagine the sted part laying where it fell. Maybe the city thinks everyone will be­ workers, the auto worker's, or any come disgusted and go out and other industrial employes being clean the stuff from the streets controlled by the army in times voluntarily. We've received a report that Calmar Line is supposed to buy •eight ships to run in the intercoastal trade. I'd just like to say that here are eight ships that will be running steady, so let's crew them up in a hurry when they come in. They sound like good jobs. Another thing that I'd like to bring to the attention of the members is the fact that if you have nine months seatime on deck you can apply for your AB exam. of peace. Yet that is exactly From the reports I've received what we are supposed to be will­ from men who have taken the ing to accept. I don't know about all the test in Baltimore, it isn't too other waterfront unions, but I do tough. So, it is a good idea to get your AB's ticket now before know that the Seafarers is against the standard is raised to three the CG, and we are not going to give ground in our fight. years deck time. �4 IJ • Hew Cman Line Of Unity Calis For Much Study h,': THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eight Friday^ February 28^ 1947 UNCLE JOE'S PIC BUSTS PR PEACE Murcia Hook SIU By SALVADOR COLLS the Generalissimo's smile stuck the picture up on the wall during the absence of the NMU officials. The way I got the story, the NMU Patrolman and Agent had noth­ ing to do with it and it was just a stunt. Some stunt. animous in bestowing the presi­ dency on the NMU agent. yhrough the fault of the NMU he has not been paid for the past six weeks, so he had no al­ ternative but to take a card with the panhandlers. Just the other day he hit up two SIU boys for a buck a piece, and they said he cried like a baby when they gave it to him, but they said it was worth the buck just to see him put on the weep­ ing and wailing act. That's about it for this week from San Juan, but Til be back next week with something to re­ port on shipping and bu.sine.ss. Mokes Progress With Tankermen SAN JUAN — The peace and quiet of this enchanted isle was shattered one day last week by By HENRY W. CHAPPELL By BLACKIE CARDULLO the soul-shaking report that a pic­ TOLEDO—When NMU Presi­ ture of Joe Stalin was gracing MARCUS HOOK—Things are dent Joe Curran resigned from a wall in the local NMU Hall. in fine shape in this port with the TOUGH TIMES that communist infested flea bag, ships coming and going, and the The source of the report was the CMU, the inner council of two guys who had been over to Organizers hitting them before I don't wish to dwell on the the NMU was split wide open. they pull the hook. the Hall, and after taking one NMU this week, but things must In spite of the pleas by his ex-j look made a bee-line back here be getting bad for them down Old Man Winter hasn't stopped ecutive board, Curran has made to spread the work. us in our campaign to reach all here in San Juan. Their Agent, this move in an attempt, so he the unorganized tankermen that When I heard the story, I told Kenny Washington has just been says, to achieve unity in the mari­ hit the port, and our efforts are the guys to sober up and stop elected President of the Panhand­ time industry, and to purge the showing definite results. the nonsense, 'cause no one would lers Union. This honorary organi­ NMU of the communist element zation has a few SIU beachcomb­ We are still concentrating on pull such a stunt. that has captured the union and ers in its ranks, but all were un­ the Sun Oil men, and it is a real robbed its treasury. joke to see the <NMU organizers When Joe Curran talks of a try to talk to these tankermen. merging of maritime unions, sev­ The old proverb, "if at first you eral items should be considered: don't succeed, try, try again," Why has he been content to play must have been well absorbed along with these phony commies by them—although they don't all these years, backing their show much spirit. phony moves all along the line? By CAL TANNER First they lose Isthmian, and Why has he cooperated with then they top it off by losing the MOBILE—The port of Mobile and layout with the one in Bal­ the governmental bureaucrats, is in very good shape with ship­ timore, and as everyone knows, Atlantic Refining Election. The when he knew who sponsored latter they lost when they had a ping hitting off at such a good that is a good Hall. these agencies and what their free hand, bucking only the com­ rate that we are suffering a man­ FIRST CLASS SET-UP purpose was? And why has he pany union. power shortage. The Hall will be equipped in a opposed the SIU on almost every I wonder what would have The guys insisted that it was From the way shipping has first class manner, as we have or­ happened if they'd had the SIU issue where sailors' welfare was true, so to satisfy them and my picked up it looks like we will dered new gear and fixtures. at stake? own curiosity I piled into my gas- be suffering that aNyful situation When the guys hit Mobile they bucking them in the fight. I think they'd have more luck DANGEROUS CHARACTERS wagon and rattled down to the of having jobs for anyone who won't believe their eyes after if they'd concentrate on organiz­ NMU hangout. wants them for quite awhile. having been used to the old These things we should bear ing the Old Men's Home. This When I mentioned last week place. I walked into the Hall and took in mind. The phonies who have business of organizing seamen The fellows who regularly ship dictated the policies of the NMU one look—lo and behold—there that we wouldn't kick if we got a seems to be too big a job for for years, and with whom Joe it was! I wiped my eyes, but sudden spurt of shipping, I didn't out of Mobile are on pins and them. Curran has played all the way, Uncle Joe was still up there on think that it would become a needles awaiting the formal tape VICTIMS OF CUPID are dangerous, and any moves the wall looking down at me reality in such a hurry. But, as I cutting and ceremony that we said then, I wouldn't kick and will of course have. Joe Curran makes toward unity from over his moustache. The latest couple to make a I'm not. I'll even take a steady From now on the boys here can will bear watching by the SIU. The real kicker to the deal date with the preacher is Buddy diet of it. go around with their head in the It is not my intention to oppose was that he was right up there and Gertie, who are to take the Well, the committee that was air and shoulders back. There the ultimate unity of all maritime next to a picture of Roosevelt. leap in the near future. We want sent out to inspect the prospec­ will be no sentimental tears shed unions. But it is my intention as to wish good luck and smooth I had seen enough, so I back­ a member of the SIU, to study tracked out of the building and tive headquarters has voiced its over leaving the old dump. sailing to you both. We'll keep As I said last week, we will and analyze all angles of this drove back to the Hall where the approval. Now that we have the a ship standing by just in case problem. I want to be sure that boys were waiting for my con­ green light we're not wasting any take pictures for the Log as soon the little woman starts to show time in getting to work on the as she is ready for occupancy. So never will these NMU mislead- firmation or denial. stand by for the grand opening. you who wears the pants. Don't building. ers, or any other group like them, Lindsey Williams was in town say we didn't warn you, but who I told them it was true, and Painters and carpenters are al­ be in a position to dictate the am I to talk. gave my humble apologies to the ready busy giving it a going over, recently and we were all glad to policies of our union. I wonder where Frank Snyder see him. Lindsey is SIU Field The NMU officials have bitter­ guys whose action I had question­ and from the looks of things it is, and why he doesn't step into Representative for Gulf Area Or­ ly fought the SIU when fair elec- ed. Even now it seems too much won't be too long before we'll be ganizing and he has been doing the Marcus Hook Hall and say hanging out the SIU shingle in iions have been held and won by to believe. a good job. (Ed. note: See article hello to us? our new home. the SIU. The commimist party j The way I hear it, some overby Brother Williams on page 3 Life sure is tough, for a seaman The new Hall compares in size line always comes to the front zealous member infatuated by of this issue.) when he is unable to answer the at this time, and every dirty Well, that's the story from Mo­ old call of the salt water if he trick in their book is thrown at bile for this week. Here's hoping gets the urge. Come on down us. we can report excellent shipping Frank, we promise we won't talk The NLRB is swamped with again next week. you into taking a ship. phony, trumped up charges of collusion, unfair practices, and anything else that will delay the By EDDIE HIGDON certification of the SIU. PHILADELPHIA — Things are the water right next to the ship. CORRECTION We all rushed over to the side The following from the union employees of the Seamen's looking good in the Port of Philly To sum it up briefly, the SIU as far as shipping is concerned. —and who should climb out but Church Inslilule is self-explanatory. Seafarers will not be has to battle the company and Brother William Marks, Plumbersurprised at the actions of the Board of Managers, and will the NMU to win any gains for its We paid off two ships this week, Machinist of the ship. one South Atlantic and one Wa­ know how to act as good Union men. members. For these reasons, I, After climbing aboard he stated as a member of the SIU, will con­ terman and after crewing them that the chow was so good on the SEAMEN! tinue to eye suspiciously any up we had to call New York for ghip he couldn't bear to miss it, The prices of Lodgings. Meals, Laundry, etc. at the Sea­ overtures of unity from Curran ABs as we had exhausted our and as he was unable to get a supply. and company. men's Church Institute have been decidedly increased BUT launch he hired the seaplane. While shipping is good here, In the Jan. 17 issue of the Log OUR WAGES REMAIN FROZEN. Boy, if a guy goes to all that I stated that Fred Bradley, Chair­ the weather is the opposite. As trouble to get his chow, it must The high standards that prevail on American ships today man of the House Merchant Ma­ with the rest of the East Coast, be good. That was the best com­ are as a result of Union organization and collective bargaining. rine and Fisheries Committee, we got a good dose of snow and pliment that could be paid to any was opposed to the newly intro­ have had the shovels out trying bellyrobber. We are trying to follow your example. duced Seamen's Bill of Rights. to clear a path to the Hall. This week I contacted the Cen­ Our Union, the Stationary Engineers, Firemen, Maintenance I have since learned that Mr. This cold weather sure makes tral Trades and Labor Union and and Building Service Union No. 670 CIO seeks the support of all Bradley was misquoted in the the Hall feel like an icehouse. spoke to Joseph McDonough the organized labor lo compel the Board of Managers to negotiate press. Representative Bradley Here's hoping something turns Business Manager. He's a swell has pledged his support to early up in our search for better head­ with us, instead of giving us the brush-off on the excuse that guy and a real union man. He passage of the bill. the Institute is a charitable institution not required by law to quarters. told me he was an ex-seaman and bargain collectively with its employees. While covering one of the ships still felt very much inclined to­ lying out in the stream here, I ward the fellows who follow the Charity begins at home; we are asking for more than experienced something that sea. charity in view of present day prices of the necessities of life. would warm the cockles of any He told me that if at any time Your continued patronage is solicited, for, without Seamen Steward's heart. the CTLU could be of assistance why the Institute? BUT we ask that you let management know While I was taking care of to us he would be more than ?7, in no uncertain terms thid you desire service from Union Em­ things, the crew knocked off for happy to see that we got any aid ployees. chow. Standing on the deck, I we might need. That was good THANK YOUl noticed a seaplane circling over­ to hear, and that's the way it head. After it circled a few times should be with the AFL all over. EMPLOYEES OF SEAMENS CHURCH INSTITUTE it swooped down and settled on Real trade-union solidarity. MEMBERS. OF SEFMBSU No. 670 CIO. Mobile Has Manpower Shortage; New Union Hail Keenly Awaited Philadelphia Has AB Shortage, But There Is Plenty Of Weather THE DOGHOUSE BLUES �• Friday, February 28, 1947 oT- i? THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Nine Seafarers Program For Congressional Action INTERCOASTAL AND COAST­ WISE SHIPPING The great majority of Intercoastal and Coastwise ships today are being operated by the Gov­ ernment, through the United States Maritime Commission, with the exception of a few in­ dustrial carriers; such as Stand­ ard Oil, Isthmian Line, and a few lumber schooners. On this page is the concluding portion of SIU President Harry Lundeberg's message to the members of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and the members of the Committee on Commerce. Last week's Log contained the first part of his message in which he criticized the transfer of American vessels to the Panaminian Flag, the Ships Sales Bill, and the present state of American shipping. In his remarks last week, President Lundeberg stated that the blame for the present sick status of the American Merchant Marine can be laid squarely to th^ Maritime Commission, the State Department, and the disinterested part the United State Congress has played. Brother Lundeberg went on to criticize certain gov­ ernment officials who are interested in destroying the present American Merchant Marine by giving it away to foreign countries. This week, President Lundeberg covers the status of inter-coastal and coast­ wise shipping, the Merchant Seamen's Wartime Service Act, the Coast Guard and the various problems confronting the seamen of America today. During the war, the United States Government saw fit to grant full citizenship papers and full rights to any alien who en­ tered the armed foi'ces of our country upon application after serving three months. We believe these alien seamen should be given the same privi­ lege as was granted to aliens who entered the armed forces, or at least given some kind of con­ sideration. According to law, on February 28, 1947, the Government will step out of the picture and leave A Bill could be drafted, intro­ it in the hands of the private op­ duced and passed by Congress, erators, who up to now, have giving these men their citizen­ given no indication that they in­ ship papers after serving on tend to resume private operations American ships for two years; in these runs. The private op­ after the United States Govern­ erators gave as their reason thaf ment was thoroughly convinced, they can not operate at a profit war for various ratings, such as We know these Bureaus can high government salary, func­ that these men were loyal to the with the present rate structure in officers and unlicensed seamen. function more economically un­ tion as a Judge in each port. American principles and policies, competition with the railroads, der the Department of Commerce Chances are these so-called as laid down in our Constitution, We find, at the same time, that who operate today under a more than under any other department. "Judges" would only handle We believe these men are en­ the American Merchant Marine's favorable setup. They have the proper machinery about two or three cases a week, titled to some consideration and ships are rapidly decreasing in The Maritime Commission, ac­ number, so that in many ports to handle these Bureaus, and it if that many; unless they go out Cong! ess should see that they cording to their own figures, is today an unemployment situation should be in their hands. The and create work for themselves. receive it. It must be remembered that if running the Coastwise, Alaska, has arisen among the seamen, Merchant Marine is a civilian op­ Besides paying the salaries, eration and should not be under something is not done for these and Intercoastal ships at a loss. and we know with the rapid de­ which we understand are going a semi-military setup. men shortly, they will be faced to be set at $8,000 a year, they are President Truman has asked crease of American shipping that with, the possibility of not being We took this up last year with also intending to have stenotype Congress to extend governmental in the future we will face a ter­ the then Secretary of Commerce, and clerical service, which will able to sail or work in the United operation for another four rific unemployment problem. Henry A. Wallace; but unfor­ be anothtr unnecessary expense States. A number of these men months, in order to give the In­ We can see no reason for main­ tunately, Mr. Wallace was not in­ to the United States Govern­ have no country to return to, due terstate Commerce Commission taining the training program for terested in developing the Amer­ ment; unless it is to create a few to the reshifting of European bor­ time to investigate the rail and Merchant Seamen under the aus­ ican Merchant Marine and saw more jobs for some bureaucrats. ders. water rate. pices of the Maritime Commission, fit not to fight for the jurisdiction We urgently request Congress This particular system, if it The situation is so bad on the with the thousands of American of his own department. Evident­ to take steps to help these alien goes into effect, will cost the Uni­ Pacific Coast, for instance, that seamen on the beach today. ly, the American Merchant Ma­ seamen get their citizenship pap­ ted States taxpayers several mil­ today there are only 13 coast­ rine and its functions were not of ers and become American citi­ We protested strongly before lion dollars a year, and no one, wise ships sailing up and down the Bureau of Budgets against much concern to Mr. Wallace. His at this stage of the game, has zens, as payment for their serv­ the great Pacific Coast; in a trade, ice and loyalty to our couBlrjr the attempt of the Maritime Com­ interests, no doubt, were else­ raised his voice against it. where not so many years ago, during the war. mission to get 18 million dollars where. there were 90 to ICQ ships op­ We know Congress is interest­ for the coming year for training We also found out that an ad­ COMMENT erating. ed in cutting expenditures wherepurposes. The Bureau of Budgets ditional burden of hundreds of We believe Congress and the allowed the Maritime Commis­ thousands of dollars a year will ever possible. Here is one place We believe the above prob­ Maritime Commission should im­ sion 51/2 million dollars, which we be heaped on American .taxpay­ where they can do a beautiful lems, which we have presented to mediately take steps to rectify absolutely believe is a waste of ers under the President's Ad­ job. Congress can then say they you, are of vital interest to the did their duty by the taxpayers. American Merchant Marine and this condition, so American ships the taxpayers' money. By no ministrative Bill. will again be able to operate in stretch of the imagination, nor We urge Congress to check in­ to the people who serve in it; At the present time, the U. S. coastwise and intercoastal runs. by any type of argument can the Coast Guard maintains what is to this immediately, arid also do and it is to the benefit of our MERCHANT SEAMEN'S WAR­ Maritime Commission state today known as "Hearing Units" or everything in its power to bring country that Congress immed-' that it is necessary to continue "Courts." This particular setup | the functions of the U. S. Steam- iately look into these matters and TIME SERVICE ACT this vast training program. hears cases of seamen who have boat Inspection Service and the rectify some of the injustices, We strongly urge Congress to In a short time, there will be violated their duties, etc. Only U. S. Shipping Commissioner's which we pointed out, and which pass H. R. 476, introduced by five men to each job in the Amer­ minor cases come before these Office back in the hands of the we know are facts. Congressman Peterson of Florida. ican Merchant Marine, and it is courts, because the American Department of Commerce where Our Organization is affiliated with the American Federation of The American Merchant Sea­ senseless to take more and more seamen are under the statutes it rightfully belongs. Labor, with a membership of men have been promised over a men into the Merchant Marine, of Federal Laws, and there are ALIEN SEAMEN 60,000 American seamen. We period of years that they would when figures show jobs are get­ definite penalties laid down for misbehavior and serious offenses have the welfare of the American be taken care of after the war ting scarcer and scarcer. During the war, the American was over. As you know, quite Merchant Marine found itself Merchant Marine at heart, and We believe Congress should of seamen. a number of American seamen take immediate steps to stop any Now, for some unknown rea­ short of skilled seamen and was believe all right-thinking Ameri­ were killed during the war; leav­ further expenditures of taxpay­ son, under the President's Ad­ forced to call upon and use alien cans feel the same way. ing families not properly taken ers' money for training purposes ministrative Bill, this system of seamen to man American ships We call upon Congress to do care. There were also thousands for the Merchant Marine. courts will be run by attorneys, to a certain degree. their utmost to safe-guard the of American seamen who were who will receive life-time ap­ Before these seamen were al­ American Merchant Marine; not crippled during the war, and who U. S. STEAMBOAT INSPEC­ pointments to these courts in lowed to sail on American ships, only for the sake of employment need hospitalization; some of TION SERVICE—U. S. SHIP­ every port in the United States. they were carefully scrutinized for Americans, but also because it them for the rest of their lives, These jobs will be under Civil PING COMMISSIONER'S by the Army, Navy and the Coast is necessary that we maintain a and some who will never be able Service, and in order to qualify, Guard as to their loyalties. large American Merchant Marine OFFICE—U. S. COAST to work again. a man must have a degree of law. as a national defense measure for GUARD HEARING UNITS Many of these men spent sev­ our country. This new system is supposed to At the present time, there is eral years during the war on go into effect June 1, 1947. nothing under the law of the We know how important the At the present time, the func­ American ships, helping the Uni­ land to protect these men and There are many reasons why American Merchant Marine was tions of the U. S. Steamboat In­ ted States fight her enemies. dui'ing the last war. We also their families, and we feel that it this is absolutely unnecessai'y— spection Service and the U. S. They sailed on ships carrying is the duty of Congress to pass Shipping Commissioner's Office contrary to the position taken by troops and ammunition; many of know the important role it played the Merchant Marine Service Act. is under the jurisdiction of the the American Bar Association, them were killed and many were in the first world war. We strongly urge Congress to United States Coast Guard. These who urged passage of this Execu­ There is no reason why our seriously disabled, while serving pass favorably on this legislation. two departments were transferred tive Order. country can not maintain a large under the American Flag. In the fii'st place, a seaman is Merchant Marine in peace time; from the Department of Com­ MERCHANT MARINE TRAIN­ Now, according to the Mer­ when we are always called on to merce to the U. S. Coast Guard, not tried for a crime in these par­ ING PROGRAM chant Marine Act of 1936, which furnish men and ships during ticular courts. As a matter of through executive action of the no doubt will be re-enforced war-time. fact, prior to the war, cases Under the Merchant Marine President, and was only meant to shortly," there can only be 25 against seamen, when they came Admiral Land stated, at one Act of 1936, the Maritime Com­ be a war-time measure. percent alien seamen in non-sub­ up from time to time for disci­ time, that American ships should mission was empowered to cre­ Under the President's reor­ sidized ships, and only 10 per­ carry at least 50 percent of our ate a training program for of­ ganizing program of last year, the pline, were heard by regular cent alien seamen in the Stew­ imports and exports, and that we ficers in the Merchant Marine. President issued an Executive Steamboat Inspectors, who passed ards Department in government must maintain a large coastwise These schools, operated by the Order, which placed the U. S. various fines on them; such as subsidized ships, which means United States Government, are Steamboat Inspection Service suspension of seamen's papers and intercoastal fleet for national there will be several thousand training not only officers, but and the U. S. Shipping Commis­ for certain periods, etc. They security. These memorable words alien seamen unable to sail on could not, at that time, sentence have not been lived up to. We unlicensed seamen. sioner's Office in the hands of American ships because of the a man to the penitentiary; and again bring them to your at­ the Coast Guard permanently; Due to the vast expansion of it still can not be done under law of the land. tention. nothwithstanding the fact that the Merchant Marine during the These particular alien seamen war, thousands upon thousands of. the jurisdiction, of these depart- these new courts; only minor in­ Respectfully yours, men were trained. Today, we | ments have been in the hands of fractions come up before these have served in the American HARRY LUNDEBERG Merchant Marine for a period of find that over one-half million the Department of Commerce for courts. Presidenl. SIU of NJl. years, and most of them sailed Now, why is it necessary to teamen's certificates were issued; a number of years, where they during the war. have an attorney, being paid a Secrelary-TreasM SUP. by the Coast Guard during the!really belong. �Page Ten THE SEAFARERS LOG JPriday, February 28, 1947 SHIPS' lilMUTES AMD MEWS CHERISHED DREAM HAS AN ABRUPT ENDING AT SEA t Tillamook Crew Returns To States \ ^ SIU Crew Whips Dixon Into Shape The SS B. F. Dixon has juSt completed her first trip manned by a crew of Seafarers, and she's beginning to look it. In the throe® of an NMU hangover when she was taken over recently by the A. H. Bull Steamship Company, the vessel is gradually assuming ship-shape condition, reports Brother Julio Evans, one of thfe LEFT: Coastal Stevedore stowaway leaves crewmembers. ship for transfer to passing Coastal Mariner in a "The Dixon looked a little lifeboat manned by Antonio Gonzales. Deck abandoned, when we took her Maint., (pushing off). "Shorty." OS (extreme over from the NMU crew," Evans right) and "Swede," Bosun (in foreground). said. Under the careful handling of the SIU crew, the ship is as­ suming shape, he added. ABOVE: On deck, left to right, are Seafarers The' ship's initial Seafarers Robert Scott. Ch. Elec.. Gonzales and "Shorty." voyage to Puerto Rico was a hap­ py one. On board, headed for the island's capital, were San Juan Port Agent Salvador Colls, his wife and their child. With their ship left high and dry on the beach at Swansea, Wales, 38 members of the crew of the SS Tillamook, a Deconhil Tanker, returned to New York -last week aboard the MS John -^rikson bringing with them tales of the difficulty encountered When they ran aground the night of Nov. 30 last. The boys had Coast Guard trouble, too, pre­ cipitated by the Chief Mate's gun-happy disposition. The crew was returned to the States after considerable effort to float the grounded vessel had hand-cuffed nine of the crew failed and a decision was made^ following their inability to com-' to wait until—with the advent of P^y with his order that they the spring tides—^more favorable change into working clothes and SPECIAL DINNER turn to in "five minutes," Broth­ conditions prevail. In celebration of the trip, the ' The Tillamook had arrived at er Lusko said. The men had al­ able Stewards Department, head­ ready started out for a shoreTwo days after his long-cherished dream of getting -Swansea Nov. 25 to discharge her ed by Steward Sixto Escobar and side eating spot when their 12^cargo oil. On the night of the to the United States appeared probable of realization, a Chief Cook A. Boyle, prepared a hour break came. But the Mate mishap she pulled out for the Dominican stowaway sat disconsloately in one of the life­ meal which was enthusiastically called them back to the ship and outer harbor. As the hook was boats of the MV Coastal Stevedore, awaiting transfer to referred to by Evans as "one of being dropped, the chain broke. gave his impossible order. a southbound ve.ssel that would return him to his native soil. the most luxurious dinners in Drifting in the heavy fog, the SKIPPER A 'GOOD JOE' The stowaway had managed^—— SIU history." ship ran aground on the beach Lusko telephoned the skipper, successfully to board the Steve­ crew into the sea. A short while In support of this claim, Evans at Porthcawl, Wales. Capt. G. G. Guerin, who, the Ray Lusko, Wiper on the Tilla­ Seafarer said, was a considerate, dore and secret himself just prior late, the stowaway was climbing forwarded a copy of the menu mook and Black Gang Delegate, square-shooter, well-liked by the to the Bull line ship's departure aboard the Mariner for the un­ of that dinner, served at sea, Jan. 29. Evans' statement seemed in said that when the tide is out, crew. The Captain came to the from Puerta Plata, Dominican happy return to Puerta Plata. Aside from this incident, the order, too. There were a great va­ there is a 75-yard breach of sand vessel im.m.ediately and ordered Republic, for the return of Voy­ age No. 11, two weeks ago. northern trip of the Coastal Ste­ riety of salads and appetizere. between the stranded vessel and the men released. The success of his illegal entry vedore was uneventful. She left For entrees, there was a choice fit the water's edge. The Mate preferred charges attempt was shortlived, however. New York on Jan. 13, and re­ for a king: Boiled ox tongue, HEAVY DAMAGE I with the Coast Guard, and the The hideout of the Stevedore's turned for the payoff last week. roast Virginia ham, and roast • Heavy damage was suffered by | cases were handled in the rou- unscheduled human cargo was prime ribs of beef. Or if lovers •the tanker, with her rudder and tine, white-washing manner, discovered on the first day out of fowl were present — joast •stearing gear completely smash­ Charges against four of the men at sea. young tom turkey. ed. The screw was knocked off, were dismissed without hearings, The Coastal Stevedore's skip­ Potatoes abounded in every and holes were punched in all The other five received varying per radioed the Coastal Mariner, Send in the minutes of possible variety and preparation. fresh water tanks, Lusko said, penalties, pointing up the imwhich was on her way to Puerta your ship's meeting to the The desserts were fitting, too. Several of the cai'go tanks con- possibility of overcoming charges Plata, requesting that she stop New York Hall. Only in that Cheeses, pies, cakes, ice cream, tained sand which had poured once they have been preferred, and pick up the stowaway when way can the membership act plum pudding and fresh fruit in through the punctures. | In cases like that on the Tillathe vessels met the next day. O n your recOiSunoridaiionS, were among the more prominent Heating and lighting aboard mook, it is extremely difficult to and then the minutes can be The following morning the dessert offerings. the ship was knocked out. The counter charges such as the pisprinted in the LOG for the All hands—and stomachs— Mariner hove into view, and crew was put on alternating 24- tol-packing Chief Mate instituted. benefit of all other SIU gave every indication of being crewmembers of the Stevedore hour shifts, with breaks at 12The 38 Tillamook crewmemcrews. pleased with the Dixon's first trip lowered a lifeboat containing her hour intervals to allow the men bers who returned on the Eriks­ dejected passenger and a boat under the SIU banner. to go ashore to eat. son were lavish in their praise of The crew worked on the beach the treatment they received from stringing lines, so that when the the Eriksson crew, Lusko said. CHRISTMAS DINNER AT SEA tide came in tugs could begin the The Tillamook men designated task of pulling the Tillamook Lusko to tell the Log of their ap­ .from her high and dry position preciation, and their desire "to 'into the water. thank all hands aboard the EriksOut on the West Coast thi.' The Coast Guard troubles arose son for their efforts in making when a gun-toting Chief Mate the return trip pleasant. week was enacted a stirrinf drama of sea rescue chock ful of heroes and sputtering victims Into the rough, storm-swep' waters off San Francisco, a boa' capsized, spilling its blue-clar crew of five. Their cries for heir spurred an intrepid giroup ol teen-aged Sea Scouts into action Giving the old rallying Scout-cry the lads of the sea society daunt lessly fought their way to the soaking victims and towed then ashorg. Back on the safe, dry land thej love so well, the victims—^livf water-logged members of the United States Coast Guard— blushingly gave thanks to their The SS Tillamook sits high and dry on the beach at Porth­ securers. . oxiuer improvisjed holiday decorations which hung from the cawl. Wales, near Swansea, while her crewmembers string lines The boys will probably be care­ overhead, crewmembers .of the SS ^^Brasil Victory dined sumplu-r for the refloating attempt. Job was later abandoned until ful from now on about going too ously while the ship was at Santos, Brazil. spring tides make task easier. near the water's edge. Stowaway On MV Stevedore Stymied On Second Day Out Send Those Minutes They'll Listen To Momma, Now �rUday. February 28, 1847 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven SIU Ship's Minutes In Brief SANDS POINT. Jan. 19— Chairman O. B. Drummond; Secretary Charles J. Harlman. Minutes of previous meeting read and acepted. All depart­ ments report satisfactory work­ ing conditions. Under new business, the following items were reported to be in need of attention: trays for refrigera­ tor, escape panels for foc'sles, ventilation in crew's head. The pantry is to be checked, as well as the eight-to-twelve watch's foc'sles, which has a water leak­ age. & ALBERT K. SMILEY, Jan. 24—Chairman George G. Gordano; Secretary John T. Buck­ ley. Minutes of previous meet­ ing read, and motion carried to post them on bulletin board. Department Delegates reported everything under control. Mo­ tion carried: to have Deck Dele• gate see Chief Engineer about converting one salt water show­ er to fresh water. A lively talk was given to all Brothers to speak up and relieve their minds of anything they didn't understand, and, especially for new members, it was brought out that all should speak their minds, and have no fear of say­ ing what they thought. 4. s. JOSHUA HENDY, Jan. 28— Chairman Henry C. McDilda; Secretary W. J. Stradford. Steward stated that present supply of stores will last until port is reached. Requisition is to be ready for stores. Hospi- lal bunks are to be examined by doctor and Patrolman. Items needed for next crew to be presented to Patrolman. Ar­ ticle in Log stated that "Windy" Joe Oliver. Captain of Hendy, was hard, tough guy. He was squared away since, and is alright to sail with. 4« S. 3/ Following suggestions were made: that quinine tablets be left aboard ship; that all mem­ bers wear shirt while meals are being served; that garbage be moved farther aft. XXX ANACAPA, Dec. 10—Chair­ man Ray Holder; Secretary Bill Rowe. Department Delegates report no beefs. Motions car­ ried; that crewmembers getting off give ship's delegate notice that he can wire for relief; that Wiper take care of showers and heads, and seamen take care of passageways; that messboy be put on probation until he does belter; that an agreement be made for this vessel. Merry Sherwood Men Toast Their Friends The merry lads of the SS Robin Sherwood have rounded out a highly successful voyage. Aside from the little differences which exist p r a c t i c a lly everywhere, everyone got along first-rate. For their cooperation and ef­ forts in making the trip to South and East Africa a good one, Capt. Harry M. Scholder and Chief Mate Broeker drew praise from the crew. "We only wish we had more skippers and Chief Mates such as them," the crew said. "They were 100 percent for the men." Helping considerably in mak­ ing the trip an outstanding one was the Sherwood's Chief Stew­ ard, "who put out good meals throughout the entire voyage. The crew concluded their sign­ ed statement with words to the effect that all had "some hot shore leave in Africa." 4* 3* 4" TRISTRAM DALTON, Feb. 1—Chairman J. W. Puekett; Secretary A. G. Kondarskie.i Delegates report everything running smoothly. Recom­ mended that all hands having They Have Key beefs go with them directly to their respective Delegates; Mo­ To The Problem tions carried; that Fireman not An innovation to eliminate the attending shipboard meetings strange case of the missing foc'sle be reported to Patrolman on ar­ keys is revealed in the Feb. 12 rival in port. List of repairs/ minutes of the SS Evelyn. drawn up as necessary for next The plan calls for the Steward trip. Motion passed calling for to be in charge of all foc'sle keys each Delegate to recommend with each man depositing with full books for his men on ar­ him one dollar on receiving a rival. Recommended that next key. The deposit is to be refund­ crew check slopchests and ed upon surrender of the key at medicine chest thoroughly be­ fore signing on. the payoff. A subsequent motion was pass­ XXX ed to place the deposit money in­ to a treasury to be used as a recreational fund. That sort of opens the door to better things. Bosun Jack Parker and his X if mate Genevieve have announced CORINGA. Jan. 19—Chair­ the acquisition of a small craft, man Fidel Lukban; Seereiazy the first of a fleet they plan to John Mulligan. Motion defeat­ develop. ed to fine men leaving dishes Christened Linda Jean, the and other items in messroom. Motion carried: that cold sup­ Parker craft came off the ways pers be served twice weekly iti on schedule at 12:57 a.m., Feb. all tropical ports; that Dele­ 16, 1947. Tooting loudly, she is gates speak to Master about fix­ now operating under her own ing ventilation system: that steam. Both Jack and Genevieve are Ch. Eng. install pipe installa­ tions back aft for awnings. keeping her steady as she goes. Parker Craft Off The Ways WILLIAM CLAGETT, Dec. 22—Chairman Barney Rogers; Secretary Roland Johnson. Logs made at first of trip were lifted. Ch. Mate still disputes legal overtime. Motions carried: that payoff be held up if legi­ timate overtime is not paid; that an agricultural agent be! brought aboard to inspecf all food listed as bad by Steward; that ship be fumigated as soon as possible; that a repair list be made and turned in to Pa­ trolman. OVERTIME yOt/R TIME MEW SIU OVERTIME SHEETS READV. BE SURE eVERV - XXX JAMES TURNER (Isthmian), Feb. 4—Chairman Henry Twyman; Secretary Charles Hicks. Delegates elected. Requested that bath and face towels be issued at one time. Steward agreeing to this procedure. Sug­ gested action to remedy short­ age of soap and matches. Mo­ tions carried: to have lasli standby clean messhall; one man from each department to clean laundry; to attempt to procure library at first port. Lincoln's Birthday menu was By HANK first-rate by Steward and three cooks who "really know how If any of you brothers are suffering from those landlubbing to put it out." ailments such as: empty pockets, snow blindness, talking to your­ selves, restless sleeping in hotels, empty nights around town, portalto-portal love suits, nose colds and backaches—then come to the Hall. There ain't no doctors here but there are plenty of healthy ships to take you out of financial, psychological and physical misery. In fact, shipping is so good that Dispatcher Paul Gonsorchick doesn't have to wet the counter with occasional crocodile tears in trying to painlessly shanghai any gullible brothers breathing in his face. X X X X "Heavy" Torachuck, who weighs in fhe vicinily of 250 XXX pounds, just arrived from Aarhus, Denmark, on the Felix BRAZIL VICTORY, Jan. 7— Grundy, confessing that the trip was good all around except in Chairman Frank Hughes; Sec­ the romance department . . . Oldtimer Robert Barrett, citizen retary Joseph Barron. Ship's of Brooklyn, is fresh in town. What't new. Brother Barrett, any Delegate K o r o 1 i a contacted more Gulf shipping: for you? . . . Charlie Bush is in after a short Captain for draw on New snorter. Charlie says that the only oldtimer he's seen is Arthur Year's Eve, also issue of cig­ Berg down in Mobile, who was on the Mardi Gras Committee. arettes. Motion carried to ac­ X X X X cept report of Delegates. Mo­ If that poetic Seafarer, Aussie Shrimpton, is still in town, ws tions carried: that food be re­ turned to proper place after would like to ask him if any of his poems ever reached the pages of use; that black gang's showers the Saturday Evening Post, as once rumored? . . . Steve Carr wants be repaired; that Stewards de­ to know from Bud Callahan down there in New Orleans whether partment be given vote of his sure-to-win-and-never-lose system with the four-leggers is re­ thanks for the "wonderful ef­ covering from its recent shock, and whether Jimmy McCullough fort on the Christmas and New had also shared the expense of a total loss? Say, didn't you Year's dinners;" that all heads guys know that a man's best friend is a ship or a dog—never a and showers be disinfected by horse? man on sanitary work; that all 45. 4 X garbage be placed on fantail. Jimmy Stewart of the Third Deck is losing weight rapidly while he's practicing a new song called the "Sugar Blues." Every i 4 Snight he burns the midnight oil, drinking cups of horrible black Atlanta Victory Men sugarless coffee and sadly composing this song in painful disap­ Take Chance On Radio pointed memory of Lindsay Williams, now in New Orleans. It seems Brother Williams forgot a promise he made to sweeten To keep in touch with what's Jimmy's unsweetened life . . . Big Woody Roland, the cook, is going on in the world while they in town confessing that he never did open up his own restaurant are out at sea, the men aboard as he planned several months ago. the SS Atlanta Victory proposed ii. J. i. Marcus Hook News Department: It must have been like an the purchase of a radio from atom bomb going off in Arcus Hook recently, when a sensational contributions by all hands. thing happened to Blackie Cardullo, according to the Big Man him­ The proposal offered an incen­ self. He was dumped when 20 neighborhood kids playfully out­ tive to the men to contribute to­ numbered him. Perhaps you looked like a snow man, Blackie? , .. ward the purchase by recom­ That fine dispatcher. Bob Pohle, known as The Greek Lover of Mar­ mending that the radio be raffled cus Hook, should write a full book about his life. At least the other off at the end of the voyage. dispatchers might buy it, if nobody else . . . Men who invested money in X 4* 4* X the deal would be entitled to Well, Brother E. H. Piniarski is doing something we never chances to win the radio. heard of. He's saving money, which is a harder job to do than Good deal, eh? making the darn stuff, and probably is planning to get spliced or -miMs IS FILLED IN A/VO^ACH INDIVIDUAL CLAIM IS SIGWEDBV -pe -DEPARTTMENT -HEAID .XT'S VOUR WOR< AMD AtONeV. CUT and SUN something? . . . Bosun Bob Hillman, is doing the best he can with the tools he has, we hear. Is that a handicap? . . . There's just one little thing we would like to ask oldtimer Tommy Ryan. Did you get that tractor yet for your farm? A couple of trips more and you'll probably have enough to put at least a deposit down, if not more. X X X X Grin and Wonder Department: We just heard this tale. A Chid! Electrician fired the assistant electiician not long after he can®aboard. The reason? Oh, the man couldn't read blueprints! . . , Washington News Item: "The Veterans of Foreigns Wars Objectecl {Continued on Pufe 13) »• . -..vA ,7*. �THE SEAFARERS LOG P)I9» Ttr^tB FrMay, Fabruwry 28, 1M7 MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS Kamaka Delegate Rips 'Rag Barrel,' Calls For End To Scant Slopchests do we have to put up with such slipshod and run-down slopchests? Don't our conditions count a little? By law, we can, and should demand heavy outer woolen clothing, as well as wool underwear. It clearly states this in the United States Navigation Rules 669 and 670. While I'm not attempting to be a sea lawyer, I'll be damned if I can see all this nonsense about an insufficient slopchest in these days, when there is no need for such an occasion to arise. In the meantime, it comes down to this: The Union has been noti­ fied. This beef will be turned over to the Hall in Boston, our payoff port, and I do hope the Union will use this port, as an example. CAN BE OVERCOME Now, another phase can be worked out at the same time. That is by the Union insisting by per­ sonal contact that Port Captains see to it that slopchests are ade­ quate before the ship sails, or To the Editor: find out the damn reason why! After all, the burden has been un­ duly heavy on the Delegates since the war what with the newcom­ ers and all. These beefs, if taken on any scale, are a little too great for individual Delegates. The Patrolmen will have to press the demands that all stale tobacco and cigs be thrown off at the end of each voyage, that they put good grade articles aboard instead of crap, and that they make sure its sailor's gear suitable for the performance of his accustomed duties in any type weather. We Delegates can do this, pro­ vided there is a more diligent effort on the part of the agents and patrolman, as a whole, to beef this out to the end on each incoming vessel. We have to show the shipowners we mean business. WE WANT A SAILOR'S SLOP­ CHEST!!! "Greek" Beits Ship's Delegate TRIP ON CLARK ASSURES BROTHER SHE'S BLACK CAT To the Editor: I shipped aboard the Waterman Liberty ship Abraham Clark from the .New Orleans Hall Jan. 30. We sailed for Mobile ori the next day. Nothing happened, not even in Panama City, Fla. Log • A - Rhythms Despite the intensely earnest Isthmian Dream efforts on the part of the Jack­ By Tom Baldrick sonville Agent, Brother Jimmy Banners, to get a substantial slopchest, Strachen Shipping, or In Tampa, however, the Clark I'm writing this poem on the If you will. South Atlantic Steam­ was nudged .gently in the stern Thomas Sim Lee, ship, slipped a neat one over on by another Waterman Liberty, An Isthmian ship is a picnic, us. And the SS William K. the Hall Kelly. Then followed you see: Kamaka, shifted to Charleston a very rough trip to Boston for and Savannah with bleary-eyed four days. There were no sights promises on behalf of the same I looked up at the bridge and I or bearings. people to rectify a deficient slopsaw the Captain, One night the "Old Abe" was chest. He was steering the ship while rolling as only a Liberty can roll. But, as usual, it was delayed the AB was nappm'; Our cargo went adrift. So what, all in good time, so that when I saw the Mate who was running says you? Well, the cargo was it opened at sea, it was the sor­ like a deer nine reels of steel wire, average riest excuse for a slopchest I have Bringing to the Bosun a cold weight three tons. We sure had seen in many a voyage. bottle of beer. fun securing them after we As I had pier-headed this tub, caught them on the wet heaving I wanted the facts on the situa­ decks, made more slippery by The 2nd and 3rd Mates, who are tion and I got them at the ship's quite young. having been fish-oiled. meeting. We delved quite Never do scold, just stick out I guess the Abraham Clark is thoroughly into the matter, and their tongue; a black cat after all. I remem­ we learned the following: I saw the Chief Engineer sit ber reading in the Log of the ves­ THE SCORE playing a harp. sel's previous trip. A well-balanced requisition on All the while proclaiming how he Woodie Lockwood the slopchest was turned in to was sharp. the company, after being beefed out by Agent Banners with the THEY WEREN'T CRAZY OVER HORSES I saw the 2nd Assistant, whose Old Man in Jax. Now along here name is Small. somewhere, something happened Teaching the Wipers how to duck —the requisition was obviously work and stall; filed in a handy waste basket. The company then obtained the services of an inferior jobber, and suggested some subsitutions: For heavy wool shirts—NOTH­ ING. Not even a flannel shirt, instead there were eight'cotton sweat shirts. For mackinaws or pea coats—nothing. Some of the boys had to break out their dress topcoats on account of this. The 18 pairs of wool gloves turned out to be cotton fleece-lined af­ fairs with a possible 20 per cent wool content. | Artie overshoes were non-exis­ The Chief and 2nd Cooks were tent, and its a little tough stand­ shooting crap. ing watches in the North Atlan­ While the tired galley boy was tic in oxfords. Tee shirts were taking a nap. at a premium, with six of these for the Black Gang. And not that this is an essential, but the six As I saw all this, I heard someone candy bars alloted each man were screaming— so old that they had turned white It was the Steward telling me to with age. Cigarettes, too, were quit dreaming. Seafarer Blackie Colucci dug into his files of memorable events and came up with this photo of ancient vintage. Just a bunch This poem may not be exactly taken last year when he was a crewmember aboard the Rockland Victory. Meat was abundant of junk that couldn't be sold on true on the hoof, says Blackie. but it was all in the cargo of horses carried to Trieste. In the galley it the beach—but good enough for But I keep hoping and praying was another story, so the lads held up the ship until edible beef was brought aboard. Picture seamen. Isthmian is soon SIU. shows some of the crew horsing around. That's Blackie stretched out in front of the group. Well, we notified the Old Man in the form of the minutes of the meeting regarding the inadequa­ Drop Him A Line cies of his slopchest, and upon ar­ rival in Rotterdam I contacted a To the Editor: Brother Karl Lundberg is in* flying, so I asked him if his out­ the mess rode the rest of the trip Mr. Bovin of the American confit was a first-class airline with with us. There was no food or the Marine Hospital at Mobile. "sulate, whose lukewarm interest Many of us have had exper­ decent planes and service. He as­ coffee served on the trip, and Ala. He would be happy toi hear in the whole business was sick­ iences similar to the one I will sured us it was, and said if it early in the morning we had to from his frierids in the Sea­ ening. That netted us four pairs relate here, but too few of us wasn't, the Union wouldn't al­ pace up and down the plane to of wool gloves. We followed up take the time to pass it on to our farers. If you know Brother low him to solicit business aboard keep from freezing. this action with communications Brothers. I feel that it is my Lundberg. why not drop him ship. Three of us reserved seats EXTRA COST to headquarters and Jacksonville. duty to pass this along to as many a line, now? on a plane leaving that night. The They finally set us down 12 Brothers as possible, so I am JUST TO HELP THINGS fare was the same as that on any miles from Hoboken, N. J., where sending this to you in the hopes Naturally, as luck would have other airline. we had to hire a car to take us to that you might find space for it in it, the William Kamaka was At the airport, a plane rolled New York. smgled out for a run up. into the the Log: up. "There she is, boys." Upon docking in Mobile re­ A small, i struggling airline Baltic to Sweden. Up there the Brothers^ it was quite a dis­ cently, the gangway was barely couldn't possibly give first-class Old Man attempted to get more appointment. Odr "plane" was down when a character scrambled service, when they have to pay gear, which in itself is an admis­ an old Army C-47, with the words aboard and introduced himself as commissions to parasites like this sion that the slopchest was lousy. LONE STAR CARGO CO. paint­ the agent for the United Travel "agent." I have found that the ' Anyway he returned with 12 pairs ed on the sides. The seats were Airways. only people who cater,to seamen vof woolen mittens—for children. two benches facing each other, 'CATER' TO SEAMEN ^ The outcome of our Swedish aiid the baggage went right in are the seamen themselves and their own organizations. This is "We cater to seamen," he said. with the passengers. stay was a draw for all hands to During the flight,' one of the just another glaring example. make their own purchases on the "Is anyone flying to New York?" Jay Blackburn Some of us were planning on passengers became aff-sick, and beach. Now, honestly, Brothers, Charges Airline Took Seafarers For Ride • :4'. . �THE SEAFARERS LOG Fiiday, Febiuavy 28, 1947 LAREDO VICTORY AND CREWMEMBERS Congress Does Not Represent Majority's Views, Says Seafarer To the Editor: A view of Ihe ship-shape SlU-crewed South Atlantic vessel, aboard which cooperation among all hands reached its peak. Most of the lads have been on the Laredo for the past two trips to Antwerp and Rotterdam. Crew and officers hit it off well, and the crack Steward department provides an excellent cuisine" in the best SIU tradition. ' In an off-moment, these members of the Laredo's Black Gang respond to a serenade by Brother P. R. Lopez. Left to right: A. J. Resler, J. H. Heslin, J. A. Seyfert, Lopez, M. Mahony and P. Walsh (kneeling). Page Thkteen Today it is impossible for a worker to get the truth from his commercial newspaper. The pa­ pers are all controlled by rich advertisers, and they are milliondollar businesses, anyway. Only in his union paper can a man get the truth. In view of this, let us consider some of the lies the press keeps telling us. We often hear that the 15 mil­ lion organized workt^rs are only a small part of the nation. This lie is typical. When you remem­ ber that each of these workers has a family of at least three, you realize that organized labor real­ ly represents 60 million Ameri cans. When you add to these thf vast number of workers not ye Sturdy hands of the vessel's Deck Gang in­ clude (kneeling, left to right): E. Butkowski, OS; W. Taylor, Maint.; J. Hulak, AB. Stand­ ing, (1. to r.), are J. Kumierski, AB; J. Michalisin, AB; J. Durmo and J. Lauritzen, AB. Adequate 'Bill Of Rights' For Seamen Held Essential; Ail-Out Support Urged organized, it becomes obvious that labor is by far in the ma­ jority. DISTORTION The papers tell us that because a reactionary Congress has been elected the American pectfde wanted labor slapped down. This is another distortion. Why? The Bureau of Census says there are 102 million qualified voters in this country. Yet only 34 million people voted in the last election, and only 18 million voted Republican. Therefore, we see that instead of the American people being anti-labor, as the papers scream, only one out of nine Americans voted for a hatelabor Congressman. Since when is one-ninth a majority? Why didn't the real majority go to the polls on Election Day. Most of them know that no mat­ ter who wins, he will only repre­ sent the owning class, anyway. Republican or Democrat, there is no difference. Both support the capitalist system. Many people are prevented from voting by rich man's laws like the poll tajc. Others are so busy slaving to keep their families alive they don't have time to worry about politics. WORKERS HAVE POWER While we are still living under this degenerate capitalist sys­ tem (or "free enterprise," as they prefer to call it), these conditions will continue to exist. But even though we cannot exercise our full political power, the workers of America are still the masters. How is this? you may ask. It is because we do all the work. We make everything go. When we stop everything stops. No trains run. nor ships move, no machines go, no communica­ tions are sent. This is the power of organized labor—the strike. The bosses know this and hate us for. Is it any wonder they HARDMPH!OM gEriALF OF THE MAOOPITV WHAT EFECTEDMe-ASOClT IO%,- want to take the right to strike from us? Without this right, a union is only a begging society. How much begging would it take to soften a shipowner's heart? Let's not go into that. If Congress tries to crush la­ bor, as it brags of doing, it will drag the capitalist house of cards down about its head. We of labor have shown too often what we can do if we have to. Steamboad O'Doyle Repine Hints Coast Guard Could Save Face—And Dough To the Editor: prosecutes the sailor with one hand, and poses with the other as his very good friend. They most certainly don't let their left hand know what the right hand is up to. I suppose the poor, mis-guided finks are all right, except that their feet don't match—they're both left-handed. Fred J. Repine (Editor's note:—For more on hands of the U. S. Coast Guard that will soften Brother Repine's heart, we suggest he read the item on page 10. It seems that not only don't the limbs match, they also have holes in them.) You once asked me what I would do if the C. G. (Collectors of Garbage) were to tell me they were going to jump off a bridge. Since then, I have been trying Dear Editor: dered service and were fortunate (Editor's note: The question to figure out a way to convince to survive in good physical and of a seamen's "bill of rights" them that is what they should With some apprehension I have do. Not only to save face, but mental health? has received the continued at­ more so save the taxpayers taken note of an article that ap­ Of what good is the educational tention of the SIU. As far money. peared in the Log, Feb. 7, under provision as contained in the ar­ back as March, 1345, the Port the heading "New Seamen's Bill Evei-yone, except those on the ticle to the latter seamen if they of Rights is Introduced in Con­ don't aspire to continue to make Agents' conference devoted) waterfront, seems to think that gress." the sea their future? Let's be considerable study to the mat­ the shipping commissioner is still Having served two and a half frank and realistic. The re-em- ter, before it presented what it the seamen's only friend. How­ years as a seaman in our mer­ ployment rights provision of the considered to be essential pro­ ever, I ask them, and myself, about the Hearing Units, wliich chant marine I am very much bill is of little benefit to both a visions of such a measure. are run by the same office. I interested in the bill. seaman and a member of the Since passage of the presently can only get one answer—the CG The original seaman's bill of armed services returned to civ­ considered bill lies solely in the rights which died in committee ilian life. hands of Congress, the only ef­ with the adjournment of the 79th Further what militant pro­ fective action in its behalf ob­ Congress, contained provisions gram, outside of "making an ap­ viously must be in the form of such as granting, seamen with pearance" at a hearing when the pressure on the Congress. In wartime service (those awarded bill comes up, has the SIU for­ the past few weeks, represen­ (Continued from Page 11) a continuous service certificate) mulated to secure the passage of tatives of the Union have been tonight to extending war veteran's benefits to former members of similar educational benefits ac­ the bill in Congress? in Washington conferring with the U. S. merchant marine on the groimds that it might undermine corded the GI in the letter's bill the entire Gl bill of rights. National Director Omar B. Ketchum Are you aw^are of the fact sea­ the various Congressional com­ of rights. Also similar civil ser­ said in a letter to members of a House merchant marine subcommit­ mitteemen studying the mea­ vice preference, and the granting men's organizations have made sure. The discussions have been) tee considering the proposal that veteran's benefits should be re­ of loans by the government for appearances before in hearings favorable. Meanwhile, SIU served for former members of the armed forces of the U. S. Empha­ purposes of buying a home, es­ conducted by committees which President Harry Lundeberg has sizing that he intended "no disparagement of the gallant (wartime) kicked around our bill or rights? tablishing a business, etc. urged all Union officials and service of seamen, he added that they received 'substantial benefits' I would appreciate a reply to members to write or wire the during "World War 11." PRESENT BILL ^ ^ ^ "While the present seamen's bill the questions I have raised here. Representatives and Senators of their own states, urging pas­ of rights contains, (as given in New Item—"A training program for young men who de­ David Gruber, the Log) certain provisions of the sage of the bill). sire to make a career in the American merchant shipping in­ New York N. Y. original bill, the present bill dustry has been started in San Francisco by the American Presi­ makes no mention of the bene­ dent Steamship Lines, Henry F. Grady announced yesterday. fits mentioned above. I am not The men will train in the company's home offices for ten months sure whether this is fact, due to and then go to sea as assistants to officers" . . . News Items— "Democrat Senator A. Willis Robertson of Virginia Scdd that esiithe ambiguity of the article Vincent Erato, Business Agent within a few weeks. which states, "the bill calls for for Local 1199-1, International mates of the shipping that the United States can economically Brother Erato, wishes to ex­ practically the same provisions Longshoremen's Association, who press the thanks of the ILA com­ employ during the next few years called for about seven million contained in the old one," and is heading a drive to coUect mittee to Seafarers who have deadweight tons of dry cargo vessels, including four million Ions then follows with an emasculat­ clothing for the orpljaned chil­ thus far contributed to the drive. ear-marked for foreign trade. This privately owned ocean going ed list of benefits. fleet, of about 1,000 ships, would be more efficient and faster, Seafarers who wish to contrib­ dren of Naples, Italy, reports that etc. New construction in the next two years probably will W I am sure, as seamen, we rec­ the drive is showing excellent ute clothing can leave it on the limited to three 22-knot passenger ships and six improved 6-3 4th floor of the New York Hall ognize the readjustment of dis­ results. So far the contributions cargo ships, unless the Maritime Commission's budget is in­ where it is being collected pe­ abled seamen is primary. But have been considerable and a creased, etCw etc. riodically. what of those seamen who ren­ shipment is expected to be made CUT and RUN Appeals For Aid To Orphans �Page Fourieen THE SEAFARERS LOG Paris Commies Break Picketline In Press Strike Friday. February 28. 1947 V V-v r;-' The communists are always in favor of labor — that is unless By FRENCHY MICHELET the working man demands a raise By JOSEPH VOJ.PIAN in pay from his communist em­ Our friend the publican, of man can be truly religious only Considering all the men going wages to the_ end of the voyage ployers. All of the countries en­ whom we told you in the last by helping the helpless and by to sea at the present time, it is a or until he returns to the port of slaved by the Reds know this to Log, has taken such a fancy to being a good fellow to his fellownatural thing that some 6f them discharge, whichever occurs first. their sorrow, but the workers of us that we have been taken to man. We can't for the life of us Under this theory the right to France just got an object lesson the bosom of the family. occasionally suffer illnesses, and see anything pious in gathering maintenance and cure may out­ that .they will remember for a that some others still more unThis is an altogether agreeable in churches and worrying the long time. ^ ,fortunate suffer injuries caused last the voyage. heavens with half-hearted prayA few days ago, on February arrangement when understood in efs. •Toy accidents. SIGNING OFF 13 to be exact, the employes of the literal sense, for the family As a result of these occurrences, Many times when seamen be­ J'Humanite, the commie daily boasts a maid of buxom charms TOO MUCH, TOO LATE various legal questions arise re­ come ill while on a voyage away called Rosalia. newspaper in Pai-is, went on garding unearned wages, main­ from the port of discharge, the There on the distant horizon, To see us ensconced in the best strike. They threw a picketline tenance and transportation. high on Monte Pellegrino, looms Captain upon putting in at a around the office, and everything chair of the comfortable parlor the stately Castello Utveggio. The writer has been approach­ foreign port, desires to put the was very orderly. But on Feb­ over the bar, with the family ed with inquiries concerning man ashore for treatment, and to Some son of the people climbed ruary 17, the situation changed grouped around in bug-eyed rights of seamen under the above sign him off the articles by mu­ and several hundred communists amazement, while we hold forth high on the heads of the herd to conditions, and this article is be­ tual consent. broke through the picketlines on the wonders of New York grasp enough money to build it. ing written to set the members' Somehow, either through na­ and restored telephone service in (where, incidentally, we own Then, just as he got it finished, minds at rest regarding a couple tural caution, or becau.se of the the offices. three' estates, a slew of limou­ came the inexorable Man with of the most troublesome prob­ advice of another crewmcmber sines and the controlling interest the scythe, and cut him down This was the first and only lems. who is a "sea lawyer," the ill man violence reported since the strike in the Empire State Building) like the wheat in its prime. We all l:now the ancient mari­ refuses to sign off articles. would warm the cockles of your His heirs converted it into a started. time rule based on the sound pol­ frigid old heart. hotel that has survived the plague He thinks such action might Employes of the paper are on icy that seamen are entitled to be work to his detriment later by strike for a 25 percent wage in­ of the German locusts and the For the past two issues we have cured at the expense of a ship­ depriving him of some of the crease, which is the same demand been attempting to tell you some­ English who gleaned in their owner for sickness or injury sus­ rights mentioned earlier in this being made by other member thing of the things of interest in wake. tained in the ship's service; and piece. unions of the General Confedera­ this fascinating Sicilian city of Today it stands a gutted vic­ this right extends to any illness or This is not so. As a matter of tion of Labor. While I'Humanite Palermo. But somehow or other, tim of the wrath of war, and a injury sustained in the ship's fact when a seaman leaves a ves­ has campaigned for the wage in­ something is forever luring us off still-imposing monument to mem­ service, whether in a home or sel with a hospital certificate crease, the paper has generally on another tack. ory of the man who planned so foreign port or at sea. from the Master, he loses none been unfriendly to the newspaper However, this little Rosalia here many happy days in its massive In certain circumstances, the of his rights by signing off by strike. really knows the town, so if you halls—while his sands were even law recognizes the seaman's right mutual consent and accepting Officers of the striking union, will tag along with us while she to treatment for injuries suffered wages earned to date of leaving the Union of Newspaper Employ­ takes us for a stroll to the Hotel on land while in the service of the vessel. es, denounced the communists as Neptune, we will attempt to The law protects the rights of strike-breakers, and expressed sketch the things of interest that the vessel. an ill or injured seamen, even regret at such action by a news­ she points out along the way. PART OF CONTRACT though he does not make written paper which represents itself as Palermo, says Rosalia, is a city This right is a part of the sea­ protest at the time he is left at being the spokesman for the of some half-million inhabitants. man's contract and roughly is a port for medical treatment. working class. There was little war damage here, considered to be part of the com­ for the sporadic bombing raids pensation for his labor and serv­ were confined almost exclusively ices. The fact that the cost of to the dock area, where most of cure is not barred, even though the wounds have since healed the sickness or injury was in­ under the ministrations of the curred without fault on the part journeymen of the various build­ then trickling to an end in the of the vessel, is well known to glass of life. ing trades. most seamen. By LOUIS GOFFIN But here we are at the im­ It is also known that they are ON VIA ROMA Most men, during their child­ thrill, a new port, a new sailor's posing portals of the Hotel Nep­ not entitled to treatment at the We are strolling along the Via tune. It has been estimated that shipowner's expense for a disa­ hood, dreamed of the days when, paradise. And they usually found bility which results from their grown up, they would visit the what they desired in the above- Roma now, a splendid road sug­ if all the liquor guzzled in the gestive of the skilled handiwork Hotel Neptune in one day was to own misconduct. Also disregard of many countries of the world. mentioned ports. Today it is a little different. of the early imperial Romans. be poured into a single vessel, the the advice of a physician stops Even in school, while turning resulting zombie would prove payment, from the shipowner, for the pages of the geography book, Most of these ports have been The great stone buildings that the pictures of far-away lands bombed out; the liquor and food adequate to float a scow of no subsequent care and cure. line the upper sections of this ma­ and strange people held out a jestic roadway are inscribed with little draft. The general rule which gov­ mystic appeal that challenged the an occasional vaunt of Mussolini's erns the seaman's entitlement to adventurer iii every boy. LIGHTS AND MUSIC ill-fated government. wages and cure when he falls ill But, alas, when most reached Rosalia is sitting beside us in in a foreign port, is that such in­ One promises that Italy shall a secluded corner of the Grande manhood these dreams were lost, capacitated man is entitled to find her place in the sun. An­ because of the restrictions of Salon. The lights are soft and other proclaims something about low. Some dame on the muted their job or trade. the Italian Eagles ruling the air. radio is raising hell about a guy Seamen, however, do not share But Italy needn't feel too bad what done her wrong, to a tune the fate of shoreside workers who about it all. No one rules any­ that our peasant ears suspects is remain confined within the boun­ thing long on .this troubled old high-brow stuff. But it doesn't daries of their own country; but sphere. We are all of us but meat matter. at a whim can sail to almost any "The bird is on the for the maggots by and bye. country of the globe. wing—all's right with the world!" The first of four vessels being They go, not as bold adven­ Look at the New Caeser. Yes­ Did we tell you that Rosalia is acquired by Waterman Steam­ turers swashbuckling through the terday he battled half the world a doll? Her hair is piled high on ship Corporation has been de­ cities and villages of foreign —today he disputes six feet of her head like a heavenly hay­ are almost nil; and the class of livered and will go into operation lands, but as men earning their women is much different that earth with the ravenous worm. stack for the celestial cattle. about March 10. livelihood taking ships to these If her eyes and mouth were Yet with the present Hie jacet gloria! The newly acquired vessel is lands, and seeing in their reality it was. Here is yet another shrine to] designed for anything sweeter wages and overtime we still have the former Navy attack transport the places described to them as the Virgin niched in the massive than loving, then it must be some a litle bit of a sailor's paradise. Wayne, now reconverted to C-2 children. wall. You find them on all the pastime! She's built like the I note that today there are cargo-passenger status and re­ What memories are brought to plenty of guys who crave Ger­ highways and byways of the other fellow's girl and has accesnamed the Beauregard. mind by the mention of such man and French ports as it was country. series like a ten-thousand dollar The Beauregard is now at the names as Bremen and Hamburg, in the old days. Even though Every home has its little candle- limousine. Todd Shipyard Corporation's Ho- Le Havre and Dunkirk, Bordeaux liquor and food are high, the lighted shrine sacred to the mem­ She is so ambeetious, this little boken yard and when she leaves and Ste. Nazarre, Antwerp and women are still around, and sail­ ory of some departed saint. This darling. She's only 16 and hopes for Bremen, Germany, will carry Rotterdam! ing into good ports makes each is truly a worshipping people. to study medicine soon. It's sweet a full Army cargo. The ship has Oldtimers remember them as a would-be sailor's paradise. They display all the reverence in to dream when one is 16. a deadweight of 9,750 tons, is real sailor's paradises. The best Her little sword is bright with The world changes, history the presence of their relics— 468.9 feet long and has a speed liquor, the cheapest meals, and changes, ,but seamen never hand of a martyred saint, piece the burnishing of a youth im­ of 16 knots. She has accommoda­ in many cases the nicest woman. change. We are today the same of the True Cross—that the Mus­ patient to be about the business tions for 12 passengers. To most men the mention of as seamen have always been. sulman does when he wails to of conquering the world. Vessels two and three are these names means only a dot The world isn't worth the con­ We are the only ones who rea­ Allah over a tooth of the Prophet scheduled for delivery within the on th- map, but to seamen each lized that childhood dream to or a hair from his veretable beard. quering, sweet. But you go ahead next-two weeks. They are the port h .s its own pecular memory visit and see foreign places, and We quarrel with no man for his and have your fun. You conquer Baxter, which is to be renamed for him. we are the only ones who really creed, but neither do we sub­ the world—we'll settle for an LaSalle, and the Sumter to be In sailing to these many lands became the bold adventurers scribe to a single article of any adorable mite of demininity for called Gateway City. seamen always looked for a new visualized by all in childhood. orthodox faith. We think that a our share. Seamen Only Ones To Realize Chiidhooii Dreams Of Adventure New Waterman Ship Sails Soon �Page Fifteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. February 28, 1947 Operator Plays GIfl Tune—Calls Wages'Too High' (Continued from Page 4) TAX REBATES Mississippi Shipping Company •J 3 Vohmteer Organizers Seafarers who were employed on Mississippi Shipping Company vessels and have credit balances in their unclaim­ ed wage account covering overdeductions of Social Security taxes for the years 1943, 1944 and 1945, can now receive money due them by writing to the Mississippi Shipping Company, 1300 Hibernia Building, New Orleans, La. When writing the company mention the money is due for Federal Old Age Benefit overdeductions, and give your Social Security number. Those entitled to rebates and the amout due are listed below. , , ,. ~ ' Trohalakio, H .37 You would think that three war ydars in the United States Navy, from 1941 to 1944, would have been enough, but for Jack Blair it wasn't. Brother Blair re­ ceived his discharge after serv­ PART OF OPERATION ing quite a while in the Pacific Theater, and then he decided to When speaking of the high sail merchant ships to see what wages a seaman makes, the ship­ they were like. Shotwell, Sherword owner likes to throw in the cost Shuler, James B After obtaining his endorse Siekman, Walter E. of feeding the seaman and the ment as an Oiler, Jack got a job .Sijerkovic, Pcdrog overtime payments to make it on Isthmian's East Point Victory Siperkoric, P appear that a seaman makes and it was on that ship that he Skiba, John about twice what he actually got his first taste of unionism. Smith, Charles E In his own words, here is what Smith, Elmer W earns. Blair's impressions were: Smith, Hugh W Under no stretch of the imag­ "On the Eastpoint Victory I en­ •Smith. James H ination can a seaman's room and countered a pro-SIU crew, and Smith, James M board be considered as wages. after a few discussions I decided This is a separate and distinct that the SIU was the Union for Smith, William E JACK BLAIR Smith, William H item of operation the same as fuel me," he recalls. "I've never been sorry I made that decision." costs, depreciation, wharfage and Once the . decision was made. organize on the Eastpoint Victory Smithers, C. W freight handling costs. Jack started moving. He got a soon gave up,, especially after their offer of free NMU books As for overtime payments, if trip card, read^up on the Union Smuckler, Nathan was met with only laughter. the shipowner would put suffi­ Rules, studied contracts, and be­ Soper, Neal W Jack says that Isthmian men cient men in the ships to do the came a volunteer organizer, .... . , Southern, Paul "Organizing for the SIU is are waitrng mipat.ently for the Thomas E work, overtime payments would time when they will be repre­ pretty easy," according to Blair. be a thing of the past. sented by a real rank-and-file Stehowner, Johannes We have attempted to talk with "Afl you have to do is show the union, the Seafarers Internationunorganized men a SIU contract, , Stephens,' Asthon the opei-ators on Adequate man­ "7™Stokes. Frank ning scales. They have repeated­ and they can see for themselves grateful to the SIU because their ly told us that the number of men how much better our conditions wages have been increased due g^oj-y ]y[ carried in the crew of a given are." to the wage gains made by the' SYSTEM OKAY Strickler, Milan ship is the prerogative of man­ Jack's system must be okay, Union. Strilitz, Frank B agement and they have refused Brother Jack Blair is back on thus far to discuss this problem because t|ie Eastpoint Victory went SIU by an overwhelming an Isthmian ship again, and he is Sukia, E. D with us. majority. Fronj the reports which going to continue to sail Isthmian Sullivan, Dennis They say that if a given num­ Brother Blair sent into the Or­ so that the Company will not be ber of seamen were sufficient in ganizing staff regularly, the NMU able to stall for long when the Swift, Phillip A 1932 to keep a ship up, it should hardly had a chance fronr the be­ SIU is certified as the bargaining Tate, Frank S be sufficient today, forgetful that ginning on that ship. agent for the unlicensed seamen Temple, Charles E in 1932 a seaman had to work up The few NMUers who tried to of the Isthmian Line. Tholmer, Harold to 14 and 16 hours a day without Thomas, Ken. H any additional compensation. 4. Torres, Wilson Brother Edmund Larkin, vet­ Totty, John Treo, Raymond F eran of many tanker trips as a this his income tax and, social se­ curity and we see that a seaman has a terrific struggle to provide the bare essentials for his family. SlU HALLS volunteer organizer, has plenty of BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St. good advile on how to get a mes­ Calvert 4539 BOSTON 276 State St. sage across to unenlightened sea­ Boudoin 4455 BUFFALO 10 Exchange St. men. Cleveland 7391 He says, "Tell the tankermari CHARLESTON 424 King Street Phone 3-3680 about the SIU, and about its pol'CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave. icie.« and record. That usually Superior 5179 works, but if it doesn't you al­ CLEVELAND ...1014 E. St. Clair Ave. Main 0147 ways have another arrow that CORPUS CHRISTI ..1824 Meequite St. can be used. Tell them about the Corpus Christi 3-1509 DETROIT 1038 Third St. SIU contracts and then they will Cadillac 6857 be impressed, or I don't know DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St. Melrose 4110 tankermen." GALVESTON 308'/2-^23rd Street Well, Larkin does know tanker2-8448 ermen, and his methods have HONOLULU 16 Merchant St. 58777 borne fruit on many voyages. Ed HOUSTON ...1515 75th Street has been sailing tankers for quite Phone Wentworth 3-3809 JACKSONVILLE .... 920 Main St. a long time, and he has always Phone 5-5919 carried the SIU message with EDMUND LARKIN MARQUS HOOK 1'/, W. 8th St. Chester 5-3110 him. MIAMI j;358 N. E. 1st Ave. Ed has also sailed on Isthmian vide nioi'e opposition on tankers MOBILE .......7 St. Michael St. ships, and he know first hand than the NMU does. 2-1754 "The company stiff tries to inthat all the stories about IsthNEW ORLEAN3 339 Chartres St. Magnolia 6112-6113 mian conditions are true. But as Auence the younger men," says NEW YORK 51 Beaver St. HAnover 2-2784 he puts it, "It is our job as Sea- Ed, "by latching on to any beef NORFOLK 127-129 Bank Street farers to correct these conditions and then telling the men that the 4-1083 for seamen, and soon Isthmian Union could not help them out. PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St. Phone Lombard 3-7651 also will have decent conditions Sometimes this kind of propa­ PORT ARTHUR ..909 Fort Worth Ave. for guys who go to sea for a liv­ ganda works, but sooner or later Phone; 2-8832 a volunteer organizer has a PORTLAND Ill W. BurnaJde St. ing." Beacon 4330 chance to show what the SIU can Brother Larkin's last trip on an RICHMOND, Calif 257 Sth St. do, and then it's curtains for the 2599 Isthmian scow really was a tough SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St. one. Not that there weren't some stiff." Douglas 8475-8363 Right now Brother Larkin is SAN JUAN, P. R. .. .252 Ponce de Loon pleasant spots, all of which he re­ San Juan 2-5296 ported in a letter to the Log dated out on a ship practicing what he SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St. February 7, but most of the time preaches, and you can bet your 8-1728 SEATTLE 86 Seneca St. the men had to work like mules bottom dollar that he is spi-ead- TAMPA- Main 0292 and overtime was practically un­ ing the SIU word to all within 1809-1811 N. Franklin St. reach of his voice. And if he has M-1323 heard of, TOLEDO WILMINGTON VICTORIA, B. C VANCOUVER 615 Summit St. 440 Avalon Blvd. Terminal 4-3131 602 Boughton St. Garden 8331 144 W. Hastings St. Pacific 7824 NMU NO BOTHER On unorganized tankers the situation is much the same. There is one major difference, however, and it is that company stiffs pro- his way, he's going to continue shipping on unorganized vessels so that he can keep on doing the volunteer job that has made the SIU the most powerful seamen's union in America. 10.25 Truu, Alex 2.73 Tsronia, P. M 04 Tudar, Nicolae 1.96 Tuple, Steve 1.12 Turner, Arthur 2.28 Vain, Charles 1 12.27 Van Reynolds, Hy 1.37 1.32 Vasquez. Miguel A 5.57 Verecke, Arthur H 5.12 Villar, Frank M. , 2.60 Voorhees, A. H. ... 12 Wagner, Lewis M. 41.44 7.55 Waigaud, Alex 17.10 Walker, William J 3.18 Walsh, J. W 5.78 Walsh, Joseph 3.38 Ward, George G 16.04 Ward, John W 3.37 1.24 5.41 14.71 2.72 ^ Warner, Edward Warner, Sanford L Week, John A Weickgenamt, Albert Wells, Frank 0 3.11 Welsh, James D 97 Werner, Clarence L 6.24 Wiilik, M 3.62 Wilbert, William Jr 4.10 Williams, Egbert B 23 Williams, Ed. B .22 Williams, Lindsey 1.73 Williams, Sam D 24 Williams, Sidney 01 Williams, Stephen Jr 4.81 Wilso, Harry 08 Wisener, Ray D 3.65 Wolf, John R 5.22 Wolowitz, L. W -2.94 Wood, William L Wodbert, Francis B. Wright, William Wright, W. G York, Onus Jr Zorrage, Joseph NEW YORK 2.15 73 6,57 12 51 05 5.69 18.28 1.73 2.83 17.60 .14 7.55 25.48 .05 5.7401.54 16.65 43 18.23 12.01 22 06 12 15 1.06 3.84 59 9.71 06 61 5.83 46 ' .93 4.90 14.40 2.17 1.35 1.20 1.13 3.74 .15 7.03 2.21 .12; .19' PERSONALS SS TILLAMOOK JAMES F. CLARK K. Hellman, $2.00; R. Leikas, $1.00; H. Youngblood, $2.00; C. E. Anderson. Please contact D. E. Webb, 309 " $2.00; E. Vallery. $2.00; Wm. R. Dixon, E. York St., Savannah, Ga., im- ' $2 00; J. Filisky. $2.00; R. Pierce, $2.00; mediately. ' E. Cosby, $2.00; F. T. Hill, $1.00; M. Robinson, $1.00; 1. Leddon. $2,00. 4 4. i SS GADSDEN FLORIAN GLINSKI G. Van Tassel & Crew—$10.00. Please get in touch with your ; SS LAREDO VICTORY H. S. Gillespie, $2.00; F. Vanderavert, mother, Mrs. Rose Glinski, 200 f $1.00; J. Hulak, $1.00; J. Durmo, $1.00; Front St., Stevens Point, Wiscon­ L. BarciEzewski, $2.00; J. Mickalisin, sin. $1.00; J. Lauritzen, $1.00; B. Kalinkos, 4- 4- 4. $1,00; S. Birkeland. $1.00; W. Taylor, FREDRICK W. BROWN $1.00; H. Hill, $1.00; J. Kumierski, Contact Mrs. Anne G. Benton, $1.00; E. Butkowaki, $1.00. S3 IBERVILLE 293 Haverhill Street, Reading F. H. Mabe, $1.00; L. S. Bumatay, Mass. $1,00; Thomas Dennis, $1.00. JOSE VALENTIN ' INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS Your papers, picked up by the ' Edward J. Sheehy. $1.00; H. Piva, $1.60, C. H. Dunn, $1.00; W. Hryszko, Pennsylvania Railroad, are wait­ $1.00; T. R. Edward. $1.00; R. Mor­ ing for you on the 4th floor, New ^ gan, $1.00; R. Gray, $1.00; Ed Bereford, York Branch. $1.00; R, Hind, 11.00. 4- 4. 4. J. Mesner. $5.00; Jamea H. Scott, $1.00; Robert D. Taylor, $2.00; J. Flynn, ALLAN McARTHUR • $1.00; G, W. Champlin, $1.00; L. De Get in touch with Mrs. Shirley Gange, $1.00; W. R. Carroll, $3.00; B. Wessel, Seamen's Church Insti- '' Malloy, $2.00; Pedro Thillet, $1.00; W. tute, 25 South Street, New York 1 E. Scherb, $1.00. GALVESTON INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS D. G. Leach, $2.00; W. J. O'Conner, $3.00; D. F. Scheffler, $3,00: A, L. Purvis, $3.00; E. P. Blanchard, $2.00; SS Fairport, $20.00. SS Richard Rush—$12.00 . J. W. Ray, $2.00; W, W. Stewart. $1.00; P. Cendrowski. $1.00; A. Hedden, Jr., $4.00. BOSTON SS WILLIAM RAWLE A, Smith. $1.00; Joe Samuel, $1.00; Brother Gabor, $1.00. 4, N. Y. > 4. 4. i . CLEMMON H. RADFORD Contact Lena Caton immediately at 435 Belleville Avenue, Brewton, Ala. it ie CLEOPHAS H. DOUGLAS Get in touch with Jessica* • Shain Lavin© immediately, at Room 824, IQO Milk Street, The t Sharaton Building, Boston, Mass. > �THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Sixteen Wc ciriiqtjw^ _ J? The resolution on the right was passed by the AFL Maritime Trades Department in answer to the at­ tempted raids on AFL maritime unions by Harry Bridges and the communist-dominated CMU. Today, the CMU is dead. But this resolution is very much alive. Be­ low we print a letter sent by the Ponchelet Marine Corporation, in which it admits that it signed a con­ tract with the National Maritime Union before it even had a ship. The letter also tells of the action taken by the AFL maritime unions: "... THE AFL INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN'S ASSOCIA­ TION, AFL TUGBOATMEN AND AFL TEAMSTERS REFUSED TO WORK OUR SHIP." Friday, February 28, 1947 M Council Rusviers Ml Raiding BrWg**'™ "Mmmyinn "Me-ting in New York on September 28, the AFL Mari­ time Trades Department went on unanimous record to notiiy •11 shipowners or prospective shipowners, the U. $. Maritime Commision, and the President the United States that in the future When and if any new •hipping companies start up on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts that they must negotiate with the AFL all the way through. "If any new shipping oper* •tors make labor agreemanU with the National Maritime Union or the American Com. munications Association, then the AFL Longshoremen will refute to work these ships. "This action was necessiiat. ed by the situation now exist­ ing on the Pacific Coast where the CIO communist-domin­ ated Longshoremen refused to work ships belonging to the American Pacific Steamship Company and which are not only manned by AFL unlicen­ sed personnel but are under contract to AFL Unions. "In our opinion, this refusi^ is part of the ClO-CMU plan to force AFL seamen off these •hips and substitule them with CIO-CMU seamen. It is an out­ right attempt by the CIO-CMU to force this company to do •olely WBh MMan. or Friday. Octobor 4, 1946 5^ "We of the AFL Maritime Trades Department do not in­ tend to sit idly by while the CIO-CMU succeeds in their at­ tempt to abrogate an AFL con­ tract with this company, or force them into bankruptcy, thus losing many jobs for AFL members. We fully intend to protect all AFL Maritime con­ tracts with any and all t^ieans at our disposal, and this is fais warning to any individual or group of individuals that we mean business," (signed) John Owens, Executive Secy AFL Maritime Trades Dept. IB* AtMrtean Pcelftc Steamship Company out of As the letter clearly indicates, the AFL Maritime Trades Department completely stymied the NMU when it tried to man and work ships in vio­ lation of the resolution. AFL Sea­ men, Longshoremen, Tugboatmen and Teamsters worked together to show the NMU and the Company that the AFL Maritime Trades Department can back up any stand it may take to halt raiding on the part of other unions. But the Department has no desire to force the steamship owner out of business. Therefore, the SS Lawrence Brengle has been released, pending further study of the situation. Let the shipowners take note. Any attempt, by a steamship company go­ ing into business, to do business with the NMU will be met with the same resistance by the AFL. The exception in the case of the Lawrence Brengle is not to be con­ strued as a pattern for the future. The AFL Maritime Trades Depart­ ment reaffirms its original position, and has the strength to enforce this resolution. W: AFL Maritime Trades Department f; � 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 28, 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. 9 Description An account of the resource Headlines: SIU LEAFLETS HEARTEN WALL STREET WORKERS MARITIME TRADES DEPT. TO MEET IN CHICAGO AFTER SIU CONVENTION POSTWAR LOSSES TOTAL 131 SHIPS MARITIME COUNCIL TO HOLD REGULAR MEETINGS IN N.Y SEAFARERS TAKES STAND AGAINST PEACETIME DRAFT CURRAN THREATENS TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST JOE STACK SHIPPING RULES CLARIFIED IN NEW UNION FEATURE PHONY TRANSFERS EVERY DIVISION OF MARITIME MUST BE ORGANIZED IN GULF AREA QUICK THINKING PREVENTS PANIC OPERATOR PUTS BLAME FOR THE DECLINE OF SHIPPING ON 'HIGH' WAGES IGNORING THE ENORMOUS PROFITS LAKES SIU REJECTS NLRB MAIL VOTE PLAN EXCERPTS FROM THE 'SIU ORGANIZERS' HANDBOOK' GALVESTON ASKS, DOES AGREEMENT COVER ROACHES DELEGATES TO INT'L CONVENTION TAMPA TRADE UNIONS CONSIDER PUBLISHING PAPER TO COMBAT ANTI-LABOR REPORTING IN DAILY PRESS NEW SEASON BRINGS ITS WARNING; UNION-WRECKERS ARE BUSY AT WORK SHIPPING IS NOT SO HOT AND HEAVY BUT IS STILL GOOD IN BALTIMORE PORT BUFFALO SENDS ITS REPORT: EVERYTHING IS REALLY SOLID NEW CURRAN LINE OF UNITY CALLS FOR MUCH STUDY UNCLE JOE'S PIC BUSTS PR PEACE MARCUS HOOK SIU MAKES PROGRESS WITH TANKERMAN MOBILE HAS MANPOWER SHORTAGE; NEW UNION HALL KEENLY AWAITED PHILADELPHIA HAS AB SHORTAGE, BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF WEATHER THE DOGHOUSE BLUES SEAFARERS PROGRAM FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TILLAMOOK CREW RETURNS TO STATES SIU CREW WHIPS DIXON INTO SHAPE STOWAWAY ON MV STEVEDORE STYMIED ON SECOND DAY OUT THEY'LL LISTEN TO MOMMA, NOW PARIS COMMIES BREAK PICKETLINE IN PRESS STRIKE SEAMEN ONLY ONES TO REALIZE CHILDHOOD DREAMS OF ADVENTURE NEW WATERMAN SHIP SAILS SOON Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2/27/1947 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Seafarers International Union of North America 1947 Periodicals Seafarers Log