Media
Issue Date
1939-02-17
Volume
1
Issue Number
2
Plaintext
..
The Seafarers^ Log
Official Organ of tbc Atkntic and Gulf Seamen
Seafarers* International Union of North America
BROTHERHOOD
OF THE
SEA
VOL. I. NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1939 2(HI No. 2 l|
I
r • •.!:>
Bill Would
Put All Ships
Under NLRB
Proposed Law Compels
Maritime Commission
To Recognize Unions.
WASHINGTON, D. C.—Congress
man Wallgren of Washington last
week put into the legislative hopper
a bill calling for an amendment
to the Copeland Laws requiring
that subsidized ships and com
panies operating for the account of
the Maritime Commission hire their
crews from recognized labor unions.
The oroposed law would place sea
men on such vessels under the pro-
vis.tons of t.4e NLRB, and would
classify operators of such ships as
employers for the purposes of the
1,8.bor Relations Act.
The Maritime Commission has
bitterly opposed recognition of
unions for bargaining on vessels
operated by private contractors for
the Commission's account. It is the
Commission's stand that ships in
this category have the same status
as those operated by itself.
"Enactment of this bill will pro
vide the remedy that maritime gov
ernment agencies, other govern
ment agencies and bureaus dealing
with labor problems, and labor or
ganizations have been seeking to
clarify the present doubtful status
of seamen employed on ships oper
ated temporarily for the account of
the Maritime Commission," Mr.
Wallgren said.
Mississippi Is
Chiseling Into
Men's Overtime
Committee Elected To
Clarify Work Rules.
New Orleans—Overtime is still
quite a bone of contention on lots
of the rust pots termed ships sail
ing in these waters. The Mississippi
Shipping Company has a lot of old-
fashioned ideas about crews work
ing "for Jesus." They have several
clever schemes of chiseling; one is
to work the old gag of "safety."
The company contends on sailing
day that decks must be cleared of
dunnage for, "safety of the passen
gers." This means that when sail
ing at 9:00 PM.—and they usually
do—that the watches on deck must
work until 2:00 or 3:00 the follow
ing AJ^.: and they claim it isn't
overtime.
Another of their more objection
able habits is setting the watch
es after getting well out to sea
or, in fact, at any time it suits
the skipper. Watches are also brok
en in much the same manner. Oiu:
answer is to insist that, at least,
watches must be both set and brok
en within the confines of a safe
harbor.
Last Monday's meeting elected a
^committee from the floor, to get
after Mississippi Shipping for the
purpose of clarifying working rules
in the present agreement. The
meeting also went on record de
manding that all hands be used to
raise and lower the gear. All ship's
delegates have been so instructed.
The longshoremen here report
they had no trouble on their own
account this week, so it looks like
this week will go down in history
as something or other.
Latin American
Solidarity Is
Desired By AFL
Would Offset Nazi and
Fascist Activities In
Southern Republics.
Miami, Pla. — The Executive
Council of the American Federa
tion of Labor, in session here, con
sidered the question of sending a
commission to the Latin American
countries to provide the basis for
a Pan-American labor conference
to combat Nazism and Fascism.
William Green, president of the
A. F. of L., announced that the
labor situation in Latin America
came before the Executive Coun
cil in the recommendation by San
tiago Iglesias, secretary of the old
Pan-American Federation of Labor,
and D. W. Tracy, president of the
International Brotherhood of Elec
trical Workers, who was one of the
American delegates to the recent
conference at Lima, Peni.
Pointing out that the recom
mendations of Mr. Tracy and Mr.
Iglesias were identical, Mr. Green
said that a high official of the
A. F. of L., who visited Mexico iasl
Fall, had submitted a supplement
ary report on the labor situation
in that coimtry.
The proposed Pan-American con
ference would consider the labor,
social, and economic problems of
the two Americas, but particularly
the problems in the nations south
of the Rio Grande.
"The invasion of some Latin-
American countries by Germans and
Italians makes us apprehensive lest
the Nazi-Fascist philosophy
preached in these countries may
affect us," Mr. Green said. "That
is of deep concern to us. We are
as much opposed to Nazism as to
Fascism," he added.
Ryan Thanked
For Support
On Seatrains
NEW YORK.—In recognition of
the solidarity among A. F. of L.
maritime unions in the dispute with
Seatrain Lines, the membership
unanimously passed the following
resolution in the Atlantic Head
quarters meeting of Febi-uary 14:
WHEREAS: A dispute of vital
importance to the Seafarers' Inter
national Union reached a satisfac
tory conclusion whereby the Union's
position is strengthened generally
and has been established on the
Seatrains in particular, and
WHEREAS: The outcome of this
dispute-was doubtful had not the
other maritime crafts given imstint-
ing cooperation to keep the Sea-
train Havana tied up in the Port of
New York, and the Seatrain New
York tied up at New Orleans; Now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the member
ship of the Seafarers' Internationa]
Union of North America, in meet
ing assembled at the Port ,of New
York, this fourteenth day of Febru
ary, 1939, do hereby extend a vote
of thanks to Joseph P. Ryan, Presi
dent of the International Long
shoremen's Association, to John and
Jimmy Nolan, ILA representatives
at Hoboken, N. J., to Walter Holt,
Vice-President of the ILA, and to
other representatives and the mem
bership of the International long
shoremen's Association for their full
support and other assistance of in
estimable value in the dispute be-
twe.en this Union and the Seatrain
Lines, Inc.
Tanker Sinks;
Entire Crew Is
Taken Off Ship
Grounded in Fog, Ship
Floods As Heavy Seas
Pound; Fire Menaces.
PROVIDENCE.—Nosing through a
dense fog, the Texas Company
tanker Lightburne grounded heavily
on the shoals off Old Harbor Point,
Block Island, at about 8:00 PJ^4.,
February 10. Heavy swells poxmded
the stranded vessel so badly that by
midnight she flooded out and sank
with poop awash. The stack and
other deck structures remained
above water. She is lying about a
mile offshore.
Braving pounding seas and ham
pered by intermittent squalls and
fog banks, Coast Guard surfmen
took off the crew and officeis'*'with-
out loss of life.
Next day, acres of floating gaso
line leaking from the vessel took
Are and sent up huge billows of
smoke and flame for many hours.
Anally burning out. It is supposed
the oil was ignited by a self-light
ing flare of a life-ring torn free
and swept off by boarding seas. The
vessel was not touched by fire, but
it is reported that flames came
within fifty yards. That there was
no explosion is laid to a strong off
shore wind that carried the fire
seaward.
The Lightburne was built at
Bath, Me., in 1919. She measured
6,429 gross tons and was 416 feet
long and fitted with 3,000 horsepow
er engines. Fears were expressed
the ship will be a total loss. The
tanker was bound from Port Ar
thur to Providence with 72,000 bar
rels of gasoline and kerosene.
Finn Seamen
Dissatisfied
With Rules
VMU Is Left Holding
CIO Bag In The Gulf
Waterfront at New Orleans, 100% AFL As Last CIO
Docks Are Taken Over by ILA; Teamsters
in Hot Campaign.
COURT UPHOLDS
HOMER MARTIN
AGAINST CIO
I
Union Would Change
Manning Scale and
Qualify Ratings.
Amsterdam (I.TJ.) — In Finland
a committee representative of the
Government, the Seamen's Union
and the ship-owners, has drawn up
a proposal for statutory regulation
of hours and manning aboard ships
in the foreign and coastal trades.
The proposal is based on the Draft
International Convention on Hours
and Manning of the International
Labor Conference. The committee's
recommendations have been for
warded to the different bodies con
cerned.
The Seamen's Union consider the
proposal inadequate in several re
spects. No provision is made, for In
stance, for dealing with the engine-
room and stewards' departments.
The union is demanding that the
number of firemen be fixed at one
per three tons of coal consumed
daily in tropical zones and one per
three and a half tons in temperate
zones. It further desires specifica
tion of the number of cooks and of
the minimum standards of quali
fication to be .satisfied by that rating.
BOSTON.—This branch is vigor
ously demanding that the Social
Security Act be extended so that
merchant seamen can be entitled to
benefits that wage workers ashore
receive under existing provisions of
the Act.
DETROIT, Feb. 14 (UP.) —
Homer Martin won a court victory
today in his fight to retain the
presidency of the United Automo
bile Workers' Union.
Circuit Judge Dewitt H. Merriam
granted his faction custody of the
funds, property, and membership
rolls of Plymouth Local 51, pend
ing the outcome of the replevin suit.
Judge Merriam ruled, however,
that he could not decide on per
manent custody of the property
"without taking testimony involv
ing the union's factional difficul
ties."
The Plymouth local, one of the
largest in the UAW, has been the
battleground for much of the in-
tra-union warfare. Martin removed
the local's elected officers and ap
pointed an administrator. The anti-
Martin group, with the support of
the CIO, ousted the administrator
and reappointed the officers.
When Martin supporters seized
the local's property and records, the
CIO faction filed suit to have the
property returned.
Earlier today Martin charged that
Commimism was spreading in the
American Labor movement with
the encouragement of John L.
Lewis.
Crew Forces
Needed Change
On Plow City
Food and Quarters Ai*e
Brought To Standards
Despite Skipper-Owner.
New Orleans, La. — Conditions
on the palatial sulphur boat "Plow
City" when she arrived here were
about the lousiest seen in this port
for a long time. Immediately upon
arrival, the crew started putting in
frantic phone calls for the Agent,
Patrolman, or anyone who could
remedy things.
The Finn went aboard and found
she was crummy, hungry, and the
quarters absolutely haywire. The
mattresses were not fit for any use.
Informed of this, the skipper called
it "all a lot of lies," and claimed
he bought $13.65 (?) worth of stores
at Tampa. Nor could the Old Man
understand why things were crum
my, claiming the quarters had been
fumigated with sulphur during the
last trip. He promised nothing fur
ther would be done.
Rather than sail a tub of this
sort, the sailors said they'd quit.
After much dickering.Jt was agreed
that the vessel would be fumigated
with cyanide, all mattresses renewed,
and stores brought up to standards
checked by SIU representatives. All
tableware was checked and crockery
dishes renewed to allow full mess
seating. Additionally, fresh milk
will be on the table.
Other work, such as renovating
quarters, w?". be done at Norfolk.
The vessel sailed with a satisfactory
crew.
NEW ORLEANS.—The CIO
taking a terrible shellacking in this
port and appears to be headed for
certain oblivion. Recent gains made
by various A. F. of L. affiliates shows
that progress is well fotmded and
is. of a character to last for many
years.
All twenty of the principal steam
ship lines out of here employ none
but ILA longshoremen. The last
major employer to get into line was
Syayne & Hoyt, who came over af
ter a five-day tie-up of their ships
Point Brava and Point Chico.
Only the NMU is left on the front
to uphold the CIO banner. It is
claimed they will be entirely iso
lated from the local labor move
ment after the Teamsters' Union
elections. "The only way the NMU
can remain in the GuU field is to
assume the role of scabherder," as
serted Roland Dean, SID organizer.
Already, reports from NMU men
are showing that "the NMU. is.
breaking down conditions to main-'
tain their 'sacred' agreements," h^ j
adds.
SIU Is Determined
Dean declared, "The SIU and Its
allies are not going to allow any
group of seamen to stand in the
way and prevent formation of a
solid front against the shipowners
and their stooges in the Maritime
Commission."
In compliance with the program
of the A. F. of L, to thoroughly
unionize the waterfront workers,
the local Transportation, Building
Trades, and Metal Trades councils
have adopted the following program
and widely circulated annoimce-
ments in the city:
"On and after February 13 no
cargo drayed by other than A. P.
of L. truck drivers and helpers will
be handled by any member of local
unions affiliated to the above-men
tioned councils and the American
Federation of Labor.
"Attention of all teamsters and
helpers is called to fact that long
shoremen in the Port of New Or
leans are one hundred per cent
A. F. of L.
No Place For CIO
"We call particular attention to
what happened to CIO longshore
men on the Gulf-Pacific docks and ]
to the fact there is no longer a
place for CIO longshoremen in New
Orleans,
"Any driver or helper who re
fuses to go down the line with the
program of the A. F. of L. and
Truck Drivers', Local 207, will find
himself isolated from the labor
movement and with no place to
work in New Orleans.
"Remember it is absolutely neces
sary that all drivers wear their
union buttons and have a paid up
membership book in their possession
at all times. No cargo, of any de
scription, will be received from any
driver without his button and paid
up book.
Tills program has been endorsed
by the Seafarers' International
Union, Gulf district, and by nine
locals of the ILA ranging from gen
eral longshoremen to banana car
riers and cotton compress workers.
These unions compose the Marine
Transportation council.
4 'ii •y
y
THE SEAFARERS' LOG
r
Friday, February 17, 1939
Published Wedi:ly by
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
0
HARKY LUNDEBERG, Acting President
11 Steuart Street, San Francisco, Calif.
0
New York
Boston
Atlantic District
HEADQUARTERS
,_2 Stone Street
BRANCHES
...1 Rowes Wharf
Providence _
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
San Juan, Puerto Rico
465 So, Main Street
6 North 6th Street
_212 East Pratt Street
-.307 East Main Street
9 Comercio Street
New Orlean,<?
Savarmah
Jacksomulle _
Miami
Tampa
MilyJe
Galveston
Gulf District
HEADQUARTERS
...309 Chartres Street
BRANCHES
_218 East Bay Street
..111 Bay Street
,..809 N. E. First Avenue
206 Franklin Street
.55 So. Conception Street
318% 23rd Street
Detroit
Great Lakes District
HEADQUARTERS
.1038 Third Street
, ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THIS
PUBLICATION TO;
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
P. O. Box 522 Church Street Aunex
New York, New York
Point oj Information
The American Federation of Labor is not a union in the
II accepted sense, but a federation of unions, come together on a
Ip voluntary basis. It has no power other than that given to it by
' the scores of affiliated national and international unions.
These affiliates retain control of their internal affairs. They
are thd sole judge of their wage scales, working conditions, etc.
Each has undisputed power to adjust industrial disputes in their
respective jurisdictions and they are protected from invasion by
rival organizations. All of this makes it impossible for any in
dividual or group of individuals to gain dictatorial powers.
State and city central labor bodies, composed of represen
tatives of local affiliates of national and international unions, are
also affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, as arc local
unions in trades and callings where no national union exists. The
American Federation of Labor binds this family of trade unions
into a voluntary federation.
It depends on education and organization to develop new
social viewpoints. It maintains intercommunication between affi
liates, and is in constant correspondence with a corps of organizers
and representatives throughout the country.
The American Federation of Labor guards the workers' in
terest in the national Congress and the state Legislatures. It in
dorses and protects in the name of labor. It has obtained relief
from burdensome laws and gcA'crmental bureaucracy, as well as
worked for and secured the passage of much legislation beneficial
to all the people, such as Workmen's Compensation, free books
for school children, mother's pensions, minimum wages and hours
for women and minors, and many other laws too numerous to
mention.
The trade or craft unions reflect, in organized form, the best
thought, activities and hopes of the wage workers. The trade
unions are exactly what the wage workers are and can be exactly
what the wage workers please to make them—active or sluggish,
intelligent or dull, narrow or broad-minded—just as the members
are intelligent or otherwise.
But, regardless of which characteristic that has been pre
dominant, the trade union has proved, :hrough more than fifty
years, to be the best protector of the American workers' interests.
The American Federation of Labor and the trade, or craft,
unions are and always have been a fa<^or in all social movements.
The American Federation of Labor raises living standards and
checks wage reductions. It not only discuorages class conscious-
hesi, but encourages fraternity and fosters temperance and liber-
-ality.
Aboye all, the American Federation of Labor is an educa-
tional force. Its democracy is its disinctive characteristic. It ignores
sectionalism. It knows creed, sex or race.
DISPATCHERS'
REPORTS
NEW GRUEANS.—Plenty of jobs,
but with shipping only fair, Eigh
teen men went to regular shipboaid
jobs, while 28 of the boys got some
good standby work and 40 made it
longshoring.
BOSTON.—Shipping has been
very slow, with only 22 men shipped
in all departments since the first
of the month. It is expected, how
ever, that by March 1. hiring of
crews for seasonal ships will begin.
At pi-esent, 92 members are regis
tered in the deck and engine de
partments.
BALTIMORE.—There was brisk
shipping this week. Following table
shows shipments and number of
men registered:
Shipped
™ 61
H
12
84
SIU
SUP
MFOW
Totals .
On List
74
6
15
95
NORFOLK.—Shipping was very
poor in all departments this past
week.
HOMER MARTIN FLAYS J. L. LEWIS
Extracts from a letter written by Homer Martin, President
of the UAW, to John L. Lewis, head of Uie CIO, are interesting,
instructive and revealing. Martin has been a member of the GIG
executive board. He is resigning from that post, and in his letter
of resignation to Lewis the following charges and condemnations
stand out. Said Martin to Lewis:
"As an advocate of democratic principles in the labor move
ment, I can no longer subscribe to the policies and tactics you
have resorted to ..."
"We are forced to the conclusion that whatever lip-service
you may have paid to these principles — in practice, you have
utterly repudiated them."
"You are unable to rise above your personal ambitions and
dictator complex . . ."
"It is clear now that you have lost sight of the basic ideals
of the labor movement and have given yourself over to a policy
of rule or ruin."
"You have adopted the methods of your .Stalinist allies . . . ;
downright misrepresentation and falsehood."
"There has not been a blacker chapter in the annals of
American labor than that written by you and your agents."
NEW YORK.—Shipping is con
sidered normal for this time of
year. It is expected that there will
be a pick up between the first and
fifteenth of March, when a large
number of seasonal boats will call
crews. A great part of the antici
pated improvement will be felt in
the Stewards' department. Figures
for the week ending February 13 are
tabulated below:
Shipped On List
Engine 20 84
Deck _ 26 48
Stewards
(white) 8 38
Stewards
(colored) ..... 9 215
Totals .. ....... 63 365
PHILADELPHIA. — Things are
A Beautiful Mess
rathar slow, with only 18 men in
all departments shipped during the
week. There were eleven new regis
trations.
PROVIDENCE, R. I.—Shipping is
beginning to come through the Hall
in gratifying amounts. During the
past week seven men shipped to
deck jobs, one man went in-the
steward's department, three of the
gang got on the point of production
via the engine room.
"NOTICE"
Will the A.B. who was working
on deck of the "Robert E. Lee"
when the line parted at the after
windlass while we were shutting the
after port-side cargo port while
at Norfolk, on or about October 2,
1938, please conununicate with me,
from now until March IS, 1939, at
the Marine Hospital, Stapleton,
Staten Island.
After March 15, 1939, you may
reach me in care of Room 3008, 80
Broad Street, New York City.
HENRY S. BARCLAY.
SPORTS NOTE
Angus Bandenicks looped ashore
from the freighter Everolanda,
docked at Cardiff recently, and
made off with a full-size locomotive.
He opened the throttle and pro
ceeded down the line until stopped
by automatic block signals. A
magistrate heard him explain he
didn't know what happened be
cause he'd been "plenty drunk,"
then fined falm a couple of pounds.
Notice:
_ Ships' Delegates: Demand
-hat all replacements produce a
orcperly filled out assignment-
sard from the Dispatcher at
^ht Union helk
When thieves fall out then mm--
der will out. A few weeks ago we
predicted that the impencUng elec
tions in the NMU would uncover
as mad a scramble for pie as has
ever been witnessed in the Ameri
can labor movement. We only had
to wait vmtil the Jan. 27 issue of
the Pilot came out to find our
prediction verified. But we also
fear that another Detroit is in the
making.
Following up Curran's opening
attack against the unnamed but
very well known opposition to his
automat sailors, an auditing com
mittee takes up over two pages in
the Pilot to continue the campaign
under the heading of making its
report. The report should not only
prove interesting to the member
ship but very educational, even
though it will not be news to a
great many.
The auditing committee, con
sisting of former officials of the
NMU who failed to be re-elected
in the last election and several
more disgruntled elements, were
prompted to expose the mess in
which the NMU now finds itself
not because of any desire to serve
the best interests of the union, but
to discredit certain officials. That
these officials who are attacked, can
stand discrediting, because of their
own action, is plainly evident.
Forgetting America's No. 1 Clown
Joseph's constant reports of how
stable the NMU was and bow
smoothly the organization was run
ning, the committee contradicts
as follows: "That the tmion is
heavier in debt than ever. Behind
this bankruptcy is a story of waste,
incompetency, and in some cases,
practically criminal inefficiency and
neglect." These are their own
words.
Being used to NMU scandals we
could not get overly excited at this
latest one. For months and months
the 'West Coast Sailors' has points
out this truth and the very people
who are now making these charges
were the ones who denounced us
the loudest. It has always been
easy for NMU officials when reply
ing to our charges to repeat stupid
ly a few of the old liackneyed
phrases about the flnky AFL, sell
out-artists, etc. But what is the
membership of the NMU going to
think now when their own com
mittee says things much stronger
than we were ever tempted to?
The whole report is full of seri
ous Indictments against tlu offi
cials of the NMU with several im
portant omissions. It goes out of
its way to point out how blameless
Curran Is and a few more of his
well known associates. The reason
for this is very plain. It is the
beginning of election propaganda
and pretty soon the whole truth
will come out wh«i the othw side
starts doing Its stuff.
But the absolving of Ourran in
trigues us. Here is a president of
a union who meets regularly with
the other officials and at least
should know a little bit about what
is going on in his own organization.
And yet, all this time he has is
sued reports telling what a splen
did condition the NMU was in. For
the committee to say Joe is not re
sponsible is about equivalent to the
arguments we heard about Harding
and Coolldge being clear of the
Teapot Dome scandal because they
had not been directly involved.
Those arguments, then, did not
take in the average high school
kid, who was at ell interested in
what was going on, and we feel
sure that very few of the NMU
rank and file will fall for the com
mittee's whitewashing of Curran.
Let us even give "big time" Jo«
the benefit of the doubt and say
he did not know how criminally
wasteful his colleagues were with
the union's funds as the auditing
committee tries to Imply, then we
would like to know just how has
Joe been spending his time? Surely,
it is not too much to expect the
head of an organization to know
a few things about what is going
on in his own union! We feel safe
In saying that the NMU rank and
file will think the same way.
One of the members of the com
mittee had resigned in protest
against the insincerity of the othea'
members as well as the failure of
A majority of than in attoiding
meetings of the committee. Br.
Burch, the dissenting member, at
tack the report as follows:
"I am wondering by what right
and entitlement then that the re
maining five members of the com
mittee brought in a report when
at least two ol them had no right
to sign it because of non-attend
ance and when at least two more
certainly had^ not the moral right
to sign It because of the biased
attitude since the report was on
those who were their opponents in
the elections. It is written in the
philosophy of justice, that he who
would seek justice must come be
fore the bar with clean hands; yet
we find that former reports on
Brother Bjme, (one of the auditing
committee) charge him with the
same faults that he now charges
others."
This truth would never nave
come out but for the Curranskites
fearing their cut in the pie is being
jeopardized, if and when they get
back control. As things are going
now, we will be interested to hear
from the other side and then well
know a few more things that have
been withheld. It will not be sur
prising to us if another Auto
Workers' fiasco Is in the making,
but fortunately, the seamen will
find their position stronger because
there is an indusUdal union In the
field that will be able to tsdce up
their fight.
A.,
.ty
fit;. •"
:; ]
/
!• •
A'\
Felweery' 17, 19SW THE S'EAFAirERS;* IOC
l-'M
f. .i I '4
JOE REVEALS NVIU DECAY—
"LITTLE MAN, WHAT NOWr
If confession is good for the soul,
then Joe Curran is completejy
purged; In a recent report appear
ing in the Pilot, Joe unburdens, him
self o£ many gripes and at the same
time reveals an amazing hollowness
to his sea-going fraternity.
On a recent swing around the
circuit, Skipper Curran dug up an
astounding situation which — read,
carefully — Joe said, "was a very
alarming picture," in which "reaL
leadership is sadly lacking."
Duties Neglected
"Members," he said, "liave been;
neglected to a very great extent, '
and are, "wondering why they selr
dom or rarely see a delegate."
The serious situation, as Curran
describes it, has many causes among
which he lists, factional leanings
of other officials... neglecting to col
lect assessments... meetings which
consist of nothing but mudslinging
... needful correction in National
Headquarters and the lack of in
terest by "officials and delegates" in
the welfare of the membership.
Curran is the chap who appeared
before the Senate Commerce Com
mittee to declare that the Commun
ist party, "has done more for the
workers ... than, any of the so-called
and self-appointed liberal agencies
exl.stent to date." He has defended
the right of reds to hold office in
the NMU.
A photostat of Curran's member
ship card in the Commimist party
is included among the mass o' evi
dence accumulated by the Dies
committee.
Ruin Forseen
Continuing on his all-revealing
confession, Mr. Curran sees the
NMU disintegrating under his very
nose, complains of non-cooperation
from the officers he himself ap
pointed, charges that union funds,
"are being spent more carelessly and
extravagantly than ever before,"
and visualizes the SIU as the suc
cessful maritime union unless new
life is injected Into his demoralized
outfit.
Joe really spilled every bean in
the pot. His report appears in his
own official Pilot issue of January
13, 1939.
Gulf Organizer
Optimistic In
Weekly Report
TJie Gulf Organizer for the SIU
reports the following-.
Editor, the LOG:
New Orleans A. P. of L. Teamsters
are faced with another phoney
Labor Board election. A special
meeting of the Maritime Transport
ation coimcil went on record imanl-
mously to see that all cargo to and
fi-om the docks is handled by A. P.
of L. teamsters.
Steamship companies are giving
the clerks and checkers a little
trouble about signing an agreement.
A taste of job action is indicated
as the only way to get It done.
The I.L.A. has helped us tie up
several shii» for better conditions
aQd< wages and they are cooperating
100 per cent generally wlthi all other
waterfront crafts.
Working on- P A O
A telegram, was received today in-
fbrming us to be ready to negotiate
an agreement with the Peninsular
& Occidental Steamshlp' Company..
This is encouraging, since this- com
pany was rather troublesame by its
attempts to. discriminate against
and. coerce ouc members.
Brotiiers. Gunnison and Hart, who
were arrested at Tampa on framed
charges of "pinMng" Bob Bpps, are
out. on bond and back on the job
in. the; old militant style: Some day
ttoe^ phoneys will realiae they can't
Mace real' union men out of town.
Upon receiving instructions to
•irilEe all Seatralns, we woriced all
night. lining up) support and: took
aoidBn to prevent leaks. All hands
walked' off the ekmtrain New York.
It was a. demonstration of solidarity,
seldom seen in this port. The long-
Bhoremra. refused to. cross the picket
line and a cablegram from the cre^
of the Seatroln New Orleans, docked
at Hhvana, annoimoed they were
solidly behind tJie sru.
The workers at New Orleans have
come, to realize that united action
of all martime unions, through the
medium of a Maritime Transporta
tion council, is the only way to
apply their economic power;
Praternally,
ROLAND DEAN,
Gult Organizer.
MOBILE MAKING
GOOD PROGRESS
BOSTON,—Mombe'^ at the- stewr-
ardsl department on Eastern SB
Company ships have been alternat
ing jobs with the men on the beaoh
every two' weeks. This. Is worked
on a voluntary rotary system; so
that members who o'~her\t^ would
be unemployeC during Winter
monttui emr earn a few dollars.
The SIU agent at Mobile writes
as follows:
Editor, the LOG:
The usual number of beefs that
arise weekly on ships sailing out
of this port were adjusted to the
complete satisfaction of all.
On the Pan Atlantic, the crew
beefed about there not being enough
heat in the fo'c'sle. This was reme
died by installing additional radia
tors. Pretty much the same com
plaint was raised by the Pan Graft's
crew, but on account of her short
stay in tills port. It was agreed
to make all necessary changes on
her return.
Because Waterman's marine sup
erintendent has to undergo a serious
surgical operation, we are postpon
ing conferences to clarify certain
clauses in our agreement until he
recovers.
The "Maiden Creek" and the
"Afoundiia," on the Cuba run, have
each shipped an additional mess-
man.
We are going down the line for
the A P. of L. Marine Trades De
partment.
Now that we are members of tbe
SIU, look, at the progress we can
make: We are-also donanding major
changes in the hospitalization regn
lotions, and to extend the soci^
security laws to seamen.
Fraternally yours,
WM. ROSS,
Agent.
ALASKA* MATES
SETTLE STRIKE
SEATTLE.—Members of tbe local
Masters, Mates A Pilots Association
returned to work after a ten-day
strike afp^nst operators of' veseels
in the Alaska trade.'
Union demands for Increased pay,
guarantee of at least eleven months
work annually, and separate cabins
for all' mates will be submitted to
negotiation. The three major com
panies had refused to consider the
deck officers' demands.
All iraflia to Alaska was suspend
ed and stories of impending: food
shortage in the territory were cir
culated. Full support was rendered
by the various maritime unions in
this area.
Fiuk Crew Sails
As Police Block
Union Agents
Action To Bring Ship Into
Line Being Taken By
A. F. of L. Groups,
BOSTON.—The Kennebec, oper
ated by the Seaboard Navigation
Company, sailed from liere with a
scab crew, protected by police, after
a. large majority of the crew walked
off in protest against flagrant dis
crimination by the company against
two SIU men in the gang.
Patrolmen Coburn, Nappi, and
Martin attempted to board the ves
sel to determine the nature of the
trouble, but were ordered off and
away from the pier by private
watchmen, reinforced by police.
This ship will be hit and tied up
good and proper upon her retm-n
here. The ILA and the IBT have
been reached and have promised
cooperation. A formal complaint
has been filed with the NLRB, rep
resentatives of which expressed the
opinion that we have a good case
against the company.
Phoneys Suspended at
Atlantic Headquarters
Meeting For Finagling
Membership Finds Powers and Murphy Guilty of Action
Against Seafarers' International.
MEN COMPLAIN
ABOUT FOOD
AT HOSPITAL
I _ _
' Petition Asking Change
Being Circulated At
Ellis Island.
BOSTON.—Owing to ice condi
tions in the Penobscot River, the
Seaboard Navigation Company has
suspended service to Rockland,
Bucksport, and Bangor, it was
learned here.
Pending reopening of the river,
when regular service will be re
sumed, the company will operate
the vessels Kemiebec and Penobscot
in other services. Rumors are that
the ships will run between other
New England ports and South At
lantic ports.
POINT JUDITE FREED
New Orleans. —; Swayne & Hoyt's
Point Judith, 4,810 gross tons, was
pulled off the mud near South Pass
entrance to the Mississippi by the
cutter Saranao, She was bound
Bmm Tiunpa to this, port when she
ran aground ih, a dense fog. The
vessel was nc-t damaged' and pro
ceeded upstream under her omt
power.
Members Vote
Suspension For
Tampa Ex-Agent
TAMPA—H. L. Sander, forme-
agent here, was suspended from
the Union by unanimous vote of the
membership' at our meeting of Feb
ruary 6. after being found guilty of
the following charges:
"1. Sander advocated and gave
aid to the Jirinciples and policies of
a dual organization; namely, the
united Seamen's association.
"2. On December 20, 1938, acting,
as agent, he delegated J, Anton to
serve as delegate to the Miami Cen
tral Trades and Labor assembly
without auttiority of a membership
vote.
"3. He failed to grvs a correct ac-
coimting of moneys due Delegate
Coleman at JacksonvlUe.
"*> While agent, he held a posi
tion with another union, which- is
against the constitution of our
Union."
The following self-explanatory
petition is being circulated among
seamen at the Ellis Island Hospital:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN;
We, the undersigned patients in
the Ellis Island Marine Hospital,
wish to have the following condi
tions:
1. To be served three decent
meals each day.
That our meals be diversified
and more skillfully prepared.
That we be treated as full-
grown Americans and not
treated like guinea pigs. (We
have full-grown appetites.)
That our uieals be sei ved at
8:00 A.M., Noon, and 5:00 P.M.
That our meals be composed
of at least 1 meat, 3 vegetables,
dessert and coffee.
If we can't be fed decently.
We ask the authorities at
Washington, D. C. to send an
investigating committee to
look into the situation here
at once:
NMU FAILS TO
PAY BENEFITS
DELEGATE SAYS
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
FRENGH DECREED
HURT SEAMEN
Le Havre (I.TJ.) — The French
Seamen's Federation dhiws atten-
ion to the various; Impairments
which the Law-Decrees of Novem
ber have involved for the seamen.
With other workers, the seamen suf
fer from the increased taxation. Ih
addition to the ordinary taxes, a
wage tax of Z per cent, deductable
at the source, has been introduced
in) view of the, "exceptional circxim-
stances." The indirect taxes ha^'e
been- appreciably increased, mean
ing an additional rise in the prices
of various staple foodstuffs. Fur
thermore, serious encroachments
have been made on the- 40-hour
week and: tho' holidays with pay. It
is true that the Decree-Law in
question maintains the principle of
the 40-hour week, but, "in view of
the grave economic situation," its
strict enforcement is suspended for
a period of three years. The hither
to obligatory IS days? leave- with
wagesi but without subsistence al-
lowanoe may also be cfuiotiled.
Preach and' Praetloa
Trade tfntoniam.
Following is Rte New York hospi
tal delegate's report:
Editor, the LOG:
Twenty-three niembers are con
fined to the Staten and Ellis islands
Marine Hospitals and one member
is tmder treatment at Rockefeller
Center. There are also eleven West
coast Brothers hospitalized at this
port.
During the week all members were
visited and benefits were paid to
tticse entitled.
There is a much, better attitude
among, the men since the AFLSU
practice of merely giving smokes
and reading matter to our sick
Brothers has been changed by the
Sin to weekly payment of a dollar
cash.
Of course membcRi In bad' stand
ing can not be paid their dollar
benefiti.but'I am aUe to bring them
oigMtettea that crews ot various
ships donate for this purpose.
There are a number of old ISU
members at Ellis island who en
tered' the hospital over two years
ago. These Brothers were in good
standing when admitted for treat-
men^ but in the shuffie they seem
to have been forgotten. Smokes are
also given- these men.
NMU members display keen in
terest in ttie benefits regularly paid
by the SIU. They complain bitterly
that after being heavily assessed by
the NMU for "hospital benefits,"
etc., no benefits have bem paid to
them since weeks before Christmas.
However, tiie PELOT' manages to
reach the hospitals.
PratemaUy,
MAY DILLON, Delegate.
Washington. — S. Duvall Schell
was appointed executive director of
the Maritime Commission early this
week. He has been acting director
since J. R. sheehan left the com
mission to head the American Presl-
i\
dent Lines. Mr, Schell was foi-mer-
ly connected witM the Shipping.
Board.
NEW YORK.—John Powers and
Bennett E. Murphy were suspended
from membership in the SIU for 99
years by overwhelming vote of the
members at last Atlantic headquar
ters meeting.
During the Emergency Board's
weekly report, which mentioned that
attempts to form company imions
on certain steamship lines had
been defeated. Bennett Murphy rose
to declare that he had evidence
that "John Powers was trying to
form a company union aboard
Cities' Service tankers.' The Chair ,
ruled this would have to be con
sidered under New Business.
Charges Filed
Murphy submitted the following
written charges: "Inasmuch as I
hold documentary proof of a com
pany union being formed in the
Cities Service Oil company by Jolm
Powers, I recommend that he be
expelled from this Union for a
period of 99 years. I also prefer
charges against Dispatcher Mc-
Henry for unknowingly being used
as a tool by Powers, although I be
lieve he has no active part in Pow
ers' movement. I recommend that
he be relieved of his present job,
which I will explain tmder New
Business." A trial committee was
duly elected.
To make things even more inter
esting, Murphy later proceeded to
charge that "Brothers Kelcey, Scot-
to, Serrano, and Thompson were
also under suspicion. Kelcey on tho
grounds that I believe he was also
used as a tool by Powers, and that
Scotto, Serrano, and Thompson are
working in Joe Ryan's interest and
not for the seamen." These charges
were also in writing.
Powers Leaves
Powers left the meeting upon
hearing the charges read against
him. Tbe meeting decided that
since Powers had heard the charges,
but had taken a ran out powder,
the trial would proceed at once
Charges against Kelcey were
lumped with those against Powers
and McHffluy.
Murphy testified against Powers,
saying that he had- this and that
for evidence which proved to be a
company union pledge card and one
letter reflecting on RCTWOTS' integrity
as a union man. There was also
much evidence of s hearsay nalaott.
although Murphy did state that
Powers personally told hi2p.<-ihat Iw-
fore long Cities' Servic^ would be
under, a company unloni. Powers is
employed ashore by tbii company.
Evidence against KelcQ) was that
he had distributed pledge cards to
foim of the company's tankers, but
it 'was proved that the cards were
Seafarers' Intamationia Union
pledges.
McHenry is supposed to Ijave re^-
oeived a phone call from Powers,
asking that assistance In getting^:^:
certiflcates be given to twoumen on
a Cities Service ship. A member;
who was present at the company
office at the time of the suppos-ed
conversation stated that an mtirely
different and innocent message was
given.
Unanimous Vote
The meeting then voted unanim
ously that "John Powers be sus
pended for 99 years . . . because, .
while carrying an SIU book,
failed to convey information of for
mative steps toward a company
union to the memborsliip and ofi-
ficials of this Union; thereby dem<-
onstrating that he is really not a
true union member." Changes
against Kelcey and McHenry w^e
dismissed for lack of evidence.
Scotto, Serrano, and Thomji-son-
were acquitted, after it was pointed :
out that they are seamen them
selves. that they have consistently
upheld the membership, and< that
(Ccmtinuedr on Page Four)
1
' ' «
THE SEAFARERS' LOG Friday, February 17, 1939
Conditions On
Lakes Reported
By Organizers
NMU Has "Con" Game, Is
Claim; Canadian Sea
men Hold Conclave.
DETROIT, Feb. 14.—It is too
early to make predictions about how
shipping on the Lakes will be this
year, but all signs and indications
show it will be a whole lot better
than last year. Some ships have
already started to fit out, and we
expect some of the automobile fer
ries to be running by the latter part
of March.
At present, the only ships operat
ing are the railway car-ferries.
They employ somewhere in the
neighborhood of 600 men. These
ferries operate under agreements
""signed by the three former district
unions of the ISD, but now amal
gamated under the banner of the
SIU, The trouble on the car-fer
ries is that they have been told
they come under the Railway Labor
Act and do not have to belong to
any union. The result is that quite
a few of the men have dropped
behind in their dues, and can't-by
any stretch of imagination be called
members of the Union.
i
Ferries Chiseling
A more serious situation has
arisen in which the railroad com
panies are starting to chisel on the
agreement. They are laying down
some very strict company rules. If
a man violates these rules, he is
stiffly penalized by lay-offs: so
many days for each offense.
All this could have been avoided
if the men had stood by their
Union. The only way it can be
remedied is to get back into the
Union, and lay down some rules of
their own.
Of course, this has given the
"unity boys" a chance to come into
the field with their usual ballyhoo
about how wonderful everything
will be if the men will only join
the NMU. A letter sent out by our
old "friend," Ralph Rogers, tells
"the men to merely sign a card and
then he will '' flx" evei-ything. Noth
ing for the men to do; nothing to
pay; just leave it all to Rogers and
MISTER Stone, and things will be
hunky dory. It's just like an adver
tisement for a confidence game.
AFL BACKS
REFUGEES
PROPOSAL
Children Under 14 Years
Age Would Be Rescued
From Dictator Lands.
r--
NMU Tactics Disliked
We don't think the seamen up
here will be easily fooled as Com
rades Rogers and Stone seem to
think. The men still remember
when the NMU stung them for two
dollars, then made them pay an-
eight dollars, and then nu-
meroiis assessments. Furthermore,
it is believed the men realize they
will have to do something for them
selves as the only way they will
ever better their conditions.
A great trouble is that. In the
past, the membership left every
thing in the hands of the offlcials.
Meetings were rarely held. The
men are as much to blame for this
as are the offlcials. We now have
meetings in Detroit twice a month,
shice most of the men live out of
town and it is practically impossible
for them to attend every week. As
soon as trafflc begins and the men
start coming into port we will have
weekly meetings^ like other dis
tricts of the SIU.
Canadians Enthused
The Canadian Seamen's Union is
having its Third Aimual Convention
at Windsor (across the river) and
I had the pleasure of attending
, their opening session. I spoke to the
'"^tlelegates in behalf of the Seafarers
and our policy was enthusiastically
received and approved. The Cana
dian seamen have gotten a charter
from the SIU and are determined to
go places. They believe we are here
to stay and build a strong seamen's
union.
Fraternally,
RAGNVALD JOHANSEN,
Lakes Organizer.
Miami, Fla. (AFLWNS) — The Ex
ecutive Coimcil of the American
Federation of Labor, in session here,
endorsed proposed national legisla'
tion designed to permit 10,000 ref
ugee children from Central Europ
ean countries dominated by the
Nazi dicta tor-ship to come to the
United States under the supervision
of the Quaker Relief Organization.
In announcing the decision
the Executive Council, William
Green, president of the Federation,
said the members of the Council
felt because of humanitarian rea
sons they could not oppose the idea
of helping young children to escape
from Nazi persecution and And
homes in the United States, espec'
ially as the proposal did not mean
modification of the immigration
statutes affecting adults.
"The children are to be from all
de.nominations, Catholic, Protestant
and Jewish," he continued. "The
only requisite is that they be refu
gees. The arrangement provides
that they be placed in private homes
and that those who give them
homes agree that they shall nor
become public charges."
'"riie Executive Council," Mr.
Green said, "was forced to keep in
mind the unemployment situation
here and the application of our im
migration statutes. We could not
favor any plan which either directly
or by implication would modify the
restrictive sections of our Immigra
tion statutes. This plan doesn't
provide lor any change in the
statutes. As for my personal view
point, I am mighty sentimental.'
FROM LW.W. DOWN TO C.I.O. OR
WHAT NEXT?
By ORA A. KRESS
Dockers Strike
In Jamaica Ports
NEW ORLEANS.—Longshoremen
throughout Jamaica are reported to
be on strike as a result of the Unit
ed Fruit Company's refusal to fire
a non-imion man at the banana
docks at Montego Bay. Other de
mands are not known. Ships are
tied up without cargo and docks
are piled high with fruit and other
commodities.
Troops have been mobilized by
order of His Majesty's Governor and
a condition bordering on martial
law prevails on waterfronts of the
principal towns on the Island,
sketchy reports indicate.
»
It'SS",:.':
M-
-'Sli ip From the Union Hall.
>eteat The Fink Halls.
SUSPENSIONS
(Continued from Page 3)
their relation to Joseph P. Ryan
was that of legitimate cooperation
with ILA delegates in union mat
ters of mutual concern.
Charges were then preferred
against Murphy for "fraternizing
with offlcials of the reorganized
isu, an organization dual to the
Seafarers' International Union, and
for bringing unsubstantiated charges
against Union members and of
ficials."
It was clearly shown that Murphy
has been hanging around the offlces
opened by Gus Brown, Grange,
Angle, and Reynolds. These dis
credited characters have been at
tempting to revive the putrid car
cass of the defunct International
Seamen's Union. Murphy admitted
consorting with Brown and Reyn
olds. That he was guilty of the sec
ond count had been amply demon
strated in the meeting. He was
found guilty and placed under sus
pension for 99 years and a day.
Powers and Murphy may apply
for a place on the shipping list on
February 15, 2038.
New York. — The Shepard liner
Sage Brush, 5565 gross tons, bound
from the Pacific Coast to New York,
via way ports, put into Manzanillo,
Mexico, last Tuesday with fire in
the hold, according to advices from
the master to company agents here.
In 1905, there was an "historic" meeting in Indianapolis
Ind.—a meeting which its sponsors confidently believed was to
seal the doom of the American Federation of Labor and mark
the beginning of a "new era" in relation between Industry anc
Labor.
These sponsors were gentlemen answering to the names of
Eugene Victor Debs, Daniel De Leon, John Sherman and—for
good measure—a few representatives of the Western Federation
of Miners whose names have since been forgotten.
The outcome of their deliberations and labors was the In
dustrial Workers of the World, which was to organize all wage
earners under the "industrial union" plan, including, of course,
those in the "mass production" industries of that period.
The I.W.W. campaign, at the outset, aroused a certain
amount of interest, even as has been shown in the current C.I.O.
Figuring prominently in the effort to stir up sentiment among
unorganized workers was a barrage of vilification of the American
Federation, just as is now being attempted by the C.I.O.
Here and there certain progress was made in grouping work
ers into five or six general divisions, a la C.I.O. A few agree
ments were obtained from a few industries. Extravagant claims
of big gains were issued in extravagant manner by I.W.W. lead
ers. The American Federation of Labor, if one would have be
lieved their statements, was on the way out—definitely I
But, where is the I.W.W. today—the I.W.W. that was the
luckless result of the merger of the preceding Socialist Trades and
Labor Alliance of Daniel De Leon, the Allied Mechanics of John
Sherman, the American Railway Union of Eugene V. Debs, and
the Western Miners?
All failed because of their inability to give protection to their
members and to control them or their activities. In other words,
they were founded on a theory basically unsound and were un
able to function successfully.
Even prior to the formation of the American Federation of
Labor in 1881, there had been ^n attempt to unionize workers
through the industrial form of ofganization. This was done in
the name of the old Knights of Labor of Terrance Vincent
Powderly, "General Master Workman."
The Knights struggled along for a few years, only to see the
American Federation of Labor, with its trade or craft style of
organization become steadily more powerful. After the formation
of the American Railway Union by Debs in 1893, but little was
tieard of the Knights of Labor as the foremost exponent of the
eft-wing industrial union idea. That distinction fell to Debs,
and Debs fell in the Pullman strike, after having attained a
membership of probably 150,000 for his American Railway
Jnion.
Will history repeat itself in the case of the similar C.I.O.?
A'^ill this organization even be considered by historians of the
uture as a labor movenient or the ruore or less legitimate suc
cessor to such combination political-economic upheavals as the
short-lived Union for Social Justice or the late Hucy Long's
Share the Wealth" scheme? ^
On that latter question, there may be some doubt, but of
the future of the American Federation of Labor—an organiza
tion that has functioned successfully since 1881, raising living
standards in this country to the highest level in the world and
which has shaken off not only the C.I.O. but a half dozen or
more earlier radical assaults on its prestige—the answer is clear.
:t will continue to stand as the real champion of the American
working man and woman and will play.an increasingly active
jart in the sound evolution of still better wage and working
conditions.
N. Y. Meet Asks
Lower Hospital
Entry Demands
Claims Time Limit On
Eligibility Too Short
For Present Times.
The following resolution was ad
opted at New York on Feb. 14, 1939:
WHEREAS: Under present rulings
at Marine Hospitals, seamen are de
nied admission for hospitalization
after expiration of sixty days from
the date of their last discharge, and
WHEREAS: Bona-flde seamen,
through no fault of their own, are
unable to obtain employment—es
pecially at this time—over periods
longer than those allowed by the
hospital authorities; Now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED: That a communica
tion be sent to the proper authori
ties in Washington demanding that
this condition be remedied and to
institute regulations which will al
low for a period of at least six
months unemployment, so that sea
men may better be able to obtain
the benefit of hospitalization and
treatment that is their due when
sick, and which is too often denied.
New Shipyard
In Northwest
Is Rumored
Todd War-Time Plant At
Tacoma To Be Rebuilt,
Say Reports.
/
SWEDISH UNION
SIGNS AGREEMENT
Goteberg (I.TJ*.) — The new col
lective agreement signed for Swed
ish seamen, with effect until Janu
ary 31, 1940, maintains existing con
ditions practically unchanged. In
the matter of holidays with pay,
however, the provisions have been
adjusted to the new act of June 17,
1938 on the subject, which repre
sents an improvement for the sea
men.
Under the old agreement they
were entitled to a seven-day holiday
with wages and 15 crowns subsist
ence allowance. Now they will get
twelve-day holiday with a sub
sistence allowance of i.3C crowns
per day.
Try Roller Skates
The following appears in the
minutes of the last regular meeting
at Philadelphia: '
"Moved and seconded that we
non-concur with the motion in the
Baltimore minutes pertaining to the
purchase of an automobile. Carried.
"Moved and seconded that since
Baltimore .wants transportation, and
in order to keep Philadelphia from
scabbing on other ports, that this
port be furnished a bicycle built-
for-two, with only one set of ped
als since Patrolman Collins has
enough push to act as outboard-
motor to get himself and the Agent
around the waterfront. Carried xma-
nimously." -.
SEATTLE.—The Todd Shipyards
Corporation is reported considering
re-establishing its building shops
and ways at Tacoma. Todd's oper
ate a dry dock and repair yard at
Seattle, but during the great war
time shipbuilding boom they turned
out a large number of vessels at
Tacoma to order of the Shipping
Board. Most of these ships were
towed to Seattle to have the finish
ing touches put on.
It Is reported that Todd Corpor
ation agents have been visiting the
site of the old yard with erection
of a modem plant in view. General
opinion is that they are going to
bid for some of the new construc
tion being pushed by government,
ALL HANDS LOST
NEW YORK.—The British freigh
ter Maria de Larrinaga, 4,988 tons,
bound from Galveston with wheat
Cobh (Queenstcwn) is reported
to have sunk with loss of all hands
about 1,500 milss east of New York
on the afternoon of February 10.
Heavy seas and blinding snow
squalls driven by a Nor'west gala
seriously hindered vessels respond
ing to S.O.S. calls. Tran.s-Atlantio
liners reported the sea was strewn
with hatch covers, oars, ladders,
and other wreckage at the position
last given by the ill-fated steamer,
Search for survivors was abandoned
only after darkness set in.
New Quarters
For Hastings
Waterman Will Build New
Deckhouse To In
crease Space.
Mobile—Plans are being madb to
erect a new after-deck house on the
Hastings to increase the accom
modations.- It is proposed to have
four rooms, three to be occupied by
an oiler and a watertender each,
and the other assigned to the Bo's'n,
The house will also have a wash
room of sufficient capacity for Its
occupants.
Fo'c'sle space aboard the Hastings
has been considered Inadequate for
some time, according to Wm. Ross,
local SIU agent. It is thought the
improvements can be made within
a trip or so, at which time schedules
will allow a sufflcle^ period In port.
f} •ifi
r
The Seafarers^ Log
Official Organ of tbc Atkntic and Gulf Seamen
Seafarers* International Union of North America
BROTHERHOOD
OF THE
SEA
VOL. I. NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1939 2(HI No. 2 l|
I
r • •.!:>
Bill Would
Put All Ships
Under NLRB
Proposed Law Compels
Maritime Commission
To Recognize Unions.
WASHINGTON, D. C.—Congress
man Wallgren of Washington last
week put into the legislative hopper
a bill calling for an amendment
to the Copeland Laws requiring
that subsidized ships and com
panies operating for the account of
the Maritime Commission hire their
crews from recognized labor unions.
The oroposed law would place sea
men on such vessels under the pro-
vis.tons of t.4e NLRB, and would
classify operators of such ships as
employers for the purposes of the
1,8.bor Relations Act.
The Maritime Commission has
bitterly opposed recognition of
unions for bargaining on vessels
operated by private contractors for
the Commission's account. It is the
Commission's stand that ships in
this category have the same status
as those operated by itself.
"Enactment of this bill will pro
vide the remedy that maritime gov
ernment agencies, other govern
ment agencies and bureaus dealing
with labor problems, and labor or
ganizations have been seeking to
clarify the present doubtful status
of seamen employed on ships oper
ated temporarily for the account of
the Maritime Commission," Mr.
Wallgren said.
Mississippi Is
Chiseling Into
Men's Overtime
Committee Elected To
Clarify Work Rules.
New Orleans—Overtime is still
quite a bone of contention on lots
of the rust pots termed ships sail
ing in these waters. The Mississippi
Shipping Company has a lot of old-
fashioned ideas about crews work
ing "for Jesus." They have several
clever schemes of chiseling; one is
to work the old gag of "safety."
The company contends on sailing
day that decks must be cleared of
dunnage for, "safety of the passen
gers." This means that when sail
ing at 9:00 PM.—and they usually
do—that the watches on deck must
work until 2:00 or 3:00 the follow
ing AJ^.: and they claim it isn't
overtime.
Another of their more objection
able habits is setting the watch
es after getting well out to sea
or, in fact, at any time it suits
the skipper. Watches are also brok
en in much the same manner. Oiu:
answer is to insist that, at least,
watches must be both set and brok
en within the confines of a safe
harbor.
Last Monday's meeting elected a
^committee from the floor, to get
after Mississippi Shipping for the
purpose of clarifying working rules
in the present agreement. The
meeting also went on record de
manding that all hands be used to
raise and lower the gear. All ship's
delegates have been so instructed.
The longshoremen here report
they had no trouble on their own
account this week, so it looks like
this week will go down in history
as something or other.
Latin American
Solidarity Is
Desired By AFL
Would Offset Nazi and
Fascist Activities In
Southern Republics.
Miami, Pla. — The Executive
Council of the American Federa
tion of Labor, in session here, con
sidered the question of sending a
commission to the Latin American
countries to provide the basis for
a Pan-American labor conference
to combat Nazism and Fascism.
William Green, president of the
A. F. of L., announced that the
labor situation in Latin America
came before the Executive Coun
cil in the recommendation by San
tiago Iglesias, secretary of the old
Pan-American Federation of Labor,
and D. W. Tracy, president of the
International Brotherhood of Elec
trical Workers, who was one of the
American delegates to the recent
conference at Lima, Peni.
Pointing out that the recom
mendations of Mr. Tracy and Mr.
Iglesias were identical, Mr. Green
said that a high official of the
A. F. of L., who visited Mexico iasl
Fall, had submitted a supplement
ary report on the labor situation
in that coimtry.
The proposed Pan-American con
ference would consider the labor,
social, and economic problems of
the two Americas, but particularly
the problems in the nations south
of the Rio Grande.
"The invasion of some Latin-
American countries by Germans and
Italians makes us apprehensive lest
the Nazi-Fascist philosophy
preached in these countries may
affect us," Mr. Green said. "That
is of deep concern to us. We are
as much opposed to Nazism as to
Fascism," he added.
Ryan Thanked
For Support
On Seatrains
NEW YORK.—In recognition of
the solidarity among A. F. of L.
maritime unions in the dispute with
Seatrain Lines, the membership
unanimously passed the following
resolution in the Atlantic Head
quarters meeting of Febi-uary 14:
WHEREAS: A dispute of vital
importance to the Seafarers' Inter
national Union reached a satisfac
tory conclusion whereby the Union's
position is strengthened generally
and has been established on the
Seatrains in particular, and
WHEREAS: The outcome of this
dispute-was doubtful had not the
other maritime crafts given imstint-
ing cooperation to keep the Sea-
train Havana tied up in the Port of
New York, and the Seatrain New
York tied up at New Orleans; Now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the member
ship of the Seafarers' Internationa]
Union of North America, in meet
ing assembled at the Port ,of New
York, this fourteenth day of Febru
ary, 1939, do hereby extend a vote
of thanks to Joseph P. Ryan, Presi
dent of the International Long
shoremen's Association, to John and
Jimmy Nolan, ILA representatives
at Hoboken, N. J., to Walter Holt,
Vice-President of the ILA, and to
other representatives and the mem
bership of the International long
shoremen's Association for their full
support and other assistance of in
estimable value in the dispute be-
twe.en this Union and the Seatrain
Lines, Inc.
Tanker Sinks;
Entire Crew Is
Taken Off Ship
Grounded in Fog, Ship
Floods As Heavy Seas
Pound; Fire Menaces.
PROVIDENCE.—Nosing through a
dense fog, the Texas Company
tanker Lightburne grounded heavily
on the shoals off Old Harbor Point,
Block Island, at about 8:00 PJ^4.,
February 10. Heavy swells poxmded
the stranded vessel so badly that by
midnight she flooded out and sank
with poop awash. The stack and
other deck structures remained
above water. She is lying about a
mile offshore.
Braving pounding seas and ham
pered by intermittent squalls and
fog banks, Coast Guard surfmen
took off the crew and officeis'*'with-
out loss of life.
Next day, acres of floating gaso
line leaking from the vessel took
Are and sent up huge billows of
smoke and flame for many hours.
Anally burning out. It is supposed
the oil was ignited by a self-light
ing flare of a life-ring torn free
and swept off by boarding seas. The
vessel was not touched by fire, but
it is reported that flames came
within fifty yards. That there was
no explosion is laid to a strong off
shore wind that carried the fire
seaward.
The Lightburne was built at
Bath, Me., in 1919. She measured
6,429 gross tons and was 416 feet
long and fitted with 3,000 horsepow
er engines. Fears were expressed
the ship will be a total loss. The
tanker was bound from Port Ar
thur to Providence with 72,000 bar
rels of gasoline and kerosene.
Finn Seamen
Dissatisfied
With Rules
VMU Is Left Holding
CIO Bag In The Gulf
Waterfront at New Orleans, 100% AFL As Last CIO
Docks Are Taken Over by ILA; Teamsters
in Hot Campaign.
COURT UPHOLDS
HOMER MARTIN
AGAINST CIO
I
Union Would Change
Manning Scale and
Qualify Ratings.
Amsterdam (I.TJ.) — In Finland
a committee representative of the
Government, the Seamen's Union
and the ship-owners, has drawn up
a proposal for statutory regulation
of hours and manning aboard ships
in the foreign and coastal trades.
The proposal is based on the Draft
International Convention on Hours
and Manning of the International
Labor Conference. The committee's
recommendations have been for
warded to the different bodies con
cerned.
The Seamen's Union consider the
proposal inadequate in several re
spects. No provision is made, for In
stance, for dealing with the engine-
room and stewards' departments.
The union is demanding that the
number of firemen be fixed at one
per three tons of coal consumed
daily in tropical zones and one per
three and a half tons in temperate
zones. It further desires specifica
tion of the number of cooks and of
the minimum standards of quali
fication to be .satisfied by that rating.
BOSTON.—This branch is vigor
ously demanding that the Social
Security Act be extended so that
merchant seamen can be entitled to
benefits that wage workers ashore
receive under existing provisions of
the Act.
DETROIT, Feb. 14 (UP.) —
Homer Martin won a court victory
today in his fight to retain the
presidency of the United Automo
bile Workers' Union.
Circuit Judge Dewitt H. Merriam
granted his faction custody of the
funds, property, and membership
rolls of Plymouth Local 51, pend
ing the outcome of the replevin suit.
Judge Merriam ruled, however,
that he could not decide on per
manent custody of the property
"without taking testimony involv
ing the union's factional difficul
ties."
The Plymouth local, one of the
largest in the UAW, has been the
battleground for much of the in-
tra-union warfare. Martin removed
the local's elected officers and ap
pointed an administrator. The anti-
Martin group, with the support of
the CIO, ousted the administrator
and reappointed the officers.
When Martin supporters seized
the local's property and records, the
CIO faction filed suit to have the
property returned.
Earlier today Martin charged that
Commimism was spreading in the
American Labor movement with
the encouragement of John L.
Lewis.
Crew Forces
Needed Change
On Plow City
Food and Quarters Ai*e
Brought To Standards
Despite Skipper-Owner.
New Orleans, La. — Conditions
on the palatial sulphur boat "Plow
City" when she arrived here were
about the lousiest seen in this port
for a long time. Immediately upon
arrival, the crew started putting in
frantic phone calls for the Agent,
Patrolman, or anyone who could
remedy things.
The Finn went aboard and found
she was crummy, hungry, and the
quarters absolutely haywire. The
mattresses were not fit for any use.
Informed of this, the skipper called
it "all a lot of lies," and claimed
he bought $13.65 (?) worth of stores
at Tampa. Nor could the Old Man
understand why things were crum
my, claiming the quarters had been
fumigated with sulphur during the
last trip. He promised nothing fur
ther would be done.
Rather than sail a tub of this
sort, the sailors said they'd quit.
After much dickering.Jt was agreed
that the vessel would be fumigated
with cyanide, all mattresses renewed,
and stores brought up to standards
checked by SIU representatives. All
tableware was checked and crockery
dishes renewed to allow full mess
seating. Additionally, fresh milk
will be on the table.
Other work, such as renovating
quarters, w?". be done at Norfolk.
The vessel sailed with a satisfactory
crew.
NEW ORLEANS.—The CIO
taking a terrible shellacking in this
port and appears to be headed for
certain oblivion. Recent gains made
by various A. F. of L. affiliates shows
that progress is well fotmded and
is. of a character to last for many
years.
All twenty of the principal steam
ship lines out of here employ none
but ILA longshoremen. The last
major employer to get into line was
Syayne & Hoyt, who came over af
ter a five-day tie-up of their ships
Point Brava and Point Chico.
Only the NMU is left on the front
to uphold the CIO banner. It is
claimed they will be entirely iso
lated from the local labor move
ment after the Teamsters' Union
elections. "The only way the NMU
can remain in the GuU field is to
assume the role of scabherder," as
serted Roland Dean, SID organizer.
Already, reports from NMU men
are showing that "the NMU. is.
breaking down conditions to main-'
tain their 'sacred' agreements," h^ j
adds.
SIU Is Determined
Dean declared, "The SIU and Its
allies are not going to allow any
group of seamen to stand in the
way and prevent formation of a
solid front against the shipowners
and their stooges in the Maritime
Commission."
In compliance with the program
of the A. F. of L, to thoroughly
unionize the waterfront workers,
the local Transportation, Building
Trades, and Metal Trades councils
have adopted the following program
and widely circulated annoimce-
ments in the city:
"On and after February 13 no
cargo drayed by other than A. P.
of L. truck drivers and helpers will
be handled by any member of local
unions affiliated to the above-men
tioned councils and the American
Federation of Labor.
"Attention of all teamsters and
helpers is called to fact that long
shoremen in the Port of New Or
leans are one hundred per cent
A. F. of L.
No Place For CIO
"We call particular attention to
what happened to CIO longshore
men on the Gulf-Pacific docks and ]
to the fact there is no longer a
place for CIO longshoremen in New
Orleans,
"Any driver or helper who re
fuses to go down the line with the
program of the A. F. of L. and
Truck Drivers', Local 207, will find
himself isolated from the labor
movement and with no place to
work in New Orleans.
"Remember it is absolutely neces
sary that all drivers wear their
union buttons and have a paid up
membership book in their possession
at all times. No cargo, of any de
scription, will be received from any
driver without his button and paid
up book.
Tills program has been endorsed
by the Seafarers' International
Union, Gulf district, and by nine
locals of the ILA ranging from gen
eral longshoremen to banana car
riers and cotton compress workers.
These unions compose the Marine
Transportation council.
4 'ii •y
y
THE SEAFARERS' LOG
r
Friday, February 17, 1939
Published Wedi:ly by
SEAFARERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
0
HARKY LUNDEBERG, Acting President
11 Steuart Street, San Francisco, Calif.
0
New York
Boston
Atlantic District
HEADQUARTERS
,_2 Stone Street
BRANCHES
...1 Rowes Wharf
Providence _
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
San Juan, Puerto Rico
465 So, Main Street
6 North 6th Street
_212 East Pratt Street
-.307 East Main Street
9 Comercio Street
New Orlean,<?
Savarmah
Jacksomulle _
Miami
Tampa
MilyJe
Galveston
Gulf District
HEADQUARTERS
...309 Chartres Street
BRANCHES
_218 East Bay Street
..111 Bay Street
,..809 N. E. First Avenue
206 Franklin Street
.55 So. Conception Street
318% 23rd Street
Detroit
Great Lakes District
HEADQUARTERS
.1038 Third Street
, ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THIS
PUBLICATION TO;
"THE SEAFARERS' LOG"
P. O. Box 522 Church Street Aunex
New York, New York
Point oj Information
The American Federation of Labor is not a union in the
II accepted sense, but a federation of unions, come together on a
Ip voluntary basis. It has no power other than that given to it by
' the scores of affiliated national and international unions.
These affiliates retain control of their internal affairs. They
are thd sole judge of their wage scales, working conditions, etc.
Each has undisputed power to adjust industrial disputes in their
respective jurisdictions and they are protected from invasion by
rival organizations. All of this makes it impossible for any in
dividual or group of individuals to gain dictatorial powers.
State and city central labor bodies, composed of represen
tatives of local affiliates of national and international unions, are
also affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, as arc local
unions in trades and callings where no national union exists. The
American Federation of Labor binds this family of trade unions
into a voluntary federation.
It depends on education and organization to develop new
social viewpoints. It maintains intercommunication between affi
liates, and is in constant correspondence with a corps of organizers
and representatives throughout the country.
The American Federation of Labor guards the workers' in
terest in the national Congress and the state Legislatures. It in
dorses and protects in the name of labor. It has obtained relief
from burdensome laws and gcA'crmental bureaucracy, as well as
worked for and secured the passage of much legislation beneficial
to all the people, such as Workmen's Compensation, free books
for school children, mother's pensions, minimum wages and hours
for women and minors, and many other laws too numerous to
mention.
The trade or craft unions reflect, in organized form, the best
thought, activities and hopes of the wage workers. The trade
unions are exactly what the wage workers are and can be exactly
what the wage workers please to make them—active or sluggish,
intelligent or dull, narrow or broad-minded—just as the members
are intelligent or otherwise.
But, regardless of which characteristic that has been pre
dominant, the trade union has proved, :hrough more than fifty
years, to be the best protector of the American workers' interests.
The American Federation of Labor and the trade, or craft,
unions are and always have been a fa<^or in all social movements.
The American Federation of Labor raises living standards and
checks wage reductions. It not only discuorages class conscious-
hesi, but encourages fraternity and fosters temperance and liber-
-ality.
Aboye all, the American Federation of Labor is an educa-
tional force. Its democracy is its disinctive characteristic. It ignores
sectionalism. It knows creed, sex or race.
DISPATCHERS'
REPORTS
NEW GRUEANS.—Plenty of jobs,
but with shipping only fair, Eigh
teen men went to regular shipboaid
jobs, while 28 of the boys got some
good standby work and 40 made it
longshoring.
BOSTON.—Shipping has been
very slow, with only 22 men shipped
in all departments since the first
of the month. It is expected, how
ever, that by March 1. hiring of
crews for seasonal ships will begin.
At pi-esent, 92 members are regis
tered in the deck and engine de
partments.
BALTIMORE.—There was brisk
shipping this week. Following table
shows shipments and number of
men registered:
Shipped
™ 61
H
12
84
SIU
SUP
MFOW
Totals .
On List
74
6
15
95
NORFOLK.—Shipping was very
poor in all departments this past
week.
HOMER MARTIN FLAYS J. L. LEWIS
Extracts from a letter written by Homer Martin, President
of the UAW, to John L. Lewis, head of Uie CIO, are interesting,
instructive and revealing. Martin has been a member of the GIG
executive board. He is resigning from that post, and in his letter
of resignation to Lewis the following charges and condemnations
stand out. Said Martin to Lewis:
"As an advocate of democratic principles in the labor move
ment, I can no longer subscribe to the policies and tactics you
have resorted to ..."
"We are forced to the conclusion that whatever lip-service
you may have paid to these principles — in practice, you have
utterly repudiated them."
"You are unable to rise above your personal ambitions and
dictator complex . . ."
"It is clear now that you have lost sight of the basic ideals
of the labor movement and have given yourself over to a policy
of rule or ruin."
"You have adopted the methods of your .Stalinist allies . . . ;
downright misrepresentation and falsehood."
"There has not been a blacker chapter in the annals of
American labor than that written by you and your agents."
NEW YORK.—Shipping is con
sidered normal for this time of
year. It is expected that there will
be a pick up between the first and
fifteenth of March, when a large
number of seasonal boats will call
crews. A great part of the antici
pated improvement will be felt in
the Stewards' department. Figures
for the week ending February 13 are
tabulated below:
Shipped On List
Engine 20 84
Deck _ 26 48
Stewards
(white) 8 38
Stewards
(colored) ..... 9 215
Totals .. ....... 63 365
PHILADELPHIA. — Things are
A Beautiful Mess
rathar slow, with only 18 men in
all departments shipped during the
week. There were eleven new regis
trations.
PROVIDENCE, R. I.—Shipping is
beginning to come through the Hall
in gratifying amounts. During the
past week seven men shipped to
deck jobs, one man went in-the
steward's department, three of the
gang got on the point of production
via the engine room.
"NOTICE"
Will the A.B. who was working
on deck of the "Robert E. Lee"
when the line parted at the after
windlass while we were shutting the
after port-side cargo port while
at Norfolk, on or about October 2,
1938, please conununicate with me,
from now until March IS, 1939, at
the Marine Hospital, Stapleton,
Staten Island.
After March 15, 1939, you may
reach me in care of Room 3008, 80
Broad Street, New York City.
HENRY S. BARCLAY.
SPORTS NOTE
Angus Bandenicks looped ashore
from the freighter Everolanda,
docked at Cardiff recently, and
made off with a full-size locomotive.
He opened the throttle and pro
ceeded down the line until stopped
by automatic block signals. A
magistrate heard him explain he
didn't know what happened be
cause he'd been "plenty drunk,"
then fined falm a couple of pounds.
Notice:
_ Ships' Delegates: Demand
-hat all replacements produce a
orcperly filled out assignment-
sard from the Dispatcher at
^ht Union helk
When thieves fall out then mm--
der will out. A few weeks ago we
predicted that the impencUng elec
tions in the NMU would uncover
as mad a scramble for pie as has
ever been witnessed in the Ameri
can labor movement. We only had
to wait vmtil the Jan. 27 issue of
the Pilot came out to find our
prediction verified. But we also
fear that another Detroit is in the
making.
Following up Curran's opening
attack against the unnamed but
very well known opposition to his
automat sailors, an auditing com
mittee takes up over two pages in
the Pilot to continue the campaign
under the heading of making its
report. The report should not only
prove interesting to the member
ship but very educational, even
though it will not be news to a
great many.
The auditing committee, con
sisting of former officials of the
NMU who failed to be re-elected
in the last election and several
more disgruntled elements, were
prompted to expose the mess in
which the NMU now finds itself
not because of any desire to serve
the best interests of the union, but
to discredit certain officials. That
these officials who are attacked, can
stand discrediting, because of their
own action, is plainly evident.
Forgetting America's No. 1 Clown
Joseph's constant reports of how
stable the NMU was and bow
smoothly the organization was run
ning, the committee contradicts
as follows: "That the tmion is
heavier in debt than ever. Behind
this bankruptcy is a story of waste,
incompetency, and in some cases,
practically criminal inefficiency and
neglect." These are their own
words.
Being used to NMU scandals we
could not get overly excited at this
latest one. For months and months
the 'West Coast Sailors' has points
out this truth and the very people
who are now making these charges
were the ones who denounced us
the loudest. It has always been
easy for NMU officials when reply
ing to our charges to repeat stupid
ly a few of the old liackneyed
phrases about the flnky AFL, sell
out-artists, etc. But what is the
membership of the NMU going to
think now when their own com
mittee says things much stronger
than we were ever tempted to?
The whole report is full of seri
ous Indictments against tlu offi
cials of the NMU with several im
portant omissions. It goes out of
its way to point out how blameless
Curran Is and a few more of his
well known associates. The reason
for this is very plain. It is the
beginning of election propaganda
and pretty soon the whole truth
will come out wh«i the othw side
starts doing Its stuff.
But the absolving of Ourran in
trigues us. Here is a president of
a union who meets regularly with
the other officials and at least
should know a little bit about what
is going on in his own organization.
And yet, all this time he has is
sued reports telling what a splen
did condition the NMU was in. For
the committee to say Joe is not re
sponsible is about equivalent to the
arguments we heard about Harding
and Coolldge being clear of the
Teapot Dome scandal because they
had not been directly involved.
Those arguments, then, did not
take in the average high school
kid, who was at ell interested in
what was going on, and we feel
sure that very few of the NMU
rank and file will fall for the com
mittee's whitewashing of Curran.
Let us even give "big time" Jo«
the benefit of the doubt and say
he did not know how criminally
wasteful his colleagues were with
the union's funds as the auditing
committee tries to Imply, then we
would like to know just how has
Joe been spending his time? Surely,
it is not too much to expect the
head of an organization to know
a few things about what is going
on in his own union! We feel safe
In saying that the NMU rank and
file will think the same way.
One of the members of the com
mittee had resigned in protest
against the insincerity of the othea'
members as well as the failure of
A majority of than in attoiding
meetings of the committee. Br.
Burch, the dissenting member, at
tack the report as follows:
"I am wondering by what right
and entitlement then that the re
maining five members of the com
mittee brought in a report when
at least two ol them had no right
to sign it because of non-attend
ance and when at least two more
certainly had^ not the moral right
to sign It because of the biased
attitude since the report was on
those who were their opponents in
the elections. It is written in the
philosophy of justice, that he who
would seek justice must come be
fore the bar with clean hands; yet
we find that former reports on
Brother Bjme, (one of the auditing
committee) charge him with the
same faults that he now charges
others."
This truth would never nave
come out but for the Curranskites
fearing their cut in the pie is being
jeopardized, if and when they get
back control. As things are going
now, we will be interested to hear
from the other side and then well
know a few more things that have
been withheld. It will not be sur
prising to us if another Auto
Workers' fiasco Is in the making,
but fortunately, the seamen will
find their position stronger because
there is an indusUdal union In the
field that will be able to tsdce up
their fight.
A.,
.ty
fit;. •"
:; ]
/
!• •
A'\
Felweery' 17, 19SW THE S'EAFAirERS;* IOC
l-'M
f. .i I '4
JOE REVEALS NVIU DECAY—
"LITTLE MAN, WHAT NOWr
If confession is good for the soul,
then Joe Curran is completejy
purged; In a recent report appear
ing in the Pilot, Joe unburdens, him
self o£ many gripes and at the same
time reveals an amazing hollowness
to his sea-going fraternity.
On a recent swing around the
circuit, Skipper Curran dug up an
astounding situation which — read,
carefully — Joe said, "was a very
alarming picture," in which "reaL
leadership is sadly lacking."
Duties Neglected
"Members," he said, "liave been;
neglected to a very great extent, '
and are, "wondering why they selr
dom or rarely see a delegate."
The serious situation, as Curran
describes it, has many causes among
which he lists, factional leanings
of other officials... neglecting to col
lect assessments... meetings which
consist of nothing but mudslinging
... needful correction in National
Headquarters and the lack of in
terest by "officials and delegates" in
the welfare of the membership.
Curran is the chap who appeared
before the Senate Commerce Com
mittee to declare that the Commun
ist party, "has done more for the
workers ... than, any of the so-called
and self-appointed liberal agencies
exl.stent to date." He has defended
the right of reds to hold office in
the NMU.
A photostat of Curran's member
ship card in the Commimist party
is included among the mass o' evi
dence accumulated by the Dies
committee.
Ruin Forseen
Continuing on his all-revealing
confession, Mr. Curran sees the
NMU disintegrating under his very
nose, complains of non-cooperation
from the officers he himself ap
pointed, charges that union funds,
"are being spent more carelessly and
extravagantly than ever before,"
and visualizes the SIU as the suc
cessful maritime union unless new
life is injected Into his demoralized
outfit.
Joe really spilled every bean in
the pot. His report appears in his
own official Pilot issue of January
13, 1939.
Gulf Organizer
Optimistic In
Weekly Report
TJie Gulf Organizer for the SIU
reports the following-.
Editor, the LOG:
New Orleans A. P. of L. Teamsters
are faced with another phoney
Labor Board election. A special
meeting of the Maritime Transport
ation coimcil went on record imanl-
mously to see that all cargo to and
fi-om the docks is handled by A. P.
of L. teamsters.
Steamship companies are giving
the clerks and checkers a little
trouble about signing an agreement.
A taste of job action is indicated
as the only way to get It done.
The I.L.A. has helped us tie up
several shii» for better conditions
aQd< wages and they are cooperating
100 per cent generally wlthi all other
waterfront crafts.
Working on- P A O
A telegram, was received today in-
fbrming us to be ready to negotiate
an agreement with the Peninsular
& Occidental Steamshlp' Company..
This is encouraging, since this- com
pany was rather troublesame by its
attempts to. discriminate against
and. coerce ouc members.
Brotiiers. Gunnison and Hart, who
were arrested at Tampa on framed
charges of "pinMng" Bob Bpps, are
out. on bond and back on the job
in. the; old militant style: Some day
ttoe^ phoneys will realiae they can't
Mace real' union men out of town.
Upon receiving instructions to
•irilEe all Seatralns, we woriced all
night. lining up) support and: took
aoidBn to prevent leaks. All hands
walked' off the ekmtrain New York.
It was a. demonstration of solidarity,
seldom seen in this port. The long-
Bhoremra. refused to. cross the picket
line and a cablegram from the cre^
of the Seatroln New Orleans, docked
at Hhvana, annoimoed they were
solidly behind tJie sru.
The workers at New Orleans have
come, to realize that united action
of all martime unions, through the
medium of a Maritime Transporta
tion council, is the only way to
apply their economic power;
Praternally,
ROLAND DEAN,
Gult Organizer.
MOBILE MAKING
GOOD PROGRESS
BOSTON,—Mombe'^ at the- stewr-
ardsl department on Eastern SB
Company ships have been alternat
ing jobs with the men on the beaoh
every two' weeks. This. Is worked
on a voluntary rotary system; so
that members who o'~her\t^ would
be unemployeC during Winter
monttui emr earn a few dollars.
The SIU agent at Mobile writes
as follows:
Editor, the LOG:
The usual number of beefs that
arise weekly on ships sailing out
of this port were adjusted to the
complete satisfaction of all.
On the Pan Atlantic, the crew
beefed about there not being enough
heat in the fo'c'sle. This was reme
died by installing additional radia
tors. Pretty much the same com
plaint was raised by the Pan Graft's
crew, but on account of her short
stay in tills port. It was agreed
to make all necessary changes on
her return.
Because Waterman's marine sup
erintendent has to undergo a serious
surgical operation, we are postpon
ing conferences to clarify certain
clauses in our agreement until he
recovers.
The "Maiden Creek" and the
"Afoundiia," on the Cuba run, have
each shipped an additional mess-
man.
We are going down the line for
the A P. of L. Marine Trades De
partment.
Now that we are members of tbe
SIU, look, at the progress we can
make: We are-also donanding major
changes in the hospitalization regn
lotions, and to extend the soci^
security laws to seamen.
Fraternally yours,
WM. ROSS,
Agent.
ALASKA* MATES
SETTLE STRIKE
SEATTLE.—Members of tbe local
Masters, Mates A Pilots Association
returned to work after a ten-day
strike afp^nst operators of' veseels
in the Alaska trade.'
Union demands for Increased pay,
guarantee of at least eleven months
work annually, and separate cabins
for all' mates will be submitted to
negotiation. The three major com
panies had refused to consider the
deck officers' demands.
All iraflia to Alaska was suspend
ed and stories of impending: food
shortage in the territory were cir
culated. Full support was rendered
by the various maritime unions in
this area.
Fiuk Crew Sails
As Police Block
Union Agents
Action To Bring Ship Into
Line Being Taken By
A. F. of L. Groups,
BOSTON.—The Kennebec, oper
ated by the Seaboard Navigation
Company, sailed from liere with a
scab crew, protected by police, after
a. large majority of the crew walked
off in protest against flagrant dis
crimination by the company against
two SIU men in the gang.
Patrolmen Coburn, Nappi, and
Martin attempted to board the ves
sel to determine the nature of the
trouble, but were ordered off and
away from the pier by private
watchmen, reinforced by police.
This ship will be hit and tied up
good and proper upon her retm-n
here. The ILA and the IBT have
been reached and have promised
cooperation. A formal complaint
has been filed with the NLRB, rep
resentatives of which expressed the
opinion that we have a good case
against the company.
Phoneys Suspended at
Atlantic Headquarters
Meeting For Finagling
Membership Finds Powers and Murphy Guilty of Action
Against Seafarers' International.
MEN COMPLAIN
ABOUT FOOD
AT HOSPITAL
I _ _
' Petition Asking Change
Being Circulated At
Ellis Island.
BOSTON.—Owing to ice condi
tions in the Penobscot River, the
Seaboard Navigation Company has
suspended service to Rockland,
Bucksport, and Bangor, it was
learned here.
Pending reopening of the river,
when regular service will be re
sumed, the company will operate
the vessels Kemiebec and Penobscot
in other services. Rumors are that
the ships will run between other
New England ports and South At
lantic ports.
POINT JUDITE FREED
New Orleans. —; Swayne & Hoyt's
Point Judith, 4,810 gross tons, was
pulled off the mud near South Pass
entrance to the Mississippi by the
cutter Saranao, She was bound
Bmm Tiunpa to this, port when she
ran aground ih, a dense fog. The
vessel was nc-t damaged' and pro
ceeded upstream under her omt
power.
Members Vote
Suspension For
Tampa Ex-Agent
TAMPA—H. L. Sander, forme-
agent here, was suspended from
the Union by unanimous vote of the
membership' at our meeting of Feb
ruary 6. after being found guilty of
the following charges:
"1. Sander advocated and gave
aid to the Jirinciples and policies of
a dual organization; namely, the
united Seamen's association.
"2. On December 20, 1938, acting,
as agent, he delegated J, Anton to
serve as delegate to the Miami Cen
tral Trades and Labor assembly
without auttiority of a membership
vote.
"3. He failed to grvs a correct ac-
coimting of moneys due Delegate
Coleman at JacksonvlUe.
"*> While agent, he held a posi
tion with another union, which- is
against the constitution of our
Union."
The following self-explanatory
petition is being circulated among
seamen at the Ellis Island Hospital:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN;
We, the undersigned patients in
the Ellis Island Marine Hospital,
wish to have the following condi
tions:
1. To be served three decent
meals each day.
That our meals be diversified
and more skillfully prepared.
That we be treated as full-
grown Americans and not
treated like guinea pigs. (We
have full-grown appetites.)
That our uieals be sei ved at
8:00 A.M., Noon, and 5:00 P.M.
That our meals be composed
of at least 1 meat, 3 vegetables,
dessert and coffee.
If we can't be fed decently.
We ask the authorities at
Washington, D. C. to send an
investigating committee to
look into the situation here
at once:
NMU FAILS TO
PAY BENEFITS
DELEGATE SAYS
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
FRENGH DECREED
HURT SEAMEN
Le Havre (I.TJ.) — The French
Seamen's Federation dhiws atten-
ion to the various; Impairments
which the Law-Decrees of Novem
ber have involved for the seamen.
With other workers, the seamen suf
fer from the increased taxation. Ih
addition to the ordinary taxes, a
wage tax of Z per cent, deductable
at the source, has been introduced
in) view of the, "exceptional circxim-
stances." The indirect taxes ha^'e
been- appreciably increased, mean
ing an additional rise in the prices
of various staple foodstuffs. Fur
thermore, serious encroachments
have been made on the- 40-hour
week and: tho' holidays with pay. It
is true that the Decree-Law in
question maintains the principle of
the 40-hour week, but, "in view of
the grave economic situation," its
strict enforcement is suspended for
a period of three years. The hither
to obligatory IS days? leave- with
wagesi but without subsistence al-
lowanoe may also be cfuiotiled.
Preach and' Praetloa
Trade tfntoniam.
Following is Rte New York hospi
tal delegate's report:
Editor, the LOG:
Twenty-three niembers are con
fined to the Staten and Ellis islands
Marine Hospitals and one member
is tmder treatment at Rockefeller
Center. There are also eleven West
coast Brothers hospitalized at this
port.
During the week all members were
visited and benefits were paid to
tticse entitled.
There is a much, better attitude
among, the men since the AFLSU
practice of merely giving smokes
and reading matter to our sick
Brothers has been changed by the
Sin to weekly payment of a dollar
cash.
Of course membcRi In bad' stand
ing can not be paid their dollar
benefiti.but'I am aUe to bring them
oigMtettea that crews ot various
ships donate for this purpose.
There are a number of old ISU
members at Ellis island who en
tered' the hospital over two years
ago. These Brothers were in good
standing when admitted for treat-
men^ but in the shuffie they seem
to have been forgotten. Smokes are
also given- these men.
NMU members display keen in
terest in ttie benefits regularly paid
by the SIU. They complain bitterly
that after being heavily assessed by
the NMU for "hospital benefits,"
etc., no benefits have bem paid to
them since weeks before Christmas.
However, tiie PELOT' manages to
reach the hospitals.
PratemaUy,
MAY DILLON, Delegate.
Washington. — S. Duvall Schell
was appointed executive director of
the Maritime Commission early this
week. He has been acting director
since J. R. sheehan left the com
mission to head the American Presl-
i\
dent Lines. Mr, Schell was foi-mer-
ly connected witM the Shipping.
Board.
NEW YORK.—John Powers and
Bennett E. Murphy were suspended
from membership in the SIU for 99
years by overwhelming vote of the
members at last Atlantic headquar
ters meeting.
During the Emergency Board's
weekly report, which mentioned that
attempts to form company imions
on certain steamship lines had
been defeated. Bennett Murphy rose
to declare that he had evidence
that "John Powers was trying to
form a company union aboard
Cities' Service tankers.' The Chair ,
ruled this would have to be con
sidered under New Business.
Charges Filed
Murphy submitted the following
written charges: "Inasmuch as I
hold documentary proof of a com
pany union being formed in the
Cities Service Oil company by Jolm
Powers, I recommend that he be
expelled from this Union for a
period of 99 years. I also prefer
charges against Dispatcher Mc-
Henry for unknowingly being used
as a tool by Powers, although I be
lieve he has no active part in Pow
ers' movement. I recommend that
he be relieved of his present job,
which I will explain tmder New
Business." A trial committee was
duly elected.
To make things even more inter
esting, Murphy later proceeded to
charge that "Brothers Kelcey, Scot-
to, Serrano, and Thompson were
also under suspicion. Kelcey on tho
grounds that I believe he was also
used as a tool by Powers, and that
Scotto, Serrano, and Thompson are
working in Joe Ryan's interest and
not for the seamen." These charges
were also in writing.
Powers Leaves
Powers left the meeting upon
hearing the charges read against
him. Tbe meeting decided that
since Powers had heard the charges,
but had taken a ran out powder,
the trial would proceed at once
Charges against Kelcey were
lumped with those against Powers
and McHffluy.
Murphy testified against Powers,
saying that he had- this and that
for evidence which proved to be a
company union pledge card and one
letter reflecting on RCTWOTS' integrity
as a union man. There was also
much evidence of s hearsay nalaott.
although Murphy did state that
Powers personally told hi2p.<-ihat Iw-
fore long Cities' Servic^ would be
under, a company unloni. Powers is
employed ashore by tbii company.
Evidence against KelcQ) was that
he had distributed pledge cards to
foim of the company's tankers, but
it 'was proved that the cards were
Seafarers' Intamationia Union
pledges.
McHenry is supposed to Ijave re^-
oeived a phone call from Powers,
asking that assistance In getting^:^:
certiflcates be given to twoumen on
a Cities Service ship. A member;
who was present at the company
office at the time of the suppos-ed
conversation stated that an mtirely
different and innocent message was
given.
Unanimous Vote
The meeting then voted unanim
ously that "John Powers be sus
pended for 99 years . . . because, .
while carrying an SIU book,
failed to convey information of for
mative steps toward a company
union to the memborsliip and ofi-
ficials of this Union; thereby dem<-
onstrating that he is really not a
true union member." Changes
against Kelcey and McHenry w^e
dismissed for lack of evidence.
Scotto, Serrano, and Thomji-son-
were acquitted, after it was pointed :
out that they are seamen them
selves. that they have consistently
upheld the membership, and< that
(Ccmtinuedr on Page Four)
1
' ' «
THE SEAFARERS' LOG Friday, February 17, 1939
Conditions On
Lakes Reported
By Organizers
NMU Has "Con" Game, Is
Claim; Canadian Sea
men Hold Conclave.
DETROIT, Feb. 14.—It is too
early to make predictions about how
shipping on the Lakes will be this
year, but all signs and indications
show it will be a whole lot better
than last year. Some ships have
already started to fit out, and we
expect some of the automobile fer
ries to be running by the latter part
of March.
At present, the only ships operat
ing are the railway car-ferries.
They employ somewhere in the
neighborhood of 600 men. These
ferries operate under agreements
""signed by the three former district
unions of the ISD, but now amal
gamated under the banner of the
SIU, The trouble on the car-fer
ries is that they have been told
they come under the Railway Labor
Act and do not have to belong to
any union. The result is that quite
a few of the men have dropped
behind in their dues, and can't-by
any stretch of imagination be called
members of the Union.
i
Ferries Chiseling
A more serious situation has
arisen in which the railroad com
panies are starting to chisel on the
agreement. They are laying down
some very strict company rules. If
a man violates these rules, he is
stiffly penalized by lay-offs: so
many days for each offense.
All this could have been avoided
if the men had stood by their
Union. The only way it can be
remedied is to get back into the
Union, and lay down some rules of
their own.
Of course, this has given the
"unity boys" a chance to come into
the field with their usual ballyhoo
about how wonderful everything
will be if the men will only join
the NMU. A letter sent out by our
old "friend," Ralph Rogers, tells
"the men to merely sign a card and
then he will '' flx" evei-ything. Noth
ing for the men to do; nothing to
pay; just leave it all to Rogers and
MISTER Stone, and things will be
hunky dory. It's just like an adver
tisement for a confidence game.
AFL BACKS
REFUGEES
PROPOSAL
Children Under 14 Years
Age Would Be Rescued
From Dictator Lands.
r--
NMU Tactics Disliked
We don't think the seamen up
here will be easily fooled as Com
rades Rogers and Stone seem to
think. The men still remember
when the NMU stung them for two
dollars, then made them pay an-
eight dollars, and then nu-
meroiis assessments. Furthermore,
it is believed the men realize they
will have to do something for them
selves as the only way they will
ever better their conditions.
A great trouble is that. In the
past, the membership left every
thing in the hands of the offlcials.
Meetings were rarely held. The
men are as much to blame for this
as are the offlcials. We now have
meetings in Detroit twice a month,
shice most of the men live out of
town and it is practically impossible
for them to attend every week. As
soon as trafflc begins and the men
start coming into port we will have
weekly meetings^ like other dis
tricts of the SIU.
Canadians Enthused
The Canadian Seamen's Union is
having its Third Aimual Convention
at Windsor (across the river) and
I had the pleasure of attending
, their opening session. I spoke to the
'"^tlelegates in behalf of the Seafarers
and our policy was enthusiastically
received and approved. The Cana
dian seamen have gotten a charter
from the SIU and are determined to
go places. They believe we are here
to stay and build a strong seamen's
union.
Fraternally,
RAGNVALD JOHANSEN,
Lakes Organizer.
Miami, Fla. (AFLWNS) — The Ex
ecutive Coimcil of the American
Federation of Labor, in session here,
endorsed proposed national legisla'
tion designed to permit 10,000 ref
ugee children from Central Europ
ean countries dominated by the
Nazi dicta tor-ship to come to the
United States under the supervision
of the Quaker Relief Organization.
In announcing the decision
the Executive Council, William
Green, president of the Federation,
said the members of the Council
felt because of humanitarian rea
sons they could not oppose the idea
of helping young children to escape
from Nazi persecution and And
homes in the United States, espec'
ially as the proposal did not mean
modification of the immigration
statutes affecting adults.
"The children are to be from all
de.nominations, Catholic, Protestant
and Jewish," he continued. "The
only requisite is that they be refu
gees. The arrangement provides
that they be placed in private homes
and that those who give them
homes agree that they shall nor
become public charges."
'"riie Executive Council," Mr.
Green said, "was forced to keep in
mind the unemployment situation
here and the application of our im
migration statutes. We could not
favor any plan which either directly
or by implication would modify the
restrictive sections of our Immigra
tion statutes. This plan doesn't
provide lor any change in the
statutes. As for my personal view
point, I am mighty sentimental.'
FROM LW.W. DOWN TO C.I.O. OR
WHAT NEXT?
By ORA A. KRESS
Dockers Strike
In Jamaica Ports
NEW ORLEANS.—Longshoremen
throughout Jamaica are reported to
be on strike as a result of the Unit
ed Fruit Company's refusal to fire
a non-imion man at the banana
docks at Montego Bay. Other de
mands are not known. Ships are
tied up without cargo and docks
are piled high with fruit and other
commodities.
Troops have been mobilized by
order of His Majesty's Governor and
a condition bordering on martial
law prevails on waterfronts of the
principal towns on the Island,
sketchy reports indicate.
»
It'SS",:.':
M-
-'Sli ip From the Union Hall.
>eteat The Fink Halls.
SUSPENSIONS
(Continued from Page 3)
their relation to Joseph P. Ryan
was that of legitimate cooperation
with ILA delegates in union mat
ters of mutual concern.
Charges were then preferred
against Murphy for "fraternizing
with offlcials of the reorganized
isu, an organization dual to the
Seafarers' International Union, and
for bringing unsubstantiated charges
against Union members and of
ficials."
It was clearly shown that Murphy
has been hanging around the offlces
opened by Gus Brown, Grange,
Angle, and Reynolds. These dis
credited characters have been at
tempting to revive the putrid car
cass of the defunct International
Seamen's Union. Murphy admitted
consorting with Brown and Reyn
olds. That he was guilty of the sec
ond count had been amply demon
strated in the meeting. He was
found guilty and placed under sus
pension for 99 years and a day.
Powers and Murphy may apply
for a place on the shipping list on
February 15, 2038.
New York. — The Shepard liner
Sage Brush, 5565 gross tons, bound
from the Pacific Coast to New York,
via way ports, put into Manzanillo,
Mexico, last Tuesday with fire in
the hold, according to advices from
the master to company agents here.
In 1905, there was an "historic" meeting in Indianapolis
Ind.—a meeting which its sponsors confidently believed was to
seal the doom of the American Federation of Labor and mark
the beginning of a "new era" in relation between Industry anc
Labor.
These sponsors were gentlemen answering to the names of
Eugene Victor Debs, Daniel De Leon, John Sherman and—for
good measure—a few representatives of the Western Federation
of Miners whose names have since been forgotten.
The outcome of their deliberations and labors was the In
dustrial Workers of the World, which was to organize all wage
earners under the "industrial union" plan, including, of course,
those in the "mass production" industries of that period.
The I.W.W. campaign, at the outset, aroused a certain
amount of interest, even as has been shown in the current C.I.O.
Figuring prominently in the effort to stir up sentiment among
unorganized workers was a barrage of vilification of the American
Federation, just as is now being attempted by the C.I.O.
Here and there certain progress was made in grouping work
ers into five or six general divisions, a la C.I.O. A few agree
ments were obtained from a few industries. Extravagant claims
of big gains were issued in extravagant manner by I.W.W. lead
ers. The American Federation of Labor, if one would have be
lieved their statements, was on the way out—definitely I
But, where is the I.W.W. today—the I.W.W. that was the
luckless result of the merger of the preceding Socialist Trades and
Labor Alliance of Daniel De Leon, the Allied Mechanics of John
Sherman, the American Railway Union of Eugene V. Debs, and
the Western Miners?
All failed because of their inability to give protection to their
members and to control them or their activities. In other words,
they were founded on a theory basically unsound and were un
able to function successfully.
Even prior to the formation of the American Federation of
Labor in 1881, there had been ^n attempt to unionize workers
through the industrial form of ofganization. This was done in
the name of the old Knights of Labor of Terrance Vincent
Powderly, "General Master Workman."
The Knights struggled along for a few years, only to see the
American Federation of Labor, with its trade or craft style of
organization become steadily more powerful. After the formation
of the American Railway Union by Debs in 1893, but little was
tieard of the Knights of Labor as the foremost exponent of the
eft-wing industrial union idea. That distinction fell to Debs,
and Debs fell in the Pullman strike, after having attained a
membership of probably 150,000 for his American Railway
Jnion.
Will history repeat itself in the case of the similar C.I.O.?
A'^ill this organization even be considered by historians of the
uture as a labor movenient or the ruore or less legitimate suc
cessor to such combination political-economic upheavals as the
short-lived Union for Social Justice or the late Hucy Long's
Share the Wealth" scheme? ^
On that latter question, there may be some doubt, but of
the future of the American Federation of Labor—an organiza
tion that has functioned successfully since 1881, raising living
standards in this country to the highest level in the world and
which has shaken off not only the C.I.O. but a half dozen or
more earlier radical assaults on its prestige—the answer is clear.
:t will continue to stand as the real champion of the American
working man and woman and will play.an increasingly active
jart in the sound evolution of still better wage and working
conditions.
N. Y. Meet Asks
Lower Hospital
Entry Demands
Claims Time Limit On
Eligibility Too Short
For Present Times.
The following resolution was ad
opted at New York on Feb. 14, 1939:
WHEREAS: Under present rulings
at Marine Hospitals, seamen are de
nied admission for hospitalization
after expiration of sixty days from
the date of their last discharge, and
WHEREAS: Bona-flde seamen,
through no fault of their own, are
unable to obtain employment—es
pecially at this time—over periods
longer than those allowed by the
hospital authorities; Now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED: That a communica
tion be sent to the proper authori
ties in Washington demanding that
this condition be remedied and to
institute regulations which will al
low for a period of at least six
months unemployment, so that sea
men may better be able to obtain
the benefit of hospitalization and
treatment that is their due when
sick, and which is too often denied.
New Shipyard
In Northwest
Is Rumored
Todd War-Time Plant At
Tacoma To Be Rebuilt,
Say Reports.
/
SWEDISH UNION
SIGNS AGREEMENT
Goteberg (I.TJ*.) — The new col
lective agreement signed for Swed
ish seamen, with effect until Janu
ary 31, 1940, maintains existing con
ditions practically unchanged. In
the matter of holidays with pay,
however, the provisions have been
adjusted to the new act of June 17,
1938 on the subject, which repre
sents an improvement for the sea
men.
Under the old agreement they
were entitled to a seven-day holiday
with wages and 15 crowns subsist
ence allowance. Now they will get
twelve-day holiday with a sub
sistence allowance of i.3C crowns
per day.
Try Roller Skates
The following appears in the
minutes of the last regular meeting
at Philadelphia: '
"Moved and seconded that we
non-concur with the motion in the
Baltimore minutes pertaining to the
purchase of an automobile. Carried.
"Moved and seconded that since
Baltimore .wants transportation, and
in order to keep Philadelphia from
scabbing on other ports, that this
port be furnished a bicycle built-
for-two, with only one set of ped
als since Patrolman Collins has
enough push to act as outboard-
motor to get himself and the Agent
around the waterfront. Carried xma-
nimously." -.
SEATTLE.—The Todd Shipyards
Corporation is reported considering
re-establishing its building shops
and ways at Tacoma. Todd's oper
ate a dry dock and repair yard at
Seattle, but during the great war
time shipbuilding boom they turned
out a large number of vessels at
Tacoma to order of the Shipping
Board. Most of these ships were
towed to Seattle to have the finish
ing touches put on.
It Is reported that Todd Corpor
ation agents have been visiting the
site of the old yard with erection
of a modem plant in view. General
opinion is that they are going to
bid for some of the new construc
tion being pushed by government,
ALL HANDS LOST
NEW YORK.—The British freigh
ter Maria de Larrinaga, 4,988 tons,
bound from Galveston with wheat
Cobh (Queenstcwn) is reported
to have sunk with loss of all hands
about 1,500 milss east of New York
on the afternoon of February 10.
Heavy seas and blinding snow
squalls driven by a Nor'west gala
seriously hindered vessels respond
ing to S.O.S. calls. Tran.s-Atlantio
liners reported the sea was strewn
with hatch covers, oars, ladders,
and other wreckage at the position
last given by the ill-fated steamer,
Search for survivors was abandoned
only after darkness set in.
New Quarters
For Hastings
Waterman Will Build New
Deckhouse To In
crease Space.
Mobile—Plans are being madb to
erect a new after-deck house on the
Hastings to increase the accom
modations.- It is proposed to have
four rooms, three to be occupied by
an oiler and a watertender each,
and the other assigned to the Bo's'n,
The house will also have a wash
room of sufficient capacity for Its
occupants.
Fo'c'sle space aboard the Hastings
has been considered Inadequate for
some time, according to Wm. Ross,
local SIU agent. It is thought the
improvements can be made within
a trip or so, at which time schedules
will allow a sufflcle^ period In port.
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