Media
Issue Date
1939-02-10
Volume
1
Issue Number
1
Plaintext
f
The Seafarers' Log
Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf Seamen
Seafarers' International Union of North America
BROTHERHOOD
OF THE
SEA
VOL. I. NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1939 200 No. 1.
0
1
OPEN SHOP MOVE BLOCKED
-4>-
Curran Bans
Action By
Rank & File
Notifies Members Not To
Use Direct Action To
Keep Up Standards.
MEN OPENLY DEFIANT
New York — Joe Curran this week
sent a circular letter to NMU mem
bers, warning them not to engage
In strikes or other job action. It Is
claimed that "certain elements are
making a definite maneuver to cause
the breaking of contracts between
the NMU and operators." The letter
also asserts that ample means for
settling grievances without strikes'
Is provided In NMU agreements.
Clearly Indicating that In the fu
ture NMU crews will be required
to take what chiseling shipowners
choose to dish out, Curran's state
ment Is exactly in line with the
Commy policy of regimenting mari-
tlmi workers.
NMU members along Manhattan's
West-Side claim the letter was sent
out merely for public consumption.
Others openly declare they will un
dertake job action whenever a case
calls for It, whether Joe likes It
or not. The men charge that only
In a few Instances NMU patrolmen
have been able to settle disputes In
anywhere near satisfactory manner
Longshoremen's
Wages Are Cut
By Government
Consequences of Outside
Control Seen in
Reduction.
ANTWERP (ITP)—In view of the
cost of living Index number having
dropped, the wages of Antwerp
longshoremen have been reduced
As from the first of the year, wages
in the day shift have been reduced
by two francs, In the night shift by
three francs. The rate for work on
Sundays and holidays has been re
duced 3.50 francs.
SIU Members
Replace NMU
Standby Men
New Orleans, La.—The "Ormes,"
an old Moormac tub, has been pur
chased by the Alaska Transporta
tion Company, for service on the
West Coast. Company representa
tives, being strangers, contacted the
NMU for twenty-one men to work
stand-by at $6.40 per day. Upon
hearing this, SIU delegates advised
the company agent that there were
agreements between SIU afiOllatcs
and the company. The work was
then turned over to members of
our Union.
It is expected there will be more
of this work because it is rumored
another of Moormac's ships will be
sbld West,
SOVIET SLAVE TO DIE
FOR BEATING UP BOSS
The first death sentence under
new Soviet decrees aimed at "lazy"
workmen was broadcast last week
by the Moscow government station,
press reports state.
The victim was a leather factory-
worker who attacked the plant
manager and severely beat him af
ter being punished for a breach of
"labor discipline." He was convict
ed of terrorism and sentenced to
death before a firing squad.
Legal Curb On
Finks Soiigbt By
Senate Committee
Criminal Records Cited;
Big Profit in Finking.
WASHINGTON, D. C. (AFLWNS)
—The report of the Civil Liberties
Committee, headed by Senator R. F
Lafollette, Jr., condemning the use
of strikebreakers and proposing en
actment of a Federal statute to pro
hibit employers from hiring agen
cies or Individuals to engage In
strikebreaking activities Is the result
of the committee's protracted In
vestigation of this notorious scheme
used by anti-union employers to
destroy trade unionism.
Strikebreaking, the committee
holds, vitally affects interstate com
merce, and therefore comes within
the purview of Federal legislation.
Reviewing and compiling testi
mony evoked at hearings dining two
years of Investigation, the commit
tee listed 150 professional finks,
many of them "career" men In the
business, and a third of them al
legedly with criminal or arrest
records, the crimes Including burg
lary, rape, larceny, assault and
other types of violence. The re
port mentioned 108 plants at which
it said strikebreakers had been em
ployed and fifty-three detective or
other agencies furnishing such ser
vice.
Also listed were "missionaries"
who, the committee said, offered,
for pay, to spread by word of mouth
propaganda for strike-threatened
employers and to organize helpful
citizens' committees.
Strike-breaking agencies make ',15
to 100 per cent profit, the report
declared. Strikebreakers, It charged,
had created violence to extend
their services or to discredit or
break the strikers.
The committee urged that direct
prohibition be placed on the em
ployer as "the key to the strike
breaking problem." His responsi
bility for the persons he pays tr
take his part In an Industrial dis
pute can not be denied or evaded,'
the report stated.
NEW YORK.—French authorities
at Algiers have libeled the American
freighter Wisconsin alter crewmen
entered a complaint they were re
fused payment of wages by the mas
ter, reports reaching here Indicate.
More than $10,000 is demanded for
release of the vessel. It Is added.
The ship has been operating In the
Mediterranean war-zone.
Formerly, the Wisconsin hailed
from Portland, Ore., but her pres
ent registry and ownership is not
known here, A crew of West Coast
men were paid on at Antwerp last
Summer and were replace^ by a
crew of mixed nationality.
/
17 Marine
Inspectors
Under Fire
Government Suspends Men
Pending Replies To
Charges of Graft. .
SECRECY PREVAILS
Washington, D. C. — Seventeen
Bureau of Marine Inspection and
Navigation Inspectors have been re
lieved of duty pending their replies
to charges they have accepted "pay
offs" from steamship operators. It
was revealed by Department ol
Commerce officials. The suspensions
followed a year's probe by Federal
authorities, accorilng to the same
sources.
Officials of the Department ol
Commerce would not say more than
that suspended inspectors had been
stationed in various ports where lo
cal Inspection offices are maintained.
• New York — Only two Inspectors
In this district have been relieved,
30 far as can be learned. Their
names and the nature of the charges
against them could not be obtained
at the local Inspectors' office.
Munson Plans To
Resume Business
On Small Scale
New York — Final steps to re
organize the Munson Line were tak
en here early this week. Federal
Judge A. C. Coxe granted an order
approving transfer of remaining as
set, of the Munson Steamship Line
to the newly chartered Munson
Lines, Inc. Settlement of outstand
ing debts and the lining up'of the
affairs of the Munson companies
has taken since July. 1934.
The cargo-passenger liners. Pan
American, Western World, Southern
Cross, and American Legion, oper
ated by the old Munson Line are
not Included In the deal. Plans for
operation of the freighters W. D.
Munson, Mundlxle, Munplace, Mun-
cove, and Munmotor are being
brought to completion by Carlos W
Munson, president of the new con
cern. It Is thought that service will
commence Within a month or so.
ST. JOHNS' STEWARDS
ELECT NEW DELEGATE
Brother Harold Burke has been
elected stewards' department dele
gate of the Eastern SS company's
"St. Johns." Formerly, there had
been two delegates; one presumably
representing the "Boston" members
and the other the New Yorkers.
The plain foolishness of such
splitting procedure became appar
ent, so a meeting was called where
a man having the confidence of the
entire crew could be elected. The
meeting also settled the matter of
the attempt to force Brother Cun
ningham to take a two-week lay
off, by voting dc.sf$lvely that he re
main by the shU). ^
•J,
Company Stooges Try To Force Six I
SIU Men Off Seatrain Havana
At Fort of New York
UNITED ACTION BY ALL A.F.L. MARINE GROUPS
GETS QUICK RESULTS.
New York, Feb. 10.—In a major test of power, the Seafar
ers' International Union definitely proved itself able to cope with
unusually adverse situations by directly applying economic pres
sure, Acting in concert with I.L.A. longshoremen and'towboat
men, the union quickly brought the Seatrain Lines, Inc., to terms I
demanded by loyal members in the. .Seatrain Havana's crew. M
Urged by three company %
A. F. of L. Hits
Pacific Coast
Anti-Labor Laws
Council Maps Campaign
Against Oregon Law and
California Ordinances.
Miami, Fla. (AFLWNS). — The
Executive Council of the American
Federation of Labor, In session here
planned a militant campaign against
the movement of anti-labor forces
on the Pacific Coast to destroy trade
unions by statutory regulation of
their customary activities In raising
the living standards of working men
and women through trade union
action. William Green, president of
the Federation, announced.
The A. F. of L., in cooperation
with the Oregon Federation of
Labor, filed briefs several months
ago In the Multnomah Circuit Court,
alleging that the Oregon Initiative
measure adopted at the last elec
tion was unconstitutional. This law,
according to the Federation, severe
ly limited the right to organize, to
picket and to carry on most of the
multitude of operations which
unions are required to do In the
normal course of their activities.
Blames "Associated Farmers"
Mr. Green said that an organlza-
tioir known as the Associated Farm
ers was behind the various anti-
labor laws which were submitted to
the voters In California, Oregon and
Washington. The proposals were
voted down In California and Wash
ington and approved In Oregon.
However, In addition to passage of
the Oregon State-wide statute some
localities In California adopted local
ordinances similar to the ones pre
sented to the voters in the States.
"In conformity with our Instruc
tions Mr. Padway filed a brief
against the Oregon law In that
State," -said Mr. Green.
"We also file' a brief and made
a statement before the social secur
ity board alleging that the antl-la-
bor law affected the Unemployment
Compensation Act of that State.
Our contention wgs that under the
Unemployment Compensation Law
a man could not be expected to
accept a job If It were offered from
a place whose employes were on
strike. The Oregon Initiative meas
ure so crippled the right to strike
that we felt that men who were
entitled to unemployment compen
sation would have to take jobs In
places where a strike was on. You
see, the new law so defined the
right to strike that it affected, in
pur opinion, the Unemployment
Oonipensation Act."
tooges, a part of the Havana's
crew attempted last Tuesday to
Icclare the vessel operating un-
Jer open shop conditions. Crew
members, who saw the danger
in the move and remained loyal
'o the SIU, were ordered off by
loogcs in the rre^v•.
Patrolmen Kept Off
Upon arrival, union men called
for patrolmen to board the ship.
Matthew Dushane, local SIU head,
accompanied by four patrolmen
went to the Hoboken pier where 'he
vessel was discharging cars to at-
tempt to clear up the situation. Ad
mission to the ship was refused the^'
Union representatives by D. Camp
bell, who acted as spokesman, Roy
Calnan, chief steward, and one
Mandell, a cook.
Loyal members In the crew asked
what their course should be, and
were advised not to start an out
break of violence but to come
ashore for a conference.. As Union
agents and crew members came
down the accommodation ladder,
unknown persons loosed a stream of
molasses through an adjacent scup
per.
Brothers Kellogg and Frenchy Le
Beau came ashore as ordered by
part of the crew, and .Brothers
Cook, Keyes, Sallnskl, and Prescot-
tano walked off in sympathy. They
were told to assemble their gear,
but It would be seen just -who would
have to get off.
Stooges Removal Demanded
Taking the position that the thrre -
persons wlrp had forbidden KiU
representatives to come aboard must
leave the ship and that .ne six
loyal men be returned to their em
ployment, imlon agents took Imme
diate steps to turn on the heat.
Within an hour conferences between
officials of the SIU and various di
visions of the ILA had decided that
until Campbell, Calnan, and Man-
defi were off and Brothers Kellogg,
LeBeau, Cook, Keyes, Sallnskl, and
Prescottano were returned to the
ship without prejudice, the Sf^atrajjaf*
Havana could rust away /In her
neglected brine.
Longshoremen Cooperate
Longshoremen ceased discharging
cars, and towboat men Informed the
company that necessary assistance
for leaving the slip would not be
had. Nor would any replacements be
supplied the ship by the; SID.
Backing the position of tire SIU,
the Commercial Telegraphers'
Union, marine division, ordered
their operator to give all possible
assLstance to Seafarers'' taairbem
involved. CTU representatives par
ticipated in the conferences straigh
tening out the difSculty.
(Continued on Page Four) • .
(
I
~ 1
THE SEAFARERS' LOG Friday, February 10, 1939
Published by
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
o
HARRY LUHDEBERG, Acting President
H Steuart Street, San Francisco, Calif;
0
New-York-
Atlantic District
HEADQUAR'<"ERS
-.2 Stone-Street-
BRANCHES
Boston
Providence-....
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk -u
..1 Rowes Wharf-
SanJuan, Puerto Rico
TJfew Orleans
—466 So. Main Street
_....6 North 6th Street
-212. East Pratt Street
,..307' East Main Street
Comercio Street
Gulf District
HEABQUARTERS
.-308 Chartree Street-
BRANCHES
Savannah -...,
Jacksonville
Miami
Tampa
Mobile
Galveston
.218 East-Bay Street
..111 Bay Street
889 N. E. First Avenue
206 Franklin Street
.55 So. Conception Street
318% 23rd 23rd Street
Detroit
Great Lakes District
HEADQUARTERS
...1038 Third Street
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THIS
PUBLICATION TO:
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
pj O. Box 522 Church Street Annex
New York, New York
Ite:
By R. F. Weaver
(New York Acreni)
Much has been said, and frequent
discussions arise regarding just
what constitutes the duties of a
Patrolman. For the benefit of the
membership, we would like to ex
plain thnlgs to the best of our
ability-
Article XV, Section 6, of the Con
stitution says, in part: "They '(Pa
trolmen) shall visit the crews of
all •vessels in their districts-to as
certain whether they are members
Ig of the Unnion, and,, if so, whether
I they are in good standing, They
i shall be autliorizesl to collect money
I' due the Union from members, and
may also be empov/ered to receive
H Initiation Fees and applicants for
membership, and shall give official
r; receipt for each amount collected."
% You will note that it specifically
states the Patrolmen are to make
certain that all members of the
crew are also members of the Union,
and that they must be- in good
stcnding.
\ Fhrther along. Article 6 continues
. with: "They shall appoint from
ampng the-crew of each outbound
i , vessel a memlser to act as Ship's
> Delegate, and shall instruct him in
his duties." Note well, it does not
! specify that a Ship's Delegate, is. to
• tf^^':^_elected, but rather, that| the
patrolman is to appoint'one. How-
it, ever. it is our policy to grant the
tcrew the democratic privilege of
" electing their own spokesman, but
In the event they do not wish to do
so, it is up to the Patrolman to ap
point, a member of the crew as
Ship's Delegate. The Ship's Dele
gate acts as a .spokesman for the
crew aboard ship, and bends every
effort to straighten out difficulties
which may arise regarding overtime,
working and living; conditions, etc.
I^aiso keeps a record of the over
time^ worked-.by > members of the
crew, and when the Patrolman
boards - the;- ship, he gives him a
crew-Jist, with the month: that they
last;.p^dds dues listedi This is of in-
valuable;-:Assistance to c the Patrol
man,; as it relieves him. of the-un-
neeesear? responsibility bf-; ay?
j)roachijrw-e»Bh waAc.tiMvm member
of. the .vorew^ and asking; to< see his
Union, Bot^e If the-^ Ship'ji •. Del«r
gates'have afiyjbeafs they .eould:not
adjust-,.themsAlbres*,: tbcgf^ viftamti
wbacOmr
bc«k itt
1;
Patrolman must have cooperation
of the crew, and they must be will
ing to back him up-to-the limit.
A Patrolman's job is not a bed
of roses, by any stretch of the Im
agination; anyone who thinks it is,
is just plain crazy.- Besides his of-
ficial duties^ as provided in the Con
stitution, he has an abundance of
ektra-curricular activities which
call for the exercise of tact and
diplomacy- At times, he is, called
upon to straighten out difficulties
between members of the crew, and
has to pat them on the back; and
cajole them, if he "blows his top"
at times, he can hardly be-blamed
for it, as it,1s next to impossible to
maintain mental equanimity at all
times, especially when subjected to
severe mental stress. You can't
please everyone, regardless of what
coiurse you take.
An outstanding incident of lack
of cooperation took place in this
port some several weeks ago. Two
Patrolmen boarded a ship upon. its
arrival. They had been instructed
by the Agent that he had been ad
vised. by the Galveston Agent that
he had .shipped a Fireman abroad
this vessel with a Trip Card. They
contacted the man aboard the ves
sel, and he said he had no money,
and couldn't take out a book; Bear
in mind that when this man was
shipped in Galveston, it was with
the xmderstandlng that he would
take out a book in the next pprt of
call. In any event, the Patrolmen
informed this man that he would
have to take out a book, or leave
the ship, Several members of the
crew then wanted to know who was
going to take , him off . the ship, as
they wanted him to remain., The
Patrolmen informed them they
would take care of that little detail,
but that he-must take out a book.
Eventually, of course, he took out
a book. Not only did the crew re
fuse to cooperate with the Tatrob-
men, they also indicated-that they
would oppose him. It mi'-:, be evi
dent to all that t»-^. men wore
not real Unlonr mai,: Howevea, it is
our hope- to educate ^ theses misled'
and miskiformed Individusls so that
they I win be really; union<4nhided.
It is. of utmost vimportance that
you. men- on the t sblps : cooperate
with' your • patrolmon.' at all times,
beoauaoi he-canit; he^ you if; you:
Men-t willing' h^- yourselves,
imsear.yeu have. ai leglMaiataf
pRMeafc'lb;.to.'ihiin«v and;-time baefei
tot tor you, and
" • I.
It is the r zht of the member
ship and th< reader-at-'largc to
know ilic policy of the Seafaiens'
Log. No publication can merit
confidence' unless^ adherence to
standards is a- foremost conai
deration. We shall strive^ to pub
lish an intelligent, constructive,
and • co-operative paper.
As official organ of the Sea
farers' International Union of
North America, the '^og" will
express the Union's policy
which, in the final analysis, is
shaped by the membership.
There is no place in the-
Log's" columns for personal
attack. We don't care; how you
comb your hair. This is a labor
paper. Being, devoted primarily
to seamen's problems in both the
industrial and social fields, only
that pertaining to seamen will
be treated.
The Seafarers' International
Union is a trade union and, as
such, functions through con
certed economic action. Politics
will be left to the tender care of
politicians.
We wm Fight
Far;
1. Organization of all sea
men and fi.shcrmen of
North America into one
powerful organization, for
fheir own protection and
welfare;
2.. Higher wages^ shorter
hours- and • better condi
tions for workers in the
maritime industry.
3. The building up of the
strongest solidarity of all
maritime workers and the
establishment of united
action in any struggle
agaiiLst the bosses.
4. To strictly maintain the
Seafarers' International
Union of North America
as an economic trade
trade union to be organ
ized on an industrial union
ba.sis.
5. The right of the member
ship to, elect by referen
dum vote aU officials who
are bonafide seamen or
fishermen.
6. The membership to have
fuU autliority. to call
strikes and declare them
off .by referendum vote.
7. The right of the members
and the affiliated anions
to conduct their business
in . a. democratic manner
without .interference; from
scKcalted' executive- boards
or toprcommitteesv
8; Affiliated unions to have
complete chargp of their
own,, funds:- aad> pjropcrty
without fear' ofi confisea^
tion by the: iDtemational.
All'shtpp^^^of .'saaEmB. to::
be
union hal^,.
Wh&t Mtout Fink Books?
The Seafarers' International Union is opposed to the Cope-
land' Continuous Discharge Book, aptly termed, the Fink'Book
by Union men. Not only is the SIU bitterly against Fink Bboke,
but, since the inception of the program to shackle the seamen,
th® Sailors' Union of the Pacific and its Pacific Coast allies suc
cessfully have fought the Fink Book. In the past two years, even
the NMU has come to see the danger to organized labor presented
by the Fink Book.
If dangerous to organized seamen, how-much more danger
ous it is to individual seamen! Among a part- of the SIU mem
bership, there seems to be some bewilderment about this. We
hear the book is convenient. It's an easy way to keep one's papers
straight.
That thebook is convenient is recognized, for it was designed
exactly for that purpose; a convenient method for shipowners
and their stooges to identify and trace men who are "not desir
able," from the employers' viewpoint.
There are a number of reasons for a man to be considered
undesirable-by shipowners. Chief among reasons is militant union
ism or, in fact, any degree of unionism conflicting with an em-
jloyer's whimsy in relations with his employees. And the principal
lurpose of the Union is to. contend in behalf of the workers
against unfair employers.
Many seamen, bamboozled by governmental and employers'
Dropaganda, are unable to see how the Fink Book can be used
against them, merely because no specific mark of ability or
character is entered therein.
Little imagination is required to see many ways by which
man may be marked for the blacklist merely by looking into
the presently authorized form of Fink Book. (For there is no
assurance that special character marks may not be ordered in the
uture, once the book is widely accepted. )
The- book shows immediately whether or not you are a
steady," or whether a single trip .satisfies one's appetite for what
exists. Or perhaps a man has been fired for being an especially
'brceful ship'.s delegatCj or merely militant aboard some vessel
not under union agreement.
If you have been on strikej the blank spaces will show you
have not been a "loyal" company stooge. There have been cases
of extremely strong union action occurring on a certain ship at a
certain time ; the-book will show you were a member of that
crew, and obviously undersirable to an employer seeking docile
labor.
There is nothing to prevent the skipper from making entirp
entries with ink ta indicate one grade^ making other entries partly
in ink and partly with rubber stamp to show a different meaning.
It is possible to convey a message by using certain abbreviation
of names and rates. For instance, a ship named "Charles A.
Strawdeck," can be called "Chas. Ai Strawdeck," etc. In fact to
anyone with even a feeble imagination limitless opportunity can
be seen to pass the word around by way of continuous discharge
books ; Fink Books in fact, as well as in name.
Alternative to Fink Books Ls the Certificate of Identification.
This certificate was authorized by the government after Pacific
Coast Unions took a determined stand against the book. The
certificate is merely the newer form of the old Identification, or
seaman's passport. It offers no special advantage to would-be
black-listers.
No person with a Finkr Book may register for shipment at
halls controlled by the Seafarers' International Union or its affi
liates, or alliies.
There is no cost, except for two new pictures, and though
they may dislike it, U. 8. Shipping Commissioners will exchange
Fink, Rooks for the Union-demanded Certificate of Identification.
WeWiitF^mAe^aihat:-
1., All anti-labor legislation, for .seamen, fishermen and alt other workers.
2. Government hietfig, halle.
3. Government training shipg.ior seamenu
4.. Regfmentation- of seamen by . Governmont Jagenoiea)
S.- Attempts by poUttcal parties to injeot their philosophies and ideas.into
union business.'
Correspondents Thanked -
I, '
Credit: foT' the- hulk> of nem
from Qulf - ports- appearing- i»-
•this-iisue-of > the LOG''- goes - to
Brothers At Wi Armstrong _ antt
:L: J. BotUngerr The Brothers
mote'from -Newtf OTMM*/ SO iheg.
laUf^:fmihs-ese^test
voosrsgeethegi eMatMfU i-
Mbiiee:.
Ships" Del*9e4M» Dibmend
all.rapUcemaaH produce a.
oroperly fiHed out assignment'^
,sa(d- frov.M the* Oispaiehar? oe
'^e;'Unien'heUi'
H
V
i-
•"' m
Friday, FebnMry 10, 1939 T H E S E A F A !a E R S • LOG 8
{>>)
)•
i :• .• •
yfc:
SHIP'S CREW MEETINGS
HOW TO CONDUCT THEM
1.
1.
3.
5.
6.
9.
The Ship's Delegate calls the mcetingr to order. He then asks
for nominations for Chairman of the meeting. When the
nominees have accepted or declined, the vote is taken on
those who have accepted. Whichever nominee receives the
highest vote is elected and immediately takes over th Chair.
The duties of the Chairman: To be completely impartial on
all points as long as he is in the chair; to maintain order; to
see that every member has a full opportunity to speak.
The Recording Secretary is elected in the same manner as
the Chairman. His duties: to take the minutes of the meet
ing; to take over the Chair when the Chairman vacates it.
The minutes of the previous meeting are read by the Secre
tary. Anything mis-stated or incorrect in these minutes must
be laid over to Unfinished Business.
4. The Ship's Delegates give their reports (the Ship's Delegates
are elected at craft meetings the second night out to sea
every trip). The reports of the Ship's Delegate must include :
Reading of all communications from the f/n/on, financial
rcp'ort, beefs taken care of since the last meeting, problems
which have arisen and recommendations regarding how to
better the work of the Union aship and ashore. The Secre
tary should record recommendations for action under New
Business.
Elect an Auditing Committee to check over the finances and
see that every cent is properly accounted for. No one respon
sible for the money should be on the Committee.
Unfinished Business includes only those motions which were
not acted on after they were introduced at the previous meet
ings, mistakes in the minutes, and reports of action taken
by Committees or Members elected to do a specific job.
7. New Business contains new moetions only. Written motions
are acted on first then verbal motions. The Chairman may
declare a motion Out of Order if it conflicts with the gen
eral policy of the Union. Under New Business action should
be taken on recommendations from the Union or from the
Ship's Delegates.
8. The Auditing Committee reports on their findings. If the
finances are not accounted for conectly, the person respon
sible should be brought up on the deck and questioned.
Good and welfare is the time when every member has the
right and opportunity to take the deck on any problem or
subject concerning the Union or the Ship. This is where
you get your chance to air your beefs, criticize the actions
of others which may be detrimental to the Union, and in
general speak your piece for the good of the Union. No
motions are made under this point. All motions are in New
Business.
DEFINITIONS
POINT OF INFORMATION: When you ask for a Point
of Information it means you want to A;^ a QUESTION
Usually such a point is requested when the speaker finishes.
POINT OF ORDER: When you demand a point of order
it means that the speaker or the Chairman or some member
is not acting according to procedure or has made statements
contrary to the general policy of the Union. The Chairman
must rule on this.
APPEAL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR: When you
appeal the decision of the Chair on a ruling he has made,
the question is thrown to the membership for a decision.
The Chairman steps out of the Chair and the Secretary asks
the members: "All those in favor of upholding the decision
of the chair signify by saying. Aye." Then: "Opposed say,
No." The vote of the membership is binding upon all.
DIVISION: When you call for a Division after a voice vote
has been taken, it means you want a vote by hands.
MOTION TO TABLE: Tabling the Motion means to com-
pleely drop it from consideration at this meeting. There can
be no discussion on a Motion to Table.
TEN RULES EVERY MEMBER SHOULD FOLLOW
1. Come on time to every meeting.
2. $peak only when recognized by the Chairman and address
the: Chair when peaking.
3. Be quiet and listen attentively when someone else has the
deck.
4. Think before speaking, and don't say what , has been said
before by other speakers.
5. Don't get excited if someone spekks or votes against your
motion, or if someone makes a. point( of order against you.
•'6. If you think a member is out of order, make your point of
order courteously.
7. ^Dcm't^raake tmneccBaryiJptnnts^of order or odber pomts.
8. Vote only once on any question. ,
9. Stay -unti! the meeting is over. ;
It). Attend'^-Union meetings. .llerc isaaiwaijniNKweelhipg'iof
•jntferest icemhi^ !
Nazig Lower
Conditions On
German Ships
Rhine Vessels Endangered
By Undermanning.
AMSTERDAM (ITF)—A meeting
held on December 15 of Labor
Front ofBciaJs responsible for carry
ing on Nazi propaganda among Ger
man Inland waterway workers oc
cupied itself with the "shortage" of
labor and the manning conditions
in the industry.
"It was agreed that the shortage
of labor in inland shipping was
largely connected also with the so
cial conditions," reported "Arbeit
und Staat" on January 11, and
added, "It was considered that the
existing manning regulations for
the Rhine and the West German
canals represented minimum stand
ards both from the safety and the
social points of view."
But "barely half the Rhine ships
today carry the prescribed number
of hands," reported the daily "An-
grlff" of January 7. In more than
one-half of all German Rhine ves
sels both the minimum safety
standard and the minimum social
standard are ignored.
A.F.L. PRESSES FIGHT FOR
LABOR ACT AMENDMENTSl
Opposition of the C.I.O. Will Aid in Securing Theif j
Enactment, Green Declares.
-<$>
N. Y. Organizer
Gives Views On
Union Problems
Fishermen In
Norway Have
Wage Dispute
Submit Demands To Arbi
tration After Negotiations
Fail.
1.
?.
3.
4.
5.
BERGEN (ITP)—In Vestland and
Nordland, the districts of Bergen
and Tromoso, a conflict has broken
out between the fishing boat owners
and the Seamen's Union, who are
In negotiations for renewal of the
collective agreement.
The unions have presented two
fundamental claims: first, that
fixed wages be adjusted to the rise
in the cost of living index number
since the conclusion of the previous
agreement, and secondly, that the
pay and food allowance of stewards
should not be deducted from gross
proceeds. They agree, however, that
there should be no increase in the
shares of the fishermen in the vari
ous kinds of fishing.
The owners' counter-demands call
for reductions in the men's shares in
the catch, and further that a larger
part of the crew should work on a
sharp basis per ship.
The first phase of the negotiations
took place under the auspices of
State arbitrators, and led to their
being broken off without any result.
At the behest of the arbitrators,
however, the fishermen's and own
ers' organizations have resumed ne
gotiations.
N. Y. Membership
Moves to Break
Petty Grafting
Believing they have been victim
ized by Stewards, Mates, and En
gineers on various steamship lines,
over a period of several years, the
membership at last Headquarters'
mecfting passed the following reso
lution:
"Whereas: Certain department
heads, through coercion and in
timidation, are forcing members of
our Union, employed on their ves
sels to contribute (o lotteries, social
agencies, etc., and
"Whereas: Ihese contributions
work a hardship, and are not
properly accounted for: therefore,
*e1t ^
"Resrtved: That we, the BIU
-membership In' the • of Kew
York condemn these bfBclals for
their actions."
WASHtNGTOK, p. C.-^Gontracti
fw - ecuurtnietlon bf four O '9-^pe
steam freight vessels have "been
awarded to the lagalls Iron Voirks
Of *»nlriiighi«n, Ala. 'The vceseiB
are te oosrf«r?9.000 saeh.-
Following letter expressing definite
views about unionism appeared on
the editorial desk shortly after the
SJU announced the "Log":
Editor, Beafarers' Log:
At last my fondest dreams have
come true; a Union 6f seamen, by
seamen, for seamen; a Union where
democracy prevails. A Union dedi
cated to the welfare of the seamen
and to those dependent upon them.
Yet, we find some members reluc
tant to accept the policies laid down
by the SIU.
Let us examine the record. In
the past, the Union had no known
policy and as a result there existed
a state of chaos on vital questions.
Our representatives held widely di
vergent views that naturally found
their way to the membership, giv
ing birth to factionalism; a can
kerous sore that undermines the
confidence of the men and ulti
mately leads to destruction. There
is ample proof of this on the At
lantic coast, showing as dual union
ism.
Disunity Deplored
No one can deny that this state
of affairs fails to work out to the
best advantage of the seagoing per-
somiel. It also places us in the po
sition of being bona-fide union men
unable to secure a berth in certain
ship lines because of jurisdictional
differences. This condition is to be
deplored and a genuine effort made
to rectify it; at least to the extent
that both unions recognize the
great responsibility placed upon
them. They should forthwith cease
the campaign of hate and devote
the energy to an educational cam
paign in unionism which is badly
needed on this coast.
Likes New Methods
This brings us, of course, to the
question of leadership. I feel that
the present leadership of the SIU
has established itself as a dynamic
force, every ready to go to" bat for
the membership and to point out
diplomatically, if necessary bluntly,
the mistakes made by certain well-
meaning members.
Patrolmen's Duties
There is a secondary leadership
which is in daily contact with the
membership. The Patrolmen are to
advise and assist thi? membership
employed on slaps. On them rests
great responsibility. Yet, we find,
despite expres.sed disapproval of the
members, that some of them board
a vessel to make a bee-line for the
department head. This practice
should be stopped immediately, if
we are to keep the confidence of
our members and hold the Union
intact.
Confidence Needed
I believe the most important thing
in the administration of a imion is
for the membership to have full
confidence in their leaders, yet re
tain their democratic right to differ
in opinion as they see fit and to
freely express their opinions. To
this end let us apply our energie.s
so that we can build a bigger and
greater Seafarers' International
Union.
Fiaternally yours,
HOWARD GUINIER
r
Id f,
NEW YORK.^Patroiman Thomp
son reports the entire orew of
Waterman's "Pan Atlantic" are
members In good standing of the
SIU. More fruit and.bef«i varlity
in the menu, especially .in desserts
was asked by the boys. It was
•greed by the Steward that any
reasonable change suggested wo-old
be made-Without dOBcuHy.
Condderkble cnthusiMm was
shown by the n«w •bout real
PRWms toward bettering «ondi-
ttoM^ br tke-iOU.
Miami, Pla.—(AFLWNS) The at-
tack made by the C.I.O. on the !
amendments to the National Labor
Relations Act proposed by the
American Federation of Labor will 4
help the A. P. of L. to secure the
enactments into law rather than"
defeat them, William Green, presi
dent of the A. F. of L., declared here
in a statement following a meeting
of the Executive Council of the Ped- ' j
eration, in session here. i
"The C.I.O. statement was to be !
expected," said Mr. Green. "We
counted on the opposition of the''-
C.I.O. when we offered the amend
ments, which were Introduced by
Senator Walsh of Massachusetts. j
"The C.I.O. could hardly have as- "
sumed a different attitude, as we
regard the National Labor Relations
Board an agency of the C.I.O.
"The C.I.O. has been the bene
ficiary of the board's decisions and
policies, it could take no position
other than to support the govern
ment agency that favored it.
"I believe that the opposition of
the C.I.O. will help us greatly in
presenting the amendments to Con
gress. When hearings are called we
shall show in detail many instances
in which the board perverted the
act so as to promote the C.I.O.'s
interests."
Mr. Green said that he interpret
ed the results of the last elections
as "bearing out the growing xm-
popularity of the C.I.O. in Congress."
As to the C.I.O. allegation that
two of the amendments would per- ^
mit employers to ask for elections
and enable them to subpoena rec
ords, Mr. Green said; j
"That is erroneous. We are not
proposing any amendment that (' ''I
would benefit opponents of the basic
Wagner act. We are fighting the
battle of the workers, as represented
by the A. P. of L. We will leave
the employers to fight their own
battles.
"Besides, we are in a better posi
tion to interpret the action of our
last convention than the C.I.O. We
are endeavoring religiously to carry
out the decisions of that conven
tion."
Mr. Green explained that the
council had spent one evening ses- ,
sion discussing the proposed amend- /
ments and that the members wer^
unanimous In approving these sec- "
tions discussed. Another session
will be required to complete the
discussion.
Joseph A. Padway, of A. F. of L,
general counsel, who played a major
part in formulating the amend
ments, has been explaining to the
council members the purport of the
proposed changes.
I
n
\
Wrigley Gum Is
First To Sign
Radio Artists
New York. — Members of the
Chicago, Los Angeles, and San
Francisco locals of the American
Federation of Radio Artists (APL) <
are following the lead of the New *
York local by unanimously voting
authorization of a nation-wide
strike against radio advertising
agencies. The demands are a $15" '
minimum lor a fifteen-minute
broadcast, $25 for one-half, $35 for
an hour and. $6 an hour for rehear
sals.
The union recorded its first vie- [
•tory with the signing of a contract 1
Wlth 'the Wm. Wrigley Co., chew-
Ing gum-manufacturers, embodying
all demands. ^
Ghartes J. Pest, federal coneiliat-^
or appointed to mediate the dispute/ -
•aid he would setic • conferenee
with reprewntaUves of the union
and the adrsrtising agencies lo
draw up a nation-wide code of la
bor staiHtarda hi the Inductry.
\rfsfr
^
THE SEAFARERS' LOfi Friday, February 10, 1939
Isthmian Still
Looking About
For Trouble
Suddenly Ships Crew From
NMU After Long Reject
ing Any Union.
Baltimore, Md. ~ The "Henry S.
Grove" left the boneyard here where
she has been tied up for some time
Plynn, chief-scabherder fcr the
Isthmian line, and his stooge Roche,
had it all doped out how to create
lots, of trouble and confusion. Their
policy in the past has been to go
over a man's record from A to Z,
and If he suited them, maybe he
was shipped.
They have never called any union
hall before, but this time they
figured like this: "The SlU u get
ting too militant. Tney picketed the
Fink Hall, and they'll probably do
the same with this junk-heap if
it doesn't suit them." So, lo and
beiiold, Plynn calls "Little Cae.sai"
Whalen at Commy Headciiiarters
and ordered a crew for the Grove.
It seems as though Paddy went
right down the line with the Isth
mian flnkherder by shipping most
of his stooges and leaving the rank
and file members of the NMU
standing on the dock trying to
fathom what Paddy the Dope and
Pink-herder Plynn were up to.
Plsmn's reasoning is simple: if
Isthmian doesn t get the votes for
their company union, they can
.always sign ar, agreement of the
phoney "tanker-type" with the
N.M.U.
NEW ORLEANS, La. — When
Swayne & Hoyt's "Point Judith"
called a full crew, it was found that
not enough West Coast men were
available to fill the bill. A n 'r ih-'r
of East Coast members were .,V' .,;jed
tj complete the roster. This is con
sidered a benefit to the organization
generally.
Tampa Agent
Accused In
Pistol Fray
Charged Witb Attempt To
Kill Former ISU Agent;
Free On Bond
Tampa, Pla. (WCS).—Agent John
Gunnison and Brother Hart were
arrested last week and charged
with shooting Bob Epps, former
ISU and AFLSU agent here.
Epps has been trying tc stir up
an "independent movement' among
Seamen, and has applied to the
State of Florida for an "independ
ent charter," it is reported. He has
been using goon-squad and gun
man methods i. an attempt to
block progress of the Seafarers' In
ternational Union at Tampa.
When Hart and Gunnison were
arrested and held for bail, Organ-
' jzer Roland Dean got in touch with
William Green who was at Miami.
President Green gave every possible
assistance in getting the men re-
ieased. Tlris was " tough job.
Gunnison and Hart are now free
on 2,500 dollars bond each, charged
with attempting to murder Epps.
Epps is reported to be in a hospital
being treated for a supposed shot
in the hip, said by hospital attend
ants to be very slight. He says
he was called from his fruit and
vegetable stand" at Howard and
Swann Avenues by two men who
hred at him and then ran to a
parked automobile half a block
away.
Epps figured recently in a court
suit here jointly brought by the
A. P. of L. and the Seafarfers' In
ternational Union to restrain him
from recruiting A. P. of L, mem
ber s into a riva. "independent"
union.
Kenowis f rew
Wins Point By
Direct Action
Exlra Man Shipped In
Steward's Department;
Affects Other Ships.
New Orleans, La. — Waterman's
"Kenowis" arrived with ho beefs,
no delegates, nothing. She was due
to sail at 2:00 P.M. the same day.
The Patrolman called a meeting
where delegates for each department
were elected; then, action started
The main squawk was that mem
bers of the steward's department
were overworked, so an additional
man was demanded. The Skipper
and "he manager were notified, but
they said "no smoke." At 12:30 the
steward's department all quit the
ship.
At 2:00, sailing time, the Skipper
came aft and asked each member
of the crew to back up the company
by moving the ship out to the
"Point." The crew decided at a
meeting to pay off in a body. At
3:30 the first bag was thrown on
the dock. Before the bag had come
to rest, the Skipper called "Hi."
and agreed to ship the extra man
The Kenowis sailed with a first-
class crew. Best result of this action
is that the rest of the ships carry
ing over eight passengers will carry
the extra man in the Steward's
department.
LL.A. Wins Out
111 Tiff With
CIO Stevedores
^lU Represeiilalives Fired
LTpoii At Pier
New Orleans, La. — Picket lines
were formed around Swayne &
Hoyt's "Point Brava" by the local
I.L.A. after CIO longshoremen
working aboard offered severe provo
cation. Steam was shut off deck, so
the CIO men sat around for the
balance of the day. It is alleged
that crew members lost personal
belongings during the day with the
result that all but crew-members
were pleared off next morning.
To confuse the issue even more,
the company ordered the Point
Chico from anchorage to mooring
at the Galvez S*" eet dock. Early
the next mornmg, CIO men
swarmed over the dock and dumped
the few men maintaining picket
watch.
SIU representatives went to the
pier to investigate the ship's crew
and were met by shots fired by
some stooge. Members of the I.L.A.
rushed to the dock, whereupon the
CIO men took out for parts un-
'cnown, reports state.
Several days later, the ships were
being worked by I.L.A. longsnore-
mer under an agreement with the
company.
ALL HANDS REQUIRED
FOR MOORING SHIP
New Orleans, La. — There is a
tendency on too many ships to
chisel on working conditions by
using insufficient men on jobs
properly requiring all hands present
In a recent case of this aboard
the "Maiden Creek," the Captain
planned to moor the vessel with
only two watches on deck. The
crew obeyed, but only after entering
complaint. Once ashore, they went
to the Hall where they were in
formed that all hands must be used
for this work. The demand for all
hands was confirmed by the Mobile
branch, so there will be no more
chiseling on this score aboard the
Maiden Creek.
It seems the next beef will be to
use all hands working on cargo gear.
With this rmder our belt, we will
be getting somewhere.
ttend Tour Union Meeting.
Beef on Seatrain
Havana
(Continued from Page One)
At New Orleans, the crew of the
Seatrain New York wailked off in a
body when news of tlie dispute on
the Havana reached them. Roland
Dean, SIU Gulf organizer, reports
he received utmost support from
Longshoremen and other ILA af
filiates at New Orleans. The Sea
train New Orleans was at sea during
the affair.
An endies-s number of dodges and
threats were used by the company
in attempts to retain their stooges
The company spokesman engaged
in one phone conversation with
union representatives that alone
consumed an hour and a half.
Eighteen liours tie up, with de
murrage charges mounting rapidly,
convinced Seatrain Lines that' it
would be far cheaper, not to say
a matter of justice, to dismiss their
stooges and countermand allegedly
unauthorized orders hat loyal union
men must leave the ship.
Move Long Expected
Evidence that some sort of action
would be necessary has been in pos
session of SIU officials for several
months, but it was not possible to
uso the information until the de
velopments of this week. Photosta
tic copies of letters, apparently
showing that Seatrain Lines did not
discourage attempts by a number
of their employees to form an "in
dependent union," were studied by
union ouicials and this material
was declared by a highly placed of
ficer of the I.L.A. tc be "pretty con
vincing proof that Campbell, Cal-
naii and Mandell, had better be
gotten off "damn quick." Other
persons are suspectec of being im
plicated in the so-called "independ
ent union" move.
Whole Crew Not Blamed
Investigation shows that except
for Campbell, Calnan, and Mandell,
other members of the crew are not
implicated in the open shop at
tempt to any great extent. It ap
pears that these men were badly
misled by airy promises made by
Calnan. Formerly an agent of the
AFLSU, 21420, Calnan is reputed to
be a very presuasive talker. Former
members of the AFLSU here assert
that Calnan took a run out powder
at a crucial time during his term
of office in the Union.
Evidencing their good faith and
to demonstrate they are good Union
men after all, the crew members
who failed to go along proper union
channels are voluntarily quitting
the Havana.
$75,000 Needed
tor Ferries To
Resume Service
Thirty-Five Members Of
S.I.U. Affiliate Vitally
Affected.
Providence, R. I. — The town of
Jamestown proposes to raise 40,000
dollars as part of^ seventy-five thou
sand dollars needed M repair or re
build terminals destroyed and dam
aged by last Fall's hurricane, and
to renovate the ferry "Hammond-
ton" so that sue may meet require
ments of the Steamboat Inspectors.
The terminals i, Saunderstown.
and West Jamestown were com
pletely destroyed and those at East
Jamestown and Newport were bad
ly dama|:ed and are reported to be
in an imsafe condition.
(According to the American Bu
reau register, the "Hammondton" is
a 764 gross-ton screw-steamer, built
at Camden, N. J., in 1906.)
Approximately 35 members of the
Conanicut Inlani Boatmen's union,
an SIU aflfiliate, are largely depend
ent on this service, operated by the
Jamestown and Newport Ferry Co
PHILADELPHIA. — Negotiations
are under way between representa
tives of the American Range line
and the Seafarers' International
Union. It is the intention of Union
representatives to get a contract on
paper that will be closely patterned
after West Coast agreements.
Three Ships'
Crews Back
Sundance Beef
Advice To Audit
Committees Now
In Printed Form
All branch agents and secretaries
have been furnished with instruc
tions for use of regularly elected
auditing committees from the fioor
at branches and all headquarters
weekly in all Seafarers' offices, as in
the Sailors' Union of the Pacific.
Men elected to serve on the audit
ing committees and -^residing of
ficers in particular, s' ould see to it
that the auditing committees are
furnished with a copy of these in
structions, and acquaint themselves
with the details and comply with
them carefully. It is only one page
and has been thoroughly simplified,
so that a man, not familiar general
ly with book-keeping terms, ac
counting generally, will know what
his job is in checking the Wooks and
records of the Union. These in
structions have been worked out by
a certified public accoimtant, who
has been in charge of the Sailors'
Union of the Pacific accounting for
the past two years, and is thorough
ly acquainted with the problems
confronting the seafaring unions.
Seafarers' members who are elect
ed to audit their Union's books
should ask in every Instance for a
copy of these instructions to work
by.
HARRY LUNDEBERG.
Acting President
Checkers, Longshoremen
Cooperate With Crews In
Jacksonville Dispute
Jacksonville, Fla. (WCS). — The
crew of the "Sundance" walked off
when an officer rejected a man sent
aboard as fireman, terming it an
act of discrimination. The crew
are members of the Seafarers' In
ternational Union, and the Sun
dance is operated by the South
Atlantic Steamship Company.
The Seafarers' crew remained on
strike, and tied up two other vessels.
They had 100 per cent backing from
the Warehousemen and Deep Sea
Checkers here, whose officials stated.
"Warehousemen and Deep Sea
Checkers refuse to cross picket lines
established by members of th eSea-
farers' International Union." Long
shoremen, affiliated to the A. F, of
L. likewise refused to cross the
picket lines.
Affected, in addition to the Svm-
dance where the SS Isthmian and
the freighter Eastern Guide.
The Deep Sea Checkers and the
General Warehoues and Freight
handlers' unions joined the picket
lines and cai-ried banners at several
points.
The Isthmian became involved
when longshoremen refused to cross
picket lines established by striking
crewmen.
Fred Lauritario, SIU agent, stated
the men would get "all the backing
in the world," since they had a 100
per cent legitimate beef.
PROVIDENCE, R. I.—The NMU
here passed a resolution calling for
expulsion of any of their members
seisn entering the Seafarers' Hall
Despite the resolution, NMU men
persist in keeping contact with SIU
representatives and display keen in
terest in the continued militant ac
tion carried on by SIU crews.
NEW YORK.—$10,272,746 Is the
reported net income of the United
Fruit company during 1938. The
company purchased for $2,050,000
cash certain terminal properties at
Havana, Paradise Beach at Nassau,
and the steamer Munargo. A con
siderable part of Unifrult's earnings
are derived from steamship opera
tion.
Bull Line Crew
Gets Paid For
Holiday Work
Full Cooperation Soon
Brings Skipper To See
Virtue of Holiday Pay,
Philadelphia — Calling the Bull
Line's bluff, the crew of the Carolyn
hit the dock in support of demands
for overtime pay for work done on
Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
The company threatened to tie up
the ship, but the crew • cheerfully
agreed to take their pay for work
performed instead of a promise of
more work without pay. The skipper
was also required to give them 24
hours notice of dismissal.
When it was seen the crew meant
Tea.' business, a new crew was or
dered. The original crew was ship
ped from the hall back to the ves
sel.
Vets Crowding
Seamen Out
Of Hospitals
Condition Unfair To Sea
men; Hospital For
Veterans Asked.
Baltimore, Md. — The Baltimore
branch of the SIU is pressing for
erection of an U. S. Hospital for
the exclusive use of veterams. Facili
ties at the Baltimore Marine Hospi
tal are becoming less and less avail
able to seamen as veterans, civi!
service employees, and other govern
ment beneficiaries increasingly (C-
cupy bed-space.
"Though termed a Marino Hospi
tal, the place has come to be devoted
to nearly everyone but seamen."
writes Wm. McKay, local SIU agent.
Approximately 60 per cent of the
patients are not even remotely con
nected with seafaring, it is charged.
"We feel that in addition to being
unfair to seamen, the condition is
more unfair to veterans," the note
states.
Senator Millard E. Tydings and
other Maryland legislators have
pledged to work for approval of a
bill appropriating funds for building
a veterans' hospital in the State.
PROVIDENCE HAS
GOOD PROSPECTS
The Seafarers' agent at Provi
dence, R., I., writes as follows:
Feb. 7, 1939,
Editor, The Log:
Crew vacation periods for the
Colonial Line's "Comet" begins
March 1st. The boys on the "Arrow"
of the same line have just finished
theirs.
It is expected the Colonial Line
will put on two extra boats this
Summer. All told, five more boats
are expected to be on the run in
these waters during the coming sea
son.
Three Merchants' and Miners'
ships are calling here each week.
Their Quantico and Wyoming each
shipped men from the Hall hero
last week.
The Union Sulphur Company's
"W. R. Keever" and the Arrow Liner
"Willmoto" arrived from San Pedro
during the week. Later they sailed
for Camden, N. J.
A double crew is being carried
during the winter months by the
steamer "Nantucket," out of New
Bedford;
It is reported that a bridge will
replace the West Jamestown-Saun-
derstown ferry service. Terminals
at these points were destroyed dur
ing the hurricane. The East ferry
to Newport will be continued in
service. "
Fraternally yours,
PRANK BERRY, Agent
7-^ r •
1,
Ship From YouritJnlon Hall.
\ ^ -V/ IV .- . ;
The Seafarers' Log
Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf Seamen
Seafarers' International Union of North America
BROTHERHOOD
OF THE
SEA
VOL. I. NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1939 200 No. 1.
0
1
OPEN SHOP MOVE BLOCKED
-4>-
Curran Bans
Action By
Rank & File
Notifies Members Not To
Use Direct Action To
Keep Up Standards.
MEN OPENLY DEFIANT
New York — Joe Curran this week
sent a circular letter to NMU mem
bers, warning them not to engage
In strikes or other job action. It Is
claimed that "certain elements are
making a definite maneuver to cause
the breaking of contracts between
the NMU and operators." The letter
also asserts that ample means for
settling grievances without strikes'
Is provided In NMU agreements.
Clearly Indicating that In the fu
ture NMU crews will be required
to take what chiseling shipowners
choose to dish out, Curran's state
ment Is exactly in line with the
Commy policy of regimenting mari-
tlmi workers.
NMU members along Manhattan's
West-Side claim the letter was sent
out merely for public consumption.
Others openly declare they will un
dertake job action whenever a case
calls for It, whether Joe likes It
or not. The men charge that only
In a few Instances NMU patrolmen
have been able to settle disputes In
anywhere near satisfactory manner
Longshoremen's
Wages Are Cut
By Government
Consequences of Outside
Control Seen in
Reduction.
ANTWERP (ITP)—In view of the
cost of living Index number having
dropped, the wages of Antwerp
longshoremen have been reduced
As from the first of the year, wages
in the day shift have been reduced
by two francs, In the night shift by
three francs. The rate for work on
Sundays and holidays has been re
duced 3.50 francs.
SIU Members
Replace NMU
Standby Men
New Orleans, La.—The "Ormes,"
an old Moormac tub, has been pur
chased by the Alaska Transporta
tion Company, for service on the
West Coast. Company representa
tives, being strangers, contacted the
NMU for twenty-one men to work
stand-by at $6.40 per day. Upon
hearing this, SIU delegates advised
the company agent that there were
agreements between SIU afiOllatcs
and the company. The work was
then turned over to members of
our Union.
It is expected there will be more
of this work because it is rumored
another of Moormac's ships will be
sbld West,
SOVIET SLAVE TO DIE
FOR BEATING UP BOSS
The first death sentence under
new Soviet decrees aimed at "lazy"
workmen was broadcast last week
by the Moscow government station,
press reports state.
The victim was a leather factory-
worker who attacked the plant
manager and severely beat him af
ter being punished for a breach of
"labor discipline." He was convict
ed of terrorism and sentenced to
death before a firing squad.
Legal Curb On
Finks Soiigbt By
Senate Committee
Criminal Records Cited;
Big Profit in Finking.
WASHINGTON, D. C. (AFLWNS)
—The report of the Civil Liberties
Committee, headed by Senator R. F
Lafollette, Jr., condemning the use
of strikebreakers and proposing en
actment of a Federal statute to pro
hibit employers from hiring agen
cies or Individuals to engage In
strikebreaking activities Is the result
of the committee's protracted In
vestigation of this notorious scheme
used by anti-union employers to
destroy trade unionism.
Strikebreaking, the committee
holds, vitally affects interstate com
merce, and therefore comes within
the purview of Federal legislation.
Reviewing and compiling testi
mony evoked at hearings dining two
years of Investigation, the commit
tee listed 150 professional finks,
many of them "career" men In the
business, and a third of them al
legedly with criminal or arrest
records, the crimes Including burg
lary, rape, larceny, assault and
other types of violence. The re
port mentioned 108 plants at which
it said strikebreakers had been em
ployed and fifty-three detective or
other agencies furnishing such ser
vice.
Also listed were "missionaries"
who, the committee said, offered,
for pay, to spread by word of mouth
propaganda for strike-threatened
employers and to organize helpful
citizens' committees.
Strike-breaking agencies make ',15
to 100 per cent profit, the report
declared. Strikebreakers, It charged,
had created violence to extend
their services or to discredit or
break the strikers.
The committee urged that direct
prohibition be placed on the em
ployer as "the key to the strike
breaking problem." His responsi
bility for the persons he pays tr
take his part In an Industrial dis
pute can not be denied or evaded,'
the report stated.
NEW YORK.—French authorities
at Algiers have libeled the American
freighter Wisconsin alter crewmen
entered a complaint they were re
fused payment of wages by the mas
ter, reports reaching here Indicate.
More than $10,000 is demanded for
release of the vessel. It Is added.
The ship has been operating In the
Mediterranean war-zone.
Formerly, the Wisconsin hailed
from Portland, Ore., but her pres
ent registry and ownership is not
known here, A crew of West Coast
men were paid on at Antwerp last
Summer and were replace^ by a
crew of mixed nationality.
/
17 Marine
Inspectors
Under Fire
Government Suspends Men
Pending Replies To
Charges of Graft. .
SECRECY PREVAILS
Washington, D. C. — Seventeen
Bureau of Marine Inspection and
Navigation Inspectors have been re
lieved of duty pending their replies
to charges they have accepted "pay
offs" from steamship operators. It
was revealed by Department ol
Commerce officials. The suspensions
followed a year's probe by Federal
authorities, accorilng to the same
sources.
Officials of the Department ol
Commerce would not say more than
that suspended inspectors had been
stationed in various ports where lo
cal Inspection offices are maintained.
• New York — Only two Inspectors
In this district have been relieved,
30 far as can be learned. Their
names and the nature of the charges
against them could not be obtained
at the local Inspectors' office.
Munson Plans To
Resume Business
On Small Scale
New York — Final steps to re
organize the Munson Line were tak
en here early this week. Federal
Judge A. C. Coxe granted an order
approving transfer of remaining as
set, of the Munson Steamship Line
to the newly chartered Munson
Lines, Inc. Settlement of outstand
ing debts and the lining up'of the
affairs of the Munson companies
has taken since July. 1934.
The cargo-passenger liners. Pan
American, Western World, Southern
Cross, and American Legion, oper
ated by the old Munson Line are
not Included In the deal. Plans for
operation of the freighters W. D.
Munson, Mundlxle, Munplace, Mun-
cove, and Munmotor are being
brought to completion by Carlos W
Munson, president of the new con
cern. It Is thought that service will
commence Within a month or so.
ST. JOHNS' STEWARDS
ELECT NEW DELEGATE
Brother Harold Burke has been
elected stewards' department dele
gate of the Eastern SS company's
"St. Johns." Formerly, there had
been two delegates; one presumably
representing the "Boston" members
and the other the New Yorkers.
The plain foolishness of such
splitting procedure became appar
ent, so a meeting was called where
a man having the confidence of the
entire crew could be elected. The
meeting also settled the matter of
the attempt to force Brother Cun
ningham to take a two-week lay
off, by voting dc.sf$lvely that he re
main by the shU). ^
•J,
Company Stooges Try To Force Six I
SIU Men Off Seatrain Havana
At Fort of New York
UNITED ACTION BY ALL A.F.L. MARINE GROUPS
GETS QUICK RESULTS.
New York, Feb. 10.—In a major test of power, the Seafar
ers' International Union definitely proved itself able to cope with
unusually adverse situations by directly applying economic pres
sure, Acting in concert with I.L.A. longshoremen and'towboat
men, the union quickly brought the Seatrain Lines, Inc., to terms I
demanded by loyal members in the. .Seatrain Havana's crew. M
Urged by three company %
A. F. of L. Hits
Pacific Coast
Anti-Labor Laws
Council Maps Campaign
Against Oregon Law and
California Ordinances.
Miami, Fla. (AFLWNS). — The
Executive Council of the American
Federation of Labor, In session here
planned a militant campaign against
the movement of anti-labor forces
on the Pacific Coast to destroy trade
unions by statutory regulation of
their customary activities In raising
the living standards of working men
and women through trade union
action. William Green, president of
the Federation, announced.
The A. F. of L., in cooperation
with the Oregon Federation of
Labor, filed briefs several months
ago In the Multnomah Circuit Court,
alleging that the Oregon Initiative
measure adopted at the last elec
tion was unconstitutional. This law,
according to the Federation, severe
ly limited the right to organize, to
picket and to carry on most of the
multitude of operations which
unions are required to do In the
normal course of their activities.
Blames "Associated Farmers"
Mr. Green said that an organlza-
tioir known as the Associated Farm
ers was behind the various anti-
labor laws which were submitted to
the voters In California, Oregon and
Washington. The proposals were
voted down In California and Wash
ington and approved In Oregon.
However, In addition to passage of
the Oregon State-wide statute some
localities In California adopted local
ordinances similar to the ones pre
sented to the voters in the States.
"In conformity with our Instruc
tions Mr. Padway filed a brief
against the Oregon law In that
State," -said Mr. Green.
"We also file' a brief and made
a statement before the social secur
ity board alleging that the antl-la-
bor law affected the Unemployment
Compensation Act of that State.
Our contention wgs that under the
Unemployment Compensation Law
a man could not be expected to
accept a job If It were offered from
a place whose employes were on
strike. The Oregon Initiative meas
ure so crippled the right to strike
that we felt that men who were
entitled to unemployment compen
sation would have to take jobs In
places where a strike was on. You
see, the new law so defined the
right to strike that it affected, in
pur opinion, the Unemployment
Oonipensation Act."
tooges, a part of the Havana's
crew attempted last Tuesday to
Icclare the vessel operating un-
Jer open shop conditions. Crew
members, who saw the danger
in the move and remained loyal
'o the SIU, were ordered off by
loogcs in the rre^v•.
Patrolmen Kept Off
Upon arrival, union men called
for patrolmen to board the ship.
Matthew Dushane, local SIU head,
accompanied by four patrolmen
went to the Hoboken pier where 'he
vessel was discharging cars to at-
tempt to clear up the situation. Ad
mission to the ship was refused the^'
Union representatives by D. Camp
bell, who acted as spokesman, Roy
Calnan, chief steward, and one
Mandell, a cook.
Loyal members In the crew asked
what their course should be, and
were advised not to start an out
break of violence but to come
ashore for a conference.. As Union
agents and crew members came
down the accommodation ladder,
unknown persons loosed a stream of
molasses through an adjacent scup
per.
Brothers Kellogg and Frenchy Le
Beau came ashore as ordered by
part of the crew, and .Brothers
Cook, Keyes, Sallnskl, and Prescot-
tano walked off in sympathy. They
were told to assemble their gear,
but It would be seen just -who would
have to get off.
Stooges Removal Demanded
Taking the position that the thrre -
persons wlrp had forbidden KiU
representatives to come aboard must
leave the ship and that .ne six
loyal men be returned to their em
ployment, imlon agents took Imme
diate steps to turn on the heat.
Within an hour conferences between
officials of the SIU and various di
visions of the ILA had decided that
until Campbell, Calnan, and Man-
defi were off and Brothers Kellogg,
LeBeau, Cook, Keyes, Sallnskl, and
Prescottano were returned to the
ship without prejudice, the Sf^atrajjaf*
Havana could rust away /In her
neglected brine.
Longshoremen Cooperate
Longshoremen ceased discharging
cars, and towboat men Informed the
company that necessary assistance
for leaving the slip would not be
had. Nor would any replacements be
supplied the ship by the; SID.
Backing the position of tire SIU,
the Commercial Telegraphers'
Union, marine division, ordered
their operator to give all possible
assLstance to Seafarers'' taairbem
involved. CTU representatives par
ticipated in the conferences straigh
tening out the difSculty.
(Continued on Page Four) • .
(
I
~ 1
THE SEAFARERS' LOG Friday, February 10, 1939
Published by
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
o
HARRY LUHDEBERG, Acting President
H Steuart Street, San Francisco, Calif;
0
New-York-
Atlantic District
HEADQUAR'<"ERS
-.2 Stone-Street-
BRANCHES
Boston
Providence-....
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk -u
..1 Rowes Wharf-
SanJuan, Puerto Rico
TJfew Orleans
—466 So. Main Street
_....6 North 6th Street
-212. East Pratt Street
,..307' East Main Street
Comercio Street
Gulf District
HEABQUARTERS
.-308 Chartree Street-
BRANCHES
Savannah -...,
Jacksonville
Miami
Tampa
Mobile
Galveston
.218 East-Bay Street
..111 Bay Street
889 N. E. First Avenue
206 Franklin Street
.55 So. Conception Street
318% 23rd 23rd Street
Detroit
Great Lakes District
HEADQUARTERS
...1038 Third Street
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THIS
PUBLICATION TO:
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
pj O. Box 522 Church Street Annex
New York, New York
Ite:
By R. F. Weaver
(New York Acreni)
Much has been said, and frequent
discussions arise regarding just
what constitutes the duties of a
Patrolman. For the benefit of the
membership, we would like to ex
plain thnlgs to the best of our
ability-
Article XV, Section 6, of the Con
stitution says, in part: "They '(Pa
trolmen) shall visit the crews of
all •vessels in their districts-to as
certain whether they are members
Ig of the Unnion, and,, if so, whether
I they are in good standing, They
i shall be autliorizesl to collect money
I' due the Union from members, and
may also be empov/ered to receive
H Initiation Fees and applicants for
membership, and shall give official
r; receipt for each amount collected."
% You will note that it specifically
states the Patrolmen are to make
certain that all members of the
crew are also members of the Union,
and that they must be- in good
stcnding.
\ Fhrther along. Article 6 continues
. with: "They shall appoint from
ampng the-crew of each outbound
i , vessel a memlser to act as Ship's
> Delegate, and shall instruct him in
his duties." Note well, it does not
! specify that a Ship's Delegate, is. to
• tf^^':^_elected, but rather, that| the
patrolman is to appoint'one. How-
it, ever. it is our policy to grant the
tcrew the democratic privilege of
" electing their own spokesman, but
In the event they do not wish to do
so, it is up to the Patrolman to ap
point, a member of the crew as
Ship's Delegate. The Ship's Dele
gate acts as a .spokesman for the
crew aboard ship, and bends every
effort to straighten out difficulties
which may arise regarding overtime,
working and living; conditions, etc.
I^aiso keeps a record of the over
time^ worked-.by > members of the
crew, and when the Patrolman
boards - the;- ship, he gives him a
crew-Jist, with the month: that they
last;.p^dds dues listedi This is of in-
valuable;-:Assistance to c the Patrol
man,; as it relieves him. of the-un-
neeesear? responsibility bf-; ay?
j)roachijrw-e»Bh waAc.tiMvm member
of. the .vorew^ and asking; to< see his
Union, Bot^e If the-^ Ship'ji •. Del«r
gates'have afiyjbeafs they .eould:not
adjust-,.themsAlbres*,: tbcgf^ viftamti
wbacOmr
bc«k itt
1;
Patrolman must have cooperation
of the crew, and they must be will
ing to back him up-to-the limit.
A Patrolman's job is not a bed
of roses, by any stretch of the Im
agination; anyone who thinks it is,
is just plain crazy.- Besides his of-
ficial duties^ as provided in the Con
stitution, he has an abundance of
ektra-curricular activities which
call for the exercise of tact and
diplomacy- At times, he is, called
upon to straighten out difficulties
between members of the crew, and
has to pat them on the back; and
cajole them, if he "blows his top"
at times, he can hardly be-blamed
for it, as it,1s next to impossible to
maintain mental equanimity at all
times, especially when subjected to
severe mental stress. You can't
please everyone, regardless of what
coiurse you take.
An outstanding incident of lack
of cooperation took place in this
port some several weeks ago. Two
Patrolmen boarded a ship upon. its
arrival. They had been instructed
by the Agent that he had been ad
vised. by the Galveston Agent that
he had .shipped a Fireman abroad
this vessel with a Trip Card. They
contacted the man aboard the ves
sel, and he said he had no money,
and couldn't take out a book; Bear
in mind that when this man was
shipped in Galveston, it was with
the xmderstandlng that he would
take out a book in the next pprt of
call. In any event, the Patrolmen
informed this man that he would
have to take out a book, or leave
the ship, Several members of the
crew then wanted to know who was
going to take , him off . the ship, as
they wanted him to remain., The
Patrolmen informed them they
would take care of that little detail,
but that he-must take out a book.
Eventually, of course, he took out
a book. Not only did the crew re
fuse to cooperate with the Tatrob-
men, they also indicated-that they
would oppose him. It mi'-:, be evi
dent to all that t»-^. men wore
not real Unlonr mai,: Howevea, it is
our hope- to educate ^ theses misled'
and miskiformed Individusls so that
they I win be really; union<4nhided.
It is. of utmost vimportance that
you. men- on the t sblps : cooperate
with' your • patrolmon.' at all times,
beoauaoi he-canit; he^ you if; you:
Men-t willing' h^- yourselves,
imsear.yeu have. ai leglMaiataf
pRMeafc'lb;.to.'ihiin«v and;-time baefei
tot tor you, and
" • I.
It is the r zht of the member
ship and th< reader-at-'largc to
know ilic policy of the Seafaiens'
Log. No publication can merit
confidence' unless^ adherence to
standards is a- foremost conai
deration. We shall strive^ to pub
lish an intelligent, constructive,
and • co-operative paper.
As official organ of the Sea
farers' International Union of
North America, the '^og" will
express the Union's policy
which, in the final analysis, is
shaped by the membership.
There is no place in the-
Log's" columns for personal
attack. We don't care; how you
comb your hair. This is a labor
paper. Being, devoted primarily
to seamen's problems in both the
industrial and social fields, only
that pertaining to seamen will
be treated.
The Seafarers' International
Union is a trade union and, as
such, functions through con
certed economic action. Politics
will be left to the tender care of
politicians.
We wm Fight
Far;
1. Organization of all sea
men and fi.shcrmen of
North America into one
powerful organization, for
fheir own protection and
welfare;
2.. Higher wages^ shorter
hours- and • better condi
tions for workers in the
maritime industry.
3. The building up of the
strongest solidarity of all
maritime workers and the
establishment of united
action in any struggle
agaiiLst the bosses.
4. To strictly maintain the
Seafarers' International
Union of North America
as an economic trade
trade union to be organ
ized on an industrial union
ba.sis.
5. The right of the member
ship to, elect by referen
dum vote aU officials who
are bonafide seamen or
fishermen.
6. The membership to have
fuU autliority. to call
strikes and declare them
off .by referendum vote.
7. The right of the members
and the affiliated anions
to conduct their business
in . a. democratic manner
without .interference; from
scKcalted' executive- boards
or toprcommitteesv
8; Affiliated unions to have
complete chargp of their
own,, funds:- aad> pjropcrty
without fear' ofi confisea^
tion by the: iDtemational.
All'shtpp^^^of .'saaEmB. to::
be
union hal^,.
Wh&t Mtout Fink Books?
The Seafarers' International Union is opposed to the Cope-
land' Continuous Discharge Book, aptly termed, the Fink'Book
by Union men. Not only is the SIU bitterly against Fink Bboke,
but, since the inception of the program to shackle the seamen,
th® Sailors' Union of the Pacific and its Pacific Coast allies suc
cessfully have fought the Fink Book. In the past two years, even
the NMU has come to see the danger to organized labor presented
by the Fink Book.
If dangerous to organized seamen, how-much more danger
ous it is to individual seamen! Among a part- of the SIU mem
bership, there seems to be some bewilderment about this. We
hear the book is convenient. It's an easy way to keep one's papers
straight.
That thebook is convenient is recognized, for it was designed
exactly for that purpose; a convenient method for shipowners
and their stooges to identify and trace men who are "not desir
able," from the employers' viewpoint.
There are a number of reasons for a man to be considered
undesirable-by shipowners. Chief among reasons is militant union
ism or, in fact, any degree of unionism conflicting with an em-
jloyer's whimsy in relations with his employees. And the principal
lurpose of the Union is to. contend in behalf of the workers
against unfair employers.
Many seamen, bamboozled by governmental and employers'
Dropaganda, are unable to see how the Fink Book can be used
against them, merely because no specific mark of ability or
character is entered therein.
Little imagination is required to see many ways by which
man may be marked for the blacklist merely by looking into
the presently authorized form of Fink Book. (For there is no
assurance that special character marks may not be ordered in the
uture, once the book is widely accepted. )
The- book shows immediately whether or not you are a
steady," or whether a single trip .satisfies one's appetite for what
exists. Or perhaps a man has been fired for being an especially
'brceful ship'.s delegatCj or merely militant aboard some vessel
not under union agreement.
If you have been on strikej the blank spaces will show you
have not been a "loyal" company stooge. There have been cases
of extremely strong union action occurring on a certain ship at a
certain time ; the-book will show you were a member of that
crew, and obviously undersirable to an employer seeking docile
labor.
There is nothing to prevent the skipper from making entirp
entries with ink ta indicate one grade^ making other entries partly
in ink and partly with rubber stamp to show a different meaning.
It is possible to convey a message by using certain abbreviation
of names and rates. For instance, a ship named "Charles A.
Strawdeck," can be called "Chas. Ai Strawdeck," etc. In fact to
anyone with even a feeble imagination limitless opportunity can
be seen to pass the word around by way of continuous discharge
books ; Fink Books in fact, as well as in name.
Alternative to Fink Books Ls the Certificate of Identification.
This certificate was authorized by the government after Pacific
Coast Unions took a determined stand against the book. The
certificate is merely the newer form of the old Identification, or
seaman's passport. It offers no special advantage to would-be
black-listers.
No person with a Finkr Book may register for shipment at
halls controlled by the Seafarers' International Union or its affi
liates, or alliies.
There is no cost, except for two new pictures, and though
they may dislike it, U. 8. Shipping Commissioners will exchange
Fink, Rooks for the Union-demanded Certificate of Identification.
WeWiitF^mAe^aihat:-
1., All anti-labor legislation, for .seamen, fishermen and alt other workers.
2. Government hietfig, halle.
3. Government training shipg.ior seamenu
4.. Regfmentation- of seamen by . Governmont Jagenoiea)
S.- Attempts by poUttcal parties to injeot their philosophies and ideas.into
union business.'
Correspondents Thanked -
I, '
Credit: foT' the- hulk> of nem
from Qulf - ports- appearing- i»-
•this-iisue-of > the LOG''- goes - to
Brothers At Wi Armstrong _ antt
:L: J. BotUngerr The Brothers
mote'from -Newtf OTMM*/ SO iheg.
laUf^:fmihs-ese^test
voosrsgeethegi eMatMfU i-
Mbiiee:.
Ships" Del*9e4M» Dibmend
all.rapUcemaaH produce a.
oroperly fiHed out assignment'^
,sa(d- frov.M the* Oispaiehar? oe
'^e;'Unien'heUi'
H
V
i-
•"' m
Friday, FebnMry 10, 1939 T H E S E A F A !a E R S • LOG 8
{>>)
)•
i :• .• •
yfc:
SHIP'S CREW MEETINGS
HOW TO CONDUCT THEM
1.
1.
3.
5.
6.
9.
The Ship's Delegate calls the mcetingr to order. He then asks
for nominations for Chairman of the meeting. When the
nominees have accepted or declined, the vote is taken on
those who have accepted. Whichever nominee receives the
highest vote is elected and immediately takes over th Chair.
The duties of the Chairman: To be completely impartial on
all points as long as he is in the chair; to maintain order; to
see that every member has a full opportunity to speak.
The Recording Secretary is elected in the same manner as
the Chairman. His duties: to take the minutes of the meet
ing; to take over the Chair when the Chairman vacates it.
The minutes of the previous meeting are read by the Secre
tary. Anything mis-stated or incorrect in these minutes must
be laid over to Unfinished Business.
4. The Ship's Delegates give their reports (the Ship's Delegates
are elected at craft meetings the second night out to sea
every trip). The reports of the Ship's Delegate must include :
Reading of all communications from the f/n/on, financial
rcp'ort, beefs taken care of since the last meeting, problems
which have arisen and recommendations regarding how to
better the work of the Union aship and ashore. The Secre
tary should record recommendations for action under New
Business.
Elect an Auditing Committee to check over the finances and
see that every cent is properly accounted for. No one respon
sible for the money should be on the Committee.
Unfinished Business includes only those motions which were
not acted on after they were introduced at the previous meet
ings, mistakes in the minutes, and reports of action taken
by Committees or Members elected to do a specific job.
7. New Business contains new moetions only. Written motions
are acted on first then verbal motions. The Chairman may
declare a motion Out of Order if it conflicts with the gen
eral policy of the Union. Under New Business action should
be taken on recommendations from the Union or from the
Ship's Delegates.
8. The Auditing Committee reports on their findings. If the
finances are not accounted for conectly, the person respon
sible should be brought up on the deck and questioned.
Good and welfare is the time when every member has the
right and opportunity to take the deck on any problem or
subject concerning the Union or the Ship. This is where
you get your chance to air your beefs, criticize the actions
of others which may be detrimental to the Union, and in
general speak your piece for the good of the Union. No
motions are made under this point. All motions are in New
Business.
DEFINITIONS
POINT OF INFORMATION: When you ask for a Point
of Information it means you want to A;^ a QUESTION
Usually such a point is requested when the speaker finishes.
POINT OF ORDER: When you demand a point of order
it means that the speaker or the Chairman or some member
is not acting according to procedure or has made statements
contrary to the general policy of the Union. The Chairman
must rule on this.
APPEAL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR: When you
appeal the decision of the Chair on a ruling he has made,
the question is thrown to the membership for a decision.
The Chairman steps out of the Chair and the Secretary asks
the members: "All those in favor of upholding the decision
of the chair signify by saying. Aye." Then: "Opposed say,
No." The vote of the membership is binding upon all.
DIVISION: When you call for a Division after a voice vote
has been taken, it means you want a vote by hands.
MOTION TO TABLE: Tabling the Motion means to com-
pleely drop it from consideration at this meeting. There can
be no discussion on a Motion to Table.
TEN RULES EVERY MEMBER SHOULD FOLLOW
1. Come on time to every meeting.
2. $peak only when recognized by the Chairman and address
the: Chair when peaking.
3. Be quiet and listen attentively when someone else has the
deck.
4. Think before speaking, and don't say what , has been said
before by other speakers.
5. Don't get excited if someone spekks or votes against your
motion, or if someone makes a. point( of order against you.
•'6. If you think a member is out of order, make your point of
order courteously.
7. ^Dcm't^raake tmneccBaryiJptnnts^of order or odber pomts.
8. Vote only once on any question. ,
9. Stay -unti! the meeting is over. ;
It). Attend'^-Union meetings. .llerc isaaiwaijniNKweelhipg'iof
•jntferest icemhi^ !
Nazig Lower
Conditions On
German Ships
Rhine Vessels Endangered
By Undermanning.
AMSTERDAM (ITF)—A meeting
held on December 15 of Labor
Front ofBciaJs responsible for carry
ing on Nazi propaganda among Ger
man Inland waterway workers oc
cupied itself with the "shortage" of
labor and the manning conditions
in the industry.
"It was agreed that the shortage
of labor in inland shipping was
largely connected also with the so
cial conditions," reported "Arbeit
und Staat" on January 11, and
added, "It was considered that the
existing manning regulations for
the Rhine and the West German
canals represented minimum stand
ards both from the safety and the
social points of view."
But "barely half the Rhine ships
today carry the prescribed number
of hands," reported the daily "An-
grlff" of January 7. In more than
one-half of all German Rhine ves
sels both the minimum safety
standard and the minimum social
standard are ignored.
A.F.L. PRESSES FIGHT FOR
LABOR ACT AMENDMENTSl
Opposition of the C.I.O. Will Aid in Securing Theif j
Enactment, Green Declares.
-<$>
N. Y. Organizer
Gives Views On
Union Problems
Fishermen In
Norway Have
Wage Dispute
Submit Demands To Arbi
tration After Negotiations
Fail.
1.
?.
3.
4.
5.
BERGEN (ITP)—In Vestland and
Nordland, the districts of Bergen
and Tromoso, a conflict has broken
out between the fishing boat owners
and the Seamen's Union, who are
In negotiations for renewal of the
collective agreement.
The unions have presented two
fundamental claims: first, that
fixed wages be adjusted to the rise
in the cost of living index number
since the conclusion of the previous
agreement, and secondly, that the
pay and food allowance of stewards
should not be deducted from gross
proceeds. They agree, however, that
there should be no increase in the
shares of the fishermen in the vari
ous kinds of fishing.
The owners' counter-demands call
for reductions in the men's shares in
the catch, and further that a larger
part of the crew should work on a
sharp basis per ship.
The first phase of the negotiations
took place under the auspices of
State arbitrators, and led to their
being broken off without any result.
At the behest of the arbitrators,
however, the fishermen's and own
ers' organizations have resumed ne
gotiations.
N. Y. Membership
Moves to Break
Petty Grafting
Believing they have been victim
ized by Stewards, Mates, and En
gineers on various steamship lines,
over a period of several years, the
membership at last Headquarters'
mecfting passed the following reso
lution:
"Whereas: Certain department
heads, through coercion and in
timidation, are forcing members of
our Union, employed on their ves
sels to contribute (o lotteries, social
agencies, etc., and
"Whereas: Ihese contributions
work a hardship, and are not
properly accounted for: therefore,
*e1t ^
"Resrtved: That we, the BIU
-membership In' the • of Kew
York condemn these bfBclals for
their actions."
WASHtNGTOK, p. C.-^Gontracti
fw - ecuurtnietlon bf four O '9-^pe
steam freight vessels have "been
awarded to the lagalls Iron Voirks
Of *»nlriiighi«n, Ala. 'The vceseiB
are te oosrf«r?9.000 saeh.-
Following letter expressing definite
views about unionism appeared on
the editorial desk shortly after the
SJU announced the "Log":
Editor, Beafarers' Log:
At last my fondest dreams have
come true; a Union 6f seamen, by
seamen, for seamen; a Union where
democracy prevails. A Union dedi
cated to the welfare of the seamen
and to those dependent upon them.
Yet, we find some members reluc
tant to accept the policies laid down
by the SIU.
Let us examine the record. In
the past, the Union had no known
policy and as a result there existed
a state of chaos on vital questions.
Our representatives held widely di
vergent views that naturally found
their way to the membership, giv
ing birth to factionalism; a can
kerous sore that undermines the
confidence of the men and ulti
mately leads to destruction. There
is ample proof of this on the At
lantic coast, showing as dual union
ism.
Disunity Deplored
No one can deny that this state
of affairs fails to work out to the
best advantage of the seagoing per-
somiel. It also places us in the po
sition of being bona-fide union men
unable to secure a berth in certain
ship lines because of jurisdictional
differences. This condition is to be
deplored and a genuine effort made
to rectify it; at least to the extent
that both unions recognize the
great responsibility placed upon
them. They should forthwith cease
the campaign of hate and devote
the energy to an educational cam
paign in unionism which is badly
needed on this coast.
Likes New Methods
This brings us, of course, to the
question of leadership. I feel that
the present leadership of the SIU
has established itself as a dynamic
force, every ready to go to" bat for
the membership and to point out
diplomatically, if necessary bluntly,
the mistakes made by certain well-
meaning members.
Patrolmen's Duties
There is a secondary leadership
which is in daily contact with the
membership. The Patrolmen are to
advise and assist thi? membership
employed on slaps. On them rests
great responsibility. Yet, we find,
despite expres.sed disapproval of the
members, that some of them board
a vessel to make a bee-line for the
department head. This practice
should be stopped immediately, if
we are to keep the confidence of
our members and hold the Union
intact.
Confidence Needed
I believe the most important thing
in the administration of a imion is
for the membership to have full
confidence in their leaders, yet re
tain their democratic right to differ
in opinion as they see fit and to
freely express their opinions. To
this end let us apply our energie.s
so that we can build a bigger and
greater Seafarers' International
Union.
Fiaternally yours,
HOWARD GUINIER
r
Id f,
NEW YORK.^Patroiman Thomp
son reports the entire orew of
Waterman's "Pan Atlantic" are
members In good standing of the
SIU. More fruit and.bef«i varlity
in the menu, especially .in desserts
was asked by the boys. It was
•greed by the Steward that any
reasonable change suggested wo-old
be made-Without dOBcuHy.
Condderkble cnthusiMm was
shown by the n«w •bout real
PRWms toward bettering «ondi-
ttoM^ br tke-iOU.
Miami, Pla.—(AFLWNS) The at-
tack made by the C.I.O. on the !
amendments to the National Labor
Relations Act proposed by the
American Federation of Labor will 4
help the A. P. of L. to secure the
enactments into law rather than"
defeat them, William Green, presi
dent of the A. F. of L., declared here
in a statement following a meeting
of the Executive Council of the Ped- ' j
eration, in session here. i
"The C.I.O. statement was to be !
expected," said Mr. Green. "We
counted on the opposition of the''-
C.I.O. when we offered the amend
ments, which were Introduced by
Senator Walsh of Massachusetts. j
"The C.I.O. could hardly have as- "
sumed a different attitude, as we
regard the National Labor Relations
Board an agency of the C.I.O.
"The C.I.O. has been the bene
ficiary of the board's decisions and
policies, it could take no position
other than to support the govern
ment agency that favored it.
"I believe that the opposition of
the C.I.O. will help us greatly in
presenting the amendments to Con
gress. When hearings are called we
shall show in detail many instances
in which the board perverted the
act so as to promote the C.I.O.'s
interests."
Mr. Green said that he interpret
ed the results of the last elections
as "bearing out the growing xm-
popularity of the C.I.O. in Congress."
As to the C.I.O. allegation that
two of the amendments would per- ^
mit employers to ask for elections
and enable them to subpoena rec
ords, Mr. Green said; j
"That is erroneous. We are not
proposing any amendment that (' ''I
would benefit opponents of the basic
Wagner act. We are fighting the
battle of the workers, as represented
by the A. P. of L. We will leave
the employers to fight their own
battles.
"Besides, we are in a better posi
tion to interpret the action of our
last convention than the C.I.O. We
are endeavoring religiously to carry
out the decisions of that conven
tion."
Mr. Green explained that the
council had spent one evening ses- ,
sion discussing the proposed amend- /
ments and that the members wer^
unanimous In approving these sec- "
tions discussed. Another session
will be required to complete the
discussion.
Joseph A. Padway, of A. F. of L,
general counsel, who played a major
part in formulating the amend
ments, has been explaining to the
council members the purport of the
proposed changes.
I
n
\
Wrigley Gum Is
First To Sign
Radio Artists
New York. — Members of the
Chicago, Los Angeles, and San
Francisco locals of the American
Federation of Radio Artists (APL) <
are following the lead of the New *
York local by unanimously voting
authorization of a nation-wide
strike against radio advertising
agencies. The demands are a $15" '
minimum lor a fifteen-minute
broadcast, $25 for one-half, $35 for
an hour and. $6 an hour for rehear
sals.
The union recorded its first vie- [
•tory with the signing of a contract 1
Wlth 'the Wm. Wrigley Co., chew-
Ing gum-manufacturers, embodying
all demands. ^
Ghartes J. Pest, federal coneiliat-^
or appointed to mediate the dispute/ -
•aid he would setic • conferenee
with reprewntaUves of the union
and the adrsrtising agencies lo
draw up a nation-wide code of la
bor staiHtarda hi the Inductry.
\rfsfr
^
THE SEAFARERS' LOfi Friday, February 10, 1939
Isthmian Still
Looking About
For Trouble
Suddenly Ships Crew From
NMU After Long Reject
ing Any Union.
Baltimore, Md. ~ The "Henry S.
Grove" left the boneyard here where
she has been tied up for some time
Plynn, chief-scabherder fcr the
Isthmian line, and his stooge Roche,
had it all doped out how to create
lots, of trouble and confusion. Their
policy in the past has been to go
over a man's record from A to Z,
and If he suited them, maybe he
was shipped.
They have never called any union
hall before, but this time they
figured like this: "The SlU u get
ting too militant. Tney picketed the
Fink Hall, and they'll probably do
the same with this junk-heap if
it doesn't suit them." So, lo and
beiiold, Plynn calls "Little Cae.sai"
Whalen at Commy Headciiiarters
and ordered a crew for the Grove.
It seems as though Paddy went
right down the line with the Isth
mian flnkherder by shipping most
of his stooges and leaving the rank
and file members of the NMU
standing on the dock trying to
fathom what Paddy the Dope and
Pink-herder Plynn were up to.
Plsmn's reasoning is simple: if
Isthmian doesn t get the votes for
their company union, they can
.always sign ar, agreement of the
phoney "tanker-type" with the
N.M.U.
NEW ORLEANS, La. — When
Swayne & Hoyt's "Point Judith"
called a full crew, it was found that
not enough West Coast men were
available to fill the bill. A n 'r ih-'r
of East Coast members were .,V' .,;jed
tj complete the roster. This is con
sidered a benefit to the organization
generally.
Tampa Agent
Accused In
Pistol Fray
Charged Witb Attempt To
Kill Former ISU Agent;
Free On Bond
Tampa, Pla. (WCS).—Agent John
Gunnison and Brother Hart were
arrested last week and charged
with shooting Bob Epps, former
ISU and AFLSU agent here.
Epps has been trying tc stir up
an "independent movement' among
Seamen, and has applied to the
State of Florida for an "independ
ent charter," it is reported. He has
been using goon-squad and gun
man methods i. an attempt to
block progress of the Seafarers' In
ternational Union at Tampa.
When Hart and Gunnison were
arrested and held for bail, Organ-
' jzer Roland Dean got in touch with
William Green who was at Miami.
President Green gave every possible
assistance in getting the men re-
ieased. Tlris was " tough job.
Gunnison and Hart are now free
on 2,500 dollars bond each, charged
with attempting to murder Epps.
Epps is reported to be in a hospital
being treated for a supposed shot
in the hip, said by hospital attend
ants to be very slight. He says
he was called from his fruit and
vegetable stand" at Howard and
Swann Avenues by two men who
hred at him and then ran to a
parked automobile half a block
away.
Epps figured recently in a court
suit here jointly brought by the
A. P. of L. and the Seafarfers' In
ternational Union to restrain him
from recruiting A. P. of L, mem
ber s into a riva. "independent"
union.
Kenowis f rew
Wins Point By
Direct Action
Exlra Man Shipped In
Steward's Department;
Affects Other Ships.
New Orleans, La. — Waterman's
"Kenowis" arrived with ho beefs,
no delegates, nothing. She was due
to sail at 2:00 P.M. the same day.
The Patrolman called a meeting
where delegates for each department
were elected; then, action started
The main squawk was that mem
bers of the steward's department
were overworked, so an additional
man was demanded. The Skipper
and "he manager were notified, but
they said "no smoke." At 12:30 the
steward's department all quit the
ship.
At 2:00, sailing time, the Skipper
came aft and asked each member
of the crew to back up the company
by moving the ship out to the
"Point." The crew decided at a
meeting to pay off in a body. At
3:30 the first bag was thrown on
the dock. Before the bag had come
to rest, the Skipper called "Hi."
and agreed to ship the extra man
The Kenowis sailed with a first-
class crew. Best result of this action
is that the rest of the ships carry
ing over eight passengers will carry
the extra man in the Steward's
department.
LL.A. Wins Out
111 Tiff With
CIO Stevedores
^lU Represeiilalives Fired
LTpoii At Pier
New Orleans, La. — Picket lines
were formed around Swayne &
Hoyt's "Point Brava" by the local
I.L.A. after CIO longshoremen
working aboard offered severe provo
cation. Steam was shut off deck, so
the CIO men sat around for the
balance of the day. It is alleged
that crew members lost personal
belongings during the day with the
result that all but crew-members
were pleared off next morning.
To confuse the issue even more,
the company ordered the Point
Chico from anchorage to mooring
at the Galvez S*" eet dock. Early
the next mornmg, CIO men
swarmed over the dock and dumped
the few men maintaining picket
watch.
SIU representatives went to the
pier to investigate the ship's crew
and were met by shots fired by
some stooge. Members of the I.L.A.
rushed to the dock, whereupon the
CIO men took out for parts un-
'cnown, reports state.
Several days later, the ships were
being worked by I.L.A. longsnore-
mer under an agreement with the
company.
ALL HANDS REQUIRED
FOR MOORING SHIP
New Orleans, La. — There is a
tendency on too many ships to
chisel on working conditions by
using insufficient men on jobs
properly requiring all hands present
In a recent case of this aboard
the "Maiden Creek," the Captain
planned to moor the vessel with
only two watches on deck. The
crew obeyed, but only after entering
complaint. Once ashore, they went
to the Hall where they were in
formed that all hands must be used
for this work. The demand for all
hands was confirmed by the Mobile
branch, so there will be no more
chiseling on this score aboard the
Maiden Creek.
It seems the next beef will be to
use all hands working on cargo gear.
With this rmder our belt, we will
be getting somewhere.
ttend Tour Union Meeting.
Beef on Seatrain
Havana
(Continued from Page One)
At New Orleans, the crew of the
Seatrain New York wailked off in a
body when news of tlie dispute on
the Havana reached them. Roland
Dean, SIU Gulf organizer, reports
he received utmost support from
Longshoremen and other ILA af
filiates at New Orleans. The Sea
train New Orleans was at sea during
the affair.
An endies-s number of dodges and
threats were used by the company
in attempts to retain their stooges
The company spokesman engaged
in one phone conversation with
union representatives that alone
consumed an hour and a half.
Eighteen liours tie up, with de
murrage charges mounting rapidly,
convinced Seatrain Lines that' it
would be far cheaper, not to say
a matter of justice, to dismiss their
stooges and countermand allegedly
unauthorized orders hat loyal union
men must leave the ship.
Move Long Expected
Evidence that some sort of action
would be necessary has been in pos
session of SIU officials for several
months, but it was not possible to
uso the information until the de
velopments of this week. Photosta
tic copies of letters, apparently
showing that Seatrain Lines did not
discourage attempts by a number
of their employees to form an "in
dependent union," were studied by
union ouicials and this material
was declared by a highly placed of
ficer of the I.L.A. tc be "pretty con
vincing proof that Campbell, Cal-
naii and Mandell, had better be
gotten off "damn quick." Other
persons are suspectec of being im
plicated in the so-called "independ
ent union" move.
Whole Crew Not Blamed
Investigation shows that except
for Campbell, Calnan, and Mandell,
other members of the crew are not
implicated in the open shop at
tempt to any great extent. It ap
pears that these men were badly
misled by airy promises made by
Calnan. Formerly an agent of the
AFLSU, 21420, Calnan is reputed to
be a very presuasive talker. Former
members of the AFLSU here assert
that Calnan took a run out powder
at a crucial time during his term
of office in the Union.
Evidencing their good faith and
to demonstrate they are good Union
men after all, the crew members
who failed to go along proper union
channels are voluntarily quitting
the Havana.
$75,000 Needed
tor Ferries To
Resume Service
Thirty-Five Members Of
S.I.U. Affiliate Vitally
Affected.
Providence, R. I. — The town of
Jamestown proposes to raise 40,000
dollars as part of^ seventy-five thou
sand dollars needed M repair or re
build terminals destroyed and dam
aged by last Fall's hurricane, and
to renovate the ferry "Hammond-
ton" so that sue may meet require
ments of the Steamboat Inspectors.
The terminals i, Saunderstown.
and West Jamestown were com
pletely destroyed and those at East
Jamestown and Newport were bad
ly dama|:ed and are reported to be
in an imsafe condition.
(According to the American Bu
reau register, the "Hammondton" is
a 764 gross-ton screw-steamer, built
at Camden, N. J., in 1906.)
Approximately 35 members of the
Conanicut Inlani Boatmen's union,
an SIU aflfiliate, are largely depend
ent on this service, operated by the
Jamestown and Newport Ferry Co
PHILADELPHIA. — Negotiations
are under way between representa
tives of the American Range line
and the Seafarers' International
Union. It is the intention of Union
representatives to get a contract on
paper that will be closely patterned
after West Coast agreements.
Three Ships'
Crews Back
Sundance Beef
Advice To Audit
Committees Now
In Printed Form
All branch agents and secretaries
have been furnished with instruc
tions for use of regularly elected
auditing committees from the fioor
at branches and all headquarters
weekly in all Seafarers' offices, as in
the Sailors' Union of the Pacific.
Men elected to serve on the audit
ing committees and -^residing of
ficers in particular, s' ould see to it
that the auditing committees are
furnished with a copy of these in
structions, and acquaint themselves
with the details and comply with
them carefully. It is only one page
and has been thoroughly simplified,
so that a man, not familiar general
ly with book-keeping terms, ac
counting generally, will know what
his job is in checking the Wooks and
records of the Union. These in
structions have been worked out by
a certified public accoimtant, who
has been in charge of the Sailors'
Union of the Pacific accounting for
the past two years, and is thorough
ly acquainted with the problems
confronting the seafaring unions.
Seafarers' members who are elect
ed to audit their Union's books
should ask in every Instance for a
copy of these instructions to work
by.
HARRY LUNDEBERG.
Acting President
Checkers, Longshoremen
Cooperate With Crews In
Jacksonville Dispute
Jacksonville, Fla. (WCS). — The
crew of the "Sundance" walked off
when an officer rejected a man sent
aboard as fireman, terming it an
act of discrimination. The crew
are members of the Seafarers' In
ternational Union, and the Sun
dance is operated by the South
Atlantic Steamship Company.
The Seafarers' crew remained on
strike, and tied up two other vessels.
They had 100 per cent backing from
the Warehousemen and Deep Sea
Checkers here, whose officials stated.
"Warehousemen and Deep Sea
Checkers refuse to cross picket lines
established by members of th eSea-
farers' International Union." Long
shoremen, affiliated to the A. F, of
L. likewise refused to cross the
picket lines.
Affected, in addition to the Svm-
dance where the SS Isthmian and
the freighter Eastern Guide.
The Deep Sea Checkers and the
General Warehoues and Freight
handlers' unions joined the picket
lines and cai-ried banners at several
points.
The Isthmian became involved
when longshoremen refused to cross
picket lines established by striking
crewmen.
Fred Lauritario, SIU agent, stated
the men would get "all the backing
in the world," since they had a 100
per cent legitimate beef.
PROVIDENCE, R. I.—The NMU
here passed a resolution calling for
expulsion of any of their members
seisn entering the Seafarers' Hall
Despite the resolution, NMU men
persist in keeping contact with SIU
representatives and display keen in
terest in the continued militant ac
tion carried on by SIU crews.
NEW YORK.—$10,272,746 Is the
reported net income of the United
Fruit company during 1938. The
company purchased for $2,050,000
cash certain terminal properties at
Havana, Paradise Beach at Nassau,
and the steamer Munargo. A con
siderable part of Unifrult's earnings
are derived from steamship opera
tion.
Bull Line Crew
Gets Paid For
Holiday Work
Full Cooperation Soon
Brings Skipper To See
Virtue of Holiday Pay,
Philadelphia — Calling the Bull
Line's bluff, the crew of the Carolyn
hit the dock in support of demands
for overtime pay for work done on
Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
The company threatened to tie up
the ship, but the crew • cheerfully
agreed to take their pay for work
performed instead of a promise of
more work without pay. The skipper
was also required to give them 24
hours notice of dismissal.
When it was seen the crew meant
Tea.' business, a new crew was or
dered. The original crew was ship
ped from the hall back to the ves
sel.
Vets Crowding
Seamen Out
Of Hospitals
Condition Unfair To Sea
men; Hospital For
Veterans Asked.
Baltimore, Md. — The Baltimore
branch of the SIU is pressing for
erection of an U. S. Hospital for
the exclusive use of veterams. Facili
ties at the Baltimore Marine Hospi
tal are becoming less and less avail
able to seamen as veterans, civi!
service employees, and other govern
ment beneficiaries increasingly (C-
cupy bed-space.
"Though termed a Marino Hospi
tal, the place has come to be devoted
to nearly everyone but seamen."
writes Wm. McKay, local SIU agent.
Approximately 60 per cent of the
patients are not even remotely con
nected with seafaring, it is charged.
"We feel that in addition to being
unfair to seamen, the condition is
more unfair to veterans," the note
states.
Senator Millard E. Tydings and
other Maryland legislators have
pledged to work for approval of a
bill appropriating funds for building
a veterans' hospital in the State.
PROVIDENCE HAS
GOOD PROSPECTS
The Seafarers' agent at Provi
dence, R., I., writes as follows:
Feb. 7, 1939,
Editor, The Log:
Crew vacation periods for the
Colonial Line's "Comet" begins
March 1st. The boys on the "Arrow"
of the same line have just finished
theirs.
It is expected the Colonial Line
will put on two extra boats this
Summer. All told, five more boats
are expected to be on the run in
these waters during the coming sea
son.
Three Merchants' and Miners'
ships are calling here each week.
Their Quantico and Wyoming each
shipped men from the Hall hero
last week.
The Union Sulphur Company's
"W. R. Keever" and the Arrow Liner
"Willmoto" arrived from San Pedro
during the week. Later they sailed
for Camden, N. J.
A double crew is being carried
during the winter months by the
steamer "Nantucket," out of New
Bedford;
It is reported that a bridge will
replace the West Jamestown-Saun-
derstown ferry service. Terminals
at these points were destroyed dur
ing the hurricane. The East ferry
to Newport will be continued in
service. "
Fraternally yours,
PRANK BERRY, Agent
7-^ r •
1,
Ship From YouritJnlon Hall.
\ ^ -V/ IV .- . ;