Issue Date
1950-10-13
Volume
12
Issue Number
20
Plaintext
Official Organ of the AtlariHc and Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of North America
VOL. XII NEW YORK/N. T., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1950 No. 20
SlU Wfins 6.38 Percent Boost,
Pattern For Industry
SIU Policies Are Proved Again
When the SIU once more set the wage pattern for
US seagoing workers by winning a 6.38 percent across
theboard pay increase for all ratings this week, the value
of a memj^rship book in the Seafarers was again clearly
demonstrated.
Until the SIU Negotiating Committee knuckled
down with the operators last week, it appeared that the
5.49 percent hike .agreed to by the Marine Firemen, Marine
CoOks andStewards and Harry Bridges* longshoremen out
on the West Coast was going to be used as a formula by
shipowners throughout the industry.
In fact, after the SIU called for a reopening of the
wage question in the present contract, the Operators at
tempted to push through the West Coast settlement as a
basis for satisfying the costofliving increase sought by
the Seafarers.
The SIU committee flatly turned down the operator/
offer of the West Coast figure.
The SIU*s victoIy^ in obtaiR^ moi* thaa what
shortly before seemed certain of becoming an industry
wide pay scale, immediately changed the course of negotia
tions going on at that moment between several maritime
unions and their contracted operators.
News of the 6.38 increase negotiated by the SIU
resulted in a similar settlement by the NMU shortly after.
On the following day, the CIO radio operators also signed
for the same increase, while the CIO Marine Engineers are
currently in discussions with their employers and are ex
pected to setde likewise.
The guy to whom this victory means most is the
working seaman. To the Seafarer it means his new wage
increase will bring him several hundred dollars a year more
in base pay, overtime and other benefits than he would
have gotten had the SIU accepted the socalled West Coast
formula.
The wage matter is only one aspect of the advantages
of holding an SIU book. All around, the SIU man is the
(Coniimted on Page 2)
The SIU Atlantic and
Gulf District with strong
support from the SUP,
once again set a wage
pattern for US seamen
with the signing of an
agreement early this
week establishing a 6.38
percent increase in base pay
and other benefits for all
ratings.
The pay rises, effective as
of October 15, range from
$12.82 a month for Ordinary Sea
men to $23.73 monthly for Chief
Electricians.
The SIU pay hike upset the
socalled West Coast formula
which the operators hoped to
make industrywide after the
Marine Cooks and Stewards, Ma
rine Firemen and Bridges' West
Coast Longshoremen Unions
settled for a 5.49 increase two
weeks ago.
Shortly after news of the SIU's
(CotUmued on Page 3)
Nominations
For A&G Posts
End October 15
Preparation of the ballot on
which Seafarers will designate
oSicials who will serve the At
lantic and Gulf District in 1951
will get xmder way next week,
as soon as an elected Qualifica
tions Committee has checked the
submitted credentials to deter
mine eligibility under the con
stitutional reguirements.
Qualified candidates for the 29
elective Headquarters and Branch
offices will be announced in the
next issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG. The issue will also contain
a section devoted to photographs
and brief biographical sketches
of all the candidates.
Five of the officials to be :
elected will serve in Headquar
ters; nine as Port Agents and 15. ,
as Patrolmen.
As provided by the Union
co2istitution, nominations will be ^
accepted until October 15. Bal .
loting starts on November 1 andl
continues through December 31
(GonHteued on Page 3)
Pag# Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, OetolMar 13^ 1850
1
SEAFARERS LOG
\
Published Every Other. Week, by the
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantic and Culf District
Affiliated with the American Federation t»i Labor
At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnover 22784
Reentered as second class matter August 2, 1949, at the Post
Office in New York, N.Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912.
267
f
!'
SIU Policies Proved
(Continued from Page I) * '
^ bestpaid, best represented seaman in the world^—with
greater degree of job security than any other man in mari^
time. In other words, the SIU maintains the highest ratio
of jobs to members of any union in the industry.
Back in 1944, when an AB, by the way, got $.100
month, the SIU A&G District had 11 companies under
contract. Today, six years later, when an AB gets $248.41
a month, our Union has agreements with 53 operators.
The picture, is even clearer when we jcemember that
more than half of the present jobs contracted to our Union
have been obtained since the SIU organizing program was
launched in 1945. Among them are the jobs ih the Isth
mian fleet, which, until the signing of an SIU in contract
in 1947, was the largest nonunion drycargo outfit in the
US; the jobs in the Cities Service Oil Company's tanker
fleet, which was wrapped up in a Union contract last
month after putting up a vicious, fouryear strugglfe to
maintain its antiunion position, and the scores of jobs in
the other analler, but nevertheless important, shipping
outfits of varying size.
The growth of the SeafarerV pay, the expanding
number of contracted ships and jobs, and tlie consequent
increase in job security since 1944 has been accompanied
by a rise in the prestige of our Uni6n — a result partially
due to a sohd trade union policy followed religiously over,
the past four years. • —
The successful 1946 General Strike against the arbi
trary refusal of the Wage Stabilization Board to recognize
• free collective bargaining; the short and very effective,
tieup of the Isthmian fleet in 1947jeading to a contract;
and the sterling trade unionist role played by our miember
iship in the famed Wall Street financial workers' strike tin
«1948, contributed considerably to our newfoundposition,
as a factor in the labor movement.
This prestige, in turn, has been an important' asset iin
the Union's efforts to constantly improve the member
lffiip"'s welfare and economic security—the latest success iin
this direction being the new pay bdost, which comes oiffy
a few months after the first East Coast employerpaid,
jointly operated Welfare Tlan was instituted by the SIU.
In short, a look at the record shows an Mu book is
A mighty valuable possession. It's a means to a better life
for seamen. ^ '
Look Who's Here!
; • The communist party has been quoting with. ap
proval the Seafarers' opposition' to the "Coast Uuard's ef
fdrt to put across their "validated" seaman's papers. The
Tact that the commies are opposing the Coast Guard is
jdue, of course, to the fact that the Coast Guard is out to
,get the commies. Which is okay with us, except that we
fdon't trust the Coast Guard to stop at the commies. We
aspect that if they had their way a lot of innocent sea
men, whose only crime is that they are militant trade
unionists, would be thrown out with the commie bath
water.
f The SIU has always fought the attempts of the bu
ireacrats—the silkhats and the brasshats—to encroach
i tipon the freedom of the seaman, and we did it at the
time when the commies Were sleeping with the Coast
Guard and praising them for yanking the papers of union
minded seamen. And we'll still be fighting them when—
if Joe Stalin £omes to terms with the "American imper
ialists," which is not 'impossible—the commies inarch
right badk hrto the 'Coast Guard's bunk.
FORT STAIfTOR, ffM.
SC. NEAL
{GIDLOW WOODS
A. McfDONALD
R. A.:RATCLIFFE
S. WALKER
JIARBY THURMAN
ft » »
HBirSTCTQW, 'MASB.
iG. T. • COLEMAN
!R. LUFLIN
ft ft ft
BALTIM4>RE
W. E. PARROTT
FRED PITTMAN
G. T. .LIVERMAN
J. L. iTHOMPSON
(GEO. iJACKSON
eOBBRT WILSCtN, Jr.
fS. P. IDRURY
:S. L. (CANTRELL
W. R.. WELGOWffi
HEIMO RIUTTOLA
WILLIAM J. WOLFE
MALCQIM D. GETCHELL
• JOHN iL. iMBLLIMER
ft ft ft .
>NEW ORLEANS
J. DEDDINGFIELD
J. BENNETT
3^ W. RIEBEL
C. A. BROWN
J. CALDWELL
W. O. CARA
R. B. CARRILLO
B. J. CHAPMAN
R,.CRUZ
A. F. FRANKLIN
J. HAWKINS u
L. A. HOLMES Y
G. F. IMMEL '
D. D. KELLY J
H. F. LAGAN
L. LANG
E. J. NAVARRE
M. E. NEWMAN
K. RAANA
J. SOLOMON
L. TICKLE
R. W. THOMPSON
ft ft ft
»STATEN ISLAND
O. STEFANSSON
R. HALL
FRANK KUBfiK
PHILLIP PRON
D. KOROLIA
SAMUEL GORDON
PETE JOMIDES
JOHN HAI^dN
L. HOLLIDAY
H. MOORE
C. FIGDEROA
J. QUIMERA
WILLIAM J. MEEHAN
P. ASIGON
.'EDWARD HAMPSON
J. PUBCELL
C. NELSON
GEHADD ^PIERONE
C. l..liROWN
S. GLYPTIS ' ^ Y
CLAUDE EZELL ...
F. QUINONES '
OSCAR FIGUEROA
J LUCAS
G.M.ARNOLD
YOU TSANG
ft ft ft
MANHATTAN BEACSl
R. A. BLAKE
A. LOMAS
JH. S. TUTTIE
vac MILAZZO
MATTHEW BRUNO
JOHN_J. DRISCOLL
JOHN T. EDWARDS
• E. P. LOPEZ
J. H. ASHURST
JOHN PADZIK
VICTOR CHESNER
E. FERRER
PEOER R. VORKE^
J. LIGHTFOOT
ft ft ft
MOBILE
THOMAS J. WALSH
S. D. NEWMAN
F. E. HOBIN
S. PINER
TIM 'BURKE
ft ft ft
GALVESTON
.. JAMES Gi WALSH
^ARNOU) PRI3IM
L. R. ELIE
S. KWIATEOWSKI
VINCENT D. aaCKIRILLO
ft ft ft
SAN FRANC15GO
ERNEST SCHIWEK '
EDWARD L. PRITCHARD
LEG J. COOPER
KiY
, ' V.v if:
\Y
iff;
SrATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP.
MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION!
REQUIRED BY' THE ACT OF CON
GRESS OF, AUGUST 24. 1912. AS
AMENDED BY THE ACTS OF MARCH
3. 1933. AND JULY 2. 1946 (Title 39.
United States Code. Section 233) of
SEAFARERS LOG published every
other week at New Yofk. N.Y.. for Oct.
I, 1950.
'I. The names and addresses of
Ute .publisher, editor, managing editor,
and busineiis managSrs are: Publisher
Seafarers International Uhlon of North
America. Atlantic '& Gulf District, 51
Beaver St.. New York 4, N. Y. Editor.
George Novick, 51 Beaver St., New York.
N. r. Managing Editor (none) Business
Managers (none).
2. The owner is: (If owned by a
corporation. Its name and'address must
be. stated and also immediately there,
under the names and 'addresses at «toekr
Itolders owning or holding one per cent
of 'mdre'of totalamount of • stock. If not
owned by a corportion. the names and
addresses of the individual owners must
be given. If owned by a partnership or
other unincorporated firm, its name and
oddress. as well as that of each in
dividual tneniber, .must ' jje givoh.)
Seafarers International Union of North'
America. Atlantic tc Gulf District. 51'
Beatver St., New York 4. N.V.
^3. "The .'kn'OWB ijnsrt
gagees.sand other sceurity holders own"
ing or holding I per cent of more .of
total amount of bonds, mortgages, or
other securities are: (If there are none,
so state.) Nona,
4. Paragraphs 2 and '3 .include, Ih
cases where the stockholder or security
holder appears upon the books of the
company as trustees or In any other
^duclary relation, the name of the per<<
son or corporation for vihom such trus<
tee is acting; also the statements Ini
the two paragraphs show the affiant's
full 'knowledge and belief as to the cir'.
cumstancea and conditions under which
stockholders and security holders who
do not appear upon the books of tha
company as trustees, hold stock and
securities in a capacity other .than that
of a bona fide owner.
. 5. The average number of copies of
^ach tissue of this 'publication sold or
distributed, through the mails or other'
wise, to paid subscribers during the 12
months preceding the date shown above
was: (This information is required ,froih
daily, weekly, semiweekly. and triweekly;
newspapers only.) Nqt required.
(Signed) GEORGE NOVlCK, Editor;
.Sworn. to and subscribed before md
this First day of October, 1950. AL.
BERT A. BERNSTEIN. Notary PuTbllq.
(My commiosion es;pires March 30i
I952.)
13; TAE S E AF AHERS tOG Page Three
SIU Sets Pattern With 6.38%
M
^ :''lkw- And OU Fn^htshni Stales
Old Scale . Increase New Scale
DECK DEPAETMENT
Bosun^^^.^^ $286.44 $18.91 $315.35
Cailienter . 266.04 16.97 283.01
Maintett^ce 15.65 260.99
jQaartermaster.;.:, ... V u ; i . . 283.51 14.90 248.41
|AMe Sewnsittv ̂ ^ 233^1 14.90 24841
Ordinary Seainan.^. . ^ 200.97 12.82 213.79
ENOINE OEPAi^]^
jChief Electrician .. r; . $371.93 $23.73 $39546
2ndEl«ctricliHi^..^:^^^>^^^^..^^ . . ^ . 2L20 353.42
:iJnUcensed Engii^ Diny. 1846 314.48
Unlicensed ir. Engine . . ; . 36644 ^ 1647 ^ ^41
I%ittber Mttcfciidst.^^^^ . . .19.^ 32349
Jfeck Enginew V . . 36644 1647 28341
Engine Utmty^^^. . . . ^ 26644 16.97 283.01
Evaporator Maintenanee^.......... 248.29 15.84 264.13
Oiler : . . r . . 233.51 14.90 248.41
OilerDiesel 254.51 16.24 270.75
S^atertender .. . ... ;, ...... 233.51 14.90 248.41
Fireman Watertend^ (FWT)_ . 23341 14.90 248.41
Fireman .... 221.68 14.14 235.82
230.55 .14.71 245.26
Refrigeraling Engiri^r j '
(When only one is Carri^).. . 342.35 21.84 364.19
E^i'igcrating Engineer
tWhen three are carried) ^
. Chief. =. : H V 342.35 21.84 364.19
1st Assistant 304.49 19:43 323.92
i 2nd Assistant . . . 282.01 17.99. 300.00
STEWARDS DEPARTMENT
Chief Steward. . ;., ...; r,. . $289.25 ^ $18.45 $307.70
Chief Cook . . . . : 266.04 16.97 283.01
Night Cook and Baker . ... . . 266.04 16,97 283.01
Second Cook .' ..:..... 242.38 15.46 257.84
Assistant Cook...., . . .. . . . 230.55 14.71 245.26
Messman .... 200.97 12.82 213.79
Utilityman ........ 200.97 12.82 213.79
The present overtime rate is $1.22 for ratings under $254.49 and for
ratings over $254.49 it is $1.54.
Standby rate is $1.69 an hour for an 8hour day^ with timeandkalf for
overtime and Saturday and Sunday.
(Continued frtym Page 1)
wage gahi was out, the CIO Na
tional Maritime Union signed a
similar agreement with its con
tracted operators. The CIO
American Radio Association was
the next union to sign for the
6.38 percent boost, and the CIO
Marine Engineers are expected
to follow the pattern in the
present wage talks with the op
erators.
Under tefms of the SIU agree
ment, which was reached Friday,
October 6 and signed October 9,
the 6.38 percent increase wUl be
applied to basic wages, overtime
and standby rates and monthly
clothing allowance.
The former demarcation line
for overtime rates will also be
increased by the 6.38 percentage.
The Union agreement also ex
tends payment of the $2.50 per
day War area bonus and such
war risk insurance benefits as
were in effect asof September
30 for another 90 days, until
December 31, 1950.
Under terms of the pay boost,
ABs pick up $14.90 more a
month over the former $233.51.
The new scale for ABs, there
fore is $248.41. Seafarers in other
ratings will receive proportion
ate increases.
The overtime pay rate has
been increased from $1.15 an
hour to $1.22 an hour for those
making under $254.49. Those
making more than $254.49 will
be paid $1.54 an hour. Before
the new increase the dividing
line on the overtime rates was
$239.23.
Standby pay goes from $1.59
to $1.69 an horn* as a result of
the new pay provisions. The new
figure applies to the 8hour day,
with timeandahalf for over
time and Saturdays and'Sundays.
Negotiations for the wage in
creases began on October 4, al
ter the SIU notified the operators
of its demands to offset the in
creased cost of living. Under
terms of the SIU agreements—
the only ones of its kind in mar
itime^the Union; may request a
wage' review at any time.
In the early talks, the oper
ators offered a 5.49 percent in
crease in line with the settle1
ment reached on Ihe West Coas :.
The Union negotiating commit
tee fiatly rejected the offer as
inadeqtiate, stating that it woul l.
not be boimd by socalled for
mulas adopted elsewhere. Agree
ment on the 6.38 figure war
agreed to two days later.
Signing the agreement for thi^'
Union were SecretaryTreasurer
Paul Hall, Headquarters Repre;
sentative Earl Sheppard, and
Morris Weisberger. Weisberger
participated in the negotiation i'
as representative of the SUP and
the International and his effort j
contributed greatly toward ef
fecting the final settlement.
The new pay rates for Seafar
ers top a steady series of in
creases, which resulted in ths
advance of Union memberJ^
wages by approximately 150 peij
cent in the past six yeaf^.
Throughout this period the SlH.
A&G District has been setting '
the pace in the establishment cif
the seamen's wage pattern.
In March 1944, the wages ctC
an AB, for example, 'were $100;
per month. A year and a half
later—October 1945—they went
to $145. Then in 1946 the Slljj
negotiated'two increases for aU
ratings, a feat it repeated in 194';r.
In 1948, three pay hikes wer^
won for SiU members and an|
other in 1949.
11
Log Will Cmy
Pictwes, Hecord
Of CmJUates
(Continued from Page 1)
in all SIU A&G District Branch
es.
A member may file a nomina
tion for office provided he is J
citizen of the United. States, ;
full book member for at leas
two years and has at least thre«
years of seatime in an dnlScense<[
capacity, four months of whicl
must be in the current year—un
less, of course, he is presentl;
holding Union office.
Nominees should also file i
recent passport photo and a 10O
word summary of their Union
activities, to be published in • th*^
LOG ais an aid to the voters.
ITF Convention Okays Board's Expnision Of Commie CSU
The 21st biennial convention
b£ the International Transport
Workers Federation, held recent
ly in Stuttgart, jGermany, in re
viewing the interim actions of its
executive board, gave its approv
al to the expulsion of the com
munistdominated Canadian Sea
men's Union for conducting its
phony political strike last year
to the "grave injury to the
Waterside workers, whom they
led astray,, and to the economy
of the countries affected."
This is the final blow to the
CSU, which now only exists on
ia letterhead and in the memor
ies of the few commies who tried
to use the Canadian seamen as
pawns in Stalin's political game,
i Follov^ng is the complete text
Of the ITF resolution:
'This Congress,
: "Having considered the refusal
"Of the international Tfahsport
Workers Federation to show soli
darity with the striking Canadian
seamen, and the suspension of
the ahlliRtion of the Canadian
Seamen's Union by the Execu
tive;
"Takes into account the follow
ing facts:
"From April to July, 1949, the
Canadian Seamen's Union con
ducted a 'Strike When need lor
recourse to this final weapon for
the defense of the interests of
the members did not exist. To
induce members to'^come out on
strike the Communist leaders of
this organization lied to them.
Moreover, they gave out strike
instructions which conflict with
all tradition of rtiaritime trade
union action and also with Ca
nadian law, thus laying the mem
bership open to legal proceedings
and severe penalties.
HID TRUTH
'The leaderg of the Canadian
Seamen's Union called fOr the as
sistance of the International
TransportWorkers Federation but
systematically hid the truth
about the alleged dispute by de
liberately refusing to furnish in
formation which, in accordance
with the rules of the Internation
al Transportworkers Federation,
they were under an obligationfo
provide. Instead of informing the
International T r a n sportworkers
Federation, and through it the
organiza^ofis Whose support was
desired, the Communist leaders
of the Canadian Seahjen's Union,
with the active assistance of
agents of the Communist parties,
conducted a campaign of lies
among the workers in the differ
ent ports throughout the world
and exploited in a shameless
fashion the sentiment Of solidar
ity of the latter. They thus did
grave injury to the waterside
workers, whom they led astray,
and to the economy of the coun
tries affected..
"On the other hand, the lead
ers of the Canadian Seamen's
Union conferred secretly with
the socalled Worlds Federation of
Trade Unions, and this instru
ment of the Cpminform support
ed their campaign against the
ITF and the organizations affili
ated to it. The leaders of the
Canadian Seamen's Union con
ducted their campaign by means
and according to methods which
demanded large financial re
sources, but they left their mem
bers'^ on strike in foreign ports to
the charity of the sympathizing
woriters.
"The strike was conducted,
contrary to all the rules of trade
union strategy, by methods aim
ing at dragging uselessly and
wickedly, ih all parts of the
world, the greatest possible num
ber of workers into the dispute.
"Whereas everything points to
thli fact that the strike of the
Canadian Seamen's Union was
decided by an outside power of
which the leaders of the CSU are
the lackeys;
ACTION APPROVED
"This Congress,
"Approves the decision of the
Management Committee, the Ex
ecutive Committee and the Gen
eral Council to refuse, for the
first time" in the history of the
ITF, assistance to an affiliatec
organization engaged in a dia
pute;
"Decides to expel the CSl
from theTTF for having haraied
the interests of its own members
and those of other affiliated un'
ions;
"Notes with satisfaction 'tha
the vast majority of the mem
bers of the Canadian Seamen's
Union have turned their backs
on this Organization so unworthy
of their confidence and have re
joined the ranks of a free trade
union;
"Invites transport workers
throughout the world to ponded
this example of shameful exploi
tation of the noble sentiment o:
workingclass solidarity for un
avowed political ends."
The delegates to the conven
tion also voted to expel the New
Zealand Waterside Workers Un
ion and the Finnish Transport
Workers Union because of the
fpllowing of the Commun isi
party line by those unions.
Page Feu? THE SEAFARERS LOG
I3 is
F^af. 13.
Philly In Need Of Tenkeimen;
Beston Lacks Rated Engifiemen
CHIEF OF FRENCH ANTI-RED MARINE GROUP VISITS SIU
lii
IIOT
r&
BK..
By STEVE CARDULLO
• PHILADELPHIA—Shipping in
this port made a spurt this week,
and rated men especially are
filing the benefits.
In fact, the shortage of rated
men caused the Stony Creek to
sail short. Rated tanker men who
Me anxious to ship out should
head for this port. We expect
two payoffs in the near future
on ships that have been put a
long time.
"GHOST TOWN"
Since most of the regulars
have shipped on Far East runs,
Philadelphia seems like a ghost
town at this writing. The only
smiling face around here is Red
Healey's.
This shipping surge halted a
decline that began last week af
ter we had been enjoying acti
vity that began to remind us of
old times.
A newspaper report has it that
an expose of communist activity
on the waterfront may soon be
forthcoming. I think they have
found some comrats somewhere.
That's something we knew about
a long, long time ago.
SAD. THOUGH
At least the Phillies' desperate
bid for a World Series champion
ship was short and sweet. The
agony was not prolonged, as
they lost four consecutive close
games to the New York Yank
ees. As bad as folks feel in this
town, they still can take comfort
in the fact that the Whiz Kids
gave Philly a National League
pennantwinner for the first
time in 35 years.
As is customary in October, all
we'll say is: Watch them next
year!
By BEN LAWSON
BOSTON—The old Beantown
has been doing all right for it
self on the shipping side these
past two weeks. Oilers and Fire
men have been, needed the most
and we're still kind of short in
these ratings.
With the signing of the Cities
Service contract, the future
should see Boston getting back
on its shipping feet, since many
of this company's tankers call
at our port.
Other indications that raise our
hopes for a brighter period ahead
are the news that the Battle
Creek Victory and the Booming
ton Victory are coming out of:
the boneyard—although we don't
yet know who will get them—
and that Eastern may be active
this winter.
The latter company may ope
rate some drycargo ships, and
is thinking of placing the Evan
geline in cruise service to the
West Indies.
If these developments should
become facts, shipping will be
mighty fine for Seafarers who
do their jobregistering up this|
way.
Pierre FerriPisani (center). Geperal Secretary of the French Federation of Longshoremen
and Seafarers talks with Earl Sheppard (right). SIU Headquarters RepresentatiTe. end yfilly Dor^
chain, US representative'of the International Transportworkers Federidion. FerriPisani heads
the Mediterranean section of the ITF's anticommimist vigilance committee, formed recently to
combat commie influence among maritime workers in Southern France. Ifaly, Greece, Algeria.
Tunisia, Israel, Lebanon. Egypt and Morocco.
In his visit to. the SIU, FerriPisani discussed with A&G District officials strategy for con
tinuing the fight to rid the waterfronts of the world of communist influence.
Uttkm Wreikers Are Warned
The SIU it on record thai charges will be placed against
men guilty of being the following:
PILFERERS: Men who walk off ships with crew's equip
ment or ship's gear, such as sheets, towels, ship's stores, cargo.
etc» for sale ashore.
WEEDHOUNDS: Men who are in the possession of or
who use marijuana or other narcotics on board an SIU ship
or in the vicinity of an SIU HalL
GASHOUND PERFORMERS: Men who jeopardise the
safety of their shipmates by drinking while at work on a ship
or who turn to in a drunken condition. Those who disrupt the
operation of a ship, the payoff or signon by being gassed up.
All Seafarers, members and officials alike, are under
obligation to place charges against these types of characters.
Mobile's Hopes Still Undimmed
By CAL TANNER
\
tors will have priority over the
Navy. in shipping cargo to the"
Far East may .prove helpful to
Gulf activity. We're hoping that
this policy will induce opera
tors to step up their shipping by
adding ships to their fleets. We'll
have more on this in the next
issue of the LOG.
New York Shipping Is Stiii On Fair Side
By JOE ALGINA
NEW YORK — Another two
week period of fair shipping has
slipped past us and we're still
hopeful of a boost in the tempo,
but as long as the port activit
ies don't slacken any more than
they have, we'll be satisfied. We
took care of 12 ships in payoffs
and 6 for signons since the past
report and all of the vessels
were in good shape.
Out of the group the Hilton,
Bull, laid up, and rumors have it
that the ship is going to be sold
for scrap, and the Jean, same
company, came out of layup to
take a crew. That put us even
In that department, which was
the only big,change out of the
ordinary in this port during the
past , two weeks.
On the waterfront the Patrol
men have been kept busy hitting
the ships. Often they have found
. that they have made unneces
sary trips to ships which have
called for a Patrolman to settle
a beef. Often aboMd these ships,
vessels in the coastwise trade,
the Patrolmen have foimd the
matter could have been handled
over the telephone or by the
ship's delegates.
By then the Patrolman has
wasted an afternoon that he
could have used to hit a «hip
with a genuine problem. Dele
gates aboard coastwise ships
should make every attempt to
settle theur beefs before railing
the HalL The number of Patrol
men is limited and they should
be called only when the beef
can be handled by them alone.
Again I'd like to urge every
member to take very good care
of his seaman's papers, for if
they are lost the Coast Guard
will replace them with the new
type papers that the SIU has of
ficially gone on record to reject.
If a member loses his papers
there is nothing he can do but
be subjected to the screening
ordeal and keep his fingers cross
ed hoping the Coast Guard will
be bighearted enough to let him
go on making a living.
The big news in the New York
papers continues to be the'shake
up in the police department and
the drive on bookmaking which
got under way with the appoint
ment of a new police ccmmis
sioner. One of the matters that
hasn't yet been dealt with .is
the unsolved murder of Willie
Lurye, the AFL Garment Work
ers organizer who was killed at
the height of an organizing cam
paign sometime ago.
Early this year police made
an arrest and said that two sus
pects were being sought. That's
the last that'^ been heard of
the matter. The new commis
sioner would do well to get to
work on the Lurye killing.
MOBILE—After checking with
the Waterman and Alcoa Steam
ship Companies, we learned that
shipping for the coming two
weeks looks rather dim for this
port.
The following ships are due
in port: Alawai, Monarch of the
Sea, Iberville, Morning Light,
Fairport, Warrior, Alcoa Clipper,
Alcoa Rur>ner, Alcoa Corsair and
Alcoa Pennant.
We crewed up the Alcoa Pil
grim on October 4, and 'some
time around October 15 we ex
pect to be able to do the same
for the La Salle.
On October 5, we attended a
conference with Colonel Howell,
Director of the Alabama State
Selective Service System; W. W.
Wade, Director of the Alabama
State Department of Labor, and
officials of the Alabama State
Federotion of Labor to discuss
a program to handle deferments
in the event the draft law is
broadened for fullscale induc
tions.
If the program is successful,
it might become the basis for
a pattern to be used in the Gulf
area and to be follow;ed by our
other ports in the immediate
area.
The news that private opera
Drop In Replmements Affects New Orleans
By LINDSEY WILLIAMS
NEW ORLEANS —The busi
ness affairs of this port are in
excellent sha'pe but* shipping has
taken a drop and the outlook for
the coming two weeks is not too
good.
Since the last shipping period
closed, we had five payoffs, fom
signons and 26 ships hitting
here intransit. Of the intransit
callers, only 10 took any re
placements, a factor which was
noticeable in the final shipping
figures.
For the coming two weeks we
have only three scheduled pay
offs, so we can't count on too
much activity. There's always
the chance, however, that the
intransit vessels will pick up
enough replacements to help the
general shipping situation.
Three ships have come put of
the boneyard, but we don't know
whom they'll be assigned to. The
vessels and their agente arfe the
Bucyrus Victory, South Atlan
tic; Clearwater Victory, Water
man, and Hannibal Victory,
Mississippi.
We hope to know who will
get these ships before the next
meeting. As soon as we^ get
something definite we will pass
it on to the membership.
There were a few minor beefs
aboard the SS Del Sud when
she came into port and a few
beefs registered against some
performers. These beefs were
handled on the ship, with the
crew taking a firm stand against
any irresponsible action that
harms the membership and the
Union welfare. ^
The SS Seatrain New Orleans
is still tied up here with the
outlook the same—nothing new.
She has tied up here since May.
Meanwhile ships from Cuba, as
many as five and six a week, are
bringing in sugar that this na
tion has to buy to keep on hand
for other' nations.
Th^s situation doesn't make
sense. Let's hope that this ship
will get into operation again
soon. Aside from easing the job
shortage all around, it would be
of great help to some of our
alien Brothers who are allowed
to sail the New Orleans.
Shipping in Savannah
Reaiiy Takes Drop
By E. M. BRYANT
SAVANNAH — Shipping
couldn't have been any slower
last week, unless it stopped al
together. Three ships came out
of the boneyard, but as yet they
have notbeen allocated to any !
company. This gave us 12 run
jobs which helped the Deck De
partment boys on the beach. •
We have two men standing by
on one of these ships in the
shipyard. They're Black Gang
men.
So far in this area, .the Stew
ards Department has been left
out of the picture on the ships
coming out of the boneyard, as;
we haven't crewed any as yet [
But we're hoping to get one or:
two of the ones presently in the'
shipyard. '
Draft registrants have been re
minded time and again to keep
their local boards posted as to
their employment, but therfe are
still guys who don't heed this
advice.
When you ship out, notify
your board of the name of the
ship and the company by whom
you're employed. That's the easy
way and if 'you follow it there'll
be smooth sailing and everyone,
including the draft board, will
know the score and be able to
handle these matters in tlie prop
er manner. ' '
We have a few members in
the Savannah Marine Hospital
and we know dam well that all
of them would welcome a visit
from their buddies. How about
brightening a few minutes of
these guys' time when you're in
port?
13# IS&Q THE S BAYAREttS h&G Paere Five
These Seafarers aren't modeling the latest vrallpaper desig^. they're merely sporting con"
ventional dress for one of the ports visited when they were aboard the Steel Admiral. Left to
right: "Red" Pepper, DM; T. Freeland, AB; L. Dower, DM; H. Rowe, AB; G. Georgina. 3rd
Cook; T. Ekland, 2nd Electrician. Kneeling is N. Paputo, OS. Mike CarUn, Wiper, is partially
abscured in rear row. Photo was taken, in onb of the Far East ports of call.
"Chuck" Hostetler. AB. poses on deck of the SS Massmar
with two 15pound salmon he caught in Coos Bay, Ore. Anglers
looking for big salmon should head for the West Coast, euivises
"Chuck," who says he'll be happy to give pointers on how to
catch the big babies. Just write him care of the ship.
As far as fish stories go, says Hostetter, "I can tell you
the best places to get these fine fish.
One of the most efScient machine shops, on the high seas is that set tip
by Seeifarer Y. Schenck aboard the SS Chilore. Above is a portion of the
Chilore's shop. Note small overhead trolley and hoist over lathe and full
acetylene in back of drill press which expert machinist Schenck devised.
Schenck arranges all tools in sets and makes mountings so they are easily
lifted out cind returned without touching the shop panels. By this method,,
tools are easily located and losses noticed immediately. Schenck says losses
dre extremely slight and mostly due to breakage.
• ii
In offhours you can generally find a bull session in prog
ress on the fanlail of the SS Del Norte. Photo above shows
one of the typical gatherings and includes representatives of
the three departments. Ba(;k rowi left to right: Blaekie Bank
ston, Molena, Russo md Colcau Middle row: Tex Metting;
Nielsofi, Hammel. Bottom tOw: M SftauSrayi Gam. MayfieUL
Freenianis and;Toche( • '
Deck cargo aboard the SS Southstar on recent run to Far East presmted a somber note.
Claude West, who submitted photo says tanks reminded' the SID crew of World War II days.
Ke added that Seafarers sfan4 ready to deliver the goods in peace and war, and rehall^l
the rote played 'by union seamen in the^ recent confUcL * .
Pa0e Six THE S E AF A RERS L O G
Steel Rover Ducks Shells Off Hong Kong
As She Runs First Arms Cargo To Saigon
The recent run of the SS Steel Rorer, Islhmian. through the Far Eaai has been studded
with events enough to satisfy the most adventxirehungry crewmemher. The ship left the West
Coast in July loaded with war materials, and though she did not see Korea, she found plenty of
action in her path, beginning in Hong Kong where the ship was shelled by Chinese natfcmalists
and continuing through her gunboatconvoyed voyage up the Saigon Rivw to deliver the first
load of war materials to IndoChina.
An eyewitness account of the ship's experiances has come in a delayed letter to the LOG
' from Carpenter John Santos, who'sent the foUoving dispatch from Saigon. .
By JOHN SANTOS
When we readied to leave the States from Oakland, California, it seemed like
the war days all over again, except for one thing: Television cameramen were every
where taking pictures of our cargo of army gear as it was loaded overhead from cranes
and they made sweeping shots of our deck, which was loaded with Jeeps and crated
supplies in such quantities that the catwalk ran from bow to the stern.
We got alway all right and badt;
an uneventful crossing. It was
POWERS AND HIS MODELS
as we were leaving Hong Kong
that trouble came our way. On
Sunday morning, August 2 we
left Hong Kong for Saigon. As
we left the lighthouse we took a
course close along the shore. We
were about 15 miles from Hong
Kong and still skirting the shore
when the first shot was fired.
WHIZBANG
I was on top of No. 2 hatch,
working, when the first shell
landed about 20 yards off to our
starboard. When I heard the ex
plosion I looked back at No. 1
house, for we had a few boxes
.. of hand grenades there and I
thought they .had gone off. But
while I was turning to look,
number 2 shot was fired' and
landed in line with our bow. I
knew what it was then and I
said to myself this is no place
for me, I made a dash for the
midship and the rest of the deck
gang joined me. As we neared
the midship I said to the First
Assistant, "Someone is firing on
us." And, as if to prove it, shell
number 3 came whistling in. We
all ducked inside and the shell
landed abdut 20 yards off the
portside.
While we waited inside num
ber 4 and 5 came over. One of
ments through our fiag and into
the stern. ?
After shell number 5 the skip
per decided that we were some
body's target, so the ship was
swung away from land and turn
ed around back to Hong Kong
with all the speed that could
be mustered.
The following morning, safe in
Hong Kong, a shipyard boat came
out and inspected the ship. What
eve^r they found it must not have
been much as no work was done
on the ship.
We left Hong Kong right away
for another try to reach Saigon
but this time we headed straight
out away from the port and
then made our turn southwest.
DANGER EXPECTED
We hadn't expected any
trouble in Song Kong, but all
of us felt that if any trouble
arose it would be in the Saigon
River. Several of the men said
that we wouldn't be so lucky as
there were people who wanted to
prevent this first shipment of
arms from reaching its destina
tion. ,
We arrived in Saigon on Aug.
9 and when we reached the pilot
station we were given an armed
guard aboard the ship and river
gun boats patrolled the waters
alongside the ship. We were told
the shells, I learned later, struck | to stay inside while making the
diose to our stem and sent frag' run just to be on the safe side.
Maybe the small armada es
corting us changed someone's
mind because we had no trouble.
When the ship tied up a contin
gent of soliders came down to
the ship and stood guard all the
time the cargo was being work
ed.
Next to us was a British ship
that had left Hong Kong a few
hours before we did. She had
been shelled for taking the
shoreline route like we did. We,
Jieard that she had been dam
aged slightly and two officers
wounded.
We spent little time in Saigon
and everyone heaved a sigh of
relief when the ship pulled out
and headed to less troubled parts
of the world.
Seafarer Joe Powers. Jacqueline (left) and Patricia
AHENTIONi
If you don't find linen
when you go aboard your
ship, notify the Hall at once.
A telegram from Le Havre or
Singapore .won't do you any
gocd. It's your bed and you
have to lie in it.
Looking over the July 21 is
sue of the LOG, Joe Powers,
Lounge Steward on the Alcoa
Cavalier, saw a photo of,Smoke
Room Steward Bill Da^is and
a wooden mannequin taken out
side one of the apparel shops
aboard the SS Del Sud. Joe
figured if that rated space in
the LOG than % photo of the real
Mc Coy certainly wouid.
. Quicker than yop can say
"Oolala," Joe forwarded a slick
print made by Deck Steward
Bill Marion, showing Joe spend "
ing a Hollywoodstyle day off at
the Trinidad Country Club Port'
auSpain, in the company of ,
two Paris clothing models.
The gals, who were in the is
land resort on a modeling tour
of the world for a Parisian fa •
shion house, were decked out in
Bikini swim suits. Said Joe: .
"I'm sure the boys will enjoy. .
the picture."
And who are we to . argue
with Joe?
WAR HAWK SEAFARERS IN THE FAR EAST
Alcoa Pioneers Slug Grace Line Squad, 10-6
The newlyorganized Alcoa Pioneer softball team turned to in fine fashion for"
their first game and polished off the Santa Ana Saints of the Grace Line fleet, 106,
before a rabid group of Venzuelan fans at the Cerverza Victoria Stadium in La
*Guaira on September 2. *
It
Anoaxd the Waterman ship during a recen. chartered run from the West Coast were these
ftturdy SIU men. Left to right, first row: Granger, FWT; Cariiso, AB; Eraso, Bosunt Lynn. AB.
Second rsw; Fonlenot, OS: Borreson, AB; Lee, Wiper, and AU^an. Ml^ 'Re(U row: Ortix,
DM; Butlos, OS, and Thomas, Wiper. . .
Loose playing marked the first
frame for both squads, with the
opposing pitchers exhibiting con
siderable wildness. As the game
went into the second inning the
score was tied at 3all. '
From that* point on the con
test took on the air of a real
ball game and both teams began
playing headsup ball.
The game was virtually decid
ed in the foini:h ^hen the Pio
neers^ aided by a couple of
walks, bunched their hits and
drove four runs across the plate.
Mclnis, on the mound for the
Pioneers, turned in a creditable
performance despite occasional
wildness, allowing the Grace
Line batters but five hits and
fanning 15.
The Pioneer's skipper. Captain
"Jumbo" MullaUy, held down
third , base for the last two inn
ings and fielded his chances fiaw
lessly. On the offensive, he show
ed promise of being the long
ball hitter sp badly needed by
his team.
At the keystnne corner, "Flip
per" Knapp and Sandy Sgnford
gave promise of being a neat
defensive combination for the
winners.
Another performance of merit
was tifrned in by Charlie String
feUow of the Pioneers, who pa,
trolled center field like a heads, ,
up mountie. Charlie snagged sev
eral wellbelted hunks of horse
hide that might have caused con^
siderable damage to the victors
had less capable hands been in
that area.
RETIRING BOOKS
Members who forward
their membership books to
the New York Hall for retire
ment are ugred to mark the
envelope with the notation
"Attentions: Bth floor," in orr
der to insure quicker hand
ling of the matter.
Marking of the envelope in
the maimer advised ahoye^
wiU save lime and will result:
in prompt return of the boq|& |f!
lo\thesender,. •
^ i, M t I
Fi1dar;*OelolMHr 13, 1950 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven
SEATRAIN NEW YORK, Oct.
1—Chairman, R. Sweeney; Sec
retary, John M. Monast. Dele
gates reported number of books
end permits in their departments;
no beefs. Motion carried that
Steward obtain new mattresses
end pillows. Motion carried to
see about getting fuel oil and
sawdust cleaned up in the lower
. hold, as it constitutes a fire
hazard.
% % %
CARROLL VICTORY (No dale
given)..,— Chairman, H. Ilarise;
Secretary, A. Tremer. Delegates
elected. Motion carried that men
come to messroom in proper at
Wre. Motion carried that the
iiOG be informed of poor deal
crew got on slopchest. Motion
• carried Jthat Steward appear in
messroom during meals.
' t t
HILTON, Sept. 24—Chairman,
Ed Going; Secretary, John
O'Connor. Delegates'' reports ac
cepted. Motion carried that
Ship's Delegate contact Patrol
man about lack of penicillin
aboard the ship. Discussion held
on Union rules and contracts.
& » 3.
ANGELINA, Sept. 28—Chair
man, Jinuny Foret; Secretary,
Alton Martin. Delegates' reports
accepted. Patrolman to be con
tacted concerning men who paid
off in Puerto Rico without re
ceiving hospital slips. Laundry
to be repaired and drainage in
passageways to be fixed.
^ 1
ALCOA CAVALIER. Sept. 16
— Chairman, Harry Buston; Sec
retary, Andy Stephens. Joe Pow
ers explained the setup of the
fund in memory of Cut 8e Run
Hank. Ship's Treasurer announc
ed the ship's fund to contain
$74.57, following y the expendi
ture of $50 for repairing the
movie machine. Ship's Delegate
to see the Purser concerning the
price of cigarettes.
» » »
MONROE, Sept. 6—Chairman,
J. C. Bernard: Secretary, ..Joe
Thomas. Delegates reported on
number of books and permits in
their departments. Beefs on flies
in messroom discussed. Motion
carried that minutes of meetings
would be posted in messroom.
Minutes Of SiU Ship Meetings
• /
^he next Issue of(be SenicimeKS
Lc^ cuiil oamithepichnes and
brief oP4lie candi*
-frr A&G ofipibes in-lhs.
oomnm elecTion.TVieu eve
prinwa Ho akf cfou in sefecfi
*KeadRr»e**» cnrefw/Zu
t^oM oast' cfour /
t, ^ t,
SEATRAIN TEXAS, Sept. 17
— Chairman. L. Galuska; Secre
tary, C. RusselL Motion carried
that meeting be held with Pa
trolman to iron out beef on
penalty overtime for lack of
launch service in Belle Chasse,
La. Motion carried that shipyard
workers be barred from mess
room.
* $ $
LONE JACK, Sept. 24—Chair
man, William Tradwell; Secre
tary,. Charles Dominick. Dele
gates reported on books and per
mits. Motion carried to make up
a report on the firing of William
Maxfield, which was for a per
sonal reason and had nothing to
do with the way he performed
his work.
»
LAKE GEORGE, Sept. 17 —
Chairman, G. Stilley; Secretary,
SEATRAIN HAVANA, Sept.
24 —Chairman, A. Seay: Secre-
tary, Frank Klicki. Money col-
lected for purchasing funeral
wreath for John Mclntyre turn-
ed over to Galveston Patrolman.
Delegates reported on number
of books and permits in their
departments. Discussion on fan
set up in quarters^. Crew decided
to refer matter to Patrolman.
X t. t.
WILD RANGER, Sept. 24 —
Chairman, David Rice: Secretary,
A. Danne. Delegates reported
their departments in order. Mo
tion carried to abolish fines and
make a donation instead to mem
bers in the TB hospital. Steward
reported all men will change
their own linen.
XXX
DEL VALLE, Sept. 17—Chair
• man, Fred Shaia: Secretary, M.
Gaddy. Ship's Delegate reported
that no life jackets would be
exchanged without having muti
lated jacket for exchange. Shaia
reported that the Viking Laun
dry in Buenos Aires had spoiled
two pairs of expensive slacks.
Delegate reported that he had
found a purchaser for the old
washing machine and would
work out details of sale subject
to approval by the crew.
XXX
JOHN STAGG, Sept. 21 —
Chairmam W. Carney: Secretary,
Henry Frankline. Delegates re
ported all in order, except in
Engine Department which has
3 hours of disputed, overtime.
Motion carried that complete re
pair list be made up and posted
in messroom. Second Cook de
manded a vote of confidence in
his work and was supported by
majority of crew.
XXX
SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY,
Sept. 27—Chairman, Tom Crane;
Secretary, Vincent Monte. Dele
gates reported number of books
and permits in their depart
ments. Crewmember to stand
suspended imtil he explains his
conduct in New Orleans on Sep
FRENCH CREEK, Sept. 3 —
Chairman, John Harvey: Secre
tary, Blackie Wagner. Motion
carried that crew go on record
to inform SIU organizers that
crew of SS French Creek has
gone on record stating, "we are
ready to strike at any time, pref
erably right now." Crew told
to turn in disputed overtime to
Ship's Delegate. Crewmembers
urged to write down sugges
tions that occur to them between
meetings, so matters can be dis
cussed before entire crew.
XXX
FRENCH CREEK, SepL 24 —
Chairman, Lee Arnold: Secretary.
C. Baird. Delegates reported
some disputed overtime in Deck
and Engme Departments. Motion
carried for Ship's Delegate to
see Captain and ask that the
Radio Operator type up press
news to keep crew abreast of
war news. Education: General
discussion on benefits of SIU
and how it will help Cities Serv
ice seamen.
XXX
WARHAWK, Sept. 18—Chair
man, J. Walker: Secretary, Pet
tus. Discussion on steam line and
hot water in showers. Motion
carried that ships leaving States
for the tropics must have equip
ment for cold water in showers.
Motion carried to send Steward
in Hong Kong a "getwell" card.
machine had been condemned
by Board of Health and should
be replaced by a Pantryman.
Two messmen advised to keep
putting in for overtime until a
Pantryman is put aboard. J.
Cheshire gave an ''educational
talk on the rotary hiring system.
XXX
PENNMAR, Sept. 24 —Chair
man, Kase: Secretary, L. Evera.
Steward reported $5 in ship's
fund and suggested every crew
member donate $1 to fund. Del
egate reported on books and
permits in their departments.
Discussion on making up of re
pair lists in each department.
XXX
GOVERNMENT CAMP, Sept.
4—Chairman, Bernard Mace: Sec
retary, Hubert Goodfried. Dele
gates reported all okay. Motion
carried to elect delegates. Edu
cation: Chairman explained ben
efits gained by sailing under
Union contract, such as over
time for part time work, plus
more pay and overtime for holi
days.
XXX
LAFAYETTE, Oct. 1—Chair
man, L. Marsh: Secretary. Ira
Myers. Delegate reported that
repairs from the past trip had
not been taken care of. Delegates
reported their departments in or
der. Discussion held on seasoning
of food and the coldness of the
meals.
XXX
RAPHAEL SEMMES, Sept. 17
—Chairman, Jack Ross: Secre
tary, Frank Van Dusen. Delegates
reported number of books and
permits in their departments.
Men paying off instructed to get
relief and give 24 hours notice of
paying off. Recommendation
made that crew icebox be re
paired.
the restrictions imposed on the
company and CTMA tmder the
recently signed court order.
XXX
COUNCIL GROVE, Sept. 23—
Chairman, Schuyler: Secretary, t
Bradbury. Delegates reported ho>
beefs. Suggestion made that mea
pay "sanitary fine" without be
ing asked. Suggestion made that
ship's fund be increased by hav
ing poker players cut $2 a night
for the fund and an arrival po(fi .
be made up. Suggestion' alsoj
made that crew make up a lot
tery. Crew adopted all sugges
tions, .Ship's Entertainment Com
mittee set up.
i i
^lll
G. PickeL Delegates reported no
beefs; Education: Tripcard men'tember 21. Ship's Delegate re
given advice on Union meetings j ported that procedure of turning
and welfare of Brothers. Engine in suggested repairs as they arise
Deleigat6 to see 1st Assistant is working out well, with neces
about repairing fans and wash sary work being done sometimes
ihg machine. in a matter of hours.
XXX
MADAKET, Sept. 15 —Chair
man, Jose Ortiguerra; Secretary,
Hemsley Guinier. Delegates' re
ports accepted. Ship's Delegate
suggested that all crewmembers
keep in contact with their Dele
gates so as to read up on the
agreement and constitution be
fore making any petty beefs.
Crew asked to be quietIn rec
reation room so men "off watch
can sleep.
X X X
LOGAN'S FORT. Sept. 24 —
Chairman, Fred Smith: Secre
tary, YVilliam Morris. Delegates
reported no beefs. Ship's Dele
gate reported that dishwashing
XXX
ANN MARIE, Sept. 26—Chair
man, Hitchcock: Secretary, Bak
er. Delegates reported every
thing okay. Repair list made up
from all departments and ap
proved. Motion carried to have
sailing board posted directly at
gangway.
XXX
STEEL SCIENTIST, Oct. 1—
Chairman, V a r b o t: Secretary,
Donoghue. Delegates report no
major beefs. Motion carried to
have ship fumigated. Motion car
ried to have department Dele
gate collect books and draw up
list of monies due to expedite
payoff. Motion carried to have
meetings alternate, one in morn
ing and one in evening.
XXX
BALTORE, Sept. 27 —Chair
XXX
ALCOA POINTER, Sept. 29—
Chairman, O. Guernsey: Secre
tary, J. Prestwood. Delegates.
Crewmembers went on record to
respect Ship's Delegate and co
operate in every way. Discussion,
on Mate taking too long to check
overtime. Discussion on white
card men.
XXX
SEA COMET, Sept. 24—Chair
man, J. McGoldrick: Secretary,
G. W. Spivey. Ship's Delegate re
ported that Chief Engineer had
refused to let Wiper clean sec
tion of passageway. Matter to be
referred to Patrolman. Motion
carrigd to have ship's fund, each
man to donate $1. Special meet
ing to be called with Patrolman
when ship hits port to arrange
for fixing ship's decks and re
newing lockers.
XXX
ALCOA PEGASUS, Oct. 2 —
Chairman, Raymond Vaughan:
Secretary, Virgil Harding. Motion
carried to send member's book to
his home address, inasmuch as
mah missed ship in MontieaL
Delegates' reports accepted. Dis
cussion on various needed re
pairs.
XXX
ALCOA CORSAIR, Sept. 3—
Chairman, Blackie Landry: Sec
retary, John Roberts. Delegates
reported all okay. Treasurer re
ported $179 in ship's fund. Mo
tion carried that porthole wren
ches be put on, so ports can be
opened when air conditioning is
off. Motion carried to give Shipi's
Delegate authority to rent mov
ies. Vote of thanks given Cooks
for the good food served during
voyage.
4* $• 4"
ABIQUA, Sept. 23—Chairman,
W. Lopez: Secretary, H. Skelton.
Ship's Delegate reported $30.32
in Ship's Fund. Delegates report
ed books and permits in their de
partments. Motion carried to col
lect $1 from each man for ship's
• Isj
;ir
man, Maio: Secretary. Gardner.
Delegates reported number of, fund. Motion carried that half of
books and permits in their de ship's fund be spent for recrea
partments. Motion carried tojtion room equipment. All men
soogee recreation room on .rainy advised to fill out and send in
days.
X X X
COUNCIL GROVE, Sept. 17—
Chairman, Walker: Secretaory,
Bradbury. Ship's Delegate re
ported that expense connected
with carrying Coca Cola was too
great to carry it aboard ship
Delegates reported number of
books and permits in their de
partments. Motion carried that
crewmembers be properly dress
ed before entering messhall at
mealtime. Chairman Walker ex|
beneficiary cards for welfare
plan. Discussion on Pumpman's;
beef of not gating proper aid
when pumping out cargo.
XXX
EDITH, Sept. 24 — Chairman,
Gerald Smith; Secretary, Louis
Rizzo. Delegates reported every,
thing okay; reported number of
books and permits in their de"
partments. Motion carried that,
torn linen be exchanged for new
linen and old linen to be put in'
condemned bag and not reissued,
plained the opeiation of the Wei Chief Engineer to be seen about
fire Plan and read a letter from sufficient light bulbs for passage
CTMA diehards., He explained,ways.
Pa<r» TSisM r ff £f S B AP^A St E R S i
JK ' '•
E^^F' Ccic^ !3^
i.
SIU's Stand On New CG Papers Applauded
As Bulwark Against Bureaeratic Control
t> vt_
TmmQFf IN mKYo
4
I '^t^'
h'
Il
ls;'
W^:
To thfe Editor:
The Union's stand on the
"specially validated merchant
mariner's document" it to be
. roundly applauded.
The SIU could have chosen
the cautious existence by yield
ing to the Coast Guard and plac
ing us all in the patsy role.
From there we would ultim
ately be pushed" to one weak de
fensive position after another.
Our most serious threat, today,
. it no longer Old Joe, who might
be^ roosting under any one of
our blinks. We have already dis
posed of him by exploding every
one of his maritime conununist
frbnt organizations^ and by weed
ing out fellowtravellers from
our Union as fast as they show
ed their reddish color.
Our chief worry, now, is how
to keep "the bureaucrats from
running our lives—both collect
ive and individual.
OLD PATTERN
The old familiar pattern is
• beginning to unfold itself again.
Under toe guise of a red purge
the Coast Guard is trying tcf put
us on a spot where we would
have to eventually abandon our
Union, and show complete sub
servience to them.
By breeding suspicion amongst
us they divide our loyalties,
weaken our unity. No true dem
ocracy can function where there
is lack of faith in man toward
his fellows. And, it should go
without saying, that minus our
collective strength we would
soon become helpless victims of
the selfish whims of the ship
owners.
• Our leadership, .in this in
stance, has shown both imagin
ation and understanding in re
sisting Coast Guard machina
tions.
A backward glance at mari
time history should supply us
with their motive for this latest
move, for we can only diagnose
a disease from its symptoms.
In the first decade of this cen
tury the Lake Carriers' Associa
tion introduced an effective anti
Union measure which success
fully thwarted organization in
their domain. This device was
Imown as the "continuous dis
charge book." It showed the rec
ord of unionist sympathizers,
j^hd served as a potent blacklist
against them.
'TINK" BOOK
continuous discharge book. . .
Enforcement of this law
brought immediate and angry
disapproval, not only from the
maritime workers but from the
labor movement as a whole. Rec
ognizing its blunder Congress, on
March 24, 1937, changed the Act
to read as follows:
Sec. 4551 (a) "Every seaman
shall be furnished^ at the
option of the seaman, with a
book to be known as a contin
uous discharge book, or with a
certificate of identification. . .
antiunwn conipanies have been
All their employees' papers^
IMPLIED THREAT
Sec. 4551 (g) "Any person,
partneiship, company, or cor
poration who shall require any
seaman employed or applying
for employment to posses, pro
duce, or carry a continuous dis
charge book, if and when such
seaman possesses or carries an
identification certificate or
who shall exchange or give to
any other person, partnership,
company, or corporation infor
mation to cause discrimination
against a seaman for electeing to
carry an identification cer
tificate or to prevent a sea
man from obtainihg employment
on that account, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor. . . . ."
Today, the order to change
papers is weighed with only an
implied threat that it may, in
time, become compulsory, yet
always shrewdly careful to leave
it on an optional basis.
In reviewing tills program it
is curious to note how coopera
tiye with the Coast Guard the
were changed' instantly. This
wouW indicate that there hiad
been prior consullation,; vhth
probably a> deep understanding,
between the companies and the
bureaucratsi
Government agencies, with an
eye to the public interest, have
made it a practice in other fields
to form tripartite committ^
(with equal, representation given
to labor,, management, and. toe
government) whose function, it
is to work out, jointly, solutions
to. problems of mutual interest
in their respective industries.
Only in maritime is labor, coit
sistently refused a Voice.
None of us is reposed: to a
loyalty cheek, as such, if it is
meant to root out our enemies^
But,, iust how sincere are toe
motives of the Coast Guard? We
know that a screening process
can take place without the need
of changing papers.
It would be a much simpler
routine merely to take up the
papers of traitors as they are
apprehended, and to let loyal
American seamen keep the ones
they already have.
What did the Coast Guard do
about investigating American
companies which transferred
many of their ships over to for
eign registries?
A year ago, in toe Bethlehem
Steel Yard at Hobokenj I wit-
nessed toe sickening sight of an
American crew being removec
from the Texaco tanker, Cafls-
(Continued on Page 9)
This trio of IrlmloOking Seafarers jure members of the
crew of the SS Madaket, shown as they were sightseeing in
Japan's principal city during^ a recent stopover. Left to right:
F. Paskowski, Ship's Delegate; R. Nelson, and' J. Ortiguerra,
Deck Delegate.
Equator-Crossing Hazings
Leave Brother Burke Cold
To the Editor:.
Uniform Advocates Loaded
With Brass, Buckley Says
To the Editor:
m
l|:;
r Even the government came to
recognize this as a powerful
Veapop against unified seamen.
On June 25, 1936, toe following
amendments were made in the
Seamen's .A "t: ,
..'Sec. 4551 (a) "Every seaman
lipon a merchant vessel of the
'^nited States. ... .shall be fur
nished with a book, to be known
as a 'continuous discharge book,'
which shall be retained by
him. . . . ."
Sec. 4551 (b) "Whenever a sea
man is discharged in any col
lection district where no ship
ping cotnmissioner has been ap
pointed.
sel shalperform the duties of
such
the master of toe ves
ommissioner and shaU
make the proper entries in sttch
What in the hell will we read
of next?^ Who would ever sup
pose that a Union Brother would
even dare suggest a uniform for
merchant seamen?
Ten years ago a guy would
be wearing knobs on his head
for even offering such a sugges
tion. Are we going cream puff
in this organized body because
we get a few extra bucks?
What of us oldtimers who bat
tled on the picketlines against
the Copeland fink books and the
Maritime schools? Does the
younger generation in the SIU
think , it can sell the idea of
v/earing monkey suits today?
I've, followed this seafaring
game for 23 years as a civilian
and can carry on a few years
more under the same setup. In"
a recent letter to the LOG, an
advocate of uniforms for sea
men while abroad, said that sea
men in civvies in Europe get
taken, whereas this doesn't hap
pen . if they're in uniform.
Show me the seaman who
doesn't get taken to the cleaners
now and then. Guess we wouldn't
feel happy if it didn't happen;
All those Brothers inthe SIU
who feel the urge to wear a
uniform can answer Uncle Sam's
call for men. /I'm sure Uncle
Sam can rig you out with a
natty uniform.
J/oseph Buckley
Korean War Casualty
SIU olidtimer Steward Frank
Gardner received word from
the Defepse Department this
week that his soldierson, An
thony (above) has beeii hospi
talised in Tokyo; as a result
of wounds suffered in Korea's
battlefront. Young Gardner,
a member of a regimental com
bat team, entered the fighting
sone last July.
, ..-iakkdsiji'L
I have just read another salty
'sea story" about.one of those
Icid games pulled, off by a bunch
of soggy seadogs when their
rusty old tub happened to stum
ble across the Equator. I'm en
closing a clipping from the Aug
ust l6 issue of the LOG'which
is an account of an Equator
crossing celebration held aboard
the SS Alexandra.
After reading it I almost got
seasick. Say, when will guys
grow up and act their age?
HEAR THIS
Now, Ed, let's ..get it straight.
Tve been initiated into clubs and
gangs before. Most of the time
it was good clean fun, even if
a little painful sometimes.
But some of toe cheap little
stunts pulled off in the name, of
Neptune Rex are too raw for
me. Too many guys use this
Halloween getrup as a way to
get even with guys they have
a grudge against. Nq matter how
you slice it, it's still baloney and
kid stuff.
Come oh you jolly jack tars!
(joke)^act your age!
E. P. Burke ^
Baltimore, Md. .
"Cajuii Boy" Touart
Hits Comeback Trail
Tp the Editor:
The boys down yonder in Noo
Awleans are inquiring of JoJo
Touart's whereabouts, and what
ship he's on. He's not on any
ship. I recently met him up in
New York where he's training
for a comeback into the grunt
and groan racket (rasslin'), un
der the name of "Cajun Boy."
I watched one of his workouts
and it was' one of those affairs
toat .sends chills down your;
s'pine; I woke up the next mom
ihg with a stiff neck and pains
in iny back.
Slug Siekmann suggests that
JoJo take a raccoon into the
ringwith him as an added at
traction. Myself, I think he
should rassle the raccoon.; Not
that he'd stand a better chance,
but it' would be something dif^
ferent: •
• PercyBdy«r:?f^:;
Name Big Three
Of US Shipping, 1
Hospitalized Ask '
To the Editor:
I would sui'e appreciate n
^oint of information, in coilnec
tioh with a discussion we had |
about whirfi are the three big
gest steamship companies in the^
United States.
Several of us seamen in the
Staten Island Marine Hospital
were trying to settle this. In myy
opinion the three largest ones,
are as follows: Isthmian, Lykes
and Waterman. The other fellows
say differently.
^ If you have space you can*
print them in the LOG, as we^
will be here for quite awhile.
Spider Korolia '
(Ed. Hole: The three larg
est US operators and the num
ber of vessels in their fleets^
are as foUows: Lykes Bro
thers, 51 ships; United Statee
Lines, 48. ships, and Waterman
Stesunship " Corporation, 45
ships.l
tend 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, reconunendations.
and* then the minutes can bev
> printed in the LOG for the
benefit of all other SIU
crews.
Hold those shipboard meet
ings regularly, and send;
those minutes in as soon ae;
possiblei Thai's the 81U wayh
——— I
• • 1^,;
^©ber 13. 1850 THE SE-AP ARERS LO G Page Nine
THE GANG WwlS ALL THERE Insects In Ctew Messroom
Crewmembers of fhe SS Del Mar did Ihings up royally when they threw a parly in Buenos
Aires recently to celebrate the wedding of their shipmate. John Uszakiewicz. John, a member
of the Stewards Department, and ~his bride are seen exchanging bites of the wedding cake, as
wellwishers toast to their happiness. George (Frenchy) Djian. a friend of the bridegroom,
submitted the photo.
New West Coast SUP Hall Gets Big Okay
To the Editor:
This letter is from one of the
West Coast boys. Better make
that "new" West Coast boj^s, be
cause I've only been shipping
cut of here a couple of years.
However, I think this port is
one of the better ones to ship
from now. Particularly since we
have moved into the beautiful
new Sailors Union of the Pacific
home.
I recall iny skeptical reaction
to the idea when news first came
to me about the building that
was going up. Also, the price
seemed to me outrageous.
Now, a couple of years later,
I see this wonderful piece of
construction and .by God it really
gives your heart a lift. Even the
Lauds Stand On CO Papers
(Continued from Page 8)
bad. And, under surveillance of
gn armed guard, it.was replaced
by a Chinese crew.
ILG wage standards for the
Chinese are of such attractive
minimum requirement that the
bosses care little whether their
crews are followers of Mao Tse
tung or the Nationalist govern
ment.
With like indifference the
Cities Service officials, who sold
work to job applicants, found
the commie buck as welcome as
the next one. All this without
Bp much as a lifted eye from
the Coast Guard.
Why all the air of mystery, if
there is no ulterior motive in
making this move? I believe that
this, Joe McCarthy type. of pro
gram is designed to shake our
confidence in the Union, as well
as to make us supinely depen
dent on the bureaucrats who are
running this show. A quick look
back again should explain why
feel this way.
• It is a wellknown fact that, at
end of the last war, the
Army was not only grooming
its personnel to take over the
railroads in case of a walkout,
but that it had also issued a
manual in strikebreaking tac
tics. ,
What is little known is that
the Navy set up hiring halls
during the war, which would
eupersede' union hiring halls and
ultimately put all seamen under
their jurisdiction.
In October, 1942, a Seattle
recruiting station issued the fol
lowing announcement:
Attention Maritime Men:
• Is your draft number likely
to remove you from the du
ties you have chosen as your
life's work at sea?
Are you confronted with
the idea that the war is go
ing' to haul you athore and
jpbrce you high and dry widi
a'bayonet for your t«o}'of
'V'• • • •
That need not haunt you.
There is a way out!
The United States Navy
has opened class M1 for just '
such men as you, so you can
stay on your sip and do your
regular job. By enlisting in
an active status with the
Navy's M1 program, you
can remain aboard the ship
you are. now on until such
time as the Navy may have
to take over that ship. You
will not be subject to call
by selective service. You will
be in the service of your
country.
No other . procedure could
so adequately protect the
personnel and guarantee the
operation of much needed
merchant marine. That's why
the Navy has opened its M1
branch.
At Navy recruiting head
quarters, Federal Office Build
ing, Seattle, there is a spec
ial enlistment officer, to see
to it that men of the mer
chant marine are handled
quickly and efficiently in the
process of enlistment into
this new Navy reserve imit.
It's your only chance to safe^
guard your job at sea!
From this announcement it is
quite obvious what the Navy
brass intended to do. In the
event of a labor dispute the
Union would be undermined
completely. The patiiotprofiteer
ing bosses would go their own
arrogant way, leaving the work
ers to hold the bag of inflation
by paying increased living costs
without commensurate wage
boosts. Fortunately, the Union
put its foot down hard, and put
a stop to this bureaucratic med
dling.
We must Show the Coast
Guard that we are back of our
Union to a^ man, and are ready
to walk off the whole fleet of
Siycrewed ships if they persist
in trying to pushus around!
S Jtoiiit Cde
office people, from the neighbor
hood drop into the SUP's restau
rant, which is quite a place.
After seeing the different fire
traps around the« country that
have been serving as Halls for
our organizations, something like
this changes your Whole attitude
about shipping out.
A couple of fellows and 1
walked around in the building
and to our amazement there ap
peared a beautiful gymnasium,
with a basketball court, punch
ing bags, boxing ring, etc., all
the athletic equipment you would
want.
After an hour's workout on
the punching bag and the bas
ketball court, we were beat.
Tired and sweaty, someone sug
gested that we take a shower.
We rented a towel and soap for
a dime and then we got the
surprise of all. Adjoining the
shower is a big, fine steam bath
the end of a perfect day's
workout.
Guess that's all, except that
we are sUre losing one of the
best agents in the person of
Jeff Morrison who is going to
the Wilmington Branch from the
Frisco Hall. A grand fellow and
an excellent official.
W. R. Flaherty
San Francisco
To the Editor:
When Seafarers. _cannot eat
their food without fear of inter
ference by diseasecarrying in
sects, in other words, flies, it is
time to let the world know about
the situation.
To people ashore, such a sit
uation would offer no problem.
They would go somewhere else
to eat or call the Health Depart
ment. But somehow they would
get satisfaction.
Aboard ship Seafarers have no
such choice. They must eat in
the crew messhall the food the
cooks prepare and they must
place their confidence in the
ability of the Stewards Depart
ment to see that the food is pre
pared and protected in the in
terest of all concerned. Also, the
crew must rely upon the Stew
ards Department to keep the
messhall reasonably free from
insects.
The problem of keeping flies
and other insects from making
power dives into the soup pot in
the galley and from making
passes at the food when it is on
a plate in front of a poor victim
ized Seafarer, who valiantly tries
to fight them off with one hand
while hurrying his food down
his throat with the other.
SURRENDERS
This has been thfe subject of
much discussion aboard this
ship, ̂ although it is difficult to
understand why flies should be
much of a problem to a Stew
ard who claims decades of sea
time under his belt, when really
all he has to do is make full use
of screens and bugjuice supplied
by the company as per contract.
The Steward aboard this ship
has fallen far short of combat'
ting this potential threat. A few;
futile attempts of spraying is
all he has been ablt to manage,
the rest of the time he throws
up his hands in despair and ex
claims: "What can 1 do?" '
The moral of the story: It is'
the Steward's moral duty to see
that the ship's crew . is amply,
protected against all dangers.
where the, food is concerned. It.
he is unable to do this, he does.
not belong upon a ship where"
the health and welfare of the
crew rests upon his shoulders. .
In conclusion, it is his, and only'
his, direct responsibility. ./
J. Lawriizen
SS Monroe
Pay It Now!
Some members have evi
dently overlooked payment
of the 1949 General Fund
Assessment, and consequent
ly are not in good standing.
Now is the time to pay this
Assessment, so that all can
be eligible to v< in the
forthcoming elections for
A&G offices.
Log'A 'Rhythms
ODE TO A GANGWAY
By JACK (Sinbad) DEVERS
•
Oh iron and steel that takes such form,
If you but only knew
The mirth and strife that walks in life,
And passes over you.
If you but knew the schemes and dreams,
That men would will to do.
And all the plots in human pots.
That pass over you.
If you but knew the hearts of men.
And the minds of these, I say
What a wondrous tale you could unfold
—The drama of our day.
You'd be the.sage and quite the rage
In the circle of those who know
But it's no use, for I deduce
It's ignorance you show.
For you are but a gangway plank,
A thing of iron and steel,
And quite content your purpose bent' .
To serve both toe and heel.
Asks For Remedy
Of Log Shortage
In Canal Zone
To the Editor:
I've been riding Ore ships for
over a year and the SEAFAR
ERS LOG was brought aboard'
every trip at the Panama CanaL
This time 1 went out on a Calmar
ship and when we went through
the canal 1 expected to see the
LOG come aboard as usual. We
stopped off at Colon over night
and mail was brought to the ship
but no LOGS.
A delegation of crewmembers
made all the ginmills up and
down the main drag of Colon
and asked at several places for
the LOG, but no luck. We final
ly settled at the Hollywood Cafe,
PO Box 376.
We suggest that you keep the
Hollywood Cafe supplied with
LOGS. 1 didn't speak with the
manager, but 1 am sure it would
be okay if you sent him a letter
giving the score.
On another matter I'd like to
suggest that you give the dates
of letters received from the
Branch Agents giving the ship,
ping conditions. For instance, an
Agent may write shipping has
been slow but expects a boom
in a week or ten days, but by
the time we read it in the LOG
we don't know whether the let
ter is one, two or three weeks;
old. ^
C. O. Stroud
i\
Congrats^ Brother
October 13 marks ifie first
wedding anniversary of Sea
farer Otis John Canada (above)
and Mrs. Canada. With Bro
ther Canada far from homo
aboard the SS Lynn Victory
on the high seas, the celebra
tion will have to wait. Mean
while, his many Union ftiendo
wish the happilymarried
couple continued* happiness.
^ y'" '
Pag* Tea THE S E A:F AREJ^S LO G
i—r*. ,i,Mn
i
For Fight
To &e Editor:
We of the SS Hastings think
that the membership will be in
terested in the letter this crew
sent to Senator Magnuson and
his reply to us.
September 19, 1950
The Hon. Warren Magnuson
United States Senate
Washington, B.C. •
Bear Sir:
"We, the undersigned, being
members of the crew of the
^eamship Hastings, employees
of Waterman Steamship Com
pany and bonafide seamen of the
Seafarers International Union,
A. F. • of L., do hereby wish it
to be known that we are unani
mous in approval of your fight
agdinst the sotailed ""Gray He
port" We heartily commend you
for being the U.S. Merchant Ma
rines' most ardent supporter and
able legklator.
We wish it to he known to the
U.S. Senate, State Department,
the E.C.A. and to any other
branch of the government who
<daim to be proponents of this
above mentioned report that
they are jeopardizing our liveli
hood and that we disapprove of
£my such move whereby foreign
sh^ can sail coastwise and en
gage in intercoastal shipping.
Such a plan would be disastrous
and would definitely scuttle what
is left of our dwindling Merchant
Marine.
ABLE ADVOCATE
If the people who claim to he
Americans and would even take
the time to. draft such a plan
and expect the merchant sea
men of the United States to sit
idly by while such a plan was
forthcoming, we consider these
characters very naive. We are
very thankful to have an able
and outspoken, advocate such as
you, who is at all times looking
out for the interest of the Mer
chant Marine. May you continue
this fine service so that not only
we as seamen may be employed
in oiu: gainful occupation, but
also the service you render so
ably to people who are remotely
connected with the Maritime In
dustry.
This vessel is at present ply
ing the intercoastal trade, serving
many cities and towns in your
great state of Washington. We
hope to continue to sail these
ships in waters adjacent to the
United States and we will fight,
.if necessary, to stdp foreign ship
ping from taking away such es
sential trade routes. These for
eign ships have all but taken the
entire world wide trade routes
now with their substandard
wages and conditions, operating
ships built with money supplied
with the American taxpayers
money.
We sincerely hope that there
are still a few friends in the
Senate afld the House who will
help defeat such legislation and
make it possible for us to have
a strong and efificient Merchant
Marine operated under the free
enterprise system and manned by
freedom loving sailors of this
great coimtry.
There are people who cry
about the subsidies paid to
steamship operators on certain
trade routes, but we don't hear
them mention a word of protest
about the airlines who receive
approximately seven times Uie
amount in differential subsidies.
We have read of Such a repwt
on data revealed to the House
Interstate and Foreign Com
merce Committee, which showed
that airlines received $15,900,000
annual subsidy through domestic
mail contracts, compared with a
$2,000,000 net" annual operating
subsidy paid to the shipping
lines. Tet there are pepple who
wish to kiH what is left of
once great llerehutt Fleet and
turn all the U.S. Merchant Mar
ine to fonriga governments. WOi
fedi sure Uiat you will 'Oils
"rape" of ^ Americnn Mari
time hMhishy.
Hoipint that yoU' will li»ve
maaqr taare yema as a
and ifliiifl vw veBudn,
youft,
taww of « HMHain
September tfi, X6I»
Mr, S. B. HeAukor
&.&
Waterman Steamship Corp.
19 Hector St.
New York 6, N, Y.
Dear Mr. McAul^;
Your letter of September 19»
signed jointly with other mem
bers of your crew, arrived just
as I Was ready to leave for my
home State. As you ..probstely
know, I am up lor reelection
and I want to spend as mudi
time as I can out there.
In any events I want you to
know that I deeply appreciate
your letter and^ I am reelect
ed—you may be sure I Shall con
tinue my best efforts for the
US Merchant Marine.
Kindest regards.
Sincerely,
Warren G. Magnuson,
United Sfitet senate
DM'ttiteAIISg!
What iMppm 10 SMfisMsa
white taking Jka ships ta the
tar Omg fNMli of tee world
in
tee see nki^
yenre* knd an
en yev trip tead
n Btrie out of tee es
it'with feur
ililew Seeletaii thsough the
pagw of the SEAFABBflS
liOC.
You don't have to bo e
Jade London to knock Out the
detdls of tho oxpoitenee,^
Just fdvo us tho facts and
woU do fho rost.
Pieiiiroa, looaaako a dory
wdW iatafiieiiiig. If yon, or
« IdBew erownomher, aie
lucky enough to have a
eiinera eleng' — send your
snapshots to tho LOG. Well
tdfea ease of the develcqdng
and printing and the return*
ing the neg^vn and
prints to you.
Send your Mis of news and
snaps to: SEAFARERS LOG.
51 Boaver Slradi. New York,
K. Y.
*T" I
Here's Th^ Lowdown On SS Fairport
Sees Snafu Ahead
In Drafting Of
Seamen
1^^
IIm-
l^'V'
|Fo tee Editor:
JSoon all young and experienc
ed seamen between the ages of
19 and 26 will be in the armed
services if deferments aren't
0ven. I am not only speaking
for myself by aU young Brote
efrs who are in the same situa
tion.
&amen played an important
part in the last war and will
again if another world war
. comes. Why draft seamen and
then later start maritime train
ing schools to train new men
: for our jobs, while even more
money is spent to train us for
.the armed forces?
J am writing this letter to the
Hall urging you to push things
in Washington for a policy of
deferment for seamen before it
is . too late.
Robert B. Hanney
To tee Edilert
Once again, please allow us to
send greetings to all our Union
officials and Brothers in the SIU.
The "Queen Of The Grits And
Gravy Fleet" made a very nice
voyage to and from Europe, even
though a few of the Casan'ovas
from South of the MasohDixon
Line seemed to have fallen in
love.
In fact one of our Brothers has
inforined us that a very beauti
ful Mamselle he had the pleas
lure of meeting will be the next
Miss La France, and that imme
diately upon her winning the
title, that he will be her press
agent in the USA.
Brother Editor, that is real nice
work if you can get the position.
The Brother has asked us to
keep his name on ,the Q'E ./or
awhile, as he has quife a! fe^
gals in the good
Eddie (Frenchy) the
crawfish chaser from the Bayou
State, has requested that I in
form his friends in the SIU that
he has finally decided to buy that
little drug store in Antwerp, Bel
gium.
What is worrying his friends
on board and ashore is: Is he go
ing to borrow thq ^ough from
the Reconstruction "J^nance Com
mittee or get it under the Mar
shall Plan. Irresp^tive, Frenchy,
if you are really,ijhcere in your
endeavors, we darned sure wish
you luck in yoiu; new vocation.
Carl Davy ..^nes, the well
known Alabama Lothario, has
finally decided., to haVe his curly
locks shorn. His excuses are that
perhaps then the femmes will
leave him alone, and that when
they met another guy by the
name of David C. Jones, who is
also on this vessel, they wiH not
confuse them, as he, emphatioalr
ly states ̂;hat ae is a young fel
low, and that the other Jones
has passed his prime.
Just imagine, Brother Editor:
Two guys on the same rustpot
with the name of Davy Jones,
and neither one of tlKm will
claim Davy Jones' Locker. Raus
mit *em,
A grand surprise was handed
to yours truly when we hit Jack
sonville, Florida. We found out
that 65 percent oi the crew was
from Florida. There were quite a
few peojde that came down to
the dock to visit the native Flori
dians, and some of them were
on horses (bareback is right)
some were in buggies,' and one
elderly couple came to the ship
in an old brassradiator Model T
Ford.
Can you imagine that many
Florida guys being on a Grits
and Gravy tub? There were also
30 percent from Alabama, 4%
percent . from Mississipiri and
Louisiana and one Brother from
fhe State of PennSylVahia. "Boy,
flowdy," I'll bet the old Civil
War Was not evm remotely dis
cussed by the Pehhsylvanian.
The following Brothers desire
to send their regards to all: T. B.
(Bull) Lash, former heai^weight
wrestling dhampion ° of Florida;
A. (Bremen Boy) Glassner, retir
ed bartender; Thad (HalfPint)
De Loach, who Ites a BS Degree
from the Ui Of Ga.^nd when I
say BS, I do ineah Bachelor of
Science, and he can also throw
the other around somewhat, too;
Luke (Coffee Time) LuCas from
the Everglades^ Brother (Two
Ton) Schlager, the Pennsy Tor
nado; Wild Bfll Stone, who may
be a benedict sopn — It's later
than you /hink, Billie Boy; Sim
on (Bicycle) De Zee, Who has fin
ally been granted his full citizen
ship papers as an American —
Congratulations, Dutch, and €
know that you wiH Jje a real one
just as you are a good SIU man;
Frank (Cribbage) Hagin; Pappy
Louis; B. (Mobile Bound) Saxon;
Curly Davenport; Pork Sausage
Morgan; Alfred (Philly Fan) Fer
nandez; George (The Squatter)'
May; Billie (I^m drafted, too)
Smith; Call it YBLLY Gordon,
the cautious Scandinavian; and
A1 Aplin, the former dancing in
structor and athletic teacher in
Junior High Schools in Alabama
and Mississippi, but who is
known from Coast to Coast the
present time as the "Prevaricat
ing Brooder." Boy, you can tell
them, but the idea is: Tho proof
is in tee pudding.
We expect to have a pretty
good end also a fair payoff, as
far as the beefs are concerned,
and I am informed by the ma
jority of those on board that we
will not forget our spokesman,
the SEAFARERS LOG.
Carl or rather Clyde Kreiss,
the NC & Baker who never for
gets to bake a cake for a Broth
er on his birthday, has finally
decided that he cannot do him
self justice as he was born in
the Leap Year. All over Europe,
they calT him king. We often
wonder whether he comes from
royalty or is King of the Royal
Moxmted. He refuses to answer
our many qireries in re: same.
Johnny (6 straight up for break
fast) has developed a bad tooth,
and he' states that the carbohy
drates and protein in one egg are
not enough to fill a hollow tooth,
pnd so he wants six. You can
have six and as many more as
you can eat on any SIU • ship,
Johnny.
Must bring this to an abrupt
ending, and once again, a genu
ine hello to all the officials and
Brothers in the Seafarers Inter
national Union of North America,
which is and always will be the
best maritime union in the uni
verse.
Paul Morris
SS Fairport
P.Si The famous Tony Llanos,
tee Troubadour from the Land
of hot, hot sunteine known as
Cuba has gotten hims^ a beard
and moustache, and now claims
that he can run for Presidente
of Cooba. Happy landing, Tomo.
The following suggestions for A
standard routine for the stew^
ards department was drawn
by members of the SIU to ful
fill what they' considered a great
need. We knbw that it will pro
vide a welcome guide for' many,"
bnt it must be pointed out that
titMe are only suggestions and
no official standing within
tee Union. Another installment
will Appear in an early issue.
The S t e w a r d.s Department
works as a unit. The regultff
routine shall be carried out with
in the seheduled working hours
as specified, and it shall be the
duty of the Stewards Department
to organize their work so that
it is accomplished within their
eight (8) hours' per day as Sched
uled in the agreement.
. RoUliiie duties of the BtewardO
Department teall be to prepare
and serve meals, cleaning and ,
maintaining of the licensed per'
sonnel quarters, including the
radio officer, purser and passen
gers, all dining rooms, mess ^
rooms, washrooms, galley and .
pantry. Unless otherwise sped >
fled in the agreement, no over
time applies to tlie above rou
tine work.
The following duties of each
member of the Stewards Depart
ment as outliiied has been and
is favorably workable since the
• present manning scale has been*
adopted.
STEWARD
The regular duties of the
Steward shall be to supervise'
all work in. tee Stewards De,
partment. He is responsible for'
receiving and issuance of all
Steward's stores, inspection of
work, inreparing requisitions,'
taking inventory of stock, auth
orizing, checking and typing 0V
ertime, issuance, of linen and
sdaps to the crew on days desig ̂
hated with the help of the Stew '
ards Utility, counting and bag*
girtg hnen. ' ,
He shall prepare all menus".]
with the assistance of the Chief'
Cook. He shaU see that the quar
ters are cleaned properly, that
meals are served on time, au ;
thorize the cleaning of all re '
frigerated Storage boxes. He shdl,
assist in pinch hitting (at ovter*^
time rate) where there is a,
shortage of help.
CHIEF COOK
The Chief Cook is ih chargA
of the gaRey. He shall do Sill
butchering, cook roasts, soupSj'
gravies and Sauces, direct serV»;
ices and preparation of night'^
lunches. He shall .work underf
the supervision Of the Stewatd
and shall receive stores wheS
necessary. .
. SECOND doOK
The Second Cook shall wofk
under the direction of the Chief
Cook. He is responsible for the
cooking and the serving of meals.
THim> COOK
The .Third Cook shall prepare
all fresh vegetables for cooking,
keep a sufficient amount of
onions and carrots, etc., on hand
and work under the direction of
the Chief Cook.
When no Galley Utility is car
ried he shall perform the ordi
nary routine work of the Galley
Utility incidental to tbe duties
of the (Galley.
f^dar* 0^OIM» 13, «t8S0 fBE S^Af AREnS LOG Page Eleven "1^
, GALVESTON — Chtfirmani
OCeilh Alsop, 7311} Recording
"Secretary/ R. Wilburn, 37739;
iReading Clerk, C. M. Tannehill,
,25922.
Motions carried to accept min Boston.
Shii^g frm Sept 20 To Oct 4
PORT
©ranches as read, except for mo Philadelphia..
*tion to nonconciir with Philly
Tlew Business on reinstatement.
Secretary Treasurer's financial
report and Headquarters report
the membership read and con
curred in. Port Agent reported
^that shipping in this area has
been holding its own. Motion
carried to adjourn at 7:55 PM.
4 ft 4
NEW ORLEANS ~ Chairman,
Leroy Clarke, 23062: Recording
Secretary, Herman Troxclair,
6743; Reading Clerk. 76.
Motion carried to extend Tegu
lar order of business to elect
committees to handle requests
for shipping card extensions. Mo
\ Tion carried to accept commit
tees' recommendations. Minutes
j of other Branch meetingsread
I and approved. Motion carried to
j concur in SecretaryTreasurer's
i ^ancial report and Headquar.
i Iters report to the membership.
; Port Agent said that business af
ifairs of the port were in good
shape, but that shipping had de
clined and the outlook not too
good for the next two weeks, at
least. He discussed the new pact
• negotiated with the Cities Serv
ice Oil Company and the Sen
ate hearings in connection with
the Union's fight to organize and
»ibtain an agreement with the
Baltimore..
Norfolk ......:
Savannah.........l.........„....
Tampa..... .....
Mobile.. ^....
New Orleans £...
Galveston
West Coast ....
GRAND TOTAL..
REG. REG. REG. TOTAL SHIPPED SHIPPED SHIPPED TOTAL
DECK ENG. STWDS. REG. DECK ENG. STWDS. SHIPPED
12 20 *27 59 12 16 10 38
121 97 112 330 94 67 100 261
6 6 5 • 17 22 • 17 12 51
82 • 97 '77 256 97 69 56 222
20 13 4 37 17 9 8 34
15 8 5 28 1 1
18 12 10 40 11 9 10 ; • 30
44 32 43 119 25 27 22 i, > 74
58 47 72 177 54 42 76 172
40 43 ' 29 112 30 33 27 90
>2 . 38 '44 134 38 41 .32 111
468 ¥3 428 1,309 400 331 353 1,084
company. Communications and
committee reports were read and
accepted. James L. Stogaits took
the Union Oath of Obligation
Under New Business, motions
carried that anyone seeking ex
tension of shipping card must
do so at regular meeting and
then be referred to an elected
committee, whose recommenda
tions • will be final. Meeting ad
journed at 8:45 PM, with 335
members present.
ft ft ft
SAN FRANCISCO—Chairman,
H. Fischer,. 59; Recording Secre,
tary, J. A. Ziereis, 4125; .Reading;
Clerk, M. Burnsline, 2257.
• Motions carried to accept min
utes of other Branch meetings as
read. Agent reported on shipping;
prospects for the next two
weeks, stating that three prob
able payoffs and 12 intransit
ships were due in port in the
next couple of Weeks. He inl
formed members that Headquar:
HERBERT H. KREUTZ
• fGet in touch with Jacob Rass
aier, 220 Broadway, New York
• City—your case is coming up.
.ior trial soon.
ft ft ft
ROBERT CONWAY
Henry Lipton, of the Manhat
tan Casualty Company, 1775
Broadway, New York City, wants
to hear from you.
ft ft ft
RAYMOND PERRY
Your wife asks that you write
"her at Dorchester^ Massachusetts.
• . ft ft ft
GEORGE LITCHFIELD TORRES
Get in touch with Mrs. Rafaela
Litchfield, 2104A Cicero Avenue,
Castle Hill Houses, Bronx~ 61,
New York City.
ft ft ft
LOUIS W. PEPPER
Get in touch with your wife.
Route 3, Box 332, Tampa, Florida.
ft ft ft
STANLEY G. COOPER
Write yoiur wife, 1576 Cru
sudo Lane, Romona Gardens
Housing Project, Los Angeles,
California.
ft .ft 4
ORLIE PRICE
.Please get in touch at " bnce
with Annette, 454% Chelsea
Street) Jacksonville, Florida;
phone: 425^5. It i6 important.
W. G. SATTERFIELD
Please send your .address to
• K, Thomas, Box .'2045, 25 South
Street, New York City.
ft ft ft
BENJAMIN F. BOND, JR.
Write or cable your draft board
as to your whereabouts.
ft ft ft
JOHN MORTON
Please call Harold Howell,
52 North Broad Street, Mobile,
Alabama, by October 24, 1950
or before. "Very important.
Phone: 28497.
ft ft ft
MARSHALL DODGE
Communicate with Frederick
R. Graves, 220 Broadway, New
York City. Your case is about
to come up.
ters had presented a demand^o
'the shipowners for a wage in
crease. He wound up his report
by 'telling members of the drive
being made by the Apostleship
of the Sea dub in Frisco. Mo
tions carried to concur in Head
quarters report as read, and to
accept SecretaryTreasurer's fin
ancial report. 'Medting adjourned
at 7:40 PM with 180 members
present.
ft ft ft
TAMPA^Cliairman, H. Ellis,
16; Recording SecrelaTy, R.
White, 57; Reading Clerk, R. H.
Hall. 26060.
Minutes of previous meetings
in all ports read and approved.
Motion carried to accept and
concur in Auditing Committee's
report. Agent jiiscussed shipping.
Secretary Treasurer's financial
report read and accepted. Motion
carried to concur in Headquar
ters Teport as read. Discussion
under :good and welfare touched
on B^eral matters of Union in
terest. Fortyone . members pres
ent when meeting adjourned.
ROSTOK^aiSb^an. B. Law Present.
Treasurer discussed the contract
signed with th^ Cities Service:
Oil Company and the Senate
hearing which,...* verified the
charges repeatedly made by the
SIU in connection with the com
pany's antiimibh espionage, use
of crimps ai^ of other tanker
companies' hiring facilities to
beat the SIU down—all ̂ of which
failed. He ady^ed members not
to voluntarily surrender their
present seamOn's papers for the
new "specmliSr validated mer
chant mariner's documents" be
ing offered by the Coast Guard
because the Union is suspicious
of the motives and the use to
which this obvious screening at
tempt may be put. He said there
was no argument with the CG
over the waterfront security pro
gram, but that the Utjion would
not sanction any" "ihove that
might unjusfif&bly endanger the
right of its members to make a
living. Motion carried to concur
in Headquarters report. Meeting
adjourned at 7:45'with 953 mem
SS TIN!
Crewmembers who paid off in
Baltimore, September 28, 1950,
can collect three days' launch
service by writing Jolm M. Car
ras Inc., 24 State Street, New
York City.'
• Mm, '684; Recording Secretary,
R. Lee, '47658; Reacdng Clerk,
R. Mmrphy, 39427.
Minutes of all Branch meet
ngs read and approved. Motions;
carried to concm in Headquar
tertf report to the membership
and SecretaryTreasurer's finan
cial report. Port Agent told of
shipping conditions in this port,
and of the Job prospects for the
coming two weeks. Meeting ad
ourned at 7:30 PM with 80
menibers present.
ft ft ft
NEW YORK — Chairman, A.
Michelet, 21184: Recording Sec
retary. Freddie Stewart, 4935;
Reading Clerk, AI Kerr, 29314.
Previous meetings' minutes of
all Branches read and approved.
Motions carried to concur in
SecretaryTreasurer's. financial
report. Port Agent said that past
two weeks had given port fair
sliipping, with 12 payoffs and
six sign 'IS. He reminded ship
board Delegates that effort
should be made to settle minor
beefs before calling Hall for Pa
trolmen, whose time is limited
and territory large. He advised
all hands to take very good care
of their seamen's papers, for if
they are lost the Coast Guard
will replace them with the new
type temporary certificat6s,
which the Union opposes. In
Headquarters report, Secretary
ft ft X
PHILADELPHIA — Chairman,
A. S. CaidiUlo, 24559; Recording
Secretary, W. J. Reidy. 6734;
Reading ' Clerk, J, Manfredi,
34011.
Minutes of Headquarters meet
ing read and accepted. Secre
taryTreasurer's report was read
and concurred in. Minutes of
other Branches having meetings
were read.~and accepted. Agent
reported on state of shipping in
port and prospects for following
weeks. Dispatcher reported on
number of men registered and
shipped. "CoiihlrfiShications asking
excuses from meeting were' re
ferred to Dispatcher. Under Good
and Welfare themembership dis
cussed the "effect upon the Un
ion of thosq^ few who continue
to foul up on ships. Meeting was
adjourned 175 members
present.
ft' ft ft
NORFOLK — Chairman, Ben
Rees, 95; Recording Secretary, J.
A. Bullock, 4747; Reading Clerk,
Glen Lawson, 39580.
Motions carried to concur in
minutes of other Branches as
read. Minutes of special meeting
called on Oct. 3 to act on tele
gram from SecretaryTreasurer
Paul Hall in connection with de
mand for 10 percent wage in
crease were read. Motion car
ried to concur in special meet
ing's approval of the move.
Headquarters report to the mem
bership and Secretary Treasur
er's financial report read and ap
proved. Committee elected to in
spect repairs made in heating
plant gave its report, which was
accepted and concurred in. Com
mittee members were W. J.,
Meehand, G. C. Lawson and
Blanco Williams. Meeting ad
journed at 7:40 PM.
ft ft ft
SAVANNAH — Chairman. C.
Thompson, 50988; Recording Sec
retary. E. B. Tilley, 75; Reading
Clerk. C. Lee. 154.
Motions carried to concur in
Secretary Treasurer's financial'
report and Headquarters report
to the membership as read. Min
utes of previous meetings in " all
Branches read and approved.
Port Agent reported that ship
ping in this port was practically
at a standstill during the part
twoweek period. Charges were
read and Trial Committee elect
ed: H. E. Bountree, B. R. Kitch .
sen, T. Constantin, C. H. Moss,
W. J. Conners, E. L. Baker. Mo
tion carried to accept Trial Com
mittee's report. Under Good and
Welfare there was extensive dis
cussion on shipping and run
jobs. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 :
PM, with 46 members present.
ft ft ft
MOBILE—Chairman. J. Cax
roU. 14; Recording Secretary. O.
Stevens. 115; Reading Clerk,
Louis Neira, 26393.
Motions carried to concur in
Headquarters and Secretary
Treasurer's financial reports as
read. Minutes of previous meet
ings in all Branches read and '
approved. Agent reported on the'
prospects for the coming two
weeks, listing the scheduled ar
rivals. Two vessels are due to
crew up by October 14. The
Agent informed the membership
that the Union had presented
demands for a 10 percent wage
increase to the operators. He said
iivM private operators now have
priority over the Navy in ship
ping cargo and hoped this would
induce companies to add more
ships to their fleets. He remind
ed all hands that October 15 is
the deadline for filing qualifica
tions of those who intend to run
for office in this year's Union
elections; Meeting adjourned at
7:40 PM, with 250 members pres
ent.
ft ft ft 7
BALTIMORE — Chairman/
Leon Johnson, 108; Recording^
Secretary, G. A. Masterson/
20297; Reading Clerk. Al Strms
bury. 4683.
Minutes of other Branch meet
ings read and accepted. Motions
carried to concur in Secretary
Treasurer's financial report and'
Headquarters report to the mem
bership as read. Excuses were
referred to the Dispatcher. Ag
ent reported that shipping hai" „
been slow in this port, and that
from present indications it would •
remain that way for quite
awhile. Motion carried to accept"
Hospital Committee's report.'
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM
with 388 members in attendance.
Page Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. October 13. 1950
Labor Spy Racket Comes Alive Under T^H
J >•
jr.
By IRVING PAGAN and
CUSHMAN REYNOLDS
(The following story on the
zecent senate investigation of
Cities Service antilabor activit
ies was sent out to the country's
leading labor papers by Labor
Press Association, a news associ
ation cooperatively owned by
trade unions.)
WASHINGTON (LPA) — You
generally think of maritime as
TOO percent organized by unions
that stand for no nonsense.
It's true enough that the sea
men's unions don't take much
nonsense from anybody. How
ever, there is one big corner of
maritime in which unionism is
still resisted bitterly. That's the
oil tanker business which is or
ganized in rather spotty fashion.
In fact, the unorganized tank
er outfits will do most anything
to keep the unions out. They'll
resort to' private detectives, the
rankest kind of company unions
and even that most despicable
trick of all, labor espionage.
FINKHERDERS
Oldtimers in all the unions re
member the labor spies.. They re
member the Pearl Bergoffs and
"Chowderhead" Cohens and
others before them. The young
sters in today's trade union ranks
don't know much about labor es
pionage, perhaps. But young
sters and oldtimers alike should
mark the story of the Seafarers
International UnionAFL and
the Cities Service Oil Co. It's a
story of espionage, company un
ion and all the rest to make
some of the oldtime stories seem
tame by comparison.
The story has been aired twice:
once before the National Labor
Relations Board and more re
cently before the Senate Sub
committee bn LaborManagement
Relations. The commercial press
didn't pay much attention. Ex
cept for garbled versions on the
maritime page of the New York
Times, the story was hardly used
at all. Nevertheless, Paul Hall,
secretarytreasurer of the SlU's
Atlantic & Gulf District and first
vicepresident of the Internation
al, held spectators spellbound as
he unfolded his story at a Sen
ate hearing Sept. 25.
UNPRECEDENTED
Cities Service operates 16 tank
ers with unlicensed crews total
ing about 470 men. Hall said. Yet,
in four years while the union
was organized the Cities Serv
ice seamen approximately 5,000
, men held those few jobs. Hall
disclosed. At one time, a large
portion of the 470 were company
stooges whose principal assign
ment was not to sail the ships
but to kill SlU sentiment. Said
Hall; "In this fleet, we ran into
«)me of the foulest and dirtiest
pool playing we've ever seen —
and sailors get to see a lot of
that."
The SlU finally got a contract
with Cities Service just the other
day—^just before the hearing, in
fact. But before that, Seafarer
organizers had to lick a com
pany—union labor espionage set
up that looked very much as if
an entire segment of the tanker
business was in a concerted plot
to beat the unions off. Some of
the names are worth remember
ing, since you might hear them
again some day. >
William Potter Lage ran the
flhow. He was the Cities Service
attorney in New York. Others
with him were the following:
David Furman, M. J. Adkins and
attorneys James I. Dugan" and
Albert F. Strasburger. The two
known labor spies were Law
rence J. Hennessey and John
Basciano.
The story began in the sum
mer of 1948 when the SlU had
won a first NLRB election with
a whopping 83 percent majority
and was about to win a second
with 89 percent. Dugan, an ex
Coast Guard officer, hired Bas
ciano and Hennessey to ride
Cities Service ships and report
on SlU activities. Basciano is
described as a former Coeist
Guard operative. Hennessey is
an aging waterfront jcharacter
who likes to Ccdl himself a writ
er and an expert on the Com
rnies—and who is a little the
worse for rum. Hennessey had
visited SlU headquarters and
actually sailed as a volunteer
organizer.
About the time Dugan was hir
ing spies, Lage was establishing
the Cities Service Tankemfen's
Association (CTMA), a company
union which was to be used to
stall off the SIU.
Furman, an old company union
seantan for Standard Oil, was
picked to* run CTMA on the
ships. Collims introduced Furman
to Strasburger who became
CTMA's legal representative
with an office in Linden, N. J.
Adkins is the company's marine
superintendent. The trick was
to get rid of the SIU, whose
men coimlered by joining CTMA
with straight faces. As a matter
of facti it was the only ,way
they could hold their jobs.
Meanwhile, Citie^ Service hir
e's a private detective who stood
outside the company's New York
office and "fingered" SIU men
applying for jobs. (Suspicious
Cities Service also had the de
tective following company of
ficials, including the assistant
personnel manager who later
told the union all he knew.) In
New York, the company hired
seamen at its own office instead
of through union hiring halls.
But sometimes it hired through
waterfront "crimps" like John
the Robber at the Rialto Cafe in
Bayonne, N.J., or Ray Rodriguez
at the Red Lantern Cafe in Bos
ton, who didn't like union men.
It was quite a story Paul Hall
told.
Strange part is that the Cities
Service Oil Co. succeeded in
spending a lot of money for
nothing in return beyond a two
year stall in signing a full un
ion contract. Between his com
panyunionlabor spy racket and
the TaftHartley act, Lage could
dd that much and no more, be
cause he was up against a union
with determined members and)Hartley.
defermined leaders, a union that
stood for no nonsense. But the
story should be marked and re
membered, for in the atmosphere
of TaftHartley the labor spy
has returned, not just to the
waterfront but elsewhere.
To East Hartford, Conn., for
instance, and to Denver, Colo,
According to a recent NLRB de
cision, a member of the Ameri
can Newspaper GuildCIO spied
on his fellow Guildsmen for hi9
employer, the Denver Post. Hia
reward: a trip to Latin America
to report on communism. More
recently, in East Hartford, Uni
ted Aircraft's Pratt & Whitney
and Hamilton Propeller plants
were caught using spies against
the International Association of
Machinists. Labor spying is a
filthy old racket that died when
the Wagner Act was passed but
came back to life under Taft
Ed Gordon, who paid off the SS John Hanson recently,
advises friend and foe that any and all money found on
you above the amount you drew aboard ship is confiscated
by the gendarmes in the port of Fiume (Ryeka), Yugosla
via. So, if you sell those Bowery suits, don't take all your
dough ashore at onp time . . . Ray Cresiski says "hello
(and help) to former shipmates and friends, while he learns
how to say "Yes, sir" at the Navy boot camp in Newport,
R.I.
The Union Constitution provides for retirement of
books. If you are leaving the sea for some period of time,
voluntarily or otherwise, 'draftcall or wifecall, be sure to
retire your book. You'd be surprised at the number of
former members this Union has because they neglected to
take that simple step to protect their future ... I received
a c5py of a magazine published by a shipyard down south
for its employees, titled "Fore & Aft." This is to inform
youall that the title for this column was stolen from a
column which formerly appeared in the SEAFARERS
LOG, written by John Bunker—who now earns his living
writing for the "Christian Science Monitor." If I'm not
careful I'll wind up the same way.
Donald (Tiny) Mease, catching a few quick ones while
his yacht was in port, started to make like Bing Crosby.
Some stranger came over, according to Tiny, and asked
him not to sing a certain song, which Tiny says he didn't
know in the first place. We ran into this stranger yester
day and he tells us that what he really told Tiny was,
"Don't sing, for the love of Pete."
Is New York shipping good? We don't know, but there
should be no squawks from the men on the beach. Here's
why—On October 9, in the Black Gang, the Dispatcher
sent men to job who had registered on October 6 and 7,
and two men who registered oh the 9th. In the Stewards
department two men registered on October 6, one man
registered the 7 and another registered on October 9—
and all were shipped on October 9. Two white cards were
shipped into the Cities Service fleet on Sunday as pier
head jumps—^no members around to take the jobs.
This brings to mind the Union's rule that says you
must give twentyfour hours' notice when leaving a ship.
This rule was passed by the membership and is to be lived
up to. If you break this or other Union rules you will also
answer to the membership. Last minute piling off makes
it hard, if not impossible, to replace men and either causes
ships to sail shorthaiided or delays them while a replace
ment is found. Another cause of pierhead jumps are men
rnissing ships. If you are not aware of it, there is a fifty
dollar fine for such action—and if you believe that this rule
isn't enforced, try missing a ship some time ... In the port
of New York, the Union Hall is open seven days a week
mitil ten o'clock at night. Emergency shipping is done
fromJihe third deck, so if you are really trying"to gfet out,
start hanging around nights. There are other pinochle play
ers hanging around to help you pass the time.
A few members have inquired about going to work on
the new building, when the job begins. Sorry, fellows. All
work done in the building shall be done by union men
hired by the contractor who shall see to it that the proper
locals and "craftsmen do the work, so that there shall be
no delay in the work, over jurisdiction, etc. . , . Some sea
men complain that the Coast Guard has told them they
must fill out the forms for the new "approved" seaman's
papers. That is not true. Don't fill out those forms under
any circumstances, until such time as the meiiibership
takes action to change this policy.
When the Royal Oak was due to dock in New York
after the contract with Cities Service was signed, the
ship's delegate sent the following formal message, "Tying
up Linden, 9 AM, yippeee." . . . Informal educational class
es during ship's meetings will , be. held aboard Cities Ser
vice ships to teach those who weren't interested previously
what the Seafarers really stands for. The company through
its puppet union, CTMA, had previously told these men
not to listen to "outside union propaganda," in the hopes
that what the SIU means to seamen would not become
known to these men. It didn't work^ . . . The NLRB has
high hopes of computing the monies due the men fired in
CS for Union activity within the next month. This is for
the first batch of 151 cases. The other cases will be taken
up immediately thereafter.
Back Wages For OS Seanien
The following men have hack wages coming to ihemj
from Cities Service Oil Company and should get in touch j
with the SIU Organizers, 51 Beaver Street, New York, aa]
soon as possihlo:
John "Vierra
Pierre Magras
Norman Early
Boyd Spear
Ted Morris
Donald Van Alstine
Vince Chamblain
Ben Strauss'
John Orenz
George "W; Eberdino
Gilbert Amett . • , j
Roger Hall. ,
Fred Wings '
Joe Peragallo ' • • i
Don Coddington ' ',',"• • • '>1^^'
• Lester^ McHugh
; Joe"Miskinis • ,
'f Paul; CdottiS''
James Monroe . • r
Paul Aubaih
WUliam Goff
Leo Paradise
Howard Hammons
• George .^Murphy.
James F. Welch
Jose Abrew ,
Robert Byrd
Dan Cabiray
Orlando Leon Guerrero .
William E. Kennedy
Ted Linberry
Charles CJarner
Roy Brace
Robert CoWdrey
Toralf Kismul
Wallace Milton ;
William MacDohald • *'
James Moore •
Frank Schihiedel .
VOL. XII NEW YORK/N. T., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1950 No. 20
SlU Wfins 6.38 Percent Boost,
Pattern For Industry
SIU Policies Are Proved Again
When the SIU once more set the wage pattern for
US seagoing workers by winning a 6.38 percent across
theboard pay increase for all ratings this week, the value
of a memj^rship book in the Seafarers was again clearly
demonstrated.
Until the SIU Negotiating Committee knuckled
down with the operators last week, it appeared that the
5.49 percent hike .agreed to by the Marine Firemen, Marine
CoOks andStewards and Harry Bridges* longshoremen out
on the West Coast was going to be used as a formula by
shipowners throughout the industry.
In fact, after the SIU called for a reopening of the
wage question in the present contract, the Operators at
tempted to push through the West Coast settlement as a
basis for satisfying the costofliving increase sought by
the Seafarers.
The SIU committee flatly turned down the operator/
offer of the West Coast figure.
The SIU*s victoIy^ in obtaiR^ moi* thaa what
shortly before seemed certain of becoming an industry
wide pay scale, immediately changed the course of negotia
tions going on at that moment between several maritime
unions and their contracted operators.
News of the 6.38 increase negotiated by the SIU
resulted in a similar settlement by the NMU shortly after.
On the following day, the CIO radio operators also signed
for the same increase, while the CIO Marine Engineers are
currently in discussions with their employers and are ex
pected to setde likewise.
The guy to whom this victory means most is the
working seaman. To the Seafarer it means his new wage
increase will bring him several hundred dollars a year more
in base pay, overtime and other benefits than he would
have gotten had the SIU accepted the socalled West Coast
formula.
The wage matter is only one aspect of the advantages
of holding an SIU book. All around, the SIU man is the
(Coniimted on Page 2)
The SIU Atlantic and
Gulf District with strong
support from the SUP,
once again set a wage
pattern for US seamen
with the signing of an
agreement early this
week establishing a 6.38
percent increase in base pay
and other benefits for all
ratings.
The pay rises, effective as
of October 15, range from
$12.82 a month for Ordinary Sea
men to $23.73 monthly for Chief
Electricians.
The SIU pay hike upset the
socalled West Coast formula
which the operators hoped to
make industrywide after the
Marine Cooks and Stewards, Ma
rine Firemen and Bridges' West
Coast Longshoremen Unions
settled for a 5.49 increase two
weeks ago.
Shortly after news of the SIU's
(CotUmued on Page 3)
Nominations
For A&G Posts
End October 15
Preparation of the ballot on
which Seafarers will designate
oSicials who will serve the At
lantic and Gulf District in 1951
will get xmder way next week,
as soon as an elected Qualifica
tions Committee has checked the
submitted credentials to deter
mine eligibility under the con
stitutional reguirements.
Qualified candidates for the 29
elective Headquarters and Branch
offices will be announced in the
next issue of the SEAFARERS
LOG. The issue will also contain
a section devoted to photographs
and brief biographical sketches
of all the candidates.
Five of the officials to be :
elected will serve in Headquar
ters; nine as Port Agents and 15. ,
as Patrolmen.
As provided by the Union
co2istitution, nominations will be ^
accepted until October 15. Bal .
loting starts on November 1 andl
continues through December 31
(GonHteued on Page 3)
Pag# Two THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday, OetolMar 13^ 1850
1
SEAFARERS LOG
\
Published Every Other. Week, by the
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantic and Culf District
Affiliated with the American Federation t»i Labor
At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnover 22784
Reentered as second class matter August 2, 1949, at the Post
Office in New York, N.Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912.
267
f
!'
SIU Policies Proved
(Continued from Page I) * '
^ bestpaid, best represented seaman in the world^—with
greater degree of job security than any other man in mari^
time. In other words, the SIU maintains the highest ratio
of jobs to members of any union in the industry.
Back in 1944, when an AB, by the way, got $.100
month, the SIU A&G District had 11 companies under
contract. Today, six years later, when an AB gets $248.41
a month, our Union has agreements with 53 operators.
The picture, is even clearer when we jcemember that
more than half of the present jobs contracted to our Union
have been obtained since the SIU organizing program was
launched in 1945. Among them are the jobs ih the Isth
mian fleet, which, until the signing of an SIU in contract
in 1947, was the largest nonunion drycargo outfit in the
US; the jobs in the Cities Service Oil Company's tanker
fleet, which was wrapped up in a Union contract last
month after putting up a vicious, fouryear strugglfe to
maintain its antiunion position, and the scores of jobs in
the other analler, but nevertheless important, shipping
outfits of varying size.
The growth of the SeafarerV pay, the expanding
number of contracted ships and jobs, and tlie consequent
increase in job security since 1944 has been accompanied
by a rise in the prestige of our Uni6n — a result partially
due to a sohd trade union policy followed religiously over,
the past four years. • —
The successful 1946 General Strike against the arbi
trary refusal of the Wage Stabilization Board to recognize
• free collective bargaining; the short and very effective,
tieup of the Isthmian fleet in 1947jeading to a contract;
and the sterling trade unionist role played by our miember
iship in the famed Wall Street financial workers' strike tin
«1948, contributed considerably to our newfoundposition,
as a factor in the labor movement.
This prestige, in turn, has been an important' asset iin
the Union's efforts to constantly improve the member
lffiip"'s welfare and economic security—the latest success iin
this direction being the new pay bdost, which comes oiffy
a few months after the first East Coast employerpaid,
jointly operated Welfare Tlan was instituted by the SIU.
In short, a look at the record shows an Mu book is
A mighty valuable possession. It's a means to a better life
for seamen. ^ '
Look Who's Here!
; • The communist party has been quoting with. ap
proval the Seafarers' opposition' to the "Coast Uuard's ef
fdrt to put across their "validated" seaman's papers. The
Tact that the commies are opposing the Coast Guard is
jdue, of course, to the fact that the Coast Guard is out to
,get the commies. Which is okay with us, except that we
fdon't trust the Coast Guard to stop at the commies. We
aspect that if they had their way a lot of innocent sea
men, whose only crime is that they are militant trade
unionists, would be thrown out with the commie bath
water.
f The SIU has always fought the attempts of the bu
ireacrats—the silkhats and the brasshats—to encroach
i tipon the freedom of the seaman, and we did it at the
time when the commies Were sleeping with the Coast
Guard and praising them for yanking the papers of union
minded seamen. And we'll still be fighting them when—
if Joe Stalin £omes to terms with the "American imper
ialists," which is not 'impossible—the commies inarch
right badk hrto the 'Coast Guard's bunk.
FORT STAIfTOR, ffM.
SC. NEAL
{GIDLOW WOODS
A. McfDONALD
R. A.:RATCLIFFE
S. WALKER
JIARBY THURMAN
ft » »
HBirSTCTQW, 'MASB.
iG. T. • COLEMAN
!R. LUFLIN
ft ft ft
BALTIM4>RE
W. E. PARROTT
FRED PITTMAN
G. T. .LIVERMAN
J. L. iTHOMPSON
(GEO. iJACKSON
eOBBRT WILSCtN, Jr.
fS. P. IDRURY
:S. L. (CANTRELL
W. R.. WELGOWffi
HEIMO RIUTTOLA
WILLIAM J. WOLFE
MALCQIM D. GETCHELL
• JOHN iL. iMBLLIMER
ft ft ft .
>NEW ORLEANS
J. DEDDINGFIELD
J. BENNETT
3^ W. RIEBEL
C. A. BROWN
J. CALDWELL
W. O. CARA
R. B. CARRILLO
B. J. CHAPMAN
R,.CRUZ
A. F. FRANKLIN
J. HAWKINS u
L. A. HOLMES Y
G. F. IMMEL '
D. D. KELLY J
H. F. LAGAN
L. LANG
E. J. NAVARRE
M. E. NEWMAN
K. RAANA
J. SOLOMON
L. TICKLE
R. W. THOMPSON
ft ft ft
»STATEN ISLAND
O. STEFANSSON
R. HALL
FRANK KUBfiK
PHILLIP PRON
D. KOROLIA
SAMUEL GORDON
PETE JOMIDES
JOHN HAI^dN
L. HOLLIDAY
H. MOORE
C. FIGDEROA
J. QUIMERA
WILLIAM J. MEEHAN
P. ASIGON
.'EDWARD HAMPSON
J. PUBCELL
C. NELSON
GEHADD ^PIERONE
C. l..liROWN
S. GLYPTIS ' ^ Y
CLAUDE EZELL ...
F. QUINONES '
OSCAR FIGUEROA
J LUCAS
G.M.ARNOLD
YOU TSANG
ft ft ft
MANHATTAN BEACSl
R. A. BLAKE
A. LOMAS
JH. S. TUTTIE
vac MILAZZO
MATTHEW BRUNO
JOHN_J. DRISCOLL
JOHN T. EDWARDS
• E. P. LOPEZ
J. H. ASHURST
JOHN PADZIK
VICTOR CHESNER
E. FERRER
PEOER R. VORKE^
J. LIGHTFOOT
ft ft ft
MOBILE
THOMAS J. WALSH
S. D. NEWMAN
F. E. HOBIN
S. PINER
TIM 'BURKE
ft ft ft
GALVESTON
.. JAMES Gi WALSH
^ARNOU) PRI3IM
L. R. ELIE
S. KWIATEOWSKI
VINCENT D. aaCKIRILLO
ft ft ft
SAN FRANC15GO
ERNEST SCHIWEK '
EDWARD L. PRITCHARD
LEG J. COOPER
KiY
, ' V.v if:
\Y
iff;
SrATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP.
MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION!
REQUIRED BY' THE ACT OF CON
GRESS OF, AUGUST 24. 1912. AS
AMENDED BY THE ACTS OF MARCH
3. 1933. AND JULY 2. 1946 (Title 39.
United States Code. Section 233) of
SEAFARERS LOG published every
other week at New Yofk. N.Y.. for Oct.
I, 1950.
'I. The names and addresses of
Ute .publisher, editor, managing editor,
and busineiis managSrs are: Publisher
Seafarers International Uhlon of North
America. Atlantic '& Gulf District, 51
Beaver St.. New York 4, N. Y. Editor.
George Novick, 51 Beaver St., New York.
N. r. Managing Editor (none) Business
Managers (none).
2. The owner is: (If owned by a
corporation. Its name and'address must
be. stated and also immediately there,
under the names and 'addresses at «toekr
Itolders owning or holding one per cent
of 'mdre'of totalamount of • stock. If not
owned by a corportion. the names and
addresses of the individual owners must
be given. If owned by a partnership or
other unincorporated firm, its name and
oddress. as well as that of each in
dividual tneniber, .must ' jje givoh.)
Seafarers International Union of North'
America. Atlantic tc Gulf District. 51'
Beatver St., New York 4. N.V.
^3. "The .'kn'OWB ijnsrt
gagees.sand other sceurity holders own"
ing or holding I per cent of more .of
total amount of bonds, mortgages, or
other securities are: (If there are none,
so state.) Nona,
4. Paragraphs 2 and '3 .include, Ih
cases where the stockholder or security
holder appears upon the books of the
company as trustees or In any other
^duclary relation, the name of the per<<
son or corporation for vihom such trus<
tee is acting; also the statements Ini
the two paragraphs show the affiant's
full 'knowledge and belief as to the cir'.
cumstancea and conditions under which
stockholders and security holders who
do not appear upon the books of tha
company as trustees, hold stock and
securities in a capacity other .than that
of a bona fide owner.
. 5. The average number of copies of
^ach tissue of this 'publication sold or
distributed, through the mails or other'
wise, to paid subscribers during the 12
months preceding the date shown above
was: (This information is required ,froih
daily, weekly, semiweekly. and triweekly;
newspapers only.) Nqt required.
(Signed) GEORGE NOVlCK, Editor;
.Sworn. to and subscribed before md
this First day of October, 1950. AL.
BERT A. BERNSTEIN. Notary PuTbllq.
(My commiosion es;pires March 30i
I952.)
13; TAE S E AF AHERS tOG Page Three
SIU Sets Pattern With 6.38%
M
^ :''lkw- And OU Fn^htshni Stales
Old Scale . Increase New Scale
DECK DEPAETMENT
Bosun^^^.^^ $286.44 $18.91 $315.35
Cailienter . 266.04 16.97 283.01
Maintett^ce 15.65 260.99
jQaartermaster.;.:, ... V u ; i . . 283.51 14.90 248.41
|AMe Sewnsittv ̂ ^ 233^1 14.90 24841
Ordinary Seainan.^. . ^ 200.97 12.82 213.79
ENOINE OEPAi^]^
jChief Electrician .. r; . $371.93 $23.73 $39546
2ndEl«ctricliHi^..^:^^^>^^^^..^^ . . ^ . 2L20 353.42
:iJnUcensed Engii^ Diny. 1846 314.48
Unlicensed ir. Engine . . ; . 36644 ^ 1647 ^ ^41
I%ittber Mttcfciidst.^^^^ . . .19.^ 32349
Jfeck Enginew V . . 36644 1647 28341
Engine Utmty^^^. . . . ^ 26644 16.97 283.01
Evaporator Maintenanee^.......... 248.29 15.84 264.13
Oiler : . . r . . 233.51 14.90 248.41
OilerDiesel 254.51 16.24 270.75
S^atertender .. . ... ;, ...... 233.51 14.90 248.41
Fireman Watertend^ (FWT)_ . 23341 14.90 248.41
Fireman .... 221.68 14.14 235.82
230.55 .14.71 245.26
Refrigeraling Engiri^r j '
(When only one is Carri^).. . 342.35 21.84 364.19
E^i'igcrating Engineer
tWhen three are carried) ^
. Chief. =. : H V 342.35 21.84 364.19
1st Assistant 304.49 19:43 323.92
i 2nd Assistant . . . 282.01 17.99. 300.00
STEWARDS DEPARTMENT
Chief Steward. . ;., ...; r,. . $289.25 ^ $18.45 $307.70
Chief Cook . . . . : 266.04 16.97 283.01
Night Cook and Baker . ... . . 266.04 16,97 283.01
Second Cook .' ..:..... 242.38 15.46 257.84
Assistant Cook...., . . .. . . . 230.55 14.71 245.26
Messman .... 200.97 12.82 213.79
Utilityman ........ 200.97 12.82 213.79
The present overtime rate is $1.22 for ratings under $254.49 and for
ratings over $254.49 it is $1.54.
Standby rate is $1.69 an hour for an 8hour day^ with timeandkalf for
overtime and Saturday and Sunday.
(Continued frtym Page 1)
wage gahi was out, the CIO Na
tional Maritime Union signed a
similar agreement with its con
tracted operators. The CIO
American Radio Association was
the next union to sign for the
6.38 percent boost, and the CIO
Marine Engineers are expected
to follow the pattern in the
present wage talks with the op
erators.
Under tefms of the SIU agree
ment, which was reached Friday,
October 6 and signed October 9,
the 6.38 percent increase wUl be
applied to basic wages, overtime
and standby rates and monthly
clothing allowance.
The former demarcation line
for overtime rates will also be
increased by the 6.38 percentage.
The Union agreement also ex
tends payment of the $2.50 per
day War area bonus and such
war risk insurance benefits as
were in effect asof September
30 for another 90 days, until
December 31, 1950.
Under terms of the pay boost,
ABs pick up $14.90 more a
month over the former $233.51.
The new scale for ABs, there
fore is $248.41. Seafarers in other
ratings will receive proportion
ate increases.
The overtime pay rate has
been increased from $1.15 an
hour to $1.22 an hour for those
making under $254.49. Those
making more than $254.49 will
be paid $1.54 an hour. Before
the new increase the dividing
line on the overtime rates was
$239.23.
Standby pay goes from $1.59
to $1.69 an horn* as a result of
the new pay provisions. The new
figure applies to the 8hour day,
with timeandahalf for over
time and Saturdays and'Sundays.
Negotiations for the wage in
creases began on October 4, al
ter the SIU notified the operators
of its demands to offset the in
creased cost of living. Under
terms of the SIU agreements—
the only ones of its kind in mar
itime^the Union; may request a
wage' review at any time.
In the early talks, the oper
ators offered a 5.49 percent in
crease in line with the settle1
ment reached on Ihe West Coas :.
The Union negotiating commit
tee fiatly rejected the offer as
inadeqtiate, stating that it woul l.
not be boimd by socalled for
mulas adopted elsewhere. Agree
ment on the 6.38 figure war
agreed to two days later.
Signing the agreement for thi^'
Union were SecretaryTreasurer
Paul Hall, Headquarters Repre;
sentative Earl Sheppard, and
Morris Weisberger. Weisberger
participated in the negotiation i'
as representative of the SUP and
the International and his effort j
contributed greatly toward ef
fecting the final settlement.
The new pay rates for Seafar
ers top a steady series of in
creases, which resulted in ths
advance of Union memberJ^
wages by approximately 150 peij
cent in the past six yeaf^.
Throughout this period the SlH.
A&G District has been setting '
the pace in the establishment cif
the seamen's wage pattern.
In March 1944, the wages ctC
an AB, for example, 'were $100;
per month. A year and a half
later—October 1945—they went
to $145. Then in 1946 the Slljj
negotiated'two increases for aU
ratings, a feat it repeated in 194';r.
In 1948, three pay hikes wer^
won for SiU members and an|
other in 1949.
11
Log Will Cmy
Pictwes, Hecord
Of CmJUates
(Continued from Page 1)
in all SIU A&G District Branch
es.
A member may file a nomina
tion for office provided he is J
citizen of the United. States, ;
full book member for at leas
two years and has at least thre«
years of seatime in an dnlScense<[
capacity, four months of whicl
must be in the current year—un
less, of course, he is presentl;
holding Union office.
Nominees should also file i
recent passport photo and a 10O
word summary of their Union
activities, to be published in • th*^
LOG ais an aid to the voters.
ITF Convention Okays Board's Expnision Of Commie CSU
The 21st biennial convention
b£ the International Transport
Workers Federation, held recent
ly in Stuttgart, jGermany, in re
viewing the interim actions of its
executive board, gave its approv
al to the expulsion of the com
munistdominated Canadian Sea
men's Union for conducting its
phony political strike last year
to the "grave injury to the
Waterside workers, whom they
led astray,, and to the economy
of the countries affected."
This is the final blow to the
CSU, which now only exists on
ia letterhead and in the memor
ies of the few commies who tried
to use the Canadian seamen as
pawns in Stalin's political game,
i Follov^ng is the complete text
Of the ITF resolution:
'This Congress,
: "Having considered the refusal
"Of the international Tfahsport
Workers Federation to show soli
darity with the striking Canadian
seamen, and the suspension of
the ahlliRtion of the Canadian
Seamen's Union by the Execu
tive;
"Takes into account the follow
ing facts:
"From April to July, 1949, the
Canadian Seamen's Union con
ducted a 'Strike When need lor
recourse to this final weapon for
the defense of the interests of
the members did not exist. To
induce members to'^come out on
strike the Communist leaders of
this organization lied to them.
Moreover, they gave out strike
instructions which conflict with
all tradition of rtiaritime trade
union action and also with Ca
nadian law, thus laying the mem
bership open to legal proceedings
and severe penalties.
HID TRUTH
'The leaderg of the Canadian
Seamen's Union called fOr the as
sistance of the International
TransportWorkers Federation but
systematically hid the truth
about the alleged dispute by de
liberately refusing to furnish in
formation which, in accordance
with the rules of the Internation
al Transportworkers Federation,
they were under an obligationfo
provide. Instead of informing the
International T r a n sportworkers
Federation, and through it the
organiza^ofis Whose support was
desired, the Communist leaders
of the Canadian Seahjen's Union,
with the active assistance of
agents of the Communist parties,
conducted a campaign of lies
among the workers in the differ
ent ports throughout the world
and exploited in a shameless
fashion the sentiment Of solidar
ity of the latter. They thus did
grave injury to the waterside
workers, whom they led astray,
and to the economy of the coun
tries affected..
"On the other hand, the lead
ers of the Canadian Seamen's
Union conferred secretly with
the socalled Worlds Federation of
Trade Unions, and this instru
ment of the Cpminform support
ed their campaign against the
ITF and the organizations affili
ated to it. The leaders of the
Canadian Seamen's Union con
ducted their campaign by means
and according to methods which
demanded large financial re
sources, but they left their mem
bers'^ on strike in foreign ports to
the charity of the sympathizing
woriters.
"The strike was conducted,
contrary to all the rules of trade
union strategy, by methods aim
ing at dragging uselessly and
wickedly, ih all parts of the
world, the greatest possible num
ber of workers into the dispute.
"Whereas everything points to
thli fact that the strike of the
Canadian Seamen's Union was
decided by an outside power of
which the leaders of the CSU are
the lackeys;
ACTION APPROVED
"This Congress,
"Approves the decision of the
Management Committee, the Ex
ecutive Committee and the Gen
eral Council to refuse, for the
first time" in the history of the
ITF, assistance to an affiliatec
organization engaged in a dia
pute;
"Decides to expel the CSl
from theTTF for having haraied
the interests of its own members
and those of other affiliated un'
ions;
"Notes with satisfaction 'tha
the vast majority of the mem
bers of the Canadian Seamen's
Union have turned their backs
on this Organization so unworthy
of their confidence and have re
joined the ranks of a free trade
union;
"Invites transport workers
throughout the world to ponded
this example of shameful exploi
tation of the noble sentiment o:
workingclass solidarity for un
avowed political ends."
The delegates to the conven
tion also voted to expel the New
Zealand Waterside Workers Un
ion and the Finnish Transport
Workers Union because of the
fpllowing of the Commun isi
party line by those unions.
Page Feu? THE SEAFARERS LOG
I3 is
F^af. 13.
Philly In Need Of Tenkeimen;
Beston Lacks Rated Engifiemen
CHIEF OF FRENCH ANTI-RED MARINE GROUP VISITS SIU
lii
IIOT
r&
BK..
By STEVE CARDULLO
• PHILADELPHIA—Shipping in
this port made a spurt this week,
and rated men especially are
filing the benefits.
In fact, the shortage of rated
men caused the Stony Creek to
sail short. Rated tanker men who
Me anxious to ship out should
head for this port. We expect
two payoffs in the near future
on ships that have been put a
long time.
"GHOST TOWN"
Since most of the regulars
have shipped on Far East runs,
Philadelphia seems like a ghost
town at this writing. The only
smiling face around here is Red
Healey's.
This shipping surge halted a
decline that began last week af
ter we had been enjoying acti
vity that began to remind us of
old times.
A newspaper report has it that
an expose of communist activity
on the waterfront may soon be
forthcoming. I think they have
found some comrats somewhere.
That's something we knew about
a long, long time ago.
SAD. THOUGH
At least the Phillies' desperate
bid for a World Series champion
ship was short and sweet. The
agony was not prolonged, as
they lost four consecutive close
games to the New York Yank
ees. As bad as folks feel in this
town, they still can take comfort
in the fact that the Whiz Kids
gave Philly a National League
pennantwinner for the first
time in 35 years.
As is customary in October, all
we'll say is: Watch them next
year!
By BEN LAWSON
BOSTON—The old Beantown
has been doing all right for it
self on the shipping side these
past two weeks. Oilers and Fire
men have been, needed the most
and we're still kind of short in
these ratings.
With the signing of the Cities
Service contract, the future
should see Boston getting back
on its shipping feet, since many
of this company's tankers call
at our port.
Other indications that raise our
hopes for a brighter period ahead
are the news that the Battle
Creek Victory and the Booming
ton Victory are coming out of:
the boneyard—although we don't
yet know who will get them—
and that Eastern may be active
this winter.
The latter company may ope
rate some drycargo ships, and
is thinking of placing the Evan
geline in cruise service to the
West Indies.
If these developments should
become facts, shipping will be
mighty fine for Seafarers who
do their jobregistering up this|
way.
Pierre FerriPisani (center). Geperal Secretary of the French Federation of Longshoremen
and Seafarers talks with Earl Sheppard (right). SIU Headquarters RepresentatiTe. end yfilly Dor^
chain, US representative'of the International Transportworkers Federidion. FerriPisani heads
the Mediterranean section of the ITF's anticommimist vigilance committee, formed recently to
combat commie influence among maritime workers in Southern France. Ifaly, Greece, Algeria.
Tunisia, Israel, Lebanon. Egypt and Morocco.
In his visit to. the SIU, FerriPisani discussed with A&G District officials strategy for con
tinuing the fight to rid the waterfronts of the world of communist influence.
Uttkm Wreikers Are Warned
The SIU it on record thai charges will be placed against
men guilty of being the following:
PILFERERS: Men who walk off ships with crew's equip
ment or ship's gear, such as sheets, towels, ship's stores, cargo.
etc» for sale ashore.
WEEDHOUNDS: Men who are in the possession of or
who use marijuana or other narcotics on board an SIU ship
or in the vicinity of an SIU HalL
GASHOUND PERFORMERS: Men who jeopardise the
safety of their shipmates by drinking while at work on a ship
or who turn to in a drunken condition. Those who disrupt the
operation of a ship, the payoff or signon by being gassed up.
All Seafarers, members and officials alike, are under
obligation to place charges against these types of characters.
Mobile's Hopes Still Undimmed
By CAL TANNER
\
tors will have priority over the
Navy. in shipping cargo to the"
Far East may .prove helpful to
Gulf activity. We're hoping that
this policy will induce opera
tors to step up their shipping by
adding ships to their fleets. We'll
have more on this in the next
issue of the LOG.
New York Shipping Is Stiii On Fair Side
By JOE ALGINA
NEW YORK — Another two
week period of fair shipping has
slipped past us and we're still
hopeful of a boost in the tempo,
but as long as the port activit
ies don't slacken any more than
they have, we'll be satisfied. We
took care of 12 ships in payoffs
and 6 for signons since the past
report and all of the vessels
were in good shape.
Out of the group the Hilton,
Bull, laid up, and rumors have it
that the ship is going to be sold
for scrap, and the Jean, same
company, came out of layup to
take a crew. That put us even
In that department, which was
the only big,change out of the
ordinary in this port during the
past , two weeks.
On the waterfront the Patrol
men have been kept busy hitting
the ships. Often they have found
. that they have made unneces
sary trips to ships which have
called for a Patrolman to settle
a beef. Often aboMd these ships,
vessels in the coastwise trade,
the Patrolmen have foimd the
matter could have been handled
over the telephone or by the
ship's delegates.
By then the Patrolman has
wasted an afternoon that he
could have used to hit a «hip
with a genuine problem. Dele
gates aboard coastwise ships
should make every attempt to
settle theur beefs before railing
the HalL The number of Patrol
men is limited and they should
be called only when the beef
can be handled by them alone.
Again I'd like to urge every
member to take very good care
of his seaman's papers, for if
they are lost the Coast Guard
will replace them with the new
type papers that the SIU has of
ficially gone on record to reject.
If a member loses his papers
there is nothing he can do but
be subjected to the screening
ordeal and keep his fingers cross
ed hoping the Coast Guard will
be bighearted enough to let him
go on making a living.
The big news in the New York
papers continues to be the'shake
up in the police department and
the drive on bookmaking which
got under way with the appoint
ment of a new police ccmmis
sioner. One of the matters that
hasn't yet been dealt with .is
the unsolved murder of Willie
Lurye, the AFL Garment Work
ers organizer who was killed at
the height of an organizing cam
paign sometime ago.
Early this year police made
an arrest and said that two sus
pects were being sought. That's
the last that'^ been heard of
the matter. The new commis
sioner would do well to get to
work on the Lurye killing.
MOBILE—After checking with
the Waterman and Alcoa Steam
ship Companies, we learned that
shipping for the coming two
weeks looks rather dim for this
port.
The following ships are due
in port: Alawai, Monarch of the
Sea, Iberville, Morning Light,
Fairport, Warrior, Alcoa Clipper,
Alcoa Rur>ner, Alcoa Corsair and
Alcoa Pennant.
We crewed up the Alcoa Pil
grim on October 4, and 'some
time around October 15 we ex
pect to be able to do the same
for the La Salle.
On October 5, we attended a
conference with Colonel Howell,
Director of the Alabama State
Selective Service System; W. W.
Wade, Director of the Alabama
State Department of Labor, and
officials of the Alabama State
Federotion of Labor to discuss
a program to handle deferments
in the event the draft law is
broadened for fullscale induc
tions.
If the program is successful,
it might become the basis for
a pattern to be used in the Gulf
area and to be follow;ed by our
other ports in the immediate
area.
The news that private opera
Drop In Replmements Affects New Orleans
By LINDSEY WILLIAMS
NEW ORLEANS —The busi
ness affairs of this port are in
excellent sha'pe but* shipping has
taken a drop and the outlook for
the coming two weeks is not too
good.
Since the last shipping period
closed, we had five payoffs, fom
signons and 26 ships hitting
here intransit. Of the intransit
callers, only 10 took any re
placements, a factor which was
noticeable in the final shipping
figures.
For the coming two weeks we
have only three scheduled pay
offs, so we can't count on too
much activity. There's always
the chance, however, that the
intransit vessels will pick up
enough replacements to help the
general shipping situation.
Three ships have come put of
the boneyard, but we don't know
whom they'll be assigned to. The
vessels and their agente arfe the
Bucyrus Victory, South Atlan
tic; Clearwater Victory, Water
man, and Hannibal Victory,
Mississippi.
We hope to know who will
get these ships before the next
meeting. As soon as we^ get
something definite we will pass
it on to the membership.
There were a few minor beefs
aboard the SS Del Sud when
she came into port and a few
beefs registered against some
performers. These beefs were
handled on the ship, with the
crew taking a firm stand against
any irresponsible action that
harms the membership and the
Union welfare. ^
The SS Seatrain New Orleans
is still tied up here with the
outlook the same—nothing new.
She has tied up here since May.
Meanwhile ships from Cuba, as
many as five and six a week, are
bringing in sugar that this na
tion has to buy to keep on hand
for other' nations.
Th^s situation doesn't make
sense. Let's hope that this ship
will get into operation again
soon. Aside from easing the job
shortage all around, it would be
of great help to some of our
alien Brothers who are allowed
to sail the New Orleans.
Shipping in Savannah
Reaiiy Takes Drop
By E. M. BRYANT
SAVANNAH — Shipping
couldn't have been any slower
last week, unless it stopped al
together. Three ships came out
of the boneyard, but as yet they
have notbeen allocated to any !
company. This gave us 12 run
jobs which helped the Deck De
partment boys on the beach. •
We have two men standing by
on one of these ships in the
shipyard. They're Black Gang
men.
So far in this area, .the Stew
ards Department has been left
out of the picture on the ships
coming out of the boneyard, as;
we haven't crewed any as yet [
But we're hoping to get one or:
two of the ones presently in the'
shipyard. '
Draft registrants have been re
minded time and again to keep
their local boards posted as to
their employment, but therfe are
still guys who don't heed this
advice.
When you ship out, notify
your board of the name of the
ship and the company by whom
you're employed. That's the easy
way and if 'you follow it there'll
be smooth sailing and everyone,
including the draft board, will
know the score and be able to
handle these matters in tlie prop
er manner. ' '
We have a few members in
the Savannah Marine Hospital
and we know dam well that all
of them would welcome a visit
from their buddies. How about
brightening a few minutes of
these guys' time when you're in
port?
13# IS&Q THE S BAYAREttS h&G Paere Five
These Seafarers aren't modeling the latest vrallpaper desig^. they're merely sporting con"
ventional dress for one of the ports visited when they were aboard the Steel Admiral. Left to
right: "Red" Pepper, DM; T. Freeland, AB; L. Dower, DM; H. Rowe, AB; G. Georgina. 3rd
Cook; T. Ekland, 2nd Electrician. Kneeling is N. Paputo, OS. Mike CarUn, Wiper, is partially
abscured in rear row. Photo was taken, in onb of the Far East ports of call.
"Chuck" Hostetler. AB. poses on deck of the SS Massmar
with two 15pound salmon he caught in Coos Bay, Ore. Anglers
looking for big salmon should head for the West Coast, euivises
"Chuck," who says he'll be happy to give pointers on how to
catch the big babies. Just write him care of the ship.
As far as fish stories go, says Hostetter, "I can tell you
the best places to get these fine fish.
One of the most efScient machine shops, on the high seas is that set tip
by Seeifarer Y. Schenck aboard the SS Chilore. Above is a portion of the
Chilore's shop. Note small overhead trolley and hoist over lathe and full
acetylene in back of drill press which expert machinist Schenck devised.
Schenck arranges all tools in sets and makes mountings so they are easily
lifted out cind returned without touching the shop panels. By this method,,
tools are easily located and losses noticed immediately. Schenck says losses
dre extremely slight and mostly due to breakage.
• ii
In offhours you can generally find a bull session in prog
ress on the fanlail of the SS Del Norte. Photo above shows
one of the typical gatherings and includes representatives of
the three departments. Ba(;k rowi left to right: Blaekie Bank
ston, Molena, Russo md Colcau Middle row: Tex Metting;
Nielsofi, Hammel. Bottom tOw: M SftauSrayi Gam. MayfieUL
Freenianis and;Toche( • '
Deck cargo aboard the SS Southstar on recent run to Far East presmted a somber note.
Claude West, who submitted photo says tanks reminded' the SID crew of World War II days.
Ke added that Seafarers sfan4 ready to deliver the goods in peace and war, and rehall^l
the rote played 'by union seamen in the^ recent confUcL * .
Pa0e Six THE S E AF A RERS L O G
Steel Rover Ducks Shells Off Hong Kong
As She Runs First Arms Cargo To Saigon
The recent run of the SS Steel Rorer, Islhmian. through the Far Eaai has been studded
with events enough to satisfy the most adventxirehungry crewmemher. The ship left the West
Coast in July loaded with war materials, and though she did not see Korea, she found plenty of
action in her path, beginning in Hong Kong where the ship was shelled by Chinese natfcmalists
and continuing through her gunboatconvoyed voyage up the Saigon Rivw to deliver the first
load of war materials to IndoChina.
An eyewitness account of the ship's experiances has come in a delayed letter to the LOG
' from Carpenter John Santos, who'sent the foUoving dispatch from Saigon. .
By JOHN SANTOS
When we readied to leave the States from Oakland, California, it seemed like
the war days all over again, except for one thing: Television cameramen were every
where taking pictures of our cargo of army gear as it was loaded overhead from cranes
and they made sweeping shots of our deck, which was loaded with Jeeps and crated
supplies in such quantities that the catwalk ran from bow to the stern.
We got alway all right and badt;
an uneventful crossing. It was
POWERS AND HIS MODELS
as we were leaving Hong Kong
that trouble came our way. On
Sunday morning, August 2 we
left Hong Kong for Saigon. As
we left the lighthouse we took a
course close along the shore. We
were about 15 miles from Hong
Kong and still skirting the shore
when the first shot was fired.
WHIZBANG
I was on top of No. 2 hatch,
working, when the first shell
landed about 20 yards off to our
starboard. When I heard the ex
plosion I looked back at No. 1
house, for we had a few boxes
.. of hand grenades there and I
thought they .had gone off. But
while I was turning to look,
number 2 shot was fired' and
landed in line with our bow. I
knew what it was then and I
said to myself this is no place
for me, I made a dash for the
midship and the rest of the deck
gang joined me. As we neared
the midship I said to the First
Assistant, "Someone is firing on
us." And, as if to prove it, shell
number 3 came whistling in. We
all ducked inside and the shell
landed abdut 20 yards off the
portside.
While we waited inside num
ber 4 and 5 came over. One of
ments through our fiag and into
the stern. ?
After shell number 5 the skip
per decided that we were some
body's target, so the ship was
swung away from land and turn
ed around back to Hong Kong
with all the speed that could
be mustered.
The following morning, safe in
Hong Kong, a shipyard boat came
out and inspected the ship. What
eve^r they found it must not have
been much as no work was done
on the ship.
We left Hong Kong right away
for another try to reach Saigon
but this time we headed straight
out away from the port and
then made our turn southwest.
DANGER EXPECTED
We hadn't expected any
trouble in Song Kong, but all
of us felt that if any trouble
arose it would be in the Saigon
River. Several of the men said
that we wouldn't be so lucky as
there were people who wanted to
prevent this first shipment of
arms from reaching its destina
tion. ,
We arrived in Saigon on Aug.
9 and when we reached the pilot
station we were given an armed
guard aboard the ship and river
gun boats patrolled the waters
alongside the ship. We were told
the shells, I learned later, struck | to stay inside while making the
diose to our stem and sent frag' run just to be on the safe side.
Maybe the small armada es
corting us changed someone's
mind because we had no trouble.
When the ship tied up a contin
gent of soliders came down to
the ship and stood guard all the
time the cargo was being work
ed.
Next to us was a British ship
that had left Hong Kong a few
hours before we did. She had
been shelled for taking the
shoreline route like we did. We,
Jieard that she had been dam
aged slightly and two officers
wounded.
We spent little time in Saigon
and everyone heaved a sigh of
relief when the ship pulled out
and headed to less troubled parts
of the world.
Seafarer Joe Powers. Jacqueline (left) and Patricia
AHENTIONi
If you don't find linen
when you go aboard your
ship, notify the Hall at once.
A telegram from Le Havre or
Singapore .won't do you any
gocd. It's your bed and you
have to lie in it.
Looking over the July 21 is
sue of the LOG, Joe Powers,
Lounge Steward on the Alcoa
Cavalier, saw a photo of,Smoke
Room Steward Bill Da^is and
a wooden mannequin taken out
side one of the apparel shops
aboard the SS Del Sud. Joe
figured if that rated space in
the LOG than % photo of the real
Mc Coy certainly wouid.
. Quicker than yop can say
"Oolala," Joe forwarded a slick
print made by Deck Steward
Bill Marion, showing Joe spend "
ing a Hollywoodstyle day off at
the Trinidad Country Club Port'
auSpain, in the company of ,
two Paris clothing models.
The gals, who were in the is
land resort on a modeling tour
of the world for a Parisian fa •
shion house, were decked out in
Bikini swim suits. Said Joe: .
"I'm sure the boys will enjoy. .
the picture."
And who are we to . argue
with Joe?
WAR HAWK SEAFARERS IN THE FAR EAST
Alcoa Pioneers Slug Grace Line Squad, 10-6
The newlyorganized Alcoa Pioneer softball team turned to in fine fashion for"
their first game and polished off the Santa Ana Saints of the Grace Line fleet, 106,
before a rabid group of Venzuelan fans at the Cerverza Victoria Stadium in La
*Guaira on September 2. *
It
Anoaxd the Waterman ship during a recen. chartered run from the West Coast were these
ftturdy SIU men. Left to right, first row: Granger, FWT; Cariiso, AB; Eraso, Bosunt Lynn. AB.
Second rsw; Fonlenot, OS: Borreson, AB; Lee, Wiper, and AU^an. Ml^ 'Re(U row: Ortix,
DM; Butlos, OS, and Thomas, Wiper. . .
Loose playing marked the first
frame for both squads, with the
opposing pitchers exhibiting con
siderable wildness. As the game
went into the second inning the
score was tied at 3all. '
From that* point on the con
test took on the air of a real
ball game and both teams began
playing headsup ball.
The game was virtually decid
ed in the foini:h ^hen the Pio
neers^ aided by a couple of
walks, bunched their hits and
drove four runs across the plate.
Mclnis, on the mound for the
Pioneers, turned in a creditable
performance despite occasional
wildness, allowing the Grace
Line batters but five hits and
fanning 15.
The Pioneer's skipper. Captain
"Jumbo" MullaUy, held down
third , base for the last two inn
ings and fielded his chances fiaw
lessly. On the offensive, he show
ed promise of being the long
ball hitter sp badly needed by
his team.
At the keystnne corner, "Flip
per" Knapp and Sandy Sgnford
gave promise of being a neat
defensive combination for the
winners.
Another performance of merit
was tifrned in by Charlie String
feUow of the Pioneers, who pa,
trolled center field like a heads, ,
up mountie. Charlie snagged sev
eral wellbelted hunks of horse
hide that might have caused con^
siderable damage to the victors
had less capable hands been in
that area.
RETIRING BOOKS
Members who forward
their membership books to
the New York Hall for retire
ment are ugred to mark the
envelope with the notation
"Attentions: Bth floor," in orr
der to insure quicker hand
ling of the matter.
Marking of the envelope in
the maimer advised ahoye^
wiU save lime and will result:
in prompt return of the boq|& |f!
lo\thesender,. •
^ i, M t I
Fi1dar;*OelolMHr 13, 1950 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Seven
SEATRAIN NEW YORK, Oct.
1—Chairman, R. Sweeney; Sec
retary, John M. Monast. Dele
gates reported number of books
end permits in their departments;
no beefs. Motion carried that
Steward obtain new mattresses
end pillows. Motion carried to
see about getting fuel oil and
sawdust cleaned up in the lower
. hold, as it constitutes a fire
hazard.
% % %
CARROLL VICTORY (No dale
given)..,— Chairman, H. Ilarise;
Secretary, A. Tremer. Delegates
elected. Motion carried that men
come to messroom in proper at
Wre. Motion carried that the
iiOG be informed of poor deal
crew got on slopchest. Motion
• carried Jthat Steward appear in
messroom during meals.
' t t
HILTON, Sept. 24—Chairman,
Ed Going; Secretary, John
O'Connor. Delegates'' reports ac
cepted. Motion carried that
Ship's Delegate contact Patrol
man about lack of penicillin
aboard the ship. Discussion held
on Union rules and contracts.
& » 3.
ANGELINA, Sept. 28—Chair
man, Jinuny Foret; Secretary,
Alton Martin. Delegates' reports
accepted. Patrolman to be con
tacted concerning men who paid
off in Puerto Rico without re
ceiving hospital slips. Laundry
to be repaired and drainage in
passageways to be fixed.
^ 1
ALCOA CAVALIER. Sept. 16
— Chairman, Harry Buston; Sec
retary, Andy Stephens. Joe Pow
ers explained the setup of the
fund in memory of Cut 8e Run
Hank. Ship's Treasurer announc
ed the ship's fund to contain
$74.57, following y the expendi
ture of $50 for repairing the
movie machine. Ship's Delegate
to see the Purser concerning the
price of cigarettes.
» » »
MONROE, Sept. 6—Chairman,
J. C. Bernard: Secretary, ..Joe
Thomas. Delegates reported on
number of books and permits in
their departments. Beefs on flies
in messroom discussed. Motion
carried that minutes of meetings
would be posted in messroom.
Minutes Of SiU Ship Meetings
• /
^he next Issue of(be SenicimeKS
Lc^ cuiil oamithepichnes and
brief oP4lie candi*
-frr A&G ofipibes in-lhs.
oomnm elecTion.TVieu eve
prinwa Ho akf cfou in sefecfi
*KeadRr»e**» cnrefw/Zu
t^oM oast' cfour /
t, ^ t,
SEATRAIN TEXAS, Sept. 17
— Chairman. L. Galuska; Secre
tary, C. RusselL Motion carried
that meeting be held with Pa
trolman to iron out beef on
penalty overtime for lack of
launch service in Belle Chasse,
La. Motion carried that shipyard
workers be barred from mess
room.
* $ $
LONE JACK, Sept. 24—Chair
man, William Tradwell; Secre
tary,. Charles Dominick. Dele
gates reported on books and per
mits. Motion carried to make up
a report on the firing of William
Maxfield, which was for a per
sonal reason and had nothing to
do with the way he performed
his work.
»
LAKE GEORGE, Sept. 17 —
Chairman, G. Stilley; Secretary,
SEATRAIN HAVANA, Sept.
24 —Chairman, A. Seay: Secre-
tary, Frank Klicki. Money col-
lected for purchasing funeral
wreath for John Mclntyre turn-
ed over to Galveston Patrolman.
Delegates reported on number
of books and permits in their
departments. Discussion on fan
set up in quarters^. Crew decided
to refer matter to Patrolman.
X t. t.
WILD RANGER, Sept. 24 —
Chairman, David Rice: Secretary,
A. Danne. Delegates reported
their departments in order. Mo
tion carried to abolish fines and
make a donation instead to mem
bers in the TB hospital. Steward
reported all men will change
their own linen.
XXX
DEL VALLE, Sept. 17—Chair
• man, Fred Shaia: Secretary, M.
Gaddy. Ship's Delegate reported
that no life jackets would be
exchanged without having muti
lated jacket for exchange. Shaia
reported that the Viking Laun
dry in Buenos Aires had spoiled
two pairs of expensive slacks.
Delegate reported that he had
found a purchaser for the old
washing machine and would
work out details of sale subject
to approval by the crew.
XXX
JOHN STAGG, Sept. 21 —
Chairmam W. Carney: Secretary,
Henry Frankline. Delegates re
ported all in order, except in
Engine Department which has
3 hours of disputed, overtime.
Motion carried that complete re
pair list be made up and posted
in messroom. Second Cook de
manded a vote of confidence in
his work and was supported by
majority of crew.
XXX
SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY,
Sept. 27—Chairman, Tom Crane;
Secretary, Vincent Monte. Dele
gates reported number of books
and permits in their depart
ments. Crewmember to stand
suspended imtil he explains his
conduct in New Orleans on Sep
FRENCH CREEK, Sept. 3 —
Chairman, John Harvey: Secre
tary, Blackie Wagner. Motion
carried that crew go on record
to inform SIU organizers that
crew of SS French Creek has
gone on record stating, "we are
ready to strike at any time, pref
erably right now." Crew told
to turn in disputed overtime to
Ship's Delegate. Crewmembers
urged to write down sugges
tions that occur to them between
meetings, so matters can be dis
cussed before entire crew.
XXX
FRENCH CREEK, SepL 24 —
Chairman, Lee Arnold: Secretary.
C. Baird. Delegates reported
some disputed overtime in Deck
and Engme Departments. Motion
carried for Ship's Delegate to
see Captain and ask that the
Radio Operator type up press
news to keep crew abreast of
war news. Education: General
discussion on benefits of SIU
and how it will help Cities Serv
ice seamen.
XXX
WARHAWK, Sept. 18—Chair
man, J. Walker: Secretary, Pet
tus. Discussion on steam line and
hot water in showers. Motion
carried that ships leaving States
for the tropics must have equip
ment for cold water in showers.
Motion carried to send Steward
in Hong Kong a "getwell" card.
machine had been condemned
by Board of Health and should
be replaced by a Pantryman.
Two messmen advised to keep
putting in for overtime until a
Pantryman is put aboard. J.
Cheshire gave an ''educational
talk on the rotary hiring system.
XXX
PENNMAR, Sept. 24 —Chair
man, Kase: Secretary, L. Evera.
Steward reported $5 in ship's
fund and suggested every crew
member donate $1 to fund. Del
egate reported on books and
permits in their departments.
Discussion on making up of re
pair lists in each department.
XXX
GOVERNMENT CAMP, Sept.
4—Chairman, Bernard Mace: Sec
retary, Hubert Goodfried. Dele
gates reported all okay. Motion
carried to elect delegates. Edu
cation: Chairman explained ben
efits gained by sailing under
Union contract, such as over
time for part time work, plus
more pay and overtime for holi
days.
XXX
LAFAYETTE, Oct. 1—Chair
man, L. Marsh: Secretary. Ira
Myers. Delegate reported that
repairs from the past trip had
not been taken care of. Delegates
reported their departments in or
der. Discussion held on seasoning
of food and the coldness of the
meals.
XXX
RAPHAEL SEMMES, Sept. 17
—Chairman, Jack Ross: Secre
tary, Frank Van Dusen. Delegates
reported number of books and
permits in their departments.
Men paying off instructed to get
relief and give 24 hours notice of
paying off. Recommendation
made that crew icebox be re
paired.
the restrictions imposed on the
company and CTMA tmder the
recently signed court order.
XXX
COUNCIL GROVE, Sept. 23—
Chairman, Schuyler: Secretary, t
Bradbury. Delegates reported ho>
beefs. Suggestion made that mea
pay "sanitary fine" without be
ing asked. Suggestion made that
ship's fund be increased by hav
ing poker players cut $2 a night
for the fund and an arrival po(fi .
be made up. Suggestion' alsoj
made that crew make up a lot
tery. Crew adopted all sugges
tions, .Ship's Entertainment Com
mittee set up.
i i
^lll
G. PickeL Delegates reported no
beefs; Education: Tripcard men'tember 21. Ship's Delegate re
given advice on Union meetings j ported that procedure of turning
and welfare of Brothers. Engine in suggested repairs as they arise
Deleigat6 to see 1st Assistant is working out well, with neces
about repairing fans and wash sary work being done sometimes
ihg machine. in a matter of hours.
XXX
MADAKET, Sept. 15 —Chair
man, Jose Ortiguerra; Secretary,
Hemsley Guinier. Delegates' re
ports accepted. Ship's Delegate
suggested that all crewmembers
keep in contact with their Dele
gates so as to read up on the
agreement and constitution be
fore making any petty beefs.
Crew asked to be quietIn rec
reation room so men "off watch
can sleep.
X X X
LOGAN'S FORT. Sept. 24 —
Chairman, Fred Smith: Secre
tary, YVilliam Morris. Delegates
reported no beefs. Ship's Dele
gate reported that dishwashing
XXX
ANN MARIE, Sept. 26—Chair
man, Hitchcock: Secretary, Bak
er. Delegates reported every
thing okay. Repair list made up
from all departments and ap
proved. Motion carried to have
sailing board posted directly at
gangway.
XXX
STEEL SCIENTIST, Oct. 1—
Chairman, V a r b o t: Secretary,
Donoghue. Delegates report no
major beefs. Motion carried to
have ship fumigated. Motion car
ried to have department Dele
gate collect books and draw up
list of monies due to expedite
payoff. Motion carried to have
meetings alternate, one in morn
ing and one in evening.
XXX
BALTORE, Sept. 27 —Chair
XXX
ALCOA POINTER, Sept. 29—
Chairman, O. Guernsey: Secre
tary, J. Prestwood. Delegates.
Crewmembers went on record to
respect Ship's Delegate and co
operate in every way. Discussion,
on Mate taking too long to check
overtime. Discussion on white
card men.
XXX
SEA COMET, Sept. 24—Chair
man, J. McGoldrick: Secretary,
G. W. Spivey. Ship's Delegate re
ported that Chief Engineer had
refused to let Wiper clean sec
tion of passageway. Matter to be
referred to Patrolman. Motion
carrigd to have ship's fund, each
man to donate $1. Special meet
ing to be called with Patrolman
when ship hits port to arrange
for fixing ship's decks and re
newing lockers.
XXX
ALCOA PEGASUS, Oct. 2 —
Chairman, Raymond Vaughan:
Secretary, Virgil Harding. Motion
carried to send member's book to
his home address, inasmuch as
mah missed ship in MontieaL
Delegates' reports accepted. Dis
cussion on various needed re
pairs.
XXX
ALCOA CORSAIR, Sept. 3—
Chairman, Blackie Landry: Sec
retary, John Roberts. Delegates
reported all okay. Treasurer re
ported $179 in ship's fund. Mo
tion carried that porthole wren
ches be put on, so ports can be
opened when air conditioning is
off. Motion carried to give Shipi's
Delegate authority to rent mov
ies. Vote of thanks given Cooks
for the good food served during
voyage.
4* $• 4"
ABIQUA, Sept. 23—Chairman,
W. Lopez: Secretary, H. Skelton.
Ship's Delegate reported $30.32
in Ship's Fund. Delegates report
ed books and permits in their de
partments. Motion carried to col
lect $1 from each man for ship's
• Isj
;ir
man, Maio: Secretary. Gardner.
Delegates reported number of, fund. Motion carried that half of
books and permits in their de ship's fund be spent for recrea
partments. Motion carried tojtion room equipment. All men
soogee recreation room on .rainy advised to fill out and send in
days.
X X X
COUNCIL GROVE, Sept. 17—
Chairman, Walker: Secretaory,
Bradbury. Ship's Delegate re
ported that expense connected
with carrying Coca Cola was too
great to carry it aboard ship
Delegates reported number of
books and permits in their de
partments. Motion carried that
crewmembers be properly dress
ed before entering messhall at
mealtime. Chairman Walker ex|
beneficiary cards for welfare
plan. Discussion on Pumpman's;
beef of not gating proper aid
when pumping out cargo.
XXX
EDITH, Sept. 24 — Chairman,
Gerald Smith; Secretary, Louis
Rizzo. Delegates reported every,
thing okay; reported number of
books and permits in their de"
partments. Motion carried that,
torn linen be exchanged for new
linen and old linen to be put in'
condemned bag and not reissued,
plained the opeiation of the Wei Chief Engineer to be seen about
fire Plan and read a letter from sufficient light bulbs for passage
CTMA diehards., He explained,ways.
Pa<r» TSisM r ff £f S B AP^A St E R S i
JK ' '•
E^^F' Ccic^ !3^
i.
SIU's Stand On New CG Papers Applauded
As Bulwark Against Bureaeratic Control
t> vt_
TmmQFf IN mKYo
4
I '^t^'
h'
Il
ls;'
W^:
To thfe Editor:
The Union's stand on the
"specially validated merchant
mariner's document" it to be
. roundly applauded.
The SIU could have chosen
the cautious existence by yield
ing to the Coast Guard and plac
ing us all in the patsy role.
From there we would ultim
ately be pushed" to one weak de
fensive position after another.
Our most serious threat, today,
. it no longer Old Joe, who might
be^ roosting under any one of
our blinks. We have already dis
posed of him by exploding every
one of his maritime conununist
frbnt organizations^ and by weed
ing out fellowtravellers from
our Union as fast as they show
ed their reddish color.
Our chief worry, now, is how
to keep "the bureaucrats from
running our lives—both collect
ive and individual.
OLD PATTERN
The old familiar pattern is
• beginning to unfold itself again.
Under toe guise of a red purge
the Coast Guard is trying tcf put
us on a spot where we would
have to eventually abandon our
Union, and show complete sub
servience to them.
By breeding suspicion amongst
us they divide our loyalties,
weaken our unity. No true dem
ocracy can function where there
is lack of faith in man toward
his fellows. And, it should go
without saying, that minus our
collective strength we would
soon become helpless victims of
the selfish whims of the ship
owners.
• Our leadership, .in this in
stance, has shown both imagin
ation and understanding in re
sisting Coast Guard machina
tions.
A backward glance at mari
time history should supply us
with their motive for this latest
move, for we can only diagnose
a disease from its symptoms.
In the first decade of this cen
tury the Lake Carriers' Associa
tion introduced an effective anti
Union measure which success
fully thwarted organization in
their domain. This device was
Imown as the "continuous dis
charge book." It showed the rec
ord of unionist sympathizers,
j^hd served as a potent blacklist
against them.
'TINK" BOOK
continuous discharge book. . .
Enforcement of this law
brought immediate and angry
disapproval, not only from the
maritime workers but from the
labor movement as a whole. Rec
ognizing its blunder Congress, on
March 24, 1937, changed the Act
to read as follows:
Sec. 4551 (a) "Every seaman
shall be furnished^ at the
option of the seaman, with a
book to be known as a contin
uous discharge book, or with a
certificate of identification. . .
antiunwn conipanies have been
All their employees' papers^
IMPLIED THREAT
Sec. 4551 (g) "Any person,
partneiship, company, or cor
poration who shall require any
seaman employed or applying
for employment to posses, pro
duce, or carry a continuous dis
charge book, if and when such
seaman possesses or carries an
identification certificate or
who shall exchange or give to
any other person, partnership,
company, or corporation infor
mation to cause discrimination
against a seaman for electeing to
carry an identification cer
tificate or to prevent a sea
man from obtainihg employment
on that account, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor. . . . ."
Today, the order to change
papers is weighed with only an
implied threat that it may, in
time, become compulsory, yet
always shrewdly careful to leave
it on an optional basis.
In reviewing tills program it
is curious to note how coopera
tiye with the Coast Guard the
were changed' instantly. This
wouW indicate that there hiad
been prior consullation,; vhth
probably a> deep understanding,
between the companies and the
bureaucratsi
Government agencies, with an
eye to the public interest, have
made it a practice in other fields
to form tripartite committ^
(with equal, representation given
to labor,, management, and. toe
government) whose function, it
is to work out, jointly, solutions
to. problems of mutual interest
in their respective industries.
Only in maritime is labor, coit
sistently refused a Voice.
None of us is reposed: to a
loyalty cheek, as such, if it is
meant to root out our enemies^
But,, iust how sincere are toe
motives of the Coast Guard? We
know that a screening process
can take place without the need
of changing papers.
It would be a much simpler
routine merely to take up the
papers of traitors as they are
apprehended, and to let loyal
American seamen keep the ones
they already have.
What did the Coast Guard do
about investigating American
companies which transferred
many of their ships over to for
eign registries?
A year ago, in toe Bethlehem
Steel Yard at Hobokenj I wit-
nessed toe sickening sight of an
American crew being removec
from the Texaco tanker, Cafls-
(Continued on Page 9)
This trio of IrlmloOking Seafarers jure members of the
crew of the SS Madaket, shown as they were sightseeing in
Japan's principal city during^ a recent stopover. Left to right:
F. Paskowski, Ship's Delegate; R. Nelson, and' J. Ortiguerra,
Deck Delegate.
Equator-Crossing Hazings
Leave Brother Burke Cold
To the Editor:.
Uniform Advocates Loaded
With Brass, Buckley Says
To the Editor:
m
l|:;
r Even the government came to
recognize this as a powerful
Veapop against unified seamen.
On June 25, 1936, toe following
amendments were made in the
Seamen's .A "t: ,
..'Sec. 4551 (a) "Every seaman
lipon a merchant vessel of the
'^nited States. ... .shall be fur
nished with a book, to be known
as a 'continuous discharge book,'
which shall be retained by
him. . . . ."
Sec. 4551 (b) "Whenever a sea
man is discharged in any col
lection district where no ship
ping cotnmissioner has been ap
pointed.
sel shalperform the duties of
such
the master of toe ves
ommissioner and shaU
make the proper entries in sttch
What in the hell will we read
of next?^ Who would ever sup
pose that a Union Brother would
even dare suggest a uniform for
merchant seamen?
Ten years ago a guy would
be wearing knobs on his head
for even offering such a sugges
tion. Are we going cream puff
in this organized body because
we get a few extra bucks?
What of us oldtimers who bat
tled on the picketlines against
the Copeland fink books and the
Maritime schools? Does the
younger generation in the SIU
think , it can sell the idea of
v/earing monkey suits today?
I've, followed this seafaring
game for 23 years as a civilian
and can carry on a few years
more under the same setup. In"
a recent letter to the LOG, an
advocate of uniforms for sea
men while abroad, said that sea
men in civvies in Europe get
taken, whereas this doesn't hap
pen . if they're in uniform.
Show me the seaman who
doesn't get taken to the cleaners
now and then. Guess we wouldn't
feel happy if it didn't happen;
All those Brothers inthe SIU
who feel the urge to wear a
uniform can answer Uncle Sam's
call for men. /I'm sure Uncle
Sam can rig you out with a
natty uniform.
J/oseph Buckley
Korean War Casualty
SIU olidtimer Steward Frank
Gardner received word from
the Defepse Department this
week that his soldierson, An
thony (above) has beeii hospi
talised in Tokyo; as a result
of wounds suffered in Korea's
battlefront. Young Gardner,
a member of a regimental com
bat team, entered the fighting
sone last July.
, ..-iakkdsiji'L
I have just read another salty
'sea story" about.one of those
Icid games pulled, off by a bunch
of soggy seadogs when their
rusty old tub happened to stum
ble across the Equator. I'm en
closing a clipping from the Aug
ust l6 issue of the LOG'which
is an account of an Equator
crossing celebration held aboard
the SS Alexandra.
After reading it I almost got
seasick. Say, when will guys
grow up and act their age?
HEAR THIS
Now, Ed, let's ..get it straight.
Tve been initiated into clubs and
gangs before. Most of the time
it was good clean fun, even if
a little painful sometimes.
But some of toe cheap little
stunts pulled off in the name, of
Neptune Rex are too raw for
me. Too many guys use this
Halloween getrup as a way to
get even with guys they have
a grudge against. Nq matter how
you slice it, it's still baloney and
kid stuff.
Come oh you jolly jack tars!
(joke)^act your age!
E. P. Burke ^
Baltimore, Md. .
"Cajuii Boy" Touart
Hits Comeback Trail
Tp the Editor:
The boys down yonder in Noo
Awleans are inquiring of JoJo
Touart's whereabouts, and what
ship he's on. He's not on any
ship. I recently met him up in
New York where he's training
for a comeback into the grunt
and groan racket (rasslin'), un
der the name of "Cajun Boy."
I watched one of his workouts
and it was' one of those affairs
toat .sends chills down your;
s'pine; I woke up the next mom
ihg with a stiff neck and pains
in iny back.
Slug Siekmann suggests that
JoJo take a raccoon into the
ringwith him as an added at
traction. Myself, I think he
should rassle the raccoon.; Not
that he'd stand a better chance,
but it' would be something dif^
ferent: •
• PercyBdy«r:?f^:;
Name Big Three
Of US Shipping, 1
Hospitalized Ask '
To the Editor:
I would sui'e appreciate n
^oint of information, in coilnec
tioh with a discussion we had |
about whirfi are the three big
gest steamship companies in the^
United States.
Several of us seamen in the
Staten Island Marine Hospital
were trying to settle this. In myy
opinion the three largest ones,
are as follows: Isthmian, Lykes
and Waterman. The other fellows
say differently.
^ If you have space you can*
print them in the LOG, as we^
will be here for quite awhile.
Spider Korolia '
(Ed. Hole: The three larg
est US operators and the num
ber of vessels in their fleets^
are as foUows: Lykes Bro
thers, 51 ships; United Statee
Lines, 48. ships, and Waterman
Stesunship " Corporation, 45
ships.l
tend 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, reconunendations.
and* then the minutes can bev
> printed in the LOG for the
benefit of all other SIU
crews.
Hold those shipboard meet
ings regularly, and send;
those minutes in as soon ae;
possiblei Thai's the 81U wayh
——— I
• • 1^,;
^©ber 13. 1850 THE SE-AP ARERS LO G Page Nine
THE GANG WwlS ALL THERE Insects In Ctew Messroom
Crewmembers of fhe SS Del Mar did Ihings up royally when they threw a parly in Buenos
Aires recently to celebrate the wedding of their shipmate. John Uszakiewicz. John, a member
of the Stewards Department, and ~his bride are seen exchanging bites of the wedding cake, as
wellwishers toast to their happiness. George (Frenchy) Djian. a friend of the bridegroom,
submitted the photo.
New West Coast SUP Hall Gets Big Okay
To the Editor:
This letter is from one of the
West Coast boys. Better make
that "new" West Coast boj^s, be
cause I've only been shipping
cut of here a couple of years.
However, I think this port is
one of the better ones to ship
from now. Particularly since we
have moved into the beautiful
new Sailors Union of the Pacific
home.
I recall iny skeptical reaction
to the idea when news first came
to me about the building that
was going up. Also, the price
seemed to me outrageous.
Now, a couple of years later,
I see this wonderful piece of
construction and .by God it really
gives your heart a lift. Even the
Lauds Stand On CO Papers
(Continued from Page 8)
bad. And, under surveillance of
gn armed guard, it.was replaced
by a Chinese crew.
ILG wage standards for the
Chinese are of such attractive
minimum requirement that the
bosses care little whether their
crews are followers of Mao Tse
tung or the Nationalist govern
ment.
With like indifference the
Cities Service officials, who sold
work to job applicants, found
the commie buck as welcome as
the next one. All this without
Bp much as a lifted eye from
the Coast Guard.
Why all the air of mystery, if
there is no ulterior motive in
making this move? I believe that
this, Joe McCarthy type. of pro
gram is designed to shake our
confidence in the Union, as well
as to make us supinely depen
dent on the bureaucrats who are
running this show. A quick look
back again should explain why
feel this way.
• It is a wellknown fact that, at
end of the last war, the
Army was not only grooming
its personnel to take over the
railroads in case of a walkout,
but that it had also issued a
manual in strikebreaking tac
tics. ,
What is little known is that
the Navy set up hiring halls
during the war, which would
eupersede' union hiring halls and
ultimately put all seamen under
their jurisdiction.
In October, 1942, a Seattle
recruiting station issued the fol
lowing announcement:
Attention Maritime Men:
• Is your draft number likely
to remove you from the du
ties you have chosen as your
life's work at sea?
Are you confronted with
the idea that the war is go
ing' to haul you athore and
jpbrce you high and dry widi
a'bayonet for your t«o}'of
'V'• • • •
That need not haunt you.
There is a way out!
The United States Navy
has opened class M1 for just '
such men as you, so you can
stay on your sip and do your
regular job. By enlisting in
an active status with the
Navy's M1 program, you
can remain aboard the ship
you are. now on until such
time as the Navy may have
to take over that ship. You
will not be subject to call
by selective service. You will
be in the service of your
country.
No other . procedure could
so adequately protect the
personnel and guarantee the
operation of much needed
merchant marine. That's why
the Navy has opened its M1
branch.
At Navy recruiting head
quarters, Federal Office Build
ing, Seattle, there is a spec
ial enlistment officer, to see
to it that men of the mer
chant marine are handled
quickly and efficiently in the
process of enlistment into
this new Navy reserve imit.
It's your only chance to safe^
guard your job at sea!
From this announcement it is
quite obvious what the Navy
brass intended to do. In the
event of a labor dispute the
Union would be undermined
completely. The patiiotprofiteer
ing bosses would go their own
arrogant way, leaving the work
ers to hold the bag of inflation
by paying increased living costs
without commensurate wage
boosts. Fortunately, the Union
put its foot down hard, and put
a stop to this bureaucratic med
dling.
We must Show the Coast
Guard that we are back of our
Union to a^ man, and are ready
to walk off the whole fleet of
Siycrewed ships if they persist
in trying to pushus around!
S Jtoiiit Cde
office people, from the neighbor
hood drop into the SUP's restau
rant, which is quite a place.
After seeing the different fire
traps around the« country that
have been serving as Halls for
our organizations, something like
this changes your Whole attitude
about shipping out.
A couple of fellows and 1
walked around in the building
and to our amazement there ap
peared a beautiful gymnasium,
with a basketball court, punch
ing bags, boxing ring, etc., all
the athletic equipment you would
want.
After an hour's workout on
the punching bag and the bas
ketball court, we were beat.
Tired and sweaty, someone sug
gested that we take a shower.
We rented a towel and soap for
a dime and then we got the
surprise of all. Adjoining the
shower is a big, fine steam bath
the end of a perfect day's
workout.
Guess that's all, except that
we are sUre losing one of the
best agents in the person of
Jeff Morrison who is going to
the Wilmington Branch from the
Frisco Hall. A grand fellow and
an excellent official.
W. R. Flaherty
San Francisco
To the Editor:
When Seafarers. _cannot eat
their food without fear of inter
ference by diseasecarrying in
sects, in other words, flies, it is
time to let the world know about
the situation.
To people ashore, such a sit
uation would offer no problem.
They would go somewhere else
to eat or call the Health Depart
ment. But somehow they would
get satisfaction.
Aboard ship Seafarers have no
such choice. They must eat in
the crew messhall the food the
cooks prepare and they must
place their confidence in the
ability of the Stewards Depart
ment to see that the food is pre
pared and protected in the in
terest of all concerned. Also, the
crew must rely upon the Stew
ards Department to keep the
messhall reasonably free from
insects.
The problem of keeping flies
and other insects from making
power dives into the soup pot in
the galley and from making
passes at the food when it is on
a plate in front of a poor victim
ized Seafarer, who valiantly tries
to fight them off with one hand
while hurrying his food down
his throat with the other.
SURRENDERS
This has been thfe subject of
much discussion aboard this
ship, ̂ although it is difficult to
understand why flies should be
much of a problem to a Stew
ard who claims decades of sea
time under his belt, when really
all he has to do is make full use
of screens and bugjuice supplied
by the company as per contract.
The Steward aboard this ship
has fallen far short of combat'
ting this potential threat. A few;
futile attempts of spraying is
all he has been ablt to manage,
the rest of the time he throws
up his hands in despair and ex
claims: "What can 1 do?" '
The moral of the story: It is'
the Steward's moral duty to see
that the ship's crew . is amply,
protected against all dangers.
where the, food is concerned. It.
he is unable to do this, he does.
not belong upon a ship where"
the health and welfare of the
crew rests upon his shoulders. .
In conclusion, it is his, and only'
his, direct responsibility. ./
J. Lawriizen
SS Monroe
Pay It Now!
Some members have evi
dently overlooked payment
of the 1949 General Fund
Assessment, and consequent
ly are not in good standing.
Now is the time to pay this
Assessment, so that all can
be eligible to v< in the
forthcoming elections for
A&G offices.
Log'A 'Rhythms
ODE TO A GANGWAY
By JACK (Sinbad) DEVERS
•
Oh iron and steel that takes such form,
If you but only knew
The mirth and strife that walks in life,
And passes over you.
If you but knew the schemes and dreams,
That men would will to do.
And all the plots in human pots.
That pass over you.
If you but knew the hearts of men.
And the minds of these, I say
What a wondrous tale you could unfold
—The drama of our day.
You'd be the.sage and quite the rage
In the circle of those who know
But it's no use, for I deduce
It's ignorance you show.
For you are but a gangway plank,
A thing of iron and steel,
And quite content your purpose bent' .
To serve both toe and heel.
Asks For Remedy
Of Log Shortage
In Canal Zone
To the Editor:
I've been riding Ore ships for
over a year and the SEAFAR
ERS LOG was brought aboard'
every trip at the Panama CanaL
This time 1 went out on a Calmar
ship and when we went through
the canal 1 expected to see the
LOG come aboard as usual. We
stopped off at Colon over night
and mail was brought to the ship
but no LOGS.
A delegation of crewmembers
made all the ginmills up and
down the main drag of Colon
and asked at several places for
the LOG, but no luck. We final
ly settled at the Hollywood Cafe,
PO Box 376.
We suggest that you keep the
Hollywood Cafe supplied with
LOGS. 1 didn't speak with the
manager, but 1 am sure it would
be okay if you sent him a letter
giving the score.
On another matter I'd like to
suggest that you give the dates
of letters received from the
Branch Agents giving the ship,
ping conditions. For instance, an
Agent may write shipping has
been slow but expects a boom
in a week or ten days, but by
the time we read it in the LOG
we don't know whether the let
ter is one, two or three weeks;
old. ^
C. O. Stroud
i\
Congrats^ Brother
October 13 marks ifie first
wedding anniversary of Sea
farer Otis John Canada (above)
and Mrs. Canada. With Bro
ther Canada far from homo
aboard the SS Lynn Victory
on the high seas, the celebra
tion will have to wait. Mean
while, his many Union ftiendo
wish the happilymarried
couple continued* happiness.
^ y'" '
Pag* Tea THE S E A:F AREJ^S LO G
i—r*. ,i,Mn
i
For Fight
To &e Editor:
We of the SS Hastings think
that the membership will be in
terested in the letter this crew
sent to Senator Magnuson and
his reply to us.
September 19, 1950
The Hon. Warren Magnuson
United States Senate
Washington, B.C. •
Bear Sir:
"We, the undersigned, being
members of the crew of the
^eamship Hastings, employees
of Waterman Steamship Com
pany and bonafide seamen of the
Seafarers International Union,
A. F. • of L., do hereby wish it
to be known that we are unani
mous in approval of your fight
agdinst the sotailed ""Gray He
port" We heartily commend you
for being the U.S. Merchant Ma
rines' most ardent supporter and
able legklator.
We wish it to he known to the
U.S. Senate, State Department,
the E.C.A. and to any other
branch of the government who
<daim to be proponents of this
above mentioned report that
they are jeopardizing our liveli
hood and that we disapprove of
£my such move whereby foreign
sh^ can sail coastwise and en
gage in intercoastal shipping.
Such a plan would be disastrous
and would definitely scuttle what
is left of our dwindling Merchant
Marine.
ABLE ADVOCATE
If the people who claim to he
Americans and would even take
the time to. draft such a plan
and expect the merchant sea
men of the United States to sit
idly by while such a plan was
forthcoming, we consider these
characters very naive. We are
very thankful to have an able
and outspoken, advocate such as
you, who is at all times looking
out for the interest of the Mer
chant Marine. May you continue
this fine service so that not only
we as seamen may be employed
in oiu: gainful occupation, but
also the service you render so
ably to people who are remotely
connected with the Maritime In
dustry.
This vessel is at present ply
ing the intercoastal trade, serving
many cities and towns in your
great state of Washington. We
hope to continue to sail these
ships in waters adjacent to the
United States and we will fight,
.if necessary, to stdp foreign ship
ping from taking away such es
sential trade routes. These for
eign ships have all but taken the
entire world wide trade routes
now with their substandard
wages and conditions, operating
ships built with money supplied
with the American taxpayers
money.
We sincerely hope that there
are still a few friends in the
Senate afld the House who will
help defeat such legislation and
make it possible for us to have
a strong and efificient Merchant
Marine operated under the free
enterprise system and manned by
freedom loving sailors of this
great coimtry.
There are people who cry
about the subsidies paid to
steamship operators on certain
trade routes, but we don't hear
them mention a word of protest
about the airlines who receive
approximately seven times Uie
amount in differential subsidies.
We have read of Such a repwt
on data revealed to the House
Interstate and Foreign Com
merce Committee, which showed
that airlines received $15,900,000
annual subsidy through domestic
mail contracts, compared with a
$2,000,000 net" annual operating
subsidy paid to the shipping
lines. Tet there are pepple who
wish to kiH what is left of
once great llerehutt Fleet and
turn all the U.S. Merchant Mar
ine to fonriga governments. WOi
fedi sure Uiat you will 'Oils
"rape" of ^ Americnn Mari
time hMhishy.
Hoipint that yoU' will li»ve
maaqr taare yema as a
and ifliiifl vw veBudn,
youft,
taww of « HMHain
September tfi, X6I»
Mr, S. B. HeAukor
&.&
Waterman Steamship Corp.
19 Hector St.
New York 6, N, Y.
Dear Mr. McAul^;
Your letter of September 19»
signed jointly with other mem
bers of your crew, arrived just
as I Was ready to leave for my
home State. As you ..probstely
know, I am up lor reelection
and I want to spend as mudi
time as I can out there.
In any events I want you to
know that I deeply appreciate
your letter and^ I am reelect
ed—you may be sure I Shall con
tinue my best efforts for the
US Merchant Marine.
Kindest regards.
Sincerely,
Warren G. Magnuson,
United Sfitet senate
DM'ttiteAIISg!
What iMppm 10 SMfisMsa
white taking Jka ships ta the
tar Omg fNMli of tee world
in
tee see nki^
yenre* knd an
en yev trip tead
n Btrie out of tee es
it'with feur
ililew Seeletaii thsough the
pagw of the SEAFABBflS
liOC.
You don't have to bo e
Jade London to knock Out the
detdls of tho oxpoitenee,^
Just fdvo us tho facts and
woU do fho rost.
Pieiiiroa, looaaako a dory
wdW iatafiieiiiig. If yon, or
« IdBew erownomher, aie
lucky enough to have a
eiinera eleng' — send your
snapshots to tho LOG. Well
tdfea ease of the develcqdng
and printing and the return*
ing the neg^vn and
prints to you.
Send your Mis of news and
snaps to: SEAFARERS LOG.
51 Boaver Slradi. New York,
K. Y.
*T" I
Here's Th^ Lowdown On SS Fairport
Sees Snafu Ahead
In Drafting Of
Seamen
1^^
IIm-
l^'V'
|Fo tee Editor:
JSoon all young and experienc
ed seamen between the ages of
19 and 26 will be in the armed
services if deferments aren't
0ven. I am not only speaking
for myself by aU young Brote
efrs who are in the same situa
tion.
&amen played an important
part in the last war and will
again if another world war
. comes. Why draft seamen and
then later start maritime train
ing schools to train new men
: for our jobs, while even more
money is spent to train us for
.the armed forces?
J am writing this letter to the
Hall urging you to push things
in Washington for a policy of
deferment for seamen before it
is . too late.
Robert B. Hanney
To tee Edilert
Once again, please allow us to
send greetings to all our Union
officials and Brothers in the SIU.
The "Queen Of The Grits And
Gravy Fleet" made a very nice
voyage to and from Europe, even
though a few of the Casan'ovas
from South of the MasohDixon
Line seemed to have fallen in
love.
In fact one of our Brothers has
inforined us that a very beauti
ful Mamselle he had the pleas
lure of meeting will be the next
Miss La France, and that imme
diately upon her winning the
title, that he will be her press
agent in the USA.
Brother Editor, that is real nice
work if you can get the position.
The Brother has asked us to
keep his name on ,the Q'E ./or
awhile, as he has quife a! fe^
gals in the good
Eddie (Frenchy) the
crawfish chaser from the Bayou
State, has requested that I in
form his friends in the SIU that
he has finally decided to buy that
little drug store in Antwerp, Bel
gium.
What is worrying his friends
on board and ashore is: Is he go
ing to borrow thq ^ough from
the Reconstruction "J^nance Com
mittee or get it under the Mar
shall Plan. Irresp^tive, Frenchy,
if you are really,ijhcere in your
endeavors, we darned sure wish
you luck in yoiu; new vocation.
Carl Davy ..^nes, the well
known Alabama Lothario, has
finally decided., to haVe his curly
locks shorn. His excuses are that
perhaps then the femmes will
leave him alone, and that when
they met another guy by the
name of David C. Jones, who is
also on this vessel, they wiH not
confuse them, as he, emphatioalr
ly states ̂;hat ae is a young fel
low, and that the other Jones
has passed his prime.
Just imagine, Brother Editor:
Two guys on the same rustpot
with the name of Davy Jones,
and neither one of tlKm will
claim Davy Jones' Locker. Raus
mit *em,
A grand surprise was handed
to yours truly when we hit Jack
sonville, Florida. We found out
that 65 percent oi the crew was
from Florida. There were quite a
few peojde that came down to
the dock to visit the native Flori
dians, and some of them were
on horses (bareback is right)
some were in buggies,' and one
elderly couple came to the ship
in an old brassradiator Model T
Ford.
Can you imagine that many
Florida guys being on a Grits
and Gravy tub? There were also
30 percent from Alabama, 4%
percent . from Mississipiri and
Louisiana and one Brother from
fhe State of PennSylVahia. "Boy,
flowdy," I'll bet the old Civil
War Was not evm remotely dis
cussed by the Pehhsylvanian.
The following Brothers desire
to send their regards to all: T. B.
(Bull) Lash, former heai^weight
wrestling dhampion ° of Florida;
A. (Bremen Boy) Glassner, retir
ed bartender; Thad (HalfPint)
De Loach, who Ites a BS Degree
from the Ui Of Ga.^nd when I
say BS, I do ineah Bachelor of
Science, and he can also throw
the other around somewhat, too;
Luke (Coffee Time) LuCas from
the Everglades^ Brother (Two
Ton) Schlager, the Pennsy Tor
nado; Wild Bfll Stone, who may
be a benedict sopn — It's later
than you /hink, Billie Boy; Sim
on (Bicycle) De Zee, Who has fin
ally been granted his full citizen
ship papers as an American —
Congratulations, Dutch, and €
know that you wiH Jje a real one
just as you are a good SIU man;
Frank (Cribbage) Hagin; Pappy
Louis; B. (Mobile Bound) Saxon;
Curly Davenport; Pork Sausage
Morgan; Alfred (Philly Fan) Fer
nandez; George (The Squatter)'
May; Billie (I^m drafted, too)
Smith; Call it YBLLY Gordon,
the cautious Scandinavian; and
A1 Aplin, the former dancing in
structor and athletic teacher in
Junior High Schools in Alabama
and Mississippi, but who is
known from Coast to Coast the
present time as the "Prevaricat
ing Brooder." Boy, you can tell
them, but the idea is: Tho proof
is in tee pudding.
We expect to have a pretty
good end also a fair payoff, as
far as the beefs are concerned,
and I am informed by the ma
jority of those on board that we
will not forget our spokesman,
the SEAFARERS LOG.
Carl or rather Clyde Kreiss,
the NC & Baker who never for
gets to bake a cake for a Broth
er on his birthday, has finally
decided that he cannot do him
self justice as he was born in
the Leap Year. All over Europe,
they calT him king. We often
wonder whether he comes from
royalty or is King of the Royal
Moxmted. He refuses to answer
our many qireries in re: same.
Johnny (6 straight up for break
fast) has developed a bad tooth,
and he' states that the carbohy
drates and protein in one egg are
not enough to fill a hollow tooth,
pnd so he wants six. You can
have six and as many more as
you can eat on any SIU • ship,
Johnny.
Must bring this to an abrupt
ending, and once again, a genu
ine hello to all the officials and
Brothers in the Seafarers Inter
national Union of North America,
which is and always will be the
best maritime union in the uni
verse.
Paul Morris
SS Fairport
P.Si The famous Tony Llanos,
tee Troubadour from the Land
of hot, hot sunteine known as
Cuba has gotten hims^ a beard
and moustache, and now claims
that he can run for Presidente
of Cooba. Happy landing, Tomo.
The following suggestions for A
standard routine for the stew^
ards department was drawn
by members of the SIU to ful
fill what they' considered a great
need. We knbw that it will pro
vide a welcome guide for' many,"
bnt it must be pointed out that
titMe are only suggestions and
no official standing within
tee Union. Another installment
will Appear in an early issue.
The S t e w a r d.s Department
works as a unit. The regultff
routine shall be carried out with
in the seheduled working hours
as specified, and it shall be the
duty of the Stewards Department
to organize their work so that
it is accomplished within their
eight (8) hours' per day as Sched
uled in the agreement.
. RoUliiie duties of the BtewardO
Department teall be to prepare
and serve meals, cleaning and ,
maintaining of the licensed per'
sonnel quarters, including the
radio officer, purser and passen
gers, all dining rooms, mess ^
rooms, washrooms, galley and .
pantry. Unless otherwise sped >
fled in the agreement, no over
time applies to tlie above rou
tine work.
The following duties of each
member of the Stewards Depart
ment as outliiied has been and
is favorably workable since the
• present manning scale has been*
adopted.
STEWARD
The regular duties of the
Steward shall be to supervise'
all work in. tee Stewards De,
partment. He is responsible for'
receiving and issuance of all
Steward's stores, inspection of
work, inreparing requisitions,'
taking inventory of stock, auth
orizing, checking and typing 0V
ertime, issuance, of linen and
sdaps to the crew on days desig ̂
hated with the help of the Stew '
ards Utility, counting and bag*
girtg hnen. ' ,
He shall prepare all menus".]
with the assistance of the Chief'
Cook. He shaU see that the quar
ters are cleaned properly, that
meals are served on time, au ;
thorize the cleaning of all re '
frigerated Storage boxes. He shdl,
assist in pinch hitting (at ovter*^
time rate) where there is a,
shortage of help.
CHIEF COOK
The Chief Cook is ih chargA
of the gaRey. He shall do Sill
butchering, cook roasts, soupSj'
gravies and Sauces, direct serV»;
ices and preparation of night'^
lunches. He shall .work underf
the supervision Of the Stewatd
and shall receive stores wheS
necessary. .
. SECOND doOK
The Second Cook shall wofk
under the direction of the Chief
Cook. He is responsible for the
cooking and the serving of meals.
THim> COOK
The .Third Cook shall prepare
all fresh vegetables for cooking,
keep a sufficient amount of
onions and carrots, etc., on hand
and work under the direction of
the Chief Cook.
When no Galley Utility is car
ried he shall perform the ordi
nary routine work of the Galley
Utility incidental to tbe duties
of the (Galley.
f^dar* 0^OIM» 13, «t8S0 fBE S^Af AREnS LOG Page Eleven "1^
, GALVESTON — Chtfirmani
OCeilh Alsop, 7311} Recording
"Secretary/ R. Wilburn, 37739;
iReading Clerk, C. M. Tannehill,
,25922.
Motions carried to accept min Boston.
Shii^g frm Sept 20 To Oct 4
PORT
©ranches as read, except for mo Philadelphia..
*tion to nonconciir with Philly
Tlew Business on reinstatement.
Secretary Treasurer's financial
report and Headquarters report
the membership read and con
curred in. Port Agent reported
^that shipping in this area has
been holding its own. Motion
carried to adjourn at 7:55 PM.
4 ft 4
NEW ORLEANS ~ Chairman,
Leroy Clarke, 23062: Recording
Secretary, Herman Troxclair,
6743; Reading Clerk. 76.
Motion carried to extend Tegu
lar order of business to elect
committees to handle requests
for shipping card extensions. Mo
\ Tion carried to accept commit
tees' recommendations. Minutes
j of other Branch meetingsread
I and approved. Motion carried to
j concur in SecretaryTreasurer's
i ^ancial report and Headquar.
i Iters report to the membership.
; Port Agent said that business af
ifairs of the port were in good
shape, but that shipping had de
clined and the outlook not too
good for the next two weeks, at
least. He discussed the new pact
• negotiated with the Cities Serv
ice Oil Company and the Sen
ate hearings in connection with
the Union's fight to organize and
»ibtain an agreement with the
Baltimore..
Norfolk ......:
Savannah.........l.........„....
Tampa..... .....
Mobile.. ^....
New Orleans £...
Galveston
West Coast ....
GRAND TOTAL..
REG. REG. REG. TOTAL SHIPPED SHIPPED SHIPPED TOTAL
DECK ENG. STWDS. REG. DECK ENG. STWDS. SHIPPED
12 20 *27 59 12 16 10 38
121 97 112 330 94 67 100 261
6 6 5 • 17 22 • 17 12 51
82 • 97 '77 256 97 69 56 222
20 13 4 37 17 9 8 34
15 8 5 28 1 1
18 12 10 40 11 9 10 ; • 30
44 32 43 119 25 27 22 i, > 74
58 47 72 177 54 42 76 172
40 43 ' 29 112 30 33 27 90
>2 . 38 '44 134 38 41 .32 111
468 ¥3 428 1,309 400 331 353 1,084
company. Communications and
committee reports were read and
accepted. James L. Stogaits took
the Union Oath of Obligation
Under New Business, motions
carried that anyone seeking ex
tension of shipping card must
do so at regular meeting and
then be referred to an elected
committee, whose recommenda
tions • will be final. Meeting ad
journed at 8:45 PM, with 335
members present.
ft ft ft
SAN FRANCISCO—Chairman,
H. Fischer,. 59; Recording Secre,
tary, J. A. Ziereis, 4125; .Reading;
Clerk, M. Burnsline, 2257.
• Motions carried to accept min
utes of other Branch meetings as
read. Agent reported on shipping;
prospects for the next two
weeks, stating that three prob
able payoffs and 12 intransit
ships were due in port in the
next couple of Weeks. He inl
formed members that Headquar:
HERBERT H. KREUTZ
• fGet in touch with Jacob Rass
aier, 220 Broadway, New York
• City—your case is coming up.
.ior trial soon.
ft ft ft
ROBERT CONWAY
Henry Lipton, of the Manhat
tan Casualty Company, 1775
Broadway, New York City, wants
to hear from you.
ft ft ft
RAYMOND PERRY
Your wife asks that you write
"her at Dorchester^ Massachusetts.
• . ft ft ft
GEORGE LITCHFIELD TORRES
Get in touch with Mrs. Rafaela
Litchfield, 2104A Cicero Avenue,
Castle Hill Houses, Bronx~ 61,
New York City.
ft ft ft
LOUIS W. PEPPER
Get in touch with your wife.
Route 3, Box 332, Tampa, Florida.
ft ft ft
STANLEY G. COOPER
Write yoiur wife, 1576 Cru
sudo Lane, Romona Gardens
Housing Project, Los Angeles,
California.
ft .ft 4
ORLIE PRICE
.Please get in touch at " bnce
with Annette, 454% Chelsea
Street) Jacksonville, Florida;
phone: 425^5. It i6 important.
W. G. SATTERFIELD
Please send your .address to
• K, Thomas, Box .'2045, 25 South
Street, New York City.
ft ft ft
BENJAMIN F. BOND, JR.
Write or cable your draft board
as to your whereabouts.
ft ft ft
JOHN MORTON
Please call Harold Howell,
52 North Broad Street, Mobile,
Alabama, by October 24, 1950
or before. "Very important.
Phone: 28497.
ft ft ft
MARSHALL DODGE
Communicate with Frederick
R. Graves, 220 Broadway, New
York City. Your case is about
to come up.
ters had presented a demand^o
'the shipowners for a wage in
crease. He wound up his report
by 'telling members of the drive
being made by the Apostleship
of the Sea dub in Frisco. Mo
tions carried to concur in Head
quarters report as read, and to
accept SecretaryTreasurer's fin
ancial report. 'Medting adjourned
at 7:40 PM with 180 members
present.
ft ft ft
TAMPA^Cliairman, H. Ellis,
16; Recording SecrelaTy, R.
White, 57; Reading Clerk, R. H.
Hall. 26060.
Minutes of previous meetings
in all ports read and approved.
Motion carried to accept and
concur in Auditing Committee's
report. Agent jiiscussed shipping.
Secretary Treasurer's financial
report read and accepted. Motion
carried to concur in Headquar
ters Teport as read. Discussion
under :good and welfare touched
on B^eral matters of Union in
terest. Fortyone . members pres
ent when meeting adjourned.
ROSTOK^aiSb^an. B. Law Present.
Treasurer discussed the contract
signed with th^ Cities Service:
Oil Company and the Senate
hearing which,...* verified the
charges repeatedly made by the
SIU in connection with the com
pany's antiimibh espionage, use
of crimps ai^ of other tanker
companies' hiring facilities to
beat the SIU down—all ̂ of which
failed. He ady^ed members not
to voluntarily surrender their
present seamOn's papers for the
new "specmliSr validated mer
chant mariner's documents" be
ing offered by the Coast Guard
because the Union is suspicious
of the motives and the use to
which this obvious screening at
tempt may be put. He said there
was no argument with the CG
over the waterfront security pro
gram, but that the Utjion would
not sanction any" "ihove that
might unjusfif&bly endanger the
right of its members to make a
living. Motion carried to concur
in Headquarters report. Meeting
adjourned at 7:45'with 953 mem
SS TIN!
Crewmembers who paid off in
Baltimore, September 28, 1950,
can collect three days' launch
service by writing Jolm M. Car
ras Inc., 24 State Street, New
York City.'
• Mm, '684; Recording Secretary,
R. Lee, '47658; Reacdng Clerk,
R. Mmrphy, 39427.
Minutes of all Branch meet
ngs read and approved. Motions;
carried to concm in Headquar
tertf report to the membership
and SecretaryTreasurer's finan
cial report. Port Agent told of
shipping conditions in this port,
and of the Job prospects for the
coming two weeks. Meeting ad
ourned at 7:30 PM with 80
menibers present.
ft ft ft
NEW YORK — Chairman, A.
Michelet, 21184: Recording Sec
retary. Freddie Stewart, 4935;
Reading Clerk, AI Kerr, 29314.
Previous meetings' minutes of
all Branches read and approved.
Motions carried to concur in
SecretaryTreasurer's. financial
report. Port Agent said that past
two weeks had given port fair
sliipping, with 12 payoffs and
six sign 'IS. He reminded ship
board Delegates that effort
should be made to settle minor
beefs before calling Hall for Pa
trolmen, whose time is limited
and territory large. He advised
all hands to take very good care
of their seamen's papers, for if
they are lost the Coast Guard
will replace them with the new
type temporary certificat6s,
which the Union opposes. In
Headquarters report, Secretary
ft ft X
PHILADELPHIA — Chairman,
A. S. CaidiUlo, 24559; Recording
Secretary, W. J. Reidy. 6734;
Reading ' Clerk, J, Manfredi,
34011.
Minutes of Headquarters meet
ing read and accepted. Secre
taryTreasurer's report was read
and concurred in. Minutes of
other Branches having meetings
were read.~and accepted. Agent
reported on state of shipping in
port and prospects for following
weeks. Dispatcher reported on
number of men registered and
shipped. "CoiihlrfiShications asking
excuses from meeting were' re
ferred to Dispatcher. Under Good
and Welfare themembership dis
cussed the "effect upon the Un
ion of thosq^ few who continue
to foul up on ships. Meeting was
adjourned 175 members
present.
ft' ft ft
NORFOLK — Chairman, Ben
Rees, 95; Recording Secretary, J.
A. Bullock, 4747; Reading Clerk,
Glen Lawson, 39580.
Motions carried to concur in
minutes of other Branches as
read. Minutes of special meeting
called on Oct. 3 to act on tele
gram from SecretaryTreasurer
Paul Hall in connection with de
mand for 10 percent wage in
crease were read. Motion car
ried to concur in special meet
ing's approval of the move.
Headquarters report to the mem
bership and Secretary Treasur
er's financial report read and ap
proved. Committee elected to in
spect repairs made in heating
plant gave its report, which was
accepted and concurred in. Com
mittee members were W. J.,
Meehand, G. C. Lawson and
Blanco Williams. Meeting ad
journed at 7:40 PM.
ft ft ft
SAVANNAH — Chairman. C.
Thompson, 50988; Recording Sec
retary. E. B. Tilley, 75; Reading
Clerk. C. Lee. 154.
Motions carried to concur in
Secretary Treasurer's financial'
report and Headquarters report
to the membership as read. Min
utes of previous meetings in " all
Branches read and approved.
Port Agent reported that ship
ping in this port was practically
at a standstill during the part
twoweek period. Charges were
read and Trial Committee elect
ed: H. E. Bountree, B. R. Kitch .
sen, T. Constantin, C. H. Moss,
W. J. Conners, E. L. Baker. Mo
tion carried to accept Trial Com
mittee's report. Under Good and
Welfare there was extensive dis
cussion on shipping and run
jobs. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 :
PM, with 46 members present.
ft ft ft
MOBILE—Chairman. J. Cax
roU. 14; Recording Secretary. O.
Stevens. 115; Reading Clerk,
Louis Neira, 26393.
Motions carried to concur in
Headquarters and Secretary
Treasurer's financial reports as
read. Minutes of previous meet
ings in all Branches read and '
approved. Agent reported on the'
prospects for the coming two
weeks, listing the scheduled ar
rivals. Two vessels are due to
crew up by October 14. The
Agent informed the membership
that the Union had presented
demands for a 10 percent wage
increase to the operators. He said
iivM private operators now have
priority over the Navy in ship
ping cargo and hoped this would
induce companies to add more
ships to their fleets. He remind
ed all hands that October 15 is
the deadline for filing qualifica
tions of those who intend to run
for office in this year's Union
elections; Meeting adjourned at
7:40 PM, with 250 members pres
ent.
ft ft ft 7
BALTIMORE — Chairman/
Leon Johnson, 108; Recording^
Secretary, G. A. Masterson/
20297; Reading Clerk. Al Strms
bury. 4683.
Minutes of other Branch meet
ings read and accepted. Motions
carried to concur in Secretary
Treasurer's financial report and'
Headquarters report to the mem
bership as read. Excuses were
referred to the Dispatcher. Ag
ent reported that shipping hai" „
been slow in this port, and that
from present indications it would •
remain that way for quite
awhile. Motion carried to accept"
Hospital Committee's report.'
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM
with 388 members in attendance.
Page Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG Friday. October 13. 1950
Labor Spy Racket Comes Alive Under T^H
J >•
jr.
By IRVING PAGAN and
CUSHMAN REYNOLDS
(The following story on the
zecent senate investigation of
Cities Service antilabor activit
ies was sent out to the country's
leading labor papers by Labor
Press Association, a news associ
ation cooperatively owned by
trade unions.)
WASHINGTON (LPA) — You
generally think of maritime as
TOO percent organized by unions
that stand for no nonsense.
It's true enough that the sea
men's unions don't take much
nonsense from anybody. How
ever, there is one big corner of
maritime in which unionism is
still resisted bitterly. That's the
oil tanker business which is or
ganized in rather spotty fashion.
In fact, the unorganized tank
er outfits will do most anything
to keep the unions out. They'll
resort to' private detectives, the
rankest kind of company unions
and even that most despicable
trick of all, labor espionage.
FINKHERDERS
Oldtimers in all the unions re
member the labor spies.. They re
member the Pearl Bergoffs and
"Chowderhead" Cohens and
others before them. The young
sters in today's trade union ranks
don't know much about labor es
pionage, perhaps. But young
sters and oldtimers alike should
mark the story of the Seafarers
International UnionAFL and
the Cities Service Oil Co. It's a
story of espionage, company un
ion and all the rest to make
some of the oldtime stories seem
tame by comparison.
The story has been aired twice:
once before the National Labor
Relations Board and more re
cently before the Senate Sub
committee bn LaborManagement
Relations. The commercial press
didn't pay much attention. Ex
cept for garbled versions on the
maritime page of the New York
Times, the story was hardly used
at all. Nevertheless, Paul Hall,
secretarytreasurer of the SlU's
Atlantic & Gulf District and first
vicepresident of the Internation
al, held spectators spellbound as
he unfolded his story at a Sen
ate hearing Sept. 25.
UNPRECEDENTED
Cities Service operates 16 tank
ers with unlicensed crews total
ing about 470 men. Hall said. Yet,
in four years while the union
was organized the Cities Serv
ice seamen approximately 5,000
, men held those few jobs. Hall
disclosed. At one time, a large
portion of the 470 were company
stooges whose principal assign
ment was not to sail the ships
but to kill SlU sentiment. Said
Hall; "In this fleet, we ran into
«)me of the foulest and dirtiest
pool playing we've ever seen —
and sailors get to see a lot of
that."
The SlU finally got a contract
with Cities Service just the other
day—^just before the hearing, in
fact. But before that, Seafarer
organizers had to lick a com
pany—union labor espionage set
up that looked very much as if
an entire segment of the tanker
business was in a concerted plot
to beat the unions off. Some of
the names are worth remember
ing, since you might hear them
again some day. >
William Potter Lage ran the
flhow. He was the Cities Service
attorney in New York. Others
with him were the following:
David Furman, M. J. Adkins and
attorneys James I. Dugan" and
Albert F. Strasburger. The two
known labor spies were Law
rence J. Hennessey and John
Basciano.
The story began in the sum
mer of 1948 when the SlU had
won a first NLRB election with
a whopping 83 percent majority
and was about to win a second
with 89 percent. Dugan, an ex
Coast Guard officer, hired Bas
ciano and Hennessey to ride
Cities Service ships and report
on SlU activities. Basciano is
described as a former Coeist
Guard operative. Hennessey is
an aging waterfront jcharacter
who likes to Ccdl himself a writ
er and an expert on the Com
rnies—and who is a little the
worse for rum. Hennessey had
visited SlU headquarters and
actually sailed as a volunteer
organizer.
About the time Dugan was hir
ing spies, Lage was establishing
the Cities Service Tankemfen's
Association (CTMA), a company
union which was to be used to
stall off the SIU.
Furman, an old company union
seantan for Standard Oil, was
picked to* run CTMA on the
ships. Collims introduced Furman
to Strasburger who became
CTMA's legal representative
with an office in Linden, N. J.
Adkins is the company's marine
superintendent. The trick was
to get rid of the SIU, whose
men coimlered by joining CTMA
with straight faces. As a matter
of facti it was the only ,way
they could hold their jobs.
Meanwhile, Citie^ Service hir
e's a private detective who stood
outside the company's New York
office and "fingered" SIU men
applying for jobs. (Suspicious
Cities Service also had the de
tective following company of
ficials, including the assistant
personnel manager who later
told the union all he knew.) In
New York, the company hired
seamen at its own office instead
of through union hiring halls.
But sometimes it hired through
waterfront "crimps" like John
the Robber at the Rialto Cafe in
Bayonne, N.J., or Ray Rodriguez
at the Red Lantern Cafe in Bos
ton, who didn't like union men.
It was quite a story Paul Hall
told.
Strange part is that the Cities
Service Oil Co. succeeded in
spending a lot of money for
nothing in return beyond a two
year stall in signing a full un
ion contract. Between his com
panyunionlabor spy racket and
the TaftHartley act, Lage could
dd that much and no more, be
cause he was up against a union
with determined members and)Hartley.
defermined leaders, a union that
stood for no nonsense. But the
story should be marked and re
membered, for in the atmosphere
of TaftHartley the labor spy
has returned, not just to the
waterfront but elsewhere.
To East Hartford, Conn., for
instance, and to Denver, Colo,
According to a recent NLRB de
cision, a member of the Ameri
can Newspaper GuildCIO spied
on his fellow Guildsmen for hi9
employer, the Denver Post. Hia
reward: a trip to Latin America
to report on communism. More
recently, in East Hartford, Uni
ted Aircraft's Pratt & Whitney
and Hamilton Propeller plants
were caught using spies against
the International Association of
Machinists. Labor spying is a
filthy old racket that died when
the Wagner Act was passed but
came back to life under Taft
Ed Gordon, who paid off the SS John Hanson recently,
advises friend and foe that any and all money found on
you above the amount you drew aboard ship is confiscated
by the gendarmes in the port of Fiume (Ryeka), Yugosla
via. So, if you sell those Bowery suits, don't take all your
dough ashore at onp time . . . Ray Cresiski says "hello
(and help) to former shipmates and friends, while he learns
how to say "Yes, sir" at the Navy boot camp in Newport,
R.I.
The Union Constitution provides for retirement of
books. If you are leaving the sea for some period of time,
voluntarily or otherwise, 'draftcall or wifecall, be sure to
retire your book. You'd be surprised at the number of
former members this Union has because they neglected to
take that simple step to protect their future ... I received
a c5py of a magazine published by a shipyard down south
for its employees, titled "Fore & Aft." This is to inform
youall that the title for this column was stolen from a
column which formerly appeared in the SEAFARERS
LOG, written by John Bunker—who now earns his living
writing for the "Christian Science Monitor." If I'm not
careful I'll wind up the same way.
Donald (Tiny) Mease, catching a few quick ones while
his yacht was in port, started to make like Bing Crosby.
Some stranger came over, according to Tiny, and asked
him not to sing a certain song, which Tiny says he didn't
know in the first place. We ran into this stranger yester
day and he tells us that what he really told Tiny was,
"Don't sing, for the love of Pete."
Is New York shipping good? We don't know, but there
should be no squawks from the men on the beach. Here's
why—On October 9, in the Black Gang, the Dispatcher
sent men to job who had registered on October 6 and 7,
and two men who registered oh the 9th. In the Stewards
department two men registered on October 6, one man
registered the 7 and another registered on October 9—
and all were shipped on October 9. Two white cards were
shipped into the Cities Service fleet on Sunday as pier
head jumps—^no members around to take the jobs.
This brings to mind the Union's rule that says you
must give twentyfour hours' notice when leaving a ship.
This rule was passed by the membership and is to be lived
up to. If you break this or other Union rules you will also
answer to the membership. Last minute piling off makes
it hard, if not impossible, to replace men and either causes
ships to sail shorthaiided or delays them while a replace
ment is found. Another cause of pierhead jumps are men
rnissing ships. If you are not aware of it, there is a fifty
dollar fine for such action—and if you believe that this rule
isn't enforced, try missing a ship some time ... In the port
of New York, the Union Hall is open seven days a week
mitil ten o'clock at night. Emergency shipping is done
fromJihe third deck, so if you are really trying"to gfet out,
start hanging around nights. There are other pinochle play
ers hanging around to help you pass the time.
A few members have inquired about going to work on
the new building, when the job begins. Sorry, fellows. All
work done in the building shall be done by union men
hired by the contractor who shall see to it that the proper
locals and "craftsmen do the work, so that there shall be
no delay in the work, over jurisdiction, etc. . , . Some sea
men complain that the Coast Guard has told them they
must fill out the forms for the new "approved" seaman's
papers. That is not true. Don't fill out those forms under
any circumstances, until such time as the meiiibership
takes action to change this policy.
When the Royal Oak was due to dock in New York
after the contract with Cities Service was signed, the
ship's delegate sent the following formal message, "Tying
up Linden, 9 AM, yippeee." . . . Informal educational class
es during ship's meetings will , be. held aboard Cities Ser
vice ships to teach those who weren't interested previously
what the Seafarers really stands for. The company through
its puppet union, CTMA, had previously told these men
not to listen to "outside union propaganda," in the hopes
that what the SIU means to seamen would not become
known to these men. It didn't work^ . . . The NLRB has
high hopes of computing the monies due the men fired in
CS for Union activity within the next month. This is for
the first batch of 151 cases. The other cases will be taken
up immediately thereafter.
Back Wages For OS Seanien
The following men have hack wages coming to ihemj
from Cities Service Oil Company and should get in touch j
with the SIU Organizers, 51 Beaver Street, New York, aa]
soon as possihlo:
John "Vierra
Pierre Magras
Norman Early
Boyd Spear
Ted Morris
Donald Van Alstine
Vince Chamblain
Ben Strauss'
John Orenz
George "W; Eberdino
Gilbert Amett . • , j
Roger Hall. ,
Fred Wings '
Joe Peragallo ' • • i
Don Coddington ' ',',"• • • '>1^^'
• Lester^ McHugh
; Joe"Miskinis • ,
'f Paul; CdottiS''
James Monroe . • r
Paul Aubaih
WUliam Goff
Leo Paradise
Howard Hammons
• George .^Murphy.
James F. Welch
Jose Abrew ,
Robert Byrd
Dan Cabiray
Orlando Leon Guerrero .
William E. Kennedy
Ted Linberry
Charles CJarner
Roy Brace
Robert CoWdrey
Toralf Kismul
Wallace Milton ;
William MacDohald • *'
James Moore •
Frank Schihiedel .