Media
Issue Date
1957-05-24
Volume
19
Issue Number
11
Plaintext
Vol. XIX
No. 11 SEAFARERS LOG
• OFFICIAL GROAN OF THi SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
-Story On Page 3
Labor See'y Assails Runaways
-Story On Page 5
In This Issue:
* Sni Family Benefit
Plan Paid $200,000
Since '55... .Page 16
• Onassis Transfers
3 More Ships Before
Final Okay.. .Page 7
•US Go's Lag So
Sweden Will Build
Tour Ship Page 5
• Isthmian Last Co.
To Get Ships In US
Breakout,.. .Page 16
Laud SlU Aid. Leaders of the AFL-CIO Interna
tional Brotherhood of Longshore
men in Puerto Rico present two plaques to SIU rep. Frenchy
Michelet (center), who accepted them on Union's behalf.
The awards were in reco^ition of SIU assistance to IBL Lo
cal 1900 and District Council 15 in recent waterfront beefs.
Coimcil president Juan Perez Roa (left) and local financial
sec'y Aurelio Hernandez made the presentations at the new
lU 1 " SIU hall.
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Paee Two • SEAFARERS LOG May 24, 1957
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Call Coal Ship Replacements;
Co. Begs Off On Bias Charge
The first stage in the crewing of the American Coal shipping fleet has been completed
with the assignment of oldtimers to the Casimir Pulaski. But no sooner had that stage
ended than a new one began—the battle for replacements aboard ships returning from their
4 ; European voyages.
The first ship in for replace
ments only, the Walter Hines
Page, found the SIU taking a six
to two majority of the eight men
who got off the ship. A second ves-
tel, the Cleveland Abbe, called for
13 replacements and was still being
crewed as the SEAFARERS LOG
went to press. The last count
available showed the SIU holding
a lead of 102 to 94 on the coal
fleet to date,-aj:ount which is sub
ject to change day by day.
Charges Against Company
The SIU's strong position in the
fleet was achieved in the face of a
developing pattern of company-
NMU cooperation which resulted
In an SIU charge that the court
order under which hiring is done
was being violated by the company.
SIU attomies so charged the com
pany in an action which sought
to have American Coal held in con
tempt of court.
As a result, a session was held
In a New York Federal Court in
Which the company promised that
It would permit the SIU the right
Coal Boxscore
The Cleveland Abbe, one of
the American Coal ships in for re
placements, was still crewing up
on Thursday afternoon as the SEA
FARERS LOG went to press. The
latest coimt available shows the
following standings in competition
for jobs on the ships.
SIU 102 jobs
NMU 94 jobs
Watch the next edition of the
LOG for further details.
to have observers in the - hiring
room just as NMU has had; that it
would no longer pressure SIU rep
resentatives; that it would give the
SIU full access to application lists;
that it would hire standbys, where
needed, according to seniority.
Further evidence of the close
company-NMU understanding was
shown when the NMU attorney vio
lently objected to the SIU getting
access to the application lists. Both
the NMU and the SIU had an In
terest In seeing each other's ap
plication lists since they show the
seatime of men applying for the
coal ship Jobs. The NMU objec
tion indicated that It already had
access to these lists through the
company, while the company was
barring the SIU representatives
from seeing them.
On another legal front, the Na
tional Labor Relations Board post
poned until next Monday a sched
uled hearing on the SIU's oi'iginal
complaint against American Coal.
The NLRB hearings could lead to
the ordering of a collective bar
gaining election in the American
Coal fleet.
On the ship front itself, old-
timers from all sections of the SIU
of NA were still piling into Nor
folk to compete for the coal jobs.
Many of the men boasted seatime
dating back well before World War
I. One oldtimer. Seafarer Jesse
Puckett wrote: '^I started in 1917
but I am a young boy down here
at 53 years old . . . Boy there is
a swell bunch of West Coast boys
here. Hats off to them." Seafarer
Charles Hartman added: "There
are many men down here . . . from
all over America. I can truthful
ly say they all have respect for
what they stand for. They know
they have a job to do and they
do it."
Curranism: A Sleazy Technique
YOU'RE DEAP...
peAP... PEAP -
Five of the oldtimers throwing in for the cool ship jobs in Norfolk
represent over 200 years of seatime on US ships. Included (I to r)
ore Lawrence E. Wessels, SIU, oiler on the Walter Hines Page;
unidentified West Coast qldtimer; Leonard Wood, SIU, AB on
the Casimir Pulaski; Ray E. Deshong, SIU, oiler on the Page, and
S. G. Zammith, SIU, steward department.
AFL-CIO Council Hears
Full Report On Coal Beef
A full report on developments in the American Coal Ship
ping beef to date was presented to the AFL-CIO Executive
Council at its meeting here this week. Representatives of all
the unions involved were pres-"*
ent at the meeting with Sec
retary-Treasurer Paul Hall
presenting the SIU's position. The
Council hearing on the issue was
the outgrowth of a previous meet
ing between AFL-CIO President
George Meany and the AFL-CIO
marine unions last February 21.
One of the elementary lessons of propa
ganda is that slogans have a lasting appeal
only when they have some relation to the
truth. NMU President Joseph Curran has
long since forgotten the lesson (if he ever
learned it) in his frantic efforts to belittle all those
who oppose him and to exalt his personal "cult of
personality."
Furthermore, through all his sloganeering In the
American Coal beef, Curran has employed language
which smacks strongly of another era when his open
affiliations were far different from those he affects
today. His techniques do not differ today from the
Stalinist techniques he employed so fervently not
too long ago.
The SIU, as the primary target, has been plas
tered with Curranisms. When the SIU moved to pro
tect its membership from rank discrimination by
American Coal, Curran dreamed up "destroying the
hiring hall." When the SIU's rights to organize the
coal-ships were upheld, Curran decided that SIU
was "decadent," "crooked" and "doomed" to defeat.
"We will whip them" he exulted. Of course, his pre
dictions of crushing defeat had, and still have, no
relation to the fact." When the SIU supported the
AFL-CIO licensed officers' unions Curran hollered
"phony deaL"
Goincidence'cr'hot, l^ia is the kind'of talk a se^ y
»•«; noU'.-.*, V'i'' ij
ries of would-be world beaters have utSized on the
International scene for a good many years right up
to the present. That Curran chooses to ape their
language down to the last adjective is a revealing
comment on his approach to trade union pro>blems.
Of course, the SIU is not Curran's only target. In
fact, he has attacked the rest of the AFL-CIO ma
rine unions, plus the top leadership of AFL-CIO.
The Marine Engineers Beneflcial Association was
first rebuffed by Curran In lis plea for support
against a company union and then called gutless for
going out on a picket line in defense of its Interests.
The Masters, Mates were put in the same class.
When AFL-CIO President Meany indicated will
ingness to step in and seek a settlement, Curran
arbitrarily placed himself on the side of righteous
ness and automatically informed his membership
that Meany would slap the SIU down.
When the same AFL-CIO president proposed a
program which won acceptance from all unions ex
cept NMU; when Curran was asked to support his
fellow unions against the company and its hand-
picked outfit, then out came the slogan book. Meany
became "prejudiced," full of "rancor" and the cap
tive of an "AFL-CIO palace guard."
.Thanks to this fog of adjectives, ai-s<l to deliberate
and calculated distortions, of actual fact, the NMU's
"i' (Cont|ntibd'On- page 151
ACS Action
By Sea Vets
Wins Praise
Participation in the American
Coal beef by veteran seamen from
all coasts and all unions of the SIU
of NA was applauded by the mem
bers of the SIU of NA coordinat
ing committee as a "tremendous
front line job." Oldtlme members
of the Sailors Union of the Pa
cific, Marine Firemen's Union and
Marine Cooks and Stewards have
piled into the East Coast to as
sist their brothers in the Atlantic
and Gulf District in the fight to
man the American Coal ships.
The coordinating committee,
consisting of Morris Weisberger,
Sailors Union; Sam Bennett, Ma
rine Firemen; Ed Turner, Ma
rine Cooks and Stewards, and Paul
Hall, A&G District, declared that
the participation of the oldtimers
was further evidence of the will
ingness of good union men, of any
age, to pitch into a beef when
called Opon by any member of the
SIU of NA.
The committee noted that there
had been a very strong response to
Its appeal for men to come for
ward in the coal beef, with the re
sult that at latest report, the SIU
had a lead In the fight for the coal
ship jobs.
Committee members called upon
oldtimers of the MCS, SUP,
MFOW and A&G District already
on the coal ships to "Stay with the
ship" until final victory is won..
The committee pointed out that,
"the way you have gone aboard and
taken the jobs proves that good un- J
k)jxjneni.Bever growfold/'v ! u !-- . !lT;>i
I'.it -i • ..bV,?. *^sric;fl«s JI .fcsjc,)
At that meeting President Meany.
put forward a settlement proposal
which was accepted by the SIU and
the AFL-CIO deck and engine of
ficers' unions but was rejected by
the National Maritime Union. The
American Radio Association has
supported the NMU position
throughout the beef.
In an exchange of correspon
dence subsequent to the February
21 meeting President Meany took
NMU President Joseph Curran to
task for misrepresenting the out
come of the meeting in the NMU
newspaper. Meany also said that
he would present the matter to the
Executive Council for action. At
the Council meeting this week the
various unions presented their
positions in the following order:
Marine Engineers Beneficial As
sociation by President H. L. Dag
gett; Masters, Mates and Pilots by
Captain John Bishop, national sec
retary; the SIU by Paul Hall; the
NMU by Joseph Curran and the
American Radio Association by
President William R. Steinberg.
Following the presentation of
the union viewpoints, the Council
heard from President Meany in
relation to his position on the
American Coal beef. Meany out
lined his views, then pointed out
that he had presented a package
pi'oposal at the February 21 meet
ing, which, he said, would have
given Curran everything he asked
for. The SIU accepted the Meany
proposal leaving the field clear for
the NMU If it would support the
AFL-CIO officers' unions. The
(Continued on page 15)
SEAFARERS LOG
May 24, 1957 Vol. XIX Ne. II
PAOI. BAZX, Secratary-Traaiurer
HtiiBiiix BRANDk XdUor. BCBNARO SKA-
MAN, Art Edttor, HERMAH AKTHUR, Inwuc
SMVACK, At. MABKIH, JOUN BHAZU., SCajjf
Writers. --BILL Uoomr, QuH Area. Repre
sentative.
PublUheti biweekly et the headquertere
of the Seafarer* international Union, At
lantic a. Gulf District, AFL-CIO, «7S Fourth
Avenue, Brooklyn 33, NY. Tel. HYeclnth
*-<600. Entered e* second class matter
at the Post Office In Brooklyn, NY, under
the Act of Aug. 34, 19)3. ,
130
May ti. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Paye Tbrea
Sailing Day On New Matsonia
'
Maiden sailing of the new Matsonia from New York this week
found the ship's crew in three departments, all members of SlU
West Coast affiiliates, on the job. At top (left), oiler Pat Haley
keeps an eye on things in engine room, while chef G. Romero and
a passenger waitress look over the first-class galley. Above, deck
man Henry Henriques watches J. Ledesma secure lifeboat cover.
Rebuilt and modernized at cost of $20 million, the Matsonia will
enter service Los Angeles and Hawaii next month.
51U Applauds Bill
To Clarify Status
Of Sea Hiring Hall
WASHINGTON—The SIU has "warmly welcomed" a bUI by Sen. Warren G.
Magnuson to give formal recognition to the maritime hiring haU. It would firmly
establish the legal status of the hiring hall in "all industries employing personnel
engaged as licensed or un- ̂
licensed members of the
crews of ships or barges
engaged In offshore,
coastal, intercoastal or in
land transportation, or in
longshore operations servicing
The such ships or barges."
bill is known as S. 2029.
Enactment of the measure would
put an end to the constant threats
to maritime unions and their his
toric hiring procedures since the
adoption of the Taft-Hartley law
in 1947.
Heartily endorsing the bill, SIU
Go's Seek Runaway Price
From Gov't On Trade-Ins
Major American steamship companies representing the
subsidized section of the industry are opening a drive for a
massive trade-in and build program. The program would
allow them to trade-in their
ships at about the same price
they could get for them if
they were sold to a runaway flag.
The program has the tacit ap
proval of the Maritime Adminis
tration which has already made a
policy decision to the effect that a
"fair and reasonable" trade-in
value for old ships would be
equivalent to what these same
ships would be worth if sold to
the flags of foreign nations accept
able to the US.
Drafted by the Committee of
American Steamship Lines, the
program Is described by the op
erators' group as the only fair
method of replacing the US mer
chant'fleet. They argue that the
when his expulsion was unani
mously voted by the 25 Executive
Council members present at the
session.
Before the voting, however,
Beck had attended the council
meeting, heard the charges against
AFL-CIO OustSf Replaces Beck
WASHINGTON—Declaring him "guilty of the gross misuse of union funds entrusted
to his care," the AFL-CIO Executive Council this week unanimously expelled Teamster
president Dave Beck as a council member and as a vice-president of the merged labor or
ganization. The ouster was-*-
the first such action in the^Ex-
ecutive Council's 18-month
history.
Beck was replaced in these posts
by John English, secretary-treas
urer of the Teamsters, and an
avowed foe of Beck for many
years.
The Council, in an official state
ment explaining its actions, as
serted that it was not judging the
legality or illegality of Beck's acts.
His expulsion, the council de
clared, was due to his violation of
trade union principles.
"Whether he has violated any
laws, state or Federal, dealing
with theft, misappropriation or
embezzlement, is not for us to con
sider or determine," the statement
said.
"There is not the faintest ques
tion in our minds, however, that
he is completely guilty of violat
ing the basic trade union law that
union funds are a sacred trust,
belonging to the members and to
be protected and safeguarded for
the interests of the members.
"Whether Beck stole the funds
or borrowed them, the record
shows he took advantage of his
position as a trade i:riion official
to use money belonging to dues-
paying members for his own per
sonal gain and profit."
Beck himself was not on hand
Pursers Seek
Delta Line Vote
NEW ORLEANS—The SlU-af-
filiated Staff Officers Association
filed a petition before the National
Labor Relations Board here last
week for an election, among pur
sers on Mississippi Shipping Com
pany vessels.
Union secretary-treasurer Burt
Lanpher said ho had received full
assurances of support from the
SIU, Masters, Mates and Pilots, Ra
dio Officers Union and the Ma
rine Engineers J^eneficial Associ
ation, whose members man all
other licensed and unlicensed jobs
in the fleet. About two doen pur
sers are involved.
The company, through Marine
Superintendent Kinney and Port
Purser Lisboney, indicated it
would not interefer with the SOA
drive and would remain neutral,
Lanpher said.
him, and read a statement con
cerning his temporary suspension
as a council member and vice-pres
ident on March 29.
Beck contended that his sus
pension was a "nullity" and as
serted that under the AFL-CIO
constitution, the Executive Coun
cil has no power or authority to
suspend him.
Beck's expulsion is subject to re
view by the AFL-CIO convention,
if the Teamsters bring it up, but
this action was considered unlike
ly. The convention is slated to
meet in Miami on December 5.
Beck's expulsion as an Executive
Council member and vice-presi
dent does not mean his expulsion
from the AFL-CIO, nor does it
mean the expulsion of the Team
sters from the AFL-CIO.
The status of the Teamsters as
a whole is still being considered
by the AFL-CIO Ethical Practices
Committee. The Teamsters face
cliarges of corrupt influence or
domination.
Beck, in the statement regarding
his suspension, declared that he
would not answer the Executive
Council charges because ""of his in
dictment on charges of violating
the internal revenue code, and be
cause he has been the target of
a McClellan committee investiga
tion.
American operator would be un
fairly penalized if he got less
for his ship on a trade-in than
could be gotten by transfers for
eign. He would be at more of a
disadvantage in comparison with
foreign operators who also bought
much of their tonnage from the
US but are now free to sell it any
where to anybody at even higher
prices than restricted sales to na
tions approved by the Maritime
Administration.
The committee argues that it
would be vastly unfair, in light of
the tremendous increase in ship
building costs, for a shipowner to
have to trade his vessel in for any
where near what he paid for it.
It declares that an operator who
bought a Victory for $900,000 hack
in 1946 could sell it now foreign
for $1,350,000 and should be en
titled to trade it in for that kind
of money.
Apparently there is agreement
all around on this program but, of
course, the Maritime Administra
tion has to go to Congress for
funds to cover the cost of such
trade-ins. The current temper of
Congress is such that any mass
trade-in program at this time
would be sure to run into tough
sledding.
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meet
ings are held regularly
every two weeks on Wed
nesday nights at 7 PM in
all SIU ports. All Sea
farers are expected to
attend; those who wish to
be excused should request
permission by telegram
(be sure to include reg
istration number). The
next SIU meetings will be:
May 29
June 12
June 26
July 10
July 24 •
of NA President Paul Hall said,
"the Seafarers International Union
of North America warmly wel
comes the move hy Senator Magnu
son to write specific authorization
into law for maritime hiring halls.
Senator Magnuson has always heen
motivated by what is best for the
industry generally and his bill is
an indication of his understanding
of the needs of maritime. The
value of the hiring hall has been
proven time and again, and it has
probably been the greatest single
factor in providing stability for the
industry. It is the best method to
insure fair and equitable distribu
tion of work.
"Our International convention
repeatedly called for Federal leg
islation 'to guarantee,that the hir
ing hall be recognized as the proper
medium for employment in all in
dustries in which its use has been
an accepted practice.' We indorse
the Magnuson bill wholehearted
ly."
Maritime union. Government
and shipping industry spokesmen
have long recognized the value and
'fairness of the hiring hall both in
peace and war for recruiting ship
manpower. Historically, American
seamen have been shipping out of
union hiring halls for over two
decades since the first maritime
hiring hall was established on the
West Coast after the bitter '34
strike.
Lundeberg-Taft Meeting
For the past ten years, due to
the void created by the T-H Law,
all hiring halls in maritime have
been operating on the basis of an
off-the-cuff^ compromise between
the late Harry Lundeberg, then
president of the SIU of NA, and
the co-author of the controversial
labor law, the late Sen. Robert A.
Taft of Ohio.
It was in the summer of 1947,
soon after Congress passed the
law a second time over a Presi
dential veto, that Lundeberg
casually walked in on a lawyers'
convention in Santa Rosa, Calif.,
where Taft was due to speak.
Lundeberg later left the gathering
with a concesssion from Taft that
enabled all maritime unions to
keep the hiring hall.
Even so, hiring hall procedures
have been under sporadic attack
from Government agencies and the
courts, all seeking to chip away
the hard-won protection for profes
sional seamen.
Seniority System
Tn 19.5.5, the SIU and its con
tracted operators negotiated a new
seniority hiring system assuring
greater job security for Seafarers.
The system became a model in the
industry. In contrast, the NMU
first opened its membership books
and halls to all comers before com
ing up with a similar procedure at
a later date.
Periodic attempts to get specific
recognition for the hiring hall into
law faltered in several ses
sions of Congress. Acting on the
basis of his earlier, informal agree
ment with Lundeberg, Taft was
reportedly ready to introduce a
bill of his own in 1953 which would
have legalized the maritime hiring
hall at that time. However, he died
before any action could be taken.
I
i5samTO?fg35M»j?ra
your SEAFARERS LOG May 24, 1957
W-
r>-'"
Ships Use Suez;
Still Ban Israel
Shipping through the Suez Canal is almost back to normal
with the vessels of nearly every nation except France and
Israel using the Egyptian-controlled waterway.
Britain recently announced
that she will now use the
Canal, and reported on her re
cently-started supertanker expan-
ilon and construction program.
American vessels have been using
the Canal for the past month, since
the waterway was cleared of the
last tug sunk by the Egj'ptians.
Tlie French delegate to the
United Nations reported that he
Avill ask the Security Council to
reopen debates on the Suez situa
tion. France wants the Council to
order Egypt to obey the six prin
ciples agreed to by England,
France and Egypt last October 15.
Free Use Of Canal
The principles, which govern the
use of the Canal, included the re
quirement tliat the Canal would
be insu'ated from the polities of
any nation and prohibited "overt or
covert" interference with the right
of ships of all nations to travel the
vaterway, regardless of flag.
Egypt, the French said, has con
tinued to disregard these princi
ples since it has not lifted the ban
against Israel shipping through the
Canal. Israel announced earlier
that it intended to send a test
ship through the Canal and that it
would consider any Egyptian at
tempt to stop it "an act of war."
Both President Eisenhower and
British Prime Minister Macmillan
affirmed Israel's right to use of the
Canal. The President announced
that he saw no objection to Israel's
making a peaceful test of its right
to freedom of passage, but said that
he would denounce any use of
force in such a test.
The last SIU of NA convention
passed a "freedom of the seas"
resolution, calling for free passage
of Israeli shipping through the
Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aquaba.
Macmillan pledged that Britain
would do everything possible to as
sure Israel's right to use the dis
puted waterway. He also announced
that the number of fast, supertank
ers designed for economic opera
tion around the Cape of Good
Hope, was increasing rapidly.
There are about 30 million dead
weight tons of such ships under
construction or on order. About 10
million tons should go into service
in the next two years, he reported.
Although US vessels are now
using the waterway, Under Secre
tary Christian Herter said that the
State Department believed the con
struction of new pipelines to carry
Middle East oil to new outlets is
urgent.
A number of American and
European petroleum producers are
considering the construction of a
major pipeline from the Persian
Gulf to an outlet in Turkey on the
Mediterranean.
Caught By'Surprise
A LOG photographer surprises Seafarer and Mrs. Charles Rawl-
ings, and youngsters Sandra, 4, and Frank, 9, as they finish a snack
at the SIU headquarters cafeteria. The family came up to the
big city on a visit from home in Baltimore.
Why Seamen Need Strong Unions
Merchant seamen operating out of the East Coast Indian Port of
Calcutta got a wage increase May 1—25 rupees per month. At the
official rate of exchange, this amounts to about $1.20.
According to 'the International Transportworkers Asian office, the
increase was the first pay raise for these seamen since World War
II. "Indian seamen ratings," the bulletin said, "have recfelved no
wage increases since World War II, despite the existence of repre
sentative organizations with bargaining powers and two joint Mari
time Boards in Bombay and Calcutta."
The increase just given simply brings the Calcutta seamen to the
level "enjoyed" by Bombay seamen.
Since World War II, the cost of living in the United States has
more than doubled and living costs in other countries have risen
in proportion.
In a sense then, the true wages of these Indian seamen have gone
down considerably since World War II.
Cable Ship
Returns For
Fresh Load
BOSTON—The cable ship Ar
thur M. Huddell pulled into "Ports
mouth, NH, last week to take on
another load of cablf to be used
in a defense communication pro
gram in the Pacific area.
The vessel, a converted war-
built Liberty,. went into service
last April and has been ferrying
telephone cable to the Albert J.
Myer, a chartered Army cable
layer somewhere off the West
Coast. Part of a defense program
undertaken by the American Tele
phone and Telegraph Company for
the Defense Department, the ves
sels are employed in laying vital
submarine telephone lines between
Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska,
and between the West Coast and
Hawaii. She is under charter to
Bull Line.
The Huddell is expected to leave
Portsmouth around June 1, and
will be out until November. She
is capable of carrying some 6,000
tons of cable manufactured in the
east each trip..
Shipping Improves
Meanwhile, shipping in this
area, reports James Sheehan, port
agent, has picked up during the
past two weeks, and promises to
continue to be fair. The Mathew
M. Thornton (Grainfieet) and
Royal Oak (Cities Service) paid
off and signed on. The Arthur M.
Huddell and Isthmian's Steel
Executive were in port to be serv
iced. All beefs were settled at
payoff and the vessels were report
ed in good shape.
Sheehan reported that the Bos
ton area was relieved when rains
put out numerous forest fires.
Maybe you hove to be lucky to
avoid fatal accidents but as one fel
low put It once, luck follows naturally
from good planning. The proof of
the pudding lies In the record of three
SiU-controcted ships.
One of them went 502 days with
out a single accident serious enough
to cause the loss of an hour's work.
Two other vessels, operated by two
different companies, had just one lost-
time accident throughout all of 1956.
Lucky? Maybe they were. But It's
more than a coincidence that all three
ships boasted actively functioning
safety committees and Seafarers
aboard them were fully conscious of
the need to do their jobs the safe way
and to be on the alert for unsafe con
ditions, and careless habits.
Nobody can say for sure how many
lives are preserved by a shipboard
safety program. But these ships' ex
periences make one fact stand out.
Safety programs do work. They do
prevent accidents. With the proper
approach from all hands from the
skipper on down and with coopera
tion from shoreslde, there's nothing to
stop any SIU ship from equaling or
perhaps even surpassing these records.
Sure It's good to be lucky. It's even
better to have the right kind of am
munition. Aboard ship, the ammu
nition consists of the joint shipowner-
union safety program. Make use of
It and Increase the chances that you
will be one of the lucky ones.
i An SIU Ship is a Safe Ship •
I I
i,-.
May ti. U57 SEAFARERS LOG Pare Ffva
Labor Sec'y Hits
Runaways, Backs
Magnuson's Bi
WASHINGTON—For the first time, a top Government of-?
ficial has gone on record as opposing ship nmaways. Labor
Secretary James P. Mitchell has thrown his support behind
Sen. Warren G. Magnuson's^
Orchard end lush California
greenery form backdrop for
dedication of new Marine
Cooks and Stewards Union
training and recreation center
at Santa Rosa. The Rt. Rev.
Msgr. Matthew Connolly (at
mike) made the invocation.
Among those on platform
were MCS Administrator Ed
Turner (5th from right), SlU
San Francisco Port Agent
Marty Breithoff (4th from
right) and SUP Secretary-
Treasurer Morris Weisberger
(far right). At right, instruc
tor whips up cake in bake
shop of the $500,000 installa
tion.
SUP Improving Hq Hall
bill (S. 1488) to. restrict ship
transfers. Mitchell said the
proposed legislation would
strengthen the competitive posi
tion of American-flag shipping and
guarantee a pool of trained seamen
for defense needs.
The Labor Secretary's views
flatly contradicted those of the De
fense Department, which opened
the door last week to unrestricted
ship transfers. The Defense Depart
ment told the House Merchant
Marine Subcommittee in effect that
it didn't care how many American
ships were transferred, or what
types, so long as the foreign cor
porations owning the vessels are
American controlled.
The Department indicated that it
had no objection to transfer of C-
type ships, or even to passenger
liners. A department spokesman
said specifically that the Navy
would, rather see the SS America
of US Lines transferred, if the
company wanted to get rid of it,
than go into the lay-up fleet and
remain inactive. He also said the
Navy would approve transfer of
C-type ships if it felt the country
was getting enough in retuim.
'Effective Control' Challenged
Behind the Navy's position were
the controversial opinions that
transfers are needed to insure new
construction, and that ships trans
ferred to foreign registry, but
owned by American citizens, are
under "effective" United States
control. Both opinions have been
sharply questioned by maritime
SAN FRANCISCO—Improvement of its headquarters halh
to provide additional facilities for the West Coast membership
has been undertaken by the Sailors Union of the Pacific. The
"West Coast Sailors" an--*
nounced that the facilities
would include a recreation
hall containing pool and card
tables and a smoke shop in one
area; a barber shop, and an eX'
panded and properly policed park
ing lot.
The new recreation hall will be
built by putting in a mezzanine
deck over the large gymnasium in
the basement of the building. It
will have enough room for eight
pool tables, a number of card
tables and the smoke shop which
would be moved from its present
location. The barber shop will be
Installed where the smoke shop
now exists.
The parking lot will be placed
In the rear of the hall where a
dared area now exists. The lot
will be fenced and graded to
pi'ovide space for approximately 95
cars. The space will be reserved
for SUP members with any vacant
spots being rented to outsiders at
the commercial rate. Parking will
bo free for members on meeting
nights and 13 cents per day on
other occasions to cover mainten
ance of the lot and the attendant's
services.
In addition to the facilities
under construction, the Sailors
headquarters contains a gym and
steam room, shower room, library,
cafeteria, bar, locker room, baggage
room and other conveniences.
Tax Man Spells Out Tax-Dodging
Much has been said in the SEAFARERS LOG in recent years
about the tax-dodging opportunities offered to shipowners under
the Liberian flag. This information has now been confirmed by
Ralph S. Gayton, an official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Gayton pointed out that the only time a runaway company pays
taxes to the US is if it pays dividends to American stockholders
and they pay some taxes. Otherwise, Gayton pointed out:
• The Bureau can't impose any penalty on foreign companies
which withhold earnings.
• A US ship operator tranferring and selling a ship foreign pays
no capital gains tax if payment is made in the form of a stock
transfer instead of cash, and the stock transfer is listed as less than
tlie going market price.
• Profits of a runaway operation can be transferred to the
American company without any US tax. The foreign operation sim
ply gives the parent American company an interest free "loan" or
transfers the profits by buying additional stock of the American
company.
Swedes Plan Pullman-Style Tour Ship
With transatlantic passenger traffic booming to record highs, the Swedish-American
Line has announced it will build a low-cost cafeteria-style vessel for this trade. The vessel
will also contain an auditorium seating 800 people, making it suitable for use as a floating
-• convention ship.
The new vessel will be a
scaled-down version of the
type of ship proposed by New York
hotel man H. B. Cantor more than
two years ago. Cantor had pro
posed a S.OOO-passenger superliner
offering Pullman-type accommoda
tions and meaU at a wide selection
of shipboard cafeterias, lunch bars
and restaurants. He had also pro
posed using the ship as the site of
convention meetings.
Cantor has applied for Govern
ment construction aid but has been
unable to make headway in Wash
ington where traditional three-
class ship operators hold sway.
The new Swedish ship, as de
scribed by the president of the
line, Eril Wijk, "will Include a two-
deck auditorium seating 800 per
sons and restaurants or cafeterias
instead of the traditionally elabo
rate dining service,"
Floating Convention Hall
The ship will either handle con
ventions at sea or will serve as a
tourist-class cruise operation. As a
cruise ship, It would accommodate
1,300 passengers- Another new
Swedish-American ship, the Grips-
holm, arrived in New York yester
day on her maiden voyage.
The SEAFARERS LOG pointed
out in its February 1 issue that
Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch and
other foreign operators were rid
ing the crest of the transatlantic
passenger boom by meeting the
demand for one-class tourist ships.
US operators are not tapping this
market to any degree, with the ex
ception of the Arnold Bernstein
shipping interests who plan to put
a one-class ship into service next
spring.
Meanwhile, predictions of record-
breaking demand for passenger
space are being borne out and will
probably surpass last year's high,
even though there was a drop In
unions and a number of Congress
men. Only recently. Sen. Warren
Magnuson summed up his doubts
by pointing out that foreign-flag
ships are legally and technically
under the control of foreign gov
ernments, and are not subject to
American control.
US Gravely Short On Ships
In other testimony, the Navy
department official disclosed that
the merchant fleet is more than
100 ships short of mobilization
needs, even if the Government
counts runaways as being under
"effective" United States control.
He said the deficiency included 110
dry cargo ships equivalent to tho
C-3 class, 29 reefer cargo ships or
the R2-S-BV1 class, and four heavy
lift ships equivalent to the C-4 type
converted by MSTS.
Under questioning by committee
members, he admitted that tanker
tonnage was defective in quality,
because most of the ships were old
and too slow. The Government also
needs special type ships, like roli-
on-roll-offs, and container ships.
The Navy Department's position
represents a radical departure from
the traditional concept, embodied
in the 1936 Merchant Marine Act,
that the US merchant marine con
sists of American-flag ships only.
The new view is that the merchant
marine, for defense purposes, em
braces American-flag tonnage and
runaways owned by American cit
izens.
Besides the loss to the American
fleet, the transfer of 229 tankers
and an untold number of dry cargo
ships has resulted in stiff new
competition with remaining Amer
ican flag ships. The maritime
unions have pointed out that this
competition makes it more difficult
for American tonnage to get cargo,
and raises increased demands for
the right to transfer. The transfers
also discourage Americans from
operating ships under the US flag.
In his letter to Sen. Magnuson,
Labor Secretary Mitchell makes
the same point: "Unrestric.ted
transfers, and particularly the pos
sibility of transfer to registry in
countries with lesser social and
safety standards than those in the
United States, could serve to In
tensify the reduction of shipping
opportunities for United States flag
ships."
The SIU and other maritime
unions have also argued, in agree
ment with Sen. Magnuson, that
ships registered under foreign laws
are legally foreign, regardless of
ownership, and that the United
States could not control these ships
unless it seized them. Regarding
the runaways as under American
control, is, in the view of the SIU,
taking a dangerous gamble with
national security.
The Navy's position also give a
green light to continued tax eva
sion by American citizens.
travel in January
because of the
i'
Keep Draft
Board Posted
SIU headquarters urges all
draft-eligible seamen to be
sure they keep their local Se
lective Service boards posted
on all changes of address
through the use of the post
cards furnished at all SIU halls
.'{Uid aboitrd sbip^
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Ptf e 8lx SEAFARERS 100 May 24, 1957
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1
All of the material on this page, selected from recent
issues of the SEAFARERS LOG, was sent in by ship's
reporters and other Seafarers who believed their experi
ences would be of interest to the membership at large.
Their letters and photos are typical of the kind of **raw
material" which helps the LOG strive for its objective—
that of producing a newspaper which truly reflects the
activities and experiences of the membership itself, as well
as the official actions of the Union and developments in
the industry.
It was Seafarer Mike Zelonka who supplied the infor
mation about a fire on the Kathryn in San Juan; Seafarer
John C. Green who submitted the dramatic aeeonnt of the
Feltore crew's four-day struggle to keep the ship afloat.
The first eyewitness aeeonnt of the voyage of the Kern
Hills into the Gulf of Aqaba came from Seafarer Frank
Throp, while Seafarer Merwyn *'Doe" Watson contrib
uted the photo of the Fairland on her last'
voyage as a conventional cargo ship.
A fire in the hold, a crippled ship, an his
toric voyage are incidents which are ob
viously newsworthy. Also newsworthy, if
less exciting, are the day-to-day experiences
of Seafarers in the course of their voyages on
the various trade routes.
To sum up, membership participation is
what makes the LOG a membership newspa
per. Your ship is news. Pass on the news
to the LOG I
.Vor pictures
I Israeli port,
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P^«*ed[ audi
5Qr more
SEAFARERS LOG
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May 24. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pare Seven
YOUR DOLLAR'S WORTH
Seafarer's Guide To Better Buying
By Sidney Margolius
June Offers Some Price Cuts
Sharp early-summer price cuts on household appliances are making
available some good values in some brands of air conditioners, 1957
model TV sets and other mechanical equipment. Even while other
living costs have been rising, retail prices of home appliances have
gone down about 14 percent since 1951. The causes are keen competi
tion among manufacturers and retailers, spurred on by heavy produc
tion, the rise of discount houses, and the general breakdown of Fair
Trade laws by which makers and sellers until recently were able
to prevent price-cutting.
In general, however, the overall cost of" living i% heading for record
new heights later this summer and early in the fall, even while signs
of deflation are appearing. Some prices of raw materials and wholesale
commodities are leveling off. But your family will still have to pay
the bill this summer for the inflate^ price levels of wholesale com
modities established by businessmen earlier this year.
Here is a quick guide to trends you can expect this summer in
basic living expenses;
• Food prices will be at high levels this summer as meat especially
continues its present steady climb.
• Clothing prices are slightly higher this summer than last, including
work clothes, with shoes especially expensive. But Improved quality
is noticeable in some apparel (see below). Annual cut-price shoe sales
start in late June and continue through July.
• Used cars cost more this year than last. Traditionally, used car
prices come down after July 4th.
• Houses are at peak prices, with home-building off sharply to a
present annual level of 880,000 new houses compared to 1,400,000
In late '55.
Here are tips on buying air conditioners which can help keep
down your living expenses in this period of record-high costs:
AIR CONDITIONERS: This year's room coolers are Improved over
last year's models, and prices of some brands are being cut sharply.
The VA ampere models which were
introduced last summer now have
become the most popular type. This
year's models deliver more BTU's
(the measure of cooling capacity),
and design has been improved. In
general, the 1957 models are more
compact and don't protrude as
much. Some models can be mount
ed either completely inside or out
side the window so the window
can be opened or closed, which was
not possible with the older air
conditioners.
7Vi-AMP Conditioners
The 7i2-amp conditioners deliver
about 85 per cent of the cooling
capacity of the more powerful 10
or 12-amp models,^ but don't re
quire heavy-duty 230-volt wiring
which many older homes and
apartments don't have. The 71^-
amp models are adequate for the
average room except for very hot
or humid situations. They can be
used on a 115 volt line if the same circuit is not used for other electrical
appliances. But the advertising of the manufacturers and advice of
of retailers may be a little deceptive in this respect, because even
the less powerful air conditioners can cause an overload if other
appliances are operating at the^ame time. A 71^-amp model uses less
current than an electric iron or toaster. But the drain on current when
it is first turned on is heavy, the Better Business Bureaus point out.
Also in some cities, the electrical code requires you have heavier
12-gauge wiring instead of the ordinary 14-gauge, with a three-prong
plug and three-hole receptacle which provides for grounding^
Retail prices of air conditioners rise with the temperature, and
vary even from day to day, a major distributor reports. Best time to
buy is during a cool spell when manufacturers and retailers both get
anxious and cut quotations. One of the most reasonably-priced air
conditioners (the Admiral) is already sold out in some cities. But
prices are being sharply cut on other models, especially that of one
manufacturer (Fedders) who is offering dealers a paid vacation if they
sell a certain number. This manufacturer's 7V2-amp, % hp unit which
lists at $330, and cost dealers $197, is being sold by some for $217
and as little as $202 by large-volume retailers. The dealers also count
on making an additional $7-$8 profit from the installation, worth about
$15-$20, plus a year's service contract.
BTU ratings of the various brands are not a wholly reliable guide
to comparative value because there are other factors in efficiency,
and BTU ratings are not completely standardized. But this is the most
important single comparison you can make. Room air conditioners are
generally hp (which is the same as 34 ton) or 1 hp. The % hp size
is the most popular, and the 1 hp models are used for larger rooms
or rooms where the heat or humidity problem is severe, as in a room
unprotected by shade.
Note that a 7V^-amp, % hp air conditioner is not the same as a
*/4-hp conditioner that draws 10 or 12 amps. Even though both have
the same hp or ton rating, the higher-amp model has more cooling
power. Thus there are three main facts to get: the horsepower, the
amperage, and the number of BTU's delivered per hour. A good air
conditioner also should have automatic temperature control so you
can set fbr the temperature you want; a two-speed fan for night or
day; a filter easy to get at for replacement; a powerful exhaust to
draw out stale air, and a quiet-running motor.
Port Seattle
Jobs Reach
4-Year High
SEATTLE—Shipping here hit a
four-year record high of 182 Sea
farers dispatched during the past
period. It was the highest record-
-ed total since May, 1953.
Undoubtedly, West Coast ship
ping surpassed that figure on sev
eral occasions during the Korean
war.
Other high shipping totals were
reported on December 25. 1953,
when a total of 178 men shipped
out; December 9, 1955, 157 shipped,
and 152 on December 10, 1954. All
of these were abnormal pre-Christ-
mas totals. The welcome spurt of
activity promises to continue for
awhile, Jeff Gillette, port agent,
said.
Eight Payoffs
Eight vessels paid off and signed
on, and four ships were in port to
be serviced during the past two
weeks, Gillette reported.
The Westport (New England,
Ind.), Northwestern Victoi-y (Vic
tory Carriers), Ocean Eva (Ocean
Carriers), Rebecca (Maritime Over
seas), Seagarden (Penn. Nav.) and
Waterman's Kyska, Maiden Creek
and Wild Ranger paid off and
signed on. The Portmar, Marymar,
Kenmar, Flomar (Calmar) were in
port to be serviced. There were
no major beefs.
Marks Maritime Day
Reproduction of the official poster displayed on US Post Office
trucks tfiis week in honor of Maritime Day, May 22. The celebra-
tion commemorates the first transatlantic crossing under steam by
the Savannah in 1819. A Baltimore high school student designed
the poster.
Hq Demands $ From Runaways
NEW YORK—The crews of two US Petroleum rimaway tankers had to be repatriated
by air, reports Claude Simmons, port agent, when the ships transferred while in foreign
ports. Both vessels transferred to the Liberian flag, the Arickaree while in Aruba and the
Stony Pbint while in Antwerp. -
They are part of the Onassis- came from Greece off the Heywood
controlled tanker group which
is being transferred under a deal
to build three supertankers.
"Since both of these vessels
were on foreign articles and out
less than a month," Simmons an
nounced, "we are demanding an
additional month's wages for these
crews. We believe they are en
titled to this under the US navi
gation law." The membership will
be informed as to the outcome of
these cases, he said, so they will
know their rights should there be
any future instances of this kind.
Another crew repatriated by air
Broun (Victory Carriers).
The transfers were part of a
transfer-build package deal be
tween the Maritime Administration
and Onassis. The MA gave permis
sion for the transfer to Liberian
flag of 12 tankers and two Libertys
operated by Trafalgar Steamship,
USPC, Western Tankers, and Vic
tory Carriers. In return, Onassis
was to build three super tankers,
one of 100,000 tons, and two of
50,000 tons, all for US operations.
The exchange would liquidate
the three tanker companies, while
Victory Carriers would continue to
Food and cooking were not the
only things mentioned in the ship's
minutes during the past few
weeks. Seafarers John Johnson of
the Royal Oak and Jake Hansen of
the Jean Lafitte received votes of
thanks from their shipmates for
their generosity. Johnson repaired
the crew radio
at his own ex
pense. He must
either be a mu
sic lover, or a
staunch baseball
fan. Hansen re
ceived the crew's
apprecia-
tion when he
bolstered the
ship's fund with
a generous contribution.
4"
As to delegates, there is no
finer show of appreciation for an
outstanding job than to be re
elected to the position. Brother
W. Smith submitted his resigna
tion as ship's delegate of the Del
Vienlo, but a motion was made
and carried, that he be reelected
with a vote of thanks for a f^'job
well done during the last Voyage."^
Hansen
Among the cooks and stewards
mentioned, one was picked out
for special mention. Shipmates
on the John B. Waterman were
high in their praise of the excel
lent cooking and service from the
steward department. They gave a
vote of thanks to chief steward
Tony Sosa for the operations of
his gang.
^ ^
Seafarers on the Afoundiia
claim that no meal is too compli
cated for chief steward M. P. Lee-
When the Captain asked Lee if he
could make lobscouse, Lee, being
a "fellow Swede," proved equal to
the task. A check
with Webster's
dlction-
ary offered the
recipe; a stew of
meat, potatoes,
onions, shlpbls-
cuitr etc. The
shipbiscuit w a s
supplied by the
hardtack from
one of the , J^e-
boats, but as to i^hat tho-otCtri^s,
the gang' never explained-.
operate itstleet of seven Victorys
and the three new tankers. Its last
Liberty is still to go.
As the story now stands, 10
of the vessels have been trans
ferred. while the three supers are
still on paper. Concern over the
transfer issue had been expressed
by the House Merchant Marine
Committee recently with several
of the members calling for tighter
conditions. Committee members
felt that there were not enough
guarantees that the new ships
would ever be built.
Three Tankers Left
As for the companies involved,
Trafalgar Steamship is inactive,
USPC is now cut down to two ves
sels and Western Tankers to one.
I Shipping, Simmons reported,
continued to be very active in this
port during the last two weeks.
There was a total of 46 ships in
port during the past period—22
paying off, 5 signing on, and 19 in
transit.
The Stony Point, Arickaree
(USPC); CS Miami, Government
Camp, CS Norfolk (Cities Service);
Coalinga Hills (Waterman); Alcoa
Pointer, Alcoa Pilgrim, Alcoa
Planter, Alcoa Ranger, Alcoa
Roamer, Alcoa Puritan (Alcoa);
Angelina, Frances, Kathryn, James
Bowdin, Beatrice, Elizabeth, Fran
ces (Bull); Steel Executive, Steel
Chemist (Isthmian) and WaiTior
(Pan-Atlantic) paiJ off while the
Steel Chemist (isthmian). Warrior
(Pan-Atlantic), James Bowdin
(BuiD and Cities Service Miami
and Norfolk signed on.
The following in-transit ships
were in port to be serviced; Steel
Designer, Steel Traveler (Isth
mian); Pan Oceanic Transporter
(Penn. Nav.); Arlyn (Bull); Sea-
trains' Louisiana, 'Texas, Savannah,
Georgia; Yorkmar, Massmar, Ala-
mar (Calm-'^r); Maxton, Almena,
Beauregard, Ideal X (Pan-At
lantic); The Cabins (Terminal
Tankers); City of, Alma, Fairland
(WatSrmaa). and, the Alcoa Ranger
fAieoa).-'.'-^. / •
Pasre Eigrht SEAFARERS LOG May 24, 1957 •
f,
If- •
r,
P-A To Transfer
'Piggyback' T-2s
Pan-Atlantic Steamship Corp., which launched its "piggy
back" T-2 service in the Atlantic and Gulf coastwise trade a
year ago, is now going to abandon this method of carrying
trailers and concentrate exclu-
sively on dry-cargo container-
ships.
The company some time ago an
nounced plans for converting a
number of C-2s'into container
ships and work on the first of
these, the Gateway City, has al
ready gotten underway in Mobile.
Work on the Azalea City, Bienville
and Fairland is slated to follow.
Now, however, the Maritime Ad
ministration—in return for the
conversion of ten C-2s by Pan-
Atlantic—has agreed "in princi
ple" to the transfer foreign of the
four Pan-Atlantic T-2s.
Up until now the T-2s have been
used for the "piggyback" service,
in which trailers are carried be
tween Houston and New York on
specially-built flight decks.
After launching the "piggy
back" service in April, 1956, Pan-
Atlantic sought to expand it by
buying additional Government
tankers. But the legislation need
ed failed to win Congressional ap
proval.
The initiation of an Atlantic
Coast trailership service with spe
cially - constructed "roll on-roll
off" ships was also in the com
pany's plans originally. Appar
ently the company figured on
using the "piggybacks," with their
added decks, to augment the spe
cially-built "roll-ons" in this trade.
The four T-2s for which the MA
has given transfer approval in
clude one owned by the Sword
Line, which is controlled by Pan-
Atlantic. This is the Coalinga
Hills, now under charter to Pan-
Atlantic. The others are the Ideal
X, Almena and Maxton.
The terms of the transfer ap
proval give Pan-Atlantic 18 months
to complete its C-2 conversions,
which are being done by the Gulf
Shipbuilding Co., just outside of
Mobile.
It is expected that the new
"lift-on" service will be inaugu
rated later this year in a run be
tween Houston, Tex., and Port
Newark, NJ, It Is also expected
that, because of Pan-Atlantic's
emphasis on "lift-ons," the com
pany will suspend its coastwiso
break-bulk service sometime this
month.
May 1 Through May 14
Registered
Port
Boston
Anion^ Our
Affiliates
Norse Sea
Sports Get
'Head' Start
I '
It;- '
In case there's any seamen who
want to learn a new way to use
their heads, the Norwegian Sea
men's Welfare Council has ar
ranged for Henry Johansen, Nor
way's best known soccer goalie, to
hold a soccer clinic at Red Hook
playgrounds in Brooklyn.
The council sponsors matches in
most track and field sports, swim
ming and soccer games between
seamen on Swedish, Norwegian,
Danish, Finnish and Icelandic
vessels.
In 1956, the five nations, through
a central clearing office in Oslo,
had reports of ^,000 soccer games
played by 563 ships in 100 ports
throughout the world. Results of
the games are sent to the central
office where records of the team
standings in the different leagues
are broadcast once a week to the
fleets. Trophies and awards are
given at the end of the year.
Johansen is holding his classes
at 6 PM each evening for 20 days
starting May 15. He will then go to
Baltimore and conduct a clinic for
another group of ships expected
there.
The council's sports clinic also
includes instruction in track and
field, swimming and group leader
ship activities.:
The SIU Canadian District has
been certified as bargaining agent
for the British-registered cable
layer, John W. McKay. Opposition
to the SIU was voiced by the Com
mercial Cable Company. Basing
its arguments on a 1931 Mer
chant Shipping Agreement, it con
tended that the SIU application
for certification was out of its
jurisdiction. Actually, SIU repre
sentatives contended, the vessel's
home port was Halifax, Nova
Scotia, and all British ships could
be asked to follow the same rules
as Canadian ships in Canadian
waters. The Canadian Labor Rela
tions Board agreed that Canadian
crews sailing these ships were en
titled to the rights enjoyed by
other Canadian' seamen.
4i 4*
Election of officers of the SIU
Great Lakes District will be held
aboard all of its contracted ships
during the month of August. The
positions of secretary-treasurer,
and port agents in Detroit, Buffalo,
Cleveland, Duluth, South Chicago,
and Alpena are to be filled,
t iS» i
The SS Kaiser Gypsum which
arrived at the Golden Gate on May
1 with a cargo of 16,800 tons of
chrome ore, helped set a number
of records. To start with, the cargo,
which was hauled from Redwood
City by 40 trucks, comprised the
largest overland ore shipment ever
undertaken in the San Francisco
Bay area. It was also the largest
cargo of any kind to be brought
into or shipped out of Redwood
City, and the vessel was the largest
to enter the port. In keeping with
these records, the ship was un
loaded at intervals of about six
minutes around the clock. The ves
sel, to be renamed the SS Harry
Lundeberg, is crewed by the
Sailors Union of the Pacific.
3« 4«
A seven percent wage increase,
and a six percent overtime, cargo,
and penalty rate increase has been
negotiated by the Brotherhood of
Marine Engineers in a contract re-
opener with the A1 Peirce Co.,
operator of the MV Coos Bay.
The reopener was provided under
the terms of a general agreement
signed with the company last May.
The new pay rates are effective as
of March 1, 1957.
iS- 4<
The Staff Officers* Association
has announced a new "first" in
maritime industry benefits. The
groundwork has been laid for the
institution of a severance pay pro
gram which will pay a benefit of
approximately $100 for every year
of service. The plan, to be admin
istered by the Union and company
trustees of the pension plan, wiU
be open to all members after ten
years' service.
Houston
Total
Deck Deck Eng. Eng. Stew. Stew. Totel Total Total
A B A B A B A B Reg.
9_ 4 5 4 9 0 23 8 31
107 16 87 - 21 61 5 255 42 297
27 1 18 5 18 0 63 6 69
66 16 45 23 39 19 150 58. 208
16 6 8 6 6 6 . 30 18 48
11 3 6 3 8 0 25 6 31
10 5 7 8 7 1 •24 14 38
32 9 34 6 17 5 83 20 103
46 16 26 11 41 10 113 37 150
15 6 14 . 4 1 2 30 12 42
22 13 23 6 14 9 59 28 87
8 4 5 7 6 3 19 14 33
26 12 16 13 19 12 61 37 98
22 20 12 22 12 9 46 51 97
Deck Deck Eng. Eng. Stew. Stew. Total Total Total
A B A B A B A B Reg.
417 131 306 139 258 81 981 351 1332
Shipped
Port
Boston
Norfolk ..
Savannah
Tampa ..
Mobile ..
Lake Charles
Total
Deck Deck Deck Eng. Eng. Eng. Stew. Stew. Stew. Total Total Total Total
A B c A B e A B C A B C Ship.
6 4 2 5 3 0 3 1 1 14 8 3 25
87 13 13 53 17 19 60 5 15 200 35 47 282
26 6 3 23 10 3 15 7 3 64 23 9 96
81 24 5 51 22 25 36 19 17 168 65 47 280
1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 3
5 2 T 2 ' 0 3 7 0 3 14 2 7 23
4 2 1 7 4 1 8 0 4 19 6 6 31
35 10 4 18 6 13 19 7 6 72 23 23 118
48 11 6 21 7 8 27 7 5 96 25 19 140
9 3 0 10 4 3 5 3 1 24 10 4 38
29 12 4 23 8 14 17 1 11 69 21 29 119
13 8 1 7 7 2 9 5 2 29 20 5 54
20 9 6 13 7 2 8 7 7 41 23 15 79
31 32 13 23 23 11 24 12 13 78 67 37 182
Deck Deck Deck Eng. Eng. Eng. Stew. stew. Stew. Total Total Total Total
A B c A B C A B C A B c Ship.
395 136 59 256 118 105 238 75 88 889 329 252 1470
Bill Urges Strict Rules
On Sea Jobs For Aliens
WASHINGTON—A bill which would tighten restrictibns
on the hiring of alien seamen on US-flag ships has been pro
posed in the Senate by Sen. Warren G. Magnuson of Wash
ington. The bill
SIU shipping hit the high mark of the last two months in the past two weeks. The boom
ing job activity produced a figure of 1,470 men dispatched through SIU halls during the pe
riod. Registration hit 1,332. + ^
Ten ports shared in the
shipping boom. One of them,
Seattle, reported its best ship
ping in the four years 'since the
Korean War. The others were
Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Savannah, Tampa, Mo
bile, Lake Charles and Houston.
Baltimore arid New York were vir
tually even.
Only Norfolk, New Orleans,
Wilmington and San Francisco
showed declines. The two West
Coast ports, with Seattle, are still
quite busy, but Norfolk is very
quiet. New Orleans is holding its
own.
The greatest lag between ship
ping and registration showed up-
in the steward department, al
though the other departments each
shipped more men on their own.
Toughest jobs to fill, evidenced by
the high class C figure, are in the
black gang. However, class B
shipping and registration for all
departments ran neck and neck.
On the seniority side, class A
men accounted for 61 percent of
the total jobs shipped, class B for
22 percent and class C for the
rest. This represents a small in
crease for class A and a corre
sponding decrease for B men. The
proportion of C shipping was the
same as in the previous two weeks.
The following is the forecast
port by port:
Boston: Fair . . . New York:
Good . . . Philadelphia: Good . , .
Baltimore: Good . . . Norfolk: Very
slow . . . Savannah: Fair . . .
Tampa: Fair . . . Mobile: Good
. . . New Orleans: Good . . . Lake
Charles: Fair . . . Houston: Good
. Wilmington: Fair . . . San
Francisco: Good . . . Seattle: Good.
'Can-Shakers'
Have No OK -
The membership is again cau
tioned to beware of persons
soliciting funds on ships in be
half of memorials cr any other
so-called "worthy causes." No
"can-shakers" or solicitors have
been authoriezd by the SIU.
IS now un
der study by the Senate In
terstate and Foreign Com
merce Committee, of which Sen.
Magnuson is chairman.
The most important provisions of
the bill, which would spell out the
present United States Code gov
erning the hiring of aliens, are as
follows:
• All applicants for Coast Guard
papers would be required to have
a sufficient knowledge of English'
both written and spoken, to per
form all shipboard duties required
and carry out the orders of the
officers.
• Excluding licensed officers, 75
percent of the crew would have to
be native-born or naturalized US
citizens unless the Coast Guard
waives this requirement because
of a manpower shortage.
• On any subsidized vessel, ex
cept passenger ships, all of the
crewmen must be native-born or
naturalized citizens. On passenger
ships, 90 percent of the crew, in
cluding officers, must be citizens;
and, in either case, all of the
licensed officers must be citizens.
• More rigid restrictions are
laid down for the replacement of
crewmembers by aliens during a
foreign voyage, and violations of
these restrictions would be subject
to fines of $50 a day for each alien
illegally employed.
The present bill is identical with
one which Sen. Magnuson intro
duced during a previous session of
Congress and which was supported,
for the most part, by the Depart
ment of Commerce, but opposed
by the government of Puerto Rico.
The Commerce Department went
on record favoring stricter con
trols over alien hiring "in the in
terests of the national economy
and national defense," and sup
ported the bill with the recommen
dation that even tighter restric
tions be placed on the hiring of
aliens for US passenger ships.
The Puerto Rican government
opposed the bill and expressed the
fear that its passage could possi
bly cause Puerto Rican seamen to
lose their jobs on US ships if a
written English test was also ap
plied to them as US citizens.
Regardless of the fate of the
present bill, it appears very like
ly that the number of jobs for
alien seamen aboard US ships will
continue to decrease as the de
mand for Federal subsidies con-
tii^ues to increase, since stringent
regulations governing the employ
ment of aliens on subsidized ships
already. exist.
Many of the largest non-subsid
ized lines such as Waterman, Is-
brandtsen. Isthmian and States
Marine are already seeking sub
sidies, and this trend toward total
subsidization will undoubtedly con
tinue, with a consequent squeezing-
out of the alien seaman.
May 24. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG
ssa
Page Nln* ••'"m
. •'.•* t"\-f! V" *! -• '••
,* -V* Sri, • -
Shipping commissioner officiates in saloon at signing
of articles for new voyage. George W. Williamson,
wiper (in T-shirt), waits turn. Mate looks on.
Bosun George Douglas (with pipe) prepares to lend a
hand in unrigging the jumbo boom for unloading. The
ship carries general cargo soutH, bauxite northbound.
FOR a ship, the arrival at home port
means a breathing spell between
the last voyage and the next. In
coming cargo is discharged, and stores
and outbound cargo starts coming
aboard.
It's a time to clean ship, complete re
pairs, get replacements for worn-out
gear and a hundred other details.
For the crew, it's payday and the
chance to sign off or make another trip.
There's time now to visit with the fami y
and friends who may live nearby; to
drop in at the Union hall, see a show or
try a change of menu at a shoreside
restaurant.
The work still goes on for those re
maining aboard, as these pictures taken
on the Alcoa Puritan in New York lost
week show. Outbound for Venezuela,
Trinidad, Georgetown and Paramaribo
on a regular monthly schedule, the
Puritan was here and gone again in a
few days.
•M
Safety delegates Roy Poole, steward
utility (left), and 2nd electrician
James C. Dial check off finished repair.
Juan Dopico, OS (left), hands carton
of fresh fruit to pantryman Alex
Stevenson during storing of chillbox.
SIU patrolman Malcolm Cross (2nd from right) is on
hand to settle beefs, collect ;dues. With him (1 to r) are
J. Brasfield, stwd.; M. Irogbyfew, oiler, and C. Newtbri.
:Phil Roshke, OS, watches Dr. George
Raskin take a reading on his blood
pressure before signing on again.
Finishing shave in foc'sle, Emmitt
Connell, oiler, gets set to dress and go-
ashore during-time off. - -
5. < • • < t S f
Paffe Ten SEAFARERS LOG
\
r
May 24. 1957
Seafarers Assist Last Rites
Seafarers In San Francisco serve as pallbearers at funeral of fel
low Seafarer Orvllle Abrams, who died at local marine hospital.
He left his last ship, the Stony Point, for hospitalization In
Yokohama over a year ago. On the left (front to back) are Otto
Palsson, Jessie Cobrol, John Worley (partially hidden) and Nick
Stephanne. At right, H. Thomas, A._ Waterbury (hidden). Port
Agent Marty Brelthoff and undertaker's aide.
May Salvage '42
Torpedoed Cargo
area, but Carmichael says he
doesn't "believe any of them are
around here now. They may have
gotten other ships^ or left the sea
altogether. But I sure would like
to know what happened to them."
Among these men were Earl 1..
Hearn, third engineer; Alfonse
Hertsack, chief cook; Henry Davis,
second cook; Edward McMillen,
messman; Nathaniel Avier, and
W. C. Chisholm, first assistant en
gineer.
Any of these men wishing to
contact Carmichael can reach him
at 954 Chastang St., Mobile.
MOBILE—The $3 million cargo which went to the bottom
when the Waterman freighter Warrior was torpedoed dur
ing World War II may be salvaged, if the plans of a New Or
leans deep sea diver work '
out.
However, the job will be a
tough one, says a Mobile Seafarer,
Horace Carmichael, who was chief
steward on the SlU-manned ship
when she was sunk off Trinidad
on July 1, 1942, bringing death to
seven of the 55 men aboard her.
The salvage job, Carmichael
gays, will be difficult because the
ship went down in 70 feet of
water "and there are some mighty
strong currents there."
Nevertheless, John True, a deep
sea diver and president of the Ma
rine Research and Survej' Co. of
New Orleans, says he plans to
! tackle the job
"in the near fu
ture." True will
be after the valu
able cargo which,
he says, includes
steel, copper and
aluminum.
C a r m i chael's
last ship was the
Gateway City,
which is now be
ing converted into a Pan-Atlantic
"lift-on." The 43-year-old Seafar
er has been sailing 20 years, and
although he was on a number of
ships that were shot at during the
war, the WaiTior was the only
one sunk.
Sunk In 3 Minutes
Describing the torpedoing, which
sent the 12,000-ton freighter to the
bottom in three minutes, Car
michael attributed the terrific ex
plosion which virtually split the
vessel in half to high test gaso
line stored amidships. The ship,
boun4 for the Red Sea, had air
plane^ and tanks stored on her
deck, he said.
Carmichael said the ship carried
43 seamen and 12 members of a
gun crew. Of these, three seamen
and four gun crew members were
killed. The other 48 men. after
eight hours in a lifeboat, were
picked up by a US destroyer, then
rushed by plane back to the States,
where they promptly shipped out
again.' • v.;.:, ,
Eight of the survivors. Including
Carmichael, were from the Mobile
Carmichael
LA-'Frisco
Roll-On Run
Under Study
SAN FRANCISCO—A new con
cern, Pacific Trailer Ships, Inc.,
has announced plans to operate a
truck and trailer roll-on-roll-off
overnight steamship service be
tween San Francisco and Los An
geles. The California Public Utili
ties Commission has granted the
company a sole franchise to oper
ate intrastate between the two
ports.
The company announced it will
build two specially designed 660-
foot, twin screw, high speed ves
sels. The ships will contain essen
tial defense features to enable
them to convert the vessels into
tank and motorized vehicle carriers
with a minimum amount of altera
tion and loss of time.
The Navy Department has unof
ficially indicated a favorable atti
tude towards the preliminary de
signs and plans, which were pre
pared by George G. Sharp Co..
naval architects and engineers.
Because of the rapid turnaround
possible in roU-on-roll-off opera-
tionsi the ships Could make several
trips a week.
A three-year contract has been
signed between the Glass Bottle
Blowers and the Glass Container
Manufacturing Institute, which
represents some 40 major glass
manufacturers. The agreement calls
for a wage increase of almost 28
cents an hour, better vacation and
holiday programs, and allows for
jury duty.
4" 4" 4"
"Progress toward consolidation
has far exceeded expectations," re
ported Claude Jodoin, president of
the Canadian Labor Congress. In
its 12 months of life, the federa
tion has seen the merging of rival
unions in six of Canada's seven
provinces and in 30 out of 39 cities.
It has also chartered 45 new locals.
^ 4' 4>
A House Judiciary Committee
has held hearings on charges by
the California labor organizations
that a contract between California
farmers and Japanese laborers was
"a shocking document of labor ex
ploitation which recalls the inden
tured servant practices of colonial
times." AFL-CIO state organiza
tions said that the workers were
shackled to a contract that no civ
ilized nation would tolerate.
4 4. t
The Hotel A Restaurant Em
ployees Union was recognized as
bargaining agent for the employees
of three restaurants operated by
the family of Vice President Rich
ard M. Nixon. The union was rec
ognized by F. Donald Dixoh,
brother of the vice-president, when
a check of union membership cards
showed that after a year of experi
ence with a so-called independent
union, 80 percent of the employees
favored the AFL-CIO affiliate as
their bargaining agent.
4" 4" 4"
The Supreme Court has ruled
that the National Labor Relations
Board can not refuse to take Juris
diction in cases involving trade
unions acting as employer's. The
case involved the Teamsters Union
and the Office Employees. The
Office Employees had sought col
lective bargaining rights for 23
clerical workers employed in Team
ster headquarters.
4" 4" 4"
The Philip Murray Memorial
Foundation, created to perpetuate
the name of the late president of
the CIO, distributed a total of
$963,204.70 to some 30 religious,
charitable and educational organ
izations. The fund was set up in
1953 from gifts and donations from
former CIO unions and private in
dividuals. In issuing its final re
ports Arthur J. Goldberg, general
counsel of the United Steelworkers
and director of the fund, disclosed
that the entire sum in the fund was
expended without any administra
tive cost to the foundation.
MARY ADAMS (Bloomflald), F«b. It
—Chairman, W. McBrlda; Secretary,
F. Sulllns. Discussion on cigarettes.
Two cartons of cigarettes for each
man. Suggestion to move gangway.
New gangway suggested.
February 9—Chairmen, R. Paradyr
Secretary, J. Austin. To elect new
delegate. $2.73 In ship's fund.
February 11—Chairman, W. Rhone;
Secretary, J. Austin. Election of safe
ty committee.
W. Morse. New ship's delegate. Sug
gested that new delegate see about
fixing water fountain In messroom.
List posted in messroom detalUng
each department to take care of
laundry. A vote of thanks to steward
department for a Job well done.
April 21—Chairman, W. Waldrop;
Secretary, W. Morse. Patrolman to
see port steward about getting ready
cut steaks. Also a better grade of
meats aU around. A vote of thanks to
the steward department for a Job
well done.
NATIONAL LIBERTY (National
Shlpplnt), April 14—Chairman, F.
Bruggner; Secretary, A. Andersen.
Some of delayed sailing over-time dis
puted. Most of repairs have been
done. t8.S9 In ship's funds. Discus
sion about putting trash bucket In
laundry. GaAets renewed on aU port
holes. Discussion on why both do
mestic tanks ore dry and portable
water coming from aft peak. Vote of
thanks to stewards department for
food and good service.
OCEAN DEBORAH (Maritime Over-
teas), March 24—Chairman, Harding;
Secretary, Weinberg. Due to broken
hours, the night cook and baker wish
to have separate rooms. Discussion on
coffee urn and perculators. Ruled
that we retain perculators.
ORION PLANET (Orion Steamship
Corp.), Feb. 24—Chairman, M. Mc-
Cosloy; Socrotary, W. BIckford. Can
not get traveler's checks. Ship's dele
gate resigned. 4.500 Yen In ship's
fund. New ship's delegate elected.
April 7-=Chalrman, I. Barra; Secre
tary, C. Cadenhead. 4,500 Yen and
$1 In ship's fund. To get traveler's
checks In Persian Gulf.
ORION STAR (Orion Shipping
Corp.), April 7—Chairman, E. Ruley;
Secretary, 6. Stevens. Ship's delegate
to see captain about getting canned
goods in night lunch. Condolences
sent to family of deceased third assist
ant engineer. Ship's delegate to see
about getting wringer on washing
machine fixed.
PACIFIC OCEAN (World Carriers),
April 20—Chairman, J. Thompson;
Secretary, B. Alsbury. All hands turn
In dirty linen, and clean rooms be
fore leaving ship.
DEL MAR (Mississippi), April IS—
Chairman, M. Phelps; Secretary, C.
Dowllng. Captain said to tell the crew
that this was a smooth voyage and to
thank them for making It so. It was
brought out In the safety meeting
tliat the practice of leaving glasses
on the railings was a dangerous prac
tice and cooperation of all asked In
removing this hazard. It was request
ed that all hands using the door to
go on deck by ship's doctor's office
close same due to loss to air condi
tioning. $233 In the movie fund and
$46 In the ship's fund. Letter from
brother who was left In New Orleans
hospital, stating that he had some
money for the ship's fund and would
turn It over when ship got in. No
one allowed In crew pantry or mess-
hall in underwear. Fix engine room
door. Chief cook explained why on
occasion certain foods ran short and
a slight delay occured until other
could be prepared. Chief steward re
quested that repair lists and list of
new mattresses be turned In so that
they can be ordered, and repair list
completed.
DEL MONTE (Mississippi), April 7
—Chairman, E. Arnot; Secretary, J.
Plcou. Most repairs taken care of.
Beef on making coffee taken care of;
also beef on Ice. $81.93 In ship's
fund, after spending 838.49 for books.
Suggestion to let pantryman wear
shorts In pantry also to stop putting
cigarette butts In coffee cups. Put
turkey In night lunch. Keep new wash
ing machine clean. Suggestion made to
have hot mustard and to have wash
room painted. To. see captain about
soft ice cream. Have meat box and
fish box temperatures brought down
to where they will hold Ice cream.
Steward Claims that they are too
high.
EVILVN Wwll), April . I4ii-Ch4fr-.'
men, i. Reetfr fecrelery, M. Kembi-
ski. Repairs that have been promised
have not been taken care of. $81 in
fund. Complaint on door to engine
room being left open. Too much
heat seeps Into forecastles. Repair
lists discussed.
MARYMAR (Cslmar), AprU 12 —
Chairman, Jones; Secretary, M. Flood.
$23.34 In ship's fund. Elected new
ship's delegate: Everyone to clean
washing machine after using. Sug
gested steward to leave enough cof
fee out at night.
FREDERIC C. COLLIN (Dry Trans),
April 7 — Chairman, E. Hall, Payoff
on arrival if possible, could not settle
disputed overtime with captain and
will turn over to patrolman. Captain
won't let Up on men who fouled up
in Japan. Brother who was confined
to hospital managed to straighten
himself out. Repair list to be made
out and all men told to leave foc'les
clean.
MORNING LIGHT (Waterman), April
13—Chairman, R. Lambert; Secratary,
FELTORE (Ore), April 19—Chair
man, A. Rosenblatt; Secretary, W.
'Strickland. New delegate elected. Re
quest to have deck room n "nted, fan
to be cleaned all over
FRANCES (Bull), Apr 4—Chair
man, Doak; Secretary, Crewes. Dis
cussion on donation of case of ciga
rettes for men on s'.rLie in San Juan.
Suggest rotation of cleaning of slop
sink. Steward to order sufficient bug
bombs. Request a different type of
soap, also discussion rn safety pro
gram.
GEORGE A. LAWSON (Penn Ship
ping), April 20—Chairman, L. E, F..
Schmidt; Secretary, T. Caiman.
Most repairs done. Lockers' shelves
to be made. Shore leave in question.
Sub.sistcnce to be paid at sea. Bring
in cots from deck at night if not be
ing used. $13.40 In ship's fund. New
delegate elected. Discussion on plac
ing of fans In rooms. Bos'n asks that
all garbage be dumped In cans back
aft while ship Is In port.
IBERVILLE (Waterman). Fab. 24—
Chairman, R. Ayrea; Secretary, W.
Burton. New delegate elected. Deck
delegate asked that percolators be
used at the serving of all meals In
stead of making coffee In the urn.
All brothers in agreement with this
procedure. Talk by J. McGlll about
securing movie projector and films.
Discussion held. Voluntary contribu
tions will be accepted toward the pur
chase of said equipment. Ship's fund
is low. voluntary donations will also
be accepted for this fund. Steward
asks the brothers what day they
would prefer to have linen Issued.
Friday Is accepted.
March 14—Chairman, C. RIdgei Sec
retary, W. Burton. Ship's delegate
spoke on service In the crew mess-
room. Men on watch not getting
served properly. Steward said mess-
man has Improved. Discussion on this
issue, men on watch should sit at
one table. Others dissented, saying
that -with 28 men coming in seats
could not be reserved for the watch.
Present man will continue In his Job
and will improve.
April 14—Chairman, W. Lawten;
Secretary, W, Burton. One man hos
pitalized in Kobe, .Tapan. One man
missed ship InO^okohama, Japan, and
it is our sad duty to report that
Brother J. W. Smith was lost over
board on the first day out from Yoko
hama on our return to the States.
Steward was asked about getting milk
on our arrival In our first port In
Japan which was Kobe. Steward said
captain told him all stores were to
be gotten at Yokohama. Suggestion
for delegates to check on all mat,
tresses and pillows and see what
needs to be replaced. Suggestion to
either send a floral wreath or send
mass cards for Brother Smith.
IDEAL X (Pan Atlantic), Anrll 24—
Chairman, H. Huston; Secretary, G.
Lusth. Pete Lypen AB was put
ashore with signs of appendicitis, was
operated upon same Immediately.
Words of thanks to all who en
deavored to make him comfortable.
New delegate elected.
AFOUNORIA (Waterman), April 2$
—Chairman, R. Walton; Secretary, J.
Guard; New delegate elected. All
crew quarters need painting of the
decks, this includes messhall. Clean
hospital after use by crew for furni
ture storage. Repair list will be sub
mitted before voyage starts. Ship's
delegate will check stores with chief
steward.
ALCOA CORSAIR (Alcoa), April 14
—Chairman, I. Morgavl; Secratary, M.
Costello. Discussion on fire and boat
drill. Ch.. cook missed ship, was re
placed out of Union hall before sail
ing time. Brother left In hospital in
Jamaica due to illness. $60 collected
for the above Brother Sargent, also
discussed prowler. 8139 In ship's
fund. To have a general meeting
with patrolmen upon docking.
ALCOA PENNANT (Alcoa), April 7
—Chairman, L. Joynsr; Secratary, V.
Nash. One man missed ship in New
Orleans. Turn In all surplus linen so
It can be cleaned and checked. Ship's
delegate to check with boarding pa
trolman about holding Income tax .out
of subsistence.
ALCOA POINTER (Alcoa), April 38
—Chairman, W. Robinson; Secratary,
L. Bruce. New .delegate elected.
ARLYN (Bull), March 3—Chairman,
6. Seaberger; Secretary, G. Seeberger.
A special meeting was held for chief
cook.. There was no milk for five
days and shortage of linen for two
trips in a row. There was not 40
gallons of milk when ship left France.
Someone to check stores when they
come.
AZALEA CITY (Waterman), April 4
—Chairman, D. Ksrella; Secretary, R.
Auer. Ship Is entering the ship yard
for exter.:d-,.' repairs and conversion.
Pay off win be in MobUe. Ship will
be laid up. Deck department received
three (3) new. men in Long Beach ,
WhUe' )tessel vMs iri transit to the
dulf. There is flYJia in the ship's'
fund.
May 24. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG r»g9 Elevea
•Welcome'
Surplus
Billiou Boost
lu
Voted Out
WASHINGTON — Tlie House
Agriculture Committee has ap
proved a $1 billion incfease in ex
tending the farm surplus disposal
program, assuring continuation of
heavy farm surplus shipments to
foreign nations.
The full Senate had already
acted on the farm surplus exten
sion but there is one Important
difference between the House and
Senate measures as they now
stand. That relates to the sale or
barter of agricultural surpluses
with Communist nations.
The administration at present
has reached tentative agreement
with Poland'for $95 million worth
of such surplus, subject to Con
gressional approval. The Senate
has already voted to strike out the
section of the law which prohibits
such sales, but the House Agricul
ture Committee voted out the bill
without following the Senate ac
tion.
Would Woo SatelUtes
Undoubtedly, the administration
will make efforts to get favorable
House action on the floor for sur
plus deals with countries on the
ground that such transactions help
wean them away from Moscow
domination.
A strong bloc in Congress is op
posed to these transactions, argu
ing that they only serve to prop
up Communist economies instead
of weakening Communism's hold
on Eastern Europe.
The farm surplus program, now
in its third year, was originally ap
proved in the words of the House
committee "as an emergency pro
gram, fojr, disiP9flngj of^surplys, agri,-
ciilturai. commoditl«s.'t' r
rijViWfjSi'
No one with any real knowledge of the maritime industry
can dispute the merits of the bill recently thrown into the
Senate hopper to give formal recognition to the maritime hir
ing hall. The measure, proposed by Sen. Warren G. Magnu-
son, would clean up the shadowy status under which the hir
ing hall has existed over the past ten years.
The SIU and all maritime unions heartily endorse this pro
posal because the hiring hall has been the foundation of pros
perity not only for the nation's seamen, but for the industry
as well. Long established as the only fair and just system for
supplying ship manpower, the hiring hall took job placement
out of the clutches of the unscrupulous crimps and shady
waterfront characters who held seamen in virtual slavery.
Speedy adoption of the Magnuson bill by Congress would
help assure that these bitter days can never return.
^ ^ ^ ^
Closing The Gap
News that the Indian's Seamen's Union has won pay parity
with Bombay for seamen in Calcutta is welcomed by the SIU
and all American maritime unions. Every improvement in
foreign seamen's conditions, no matter how small, works to
everyone's advantage in the long run.
The fact that the increase amounts to 25 rupees a month
(the rupee is now pegged at 21 to the dollar) and that this was
the first wage boost won by the Calcutta sailors since 1945
emphasizes the difficult struggle confronting foreign seamen.
But the basic point to keep in mind is that living standards in
India and the US are miles apart.
This underscores the fallacy of the Maritime Administration
view that American maritime unions should show "restraint"
in their wage and benefit demands in relation to foreign
standards. While prices and living costs rise steadily in the
US, seamen and all American workers living under the Amer
ican economy must keep pace with these increases for their
own self-protection. ~
Talk About Lagging...
Another report this month tells how the Swedish-American
Line is now seriously planning a cafeteria-style transatlantic
tourist ship to serve as a floating convention site. Here,
indeed, is an area where American know-how could be put
to good use to win away some of the growing tourist traffic
that foreign shipowners have capitalized on for years.
Yet US companies continue to stand by the old concept
of lush luxury liners. Every imaginable obstacle Is put in
the way of the few w;ho are adventurous enough to come
forward with ideas of this kind.
But ten years from now, after foreign operators have ex
perimented, succeeded and more solidly entranched them
selves in this field, the "Rip Van Winkles" of US. niaritinje
will wake — --"J—- 1——' ,
Tank, Ore Ships
1st For A-Power
will have a cargo lift capacity of
somewhere between 9,000 and 12,-
000 deadweight tons (in the C-2 to
C-3 range) and quarters for 60 to
100 passengers.
The New York naval architects'
firm of George G. Sharp, Inc. is
now drafting preliminary-plans for
the vessel. A yard will be selected
sometime in the fall with keel-lay
ing scheduled for next spring.
More details about the Government's atom ship program,
now available, indicate that the atom age is fast coming up
at sea. However, in the first few years of commercial opera
tion, nuclear power plants
will be limited to large super
tankers, ore carriers and
other bulk vessels. All Indications
are that it will be a long time
before nuclear power will be used
on passenger vessels and freighters
in the regular liner services.
This IS accepted as an established
fact even though the first atom ship
now being ordered virill be a com
bination freighter-passenger vessel.
At current levels of design and
engineering, nuclear reactors large
enough to power a conventional-
sized freighter require too much
in the way of heavy shielding. The
added weight of the bulky shield
ing neutralizes much of the added
lift the ship would gain by eliminat
ing bunkers.
Save Bunker Tonnage
However, on a supertanker on a
long offshore rim, the savings in
bunker tonnage and space would
more than offset the weight of the
shielding. A tanker on the run
from the Persian Gulf to the East
Coast uses huge quantities of fuel,
up to 5,000 tons of it for one in
the 50,000-ton class. Elimination
of all that fuel tonnage means that
the supertanker could carry an
equivalent additional tonnage of
petroleum, less of course, the
weight of the reactor shielding. Ore
carriers would benefit the same
way and so would whale factory
ships and other fish vessels.
In addition to the cost and weight
of the shielding, the. high cost of
a nuclear power plant and nuclear
fuel at present keep such a plant
from being competitive. At present,
atomic power costs about 50 per
cent more than a conventional
shoreside steam plant in day to day
operation. The difference is less
on a ship where lower pressures
are used and cargo space is in
creased.
Existing plans for the first atomic
merchant ship call for it to be
about 600 feet long with a beam
of 80 feet. She will generate up
tc»s?2,000 shaft horsepower and will
have a 21-knot cruising speed.
These performance figures are far
from exceptional as compared with
some of the existing steam plants,
such as on the Mariners. The ship
,M a* i..A
Painters Tie
Up Lk. Charles
LAKE CHARLES—The Painters
Union here has all the contractors
shut down after failure of contract
talks, reports Leroy Clarke, port
agent. From the looks of things,
he said, they will continue to hold
the line until the contractors give
in to the painters' demands.
Other picket lines placed around
one of the big chain stores by the
Retail Clerks, AFL-CIO, are prov
ing very effective, Clarke reported,
as business is falling off a great
deal. The SIU and Central Labor
Council have gone on record to
back the clerks all the way in their
fight.
"All is well in this area," Clarke
said, with shipping and job activity
remaining constant. There were 13
vessels calling at the port during
the last two weeks. They were the
Cantigny, CS Miami, Bradford
Island„Chiwawa, CS Norfolk, Royal
Oak, Government Camp, Bents
Fort, Winter Hill, Chiwawa (Cities
Service); Coalinga Hills (Pan Atlan
tic); Val Chem (Valentine); and
th€| Sea Tiger (ColQidal). AH were
:in;gop^ shape, i^th^o. i^ beefs
Fear Slash
In Foreign
Aid Money
WASHINGTON —The shipping
industry may have to pull in its
belt another notch if the budget-
cutters get their way with the for
eign aid program.
The optimism six months ago
that foreign aid outlays would in
crease this year has been replaced
with fears that they may fall in
stead. The Administration has al
ready amended its foreign aid re
quests by a half billion dollars but
the Congressional economy bloc is
still not happy.
Proposed spending starting July
1, 1957, has been scaled down from
$4.3 billion to $3.8 billion, or just
about what it was for the fiscal
year, now ending. Congress ap
proved $3,766,000,000 for the vari
ous foreign aid programs last year.
Maritime Concerned
Since foreign aid shipments are
of vital concern to the maritime
industry, seamen ^nd shippers
alike are watching the budget bat
tle with special interest.
American ships are now carrying
barely 18 percent of all US foreign
commerce, so that foreign aid car
goes moved under the "50-50" law
hold more and more significance
for the industry every year. The 18
percent figure for 1956 represents
by itself an 18 percent decrease
from the 22 percent foreign com
merce total for US ships in 1955.
This considerable drop reinforces
the concern of shipping interests
for the future of the foreign aid
program and the "50-50" provision
under which these shipments^ go
overseas.
There is no argument either in
or out of the industry that foreign
aid has been a major factor prop
ping up the US merchant marine
for almost ten years.
Since 1948, and the start of the
original Marshall Plan for Europe,
some $46 billion has been distrib
uted by the US in the form of eco
nomic and military aid to friendly
nations all over the world. Thanks
to the "50-50" provision for which
the maritime unions put up the
major fight, approximately half of
this has gone abroad on American
ships.
USPHS Has Last
Say On Duty Slip
Under the SIU contract, US
Public Health Service doctors
have the final say on whether
or not a man is fit for duty. If
there is any question about
your fitness to sail, check with
the nearest USPHS hospital or
out-patient clinic for a ruling;t
'hf.iiif i "• II -I .1 I I • >-r'i -I' '-fill'
Pare Twelve SEAFARERS LOG May 24. 1957
Officers Are
No Gentlemen
On Washday
Ship's officers on the Del
Viento have added a new
wrinkle to the "two-pot"
washing system.
After lots of beefing by the SIU
crew about the old washer, the
company finally produced a new
one. But this machine was
promptly appropriated by topside
when the old washer was repaired.
Everyone wound up at least a lit
tle bit better off then when they
started, especially the officers.
Now, as if that wasn't enough,
the officers are
going a step fur
ther. You give a
guy a finger and
he'll try for the
whole arm next
time.
It seems now
the officers are
using both ma-
chines. "When
their clothes are
very dirty, they use the crew's
washer rather than the nice new
machine topside," ship's delegate
Weldon Smith pointed out. "They
don't mind sharing their dirt with
the crew at all," someone com
mented at the meeting.
How the officers get their
clothes so dirty is another matter.
May be they're just sloppy eaters.
'Sea-Spray' -By Seafarer Robert 'Red' Fink
*'Hold it, boy. I got you beat on seniority .
Smith
LOG-A.RHYTHM:
Final Departure
By C. Van Orden
I've stood the watch on barkentines
And mighty ships of steel,
Through sleet and snow and cy
clone blow,
With ice upon the wheel.
USPHS HOSPITAL
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Adolfo Aiiavitarte Thomas Koran
Edward .Anderson
John Bednar
Robert Beliveau
Isaac Blumenberg
Candldo Bonefont
Edw. T. Campbell
R. J. Cavanaugh
Howard B. Davis
P. P. Dolcndo
James H. Fisher
Richard V. Geiiing
Waiter J. Gill
Esteli Godfrey
Burl Haire
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
NEW YORK, NY
Loyd McGee
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAVANNAH, GA.
Cesar Izquierdo
Alfred Kaju
D. F. Kaziukewlcz
Ahmed Mehssin
Thomas Moncho
John O'Connor
C. Osinski
Frank S. Paylor
Jan Piorkowski
Eustaquio Rivera
Jose Rodriguez
Charles B. Hoosa
Jack E. Williams
Billie R. Meeks
H. T. Nungezer
Billie Padget
Alfred H. Smith
Troy Thomas
Hayward Veal
Albert Birt
E. G. Brewer
Louis Ccvetta
L. A. DeWitt
Edward K. Dooley
Jimmie Littleton
Wm. L. McLendon
USPHS HOSPITAL
MANHATTAN BEACH
BROOKLYN, NY
Manuel Antonana John Haas
Eladio Aris
Fortunato Bacomo
C. R. Barranco
Frank T. Campbell
John J. Driscoll
Robert E. Gilbert
William Guenther
Bart E. Guranick
-Archibald JIcGuigan George E. Renale
Winston E. Renny
Samuel B. Saunders
G. E. Shumaker
Kevin B. Skelly
Henry E. Smith
Stanley F. Sokol
Michael Toth
Harry S. Tuttle
Virgil E. Wlimoth
Pon P. Wing
H. C. Mclssac
B. J. Martin
Albert Martinelll
Vic Milazzo
Joaquin Miniz
Norman J. Moore
W. P. O'Dea
Ben Omar
George G. Phifer
G. A. Puissegur
James M. Quinn
USPHS HOSPITAL
SEATTLE, WASH.
G.^ E. .Anderson Ralph Martinez.^
Frank Benevento Carlos Rodriguez
Andrew H. Derrick
PENNSYLV.A.NIA HOSPITAL
PHILADELPHIA, P.A.
Richard H. Schemm
MONTEBELLO
CHRONIC DISEASE HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Francisco Bueno
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Howard Hailey
Taib Hassen
Billy R. Hill
Thomas Isaksen
Ira H. Kilgore
Ludwig Krlstiansen
Frederick Landry
Leonard Leidig
Editor,
SEAFARERS LOG,
675 Fourth Ave.,
Brooklyn 32, NY
I would like to receive the
SEAFARERS LOG — please
3ut my name on your mailing
ist. (Print Information)
NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY ZONE....
STATE
TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you
ore an old subscriber and have a
change of address, please give your
former address below:
ADDRESS
Mack Acosta
Joseph Arnold
Cleo Brown
Dominic Celano
Harold Clyatt
Victor B. Cooper
James R. Dayton
Anthony Ferrer
Thomas Finnerty
Thomas D. Foster
Guy G. Gage
Dan Gentry
Joseph Gill
Gorman T. Glaze
Percy Harrelson
James Haynes
Fred Holmes
Thomas C. Hopkins
Herman Kemp
Edw. F. McGowan
Walter A. Maas
Tony Mastantuno
Francisco Mayo
WUliam Mellon
Walter Mitchell
John C. Reed
Edward Roberts
Arthur Shaw
Thomas D. Harkins Wm. L. Williams
USPHS HOSPITAL
BOSTON, MASS.
Edw. F. Brouisard Wm. V. Kouzounas
Charles Dwyer George D. Rourke
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
M. J. Birrane Peter Prokopuk
Ludolf Gaills Billy C. Ward
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
William Gargone George Martin
J. P. Barraco
John W. Bigwood
Virgil Coash
Cloise Coats
Serio M. DeSosa
William Driscoll
Alfredo Duarte
Lucie R. Elie
Herman Fruge
Jack Moore
Michael Muzio
Michael Pardur
Randolph RatcliR
F. Regalado
Toxie Sanford
WiUlam Scruggs
Erskin Sims
Toefil Smigielskl
Through nights that folks on shore
don't know
Beneath the star-lit skies,
I've stood behind that wooden
wheel
And watched her fall and rise.
I've steered by star.
And steered by shore.
By compass, and by moon,
I've been in wrecks and hurricanes
Two fires—and one typhoon.
I've stood upon the foc'sle
And rung that bell of brass,
To tell my mate upon the bridge
Of ships at night that pass.
I've seen the star-made Southern
Cross,
The blue Pacific moon,
I've seen the Arctic colors flash
When day was at the noon.
But now I stand my watch on shore
And pass the time each.day
Just waiting for another ship
That slowly drifts my way.
Of silver are this vessel's plates.
Her decks of gold are cast.
Of moonstones are her anchors
wrought.
There are angels a'fore her mast.
Her tiller's guided by the Lord,
Her port is heaven's door.
Where waits the-master sailor
Who waits on heaven's shore.
Hot Spot
George G. Gordano Wert Spencer
Elmer Groue
Joseph F. Harris
William Havelin
Maiden Hibbs
James Hudson
Oliver Kendrick
Edward G. Knapp
Leo Lang
William Lawless
James Lewis
L. A. Strickland
Gerald L. Thaxton
Lonnie R. Tickle
Pedro ViUabol
Dolphus Walker
Leslie Wilson
Justin T. Wolff
Clifford Wuertz
D_ G. Zerrudo
Jacob Zimraer
USPHS HOSPIT.AL
NORFOLK, VA.
Francis J. Boner Edward G. Morales
G. W. Culpepper WilUam J. Wolf#
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
John C. Carolan A. M. Milefski
Claude H. Gillian George R. Nichols
William H. Rogers
R. A. Stratham
James A. WaUer
CITY • •-
Kaj Hansen
Alexander Leiner
Newel D. Merrick
Michael Michalik
USPHS HOSPITAL
MEMPHl-S, TENN.
Claude F. Blanks
V A HOSPITAL
ALBERQUERQUE, NM
'Charles' Biirtoh
The man in motion Is Ray
Cuccia, chief laundryman on
the Del Norte, who has a hot
job and a hard one taking
care of the passengers' clothes
along the entire cruise route.
The photo by Lerpy Rinker was
sent in. by George McFall.
Oldtlmer Urges
Pals To Write
To the Editor:
I meant to write long ago but
just never got the pen in hand.
I receive each issue of the LOG
with eager hands and it always
seems the next issue will never
come.
I enjoy it ever so much and I
get a kick out of seeing ship
mates in the pictures now and
then. The SIU has always been
"the cream of the crop" and
letters To
The Editor
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
every seaman is forced to admit
it—like it or not.
The accomplishments of the
SIU since I left in 1952 are all
our dreams come true. The pro
gress is definitely unbelievable
and it's hard to believe—even
today. The Union has come so
very. far and is still way out
front. It makes my heart glad
and I enjoy all these things even
thouRh I am not with you.
I have been in and out of hos
pitals for some time since I was
unfortunate enough to get TB.
I transferred from the "Veterans
Hospital, Brecksville, Ohio, to
this address a few days ago, and
expect an operation in July. If
any of my old shipmates care
to write me I would be more
than glad to hear from them.
This place is the Edwin Shaw
Sanitorium, 2600 Sanitorium
Road, Akron 12, Ohio.
Enclosed is a dollar for an
other SIU lapel pin. I lost
mine in transferring here and
have searched everywhere for
it. I had it since 1947 and treas
ured it most highly. Congratu
lations again to all of you, I
wish I were with you now.
L. B. "Moonshine" Morgan
s. .J.
Raps Political
Push On Unions
To the Editor:
The big push is on against
unionism. .. Insidious p r o p a-
ganda is being spread through
out the country by anti-union
politicians and other groups.
Destructive criticism of un
ions is the keynote. The ob
jectives obvious; to create leg
islation that will infringe upon
our rights and take away the
control, freedom and benefits
we have today.
It was not an easy job to build
our Union to its present status.
It took the combined effort of
every Seafarer together with
our elected officers to make
it possible. Many years of
hard work will go down the
drain unless we act expeditious
ly, get solidly behind our Un
ion and block the union-busting
clique.
Knowing, personally, so many
of my Union brothers, I feel
safe In saying that we are not
inclined to feast on the mis
fortunes of others. The fair
ness of .our "trial committees"
backs us up on that score. It
is my opinion that now would
be an Opportune time to give a
vote of confidence to our official
representatives, by a rank and
file vote, and send a copy of
the results to Washington forth
with.
This could start a imited drive,
by the majority of reputable
unions, such as the SIU, that
would give us nation-wide pub
licity and also throw a monkey
wrench into the fast, careless
and ambiguous legislation now
in the making. Take note of
the 18 states that already have
statutes masked under the
"right to work" label for the
sole purpose of destroying all
unions and bringing us fully un
der Government control.
We have not forgotten the
effort put forth by the insur
ance companies to get our wel
fare plan into their offices.
That was another time where
the SIU proved itself. In my
judgment, that Was really the
beginning of the big push against
the labor movement. We all
know also that for a union to
remain healthy and .strong
enough to be heard it must con
tinue to organize. It is just as
important for a union to con
tinue its organizing campaigns
as it is for great industries to
keep their advertising and pub
licity campaigns active.
Just so, we must continue our
campaign and strive for new
contracts and new companies to
replace the jobs we may lose
through the natural course of
events.
I am confident that Seafarers
will not stand by idly. We know
what we have today. We have
faith in our Union and we will
not panic.
David S. Furman
if t •
Editor Rates
The LOG 'Tops'
To the Editor:
I would appreciate having my
name placed on your mailing
list. As editor of "The Service
Union Reporter," I frequently
find information in the SEA
FARERS LOG—which I see only
occasionally—that is of interest
to our readers.
Your publication is, unques
tionably, one of the best in the
whole labor field. In fact, it
compares favorably in both for-"
mat and content with the met
ropolitan dailies.
Would that the rest of the la
bor press could even come close
in matching the high degree of
professional competence evi
denced by your paper.
Bud Aronson
Editor
"The Service Union Reporter"
(Ed. note: "The Service Un
ion Reporter" is a publication of
Service and Maintenance Em
ployees Union Local 399 of the
AFL-CIO Building Service Em
ployees International Union, in
Los Angeles.)
i a-
Passenger Lauds
Gang On Arizpa
To the Editor:
This was written by a passen
ger, J. T. Preston, aboard the
Arizpa last summer. The crew
kind of liked the thought and
hoped that you would print it.
To the targo ship Arizpa
Which sails the briny deep.
And the men who take the
watch
While the passengers are
asleep;
To them we give our thanks
For the skill that they possess,
To guide us safely on our way
'Til at the dock ive rest.
But the greatest thing of all
Is the captain and his crew.
The way they make your wel
come
With the little things they do.
Soon we'll see our friends
And leave this friendly crew.
But to forget the ship Arizpa
Will be very hard to do.
Ship's .delegate
May 24. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Page ThirfreB
PORTMAR (Calmer Steamship Co.),
April 14—Chairman, E. Hasklns; Soe-
ratary, P. Schumacher. All hands to
set discharges from captain. They
were not given out after shipyard
time. Eiected new ship's delegate.
Suggest to have letter sent to head
quarters about grade of beef on
board ship. Hot dogs are green,
iteaks are tough.
department to paint the heads and
showers. Water cooler was turned off
due to l^ak In coil. The coil was
taken ashore and patched. It lasted
about five days and It is out of order
again. Chief engineer was told the
coil was worn out and should be re
placed, but he won't spend a dime.
ROBIN HOOD (Seas Shipping),
March 10—Chairman, H. Rosecrans;
Secretary, J. Morton. To elect ship's
delegate. Check slop chest require
ments at end of voyage. Steward
department rooms to be checked for
painting.
ROBIN MOWBRAY (Seas Shipping),
April 1—Chairman, N. Flowers; Sec
retary, A. Concalves. Noted a slight
error in the reported ship's fund net
of previous meeting and gave cor
rected amount of $25.37. Various
members agreed that gangway watch
man should note time winches are
turned on and off so that time can
be checked against log book. All mat
tresses and torn linen should be
turned to steward before arrival in
New York. Ail hands have asked the
steward to continue purchasing fresh
fruit.
ROBIN TRENT (Seas Shipping),
April 21—Chairman, J. Straka; Secre
tary, H. Clemens. Overtime dispute.
Turn in extra linen. Vote of thanks
to steward department for good job
done.
SEATRAIN GEORGIA (Seatrain),
April 27—Chairman, S. Charles. Sec
retary, A. Lambert. S16.96 in ship's
fund. Steward does not report to
ship's delegate when he does not get
stores he ordered. Crackers are stale.
Toor Easter menu. Menus in general
could be improved. Coffee to be made
In percalator instead of urn.
SEATRAIN LOUISIANA (Seatrain),
April 20—Chairman, S. Garcia; Secre
tary, Van Whitney. $21.39 in ship's
funds. New toothpick holders to be
made or ordered. New sugar canister
to be ordered by steward. Discussion
on messman.
SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY (Sea-
train), April 13—Chairman, W. Ed
wards; Secretary, F. Padrazo. Ail
Boiled linen to be turned in. Deck
engineer waiting for okay from chief
engineer to put lock on the controls
of air conditioner.
SEATRAIN SAVANNAH (Seatrain),
April 24—Chairman, J. Beye; Secre
tary, P. Wagner. $45 in ship's fund.
Elected ship's delegate. Suggested
that new screens be placed in all
rooms. A vote of thanks to the stew
ard department for fine Easter din
ner. Steward asked all men to turn
In all soiled linen.
SEATRAIN TEXAS (Seatrain), April
93—Chairman, J. Monash; Secretary,
R. Poppan. $64.20 in ship's funds.
Elected ships delegate. Gave outgo
ing delegate vote of thanks for Job
well done. Had old washing machine
replaced.
STEEL AGE (Isthmian), March 13—
Chairman, J. Samsel; Secretary, R.
Obldei. $50 given to chief cook when
hospitalized from ship's fund. All
Stores needed for trip will be picked
up In Hawaii.
trip. All departments should help
clean up slop sink. Mate will pass
out slips to Indicate total slops and
draws. Will see patrolman about poor
regulation of heat and ventilation
Ttie pantryman will clean the drink
ing fountain in future-.
GUEENSTON HEIGHTS (Seatrade),
April i—Chairman, Y. Coy; Secre
tary, C. Shivery. New delegate elect
ed. Food shortage at mealtime. Sug
gestion made to soogce messroom.
Chief steward to take this up with
captain. Someone threw the cribbage
board and cards over the side. Ship's
delegate to sec captain about replac
ing the broken cots and also about
the mall laying in Singapore and be
ing sent to some future port. Deck
CUBORE (Ore), April 17—Chairman,
A. Rosen; Secretary, E. Morris. All
men should be considerate of the
next man to use the laundry by'
cleaning and rinsing the tubs after
they are through.
STEEL MAKER (Isthmian), April 19
—Chairman, L. Guellnitz; Secretary,
L. Mitchell. Election of ship's dele
gate. $9.05 in ship's fund. Keep all
screen doors locked in India ports.
Spray all quarters and messrooms, to
exterminate roaches. Vote of thanks
given to steward dept. for fine menus.
STEEL WORKER (Isthmian), April
7—Chairman, S. Furtado; Secretary,
H. Kllmon. Fresh milk and fruit
picked up In Durban. Captain Intends
to turn a couple of men over to the
Coast Guard. $5.25 spent during voy
age. $37.42 on hand. Gear locker
should - not be' itoed for cargo next
STEEL CHEMIST (Isthmian), April
t—Chairman, J. Norgard; Secretary
W. Gillespie. $5.20 in ship's fund.
Steward asked about glass and cup
shortage. Replied they were broken
Shortage of food brought to atten
tion of patrolman. Complaint made
about steward telling -. the captain
things about the crew. Washing ma
chine in bad shape. Light in wash
room blew out and chief engineer
refused to fix It. Noise in passage
ways to cease, while watch standees
are sleeping. Suggest that library
books be turned in at end of voyage,
Patrolman to find out if chief mate
is authorized to go through foc'sles,
The ship's delegate to accompany cap
tain on all shakedowns. Captain has
posted notices and warnings from
time to time on voyage, making crew
look illiterate. A vote of thanks given
to ship's delegate for job well done.
STEEL NAVIGATOR (Isthmian)
March 3—Chairman, L. Feed; Secre
tary, F. Horsy. Mailing situation dis
cussed. Rusty water to be brought to
attention of patrolman. Disputed
overtime. $21 in ship's fund. Mem
hers to volunteer contributions. Vote
of thanks to steward department.
Cots to be turned in.
SUZANNE (Bull), April 10—Chair
man, R. Velllnga; Secretary, F. Fark-
sr. Discussion to get timer for wash
ing machine. To be ordered by chief
electrician. All crew members to
keep showers and heads locked up
In port.
April 21—Chairman, L. Richardson;
Secretary, D. Gardner. Shortages in
steward stores. Discussion concern
Ing shortage. Steward called upon to
explain. He said there was 60 days
stores aboard when the ship left
States. Cooks given a vote of thanks.
Messman asks for quiet while serving.
THE CABINS (Texas City Refinery),
March 23—Chairman, E. MInyard; Sec
retary, F. NIgro. $10 in treasury.
Election of new ship's delegate.
April 7—Chairman, T. Wallace; Sec
retary, F. NIgro. $10 to be used to
pay captain for call to Union hall.
See captain about stowing lines below
and off fantail, also about salt tab
lets. Cots will be issued as soon as
steward receives them.
WESTERN RANGER (North Atlantic
Marine), Jan. 12—Chairman, D. White;
Secretary, J. Powers. Declare all
American money in Karachi. All ciga
rettes but one carton to be turned
in. No troubles to be taken to cap
tain: all beefs to come through dele
gate. $8.50 in ship's fund. Deck en
gineer lost $165 in American money.
Suggested whoever took money should
return it. Itingerprint man to be
called if it is not returned. Sugges
tion made to pay expert from ship's
fund.
March 11—Chairman, C. NIckerson;
Secretary, W. Bunthoft. $8.50 in ship's
fund. The chief cook made speech
about difference in cooking with coal
and modern galleys. Bosun com
plained that saloon had catsup and
crew had none. Ehitire crew gave
vote of thanks to steward department
for their fine service.
April 14—Chairman, R. Henke; Sec
retary, C. NIckerson. $8.50 in ship's
fund. Crew gave vote of thanks to
night cook, baker and messman.
Electric fans for forecastles and new
ice box for the crew.
YORKMAR (Calmer), April 19 —
Chairman, E. Burke; Secretary, N.
Paine. $16.22 in ship's fund. Discus
sion on coal beef.
JOHN C. (Atlantic Carriers), April
21—Chairman, M. Barton; Secretary,
R. Agular. Refrigeration plant went
out of order a day before arrival In
Peru. Ship to pull in port to straight
en cargo. Endangering crews' life.
Suggestion made to collect $1 from
each member to have in ship's fund
for any brother that is left behind
for illness.
KATHRYN (Bull), April 15—Chair
man, A. Genzales; Secretary, W. Ortiz.
$6 In ship's fund. To appropriate a
lock for laundry. New padlock with
keys for pantry to be given to de
partment delegate. ,
LAKE GEORGE (USFC), March 31—
Chairman, F. Cohn; Secretary, Brown.
Quarters painted. $15 in ship's fund.
Mail situation poor. Beef about unau
thorized overtime in stewards depart
ment. Food situation very bad. Cap
tain refuses to recognize all delegates
on travelers' checks. Medical atten
tion very poor.
LONGVIEW VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), March 31—Chairman, J. Dunn;
Secretary, L. Meyers. Talk of last
trips troubles. Crew to hold down
on drinking. Crew happier than last
trip. $19 in ship's fund. New wringer
for washing machine never received.
Steward department to clean recrea
tion room. Laundry room to be
cleaned by engine and deck depart
ments. Key to crew pantry will be
left, with gangway watch. Men to
ke p all cooks out.
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), .\prll 14—Chairman, R. Wright;
Secretai r, J. Long. Only two rooms
left to I aint. Draw to be given to
morrow. Captain and chief mate
leaving sh. i at end of voyage. $33 In
ship's fund Vote of confidence given
to steward and department for ex
cellent cooking and service. Every
body is happy and Its a pleasant voy
age. Not one beef against steward
department for past two voyages.
New wringer needed Jor washing ma
chine. . Three new chairs for mess-
rooms.
'SHUTTER-BUGS' ON THE JOB.. n
Show Seafarers In Action
Soaking up some sunshine (left) on the Seatrain Louisiana are Pete Garza, wiper (left) and Glen,
deck engineer. In center, an AB on the Fiomar concentrates on the wheel whUe Tom Ulisse's camera
does its work. Down In engine room on Citrus Packer (right), SIU man William £. Stephens, (left),
who's making first trip as 3rd engineer, and oiler William Cachola poke around with fiashlight.
Just ashore from Lewis Emery Jr. in Otaru, Japan (above), Fred
Hicks, steward; Pancho Villa, AB, and Dave Rivers, OS, almost
seem to be treading water. They kept their end up though, mak
ing the most of long-awaited shoreleave. At right, Lee Harvey,
DM, la all rigged to go aloft and paint the. mast of the Citrua
Pecker. All thp Packer photos were turned in by Jose Santiago.-
f.,». • • ^-Ji 1- ^
f»f Fonrfeen SEAFARERS LOG May 24, 1957
Draws Hold Key To 'Good Trip'
Union Has
Cable Address
Seafarers overseas who want
to get In touch with headquar
ters in a hurry can do so by
cabling the Union at its cable
address, SEAFARERS NEW
YORK.
Use of this address will assure
speedy transmission on all mes
sages and faster service for the
men involved.
A smooth trip and good ports kept spirits high on the Jean Lafitte.
At left, in Osaka, (I to r) are Seafarers Bob Frazier, AB; Bill LeVeen,
AB, and John MacAvoy, 3rd cook, with a Japanese miss who
helped show them the sights. Aboard ship, Paul Zellner, DM (left),
and Ernie Cruz make up a twosome.
One of the best ways to check a report about a trip is to
look over the draw list. If the draws run heavy, it's pretty
certain the ship ran into some good ports along the way.
This must have been the-t
case with the Jean Lafitte on
a trip out to the Far East.
"Everyone had a good time and
the draw list verifies this," com-
SIU, A&G District
BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St.
Earl Sheppard, Agent EAstern 7-4900
BOSTON 276 State St.
James Sheehan. Agent Richmond 2-0140
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
A. Michelet, Agent Capital 7-65S8
LAKE CHARLES. La 1419 Ryan St.
Leroy Claike, Agent HEmlock 6-5744
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Cal Tanner. Agent • HEmlock 2-1754
MORGAN CITY 012 Front St.
Tom Gould. Agent Phono 2156
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St.
Lindsey Williams. Agent Tulane 8626
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.
Ben Rees. Agent MAdison 2-9834
PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St.
S. Cardullo. Agent Market 7-1635
PUERTA de TIERRA PR 101 Pelayo
Sal Colls. Agent Phone 2-5996
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Marty Breithoff. Agent Douglas 2-5475
SAVANNAH 8 Abercorn St.
E. B. McAuley. Agent Adams 3-1728
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Jeff Gillette. Agent Elliott 4334
TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
Tom Banning. Agent Phone 2-1323
WILMINGTON. Calif 505 Marine Ave.
Reed Humphries. Agent Terminal 4-2874
HEADQUARTERS.. .675 4th Ave.. Bklyn.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul Hall
ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
J. Algina. Deck C. Simmons. Joint
J. Volpian. Eng. W. HaU. Joint
E. Mooney. Std. R. Matthews, Joint
SUP
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.
Phone 5-8777
PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St.
CApital 3-4336
RICHMOND, Calif....510 Macdonald Ave.
BEacon 2-0925
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
SEATTIE S?.H?'?®,2-®363 SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Main 0290
Burty —
WILMINGTON 505 Marine Ave.
Terminal 4-3131
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6165
Canadian District
HALIFAX. N.S 128t4 HolUs St.
Phone 3-8911
MONTREAL 634 St. James St. West
FLateau 8161
FORT WILLIAM 130 Simpson St.
Ontario Phone: 3-3221
PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St.
Ontario Phone; 5591
TORONTO, Ontario 272 King St. E.
EMpirs 4-5719
VICTORIA, BC 61714 Cormorant St.
EMpire 4531
VANCOUVER, BC 298 Main St.
Pacific 3468
SYDNEY, NS 304 Charlotte St.
Phone: 6346
BAGOTVILLE. Quehee 20 Elgin St.
Phone: 545
THOROLD, Ontario 53 St. Davids St.
CAnal 7-3202
QUEBEC 85 St. Pierre St.
Quebec Phone: 3-1569
SAINT JOHN 85 Germain St.
NB Phone: 2-5232
Great Lakes District
ALPENA 1215 N. Second Ave.
Phone: 713-J
BUFFALO, NY 180 Main St.
Phone: Cleveland 7391
CLEVELAND 734 Lakeside Ave., NE
Phone: Main 1-0147
DETROIT 1038 3rd St.
Headquarters Phone: Woodward 1-6057
DULOTH 531 W. Michigan St.
Phone: Randolph 2-4110
SOUTH CHICAGO 3261 E. 92nd St.
Phone: Essex 5-2410
ments ship's reporter William Le
Veen.
As a starter, the Lafitte spent 14
days unloading lumber at Inchon,
Korea. "Most of the men went
ashore," said LeVeen, "and 'Whis
key Mary' did a landoffice busi
ness. While cheeking one day I
found 22 men in her 'sitting room'
sipping alcoholic beverages and
listening to an old Victrola play
the same song over and over again.
Seoul Not Bad
"A couple of us went over to
Seoul to look over the sights and
found it a much better place with
many more diversions. The only
drawback was that it takes almost
two hours to get there . . ."
One unhappy note marred the
Korean stay, howevw, when a boat
load of native longshoremen hit the
anchor-chain of the USNS Herkimer
and capsized. Thirty-eight of the
48 longshoremen who were to work
that ship were drowned. Most of
the ships in the harbor took up a
collection for the families of the
deceased, LeVeen noted.
Weather Rough
Yokohama and Osaka, Japan,
which were further along on the
itinerary, also provided their share
of good times, "but now it's all
over but the memories. The
weather has been awful . . . con
tinuous rain and fog plus rough
seas. But here on deck we have
everything all cleaned up and ship
shape, so we should have a smooth
payoff. J. Touart is ship% delegate
and is doing a fine Job."
A final note reveals that the
Lafitte is bringing home three sea
men who were in Japanese hos
pitals. Although no names are
mentioned, the word is that all
three are SIU men and in good
spirits.
Urges Aid For
House Patients
To the Editor:
I would like to recommend to
the trustees of the SIU Welfare
Plan an addition to the benefits
now in force which I and other
brothers feel should be in
cluded.
Under the present set-up, a
man's wife or dependents must
be an in-patient of a hospital to
receive any benefits. But there
are many who, though they are
not hospitalized, are weighed
letters To
The Editor
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
down with bills for clinics and
doctors. Some are confined to
bed in their own homes, but
must be visited by the doctor
quite often.
People under a doctor's care
for a long time, even though
they're not in the hospital, are
often sorely taxed to meet ex
penses for medicine and other
care. A short time in the hos
pital is bad enough, but con
tinuous doctors' visits, whether
one is able to go to the doctor's
office or he comes to your home,
many times proves more costly
than an operation or a couple
of weeks in a hospital.
Thus, I feel some provision
should be made to assist a
member whose wife or depen
dents is so burdened. Let's
have some views on this.
John Jellette
4" 4> J"
Sees Organizing
Key To Progress
To the Editor:
Today I visited with a fine old
British ship, the SS Tongariro.
This fine old freighter was built
in 1925, so there was some talk
of scrapping her, but she's still
a seaworthy old scow and ply
ing the high seas as good as
ever.
She is on a regular run to
Australia and New Zealand, but
has some cargo destined for tho
Atlantic Coast, too. In fact,
she's bound for Canada right
now.
They've certainly got a good
crew aboard. The ship itself is
very well kept, and she's a
feeder, too. The steward de
partment is run very well under
the direction of Ronnie Ingold,
chief " steward. Speaking of
Ronnie, our chief stewards have
a racket compared to the reg
ular duties of this guy. Aside
from the normal duties of the
job, he also takes care of all the
books aboard, sells wines, spirits
and beer, • takes care of the
slopchest, overtime, etc., etc.
He has a ten-man departipent,
but needless to say, he's indis
pensable.
All of the men are pitifully
underpaid. I don't see why
these guys don't wise Up and
compel the shipowners to give
them a decent wage and better
fringe benefits. It's a shame to
see the older fellows wasting
their lives away aboard these
ships with no future in store
for them.
We who have the benefits over
here should appreciate our hard-
won agreements and the varied
welfare benefits. Those poor
fellows have a long way to go
before they can realize all of
these advantages. .
However, with a iittle fore
sight, every foreign ship that
comes in contact with American
ships, especially in American
waters, has the opportunity to
see how good American team
work and hard-fighting unions
have made top gains. They can
take a lesson from these condi
tions and organize more.
I know the doors are always
open to interested groups of
bona fide seamen to come into
our SIU halls, talk with our
representatives and members
and see the wonderful strides
that have been made.
I'm a firm believer in union
organization. I know that, as a
start, if the organizing commit
tees of American unions would
take it upon themselves to assist
these foreign-flag ships to get
proper representation, the day
would not be too far off when
better conditions would prevail
not only for them but for all
seamen.
Hal George Horowitz
a.- i
Offers Thanks
To Alice Brown
To the Editor:
I'd appreciate it very much
if you would extend my thanks
to the crew and captain of the
SS Alice Brown for their kind
ness upon the death of my
mother. She died in Mobile on
May 8, 1957.
Our family deeply appreciated
the flowers and expressions of
sympathy by these shipmates.
James L. Danzey
ai 4 ft
Hails SIU For
Housing Assist
To the Editor:
May I at this time give a vote
of thanks to the Union and the
officials of the SIU welfare de
partment for the way they
helped us when we were on the
brink of losing our home.
Thanks to them, we are
secure in our home today.
The way they came to our aid
was fabulous. The men of the
SIU may well be proud, and
the wives and families secure in
knowing that we have such a
Union to protect us.
J. Moynihan
By Bernard Seaman
May 21. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Page Fifteem
Jimmie Hicks
Get in touch with your mother
at 65 East Haig Ave., Prichard, Ala.
^ S« 4i
Steve SloneskI
Hank wants you to contact him.
if 4" 4i •
Ex-SS Madaket
Members of the crew present
during an accident to dayman
Eobert F. Kennedy while securing
number 2 hatch in Tampa, before
sailing for Mobile on March 10,
1957, are asked to contact Barney
B. Brown, 328 Market St., Camden,
NJ.
if if if
Ex-SS The Cabins
The following named men are
entitled to lodging allowance from
time in drydock in Baltimore and
should request it from Texas City
Beflning, Inc., PO Box 1271, Texas
City, Texas:
Elbert C. Brock, MM, 3 days;
Lyles Di Branson, wiper, 2 days;
Ernest Chapman, utility, 2 days;
Lloyd Gunnells, FWT, 3 days;
William G. Moore, DM, 3 days;
Damon A. Newsome, AB, 3 days;
Robert C. Schahuber, oiler, 3 days.
if if if
Mack O-NeUI
Get in- touch with your wife,
Beatrice, at Route No. 2, LaFol-
lette, Tenn. Urgent.
t
Walter Gustavson
Contact Peter F. Patrick, Sea-
train Savannah, c/o Seatrain Lines,
Inc., 711 Third Ave., New York 17,
NY.
if ^ i,
Don Wagner, please contact
George Fargo at 517 Woodnor
Court, New Brunswick, NJ. His
plione number is Kilmer 5-9331.
if if - i-
George E. King
Kindly contact Charles Macbeth
c/o Townsite Realty Ltd., 71 Front
Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia,
concerning your property there.
Curranism: A Sleazy Technique
(Continued from page 2)
membership has never been able to get a straight
forward story. Curran and the facts are simply in
compatible.
The record is clear that whenever anybody dis
agrees with Curran, inside the NMU or outside it,
that individual or group is immediately branded liar,
stupid, prejudiced, crooked and gutless or variations
on the same theme.
Why does Curran persist on this tack in every sit
uation long after it has become obvious to everyone
that the slogans have no air of reality whatsoever?
The ansv/er lies in the Curran "cult of personality"
—^the-pitifully self-deluding picture of an imaginary
superman who can never admit any deviation from
Infallibility. If we were to believe Joe Curran,
then Joe Curran is always 100 percent. But the only
thing that he has been 100 percent on is in his dis
tortions, his opportunism, his use of Stalinist tech
niques and his consistent evasion of the truth.
All of the following SIU families have received a $200 maternity '
benefit plus a $25 bond from the Union in the baby's name:
Harry Monahan, born March 22,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Harry
Monahan, Jex-sey City, NJ.
if if if
Robert Lee Hathcock, bom
March 4, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs,
Robert L. Hathcock, Florence, SC.
if if i
• Lou Camile DuRapau, born
1
TO SHIPS IN ATIANTIC • SOUTH AMERICAN • EUROPEAN WATERS
¥HE FIRST DIRECT VOICE
BROADCAST TO SHIPS' CREWS
•VEST SHHBAY • 1610 CMT
Foics 0f Md MTP,
t
iili
lllpipi
iPil
iiii
WFK-39,19S50KCs
Shlpi In Caribbean,
Eatt Coatt ol South
America, South Atlantic
and Eait Cooit •!
United Stotet.
WH-6S. 15150 KCS
Shlpt In SuK ef Mix-
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lea, Weil Coait al
Mexico and US Eon
Ccau.
WFK-95,15700 KCi
Shlpi In Mediterranean
areo, Narth Atlantic,
European and US Ecit
Caail.
58®
UP-TO*THB-MINUTI
UNION AND MARITIME
NEWS
f ' S '
BROUOHT TO YOU BY THE DEEP SEA UNIONS OP THE
MARIflMi fRAMS PIPARTMINfi
SlU-AftG DISTRICT-SUP•MFOW'MCS'ROU-MM&P-BME-SIU-CANADIAN DISTRia
Meanwhile, MTD
Round-The-World ^
Wireless Broadcasts gi
Continue. e • 11
\ |"EVERY SUNDA^ 1915 GMrj^^Y C./MVIPIAY nnic rtri
1 I (2:13 PM £Sr Sunday) J • • furopo and North Amtrica
WCO-.13020 KCo
lost Coast South Amorica
WCO-16908.8 KCo
Wost Coast South Amorica
WCO>2240r KCo
I
I
I
f
I
I
I
I
I
(10; 15 PM EST Sunday)
Australia
WMM 25-15607 KCs
Nbrthwost Pacific
WMM 81-11037.5
AFL-CIO Body
Gets Full Coal
Beef Report April 13, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. William A. DuRapau, .Hous
ton, Tex.
if i i
Susan Patricia Culbertson, born • proposal.
April 21,.. 1957, to Seafarer and | President Meany explained to
Mrs. Thomas G. Culbertson, Gov-1 the Council that he had x-eceived
(Continued from page 2)
MMU, however, rejected the Meany
ington, La._
i if i
Thomas Joseph Benson, born
May 8, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
William J. Benson, Brooklyn, NY.
if if if
Dani Joan Blakeslee, born April
20, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wil
liam A. Blakeslee, Pinellas Paxk,
Fla.
i i if
Cynthia Lyime Danne, born May
I, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Adolph L. Danne, Mobile, Ala.
if ii if
Eddie A. Patingo, Jr., born April
20, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ed
die A. Patingo, New Orleans, La.
if i i
Linda Lou Mays, born March 27,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Law
rence T. Mays, Branchville, Ala.
if i if
Lorrie Lane Morrison, born
April 19, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. C. A. Morrison, Seattle, Wash.
it i 'i
Vahe Katros, bora Januai-y 5,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Theo
dore Katros, San Francisco, Calif.
if if i
Natalia Muentes, born April 16,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Asterio
D. Muentes, New Orleans, La.
i if if
Bert M. Winfield, born February
6, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Bert
M. Winfield, Norfolk, Va.
if if if
Denise Ann Chlanese, born April
II, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
James O. Chlanese, Brooklyn, NY.
i 4
Patrick Wherrlty, boxm March
20, 1957, to Seafarer and Mx-s.
Francis Wherrlty, Philadelphia, Pa.
if 4 • 4
Harry Branson Reynolds, born
February 10, 1957, to Seafax-er and
Mrs. William H. Reynolds, Win
chester, Pa.
4 4 4
Madeline Julie St. Germain,
born December 18, 1958, to Sea
farer and Mrs. Gleason G. St. Ger
main, Westwego, La.
4 4 4
Damaso C. Espinal, born March
13, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Da
maso Cruz, Trujillo AUo, PR.
4 4 4
Guy Emory Banister, born No
vember 14, 1956, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Robert Z. Banister, New Or
leans, La.
4 4 4
Gloria Guzman, born January 12,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Pedro
Guzman, Brooklyn, NY.
4 4 4
Randy Lewis Francis, born
March 23, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Lewis H. Francis, Danville,
Va.
4 4 4
Timothius St. Cloud Bird, born
January .18, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Janfes Bird, ^Ullmore, Ga..
conflicting opinions on the legal
ramifications of the SIU charges
against the company at the Na
tional Relations Board. In face of
these eoixflicting opinions, Presi
dent Meany said his position was
that the SIU should not have filed
its complaint. He said, however,
that several AFL-CIO unions—^in
cluding some represented on the
council—had taken similar action
in other instances although he did
i not feel any were correct in doing
:S0.
1 In presenting the SIU position,
I Hall said that the SIU had accepted
President Meaixy's proposal at the
February 21 meeting that it with
draw its NLRB complaint and fully
recognize the NMU agreement
with American Coal, even though
it was a difficult decision for the
SIU to make. The decision to with
draw was made in the interests of
the Federation and out of respect
for President Meany. In turn. Hall
i-ecalled, Meany's proposal called
upon the NMU to support the li
censed AFL-CIO officers in their
beef against American Coal.
(The SIU charges against the
company were the only means it
had available to protect the inter
ests of the Union against discrimi
nation. The company instituted
legal proceedings against SIU and
the licensed AFL-CIO officers-
unions and succeeded in obtaining
injunctions which barred economic
action^.
Hall told the Council that with
respect to the coal beef Curran had
again—as he had in the New York
watex-front fight—taken a position
contrary to that laid down by the
AFL-CIO. This time, Hall said. Cur
ran is allied with Distx-ict 50 of the
United Mine Workers against the
MEBA and the MM&P, the li
censed AFL-CIO officers' uixlons.
Curran, Hall said, had betrayed the
united labor movement "by stab
bing us In the back In the water
front fight." Again in the coal beef.
Hall said Curran had betrayed the
movement by tieing up with John
L. Lewis and his company uixlon
against the AFL-CIO officers-
unions.
If Curran can continue to betray
the movement In this fashion and
still be sustained, then you have a
situation amounting to "a double
standard," HaU said.
The NMU position before the
Council was essentially a reitera
tion of Its blast against the SIU
for taking action before the NLRB.
Shorthanded?
If a crewmember quits while
a ship is in port, delegates
are asked to contact the hall
immediately for a replace
ment. Fast action on their part
will keep all jobs aboard ship
filled at all times and elimL
nate the chance of the ship
sailing shorthanded. ,
SEAFARERS LOG
• OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFAR ERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
ijk-
1,300 Seafarers Benefit
From Family Hospital Aid
The second anniversary of the Seafarers family benefit program comes up one
from tomorrow with over 1,300 Seafarers receiving approximately $200,000 of direct w, , O WJ. VC^A.WV..«
ance toward payment of hospital and surgical bills for children, wives and parents,
dition, the program has been
week
assist-
In ad-
of-material assistance to dis
abled Seafarers who also
qualify for these benefits aside
from their $35 weekly disability-
pension.
It was on June 1, 1955, that the
family benefit program went into
effect covering hospital room and
board, hospital extras, surgical care
and doctors' calls at the hospital.
In its initial stages, the program
was limited to wives and unmarried
children under 19. Benefits for
hospital treatment were limited to
a 31-day stay at the time.
Dependent Parents Covered
Last September, the SIU port
agents' conference proposed a
number of improvements in the
program, among which was a pro
posal to include dependent parents
of Seafarers. The improvements
were put forth by the Union repre
sentatives at a trustees meeting of
the Seafarers Welfare Plan and
adopted by the trustees. Dependent
parents, step-parents and foster
parents of Seafarers were included
where supported by the Seafarer
for the oast five years. The 31-day
limit on hospital room and board
benefits was waived so as to provide
coverage for severe and chronic
illnesses which tended to run up
huge bills for Seafarers. To further
soften the burden, the trustees
voted an additional $100 in hospital
extras for dependents in the hospi
tal past the 31-day period.
Figures compiled by the Welfare
Plan through April 30, 1957, one
month short of two years, show
that in 1,262 cases Seafarers re
ceived a total of $188,813.77 in
benefits to cover hospital and
surgical costs. The May figures,
while necessarily incomplete, are
certain to push the number of pay
ments over 1,300 and the cash out
lay past the $200,000 mark.
$50 Deductible
The dependents' benefit program
calls for Seafarers to pay the first
$50 of hospital charges, with the
W^elfare Plan picking up the rest
of the tab up to the $10 daily
maximum and up to $100 in hospi
tal extras. When the stay runs over
31 days, an additional $100 in
extras is provided.
Doctors' visits to the hospital are
also covered at the rate of $4 a day
SF Foresees
Fair Shipping
SAN FRANCISCO—There has
been little change in Job activity
for Seafarers in this area during
the past period. Shipping has con
tinued to be fair and should re
main so for at least the next pe
riod.
The Ames Victory (Victory) paid
off and signed on while the
Raphael Semmes and Kyska (Wat
erman) also signed on. The Topa
Topa (Waterman), Ocean Eva
(Ocean Transport), Steel Navi
gator and Steel Fabricator (Isth
mian) were in port diming the last
two weeks to he serviced.
First to benefit from newly-added dependent parents aid lost
fall was Mrs. Elizabeth Van Vynck, Long Island Gity, NY. She's
shown with son. Seafarer Ed Van Vynclc.
Family of Seafarer Ed Singletary of New Orleans had four tonsil
lectomies in 1955 under SIU family hospital-surgical plan. Left to
right in 1955 photo are Mrs. Singletary; Carol, Felicine, Donna
and Ruth, who had tonsils yanked, plus Marie and Zada. All
were covered by the SIU program.
4
Breakouts End, Isthmian
Last To Gain Approval
WASHINGTON—The SlU-contracted Isthmian Steamship
Company was the last to get under the wire as the Federal
Maritime Board announced that the reserve fleet breakout is
now over. The FMB adopted'*" —
an examiners' decision which
declared there is no need to
for 31 days, while surgical benefits
are paid according to a fixed
schedule up to a maximum of $300.
Maternity benefits are not cov
ered by the hospital-surgical pro
gram since tlTe separate $200 ma
ternity payment already provides
for these cases.
Eligibility for the family hospi-
tal-.surgical plan is based on the
usual Welfare Plan requirement
that the Seafarer have 90 days' sea-
time in the previous calendar year
plus one day in the past 90 on SIU
ships. Enrollment cards for list
ing members of the family who are
eligible are available at all SIU
halls.
Germans Seek US
Coal-Fired Libertys
WASHINGTON—A bill has been proposed in the Senate
for the sale of 24 Government owned, coal-burning Liberty-
type vessels to German citizens.
The measure, proposed by^
Senators Smathers of Flprida,
and Cotton of New Hamp
shire, would authorize the Secre
tary of Commerce to sell, within
a 12 month period, not more than
24 of the cdal-burners to the
YOUR
SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN
I
Death
Benefit
"J Starting July 1, 1950,
I with a $500 payment, the
I death benefit has been in-
I creased several times
I since then to the present
I $4,000 level. Over $1<
750,000 has been paid
out to Seafarers' next of
kin under this benefit
alone. The seatime re
tirements, like those
for most -SIU benefits,
call for 90 days in the
previous calendar year
and one day in the past
90 on SlU-contracted
vessels.
SEAFARERS
INT'L UNION,
A&G DISTRICT
Deutsch Amerikanischa Kohlen
Transport Gesselschaft (American-
German Coal Transport Company).
This bill is just one more in a
long list of proposals for the sale
of Government reserve Libertys to
foreign nations. So far a number
of countries have received Ameri
cans vessels under the Ship Sales
Act of 1946. Among them were
Brazil, Korea, and the Philippines.
Guatemala, India, Pakistan,
Turkey, Mexico and Peru have, or
had, billsh before Congress for simi
lar authorization. The latest pro
posal was for the sale of 15 ships—
eight Liberty cargo ships, one
Liberty tanker, four C-ls and two
"Victorys—to Guatemala.
Although most of these sales
were conditioned to their use only
in trade along the coast of the pur
chasing nation, it has been found
that some vessels sold to the
Philippines have been used in the
offshore trade.
Conditions of the sale are that
the vessels will limit their use to
the transportation of coal pur
chased in the US to the Federal
Republic of Germany, and other
friendly Western European Coun
tries. In that ruti they would be
competing with a dwindling num
ber of US tramps.
The ves'sels are to pick up the
coal here, deposit it Jn Europe and
return to the US in ballast. They
are not to carry any cargo into the
United States.
The resolution, as offered by
Senator Smathers, is based on the
obsoleteness of coal-burning Lib
ertys which have little or no value
for defense purposes.
break out any more Government
ships for the carriage of coal ex
ports or Government-sponsored
grain cargoes. The examiner's
ruling comes after a period of de
clining freight rates for coal and
other bulk cargoes, indicating that
there are enough ships available
at the present time to handle cargo
needs. The reopening of the Suez
Canal undoubtedly contributed to
the decision to discontinue the
breakouts.
Eight Ships Approved
Isthmian had previously received
approval to charter eight Govern
ment Victorys for its Persian Gulf
and India berth services. It has al
ready selected two of the ships, the
Belgium Victory and the Selma
Victory from the James River and
Hudson River reserve fleets. How
ever, both of these ships will not
be ready until September.
To get its berth service started.
Isthmian is getting two other Vic
torys, the Wesley Victory and
Plymouth Victory which were orig
inally assigned to State .Marine
Lines. States Marine-will turn the
two ships over to Isthmian as they
have already been in the yards for
overhaul and are to be ready for
service shortly. One of them will
come out in mid-June and the
other in the first week of July.
• Additional Victorys will be se
lected at a later date to cover the
remainder of its needs.
Use Only One
Mail Address
Seafarers with beefs regard
ing slow payment of monies due
from various operators in back
wages and disputed overtime
should first check whether they
have a proper mailing address
on file with the company. SIU
headquarters officials point out
that reports received from sev
eral operators show checks have
been mailed to one address
while a beef on the same score
is sent from another, thus ere- ,
ating much difficulty in keeping
accounts straight.
No. 11 SEAFARERS LOG
• OFFICIAL GROAN OF THi SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
-Story On Page 3
Labor See'y Assails Runaways
-Story On Page 5
In This Issue:
* Sni Family Benefit
Plan Paid $200,000
Since '55... .Page 16
• Onassis Transfers
3 More Ships Before
Final Okay.. .Page 7
•US Go's Lag So
Sweden Will Build
Tour Ship Page 5
• Isthmian Last Co.
To Get Ships In US
Breakout,.. .Page 16
Laud SlU Aid. Leaders of the AFL-CIO Interna
tional Brotherhood of Longshore
men in Puerto Rico present two plaques to SIU rep. Frenchy
Michelet (center), who accepted them on Union's behalf.
The awards were in reco^ition of SIU assistance to IBL Lo
cal 1900 and District Council 15 in recent waterfront beefs.
Coimcil president Juan Perez Roa (left) and local financial
sec'y Aurelio Hernandez made the presentations at the new
lU 1 " SIU hall.
1
w
•'U
.
I
•J
:! I sj
Paee Two • SEAFARERS LOG May 24, 1957
p 'i
in
U?'
'5 '
P. .1
li
'• 1
Call Coal Ship Replacements;
Co. Begs Off On Bias Charge
The first stage in the crewing of the American Coal shipping fleet has been completed
with the assignment of oldtimers to the Casimir Pulaski. But no sooner had that stage
ended than a new one began—the battle for replacements aboard ships returning from their
4 ; European voyages.
The first ship in for replace
ments only, the Walter Hines
Page, found the SIU taking a six
to two majority of the eight men
who got off the ship. A second ves-
tel, the Cleveland Abbe, called for
13 replacements and was still being
crewed as the SEAFARERS LOG
went to press. The last count
available showed the SIU holding
a lead of 102 to 94 on the coal
fleet to date,-aj:ount which is sub
ject to change day by day.
Charges Against Company
The SIU's strong position in the
fleet was achieved in the face of a
developing pattern of company-
NMU cooperation which resulted
In an SIU charge that the court
order under which hiring is done
was being violated by the company.
SIU attomies so charged the com
pany in an action which sought
to have American Coal held in con
tempt of court.
As a result, a session was held
In a New York Federal Court in
Which the company promised that
It would permit the SIU the right
Coal Boxscore
The Cleveland Abbe, one of
the American Coal ships in for re
placements, was still crewing up
on Thursday afternoon as the SEA
FARERS LOG went to press. The
latest coimt available shows the
following standings in competition
for jobs on the ships.
SIU 102 jobs
NMU 94 jobs
Watch the next edition of the
LOG for further details.
to have observers in the - hiring
room just as NMU has had; that it
would no longer pressure SIU rep
resentatives; that it would give the
SIU full access to application lists;
that it would hire standbys, where
needed, according to seniority.
Further evidence of the close
company-NMU understanding was
shown when the NMU attorney vio
lently objected to the SIU getting
access to the application lists. Both
the NMU and the SIU had an In
terest In seeing each other's ap
plication lists since they show the
seatime of men applying for the
coal ship Jobs. The NMU objec
tion indicated that It already had
access to these lists through the
company, while the company was
barring the SIU representatives
from seeing them.
On another legal front, the Na
tional Labor Relations Board post
poned until next Monday a sched
uled hearing on the SIU's oi'iginal
complaint against American Coal.
The NLRB hearings could lead to
the ordering of a collective bar
gaining election in the American
Coal fleet.
On the ship front itself, old-
timers from all sections of the SIU
of NA were still piling into Nor
folk to compete for the coal jobs.
Many of the men boasted seatime
dating back well before World War
I. One oldtimer. Seafarer Jesse
Puckett wrote: '^I started in 1917
but I am a young boy down here
at 53 years old . . . Boy there is
a swell bunch of West Coast boys
here. Hats off to them." Seafarer
Charles Hartman added: "There
are many men down here . . . from
all over America. I can truthful
ly say they all have respect for
what they stand for. They know
they have a job to do and they
do it."
Curranism: A Sleazy Technique
YOU'RE DEAP...
peAP... PEAP -
Five of the oldtimers throwing in for the cool ship jobs in Norfolk
represent over 200 years of seatime on US ships. Included (I to r)
ore Lawrence E. Wessels, SIU, oiler on the Walter Hines Page;
unidentified West Coast qldtimer; Leonard Wood, SIU, AB on
the Casimir Pulaski; Ray E. Deshong, SIU, oiler on the Page, and
S. G. Zammith, SIU, steward department.
AFL-CIO Council Hears
Full Report On Coal Beef
A full report on developments in the American Coal Ship
ping beef to date was presented to the AFL-CIO Executive
Council at its meeting here this week. Representatives of all
the unions involved were pres-"*
ent at the meeting with Sec
retary-Treasurer Paul Hall
presenting the SIU's position. The
Council hearing on the issue was
the outgrowth of a previous meet
ing between AFL-CIO President
George Meany and the AFL-CIO
marine unions last February 21.
One of the elementary lessons of propa
ganda is that slogans have a lasting appeal
only when they have some relation to the
truth. NMU President Joseph Curran has
long since forgotten the lesson (if he ever
learned it) in his frantic efforts to belittle all those
who oppose him and to exalt his personal "cult of
personality."
Furthermore, through all his sloganeering In the
American Coal beef, Curran has employed language
which smacks strongly of another era when his open
affiliations were far different from those he affects
today. His techniques do not differ today from the
Stalinist techniques he employed so fervently not
too long ago.
The SIU, as the primary target, has been plas
tered with Curranisms. When the SIU moved to pro
tect its membership from rank discrimination by
American Coal, Curran dreamed up "destroying the
hiring hall." When the SIU's rights to organize the
coal-ships were upheld, Curran decided that SIU
was "decadent," "crooked" and "doomed" to defeat.
"We will whip them" he exulted. Of course, his pre
dictions of crushing defeat had, and still have, no
relation to the fact." When the SIU supported the
AFL-CIO licensed officers' unions Curran hollered
"phony deaL"
Goincidence'cr'hot, l^ia is the kind'of talk a se^ y
»•«; noU'.-.*, V'i'' ij
ries of would-be world beaters have utSized on the
International scene for a good many years right up
to the present. That Curran chooses to ape their
language down to the last adjective is a revealing
comment on his approach to trade union pro>blems.
Of course, the SIU is not Curran's only target. In
fact, he has attacked the rest of the AFL-CIO ma
rine unions, plus the top leadership of AFL-CIO.
The Marine Engineers Beneflcial Association was
first rebuffed by Curran In lis plea for support
against a company union and then called gutless for
going out on a picket line in defense of its Interests.
The Masters, Mates were put in the same class.
When AFL-CIO President Meany indicated will
ingness to step in and seek a settlement, Curran
arbitrarily placed himself on the side of righteous
ness and automatically informed his membership
that Meany would slap the SIU down.
When the same AFL-CIO president proposed a
program which won acceptance from all unions ex
cept NMU; when Curran was asked to support his
fellow unions against the company and its hand-
picked outfit, then out came the slogan book. Meany
became "prejudiced," full of "rancor" and the cap
tive of an "AFL-CIO palace guard."
.Thanks to this fog of adjectives, ai-s<l to deliberate
and calculated distortions, of actual fact, the NMU's
"i' (Cont|ntibd'On- page 151
ACS Action
By Sea Vets
Wins Praise
Participation in the American
Coal beef by veteran seamen from
all coasts and all unions of the SIU
of NA was applauded by the mem
bers of the SIU of NA coordinat
ing committee as a "tremendous
front line job." Oldtlme members
of the Sailors Union of the Pa
cific, Marine Firemen's Union and
Marine Cooks and Stewards have
piled into the East Coast to as
sist their brothers in the Atlantic
and Gulf District in the fight to
man the American Coal ships.
The coordinating committee,
consisting of Morris Weisberger,
Sailors Union; Sam Bennett, Ma
rine Firemen; Ed Turner, Ma
rine Cooks and Stewards, and Paul
Hall, A&G District, declared that
the participation of the oldtimers
was further evidence of the will
ingness of good union men, of any
age, to pitch into a beef when
called Opon by any member of the
SIU of NA.
The committee noted that there
had been a very strong response to
Its appeal for men to come for
ward in the coal beef, with the re
sult that at latest report, the SIU
had a lead In the fight for the coal
ship jobs.
Committee members called upon
oldtimers of the MCS, SUP,
MFOW and A&G District already
on the coal ships to "Stay with the
ship" until final victory is won..
The committee pointed out that,
"the way you have gone aboard and
taken the jobs proves that good un- J
k)jxjneni.Bever growfold/'v ! u !-- . !lT;>i
I'.it -i • ..bV,?. *^sric;fl«s JI .fcsjc,)
At that meeting President Meany.
put forward a settlement proposal
which was accepted by the SIU and
the AFL-CIO deck and engine of
ficers' unions but was rejected by
the National Maritime Union. The
American Radio Association has
supported the NMU position
throughout the beef.
In an exchange of correspon
dence subsequent to the February
21 meeting President Meany took
NMU President Joseph Curran to
task for misrepresenting the out
come of the meeting in the NMU
newspaper. Meany also said that
he would present the matter to the
Executive Council for action. At
the Council meeting this week the
various unions presented their
positions in the following order:
Marine Engineers Beneficial As
sociation by President H. L. Dag
gett; Masters, Mates and Pilots by
Captain John Bishop, national sec
retary; the SIU by Paul Hall; the
NMU by Joseph Curran and the
American Radio Association by
President William R. Steinberg.
Following the presentation of
the union viewpoints, the Council
heard from President Meany in
relation to his position on the
American Coal beef. Meany out
lined his views, then pointed out
that he had presented a package
pi'oposal at the February 21 meet
ing, which, he said, would have
given Curran everything he asked
for. The SIU accepted the Meany
proposal leaving the field clear for
the NMU If it would support the
AFL-CIO officers' unions. The
(Continued on page 15)
SEAFARERS LOG
May 24, 1957 Vol. XIX Ne. II
PAOI. BAZX, Secratary-Traaiurer
HtiiBiiix BRANDk XdUor. BCBNARO SKA-
MAN, Art Edttor, HERMAH AKTHUR, Inwuc
SMVACK, At. MABKIH, JOUN BHAZU., SCajjf
Writers. --BILL Uoomr, QuH Area. Repre
sentative.
PublUheti biweekly et the headquertere
of the Seafarer* international Union, At
lantic a. Gulf District, AFL-CIO, «7S Fourth
Avenue, Brooklyn 33, NY. Tel. HYeclnth
*-<600. Entered e* second class matter
at the Post Office In Brooklyn, NY, under
the Act of Aug. 34, 19)3. ,
130
May ti. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Paye Tbrea
Sailing Day On New Matsonia
'
Maiden sailing of the new Matsonia from New York this week
found the ship's crew in three departments, all members of SlU
West Coast affiiliates, on the job. At top (left), oiler Pat Haley
keeps an eye on things in engine room, while chef G. Romero and
a passenger waitress look over the first-class galley. Above, deck
man Henry Henriques watches J. Ledesma secure lifeboat cover.
Rebuilt and modernized at cost of $20 million, the Matsonia will
enter service Los Angeles and Hawaii next month.
51U Applauds Bill
To Clarify Status
Of Sea Hiring Hall
WASHINGTON—The SIU has "warmly welcomed" a bUI by Sen. Warren G.
Magnuson to give formal recognition to the maritime hiring haU. It would firmly
establish the legal status of the hiring hall in "all industries employing personnel
engaged as licensed or un- ̂
licensed members of the
crews of ships or barges
engaged In offshore,
coastal, intercoastal or in
land transportation, or in
longshore operations servicing
The such ships or barges."
bill is known as S. 2029.
Enactment of the measure would
put an end to the constant threats
to maritime unions and their his
toric hiring procedures since the
adoption of the Taft-Hartley law
in 1947.
Heartily endorsing the bill, SIU
Go's Seek Runaway Price
From Gov't On Trade-Ins
Major American steamship companies representing the
subsidized section of the industry are opening a drive for a
massive trade-in and build program. The program would
allow them to trade-in their
ships at about the same price
they could get for them if
they were sold to a runaway flag.
The program has the tacit ap
proval of the Maritime Adminis
tration which has already made a
policy decision to the effect that a
"fair and reasonable" trade-in
value for old ships would be
equivalent to what these same
ships would be worth if sold to
the flags of foreign nations accept
able to the US.
Drafted by the Committee of
American Steamship Lines, the
program Is described by the op
erators' group as the only fair
method of replacing the US mer
chant'fleet. They argue that the
when his expulsion was unani
mously voted by the 25 Executive
Council members present at the
session.
Before the voting, however,
Beck had attended the council
meeting, heard the charges against
AFL-CIO OustSf Replaces Beck
WASHINGTON—Declaring him "guilty of the gross misuse of union funds entrusted
to his care," the AFL-CIO Executive Council this week unanimously expelled Teamster
president Dave Beck as a council member and as a vice-president of the merged labor or
ganization. The ouster was-*-
the first such action in the^Ex-
ecutive Council's 18-month
history.
Beck was replaced in these posts
by John English, secretary-treas
urer of the Teamsters, and an
avowed foe of Beck for many
years.
The Council, in an official state
ment explaining its actions, as
serted that it was not judging the
legality or illegality of Beck's acts.
His expulsion, the council de
clared, was due to his violation of
trade union principles.
"Whether he has violated any
laws, state or Federal, dealing
with theft, misappropriation or
embezzlement, is not for us to con
sider or determine," the statement
said.
"There is not the faintest ques
tion in our minds, however, that
he is completely guilty of violat
ing the basic trade union law that
union funds are a sacred trust,
belonging to the members and to
be protected and safeguarded for
the interests of the members.
"Whether Beck stole the funds
or borrowed them, the record
shows he took advantage of his
position as a trade i:riion official
to use money belonging to dues-
paying members for his own per
sonal gain and profit."
Beck himself was not on hand
Pursers Seek
Delta Line Vote
NEW ORLEANS—The SlU-af-
filiated Staff Officers Association
filed a petition before the National
Labor Relations Board here last
week for an election, among pur
sers on Mississippi Shipping Com
pany vessels.
Union secretary-treasurer Burt
Lanpher said ho had received full
assurances of support from the
SIU, Masters, Mates and Pilots, Ra
dio Officers Union and the Ma
rine Engineers J^eneficial Associ
ation, whose members man all
other licensed and unlicensed jobs
in the fleet. About two doen pur
sers are involved.
The company, through Marine
Superintendent Kinney and Port
Purser Lisboney, indicated it
would not interefer with the SOA
drive and would remain neutral,
Lanpher said.
him, and read a statement con
cerning his temporary suspension
as a council member and vice-pres
ident on March 29.
Beck contended that his sus
pension was a "nullity" and as
serted that under the AFL-CIO
constitution, the Executive Coun
cil has no power or authority to
suspend him.
Beck's expulsion is subject to re
view by the AFL-CIO convention,
if the Teamsters bring it up, but
this action was considered unlike
ly. The convention is slated to
meet in Miami on December 5.
Beck's expulsion as an Executive
Council member and vice-presi
dent does not mean his expulsion
from the AFL-CIO, nor does it
mean the expulsion of the Team
sters from the AFL-CIO.
The status of the Teamsters as
a whole is still being considered
by the AFL-CIO Ethical Practices
Committee. The Teamsters face
cliarges of corrupt influence or
domination.
Beck, in the statement regarding
his suspension, declared that he
would not answer the Executive
Council charges because ""of his in
dictment on charges of violating
the internal revenue code, and be
cause he has been the target of
a McClellan committee investiga
tion.
American operator would be un
fairly penalized if he got less
for his ship on a trade-in than
could be gotten by transfers for
eign. He would be at more of a
disadvantage in comparison with
foreign operators who also bought
much of their tonnage from the
US but are now free to sell it any
where to anybody at even higher
prices than restricted sales to na
tions approved by the Maritime
Administration.
The committee argues that it
would be vastly unfair, in light of
the tremendous increase in ship
building costs, for a shipowner to
have to trade his vessel in for any
where near what he paid for it.
It declares that an operator who
bought a Victory for $900,000 hack
in 1946 could sell it now foreign
for $1,350,000 and should be en
titled to trade it in for that kind
of money.
Apparently there is agreement
all around on this program but, of
course, the Maritime Administra
tion has to go to Congress for
funds to cover the cost of such
trade-ins. The current temper of
Congress is such that any mass
trade-in program at this time
would be sure to run into tough
sledding.
SCHEDULE OF
SIU MEETINGS
SIU membership meet
ings are held regularly
every two weeks on Wed
nesday nights at 7 PM in
all SIU ports. All Sea
farers are expected to
attend; those who wish to
be excused should request
permission by telegram
(be sure to include reg
istration number). The
next SIU meetings will be:
May 29
June 12
June 26
July 10
July 24 •
of NA President Paul Hall said,
"the Seafarers International Union
of North America warmly wel
comes the move hy Senator Magnu
son to write specific authorization
into law for maritime hiring halls.
Senator Magnuson has always heen
motivated by what is best for the
industry generally and his bill is
an indication of his understanding
of the needs of maritime. The
value of the hiring hall has been
proven time and again, and it has
probably been the greatest single
factor in providing stability for the
industry. It is the best method to
insure fair and equitable distribu
tion of work.
"Our International convention
repeatedly called for Federal leg
islation 'to guarantee,that the hir
ing hall be recognized as the proper
medium for employment in all in
dustries in which its use has been
an accepted practice.' We indorse
the Magnuson bill wholehearted
ly."
Maritime union. Government
and shipping industry spokesmen
have long recognized the value and
'fairness of the hiring hall both in
peace and war for recruiting ship
manpower. Historically, American
seamen have been shipping out of
union hiring halls for over two
decades since the first maritime
hiring hall was established on the
West Coast after the bitter '34
strike.
Lundeberg-Taft Meeting
For the past ten years, due to
the void created by the T-H Law,
all hiring halls in maritime have
been operating on the basis of an
off-the-cuff^ compromise between
the late Harry Lundeberg, then
president of the SIU of NA, and
the co-author of the controversial
labor law, the late Sen. Robert A.
Taft of Ohio.
It was in the summer of 1947,
soon after Congress passed the
law a second time over a Presi
dential veto, that Lundeberg
casually walked in on a lawyers'
convention in Santa Rosa, Calif.,
where Taft was due to speak.
Lundeberg later left the gathering
with a concesssion from Taft that
enabled all maritime unions to
keep the hiring hall.
Even so, hiring hall procedures
have been under sporadic attack
from Government agencies and the
courts, all seeking to chip away
the hard-won protection for profes
sional seamen.
Seniority System
Tn 19.5.5, the SIU and its con
tracted operators negotiated a new
seniority hiring system assuring
greater job security for Seafarers.
The system became a model in the
industry. In contrast, the NMU
first opened its membership books
and halls to all comers before com
ing up with a similar procedure at
a later date.
Periodic attempts to get specific
recognition for the hiring hall into
law faltered in several ses
sions of Congress. Acting on the
basis of his earlier, informal agree
ment with Lundeberg, Taft was
reportedly ready to introduce a
bill of his own in 1953 which would
have legalized the maritime hiring
hall at that time. However, he died
before any action could be taken.
I
i5samTO?fg35M»j?ra
your SEAFARERS LOG May 24, 1957
W-
r>-'"
Ships Use Suez;
Still Ban Israel
Shipping through the Suez Canal is almost back to normal
with the vessels of nearly every nation except France and
Israel using the Egyptian-controlled waterway.
Britain recently announced
that she will now use the
Canal, and reported on her re
cently-started supertanker expan-
ilon and construction program.
American vessels have been using
the Canal for the past month, since
the waterway was cleared of the
last tug sunk by the Egj'ptians.
Tlie French delegate to the
United Nations reported that he
Avill ask the Security Council to
reopen debates on the Suez situa
tion. France wants the Council to
order Egypt to obey the six prin
ciples agreed to by England,
France and Egypt last October 15.
Free Use Of Canal
The principles, which govern the
use of the Canal, included the re
quirement tliat the Canal would
be insu'ated from the polities of
any nation and prohibited "overt or
covert" interference with the right
of ships of all nations to travel the
vaterway, regardless of flag.
Egypt, the French said, has con
tinued to disregard these princi
ples since it has not lifted the ban
against Israel shipping through the
Canal. Israel announced earlier
that it intended to send a test
ship through the Canal and that it
would consider any Egyptian at
tempt to stop it "an act of war."
Both President Eisenhower and
British Prime Minister Macmillan
affirmed Israel's right to use of the
Canal. The President announced
that he saw no objection to Israel's
making a peaceful test of its right
to freedom of passage, but said that
he would denounce any use of
force in such a test.
The last SIU of NA convention
passed a "freedom of the seas"
resolution, calling for free passage
of Israeli shipping through the
Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aquaba.
Macmillan pledged that Britain
would do everything possible to as
sure Israel's right to use the dis
puted waterway. He also announced
that the number of fast, supertank
ers designed for economic opera
tion around the Cape of Good
Hope, was increasing rapidly.
There are about 30 million dead
weight tons of such ships under
construction or on order. About 10
million tons should go into service
in the next two years, he reported.
Although US vessels are now
using the waterway, Under Secre
tary Christian Herter said that the
State Department believed the con
struction of new pipelines to carry
Middle East oil to new outlets is
urgent.
A number of American and
European petroleum producers are
considering the construction of a
major pipeline from the Persian
Gulf to an outlet in Turkey on the
Mediterranean.
Caught By'Surprise
A LOG photographer surprises Seafarer and Mrs. Charles Rawl-
ings, and youngsters Sandra, 4, and Frank, 9, as they finish a snack
at the SIU headquarters cafeteria. The family came up to the
big city on a visit from home in Baltimore.
Why Seamen Need Strong Unions
Merchant seamen operating out of the East Coast Indian Port of
Calcutta got a wage increase May 1—25 rupees per month. At the
official rate of exchange, this amounts to about $1.20.
According to 'the International Transportworkers Asian office, the
increase was the first pay raise for these seamen since World War
II. "Indian seamen ratings," the bulletin said, "have recfelved no
wage increases since World War II, despite the existence of repre
sentative organizations with bargaining powers and two joint Mari
time Boards in Bombay and Calcutta."
The increase just given simply brings the Calcutta seamen to the
level "enjoyed" by Bombay seamen.
Since World War II, the cost of living in the United States has
more than doubled and living costs in other countries have risen
in proportion.
In a sense then, the true wages of these Indian seamen have gone
down considerably since World War II.
Cable Ship
Returns For
Fresh Load
BOSTON—The cable ship Ar
thur M. Huddell pulled into "Ports
mouth, NH, last week to take on
another load of cablf to be used
in a defense communication pro
gram in the Pacific area.
The vessel, a converted war-
built Liberty,. went into service
last April and has been ferrying
telephone cable to the Albert J.
Myer, a chartered Army cable
layer somewhere off the West
Coast. Part of a defense program
undertaken by the American Tele
phone and Telegraph Company for
the Defense Department, the ves
sels are employed in laying vital
submarine telephone lines between
Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska,
and between the West Coast and
Hawaii. She is under charter to
Bull Line.
The Huddell is expected to leave
Portsmouth around June 1, and
will be out until November. She
is capable of carrying some 6,000
tons of cable manufactured in the
east each trip..
Shipping Improves
Meanwhile, shipping in this
area, reports James Sheehan, port
agent, has picked up during the
past two weeks, and promises to
continue to be fair. The Mathew
M. Thornton (Grainfieet) and
Royal Oak (Cities Service) paid
off and signed on. The Arthur M.
Huddell and Isthmian's Steel
Executive were in port to be serv
iced. All beefs were settled at
payoff and the vessels were report
ed in good shape.
Sheehan reported that the Bos
ton area was relieved when rains
put out numerous forest fires.
Maybe you hove to be lucky to
avoid fatal accidents but as one fel
low put It once, luck follows naturally
from good planning. The proof of
the pudding lies In the record of three
SiU-controcted ships.
One of them went 502 days with
out a single accident serious enough
to cause the loss of an hour's work.
Two other vessels, operated by two
different companies, had just one lost-
time accident throughout all of 1956.
Lucky? Maybe they were. But It's
more than a coincidence that all three
ships boasted actively functioning
safety committees and Seafarers
aboard them were fully conscious of
the need to do their jobs the safe way
and to be on the alert for unsafe con
ditions, and careless habits.
Nobody can say for sure how many
lives are preserved by a shipboard
safety program. But these ships' ex
periences make one fact stand out.
Safety programs do work. They do
prevent accidents. With the proper
approach from all hands from the
skipper on down and with coopera
tion from shoreslde, there's nothing to
stop any SIU ship from equaling or
perhaps even surpassing these records.
Sure It's good to be lucky. It's even
better to have the right kind of am
munition. Aboard ship, the ammu
nition consists of the joint shipowner-
union safety program. Make use of
It and Increase the chances that you
will be one of the lucky ones.
i An SIU Ship is a Safe Ship •
I I
i,-.
May ti. U57 SEAFARERS LOG Pare Ffva
Labor Sec'y Hits
Runaways, Backs
Magnuson's Bi
WASHINGTON—For the first time, a top Government of-?
ficial has gone on record as opposing ship nmaways. Labor
Secretary James P. Mitchell has thrown his support behind
Sen. Warren G. Magnuson's^
Orchard end lush California
greenery form backdrop for
dedication of new Marine
Cooks and Stewards Union
training and recreation center
at Santa Rosa. The Rt. Rev.
Msgr. Matthew Connolly (at
mike) made the invocation.
Among those on platform
were MCS Administrator Ed
Turner (5th from right), SlU
San Francisco Port Agent
Marty Breithoff (4th from
right) and SUP Secretary-
Treasurer Morris Weisberger
(far right). At right, instruc
tor whips up cake in bake
shop of the $500,000 installa
tion.
SUP Improving Hq Hall
bill (S. 1488) to. restrict ship
transfers. Mitchell said the
proposed legislation would
strengthen the competitive posi
tion of American-flag shipping and
guarantee a pool of trained seamen
for defense needs.
The Labor Secretary's views
flatly contradicted those of the De
fense Department, which opened
the door last week to unrestricted
ship transfers. The Defense Depart
ment told the House Merchant
Marine Subcommittee in effect that
it didn't care how many American
ships were transferred, or what
types, so long as the foreign cor
porations owning the vessels are
American controlled.
The Department indicated that it
had no objection to transfer of C-
type ships, or even to passenger
liners. A department spokesman
said specifically that the Navy
would, rather see the SS America
of US Lines transferred, if the
company wanted to get rid of it,
than go into the lay-up fleet and
remain inactive. He also said the
Navy would approve transfer of
C-type ships if it felt the country
was getting enough in retuim.
'Effective Control' Challenged
Behind the Navy's position were
the controversial opinions that
transfers are needed to insure new
construction, and that ships trans
ferred to foreign registry, but
owned by American citizens, are
under "effective" United States
control. Both opinions have been
sharply questioned by maritime
SAN FRANCISCO—Improvement of its headquarters halh
to provide additional facilities for the West Coast membership
has been undertaken by the Sailors Union of the Pacific. The
"West Coast Sailors" an--*
nounced that the facilities
would include a recreation
hall containing pool and card
tables and a smoke shop in one
area; a barber shop, and an eX'
panded and properly policed park
ing lot.
The new recreation hall will be
built by putting in a mezzanine
deck over the large gymnasium in
the basement of the building. It
will have enough room for eight
pool tables, a number of card
tables and the smoke shop which
would be moved from its present
location. The barber shop will be
Installed where the smoke shop
now exists.
The parking lot will be placed
In the rear of the hall where a
dared area now exists. The lot
will be fenced and graded to
pi'ovide space for approximately 95
cars. The space will be reserved
for SUP members with any vacant
spots being rented to outsiders at
the commercial rate. Parking will
bo free for members on meeting
nights and 13 cents per day on
other occasions to cover mainten
ance of the lot and the attendant's
services.
In addition to the facilities
under construction, the Sailors
headquarters contains a gym and
steam room, shower room, library,
cafeteria, bar, locker room, baggage
room and other conveniences.
Tax Man Spells Out Tax-Dodging
Much has been said in the SEAFARERS LOG in recent years
about the tax-dodging opportunities offered to shipowners under
the Liberian flag. This information has now been confirmed by
Ralph S. Gayton, an official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Gayton pointed out that the only time a runaway company pays
taxes to the US is if it pays dividends to American stockholders
and they pay some taxes. Otherwise, Gayton pointed out:
• The Bureau can't impose any penalty on foreign companies
which withhold earnings.
• A US ship operator tranferring and selling a ship foreign pays
no capital gains tax if payment is made in the form of a stock
transfer instead of cash, and the stock transfer is listed as less than
tlie going market price.
• Profits of a runaway operation can be transferred to the
American company without any US tax. The foreign operation sim
ply gives the parent American company an interest free "loan" or
transfers the profits by buying additional stock of the American
company.
Swedes Plan Pullman-Style Tour Ship
With transatlantic passenger traffic booming to record highs, the Swedish-American
Line has announced it will build a low-cost cafeteria-style vessel for this trade. The vessel
will also contain an auditorium seating 800 people, making it suitable for use as a floating
-• convention ship.
The new vessel will be a
scaled-down version of the
type of ship proposed by New York
hotel man H. B. Cantor more than
two years ago. Cantor had pro
posed a S.OOO-passenger superliner
offering Pullman-type accommoda
tions and meaU at a wide selection
of shipboard cafeterias, lunch bars
and restaurants. He had also pro
posed using the ship as the site of
convention meetings.
Cantor has applied for Govern
ment construction aid but has been
unable to make headway in Wash
ington where traditional three-
class ship operators hold sway.
The new Swedish ship, as de
scribed by the president of the
line, Eril Wijk, "will Include a two-
deck auditorium seating 800 per
sons and restaurants or cafeterias
instead of the traditionally elabo
rate dining service,"
Floating Convention Hall
The ship will either handle con
ventions at sea or will serve as a
tourist-class cruise operation. As a
cruise ship, It would accommodate
1,300 passengers- Another new
Swedish-American ship, the Grips-
holm, arrived in New York yester
day on her maiden voyage.
The SEAFARERS LOG pointed
out in its February 1 issue that
Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch and
other foreign operators were rid
ing the crest of the transatlantic
passenger boom by meeting the
demand for one-class tourist ships.
US operators are not tapping this
market to any degree, with the ex
ception of the Arnold Bernstein
shipping interests who plan to put
a one-class ship into service next
spring.
Meanwhile, predictions of record-
breaking demand for passenger
space are being borne out and will
probably surpass last year's high,
even though there was a drop In
unions and a number of Congress
men. Only recently. Sen. Warren
Magnuson summed up his doubts
by pointing out that foreign-flag
ships are legally and technically
under the control of foreign gov
ernments, and are not subject to
American control.
US Gravely Short On Ships
In other testimony, the Navy
department official disclosed that
the merchant fleet is more than
100 ships short of mobilization
needs, even if the Government
counts runaways as being under
"effective" United States control.
He said the deficiency included 110
dry cargo ships equivalent to tho
C-3 class, 29 reefer cargo ships or
the R2-S-BV1 class, and four heavy
lift ships equivalent to the C-4 type
converted by MSTS.
Under questioning by committee
members, he admitted that tanker
tonnage was defective in quality,
because most of the ships were old
and too slow. The Government also
needs special type ships, like roli-
on-roll-offs, and container ships.
The Navy Department's position
represents a radical departure from
the traditional concept, embodied
in the 1936 Merchant Marine Act,
that the US merchant marine con
sists of American-flag ships only.
The new view is that the merchant
marine, for defense purposes, em
braces American-flag tonnage and
runaways owned by American cit
izens.
Besides the loss to the American
fleet, the transfer of 229 tankers
and an untold number of dry cargo
ships has resulted in stiff new
competition with remaining Amer
ican flag ships. The maritime
unions have pointed out that this
competition makes it more difficult
for American tonnage to get cargo,
and raises increased demands for
the right to transfer. The transfers
also discourage Americans from
operating ships under the US flag.
In his letter to Sen. Magnuson,
Labor Secretary Mitchell makes
the same point: "Unrestric.ted
transfers, and particularly the pos
sibility of transfer to registry in
countries with lesser social and
safety standards than those in the
United States, could serve to In
tensify the reduction of shipping
opportunities for United States flag
ships."
The SIU and other maritime
unions have also argued, in agree
ment with Sen. Magnuson, that
ships registered under foreign laws
are legally foreign, regardless of
ownership, and that the United
States could not control these ships
unless it seized them. Regarding
the runaways as under American
control, is, in the view of the SIU,
taking a dangerous gamble with
national security.
The Navy's position also give a
green light to continued tax eva
sion by American citizens.
travel in January
because of the
i'
Keep Draft
Board Posted
SIU headquarters urges all
draft-eligible seamen to be
sure they keep their local Se
lective Service boards posted
on all changes of address
through the use of the post
cards furnished at all SIU halls
.'{Uid aboitrd sbip^
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Ptf e 8lx SEAFARERS 100 May 24, 1957
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1
All of the material on this page, selected from recent
issues of the SEAFARERS LOG, was sent in by ship's
reporters and other Seafarers who believed their experi
ences would be of interest to the membership at large.
Their letters and photos are typical of the kind of **raw
material" which helps the LOG strive for its objective—
that of producing a newspaper which truly reflects the
activities and experiences of the membership itself, as well
as the official actions of the Union and developments in
the industry.
It was Seafarer Mike Zelonka who supplied the infor
mation about a fire on the Kathryn in San Juan; Seafarer
John C. Green who submitted the dramatic aeeonnt of the
Feltore crew's four-day struggle to keep the ship afloat.
The first eyewitness aeeonnt of the voyage of the Kern
Hills into the Gulf of Aqaba came from Seafarer Frank
Throp, while Seafarer Merwyn *'Doe" Watson contrib
uted the photo of the Fairland on her last'
voyage as a conventional cargo ship.
A fire in the hold, a crippled ship, an his
toric voyage are incidents which are ob
viously newsworthy. Also newsworthy, if
less exciting, are the day-to-day experiences
of Seafarers in the course of their voyages on
the various trade routes.
To sum up, membership participation is
what makes the LOG a membership newspa
per. Your ship is news. Pass on the news
to the LOG I
.Vor pictures
I Israeli port,
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P^«*ed[ audi
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SEAFARERS LOG
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May 24. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Pare Seven
YOUR DOLLAR'S WORTH
Seafarer's Guide To Better Buying
By Sidney Margolius
June Offers Some Price Cuts
Sharp early-summer price cuts on household appliances are making
available some good values in some brands of air conditioners, 1957
model TV sets and other mechanical equipment. Even while other
living costs have been rising, retail prices of home appliances have
gone down about 14 percent since 1951. The causes are keen competi
tion among manufacturers and retailers, spurred on by heavy produc
tion, the rise of discount houses, and the general breakdown of Fair
Trade laws by which makers and sellers until recently were able
to prevent price-cutting.
In general, however, the overall cost of" living i% heading for record
new heights later this summer and early in the fall, even while signs
of deflation are appearing. Some prices of raw materials and wholesale
commodities are leveling off. But your family will still have to pay
the bill this summer for the inflate^ price levels of wholesale com
modities established by businessmen earlier this year.
Here is a quick guide to trends you can expect this summer in
basic living expenses;
• Food prices will be at high levels this summer as meat especially
continues its present steady climb.
• Clothing prices are slightly higher this summer than last, including
work clothes, with shoes especially expensive. But Improved quality
is noticeable in some apparel (see below). Annual cut-price shoe sales
start in late June and continue through July.
• Used cars cost more this year than last. Traditionally, used car
prices come down after July 4th.
• Houses are at peak prices, with home-building off sharply to a
present annual level of 880,000 new houses compared to 1,400,000
In late '55.
Here are tips on buying air conditioners which can help keep
down your living expenses in this period of record-high costs:
AIR CONDITIONERS: This year's room coolers are Improved over
last year's models, and prices of some brands are being cut sharply.
The VA ampere models which were
introduced last summer now have
become the most popular type. This
year's models deliver more BTU's
(the measure of cooling capacity),
and design has been improved. In
general, the 1957 models are more
compact and don't protrude as
much. Some models can be mount
ed either completely inside or out
side the window so the window
can be opened or closed, which was
not possible with the older air
conditioners.
7Vi-AMP Conditioners
The 7i2-amp conditioners deliver
about 85 per cent of the cooling
capacity of the more powerful 10
or 12-amp models,^ but don't re
quire heavy-duty 230-volt wiring
which many older homes and
apartments don't have. The 71^-
amp models are adequate for the
average room except for very hot
or humid situations. They can be
used on a 115 volt line if the same circuit is not used for other electrical
appliances. But the advertising of the manufacturers and advice of
of retailers may be a little deceptive in this respect, because even
the less powerful air conditioners can cause an overload if other
appliances are operating at the^ame time. A 71^-amp model uses less
current than an electric iron or toaster. But the drain on current when
it is first turned on is heavy, the Better Business Bureaus point out.
Also in some cities, the electrical code requires you have heavier
12-gauge wiring instead of the ordinary 14-gauge, with a three-prong
plug and three-hole receptacle which provides for grounding^
Retail prices of air conditioners rise with the temperature, and
vary even from day to day, a major distributor reports. Best time to
buy is during a cool spell when manufacturers and retailers both get
anxious and cut quotations. One of the most reasonably-priced air
conditioners (the Admiral) is already sold out in some cities. But
prices are being sharply cut on other models, especially that of one
manufacturer (Fedders) who is offering dealers a paid vacation if they
sell a certain number. This manufacturer's 7V2-amp, % hp unit which
lists at $330, and cost dealers $197, is being sold by some for $217
and as little as $202 by large-volume retailers. The dealers also count
on making an additional $7-$8 profit from the installation, worth about
$15-$20, plus a year's service contract.
BTU ratings of the various brands are not a wholly reliable guide
to comparative value because there are other factors in efficiency,
and BTU ratings are not completely standardized. But this is the most
important single comparison you can make. Room air conditioners are
generally hp (which is the same as 34 ton) or 1 hp. The % hp size
is the most popular, and the 1 hp models are used for larger rooms
or rooms where the heat or humidity problem is severe, as in a room
unprotected by shade.
Note that a 7V^-amp, % hp air conditioner is not the same as a
*/4-hp conditioner that draws 10 or 12 amps. Even though both have
the same hp or ton rating, the higher-amp model has more cooling
power. Thus there are three main facts to get: the horsepower, the
amperage, and the number of BTU's delivered per hour. A good air
conditioner also should have automatic temperature control so you
can set fbr the temperature you want; a two-speed fan for night or
day; a filter easy to get at for replacement; a powerful exhaust to
draw out stale air, and a quiet-running motor.
Port Seattle
Jobs Reach
4-Year High
SEATTLE—Shipping here hit a
four-year record high of 182 Sea
farers dispatched during the past
period. It was the highest record-
-ed total since May, 1953.
Undoubtedly, West Coast ship
ping surpassed that figure on sev
eral occasions during the Korean
war.
Other high shipping totals were
reported on December 25. 1953,
when a total of 178 men shipped
out; December 9, 1955, 157 shipped,
and 152 on December 10, 1954. All
of these were abnormal pre-Christ-
mas totals. The welcome spurt of
activity promises to continue for
awhile, Jeff Gillette, port agent,
said.
Eight Payoffs
Eight vessels paid off and signed
on, and four ships were in port to
be serviced during the past two
weeks, Gillette reported.
The Westport (New England,
Ind.), Northwestern Victoi-y (Vic
tory Carriers), Ocean Eva (Ocean
Carriers), Rebecca (Maritime Over
seas), Seagarden (Penn. Nav.) and
Waterman's Kyska, Maiden Creek
and Wild Ranger paid off and
signed on. The Portmar, Marymar,
Kenmar, Flomar (Calmar) were in
port to be serviced. There were
no major beefs.
Marks Maritime Day
Reproduction of the official poster displayed on US Post Office
trucks tfiis week in honor of Maritime Day, May 22. The celebra-
tion commemorates the first transatlantic crossing under steam by
the Savannah in 1819. A Baltimore high school student designed
the poster.
Hq Demands $ From Runaways
NEW YORK—The crews of two US Petroleum rimaway tankers had to be repatriated
by air, reports Claude Simmons, port agent, when the ships transferred while in foreign
ports. Both vessels transferred to the Liberian flag, the Arickaree while in Aruba and the
Stony Pbint while in Antwerp. -
They are part of the Onassis- came from Greece off the Heywood
controlled tanker group which
is being transferred under a deal
to build three supertankers.
"Since both of these vessels
were on foreign articles and out
less than a month," Simmons an
nounced, "we are demanding an
additional month's wages for these
crews. We believe they are en
titled to this under the US navi
gation law." The membership will
be informed as to the outcome of
these cases, he said, so they will
know their rights should there be
any future instances of this kind.
Another crew repatriated by air
Broun (Victory Carriers).
The transfers were part of a
transfer-build package deal be
tween the Maritime Administration
and Onassis. The MA gave permis
sion for the transfer to Liberian
flag of 12 tankers and two Libertys
operated by Trafalgar Steamship,
USPC, Western Tankers, and Vic
tory Carriers. In return, Onassis
was to build three super tankers,
one of 100,000 tons, and two of
50,000 tons, all for US operations.
The exchange would liquidate
the three tanker companies, while
Victory Carriers would continue to
Food and cooking were not the
only things mentioned in the ship's
minutes during the past few
weeks. Seafarers John Johnson of
the Royal Oak and Jake Hansen of
the Jean Lafitte received votes of
thanks from their shipmates for
their generosity. Johnson repaired
the crew radio
at his own ex
pense. He must
either be a mu
sic lover, or a
staunch baseball
fan. Hansen re
ceived the crew's
apprecia-
tion when he
bolstered the
ship's fund with
a generous contribution.
4"
As to delegates, there is no
finer show of appreciation for an
outstanding job than to be re
elected to the position. Brother
W. Smith submitted his resigna
tion as ship's delegate of the Del
Vienlo, but a motion was made
and carried, that he be reelected
with a vote of thanks for a f^'job
well done during the last Voyage."^
Hansen
Among the cooks and stewards
mentioned, one was picked out
for special mention. Shipmates
on the John B. Waterman were
high in their praise of the excel
lent cooking and service from the
steward department. They gave a
vote of thanks to chief steward
Tony Sosa for the operations of
his gang.
^ ^
Seafarers on the Afoundiia
claim that no meal is too compli
cated for chief steward M. P. Lee-
When the Captain asked Lee if he
could make lobscouse, Lee, being
a "fellow Swede," proved equal to
the task. A check
with Webster's
dlction-
ary offered the
recipe; a stew of
meat, potatoes,
onions, shlpbls-
cuitr etc. The
shipbiscuit w a s
supplied by the
hardtack from
one of the , J^e-
boats, but as to i^hat tho-otCtri^s,
the gang' never explained-.
operate itstleet of seven Victorys
and the three new tankers. Its last
Liberty is still to go.
As the story now stands, 10
of the vessels have been trans
ferred. while the three supers are
still on paper. Concern over the
transfer issue had been expressed
by the House Merchant Marine
Committee recently with several
of the members calling for tighter
conditions. Committee members
felt that there were not enough
guarantees that the new ships
would ever be built.
Three Tankers Left
As for the companies involved,
Trafalgar Steamship is inactive,
USPC is now cut down to two ves
sels and Western Tankers to one.
I Shipping, Simmons reported,
continued to be very active in this
port during the last two weeks.
There was a total of 46 ships in
port during the past period—22
paying off, 5 signing on, and 19 in
transit.
The Stony Point, Arickaree
(USPC); CS Miami, Government
Camp, CS Norfolk (Cities Service);
Coalinga Hills (Waterman); Alcoa
Pointer, Alcoa Pilgrim, Alcoa
Planter, Alcoa Ranger, Alcoa
Roamer, Alcoa Puritan (Alcoa);
Angelina, Frances, Kathryn, James
Bowdin, Beatrice, Elizabeth, Fran
ces (Bull); Steel Executive, Steel
Chemist (Isthmian) and WaiTior
(Pan-Atlantic) paiJ off while the
Steel Chemist (isthmian). Warrior
(Pan-Atlantic), James Bowdin
(BuiD and Cities Service Miami
and Norfolk signed on.
The following in-transit ships
were in port to be serviced; Steel
Designer, Steel Traveler (Isth
mian); Pan Oceanic Transporter
(Penn. Nav.); Arlyn (Bull); Sea-
trains' Louisiana, 'Texas, Savannah,
Georgia; Yorkmar, Massmar, Ala-
mar (Calm-'^r); Maxton, Almena,
Beauregard, Ideal X (Pan-At
lantic); The Cabins (Terminal
Tankers); City of, Alma, Fairland
(WatSrmaa). and, the Alcoa Ranger
fAieoa).-'.'-^. / •
Pasre Eigrht SEAFARERS LOG May 24, 1957 •
f,
If- •
r,
P-A To Transfer
'Piggyback' T-2s
Pan-Atlantic Steamship Corp., which launched its "piggy
back" T-2 service in the Atlantic and Gulf coastwise trade a
year ago, is now going to abandon this method of carrying
trailers and concentrate exclu-
sively on dry-cargo container-
ships.
The company some time ago an
nounced plans for converting a
number of C-2s'into container
ships and work on the first of
these, the Gateway City, has al
ready gotten underway in Mobile.
Work on the Azalea City, Bienville
and Fairland is slated to follow.
Now, however, the Maritime Ad
ministration—in return for the
conversion of ten C-2s by Pan-
Atlantic—has agreed "in princi
ple" to the transfer foreign of the
four Pan-Atlantic T-2s.
Up until now the T-2s have been
used for the "piggyback" service,
in which trailers are carried be
tween Houston and New York on
specially-built flight decks.
After launching the "piggy
back" service in April, 1956, Pan-
Atlantic sought to expand it by
buying additional Government
tankers. But the legislation need
ed failed to win Congressional ap
proval.
The initiation of an Atlantic
Coast trailership service with spe
cially - constructed "roll on-roll
off" ships was also in the com
pany's plans originally. Appar
ently the company figured on
using the "piggybacks," with their
added decks, to augment the spe
cially-built "roll-ons" in this trade.
The four T-2s for which the MA
has given transfer approval in
clude one owned by the Sword
Line, which is controlled by Pan-
Atlantic. This is the Coalinga
Hills, now under charter to Pan-
Atlantic. The others are the Ideal
X, Almena and Maxton.
The terms of the transfer ap
proval give Pan-Atlantic 18 months
to complete its C-2 conversions,
which are being done by the Gulf
Shipbuilding Co., just outside of
Mobile.
It is expected that the new
"lift-on" service will be inaugu
rated later this year in a run be
tween Houston, Tex., and Port
Newark, NJ, It Is also expected
that, because of Pan-Atlantic's
emphasis on "lift-ons," the com
pany will suspend its coastwiso
break-bulk service sometime this
month.
May 1 Through May 14
Registered
Port
Boston
Anion^ Our
Affiliates
Norse Sea
Sports Get
'Head' Start
I '
It;- '
In case there's any seamen who
want to learn a new way to use
their heads, the Norwegian Sea
men's Welfare Council has ar
ranged for Henry Johansen, Nor
way's best known soccer goalie, to
hold a soccer clinic at Red Hook
playgrounds in Brooklyn.
The council sponsors matches in
most track and field sports, swim
ming and soccer games between
seamen on Swedish, Norwegian,
Danish, Finnish and Icelandic
vessels.
In 1956, the five nations, through
a central clearing office in Oslo,
had reports of ^,000 soccer games
played by 563 ships in 100 ports
throughout the world. Results of
the games are sent to the central
office where records of the team
standings in the different leagues
are broadcast once a week to the
fleets. Trophies and awards are
given at the end of the year.
Johansen is holding his classes
at 6 PM each evening for 20 days
starting May 15. He will then go to
Baltimore and conduct a clinic for
another group of ships expected
there.
The council's sports clinic also
includes instruction in track and
field, swimming and group leader
ship activities.:
The SIU Canadian District has
been certified as bargaining agent
for the British-registered cable
layer, John W. McKay. Opposition
to the SIU was voiced by the Com
mercial Cable Company. Basing
its arguments on a 1931 Mer
chant Shipping Agreement, it con
tended that the SIU application
for certification was out of its
jurisdiction. Actually, SIU repre
sentatives contended, the vessel's
home port was Halifax, Nova
Scotia, and all British ships could
be asked to follow the same rules
as Canadian ships in Canadian
waters. The Canadian Labor Rela
tions Board agreed that Canadian
crews sailing these ships were en
titled to the rights enjoyed by
other Canadian' seamen.
4i 4*
Election of officers of the SIU
Great Lakes District will be held
aboard all of its contracted ships
during the month of August. The
positions of secretary-treasurer,
and port agents in Detroit, Buffalo,
Cleveland, Duluth, South Chicago,
and Alpena are to be filled,
t iS» i
The SS Kaiser Gypsum which
arrived at the Golden Gate on May
1 with a cargo of 16,800 tons of
chrome ore, helped set a number
of records. To start with, the cargo,
which was hauled from Redwood
City by 40 trucks, comprised the
largest overland ore shipment ever
undertaken in the San Francisco
Bay area. It was also the largest
cargo of any kind to be brought
into or shipped out of Redwood
City, and the vessel was the largest
to enter the port. In keeping with
these records, the ship was un
loaded at intervals of about six
minutes around the clock. The ves
sel, to be renamed the SS Harry
Lundeberg, is crewed by the
Sailors Union of the Pacific.
3« 4«
A seven percent wage increase,
and a six percent overtime, cargo,
and penalty rate increase has been
negotiated by the Brotherhood of
Marine Engineers in a contract re-
opener with the A1 Peirce Co.,
operator of the MV Coos Bay.
The reopener was provided under
the terms of a general agreement
signed with the company last May.
The new pay rates are effective as
of March 1, 1957.
iS- 4<
The Staff Officers* Association
has announced a new "first" in
maritime industry benefits. The
groundwork has been laid for the
institution of a severance pay pro
gram which will pay a benefit of
approximately $100 for every year
of service. The plan, to be admin
istered by the Union and company
trustees of the pension plan, wiU
be open to all members after ten
years' service.
Houston
Total
Deck Deck Eng. Eng. Stew. Stew. Totel Total Total
A B A B A B A B Reg.
9_ 4 5 4 9 0 23 8 31
107 16 87 - 21 61 5 255 42 297
27 1 18 5 18 0 63 6 69
66 16 45 23 39 19 150 58. 208
16 6 8 6 6 6 . 30 18 48
11 3 6 3 8 0 25 6 31
10 5 7 8 7 1 •24 14 38
32 9 34 6 17 5 83 20 103
46 16 26 11 41 10 113 37 150
15 6 14 . 4 1 2 30 12 42
22 13 23 6 14 9 59 28 87
8 4 5 7 6 3 19 14 33
26 12 16 13 19 12 61 37 98
22 20 12 22 12 9 46 51 97
Deck Deck Eng. Eng. Stew. Stew. Total Total Total
A B A B A B A B Reg.
417 131 306 139 258 81 981 351 1332
Shipped
Port
Boston
Norfolk ..
Savannah
Tampa ..
Mobile ..
Lake Charles
Total
Deck Deck Deck Eng. Eng. Eng. Stew. Stew. Stew. Total Total Total Total
A B c A B e A B C A B C Ship.
6 4 2 5 3 0 3 1 1 14 8 3 25
87 13 13 53 17 19 60 5 15 200 35 47 282
26 6 3 23 10 3 15 7 3 64 23 9 96
81 24 5 51 22 25 36 19 17 168 65 47 280
1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 3
5 2 T 2 ' 0 3 7 0 3 14 2 7 23
4 2 1 7 4 1 8 0 4 19 6 6 31
35 10 4 18 6 13 19 7 6 72 23 23 118
48 11 6 21 7 8 27 7 5 96 25 19 140
9 3 0 10 4 3 5 3 1 24 10 4 38
29 12 4 23 8 14 17 1 11 69 21 29 119
13 8 1 7 7 2 9 5 2 29 20 5 54
20 9 6 13 7 2 8 7 7 41 23 15 79
31 32 13 23 23 11 24 12 13 78 67 37 182
Deck Deck Deck Eng. Eng. Eng. Stew. stew. Stew. Total Total Total Total
A B c A B C A B C A B c Ship.
395 136 59 256 118 105 238 75 88 889 329 252 1470
Bill Urges Strict Rules
On Sea Jobs For Aliens
WASHINGTON—A bill which would tighten restrictibns
on the hiring of alien seamen on US-flag ships has been pro
posed in the Senate by Sen. Warren G. Magnuson of Wash
ington. The bill
SIU shipping hit the high mark of the last two months in the past two weeks. The boom
ing job activity produced a figure of 1,470 men dispatched through SIU halls during the pe
riod. Registration hit 1,332. + ^
Ten ports shared in the
shipping boom. One of them,
Seattle, reported its best ship
ping in the four years 'since the
Korean War. The others were
Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Savannah, Tampa, Mo
bile, Lake Charles and Houston.
Baltimore arid New York were vir
tually even.
Only Norfolk, New Orleans,
Wilmington and San Francisco
showed declines. The two West
Coast ports, with Seattle, are still
quite busy, but Norfolk is very
quiet. New Orleans is holding its
own.
The greatest lag between ship
ping and registration showed up-
in the steward department, al
though the other departments each
shipped more men on their own.
Toughest jobs to fill, evidenced by
the high class C figure, are in the
black gang. However, class B
shipping and registration for all
departments ran neck and neck.
On the seniority side, class A
men accounted for 61 percent of
the total jobs shipped, class B for
22 percent and class C for the
rest. This represents a small in
crease for class A and a corre
sponding decrease for B men. The
proportion of C shipping was the
same as in the previous two weeks.
The following is the forecast
port by port:
Boston: Fair . . . New York:
Good . . . Philadelphia: Good . , .
Baltimore: Good . . . Norfolk: Very
slow . . . Savannah: Fair . . .
Tampa: Fair . . . Mobile: Good
. . . New Orleans: Good . . . Lake
Charles: Fair . . . Houston: Good
. Wilmington: Fair . . . San
Francisco: Good . . . Seattle: Good.
'Can-Shakers'
Have No OK -
The membership is again cau
tioned to beware of persons
soliciting funds on ships in be
half of memorials cr any other
so-called "worthy causes." No
"can-shakers" or solicitors have
been authoriezd by the SIU.
IS now un
der study by the Senate In
terstate and Foreign Com
merce Committee, of which Sen.
Magnuson is chairman.
The most important provisions of
the bill, which would spell out the
present United States Code gov
erning the hiring of aliens, are as
follows:
• All applicants for Coast Guard
papers would be required to have
a sufficient knowledge of English'
both written and spoken, to per
form all shipboard duties required
and carry out the orders of the
officers.
• Excluding licensed officers, 75
percent of the crew would have to
be native-born or naturalized US
citizens unless the Coast Guard
waives this requirement because
of a manpower shortage.
• On any subsidized vessel, ex
cept passenger ships, all of the
crewmen must be native-born or
naturalized citizens. On passenger
ships, 90 percent of the crew, in
cluding officers, must be citizens;
and, in either case, all of the
licensed officers must be citizens.
• More rigid restrictions are
laid down for the replacement of
crewmembers by aliens during a
foreign voyage, and violations of
these restrictions would be subject
to fines of $50 a day for each alien
illegally employed.
The present bill is identical with
one which Sen. Magnuson intro
duced during a previous session of
Congress and which was supported,
for the most part, by the Depart
ment of Commerce, but opposed
by the government of Puerto Rico.
The Commerce Department went
on record favoring stricter con
trols over alien hiring "in the in
terests of the national economy
and national defense," and sup
ported the bill with the recommen
dation that even tighter restric
tions be placed on the hiring of
aliens for US passenger ships.
The Puerto Rican government
opposed the bill and expressed the
fear that its passage could possi
bly cause Puerto Rican seamen to
lose their jobs on US ships if a
written English test was also ap
plied to them as US citizens.
Regardless of the fate of the
present bill, it appears very like
ly that the number of jobs for
alien seamen aboard US ships will
continue to decrease as the de
mand for Federal subsidies con-
tii^ues to increase, since stringent
regulations governing the employ
ment of aliens on subsidized ships
already. exist.
Many of the largest non-subsid
ized lines such as Waterman, Is-
brandtsen. Isthmian and States
Marine are already seeking sub
sidies, and this trend toward total
subsidization will undoubtedly con
tinue, with a consequent squeezing-
out of the alien seaman.
May 24. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG
ssa
Page Nln* ••'"m
. •'.•* t"\-f! V" *! -• '••
,* -V* Sri, • -
Shipping commissioner officiates in saloon at signing
of articles for new voyage. George W. Williamson,
wiper (in T-shirt), waits turn. Mate looks on.
Bosun George Douglas (with pipe) prepares to lend a
hand in unrigging the jumbo boom for unloading. The
ship carries general cargo soutH, bauxite northbound.
FOR a ship, the arrival at home port
means a breathing spell between
the last voyage and the next. In
coming cargo is discharged, and stores
and outbound cargo starts coming
aboard.
It's a time to clean ship, complete re
pairs, get replacements for worn-out
gear and a hundred other details.
For the crew, it's payday and the
chance to sign off or make another trip.
There's time now to visit with the fami y
and friends who may live nearby; to
drop in at the Union hall, see a show or
try a change of menu at a shoreside
restaurant.
The work still goes on for those re
maining aboard, as these pictures taken
on the Alcoa Puritan in New York lost
week show. Outbound for Venezuela,
Trinidad, Georgetown and Paramaribo
on a regular monthly schedule, the
Puritan was here and gone again in a
few days.
•M
Safety delegates Roy Poole, steward
utility (left), and 2nd electrician
James C. Dial check off finished repair.
Juan Dopico, OS (left), hands carton
of fresh fruit to pantryman Alex
Stevenson during storing of chillbox.
SIU patrolman Malcolm Cross (2nd from right) is on
hand to settle beefs, collect ;dues. With him (1 to r) are
J. Brasfield, stwd.; M. Irogbyfew, oiler, and C. Newtbri.
:Phil Roshke, OS, watches Dr. George
Raskin take a reading on his blood
pressure before signing on again.
Finishing shave in foc'sle, Emmitt
Connell, oiler, gets set to dress and go-
ashore during-time off. - -
5. < • • < t S f
Paffe Ten SEAFARERS LOG
\
r
May 24. 1957
Seafarers Assist Last Rites
Seafarers In San Francisco serve as pallbearers at funeral of fel
low Seafarer Orvllle Abrams, who died at local marine hospital.
He left his last ship, the Stony Point, for hospitalization In
Yokohama over a year ago. On the left (front to back) are Otto
Palsson, Jessie Cobrol, John Worley (partially hidden) and Nick
Stephanne. At right, H. Thomas, A._ Waterbury (hidden). Port
Agent Marty Brelthoff and undertaker's aide.
May Salvage '42
Torpedoed Cargo
area, but Carmichael says he
doesn't "believe any of them are
around here now. They may have
gotten other ships^ or left the sea
altogether. But I sure would like
to know what happened to them."
Among these men were Earl 1..
Hearn, third engineer; Alfonse
Hertsack, chief cook; Henry Davis,
second cook; Edward McMillen,
messman; Nathaniel Avier, and
W. C. Chisholm, first assistant en
gineer.
Any of these men wishing to
contact Carmichael can reach him
at 954 Chastang St., Mobile.
MOBILE—The $3 million cargo which went to the bottom
when the Waterman freighter Warrior was torpedoed dur
ing World War II may be salvaged, if the plans of a New Or
leans deep sea diver work '
out.
However, the job will be a
tough one, says a Mobile Seafarer,
Horace Carmichael, who was chief
steward on the SlU-manned ship
when she was sunk off Trinidad
on July 1, 1942, bringing death to
seven of the 55 men aboard her.
The salvage job, Carmichael
gays, will be difficult because the
ship went down in 70 feet of
water "and there are some mighty
strong currents there."
Nevertheless, John True, a deep
sea diver and president of the Ma
rine Research and Survej' Co. of
New Orleans, says he plans to
! tackle the job
"in the near fu
ture." True will
be after the valu
able cargo which,
he says, includes
steel, copper and
aluminum.
C a r m i chael's
last ship was the
Gateway City,
which is now be
ing converted into a Pan-Atlantic
"lift-on." The 43-year-old Seafar
er has been sailing 20 years, and
although he was on a number of
ships that were shot at during the
war, the WaiTior was the only
one sunk.
Sunk In 3 Minutes
Describing the torpedoing, which
sent the 12,000-ton freighter to the
bottom in three minutes, Car
michael attributed the terrific ex
plosion which virtually split the
vessel in half to high test gaso
line stored amidships. The ship,
boun4 for the Red Sea, had air
plane^ and tanks stored on her
deck, he said.
Carmichael said the ship carried
43 seamen and 12 members of a
gun crew. Of these, three seamen
and four gun crew members were
killed. The other 48 men. after
eight hours in a lifeboat, were
picked up by a US destroyer, then
rushed by plane back to the States,
where they promptly shipped out
again.' • v.;.:, ,
Eight of the survivors. Including
Carmichael, were from the Mobile
Carmichael
LA-'Frisco
Roll-On Run
Under Study
SAN FRANCISCO—A new con
cern, Pacific Trailer Ships, Inc.,
has announced plans to operate a
truck and trailer roll-on-roll-off
overnight steamship service be
tween San Francisco and Los An
geles. The California Public Utili
ties Commission has granted the
company a sole franchise to oper
ate intrastate between the two
ports.
The company announced it will
build two specially designed 660-
foot, twin screw, high speed ves
sels. The ships will contain essen
tial defense features to enable
them to convert the vessels into
tank and motorized vehicle carriers
with a minimum amount of altera
tion and loss of time.
The Navy Department has unof
ficially indicated a favorable atti
tude towards the preliminary de
signs and plans, which were pre
pared by George G. Sharp Co..
naval architects and engineers.
Because of the rapid turnaround
possible in roU-on-roll-off opera-
tionsi the ships Could make several
trips a week.
A three-year contract has been
signed between the Glass Bottle
Blowers and the Glass Container
Manufacturing Institute, which
represents some 40 major glass
manufacturers. The agreement calls
for a wage increase of almost 28
cents an hour, better vacation and
holiday programs, and allows for
jury duty.
4" 4" 4"
"Progress toward consolidation
has far exceeded expectations," re
ported Claude Jodoin, president of
the Canadian Labor Congress. In
its 12 months of life, the federa
tion has seen the merging of rival
unions in six of Canada's seven
provinces and in 30 out of 39 cities.
It has also chartered 45 new locals.
^ 4' 4>
A House Judiciary Committee
has held hearings on charges by
the California labor organizations
that a contract between California
farmers and Japanese laborers was
"a shocking document of labor ex
ploitation which recalls the inden
tured servant practices of colonial
times." AFL-CIO state organiza
tions said that the workers were
shackled to a contract that no civ
ilized nation would tolerate.
4 4. t
The Hotel A Restaurant Em
ployees Union was recognized as
bargaining agent for the employees
of three restaurants operated by
the family of Vice President Rich
ard M. Nixon. The union was rec
ognized by F. Donald Dixoh,
brother of the vice-president, when
a check of union membership cards
showed that after a year of experi
ence with a so-called independent
union, 80 percent of the employees
favored the AFL-CIO affiliate as
their bargaining agent.
4" 4" 4"
The Supreme Court has ruled
that the National Labor Relations
Board can not refuse to take Juris
diction in cases involving trade
unions acting as employer's. The
case involved the Teamsters Union
and the Office Employees. The
Office Employees had sought col
lective bargaining rights for 23
clerical workers employed in Team
ster headquarters.
4" 4" 4"
The Philip Murray Memorial
Foundation, created to perpetuate
the name of the late president of
the CIO, distributed a total of
$963,204.70 to some 30 religious,
charitable and educational organ
izations. The fund was set up in
1953 from gifts and donations from
former CIO unions and private in
dividuals. In issuing its final re
ports Arthur J. Goldberg, general
counsel of the United Steelworkers
and director of the fund, disclosed
that the entire sum in the fund was
expended without any administra
tive cost to the foundation.
MARY ADAMS (Bloomflald), F«b. It
—Chairman, W. McBrlda; Secretary,
F. Sulllns. Discussion on cigarettes.
Two cartons of cigarettes for each
man. Suggestion to move gangway.
New gangway suggested.
February 9—Chairmen, R. Paradyr
Secretary, J. Austin. To elect new
delegate. $2.73 In ship's fund.
February 11—Chairman, W. Rhone;
Secretary, J. Austin. Election of safe
ty committee.
W. Morse. New ship's delegate. Sug
gested that new delegate see about
fixing water fountain In messroom.
List posted in messroom detalUng
each department to take care of
laundry. A vote of thanks to steward
department for a Job well done.
April 21—Chairman, W. Waldrop;
Secretary, W. Morse. Patrolman to
see port steward about getting ready
cut steaks. Also a better grade of
meats aU around. A vote of thanks to
the steward department for a Job
well done.
NATIONAL LIBERTY (National
Shlpplnt), April 14—Chairman, F.
Bruggner; Secretary, A. Andersen.
Some of delayed sailing over-time dis
puted. Most of repairs have been
done. t8.S9 In ship's funds. Discus
sion about putting trash bucket In
laundry. GaAets renewed on aU port
holes. Discussion on why both do
mestic tanks ore dry and portable
water coming from aft peak. Vote of
thanks to stewards department for
food and good service.
OCEAN DEBORAH (Maritime Over-
teas), March 24—Chairman, Harding;
Secretary, Weinberg. Due to broken
hours, the night cook and baker wish
to have separate rooms. Discussion on
coffee urn and perculators. Ruled
that we retain perculators.
ORION PLANET (Orion Steamship
Corp.), Feb. 24—Chairman, M. Mc-
Cosloy; Socrotary, W. BIckford. Can
not get traveler's checks. Ship's dele
gate resigned. 4.500 Yen In ship's
fund. New ship's delegate elected.
April 7-=Chalrman, I. Barra; Secre
tary, C. Cadenhead. 4,500 Yen and
$1 In ship's fund. To get traveler's
checks In Persian Gulf.
ORION STAR (Orion Shipping
Corp.), April 7—Chairman, E. Ruley;
Secretary, 6. Stevens. Ship's delegate
to see captain about getting canned
goods in night lunch. Condolences
sent to family of deceased third assist
ant engineer. Ship's delegate to see
about getting wringer on washing
machine fixed.
PACIFIC OCEAN (World Carriers),
April 20—Chairman, J. Thompson;
Secretary, B. Alsbury. All hands turn
In dirty linen, and clean rooms be
fore leaving ship.
DEL MAR (Mississippi), April IS—
Chairman, M. Phelps; Secretary, C.
Dowllng. Captain said to tell the crew
that this was a smooth voyage and to
thank them for making It so. It was
brought out In the safety meeting
tliat the practice of leaving glasses
on the railings was a dangerous prac
tice and cooperation of all asked In
removing this hazard. It was request
ed that all hands using the door to
go on deck by ship's doctor's office
close same due to loss to air condi
tioning. $233 In the movie fund and
$46 In the ship's fund. Letter from
brother who was left In New Orleans
hospital, stating that he had some
money for the ship's fund and would
turn It over when ship got in. No
one allowed In crew pantry or mess-
hall in underwear. Fix engine room
door. Chief cook explained why on
occasion certain foods ran short and
a slight delay occured until other
could be prepared. Chief steward re
quested that repair lists and list of
new mattresses be turned In so that
they can be ordered, and repair list
completed.
DEL MONTE (Mississippi), April 7
—Chairman, E. Arnot; Secretary, J.
Plcou. Most repairs taken care of.
Beef on making coffee taken care of;
also beef on Ice. $81.93 In ship's
fund, after spending 838.49 for books.
Suggestion to let pantryman wear
shorts In pantry also to stop putting
cigarette butts In coffee cups. Put
turkey In night lunch. Keep new wash
ing machine clean. Suggestion made to
have hot mustard and to have wash
room painted. To. see captain about
soft ice cream. Have meat box and
fish box temperatures brought down
to where they will hold Ice cream.
Steward Claims that they are too
high.
EVILVN Wwll), April . I4ii-Ch4fr-.'
men, i. Reetfr fecrelery, M. Kembi-
ski. Repairs that have been promised
have not been taken care of. $81 in
fund. Complaint on door to engine
room being left open. Too much
heat seeps Into forecastles. Repair
lists discussed.
MARYMAR (Cslmar), AprU 12 —
Chairman, Jones; Secretary, M. Flood.
$23.34 In ship's fund. Elected new
ship's delegate: Everyone to clean
washing machine after using. Sug
gested steward to leave enough cof
fee out at night.
FREDERIC C. COLLIN (Dry Trans),
April 7 — Chairman, E. Hall, Payoff
on arrival if possible, could not settle
disputed overtime with captain and
will turn over to patrolman. Captain
won't let Up on men who fouled up
in Japan. Brother who was confined
to hospital managed to straighten
himself out. Repair list to be made
out and all men told to leave foc'les
clean.
MORNING LIGHT (Waterman), April
13—Chairman, R. Lambert; Secratary,
FELTORE (Ore), April 19—Chair
man, A. Rosenblatt; Secretary, W.
'Strickland. New delegate elected. Re
quest to have deck room n "nted, fan
to be cleaned all over
FRANCES (Bull), Apr 4—Chair
man, Doak; Secretary, Crewes. Dis
cussion on donation of case of ciga
rettes for men on s'.rLie in San Juan.
Suggest rotation of cleaning of slop
sink. Steward to order sufficient bug
bombs. Request a different type of
soap, also discussion rn safety pro
gram.
GEORGE A. LAWSON (Penn Ship
ping), April 20—Chairman, L. E, F..
Schmidt; Secretary, T. Caiman.
Most repairs done. Lockers' shelves
to be made. Shore leave in question.
Sub.sistcnce to be paid at sea. Bring
in cots from deck at night if not be
ing used. $13.40 In ship's fund. New
delegate elected. Discussion on plac
ing of fans In rooms. Bos'n asks that
all garbage be dumped In cans back
aft while ship Is In port.
IBERVILLE (Waterman). Fab. 24—
Chairman, R. Ayrea; Secretary, W.
Burton. New delegate elected. Deck
delegate asked that percolators be
used at the serving of all meals In
stead of making coffee In the urn.
All brothers in agreement with this
procedure. Talk by J. McGlll about
securing movie projector and films.
Discussion held. Voluntary contribu
tions will be accepted toward the pur
chase of said equipment. Ship's fund
is low. voluntary donations will also
be accepted for this fund. Steward
asks the brothers what day they
would prefer to have linen Issued.
Friday Is accepted.
March 14—Chairman, C. RIdgei Sec
retary, W. Burton. Ship's delegate
spoke on service In the crew mess-
room. Men on watch not getting
served properly. Steward said mess-
man has Improved. Discussion on this
issue, men on watch should sit at
one table. Others dissented, saying
that -with 28 men coming in seats
could not be reserved for the watch.
Present man will continue In his Job
and will improve.
April 14—Chairman, W. Lawten;
Secretary, W, Burton. One man hos
pitalized in Kobe, .Tapan. One man
missed ship InO^okohama, Japan, and
it is our sad duty to report that
Brother J. W. Smith was lost over
board on the first day out from Yoko
hama on our return to the States.
Steward was asked about getting milk
on our arrival In our first port In
Japan which was Kobe. Steward said
captain told him all stores were to
be gotten at Yokohama. Suggestion
for delegates to check on all mat,
tresses and pillows and see what
needs to be replaced. Suggestion to
either send a floral wreath or send
mass cards for Brother Smith.
IDEAL X (Pan Atlantic), Anrll 24—
Chairman, H. Huston; Secretary, G.
Lusth. Pete Lypen AB was put
ashore with signs of appendicitis, was
operated upon same Immediately.
Words of thanks to all who en
deavored to make him comfortable.
New delegate elected.
AFOUNORIA (Waterman), April 2$
—Chairman, R. Walton; Secretary, J.
Guard; New delegate elected. All
crew quarters need painting of the
decks, this includes messhall. Clean
hospital after use by crew for furni
ture storage. Repair list will be sub
mitted before voyage starts. Ship's
delegate will check stores with chief
steward.
ALCOA CORSAIR (Alcoa), April 14
—Chairman, I. Morgavl; Secratary, M.
Costello. Discussion on fire and boat
drill. Ch.. cook missed ship, was re
placed out of Union hall before sail
ing time. Brother left In hospital in
Jamaica due to illness. $60 collected
for the above Brother Sargent, also
discussed prowler. 8139 In ship's
fund. To have a general meeting
with patrolmen upon docking.
ALCOA PENNANT (Alcoa), April 7
—Chairman, L. Joynsr; Secratary, V.
Nash. One man missed ship in New
Orleans. Turn In all surplus linen so
It can be cleaned and checked. Ship's
delegate to check with boarding pa
trolman about holding Income tax .out
of subsistence.
ALCOA POINTER (Alcoa), April 38
—Chairman, W. Robinson; Secratary,
L. Bruce. New .delegate elected.
ARLYN (Bull), March 3—Chairman,
6. Seaberger; Secretary, G. Seeberger.
A special meeting was held for chief
cook.. There was no milk for five
days and shortage of linen for two
trips in a row. There was not 40
gallons of milk when ship left France.
Someone to check stores when they
come.
AZALEA CITY (Waterman), April 4
—Chairman, D. Ksrella; Secretary, R.
Auer. Ship Is entering the ship yard
for exter.:d-,.' repairs and conversion.
Pay off win be in MobUe. Ship will
be laid up. Deck department received
three (3) new. men in Long Beach ,
WhUe' )tessel vMs iri transit to the
dulf. There is flYJia in the ship's'
fund.
May 24. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG r»g9 Elevea
•Welcome'
Surplus
Billiou Boost
lu
Voted Out
WASHINGTON — Tlie House
Agriculture Committee has ap
proved a $1 billion incfease in ex
tending the farm surplus disposal
program, assuring continuation of
heavy farm surplus shipments to
foreign nations.
The full Senate had already
acted on the farm surplus exten
sion but there is one Important
difference between the House and
Senate measures as they now
stand. That relates to the sale or
barter of agricultural surpluses
with Communist nations.
The administration at present
has reached tentative agreement
with Poland'for $95 million worth
of such surplus, subject to Con
gressional approval. The Senate
has already voted to strike out the
section of the law which prohibits
such sales, but the House Agricul
ture Committee voted out the bill
without following the Senate ac
tion.
Would Woo SatelUtes
Undoubtedly, the administration
will make efforts to get favorable
House action on the floor for sur
plus deals with countries on the
ground that such transactions help
wean them away from Moscow
domination.
A strong bloc in Congress is op
posed to these transactions, argu
ing that they only serve to prop
up Communist economies instead
of weakening Communism's hold
on Eastern Europe.
The farm surplus program, now
in its third year, was originally ap
proved in the words of the House
committee "as an emergency pro
gram, fojr, disiP9flngj of^surplys, agri,-
ciilturai. commoditl«s.'t' r
rijViWfjSi'
No one with any real knowledge of the maritime industry
can dispute the merits of the bill recently thrown into the
Senate hopper to give formal recognition to the maritime hir
ing hall. The measure, proposed by Sen. Warren G. Magnu-
son, would clean up the shadowy status under which the hir
ing hall has existed over the past ten years.
The SIU and all maritime unions heartily endorse this pro
posal because the hiring hall has been the foundation of pros
perity not only for the nation's seamen, but for the industry
as well. Long established as the only fair and just system for
supplying ship manpower, the hiring hall took job placement
out of the clutches of the unscrupulous crimps and shady
waterfront characters who held seamen in virtual slavery.
Speedy adoption of the Magnuson bill by Congress would
help assure that these bitter days can never return.
^ ^ ^ ^
Closing The Gap
News that the Indian's Seamen's Union has won pay parity
with Bombay for seamen in Calcutta is welcomed by the SIU
and all American maritime unions. Every improvement in
foreign seamen's conditions, no matter how small, works to
everyone's advantage in the long run.
The fact that the increase amounts to 25 rupees a month
(the rupee is now pegged at 21 to the dollar) and that this was
the first wage boost won by the Calcutta sailors since 1945
emphasizes the difficult struggle confronting foreign seamen.
But the basic point to keep in mind is that living standards in
India and the US are miles apart.
This underscores the fallacy of the Maritime Administration
view that American maritime unions should show "restraint"
in their wage and benefit demands in relation to foreign
standards. While prices and living costs rise steadily in the
US, seamen and all American workers living under the Amer
ican economy must keep pace with these increases for their
own self-protection. ~
Talk About Lagging...
Another report this month tells how the Swedish-American
Line is now seriously planning a cafeteria-style transatlantic
tourist ship to serve as a floating convention site. Here,
indeed, is an area where American know-how could be put
to good use to win away some of the growing tourist traffic
that foreign shipowners have capitalized on for years.
Yet US companies continue to stand by the old concept
of lush luxury liners. Every imaginable obstacle Is put in
the way of the few w;ho are adventurous enough to come
forward with ideas of this kind.
But ten years from now, after foreign operators have ex
perimented, succeeded and more solidly entranched them
selves in this field, the "Rip Van Winkles" of US. niaritinje
will wake — --"J—- 1——' ,
Tank, Ore Ships
1st For A-Power
will have a cargo lift capacity of
somewhere between 9,000 and 12,-
000 deadweight tons (in the C-2 to
C-3 range) and quarters for 60 to
100 passengers.
The New York naval architects'
firm of George G. Sharp, Inc. is
now drafting preliminary-plans for
the vessel. A yard will be selected
sometime in the fall with keel-lay
ing scheduled for next spring.
More details about the Government's atom ship program,
now available, indicate that the atom age is fast coming up
at sea. However, in the first few years of commercial opera
tion, nuclear power plants
will be limited to large super
tankers, ore carriers and
other bulk vessels. All Indications
are that it will be a long time
before nuclear power will be used
on passenger vessels and freighters
in the regular liner services.
This IS accepted as an established
fact even though the first atom ship
now being ordered virill be a com
bination freighter-passenger vessel.
At current levels of design and
engineering, nuclear reactors large
enough to power a conventional-
sized freighter require too much
in the way of heavy shielding. The
added weight of the bulky shield
ing neutralizes much of the added
lift the ship would gain by eliminat
ing bunkers.
Save Bunker Tonnage
However, on a supertanker on a
long offshore rim, the savings in
bunker tonnage and space would
more than offset the weight of the
shielding. A tanker on the run
from the Persian Gulf to the East
Coast uses huge quantities of fuel,
up to 5,000 tons of it for one in
the 50,000-ton class. Elimination
of all that fuel tonnage means that
the supertanker could carry an
equivalent additional tonnage of
petroleum, less of course, the
weight of the reactor shielding. Ore
carriers would benefit the same
way and so would whale factory
ships and other fish vessels.
In addition to the cost and weight
of the shielding, the. high cost of
a nuclear power plant and nuclear
fuel at present keep such a plant
from being competitive. At present,
atomic power costs about 50 per
cent more than a conventional
shoreside steam plant in day to day
operation. The difference is less
on a ship where lower pressures
are used and cargo space is in
creased.
Existing plans for the first atomic
merchant ship call for it to be
about 600 feet long with a beam
of 80 feet. She will generate up
tc»s?2,000 shaft horsepower and will
have a 21-knot cruising speed.
These performance figures are far
from exceptional as compared with
some of the existing steam plants,
such as on the Mariners. The ship
,M a* i..A
Painters Tie
Up Lk. Charles
LAKE CHARLES—The Painters
Union here has all the contractors
shut down after failure of contract
talks, reports Leroy Clarke, port
agent. From the looks of things,
he said, they will continue to hold
the line until the contractors give
in to the painters' demands.
Other picket lines placed around
one of the big chain stores by the
Retail Clerks, AFL-CIO, are prov
ing very effective, Clarke reported,
as business is falling off a great
deal. The SIU and Central Labor
Council have gone on record to
back the clerks all the way in their
fight.
"All is well in this area," Clarke
said, with shipping and job activity
remaining constant. There were 13
vessels calling at the port during
the last two weeks. They were the
Cantigny, CS Miami, Bradford
Island„Chiwawa, CS Norfolk, Royal
Oak, Government Camp, Bents
Fort, Winter Hill, Chiwawa (Cities
Service); Coalinga Hills (Pan Atlan
tic); Val Chem (Valentine); and
th€| Sea Tiger (ColQidal). AH were
:in;gop^ shape, i^th^o. i^ beefs
Fear Slash
In Foreign
Aid Money
WASHINGTON —The shipping
industry may have to pull in its
belt another notch if the budget-
cutters get their way with the for
eign aid program.
The optimism six months ago
that foreign aid outlays would in
crease this year has been replaced
with fears that they may fall in
stead. The Administration has al
ready amended its foreign aid re
quests by a half billion dollars but
the Congressional economy bloc is
still not happy.
Proposed spending starting July
1, 1957, has been scaled down from
$4.3 billion to $3.8 billion, or just
about what it was for the fiscal
year, now ending. Congress ap
proved $3,766,000,000 for the vari
ous foreign aid programs last year.
Maritime Concerned
Since foreign aid shipments are
of vital concern to the maritime
industry, seamen ^nd shippers
alike are watching the budget bat
tle with special interest.
American ships are now carrying
barely 18 percent of all US foreign
commerce, so that foreign aid car
goes moved under the "50-50" law
hold more and more significance
for the industry every year. The 18
percent figure for 1956 represents
by itself an 18 percent decrease
from the 22 percent foreign com
merce total for US ships in 1955.
This considerable drop reinforces
the concern of shipping interests
for the future of the foreign aid
program and the "50-50" provision
under which these shipments^ go
overseas.
There is no argument either in
or out of the industry that foreign
aid has been a major factor prop
ping up the US merchant marine
for almost ten years.
Since 1948, and the start of the
original Marshall Plan for Europe,
some $46 billion has been distrib
uted by the US in the form of eco
nomic and military aid to friendly
nations all over the world. Thanks
to the "50-50" provision for which
the maritime unions put up the
major fight, approximately half of
this has gone abroad on American
ships.
USPHS Has Last
Say On Duty Slip
Under the SIU contract, US
Public Health Service doctors
have the final say on whether
or not a man is fit for duty. If
there is any question about
your fitness to sail, check with
the nearest USPHS hospital or
out-patient clinic for a ruling;t
'hf.iiif i "• II -I .1 I I • >-r'i -I' '-fill'
Pare Twelve SEAFARERS LOG May 24. 1957
Officers Are
No Gentlemen
On Washday
Ship's officers on the Del
Viento have added a new
wrinkle to the "two-pot"
washing system.
After lots of beefing by the SIU
crew about the old washer, the
company finally produced a new
one. But this machine was
promptly appropriated by topside
when the old washer was repaired.
Everyone wound up at least a lit
tle bit better off then when they
started, especially the officers.
Now, as if that wasn't enough,
the officers are
going a step fur
ther. You give a
guy a finger and
he'll try for the
whole arm next
time.
It seems now
the officers are
using both ma-
chines. "When
their clothes are
very dirty, they use the crew's
washer rather than the nice new
machine topside," ship's delegate
Weldon Smith pointed out. "They
don't mind sharing their dirt with
the crew at all," someone com
mented at the meeting.
How the officers get their
clothes so dirty is another matter.
May be they're just sloppy eaters.
'Sea-Spray' -By Seafarer Robert 'Red' Fink
*'Hold it, boy. I got you beat on seniority .
Smith
LOG-A.RHYTHM:
Final Departure
By C. Van Orden
I've stood the watch on barkentines
And mighty ships of steel,
Through sleet and snow and cy
clone blow,
With ice upon the wheel.
USPHS HOSPITAL
STATEN ISLAND, NY
Adolfo Aiiavitarte Thomas Koran
Edward .Anderson
John Bednar
Robert Beliveau
Isaac Blumenberg
Candldo Bonefont
Edw. T. Campbell
R. J. Cavanaugh
Howard B. Davis
P. P. Dolcndo
James H. Fisher
Richard V. Geiiing
Waiter J. Gill
Esteli Godfrey
Burl Haire
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
NEW YORK, NY
Loyd McGee
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAVANNAH, GA.
Cesar Izquierdo
Alfred Kaju
D. F. Kaziukewlcz
Ahmed Mehssin
Thomas Moncho
John O'Connor
C. Osinski
Frank S. Paylor
Jan Piorkowski
Eustaquio Rivera
Jose Rodriguez
Charles B. Hoosa
Jack E. Williams
Billie R. Meeks
H. T. Nungezer
Billie Padget
Alfred H. Smith
Troy Thomas
Hayward Veal
Albert Birt
E. G. Brewer
Louis Ccvetta
L. A. DeWitt
Edward K. Dooley
Jimmie Littleton
Wm. L. McLendon
USPHS HOSPITAL
MANHATTAN BEACH
BROOKLYN, NY
Manuel Antonana John Haas
Eladio Aris
Fortunato Bacomo
C. R. Barranco
Frank T. Campbell
John J. Driscoll
Robert E. Gilbert
William Guenther
Bart E. Guranick
-Archibald JIcGuigan George E. Renale
Winston E. Renny
Samuel B. Saunders
G. E. Shumaker
Kevin B. Skelly
Henry E. Smith
Stanley F. Sokol
Michael Toth
Harry S. Tuttle
Virgil E. Wlimoth
Pon P. Wing
H. C. Mclssac
B. J. Martin
Albert Martinelll
Vic Milazzo
Joaquin Miniz
Norman J. Moore
W. P. O'Dea
Ben Omar
George G. Phifer
G. A. Puissegur
James M. Quinn
USPHS HOSPITAL
SEATTLE, WASH.
G.^ E. .Anderson Ralph Martinez.^
Frank Benevento Carlos Rodriguez
Andrew H. Derrick
PENNSYLV.A.NIA HOSPITAL
PHILADELPHIA, P.A.
Richard H. Schemm
MONTEBELLO
CHRONIC DISEASE HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Francisco Bueno
USPHS HOSPITAL
BALTIMORE, MD.
Howard Hailey
Taib Hassen
Billy R. Hill
Thomas Isaksen
Ira H. Kilgore
Ludwig Krlstiansen
Frederick Landry
Leonard Leidig
Editor,
SEAFARERS LOG,
675 Fourth Ave.,
Brooklyn 32, NY
I would like to receive the
SEAFARERS LOG — please
3ut my name on your mailing
ist. (Print Information)
NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY ZONE....
STATE
TO AVOID DUPLICATION: If you
ore an old subscriber and have a
change of address, please give your
former address below:
ADDRESS
Mack Acosta
Joseph Arnold
Cleo Brown
Dominic Celano
Harold Clyatt
Victor B. Cooper
James R. Dayton
Anthony Ferrer
Thomas Finnerty
Thomas D. Foster
Guy G. Gage
Dan Gentry
Joseph Gill
Gorman T. Glaze
Percy Harrelson
James Haynes
Fred Holmes
Thomas C. Hopkins
Herman Kemp
Edw. F. McGowan
Walter A. Maas
Tony Mastantuno
Francisco Mayo
WUliam Mellon
Walter Mitchell
John C. Reed
Edward Roberts
Arthur Shaw
Thomas D. Harkins Wm. L. Williams
USPHS HOSPITAL
BOSTON, MASS.
Edw. F. Brouisard Wm. V. Kouzounas
Charles Dwyer George D. Rourke
USPHS HOSPITAL
GALVESTON, TEXAS
M. J. Birrane Peter Prokopuk
Ludolf Gaills Billy C. Ward
USPHS HOSPITAL
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
William Gargone George Martin
J. P. Barraco
John W. Bigwood
Virgil Coash
Cloise Coats
Serio M. DeSosa
William Driscoll
Alfredo Duarte
Lucie R. Elie
Herman Fruge
Jack Moore
Michael Muzio
Michael Pardur
Randolph RatcliR
F. Regalado
Toxie Sanford
WiUlam Scruggs
Erskin Sims
Toefil Smigielskl
Through nights that folks on shore
don't know
Beneath the star-lit skies,
I've stood behind that wooden
wheel
And watched her fall and rise.
I've steered by star.
And steered by shore.
By compass, and by moon,
I've been in wrecks and hurricanes
Two fires—and one typhoon.
I've stood upon the foc'sle
And rung that bell of brass,
To tell my mate upon the bridge
Of ships at night that pass.
I've seen the star-made Southern
Cross,
The blue Pacific moon,
I've seen the Arctic colors flash
When day was at the noon.
But now I stand my watch on shore
And pass the time each.day
Just waiting for another ship
That slowly drifts my way.
Of silver are this vessel's plates.
Her decks of gold are cast.
Of moonstones are her anchors
wrought.
There are angels a'fore her mast.
Her tiller's guided by the Lord,
Her port is heaven's door.
Where waits the-master sailor
Who waits on heaven's shore.
Hot Spot
George G. Gordano Wert Spencer
Elmer Groue
Joseph F. Harris
William Havelin
Maiden Hibbs
James Hudson
Oliver Kendrick
Edward G. Knapp
Leo Lang
William Lawless
James Lewis
L. A. Strickland
Gerald L. Thaxton
Lonnie R. Tickle
Pedro ViUabol
Dolphus Walker
Leslie Wilson
Justin T. Wolff
Clifford Wuertz
D_ G. Zerrudo
Jacob Zimraer
USPHS HOSPIT.AL
NORFOLK, VA.
Francis J. Boner Edward G. Morales
G. W. Culpepper WilUam J. Wolf#
USPHS HOSPITAL
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
John C. Carolan A. M. Milefski
Claude H. Gillian George R. Nichols
William H. Rogers
R. A. Stratham
James A. WaUer
CITY • •-
Kaj Hansen
Alexander Leiner
Newel D. Merrick
Michael Michalik
USPHS HOSPITAL
MEMPHl-S, TENN.
Claude F. Blanks
V A HOSPITAL
ALBERQUERQUE, NM
'Charles' Biirtoh
The man in motion Is Ray
Cuccia, chief laundryman on
the Del Norte, who has a hot
job and a hard one taking
care of the passengers' clothes
along the entire cruise route.
The photo by Lerpy Rinker was
sent in. by George McFall.
Oldtlmer Urges
Pals To Write
To the Editor:
I meant to write long ago but
just never got the pen in hand.
I receive each issue of the LOG
with eager hands and it always
seems the next issue will never
come.
I enjoy it ever so much and I
get a kick out of seeing ship
mates in the pictures now and
then. The SIU has always been
"the cream of the crop" and
letters To
The Editor
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
every seaman is forced to admit
it—like it or not.
The accomplishments of the
SIU since I left in 1952 are all
our dreams come true. The pro
gress is definitely unbelievable
and it's hard to believe—even
today. The Union has come so
very. far and is still way out
front. It makes my heart glad
and I enjoy all these things even
thouRh I am not with you.
I have been in and out of hos
pitals for some time since I was
unfortunate enough to get TB.
I transferred from the "Veterans
Hospital, Brecksville, Ohio, to
this address a few days ago, and
expect an operation in July. If
any of my old shipmates care
to write me I would be more
than glad to hear from them.
This place is the Edwin Shaw
Sanitorium, 2600 Sanitorium
Road, Akron 12, Ohio.
Enclosed is a dollar for an
other SIU lapel pin. I lost
mine in transferring here and
have searched everywhere for
it. I had it since 1947 and treas
ured it most highly. Congratu
lations again to all of you, I
wish I were with you now.
L. B. "Moonshine" Morgan
s. .J.
Raps Political
Push On Unions
To the Editor:
The big push is on against
unionism. .. Insidious p r o p a-
ganda is being spread through
out the country by anti-union
politicians and other groups.
Destructive criticism of un
ions is the keynote. The ob
jectives obvious; to create leg
islation that will infringe upon
our rights and take away the
control, freedom and benefits
we have today.
It was not an easy job to build
our Union to its present status.
It took the combined effort of
every Seafarer together with
our elected officers to make
it possible. Many years of
hard work will go down the
drain unless we act expeditious
ly, get solidly behind our Un
ion and block the union-busting
clique.
Knowing, personally, so many
of my Union brothers, I feel
safe In saying that we are not
inclined to feast on the mis
fortunes of others. The fair
ness of .our "trial committees"
backs us up on that score. It
is my opinion that now would
be an Opportune time to give a
vote of confidence to our official
representatives, by a rank and
file vote, and send a copy of
the results to Washington forth
with.
This could start a imited drive,
by the majority of reputable
unions, such as the SIU, that
would give us nation-wide pub
licity and also throw a monkey
wrench into the fast, careless
and ambiguous legislation now
in the making. Take note of
the 18 states that already have
statutes masked under the
"right to work" label for the
sole purpose of destroying all
unions and bringing us fully un
der Government control.
We have not forgotten the
effort put forth by the insur
ance companies to get our wel
fare plan into their offices.
That was another time where
the SIU proved itself. In my
judgment, that Was really the
beginning of the big push against
the labor movement. We all
know also that for a union to
remain healthy and .strong
enough to be heard it must con
tinue to organize. It is just as
important for a union to con
tinue its organizing campaigns
as it is for great industries to
keep their advertising and pub
licity campaigns active.
Just so, we must continue our
campaign and strive for new
contracts and new companies to
replace the jobs we may lose
through the natural course of
events.
I am confident that Seafarers
will not stand by idly. We know
what we have today. We have
faith in our Union and we will
not panic.
David S. Furman
if t •
Editor Rates
The LOG 'Tops'
To the Editor:
I would appreciate having my
name placed on your mailing
list. As editor of "The Service
Union Reporter," I frequently
find information in the SEA
FARERS LOG—which I see only
occasionally—that is of interest
to our readers.
Your publication is, unques
tionably, one of the best in the
whole labor field. In fact, it
compares favorably in both for-"
mat and content with the met
ropolitan dailies.
Would that the rest of the la
bor press could even come close
in matching the high degree of
professional competence evi
denced by your paper.
Bud Aronson
Editor
"The Service Union Reporter"
(Ed. note: "The Service Un
ion Reporter" is a publication of
Service and Maintenance Em
ployees Union Local 399 of the
AFL-CIO Building Service Em
ployees International Union, in
Los Angeles.)
i a-
Passenger Lauds
Gang On Arizpa
To the Editor:
This was written by a passen
ger, J. T. Preston, aboard the
Arizpa last summer. The crew
kind of liked the thought and
hoped that you would print it.
To the targo ship Arizpa
Which sails the briny deep.
And the men who take the
watch
While the passengers are
asleep;
To them we give our thanks
For the skill that they possess,
To guide us safely on our way
'Til at the dock ive rest.
But the greatest thing of all
Is the captain and his crew.
The way they make your wel
come
With the little things they do.
Soon we'll see our friends
And leave this friendly crew.
But to forget the ship Arizpa
Will be very hard to do.
Ship's .delegate
May 24. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Page ThirfreB
PORTMAR (Calmer Steamship Co.),
April 14—Chairman, E. Hasklns; Soe-
ratary, P. Schumacher. All hands to
set discharges from captain. They
were not given out after shipyard
time. Eiected new ship's delegate.
Suggest to have letter sent to head
quarters about grade of beef on
board ship. Hot dogs are green,
iteaks are tough.
department to paint the heads and
showers. Water cooler was turned off
due to l^ak In coil. The coil was
taken ashore and patched. It lasted
about five days and It is out of order
again. Chief engineer was told the
coil was worn out and should be re
placed, but he won't spend a dime.
ROBIN HOOD (Seas Shipping),
March 10—Chairman, H. Rosecrans;
Secretary, J. Morton. To elect ship's
delegate. Check slop chest require
ments at end of voyage. Steward
department rooms to be checked for
painting.
ROBIN MOWBRAY (Seas Shipping),
April 1—Chairman, N. Flowers; Sec
retary, A. Concalves. Noted a slight
error in the reported ship's fund net
of previous meeting and gave cor
rected amount of $25.37. Various
members agreed that gangway watch
man should note time winches are
turned on and off so that time can
be checked against log book. All mat
tresses and torn linen should be
turned to steward before arrival in
New York. Ail hands have asked the
steward to continue purchasing fresh
fruit.
ROBIN TRENT (Seas Shipping),
April 21—Chairman, J. Straka; Secre
tary, H. Clemens. Overtime dispute.
Turn in extra linen. Vote of thanks
to steward department for good job
done.
SEATRAIN GEORGIA (Seatrain),
April 27—Chairman, S. Charles. Sec
retary, A. Lambert. S16.96 in ship's
fund. Steward does not report to
ship's delegate when he does not get
stores he ordered. Crackers are stale.
Toor Easter menu. Menus in general
could be improved. Coffee to be made
In percalator instead of urn.
SEATRAIN LOUISIANA (Seatrain),
April 20—Chairman, S. Garcia; Secre
tary, Van Whitney. $21.39 in ship's
funds. New toothpick holders to be
made or ordered. New sugar canister
to be ordered by steward. Discussion
on messman.
SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY (Sea-
train), April 13—Chairman, W. Ed
wards; Secretary, F. Padrazo. Ail
Boiled linen to be turned in. Deck
engineer waiting for okay from chief
engineer to put lock on the controls
of air conditioner.
SEATRAIN SAVANNAH (Seatrain),
April 24—Chairman, J. Beye; Secre
tary, P. Wagner. $45 in ship's fund.
Elected ship's delegate. Suggested
that new screens be placed in all
rooms. A vote of thanks to the stew
ard department for fine Easter din
ner. Steward asked all men to turn
In all soiled linen.
SEATRAIN TEXAS (Seatrain), April
93—Chairman, J. Monash; Secretary,
R. Poppan. $64.20 in ship's funds.
Elected ships delegate. Gave outgo
ing delegate vote of thanks for Job
well done. Had old washing machine
replaced.
STEEL AGE (Isthmian), March 13—
Chairman, J. Samsel; Secretary, R.
Obldei. $50 given to chief cook when
hospitalized from ship's fund. All
Stores needed for trip will be picked
up In Hawaii.
trip. All departments should help
clean up slop sink. Mate will pass
out slips to Indicate total slops and
draws. Will see patrolman about poor
regulation of heat and ventilation
Ttie pantryman will clean the drink
ing fountain in future-.
GUEENSTON HEIGHTS (Seatrade),
April i—Chairman, Y. Coy; Secre
tary, C. Shivery. New delegate elect
ed. Food shortage at mealtime. Sug
gestion made to soogce messroom.
Chief steward to take this up with
captain. Someone threw the cribbage
board and cards over the side. Ship's
delegate to sec captain about replac
ing the broken cots and also about
the mall laying in Singapore and be
ing sent to some future port. Deck
CUBORE (Ore), April 17—Chairman,
A. Rosen; Secretary, E. Morris. All
men should be considerate of the
next man to use the laundry by'
cleaning and rinsing the tubs after
they are through.
STEEL MAKER (Isthmian), April 19
—Chairman, L. Guellnitz; Secretary,
L. Mitchell. Election of ship's dele
gate. $9.05 in ship's fund. Keep all
screen doors locked in India ports.
Spray all quarters and messrooms, to
exterminate roaches. Vote of thanks
given to steward dept. for fine menus.
STEEL WORKER (Isthmian), April
7—Chairman, S. Furtado; Secretary,
H. Kllmon. Fresh milk and fruit
picked up In Durban. Captain Intends
to turn a couple of men over to the
Coast Guard. $5.25 spent during voy
age. $37.42 on hand. Gear locker
should - not be' itoed for cargo next
STEEL CHEMIST (Isthmian), April
t—Chairman, J. Norgard; Secretary
W. Gillespie. $5.20 in ship's fund.
Steward asked about glass and cup
shortage. Replied they were broken
Shortage of food brought to atten
tion of patrolman. Complaint made
about steward telling -. the captain
things about the crew. Washing ma
chine in bad shape. Light in wash
room blew out and chief engineer
refused to fix It. Noise in passage
ways to cease, while watch standees
are sleeping. Suggest that library
books be turned in at end of voyage,
Patrolman to find out if chief mate
is authorized to go through foc'sles,
The ship's delegate to accompany cap
tain on all shakedowns. Captain has
posted notices and warnings from
time to time on voyage, making crew
look illiterate. A vote of thanks given
to ship's delegate for job well done.
STEEL NAVIGATOR (Isthmian)
March 3—Chairman, L. Feed; Secre
tary, F. Horsy. Mailing situation dis
cussed. Rusty water to be brought to
attention of patrolman. Disputed
overtime. $21 in ship's fund. Mem
hers to volunteer contributions. Vote
of thanks to steward department.
Cots to be turned in.
SUZANNE (Bull), April 10—Chair
man, R. Velllnga; Secretary, F. Fark-
sr. Discussion to get timer for wash
ing machine. To be ordered by chief
electrician. All crew members to
keep showers and heads locked up
In port.
April 21—Chairman, L. Richardson;
Secretary, D. Gardner. Shortages in
steward stores. Discussion concern
Ing shortage. Steward called upon to
explain. He said there was 60 days
stores aboard when the ship left
States. Cooks given a vote of thanks.
Messman asks for quiet while serving.
THE CABINS (Texas City Refinery),
March 23—Chairman, E. MInyard; Sec
retary, F. NIgro. $10 in treasury.
Election of new ship's delegate.
April 7—Chairman, T. Wallace; Sec
retary, F. NIgro. $10 to be used to
pay captain for call to Union hall.
See captain about stowing lines below
and off fantail, also about salt tab
lets. Cots will be issued as soon as
steward receives them.
WESTERN RANGER (North Atlantic
Marine), Jan. 12—Chairman, D. White;
Secretary, J. Powers. Declare all
American money in Karachi. All ciga
rettes but one carton to be turned
in. No troubles to be taken to cap
tain: all beefs to come through dele
gate. $8.50 in ship's fund. Deck en
gineer lost $165 in American money.
Suggested whoever took money should
return it. Itingerprint man to be
called if it is not returned. Sugges
tion made to pay expert from ship's
fund.
March 11—Chairman, C. NIckerson;
Secretary, W. Bunthoft. $8.50 in ship's
fund. The chief cook made speech
about difference in cooking with coal
and modern galleys. Bosun com
plained that saloon had catsup and
crew had none. Ehitire crew gave
vote of thanks to steward department
for their fine service.
April 14—Chairman, R. Henke; Sec
retary, C. NIckerson. $8.50 in ship's
fund. Crew gave vote of thanks to
night cook, baker and messman.
Electric fans for forecastles and new
ice box for the crew.
YORKMAR (Calmer), April 19 —
Chairman, E. Burke; Secretary, N.
Paine. $16.22 in ship's fund. Discus
sion on coal beef.
JOHN C. (Atlantic Carriers), April
21—Chairman, M. Barton; Secretary,
R. Agular. Refrigeration plant went
out of order a day before arrival In
Peru. Ship to pull in port to straight
en cargo. Endangering crews' life.
Suggestion made to collect $1 from
each member to have in ship's fund
for any brother that is left behind
for illness.
KATHRYN (Bull), April 15—Chair
man, A. Genzales; Secretary, W. Ortiz.
$6 In ship's fund. To appropriate a
lock for laundry. New padlock with
keys for pantry to be given to de
partment delegate. ,
LAKE GEORGE (USFC), March 31—
Chairman, F. Cohn; Secretary, Brown.
Quarters painted. $15 in ship's fund.
Mail situation poor. Beef about unau
thorized overtime in stewards depart
ment. Food situation very bad. Cap
tain refuses to recognize all delegates
on travelers' checks. Medical atten
tion very poor.
LONGVIEW VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), March 31—Chairman, J. Dunn;
Secretary, L. Meyers. Talk of last
trips troubles. Crew to hold down
on drinking. Crew happier than last
trip. $19 in ship's fund. New wringer
for washing machine never received.
Steward department to clean recrea
tion room. Laundry room to be
cleaned by engine and deck depart
ments. Key to crew pantry will be
left, with gangway watch. Men to
ke p all cooks out.
MANKATO VICTORY (Victory Car
riers), .\prll 14—Chairman, R. Wright;
Secretai r, J. Long. Only two rooms
left to I aint. Draw to be given to
morrow. Captain and chief mate
leaving sh. i at end of voyage. $33 In
ship's fund Vote of confidence given
to steward and department for ex
cellent cooking and service. Every
body is happy and Its a pleasant voy
age. Not one beef against steward
department for past two voyages.
New wringer needed Jor washing ma
chine. . Three new chairs for mess-
rooms.
'SHUTTER-BUGS' ON THE JOB.. n
Show Seafarers In Action
Soaking up some sunshine (left) on the Seatrain Louisiana are Pete Garza, wiper (left) and Glen,
deck engineer. In center, an AB on the Fiomar concentrates on the wheel whUe Tom Ulisse's camera
does its work. Down In engine room on Citrus Packer (right), SIU man William £. Stephens, (left),
who's making first trip as 3rd engineer, and oiler William Cachola poke around with fiashlight.
Just ashore from Lewis Emery Jr. in Otaru, Japan (above), Fred
Hicks, steward; Pancho Villa, AB, and Dave Rivers, OS, almost
seem to be treading water. They kept their end up though, mak
ing the most of long-awaited shoreleave. At right, Lee Harvey,
DM, la all rigged to go aloft and paint the. mast of the Citrua
Pecker. All thp Packer photos were turned in by Jose Santiago.-
f.,». • • ^-Ji 1- ^
f»f Fonrfeen SEAFARERS LOG May 24, 1957
Draws Hold Key To 'Good Trip'
Union Has
Cable Address
Seafarers overseas who want
to get In touch with headquar
ters in a hurry can do so by
cabling the Union at its cable
address, SEAFARERS NEW
YORK.
Use of this address will assure
speedy transmission on all mes
sages and faster service for the
men involved.
A smooth trip and good ports kept spirits high on the Jean Lafitte.
At left, in Osaka, (I to r) are Seafarers Bob Frazier, AB; Bill LeVeen,
AB, and John MacAvoy, 3rd cook, with a Japanese miss who
helped show them the sights. Aboard ship, Paul Zellner, DM (left),
and Ernie Cruz make up a twosome.
One of the best ways to check a report about a trip is to
look over the draw list. If the draws run heavy, it's pretty
certain the ship ran into some good ports along the way.
This must have been the-t
case with the Jean Lafitte on
a trip out to the Far East.
"Everyone had a good time and
the draw list verifies this," com-
SIU, A&G District
BALTIMORE 1216 E. Baltimore St.
Earl Sheppard, Agent EAstern 7-4900
BOSTON 276 State St.
James Sheehan. Agent Richmond 2-0140
HOUSTON 4202 Canal St.
A. Michelet, Agent Capital 7-65S8
LAKE CHARLES. La 1419 Ryan St.
Leroy Claike, Agent HEmlock 6-5744
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Cal Tanner. Agent • HEmlock 2-1754
MORGAN CITY 012 Front St.
Tom Gould. Agent Phono 2156
NEW ORLEANS 523 Bienville St.
Lindsey Williams. Agent Tulane 8626
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6600
NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.
Ben Rees. Agent MAdison 2-9834
PHILADELPHIA 337 Market St.
S. Cardullo. Agent Market 7-1635
PUERTA de TIERRA PR 101 Pelayo
Sal Colls. Agent Phone 2-5996
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
Marty Breithoff. Agent Douglas 2-5475
SAVANNAH 8 Abercorn St.
E. B. McAuley. Agent Adams 3-1728
SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Jeff Gillette. Agent Elliott 4334
TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.
Tom Banning. Agent Phone 2-1323
WILMINGTON. Calif 505 Marine Ave.
Reed Humphries. Agent Terminal 4-2874
HEADQUARTERS.. .675 4th Ave.. Bklyn.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paul Hall
ASST. SECRETARY-TREASURERS
J. Algina. Deck C. Simmons. Joint
J. Volpian. Eng. W. HaU. Joint
E. Mooney. Std. R. Matthews, Joint
SUP
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.
Phone 5-8777
PORTLAND 211 SW Clay St.
CApital 3-4336
RICHMOND, Calif....510 Macdonald Ave.
BEacon 2-0925
SAN FRANCISCO 450 Harrison St.
SEATTIE S?.H?'?®,2-®363 SEATTLE 2505 1st Ave.
Main 0290
Burty —
WILMINGTON 505 Marine Ave.
Terminal 4-3131
NEW YORK 675 4th Ave.. Brooklyn
HYacinth 9-6165
Canadian District
HALIFAX. N.S 128t4 HolUs St.
Phone 3-8911
MONTREAL 634 St. James St. West
FLateau 8161
FORT WILLIAM 130 Simpson St.
Ontario Phone: 3-3221
PORT COLBORNE 103 Durham St.
Ontario Phone; 5591
TORONTO, Ontario 272 King St. E.
EMpirs 4-5719
VICTORIA, BC 61714 Cormorant St.
EMpire 4531
VANCOUVER, BC 298 Main St.
Pacific 3468
SYDNEY, NS 304 Charlotte St.
Phone: 6346
BAGOTVILLE. Quehee 20 Elgin St.
Phone: 545
THOROLD, Ontario 53 St. Davids St.
CAnal 7-3202
QUEBEC 85 St. Pierre St.
Quebec Phone: 3-1569
SAINT JOHN 85 Germain St.
NB Phone: 2-5232
Great Lakes District
ALPENA 1215 N. Second Ave.
Phone: 713-J
BUFFALO, NY 180 Main St.
Phone: Cleveland 7391
CLEVELAND 734 Lakeside Ave., NE
Phone: Main 1-0147
DETROIT 1038 3rd St.
Headquarters Phone: Woodward 1-6057
DULOTH 531 W. Michigan St.
Phone: Randolph 2-4110
SOUTH CHICAGO 3261 E. 92nd St.
Phone: Essex 5-2410
ments ship's reporter William Le
Veen.
As a starter, the Lafitte spent 14
days unloading lumber at Inchon,
Korea. "Most of the men went
ashore," said LeVeen, "and 'Whis
key Mary' did a landoffice busi
ness. While cheeking one day I
found 22 men in her 'sitting room'
sipping alcoholic beverages and
listening to an old Victrola play
the same song over and over again.
Seoul Not Bad
"A couple of us went over to
Seoul to look over the sights and
found it a much better place with
many more diversions. The only
drawback was that it takes almost
two hours to get there . . ."
One unhappy note marred the
Korean stay, howevw, when a boat
load of native longshoremen hit the
anchor-chain of the USNS Herkimer
and capsized. Thirty-eight of the
48 longshoremen who were to work
that ship were drowned. Most of
the ships in the harbor took up a
collection for the families of the
deceased, LeVeen noted.
Weather Rough
Yokohama and Osaka, Japan,
which were further along on the
itinerary, also provided their share
of good times, "but now it's all
over but the memories. The
weather has been awful . . . con
tinuous rain and fog plus rough
seas. But here on deck we have
everything all cleaned up and ship
shape, so we should have a smooth
payoff. J. Touart is ship% delegate
and is doing a fine Job."
A final note reveals that the
Lafitte is bringing home three sea
men who were in Japanese hos
pitals. Although no names are
mentioned, the word is that all
three are SIU men and in good
spirits.
Urges Aid For
House Patients
To the Editor:
I would like to recommend to
the trustees of the SIU Welfare
Plan an addition to the benefits
now in force which I and other
brothers feel should be in
cluded.
Under the present set-up, a
man's wife or dependents must
be an in-patient of a hospital to
receive any benefits. But there
are many who, though they are
not hospitalized, are weighed
letters To
The Editor
All letters to the editor for
publication in the SEAFAR
ERS LOG must be signed
by the writer. Names will
be withheld upon request.
down with bills for clinics and
doctors. Some are confined to
bed in their own homes, but
must be visited by the doctor
quite often.
People under a doctor's care
for a long time, even though
they're not in the hospital, are
often sorely taxed to meet ex
penses for medicine and other
care. A short time in the hos
pital is bad enough, but con
tinuous doctors' visits, whether
one is able to go to the doctor's
office or he comes to your home,
many times proves more costly
than an operation or a couple
of weeks in a hospital.
Thus, I feel some provision
should be made to assist a
member whose wife or depen
dents is so burdened. Let's
have some views on this.
John Jellette
4" 4> J"
Sees Organizing
Key To Progress
To the Editor:
Today I visited with a fine old
British ship, the SS Tongariro.
This fine old freighter was built
in 1925, so there was some talk
of scrapping her, but she's still
a seaworthy old scow and ply
ing the high seas as good as
ever.
She is on a regular run to
Australia and New Zealand, but
has some cargo destined for tho
Atlantic Coast, too. In fact,
she's bound for Canada right
now.
They've certainly got a good
crew aboard. The ship itself is
very well kept, and she's a
feeder, too. The steward de
partment is run very well under
the direction of Ronnie Ingold,
chief " steward. Speaking of
Ronnie, our chief stewards have
a racket compared to the reg
ular duties of this guy. Aside
from the normal duties of the
job, he also takes care of all the
books aboard, sells wines, spirits
and beer, • takes care of the
slopchest, overtime, etc., etc.
He has a ten-man departipent,
but needless to say, he's indis
pensable.
All of the men are pitifully
underpaid. I don't see why
these guys don't wise Up and
compel the shipowners to give
them a decent wage and better
fringe benefits. It's a shame to
see the older fellows wasting
their lives away aboard these
ships with no future in store
for them.
We who have the benefits over
here should appreciate our hard-
won agreements and the varied
welfare benefits. Those poor
fellows have a long way to go
before they can realize all of
these advantages. .
However, with a iittle fore
sight, every foreign ship that
comes in contact with American
ships, especially in American
waters, has the opportunity to
see how good American team
work and hard-fighting unions
have made top gains. They can
take a lesson from these condi
tions and organize more.
I know the doors are always
open to interested groups of
bona fide seamen to come into
our SIU halls, talk with our
representatives and members
and see the wonderful strides
that have been made.
I'm a firm believer in union
organization. I know that, as a
start, if the organizing commit
tees of American unions would
take it upon themselves to assist
these foreign-flag ships to get
proper representation, the day
would not be too far off when
better conditions would prevail
not only for them but for all
seamen.
Hal George Horowitz
a.- i
Offers Thanks
To Alice Brown
To the Editor:
I'd appreciate it very much
if you would extend my thanks
to the crew and captain of the
SS Alice Brown for their kind
ness upon the death of my
mother. She died in Mobile on
May 8, 1957.
Our family deeply appreciated
the flowers and expressions of
sympathy by these shipmates.
James L. Danzey
ai 4 ft
Hails SIU For
Housing Assist
To the Editor:
May I at this time give a vote
of thanks to the Union and the
officials of the SIU welfare de
partment for the way they
helped us when we were on the
brink of losing our home.
Thanks to them, we are
secure in our home today.
The way they came to our aid
was fabulous. The men of the
SIU may well be proud, and
the wives and families secure in
knowing that we have such a
Union to protect us.
J. Moynihan
By Bernard Seaman
May 21. 1957 SEAFARERS LOG Page Fifteem
Jimmie Hicks
Get in touch with your mother
at 65 East Haig Ave., Prichard, Ala.
^ S« 4i
Steve SloneskI
Hank wants you to contact him.
if 4" 4i •
Ex-SS Madaket
Members of the crew present
during an accident to dayman
Eobert F. Kennedy while securing
number 2 hatch in Tampa, before
sailing for Mobile on March 10,
1957, are asked to contact Barney
B. Brown, 328 Market St., Camden,
NJ.
if if if
Ex-SS The Cabins
The following named men are
entitled to lodging allowance from
time in drydock in Baltimore and
should request it from Texas City
Beflning, Inc., PO Box 1271, Texas
City, Texas:
Elbert C. Brock, MM, 3 days;
Lyles Di Branson, wiper, 2 days;
Ernest Chapman, utility, 2 days;
Lloyd Gunnells, FWT, 3 days;
William G. Moore, DM, 3 days;
Damon A. Newsome, AB, 3 days;
Robert C. Schahuber, oiler, 3 days.
if if if
Mack O-NeUI
Get in- touch with your wife,
Beatrice, at Route No. 2, LaFol-
lette, Tenn. Urgent.
t
Walter Gustavson
Contact Peter F. Patrick, Sea-
train Savannah, c/o Seatrain Lines,
Inc., 711 Third Ave., New York 17,
NY.
if ^ i,
Don Wagner, please contact
George Fargo at 517 Woodnor
Court, New Brunswick, NJ. His
plione number is Kilmer 5-9331.
if if - i-
George E. King
Kindly contact Charles Macbeth
c/o Townsite Realty Ltd., 71 Front
Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia,
concerning your property there.
Curranism: A Sleazy Technique
(Continued from page 2)
membership has never been able to get a straight
forward story. Curran and the facts are simply in
compatible.
The record is clear that whenever anybody dis
agrees with Curran, inside the NMU or outside it,
that individual or group is immediately branded liar,
stupid, prejudiced, crooked and gutless or variations
on the same theme.
Why does Curran persist on this tack in every sit
uation long after it has become obvious to everyone
that the slogans have no air of reality whatsoever?
The ansv/er lies in the Curran "cult of personality"
—^the-pitifully self-deluding picture of an imaginary
superman who can never admit any deviation from
Infallibility. If we were to believe Joe Curran,
then Joe Curran is always 100 percent. But the only
thing that he has been 100 percent on is in his dis
tortions, his opportunism, his use of Stalinist tech
niques and his consistent evasion of the truth.
All of the following SIU families have received a $200 maternity '
benefit plus a $25 bond from the Union in the baby's name:
Harry Monahan, born March 22,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Harry
Monahan, Jex-sey City, NJ.
if if if
Robert Lee Hathcock, bom
March 4, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs,
Robert L. Hathcock, Florence, SC.
if if i
• Lou Camile DuRapau, born
1
TO SHIPS IN ATIANTIC • SOUTH AMERICAN • EUROPEAN WATERS
¥HE FIRST DIRECT VOICE
BROADCAST TO SHIPS' CREWS
•VEST SHHBAY • 1610 CMT
Foics 0f Md MTP,
t
iili
lllpipi
iPil
iiii
WFK-39,19S50KCs
Shlpi In Caribbean,
Eatt Coatt ol South
America, South Atlantic
and Eait Cooit •!
United Stotet.
WH-6S. 15150 KCS
Shlpt In SuK ef Mix-
Ico, Caribbean. Weil
Ceait el South Amer*
lea, Weil Coait al
Mexico and US Eon
Ccau.
WFK-95,15700 KCi
Shlpi In Mediterranean
areo, Narth Atlantic,
European and US Ecit
Caail.
58®
UP-TO*THB-MINUTI
UNION AND MARITIME
NEWS
f ' S '
BROUOHT TO YOU BY THE DEEP SEA UNIONS OP THE
MARIflMi fRAMS PIPARTMINfi
SlU-AftG DISTRICT-SUP•MFOW'MCS'ROU-MM&P-BME-SIU-CANADIAN DISTRia
Meanwhile, MTD
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Wireless Broadcasts gi
Continue. e • 11
\ |"EVERY SUNDA^ 1915 GMrj^^Y C./MVIPIAY nnic rtri
1 I (2:13 PM £Sr Sunday) J • • furopo and North Amtrica
WCO-.13020 KCo
lost Coast South Amorica
WCO-16908.8 KCo
Wost Coast South Amorica
WCO>2240r KCo
I
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f
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(10; 15 PM EST Sunday)
Australia
WMM 25-15607 KCs
Nbrthwost Pacific
WMM 81-11037.5
AFL-CIO Body
Gets Full Coal
Beef Report April 13, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. William A. DuRapau, .Hous
ton, Tex.
if i i
Susan Patricia Culbertson, born • proposal.
April 21,.. 1957, to Seafarer and | President Meany explained to
Mrs. Thomas G. Culbertson, Gov-1 the Council that he had x-eceived
(Continued from page 2)
MMU, however, rejected the Meany
ington, La._
i if i
Thomas Joseph Benson, born
May 8, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
William J. Benson, Brooklyn, NY.
if if if
Dani Joan Blakeslee, born April
20, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Wil
liam A. Blakeslee, Pinellas Paxk,
Fla.
i i if
Cynthia Lyime Danne, born May
I, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
Adolph L. Danne, Mobile, Ala.
if ii if
Eddie A. Patingo, Jr., born April
20, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Ed
die A. Patingo, New Orleans, La.
if i i
Linda Lou Mays, born March 27,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Law
rence T. Mays, Branchville, Ala.
if i if
Lorrie Lane Morrison, born
April 19, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. C. A. Morrison, Seattle, Wash.
it i 'i
Vahe Katros, bora Januai-y 5,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Theo
dore Katros, San Francisco, Calif.
if if i
Natalia Muentes, born April 16,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Asterio
D. Muentes, New Orleans, La.
i if if
Bert M. Winfield, born February
6, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Bert
M. Winfield, Norfolk, Va.
if if if
Denise Ann Chlanese, born April
II, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs.
James O. Chlanese, Brooklyn, NY.
i 4
Patrick Wherrlty, boxm March
20, 1957, to Seafarer and Mx-s.
Francis Wherrlty, Philadelphia, Pa.
if 4 • 4
Harry Branson Reynolds, born
February 10, 1957, to Seafax-er and
Mrs. William H. Reynolds, Win
chester, Pa.
4 4 4
Madeline Julie St. Germain,
born December 18, 1958, to Sea
farer and Mrs. Gleason G. St. Ger
main, Westwego, La.
4 4 4
Damaso C. Espinal, born March
13, 1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Da
maso Cruz, Trujillo AUo, PR.
4 4 4
Guy Emory Banister, born No
vember 14, 1956, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Robert Z. Banister, New Or
leans, La.
4 4 4
Gloria Guzman, born January 12,
1957, to Seafarer and Mrs. Pedro
Guzman, Brooklyn, NY.
4 4 4
Randy Lewis Francis, born
March 23, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Lewis H. Francis, Danville,
Va.
4 4 4
Timothius St. Cloud Bird, born
January .18, 1957, to Seafarer and
Mrs. Janfes Bird, ^Ullmore, Ga..
conflicting opinions on the legal
ramifications of the SIU charges
against the company at the Na
tional Relations Board. In face of
these eoixflicting opinions, Presi
dent Meany said his position was
that the SIU should not have filed
its complaint. He said, however,
that several AFL-CIO unions—^in
cluding some represented on the
council—had taken similar action
in other instances although he did
i not feel any were correct in doing
:S0.
1 In presenting the SIU position,
I Hall said that the SIU had accepted
President Meaixy's proposal at the
February 21 meeting that it with
draw its NLRB complaint and fully
recognize the NMU agreement
with American Coal, even though
it was a difficult decision for the
SIU to make. The decision to with
draw was made in the interests of
the Federation and out of respect
for President Meany. In turn. Hall
i-ecalled, Meany's proposal called
upon the NMU to support the li
censed AFL-CIO officers in their
beef against American Coal.
(The SIU charges against the
company were the only means it
had available to protect the inter
ests of the Union against discrimi
nation. The company instituted
legal proceedings against SIU and
the licensed AFL-CIO officers-
unions and succeeded in obtaining
injunctions which barred economic
action^.
Hall told the Council that with
respect to the coal beef Curran had
again—as he had in the New York
watex-front fight—taken a position
contrary to that laid down by the
AFL-CIO. This time, Hall said. Cur
ran is allied with Distx-ict 50 of the
United Mine Workers against the
MEBA and the MM&P, the li
censed AFL-CIO officers' uixlons.
Curran, Hall said, had betrayed the
united labor movement "by stab
bing us In the back In the water
front fight." Again in the coal beef.
Hall said Curran had betrayed the
movement by tieing up with John
L. Lewis and his company uixlon
against the AFL-CIO officers-
unions.
If Curran can continue to betray
the movement In this fashion and
still be sustained, then you have a
situation amounting to "a double
standard," HaU said.
The NMU position before the
Council was essentially a reitera
tion of Its blast against the SIU
for taking action before the NLRB.
Shorthanded?
If a crewmember quits while
a ship is in port, delegates
are asked to contact the hall
immediately for a replace
ment. Fast action on their part
will keep all jobs aboard ship
filled at all times and elimL
nate the chance of the ship
sailing shorthanded. ,
SEAFARERS LOG
• OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE SEAFAR ERS INTERNATIONAL UNION • ATLANTIC AND GULF DISTRICT • AFL-CIO •
ijk-
1,300 Seafarers Benefit
From Family Hospital Aid
The second anniversary of the Seafarers family benefit program comes up one
from tomorrow with over 1,300 Seafarers receiving approximately $200,000 of direct w, , O WJ. VC^A.WV..«
ance toward payment of hospital and surgical bills for children, wives and parents,
dition, the program has been
week
assist-
In ad-
of-material assistance to dis
abled Seafarers who also
qualify for these benefits aside
from their $35 weekly disability-
pension.
It was on June 1, 1955, that the
family benefit program went into
effect covering hospital room and
board, hospital extras, surgical care
and doctors' calls at the hospital.
In its initial stages, the program
was limited to wives and unmarried
children under 19. Benefits for
hospital treatment were limited to
a 31-day stay at the time.
Dependent Parents Covered
Last September, the SIU port
agents' conference proposed a
number of improvements in the
program, among which was a pro
posal to include dependent parents
of Seafarers. The improvements
were put forth by the Union repre
sentatives at a trustees meeting of
the Seafarers Welfare Plan and
adopted by the trustees. Dependent
parents, step-parents and foster
parents of Seafarers were included
where supported by the Seafarer
for the oast five years. The 31-day
limit on hospital room and board
benefits was waived so as to provide
coverage for severe and chronic
illnesses which tended to run up
huge bills for Seafarers. To further
soften the burden, the trustees
voted an additional $100 in hospital
extras for dependents in the hospi
tal past the 31-day period.
Figures compiled by the Welfare
Plan through April 30, 1957, one
month short of two years, show
that in 1,262 cases Seafarers re
ceived a total of $188,813.77 in
benefits to cover hospital and
surgical costs. The May figures,
while necessarily incomplete, are
certain to push the number of pay
ments over 1,300 and the cash out
lay past the $200,000 mark.
$50 Deductible
The dependents' benefit program
calls for Seafarers to pay the first
$50 of hospital charges, with the
W^elfare Plan picking up the rest
of the tab up to the $10 daily
maximum and up to $100 in hospi
tal extras. When the stay runs over
31 days, an additional $100 in
extras is provided.
Doctors' visits to the hospital are
also covered at the rate of $4 a day
SF Foresees
Fair Shipping
SAN FRANCISCO—There has
been little change in Job activity
for Seafarers in this area during
the past period. Shipping has con
tinued to be fair and should re
main so for at least the next pe
riod.
The Ames Victory (Victory) paid
off and signed on while the
Raphael Semmes and Kyska (Wat
erman) also signed on. The Topa
Topa (Waterman), Ocean Eva
(Ocean Transport), Steel Navi
gator and Steel Fabricator (Isth
mian) were in port diming the last
two weeks to he serviced.
First to benefit from newly-added dependent parents aid lost
fall was Mrs. Elizabeth Van Vynck, Long Island Gity, NY. She's
shown with son. Seafarer Ed Van Vynclc.
Family of Seafarer Ed Singletary of New Orleans had four tonsil
lectomies in 1955 under SIU family hospital-surgical plan. Left to
right in 1955 photo are Mrs. Singletary; Carol, Felicine, Donna
and Ruth, who had tonsils yanked, plus Marie and Zada. All
were covered by the SIU program.
4
Breakouts End, Isthmian
Last To Gain Approval
WASHINGTON—The SlU-contracted Isthmian Steamship
Company was the last to get under the wire as the Federal
Maritime Board announced that the reserve fleet breakout is
now over. The FMB adopted'*" —
an examiners' decision which
declared there is no need to
for 31 days, while surgical benefits
are paid according to a fixed
schedule up to a maximum of $300.
Maternity benefits are not cov
ered by the hospital-surgical pro
gram since tlTe separate $200 ma
ternity payment already provides
for these cases.
Eligibility for the family hospi-
tal-.surgical plan is based on the
usual Welfare Plan requirement
that the Seafarer have 90 days' sea-
time in the previous calendar year
plus one day in the past 90 on SIU
ships. Enrollment cards for list
ing members of the family who are
eligible are available at all SIU
halls.
Germans Seek US
Coal-Fired Libertys
WASHINGTON—A bill has been proposed in the Senate
for the sale of 24 Government owned, coal-burning Liberty-
type vessels to German citizens.
The measure, proposed by^
Senators Smathers of Flprida,
and Cotton of New Hamp
shire, would authorize the Secre
tary of Commerce to sell, within
a 12 month period, not more than
24 of the cdal-burners to the
YOUR
SEAFARERS WELFARE PLAN
I
Death
Benefit
"J Starting July 1, 1950,
I with a $500 payment, the
I death benefit has been in-
I creased several times
I since then to the present
I $4,000 level. Over $1<
750,000 has been paid
out to Seafarers' next of
kin under this benefit
alone. The seatime re
tirements, like those
for most -SIU benefits,
call for 90 days in the
previous calendar year
and one day in the past
90 on SlU-contracted
vessels.
SEAFARERS
INT'L UNION,
A&G DISTRICT
Deutsch Amerikanischa Kohlen
Transport Gesselschaft (American-
German Coal Transport Company).
This bill is just one more in a
long list of proposals for the sale
of Government reserve Libertys to
foreign nations. So far a number
of countries have received Ameri
cans vessels under the Ship Sales
Act of 1946. Among them were
Brazil, Korea, and the Philippines.
Guatemala, India, Pakistan,
Turkey, Mexico and Peru have, or
had, billsh before Congress for simi
lar authorization. The latest pro
posal was for the sale of 15 ships—
eight Liberty cargo ships, one
Liberty tanker, four C-ls and two
"Victorys—to Guatemala.
Although most of these sales
were conditioned to their use only
in trade along the coast of the pur
chasing nation, it has been found
that some vessels sold to the
Philippines have been used in the
offshore trade.
Conditions of the sale are that
the vessels will limit their use to
the transportation of coal pur
chased in the US to the Federal
Republic of Germany, and other
friendly Western European Coun
tries. In that ruti they would be
competing with a dwindling num
ber of US tramps.
The ves'sels are to pick up the
coal here, deposit it Jn Europe and
return to the US in ballast. They
are not to carry any cargo into the
United States.
The resolution, as offered by
Senator Smathers, is based on the
obsoleteness of coal-burning Lib
ertys which have little or no value
for defense purposes.
break out any more Government
ships for the carriage of coal ex
ports or Government-sponsored
grain cargoes. The examiner's
ruling comes after a period of de
clining freight rates for coal and
other bulk cargoes, indicating that
there are enough ships available
at the present time to handle cargo
needs. The reopening of the Suez
Canal undoubtedly contributed to
the decision to discontinue the
breakouts.
Eight Ships Approved
Isthmian had previously received
approval to charter eight Govern
ment Victorys for its Persian Gulf
and India berth services. It has al
ready selected two of the ships, the
Belgium Victory and the Selma
Victory from the James River and
Hudson River reserve fleets. How
ever, both of these ships will not
be ready until September.
To get its berth service started.
Isthmian is getting two other Vic
torys, the Wesley Victory and
Plymouth Victory which were orig
inally assigned to State .Marine
Lines. States Marine-will turn the
two ships over to Isthmian as they
have already been in the yards for
overhaul and are to be ready for
service shortly. One of them will
come out in mid-June and the
other in the first week of July.
• Additional Victorys will be se
lected at a later date to cover the
remainder of its needs.
Use Only One
Mail Address
Seafarers with beefs regard
ing slow payment of monies due
from various operators in back
wages and disputed overtime
should first check whether they
have a proper mailing address
on file with the company. SIU
headquarters officials point out
that reports received from sev
eral operators show checks have
been mailed to one address
while a beef on the same score
is sent from another, thus ere- ,
ating much difficulty in keeping
accounts straight.