Issue Date
1950-08-04
Volume
12
Issue Number
15
Plaintext
Okays Strike
ContiBnes Its StalUng
Official Organ, Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA
VOL. XII NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY. AUGUST 4. 1950 No. 15
Long Thanks SlU For Aid
Those of you who have been reading the min
utes of the New Orleans Branch meetings may have
been struck by the continued appeals to the mem
bership toregister for the elections and for active
help for the SlUsupported candidates. That these
appeals proved effective was shown when, the r^
suits of the jelling were made known. One of the
successful candidates backed by the SIU T^as US
Senator Russell B. Long, who sent the following
telegram to SecretaryTreasurer Paul Hall, in ap
preciation of the aid given him by the Union:
"My sincerest thanks to you and the mem
bers of your organization for the assistance
and support expressed in such a real way in
my campaign. This in large measure made
possible my overwhelming victory. Please as
sure your members I will continue the fight
for the protection and betterment of the sea
" man and his institutions. I shall look forward
to your calling on me personally in Washing
ton for any service I can render. Sincerely,
Russell B. Long"
Skips To Be Seorebed
For Planted ABombs
US Customs officials made
their first' search of an Iron Cur
tain country vessel t^is week
under authority of the recently
passed "Tfojan Ship" measure,
which permits inspection of for
eign flag ships for atomic bombs
or other weapons.
The security" check took place
in Boston aboard the Finnish
ship Sirius. In New York, Cus
toms prepared to examine the
Polish line Batory, due to ar
rive within the next few days.
Meanwhile, Seafarers are urg
ed to apply their own security
measures aboard their ships in
foreign ports.
Vigilance should be maintained
to prevent unauthorized persons
from boarding or otherwise gain
ing access to their vessels. Crew
members noticing unknown per
sons in suspicious circumstances
should immediately report the
matter to their Ship's Delegate.
Maritime Unions Join in Plan
To Prevent Communist Sabotage
The membership of tjie SIU Atlantic and Gulf
District authorized Headquarters to issue a strike
call against the Cities Service Oil Company's Ma
rine Division if negotiations to obtain a full con
tract prove futile.
The strike authorization came at the last reg
ular Headquarters meeting in response to a report
on the status of the contract talks, which have
virtually been stalemated by a renewal of the com
pany's stalling tactics.
Negotiations for a full contract, to be incorpo
rated with the interim agree*
ment signed on March 10, were
WASHINGTON — Representa
tives of the Slli and SUP met
here last week with government
> officials, shipowners and other
waterfront union officials and
adopted a voluntary plan to pre
vent communist sabotage on the
US waterfront during the cur
rent Korean crisis.
Purpose of the plan was to
assure prompt and safe sea
borpe transportation of men and
materials to Korea. Under the
plan, communists and other sub
versives will be weeded out and
barred from sailing. The Coast
Korean War Speeds
European Arms Aid
The SlUmanned Alcoa Puritan
is en rout^ to' Europe 'this yreek
carrying the first arms aid car
go consigned from the Port of
Philadelphia under the mutual
assistance program.
The Alcoa fi^eighter is moving
22 new trucks, to be followed by
subsequent arms shipments, in
cluding tanks and other war ma
teriel, at regular intervals.
The Philadelphia shipment
was taken as evidence that the
Government is speeding up as
sistance to the Atlantic Pact na
tions as a result of the commu
nist aggression in Korea.
Guard will determine whom to
reject for employment on the
vessels, on the basis of informa
tion supplied by other govern
ment agencies.
APPEALS GUARANTEED *
At the insistence of the unions,
rigid protection for appeals
against arbitrary decisions by
the Coast Guard were written
into the plan.
No man is to be classified as
a bad security risk because of
his union activities.
• Despite the guarantees against
discrimination, Paul Hall, Secre
taryTreasurer of the SIU Atlan
tic and Gulf District, said that
any such plan contains inherent
potential dangers to the freedom
of seamen.
"While we endorse the purpose
of the plan—^sweeping the com
mies off the waterfront—our Un
ion recognizes that broad powers
agency can lead to abuses. We,
therefore, intend to be vigilant
against any encroachment upon
the basic rights and freedoms of
our members."
The statement on policy laid
down at the conference, follows:
We, the representatives of
Maritime Labor, and employer
organizations in the maritime in
diistry, in the current crisis
caused by the Communist in
vasion of Southern Korea, here
by declare ourselves bound by
the following policy:
(1) We pledge full cooperation
to the United States Government
in the entire period of the em
ergency.
(2) We recognize that certain
men, because of being known as
Communist Party card carriers,
subversives, or who are notor
ious as consistently carrying out
policies of the Communist Party,
will be classified as bad security
risks by the military or proper
Government authorities.
SHIPS TO MOVE
(3). No ship will be delayed be
cause any such men are re
jected by the United States mili
tary or proper Government au
thorities as a bad seciurity risk.
(4) If such a man is thus re
jected, the Union involved im
mediately will furnish a replace
in the hands of a bureaucratic^ pent. However, the Union or the
employee involved, shall have
the right to appeal the case be
fore a proper review. board, if
it feels .the classification of ahS
individual is improper or incor'
rect.
(5) No man shall be classified
as a bad security risk as a means
of discrimination because of un
ion activity.
(6) In any review board set up
(Continued on Page 12)
resumed after the Cities Service
Oil* Company in effect pleaded
guilty to all unfair labor pracr
tice charges at a National Labor
Relations Board hearinjg in June.
It was at this trial that the com
pany's labor spy system was ex
posed. ^
The company then agreed to
abide by the terms of the
NLRB's Settlement Stipulation,
which included a provision that
R bargain in good faith with the
^U for a contract covering un
licensed personnel aboard its 16
tankers."
On July 21 the United States
Circuit Court of Appeals, Sec
ond District, issued a decree en
forcing the terms of the settle
ment stipulation.
Failure on the part of company
officials to live up to the court
©rder now may be construed as
being in contempt of court. Con
tempt is punishable by fines and
imprisonment or both.
Reports have already been
filed at Union Headquarters of
instances in which terms of the
NLRB settlement order have
been violated by the company,
among them that copies of the
order have not been posted
aboard some CS tankers.
STALLING DETECTED
V7ith indications that CS offi
cials were again seeking to, stall
negotiations, rather than sit down
and work out a standardtype
contract, the SIU began prepara
tions for a strike move, in the
event current discussions pro
duce nothing more than double
talk.
SIU Director of Organization
Lindsey WiUiams, accompanied
by Earl Sheppard,. the Union's
Gulf Coast representative and
New Orleans Port Agent, are
in Lake Charles, Louisiana, con
ferring with local union officials
(Continued on Page 10)
US Ships Idls:
Navy Charters
7 Foreign Ships
The Military Sea Transport
Service, the agency which pro
cures transports for the United
States Government, does not ifi
tend to halt its practice of char
tering foreign flag vessels. Ad
miral William M. Callaghan,
head of the MSTS announced
this week.
This announcement scotched
an earlier re'port that the MSTS
had decided to suspend this
policy.
PAY HIGH RATES !
So far since the start of hos
tilities in Korea, the agency has
ch^tered a total of seven for
eign flag ships. On the East
Coast the MSTS timechartered
a Canadian Liberty for immed
iate delivery in Hampton Roads,
Va., at $1,050 a day, a rate that
a month ago was considered even
high for an American Liberty,
according to maritime observers.
Admiral Callaghan said that
Navy policy has been to spot
charter foreign tonnage when
US ships are not available, and
that no change in this policy
has been made.
Foreign ships will only be
chartered when absolutely need
ed, he added.
With the need for cargo ships
in the present emergency in
creasing daily, plans call for re
activating tonnage from the
mothb^ fleets on a time charter
basis.
If reserve fleet ships are not
available, second call will go to
United States shipping companies
for use of their vessels on time
charters.
Ctmumer i^kes Near New H^h
WASHINGTON — Prices are
higher now than jany time in the
history of this country, except
for the alltime .peak reached in
August and September, 1948, the
Federal Reserve Board told Con
gress this week.
xiie board feared "serious
problems of "gray markets and
spiraling prices."
"Even before the attack by the
communist • North Koreans, on
June 25," the board noted,
"prices were rising and We were
in a potential inflationary situ
ation.
• ''' '
"Because of developments in
the past few weeks, it is imper
ative that steps be taken to re
duce or defer civilian demands
and to lessen inflationary pres
sures."
Prices of 28 basic commodities
advanced 10 percent in one
month after the fighting began,
while the allcommodity index
of wholesale prices rose 4 per
cent, the board reported.
"Consumer prices are now
higher than at any other time,
except for a short period in the
latter part of 1948," the board
said.
Pagp Two T H E S E AF ARE RS LO G Friday, AuguBi C iaSe
SEAFARERS LOG
Published Every Other Week by the
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantic and Gulf District
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnovet 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
Caught Short Again
With well over a thousand ships lying in reserve
fleets in various spots of the nation, and thousands of
skilled American seamen and shipyard workers idle on
the beach, the United States is frantically searching for
foreign ships to transport cargoes in the present emergency.
Only the other day, the Military Sea Transport Serv
ice—the agency which procures maritime transport for
the government—timechartered the seventh foreign flag
ship for the movement of cargoes not only in the Pacific
but for Atlantic service, as well.
True, the MSTS says that it will only resort to for
eignflag ships when US vessels are unavailable, but we're
wopdering what the agency is doing to see that the ships
will be available to meet the nation's needs.
Warnings have been sounded time and again by this
Union, as well as other sections of the maritime industry,
alert Congressmen and organs of public opinion, that
the hasty storing up of ships might prove dangerous. The
learnings were not heeded.
The least we can expect now is that reactivation of
large numbers of mothballed ships will be begun at once
to prevent the danger of any future and costly ship
shortage.
Vigilance Necessary
Last week in Washington, a voluntary plan for keep
ing communists off the US waterfront was adopted by
all sections of the maritime industry—unions and ship
owner^. *
The policy was set up at a meeting called by Secre
,tary of Labor Maurice Tobin because, as he put it, volun
tary agreement was necessary at this time, as there is no
law under^ which enemies of this nation could be kept
from sailing on American ships.
Although the SIU was represented at the meeting
and approved the policy of banning commies from Ameri
can shipping, the, problem has little concern for our
.Union.
Long ago the SIU membership adopted its own policy
on communists—at a time when it was largely unpopular
to do so in many ̂ quarters. As a result it is extremely,
doubtful that there is a single commie within our ranks.
Not only have the commtmists been kept^ clear of
our organization—just a short time back the SIU. swept
these plotters for the Soviet Union off the Canadian wa
terfront, the dividends of which action are just being
fully realized.
Nevertheless, commies are still a factor in other mari
time unions, which accounts for the need for the Wash
ington meeting and the consequent adoption of the plan
to weed out these subversives.
. But it should be made clear that there are certain
aspects of the situation that are not particularly attrae
ive to us. We do not care to see more arbitrary powers over
seamen vested in the Coast Guard or any other government
«gency.
We intend to see to it that, in the process of elim
inating the communists from those sections of the water
frqnt where they still thrive, the essential freedoms of
democraticininded seamen are not laid open to increasing
restrictions.
Our policy toward the communists has been vigorous
and unrelenting. It will continue as such. But so will our
fight to prevent encroaclunent v»h:it we regard as the
fundamental rights of American seamen.
Men Now In The Mmne Hospitals
These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals,
as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging
heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by
writing them.
STATEN ISLAND
P. PRON
H. PRITULAK
W. L. RACKLEY
E. HOSKINS
E. KILLEGREW
J. PILUTIS
S. GORDON
V. THOMASON
J. C. CARVALHO
J. ULAS
W. G. SCHOENBORN
J. J. TOBIN
J. F. ROBERTS
J. D. FARRELL
J. PURCELL
E. BALBOA
C. LOCIGNIO.
J. DE JESUS
W. MEEHAN
F. RUBEK
% S,
BRIGHTON, MASS*
ROBY S. LUFLIN
% % %
ELLIS ISLAND
W. BARGONE
F. KEESLEY
R. STROM
M. COLLINS
W. HUSSON
G. G. GAGE
B. T. KNEW
S,
MANHATTAN BEACH, N.Y.
Q. TULL
J, T. EDWARDS
E. FERRER
V.'CHESNER
M. BRUNO
R. A. BLAKE
J. PADZIK
E. LOPEZ
W.. PADGETT
J. J. DRISCOLL
J. H. ASHURST
A. LOMAS
V. MILAZZO
H. S. TUTTLE
Bill Padcett, SIU delegate at Man.
liattan Beach Hoapitai, can )s9 contact
ed from 34:30 PM every day on tho
second deck^ West Side, Ward L.
S, %
BALTIMORE
J. E. TOWNSEND
G. A. ROSE
T. C. RICKEY
C. L. DAVIS
F. L. PITTMAN
C. A. JOWERS
E. B. MAX
D. K. T. SORENSON
F. VYERVTA
• G. L. WARRINGTON
M. C. GETCHELL *
L. HAUGER
J. R. GNAGNEY, JR.
K. M. BYMASTER
A. GALLEGOS
C. TINGLE
i, . X t
NORFOLK
J. M; SADLER
ft t t
NEW ORLEANS
T). D. KELLY ?
E. FOREMAN, JR.
SAVANNAH
W. J. MORRIS
L. KODURAND
J. B. FULGHAM'
T. C. MUSGROVE
E. SIMS
t
MOBILE
R. KLINE
C. C. MILLER
J. T. BENNETT
^T. E. BURKE
J. A. CLARK
S, % S,
GALVESTON ..
J. GREENHAW
L. L. PHILLIPS
P. G. FOX
G. W. RIDECK
H. E. GRANT
A. P. COPA ' % %•
SAN FRANCISCO
R. L. BOUCHARD
E. G. BROOKSHIRE
Y. DAILAL
J. HODO
LEONARD A. MARSH
J. 'R. LEWIS
E. L. PRITCHARD
W. WATSON
X X' X
FORT STANTON. NJL
C. NEAL
GIDLOW WOODS
A. McGUIGAN
J. LIGHTFOOT
D." MCDONALD
R. A. RATCLIFFE '
P. SMITH
SILVESTER WALKER
X % X
MEMPHIS. TENN.
JOHN B. HEGART^Y
C. D. SHIVELY
J. W. KEENAN
• m
I
1
4.
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Augusi 4.48S0 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Thzee
Labor Demands
Tax On Profits
To End Gouging
WASHINGTON — Organized
labor demanded that Congress
enact an excess profits tax to end
price gouging of consumers.
Following a meeting with
Chairman Stuart M. Symington
Of the National Security Re
sources Board, AFL President
.William Green issued a state
ment on behalf of all Ameri<^an
labor calling for enactment of
an excess profits tax to end spec
ulative price increases resulting
from the Korean war.
"We believe," Mr. Green said,
"that excess profits taxation
should be quickly adopted to
remove the incentive for specula
tive price increases and to re
turn to the government the prof
Its extorted from the public in
these critical days through
wholly unjustified rises in the
price of necessities."
The labor group that has been
meeting with Symington since
the outbreak of the Korean war
declared in a statement that as
representatives of A^^^rican la
bor they were alarmed "at the
sweeping increase in the cost of
living during the past five
weeks."
In calling upon Congress to
enact an excess profits tax, the
labor group pointed out that
"this is a time of equality of
sacrifice by the citizens of our
nation," but that in face of the
price rises laboring people are
sustaining cuts in living stand
ards.
rOLIO PRECAUTIONS
RKOMMENDED Br
THE NATIONAl FGUNOATION FOR INFANTILE PARALYSIS
mhFm
£\: • mw /
mis* 3
DON'T GET OVERTIRED
Union Welfare Fund
in Strong Position,
SiU Trustees Report
When Polio is around, the National Foundation for In
fantile Paralysis recommends these simple^ precautions: Keep
children with their own friends and away from people they
have not 'been with right along. Don't become exhausted
through work or hard play. Don't stay too long in cold water
or sit aroimd in wet clothes. And always wash hands before
eating. Watch for feverishness. sore throat, headache, upset
stomach or sore muscles. They may—or may not—mean polio.
Call your doctor and then, if help is needed contact the Na
tional Foundation Chapter in your area.
NEW YORK — More than 150
members of the Atlantic and
Gulf District have been paid $7
per week hospital benefits, and
four claims for the $500 death
benefit have been received by
the Seafarers Welfare Fund at
the end of three weeks of oper
ation, the Union trustees an
nounced this weekT
The Union trustees also an
nounced that the Fund now
stands near $400,000, having re
ceived employer contributions of
25 cents per day for each man
employed since January 1.
The healthy status of the Fund
has led the Union trustees to
consider opening negotiations to
expand the Fund benefits.
High on the list is the possi
bility of establishing a home for
retired SIU members, a project
which the Union trustees feel is
worthy, inasmuch as the Union
has long been dissatisfied with
the setup at Snug Harbor and
its stringent regulations which
bar a large number of seamen,
including all men who have sail
ed in the Stewards Department.
A sxirvey of costs incident to
operating a large home in the
country will probably be drawn
up in the near future and be
submitted to the joint trustees.
• Speaking for the Union trus
tees, Secretary Treasurer Paul
Hall said: "We were confident
there would be no snags in the
Answers To Typical Questions On War Claims
1. Why haven't I received my
War Claims Check? I sent iii my
claims forms months ago.
Because the War Claims Com
mission does not have enough
^aff to handle the volume o
mail it has received nor enough
claims workers to process the
claims as soon as they are dock
eted.
More than 125,000 completed
blaims forms were received by
the War Claims Commission less
than four months after the
forms were released for distri
bution. They came from every
State, Territory, many foreign
countries and ships at sea. Sev
eral thousand other pieces of
mail also arrived during the
same time, most of it requiring
answers. During that time the
Commission had a total staff of
less than 60 persons to do all
of .its work, some of which in
cluded opening mail, numbering
and acknowledging claims, ad
judicating, certifying for pay
ment, replying to correspondence,
reporting on legislation, prepar
ing the report on war claims
and many other responsibilities.
Your claim is numbered and
insofar as possible will be hand
led in the order in which it
was received.
Between February 14 (the day
the first payments were made)
and June 30, 1950, approximately
6,000 war claims will have been
paid.
2. Is the widow of a prisoner
Of war or civilian infernee eli
gible to receive a survivor's ben
• flt even though she has mar
ried again?
Yes, the widow of a prisoner
SIU members who were held as prisoners of war or as
civilian internees during World War II are urged to file
claims for compensation under the War Claims Act of 1948
before March 1, 1951, the deadline for filing.
Even if there is doubt as to eligibility, men in these
classifications are advised to file claims with the War Claims
Commission, Washington 25, D.C.
As an aid to SIU members who were war prisoners or
civilian internees, and their survivors, • some typical questions
that have been asked are answered in the acconqmnying
article.
of war or civilian internee is
eligible to receive a survivor's
benefit even though she has mar
ried again. Remarriage does not
affect a survivor's el^igibility un
der the War Claims Act.
3. I am my deceased brother's
next of kin. Am I eligible as a
survivor to receive his prisoner
of war benefit?'
No, unless evidence shows that
you stood in the place of a par
ent to your deceased prisoner of
war brother.
4.' Our son, a deceased prison
er of war, left no wife or Chil
dren. Are we, his parents, eli
gible to receive his prisoner of
war benefit?
Yes. However, the Act pro
vides that only "dependent" par
ents are eligible. The term de
pendent. is defined by the Oom
missioii on evidence furnished
in each case. The Commission
will waive furnishing evidence
except form 651 in all cases in
which the parents have been
bund dependent by the Veterans
Adminislxatioa for any purpose.
To avoid possible mistakes and
in view of the limited time for
filing claims it is suggested that
aU surviving parents, where no
widow or children survive, be
advised to file claims (forms 650
and 651) promptly.
5. I esci^ed from prison camp
and mad* my way back to the
American lines. Can I claim $1
for each d^y 1 vras on my own,
until I returned to the American
lines?
Generally, no. The War Claims
Act of 1948, as amended, pro
vides that $1 a day shall be
paid for each day a member of
the Armed Forces of the United
States was held by an enemy
country and did not receive the
quality and quantity of food to
which he was. entitled under the
Geneva Convention of 1929.
Hence, it follows that if a pris
oner escaped, the enemy was
relieved of its obligation. It is
suggested that such persons make
a full statement of the exact
circiunstances on the claim form
so the Commission can take into
account unusual conditions.
6. I landed behind ennny lines
but manage to evade capture
and never was in the custody
of the enemy. Am I eligible for
the $h a day prisoner of war
benefit?
Na
7. I am a U.S. citizen who,
while serving in the armed
forces of an allied nation, was
taken prisoner of war. Am I
eligible for a prisoner of war
benefit under the War Claims
Act?
No. The law includes " . . .
any regularly appointed, enroll
ed, enlisted or inducted member
of the military, or naval forces
of the United States who was
held prisoner of war ..." (Sec
tion 6 of the Act.) Service in the
Armed Forces of an Allied Na
tion (Canada, Britain, etc.) does
not qualify you for a prisoner of
war benefit under the War
Claims Act.
0
8. I am not a citizen of the
United States but I was taken
prisoner of war while serving
in the U.S. Armed Forces. Am
I eligible for a prisoner of war
benefit under the War Claims
Act?
Yes. The law requires only
that the former prisoner of war
shall have been a " . . . regular
ly appointed, enrolled, enlisted
or inducted member of the mili
tary or naval forces of the
United States ..." at the time
he was captured and held. There
is no question of citizenship.
(Note: Citiseaship is a re
quirement for civiliurn Ameri
can internee benefits.)
operation of the program. The
SIU put in over a year of re
search on the Plan. We contact
ed every American unioii which
had a welfare plan; we contact
ed seamen's unions in Europe on
their plans; we met with several
insurance companies—and when
we went into negotiations we
had a solid Plan which made use
of every bit of Imowledge avail
able on the subject. With this
we knew the Plan could not fail.
We asked for and won a reason
able minimum of benefits; from
that we now can work for high
er benefits."
The first weeks of life for the
Welare Fund have also been
closely watched by other mari
time unions, some with' plans
now in effect and others present
ly negotiating with their con
tracted operators.
At the moment the SIU is the
only Union on the east coast
paying out benefits. The Nation
al Maritime Union is working up
a plan which wUl probablX
closely resemble the SIU plan.
The Marine Firemen's Union
is operating under a plan which
pays no hospital benefits, but
provides for $1500 death benefits.
The Marine Cooks and Stew^
ards union is paying $9 a week
hospital benefits and $1500 death
benefits. While the MCS plan is
at present providing the largest
benefits per members, observers
believe that the CIO Cooks union
is already running into difficulty,
in maintaining the high benefits.
The MCS claims to be paying
its members $35 per week in
hospital benefits. ActuaUy, $26 of
this money is paid by the Stath
of California from its Disability.
Insurance Fund, to which the
seamen involved contribute one
percent of their earnings.
All seamen who work for com
panies maintaining their home
offices in California are entitled
to the $26 per week while ui>
able to work.
Reports coming into the office
of the SIU Welfare Plan indicate
that all hospitalized men are re
ceiving their benefits promptly
from the revolving funds estab
lished in each A&G Branch.
To Our Readers
To Mrs. Mary Sprung, Nor
man A. Fisher, Charles Ka
lulich and the many other
readers of the LOG who have
written in to inquire:
There was only one issue
of the LOG in July, and that
was dated July 21. The is
sue previous to that was
dated June 30. which means
that 3 weeks intervened be
tween the issues, instead of
the usual two, but you have
not missed any copies of the
paper.
The best way to check on
whether you receive every
issue of the LOG is to refer
to the number of the issue
which appears on the right
hand side of the date line on
the front page.
For Sample: the June 30
issue was Number 13; the
July 21 issue was Number
14. Everything straightened
out now?
.... • •
• • v.. 7.71 7). :77^
Page Four THE S E AF ARE RS to G Friday, August 4, 1950
I l,*; " m:'
fe.
if:
Frisco Expects
Shipping Rise
In Near Future
By JEFF MORRISON
SAN FRANCISeO—Shipping
for the past two weeks was
slower than the previous period
as a result of the fact that no
vessels paid off here. However,
there were quite a few ships in
toansit which took men from the
beach.'
A
Among the intransit callers
.were_ the Fairisle, Hurricane,
Waterman; Steel Vendor, Anni
ston City, Steel Maker, Isthmian;
Coe Victory, Carras; Alcoa Plan
ter, Alcoa, and the Alamar, Gal
mar.
Present indications are that
shipping will increase here in
the near future, as^ we have
many contracted ships en route
to the Far East, several of which
fire scheduled to return to this
coast for payoffs.
SCHEDHLED ARRIVALS
A tentative listing shows the
following ships as due to arrive
Jiere during the next two weeks:
(Warhawk, Topa Topa, Arizpa,
Fairland, Waterman; Steel Ad
miral, Steel Voyager, Anniston
City, Steel Inventor, Isthmian,
and the Massmar and Seamar,
Calmar.
The San Francisco Marine Hos
pital has a few of our Brothers
bedded down at this writing.
They are Edward L. Pritchard,
Eston G. Brookshire, James R.
Lewis, Leonard A Marsh, Rob
ert L. Bouchard, James Hodo,
Yana Dallal and Willie Watson.
Visit these lads whenever you
• get a chance. They'll be grateful,
I'm sure.
ABs In Demand
In Philadelphia
By STEVE CARDaLLO
PHILADELPHIA — A slight
" pickup in this port's shipping
.outlook during the past few
weeks has been marked by
. continued shortage of ABs. Sev
eral intransit ships, finding the
AB call unanswered here, have
been forced to sail shorthanded,
but fortimately most of these
have picked up the men at
other ports.
We've also noted a fair num
ber of payoffs, such as the Lake
George, Steel Designer and
Trinity and this, combined with
the fact that we've also had
quite a few intransit replace
ments, has served to make the
shipping outlook a little brighter.
We're still by no means near
the "feasting" stage.
WANT TO SAIL
Korean strife and other fac
tors have continued to swamp us
With a bevy of wouldbe sailors,
anxious to hook on with the
Union before and if actual war
fare is declared.
All too m§ny of the men have
been missing ships, as we stated
iri our last report. Besides pay
ing the customary penalty, these
men find that they suffer more
than the fine they pay.' The time
they lose on the beach trying to
catch another ship can in no
way be considered an equalizer.
Let's have less of this source of
revenue.
CS MEN PREPARE TO RESH/P OUT OF SIU HALL
Returned to New York after having paid off the Cities Service tanker SS Bradford Isle,
several of her crew register for shipping at the SIU Hall in New York. Dispatcher Paul Gon
sorchik fills out shipping card for Oscar Blain (left, at' window), as Gene Gaston and Darrell
Barnhill look on. ^ y
Their shipmate. Robert Kittinger. is shown at left as he is being greeted by Roy Lund
quist. a veteran of several years of service aboard CS ships, who has been shipping out of the
New York Hall. Lundquist. by the way. is presently recuperating from a recent operation, which
he underwexit at the Boston Marine Hospital.
Hevt York Shipping Continaes To improve
By JOE ALGINA
NEW YORK—^The rise in ship
ping noted here several weeks
ago continued during the past
twoweek period. However, there
is no definite assurance that con
ditions are definitely on the up
swing.
Activity on the payoff side in
volved the follovdng ships:
Evelyn, Dorothy, Puerto Rico,
Elizabeth, Suzanne, Bull; Raphael
Semmes, Madaket, Ponce de
Leon, Yaka, Chickasaw, Water
man; Steel Age, Steel Fabrica
tor, Isthmian; Marymar, Calmar;
Evangeline, Eastern; Robin Trent,
Robin, and the Seatrains New
Jersey, New York and Texds.
Ships signing on were the
Steel Chemist, Steel Director,
Isthmian; Robin Trent, Robin
Doncaster, Robin; Marymar, Ra
phael Semmes and the Frederick
Collins, a Transfuel ship that
came out of layup. In addition,
all the Bull Lines and Seatrain
ships signed on again.
NOT RIGHT
We see where the Military Sea
Transport Service has stated that
it does not intend to stop char
tering foreign ships. Therfe seems
to be little sound justification
for suph a policy, in view of the
large number of American flag
ships that are lying idle in the
boneyard.
If more attention had been
paid to the condition of our mer
chant marine over thepast year
when this Union, for one, point
ed out the dangers of allowing
the fleet to dwindle, such state
ments as that made by the Mili
tary Sea Transport Service would
not have been necessary.
ON THE RISE
The cost of living is shooting
up like mad. Amd the working
man is finding that his wages
are slipping fast as a result. For
no other reason that that a battle
is going on in Korea, we find
that our cigarettes, food and
other dailyused items are being
uM)ed in price. The fact that
there is a surplus of all goods
hasn't halted this outrage.
The wageearner is helpless
against such piracy, unless, of
course,' he belongs to a' union,
which at least can take some
action" to protect his living stan
dards.
FORMER MEMBERS
Former members who have al
lowed their Union books to fall
into arrears, and who are inter
ested in getting reinstated, might
find this advice helpful:
They should send their names
and addresses along with their
Znumbers, Union book or per
mit niunbers and their ratings to
SIU Headquarters, 51 Beaver
Street, New York 4, N. Y.
This information should be
marked to the attention of the
Record Clerk, 6th floor. As the
job situation improves — if it
does—and there is a need for
men, Headquarters will advise
those men, who have filed the
above information, in the order
they were received.
This seems like a good time
to remind licensed officers, many
of whom "hav6 returned to sea
after a spell ashore, that there
is no need for them to run hog
wild to the Coast Guard every
time a little beef develops
aboard ship. ,
In the past few years, the
SIU has done a commendable
job of selfdiscipline. Thfe Union
and the membership have dem
onstrated that they are fully cap^
able of bearing responsibility.
These officers should permit the
Union membership to discipline
foulups when the need" arises.
If this practice is followed, in
steady of running to the Coast
Guard, the beefs can be settled
in the best interests of all con
cerned.
Savannah Alitefl
By Standby Joba
By L. M. BRYANT , '
SAVANNAH—Shipping is still
on the slow side in this port,
but standby jobs have created a
flurry of activity.
The only payoff was the SS
Southport, South Atlantic, She
signed on again. Several vessels
called intransit, among them the
SS Jean, Bull; SS Southwind,
South Atlantic; SS Fairland, SS
John B. Waterman, SS Azalea
Cky, Waterman, and the SS
Steel Scientist, Isthmian.
All beefs existing aboard these
ships were of a minor nature
and were settled in strict Union
style.
A few of the boys who are
on the Savannah beach at the
moment are J. Hudgins, Bunny
Swearingen, L. A. Barsh and
M. R. Wickham, who just got out
of the localJMarine Hospital. All
of "course, are anxious to ship
out.
RIDE UNION CABS
Once again, we'd like to urge
all Seafarers coming into this
port to ride \ only the Yellow
taxicabs, as that is the only out
fit in town that employs union
cabbies.
With US shipping slightly on
the upgrade as a result of the
Korean conflict, there has been
a lot to talk about of late. Ap
parently this country was not
as wellprepared as Washington
led the public to believe. Could
happen that this time they will
keep^ the ships out of mothballs
rbut we doubt it.
Several of our Brothers are
in the Savannah Marine Hospi
tal and it's a certainty that each
of them" would appreciate letters
from formt , shipmates. Write to
these men: W. J. Morris, Leo
Kodurand, T. C. Miisgrove and
J. B. Fulgham.
Yours truly is attending tha |
forum on unemployment insure
ance and compensation sponsored
by the State of Georgia. If any
thing newsworthy conies out of
this affair, we'll advise you in
the next issue.
Membersblp Cooperation Vital To SlU's Welfare
7
By PAUL GONSORCHIK
NEW YORK — Shipping has
picked up considerably as a re
sult of hostilities in Korea and
tensions that are developing else
where in the world.
This time we can avoid some
of the mistakes made during the
last great conflict, which cost
the lives of so many SIU men,
if we get the cooperation of the
companies and the government.
Let's not kid ourselves into
thinking that the current danger
clouds will just up and blow
away. If they do, it will only be
temporary, for the big blowoff
appears to be in the inaking.
PREPARE NOW
Bear in mind, meanwhile, that
it will take plenty of manpower
to man the ships that will be
needed, and now is the time to
make preparations for sailing the
vesseb as smoothly as possible.
Physical equipment and gear
should be improved and put into
efficient ojperating condition. We
should not wait several years'
until after we are in a war to
get things shipshape. The com
panies liiust realize that the lives
of seamen are at stake.
YeS', shipping will be hard and
fast. In our own circle, we should
straighten out some attitudes
that do not operate in the' best
interests of all the membership.
Certain members are violating
the policies adopted by the mem
bership.
One of the most abusive prac
tices that is noticed now and
then involves registratjpn. It's
okay to throw in your shipping
card becau.se you're interested in
a particular job on a ship. I have
noticed, however, anstances where
a friend of a man who has^just
been beaten out of a job,, throws
in his card to beat the other
par^ out. Then, about 10 or 15
minutes later he comeS back and
turns the job back to the Dis
patcher.
Stiiff like that is what I call
damned poor imionism. It abuses
Union policy and stirs resent
ment among members and gen
erally causes trouble and dissen
tion around the shipping desk.
14 this practice continues, it
appears that changes in the ship
ping rules will have to be made.
I, for one, would hate like hell
to see the rule changed that al
lows a man three chancy' at fi
job before being required" to re
register. Yet that is one of the
rules that are being violated.
Let's play it fair. None of us
knows just how things will turn
but in this war, and it will take
aU the cooperation among sea
men to get things done in a way
to ensure "victory. Allowing ships
to sail shorthanded is not one of
the ways to cooperate, either
with your Union Brothers or
your country.
HURTS SHIPMATES
Every time you allow a ship
to sail shorthanded you fail tb
abide by your agreement and
you fail your 'shipmates. Sur
prisingly enough, some oldtimers
know, these facts, j^et they ig
nore them.
Another th'ing I have observed
frequently is that too many
members have not acquainted
themselves with the shipping
rules or the Union constitution,
or the agreements under which
they sail.
These rules and contracts are
the basis of your livelihood and
of the Union. If you abuse them,
you abuse yourself and your
Bjother members. ,
You members are the Union,
and the Union can only be as
good as its members. Let things
slide and the Union will slide.
But I don't think that that will
ever happen. |
Friday, August 4< 1950 THE SE AF ARER'S LOG Pago Fire
Seafarers In World War II
By JOHN BXmKEH
i CHAPTER 13
THE WAY OF THE JAPS
Voyaging in the Indian Ocean and adjacent
waters was especially hazardous during the war,
for Jap subs roamed these seas and, while a
German raider would torpedo a ship without
warning, the Japs added a touch of unnecessary
cruelty to the sinking of merchant vessels. They
exercised their own queei; brand of fun on tor
pedoed ships and crews—fun that was inhuman
and bestial.
SIU crewmen of the SS Bienville, an unarmed
Waterman freighter outward bound from Cal
cutta for Columbo, experienced this uncalledfor
cruelty when their ship was caught by a Jap
task force in the Bay of Bengal oh April 6, 1942.
Without even a rifle with which to defend
thenaselves, the Bienville's men could do nothing
when two Jap planes came over and planted a
brace of bombs squarely on the foredeck, set
ting the ship afire. The planes were followed by
a cruiser, three destroyers and an aircraft car
rier.
While the crew huddled helplessly behind
whatever slim shelter they could find, the cruiser
and a destroyer used the Bienville for target
practice, throwing shell after shell into the gim
less ship until she finally sank beneath the placid
waters of the Bay.
LIFEBOAT SHELLED
One shell hit a lifeboat that was being lowered
away, killing all the occupants, and, with the
ship in flames fore and aft, one after, another
of the crew were killed or wounded by flying
shrapnel.
Salvo after salvo smashed into the' freighter
without mercy, slashing the deck plates, smash
ing the booms, cutting the hull to ribbons and
sending rivets and bits of steel bulleting through
the air in a deadly hail.
Only half of the Bienville's crew was still
alive when the freighter went down, and they
were sucked under the water by the suction of
the cargoladen hulk.
mile the Jap sailors laughed at the crewmen
struggling in the water, the task force steamed
off on the quest for other prey.
One lifeboat had floated free and the men
climbed into it, while several of the survivors
who were terribly wounded begged their mates
to throw them over the side.
Of the Bienville's crew of 43, only 19 livedto
tell the story of this onesided battle after the
lifeboat reached the shore of India some 20 miles
away. '
About a year after this incident the SS Henry
Knox, a Matson Liberty, was pushing along to
ward the Persion Gulf about 850 miles south
west of India. Gunners were at general quarters
and the ship had been blacked out for the night
when a torpedo hit, exploding in a hold full of
smokeless powder, turning the ship instantly
into a solid sheet of flame from bdw tq stem.
CREWMEN TRAPPED
The boat enabled the survivors to arrive safely,
after a voyage of many days, on some islands
sputh of the Indian coast, where they were later
picked up and taken to,Columbo.
Bad as were these sinkings, they seemed mild
in comparison with the fate of the SS Jean Nico
let, an SUPmanned Liberty operated by the
Oliver Olson Co. The personnel of this ship suf
fered diabolical treatment at the hands of a Jap
submarine crew which would have seemed more
appropriate to the darkest days of the middle
ages. ^
SAW LONG SERVICE
A lazy swell was rolling across the Indian
Ocean on,the evening of July 2, 1944, as the Jean
Nicolet steamed her way from the Persian Gulf
tbwarcT the coast of Africa, with more than 100
crewmen and passengers aboard—the latter in
cluding Army personnel and civilians returning
tb the States after long service in the Persian
Gulf.
,:At exactly seven niinutes after seven", two tor
pedoes hit the ship in numberthree hold ji5fet
forward of the bridge. It should have been
enough to blast the freighter apart but these
Liberties were staunch vessels and, while she
reeled under the impact, the engines kept going.
In fact, the black gang stayed at ^heir posts for
five minutes after the blast, receiving no orders
to abandon ship.
When the engine was finally secured and the
propeller stopped, all hands abandoned ship
without a casualty, the boats and rafts laying
some distance^ off from the deserted hulk. They
could sete flashes of gunfire from the unseert
raider as it shelled the Jean Nicolet.
SAVAGERY STARTS
After 15 minutes of shelling the sub decided
it wasn't getting anywhere towards sending this
stout Liberty to the bottom, so it maneuvered
among the lifeboats, ordering the men aboard
the deck of the Uboat, one boatload at a time,
all except a tiny doughnut raft with the armed
guard lieutenant, several gunrjers and a soldier.
The first boatload of 25 were forced to kneel
on the deck and have their hands tied behind
them. William Musser, a Messboy, was' shot and
thrown overboard for no reason at all.
More of the survivors were then ordfered onto
the sub, and those who didn't move fast enough
were clubbed on the head with rifle butts. Others i
were beaten with lenghts of pipe, or pricked and
cut with bayonets.
This cruelty was kept up for nearly three
hours, while the Japs systematically took off
the shoes of their captives and beat them with J
bayonets across the ankles and feet.
Finally the Japs lined up on the deck of the
Uboat and the captives, their hands still tied
behind them, were forced to run the gauntlet.
Third Assistant Charles Pyle was the first to
start through, hesitating from the dreaded or
deal just long enough to be hit over the head
with the butt of a gun. Blows rained down on
him till he was clubbed into unconsciousness and
tumbled over the side into the sea.
MIRACULOUS SURVIVAL
The water re\dved him and after a while he
managed to free his hands enough that he could
keep himself afloat. Perhaps an hour later— or
it might have been more—Able Seaman Stuart
Vanderhurst, who had jumped clear of the U
boat before the final torture, found Mr. Pyle and
cut his bonds after painstaking labor with his
lifebelt knife. Together, they clung to a piece of
wreckage.
Sometime later they heard the drone of a
plane, a big Catalina that had responded to thO
Nicolet's SOS. But as soon as the plane approach
ed the Uboat hastily submerged, then the air
was filled with the shouts and cries of the tor
tured, beaten men who were left on her deck.
VICTIMS DROWN > J
Some of them floundered in the water for a
while, then sank. Seven others were saved by a
Navy gunner who had secreted a knife in his
trousers and cut their bonds in time.
The Catalina returned some hours later to
drop life preservers and food, then directed the
SS Huxac of the Indian Navy to the spot. The
survivors were picked up at 11 am, July 4.
Of the more than 100 men on the Nicolet when
she was torpedoed, only 23 survived, of which
10 were Navy gunriers and three were Army
passengers.
Such was the way of the Japs!
This is another episode dealing with the role
played by Seafarers crews in World War II. The
author is a retired member of the SIU who, hav
ing sailed during the War, has firsthand knowl
edge of his subject matter. This thrilling story
will, at the conclusion of this series, be repub
lished in book form for those who want a per
manent record of their Brothers'—and their own
—sacrifices and heroism in the face of death.
A^katiotts Open For Fulbnght Sihohrships
Cadet Maurice W. Price later described how
many of the crew were trapped in the* quarters
^d the passageways, with the bodies of mer
chant seamen and gunners laying here and there
across the fireswept deckplates.
He told how two Jap subs cruised among the
wreckage while the Liberty exploded, taking the
oars, masts, sails and other gear from the life
boats, throwing the rations into the sea and
leaving the survivors, so they thought, to perish
slowly from thirst and starvation.
But in their hurry to get away from the burn
ing ship, which served as a huge beacon as she
,flamed and exploded in the darkness of the night,
the two Jap Uboats overlooked another lifeboat
which had floated free from the hulk.
Three scholarships in Workers
Education and one in Adult Edu
cation are being offered under Pub
lic Law 584 (The Fulbright Act)
to labor union members and others
with experience in workers and ad
ult education. The awards, which
were announced^recgntly by the De
partment of State, afford opportun
ities to qualified' persons to study
for one year in the United King
dom. Applications for the 195152
academic year may be made now.
" .Candidates must be citizens of
the United States at the time of ap
plication, and must have a record
of professional experience and lea
dership in labor, in' workers of
adult education, or in union acti
vities generally. Those with some
degree of academic preparation will
be given preference. Scholarships
provide transportation, tuition, and
maintenance for the academic year.
The four successful candidates
will take special studies at such
wellknown adult and workers ed
ucation .centers as Ruskih College
(Oxford University), and Hillcroft
College, London. The courses in
clude both study and work experi
ence, and will provide for active
part^ipation with British workers,
adult education agencies, and labor
union organizations.
In addition' to these special
awards, a large number of scholar
ships will be granted for graduate
study in all sixteen countries par
ticipating in the Fulbright Program
Australia, Austria, Belgium and
Luxembourg, Burma, Egypt, France,
Greece, India, Iran, Italy, the Ne
therlands, New Zealand, Norway,
the Philippine Islands, Turkey, and
the United Kingdom. For these
general opportunities adult and la
bor education workers will compete
with candidates in other fields.
Interested persons who will be
enrolled at an institution of higher
learning in 195051 should apply
to the Fulbright Program Adviser
on thdr campus before October
31, 1950.
Candidates not so enrolled should
• write directly to the Director of
US Student Program, Institute of
International Education, 2 West
45th Street, New York 19, New
York, before October 15, 1950.
Page Six T H £ ^ F yi k £ R S io f • :>'^"'p>tid«ifi'Au8iM^^
Angelina's Hot Shots Hurl
Challenge At All Comers
Bursting with confidence, the revitalized SS Angelina
AllStars, more informally known as the Caribbean Hot
Shots, have issued a challenge to softball teams of other
ships on the Puerto Rican run.
The All Stars—or Hot Shots—T
"is a team of imusual ability
and fine to be reckoned with by
any and all aspirants to fame
and fortune in the Tropic
League." That's what Seafarer
Sixto Escobar, assistant mana
ger of the Angelina squad, had
to say about his boys.
! Particularly, the All Stars are
^ anxious to cross bats with the
aggregations representing the
J SS Phierto Rico and the SS Wild
; Ranger. They're also hoping for
I a chance to avenge the shel
lacking suffered in a recent con
test with the softballers aboard
the SS Suzanne, another Bull
Line scow.
NOT BAD
According to the recapitula
itibn supplied by Escobar, the
All Stars have had a moderately
'successful season. Says Escobar:
"To date we have played the
SS Rosario twice, the Monarch of
the Seas twice, the Suzanne and
Beatrice once each and the
Frances a doubleheader. Of
these, only the Suzanne has beat
us.
; "We have also played various
Island teams, including the Po
lice Department of Arroyo and
the US Coast Guard at San Juan
but perhaps the less said of those
scores the better."
, Softball squads aboard SIU
Ships on the Puerto Rican run
Who wish to give the Caribbean
Hot Shots a chance to prove
themselves should make arrange
ments with Sixto Escobar, SS
Angelina, Bull Lines, 115 Broad
Street, New York 4, N. Y.
Chow Setup, Gym
Recommended For
B'klyn BuUding
Batting the breeze about
possible facilities for the new
Headquarters building on a
recent voyage of the SS Del
Norte, opinionminded "Salty
Dick" Martinez extracted some
interesting preferences from sev
eral of his shipmates.
Pete Garza, Smoking Room
Steward, said he'd "like to see
the auditorium rented out to
other unions. Not only will this
be a source of revenue, but we'll
get to know each other better—
and this is important."
A fully equipped gymnasium
would meet with the approval
of A1 Tocho, Linen Keeper.
"Perhaps we can acquire this
by each ship donating something,
such as boxing gloves, punching
bag and so forth," said Al. .
CHOW CALL
Bellboy Delbert Dean is in
terested in the chow setup. He
wants a "snack bar where you
may have a decent meal for a
reasonable amount." Dean even
hopes for the day when he'll see
a Unionoperated pawn shop.
Dean's attitude oh feeding was
backed by Electrician Al Mauf,
fray, who said: "A short order
grill should be set up on the
premises, serving the member
ship only. AU the proceeds
should go to the Union. Let's
also add a soft drink and beer
box. Let's make it the best in
town."
SEEK GAMES WITH SOFTBALL SQUADS ON PUERTO RICAN RUN
GRAB YER PARTNERS!
Some of the SS> Angelina AU Slazs« who are anxious to fatten their winning jmrcentage.
Front row. left to right:. ML Dihicette. 3B; N. Blanche, rf; Capt. T. O. Ranier. mgr.; Ch. Eng.
G. A. Kerr, coach; William Davies. If; T. Balehus. c. Rear: Sixton Escobar, ass't mgr.; A. P.
Mazure. cf; S. Di Girolomo. p; J. Aguiar. IB. anu J. Callis. ss.
Digested Minutes Of SIU Ship Meetings
• k'r.'
I 'AT. • r :
ll
Four funmakers fronr the Jeff Davis look mighty country
for photographer in USS club, Yokohama. Japan. Left to ri^ht:
L. Higginbotham. DM; Edward Ruley. DM; Rex Coole. DM, and
Thomas J. Cardin. OS. ,
BEATRICE. July 15 —Chair
man. P. Lobbregt; Secretary. J.
Stephensen. Delegates reported
no beefs. Ship's Delegate read
report on vacation and welfare
plan. Crew asked to be more
careful in vise of washing ma
chine and to keep it clean after
use.
t. ^ t.
HASTINGS. July 4—Chairman,
W. Zaleski; Secretary. J. Mc
Phail. Delegates reported small
amount of disputed overtime.
Resolution introduced and car
ried calling for . the rearrange
ment of quarters for engine and
deck departments aboard all Wa
terman C2 ships. Suggestion
made that low pressiire sanitary
system be checked.,
t, t. i
AMES VICTORY. July 2 —
Chairman. Edward Saely; Secre
tary. Jack Dolan. Delegates' re
ports accepted. Motion carried
for each delegate to make up
repair list before arrival in port.
Good and Welfare: Motion car
ried to accept Union Welfare
Han.
. 4 ft *
ALCOA PEGASUS. July 29—
Chairman. R. Vaughan; Secre
tary, A. Radinoff. Delegates re
ported everything satisfactory in
their departments. Motion car
ried to elect R. Schwazz as Ship's
Delegate. Steward assured crew
that lemons would be on hand
for members requesting cold
drinks at night. Discussion on
fraternization between crewmem
bers and licensed personnel while
ashore.
ft ft ft
CORAL SEA. July 9—Chair
man. T. Freeman; Secreiary. Al
DeForest. Ship's Delegate report
ed overtime beefs to be re
ferred to Patrolman in New
York. New BuBiness:,Motion carr
ried that a committee of two
be elected to inform the steve
dore^oss in Hor lulu of the
dangerous condition of the top
lifting gear. Education;. Joe Bar
ron gave, a talk on the import
ance of staying sober at the pay
oflF.
ft ft ft
JEAN LAFITTE. July 9 —
Chairman. Willoughby; Secre
tary, Hargrav^ Delegates re
ported no beefs. Discussion on
the Welfare and Vacation Plans.
Mdtion carried to accept the Wel
fare Plan and to abide by the
LOG article on the Vacation
Plan. "History of the Seafarers"
chosen as the topic for the next
educational meeting. Delegates to
see Captain about having the
messroom and quarters painted,
ft ft ft
PONCE DE LEON. June IB
Chairman, Ed Yancey; Secre
tary, R. Cowdrey. Motioft • car
(CoflHntied on Page 7) j.
Shipboard Injury Is Fatal'
To Seafarer Melvin Codino
Details surrounding the accidental death of Seafarer
Melvino Codino ^vring a recent voyage aboard the SS
Robin Goodfellow were disclosed to the LOG this week
by his mother, Mrs. Helene L.9 ^^ —
Honeybell of Nashville, Tenn.
Brother Codino died in the
Seaside Hospital, Long Beach,
Calif., on March 18, three hovirs
after he suffered a fractured
skull incurred when a hawser
slipped from the bit and lashed
him across the forehead, accord
ing to Mrs. Honeybell.
The body was returned to Wa
tertown, N. Y., where Melvin
spent most of his boyhood. In
terment took place in Glenwood
Cemetery there on March 24.
Burial benefits were paid by the
SIU.
Brother Codino, who was 23
years old, was born in Carthage,
N. Y. He had been sailing in
the Deck Department aboard
SlUcontracted .ships for five
years. He received Union Book
No. 44327 in Philadelphia on
Aug. 18, 1947.
An ardent hunter and fisher
jnan, Melvin spent his time be
tween fcips in the. Adirondack
Mountains.
Mrs. Honeybell expressed deep
appreciation for the floral tri
bute sent to the funeral by Mel
vin's shipmates aboard the Good
fellow, and fbr the telegrams of
MELVIN CODINO
»
sympathy from Captain Thomas
Trith and Peter Patrick.
She also told the LOG that
phe would like to hear, from
Louis Wagner, of Pittsburgh,
who was a shipmate of Melvin's
on the SS Marore about four
years ago, and from other of
his SIU friends and shipmates.
Mrs. Honeybell's address is
1042 Petway Street, Nashville,
Tenn.
• ..I I. . !
THE SEAFAREMS LOG Page Seven
(Continued from Page 6)
ried to report Chiel Mate to the
MM&P for working on deck an(
ordering the Cadet to do sailor
work. Motion carried that the
medicine chest be more com
plete and carry penicillin. The
Engine room first aid kit to be
restocked and that a basket
stretcher be available at all
times. Motion carried that the
slopchest prices be checked by
the Patrolman and that only
clothing carrying a union labe
be placed aboard. Education
Brother Yancey reported thai
each member should be able to
conduct a meeting and not have
one man act as chairman al
the time., Yancey also pointed
out that the SIU is a first class
organization only because of
every member's efforts. Each
man bears a responsibility to the
union in order to keep the Union
strong.
X » »
TRINITY. July 1 —Chairman.
N. Kurk; Secretary. R. Sweeney.
Motion carried to accept com^
munication from New York Ag
ent concerning awning. Discus
sion on. Welfare Plan, with no
vote being taken pending further
information. Motion carried to
give the SIU Negotiating Com
mittee a vote of confidence for
the work done on the plan. Voted
^that men are to come to mess
room properly dfessed. Motion
carried that all hands stay
aboard imtil replacements have
come aboard.
^ X
CLAIBORNE. July 9 —Chair
man, J. Brooks; Secretary. G.
Braxton. Delegates reported no
disputed overtime. Discussion on
Steward working in galley. Sug
gestion made to keep one copy
of^repair list on file for reference.
Suggestion that Captain be paid
out of ship's fund for repairs
made to washing machine.
1.
EVELYN. July 9^Chairman.
Hendershot; Secretary. C. Mit
chell. Ship's Delegate reported
nothing has been done about
patching decks and other neces
sary repairs. Crew by unanim
ous vote favored reports on Va
cation Plan and Welfare Fund.
» » »
ALCOA PIONEER. July 22—
Chairman. D. D. Story; Secre
tary. Robert Benjamin. Delegates
reported everything running
smoothly with only a small
amount of disputed overtime.
Delegate reported that crew will
learn outcome of previous voy
age's beef on no shore leave
overtime in Israel when ship hits
port. Education ^ Crew discussed
Shipboard Forum topic on bring
ing Brothers' up on charges.
Members of each department
contributed Ijst of necessary re
pairs to ship's list.
• 4. 4.
ROBIN WENTLEY. July 16—
Chairman. Van Warfield; Secre
tary. W.^ E. Gannon. Special
meeting called to read the Va
cation and Welfare Plans. Names
and numbers of crewmen check
ed for roster requested by Headj
quarters. Delegates reported
everything okay except' for a
small amount of overtime. Mo
tions carried to accept reports
on both plans. Chairman moved
to have crew call upon Patrol
man td further explain the com
mittee's report on the vacation
plan. Crewmembers planning to
payoff were urged to clean up
their quarters in accordance
with SIU policy of leaving a
Digested Minutes Of SiU Ship Meetings
ship clean. Ship's Treasurer re
ported $108 in the < fund. In the
event the entire crew pays off
the fund is to be turned over
to the Agent in the payoff port
to be turned over to the trea
surer . in the new crew.
SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY.
July 19—Chairman. John Mahal
ov; Secretary. Eugene Auer.
Francis Fisher elected Engine
Delegate. Delegates contributed
items to ship's repair list. Dele
gate reported that crewmember
will leave ship in New York as
he injured his arm when he
fell while working on the car
decks.
» » »
STEEL SCIENTIST, July IB
Chairman. Prideax; Secretary.
Sims. Delegate reported that
room being used for library is
certified for other purpose and
shelves cannot be built without
permission from company offi
cials. Suggestion made that slop
chest be more inclusiye next trip.
Crew voted Stewards Depart
ment a vote of thanks for. ex
cellent work. Ship's Delegate in
structed to make up a repair
list.
tit
AFOUNDRIA. July 3—Chaix
man. W. R. Flaherty; Secretary.
D. W. Cotuoy. Ship's' Delegate
tendered resignation because cer
tain crewmembers have been
performing and have undermined
the morale of the entire crew.
A vote of confidence was given
Delegate and request was made
that Delegate reconsider resigna
tion. Ship's Delegate agreed to
retain job only with understand
ing that performers will be
brought up on charges.
t t t
ALCOA CAVALIER. July 9
Chairman, Stough; Secretary.
Cervantes. Motion carried to have
an educational meeting on one
Sunday of every trip. Motion
carried to have all shipboard
meetings held under proper par
liamentary procedure. Discussion
on educational meeting, with ma
jority of crew favoring no com
pulsory attendance at the.ie
meetings, but crewmembers
should aU attend. Parliamentary
procedure to, be the topic of the
first educational meeting.
% % %
DESOTO. July 23—Chairman,
Anderson Johns; Secretary. Phil
ip Reyes. Delegates reported
their .deparjments as running
smoothly. Crew discussed pur
chase of washing machine and
rejected idea as ship is in port
a great deal and laundry service
is always available. Need for
repairing of fans and. installa
tion where they can do some
good brought up. Chief Electri
cian, said he would take matter
up with the Chief Engineer.
% X
YOUNG AMERICA. June 27—
Chairman. Eugene Dore; Secre
tary. G. Sorensen. Delegates re
ported everj^hing okay except,
for some disputed overtime in
Engine Department. Discussion
held on vacation rule committee's
report, with 8 men voting to con
cur and. 12 voting to nonconcur.
Crew voted 100 percent to con
cur with SIU Welfare Plan. In
addition to customary one min
ute of silence, an additional min
ute of silence was stood for Bro
ther Otlo Johanson. who was
swept overboard while securing
a boat cover. Ship's Delegate an
nounced that men who had been
logged by Captain for going to
the hospital^ for medical treat
ment would have their cases put
to Agent McKay's attention in
Seattle.
4> 4* 4>
TINI (no dale given)—Chair
maxi, Anthony Hanna; Secretary.
Robert Aiu. Delegates' reports
accepted. New Delegates elected
in all departments. Motion car
ried to see if ship can be fumi
gated. Education: Brother Teo
d.oro Rui* gave a short talk on
good unionism. All men request
ed to cooperate with delegates.
4. 4.
BULL RUN. July 19—Chair
man, W. Wentling; Secretary/ C.
Lawson. Delegates reported no
beefs. Motion carried that each
crewmember chip' in $1 for pur
chase of a new washing machine.
Ship's Delegate instructed to see
about hot water for showers and
about refrigerator in crew mess
hall.
CHRISTINE (Dafe not given)
—Chairman. W. McCuistion; Sec
retary. D. Patterson. Crew gave
vote of thanks to committee
which handled purchase and fin
ancing of new washiqg machine.
Ship's Delegate 'reported that
everything on repair list except
the toaster had been taken care
of. Schedule drawn up for clean
ing of laundry room.
Victory Carriers agreement with
addendums to be requested from
Headquarters and mailed to crew
in England.
4. 4.1.
MAE. July 20—Chairman. E.
Smith; Secretary. F. Allen. Re
pair list to be turned into Pa
trolman on last voyage before
drydocking. Delegates reported
no beefs. Steward offered to put
fruit out for all to see that it was
not spoiling, contrary to claims
by several crewmembers. Ship's
Delegate called attention to the
fact that the ship has sailed
shorthanded on last three voy
ages; however, circumstances of
sailing time made it unavoidable.
JEFFERSON CIT\" VICTORY.
July 7—Chairman. W. Workman;
Secretary. J. T. Spivey. Jr. Dis
cussion on whether there would
be a port payoff or a draw with
the articles backdated. Ship's
Delegate to see Captain about
this. Wilmington Agent to bp
contacted about having transpor
tation rider affixed to articles.
% % %,
AFOUNDRIA. July 19—Chair
man. W. Busch; Secretary. S.
Cphen. Ship's Delegate spoke on
War Bonus, Vacation issue and
Welfare Plan. Motion carried
that llie crew as members of
the SIU pledge full support to
President Truman is action in
the Korean situation. Discussion
held on Welfare Plan, with crew
of the opinion that Plan is a
great step forward for the mari
time industry. Bosun Flaherty
suggested that when the con
tract comes up for renegotiation
in September the overtime for
key men such as Chief Cook,
Chief Electrician, Steward and
Bosun be prorated to bring it
above the hourly base pay.
4^ 4^ »
DEL SUDr June 19—Chairman.
McFall; Secretary. E. Sepulveda,
Agent Sheppard present at "meet
ing and congratulated crew for
publishing shipboard newspaper,
the "Southern Cross." He urged
the crew to work in harmony
and do all it can to minimize
the number bf men missing the
ship. Motion carried that crew
take action concerning previous
motions for acquisition of Union
literature and Union films. Mo
tion carried that cooperation be
given men on" ship's newspaper
by helping them get ads.
t' X X
DEL SUD, July 10—Chairman,
Woods; Secretary. McFall. Dele
gates reported no beefs. Com
plaint made about the Brazilian
coffee. Crew voted 32 for Am
erican coffee and 15 for Brazil
ian coffee. Discussion on prepa
ration of food. Vote taken show
ed that 41 were satisfied and 28
were unhappy about present
food.
XXX
NOONDAY, July 2—Chairman.
D. E. Jones; Secretary. E. Ray.
Delegates reported ali in order.
Ship's Delegate reported beef on
disputed delayed sailing. Motion
carried that no man' payoffs un
til all beefs are settled. Crew
voted in favor of reports on Va
cation and Welfare plans. Li
brary to be exchanged in Mobile..
Questionraised why minutes of
ship haveq^t appeared in LOG.
XXX
TADDEI. June 11—Chairman,
Paul Rasmussen; Secretary.
Charles Sinnett. Ship's Delegate
reported that Captain answered
his request for salt tablets by
telling him that the crew could
do without them. Motion"" car
ried to cancel draw list tmtil
crew learns where ship is going.
Delegates to approach an SIU
ship in first port contacted to get
OT sheets and Bonus Area maps.
Education: Crew recommended
that SIU prepare a» booklet on
the SIU Welfare Plan.
XXX
GATEWAY CITY. July 22 —
Chairman, John Halpin; Secre
tary. Mervin Driscoll. Delegates
reported no beefs. Chief Cook
claimed he did not receive right
ful share of overtime. Motion
carried that overtime be equal
ized and that the Stewards De
partment settle its own beefs.
Recommendation made that Pa
trolman be notified that after
quarters and recreation room
have not been painted.
XXX
TOPA TOPA. July 22—Chair
man, W. Walsh; Secretary. C.
Harrell. A. Swenson elected
Ship's Delegate. Delegates re
ported no beefs. Motion carried
that each member contribute $1
toward the ship's fund.*' Ship's
Delegate to contact Patrolman
concerning advance on wages to
members who are off watch.
Captain has been putting out
advances at 5 PM. Repair list
prepared by Delegates and turn^
ed over to Ship's Delegate for .
distribution. Ship's Delegate to
check on Saturday anchorage at '
Georgetovra while sea watches
were maintained.
ri
\4
.• J"
•
• • iM
• ^1
XXX
PAOLI. July 23 — Chairman,
Harry Huston; Secretary. Mau
rice Culp. Delegate reported he
will get new library at end of
trip. Report to be given board
ing Patrolman on Wiper who
missed ship in Puerto La Cruz.
Engine Delegate to see Chief
Engineer about cleaning gear for
sanitary work. Motion carried
that letter be sent to company
in regards to letter received from:
Chiwawa crew on bus service in;
Lake Charles. Education: Discus
sion on Shipboard Forum of
"Charges, what they constitute
and how to handle them."
4 4 4.
ALCOA CORSAIR. July 2 —
Chairman, Major Costello; Sec
retary. John Roberts. 'Motions
carried to accept Delegates' re
ports. Motion carried to concur
with Vacation Plan Committee's
report. \:'otion carried to refund
Ship's Delegate the money paid
out for rental of movies. Crew
went on record that Union begin
a blood bank for seamen. •
iz
Page'Eight THE SE AF AREkS LO G FridM^, August 4, 1950
SHE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS
Comment Sought On Matters
Concerning Union Seamen
SS ARLYN SEAFARERS ON THE JOB
£
r
To the Editor:
The recent request from the
' <jOvernment for a meeting with
V the maritime unions and the ship
owners brings to mind much of
i" the past, as it affected the sea
men and their families.
• Since I am the wife of a sea
. man who served 25 months dur
\ ing World War II, I would be
interested in a discussion through
the medium of the LOG of sev
eral subjects, as follows:
1. The wearing of neat uni
, forms.
2. The bonus—pro and con.
• 3. Morale among seamen's
families.
4. The attitude of the Armed
Services toward the Merchant
Marine.
5. More and better publicity
about the contributions of sea
men to the war effort.
6. Inclusion of seamen and
their dependents at service cen
ters—pro and con.
j 7. Hospitalization of depem
"'dents—at authorized Merchant
Marine clinics, either free of
charge or at low cost,
SORE SPOTS
Many of the foregoing points
were sore spots in the lives of
people of the Merchant Marine
in the past. Doubtlessly, many
more subjects relating to the
good and welfare of seamen,
might be suggested.
World War III, if it continues,
will require greater cooperation
from #dl Americans than has
heretofore been given to oiir
country.
Let's talk over some of the
subjects outlined above.
i "Mrs. Book Now 50688"
I (Ed. Note: "Mrs. Book No.
. 50688" is the wife of a Seafar
The subjects she suggests
* for discussion are among those
f ' of oonoem to seamen and
' should touch some interest
ing and valuable comment.
(Insofar as the first topic
nientioned — the "wearing of.
neat uniforms"—is concerned,
the Sill is, as a matter of long
established policy, against this
practice on the part of un
licensed personnel.
(Union members throughout
the last war opposed the wear
ing of uniforms and have re
peatedly reaffirmed this 'posi
tion time and again. The Un
ion and the membership's
stand is based on the fact that
merchant seamen are civilian
workers. Furthermore, the
wearing of militarytype uni
forms could easily lead to the
development of a castesystem
within the ranks of unlicensed
men which would destroy dem
ocracy and the basic feeling
of equcility.
NOT JUSTIFIED
(In effect, there is no more
justification in the seamen's
eyes for the wearing of uni
forms by members of their
calling than there would be
for civilian workers wearing
them jiist because they were
working in a plant turning
out temks or planes for the
military.)
(Headers who wish to par
ticipate in the discussions sug
gested by the author of the
above letter should forward
their comments tp the SEA
FARERS LOG, 51 Beaver St.,
New York 4, N.Y.)
Pausing in the engine room for this photo
by Lonnie Lonski are, standing (left to right):
Daly, 3rd Assistant; T. Ashe, Oiler; Lynch,
Oiler; B. Searfc FWT. Kneeling: Malcolm, 2nd
Assistant, and G.Lopshas, Oiler.
Here are some of the Deck Gang reaving
jumbo guys. Seated left to right, in foreground
are B. Wilson and Scotiy Smith, In rear are
W. Dixon, Chief Mate; , Belsamo, 2nd Mate;.
Luksa, Bx»un; Rogers, OS, and Eddins, Deck
Delegate.
Lonnie Misses Out On Hacksaw Concession
As Sausages Are Removed From The Arlyn
Viera Thanks Brothers
For Sympathy Messages
To the Editor:
I should like to express
through the medium of the SEA
FARERS LOG my deep appre
ciation to the many members
of the Union for their messages
of sympathy and condolenc^es
following the recent death of
my wife.
Tony Viera
SEAFARIJSfG TROUBADORS
' "ifei"
s I
% i
'i" h . ' ri
I ' X I
iiiil
Tt'A
I , J
These crewmen played the official swan song as the SS
William Tilghman went into the boneyard recently. The
musicmakers in front row are Pickaloo, BR; Oak Jones (he
submitted the photo). Deck Engineer; l,eo Stephenson, V^per.
Standing: J. Brown, Wiper; Neil Abernathy, MM; Jimmy, 3rd
Cook.' ' • . . • Sv
To ..the Editor:
If you see a bright, shiny ship
cruising down the Chesapeake
Bay with a Bull Line stack on
it, it's not the SS Puerto Rico
off course, but the Arlyn. This
ship is getting to look so good
that the Second Mate staiied to
wear his old Navy dress uniforms
on the bridge.
When the crew caught _ this
ship, she had been laid up for
three weeks in Baltimore. The
first thing the Chief Mate told
the new crew was "Boys, I want
this ship looking like a yatch."
After five months on here, I
know what he meant. The 124
watch doesn't ' even know if
there are bunks. If you can't
stand, they slap a chipping ham
mer in your hand and you chip
the deck.
I'm learning a lot gbout this
rum and coke rim. You've heard
of that song called "Bamboo"—
well the Bull Lane gu3;^s have
one called "Dunnage." I started
to throw a • couple of pieces of
dunnage over the side when four
guys jumped me, claiming I was
throwing away a wingof their
mansions. Even a termite would
n't have given that dunnage a
second look.
• jrY^u've all heard of the hula
giil^ toat meet ships coming in
to Hbnolulu. If you pull into
Pier 3, San Juan, you have a
reasonable fascimile. Instead of
singing "Aloha," I think their
theme song is "Penicilliapa."
In 1943, I made that Mur
manskArchangel run with a
Steward named Hansen, Every
time someone would order a full
house or seconds, he would get;
a tear in his eye. I thought he
was crying with joy, peeing the
boys eating so much because it
may have been their last meal.
Hah! Now I know the feal rea
son. He's the Bull Lines' Port
Steward in Baltimore now.
I noticed in a previous issue
of the LOG that Red Campbell
said that kielbasi was a marling
Spike dipped in garlic. He should;
see the sausage we had on this
ship. I started to negotiate for
the hacksaw concession on here,
but Hansen heard about it and
took the things off.
We blew our tops about the
hamburger on this ship. The
Steward wanted to know what
was wrong with it. As soon as
Goodyear sends us back the re
sults of the autopsy on it, we'll
let him know.
One thing you can give this
skipper credit for is that he can
park this scow like a kiddy car.
His name is M. W. Jay and I
believe he's rated as one of the
best docking Captains on the
East Coast.
I'm not saying this ship moves
around fast but we just tied up
and L walked in the messhall to
have a cup of coffee and jot
down a few notes on that great
American novel I'm writing, en
titled "Kinsey — Where Would
He Be If It Weren't For The
Merchant Marine?" when "Big
Deal'^ McMahon hollered fore
and aft.
I said, "'Where the hell hav6
you been." "We just tied up,"
he answered. "Yeah, well we're
• teady to let go again."
If any of you Brothers want a ^
decent place to drink, Pasquales? •
El Paraiso Bar is wellliked by |
the Bull and Waterman boys.
Beer is 20 cents a can. It's ai
267 St. Augustin ^Street, about
three blocks from Piers 9 and
14.
In the center of San Juan it's
the Two Dices Club. These jojnts
are not. open to the local debu
tramps.
I'm enclosing some pictures
taken at the Two Dices and
aboard the ship. My next letter
w'ill probably be from sbme
Army camp, as I reach the ripe
old age of 25 on the 22 of July.
Ah well, that's life!
J. (Lonnie) Lonski
'Bi$ John' Sends Greetings
To All From Tai Ping Yang
To the Editor:
Good cheer to you all. May
your years be many and happy.
How is the weather in lil ole
New Yerk? • '
Here, out on the blue Pacific
(Tai Ping Yang, qs the Chinese
would call it) the sun is dead
overhead and the heat is, so in
tense that you can smell fried
fish anywhere on deck. We fish
oiled the decks recently.
We loaded copra in Guam,
which I presume you are ac
quainted with. So you all know
we are really loaded—^with co
pra bugs, that is.
By "the way, the watches you
can buy at the Army PX^ at
Agana, the capital of Guam, are
certainly a bargain for any Sea
farer calling in that port.
But there is also a little catch
in Guam, as supposedtobe Sea
men's Service "Club (suggest
someone call Mr. Hicks, regional
director for tiie USS in Newj
York to inform him of the true
state of one of his clubs.) !
Highlights of the Guam club:;
Slot machines set to pay off
ia meager ten percent. ,
Hard beverages at a half a
buck" a throw. '
Beer at a quarter a battle. *
Food at exorbitant prices! .
Other clubs on the island wer^
checked. We found them to be
50 percent cheaper on all items.
In addition, no slot machines
but as the USS club was across
the pie/ from the ship, well, you
%an all imagine. It was packed
to capacity every eyeriing, the
majority being Anriy, Navy pnd
US Transport personnel. .(
At present we^are heading, for
town here in cozy Cebu. Will be,
seeing you soon—if not in per
son, it will be through the pagei
of, the .SEAFARERS LOG.
Militant greetings to evi
Seafarer ashore ^nd afloat.
"Big John" Wunderlieh
SS Coral Sea
r/August 4, iSSO TE£ 8EAV ARERS LOG Page. Nine
THEY BROVGBT THEM BACK ALIVE
When Isthmian's SS Steel Admiral docked at Pier 4, Stalen Island, recently, one of the
first, passengers to disembark was this 18foot python, which kept 10 hands plenty busy.
Seafarer Tom Freeland has
his beard probed by Jara, an
inquisitive moxikey who wea
thered the trip in good style.
Heavy but cooperative was this young elephant from Siam.
He gave nobody a hard time—even carried his own trunk
ashore. The animal cargo was consigned to a New York dealer.
W£ ARE THE WANDERERS'
To the Editor:
We are the wanderers.
The questionable distinction
was born with us and is as per
. manent and as irrevocable as
the color of our eyes. Our num
. bers are legion and we are
everywhere. .
We are doctors, teachers, shop
keepers, clerks, waiters, public
servants, 'miners, bankers, farm
ers, clergymen and prostitutes.
Our skins are of all colors. We
are male and, female. We live in
hovels and in castles. We live
tiowhere and everywhere. We
Saiiford Do^leEnglneMen
Praised For Efficiency
ITo the Editor:
^e wish to express our thanks
knd appreciation to the Black
C^ng that was sent "on this ship
tn Mobile. It has been a. great
pleasure to have a bunch of boys
like them in the Engine room.
I feel very sure if we could
have more like tliiem on our
ships a lot of bur troubles would
i be. eliminated.'
Louis E. Bennett.
Ssi Assistant
"SIS Sanford fi. Dole
are strong and we are weak—
religious and infideletous. We
are virtuous and evil, law abid
ing and destructive of society.
NO COMMON GROUND
There is no common ground
we tread. We do not know each
other and are indiscernible in
a crowd. Among us are those
whose paths carry them the
world over, and as many among
us live forever at our birthplace.
We live to know fame and we
live our lives with but one
friend who knows only part of
us.
There is ho common ground
for us to walk upon because we
walk above the ground and our
footsteps have no echo. But we
are all hungry and all,are alone.
Dur hunger is insatiable and our
aloneness has no consolation. «
We hear music rising like
moisture drawn from the earth.
We hear itr and it is gone, but
it will come again. It is gay as
daisies in the lawn. It is a fun
eral dirge; a wedding march; a
war dance; a hymn; a banal
song. It is borh in heaven, in
the hell fires> and sometimes on
the earth itself. We follow where
it leads,
And if in our last h6ur we
should hear the hymn we will
follow it into glory. If the music
is of flames dancing, it will lead
us to the bowels of the earth.
But We will follow.
We .are the wanderers. And
sometimes atdusk, at the end
of our day's work, we stand in
the isle of the trolley car and
deliberately ride several blocks
past our stop to take a new
route home.
I. H. Pepper
THANKS BROTHERS
WHO AIDED WITH
BLOOD DONATIONS
To the Editor:
I wish to thank the Brothers
who answered my appeal for
blood, donors while I was wait
ing for an operation at the Bal
timore Marine Hospital.
The hospital also extends its
thanks, as at the time I called
there were only three pints of
blood in the blood bank.
I might add that any member,
when he is near one of the mar
ine hospitals to stop in and do
nate blood, as you never can
tell when it might be you who
will be needing it.
J. Doa Long
Narrows Escape Was No Fun,
Says Survivor Of Sandcraft
To the Editor:
At 3 AM, Sunday, July 2nd,
while on our' "watery way" to
Coney Island to pick up a load
of "pay dirt," we, of the Sand
craft, were unceremoniously
drafted to participate in a noc
turnal swimming party — free
style. And that without having
time to don appropriate swim
ming gear in keeping with the
dignity of "Barnacled Bills."
I was snuggedly embraced by
the "Sandman," whg was deal
ing me poker hands that had no
equal and redhot tips on horses
that always won, when sudden
ly I was thrown into conscious
ness amid the bloodcurdling
blasts from the SS Melrose,
which seconds later rammed her
unwelcome nose deep into our
side, sprawling many of us over
the deck like marbles spilled
from a bag.
I raced from the foc'sle (prob
ably setting sort of a record)
hoping to find this Intruder of
my dreams and release the fury
of my indignation for having
unprovokedly made such an at
tack. Upon reaching the open
deck I was confronted with a
picture which will live indelibly
ih my memory until I depart this
carcass. There silhouetted against
an almost full moon and tower
ing over our much smaller craft
like Stone Moimtain beside a
boulder, was the bow of the SS
Melrose which made a real night
mare of otherwise pleasant
dreams.
THIS WAS IT
And, as if to clarify any
doubt as to the reality of the
moment and the imminent dan
ger at hand, the sound of run
ning water pouring into our
midship eliminated any optimism
as to th§ safety of our ship. The
time was then, the place was
there—^but not for romancing,
or an exchange of "it's been nice
sailing with you, mate." 'Tis
said "time and tide awaits no
man." May I also add, "Neither
does a sinking ship."
Captain Bob Ammon, quiekly
realizing the impending danger,
gave the order to abandon ship.
From bow to stern crewmem
bers hurriedly, but orderly leap
ed from the deck of the fast
sinking Sandcraft into the dark
murky waters below, as might
bullfrogs jumping from creek
banks to evade the cold steel of
the gigger. To each his own was
the,popular thought of the mo
ment and, believe me, non ques.
tioned, that inalienable right.
"Believe it or not" as Ripley
would say it, there was no panic
among those of whom I saw
before making my unscheduled
30foot plunge into the briny
4eep; although there was a bee
hive of activity following the
crash and before the Captain's
order to abandon ship was given.
Many of us, clad, only in little
more than nature provided, were
rescued by the SS Melrose, while
tugboats ploughing the night wa
ters of the Narrows, snaked other
hapless crewmembers from the
threshhold of "Davey Jones" larwd
of the deep." Other craft com
ing to our rescue were the in,
coming English liner SS Media
and patrolling harbor police
boats. Incidentally, the SS Media
bagged our Captain along with
some others found drifting sea
ward on a fasr tide.
WARMED UP
I, along with several others,
rescued by the Melrose, were giv
en blankets in which to wrap and
some steaming hot coffee. Later,
the obliging Steward provided
us with clothes from his own
locker and laughingly apologized
for some misfits. Thanks are
certainly in order for the spirit
ed attention shown us by the
Steward and the crew of the
Melrose.
A few minutes after getting in
side of blankets and on the out
side of hot coffee, we were la
ter transferred to a tugboat
owned by the McAllister Com
pany which ferried us to the Sta
ten Island station. There an am
bulance was in waiting to carry
us to the US Marine Hospital^
where a staff of doctors and
nurses gave us a good "once ov
er twice" to determine the ex
tent of our injuries, if any. Luck
ily there were none, except that
of the veteran Jim Purcell, whose
dunking resulted in a crippled
heel.
After the checkup, we all
could have, with the exception ,
of Purcell, gone on our "blank
eted way," but since "Davey
Jones" had taken both our cloth
ing and money, we fell wards
of the hospital without too much
coaxing. After realizing our
plight, those in charge at the
(Continued on Page 10)
• H
Long's Reelection Hailed
As Organized Labor Victory vl
To the Editor:
Labor spoke down here in the
city of New Orleans and the
State of Louisiana last week,
when Senator Russell B. Long
was reelected to the United
States by a majority of' over
200,000 votes.
He carried every parish in
thie state and even carried the
stronghold of his political foe.
Mayor Morrison of New Orleans,
beating him by 20,000 votes.
The reason for this letter is
to let our seafaring Brothers
know that without Labor's sup
port this reelection of a great
humanitarian would never have
been accomplished.
I want to familarize the mem
bers of theSIU with the impor
tance of why all organized labor
endorsed Russell B. Long for
the US Senate.
First, his previous two years
in the Senate stamped him as
a defender of Labor. He bitterly
opposed the TaftHartley Act.
And he has fought for a program
to develop the Port of New Or
leans as the greatest in the US,
second only to New York. He
has bitterly attacked the trans
fer of US ships to the Panama
flag. '
He makes the capitalists pay
through the nose so that school
children can obtain free books
and lunches and so that the aged
benefit by an oldage pension.
All this boils down to one :
thing: A man'srecord speaks for
itself. For the coming six years
we will be represented in the
Senate by one of the youngest
men ever to be reelected. Long
will be 31 on Nov. 3.
Our slogan was Louisiana,.;^
Long, Labor. It was a great vic
tory for Labor.
Vic Miozana
Page Tea T H E S E AF ARERS LOG Friday, August 4. 1950
(Continued from Page 1} *
and making the necessary plans,
if strike action becomes neces
sary,
Among those with whom Wil'
^ liams and Sheppard went into
conference was Walter Mayo,
president of the Lake Charles
AFL Central Trades and Labor
Council, Brother Mayo issued a
^atement later saying:
"Local labor leaders are dis
appointed to leam that the Cit
ies ServiceSIU dispute has not
been settled, and we hope that
an amicable agreement can be
worked out that will not upset
the friendly relations which have
existed between Cities Service
and local labor in Lake Charles."
Mayo also stated that present
developments were "a disappoint
ment to us."
"We had hoped," he said, "that
the differences were settled."
EXPECTED ARGREEMENT
Surprise that the negotiations
between the Union and the com
pany had not yet resulted in the
signing of a contract was also
expressed by other AFL union
officials.
One of the Cities Service Oil
Company's largest refineries is lo
cated at Lake Charles. It is
served ^y the tankers operated
by the Marine Division.
Also in the area are the gov
ernmentowned butadiene plant,
operated by Cities Service; the
Firestone Tire and Rubber Com
pany plant, which gets the buta
diene for further processing, arid
the new CitCon refinery, which
^tracts lubricating oil base
stocks from Cities Service crude
oil.
Had Lucky Day
I Says Survivor
F Of SS Sandcraft
(Continued from Page 9)
liospital readily made provisions
for our needs and comfort. To
; iestore our well being, we were
served an early breakfast at
iour o't.Jock, consisting of citrus
iand tomato juices, crisp bacon
and eggs, topped off with milk
and hot coffee.
Before we could be bedded
• down, a swarm of newsmen were
upon us. Questions and answers
along with a few synthetic smiles
were in the making. Finally and
Without too much suggesting, we
retired to our beds — some no
doubt hoping to connect with
their dreams which, so short
while ago had been disrupted by
the imtimely baptismal.
WELCOME AID
Ditting the day we were visit
^ by Red Cross workers and
other social organizations, who
inquired as to our needs and
notified relatives of our safety.
t, for one, am grateful to them
for their everreadiness to as
sist man in his hour of need.
The next day, July 3rd, we
were given a thorough examina
tion from head to foot with a
few Xrays thrown in for good
measure. The verdict was: fit
for duty. It could have been:
Fit for burial. Guess we had
a lucky day that night Thanks
be unto the fairest of all damesj
^"Lady Luck."
Worth Coihran
Cohmht Of Tr^ Oo SS Aneyfo Rko
' Informiiig You
BY M. OAKLEY STAFFORD ,
THE f/*,
Aboard the S. S. Puerto Rico, New York bound. . . . It's good to
be alive. . . . Maybe it's the tang of the salt sea air or the thrill of
"the spray in my face. Maybe it's the sea which is cognac to my blood.
I, . . Maybe it's the excitement of little things. . . . Like the Captain
(Homer R. Callis of Virginia), a seafaring man with an illustrous
• war record, as he stood on deck this morning and waved Jo his Son
passing on another boat, Puerto
Rico bound. . . . Why must people
who love each other always be
going in opposite directions? ,
Memories: Of Stanley Schuyler
oing mad with joy at the rhumba
hythms in Jack's at SanJuan.
Hewak forgetting sleepless nights
in the Philippines and recalling
only the excitement of going
through the Straits of Malacca
for the first time. . . . And the an
ticipation of a peaceful Paris in
the spring. ... I don't know why
it seemed the most exciting thing
in the world to be walking through
the streets of San Juah, Puerto
Rico, and hearing the pec^le speak
a language I did notunderstand.
> i. But I understood Jheir smiles.
The language. of th^ heart
IA understood thefr drowdmg to
wat(!h the turn of a (^Ited hf for
tune in the street. Til always
smile when 1 think of Joe Le
George and Tom Jones, who left
Ohio tb live irf^n Juan year5|^'ago
and forgot about 'retdrhiri^" td the
'Stated . because lovesit there
and is doing what he is happy in
newspaper work".'. . . He won't go
back. He shook his head when
I spoke of Broadway, of" Forty
second Stiseet..and:TimfiSa Square.
, . . The memory,of,a drive to the
world famous (Taribe Hilton (Liz
Taylor's fatherinlaw's hotel
bp^jght from the government of
Puerto Rico) , . . It's a big place.
Modernistic to the last degree.
... You don't describe the place,
you see if. . . . But I think it
was the company I was in. A
lad from Washington State who
6howed'^~the 'picture of a girl he
thoughf'was xthe pfefctiest in the
world. . J . And Fred Haiaiach,
whose cousumingi^ interest in life
is thej symphony. . looked
over athandsome Tad Wrona. We
werd^ifeth a long wayfrom the
Connecticut we calLhoqig. • .
and 'Pbiil Gillette uWho . told, his
father it was not being a newspa
' "jfer man with the Gannett vuhairt,
Be wanted, it was experience oh The trouble with
Bis own. From .Cornelh'to a comerj»most of us is we talk in terms of
in the ClJaribe Hilton, and rat
1 mpmber people not things.^
Can't just land on one for a jaunt
either. . . . Can't do; any of the
things those wild tales of the sea
have told us they did. Today it
is a job, held by a man who wants
a job not a ride. . . ssX'ILremember
theirsuitability for4he role they
play.. .. And that this is the first
allAmerican manned^ship 1 Bave
found superior to^imy foreign
service i have expeffenced. ...
Things like that I "^remember.
Things like the superiority of
American labor.
It Is Good To Steal Away From
routine for a spell. . , , Ckiod to!
feel glad to be alivd. .» . Good to
store memories. . . .* Everything
empty. ̂ , . People sai^hihgTT aSK
questions, really don't' want an
^swers.
San Jiian Receded Into The
distance.,. . . The next stop being!
'Truillo where the palm trees i
along the shoredrive to the Jag
uar Hotef; are so beautiful it is as
though you were reaching up for
the sun, ... Trying to bag the
wind. . . . People again. . . John
Velasco, who is a brunette Jack
Caf;soh, but nicer., . Talking
about his' job at sea. . ."'. The sea'j
won't really get him.... The wife
and children are the only things
which will ever hold him. : . i
Maybe. . . . Maybe the sea, being
a piRtient mistress is waiting. . . .
Then Richard Grant, the hand
somest Irishman aboard, who be
lieves the ledgend of Killamey be
cause believing brings a glow tq
the cheek and a sparkle to the
eye. . i . Men of the sea. . . . Men
who never call her' Ole Debbil
Sea because they love 4ier. . . .
Men who are glad their jobs have
been raised to the dignity of a
trade as opposed to what they were
years ago when crews were taken
from back rooms of taverns.
we meet becomes ̂part of us... .
Good or bad, it becomes part of
us. . . . Hearing Stan .Schuyler
talk to that .pretty little girl in
one of the spots. . . . A moth
whose life was built around a
flame. . » . I asked her why she
stayed in the tropics instead of
joining her Puerto Rican family
in New York. . . t "And smother?"
she asked me..'^ .». A free spirit
whose exlsterica would smother
those of us who^are not cut from
the same cloth.". . . I' see fter now
dancing with Stjan. ... Living ior
the minute... ̂̂ I'll hear again and
again Gaetana Silvestii and his
song, "You're Breaking My
Heart." He had a letter in his
pocket from a girl who has wait
ed a long time for him to save
enough to .marry on., "Blackie"
had better hurry or he may wake
up to find himself married to the
sea, with, a song as his compan
ion. .. . Why do people think love
will wait for them to be ready to
accept it? Does the sun do your
bidding; come at your call? . . .
AndLeila Trew. 1 shall think of
her;The woman who faced life
Gaive up one thing and took an
other and abides by her decision
* walk indiependently or with
^ngenial friends of her own
loosing.
I'll Remember The Smile And
willingness of a . former . Water
bury lad, George Heltzer. ... As
'I will , long remember Scottie Ay
Bosson, Harry Iliff, Clement Hos
pedales, Jack Gagliardi and Jack
Struller sitting around a table
unmindful of a brisk wind which
gave a gentleroll to the coffee
cups before us Talking about
home. . . . Men always keep home
in mind even though they return
there seldom. ... All men are
alike in things they hold precious.
H:., . A
,This ship, for instance^ beoft^e
it, the S. S. Puerto l^co^^bas in
"illustrious history. It was R trans
port ship during the^waFv*^^arf
ried boys from home .to battle. \
. Maybe someoneofyou reati \
Ing this went, over^ dh^his ship. /
, . That's what I^m^remember I
about it. . . . And ̂ w whether If
you like it orjdaoifijHfe Seafarers.;;
International Unrerft^has changrdj/
a job on a ship t# a dignified or L
cupation from>a^jtchhike to a V
Strange coufttry'' with abandon
ment at the end of the line. Men
can't abandoae^ships now..
halfloaves and battle our heads
against the stone wall of the le
mand for everything. ... A
Dominican tells me a full moon
is'only half good if the arms are'
Why Must I Forget To Be In
terested by the development of
Trujillo, which despite myself, re
calls so much of Hitler's Germany
and Mussolini's Rome. ... Or of
th desire for Puerto Rico to im
prove industrially. . . . Why, I
wonder, must I skip over the facts
of government and statistics of
these islands andthink only of the
lovely, ship plowing its way
through, the blue, calm, tropical
waters. ... Or of the palm trees
of the tropical islands. ... Or the
smiles and the heart beat of the
people. ... I guessits because
facts slide into unimportance,
when the heart .is happy andithe
niind free. » . . Maybe that's why
it was never more exciting to be
it was hver more exciting to be
alive. ... Why I'm closing now to
get nearer, for the minute, to
strains of a .rhumba band P.laying
the song of the tropics. "Amor."
M. Oakley StaJford's coliirnn,
"Informing You," appears dtiily
and Sundiy in The Courant,
The crack Seafarers crew aboard the Bull Lines passenger ship
Puerto Rico, which leaves New York for San Juan and Ciudad Trujillo
twice monthly, strives to give passengers service second, to none on the
i ' seven seas. ^
That they are succeeding in this objective is proven in voyage aftet
voyage by the testimony of the passengers themselves.
The most recent accolade comes from M. dakley Stafford, a column^
ist for the Hartford (Conn.) Courant, who devoted her July 12 column
to an account of her recent trip aboard the Puerto Rico. Sprinkled
throughout the accoilof^ are the names of memJbers of the ship's crewt
who are among the Seafarers whose job performances are making the
ITS inei^chant marine the most efficiently operated in the world*
Friday, August 4, 1950 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page EleTes
TT
Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings in Brief
SAVANNAH — Chairman. E.
D. Sims, 48971; Recording Sec
retary, Doug Acker, 24715: Read
ihg Clerk, Jeff Gillette, 37060.
Motions carried to accept Sec
retaryTreasurer's financial re
port and Headquarters report to
the membership. Brother Gillette
reported that the Port Agent
was m Atlanta, attending the
• gtate forum on unemployment
insurance and compensation.
Minutes of other Branch meet
ings read and approved. Com
munication from SecretaryTrea
surer regarding war area bonus
read to meeting, and motion car
ried to accept. Charges read and
referred to Trial Committee, with
following elected to serve: R.
Simpkins, E. D. Sims, W. J.
Groover, J. H. Chassereao and
J. S. Bragg. Meeting adjourned
at 8:30 PM, with 41 members
present.
i
PHILADELPHIA — Chairman.
A. S. Cardiillo, 24599: Recording
Secretary, D. HaU, 43372: Read
ing Clerk, G. Everett, 38369.
Minutes of other Branch meet
ings read and approved. Agent
reported that shipping" had taken
an upswing, with ABs getting
the biggest number of calls. Mo
tion carried to accept Secretary
Trfeasurer's communication on
A&G Shipping Frm July 12 To July 26
REG.
PORT DECK
Boston...
New, York 161
Philadelphia 27
Baltimore .' 88
Norfolk. ,... , 9
Savannah 14
Tampa 6
Mobile ; . 53
New Orleans....... 45
Galveston. ; 35
West Coast 31
GRAND TOTAL 469
REG.
ENG.
REG.
STWDS.
TOTAL
REG.
SHIPPED
DECK
SHIPPED SHIPPED TOTAL
ENG. STWDS. SHIPPED
(No Figures Received)
127
(No Figures Received)
152"
25 *
56
12;
9
7
38
36
32
32
399
26
58
6
17
9
39
58
36
19
395
440
78
202
27
40
22
130
139
103
8'2
1,263
145
23
66
9
14
8
56
63
34
24
442
110
16
51
10
9
9
60
53
40
34
392
88
18
66
13
11
9
44
76
32
12
369
343
57
183
32
34
26
160
192
106
70
1,203
war risk insurance as read. Com
munication read from Marine
Corps League. Motions carried
to concur in SecretaryTrea
surer's financial report and Head
quarters report to the member
ship as read. Charges read and
referred to Trial Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
X t,
BALTIMORE — Chairman, C.
Stroud, 38361: Recording Secrei.
lary, T. Smith, 20057: Reading
Clerk. A. Stansbury, 46838.
Michael P. Prochak was given
the Union Oath of Obligation.
Motions carried to accent min
utes of Branches holding meet
ings. Motion carried to forward
all ship's minutes to the LOG
for publication. Men asking to
be excused from meeting were
referred to the Dispatcher. Head
quarters report accepted. Under
Good and Welfare Agent 'vas
asked to find out the proper
setup for vaccinations. Meeting
adjourned with 360 members
present.
i 4 i.
BOSTON—Insufficient number
of bookmembers present to con
stitute a quorum. No meeting
held.
& a> 4.
NORFOLK — Chairman, BMI
Rees, 95: Recording Secretary
and Reading Clerk, J. Bullock.
4747.
No official meeting held be
cause of a lack of a quorum.
Special meeting held to ^heck
the shipping cards. •
X X %
NEW YORK—Chairman, John
Arabasz, 29836: Recording Sec
retary, Freddie Stewart, 4935:
Reading Clerk, Eddie Mooney,
46671.
Minutes of other Branch meet
ings read and approved. Port
Agent discussed the shipping
situation, pointing out that job
opportunities had continued to
increase in this port for the
second successive shipping pe
riod. He said, however, that Un
ion manpower was more than
adequate to meet any needs on
shipping made by the current
conflictin Korea. SecretaryTrea
surer's financial report and Head
quarters report to the member
ship were rea7 and motions car
ried to concur in them. In the
Headquarters report, the mem
ASST. SECRETARYTREASURERS
Robert Matthews Lloyd Gardner
Joseph Volpian
S U P
Directory Of SIU Halls
SIU, A&G District
BALTIMORE ...14 North Gay St.
William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4840
BOSTON ...276 Sute St.
Ban Lawson, Agent Richmond 20140
Dispatcher Richmond 20141
qALVESTON 308)4—23rd St.
Keith AIsop, Agent Phone 28448
LAKE CHARLES, La.... 1410 Ryan St.
L. S. Johnston, Agent
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 21784
NEW ORLEANS 823 Bienville St.
E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 61126113
NEW YORK B1 Beaver St.
Joe Alglna, Agent HAnover 22784
NORFOLK 127129 Bank St.
Ben Rees, Agent Phone 41083
fHILAOELPHIA 337 Market St.
S. Cardullo, Agent Market 71638
SAN FRANCISCO.. 480 Harrison St.
Jeff Morrison, Agent Douglas 28478
SAN JUAN, PR 282 Ponce do Leon
Sal Colls, Agent
SAVANNAH 2 Ahoreom St.
E. Bryant, Agent Phone 81728
SEATTIX 2700 1st Ave.
Wm. McKay, Agent Seneca 4870
TAMPA.... .18091811 N. Franklin St.
jRay White, Agent Phono 21323
SFILMINGTON, Calif, 227% Avalon Blvd.
E. B. Tilley, Agent Terminal 42874
HEADQUARTERS. .81 Beaver St, N.Y.C.
SECRETARYTREASURER
/ Paul Hall
DlRECl'OR OF ORGANIZATION
Lindaoy Williams
HONOLULU ...16 Merchant St.
Phono 88777
PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St.
Beacon 4336
RICHMOND, CaUr. 287 8th St.
Phone 2899
SAN FRANCISCO..... .480 Harrison St.
Douglas 28363
SEATTLE 86 Seneca Sb
Main 0290
WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd.
Terminal 43131
Canadian District
MONTREAL 463 McGill St.
, MArquotta 8909
FORT WILLIAM.. 118% Syndicate Ave.
Ontario Phone 33221
HALIFAX ...128% HolUs St.
Phane 38911
PORT COLBORNB.....103 Durham St.
Phono 8891
TORONTO.... 86 Colhomo St.
Elgin 8719
VICTORIA 817% Gormorant St.
Empire 4831
VANCOUVER 888 Hamilton St.
Pacific 7824
SYDNEY .,304 Chariette St.
Phono 8346
HEADQUARTERS 483 McGlU St.
Montreal MArquette 7377
bership was informed that the
Us Circuit Court of Appeals had
signed a decree enforcing the
terms of the Settlement Stipula
tion agreed to by Cities Serv
ice Oil Company after it capit
ulated to the charges of unfair
labor practices pressed by the
National Labor Relations Board.
The SecretaryTreasurer also
announced that architect's ten
tative plans for alterations of
the new HeadquartersPort of
New York building had been
completed and that work on the
job was expected to get under
way shortly. He,freported on the
recent Washington meeting, at
which the unions and shipown
ers drew up a plan to keep com
mies off the waterfront, a job
which the SIU has been'attend
ing to successfully since its in
ception. Also discussed were the
Union's plans for obtaining ade
quate war bonus p'rbtection.
t %
TAMPA—Chairitaan,; Rl White,
57: Recording Secretary, N. Ellis,
16; Reading Clerk, R, HaU, 26060.
Minutes of previcma meeting
accepted, as were of
previous meetings held iff other
Branches. Agent reported that
shipping is slow with,the port
still overloaded withAJlonrated
men. Motion carried to • accept
communication from Hfeadquar
ters concerning the W^fiw.e Plan.
Under Good and Welfare there
was discussion on the?l'Welfjire
Plan and the Korean situation.
4. 4.
NEW ORLEANS — Chairman,
LeRoy Clarke, 23062: Recording
Secretary, BiU Fredericks, 94:
Reading Clerk, Buck Stephens,
78.
was helped a great deal by the
turnout of the Seafarers. Several
men asked to become reactive
and were okayed. Good and
Welfare: The Welfare Plan was
discussed with all hands in favor
of it. The Hospital Patrolman ex
plained to the members present
what papers were needed when
entering the hospital.
XXX
GALVESTON —Chairman,
KeUh Alsop: Recording Secre
tary, J. Monast, 22585: Reading
Clerk, C. Tannehilh 25922.
Motions carried to accept min
utes of meetings held in other
Branches. Headquarters report
accepted. SecretaryTreasurer's
report accepted. Proposed war
bonus and warrisk insurance
agreement read to the members.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15.
XXX
MOBILE—Chairman, R. Matt
hews, 154: Recording Secretary,
Louis Neira, 26393: Reading
Clerk, H. Fischer,
Motions carried to accept min
utes of Branches holding meet
ings. Agent reported that ship
ping is expected to be good with
Mississippi, Waterman and South
Atlantic each taking two ships
out of the boneyard. However,
the Agent pointed out, there
would be sufficient men in th^
port to man the ships, and there
would be no need for men to
come in from other ports. Trial
Committee's report aga^t a
Brother read and accepted. Head
quarters report and Secretary
Treasurer's financial report read
and accepted. Meeting adjourned
with 280 members present.
4 4 4
SAN FRANCISCO—Chairman,
J. Morrison, 34213: Recording
Secretary, D. R. Harmon, 49970;
Reading Clerk, J. Johnson, 51209.
Minutes of meetings held in
other Branches read and accept
ed. Agent reported that shipping
• for past two weeks had been
slow, but the future looked good
with a sizeable number of ships
due in port. One member who
asked to be excused from the
meeting was given jiermission.
Meeting adjourned with 35 mem
bers present.
4 4 4
WILMINGTON—Only 16 book
members in port, so quorum
could not be raised. Official meet
ing not held.
1 T • ;Jr {• .1
'' . *1
' 1;
Get A Receipt
Every member making a
donation to the Union for
any purpose • should receive
an official receipt bearing
the amount of the contribu
tion and the purpose for
which it was made.
If a Union official to whom
contribution is given does
not make out a receipt for
the money, the matter should
immediately be referred to
Paul Hall, SecretaryTrea
surer, SIU, 51 Beaver Street,
New York 4, N. Y.
In advising the Secretary
Treasurer of 4uch transac
tions, members should state
the name of the official and
the port where the money
was tendered.
: f,
• 'r
m
Minutes of meetings heldin
other SIU Branches read and^c
cepted. Headquarters financial
report accepted. Agent reported
that shipping has been slow,
with expected boneyard ships
not hitting the port, but taking
crews in Mobile and Galveston.
The Agent also reported on the
landslide election of Senator
Long and the large vote regis
tered in New Orleans, which
JUAN V. FERNANDEZ
Get in touch with wife at
working address. Urgent.
4 4 4
TOM MACK
"Sent it registered to Seattle
Hall: Wm. C. Kennedy."
4 4 4
SIDNEY L. WILSON
Write to your mother, PC Box
1017, Memphis, Tennessee.
4 4 4
JOHN DOLAND CLARK
Your wife asks you to come
home at once. There has been
a death in the family.
4 4 4
CREW, DANIEL WILLARD
(September, 1945)
Members of the Willard crew
who helped in salvaging of SS
Samuel de Champlain may pick
up onehalf month's wages at of
fice of Calmar SS Company.
(Notice given to LCX5 by W. W.
Lee, retired member.)
4 4 4
W. F. GENTRY
His sister would appreciate
hearing from anyone who has
seen him: Mrs. E. Y. Scott, Jr.,
409 W. Main Street, Swainsboro,
Georgia.
JOHN HARVEY SPEARMAN
Your wife asks you to write
her at 1407 Crawford Street,
Houston, Texas.
4 4 4
SALVATORE VOLPI
Your wife is ill, contact her
at 231 E. 67th St., Apt. 1A^
New York.
4 4 4
CREW, SS DEMOSTAR
Crewmembers on trip froth
West Coast to Ireland, payiiig
off in Galveston, have $40 in
bonus money coming. Collect at
company office.
4 4 4
PHILIP E. MARCHLING
Your sister says it is uigent,
that you get in touch with her
at 1446 Campt Street. New Or?;,
leans, Louisianna.
4 4 4
CHARLES L. MORSE ^
Contact your mother: ADiron
dack 42067.
4 4 4
CHARLES HUNEYCUTT
Your gear has been diecked
in the Philadelphia Hall. You
may pick up the claim .check at'
the LOG office, 51 Beaver Stree^^
New York City.
.iii
te.
Page Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG l^day. August 4, ISSO. J rE
AFL And CIO Move Closer Toward Unity
WASHINGTON—The AFL and«
GIO are headed for. organic un
ity.
Representatives designated by
the AFL Executive Council and
the CIO Executive Board con
stituted themselves at a 2day
meeting as a permanent commit
tee to seek the ultimate goal oil
a single united labor movement
in America.
They called for another ses
sion August 4 in Chicago to con
sider next steps, and to make
the organization formal with the
election of a chairman and secre
tary.
COOPERATION PLEDGED
The committee agreed that the
entire AFL and CIO will work
together with the government
in the Korean crisis, for nations
defense, in^ the legislative field
and to elect a liberal Congress
in November.
The full and complete pledge
of cooperation in all, fields in
spired rank and file union mem
bers throughout the coimtry and
is expected to mark the begin
' ning of a new era of greater
achievement for organized labor
• and all the people.
The agenda for the August 4
meeting was being prepared by
AFL Vice President Charles J.
MacGowan, president 'Interna
tional Brotherhood of Boiler
Makers, and CIO Vice President
Allan S. Haywood.
In a joint press conference,
they told reporters that the j:om
mittee had but one task—to form
one labor movement.
UNITY A "MUST"
"With the disturbed world
conditions and the march of com
munism," Mr. MacGowan said,
"we feel that to preserve our
American institutions and to pro
tect the working people of this
country and other countries the
necessity for organic unity is a
virtual must.
"Our conversations and rela
tions have been conducted in an
atmosphere of ' hearty cordiality
and every member of this com
: mittee is determined to achieve
our ultimate goal."
The full 10man committee
earlier issued a joint statement
pledging full united labor sup
port to winning the war in Kor
ea, continued cooperation in in
ternational relations through the
International Confederation of
Free Trade Unions, and continu
ed. cooperation in the fields of
legislation" and political action.
m The Rival Camps Compare
Russia Holds Combat Edge Nqw
wtsTtRH Dtmaum
COMBAT
POWER
f
mmmsmium
'V
illl ^o,oo(? Mm
rnmm i 6,0 00
—From AFL labor Moadiir Snrrajf
Cost Of Raising Ship
Too Gostiy; Owners
Abandon Sandoraft
The SlUcontracted 2,054tott
dredge l^ndcraft, which has
been lying in nine fathoms bg
water in the. middle of NeW
York. Harbor's Narrows sihc^
she went dbwn in a coUiisioa
with the collier Melrose on July
2, has. been abandoned by hejj
owners. ' '.
As a result, Army Engineer^
have asked for salvage bids foii
the vessel, which has been men
acing hundreds of ships using
the channel every week. Thb
Sandcraft sunk within ten min«
utes of the crash, but all of her'
34man_crew were rescued.
It is believed that the vessel'^
owners. Construction Aggregates
Corporation, found that a raising
job might not be worthwhile,
and that the cost of breakini^
her' up would be prohibitive. "
The Army, said efforts woqld
be made to expedite the raising;
but that the case represented a.
difficult salvage job. , .
AFL Butchermen
Urge Jail For
War Profiteers
M;
IMPORTANT STEPS
The committee said that at
future meetings it will give con
sideration to:
1. Establishing practical mach
inery to handle problems of jur
isdictional disputes and raiding
affecting^ unions of the two or
ganizations.
2. "Specific proposals for or
ganic unity.
AFL officials regarded the de
'Cisions as the most important
ever taken to unify the 16^000,000
members of American labor un
der one banner.
Committee members made
known that when the AFL and
the CIO had cleared away major
obstacles to their merger, other
labor groups such es the United
Mine Workers and railroad bro
"dierhoods would be contacted.
The International Association
of Machinists is conducting in
dependent negotiations for re
affiliation with the AFL.
1.1 i if jit' Miy
CHICAGO — Imprisonment for
profiteers in the Korean war
crisis was demanded by the AFL
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and
Butcher Workmen, in telegrams
sent to President Truman and
Attorney General J, Howard Mc
Grath.
Earl W. Jimerson, president,
and Patrick E. Gorman, secre
tarytreasurer, signed the wires
on behalf of the union's 225,000
members in the meat industry.
They said:
"While American boys are dy
ing in Korea, it is revolting to
hear many gloat over prospects
that the war will bring a boom
to industry.
"... should any person or cor
poration engage in profiteering
or black marketing, the severest
possible punishment (short of
death) ,upon conviction should be
the penalty imposed for such
profits earned from the blood of
our yoimg heroes."
Mr. Gorman said that meat
prices have gone up 10 to 15 per
cent in scare buying since the
North Koreans crossed the 38th
medidian.
"There is no necessity for
hoarding and scare buying," he
said. "It is a disgrace. A friend
of mine who has a small busi
ness—3 stores—sold 8 tons of
sugar in 3 days, just over the
counter. Consumers who former
ly brought 5 pounds came in for
100 pounds." ,
While the meat cutters are op
posed to controls of any kind in
peacetime, they favor rigid gov
ernment price control diuing
war, Mr. Gorman added. He said
the fighting in Korea should be
treated as a war.
"If price control is enforced,
organized labor will be ready to
accept wage control," said Mr.
Gorman. "We should agree not
to ask increases in. wages as long
as prices remained fixed." ,
All hoarders should be penal
I ized, he said, even housewives.
Rut U S. Has Production Margin
wesmt etmmtts Russu m stumum
PROOUCnON
POWER
—Fn>m AFL Labor Monthly Survey
Unions Join To Bar Red Motaffo
(Continued from Page 1)
to review such appeals organ
ized labor and management shall
have proper representation as
follows: In each principal port
one man shall represent the em
ployers, one man shall repre
sent the union and one man from
the Coast Guard. A National ap
peals board shall be set up in
Washington, D.C., comprised of
representatives from each group
in a similar representation.
(7) Should any imion or or
ganization not here signatory by
phony ̂ monstrations, bogus j>ic
ket lines, etc., endeavor to de
lay or obstruct vessel move
ments, all unions signatory shall
not assist, condone, or support
such movements but shall keep
the vessels sailing.
The last point was obviously
aimed at Harry Bridges' Long
shore union and the Marine
Coote and Stewards, neither of
which was invited to the meet
ing, in view of their total sup
port of Russia's policies.
The meeting was called by
Secretaries of Labor and Com
merce, Maurice J. Tobin and
Charles Sawyer, respectively, and
was ' sapctioned \ by President
Truman.
AGREEMENT NECESSARY
Secretary Tobin pointed out
that voluntary agreement on
maritime policy was necessary
because at present there was no
law under which subversives
might be barred from employ
ment on American vessels.
In a. joint statement. Hall and
Morris "W'eisberger, New York
SUP Agent, said, "It should be
pointed out that of all the or
ganizations attending, the SIU
and SUP actually had no real
reason for being present.
"Sure, we're for keeping com
mies off the waterfront. Our rec;
ord proves that conclusively
from way back," he added.
"Actually," Hall said, "there
are few, if any, commies in out"
organization. But on account of
the fact that there are commiea
in some sections of the maritime
industry who are pledged to
sabotage shipments of material
to Korea, we were forced into
a situatiorT we do not entirely
relish.
"Our reasons are sound and.
based upon our experiences dur*
ing the last war. Increased bu
reaucratic controls, unless, watch
ed carefully, conceivably could
result in piecemeal restrictions
uppn the freedom of merchant
seamen—or ot^r working, men,
for that matter.
'^That's something that shbiaid
be guarded against, if we arei
io preserve democracy," the Sill,
official said.!:^:
ContiBnes Its StalUng
Official Organ, Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA
VOL. XII NEW YORK, N. Y., FRIDAY. AUGUST 4. 1950 No. 15
Long Thanks SlU For Aid
Those of you who have been reading the min
utes of the New Orleans Branch meetings may have
been struck by the continued appeals to the mem
bership toregister for the elections and for active
help for the SlUsupported candidates. That these
appeals proved effective was shown when, the r^
suits of the jelling were made known. One of the
successful candidates backed by the SIU T^as US
Senator Russell B. Long, who sent the following
telegram to SecretaryTreasurer Paul Hall, in ap
preciation of the aid given him by the Union:
"My sincerest thanks to you and the mem
bers of your organization for the assistance
and support expressed in such a real way in
my campaign. This in large measure made
possible my overwhelming victory. Please as
sure your members I will continue the fight
for the protection and betterment of the sea
" man and his institutions. I shall look forward
to your calling on me personally in Washing
ton for any service I can render. Sincerely,
Russell B. Long"
Skips To Be Seorebed
For Planted ABombs
US Customs officials made
their first' search of an Iron Cur
tain country vessel t^is week
under authority of the recently
passed "Tfojan Ship" measure,
which permits inspection of for
eign flag ships for atomic bombs
or other weapons.
The security" check took place
in Boston aboard the Finnish
ship Sirius. In New York, Cus
toms prepared to examine the
Polish line Batory, due to ar
rive within the next few days.
Meanwhile, Seafarers are urg
ed to apply their own security
measures aboard their ships in
foreign ports.
Vigilance should be maintained
to prevent unauthorized persons
from boarding or otherwise gain
ing access to their vessels. Crew
members noticing unknown per
sons in suspicious circumstances
should immediately report the
matter to their Ship's Delegate.
Maritime Unions Join in Plan
To Prevent Communist Sabotage
The membership of tjie SIU Atlantic and Gulf
District authorized Headquarters to issue a strike
call against the Cities Service Oil Company's Ma
rine Division if negotiations to obtain a full con
tract prove futile.
The strike authorization came at the last reg
ular Headquarters meeting in response to a report
on the status of the contract talks, which have
virtually been stalemated by a renewal of the com
pany's stalling tactics.
Negotiations for a full contract, to be incorpo
rated with the interim agree*
ment signed on March 10, were
WASHINGTON — Representa
tives of the Slli and SUP met
here last week with government
> officials, shipowners and other
waterfront union officials and
adopted a voluntary plan to pre
vent communist sabotage on the
US waterfront during the cur
rent Korean crisis.
Purpose of the plan was to
assure prompt and safe sea
borpe transportation of men and
materials to Korea. Under the
plan, communists and other sub
versives will be weeded out and
barred from sailing. The Coast
Korean War Speeds
European Arms Aid
The SlUmanned Alcoa Puritan
is en rout^ to' Europe 'this yreek
carrying the first arms aid car
go consigned from the Port of
Philadelphia under the mutual
assistance program.
The Alcoa fi^eighter is moving
22 new trucks, to be followed by
subsequent arms shipments, in
cluding tanks and other war ma
teriel, at regular intervals.
The Philadelphia shipment
was taken as evidence that the
Government is speeding up as
sistance to the Atlantic Pact na
tions as a result of the commu
nist aggression in Korea.
Guard will determine whom to
reject for employment on the
vessels, on the basis of informa
tion supplied by other govern
ment agencies.
APPEALS GUARANTEED *
At the insistence of the unions,
rigid protection for appeals
against arbitrary decisions by
the Coast Guard were written
into the plan.
No man is to be classified as
a bad security risk because of
his union activities.
• Despite the guarantees against
discrimination, Paul Hall, Secre
taryTreasurer of the SIU Atlan
tic and Gulf District, said that
any such plan contains inherent
potential dangers to the freedom
of seamen.
"While we endorse the purpose
of the plan—^sweeping the com
mies off the waterfront—our Un
ion recognizes that broad powers
agency can lead to abuses. We,
therefore, intend to be vigilant
against any encroachment upon
the basic rights and freedoms of
our members."
The statement on policy laid
down at the conference, follows:
We, the representatives of
Maritime Labor, and employer
organizations in the maritime in
diistry, in the current crisis
caused by the Communist in
vasion of Southern Korea, here
by declare ourselves bound by
the following policy:
(1) We pledge full cooperation
to the United States Government
in the entire period of the em
ergency.
(2) We recognize that certain
men, because of being known as
Communist Party card carriers,
subversives, or who are notor
ious as consistently carrying out
policies of the Communist Party,
will be classified as bad security
risks by the military or proper
Government authorities.
SHIPS TO MOVE
(3). No ship will be delayed be
cause any such men are re
jected by the United States mili
tary or proper Government au
thorities as a bad seciurity risk.
(4) If such a man is thus re
jected, the Union involved im
mediately will furnish a replace
in the hands of a bureaucratic^ pent. However, the Union or the
employee involved, shall have
the right to appeal the case be
fore a proper review. board, if
it feels .the classification of ahS
individual is improper or incor'
rect.
(5) No man shall be classified
as a bad security risk as a means
of discrimination because of un
ion activity.
(6) In any review board set up
(Continued on Page 12)
resumed after the Cities Service
Oil* Company in effect pleaded
guilty to all unfair labor pracr
tice charges at a National Labor
Relations Board hearinjg in June.
It was at this trial that the com
pany's labor spy system was ex
posed. ^
The company then agreed to
abide by the terms of the
NLRB's Settlement Stipulation,
which included a provision that
R bargain in good faith with the
^U for a contract covering un
licensed personnel aboard its 16
tankers."
On July 21 the United States
Circuit Court of Appeals, Sec
ond District, issued a decree en
forcing the terms of the settle
ment stipulation.
Failure on the part of company
officials to live up to the court
©rder now may be construed as
being in contempt of court. Con
tempt is punishable by fines and
imprisonment or both.
Reports have already been
filed at Union Headquarters of
instances in which terms of the
NLRB settlement order have
been violated by the company,
among them that copies of the
order have not been posted
aboard some CS tankers.
STALLING DETECTED
V7ith indications that CS offi
cials were again seeking to, stall
negotiations, rather than sit down
and work out a standardtype
contract, the SIU began prepara
tions for a strike move, in the
event current discussions pro
duce nothing more than double
talk.
SIU Director of Organization
Lindsey WiUiams, accompanied
by Earl Sheppard,. the Union's
Gulf Coast representative and
New Orleans Port Agent, are
in Lake Charles, Louisiana, con
ferring with local union officials
(Continued on Page 10)
US Ships Idls:
Navy Charters
7 Foreign Ships
The Military Sea Transport
Service, the agency which pro
cures transports for the United
States Government, does not ifi
tend to halt its practice of char
tering foreign flag vessels. Ad
miral William M. Callaghan,
head of the MSTS announced
this week.
This announcement scotched
an earlier re'port that the MSTS
had decided to suspend this
policy.
PAY HIGH RATES !
So far since the start of hos
tilities in Korea, the agency has
ch^tered a total of seven for
eign flag ships. On the East
Coast the MSTS timechartered
a Canadian Liberty for immed
iate delivery in Hampton Roads,
Va., at $1,050 a day, a rate that
a month ago was considered even
high for an American Liberty,
according to maritime observers.
Admiral Callaghan said that
Navy policy has been to spot
charter foreign tonnage when
US ships are not available, and
that no change in this policy
has been made.
Foreign ships will only be
chartered when absolutely need
ed, he added.
With the need for cargo ships
in the present emergency in
creasing daily, plans call for re
activating tonnage from the
mothb^ fleets on a time charter
basis.
If reserve fleet ships are not
available, second call will go to
United States shipping companies
for use of their vessels on time
charters.
Ctmumer i^kes Near New H^h
WASHINGTON — Prices are
higher now than jany time in the
history of this country, except
for the alltime .peak reached in
August and September, 1948, the
Federal Reserve Board told Con
gress this week.
xiie board feared "serious
problems of "gray markets and
spiraling prices."
"Even before the attack by the
communist • North Koreans, on
June 25," the board noted,
"prices were rising and We were
in a potential inflationary situ
ation.
• ''' '
"Because of developments in
the past few weeks, it is imper
ative that steps be taken to re
duce or defer civilian demands
and to lessen inflationary pres
sures."
Prices of 28 basic commodities
advanced 10 percent in one
month after the fighting began,
while the allcommodity index
of wholesale prices rose 4 per
cent, the board reported.
"Consumer prices are now
higher than at any other time,
except for a short period in the
latter part of 1948," the board
said.
Pagp Two T H E S E AF ARE RS LO G Friday, AuguBi C iaSe
SEAFARERS LOG
Published Every Other Week by the
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
Atlantic and Gulf District
Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnovet 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
Caught Short Again
With well over a thousand ships lying in reserve
fleets in various spots of the nation, and thousands of
skilled American seamen and shipyard workers idle on
the beach, the United States is frantically searching for
foreign ships to transport cargoes in the present emergency.
Only the other day, the Military Sea Transport Serv
ice—the agency which procures maritime transport for
the government—timechartered the seventh foreign flag
ship for the movement of cargoes not only in the Pacific
but for Atlantic service, as well.
True, the MSTS says that it will only resort to for
eignflag ships when US vessels are unavailable, but we're
wopdering what the agency is doing to see that the ships
will be available to meet the nation's needs.
Warnings have been sounded time and again by this
Union, as well as other sections of the maritime industry,
alert Congressmen and organs of public opinion, that
the hasty storing up of ships might prove dangerous. The
learnings were not heeded.
The least we can expect now is that reactivation of
large numbers of mothballed ships will be begun at once
to prevent the danger of any future and costly ship
shortage.
Vigilance Necessary
Last week in Washington, a voluntary plan for keep
ing communists off the US waterfront was adopted by
all sections of the maritime industry—unions and ship
owner^. *
The policy was set up at a meeting called by Secre
,tary of Labor Maurice Tobin because, as he put it, volun
tary agreement was necessary at this time, as there is no
law under^ which enemies of this nation could be kept
from sailing on American ships.
Although the SIU was represented at the meeting
and approved the policy of banning commies from Ameri
can shipping, the, problem has little concern for our
.Union.
Long ago the SIU membership adopted its own policy
on communists—at a time when it was largely unpopular
to do so in many ̂ quarters. As a result it is extremely,
doubtful that there is a single commie within our ranks.
Not only have the commtmists been kept^ clear of
our organization—just a short time back the SIU. swept
these plotters for the Soviet Union off the Canadian wa
terfront, the dividends of which action are just being
fully realized.
Nevertheless, commies are still a factor in other mari
time unions, which accounts for the need for the Wash
ington meeting and the consequent adoption of the plan
to weed out these subversives.
. But it should be made clear that there are certain
aspects of the situation that are not particularly attrae
ive to us. We do not care to see more arbitrary powers over
seamen vested in the Coast Guard or any other government
«gency.
We intend to see to it that, in the process of elim
inating the communists from those sections of the water
frqnt where they still thrive, the essential freedoms of
democraticininded seamen are not laid open to increasing
restrictions.
Our policy toward the communists has been vigorous
and unrelenting. It will continue as such. But so will our
fight to prevent encroaclunent v»h:it we regard as the
fundamental rights of American seamen.
Men Now In The Mmne Hospitals
These are the Union Brothers currently in the marine hospitals,
as reported by the Port Agents. These Brothers find time hanging
heavily on their hands. Do what you can to cheer them up by
writing them.
STATEN ISLAND
P. PRON
H. PRITULAK
W. L. RACKLEY
E. HOSKINS
E. KILLEGREW
J. PILUTIS
S. GORDON
V. THOMASON
J. C. CARVALHO
J. ULAS
W. G. SCHOENBORN
J. J. TOBIN
J. F. ROBERTS
J. D. FARRELL
J. PURCELL
E. BALBOA
C. LOCIGNIO.
J. DE JESUS
W. MEEHAN
F. RUBEK
% S,
BRIGHTON, MASS*
ROBY S. LUFLIN
% % %
ELLIS ISLAND
W. BARGONE
F. KEESLEY
R. STROM
M. COLLINS
W. HUSSON
G. G. GAGE
B. T. KNEW
S,
MANHATTAN BEACH, N.Y.
Q. TULL
J, T. EDWARDS
E. FERRER
V.'CHESNER
M. BRUNO
R. A. BLAKE
J. PADZIK
E. LOPEZ
W.. PADGETT
J. J. DRISCOLL
J. H. ASHURST
A. LOMAS
V. MILAZZO
H. S. TUTTLE
Bill Padcett, SIU delegate at Man.
liattan Beach Hoapitai, can )s9 contact
ed from 34:30 PM every day on tho
second deck^ West Side, Ward L.
S, %
BALTIMORE
J. E. TOWNSEND
G. A. ROSE
T. C. RICKEY
C. L. DAVIS
F. L. PITTMAN
C. A. JOWERS
E. B. MAX
D. K. T. SORENSON
F. VYERVTA
• G. L. WARRINGTON
M. C. GETCHELL *
L. HAUGER
J. R. GNAGNEY, JR.
K. M. BYMASTER
A. GALLEGOS
C. TINGLE
i, . X t
NORFOLK
J. M; SADLER
ft t t
NEW ORLEANS
T). D. KELLY ?
E. FOREMAN, JR.
SAVANNAH
W. J. MORRIS
L. KODURAND
J. B. FULGHAM'
T. C. MUSGROVE
E. SIMS
t
MOBILE
R. KLINE
C. C. MILLER
J. T. BENNETT
^T. E. BURKE
J. A. CLARK
S, % S,
GALVESTON ..
J. GREENHAW
L. L. PHILLIPS
P. G. FOX
G. W. RIDECK
H. E. GRANT
A. P. COPA ' % %•
SAN FRANCISCO
R. L. BOUCHARD
E. G. BROOKSHIRE
Y. DAILAL
J. HODO
LEONARD A. MARSH
J. 'R. LEWIS
E. L. PRITCHARD
W. WATSON
X X' X
FORT STANTON. NJL
C. NEAL
GIDLOW WOODS
A. McGUIGAN
J. LIGHTFOOT
D." MCDONALD
R. A. RATCLIFFE '
P. SMITH
SILVESTER WALKER
X % X
MEMPHIS. TENN.
JOHN B. HEGART^Y
C. D. SHIVELY
J. W. KEENAN
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Augusi 4.48S0 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page Thzee
Labor Demands
Tax On Profits
To End Gouging
WASHINGTON — Organized
labor demanded that Congress
enact an excess profits tax to end
price gouging of consumers.
Following a meeting with
Chairman Stuart M. Symington
Of the National Security Re
sources Board, AFL President
.William Green issued a state
ment on behalf of all Ameri<^an
labor calling for enactment of
an excess profits tax to end spec
ulative price increases resulting
from the Korean war.
"We believe," Mr. Green said,
"that excess profits taxation
should be quickly adopted to
remove the incentive for specula
tive price increases and to re
turn to the government the prof
Its extorted from the public in
these critical days through
wholly unjustified rises in the
price of necessities."
The labor group that has been
meeting with Symington since
the outbreak of the Korean war
declared in a statement that as
representatives of A^^^rican la
bor they were alarmed "at the
sweeping increase in the cost of
living during the past five
weeks."
In calling upon Congress to
enact an excess profits tax, the
labor group pointed out that
"this is a time of equality of
sacrifice by the citizens of our
nation," but that in face of the
price rises laboring people are
sustaining cuts in living stand
ards.
rOLIO PRECAUTIONS
RKOMMENDED Br
THE NATIONAl FGUNOATION FOR INFANTILE PARALYSIS
mhFm
£\: • mw /
mis* 3
DON'T GET OVERTIRED
Union Welfare Fund
in Strong Position,
SiU Trustees Report
When Polio is around, the National Foundation for In
fantile Paralysis recommends these simple^ precautions: Keep
children with their own friends and away from people they
have not 'been with right along. Don't become exhausted
through work or hard play. Don't stay too long in cold water
or sit aroimd in wet clothes. And always wash hands before
eating. Watch for feverishness. sore throat, headache, upset
stomach or sore muscles. They may—or may not—mean polio.
Call your doctor and then, if help is needed contact the Na
tional Foundation Chapter in your area.
NEW YORK — More than 150
members of the Atlantic and
Gulf District have been paid $7
per week hospital benefits, and
four claims for the $500 death
benefit have been received by
the Seafarers Welfare Fund at
the end of three weeks of oper
ation, the Union trustees an
nounced this weekT
The Union trustees also an
nounced that the Fund now
stands near $400,000, having re
ceived employer contributions of
25 cents per day for each man
employed since January 1.
The healthy status of the Fund
has led the Union trustees to
consider opening negotiations to
expand the Fund benefits.
High on the list is the possi
bility of establishing a home for
retired SIU members, a project
which the Union trustees feel is
worthy, inasmuch as the Union
has long been dissatisfied with
the setup at Snug Harbor and
its stringent regulations which
bar a large number of seamen,
including all men who have sail
ed in the Stewards Department.
A sxirvey of costs incident to
operating a large home in the
country will probably be drawn
up in the near future and be
submitted to the joint trustees.
• Speaking for the Union trus
tees, Secretary Treasurer Paul
Hall said: "We were confident
there would be no snags in the
Answers To Typical Questions On War Claims
1. Why haven't I received my
War Claims Check? I sent iii my
claims forms months ago.
Because the War Claims Com
mission does not have enough
^aff to handle the volume o
mail it has received nor enough
claims workers to process the
claims as soon as they are dock
eted.
More than 125,000 completed
blaims forms were received by
the War Claims Commission less
than four months after the
forms were released for distri
bution. They came from every
State, Territory, many foreign
countries and ships at sea. Sev
eral thousand other pieces of
mail also arrived during the
same time, most of it requiring
answers. During that time the
Commission had a total staff of
less than 60 persons to do all
of .its work, some of which in
cluded opening mail, numbering
and acknowledging claims, ad
judicating, certifying for pay
ment, replying to correspondence,
reporting on legislation, prepar
ing the report on war claims
and many other responsibilities.
Your claim is numbered and
insofar as possible will be hand
led in the order in which it
was received.
Between February 14 (the day
the first payments were made)
and June 30, 1950, approximately
6,000 war claims will have been
paid.
2. Is the widow of a prisoner
Of war or civilian infernee eli
gible to receive a survivor's ben
• flt even though she has mar
ried again?
Yes, the widow of a prisoner
SIU members who were held as prisoners of war or as
civilian internees during World War II are urged to file
claims for compensation under the War Claims Act of 1948
before March 1, 1951, the deadline for filing.
Even if there is doubt as to eligibility, men in these
classifications are advised to file claims with the War Claims
Commission, Washington 25, D.C.
As an aid to SIU members who were war prisoners or
civilian internees, and their survivors, • some typical questions
that have been asked are answered in the acconqmnying
article.
of war or civilian internee is
eligible to receive a survivor's
benefit even though she has mar
ried again. Remarriage does not
affect a survivor's el^igibility un
der the War Claims Act.
3. I am my deceased brother's
next of kin. Am I eligible as a
survivor to receive his prisoner
of war benefit?'
No, unless evidence shows that
you stood in the place of a par
ent to your deceased prisoner of
war brother.
4.' Our son, a deceased prison
er of war, left no wife or Chil
dren. Are we, his parents, eli
gible to receive his prisoner of
war benefit?
Yes. However, the Act pro
vides that only "dependent" par
ents are eligible. The term de
pendent. is defined by the Oom
missioii on evidence furnished
in each case. The Commission
will waive furnishing evidence
except form 651 in all cases in
which the parents have been
bund dependent by the Veterans
Adminislxatioa for any purpose.
To avoid possible mistakes and
in view of the limited time for
filing claims it is suggested that
aU surviving parents, where no
widow or children survive, be
advised to file claims (forms 650
and 651) promptly.
5. I esci^ed from prison camp
and mad* my way back to the
American lines. Can I claim $1
for each d^y 1 vras on my own,
until I returned to the American
lines?
Generally, no. The War Claims
Act of 1948, as amended, pro
vides that $1 a day shall be
paid for each day a member of
the Armed Forces of the United
States was held by an enemy
country and did not receive the
quality and quantity of food to
which he was. entitled under the
Geneva Convention of 1929.
Hence, it follows that if a pris
oner escaped, the enemy was
relieved of its obligation. It is
suggested that such persons make
a full statement of the exact
circiunstances on the claim form
so the Commission can take into
account unusual conditions.
6. I landed behind ennny lines
but manage to evade capture
and never was in the custody
of the enemy. Am I eligible for
the $h a day prisoner of war
benefit?
Na
7. I am a U.S. citizen who,
while serving in the armed
forces of an allied nation, was
taken prisoner of war. Am I
eligible for a prisoner of war
benefit under the War Claims
Act?
No. The law includes " . . .
any regularly appointed, enroll
ed, enlisted or inducted member
of the military, or naval forces
of the United States who was
held prisoner of war ..." (Sec
tion 6 of the Act.) Service in the
Armed Forces of an Allied Na
tion (Canada, Britain, etc.) does
not qualify you for a prisoner of
war benefit under the War
Claims Act.
0
8. I am not a citizen of the
United States but I was taken
prisoner of war while serving
in the U.S. Armed Forces. Am
I eligible for a prisoner of war
benefit under the War Claims
Act?
Yes. The law requires only
that the former prisoner of war
shall have been a " . . . regular
ly appointed, enrolled, enlisted
or inducted member of the mili
tary or naval forces of the
United States ..." at the time
he was captured and held. There
is no question of citizenship.
(Note: Citiseaship is a re
quirement for civiliurn Ameri
can internee benefits.)
operation of the program. The
SIU put in over a year of re
search on the Plan. We contact
ed every American unioii which
had a welfare plan; we contact
ed seamen's unions in Europe on
their plans; we met with several
insurance companies—and when
we went into negotiations we
had a solid Plan which made use
of every bit of Imowledge avail
able on the subject. With this
we knew the Plan could not fail.
We asked for and won a reason
able minimum of benefits; from
that we now can work for high
er benefits."
The first weeks of life for the
Welare Fund have also been
closely watched by other mari
time unions, some with' plans
now in effect and others present
ly negotiating with their con
tracted operators.
At the moment the SIU is the
only Union on the east coast
paying out benefits. The Nation
al Maritime Union is working up
a plan which wUl probablX
closely resemble the SIU plan.
The Marine Firemen's Union
is operating under a plan which
pays no hospital benefits, but
provides for $1500 death benefits.
The Marine Cooks and Stew^
ards union is paying $9 a week
hospital benefits and $1500 death
benefits. While the MCS plan is
at present providing the largest
benefits per members, observers
believe that the CIO Cooks union
is already running into difficulty,
in maintaining the high benefits.
The MCS claims to be paying
its members $35 per week in
hospital benefits. ActuaUy, $26 of
this money is paid by the Stath
of California from its Disability.
Insurance Fund, to which the
seamen involved contribute one
percent of their earnings.
All seamen who work for com
panies maintaining their home
offices in California are entitled
to the $26 per week while ui>
able to work.
Reports coming into the office
of the SIU Welfare Plan indicate
that all hospitalized men are re
ceiving their benefits promptly
from the revolving funds estab
lished in each A&G Branch.
To Our Readers
To Mrs. Mary Sprung, Nor
man A. Fisher, Charles Ka
lulich and the many other
readers of the LOG who have
written in to inquire:
There was only one issue
of the LOG in July, and that
was dated July 21. The is
sue previous to that was
dated June 30. which means
that 3 weeks intervened be
tween the issues, instead of
the usual two, but you have
not missed any copies of the
paper.
The best way to check on
whether you receive every
issue of the LOG is to refer
to the number of the issue
which appears on the right
hand side of the date line on
the front page.
For Sample: the June 30
issue was Number 13; the
July 21 issue was Number
14. Everything straightened
out now?
.... • •
• • v.. 7.71 7). :77^
Page Four THE S E AF ARE RS to G Friday, August 4, 1950
I l,*; " m:'
fe.
if:
Frisco Expects
Shipping Rise
In Near Future
By JEFF MORRISON
SAN FRANCISeO—Shipping
for the past two weeks was
slower than the previous period
as a result of the fact that no
vessels paid off here. However,
there were quite a few ships in
toansit which took men from the
beach.'
A
Among the intransit callers
.were_ the Fairisle, Hurricane,
Waterman; Steel Vendor, Anni
ston City, Steel Maker, Isthmian;
Coe Victory, Carras; Alcoa Plan
ter, Alcoa, and the Alamar, Gal
mar.
Present indications are that
shipping will increase here in
the near future, as^ we have
many contracted ships en route
to the Far East, several of which
fire scheduled to return to this
coast for payoffs.
SCHEDHLED ARRIVALS
A tentative listing shows the
following ships as due to arrive
Jiere during the next two weeks:
(Warhawk, Topa Topa, Arizpa,
Fairland, Waterman; Steel Ad
miral, Steel Voyager, Anniston
City, Steel Inventor, Isthmian,
and the Massmar and Seamar,
Calmar.
The San Francisco Marine Hos
pital has a few of our Brothers
bedded down at this writing.
They are Edward L. Pritchard,
Eston G. Brookshire, James R.
Lewis, Leonard A Marsh, Rob
ert L. Bouchard, James Hodo,
Yana Dallal and Willie Watson.
Visit these lads whenever you
• get a chance. They'll be grateful,
I'm sure.
ABs In Demand
In Philadelphia
By STEVE CARDaLLO
PHILADELPHIA — A slight
" pickup in this port's shipping
.outlook during the past few
weeks has been marked by
. continued shortage of ABs. Sev
eral intransit ships, finding the
AB call unanswered here, have
been forced to sail shorthanded,
but fortimately most of these
have picked up the men at
other ports.
We've also noted a fair num
ber of payoffs, such as the Lake
George, Steel Designer and
Trinity and this, combined with
the fact that we've also had
quite a few intransit replace
ments, has served to make the
shipping outlook a little brighter.
We're still by no means near
the "feasting" stage.
WANT TO SAIL
Korean strife and other fac
tors have continued to swamp us
With a bevy of wouldbe sailors,
anxious to hook on with the
Union before and if actual war
fare is declared.
All too m§ny of the men have
been missing ships, as we stated
iri our last report. Besides pay
ing the customary penalty, these
men find that they suffer more
than the fine they pay.' The time
they lose on the beach trying to
catch another ship can in no
way be considered an equalizer.
Let's have less of this source of
revenue.
CS MEN PREPARE TO RESH/P OUT OF SIU HALL
Returned to New York after having paid off the Cities Service tanker SS Bradford Isle,
several of her crew register for shipping at the SIU Hall in New York. Dispatcher Paul Gon
sorchik fills out shipping card for Oscar Blain (left, at' window), as Gene Gaston and Darrell
Barnhill look on. ^ y
Their shipmate. Robert Kittinger. is shown at left as he is being greeted by Roy Lund
quist. a veteran of several years of service aboard CS ships, who has been shipping out of the
New York Hall. Lundquist. by the way. is presently recuperating from a recent operation, which
he underwexit at the Boston Marine Hospital.
Hevt York Shipping Continaes To improve
By JOE ALGINA
NEW YORK—^The rise in ship
ping noted here several weeks
ago continued during the past
twoweek period. However, there
is no definite assurance that con
ditions are definitely on the up
swing.
Activity on the payoff side in
volved the follovdng ships:
Evelyn, Dorothy, Puerto Rico,
Elizabeth, Suzanne, Bull; Raphael
Semmes, Madaket, Ponce de
Leon, Yaka, Chickasaw, Water
man; Steel Age, Steel Fabrica
tor, Isthmian; Marymar, Calmar;
Evangeline, Eastern; Robin Trent,
Robin, and the Seatrains New
Jersey, New York and Texds.
Ships signing on were the
Steel Chemist, Steel Director,
Isthmian; Robin Trent, Robin
Doncaster, Robin; Marymar, Ra
phael Semmes and the Frederick
Collins, a Transfuel ship that
came out of layup. In addition,
all the Bull Lines and Seatrain
ships signed on again.
NOT RIGHT
We see where the Military Sea
Transport Service has stated that
it does not intend to stop char
tering foreign ships. Therfe seems
to be little sound justification
for suph a policy, in view of the
large number of American flag
ships that are lying idle in the
boneyard.
If more attention had been
paid to the condition of our mer
chant marine over thepast year
when this Union, for one, point
ed out the dangers of allowing
the fleet to dwindle, such state
ments as that made by the Mili
tary Sea Transport Service would
not have been necessary.
ON THE RISE
The cost of living is shooting
up like mad. Amd the working
man is finding that his wages
are slipping fast as a result. For
no other reason that that a battle
is going on in Korea, we find
that our cigarettes, food and
other dailyused items are being
uM)ed in price. The fact that
there is a surplus of all goods
hasn't halted this outrage.
The wageearner is helpless
against such piracy, unless, of
course,' he belongs to a' union,
which at least can take some
action" to protect his living stan
dards.
FORMER MEMBERS
Former members who have al
lowed their Union books to fall
into arrears, and who are inter
ested in getting reinstated, might
find this advice helpful:
They should send their names
and addresses along with their
Znumbers, Union book or per
mit niunbers and their ratings to
SIU Headquarters, 51 Beaver
Street, New York 4, N. Y.
This information should be
marked to the attention of the
Record Clerk, 6th floor. As the
job situation improves — if it
does—and there is a need for
men, Headquarters will advise
those men, who have filed the
above information, in the order
they were received.
This seems like a good time
to remind licensed officers, many
of whom "hav6 returned to sea
after a spell ashore, that there
is no need for them to run hog
wild to the Coast Guard every
time a little beef develops
aboard ship. ,
In the past few years, the
SIU has done a commendable
job of selfdiscipline. Thfe Union
and the membership have dem
onstrated that they are fully cap^
able of bearing responsibility.
These officers should permit the
Union membership to discipline
foulups when the need" arises.
If this practice is followed, in
steady of running to the Coast
Guard, the beefs can be settled
in the best interests of all con
cerned.
Savannah Alitefl
By Standby Joba
By L. M. BRYANT , '
SAVANNAH—Shipping is still
on the slow side in this port,
but standby jobs have created a
flurry of activity.
The only payoff was the SS
Southport, South Atlantic, She
signed on again. Several vessels
called intransit, among them the
SS Jean, Bull; SS Southwind,
South Atlantic; SS Fairland, SS
John B. Waterman, SS Azalea
Cky, Waterman, and the SS
Steel Scientist, Isthmian.
All beefs existing aboard these
ships were of a minor nature
and were settled in strict Union
style.
A few of the boys who are
on the Savannah beach at the
moment are J. Hudgins, Bunny
Swearingen, L. A. Barsh and
M. R. Wickham, who just got out
of the localJMarine Hospital. All
of "course, are anxious to ship
out.
RIDE UNION CABS
Once again, we'd like to urge
all Seafarers coming into this
port to ride \ only the Yellow
taxicabs, as that is the only out
fit in town that employs union
cabbies.
With US shipping slightly on
the upgrade as a result of the
Korean conflict, there has been
a lot to talk about of late. Ap
parently this country was not
as wellprepared as Washington
led the public to believe. Could
happen that this time they will
keep^ the ships out of mothballs
rbut we doubt it.
Several of our Brothers are
in the Savannah Marine Hospi
tal and it's a certainty that each
of them" would appreciate letters
from formt , shipmates. Write to
these men: W. J. Morris, Leo
Kodurand, T. C. Miisgrove and
J. B. Fulgham.
Yours truly is attending tha |
forum on unemployment insure
ance and compensation sponsored
by the State of Georgia. If any
thing newsworthy conies out of
this affair, we'll advise you in
the next issue.
Membersblp Cooperation Vital To SlU's Welfare
7
By PAUL GONSORCHIK
NEW YORK — Shipping has
picked up considerably as a re
sult of hostilities in Korea and
tensions that are developing else
where in the world.
This time we can avoid some
of the mistakes made during the
last great conflict, which cost
the lives of so many SIU men,
if we get the cooperation of the
companies and the government.
Let's not kid ourselves into
thinking that the current danger
clouds will just up and blow
away. If they do, it will only be
temporary, for the big blowoff
appears to be in the inaking.
PREPARE NOW
Bear in mind, meanwhile, that
it will take plenty of manpower
to man the ships that will be
needed, and now is the time to
make preparations for sailing the
vesseb as smoothly as possible.
Physical equipment and gear
should be improved and put into
efficient ojperating condition. We
should not wait several years'
until after we are in a war to
get things shipshape. The com
panies liiust realize that the lives
of seamen are at stake.
YeS', shipping will be hard and
fast. In our own circle, we should
straighten out some attitudes
that do not operate in the' best
interests of all the membership.
Certain members are violating
the policies adopted by the mem
bership.
One of the most abusive prac
tices that is noticed now and
then involves registratjpn. It's
okay to throw in your shipping
card becau.se you're interested in
a particular job on a ship. I have
noticed, however, anstances where
a friend of a man who has^just
been beaten out of a job,, throws
in his card to beat the other
par^ out. Then, about 10 or 15
minutes later he comeS back and
turns the job back to the Dis
patcher.
Stiiff like that is what I call
damned poor imionism. It abuses
Union policy and stirs resent
ment among members and gen
erally causes trouble and dissen
tion around the shipping desk.
14 this practice continues, it
appears that changes in the ship
ping rules will have to be made.
I, for one, would hate like hell
to see the rule changed that al
lows a man three chancy' at fi
job before being required" to re
register. Yet that is one of the
rules that are being violated.
Let's play it fair. None of us
knows just how things will turn
but in this war, and it will take
aU the cooperation among sea
men to get things done in a way
to ensure "victory. Allowing ships
to sail shorthanded is not one of
the ways to cooperate, either
with your Union Brothers or
your country.
HURTS SHIPMATES
Every time you allow a ship
to sail shorthanded you fail tb
abide by your agreement and
you fail your 'shipmates. Sur
prisingly enough, some oldtimers
know, these facts, j^et they ig
nore them.
Another th'ing I have observed
frequently is that too many
members have not acquainted
themselves with the shipping
rules or the Union constitution,
or the agreements under which
they sail.
These rules and contracts are
the basis of your livelihood and
of the Union. If you abuse them,
you abuse yourself and your
Bjother members. ,
You members are the Union,
and the Union can only be as
good as its members. Let things
slide and the Union will slide.
But I don't think that that will
ever happen. |
Friday, August 4< 1950 THE SE AF ARER'S LOG Pago Fire
Seafarers In World War II
By JOHN BXmKEH
i CHAPTER 13
THE WAY OF THE JAPS
Voyaging in the Indian Ocean and adjacent
waters was especially hazardous during the war,
for Jap subs roamed these seas and, while a
German raider would torpedo a ship without
warning, the Japs added a touch of unnecessary
cruelty to the sinking of merchant vessels. They
exercised their own queei; brand of fun on tor
pedoed ships and crews—fun that was inhuman
and bestial.
SIU crewmen of the SS Bienville, an unarmed
Waterman freighter outward bound from Cal
cutta for Columbo, experienced this uncalledfor
cruelty when their ship was caught by a Jap
task force in the Bay of Bengal oh April 6, 1942.
Without even a rifle with which to defend
thenaselves, the Bienville's men could do nothing
when two Jap planes came over and planted a
brace of bombs squarely on the foredeck, set
ting the ship afire. The planes were followed by
a cruiser, three destroyers and an aircraft car
rier.
While the crew huddled helplessly behind
whatever slim shelter they could find, the cruiser
and a destroyer used the Bienville for target
practice, throwing shell after shell into the gim
less ship until she finally sank beneath the placid
waters of the Bay.
LIFEBOAT SHELLED
One shell hit a lifeboat that was being lowered
away, killing all the occupants, and, with the
ship in flames fore and aft, one after, another
of the crew were killed or wounded by flying
shrapnel.
Salvo after salvo smashed into the' freighter
without mercy, slashing the deck plates, smash
ing the booms, cutting the hull to ribbons and
sending rivets and bits of steel bulleting through
the air in a deadly hail.
Only half of the Bienville's crew was still
alive when the freighter went down, and they
were sucked under the water by the suction of
the cargoladen hulk.
mile the Jap sailors laughed at the crewmen
struggling in the water, the task force steamed
off on the quest for other prey.
One lifeboat had floated free and the men
climbed into it, while several of the survivors
who were terribly wounded begged their mates
to throw them over the side.
Of the Bienville's crew of 43, only 19 livedto
tell the story of this onesided battle after the
lifeboat reached the shore of India some 20 miles
away. '
About a year after this incident the SS Henry
Knox, a Matson Liberty, was pushing along to
ward the Persion Gulf about 850 miles south
west of India. Gunners were at general quarters
and the ship had been blacked out for the night
when a torpedo hit, exploding in a hold full of
smokeless powder, turning the ship instantly
into a solid sheet of flame from bdw tq stem.
CREWMEN TRAPPED
The boat enabled the survivors to arrive safely,
after a voyage of many days, on some islands
sputh of the Indian coast, where they were later
picked up and taken to,Columbo.
Bad as were these sinkings, they seemed mild
in comparison with the fate of the SS Jean Nico
let, an SUPmanned Liberty operated by the
Oliver Olson Co. The personnel of this ship suf
fered diabolical treatment at the hands of a Jap
submarine crew which would have seemed more
appropriate to the darkest days of the middle
ages. ^
SAW LONG SERVICE
A lazy swell was rolling across the Indian
Ocean on,the evening of July 2, 1944, as the Jean
Nicolet steamed her way from the Persian Gulf
tbwarcT the coast of Africa, with more than 100
crewmen and passengers aboard—the latter in
cluding Army personnel and civilians returning
tb the States after long service in the Persian
Gulf.
,:At exactly seven niinutes after seven", two tor
pedoes hit the ship in numberthree hold ji5fet
forward of the bridge. It should have been
enough to blast the freighter apart but these
Liberties were staunch vessels and, while she
reeled under the impact, the engines kept going.
In fact, the black gang stayed at ^heir posts for
five minutes after the blast, receiving no orders
to abandon ship.
When the engine was finally secured and the
propeller stopped, all hands abandoned ship
without a casualty, the boats and rafts laying
some distance^ off from the deserted hulk. They
could sete flashes of gunfire from the unseert
raider as it shelled the Jean Nicolet.
SAVAGERY STARTS
After 15 minutes of shelling the sub decided
it wasn't getting anywhere towards sending this
stout Liberty to the bottom, so it maneuvered
among the lifeboats, ordering the men aboard
the deck of the Uboat, one boatload at a time,
all except a tiny doughnut raft with the armed
guard lieutenant, several gunrjers and a soldier.
The first boatload of 25 were forced to kneel
on the deck and have their hands tied behind
them. William Musser, a Messboy, was' shot and
thrown overboard for no reason at all.
More of the survivors were then ordfered onto
the sub, and those who didn't move fast enough
were clubbed on the head with rifle butts. Others i
were beaten with lenghts of pipe, or pricked and
cut with bayonets.
This cruelty was kept up for nearly three
hours, while the Japs systematically took off
the shoes of their captives and beat them with J
bayonets across the ankles and feet.
Finally the Japs lined up on the deck of the
Uboat and the captives, their hands still tied
behind them, were forced to run the gauntlet.
Third Assistant Charles Pyle was the first to
start through, hesitating from the dreaded or
deal just long enough to be hit over the head
with the butt of a gun. Blows rained down on
him till he was clubbed into unconsciousness and
tumbled over the side into the sea.
MIRACULOUS SURVIVAL
The water re\dved him and after a while he
managed to free his hands enough that he could
keep himself afloat. Perhaps an hour later— or
it might have been more—Able Seaman Stuart
Vanderhurst, who had jumped clear of the U
boat before the final torture, found Mr. Pyle and
cut his bonds after painstaking labor with his
lifebelt knife. Together, they clung to a piece of
wreckage.
Sometime later they heard the drone of a
plane, a big Catalina that had responded to thO
Nicolet's SOS. But as soon as the plane approach
ed the Uboat hastily submerged, then the air
was filled with the shouts and cries of the tor
tured, beaten men who were left on her deck.
VICTIMS DROWN > J
Some of them floundered in the water for a
while, then sank. Seven others were saved by a
Navy gunner who had secreted a knife in his
trousers and cut their bonds in time.
The Catalina returned some hours later to
drop life preservers and food, then directed the
SS Huxac of the Indian Navy to the spot. The
survivors were picked up at 11 am, July 4.
Of the more than 100 men on the Nicolet when
she was torpedoed, only 23 survived, of which
10 were Navy gunriers and three were Army
passengers.
Such was the way of the Japs!
This is another episode dealing with the role
played by Seafarers crews in World War II. The
author is a retired member of the SIU who, hav
ing sailed during the War, has firsthand knowl
edge of his subject matter. This thrilling story
will, at the conclusion of this series, be repub
lished in book form for those who want a per
manent record of their Brothers'—and their own
—sacrifices and heroism in the face of death.
A^katiotts Open For Fulbnght Sihohrships
Cadet Maurice W. Price later described how
many of the crew were trapped in the* quarters
^d the passageways, with the bodies of mer
chant seamen and gunners laying here and there
across the fireswept deckplates.
He told how two Jap subs cruised among the
wreckage while the Liberty exploded, taking the
oars, masts, sails and other gear from the life
boats, throwing the rations into the sea and
leaving the survivors, so they thought, to perish
slowly from thirst and starvation.
But in their hurry to get away from the burn
ing ship, which served as a huge beacon as she
,flamed and exploded in the darkness of the night,
the two Jap Uboats overlooked another lifeboat
which had floated free from the hulk.
Three scholarships in Workers
Education and one in Adult Edu
cation are being offered under Pub
lic Law 584 (The Fulbright Act)
to labor union members and others
with experience in workers and ad
ult education. The awards, which
were announced^recgntly by the De
partment of State, afford opportun
ities to qualified' persons to study
for one year in the United King
dom. Applications for the 195152
academic year may be made now.
" .Candidates must be citizens of
the United States at the time of ap
plication, and must have a record
of professional experience and lea
dership in labor, in' workers of
adult education, or in union acti
vities generally. Those with some
degree of academic preparation will
be given preference. Scholarships
provide transportation, tuition, and
maintenance for the academic year.
The four successful candidates
will take special studies at such
wellknown adult and workers ed
ucation .centers as Ruskih College
(Oxford University), and Hillcroft
College, London. The courses in
clude both study and work experi
ence, and will provide for active
part^ipation with British workers,
adult education agencies, and labor
union organizations.
In addition' to these special
awards, a large number of scholar
ships will be granted for graduate
study in all sixteen countries par
ticipating in the Fulbright Program
Australia, Austria, Belgium and
Luxembourg, Burma, Egypt, France,
Greece, India, Iran, Italy, the Ne
therlands, New Zealand, Norway,
the Philippine Islands, Turkey, and
the United Kingdom. For these
general opportunities adult and la
bor education workers will compete
with candidates in other fields.
Interested persons who will be
enrolled at an institution of higher
learning in 195051 should apply
to the Fulbright Program Adviser
on thdr campus before October
31, 1950.
Candidates not so enrolled should
• write directly to the Director of
US Student Program, Institute of
International Education, 2 West
45th Street, New York 19, New
York, before October 15, 1950.
Page Six T H £ ^ F yi k £ R S io f • :>'^"'p>tid«ifi'Au8iM^^
Angelina's Hot Shots Hurl
Challenge At All Comers
Bursting with confidence, the revitalized SS Angelina
AllStars, more informally known as the Caribbean Hot
Shots, have issued a challenge to softball teams of other
ships on the Puerto Rican run.
The All Stars—or Hot Shots—T
"is a team of imusual ability
and fine to be reckoned with by
any and all aspirants to fame
and fortune in the Tropic
League." That's what Seafarer
Sixto Escobar, assistant mana
ger of the Angelina squad, had
to say about his boys.
! Particularly, the All Stars are
^ anxious to cross bats with the
aggregations representing the
J SS Phierto Rico and the SS Wild
; Ranger. They're also hoping for
I a chance to avenge the shel
lacking suffered in a recent con
test with the softballers aboard
the SS Suzanne, another Bull
Line scow.
NOT BAD
According to the recapitula
itibn supplied by Escobar, the
All Stars have had a moderately
'successful season. Says Escobar:
"To date we have played the
SS Rosario twice, the Monarch of
the Seas twice, the Suzanne and
Beatrice once each and the
Frances a doubleheader. Of
these, only the Suzanne has beat
us.
; "We have also played various
Island teams, including the Po
lice Department of Arroyo and
the US Coast Guard at San Juan
but perhaps the less said of those
scores the better."
, Softball squads aboard SIU
Ships on the Puerto Rican run
Who wish to give the Caribbean
Hot Shots a chance to prove
themselves should make arrange
ments with Sixto Escobar, SS
Angelina, Bull Lines, 115 Broad
Street, New York 4, N. Y.
Chow Setup, Gym
Recommended For
B'klyn BuUding
Batting the breeze about
possible facilities for the new
Headquarters building on a
recent voyage of the SS Del
Norte, opinionminded "Salty
Dick" Martinez extracted some
interesting preferences from sev
eral of his shipmates.
Pete Garza, Smoking Room
Steward, said he'd "like to see
the auditorium rented out to
other unions. Not only will this
be a source of revenue, but we'll
get to know each other better—
and this is important."
A fully equipped gymnasium
would meet with the approval
of A1 Tocho, Linen Keeper.
"Perhaps we can acquire this
by each ship donating something,
such as boxing gloves, punching
bag and so forth," said Al. .
CHOW CALL
Bellboy Delbert Dean is in
terested in the chow setup. He
wants a "snack bar where you
may have a decent meal for a
reasonable amount." Dean even
hopes for the day when he'll see
a Unionoperated pawn shop.
Dean's attitude oh feeding was
backed by Electrician Al Mauf,
fray, who said: "A short order
grill should be set up on the
premises, serving the member
ship only. AU the proceeds
should go to the Union. Let's
also add a soft drink and beer
box. Let's make it the best in
town."
SEEK GAMES WITH SOFTBALL SQUADS ON PUERTO RICAN RUN
GRAB YER PARTNERS!
Some of the SS> Angelina AU Slazs« who are anxious to fatten their winning jmrcentage.
Front row. left to right:. ML Dihicette. 3B; N. Blanche, rf; Capt. T. O. Ranier. mgr.; Ch. Eng.
G. A. Kerr, coach; William Davies. If; T. Balehus. c. Rear: Sixton Escobar, ass't mgr.; A. P.
Mazure. cf; S. Di Girolomo. p; J. Aguiar. IB. anu J. Callis. ss.
Digested Minutes Of SIU Ship Meetings
• k'r.'
I 'AT. • r :
ll
Four funmakers fronr the Jeff Davis look mighty country
for photographer in USS club, Yokohama. Japan. Left to ri^ht:
L. Higginbotham. DM; Edward Ruley. DM; Rex Coole. DM, and
Thomas J. Cardin. OS. ,
BEATRICE. July 15 —Chair
man. P. Lobbregt; Secretary. J.
Stephensen. Delegates reported
no beefs. Ship's Delegate read
report on vacation and welfare
plan. Crew asked to be more
careful in vise of washing ma
chine and to keep it clean after
use.
t. ^ t.
HASTINGS. July 4—Chairman,
W. Zaleski; Secretary. J. Mc
Phail. Delegates reported small
amount of disputed overtime.
Resolution introduced and car
ried calling for . the rearrange
ment of quarters for engine and
deck departments aboard all Wa
terman C2 ships. Suggestion
made that low pressiire sanitary
system be checked.,
t, t. i
AMES VICTORY. July 2 —
Chairman. Edward Saely; Secre
tary. Jack Dolan. Delegates' re
ports accepted. Motion carried
for each delegate to make up
repair list before arrival in port.
Good and Welfare: Motion car
ried to accept Union Welfare
Han.
. 4 ft *
ALCOA PEGASUS. July 29—
Chairman. R. Vaughan; Secre
tary, A. Radinoff. Delegates re
ported everything satisfactory in
their departments. Motion car
ried to elect R. Schwazz as Ship's
Delegate. Steward assured crew
that lemons would be on hand
for members requesting cold
drinks at night. Discussion on
fraternization between crewmem
bers and licensed personnel while
ashore.
ft ft ft
CORAL SEA. July 9—Chair
man. T. Freeman; Secreiary. Al
DeForest. Ship's Delegate report
ed overtime beefs to be re
ferred to Patrolman in New
York. New BuBiness:,Motion carr
ried that a committee of two
be elected to inform the steve
dore^oss in Hor lulu of the
dangerous condition of the top
lifting gear. Education;. Joe Bar
ron gave, a talk on the import
ance of staying sober at the pay
oflF.
ft ft ft
JEAN LAFITTE. July 9 —
Chairman. Willoughby; Secre
tary, Hargrav^ Delegates re
ported no beefs. Discussion on
the Welfare and Vacation Plans.
Mdtion carried to accept the Wel
fare Plan and to abide by the
LOG article on the Vacation
Plan. "History of the Seafarers"
chosen as the topic for the next
educational meeting. Delegates to
see Captain about having the
messroom and quarters painted,
ft ft ft
PONCE DE LEON. June IB
Chairman, Ed Yancey; Secre
tary, R. Cowdrey. Motioft • car
(CoflHntied on Page 7) j.
Shipboard Injury Is Fatal'
To Seafarer Melvin Codino
Details surrounding the accidental death of Seafarer
Melvino Codino ^vring a recent voyage aboard the SS
Robin Goodfellow were disclosed to the LOG this week
by his mother, Mrs. Helene L.9 ^^ —
Honeybell of Nashville, Tenn.
Brother Codino died in the
Seaside Hospital, Long Beach,
Calif., on March 18, three hovirs
after he suffered a fractured
skull incurred when a hawser
slipped from the bit and lashed
him across the forehead, accord
ing to Mrs. Honeybell.
The body was returned to Wa
tertown, N. Y., where Melvin
spent most of his boyhood. In
terment took place in Glenwood
Cemetery there on March 24.
Burial benefits were paid by the
SIU.
Brother Codino, who was 23
years old, was born in Carthage,
N. Y. He had been sailing in
the Deck Department aboard
SlUcontracted .ships for five
years. He received Union Book
No. 44327 in Philadelphia on
Aug. 18, 1947.
An ardent hunter and fisher
jnan, Melvin spent his time be
tween fcips in the. Adirondack
Mountains.
Mrs. Honeybell expressed deep
appreciation for the floral tri
bute sent to the funeral by Mel
vin's shipmates aboard the Good
fellow, and fbr the telegrams of
MELVIN CODINO
»
sympathy from Captain Thomas
Trith and Peter Patrick.
She also told the LOG that
phe would like to hear, from
Louis Wagner, of Pittsburgh,
who was a shipmate of Melvin's
on the SS Marore about four
years ago, and from other of
his SIU friends and shipmates.
Mrs. Honeybell's address is
1042 Petway Street, Nashville,
Tenn.
• ..I I. . !
THE SEAFAREMS LOG Page Seven
(Continued from Page 6)
ried to report Chiel Mate to the
MM&P for working on deck an(
ordering the Cadet to do sailor
work. Motion carried that the
medicine chest be more com
plete and carry penicillin. The
Engine room first aid kit to be
restocked and that a basket
stretcher be available at all
times. Motion carried that the
slopchest prices be checked by
the Patrolman and that only
clothing carrying a union labe
be placed aboard. Education
Brother Yancey reported thai
each member should be able to
conduct a meeting and not have
one man act as chairman al
the time., Yancey also pointed
out that the SIU is a first class
organization only because of
every member's efforts. Each
man bears a responsibility to the
union in order to keep the Union
strong.
X » »
TRINITY. July 1 —Chairman.
N. Kurk; Secretary. R. Sweeney.
Motion carried to accept com^
munication from New York Ag
ent concerning awning. Discus
sion on. Welfare Plan, with no
vote being taken pending further
information. Motion carried to
give the SIU Negotiating Com
mittee a vote of confidence for
the work done on the plan. Voted
^that men are to come to mess
room properly dfessed. Motion
carried that all hands stay
aboard imtil replacements have
come aboard.
^ X
CLAIBORNE. July 9 —Chair
man, J. Brooks; Secretary. G.
Braxton. Delegates reported no
disputed overtime. Discussion on
Steward working in galley. Sug
gestion made to keep one copy
of^repair list on file for reference.
Suggestion that Captain be paid
out of ship's fund for repairs
made to washing machine.
1.
EVELYN. July 9^Chairman.
Hendershot; Secretary. C. Mit
chell. Ship's Delegate reported
nothing has been done about
patching decks and other neces
sary repairs. Crew by unanim
ous vote favored reports on Va
cation Plan and Welfare Fund.
» » »
ALCOA PIONEER. July 22—
Chairman. D. D. Story; Secre
tary. Robert Benjamin. Delegates
reported everything running
smoothly with only a small
amount of disputed overtime.
Delegate reported that crew will
learn outcome of previous voy
age's beef on no shore leave
overtime in Israel when ship hits
port. Education ^ Crew discussed
Shipboard Forum topic on bring
ing Brothers' up on charges.
Members of each department
contributed Ijst of necessary re
pairs to ship's list.
• 4. 4.
ROBIN WENTLEY. July 16—
Chairman. Van Warfield; Secre
tary. W.^ E. Gannon. Special
meeting called to read the Va
cation and Welfare Plans. Names
and numbers of crewmen check
ed for roster requested by Headj
quarters. Delegates reported
everything okay except' for a
small amount of overtime. Mo
tions carried to accept reports
on both plans. Chairman moved
to have crew call upon Patrol
man td further explain the com
mittee's report on the vacation
plan. Crewmembers planning to
payoff were urged to clean up
their quarters in accordance
with SIU policy of leaving a
Digested Minutes Of SiU Ship Meetings
ship clean. Ship's Treasurer re
ported $108 in the < fund. In the
event the entire crew pays off
the fund is to be turned over
to the Agent in the payoff port
to be turned over to the trea
surer . in the new crew.
SEATRAIN NEW JERSEY.
July 19—Chairman. John Mahal
ov; Secretary. Eugene Auer.
Francis Fisher elected Engine
Delegate. Delegates contributed
items to ship's repair list. Dele
gate reported that crewmember
will leave ship in New York as
he injured his arm when he
fell while working on the car
decks.
» » »
STEEL SCIENTIST, July IB
Chairman. Prideax; Secretary.
Sims. Delegate reported that
room being used for library is
certified for other purpose and
shelves cannot be built without
permission from company offi
cials. Suggestion made that slop
chest be more inclusiye next trip.
Crew voted Stewards Depart
ment a vote of thanks for. ex
cellent work. Ship's Delegate in
structed to make up a repair
list.
tit
AFOUNDRIA. July 3—Chaix
man. W. R. Flaherty; Secretary.
D. W. Cotuoy. Ship's' Delegate
tendered resignation because cer
tain crewmembers have been
performing and have undermined
the morale of the entire crew.
A vote of confidence was given
Delegate and request was made
that Delegate reconsider resigna
tion. Ship's Delegate agreed to
retain job only with understand
ing that performers will be
brought up on charges.
t t t
ALCOA CAVALIER. July 9
Chairman, Stough; Secretary.
Cervantes. Motion carried to have
an educational meeting on one
Sunday of every trip. Motion
carried to have all shipboard
meetings held under proper par
liamentary procedure. Discussion
on educational meeting, with ma
jority of crew favoring no com
pulsory attendance at the.ie
meetings, but crewmembers
should aU attend. Parliamentary
procedure to, be the topic of the
first educational meeting.
% % %
DESOTO. July 23—Chairman,
Anderson Johns; Secretary. Phil
ip Reyes. Delegates reported
their .deparjments as running
smoothly. Crew discussed pur
chase of washing machine and
rejected idea as ship is in port
a great deal and laundry service
is always available. Need for
repairing of fans and. installa
tion where they can do some
good brought up. Chief Electri
cian, said he would take matter
up with the Chief Engineer.
% X
YOUNG AMERICA. June 27—
Chairman. Eugene Dore; Secre
tary. G. Sorensen. Delegates re
ported everj^hing okay except,
for some disputed overtime in
Engine Department. Discussion
held on vacation rule committee's
report, with 8 men voting to con
cur and. 12 voting to nonconcur.
Crew voted 100 percent to con
cur with SIU Welfare Plan. In
addition to customary one min
ute of silence, an additional min
ute of silence was stood for Bro
ther Otlo Johanson. who was
swept overboard while securing
a boat cover. Ship's Delegate an
nounced that men who had been
logged by Captain for going to
the hospital^ for medical treat
ment would have their cases put
to Agent McKay's attention in
Seattle.
4> 4* 4>
TINI (no dale given)—Chair
maxi, Anthony Hanna; Secretary.
Robert Aiu. Delegates' reports
accepted. New Delegates elected
in all departments. Motion car
ried to see if ship can be fumi
gated. Education: Brother Teo
d.oro Rui* gave a short talk on
good unionism. All men request
ed to cooperate with delegates.
4. 4.
BULL RUN. July 19—Chair
man, W. Wentling; Secretary/ C.
Lawson. Delegates reported no
beefs. Motion carried that each
crewmember chip' in $1 for pur
chase of a new washing machine.
Ship's Delegate instructed to see
about hot water for showers and
about refrigerator in crew mess
hall.
CHRISTINE (Dafe not given)
—Chairman. W. McCuistion; Sec
retary. D. Patterson. Crew gave
vote of thanks to committee
which handled purchase and fin
ancing of new washiqg machine.
Ship's Delegate 'reported that
everything on repair list except
the toaster had been taken care
of. Schedule drawn up for clean
ing of laundry room.
Victory Carriers agreement with
addendums to be requested from
Headquarters and mailed to crew
in England.
4. 4.1.
MAE. July 20—Chairman. E.
Smith; Secretary. F. Allen. Re
pair list to be turned into Pa
trolman on last voyage before
drydocking. Delegates reported
no beefs. Steward offered to put
fruit out for all to see that it was
not spoiling, contrary to claims
by several crewmembers. Ship's
Delegate called attention to the
fact that the ship has sailed
shorthanded on last three voy
ages; however, circumstances of
sailing time made it unavoidable.
JEFFERSON CIT\" VICTORY.
July 7—Chairman. W. Workman;
Secretary. J. T. Spivey. Jr. Dis
cussion on whether there would
be a port payoff or a draw with
the articles backdated. Ship's
Delegate to see Captain about
this. Wilmington Agent to bp
contacted about having transpor
tation rider affixed to articles.
% % %,
AFOUNDRIA. July 19—Chair
man. W. Busch; Secretary. S.
Cphen. Ship's Delegate spoke on
War Bonus, Vacation issue and
Welfare Plan. Motion carried
that llie crew as members of
the SIU pledge full support to
President Truman is action in
the Korean situation. Discussion
held on Welfare Plan, with crew
of the opinion that Plan is a
great step forward for the mari
time industry. Bosun Flaherty
suggested that when the con
tract comes up for renegotiation
in September the overtime for
key men such as Chief Cook,
Chief Electrician, Steward and
Bosun be prorated to bring it
above the hourly base pay.
4^ 4^ »
DEL SUDr June 19—Chairman.
McFall; Secretary. E. Sepulveda,
Agent Sheppard present at "meet
ing and congratulated crew for
publishing shipboard newspaper,
the "Southern Cross." He urged
the crew to work in harmony
and do all it can to minimize
the number bf men missing the
ship. Motion carried that crew
take action concerning previous
motions for acquisition of Union
literature and Union films. Mo
tion carried that cooperation be
given men on" ship's newspaper
by helping them get ads.
t' X X
DEL SUD, July 10—Chairman,
Woods; Secretary. McFall. Dele
gates reported no beefs. Com
plaint made about the Brazilian
coffee. Crew voted 32 for Am
erican coffee and 15 for Brazil
ian coffee. Discussion on prepa
ration of food. Vote taken show
ed that 41 were satisfied and 28
were unhappy about present
food.
XXX
NOONDAY, July 2—Chairman.
D. E. Jones; Secretary. E. Ray.
Delegates reported ali in order.
Ship's Delegate reported beef on
disputed delayed sailing. Motion
carried that no man' payoffs un
til all beefs are settled. Crew
voted in favor of reports on Va
cation and Welfare plans. Li
brary to be exchanged in Mobile..
Questionraised why minutes of
ship haveq^t appeared in LOG.
XXX
TADDEI. June 11—Chairman,
Paul Rasmussen; Secretary.
Charles Sinnett. Ship's Delegate
reported that Captain answered
his request for salt tablets by
telling him that the crew could
do without them. Motion"" car
ried to cancel draw list tmtil
crew learns where ship is going.
Delegates to approach an SIU
ship in first port contacted to get
OT sheets and Bonus Area maps.
Education: Crew recommended
that SIU prepare a» booklet on
the SIU Welfare Plan.
XXX
GATEWAY CITY. July 22 —
Chairman, John Halpin; Secre
tary. Mervin Driscoll. Delegates
reported no beefs. Chief Cook
claimed he did not receive right
ful share of overtime. Motion
carried that overtime be equal
ized and that the Stewards De
partment settle its own beefs.
Recommendation made that Pa
trolman be notified that after
quarters and recreation room
have not been painted.
XXX
TOPA TOPA. July 22—Chair
man, W. Walsh; Secretary. C.
Harrell. A. Swenson elected
Ship's Delegate. Delegates re
ported no beefs. Motion carried
that each member contribute $1
toward the ship's fund.*' Ship's
Delegate to contact Patrolman
concerning advance on wages to
members who are off watch.
Captain has been putting out
advances at 5 PM. Repair list
prepared by Delegates and turn^
ed over to Ship's Delegate for .
distribution. Ship's Delegate to
check on Saturday anchorage at '
Georgetovra while sea watches
were maintained.
ri
\4
.• J"
•
• • iM
• ^1
XXX
PAOLI. July 23 — Chairman,
Harry Huston; Secretary. Mau
rice Culp. Delegate reported he
will get new library at end of
trip. Report to be given board
ing Patrolman on Wiper who
missed ship in Puerto La Cruz.
Engine Delegate to see Chief
Engineer about cleaning gear for
sanitary work. Motion carried
that letter be sent to company
in regards to letter received from:
Chiwawa crew on bus service in;
Lake Charles. Education: Discus
sion on Shipboard Forum of
"Charges, what they constitute
and how to handle them."
4 4 4.
ALCOA CORSAIR. July 2 —
Chairman, Major Costello; Sec
retary. John Roberts. 'Motions
carried to accept Delegates' re
ports. Motion carried to concur
with Vacation Plan Committee's
report. \:'otion carried to refund
Ship's Delegate the money paid
out for rental of movies. Crew
went on record that Union begin
a blood bank for seamen. •
iz
Page'Eight THE SE AF AREkS LO G FridM^, August 4, 1950
SHE MEMBERSHIP SPEAKS
Comment Sought On Matters
Concerning Union Seamen
SS ARLYN SEAFARERS ON THE JOB
£
r
To the Editor:
The recent request from the
' <jOvernment for a meeting with
V the maritime unions and the ship
owners brings to mind much of
i" the past, as it affected the sea
men and their families.
• Since I am the wife of a sea
. man who served 25 months dur
\ ing World War II, I would be
interested in a discussion through
the medium of the LOG of sev
eral subjects, as follows:
1. The wearing of neat uni
, forms.
2. The bonus—pro and con.
• 3. Morale among seamen's
families.
4. The attitude of the Armed
Services toward the Merchant
Marine.
5. More and better publicity
about the contributions of sea
men to the war effort.
6. Inclusion of seamen and
their dependents at service cen
ters—pro and con.
j 7. Hospitalization of depem
"'dents—at authorized Merchant
Marine clinics, either free of
charge or at low cost,
SORE SPOTS
Many of the foregoing points
were sore spots in the lives of
people of the Merchant Marine
in the past. Doubtlessly, many
more subjects relating to the
good and welfare of seamen,
might be suggested.
World War III, if it continues,
will require greater cooperation
from #dl Americans than has
heretofore been given to oiir
country.
Let's talk over some of the
subjects outlined above.
i "Mrs. Book Now 50688"
I (Ed. Note: "Mrs. Book No.
. 50688" is the wife of a Seafar
The subjects she suggests
* for discussion are among those
f ' of oonoem to seamen and
' should touch some interest
ing and valuable comment.
(Insofar as the first topic
nientioned — the "wearing of.
neat uniforms"—is concerned,
the Sill is, as a matter of long
established policy, against this
practice on the part of un
licensed personnel.
(Union members throughout
the last war opposed the wear
ing of uniforms and have re
peatedly reaffirmed this 'posi
tion time and again. The Un
ion and the membership's
stand is based on the fact that
merchant seamen are civilian
workers. Furthermore, the
wearing of militarytype uni
forms could easily lead to the
development of a castesystem
within the ranks of unlicensed
men which would destroy dem
ocracy and the basic feeling
of equcility.
NOT JUSTIFIED
(In effect, there is no more
justification in the seamen's
eyes for the wearing of uni
forms by members of their
calling than there would be
for civilian workers wearing
them jiist because they were
working in a plant turning
out temks or planes for the
military.)
(Headers who wish to par
ticipate in the discussions sug
gested by the author of the
above letter should forward
their comments tp the SEA
FARERS LOG, 51 Beaver St.,
New York 4, N.Y.)
Pausing in the engine room for this photo
by Lonnie Lonski are, standing (left to right):
Daly, 3rd Assistant; T. Ashe, Oiler; Lynch,
Oiler; B. Searfc FWT. Kneeling: Malcolm, 2nd
Assistant, and G.Lopshas, Oiler.
Here are some of the Deck Gang reaving
jumbo guys. Seated left to right, in foreground
are B. Wilson and Scotiy Smith, In rear are
W. Dixon, Chief Mate; , Belsamo, 2nd Mate;.
Luksa, Bx»un; Rogers, OS, and Eddins, Deck
Delegate.
Lonnie Misses Out On Hacksaw Concession
As Sausages Are Removed From The Arlyn
Viera Thanks Brothers
For Sympathy Messages
To the Editor:
I should like to express
through the medium of the SEA
FARERS LOG my deep appre
ciation to the many members
of the Union for their messages
of sympathy and condolenc^es
following the recent death of
my wife.
Tony Viera
SEAFARIJSfG TROUBADORS
' "ifei"
s I
% i
'i" h . ' ri
I ' X I
iiiil
Tt'A
I , J
These crewmen played the official swan song as the SS
William Tilghman went into the boneyard recently. The
musicmakers in front row are Pickaloo, BR; Oak Jones (he
submitted the photo). Deck Engineer; l,eo Stephenson, V^per.
Standing: J. Brown, Wiper; Neil Abernathy, MM; Jimmy, 3rd
Cook.' ' • . . • Sv
To ..the Editor:
If you see a bright, shiny ship
cruising down the Chesapeake
Bay with a Bull Line stack on
it, it's not the SS Puerto Rico
off course, but the Arlyn. This
ship is getting to look so good
that the Second Mate staiied to
wear his old Navy dress uniforms
on the bridge.
When the crew caught _ this
ship, she had been laid up for
three weeks in Baltimore. The
first thing the Chief Mate told
the new crew was "Boys, I want
this ship looking like a yatch."
After five months on here, I
know what he meant. The 124
watch doesn't ' even know if
there are bunks. If you can't
stand, they slap a chipping ham
mer in your hand and you chip
the deck.
I'm learning a lot gbout this
rum and coke rim. You've heard
of that song called "Bamboo"—
well the Bull Lane gu3;^s have
one called "Dunnage." I started
to throw a • couple of pieces of
dunnage over the side when four
guys jumped me, claiming I was
throwing away a wingof their
mansions. Even a termite would
n't have given that dunnage a
second look.
• jrY^u've all heard of the hula
giil^ toat meet ships coming in
to Hbnolulu. If you pull into
Pier 3, San Juan, you have a
reasonable fascimile. Instead of
singing "Aloha," I think their
theme song is "Penicilliapa."
In 1943, I made that Mur
manskArchangel run with a
Steward named Hansen, Every
time someone would order a full
house or seconds, he would get;
a tear in his eye. I thought he
was crying with joy, peeing the
boys eating so much because it
may have been their last meal.
Hah! Now I know the feal rea
son. He's the Bull Lines' Port
Steward in Baltimore now.
I noticed in a previous issue
of the LOG that Red Campbell
said that kielbasi was a marling
Spike dipped in garlic. He should;
see the sausage we had on this
ship. I started to negotiate for
the hacksaw concession on here,
but Hansen heard about it and
took the things off.
We blew our tops about the
hamburger on this ship. The
Steward wanted to know what
was wrong with it. As soon as
Goodyear sends us back the re
sults of the autopsy on it, we'll
let him know.
One thing you can give this
skipper credit for is that he can
park this scow like a kiddy car.
His name is M. W. Jay and I
believe he's rated as one of the
best docking Captains on the
East Coast.
I'm not saying this ship moves
around fast but we just tied up
and L walked in the messhall to
have a cup of coffee and jot
down a few notes on that great
American novel I'm writing, en
titled "Kinsey — Where Would
He Be If It Weren't For The
Merchant Marine?" when "Big
Deal'^ McMahon hollered fore
and aft.
I said, "'Where the hell hav6
you been." "We just tied up,"
he answered. "Yeah, well we're
• teady to let go again."
If any of you Brothers want a ^
decent place to drink, Pasquales? •
El Paraiso Bar is wellliked by |
the Bull and Waterman boys.
Beer is 20 cents a can. It's ai
267 St. Augustin ^Street, about
three blocks from Piers 9 and
14.
In the center of San Juan it's
the Two Dices Club. These jojnts
are not. open to the local debu
tramps.
I'm enclosing some pictures
taken at the Two Dices and
aboard the ship. My next letter
w'ill probably be from sbme
Army camp, as I reach the ripe
old age of 25 on the 22 of July.
Ah well, that's life!
J. (Lonnie) Lonski
'Bi$ John' Sends Greetings
To All From Tai Ping Yang
To the Editor:
Good cheer to you all. May
your years be many and happy.
How is the weather in lil ole
New Yerk? • '
Here, out on the blue Pacific
(Tai Ping Yang, qs the Chinese
would call it) the sun is dead
overhead and the heat is, so in
tense that you can smell fried
fish anywhere on deck. We fish
oiled the decks recently.
We loaded copra in Guam,
which I presume you are ac
quainted with. So you all know
we are really loaded—^with co
pra bugs, that is.
By "the way, the watches you
can buy at the Army PX^ at
Agana, the capital of Guam, are
certainly a bargain for any Sea
farer calling in that port.
But there is also a little catch
in Guam, as supposedtobe Sea
men's Service "Club (suggest
someone call Mr. Hicks, regional
director for tiie USS in Newj
York to inform him of the true
state of one of his clubs.) !
Highlights of the Guam club:;
Slot machines set to pay off
ia meager ten percent. ,
Hard beverages at a half a
buck" a throw. '
Beer at a quarter a battle. *
Food at exorbitant prices! .
Other clubs on the island wer^
checked. We found them to be
50 percent cheaper on all items.
In addition, no slot machines
but as the USS club was across
the pie/ from the ship, well, you
%an all imagine. It was packed
to capacity every eyeriing, the
majority being Anriy, Navy pnd
US Transport personnel. .(
At present we^are heading, for
town here in cozy Cebu. Will be,
seeing you soon—if not in per
son, it will be through the pagei
of, the .SEAFARERS LOG.
Militant greetings to evi
Seafarer ashore ^nd afloat.
"Big John" Wunderlieh
SS Coral Sea
r/August 4, iSSO TE£ 8EAV ARERS LOG Page. Nine
THEY BROVGBT THEM BACK ALIVE
When Isthmian's SS Steel Admiral docked at Pier 4, Stalen Island, recently, one of the
first, passengers to disembark was this 18foot python, which kept 10 hands plenty busy.
Seafarer Tom Freeland has
his beard probed by Jara, an
inquisitive moxikey who wea
thered the trip in good style.
Heavy but cooperative was this young elephant from Siam.
He gave nobody a hard time—even carried his own trunk
ashore. The animal cargo was consigned to a New York dealer.
W£ ARE THE WANDERERS'
To the Editor:
We are the wanderers.
The questionable distinction
was born with us and is as per
. manent and as irrevocable as
the color of our eyes. Our num
. bers are legion and we are
everywhere. .
We are doctors, teachers, shop
keepers, clerks, waiters, public
servants, 'miners, bankers, farm
ers, clergymen and prostitutes.
Our skins are of all colors. We
are male and, female. We live in
hovels and in castles. We live
tiowhere and everywhere. We
Saiiford Do^leEnglneMen
Praised For Efficiency
ITo the Editor:
^e wish to express our thanks
knd appreciation to the Black
C^ng that was sent "on this ship
tn Mobile. It has been a. great
pleasure to have a bunch of boys
like them in the Engine room.
I feel very sure if we could
have more like tliiem on our
ships a lot of bur troubles would
i be. eliminated.'
Louis E. Bennett.
Ssi Assistant
"SIS Sanford fi. Dole
are strong and we are weak—
religious and infideletous. We
are virtuous and evil, law abid
ing and destructive of society.
NO COMMON GROUND
There is no common ground
we tread. We do not know each
other and are indiscernible in
a crowd. Among us are those
whose paths carry them the
world over, and as many among
us live forever at our birthplace.
We live to know fame and we
live our lives with but one
friend who knows only part of
us.
There is ho common ground
for us to walk upon because we
walk above the ground and our
footsteps have no echo. But we
are all hungry and all,are alone.
Dur hunger is insatiable and our
aloneness has no consolation. «
We hear music rising like
moisture drawn from the earth.
We hear itr and it is gone, but
it will come again. It is gay as
daisies in the lawn. It is a fun
eral dirge; a wedding march; a
war dance; a hymn; a banal
song. It is borh in heaven, in
the hell fires> and sometimes on
the earth itself. We follow where
it leads,
And if in our last h6ur we
should hear the hymn we will
follow it into glory. If the music
is of flames dancing, it will lead
us to the bowels of the earth.
But We will follow.
We .are the wanderers. And
sometimes atdusk, at the end
of our day's work, we stand in
the isle of the trolley car and
deliberately ride several blocks
past our stop to take a new
route home.
I. H. Pepper
THANKS BROTHERS
WHO AIDED WITH
BLOOD DONATIONS
To the Editor:
I wish to thank the Brothers
who answered my appeal for
blood, donors while I was wait
ing for an operation at the Bal
timore Marine Hospital.
The hospital also extends its
thanks, as at the time I called
there were only three pints of
blood in the blood bank.
I might add that any member,
when he is near one of the mar
ine hospitals to stop in and do
nate blood, as you never can
tell when it might be you who
will be needing it.
J. Doa Long
Narrows Escape Was No Fun,
Says Survivor Of Sandcraft
To the Editor:
At 3 AM, Sunday, July 2nd,
while on our' "watery way" to
Coney Island to pick up a load
of "pay dirt," we, of the Sand
craft, were unceremoniously
drafted to participate in a noc
turnal swimming party — free
style. And that without having
time to don appropriate swim
ming gear in keeping with the
dignity of "Barnacled Bills."
I was snuggedly embraced by
the "Sandman," whg was deal
ing me poker hands that had no
equal and redhot tips on horses
that always won, when sudden
ly I was thrown into conscious
ness amid the bloodcurdling
blasts from the SS Melrose,
which seconds later rammed her
unwelcome nose deep into our
side, sprawling many of us over
the deck like marbles spilled
from a bag.
I raced from the foc'sle (prob
ably setting sort of a record)
hoping to find this Intruder of
my dreams and release the fury
of my indignation for having
unprovokedly made such an at
tack. Upon reaching the open
deck I was confronted with a
picture which will live indelibly
ih my memory until I depart this
carcass. There silhouetted against
an almost full moon and tower
ing over our much smaller craft
like Stone Moimtain beside a
boulder, was the bow of the SS
Melrose which made a real night
mare of otherwise pleasant
dreams.
THIS WAS IT
And, as if to clarify any
doubt as to the reality of the
moment and the imminent dan
ger at hand, the sound of run
ning water pouring into our
midship eliminated any optimism
as to th§ safety of our ship. The
time was then, the place was
there—^but not for romancing,
or an exchange of "it's been nice
sailing with you, mate." 'Tis
said "time and tide awaits no
man." May I also add, "Neither
does a sinking ship."
Captain Bob Ammon, quiekly
realizing the impending danger,
gave the order to abandon ship.
From bow to stern crewmem
bers hurriedly, but orderly leap
ed from the deck of the fast
sinking Sandcraft into the dark
murky waters below, as might
bullfrogs jumping from creek
banks to evade the cold steel of
the gigger. To each his own was
the,popular thought of the mo
ment and, believe me, non ques.
tioned, that inalienable right.
"Believe it or not" as Ripley
would say it, there was no panic
among those of whom I saw
before making my unscheduled
30foot plunge into the briny
4eep; although there was a bee
hive of activity following the
crash and before the Captain's
order to abandon ship was given.
Many of us, clad, only in little
more than nature provided, were
rescued by the SS Melrose, while
tugboats ploughing the night wa
ters of the Narrows, snaked other
hapless crewmembers from the
threshhold of "Davey Jones" larwd
of the deep." Other craft com
ing to our rescue were the in,
coming English liner SS Media
and patrolling harbor police
boats. Incidentally, the SS Media
bagged our Captain along with
some others found drifting sea
ward on a fasr tide.
WARMED UP
I, along with several others,
rescued by the Melrose, were giv
en blankets in which to wrap and
some steaming hot coffee. Later,
the obliging Steward provided
us with clothes from his own
locker and laughingly apologized
for some misfits. Thanks are
certainly in order for the spirit
ed attention shown us by the
Steward and the crew of the
Melrose.
A few minutes after getting in
side of blankets and on the out
side of hot coffee, we were la
ter transferred to a tugboat
owned by the McAllister Com
pany which ferried us to the Sta
ten Island station. There an am
bulance was in waiting to carry
us to the US Marine Hospital^
where a staff of doctors and
nurses gave us a good "once ov
er twice" to determine the ex
tent of our injuries, if any. Luck
ily there were none, except that
of the veteran Jim Purcell, whose
dunking resulted in a crippled
heel.
After the checkup, we all
could have, with the exception ,
of Purcell, gone on our "blank
eted way," but since "Davey
Jones" had taken both our cloth
ing and money, we fell wards
of the hospital without too much
coaxing. After realizing our
plight, those in charge at the
(Continued on Page 10)
• H
Long's Reelection Hailed
As Organized Labor Victory vl
To the Editor:
Labor spoke down here in the
city of New Orleans and the
State of Louisiana last week,
when Senator Russell B. Long
was reelected to the United
States by a majority of' over
200,000 votes.
He carried every parish in
thie state and even carried the
stronghold of his political foe.
Mayor Morrison of New Orleans,
beating him by 20,000 votes.
The reason for this letter is
to let our seafaring Brothers
know that without Labor's sup
port this reelection of a great
humanitarian would never have
been accomplished.
I want to familarize the mem
bers of theSIU with the impor
tance of why all organized labor
endorsed Russell B. Long for
the US Senate.
First, his previous two years
in the Senate stamped him as
a defender of Labor. He bitterly
opposed the TaftHartley Act.
And he has fought for a program
to develop the Port of New Or
leans as the greatest in the US,
second only to New York. He
has bitterly attacked the trans
fer of US ships to the Panama
flag. '
He makes the capitalists pay
through the nose so that school
children can obtain free books
and lunches and so that the aged
benefit by an oldage pension.
All this boils down to one :
thing: A man'srecord speaks for
itself. For the coming six years
we will be represented in the
Senate by one of the youngest
men ever to be reelected. Long
will be 31 on Nov. 3.
Our slogan was Louisiana,.;^
Long, Labor. It was a great vic
tory for Labor.
Vic Miozana
Page Tea T H E S E AF ARERS LOG Friday, August 4. 1950
(Continued from Page 1} *
and making the necessary plans,
if strike action becomes neces
sary,
Among those with whom Wil'
^ liams and Sheppard went into
conference was Walter Mayo,
president of the Lake Charles
AFL Central Trades and Labor
Council, Brother Mayo issued a
^atement later saying:
"Local labor leaders are dis
appointed to leam that the Cit
ies ServiceSIU dispute has not
been settled, and we hope that
an amicable agreement can be
worked out that will not upset
the friendly relations which have
existed between Cities Service
and local labor in Lake Charles."
Mayo also stated that present
developments were "a disappoint
ment to us."
"We had hoped," he said, "that
the differences were settled."
EXPECTED ARGREEMENT
Surprise that the negotiations
between the Union and the com
pany had not yet resulted in the
signing of a contract was also
expressed by other AFL union
officials.
One of the Cities Service Oil
Company's largest refineries is lo
cated at Lake Charles. It is
served ^y the tankers operated
by the Marine Division.
Also in the area are the gov
ernmentowned butadiene plant,
operated by Cities Service; the
Firestone Tire and Rubber Com
pany plant, which gets the buta
diene for further processing, arid
the new CitCon refinery, which
^tracts lubricating oil base
stocks from Cities Service crude
oil.
Had Lucky Day
I Says Survivor
F Of SS Sandcraft
(Continued from Page 9)
liospital readily made provisions
for our needs and comfort. To
; iestore our well being, we were
served an early breakfast at
iour o't.Jock, consisting of citrus
iand tomato juices, crisp bacon
and eggs, topped off with milk
and hot coffee.
Before we could be bedded
• down, a swarm of newsmen were
upon us. Questions and answers
along with a few synthetic smiles
were in the making. Finally and
Without too much suggesting, we
retired to our beds — some no
doubt hoping to connect with
their dreams which, so short
while ago had been disrupted by
the imtimely baptismal.
WELCOME AID
Ditting the day we were visit
^ by Red Cross workers and
other social organizations, who
inquired as to our needs and
notified relatives of our safety.
t, for one, am grateful to them
for their everreadiness to as
sist man in his hour of need.
The next day, July 3rd, we
were given a thorough examina
tion from head to foot with a
few Xrays thrown in for good
measure. The verdict was: fit
for duty. It could have been:
Fit for burial. Guess we had
a lucky day that night Thanks
be unto the fairest of all damesj
^"Lady Luck."
Worth Coihran
Cohmht Of Tr^ Oo SS Aneyfo Rko
' Informiiig You
BY M. OAKLEY STAFFORD ,
THE f/*,
Aboard the S. S. Puerto Rico, New York bound. . . . It's good to
be alive. . . . Maybe it's the tang of the salt sea air or the thrill of
"the spray in my face. Maybe it's the sea which is cognac to my blood.
I, . . Maybe it's the excitement of little things. . . . Like the Captain
(Homer R. Callis of Virginia), a seafaring man with an illustrous
• war record, as he stood on deck this morning and waved Jo his Son
passing on another boat, Puerto
Rico bound. . . . Why must people
who love each other always be
going in opposite directions? ,
Memories: Of Stanley Schuyler
oing mad with joy at the rhumba
hythms in Jack's at SanJuan.
Hewak forgetting sleepless nights
in the Philippines and recalling
only the excitement of going
through the Straits of Malacca
for the first time. . . . And the an
ticipation of a peaceful Paris in
the spring. ... I don't know why
it seemed the most exciting thing
in the world to be walking through
the streets of San Juah, Puerto
Rico, and hearing the pec^le speak
a language I did notunderstand.
> i. But I understood Jheir smiles.
The language. of th^ heart
IA understood thefr drowdmg to
wat(!h the turn of a (^Ited hf for
tune in the street. Til always
smile when 1 think of Joe Le
George and Tom Jones, who left
Ohio tb live irf^n Juan year5|^'ago
and forgot about 'retdrhiri^" td the
'Stated . because lovesit there
and is doing what he is happy in
newspaper work".'. . . He won't go
back. He shook his head when
I spoke of Broadway, of" Forty
second Stiseet..and:TimfiSa Square.
, . . The memory,of,a drive to the
world famous (Taribe Hilton (Liz
Taylor's fatherinlaw's hotel
bp^jght from the government of
Puerto Rico) , . . It's a big place.
Modernistic to the last degree.
... You don't describe the place,
you see if. . . . But I think it
was the company I was in. A
lad from Washington State who
6howed'^~the 'picture of a girl he
thoughf'was xthe pfefctiest in the
world. . J . And Fred Haiaiach,
whose cousumingi^ interest in life
is thej symphony. . looked
over athandsome Tad Wrona. We
werd^ifeth a long wayfrom the
Connecticut we calLhoqig. • .
and 'Pbiil Gillette uWho . told, his
father it was not being a newspa
' "jfer man with the Gannett vuhairt,
Be wanted, it was experience oh The trouble with
Bis own. From .Cornelh'to a comerj»most of us is we talk in terms of
in the ClJaribe Hilton, and rat
1 mpmber people not things.^
Can't just land on one for a jaunt
either. . . . Can't do; any of the
things those wild tales of the sea
have told us they did. Today it
is a job, held by a man who wants
a job not a ride. . . ssX'ILremember
theirsuitability for4he role they
play.. .. And that this is the first
allAmerican manned^ship 1 Bave
found superior to^imy foreign
service i have expeffenced. ...
Things like that I "^remember.
Things like the superiority of
American labor.
It Is Good To Steal Away From
routine for a spell. . , , Ckiod to!
feel glad to be alivd. .» . Good to
store memories. . . .* Everything
empty. ̂ , . People sai^hihgTT aSK
questions, really don't' want an
^swers.
San Jiian Receded Into The
distance.,. . . The next stop being!
'Truillo where the palm trees i
along the shoredrive to the Jag
uar Hotef; are so beautiful it is as
though you were reaching up for
the sun, ... Trying to bag the
wind. . . . People again. . . John
Velasco, who is a brunette Jack
Caf;soh, but nicer., . Talking
about his' job at sea. . ."'. The sea'j
won't really get him.... The wife
and children are the only things
which will ever hold him. : . i
Maybe. . . . Maybe the sea, being
a piRtient mistress is waiting. . . .
Then Richard Grant, the hand
somest Irishman aboard, who be
lieves the ledgend of Killamey be
cause believing brings a glow tq
the cheek and a sparkle to the
eye. . i . Men of the sea. . . . Men
who never call her' Ole Debbil
Sea because they love 4ier. . . .
Men who are glad their jobs have
been raised to the dignity of a
trade as opposed to what they were
years ago when crews were taken
from back rooms of taverns.
we meet becomes ̂part of us... .
Good or bad, it becomes part of
us. . . . Hearing Stan .Schuyler
talk to that .pretty little girl in
one of the spots. . . . A moth
whose life was built around a
flame. . » . I asked her why she
stayed in the tropics instead of
joining her Puerto Rican family
in New York. . . t "And smother?"
she asked me..'^ .». A free spirit
whose exlsterica would smother
those of us who^are not cut from
the same cloth.". . . I' see fter now
dancing with Stjan. ... Living ior
the minute... ̂̂ I'll hear again and
again Gaetana Silvestii and his
song, "You're Breaking My
Heart." He had a letter in his
pocket from a girl who has wait
ed a long time for him to save
enough to .marry on., "Blackie"
had better hurry or he may wake
up to find himself married to the
sea, with, a song as his compan
ion. .. . Why do people think love
will wait for them to be ready to
accept it? Does the sun do your
bidding; come at your call? . . .
AndLeila Trew. 1 shall think of
her;The woman who faced life
Gaive up one thing and took an
other and abides by her decision
* walk indiependently or with
^ngenial friends of her own
loosing.
I'll Remember The Smile And
willingness of a . former . Water
bury lad, George Heltzer. ... As
'I will , long remember Scottie Ay
Bosson, Harry Iliff, Clement Hos
pedales, Jack Gagliardi and Jack
Struller sitting around a table
unmindful of a brisk wind which
gave a gentleroll to the coffee
cups before us Talking about
home. . . . Men always keep home
in mind even though they return
there seldom. ... All men are
alike in things they hold precious.
H:., . A
,This ship, for instance^ beoft^e
it, the S. S. Puerto l^co^^bas in
"illustrious history. It was R trans
port ship during the^waFv*^^arf
ried boys from home .to battle. \
. Maybe someoneofyou reati \
Ing this went, over^ dh^his ship. /
, . That's what I^m^remember I
about it. . . . And ̂ w whether If
you like it orjdaoifijHfe Seafarers.;;
International Unrerft^has changrdj/
a job on a ship t# a dignified or L
cupation from>a^jtchhike to a V
Strange coufttry'' with abandon
ment at the end of the line. Men
can't abandoae^ships now..
halfloaves and battle our heads
against the stone wall of the le
mand for everything. ... A
Dominican tells me a full moon
is'only half good if the arms are'
Why Must I Forget To Be In
terested by the development of
Trujillo, which despite myself, re
calls so much of Hitler's Germany
and Mussolini's Rome. ... Or of
th desire for Puerto Rico to im
prove industrially. . . . Why, I
wonder, must I skip over the facts
of government and statistics of
these islands andthink only of the
lovely, ship plowing its way
through, the blue, calm, tropical
waters. ... Or of the palm trees
of the tropical islands. ... Or the
smiles and the heart beat of the
people. ... I guessits because
facts slide into unimportance,
when the heart .is happy andithe
niind free. » . . Maybe that's why
it was never more exciting to be
it was hver more exciting to be
alive. ... Why I'm closing now to
get nearer, for the minute, to
strains of a .rhumba band P.laying
the song of the tropics. "Amor."
M. Oakley StaJford's coliirnn,
"Informing You," appears dtiily
and Sundiy in The Courant,
The crack Seafarers crew aboard the Bull Lines passenger ship
Puerto Rico, which leaves New York for San Juan and Ciudad Trujillo
twice monthly, strives to give passengers service second, to none on the
i ' seven seas. ^
That they are succeeding in this objective is proven in voyage aftet
voyage by the testimony of the passengers themselves.
The most recent accolade comes from M. dakley Stafford, a column^
ist for the Hartford (Conn.) Courant, who devoted her July 12 column
to an account of her recent trip aboard the Puerto Rico. Sprinkled
throughout the accoilof^ are the names of memJbers of the ship's crewt
who are among the Seafarers whose job performances are making the
ITS inei^chant marine the most efficiently operated in the world*
Friday, August 4, 1950 THE SEAFARERS LOG Page EleTes
TT
Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings in Brief
SAVANNAH — Chairman. E.
D. Sims, 48971; Recording Sec
retary, Doug Acker, 24715: Read
ihg Clerk, Jeff Gillette, 37060.
Motions carried to accept Sec
retaryTreasurer's financial re
port and Headquarters report to
the membership. Brother Gillette
reported that the Port Agent
was m Atlanta, attending the
• gtate forum on unemployment
insurance and compensation.
Minutes of other Branch meet
ings read and approved. Com
munication from SecretaryTrea
surer regarding war area bonus
read to meeting, and motion car
ried to accept. Charges read and
referred to Trial Committee, with
following elected to serve: R.
Simpkins, E. D. Sims, W. J.
Groover, J. H. Chassereao and
J. S. Bragg. Meeting adjourned
at 8:30 PM, with 41 members
present.
i
PHILADELPHIA — Chairman.
A. S. Cardiillo, 24599: Recording
Secretary, D. HaU, 43372: Read
ing Clerk, G. Everett, 38369.
Minutes of other Branch meet
ings read and approved. Agent
reported that shipping" had taken
an upswing, with ABs getting
the biggest number of calls. Mo
tion carried to accept Secretary
Trfeasurer's communication on
A&G Shipping Frm July 12 To July 26
REG.
PORT DECK
Boston...
New, York 161
Philadelphia 27
Baltimore .' 88
Norfolk. ,... , 9
Savannah 14
Tampa 6
Mobile ; . 53
New Orleans....... 45
Galveston. ; 35
West Coast 31
GRAND TOTAL 469
REG.
ENG.
REG.
STWDS.
TOTAL
REG.
SHIPPED
DECK
SHIPPED SHIPPED TOTAL
ENG. STWDS. SHIPPED
(No Figures Received)
127
(No Figures Received)
152"
25 *
56
12;
9
7
38
36
32
32
399
26
58
6
17
9
39
58
36
19
395
440
78
202
27
40
22
130
139
103
8'2
1,263
145
23
66
9
14
8
56
63
34
24
442
110
16
51
10
9
9
60
53
40
34
392
88
18
66
13
11
9
44
76
32
12
369
343
57
183
32
34
26
160
192
106
70
1,203
war risk insurance as read. Com
munication read from Marine
Corps League. Motions carried
to concur in SecretaryTrea
surer's financial report and Head
quarters report to the member
ship as read. Charges read and
referred to Trial Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.
X t,
BALTIMORE — Chairman, C.
Stroud, 38361: Recording Secrei.
lary, T. Smith, 20057: Reading
Clerk. A. Stansbury, 46838.
Michael P. Prochak was given
the Union Oath of Obligation.
Motions carried to accent min
utes of Branches holding meet
ings. Motion carried to forward
all ship's minutes to the LOG
for publication. Men asking to
be excused from meeting were
referred to the Dispatcher. Head
quarters report accepted. Under
Good and Welfare Agent 'vas
asked to find out the proper
setup for vaccinations. Meeting
adjourned with 360 members
present.
i 4 i.
BOSTON—Insufficient number
of bookmembers present to con
stitute a quorum. No meeting
held.
& a> 4.
NORFOLK — Chairman, BMI
Rees, 95: Recording Secretary
and Reading Clerk, J. Bullock.
4747.
No official meeting held be
cause of a lack of a quorum.
Special meeting held to ^heck
the shipping cards. •
X X %
NEW YORK—Chairman, John
Arabasz, 29836: Recording Sec
retary, Freddie Stewart, 4935:
Reading Clerk, Eddie Mooney,
46671.
Minutes of other Branch meet
ings read and approved. Port
Agent discussed the shipping
situation, pointing out that job
opportunities had continued to
increase in this port for the
second successive shipping pe
riod. He said, however, that Un
ion manpower was more than
adequate to meet any needs on
shipping made by the current
conflictin Korea. SecretaryTrea
surer's financial report and Head
quarters report to the member
ship were rea7 and motions car
ried to concur in them. In the
Headquarters report, the mem
ASST. SECRETARYTREASURERS
Robert Matthews Lloyd Gardner
Joseph Volpian
S U P
Directory Of SIU Halls
SIU, A&G District
BALTIMORE ...14 North Gay St.
William Rentz, Agent Mulberry 4840
BOSTON ...276 Sute St.
Ban Lawson, Agent Richmond 20140
Dispatcher Richmond 20141
qALVESTON 308)4—23rd St.
Keith AIsop, Agent Phone 28448
LAKE CHARLES, La.... 1410 Ryan St.
L. S. Johnston, Agent
MOBILE 1 South Lawrence St.
Cal Tanner, Agent Phone 21784
NEW ORLEANS 823 Bienville St.
E. Sheppard, Agent Magnolia 61126113
NEW YORK B1 Beaver St.
Joe Alglna, Agent HAnover 22784
NORFOLK 127129 Bank St.
Ben Rees, Agent Phone 41083
fHILAOELPHIA 337 Market St.
S. Cardullo, Agent Market 71638
SAN FRANCISCO.. 480 Harrison St.
Jeff Morrison, Agent Douglas 28478
SAN JUAN, PR 282 Ponce do Leon
Sal Colls, Agent
SAVANNAH 2 Ahoreom St.
E. Bryant, Agent Phone 81728
SEATTIX 2700 1st Ave.
Wm. McKay, Agent Seneca 4870
TAMPA.... .18091811 N. Franklin St.
jRay White, Agent Phono 21323
SFILMINGTON, Calif, 227% Avalon Blvd.
E. B. Tilley, Agent Terminal 42874
HEADQUARTERS. .81 Beaver St, N.Y.C.
SECRETARYTREASURER
/ Paul Hall
DlRECl'OR OF ORGANIZATION
Lindaoy Williams
HONOLULU ...16 Merchant St.
Phono 88777
PORTLAND Ill W. Burnside St.
Beacon 4336
RICHMOND, CaUr. 287 8th St.
Phone 2899
SAN FRANCISCO..... .480 Harrison St.
Douglas 28363
SEATTLE 86 Seneca Sb
Main 0290
WILMINGTON 440 Avalon Blvd.
Terminal 43131
Canadian District
MONTREAL 463 McGill St.
, MArquotta 8909
FORT WILLIAM.. 118% Syndicate Ave.
Ontario Phone 33221
HALIFAX ...128% HolUs St.
Phane 38911
PORT COLBORNB.....103 Durham St.
Phono 8891
TORONTO.... 86 Colhomo St.
Elgin 8719
VICTORIA 817% Gormorant St.
Empire 4831
VANCOUVER 888 Hamilton St.
Pacific 7824
SYDNEY .,304 Chariette St.
Phono 8346
HEADQUARTERS 483 McGlU St.
Montreal MArquette 7377
bership was informed that the
Us Circuit Court of Appeals had
signed a decree enforcing the
terms of the Settlement Stipula
tion agreed to by Cities Serv
ice Oil Company after it capit
ulated to the charges of unfair
labor practices pressed by the
National Labor Relations Board.
The SecretaryTreasurer also
announced that architect's ten
tative plans for alterations of
the new HeadquartersPort of
New York building had been
completed and that work on the
job was expected to get under
way shortly. He,freported on the
recent Washington meeting, at
which the unions and shipown
ers drew up a plan to keep com
mies off the waterfront, a job
which the SIU has been'attend
ing to successfully since its in
ception. Also discussed were the
Union's plans for obtaining ade
quate war bonus p'rbtection.
t %
TAMPA—Chairitaan,; Rl White,
57: Recording Secretary, N. Ellis,
16; Reading Clerk, R, HaU, 26060.
Minutes of previcma meeting
accepted, as were of
previous meetings held iff other
Branches. Agent reported that
shipping is slow with,the port
still overloaded withAJlonrated
men. Motion carried to • accept
communication from Hfeadquar
ters concerning the W^fiw.e Plan.
Under Good and Welfare there
was discussion on the?l'Welfjire
Plan and the Korean situation.
4. 4.
NEW ORLEANS — Chairman,
LeRoy Clarke, 23062: Recording
Secretary, BiU Fredericks, 94:
Reading Clerk, Buck Stephens,
78.
was helped a great deal by the
turnout of the Seafarers. Several
men asked to become reactive
and were okayed. Good and
Welfare: The Welfare Plan was
discussed with all hands in favor
of it. The Hospital Patrolman ex
plained to the members present
what papers were needed when
entering the hospital.
XXX
GALVESTON —Chairman,
KeUh Alsop: Recording Secre
tary, J. Monast, 22585: Reading
Clerk, C. Tannehilh 25922.
Motions carried to accept min
utes of meetings held in other
Branches. Headquarters report
accepted. SecretaryTreasurer's
report accepted. Proposed war
bonus and warrisk insurance
agreement read to the members.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15.
XXX
MOBILE—Chairman, R. Matt
hews, 154: Recording Secretary,
Louis Neira, 26393: Reading
Clerk, H. Fischer,
Motions carried to accept min
utes of Branches holding meet
ings. Agent reported that ship
ping is expected to be good with
Mississippi, Waterman and South
Atlantic each taking two ships
out of the boneyard. However,
the Agent pointed out, there
would be sufficient men in th^
port to man the ships, and there
would be no need for men to
come in from other ports. Trial
Committee's report aga^t a
Brother read and accepted. Head
quarters report and Secretary
Treasurer's financial report read
and accepted. Meeting adjourned
with 280 members present.
4 4 4
SAN FRANCISCO—Chairman,
J. Morrison, 34213: Recording
Secretary, D. R. Harmon, 49970;
Reading Clerk, J. Johnson, 51209.
Minutes of meetings held in
other Branches read and accept
ed. Agent reported that shipping
• for past two weeks had been
slow, but the future looked good
with a sizeable number of ships
due in port. One member who
asked to be excused from the
meeting was given jiermission.
Meeting adjourned with 35 mem
bers present.
4 4 4
WILMINGTON—Only 16 book
members in port, so quorum
could not be raised. Official meet
ing not held.
1 T • ;Jr {• .1
'' . *1
' 1;
Get A Receipt
Every member making a
donation to the Union for
any purpose • should receive
an official receipt bearing
the amount of the contribu
tion and the purpose for
which it was made.
If a Union official to whom
contribution is given does
not make out a receipt for
the money, the matter should
immediately be referred to
Paul Hall, SecretaryTrea
surer, SIU, 51 Beaver Street,
New York 4, N. Y.
In advising the Secretary
Treasurer of 4uch transac
tions, members should state
the name of the official and
the port where the money
was tendered.
: f,
• 'r
m
Minutes of meetings heldin
other SIU Branches read and^c
cepted. Headquarters financial
report accepted. Agent reported
that shipping has been slow,
with expected boneyard ships
not hitting the port, but taking
crews in Mobile and Galveston.
The Agent also reported on the
landslide election of Senator
Long and the large vote regis
tered in New Orleans, which
JUAN V. FERNANDEZ
Get in touch with wife at
working address. Urgent.
4 4 4
TOM MACK
"Sent it registered to Seattle
Hall: Wm. C. Kennedy."
4 4 4
SIDNEY L. WILSON
Write to your mother, PC Box
1017, Memphis, Tennessee.
4 4 4
JOHN DOLAND CLARK
Your wife asks you to come
home at once. There has been
a death in the family.
4 4 4
CREW, DANIEL WILLARD
(September, 1945)
Members of the Willard crew
who helped in salvaging of SS
Samuel de Champlain may pick
up onehalf month's wages at of
fice of Calmar SS Company.
(Notice given to LCX5 by W. W.
Lee, retired member.)
4 4 4
W. F. GENTRY
His sister would appreciate
hearing from anyone who has
seen him: Mrs. E. Y. Scott, Jr.,
409 W. Main Street, Swainsboro,
Georgia.
JOHN HARVEY SPEARMAN
Your wife asks you to write
her at 1407 Crawford Street,
Houston, Texas.
4 4 4
SALVATORE VOLPI
Your wife is ill, contact her
at 231 E. 67th St., Apt. 1A^
New York.
4 4 4
CREW, SS DEMOSTAR
Crewmembers on trip froth
West Coast to Ireland, payiiig
off in Galveston, have $40 in
bonus money coming. Collect at
company office.
4 4 4
PHILIP E. MARCHLING
Your sister says it is uigent,
that you get in touch with her
at 1446 Campt Street. New Or?;,
leans, Louisianna.
4 4 4
CHARLES L. MORSE ^
Contact your mother: ADiron
dack 42067.
4 4 4
CHARLES HUNEYCUTT
Your gear has been diecked
in the Philadelphia Hall. You
may pick up the claim .check at'
the LOG office, 51 Beaver Stree^^
New York City.
.iii
te.
Page Twelve THE SEAFARERS LOG l^day. August 4, ISSO. J rE
AFL And CIO Move Closer Toward Unity
WASHINGTON—The AFL and«
GIO are headed for. organic un
ity.
Representatives designated by
the AFL Executive Council and
the CIO Executive Board con
stituted themselves at a 2day
meeting as a permanent commit
tee to seek the ultimate goal oil
a single united labor movement
in America.
They called for another ses
sion August 4 in Chicago to con
sider next steps, and to make
the organization formal with the
election of a chairman and secre
tary.
COOPERATION PLEDGED
The committee agreed that the
entire AFL and CIO will work
together with the government
in the Korean crisis, for nations
defense, in^ the legislative field
and to elect a liberal Congress
in November.
The full and complete pledge
of cooperation in all, fields in
spired rank and file union mem
bers throughout the coimtry and
is expected to mark the begin
' ning of a new era of greater
achievement for organized labor
• and all the people.
The agenda for the August 4
meeting was being prepared by
AFL Vice President Charles J.
MacGowan, president 'Interna
tional Brotherhood of Boiler
Makers, and CIO Vice President
Allan S. Haywood.
In a joint press conference,
they told reporters that the j:om
mittee had but one task—to form
one labor movement.
UNITY A "MUST"
"With the disturbed world
conditions and the march of com
munism," Mr. MacGowan said,
"we feel that to preserve our
American institutions and to pro
tect the working people of this
country and other countries the
necessity for organic unity is a
virtual must.
"Our conversations and rela
tions have been conducted in an
atmosphere of ' hearty cordiality
and every member of this com
: mittee is determined to achieve
our ultimate goal."
The full 10man committee
earlier issued a joint statement
pledging full united labor sup
port to winning the war in Kor
ea, continued cooperation in in
ternational relations through the
International Confederation of
Free Trade Unions, and continu
ed. cooperation in the fields of
legislation" and political action.
m The Rival Camps Compare
Russia Holds Combat Edge Nqw
wtsTtRH Dtmaum
COMBAT
POWER
f
mmmsmium
'V
illl ^o,oo(? Mm
rnmm i 6,0 00
—From AFL labor Moadiir Snrrajf
Cost Of Raising Ship
Too Gostiy; Owners
Abandon Sandoraft
The SlUcontracted 2,054tott
dredge l^ndcraft, which has
been lying in nine fathoms bg
water in the. middle of NeW
York. Harbor's Narrows sihc^
she went dbwn in a coUiisioa
with the collier Melrose on July
2, has. been abandoned by hejj
owners. ' '.
As a result, Army Engineer^
have asked for salvage bids foii
the vessel, which has been men
acing hundreds of ships using
the channel every week. Thb
Sandcraft sunk within ten min«
utes of the crash, but all of her'
34man_crew were rescued.
It is believed that the vessel'^
owners. Construction Aggregates
Corporation, found that a raising
job might not be worthwhile,
and that the cost of breakini^
her' up would be prohibitive. "
The Army, said efforts woqld
be made to expedite the raising;
but that the case represented a.
difficult salvage job. , .
AFL Butchermen
Urge Jail For
War Profiteers
M;
IMPORTANT STEPS
The committee said that at
future meetings it will give con
sideration to:
1. Establishing practical mach
inery to handle problems of jur
isdictional disputes and raiding
affecting^ unions of the two or
ganizations.
2. "Specific proposals for or
ganic unity.
AFL officials regarded the de
'Cisions as the most important
ever taken to unify the 16^000,000
members of American labor un
der one banner.
Committee members made
known that when the AFL and
the CIO had cleared away major
obstacles to their merger, other
labor groups such es the United
Mine Workers and railroad bro
"dierhoods would be contacted.
The International Association
of Machinists is conducting in
dependent negotiations for re
affiliation with the AFL.
1.1 i if jit' Miy
CHICAGO — Imprisonment for
profiteers in the Korean war
crisis was demanded by the AFL
Amalgamated Meat Cutters and
Butcher Workmen, in telegrams
sent to President Truman and
Attorney General J, Howard Mc
Grath.
Earl W. Jimerson, president,
and Patrick E. Gorman, secre
tarytreasurer, signed the wires
on behalf of the union's 225,000
members in the meat industry.
They said:
"While American boys are dy
ing in Korea, it is revolting to
hear many gloat over prospects
that the war will bring a boom
to industry.
"... should any person or cor
poration engage in profiteering
or black marketing, the severest
possible punishment (short of
death) ,upon conviction should be
the penalty imposed for such
profits earned from the blood of
our yoimg heroes."
Mr. Gorman said that meat
prices have gone up 10 to 15 per
cent in scare buying since the
North Koreans crossed the 38th
medidian.
"There is no necessity for
hoarding and scare buying," he
said. "It is a disgrace. A friend
of mine who has a small busi
ness—3 stores—sold 8 tons of
sugar in 3 days, just over the
counter. Consumers who former
ly brought 5 pounds came in for
100 pounds." ,
While the meat cutters are op
posed to controls of any kind in
peacetime, they favor rigid gov
ernment price control diuing
war, Mr. Gorman added. He said
the fighting in Korea should be
treated as a war.
"If price control is enforced,
organized labor will be ready to
accept wage control," said Mr.
Gorman. "We should agree not
to ask increases in. wages as long
as prices remained fixed." ,
All hoarders should be penal
I ized, he said, even housewives.
Rut U S. Has Production Margin
wesmt etmmtts Russu m stumum
PROOUCnON
POWER
—Fn>m AFL Labor Monthly Survey
Unions Join To Bar Red Motaffo
(Continued from Page 1)
to review such appeals organ
ized labor and management shall
have proper representation as
follows: In each principal port
one man shall represent the em
ployers, one man shall repre
sent the union and one man from
the Coast Guard. A National ap
peals board shall be set up in
Washington, D.C., comprised of
representatives from each group
in a similar representation.
(7) Should any imion or or
ganization not here signatory by
phony ̂ monstrations, bogus j>ic
ket lines, etc., endeavor to de
lay or obstruct vessel move
ments, all unions signatory shall
not assist, condone, or support
such movements but shall keep
the vessels sailing.
The last point was obviously
aimed at Harry Bridges' Long
shore union and the Marine
Coote and Stewards, neither of
which was invited to the meet
ing, in view of their total sup
port of Russia's policies.
The meeting was called by
Secretaries of Labor and Com
merce, Maurice J. Tobin and
Charles Sawyer, respectively, and
was ' sapctioned \ by President
Truman.
AGREEMENT NECESSARY
Secretary Tobin pointed out
that voluntary agreement on
maritime policy was necessary
because at present there was no
law under which subversives
might be barred from employ
ment on American vessels.
In a. joint statement. Hall and
Morris "W'eisberger, New York
SUP Agent, said, "It should be
pointed out that of all the or
ganizations attending, the SIU
and SUP actually had no real
reason for being present.
"Sure, we're for keeping com
mies off the waterfront. Our rec;
ord proves that conclusively
from way back," he added.
"Actually," Hall said, "there
are few, if any, commies in out"
organization. But on account of
the fact that there are commiea
in some sections of the maritime
industry who are pledged to
sabotage shipments of material
to Korea, we were forced into
a situatiorT we do not entirely
relish.
"Our reasons are sound and.
based upon our experiences dur*
ing the last war. Increased bu
reaucratic controls, unless, watch
ed carefully, conceivably could
result in piecemeal restrictions
uppn the freedom of merchant
seamen—or ot^r working, men,
for that matter.
'^That's something that shbiaid
be guarded against, if we arei
io preserve democracy," the Sill,
official said.!:^: