Seafarers Log: Vol. 9 No. 13 (1947-03-28)

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Official Organ of the Atlantic and Gulf and Great Lakes Districts, Seafarers International Union of North America

VOL. IX. NEW YORK. N. Y.. FRIDAY. MARCH 28. 1947 No. 13

MAKING PLANS FOR THE SEAFARERS

\ * '

The first Convention of the Seafarers International Union of North America since 1944 is
being held this week in Chicago. Representing the Atlantic and Gulf Districts, the Sailors Union
of the Pacific, the Great Lakes District, the American Merchant Marine Staff Officers Associa­
tion, and the British Columbia Seamen's union, are the Brothers pictured above. Front row, left
to right. Earl Smith. John Mogan. Harry Lundeberg. R. D. Thompson, and Charles Brenner. Sec­
ond row, in the usual order, John Massey. W. H. Simmons, Bob Dombroff. Sonny Simmons. Paul
Hall, Morris Weisberger, and Ed Coester. Rear row. L to R. Red Gibbs. Einar Nordaas. Fred Far-
nen, Cal Tanner. Tom Hill, Herbert Jansen. and William McLaughlin.

Agents Conference Proposals Accepted
By Coastwise A&G Membership Meetings

NEW YORK, March 27 — At

regular meetings last night of the
Atlantic and Gulf District, the

membership approved in full the

recommendations of the Agents

Conference.
Out of the conference came

many plans whi'ch will help to
consolidate the gains made by
the Union during the past year—
gains which led the way for all
other waterfront unions.

In the week-long conference,
which ended Saturday, March 22,
decisions were reached which
will make possible the further
expansion of the Union. In this
waj', seamen may see their
dreams of "one big seamen's un­
ion" come true.

Among the decisions reached
were proposals to immediately
survey the Union's strike appara­
tus, and to make any changes
which are needed to bring the
apparatus into smooth running
order.

It was the feeling of the Agents
that 1947 might see some sort of
economic action on the water­
front, and they wished to see the
Union in as good position for
any coming action as it was for
the 1946 . General Strike.

The organizing campaign was

analyzed, and a suggestion was
made whereby the Seafarers
could organize any unorganized
maritime craft.

Isthmian Hearing
Within the next few days

the National Maritime Union
will finish questioning its
witnesses in its flimsy collu­
sion charges against the Sea­
farers.

After the SlU has had a
chance to refute the charges,
and all testimony has 'been
heard, the evidence will be
submitted to the headquar­
ters of the National Labor
Relation Board for final dis­
position.

Up to this point, the NMU
has submitted little that can
be termed real evidence—
mainly because such evi­
dence does not exist.

Besides the SlU officials
and members present at the
hearings, the Union is repre­
sented by Attorney Ben
Sterling, and by lawyers
Kaiser and Glenn, from the
office of Joseph Padway.
AFL Attorney.

Shipping rules were discussed,
and it was decided to allow them
to stand as they were last amend­
ed by the 1946 Conference.

In the matter of education and
publicity, the Log was appraised
in regard to its organizational
use, and was highly praised. More
educational features were recom­
mended by the conference, and
several new pamphlets and book­
lets will be issued in the near
future.

Other matters which were dis­
cussed, and decisions regarding
them apear on page 9.

It was with deep and sincere
regret that the Agents accepted
the application for a leave of ab­
sence from Secretary-Treasurer
John Hawk. For reasons of health
Hawk asked for a six months
leave, and this was granted by
the conference. J. P. Shuler was
named Acting Secretary-Treas­
urer.

As soon as the sessions ended,
many of those pi-esent at the
meeting left for the SIU Conven­
tion in Chicago which convened
on Monday, March 24.

Some will stay on in Chicago
after the Convention ends to at­
tend the meeting of the AFL Mar­
itime Trades Department. This
is due to start Monday, March 31.

Panama Transfers,
Great Lakes Drive
Highlight Convention

CHICAGO — Charging that certain people in
the State Department, among them Under Secre­
tary William L. Clayton, are "more interested in
giving American ships away to foreign countries
than helping to,build a powerful merchant mar­
ine," Harry Lundeberg, President of the Seafarers
International Union of North America, highlight­
ed the Union's third biennial Convention with a

request that the Convention

Tribute Te Hawk
"We are indeed sorry io

report that John Hawk, Secy.-
Treasurer of the Atlantic and
Gulf District, and First Vice-
President of the International
is unable to be present with
our delegation, because of
ill health. Whitey's health
for some time past has been
bad, and ihe many struggles
of the past few years have
contributed towards that ill­
ness. It appears he will be
out indefinitely, and his ab­
sence will be keenly felt, as
we will sorely miss his abil­
ity and great experience.

"Under his guidance and
leadership our Union has
made great strides since our
organizational inception in
1938. He has indeed been a
bulwark of great strength in
our battles with our enemies;
the shipowners, bureaucrats
and commies alike.

"We sincerely hope for his
immediate recovery, and his
return to action in our be­
half." (From Report to

Convention by Paul Hall)

adopt a program designed to halt
the transfer of American ships to
Panamanian- registry.

"American capital has trans­
ferred United States government-
bought ships to Panamanian reg­
istry ... to save taxes, to operate
ships with cheaper crews, and to

Reporting for the Atlantic
and Gulf District. SlU. As­
sistant Secretary J. P. Shuler.
and Director of Organization
Paul Hall, stated that the
Union had experienced much
growth and a great deal of
success since the last Con­
vention. Shuler's report ap­
pears on page 3.

avoid regular steamboat inspec­
tion service," President Lunde­
berg said.

The statement urged Congress
to take proper steps to safeguard
the interests of the American
merchant marine, and "that if no
action is taken . . . we inaugur­
ate the policy of boycotting all
Panamanian ships sailing in or
out of American ports."

This recommendation follows

{Continued on Page 14)

Canadian And U.S. Communists
Have Complete Control Of CSU

OTTAWA -- The Canadian
Communist Party, and the CP

tlie world over, received a body

blow last week when J. A. "Pat"
Sullivan, head of the Canadian
Seamen's Union, quit his job in
disgust over the way seamens'
rights were being subverted to
the communist cause.

"My decision to take this step
was re .ched," he said, "when I
became convinced that the inter­
ests of organized labor were be­
ing subverted by the agents of
communism to their own ends."

This revelation was all the
more striking because it came

from a labor leader of long
standing, one who has headed
the CSU from the day it was
founded in 1935, and from one
who followed the communist
party line for many years.

Sullivan never made a secret
of the fact that he was sym­
pathetic to the communists, and
even went to jail for a stretch
from 1940 to 1942 when he was
imprisoned with other commies
for his anti-war stand.

This of course, was when the
commies condemned the war as
"imperialist." Later, when Rus­
sia was attacked, he became an

(Continued on Page 6)



Page Two THE SE AE ARERS LOG Friday, March 28, 1947

SEAFARERS LOG
Published Weekly by the

SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantic and Gulf District

Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor

At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnover 2-2784

i. s. i.
HARRY LUNDEBERG . - - - President

105 Market Street, San Francisco, Calif.

JOHN HAWK - Secy-Treas., Atlantic & Gulf District
P. O. Box 25, Bowling Green Station, New York, N. Y.

FRED FARNEN - Secy-Treas. Gt. Lakes District
1038 Third Street, Detroit, Michigan

Entered as second class matter June 15, 1945, atjhe Post Office
in New York, N. Y., under the Act.of August 24, 1912.

GEORGE K. NOVICK,' Editor

267

Illegal Transfers
It is high time that the Congress of the United States,

and appointed officials in high places, came to the realiza­
tion that their job is to represent the majority of the peo­
ple, not the fortunate few with wealth and position.

For the past few months the American people have
been shocked to hear that the American merchant marine,
which was built up at a sacrifice during the war, was be­
ing transferred to foreign registry so that a few U. S. capi­
talists could add to their already overflowing bank accounts.

These ships were built by the Government, and paid
for out of the taxes of the people. They were operated
by private companies during the war, at exorbitant prof­
its, and later bought by these same companies at a small
fraction of the original cost or actual worth of the vessels.

Not satisfied with this, American shipowners figured
out a new dodge. They started transferring ships to Pana­
manian and Flonduran registry so that they could avoid
payment of decent salaries to seamen, and avoid paying
taxes to the United States Government.

Practically ever) action of the shipowners in these
"dummy" transfers is illegal. So there must be connivance
from highly placed officials who allow such maneuvers
to take place.

Before the war, the American merchant marine had
shrunk to a mere 13 million tons. During the war, it sky­
rocketed to 50 million tons, and many promises were made'
that the merchant marine would never be allowed to dis­
integrate again.

-"i^oday, only a short time after the end of the con­
flict, the total tonnage has dwindled to 30 million.

Those ships which have been transferred to foreign
registry are competing in the American trade. They sail
in and out of American ports, carrying American goods,
but there the similarity ends.

Panamanian seamen are sailing those ves.sels, drawing
lower wages than those paid to United States seamen.
Regular steamboat inspection, required under. U. S. law,
is avoided. In the long run this will mean the loss of many
lives due to faulty equipment.

Etut the main importance to American seamen is that
this business of moving ships from one country to another
like checkers is the opening wedge in a campaign to drive
down the earnings of U. S. merchant seamen.

Right now our wages and conditions are the most
advanced in the entire world. The seamen of other coun­
tries look to us for leadership. The shipowner would like
nothing better than to force us to cut our standards so as
to meet the competition of Panamanian seamert.

The shipowners, and the Government officials who
have assisted in this piece of trickery, are in for a rude
shock. The Seafarers International Union will not just
make protest against continuing the practice and let it
go at that.

Action will follow if Congress does not take steps
to halt the illegal transfer of American ships. A boycott of
Panamanian ships has been asked for at the SIU Conven­
tion in Chicago, and if it is instituted, it will become world­
wide through the cooperation of the International Trans-
portworkers Federation.

Boycott is a resounding answer to those who would
steal away the seamen's livelihood. Boycott it will be if the
transfers are not stopped.

Men Now In The Marine Hospitals
These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals,

as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging
heavily on their hwds. Do what you can to cheer them up by writ­
ing to thsm.

NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL

J. NAVARRO
P. DAUGHERTY
J. RETOUR
G. KRETZER
C. MASON
S. MOGAN
W. BROCE, Jr.
J. ROONEY
E. CUSTER
R. E. MULHOLLAND
H. H. HAMILTON
J. W. DENNIS
R. B. WRIGHT
R. B. KINAIRD

t 4
BALTIMORE HOSPITAL

JOHN McLEMORE
JOHN FOX
ERNEST SIDNEY
EDWARD CAIN JR.
SOLOMON (SUL) HARB
STANLEY HOLDEN
ALBERT HAWKINS
ANTONIO AMARAL
CHARLES SIMMONS
PETER LOPEZ
TED BABKOWSKI
WILLIAM HOWELL
MICHAEL J. LUCAS

JOHN RILEY (G. L.)
JAMEg' MeMAHoN (G/ L-.)
WILLIAM RYAN (G.L.)
WILLIAM, GILES
CHARLES WENDEL

ft t ft
MOBILE HOSPITAL

MARION D. PENRY
MANUEL CARDANA
C. A. GARNET
R. H. DAVIS
W. J. SULLIVAN
A. SABOURIN
S. P. MORRIS
E. L. MYERS

4' if'
STATEN ISLAND HOSP.

R. G. MOSSELLER
JAMES T. MOORE
P. SYRAX
K. KORNELIUSSEN
C. H. SULLIVAN
E. E. CASEY
M. j. LYDEN
H. BEECHER
L. L. MOODY
M. BAUCSKI
M. MORRIS
W. R. BLOOM
J. BOLGER
L. NELSON

Hospital Patients
When entering the hospital

notify the delegate by post­
card, giving your name and
the number of your ward.

Staten Island Hospital
You can contact your Hos­

pital delegate at the Staten
Island Hospital at the follow­
ing tiftiCs:
Tuesday — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

(on 5th and 6th floors)
Thursday—^^1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

(on 3rd and 4th floors.)
Saturday—1:30 to 3:30 pun.

(on 1st and 2nd floors.)

L. A. CORNWALL
C. M. HOUCHINS
E. CARERRAS
H. L. TILLOT
M. J. FIELDS
JOHN A. DYKES
R. RIVERA
C. E. SMITH

if 4 if

GALVESTON HOSPITAL

OLSEN
BENNETT
GALANE
R. V. JONES
HUTCHENSON
STAEINZ
MILKE
FLESHER
AKIN
GRAVES
BREASHAR
KOW LIM

4 if if

MOBILE HOSPITAL
E. L. MYERS
S. P. MORRIS
M. D. PENRY

III



Friday, March 28, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Three

m

M :

J.P. Shuler's Report To Int'l Convention
The Atlantic and Gulf District

of the Seafarers Internation Un­
ion, since the last Convention,
has been very active. For brevity,
as well as clarity's sake, we will
deal with these activities seria-
tuin.

CONTRACTS
In the fall of last year, we were

able to negotiate contracts which
were a great improvement over
our previous ones. Not only
were we able to raise our wages
for all ratings, but the working
rules in all departments were
improved to a considerable de­
gree.

This ha.s' resulted in several
things. First of all, is the reac­
tion of our membership. They
like our contracts very much,
and as a result, take a much
greater interest in the Organiza­
tion itself than ever before.
Secondly, our contracts assisted
us to some degree in improving
our relations with the operators
in the business of handling dis­
putes. Finally, our new contracts
are a great aid in organizing the
unorganized men under our ban­
ner.

Various points which had been
confusing in previous contracts
were clarified in our present
agreement, thereby making it
more simple to settle disputes.
This, in turn, Iras been a saving
of energy on the part of the Un­
ion and has enabled us to apply
our energy into other fields in
the Union itself.

BINANCES
While the record shows an in­

crease in available funds in com­
parison to previous years, this,
in every respect of the word, is
not a true analysis.

The income of the Organiza­
tion since the last Convention was
greatly increased due to the fact
that we caused to be opened var­
ious new Branches and placed of­
ficials in them. This was done
to prevent "freeloaders" from
riding SIU . vessels and paying
no revenue for the privilege.
This, however, at the same' time,
increased our expenditures. Ad-
ditonal expense was undergone
when we purchased our own
Halls in the Ports of Boston, Nor­
folk and Tampa. Incidentally,
this is along with our New Or­
leans Hall which was purchased
before the 1944 Convention, and
broii,ght to four the number of
our own establishments.

MEMBERSHIP,
The membership of the Union

at the present time .consists of
approximately 30,000 duos pay
ing members. This includes the
various categories of books, pro
bationary, permits and tripcards
We have, for some period of time
had our membership books
closed, except under certain con-
tions.

Qualifications for membership
now are that in addition to 12
months on a permit, a man must
have as well at least one trip on
an unorganized vessel in which
the Union is attempting to or­
ganize. Thus we have been able
to at this time prevent over­
loading of the Organization with
a heavy membership.

We are now in the process of
making a complete survey of all
our available jobs and in the fu­
ture, admission for membership
will be governed by the number
of available jobs under contract.

GOVT. BUREAUS
AND AGENCIES

Our Union has, along with
other District Unions in the sea­
men's field, had many hard strug­
gles with the various Government
Bureaus and Agencies. As a re­
sult of these various disputes,
our recently concluded Agents'
Conference adopted the follow­
ing proposals on Government
Agencies and Legislation:

COAST GUARD
The position of our organiza­

tion towards control by the Coast
Guard of the American seamen
through the U. S. Steamboat In­
spection Service, and through
the U. S. Shipping Commission­
er's Office hcis never changed.

We have been, and are actively
fighting, for the return of this
function back to the Department
of Commerce where it belongs.

The control of American mer­
chant seamen by the Coast Guard
puts the seamen under control
of a military department of the
Government. It takes away cer­
tain privileges and rights enjoyed
by seamen. It adds a heavier
burden on the American taxpay­
er and should be changed.

Our organization has already
put our position before all the
members of the Committee on
Merchant Marines and Fisheries
and has received assurance
through the AFL that it is help­
ing us in our fight.

tion all other trade unions to as-1 Workers that are not covered by; tied up approximately 40 ships
sist us in this drive.

If no citizenship can be grant­
ed our.alien members, we go on
record once again to fight for
their rights to sail American ves­
sels until they can become citi­
zens of our country under the
prevailing naturalization laws.

unemployment insurance, we' on the East and Gulf Coasts be-
recommend that the Convention fore the issue was broken, which
of our International be instructed was in favor of the SIU.
to im.modiatcly draft a program
calling for specific action aimed

Our membership feels that
these various Government Bu-

reported by our International
Officers, the Maritime Conrimis-

SEAMEN'S BILL OF RIGHTS
Our organization has actively

for a number of years fought for
a Bill of Rights for Seamen. Our
main objective, of course, has
been to protect seamen who have
been injured during the war.

It is our opinion that these
men should be guaranteed medi­
cal and hospital treatment for as
long as they are in need of such
care. There is also the question
of providing for next of kin of j these characters out of business
merchant seamen who were in- for all times. We feel this entire

at providing for seamen's unem-'reaus are just as much our enemy
ployment insurance, effective as I as the shipowners inasmuch as

they continually line up on the
same side of the fence with our

soon as possible.

MC TRAINING PROGRAM
T • <• 4U X . 41 operators. For that reason, our In view of the fact, as recently i u' „ •,

u,. T-.4 membeiship has gone on record
repeatedly for the use of eco-

. , - w , , nomic action wherever possible
sion was granted million dol- + tu u
10..4. Z ..._ ^ stop to the bureaucratic

attacks against Union men.

The greatest beef resulting
from coming into conflict with
Government Bureaus and Agen­
cies, etc., was the 1946 General

^ ^ Strike which culminated from
ing every possible effort to put' ,, ^ r

. : interference on the part of the
Wage Stabilization Board.

lars for a training program, we
feel our Union should take im­
mediate action to stop same.

We should request the AFL
and other affiliates in the Mari­
time Industry to assist us in mak-

jured during the war and who
were direct providers for their
families' welfare.

In addition, there is the ques­
tion of providing compensation
for seamen injured during the
war who find themselves now
unable to make a living.

We reaffirm our Union's pre­
vious position on this question.
The AFL Legislative Committee
is now working with us on this
problem.

Our organization has notified
all Congressmen and Senators

set-up should be declared as
phony and every possible effort
be made to discourage the con­
tinuance of it.

As long as such so-called train-

1946 GENERAL
STRIKE

The General Strike was enthu­
siastically received by our mem-

ing programs are in existence, bership; principally because of
there is always the fear of them the fact that it was not a sur-
being used as fink factories .»in prise move, but something that
case of strike. each member of the Union had

WASHINGTON participated in bringing about.
I The entire apparatus, the me­
chanics and the directives which

Inasmuch as the various Con- governed the strike had been
gressmen and would be union worked out through a period of
wreckers are now busy in Wash- six months by our Organizers,

from all coastal ports of our po- ington trying to cram their anti- with membership participation.

_ •Ills uo ill uui iisiiv.
One further expense of the Or- transfer of the Steamboat

ganization over the past two
years has been that of organiza­
tional work. This was attributed
to Isthmian Steamship Company
and later expanded to various
other unorganized companies
Then too, there wore the very
heavy expenses of the 1946
Strike.

In spite of these heavy expen­
ditures, however, the Organiza­
tion at the present time is in a
sound condition.

We find it nece.ssary at this
time, however, to economize
throughout the entire structure
of our Union so as to operate on
a full peacetime basis.

This has been considered by
both the membership and the of­
ficials of our Union, as well as
our Agents' Conference. The re­
sults of this consideration was
that a program was laid down in
regards to the finances of our
Union, calling for retrenchment.
By following this program, the
Organization will be in a solid
financial position.

Inspection and U. S. Shipping
Commissioner's Office back to
the Department of Commerce
must be done through an Act of
Congress.

This Committee recommends
that, in the final analysis, in the
event of failure of the introduc­
tion of proper legislation to
handle, this matter, that we set
forth a proposition to all mari­
time unions, regardless of affili­
ation, the possibilities of all un­
ions using economic action at the
ijoint of production, as in the case
of the SS Helen in the Port of
New York this past year, if not
for the elimination of the Coast
Guard then at least, the toning
down of their dictatorial methods
of so-called disciplining of Amer-
can seamen.

ALIEN SEAMEN
Our organization is on record

to fight for citizenship for alien
seamen who sailed on American
Flag Ships during the war. We
reaffirm this position and peti-

sition and our desire for passage
of a bill that will be fair and
just.

We recommend the continual
pressing of our program for this
bill and enlisting the aid of all
unions towards achievement of
this end—A Complete Bill of
Rights for Seamen.

MARINE HOSPITALS
We recommend that it be

brought to the attention, as often
as possible, to Surgeon General
Parron of the Public Health Serv­
ice, of the'many instances where
seamen because of being on the
beach over 60 days have been de­
nied hospital privileges, although
in dire need of same.

In some ports, at the present
time, this 60 day ruling has been
extended to 90 days; but even
this, in our opinion, is not suf­
ficient.

We should press immediately
the point that as.Iong as a man is
in this industry, seeking his liv­
ing, he should at all times be
qualified for treatment at USPHS
and Marine Hospitals, regardless
of the length of time on the
beach.

We further recommend a com­
plete survey, as has been going
on, by the SIU of all Marine Hos­
pitals and investigation as to con­
ditions of same.

In the event of case^ of mis­
treatment or of bad ho.spital con­
ditions, notice of such treatments
are to be called to the attention
of Surgeon General Parron or
Assistant Surgeon R. G. Wil­
liams, Chief Bureau of Medical
Service, Public Health, Washing­
ton, D. C.

We further recommend that our
International Union, take steps
to place our entire International
Union on record for increased
subsidies to the Marine Hospitals
and the USPHS, so as to increase
their facilities and service to U.
S. Merchant Seamen and, if at
all possible, to their families.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
In view of the fact that the sea­

men are one of the few, if not
the last, section of American

labor legislation into effect, this consultation and group meetings.
Committee feels that the SIU j We were faced with problems
should have representation in' different somewhat from that of
Washington as soon as possible on ' other areas. During the period
a permanent basis. of the War, the "shipowner per-

This Committee recommends the NMU, the commies
that the subject be taken up at i succeeded by infiltration in
the International Convention in securing themselves a strong po-
Chicago to place such a repre-1 sition both within the MMP and
sentative in Washington. the MEBA. The CMU was at

We further recommend to the the height of jte
International Convention that ^lory and the SIU was looked up-
they study the possibilities of
working out a joint program,
with other AFL Maritime Unions,
a system for joint support of such
legislative offices and represen­
tatives in Washington.

This, we feel, is very important

on unfavorably and regarded by
many as an extremely "small,
ineffective" Union.

Although the Seafarers were
the spearhead of the 1946 Gen­
eral Maritime Strike by winning
our strike in short order, we

^ , , . . found ourselves in the beginning
at this time and unless it ,s done, ^
phonies may slip something over possiblities of
on us. If we are not at all times - Unions being taken
informed of what they are shap- over by the comrades. To elimin-
ing up in the vvay of trying to immediately lent aU
destroy the trade union move-' resources to the
ment in maritime. ' launched an all-out

While not going into complete drive against the commie clique
details on this, we feel it is im-' dominating the MEBA.
portant to point out a couple of During the entire course of the
disputes resulting on the East Officers' Strike, we continued this
and Gulf Coasts between our-1 program with the result that
selves and various Bureaus and
the results of same.

In the Port of New York, after
long persecution at the hands of
the Coast Guard, the Organiza­
tion finally tried the use of eco­
nomic action to prevent same
and tied up the SS Helen of Bull
Steamship Company. The Com­
pany was forced to pay the men
complete standby wages from the
time they lost their papers to
the time they received them back
from the Coast Guard as a result
of economic pressure. Since that
action, no SIU contracted oper­
ator, or its employees, have
called the Coast Guard into any
ship's beef.

The Operation Division of the

within a very short period of
time, the communists within the
MMP were ousted and a counter­
balance of power established
within the MEBA.

A great amount of credit must
be given to the ILA, both Long­
shoremen and Harbor Workers,
who worked closely with us dur­
ing the entire strike and who, in
work hours actually were on
strike as supporting factors
longer than we were.

It can truthfully be said that
the General Strike of 1946 was
the primary factor in organizing
nationally the AFL Maritime
Trades Department, although
theoretically, it had been in ex­
istence for some time previous.

WSA during 1946 refused to al- It ^vas the strike that gave birth
low the Union and its contracted tu the concept that alone any
operators to use collective bar- Maritime Union was powerless,
gaining to secure a proper rider. that united they were indes-
As a result of this interference tructible.
and meddling on the part of this The NMU, MCS and certain
particular Government Bureau, sections of the MEBA tried to use
the SIU used economic action and i {Continued on Page 14)



Page Four THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 28, 1947

Groundwork Laid In Lakes Drive;
SlU Rank And File Participate

By EARL SHEPPARD

The organization drive on the
Great Lakes has now passed its
third week — three weeks of
hard work that have broken the
ground for a real all-out cam­
paign to unionize the many men
who sail under shipowner con­
ditions.

It hasn't been easy to do the
necessary spadework. The NMU,
with its selfish strike last fall,
made lots of Lakes seamen bit­
ter. But the Seafarers came in
with a spotless reputation, and
that has made the majority of
the Lakes seamen listen to us
with interest.

The Great Lakes seamen have
been assured that the SIU had
nothing to do with the NMU
phony strike. It is to our credit
that our work has been good
enough for these men, and they
have received us very whole­
heartedly.

This section needs organiza­
tion. No flash in the pan could

Green Advises
Unions To Ignore
Open Shop Laws

Charging flatly that anti-closed

shop laws were unconstitutional

because they nullified the "right

of contract," AFL President Wil­
liam Green last week told AFL
unions that they would be justi­

fied in ignoring such laws in
states which have enacted them.

The statement was made by
Green at the convention of the In­
ternational Brotherhood of Paper-
makers, which met in Chicago.

do the job, but with a solid basis
set up, the rest is simply a mat­
ter of hard work, with man­
power the backbone of the drive.

OUTLOOK GOOD

That's the way it shapes up on
the Lakes. The SIU has the or­
ganization to dp the job, but it
takes men to contact the ships,
talk to the men, and get the
SIU message across.

This may sound like an un­
necessary invitation to most
SIU members. It probably is,
but if there are any men with
Great Lakes experience, who
want to participate in the drive
on the Lakes, they can do a
good job by contacting the SIU
repi'esentative in the port they
want to ship out of.

There's a big job to be done,
and the same spirit that won a
resounding election in the Isth­
mian Steamship Company (NMU
stalling to the contrary) can
knock over the anti-labor Lakes
operators.

Right now the situation shapes
up in the following manner:

Several companies have start­
ed early fit-out operations. Be­
cause our men are on the ball,
and willing to go all out in the
drive, those ships are now prac­
tically solid SIU.

The Union will be calling for
contracts in these companies
within the near future, or pet­
itioning the National Labor Re­
lations Board for elections.

We know that a fight is in
store for us. We are ready and
waiting, confident in the fact
thai cooperation from the Great
Lakes seamen has been excel­
lent so far.

SIU IS CHOICE

So good has been the help
.T-.T 1- 1 J i , 1 given us by the Lakes seamen

The AFL has already started , \u ^
^ ^ ,, , „ , I themselves, that our organizers
test cases of the open-shop law, . J ,u ^ ,u OTTT • , . .. I are convinced that the SIU is
in Nebraska and several otheroverwhelming choice of the
states, but It may take close to
two years before the first chal- -^g
lenge reaches the Supreme Court.

Until then, 'the AFL v/ill chal­
lenge the validity of the laws,"

It's impossible to state right
at the start how good an organ­
izing drive might wind up. But

large "number of :^IU-contracted
companies.

Seamen in this region have no
reason to respect the NMU, the
so-called union that called a
strike up here without author­
ization from the men sailing the
ships. Those men lost their bon­
uses, and wages, and received no
material gains in the long run.

They also have no reason to
respect the Lake Carriers As­
sociation, or the other phony
company unions that exist up
here. Lakes seamen know that
they have been sold nut time
and time again by groups that
worked with the bosses and
against the seamen.

This time the story is changed.
This time the seamen have a
chance to pick a Union that has
a reputation for protecting and
fighting for its members. With
such a choice, it's a good bet
that they will pick the SIU.

The next few months will tell
the story. The SIU has a good
chance to organize many sea­
men who haven't had the oppor­
tunity to sail under decent con­
ditions. They want to. but they
have to be contacted first.

It is our duty to do that job.
Come, hell or high water, the
organizing drive will go on —
and to a really successful con­
clusion!

Volunteer Organizer
When Fran Krabavac made

the Zane Grey, Isthmian Steam­
ship Company, as a volunteer
organizer eighteen months ago.
he thought he would make one
trip and then ship out on a con­
tract vessel. ^

Today, after eighteen months
on Isthmian ships, he is deter­
mined to continue shipping Isth­
mian until the company signs a
contract with the SIU.

He was on the Zane Grey less
than a month. After that fol­
lowed ten months on the Ed­
mund Fanning, then seven
months on the Sea Hawk. He's
still on the last named.

Brother Krabavac got his sea
training sailing Yugoslavian
ships. Twenty-three years ago
he started out to sea, just to see
what it was like. He enjoyed his
experiences so much that he
decided to make the sea his
career.

SUNK BY NAZIS
Only once did he come close

to regretting his decision. That
was when the President Kopaj-
tic, a Yugoslav ship, was sunk
in the Carribean in 1941.

Fran was on that ship, and
the survivors drifted for a few
days before they were" picked

Florida Labor Gets Ready
To Oppose Tom Watson

FRAN KRABAVAC

Green said. "The Supreme Court j if .spirit is any indication, the
has upheld the closed shop and next few months will see plenty
will again so decide." ! of Lakes companies joining the

Lundeberg Pledges Int'l Support
To UFE In Wall Street Strike

NEW YORK — Cheered by a
pledge of unqualified support
from Harry Lundeberg, president
of the Seafarers International
Union, the United Financial Em­
ployes, AFL, stepped up its plans
for a strike against the Wall
Street exchanges and brokerage
houses and announced April 21
as the walkout date.

Lundeberg gave assurances of
SIU backing to M, David Keefe,
UFE president, when the two met
in Chicago last week.

The SIU official said that be­
cause the UFE was militant in
pressing for its just demands it
merited Seafarers support, which
ultimately would aid the entire
labor movement.

A similiar pledge from William
Green, AFL president, said his
entire organization would stand
with the financial workers "until
they win victory,"

Green announced the AFL
backing in a speech at the Chi­

cago convention of the Office
Employes International Union, of
which the UFE is an affiliate.

"If there is any place in Amer­
ica where high wages and better
working conditions should pre­
vail," Green said, "it is in the
money-making establishments" of
Wall Street.

Prior to his address. Green
conferred privately with Lunde­
berg and Keefe.

The projected strike stems
from the refusal of A. M. Kidder
and Company to negotiate a con­
tract with UFE. The street-wide
walkout will cut off the possibility
of business being conducted for
Kidder by the Stock and Curb
exchanges or their member firms.

The UFE scored a major vic­
tory recently when — with full
SIU support—it struck and par­
alyzed the New York Cotton Ex­
change. The union won a con­
tract after one day on the picket-
lines.

TAMPA—Winning a bargain­
ing election in this state means
absolutely nothing. It's not very
difficult to organize the workers,
especially into AFL Unions, but
once the election has been held,
the courts take over.

The injunctions , which have
been issued in Florida are some­
thing to see. No picketlines are
allowed, the closed shop has been
outlawed, and labor is straitjack-
etcd if and when a strike is call­
ed.

The employer hires scab la­
bor, and the police escort the
scabs through picketlines. They
have done it so often lately that
it appears that strikebreaking is
the biggest job for Florida police
men.

School teachers, the most un­
derpaid people in the state, and
perhaps even in the nation, are
in the middle of an organizing
campaign here.

They are meeting with plenty
of opposition from the press, the
politicians, and civic leaders.

FII^THY SLANDER
Editorials in the papers ac­

tually slander the teachers, and
call them malcontents, rabble
rousers, and worse. All this to
honest people who arc 'trying
to obtain decent wages and con­
ditions.

A Citizens Committee has been
set up, and they are trying to
show the teachers that a union is
unnecessary. But the teachers
are not going to be mislead by
anything that this group prom­
ises.

The feeling is that nothing was
done before the teachers started
organizing, and that if their un­
ion fails, the civic authorities
will not increase wages or better
conditions.

The Florida Federation of La­
bor Convention started on Mon­

day. One of the important sub­
jects for discussion will, be the
organizing of a prograr," design­
ed to beat Attorney-General Tom
Watson when he runs for Gov­
ernor.

Labor never had a more bitter
enemy than Watson. He has laid
his plans carefully to advance
himself politically by trading on
labor.

The State Federation of Labor
will have to do the big job in
campaigning against Watson be­
cause the CIO is very small po­
tatoes in Florida.

In Tampa the Seafarers is tak­
ing an active part in the fight
against Mayor Hixon and his ma­
chine. .

We have had some pretty bad
experiences with Hixon, when he
took the lead in breaking the
taxi drivers' strike.

We are going to supply plenty ^^^en the balloting was complet-
of cars and drivers to take voters rolled up bet-
to the polls and home again on ^er than a three to one majority,
election day.

up by a United States vessel
and brought to this country.

In his native land Krabavac
had been a member of the sea­
men's union, and so it was nat­
ural for him to want to join a
union in the U.S.

"Our union in the old coun­
try was a good one," he recalls,
"but not as strong as the SIU.
So I joined the SIU."

SETTLED PERSONAL SCORE
He sailed many ships during

the war. usually right into the
danger zones, because as he
puts it, "I had a personal score
to settle with Hitler. His troops
ovei'ian my country."

Brother Fran more than set­
tled the score. The supplies
carried on ships manned by
Krabavac and other merchant
seamen made possible the vict­
ory over the Nazis in Europe.

When the war was •finally
won, Fran still wanted action, so
he volunteered his services as
an organizer. He was told to
try to make an Isthmian ship,
and if successful, there would be
plenty for him to do.

JOB WELL DONE
He was successful, and thus

started eighteen months of hard
work.

Brother Krabavac was on the
Edmund Fanning when the ship
was voted in Baltimore, Mary­
land. The NMU was sure of this
one; the NMU organizers had
already put it down in the win
column.

But the work of Krabavac and
the others proved too much, and

'-i-i.Vl

"That did
said Fran.

my heart good,"
jg ....... "On unorganized

• ships a seaman is not treated
decently, and all that will

It is no secret that labor
rallying voters against Hixon,
and it is no secret that the labor-
hating machine is plenty worried when the SIU gets a con-

. TtrifV* T c* +1-» »VM o
over the outcome.

The picture is black, but Tom
Watson and the other labor-bait­
ers have forced us to band to­
gether to beat the people who
hate the workers.

From now on its a finish fight,
and labor is going to keep right
on battling until victory is won.

tract with Isthmian.'
Krabavac gave some instances

of what he means when he says
that seamen are "not treated
decently."

"First of all, the food is poor,
and scarce," he stated. "Quart­
ers are small and they try to
crowd >men into the- foc'sles.
Overtime is just a word on those
ships, and a man rarely gets
time enough to eat a full meal."

It was for reasons such as
those that Isthmian voted over­
whelmingly for SIU representa­
tion. And it is for such reasons
that Fran Krabavac became a
volunteer organizer, and is going
to stick at it until a contract is

[signed, sealed, and delivered.



l:
Friday. March 28. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Five

Delegates Gather For SIU Convention
( • t;

It
M' ji

11:'

1

Above is the Atlantic and Gulf District delegation to the Convention. Standing, left to right,
John Mogan, Lindsey Williams. Sonny Simmon,, Paul Hall, and Red Gibbs. Seated, in the same
order. Earl Smith, W. H. Simmons. J. P. Shuler. and Gal Tanner.

The SUP had the next largest delegation to the A&G Dis­
trict. Seated, L to R, Bob Dombroff, Harry Lundeberg, and
Morris Weisberger. Standing, John Massey, R. D. Thompson.
Charles Brenner, and Ed Coester.

Fishermen and fish cannery workers had their representation. Left to
right, Joe Perry and Lester Caveny, Fish Cannery Workers Union of Monterey,
Cal., and John Crivello, Seine and Line Fishermen's Union of Monterey, Cal.

The Great Lakes District was well represented by Fred Farnen, Larry
Martin, and Herbert Jansen, seated left to right, and Einar Nordaas and William
McLaughlin, standing. McLaughlin is from the British Columbia Seamen's
Union,

f

I Vi

Delegates came from as far away as Alaska. Above, on the
right, is John S. Amayo. President of the Alaska Fish Cannery
Workers Union. Beside him s George Issel. representing the
Fish Cannery Workers Union of the Pacific. San Francisco
Bay Area.

The Fish Cannery Workers and Fishermen's Union, San Diego, California, was represented by \
Frank Currier. Business Agent; C. H. Burns. Fisherman; and Lester Ballenger, Secretary-Treasurer. '



Page Six THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 28. 1947

Sullivan Says
Commies Have
Control Of CSU

(Continued from Page 1)
ardent supporter of the Second
Front.

In his statement, Sulivan, who
was also secretary-treasurer of
the Canadian Trades and Labor
Congress, ad;nitted that he had
been a member of the CP from
1937 until three months ago.

The CSU has always reflected
the Kremlin line, and it was for
that reason that the charter of
the union was revoked by the
Seafarers International Union
in August. 1944.

MANY IMPLICATED
Sullivan implicated many

people in his blast against com-
munst machinations in the CSU,
and in the Canadian labor move­
ment.

He named Fred Rose, a form.er
member .of Parliment, who was
sent to jail in the atom bomb
plot, as one "of those who used
the seamen to further the ends
of the communist party.

He also named Alderman J. B.
Salsberg as a party member who
transmitted funds to him from
the party in order to finance
the 1937 strike against the lake
ship owners.

"In the period from 1943 on­
wards." Sullivan stated, "the
executives of the seamen, the
same as lots of other unions,
have been gradually in the pro­
cess of taking into their ranks,
either knowingly or unknowing­
ly, members of the communist
party — for instance, in Halifax,
C. H. Meads, who was an Amer­
ican seaman, but who had never
sailed in Canada, was drafted in
from the NMU and is now in
complete charge of the east
coast for the seamen and gen­
eral secretary for the fishermen;
whose wife, at the same time, is
the provincial secretary for the
communist party,

CP IN CONTROL
Sullivan stated flatly, the

same as Joe Cur ran has done in
the NMU, that the CP placed
men in the national office of the
CSU to direct party work.

"In the national office," he
said, "the communist party, of
course, has taken full control,
where they have placed Jerry
McManus in as secretary but act­
ually his work is to direct all
political activities within the or­
ganization."

Waste of seamen's ,money was
another point on which Sullivan
took the commies to task. -

"The executive officers ar i
running all over both Canada
and the (United) States, sup­
posedly to be doing union work.
.... In all those cases, the
seamen are footing the bill. The
only work that McManus was
doing was floating money from
the NMU into this country and'
laying the groundwork for the
NMU coming into this country
in order that they could take
the CSU over."

Let these final words from
Sullivan make their own point.

"I also stated (at the 1946 con­
vention of the CSU) that I was
undecided whether or not to run
for reelection," says Sullivan.

"I was quickly told by Sals­
berg that it wasn't a case of
whether or not I wanted to run
as they, the communst party,
had made the decision. Com­
munist party discipline does not
alow for individual thought and
party orders must be obeyed."

/ts True — Rhode Island Pays Bonus To Soamon
of trail ^rab&mn ^pisntBtions

UETERATIS' BOTIUS BOARD
STATE HOUSE PROVIDENCE 2. FL I.

Merchant Marine Application For Bonus Under Chapter 1721, Public Laws of 1944
All Answers Must Be Typewritten or Printed In Ink

1. Name under which applicant entered the aervice t/iP llAlll.KY JtiHh h. ATHKM ..
ttm hkn aaMOa

2. Present name (if different) ,

3. Mailing address (present) —.JLQ. Z^£.ltLillg.-AY9-i—C^nStOO -B,-!-.
Na SiTHt Cl^orum r.O. Zmm Sma

4. Sex-Male (3 Female •
5. No. and location of Draft Board where applicant regiatered —S»5 aiTer.ATe. ,—PrnTldwnflH, H. I •
e. Period served in Merchant Marine: i v.,.-!,

a. Date of entry into service 5jL._iSli5 Place gaW YOrk
b. Date of discharge or relea.- r from service —St ill IP jS.9rTlP9—Place i
c. Serial Number

7. Dd you serve on an army transport or merchant ship operated for the United Sutea War Shipping AdminiatiatioD between the
dates of December 7.-1941 and September 2, 1945? Yfl8

IM at No
8. Name war zene areas where served?

ifdUarranaan -Mlddla-gajl.,.

9. Place of birth...-Pro Jlldeaa«.»_JEU.L. 10. Date of birth—
11. Length of LEGAI. RESIDENCE in Rhode Island IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO SERVICE

12 LEGAL RESIDENCE at time of entry into service -70 Perk^» ATai...,-.-PXOal.diUiaj.,_ R. T .
rso. Btrtia Otp or Tova Stato

13. LEGAL RESIDENCES for period of six mcotha immediately prior to entry into service Prn¥l dWIlfia^—R.l. •
FROM TO

14. AddreigivenM time of separation from aervice citi
15. Name and legal addrpsees of parents at time of entry into service

_ 1&7.S w. PrQTld(uiga._Bal.

16. If married at time of entry into service, name and legal addreMoI wife (or husband) fl UTI hmugh

17. Hav?^Tecri>^a^Veter^''bM«urori«i^^ bom this or any other ^te becauae ol service srith the Armed Forcct or the

Merchant Marine in World War II? ^

If "Yes" what State — ——
PENALTY PROVISION: Ch. 1721, Pub. Laws ol 1946, "Whoever knowmgly makea a false atatement. oral or written, rdtfing to

a material fact in supporting a claim under the proviaicns of thia^ ahail bemoni^of not mat than SSCO^ or by
imprisonment (or not more than one year, or both.*>^^*^/' ^ ^ ^

- •
Subscribed and sworn to before me thir_,.V^^Z5 ; <l»y of——fftbTlWry

NMsryPyblk

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
It is certified that this application meeU all requuemeoU of ChapiCer 1721 Pulic Laws of 1946 and it ia recjuested that pay.

ment ol the State Bonus oU200.00 be made to the following person:
Cfftificate No. . N^of

AppfOTsd-Stnta Bonus

ORIGINAL DISCHARGE OR RELEASE MUST BE ATTACHED HERETO

Some time ago the Seafarers Log ran a story regarding payment of a Bonus to Rhode Island

merchant seamen who had sailed during the war. At that time there was not too much known about

this, but now the Log has first-hand information from a veteran seaman who has already filled out
the necessary application for some of that Bonus money. On this page we have reproduced the

application form.

In order to be eligible for ^uch payment, the applicant must be a legal resident of the State

of Rhode Island, and must have been a resident of that state at the time of entry into wartime

merchant marine service. If those two qualifications are met, then it is just another short step to

filling in the form and- collecting the $200,00.

Application forms can be obtained by writing to the Veterans' Bonus Board, State House,

Providence 2, Rhode Island.

Lakes Seamen
Invited To Visit
Buffalo Hall

By FRATIK MORAN

BUFFALO—Lakes seamen of
all ratings, regardless of wheth­
er you have a ship to go to or
not, are invited to drop into the
Buffalo Hall, meet the local Or­
ganizer, and discuss your ship­
ping problems with him.

You will meet plenty of old-
timer.s, and some of the younger
Seafarers, who all know and
will tell you of the advantages
of real unionism, SIU style.

In the SIU Hall, there is no
waiting around, like there is in
the company offices and LCA
halls.

SIU members register for jobs
at the Union Hall where ship­
ping is conducted strictly on a
rotary basis. They also have job
security, guaranteed b y SIU
contracts.

Seafarers have preference in
shipping on the same boat that
they laid up last Fail, if they
so wish, and don't have to wor­
ry about the bosses' friends tak­
ing their jobs.

Unorganized Lakes .seamen
don't know whether they have'
a job in the Spring or not. Re­
gardless of whether they laid up
some vessel or not, they don't
know whether some friend or
relative of the bosses will have
their job when they look for it
at the fit out. SIU contracts
mean job security.

• SIU CRE'WING UP
In the Buffalo and Erie, Pa,

areas, the shipping activity has
been confined to SIU ships crew-
ing up. The Local Agent for the
SIU has bccH quite busy crew-
ing up these boats, so it looks
as though the SlU-contracted
vessels will lead the parade out
of this port when the initial
sailing begins from here in the
near future.

Don't forget, all unorganized
men are invited to help organ­
ize their ships into the SIU.

Contact the local SIU Halls
whenever possible, and give
them yoUr suggestions for mak­
ing your ship an SIU .ship.

In the SIU, you're backed by
65,000 SIU members, and the 8
million Brothers in the AFL.
With this combination and sup­
port, you can't go wrong. Go
SIU today!

Some Companies Still Try To Chisel On Fooii
By RAY GONZALES

During the past years we have
fought long and hard to bring
conditions on our ships to what
they are today.

In every battle we have en­
tered, whether it was private'
ship operators, commies or the
government brass hat agencies,
we have always won and we
will continue to win our battles
through the coperation and sol­
idarity of the membership.

However, things are far from
perfect yet. After an extensive
survey, I have noticed that food
and other supplies put aboard
our ships, purchased by penny-
pinching company agents, are of
second or third grade quality.

In several instances, there
have not been enough supplies
put aboard for the expected dur­
ation of the voyage. In other
words the companies have delib­
erately shorted the crew of food
necessary for the trip.

The crew may allow the ship
to sail short of supplies expect­
ing to pick up the shortages in
a foreign port.

However, when the ship ar­
rives in a foreign country, the
usual run of Skippers produce
a letter from the company tell­
ing them not to buy any stores
in foreign ports due to the high
cost of food.

We all know that lack of ad­
equate food causes a great deal
of dissension among the- unlic­
ensed personnel.

The Chief Steward is power­
less to cope with the ftgh-hand-
ed policies of many of the com­
pany purchasing agents, and he
usualy winds up behind the
eight-ball.

The outcome of the company
sponsored difficulty usually finds
the crewmembers slapping
charges against the Chief Stew­
ard or voting him off the ship.

I think we should look before
we leap, and we would usually

find the real cause of difficulty
lying witli the eunipany purchas­
ing agent.

Therefore, let us cooperate
100 percent with our Chief
Stewards, Chief Cooks and dele­
gates.

Of course, this does not mean
that if a Steward is a phony we
should pat him on the back and
warn him to be a good boy from
now on.

There is only one good way
to handlcthis food situation, and
that is when you arrive aboard
your ship, call a meeting and
elect a delegate to contact the
Chief Steward,,

This delegate should confer
with the Chief Steward and re­
quest him to produce all requi­
sitions and confirmations.

The Delegate should check
these carefully for quantity and
quality. If he finds any short­
age or inferior grades, he should
Immediately notify the Union
Hall,

Unfoi'tunately, in many* cases
crews have neglected Lo report
such beefs in time for the Pa­
trolmen to take action before
the ship sails, or sometimes no­
tification is given just a few
hours before she is to pull out.

In these cases when a Patrol­
man comes aboard after the
crew has held up the ship, and
tells the company about the
shortage or poor quality stores,
the company will always scream
"breech of contract!"

"You've given us no time to
replace the stores. You're hold­
ing up the ship, "We'd give you
the stores if you'd notified us in
time,"

•Well, lets see if they really
mean what they say. Lets get
our beefs into the Hall well in
advance of sailing time.

If they mean what they say
the storerooms will contain first
grade food and plenty of it. If
they're pulling a fast one we'll
pin their ears back!



Friday. March 20. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven

ti

¥

')[i

\

*

Payoffs And Shipboard Playboys
Keep Port Pbiladelpbia Active

By E. B. TILLEY

, PHILADELPHIA — Shipping
here is still bouncing along at a
good clip with a steady flow of
ships in and out of the port.
The past week ."^aw the paying-
off of four ships and the signing
on of three, in addition to the^
several ships we contacted in
transit.

There were minor difficulties
aird beefs on a few of the ships
but they were handled at the
point of production and cleared
up in short order.

One of the ships that came in
for payoff was the SB Chemawa
of the Beacon Hill Company. Her
troubles took a little time to
square away. She had been out
on a nine month trip and for
nine months the crow had to put
up with the wild west antics of
a Skipper who thought he was
a real pistol packin' hot shot.

This yokel, according to the
crew, used to come out on deck
twirling his 45 around his index
finger and yelling to the crew (as
if they didn't know it) that he
was the Skipper.

Up and down the deck this
male Annie Oakley would parade
trying to impress the crew with
his pistol prowess.

EXPENSIVE JOKES
This wasn't so bad, but he had

another pleasure, sadistic at that,
which caused him amusement.
He enjoyed it, but to the crew
it meant only the loss of cold
cash.

He would listen attentively to
a crewmember report.his misfor­
tune in a shoreside caprice with

as was necessar,y here.

There has arisen a misunder­
standing on .some of the ships
that come in here pertaining to
feeding while the ship is in port.
It seems that some of the Stew­
ards Departments think that
when their ship hits the dock
they don't have to work anymore.

This is bad, for the rest of the
ciew then wants subsistence and
the companies yell bloody mur­
der. They say that the food is
there for the Cooks to use. why
don't they stay aboard and cook
it?

They're right in that respect,
so the in.si.stence of the Stew­
ards Departments in knocking
off in the galley is leading to
complications which will have to
be ii'oned out.

On the other hand, we are
very happy over the cooperation
that the ships' delegates are giv­
ing us. Almost every delegate
calls the Hall as soon as his ship
arrives and we have been cover­
ing them all in true SlU fashion
before the pay-off begins.

NO NEWS??
Silence Ihis week from ihe

Branch Agents of the follow­
ing ports:

BALTIMORE
NEW ORLEANS
SAVANNAH
SAN JUAN
NORFOLK
JACKSONVILLE
PORT ARTHUR

The deadline for port re­
ports. monies due, etc.. is the
Monday proceeding publica­
tion. While every effort will
be made to use in the current
issue material received after
that date, space commitments
generally do not permit us fo
do so.

Boston's Future Is Still Bright
For Tbe Next Few Weeks, At Least

By JOHN MOGAN

Hook — so good in fact, that we
haven't any men left on tiie
beach to put aboard the ships.

With all the boys out on the
the ladies, and then send the poor ships I'm getting kind of lonely
guy ashore to some sawbones j^^t sitting here looking at the
who would give the guy a shot hoard with no one to talk to,
of penicillin for a 40-buck fee. j that's the way it is, and

TVT , 11 • .• Ti 1.^ I who am I to kick if shipping is Naturally the victims didn't ex-' - s

Marcus Hook Is A Lonely Port;
Fast Shipping Has Hall Empty

By BLACKIE CARDULLO

MARCUS HOOK — Shipping the worker's paradise — for him.
is very good down here in the ,, T , .

Oh. well, 1 guess his memory
is short.

actly throw the Skipper bouquet:
for this trick, and the guys were

fAHOY ' -AKD I
I AViPPeef

ao.Mo' WAIT're SAcr
WATER MlT3 THEM CA110U3E.S

hot and bothered about it when
the ship hit Philly.

At the payoff the men who had
been victimized put up a squawk
in protest over the 40-dollar ride
the Skipper had given them;
however, there wasn't anything
that we could do in the matter
so we settled the beef the best
way we could and crewed up
the ship.

She is now on her way to Gal­
veston where Brother Sweeney
will no doubt run into this char­
acter and have to climb on him

NEW HOURS
Due lo Ihe large number

of ships in New York calling
for crews during off hours
and on Sundays, the New
York Hall is now operating
on a new schedule of hours
for registering and shipping.

The new hours are: From
Monday through Friday from
8:30 a. m. to 9 p. m.; Satur­
day 8:30 to 5 p. m. and Sun­
day from 10 to 3.

good.

According to the NMU Pilot,
Joe Curran is giving Joe Stack a
hard time, and is trying to throw
him out on his ear.

It seems as though Curran has
reached the point where he
doesn't like his colleague any
more. He should remember that
when you play with fire you're
bound to get burnt.

A funny thing about the Pilot
is its conspicuous absence on
the Marcus .Hook waterfront.
Could it be that they don't want
the Sun Oil men to see that all
is not serene with the NMU?

Could it be that they would
be admitting that they are hav­
ing difficulty keeping their own
house in Order let alone bring
unorganized seamen under their
wing?

Could be.
"We hear a lot of talk about

the commies and their activities,
and most seamen agree that they
are of the same class as the fas­
cists — both a menace to dem­
ocracy.

However, the Pilot is always
blasting the fascists, but remains
very silent whenever communist
double-dealing is exposed for
some strange reason.

SHORT MEMORY
The other night, the Agent-

Organizer of the NMU in the
Hook was down the street in a
ginmill blasting a local veter­
ans organization.

These boys are all returned
veterans and a better bunch
would be hard to find. I guess
this character forgets that they
were the fellows who fought the
war and hblped to save Russia—

To get away from the Pilot
and the NMU 1 got a hot tip to
pass along. All you members
can look for a new Hall to be
opened soon in Marcus Hook.

Believe me, it is going to be
second to none. Stand by for
announcement of the grand
opening.

P.S. Got a letter today from
Frank Snyder commenting on
the .piece we had about him in
this column. He told us he is
now a salesman for good union-

made cigars. "Well Frank, just
remember, Blackie smokes cig­

ars too.

BOSTON—Business and ship­
ping is definitely on the increase
in these parts. Upon my re­
turn to Boston from the Agent's
Conference (for a breather be­
fore going on to Chicago for
the- International Convention) I
learned that none of the boys
had any chance to do any rest­
ing while 1 was gone.

And, too, it appears that the
coming week will also be a busy
one for all hands, with plenty of
ships scheduled to arrive in this
area for payoff.

Acting Agent Sweeney didn't
get a chance to do any acting
while 1 was gone. He spent the
entire time in Portland, which
is enjoying some unprecedented
prosperity — thanks to 100.000
tons of surplus potatoes.

And since three ships were
scheduled to pay off in Portland
on Monday, (SS Purdue Victory
and SS Ethiopia Victory, both
"Waterman and the SS Umatilla,
a West Coast tanker) . and two
others were slated to sign on
(the SS David Burnett, an
American-Pacific scow^ and the
SS Billings Victory, another
Waterman) , Brother Goggin ac­
companied Jimmie Sweeney to
Portland on Sunday to try to
line this deal up.

Well, it would have been
somewhat of a feat, if this pro­
gram had been knocked off in
one day. what with the Umatilla
berthed over in South Portland
at the pipe-line; but the ship­
ping commissioner weakened (or
so the boys tell me) and the
Ethiopia was carried over to
Tuesday.

GOODBYE, PLEASE
Brother Sweeney remained in

Portland, where he took care of
the payoffs of the Ethiopia Vict­

ory and the Fort Winnebago
(West Coast tanker) and the
four other ships in that port.

In Boston, two Eastern ships
(the .Sam Johnston and the
Falmouth) paid off during the
week also, with the SS Sam
Parker also scheduled for Fri­
day, but held over the weekend.

The Falmouth has seen her
last days as an SlU-contract
ship — unless we can sign up
the Greeks — and the crew
certainly piled off her with
much regret.

She was old, she was cramped,
but crew and officers got along
first-rate.

On the Sam Johnston, there
were a few hours disputed for
some of the black gang, which
is now payable.

In the general confusion, an
SUP ship (the Springer) came
in and paid off without repre­
sentation: but the Delegate in­
formed the Patrolman on his

Mobile Asks All And Sundry:
Come Down And Get Fast Shipping

By CHARLES KIMBALL

MOBILE—Again this week the
Port of Mobile can report the
best of shipping for any and all

comers. In fact, some ships have

sailed shorthanded.

One day last week we had

three ships sailing and each need­
ed two Firemen. The Dispatcher
and 1 went out and made all the

spots, but our time was wasted.

It was as if someone pulled
a Paul Revere on us, going on
ahead to warn the men on the
beach that the Dispatcher was
coming.

We prowled about for quite
some time, but it did very little
good, and the ships finally sailed
shorthanded.

This shipping boom is going to
continue for quite a while yet, as
we have received another notice
that 24 more ships are due to
come out of the boneyard soon.

That will just about deplete
our laid-up fleet here.

NEW HALL TOPS
We have just about settled into

our new Hall, and everybody
seems to enjoy coming up here
and sitting around. In the old
Hall, you couldn't pay a man to
sit around. We are going to buy
new furniture as soon as some
can be found.

Of course, we don't intend to
buy this new furniture until the
shipping boom is over, because
if we make the boys too comfor­
table, they will never want to
ship out.

Just one final word: If there
are any member in Ports where
shipping is slow, get in touch
with this Port and we can prob­
ably find berths for all who need
them.

Our new address is 1 South
Lawrence Street, Mobile 10, Ala­
bama.

visit that they paid off in good
style, with no overtime disputes,
but with a real beef about the
Steward.

The MC&S Patrolman ordered
this character to pack up when
the boys told him their beef.

GOOD BUNCH

The manpower situation would
have been critical were it not
for the fact that the turnover on
the Waterman ships was rather
light.

The Purdue Victory, for ex­
ample, signed on with virtually
the same crew, only a couple of
the men leaving.

This ship, incidentally, carried
all book men, and as nice a bunch
of guys as anyone would want
to meet. The crew was also for­
tunate in having heads-up Del­
egates, who had everything ship­
shape for the payoff.

As a result, the ship paid off
in perfect style, and a vote of
thanks is due the crew and the
delegates, not only for their
splendid cooperation, but also
for a donation to the members
in the Marine Hospital in the
amount of $34.00.

However. Waterman is expect­
ing another dozen or so ships
into Portland in the next 15
days, and if there should be a
heavy turnover on any of these,
we'll be up against it for men.
As it is now, we find it neces­
sary to issue too many permits.

Latest information about the
Evangeline is that she will be
crewing up sometime befox-e
April 15th.



Page Eight THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, March 28, 1947

Few Phony Skippers Anil Pursers
Sour Good New York Shipping

By JOE ALGINA

NEW YORK — With forty or
fifty ships in port during the
past week shipping and business
remain good in the Port of New
York. With this continued run
of good business, we are still
pleading for rated men in all
departments.

We had the Yarmouth in
during the week on her second
trip and she is beginning to
shape up very well. All the
differences are being ironed out
and she will soon be a smooth
running ship.

It takes a little while to get
everything running ship-shape
on a vessel just out of cold stor­
age, but the Yarmouth has had
a minimum of difficulties and all
in all she is shaping up nicely.

The L. Duster, American
Range, brought in a log-happy
Skipper when she hit port re­
cently. This guy was a real
clock watcher. He inust have
stood at the gangway with a
stopwatch, for the Patrolmen
found that he was logging the
men two for one if they were
only forty five minutes late.

TAKE DAY OFF
He wasn't content with just

logging the men, for after pull­
ing this trick he tried to turn
the logged seamen to. If you're
unfortunate enough to ship with
this kind of Skipper and get
logged for being one ̂ hour late,
you might as well turn around
and take the full day off as you
lose a day's pay anyway.

Another guy who thought he
was God was the Purser aboard
the Smith Thompson, South
Atlantic. This jerk wasn't happy
unless he had a red pencil in his
hand writing "disputed" across
all overtime.

This self styled lord of the
overtime was a real pain in the
neck to the crew. Not only was
he opposed to giving the men
overtime, but he told the crew
that if he had to belong to a
union to go to sea he would quit
sailing. Well, for the record I
can say that we'll take care of
this guy as far as his shipping
out on SIU ships is concerned.

It has been bought to my at­
tention that when the Nampa
"Victory was tied up at the Army
Base here in New York for a

The Patrolmen here in New
York have been kept running
with the large number of ships
to be covered. They have made
all the ships hitting the port and
have squared away all beefs.
There is no rest for the weary
for the Seatrains have started
their, runs to the Gulf ports and
will be" pulling into New York
soon. They shouldn't pose too

much trouble, but who can tell
when ships have just started in­
to service.

Unclaimed Gear
Members whose gear has

been held for more lhan three
months in the fourth floor
baggage room of the New
York Hall are advised to call
for it immediately, or notify
the Hall where they wish it
sent.

Crowded conditions make
it impossible to hold gear
longer than three months. All
effects remaining unclaimed
after three months will be
sent to the owner's home via
express collect.

Gear without addresses
will be disposed of otherwise.

Shipowner Stooge Says Seamen
Can Get Along On Small Salary

By HENRY CHAPPELL

po I SHAPE-
UP BeAun-

Fuiiy r

pay-off, the CID men came
aboard to shake her down. These
agents in their shakedown took
a lot of the men's personal gear
without giving them a receipt.

DECLARE STUFF
I contacted the head of the

CID and was assured these men
would receive receipts for their
property taken by the CID, how­
ever, I was told that they would
get no receipts for contraband.

So if you buy stuff overseas,
my advice is declare it -to Cus­
toms. If you bring weapons
back to this country don't ex­
pect a receipt, for it will, be
your fanny if you're nabbed
with the stuff.

TOLEDO—We expect that this
port will be well represented in
the AFL's plan of expansion. In
line with this, we expect to
have a newly formed Maritime
Trades Port Council operating in
this area very shortly.

Already the Dredgemen have
promised any support that we
may need, and the ILA officials
are being contacted for their
support.

Brother Bill Sturm, Regional
Director of the AFL for this
area, has been very cooperative
with us in the past, and has
made it a lot easier for us to
contact the various unions and
make plans for getting things
started.

A number of ships have al­
ready begun to fit-out for the
1947 season, and men who have
been home and down to the
Coa.sts are beginning to drift
back to Toledo. They will all be
aboard the ships, soon now.

True to expectations, the ship­
owners are stalling around on
the contrapt negotiations. How­
ever, these details will be ironed
out before shipping starts.

Some of the shipowners'
phony proposals are in line with
Ralph Robey's statement to the
press recently.

This guy is Chief Economist
for the National Association of
Manufacturers, and follows their
policies. •

CAN EAT BEANS
Recently, Robey was asked,

"How is a man to live on the
average weekly earning of
$45.83?"

Robey replied, "Let them eat
beans."

This brainy executive made
this statement to the press just
after he had polished off a feed
that must have cost $20. Robey
also maintains a summer and
winter home in West Virginia
and New York.

Robey's remarks remind us of
the French Queen (Ed. note:
Marie Antoinette) who, when
told that her subjects had no
bread to eat, said, "Let, them
eat cake!"

It is phonies like him who
produce such fertile grounds for
the commies to work on in this
country. And he represents the
NAM, an outfit to which the

majority of large American in­
dustries belong.

If they don't mend their ways,
they'll be lucky to have beans
to eat!

NMU VERY QUIET
The NMU still remains very

quiet up here on the Lakes.
Maybe they can see the hand­
writing on the wall. They are
so bankrupt that they have no
program to offer, and they cer­
tainly can't criticize the SIU.

Unless they have changed a
lot, they will be in there pitch­
ing, trying to see if they can

Canadian Seafarers Demand Probe
Of Ship Transfers To Panama

SHlffcM/AteC
{ATlM'SeAMS?

NOTICE!
Baggage which was checked at

the USS Los Angeles has been
transferred to the Seamen's
Church Institute, 101 South Har­
bor Boulevard, San Pedro. The
USS Los Angeles ceased opera­
tion on March 1.

disrupt the SIU's campaign. We
have handled them before, and
we can handle phonies like them
again.

In the long run, only the sail­
ors suffer from the NMU's at­
tempts to rule or ruin. But,
these party-line followers don't
care what happens to anyone.

That's why they constantly
battle the SIU in our attempts
to better the wages, working and
living conditions of all seamen.

That's why all seamen are fed
up with their phony propaganda,
and look to the SIU for the
only honest, democratic leader­
ship for all unlicensed seamen.

VANCOUVER, B. C. — De­
nouncing the transfer of Cana­
dian vessels to Panamanian reg­
istry as a shipowners' subterfuge
"to operate ships with cheaper
crews, pay less taxes and to avoid

regular steamboat inspection,"

Seafarers in this port called upon
the Government for an investiga­
tion into the practice.

In a resolution adopted at the
Feb. 17 meeting, the membership
advocated a boycott of all Pana­
manian and other flag ships,

touching Canadian ports, which
fall below prevailing conditions
in this country, unless the Gov­

ernment takes steps "to safe­
guard the Canadian merchant
marine."

The resolution was to be sent
to the Maritime Trades Depart­
ment of the American Federa­
tion of Labor for proper action.

The meeting recommended that
the proposal be introduced at the
Seafarers International Union
Convention in Chicago for the
purpose of setting up a policy to
be carried out by East and West
coast AFL seamen.

Copies of the resolution, which
is similar in nature to SIU Presi­
dent Harry Lundeberg's message
to the American Congress, were

forwarded to Prime Minister
Mackenzie King and to the Min­
isters of Labor, Transport, and
Mines and Resources.

On another front. Brother Har­
ry Archibald, Member of Parlia­
ment and a Seafarer, is pressing
for government action in the
Parliament, in order to win cor­
rection of the injustices to Cana­
dian seamen and the merchant
marine stemming from the trans­
fer of vessels to other flags.

The resolution pointed out that
a considerable number of Cana­
dian ships, built by taxpayers'
money, have been transferred to
Panama and other registry. This
condition, it said, has thrown
thousands of Canadian seamen,
shipyard workers and longshore­
men out of work.

Putting the responsibility for
the situation up to the govern­
ment, the proposal urged that
maritime policy be changed to
prevent continuance of the abuse
"until such time as Panamanian
flag and other foreign registered
ships running in and out of Can­
adian ports, pay the prevailing
scale of union wages" and abide
by the manning scales and work­
ing rules in effect on Canadian
ships.

The resolution concluded with
a request for support from the
American Federation of Labor.

Tampa Really Hungry For Seamen;
Only Eight Men Are Left On Beach

Port loaded to the scuppers with
' giggle juice.

We were able to get a few of
the fellows out of the bucket, but
too many have been thrown in
the pokey where we can't help
them.

The police force is composed
mainly of young fellows who
want to lead in the amount of
arrests. That means that they
pick up anybody who even looks
drunk.

- TAMPA — Shipping slowed
down slightly this week, and its
a good thing that it did. Anyone
who even looks like a seaman
has been shipped, and we could
still use men.

Some ships have had to leave
here short in several ratings, and
with five ships due in here this
week, it looks very much like
we won't be able to do anything
for them.

We have only eight men on the
beach, including Tripcards and
Permits.

Waterman Steamship Company
has taken over the coastwise
trade, and two to four ships com­
ing in each day. Alcoa and Bull
are also very active, but Water­
man really dominates.

There is talk of Waterman op­
erating a passenger vessel to Ha­
vana, but this is just rumor.
Don't believe it until we get more
information.

We are still having trouble
with fellows who come to this

It costs $15.00 a head, .so be
cai-eful how much liquor you
take on when in Tampa.

They don't like organized labor
in Tampa, and the gendarmes
know very well that the Seafar­
ers International Union is well
organized.

They have it in for us on that
score, so any chance they get,
they will really rub it into us.

The best advice is to be damn-
careful here, and do the celebrat­
ing someplace else.

TOLEDO SHOWING RESULTS IN UKES DRIVE
By EDWARD JANASZAK

TOLEDO—Results are begin­
ning to show in the Seafarers'
current drive to organize all of
the unorganized seamen on the
Great Lakes.

One factor that we have had
to overcome was the resentment
created by the NMU as a result
of their phony Lakes strike last
year.
This made certain men definitely
anti-union, but when they under­
stand the aims and program of
the SIU, they are all for our
Union.

As the unorganized Lakes sea­
men become acquainted with the
SIU's policy of direct represen­
tation on their beefs, our work­
ing rules, and the way that we
deal with the shipowners, our

job of organizing becomes in­
creasingly easy.

Despite the bad impression
created on Great Lakes men by
the NMU's phony organizational
strike, the SIU can and will or­
ganize the Lakes.

Quite a few of the ships up
here have begun to prepare for
the fit-out, and according to what
we see and hear, more will start
in a few days.

SHOULD BE SIU
The majority of the men so far

contacted are reacting very fa­
vorably toward the SIU, and are
in favor of our Union. This
should be a good season of mu­
tual benefit to both the Lakes
sailors and the SIU.

It's hard to understand why
these Lakes have not been or-

L

ganized into the SIU long before
now. But it's easy to see why the
NMU has met with such little
success.

According to my information,
some of their officials are not
even organized themselves. In
addition, the Lakes seamen are ;
wise to the commie line used by \
the NMU — where the party :
comes first and the union mem­
bers come last.

Everyone here is confident
that the SIU drive will be suc­
cessful this year, apd that even- '
tually the entire Lakes will be
under the SIU banner. It's going
to be a big job; but then, so was
Isthmian. With the help of all |
SIU members on the Lakes, The
Great Lakes. Too. Will Be SIU!



Friday, March 28. 1947 THE SEAEARERS LOG Page Nine

Agents Conference Reconiniendations
Contracts And Negotiations

While it is true that our Union work on board ship, but have
has recently consummated the thrown their part of the work
very best contracts in Maritime on their fellow shipmates.
history, we see that there are
still several small differences in
Various contracts.

We recommend that at the
termination of our contracts
which all terminate at the same
date, September 30, that these
various differences be squared
away so that one SIU general
contract for all type vcs.sels can
be covered in one content.

The reason for this is obvious
—-^irst of all, saving of expen--
ditures—second, to reduce maxi­
mum amount of trouble by hav­
ing all contracts interpreted in
the same manner.

On the subject of the various
new companies who have been
signed to an SIU clo.sed shop con­
tract this past year by the SIU
Organizing staff, it is to be noted
that there are several small dif­
ferences in these contracts as re­
gards our regular previously con­
tracted companies.

It is understandable to this
Committee the necessity of such
small differences, and we concur
in the .organizing staff signing
these various new companies in
such a manner as they did.

We recommend that these dif­
ferences be corrected, along with
our other contracted operators as
previously recommended at the
termination date of our new con­
tracts which is also September 30.

We recommend that Headquar­
ters Offices be charged with the
responsibility commencing as
soon as this report is acted on, in
keeping files of all disputes aris­
ing from, our contracts

These files should contain clari­
fications of all disputes arising
and, immediately upon claidfica-
tion of such disputes, the mem­
bership should be notifed both
through bulletins to all Ports,
and the medium of the Seafarers
Log.

We feel that if this point is
adopted, all interpretations of all
disputes will be made in a uni­
form manner, and such action
should result in the betterment
of conditions for our membership.

KEEP CLOSE CHECK

On the subject of wage nego­
tiations, it is to be pointed out
that although we * recently re­
ceived a 6 po.r cent wage increase
through the efforts of our Wage
Negotiating Committee, it may
be necessary in the near futui'c,
in the event prices continue to go
upwards, that we once again open
negotiations with our contracted
operators.

We recommend that our Wage
Negotiating Committee stand in­
structed to keep a close check
on this matter and, if in the fu­
ture such a necessity for wage
increases arise, the Wage Nego­
tiating Committee is immediately
to make recommendations to the
membership of same and com­
mence action.

This Committee has been re­
ferred several letters and com­
munications from ships' meetings,
dealing with the question of Un­
ion responsibility on the part of
our membership towards uphold­
ing our contract.

It has been shown that a few
gashounds and performers not
only have refused to do their

There are further instances of
various fellows getting drunk
after shipping on a vessel, and
thbn deciding not to take such
job or even to report back to the
Union Hall on same.

This practice creates a bad
situation by trying to place com­
pany finks on board the vessels
on the excuse that the Union has
refused to fuimish them a man.

There is no question but that
these practices must stop.

Everything this Union has it
owes to fighting for it the hard
way, by the use in practically
every instance of economic ac­
tion, not only to gain our condi­
tions but hold them.

We cannot allow any small
group of performers or drunks
to throw awaj' the efforts made
by these previous struggles by
our membership in gaining the
finest contracts in the Industry.

CHECK ON GASHOUNDS

.Agents' Proposals
Out of deliberations at the

recently concluded Atlantic
and Gulf Agents' Conference
came many reports dealing
with the Union, its structure,
problems and future opera­
tions.

On this page are printed
some of the reports passed
by the conference.

The complete reports of the
Agents' Meeting have since
been submitted to, and ap­
proved by, membership meet­
ings of the A. & G. ports.

Shipping Rules, Constitution
The Port of San Juan, Puerto We therefore are not in accord

Rico, recommended that the Un­
ion purchase voting machines for
the .various hails for use in an­
nual elections.

This we deem inadvisable in­
asmuch as, first of all, it would
entail a teirific expense, and
second, the system now used in
the SIU as to voting procedure is
one that has been in use for a
long time, not only by this Union
but by many other unions, and
has proven to be efficient and
honest.

Strikes And Strike Apparatus
The 1946 General Strike, in this

Committee's opinion, was with­
out a doubt the most important
event in the entire history of the
Seafarers.

A study of the complete strike
report from each Branch Agent's
report, as well as strike files,
will show that in every port the
SIU, during the period of the
Strike, was able to take over and

We, therefore, recommend to complete leadership of the
the Agents and membership that entire Maritime Industry.
a close check be made on this and
that all gashounds and perform­
ers be brought up on charges be­
fore the members on the basis
of tearing down Union condi­
tions and contracts.

This Committee further recom­
mends, whenever possible, when
other means have failed on the
proper handling of negotiations,
that the continued use of eco­
nomic action be used to maintain
our present conditions.

This, by no stretch of imagin­
ation, means wildcat action on the
part of any individual crew, but
concerted action through coop­
eration by crew members and
shore-side officials.

To prevent disputes from pil­
ing up, every crew is urged to
never payoff a vessel until the
all-clear signal is given by the
boarding patrolmen.

B.y the same token, every crew
should be instructed not to sign
ship's articles until such time as
he has been again given the all-
clear signal.

Thus, by taking care of these
problems we can reduce the
amount of contract and negotia­
tions problems by using this
simple process.

The problems, although differ­
ing in size, according to the size
of the Port itself, were pretty
much the same all over, and the
strong and weak points of the
Strike Apparatus that showed in
one Port showed in practically
all Ports.

In regards to the possibilities
of a Strike in 1947, it seems to be
the general consensus of opinion
of the various Branch Agents,
as well as the membership itself,
that 1947 may see some sort of
economic action on the water­
front.

This committee is of the full
opinion that the Organization
must be prepared in the event
one does become necessary. It
is well that we remember that in
some respects 1947 can be com­
pared with the year. 1921 after
the first World War.

This like comparison of the
various situations calls for the
organization, above everything
else, to be very careful and not
be jockeyed into any ill-advised
moves by the operators.

We definitely do feel that, if
the opei-ators feel they have suffi­
cient Government backing, they
may attempt in some fnanner to

crack down on this Union as well
as all others.

This Committee recommends
that each Port Agent, upon his
return to his particular Port,

Vvfith the recommendation from
the Puerto Rico branch.

The Port of New York has
recommended to this Conference
for action, a proposition calling
for each candidate in annual elec­
tions to supply a photograph of
himself with details as to Union
activities. •

While we are in sympathy with
such a proposition, we do not
feel it is necessary or advisable
to amend the Constitution as
such.

We do recommend, however,
that full and proper riotice be
gi\"en in the Seafarers Log and
various minutes, and that prior
to our next annual elections such
photographs and biographies
shall be supplied by each candi­
date foi- office, along with his cre­
dentials to t)ie Credentials Corn-

make an immediate survey of the in the Headquarters Of-
strike facilities of his Port and
give a full and detailed report to
the Headquarers Offices of this
Union concerning the local situa­
tion.

Each agent should size up the
amount of gear he has on hand
for use in ca.se of Strike, such as
kitchen equipment, cots, etc.

We further recommend that
upon the receipt of such reports

Such photographs and biogra­
phies are then to be run in that
issue of the Seafarers Log im­
mediately following the findings
of the Credentials Committee, and
upon issuance of their report.

SHIPPING RULES

We have studied various Ship-
that we follow the procedure as Rules recommendations sub-
laid down last year prior to our
1946 General Strike. That is. to
instruct the Director of Organi­
zation of this District and the
Organizational Staff to immed­
iately make a complete study of
all reports and recommendations
and then make any changes as
are needed in our Strike Appar­
atus, subject to membership ap­
proval.

We feel veis stiungly and re­

mitted from various Ports and
have studied same. Most of these
complaints originate not so much
from the lack of good Shipping
Rules, as from, the lack of proper
enforcement instead.

We. therefore, recommend that
the Shipping Rules stand as they
are and that every official of the
Union be instructed to see to it
that they are enforced.

We further call upon the mem-
peat once again that while this bership to assist in this program
Committee is certainly not in by seeing to it that any viola-
favor of making additional j tions or misadministration of the
expenditures for strike gear, each Shipping Rules by members or
Port should be able to, upon very officals are brought to member-
short notice, mobilize itself for ship meetings for action,
all-out economic action.

We further point out that be­
cause of our pre-Strike prepara­
tions in 1946 that we had less
confusion in administering our Secretary-Treasurer, John
strike than any other Maritime requested a six

Sick Leave
Union. . , , , , ,, month's leave of absence due to

This we feel was due to the recoverv, and
fact, as stated before, of previous recommends that the full respon-
preparation and this, if nothing^ Secretarv-Tr
else, offers a good reason for con­
tinued preparation of same.

Organizational And Expansion Program
The Committee on Organiza­

tion and Expansion, submits the
following points:

1. Organizational work and
Expansion of the Union is vitally
necessary.

2. The Union should maintain
a permanent organizing staff.
This staff should consist of a Di­
rector of Organization, one East
Coast and one Gulf Coast repre­
sentative.

The Isthmian election is over
and the victory by the Seafarers
means that the last unorganized
dry cargo operator of any great
size in the off-shore trade has
been eliminated.

It is therefore recommended
that the permanent organizing
staff handle the business of con­
tacting all new companies as
they are brought in under the
expansion program^ and to take
such action as is necessary to
bring them under SIU contract.

It is this Committee's opinion
that tanker operators hold a key
position and are of vital impor­
tance to the Organizing and Ex­
pansion program.

We therefore recommend that
the Organizing Department be
permitted to select and employ
competent tanker organizers in
sufficient number to properly
carry on the necessary organiza­
tional work in this field.

The selections should be sub­
ject to the approval of the Di­
rector of Organization and the
membership. ••

AGENT RESPONSIBLE
In Ports where no organizer is

stationed, the Port Agent is to be
held responsible for all organi­
zational work, and is to submit
daily reports of all organizational
activity conducted in his port.

In the event of any unusual
developments or excessive work.

he is to immediately contact the
Coast Repiesentati\e.

This C o m mitt e e further
recommends that the policy
adopted in the Isthmian Drive of
issuing membership books with
the Initiation Fee and certain
Assessments remitted, be con­
tinued.

The same policy of the remis­
sion of dues to members sailing
unorganized ships to also be con­
tinued.

It is to be definitely under­
stood, how-fever, that the remis­
sions shall be for the organiza­
tional period only, and that upon
certification or the signing of con­
tracts all members shipping shall
do so as on contract ships, and
that crew members of these ships
who failed to avail themselves of
the opportunity of joining dur­
ing the precertification or con­
tract period must join in the
regular fashion.

eas-
urer's office be turned over to the
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, as
per Constitution, immediately,
pending the concurrance of this
recommendation. He further
stales that at the end of this six
months, if his health is not im­
proved and that he needs a
change in climate, that he will
tender his resignation.

We, the undersigned Commit­
tee. ri-alize that after many years
of continuous duty to the SIU
that Brother Hawk's health has
failed. We feel that Brother
Hawk should be given a vote of
thanks for the many years of ser­
vice to the Organization and that
he be granted this request of a
six month's leave of absence im­
mediately and that his pay be
continued for this period of six
months.

We further recommend that
the Assistant Secretary-Treasur­
er, J. P. Shuler, immediately as­
sume full and complete authority
and duties of the Secretai-y-
Treasurer, as per Constitution,
for the successful carrying out of
the Union's program.



im

jpage Tea THE SEAFARJSRS LOG Friday. March 28. 1947

SHIPS' MINUTES AND NEWS

SIU Crew
Aids Striking
Foundry Men

The Brotherhood of the Sea,
in the persons of the crew of
the SS Caleb Strong, came
ashore this week to lend a help­
ing hand to fellow trade union­
ists walking the picketlines.

It all came about when a
member of the Caleb Strong
crew, J. M. "Windy" Walsh, went
ashore in Brooklyn and found
pickets around a plant near the
waterfront.

The pickets, he learned, were
members of the International
Moulders and Foundry Workers,
Local 87, AFL, on strike against
the Doran Foundry. In the'
course of a conversation with
the men on the picketlines,
"Windy" learned that their
union did not have a strike fund
and due to the length of the
strike the funds of many of the
men were exhausted. The pick­
eting foundrymen, he found,
were not too concerned with
their own welfare, but those
men with families were worried
about their wives and children.

When Seafarer Walsh heard of
this he went into a huddle with
himself. If a few bucks will
help these fellows stay on the
picketline, then let's help them
out, he decided. Back to the
ship he went, and in a short
time the whole crew had learn-

SIU Wins Damages And Pension
For Injured Canadian Seafarer

I2K3rtT WITH

kEPP IT dPl

First-rate Union representation
pays off.

Take it from Canadian Sea­
farer Alfred Brunet whose per­
sonal experience is another sol­
id indication why the Seafarers
International Union's beef-hand­
ling for its membership is tops
on the waterfront.

A few years ago. Brother
Brunet, who has been sailing
the coastal vessels of the Cana­
dian Pacific Railroad for many
years, suffered a serious injury
which impaired the sight of both
his eyes. The case came up be­
fore the compensation board in
Vancouver, British Columbia.

No precedents were upset at
the hearing. As usual in cases
involving seamen, Brunet got a
rough deal. Fortunately, how­
ever, he still had an ace up his
sleeve. His Union — the SIU —
would put up a terrific fight in
his behalf.

Brother Brunet headed for
the Branch office at 144 Hast­
ings Street, Vancouver. There
he saw Brother H. Murphy, SIU
Port Agent. Gathering all the
facts. Murphy decided to pitch a
battle to win what Brother Bru­
net justly deserved. He peti­
tioned for a review of the case.

The result was gratifying.
Everything that Brother Brunet
was entitled to was won—and
paid to him. And, in addition, he
is being paid a small pension,
which he will receive for the
rest of his life.

ed of the situation and contrib­
uted $72 for the families of the
strikers. The men then handed
the money over to the Union's
strike commitee.

CREW'S FINE DEED

In response tjo the demonstra­
tion of union solidarity by the
crew of the Caleb Strong, Fred
Van Hansen, Chairman of the
Foundry Workers' Strike Com­
mittee, wrote a letter to the SIU
thanking the crew for "this fine
deed performed by an outside
affiliated Union of the AFL."

He also assured the men who
donated the money that it had
been distributed to those mar­
ried men whoe families were in
need of the assistance.

Brother Van Hansen also stat­
ed that he wished to attend the
next membership meeting of the
SIU to voice his appreciation
and' thhnks for the fine gesture
by the Strong crew.

Th^ text of Brother Van Han­
sen's letter is as follows;
"Dear Brothers:

"A Brother of your Union,
Joseph M. Walsh, upon finding

that the men of our plant, who
are out on strike, were badly
in need of money not only to
feed themselves, but their wives
and children . . . took it upon
himself to take up a collection
among the crewmembers of the
Caleb Strong, which totaled $72,
which, as per agreement by the
seamen, was to be distributed
among married men with chil­
dren who are in need of finan­
cial assistance, which was done.

"Words cannot express my ap­
preciation or feeling for this
kind deed performed by an out­
side affiliate of the AFL.

WISHES TO THANK
"If permission can be granted,

I would like an invitation for
myself and a committee to at­
tend the next meeting of the
SIU, so we can voice our ap­
preciation and thanks.

"I am writing this letter hop­
ing you will publish it in the
Seafarers Log so as to thank
Brother Walsh and all the sea­
men who contributed to the
prosecution of our strike and
the aid of our families.

Fred Van Hansen
Chairman Strike Comm.
Local 87. IMFWA."

Seafarers aboard the Caleb
Strong, who contributed to the
aid of the Moulders and Foun­
dry Workers are: J. M. Walsh,
Louis P. Sivert, Gordon Hansen,
E. D. Scroggins, M. S. Spytko,
Allen George, Bob Branch, J.
O'Rourke, Joe DiGrazio, Jack
Branch, Uno Wirkeban, Clyde
Patterson, Leon Sizemare, Har­
old Rency, Jerry Kirzmann,
Thurman Little, W. C. Nicholsen
and Fred Pearson.

Seafarer Alfred Brunet looks over sailing ship model,
which he recently presented to the Vancouver Branch. Despite
impaired vision as a result of shipboard accident, he still pur­
sues his hobby.

But there's more to the~ story ship models, one of which he
than just the compensation
award. Port Agent Murphy says
that Brother Brunet is still sail­
ing on his ship. And, in spite
of his handicap, he is still able
to pursue his hobby of making

presented recently to the Union.
Paying dues in the SIU, Sea­

farer Brunet will assert, is the
kind of security investment that
pays off dividends in many ways.

Pilot Butte's
Cook Dies In
Turkish Port

Seafarer Charles Stawinskie,
a Chief Cook, who died sud­
denly while ashore in Istanbul,
Turkey, was buried in a ceme­
tery in that city, according to
word just received from his

shipmates aboard the SS Pilot
Butte, which returned to the

States this week.

Brother Stawinskie was strick­
en in the company agent's office
and died a few moments later.
The burial service was attended
by the Pilot Butte's skipper and

the crew.

The late Seafarer, who held
Book No. 29911, signed on the

Pilot Butte in Galveston, July
1, ,1946, for a trip to New York.

There he signed on foreign ar­
ticles, Aug. 1.

CREWS PRAISE

A statement from his ship­
mates said "he always had the
best of intentions, and they were
always carried out to the best
of his ability." An ardent ad­
vocate of solid unionism, he
spoke often of its advantages,
the crew said.

Extremely modest, and a hard
working union man. Brother
Stawinskie cared only to be "a
regular fellow among seamen,"
the statement added.

The late Charles Stawinskie
(left) with a shipmate in the
Butte's galleyk

Photo at left shows flag-
draped casket reposing in Istan­
bul church prior to funeral
service.

SS Ovid Butler Crewmembers Call For End
Of Coast Guard Jurisdiction Over Seamen

Scoring the Coast Guard's jurisdiction over merchant
seamen as "an encroachment upon the democratic rights
of civilian labor by a military force," the SIU crew of the
SS Ovid Butler pushed for the return of authority to the
Department of Commerce.

The proposal was contained in
a resolution submitted with a
copy of the ship's minutes of the
Feb. 23 meeting, held at sea.

In view of the Coast Guard's
strenuous efforts to retain its

power over seagoing civilians,
the Seafarers declared that they
recognize "this as the first at­
tempt toward the regimentation
of all American labor."

Transfer of control over the
civilian maritime effort to the

Commerce department would
serve the better interests of the
United States and, consequently,
the SIU, the Butler crew point­
ed out.

In support of the proposed
change, the statement recalled
that the civilian governmental
body once did administer the af­
fairs now conducted by the Coast
Guard. It implfed, therefore, that

(Continued on Page 11)

•^1

. ••S -

i;

1.

. "i •

•£

dp*. ;;



Friday. March 28. 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Eleven

SIU Ship's Minutes In Brief

ll

|) /

FAIRISLE, March 2—Chair­
man A. E. IBourgot; Secroiary
R. W. Simpkins. New Business:
Molion carried io have fresh
wafer lanks cleaned and in-
specled before new crew signs
on for next trip. Motion car­
ried that all crews quarters be
painted and all bunks repaired.
Also have hooks and mirrors
placed in all quarters. Motion
carried that all vent systems
be checked and repaired
throughout crev/'s quarters.
Good and Welfare: General
discUssiiig by all concerning
ship, quarters etc. A repair list
made out to be turned over to
shore delegate at the pay off.

A. J.
FORT WINNEBAGO. Feb.

11—Chairman J. O'Malley; Sec­
retary R. Hanna. List of repairs
for each department and gen­
eral repair list read. List to be
presented to Patrolman. Deck
Department beefs heard and
it was agreed to present them
to Patrolman when ship
reaches port. No beefs from
Engine or Stewards Depart­
ments. General discussion on
cleaning of passageways and
messroom.

4- S" t
MONROE. Feb. 9—Chairman

Hansen; Secretary T. Randall.
New Business: Motion carried
to have radio removed from
chart room and put in radio
room so Radio Man can handle
it. Motion carried that ship's
repair list be read; list ap­
proved. Motion carried that
medical chest be checked be­
fore next trip, also slopchest.
Motion carried that First Offi­
cer be removed from ship due
to his bucko conduct and in­
tolerant attitude. Motion car­
ried that all beefs be settled
before payoff. Motion carried
that American money be given
in foreign ports. Motion car­
ried that two messmen amid
ship be removed to spare room
aft. Motion carried to remove
padeyes from deck to prevent
injury to crew.

SAMUEL LIVERMORE. Jan.
2G—Chairman C. J. White;
Secretary Samuels. New Busi­
ness: To remove soiled towels
and soiled clothing from wash­
rooms. Also to remove cups

and dishes used at night. Each
man to place gear used in scul­
lery. Messboys to serve men
going on watch first. To re­
serve four seats at mess table
for watch going on. No clothes
to be washed in wash basins of
wash rooms at anytime. Each
Department to use heads and
washrooms alloted, and main­
tain cleanliness of same.

Butler Crew Proposes End
Of Coast Guard's Control

(Canthiued from Page 10)
the job was more satisfactorily
handled under the previous au­
thority. ^ ^

The Butler men, in their re­
solution, called upon the Union
membership to pledged all their
resources to effect "the removal
of the United States Coast Guard
or any other military organiza­
tion from having jurisdiction
over our only means of liveli­
hood." In this direction they
recommended the election of a
committee of five members to
gather data on the Coast Guard
regime in its relations with mer­
chant seamen. The results would
be turned over to the Secretarj'-
Treasurer, the statement added,
for presentation to "the parties
concerned in Washington."

The text of the resolution,
bearing signatures of the Butler
crewmembers, follows:

TEXT OF RESOLUTION
WHEREAS: We members of

Ihe Seafarers Internaficnal Un­
ion of Norlh America, as mem­
bers of fhe crew of the SS Ovid
Buller, fully realizing fhai fhe
marifimfi labor movement id
foremosl in fhe American la-

tbor movement; and,
WHEREAS; We feel that an

encroachment is being attempt­
ed up on the democratic rights
of civilian laboro by military
force; and.

WHEREAS; We feel that an
encroachment is being attempt­
ed upon the democratic rights
of cililian labor by military
force; and,

WHEREAS: Firmly believing
that the better interest of the
United States and the life of
our organization can be served,
as in the past, by an organisa­
tion of seafaring individuals

under the jurisdiction of the
department of Commerce; and

WHEREAS: The disciplinary
power granted to the United
States Coast Guard over the
civilian employees in the U. S.
merchant marine was a form of
protection in a period of na­
tional emergency; and

WHEREAS: The period of
national emergency has been

• declared officially over by the
President of the United States;
and

WHEREAS: An attempt is
being made by the Coast Guard
to maintain this miliary force
over the civilian employees of
the merchant marine;

THEREFORE, BE IT RE­
SOLVED: That we members of
the merchant marine recognize
this as the first attempt in the
regimentation of all American
labor; and

FURTHER, BE IT RE­
SOLVED: That a committee of
five be elected at a joint mem­
bership meeting in New York
to gather all data regarding un­
justifiable actions of the Coast
Guard, which proved detri­
mental to the efficiency of the
merchant marine in its effort
to contribute the most to the
war effort; and

BE IT FURTHER RE­
SOLVED: That upon comple­
tion of the arrangement of this
data, our Secretary-Treasurer
present it to the parties con­
cerned in Washington; and

BE IT FINALLY RE­
SOLVED: That the entire mem­
bership of the SIU pledge its
every power toward removal of
the United States Coast Guard
or any other military organiza­
tion from jurisdictional rights
over our only means of liveli­
hood.

A GUIDE TO THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS

STAY ON,
rHE JOB/

Fr?, IREMENMUST
STAV yVlTH TWElR

PLAhtTlS UmiL
RBUBVBV BY
RePUGEMe^^r

FROM THE HAIL .

"Because many of the members who hit this port find it difficult to find their way
around." A. L. "Steve" Stephens, New Orleans Dispatcher forwarded this map of the Crescent
City, pointing out the location of the SIU Hall in 339 Chartres Street. It is suggested that Sea«
farers clip this and keep it for future reference.

CUT and RUN
By HANK

Shipping in Nc-\v York (and .several other ports) is so good
that many brothers are wisely and happil.v grabbing those jobs off

the boards to avoid all that day-to-day (and even weeks) waiting
ai'ound which they know only gi\-es them an unprofitable period of
laziness, boredom and decreasing cabbage. So if you hat to be
broke, to be lazy, forget about waiting for that special trip to Alaska
or Turkey and grab those jobs while shipping is hot and the weather
is cool. To avoid getting yourselves fouled up. the ship, and the
men on the ships, yoti Brothers should I'ead the shipping rules or
have them explained (if it finally comes to that) by responsible
people. Another important thing. Before you take any job make
certain >'ou want to sail the ship. Ships have to be sailed, not
tossed around like bad tomatoes. Be a sailor. Brother, and a good
union man, not a luxury-liner baby dreaming of no work, all over­
time and a goldmine with dancing women waiting for you in That
foreign port. That ship and the trip can be swell if you stay on it
and want to make it that way. So how about it, Brothers, use
your common sense—not those half-baked quick-triggered decisions
which seriou.sly and foolishly foul up a lot of things.

S. 4

Last week we talked with Jimmy Mulligan, his cheerful
wife, and Jimmy's shipmate, Charlie Henry. Jimmy v/as sure
glad to chew ihe seafaring fat with Brother Henry after their
eleven month trip together with another shipmate, Brotnei
Bishop, who is not in town right now. Jimmy's wife is so proud
of her husband that she said she wouldn't like to hear any bad
words about Jimmy, indeed. Especially after St. Patrick's Day.
we might say . . . Deck Engineer Claude Davis exhibited to the
union hall last week his shipmate of a seagoing rabbit.
George, and confessed that this big eared sailor of two years on
our ships, couldn't make the last trip because he had a tooth
pulled. Say, Claude, does George clean those winch beds for
you on the trip or what? . . . Electrician J. McHenry is ready for
a long circuit of a trip we presume . . . Laymon Seay, the Oiler,
is merrily in town, to grab a ship . . . Ozzie Okray and Leo
Siarkowski just came in from a trip to Germany. The trip was
okay, they confess.

i- 5- i-

Steward J. J. McGrath i.s presumably ready to ship out after
celebi-ating St. Patricks Day. Is it a trip to Glocca Morra in Ireland,
you're thinking of, Brother McGrath . . . Little Paddy McCann
just came into town from his home town of Jacksonville, Florida.
Ah, Paddy, we knew you wouldn't miss the Irish parade for any­
thing in the world—even a ship to Ireland, too . . . Here's some of the
oldtimers here in New York right now: Gulfer Chester Jowers;
Bosun v., Acabeo: Gulfer O. G. Pederson: Bosun Roland Strom;
Dan Bissett: John Bilinski: Bosun Joseph David Rose: K. Kain;
F. Nering: J. Stickney: AB F. Borst: Salvatore Volpi: W, J.
Newhoff; and A. De Forest.

i- S- S-

Alcoa Sfeamship Company is charfering 16 more Liberty
ships and buying two more C-2s lo bring the total fleet under its
control up to 78 vessels. Alcoa's charter fleet will then total 59
vessels and with her 17 company owned ships plus two two C-2s.
she will control the operations of 710,000 to ns of shipping . . .
The Mississippi Company, which is operating the first and is
about lo receive the second of its three passenger liners, has
now decided lo build a fourth. Each of these vessels, which
are air-conditioned and of advance design, carries about 120
passengers . . . Bull Line has decided to resume its coastwise
services and will do so as soon as it can charter the right kind
of vessels.



Pag® Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG Triday, March 28. 1947
•1 ?

THE MEMBEBSHIP SPEAHS

NMUers Should Get
Lowdown On Cause
Of Current Battle
To ihe Edilor;

Judging from the current is­
sues of the NMU Pilot, all is not
well in the Moscow paradise up
on West 17th Street. Joseph
Stack, who so prominently dis­
played his character in this
present beef, is a well-known
opportunist who in 1938, was
run off the Houston waterfront
by'the rank and file. At that
time I was a member of the
Pacific Coast Marine Firemen
with Book No. 4015.

What I cannot understand is
why Joe Curran, who knew the
character of Joe Stack, did not
expose him to the membership
before this present split in his
union. Giving Curran the bene­
fit of the doubt, it could be pos­
sible the pressure was too great,
because the communist party did
practically control the editorial
staff of the Pilot.

HAD GOOD PURPOSE

We of the Seafarers Interna­
tional Union, who fought people
such as Stack in order to expose
them to the members of the NMU
—not to tear down the structure
of the union, but to make them
understand that we have much
in common with them as sea­
men—deemed it our duty to assist
them in cleansing their ranks of
such-characters in the hopes that
we could create a unified pro­
gram to fight the common enemy
—the shipowner.

It is our duty, as union men, to
clean out the political element
that has infested the ranks of the
ranks of the NMU for the past
ten years. For it has always been
the policy of these people to de­
stroy that which they cannot
rule.

I do not relish the idea of re­
hashing old stories. But that is
what the split in the NMU is
forcing many oldtimers to do in
the attempt to prevent the ship­
owner from using the NMU as a
wedge to smash all unions, as a

HEADS FOR ITALY
AFTER 12 MONTHS
ON BAUXITE RUN
To the Editor:

I've been on the bauxite run
for thd past 12 months dodging
tli.e North Atlantic, but at this
time I am heading back for Italy.

Shipping is so good here in
Mobile, it's almost a job to keep
from getting shanghaied. Johnny
Reed shipped on the Alcoa Pil­
grim headed for "rum and coca-
cola" Trinidad. We left him
there on the Pioneer.

Blackie Mason is still out on
one of Alcoa's Liberties—the
Wirt, I think. He is still carving
wood into beautiful plaques and
getting a beautiful piece for
them.

Would appreciate it if you
would put me on the Log mailing
list. Then I won't have to wait
until I hit New York to check
up on the back copies.

Paul Gladden

j result of the internal trouble that
exists in the NMU today.

In my opinion, all the old-
timers who fought the CP on
both the West and East coasts
should come out with articles
telling the younger elements of
the NMU just what happened in
1939. So that they get .something
beside the blarney fed them in
lying pamphlets strewn about
the waterfront by paid agents of
the communist party.

We of the Seafarers Interna­
tional Union are not perfect, be­
cause it is human to err. But we
can assure you men of the NMU
that our Union officials are sin­
cere rank and file men who will
work in every way humanly
possible to keep your ranks
intact.

Should you NMU men go on
believing the lies of such people
as Joseph Stack who seeks to use
you principally to feather his
own nest, you can then be as­
sured you will find yourself
sold for 30 pieces of silver.

Joe Buckley

; Men Aboard William Bryant
Warn Of Safety Violations
To the Editor:

We have been shuttling down
here between the Port of Spain
and Georgetown since January.

During all this time, the ship has
been running with her hatches
open when light. This practice
has been a source of irritation

between the Deck Gang and the
Chief Mate.

A man going up to the bow on
lookout at night, or even walk­
ing about on deck is in danger
of falling into one of the holds.
Then, too, if we run into any
kind of sea, we may shig, water.
Can this practice be stopped?

As you probably know, on
this run the crew handles the
hatches and beams. The amount
of money from handling afore­
said runs into a goodly sum. So
far, we have have made seven
shuttles from British Guiana to
Port of Spain. We have come to
the conclusion that had these
hatches been properly secured,
we'd have at least $100 more in
overtime. Taking this into con­
sideration, we've entered this
money on our disputed overtime

Deck Gang aboard Alcoa's William Cullen Bryant. Photo
submitted to the LOG by Augustin Rodriguez, Dock Delegate.

It is our opinion that a ship
running two days in open sea
with its holds open isn't proper­
ly secured for sea. The only
possible reason for such an ex­
periment (since that is all it is)

sheets. We call it 'proxy money.'is to do the Deck Gang out of

the longshore overtime rate. If
the insurance companies con­
done such stunts, it is our op­
inion that they are endangering
their policies.

Knowing full well the advan-
{Continued on Page 13)

Log-A -Rhythms Men At Sea
By CHARLES KULL

People staying on the shore.
Believe the life at sea.

Is one of fun and frolic,
A great big jubilee.

Three squares a day, a nice clean
bed

Why should they want for
more,

A seaman's life is wonderful.
He sees the foreign shore.

He sits on deck in sunshine
And has the ocean breeze.

Why should he want more
m.oney.

He lives a life of ease.

That all sounds swell, my lands­
man friend

But let me put you right.
About the things far out at sea.

That go on day and night.
Then lend a ear, I'll make it clear.

The truth about the sea.
The way the ocean really is.

The way it's bound to be.
So make a trip on a liberty ship

Out on the ocean blue.
And by our side, you'll take the

ride
And we'll show it all to you»

We are two days out and it's just
grand

The sun is shining bright.
We sit out on the hatches.

And watch the stars at night.
Morning comes without the sun,

A bit of fog appears.
The blasting ship's old whistle

Goes piercing through your
ears.

The ship begins to roll a bit.
The wind is getting strong.

The bow dips down just slightly.
As we proceed along.

Deeper and deeper the bow digs
down

To cut the waves in twain.
From port to starboard rolls the

ship
An she seem to groan with

pain.
"Keep on your course you so and

so,"
Howls the mate to the man

on wheel.
And tries to keep the wave tossed

ship
Upon an even keel.

Now we have hit the storm in
full.

She rolls and then she dives.
As she starts her rolls in rhythm.

On degrees of forty-five.

Its time for chow my hearties.
And cookie's on the ball.

As seamen sway the passageway.
To reach the old mess hall.

Seated at the table.
The ship still rolls like heck.

Four hands would not be quite
enough.

When your grub heads for the
deck.

At last you get your coffee,
A little left in the cup.

Then comes the mighty question.
Just how to drink it up.

You've got t'S time the rolling.
And open up y9ur trap.

And if your late a second.
It's on your chest and lap.

The messman must be careful.
With firm feet on the deck.

To make sure that order
Don't go down your neck.

But sometimes things do happen.
Strange as it would seem.

My shipmate got a hair rinse.
Of gooey cold ice cream.

Out on deck the deck-hands
Secure the ship's loose gear.

They brave the storm and wash­

ing sea.
They do not think of fear.

The ocean waves get higher
And swash across the deck.

That doesn't even stop them.
They're wet from feet to neck.

Until their work's completed.
For them there is no rest.

That's when you find a deckhand
Is at his very best.

We look in on the Black Gang,
The engine room's his place.

The Oiler at the crossheads.
Sweat dripping down his face.

His one hand holds the oil can.
The other, the guide rail,

A dive into the crankpit.
If his grip did fail.

The Oiler gets an oil splashing.
Right across his face

He cusses out the engineer,
"Don't let that damn thing

race."

The engineer on watch is seated.
Before the butterfly.

To keep her from racing.
When her stern comes up too

high.
Now and then he misses.

He pulls at it too late.
And the racing of acentrics.

Splashes up the clean floor
plate.

Again the Oiler cusses.
He knows it is his job.

To keep the engine floor plates
clean.

As he reaches for the swab.

Over here we have' the fireman,
A boiler oh each side.

Some of our shipmates seem to
think

He's here just for the ride.
Don't you let them kid you.

His job is not all hay.
He keeps the fires burning.

To keep us under way.
He turns the valve for extra feed.

Sweat shines his face like brass
For he must keep his eyes upon

That bobbing water glass.

The storm still kepps a-raging.
Here's the quarters of the crew

Some of them have one port hole
And others they have two.

But when the sea is rolling high.
The port holes must be closed.

Unless you want to take a swim.
While at slumber you repose.

The quarters are hot and stuffy.
And you're tossed by the roll­

ing ship.
You feel as long as you can't

sleep
You'll cool off .with a dip.

J-

A towel around your middle.
You sway the passage way.

And go into the shower stall.
And everything's okay

You turn on the faucet
And then to your surprise.

You find a bit of messy soap
Has gotten in your eyes.

While striving to remove it.
To port the ship has rolled.

Next thing you're lying on the
deck

And almost knocked out cold.

We don't have any movies.
We can't go to a dance.

We only see more water.
Which ever way we glance.

And when the ship's in trouble
We can't get out and walk.

We always take these chances.
Do you blame us if we squawk?

Now my friend and landsman,
I'm sure you will agree,

A seaman's life is no roses.
Away out on the sea.

•1



Friday, March 28, 1947 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Thirteen

SEA-GOING 'BUGS BUNNY' WON'T, WORK OVERTIME—OR ANYTIME QJf0j.g CoftSt Gllftrd AllSWeF

To Its Budgetary Problems

Two years ago in Wellington, New Zealand,
Deck Engineer Claude Davis, struck up a friend­
ship with "George," a snow-white rabbit.
They've been sailing together ever since.
"George" allows no one to push him around.
In photo above, he stares menacingly at lens
held by shaking LOG photographer. At left,
the tough hare struggles while his owner.
Brother Davis attempts to oblige the lens man.
Explaining his white-haired friend's temper-
ment, Davis said: "For two years he's been
feeding aboard ships, but no one has been
able to get him to turn to yet."

To the Editor:

According to an item printed
recently in a New York news­
paper, the poor mistreated Coast
Guard has liad its budget cut
from over a hundred million to
around ninty million bucks. This

reduction, they moan, will
severely hamper their life-sav­
ing operations and put a crimp
in their program for the coming
year.

Well, I woud like to make a
suggestion in their behalf that
will enable them to get along
very easily on the ninty million
alloted to them,

The procedure would be for
them to unload three-quarters of
the dead wood that has been on
their payroll for a number of
expenses and carry out the work
years. Also, in order to decrease
that they were originally organ­
ized to undertake, they should
relinquish their control over
American seamen.

A SOLUTION

This they can do very easily
by turning over their control of
the Bureau of Inspection and
Navigation to another Govern­

ment agency, namely the De­
partment of Commerce.

If they did this they would be
able to trim themselves down to
a smaller, but more compact
outfit engaged only in the work
for which they are qualified.

They .should realize that it is
time that the mess they created
in the Merchant Marine needs
cleaning, for we all know that
the Cdhst Guard is guilty of
creating this mess.

The Coast Guard should be
anxious to return to peacetime
operation and leave the duties of
handling the Bureau of Marine

THIS fJFADWOOP^

BRASS.'

Brother Puts In Plug For The Electricians
To the Editor:

The Engineers of most ships
are under the impression that

the ships carry two electriciar.«.

the Chief and 2nd 'Flcctrician
who also has a Chief's rating.
To offset'this wrong impression,
we must constafttly remind them

that the Chief Electrician is the
only electrician on board.

The Assi.stant is not an Elect­
rician, and does not do any el-
ectricial repairing except under
the immediate supervision and
watchful eyes of the Chief El-
ecti-ician. Always remembei- that
the Steamboat Inspectors and
Examiners will tell you when
you possess a rating above wiper
(i.e.. Fireman, Oiler, W.T. Deck
Engineer, et all.) "You are in-

trican. There is no verbal or
written examination given to ob­
tain an assistant's rating."

And to quote Commander
Bridges, N.Y. Examiner, USCG:

"An Electrician's assistant is re­
garded by the Coast Guard Ex­
aminers as being in the same
class as a wiper, with no re-
.sponsibility but with a little

more money as an inducement

for an apprentice to learn the
trade. The Mauitime Commission
instituted the idea because it
should prove more proficient
than maintaining a government
school,"

Remember that the duties of a
Chief Maintenance Electrician is
to test, repair and/or clean all
electricial equipment that comes

telligently qualified to sign ar- under his heading as such, but
tides to assist the Chief Elec- ^ not to operate.

Bryant Men Score Dangers
Created By Open Hatches

{Continued From Page 12)

tages and value of a marine
newspaper, we hope you can
find a spot in the Log for this
as soon as possible. We want to
warn our Brothers to be on the
lookout for such practices.

TOUGH BABY

Now to get to the Mate. At
first he seemed to be a pretty
nice guy. He is only 21 years
young. We had no difficulties
until the overtime started roll-
ng in. Hear this: we worked
hard for every shekel. He did
not throw us an hour. When
we tui-ned our overtime sheets
in, he changed the hours and
time of turn to and knock off
to suit himself. He has disputed
nearly evry penalty hour we
got.

After our Delegate told him
to stop playing with the sheets,
he sawrfthe light. How he uses
the red pencil, and he can use
it. We want to remind our
Brothei-s to make a duplicate of
all overtime, so that if they run

across a gent l|ike this one,
they'll know what they have,
and not what he wants to give
them.

In closing, we wish to say
that on the whole we have a
militant crew. For the mterest
of men on this run, you can
obtain copies of the Seafarers
Log at the British Merchant
Navy Club in Port of Spain. By
the way, when reading a recent
issue of the Log, we came across
Paul Hall's comment on the pos­
sibilities of a hall in Trinidad.
We give him a vote of thanks
for bringing this question into
the limelight. Such an office, we
think, would certainly clear up
a lot of beefs on the spot.

John Tobin
Auguslin Rodriguez
SS William C. Bryant

P.S. We are scheduled to ar­
rive in New Orleans about
March 28.

(Editor's note: The matter of
open hatches should be taken
up with the Patrolman at the
payoff.)

The assistant is simply a help- the company if we Chief Fleet­
er, called upon only when the
Chief Electrician requires his as­
sistance. If the Engineers want
the assistants to carry out the
responsible duties of a compet­
ently qualified 2nd Electrician
let the company pay for it —

then we'll get some of our El­
ectricians off the beach.

Another thing. I believq that
it would be more economical to

ricians were to supply our own
tools for additional compensa­
tion such as is now granted the

Carpenters (Article 3, Section 1).

I suggest that all Electricians,
including assistants, drop a post­

card to Robert Matthews. N.Y.
Headquarters. Register your beef
with him and he'll go to town.

Book No. 425

Inspection and Navigation to the
people who are more qualified
to handle it.

If the Coast Guard consoles
itself with iceberg patrols and
the aiding of navigation, instead
of trying to take unto itself the
duties that rightly belong to an­
other department of the govern­
ment, the taxpayers of the coun­
try can rest assured that the
ninty million appropriated to
them is ample money to carry
out their duties and protect the
sea lanes, instead of devoting
the majority of the time and
money to lording over the sea­
men as they have been doing.

Louis Goffin

Seafarer Says There's No Ship
Meaner Than The SS Arosemena
To the Editor:

Mexicans are known as red-
bean lovers, and the Chinese are
fantical in -their love for rice.
What would anybody who had
to endure both items for six
months be? Please contact the
last crew of the broken down
Liberty wagon, Justo Arosemena,
if you happen to know who it
belongs to.

We'll keep any information
strictly confidential, since we
wouldn't blame any company
for refusing to acknowledge
ownership, although the crew
su.spects it is an outfit otherwise
known as the 'Coastwise" Pacific
Far East Line." Next time I
shall have to choose between
them and the breadline.

Anyway, here goes:
NEW ORLEANS SIGN-ON

Signed on in New Orleans on
Aug. 24 last, and left for Gal­
veston, where we picked up cot­
ton for our dear friends in Kobe,
Japan. (Wonder in what form
we are getting it back). Arrived
there after 30 long, long days at
sea, and found out that life is
nothing but a great joke, only
sometieies one fails to see it.

We got the cotton off fast—35
hours, after which we were to
go back to the U.S. But out of
a clear sky comes a fata mor­
gana—something new has been
added. We had to shove off for
Honolulu, where we arrived Oct.
28 to pick up a pile of coal to
be delivered to China.

Then all the fun began. We
were starting to run short of
practically everything. With the
exception of fresh fruit, because
they were either rotting away
or thrown deep six long ago.
We stuck around for three
weeks, and finally got loaded—
the vessel, I mean.

COAL?

If it was coal that we goaded,
as they claimed it was, then you
can formulate your own opinion.

io9\ ive'/?e
^_^_La^ED NOW.'

The "coal" had been laying on
the ground in the port of Hono­
lulu since the days when the
Navy was coal-burning.

By pure accident—or maybe it
wasn't, since we wouldn't sail
without fresh meat and veget­
ables—we got some stores
aboard. The food situation was
really snafu, but we were prom­
ised more stuff—rice—in China.-
We arrived in Tsingtao Dec. 5,

and of course, "no can do," ex­
cept for a little sugar.

We stayed there until Dec. 22,
when we left for the Philippine
Islands, celebrating Christmas at
sea. Please, if there are any
Brothers who spent any Christ­
mas in German or Jap concen­
tration camps, I should like to
compare notes with him.

BAGGED BED-BUGS

We hung around the P.I. and
picked up cholera, also bed bugs.
So now, beside the customary
rice-beans, we had bed bugs.
Finally left and got on our way
to home sweet home.

Now and then we did get
some steaks and chops. Chicken
we had enough of. Somewhere
I read that Columbus had a big
chicken feast after he discover­
ed America. I guess the things
we had must have seen that
party, for they sure tasted like
it.

The regular coffee cookies
looked like, and tasted like,
brown clay, and even the cock­
roaches refused them. All to­
gether. this was an experimental
trip. Everybody lost weight.

So in case you should ever
see the Justo Arosemena with
S. E. Millbourne as the Skipper
—take your own grub with you.
You'll need it!

Signed by:

Arne Larsen, Carpenter
and nine Deck Dept. Men



Page Fourleen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. March 28, 1947

J.P. Shuler's Report To Int'l Convention ill]

(Continued from Page 3)
the strike as a CMU football. But
instead of kicking, they got kick­
ed, with the result that today
there is no longer a CMU.

It is of no use to speak about
victories won unless by victories
won we can gain a lesson for
the future. The strike w^ bene­
ficial for the following reasons:

a. It proved and demonstrated
the overwhelming strength of the
AFL on the waterfront.

b. It proved that despite dif­
ferences, Unions—CIO, AFL and
Independent—can and will co­
operate on issues involving wages
and standards of living.

c. It established a precedent of
general maritime stoppage of
work in defense of the demands
of a section of the Industry.

d. It increased the prestige of
the Seafarers International Union
on an international scale.

e. It won.

EXPANSION AND
ORGANIZATION

The Union, as a result of the
1945 Agents' Conference held in
New York caused to be set up an
Organizing Staff within our Un­
ion. This Staff didn't officially
begin operations as such until
around July of the same year.
Their activities cover among
many others. the following
points:

ISTHMIAN STEAMSHIP CO.
The details of this Drixe are fa­

miliar to all those present inas­
much as all of the Seamen's Un­
ions affiliated to the Internation­
al participated in one way or an­
other in this work. After winning
the election itself, we have been
through several hearings before
the NLRB. We are now in the
final stages of this work and
what should be the final hearing
of this entire case is now in ses­
sion in the Port of New York.
We should, unless something un­
foreseen happens, as a result of
this hearing, be fully certified
as the Bargaining Agent for Isth­
mian Steamship Company.

AMERICAN-PACIFIC
STEAMSHIP CO.

This District's Organizers, act­
ing under instructions from Pres­
ident Harry Lundeberg, cooper­
ated with SUP officials along the
Atlantic and Gulf Coasts in or­
ganizing the first vessels crewed
by this Company. The culmina­
tion of this was the signing of a
contract with the SUP, which,
as a final result, wound up in the
Coos Bay Beef. In a supporting
action of the efforts already put
into the manning of these vessels,
our Union, at the request of our
affiliates, extended this Coos Bay
Beef into various East Coast
Ports. The final result.? of this
beef are known.

AFL MARITIME TRADES
DEPARTMENT

Assi.sting in forming thi.s new
department of the AFL was
classed as an Organizational ob­
jective and was handled as such.
Through cooperation of our af­
filiated Unions in the Interna­
tional, we were successful in es­
tablishing AFL Port Councils,
commencing with New York and
expanding into every Port on the
East and Gulf Coasts.

Our Union, in addition has
signed other off-shore operators
to contract, but are not making
the names of these operators
known at this time until further
details can be given.

The Organizing Staff within
our Union intend.? further and
full action in the off-shore trade.
We feel if we work hard enough
we shall bo able to expand to a
largci- point than we now are.
The actual value in numbers of
joiis as made accessible to the
Union will not be made known
until sometime in the future
when these newly organized op-
ertaors reach their peak of op­
erations and final disposition is
made of Isthmian Steam.ship
Company. We intend, and laid
programs accordingly at the
Agents' Conference, to continue
an all-out effort aimed at ex­
panding our Organization into
the off-shore field.

In addition to the off-shore or­
ganizing work done, we also have
been operating into the Inland
and Tug unorganized field and
signed six Inland operators to
contracts and arc activ'ely work­
ing in other unorganized com­
panies.

It is to be noted that at the
present time there arc approxi­
mately 600 actual Tug jobs un­
der contract to the SIU in the
Gulf area.

The Inland Tug Field on the
Gulf Coast is one of a peculiar
nature. The records of previous
SIU Conventions will show that
the Organization for a period of
years did not develop favorably
in' this field.

Since the inception of the Or­
ganizing Drive of the Atlantic
and Gulf District in 1945, we
have been able to more than
double the size of our* organized
Tug Fleet, however, we still feel
we have not made an all-out ef­
fort to expand our Organization
in that direction.

Therefore, our Agents' Confer­
ence proposed that the Interna­
tional take up the question of
various charters and sub-charters
issued by the International in
the Gulf Area. This is to be
done with the thought in mind
of working out a satisfactory
charter arrangement so that the
position of these Tugs within the
framework of the International
will be clarified.

We aLso recommend to this
Convention that in clarifying
those charters thought be given
to the various other unorganized
workers in the Gulf Area. It has
been our sad experience that in
getting to the unorganized off­
shore and inland Tugboatmen in
the Gulf Area, our Organizers oc­
casionally come across fields of
unorganized workers who are a
detriment to reaching our objec­
tive.

Therefore, the need not only for
clarification on Tugs, but to all
other allied workers of the Mari­
time Industry, should be con­
sidered and studied in the event
issuance of such charter is made.

INTERNATIONAL LONG-
SHOREMENS ASSN.

We have very good working re­
lations with the ILA in all Ports,
Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. In most
Ports, regular meetings are held
between the Seamen and the
Longshoremen to iron out various
problems. We receive coopera­
tion from them in every manner.

RADIO OFFICERS UNION
This affiliated Union has assist­

ed us every time we h&ve asked
for same. We, in turn, have gone
to bat for them on any occasion
demanded.

AMERICAN MERCHANT MA­
RINE STAFF OFFICERS ASSN

Good relations exist beween the
SIU Atlantic and Gulf District
and this Union. We have been
of some assistance to them in
some of their organizational xyork
and they, in turn, have helped
us every time possible.

BROTHERHOOD OF
TEAMSTERS

Although the Teamsters are not
officially affilated with our Un­
ion nationally, in many Ports in
the Atlantic and Gulf District
they are affiliated with our Port
Councils. Cooperation between
ourselves and this Union, as for
instance, during our strike, they
supported us all the way. Our
most recent aid to them was in
their Teamsters Strike in Tampa
where we contributed physically
and financially in their beef.

In addition to direct affiliates
in the Maritime Trades Depart­
ment, we have very good rela­
tions with other Unions, .as for

instai>ce only recently, we as-
sited the United Financial Em­
ployes in their successful strike
against the Cotton E.xchange in
New York. We have been re­
quested to lend further assis­
tance. both by President Harry
Lundeberg, and - Frank Fenton,
AFL Director of Organization. In
their coming strike against the
New York Stock and Curb Ex­
changes.

We have assisted the Food and
Hotel Workers, AFL, numerous
times in various Ports and most
recently in the Port of Tampa,
where our Union backed these
people up in several strikes, all
of which they won.

In the coming year, we in­
tend attempting to establish closer
working unity with our various
affiliates. In our opinion, it is to
our Union's great advantage to
assist all of our affiliates when­
ever and wherever possible as a
safeguard for the future.

PUBLICITY AND
EDUCATION

Our Union is now putting out
a 16-page edition of the Seafarers
Log on a weekly basis. While
this has been a very expensive
item for us to' maintain, we feel
it has been worth every cent ex­
pended in view -of the results ob­
tained. There are several recom­
mendations to be made to the
Convention pertaining to our
paper. This will be made at the
proper time.

In addition to our weekly
paper, the Union has put out

various booklets, leaflets, pam­
phlets, etc. Among them are:
"Order!—How To Conduct a Un­
ion Meeting On Ship and
Ashore;" "This Is The SIU;"
"Here's How Brother;" "SIU
Organizer's Handbook;" "History
of the SIU;" and "Strike and
Strike Apparatus." We have
found the use of these publica­
tions of a great advantage as a
medium of education.

PERSPECTIVE FOR
SIU ATUVNTIC AND

GULF DISTRICT
Our last three years have been

very tough ones. We have battled
the shipowners, the bureaucrats
and the commies alike in our at­
tempt to keep our Organization
alive and make it stronger. The
immediate future holds no pros­
pect for easier days for us. We
know that to live as an Organiza­
tion, we must be prepared for the
hard struggles immediately
ahead, In the Atlantic and Gulf
District, not only do we expect
to have to battle the shipowner,
but also to meet the full might
of the Communist Party machine.
We have met them before and
have not yielded one inch to
them. We will not do so in the
future for as long as the mem­
bership in our Union continue
the good fight that they have

carried for the last three years,
we believe that not only will we
be able to hold our Organiza­
tion as is, but to expand it even
further.

AFL AFFILIATES
SAILORS UNION OF THE

PACIFIC

The SUP on the East and Gulf
Coasts has at all times cooperated
in every manner possible with
our Union in handling various
disputes. They have, as well, as-
sited us greatly in all other types
of our work, particularly .so in
the unorganized field.

MASTERS. MATES & PILOTS

We have close working rela­
tions with this Organization and
we assist one another wherever
possible.

Great Lakes Drive, Panamanian Transfers
Highlight Seafarers IntM Convention

(Continued from Page 1)
close on the heels of a similar
call for action made by Lunde­
berg at a recent meeting of the
Coordinating Committee of the
International T r a nsportworkers
Federation.

President Lundeberg pointed
out how the American merchant
marine has shrunk from a war­
time high of 50 million tons to a
present low of 30 million tons.

He protested that much of this
shrinkage was due to the prac­
tice of American shipping inter­
ests of transferring their ships to
the Panamanian flag so that they
could be operated under wages
and working conditions below
American standards.

In his legislative report to the
fifty Convention delegates, rep­
resenting approximately 92,000
seamen, fishermen, and fish can­
nery workers, Lundeberg stated
that at the rate American ships
are being bought, up by foreign
governments, or being placed un­
der Panamanian flag, "it will not
be long before the Amei-ican sea­
men will be in the breadline with
the highest wages in the world,
but with no ships to sail."

LAKES DRIVE REPORT
President Lundeberg also an­

nounced the inauguration of an
intensive organizing drive along
the Great Lakes. Harry O'Reilly,
AFL Regional Director of Organ­
ization, promised the complete
cooperation of his office, and to­
ward that end offered the SIU
the facilities of Radio Station
WCFL, operated by the Chicago
Federation of Labor.

In discussing the plans for or­
ganizing the seamen on the

Lakes, Lundeberg stated, "We
have got the National Maritime
Union, CIO, hanging on the
ropes and it's up to us to knock
them out of business completely.
It's a tough set-up here on the
Lakes, but I'm sure we can
knock it over."

The SIU President referred to
the NMU and Harry Bridges'
longshoremen's union as "politic­
al auxiliaries of the communist
party," and called the leaders of
those two unions "Wagner Act
unionists" who built their unions
by relying on government help
from Washington, but who "nev­
er did any real organizing in
their lives."

Lundeberg predicted that be­
cause both the NMU and the
ILWU are weakened by being
communist-dominated, the ship­
owners would center their attack
on them.

Later the attempt might be
made to bust the SIU, he said,
"but they won't get away with
it, because we're not Wagner
Act unionists! We did our own
organizing."

William McLaughlin, SIU Rep­
resentative of the British Cana

Send Those Minutes
Send in the minutes of

your ship's meeting to the
New York Hall. Only in that
way can the membership act
on your recommendations,
and then the minutes can bo
printed in the LOG for the
benefit of all other SIU
crews.

dian Seamen's Union made an
appeal for help in ousting com­
munists from the Canadian Sea­
men's Union, and thereafter
bringing it back into the AFL
fold. The charter of the CSU was
lifted by the SIU in 1944 for re­
fusing to repudiate the commun­
ist party.

CSU'S JOB

This appeal was answered by
a promise of cooperation to ex­
pose the communists in the Ca­
nadian union, but called on
members of the CSU to take the
initiative in cleaning out the
party-liners.

The fishermen's unions and the
fish canners unions all reported
great progress in the field of or­
ganizing. With fishing and can­
ning reaching great heights,
these unions feel that the SIU
will enroll thousands of ne-w
members in a very short time,
and become one of the most im­
portant factors in the Interna­
tional.

The legislative program recom­
mended to the Convention b.y
President Lundeberg included an
urgent request to Congress to
take steps to help alien seamen,
who served through the war, ob­
tain their citizenship papers, as
payment for their service and
loyalty to the United States dur­
ing the war.

Other points in the program
called for passage of a Merchant
Seamen's Bill of Rights, an end
to Merchant Marine Training
Program; and for placing the su­
pervision of the merchant marine
back under the jurisdiction of
the Department of Commerce.



ii Friday. March 28. 1947 THE S E A F 4 R E R S LOG Page Fiiteen

MONEY DUE
ShepariT Steamship Company

Unclaimed, relroactive. over­
time and vacation wages are
open on the books of the Shep-
ard Steamship Company. 31
Milk St.. Boston. Massi as list­
ed below:

DECK DEPARTMENT

* , A
Adams, Norman L $ .80
Adamonski, Joseph 10,00
Alkafer, Raymond F 12.61
Alman, Eugene E 4.48
Alder, Edwin E 7.50
Anderson, Arne B. 5.07
Anderson, F. H 13.94
Anderson, E. H.# 4.44
Anderson, John W 2.54
Anderson, John W 1.26
Ander.son, Laurilis 2.28
Ander.son, Walter R 22.37
Ainold, Clarence W 13.96
Arnold, L. R 8.86
Aiigustyn, Peter 5.14

B
Bagg, David J 42.38
Baker, Robert 6.08
Baker, Walter J 5.04
Baldi, Salvatore 18.38
Bales, Leon 5.88
Bauer, Robert G 2.95
Baunaeb, John R 1.11
Behrend, Paul 1.44
Bell. Frank R 2.20
Bell, Raymond 2.20
Beuecka, Joseph 6.60
Benecka, Joseph 26.40
Benecka, Joseph 59.12
Bornberg, Philip 3.59
Beyer, Richard W 5.68
Billingsley, Beverly 2.69
Bishop, Lowell J 73.80
Blanchard, Richard F 24.88
Boyle, Edward R.
Boyle, Edward R.
Brandon, Arthur ..
Brandt, Eugene W.
Brock, Bobby L. ..
Bi'ook, Walter W.
Buchanen, Seward
Bukman, Harry G. ..
Bushman, George A.

C
Cain, C. O. .
Campos, Alvino
Capehart, William

R.

1.50
3.16
1.00
3.64

35.68
2.20
1.60
.31
.39

Chun, Paul S. V
Clark, Adelbert E. ...
Clegg, Harold
Corsey, Ernest E
Cosgrove, Robert B. .
Coutant, Wilbur E
Cowen, Thomas
Cronen, Robert J
Cronn, George C
Cummings, Alfred
Curtin, Cornelius
Czarnecki, Frank

D
D'Angelo, Vito D
Davies, Raymond G. .
Davis, Earl
Dennis, Donald
DeSouza, Henry
Dey.senroth, Albert M.
Dixon, John
Dgyle, Thomas G
Drain, Robert C
Drever, Robert
Dutot, Frank J
Dzura, Mike

E
Edmondson, Ralph
Edson, Chester
Edson, Clarence J
Edson, Floyd W
Ei.ser, Edgar L
Elrnd. Norman D
Elwood, Lonnie E
Emm-son, Howard F. ..
Ericsson, H
Eriksen, Gunnar
Est by, Fi ederick

F
Ferranido, Anthony
Fetsko, Edward
Fisher, Harry

1.47
. 10.34
. 3.46
. 26.40
. 63.94

3.23
2.95
3.36
4.00

. 19.07
2.69
2.93

10.41
3.79
2;01
1.34
1.34
3.40
3.59
.20

1.87
7.80
1.44
4.56

2.76
3.13
1.46
1.46

799.99
8.00

12.17
6.58
1.46

16.89
7.83

2.39
9.59
7.56

Fleniken, James C 24.34
Fletcher, Valwyn 19.86
Fontes, Robert .60
Frazier, Willie 18.13
Frederickson, Alf 3.23

G

Gallagher, Richard A 8.10
Galmarine, Albert 1.19
Garcia, Joe C 1.19
Garling, Elmer 2.69
Gerke, Philip A 3.36
Gjert.sen, Maurice 6.72
Gushue, Robert 2.87

H

Hagen, Sigried L 1.38
Hajer, Erik. 3.66
Hall, John E 16.44
Hall. Willis 1.44
Hallenburg, Gustav H 1.46
Halse, Hermod L 25.60
Halvorson, James 1.38
Hamilton, Allen 5.14
Han.sell, John C 2.37
Hansen, Jens A 2.54
Hart, John W 26.85
Hawkins, Jack 3.50
Healy, Leonard N 3.10
Hejmej. Francis 2.41
Helms, James R 21.26
Helterline, Gerald H 1.44
Henkleman, Norman L 1.38
Heyes, Frank W 1.38
Hodgins, James T 1.35
Hollcy, John A 9.94
Homer, John 9.83
Hoogerwerf, Jan 5.37
Horst, Edward 210.33
Howard, Roy S 1.46
Huber, Frederick 1.44
Hughes, Patrick J. • 73.80
Hunt. Charles W 48.64

List Of Official Delegates
And Unions At Convention
Atlantic and Gulf District: W. C. Tanner, Paul Hall, Claude

Simmons, E. Sheppard, Carl E. Gibbs, E. R. Smith and Ray
White. Fraternal Delegates: John Mogan, W. H. Simmons, L.
J. Williams and J. P. Shuler.

Alaska Fish Cannery Workers Union, Seattle; John S.
Ayamo.

American Merchant Marine Staff OHicers Assn.: Thomas B.
Hill.

Atlantic Fishermen's Union, Boston: Patrick McHugh, Aus­
tin J. Powers, and John Mogan (proxy).

British Columbia Seamen's Union; William McLaughlin.
Cannery Workers and Fishermen's Union, San Diego: Lester

Balinger, Calvin H. Burns, and Frank Currier.
Fish Cannery Workers Union of Pacific, Monterey, Calif.:

Joseph Perry and Lester Caveny.
Fish Cannery Workers Union of Pacific, San Francisco Bay

Area: George Issel.
Great Lakes District: Fred Farnen, Einar Nordaas, Larry

Martin and Herbert Jansen.
Los Angeles Harbor Cannery Workers Union, Terminal Is.,

Calif.: Andrea Gomez, Ira Nash, Leonard Powell, Antonio Tovar
and James Waugh.

Sailor's Union of the Pacific: Charles Brenner, Edward Coe-
stcr, Robert Dohibroff, Harry Lundeberg, John Massey, R. D.
Thompson and Morris Weisberger.

Seine-Line Fishermen's Union, Monterey County: John
Crivello.

Seine-Line Fishermen's Union: George Penovaroff.
Guards and Watchmen's Union, No. 1: Charles Bi-enner

(proxy).
Inland Division: Charles Brenner (proxy).
United Fishermen of Alaska: Edward Coester (proxy).
The following unions arc entitled to vote but no delegate or

proxy has thus far appeared at the convention: Chinook Can­
nery Workers Union, No. 12; Conanicut Inland Boatmen's Union,
New Jersey; East Coast of Florida Fishermen and Seafood Hand­
lers Union, Miami; Fishermen and Seafood Workers Union of
the Atlantic Coast, New Jersey; Marine Pursers of the Pacific,
Seattle; Marine Chief Stewards of the Pacific, Seattle; Shoal-
water Bay Oyster Workers Union, No. 14; SIU of NA Floating
Plant Personnel, No. 1, Memphis: Wrangell Cannery Workers
Union, Wrangell, Alaska.

R.

7.90
7.43
1.80

Caramellino, Fred 12.84
Carney,
Carney,
Cassada,
Castoro,

Joseph
Joseph

W. 13.38
W 38.32

George
Paul A.

3.00
3.13

NOTICE!
Will Seafarers who were on

the SS Grace Abbott, the SS
George Holmes, or the SS Fran­
cis Morrison, in Zamboango, be­
tween December 9, 1945 and Jan­
uary 20, 1946, please get in touch
with Joe Algina or Louis Goffin
in the New York Hall. •

4*
A blue suit was left in the Nor­

folk Hall in care of Agent Ray
White. The owner's- name has
been misplaced, and the Agent
is unable to contact him. Owner
please contact Agent Ray White
at the Norfolk Hall, 127 Bank
Street, Norfolk 10, Va.

4. 4.
The New Orleans Hall is hold­

ing unclaimed baggage and gear
turned over to the Branch by the
Alcoa Steamship Company. If
tlj^B gear is not claimed within
sixty days, it will be given to a
charitable institution. The men
whose gear is being held are as
follows:

Dale D. Barnes, Edward Coop­
er, Gaines T. Shcerma or George
Scherv, John W. Liebel or Riebel,
Wetz, Emil Olsen, Walter Comlet,
Thayadsen, S. Ansley, Justus La
Fayette Whidden, L. M. Cooper.

SS EDWARD G. ACHESON

H. J. Adams, $12.32; A. Arson-
di, $1.20; J. W. Burchett, $5.93;
E. J. Carbine, $28.46; D. C. M.
Dammers, $12.66; A. B. Forsman,
25c; H. S. Jensen, $15.87; R. G.
O'Grady, $3.21.

4- 4- 4.
SS RUSSELL A. ALGER

W. A. Dankel, $11.23; B. Don-
nelas, $9.64; Robert Hill, $6.39;
E. Kessarotos, 11c; L. Lori, 69c:
Harold Moon, $9.23; W. B. Ne-
sula. 11c; G. Robinson. $8.79; H.
E. Stollings, $5.59; J. Villadson,
$1.68.

.4. 4. 4.
SS JOHN BALL

C. Haller, $11.27; C. Isaacson,
$8.27; J. B. Johnson, $36.28; A.
J. Krain, $4.55; P. Stein, $2.28.

4. 4- 4-
SS HENRY WARD BEECHER

H. J. Beeler, $21.93; E. W.
Bridges, $3.49; L. T. DobSon
$1L93; Fred Drechsel, $41.40; J.
H. Maxwell, $21.93; W. D. Par-
due, $21.93; S. ProctoiS 7c; K.
Sherrebeck, $7:23; K. E. Stall-
hammer, $6.69; B. E. Stevenson,
$24.68; H. Tegtmeyer, 5c; A.
Yopps, $3.08.

4- 4. 4.-
SS CARTER BRAXTON

Edward Brihsbn, $47.35; Dale
Griffiths, $4.27; Anker Hansen,
$19.80; H. Helms, 75c; William
Isbell, $3.01; William Lndgren,
$3.89; J. S. Winget, $2.25.

4- 4. 4-
SS BENJAMIN H. BREWSTER

F. Bednowski, $1.24; A. C. Belt,
$5.00; F. Delander, $11.55; J. P.
Gibbons, $3.56; Max Martin,
$16.45; E. E. Smith, $6.31.

4- 4. 4.
SS CAPE RACE

' G. J. Brisby, $7.38; G. Davis,
$9.33; J. D. Grimp, $3.03; H. C.

Union Sulphur Company
33 RECTOR ST., NEW YORK CITY

McGrady,

Lau-

Gronbach, $13.63; J.
49c; H. Millet, $4.52.

4. 4. 4.
SS JOSEPH M. CAREY

H. J. Adams. $8.67; Robert
Johnson, $2.50.

J. 4. 4.
SS CLINTON SEAM

W. L. Renn, $11.65.

SS SAMUEL^ COLT
D. Azarou, $11.02; R. P.

ren, $4.99.

4. 4. 4-
SS BENJAMIN F. COSTON
A. H. Dodd, $5.16; Walter Ka-

zmierczak, $35.02; Sal De Maria,
$6.11; E. C. Meyer, $13.36.

4. 4. 4.
SS MOSES CLEVELAND

Richard Ander.'^on, $6.01; Z.
Andrias, $11.99; J. A. Baldwin,
$9.02; E. Broker, 26c; Ralph Byrd,
$9.08; T. Corbett, $2.29; H. Eliott,
$2.29; G. Ennett, 61c; W. T. Floyd,
$5.27; G. Hill, 26c; E. Hojer, $5.71;
Charles Hunisicker, $6.01; Don
Kaiser, $14.09; J. Mann, $4.00; K.
E. Poley, $6.01; Lawrence Richie,
Jr., $4.92; E. E. Sexton, Jr., $4.92;
Edwin Walle, $5.27; H. M. Wein,
$4.92; Alex Wilkins, $6.01.

4. 4. 4-
SS DOMINICAN VICTORY
C. M. Brakefield, $11.95; J. K.

Kain, 87c; F. Davenport, $15.89;
M. E. Gunn, $2.06; H. Henderson,
$1.11; R. Kellund, 57c; W. Leary,
$3.46; J. McCormick, $11.77; Gen.
F. Miller, $1.72; J. J. Notcha,
$3.60; J. C. Thompson, $11.02.

SS F. SOUTHALL FARRAR
C. C. Bennett, $25.0; C. L. Conn,

$6.16; D. W. Goldy, $1.90; T. P.
McCleary, $17.01.

SS CORNELIUS FORD
Edward Abraham, $7.11; Harry

Biffle,
$7,111;

Belanger, $7.11; R. K.
$13.58; Herbert Crowley,
E. A. Gibson, $5.27; Kenneth
Gordon. $7.11; J. E. Jones, $2.37;
R. E. Jones, $2.37; Owen Kee-
han ,$3.04; E. R. Kramer, $18.99;
Marion Kunicki. $4.74; Henry
Lopez, $18.03; Jan Mosden, $7.11;
Fumio Onaka, $12.01; G. G. Van
Etten, $16.78; G. V. Wright, $2.24.

4. 4- 4-
SS WILLIAM LEROY GABLE

E. W. Collins. $16.87; D. E. Hig-
bie. $32.30; P. N. Maness, $19.47;
R. A. McFarland, $11.27; E. J.
Swanson, $11.27; F. G. Swofford,
$4.31; A. T. West, $16.44.

4- 4- 4.
SS GOUCHER VICTORY

R. G. Rasmaussen, $32.33.
SS JAMES W. GRIMES

J. Foreman, $11.82; V. E. Voix,
53c.

4. 4- 4.
SS FREDERICK C. HICKS
R. Collier, $1.00; C. DeGraffen-

reid, $1.00; A. Dennis, $1.00; G.
Jones, $1.26; Dewey Larson, $4.78;
C. Miller, $1.09; E. Owen, $1.00;
E. Persson, $26.56; E. J. Tsuji,
$10.00; F. Wagner, $21.99.

4' 4* 4*
SS NEWCASTLE VICTORY

Louis Bernardo, $4.92; Kojineth
Daniels, $10.09; Roland Florea,
$10.09; James Nee, $4.50; Emil
Urban, 96c; Henry Zac, $8.27.

PERSONALS
MICKEY HEALEY

Danny Douglas is anxious for
information about his gear, and
would like you to visit or write
to him at Kings Park Hospital,
Box A, Ward 98, Kings Park,
Long Island, New York.

SIU HALLS
BALTIMORE 14 North Gay St.

Calvert 4539
BOSTON 276 State St.

Boudoin 4455
BUFFALO 10 Exchange St.

Cleveland 7391
CHARLESTON 424 King St.

Phone 3-3680
CHICAGO 24 W. Superior Ave.

Superior 5175
CLEVELAND ... 1014 E. St. Clair Ave.

Main 014
CORPUS CHRISTI . . 1824 Mesquite St.

Corpus Christi 3-1509
DETROIT 1038 Third St.

Cadillac 6857
DULUTH 531 W. Michigan St.

Melrose 4110
GALVESTON 308"-—23rd St.

Phone 2-8448
HONOLULU 16 Merchant St.

Phone 58777
HOUSTON 1515 75th St.

Went worth 3-3809
JACKSONVILLE 920 Main St.

Phone 5-5919
MARCUS HOOK 1 W. 8th St.

Chester 5-3110
MIAMI 1356 N. E. 1st Ave.
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.

Phone 2-1754
NEW ORLEANS 339 Chartres St.

Magnolia 6112-6113
NEW YORK 51 Beaver St.

HAnover 2-2784
NORFOLK 127-129 Bank St.

Phone 4-1083
PHILADELPHIA 9 South 7th St.

Lombard 3-7651
PORT ARTHUR . . 909 Fort Worth Ave.

Phone 2-8532
PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St.

Beacon 4336
RICHMOND, Calif 257 5th St.

Phone 2599
SAN FRANCISCO 105 Market St.

Douglas 5475-8363
SAN JUAN,- P. R. ... 252 Ponce de Leon

San Juan 2-5996
SAVANNAH 220 East Bay St.

Phono 8-1728
SEATTLE 86 Seneca St.

Main 0290
TAMPA 1809-1811 N. Franklin St.

Phone M-1323
TOLEDO 615 Summit St.
WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd.

Terminal 4-3131
VICTORIA, B. C 602 Houghton St.

Garden 8331
VANCOUVER 144 W. Hastings St.

Pacific 7824

A



Page Sixteen THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. March 28, 1947

Seafarers Drive Makes Great Lakes Hum

Looking north on the Detroit River from the bridge of the SB T. J. McCarthy, in the fore­
ground may be seen the Coast Guard station with a dock load of freshly painted and re­
conditioned buoys. To the right, almost out of sight, is the Belle Isle Bridge with an almost
solid ice-pack behind. There's plenty of activity along the Detroit waterfront these days,
and plenty of the activity is caused by the intensity of the SIU Organizing Drive in the Great
Lakes region. From all indications. Lakes traffic will be even heavier than during the war
years, when it boomed to record heights.

Some of that well-known Great Lakes ice breaking up in
the Detroit River. Navigation on the Lakes has to wait until
the major ports are ice free before the shipping season starts.
Every bottom that floats will be used on the Lakes this year
in the expectation of hauling two million more tons of ore than
the record set during the war years. It looks like a big year,
for business and for the SIU Organizing Drive.

fsSgiiSgf .

The brisk wind whistling down the Detroit River makes this job a mighty cold one. One
of the SS George W. Mead's crewmembers paints the insignia on the ship's smokestack as
part of the general clean-up job before the vessel starts its regular sailing schedule. It's the
same story up and down the Lakes, where every available ship is being readied for a big
year.

This is spring cleaning on a grand scale. The spring season
means clean up and paint up for ships as well as for the average
home. This SS George W. Mead crewmember is giving the
mast a new coat of paint, in preparation for the sailing season
on the Lakes.

Above is an auditing Committee of Great Lakes SIU mem­
bers, elected at the bi-weekly meeting to go over the Union
books. Standing, left to right: Harold Casey; an unidentified
Seafarer who sneaked into the picture; and Louis Funkey. Seat­
ed is William Cochran.

Great Lakes Secretary-Trea­
surer Fred Farnen reports to
the membership on the prog­
ress of the organizational drive.
According to the various or­
ganizers, THE GREAT LAKES,
TOO, WILL SOON BE SIU.

Shown here are SIU members attending a regular mem­
bership meeting in the SIU Hall in Detroit. About ISO Seafarers
were present, and this included some of the female members
from the Stewards Department of Lakes passenger vessels.

i;i